Chapter 170 A Sudden ckout
An odd feeling of familiarity made her frown, but the pressing urgency of the moment quickly pushed it from her mind.
Out of nowhere, Sydney’s eyes brightened.
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She moved quickly and quietly to the house’s power box<i>. </i>One sharp click, and the whole estate was swallowed by darkness.
Meanwhile, inside the room …
“Waaah!”
The sudden ckout scared La, and she burst into tears.
Tess, caught off guard, scooped her up and hugged her tightly, murmuring softly in an effort to calm her down.
But the more she tried to calm her, the more restless La became.
That’s when Tess realized she hadn’t prepared La’s form yet.
She turned on her phone’s shlight and rushed toward the kitchen, form in hand–only to stop halfway there.
<i>The </i><i>power </i><i>was </i><i>out</i>.
Gritting her teeth, her thoughts immediately went to Sydney.
How <i>could </i><i>it </i><i>be </i><i>such </i><i>a </i><i>coincidence</i><i>? </i><i>The </i><i>ckout </i><i>happened </i><i>right </i><i>after </i><i>she </i><i>left</i>.
Tess couldn’t help but wonder.
In moments, she was outside on the widewn near the pool, holding La in her arms. She scanned the area. Abel was nowhere in sight.
Maybe her earlier little “scene” with Finn had done the trick.
“Tess, didn’t child?<b>” </b>
you say you weren’ting? Why are you suddenly downstairs–and with a
Nadine spotted her first, walking over with a smile. Her eyes shone with excitement, though she masked it almost perfectly.
19:19 Thu, <b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>
Chapter 170 A Sudden ckout
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Everyone there knew about the past tensions between the two, and the single mention of “child” instantly shattered the dull atmosphere, snapping them to alertness.
Heads turned toward Tess, eyes falling on the beautiful little <i>one </i>in her arms.
That single look was enough for the guests to sense that something unusual was unfolding.
A quiet ripple of unease spread through the crowd.
After all, Tess was still legally Finn’s wife.
<i>So</i>… <i>why was </i><i>she </i><i>holding </i><i>a </i><i>child</i><i>? </i>
Every gaze seemed fixed on Tess and the child in her arms.
If the child belonged to Finn, she would have been born under the brightest spotlight, and Finn himself would have proudly announced the news to the world.
Yet until now, there hadn’t been a single whisper or clue about the child’s existence.
Tess stood a short distance away, enduring the stares that measured her from head to toe. Under the weight of those looks, the truth behind this setup began to take shape in her mind. It was supposed to be just a celebration, but with all the vi’s staff and cooks sent off, followed by the sudden ckout … there was no way she would leave La alone in a pitch–dark house.
Even if she hadn’t pieced everything together yet, suspicion was starting to take root.
Seated beside Nadine, Finn suddenly found the spot next to him vacant when Nadine rose from her seat.
Tess’s face remained <i>cold</i>, and she didn’t so much as nce at Nadine, who had stepped forward <i>to </i>ask a question.
“The power’s out.”
Finn fixed his gaze on Tess, pausing briefly before repeating, “The power’s out?”
Puzzlement crossed his face, yet he still signaled for Zane to check it out.
After all, Evermount Vi’s fire safety and electrical systems were top–notch. How could the power suddenly go out?
Seeing Tess ignore her, Nadine’s smile faltered for a moment, though something unreadable
19:19 Thu, Oct <b>2 </b>
Chapter 170 A Sudden ckout
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shed in her eyes before she forced a cheerful tone. “Well, since the power’s out, Finn, why don’t you send someone to bring in the electrician? Tess, you shoulde sit with us and have a little something to cat for the asion.
“I wanted to share this celebration with you the most. Without you, I never would have discovered my interest inw, nor been able to assist Finnter on.”
Nadine’s performance of gratitude only made Tess feel sick to her stomach.
Her gaze turned cold, as though Nadine’s well–mannered remarks were nothing but cutting mockery.
“Tess, Nadine is talking to you!”
Sydney, clearly irritated by Tess’s silence, reached out and shoved her.
Tess clearly hadn’t expected someone to be so reckless in front of everyone. Off bnce, she toppled toward the nearest cushioned chair.
Finn reached almost instantly, stepping in to catch her.
The sharp smell of cigarette smoke hit Tess, pulling her back to the moment–and suddenly, everything around them was silent.
Sydney’s hand was still half–raised from the shove, but the tall man above her gave such a cold, piercing look that it made her flinch inside.
“Which hand did you use to push her?”
Her voice was cold, edged with barely contained anger.
Sydney’s body shook slightly. She didn’t dare make a move, only shooting Nadine a quick nce <i>for </i>support.
Nadine stepped in quickly, trying to ease the tension. “Finn, don’t me Sydney. She only meant well for me.”
She lightly ced her hand on Finn’s arm, her bright eyes carrying a soft, pleading look.
Finn’s expression stayed hard, but her words seemed to have some effect. He furrowed his brows and looked away.
“If there’s a next time, get out.”
His voice was sharp and left no room for argument.
<b>19:19 Thu</b>, <b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>
Chapter 170 A Sudden ckout
Tess’s eyes darkened.
If Finn hadn’t caught her in time, she and La would have been the ones hittin
<b>19:19 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>
Chapter 170 A Sudden ckout
Tess’s eyes darkened.
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If Finn hadn’t caught her in time, she and La would have been the ones hitting the ground.
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.