Chapter 188 Lines Drawn at Midnight
The moment Tess revealed that, the air seemed to grow still.
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Tess pressed her lips together. It was the first time since leaving prison that she had spoken to Finn without flying into a rage.
Zane’s eyes widened as he took in Tess–alive and unhurt–and couldn’t help but admire her resilience.
But Finn’s gaze stayed locked on her, a pang of fear crossing his heart.
“And then?” he asked, already sensing where she was headed.
“I want to look into it,” Tess said. “Before this, there were already several victims. And he’s arrogant–ims he’s got medical proof of mental illness so no one can touch him.”
Finn’s brow furrowed. After a pause, he let out a short, humorlessugh. “No one can touch him?”
Tess darted her eyes. The next moment, Finn turned his head toward her and asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Awkward, she hadn’t expected him to see through her so easily.
She suspected that murderer had someone powerful backing him. But here in Aetheris, wasn’t the most powerful man standing right in front of her?
“Aren’t you curious who sent him? I want to track him down and find out who that person is.”
“No way!”
Finn’s answer came so sharp and final it cut her off mid–sentence.
His face darkened, voice cold as steel. “I already have people tailing him. If there’s anything, the police will know right away. You’reing home with me now, and you’re not going to dwell on this.”
Tess pressed her lips together.
He kept his eyes fixed on her, as if the slightest hint of protest would have him throwing her over his shoulder and carry
ing her away.
Defeated, she gave in.
<b>9:57 </b>Sun, <b>Oct </b><b>5 </b>
Chapter 188 Lines Drawn at Midnight
Beneath the starlit night, the two returned to the vi.
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But when they stepped inside, they found someone slumped on the couch, fast asleep from waiting.
Tess flipped on the light–and saw Nadine.
Her brow knitted in irritation, a short, incredulousugh slipping out.
Thiste at night, Nadine actually showed up at the vi? She wasn’t na?ve enough to think it was out of concern for her.
Without a word, Tess nced at Finn, then headed straight for the bedroom with La in her
arms.
Finn wanted to exin himself, but Tess was already gone, mming the door behind her.
The loud thud jolted Nadine awake.
She rubbed her eyes and, spotting Finn, jumped to her feet with a bright smile. “Finn, you’re home!”
Then her tone shifted into one of hurtful reproach. “I’ve been waiting forever for you toe home. Where were you? I asked Zane, but I couldn’t find him.”
Her eyes darted, not so subtly, to Tess’s closed door.
Finn swept a nce at her and rubbed his temple. “Who let
you
in?<b>” </b>
Nadine was baffled, surprised that was the first thing he asked.
She let out a forced smile and said, “I couldn’t find you and got worried, so I asked the guard-
“I’ll have tonight’s guard reced.”
Finn raised a hand, cutting her off. His gaze turned icy, stripping away thest trace of her forced smile. “Without my permission, you don’te to Evermount Vi.”
“Why?”
The word slipped out in a rush. Realizing how sharp she sounded, Nadine quickly tried to soften it. “Finn, did I do something wrong? Why are you sending me away?”
She reached for his sleeve, but he stepped back, avoiding her touch.
<b>9:57 </b><b>Sun</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>5 </b>
Chapter 188 Lines Drawn at Midnight
<b>493 </b>
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Her hand froze midair before falling back to her side. She stared at Finn’s cold, unyielding face, then slowly, almost reluctantly, withdrew her hand.
Her expression fell.
“You’re just my employee,” he said tly. “At most, you’ve gotten a little closer with me because of Tess. But this is my private home. You don’t belong here.”
He adjusted the strap of his watch, his eyes still cold.
“Just
… an employee?” she repeated faintly, her wide, tear–bright eyes fixed on him with a wounded look.
Finn’s brow furrowed in irritation. “What else would you be? Go home. If you can’t get a ride, I’ll have the driver take you.”
With that, he loosened his tie and walked toward the bedroom.
The sound of the door closing snapped Nadine out of her daze.
His cold, unfeeling words echoed in her mind, feeding the fire burning in her chest.
<i>Why</i><i>? </i>
He hade homete at night with Tess, and now his attitude toward her had shifted–Finn was drawing a line.
Nadine’s teeth ground together. Her eyes narrowed on Tess’s door like a venomous snake locking onto prey.
It had to be Tess. That woman must have turned him against her.
Hatred darkened her gaze, sharp as fangs ready to strike.
But she forced herself to calm down.
Her nails dug into her palm, and she bit her lip so hard it nearly drew blood.
Atst, she smoothed her expression into something resembling a stiff smile and knocked on Finn’s bedroom door.
When it opened and he saw Nadine, she caught the look in his eyes: Why are you still here?
Her smile faltered.
<b>9:57 </b>Sun, Oct 5
Chapter 188 Lines Drawn at Midnight
“Finn, I came because there’s something important to discuss.”
His patience returned, if only slightly. “Go on.”
*5 Fine Comm
“The PR team thought we could use the buzz around us to take some of the heat off the rumors about Tess and the child. Yesterday, I told the media I’d be going to an orphanage to adopt. The coordinator reached out, but the director’s been busy–he’s only free tomorrow<i>.</i><i>” </i>
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.