Chapter 262 A Restless Night
The light in the study went out.
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That night, many people tossed and turned, unable to sleep. But Tess, for once, had the best rest she’d had in a long time.
She woke only because La stirred, her little belly rumbling with hunger.
When Tess opened her eyes and checked her phone, she was shocked–it was already ten o’clock.
La whimpered with her lips puckered, her big watery eyes too tired to even blink.
Guilt swept over Tess. Still in her pajamas, she rushed to the kitchen to make some baby food for La.
But just as she pushed the door open, she almost ran straight into Finn. The dark circles under his eyes startled her.
For a moment, Tess thought she was seeing things.
It was unusual to find Finn still at home at this hour.
Without a word, she reacted quickly, treating him as if he were nothing more than air. She walked right past him.
As she brushed by, her hair lifted with the draft, carrying a faint scent that reached Finn. It lingered for only a second before fading.
He had spent the whole night unable to sleep. Unable to rest, drained and hazy, he decided to go straight to the office.
His eyes lingered on the open kitchen door for a long time before he finally forced himself to look away.
When Zane arrived to pick him up, he froze at the sight of Finn’s worn–out face. “Mr. Lock?!”
His professional training slipped. The shock in his voice was obvious.
Finn shot him a cold nce. The sharpness in his eyes made Zane shiver. Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose and quickly covered his mouth.
“Y–you didn’t sleep at all? Shouldn’t you take a break today?” Zane asked carefully, studying
Chapter 262 A Restless Night
Finn’s expression.
“Go to the office,” Finn replied in a low, harsh tone.
Zane didn’t dare press further. He quickly opened the car door for him.
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At the same time, Tess pulled her gaze back and set the warm bowl of Gerber rice cereal beside the bed.
La’s unfocused eyes lit up.
Watching her tiny pink tongue press against the spoon made Tess’s heart melt.
The little bowl emptied quickly.
Tess wiped La’s lips with care. Clearly, the child had been starving.
Last night, she hadn’t known who stepped in to help, but the storm online had shifted. This morning, while waiting for the cereal to soften, she skimmed through the updates. Several top legal experts had stepped forward, tearing down every false rumor that had been pinned on
her.
Steven’s evidence was solid. It showed the exact time of Nexus Research Institute’s first design meeting, backed with clear video records.
It was almost ironic. Steven had returned to Aetheris once just to clear Finn of a simr mess, and now the same situation had fallen on him.
The second hearing with Zack was right around the corner.
But with the inte buzzing the way it was now, Zack’s tricks probably wouldn’t work this time.
Nadine had promised to represent him for free, but the odds of winning were thin.
She must already be second–guessing herself. Still, Zack was a slick, sharp–dressed bully. Nadine wouldn’t dare to turn him down outright.
Tess’s brows lowered. In only a few minutes, her mind had run through a dozen twists and
turns.
“Joanna.”
Tess called to the maid waiting outside.
Chapter 262 A Restless Night
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After yesterday’s scolding, Joanna kept her head down, too nervous to look Tess in the eye.
“Don’t let anyone else touch La. I’ll be back soon.”
Tess’s voice was colder than usual, sharper, with none of her normal warmth.
Joanna quickly agreed.
Tess hesitated, looking back several times before stepping out.
Even though her name had been cleared, she had no n to attend the second hearing. She wanted to avoid suspicion. Still, since she held a nominal role at Nexus, she had to show up and help prepare for the case.
She ordered a ride and left quickly.
The trial would soon be behind her. Tess promised herself she’d spend more time with La once it was all over.
The car sped away.
Joanna lifted La from the bed, her eyes darkening with hidden feelings.
Ever since Wanda had been fired, she had taken over her position. Most days were easy, only busying herself before Mr. Lock returned to the vi or at bedtime. She hadn’t expected his wife to walk out of prison with a child in tow, doubling her workload overnight. She’d been grumbling inside ever since.
“Bad! Bad!”
La’s tiny voice rang out, sharp and angry.
She stared at Joanna and iled her little arms at her.
Joanna’s face shed with panic. She quickly stuck her head out, checking nervously to see if anyone had noticed.
When she realized the other maids hadn’t heard, she let out a shaky breath. But her grip on the child didn’t loosen. Instead, her frustration deepened.
She yanked La tighter against her chest, pressing the little girl’s mouth and nose into her body. “Stop it!” she hissed.
La’s big, dark eyes widened like round grapes, her muffled cries spilling out in broken whimpers.
Chapter 262 A Restless Night
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Joanna’s usual respectful mask was gone. Her eyes burned with something sharp and cruel.
Knock, knock-
The sudden pounding at the door snapped her out of her frenzy. The darkness in her gaze faded, though notpletely.
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.