《Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back For Payback》
Keepsake 1
Chapter 1 The Woman With the Baby
Chapter 1 The Woman With the Baby
Tess Ember stepped out of the prison gates and into the biting wind.
She quickly wrapped her arms around the small bundle in her arms, shielding it from the cold.
s
When the gusts finally died down, she carefully pulled back the corner of the baby nket, revealing a tiny face¨Csoft, rosy, and impossibly sweet.
The baby cooed and blew little bubbles.
She blinked her misty, round eyes at Tess.
¡°La, my sweet girl,¡± Tess whispered, rocking her gently.
At six months old, La Ember almost never cried or made a fuss. As long as she was in her mother¡¯s arms, the world was safe and warm.
A bus pulled up in the distance.
Tess clutched La close, dropped a couple of coins into the fare box, and found a seat near the back.
Meanwhile, a sleek, limited¨Cedition Bentley had just rolled to a stop in front of the prison.
In the back seat sat a man. His profile was sharp and cold while his eyes were half¨Cclosed in exhaustion.
When he finally opened them, they were piercing and icy.
His gaze fell on the weathered stone sign at the gate: ¡°Aetheris Women¡¯s Prison¡°.
Finn Lock withdrew his gaze and nced at the time on his wristwatch.
His tone was crisp and cool. ¡°Why isn¡¯t she out yet?¡±
His words were cold and devoid of warmth.
Bill Cook, the driver up front, hurried to answer.
¡°Maybe there¡¯s a dy with the release paperwork, Mr. Lock.¡±
He paused, then added, ¡°But don¡¯t worry. Today marks the official end of Mks. Lock¡¯s sentence. I¡¯m sure she will be thrilled to see that you came to pick her up in person.¡±
¡°Is that so?¡± he said softly.
Finn lowered his gaze, concealing the chill in his eyes.
¡°A year and a half ago, she teamed up with the Hunts and leaked confidentialpany files. She threw it all away¨Cher marriage, her future. She chose to y the spy instead of being my wife. That was on her.¡±
His voice turned colder. ¡°Let¡¯s see if she has the nerve to face me now.¡±
The tension inside the car grew thick, the air turning nearly suffocating.
Bill dared not speak again.
After
After a while, he cracked the window slightly to let in some air.
Just then, he happened to catch a glimpse of the bus beside them as its engine came to life.
Huh?¡± Bill blinked. ¡°Wait a second! Isn¡¯t that Mrs. Lock?¡±
Finn rubbed his brow, his head pounding from a long night of back¨Cto¨Cback international meetings.
18:28 PM
Chapter 1 The Woman With the Baby
He was drained at this point.
Finn didn¡¯t even open his eyes.
¡°What? Who?¡±
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¡°Oh, my mistake, Mr. Lock,¡± the driver muttered, shaking his head as the bus pulled away. ¡°I thought Mrs. Lock had already
¡°But that¡¯s just a woman with a child.¡±
It didn¡¯t make sense. Tess was only 22 when she went to prison. Her marriage to Finn had been rocky from the start¨Ccold and distant. The couple had never shared a bed.
How could he possibly mistake a woman with a baby for Tess?
Finn snapped his eyes open.
Th
The prison gates remained shut.
But through the open window of the bus, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a young woman soothing a baby in her arms.
Loose strands of hair fell across the woman¡¯s face, covering her cheeks. He couldn¡¯t see what she really looked like¨Conly the /softness in her eyes as if she were gazing at the most precious thing in the world.
And just like that, Finn was thrown back into a memory from 18 months ago.
He¡¯d been drinking that night after a business dinner.
His mind kept reying the constant urging of his grandmother¨Ctelling him to consummate the marriage and give her a grandchild.
He remembered that woman helping him to take off his shoes and jacket. She wiped his face and hands clean, and held a ss of water to his lips. She then half¨Ccarried him to the bed.
And as she bent down to cover him with a nket, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.
¡°Isn¡¯t this what you
want? You had my grandma pressure me to have a baby with you. Well, tonight¨Cyou get your wish.¡±
He pulled her into his arms.
She looked very delicate as shey beneath him, her cheeks blushing. A faint sweet scent clung to her skin¨Csomething soft, something that tugged at the frayed edges of his reason.
Somehow, he leaned down.
He lingered, drawing things out with the forey. In the haze of it all, he took her.
Somewhere through the blur, he thought he heard her crying, ¡°Not like this, Finn. I don¡¯t want this.¡±
Haha! ying hard to get, huh?
If you didn¡¯t want this, why did you push Grandma to pressure me? What a hypocrite.
The thought of it enraged him. The second time he took her, he pinned her wrists above her head and kissed her roughly.
The next morning, he was buttoning up his shirt while she was curled up in the sheets, sobbing quietly.
Without looking back, he said coldly, ¡°You brought this on yourself.¡±
But as he stepped outside, police officers were already waiting.
¡°Mr, Lock, we¡¯ve gathered evidence. Your employee, Tess Ember, is suspected of leaking corporate secrets. We¡¯re cing her under arrest. If we¡¯re not mistaken, she¡¯s also your wife.¡±
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Chapter 1 The Woman With the Baby
Finn¡¯s gaze turned cold, and he clenched his jaw.
¡°Forget about protecting my reputation. Do as I told you before¨Cgo for the maximum sentence once you find the culprit.¡±
They dragged her out of the bedroom. Tess was barely dressed in a camisole and jacket.
She copsed on the ground in the rain¨Cdrenched garden, crying as she pleaded with him.
¡°Finn, you have to believe me¡ªI¡¯m innocent.¡±
¡°If pleas like this were useful, the police would be without jobs.¡±
He stood under the eaves with his hands in his pockets, unmoved.
¡°I won¡¯t agree to any kind of settlement¨Cnot even with a hefty payout. I want the person who did this to pay for it.¡±
The police dragged her away.
Tess turned around and nced at him again and again. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her neck was marked with hickeys. Drop by drop, her tears sshed onto the rain¨Csoaked stone tiles.
Finn pressed his dry lips into a thin line and quickly looked away.
¡°Get the car ready. I¡¯m going to work.¡±
The maids behind him were trembling in fear. They¡¯d witnessed everything.
They whispered among themselves with their heads close together, but no one dared to speak up.
Everyone saw what had just happened to Tess. She was dragged out of the house so brutally. The woman who had loved Finn for ten years was pushed until sheughed through her tears.
When a woman did that, it meant she¡¯d given up on a man.
¡°Mr. Lock, should we keep waiting?¡±
An hour had passed. Bill finally spoke up.
Finn¡¯s thoughts were a blur.
He finally tore himself free from the grip of those long¨Cburied memories.
His jawline was sharp and tense.
¡®No. If she wants toe out on her own, let her crawl.¡±
He meant well, even pushing back an important board meeting to pick her up. What a waste of time.
¡°Yes, Mr. Lock.¡±
The engine started, and the car pulled away.
Even after they¡¯d driven some distance, Bill couldn¡¯t help but nce in the rearview mirror.
The prison gates are still shut with no sign of Mrs. Lock.
Weird.
What game is Mrs. Lock ying?
She knows we¡¯reing. Why dy things on purpose? Newest update provided by Find[?]ovel
Won¡¯t she drive Mr. Lock mad with these antics?
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Chapter 1 The Woman With the Baby
She¡¯d already done the time. What¡¯s the point of being stubborn now?
Doesn¡¯t she get it? A criminal record doesn¡¯t just disappear. No matter how brilliant and unstoppable she used to be, her days of being a star attorney are long over.
Bill shook his head and pressed down on the gas.
In the backseat, Finn had opened his tablet and was reviewing his emails¨Cbut his brows stayed furrowed.
Clearly, he was upset.
Later that night, in the garden of Evermount Vi, crabapple blossoms littered the walkway.
Finn walked out of his study, dressed in dark loungewear.
He noticed the light in the bedroom was on.
Without realizing it, he quickened his pace
Keepsake 2
Chapter 2 You Can¡¯t Run Away From Me
Chapter 2 You Can¡¯t Run Away From Me
The wind picked up suddenly. The petals fluttered down from the trees, nketing the gray carpet.
When Finn stepped through the door, he was greeted by the sight of those delicate red petals swirling into the room through the open window.
The chilly breeze filled the room, carrying a faint fragrance with it, yet the person he thought would be there¡ªwasn¡¯t.
He walked over and shut the window with a snap.
The wind died, but the ache in his chest didn¡¯t.
He stood at the foot of the bed, his tall frame rigid. One hand pressed into the dark¨Chued bedsheets while the other rubbed his brow, hard.
Why had he been hoping to see her? She was just someone insignificant.
Even if she died out there, it wouldn¡¯t be his problem. She was the one who chose not toe back.
But something in the air lingered¡ªa hint of a familiar scent. But it was almost gone now with the cold breeze blowing. Even so, his expression still changed when he picked it up.
¡°Who¡¯s been in this room?¡± His voice was ice. ¡°Maids!¡±
There was a hidden gate behind the vi.
Maria Burn was helping a shaky figure hurriedly leave the property and go out into the night.
The woman staggered slightly because of the infant she cradled in her arms.
La was fast asleep. Maybe the night air was too cool because she tucked her rosy face deeper into her mother¡¯s chest.
Tess held her baby close, her embrace gentle and protective.
She was worried La would cry and give them away, but La, as if sensing Tess¡¯s desperation, stayed quiet.
Tess gently adjusted the sleeping La in her arms, then turned to Maria.
¡°Thank you for everything.¡±
Maria was one of the few long¨Ctime staff who worked at the vi.
Years ago, Tess had helped her through a desperate time. Tonight, she returned to the vi to retrieve her belongings. Maria was returning the favor by standing guard.
Over the years, the household staff hade and gone, but Maria had stayed.
Maria had always thought she would spend the rest of her life working an honest job¨Cworking hard, keeping her head down, and saving up just enough to retire one day. She had never imagined she¡¯d get a chance to do something that actually mattered. And yet, here she was, repaying Tess.
Maria whispered, her voice catching, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t given me a job back then, I would¡¯ve died in this foreignnd.¡±
She wiped the tears from her reddened eyes. ¡°Mrs. Lock, you¡¯ve suffered.¡± Maria couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°Are you sure you won¡¯te back?¡±
Tess lowered her eyes without answering. But her silence spoke volumes.
¡°I¡¯m done with him,¡± Tess finally said. ¡°I don¡¯t want to have anything to do with him in the future. And I won¡¯t let him find out about La¡±
Maria sighed, heavy with sorrow. She nodded slowly and asked, ¡°Did you get what you came for?¡±
1029 PM
Chapter 2 You Can¡¯t Run Away From Me
I did Tess adjusted her bag, making sure the documents inside were secure¨Cher 11), bank cards, passport, and the money she¡¯d earned as awyer. After three years of hard work; she had saved up three million dors.
This money was rightfully hers. She hadn¡¯t touched a single thing that belonged to Finn. Not even a penny,
¡°I got it all, but¡¡±
Her brows furrowed with uncase.
She had barely grabbed her things when Finn suddenly came out of the study. There hadn¡¯t been time to cover her tracks,
In their urgency, Maria and Tess left through the window.
Tess wasn¡¯t sure if they¡¯d left any clues in their rush,
All she could hope was that Finn wouldn¡¯t notice those details. She and La just wanted a quiet, ordinary life¨Cone free from threats and shadows.
Maria seemed to read her thoughts and felt a sting in her eyes.
She reached out and gave Tess a gentle push toward the gate.
¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. If anything happens, I¡¯ll take the heat.
¡°I¡¯m not part of the family, but even I couldn¡¯t stomach his cruelty when he sent you to prison.
¡°Go now, Mrs. Lock. Take care of your little one,
¡°And take good care of yourself
Tess turned back to her, biting her lip. She said, ¡°Maria, there¡¯s one more thing I¡¯d like to ask of you.¡±
But Maria already knew. ¡°You don¡¯t need to ask. As far as I¡¯m concerned, I never saw you tonight.¡± And with that, Maria closed the gate with a firm click and locked it.
Through the narrow gap in the gate, Maria gave onest wave with her weathered, wrinkled hand. There was a trace of reluctance on her face..
Years ago, it was Finn who had hired the bestwyers to send his wife to prison.
A man as cold¨Chearted and ruthless as him didn¡¯t deserve a good woman like Tess¨Cmuch less a sweet little girl like La.
Not far away, petals from the crabapple tree were still drifting down, stirred by the wind. Tess shivered.
Even La, fast asleep in her arms, seemed to sense the tension. Her tiny mouth puckered, signaling she might cry any
moment now,
Tess quickly held her tighter.
She picked up her pace, walking for a distance and weaving around the surveince cameras. Only when she reached a corner of the street and spotted the rideshare waiting did she allow herself to exhale and climb in. Not once did she look
back.
In the car, La curled peacefully in her arms, her breath soft and even. Tess nced out the window as the iron gates of Evermount Vi slipped out of view.
Kinn, may we never meet again.
What she didn¡¯t know was that back in the vi, inside the master bedroom, the search team had already returned.
One of the men reported, ¡°Mr. Lock, we¡¯ve reviewed the surveince footage and searched every corner. There was no sign of Mrs, Lock. But we did find this.¡±
He presented Finn with footage.
10.29 PM
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Chapter 2 You Can¡¯t Run Away From Me
¡°We¡¯ve already detained the person shown. This is her background information.¡±
A few momentster, a group of security guards arrived at the staff quarters and knocked on Maria¡¯s door.
One said, his voice cold and sharp, ¡°Maria, the cameras show you were the only person near Mr. Lock¡¯s bedroom. Ten minutester, it was broken into.¡±
The security guards didn¡¯t wait for a reply. They grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her back. ¡°Mr. Lock is being generous,¡± one of them said. ¡°You have two choices¨Cconfess and give it back, or ¡¡±
Maria¡¯s heart dropped. Before she could speak, the guards abruptly stepped aside, and someone walked in.
He had a tall frame, sinister eyes, and sharp features. He had the kind of presence that could freeze the air around him.
Finn rubbed his temples tiredly before sizing Maria up with a hard, unreadable gaze.
He didn¡¯t care what had been stolen. There was only one thing that mattered to him.
Finn slowly crouched down, his refined figureced with a quiet fury. He fixed his gaze on the audacious maid before him.
He said, ¡°Tell me. Did shee back? And where did she go?¡±
Maria¡¯s eyes widened.
She froze for just a moment, then quickly shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°No one came to the house tonight. I didn¡¯t see anyone, and I didn¡¯t take anything.¡±
¡°You¡¯re not going to talk, huh?¡± One of the guards stepped forward, ready to teach her a lesson.
But Finn waved his hand. ¡°Let her go.¡±
The guard was stunned, puzzled by themand, but he obeyed.
Maria exhaled a breath of relief. Maybe she¡¯d convinced them.
Then came his voice¨Ccalm but ruthless and intimidating. Finn said slowly, ¡°Maria, your file says you have a daughter who lives in Aetheris. She was married for five years before finally getting pregnant. Her husband¡¯s a mid¨Clevel manager. It took him six years of hard work to earn that role.
¡°They¡¯re a happy couple, right? They invited you to spend the holidays together. So, tell me¨Cwhat would happen if I had him fired tomorrow and cklisted in the industry? Nopany would hire him again.
¡°And if he finds out it was because of you¨Cbecause of something you did¨Cwhat do you think your daughter and son¨Cinw would think of you? What would your family be?¡± Th?s chapter is updated by Find_Novel(.
¡°Would you risk your happy family to keep the secret? Smart people like you always know how to make the right choice.¡±
By the time he finished, Maria had a mental breakdown.
Sweat poured down her forehead. Her back was soaked.
She stared at Finn in front of her in terror. This powerful, calcting man could destroy her family as easily as a walk in the park. Her teeth ttered uncontrobly.
¡°I ¡ I ¡¡±
¡°Where did Mrs. Lock go?¡± Finn asked again, his voice low and deadly. ¡°Did you help her?¡±
He smiled faintly, but there was nothing kind in it¨Cjust frost and warning.
If Maria hesitated for another second, he wouldn¡¯t give her another chance.
Facing the richest man in all of Aetheris¨Ca man with unimaginable influence and a temperament no one could predict~ Maria trembled. Her aging hands lifted in a pleading gesture. She knew, deep down, she had no choice.
10.29 PM &
Chapter 2 You Can¡¯t Run Away From Me
She whispered, choking back tears, ¡°Please don¡¯t hurt my daughter. I¡¯ll tell you. I¡¯ll tell you everything.¡±
Finn paused mid¨Cstep.
Keepsake 3
Chapter 3 No Way Out
Ten minutes passed.
Maria copsed to the ground. ¡°I¡¯ve told you everything I know. Please, don¡¯t hurt Mrs. Lock. She¡¯s already been through enough. She-¡±
¡°She¡¯s been through enough?¡± Finn¡¯s voice dripped with scorn. ¡°With her status as Mrs. Lock, she still wasn¡¯t satisfied. She¡¯s ying this little game of cat and mouse with me. Does she really think she can win?¡±
With a cold sneer, he turned on his heel and strode off.
Behind him, the sea of security guards quietly dispersed, vanishing like a receding tide.
Maria remained on the cold floor, guilt eating away at her.
She muttered to herself, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Lock. This is as far as I can help you. I told them almost everything, except for the one thing that matters most.¡±
In the study.
¡°Mr. Lock, do you want us to bring Mrs. Lock back?¡±
Finn¡¯s gaze was dark and sinister.
He waved it off.
¡°No. If she wants to run, let her. Freeze all her assets¨Cevery property and every penny under her name. Let¡¯s see how long she canst out there with nothing to her name. She¡¯lle crawling back eventually.¡±
As he spoke, the fountain pen in his hand snapped clean in half.
His assistant shivered at his scheme.
¡°But Maria said Mrs. Lock is desperate for money. Are you sure we should leave her with nothing? Where will she even sleep tonight? How will she feed herself?¡±
Finn shot him a withering look. ¡°What, feeling sorry for her? Let her sleep on the streets and drink from the gutters. It¡¯s her choice. Are you pitying a felon now? Zane, are you serious?¡±
Zane ck quickly shook his head and exined, ¡°I¡¯m not pitying her, Mr. Lock. But isn¡¯t this a little cruel?¡±
¡°Cruel?¡± Finn¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Did she think about that when she sold me out to my biggest rival? If you ask me, she brought this on herself.¡±
He flung the broken pen across the room.
ck ink spattered across the rug and the wall. A storm was churning in Finn¡¯s
eyes.
Zane hung his head low and sighed softly.
Deep down, he knew that Mr. Lock had once truly loved his wife. What a shame!
¡°Ma¡¯am, we¡¯re at Evermount Heights.¡±
The rideshare car slowed to a stop in front of a luxury condominium. This text is hosted at find(?)ovel
It was past midnight, and La, who was in her arms, squirmed restlessly.
She reached down and touched La¡¯s diaper. It was soaked.
If she didn¡¯t change it now, it would soak through her clothes.
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s
Chapter 3 No Way Out
It was freezing outside. Tess couldn¡¯t even bear to imagine what would happen if La caught a cold¨Cor worse, came down with a fever. What would she do then?
Before leaving the house, she realized that thest pack of diapers she had brought from the prison was gone.
There was still some form left, but it was barely enough tost them three or four days.
Before heading inside theplex, she turned toward a baby supplies store by the gate.
The shop assistant saw her walk in with a restless baby in her arms and rushed over.
¡°Oh goodness, Ms. Ember! What brings you out thiste in the cold? Please, let me help. What do you need? I¡¯ll pack it up and deliver it to your door.¡±
The shop assistant remembered seeing Tess earlier that day entering Evermount Heights¨Cone of the city¡¯s most exclusive high¨Crises.
Anyone who lived there was either rich, influential, or, at the very least, a standout in their field.
At the time, Tess had been in old clothes, holding a baby. The shop assistant¡¯s coworker had quietly gossiped, figuring she was someone¡¯s mistress here to im a ce at the table.
But Tess had introduced herself as Ms. Ember, owner of a unit in Tower C.
Tower C¡ªthe crown jewel of the entire property.
She never would¡¯ve guessed it. This woman in shabby clothes, all alone with a baby in her arms, was actually the owner of a unit in Tower C?
Her respect for Tess shifted in an instant as she watched the security guard swipe her in with utmost courtesy. She found herself stealing a second look, then a third.
And suddenly, she felt ashamed of the gossip she and her coworker had exchanged earlier.
Even behind the mask, Tess was striking¨Cslim frame, delicate features, and, most of all, thoserge, clear, and expressive eyes. Like the moon, they were still and luminous¨Cquietly beautiful.
¡°I¡¯ll take three packs of diapers, size 3,¡± Tess said.
¡°And two cases of this Infant Form, and another two cases of the Follow¨COn from the same brand.
¡°These baby clothes, cotton, size 3 to 6 months. This whole row, wrap it all up.
Tess continued grabbing baby essentials, piling them high.
Then, finally, she turned to the young woman, who stood frozen with wide eyes.
¡°Sorry, is this too much?¡± Tess asked.
There was so much stuff, so it would take multiple trips just to carry it all. Tess hesitated, a flicker of difort creeping in. Was she troubling this young woman?
She never used to think this way. But after what she went through in prison, she¡¯d started to understand just how hard life could be for people at the bottom.
Back inside, she¡¯d been at the lowest rung of the prison hierarchy. And because Finn had made a point to personally see to it she was well taken care of, that made her a target. Everyone had taken a turn stepping on her.
Now, she did her best not to bother anyone. She avoided attention. She didn¡¯t want to owe anything to anyone.
Tess reached up and consciously touched her cheek. Under the face mask, which fully covered her face, were scars¡ªbone deep. She could feel them even without a mirror.
Her fingers trembled, and she lowered her gaze. The light in her eyes dimuned
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Chapter 3 No Way Out
Meanwhile, the shop assistant had snapped out of her trance.
Jackpot! This one sale would hit her monthly quota, and all it took was a single night shift. Heck, she¡¯d happily work nights every day for sales like this.
¡°No, no! It¡¯s not too much! Do you need anything else? I¡¯ll pack it up for you!¡±
¡°That¡¯s all for now. Thank you.¡±
¡°Of course. How would you like to pay?¡±
¡°Debit card, please.¡±
Tess dug through her bag. Tucked between her ID and other papers was her golden debit card.
As long as she had this, La would be okay. They¡¯d be okay.
She rubbed her thumb over the edge, then handed it over.
That¡¯ll be 1,500 dors, Ms. Ember. Please hold on just a moment.¡±
Beep! Beep!
The shop assistant frowned, puzzled.
She tried again and again, her gaze turning awkward.
¡°Um, Ms. Ember, do you have another card? This one¡¯s been declined. Insufficient funds.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Tess¡¯s stomach twisted uneasily. Something cold and heavy settled over her chest.
She remembered how easily she had found her cards earlier. Was it possible that ¡
¡°Please try these.¡±
She hastily pulled out the rest.
If she remembered right, each one had tens of thousands of dors. They were the rewards she¡¯d earned from solving some of Aetheris¡¯s biggest cases.
Beep!
Beep! Beep! Beep!
¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Ember. None of them are going through.¡±
The shop assistant¡¯s smile was clearly strained now.
Doesn¡¯t she live in a unit at Tower C? How could this be?
¡°Any other cards, Ms. Ember?¡±
Tess stood there, numb and deste. ¡°No, that¡¯s all.¡±
I see. So, about these items¡¡±
¡°I¡¯ll leave them. Thank you anyway.¡±
Tess forced a polite smile and turned away, dragging her feet.
How could this happen? All of it¨Cgone. Frozen. That¡¯s my money. I¡¯d worked for it. Fought for it. Why? Why does he get to do this?
M Ember¡ªwait!¡±
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Chapter 3 No Way Out
She¡¯d almost reached the door when the shop assistant called after her.
¡°Your baby¡¯s crying. She¡¯s probably hungry or wet. We have sample packs. Would you like to take one?¡±
Her reminder brought Tess back to the present. She looked down.
La.
Tess hugged her close.
A few minutester, she emerged from the shop¡¯s nursing room.
La had been changed into a fresh diaper, and the shop assistant handed Tess arge bag. She said, ¡°There are all kinds of trial packs inside¨Cdifferent diaper brands, form samples¡ We had some promotional tins too. I stuffed the bag full. Take it. It¡¯s for the baby.¡±
Tess hesitated. She shouldn¡¯t ept it, but the shop assistant said it was for La.
That was right. She could go without any food and items. But what about La?
¡°Thank you.¡± Her voice cracked.
Her nose stung, and her eyes burned.
Finn had driven her into a corner and taken everything. But this stranger¨Cthis shop assistant¨Chad given her a lifeline.
She had loved the wrong man.
¡°It¡¯s no trouble,¡± the shop assistant said gently. ¡°I don¡¯t have kids myself, but I can¡¯t stand to hear a baby cry. And I can tell that you love her very much. It¡¯s cold out. Please, get her home safe.
¡°No matter what you¡¯re going through, Ms. Ember, hang in there. Do it for the baby.¡±
She assumed Tess had a falling out with her family or something.
These rich folks froze a housewife¡¯s cards just because they have a problem with her?
Men like that are the worst. Total jerks.
Tess clutched the baby tighter and quickened her pace toward her house.
It was cold, just as the shop assistant had said. She couldn¡¯t let La freeze.
But now, with no money and no source of ie, how were
they going to survive?
Keepsake 4
Chapter 4 Mr Lock Doesn¡¯t Recognize His Wife
Chapter 4 Mr Lock Doesn¡¯t Recognize His Wife
¡°Stop right there! Who are you?¡±
The sudden shout from the security guard yanked Tess out of her daze.
She furrowed her brows and said, ¡°You saw me just this afternoon. I live in Tower C. Have you forgotten?¡±
The security guard cleared his throat awkwardly.
¡°I do remember. I was the one who let you in with my key card. But we¡¯ve just received a new notice¡ªyour unit¡¯s been frozen. Your creditor filed for a freeze on your property. Without your creditor¡¯s approval, you¡¯re not allowed to enter.¡±
¡°What? That¡¯s my house! Why can¡¯t I go in?¡±
Tess¡¯s voice cracked in disbelief.
I paid for this house in full.
What does it have to do with Finn?
The security guard gave her a once¨Cover and softened his tone. ¡°Look, since you¡¯ve got a kid with you, I won¡¯t make things harder. But you really should leave.¡±
¡°You ¡ What about my things? My luggage is still inside!¡±
The security guard shrugged and exined, ¡°Unless you¡¯ve got court documents lifting the freeze, we can¡¯t let you in. Maybe try calling your creditor? If they say yes and notify our office, we¡¯ll let you in temporarily.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t even know what creditor you¡¯re talking about.¡± Her lips turned pale.
¡°You need to figure it out.¡±
The guard didn¡¯t respond. He gave her a cold nce and turned back toward thefort of the heated security booth, shutting the door behind him.
Tess stood alone in the bitter wind, chilled to her bones.
From a legal standpoint, Finn did have the right to use her criminal record¨Cher conviction and time in prison¨Cas grounds to freeze her property and liquid assets, iming to be a harmed party.
In other words, a word from him could leave her utterly stranded with nowhere to turn to.
No money. No roof above my head.
Does he hate me that much?
I¡¯ve served my sentence. Why is he still haunting me?
¡°Finn, how can you be so heartless?¡± she murmured.
Holding La close, Tess had nowhere to go.
The security guard didn¡¯t want her lingering at the entrance, taking shelter from the wind and rain. In his eyes, she was a stain on the image of the upscale property. He chased her off more than once.
With no choice, Tess found herself standing on an empty street, shivering¨Cnot from the cold but from the fury rising inside
her.
She shut her eyes. She needed a way out¨Cfor herself and for La.
At that moment, a flyer fluttered to her feet. It was a job ad for a street cleaner.
Tess crouched down and picked it up with hands so cold they were turning blue.
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Chapter 4 Mr Lock Doesn¡¯t Recognize His Wife
¡°Amodation provided, two meals a day, 3,000 dors a month.¡± That was all it promised. She had a criminal record, so no respectablepany would take her in. Not even a decent chain restaurant would hire someone like her.
But a cleaning job? Maybe that was her best option.
Tess hugged La tighter and took onest look at the gates of Evermount Heights. Then, she walked away decisively, her pace quickening.
Later that night, a luxury sedan rolled out of Evermount Vi¡¯s main entrance.
Finn reclined in the back seat with his eyes closed, half¨Casleep.
Someone got into the car at Cora Bay.
¡°Finn, guess what I brought you?¡± the woman chirped cheerfully.
She had long, soft chestnut curls and wore a couture business suit.
Her wrist was adorned with a gold watch¨Can exclusive pre¨Crelease model¨Cnot yet avable to the public. The elegant gold face was encrusted with tiny diamonds, shimmering with quiet extravagance.
From head to toe, there wasn¡¯t a single detail on her that wasn¡¯t polished to perfection and screamed luxury.
She was all smiles and grace, holding out an artfully arranged breakfast.
But Finn, seated beside her, remained cold and silent. His profile looked icy.
When he didn¡¯t respond, her smile began to falter, and a flicker of concern crossed her face.
¡°You¡¯re in a bad mood today, aren¡¯t you?¡±
She lowered her hands and curled her fingers tightly on herp.
¡°I heard you went to pick Tess up yesterday. Is she still mad at me for reporting her back then?¡±
Finn¡¯s hand paused mid¨Cscroll on his tablet.
He had flipped through several pages, but he hadn¡¯t read a single word.
The tantalizing scent of the breakfast lingered in the air.
Tess used to make the same kind of bread rolls every morning.
He¡¯de downstairs to find her in an apron, busy in the kitchen.
Even if he had already eaten, he¡¯d still take one, unable to resist.
Now, he took a bite of a bread roll, but the delicacy in his memory tasted nauseating.
They looked the same, but they didn¡¯t taste right.
¡°She brought it on herself. Nadine, don¡¯t forget¨Cjust a year and a half ago, you single¨Chandedly beat the legendary firm belonging to the Hunts with that brief you wrote. You¡¯re a genius in the legal world. Mypany thrives because I have you by my side.
¡°As for her¡¡±
Finn set down the food and grabbed a bottle of water, twisting it open and drinking it down. Only after he¡¯d washed the taste from his mouth did the tension in his brow begin to ease¨Cbut the tight line of his lips was steeped in contempt.
¡°She¡¯s just a convicted felon who doesn¡¯t deserve your attention.¡±
The gleam of his luxury watch caught the light, its cold reflection matching the iciness in his voice. His lips tightened into a line after that speech.
270 Content originallyes from find~novel
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Chapter 4 Mr Lock Doesn¡¯t Recognize His Wife
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¡°But Tess was my mentor,¡± Nadine Ember said softly, as if she still carried some trace of guilt. ¡°She was the one who brought me into Lock Group as a legal intern.¡±
She let out a sigh, her tone heavy with apparent worry about Tess.
¡°If it hadn¡¯t been for her, you never would¡¯ve been stuck in that position for years. She was jealous of your talent. She stole your arguments and used them to skyrocket her career. She was conniving. And you were too kind.¡±
Finn gave Nadine a rare, gentle smile, his eyes brimming with nothing but scorn and disdain for Tess.
Nadine quietly let out a breath of relief.
Then, as if making an offhandment, shemented, ¡°Yeah, it still baffles me. Who would¡¯ve thought Tess would sell out thepany? She knew full well that the man from the Hunts was your sworn enemy¨Cand yet she still colluded with him, trying to trap you so that you¡¯d have no choice but to depend on her.¡±
She ced her hand on Finn¡¯s knee. She looked like she had been hit by a pang of fear, as though the memory still unsettled her.
Yeah. Thank goodness you¡¯re by my side.¡±
Finn patted her hand absentmindedly, his thoughts already drifting away.
That woman¡ Where is she now?
Wasn¡¯t she obsessed with bing my wife?
She didn¡¯t home night. Did she spend the night on the streets and digging through dumpsters for food?
Or secretly cooking up a grand scheme?
The thought made his lips curl into a cold smirk.
Across from him, Nadine¡¯s cheeks flushed in the intimacy of the moment.
But her eyes glinted with contempt.
So what if that bitch is out of prison? She¡¯s still beneath me.
A felon with a criminal record. No matter how brilliant she used to be as a star attorney, that bitch is as worthless as the dirt beneath my feet
now.
Tess, your title is mine now. And so is your husband.
Screech!
The sudden m of brakes sent Nadine tumbling into Finn¡¯s arms.
He caught her just in time and narrowly prevented Nadine from injuring herself.
His cold eyes bore into the driver in the front. He asked, ¡°What happened?¡±
Bill wiped the sweat from his forehead and apologized, ¡°Sorry, Mr. Lock. There¡¯s a street cleaner up ahead. I almost hit her.¡±
Finn looked out the windshield.
There, bent over in the early dawn light, was a woman bundled in a faded scarf and an oversized coat. She was sweeping the leaves and puddles on the road with a broom that looked far toorge for her frame.
She was small¨Calmost childlike.
Every motion was clumsy but painstakingly careful.
The hern of her pants was soaked, but she didn¡¯t seem to mind the biting cold.
Chapter 4 Mr Lock Doesn¡¯t Recognize His Wife
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The screech of the tires had clearly startled her. She nced over, then instantly ducked her head like she¡¯d seen something terrifying.
Finn narrowed his eyes.
That woman
She started sweeping faster, frantic, as if something monstrous were chasing her. The cold water sloshed around her ankles, but she didn¡¯t stop.
And then he noticed¨Csomething was strapped to her chest.
¡°A baby?¡± Nadine gasped. ¡°She¡¯s out here sweeping the streets with a baby? That woman must be out of her mind.
¡°A mother like her doesn¡¯t deserve to have children,¡± she added with a sneer, arms crossed in judgment.
Finn¡¯s frown deepened.
There was something about her frame¡ The way she moved ¡ Even the color of the baby¡¯s clothing looked familiar. He¡¯d seen it before.
Yes¨Coutside the prison. He had seen this woman on the bus, cradling a
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Chapter 5 Is That Mr Lock¡¯s Child?
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¡°Mr. Lock, what should we do? Should I go help her?¡± Bill asked softly, sympathy tugging at his voice.
He was a father too. Scenes like this were hard to watch.
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Finn said nothing, but before he could respond, Nadine frowned. ¡°You¡¯re Finn¡¯s driver, not some street cleaner. Helping her would be humiliating, Finn. Just drive around her.¡±
¡°But ¡ maybe we could wait for a minute or two, Mr. Lock. She¡¯ll be done soon,¡± Bill replied gently. Anyone with eyes could see what was going on. The road was narrow, and trying to swerve around the woman would ssh her with cold, dirty rainwater.
It was water that had been pooled there all night.
It was dirty and freezing cold.
She was carrying a baby too.
If they did that, that cleaner was bound to fall sick.
¡°If you want to me someone, me the weather. It rained all night. She just has to be sweeping this one flooded road. It¡¯s not our fault¨Cit¡¯s her luck,¡± Nadine said with a dismissive pout.
She nced at Finn¡¯s stoic expression, and her heart thudded at his reaction. Quickly, she put on a helpless expression and said, ¡°Finn, I do feel bad for her, but ¡ ¡±
Before she finished, Finn¡¯s cold voice cut through the air.
¡°She¡¯s just a street cleaner. Drive through.
¡°I know. You¡¯re worried about beingte for the meeting,¡± he added gently, patting Nadine¡¯s hand. But when he turned to Bill, his tone was ice. ¡°What, are you deaf now?¡±
Bill jolted in fear. He clenched his jaw and hit the gas.
The car sped forward. Rainwater surged up, spraying high into the air, but only a few drops returned to the ground.
Tess stood there, frozen like a statue, clutching La to her chest.
She didn¡¯t even have the strength to pick up the broom she¡¯d dropped.
The car roared past.
In the backseat, Nadine checked the rearview mirror with a triumphant smirk on her lips.
A filthy street cieaner like her dared to block her and Finn¡¯s path? It served her right. Hmph!
¡°Waaah! Waah!¡±
La was startled and started crying all of a sudden, her wails piercing through the quiet, cold street.
Even as the car sped far down the road, the crying didn¡¯t stop.
Bill¡¯s heart twisted with guilt.
In the backseat, Finn pretended to be reading documents, looking like he was not bothered by the incident. But the same page sat untouched on hisp.
¡°Shhh, La. It¡¯s okay,¡± Tess whispered through tears, rocking the baby strapped to her chest as she watched the vehicle disappear into the distance.
¡°Don¡¯t cry, sweetie. It¡¯s alright.¡±
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Chapter 5 Is That Mr Lock¡¯s Child?
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Pedestrians paused. Some took out their phones to record the scene. Finding it amusing, they uploaded the scene online.
¡°Look at this street cleaner, soaked in muddy water. What a sight! This is hrious,¡± one of them mocked.
¡°Man, this is gold. Tip me and I¡¯ll bring you to see this up close.¡±
Their mocking voices couldn¡¯t break Tess¨Cbut the sound of La¡¯s terrified crying did.
Her tears finally fell, sshing onto La¡¯s nket.
Tess quickly reached out, trying to wipe her tears away before they could soak through the nket.
But the moment her hand touched the fabric, she realized it was covered in muddy water. She had only made things worse.
La was screaming in her arms, her tiny face scrunched up. She was flushing and wet. No matter how gently Tess rocked her, she wouldn¡¯t stop crying. The sound tore through her like a de. And in that moment, Tess could no longer hold herself together. She bent down in the middle of the cold.
Tess had seen it. She hadn¡¯t missed the scene in that car¨Cthe man and woman holding each other close.
It was her ex¨Chusband and her sister and apprentice she had once mentored with care. Discover more novels at Find¡ïNovel
Now, they satfortably in luxury, high and mighty. All that was built on the ruins of her reputation and dignity. She had /fallen into the mud after they used her as a stepping stone to rise.
She had loved the wrong man, and this was her fault. She¡¯d given everything for him, and this was where she ended. Who could she me?
But she had La now. Tess clung tightly to La in her arms.
Her scarf slipped as she knelt, revealing the face hidden beneath.
It was a beautiful face, like a beautiful painting. Her eyes were full of life, her nose was straight and graceful, and her rosy lips had a natural flush to them. But a deep scar ran across her left cheek, ruining everything. It was the kind of scar that made people look twice¨Cand look away.
There, in the puddle¨Cfilled street, a young mother crouched silently, holding her baby and crying quietly.
The silence was deafening.
Even the streamer, who moments ago had been shouting enthusiastically and demanding gifts from his viewers, suddenly fell quiet in shame. His hands dropped, and his cheeks burned hot.
¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry,¡± he muttered. ¡°I just wanted to get views.¡±
¡°That car was messed up,¡± someone else added. ¡°Want me to help you expose them?¡±
Tess quickly wiped her tears, though her voice was still raw.
She shook her head and pulled her scarf back up, tightly covering her face again. She said softly, ¡°Please, could you delete the video?¡±
The man looked into her eyes¨Cthose beautiful, almond¨Cshaped eyes still shining with tears. It was such a pair of beautiful eyes. What a shame¡
Those clear, tear¨Cfilled eyes¨Chow could anyone say no to them?
He fumbled with his phone. ¡°Yeah, yeah, of course. Look, it¡¯s gone. See?¡±
¡°Thank you.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice was soft, barely audible. She offered a quiet word of thanks before turning away to pick up her broom and resume clearing the water.
Once she finished thisst puddle, her shift would be over for the day. And by then, little La would no doubt be hungry2/4
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Chapter 5 Is That Mr Lock¡¯s Child?
La, even if I have to sweep every gutter in this city. I¡¯ll still give you the sky.
A minuteter, she quietly pushed her cleaning cart down the street.
That slender figure¨Cfragile, yet unshakably steady¨Cslowly disappeared into the distance.
Only then did the bystanders snap out of their daze,
¡°She¡¯s so young. Why would she take a job like this?¡± someone asked.
¡°Maybe it¡¯s a social experiment or a real¨Clife video shoot?¡± another guessed.
And just like that, the scorn returned.
¡°These days, people will do anything for money.¡±
¡°Bet the whole thing was staged¨Ceven the car.¡±
¡°Ugh, anything for attention. No shame at all.¡±
¡°Ugh.
Only one car remained parked a short distance away. Inside, Max Hunt sat frozen, his eyes locked on Tess¡¯s retreating figure. His expression was unreadable. ¡°Was that Tess?¡± he murmured.
¡°H¨CHow did she end up like this?¡±
He had a mole resting just below his left eye. His features were striking, almost too perfect, but at this moment, disbelief clouded his face.
He wasn¡¯t sure if he was asking the man beside him¨Cor himself.
Max lowered his gaze, his longshes trembling slightly. His lips were pressed into a tight line. Somewhere behind the calm surface, a flicker of pain passed through him.
He had never regretted what happened back then.
And now, he had everything¨Cpower, reputation, and wealth. He could offer her a better life.
After all, she had only spent a year in prison.
She had nothing now. It didn¡¯t matter that she had served time. Her past didn¡¯t matter. He didn¡¯t care. He could take care of her and make it up to her.
¡°Mr. Hunt, that woman with the baby?¡± His driver blinked, clearly stunned.
¡°That can¡¯t be Ms. Ember. You must¡¯ve made a mistake.¡±
In his mind, Max had spent years pining after Tess. Maybe he would mistake every woman for the one he loved.
Even if she had been in prison, there was no way Tess was that woman in the oversized coat, cleaning the street.
Back then, Tess was the rising star of the legal world in Aetheris. She had that kind of quiet charm. A smile from her could make a defendant shake and a prosecutor sweat bullets.
Top firms had chased after her relentlessly, practically throwing job offers at her. But she turned them all down to take a modest position as lead counsel at Lock Group.
Some said she was too in love to think straight. But no one ever really knew what went on in her head.
Either way, a woman like her¨Celegant and brilliant¨Ccouldn¡¯t possibly be the same person who now stood covered in street grime, holding a baby while sweeping gutters.
Max curled his fingers and slowly clenched his hand into a fist.
The window of his luxury car slowly rolled back up. His profile¨Cexcessively handsome¨Cwas covered in the shadows, his beauty tinged with something darker and harder to name.
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Chapter 5 Is That Mr Lock¡¯s Child?
¡°I hope I¡¯m wrong,¡± he said quietly.
¡°Find out if she was released early.
¡°And that child ¡ Is it Finn¡¯s?¡±
n Hoffman, the driver who also served as his assistant, immediately dropped his casual smirk.
Was Max serious? Did he really think that woman was Tess? But that was impossible.
Still, he obeyednguidly.
¡°Yes, Mr. Hunt.¡±
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Chapter 6 Mrs Lock Wants a Divorce
The car moved slowly down the road.
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As if to confirm whether the woman pushing the cart was really Tess, n deliberately trailed behind her for quite a while.
That woman was pushing a heavy street¨Ccleaning cart along the road, one arm cradling a baby bundled in a nket.
The bitter wind howled as the woman trudged forward, slow and unsteady. She was wrapped in an old, puffy coat, with a thin, neon¨Cyellow safety vest thrown over it. But it waspletely useless against the cold. Her body trembled with every gust.
The cart she was pushing was heavy. She had no choice but to hunch over, straining with all her might just to keep it moving.
Just then, the cart bumped over a rock, jostling it violently. It tipped.
She instinctively tightened her grip on the baby and reached out with one hand to steady the cart, but it was toote.
The whole thing copsed, dragging her down with it.
Her knees mmed into the pavement with a painful thud. Her brows furrowed in pain, and for a long time, she didn¡¯t get up.
Only the baby in her arms remained unhurt. She squirmed slightly and pressed her tiny head against her mother¡¯s chest, clearly searching for food.
Her little lips began to pucker; she was famished and about to burst into tears.
? ? ? ?
The woman tried to soothe her, rocking her gently and whispering, but it was no use.
Realizing she wasn¡¯t being fed, the baby¡¯s hunger mixed with the shock of the fall, and she started wailing.
¡°Waaah! Waaah!¡±
Nothing broke a heart faster than a hungry baby¡¯s cries.
Tess gritted her teeth. Sweat covered her forehead, but she had to muster every ounce of strength to haul the cart upright again.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, La,¡± she whispered.
Just a little longer.
¡°Mornmy¡¯s almost done. We¡¯ll get food soon.¡±
The car had been tailing her for a while now, and it was only now that Tess noticed. For more chapters visit find[?]ovel
She nced back, alert and cautious.
Who is it? Is someone passing by?
n scoffed. He didn¡¯t believe it for a second.
As if!
How could such a pitiful, haggard woman be Ms. Ember?
He had no interest in wasting any more time on a street cleaner. He pressed down on the gas and sped off.
In the backseat, Max had no idea what n had been up to. His Bluetooth earpiece blinked with a soft blue light as he spoke fluently in a foreignnguage. He was clearly in the middle of an international business call. His suit was wless, and his elegant manner was on full disy. Obviously, he was a man born to lead.
As the car rolled over arge puddle, dirty water sshed high into the air and drenched Tess.
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Chapter 6 Mrs Lock Wants a Divorce
Of course, people who drove luxury cars rarely stopped to consider how much trouble their actions could cause others.
Tess turned her back just in time, shielding La from the icy spray.
La was all that mattered to her.
¡°La, did I see wrong?¡± she whispered.
¡°That car looked so familiar.
¡°No.¡± Tess¡¯s voice trembled with confusion. ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡±
It couldn¡¯t be him.
She had once confided in Max, treating him like her big brother. He was the only one she told everything to, even her secret crush on Finn.
Even though Max was Finn¡¯s sworn rival, she had never once doubted him.
But Max had used a ssified document to win awsuit against Finn. It earned him instant fame and the recognition of his family.
He rose from an illegitimate son to the rightful heir of his family.
Max rose to his prime.
While she fell into the mud.
Why me?
Why use me and step on me to climb higher?
He was the same man who had once promised her to be patient; he said he¡¯d represent her in court and defend her innocence.
The same man who, when it came time for the verdict, switched sides and became a witness for the prosecution.
Max was the Hunts¡® third son.
He gave a false testimony and sent her to prison. She was sure he had long forgotten the woman who ended because of him.
Tess¡¯s heart didn¡¯t even ache when she thought of him. It was numb.
She tightened her grip on La and pushed forward into the wind, walking faster.
Twenty minutester, they arrived at the dorms for sanitation workers.
up
behind bars
Tess had used part of her advance paycheck to buy a new baby bottle. She sterilized it with boiling water and prepared La¡¯s milk.
Once fed, La lookedpletely content. Her chubby hands held onto Tess¡¯s finger like it was the only thing she trusted.
Tess wiped La¡¯s face with a soft towel, catching a glimpse of a particr someone¡¯s features in her child.
He had a brooding face, sharp and cold, with a stern expression that rarely softened into a smile.
But La¡¯s smile was sweet, and her eyes curved like crescent moons.
Tess stared for a moment, lost in thought.
Even as a baby, La already gave away hints of being a stunning beauty. Tess didn¡¯t mind if life stayed hard, as long as she and La were together.
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Chapter 6 Mrs Lock Wants a Divorce
But that depended on one thing¨Cthat man could never find out about La.
If he did, he would take her away.
La was her only reason to keep going. If she lost her ¡ Tess shivered at the thought.
La, in her arms, seemed to sense her fear and let out a startled, pitiful sob.
Tess quickly set down the bottle and picked her up, pacing the tiny room as she hummed a soft luby.
La¡¯s eyes crinkled with joy again, and following the rhythm of Tess¡¯s voice, she stopped crying.
She giggled and babbled, sounding like she was trying to sing along.
She was practicing, Tess realized. In just a few months, La would start calling her ¡°Mommy¡°.
¡°Tess, you¡¯re back? Finished sweeping your section?¡±
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Tess had just gotten La to settle down when her roommate returned, pushing her own cleaning cart through the narrow dorm hallway.
When she saw Tess cradling the baby, she shrugged off her neon¨Cyellow vest, her wrinkled face lighting up with a rare, gentle smile.
She washed her hands before stepping closer.
¡°La¡¯s such a good baby,¡± she said warmly.
¡°But are you sure it¡¯s okay bringing her out there with you? She¡¯s so little. Can she handle the cold and the wind?¡±
Her roommate¡¯s name was Bessie Moon.
was
She had a kind heart and a down¨Cto¨Cearth manner. Even though they¡¯d only known each other for a day, she¡¯d already taken Tess and La under her wing.
Bessie had retired a few years back, but her husbandined that she was beingzy at home, and their son¨Cwho worked in another city¨Ccouldn¡¯t do much to mediate. Rather than let it be a family issue, Bessie simply took the job to earn a little pocket money and get out of the house.
Tess smiled faintly at Bessie¡¯s concern. ¡°La only wants her mother. She wants to be with me all the time.¡±
Bessie chuckled helplessly, shaking her head. ¡°I know. I even suggested switching shifts and figured I¡¯d watch her while you were out, and then we¡¯d swap. But your little one wouldn¡¯t have it. The second she can¡¯t see you, she cries like her whole world¡¯s falling apart.¡±
Tess pulled La closer and sniffled a little. ¡°We¡¯ve never been apart. Not since the day she was born.¡±
Bessie silently sighed. Poor thing!
¡°What about your man? He doesn¡¯t help out? No support, nothing?¡±
Tess hesitated. That question again.
¡°He¡¯s with someone else now, isn¡¯t he?¡± Bessie ventured, watching the uncertain expression flicker across Tess¡¯s face.
She pped her thigh knowingly. ¡°Thought so.¡±
Bessiemented, ¡°You¡¯ve got it rough, Tess. Raising a baby on your own. Take this.¡±
She reached into her cart and pulled out a baby rattle she¡¯d picked up during her shift.
It was still sealed in stic. Someone must¡¯ve dropped it.
¡°I found this carlier, and it looks brand new. I figured La could use it, so I brought it back for you.¡±
Chapter 6 Mrs Lock Wants a Divorce
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Then, she added, ¡°I¡¯ll check if I¡¯ve got any old baby clothes at home. My boy wore them when he was little. They might be a bit worn, but they¡¯re clean. I hope you can ept them.¡±
The kindness of strangers always struck Tess the deepest. Her voice caught as she thanked Bessie with gratitude, ¡°Hand¨Cme- downs are good luck. La and I are grateful. Really.¡±
Bessie nodded. ¡°That¡¯s what they say¨Cbabies who wear hand¨Cme¨Cdowns stay healthy and safe.¡±
Bessie looked down at little La, gently shaking the rattle in front of her. La reached out with both hands, babbling happily as she tried to grab it. Bessie couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°La¡¯s such a sweet baby and so well¨Cbehaved, but her dad just walked away like it meant nothing. La, sweetheart, when you grow up, you be good to your mama, okay?¡±
Then, she looked up again, suddenly looking thoughtful. ¡°Tess, do you still talk to your husband?¡±
Tess froze, then shook her head. ¡°No.¡±
Bessie blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait¨Cyou¡¯re nning to get a divorce?¡±
Divorce?
The word hit Tess like a jolt of electricity.
Yes. Divorce.
I¡¯m Mrs. Lock, but it¡¯s all on paper¨Ca hollow title.
As long as her marriage to Finn remained legally intact, she would still be his wife. And every single day she held that title, she would feel restless¨Clike she was in someone else¡¯s shoes.
That identity, once the happiness she had dreamed of, had be a prison.
But to file for divorce, she needed him to sign the papers.
A sudden thought took root in her mind.
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Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
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¡°Tess, marriage isn¡¯t a game,¡± Bessie said gently. ¡°Why don¡¯t you talk to your man again? La¡¯s still young. She can¡¯t grow up without a father.¡±
Tess had already made up her mind. She asked, ¡°Bessie, the Aetheris Courthouse ¡ That¡¯s nearby, isn¡¯t it?¡±
Bessie paused, then pointed. ¡°Just a couple of blocks down. It¡¯s really close. But Tess, are you sure about this?
¡°Maybe talk it over with your husband one more time?¡±
Tess pressed her lips together.
¡°What¡¯s the matter? He doesn¡¯t want the divorce? Then, there¡¯s still a chance-¡±
Tess shook her head.
She wanted to keep him in the dark.
¡°He doesn¡¯t know about it. But this time, I¡¯m done asking for his permission.¡±
Finn, you threw me into prison. All I want is to raise my daughter and get a divorce.
She figured Finn had long grown tired of their hollow marriage anyway. Maybe he¡¯d even been waiting for this moment so that he could finally give Nadine the title she¡¯d always wanted.
¡°But if he doesn¡¯t know, can you file the divorce?¡± Bessie asked, startled.
Tess lowered her eyes, a shadow cast across her face.
¡°I had aiready drafted the divorce agreement. He should¡¯ve signed it back then.¡±
That night, he was drunk. Tess had slipped the agreement in with a stack of work documents, hoping he¡¯d sign it without noticing.
He began signing, but he suddenly gripped her wrist.
That night, he was extremely drunk, and his strength was overwhelming. She couldn¡¯t break free and ended up being pulled into his arms.
The papers were scattered across the floor. He breathed next to her ear, hot and burning.
¡°Tess, didn¡¯t you want to tie me down for life?¡± he murmured. ¡°If so, I will grant your wish.¡±
She realized what was about to happen.
Desperately, she tried to run, but his tall frame pinned her easily. In a few swift movements, he had pulled off her dress. This update is avable on Find?Novel
Underneath him, she sobbed, her pleas broken and weak.
¡°Finn, I don¡¯t want this.*
That night, he did everything lovers did¨Cwithout a shred of love.
He had probably never even considered sleeping with her before that night.
But why¨Cwhy did it have to happen the moment she was ready to walk away?
She often wondered if he had been punishing her or if he really was just drunk.
But it didn¡¯t matter anymore.
A few days ago, she went to retrieve her documents. But she hadn¡¯t just grabbed those things.
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Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
She had also taken the divorce agreement that had been signed by him.
Tess always stored her documents carefully. The day she was taken away, she had just happened to file them away.
Eighteen months had passed, and no one had ever touched it.
Probably not even him. He likely never cared to look at her things after she was gone.
That was how she managed to get this far.
Still, he¡¯d need to sign it again to make it final.
Bessie didn¡¯t understand the full story. When Tess turned quiet, she let the topic drop.
She just sighed. ¡°Poor La, growing up without a dad.¡±
La, nestled in Tess¡¯s arms, reached for her baby rattle. She looked at it, then turned to gaze up at Tess.
Tess coaxed, ¡°It¡¯s okay, sweetheart. Mommy¡¯s here.¡±
Meanwhile, in the heart of downtown Aetheris, on the top floor of a gleaming skyscraper.
Inside a sleek office, Finn sat behind a desk, signing document after document.
He was exhausted. After signing thest of the documents, Finn rubbed his temples, weariness etched into his face.
Zane stood silently nearby. Once everything was in order, he stacked the files neatly and handed them off to an assistant to process.
Then, ncing at the man seated behind the desk whose eyes were half¨Cclosed in a light doze, Zane said, ¡°Mr. Lock, the donation for the street sanitation workers near the downtown district has been taken care of, just as you instructed.
¡°The supplies should already be in their hands by now.
¡°And, per your request, the single mother working as a street cleaner will be receiving a monthly stipend of 1,000 dors, withdrawn from your personal ount with no time limit. Everything has been arranged.
¡°We¡¯re also tracking Mrs. Lock¡¯s movements since her release. I expect we¡¯ll have news soon.
¡°is there anything else you¡¯d like me to handle?¡±
Finn didn¡¯t speak. He simply waved his hand, his eyes still fixed on the new stack of paperwork in front of him. Zane gave a respectful hod and turned to leave.
He didn¡¯t notice the elegant woman emerging from behind the outer office door the moment he stepped out. Nadine had shown up at just the right time, and she¡¯d heard every word of thatst conversation.
With her arms crossed, she scoffed under her breath.
¡°All that just because she got a little water sshed on her? Finn¡¯s dipping into his personal ount now?
¡°A thousand dors a month? Seriously? What makes her so special? Was she just waiting there, wanting to y the pity card like some con artist?¡±
She didn¡¯t even have that privilege, so how could a street cleaner possibly deserve it?
As Nadine contemted this, something dark flickered behind her calm gaze. A momentter, she picked up her phone, stepped aside, and quietly made a call.
The call connected quickly. Nadine¡¯s eyes were soft butced with venom.
Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
¡°Paul, I need a favor.
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¡°There¡¯s a female cleaner. This morning, she staged a little stunt and identally crossed paths with Finn¡¯s car. Of course, Finn, being who he is, didn¡¯t make a fuss. He even sent some money her way.
¡°You know how it is¨CFinn is a man of ss. He wouldn¡¯t waste his time on petty people who pull cheap tricks. But I can¡¯t stand it. So, I figured I¡¯d do the world a favor and teach her a lesson myself. Just don¡¯t let Finn find out. He doesn¡¯t need to be bothered with something this small.
¡°How? She¡¯s got a kid, right? Then start by docking her pay. Let her go hungry for a few days. That¡¯ll set her straight.
¡°And if she tries anything else, fire her. Let her freeze out there on the streets with her bastard child.¡±
With that, she ended the call. The icy look on Nadine¡¯s lovely face melted away in an instant.
Tossing her hair, she walked toward Finn¡¯s office.
She knocked on the door.
¡°Finn, it¡¯s me.¡±
¡°Come in.¡± His voice was as smooth and cool as always.
Nadine pushed open the door with a sweet smile. As her eyes fell on the striking figure inside, a subtle grin tugged at her lips. A quiet gleam of triumph lit up her expression.
No matter who it was¨CTess or that cleaner¨Cno woman would ever steal even a sliver of perks from Finn.
Finn belonged to her. And she wasn¡¯t about to let anyone steal his attention.
The clouds finally cleared, and golden sunlight spilled across the streets.
That afternoon, Riven Ash, the district supervisor, called all the street cleaners together for a meeting.
Several trucks rumbled in and parked along the alley.
Workers jumped down and began unloadingrge boxes.
Before long, the old, cramped yard was stacked with piles of supplies.
Among the rows of workers standing in line, a few middle¨Caged women leaned in, whispering excitedly.
¡°I overheard Mr. Ash earlier. Apparently, some rich guy drove by our district this morning and suddenly decided to do a good deed. He donated all this stuff¨Ccharity or something.¡±
¡°With the weather getting colder, he sent nkets and heavy¨Cduty winter coats. Real good ones too.¡±
¡°He must be a saint! My grandson¡¯s been needing a winter jacket for school.¡±
¡°Looks like some of these are even branded. I bet I could sell mine secondhand for a decent price.¡±
¡°But seriously, who just donates things out of the blue? What¡¯s his name? He didn¡¯t do something bad and wishes to make up for it, did he?¡±
¡°I think the supervisor said hisst name was Lock or something close.¡±
Tess, listening quietly to the chatter, couldn¡¯t help but stiffen slightly.
Bessie, standing right beside her, gave her a puzzled look. ¡°Where¡¯s La?¡±
She¡¯s sleeping. It¡¯s cold out, so I tucked her under the covers,¡± Tess replied.
Still, despite what she said, she kept ncing back toward the dorm, checking for any sign of La crying. Only when she was sure La was still sound asleep did she breathe a little easier.
Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
She lowered her head in thought. Did I hear that right? Did they say Lock?
Lock is rare. Locke is more .
It has to be a coincidence.
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Bessie didn¡¯t notice Tess spacing out. She gave her a nudge with her elbow when they reached the front of the line.
¡°Tess, heads up. Mr. Ash has been staring at you for a while. It doesn¡¯t usually mean anything good.¡±
Tess looked up and caught the bulky supervisor with the shy gold chain ncing away too quickly.
Her stomach tightened.
When the supplies were handed out, Bessie picked something from the stack and passed it to Tess.
¡°My son just sent me a new coat. You should take this one,¡± she said.
Tess was startled and hurriedly waved her hand. ¡°Bessie, I can¡¯t possibly-¡±
¡°Don¡¯t argue. It¡¯s not for you; it¡¯s for La! Cut it down into something that fits her. She needs it more than I do.¡±
Tess froze, still trying to think of something to say.
But Bessie was already walking off. ¡°I¡¯ll leave it on your bed. Once you finish here,e on up. If La wakes and doesn¡¯t see you, she¡¯ll cry.¡±
Tess watched her go, feeling an unexpected warmth stir in her chest.
They¡¯d only met, but Bessie already felt more like family than most people ever had.
Everyone else had collected their share and gone. Tess was just about to grab
¡°Hey, Tess Ember. Hold up.¡±
hers
rs when a voice called out behind her.
Keepsake 8
Chapter 8 La Comforts Her Mother
Tess froze in ce.
¡°Do you need anything, Mr. Ash?¡±
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Riven Ash was a middle¨Caged man with a shady past and a gold chain as thick as a garden hose hanging from his neck. He had a rounded belly and a fierce and intimidating face.
He looked Tess up and down and let out a crooked smile, like he¡¯d found himself a new prey.
Under his gaze, Tess¡¯s hands instinctively twisted together in unease.
He chuckled. ¡°Rx. I¡¯m not asking you to sell your soul. Just record a short thank¨Cyou video. Not too much to ask, right?
¡°We¡¯re not asking for much¨Cjust a quick thank¨Cyou video. That¡¯s fair, isn¡¯t it?¡±
In Riven¡¯s mind, the deal was simple. Some rich guy had donated supplies¨Cnot for money but for publicity.
So, why not give him the thing he probably wanted¨Cgratitude? On camera. If they buttered him up, who knew? Maybe he¡¯d keep sending more goods their way.
¡°Why me?¡± Tess asked quietly.
There were plenty of older women who could speak more eloquently than her.
She was the quiet one, the one who never talked back.
Why single her out?
¡°I don¡¯t want it anymore! No thanks are necessary, right?¡± Tess slowly ced the items back where she took them. She did need thern, that much was true¨Cbut if this was the price of gratitude, then she¡¯d rather go without.
Stunned, Riven failed catch up to her.
Tess had already turned and walked away when Riven jolted out of his daze and called after her.
¡°Hey! The CEO of Lock Group said he¡¯s giving you a personal monthly stipend of 100 dors!
¡°He¡¯s doing a good deed. It¡¯s only right for you to record a little thank¨Cyou video, right?¡±
Teas¡¯s steps halted.
200
24
A mocking grin tugged at the corners of Riven¡¯s mouth. As expected, Tess couldn¡¯t walk away from 100 dors, could she? If only she knew it was a lot more than that.
¡°You said Mr. Lock? From Lock Group? Which Mr. Lock exactly?¡±
Tess turned back to face him, her expression tight like she was bracing for something.
Riven gave a small cough and stepped closer, lowering his voice. ¡°Come on, who else would it be? You don¡¯t know Finn Lock? The richest man in all of Aetheris?¡±
Tess¡¯s voice began to tremble in fear. ¡°What? But if he¡¯s that rich, why would he suddenly donate supplies? And why would he specifically give me a monthly stipend? I don¡¯t even know him.¡±
No¡ No, no, no¡ He couldn¡¯t have found out about this. Tess felt dizzy, like the ground might give way beneath her.
Riven scoffed. ¡°He passed by this morning while you were sweeping the sidewalk and probably pitied you¨Csingle mom, pushing a cart in the cold. You think a scarred¨Cface woman like you caught his eye for any other reason?¡±
Tess felt her chest loosen, and her heart slowly dropped back into ce.
So, he just pities me for being a single mother. Nothing more.
10:41 PM
Chapter 8 La Comforts Her Mother
I thought¡
§ã
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¡°I understand now,¡± she said tly. ¡°But I don¡¯t want any of it. You can record the video yourself and keep the stuff.¡±
She rejected him coldly.
Riven narrowed his murky eyes when he realized she wouldn¡¯t give in, no matter how he pushed. His lecherous gaze lingered on her.
A feisty one, aren¡¯t you?
He moved closer, practically breathing in her scent. ¡°Come on now. y nice. I can get you your own room. It¡¯ll be nice and private. With me looking out for you, you¡¯d-¡±
Tess cut in, stepping back, ¡°Mr. Ash, I need to go take care of my child.¡±
Tess took a step back, dodging him.
Riven froze for a second. Then, in the blink of an eye, his fury red.
He lunged forward and yanked her by the hair. ¡°Bitch! I was being nice!¡±
At that moment, La¡¯s cries rang out from the dorm hallway.
Tess struggled to break free.
But Riven was far too strong. He yanked hard, forcing her head to tilt backward. The pain made it feel like her scalp might rip clean off.
¡°You think I don¡¯t know about your past?¡± He snarled near her ear. ¡°You¡¯ve been in prison, haven¡¯t you?¡±
been under
The words were barely more than a whisper¨Cbut to Tess, they exploded like thunder.
Her entire body stiffened.
¡°W¨CWhat did you say?¡±
¡°You heard me. You¡¯ve got
a record. I had someone dig into it. And you want to act all high and mighty? Give me a break. All I asked for was a thank¨Cyou video. What¡¯s a former inmate acting so stuck up for? Bah! Such a jinx!¡±
¡°My baby¡¯s crying. Let me go, or I¡¯ll call the police-¡±
He snorted. ¡°What? You¡¯ll call the cops? Are you threatening me now?
¡°Do you want me to have you and your kid kicked out of here? If you don¡¯t, record that video now!¡±
He grabbed her long hair, dragged her toward a nearby utility room, and mmed the door shut behind them.
Bam!
Inside the room was a bed.
Tess was shoved down onto the chair beside the bed, facing the camera. Her eyes were dry, hollow.
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Riven stood nearby with his arms crossed, growing more impatient by the second.
He didn¡¯t even need to speak anymore. The threat hung thick in the air, letting Tess know that if she wanted to get out of here, she would have to obey.
¡°Can¡¯t talk? Fine. Read this!¡± He tossed a sheet of paper at her. It was a script.
¡°I can¡¯t read,¡± Tess said, staring back at him with a hollow gaze.
0.41 PM
Chapter 8 La Comforts Her Mother
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Heughed cruelly. ¡°Yeah, right. You expect me to buy that? Illiterate people don¡¯t exist anymore. Stop ying dumb. Do you want to get yourself killed? Think about your kid.¡±
He leered as he spoke.
Tess slowly closed her eyes, then reached for the paper with a trembling hand. Her eyes zed over the printed thank¨Cyou speech. She opened her mouth; her voice came out wooden and strained, like a broken puppet trying to speak.
¡°Mr. Lock¡ Thank you for your kindness¡ For the winter coat and warm nket. In this freezing weather, your gifts have given me and my child a ce offort. Your generosity¡ is something we¡¯ll never forget.¡±
She stumbled through the lines in a cracked voice.
The paper slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.
Her face was ghostly white.
Riven, satisfied, turned off the camera. Then, he started toward her again.
His eyes dropped to her cor, where her skin peeked through the neckline of her shirt. He swallowed hard.
Tess, why don¡¯t you show me some gratitude now, huh?¡±
Bam!
Someone kicked the door open.
¡°Oh dear! Mr. Ash, I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Bessie¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°The baby is crying so hard, calling for her mom.
¡°I tried everything, but she wouldn¡¯t stop crying. I had no choice but to bring her here. I hope we¡¯re not interrupting anything.¡±
Bessie stormed in with several older women trailing behind her.
The scene they walked into froze them in ce. Tess was sitting on the bed with her cor disheveled and one shoulder bare, exposing a huge area of her skin.
In her trembling hand, she clutched a bloody screwdriver. No one knew where she¡¯d gotten it.
Her eyes were bloodshot, her entire body shaking.
Across from her, Riven clutched a bleeding wound on his neck, his belt half undone. He was red¨Cfaced and cursing.
¡°You filthy tramp!¡± he roared. ¡°You¡¯re already knocked up and even dragging a kid around. Who are you trying to fool with that act?¡±
Then, noticing Bessie and the others, he was clearly thrown off.
¡°She came onto me, alright?¡±
But Bessie and the others had seen enough. They didn¡¯t need an exnation.
Though fear held them back from speaking their minds, they acted quickly.
One of them snatched the screwdriver from Tess¡¯s hand and tossed it aside. Another gently ced the crying baby into Tess¡¯s arms, then pulled her protectively behind them.
¡°Tess, you¡¯ve still got your afternoon shift on the streets,¡± Bessie said loudly, acting as if nothing had happened. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand here. Feed the baby. Can¡¯t you hear how hard she¡¯s crying?¡±
¡°Now, now, Mr. Ash. Don¡¯t be upset, another woman chimed in. ¡°Tess has a scar on her face and a child to care for. Why would she dare flirt with anyone?¡±
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 8 La Comforts Her Mother
¡°Besides, he oversees several streets. You really think he has time for all this?¡±
¡°Hey, even if she¡¯s eager to get a raise, she can¡¯t rush it, right? Mr. Ash, don¡¯t forget that we¡¯ve been sweeping these streets for years.¡±
¡°Exactly. We¡¯ve been loyal workers for so long. If you give Tess a raise, we¡¯d appreciate a little something too. Don¡¯t forget the old¨Ctimers here.¡±
The women surrounded Riven, their chatter buzzing like flies.
Riven¡¯s expression darkened with frustration, but with all eyes on him, he was too embarrassed to keep pushing.
With a grunt of anger, he turned and stormed out of the room.
Inside, the tension finally broke. Tess clutched La tightly, her body still trembling uncontrobly even though the storm had passed.
The older women peeked out the door, making sure Riven was gone before turning their eyes back to her. They were filled with concern and sympathy.
¡°Tess, are you okay?¡± Bessie asked softly, inching closer. ¡°He didn¡¯t take advantage of you, did he?¡± She cautiously approached, gently wrapping her arms around the mother and daughter. She patted Tess¡¯s shoulder.
Tess leaned into her, like someone drowning who had finally found something to hold on to.
She finally snapped out of it and returned to reality. Official source is
Tess bit down hard on her lower lip, shaking her head as tears streamed silently down her cheeks. They soaked into La¡¯s nket until it was damp.
Bessie¡¯s nose turned red. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she stood there, unsure how tofort Tess.
¡°Oh, poor Tess. Why did that awful jerk have to set his sights on you?¡± she whispered.
¡°Yeah, Tess,¡± another woman murmured. ¡°You¡¯re just too pretty for your own good. If it weren¡¯t for that scar and the baby, I would¡¯ve introduced you to my nephew myself.¡±
¡°Maybe it¡¯s time you found a different job?¡± said another gently. You¡¯re still young. Why stick it out here with us old cleaningdies?¡±
Their voices came in waves, soft and scattered, surrounding her like wind whispering through the cracks in an old house. Tes: held La close. Her legs were unsteady, and her body swayed like she might copse at any moment.
Finn¡
You¡¯ve been gone for so long. Why now? Why back and disturb the little peace La and I have managed to hold onto?
¡°Waahhh!¡±
Tess pressed her cheek gently against La¡¯s soft little face. Looking at La¡¯s quiet, trusting expression, she couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. A muffled sob escaped her lips.
¡°Ahh
Ahh¡¡±
La, still too young to speak, stretched out her hands and brushed Tess¡¯s face as if trying tofort her.
And just like that, something fragile and warm flickered in Tess¡¯s cold heart¨Ca hint offort.
But as the saying went¨Cwhen it rained, it poured.
Keepsake 9
Chapter 9 An Opportunity to Get Even
¡°Tess, your paycheck for this month is gone.¡±
At the break of dawn, the street supervisor, Esther Frost, threw a slip of paper at Tess with a sneer of contempt.
Morning had barely arrived; a faint glow hung over the horizon.
The wind bit at Tess¡¯s hands, making it almost impossible to hold her broom.
She turned around, stunned.
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¡°What did you say, Ms. Frost? That can¡¯t be right. It¡¯s only the second of the month. I still have 28 days left of work. How could I lose my whole paycheck already?¡±
This wasn¡¯t just a small sum of money. That 3,000 dors was her and La¡¯s lifeline.
Esther stood there in a shy faux fur coat, munching on a steaming roasted sweet potato.
Her over¨Cthe¨Cknee boots clicked against the sidewalk as she looked Tess up and down. She had drawn her eyes with a dramatic eyeliner look, and her lips were curled into a sneer. Checktest chapters at find~novel
¡°You really want to ask why?
¡°Someone reported that they lost a gold ne yesterday¨Cright here in your zone.
¡°You picked it up, didn¡¯t you? Look, we might clean streets, but we don¡¯t tolerate thieves. You should be grateful I¡¯m only docking one month¡¯s pay.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t argue with Esther.
Her pale lips trembled as she struggled to find the right words, but her chest burned with fury.
She forced herself to stay calm and gently patted the sling wrapped around her chest where La squirmed restlessly.
¡°Ms. Frost, there must be a mistake. I didn¡¯t see any ne¨Cmuch less pick one up!¡±
¡°And you expect me to believe that?¡±
Esther tugged her sleeyes tighter against the cutting wind and took another huge bite of sweet potato. It tasted really good. ¡°Why else would I be out here freezing if not because of you? I gave up a perfectly warm office for this. I should¡¯ve never hired you in the first ce.
¡°Well, I¡¯ve said what I came to say. Get back to work. This street needs to be spotless.¡±
She gestured to the ground, where peels and bits of sticky sweet potato littered the pavement. The mess appeared ring on the ground.
Then, she turned to leave.
But Tess wouldn¡¯t have it. She grabbed Esther by the arm.
¡°So, you¡¯re saying I still have to sweep the entire zone even though I¡¯m not getting paid? I want to see the surveince footage. If there¡¯s a camera, it¡¯ll prove I didn¡¯t take anything!¡±
Esther¡¯s expression darkened as she shoved Tess away.
¡°The cameras weren¡¯t working. There¡¯s no footage.¡±
Then how can you use me? If there¡¯s no proof the ne was dropped in my zone, how do you know I picked it up?¡± Tess caught the w in her story andtched on.
10:41 PM
Chapter 9 An Opportunity to Get Even
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Esther clicked her tongue. ¡°You¡¯re real sharp, huh, Tess? If you think I¡¯m framing you, go ahead¨Ctake me to court. What a pain.¡±
She was confident. In her mind, Tess was just some uneducated single mom. What would she know about legal rights? She was probably bluffing.
With a dramatic wave of her hand, Esther turned on her heels and stomped off.
Tess stood there, powerless, on the verge of copsing.
She understood all too well that when they took this to court, once her criminal record came to light, it wouldn¡¯t matter what was true or false. In the eyes of thew, she¡¯d already be losing.
What now?
Was she supposed to just ept this?
Three thousand dors used to be pocket change.
But now, it meant La¡¯s form, diapers, and food. She had already taken an advance to cover this month¡¯s supplies.
But what about next month? And the one after that?
Was she really going to end up on the streets, begging with her baby in her arms?
She had seen women like that before, kneeling on sidewalks with their children bundled up beside them. Back then, she couldn¡¯t understand how they ended up there She never thought she might be one of them.
Tess clenched the slip of paper tightly in her fist, her expression darkening.
La stirred in her sleep. Tess lowered her head, meeting her daughter¡¯s rosy cheeks and clear eyes. She forced a soft,forting smile.
¡°Don¡¯t worry, La. Mommy¡¯s here.¡±
But deep inside, Tess felt lost.
At 9 a.m., after settling La down in the dorm, her coworkers gathered around her.
Everyone talked at once. ¡°Tess, we heard they cut your pay-¡±
¡°Did you really find a gold ne?¡±
Another defended her, ¡°Come on, Tess would never do something like that!¡±
Bessie, who had just returned from her shift, pulled Tess aside and whispered, ¡°Did you cross someone?¡±
Because of the incident yesterday, Bessie¨Cwho had stood up for Tess¨Cwas transferred from her regr zone to the dirtiest one near a trash nt.
She now looked gray with grime and chilled to the bone.
Tess rushed to get her hot water, grabbed a towel, and soaped it up to wipe Bessie¡¯s hands and face.
Tess wiped Bessie¡¯s hands and face gently, her eyes stinging with emotion.
Bessie forced a smile. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing, really. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± She waved her hand like it was no big deal, pretending to be cheerful, but her eyes shimmered with tears.
She nced at La, who was fast asleep across the room, then quickly took Tess¡¯s hand to stop her. ¡°Come on now. Sit down. Why are you crying again?
¡°You¡¯re a mom now. Pull yourself together. La¡¯s going to need you.¡±
Tess ducked her head and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
Chapter 9 An Opportunity to Get Even
¡°It¡¯s just ¡ I feel awful. I dragged you into this, Bessie. I never meant to.¡±
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¡°Oh, stop with that nonsense,¡± Bessie said softly. ¡°I helped you because of La. Poor little thing. I¡¯m helping you for her sake, not just yours.¡± But the look in Bessie¡¯s eyes betrayed a deeper tenderness.
From the moment sheid eyes on Tess, she¡¯d treated her like the daughter she never had.
¡°Tess, be honest with me¨Cdid you cross someone?¡±
Tess paused, caught off guard. She looked up at her in a daze. ¡°Why would you say that?¡±
Bessie leaned in, her voice low. ¡°On the way back, I ran into Esther. She was sitting in a car on the phone and didn¡¯t notice me. I pretended to sweep nearby and overheard your name. She was talking to some guy¨CMr. Mitchell, I think¨Cmaking ns to mess with you.¡±
Tess¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°Are you sure she didn¡¯t say Riven?¡±
Bessie shook her head and confirmed, ¡°I¡¯m sure. It was Mitchell.¡±
Mr. Mitchell?
Who the heck is Mr. Mitchell?
Tess¡¯s mind raced, but she came up nk. Bessie frowned as well, trying to piece it together.
¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± Bessie muttered. ¡°It¡¯s just you and La. Why would anyone go out of their way to make life hard for you? ¡°But Tess, Esther¡¯s not just anyone. She¡¯s in charge of this whole area. She¡¯s even higher up than Riven. And the way she was speaking to that man on the phone so respectfully¡ I¡¯ve got a bad feeling. If you ask me, you¡¯re about to lose this job.
¡°You need to start nning. I can tell you¡¯re not meant for this life. You¡¯re not going to spend the rest of your days pushing a broom with your baby strapped to your chest, are you?
¡°Oh, and one more thing¨CEsther¡¯s nephew, the one with the limp? He was sweeping the street just a block over from yours this afternoon. Avoid him if you can. That guy¡¯s trouble.¡±
With that, Bessie kicked off her vest and climbed onto her bed. She was asleep within moments.
Tess sat down beside La, her body heavy with exhaustion. The baby¡¯s soft, rosy face looked adorable in the dim light. Tess blinked, and her eyes grew ssy with emotion.
Since getting out of prison, she hadn¡¯t offended anyone.
And yet, someone out there clearly had it out for her.
Whoever they were, they knew this powerful man. They had the clout to give this man orders and get results. The culprit was bound to be someone with a high status.
A face shed through her mind¨Ccold and handsome with a quiet, unapproachable kind of power. Her gut twisted, but she quickly shook her head. No¨Cit couldn¡¯t be him.
If it were, she and La wouldn¡¯t still be safe here.
Tess sat there in silence, uncertainty wing at her chest.
Tess had one more shift that day, from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.
She headed out in the afternoon, broom in hand, and swept her way down the long, empty street.
Thankfully, La was a quiet little thing. Either shey cradled in her sling, gazing curiously at the world with her round eyes, or she¡¯d grow drowsy from the steady rhythm of Tess¡¯s movements and drift off to sleep with her tiny head slumping to one side. She rarely gave Tess any trouble.
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 9 An Opportunity to Get Even
After a while, Tess took a short break on a bench. She pulled out a tissue, gently
shifted her into a morefortable position in her arms before getting up to ¡°ped the drool from La¡¯s chin, and
again.
Just then, a garbage truck rumbled up the road. Tess stood and emptied her bin into it.
That was when she noticed someone approaching. An elderly woman, silver¨Chaired and elegantly dressed, was walking briskly along the sidewalk, murmuring anxiously to herself.
When she reached Tess, she stopped short and asked in a flustered voice, ¡°Excuse me, dear. Have you seen a sapphire ring?
She looked near tears.
¡°My husband gave it to me when he was still alive. It was our engagement ring. I¡¯ve treasured it for decades. I even sleep with
it on.
¡°He¡¯s
gone now, and that ring is all I have left to remember him by. And now, I¡¯ve lost it. What am I going to do?¡±
The elderly woman grew panicked. She dabbed at her eyes with a crumpled tissue a couple of times.
Tess pondered about this as she took in the woman¡¯s distress. ¡°Ma¡¯am, don¡¯t worry. Let me help you look. Maybe we can still find it. Do you remember where you¡¯ve been today? When did you first notice it was missing?¡±
The woman thought about it, her expression lost and troubled. ¡°Oh, my memory isn¡¯t what it used to be. I went for a walk in the park earlier, but I¡¯ve already searched the whole ce twice and didn¡¯t find a thing. I think I must¡¯ve passed through these nearby streets too.¡±
She lookedpletely defeated, as if all hope had slipped through her fingers.
Tess¡¯s mind flickered with an image.
Just 15 minutes ago, she had seen Carl Tenny¨Cthe cleaner from the next block¨Cacting suspiciously. He had bent down quickly to grab sormething off the pavement, then nced around furtively before slipping it into his coat. His whole demeanor had been sneaky, so it was hard not to notice.
Tess gently guided the woman toward the bench and helped her sit down. Then, she handed over her water bottle. ¡°Here, have some water and rest your leg. Don¡¯t worry. There¡¯s still a chance we¡¯ll find it.¡±
She knew that whatever that sapphire ring was worth, it was nothingpared to the love of the elderly woman¡¯s husband. Just then, several men in sharp ck suits came jogging over from the direction of the park. They came to a halt in front of the old woman and stood respectfully with their heads slightly bowed.
One of them said, ¡°Mrs. Vale, we¡¯ve searched the entire park. There¡¯s no sign of it.¡±
Whatever hope Jessie Vale had been holding onto disappeared from her eyes. ¡°Oh no, what am I going to do now?¡± she mumbled.
Tess stared at the men¨Ceach one dressed to the nines, towering and stone¨Cfaced¨Cand yet their demeanor toward Jessie was
borderline reverent.
Whoever this elderly woman was, she was clearly someone with a formidable background.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but reflect on how far she¡¯d fallen. She was reduced to a cleaner, and even her wages had been cut.
Once, she had been the rising star of Aetheris¨Ca brilliant young attorney who made headlines and took no prisoners in the courtroom. Now? She was a street cleaner with a baby in her arms, getting her wages cut by a petty supervisor who wouldn¡¯t even look her in the eye.
There was an old saying: ¡°If you want to beat the snake, you need a dragon.¡±
She looked at Jessie again¨Cpolished, respected, and clearly not powerless. And just like that, an idea sparked in Tess¡¯s mind. Tess stepped forward and said clearly, ¡°Ma¡¯am, I think I can help you find your ring.¡±
Keepsake 10
Chapter 10 Everything Depends on Her
¡°Come back by tomorrow morning, around 9:30 a.m. The ring will show up then,¡± Tess said calmly.
Jessie, worn out from a long day of searching, felt her hope rekindle at Tess¡¯s quiet confidence.
¡°Are you sure?¡®
She looked Tess up and down. She wore a cleaner¡¯s uniform and carried a baby in her arms.
She was a single mom sweeping the streets. Clearly, she was dirt poor.
And yet, there was something in her bearing that didn¡¯t match her appearance at all.
Jessie grew suspicious. Could this woman have found the ring and hidden it?
¡°You swear? If Ie tomorrow, I¡¯ll get it back?¡±
)-Yes;
¡°Yes,¡± Tess guaranteed confidently.
¡°What¡¯s yourst name, youngdy?¡±
¡°Ember.¡±
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Jessie nodded. ¡°Alright, Ms. Ember. I¡¯ll give you the benefit of the doubt¨Cfor your baby¡¯s sake. But if that ring doesn¡¯t turn up, you won¡¯t get away with this.¡±
She stood up from the bench with a bodyguard¡¯s help.
When Jessie left, Tess nced at the cleaner resting nearby. Carl was a typical young man with no family to lean on. He lived off scraps from distant rtives.
His carty abandoned by the walkway while he lounged across a bench near the greenery with his head buried under his jacket, napping.
Carl was Esther¡¯s nephew.
Tess¡¯s thought of Esther, who framed her and had her wages docked for no reason.
This time, she was taking a gamble.
By dusk, the fading sky grew darker, and the world slipped into the shadows. The streetlights flickered on one by one.
Underneath one of those lights, a slim figure was working hard on the sidewalk.
Tess had already cleaned most of the block. Just a few more minutes and she could take La home.
She was sweeping thest few leaves when a voice rang out behind her¨Cloud, arrogant, and unmistakably bossy.
¡°Hey, you! You¡¯re the one with the baby! Get over here and clean up my side foo! You hear me?¡±
A flurry of pistachio shells littered the ground at her feet.
Across the strip of greenery that was dividing the street, Tess saw Carl lounging with a self¨Csatisfied grin. His clothes were spotless despite the surrounding filth. He sat slouched on a bench with his legs spread. There was a nearly empty bag of pistachios beside him.
Tess blinked innocently and called out, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, do I know you?¡±
Carl scowled and sneered, ¡°Esther Frost¨Cshe¡¯s my aunt. Ring a bell now?¡±
He shoved a broom toward her with his foot. ¡°Go clean this whole area. When you¡¯re done, let me know, If I catch you cking off, I¡¯ll have my aunt fire you on the spot.
Chapter 10 Everything Depends on Her
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With that, he picked up his phone and started scrolling through videos, smiling lewdly at a livestream of some girl dancing
on screen.
Tess caught a glimpse of his username. He was the top tipper in that stream.
Tess picked up the broom and started cleaning the street.
Her time in prison had taught her one thing¨Cobedience was survival. If she did what she was told and didn¡¯t talk back, there was a chance she wouldn¡¯t get hurt.
And so, at Carl¡¯smand, Tess bowed her head and started sweeping without daring to pause or breathe wrong. She feared that any hesitation would bring his fist crashing down on her like a thunderstorm.
But after a few minutes, something inside her cracked. What was she doing?
She was out now. She was free. And yet people like Carl and Esther could still stomp on her like she was nothing.
Her throat burned from thirst.
She opened her bag and pulled out a bottle of water to moisten her throat.
Just as she unscrewed the cap, a hand snatched the bottle from her. Carl took a long swig, chugging half of it before wiping
his mouth on his sleeve.
¡°What are you drinking for? And what are you staring at? The sooner you finish sweeping, the sooner I can clock out, got it? You¡¯re making me miss my livestream! Now, get back to work!¡±
Carl tossed the pistachios into his mouth, one after another, washing them down with the water he¡¯d snatched from Tess. As the sky darkened and the air grew colder, Tess looked at him with eyes full of restrained hatred.
But she didn¡¯t dare fight back. This man was tall and strong. She was holding the six¨Cmonth¨Cold La. If things turned violent, she would end up as a punching bag.
Carl drained the bottle and flicked the empty stic bottle at her feet, then turned back to his phone. He muttered crudements at the girls dancing on screen.
Tess¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. Her gaze stayed calm, almost icy, as she held La close.
She couldn¡¯t do anything¨Cnot yet. But maybe tomorrow, if that elderlydy kept her word, Carl would finally get what he deserved.
Suddenly, Carl sat up straighter, his face twisting in difort.
¡°Ugh, what the heck? Why now?! Did you do something to me?¡± He growled, clutching his stomach as a loud gurgling noise erupted from deep within. He tightened his legs together in a panic, clearly on the brink of losing control.
Tess was shocked. She hadn¡¯t done anything!
Carl sneered, breathing heavily, ¡°Hmph. Figured you didn¡¯t have the guts. It¡¯s probably that lunch. I knew something was off about that pasta ce, but I still kept going back. Stupid cravings!¡±
Before stumbling away, legs still clenched tight, he snapped over his shoulder, ¡°You¡¯d better still be here when I get back! If you¡¯re gone just wait and see what I do to you!¡±
Tess dipped her head and nodded like an obedient child.
Only after he turned the corner did she lift her face.
She stared at his retreating figure as he hurried to the public restroom, her eyes full of disbelief.
Under themplight, Tess caught sight of something in the dustpan¨Ca crumpled water bottle. The expiration date stamped on thebel showed yesterday¡¯s date.
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 10 Everything Depends on Her
So, that¡¯s what happened¡
She let out a quietugh¨Cshort and sharp.
Not long after, she was nearly done sweeping.
Sweat drenched her forehead, soaking through her clothes. Each step forward was slow and dragging, her legs barely obeying
her.
From time to time, she would pause to massage the spot where her thigh met her calf. She had once broken a bone there. Now, with every step, it throbbed like tiny needles jabbing into her flesh.
In her arms, La stirred and let out a soft, whimpering cry. It was as if she were asking, ¡°Mommy, where¡¯s my milk?¡±
Tess nced at thest patch of sidewalk still left unswept. Then, she looked at La. And that was that. She clenched her jaw
and left.
Nothing was more important than her baby.
Muchter, Carl finally emerged from the public restroom, his steps wobbly and his face pale.
¡°Finally! Time to head home and get some real sleep,¡± he muttered with a smug grin.
But when he returned to the bench¡
¡°What the¡ªwhere¡¯d she go?¡±
The street stretched before him, nearly spotless¨Cexcept for thest hundred feet that were littered with dry leaves, wrappers, and trash. His discarded pistachio shells still sat there, exactly where he¡¯d left them, almost like a message.
¡°She just left?¡±
A cold wind swept through the empty street, rustling the leaves. He was alone.
Carl¡¯s smugness vanished, and his expression darkened. He snatched up the broom and began sweeping, furious. But no matter how hard he worked, the difference was obvious. Just across the divider, the street Tess had cleaned glowed under the lights¨Cneat, polished, and perfect.
His section looked like a trash heap. As he kicked aside another pistachio shell, he ground his teeth. ¡°Bitch! Just wait till tomorrow. I¡¯ll make sure she regrets it.¡±
When Tess got back to the dorm, Bessie came out to meet her, taking La¡¯gently into her arms.
¡°Did Esther¡¯s nephew mess with you again?¡± she asked quietly.
No.¡±
Tess paused, then said, ¡°No.¡±
But pain flickered across her face. She sat on the edge of the bed and rolled up her pant leg. The skin around her shin was swollen, red, and bruised.
¡°So, you¡¯re still lying to,me?¡± Bessie snapped, her voice shaking with anger. ¡°I knew he¡¯s been bullying the other cleaners, but I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d go after a single mother like you. Lord have mercy! When will someone put a stop to that scumbag?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t answer. She lowered her pant leg, gently ced La on the bed, and began changing her diaper. But Bessie¡¯s words stirred something deep in her chest¨Ca ripple of emotion she couldn¡¯t quite name.
She told herself that what happened next would depend on that elderlydy tomorrow.
Tess lowered her head and gently brushed her delicate, upturned nose against La¡¯s soft, rosy cheek. In her heart, she whispered a silent prayer.
The next morning, before Tess could even leave the dorm, she was met with chaos. Esther stormed in through the door with two other workers in tow.
¡°Tess!¡± she barked. ¡°You swept your trash into someone else¡¯s sectionst night! Does that seem like proper behavior to
to you 4
104
Chapter 10 Everything Depends on Her
Get over there and apologize to Carl!¡±
Today was Tess¡¯s daytime shift. She didn¡¯t have to leave early like usual.
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She stood calmly at the door, cradling La in her arms. She looked up just in time to see Esther¡¯s self¨Crighteous expression -like she was catching Tess red¨Chanded in some shameful crime.
Faced with Esther¡¯s aggression, she didn¡¯t waste her breath arguing. Instead, she went along with the conversation, letting Esther think she had the upper hand.
She simply said, ¡°I¡¯m happy to apologize¨Cbut only after I¡¯ve seen the street for myself. I want to make sure that trash actually came from my section.¡±
She stood there with quiet resolve, holding La firmly in her arms.
La blinked up at the angry woman before them with wide, curious eyes, her little face full of innocence.
¡°Trash is trash,¡± Esther scoffed. ¡°You think you can recognize your trash?¡±
Exactly,¡± Tess replied evenly. ¡°If even I can¡¯t tell, then how did Carl figure out the trash came from my street in the first ce?¡±
¡°You¡± Esther¡¯s voice caught in her throat. She hadn¡¯t expected Tess to push back¨Clet alone make sense.
A few nearby workers began to gather, whispering among themselves. ¡°Esther¡¯s bullying the single mom again. Where¡¯s her conscience?¡±
Since public opinion had turned on her, Esther huffed and finally snapped, ¡°Fine! You want to go look, so let¡¯s go look. But if you can¡¯t prove that trash isn¡¯t yours, you¡¯ll pay for it out of your own pocket. Or else you can pack up and get out of here.¡± Follow current nov?ls on find?novel
¡°I don¡¯t have the money,¡± Tess said inly.
¡°Then we¡¯ll dock it from your paycheck!¡±
Tess froze. Dock my paycheck again?
Keepsake 11
Chapter 11 Tess Outsmarts Esther
Chapter 11 Tess Outsmarts Esther
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A crowd of sanitation workers began to gather, surrounding Tess with a mix of sympathy and helplessness. After all, trash had no name, no voice. How could you prove ownership of something like that?
To them, Tess had already lost before this even started.
Momentster, a group of workers followed behind Tess and Esther as they headed toward the street.
The roadside greenery from yesterday was a mess. Cigarette butts, stic bags, greasy tissues¡ Wet and dry garbage alike
had piled up in thendscaping, giving off a stench so strong that people covered their noses.
Tess nced up at Carl, who stood smugly behind Esther with his chest puffed out, showing no hint of guilt. It was as if it had nothing to do with him.
She lowered her eyes.
¡°I won¡¯t take the me for this.¡±
¡°What did you say? The evidence is right here,¡± Esther scoffed with her arms crossed, her expression dripping with disdain. ¡°You think just saying you didn¡¯t do it is enough?¡±
If she wanted to abuse her authority, she could simply dere Tess guilty and hand out punishment right then and there. No one would question it.
But Esther preferred to put on a show¨Cto make it seem like justice was being served.
Tess lifted her head. ¡°I have a witness.¡±
¡°A witness?¡± Esther barked augh and looked around mockingly. ¡°Where?¡±
What witness? One of these workers sweeping the streets? Esther almost burst outughing.
Tess twisted her fingers nervously. She was anxious too.
1
Will that elderly show up?
Just then, a luxury SUV rolled to a stop nearby. A woman dressed like a housekeeper stepped out and respectfully helped another woman down from the vehicle.
¡°Is that the cleaningdy you mentioned, Mrs. Vale?¡±
¡°Yes, that¡¯s her,¡± Jessie replied firmly.
The crowd buzzed in confusion as the two women made their way toward Tess.
Jessie began, her voice clear, ¡°Ms. Ember, I lost a family heirloom here yesterday¨Ca sapphire ring. Now that I¡¯m here, may I have my ring back?¡±
The surrounding workers gasped.
¡°Tess really went and got herself into trouble? Is she trying to dig her own grave? Why did she get the ring owner here?¡±
¡°Yeah, what an idiot.¡±
Tess gently patted La in her arms. La had just woken up from a nap and was blinking her round eyes at the unfamiliar surroundings. Tess lifted her out of the sling and rested her in the crook of her arm.
Then, she looked up at Jessie and said, ¡°Ma¡¯am, you must be mistaken. I didn¡¯t take your ring.¡±
Jessie stole a nce at La. The little one looked uncannily like her grandson.
But as far as she knew, Finn didn¡¯t have a child. Maybe it was just a coincidence.
Chapter 11 Tess Outsmarts Esther
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When Finn¡¯s mother passed, Jessie returned to Kagan in grief. Word was, Finn had married someone from a prominent family¨Cbut beyond that, she knew little.
There were two purposes behind her trip back¨Cshe wanted to meet her grandson¡¯s wife and visit her daughter¡¯s grave.
Before Jessie could say anything, Esther stepped in, her voice icy. ¡°Tess, picking something that doesn¡¯t belong to you is theft. That ring is worth over a million dors. People go to prison for things like that.¡±
Before Jessie could say a word, Esther cut in coldly, her eyes sharp as ice. ¡°Tess, I may be your supervisor, and sure, I¡¯ve gone easy on you before out of pity. But now that the rightful owner is here, the facts are clear¨CI can¡¯t cover for you anymore.¡±
She turned to Jessie, ying the part of the righteous authority. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I¡¯ll make sure she repays what she owes. Once Tess works for two more months and pays back Carl, I¡¯ll see to it that she¡¯s fired. She¡¯ll be held fully responsible for the loss of your property.¡±
Esther acted like she was doing Jessie a favor, as if Tess had dragged her into a huge mess and she was making the best of a bad situation.
The housekeeper standing beside Jessie muttered, ¡°This supervisor seems like a decent person. Mrs. Vale, maybe we should report the theft to the police? Let them help recover your ring.¡±
But Jessie ced a hand gently over her housekeeper¡¯s.
She said calmly, her gaze fixed on Esther, ¡°Mrs. Ember, why don¡¯t you just tell us what this whole act of yours is really about?¡± ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find(?)ovel
Tess finally turned to face Esther. ¡°I told you¨CI have a witness. And that witness is thisdy.¡±
She then looked at Jessie and asked evenly, ¡°Yesterday, when you came to find me, what was I doing?¡±
Jessie recalled without hesitation, ¡°You were sweeping the street. I saw you dump all the garbage into a garbage truck that happened to be driving by.¡±
Tess continued, ¡°So, all these dead leaves, cigarette butts, stic bags, and tissues¨Cnone of them came from my section of the street?¡±
¡°Of course not!¡± Jessie arched a brow. ¡°It¡¯s obvious this trash came from whoever was supposed to be cleaning this side. They clearly cked off. What¡¯s that got to do with you?¡±
Jessie¡¯s housekeeper mumbled again under her breath, ¡°But this doesn¡¯t really exin the missing ring, does it?¡± She was starting to get the feeling that Jessie and this cleaner weren¡¯t strangers, after all.
Tess turned back to Esther. ¡°So, Ms. Frost, can we now agree that I¡¯ve cleared my name?¡±
Esther¡¯s expression changed dramatically.
¡°Fine!¡± she snapped. ¡°But don¡¯t start celebrating just yet. Even if Carl was the one cking and the trash wasn¡¯t yours, what about the ring? That still doesn¡¯t exin where it is. Until we get to the bottom of this, I¡¯m not letting you walk away.¡±
Someone in the crowd shouted, ¡°Yeah! You¡¯re not leaving until that ring turns up!¡±
Tess, however, just smiled. She continued calmly, ¡°Ma¡¯am, your ring is currently in the bushes¨Cright at Carl¡¯s feet. I wasn¡¯t sure before whether he was carrying it with him or if he had stashed it somewhere. But just now, when you used me of stealing your sapphire ring, he panicked and tried to move it.¡±
The reason she¡¯d let Esther go on for so long was simple¨Cshe had been buying time, waiting for Carl to mess up. Yesterday, she¡¯d seen him pick something up, but she hadn¡¯t been sure what it was. Even if she had told Jessie right away, there was no guarantee he¡¯d still have it on him by the time she arrived.
Tess had guessed Carl didn¡¯t know the ring¡¯s true value and wouldn¡¯t risk selling it too soon.
And sure enough, after a night with no one asking questions, he thought he was in the clear. He carried it with him, nning to keep it hidden until the fuss died down. But the second he heard Jessie use Tess of theft, fear kicked in¨Cand he made
his move.
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 11 Tess Outsmarts Esther
Carl had likely nned to wait until the dust settled, then quietly sell the ring and make a fortune off it. Who would ever suspect him?
What he didn¡¯t count on was the surveince camera silently recording everything.
As Tess calmlyid out the entire sequence of events, Carl¡¯s face turned beet red. He snapped, ¡°You¡¯re lying! The cameras on this street have been broken for months. Are you trying to set me up?¡±
Tess exchanged a knowing look with Jessie.
That was when Jessie¡¯s housekeeper suddenly gasped. ¡°Oh! So that¡¯s why you asked me to go to the Department of Motor Vehiclesst night and rush the request to repair the cameras!¡±
The truth came out¨Cand the crowd finally understood everything.
Esther, realizing what was happening, immediately tried to wash her hands of the mess. ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t know anything about this! I¡¯m not involved with him!¡±
One of the sanitation workers blinked. ¡°Isn¡¯t Carl your nephew? How could you not know?¡±
Another chimed in, ¡°Exactly! You were practically demanding Tess give her hard¨Cearned wages to your precious nephew. Funny how you didn¡¯t say anything about not being involved back then.¡±
Jessie¡¯s housekeeper turned to the officers, who had just arrived. ¡°Officers, these two are definitely in on it together.¡±
One of the officers said, stepping forward, ¡°Both of you areing with us.¡±
Due to the high value of the stolen item and the public nature of the case, both Carl and Esther were handcuffed and taken into custody.
As she was led away, Esther couldn¡¯t stop ncing back at Tess, still trying to figure out how a broke, baby¨Ctoting cleaning woman had yed her so perfectly.
She hadn¡¯t even realized she had walked straight into Tess¡¯s trap.
The sapphire ring, retrieved from the bushes and sparkling like it had never been touched, was bagged as evidence. It would be photographed, cataloged, and returned to its rightful owner in due course.
Tess watched it all unfold and let a small smile tug at the corner of her lips.
It should¡¯ve ended there.
But Tess wasn¡¯t finished.
Stepping forward, she said, ¡°Excuse me, officers. I¡¯d like to file a report of my own.¡±
Keepsake 12
Chapter 12 Another Villian Takes Esther¡¯s Spot?
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Tess stepped forward while holding La close, her eyes glistening with tears. ¡°A few days ago, someone falsely used me of stealing a gold ne and not returning it. But I swear¨CI never saw any ne, let alone took it. Since you¡¯re already investigating what happened on this street, could you also help clear my name?¡±
The two officers exchanged a look.
Five minutester, they handed Tess a pen and asked her to write an official statement.
¡°We¡¯ve received your report,¡± one officer said. ¡°We¡¯ll conduct a thorough review. If your ount proves true, we¡¯ll clear your name of wrongdoing. Any disciplinary action from your employer will also be nullified. We¡¯ll ensure they retract the penalty.¡±
Esther¡¯s face went pale as she stared at Tess in shock.
In a panic, she blurted out, ¡°Tess, what nonsense are you spouting? So, it was you! All this over the 3,000 dors I docked? You¡¯ve been holding a grudge this whole time, haven¡¯t you? Well, let me tell you something¨CI¡¯m not even the one who wanted to take you down. It was-¡±
Tess asked quietly, ¡°Then tell me. If not you¡ who set me up?¡±
But Esther mmed up. Her face was pallid as if she¡¯d almost let slip a dangerous secret.
Tess could see it¨Cpushing for answers now wouldn¡¯t help.
She inhaled deeply, her voice steady. ¡°Ms. Frost, you said you just took 3,000 dors from me? That¡¯s not just money. That¡¯s the money I¡¯m earning to keep myself and my daughter alive. That¡¯s my blood, sweat, and tears¨Cearned inch by inch from sweeping these streets. And you¨Ctargeting someone who works sanitation¨Cwhat won¡¯t you stoop to? You didn¡¯t end up in this mess because of me. It¡¯s because you were too greedy.¡±
Esther stood frozen. She couldn¡¯t argue with that.
Soon, she was escorted into a patrol car. The sirens faded into the distance.
¡°Ms. Ember, that woman is no longer your supervisor,¡± Jessie said, noticing how pale she seemed. She stepped over to Tess and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°She¡¯s finished. She broke thew, and there¡¯s no way she¡¯s getting her job back.¡±
¡°Well done, Tess.¡± Her coworkers chimed in, followed by several others giving her a thumbs¨Cup.
But Tess didn¡¯t feel triumphant. She only shook her head, her heart still racing. She knew none of this would¡¯ve happened if not for Jessie stepping in.
She didn¡¯t do it for glory; she did it for La so that they could survive in Aetheris.
Before parting ways, Jessie smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve done me a big favor, dear. How can I repay you?¡±
Tess shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve already received what I wanted.¡±
Getting Esther punished and getting her money back was enough. In truth, she was the one who owed Jessie thanks for punishing those viins.
But Jessie pressed on. ¡°Are you sure you want to keep cleaning the streets forever with your child in tow? My grandson¡¯s got some pull in Aetheris. Why not let him find you something better?¡±
¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Jessie¡¯s housekeeper added. ¡°Most people would kill for a promise like that.¡±
Tess turned down the offer politely. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that. I actually like this job.¡±
Each morning, as the sun rose, she would sweep the city clean. By dusk, she would watch it light up with life and bustle. The job of a
a street cleaner was grueling, no doubt about that¨Cbut now, Tess felt there was nothing more fitting for her.
Only while sweeping¨Cwatching the trash slowly vanish and the streets return to spotless order¨Ccould she momentarily. forget the shadows of her past.
10:421
Chapter 12 Another Villian Takes Esther¡¯s Spot?
Jessie sighed with regret. ¡°Well then, I suppose we¡¯ll meet again if fate allows, Ms. Ember.¡±
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As she turned to go, Jessie couldn¡¯t help ncing once more at the baby in Tess¡¯s arms. Such a sweet, beautiful child. She looked so much like Finn when he was little.
Jessie couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Ms. Ember, may I ask where¡¯s the baby¡¯s father?¡±
Tess looked down at La, her heart twisting in pain. ¡°He passed away.¡± In her heart, he was already dead.
Jessie paused for a long moment, then said softly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your loss.¡±
She left. And Tess, cradling her daughter, quietly picked up her broom and returned to work.
¡°Tess! Mr. Lock said we¡¯re to give you special treatment from now on!
¡°You think he cares just because you¡¯re pregnant? Don¡¯t be naive! Finn Lock is the wealthiest man in this city. You think he¡¯d acknowledge a bastard with a convict mother?¡±
It had gone on and on.
Those words still echoed in her mind. Tess didn¡¯t dare forget a single one.
She bit down on her lip until it bled.
The ambitious, celebrated attorney she once was felt like a lifetime ago.
The next afternoon, Tess carried La to the municipal office to speak with Vanessa Payne, the woman in charge of sanitation.
As soon as she stepped into the finance department, Vanessa waved her over.
¡°Perfect timing, Tess. The city reviewed what happened, and it turns out Esther had no right to dock your pay. Here¡¯s the notice revoking the penalty. If it all looks good, sign here.¡±
She slid the paper across the table. ¡°Your lost wages will be reimbursed soon, so no worries there. We¡¯ve also reported to the police that Esther falsely used you. You¡¯re in the clear now, so just keep doing your best. You¡¯re still young; you have a bright future.¡±
Vanessa¡¯s lips curled in a smirk. She nced Tess over with an edge of contempt.
A bright future?
A single mother sweeping streets for a living? What a joke! Can someone like her turn the table? What¡¯s next? Will she marry the richest man in Aetheris?¡±
Vanessa didn¡¯t even try to hide her disdain. They were permanent employees. Tess? She was just a temp¨Cdisposable. She could step on her anytime she wanted.
Vanessa said, ¡°Alright. Once you¡¯ve signed, you can go. Make sure you close the door on your way out. Don¡¯t let the heat escape. It¡¯s freezing out.¡±
She poured herself a steaming cup of tea and sank back into her chair with azy grin.
Tess lowered her head. Her hands, cracked and raw from early mornings in the cold,
stung
with
every movement.
Around her, people whispered and stared.¡±
¡°She really caused a scene, didn¡¯t she? Mrs. Vale personally went to bat for her.¡±
¡°Of course, she¡¯s smug. She¡¯s got Finn Lock¡¯s grandmother backing her.¡±
¡°I thought Tess proved her own innocence? She managed to get rid of Esther.¡±
¡°Oh, please. You know nothing. Esther had connections. You really think a street cleaner could take her down?¡±
Chapter 12 Another Villian Takes Esther¡¯s Spot?
¡°Who¡¯s backing Esther, then?¡±
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¡°No idea, but it¡¯s someone powerful. You could see it in the way she acted this past month, full of arrogance. It was like she¡¯d hit the jackpot.¡±
¡°Haha, Tess thinks she¡¯s so clever. Just wait¨Cher bad luck¡¯s only getting started. She really thinks Esther is the only person she has crossed here on South Street?¡±
Tess held La tight and stepped out. The murmurs floated behind her, but she didn¡¯t stop to listen.
She didn¡¯t know how important Jessie truly was¨Conly that she¡¯d never crossed paths with her before. Back when Tess was a force in Aetheris, their worlds had never collided. And now, all Tess wanted was to raise La in peace. Therefore, shecked the interest to find out more.
Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the revocation notice.
She was overjoyed.
With her full month¡¯s wages restored, she and La finally had some breathing room.
For once, she¡¯d earned justice through her own efforts.
To Tess, nothing mattered more than La.
But just then, a tall, imposing figure suddenly came into view. The sidewalk was wide with plenty of room, but the man marched straight toward her as if on purpose. Tess flinched and dodged aside. When she looked up, she saw him sh a twisted smile.
He sneered, ¡°Tess, we¡¯re not done yet.¡±
It was the same supervisor she had once stabbed in the neck while fighting him off. He now stood right in front of her, his eyes gleaming with a sinister glint as he stared at her.
The moment she saw him, Tess¡¯s breath caught. The memory of that night¨Chis attempt to vite her¨Cshed through her mind. A shudder ran down her spine.
Why is Riven here?
Riven seemed to savor the panic rising in her face, eyeing her from trembling from unease.
His smile was slow and poisonous¨Clike a snake flicking its tongue, savoring the fear before the strike.
Then, without another word, he turned and knocked on the office door.
¡°Ms. Payne, I¡¯m here,¡± he announced.
¡°Well, look who it is! Perfect timing, Riven,¡± Vanessa said in a bright voice. ¡°Now that Esther¡¯s gone, you¡¯re taking her spot. Do a good job, alright? And keep the others in line. These days, it seems like anybody thinks they can file aint against their supervisor.¡± Content originallyes from f?ndnovel
Moments ago, Vanessa had spoken to Tess with polite calm. Now, her voice was thick with sycophantic praise. Half¨Chidden behind the office door, her eyes rolledzily, part mocking, part dismissive.
Riven nced back,
Tess stood just outside, frozen. Her eyes met theirs, and a chill shot through her.
Esther is gone. Now, Riven is here to take her ce. How did things to this?
10.42 PM
Chapter 13 Will You Recognize Me, Finn?
Chapter 13 Will You Recognize Me, Finn?
Tess left the municipal office in a daze.
On the way home, her mind kept reying memories she couldn¡¯t suppress.
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When La was just born, she was tiny and wrinkled, weighing barely five pounds. She desperately needed proper nutrition.
But Tess didn¡¯t produce much milk, so she had to eat more to feed La.
?
Yet her cellmates, who¡¯d bullied her for years, stole her food and left her with scraps and leftovers.
Back then, La couldn¡¯t adapt to the prison environment and cried constantly.
She was such a tiny newborn, no bigger than a hand, and those women actually discussed drugging her with sleeping pills just to keep her quiet.
One stormy night, Tess woke up with a jolt and discovered La had been stolen from her side.
They had taped La¡¯s mouth shut with adhesive tape.
If Tess hadn¡¯t pounced like a madwoman, that tape¨Cwrapped around La¡¯s mouth and nose¨Cmight¡¯ve taken La¡¯s life that night.
All because they were afraid La¡¯s crying would attract guards and interrupt their poker game.
What had she done to deserve this?
Why did everyone seem to hate her? Why were she and her child treated so cruelly?
She had already learned her lesson.
Was it really just because she was all alone¨Cwithout connections and a single mother¨Cthat they thought they could trample on her with impunity?
¡°Did you hear? Riven just reced Esther.¡±
When Tess returned to the dorm, the other women were gossiping
¡°Esther¡¯s job was a goldmine. Every holiday, gifts flowed in, and she never distributed them. No one dared to speak up since she controlled everyone¡¯s work assignments. Everyone wanted that role. How did Riven get so lucky?¡±
¡°Esther¡¯s barely gone, and herees Riven. Didn¡¯t he try something with Tessst time? That poor girl¡¯s life really is tragic.¡±
¡°I heard Riven pulled strings for that job,¡± added another woman, whose husband worked security at the municipal office.
¡°What kind of strings?¡± the others asked eagerly.
¡°They say it¡¯s the richest man in Aetheris¨CFinn.¡±
¡°What? Riven has ties to the wealthiest man in Aetheris? Why would he stay in a low¨Clevel job, then?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not family ties. Word is, he sweet¨Ctalked Finn¨Cjust one favor, and boom, Riven¡¯s promoted.¡±
Across the room, Bessie sat silently, eyes filled with worry.
But Tess didn¡¯t notice.
She couldn¡¯t hear the rest of the gossip.
Her ears rang, and she felt like invisible hands were dragging her into an abyss.
The women¡¯s chatter had already moved on.
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Chapter 13 Will You Recognize Me, Finn?
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¡°Tess?
¡°Tess? La¡¯s crying!¡±
The baby¡¯s wails and Bessie¡¯s urgent calls snapped Tess back to reality.
She looked down and realized she had been clutching La too tightly. She was terrified and crying hard.
She quickly loosened her hold, guilt flooding her heart. She began to soothe La in a broken, trembling voice.
Her eyes turned red, and her lips trembled as she bit down hard. Though the room wasn¡¯t cold, she was shaking all over.
Her beautiful eyes brimmed with tears, streaming down her cheeks. She was crying, but her twisted smile made it hard to tell whether it was grief or madness.
She clutched La close.
¡°I need to look him in the eyes and ask¨Cwhy me? Haven¡¯t I suffered enough? What¡¯s left for him to take? My life?¡± Her voice splintered, raw with grief.
She stood up suddenly, grabbed the baby sling, and strapped La in.
¡°Tess, where are you going with the baby?¡±
By the time Bessie realized what was happening and ran after Tess, her frail figure had already vanished.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Bessie muttered to herself.
Just then, crack of thunder split the sky.
A chill crept into Bessie¡¯s chest as she looked up at the heavy clouds, feeling increasingly uneasy.
Those women who had been gossiping also fell silent. They nced at each other in confusion. What had triggered Tess¡¯s breakdown?
All they did was mention Aetheris¡® richest man¨CFinn.
On the rain¨Cslicked street, Tess¡¯s figure moved through the rain and mist.
Her destination was clear¨Cthe towering, magnificent Lock Group where she had once worked.
She was going to see Rinn. She wanted answers.
A year and a half might not seem long, but the suffering in prison had been enough to reshape herpletely.
Her beauty remained, but her heart had gone numb.
Time flies. Finn, after all these years, will you still recognize the woman you once knew?
Meanwhile, in the CEO office of Lock Group, Finn¡¯s expression turned icy after he heard the report.
¡°You¡¯re saying a street cleaner stole my grandmother¡¯s ring?¡±
Zane replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Lock. Since it concerns Mrs. Vale, the police assigned a special officer to handle it. ording to the housekeeper, Jade, the ring has been recovered.¡±
¡°But
Zane pinched the bridge of his nose, bewildered. ¡°It wasn¡¯t the police who found the ring; it was some quick¨Cthinking street cleaner who set a trap, caught the thief, and returned the ring. Mrs. Vale took a real liking to her.¡±
Zane continued, ¡°Here¡¯s the twist. You¡¯ve met this janitor before. She¡¯s the one who got drenched by your car and whom you helped afterward. The one who cleans with her baby strapped to her back.¡±
Finn remembered.
So, it¡¯s her.¡±
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Chapter 13 Will You Recognize Me, Finn?
He stood by the panoramic window, tall and silent. He recalled seeing her on a bus outside the prison once, cradling her baby gently.
Later, when his car identally sshed her, she didn¡¯tin and just shielded her baby without a second thought.
He kept thinking of her after that. He didn¡¯t know why. He¡¯d met countless women, yet something about her stayed with him.
Despite all the suffering in the world, for some reason, he had money transferred from his private ount to help her. He even broke protocol to donate supplies specifically to street cleaners like her. Th?s chapter is updated by Find[?]ovel
Now, hearing about her again brought her in yet unforgettable image back to mind.
Finn massaged his brow. Thest time a woman disrupted his thoughts like this was Tess.
¡°What¡¯s her name?¡± he asked, then waved it off. ¡°Never mind. It¡¯s just a street cleaner with a kid. Since she helped my grandma, call her supervisor. Tell them not to let anyone push her around. That¡¯s the least we can do.¡±
¡°Understood.¡± Zane then added, ¡°Regarding the donation, her supervisor said she recorded a thank¨Cyou video. It¡¯s in your inbox. The PR team asked if you¡¯d like to do a promotional feature.¡±
Finn pressed his lips into a thin line.
¡°No need.¡±
He clicked a few times on his mouse, then stood up, his tall figure straight and cold as he strode toward the meeting room.
Zane quietly closed the office door behind him. Silence settled over the room, broken only by the faint blue glow of the monitor.
In the trash folder of Finn¡¯s email, the thank¨Cyou videoy unseen.
After the meeting, Zane called the chief of the South Street District to ry Finn¡¯s directive that the street cleaner and her child should receive special treatment.
After hanging up, Zane hesitated. What if they pocketed the money and mistreated her? Scrolling through his contacts, he called her direct supervisor¨CRiven. He was the one who¡¯d sent the thank¨Cyou videost time.
At that moment, Riven had just finished his promotion paperwork and was on his way to the dorm to pick a fight with Tess.
He never found her. But his phone rang with a call from Zane himself.
Grinning, Riven answered it. ¡°Zane! Any special instructions from Mr. Lock¡±
Zane¡¯s voice turned serious. ¡°Riven, Mr. Lock personally said that the street cleaner and her child will be under his protection.
¡°No one¡¯s allowed to bully them. Help them however you can. If you handle this well, he might even rmend you for another promotion before you retire. Got it?¡±
Riven froze. For a moment, it felt like the heavens had dropped a golden opportunity onto hisp. Stammering, he blurted out, ¡°R¨CRest assured! From now on, she¡¯s my little sister! Her baby¡¯s my niece! I¡¯ll make sure no one daresy a finger on them!¡±
As soon as he hung up, Riven¡¯s legs buckled, and he sank to the floor.
Cold sweat soaked his clothes.
Tess¡ Did she have that kind of connection with Finn? So, it hadn¡¯t been a random act of kindness, after all. Finn had singled her out from the start!
Why else would she be the only one to get the money while the others got nothing? He¡¯d thought it was just a pity gesture after that luxury car sshed water on her.
Turned out, Finn was into her!
Tess¨Ceven with scars on her face and a baby in tow¨Chad a slim figure under that oversized coat. That unadorned face hag/4
Chapter 13 Will You Recognize Me, Finn?
its own charm¨Cjust the type rich men liked!
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If Riven had known sooner, he wouldn¡¯t have tried anything. Sure, he hadn¡¯t seeded, but even a rumor reaching Finn¡¯s ears could ruin him!
Now, even though nothing had happened, if word got back to Finn, he¡¯d lose his job and his current promotion too!
Thinking of this, Riven broke into a cold sweat.
Clutching his phone, he barked at the women in the dorm with a dark expression, ¡°Where did Tess go with her kid?¡±
Meanwhile, Zane hung up, feeling pleased.
He looked up to see Finn sipping coffee from a white porcin mug, wearing a cryptic smile.
Zane rubbed the bridge of his nose, silently turning things over in his mind. He had followed Finn¡¯s instructions to the letter. There was no way he¡¯d misunderstood¡ right?
But he saw that slight upward curve of Finn¡¯s lips and knew he had yed it just right.
Zane immediately swelled with pride. This was exactly as he¡¯d expected! So what if he¡¯d embellished the mother and child¡¯s situation a little? The real point was driving it home¨Cthat woman and her baby were under Finn¡¯s personal protection.
¡°The person I asked you to find¨Cwhere is she?¡± Finn¡¯s icy voice cut through the air as he lightly gripped his coffee cup with slender fingers.
Huh? He had to be referring to Tess, his wife! There were already some leads! But before Zane could respond, his phone suddenly rang.
The receptionist¡¯s nervous voice came through. ¡°Zane, there¡¯s a strange woman here in the lobby. She won¡¯t exin anything and just insists on seeing Mr. Lock. Oh¡ªand she¡¯s holding a baby who looks to be about five or six months old!¡±
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Chapter 14 Watching Him Choose Nadine
A woman carrying a six months old baby was asking to see Finn?
No matter how hard Zane tried, he just couldn¡¯t connect the dots between the two.
He scoffed, ¡°A scammer, maybe? Is she mentally unstable? Just send her away.¡±
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But the receptionist hesitated. ¡°Zane, the baby really looks like Mr. Lock. Are you sure we should just send her away?¡±
Sending away a stranger was fine. But if she identally sent away Finn¡¯s precious daughter, that would be a colossal mistake. She was torn.
Looking at the little baby in the woman¡¯s arms and those wide, glittering eyes, her own heart melted despite not being married or a mother herself.
¡°Send her away. Ms. Nadine will be here any minute. Don¡¯t create trouble for Mr. Lock,¡± Zane¡¯s cold voice urged over the phone.
Setting down the receiver, the receptionist gave a polite but apologetic smile. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m afraid Mr. Lock isn¡¯t avable right now. Maybe you coulde back another day?¡±
On a regr day, it might¡¯ve been possible. But with Nadine visiting, showing up with a baby that bore a striking resemnce to Finn was just too conspicuous.
Tess bit her lip. Her arms trembled slightly as she held La.
She was furious¨Cand cold.
She was soaked from the downpour¨CLa too¨Cand now, Finn had shut them out.
She let out a hollowugh.
Ha!
Sheughed through her tears.
She had been trampled to this point by Finn, but she couldn¡¯t even step through the elevator doors to see him.
The nearby security guard, catching a nce from the receptionist, fixed his eyes on her¨Cdaring her to take even one step toward the elevator. If she moved closer, he¡¯d throw her and her baby out of the building.
Of course, Tess didn¡¯t look anything like the aplished attorney from a year ago.
People came and went at thepany. It wasn¡¯t surprising no one recognized her anymore.
The rain was relentless. Not a single car had stopped for them on the way there.
She had taken off her coat to shield La but still had to watch helplessly as the rain soaked her child.
Sweet little La, nestled against Tess¡¯s chest, didn¡¯t even cry. She just shivered quietly and clung tightly to Tess¡¯s fingers. Her gaze was unwavering, as if to say, ¡°Whatever happens, I¡¯m with you.¡±
Tess parted her pale lips. ¡°Tell Finn, I¡¯m Tess.¡±
But before she could finish, a flurry ofmotion erupted at the entrance.
A tall woman strode in wearing a figure¨Chugging crimson dress, her two¨Cinch heels clicking against the floor. She was surrounded by staff¨Cbodyguards holding umbres, an assistant carrying her purse, a maid draping a down jacket over her shoulders.
She walked with confidence, radiating privilege. People stepped aside and admired her as she passed.
Tess¡¯s mouth fell open slightly, and her eyes turned bloodshot. She knew that woman. She was one of the very people who¡¯d
10.42 PM
Chapter 14 Watching Him Choose Nadine
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sent her to prison¨CNadine, the Embers¡® adopted daughter and once Tess¡¯s closest ¡°sister¡°. She had imed to act out of fairness and justice when she testified against Tess.
¡°It¡¯s Nadine ¡¡±
¡°That¡¯s Nadine? The rising star inw? She¡¯s gorgeous.¡±
At that moment, Finn¡¯s private elevator opened, and a tall, poised figure stepped out, wearing an uncharacteristically gentle smile.
Seeing Finn, Nadine lit up. She ran to him joyfully and threw herself into his arms. ¡°Finn, I knew you¡¯de greet me in person!¡±
Finn gently ced his hands on her shoulders and nudged her away slightly. ¡°Enough, Nadine. Mr. Mintz from the legal association said your performance was excellent. You gave sharp insights and had fresh ideas. He told me to praise you in person.¡±
Zane stood respectfully nearby. ¡°Ms. Nadine, Mr. Lock nned a special wee dinner to celebrate your return. He¡¯s been thinking about you the whole time.¡±
Hearing ¡°Ms. Nadine¡± made her expression freeze momentarily. But aside from the title, she liked everything else.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, hooked her arm through Finn¡¯s, and was about to walk forward¨Cuntil her gaze /swept over a corner of the crowd. She locked eyes with a pair of eyes filled with both mockery and sorrow.
In that instant, a chill ran down her spine. It was her.
¡°What are you looking at?¡± Finn noticed the woman holding a baby earlier, but Nadine had distracted him. Now, his eyes followed hers.
Nadine¡¯s heart thudded. She quickly tried to divert his attention. ¡°Finn, I¡¯m not looking¡¡± She stopped.
The woman was gone. That piercing gaze had disappeared like a dream.
Nadine steadied herself. ¡°Just a lot of unfamiliar faces. Looks like thepany has hired some new people while I was away,¡± she said with a softugh.
¡°Mm.¡± Finn nodded faintly. Nothing was there now¡ªjust a puddle of rainwater. He turned his gaze elsewhere.
¡°Everything Nadine has now was supposed to be yours, Tess.
¡°In fact, Finn and I both know that she¡¯s nothing but a poor imitation.¡±
In a lounge around the corner, a man leaned close to Tess¡¯s ear and whispered. Tess angrily shoved his hand away. ¡°Let go of me! Max, what are you trying to do?¡±
Max¡¯s eyes were red, his breathing ragged. He hade to handle some business. He hadn¡¯t expected to run into Tess.
He fought to control his emotions, his eyes flicking between her and the baby in her arms. The more he looked, the more shaken he became.
Taking a deep breath, his striking eyes narrowed with sarcasm. ¡°You saw it, didn¡¯t you? Finn only has eyes for Nadine. Showing up here will only humiliate you. I was trying to spare you that. You should thank me.¡±
¡°Spare me?¡± Tess snapped. ¡°You mean I should thank you for testifying falsely and sending me to prison? For betraying my trust and handing all my hard¨Cearned research to Nadine at the most critical moment?
¡°Max, don¡¯t tell me you were never in love with Nadine. You did everything for her. Was befriending me from the start part of your n?¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t even look at him without feeling sick.
She¡¯d nursed a viper in her shirt, and it had bitten her.
She and Max had grown up together.
Chapter 14 Watching Him Choose Nadine
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When the Hunts rejected him, she stood by him. She believed in his talent and genuinely thought he could seed on his
own.
He became a rising star in the business world, standing toe¨Cto¨Ctoe with Finn.
And then he destroyed her.
She had treated him as her best friend. As a child, she¡¯d had few friends. Socialites flocked to Nadine and ignored her, but she never cared. After all, she had Max.
But now¡
¡°Even looking at you makes me sick.¡±
Hugging La tight, Tess brushed past him.
¡°Tess, I know you¡¯ll never forgive me, but that¡¯s okay. I can protect you now. Even Finn can¡¯t hurt you anymore!¡±
He reached out to grab her arm again. Max¡¯s eyes were tinged with red, those usually yful eyes now filled with longing.
But Tess looked at him with pure scorn.
¡°Save
your performance for Nadine.¡± For original chapters go to find[?]ovel
She yanked free, tempted to p him.
If not for the fear of retaliation¨Cif not for La¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t have held back.
With a child, she had a new weakness. Tess walked several steps forward.
Max¡¯s assistant was waiting nearby. He looked at her with a mix of surprise and pity.
Even Max¡¯sckeys pitied her now. Tess sneered. ¡°Tell your mutt to move.¡±
Max clenched his jaw, then reluctantly waved his hand.
His assistant stepped aside.
¡°I know you won¡¯te with me, but it¡¯s still raining. I¡¯ll have a car take you home.¡±
¡°Max, I came to see Finn. Don¡¯t block me just to protect Nadine!¡±
But Max shouted after her, ¡°Tess, don¡¯t bring the baby to see Finn. Nadine is pregnant! You and your child will only be obstacles to them!¡±
Tess stumbled but didn¡¯t look back.
She didn¡¯t return to the reception; she headed straight outside.
¡°Mr. Hunt, when did Ms. Nadine get pregnant? I didn¡¯t hear anything about that,¡± Max¡¯s assistant asked, feeling puzzled. He was Max¡¯s top intel guy, so how did Max know something he didn¡¯t?
Watching Tess walk away, the assistant turned and saw the icy calction on Max¡¯s handsome face.
¡°Leak a story to the media that Nadine is pregnant. Tell her not to deny it. I don¡¯t care how she exins it to Finn. I just want Tess to give up on going back to him..
¡°Also, get me a car. Bring me the keys.¡±
The rain was heavy. Tess managed to hail a Volkswagen Jetta.
She didn¡¯t check the car te number and just got in quickly with La.
It was warm inside. She held La close, her tears falling uncontrobly.
Chapter 14 Watching Him Choose Nadine
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¡°I¡¯m mute and can¡¯t speak. Just tell me where you¡¯re headed. The driver passed her a handwritten note. He wore a gray sweater, a mask, and a ck cap. His face was obscured.
Tess gave the address and murmured, ¡°I guess we¡¯re both in the same boat.¡±
The driver handed her two clean towels, pointing at her and then La.
They smelled like fresh cotton. Tess understood. ¡°Thank you! We really needed this. Let us pay you.¡±
Then, she remembered that he couldn¡¯t speak.
Quietly, she tucked a bill for a hundred dors at the front passenger seat. He didn¡¯t seem to notice and just kept driving.
Thankfully, La¡¯s inner clothes were dry. Tess peeled off the wet outeryer and wrapped her in the towel before drying herself with the other.
She closed her eyes for a moment. Her forehead burned, and her body swayed.
She had a fever.
One and a half years in prison had left her weak. Every time she got caught in the rain, she woulde down sick. It was like
clockwork.
But she couldn¡¯t close her eyes. La was here.
Through the rearview mirror, the driver watched her struggle to stay awake. Each time she was about to pass out, she¡¯d pinch her leg to jolt herself back.
Behind his mask and cap, the man¡¯s smoldering eyes widened with disbelief. When had this once¨Cfragile girl grown so strong?
What had she endured in prison?
Max¡¯s eyes lingered on the scar across her face. A sharp pain pierced his chest.
If she had to hate someone, it should be Finn. At worst, he¡¯d only been the aplice.
Tess, I never meant to hurt you.
His gaze shifted to the sleeping baby in her arms. One look was enough; it was clearly Finn¡¯s child.
but hadn¡¯t Nadine said Finn and Tess were already at odds before the incident went down? How had Tess gotten pregnant and carried the baby to term?
Keepsake 15
Chapter 15 All for Nadine
Honk, honk!
Max pressed the car horn.
The car had already stopped.
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Tess slowly opened her eyes, disoriented. She realized they had arrived at the small road leading to the employee dorms.
¡°Thank you.¡±
She weakly pushed herself up¨Cone arm protectively holding La, the other struggling to open the door.
What used to be an effortless task now felt like she had a thousand¨Cpound weight strapped to her wrist.
Tess staggered toward the dorm building.
Max pulled off his mask and cap, his striking eyes locked on her fading silhouette as his brows furrowed with worry.
A man stepped out of the vehicle that had been trailing them at a distance.
It was Max¡¯s assistant. He had been following behind, keeping
O cars apart the whole time.
He respectfully approached Max¡¯s window and lowered his head slightly.
¡°Mr. Hunt.¡±
The window rolled down.
¡°Send her some fever medicine.¡±
Max¡¯s voice was hoarse, his thoughts tangled as he recalled the pale, exhausted look on Tess¡¯s face. It made his chest ache with suffocating difort.
How could his once¨Cglowing Tess end up like this?
Max took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.
His assistant promptly made a call to arrange a medicine delivery.
Meanwhile, Tess had no energy to consider what was going on outside. She swayed as she pushed open her dorm door.
Her head was spinning) but the first thing she did was change La into dry clothes.
After warming some form and feeding her, she cradled the baby close, her vision flickering in and out.
¡°La, be good¡ Mommy¡¯s just ¡ really tired. Just a little nap¡
Her voice trailed off, her consciousness sinking into a swamp.
¡°Waaah!¡±
¡±
La¡¯s sudden wailing jolted Tess awake. She hadn¡¯t even realized she¡¯d passed out.
Knock, knock.
¡°Ms. Ember, your delivery.¡±
A firm yet measured knock came from the door. Tess realized the sound must¡¯ve startled La awake.
Holding her aching head, she got up to answer it. A delivery guy stood outside.
¡°You must have the wrong ce. I didn¡¯t order anything.¡±
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Chapter 15 All for Nadine
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¡°It was ordered by a rideshare driver. He said it¡¯s for you¨Cand here¡¯s a hundred dors that you apparently left in the car.¡±
He handed her the package and turned to leave.
Tess stood frozen at the door, a strange feeling welling in her chest.
It must¡¯ve been that kind driver. He saw a sick mother and child and was willing to help.
She felt a deep, quiet gratitude toward the mute driver and quickly forced her aching body to prepare the medicine.
She couldn¡¯t afford to be sick. Who would take care of La if she copsed?
But something felt odd. How did he know herst name was Ember?
Maybe she had mumbled it while half¨Cconscious.
After about two hours, her mind began to clear and the fever started to subside.
Tess let out a breath of relief and went to check on La. Almost immediately, her heart clenched.
It was already evening. La usually got fussy around this time, crying for milk. But today, she was too quiet.
rmed, Tess peeked into the nket.
La¡¯s usually rosy, chubby cheeks were flushed deep red, her tiny nose crinkled in difort.
Her breathing wasbored. Tess touched her forehead, only to find it burning hot!
Tess jerked her hand back as panic seized her.
La had a fever!
Her breath caught. Without thinking, she grabbed her phone to book a ride, then dashed into the street to g down a taxi.
Not far away, inside a luxury car, Max quietly watched Tess¡¯s frantic movements. But he didn¡¯t step forward.
After a long moment, his smoldering eyes narrowed, and the engine purred to life as he drove away.
He left behind a shivering mother clutching her feverish baby. Her tears were streaming down her face in the cold wind.
A whileter, the taxi stopped at the nearest private hospital.
¡°Nurse! Pediatrics! It¡¯s an emergency!¡±
Tess rushed to the reception, breathless and desperate.
Seeing her panic, the nurse didn¡¯t dy and quickly registered her before directing her to the consultation room.
Tess barely managed a thank¨Cyou before sprinting down the hall with La in her arms.
Right after she left, a young nurse hurried to the reception, eyes wide with excitement and cheeks flushed.
¡°Did you hear? Mr. Lock is here! I heard Ms. Nadine hurt her ankle, and he came with her. His face was stone¨Ccold when they walked in!¡±
¡°Oh my God, Ms. Nadine is his favorite. He probably freaks out if she loses a single hair. Imagine how he¡¯d react if she actually got hurt!¡±
Several nurses gathered together, their eyes sparkling as they whispered and giggled.
Meanwhile, inside the hospital¡¯s VIP suite¡
Nadine lounged with her bare legs crossed, her delicate face twisted in a pout. She pointed to a shallow scrape on her ankle, blinking pitifully. ¡°Finn, do you think it¡¯s infected? It really hurts.¡±
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Chapter 15 All for Nadine
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Finn¡¯s expression was frosty as he nced at the minor wound. ¡°Call the hospital director. I want every relevant specialist here to examine her.¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Lock! Right away!¡±
The hospital director soon rushed in, smiling nervously. After understanding the situation, his mouth twitched slightly¨Cbut one look at Finn¡¯s icy face reminded him who owned the hospital. He quickly scurried off to gather the doctors.
On the other side of the hospital, Tess noticed something was wrong. The pediatric department was in chaos. Doctors were being pulled from their stations and running in the same direction.
She stood up in confusion, grabbing the head nurse for help.
¡°I just got word that Ms. Nadine scraped her ankle. Mr. Lock personally brought her here. Who cares about the rest of you? Every doctor has been redirected to check on her.¡±
The head nurse sneered at Lay?a in Tess¡¯s arms with detached indifference.
At this hour, they were the only pediatric patients. It was bad luck to need help on the same day as Nadine. Compared to her, they didn¡¯t matter.
Maybe if the head nurse impressed Finn today, she¡¯d get a promotion.
¡°Just wait here. Maybe it¡¯ll take half an hour or a couple hours. Once Ms. Nadine¡¯s done, the doctors wille back to see your kid.¡±
With that, she clipped her badge and ran toward the growing crowd.
Tess clutched La close, feeling her baby¡¯s heat rise with every passing second¨Cwhile her own heart grow colder.
But La was her life. No matter how hopeless it felt, she had to keep going¨Cfor her child.
She touched La¡¯s forehead again. It was scorching hot, the heat stinging her fingers.
And yet La, despite the raging fever, looked up at Tess with tearful, trusting eyes. She was silent but clung with all her might.
Tess was a first¨Ctime mom. She had no idea how to handle a baby¡¯s fever. She hated her helplessness, but there was no time to wallow.
She grabbed thest doctor she saw running. She pleaded with desperation, ¡°Please! Where are the pediatricians? Adults don¡¯t need pediatric doctors for a scraped ankle!¡±
Her eyes were bloodshot as she tried to hold back tears.
The doctor paused and nced at the flushed infant, his expression softening in sympathy.
The baby clearly had a high fever. At that age, even a small fever could turn dangerous.
But¡
He clenched his fists, looking conflicted, and finally exined, ¡°They say Ms. Nadine is pregnant, so everyone¡¯s extra cautious. Even the emergency pediatrician was reassigned.¡± ?????? ???? f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
Tess nearly cked out. Her knees gave way, and the world seemed to tilt.
scraped ankle required the entire pediatric staff?
What about her child? What about La?
She stood in the waiting room, utterly alone. Her face was hidden behind strands of damp hair, and her eyes were hollow, overflowing with heartbreak and fury.
¡°Try physical cooling methods. If you can, buy some fever medicine. As long as she doesn¡¯t start seizing, it should be okay. Just wait for us toe back.¡±
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Chapter 15 All for Nadine
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¡°What cooling method? Which medicine brand? Can you write it down?¡±
She handed him her phone, but the doctor was already turning impatient..
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He wasn¡¯t a saint¨Cjust an employee. Finn owned the entire hospital. If the director saw he wasn¡¯t at Nadine¡¯s side, his job would be at risk.
With that, he picked up his pace, quickly leaving Tess and La behind.
Tess stood there, stunned. Her heart clenched in agony.
She looked down at her daughter.
La¡¯s soft cheeks were damp with tears¨Cand sometime during all this, her tiny eyes had closed.
¡°La!¡±
A piercing, anguished scream echoed through the hallway.
Keepsake 16
Chapter 16 Get out of the Way!
Tess¡¯s face was filled with worry as she gently cradled La¡¯s tiny body in her arms.
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La still showed some signs of awareness earlier¡ªshe¡¯d frown a little and twitch her nose¨Cbut now her eyes stayed tightly shut, and hershes stayed still without the faintest tremble.
In a panic, Tess touched La¡¯s forehead. It was even hotter than before, like it could scorch her palm.
She nced around desperately. The waiting area waspletely deserted, leaving only a bleak chill settling in her chest.
Finn, if anything happens to La, even the slightest bit, I swear I¡¯m dragging you down to hell with me!
She¡¯s just a child! Haven¡¯t you already tormented me enough all these years? Now you want La to suffer because of you too?
Tess clenched her teeth in frustration and, with a burst of resolve, ran toward the hospital elevator.
But just then, another wave of doctors surged out like a tide. Tess was instantly swallowed by the crowd and had to raise her arms to tightly shield the child in her arms.
The crowd was jam¨Cpacked, chaotic, and overwhelming, creating a spectacrmotion.
The doctors were clearly excited, swatting people aside like bodyguards. When they encountered Tess in their path, they didn¡¯t hesitate to shave her away.
She was pushed so hard that her head spun. All she could feel were hands pressing against her shoulders and back. The thin air made it hard for La to breathe. Her eyes squinted into narrow slits as she let out weak cries.
Tess wanted to take the stairs instead, but there was no way out anymore.
¡°La, sweetheart. Don¡¯t cry. Be good, okay?¡±
Tess coaxed her gently, arms wrapped tightly around La in full protection.
¡°Get out of the way! If you dy Mr. Lock and Ms. Nadine¡¯s check¨Cup, you won¡¯t be able to afford the consequences!¡±
1-
Leading the pack was the hospital director, Darren Caldwell. La¡¯s crying had caught his attention, and he gave the inly dressed Tess and the child in her arms a quick nce before pushing her aside with annoyance.
Tess staggered from the rough push. The moment she heard the words ¡°Mr. Lock,¡± she froze on the spot.
And in that split second of shock, she saw the two people surrounded at the center of the crowd.
Nadine sat in a wheelchair, her smooth, fair legs exposed, with a small adhesive bandage stuck around her ankle.
Finn was pushing Nadine¡¯s wheelchair, followed closely by his assistant and Nadine¡¯s maid.
¡°Finn, it¡¯s just a little scrape. If it weren¡¯t for the stomachache and the risk of info we wouldn¡¯t need all this fuss.¡±
Nadine blushed, her eyes brimming with sweetness as she looked shyly up at Finn and then lowered her gaze with a smile. Finn¡¯s voice was low and cool. ¡°Let the hospital¡¯s top doctors run a full check¨Cup. That¡¯s the only way I¡¯ll feel at ease.
¡°You¡¯re the Lock Group¡¯s chief legal counsel. For you, this is nothing.¡±
Nadine stared at his face with adoration, her heart thudding in her chest.
Listening to their conversation and observing their interaction, Darren suddenly lit up. His eyes flicked back and forth between them, full of amusement. ¡°Mr. Lock is really head over heels for Ms. Nadine!¡±
Hearing that, Nadine blushed even deeper. She gave Darren a yful re and mumbled, ¡°What nonsense are you talking
about?¡±
Though she chided Darren on the surface, Nadine¡¯s gaze was full of anticipation and nervousness as she looked at Finn,
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Chapter 16 Get out of the Way! The rightful source is f?ndnovel
clearly eager to see how he would respond.
When Darren saw how Nadine visibly brightened at his words, he got carried away and was about to throw in something about them being ¡°a match made in heaven¡± But just then, Finn looked down at him, his expression distant, then turned his gaze away. ¡°Don¡¯t make assumptions. This is just for the employee.¡±
Darren had just opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat. He shrank back awkwardly. ¡°Oh, right, right!¡±
What was he even thinking? Even if Finn did have feelings for Nadine, everyone knew he had a wife! And yet he had made such a bold joke about the two of them right in publict
Finn¡¯s personal matters weren¡¯t something he had any right toment on.
Only now did Darren break into a cold sweat, realizing just how out of line he had been.
Tess¡¯s eyes cut through the crowd and locked onto the two people surrounded at the center.
Everything in front of her turned a bleak, grayish white. The noise around her was so overwhelming that it felt like her ears had gone deaf.
Right now, the only color she could see was Nadine¡¯s flushed cheeks. They were soft and pink, like peach blossoms in early spring.
Their open affection in front of so many people made Tess, Finn¡¯s still¨Clegally¨Cwedded wife, look like aplete joke.
But she had long stopped harboring romantic feelings for Finn. All that remained was hate.
She hated that a man like him, a titan of the business world, would wield his power to trample on the basic rights of ordinary people.
He didn¡¯t go soft even when that person was his own flesh and blood,
La¡¯s tiny body burned hot in her arms, her tear¨Cstreaked face a mirror image of Finn¡¯s.
Her eyes, big and grape¨Clike, shimmered with tears as she looked on with Tess at the lively scene unfolding before them¡ Even when she was serving as the Lock Group¡¯s top legal counsel, she had never once received this kind of attention from him.
That must be the difference between the loved and the unloved.
Tess bit her lip. A few strands of hair fell across her face, shielding the self¨Cmockery swirling in her eyes.
Her simple outfit stood out starkly among the sea of whiteb coats. The moment Finn looked away from Nadine, he caught sight of her figure in the corner.
A strange sense of familiarity swept over him, and Finn narrowed his eyes.
The woman only revealed part of her pale profile. But even from so far away, it felt like he could see the silent mockery beneath hershes.
Keepsake 17
Chapter 17 I Didn¡¯t Mean It
Chapter 17 I Didn¡¯t Mean It
Finn¡¯s heart gave an involuntary jolt, and his pupils constricted dramatically.
His breath stalled, and the next moment, he realized the woman had already turned away.
La¡¯s fever kept raging. If it didn¡¯t get treated soon, her life could be in danger!
She could no longer wait here and do nothing!
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Tess forced herself to tear her thoughts away from the hatred she felt toward Finn and decided to hail a cab back to the staff dormitory.
The abrupt disappearance of that figure sent a pang of dread through Finn. He hesitated, then shouldered past the crowd and strode after the departing woman.
Tess!
He sprinted all the way to the nurses¡® station at the hospital entrance, but he never caught sight of her again.
A biting wind whipped at his dark, tailored suit coat, and Finn clenched his fist.
Panting lightly, he wondered whether he had been chasing a mirage.
¡°Poor thing, that woman¡¯s child still has a raging fever, but given thatmotion, she could only leave with her child.¡±
At that moment, the entire hospital¡¯s attention was on Nadine. The nurses¡® station remained idle, and the nurses¡® gossip drifted into Finn¡¯s ears.
Finn¡¯sshes trembled, and his breathing gradually steadied.
A child¡ Tess couldn¡¯t possibly have a child.
Convinced the figure wasn¡¯t Tess, Finn rubbed his brow, ming the vision on stress and overwork.
He let out a long breath and turned, only to find Nadine being wheeled toward him.
¡°Aren¡¯t we going into the consulting room?¡±
Finn adjusted his breathing and spoke gently.
Nadine cast him a wounded, aggrieved look. ¡°Then why do you walk away? You know I¡¯m terrified of hospital tests alone,
Finn. You know that.¡±
Noticing he was distracted, she was surprised he didn¡¯tfort her as he usually did.
¡°Finn, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
Noticing the slight change in Finn, she craned her neck toward the direction he had just stared. She saw nothing unusual, so she asked in confusioni
¡°Nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew. It was a mistake.¡±
Finn answered calmly and took hold of Nadine¡¯s wheelchair.
¡°I see¡¡±
Nadine nodded half¨Cunderstandingly. Just before she was wheeled into the consultation room, she nced back once more.
Tess gged down a cab the moment she left the hospital, jumping in as if her life depended on it.
There she sat, next to the half¨Copen window. Wind rushed in as the vehicle sped up,shing at her cheeks like whips, but Tess didn¡¯t even blink. She just kept urging the driver to go faster.
Chapter 17 I Didn¡¯t Mean It
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The sky outside had already gone dark. Clouds loomed overhead like ink, pressing low against the horizon¨Cjust like the chaos clouding Tess¡¯s heart.
Before long, Tess stumbled into the dorm with La in her arms. The lights inside were fully on.
The children¡¯s fever medication she¡¯d ordered in advance was already in Bessie¡¯s hand. As soon as she saw Tess, Bessie stood up straight. ¡°Tess, why did you buy this kind of fever medicine? You got the wrong one. These are capsules. You need the ibuprofen syrup with the dropper. The delivery guy knocked, but you weren¡¯t here, so I brought it in. Is La running a fever?¡±
She nced down at the bundle in Tess¡¯s arms and gasped the second she saw the child¡¯s face. ¡°Oh God! La¡¯s running a fever, isn¡¯t she?¡±
Bessie pped her thigh and eximed, ¡°I came back earlier and didn¡¯t see either of you. I thought maybe you got caught in the rain or stuck in traffic. But it turned out La had a fever, and you took her to the hospital. But wait¨Cif you went to the hospital, why would you still be buying fever medicine on your own?¡±
Bessie had a loud, husky voice, and when she shouted, it rang out like thunder. Tess¡¯s eyes immediately reddened when she heard her.
She didn¡¯t want to recall what had happened at the hospital.
¡°There¡¯s no time to exin. Bessie, please help me. You¡¯ve raised a child before. What should I do?¡±
Tessid La down on the bed, eyes brimming with tears. In her helplessness, she even bowed to Bessie.
Bessie jumped in fright and quickly held her up. ¡°Don¡¯t do that. We¡¯re coworkers and colleagues. Of course I¡¯ll help! Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do: you go get a basin of hot water, and I¡¯ll call a few people over to help.
¡°Just don¡¯t panic!¡±
Tess nodded through tears and fumbled her way to grab a basin.
Bessie started knocking on nearby doors. Soon enough, several women had crowded around La¡¯s bedside.
¡°Oh no, a child this young with such a high fever? What if it ends up affecting her brain?¡±
¡°My grandaunt¡¯s kid had a high fever around this age too, and he ended up ¡ not so bright¡¡±
¡°Hey! Why are you saying such things? You¡¯re freaking Tess out!¡±
One of the women who had been mumbling earlier was suddenly smacked on the back by Bessie. Startled, she immediately
up and nced nervously at Tess, her voice full of remorse. ¡°Tess, I didn¡¯t mean it. I¡¯m just worried about La.¡± Content originallyes from Find¡ïNovel
shut
Tess shook her head, but tears welled up in her eyes, stubbornly clinging to hershes. She looked both pitiful and resilient.
She knew the woman only meant well for her and La, but hearing those words when she was already overwhelmed made her feel even more hopeless.
¡°That¡¯s enough!¡±
Bessie grabbed a clean towel from the side, dunked it into the basin, and began wiping La¡¯s body. Her hands never stopped moving as she barked orders at the others. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there! Get over here and help!¡±
Keepsake 18
Chapter 18 Raising a Kid Alone Isn¡¯t Easy
¡°Oh, right!¡±
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The women quickly snapped back to their senses. Some changed La¡¯s diaper, and another started feeding her medicine. Bessie single¨Chandedly wiped down La¡¯s entire body, while someone tossed Tess a baby bottle and told her to go prepare
some milk.
The lights in Tess¡¯s dorm stayed onte into the night. It wasn¡¯t until the redness on La¡¯s cheeks faded and her temperature dropped to 99¡ãF that everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, they sprawled out in exhaustion on Tess¡¯s bed.
Tess held La in her arms to make room for them, gently rocking her while a wave of warmth bubbled in her chest.
If it hadn¡¯t been for these women, she honestly wouldn¡¯t have known what to do.
A group of strangers had gone all out to help La, yet her own father had nearly cut off her lifeline.
Something unreadable flickered across Tess¡¯s eyes, thick with bitter irony.
La slowly opened her eyes. They were round and sparkling like ck grapes.
After finishing a bottle of milk, her fever had gone down, and she was full of life again, ying with her little hands and letting out soft coos.
It looked like the high fever hadn¡¯t caused any serious damage to her.
Tess let out a breath of relief, though she was still on edge. She silently vowed to take La to another public hospital for a proper check¨Cup the next morning.
¡°Look at this girl! She just got over a high fever and is already full of energy. She¡¯s bound to be a lucky child!¡±
Bessie, who had done the most through the whole ordeal, was still full of energy. She had barely rested before getting up again to y with La
Tess looked at Bessie with deep gratitude. Her nose stung, and her gaze lingered on La.
She didn¡¯t need La to be blessed or extraordinary. She just hoped she could live a safe and happy life. Read full story at FindN0vel
¡°Thank you all so much for helping with La¡¯s fever. I¡¯ll never forget what you¡¯ve done for us.¡±
Tess solemnly bowed with La in her arms, but Bessie quickly stopped her. ¡°Come on, you just got better yourself. No need for that. Just go rest with your baby.
¡°You really are pitiful. It¡¯s just the two of you, with no one around to help. We¡¯re all women, so we couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch. Of course we¡¯d help.¡±
Bessie patted her chest and then helped gather the other women sprawled on the bed, ushering them back to their rooms.
At this hour, the night outside had grown so dark it was pitch ck outside the window. Bessie tiptoed to the doorway, ready to leave. As she closed the door, she hesitated for a moment, then turned back and said, ¡°Tess, you¡¯re still young. You¡¯ve got your whole life ahead of you. Raising a kid alone isn¡¯t easy. Once she grows up, she¡¯ll probably ask about her dad. Raising a kid without a man¨Cthat path is never easy.¡±
Tess was stunned. She immediately understood what Bessie was getting at.
She wanted Tess to consider finding a dependable man to marry someday.
¡°But there¡¯s no rush for that kind of thing. At the very least, we all love La. If it¡¯s hard for you to manage on your own, we¡¯re happy to help out!¡±
Noticing Tess¡¯s difort, Bessie quickly switched the subject, gave her shoulder a light pat, and left.
Once Bessie left, a heavy stillness settled over the room, leaving only Tess and La.
10:43 PM
Chapter 18 Raising a Kid Alone Isn¡¯t Easy
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She lowered her gaze toward the baby in her arms. La was calmly sucking her pacifier, unusually well¨Cbehaved, her big eyes blinking as she smiled up at her.
Tess¡¯s arms tightened around La.
She knew Bessie meant well. But after what happened with Finn, she no longer wanted to trust anyone.
The next morning, Tess had specially taken a day off to bring La to Trinity General Hospital for a follow¨Cup.
La had already regained her energy, but Tess still worried that there might be some untreated aftermath.
She had just picked up her approved leave slip and reached the door when she ran into Bessie, who was heading out to work.
Bessie seemed to guess her intentions and said first, ¡°Work can wait. Your kides first. She¡¯s still so young. Don¡¯t let her end up with anysting problems.¡±
Tess was deeply moved by Bessie¡¯s concern and nodded several times in response.
While they were waiting for their respective rides, Bessie made small talk with her as she waited for the other sanitation
workers to arrive.
¡°Tess, didn¡¯t you take La out yesterday? Why are you going to the hospital again today?
¡°It couldn¡¯t be for getting medicine again, right?¡±
Hearing that, Tess couldn¡¯t help but recall what had happened yesterday. Her heart ached all over again.
She had stood there holding La, isted and helpless in the center of the hospital¡¯s waiting area, while every doctor flowed away from them like a retreating tide. That scene would haunt her forever.
¡°Yeah. I couldn¡¯t get a consultation yesterday, so I¡¯m going to try another hospital today.¡±
She bit her lip and offered a vague exnation.
Bessie couldn¡¯t make sense of it¨Cwhat kind of hospital wouldn¡¯t treat a child? But seeing Tess¡¯s wary expression, she decided not to press the issue.
Just then, Tess¡¯s taxi arrived. She quickly thanked Bessie and got into the car.
The cab drove off in a cloud of exhaust. Watching Tess flee the scene like that, Bessie stood in ce, scratching her head in .confusion.
This time, Tess didn¡¯t choose the nearby private hospital run by the Lock Group. Instead, she deliberately chose to go out of the way to Trinity General Hospital.
She didn¡¯t want to run into Finn or Nadine ever again. In fact, she hoped they would vanish from her worldpletely.
Right after she finished registering, she overheard some idle nurses at the reception desk gossiping.
Keepsake 19
Chapter 19 Never Show Your Face in Front of Me Again!
¡°Have you heard about what happened yesterday at Lock Group Private Hospital?
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¡°Mr. Lock actually mobilized the entire hospital staff just to run tests for Ms. Nadine¡¯s scraped ankle. It was insane!¡± ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? fin?novel
¡°But I heard the whole thing caused some minor issues, too. Since all the doctors were reassigned, some patients were affected. Word is, someone even filed aint¡¡±
Tess walked off with her registration slip in hand, feeling nothing but annoyed.
Why is it that everywhere I go, I keep hearing about Finn and Nadine¡¯s love affairs?
¡°I also heard that Lock Group is looking for a woman with a child, saying they want topensate her¡¡±
The nurse¡¯sst sentence was carried off by the wind before it could reach Tess¡¯s ears.
She didn¡¯t hear it, because she was already waiting outside the pediatrics consultation room for their turn.
¡°La Ember.¡±
As the nurse called out, Tess carried La into the exam room.
After the check¨Cup, Tess went outside and sat on a bench to wait for the results.
Her gaze wandered idly around the area, until it suddenly locked onto the entrance of the ultrasound room nearby.
Nadine was holding a copy of an ultrasound scan, her brows slightly furrowed. Standing next to her was a strikingly handsome man.
When he turned around and Tess saw his face clearly, her mind felt like it exploded on the spot.
It was Max.
Why was Max the one with Nadine?
Tess double¨Cchecked the name of the department, and in the next instant, her mind jumped to the rumors that had been going viral online these past few days.
Was Nadine here for a prenatal check¨Cup?
A bold thought, popped into her head, and the more she considered it, the more it seemed like the only usible exnation.
i
Her
e turned sharp as a mocking expression appeared on her fa
So the two of them really had been involved all along.
She couldn¡¯t help but remember the day she¡¯d taken a desperate leap of faith and decided to look for Finn.
Max had yed the role of a devoted man and acted as if his love for her ran deep. But now, it seemed more likely that he¡¯d used her as a stepping stone to bring Nadine and Finn back together.
He truly was noble¨Cso noble he could give up his own happiness for Nadine¡¯s sake.
Tess let out a coldugh.
And just as that mocking curl of her lips hadn¡¯t yet faded, her gaze suddenly met Max¡¯s.
Her smile froze. She paused for a beat, then straightened her expression and quickly looked away.
She just wanted to pretend they were strangers.
Max felt a sharp twinge in his chest. Even though he knew he couldn¡¯t let Nadine find out Tess was here,
his
eyes still couldn¡¯t
1043 PM O
Chapter 19 Never Show Your Face in Front of Me Again!
help drifting back to her.
Tess kept her face down. The loose strands at her forehead slid naturally, revealing a pale neckline.
She didn¡¯t spare him another nce.
Those charming, deep¨Cset eyes ultimately hid the storm of emotion swirling beneath them.
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But the shift in Max¡¯s expression didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Nadine. She instinctively nced around. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Hunt? Is Finn¡¯s people nearby?¡±
Just imagining it made her shiver, and she quickly lifted a hand to shield her face.
She was here at the hospital today because of stomach pain.
Unlike yesterday¡¯s act of weakness, this time it was real.
And it just so happened that Max hade to discuss something about her case, so they ended uping together.
But she was terrified someone on Finn¡¯s side might spot her.
If word got back to him, she couldn¡¯t even imagine what would happen.
She definitely didn¡¯t want to end up like Tess¨Cutterly despised by Finn!
¡°You take a cab hometer.¡± Max gave the instruction curtly and stayed where he was. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to do.¡±
Nadine shot him a strange look but didn¡¯t dare question it. Biting her lip, she quickly slipped away, trying to cover her face as she went.
Tess had already been feeling anxious from waiting too long, so she got up to wait by the entrance.
Even if they were still some distance away, she didn¡¯t want to risk meeting Max and Nadine face¨Cto¨Cface.
¡°Tess.¡±
But she was still a step toote. The heavy thud of leather shoes stopped behind her, and then a familiar, gentle voice sounded above her head.
Tess¡¯s hand clenched tightly beneath her sleeve. On the surface, she pretended not to hear and tried to walk away from the
scene.
But just as she turned, her wrist was grabbed.
¡°What do you even want from me?¡±
Tess spun around in anger, flinging his hand off.
Meeting the woman¡¯s angry gaze, Max found himself at a loss. ¡°I ¡¡±
He opened his mouth, but all he could feel between them now were the gaping wounds of the past.
¡°Let me exin ¡¡±
¡°Why should your exnation matter to me?¡±
Tess shot back with cruel sarcasm.
Max¡¯s words caught in his throat, and the affection in his eyes dimmed. ¡°Tess, you¡¯d rather go back to Finn than spare me a nce? We used to be so close. Have you really forgotten?¡±
To Tess, it was the most ridiculous thing she¡¯d ever heard. She didn¡¯t even try to hide the icy mockery in her voice. ¡°Forgot? Of course I haven¡¯t. I wouldn¡¯t dare forget. After all, Max, didn¡¯t you already use me up as much as you could?
Just looking at you now makes me sick.
Chapter 19 Never Show Your Face in Front of Me Again!
¡°Do me a favor. Never show your face in front of me again!¡±
Tess stared coldly at Max, every word cutting and decisive.
Max finally looked into her clear eyes, but what he saw in them was pure indifference and loathing.
His longshes fluttered ever so slightly, and even his heartbeat nearly came to a halt.
Keepsake 20
Chapter 20 Shadows and High Heels
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Tess had barely finished her sentence when a nurse¡¯s voice called out. She quickly turned and carried La into the exam Checktest chapters at find?novel
room.
¡°The fever¡¯s gone. Lungs look clear on the scan, too.¡±
The doctor¡¯s words were a huge relief. Tess smiled gratefully and nodded to both the doctor and nurse before heading toward the exit.
Her movements were smooth and practiced, but she left one personpletely ignored¡ªMax.
He stayed rooted to the spot, eyes glued to Tess¡¯s back. From his angle, he could still catch a glimpse of the child¡¯s profile.
Too much like Finn.
So much so that just looking at the kid made his chest tighten with frustration.
Max¡¯s fists clenched slowly at his sides. But instead of backing off, his eyes only burned brighter¨Chis gazeced with something far darker than disappointment. Almost obsessive.
Tess, I couldn¡¯t do anything for you before. But now? I can protect you. I can choose you.
She would have no choice but to rely on him.
He forced his hands to rx and returned to his usual calm, polished demeanor.
No rush. As long as Finn didn¡¯t find her, he had all the time in the world to make her see him clearly.
The nurse cast a wary nce his way.
He tapped the desk with two fingers. ¡°Delete her medical record from today.¡±
The nurse hesitated, but knowing who he was, she gave a respectful nod. ¡°Yes, Mr. Hunt.¡±
Only after watching her do it did he finally leave.
Earlier, he¡¯d seen the intake form¨CTess¡¯s child hade in with a high feverst night.
Something clicked. That woman who showed up at Lock Group Private Hospital, could that have been Tess?
Finn had people looking for her¨Cand she¡¯d walked right under his nose without him realizing?
Heh.
Max¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile as he walked off.
Tess kept her head down as she carried La through the hospital hallway, focused on leaving as fast as possible. She didn¡¯t stop until a sudden shadow blocked her path. A pair of designermbskin heels appeared in her view.
Her heart skipped. She lowered her head even more, instinctively wanting to turn and walk the other way.
But those heels followed her closely, cutting her off again and again.
Finally.
¡°Tess, it is you.¡±
The voice was soft and sugary, with a high¨Cpitched, fake¨Csweet lilt that practically oozed condescension.
Tess¡¯s fingers trembled around her baby. Her temples throbbed.
¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong person.¡±
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Chapter 20 Shadows and High Heels
¡°Oh,e on. How could I mistake you, Tess?¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes narrowed, gaze locked in like a predator, practically boring holes through her.
¡°I said¨Cyou¡¯ve got the wrong person.¡±
Tess kept her head down, voice dry and t, repeating herself like a broken record.
At the same time, she adjusted the baby in her arms, shielding La¡¯s facepletely from view.
Her voice had been deliberately lowered¨Craspy and unnatural, sounding much older than she looked.
She was dressed inly, almost shabbily, the kind of outfit that screamed forgettable.
Nadine frowned, eyeing the bundle in Tess¡¯s arms.
Could she really have the wrong person?
This woman had a baby.
But still, even if Tess had been in prison for a year and a half, she had once been a brilliant, high¨Cprofile attorney. How could she have fallen this low?
Nadine¡¯s expression, twisted into visible disgust. She scanned Tess from head to toe and instinctively stepped back, putting distance between them.
Maybe it really was someone else¡ªa washed¨Cup woman who just happened to resemble Tess a little.
¡°Whatever. You can go,¡± Nadine said, waving her hand like she was brushing off some bug.
She didn¡¯t even notice she was blocking others from walking past.
Tess gritted her teeth but didn¡¯t say a word. She lowered her head even further and practically bolted, rushing away like she was fleeing from a fire.
Nadine lifted her chin and crossed her arms, shooting a final contemptuous nce at the slim figure hurrying away.
Just being near someone that pathetic made her feel like the air stank of poverty.
She pinched her nose dramatically and swatted the air in front of her face like she could wave away the imaginary stench.
Instead of calling a taxi like Max told her to, Nadine summoned a subordinate from the Lock Group¡¯sw firm to pick her up personally.
While Tess waited in silence for a cab, Nadine headed straight to her private ride, which had been parked and ready for a while.
Nadine, with her striking figure and understated velvet designer dress, looked every bit the rich youngdy¨Cwealthy, elegant, and untouchable.
Even though she kept her style toned down, she still attracted stares from nearly everyone she passed.
Tess, meanwhile, didn¡¯t dare show her face too openly. Hiding behind therge tree outside the hospital entrance, she kept a low profile¨Cwatching every bit of Nadine¡¯svish disy from the shadows.
Her hands tightened involuntarily, and her eyes darkened with a rising wave of loathing.
It must feel incredible, stepping all over me just to climb to the top.
Da¨Cda¨Cda.
A soft cooing came from her arms.
Tess looked down. La was blinking up at her with wide, innocent eyes and a smile tugging at her little lips.
16.43 §²§®
Chapter 20 Shadows and High Heels
She babbled again, the babyish sybles sounding almost like ¡°Daddy.¡±
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Tess¡¯s chest tightened. Was it just random baby talk? Or was it like Bessie had said¨Cdid every child need a father?
She looked at her daughter¡¯s sweet little face and felt her anger begin to melt. Lowering her head, she gently pressed her forehead to La¡¯s smooth, warm one. And nuzzled close.
Keepsake 21
Chapter 21 Lightning in the Rain
A dull ache tugged at Tess¡¯s chest.
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Maybe sensing the shift in her mood, La reached up and tugged gently at a strand of Tess¡¯s hair. Her big eyes shimmered and dark, full of innocent curiosity.
The weather had been clear just a moment ago, but the sky suddenly darkened. Tess frowned. Great. Rain¡¯s .
Right then, her ride pulled up. She climbed in with La, and they headed toward the employee dorms.
By the time they arrived, rain was alreadying down in sheets.
As soon as they got inside, Tess changed La¡¯s clothes. Just as she finished, her phone started ringing.
It was an unknown number. Her gut immediately twisted with reluctance.
She hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen, ready to hang up¨Cyet somehow, her feet carried her to the window as she picked up.
¡°Hello, is this La¡¯s guardian?¡±
The voice on the other end sounded formal, almost rehearsed.
Tess froze for a beat, then snapped to attention. ¡°Who are you?¡±
No need to be rmed.¡±
On the other end, Zane scratched his head. The woman¡¯s voice was softened by the background of pouring rain, but something about it tugged at a vague familiarity.
¡°I¡¯m Zane, assistant to Mr. Lock of Lock Group Private Hospital. We got your contact information from the hospital¡¯s registration system.¡±
He introduced himself politely. But Tess¡¯s heart just about stopped.
She instantly regretted answering.
¡°What do you want?¡±
Her voice dropped low, blending with the pattern of rain to sound muffled and heavy.
The strange familiarity from before started to fade.
The call was on speaker.
Zane nced at Finn beside him. Seeing no reaction, he continued, ¡°We wanted to sincerely apologize for yesterday and check on how your child is doing.¡±
So that was it. Tess let out a humorlessugh.
¡°Doing great¨Cexcept for the fact that we wasted precious time at your hospital and nearly dyed her treatment!¡±
She didn¡¯t even know why she snapped like that. But the second the words left her mouth, the anger just kept rolling.
Zane was caught off guard.
This woman was fierce.
Ever since bing Finn¡¯s assistant, people always spoke to him with deference¨Ceven those higher up. Everyone treated him with respect because of his proximity to Finn.
This was the first time someone cursed him out while knowing exactly who he was.
10:43 PM
Chapter 21 Lightning in the Rain
But then again, they had screwed up.
¡°I¡¯m really sorry for the trouble we caused. We¡¯re happy to offer appropriatepensation-¡±
¡°No need.¡±
Tess cut him off coldly.
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Zane fell silent. Then her voice came again, sharper now. ¡°Just tell Mr. Lock this¨Cstop throwing his weight around. Regr people¡¯s lives matter too.¡±
The words were like daggers. Zane broke into a cold sweat and instinctively nced over at Finn.
To his surprise, there wasn¡¯t a flicker of anger¨Cjust a dazed, almost lost expression.
That voice¡
Finn¡¯s mind instantly shed back to an old video.
A courtroom clip. That case had shaken all of Aetheris. He remembered the woman standing at the defense table, her voice calm and precise, slicing through the prosecution¡¯s case.
It was Tess. The one no one expected. Regal and sharp, like a pine tree standing tall on a snowy peak.
Just one m of her palm on the table had sent the opposing attorney into a cold sweat.
And now, the woman on this call¨Cher cutting words, her steady tone¨Cit all ovepped with that memory.
Too familiar. Too sharp, Finn¡¯s calm exterior cracked ever so slightly.
His pupils tightened as he stared at the phone in Zane¡¯s hand.
¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m hanging up.¡±
Her voice was smooth again, but the rain had picked up, washing away that lingering trace of familiarity.
Finn blinked, snapping out of his daze.
What the hell am I even thinking?
He was losing it.
The woman on the phone had a child. A mother.
And here he was¡ªconnecting her to Tess, fresh out of prison.
He rubbed his temple, the pressure in his head building.
If she didn¡¯t wantpensation, fine. He wasn¡¯t some saint desperate to hand out favors.
He waved a hand at Zane to hang up. But before Zane could politely end the call, the call ended with a sharp beep. The line went dead. She¡¯d hung up on them first.
The corner of Zane¡¯s mouth twitched.
Finn¡¯s jaw tightened. The irritation that had been simmering inside finally broke the surface.
Tess¡¯s disappearance had left a hole in his ns, and frankly, he was tired of wasting time.
If she was still his wife, then she needed to be back where she belonged¨Cwith him.
He tapped the desk once. ¡°I want to see her. Tonight. At Evermount Vi.¡±
Zane blinked, then realized who he meant by ¡®her.
Chapter 21 Lightning in the Rain
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He hesitated, clearly troubled. Finally, he spoke.¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯ve already sent someone to Evermount Height. Their people said her card was frozen, and without that, she couldn¡¯t stay in the house. She was evicted a while ago.¡±
Keepsake 22
Chapter 22 No ce to Hide
The unspoken truth was¨Cright now, he had no idea where Tess had gone.
Zane snuck a nce at Finn¡¯s unreadable expression and quickly lowered his head.
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Tess was the kind of woman who couldn¡¯t lift a box or carry groceries if her life depended on it. She¡¯d grown up pampered, born into a powerful family, went straight intow school, and quickly became a top attorney¨Chands never even touched dish soap, let alone real hardship. Now, she was broke, homeless, and alone. Zane honestly couldn¡¯t imagine how she was managing to survive.
Even he, someone close to the situation, sometimes felt that Finn had been too ruthless with her.
But he was just the assistant¨CFinn was still his boss.
¡°We found out that she opened a new bank ount,¡± Zane said carefully. ¡°Small amounts of money have been deposited regrly.
He noticed the ice¨Ccold look on Finn¡¯s face flicker ever so slightly.
Pushing forward, Zane added, ¡°She doesn¡¯t have any family in Aetheris, no close friends either. We don¡¯t know how she¡¯s getting by, but if we freeze that ount too, chances are, she¡¯ll be forced toe back on her own.¡±
His voice trailed off toward the end,cking confidence.
¡°Do it,¡± Finn said coolly, eyes narrowed.
¡°Yes, sir.¡±
Zane turned and left quickly, closing the door behind him.
Finn¡¯s eyes drifted back to the stack of documents on his desk¨Cbut not a word of it registered.
The pen slipped from his fingers, ck ink bleeding across the white paper like a spreading stain¨Cjust like the chaos in his head. Original content can be found at f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
His chest felt tight as he walked over to the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows.
From his office high above the city, people and cars below looked like insects in a ss maze.
Tess, out of all these people, where are you hiding?
His hand clenched slowly at his side, and he let out a low breath, his gaze dark and unreadable.
Did she really think she could just walk away from him?
Whether she was throwing a tantrum after getting out of prison or ying hard to get¨Cit didn¡¯t matter. He¡¯d given her enough time and patience.
He wasn¡¯t some lovesick fool who¡¯d waste time chasing a woman.
Tess had no idea any of this was happening on the top floor of the Lock Group tower. After she hung up the phone, it felt like a weight had settled on her chest.
The longer Finn¡¯s shadow hovered over her life, the more anxious she became.
She looked down at the baby in her arms, gaze steadying.
La was her entire world. She couldn¡¯t let either of them be found by him.
Pushing those thoughts aside, she gently pulled La¡¯s fingers out of her mouth¨Cit was feeding time. The baby must have been getting hungry.
Tess stood and walked to the cab to scoop out the form, only to find there was barely a thinyer left at the bottom of
Chapter 22 No ce to Hide
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the can.
She sighed and carefully poured out everyst bit.
Raising La wasn¡¯t cheap.
Even with a budget¨Cbrand form, it was still pricey. And no matter how much she scrimped, she constantly worried she couldn¡¯t give her daughter the life she deserved.
Still, payday wasing soon.
That thought alone gave her a sudden spark of motivation.
Even without Finn¨Cwithout the morous life¨CLa would still be happy with her.
They¡¯d lean on each other¨Cjust the two of them.
La had been fast asleep for a while now,forted by Tess¡¯s quiet voice.
Tess felt exhausted and finally caught up with her. She figured she might as well take a nap, too¨Cthis was her first real break in days.
She had just changed into morefortable clothes and climbed into bed when a soft but insistent knock came at the door.
Tess got up and opened it to see Bessie, cheeks flushed from the sun.
Sweat beaded across her forehead, and she looked uneasy¨Cbut when she met Tess¡¯s clear, calm eyes, her words caught in her throat. She nced inside and asked quietly, ¡°Is La asleep?¡±
Tess nodded. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Bessie?¡±
She could tell something was bothering Bessie. Without pressing, she gently led her inside and handed her a towel.
Bessie took a few shaky breaths. It was hard to say, but she knew she had to. ¡°Riven¡¯s a damn scumbag,¡± she spat bitterly.
Tess blinked, confused but suddenly uneasy.
Bessie grabbed her hand, her face red with frustration. ¡°They hired a new cleaner today. And Riven¡ He gave away your
bed!¡±
Tess froze. ¡°What about me?¡±
¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying! He hasn¡¯t even been in charge for long, and he¡¯s already making life hard for you like it¡¯s no big deal. Just wait. Someone wille ¡®inform¡® you any second now.¡±
Fuming, she recounted everything she¡¯d overheard while resting under the tree, not leaving out a single word.
Tess¡¯s face went pale. Unlike Bessie¡¯s righteous fury, she felt nothing but cold creeping into her limbs.
Right on cue, a knock came again.
The two women looked at each other.
Of course there was Riven, standing outside with a young woman behind him.
¡°Tess, we¡¯ve got a new hire. You need to vacate your bed.¡±
He spoke casually like it was no big deal. But he didn¡¯t dare meet her eyes¨Chis head turned slightly away, gaze tilted up, avoiding herpletely.
To be honest, he¡¯d been thinking about it for a while now: someone like Tess just didn¡¯t belong here.
Keepsake 23
Chapter 23 No Room for You
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In Riven¡¯s mind, it made more sense to kick Tess out than pretend she¡¯d suddenly turn over a new leaf.
Better to cut ties clean¨Cat least then, she couldn¡¯t go crying to Finn and drag him down with her. That kind of fallout would end his entire career in Aetheris.
He snuck another nce at Tess but quickly looked away.
Sure, she was beautiful, but way too dangerous. He might be a sleazeball, but he wasn¡¯t stupid. He knew some women were out of his league¨Cway out.
Impatiently, he barked, ¡°Move it already!¡±
¡°Why?¡±
Tess met his eyes, calm but firm.
¡°Why? Who¡¯s in charge here¨Cyou or me?¡±
His voice shot up an octave. Then, as if he¡¯d just remembered something, he waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Oh, and you¡¯re fired.¡±
Tess stared at him in shock. Riven shoved the new girl through the doorway and practically ran off.
Even Bessie, usually quick¨Cwitted, was too stunned to react right away.
¡°Wait, he didn¡¯t just kick you out of the bed? He fired you?¡±
She finally pieced it together.
Tess clenched her fists, lips pressed tightly together.
The new girl stood there awkwardly, clutching two suitcases, unsure if she shoulde in or wait.
¡°You cane in. Just set your things down,¡± Tess said gently, forcing a smile.
This wasn¡¯t the girl¡¯s fault.
After all, this had nothing to do with the young girl in front of her. She was a mother now¨Cand whenever she looked at someone so young, so untouched by the world, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a little more patient, a little more forgiving.
Still, the whole situation had hit her out of nowhere. And that dry, forced smile on her face? It looked more like she was about to cry.
¡°Th¨Cthank you.¡±
The girl nodded shyly and wheeled her bags past Tess, avoiding the empty bed and sitting down near the one beside it.
Tess nced toward her sleeping baby, then turned and marched straight to the management office.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the decision¡¯s final. It¡¯s already been signed off¡±
Vanessa shoved a stamped document across the desk.
Tess picked it up, scanning the contents. It was a formal termination notice.
¡°But we signed a contract. What you¡¯re doing is a vition of¡ª¡±
Bang!
Vanessa mmed her cup down hard. Her bored look vanished.
¡°You wanna lecture me onborws?
10 43 PM
Chapter 23 No Room for You
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¡°Tess, let¡¯s be real. Everyone else in the dorms? They¡¯re full¨Ctime employees. On the books. You? You¡¯re just a temp.
¡°Now, if you leave quietly, you¡¯ll still get your paycheck for the month. Make a scene, and it¡¯s not gonna end well¨Cfor either of us.¡±
She met Tess¡¯s eyes directly. No subtlety in the threat.
Tess¡¯s whole body trembled. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself.
The truth was, Tess didn¡¯t have much ground to stand on. She was technically still in a probationary period. Even if she tried to sue for wrongful dismissal, that would take weeks, if not months. And who had the time or money to fight that battle?
She sucked in a slow breath.
¡°The paperwork¡¯s already been stamped¡ªchanging it now wouldn¡¯t be easy. Besides, you¡¯ve already seen the girl taking your ce.
¡°She¡¯s an orphan. Poor kid. This world¡¯s full of people with hard lives¨Cit¡¯s not just you.
Do you understand?¡±
Seeing Tess start to waver, Vanessa switched tactics, softening his tone. This content belongs to find?novel
¡°Think about your child,¡± she said. ¡°At least we¡¯ve made sure you¡¯re getting this month¡¯s paycheck.¡±
That¡¯s right¨Cthere was still La.
She was running low on form and diapers again.
¡°My paycheck for this month¡¡±
She pressed her lips together, her eyes shining with defiance.
¡°It¡¯s already been transferred. Now pack and go.¡±
Curt
Vanessa¡¯s voice rxed, but her eyes openly sizing Tess up now. It made Tess¡¯s skin crawl.
Still, she held it together. She needed to find a ce to stay. A new job. Fast.
Without another word, she turned and walked
Vanessa watched her leave, her half¨Clidded eyes gleaming through the steam of her teacup¨Cpart amused, part smug.
Ballsy. Marching in here to make a scene.
If Riven hadn¡¯t personally asked her to help smooth things over, she wouldn¡¯t have even bothered.
She nced down at the termination paperwork and then tossed it in the trash..
As for the orphan girl? Total fiction. Riven made that part up and told the new¨Cgirl to y the part.
He¡¯d also warned her that Tess might be connected to Finn somehow.
Not that she believed it.
A broke single mom working sanitation and raising a kid? With Finn, Aetheris¡¯s wealthiest man? Please.
She scoffed under her breath, already thinking about what to eat for dinner.
Tess returned to the dorm to find bags and boxes piled just outside the door.
Her eyes narrowed. She stepped closer. It was all her stuff. Hers and La¡¯s.
The fire in her chest reignited on the spot. Without thinking, she rushed inside.
10:43 PM
Chapter 23 No Room for You
There was the new girl¨Cholding La, looking unsure of where to put her.
¡°What are you doing?!¡± Tess shouted.
Keepsake 24
Chapter 24 The Last Line
Chapter 24 The Last Line
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Tess¡¯s heart clenched as she rushed forward and snatched La of the girl¡¯s arms.
The young woman gave her a sweet smile. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were leaving? I¡¯m just helping move things along.¡±
Tess stared at her in shock.
When they first met, she seemed shy and harmless. But now ¡
The girl standing in front of her, all charm and ease, felt like aplete stranger.
¡°Fine!¡±
Tess almost let out augh¨Chalf out of disbelief, half out of fury.
She wasn¡¯t stupid.
No wonder Riven had insisted shee back herself.
She swept her gaze over the girl¡¯s face, biting back regret for ever treating her kindly.
¡°If you touch any of my things again,¡± Tess said coldly, ¡°you¡¯ll regret it.¡±
Her voice turned cold and razor¨Csharp¨Cdead serious.
The girl froze,pletely taken aback. Fear flickered across her face.
Wasn¡¯t this woman just some regr single mom? Where the hell was this overwhelming pressure from?
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While the girl stood there stunned, Tess clutched La in one arm and started throwing their belongings into a suitcase with the other.
She hadn¡¯t lived here long and hadn¡¯t bought anything new¨Cmost were baby items La used, so packing was quick.
Tess was a naturally gentle person.
But La was herst line.
The moment she saw that girl holding her baby with that nasty look on her face, her blood had surged straight to her head.
When she finally stepped out of the dorm with La in her arms, she found several of the women who¡¯d always treated her kindly waiting outside. Bessie stood front and center.
They¡¯d clearly heard themotion from inside. When Tess opened the door, all of them shot cold, warning nces toward the girl.
The girl shrank back under the pressure and hurried to m the door shut.
¡°Sweetheart!¡±
Bessie waved Tess over and grabbed her hand, shoving arge stic bag into it. ¡°We heard about what happened, that they let you go. We don¡¯t have much, but we all chipped in and got a few things for the baby.¡±
Tess¡¯s nose stung. She tried to decline, but Bessie gave her a re. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to say no. You know how hard it is to return stuff these days. And it¡¯s for La Don¡¯t insult us by turning it down.¡±
With that, she looped the bag over Tess¡¯s suitcase handle and gave it a firm pat, satisfied.
¡°Everyone, thank you so much for taking care of me, Tess said and gave them a deep nod of thanks.
Once a tycoon¡¯s wife and a topwyer, she was now working as a janitor. The fall had been crushing¨Cbut the warmth of these kind, down¨Cto¨Cearth women helped her get through it.
Chapter 24 The Last Line This content belongs to find(?)ovel
Owner now don¡¯t get all emotional. It¡¯s what neighbors do.
Bee raned her voice for the group.
#yow ever moc you can alwayse back and visit
Ak grow go fast. I wanna see how beautiful La gets as she grows!¡±
up
The women joked and teased, trying to lighten the mood and take the sting out of the farewell.
Tes left under their watchful eyes. Even tough¨Cas¨Cnails, Bessie had tears in hers.
Alright, alright¨Cthe show¡¯s over. Back to work, all of you!¡±
She wiped her eves and waves them off
Mokhing La with one arm and dragging a suitcase with the other, Tess wandered aimlessly along the street.
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She soon found a cheap apartment listing on a rental app and was just about to pay for half a month upfront, when her mobile banking app refused to process the payment.
After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she made her way toward the nearest bank.
She could pay thendlord in cash.
When she reached the ATM, she slid in her card. Error.
The screen refused to process her withdrawal.
Her brows furrowed.
Didn¡¯t Vanessa say her sry had been deposited this morning?
Feeling increasingly unsettled, she called her.
¡°I already processed payroll this morning. If the money¡¯s not showing up, it¡¯s your card¡¯s problem, not mine. I¡¯ve got the transaction confirmation right here¡ªdon¡¯t try to y games. You think you¡¯re getting double pay or something?¡±
Her voice wasced with mockery and suspicion, every word sharp and grating.
Tess¡¯s chest tightened/with panic. A terrible suspicion started to form. She hung up on Vanessa and rushed to find a bank teller.
After checking her ount, the staff gave her the result. Her card had been frozen.
¡°When?¡± she asked, her voice barely steady.
¡°Around noon today.¡±
Tess staggered back a step, nearly copsing on the spot.
The sun zed overhead, her vision swimming. Or maybe it wasn¡¯t the sun making her dizzy.
She shielded La from the harsh light, but it felt like she was sinking¨Clike some invisible web was tightening around her chest, pulling her into a ck hole with no air
The sunlight beat down on her pale skin. Sweat broke out across her forehead, but still, she shivered.
Who else could freeze her ount without her permission? Only Finn. There was no one else.
Tess but her lip, eyes rimmed red¨Cnot from sorrow, but from a white¨Chot fury.
Did he really have to crush her and La like this? Did he want to push them off a cliff and make sure they never got back up?
Clutching La close, Tess felt the smooth sidewalk beneath her feet turn jagged and impossible.
Keepsake 25
Chapter 25 Crossroads
Chapter 25 Crossroads
s
Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message from thendlord. ¡°Have you decided on a time to view the apartment?¡±
Tess gripped her phone tightly. With no other option, she forced out a polite excuse and declined.
Sliding the phone back into her bag, she looked out at the crowd moving past her on the street, her gaze filled with confusion and helplessness.
No money. No ce to stay. Where were they supposed to go? Original content can be found at Find~Novel
Her eyes drifted aimlessly. She strolled, almost stopping with each step until she came to a halt in front of a wall stered with small loan ads.
Dazed, Tess looked up¨Conly to realize the building belonged to a privatew firm.
She stood still outside the door, her heart heavy with emotion.
Law used to be her passion. A profession she¡¯d loved and respected with all her heart.
But that life felt a million miles away now.
Lowering her head and holding La close, she forced her eyes back to the loan flyers, pretending to focus.
As she started jotting down the phone number, a cool sensation brushed her forehead¨Cfollowed by a shadow falling over
Someone held an umbre over her head.
Startled, Tess caught the faint, crisp scent of pine drifting from beside her.
¡°Tess, came a soft, familiar voice. ¡°Come with me.
¡°I¡¯ve got a vi waiting for you. It¡¯s been ready for a long time. You can hire a nanny to help with the baby¨Cwhatever you need.¡±
Max had appeared out of nowhere. He stood beside her, his voice gentle, eyes full of longing. When he looked at her, it was as if she were the only thing that mattered in his world.
Tess instinctively took a step back, chilled to the bone.
The distance between them widened instantly. Max¡¯s expression dimmed, and even his voice grew hoarse. ¡°You just lost your job. You¡¯d rather be homeless than lean on me, even a little?¡±
His words were low and bitter, each one heavier than thest.
But Tess had long since made up her mind¨Cshe wanted nothing more to do with any of them. She turned her face away, jaw tight, refusing to waste her breath. But the moment she heard the following sentence, she whipped around, eyes zing. ¡°You¡¯ve been watching me? Following me?¡±
She scanned the area in panic, searching the crowd for any suspicious bystanders, looking every bit like a frightened rabbit.
Seeing her like that sent a sharp painncing through Max¡¯s chest.
Is that really what you think of me?¡±
Her eyes were guarded, suspicious¨Cbut that one sentence made her pause.
Maybe she¡¯d overreacted. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t stalking her.
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Chapter 24 Crossroads
A hesitant voice broke the tendon
Tea turned toward the sound Across the street, the ss door to thew office swung open. A hand pushed the door open- slender fingers, pale and clean and then came a face she hadn¡¯t seen in a long time.
Their eyes met the man¡¯s expression lit up, instantly softening the stern vibe of his ck suit. The contrast was almost boyish
He looked both shy and passionate
¡°Mx Ember! It¡¯s you!¡±
¡°Charles¡® te blinked, surprised¨Cand then united.
Her gaze swept over him, taking in the changes
Gone was the shy, awkward young intern she remembered. He looked more mature now. The chunky ck¨Crimmed sses had been reced with sleek gold frames that made him took refined and calm.
They felt like long¨Clost friends crossing paths by fate. Her throat tightened with emotion.
She never thought she¡¯ll see Charles again.
Hack when she was still one of the country¡¯s topwyers and before prison¨Che had been just a quiet intern, always hovering on the edges of the room. He rarely spoke up, and the tasks she assigned him were oftenpleted clumsily. Everyone thought he¡¯d be the first to get cut.
But she¡¯d seen something in him an instinct for detail, a sharpness that couldn¡¯t be taught. He didn¡¯t have the sh, but he had the substance. So she mentored him, even brought him to court to observe her debates up close.
And now, barely a year and a halfter, helt started his own firm?
She didn¡¯t know what to feel. Was it pride¨Clike a teacher seeing her student seed? Or a kind of wistful ache, knowing that the world was no longer hers?
She had once been a living legend in the field. But a year ago, she went to prison for stealing corporate secrets. That stain would follow her forever. And now, standing in front of a former student, she couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit out of ce.
¡°Congrattions, she said, recovering quickly.
She extended her hand with genuine warmth.
Charles froze for a second, staring at her outstretched hand like it was glowing
¡°Thank you so much!¡±
He gave a slight, respectful nod and gently took her hand¨Cjust like he used to, as if she were someone significant.
Just like the socially anxious intern he¡¯d once been
Tess felt a sting behind her eyes.
¡°Ms. Ember, I, uh, I overheard some of that just now Are you having trouble finding a ce?¡± He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. I have an old apartment. It¡¯s not as fancy as what Mr. Hunt can offer, but it¡¯s clean, and it¡¯s yours if you want it Rent¡¯s not a problem¨Cyou can pay whatever you feelfortable with. If you don¡¯t mind the ce, that is¡¡±
His eyes were bright with sincerity, but there was a flicker of unease, too¨Che nced sideways at Max¡¯s face.
Sure enough, the moment he finished speaking. Max¡¯s expression darkened That usually soft, elegant face turned cold, his eyes fixed on Charles with unmistakable displeasure
Keepsake 26
Chapter 26 Not Just Kindness
Chapter 26 Not Just Kindness
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Even under pressure, Charles remained calm and patient, quietly waiting for Tess¡¯s answer.
I¡¡±
Tess nced down at the baby in her arms, clearly torn.
Max took a step forward, subtly trying to wedge himself between her and Charles. ¡°Tess.¡±
¡°Alright. Thank you,¡± she said firmly, cutting him off with a grateful smile directed at Charles.
Immediately, a pink flush crept up Charles¡¯s cheeks.
s
Tess couldn¡¯t help but chuckle under her breath. Even after bing a capablewyer, he was still the same bashful Charles.
¡°I¡¯ll take you there now!¡± he said eagerly, turning around and heading back into thew firm to wrap things up.
As soon as he left, Max stepped closer again, reaching for Tess¡¯s wrist. ¡°Tess, even if you hate me, the baby still deserves a good life.¡±
He hated using the child to plead with her, but right now, it was the only leverage he had.
The truth was, he¡¯d disliked the sight of her child from the very first moment.
But he knew¨Cit was the only way to get her to give in.
In an instant, the warmth on Tess¡¯s face vanished. She turned to Max with eyes like ice. ¡°Get your hands off me. You make my skin crawl.¡±
¡°Apologies, Mr. Hunt.¡± Charles¡¯s voice cut in just in time. He was back, now dressed in casual clothes, clean and straightforward. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯ll go help settle Ms. Ember in.¡±
Tess yanked her arm away from Max, nodded to Charles, and didn¡¯t even spare Max a second nce.
Charles loaded her suitcase into the trunk, and just like that, the two of them drove off¨Cleaving Max behind in the dust.
He stood there frozen, eyes glued to the shrinking car like he could burn a hole through it with his stare.
When it finally disappeared, he dropped his head, messy bangs falling over his eyes, turning his usually gentle features into something dark and unhinged.
In the backseat, Tess cradled La gently. Meanwhile, Charles hadn¡¯t stopped blushing the entire drive.
i
Through the rearview mirror, he snuck a nce at the baby in her arms. ¡°Ms. Ember, the baby¡ Is she
At the mention of La, Tess¡¯s stern expression softened. She stroked her daughter¡¯s chubby cheek with delicate affection. ¡°My daughter.¡±
Charles¡¯s hands froze on the steering wheel. He¡¯d suspected as much from the way Tess had held the child so protectively, but hearing her say it outright still caught him off guard.
¡°You have a daughter?¡± he murmured, more to himself than to her.
There was a flicker of something indescribable in his voice¨Cbittersweet, maybe.
Tess missed the emotion behind his words. She smiled, a little resigned. ¡°Life doesn¡¯t always go how you expect.¡±
Her voice trailed off like mist in the wind¨Clight and a little tired.
Charles looked away for a moment.
Silence fell over the car. The only sound was Tess¡¯s quiet whispering as she soothed La to sleep.
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Chapter 26 Not Just Kindness
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¡°We¡¯re here.¡±
The car pulled into a narrow, peaceful alleyway. At the end stood a small building with its front yard gate wide open.
¡°It¡¯s an old ce. I hope you don¡¯t mind,¡± Charles said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck as he helped unload her luggage.
Tess quickly shook her head. ¡°Thank you¨Creally for both me and La,
¡°Oh, and please, no need to call me Ms. Ember. Those days are long gone. Just Tess is fine.¡± Latest content published on
Her smile was soft, but Charles could see the sorrow behind it¨Cthe lingering ache of losing a part of her identity.
He pressed his lips together, hesitating for just a beat before nodding.
¡°Okay, Tess.¡±
He stumbled slightly over the new title, but she responded with a smile and a gentle nod.
¡°There are a bunch of empty rooms inside. Feel free to pick whichever one you like, Tess,¡± he said as he tugged her suitcase behind him, clearly morefortable with the second use of the name.
At the door, Charles suddenly stopped and turned to her, his face serious.
¡°Even if you never practicew again, you¡¯ll always be the bestwyer I¡¯ve ever known. You¡¯re still my role model.¡±
He said it without a trace of hesitation, eyes burning with admiration.
Tess nearlyughed at how serious he looked, but more than anything, she was touched.
¡°That means a lot.¡±
After helping her settle in, Charles returned to the office.
4
Only then did Tess learn that, although he had founded his own practice, he still technically worked at Lock Group, rarely visiting and usually staying for only an hour or two in the afternoons.
In his own words, ¡°Lock Group was my first real job. Hard to let go.¡±
Once everything was arranged, Tess finally had a moment to breathe.
La had finished her bottle and fallen asleep, a faint smile on her lips as if dreaming something sweet.
Tess tiptoed to the window, lost in thought.
Charles had called it an ¡°old house,¡± but the lighting inside was perfect¨Csunlight poured into every corner.
She¡¯d chosen a room close to the bathroom, fully furnished and far cozier than her former dorm. The mattress was soft, a far cry from the hard beds she¡¯d grown used to.
Leaning her cheek against her palm, she stared out the window at a tree branch, where two little birds perched on the branch together.
Suddenly remembering something, she reached into her suitcase and pulled out the divorce agreement she¡¯d signed before going to prison.
Not wanting to wake La, she slipped quietly into the living room and spread the papers across the coffee table.
Keepsake 27
Chapter 27 No Looking Back
Chapter 27 No Looking Back
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Her eyesnded on her own signature at the bottom of the page. For a moment, Tess felt herself drift.
If she hadn¡¯t run into Charles by chance, she and La might¡¯ve been sleeping on the streets tonight.
She nced out the window at the sky streaked with red twilight. An image shed in her mind¨Cshe and La wandering helplessly through the city with no clue where to go. Latest content published on FindN0vel
A chill ran through her. She saw herself again that day at Lock Group Private Hospital¨Ccold, broken, alone.
But now, Tess lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.
She was going to get Finn to sign those divorce papers.
From this day forward, they¡¯d have nothing to do with each other.
Only by cutting him offpletely could she finally start fresh¨Cget a job, raise La in peace, and live an everyday life.
With Charles¡¯s permission, she used the printer in the apartment and drafted a new copy of the divorce agreement.
She signed her name again.
This time, each stroke was steady, resolute.
But her heart was in a very different ce than it had been a year ago.
Back then, it had also been evening. The rain had poured down as she stood at the vi in Evermount Vi, watching the rain drip off the tree branches outside long after the storm had passed until night fell.
At that time, she still loved Finn¨Cbut the heart that once beat so wildly for him was already worn out.
And now-
She ran her fingers over the bold title=¡°Divorce Agreement.¡± Her gaze was calm, almost empty. Only when she thought of La sleeping in the next room did a flicker of warmth return to her eyes.
It wasn¡¯t that her heart had died. It was that she was finally awake.
¡°Tess!¡±
A knock sounded at the door. She quickly set the divorce agreement back on the coffee table and went to open it.
Thought we should celebrate our little reunion,¡± Charles said, standing there in a sharp suit, cheeks slightly flushed, eyes bright. ¡°Dinner on me¨Cwhat do you say?¡±
She was surprised he¡¯de back so quickly. And even more surprised at the offer.
You¡¯ve already done more than enough by letting us stay here,¡± she said, instinctively trying to decline. ¡°I can¡¯t let you treat us
too.¡±
¡°If we¡¯re keeping score, you were one of the topwyers in the field back then,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°You had the patience to coach me one¨Con¨Cone. I still owe you for those private lessons.¡±
Then he gave her a mock¨Coffended look. ¡°Come on, Tess. You treat me like a stranger now?¡±
His fake pout made her chuckle despite herself.
Seeing that the mood had lightened, Charles pped his hands. ¡°Alright then¨Cit¡¯s settled. Go get La. I¡¯ll bring the car
around¡±
Faced with such direct words, she couldn¡¯t argue further. Her expression softened, and she turned to head toward the bedroom.
2:26 PM
Chapter 27 No Looking Back
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Charles let out a satisfied breath and waited in the living room.
But the moment he sat on the couch, his eyes caught sight of a document on the coffee table.
Curiosity got the better of him. He picked it up¨Cand immediately realized it was a signed divorce agreement.
Just then, Tess came out holding a sleepy La in her arms. Their eyes met.
Charles scratched his nose awkwardly, lifting the paper in his hand. ¡°This is ¡
¡°You¡¯ve really made up your mind?¡± he asked, his eyes scanning the signature again in disbelief.
s
world, the other a titan in business. Their marriage had once
Tess and Finn¨Cthe golden couple. One was a star in the legal been the stuff of headlines.
But those who knew the inside story understood all too well¨CTess¡¯s obsession with Finn and his indifference in return.
She pressed her lips together but didn¡¯t try to hide anything. She nodded openly. ¡°I was the one who wouldn¡¯t let go. But I¡¯ve finally figured things out.¡±
She smiled faintly, her gaze lowering as a soft strand of hair fell
across her cheek.
At that moment, she looked like a wildflower blooming from stone-
-fragile yet defiant.
Charles¡¯s heart skipped a beat. His mind felt like a mess. He quickly lowered his head, trying to hide the expression on his face.
Could a year in prison really change someone this much?
He stole another nce at her.
In his memories, Tess had always been strong but gentle¨Cyet back then, she¡¯d lived in quiet heartbreak over Finn.
She used to shine like the morning sun, but her world had revolved around that one man. Now, the sharp edges were gone. What remained was softness, restraint¨Cand scars.
¡°I¡¯m d you did,¡± he murmured, then quickly changed the subject. ¡°La¡¯s probably hungry. I¡¯ll grab the bottle.¡±
They didn¡¯t linger in the past any longer.
Charles took Tess and La to a newly opened riverside restaurant. La, who had still been half¨Casleep when she got in the car, was now wide awake, her big dark eyes looking around curiously.
When she looked at Charles sitting next to Tess, she seemed to sense his kindness¨Cand gave him a sweet, innocent smile.
It hit something in Charles¡¯s chest.
Raising a kid wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all.
Tess barely touched her food, as usual. She¡¯d told Charles not to order too much, and in the end, only ate a little.
The table he booked had a window view¨Cright outside was Aetheris¡¯srgestke.
The surface shimmered in the evening light.
Tess set down her knife and fork, drawn in by the breathtaking scene outside.
Charles¡¯s gaze was already fixed on her. It lingered on the faint scar on her cheek, and something tugged painfully in his chest. Even his eyes softened with ache.
Keepsake 28
Chapter 28 A Risk Worth Taking
Chapter 28 A Risk Worth Taking
Back then, Tess had told him, smiling so brightly, that being awyer was her greatest passion in life.
But now, she said she hadn¡¯t been awyer for a long time.
What exactly had happened during her time in custody that year?
Charles swallowed hard, suddenly finding the exquisite food in his mouthpletely vorless.
Under the table, his hand slowly clenched into a fist.
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He nced at his phone on the table, then furrowed his brows and said apologetically, ¡°Sorry, Tess, something just came up. An emergency meeting at the office¡ªI have to go.¡±
Tess nodded considerately. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just finished eating anyway.
What a shame,¡± she added with a soft sigh. ¡°I booked a private screening at Aetheris Cinema, near the office. Can¡¯t get a refund either.
Charles looked at her, a bit torn.
She hesitated, but before she could say anything, he spoke up again.
He nced at his watch. ¡°The meeting shouldn¡¯t take more than an hour. How about this¡ªI¡¯ll take you and La to the theater, and once I¡¯m done, I¡¯lle pick you up.¡±
Tex wasn¡¯t particrly interested in the movie, but when she met his puppy¨Cdog eyes, pleading and warm¡ª
She suddenly understood. This was his way of helping her move on.
¡°Alright
At her response, Charles let out a quiet breath of relief.
He walked them all the way to the theater entrance and handed her two movie tickets.
Be good. La. I wille pick you and Tess up real soon.¡±
He gave La¡¯s little hand a yful rug, then pulled a shawl seemingly out of nowhere and handed it to Tess. ¡°It¡¯s getting chilly tonight. Don¡¯t catch a cold¡±
She did feel a slight breeze and a chill on her arms¡ªso she didn¡¯t argue.
Tess held La tight, then turned and headed into the theater. But Charles didn¡¯t head toward thepany.
He got into the car and drove the other way. His phoney silent beside him¡ªhis work group chat was still muted, and there was no mention of any emergency meeting.
Lock Group Headquarters.
When Charles walked in several employees looked genuinely surprised.
Mr. Jackman? What brings you here at this hour?
Everyone knew that Charles had been promoted back when Tess was in charge. Now that Nadine had taken over as the cbmpany¡¯s lead counsel, there¡¯d been tension between them. Ever since getting approval from Finn, Charles had barely shown up at the office.
¡°Is Mr. Lock still in his office? I¡¯ve got a document that needs his signature.¡±
He held up a fairly thick folder.
He¡¯s still here. Just go right in.¡±
2:26 PM
Chapter 28 A Risk Worth Taking
Charles nodded, thanked them, and turned to knock on Finn¡¯s office door.
¡°Come in.¡±
¡°Mr. Lock, this is urgent. I need your signature on this.¡±
Finn looked up, his b
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slightly raised when he saw who it was. ¡°What kind of document needs you to deliver it personally?¡±
His voice was deep, a little hoarse from working long hours.
Sweat beaded in Charles¡¯s palms, sticky and ufortable.
He lowered his head, avoiding Finn¡¯s gaze. ¡°Just
Finn¡¯s eyesnded on the folder.
mered it suddenly. Didn¡¯t want to trouble anyone else.¡±
¡°Leave it. I¡¯ll have Zane take care of it before the end of the day.¡±
¡°It¡¯s kind of urgent,¡± Charles insisted. ¡°I¡¯ll wait here while you sign it¨Cno need to bother Zane.¡±
His behavior raised Finn¡¯s suspicions. He nced at the stack of documents on his desk, his brows tightening.
¡°Just leave it,¡± he said coldly, rubbing his temples.
Charles heard the impatience in his voice and bit his lip. He had
O choice but to leave the office.
But as soon as the door shut behind him, he could hear the pounding of his own heartbeat in his ears.
He¡¯d actually done it. He had secretly slipped Tess¡® finalized divorce to Finn!
Only now did the weight of what he¡¯d done begin to hit him.
jelent into the documents¨Cand handed it straight
But he had no other choice. He had to help Tess¨Cwho once radiated warmth and strength¨Cbreak free from that terrifying man once and for all!
ncing nervously at the closed door, he sat down on the nearby sofa, waiting anxiously.
Knowing Finn¡¯s personality, there¡¯s no way he¡¯d let Tess wander the world freely¨Cespecially not with his child in tow.
That could only mean one thing. Tess had run away. Maybe Finn didn¡¯t even know he had a kid. And clearly, she didn¡¯t want him to find out.
Charles kept running through the possibilities in his head, tightening his grip.
Tess wanted out, away from Finn. Discover more novels at find~novel
And him¨Che had his own reasons, too.
He could only hope Finn wouldn¡¯t notice anything.
Inside the office, Finn paused mid¨Csignature. He nced at the folder that had been set aside.
Charles¡¯s behavior had been off.
He flipped open the so¨Ccalled ¡°urgent documents,¡± giving them a quick scan. They all looked like routine contracts requiring his signature.
His suspicions faded¨Cfor the moment¨Cand he continued signing page after page.
Until the pen halted on a sheet that felt just slightly different under his hand.
He casually pulled it out¨Cand in the next second, his pupils contracted as his eyes locked onto the name at the bottom of the final page.
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Tess.
His expression darkened. Gripping the hard shell of the folder, he scanned the contents of the page from top to bottom..
Chapter 28 A Risk Worth Taking
Keepsake 29
Chapter 29 Following Tess
Chapter 29 Following Tess
¡°The Divorce Agreement.¡±
Finn¡¯s chest tightened suddenly,
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How the hell did Charles end up with a divorce paper Tess had already signed? And why would she even do that on her own?
He kept thinking about how weird Charles had been acting ever since he walked in¨Clike everything had to happen right now.
Finn¡¯s breath hitched. His eyes¨Calready dark¨Clooked even colder now, like all the warmth had been drained out.
So that¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t track her down?
She hadn¡¯t gone back home¡ She¡¯d been with Charles this whole time?
Finn¡¯s eyesnded on the name ¡°Tess,¡± and he just stared, like he was trying to burn right through the page.
Did Charles hand over the divorce papers by ident, or was he purposely trying to fool Finn into signing and going along with the split? /
Or¡ was this actually what Tess wanted?
¡°Zane,¡±
Finn hit the inte button, his tone t and ice¨Ccold.
While waiting on Zane, Finn went ahead and signed every contract Charles had handed over¨Cexcept the divorce one. That spot for his signature stayed empty.
When Zane finally walked in, he saw Finn locked in a cold stare at just one sheet on the desk.
¡°Mr. Lock?¡±
Zane asked quietly.
Snapping out of it, Finn grabbed the divorce paper and signed it without even blinking
Zane leaned in to see better, and the moment he spotted the words ¡°Divorce Agreement, his eyes went wide. ¡°Mr. Lock ¡ is¡.. is this for real?¡± he stammered.
He blinked hard, almost like he didn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. Tess¡¯s name was right there at the end¨Cclear as day.
It wasn¡¯t until Finn quietly slid the paper back into the pile that Zane, quick as ever, noticed the signature.
Finn.
Zane was stunned.
After deciding there was no way his boss had changed his name, Zane nced up and locked eyes with Finn¡¯s nk stare,
A momentter, the two walked out of the office one after the other. Finn handed the stack of papers to Charles with a smirk. ¡°Mr. Jackman, you¡¯re really looking out for your staff. Would¡¯ve been rude of me to keep you waiting
He gave a slight smile, but his eyes stayed cold and empty, like a deep, ck void,
Out of nowhere, a shiver ran down Charles¡¯s arms.
Finn had never been easy to read, but there was something different in his eyes now¨Csomething that made Charles uneasy, maybe even scared.
Whatever calm he had managed to hold ontopletely vanished.
Did Mr. Lock¡ know something?
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Chapter 29 Following Tess
Charles snuck another quick look at Finn, but his face gave away nothing. With no other option, he reached out and took the
papers.
¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now, Mr. Lock.¡±
Charles turned around and started walking away, unaware of the sharp, icy stare Finn shot at his back.
¡°Keep an eye on him.
¡°Track her down.¡±
Charles didn¡¯t realize someone was following him. Once inside his car, he took the divorce agreement out of the pile.
After seeing Finn¡¯s signature, he finally let out a breath of relief.
Holding the papers firmly, Charles drove straight to the old apartment.
The movie was almost over, so he didn¡¯t look at the divorce papers again. Instead, he left them at home and rushed to the theater.
Worried that Charles might wait too long, Tess left early, carrying La in her arms.
¡°Is La getting sleepy?¡±
The baby, wrapped up snugly, had her eyes shut. Charles spoke in a softer tone on purpose.
Tess gave a small smile and nodded, then got into the back seat with La.
The view outside the car slid by in reverse. Neither of them said a word, like it was silently agreed.
Tess slowly turned her head to face the window. The sky was fully dark now, and trees cast faint shadows along the sidewalk.
La felt weightless in her arms. Tess looked down at her bundled baby with a soft, loving gaze.
Since she lowered her head just then, she didn¡¯t catch the intense stareing from a fancy car parked nearby.
Eyes that watched like a predator¨Ccold, possessive, and unblinking.
¡°Mr. Lock, isn¡¯t that ¡ Mrs. Lock?¡±
Zane spoke carefully, sneaking a quick look at Finn¡¯s serious expression through the rearview mirror before looking away. Finn squinted slightly, his eyes locked on Charles¡¯s car until it was out of sight.
At first, he was going to have Zane assign someone to tail them, but on a sudden urge, he decided to ride in the back seat himself.
He needed to see for himself who she was staying with after walking out on him.
Charles?
That clueless attorney she had helped move up the ?
A cold tension came off Finn, sending a shiver through Zane.
¡°Looks like they¡¯re going toward the residential area on the edge of town. Should we keep going?¡±
Zane asked in a low voice, secretly concerned about Tess.
Mrs. Lock was really something else.
After she got out, Mr. Lock had cleared everything just to go get her¨Cbut she never came. Instead, she went to live with another guy and didn¡¯t say a thing.
Then she had someone else drop off the divorce papers for Mr. Lock to sign.
2:27 PM C
Chapter 29 Following Tess palms sweat. He didn¡¯t even have the guts to look Finn in the eye,
¡°Go after them.¡±
The second Finn said it, Zane hit the gas.
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Tess and Charles had no clue they were being followed. When they pulled up in front of the house, the car behind them. quietly stopped a bit farther back, stayingpletely still and unnoticed,
Will Fresh chapters posted on find~novel
Keepsake 30
Chapter 30 What Had She Gone Through?
Chapter 30 What Had She Gone Through?
Tess stepped out of the car with baby La in her arms, her eyes scanning the dim alley with caution.
A car sat hidden in the shadows with its lights off, giving off a strange, creepy feeling.
Her brows pulled together, and she walked faster, holding La closer to her chest.
Something didn¡¯t feel right¨Clike someone was watching her from behind. The feeling made her skin crawl.
When Charles flipped on the light inside the house, he noticed right away how pale Tess looked.
¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked, clearly startled.
Tess kept her lips shut tight, heart racing.
¡°I¡¯m fine, just a little tired.¡±
¡°Then you should rest,¡± Charles replied, gently opening the bedroom door for her.
Trying to push away the unease building inside her, Tess gave him a
nod.
About 30 minutester, the light in her room turned off.
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In the living room, Charles sat with the signed divorce papers in his hands.
Once he was sure she had fallen asleep, he crept quietly to her bedroom and carefully ced the papers on her nightstand.
In the dim light, Charles couldn¡¯t stop himself from looking at Tess as she slept, his eyes filled with eager hope.
La was curled up beside her, sleeping peacefully.
To Charles, this was a gift for both Tess and the baby.
Feeling pleased with himself, he returned to his own room, already imagining her reaction when she woke signed documents.
She¡¯ll be thrilled, he thought.
The house slowly faded into silence and darkness.
But then, a soft click sounded near the front door.
Click!
up
and saw the
A tall figure stepped into the narrow hallway, his presence shrinking the space and weighing it down with tension.
Finn¡¯s sharp eyes took in the modest setup beforending on Tess¡¯s bedroom door, firmly shut.
It looked like any other door, but his intense gaze seemed to slice through it as if he could see straight to the person inside. Now that he was standing here, hesitation crept in.
Was the person I¡¯d been chasing all this time really on the other side of that door?
His leather shoes barely made a sound as he walked, but each step echoed the slow, steady beat of his heart.
The hallway, though short, felt endless.
His hand reached for the doorknob. He turned it gently.
His eyes flicked to the window, where moonlight slipped through the ss.
He remembered watching the darkened window from his car earlier, spotting a faint silhouette behind the curtains.
2:27 PM d
Chapter 30 What Had She Gone Through?
A strange heat had risen in his chest then¨Ctight, overwhelming, and hard to ignore,
Charles had actually been allowed into her room?
Finn didn¡¯t even know what he felt at that moment.
Now, just like Charles, he stood next to Tess¡¯s bed.
He could hear her calm, steady breathing.
At first, Finn didn¡¯t even look at her. His eyes locked on the divorce papers left on the nightstand,
So that¡¯s what Charles had in here for¨Cto leave these?
The thought passed through Finn¡¯s mind, but his gaze hadn¡¯t yet found the woman he¡¯d spent so long looking for. Discover more novels at f?ndnovel
Only now did he realize how loud a person¡¯s breathing could be in total silence,
Atst, his eyes shifted¨Cslowlynding on Tess.
Moonlight touched her face, revealing her soft features. But there, on her cheek, was a scar,
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed, his pupils shaking with disbelief.
Tess had always been beautiful¨Cso much so, he¡¯d never been able to truly hate her.
But now, that perfect face was marked,
It reminded him of a white gardenia, ruined on purpose¨Csomething beautiful turned heartbreaking.
5 Free Coice
Finn felt like his chest was being crushed, like some invisible force kept pressing harder and harder, each time more painful.
Without realizing it, his fingers began to shake as they hovered near the scar on her cheek.
The rough texture beneath his touch proved it was real, not something fake,
What had she gone through?
Finn looked down at her as she slept, his face a mix of emotions. The fury he¡¯d meant to throw at her was gone without a
trace.
He¡¯d been so caught up staring at Tess that he hadn¡¯t even realized there was baby curled up in her arms.
Finn had always thought of himself as calm and in control, but now he couldn¡¯t even move¨Chis feet felt stuck to the floor.
The baby seemed around five or six months old. Her skin was soft and wless, nothing like the scar on her mother¡¯s face,
But what really stunned him was how much she looked like he did as a baby¨Clike a mirror image,
Ten months carrying the child¡ and now this?
A wild, sudden thought shed through his mind.
His breath turned shaky, his chest rising and falling fast.
Maybe it was the tension in the room, but Tess¡¯s calm expression started to shift in her sleep.
Keepsake 31
Chapter 31 A Nutritious Breakfast
Tess frowned slightly, as if dreaming of something bad.
Finn held his breath.
Suddenly, he met a pair of round, blue eyes.
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The baby had woken up at some point, staring at him wide¨Ceyed, not crying, not fussing.
Almost like she was curious about him.
His heart skipped a beat. The baby began to squirm restlessly.
Noticing the movement, Tess slowly woke, eyes still hazy, and saw her daughter¡¯s aggrieved look.
Maybe it was because the restaurant was too crowded earlier¨CLa had shown no interest in eating and only drank half her milk.
She was probably hungry now.
Tess gently stroked her cheek, then expertly unbuttoned her shirt to nurse her.
Tasting the familiar milk, La narrowed her eyes in contentment.
The bedroom was silent; the only sound was her soft sucking¨Cpeaceful and still.
As if no one had evere here. Except¨Cthe divorce papers by the bed were gone.
Finn didn¡¯t even remember how he got back to the car.
Zane looked at his gloomy expression, concerned. ¡°Mr. Lock, did you see Mrs. Lock? She wouldn¡¯te back with us?¡±
He nced behind him¨Cno one there.
¡°Are there any ces for rent nearby?¡±
Finn suddenly asked.
The question caught Zane off guard, but he quickly nodded. ¡°This neighborhood¡¯s a bit old. A lot of the houses are rented to students and interns from the nearby university.¡±
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Chapter 31 A Nutritious Breakfast
¡°Rent one. Make sure it has a view of this ce.¡±
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Finn pressed his lips together, his gaze unfocused. He stared into the air, lost in thought.
As apetent assistant, Zane knew better than to ask. Though confused, he nodded in
response.
Finn said nothing more, sitting still like a statue, eyes fixed on the dark window.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Only when Finn rubbed his brow in exhaustion did Lin Bin start the car and drive away.
That night, La was unusually restless. Tess didn¡¯t fall into a deep sleep until thetter half of the night.
The next morning, sunlight poured into the room.
Knock, knock ¡
The bedroom door was knocked. Tess rubbed her
eyes and got up.
Charles stood at the door, smiling brightly, like the little pine tree by the window.
¡°Sleep well?¡±
He blinked, eyes sparkling like stars.
Tess yawned instinctively, then quickly covered her mouth and gave a sheepish smile. ¡°You seem in a good mood.¡±
Her reaction made Charles pause, a trace of doubt shing in his eyes. He nced inside.
The divorce papers that were supposed to be by the bed were gone.
¡°Uh¡ Tess, you didn¡¯t notice anything?¡±
He asked tentatively.
Tess looked at him nkly. ¡°Notice what?¡±
Charles suddenly felt like something was off.
He was sure he¡¯d left the papers therest night. Did they fall to the floor?
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Chapter 31 A Nutritious Breakfast
They couldn¡¯t just vanish, right?
Charles¡¯s strange reaction made Tess alert. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
¡°N¨CNo, nothing. Since you¡¯re up, let¡¯s eat, Tess. I¡¯ve already made breakfast.¡±
He quickly changed the subject.
Just then, La also woke up, waving her chubby little hands in the air and babbling.
¡°She¡¯s probably hungry. I¡¯ll go make her some form.¡±
Charles offered and hurried out. ¡°Tess, freshen up ande quick, or it¡¯ll get cold!¡±
Not long after, Tess came to the table, dressed and holding La.
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Though there were only two people, the table was covered in food¨Csausages, omelets, oatmeal, bread, milk ¡
What a well¨Cbnced and nutritious breakfast.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Just the two of us¨Cwhy so much food?¡±
Charles scratched his head, a little embarrassed. ¡°Online it says, even after giving birth, moms still need good nutrition. I don¡¯t know what you like, so I made a bit of everything.¡±
His shy awkwardness almost made Tessugh, but a warmth spread in her chest.
She hadn¡¯t expected that, even in her current state, the intern she once casually advised would care for her like this.
Life really is unpredictable.
She sighed inwardly, biting into the soft omelet. There was a quiet charm to mornings like this.
She made a note to repay Charles¡¯s kindness someday.
SLE
¡°Don¡¯t you have work today?¡±
She asked casually, like an older rtive making small talk.
But as soon as the words left her mouth, her fork froze. She regretted it a little.
He was technically herndlord now¨Cacting like some elder was a bit much.
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§°
Chapter 31 A Nutritious Breakfast
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She inwardly winced, but Charles didn¡¯t seem to mind. He answered easily, ¡°I¡¯m the silent. partner of a privatew firm; I rarely go in. As for Lock Group, I usually just attend a quick meeting in the afternoon.
¡°In the mornings, I either y basketball or cook. The fridge is running low. I need to restockter. Want toe with me, Tess?¡±
Keepsake 32
Chapter 32 The Farmers¡® Market
Tess hesitated, but remembering she also needed to cook, she nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±
She smiled and gently teased La, who was quietly drinking her milk.
Before long, the two of them were walking through the farmers¡® market.
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The vendors¡® shouts mixed with theforting scent of fresh bread and pastries wafting from nearby stalls, filling the air with a cozy, homey charm.
La stared wide¨Ceyed, her mouth slightly open in wonder.
Tess hadn¡¯t expected such a lively street in what seemed like a remote suburb.
Charles noticed the surprise in her eyes and chuckled. ¡°This area¡¯s near the university district. A lot of students rent here. And even though it¡¯s out of the way, the transport¡¯s great. Plenty of young professionals from Aetheris settle here and take the subway into work.¡±
Tess nodded, now understanding.
They stopped by a vegetable stall.
¡°Do you like tomatoes, Tess?¡±
Charles picked up two and yfully waved them in front of her.
Her eyes lit up, and she nodded.
She was a picky eater¨Cno spinach, no bell peppers, no garlic, no onions, no celery.
Back when she lived with her grandmother, the old woman would tug her ear and scold her with augh for being such a picky little thing.
She¡¯d storm off in a huff, and minutester, her grandma would walk out of the kitchen with a te made from fresh tomatoes¨Csweet and tangy¨Cand she¡¯d clean the whole te.
But during that year and a half in prison, she learned to swallow whatever was given, without a word.
Picky eating belonged to the pampered Tess¨Cnot the convicted woman she¡¯d be.
Staring at the two plump, red tomatoes in Charles¡¯s hands, her eyes suddenly went red.
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Chapter 32 The Farmers¡® Market
Charles froze for a second, then fumbled to find a tissue, silently panicking¨CDid I say something wrong?
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
Tess sniffled and forced a dry smile.
He paused mid¨Csearch, a little stiff. ¡°Really?¡±
His dumbstruck expression made Tess let out a softugh.
Only then did Charles finally rx, patting his chest. ¡°You scared me.¡±
¡°My grandma used to make all kinds of tomato dishes,¡± Tess suddenly said, eyes fixed somewhere in the air, as if her grandmother stood right in front of her.
Her voice was soft and dazed¨Clike it could vanish with the wind.
So she¡¯s remembering her grandma.
Charles slowed his movements, quietly watching her from the corner of his eye.
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She had her head slightly lowered. A breeze from passing pedestrians lifted a few strands of hair from her forehead, revealing long, flutteringshes that blinked gently¨Cenough to stir something in him.
He remembered her as Tess thewyer¨Cundeniably beautiful. Objectively so.
But after a year apart, everything had changed¨Cher looks, her temperament.
Her once glowingplexion had turned pale, almost bloodless. The eyes that used to brim with hope were now calm, like still water.
Most striking was the scar on her face¨Csomething that should¡¯ve marred her beauty but didn¡¯t. If anything, it gave her depth. A story. It blended with her newfound maternal softness in a way that was oddly captivating.
Charles blinked hard, trying to shake the unfamiliar tightness in his chest.
Then, clearly ovepensating, he turned away. ¡°Missing your grandma, huh? What did she usually cook? I¡¯m not too bad in the kitchen, so maybe I can try to recreate it.¡±
Hearing that, Tess felt a warmth bloom in her chest, but she still shook her head with a smile.
No one could ever replicate Grandma¡¯s cooking.
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Chapter 32 The Farmers¡® Market
¡°What else do we need?¡±
After picking out a few more vegetables, she shifted her gaze back to the produce and changed the subject, tilting her head toward Charles.
s
He quickly gathered himself, rubbing his chin. ¡°Cucumbers? Maybe some fish too. I heard it¡¯s great for postpartum recovery.¡±
They chatted back and forth as they walked. From behind, they looked just like a young couple enjoying a quiet morning shopping together¨Cwarm, peaceful, like a cozy little family of three.
As long as one didn¡¯t notice the faint pink creeping up Charles¡¯s ears.
Up in a nearby apartment, a pair of eyes locked onto their backs, practically burning holes through them.
Finn¡¯s stare was ice¨Ccold. This text is hosted at FindN()vel
Behind his eyes, a storm brewed, dark and twisted, barely restrained, like a restless caged beast, ready to rip through its bars and drag Tess away.
She was supposed to be his wife.
His gaze slowly shifted,nding on Charles¡¯s youthful frame. Danger flickered there.
Down below, Tess rubbed her arm, suddenly feeling a chill.
Up ahead, Charles was carefully picking through the vegetables. Only when both hands were full¨Cbags of fish and produce¨Cdid he finally stop.
¡°Baby rattle! Five bucks each!¡±
Just as they were about to leave, a vendor called out, waving a pink baby rattle in the air.
La giggled and reached out, trying to grab it.
The vendor¡¯s eyes lit up, and he turned to Tess with a grin. ¡°Your baby loves it! Come on, buy her one!¡±
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Chapter 33 Whose Baby?
Hearing that, Tess hesitated. Charles was already reaching for his wallet.
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The vendor watched him happily, fishing out a sealed baby rattle, ready to trade it for cash.
Ring, ring-
Suddenly, Tess¡¯s phone rang in her pocket.
She froze when she saw the caller ID.
It was her mom, Kylie Larson.
La didn¡¯t notice the sudden shift in Tess¡¯s mood. She didn¡¯t even nce at the wrapped toy; she just reached up toward the one in the vendor¡¯s hand.
¡°Sorry!¡±
Tess pulled La close. She looked at Charles, silently asking for help getting home.
Charles agreed right away. La kept staring longingly at the baby¡¯s rattle as they walked off.
The vendor sighed and stuffed the toy back in the bag.
¡°I¡¯ll take that one.¡±
A voice cut in, startling the vendor.
¡°Huh?¡± The vendor blinked at the young man. ¡°I¡¯ve got new ones in the bag.¡±
¡°That one.¡± Th?s chapter is updated by F¦Énd£Îovel
A few secondster, the figure from the loft appeared again, leaning against the window. There was a baby rattle in his hand.
Finn gave
it a gentle shake, his eyes unfocused, staring through the toy.
In his mind, a smiling woman appeared¨Csmart suit, soft features, no scar.
His hand suddenly clenched, nearly snapping the rattle.
He quickly loosened his grip. Seeing it was unharmed, he let out a breath.
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Chapter 33 Whose Baby?
Then he stood there, a little dazed.
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What am I doing? Just because a baby likes this rattle, I suddenly don¡¯t want to break it?
Finn looked up¡ªjust in time to see Tessughing at something Charles said, her eyes soft, smile easy. The way she looked at him had a warmth that pulled one in without even trying.
Those eyes were on Charles. The baby in her arms was staring at him too, blinking wide, curious eyes.
The three of them, side by side, looked just like a family on a grocery run.
Finn¡¯s breath hitched.
His
gaze turned sharp, almost vicious, locking onto Charles¨Cthen slowly shifted to the baby.
That baby¡ looks a lot like him!
The thought almost escaped his lips.
But the next second, doubt rushed in. The baby¡¯s features weren¡¯t fully formed yet.
Tess and I had only crossed the line once¨Cthat night before she went to prison. What are the odds she got pregnant from that?
And knowing how clingy she is, if she had my child, she would¡¯ve begged me from prison¨Cyed the kid card just to get out.
So if it¡¯s not mine¡ whose is it?
Could it be¡ Max¡¯s?
He clenched his fist and shoved the rattle into his pocket. Then he turned and barked at Zane, ¡°Find out whose number that was. And whose baby she¡¯s holding.¡±
As the words left his mouth, Finn yanked the curtain shut, cutting off the view of that man below.
¡°Ms. Ember, your grandma left you a sizable inheritance, Please return home soon to take care of it.¡±
Right after thewyer¡¯s call, Kylie¡¯s number popped up.
¡°You¡¯re out now. Juste home.¡±
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Chapter 33 Whose Baby?
She got straight to the point.
Inside the small building, Tess paused, phone in hand.
The silence on the other end made Kylie feel something was off.
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She nced at the screen, saw the call was still active, and snapped, ¡°Tess, are you listening to me?¡±
¡°Heh.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together and let out a faint response.
Kylie frowned, voice rising. ¡°What kind of attitude is that? Your grandma¡¯s deathst everything to do with you! The memorial¡¯s in a few days¨Cyou¡¯d bettere back!¡±
Hearing the familiar scolding, Tess¡¯s chest tightened. Her fingers curled, then slowly loosened.
Yeah. That sounds more like her.
For a second, she¡¯d wondered if a ghost had taken over.
Her thoughts churned, looping back to a quiet, t voice. ¡°I¡¯lle back.¡±
year had
¡°As soon as possible,¡± Kylie added, as if she didn¡¯t notice the coldness in Tess¡¯s voice. ¡°And what are you doing hiding out there anyway? I heard Finn¡¯s looking for you. Shouldn¡¯t you go settle your marriage with him already?¡±
Tess stayed silent, just listening to theints pour out.
All these years, only one person had ever pushed her to get divorced¨CKylie.
She used to wonder why.
Now she knew. All those words-¡°You won¡¯t be happy with Finn. You deserve someone who truly loves you¡°-were lies. Every one of them.
Funny how she used to believe Kylie still cared. But a year in prison had made things clear. What Kylie wanted was simple: for Tess to step aside so Nadine could take her ce.
She hung up after one dry line. ¡°I¡¯ll go¨Cfor Grandma.¡±
To Kylie, that was no different than a p in the face.
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Chapter 34 Go Back Home
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She mmed the phone onto the couch. ¡°What, is she rebelling now? She doesn¡¯t even bother to talk properly!¡±
Hearing that, Nadine, sitting nearby, gently massaged her shoulders. ¡°She was in prison for a year. It¡¯s normal for her to hold some resentment. Mom, don¡¯t stoop to her level.¡±
¡°Resentment?¡±
Kylie let out a coldugh. ¡°What right does she have to resent anyone? I¡¯m her mother!¡±
Right after saying that, Nadine pressed on a spot near her neck, and she shifted ufortably.
She didn¡¯t think much of it and quickly asked, ¡°Is Tessing back?¡±
Kylie snorted. ¡°It¡¯s her grandma¡¯s memorial. If she doesn¡¯te back, that¡¯s just being unfilial.¡±
Meanwhile, Tess had already packed her suitcase. But now she was stuck on what to do with La.
When Charles heard she was heading home for the memorial, he offered to hire a nanny for a few days, but she refused.
That day, she took La in her arms and caught a cab back to the staff dorm where she used to stay as a cleaner.
¡°Hi, I¡¯m looking for Bessie.¡±
¡°Looking for Bessie? What for?¡±
Tess tapped a woman sitting in the corner chewing bubble gum. The woman brushed her hand away, clearly annoyed.
Then a baby¡¯s babbling broke the silence. The woman looked up¨Cright into Tess¡¯s smiling
eyes.
¡°Hey! Tess! What are you doing here? Looking for Bessie, yeah? I¡¯ll drag her out right now!¡±
Her attitude changed instantly. She jumped up, gave La¡¯s chubby cheek a squeeze, went off to find Bessie, grinning wide as she went.
and
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Chapter 34 Go Back Home
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Momentster, not just Bessie, but a few other women who¡¯d seen her off before came running too, all excited to greet her.
Tess found the scene amusing¨Cand oddly heartwarming.
She felt at ease handing La to the group of women and followed Bessie to a quiet corner.
¡°Bessie, I might need to go back home for a few days. I can¡¯t bring the baby with me. I was hoping you could watch her.¡±
Bessie¡¯s kindness came purely from her own warmth and good heart¨Cmaybe also a sense of shared understanding, woman to woman, mother to mother.
Compared to Charles and that so¨Ccalled ¡°nanny,¡± Tess trusted this honest woman more.
¡°No problem. Leave her with me. Juste pick her up when you¡¯re back.¡±
Bessie agreed without hesitation.
Tess finally felt relieved. Before leaving, she chatted a bit with the other women.
La nestled quietly in Bessie¡¯s arms, not crying or fussing at all.
Tess handed over a milk bottle, spare clothes, and other things, then left and got on amuter bus.
She dropped in two coins.
Her bank card had been frozen again. The wages from her sanitation job were still in there, but she couldn¡¯t withdraw a cent.
Leaning against the window, she watched the trees slide backward outside, a shadow of worry in her eyes.
Once she got back from this trip, she had to find another job¨Cfast.
Maybe it was just in her head, but the moment she stepped off the bus, the clouds thickened, and the sky turned heavy and gray.
Then the drizzle started.
Cold rain hit her forehead and ears. She sucked in a breath and hurried toward the vi.
Thump, thump-
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Chapter 34 Go Back Home
She knocked on the door and brushed back her wet bangs.
They stuck to her forehead¨Csticky and warm.
She knocked again. And again. Still no answer.
Did they go to Grandma¡¯s grave without me? Didn¡¯t even wait?
Anger red in Tess¡¯s chest. She called Kylie.
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But the call was hung up without a word. A momentter, the door¨Cshut for so long¨Cfinally opened from the inside.
Tess froze. Her anger suddenly had nowhere to go and twisted into confusion. ¡°You were in. there? Why didn¡¯t you open the door?¡±
¡°A convict like you expects me to invite you in? What¡¯s wrong with waiting a bit longer? Didn¡¯t learn your lesson in prison?¡±
Kylie shot her a cold nce and turned away.
The attitude hit Tess like a p.
She realized that Kylie did it on purpose.
Standing at the doorway, soaked and chilled from the rain, she happened to meet Nadine¡¯s gaze from the couch inside¨Cwarm, cozy, and staring right at her.
A shiver ran through Tess. She didn¡¯t know if it was the rain or the cold creeping into her heart.
But shouldn¡¯t she be used to it by now?
She gave herself a bitter smile, bit down on her trembling lip, and walked in without a word.
The moment she stepped inside, the warmth and sweet scent of the house wrapped around her.
Nadine sat on the couch, dressed in designer clothes, casting nces full of mockery and
scorn.
One looked like the picture of a happy, well¨Cloved daughter. The other¨Clike a stray dog tossed a bone by the family.
Anyone watching would think Nadine was the real daughter.
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Tess said nothing. She ignored Nadine¡¯s gaze, kept her face nk, and walked straight toward her room.
¡°Hey, Tess, Mom turned your room into a walk¨Cin closet. You¡¯re barely ever here anyway. Use the storage room down the hall for now.¡±
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Chapter 35 If Only
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Nadine spoke at the right moment. After that, she propped her chin up, watching Tess¡¯s reaction with interest.
As expected, Tess froze in ce.
There was only one spare room in the house, a storage room packed with junk.
Kylie nced over, a flicker of difort in her eyes, but still said, ¡°It¡¯s just sleep, isn¡¯t it? Doesn¡¯t matter where. It¡¯s only a few days¨Cnot like you¡¯re royalty.¡±
Tess¡¯s grip on her suitcase handle tightened.
Again.
She was the real daughter.
¤Ã
But ever since they were kids, if Nadine wanted something¨Ceven if she begged to keep it- Kylie would rip it straight from her hands without a word.
Tess used to cry, confused, clinging to Kylie¡¯s sleeve and asking why.
All she got was a cold look from above.
¡°Nadine wants it, so give it to her, You¡¯re the sister. How did I raise someone so petty?¡±
That was what Kylie said. Always.
Tess¡¯s limbs went weak. She felt hollow.
She didn¡¯t even have the strength to fight like she used to.
Without hesitation, Tess went to the storage room.
Not seeing the usual anger or shock on her face, Nadine shrugged in disappointment and looked away.
Kylie stared nkly at Tess¡¯s back until she closed the door.
¡°Mom, is Tess mad at me?¡± Nadine picked up on Kylie¡¯s mood right away. She quickly threw on a guilty, pitiful face and wrapped herself around Kylie¡¯s arm.
Hearing that, Kylie raised a brow and mmed her palm on the coffee table. ¡°Mad at you?
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Sounds like she¡¯s getting too bold!¡±
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Then she gently ruffled Nadine¡¯s hair with a soft smile. ¡°You always think about others first. That¡¯s why you get taken advantage of.¡±
¡°As long as I have you, I won¡¯t,¡± Nadine said sweetly, snuggling into Kylie¡¯s arms.
Her words made Kylie beam with joy.
The twoughed together, filling the living room with warmth.
But inside the storage room, the air was thick and heavy.
It was worse than Tess remembered,
Since she left, the clutter had only grown. There wasn¡¯t even space to stand.
The bed in the center had arge crack running through it and was piled high with old nkets and clothes.
The windows hadn¡¯t been opened in ages. The air reeked of damp mold.
As Nadine¡¯s whiny voice leaked through the door, Tess let out augh mixed with mockery.
But her eyes were cold¨Cfull of mockery.
She didn¡¯t ask why anymore¨Cwhy Kylie yed favorites or why she was always the one left
out.
She used to think her heart was like a dried¨Cup river, desperate for love. But even in her numbness, the sting was still there, sharp and real.
She still cared.
But caring didn¡¯t matter. Her grandma was gone. The only one who gave her love. Now she was just a fish¨Cforced to swim alone in a rushing stream.
Tess blinked away the sadness and quickly cleared off the bed.
Maybe it was the rain earlier, but that night, she came down with a low fever.
Her mind was filled with memories of her grandmother holding her, calling her ¡°sweetheart,¡± and whispering soft words tofort her.
In her fever dream, she clung to it, small and pitiful¨Ctasting a piece of sweetness she hadn¡¯t
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Chapter 35 If Only
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¡°Grandma ¡ it hurts¡¡± she murmured, tilting her head as if begging for her grandmother¡¯s warm touch to soothe her.
But the darkness never lifted.
She woke up. It was only a dream.
Tess slowly opened her eyes, dazed. Her stomach growled from the cold air.
She had cracked the window open earlier for air.
The heat had hit her hard. She¡¯d cked out in a blink.
She touched her forehead. Burning hot.
Her whole body felt weak, and she stared nkly at the ceiling.
If only I could die in my dream.
No harsh life. No endless cold stares and me. Just a little girl, happy and safe in Grandma¡¯s arms.
Lost in thought, she didn¡¯t even notice the tears silently sliding down her face.
Until a soft little face appeared in her blurry vision.
La.
Right¨Cshe still had La.
If she died, what would happen to her?
Without a mother, La would be bullied too, just like her.
Tess bit down hard and pushed herself up with her arms.
She couldn¡¯t fall. She had to go back. She had to raise La.
She wouldn¡¯t let La go through the same pain.
Clenching her teeth, she got up, went to the bathroom, soaked a towel in cold water, andid it across her forehead.
She went back and forth all night. Her fever finally broke just before dawn.
Chapter 35 If Only
Bang, bang!
The door to the storage room was pounded on early in the morning.
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Tess had barely fallen asleep. The noise yanked her awake. Her body felt like a soaked sponge -weak but unbearably heavy.
She stumbled to the door. When Kylie saw Tess¡¯s ghost¨Cwhite face, she flinched in shock.
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Chapter 36 Grandma¡¯s Death Anniversary
Keepsake 36
Chapter 36 Grandma¡¯s Death Anniversary
Chapter 36 Grandma¡¯s Death Anniversary
¡°Are you tired of living?¡±
She¡¯d been holding back for too long and finally snapped.
Tess gave her a cold stare before reaching over to close the door.
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But Kylie stormed in, furious. ¡°Are your ears broken? Can¡¯t you hear me talking to you?!¡±
¡°What do you want?¡±
Tess¡¯s voice came out scratchy, and even that short sentence made her throat sting.
Kylie narrowed her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s going on with you?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t respond. Her gaze was t and lifeless, giving Kylie chills. She kept staring without blinking.
Kylie felt awkward, like she¡¯d made a fool of herself. Scowling, she flicked her wrist in frustration. ¡°Today is the anniversary of your grandma¡¯s passing!¡±
Then she stomped away, and something inside Tesspletely copsed.
She only found out her grandmother had died soon after she med her.
got locked up. Everyone
Gillian Larson¡¯s health was too weak to handle such heartbreak. No one saw iting¨Cthat the granddaughter she adored would get arrested for something so disgraceful.
Tess tasted blood in her mouth, then realized she¡¯d bitten her tongue.
She lowered her head, her chest aching with sorrow.
She turned and changed into a simple ck dress, then walked to the memorial room.
Inside, her grandmother¡¯s photo had been set up.
Tess looked at that familiar, gentle face andpletely broke down. It felt like someone had driven a de into her chest and twisted it hard.
Losing her grandma had been pure agony.
It wasn¡¯t until she saw that ck¨Cand¨Cwhite picture that the truth sank in¨Cshe really was
Chapter 36 Grandma¡¯s Death Anniversary
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alone now.
¡°Tess, if you hadn¡¯t been so foolish back then, would Grandma still be alive?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice echoed behind her, sharp with sarcasm as she stood a short distance away.
Tess¡¯s eyes burned red. She shot a deadly re at Nadine, shaking with rage.
Others might not know what really happened, but she was sure Nadine did.
Tess had been framed, and Nadine never said a word to defend her. She let their grandmother pass away with a broken heart.
She was the one who ruined everything.
That thought hit Tess like ice water
¡°You did this on purpose? Why? What did I ever do to deserve that?¡±
Tess exploded, rushing forward and grabbing Nadine by the cor.
She looked wild and dangerous, like a starved beast, her bloodshot eyes sharp against her pale skin.
Nadine didn¡¯t move, frozen as Tess pulled at her shirt.
Her eyes widened in shock¨Cshe couldn¡¯t believe this was the same proud, distant Tess.
Tess¡¯s jaw tightened. She looked like she wanted to tear Nadine apart.
But then she stopped. Her grip loosened, and she stumbled back, drained and hopeless.
She shut her eyes, unable to stop the pain pouring out.
Her grandmother was gone.
And hurting Nadine wouldn¡¯t bring her back.
She still had La. If shended in prison again for attacking someone, La would have no
one.
Nadine deserved punishment. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? FindN0vel
But La couldn¡¯t lose her mother.
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Nadine gasped for breath, her hand on her neck, stepping back in fear. She sucked in air but still managed to smirk.
¡°Tess, you never should¡¯ve been born.¡±
Tessughed, a cold, bitter sound.
All the love she¡¯d given this person¨Cit had all been for nothing.
Her face was nk as she turned away and headed back toward the memorial room. She moved like a breeze¨Cweightless, hollow, drifting into the air like she was barely real.
Nadine watched her leave, something unreadable in her eyes.
She really wasn¡¯t the same anymore.
¡°Where¡¯s Nadine?¡±
Tess had just returned to the memorial room when Kylie looked past her, clearly searching for someone else.
Tess kept quiet and stood in front of the portrait.
Kylie frowned, annoyed. ¡°What¡¯s with the attitude?¡± But then her gaze stopped on Tess¡¯s back, and something in her wavered.
Why did she look so thin?
Then it clicked¨CTess had looked like that since she got back.
So what if she¡¯d been in prison for a year? That wasn¡¯t an excuse to act like the world was ending.
When it came down to it, Nadine was the more thoughtful one. Compared to Tess¡¯s cold and stubborn nature, she often wished Nadine were her real daughter.
Kylie looked away, pushing that thought down.
The memorial room waspletely still. Tess lit a candle gently, then held the rosary and prayed in front of her grandmother¡¯s photo, her heart full of respect.
She thought sorrow would flood her, but instead, a strange calm washed over her.
She lowered her head and bowed deeply.
I¡¯m so sorry, Grandma. You went through all that pain because of me, and I wasn¡¯t even there when you
Chapter 36 Grandma¡¯s Death Anniversary
needed me most.
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Nadine finally gathered herself and walked in just as Tess raised her head after praying.
¡°Tess, your grandmother left you something in her will,¡± Kylie suddenly said.
Tess didn¡¯t move, waiting quietly for her to continue.
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Chapter 37 Done Giving In
¡°Mom already made up her mind. The money¡¯s being transferred to Nadine for her wedding.¡±
The second those words came out, the rosary¡¯s string in Tess¡¯s fingers snapped.
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She stared at the scattering beads in shock, like her grandmother had just sent her a warning from beyond the grave.
Tess remembered it well¨Cgrowing up, Nadine always got her way.
Now, even Grandma¡¯s inheritance is being handed over to Nadine?
Absolutely not. If Grandma were still alive, she¡¯d never allow that!
¡°I don¡¯t agree with this.¡±
¡°What did you just say?¡±
Kylie looked at Tess, stunned by the sudden pushback. Still, it was arge amount of money.
A cold, smug smirk formed on her face. She raised her voice and waved her hand dramatically. ¡°That¡¯s not your call. I¡¯m your mother!¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up as she waited, eager to see Tess¡¯s reaction.
That¡¯s when it hit her¨CKylie had nned to give her the inheritance.
She was ready for Tess to beg.
With her husband Finn and her mother backing her up, Tess wasn¡¯t that starwyer anymore -just an ex¨Ccon who had barely gotten out.
She had no power left.
Once Nadine realized this, she gave Tess a proud, smug look.
But Tess didn¡¯t even nce her way. She ced the broken rosary on the table, turned to face Kylie, and met her eyes. ¡°Grandma left that to me. And even if someone else had to receive it, it shouldn¡¯t go to an adopted daughter who¡¯s not even part of our bloodline. I¡¯m done giving in. What belongs to me stays with me.¡±
Her voice was calm, but every word was strong and clear.
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Kylie hesitated, suddenly unsure who she was looking at. Then her anger red. ¡°I¡¯m mother!¡±
your
Tess replied with a quiet scoff. ¡°Then you should remember¨CI¡¯m your biological daughter.¡±
Her face was still pale, but the smirk she gave was filled with scorn.
Kylie stood there, frozen in ce.
¡°Tess¡
do you me me?¡±
Nadine¡¯s soft, trembling voice broke the silence in the room.
Tess turned her head.
Tears streamed down Nadine¡¯s cheeks, making her look weak and pitiful.
She acted like Tess¡¯s words hadpletely crushed her. Her crying grew louder, her shoulders shaking. ¡°It¡¯s all because of me. If my mom hadn¡¯t done so much for Kylie ¡ I wouldn¡¯t have taken her attention and care away from you.¡±
Same old trick¨Cdigging up the past to guilt¨Ctrip everyone.
Her sobs got worse, and her eyes turned red and puffy.
Kylie¡¯s brief moment of calm disappeared, and she threw another angry re at Tess. ¡°Nadine¡¯s mother saved my life. You¡¯re my child¨Ccan¡¯t you just let Nadine have this?¡±
¡°All these years, have you forgotten?¡±
Forgotten who your actual daughter is.
You treated me like I didn¡¯t matter and acted like she was your everything.
¡°If you owe someone your life, pay it off yourself. Don¡¯t drag me into it.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t stop or look back.
Her cold words lingered, drifting in the air and settling heavy on Kylie¡¯s chest.
Something inside her snapped. She stared at Tess¡¯s back and screamed, ¡°I¡¯m your mother! You¡¯ll give it whether you want to or not!¡±
Tess paused for half a second, then walked away even faster.
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Nadine peeked out from behind Kylie, watching Tess walk off with a strange look in her eyes.
As Tess stepped into the living room, she noticed a well¨Cdressedwyer waiting at the front door.
He looked like he¡¯d just shown up. The maid, who clearly had been expecting him, weed him politely.
Tess frowned and pushed the door
open.
Her sudden entrance startled the maid and thewyer.
¡°M¨CMs. Tess.¡±
The maid stood up quickly and bowed nervously. The source of th?s content is find?novel
Tess¡¯s gaze sharpened. She gently pushed the maid aside.
¡°Ms. Tess!¡±
The maid panicked and tried to block the table again, but Tess calmly pushed her back by the shoulder. Her expression shifted¨Cshe knew something was off.
Then her eyesnded on what was behind the maid.
There it was¨Ca thick will sitting right there on the table.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
It was¡ her grandmother¡¯s will.
She saw her grandmother¡¯s signature clearly written on the page.
Her breathing sped up as she reached out to touch it.
¡°Tess! Put that down this instant!¡±
Kylie suddenly rushed in and pped her hand aside.
A bright red mark formed on Tess¡¯s pale arm.
Her arm shook as she caught a silent exchange between Kylie and the maid.
Kylie looked frustrated, and the maid seemed conflicted.
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Chapter 37 Done Giving In
Finally, thewyer stepped forward, breaking the tension in the room.
He nodded and introduced himself. ¡°Mrs. Ember, I was thewyer present when thete Mrs. Larson created her will. My name is Bemy Keefe. I heard Ms. Tess is back, so I¡¯m here to make the official transfer.¡±
He held up the will and began reading in a clear tone, ¡°The estate includes this old house, shares and money from thepany, plus jewelry and valuables. As written, all items are to be passed down to her granddaughter, Tess.¡±
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Chapter 38 The Will
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¡°This letter is from thete Mrs. Larson, meant for you, Ms. Tess. She had been putting aside these assets for your wedding for years. In fact, the items in her will are worth even more than what¡¯s listed in the letter.¡±
Bemy reached into his jacket, pulled out a brown envelope, and passed it to Tess.
The rough paper brushed against her rough fingertips, and for the first time in a long while, emotion broke through Tess¡¯s hardened heart.
She stared down, her grip tightening around the envelope.
A letter from Grandma ¡ She had been nning this all along.
Tess thought she had nothing left to feel¨Cbut just touching that letter made her eyes fill with tears, silently turning red.
Bemy¡¯s voice was clear, and Nadine, who stood nearby, couldn¡¯t believe her ears.
That old woman actually gave Tess all that? Not just cash and shares, but this house too?
Was Tess about to kick them all out?
Nadine¡¯s hands balled into fists inside her sleeves, her jaw clenched tightly.
Sure, she wasn¡¯t rted by blood, but she had grown up in the Embers. That old woman had never liked her, but to leave her absolutely nothing?
Kylie, however, didn¡¯t look shocked. She had always known how deeply her mother cared for Tess.
But when she saw the tears welling up in Nadine¡¯s eyes, her heart gave a jolt.
¡°This isn¡¯t happening.¡±
She suddenly cut in, facing Bemy. ¡°I¡¯m her actual daughter, her flesh and blood. I refuse to ept this will.¡±
¡°Pardon me?¡±
Bemy closed the document and gave Kylie a calm but firm look.
¡°These properties were already registered under the Embers. Since I¡¯m the current head of
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the family, I have the final say. I won¡¯t agree that this inheritance is going to Tess. It should be given to my younger daughter, Nadine.¡±
As soon as she said that, a strange expression flickered across Bemy¡¯s face. He turned to Tess, curiosity in his eyes.
He¡¯d been Gillian¡¯swyer long enough to know the family well. Henry Ember had joined the Larsons through marriage, gained her trust, and slowly taken over their holdings. Later, many of the Larsons¡® assets were gradually renamed to the Embers over the years, including theirpany.
And to his knowledge, Tess was Kylie¡¯s biological child. So why would she leave her real daughter with nothing in favor of someone adopted?
Tess caught the look in thewyer¡¯s eyes¨Cand the hint of pity behind it.
She pressed her lips into a tight line.
¡°I object too. If Grandma left this for me, I¡¯m not handing over a single thing.¡±
Bemy gave Kylie a regretful nce and shook his head. ¡°Mrs. Ember, the will clearly states Ms. Tess as the legal heir. Unless she gives permission, nothing can be changed.¡± Checktest chapters at find(?)ovel
The room wentpletely still.
Nadine stared at thewyer¡¯s back, panic spreading across her face. ¡°So, everything belonging to the Embers is going to Tess now? Why? She even served time in jail!¡°.
Kylie¡¯s face darkened with anger. She red at Tess. ¡°You¡¯re really refusing? Who do think you are?
you
¡°Your grandma was doing just fine until you ruined everything. She cried herself to sleep night after night because of you, and that¡¯s what made her ill! Where were you when she was dying? Where were you when she died without peace?¡±
Tess bit down hard, but her hands were still shaking.
Those words stabbed straight into her chest.
It was clear they were blood¨Crted¨CKylie knew exactly how to hurt her most.
A bitter smirk crept across Tess¡¯s face, and the taste of blood rose in her mouth.
¡°And you still have the nerve to im her things?¡±
Chapter 38 The Will
Smack-
The p echoed loudly and sharply through the air.
Time froze.
Tess held her cheek, her face turned to the side from the blow.
The metallic vor grew stronger in her mouth.
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She had dealt with her mother¡¯s favoritism for years, but being hit like that, in front of everyone, still made her chest burn.
She slowly lifted her head and red at Kylie, her eyes cold.
¡°Don¡¯t you know who¡¯s responsible for everything?¡±
Her voice was sharp, and sarcasm filled the room.
She had spent a whole year in prison, and she was innocent.
¡°Wasn¡¯t Nadine the one who framed me?¡±
Her voice was soft, like a breeze drifting past.
Kylie¡¯s face showed a sh of guilt.
Back then, Tess had turned to her for help. But it was Nadine who took the files¨Cand then¡
Kylie¡¯s eyes shifted ufortably.
She had always known what caused the leak, but ¡
¡°I¡¯m still your mother! And Nadine didn¡¯t mean it. You¡¯re strong¨Cwhy couldn¡¯t you just help her?¡±
¡°Help her? You mean take the me?
¡°If you care about her so much, why didn¡¯t you go to prison in her ce? When you lied in court, did
you remember you were awyer? Did
you were awyer? Did you remember you were my mom?¡±
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Kylie¡¯s face turned bright red. Even though she knew she had messed Tess up, she still tried to argue back.
¡°What¡¯s done is done. Besides, you¡¯re the one who didn¡¯t keep your files safe. You left them at my ce and didn¡¯t even bother to take them home. So it¡¯s not all your sister¡¯s fault they disappeared.¡±
She pulled Nadine close like a shield and shot Tess a cold re.
Tess stepped back. ¡°What did you just say?
¡°Want me to remind you? You told me to lock the files in your safe and said you¡¯d hold onto them for me. You told me¡
¡°Tess, only you and Mom know the code. Our families are basically one now, and I¡¯ve been the Locks¡®wyer for years. Even if Finn finds out, he won¡¯t care. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡¯
¡°Once I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll give them back. Mom¡¯s been awyer forever¨Cshe knows leaks are dangerous better than anyone. Can¡¯t you just trust her this once?¡°¡±
That was the only slip¨Cup Tess ever made in her whole career.
And it was the one thing that dragged her straight into the worst nightmare of her life.
Her real mistake? She trusted her own mom. Just once.
Their weird back¨Cand¨Cforth confused Bemy so much that he did not know where to look.
It felt like he had just heard a huge family secret by ident.
He shrank into himself, wishing he could vanish on the spot.
Kylie turned away as if nothing happened. ¡°A will needs two witnesses, right? But you¡¯re the only one here, Bemy. Besides Tess, who else can prove this will is real?¡°.
Tess¡¯s hands twitched as her heart hammered in her chest.
Tess¡¯s mom was awyer, and before she ever married into the Embers, she was already well- known in legal circles. Back then, she was also making waves in politics and caught a lot of attention. So when people heard Kylie was her daughter, they were not surprised for long- they just nodded like it all made sense.
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Chapter 39 I Was There When She Died
People always said the same thing.
¡°Of course, she¡¯s this good. She takes after her mom¡¯s amazing talent.¡±
Even if her mom always liked her sister more, Tess was still her kid too. Every time she thought about it, she felt a weird mix of pride and hope.
She had only been awyer for three years when she cracked some big cases that left all of Aetheris stunned. The veteranwyers would not stop praising her as a born genius.
Sometimes she used to wonder¨Cif her mom knew, would she be proud?
Yet, deep down, she always knew the answer was no.
Her mom, who should have understood better than anyone how hard she had worked, never once acknowledged it. Instead, she poured all her love into Nadine, who had barely scraped by with a simple thesis.
And it had always been like that. Even now.
Tess had already given up hope.
She stopped living for anyone¡¯s approval anymore¨Conly for her daughter, La.
She blinked, forcing herself to ept that her mother¡¯s years of legal skills were now turned against her.
Bemy looked like he was about to break out in a cold sweat, the will in his hands suddenly feeling like a ticking bomb.
He was an old¨Cschoolwyer with a pretty solid reputation, but now he was stuck between three people: a retired legal powerhouse, an ex¨Cprodigy who had once made headlines, and the Lock Group¡¯s starwyer.
Sweat dripped down his temples,
¡°Uh¡¡±
¡°If yo
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can¡¯t back it up, Bemy, then this will is worthless,¡± Kylie cut in sharply.
Bemy took a deep breath. ¡°When Mrs. Larson wrote this will, I really was the only one there. But it was special circumstances. She was on her deathbed. By the time the notary came, she was already gone¡
¡±
¡°So who knows if you and Tess faked it together? Maybe she forged it herself. Or maybe she
Chapter 39 I Was There When She Died
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was losing her mind and it doesn¡¯t mean anything,¡± Nadine added, folding her arms and throwing Tess a smug look.
Tess¡¯s fists tightened.
¡°Since there¡¯s this much doubt, I can¡¯t move forward. The inheritance transfer will have to wait.¡±
Bemy sighed.
He was already regretting stepping foot/in this mess.
He wiped his brow, shut the file, and decided to bow out for now.
It was not exactly what Kylie wanted, but at least it bought her time toe up with her next
move.
She nodded.
Bemy jumped on the chance to escape. ¡°I¡¯ll be in touch,¡± he said, then bolted out like he could not wait to wash his hands of this mess.
Nadine stepped up right behind Tess, leaning in so close Tess could feel her breath on her neck.
¡°You¡¯re not getting a single cent of that old hag¡¯s money,¡± she hissed.
Tess¡¯s face stayed like stone.
Nadine smirked. ¡°I was there when she died, you know.¡±
That one line cracked Tess¡¯s frozen expression for the first time.
So Nadine had heard the will and could confirm it.
Yet, she would never do it.
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Seeing Tess¡¯s reaction, Nadine¡¯s eyes gleamed like she¡¯d found Tess¡¯sst weak spot. ¡°I was standing right outside the door. Even when she was about to croak, she still called Too bad you were rotting in jail then, huh? She spoiled you your whole life¨Cso what? Everything she left behind still goes to me.¡±
Tess¡¯s walls finally buckled. Her chest rose and fell fast, her eyes no longer ice but fire that was about to explode. She was shaking with rage, barely holding it in.
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¡°You didn¡¯t see it yourself, did you? Otherwise, I¡¯d love to remind you how she looked then. So proud all her life¨Cyet at the end, she was just an old mutt choking for breath, mouth wide open. It was hrious ¡
¡°Nadine!¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes went red. She raised her hand, ready to p Nadine across the face.
How dare she say that? How could she?
On the other side of the room, Kylie was busy telling Bemy¡¯s assistant to walk him out. She could not catch every word, but when she saw Tess¡¯s hand shoot up, her temples tightened in rm. She was too far away to stop it. ¡°What are you doing? Nadine, move!¡±
A sharp gust from Tess¡¯s swing blew Nadine¡¯s hair across her cheeks, draining the color from her face.
She only meant to push Tess¡¯s buttons. She never thought Tess would really hit her!
Nadine squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the p that nevernded.
Instead, she felt a chill by her side.
She peeked and saw Tess¡¯s hand frozen in midair, locked in a grip.
Wrapped around that wrist¨Can unmistakable, exclusive Rolex.
Tess looked up and her breath caught.
¡°Finn?¡± she whispered.
¡°Out of prison for a year and you still haven¡¯t learned your lesson.¡±
His voice was low and cold, full of authority that made the air feel heavy.
Finn stood tall and broad, his shadow falling over Tess like a storm cloud.
His
eyes, sharp as des, swept over her like they could cut right through. Her blood went cold.
His breath was so close above her head, carrying that same icy edge she would never forget.
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Chapter 40 It Was Not About Her p
It dragged her right back to that day, the garden covered in falling crabapple petals, when she was dragged away in handcuffs. He did not even look at her when he said, ¡°Maximum
sentence.¡±
Under her sleeves, Tess¡¯s hands curled into fists so tight her nails dug into her palms.
This was the first time she had looked Finn in the eyes since getting out.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Prison knock the fight out of you?¡±
Her silence somehow made Finn even more annoyed, his tone dropping to an icy low.
However, before he could finish ¡
Smack!
Tess¡¯s head jerked to the side, her pupils shrinking in disbelief.
Finn had caught her hand to stop her from pping Nadine¨Conly to let Nadine p her instead.
The red mark Kylie had left on her cheek was still there, and now another one bloomed right next to it.
All Tess could see was the flicker of surprise in Finn¡¯s dark eyes as he turned sharply toward Nadine.
However, Nadine just slipped behind him, peeking out with a smug little grin before her face turned pale and innocent again.
This was her husband¨CFinn.
Her mother¡¯s love is never fair, and now, even the man Tess had loved for years, her own husband, did not stand up for her,
They all ganged up on her, tearing her apart bit by bit, waiting to watch her break.
Her ears buzzed, her whole body stiff as Finn¡¯s cold grip sank into her bones.
Then Nadine pulled her usual act, pretending like she had just realized what she had done. ¡°Oh! Tess! I was just so scared. You tried to hit me, so I put my hand up to block you. I didn¡¯t know Finn would be here. That¡¯s why I panicked and hit you by ident. Tess, does it hurt?¡±
She turned those watery eyes on Finn, her voice all sweet and trembling. ¡°Finn, please help me out, okay? I don¡¯t know why Tess tried to p me. If she wants to, I¡¯ll let her. I didn¡¯t mean
Chapter 40 It Was Not About Her p
to hit her back, I swear!¡±
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She pretended to be all panicked while exining, her eyes wide and pitiful, but she did not spare Tess a single nce. Instead, she just looked up at Finn with those big, tearful eyes, acting all helpless and wronged.
Tess tasted metal on her tongue and she let her messy hair fall forward, hiding the sneer in her eyes.
She shut her eyes, but no tears came out
Then, slowly, she raised her head and stared Finn down..
He saw the two fresh p marks on her cheek, clear as day.
His brows drew together, Adam¡¯s apple bobbing. His eyes darted to Nadine and then back to Tess¡¯s eyes, which were sharp with cold mockery. That re made his jaw tighten and he questioned, ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡± This text is hosted at find¡¤novel
Tess did not say a word. She just turned her cold stare straight at Nadine.
Nadine¡¯s heart jumped, but before she could react, Tess suddenly ripped herself out of Finn¡¯s grip and lunged!
¡°Ah! Tess, what are you doing? Finn, help me!¡±
A punch. A p.
A kick.
Tess did not even keep track of how many times she struck her¡ªshe just kept going, dragging Nadine down by her perfectly done hair and pounding her without mercy.
¡°Ah!¡±
Nadine shrieked,pletely powerless.
¡°Look at you now¨Cdon¡¯t you look just like that pathetic old mutt, wheezing for breath?¡± Tess hissed in her ear, yanking her hair tighter.
¡°Nadine, you look pathetic.¡±
¡°Tess, you¡¯re insane!¡±
Blood rushed to Nadine¡¯s face as she finally realized why Tess snapped.
Chapter 40 It Was Not About Her p
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It was not about her p. It was for that old woman. Tess was shoving those same cruel words right back down her throat.
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In the end, Tess swung her hand and pped Nadine square across the face.
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Kylie rushed over, shooting nervous, fearful nces at Finn while trying to yank Tess back.
Finn froze for a second, then his face darkened as he snapped back to his senses. He reached out without thinking¨Conly instead of pulling Tess away, his hands automatically tugged her behind him, shielding her with his body.
Tess did not look much better. Her hair was a mess and the white mask she¡¯d been wearing to hide her scar had fallen off.
The scar had faded some, but up close, it was still in to see.
Her wrists were pinned as Finn pulled her behind him, but her eyes stayed sharp and guarded, locked on Nadine and Kylie. ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find?novel
Kylie finally managed to grab hold of Nadine just as Nadine snapped out of her daze. Her heart sank as she caught a clear look at Tess¡¯s face.
She could not believe it.
Nadine was still reeling from the p, but her rage quickly red back up.
Her eyes were wide and red as she red at Tess.
¡°Tess! How dare you hit me!¡±
Before Kylie could react, Nadine suddenly lunged at Tess, nails out like ws, aiming straight for the scar on Tess¡¯s cheek.
Her eyes were full of venom¨Cshe really wanted to ruin Tess for good.
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed and he stepped forward without a word.
Nadine was too fast. Since Tess¡¯s wrists were trapped, she could not dodge. So, she braced for the pain.
However, instead of sharp nails tearing her skin, she heard the muffled smack of a hand hitting fabric and a man¡¯s low grunt above her head.
Tess opened her eyes in disbelief.
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Chapter 41 Finn Lock, Go to Hell
Nadine froze, staring in shock. ¡°Finn? Why did you
you¡¡±
Tess stiffened. Finn¡
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Before she could even process it, Finn¡¯s voice rang out, low and cold, ¡°Nadine, do you really have to fight with a lunatic?¡±
Ha.
A lunatic?
Tess¡¯s eyes went empty and dark again. The only sign of emotion was the bitter smile tugging at her lips.
She did not move or flinch. It was just like she had not just been pped or Finn had not just stepped in for her.
The shadow over her head pulled away, but before she could slip free, her wrists were grabbed tight again.
This time, Finn clearly did not trust her not to bolt. He squeezed her wrists so hard it felt like he would snap her bones if she moved.
Tess tried to yank free, but he held on tight. She shot him a sharp, stubborn re.
Finn¡¯s eyes dropped to the fresh red mark on her cheek.
Then his voice cut through the air, calm but cold enough to freeze her blood.
¡°Go apologize to Nadine.¡±
Apologize.
Those words rang in Tess¡¯s ears, then, she let out a short, icyugh. ¡°Not happening.
¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. She hit me first, so why should I say sorry? Just because you¡¯re Finn Lock, you get to flip right and wrong however you want?¡±
Two against one, and she was the one who had to bow her head? Especially when she had not even started it?
Her mocking tone made Finn¡¯s expression darken even more.
Nadine sniffled, tugging gently at Finn¡¯s sleeve like she was the real victim here.
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¡°Finn, you have to stand up for me. She tried to hit me first, and now she won¡¯t even say sorry. A year in prison wasn¡¯t enough for her to learn her lesson. With a temper like that, no wonder she betrayed you back then.¡±
As soon as she said that, Finn¡¯s eyes turned sharp as knives, pinning Tess in ce.
Tess stared right back, fists curling so tight her knuckles popped.
Her re was so sharp Nadine had to look away, her guilty act slipping for a second.
¡°Oh? Maybe I should thank you both for throwing me in prison, then?¡±
Finn actually flinched, just a flicker, but it was enough for his grip to loosen.
Tess yanked her hands free, took a step back, and walked up the stairs without looking back.
Bang!
The door mmed shut behind her, the echo bouncing through the quiet house like it was screaming out every bit of pain she had buried since prison.
Nadine shot Finn a quick, uneasy nce.
He just stood there, face unreadable, eyes locked on the bedroom door Tess had vanished behind, like he was stuck somewhere far away in his head.
The whole house felt like it was holding its breath.
Click.
A secondter, the door swung open again.
Finn¡¯s frown deepened where he sat on the couch.
Nadine and Kylie, hovering close, snapped their heads up.
Tess stepped out with her suitcase.
She did not spare Finn a nce as she passed him. When she reached Kylie, she paused just long enough to throw down her warning, ¡°No one touches Grandma¡¯s inheritance without my say¨Cso. I¡¯ll be back.¡±
Then she tugged the front door open.
Just as she was about to step out ¡
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Chapter 41 Finn Lock, Go to Hell
¡°Tess, I¡¯ll make you obey me.¡±
His voice was low and cold, dripping with threat.
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Tess¡¯s hand froze on the doorknob. She turned her head and looked straight at him. It was just the same as before.
Finn Lock, go to hell.
This time, you can bark orders all you want. I¡¯m done listening. For good.
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The woman marched off without looking back, her slim figure disappearing around the corner in seconds.
¡°Finn, Tess is too much. She¡¯s still giving you the cold shoulder ¡¡± Nadine mumbled, her voice trembling.
However, Finn did not even look at her¨Chis eyes just stayed locked on that empty corner, dark and impossible to read.
Tess could practically feel his stare burning into her back, but she did not turn around once.
The second she rounded the corner and slipped out of his sight, she quickened her pace.
It was not until she was finally in the back seat of the cab she had called that the tightness in her chest loosened just a little.
After all, this was Finn¨Che had been at the top long before she went to prison, and he was still untouchable when she got out.
If it had not been for that confidential file leak back then, Max would not have even been a threat to him.
She had loved Finn for so long¨Cripping him out of her heart felt like tearing out her own bones, leaving her raw and bleeding.
She pressed a hand over her chest, trying to calm her heartbeat which still had not settled.
However, there was no love left now. Only fear.
If not for Finn, prison would not have been the hell it was.
Outside the window, the world blurred past like a movie in reverse.
All of a sudden, Tess¡¯s eyes welled up with tears.
For a split second, she almost turned around to look back.
Yet, the old Ember house was already shrinking into nothing behind her.
Grandma would always be there¨Cthat thought alone sent a thousand needles stabbing into her heart.
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She finally had the guts to cut ties with her mother, but after all those years of being the family outcast, there was no freedom in it¨Cjust an emptiness that left her adrift.
She wanted to cry.
Yet, in the end, Tess just forced herself to swallow it down.
She had already wasted an entire day.
Because of her mother¡¯s meddling, Tess still had not gotten her inheritance back.
So she went back to the old staff dorm to pick up La.
Bessie had been amazing with her. When Tess got there, La had a new pink clip in her baby¨Cfine hair, looking extra sweet and happy.
A bunch of thedies on break were crowded around her, making her giggle and p her hands.
The whole scene warmed Tess¡¯s heart.
Bessie, sharp¨Ceyed as ever, spotted her first.
¡°Tess, you¡¯re back?¡±
She gently lifted La from someone¡¯s arms and, though she clearly wanted to keep holding her, handed her over.
Tess nodded, and La squealed happily, wrapping her tiny arms around Tess¡¯s neck.
¡°She is such a sweet baby. We all love her to bits,¡± Bessie said, patting La¡¯s chubby hand.
¡°Thank you so much, really,¡± Tess said, bowing a little.
The gesture flustered the women, who waved their hands and fussed at her. ¡°Hey, what are you doing? No need for that, Tess!¡±
Bessie just stood there, eyes narrowing a bit as she watched.
Her eyes looked thoughtful and a little curious.
The dorm was a bit far from the main road, so once Tess said goodbye to the group, she nned to carry La out to wait for a cab.
However, Bessie offered to walk with them.
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So the three of them headed down the clean, quiet street. Only the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees could be heard.
After a moment, Bessie spoke up.
¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t butt in¡
Tess paused, caught off guard, and Bessie patted her shoulder gently.
¡°Tess, I don¡¯t know exactly what you¡¯ve been through, but ¡¡± She nced at La and smiled softly. ¡°You¡¯re this little one¡¯s mom now. A lot of the time, that¡¯s all you need to think about.¡±
Tess stopped walking, her chest tight.
She had not expected Bessie to see through her like that.
She lowered her eyes and gave a small but firm nod. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not a kid anymore.¡±
Bessie watched her for a moment, concern flickering in her gaze, but did not push it. She stayed with them until Tess and La were safely in the car.
Through the window, Tess kept her eyes on Bessie¡¯s figure until she disappeared from view.
This trip was supposed to be simple¨Cjust to visit her grandmother¡¯s grave. She had not nned on shing over the inheritance or running into Finn.
Tess¡¯s mind shed back to that moment at the Ember house¨Cher and Finn Lock locked in that tense standoff.
¡°Tess, I¡¯ll make you obey me.¡± Newest update provided by find?novel
His low, threatening voice kept reying in her head.
She hugged La closer, a chill creeping down her spine.
Fear crawled under her skin.
Their marriage was hanging by a fraying thread¨Cready to snap, yet always strong enough to keep her trapped.
Tess¡¯s hands curled into fists as she urged the driver to drive faster.
Knock! Knock!
The door swung open, and Charles¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw Tess and La. ¡°Tess! You
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brought La back?¡±
Tess froze for a second, noticing something different about him.
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He was not the calm, put¨Ctogether man she remembered. Dressed in cozy loungewear, hair a total mess, he looked more like azy golden retriever who had just knocked over a flowerpot than the sharpwyer he usually was.
Caught by her surprised stare, Charles looked down at himself and his ears turned red.
He ruffled his hair and tugged at his cor like he could not figure out where to hide. ¡°Uh¡ I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be back this fast¡¡±
Keepsake 43
Chapter 43 La and I Will Wait for You
In the back of Charles¡¯s mind, he was already kicking himself.
Seriously, how could he let her see him looking like such a mess?
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However, seeing how nervous he was actually calmed Tess down a bit. Her stress melted away, and she chuckled.
¡°You look so full of life¨Clike your real self.¡±
The second Charles heard that, his ears turned bright red, but his hair kind of hid it.
¡°I¡¯ll get your suitcase!¡±
He jumped to change the topic and hurried to grab it, eager to help out.
Tess did not stop him. Honestly, with how flustered he was, she figured if she did not give him something to do, he would probably panic.
She handed him the handle and said a soft thank
you.
Charles grinned and mumbled that it was nothing.
Tess sat down on the couch with La in her arms, but then she noticed something¨Cthose divorce papers she had left on the coffee table were gone.
Did she
put
them somewhere else?
She frowned, got up, and searched around but could not find them anywhere.
It was not until Charles came back after putting away her suitcase that Tess asked him, ¡°Hey, Charles, did you see the divorce papers I left here?¡±
She looked up¨Conly to see that the messy, cute, awkward Charles from before had disappeared.
Now he was wearing a neat white shirt, and his hair was styled perfectly.
Tess¡¯s lips twitched. She had not expected him to clean himself up so fast.
¡°What¡¯s with the outfit?¡±
She could not help butugh. ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? FindN0vel
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Chapter 43 La and I Will Wait for You
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Hearing her teasing, Charles¡¯s ears, which had just cooled down, turned red again¨Cthis time. all the way up to the tips, impossible to hide without messy hair.
Tess caught it and pressed her lips together to hide her smile..
It was clear Charles really cared about how he looked around her.
However, Tess understood. She was just a guest he had kindly taken in. No one wants to look sloppy in front of a guest.
So she told herself not to overthink it and did not stare at him for too long.
She turned her eyes away at the exact moment that flicker of disappointment crossed Charles¡¯s eyes¨Cso she did not see it at all.
¡°Divorce papers?¡± Charles asked.
Charles had pulled himself together and took the lead, asking first.
¡°Yeah.¡±
Tess nodded.
The second she said that, Charles¡¯s face looked a bit weird.
Tess frowned. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°Did you check your nightstand? I think I put them in your roomst time ¡¡®
Tess¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What?¡±
An awkward silence fell over them, only broken by La¡¯s sudden crying.
¡±
Tess quickly snapped out of it and went to make a bottle, while Charles, with her okay, turned her whole room inside out looking for the
papers.
Nothing.
He came back out, still frowning, and saw Tess sitting on the couch feeding La.
Charles scratched his head, looking guilty, and spilled everything he had done.
After hearing it all, Tess just stared at him. She was actually impressed.
Wasn¡¯t he still working for Lock Group? Didn¡¯t he realize how risky this was if someone
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Chapter 43 La and I Will Wait for You
found out?
She asked him that straight out.
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Charles went quiet, then shook his head. ¡°I just wanted to help you out, Tess. I didn¡¯t really think too much about the rest.¡±
Tess was speechless for a second.
A small wave of warmth spread in her chest. She really was touched.
If Finn had really signed those papers, this would have all been over by now.
Too bad they had gone missing again ¡
After a moment, Tess let out a long sigh. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll just print some new ones. But really, thanks, Charles.¡±
She shot him a soft smile, and Charles felt his heart skip a beat.
For a second, something weird buzzed between them.
After feeding La, Tess put her down and went to print new papers herself.
Charles sat nearby, stuck staring at La.
La was adorable and she did not fuss at all. She just started tugging on his hair and poking his face. He froze like a statue, too scared to move.
He sneaked a look at Tess who was standing by the printer.
A flicker crossed his eyes¨Cwarmth that quickly sank into quiet disappointment.
In the end, he did not really help her at all.
Not long after, Tess headed to her room to change.
She picked out one of her old dresses¨Cnothing fancy, a bit old¨Cfashioned, but still ssy. It was a huge step up from the in work clothes she wore when cleaning.
Tess always had great taste and her own style. Even after all this time, the dress still looked amazing on her.
Charles was so stunned by her long legs and bare arms that he did not even know where to look. He just stared at the floor.
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Chapter 43 La and I Will Wait for You
¡°I need to stop by Lock Group for a bit. Can I ask you to watch La for me?¡±
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She sounded a little apologetic when she asked, and Charles nodded so fast he nearly gave himself whish. ¡°Yeah! La and I will wait for you toe back.¡±
Right after he said it, his whole face turned red.
Why did that sound like something a husband says to his wife?
Luckily, Tess didn¡¯t notice at all. She just grabbed her papers and headed out the door.
Keepsake 44
Chapter 44 Mrs Lock Is Downstairs
Pretty soon, Tess was standing right outside the Lock Group building.
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The receptionist at the front desk clearly did not recognize her but still stayed polite. ¡°Hello, who are you here to see?¡±
¡°Finn Lock.¡±
This time, Tess did not beat around the bush. She just said it straight up.
The second the words came out, the receptionist¡¯s whole vibe changed.
Did this woman just say Mr. Lock¡¯s name like that?
Who did she think she was?
That question shed across her mind in a split second, but Tess noticed the hesitation right away.
¡°Sorry, do
you have an appointment with Mr. Lock?¡±
¡°Call his assistant. Tell him Tess is here to see him about a divorce.¡±
The moment she said ¡°divorce,¡± the whole front desk seemed to freeze over. All the staff turned to look, eyes wide.
Divorce?
With whom?
Mr. Lock?
And that name¡
¡°You ¡¡±
The receptionist¡¯s mouth fell open so wide you could probably toss in an egg.
Tess Ember?
Mr. Lock¡¯s wife¨Cthe one who betrayed the Lock Group and stole secrets? That Tess?
Everyone at the front desk had different reactions. Some looked at her with disgust, others
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Chapter 44 Mrs Lock Is Downstairs
with surprise.
¡°I¡¯ll¡ I¡¯ll call Zane.¡±
She pressed the extension with shaky hands.
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¡°Zane, there¡¯s a woman here who says she¡¯s Tess Ember. She says she wants to see Mr. Lock about signing divorce papers.¡±
Knock! Knock!
¡°Come in,¡±
Inside the office, Zane covered the receiver with his hand, his face pale. ¡°Mr. Lock, Mrs. Lock is downstairs!¡±
Finn¡¯s pen slipped in his hand, leaving a big ck blot on the paper in front of him.
¡°What?¡±
He put his pen down and raised an icy eyebrow. ¡°What does she want?¡±
¡°She says she¡¯s here to sign divorce papers with you¡
Zane¡¯s voice got quieter and quieter as he peeked at Finn¡¯s face.
As expected, Finn¡¯s expression turned as dark as a storm cloud.
¡°Should I let her up?¡± Zane asked nervously.
Finn let out a cold, humorlessugh, his eyes growing even darker. ¡°What do
you
think?¡±
Zane froze,pletely clueless about how to answer.
Mrs. Lock is here, so isn¡¯t it normal for her husband to see her?
¡°Tell the front desk I¡¯m not here.¡±
Finn tossed his expensive pen in the trash, grabbed a fresh one, and forced his face back to its usual calm.
Zane did not really get it, but he nodded and did what he was told.
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Chapter 44 Mrs Lock Is Downstairs
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When the receptionist got off the phone, she looked at Tess, now way more careful. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Lock isn¡¯t in the office today.¡±
Tess frowned.
If she knew anything about Finn, it was that he was a total workaholic. Even when everyone else left, he would still be at his desk, and when he went home, he would lock himself in his study till midnight.
The
Not here?
Yeah, right.
She let out a coldugh.
¡°He¡¯d better really not be here. Anyway, please pass this to him.¡±
Tess handed over the divorce papers she had already signed.
¡°When he¡¯s done signing these, let me know so I can pick them up.¡±
She asked for a sticky note and scribbled down a contact number, only, it was not hers.
It was Charles¡¯s.
She had given his number to the hospital before when she took La in. If Finn started snooping around, it would be better for him to find Charles¡¯s number than anything that led straight to La.
She would just exin it to Charlester.
Tess put the pen
down and turned to leave.
With her head buzzing and everyone¡¯s eyes glued to her, she kept her head low as she made her
way toward the revolving door.
She did not even notice she had just brushed past someone she actually knew.
It was Charles himself.
¡°Tess, La¡¯s asleep. So, I found ady from my firm to watch her for a bit. Lock Group just called about an urgent meeting, so I have to head over.¡±
Charles messaged her, sounding a little sorry.
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Chapter 44 Mrs Lock Is Downstairs
Tess replied right away, ¡°Got it. Don¡¯t worry, go ahead.¡±
Charles did not say anything more.
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Tess was in a rush to get back to La anyway. She did not feel good about leaving her with someone she did not know well for too long.
However¡
Right before she got in the car, it hit her¨CCharles had said he was going to Lock Group.
Her heart skipped a beat. Something did not sit right in her gut.
She shook her head to clear it. What was there to worry about?
Charles worked there, so it was normal.
She took a deep breath, let the wind brush her face, and told the driver, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Meanwhile, up in the top¨Cfloor meeting room at Lock Group ¡
Charles rushed in but stopped short as soon as he saw the room.
Lock Group was huge, full of big bosses and top shareholders.
Yet, when he got to the room Zane said to go to, it was just Finn, Zane, and him.
Every instinct in him screamed that something was wrong.
¡°Sit.¡±
Finn did not waste a second and pointed at the seat right next to him.
Charles nced at it. That was usually Nadine¡¯s seat.
The word ¡°trap¡± shed across his mind.
¡°Mr. Lock, is something wrong with thepany?¡±
Keepsake 45
Chapter 45 A Threat and a Warning
Chapter 45 A Threat and a Warning
Charles sat down carefully, his voiceing out small and unsure.
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Finn did not say anything right away. He leaned his head on one hand, those dark, icy eyes scanning Charles¡¯s young, clueless face.
The longer he stared, the colder his eyes got.
So Tess wanted to dump me so she could run to this
guy,
huh?
The thought made the chill in Finn¡¯s stare almost impossible to hide.
And that kid¡
Finn¡¯s jaw tensed, the air around him dropping to freezing.
Zane, standing to the side, felt the cold so strongly he shivered.
Charles shifted in his seat under that stare. He shot Zane a look, hoping for a hint, but Zane just avoided his eyespletely, clearly wanting no part of this.
¡°I heard you opened up a privatew firm on the side?¡±
Finn finally spoke, his tone so cold it felt like ice cracking under boots.
Charles froze.
Wasn¡¯t this old news? Finn had known about it forever, and he had even given him the green light by not saying no.
Charles looked at him in confusion but still nodded. ¡°Yeah¡¡±
¡°So I¡¯m not using you of anything you didn¡¯t actually do,¡±
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Finn cut him off tly and tossed a fat stack of papers onto the table in front of him.
Charles grabbed them, flipped through them, and felt the blood drain from his face the moment he read thest page.
¡°Got anything to say? Want to settle up or get yourwyer?¡±
Finn shot Charles a sidelong look, his fingers tapping the table in a slow, casual rhythm.
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Chapter 45 A Threat and a Warning
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Yet, to Charles, every tap felt like a ticking time bomb counting down right over his heart.
He bit down on his lip, his voice shaky with disbelief. ¡°Mr. Lock, this has to be a misunderstanding. There¡¯s no way our firm messed up a Lock Group case¨Cthere has to be some other reason.¡±
¡°You lost a case you should¡¯ve easily won. That payout? Just me protecting my own interests.¡±
Finn¡¯s tone sounded casual, but the weight behind it made the air feel like lead.
The whole room fell into a thick, awkward silence.
¡°Figure out how you¡¯re gonna fix this.¡±
Finn clearly had no patience left. He stood up and walked toward the door.
However, when he passed by Charles, he stopped and mped a strong hand down on his shoulder, pressing hard enough to hurt. ¡°Maybe think real hard about what you¡¯ve been up totely.¡±
A threat¨Cin and simple.
And a warning too.
Once Finn¡¯s footsteps faded down the hall, Charles realized he was drenched in cold sweat, his shirt sticking to his back.
What did he do to tick Finn off like this?
He looked down at the file in his hands, his mind spinning.
He had been Lock Group¡¯s go¨Ctowyer for years. Yet, ever since his mentor, Tess, got locked up, things between him and thepany had gotten awkward. That was why he had started his own firm.
Finn knew this and had even thrown him cases to help him get by.
This one was big, sure, but losing it should not have made Finn flip the table like this.
So what was really going on?
His thoughts spun faster and suddenly Tess¡¯s face popped into his mind.
No way¡
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Chapter 45 A Threat and a Warning
A chill shot down his spine.
Did Finn find out Tess was living at his ce?
The more he reyed it, the more it made sense.
It had to be that.
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Maybe Finn had caught something when Charles brought over those divorce papers for Tess.
The fear in his gut burned into anger, and Charles nearly crushed the file in his hands.
Gritting his teeth, his mind wandered back to the first time he saw Tess after she got out.
He remembered her pale face, her helpless look, and the disgust in her eyes when she saw
Max.
In Charles¡¯s mind, Tess had always been like this gentle, faraway moon¨Cso beautiful, but out of reach.
You could admire her glow, but you could never touch her.
Yet, that day, he had finally gotten close enough to feel her warmth.
On a crazy impulse, he walked away from his firm and stood up to Max for her.
He would never forget how her eyes lit up back then. They were hesitant but full of hope.
She chose him.
So, he brought her home.
Even now, remembering it, Charles could still feel that hidden thrill, that burst of happiness he had tried so hard to keep under wraps.
Now Finn was using this case to push Tess out ce to stay.
Tess
rand pinning the me on him for giving her a
Finn had always made things difficult, but right now, Charles could not help muttering curses under his breath.
He stuffed the file into his briefcase and headed home, face dark as a storm cloud.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
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Chapter 45 A Threat and a Warning
The moment she opened the door, Tess was startled by how pale he looked.
¡°Did something happen at work? Is it really bad?¡±
She asked, her voice full of worry and concern.
Charles looked like he was somewhere else entirely.
Tess paused, then said softly, ¡°If you want¡ I could take a look?¡±
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She had been his mentor once, and her legal mind was still sharp. If it was a legal mess, maybe she could help fix it.
Charles had helped her so much, so she wanted to do something for him too.
¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±
Charles looked at Tess¡¯s worried face, and the gentle concern in her eyes made his heart stutter for a second.
He blinked, forced himself to snap out of it, and gave her a smile.
However, it was so stiff that it only made him look worse.
Tess could see he did not want to talk about it, so she bit her lip and did not push it.
Keepsake 46
Chapter 46 I¡¯ll Make You Obey Me
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¡°Go get some rest. There are still plenty of ingredients in the fridge, so I¡¯ll handle dinner tonight. I¡¯lle get you when it¡¯s ready,¡± Tess said softly.
This time, Charles did not argue. He trudged off to his room, too drained to protest.
Tess turned on her heel and went straight to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Charles flopped onto his bed, pulled out the stack of papers from his bag, and forced himself to read through them. Checktest chapters at find~novel
By the time he got to thest page, his headache was pounding. Thirty million¨Chuge and bold right at the bottom.
Just seeing that number made his vision blur.
His firm only existed because he had once been Lock Group¡¯s personalwyer, but it was still small and barely made enough to cover expenses. Even if he sold the whole thing tomorrow, there was no way he would scrape that kind of money together.
He rubbed his temples, the ceiling above him spinning in slow circles.
The exhaustion of the day finally caught up, dragging him under before he realized it.
The file slipped from his hand and dangled off the side of the bed.
Knock! Knock!
¡°Charles, dinner¡¯s ready. I¡¯ming in, alright?¡±
Tess tapped on the door, and when there was no answer, she carefully stepped inside.
The lights were still on.
She walked over to wake him up, but her eyes fell on the papers spread out by the bed.
She froze, holding her breath as she leaned closer.
Line by line, the more she read, the heavier her heart got.
Her fingers shook when she flipped to thest page and saw that terrifying number.
Thirty million.
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Charles was still so young. Even if he was talented, where on earth was he supposed to find that much money overnight?
Tess stared at the figure, stunned, then nced down at Charles.
He was fast asleep,pletely knocked out. Even in his dreams, though, his eyebrows were all scrunched up like he could not escape the mess he was in.
Tess looked away, biting her lip. Out of nowhere, that deep, icy voice popped into her head again.
¡°I¡¯ll make you obey me.¡±
Her eyes widened. A shiver ran down her spine as she shook her head, trying to shake it off.
However, the voice clung to her like shackles, winding tighter and tighter until it felt like a giant hand was choking her.
She stumbled back and gasped for breath, her heart racing.
¡°Tess?¡±
The noise snapped Charles awake. He blinked, still half¨Casleep, but when he saw how pale she was, he jolted upright.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Tess was still fighting for air, her chest rising and falling fast.
In that tense silence, Charles spotted the paper in her hands.
His face fell.
¡°Was it Finn?¡±
Tess clutched the contract so tight her knuckles went white.
Charles¡¯s heart sank, but he did not want to lie. He nodded. ¡°Yeah. Mr. Lock said my firm messed up a case, so now he¡¯s putting it all on me.¡±
¡°This is a setup! There was something fishy with that deal from the start. Charles, you just walked right into his trap!¡±
Tess¡¯s voice rose before she could stop herself.
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Charles stared at her, caught off guard by how angry she sounded.
Their eyes locked¨Chis warm brown eyes met her wide, panicked ones.
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Tess froze. She swallowed, then lowered her head and whispered, ¡°Sorry. I¡ I overreacted.¡±
¡°Tess, did you notice something? But this is my mess, okay? Don¡¯t stress about it.¡±
Charles could tell right away that something was up from the way she reacted, so he hurried to calm her down.
Tess shook her head but did not say a word.
Her fingers clenched around the paper so hard they turned white.
She forced herself to breathe, then carefully put the contract back where it was.
¡°Let¡¯s eat before it gets cold.¡±
Her voice was so soft it almost got lost in the quiet room as she turned and walked out, her steps a little shaky.
At the table, all the warmth from earlier was gone. The air felt heavy, pressing down on both of them.
Charles barely touched his food. He looked pale as he snuck nces at Tess every few bites.
Tess just kept her head low. She was moving her fork but barely eating.
Neither of them spoke. The food tasted like nothing at all.
Even La seemed to sense it¨Cshe stayed extra quiet, curling up in Tess¡¯s arms without a sound.
After they finished, Charles offered to clean up. Tess did not argue this time. She just nodded and went back to her room without a word.
She closed the door behind her. The darkness outside made the whole room feel like it was closing in.
Tess did not even bother turning on the light. She felt her way to the window and sat there, hugging La close.
A thin draft slipped in through a crack, chilling her skin.
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Chapter 46 I¡¯ll Make You Obey Me
She shivered but did not move away. Instead, she just held La tighter.
Each gust of wind felt like a sharp and cold de on her neck.
Why did it have to be this convenient?
Keepsake 47
Chapter 47 Finn, What Do You Really Want?
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She had just run into Finn, and Finn had threatened her, telling her he would make her give in¨Cthen right after that, Charles got mmed with this huge debt.
How could these two things not be connected?
Tess had seen that contract with her own eyes. Her gut told her Finn had been nning this for a long time.
When had it started?
Had he already set things up the moment Charles took her in?
Back then, when she was at her lowest, it was Charles who had given her and La a roof over their heads. Finn had not shown up then, but now he would not even let Charles off the hook.
Her hands trembled with anger. She bit down so hard she tasted blood.
Finn had to have known for ages that she was living at Charles¡¯s ce.
Now he was holding Charles¡¯s entire future hostage just to force her to bow her head.
All for Nadine. He really went all in.
Tess¡¯s fists clenched tighter, but then a chill crawled up her spine.
How did Finn find her, anyway?
She took a deep breath and made herself think clearly. After sorting through the tangled mess in her mind, she realized that Max was the only one who knew. Could he have feelings for Nadine, so he tipped Finn off on purpose to lure Nadine back?
That meant she had gotten Charles caught up in this.
The guilt weighed heavy on her chest, but the next thought that hit her made her whole body go stiff.
If Finn knew where she was, did he also know about La?
Her heart almost stopped.
Tess¡¯s eyes dropped stiffly to the little one in her arms. At some point, La had dozed off, Newest update provided by ?ovelFind
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Chapter 47 Finn, What Do You Really Want?
her tiny pink lips puckered in the cutest way.
In that instant, a wave of calm washed over Tess.
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If Finn did know about La, with the way he operated, he would have shown up already.
However, he was just using Charles to force her to apologize to Nadine.
To put it bluntly, it was just his way of breaking her in or punishing her.
So maybe¡ just maybe¡ he did not know about La yet.
Her heart finally settled for a second, and then immediately dropped like a stone into her
gut.
Why couldn¡¯t Finn just let her be?
Tess closed her eyes, so tired she felt hollow.
Why wouldn¡¯t he just leave her alone? Why?
She was not the Ember family¡¯s precious daughter anymore. She could not be that brilliant, unstoppablewyer either. Now she was mopping floors, taking any tough job she could just to get by. She had already let go of so much, so why was she still stuck in his trap?
When she opened her eyes again, a thin crescent moon had already climbed up outside. Its cold light was spilling through the trees, and their shadows were stacked like a pack of silent wolves.
Tess¡¯s heartbeat sped up.
Was her quiet life really over now?
She did not know how long she stayed frozen by that window, staring at nothing, until La¡¯s soft cries snapped her back to the real world.
She jolted awake, scooped La into her arms, and carried her to bed, gently patting her back until she fell asleep again.
La was always such an angel and she drifted off in seconds, her tiny lips curling into a sweet little smile like she was dreaming of something nice.
Tess looked at her daughter¡¯s face, and for the first time in so long, her heart did not feel so empty. A bit of warmth slipped in, enough to steady her nerves.
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Chapter 47 Finn, What Do You Really Want?
She lowered her head, pressed her forehead to La¡¯s, and shut her eyes.
She prayed quietly.
She prayed La would grow up safe, happy, and untouched by all this ugliness.
She prayed Charles would get through this mess unharmed too.
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When night fell, Tess finally drifted off, but sleep dragged her into a thick, endless dream.
shes from her childhood flickered by like old photos.
Her mother¡¯s punishments, the teachers¡® harsh eyes, ssmates pointing andughing ¡
And behind all that, always standing in the light was Nadine.
Unlike the yelling and beatings Tess always got, Nadine got their mom¡¯s loving hugs, teachers¡® kind praise, and ssmates gathering around her, voices full of envy and admiration that drowned everything else out.
Tess walked by herself through that cold, pitch¨Cck hallway, while far ahead, Nadine shone like a star on a pedestal.
All those tiny scars tangled into the nightmare that would not let her go.
When morning came, Tess jerked awake.
She could not even remember what she had dreamed, but her forehead was damp with cold
sweat.
She clutched her chest but all she felt was an endless pit in her heart.
Knock! Knock!
A knock at the door pulled her back.
She opened it to find Charles, looking about as drained as she felt.
He forced a grin. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the office. Might be a long day. Just call me if you need anything, okay?¡±
He shook his phone like it was nothing.
Tess¡¯s chest tightened with guilt, but seeing him act so bright, she bit back the words she wanted to say and just nodded hard.
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Once he left, Tess stepped into the living room.
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On the couch sat the divorce papers she brought to Lock Group yesterday¨Cpapers that had not done a damn thing.
They told her Finn wasn¡¯t there, but right after, Charles got dragged in and hit with that so- called penalty.
Tess¡¯s hands curled into tight fists.
Finn, what do you really want?
The top floor of Lock Group.
Keepsake 48
Chapter 48 Are You Really Going to Break Up Our Family?
Finn flipped through the files, looking bored, his icy eyes barely lifting from the page.
¡°Mr. Lock, Charles is one of our topwyers and he is about on par with Nadine ¡¡±
Zane tried to sound casual, but he was carefully watching Finn¡¯s face as he passed along the shareholders¡® worries.
Finn let out a cold, mockingugh and shot him a sharp look. ¡°What? So if Charles leaves, the Lock Group¡¯s finished?¡±
Zane flinched, feeling goosebumps crawl up his neck. He shook his head fast.
Sure, losing Charles wouldn¡¯t destroy thepany, but the way Finn was going about this just to get Mrs. Lock back¡ Was this really worth it?
He stared at the floor and pressed his lips tightly together, swallowing the rest of his thoughts.
He thought about the n Finn had set up. The more he thought about it, the colder he felt.
Charles had given Mrs. Lock a ce to stay¨Cno wonder Finn was furious.
Charles could have been the next big name inw, but now he was about to get crushed before he even peaked.
Finn was pulling out every trick he had to bring Tess back.
¡°Mr. Lock, Mr. Jackman is here.¡±
Just then, a nervous assistant peeked in.
Finn leaned back on his arm, eyes glinting like cold steel,
A smile tugged at his lips, but there was no warmth in it. ¡°Let him in.¡±
Soon, the two men sat facing each other across the coffee table.
Finn narrowed his eyes, giving Charles a look sharper than usual. He was really sizing him- up.
After a long while, Finn finally spoke, his voice low and chilly. ¡°You managed to find thirty million already?¡±
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Charles met Finn¡¯s calm stare head¨Con, but the suffocating pressure in the air made his palms
sweat.
¡°Are you pushing me this hard just so you can force Ms. Ember toe crawling back to you?¡±
He did not dance around it¨Chis tone was clear and sharp.
The whole room seemed to freeze.
A chill spread from Finn like ice, but Charles did not flinch.
Zane, though, was standing off to the side wishing he could disappear.
All Zane could think was, God, I just want to go home to my mom.
Seriously, had Charles lost it?
He had expected Charles to plead or negotiate, not go toe¨Cto¨Ctoe with Finn like this!
Cold sweat ran down Zane¡¯s back. He kept his eyes on the floor, terrified he would get caught in the crossfire.
Finn¡¯s gaze turned lethal, his voice like a de scraping ice. ¡°Charles, Tess is my wife. What gives you the right to hide her from me?¡±
The warning was clear as day.
Charles did not even blink. ¡°Ms. Ember already brought you the divorce papers.¡±
The second he said it, the air in the room dropped from freezing to subzero.
Finn¡¯s re darkened, eyes shing with something dangerous. ¡°So what? Are you d that she¡¯s getting a divorce? You want her divorced, don¡¯t you?¡±
Charles stayed quiet, but his silence said enough.
Finn let out a cold, furiousugh, his stare drilling into Charles like a de. ¡°I¡¯m not signing a damn thing. As long as I don¡¯t sign, she¡¯s still my wife. Who¡¯d have thought that a so¨Ccalled criminal who stolepany secrets could still reel in a puppy like you?¡±
His words dripped venom.
¡°And to think I supported you. Looks like I was raising a snake.¡±
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His expression was void of any warmth now, just icy contempt.
Hearing Finn drag Tess through the mud, Charles¡¯s jaw tightened.
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He clenched his fists under the table but kept his tone calm. ¡°Ms. Ember is someone worth respecting.¡±
m!
The table rattled under Finn¡¯s sudden p.
¡°Respecting? Tess? You really have the guts, Charles. Falling for my wife, huh?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes burned dark and fierce, his hand t on the table like he might lunge forward any second and rip Charles apart.
Charles looked down and said nothing, which only made Finn angrier.
Suddenly, something clicked in Finn¡¯s mind.
Tess did not have any close friends or family in Aetheris. The only person she kept in touch with was Charles, an old colleague from the legal world. So how did she suddenly have a kid after getting out of prison?
Finn¡¯s thoughts stalled. He stared at Charles, not even noticing his own fingers trembling. Readplete version only at F?ndNovel
¡°Whose kid is it?¡±
He had wanted to ask that for a long time.
Charles did not answer directly. Instead, his eyes flickered, and a small, proud smile appeared on his lips, like a father thinking of his child. ¡°Since you¡¯ve already looked into it, Mr. Lock, you should know Tess wouldn¡¯t just show up at my ce with a kid for no reason.¡±
¡°You think I buy that?¡±
¡°Believe it or not, Mr. Lock, it doesn¡¯t matter. Before Ms. Ember went to prison, I was with her at a party. She got drunk, and I couldn¡¯t hold back how I felt about her ¡
¡°Shut up!¡± Finn¡¯s eyes were zing with rage. ¡°Do you even hear yourself?¡±
¡°It was my mistake, not Ms. Ember¡¯s. She doesn¡¯t know anything about it. But what¡¯s done is done. Are you really going to break up our family now, Mr. Lock?¡±
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¡°And anyway, Mr. Lock, yeah, you set this trap for me. But don¡¯t forget, my firm¡¯s been handling Lock Group¡¯s cases for years. If you¡¯re so set on dragging me down, just remember that you¡¯ll take a hit too. Hurt me all you can make your preciouspany bleed.¡±
Is that kid his?
want, but even someone like me
The thought mmed into Finn like ice/water pouring down his spine.
Yeah, he had always known Tess had a kid with someone else, but now that it was right in front of him, raw and real, it made his chest tighten and his rage burn hotter.
His jaw flexed as he let out a cold, bitterugh.
His lips ttened into a thin, merciless line.
¡°Fine, you¡¯ve got guts. Remember this, thirty million. One week. Not a cent less. If you can¡¯t
cough it up, I have plenty of ways to make you wish you had.
¡°Charles, if you¡¯re bold enough to y this game, then let¡¯s see you y it to the end!¡±
Then, Finn hurled his coffee cup to the floor, porcin shattering. ¡°Get out!¡±
Charles stood up slowly and nced at Finn onest time.
¡°Mr. Lock, I know I¡¯m nothingpared to you. But did it ever cross your mind that your wife, the one you toss aside so easily, is someone else¡¯s whole world? And you dragged her through hell with your own hands. Do you ever regret itte at night, when you remember she was the only one who ever truly loved you?¡±
He turned and left, legs still trembling from the showdown.
Thinking back on everything he had just done, he was suddenly at a loss for words.
Charles ran a hand over his forehead.
What the hell did I just do?
In a stupid, reckless moment, he had practically made Finn think La was his kid.
His eyes darkened for a second, but then a strange calm settled over him.
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Chapter 49 Selling the House
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If Tess did not want Finn to know the truth, maybe this lie was the only shield she had left.
¡°But did it ever cross your mind that your wife, the one you toss aside so easily, is someone else¡¯s whole world?
¡°And you dragged her through hell with your own hands.
¡°Do you ever regret itte at night, when you remember she was the only one who ever truly loved you?¡±
Behind him, Finn swayed a little, dizziness washing over him.
Zane panicked and rushed to ask if he was okay.
¡°Mr. Lock! Are you okay?¡±
Finn waved him away. His lips were pressed together so tight they had gone pale.
Did he regret it?
He had spent who knows how many nights holed up in that study until dawn.
But regret? No way. If you messed up, you paid for it. Simple as that.
He had already given her a chance to fix things.
Meanwhile, Charles had barely stepped out of the office when his assistant caught up to him, whispering that a few major clients had just pulled out.
He did not even need to ask. He knew exactly who was behind it.
Only Finn had that kind of pull.
The firm was young, but with Lock Group¡¯s name behind it and his own solid wins, clients had trusted him.
Business had been good until now.
One flick of Finn¡¯s finger, and the whole thing was copsing.
???????????
He was just an ant trying to shake a tree, all because he wanted to stand up for a woman he cared about.
However, reality hit hard. Charles shoved his phone back into his bag, ignoring the relentless buzzing. He did not need to answer to know what those calls were about. His chest felt like it
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was stuffed with lead.
If he fell now, he would have no way to protect her.
The thought made him sick with frustration.
He rubbed his temples and climbed into the car, his mind a jumble.
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When he pulled up to a quiet side street near his ce, Charles stared nkly out the window, still stuck on that crushing thirty million.
Then, his eyes drifted to an old, weather¨Cbeaten house nearby.
He squinted at it for a second, then quickly looked away.
He shoved down the reckless thought that had just shed through his mind.
Tess had spent the whole day running errands, and by the time she got back, she was stunned to see a bunch of men in suits outside the house¨Csome snapping photos, some measuring things with long rulers, others scribbling notes on clipboards.
She stepped inside, puzzled, and spotted Charles talking to the guy
in charge.
She stayed back at first, quietly watching until she saw Charles shake the man¡¯s hand.
The suited men filed out one by one, and soon the ce was quiet again.
Charles stood by the window with his hands in his pockets, staring nkly at the shifting tree shadows outside. He did not even realize Tess was behind him.
¡°Charles, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Tess said softly. ¡°I reached out to a lot of old contacts today, but none of them could help.¡±
She let out a bitterugh. ¡°It¡¯s Finn after all. No one wants to stand up to someone like him.¡±
Then she nced around, confused. ¡°But, what¡¯s going on here?¡±
Her gentle voice finally pulled Charles out of his daze.
He turned and met her worried eyes, hesitating for a moment before answering, ¡°It¡¯s the breach of contract. Right now, the only thing I can do to ease the pressure is to sell this old ce.¡±
Sell the house?
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Tess froze, her mind going nk for a moment.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something¨Canything¨Cbut nothing came out.
After all, Charles was only in this mess because of her.
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Chapter 50 The Price of Dignity
How could she still try to talk him out of selling the ce?
After everything, this was the only stable home she and La had.
And now they were about to lose even that.- 91%¿§
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Her savings, her grandma¡¯s inheritance¨Cit all felt like she was hitting rock bottom again. Chapters first released on
Charles could see the look on Tess¡¯s face. He gave her shoulder a light pat. ¡°It¡¯ll be okay. The house is old, yeah, but it¡¯s a solid starter home in a good neighborhood. Once it¡¯s auctioned off, I¡¯ll finally be able to breathe a little easier.¡±
¡°But we¡¯ll need to find a temporary ce to rent for now,¡± he added.
¡°I¡¯ll do what I can to make sure you and La have a decent setup. You¡¯re still with me on this, right?¡±
Tess opened her mouth, about to shake her head.
What did he mean, ¡°stick with him¡°?
She was grateful for everything he¡¯d done as a friend.
But she couldn¡¯t just keep leaning on him forever, dragging him down with her.
¡°No¡ I¡¯ve actually been thinking of finding a ce for me and La,¡± she began.
But then she caught the look in Charles¡¯s eyes¨Cred¨Crimmed and tired.
Tess paused, startled. Her words died in her throat. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about itter,¡± she said instead.
Charles smiled faintly. ¡°Once this ce is sold, we¡¯ll move into one of the apartments above the firm. It¡¯s got three bedrooms. We can even set up a little y area for La ¡
He could barely hide the hope in his voice as he pictured the future.
¡°1
He knew it¨Chalf of it was him trying to do right by her. The other half was the feelings he¡¯d been trying to ignore for way too long.
Those apartments were for thew firm¡¯s staff only. If they saw Tess and La living there with him, eating and sleeping under the same roof, everyone would assume they were a family.
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Tess didn¡¯t respond.
s
Taking her silence as agreement, Charles¡¯s tired expression softened just a little. But then he thought about Finn¨Cstill a wild card¨Cand that flicker of hope dimmed again.
¡°Even if it¡¯s temporary¡ it means a lot to me,¡± he said quietly.
That was enough for him.
Once the auction ns were set, Charles got called back to the office.
Tess watched him leave. His posture was still upright, stillposed. But the ease he used to carry was gone. It was like someone had strapped a heavy stone to his back, weighing him down with every step.
He looked like a man who¡¯d aged years in just a few days.
She still remembered when they first met. He¡¯d been that confident, sharp¨Cwitted young attorney everyone admired.
A wave of difort twisted in Tess¡¯s chest.
Now, just days away from letting go of the only home they had left, he was running on fumes. He hadn¡¯t even had time to enjoy thesest moments in the house.
That night, he still hadn¡¯te back.
Tess sat by the window, unease creeping in.
He was rarely out thiste. Had something happened?
Even if she was leaving, she still wanted to make sure he was safe.
She texted him, concern getting the better of her. All she got back was a short, dry reply. saying, ¡°Go to sleep.¡±
Meanwhile, in the VIP room of a downtown bar, the overhead lights were off. The only glow came from shing multicolored strobes spinning across the ceiling, with loud music pounding in the background.
Charles¡¯s face was flushed, but the dim lighting masked most of it.
He hated these kinds of ces¨Cdark, noisy, crowded. Early in his career, he¡¯d had to put up with them for the sake ofworking. But once he had the reputation and the results, he started turning these invites down.
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Now here he was again. Right back where he started.
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¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Jackman? Too good to have a drink with us?¡± said a heavyset man with a smug look and a belly that pressed into the table.
His eyes swept over Charles with a sneer.
Word had gotten around. The golden boy attorney had fallen hard, out of favor with Lock Group and up to his neck in debt. And this guy had shown up just to see it happen in person.
A glint of cruelty shed in his eyes.
A while back, the man¡¯spany had run into legal trouble, and he¡¯d needed a top¨Ctierwyer to get him out. Everyone had told him to go to Charles.
So he sent over a generous gift.
Charles didn¡¯t even take the meeting. Instead, he sent back a message through someone else, ¡°You made your bed. Lie in it.¡±
A clear jab at how the guy had mistreated his own workers.
It pissed him off to no end.
With his temper, he would¡¯ve normally made someone pay for that kind of insult.
But with Charles backed by Lock Group, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and keep his mouth shut.
The man clenched his jaw in secret frustration, but when he looked up again, his eyes were full of smug satisfaction and provocation.
Now that Charles no longer had Lock Group backing him, it was open season. He didn¡¯t know what exactly had gone down between them, but it worked out perfectly for him. If he yed his cards right, maybe giving Charles a hard time would earn him a few more contracts from Lock Group.
¡°Mr. Jackman, if you drink this,¡± he said, pushing a full ss of liquor across the table, ¡°I¡¯ll throw a little business your way. How about that?¡±
He mmed the ss down hard, making sure it echoed¨Cevery bit of it meant to humiliate.
The insult was loud and clear.
Everyone at the table turned to look, curiosity written all over their faces as they waited to
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see how Charles would respond.
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His dark eyes flickered with something sharp¨Ccold and cutting¨Cbut the dim lighting
gone in an instant. Imasked it too well. Whatever shed across his gaze w
¡°Come on, Mr. Jackman,¡± someone chimed in with a smirk. ¡°Things aren¡¯t like they used to be. You can¡¯t pull that ¡®allergic to alcohol¡® excuse anymore. One drink for a contract? Sounds like a good deal to me.¡±
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Next to the beer¨Cbellied man sat a sultry woman swirling a ss of red wine, her eyes locked on Charles with yful malice.
Her gaze was thick with temptation, coiling around him like a snake. Her heavy makeup only made her sharp features more aggressive¨Ceyes that could slice through bone.
For some reason he couldn¡¯t exin, Tess¡¯s soft, clear face suddenly filled Charles¡® mind.
A strange tenderness welled up inside him.
Then, just as quickly, the memory shifted¨Che was back in that tense standoff with Finn. He could still see the fury in his former boss¡¯s eyes, like he wanted to tear him apart. And yet, beneath the guilt, there was a flicker of smug satisfaction.
Without another thought, Charles/threw his head back and downed the shot in front of him. The liquor scorched all the way down, a sharp, burning pain crawling through his chest. And in that moment¨Che just wanted to go home.
As soon as he finished the first drink, another ss was poured and slid in front of him.
Charles gave a crooked smile, his eyes sharp and emotionless. ¡°You messing with me now?¡±
¡°I¡¯ll mess with whoever the hell I want. What¡¯re you gonna do about it?¡± the man sneered, lifting his own drink and letting it drip slowly onto Charles¡¯s expensive suit, drop by drop.
Then, like a twisted party trick, ten more shots were lined up in front of him¨Cone after another.
¡°Tonight, you finish everyst one,¡± the man dered. ¡°Or don¡¯t even think about walking out
of here.¡±
Every eye in the room zeroed in on Charles. Each look was bold, mocking¨Cpure bullying. They didn¡¯t just want him to drink. They wanted to see the once¨Cproud golden boy break.
Charles met the beer belly guy and the seductive woman¡¯s eyes with a cold, unflinching stare.
For a moment, both of them tensed.
This wasn¡¯t just any attorney¨Cthey all knew he¡¯d handled high¨Cstakes cases. Rumor had it he was once the right¨Chand man of that infamous exec before he went to prison.
They exchanged nces, a flicker of hesitation between them.
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But then they reminded themselves¨Che¡¯d burned his bridges with Lock Group. And in a ce like Aetheris, that meant not just being cklisted in the legal world¡ but in the whole damn city.
Their confidence came rushing back, and they straightened up.
¡°Mr. Jackman, word is you still owe Lock Group a big chunk of that settlement,¡± the man said, holding up one finger. ¡°Show some sincerity tonight, and we might be willing to chip in this much. Sound fair?¡±
¡°But if not ¡ ¡± he narrowed his eyes, his voice turning cold. ¡°We¡¯ve got no problem being thest nail in your firm¡¯s coffin.¡±
The woman joined in smoothly, voice sweet as sugar but sharp underneath. ¡°We¡¯ve always admired your skills, Mr. Jackman¨Cespecially Mr. Harold. He really appreciates talent. Would¡¯ve been happy to lend a hand. But you turning your nose up at us like this? That¡¯s just disappointing.¡±
Shezily swirled the champagne in her ss, eyes glinting with amusement.
Charles¡¯sshes twitched, and a shadow fell across his face.
Then, under the smug, expectant gazes around him, his long fingers wrapped around a shot ss, and he downed it in one go.
The burn hit hard, tightening his throat. It was so sharp he nearly choked, eyes stinging with the urge to tear up.
He was never good with alcohol. Or maybe, he just never wanted to lose himself in the haze it brought.
Back when he first started out, Tess had been his boss. No one dared push him to drink out of line. Not when she had introduced him with a casual, ¡°This is my little brother.¡± Back then, they only toasted him out of respect for her.
But after Tess went to prison, the way they looked at him changed.
To hold his ground against Nadine, Charles reinvented himself¨Crising through the ranks to be Lock Group¡¯s second¨Cmost trusted attorney after her, Always second, never first. But still, people bowed their heads when they needed something. No one dared mess with him then.
He downed another shot. Immediately, a manicured hand with blood¨Cred nails slid the next ss toward him.
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Charles looked up. The woman raised a brow at him with a sly smile. ¡°Come on, Mr. Jackman. Show us a little more sincerity.¡±
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Her breath was sweet, almost floral. But to him, it coiled like a python around his neck.
Under the flickering, chaotic lights of the bar, the table in front of him was covered in rows of liquor¨Cfilled sses, like a silent dare.
Everyone around the table froze. One by one, they set down their own drinks, all eyes fixed on Charles.
Laughter and snide remarks buzzed in his ears, but he was numb to it now. His body on autopilot, downing shot after shot until his stomach felt like it was lit on fire. Th?s chapter is updated by f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
He doubled over slightly, hand pressing hard against his abdomen.
¡°Didn¡¯t he always say he was allergic to alcohol? Looks fine to me,¡± someone snorted.
¡°Yeah, turns out he just didn¡¯t want to drink with us. Funny how fast that pride disappears when you¡¯ve got nothing left, huh? Now he¡¯s just another washed¨Cup suit doing shots for favors from Mr. Harold and Florence.¡±
The beer¨Cbellied man, the one the woman had called ¡°Mr. Harold,¡± was practically giddy. His eyes sparkled with petty satisfaction, the thrill of revenge washing over him. His name as Peter Harold.
He had his phone out early, already recording the whole thing¨CCharles being pressured, humiliated, forced to drink.
At the same time, Tess, scrolling through a legal industry group chat, caught a video that made her heart stop.
Her expression darkened instantly.
Using the location tagged in the post, she rushed over without hesitation.
¡°Mr. Jackman¡¯s drunk already? Come on, just one more¡
From outside the private room, she could already hear the woman¡¯s seductive voice drifting through the door.
Tess didn¡¯t think twice. She shoved the door open.
Inside, she saw Charles slumped over on the couch,pletely spent. His face was ghost- pale.
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His eyes were closed. He looked like he was unconscious.
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One hand was clutched tightly over his side, and every few seconds, a low, stifled groan of pain slipped from his lips.
Tess¡¯s fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms.
These bastards.
The lighting in the room was dim¨Cno one got a good look at her face.
¡°Charles, hang in there,¡± she whispered, crouching beside him.
As she tried to lift him up, her eyes caught sight of a thick stack of cash sitting right in front of him on the table.
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Chapter 52 A Line Crossed
So this was their leverage¨CCharles¡¯s downfall was now fair
game.
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Tess had done time¨Cshe didn¡¯t flinch, and she sure wasn¡¯t picky about money. Cash was cash, and she wasn¡¯t about to let it go to waste after everything Charles had just been put through.
Without hesitation, she stuffed the entire stack into his coat pocket.
It was the least she could do to make those drinks count for something.
The people who had just been mocking Charles all stared, eyes wide. Wait¨Cshe¡¯s really helping him? Just like that?
Tess, for the first time, realized how heavy Charles actually was. He might look lean, but six feet of dead weight was nothing she could handle alone.
Thankfully, a few junior attorneys still had some decency. Quietly, they stepped in and helped her get him out of the room.
She never once looked up, didn¡¯t even acknowledge the curious, calcting stares behind her.
¡°Who the hell is that?¡± The woman in red narrowed her eyes. ¡°Charles has a girlfriend?¡±
Peter¡¯s gaze locked on Tess¡¯s retreating figure.
She was dressed inly, just a simple outfit and a face mask hiding her features¨Cbut even beneath the loose clothing, her graceful silhouette was impossible to miss. That quiet elegance, mixed with something surprisingly alluring, made his eyes flicker with interest.
¡°So much for his squeaky¨Cclean reputation,¡± he muttered. ¡°Turns out he¡¯s been hiding a little something on the side all along.¡±
¡°Now I¡¯m really curious what¡¯s under that mask.¡±
Jealousy burned in his chest, and he clenched his teeth with a bitter snap.
The woman in red¡¯s eyes gradually dimmed, shadows pooling in her gaze as she stared at Tess¡¯s fading silhouette. Then her attention shifted¨Ctoward a quieter, dimly lit corner of the room. Her heart sank a little with unease.
Finn said to teach Cameron a lesson. God, she hoped she didn¡¯t screw that up¡
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If anything, me the women for showing up to damn fast
* Free Coins
Across the room, half¨Cwiled in shadow, sat a man who exuded cold, refined power¨Clike an aceberg carved in human form. From her angle, all she could see was his side profile¨Csharp. sculpted, emotionless,
Finn¡¯s eyes stayed fixed on Ruby, his stare deep as a well and twice as cold, a chill radiating from him that could freeze air.
Behind him. Zane stood silent and still, practically blending into the darkness.
Follow her. Finn said, his voice low andced with a mocking edge.
He let out a quiet scoff¨Cone that dripped with danger.
Zane flinched, then quickly took off after her without a word.
Meanwhile, outside the bar, Tess was facing a problem of her own.
¡°Sir, could you help me, please?¡± she asked quietly, struggling under Charles¡¯s weight.
The cab driver, thankfully, was kind. He jumped out right away and helped hoist Charles into the back seat, getting him settled without a hitch.
The weight lifted off her shoulders, literally, and Charles finally let out a breath.
¡°Boyfriend, huh?¡± the driver joked. ¡°What¡¯d he do¨Dget into a fight with you and go drink himself stupid?¡±
Tess gave an awkward smile, about to exin. But then she noticed it¨CCharles¡¯s brow suddenly tightening in pain.
Her heart dropped. And under the sh of neon from the passing streetlights, she got a clearer look at him. His face was ghost¨Cwhite.
His lips werepletely drained of color.
¡°Drive to the nearest hospital¨Cnow!¡±
Tess¡¯s voice shot up, sharp with panic.
The driver nced in the rearview mirror, saw Charles¡¯s condition, and his joking tone vanished instantly. ¡°Got it! Hang in there, miss!¡± Find the newest release on F?nd-Novel
He hit the brakes, yanked the wheel around, and floored it, heading straight for the closest
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private hospital. The moment they pulled up. Tess caught sight of the giant hospital sign.
Owned by Lock Group.¡±
She froze for a beat, stunned. But there was no time to deal with the knot in her chest. She rushed straight to the front desk, calling for a nurse.
Within minutes, Charles was wheeled into the emergency OR.
Tess stood frozen, heart pounding.
La was still asleep back at the old house¨Call alone, And here she was, unable to leave Charles¡¯s side.
She looked up at the doors of the operating room, gaze locked, as if trying to see straight through them.
Eventually, she sank down into a corner, curled her arms around herself, and silently begged -La, please don¡¯t wake up yet. Not yet.
Her chest tightened, and tears welled in her eyes, on the verge of spilling.
Finally, the red light above the OR door switched off, and a nurse stepped out.
Tess rushed over. ¡°Nurse, how is he? What happened?¡±
The nurse gave her a quick nce. ¡°Stomach perforation,¡± she said tly.
¡°He downed way too much alcohol in one sitting¨Canyone would¡¯ve ended up like this.¡±
Her brows knit together, and her tone turned sharp,ced with frustration. ¡°Young people arguing is one thing, but why y games with your health?¡±
¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡ We didn¡¯t mean to cause trouble,¡± Tess said softly.
The apology caught in her throat, but she didn¡¯t try to defend herself. Guilt washed over her in waves, and she lowered her head, quietly taking the scolding.
Seeing how sincere and respectful she was, the nurse¡¯s voice softened. ¡°The surgery went fine. He just needs to stay for a few days for observation.¡±
Tess nodded quickly, again and again.
A short whileter, Charles was wheeled out of surgery. He still looked pale and worn, but at least there was some color back in his cheeks.
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Tess headed to the front desk to take care of the hospital fees, using part of the cash from earlier. She counted out what she needed and slipped the rest into her pocket¨Choping it would be enough to get them through.
It was alreadyte, deep into the night. The only lights in the hospital were the red glow of the ER sign and the faint green of the emergency exit signs.
Tess walked alone down the dim hallway, the silence so heavy she could hear her own heartbeat echoing.
Suddenly, she felt someone stop right behind her.
¡°Mrs. Lock.¡±
Tess jolted in surprise and instinctively turned around. The moment she saw who it was, a wave of cold dread washed over her.
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Chapter 53 You¡¯ll Obey
Zane stood not far away, giving Tess a polite nod.
¡°You need to apologize to Ms. Nadine,¡± he said in a low, formal voice.
His words hit Tess hard, plunging her into icy water.
Why is Zane here?
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Why is he telling me to apologize to Nadine when Charles is lying in a hospital bed with a stomach hemorrhage from the force¨Cfed alcohol?
The pieces clicked together in Tess¡¯s mind, and her face turned ghostly pale.
¡°You did this?¡±
Her voice rose to a sharp, almost broken pitch, trembling with horror and disbelief.
Zane¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. Like a wind¨Cup machine, he repeated mechanically, ¡°Mrs. Lock, please apologize to Ms. Nadine.¡±
Tess stumbled back a few steps, staring at Zane as if he were some kind of monster.
Then suddenly, as if she¡¯d just woken from a nightmare, she whipped around and began searching the area in panic. ¡°He¡¯s here, isn¡¯t he? You¡¯re here, so he must be nearby! Why won¡¯t hee out and face me?¡±
Her eyes were bloodshot, her gaze frantic. When no one appeared, she turned back and red at Zane with fire in her eyes.
¡°She thought Charles had only gotten hurt because of some business pressure¨Csome awful but mundane cost of corporate dinner parties. But now she knew-
¡°I¡¯ll make
you behave.¡±
Those cold, menacing words rang in her ears. Tess clutched her chest as if someone were squeezing her heart.
It¡¯s him.
Finn.
She screamed inside her mind, her hands trembling with rage.
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Of course. Of course ¡.
He had used Charles¡¯s life to teach her a lesson.
And now, all Tess could feel was bitter, gut¨Cwrenching irony.
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She gave a soft, humorlessugh¨Cquiet butced with despair. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
To make her apologize to Nadine, he had resorted to this¨Csuch a vile, twisted tactic.
¡°This matter doesn¡¯t need Mr. Lock¡¯s personal attention,¡± Zane said tly.
The implication stung: neither Charles nor Tess was worth Finn¡¯s time.
Her
eyes were rimmed red, and even her fingers were shaking.
¡°If anything happens to Charles, that¡¯s a life lost,¡± she whispered hoarsely.
¡°Finn has power, sure¨Cbut does that give him the right to trample over someone else¡¯s life just to get what he wants?¡±
She raised her voice suddenly, using, ¡°Do you realize this is attempted murder?!¡±
Zane said nothing, head lowered like a lifeless puppet.
Tess¡¯s strength left her in an instant; an overwhelming exhaustion washed over her.
¡°Get out. I¡¯m not going. I won¡¯t do it.¡±
She
spat the words out, every syble costing her thest of her strength.
With those final words, Tess turned and walked toward Charles¡¯s hospital room, holding the admission slip in her hand. Her silhouette looked frail, painfully lonely under the fluorescent lights.
Zane stared at her for a long time before turning away.
Just as he stepped out of the hospital building, he saw a tall man standing near the entrance, his back to the door.
The cold wind of the night bit into his skin, but what sent a true chill down his spine was the low pressure radiated by that man.
As soon as he approached, a cold chill crept over him, leaving him shuddering.
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Chapter 53 You¡¯ll Obey
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± he greeted with a respectful nod.
Finn slowly turned, his eyes dark and unreadable, fixed on the corridor where Tess had disappeared.
¡°Do you realize this is attempted murder?!¡±
Tess¡¯s voice still echoed in the air.
Finn¡¯s chest heaved. That sharp, stifling rage returned, so fierce it felt like it could tear the world apart.
¡°Tell her this,¡± he said atst, his voice low and deadly. ¡°She either does what she¡¯s told and apologizes to Nadine, or Charles¡¯s life will be in danger.¡±
He looked up then, his gaze resting on the towering letters spelling out ¡®Lock Group¡® above the hospital. ¡°I run this facility, after all.¡±
Emotions twisted in his eyes, chaotic and unreadable.
Zane noticed. Sweat dotted his brow despite the freezing cold.
On a night this cold, he was actually sweating.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± he hesitated, ¡°if you push Mrs. Lock too far, won¡¯t it backfire?
¡°Did you do this to get her to apologize to Ms. Nadine? Or is it about driving her away from Mr. Jackman¨Conce and for all?¡±
Zane dared to ask, though his voice was careful, uncertain. The image of Tess¡¯s broken, grief- stricken face lingered in his mind.
Finn shot him a re, cold and sharp. ¡°Whose side are you on?¡±
The sheer force behind it made Zane¡¯s heart thud. He quickly bowed his head lower. ¡°N¨CNo, Mr. Lock. I¡¯ll go right away.¡±
Tess wandered the dim hallway in a daze, like a ghost drifting through shadows. It wasn¡¯t until she stepped into the inpatient wing that the sterile white lights gave way to a softer, golden glow.
Only then did her chilled body begin to feel the faintest trace of warmth.¡±
When she reached the front desk, the nurse nced up¨Cand nearly gasped. ¡°Ma¡¯am, are you alright?¡±
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Tess pressed her dry lips together and gave a stiff nod. ¡°This is the admission form. Which room is Charles in?¡±
The nurse took the slip and quickly pointed down the corridor.
Tess murmured a quiet thank¨Cyou and walked away. The nurse, still watching her go, let out a breath and ced a hand over her chest.
Jesus! Her face is so pale. She looks like something straight out of a horror movie.
Just as the nurse was about to sit down and take a break, someone tapped on the counter.
She looked- up. ¡°Yes? Oh¨CMr. ck?¡°/
Without a word, Zane handed her a small, folded note. ¡°Give this to the woman from earlier.¡±
The nurse blinked in confusion but nodded and epted it with both hands.
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Chapter 54 A Silent Ultimatum
At the same time, Tess found her way to Charles¡¯s hospital room.
It was a double room, but for now, Charles was its only upant.
Hey there weak and pale, an oxygen line tucked under his nose.
The only sound in the room was the steady hiss of the machine helping him breathe.
Tess tiptoed closer and sat down on the empty bed across from him.
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A few feet apart, she gazed at his unconscious form, guilt crashing down on her like waves.
CO¨CHN¡¯S
If he hadn¡¯t stepped in to help her, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this.
Tess bowed her head. Her heart twisted in pain.
¡°Ms. Ember? Ms. Ember?¡±
A soft voice called out.
Tess wiped her face and looked toward the door, which had been pushed open a crack. The
stood at the threshold. young nurse she¡¯d seen earli
ncing once at the unresponsive man in the bed, Tess quietly stepped outside.
¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she asked.
¡°Mr. ck asked me to give you this,¡± the nurse replied.
The moment she brought up that name, Tess¡¯s fingers twitched violently as she reached out.
The nurse, startled by her intense reaction, gave her a look.
¡°What is it?¡± Tess asked again, her voice low and trembling.
¡°I didn¡¯t read it,¡± the nurse said. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
Back in the room, Tess sat down, her fingers clenching the small, crumpled slip of paper as though it might fly away.
Under the dim glow of the bedsidemp, she smoothed out the paper, even though it had already been crumpled from the force of her grip.
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¡°Tomorrow 10 a.m. Lock Group.¡±
Just five words. But to Tess, they struck like a hammer to the chest.
+5 Free Coins
She closed her eyes in anguish, the throbbing vein on her temple betraying the war inside
her.
The night passed in a hollow silence.
At home, Tessy in bed holding La in her arms, staring nkly at the ceiling until the morning light crept in.
At sunrise, she called Bessie and asked her to help take care of La for the day.
Once she had handed La off in person, she made her way to the hospital.
The nurse told her Charles still hadn¡¯t woken up. She consulted the doctor, who said he¡¯d regained consciousness but needed rest. The news gave her a shred offort¨Chowever small.
Charles¡¯s phone buzzed non¨Cstop on the bedside table. Texts and voicemails poured in, one after another.
**
Tess couldn¡¯t help ncing at the screen. They were all from Jackman Legal.
¡°Mr. Jackman, several of our clients have pulled their contracts. We¡¯re hanging by a thread¡
¡°Mr. Jackman, please return to the office as soon as possible. We need you to take the lead.¡±
¡°Mr. Jackman, our major clients refused to pay the remaining bnces! We¡¯re on the brink of a financial copse!¡±
¡°Mr. Jackman ¡¡±
¡°Mr. Jackman, Southshore Legal is offering a buyout.¡±
On and on it went. Bad news, one after another, flooded his inbox like a tsunami,
Each message
drove home the same brutal truth: bankruptcy was inevitable,
Then came onest message. Tess caught it just before the screen dimmed.
¡°Mr. Jackman, if Ms. Ember is willing to beg Mr. Lock, the firm might still have a chance.
¡°After all, it was Ms. Ember who got you into this mess.
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Chapter 54 A Silent Ultimatum
¡°You¡¯ve done more than enough for her. Haven¡¯t you paid off your debt by now?¡±
Tess closed her eyes. Her face was drained of color, a ghost of what it had once been.
She looked again at the note in her hand. This update is avable on Find~Novel
Ten o¡¯clock. Lock Group¡¯s headquarters.
With a trembling hand, she threw the note into the trash. It was no longer white¨Cit had turned yellowish under the night¡¯s crushing weight.
She told the nurse to keep a close eye on Charles. Then she left the hospital and hailed a cab.
¡°Lock Group¡¯s headquarters, please.¡°/
Her lips were bloodless, her entire body swaying as she stood by the open car door.
But then, she resolutely climbed in the vehicle.
¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she said.
The Lock Group building rose like a monument of power, towering above the city.
Beneath its shadow, every pedestrian seemed small¡ªinsignificant.
Tess stood at the entrance she once knew like the back of her hand. The scorching sun beat down on her face, and the building felt both familiar and foreign, as if it belonged to another life.
Now, she was just one of the many strangers who passed through these ss doors.
She lowered her eyes, letting her hair shield her face from the blinding sunlight, and walked straight to the front desk.
This time, the receptionist didn¡¯t ask for her name or ID. Instead, she handed over an ess card without hesitation.
Her gaze wasced with something between surprise and respect. ¡°Ms. Ember, please use the employee elevator. Mr. Lock is waiting for you on the top floor.¡±
Tess nodded softly, stepping into the elevator she once took every day.
As the doors closed behind her, the receptionist watched her go, murmuring to herself in disbelief.
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So she really is Mrs. Lock¨Cthe once famous attorney, Tess Ember?
Ding!
The elevator chimed, halting at the top floor.
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Tess walked forward on instinct, following the familiar path straight into Finn¡¯s office.
The leather chair behind the desk was empty. Zane was tidying up some documents. When he noticed Tess, he paused and looked up.
¡°Mrs. Lock.¡±
He gave a polite nod.
Tess didn¡¯t bother with niceties. Her voice was cold. ¡°Where¡¯s Finn?¡±
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Chapter 55 A Deal for Dignity
¡°Mr. Lock will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, Ms. Ember.¡±
Zane motioned for someone to bring her a ss of water.
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Momentster, a junior assistant arrived and called Zane away, leaving Tess alone in the grand, spacious office.
Her eyes drifted toward therge executive chair, which was empty for now.
She remembered how he always sat there in a crisp, couture suit, every button fastened meticulously to the top, handling the affairs of thepany with an air of effortless control.
Back then, as his chief attorney, she had spent countless hours across from him discussing legal strategy andpany affairs.
But never¨Cnot once¨Chad she stood in this office as his wife.
And now, standing here again, it felt like she had stumbled into a different life entirely.
Her fingertips brushed against the armrest of the chair, and in that fleeting moment, she could almost see his eyes¨Csharp, dark, and fixed on her through the void.
To others, those eyes might seem full of warmth and affection, but only Tess knew how cold and calcting they truly were.
¡°I heard Mr. Lock and Ms. Nadine are getting married soon.¡±
¡°Well, if I were him, I¡¯d marry her too. She¡¯s beautiful, smart¨Cthey¡¯re the perfect couple.¡±
¡°Ms. Nadine is right next door, actually. Word is, she¡¯s waiting for Mr. Lock to get off work so they can grab dinner.¡±
Right next door?
Tess clenched her fists inside her sleeves.
So that¡¯s why Finn wasn¡¯t showing up. This was his way of putting her in her ce.
She knew exactly why she hade¨Cto ask Nadine for forgiveness.
But she hadn¡¯t expected their offices to be this close¨Cseparated only by ¨¤ corner and a thin
wall. The source of th?s content is find(?)ovel
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When Tess entered, Nadine barely looked up, her eyelids liftingzily as if she¡¯d been expecting her.
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¡°Fancy seeing you again, sis,¡± she said with a bright smile, but her eyes glinted with mockery.
The way Nadine called her made Tess¡¯s skin crawl. Too sweet. Too fake.
Tess met her gaze coldly. Their eyes locked in the air. Tess¡¯s jaw tightened, her blood roaring in her ears, and then¨Cshe lowered her head.
¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said softly.
If an apology could spare Charles from Finn¡¯s wrath, she¡¯ll do it.
¡°What did you say?¡±
Nadine tilted her head and cupped her ear theatrically, feigning confusion.
Tess looked up and caught the smug sparkle in her eyes.
¡°I said, I¡¯m sorry.¡±
Tess felt a rush of bitterness and numbness rise in her chest.
Nadine blinked, surprised by how quickly Tess folded.
But she recovered fast, her smile widening. ¡°Tess, Mom always said, ¡°if you¡¯re going to apologize, do it like you mean it.¡±
Tess looked up and narrowed her eyes. ¡°What do you want?¡±
¡°Oh, you know,¡± Nadine said, feigning reluctance. ¡°You did p me. And I¡¯m not one to stoop to your level. But¡ ¡± Nadine recalled the humiliation of that day, and a sh of cold light flickered beneath her eyes.
¡°How about this?¡±
She leaned in, lowering her voice, her lips almost brushing Tess¡¯s ear. ¡°Go to the main lobby and bow for two hours. Then maybe I¡¯ll forgive you.¡±
She straightened up, arms folded, expression cool¨Clike the words she¡¯d just uttered hade from someone else entirely.
Tess¡¯s pupils shrank. She stared at Nadine as if she were a snake.
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Even the onlookers who¡¯d gathered were stunned. No one had expected Nadine to be this ruthless.
¡°What? You don¡¯t want to?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice dropped, a mocking whisper.
¡°I heard Charles went out drinking just for you. He even auctioned off one of his properties. All that, and you can¡¯t even do such a simple thing for him?¡±
Her tone was yful, but the pressure behind it was unmistakable.
¡°Ms. Nadine ¡¡± someone began to interject, unable to stay silent.
But Nadine raised a hand, silencing them. ¡°Finn sent her here to ask for my forgiveness. Are you saying you want to get involved in that?¡±
Her smile was warm, pleasant even, but her eyes dared anyone to disagree.
The room went quiet again. People backed off, ncing at Tess with faint sympathy.
Her head stayed bowed, hair covering her face, her expression unreadable.
But beneath her sleeves, her trembling fists betrayed her inner struggle.
The silence pressed in. The only sounds were the unsteady rhythm of her breathing against Nadine¡¯s calm, measured inhales.
¡°If you don¡¯t want to do this, I won¡¯t force you,¡± Nadine finally said with mock concern, breaking the silence. ¡°I¡¯m not unreasonable.¡±
Then she leaned closer and mouthed one name. ¡°Charles.¡±
¡°Fine,¡± Tess muttered.
She lifted her head slowly, eyes filled with something bitter and hollow.
All she felt was numb.
Was this what they wanted? For her to surrenderpletely?
They threw her in prison¡ªand now even her right to exist made them ufortable?
Was her very breath a sin?
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She stared straight into Nadine¡¯s eyes. ¡°If I did this, will Finn let Charles go?¡±
Her eyes were detached. Hollow.
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¡°Of course,¡± Nadine said, folding her arms. ¡°You might not trust me, but you trust Finn, don¡¯t you?¡±
Her voice, soft and sweet and brimming with flirtation, lingered on his name.
Nadine watched Tess carefully, savoring the stunned look on her face¨Cthen smiled.
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Tess turned her head slightly, her eyes locking onto Zane, who had just stepped into the room. It was clear she was hoping he¡¯d say something¨Canything¨Cthat would hint at Finn¡¯s true intentions.
Zane was clearly thrown by the situation. Under Nadine¡¯s sharp gaze, he finally gave a hesitant nod. ¡°Mr. Lock did say that if Ms. Nadine agreed to let it go, he wouldn¡¯t go after Mr. Jackman anymore. But ¡ ¡± He paused, shifting uneasily. Mr. Lock never said anything about Ms. Ember having to bow. And tonight .. tonight wasn¡¯t supposed to go down like this. If Mr. Lock finds out Ms. Nadine showed up unannounced and forced Ms. Ember to bow-
¡°Enough, Zane,¡± Nadine cut in smoothly before he could say more. She turned to Tess, her tone gleaming with false sweetness. ¡°It¡¯s up to you now, Tess. You wouldn¡¯t want Charles to lose everything, would you?¡±
Zane¡¯s words extinguished thest flicker of hope in Tess¡¯s eyes. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Fine.
If this was how they wanted to y it, so be it.
After all, she¡¯d already served time¨Clost her dignity, her freedom, and her reputation. What was left to lose?
If her sacrifice could spare Charles, she would do it.
Tess curled her fingers into her palms, sharp nails digging into her flesh as though her heart were bleeding from the inside out.
¡°Tess, you see-¡± Nadine bent down slightly, whispering close to Tess¡¯s ear.
Her breath was warm, but it felt like a venomous serpent hissing with cruel delight.
Nadine¡¯s words were cold and sinister,ced with a determination to drag Tess straight into the abyss.
¡°You betrayed thepany. You crossed a line he never forgives. You think he has a shred of pity left for you?¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes flew open wide in shock.
Nadine¡¯s hand pressed down on her shoulder, pinning the wave of emotion in her chest.
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She chuckled softly, her eyes filled with venomous mockery. ¡°Even if you tell him it was me, so what? Do you think he¡¯ll believe you?¡±
With that, she straightened up.
Tess had always stood a bit taller than Nadine, but after prison, she hadn¡¯t worn heels even
once.
Nadine, on the other hand, stood proudly in a pair of stilettos, her chin lifted like royalty looking down on a beggar.
A cold wave swept through Tess¡¯s chest. A wave of regret washed over her.
A bitter smile tugged at her heart as a voice inside scolded her for her own foolishness.
She¡¯d nearly said it. Nearly told the truth about what happened back then.
But who would believe her?
She swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. The light in her eyes dimmed again¨Cwhat little was left of it.
Then, in one smooth motion, she turned away.
Zane blinked in surprise, then rushed after her. Nadine hesitated, then followed.
The lobby was spacious, its marble floors gleaming under the overhead lights. Employees and visitors bustled in and out, the constant motion adding to the chill in the air.
In one swift motion-
Tess bent her back.
The lobby¡¯s noise nearly drowned out the quiet defiance in her bow.
Zane froze, a cold shock shooting up his spine.
Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he pulled out his phone to alert Finn.
People began to slow their steps, curiosity written all over their faces. Their curious nces turned invasive, scanning her like she was some bizarre spectacle.
The marble floor beneath her feet was freezing, the chill was sinking through the soles of her shoes, creeping into her bones.
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eyes-
What made it even more unbearable than the cold floor was the constant stream of curious, suspicious, unkind. Some were wide with excitement, lighting up as if they had just stumbled upon tomorrow¡¯s headline.
A woman bowed in the lobby of Lock Group¨Cwhat was she doing there?
The gossips couldn¡¯t resist themselves. Eager to feed their thirst for drama, they began snapping photos of Tess¡¯s face, inching closer and closer.
The shes burst in quick session, forcing Tess to duck her head. But it was no use. Phones were nearly jammed into her face, as if she were an animal in a zoo.
¡°What¡¯s she doing here? Does she even know where she is?¡±
¡°Is she trying to pull some kind of stunt? Are we about to see some major drama unfold?¡±
¡°Wait a sec¨Cthat figure ¡ Doesn¡¯t she look like¡ª¡±
The voice was quickly drowned in the growing buzz of spection.
¡°Zane,¡± Nadine called, a sly smile ying on her lips. Her eyes shimmered with a sinister kind of joy. ¡°Have her take off the mask.¡±
She was positively glowing with satisfaction as she stared at Tess, who was now surrounded by a full¨Cblown audience.
The memory of every p she had once dealt Tess came back to her crystal clear, and this was better than revenge.
Her teeth clenched tightly as she looked at the woman in the center of the crowd, as if Tess were some animal on public disy. The bitterness that had long been stuck in Nadine¡¯s chest began to dissolve. Chapters first released on F?ndNovel
Anyone who dared to defy her¨Cthis was the ending they deserved.
Zane¡¯s eyes flickered with hesitation, but Finn had made his orders clear. Tess was to apologize. And in his absence, no one¨Cabsolutely no one¨Cwas allowed to defy Nadine. So Zane took a breath, steeling himself under the weight of a hundred watching eyes, and stepped forward. ¡°Mrs. Lock,¡± he said, his voice low but firm, ¡°I¡¯m going to have to ask you to remove your mask.¡±
The words hit Tess like a punch. Her back went rigid.
Ever since giving birth to La, she had barely cared about appearances. And the scar that ran across her cheek¨Cdeep, raw, and impossible to ignore¨Cwas now her greatest shame.
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¡°Please,¡± Zane added gently. ¡°Let¡¯s not drag this out.¡±
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The stares all around made his scalp prickle with difort.
Tess¡¯s lips trembled as she bit down hard, tasting blood.
Not far off, Nadine stood with her arms crossed, looking utterly rxed¨Clike she was enjoying the best seat at a twisted circus show.
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Chapter 57 Animal in Disy
She was nothing more than a clown¨Csomething for others tough at.
Tess¡¯s fingers curled tighter and tighter.
¡°Mrs.¡±
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Before Zane could prompt her a third time, Tess yanked off the mask covering her face.
Her pale, delicate features were exposed for all to see: A faint pink scar, raw from healing, ran down her cheek¨Can unmistakable reminder of suffering.
It was as if the entire world had hit pause.
Everyone stared at the woman in the center, and the noisy whispers from just a moment ago faded into utter silence.
¡°Oh my God! That¡¯s Ms. Tess!¡±
Someone gasped and quickly covered their mouth, but in the hush, the soundnded like a stone in water¨Csharp and echoing.
Dozens of eyes turned her way, each with its own reaction, all locked on the woman who kept her head lowered.
She seemed to have lost all strength and sound, like a withered flower, limp and lifeless against the ground.
Her face betrayed no emotion, but her knees were trembling, her joints aching from the cold that had begun seeping in.
In that moment, she felt like she was back in prison again¨Cstripped of everything, dignity and all.
Her eyes squeezed shut as a bitterugh escaped her lips.
¡°She¡¯sughing? After all this?¡±
¡°That¡¯s the woman who dared steal confidential documents from Mr. Lock. Shameless.¡±
¡°Tess, yourugh is hideous. Honestly, crying would be better.¡±
Nadine giggled, her hand pressed to her lips in mockery.
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Zane, watching it all unfold, felt a chill sink into his bones. That wasn¡¯tughter¨Che could see it inly now; she was crying.
No, it¡¯s something far worse.
If Mr. Lock see this¡
Frantically, Zane sent him a message. ¡°Mrs. Lock is here. It¡¯s bad.¡±
The response came instantly. ¡°I¡¯m outside.¡±
Tess instinctively tried to cover her back, pressing her palms down to offer even the tiniest bit of warmth.
But her back had gone stiff and numb, crawling with invisible ants biting through bone.
Her face turned ghostly pale. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n FindN()vel
She looked around, dazed. Anyone who met her gaze flinched in shock before dropping their heads, whispering behind cupped hands.
More people entered the lobby by the minute, the quiet soon reced with murmuring voices and passing footsteps.
¡°How ¡ how did Ms. Tess end up like this?¡±
A whisper floated by, only to be swallowed up by the noise of approaching footsteps.
Tess had endured countless nightmares in prison.
That ce was hell.
Everyone said she came back a different person, but they had no idea. That year in prison had nearly killed her. She would¡¯ve lost all reason¨Cif not for La.
She clutched her knees with both hands as a creeping chill slithered up her legs like tangled
vines.
The cold crawled from her knees to her chest, then stretched out wed limbs that sank their teeth into her heart, wrapping around it tight, refusing to let go.
Prison had been a pit of demons.
The moment she arrived, she became a target.
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They bullied her, made her wash their clothes, and scrub their dishes. One mistake, and it was verbal abuse¨Cor worse, they left her outside in the dead of winter.
Within a year, Tess went from pride of the elite to a breathing shell.
She¡¯d gone from rage to despair to numbness.
Tess squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to pull away from those memories.
Her legs had once been broken. Every time they got cold, they throbbed with a phantom pain¨Cas if the bones were shattering all over again.
Two hours for bowing was torture.
Before long, cold sweat had soaked through her back.
The chill in her knees spread up through her thighs and calves, and soon, she could feel the stiffness creeping through both legs.
Across the room, Nadine narrowed her eyes. She scoffed at Tess¡¯s contorted expression.
Seriously? Just from bowing for a while? You made it through prison, and now you can¡¯t handle this?
Nadine crossed her arms and snorted.
Zane¡¯s eyes darted around the exits, searching anxiously for any sign of Finn.
¡°What¡¯s Ms. Tess doing here?¡±
¡°Still calling her awyer? She¡¯s been cklisted for ages.¡±
¡°Tsk. Is she here to beg Mr. Lock for forgiveness?¡±
The mocking was relentless.
Tess¡¯s spine slowly curled inward, her strength buckling under the emotional weight.
Sweat clung to her forehead, stering wisps of hair to her face.
She felt like an animal on disy, poked and prodded in public¨Cright here in the very ce where she had once made her mark.
A bitter smile crept across her lips.
Nadine¡¯s cruelty had no limits. And yet Tess could do nothing.
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Then, the sound of footsteps¨Cstrong and sharp¨Ccut through the air, silencing every whisper.
A tall man strode in, surrounded by suited bodyguards andpany executives.
The crowd immediately lowered their heads! ¡°Mr. Lock.¡±
Finn¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as he scanned the lobby for her.
As if moved by instinct, the crowd parted, leaving a clear path.
And there, finally exposed in the open, a woman bowed in the center of the lobby.
Finn¡¯s pupils contracted.
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The sight of her hit him raw. His chest seized with pain as the image burned into his mind.
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Chapter 58 Shattered Pride
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Tess heard the synchronized shouts echoing through the building, but she could barely open her eyes, hovering between consciousness and copse. She didn¡¯t even have the strength to lift her head.
Finn¡¯s sharp gaze fell on her crumpled form, a flicker of shock breaking through his icy stare.
He parted his lips, but his throat was so dry that no words came out.
How did thing to this?
His
eyes immediately snapped to Zane, who stood rigidly; he lowered his head, avoiding his gaze.
Zane had always followed orders to the letter. He would never overstep unless ¡
Unless this wasn¡¯t Tess¡¯s choice. Unless this was Nadine¡¯s doing.
Rage flickered across Finn¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t hesitate. In two long strides, he was at Tess¡¯s side and helped her to stand straight.
¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± he snapped.
Tess braced herself against his chest, her voice t and bitter. ¡°What¨Cdid you and Nadine not agree that I should bow for two full hours?¡±
Finn froze. The coldness in her voice sent a chill down his spine. He turned sharply to re at Nadine.
Nadine shrank under his gaze, murmuring pitifully, ¡°I told her she didn¡¯t need to apologize. But she insisted. She said she¡¯d bow for two hours. I couldn¡¯t stop her. I guess¡ she wanted to make a scene in front of you.¡±
She said it with a wounded look, as if Tess had orchestrated the whole thing to gain sympathy.
Tess stared at her in disbelief, as though seeing a stranger.
This was the girl she once treated like a sister.
¡°Zane,¡± Finn said sharply.
Zane stepped forward andid out the truth.
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Chapter 58 Shattered Pride
¡°It was Ms. Nadine,¡± he said, his voice steady.
Zane¡¯s word shattered Nadine¡¯s carefully woven lie.
Her face went pale. ¡°Zane¡¯s on Tess¡¯s side-¡±
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But her voice faltered the moment Finn¡¯s eyes met hers¨Ccold, sharp, and unforgiving. She fell silent.
¡°Finn, I-¡± Nadine started, but he was already turning back to Tess.
He wanted to exin.
That he never meant for it to go this far. He only hoped a forced apology would break her pride a little and make her listen for once.
But before he could finish¡ª
¡°Get lost!¡±
Tess¡¯s voice cracked with fury. Her legs nearly gave out beneath her. She stumbled a little before she steadied herself. When she saw Finn stepping closer, something inside her snapped. She shoved him back with every ounce of strength she had left.
Finn stumbled, caught off guard.
¡°Stop pretending, will you?¡±
Her voice was raw, her smile twisted with pain. ¡°Pride? Is that what this is about? I don¡¯t have any left¨Cnot after you shattered it, piece by piece.¡±
She tilted her head back, the pale skin of her face stark against the faint scar on her cheek.
Finn¡¯s breath caught. He wanted to say something, but it was as if an invisible hand gripped his throat. ¡°You ¡¡±
¡°You wanted an apology? Fine,¡± she said hoarsely. ¡°I bowed. That should count.¡±
She cast a nce at Nadine, who looked like a ghost in the corner. Then Tess leaned weakly into Finn, whispering her final words like a dying wish. ¡°Now keep your promise. Let him go.¡±
Each word felt like it had been wrenched from her bones.
Then she staggered away, dragging her numb legs across the lobby.
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Alone. Broken. Humiliated.
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The entire room had fallen into a stunned silence. No one could look away from the tragic figure disappearing out the door.
Not a sound¨Conly the faint scrape of her steps.
As soon as her figure vanished from sight, the entire building fell into a silence so deep, you could hear a pin drop. The very air inside seemed to freeze in ce.
Finn stood where Tess had just bowed, his jaw clenched tight. A bitter chill radiated from him, wrapping around his entire being. He was like a towering iceberg¨Csilent, unyielding, and cold to the bone.
Zane¡¯s heart sank.
Nadine trembled, her chest tight, wanting to escape. But just as she turned, she met Finn¡¯s dark, stormy gaze.
His eyes were like a cold de, so sharp that it could slice through her.
Nadine flinched.
Finn strode forward and stopped in front of her.
His towering frame cast a long shadow over her, his restrained fury pressing down like a thundercloud.
He stared at her as though he didn¡¯t know her anymore. She was once a kind and capable girl -how had she be this?
¡°Who gave you permission to mess with
my wife?¡±
His voice was low and sharp as ice.
Nadine¡¯s scalp prickled.
It wasn¡¯t just Finn¡¯s overwhelming pressure. Everyone else¡¯s curious and judgmental stares pierced her like needles.
¡°Finn¡¡± she whispered, barely audible, begging.
But Finn didn¡¯t budge. Zane, worried about the growing public attention, quickly stepped in to disperse the crowd.
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Chapter 58 Shattered Pride
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Within moments, it felt like a heavy storm had settled over the building. Everyone walked on eggshells.
At the center of it all, Nadine stood with her head bowed, too ashamed to lift it.
And the man before her¨Chis heart had already followed Tess out the door.
Outside, the scorching sun seemed to dull the ache in Tess¡¯s legs.
She didn¡¯t know what happened after she left. She just kept walking¨Cmechanically, painfully.
When she finally reached the edge of the road to call a cab, her phone rang.
¡°Ms. Ember, Mr. Jackman is awake.¡±
She rushed to the hospital.
Charles was sitting up in bed, taking small spoonfuls of grits with the help of a nurse. An IV line still hung from his arm.
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Chapter 59 A Quiet Goodbye
Chapter 59 A Quiet Goodbye
¡°You came.¡±
The moment Charles saw her, a flicker of warmth lit
¡°How are you feeling?¡±
Tess forced a smile as she turned to ask the nurse.
up his usually calm eyes.
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¡°He¡¯s recovering well. Just a couple more days
discharge,¡± the nurse replied gently, collectin of observation, and he should be ready for
the empty te from Charles¡¯s bedside.
Once she left, the room grew quiet with only Tess and Charles remaining.
Tess finally exhaled in relief and settled into the soft chair beside the bed.
¡°Are you okay? Does anything still hurt?¡± she asked, her voice gentle with concern.
Charles arched his brows in azy smile, his demeanor gentle¨Clike a big, obedient dog. ¡°Nope. Didn¡¯t the nurse just mention that I¡¯ll be discharged soon?
Tess nodded.
After that, silence fell between them again.
Charles tried to say something but couldn¡¯t seem to find the right words. The air felt heavy, the space between them filled with unspoken things.
Tess was the one to finally break it.
¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±
She lowered her gaze, guilt swirling in her eyes.
If Charles hadn¡¯t taken her in out of kindness, he wouldn¡¯t have found himself in Finn¡¯s
crossfire.
Charles hadn¡¯t expected that. Flustered, he tried tofort her.
m now. After a moment¡¯s
But despite his eloquence in court, the right words escaped struggle, he managed to say, in a somewhat dry and awkward manner, ¡°This wasn¡¯t your
fault.¡±
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Chapter 59 A Quiet Goodbye
Tess gave a small shake of her head, silent.
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Charles¡¯s brow knit slightly, a trace of worry flickering across his face. ¡°Don¡¯t carry all of the burden by yourself. You haven¡¯t done anything wrong.¡±
And for a brief moment, it felt like someone had gently tapped on the locked door around her heart.
Ever since her release from jail, Tess had adopted a hedgehog¨Clike demeanor, always preparing for the next blow.
Whether it was Kylie, Nadine, or Finn, she met them all with a cold indifference. But the truth was, everything she did was to protect herself and La. Her strength was forced. Her resilience, a disguise. She had no choice but to build walls around herself just to survive.
¡°Don¡¯t stress about it. That house they¡¯re auctioning off already has a decent opening bid. I¡¯ve got some savings, and I still have myw firm. Really, it¡¯s nothing to worry about,¡± Charles said gently.
Tess blinked fast, her eyes growing misty.
¡°Hmm, I should go check on La.¡±
She stood up.
Charles tensed up at the thought of her daughter alone in the house. He quickly waved her off and said, ¡°Go on, don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m fine here.¡±
Tess gave him onest look, then turned and walked out.
Her silhouette disappeared at the doorway, and the room returned to stillness.
Charles leaned back against the pillow, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.
Something didn¡¯t sit right. His gaze lingered on the door where she¡¯d vanished.
Then¨Cknock, knock.
A knock broke the silence outside the door.
Ruling out the possibility that Tess might return, Charles¡¯s gaze fell on the door, his eyes darkening.
¡°Come in.¡±
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When Tess got home, Bessie had just finished making La a bottle of form.
¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±
Even though her legs still ached from days of running around, all the pain and tiredness vanished the moment she saw La.
Bessie caught the gauntness in Tess¡¯s face; she was startled, but then she saw the sparkle return to her eyes. She swallowed her words.
She handed the baby over.
Tess cradled La tightly, the familiar scent of milk washing over her like a balm. Every muscle in her body finally rxed.
La hadn¡¯t seen her mother in days. She reached up with chubby little arms, trying to wrap them around Tess¡¯s neck.
Their heads touched gently, a quiet moment of warmth between mother and child.
Moved by the way the two looked at each other, Bessie couldn¡¯t help but be swept up tenderness of it all. A soft smile blossomed across her face.
in the
¡°Alright, let me hold her. You go rest,¡± Bessie offered, reaching for La.
As if understanding the exchange, La blinked her big round eyes and stretched out her arms toward Bessie.
Tess didn¡¯t argue.
Something urgent required her attention.
¡°Bessie, could you watch La a bit longer?¡±
Bessie noticed the look on Tess¡¯s face. She didn¡¯t understand what was going on, but she patted her chest confidently. ¡°Of course, no problem.¡±
Tess headed into the bedroom.
She moved from room to room, finally dragging out a familiar suitcase.
¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± Bessie asked, startled.
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Chapter 59 A Quiet Goodbye
¡°I¡¯ve already troubled you long enough,¡± Tess said with quiet apology.
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Bessie knew Tess had always been the kind of girl who didn¡¯t like imposing on others. But this was a big house with plenty of rooms, and she and La barely took up a corner. How Iwas that a burden?
¡°Have you found a ce to stay?¡±
Bessie ced the bottle near little La¡¯s mouth, letting her hold it and drink on her own, while asionally lending Tess a hand as she packed.
¡°I found a few live¨Cin jobs online¨Cfood and amodation included. I¡¯m heading out with La for some interviews,¡± Tess said briskly.
Tess moved swiftly, with ease.
Given how firm her tone was, Bessie didn¡¯t press.
Before long, Tess had packed up everything for herself and La. Then, with careful attention, she cleaned the ce.
Standing in the doorway, she gave the neat little home onest lingering look.
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Chapter 60 The Hollowness She Left Behind
The door clicked shut behind Tess.
Once again, she had no home.
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Tess was determined not to drag anyone else down with her, even if it meant sleeping on the streets with La in her arms.
Bessie offered, ¡°I¡¯ll walk you to the bus stop.¡±
The two of them walked in silence until they reached the station. Before getting on, Bessie turned back and gave a fewst words of concern, her voice filled with worry.
Tess nodded along with a grateful smile, watching as the bus pulled away before finally turning to leave.
She took La straight to the Lock Group Private Hospital.
Charles had already done more than enough for her. She didn¡¯t want to burden him any further.
Still, she knew that if Charles found out she was leaving, he¡¯d try everything to stop her.
To avoid that, she handed the keys to the front desk nurse and asked her to pass them on to Charles.
And with that, Tess walked out, carrying La in her arms.
The nurse nced down at the keys in her hand, then made her way toward Charles¡¯s room.
But just as she reached the door, it opened from the inside¨Cand she nearly bumped into Zane.
She gave
him a polite nod, then stepped inside.
Charles was sitting up, his eyes vacant and unfocused.
The nurse hesitated for a moment, then held out the key.
¡°Mr. Jackman, Ms. Ember asked me to give this to you.¡±
A flicker of light sparked in Charles¡¯s eyes. He stared at the key as it slowly came into focus-
his house key.
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Chapter 60 The Hollowness She Left Behind
He suddenly bolted upright. ¡°Where is she?¡±
Startled, the nurse answered truthfully, ¡°S¨Cshe just left.¡±
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Charles threw back the covers and tried to get up. But he was still hooked to an IV, and the nurse rushed forward to stop him. ¡°Mr. Jackman, you can¡¯t! You¡¯re still on fluids!¡±
She couldn¡¯t hold him down alone and had to call for help. Several nurses and a doctor came running in.
Eventually, Charles copsed back onto the bed, utterly drained. His eyes were hollow and dull.
The nurse wrung her hands; she seemed torn. ¡°Mr. Jackman, I know you want to find Ms. Ember, but please be patient. You¡¯ll likely be discharged tomorrow.¡±
Charles was unconvinced, his face pale and unreadable.
¡°Did she say anything else?¡± His voice was hoarse, almost breaking.
The nurse shook her head. ¡°No¡ nothing.¡±
The small spark in his eyes dimmed outpletely.
Of course. He should¡¯ve known.
No wonder she had acted so strange that day.
Tess had probably decided to leave just so she wouldn¡¯t burden him any further.
His hands curled into fists as his mind reyed the earlier conversation with Zane.
-m
That man
stood awkwardly beside his bedside, struggling to ry a message.
¡°If you¡¯ve got something to say, just say it,¡± Charles had told him.
At those words, Zane stopped beating around the bush. ¡°Mr. Lock has a few questions for you.¡±
Charles wasn¡¯t surprised. With his hands folded calmly in hisp, he waited in silence.
¡°Your rtionship with Mrs. Lock,¡± Zane began, ¡°and the child is she Mr. Lock¡¯s?¡±
Two questions, both exactly as Charles had expected.
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Chapter 60 The Hollowness She Left Behind
¡°Our rtionship?¡± He gave a slight pause, then answered with a wry smile.
¡°Does mutual affection count?¡±
He nced sideways, the corners of his mouth curling with quiet sarcasm.
He had once thought he could treat Finn as just another boss.
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Back when Tess was imprisoned for allegedly stealing confidential files from Lock Group, Charles hadn¡¯t known all the details. But he had never doubted her character¨Cor the sincerity of her love for Finn.
How was that possible? Anyone might have leakedpany secrets, but not Tess. She would never do anything to harm Lock Group.
The next time they met was outside aw firm. Max was harassing her.
A child at her side¨Cone who bore a striking resemnce to Finn.
And yet that same woman¨Ckind, loyal, and once full of promise¨Chad been driven to the streets by Finn himself.
Charles clenched his fists at the thought.
Zane, taken aback by the bluntness, warned him with a sharp look, ¡°Mr. Jackman, I suggest you tread carefully. Provoking Mr. Lock won¡¯t benefit you.¡±
Charles shut his eyes for a beat.
He already knew what it was like to be on Finn¡¯s bad side¨Che was 30 million in debt because of it.
¡°So tell me,¡± he said with a cold smile, ¡°is it you who can¡¯t handle the truth or Mr. Lock?¡±
Zane broke into a nervous sweat.
He gave Charles a long, uneasy stare.
Was this gentleman really the same man he used to know? The once¨Cshy rookie, who had grown into the polished andposed lead attorney¨CZane had seen him shine in court, always eloquent and restrained,
But now there was something different about him. A razor¨Csharp edge, like thorns beneath his usual calm.
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Chapter 60 The Hollowness She Left Behind
¡°And the child?¡± Zane pressed, forcing his voice to remain steady,
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¡°She¡¯s not his,¡± Charles said tly. He lifted a hand and gestured toward the door, left slightly ajar. ¡°If that¡¯s all, you can go.¡±
¡°Then whose child is she?¡± Zane asked quickly.
Charles gave a cold chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡±
He turned his face away, clearly done with the conversation.
Zane realized he¡¯d hit a wall. With nothing left to ask, he ced a file on the nightstand and quietly walked out.
The memory ended there. Charles stared down at the house key still clenched in his palm, the jagged edges pressing faint red lines into his skin.
She was gone.
And with her, she took the light¨Cleaving a void in his heart. ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? F?nd-Novel
He reached for the file Zane had left behind. Inside was a torn contract¨Cthe same breach of agreement he¡¯d once signed.
Attached was a formal statement: Lock Group will no longer pursue legal action against Charles Jackman and is prepared to invest substantially in Jackman Legal.
Beneath it was a nk check.
Charles held the check between his fingers, a bitter smile spreading across his face. For the first time, he truly felt the weight of his helplessness.
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Charles instinctively unlocked his phone. A message from an old colleague popped up¡ªsomeone he used to be close with at work. Attached was a photo.
It showed Tess, standing in the Lock Group¡¯s lobby, surrounded by onlookers pointing and whispering.
A sharp pain pierced through Charles¡¯s chest.
If it weren¡¯t for him. Tess wouldn¡¯t have been humiliated by Finn.
She had gone that far¡ for him.
Even though he had already seen the photo, looking at it again made it just as suffocating.
¡°I want to be discharged,¡± Charles said suddenly.
He buzzed the nurse, his expression clouded with shadows.
The nurse blinked, startled by the sudden shift in the usually soft¨Cspoken Charles. She felt unsettled but rejected him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Jackman. That youngdy gave strict instructions -You can only be discharged when you¡¯re fully recovered.¡±
At her words, Charles¡¯s hand, which had been reaching for the doorknob, slowly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Tess wandered the streets with her head low, defeated.
Her phone rang inside her pocket again and again.
Grimacing, she finally switched it to silent mode.
It was Charles calling.
She¡¯d declined the call several times. Eventually, she gave up trying to stop him.
Clutching La tightly in her arms, she shielded the child from the harsh midday sun that might harm her soft skin.
Earlier, Tess had applied for a job as a hotel cleaner. But the moment employers saw the baby in her arms, they immediately. rejected her; some barely masked their fear of inconvenience.
She nced up at the zing sun overhead. Everything felt heavier under its re.
If she couldn¡¯tnd a job before nightfall, where would she and La go?
Before the interview, Tess had counted the cash she had left.
Even the cheapest motel would onlyst them two or three nights. And that didn¡¯t even include food.
She could go without a proper meal¨Cbut not La. And the form Bessie had given her was already running low.
Lost in worry, she didn¡¯t notice the luxury car that suddenly veered too close, swerving recklessly past her.
Startled. They quickly pulled tighter and stepped back to the curb.
But the car dyin¡¯t drive off It began circling her.
Once Two That want a consulence
blue squinted toward the driver¡¯s side window When she saw the familiar face twisted in a mocking smile, her body tensed all
Over
Tess gopped La closer and lowered her head, hoping to ship away unnoticed.
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Chapter 61 Enemies on Every Corner
Toote. The car door flung open, blocking her path.
¡°Well, look who it is¨Csmall world, huh?¡± A sharp voice sneered.
Someone stepped out, perfectly poised in expensive designer heels.
s
Nadine tossed her sunsses back into the car, her eyes narrowing in on the bundle Tess was shielding in her arms.
But Tess had wrapped La so securely in a soft nket that nothing could be seen. Latest content published on find~novel
Nadine scoffed, her tone dripping with contempt. ¡°Do you know what you look like right now? A pathetic little stray nobody
wants.
With Finn nowhere nearby, she no longer bothered to keep up her innocent act.
Tess instinctively took a step back.
Something urred to her; Tess¡¯s gaze dropped to Nadine¡¯s heels and slowly lifted toward her t stomach.
Wasn¡¯t Nadine supposed to be pregnant? Why was she still wearing stilettos and riding in sports cars?
Nadine caught the shift in Tess¡¯s stare and followed her line of sight¨Cstraight to her stomach.
Dammit!
I told everyone I¡¯m pregnant. Did Tess just figure something out?
Flustered, Nadine immediately ced her handbag in front of her abdomen like a shield.
¡°What are you looking at? Are you jealous and nning to hurt my baby?¡±
Their eyes locked midair.
Tess didn¡¯t respond right away, but something about Nadine¡¯s expression struck her as strange.
What kind of mother looked like that when she mentioned her own child?
There was nothing maternal in Nadine¡¯s eyes¨Cjust restlessness, irritation, and open hostility toward Tess. But not a trace of tenderness for the life supposedly growing inside her.
Tess couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off.
Mayle not all women be doting mothers right away, Tess told herself.
| Under the weight of Tess¡¯s stare, Nadine shifted ufortably, not knowing what to do with her hands or how to hold
benell
¡°What are you staring at she snapped, her neck stiff with forced defiance.
Tess slowly pulled her gaze away. Her voice, when it came, was cool and t, ¡°Move,¡±
With that any Mare gone, Nadine felt a subtle sense of relief¨Cbut it didn¡¯tst. Her pride kicked in, and she crossed her arms dramatically, raising her cun
what now! You own the sidewalk? she inocked.
Madine naised an eyebrow and nted her hands on her hips, stepping in even more arrogantly to block Tess¡¯s path.
Fiun in¡¯t here right now, she sneered. ¡°So don¡¯t give me that look. That whole lonely and misunderstood act only works on men who sull feel sorry for you¡±
Nadine let out a densive sport, dearly here with an agenda.
Trss knew it, too. No¨Cthis woman had stumbles across her by ident. She was here on purpose, clearly looking for a
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Chapter 61 Enemies on Every Corner
fight.
And sure enough, Nadine¡¯s next words cut like a deced with glee.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did Charles finally kick you out?¡±
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She sneered. ¡°Ever since younded yourself in jail, that mutt¡¯s been barking at me non¨Cstop. He really was loyal, wasn¡¯t he?
¡°But I didn¡¯t expect his loyalty to vanish so fast. You drag him down with 30 million in debt, and just like that¨Che drops your
Nadine folded her arms with smug satisfaction, as though waiting to watch Tess break down.
But the moment never came. Tess stood still, face calm, gaze steady. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her expression¨Cnot anger, not shame, not even surprise.
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Chapter 62 I Won¡¯t ept Your Apology
¡°Done talking? Move.¡±
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Tess lifted her gaze coldly, her piercing eyes slicing right past Nadine andnding straight on the driver¡¯s seat of the luxury car behind her.
The driver visibly flinched and ducked his head lower.
Tess¡¯s eyes darkened.
It was someone she¡¯d once trained herself¡ªa loyal assistant, or so she thought. After Tess was thrown behind bars, the woman had jumped ship without hesitation only to end up chauffeuring for Nadine.
Disappointment flickered across Tess¡¯s face, but she quickly masked it.
¡°She¡¯s my driver now. Who do you think you¡¯re ordering around?¡± Nadine tilted her chin smugly.
Tm ordering yourpdog,¡± Tess shot back without missing a beat.
Nadine blinked, stunned, before breaking into a syrupyugh. ¡°Aw, getting upset? It hurts to see your people turn on you, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
She leaned in close, her breath brushing Tess¡¯s ear like honeyed venom¨Csweet on the surface, deadly underneath.
But she had miscalcted.
¡°She doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Tess said with calm indifference, shaking her head. ¡°She¡¯s no one.¡±
Her words were soft, but the scorn ran deep¨Clike a p in the face cushioned with silk.
Nadine¡¯s confident smirk faltered, but before she could fire back, Tess grabbed her shoulder and shoved her against the car door and forced her to make way.
The sudden movement left Nadine dazed, her mind reeling. The world spun around her, and the first thing she felt was the sharp pain searing through her back.
¡°Tess!¡± she shrieked, her voice shrill with rage, eyes zing.
But Tess had already stepped away, cradling the baby in her arms, her smirk cold.
¡°Nadine,¡± she said, her voice quiet but sharp as a de. ¡°No matter how well you lie, the truth always finds its way through.¡±
Her tour was almost gentle, yetced with cruel irony.
Nadier¡¯s face flushed crimson
Was Tess mocking the little show she¡¯d put on for Finn?
Fury boiled in Nadine¡¯s eyes. Her hands clenched, and her expression darkened.
Look belund you. Tess said coolly, sensing Nadine was about to get physical.
¡°You think in falling for that? Nadine growled, clenched her teeth, and stomped forward in her heels. Follow current nov?ls on find¡¤novel
Mrs Lock
The poor came like a crack of lightning- Zane¡¯s
Nadine froze mid¨Cstep and turned. Zane approached holding a folder, his expression unreadable.
Noting the document she had just handled not long ago. Nadine¡¯s face turned visibly sour. Sull, she forced out a smile that tried to pass as polite. Something so trivial¨Cdid it really need you to permally deliver this?¡±
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Chapter 62 I Won¡¯t ept Your Apology
Zane nced at Nadine, whose expression was oddly tense. He figured she was just feeling embarrassed.
¡°Mr. Lock¡¯s orders,¡± he replied simply.
s
At the mention of that name, Tess¡¯s face hardened. She took the chance to turn and leave while they were distracted.
¡°Mrs. Lock!¡±
Zane noticed and rushed to block her path, trying to ce the folder in her arms¨Conly to realize both of her hands were full.
Instead, he respectfully opened it in front of her.
Inside was a check. One million dors.
¡°This is Mr. Lock¡¯s way ofpensating you,¡± he exined quietly.
Tess stared at the check, shocked. Then, without a word, she took a step back.
She let the check fall to the ground.
Zane blinked, confused. He bent to retrieve it, offering it again.
But Tess didn¡¯t take it. Her eyes were full of scorn.
¡°If this is his apology for making me do that,¡± she said coldly, ¡°then can I buy him to do the same thing? I can give him a million. Will he agree to this?¡±
¡°Mr. Lock would never do that!¡± Zane shot back without thinking.
As soon as the words left his mouth, his scalp turned numb and his face turned bright red.
¡°Exactly,¡± Tess said, her voice icy. ¡°If he wouldn¡¯t do that for this amount of money, why should I? Is my dignity worth less-
than his?¡±
Zane had no answer. He stepped aside quietly, letting her pass.
A little head poked out from the bundle in Tess¡¯s arms¨CLa, curious and blinking.
Zane¡¯s eyes widened in shock.
The child looked like a doll. There was no mistaking it¡ªshe looked just like his boss. Exactly like Finn.
Why was there even a question about her parentage?
¡°Hey! Isn¡¯t that the hotshot attorney everyone¡¯s been talking about?¡±
¡°Oh my gosh, that¡¯s Ms. Nadine! I love her!¡±
¡°She¡¯s brilliant and beautiful, and she¡¯s the chief attorney at Lock Group! Mr. Lock practically had her on a pedestal!¡±
People started pulling out their phones, snapping photos.
The Bases were blinding
Tess turned quickly, shielding La with her body,
People wond toud her name the same.
Now, wanding in the middle of the crowd, fallen from grace, she locked eyes with Nadine, who looked both smug and
furious
And someone in the crowd muttered-
¡°Shit¡¯s not even that pretty. The real beauty was Tess Ember, Lock Group¡¯s former star attorney!¡±
10:26 AM
Chapter 62 I Won¡¯t ept Your Apology
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¡°I heard Nadine wed her way up after Tess got locked up. Even got cozy with her brother¨Cinw. A homewrecker through and through!¡±
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Chapter 63 Make Sure She Gets Something
Chapter 63 Make Sure She Gets Something
As Tess expected, Nadine¡¯s furious voice rang out from behind her. ¡°Stop filming! Didn¡¯t you hear me?¡±
A loud thud followed¨Cthe sound of her bag mming against the car.
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The sharp crack echoed as the impact left a deep scratch on the limited¨Cedition pink sports car. Nadine ignored all that. She yanked the door shut with a deafening ng.
Zane stood frozen. He had never seen Nadine this angry, this unhinged. For a moment, he couldn¡¯t even react.
The camera clicks only grew louder.
Snapping out of his daze, Zane rushed to contain the scene, ordering security to check every phone on¨Csite. He ensured no damaging photos or videos slipped through before letting anyone leave.
After all, Nadine was thepany¡¯s starwyer. Any bad press about her could quickly be a liability for thepany.
He sighed, barely cleaning up the scene when he caught sight of Tess walking away.
In his mind, Tess was just too stubborn for her own good.
She could¡¯ve gone back to living the high life, enjoying wealth and luxury. Instead, she chose to taste the bitterness of life at the bottom.
Would it have hurt her so much to just admit she was wrong and apologize to Mr. Lock?
She had already been to jail¨Cwhy still cling so hard to pride?
And that child¡
Zane sensed troubleing. He shoved the check back into his pocket.
I better head back to the office.
On the top floor of Lock Group-
¡°She refused?¡±
Finn¡¯s brow furrowed deeply.
Zane reported Tess¡¯s reaction inly but glossed over Nadine¡¯s earlier harassment.
Years as a personal assistant had taught him well¨Conly focus on what truly mattered.
Finn pressed his thin lips together, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. But his mind betrayed him¨Csuddenly, an image of Tess¡¯s eyes appeared, dark and intense, filled with a stubborn fire that refused to die.
Those eyes had once been full of light, like stars reflected in the night sky. Now, they were hollow. Distant. When had they changed sopletely?
His heartbeat quickened for no reason he could name. Even his thoughts started unraveling into chaos.
With a sharp tap, his finger struck the desk again.
¡°I heard there¡¯s still some dispute over Mrs. Larson¡¯s legacy. But the portion designated for her¨Cif she doesn¡¯t want it, then apply pressure on the Larsons. Force them to give her a share.¡±
Zane blinked. ¡®Mr. Lock, you mean¡?¡±
¡°Mrs. Larson¡¯s legacy is worth hundreds of millions. Tossing her a little for living expenses won¡¯t kill them. And all those investment dividends? They want to swallow it whole?¡±
Finn rubbed his temple and spoke again, his voice low. ¡°Make sure she gets something.¡±
10:26 AM
Chapter 63 Make Sure She Gets Something
Zane¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll get
it done.¡±
He left and gently closed the door behind him.
His desky buried in paperwork, yet none of it held his attention.
He exhaled and wandered over to the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window.
His mind was a mess.
He couldn¡¯t shake the image of Tess stood in the lobby. It haunted him¨Clike a thorn lodged in his chest.
Unlike Finn, who was drowning in guilt and unease, Tess was experiencing an unexpected stroke of luck.
s
¡°Ms. Ember, your monthly dividend of 30,000 dors has been deposited,¡± awyer said over the phone, his voice calm and professional.
Tess stared at her phone, barely believing what she was hearing.
Did Kylie really give in?
But either way, it had been her grandmother¡¯s money.
And with this amount every month, she could take care of La.
The weight pressing on her chest lightened; she let out a breath of relief. The rightful source is find?novel
There was no need to rush into job hunting. It was evening, and it would be challenging to find a decent ce on such short notice, so she booked a hotel room for the night.
¡°Here¡¯s your room key, ma¡¯am.¡±
The hotel was clean and quiet.
As the night fell, Tess had just begun to rx when La suddenly began to cry. Her stomach was upset. Her bright little face turned pale and worn out.
Tess quickly changed her diaper and ran out to buy medicine.
She found a 24¨Chour pharmacy and wrapped La up carefully against the night chill, holding her close under the streetlights as she made her way.
She had just paid for the medicine and turned to leave when a hand blocked her path.
A group of drunk men stood in front of her.
The one leading them was a blondie named Craig Dunn, swaying with intoxication. Behind him were a few rowdy punks, clearly out for trouble.
Tess¡¯s heart tightened. She instinctively tried to sidestep, but Craig wouldn¡¯t let her.
¡°Hey prettydy, what¡¯s the rush?¡± he slurred. ¡°Mind giving me your number?¡±
He was so drunk his eyes nearly rolled back, yet he still managed to unlock his phone and sh a QR code at Tess.
¡°Dude, seriously? She¡¯s a mom,¡± one of the punks snickered. ¡°You¡¯re down bad.¡±
¡°What do you know? Yeah, she¡¯s a mom¨Cbut look at that figure. That tiny waist, those long legs. Bet she¡¯s a real thrill
A group of punks huddled together behind him, their lecherous eyes scanning Tess from head to toe. They exchanged a look, thep burst into a chorus of sleazyughter.
Tess felt like an object on disy¨Csomething cheap and exposed. Their brazen stares tightened every nerve in her body.
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Chapter 64 A World Away
+5 Free Coins
A surge of humiliation and frustration swelled in Tess¡¯s chest, but the thought of La, still sick and needing her care, forced her to grit her teeth and keep her head down.
¡°I didn¡¯t bring my phone,¡± she said softly, barely above a whisper.
¡°Whoa! Lady, are you mute or something?¡± a punk jeered from the crowd, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Laughter exploded around her like firecrackers. The street echoed with mocking voices, growing louder by the second.
Tess tried to block it all out, to disappear within herself, but it was impossible. A ring of people had already gathered, drawing curious nces from passersby.
A few onlookers looked at her with sympathy¨Cuntil they recognized Craig. Then they quickly averted their eyes and hurried
away. ?????? ???? f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
¡°No phone? Then say your number out loud!¡± Craig snapped, his patience wearing thin. He shoved her hard on the shoulder.
Tess stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
She staggered back a few steps before regaining her bnce. Craig didn¡¯t care. He kept shing his blindingly bright phone screen in her face.
¡°What are you, mute and deaf too?!¡± he barked.
One of Craig¡¯s goons, catching his cue, lunged forward and reached for Tess¡¯s hair.
Her eyes flew wide open. She fought back on instinct.
In the chaos, her face mask was yanked off.
The noisy street froze.
Only the music thumping from the nearby bar kept ying.
Craig¡¯s eyes bulged. The alcohol¨Cinduced haze vanished from his face.
You¡¯re-¡± he started.
Tess quickly ducked, shatched the mask from the ground, and put it back on in one swift motion.
Her face stayed buried in her chest, terrified to meet anyone¡¯s gaze.
She took advantage of the momentary shock and tried to slip away.
Before she could slip away, a hand grabbed her arm. ¡°Hey, everyone! Hurry up and greet my wife!¡±
Craig shouted, gripping her tightly, eyes glittering with excitement.
Who would¡¯ve guessed such a stunning face was hiding under that in outfit? Even with the faint scar on her cheek, she was a knockout. He felt like he¡¯d just won the lottery.
Craig waved over the sameckey who had grabbed Tess earlier and pped him hard across the face. ¡°How dare you hurt my
wife?
Startled by his sudden action, Tess instinctively cast a nce at theckey who had just taken the blow,
The skinny thug¡¯s face flushed red and swelled up instantly.
¡°Let me go!¡± Tess cried, panic rising in her chest.
Tess couldn¡¯t get involved with them. For all she knew, the next p might be aimed straight at her face.
10:26 AM
Chapter 64 A World Away.
She twisted hard and broke free, bolting down the sidewalk.
1
Craig wasn¡¯t about to let her escape that easily. He chased after her without hesitation.
Just then¨CScreech!
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A luxury car came to a sudden stop at the curb, its gleaming headlights piercing through the dim street like twin daggers.
Craig froze, and he fell a step behind.
The moment that car appeared, he came to a full halt. He didn¡¯t dare take another step.
If Tess¡¯s beauty had half¨Csobered him, this car woke him uppletely.
He tugged on his goons and retreated in a hurry.
Tess blinked, stunned.
No¡ it couldn¡¯t be. Finn?
The street, already sparsely popted, fell into an even deeper silence.
The window rolled down, revealing a chiseled face as cold as sculpture.
More people began pouring out of the bar.
And that¡¯s when she realized¨CFinn hadn¡¯te for her.
The bar had cleared out to receive him.
Surrounded by bodyguards, Finn stood tall and distant, his mere presence creating a rift between him and everyone else.
Dressed in a simple ck suit, he walked briskly forward, lips pressed into a line..
Several women, still buzzed from drinking, had their eyes lit up the instant he walked in.
But hismanding aura kept them at bay. They could only gape in longing as he disappeared inside.
¡°Oh my God! He¡¯s gorgeous.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t even bother. That¡¯s Aetheris¡¯s richest man. You could go blind staring, and he still wouldn¡¯t look twice at you.¡±
The whispers rolled through the crowd like a breezeced with
envy
and awe.
Tess kept her head down, clutching her child close as she melted into the crowd and left.
And just as she slipped away, a man stepping into the bar suddenly paused. As if guided by instinct, he turned back. But all he saw were shapeless shadows shifting in the dark.
His brows knitted as he scanned the figures¨Cuntil his gaze locked on a woman carrying a child.
A mother¡ bringing a baby to a bar?
Finn rubbed his brow and looked away, expression indifferent,
As he stepped inside, the ce had already been cleared. The floor was being scrubbed down by cleaners in a hurry.
¡°Mr. Lock, would you like your usual private room?¡°
The bar¡¯s elusive general manager hurried with a ttering smile and eager nod.
¡°The second floor¡±
Finn had a business meeting scheduled here.
10:26 AM P
Chapter 64 A World Away
The manager quickly arranged for someone to escort him upstairs.
s
Unlike the chaos downstairs, the second floor had the feel of a private lounge¨Cquiet, refined, and removed from the usual bar atmosphere.
The moment Finn appeared, all eyes turned to him.
He hadn¡¯t even sat down yet when a man nearby instantly straightened in his seat.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± he said, rising to his feet with an apologetic look.
Finn nced at him, his cool gaze like a stillke hiding a storm beneath.
¡°Mr. Holden asked me to wait for you here,¡± the man said. ¡°But unfortunately, he got into a car ident on his way over. He sends his regrets and hopes to reschedule.¡±
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Chapter 65 It¡¯s Her
Chapter 65 It¡¯s Her
Finn¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, displeasure flickering across his face.
s
¡°Recovering from serious injury takes months¨Clet alone a car crash. If your boss is talking about postponing the meeting for three months, then I¡¯m afraid Mr. Lock will not be attending.¡±
Zane stepped forward with a stern expression and finished the statement for him.
The secretary from Holden Group panicked, quickly waving his hands. ¡°No, no! Mr. Holden said¨Cthree days! Even if he has toe in a wheelchair, he¡¯ll be there in three days, as promised! He feels awful for bailing out this time. As long as he¡¯s breathing, he¡¯ll show up to apologize in person. Please, Mr. Lock, give us one more chance to continue this partnership.¡±
He kept his head bowed low, afraid of hearing the rejection that might crush all their hopes.
After all, Brody Holden had poured his heart and soul into getting this meeting with Lock Group¨Can opportunity that rarely came by.
But fate had other ns.
¡°Three days,¡± Zane repeated after ncing at Finn for a signal.
Holding up three fingers, his voice firm and final, he said, ¡°If he doesn¡¯t show in three days, the deal is off.¡±
¡°Yes, absolutely!¡± The secretary¡¯s face lit up with relief.
Finn stood slowly, his tall frame.ening as his assistant and bodyguards nked him on either side..
Just as they reached the doorway, the
group came to a sudden halt.
Finn froze, his gaze fixed on a small item lying on the empty ground just outside the entrance
A medicine bottley on the ground.
Somethingpelled him to pause.
He stepped forward, his polished shoes glinting under the lights, and reached down to pick it up.
A bottle of children¡¯s anti¨Cdiarrheal medicine.
And immediately, the image of a woman flitting nervously through the crowd came rushing back to him.
That strange sense of familiarity gripped him again.
Finn¡¯s hand clenched around the bottle.
¡°Zane, he said in a low,manding voice, ¡°find out who dropped this.¡±
Zane blinked, confused for a moment by the request.
A medicine bottle? Why is Mr. Lock making such a big deal about it?
¡°If I¡¯m right, Finn added, it belongs to a young mother carrying a child.¡±
At thai, realization dawned. Zane instantly recalled a delicate face from his memory¨Cif this was about her, it had to be
serious
He sprang into action, ordering his team to search the area for anyone who marched the description and to request street surveince footage from the municipal office.
Soon, a video was emailed to his tablet
Zane yed the footage and confirmed it¨CMrs. Lock was the one who dropped the bottle.
Chapter 65 It¡¯s Her
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± he said, handing over the tablet.
Finn gave it a nce. His eyes locked onto Tess¡¯s anxious face in the frame.
It really was her. She was avoiding him.
s
His eyes drifted to the bundled¨Cup infant in her arms. The lighting wasn¡¯t great, but he could just make out the child¡¯s scrunched little brow.
The footage cut off there, showing only Tess¡¯s retreating figure.
Finn looked up from the screen. ¡°Find out which hotel she¡¯s staying at.¡±
He¡¯d frozen her credit cards, and he knew she¡¯d left Charles¡¯s ce. She was likely surviving on whatever cash she had left- probably in a hotel somewhere.
Rubbing his temples, Finn felt an unshakable wave of frustration building inside.
That child must be sick.
She was dragging a sick baby around the city alone. How could she think that was okay?
Zane recalled the tiny pained expression on the baby¡¯s face in the video, understood the urgency, he didn¡¯t waste a second.
Just as he was about to give further orders, a figure stumbled into view beneath the streetlight.
Tess. Her face was pale.
The medicine she¡¯d shoved into her coat pocket earlier was now missing¨Cmost likely lost in the rush of people when they exited.
She had already returned to the hotel with La but had braved the cold toe back for the missing bottle.
The sight of her instantly eased the wild rhythm in Finn¡¯s chest.
Tess¡¯s entire focus was on finding the medicine as quickly as possible for La. She held her phone¡¯s shlight low and scanned the sidewalk inch by inch.
¡°Is this what you¡¯re looking for?¡± a voice asked.
A hand appeared in her vision¨Cholding the exact bottle she¡¯d been searching for.
¡°Yes¡± Tess¡¯s eyes lit up as she snatched the bottle, looking up with gratitude. ¡°Thank y¡ª¡± Readplete version only at find~novel
Her words froze in her throat.
Finn?
The man raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, deliberately ignoring the surprise on her face.
¡°Well? Aren¡¯t you going to give it to her?¡± he asked, his voice low and rough, as the cool night breeze carried his words down
the silent street.
Tess snapped out of it, quickly backing away from him.
Her brow furrowed, every movement radiating resistance toward the man in front of her.
Finn reached out instinctively to help but hesitated, then slowly curled hack his hand like nothing had happened.
Time was slipping away. Tess was frantic. She didn¡¯t even try to return to the hotel¨Cjust clutched La in one arm and clumsily fumbled with the boule cap using the other.
But her hands were sweaty from her anxiousness; La¡¯s tighty shut eyes only made her more desperate. She twisted the cap several times without suerCSS.
Chapter 65 It¡¯s Her
s
Finn moved forward, the faint scent of his cologne drifting past her. Gently but firmly, he reached over and took the bottle out of her shaking hands.
Keepsake 66
Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
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Tess¡¯s back was stiff as a board, but she knew Finn was helping her and La. So she pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Without a word, he reached for her free right hand and gently ced two small pills in her palm.
They moved in silence, not even the hum of a breath between them.
But La was the priority now.
Whatever grudges she held had to wait. Tess turned and carefully fed the medicine to the little girl.
La, ever obedient, opened her mouth and swallowed them without fuss.
Only then did Tess finally exhale. The warmth on her face from a moment ago faded into cold distance.
Though every instinct in her resisted Finn, she couldn¡¯t deny it was his help that got them through the worst just now. Still, no kindness could erase the past. With a cool expression, Tess walked away.
2
A gesture of goodwill¨Chowever small¨Cwas nowhere near enough to settle old debts.
Her figure swiftly retreated several steps away.
A flicker of emotion crossed Finn¡¯s eyes, but in the blink of an eye, he caught up with her.¡±
¡°The anti¨Cdiarrheal won¡¯t work right away,¡± he said curtly.
His words worked like a charm. Tess paused.
¡°I¡¯ll help you.¡±
Inside the hotel room.
¡°Get me a warm towel,¡± Finn instructed.
He carefully unwrapped La from her nket. The once¨Cspirited little girl now looked pale and drained, her tiny stomach letting out asional gurgles.
Teas handed him the towel, then dropped to her knees beside the bed, pressing a hand to La¡¯s forehead.
Still warm. Still normal.
She let out a slow, careful breath, but her chest remained tight.
La¡± she whispered.
Usually, the baby would giggle and reach for her fingers at the sound of her name. Now, she was still, eyes closed, and
unresponsive.
Tess felt like a taut wire about to snap. Panic flooded her chest at the thought¡ªwhat if she lost her daughter?
She swallowed hard and turned the temperature higher. Her hands trembled as she began to wipe La¡¯s body down gently.
Hasn¡¯t the medicine kicked in yet? Why is La so weak?
Tess felt the world darken before her eyes until a hand gently pressed down over hers.
¡°Don¡¯t be scared¡±
Tess jolted and yanked her hand away.
10:27 AM
Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
Finn felt the warmth disappear from his palm, and strangely, his chest hollowed out with it.
His
eyes dropped to his own hand, frozen midair.
That delicate touch¨Csoft and cool¨Cwas gone.
s
He blinked slowly,shes fluttering like shadows. He pushed whatever emotion flickered in his gaze back down deep.
But that touch stirred something in him, something he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.
His fingers fell by his sides, his fingertipsrubbing together like they were trying to grasp what had already slipped away.
The air in the room felt warmer.
Too warm. The heat gathered at Tess¡¯s throat, making her dizzy.
But when her eyesnded on La, her mind cleared instantly. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
They worked together in silence, changing diapers and wiping her down. The only sound was the quiet rustle of cloth and the faint coo of the child.
It was a strange kind of peace.
Bit by bit, La¡¯s color began to return. The worst had passed.
Tess finally rxed. After changing La¡¯s diaper once more, she let her body copse onto the carpet. Her limbs felt like jelly.
Finn pressed his lips and nced down at the mother and daughter.
From his angle, all he could see was Tess¡¯s profile, her he
head bowed low, a few messy strands of hair falling across her face.
But through those strands, her eyes still shone with unmistakable tenderness..
A year had passed, and she looked like a stranger.
She¡¯d always been gentle, but before, it was a passive sort of softness¨Cagreeable to the point of dull. Now, her warmth had gained depth. It was a mother¡¯s strength¨Cstrong enough to carry, soft enough to soothe.
La¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Though she still looked weak, she managed a feeble smile in Tess¡¯s direction.
Her daughter¡¯s quiet resilience made Tess¡¯s heart clench. The panic from earlier lingered in her chest. She leaned in closer and murmured soothing words.
Her voice was gentle, imbued with a calming magic that softened even the air around them.
Finn, who had been standing nearby, felt something stir in his chest. Something he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time. His eyes, almost against his will, stayed fixed on her.
They were still legally married, and yet here she was¨Cgentlyforting a child who might not even be his.
By all ounts, he should have felt bitter, Jealous. Resentful. But watching the quiet scene unfold, a strange sense of contentment began to settle over him.
For a fleeting moment, he found himself thinking, Maybe this isn¡¯t so bad,
The thought startled him.
*Mama¡.
La babbled her tiny fingers twitching as she reached out at the air.
Maybe it was the unfamiliar face or childlike curiosity, but her big round eyes locked onto Finn. Clear and innocent.
So bright. So pure.
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Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
He¡¯d seen the clearestke, but not even that could match the rity in her gaze.
Finn¡¯s heart gave a sudden jolt, frozen in that
very moment.
Why? Everyone said this child wasn¡¯t his. He knew it shouldn¡¯t be possible. Why did she look so much like him?
¡°Thank you for your help,¡± Tess said quietly, her tone polite but firm. ¡°But it¡¯s gettingte; you should leave.¡±
s
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Chapter 67 He Wants Her Back
Chapter 67 He Wants Her Back
Tess lifted her daughter into her arms, shielding her from Finn¡¯s gaze with her body.
s
She turned her back to him, her profile stiff with defiance, though her fingers trembled slightly as they held La close.
Tess didn¡¯t push away his help¨Cpartly because she¡¯d panicked,pletely overwhelmed and out of options¨Cbut more so because he was La¡¯s father.
Even if she intended to keep this secret buried for the rest of her life, a small, selfish part of her still hoped La could grow up with a father in her life, even just for a moment.
But that brief exchange of eye contact between them¨Cit shook her to her core. Is this what people mean by blood ties?
The very thought made her scalp tingle.
Her eviction order petrified Finn in ce.
¡°Tess,e home with me.¡±
The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop them.
Tess¡¯s gentle rocking of La came to a halt.
¡°Get out,¡± she said coldly.
Her voice was firm, urgent, andpletely unyielding.
The air in the hotel room turned frigid.
Time seemed to stop.
Finally, the door shut with a soft click, leaving only the sound of Tess¡¯s quickening breaths.
She couldn¡¯t imagine what might¡¯ve happened had Finn tried to force her. What can she do if thingse to that?
The thought sent a chill through her bones.
Tess stepped toward the door and added another lock.
Outside, Finn remained motionless.
He hadn¡¯t left.
He slowly lifted his head, his eyes swimming with emotions too tangled to name.
Every moment spent with Tess, he felt her tension like a tight wire.
Is she afraid of me?
His eyes flickered with doubt. His heart sank, an unfamiliar loneliness settled over him.
¡°Mr. Lock?¡±
Zane¡¯s voice called softly from beside him, but he couldn¡¯t help stealing a nce into the room.
Mrs. Lock is staying in a hotel with her baby?
The Locks have ess to the best private doctors and state¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cart medical equipment. Why does she have to be this stubborn?
¡°Let¡¯s go, Finn said. His voice was low and cold.
The luxury car sped through the empty street, its silhouette vanishing into the night¨Cyet someone was watching it all.
10:27 AM The source of th?s content is find~novel
Chapter 67 He Wants Her Back
Inside the hotel, La had fallen asleep. Her cheeks were rosy, and the flush of illness hadpletely faded.
s
Outside, the night was so dark it seemed like ink could drip from the sky. But Tess couldn¡¯t sleep. She stood by the window, a thin breeze slipping in through the crack.
She wore a light nightgown, her slender figure like a dandelion in the wind, fragile and silent.
Earlier, she¡¯d checked her bank ount. Since it had been frozen, the trust fund had bounced back. To im it, she¡¯d need to visit the trustpany the next day.
Tightening her cor, shey down in bed.
Not far away, as soon as her figure disappeared from the window, Finn looked away.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± Zane called out, finally daring to speak. ¡°Mr. Holden¡¯s surgery is done. It wasn¡¯t serious. They say we can resume the talks in two days.¡±
So they¡¯d be back here in two days?
Finn¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. In his mind, Tess appeared again¨Calways turning away from him, hiding her face, never meeting his eyes.
A strange ache tightened in his chest. He didn¡¯t understand it.
His hand clenched into a fist.
She was the one who had messed up in the first ce. And what happened at the lobby hadn¡¯t been his intention.
He rubbed his forehead, frustration simmering just beneath the surface.
¡°Change the meeting location. Find some ce nearby¨Ca hotel with a higher floor,¡± he ordered.
Zane immediately understood.
A nearby hotel with a high floor? His boss wanted a clear view of his wife¡¯s hotel.
¡°Understood. I¡¯ll make the arrangements right away.¡±
As the car drove off, the city seemed to drift into sleep.
But at that same moment, the lights in Charles¡¯s office were still burning,
He couldn¡¯t sleep.
It had already been two nights.
Tess¡¯s sudden disappearance had left a gaping void.
She hadn¡¯t just left¨Cshe¡¯d vanished, like a drop of water melting into a river. No trace. No goodbye.
Charles sat wearily at his desk, staring at the paused video on hisptop Tess was holding a sign in the Lock Tower¡¯s lobby.
Snap!
He mmed theptop shut, heart pounding
No matter how many times he tried, he could never get through that video,
Pale moonlight spilled on his face. After a long silence, he finally stood and rummaged beneath the desk for a document.
It had been a year. A thinyer of dust had gathered on the folder.
Under the soft glow of the deskmp, his eyes flickered withplicated emotion¨Cthen wentpletely dim.
His fingers tightened around the paper creasing it sharply.
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Chapter 67 He Wants Her Back
With a heavy sigh, Charles opened his tablet and searched for Finn¡¯s recent whereabouts..
The top headline in the finance section read, ¡°Holden Group and Lock Group Expected to Coborate.¡±
He tapped into the article, his eyes locking onto the meeting location: Hignd Hotel.
Charles stood and turned off the deskmp.
The next day, on the top floor of Lock Tower.
¡°Ms. Nadine, the trust fund has been withdrawn.¡±
ck!
The sound of Nadine mming the blinds down echoed loudly through the room.
s
¡°Fine, I¡¯ll admit I went too far. It was meant to be a joke¨CI didn¡¯t think Tess would actually take it seriously. But whatever. She
the money in the end, didn¡¯t she? That¡¯s all that really matters.¡±
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Chapter 68 A Mysterious Invitation
Chapter 68 A Mysterious Invitation
Nadine voice was soft, but there was a strange chill beneath it.
s
Zane took it as nothing more than a polite farewell. After hanging up, he dismissed the lingering sense of unease that had started to stir.
Nadine, on the other hand, could no longer maintain her smiling fa?ade. The moment she put down the phone, her expression twisted with rage, and she swept the stack of documents off her desk with a loud crash.
Finn had gone to see Tess¨Cand worse, he¡¯d penalized Nadine¡¯s bonus and handed it to Tess as a trust fund.
Her whole body trembled with fury, her eyes burning red with rage.
How?! Tess isn¡¯t that brilliant, dazzling attorney anymore. She¡¯s a washed¨Cup ex¨Ccon with a criminal record!
But then, a wave of panic rose in Nadine¡¯s chest.
Wait! Tess and Finn haven¡¯t officially divorce¡
Her palms broke out in a cold sweat.
When she looked up again, a dangerous glint had reced the fury in her eyes.
Tess had no idea she was being watched. After collecting the 30,000 dors from the trust fund, she returned to her hotel.
But as she neared her hotel room, something odd caught her
eye.
A stranger stood just down the hall. The moment he saw her, he rushed over and slipped a note into her hand before vanishing without a word.
Confused. When she looked up again, the stranger touch.
already gone. Only the note in her hand remained warm from his
Her alert red. A warning rm sounded in her mind. But when her eyes skimmed over the contents of the note, her pupils
shrank.
She sucked in a few sharp breaths, trying to suppress her shock, and quickly stuffed the note into her palm before heading
inside.
It said, ¡°Tomorrow. Hignd Hotel. The case file you want will be there.¡±
The case file¡
Tess¡¯s breathing quickened.
She wasn¡¯t awyer anymore, but there was only one case file she desperately wanted to see the one connected to the nightmare that sent her to prison a year ago.
That disaster had hit her out of nowhere. Even now, she didn¡¯t know the full truth¨Cbut she was sure of one thing: it hadn¡¯t been a coincidence.
Her hand tightened into a fist, her heart racing,
Who had sent this note? And what were they after? The messenger had only been the delivery guy. The real sender remained
in the shadows.
A thousand tangled thoughts surged in her mind, forming a knot of doubt and questions.
She couldn¡¯t tell if this was a trap or the lifeline she¡¯d been waiting for.
But what she did know was this¨Cshe was tired of living under the weight of a crime she nevermitted.
She wasn¡¯t just herself. She was La¡¯s mom
Chapter 68 A Mysterious Invitation
That changed everything; she cared about her reputation.
s
Nothing happened for the next two days; the storm held its breath. Until the business meeting between the twopanies.
Charles was already waiting where Finn was supposed to arrive. He sat with a roll of legal documents at his side, tapping them restlessly against the edge of the table.
Bored by the wait, he ordered liquor to pass the time.
¡°Hard to get a meeting with Mr. Lock these days,¡± he muttered to himself.
A voice greeted him politely from behind, pulling him from his haze. Charles, already tipsy, sobered halfway in an instant. His back straightened like a rod.
Brody sat in a wheelchair, unable to stand but still offering a courteous nod.
Finn didn¡¯t return the gesture. He leaned back in his seat, exuding an effortless kind of power. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±
Brody didn¡¯t seem offended. He motioned to his secretary, ¡°Suzane, bring me the documents.¡±
Even though they were still technically in a bar, the air instantly shifted into something sharp and formal, like a high¨Cend boardroom.
The conversation faded into background noise. Charles¡¯s back finally rxed, his eyes drifting once again to the nearly empty bottles on the table.
He was drunk.
Charles knew he shouldn¡¯t be. Thest time he drank too much, it triggered a severe allergic reaction. That should¡¯ve been a wake¨Cup call. But this time, the alcohol brought something else¨Ca numbness he¡¯d been craving,
It silenced the pain. Blurred his worries.
The ache in his gut, tangled with his reckless thoughts, created a twisted kind of pleasure he couldn¡¯t help but sink into.
Maybe it was seeing Finn again that stirred something in him, but all Charles could think of was the conversation he¡¯d had with Zane. ?????? ???? f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?
Charles admitted he was despicable.
He had been maniptive. Every word carefully crafted to make it seem like he and Tess were more than friends.
But the truth was, they had kept their distance. There was nothing going on between them.
It was his own selfishness that had started the whole thing.
He hadn¡¯t beenpletely clueless when Tess left. But he¡¯d felt so ashamed that he couldn¡¯t bring himself to stop her.
Maybe it was better this way.
Thoughts spiraled in his head, and without thinking, he took another long swig.
He wasn¡¯t built for heavy drinking
But the empty wine bottles kept piling up.
And soon, his neck was flushed red, heat rising across his skin.
He thought it was just the alcohol as he gulped down another ss of wine.
And then Tess walked in.
Her eyes swept the room, instantly alert for anyone susp
The first person she noticed was the tall man seated at the center of the room.
Chapter 68 A Mysterious Invitation
s
Even just sitting there, his posture straight and cold gaze fixed ahead, he lookedpletely out of ce¨Ctooposed, toomanding.
His presence was conspicuous.
Finn? What is he doing here?
Tess¡¯s eyes flickered, and she immediately looked away, trying to shrink into the background.
But in that brief second, her brows furrowed. Something didn¡¯t feel right.
Keepsake 69
Chapter 69 You¡¯ll Regret This
s ?????? ???? find¡¤novel
Chapter 69 You¡¯ll Regret This
Tess¡¯s eyes froze on the figure beside Finn.
Charles?
What is he doing with Finn?
Her heart seized up in rm.
Is Finn up to something again?
That was her first instinct.
Holding her breath, Tess pressed herself further into the shadows.
As her gazended on Charles¡¯s face, her brows furrowed even deeper.
Charles couldn¡¯t drink¨Che had a severe alcohol allergy.
His face was already flushed red; why is he still downing drink after drink?
Panic rose in her chest, and her eyes drifted toward Finn.
His jaw was tight, eyes sharp with cold disdain.
He didn¡¯t even look away¨Chis stare was fixed icily on Charles.
Tess¡¯s heart sank.
She instinctively pulled La closer to her chest.
Hadn¡¯t she apologized? Hadn¡¯t she done everything he asked?
Why is he still going after Charles?
A flicker of rage ignited in her chest.
La seemed to sense her mother¡¯s distress. She reached out her tiny hands, waving in the air before hugging Tess tightly around the neck.
That small gesture pulled Tess back to the present.
She wasn¡¯t here to start trouble¨Cjust to retrieve some case files. Best not to make a scene.
Swallowing down her anger and confusion, Tess scanned the restaurant but didn¡¯t see any familiar faces.
Her frown deepened. Is this all some kind of prank?
At that moment, a clumsy waiter carrying a tray brushed past her, identally bumping her shoulder.
A wine bottle tipped and sshed its contents across her face. Tess blinked in surprise, swiping the liquid from her lips.
Some liquor touched her lips; before she could wipe it away, it had already seeped in¨Cleaving behind an oddly sweet taste.
Her first thought was for La¨Cthankfully, the child hadn¡¯t gotten any of it on her. Tess exhaled in relief.
¡°So sorry, ma¡¯am! the waiter apologized profusely.
Since La was unharmed, Tess didn¡¯t dwell on it. She quickly waved him away, trying to keep a low profile¨Cespecially with Finn so close by.
Finn¡¯s ear twitched slightly, but he didn¡¯t react otherwise.
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Chapter (69 You¡¯ll Regret This
Tess daredia quick nce and breathed in relief. Good¨Che hasn¡¯t noticed.
She tugged at litercor, suddenly feeling a little too tight.
But gradually even her throat began to feel dry and scratchy.
A warning beillenium loudly in her mind. She looked around, searching for the waiter¨Cbut he had vanished.
Her breath caught.
That waiter¡something was wrong with him.
Her vision started to blir Highting to stay upright, she stumbled toward an empty seat and slumped down.
Meanwhile, Finn¡¯s expressionliad grown darker.
¡°You came for her?¡± le rall.
His voice cut like a de. ¡°Chartless, iffiit weren¡¯t for her, would you even bother sitting across from me to negotiate?¡± Charles gritted his teeth his visionswimming.
¡°I owe her,¡± he said hoarsely. ¡°That¡¯s why Ilhad toe.¡±
He was clearly tipsy¨Chis words slightlyslurred¨Cbut his conviction was unmistakable.
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed, an inexplicablefrustrationwing at his chest.
¡°Speak. What is it?¡± he snapped, turning his face awayin disgust.
¡°Here. Take this.¡±
Charles handed over a worn, crumpled domument.
Finn frowned, already impatient.
But before he could fire back a snide remark Chiantessstundlupssuddenly and said, ¡°You¡¯ll regret this.¡±
And with that, he staggered off.
Zane watched nervously, ready to jump in if Charles tripped over his feet
Charles¡¯s cryptic parting words only deepened Finn¡¯s irritation.
Regret?
What is there to regret?
Still his gaze dropped to the document. It looked old.
Curiosity overcame him. He flipped to the first page¨Cand then his expressimahanged. His eyes grew sharp.
His fingers trembled slightly.
He flipped quickly to thest page¨Conly to find it missing.
What?
For a moment, he was speechless, as if something had lodged in his throat Achilreptowanis siltin
¡°Mr. Lock?¡± Zane asked, noticing the storm brewing behind Finn¡¯s eyes.
His voice jolted Finn back to the present, but his heart was still pounding wildly,
He finally shoved the document into Zane¡¯s hands. ¡°Reep this sain¡±
Chapter 69 You¡¯ll Regret This
The tight line of his jaw made Zane instantly straighten, nodding with a seriousness that matched his boss.
s
Meanwhile, Charles didn¡¯t leave. He paused at the hotel entrance, ncing back at Finn¡¯s shifting expression onest time- then turned and disappeared into the night.
He had warned him. He would regret it.
Charles exhaled, the heat in his chest making it hard to breathe.
The streetlights stretched his swaying figure into a long, lonely shadow on the pavement.
By the time Charles had vanished from sight, Zane had already gone to carry out his orders. He returned shortly after, leading Finn a few steps forward¨Conly to find Tess.
She was slumped over a table, barely conscious. Her arms, however, were still locked tightly around La, protecting her with everyst ounce of strength.
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Chapter 70 Burning Desire
Chapter 70 Burning Desire
s
La let out a soft whimper, her clear, big eyes blinking uneasily. Normally, even the slightest noise from her daughter would make Tess spring into action¨Cbut this time, sheypletely still.
Finn grew worried. rmed, he stepped forward to check on her. The moment he got close, he sensed a wave of heat radiating off her body.
He straightened up, a flicker of shock crossing his face.
Trying to steady himself, he brushed her hair aside.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her plump lips were parted and unnaturally red.
There was something strange¨Calmost seductive¨Cabout the way she looked. Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed. His mind quickly returned to the night a year ago, when they had lost control.
He shrank his pupils.
¡°Get a penthouse suite,¡± he ordered, his voice low and urgent.
Then, without another word, he scooped Tess into his arms.
Zane was stunned, but a nce at Tess¡¯s flushed face told him all he needed to know. He sprang into action.
¡°Hot¡¡± Tess murmured.
Bang!
Finn kicked open the hotel door and gentlyid her on the bed.
The jolt must have stirred her¨Cher eyed her on the bed.
Finn froze for a moment, unsure what
¡°Hot ¡¡±
opened slightly, hazy and unfocused, as she looked at him.
She stirred restlessly, her body squirming as she mumbled the same word.
¡°Tess?¡±
Finn¡¯s throat tightened as he whispered her name. He reached out and gently shook her shoulder, trying to rouse her.
But all he got in return was a faint frown, hershes fluttering in vague irritation.
He bit his lip.
She was drugged, and the effect was pretty strong, judging by the state she was in.
Finn¡¯s heart stirred uneasily as he reached out,ying his hand gently on Tess¡¯s forehead.
It was scorching.
But that simple touch sent a wave of cool relief through her overheated body. Her eyes, zed and unfocused just moments before, flickered with a trace of rity.
Meel
Gir¡¯s
hot¡.¡±
The dry whisper escaped her lips as her body shifted restlessly, inching toward Finn.
The moment her body touched his, the coolness of the man¡¯s skin made her let out a soft, relieved sigh.
But that moment offort didn¡¯tst long. Simple contact was no longer enough.
10:27 AM
Chapter 70 Burning Desire
s
Her lips parted as she gasped for breath, eyes hazy and unfocused, fixed on Finn with a strange, feverish longing. There was something haunting in her gaze¨Can unspoken need, a maic pull of temptation.
His eyes darkened.
There was only one way to draw the heat out without harming her.
And they were still husband and wife, after all.
Somehow, he slowly leaned closer.
Her soft scent and the heat radiating from her body drifted over him, clouding his gaze with something darker.
¡°You¡¯ll feel better soon,¡± he whispered hoarsely, his voice rough with restraint.
His fingers moved toward her cor.
Each button was fastened all the way up to her throat, and the sight of her flushed face paired with her modest, tightly wrapped body made the contrast almost surreal.
His hands trembled ever so slightly.
¡°Mama¡ Hug¡
The little one suddenly fussed, interrupting the silence.
Finn froze. He turned to see La sitting up, her big, innocent eyes wide with joy.
She reached out toward her mother and then turned to Finn, beaming, letting out a joyful gurgle,
That pure, innocent little face hit him like a wave of ice. He couldn¡¯t carry on. His hand fell away.
Finn stood and rubbed his temple, the tension in his chest twisting painfully.
A storm of thoughts churned in his mind before he finally gave up and walked into the bathroom. A few minutester, he returned, carrying a towel soaked in cool water.
La watched his movements in quiet confusion, no longer fussing. She sat there with wide, curious eyes, gently nibbling on her fingers as she yed. Content originallyes from find?novel
¡°Zane, give the private doctor a call.¡±
Finn ended the call and returned to the task he¡¯d left unfinished.
Focused, he slowly continued wiping Tess¡¯s body with the damp cloth, inch by inch.
But as his eyes swept over her smooth, delicate skin, his throat tightened involuntarily.
Maybe the cooling sensation was tooforting, because Tess let out a soft, dreamy sigh, her expression peaceful, almost
content.
Finn¡¯s fingers paused for a split second. His gaze deepened, dark with emotion, and something unfamiliar stirred faintly in his chest. He resumed his movements, this time even gentler than before.
A knock came at the door.
Mr. Lock, the doctor¡¯s here, Zane called from outside.
¡°Give me a minute.
Finn quickened his pace, making sure Tess¡¯s body had been carefully wiped down. Only when he was satisfied did he finally step back and allow Zane to bring the doctor, in.
The moment the doctor and Zane stepped into the room, the lingering heat inside hit them like a wall, flushing their faces
Chapter 70 Burning Desire
The doctor nced at Tess and immediately sensed something was off.
s
His eyes flicked to Finn, taking in the slightly rumpled cor of his shirt. He lowered his gaze without a word, already understanding more than he wanted to.
¡°Can you help her?¡± Finn asked quietly, his tone low and firm, though his eyes never left Tess.
¡°Yes,¡± the doctor replied quickly, not daring to meet his gaze.
He opened his medical kit and prepared the necessary medication.
After carefully helping Tess take it, he walked over to the window and pushed it open to let in the fresh, cooling air.
All the while, he could feel Finn¡¯s intense gaze pressing on his back like a weight. It made his skin crawl, but he kept working, forcing himself to focus.
Gradually, the unnatural flush began to fade from Tess¡¯s face.
The doctor was the first to exhale in relief.
¡°Thank you,¡± Finn said, stepping forward and blocking the doctor¡¯s view of the bed.
¡°Zane, walk him out.¡±
A breeze slipped through the open window, cooled the room, and chased away the lingering heat¨Calong with the storm that had been burning in Finn¡¯s chest just moments before.
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Chapter 71 I¡¯m Getting a Divorce
Chapter 71 I¡¯m Getting a Divorce
Finn¡¯s
gaze fell
upon the woman lying quietly on the bed.
Tess still had her eyes shut, as if she were peacefully asleep.
Her pale face looked serene, almost delicate.
s
Something tugged at Finn¡¯s heart¨Can invisible hand pulling gently at his chest. He sat down beside her, trying not to make a sound.
La had noticed her mother ignored her; the little one turned her attention to Finn and giggled at him.
Why? Why did he feel so close to this child, even though she wasn¡¯t his?
As if guided by instinct, Finn slowly reached out and touched La¡¯s cheek. His fingertips brushed over her soft skin.
La didn¡¯t resist. She simply looked up at him with her big, curious eyes, studying him quietly.
¡°Who¡¯s your father?¡±
Finn murmured before he could stop himself. The question escaped his lips, and he blinked at himself, letting out a bitter chuckle. What am I doing, talking to a baby?
La gave no answer, of course¨Cjust tilted her head and gnawed on her fingers.
Finn couldn¡¯t stop himself from gently tugging her hand. ¡°Would you like to go home with your mom?¡±
¡°She wouldn¡¯t, and neither would I.¡±
The husky voice cut through the stillness.
Tess struggled upright, her eyes wary as she quickly pulled La¡¯s hand back into her arms.
Finn tensed. His face returned to its usual calm,posed state. ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡±
He nced over, and when his eyes met Tess¡¯s guarded gaze, a strange heaviness settled in his chest.
Tess tapped her head, trying to recall the moments before she passed out.
It started after a waiter bumped into her¨Cthen came the dizziness, the heat coursing through her body.
¡°Was it you who helped me?¡±
She nced at him uncertainly, her arms tightening around La.
¡°Yes.¡±
Finn stood. His tall frame blocked out the overhead light, casting a long, heavy shadow across the room.
The pressure in the air was unmistakable.
Tess looked conflicted.
Silence crept in between them again, thick and ufortable.
¡°Thank you,¡± she finally muttered, her voice scratchy.
She turned her face away, visibly awkward.
¡°No need to force yourself, Finn replied with a cold buff, clearly unimpressed.
¡°If that¡¯s all, Mr. Lock. I¡¯d like you to leave.
10:27 AM
Chapter 71 I¡¯m Getting a Divorce
Tess lifted her head. Her messy hair half¨Chid her strained expression, making ber seem distant, almost heartless.
Finn let out a lowugh¨Cdry, humorless. ¡°That¡¯s your thank¨Cyou? Use me, them toss me aside?¡±
¡°Use you?¡± Tess frowned, catching the strange tone in his voice.
Finn raised a brow, dragged a chair closer, and dropped into it without invizmkom.
His presence instantly filled the room, shrinking the space around them.
s
You were drugged,¡± he said, propping his elbow up on the armrest, watching her reaction like a cat waiting for a mouse to flinch.
As expected. Tess¡¯s expression shifted, her lips twitched.
¡°You mean
that kind of drug?¡± She whispered, barely audible, then snapped her head up. ¡°Then how did you ¡
She didn¡¯t finish the question.
¡°Hone else do you think it could¡¯ve been handled?¡± Finn muttered, pulling at the cor of his shit with visible annoyance.
Only then did Tess notice how loosely his shirt was buttoned. Her mind jumped to conclusions so fast she nearly fainted
Finn caught the horror in her eyes, and something inside him stirred¨Che couldn¡¯t tell whether it was pity, anger, or just exhaustion.
¡°I had a private doctor from thepany to check on you,¡± he said coolly.
That news seemed to visibly calm her. Her whole body rxed.
And than reaction made his eyes narrow dangerously.
Tess. need I remind you? We¡¯re legally married. Even if I had done something, it wouldn¡¯t be out of line.¡°¡±
His voice was sharp move, his sharp nce sliced through her face.
¡°And do I need to remind you?¡± Tess shot back. ¡°I already had the divorce papers drawn up; the only thing missing is your signature.¡±
Tess sat upright, her voice sharp and unyielding. There wasn¡¯t a hint of hesitation.
Finn was momentarily stunned. The woman in front of him felt like a stranger.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and looked away. ¡°Tess, if you keep pulling stunts like this, I¡¯m going to run out of patience.
His tone was deliberately low, but Tess had no trouble picking up the threat in his words.
¡°Oh, you know exactly whether I¡¯m joking or not,¡± she shot back with a bitterugh, not even flinching at the change in his
expression.
¡°The divorce papers will be on your desk any day now. Then you¡¯ll know¨Cwhether this is some twisted attempt to win you back or just me finally walking away
She lifted her chin. Her face was pale, worn down by exhaustion, and a faint scar marked her neck. But even so, she looked like a proud swan¨Celegant cold, and fiercely diethunt
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened.
He yanked his hand back with a sharp flick. Don¡¯t even think about it¡®
Why did she always carry herself so proud that meet break that pride¨Cbend her until she surrendered.
His eyes were clouded over with a stormy teFSIFIER
Chapter 71 I¡¯m Getting a Divorce
s
But just as the anger rose, a sh of memory pushed through: Charles, drunk out of his mind, still managing to hand him a file like it mattered more than anything. Find the newest release on f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
Finn thought of the contents of that file. Hisshes quivered, and something unreadable flickered in his eyes, dimming the fury that had been burning just beneath the surface.
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Chapter 72 The Mother and Daughter is in Danger
Chapter 72 The Mother and Daughter is in Danger
Finn exhaled heavily, trying to soften his voice. ¡°Come home with me.¡±
s
Tess had been deliberately provoking Finn, hoping he¡¯d get so angry he¡¯d finally sign the divorce papers and let her walk away for good.
But this? This wasn¡¯t what she expected at all.
His sudden proposal sent warning bells ringing in her head. She tightened her arms protectively around La.
¡°Back to what? To the sneer of your servants? Or to lie awake through every one of the sleepless, wandering nights waiting for you toe home?¡±
Her tone dripped with scorn, and a mocking smile tugged at her lips.
Finn heard the bitterness in her voice and assumed it was just more resentment.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, already tired of the argument. ¡°If the staff¡¯s giving you trouble, tell me¡ªI¡¯ll handle it,¡± he said. ¡°And as for thete nights¡
Finn looked
up
11
and met her eyes. He promised, ¡°I¡¯ll rearrange my schedule.¡±
Tess was taken aback. Her gaze instinctively lifted to meet his, but the seriousness in his eyes made her heart skip. She quickly looked away.
What did he say?
For a moment, her thoughts blurred into confusion. None of this made sense. And then, she found herself blurting out, ¡°Finn, have you ever heard the saying?¡±
He frowned slightly. ¡°What is it?¡±
¡°Love that shows up toote isn¡¯t worth a damn thing.¡±
She raised her head, her gaze unwavering. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re trying to lure me back just to keep tormenting me, if you and Nadine want to use me for your twisted games, or if you¡¯ve suddenly grown a conscience¨Cbut let me make this very
clear-
She clutched La and took a step back, pointing at the door. ¡°Get out.¡±
Her tone left no room for negotiation. Her eyes were cold¨Csharp as frost on an autumn wind.
Finn rubbed his head, clearly frustrated at her stubbornness¨Cbut surprisingly, he didn¡¯t lose his temper.
Instead, his voice dropped low, calm, and deliberate. ¡°Do you really think what happened tonight was just a coincidence?¡±
Tess froze.
Of course not.
That kind of drug wasn¡¯t something you could just get over¨Cthe¨Ccounter. Why would a waiter slip her something like that?
She snapped her head up, her gaze cutting straight through him.
¡°I¡¯m not that desperate.
Finn twitched his mouth but held her stare.
¡°Why were you even there?¡± she asked, her voiceced with suspicion.
He shrugged, visibly rxed. ¡°Last time, I ran into you at the bar because a client canceled a business meeting. Tonight was the same thing¨Cjust different ce!
Chapter 72 The Mother and Daughter is in Danger
She studied his face, trying to catch a lie. But he seemed sincere. She nced down, thoughtful.
Indeed, he had no reason to drug her. Finn wasn¡¯t interested in her; Finn wouldn¡¯t have drugged her.
He hadn¡¯t done anything to her. Her body told her that much.
So then¡ Who?
A chilling thought crept into her mind, and a cold shiver shot up her spine.
s
¡°And if I hadn¡¯t been there tonight?¡± Finn¡¯s voice was quiet but heavy with meaning. ¡°What do you think would¡¯ve happened?¡±
The fear in her expression deepened, and he took advantage of that hesitation. ¡°Come home with me; you¡¯ll be safe there.
¡°If not for yourself, then at least think of her.¡±
He nced at the little one cradled in Tess¡¯s arms.
Bringing her daughter up, without a doubt, hit Tess right where it hurt most.
¡°And why should I trust you? What makes you any better than the rest?¡±
Tess suddenly looked up, her emotions ring.
She¡¯d actually hesitated just moments ago¨Chow could she have been so foolish?
Hadn¡¯t he been the one who sent her to prison?
Finn¡¯s heart clenched at the sight of her¨Ceyes burning with a mix of rage and sorrow. The words he was about to utter became stuck in his throat.
She was ming him for what happened back then?
But then another thought crept in.
The redness in her eyes said it all¨Cevery bit of it a silent cry of how deeply she¡¯d been wronged.
Why did she look so hurt, so wronged, if she had been the one at fault?
His eyes darkened and flickered as the memory of the file Charles had given to him surfaced in his mind. Suddenly, his once- firm beliefs wavered.
Did he actually misunderstand her?
Meeting Finn¡¯s increasingly dark and unreadable gaze, Tess wiped her face and put her mask back on¨Ccold andposed.
¡°I don¡¯t trust you. She¡¯s my daughter. And I care about her safety more than anyone.¡±
Her voice dropped to a final, unyielding edge. ¡°Leave. Now. I won¡¯t say it a third time.¡±
She turned away, her resolve as hard as stone.
The tension between them thickened, the silence pressing down like ice.
Staring at Tess¡¯s stiff posture, Finn felt as if a heavy weight had been dropped on his chest.
Still, he rose to his feet. Before leaving, he gave her onest look, ¡°You¡¯re not safe here. If you change your mind, you cane back anytime.
With that, the dull thud of his shoes echoed across the floor.
The door clicked shut behind him. And Tess copsed onto the bed like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
She clutched La tightly in her arms, every nerve stretched tant For original chapters go to find?novel
10:28 AM
Chapter 72 The Mother and Daughter is in Danger
s
Finn¡¯s warning still echoed in her ears. She jumped up and hurried to draw the curtains closed, sealing out the world.
A creeping dread crawled up her spine.
Tonight, it was an aphrodisiac. But what if next time it¡¯s something stronger¨Csomething that knocks her outpletely? What would happen to La then?
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Chapter 73 Her Instinct Screams Danger
Chapter 73 Her Instinct Screams Danger
Tess didn¡¯t dare let her thoughts spiral any further.
s
Meanwhile, down the street at a newspaper kiosk tucked beneath the hotel awning, behind a drawn curtain, a woman sat with her face half¨Ccovered by dark sunsses and a wide¨Cbrimmed hat.
Her twisted expression was visible.
Why?
Why is she always so lucky?
Nadine pulled off her sunsses, revealing eyes brimming with venom.
Her fingers curled into fists, sharp nails digging into her palms.
The pain sliced through her skin, but she didn¡¯t flinch.
Everything had been set. Once the drug took effect, Tess would¡¯ve ended up in bed with Charles¨Cand with Finn arriving right on time, they would¡¯ve caught them red¨Chanded.
Divorce would¡¯ve been inevitable.
Nadine¡¯s stare could have set fire to the hotel curtain¨Cit burned with that much fury.
How on earth did Finn find her first?
Her hands trembled. She didn¡¯t even want to imagine what might¡¯ve happened during the time she couldn¡¯t see what¡¯s going- on.
She dialed Finn¡¯s number, her voice deliberately soft and sweet. ¡°Finn.¡±
On the other end, Finn sensed her uneasiness. He frowned and asked, ¡°What is it?¡±
Just hearing his calm voice brought her a trace offort.
Maybe¡ maybe nothing happen after all.
¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just¡ missed you,¡± she cooed, voice dripping with false sweetness.
Finn immediately pulled the phone away. ¡°This is work hours. Only call if it¡¯s work¨Crted.¡±
With that, he hung up.
Zane, who was behind the wheel, blinked in surprise.
His boss always held Nadine¡¯s talents in high regard and treated her with unusual indulgence. It was rare¨Calmost unheard of ¨Cfor him to be this stern with her.
Sensing the weight of Zane¡¯s nce, Finn snapped, ¡°What? You trying to lose your bonus this quarter?¡±
Zane straightened up immediately, focusing on the road like his life depended on it.
Back at the kiosk, Nadine stared at her screen in disbelief.
The disconnected tone beeped like a p across the face.
Finn never treated her like this. Never.
Something inside her snapped. Her eyes darkened as they locked onto the hotel window again. N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f?ndnovel
It had to be Tess.
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Chapter 73 Her Instinct Screams Danger
It was her fault.
She was just a convict, freshly out of prison¨Chow could Finn grow cold to her because of Tess?
Nadine clenched her jaw, practically shaking with rage. She wanted to storm in and tear Tess to pieces.
But Tess,pletely unaware of the fury watching her from nearby, was calmly packing her bags.
It wasn¡¯t safe for her to stay here.
fon
That waiter¨Csomething was off about him. He might not have even been a waiter but someone who was sent there to harm her.
Being awyer¨Ca high¨Crisk profession by nature¨Chad always made her extra vignt about situations like this. Tess had sensed something was off; her first instinct was to pack up and find a new ce to stay.
Within minutes, she¡¯d checked out.
Across the street, Nadine spotted her.
Her blood ran hot as she watched Tess exit the building, suitcase in one hand, a small bundle in the other.
Great. You¡¯re leaving? Running again?
Tess clenched her fists tighter, inch by inch, her teeth grinding together with a faint, snapping sound.
She might have slipped away this time¨Cbut what about next time?
Nadine narrowed her eyes, a venomous glint shing through them.
*Shhh, easy now, La.¡±
A soft, motherly voice drifted through the warm evening air.
Nadine looked up to see Tess gently rocking the swaddled baby in her arms, patting her back and whispering soothing words.
Though the sun was setting, the heat lingered, heavy and oppressive.
La squirmed restlessly in the stifling warmth, fussing and whimpering.
But Tess, calm and patient, held her closer, even raising her back to shield the baby from the harsh rays.
Nadine watched them closely. Her eyes slid from Tess¡¯s serene face to the small bundle cradled in her arms¨Cand narrowed.
They say a child is a mother¡¯s whole world.
You too. Tess?
Jealousy red inside her, fierce and burning like a wildfire. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone.
Her gaze stayed locked on Tess¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered into the phone, her voice low and cold. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±
Tess,pletely unaware of the danger watching her from a distance, felt a sudden chill run down her spine.
She turned and nced back, puzzled by the eerie feeling¨Cbut there was nothing unusual behind her.
Sull, it confirmed her gut instinct she couldn¡¯t stay here any longer
She held La tighter and went to another hotel.
The new hotel was on the far side of the city.
The farther she got, the safer she¡¯d feel. She wouldn¡¯t allow anything¨Canything¨Cto happen to La
As they travelled, the sun dipped below the skyline, and darkness slowly crept in.
10:28 AM
Chapter 73 Her Instinct Screams Danger
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The baby¡¯s recent illness and the fact that she was drugged, all the stress from the past few days, had left Tess on edge.
She stared out at the dimming sky and leaned forward. ¡°Can you drive a little faster?¡±
Soon, the taxi came to a stop.
¡°This is it,¡± the driver announced.
Tess stepped out with La bundled tightly in her arms. A gust of wind blew against her, and she instinctively shielded the baby with her coat.
The driver helped unload her luggage, then pulled away without another word.
Tess adjusted her jacket and hugged La closer, her eyes flicking to the map on her phone.
She followed the directions and, after a short walk, spotted a sleek, well¨Clit five¨Cstar hotel ahead.
Her breath eased, and she headed toward it.
But just a few steps in, Tess stopped dead in her tracks. A strange sensation crawled up her neck. The hairs on her arms stood straight. Something was wrong.
Keepsake 74
Chapter 74 Suspicious Hotel Staff
Chapter 74 Suspicious Hotel Staff
That eerie feeling returned¨Cthe same one she¡¯d had just before leaving thest hotel.
Was someone following her? Get full chapters from f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?
Tess¡¯s heart thudded hard against her ribs. Panic surged, and she picked up her pace, rushing toward the hotel.
The front desk hotel staff, Jennifer Webb, was startled by her disheveled state. ¡°Ma¡¯am, is everything alright?¡±
The warm, golden light of the lobby wrapped around her like a nket, calming her nerves.
Tess forced a shaky breath and offered an apologetic smile. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Just here to check in.¡±
Hearing that, Jennifer¡¯s face lit up, and she promptly began the check¨Cin process with practiced cheer.
When the key card was finally handed over, Tess exhaled in relief.
Still, before heading to her room, she nced over her shoulder at the outside.
Only dry leaves swirled across the pavement, nothing visibly out of ce. Maybe she was just being paranoid,
She patted her chest and tried tough it off. ¡°Get a grip, Tess,¡± she muttered.
¡°Is there a problem, ma¡¯am?¡± Jennifer asked kindly, catching the flicker of unease in her expression.
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¡°Nothing.¡± Tess shook her head and asked, ¡°This area is sort of on the outskirts, right? How¡¯s the security around here?¡±
Jennifer gave a bright smile and said, ¡°Ah, so that¡¯s what you were worried about. Don¡¯t worry¨Cour hotel is fully equipped with security features. Every room has an emergency rm button. If anything feels off, just press it, and help wille right away.¡±
That did ease her mind. Tess nodded gratefully. ¡°Thank you. That¡¯s reassuring.¡±
Once inside the room with La, the tension she¡¯d been carrying began to dissolve into exhaustion.
She changed the baby into her pajamas, fed her, and was just about to settle in for the night when-
Knock Knock.
The sudden sound joited her.
Tess groaned and rubbed her temples, then opened the door.
It was Jennifer, holding a food tray.
¡°I didn¡¯t order anything. Tess said, confused.
Jennifer smiled politely and said, ¡°It¡¯s aplimentary gift for first¨Ctime guests. Just a littlete¨Cnight treat.¡±
She gently nudged the tray toward Tess.
Tess still felt something was off but epted it politely.
| ¡°This bread is a new item we¡¯re testing our, Jennifer exined with a bright smile. ¡°Our manager asked us to gather some
customer feedback as we deliver it¡±
Tess caught on ¡°So you¡¯d like me to try it now?¡±
¡°Yes, please
Jennifer ced the tray on the nightstand beside the bed. ¡°If you could just take a bite, that¡¯d help me report back
Tess nced at her closely. The woman still wore that perfect customer service smile. wless. Impable.
Chapter 74 Suspicious Hotel Staff
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After falling from a wealthy socialite to cleaning motel floors, Tess had learned to read people in the margins. She always thought herself adept at empathizing with those at the bottom.
Jennifer waited patiently while Tess hesitated. Her gaze drifted¨Ctoo long¨Cto where Lay sleeping on the bed. ¡°Is that your daughter?¡± she asked with a sugary tone. ¡°She¡¯s adorable.¡±
Tess offered a stiff smile and a polite nod. Then, from the tray, she picked the smallest slice of cake.
Just as she raised it to her lips, her hand froze.
Jennifer still hadn¡¯t looked away from La.
A shiver crawled over Tess¡¯s skin like ice.
She set the cake down without a word and clutched her stomach, frowning in faux difort. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry; I think my stomach¡¯s acting up all of a sudden.¡±
Seeing the sudden change in her expression, Jennifer grew visibly anxious. ¡°Are you alright, ma¡¯am?¡±
Probably just period cramps. Would you mind running out and grabbing some painkillers for me? I¡¯ll try the cake while you¡¯re gone and give you my thoughts when you¡¯re back.¡±
Tess looked at her with a pleading, vulnerable gaze.
Jennifer hesitated, clearly unsure¡ªbut faced with Tess¡¯s twisted expression of pain, she finally nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±
Just before leaving, she turned at the door and added with a smile, ¡°Please don¡¯t forget to taste it.¡±
Tess nodded quickly, letting out a dramatic groan. ¡°I will, I promise. Just¨Cplease go!¡±
Jennifer picked up her pace, but she muttered under her breath, ¡°Didn¡¯t know cramps could be that bad.¡±
The second she turned the corner and disappeared from view, Tess straightened. The pain? Gone.
She grabbed her suitcase, scooped La into her arms, and made for the back exit without another second¡¯s dy.
Tess hadn¡¯t imagined it¨Cthe gleam of calction in Jennifer¡¯s eyes had been real.
Something about this ce wasn¡¯t right.
Her gut screamed it. Adrenaline surged through her. She didn¡¯t even risk the elevator¨Cjust bolted for the emergency stairwell
The stairwell was dim, lit only by the green glow of the exit signs. Each step echoed beneath her feet, her heart hammering against her chest.
Meanwhile, Jennifer had just purchased the painkillers when she suddenly stopped.
If she had cramps, could she still eat dessert?
A sense of wrongness hit her. She frowned, her steps quickened.
By the time she reached the hallway, she saw it immediately¨Cthe door to Tess¡¯s room was slightly ajar.
A wave of dread surged through her.
Bang
She shoved the door open. The room was in chaos¨Ctossed sheets, scattered clothes¨Cbut not a soul in sight
Jennifer stood in the doorway, her chest heaving in panic.
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Chapter 75 The Vanishing
Chapter 75 The Vanishing
That bitch lied to me!
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Jennifer¡¯s fingers curled into a tight fist.
Still so cautious, even now? I had taken every possible precaution¨Chow did she see through it?
With a cold flick of her eyes, Jennifer removed her uniform, revealing a slim two¨Cway radio clipped to her waistband.
¡°Boss. Ms. Ember¡¯s gone.¡±
A sharp breath cut through the silence on the other end.
Though no words were spoken for a moment, the air turned chilling.
¡°You have one job, and you actually fail at this?!¡± The voice finally thundered, low and dangerous.
Even though her boss wasn¡¯t there in person, Jennifer instinctively lowered her head, shoulders trembling.
¡°Find her! And bring me the kid!¡±
The man¡¯s eyes burned red with fury. With a low growl, he abruptly ended the call.
The call ended abruptly, and only then did Jennifer dare to breathe.
Wiping the cold sweat from her brow, she rushed to pull up the surveince footage.
Under the pretense of a guest caught stealing hotel property, she alerted her coworkers.
The entire hotel erupted into motion, scouring every hallway and corner. Eventually, faint traces showed up in the emergency stairwell.
Tess didn¡¯t stop to look back. Moving silently, she crept down to the first floor and cautiously peeked around the corner toward the front desk.
Just moments ago, two or three staff were stationed there. Now, it waspletely deserted.
Her heart dropped.
They were definitely out searching for her.
Pank clutched at her throat. Staying low, she bolted out of the hotel.
Her strange movement didn¡¯t go unnoticed. A dejected¨Clooking bellhop spotted her and suddenly lit up. ¡°There she is!¡±
His shout triggered a wave of frenzy. The hotel burst into chaos.
Tess dared not stop. To her, the noise behind her might as well have been a stampede of monsters. Newest update provided by
The footsteps grew louder, closer. She was no match¨Cone arm carrying La, the other dragging a suitcase. They¡¯d catch her
in no ume
Thinking fast she darted her eyes and ducked into an unlit corner just past a bend in the hall.
Where¡¯d she go? She was right here!¡±
No idea! She¡¯s carrying a kid, she can¡¯t have gone far. Split up¨Cfind her!¡±
If you spot her report immediately
Footsteps scattered in all directions.
Chapter 75 The Vanishing
Tess gently patted La¡¯s back, praying the baby wouldn¡¯t make a sound.
Thankfully, La nestled quietly in her arms, as if she understood what was at stake.
The area slowly fell silent.
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Only then did Tess cautiously poke her head out, eyes scanning the empty surroundings. Seeing no one, she darted out of hiding.
Pulling out her phone, she ordered a ride. Her voice trembled as she whispered to the driver, ¡°Yes, pleasee quickly. I don¡¯t care about the fare.¡±
Her voice trembled with panic, and the driver on the other end of the line immediately tensed.
It was the middle of the night, and she sounded fragile¡ªlike a woman in trouble. He didn¡¯t know what was going on, but his gut told him it was bad.
Without a second thought, a surge of urgency and righteousness kicked in. He mmed the gas pedal and shouted into the phone with force, ¡°Hang tight! I¡¯m on my way!¡±
The strength in his voice hit Tess like a wave of warmth, slowly thawing her frozen limbs. She let out a shaky breath and turned her head to take in her surroundings.
The road with the streetlights was far away, just a faint yellow haze in the distance.
Everything else was still and dark. Only the soft rustle of leaves stirred in the wind.
Tess tensed again. Each step she took on the leaf¨Cstrewn ground made a brittle crack, every sound loud enough to make her flinch.
Then¨Ca shadow shed before her eyes.
Before she could react, something mmed into her, knocking her t on the ground.
For a split second, she was dazed. And then¨CLa was gone.
It happened in an instant. Her arms were empty.
La had been snatched.
Tess¡¯s eyes flew wide, her mind nk with shock. She stood there frozen, like she¡¯d been clubbed over the head.
Then, as if the paralysis shattered, she shot to her feet and screamed, her voice raw and ragged, ¡°Who are you?! Give me back my baby!
She broke into a run, letting the suitcase crash behind her as she spun wildly, shouting at the dark, ¡°Come out! What do you want? Money? I have money! I¡¯ll give you whatever you want¨Cjust give her back to me!¡±
Silence. The only sound was her voice echoing through the night, desperate and breaking.
A gust of cold wind swept past, and terror crept up her limbs like icy vines.
Her La¨Cgone.
It felt like her heart had been crushed in a fist and torn out, still bleeding.
Back at the hotel entrance, some of the hotel staff who had been chasing her paused. They exchanged uncertain nces. suddenly unsure. Something felt off. Even though she was screaming like her soul had been ripped in two, none of them moved a muscle.
Tess copsed to the ground, clutching her chest, the pain so sharp it felt like a knife had been driven straight into her.
Suddenly, a beam of headlights pierced the dark.
A muscr man stepped out of the car, startled by the sight of the woman sprawled in agony on the pavement. ¡°You ¡
Chapter 75 The Vanishing
you Ms. Ember? You called for a ride?¡±
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His voice faltered as he cautiously stepped closer. When he saw how pale her face was, his heart gave a frightened jolt.
Keepsake 76
Chapter 76 A Desperate Plea
Chapter 76 A Desperate Plea
45 Free Coins
Suddenly, a cold, trembling hand clutched his thick arm. The woman¡¯s eyes were wide and ssy, filled with despair and heartbreak. ¡°Please! I¡¯m begging you! Someone took my child!¡±
¡°What?!¡±
The cab driver¡¯s eyes flew open in shock. He grabbed Tess from the ground in one swift motion. ¡°Don¡¯t panic, ma¡¯am. Quick, tell me everything.
¡°Who took your kid? Did you see them? I¡¯ll help you chase them down!¡±
His voice was full of righteous fury, ready to act. Tess, unable to hold it together anymore, broke down. Tears streamed down her face.
She choked on her sobs, barely able to form a full sentence. ¡°It was too dark; I didn¡¯t see who it was.¡±
That stopped the driver cold, He clenched his jaw, helpless. He was ready to help but wasn¡¯t sure where to start.
¡°But!¡±
Tess suddenly grabbed him again, as if clinging to thest strand of hope.
¡°I know where to look. Evermount Vi
Please, take me there!¡±
The driver blinked.
Evermount Vi?
He cast a skeptical nce at Tess.
Wasn¡¯t that one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city? Rich folks didn¡¯t go around snatching kids, did they?
But when he looked into her devastated eyes, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say no. ¡°Alright¨Cget in!¡±
He threw her suitcase into the trunk, mmed it shut, and hit the gas.
The cab was warm inside, the heater humming softly, but Tess couldn¡¯t stop shivering. Cold sweat still clung to her back. Her mind was racing.
She wasn¡¯t the kind of person who made enemies easily. She¡¯d always kept her head down, lived a quiet life. So why La? Why her daughter?
Tess struggled to control her breathing, trying to piece things together.
The receptionist¨Cshe¡¯d been acting strange from the beginning. Had this been nned? Did someone set this all up after she booked that hotel, waiting to trap her?
A chull ran down her spine at this thought.
This had been premeditated. It wasn¡¯t random. They hade for her and La specifically.
Tess suddenly felt as if she¡¯d been plunged into icy waters
Aside from Nadine, she hadn¡¯t crossed anyone. Original content can be found at Find¡ïNovel
Nudine?
Her breath hitched. A glint of sharpness shed in her eyes.
If it really was Nadine, she would make sure she paid.
Tess clenched her fists and turned to the driver, her voice tight. ¡°Mister, how much longer?
10:28 AM
Chapter 76 A Desperate Plea
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The man didn¡¯t look away from the road. ¡°You started in the south part of the city. Evermount Vi¡¯s on the opposite end- it¡¯s the nicest spot in Aetheris besides downtown. It¡¯s a haul.¡±
Still, he pressed harder on the gas.
Tess¡¯s heart dropped.
¡°Ma¡¯am, why didn¡¯t you call the cops? I mean, your kid got taken. Wouldn¡¯t the police be faster?¡±
The driver seized a lull in traffic and nced at Tess through the rearview mirror.
¡°Wouldn¡¯t calling the police be faster?¡±
Tess shook her head.
For most people, yes¨Cthe police would be their best option.
But La¡¯s father was Finn.
And Finn? Finn was the wealthiest man in Aetheris. The kind of man whose power and reach went beyond thew.
And if Nadine was behind this, then Finn was the only one who could fix it.
Going to him would do more than any police officer ever could.
The driver didn¡¯t get it, but he respected her choice.
After all, judging by how anxious she looked, there was no way this mother would joke about her child¡¯s safety.
He said nothing more, just kept pushing the car to its limit within thew.
Time slipped by in anxious silence.
¡°Ma¡¯am! We¡¯re here!¡±
The driver reminded her.
Tess didn¡¯t even wait for the car to stop. She leapt out, snatched her suitcase, and bolted for the gate. ¡°Thank you!¡±
Her words were carried away by the wind.
The driver only caught a glimpse of her disappearing silhouette, wild with panic.
It was nearly midnight. In the garden of the vi, the flowers had just been watered by the household staff. Droplets clung to the petals, glowing under the soft porch lights.
Finn happened to nce out the window. The water shimmered under the light, catching his eye.
For some reason, his heart was unsettled.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, turned off the lights, and prepared to turn in for the night.
Then-
Knock, knock-
A sudden knock broke the silence,
Finn frowned and looked toward the door.
At this hour? Who would it be?
Knock, knock, knock-
He hesitated for just a moment, but the knocking at the door grew more urgent.
10:28 AM P
Chapter 76 A Desperate Plea
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened in irritation as he strode over and opened it himself.
But the moment he turned the knob, the door was shoved open by a sudden force.
A figure rushed in¨Cone he never expected to see.
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Tess. She stood there in front of him, her hair a mess, her face drained of color, as pale and brittle as a dead branch.
Finn froze, startled. ¡°What happened?¡±
His gaze instinctively dropped to her empty arms.
Something was wrong. Where was the baby?
Before he could ask. Tess suddenly grabbed the cor of his shirt. ¡°Finn, please¡ªsave our
She stopped herself just in time. The words nearly fell apart in her throat. She sobbed, struggling to speak, then rasped in a hoarse voice, ¡°You once said you had the power to protect us. Does that promise still stand?¡±
Keepsake 77
Chapter 77 A Race Against Time
Chapter 77 A Race Against Time
Her voice was sharp and frantic, setting Finn¡¯s jaw tighter by the second.
¡°What on earth happened?¡± He questioned harshly.
¡°La¡¯s gone.¡±
Tess forced herself to stay calm, but her voice trembled with panic.
¡°Sit down. Talk me through it.¡±
44
s
Finn could tell this was seriously wrong. In his mind shed the image of the baby who had smiled at him, babbling sweetly. His chest tightened at the thought.
¡°There¡¯s no time! The Wintergale Hotel¨Csomething was off from the start. That receptionist had her eyes on La. You¡¯ve got power, right? Use it. Look into the hotel staff, their background¨Cthis has to be connected!¡±
Tess grew more agitated as she spoke, gripping the front of his tailored shirt until it was a wrinkled mess.
¡°Got it.¡± Finn¡¯s eyes flicked down to her clenched fist on his chest but didn¡¯t push her away. Instead, he pulled out his phone and called Zane immediately.
In just a few sentences, he exined the situation. Once Zane began giving orders on the other end, Finn finally hung up and reached for Tess¡¯s hand.
Her skin was ice cold and it jolted him.
She didn¡¯t pull away this time.
Clearly still trapped in her fear of losing La, her eyes were wide with dread, her emotions teetering on the edge.
¡°Zane¡¯s good at what he does. We¡¯ll hear something soon,¡± Finn reassured.
¡°No.¡±
Tess turned to face him, eyes burning with determination. ¡°Lend me a car. I need to look for her myself.¡±
Their eyes met, sharp and intense. Finn¡¯s heart sank.
¡°It¡¯ste. Are you sure? It¡¯s not safe out there alone ¡ ¡®
¡°The keys. Now.¡± Original content can be found at ?ovelFind
Tess¡¯s voice was cold and cutting, her grip on his cor fierce.
She stood her ground with fierce resolve, leaving no room for argument. And yet, the faint tremble in her body betrayed a fragile vulnerability that tugged at the heart.
Finn barely hesitated before giving in. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± he said quietly.
He took her hand and led her toward the garage, tucking it against his side as they walked.
Tess felt his warmth seep into her arm, but La came first. She didn¡¯t shake him off¨Cat least, not right away. Once they reached the car, she yanked her hand back and slipped into the passenger seat without a word.
Finn nced down at his empty palm, something unreadable flickering in his eyes before he climbed behind the wheel.
¡°Tess,¡± he said as he started the engine, his tone low, edged with frustration. ¡°You¡¯re asking me for help.¡±
She stiffened. Only now did the weight of her earlier outburst catch up with her.
Her expression faltered, but she quickly masked it with cold defiance. ¡°Are you trying to go back on your word?¡±
Chapter 77 A Race Against Time
Finn let out a low, bitterugh. ¡°We¡¯re still legally married. Something this small? I wouldn¡¯t turn you away.¡± Tess bit down on her lip, using every ounce of self¨Ccontrol to keep herposure.
Finn nced sideways at her tense figure, but his concern only deepened.
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Then, Zane¡¯s voice came through the car system, ¡°Mr. Lock, we pulled the Wintergale Hotel surveince, but the footage is too dark to make out anything clearly. The receptionist¡¯s file says the original staff were on leave¨Creced by temps. That¡¯s all we¡¯ve got for now.¡±
Finn had connected his phone with the speaker, and Tess could hear Zane¡¯s voice loud and clear¨Ceach word hitting her like a ssh of cold water.
If even Finn couldn¡¯t get more information, then what chance did La have?
Just the thought of it sent a sharp pain shooting through her chest¨Cso intense it felt like she could hardly breathe.
Finn noticed the way her eyes dimmed, the light in them all but gone. His heart ached at the sight.
¡°Keep going. Check every surveince camera in the surrounding area. I want her found¨Csafe and unharmed.¡°,
Finn¡¯s voice was low andmanding and left no room for negotiation.
There was a moment of silence on the other end before Zane responded firmly, ¡°Yes, Mr. Lock!¡±
Tess¡¯sshes quivered.
Whet
She nced at Finn instinctively.
I had told him previously that La wasn¡¯t his child. So why¡ why is he still doing all this?
Tess bit down hard on her lip, but the pain didn¡¯t register. When the metallic taste of blood seeped into her mouth, she finally snapped out of her daze.
If you want to thank me, Finn said, eyes never leaving the road, ¡°then once La¡¯s found,e back to Evermount Vi with me
He¡¯d caught the shift in her emotions, noticed the tension radiating from her frame, and raised an eyebrow as he spoke.
Tess turned her face away and didn¡¯t respond.
Finn pressed his lips into a tight line but didn¡¯t push it.
The air in the car grew beavy again, thick with silence.
Soon they pulled up to the Wintergale Hotel. Zane was already there, along with several investigators, surrounding the front desk area with a hurrian wall.
As the two stepped out of the car, Zane rushed forward and greeted them. ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Lock!¡±
Finn waved him off His gaze was sharp and cold. ¡°Anything new?¡±
Zane¡¯s face arrised with difort as he shook his head.
Tess¡¯s face went even paler
¡°Show me. Fins mattered, his brows furrowed even deeper as he stepped forward.
Keepsake 78
Chapter 78 The Kidnapper
Chapter 78 The Kidnapper
The investigators standing around quickly moved aside, clearing a path.
Tess followed closely behind Finn.
The footage on the screen was just as Zane had said¨Cdark and blurry. Even though the moment La was taken had been recorded, the quality was too poor to make out the abductor¡¯s face.
When the video ended, a heavy silence fell over the room.
Tess felt her heart sink. She stared at the frozen final frame, refusing to give up, when suddenly her eyes narrowed.
¡°Wait!¡±
Her voice broke through the silence, drawing everyone¡¯s attention.
Finn turned to her. She was practically sprawled over the desk, but her eyes lit up with urgency.
Here¨Cthis part. Brighten the screen and rewind just a little.¡± She pointed to a spot on the video, her voice brimming with hope
The tech, confused, nced toward Zane for approval.
Zane nodded, and the technician immediately started adjusting the footage. Checktest chapters at ?ovelFind
From the shadows, a small glimmer appeared.
¡°Zoom in,¡± Tess said, her voice trembling.
The technician, now understanding what she¡¯d spotted, skipped asking for permission and quickly enhanced the image.
Finn leaned in beside her, squinting.
¡°A license te!¡± Tess gasped, her finger shaking as she pointed at the screen.
¡°Run this te! Someone find out who it¡¯s registered to!¡±
Her voice cracked with emotion.
Finnmanded, ¡°Go¡± The investigators hurried out of the room to begin the search.
As they wasted, Tess¡¯s chest heaved. She was breathing heavily, her whole body tense.
Soot, someone returned.
¡°Mr. Lock it¡¯s a temporary te¡±
Tess nearly copsed. Her knees buckled, and Finn reached out just in time to steady her.
His tonach was firm but warm. And in that moment, Tess could no longer hold back. She broke downpletely, sobbing uncontrobly
Her cries were row, filled with such grief they seemed to tear through the room: Finn¡¯s chest tightened at the sound.
¡°Tess he tourmoured, his grip on her shoulders tightening.
She bat her lip hard, trying to suppress her voice, but tears still slipped through.
¡°Even a temporary te can be tracked¡± she said through clenched teeth Find out who registered it.¡±
Finn nodded sharply, his tone cold andmanding. Do it Now!
The team rushed out again
Chapter 78 The Kidnapper
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Tess¡¯s body was still trembling. Her fingers clenched tightly at Finn¡¯s shirt¨Cnot out of trust, but out of sheer desperation and
rage.
Who had taken La?
Her hands were clenched so tight the veins stood out. Her eyes, shadowed by longshes, were dark with despair and fury. ¡°They¡¯ll handle it. I¡¯m taking you home to get some rest,¡± Finn said, his voice softer now, almostforting.
But Tess shook her head. Her voice was hoarse. ¡°No. I need to find La.¡±
They¡¯ll need time to investigate. You¡¯re still recovering from the drug; your body¡¯s still weak. Don¡¯t copse before we get
news.
His words were firmer now.
Tess froze.
I¡¯ll tell you the moment we find out anything,¡± he added.
Her grip slowly loosened.
She slumped slightly, suddenly aware of the heavy fatigue in her limbs.
Was this a side effect of the drug?
She recalled Finn¡¯s advice: what if she did copse right when La needed her?
Finn sensed her wavering and pressed the advantage. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone take you back to the vi. There¡¯s a room prepared for you at Evermount Vi. The servant cleans it everyday.¡±
Tess lowered her head, lips pressed tightly together.
Take her. Finn ordered.
An investigator stepped forward respectfully, gesturing for Tess to follow.
The way Mr. Lock had just spoken, it was clear he adored his wife. The staff grew more cautious, their respect for her silently doubling.
Tess said nothing as she left but cast onest reluctant nce back through the ss.
As soon as she was gone, Zane shut the hotel doors firmly.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
The air around Finn shifted, the temperature seeming to plummet, like a towering iceberg¨Csilent, imposing, and deadly cold.
Zane lowered his voice and leaned in. ¡°Mr. Lock, that license te, it¡¯s registered to the Hunts.¡±
Finn¡¯s gaze darkened at this, his voice sinister and dangerous. ¡°Max¡±
Zane pressed his lips together and said nothing. The hotel lobby had gone deathly still, smothered under the heavy pressure radiating from Finn.
Put us on the phone,¡± Finn said coldly, ¡°I want to see exactly what he thinks he¡¯s doing.¡±
His voice was like a de grinding out between his teeth¨Cquiet, sharp, and chilling to the bone.
Everyone in the room involuntarily shuddered.
Meanwhile, at Hunt Group headquarters-
Max narrowed his eyes and tightened his hold on the child in his arms.
His usu§Ñ§á§å §ã§á§Ñ§Ô§ß§Ñ§ß§Ñ §Þ§Ö§ç
face, which stirred a deep, unwee irritation in him.
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Keepsake 79
Chapter 79 The Game He ys
Chapter 79 The Game He ys
Max reached out his fingers and pinched the little girl¡¯s soft, squishy cheek.
It was as soft as cotton candy¨Cexcept it rubbed him the wrong way.
¡°Finn¡¯s kid¡ looks just like him.¡±
Max¡¯s voice drifted into the air like mist¨Clight, almost inaudible, but chilling in a way that made the skin crawl.
La had always been sweet and well¨Cbehaved, never shy around strangers. But right now, she was visibly restless.
Smack!
The p echoed through the room, so loud it could¡¯ve sliced through silence like a knife.
s
The secretary stiffened, heart jumping into his throat, eyes wide in disbelief at the fearless baby who had just struck out.
Max frowned and looked down at La. Her tiny hand had smacked his arm¨Cnot hard, not enough to leave a mark.
But still, she had done it.
He found himself smiling. Curiously, he studied her big round eyes, blue as theke.
Leaning closer, he grinned at her. ¡°Got your mom¡¯s temper, huh?¡±
La didn¡¯t understand what he said, but her instincts screamed at her to back away. She crinkled her nose and pouted, a clear sign of disgust¨Ceven if it looked more adorable than threatening.
Max wasn¡¯t irritated, though. On the contrary, the resemnce between her and Tess intrigued him. He suddenly became more patient.
¡°What if it hadn¡¯t been me this time?¡± he mused, propping his head up with one hand. ¡°What if it had been a real kidnapper What would Tess have done then?¡±
The secretary replied without hesitation. ¡°Miss La could¡¯ve been hurt or worse.¡±
Max¡¯s brow furrowed in mock concern. ¡°Exactly. Just the two of them out there in the world¡ªit¡¯s dangerous. Wouldn¡¯t it be safer for them to stay with me?¡±
The assistant said respectfully, ¡°we¡¯ve reached out to Ms. Ember. She should be responding soon.¡±
Max absentmindedly held La¡¯s little hand to stop her from fidgeting. ¡°Tell her I found La. She shoulde pick her up.¡±
¡°But wouldnt Ms. Ember find that a little suspicious?¡±
The secretary scratched his head, clearly uncertain.
Her child was kidnappedte at night, only to be rescued by Mr. Hunt himself?
The coincidence was impossible to ignore
¡°Of course she will Max replied, raising his eyes with a smile that didn¡¯t reach them.
Tess was smart¨Che knew that She¡¯d put the pieces together.
But
¡°the secretary hesitated, confused.
Just do it
Max lowered his gaze, hiding the gleam in his eyes.
Tess wasn¡¯t going to believe some fairy tale about him just happening to find La. But she¡¯d also realize he had the power to take the child in front of her if he wanted if he truly meant harm, nothing could¡¯ve stopped him
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10:29 AM P P
Chapter 79 The Game He ys
His fingers clenched slowly.
ording to thetest updates, Tess had already met with Finn.
+5 Tree Coins
He opened a file tucked in the corner of his desktop. A high¨Cresolution photo of Tess holding a sign¨Cher face pale with
humiliation¨Cstared back at him.
His eyes flicked past it and continued to flip to the next picture,
It was the picture of Tess and Finn entering and leaving a hotel together.
Even after all this, she was still willing to be close to Finn but pushed him away?
Jealousy twisted like a de in his chest, eating away at his sanity.
The top floor of the Hunt Group headquarters was bathed in light¨Cjust like the bedroom in Evermount Vi, where Tess sat,
stunned
She hadn¡¯t even had the strength to book another hotel. All she could do was sit in the familiar room, numb from head to toe.
It was Max.
Max had taken La. But why?
Tess gripped the edge of the sheets, her nails digging so hard into her palms they drew blood.
The sting was the only thing keeping her from passing out from rage,
¡°What does he want from me?!¡±
A polite voice came through the phone. ¡°Ms. Ember, please don¡¯t misunderstand Mr. Hunt. He merely assisted in recovering your daughter. If you have a moment, you maye pick her up at the Hunt Group headquarters.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes burned red with fury, the sheer absurdity of it all making her let out a bitter, teeth¨Cclenchedugh. ¡°Do you really take me for a fool?¡±
She and La had nearly been kidnapped from a hotel, and somehow Max¨Cwho had been at his office¨Cwas the one to save
La
There was only one exnation: Max had staged the whole thing.
Tess had had enough. She shouted into the phone, her patience gone, ¡°Where¡¯s Max? Put him on!¡±
The secretary flinched, his polished demeanor cracking as he looked to Max for help.
Tess had exploded, but Max didn¡¯t seem angry. He actually looked satisfied, eyes narrowing in pleasure.
He reached for dar phone When he spoke, his voice was rich and slow, like a cello. ¡°Tess, La¡¯s perfectly safe here.¡±
¡°She¡¯s not safe with you? Iess¡¯s voice shook ¡°Max, I don¡¯t care what kind of mess is between us. back
She tried to keep calm, but the tremor in her voice gave her away¨Cshe was terrified.
Just give me my daughter
Max¡¯s eyes darkened, but his voice turned gepile¨Ccoaxing almost tender. ¡°How could she not be safe? If it weren¡¯t for me. she would we been taken. Tess, you¡¯re out there alone, struggling to protect a child through all that danger. Come to me. I¡¯l have a full security team watching over you, day and night. La will have everything¨Ca beautiful home, top¨Ctier education, and a peaceful life. She¡¯ll grow up happy. Isn¡¯t that what you want?¡±
Keepsake 80
Chapter 80 Finn¡¯s Arrival
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Hearing the man¡¯s voice on the other end, which was soft and calm like a breeze, sent shivers down Tess¡® spine. To her, it sounded more like the devil breathing down her neck.
This madman! That was a direct threat!
Tess trembled in fury, wishing she could punch Max through the phone.
He actually used La¡¯s safety to pressure her!
¡°Lock Group headquarters, Tess. I¡¯ll be expecting you.¡±
A low, mockingugh slipped through the speaker, and before Tess could say anything, the line went dead.
A cold chill crept through her body, and her vision spun.
At that moment, Max lounged back in his chair, clearly pleased with himself, even taking a moment to tease La.
But La didn¡¯t give him the slightest attention.
Soon after, the secretary who had stepped out returned looking uneasy. He held his phone and lowered his tone, ¡°Mr. Hunt, it¡¯s Mr. Lock.¡±
¡°Finn?¡±
Max¡¯s eyebrows rose as he nced at his limited¨Cedition timepiece.
He had arranged for everything to happen discreetly, and it was already quitete. Why would Finn be aware?
His expression darkened, a sh of alertness in his eyes. ¡°Tell him I¡¯m already asleep.¡±
¡°If you don¡¯t answer within 60 seconds, Lock Group
will shut down one of your project deals.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice came through like frozen steel, full of menace.
The secretary quickly muted the phone, cold sweat gathering at his temples.
Max¡¯s face dropped immediately.
¡°Mr. Hunt¡*
The secretary gave Max a nervous look as panic flickered across his features.
¡°He¡¯s already on his way, isn¡¯t he?¡±
Max¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously.
The secretary stiffened. The very next moment, someone knocked at the door.
¡°Mr. Hunt, a representative from Lock Group is here.¡±
Both Max and the secretary tensed at the announcement.
He had only just sent a message, and Lock Group was already at the entrance?
Max¡¯s brows drew together as he eyed the door.
The secretary stepped toward it, but Max raised a hand to stop him. Read full story at Find¡ïNovel
He moved to open it himself, but the moment his fingers touched the knob, a chill traveled up his arm.
Standing just outside was Finn, with the receptionist beside him, looking lost and panicked.
10:29 AM P.
Chapter 80 Finn¡¯s Arrival
Finn¡¯s gaze was like ice, cutting straight through Max.
The air seemed to thicken under the weight of his presence.
Their stares collided, like sparks bursting in the silence.
¡°Mr. Lock Been a while.¡±
Max was the first to break the silence. There was a faint smirk at the edge of his mouth.
Finn didn¡¯t respond. His eyes flicked past Max.nding directly on the baby on the couch.
La was sucking her fingers, looking back with wide, glistening eyes that could soften any heart.
Finn¡¯s stare sharpened again as he looked back at Max.
He brushed past Max without a word, walked straight in, and picked up La.
s
Cradling the small bundle in his arms, Finn looked up, his voice like frost. ¡°Max, care to tell me what this is about?¡±
About whaa!¡±
Max gave a shortugh, but he was clearly more tense than Finn¡¯s calm yetmanding demeanor.
Finn didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Unlike Tess. I¡¯m not one you can y with. A year ago, you tried to take us down. That chapter isn¡¯t
Cinand.¡±
He fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the coffee table, each tapced with quiet threat.
Mas a expression soured.
The air was wo tense that it could snap.
¡°Les cater to you first, didn¡¯t she?¡±
Max Genched his teeth, looking up.
Einu sitni kona surprised
* 109 wide, Somarthing like this happens. Of course she¡¯d call me first.¡±
Fir gave a tant sout
penly wiping La¡¯s mouth with a handkerchief.
Mas maschend the ad way Finn handled the baby and felt like something was wing at his insides.
¡°Bl?r? banen dying to bear you. Beup fooling yourself.¡±
Bax o kann
wlusooed saades k¨²s sleeve as he fired back with a cold sneer.
Funts hated fessee you this eyes red colder. When he looked up, his patience had vanished
Though they wour moughly the same bright. Mas looked slummer, while Finn exuded an overwhelming presence.
Dary and cach oder down hoses sharp es sa. ¡°Em taking the child. You¡¯d better think hard about what you¡¯ll say to
Tom¡®
His down the cab welke a de digging into Max¡¯s chest
Hang
The dosened sisu
2-3
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Chapter 80 Finn¡¯s Arrival
s
The secretary tiptoed forward, clearly wanting to say something, but one look at Max¡¯s furious expression made him hold his
tongue.
¡°Should we stop him. Mr. Hunt?¡±
He couldn¡¯t help but ask.
¡°Stop him¡± Max spat bitterly. ¡°Do you think that¡¯s even possible?¡±
The secretary scratched his nose awkwardly
That was Finn, after all¨Cthe wealthiest man in Aetheris. Who had the power to stop him?
Max was burning with fury.
A year ago, he¡¯d built the Hunts into a major force, thinking he could crush Finn. But the man¡¯s instincts in business were terrifying he rebounded almost immediately and minimized the damage.
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Keepsake 81
Chapter 81 La¡¯s Back
Chapter 81 La¡¯s Back
Even now, Max couldn¡¯t deny that Finn was still ahead of him.
s
When it came to Tess, Max had assumed that once she got out of jail, he could keep her close by. But things hadn¡¯t gone as nned
A flicker of doubt passed through Max¡¯s eyes as a realization began to dawn.
Tess had spent a year in prison, and then came out with a baby.
As far as he knew, Finn was unaware that the child belonged to him.
With Tess criminal past and the presence of a so¨Ccalled ¡°illegitimate child,¡± that alone should¡¯ve been enough for Finn to cut
So why
Max couldn¡¯t shake the image of how Finn had acted with La. There hadn¡¯t been even a trace of rejection; if anything, he had heen gentle, almost affectionate.
Recent reports only confirmed that Finn cared a lot about Tess. He had rejected her divorce applications repeatedly and insisted on taking her and the child back to Evermount Vi.
Actild sweat broke out on Max¡¯s back as an rming theory began forming in his mind.
On the other side, Finn wasn¡¯t thinking about any of this. He simply told Zane to get them home to Evermount Vi as quickly as possible.
Teas had agreed to rest there, but Finn knew she wouldn¡¯t sleep a wink.
If La wasn¡¯t at home. Tess would stay up waiting all¨Cnight.
If La was gone two nights, she¡¯d wait two nights.
That was just how shar
¡°How hang amil we arrive?¡± he asked, brows pulling together.
For menes away Late answered a bit too hastily.
The ch?t ba bo revered, and Ms. Ember just needed a few moments with her. Why is Mr. Lock still so on edge?
He didnt get it, ist f¨¹r kurge the car moving fast.
Exactly for soutester, Fino arrived at the door with La safely in his arms.
baty
The swan Lese brand the kiss shot up from the bed.
She swung the dune gay andnd eyes un Fan holding her daughter. ¡°La¡±
Her vonte cracked with towers young ferret¨Czimmed eyes
Sibar jailed La close andteral in that fans weer l habry powder. Finally, her racing heart began to settle.
Everything her fill away Sharias put a mother haza
For those in ce, sab¨¦r My stoga sharing at the twiz nad absen
Taxi framed by face sobby, hey features elegant yes fragile. The quiet strength she carried, and those tremblingdders,
19
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Chapter 81 La¡¯s Back
made his chest tighten.
His breath caught. His pulse quickened.
¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± he said before he could stop himself, voice rough and low.
Tess didn¡¯t nce at him. The relief of having La back was soon overtaken by concern.
She pinched La¡¯s cheek. The little girl was sucking her fingers, probably starving after all that had happened.
Even though Evermount Vi was secure, Tess¡® nerves were still frayed. She couldn¡¯t put La down yet.
She headed straight to the kitchen with her.
Finn trailed behind, puzzled but careful not to press.
When she took out a can of form, it finally clicked for him.
But she paused at the counter.
¡°Take La,¡± she said, her voice firm and brisk.
Finn raised a brow but didn¡¯t object. He gently took the child from her arms.
Now able to move freely, Tess started mixing the form. But when she reached for the kettle, it was clearly too heavy. ¡°I got it,¡± Finn offered.
He managed La in one arm while lifting the kettle with the other.
The moment she heard the water, La¡¯s eyes lit up. She pped excitedly and giggled aloud.
Her giggles broke the heavy silence, warming the air in the room. N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on F¦Énd£Îovel
Tess blinked, forcing the odd feeling in her chest to the side,
She gave the bottle a few shakes and brought it to La¡¯s lips.
The baby eagerlytched on and drank hungrily.
The only sound in the kitchen was the rhythmic swallowing.
La, never one to sit still, grabbed with both hand; one caught Finn¡¯s thumb, the other clung to Tess¡® finger.
Sheughed and tugged at both of them at once.
Their fingers brushed, and each idental touch made Tess jolt with difort.
Finn didn¡¯t seem to notice. His eyes stayed on La, soft and quiet.
Tess questioned herself, Maybe she was just being overly cautious, but she stayed silent. When La finally let go, she let out a breath she didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been holding.
By tomorrow morning, she¡¯d find a new hotel¨Cone with better safety measures for both her and La.
Being here made her tense¡
Well, not every single moment.
She gave Finn a quick nce.
Only to see that he was already looking at her, gaze locked right on her face,
Keepsake 82
Chapter 82 Evermount Vi Isn¡¯t Their Home
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Chapter 82 Evermount Vi Isn¡¯t Their Home
Tess¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly averted her gaze.
Meanwhile, Finn kept his eyes fixed on her face.
¡°That¡¯s twice now, Tess.¡±
His words caught herpletely off guard, and her hands froze mid¨Cmotion.
Twice? What did he mean?
Confused, she looked up and met his unreadable gaze.
In the next moment, it clicked.
The first time was when La had diarrhea at the hotel, and he had helped take care of her.
Now was the second¨CLa had been kidnapped, and again, she was troubling him for help in the middle of the night. Tess¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°I¡¯ll take La and leave tomorrow.¡±
¡°You misunderstood me.¡±
Finn casually pulled out a chair and sat down.
La, now full and energized, was squirming and babbling in his arms. But despite her restlessness, he held her securely. The sight of a man in a suit holding a baby with a pacifier should¡¯ve looked absurd¨Cbut strangely, it looked¡ right. Tess blinked and softened her tone. ¡°What do you mean then?¡±
¡°Max isn¡¯t wrong about one thing¨Cyou and La aren¡¯t safe out there alone. And Aetheris belongs to the Locks.¡±
He sounded arrogant, but Tess didn¡¯t argue¨Cbecause he wasn¡¯t wrong.
The Locks were the wealthiest family in Aetheris, and they controlled the city¡¯s entire economy.
Under his protection, she wouldn¡¯t have to keep running with La, constantly in fear.
Tess¡¯s gaze dimmed.
She had believed that she could raise La safely and give her a good life on her own.
But after the kidnapping, she was forced to reevaluate everything.
Could she really protect La?
Max could send his men to snatch La right out of her arms, bold as hell
¡ª
and she was helpless against him.
Tess began to slump as if a heavy weight had been ced on her shoulders. Even breathing felt difficult.
Finn noticed the shift in her demeanor. His voice softened instinctively. ¡°You¡¯re my wife, Evermount Vi is always your home
His tone turned gentle, almost coaxing.
¡°No¡±
Tess shook her head.
Finn was taken aback.
She bit her lip, then gently lifted La out of his arms.
Chapter 82 Evermount Vi Isn¡¯t Their Home
Finn stared into her eyes and asked, ¡°Why?¡±
Tess took a step back, putting space between them.
¡°Evermount Vi isn¡¯t my home. And it isn¡¯t La¡¯s either,¡± she said.
A flicker of emotion crossed Finn¡¯s face, while Tess gave a bitter smile.
She had almost forgotten that she had lost everything due to the man standing in front of her.
He had sent her to prison in the name of justice, without hesitation.
s
He had stood by while Nadine bullied her, even forcing her to be humiliated at Lock Tower¡¯s lobby where she once worked.
A cold chill ran up her spine, and her gaze turned icy.
¡°I¡¯ll leave with La tomorrow,¡± she said with a straight face.
Then, without waiting for Finn¡¯s response, Tess turned and walked away.
Her movements stirred a gentle breeze in her wake.
Finn¡¯sshes trembled. He looked up¨Cand for some reason, the kitchen suddenly felt colder.
Tess was already gone. A momentter, the sharp m of a door echoed through the vi.
He stared at the tightly shut door, his expression growing darker by the second.
He could¡¯ve easily kept Tess at Evermount Vi, whether she agreed or not.
Bui-
Finn couldn¡¯t stop thinking of Tess¡® resolute look.
With a heavy sigh, he instinctively reached for a cigarette¨Cthen paused, remembering the woman and child still inside the house. Silently, he lowered his hand and rubbed his temples instead.
Forget it.
The kitchen lights stayed on until dawn.
Finn didn¡¯t sleep a wink. When the first rays of morning light spilled into the vi, he cast one final nce toward Tess¡® room before leaving for the office.
Tess stirred as sunlight brushed against her cheek.
La was still asleep, so she moved carefully and quietly packed up.
When she opened the bedroom door, the vi was still and silent.
Tess peeked out cautiously, scanning the hallway. Once she was sure Finn wasn¡¯t around, she rolled the suitcase out.
She couldn¡¯t help but worry he might send someone to stop her¨Chis absence made things easier. ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find?novel
La was already awake when she returned to the room. The baby was rubbing her eyes and smiling up at her.
Tess felt a sharp pang in her chest.
All she had ever wanted was to give La a safe, stable life. Instead, she had dragged her through chaos and fear.
Yet La remained sweet and understanding.
Tess gathered her into her arms and held her close.
Their hearts beat in sync, and some of the heaviness in Tess¡¯s heart melted away.
Keepsake 83
Chapter 83 You¡¯re Really Useless
Chapter 83 You¡¯re Really Useless.
Nadine emerged from the shadows, her eyes bloodshot.
Why is Tess out of Evermount Vi so early in the morning?
Her hands clenched tightly around the hem of her dress as she pulled out her phone from her bag.
The call connected almost instantly.
¡°Why was Tess at Evermount Vi overnight?!¡± she snapped.
There was a pause before Max¡¯s cold chuckle echoed through the line. ¡°Nadine? Are you questioning me now?¡±
His voice was icy, sending a chill down her spine.
She realized her mistake and immediately fell silent. A cold sweat broke out across her back.
An a fit of anger, she had forgotten what kind of ruthless man she was speaking to.
s
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. ¡°Tess went to Evermount Vi. You told me to spread false news about her being pregnant to drive her away. So why is she back now?¡±
She tried hard to soundposed.
Max¡¯s tone was clearly displeased. ¡°Maybe you should ask Mr. Lock instead.¡±
He let out a snort.
Nadine was stunned.
What does he mean by that?
Finn is the one who asked Tess toe back?
The realization hit her like a thunderp, and a wave of dread crept up her spine.
Her fingers trembled. ¡°Wh¨Cwhat do you mean?¡±
Max didn¡¯t bother to answer. Instead, he tossed the phone to his assistant and gestured for him to exin what had happened the night before.
When the assistant recounted how Finn had personally gone to Hunt Groupte at night to take the child back, Nadine¡¯s hand jerked involuntarily.
Rrrip!
Her sharp nails tore through the fabric of her expensive dress.
Her breathing grew short and frantic.
¡°Nadine,¡± Max¡¯s voice came back on the line, dripping with sareasm, ¡°Tess spent a year in prison, and you still couldn¡¯t win
over Finn?
Her cheeks were flushed with humiliation, but she didn¡¯t have the energy to talk back.
Ir
I was true¨Csince Tess had gone to prison, Finn had treated her decently. But it was nothing more than a boss appreciating apetent employee.
Every time she tried to get closer, that cold and distant man would shut her down, reminding her to know her ce.
Because of that, she had never even stolen a kiss from him, let alone anything more.
¡°Why? Finn knows the child isn¡¯t his, doesn¡¯t he? If that baby isn¡¯t his, why would he go to such lengths?¡±
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Chapter 83 You¡¯re Really Useless
s
Nadine was filled with resentment and disbelief.
Max had no intention of answering.
His face darkened. ¡°Nadine, I¡¯ve already done more than enough for you. You¡¯re really useless.¡±
With that, he hung up the call.
His assistant nced at him nervously.
Max¡¯s expression was grim, the air around him thick with fury.
He knew his temper had red just now, but it wasn¡¯t without reason.
He hadn¡¯t slept all night. The image of Finn barging into his office to take La away still made his chest burn with rage.
¡°Mr. Hunt, we¡¯re pretty tight with Ms. Nadine. If we pissed her off-¡±
The assistant couldn¡¯t help but speak up.
Max simply leaned back in his chair, lookingpletely unbothered.
Nadine is nothing more than a pretty face who took credit for Tess¡¯s work.
She¡¯s nothing without my support. And now she thinks she can turn against me?
¡°She¡¯lle crawling back soon enough,¡± he said coldly.
Meanwhile, Tess had no idea that two pairs of eyes were quietly watching her every move. At that moment, her only thought was to settle down somewhere safe with La.
The taxi pulled up near the location thendlord had given her.
She had barely stepped out with her luggage when a kind¨Clooking elderly woman came out to greet her with a warm smile You must be Ms. Tess?¡± Edith asked cheerfully, already reaching for the luggage to help.
Tess nodded and replied politely, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me.¡±
Edith beamed.
¡°Make yourself right at home, dear. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡±
Tess felt her heart lighten.
¡°This is your ce¡± Edith said enthusiastically as she opened the door.
Tess pecked inside and blinked in surprise,
She had rented this ce for a month. This ce was great as it was close to a 24¨Chour convenience store, a pharmacy, and easy ess to public transportation.
Most importantly, the building had top¨Cnotch security, with guards on duty around the clock and regr night patrols.
She had
expected a small, simple room. But what greeted her was far more than that.
The ce was cozy and beautifully decorated. The walls were lined with paper cutouts, and a soft, luxurious carpet covered
the Boor Follow current nov?ls on Find¡ïNovel
Despite the affordable price, the ce was surprisingly spacious. It had two bedrooms draped in sheer curtains, a neat study, and even a yroom already set up for a child.
There was even afortable crib in one of the bedrooms.
Tess stopped in her tracks. Then, she turned to Edith with wide eyes. ¡°Edith, are you sure this is the right ce?¡±
Chapter 83 You¡¯re Really Useless
s
Just to be certain, she repeated her name, contact information, and the type of room she had originally reserved.
Edithughed and pulled her suitcase inside. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, dear. There are plenty of empty units around here¨Cand the moment I saw you. I just felt an instant connection ¡¡±
Keepsake 84
Chapter 84 Tess¡¯s New ce
Chapter 84 Tess¡¯s New ce
Edith paused, her voice softening with a touch of nostalgia. ¡°You remind me so much of my daughter.¡±
Tess blinked and met her gentle gaze.
In that moment, the guarded tension in her heart quietly began to dissipate.
¡°Big eyes, polite, and well¨Cmannered,¡± Edith added with a fond smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but be drawn in by her warmth.
s
It reminded her of herte grandmother¨Cstern and strict most of the time, but always wearing a soft smile whenever she looked at Tess. Just like Edith now.
¡°Don¡¯t worry about staying here. I¡¯ve got more than enough empty rooms, and it¡¯s not easy being a young mom. Picking out a good ce for you was no trouble at all.
My daughter and granddaughter used to live here, so all the furniture for kids is already set up.¡±
She gave Tess¡® shoulder a gentle, reassuring pat, and the warmth of that simple touch chased away thest of the chill in her heart
¡°Alright, alright, don¡¯t just stand there like a statue¨Cgo on in,¡± Edith chuckled, then leaned in to gently tease the baby in Tess¡®
arms
¡°Little one¡¯s probably starving by now, and her mama¡¯s still in a daze?¡±
Tess quickly snapped out of her daze. After thanking Edith, she pulled a bottle and some form from her suitcase to prepare breakfast for La.
Edith offered to hold the baby and rocked her with practiced ease.
Following Edith¡¯s directions, Tess found her way into the kitchen.
It was still early, and the house was wrapped in peaceful quiet.
Sofi sunlight filtered through the window, and birds chirped as they fluttered through the yard outside.
As Edith hummed a luby, her gentle voice blended with the sound of warm water mixing with form, creating a soothing harmony.
Tess felt an unusual sense of calm, as if her heart had been wrapped in something warm and safe.
I
When she ced the bottle near La¡¯s mouth, the babytched on eagerly, her little eyes squinting in delight as she drank.
This little girl¡¯s just like her mom¨Cso pretty,¡± Edith said as her face glowed with affection. ?????? ???? Find?Novel
Tess blushed shyly at thepliment.
¡°Oh my, I nearly forgot¡ªI¡¯ve got more tenantsing to view another unit today,¡± Edith said while ncing at the wall clock. She then carefully handed La back to Tess.
Tess nodded her thanks, not wanting to keep her any longer.
Edith hurried off, and her figure soon disappeared.
Tess gently closed the door behind her and began unpacking her suitcase,
But despite what she¡¯d said. Edith didn¡¯t head straight to the main hall. She stopped quietly at a corner of the hallway and nced toward Tess¡¯s unit.
Then she pulled out her phone and made a call.
Chapter 84 Tess¡¯s New ce
A deep voice came through almost immediately. ¡°How did it go?¡±
It was Zane.
¡°Ms. Tess is very satisfied. I¡¯ve already ced her in the unit Mr. Lock requested,¡± Edith responded with respect.
+5 Free Coins
Zane nodded on the other end of the line. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll report back to Mr. Lock. Your reward will be delivered as promised.¡±
Edith¡¯s eyes lit up with delight. ¡°Please thank Mr. Lock for me. But honestly, I really do feel a connection with that girl.¡±
Zane took it as polite small talk and responded with a nomittal hum before ending the call.
Finn¡¯s eyes shifted toward Zane¡¯s hand as he lowered the phone. ¡°What did she say?¡±
His pen, which had been moving swiftly across a stack of documents, came to a sudden halt.
Zane gave a concise report. ¡°Mrs. Lock is settled.¡±
Finn¡¯s gaze flickered slightly at the words.
He lowered his eyes to the contract in front of him.
His longshes cast faint shadows over his unfocused gaze.
¡°Mhm.¡±
His voice was barely audible, fading into the air like a whisper on the wind.
Zane didn¡¯t say another word. He quietly stepped back to his post and resumed assisting from the side.
Time passed. Finn eventually set his pen down.
Though the documents had all been processed, his usual sharp efficiency was noticeably absent.
He rubbed his temples in frustration. ¡°Send a few more people to stay near her.¡±
Zane froze, then nodded as he recalled the danger Tess had faced recently. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll arrange for more people to move ito the nearby units around Mrs. Lock.¡±
Finn gave a small nod of approval.
Knock, knock
Someone knocked on the office door.
Zane paused, then looked at Finn. At his signal, Zane walked over and opened it.
Nadine stood on the other side with tears brimming in her eyes.
Zane¡¯s hand twitched slightly.
What worr
¡°Ms. Nadine, is there something you need? Mr. Lock is busy,¡± he said, quickly slipping into a polite, professional tone.
Nadine ignored himpletely. Her eyes went straight to Finn, who was still looking down at his desk. With a voice full of sorrow and longing, she called out softly, ¡°Finn!¡±
Zane felt his scalp single as Finn ser his pen down.
¡°What is it? Finn asked, finally looking up.
His gaze was sharp and cold.
Nadine flinched slightly at his tone, but quicklyposed herself, putting on a pitiful expression. ¡°I heard that you allowe
Chapter 84 Tess¡¯s New ce
Tess to spend the night at Evermount Vi.¡±
Keepsake 85
Chapter 85 Do It for Me
Chapter 85 Do It for Me
Nadine bit her lip and stepped forward.
s
¡°Finn, I know Tess doesn¡¯t like me, but I still see her as family. She clearly wants nothing to do with you, yet you keep forcing yourself on her ¡ I just wanted to speak up for her.¡±
Zane¡¯s lips couldn¡¯t help but twitch in disbelief.
Finn, however, furrowed his brows as his gaze turned sharp. ¡°You¡¯re here to fight for her?¡±
He pushed the documents on his desk forward and leaned back, arms crossing over his chest.
The powerful aura he exuded made Nadine swallow involuntarily. However, a flicker of fascination shed through her eyes.
He¡¯s the man standing at the very top of Aetheris¡¯s power pyramid, after all. And only someone like him deserved my love.
Her cheeks flushed pink as the thought ran through her mind.
She then straightened up and nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened, and a cold smirk tugged at his lips.
From where she stood, Nadine could only see the curve of his mouth, and her heart fluttered with hope.
She knew it she had been right all along.
People often said she and Finn were close. Even some colleagues would tease her in private, hinting that something was going on between them. But as the one actually involved, Nadine knew the truth better than anyone.
Aside from the asional moment when Finn sought her out to handle particrly difficult problems or cases, most of the time it felt like she was throwing herself at a wall of ice.
Still, someone as cold and distant as he, who had never allowed others to get too close, had silently epted her presence at his side.
There had even been a time when she got a minor scrape, and he¡¯d made a huge scene over it at the hospital. He had even mobilized every doctor to examine her.
That had to mean something.
But-
Nadine¡¯s hands curled into fists. All she could think about was the countless times Finn had avoided her in recent days.
It was all because of Tess.
Ever since he found out where Tess was, his time for her had all but vanished.
She couldn¡¯t just sit back and do nothing. She had to fight for this.
A flicker of calction crossed Nadine¡¯s eyes, but was quickly hidden behind a mask of innocence,
She smiled sweetly, her tone softening with a mix of affection and vulnerability.
Dressed in an elegant, perfectly chosen outfit, the contrast made her look even more striking.
Finn,¡± she said, stepping closer and blinking at him, ¡°if Tess doesn¡¯t want to stay, then maybe¡ you should let her go.¡±
Finn chuckled coldly. ¡°So I¡¯m supposed to let her go? Do I look like I run a charity?¡±
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp as a de. She¡¯s the one who begged to marry me. And now what¨Cshe regrets it and sends you to plead her case?
s
Nadine¡¯s gaze swept over the man¡¯s cold, chiseled face. Even though his response wasn¡¯t what she¡¯d hoped for, his ruthless words only made the smile on her lips widen. There was even a touch of genuine joy in her eyes.
¡°Finn,¡± she said in a sweet, coaxing voice, ¡°just do it for me. And besides ¡
n
She nced at Finn¡¯s expression, then delivered her real blow. ¡°Tess gave birth in prison. Finn, can you really ept raising an illegitimate child?¡±
Her voice dropped to a whisper, deliberate and sharp.
As expected, the moment the words left her mouth, the air in the room turned icy.
Finn¡¯s expression darkened instantly. The source of th?s content is find?novel
Nadine flinched, but inside, she was ted.
Finn only wanted revenge.
Still, even if it was revenge, she couldn¡¯t let them continue ying house as husband and wife.
A flicker of hatred shed through her eyes.
Tess, a convicted felon, had no right to live as Finn¡¯s wife.
¡°Finn, if you¡¯re still angry with Tess, then let me take her ce. I¡¯ll atone for her sins. Just ¡ let her go,¡± she said softly.
Finn¡¯s voice turned cold. ¡°Nadine, you and Tess are not the same. Her sins are not yours to atone for.¡± Then, he shot Zane a
look
Zane immediately stepped forward, blocking Nadine¡¯s view. ¡°Ms. Nadine, Mr. Lock is very busy. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to ask you
to leave.
Nadine¡¯s expression shifted. She stared at Finn onest time, eyes lingering with reluctant longing¨Cbut in the end, she had no choice but to leave.
As the door clicked shut, Finn¡¯s deep gaze remained fixed on it for a long while.
Zane nced at Finn, wanting to say something¨Cbut in the end, he held his tongue.
The whole scene had been strange from start to finish.
Even if there were issues between Finn and Tess, Nadine was still an outsidek
From what he knew, the Ember sisters had once been close. On the surface, Nadine¡¯s sudden concern might have seemed heartfelt.
But something about her words didn¡¯t sit right.
It hadn¡¯t sounded like concern at all¨Cmore like she was fanning the mes.
The more he thought about it, the more unsettling it felt.
Keepsake 86
Chapter 86 A Full Investigation
Chapter 86 A Full Investigation
s
Finn raised an eyebrow slightly, catching the odd look on Zane¡¯s face, but he said nothing and lowered his head. ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find¡ïNovel
Then, as if remembering something, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a file.
It was the dossier Charles had handed him.
This time, he skipped straight to thest page, his fingertips brushing over the rough¨Ctextured cover.
The dossier was iplete, but the first half of it had been enough to leave a chill in his chest.
As thoughts swirled in his mind, he flipped back to the beginning and read through it again. His hands curled into fists gradually.
Why?
A year ago, all the evidence had pointed directly at Tess.
She had been Lock Group¡¯s chief legal counsel, and apart from him, she was the only one with ess to ssifiedpany documents.
When thepany¡¯s business secrets were leaked, he as the president of Lock Group, couldn¡¯t have sabotaged his own firm. That left only one suspect¨CTess.
Finn¡¯s
gaze
darkened.
Back then, he had been drugged, and they had spent a hazy night together. And the very next morning, just as he sobered up, the news of the leak exploded.
His heart was filled with rage and betrayal. He ordered her arrest and imprisonment without hesitation.
But now, his heart began to race out of nowhere.
A vivid image of Tess¡® beautiful face in grief appeared in his mind.
It had been drizzling that day, but even the rain couldn¡¯t drown out the sound of her cries.
In the end, all her protests and exnations had faded into silence¨Cleaving behind only a quiet, bitterugh as she was led
away.
Thatugh still echoed in his memory like thunder.
His eyes narrowed as the memory hit him.
Tess¡® reaction back then had been strange.
She had been obsessed with him, so why would she betray him?
It had been a whole year, and this was the first time Finn truly allowed himself to question what had happened. One by one, doubts began piling up in his mind like an oing storm.
¡°Zane,¡± he called out suddenly.
Zane immediately stepped forward.
Finn handed him the file. ¡°I want a full investigation into what happened one year ago. And this dossier¨Cfind the missing half, no matter what it takes.¡±
Huh?
Zane took the file with a puzzled frown. ¡°Mr. Lock, all Lock Group files are essible to the chief legal counsel. That means Ms. Nadine¡¡±
10:30 AM P
Chapter 86 A Full Investigation
Finn looked up at him expressionlessly.
Zane immediately shut his mouth and let out a knowing smile. ¡°Understood.¡±
As Finn¡¯s assistant, Zane was swift and efficient. Without another word, he jogged out of the office.
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Now alone, Finn sat silently at his desk, surrounded by untouched stacks of paperwork. His eyes drifted over them before finally picking one up¨Conly to find his thoughts drifting away once more.
He then picked up his phone.
Edith had sent him a message.
It was a photo of Tess sitting on a swing in the garden outside the condo, gently cradling a child in her arms. Her hair fell softly along her cheek, and her profile looked peaceful and calm.
Finn felt a sharp pang in his chest as his eyes locked onto the woman in the picture.
Could there really have been more to the story from a year ago?
If not, then why had she looked so utterly devastated?
His mind shed back to Tess bowing in the lobby of Lock Tower. Her clothes had been soaked through, her face pale and drained¨Cbut even then, her back had remained straight.
He had resented her back then. His family had forced him to marry her, and he had always believed she had used his grandmother to corner him. Even after the wedding, he rarely showed her any warmth.- ed. He had started watching
her more closely. Without even realizing it,
But somewhere along the way, something had
he had arranged private protection for her.
Finn¡¯s thoughts were a tangled mess. Everything was crashing together, and none of it made sense.
His gaze then drifted toward the baby in Tess¡® arms.
He had investigated the child¡¯s origins. The only thing he knew for sure was that Tess had given birth while in prison.
But who was the child¡¯s father? What exactly had happened to her in there? Everything was still a mystery.
Finn¡¯s jaw tightened.
Unlike Finn, who sat in quiet turmoil, Nadine stormed into her office and kicked over a chair in frustration.
Her assistant, Tiffany, stood silently off to the side, too scared to speak.
¡°Finn doesn¡¯t even like her! So why won¡¯t he just divorce her already?¡±
How am I ever supposed to be Mrs. Lock with that woman still in the picture?
Nadine¡¯s face was twisted in fury.
¡°And that criminal¨CTess! She won¡¯t even say who the baby¡¯s father is. It¡¯s obviously some illegitimate child! And she still has the nerve to unt herself in front of Finn like she¡¯s done nothing wrong?¡±
Tiffany¡¯s eyes darted nervously before she carefully spoke up.
¡°Ms. Ember, if you really can¡¯t stand her¡ Maybe it¡¯s time you teach her another lesson?¡±
¡°Teach her a lesson?¡±
Nadine scoffed, crossing her arms with a bitterugh.
¡°You think I haven¡¯t already? That bitch was just lucky! I had everything nned. She was supposed to sleep with Charles and get caught by Finn in the act. That would¡¯ve ruined her for good. But Finn found her first. And not only that¨Che even called in a private doctor to treat her. That idiot Charles copsed right there on the street and got hauled off to the hospital
Keepsake 87
Chapter 87 A Gift
Chapter 87 A Gift
Nadine growled through clenched teeth, seething with frustration. Official source is find?novel
Tiffany tiptoed up beside her, eyes glinting with mischief.
¡°Ms. Ember, your previous ns were a bit ¡ intense. Since she ruined your day, why not just give her a little trouble?¡±
She spoke in a hushed, mysterious tone.
Nadine frowned in confusion. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Tiffany leaned in and whispered a n into her ear.
A wicked smile slowly spread across Nadine¡¯s face, her eyes shing with malice. ¡°You¡¯re a sneaky devil, Tiffany.¡±
Though her words were harsh, her gaze held genuine approval.
It¡¯s nothing serious, just a little scare to put her in her ce.
¡°At worst, she might get fined¨Cand no one could trace it back to you.¡±
Tiffany grinned and began massaging Nadine¡¯s shoulders in a show of ttery.
Nadine smiled in satisfaction.
¡°A scare, huh? Sure, an adult can handle that. But she has a child with her ¡¡±
Now that makes things more interesting. And far less harmless.
Far across the city, Tess suddenly felt a strange heat rising in her ears.
She rubbed them with a puzzled look.
Someone must be bad¨Cmouthing me somewhere.
Just then, La began to squirm and fuss in her arms.
Having just finished her bottle, she was now full of at Tess¡® fingers.
ergy and curiosity, waving her tiny arms in the air and tugging yfully
At that moment, Edith walked over, wiping sweat from her brow.
Tess¡® eyes lit up. ¡°You¡¯re done with work?¡±
¡°That¡¯s right, Edith replied cheerfully. ¡°The weather¡¯s been so nicetely¨Cit¡¯s perfect for the rental season. This neighborhood¡¯s got a great location, and lots of young folks have beening by to check it out. Most of the units are already taken.¡±
Tess nodded as if she understood and kindly handed her a tissue.
Edith chuckled and took it with a smile, her gaze growing even warmer. She then turned her attention to La, who was
restless.
¡°Little one¡¯s quite lively, isn¡¯t she?¡±
She leaned in, thenughed knowingly. ¡°Babies this age are always full of energy. She¡¯s probably bored. There¡¯s a great park nearby¨Clots of moms go there with their kids. You should take her sometime. You might even meet some fellow moms and share parenting tips.¡±
Tess nced down at La.
The baby smiled back at her while blinking, melting her heart.
10:30 AM
Chapter 87 A Gift
s
¡°Sure,¡± Tess said with a smile,
Edith suddenly remembered something and rushed off. A momentter, she returned with a baby stroller.
¡°My daughter sent this over ages ago, but we never got to use it. It has been sitting in storage, collecting dust. Might as well let La enjoy it.¡±
She beamed, waving them over.
Tess hesitated and shook her head. ¡°I already feel bad enough staying in such a nice ce. I couldn¡¯t possibly ept-¡±
Edith cut her off with a wave. ¡°My daughter barelyes back, and her kid has grown now. What¡¯s the point of letting it sit there unused? At my age, I can¡¯t stand seeing good things go to waste.¡±
Her tone was firm, and Tess, touched by her kindness, could only ept with heartfelt gratitude.
As soon as she agreed, Edith lit up. ¡°Quick! Let¡¯s see if La likes it. What you think doesn¡¯t matter¨Cit¡¯s up to her!¡±
Tessughed and stopped resisting. She added a soft pad inside the stroller, then gently ced La in it.
As soon as she gave it a little push, La¡¯s eyes lit up with wonder, and she burst into delighted giggles.
¡°See that? La loves it! Come on, tell your mom to ept it!¡±
Edith held La¡¯s little hand and smiled with grandmotherly affection.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but smile back. But her gaze flickered slightly, and for a moment, her mind wandered.
Moments like this are so peaceful, so full of warmth.
If Grandma were still alive, would she have doted on La just like Edith did?
¡°Hey? Sweetheart?¡±
Edith waved a hand in front of her.
Tess blinked and came back to herse
a
soft smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. You just reminded me of someone very dear to me.¡±
if remembering something, and added, this neighborhood is right next to a luxury vi district. That park nearby
Edith noticed her slightly reddened eyes and sighed. ¡°Then why don¡¯t you treat me like family from now on?¡± She paused, as
¡°Oh,
is basically their private backyard, so some of those rich folks can be a little snobby. Just be careful if you take La there.¡±
Slightly, but when she looked down and saw La¡¯s bright expectant
Tess blinked, a little surprised. Her excitement faded eyes, her heart softened. In the end, she decided they could still go for a stroll.
After chatting for a bit longer, Edith was called away by a new tenant. Before leaving, she pointed Tess in the general direction of the park.
Tess wasn¡¯t too worried. After all, Finn had already stationed people nearby to quietly ensure her safety.
Following Edith¡¯s directions, she made her way to the park without trouble. As she neared the entrance, the sound of soft chatter and the gentle rumble of stroller wheels greeted her.
She stepped through a thicket of low shrubs, and golden sunlight spilled down through the trees. Tess squinted against the brightness as a quiet sense of peace settled in her heart.
Keepsake 88
Chapter 88 It¡¯s You
Chapter 88 It¡¯s You
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Tess¡¯s beauty immediately drew the attention of nearby mothers who were chatting idly. One of them, holding her own baby, warmly struck up a conversation.
¡°Hey there¨Cout getting some fresh air with your little one too?¡±
The woman had a charming smile and refined features.
For some reason, Tess felt an unexpected sense of warmth and familiarity. She responded with a polite smile. ¡°Yes, she¡¯s been cooped up indoors too long. I thought a bit of sunshine would do her good.¡±
Upon hearing that, the woman leaned over to peek into La¡¯s stroller.
La blinked up at her with wide eyes, instantly softening the woman¡¯s expression.
¡°She¡¯s adorable,¡± the woman gushed with affection, then bounced the little boy in her own arms and leaned in closer. ¡°You must live nearby too? Look at my boy¨Che¡¯s going to be a heartbreaker when he grows up. How about we pair them up early? You and I seem destined to meet, after all.¡±
She ended the sentence with a wink. Her tone had that unmistakable yfulness of someone trying to seal a cheeky deal.
Tess let out an awkwardugh, unsure how to respond. ¡°I¡¯m actually just staying at a nearby inn ¡ and she¡¯s still very young. I think I¡¯ll leave decisions like that up to her.¡±
¡°Okay then.¡±
The woman sighed in mock disappointment.
Just then, azy teasing male voice drifted over from behind them.
¡°You really think he¡¯s gonna have that much trouble finding a wife?¡±
Tess instinctively turned to look. The woman, however, didn¡¯t even nce back. She coughed lightly and snapped, ¡°What? Did youe all the way to Aetheris just to annoy me?¡±
The man shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s the fifth mom you¡¯ve tried matchmaking with this month.¡°¡±
With the arrival of a third person, Tess¨Cclearly an outsider in the conversation¨Cfelt the awkward tension. She was just about to excuse herself politely when a tall shadow suddenly loomed over her.
¡°Well, I have to say,¡± the man drawled with a grin, ¡°you¡¯ve finally shown some good taste this time.¡±
The young man stood with both hands tucked casually into his pockets. His hair was slightly tousled, casting shadows over his eyes, and he carried anguid air that hinted at wealth or privilege.
Tess frowned slightly at hisment, her instincts already urging her to leave.
¡°Excuse me,¡± she said with a polite smile. ¡°I¡¯ll take the baby for a walk.¡±
Her pleasant tone made the man nce down at her, almost absentmindedly.
The moment his eyes met hers, he froze.
Abel Shaw stared at the woman standing just a few feet away, his pupils narrowing in shock.
His gaze traced the lines of her face. Her familiar features struck him like lightning.
Lucille Fletcher, noticing the strange expression on her distant cousin¡¯s face, gave him a puzzled look, ¡°What? Did you step on a nail or something?¡±
Abel didn¡¯t respond. Completely ignoring etiquette, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Tess¡¯s wrist, as though terrified she might vanish if he let go.
Chapter 88 It¡¯s You
¡°It¡¯s you.¡±
Tess¡¯s frown deepened at the unwee touch.
Abel¡¯s eyes were filled with emotions he tried hard to suppress.
Tess¡¯s irritation instantly vanished the moment their gazes met. It was as if something inside her had been pried open. Panic welled up, and she instinctively took a step back, putting distance between them.
¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong person.¡±
Abel didn¡¯t let go. In fact, he stepped closer.
Lucille noticed his strange behavior and couldn¡¯t help but nce at Tess a few more times.
What¡¯s going on?
What kind of woman could make him lose like this?
The three of them now stood in the middle of the park, attracting curious nces from people walking by.
Lucille discreetly tugged on Abel¡¯s sleeve and shot him a warning look.
He hade to Aetheris under a hidden identity. Thest thing he needed was to draw attention.
Internally, Lucille sighed.
Finally, Abel seemed to realize what he was doing. His longshes trembled slightly, and after a brief pause, he reluctantly let go of Tess¡¯s wrist. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he muttered.
Those two simple words made Lucille¡¯s eyes widen in disbelief. She stared back and forth between the two of them. This text is hosted at f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
What?!
Did the sun rise from the west today? The heir to the Shaws is apologizing?
¡°You two
know each other?¡± Lucille couldn¡¯t help but ask.
Just a few weeks ago, her husband had introduced Abel to her and asked her to y the role of his distant cousin to help keep his identity under wraps.
She had heard of the Shaws. Their reputation was legendary, and Abel¡¯s arrogance was even more so. The man barely acknowledged people, let alone apologized to them.
Tess, however, didn¡¯t react much. Her expression remained calm, though slightly puzzled. But Abel¡ Abel was still looking at her as if waiting or hoping for a response.
Tess shook her head. ¡°No. We¡¯ve never met.¡±
In an instant, the light in Abel¡¯s eyes dimmed.
Lucille was even more stunned.
Then, a thought struck her.
Rumor had it that the young heir of the Shaw once had a first love who died young. Could it be¡?
Her mind raced at the realization, and she nced between them again.
What a shame she¡¯s married. And with a child, too,
Tess shifted ufortably under their strange stares. There was no hostility, but something definitely felt off, and she had no intention of staying to figure out what it was.
Chapter 89 You Don
Chapter 89 You Don¡¯t Remember Me?
¡°I really have to go now.¡±
Tess forced a polite smile, though her hands were already pushing the stroller forward.
¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Abel replied without hesitation, immediately catching up.
Tess paused mid¨Cstride, her expression twitching in disbelief.
She clenched her jaw and picked up her pace, but he followed her like a shadow.
Finally, she stopped and sighed in exasperation. ¡°Sir, please stop following me.¡±
At first nce, she had mistaken him for a younger boy. But now that she looked more closely, despite his youthful face, there was a sharpness to his features that hinted at strength and confidence. He was clearly someone only a few years younger
than her.
Abel froze, and he looked hurt. ¡°Why?¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t believe it.
Why?
Do I even know you? You¡¯ve been following me non¨Cstop, and now you¡¯re asking why?
Her patience snapped. She shot him a warning re. ¡°One more step and I¡¯m calling the police.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
Abel didn¡¯t flinch in the slightest. In fact, he nodded with exaggerated innocence, lookingpletely obedient.
The next second, he was trailing behind her again without shame.
Tess was thoroughly creeped out. She quickened her pace, determined to shake off this overly persistent stranger.
Lucille caught up too as she called out, ¡°Hey, which building do you live in?¡±
A chill crept up Tess¡¯s spine. Regret flooded her¨Cclearly, today was not the day to go out.
Unfortunately, neither of these people seemed hostile, and she couldn¡¯t find an easy way to shake them off.
She sped up even more, walking so fast that she identally bumped into someone walking past.
¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡±
She quickly apologized and stopped in her tracks. The man she bumped into just let out a grunt, clutched his head, and bolted away without looking back.
Tess stared at him in stunned silence, noticing that he was limping.
Doesn¡¯t that hurt? I could¡¯ve paid for his medical fees ¡.
But within seconds, the man was gone.
Tess scratched her head, baffled.
What is going on today? Why is everyone acting so strange¡
Just then, Abel¡¯s voice came again.
¡°You really don¡¯t remember me?¡±
Tess was speechless. She looked at him sharply.
Chapter 89 You Don¡¯t Remember Me?
¡°Sir, what exactly do you want? If I¡¯d met someone like you before, don¡¯t you think I¡¯d remember?¡±
s
He stared at her wless face, and that overwhelming sense of familiarity surged through him like a current running from his fingertips straight to his heart. Aside from the faint scar on her cheek ¡
Abel¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The calm in his eyes gave way to something intense.
He had believed she was dead. And now¨Chere she was, alive, standing right in front of him.
He quickly raised his hands in a show of innocence. ¡°I swear I mean no harm. Let¡¯s just introduce ourselves. I¡¯m Abel Shaw, And you are
¡±
Lucille came hurrying over and chimed in, ¡°I can vouch for him!¡±
Watching the two of them echo each other in perfect sync, Tess suddenly felt drained.
¡°I don¡¯t care what your name is, and I¡¯m not telling you mine.¡±
Forget it. Let them follow. It¡¯s not like they¡¯d chase me to my ce.
With that, she pushed La¡¯s stroller forward again, strolling at an unhurried pace.
Abel lit up and quietly matched her pace.
He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped.
¡°Um¡ is she your child?¡± he finally blurted out awkwardly.
¡°Yeah,¡± Tess answered casually.
Abel stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°She¡¯s yours? Not your niece or anything? You have a kid?¡±
Tess shot him a look that clearly said, Duh.
La may have resembled Finn more, but anyone with eyes could tell they were mother and daughter.
Abel looked as if his world had just copsed. His shoulders drooped, and he lowered his head.
His fists clenched silently.
I was toote.
Still, after a brief wave of grief and disappointment, his expression hardened. He lifted his head again, his tone firmer now, ¡°Where¡¯s the father? Why are you out here alone with a baby? You don¡¯t even have a nanny?¡±
Tess blinked, taken aback by the sudden interrogation.
She didn¡¯t have the money for a nanny.
But looking at these two¨Cclearly from wealthy families¨Cit wasn¡¯t a surprising thing for them to ask.
Still, it did sound a bit like ¡°Let them eat cake¡°.
¡°We¡¯re getting divorced,¡± she replied.
Abel visibly perked up, stepping in like he¡¯d just heard the best news all day. ¡°When is the date?¡±
Tess¡® eyes widened.
What kind of reaction is that?
Her silence seemed to make Abel more anxious. He scratched his head, clearly growing frustrated. Lucille, watching him from the side, sighed heavily.
Where¡¯s that cold, arrogant heir now?
Keepsake 89
Chapter 89 You Don¡¯t Remember Me?
Look at him¨Cfalling over himself to be a stepfather. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Find1Novel
Tess, meanwhile, didn¡¯t like discussing her past. ¡°Noment.¡±
Abel didn¡¯t press further. But a sharp gleam passed through his eyes.
He could find out for himself.
Who¡¯s the man who had her, then let her go?
s
As that thought crossed his mind, Abel¡¯s gaze darkened with quiet fury. A storm was clearly brewing behind those eyes.
But the moment he looked at Tess again, his expression softened.
Keepsake 90
Chapter 90 Grenade!
Lucille had been silently watching the subtle changes in Abel¡¯s expression from the sidelines. She waspletely fascinated. For a brief moment, silence settled over the three of them.
Each lost in their own thoughts¨CTess, ironically, was the only one who felt at ease.
Then suddenly, La began to fuss.
MARY
It was precisely this quiet that allowed Tess to notice something odd about La in the stroller. Unlike earlier, when she had been curious and obedient, La¡¯s tiny face was now scrunched up, her hands iling as if searching for something to hold
onto.
Tess¡¯s heart instantly clenched.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
She bent down and scooped La into her arms, gently bouncing her to soothe her.
Normally, that would¡¯ve made La p and giggle, but now she only whimpered softly, her expression twisted in difort.
Lucille stepped closer and looked at La¡¯s diaper. ¡°Did she pee?¡±
Tess shook her head.
She had just changed her before they left.
A wave of unease crept into her chest. She reached up to feel La¡¯s forehead.
After all the fevers and stomach issues recently, every small change made Tess tense with worry.
Watching La behave so unusually, she made a quick decision.
I should head back,¡± she said.
Lucille seemed to read her mind and immediately pulled Abel closer like offering a prized treasure.
As soon as the man stood beside her, her fingers trembled slightly before she quickly withdrew them. Still, she smiled brightly and offered, ¡°It¡¯s hard to carry a baby and handle the stroller. Let Abel walk you home. If you¡¯re notfortable with that, at least let him push the stroller.¡±
Abel nced at Tess and nodded. ¡°You carry the baby, I¡¯ll take the stroller¨Cor, I can carry both.¡±
Tess hesitated for a moment before giving him a small, grateful nod. ¡°Thank you.¡±
La seemed to calm down in her arms, and truthfully, the stroller was bing a burden.
Although Lucille and Abel seemed a little strange, their offer felt genuine. They really did seem to want to help.
Abel walked over to the stroller and ced his hand on the same spot Tess had been holding. A subtle jolt of warmth shot through him like an electric current, making his heart tingle with a strange softness.
It had been a long time since he¡¯d felt this kind of joy.
His fingers curled tightly around the handle.
I should¡¯vee to Aetheris much sooner.
His gaze lingered intently on Tess.
She was busy calming La and didn¡¯t notice the soft, affectionate look he gave her.
Lucille didn¡¯t follow them. She stayed behind, watching them from afar.
Just as they reached the edge of the park, a sharp bark suddenly rang out.
Tess¡¯s brows furrowed, and her arms instinctively tightened around La as the baby began squirming.
A strange sense of dread rose in her chest.
La¡¯s face was still rosy¨Cshe didn¡¯t look sick, but her growing restlessness was unsettling.
¡°Grenade!¡±
Then came a shout from the distance.
Tess flinched instinctively, and before she could even process what was happening, the barking grew louder. A medium¨Csized golden retriever came charging straight at them like a bullet.
Tess¡¯s pupils contracted sharply. Abel¡¯s once calm eyes turned razor sharp. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he stepped forward and positioned himself between her and the oing dog.
¡°Woof! Woof!¡±
The golden retriever¨CGrenade¨Ccharged past Abel as if he wasn¡¯t even there. Fresh chapters posted on find(?)ovel
Its bloodshot eyes locked onto the baby in Tess¡® arms, baring its teeth with a feral snarl.
Tess froze, her mind nk with shock. A jolt of fear shot straight up her spine.
Before she could even react, a powerful arm yanked the dog away from her and La in one swift motion.
Grenade let out a sharp yelp as Abel flung him aside and followed with a hard kick. The dog tumbled across the ground while whimpering loudly.
Tess gasped, her chest rising and falling with shaky breaths. Only then did her legs finally move, stumbling back as the shock wore off.
Abel stood firmly in front of her like a wall, shielding them both. His eyes zed with fury.
Just then, the dog¡¯s owner came running over in panic. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! I have no idea why Grenade lost it¨Che¡¯s never done that before. Are you all okay?¡±
His eyes darted nervously to Tess and La.
¡°Why wasn¡¯t it leashed? This is a residential area!¡±
Abel¡¯s tone turned sharp andmanding, the aura around him suddenly oppressive.
The man¨CJamie¨Cvisibly flinched. But he managed a nervous, sheepish smile. ¡°I¨CI really am sorry. Grenade used to be a police dog. He¡¯s trained, I swear. Everyone in the neighborhood knows him.¡±
Abel was unmoved. I¡¯m calling the police. You can exin yourself to them.¡±
Jamie¡¯s face twisted, his tone shifting from apologetic to defensive. ¡°No one got hurt! Why would you call the cops?¡±
He rushed over to where Grenadey whimpering and tried to lift the dog gently.
Abel hadn¡¯t held back with that kick. The golden retriever was now lying limp, struggling to get up.
Jamie¡¯s hand brushed over the dog¡¯s side, and his eyes red with anger. ¡°I already apologized¨Cand my dog¡¯s the one who¡¯s injured! 1 should be asking you forpensation! And now you¡¯re threatening to call the police?!¡±
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Chapter 91 Grenade Attacks Again
Chapter 91 Grenade Attacks Again
Abel acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard a single word. Calmly, he unlocked his phone and began dialing the police.
¡°Don¡¯t call the police!¡±
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Jamie exploded the moment he saw what Abel was doing. He lunged forward, trying to snatch the phone from Abel¡¯s hand.
But Abel easily dodged and shot him a cold, prating re¨Chis expression was dark and deadly as if he was staring at a dead man.
Jamie¡¯s hand froze mid¨Cair, and he started to tremble.
Who the hell is this guy? Why does he have such a terrifying look in his eyes?
Jamie¡¯s gaze flicked toward the rows of upscale houses nearby.
Even though he kept to himself most of the time, he had lived in this wealthy neighborhood for years and had never seen this man before.
This is Aetheris¡¯s most well¨Cknown high¨Cend residential area. If I hadn¡¯t seen this guy before, he probably isn¡¯t anyone important.
Jamie told himself that and straightened up.
¡°This is about money, right? Just say how much you want. No need to put on this whole ¡®I¡¯m calling the police¡® act.¡±
Money?¡± Abel scoffed while still ring daggers at him.
What a joke. Do I look like someone who needs money?
Jamie swallowed hard but tried to stand his ground. He assumed Abel was bluffing¡ªnothing more than an angry passerby.
¡°Grenade didn¡¯t actually hurt anyone, and you injured my dog. I¡¯m already being generous by offeringpensation¡ª anyone else would¡¯ve just walked away.¡±
Tess¡¯s expression darkened as she watched Jamie act so shamelessly.
¡°Sir, walking a dog without a leash in public is against thew. We were acting in self¨Cdefense. If we¡¯re talking about responsibility, it¡¯s entirely yours.¡±
Her voice was clear and firm. ¡°I support calling the police.¡±
She finally turned to look at Abel.
If Abel hadn¡¯t been there, and the golden retriever had knocked her down, La could¡¯ve been seriously hurt.
A terrifying image shed through her mind, making Tess shudder. A momentter, a wave of lingering fear swept through
her chest.
Their eyes met in midair, and Abel¡¯s knuckles tensed around the phone.
Jamie, however, pped his hands over his ears and shouted, ¡°You people are unbelievable! I said I¡¯d pay!¡±
Seeing the cold determination in both of their expressions, he dropped all pretense of apology, ¡°You clearly don¡¯t live in Bayridge Vis, do you? Do you even know who I am? Don¡¯t go picking fights with people you can¡¯t afford to mess with!¡±
He threatened while puffing up his chest and beer belly arrogantly.
¡°You know what? My uncle is the police chief of Aetheris. You think calling the cops is going to help you?¡±
Jamie looked at them smugly, expecting to see fear or regret.
Tess clenched her jaw in irritation, but Abel was unfazed.
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Chapter 91 Grenade Attacks Again
He scoffed, and his voice dropped dangerously. ¡°Is that so? Then let¡¯s see if I can deal with you.¡±
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The words were bone¨Cchilling, especiallying from someone handsome. The contrast made it all the more terrifying.
Tess nced at him again, her chest tightening. She felt touched.
He had only just met her, and yet he was already standing up to a powerful man¨Cjust because it was the right thing to do.
It was brave.
And she admired that.
Her gaze shifted toward Jamie again.
She had heard of Bayridge Vis. It was one of the most exclusivemunities in all of Aetheris, home to the wealthiest and most powerful.
The only ce higher was where Finn lived..
Jamie was clearly leaning on his connections to act so boldly.
That made his arrogance even more revolting.
Tess frowned and gently tugged Abel¡¯s sleeve. Newest update provided by Find_Novel(.
Abel noticed the light fragrance drifting from her hand and the warmth of her touch. He turned and met her eyes.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. As long as I¡¯m here
no one can hurt you,¡± he said.
Tess¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Those words sound familiar.
But the thought felt ridiculous.
Even her husband had never said something like that. And this man wasn¡¯t even a friend.
Just as the tension began to settle, Grenade¨Cwho had been lying limp and quiet¨Csuddenly sprang to life. With a deep, aggressive growl, the dog lunged again¨Cmore frenzied than before.
¡°Woof! Woof!¡±
No one had expected it. Grenade¡¯s eyes glowed red as its body shook with wild energy,
It all happened in a sh. By the time Abel realized what was happening, it was toote.
Grenade crashed into Tess¡¯s legs, knocking herpletely off bnce. She fell hard, shielding La tightly in her arms.
The ground scraped her hands, drawing blood, but she didn¡¯t let go of her baby for a second.
Abel¡¯s face turned dark and deadly. He dove forward, blocking Grenade¡¯s snapping jaws with his own arm, shielding both Tess and La
With a powerful kick, Abel sent the dog flying. He stepped down hard, pinning it to the ground.
Then he immediately dropped to Tess¡¯s side, wrapping his arms protectively around her and the baby, his voice trembling. ¡°Are you okay?¡±
Tess¡¯s first instinct was to check on La. Thankfully, the little one hadn¡¯t been hurt¨Cjust badly shaken. She was too young to understand what had just happened. As soon as Tess gently patted her and whispered soft words, La¡¯s tiny cries began to
seule
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Chapter 92 Let It Be My Imagination
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La¡¯s smooth little arms werepletely unscathed. Tess finally let out a breath of relief¨Conly then did she begin to feel the sharp sting spreading along her own arm.
She nced down and noticed her skin was scraped raw, with tiny droplets of blood dotting the pavement.
The earlier calm on Abel¡¯s face vanished in an instant.
His expression darkened immediately, but the moment his eyes met Tess¡¯s, he forced himself to soften his gaze.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take you to the hospital,¡± he said.
Just the sight of those scratches marring her fair skin made his brows furrow in distress.
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Jamie didn¡¯t even bother with the dog anymore¨Che turned and bolted without looking
back.
Abel ignored himpletely. At that moment, the only person in his world was Tess.
He quickly called emergency services, and within minutes, an ambnce pulled up with sirens wailing.
Tess winced from the pain but couldn¡¯t help letting out a softugh at his dramatic overreaction.
¡°Let¡¯s get you treated.¡±
To him, this wasn¡¯t an overreaction in the slightest. Without waiting for her to argue, he scooped her and La up into his
arms.
La squealed with delight at the sudden lift, pping her tiny hands with glee.
You-!¡± Tess blushed furiously, squirming in protest, but Abel¡¯s arms remained firm and steady.
He didn¡¯t let go until he had ced her securely on the stretcher.
Tess kept her face turned away in embarrassment the entire ride.
Inside the ambnce, the medics began cleaning her wounds.
They gently removed the gravel and grit embedded in her skin, revealing the raw flesh beneath.
Abel¡¯s face remained expressionless, but a dark, unsettling storm brewed in his eyes.
The atmosphere inside the ambnce was thick with tension. Tess bit her lip and asked, ¡°It¡¯s just a few scratches. Isn¡¯t it a bit excessive to use emergency services for this?¡±
Abel calmly replied, ¡°This is a private emergency service. As long as you¡¯re a VIP, you¡¯re entitled to it. Don¡¯t worry.¡±
Tess nodded and said no more.
That was just how the world worked¨Cwealth and privilege came with certain entitlements.
Since she wasn¡¯t taking away from public resources, she supposed she didn¡¯t need to feel too guilty.
Still, a quiet weight settled in her chest. She had no idea how to repay a stranger for something like this.
Abel, meanwhile, had shifted out of the eager, boyish energy he¡¯d shown earlier. His calm demeanor now better matched the noble air he asionally exuded.
His sharp gaze narrowed slightly, and his hands rested loosely at his sides.
He had been too worried about Tess earlier to notice the details.
But now that he thought about it¡.
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Chapter 92 Let It Be My Imagination
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Tess seemed to sense it, too. Their eyes met¨Cand in that moment, the same thought shed through both their minds.
Something isn¡¯t right.
If the golden retriever¡¯s first outburst had been a freak ident, then the second attack couldn¡¯t have been a coincidence. That owner must have ordered it to do that.
Tess¡¯s expression turned grim. Anxiety swirled in her chest like a rising tide. She had the unsettling sense that something critical was slipping through her fingers.
Abel was the first to speak. ¡°You should focus on resting. I¡¯ll take care of investigating what happened.¡±
His voice had dropped to something low and lethal, his back tensing ever so slightly¨Clike a predator crouched and ready to strike.
¡°I want to help,¡± she said firmly, shaking her head as her arms instinctively tightened around La.
Her mind shed back to the string of events leading up to this moment. One ident after another ¡ It was no longer just a coincidence.
Was it me being unlucky? Or was someone pulling strings behind the scenes?
The deeper she thought, the harder her heart pounded.
Please, she prayed, let it just be my imagination.
Before long, they arrived at the hospital. But before Tess could even step down, Abel once again scooped her up into his
arms.
The sudden lift made her eyes go wide. ¡°What are you doing?¡±
He paused, then smiled at her.
¡°Don¡¯t move. You¡¯re light.¡±
His voice rumbled low above her head, carrying a surprising warmth¨Cand an unexpected hint of sensuality. Tess felt her ears go hot and her neck flush red.
She smacked his arm. ¡°Put me down!¡±
No matter how strangely familiar he felt, he was still a stranger. This was way too much. This content belongs to F?nd-Novel
Her expression turned serious.
Their eyes met. After a beat of hesitation, Abel finally relented. He gently set her back on her feet.
Only when her shoes touched the ground did Tess feel like she could breathe again.
That was when she caught the sharp, metallic scent of blood.
Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Abel, are you hurt?¡±
Everything had happened so quickly, and she had been too focused on La to notice. She hadn¡¯t even stopped to wonder how Abel had managed to fight off a raging dog.
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
Abel quietly hid his arm behind his back, his gaze filled with nothing but tenderness as he looked at her.
Tess studied him closely.
He lookedpletely fine, not even out of breath¨Ceven after carrying both her and La.
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Chapter 93 Don¡¯t Think Your Blood Is Compatible
Chapter 93 Don¡¯t Think Your Blood Is Compatible
Only then did Tess finally believe him.
¡°That¡¯s good.¡±
When they pushed open the door to the exam room, a crowd of medical staff was already inside.
Tess¡¯s legs froze, and she just stared nkly ahead.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Abel caught up behind her, noticing her hesitation. His eyes calmly scanned the group of doctors and nurses.
¡°Let them check you. The more, the better.¡±
He waved it off like it was nothing, and the medical staff respectfully closed in around Tess.
¡°Ms. Ember, I¡¯ll hold the baby for you.¡± A nurse stepped forward.
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¡°Yes, Ms. Ember, please have a seat. Let me look at your wound,¡± the head doctor said, motioning for her to sit opposite him.
Tess felt a little dizzy but knew it was for her own good. She sat down obediently and held out her arm.
It was just a scrape¨Ckind of big but still minor¨Cbut every doctor and nurse held their breath, being extra careful not to hurt her.
As Tess watched their cautious moves, her lips twitched.
So this is what VIP treatment feels like?
Suddenly, a strange memory hit her. When Nadine twisted her ankle, Finn fussed over her the same way, even calling doctors from all over.
And now, someone was doing the same for her.
But the difference was, they were using the best medical resources without disturbing other patients.
On a sudden impulse, Tess nced at Abel.
She caught the nervous looks the medical staff kept giving him.
Her heart started racing.
Something¡¯s not right.
Lock Group Private Hospital mostly serve rich and powerful people, so the staff are used to important visitors. But why do they seem extra respectful toward Abel?
She couldn¡¯t help but wonder.
Almost at the same time, Finn¡¯s phone rang.
¡°Hello, is this Ms. Ember¡¯s emergency contact? She just arrived here injured¡
Yeins bulged in Finn¡¯s hand as he gripped the phone. After hanging up, he barked at Zane, ¡°Get the car ready. We¡¯re going to the hospital.¡±
He stood up quickly, grabbed his jacket from behind his chair, and walked out.
Zane hurried after him, already calling the driver.
The Maybach sped through traffic, barely stopping before the door was mmed open.
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Chapter 93 Don¡¯t Think Your Blood Is Compatible
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Finn¡¯s usual sharp, cold look didn¡¯t hide the
worry
in his eyes.
The receptionist blinked, surprised by his sudden arrival, then quickly stepped forward cautiously. ¡°Mr. Lock, what brings you here?¡±
Maybe Ms. Nadine came for a checkup? But I haven¡¯t seen her, and I haven¡¯t left my post all day.
¡°There¡¯s a patient named Tess Ember here today. Tell me which department she¡¯s in.¡±
Tess Ember?
The receptionist checked quickly. The moment Finn heard it, he hurried toward the department, moving fast.
Watching his urgency, the receptionist scratched her head.
Tess Ember?
Isn¡¯t she Mr. Lock¡¯s wife, the convict who went to jail a year ago?
Finn slowed as he reached Tess¡¯s department and overheard two nurses talking ahead.
¡°Gosh, you won¡¯t believe it. The paramedics said there was blood all over the floor. The patient¡¯s bones were broken when they got there.¡±
¡°Really? Do they need blood donations? But I heard our blood supply is running low ¡
The nurses whispered outside the room, wide¨Ceyed and full of shock and sympathy.
Finn felt a chill.
Blood everywhere? Broken bones?
Even his fingertips trembled.
Suddenly, a man came out of the corner and grabbed one nurse¡¯s wrist.
¡°I¡¯m the patient¡¯s blood donor contact. I¡¯m type O. Where do I donate? How are she and the baby?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was sharp and urgent. The nurse froze.
Her eyes went wide as she recognized him. ¡°M¨CMr. Lock¡¡±
Finn lost his patience: his tone turned rough and annoyed. ¡°If you can¡¯t answer a simple question, maybe you shouldn¡¯t be
here
¡°Ohr The nurse felt like she¡¯d been hit and quickly said, ¡°I¡¯ll show you the way!¡±
Finn pressed his lips tight and followed, feeling cold all over.
All of this was quietly watched from a distance.
Tess had juste out of the exam room, her eyes on the tense man¡¯s face.
He looked anxious, no way to hide it.
His words echoed in her minout
She once belonged to the upper ss, so she understood how much these people cared about their health.
But just now, Finn must have misunderstood and thought she was the injured one, and he had offered to donate blood without hesitate
Halfway there, the nurse suddenly realized what was wrong.
She looked at the calm man beside her, hesitated, then hit her lip and spoke up. ¡°Mr. Lock¡ the one who lost a lot of bloog ig Newest update provided by F¦ÉndNovel
Keepsake 94
Chapter 94 Stay With Me for a While
Chapter 94 Stay With Me for a While
At those words, Finn stopped in his tracks. ¡°A golden retriever¡ a dog?¡±
There wasn¡¯t a hint of embarrassment in his eyes over the mix¨Cup. His first thought was all about Tess¡¯s well¨Cbeing.
¡°How¡¯s Tess? Is she okay?¡±
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¡°Ms. Tess? She has a few minor scrapes. The doctors have already treated her, and she should¡¯ve just left the department,¡± the nurse replied.
When Finn heard that, the tension in his shoulders finally eased, and the sharp edge in his demeanor softened.
Tess is alright. That¡¯s good to know.
As the tight knot in his chest loosened, a wave of exhaustion washed over him.
Finn rubbed his forehead, only now realizing just how deeply he¡¯d been worried about Tess¡¯s safety.
His brow creased deeply, like he was wrestling with some unanswered question.
Even though the nurse had said it was only a scrape, he still didn¡¯t know how serious her injuries really were.
Lost in thought, Finn nced down¨Cand that was when a pair of worn¨Cout, faded canvas shoes caught his eye. Then a gentle, familiar scent floated up to his nose.
That feeling of recognition was like invisible hands sliding up his arms, pressing softly against the air near his face.
Finn held his breath.
¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±
The woman¡¯s voice was soft and calming, like a breeze flowing through an open window. In an instant, the storm in Finn¡¯s heart began to calm.
He cleared his throat and lifted his eyes, trying to look calm. ¡°Good. I¡¯m d you¡¯re alright.¡±
¡°Finn,¡± she called while reaching out.
Finn¡¯s fingers froze, unsure how to react. He just tried to keep a cool, indifferent front.
She¡¯d been in prison for a year and was released without seeing him once. Even when he tried getting close, she never hid her dislike or rejection.
That simple call of his name caught him off guard.
Tess¡¯s eyes shifted,nding on the row of bodyguards standing behind him.
Abel, knowing Tess was only lightly hurt, excused himself early, saying he had things to handle.
Though they barely knew each other, Tess could tell right away what Abel¡¯s intentions were.
And the golden retriever the nurses mentioned had been brought in for a full checkup.
All these odd things pointed to one conclusion.
This whole golden retriever incident probably wasn¡¯t an ident.
Just thinking about it sent chills down Tess¡¯s spine.
One thing after another, these nonstop ¡°idents¡± made her cautious and afraid of the unknown forces surrounding her.
She had a vague feeling that some invisible hand was stirring trouble in her once¨Cnormal life,
Chapter 94 Stay With Me for a While
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Who did I cross?
She had no clue. And that unknown threat unsettled her deeply.
¡°Was it you?¡± she looked up, determined.
Finn¡¯s eyes
widened in surprise. Even his normally steady emotions showed doubt, not relief. ¡°What?¡±
¡°This is the third time. And like you said, it always seems like you¡¯re nearby whenever I get hurt. So, was it you? Or ¡¡± Was it Nadine?
If he¡¯s trying to force me back to Evermount Vi, he could¡¯ve just said so. I wouldn¡¯t risk putting La in danger again.
Tess¡¯s face went pale.
Anger shed in Finn¡¯s eyes, and he almostughed in disbelief.
¡°You think I¡¯d stoop that low? Tess, you¡¯re overestimating yourself. I wouldn¡¯t risk breaking thew for you. That¡¯s way too big Ja gamble.
¡°Why would I risk my reputation and the entire Lock Group just to force you to move back in?¡±
His expression darkened, fierce and cold.
By the looks of him, he¡¯s definitely not behind this.
Tess let out a breath, relieved.
But then she asked, ¡°So, was it Nadine?¡±
Finn¡¯s anger hadn¡¯t faded, and her question tightened his chest again.
He nced at her several times, clearly doubting what she said.
¡°Why would she do that?¡±
She¡¯s the head of the legal department at Lock Group¨Cwould she really behave like that?
He pressed his fingers to his forehead, pushing the question aside for now.
¡°If it really was her, I¡¯ll make sure she apologizes.¡±
¡°Just an apology?¡± Tess scoffed at his words.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make her pay. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re satisfied.¡±
Realizing he¡¯d been too easy on Nadine, Finn frowned and corrected himself.
¡°Alright, Mr. Lock, I¡¯ll be watching closely.¡± Tess agreed.
She still trusted Finn¡¯s honesty.
When he promised something, he followed through.
Just like when he arranged her sentence before¨Cit was done without mercy. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f?ndnovel
¡°No matter what, you¡¯re not safe right now. Stay with me for a while.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t say no.
She had to admit¨Cright now, there was no safer ce than by Finn¡¯s side.
Finn immediately gave orders, as if he were worried she might change her mind.
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Chapter 95 Swallowed Her Pride
Chapter 95 Swallowed Her Pride
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Finn spoke quietly but firmly as he gave his instructions. Zane immediately called over two bodyguards to take care of the situation.
This time, Tess didn¡¯t say no.
La¡¯s big, round eyes widened, and she waved her tiny hand excitedly, as if she understood something.
Even with the unspoken agreement between them, the long¨Cstanding distance lingered, making the silence feel awkward.
The silence made La¡¯s small movements stand out even more.
Finn¡¯s eyesnded on La, lingering on her familiar face and features.
Feeling his clear gaze, Tess hugged La tighter.
That simple move showed the bandaged arm she had just treated.
The white gauze, wrapped halfway up her arm, made Finn¡¯s brow twitch.
¡°Did you get a shot?¡±
¡°I wasn¡¯t bitten by the dog¨Cjust scratched,¡± Tess said calmly.
But Finn¡¯s frown didn¡¯t go away.
¡°Okay. When we get home, have the family physician check again.¡±
His voice was cold, but it sounded reassuring.
This time, Tess didn¡¯t refuse either and gave a small nod.
The awkward tension between them made Finn¡¯s chest feel tight and irritated.
He rubbed his forehead, as a sudden thought came to him.
Tilting his head, Finn looked at Zane. ¡°Tell me exactly what happened.¡±
Zane had already gathered every detail and reported everything without missing a thing.
Though his words were straightforward, Finn could sense how tense and dangerous the scene was.
Finn¡¯s chest tightened.
He couldn¡¯t imagine what might have happened if she had been alone.
A rush of fear hit him, and he furrowed his brows deeply.
Tess didn¡¯t want to stay any longer. She used packing up as an excuse and left first.
As soon as her slim figure disappeared, three shadows stepped out from a nearby corner.
Finn¡¯s cold stare swept over them, making them shiver.
¡°Is this how you protect her?
His voice was low and grim¨Cnothing like the softer tone he¡¯d used with Tess earlier. Now, it carried the threat of a storm.
The three lowered their heads even further, trembling with fear. ¡°It all happened so fast. There was someone else near Mrs. Lock. We couldn¡¯t show ourselves.
¡°Ugh!¡±
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Chapter 95 Swallowed Her Pride
In the next moment, a long, strong hand grabbed the man in the middle by the neck.
Finn¡¯s face darkened. ¡°I sent you to protect her. Her safetyes first.
¡°If you can¡¯t do that, why should I keep you all around?¡±
His tone was icy and full of anger.
With a quick flick of his wrist, he threw the man away.
The bodyguard stumbled back a few steps but quickly regained his bnce.
¡°Mr. Lock!¡±
The three cowered, shaking with fear.
Zane watched the tense scene, ready to step forward, but Finn¡¯s sharp eyes stopped him.
He lowered his head and remained quiet, cautious.
The whole hospital seemed frozen under the heavy cold atmosphere.
Everyone was on edge, worried about what might happen next.
Also, find out who saved Tess.¡±
Meanwhile, Nadine was shocked when she heard everything.
The woman is okay?
The child is safe too?
Max sat across from her, his eyes full of barely hidden annoyance.
¡°Nadine, is this your brilliant n?¡±
His fingers clenched tightly, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Nadine¡¯s lips trembled,
She meant to hurt Tess, but somehow fate twisted her actions, and Tess ended up back at Evermount Vi instead. Official source is F?ndNovel
Thinking about it, she gritted her teeth in frustration.
But right now, something else was more urgent.
She was behind the golden retriever¡¯s sudden attack.
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What she hadn¡¯t expected was that the man with Tess wouldn¡¯t let it go and had taken the nearly dead golden retriever to the hospital.
Lock Group Private Hospital belonged to the Lock Group and operated directly under Finn¡¯s watchful eyes.
Nadine struggled to calm herself, but her voice still shook with fear, ¡°Mr. Hunt, we¡¯re both in this together.¡±
¡°And now you want me to help you with what?¡± Max lifted his eyeszily, waiting quietly for her to speak.
¡°I drugged the golden retriever to make it hallucinate and go mad, and provoked it beforehand,¡± Nadine swallowed hard. ¡°I¡¯m scared they¡¯ll find out*
¡°Nadine Max tapped the table sharply, impatience evident in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve helped you enough, but you keep making stupid
mistakes.
¡°Compared to Tess¡
Chapter 95 Swallowed Her Pride
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He raised an eyebrow and sneered, ¡°No wonder it¡¯s been a year. She gave you a whole year to interfere¨Cand you still failed.
¡°And now that Tess is back, Finn¡¯s reaction is totally different.¡±
Max¡¯s words dripped with contempt for Nadine, and a fierce bitterness of his own.
Nadine¡¯s face paled.
She bit her lips until she tasted blood.
Before, hearing things like this would have made her angry and frustrated, even if it came from Max, her ally. But now, she needed his help, so she swallowed her pride and stayed silent.
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Chapter 96 Could It Be Him?
Chapter 96 Could It Be Him?
Nadine closed her eyes and forced the words out. ¡°That¡¯s why I need e.¡±
Her voice was cold and sharp, with a dark edge.
Max snorted. ¡°You¡¯re such a lousy partner.¡± your help.
¡°Get that golden retriever out of here. If you can¡¯t, just let it die insid Read full story at F?ndNovel
s
His eyes, usually warm and kind, now glinted with icy contempt. ¡°I¡¯ve done enough for you already, and you haven¡¯t given me anything worthwhile in return.¡±
Nadine frowned, sensing something behind his words. ¡°What do you want?¡±
Max didn¡¯t waste time. He lifted his chin. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the mess with the golden retriever, but you need to find something close
to Finn.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Relieved the problem might be solved, Nadine let out a small breath.
¡°One year ago, Tess leaked some secret Lock Group files. Now that you¡¯re the head of the legal department, finding them shouldn¡¯t be hard.¡±
Max¡¯s words only made Nadine more confused.c
She blinked, puzzled. ¡°A year ago, Finn was furious and barely let Tess defend herself before throwing her in jail. What files could she possibly have leaked?¡±
Max¡¯s expression turned serious. His usually casual tone grew sharp. ¡°Charles probably has stuff we don¡¯t know about.¡±
¡°Charles?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice rose in surprise as a youthful, serious face shed through her mind.
A cold chill ran up her spine.
If it¡¯s him, it¡¯s totally possible.
When Tess went to prison, Nadine took over all her duties and power. Charles was the first to openly defy her.
Maybe he¡¯s been secretly gathering proof all along.
He probably found something!
A
As Nadine thought about it, her face darkened with annoyance.
¡°But how do you know?¡±
Something felt off to her.
Max answered coldly, eyes shadowed, ¡°Finn¡¯s been looking intost year¡¯s casetely.¡±
He stared at Nadine. ¡°He doesn¡¯t act without reason. If he¡¯s making a move now, he must have found something.¡±
Those words made Nadine¡¯s heart race.
Sweat broke out on her palms.
Although we handled everything back then, it wasn¡¯t perfect. It only stayed hidden because Finn was too angry to dig deeper.
But what if he starts digging again?
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Chapter 96 Could It Be Him?
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Nadine shivered.
¡°You mean
Finn might suspect something from a year ago?
¡°And Charles might have evidence that could ruin the whole case?¡±
Her voice shook as her chest tightened, her heart pounding louder than ever.
Max didn¡¯t say anything, but the seriousness in his furrowed eyes spoke volumes.
Nadine¡¯s face lost all color. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll look into it quietly. If I find anything, I¡¯ll reach out with a n.¡±
She met Max¡¯s gaze. ¡°But you still need to take care of that golden retriever.¡±
Max sneered without answering, and then waved someone over to take her away.
¡°Wait.¡±
Suddenly, Max seemed to remember something. His eyes narrowed, locking onto Nadine as she turned away.
¡°I might¡¯ve let some of your tricks slide before, but this time, Tess got hurt because of you.¡±
His voice dropped, low and threatening.
Nadine¡¯s fingers stiffened and she swallowed hard.
Watching her tense back, Max¡¯s voice cut like ice. ¡°If you hurt Tess again¡ remember, you¡¯re not irreceable. A year ago, I got you close to Finn. A year from now, I can rece you just as easily.¡±
He nced sideways. Nadine quickly dropped her head, muttering, ¡°I understand.¡±
After she left, Max opened hisputer. Footage of the golden retriever attacking Tess in the park yed on the screen.
He motioned to his assistant. ¡°Find out which room that dog¡¯s in now at Lock Group Private Hospital. Contact the doctors and nurses responsible, and put it down.¡±
His voice was calm but firm.
The assistant nodded and left to handle it.
Silence filled the office, leaving Max alone.
The screen shifted between images¨Cfirst showing three people in the center, then just two¨Call with their backs turned.
Max¡¯s eyes fixed on the man standing next to Tess. His gaze darkened with a quiet obsession.
Who is this guy?
His irritation grew. He stared at the young man with a deep sense of threat¨Cjust like the feeling he got when facing Finn.
And somehow, he felt like he¡¯d seen this man before.
A flicker of memory passed through his mind, making him frown.
Could it be him?
Meanwhile, Tess, safe and sound, held La in her arms as they left the hosp
Keepsake 97
Chapter 97 Smell It
Chapter 97 Smell It
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When Tess got back to her apartment, she was surprised to see the baby stroller Edith had given her waiting right outside her
door.
She blinked in surprise.
Earlier, worried about La getting hurt and seeing the worried look on that young man¡¯s face, she hadn¡¯t thought twice before hopping into the ambnce, leaving the stroller behind. Original content can be found at Find_Novel(.
How did it end up back at my ce now?
Questions raced through Tess¡¯s mind, but Edith heard the noise and came out from the next door first.
¡°Hey, you¡¯re back! I heard you got hurt at the park. Are you okay?¡±
Edith¡¯s face showed real concern.
Tess felt a warmth spread inside her chest.
Not only had Edith found them the best suite, but she¡¯d also gone out of her way to bring La a stroller, taking special care of both of them.
¡°I¡¯m fine. Just a little scrape,¡± Tess said with a soft smile.
Only then did Edith rx, pressing a hand to her chest.
Thank goodness she¡¯s okay. If anything had gone wrong, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to exin it to them.
She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead.
¡°The stuff inside¡¯s all packed up. Are you moving out?¡±
Suddenly, a clear, refined voice rang out.
Tess felt a flicker of recognition and looked up to see a face she¡¯d only met recently.
¡°What are you doing here?¡± Surprise colored her voice.
Edith¡¯s expression softened when she heard Tess¡¯s reply. ¡°Looks like you really know each other.¡±
She nced sideways at the young man beside her.
At first, shed worried he might be a scammer, but his confident and determined look made her doubt that.
More than that, even without gold or jewels, his presence was regal andmanding, earning the respect of those around him. She hesitated only briefly before letting him in. She didn¡¯t want to offend anyone, but she couldn¡¯t leave him alone, so she had been watching carefully from next door.
Hearing Edith¡¯s words, Tess finally understood the situation.
She rubbed her forehead in quiet frustration but turned to Edith with a polite, friendly smile. ¡°He¡¯s the one who took La and me to the hospital. You can leave us now. Thanks for the concern.¡±
¡°Oh, okay!
Edith didn¡¯t hang around.
The weather had been good over the past few days, and many potential renters had toured the building, so interest was high.
She left quickly but nced back at Tess onest time. She wanted to look at the young man again, but something about him made her uneasy. Instead, she lowered her head and hurried away.
No wonder Mr. Lock arranged for so many people to secretly protect her¨Ceveryone around her is either rich or powerful. It¡¯s normal for him 1/3
Chapter 97 Smell It
!
to be concerned.
She looks like just an ordinary mom taking care of her chili, yuu so many people seem to revolve around her.
Edith shook her head quietly.
Once thendlord left, Tess turned to Abel with an annoyed look. ¡°Im grateful you saved us, but showing up at my ce. unannounced¨Cdon¡¯t you think that¡¯s a bit rude?¡±
Tess set La down in the stroller and crossed her arms, staring at Albel.
I came to bring the stroller back,¡± Abel replied without a hint of embarrassment.
Instead, he shrugged openly, his eyes smiling warmly at her..
Tess was taken aback. His blunt honesty had caught herpletely offf guund.
¡°And I wanna apologize.¡±
Suddenly, his deep voice broke the silence.
Jess blinked in surprise and looked up.
Abel winked at her. ¡°I had no choice.¡±
¡°Huh? No choice?¡±
Tess raised an eyebrow, doubtful of his excuse.
ahel dearly expected her reaction. He smiled and picked up the small nket Tess had just chaped over La¡¯s belly.
HINE
Though confused. Tess didn¡¯t stop him. She simply frowned, waiting for his next move.
¡°Smell it.
Abel brought the nket close to Tess¡¯s nose.
Tess stored warily into his eyes, and at the same time, a strange scent drifted up to her nose.
She quickly looked up.
Abel caught the chimge in her expression. ¡°Well? On the way to the hospital, you must¡¯ve smelled this at least one.
Tess¡¯s hand hanging by her side clenched tightly.
That¡¯s right
Her memory wrapped buck immo focus.
That reckless figure thus prorsunt!
Her pupils shrank didimity
Abel noticed her sharp change and quickly asked. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±
Their eyes met¨Chers full of fear as filled with urgency.
¡°In the park, when someone bumped me, I smelled this too.¡±
Tess¡¯s face darkened, heavy w S
Abel nodded knowingly. ¡°Then its confind. That¡¯s when someone put the powder on you and La.¡±
¡°Powder?¡±
Keepsake 98
Chapter 98 Don¡¯t Be Scared
Chapter 98 Don¡¯t Be Scared
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Abel spoke slowly, exining, ¡°I sent someone to get that dog checked out. As for this nket, someone sprayed it with a hallucinogenic chemical that makes animals go wild and uncontroble.¡±
A cold shiver ran down Tess¡¯s spine at his words.
So that¡¯s what really happened?
First, there was the drugging incident, and now La almost got bitten by a dog.
Who exactly is after us?
Tess scanned the quiet area with frightened eyes.
I¡¯ve moved apartments, even relocated to a different part of Aetheris, far from where I was before. So how did they still manage to find me?
That feeling of being exposed, with enemies lurking in the shadows, twisted her stomach with unease.
???
Her fingers clenched tightly, her sharp nails digging into her palms as her heart pounded hard.
¡°Don¡¯t be scared.¡± ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? FindN0vel
Suddenly, a warm hand pressed gently against her cold forehead.
Abel¡¯s fingertips trembled slightly as his eyes flicked over her pale face. Inside, it felt like a seed had begun to bloom, bringing waves of pain and worry for her.
What has she been through all these years?
Judging by her look, this isn¡¯t the first time she¡¯s faced something like this. But who would dare hurt a defenseless woman and her child?
Abel¡¯s thoughts turned to the child, and he looked down at little La, fast asleep in the stroller.
The kid¡
¡°What about her father?¡±
Abel¡¯s expression faltered, and before he could stop himself, the question slipped out.
¡°We¡¯re getting a divorce.¡±
This time, Tess didn¡¯t hide anything.
Her words immediately snapped Abel out of his scattered thoughts.
¡°Divorce?¡±
His voice darkened, eyes sharpening with a cold intensity. ¡°Why? Is he treating you badly?¡±
By the time he asked the question, his teeth were clenched tight with anger.
Tess noticed his strange reaction and frowned.
Why is he so upset?
Still thankful for his help, she shook her head honestly and gave a small smile. ¡°But that¡¯s all behind me now.¡± Abel lowered his head, letting his chestnut hair fall over his fierce, troubled eyes, worried he might scare her.
He had searched for her for so long, and when he finally found her, she was already married with a child. What hurt him most was knowing her husband didn¡¯t cherish her.
10:32 AM P
Chapter 98 Don¡¯t Be Scared
His teeth ground together harshly.
Tess was a bit surprised. ¡°Why are you..
Abel snapped back to himself, his eyes suddenly shing with a fierce light.
+5 Free Coins
¡°You¡¯re about to get divorced, and it¡¯s going to be tough raising a child alone.¡± His gaze was full of genuine concern.
Tess touched her chin, thinking carefully. ¡°That¡¯s okay. I¡¯ve been raising La by myself for a long time. It¡¯s hard sometimes, but it¡¯s a happy and fulfilling life.¡±
She smiled warmly, gently teasing La in the stroller.
Abel¡¯s eyes stayed fixed on her.
The motherly love and strength she showed now werepletely different from years ago, but even more captivating.
¡°No,¡± he said abruptly.
Tess looked at him, puzzled, meeting his intense stare. ¡°I mean, she ..
He didn¡¯t say it outright, but his eyes and expression made it clear he was offering to be that father.
Tess froze, her eyes widening. She quickly scooped up La and hurried inside, mming the door shut with a loud thud.
Abel stood outside, speechless.
The door was firmly closed.
For the first time, the proud and confident Abel was shut out, but he felt no bitterness.
He lowered hisshes, trembling slightly.
I lost myself for a moment.
I must seem strange and intrusive to her.
Abel understood what Tess must¡¯ve felt, but a bittersweet ache swelled inside.
I¡¯ve really been searching for her a long time.
He stared deeply at the closed door.
Maybe because of this barrier that he finally dared to let his feelings show openly in his eyes.
His gaze was full of longing and nostalgia.
It¡¯s okay.
Abel¡¯s lips curved faintly, his eyes no longer dark but shining with fresh determination.
Since I¡¯ve found her and I know that she¡¯s not doing that well, I¡¯ll stand by her no matter what.
His fist clenched tight, veins twisting along his arm like winding vines.
Inside her apartment, Tess¡¯s eyes were wide with surprise. La watched her strange reaction with innocent curiosity.
What did he mean just now?
Tess¡¯s mouth opened slightly. The warmth Abel left on her forehead hadn¡¯t fully faded¨Cor maybe it was just the flush rising again on her cheeks.
2/2%
Keepsake 99
99 There Was Still a Wall
After everything quieted down behind the door, Tess felt her racing heart begin to calm.
She made herself slow down her restless thoughts, trying to figure out what had just happened.
What was that? We barely even know each other.
Confusion clouded her eyes, and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Abel had some hidden motive.
How could a soon-to-be-divorced single mom like me, juggling a child, be enough to make a young man with a special background do¡ what exactly? Be La¡¯s ¡°stepdad¡±?
The idea sent a chill creeping over her skin.
If it was just a one-time thing, maybe it was because of her looks.
She knew her face was striking, with a cool, elegant beauty, but Abel didn¡¯t seem like the kind of guy who cared about looks. Plus, a year in prison and the hard days under the sun trying to survive had worn her down, even leaving a scar.
Thinking about the past made Tess a little down as she fell silent.
Biting her lip, she found herself judging the man waiting outside the door.
¡°I¡¯ll check on the golden retriever¡¯s condition again. Here¡¯s my contact info.¡±
His voice came once more, and Tess¡¯s ears caught a faint sound.
She found a soft silk handkerchief slid under the door.
Tess focused on it and saw some numbers written in light blue ink.
After that, the footsteps faded away.
Tess stayed frozen in ce, only bending down to pick up the handkerchief after a few breaths, gripping it tightly in her hand.
Since getting out of prison, she had dreamed of a simple, peaceful life.
But disaster after disaster left her scared, and she couldn¡¯t help butin.
Who¡¯s pulling the strings behind all this? Who doesn¡¯t want me or La to have an easy life?
Tess bit her lip again, her eyes shing with sharp determination.
She carefully folded the handkerchief and tucked it into her suitcase, then bent down and scooped La into her arms.
She walked straight to the front desk, ready to pay Edith the breach-of-contract fee, but Edith waved her off. ¡°Business has been busytely. You don¡¯t need to pay me.¡±
Edith patted her chest, clearly signaling that money was not an issue at all.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but smile but insisted on paying anyway.
After everything that had happened, she had to admit one thing-being near Finn was the safest ce for her.
She could handle danger on her own, but she wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to La.
That thought sharpened the fire in Tess¡¯s eyes.
She nced once at her suitcase.
If I find out who¡¯s behind all this, I¡¯ll never let them get away with it.
In the end, Tess handed over half the breach fee. Seeing how determined she was, Edith reluctantly epted.
Only then did Tess smile with satisfaction, carrying La as she left.
Watching her slim figure disappear, Edith clenched the wad of cash, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Original content can be found at ?ovelFind
She was kind to Tess partly because Finn was paying her, but she wasn¡¯t lying about everything.
Tess did remind Edith of her own daughter, who had long since left home.
Edith sighed and called Zane.
Not long after Tess left, a stretched Lincoln pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Zane¡¯s respectful face.
¡°Mrs. Lock, are you heading back to Evermount Vi?¡±
Tess tightened her grip on the suitcase handle.
She wasn¡¯t naive.
She had just stepped out when Zane¡¯s car showed up.
She nced back at theplex. Did Finn n all this?
But then again¡
Maybe it¡¯s just a coincidence. I agreed to stay for a while anyway.
Lowering her gaze, Tess loosened her hold on the handle.
¡°Yeah. Please take care of it.¡±
Zane quickly opened the door and called the driver to put her luggage in the trunk.
The ride was smooth and quiet. La¡¯s eyelids fluttered sleepily, her eyes half-closed.
Zane sat cautiously in the front passenger seat, sneaking nces at Tess from the corner of his eye.
It almost feels unreal.
A few months ago, Mr. Lock and I went to the prison to pick Mrs. Lock up, but we came back empty-handed.
Now, after everything, we¡¯re finally bringing her back.
Zane opened his mouth to speak, but when he saw Tess¡¯s calm profile and lowered gaze, he held back.
By the time they arrived at Evermount Vi, dusk was settling in.
Checking her phone, Tess breathed out quietly.
It¡¯s still early. Finn should still be at the office.
Even though she¡¯d agreed toe back, there was still a wall between her and Finn she couldn¡¯t cross.
But when she pushed open the door, she was met by a broad chest d in a ck suit.
¡°The staff has already cleaned your rooms,¡± Finn said, taking the suitcase from Zane without hesitation.
Tess stiffened a little.
She gave Finn a strange look.
Isn¡¯t he supposed to be at the office at this hour?
Finn noticed her suspicion but said nothing. Instead, he walked calmly into the living room, his tall figure steady andposed.
Keepsake 100
Chapter 100 Not Sure Yet
Tess followed behind.
La was awake now, resting in her arms, her wide eyes full of curiosity. Even though they¡¯d been here before, the ce still amazed her.
Evermount Vi was huge, and itsyout shifted every few steps. It was screaming luxury.
¡°Go and settle down. I¡¯ll wait for you for dinner.¡±
Finn set the suitcase just outside Tess¡¯s bedroom but didn¡¯te inside.
Tess didn¡¯t waste time. She replied softly with a hum and walked in.
The moment she opened the door, a gentle scent of jasmine filled the air.
Tess paused, holding La tighter as memories of thest day she¡¯d spent here a year ago came flooding back.
The ce looked the same, but her mindset waspletely different now.
A dull ache bloomed in her chest as the memories pressed in.
As if sensing her mother¡¯s change in mood, La lifted her tiny hand and softly touched Tess¡¯s cheek.
Tess¡¯s heart melted. She bent down.
La¡¯s big eyes curved charmingly as she giggled.
The bright, clear sound of her child¡¯sughter pushed away the heaviness in the room, warming Tess¡¯s heart.
Shaking off the lingering emotions, she opened the suitcase and began unpacking clothes for both herself and La to put in the
closet.
But when she opened it, she was surprised to find a row of brand-new baby clothes-all high-end designer stuff.
Tess blinked.
She picked up one piece casually, the smooth, delicate fabric clearly showing its expensive quality.
A thought hit her.
She opened the other closet door.
Inside, neatly arranged, were custom outfits, all modern and stylish.
All these must¡¯ve cost hundreds of thousands.
Did Finn prepare all this?
It¡¯s like he¡¯s been waiting for me toe back all along, like I¡¯ve always been Mrs. Lock, and nothing has ever changed.
A swirl of mixed emotions rose inside Tess. She wasn¡¯t sure how to react.
Still, everything in front of her added to her burden.
La, meanwhile, clearly loved it. She squealed, waving her hands excitedly at the clothes.
When she grabbed a piece withce and ribbons, herughter grew even louder.
Knock, knock.
A firm, steady knock came from outside the door.
¡°Dinner¡¯s ready.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was short and serious.
Tess opened the door. Clothes were still scattered across the floor.
Finn pressed his lips together but said softly, ¡°I can wait.¡±
¡°No need.¡±
Tess shook her head, one arm holding La, the other carrying a bottle already filled with form.
Finn noticed her full hands, his eyes flickering briefly before he stepped forward and took La from her arms.
The sudden emptiness surprised Tess. She stared at him.
Maybe it was his first time holding a child because his movements were a bit stiff. But years of working out had made his arms strong, and he held La steady and safe.
La didn¡¯t resist. In fact, she seemed delighted by the sudden lift.
¡°I¡¯ll take her. You finish making her milk.¡±
Finn¡¯s tone was firm, almostmanding.
But the tightness at his temples showed a hint of nervousness.
Tess hesitated. But looking into La¡¯s sparkling eyes, she agreed.
Feeling the softness in his arms, Finn even slowed his steps without thinking.
As he walked, his gaze kept drifting back to the little girl in his arms.
Tess said she wasn¡¯t mine. But if that¡¯s true, how could she look so much like me?
Those eyes. That nose. Just like mine when I was a kid.
Something stirred deep in Finn¡¯s chest. For the first time in a long while, he felt ¡ content.
He moved slowly into the kitchen.
And somehow, the usually cold, empty kitchen felt different. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
It feltforting.
By the time he sat down with La, Tess had already finished preparing the bottle.
This time, she didn¡¯t hesitate. She gently took La back.
As his arms went empty, Finn felt an unexpected pang of loss.
That brief shadow surprised him.
Before he could dwell on it further, Tess looked up at him as she fed La.
¡°I agreed toe back to Evermount Vi, but we need some ground rules.¡±
Finn paused mid-motion, setting down his utensils. ¡°Go ahead.¡±
¡°First, even though I¡¯m staying here, you can¡¯te into my room without permission.¡±
Tess looked up, serious.
Finn nodded calmly. ¡°Alright.¡±
Tess hesitated, then continued, ¡°Second, just because we¡¯re under the same roof doesn¡¯t mean you can track me or interfere in my life. Don¡¯t ask where I go or what I do.¡±
Again, Finn answered in his deep voice, ¡°Alright.¡±
She stayed quiet for a moment. When he didn¡¯t hear a third rule, he looked at the mother and daughter sitting before him. ¡°And the third?¡±
Tess ced the empty bottle on the table. ¡°Not sure yet. I¡¯ll tell you when I figure it out.¡±
Keepsake 101
Chapter 101 The Dog Had Died
Finn raised an eyebrow slightly. ¡°As you wish.¡±
His voice was low and soft, almost floating in the air.
Tess was caught off guard by a hint of submission in his tone and found herself ncing at him twice, eyes wide with surprise.
He focused on setting the table, his posture rxed and natural, yet that unmistakable cold presence still clung to him.
Tess quickly looked away, shaking her head as if to chase off the strange thought.
Both my requests are simple, and Finn probably doesn¡¯t want to get involved with me and La anyway.
Maybe this is better for everyone.
A thousand thoughts raced through Tess¡¯s mind, but she kept her face calm andposed.
Surprisingly, the meal went without any problems.
Tess barely had an appetite and stopped after a few bites.
The table was unusually quiet except for La¡¯s babbling and the asional clink of Finn¡¯s utensils against his te. Updates are released by Find?Novel
He noticed Tess had stopped eating, his eyes catching on her slightly curled fingertips.
¡°Do you want to say something?¡±
He put down his utensils and frowned as he looked at her.
Tess was caught off guard; she hadn¡¯t expected him to notice her hesitation.
Even though she¡¯d agreed toe back to Evermount Vi, her decision to divorce Finn hadn¡¯t changed. Living under his roof while preparing to end the marriage left her feeling uneasy.
¡°Nothing.¡±
She pressed her lips together and shook her head.
Last time, he hadn¡¯t responded when she sent the divorce papers to his office. This time, she nned to print them out and bring it up in person.
Her mind was made up-she didn¡¯t want to stay any longer.
Holding La close, she stood and left the table first.
Finn¡¯s fingers twitched, but then he went back to eating, his voice indifferent.
But this time, he had no appetite.
He rubbed his temple, his gaze drifting to the empty seat across from him.
Without her there, the food lost all its appeal.
He often sighed, setting down his utensils and ncing unconsciously toward Tess¡¯s closed bedroom door.
At least she¡¯s back, isn¡¯t she?
Meanwhile, Tess was unpacking some simple clothes when a silk handkerchief slipped from the suitcase and fell to the floor.
She looked down, noticing the numbers written on it.
She tossed the handkerchief onto the nightstand and quickly finished organizing.
Soon, everything in the suitcase was neatly stored.
Only then did Tess pull out her phone and enter the contact info Abel had left.
She sent him a text. ¡°Hi.¡±
Tess blinked in surprise when Abel texted back almost instantly.
He wrote, ¡°My name¡¯s Abel Shaw.¡±
Before she could wonder why he emphasized that, a new message popped up.
¡°The hospital lead went cold.¡±
Tess quickly typed and sent her full name.
The ¡°typing¡¡± indicator stayed on, but no new message came.
She didn¡¯t wait and called him directly. ¡°What do you mean the lead went cold? Do you have any updates on the golden retriever? Did the tests show anything?¡±
Abel blinked, looking hesitant to speak.
He stared at the screen, his expression grim.
The golden retriever had been sent to the vet on his orders, with a specialist assigned. But right after he left the hotel where Tess had stayed, the first news he got was that the dog had died.
Howe the dog¡¯s dead?
I kicked it hard, but it was still breathing when we sent it to the hospital.
The hospital said the dog was beyond saving and had been euthanized.
Abel swallowed the bitterness, his voice heavy as he told Tess everything he knew, not leaving anything out.
Tess gripped her phone tight, her brow deeply furrowed.
She murmured, ¡°The dog died?¡±
Abel¡¯s tone was serious, without a trace of humor. ¡°Yes. The hospital said it was badly hurt and barely holding on. They euthanized it under the Animal Cruelty Prevention Act.¡±
Tess looked up, a shadow growing deep in her eyes.
I¡¯m sure someone pushed for that decision.
Tess bit her lip, her expression grave.
She asked the question burning inside her, ¡°As far as I know, even under thatw, the pet owner needs to authorize the euthanasia, right? I don¡¯t think the golden retriever¡¯s owner was at the hospital. So why did the vets go ahead and put it down?¡±
Abel paused, thinking over her words.
Then he caught her meaning, his expression tightening with concern.
¡°I¡¯ll have someone check the surveince footage carefully. They must¡¯ve conducted tests before euthanizing the dog. I¡¯ll get someone to retrieve all the data.¡±
Keepsake 102
Chapter 102 You¡¯re the Only One I Can Ask
Abel¡¯s eyes narrowed, shing sharp and wild like a leopard-cold and fierce.
Who dared to do such a thing right under my nose?
His knuckles cracked loudly as he clenched his fists.
In Aetheris, who else could pull off something like this?
Tess didn¡¯t react to the strange tone in his voice. At this point, there wasn¡¯t much she could do.
She pressed her lips together, frustrated, and was about to hang up.
¡°Tess¡¡±
Abel sounded like he wanted to say more, which made her pause just before ending the call.
Huh?
Suddenly, a sharp knock came at the door.
Tess looked over, confused, and said softly into the phone, ¡°Wait a second.¡±
Abel heard it as well and held his breath.
Tess is back at her husband¡¯s ce, so the knock must be from him¡
His eyes turned razor-sharp.
Then, surprisingly, he chuckled quietly.
Why does it feel like I¡¯m the third wheel, sneaking around with his wife?
He held his breath and listened carefully.
Meanwhile, Tess opened the door to find Finn standing there.
His eyes immediately caught the lit-up phone in her hand. ¡°Who are you talking to?¡±
His voice was calm but carried a slight edge of suspicion that Tess could sense.
Without thinking, she turned off the screen and set the phone down, looking up with a frown. ¡°I already told you the second rule at dinner.¡±
Finn¡¯s lips parted slightly but then closed as he let out a soft hum.
Only then did Tess rx a bit. ¡°So, what do you need?¡±
Finn looked away but mentally noted the name he caught on her screen. Updates are released by Find[?]ovel
Her fingers mostly covered it, but he glimpsed one word.
Shaw?
A name popped into his head.
No way. If he¡¯s in Aetheris, I would know about it.
He kept his face neutral and calmly fixed his cufflink. ¡°There¡¯s an auctioning up. I need a date.¡±
¡°Then you should get in touch with Ms. Nadine,¡± Tess said without looking up, ying with La in her arms.
Finn froze for a moment, his eyes dropping to Tess¡¯s indifferent face. An unexpected tightness hit his chest.
She used to hate it when I mentioned other women. Now this?
That pressure in his chest felt heavier, like a weight suffocating him.
¡°Tess, remember your ce. You¡¯re my wife. Nadine¡¯s just an employee.¡±
There was more bite in his voice this time, but when he looked up, he met Tess¡¯s mocking stare.
She gave a cold, sarcastic smile and shook her head. ¡°The divorce papers were drafted ages ago. I¡¯m close to being your ex.
¡°And another thing,¡± she added, ¡°many would kill to be your date. I¡¯m not about to dive into that mess. Since you can take Nadine home for the family event, you should also bring her to the auction. You¡¯ll be helping each other out.¡±
Her voice was light and distant. By the end, she didn¡¯t even look at him.
Finn¡¯s eyes flickered. Suddenly, he asked, ¡°Are you throwing a tantrum?¡±
That word made Tess straighten up. Then she gave him a strange look. ¡°Mr. Lock, watch your words. use me again, and I¡¯ll sue you for nder.¡±
Finn was caught off guard. His face went pale, but he got the message-Tess wasn¡¯t going to be his date.
¡°Get some rest,¡± he said coldly, then shut the door.
The door closed sharply with a thud.
Only then did Tess realize-she¡¯d never ended the call with Abel. That meant Abel had probably heard everything between her and Finn.
¡°Sorry about that.¡±
Her voice was calm, almost indifferent.
She didn¡¯t bother hiding it. They were done, so there was no need to cover the awkwardness anymore.
¡°No worries,¡± Abel replied, shaking his head, though he looked thoughtful.
He¡¯d heard most of her conversation with Finn.
The more he listened, the more familiar the man¡¯s voice sounded, like someone he¡¯d heard before.
But he couldn¡¯t ce the name.
Abel licked his lips, brushing off the weird feeling.
I
He cleared his throat and said seriously, ¡°Actually, I was about to ask you the same thing.¡±
Tess frowned a bit. The same thing?
She bounced La gently in her arms. ¡°The auction? Or the date?¡±
¡°Both. I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s the same event your husband mentioned. I was also invited, and I need a date as well. But I¡¯m not from
Aetheris. I don¡¯t know many people here. After thinking it over, you¡¯re the only one I can ask.¡±
Keepsake 103
Chapter 103 Who Pissed Him off This Time?
A clear, apologeticugh came from the other end of the line.
Tess had been firm about saying no earlier, but with Abel, a bit of doubt crept in.
They hadn¡¯t known each other for a long time, but he¡¯d been a real help to her and La. Saying no t out now felt a little harsh.
Besides, he¡¯d been a lifesaver for both of them.
Tess pressed her lips together and looked down at La. Her voice softened as she politely declined, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll work. I¡¯m not okay leaving La alone at Evermount¡ I mean, at home.¡±
¡°You can bring La with you,¡± Abel quickly suggested. ¡°I¡¯ll help take care of her.¡±
He caught the hesitation in Tess¡¯s voice and added, ¡°If you agree, I¡¯ll have someone get dresses ready for both of you. You won¡¯t have to worry about a thing.¡±
¡°La, do you want to go?¡± Tess hesitated but gently tugged La¡¯s tiny fingers, letting her choose.
Hearing that, Abel felt his heart tighten.
His status meant no one would question him showing up at the auction without a date.
But still, a little selfish feeling stirred inside him.
Then La¡¯s soft giggle came through the phone.
She looked up at Tess with her big, shiny eyes, curious and excited.
Tess felt something inside her move.
One day, I¡¯ll get back what¡¯s mine, and La won¡¯t have to stay hidden anymore. She deserves to live freely and boldly.
Yeah, I should take La out to see the world.
¡°Send me the time and ce.¡±
Abel felt like a cloud had lifted, happiness making his head spin.
¡°Okay.¡±
He lowered his voice, trying to hide how excited he was, but Tess wondered if he¡¯d strained his throat.
As soon as they ended the call, Abel dialed someone else.
¡°Uncle Finn, I¡¯m bringing a date to the auction.¡±
The man known as ¡°Uncle Finn¡± poured wine into his ss and swirled the rose-colored liquid between his long fingers. ¡°Why are you telling me that?¡± he asked with a chuckle.
Still, worry creased his brow.
When did Abele to Aetheris?
Finn¡¯s mind shed to the name ¡°Shaw¡± on Tess¡¯s contacts.
But he shook his head. It can¡¯t be. It¡¯s too much of a coincidence.
Abel¡¯s voice was light. ¡°My date¡¯s bringing a kid. No kids have ever been at the Aetheris auction before, so I figured you¡¯d want a heads-up, so we don¡¯t run into trouble.¡±
A kid?
Finn¡¯s voice grew serious. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you have a secret kid. If your mom found out ¡ ¡±
He snorted coldly. ¡°Don¡¯t forget who you are. You must marry someone from a respectable family. If she learns you¡¯re running wild in Aetheris with a kid before marriage, I¡¯m sure you can imagine what will happen.¡±
Abel froze.
Uncle Finn really hasn¡¯t changed. He¡¯s still so strict. But¡
¡°Don¡¯t worry, Uncle Finn. It¡¯s not like that.¡±
The kid¡¯s not mine.
But I¡¯m really interested in the mother.
Even if my mom finds out, so what?
¡°That¡¯s good. You figure it out. Next time, just tell Zane.
¡°By the way, when did you get to Aetheris?¡±
Abel raised an eyebrow, holding his phone while looking at the night sky.
¡°There¡¯s a big power struggle in the family. Mom told me not to contact you because she didn¡¯t want to drag you into it while you¡¯r in Aetheris. So I didn¡¯t look you up right away. I¡¯m staying with my ¡®cousin¡¯ now.¡±
Finn understood.
¡°Safety first. If anything happens,e straight to us.¡±
¡°Got it. Updates are released by find?novel
¡°Oh, and Uncle Finn, I heard your wife¡¯s out of prison now. Will you bring her to the auction? Or will you bring yourpany¡¯swyer?¡±
The casual question hit Finn¡¯s ears like a thinly veiled challenge.
Thinking of Tess¡¯s firm tone and sharp, mocking eyes, Finn felt his chest tighten even more.
¡°I¡¯m not bringing a date.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was cold and sharp.
2/
Abel noticed the harshness and wondered silently. Who pissed him off this time?
Althought Uncle Finn¡¯s wife betrayed him, doesn¡¯t he still have that secretary? Would he really show up alone?
Abel stayed puzzled but didn¡¯t press.
Their call ended on an uneasy note.
After hanging up, Abel rubbed his chin.
Why does Uncle Finn sound so much like Tess¡¯s heartless husband?
Abel clicked his tongue, shaking off the confusion.
Tess¡¯s husband is a cold man who doesn¡¯t appreciate her, and they¡¯re getting a divorce. Meanwhile, Uncle Finn¡¯s wife betrayed thepany and spent time in prison.
3/
Keepsake 104
Chapter 104 I¡¯ll Take a Cab
At best, they are just two people connected by bad luck.
Abel casually tossed a berry into the air and caught it in his mouth. As he bit down, the sweet and tangy juice exploded on his
tongue.
Tess¡
His gaze shifted, and a slow smile spread across his lips.
His long, sharp eyes narrowed a bit, as if he¡¯d drifted into a pleasant memory.
But Abel didn¡¯t stay lost in thought for long.
Sweet memories are nice, but my happiness is within reach now.
He stood up and told someone to take him out so he could pick the outfits in person.
In no time, two days passed. Rows of carefully selected dresses-for both an adult and a child-were delivered to the address Tess had given.
She stared. Her mouth slightly opened at the two full rows of gowns filling the room.
She¡¯d lived a wealthy life for years, but even at past banquets, she¡¯d never seen anything this extravagant.
Tess ran her fingers over the dresses. The fabric was unbelievably soft and rich.
As her hand slid down, the texture became harder-crystals, pearls, tiny diamonds, each sewn by hand into the hems.
She pulled back her hand, sinking into quiet thought.
Her impression of Abel had changed again.
From the moment they met, she knew he was either very rich or powerful and hade from a well-respected family. But she hadn¡¯t expected this level of luxury.
Rows of custom gowns like these-probably only Finn can afford something like this in all of Aetheris.
Who is Abel, really?
The question popped into Tess¡¯s mind, but she pushed it down quickly.
All I have to do is go with him to one auction dinner. It¡¯s just repaying a favor, nothing more.
She reminded herself and turned her full attention to picking a dress.
Puttingfort first, she skipped the heavily bejeweled gowns. Instead, she chose a soft pink dress made from cozy fabric.
By chance, she found a pink princess dress for La that matched hers perfectly.
La loved it, clutching the dress tightly in her small hands.
1
¡°These two.¡±
With Tess¡¯s choice made, the staff carefully took the dresses and hung them in the closet.
Their eyes wandered over the other limited-edition luxury casualwear, and they couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Ms. Ember, your husband really spoils you and Miss La. Some of these clothes are global limited editions-only a handful exist anywhere in the world.¡±
Tess froze for a moment, ncing toward the open closet.
But after a quick look, she looked away again, calm and collected.
Clearly, the staff misunderstood.
To Finn, money is never the most important thing. I¡¯m not either. ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find?Novel
Still, she didn¡¯t bother correcting the staff. She smiled politely and changed the subject. ¡°If you¡¯re done, you can go now.¡±
Her voice was soft but distant.
The staff grew uneasy, worried she¡¯d said the wrong thing. She finished quickly and left.
As soon as she was gone, Abel called.
¡°Have you picked something? I¡¯lle pick you up tonight.¡±
The word ¡°tonight¡± made Tess frown.
Finn hasn¡¯t been stayingte at work like before. If Abel picks me up, there¡¯s a good chance they¡¯ll run into each other.
Even if we¡¯re getting a divorce, we are still married byw. If they meet¡.
Her brow lifted.
She pressed her fingers to the throbbing vein at her temple.
After a moment, she said, ¡°No need. I¡¯ll take a cab.¡±
Abel understood her meaning. He didn¡¯t push and replied warmly, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll wait for you at the entrance.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
That was settled.
By the time they hung up, it was early evening.
Tess had no time to waste. She gave La her evening bottle early and then set her in the crib to y.
Turning to her vanity, she started doing her makeup.
The auction would start in less than four hours. She needed to leave before Finn got home.
If she refused his invitation but left with someone else right after, it would be hard to exin.
As for what might happen if they ran into each other at the auction, she figured that was a problem forter.
With that thought, Tess hurried.
An hourter, she looked at herself in the mirror with a satisfied smile, her face fresh and glowing.
Her scar was covered with top-quality concealer, and her makeup was light and elegant.
She dressed both herself and La in their gowns, then stepped into the car already waiting to take them to the auction.
The auction was held in a unique ce-Aetheris¡¯srgest indoor flower conservatory.
When Tess arrived, Abel was already standing at the entrance, giving off a cold vibe. His handsome face was as icy as ever, and he clearly looked annoyed by the women trying to chat him up.
Keepsake 105
Chapter 105 Never Felt This Humiliated Before
There was such a chill around Abel that it kept the ambitious socialites froming any closer.
No one dared to approach, though some nervous eyes still nced his way.
But the moment he spotted Tess, that cold look on his face softened, and for a brief second, his dark eyes brightened.
He closed the gap in just a few steps, stopping right in front of her, surprise clear in his gaze. Updates are released by Find¡ïNovel
¡°You¡¯re stunning.¡±
The simplepliment made Tess blush slightly.
She lowered her eyes and softly said, ¡°Let¡¯s go inside first.¡±
Abel noticed her nervousness and kindly took the lead, stepping forward to guide her.
His tall figure shielded the slender woman and the baby in her arms from view.
Tess¡¯s arrival frustrated the women who had been eyeing Abel earlier.
They¡¯d been wondering who could be lucky enough to be hispanion.
But it turned out to be a woman holding a baby.
No matter how hard they tried, they couldn¡¯t connect this woman¡¯s face to the famouswyer, Tess-they only felt she looked vaguely familiar, like someone they¡¯d seen somewhere before.
After all, thewyer had been out of the public eye for two years.
Their confused expressions said it all, but there was nothing to do except enter with heavy hearts and sour moods.
Just as Abel and Tess walked inside, a sleek ck Maybach-the kind only a few people owned-pulled up to the entrance.
The door opened, revealing a pair of elegant leather shoes first.
As the crowd looked up, Finn¡¯s tense, cold face came into view.
Finn, the richest man in Aetheris!
His arrival silenced the crowd, who instinctively parted to give him space.
Used to the treatment, Finn adjusted his shiny cufflinks and walked confidently inside.
After a brief silence, whispers erupted.
¡°Oh, my God! Mr. Lock¡¯s here! But where¡¯s Ms. Nadine this time?¡±
Excitement quickly turned into confusion.
¡°Yeah, doesn¡¯t Mr. Lock usually bring Ms. Nadine? Why isn¡¯t she here tonight?¡±
Guests exchanged puzzled looks, gossip buzzing around.
At that moment, Max¡¯s car arrived too, but he didn¡¯t rush out.
The back window rolled down, revealing Nadine¡¯s face.
She shot an angry re at the crowd, clearly hearing their rumors.
Her fists clenched tightly.
If no one hade over to fake congrattions, she wouldn¡¯t have known Finn was at the auction.
I can¡¯t believe he didn¡¯t tell me he wasing! He always brought me before.
Outside, the gossip grew louder, even turning into spection that ¡°Now that Tess is back, Nadine¡¯s out of favor.¡±
Nadine¡¯s expression darkened.
Max¡¯s eyes flickered with a strange look, then he raised an eyebrow at Nadine, a sarcastic glint in his charming eyes.
Nadine spun around, anger burning her cheeks as she met Max¡¯s gaze.
She spat bitterly, ¡°They¡¯re all talking nonsense! Finn wasn¡¯t even into Tess even before she went to prison. Now that she¡¯s served time, I doubt he¡¯d even look at her!¡±
Nadine didn¡¯t hide her jealousy, but as soon as the words left her mouth, the air inside the car turned heavy and cold.
Only Max¡¯s casual finger taps against the window broke the silence.
Nadine swallowed hard.
I lost control for a moment, letting my anger get the better of me.
After all, Max has feelings for Tess too.
But¡
Nadine clenched her fists tightly.
I can¡¯t understand why a convicted mother like Tess draws so much attention from Aetheris¡¯s elite. What does Tess have that I don¡¯t?
Grinding her teeth until they ached, she reluctantly held her flowing gown and stepped out of the car. Splitting from Max, she headed inside separately.
Finn hadn¡¯t asked Nadine to be his date this time, and the organizers hadn¡¯t sent her an invitation either. Though she was the head of Lock Group¡¯s legal department and qualified for one, Finn always brought her before, so the hosts didn¡¯t send a separate invite this year.
If she hadn¡¯t begged Max, she probably wouldn¡¯t have been allowed in.
Nadine smoothed the wrinkles from her dress¡¯s hem as she stepped forward, forcing a polite smile.
The rich fabric creased with the movement but smoothed again as she lowered her hand.
Her arrival caught the attention of guests near the entrance, who paused briefly before quickly looking away.
Biting her lip, Nadine stayed quiet and walked straight into the venue.
As she disappeared inside, the guests exchanged knowing looks, silently understanding the awkward meaning behind it all.
Nadine wasn¡¯t foolish. She knew well the looks thrown her way.
Inside, she felt suffocated and frustrated.
Since taking Tess¡¯s ce a year ago, she¡¯d been admired and respected everywhere, so she¡¯d never felt this humiliated before.
Keepsake 106
Chapter 106 Calling Security
Nadine quietly med Tess for all her frustrations.
As soon as she stepped inside, something felt different, she didn¡¯t feel like her usual confident self. Instead, she felt nervous and uncertain. Her eyes darting around, searching for Finn.
She hadn¡¯t even caught sight of him before someone told her the auction was about to start.
Not far away, Tess saw everything clearly.
She stood beside a tall indoor banana nt, holding La, her brow slightly furrowed.
Why is Nadine alone? Where is Finn? Isn¡¯t heing?
Tess wondered silently, but didn¡¯t dwell on it.
After all, Finn was the richest man in Aetheris-he wouldn¡¯t attend every single event he was invited to.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Tess was the first to notice a sudden smell of tobo nearby.
¡°Hi there. Don¡¯t you have a date?¡± a stranger asked, his voice filled with curiosity and excitement.
Tess blinked and turned to face a broad-faced man.
When he saw her face, his eyes lit up at how striking she was.
But the smile quickly faded when he noticed the child in her arms.
Wait, she has a kid?
His interest died, and he slumped, clearly disappointed.
He¡¯d seen the gorgeous woman alone and wanted to try his luck, but she turned out to be married.
¡°Can I help you?¡±
Tess frowned, ufortable with the man¡¯s obvious stare, her expression growing cold.
She didn¡¯tugh or flirt back, which clearly annoyed him.
He straightened up and sneered, ¡°Never mind! What a waste of time, talking to a mom like you!¡±
His arrogance almost made Tessugh out loud.
I¡¯m just standing here-he¡¯s the one who rudely bothered me.
Her frown softened, but her eyes turned icy as she stared him down until he shivered.
The man rubbed the goosebumps on his arm and waved her off. ¡°Forget it! Ugh!¡±
Then he turned to leave.
Chapter 106 Calling Security
Suddenly, arge handnded firmly on his shoulder.
¡°Seriously? You bothered her first. Do they even check the attendees? Can vermin just stroll right in?¡±
A deep, smooth voice rang out,zy but chilling.
The man froze.
His body stiffened, but the hand on his shoulder didn¡¯t let go-it twisted him back around.
Tess watched Abel¡¯s move, then nced at the crowd nearby.
Only a few people close by noticed the small scene.
Wanting to avoid trouble, Tess gently grabbed Abel¡¯s arm to hold him back..
Abel paused, then softly pulled her hand away, giving her a reassuring look.
The broad-faced man saw their interaction and realized Abel was standing up for Tess.
Snapping out of it, he discreetly sized Abel up.
Abel¡¯s suit was clearly expensive, judging by the fabric alone. On his chest, a tie clip held arge pink crystal.
Those details drained the color from his face, making him realize he¡¯d just challenged someone he shouldn¡¯t have.
Before Abel could say anything, the man quickly forced a fake smile. ¡°Sir, there must be some misunderstanding. I just noticed her outfit looked amazing and thought of getting one for my wife too.¡±
¡°Oh? Really?¡±
Abel looked at him coldly. His gaze wasn¡¯t warm or kind like with Tess; it was cold and grim.
The man shivered and nodded profusely. For original chapters go to Find[?]ovel
Abel¡¯s lips curved into a cold smile, with no warmth ih his eyes. ¡°Security, kick him out.¡±
He wavedzily. ¡°I don¡¯t want him here.¡±
The man¡¯s eyes went wide.
His family was just a minor noble house in Aetheris, and their business fading with his generation. This auction was a big chance to meet rich elites and attract investors.
Getting kicked out could mean disaster for his family!
Panic set in quickly.
But the crowd went quiet, with only those near the conflict whispering.
The man, Marvin Pierce, reminded himself that even though his family was fading, he still recognized some of Aetheris¡¯s top nobles, and this guy was a stranger.
His expression darkened as the silence grew around them.
crystal on the tie clip? Maybe fake!
In Aetheris, only a handful of families could afford such arge pink crystal, and this man doesn¡¯t look like one of them.
Marvin¡¯s eyes hardened. He mmed his hand on a nearby table and shouted, ¡°Who do you think you are, kicking people out for the organizers? I¡¯m calling security to have you thrown out!¡±
Keepsake 107
Chapter 107 Kick Them Out
When Marvin challenged him, Abel¡¯s eyes narrowed into sharp, fox-like slits.
There was a wild, almost hypnotic edge in them, mixed with a dangerous coldness and a hint of mockery.
¡°Say that again.¡±
His voice was low but dripping with a sneer. He didn¡¯t sound angry at all.
Marvin, thinking Abel looked weak, repeated his words louder, trying to sound tough.
His raised voice drew the attention of nearby guests, and soon a small crowd gathered, ncing toward them.
The noise spread like ripples, catching Finn¡¯s attention as he was about to enter.
Zane saw Finn nce over and quickly went to get information.
He returned quickly and whispered in Finn¡¯s ear, ¡°Word is, someone¡¯s pretending to be a guest and causing trouble inside.¡±
Finn barely shifted his eyes, then looked away coolly. ¡°Let them in.¡±
He frowned and added, ¡°And tell Abel toe right away.¡±
Zane nodded and pulled out his phone to call Abel while keeping up with Finn.
Just as the tall figure disappeared, a phone in the crowd rang.
Abel nced at his screen and typed a quick reply.
¡°Ran into a little problem with my date. I¡¯ll be there soon.¡±
Thinking about seeing Finn lifted his mood a bit. He added, ¡°My date is someone I¡¯ve been searching for a long time. You must meet her.¡±
It was a subtle way of officially announcing his interest in the woman.
Meanwhile, a line of security guards pushed through the crowd at the entrance.
The small group around Tess was forced to step aside, clearing a wide path.
¡°There you are! It¡¯s those two! They tried to kick me out. I want you to kick them out instead! Show them who¡¯s the boss! This auction¡¯s run by my uncle!¡±
Marvin grinned, shaking his swollen round face arrogantly as he looked down at Abel and Tess.
But even he couldn¡¯t help sneaking a nce at Tess¡¯s face.
Though she¡¯s not high-status, she¡¯s really pretty.
Too bad¡
He clicked his tongue twice, pitying her.
That scar ruined that pretty face.
His shameless stare made Tess ufortable. Before she could react, Abel stepped in.
Ignoring her surprised gasp, he reached out and pressed his fingers hard on Marvin¡¯s eyelids.
¡°Look again, and I¡¯ll gouge them out.¡±
His voice was cold and threatening, each word sharp and clear.
It happened in a sh. Marvin didn¡¯t even have time to react before darkness took over his vision. At the same time, a foul yellow liquid dripped between his legs.
¡°Oh, my God!¡±
¡°Gross!¡±
The shocked crowd stepped back, putting distance between themselves and Marvin.
Feeling the terrified eyeballs twitch beneath his palm and sensing Marvin¡¯s stiff body, Abel suddenly shoved him hard, sending him flying back ten feet, where hended with a shudder.
That guy wasn¡¯t bluffing. He really wanted to gouge out my eyes!
Frozen with fear, Marvin didn¡¯t move until security came to haul him up.
¡°Mr. Pierce, pleasee with us.¡±
The guards¡¯ expressions turned serious now, and they were no longer smiling.
Though just guards, they worked in these fancy ces and knew how to read people.
Besides, Abel wasn¡¯t a regr guest. The organizers had handed out his photo with strict orders to treat him with respect.
¡°Why me? They¡¯re the ones causing trouble! Kick them out!¡±
Marvin snapped back, ring helplessly at the cold stares from Abel and Tess.
But the moment he met Abel¡¯s gaze, his trembled again.
The disgust and contempt in the crowd¡¯s eyes made his face burn bright red, like it was on fire.
As he calmed down, he noticed a strange smell in the air.
The wet, ufortable feeling below made him lower his head in shame, but anger still burned inside.
¡°The auction¡¯s run by my distant uncle! Do you know who I am? Arrest them or I¡¯ll have my uncle fire all of you!¡± he yelled, furious and desperate.
No matter how loud he raged, the guards stood firm. Finally, two guards lifted him up. ¡°Mr. Pierce, per the organizer¡¯s orders, anyone disrespecting this gentleman will be removed from the auction.¡± Latest content published on find[?]ovel
Ignoring Marvin¡¯s struggles, they carried him out.
He fought hard but had no chance.
¡°Let me go!¡±
His shouts faded as they dragged him out in full view of everyone.
The room fell silent, heads slowly turning toward Abel and Tess.
Keepsake 108
Chapter 108 Finn Brought Tess to the Auction?
It was worth knowing that the auction was organized by a younger member of the Pierces, a branch that had long since gone independent. Since the new generation took over, the Pierces had steadily shrunk, and now Marvin was the only one left.
Even if Marvin wasn¡¯t very useful, the Pierces still made a point to respect him.
No one expected this striking man to openly challenge Marvin and actually throw him out-right on the Pierces¡¯ turf.
It was simply unheard of.
Who the hell is this guy?
That question buzzed through everyone¡¯s minds. The noblewomen who had admired Abel¡¯s refined appearance outside now stared, wide-eyed with curiosity.
But their gazes quickly shifted to Tess beside him.
Why is he married so young?
In their hearts, they shook their heads in disappointment.
Abel ignored their stares, bending down to gently straighten La¡¯s dress. Then he looked up at Tess with soft but controlled eyes. ¡°Are you okay? Did I scare you?¡±
Tess blinked, pursing her lips and staying silent.
Moments ago, she had clearly felt Abel¡¯s fierce anger.
She was sure if that rude man had kept pushing, his eyes would¡¯ve been on the floor.
She gulped nervously.
Who is Abel, and why does he carry such terrifying power and presence?
¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±
She lowered hershes, trying hard to hide the nervousness in her eyes.
Abel noticed her unusually cold reaction.
His fingers twitched at his waist for a moment, then dropped in quiet eptance.
¡°Let¡¯s go inside.¡±
He quickly regained hisposure.
¡°Okay.¡±
Tess avoided looking directly at him and kept about half an arm¡¯s length of distance as she quietly followed him.
Abel felt the awkward chill between them, and his heart tightened with regret.
1/3 This update is avable on find?novel
So mag ut NOW!!
privately.
Pressing his thin lips together, Abel led Tess into the auction hall.
The room was packed, but because of the earlier scene, more people were still arriving.
Tess instinctively looked back for their seats, but Abel grabbed her hand first.
¡°It¡¯s crowded, so stay close. I don¡¯t want you getting lost.¡±
His tone was brief, and the way he held her hand was serious.
Tess nced down at their joined hands and noticed the faint blue veins beneath Abel¡¯s skin, his long fingers covering herspletely.
His face looked calm, as if he truly was just worried about losing her in the crowd.
She stole another nce at their hands, then looked away, following him through the crowd.
What Tess didn¡¯t see was someone already watching them-not from the back, like she expected, but from the front row.
Abel led her all the way to the first row, pulling her into the center seat.
Tess blinked, feeling surprised and a little ufortable.
Seeing her stunned expression, Abel smirked confidently. ¡°This is our spot-I picked it. Do you like it?¡±
Watching his slightly smug, subtly approval seeking expression, Tess couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly.
She and Finn weren¡¯t divorced yet. He hadn¡¯t epted her before and rarely brought her to events like this, so she probably wouldn¡¯t be recognized. But she still worried about the unexpected.
Tess pressed her lips together, gently shook Abel¡¯s arm, and lower her voice. ¡°Can we maybe sit a bit to the side?¡±
Abel looked at her, confused. Tess¡¯s eyes darted around, finally resting on the bright lights above. She looked troubled. ¡°They¡¯re too bright. They give me headaches.¡±
She rubbed her temples as she spoke.
Abel¡¯s gaze paused on that small gesture for a moment.
Just as Tess thought she wouldn¡¯t get a seat change, he smiled. ¡°No problem.¡±
Right after, he called a nearby staff member over. Within minutes, Abel led Tess to a seat on the right side of the first floor.
That spot was better. There was a big overhead shade casting afortable shadow.
With the dimmer light, Tess breathed out in relief, feeling much better.
Their quiet move caught the attention of some distant eyes.
In Aetheris, a first-floor seat at a high-end auction was reserved only for the wealthiest nobles, yet someone willingly gave up the center spot. It raised some eyebrows.
Nadine squinted, sharpening her gaze on the pair in the corner.
That woman¡
Her heart skipped a beat.
Why does she look so much like Tess?
Could it be that Finn brought Tess to the auction, and that¡¯s why he didn¡¯t bring me?
That thought made Nadine¡¯s eyes burn with fury, almost making her stand up in anger.
Keepsake 109
Chapter 109 What Do You Think?
No way. I must be seeing things. How could a nobody like Tess actually be here?
Thankfully, reason held Nadine back. She clenched her fists tightly, sitting stiffly near the back center.
Then a familiar figure took a seat.
Nadine¡¯s eyes locked onto him immediately.
Is that¡ Finn?
Her lips parted slightly as she watched Finn settle calmly into the left side of the center seat, with Max on the right.
Relieved it wasn¡¯t Finn with Tess, she looked again at the two shadowed figures in the corner.
Their faces were mostly hidden, with just faint outlines showing. Though the woman looked a lot like Tess, Nadine quickly looked
away.
Tess is basically unknown in all of Aetheris-only Finn and Max really know who she is. So it¡¯s impossible for her to be sitting with another respected figure.
Still, she¡¯s the only woman in the front row!
Nadine¡¯s pride at Tess¡¯s absence quickly turned into a flicker of jealousy sparked by that woman in the corner.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is about to begin!¡±
The gavel struck, and the grand hall brightened, light reaching even the corner where Tess sat.
Tess froze, still bent over, softly soothing La.
The side of her face came into view, making Nadine¡¯s pupils shrink.
It really is Tess!
Her breath caught, eyes fixed on that familiar profile.
Why is she here? What right does she have to be here?!
Nadine¡¯s mind spun with fury, her face darkening.
Her gaze snapped to the man beside Tess.
Who is he? Why is Tess with him?
Questions crashed through Nadine¡¯s thoughts, her chest tightening with a jealousy so strong she almost felt faint.
But since she sat high above, her agitation stayed unnoticed below.
Finn calmly listened to the introductions overhead. He unlocked his phone and saw a message from Abel.
It¡¯s someone he¡¯s been searching for for a long time?
Finn¡¯s expression shifted subtly, his brow furrowing.
A rare hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes.
What kind of woman would make Abel so obsessed that he¡¯d search all over Aetheris for her?
Finn stroked his chin, calm andposed.
At that moment, Zane spotted Abel and pointed him out. ¡°Mr. Lock, isn¡¯t that Mr. Shaw over there?¡±
Finn nced toward the corner and saw Abel, whom he hadn¡¯t seen in a while.
But then¡
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed, locking on the figure beside Abel.
He was tall and lean, dressed in a sharply tailored white suit that mostly hid the woman at his side.
Only a glimpse of her pale pink, floor-length dress and the baby cradled in her arms was visible.
Finn¡¯s gaze darkened.
What kind of woman with a kid would have Abel¡¯s full attention?
His eyes showed a hint of confusion, but as he watched their whispered exchanges, an odd feeling stirred inside him.
Though years had passed since he¡¯d seen his nephew, Finn knew Abel usually favored dark colors like ck or navy.
I¡¯ve never seen him wear pure white. Besides¡
Finn¡¯s eyes caught Abel¡¯s tie.
The sparkling pink diamond matched the woman beside him perfectly.
A tant couples¡¯ style.
Finn¡¯s gaze flickered before returning to the woman.
Just then, she lowered her head, tilting her ear to catch Abel¡¯s words, stretching her graceful neck.
Even with strands of hair softly framing her face, her elegant profile was unmistakable.
Finn¡¯s eyes widened, fixed on their gentle smiles and quietughter.
Maybe sensing the stare, Abel instinctively turned and met Finn¡¯s shocked gaze.
Abel blinked, then looked again to see that Finn¡¯s eyes had returned to normal, though now colder and more unsettling.
Still, tied by family, Abel gave a polite nod first.
Finn pressed his lips tightly but said nothing, staring steadily at Tess.
Abel seemed puzzled but quickly pulled out his phone and sent Finn a message.
??
¡°What do you think? My date¡¯s pretty, right?¡±
Finn felt his phone vibrate and unlocked it. The message made his vision briefly darken.
He looked up coldly just as Abel turned away, smiling fondly and whispering to Tess. This update is avable on f¦É?dn¦Ïvel
A wave of frustration surged through Finn, veins at his temples twitching wildly.
Keepsake 110
His Eyes Held Only Tess
Finn fought to control the slight tremble in his fingers.
¡°Do you know who she is?¡±
Abel frowned, confused by Finn¡¯s sudden sharp tone.
Tess noticed their strange reactions, one after another. She leaned in and whispered, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
Abel didn¡¯t bother hiding his confusion; he just shook his head. ¡°Nothing really. Just feels kinda weird.¡±
Yeah, it¡¯s weird.
Why is Uncle Finn asking if I know who she is? Of course I know-she¡¯s the first love I¡¯ve been searching for all this time. Could it be that Uncle Finn knows Tess too?
Questions flooded Abel¡¯s mind. Suddenly, he looked at Tess and said, ¡°My uncle¡¯s here too. I¡¯ll introduce youter.¡±
Tess stopped ying with La for a moment.
He wants me to meet his uncle?
She gave Abel a puzzled look, but he just smiled gently, waiting patiently for her reply.
A chill ran down Tess¡¯s spine.
We¡¯ve only met three times before, and now I¡¯m supposed to meet his uncle? It feels like meeting his parents. Talk about awkward.
After a brief pause, Tess declined. ¡°No, thanks. If you want to catch up with him, I¡¯ll just leave after the auction.¡±
Abel grabbed her wrist quickly, his eyes serious. ¡°No, you have to meet him. It¡¯ste, and I¡¯m worried. I¡¯ll make sure you get home safe.¡±
Tess instinctively wanted to say no.
Finn doesn¡¯t seem to be at the auction anyway. He¡¯s probably at Evermount Vi. I can just take a cab back myself.
But before she could speak, the sharp bang of the auctioneer¡¯s gavel announced intermission.
She hadn¡¯t paid much attention to the exhibits, focusing on ying with La instead.
Now, as people stood and moved around, Tess rxed, ying more freely with La.
During the auction, she had to maintain order and keep La quiet.
With her head bowed and eyes on La, Tess didn¡¯t notice another woman taking a central seat on the first floor.
Finn kept his gaze fixed on Tess. But with Abel right by her side, Finn could only see parts of Tess¡¯s cheek and neck.
His fingers clenched tight, a strange ache grew in his chest, gnawing away at his calm and reason.
From Finn¡¯s view, the twoughed and talked closely, sharing the baby La between them, making his eyes burn with jealousy.
Chapter 110 His Eyes Held Only less Latest content published on F?nd-Novel
Such a warm, tender moment. Makes them look like they were a family.
A real family.
Finn gritted his teeth, unaware someone had switched seats next to him.
Meanwhile, Nadine pushed through the crowd on the first floor. Seeing Finn¡¯s sharp gaze fixed on Tess, she called out softly, ¡°Finn!¡±
Her voice snapped him back. His eyelids flickered and his face turned cold and ruthless again.
He looked up with displeasure. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±
He wasn¡¯t asking why Nadine showed up but was surprised by her taking a seat next to him.
He furrowed his brows.
¡°Can I sit here? You used to always bring me with you.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes filled with tears, hurt deep inside.
But Finn lost patience this time and rubbed his forehead irritably. ¡°Sit wherever you want.¡±
For some reason, even as he agreed, his mind raced with thoughts of what Tess would think if she saw this.
His palm tightened, a strange, uneasy anticipation stirring inside.
Nadine, unaware of Finn¡¯s thoughts, brightened and settled into her seat more confidently.
She nced at Finn now and then, his sharp, handsome profile close enough to make her cheeks flush.
But she also noticed his eyes drifting sideways often.
Inevitably, she followed his gaze.
Tessughed softly, her clear chuckles ringing over the noise in the hall.
Seeing Finn¡¯s darkening expression, Nadine immediately understood the situation.
A thrill of satisfaction ran through her.
Wow, Tess is something else. I can¡¯t believe she¡¯d so openly be with another man right in front of Finn.
Nadine¡¯s eyes sparkled as a smug smile tugged at her lips.
She quickly changed to an innocent, hesitant look. ¡°Finn, isn¡¯t that Tess?¡±
She covered her mouth, pretending to be shocked. ¡°Who¡¯s that with her? I¡¯ve never seen him before.¡±
Finn was already in a bad mood, and her words made it worse.
He shot Nadine a cold re.
A chill ran down her spine, and she snapped her mouth shut.
At the same time, she gripped her dress tightly.
Tess is the one fooling around, cozying up to another man when she¡¯s still married.
But why is Finn mad at me for pointing it out?
Nadine bit her lip, her eyes growing red with frustration.
But this time, Finn said nothing soft or questioning. His eyes held only Tess.
Keepsake 111
Chapter 111 A Battle Between Titans
Nadine waited anxiously but didn¡¯t get an answer, so she shot a frustrated nce at Tess.
The short break ended, and the auctioneer¡¯s sharp gavel strike echoed through the hall, bringing everyone back to silence.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, up next is a century-old pearl ne.¡±
As the announcer finished, the red velvet cloth was pulled away, revealing a strand of pearls with a ssic, aged shine.
Though the pearls still held their timeless glow, they looked oddly inpared to the fancy disy and luxurious surroundings.
A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.
¡°A simple piece at an auction like this?¡±
¡°Yeah, are they trying to waste our time?¡±
¡°Who picked this? Their taste is off.¡±
Sneers and hushed insults filled the air, dripping with disappointment.
Unlike the usual indifferent crowd, Tess widened her eyes in shock as she stared at the ne.
Her clear, bright eyes shimmered with tears ready to fall.
Her whole body stiffened, her face tight with emotion-a look that caught Abel¡¯s attention. He nced at the ne but just saw an ordinary string of pearls.
Confused, Abel leaned toward Tess and quietly asked, ¡°Do you like it?¡±
Before he could say more, her hand reached up and took his.
Abel froze, feeling like he was floating, his head lifting to meet her tear-filled, reddened eyes.
Holding back sobs, she whispered desperately, ¡°It belonged to my grandma. I don¡¯t know how it ended up here. Please help me. I
have to win this.¡±
¡°But¡¡±
She looked around helplessly, lips pressed tight, conflicted. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring any money. Abel, please help me. I¡¯ll pay you back little by little.¡±
Abel¡¯s heart ached seeing her like that. Feeling the softness of her hand in his, he squeezed gently, wrapping her fingers protectively.
His voice lowered to a soft murmur, sweet like honey but firm and sure. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If you want it, I¡¯ll get it for you, no matter the price.¡±
Moved, Tess looked up and nodded firmly. ¡°Thank you.¡±
Abel shook his head with a gentle smile. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Anything you want.¡±
His words, barely more than a whisper, they fluttered around her ear.
A faint blush colored Tess¡¯s cheeks.
She quickly looked away and turned her eyes forward again.
? ? ? ? ?? ? ?
After a short introduction, the crowd stayed unimpressed.
That was until the auctioneer added, ¡°This is a rare piece by master jeweler Gillian Larson-almost never seen for sale.¡±
At those words, interest finally sparked in the audience¡¯s eyes. This content belongs to f?ndnovel
¡°Mrs. Larson¡¯s own work? That¡¯s definitely a treasure.¡±
¡°Looking again, the pearls are simple but full of charm-just like Mrs. Larson herself.¡±
The mood shifted instantly among the guests.
Tess¡¯s heart raced, and she nervously nced at the people speaking, dread rising as the bidding began.
The auctioneer¡¯s gavel struck once more.
¡°Starting bid: one million.¡±
¡°One and a half million!¡±
¡°Two million!¡±
Though not as wild as some lots, bids came steadily and without pause.
¡°Two and a half million!¡±
¡°Ten million!¡±
The jump to nearly five times the starting price stunned the room. All eyes turned to the bidder.
Abel¡¯s long fingers raised the paddle, his voice dropping the number ¡°ten million¡± like it was nothing.
At the same time, Finn noticed the bid.
But just a momentter, his eyes shifted to Tess.
Abel couldn¡¯t be interested in the ne for himself. So the only reason¡
¡°Finn, that¡¯s Tess¡¯s grandma¡¯s heirloom,¡± Nadine said at just the right time, her gaze nk as she looked up.
Suddenly, she seemed to snap out of it and shook Finn¡¯s arm.
Her eyes begged, ¡°Finn, can you win it for me? She¡¯s my grandma in name too. I don¡¯t want her things scattered around.¡±
Finn paused, lowering his gaze as he took in Nadine¡¯s pleading face.
Her desperation strangely matched the tension in Tess¡¯s clenched hands.
Something stirred inside Finn.
He raised his paddle. ¡°Twenty million.¡±
A sharp intake of breath swept the room.
Everyone¡¯s eyes flicked between the center row and the corners.
This bidding was like a battle between titans.
Finn¡¯s low, familiar voice echoed clearly in Tess¡¯s ears.
She froze solid.
Finn?
Is he actually here?
Her eyes betrayed her panic as she looked toward the center row.
Finn sat not far from her.
Across the distance, she could make out the sharp lines of his jaw, his face cold and unforgiving.
Keepsake 112
Chapter 112 You¡¯re the Best
A sharp wave of fear squeezed Tess¡¯s heart.
Of course, she didn¡¯t think Finn cared about some in pearl ne. His bid had to mean something else entirely.
As a jolt of shock ran through her, Tess caught Nadine¡¯s eyes locked on her-bold, victorious, andpletely unrestrained.
No longer fragile around Finn, Tess straightened her back, her gaze shining with clear pride.
Abel frowned, surprised by Finn¡¯s sudden interest.
Uncle Finn?
Why would he even care about this pearl ne?
Though confused, Abel raised the bid anyway. ¡°Fifty million!¡±
I¡¯m Uncle Finn¡¯s nephew. He¡¯ll probably see how serious I am and back down.
The whispered ¡°fifty million¡± floated past Tess¡¯s ears like a soft breeze. She pressed her lips tight.
That¡¯s a lot of money¡ Never mind. No matter what, I¡¯d rather lose everything than let go of Grandma¡¯s heirloom.
The bid jumped five times over, leaving the crowd not only stunned but frozen.
A simple freshwater pearl ne marked up to a staggering 50 million!
Most of Aetheris¡¯s wealthy elite, proud of their status, silently cursed the absurdity.
But none dared say a word.
After all, one of the bidders was Finn, the richest man in Aetheris. Who¡¯d risk their reputation here?
Eyes drifted to the corner.
When the richest yer bids, other families usually back off. ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? F¦Énd£Îovel
So why is he not just holding his ground but raising the stakes so high?
Could this in strand of pearls really be that important?
¡°Seventy million.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was calm, like tossing out huge numbers was nothing.
Tess¡¯s lips parted slightly, her heart twisting like it¡¯d been stabbed.
Why?
He knows it was my Grandma¡¯s ne, but just because of Nadine¡¯s petty pride, he¡¯s set on winning.
The price climbed to 70 million. Even Abel felt the pressure.
He was supposed to be low-key, mung !!!
from the people from Rumsford, a risk he didn¡¯t want.
Besides, he didn¡¯t have that kind of cash on hand.
Abel shot Finn a confused look.
Can¡¯t Uncle Finn cut me some ck after I¡¯vee all this way?
Finn just nced at him without interest, then looked away slowly.
His eyes lingered briefly on Tess¡¯s pale face.
His fingers clenched tight.
Finn pulled himself together, but questions flooded his mind.
Why is Tess with Abel? When did they meet?
She turned me down but agreed to be Abel¡¯s date?
Finn¡¯s thoughts grew dark, his eyes shadowed with bitterness.
¡°One hundred million.¡±
His voice was cold, almost harsh. He didn¡¯t even wait for Abel to respond before raising the bid again.
It was like a bomb exploded in the room, leaving everyone stunned.
Many rubbed their eyes, wide-eyed, desperate to understand what made this simple ne so special.
Abel¡¯s face went pale.
Tess¡¯s heart, already hanging by a thread, shatteredpletely.
One hundred million.
A in freshwater pearl ne bid up to 100 million.
If it wasn¡¯t personal, what else could drive Finn to such lengths?
Abel lowered his head awkwardly, eyes full of regret. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t have that kind of money right now¡ ¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±
Tess pressed a gentle hand over his, quietlyforting both him and herself.
One hundred million for a pearl ne.
Hershes dropped, and a single tear slid down the corner of her eye.
Grandma, forgive me.
She sobbed, making as little noise as possible, but Abel caught it, and his eyes grew heavy with sympathy.
I came here on a rush and didn¡¯t bring much cash.
Since Uncle Finn¡¯s won the bid, I¡¯ll arrange for someone else to buy theer.
No matter the cost, I must get it to Tess.
A cold light flickered in Abel¡¯s eyes, sharp as a wolf ready to strike.
But when he looked at Tess, his expression softened instantly, gentle as a calm stream.
¡°Finn, you¡¯re the best!¡±
A surprised woman¡¯s voice floated nearby.
Tess paused, tears still falling.
Then Finn¡¯s calm voice cut through the noise. ¡°It¡¯s a fine ne.¡±
¡°Of course-it¡¯s Grandma¡¯s heirloom. I love it so much,¡± Nadine said dramatically, wrapping her arm around Finn¡¯s.
Finn smoothly dodged her touch. Nadine blinked, then leaned in closer on purpose.
From a distance, though they didn¡¯t touch, it looked like they were intertwined.
Their flirtation didn¡¯t go unnoticed by onlookers, who whispered with envy and admiration.
¡°Mr. Lock really spoils Ms. Nadine-just because she said she liked it, he dropped 100 million on a simple freshwater pearl ne.¡±
Keepsake 113
Chapter 113 Did Uncle Finn Hurt Her?
¡°What do you know? True love can¡¯t be measured. Money is nothing when you spend it on someone you love,¡± someone whispered nearby.
¡°Haha, Ms. Nadine sure is lucky. Mr. Lock really spoils her!¡±
Those words couldn¡¯t help but reach Nadine¡¯s ears.
Blushing, she covered her face and chuckled quietly, then looked at Finn with soft, affectionate eyes, shy and charming.
One was radiant and blooming like a flower, the other cold and distant like ice-together, they drew every eye in the room.
Nadine was soaking it all in,pletely rxed and enjoying the moment.
Feeling satisfied, she didn¡¯t forget to shoot a mocking look at Tess.
So what if they¡¯re still married?
It¡¯s obvious who Finn truly cares about!
If Tess knows what¡¯s good for her, she¡¯ll know to back off instead of going against me and making things harder!
Tess noticed the challenge in Nadine¡¯s eyes as thetter lifted her chin and seemed to rest it on Finn¡¯s shoulder.
The man¡¯s tall, broad build quietly became Nadine¡¯s support-a mountain that pressed down on Tess, making it hard for her to breathe.
Tess bit her lip hard, tasting the sharp sting of blood in her throat, tears filling her eyes.
Grandma never liked Nadine, and Nadine never showed Grandma any respect or kindness-so how could she possibly value Grandma¡¯s heirloom?
A cold shiver ran through Tess¡¯s heart. Her pink silk dress stuck damp to her palm, as if echoing her nearly broken spirit.
She felt weak and miserable.
That moment hit her like a p, forcing her to face the harsh reality.
Her eyes grew distant, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.
Abel watched, his heart twisting in pain, wishing he could just hold her andfort her gently.
Finn nced at both of them from a distance.
Tess, will you regret this?
He cracked his knuckles, trying to calm the storm of emotions stirred by Tess¡¯s lost look.
All four were lost in their own thoughts as the auction wound down.
Except for the pearl ne, Tess and Abel hadn¡¯t bid on anything.
Unlike her cheerful mood earlier, Tess now wore a nk and serious look.
La seemed affected too but kept quiet as she¡¯d been told.
When the auctioneer¡¯s gavel finally fell, ending the event, La softly cooed and reached her chubby little hand to touch Tess¡¯s face gently. Read full story at Find_Novel(.
Her bright eyes glistened with tears, as if saying, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be sad. I¡¯m here.¡±
Tess¡¯s carefully held calm broke again. She hugged the child close, smelling the faint scent of milk, while a heavy sadness settled deep inside her.
What did I do to piss Finn off?
Why would he target me when all I wanted was to get Grandma¡¯s heirloom?
Is one year in prison not punishment enough?
I know he¡¯s always looked down on me, but now that I¡¯m letting him go, why is he still holding? How far does he n to go for revenge
A cold hopelessness washed over her, sapping her strength and making her want to cry, but her eyes were too dry for tears.
In the end, Tess could only manage a bitter, empty smile.
Abel felt awful watching her but was helpless.
He could only stand quietly by her side, unable to ease the pain in her eyes.
Why is she so broken?
Abel felt her pain as well but didn¡¯t understand.
Could it really be just about a ne?
He frowned, watching Tess, opening his mouth to say something but swallowing the words.
No.
It has to be more than that.
Abel nced toward Finn as he stood and led Nadine off to collect an exhibit.
My gut tells me Tess and Uncle Finn know each other well-maybe even were close.
Did Uncle Finn hurt her?
Abel¡¯s heart clenched.
¡°Tess, I¡¯ll do everything I can to buy that ne back for you.¡±
The pain on Tess¡¯s face struck Abel hard. We nched Li- E-
Tess paused, then forced a weak smile and shook her head gently.
¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±
Her voice was soft, tinged with despair.
Abel felt a sharp ache spread through him.
He couldn¡¯t stand seeing her like this.
He said nothing more but silently vowed to stay close and support her.
This time, Tess didn¡¯t refuse and got into Abel¡¯s car without hesitation.
As they drove off, a tall figure appeared by the doorway.
Finn watched them speed away, his eyes dark and stormy.
The warm yellow glow inside the car wrapped around their backs, making them seem inseparable.
Finn¡¯s gaze stayed locked on them, his knuckles cracking sharply under his sleeve.
Only when soft footsteps sounded beside him did Finn blink slowly and pull back his cold, intense stare.
Keepsake 114
Chapter 114 Engagement Ring
A cold aura radiated from Finn.
Nadine shivered without meaning to.
She rubbed her bare arms and nced outside at the wind, telling herself it was just because it waste.
Still, she tried to keep her spirits up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Finn. ¡°Could you give me a ride home?¡±
Above her, his breathing stayed slow and steady. He didn¡¯t answer right away.
Nadine¡¯s heart fluttered for no reason, but she kept pushing. ¡°My friend gave me a ride here but left early. It¡¯s hard to find a cab now.¡±
A silence hung between them. Finally, Finn nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll have Zane drive you home.¡±
But if Zane is driving me home, what about Finn?
Nadine reached out, fingers almost touching his coat sleeve, but she stopped herself.
She looked carefully at his cold, stern face and held back.
Finn didn¡¯t move or react, for the first time ignoring Nadine¡¯s usual charm.
A deep difort settled in Nadine¡¯s chest. After thinking it over, she figured his coldness was because he¡¯d seen Tess close to someone else.
That thought lifted her earlier gloom and reced it with a hint of smug satisfaction.
¡°Finn, what Tess did wasn¡¯t right, but don¡¯t get too mad. You¡¯ve been apart for over a year; maybe it¡¯s understandable¡ Getting upset isn¡¯t good for you. I¡¯d worry.¡±
Concern shone in Nadine¡¯s eyes.
Finn looked down, meeting the gentle warmth in her gaze. For the first time, a strange thought crossed his mind. Why isn¡¯t Tess the one showing me this kindness? Why don¡¯t Tess¡¯s eyes hold this tenderness?
The idea shocked him. His pupils flickered before he pushed it away quickly.
Have I lost my mind? Why am I even thinking that?
Pressing his hand to the throbbing vein on his wrist, Finn nced again at the dark, empty road ahead.
Abel and Tess had long gone, leaving the path empty.
Thest bidders lingered until the auction ended, but now only he and Nadine were left, with the cold wind asionally rustling around them.
He rubbed his temples in frustration, a deep helplessness stirring inside him for the first time. ¡°It¡¯ste. You should go.¡±
His voice was short but carried a clear edge ofmand. For original chapters go to find{n}ovel
He didn¡¯t want to stay in this awkward moment any longer.
Nadine¡¯s heart pounded, a strange panic creeping up her spine.
This time, her worry was real.
What¡¯s wrong with Finn?
Zane stepped forward, breaking Nadine¡¯s gaze. ¡°Ms. Ember, please get in the car.¡±
He stretched out his arms, signaling the way.
Biting her lip, Nadine knew she couldn¡¯t stay.
She lowered her head and got ready to leave quietly.
As she turned, her hand reached for the velvet gift box Zane held carefully.
The soft velvet stirred a small spark of joy inside her, easing some of her gloom.
Even if I didn¡¯t make any progress, at least I have the pearl ne now.
Finn spent 100 million on a gift for me-that alone shows how much he cares.
He¡¯s probably only upset now because of Tess.
Thinking this, Nadine felt her heart ease.
But the velvet box slipped from her fingers the next moment.
She looked up, stunned, as Zane pulled the gift away.
¡°What¡¡±
She started to ask but stopped when Zane nced at Finn.
Nadine immediately knew-it was Finn¡¯s decision. She turned to look at him.
His handsome profile was shrouded in shadow, making his expression unreadable, but the cold aura around him was clear.
Nadine¡¯s chest tightened, but she forced herself to speak. ¡°Finn, what¡¯s going on?¡±
Finn¡¯sshes flickered. His eyes slowly moved to the gift box in Zane¡¯s hands.
He lifted his gaze with cold distance. ¡°It¡¯s not for you.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice rose sharply, then quickly softened. ¡°Didn¡¯t you buy this because I liked it? It¡¯s my Grandma¡¯s heirloom. If not for
me, then who else?¡±
Her tone was soft, with a hint of yful pleading.
Finn seemed to ignore her. He motioned to Zane again with a cold hand. ¡°Drive her home.¡±
His long fingers hovered in the air, a dark silver ring catching the light with a sharp sh.
Nadine froze the moment she saw it. Her eyes drifted slowly up to Finn¡¯s face,
That ring-she knew it well. It was the first engagement ring between him and Tess.
Back then, Finn hadn¡¯t been happy about their engagement, so even the ring had been chosen carelessly, far below what you¡¯d expect from the richest man in Aetheris.
Nadine¡¯s lips parted slightly as a sudden wave of fear rushed through her body.
Keepsake 115
Chapter 115 Because I¡¯m Your Husband
Nadine had never seen Finn wear that ring before. Actually, she had once found it while helping him search for some papers,
hidden in a corner underneath his office desk.
Why is that ring suddenly on his finger now?
Nadine¡¯s mind went nk, and she didn¡¯t even realize how Zane had helped her into the car.
Only when the cold wind slipped in through the slightly open window, hitting her face like sharp, ringing ps, did shee back to her senses.
A terrifying thought went through her mind.
What¡¯s going on with Finn and Tess?
¡°Ms. Ember, your apartment isn¡¯t far. I¡¯ll drop you off downstairs.¡±
Zane¡¯s voice cut through her spinning thoughts.
Soon after, he turned the car around to retrace their route.
Finn was still motionless, his ck suit blending into the night like a shadow.
The car ride back was quiet.
When Finn got to Evermount Vi, only one room still had its light on.
His eyes flickered.
Tess is home.
He clutched the velvet gift box tightly in his hand, a choking ache filling his throat. It was as if an invisible grip was squeezing it, suffocating him.
Tess didn¡¯t know someone was standing quietly just outside her door.
She sat on the bed, resting against the pillows.
Her eyes softened with a mother¡¯s love as she looked over La, who was already fast asleep. Finally, in the stillness of the room, the loneliness she¡¯d been hiding crept into her gaze.
Though time had passed, the scenes from the auction still yed vividly in her mind. Th?s chapter is updated by Find[?]ovel
Finn had been merciless, his voice cold and determined as he set out to outbid Abel no matter the cost.
Bitterness and helplessness tangled inside her.
She hated Finn-but even more, she hated how powerless she felt.
Tess was wide awake, her gaze distant.
Her phone lit up repeatedly with messages from Abel, full of apologies and promises.
He had sensed her mood darkening during the journey back and was worried about her.
Tess¡¯s eyes shifted withplicated feelings she couldn¡¯t quite name.
A man I barely know is willing to spendvishly on me, but my husband tolerates my sister as she provokes me and ignores my wish to get Grandma¡¯s heirloom back.
A bitter smile tugged at Tess¡¯s lips.
Just as a heavy sigh escaped her, a knock came at the door.
Her smile froze, and the warmth in her eyes faded.
I heard the car outside just moments ago. The only person who could be knocking at this hour¡ has to be Finn, right?
Knowing who it was, she didn¡¯t move.
The heavy silence made Finn furrow his brows in confusion.
Is she asleep?
Just as he turned to leave, the door clicked open.
Startled, he met a pair of eyes cold and sharp like frost.
Her pupils were clear as crystal butpletely without warmth. She stared at him like a challenge, silently asking who he thought he was.
Finn¡¯s thoughts caught in his throat. No words came.
He knew how much Tess loved her grandmother and understood how special that pearl ne was to her.
¡°Look.¡±
He held out the velvet box.
Tess¡¯s gaze stayed distant, but when her eyes swept over the box, they narrowed with a flicker of emotion.
Still, she didn¡¯t reach for it. Instead, she looked at Finn warily, confused.
Seeing her like that made Finn¡¯s chest tighten painfully. He swallowed hard, then said in a soft voice, ¡°I¡¯m your husband. If you want it, you don¡¯t need to ask anyone else.¡±
Without another word, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
He set the box carefully on the nearest table. As he did, his eyes nced at the sleeping baby on the bed.
La was sound asleep, her chubby cheeks and tiny mouth twitching sometimes, making her look utterly adorable.
Finn¡¯s gaze darkened as the empty hollow in his heart slowly filled with the warm presence of mother and child.
But then Tess stepped in front of him.
¡°Get out.¡±
Finn¡¯s breath caught for a moment. He gave one long look at La, then quietly slipped out of the room.
Tess didn¡¯t follow right away but watched his broad, strong back.
He wore a sharp, perfectly tailored suit; even the dark, detailed embroidery on the cuffs and the gold cufflinks showed his unmatched status.
This is the Finn I know-a cold, powerful man who¡¯s always standing tall and distant. He¡¯s simply untouchable.
But when did those fierce eyes be hollow? When did the tight set of his jaw soften?
She no longer understood him.
Tess gently closed the door.
The barrier separated them from La.
¡°Why did you do this?¡±
Her voice stayed sharp.
Finn hadn¡¯t expected a ne to break down her walls.
He slipped his hands into his pockets and said lightly, ¡°It¡¯s just a ne. Since you like it, I bought it for you because I¡¯m your husband. Do I really need a reason?¡±
Without the warmth of the room around him, he straightened up, regaining the proud, distant posture he always had.
Keepsake 116
Chapter 116 A Warm, Happy Family
But as soon as Finn finished speaking, Tess let out a sharp, mockingugh.
Finn frowned and met her sarcastic, teasing look.
¡°You¡¯re my husband?¡±
Tess sneered without holding back. ¡°Finn, you should already know I¡¯ve got the divorce papers ready. It¡¯s only a matter of time before we split. Yeah, I need something from you now, and I¡¯m stuck under your roof, but you need to wake up to reality.¡±
Finn shoved his hands deep in his pockets, lowering his cold eyes. A chill seemed to radiate from him, making the ce feel colder.
The tension was thick, but Tess kept her gaze locked on him without flinching.
Everything about her-her expression, her stance-said one thing loud and clear: she was going to divorce him no matter what.
Finn couldn¡¯t quite put his feelings into words, but every look and move Tess made felt like a sharp, twisting de in his chest.
¡°Tess,¡± he said out of nowhere, then let out a low, almost amusedugh.
She blinked, confused, and watched him closely. She was unsure what he¡¯d do next.
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened with obsession. ¡°We¡¯re still married. That means legally, I¡¯m still your husband.¡±
Before she could react, his hand shot out and grabbed her slender wrist firmly.
As Finn felt the coldness on his palm, his eyshes twitched slightly.
Why is she so cold? Is she that fragile?
He pushed down his confusion and the sudden flicker of pity he hadn¡¯t noticed before, asking sharply, ¡°When did you start hanging out with Abet?¡± For more chapters visit Find~Novel
Tess frowned deeply and gave him a strange look, surprised by the shadowy gloom in his eyes.
¡°He¡¯s just a friend. What¡¯s it to you? Are you really gonna control my personal life now?¡±
She stared at Finn, her voice sharp with annoyance.
¡°Friend?¡±
Finn pictured them together, the three of themughing and talking.
Abel had even gently adjusted the mother and daughter¡¯s dresses as Tess obediently listened to him.
Friends?
Friends who look like a warm, happy family?!
Suddenly, anger red in Finn¡¯s eyes. His grip on her wrist tightened without thinking.
Feeling the pressure, Tess shot him an angry re and yanked her wrist free.
Caught off guard, Finn stumbled back a few steps.
When he looked up, Tess was already heading for the door.
¡°You can have the ne.¡±
Her voice was cold, her eyes full of nothing but dislike.
That line was like a de, cutting any ties left between them.
¡°I don¡¯t take gifts back.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was dark and firm. He rarely sounded this serious. This time, he looked her straight in the eye, and she saw that he meant it.
Their eyes locked as silence filled the space between them, the air seeming to chill.
After a long pause, Finn looked away and turned sharply, leaving just one lightment behind. ¡°Keep it. But I have one condition.
¡°Stay here at Evermount Vi until you can protect yourself and the baby.¡±
Without stopping, Finn walked back toward the study.
Watching his broad back leave, Tess felt a knot in her chest. She rubbed her wrist lightly to ease the pain.
What¡¯s gotten into him today?
She shut the door behind her and froze when she spotted the jewelry box on the desk.
She pressed her lips tightly as hesitation took over.
I already decided to cut ties with Finn long ago.
But¡
Her eyes flickered with doubt.
Slowly, she opened the box and found the pearl ne inside. It was simple with an old-fashioned charm.
Tess¡¯s shaking fingers traced the worn pearls that were no longer smooth, and a bitter ache settled deep in her chest. Tears welled up, blurring her vision.
Her thoughts were tangled. After a long pause, she gripped the ne tightly.
One hundred million.
I¡¯ll take it as I¡¯m buying it from Finn and will pay him back someday.
I need to keep Grandma¡¯s heirloom safe.
Her eyes hardened as she ced the ne back inside.
Meanwhile, Abel, growing impatient from waiting for Tess¡¯s reply, finally called Finn.
Chapter 116 A Warm, Happy Family
In the study, thest light glowed softly through Evermount Vi.
Finn leaned against the wall near a streak of blood.
His right arm hung limp at his side, raw wounds and blood marking his knuckles.
Bang!
He mmed his fist against the wall again, letting out the frustration inside.
The quiet room echoed with heavy breaths and a low, broken whisper. ¡°Tess¡ Tess¡¡±
Clutching his chest, he finally faced the storm of emotions raging inside him.
Ring¡
Suddenly, the phone rang, breaking the silence.
Finn nced coldly at the screen that lit up with the name ¡°Abel¡±. His expression grewplicated.
Keepsake 117
Chapter 117 Finally
Finn picked up the call without much hesitation.
Compared to Finn, Abel was still just a kid.
But the boy had grown. His voice was rougher now, with a slight gravelly tone. The urgency was clear in his words. ¡°Uncle Finn, I need to tell you something.
¡°I¡¯m begging you.¡±
He bit his lip, sounding serious.
Finn¡¯s brows twitched, surprised.
This nephew of his had always carried himself with rare pride. He was destined to stand at the top of society.
But now, he was actually begging.
Finn closed his eyes tiredly and didn¡¯t respond.
Abel could sense something strange on the other end, but the uneven breathing told him it was really his Uncle Finn.
¡°Go on.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was low and hoarse.
Abel blinked, feeling like there was some bitterness and annoyance behind that short answer.
He shook his head, pushing the thought aside.
What am I thinking? He¡¯s my uncle, after all.
¡°The pearl ne you bought at the auction-I want to buy it back at ten times the price.¡±
Abel rushed the words out.
A low chuckle came through the line.
¡°For that woman you¡¯re with?¡±
Abel froze for a second, then replied firmly, ¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Does she know you¡¯re doing this?¡±
¡°She doesn¡¯t have to.¡±
¡°When did you two meet?¡±
¡°Two-¡±
auctions? Do
Finn stayed quiet, slowly sitting at his desk. After a long pause, he exhaled smoke.
He couldn¡¯t ignore the jealousy building inside him.
It shook and confused him.
Why?
Why am I feeling like this?
His face blurred like in a fog.
He slowly raised a hand to press it against his chest.
Feeling the strange pounding there, Finn felt lost for the first time in his life..
¡°Uncle Finn?¡±
Abel called again but got no answer.
Finn¡¯s gaze dropped, lingering on the name ¡°Abel¡± with deep focus.
¡°She has the ne,¡± he said softly, his voice barely audible.
¡°She¡¯s married. Stay away.¡±
Abel barely caught the words before the call ended.
Staring at the dead screen, confusion tangled his thoughts as knots formed between his brows.
He didn¡¯t call back.
Uncle Finn said Tess already had the ne.
And he warned me to keep my distance because she¡¯s married.
It sounded¡ like a warning.
Abel¡¯s heart sank.
Tess¡¯s husband treats her badly, and they¡¯re close to divorcing. I¡¯m just trying to help her.
He tossed his phone aside and pulled a photo from under his pillow.
Though he had kept it carefully, the edges were yellowed and frayed.
The photo showed a delicate woman¡¯s face. Her soft hair fell over her shoulders, her eyes gentle yet strong.
Abel absentmindedly traced the photo through its cover, eyes full of longing and memories.
She¡¯s the woman I¡¯ve been searching for all these years. If she¡¯s about to divorce, that means God¡¯s finally giving me a chance. How could I give up now?
A sharp, determined light red in Abel¡¯s eyes, fueled by steady resolve.
That night, the lights in three rooms went out one by one, but none of the people inside could sleep. They tossed and turned until dawn.
The next morning, Tess woke to a cool breeze drifting into the room.
She rubbed her aching head and realized she hadn¡¯t shut the window properly the night before.
She got up and closed it firmly but had no desire to go back to sleep. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n Find¡ïNovel
Bored, she scrolled through the messages on her phone until one email caught her attention.
Tess read carefully, her eyes brightening.
It confirmed her inheritance rights to Gillian¡¯s estate. She didn¡¯t need to deal with any more notarized papers and just needed to register at the proper department in Aetheris.
That meant once registered, she¡¯d officially own all of Gillian¡¯s belongings.
The thought sent a rush of excitement through her, and her heart began beating faster.
Finally¡
The bittersweet feelings made her feel a pinch in her nose.
Grandma¡¯s been gone for so long, and now, I can finally hold her things again.
More importantly, Grandma¡¯s heirlooms won¡¯t fall into the hands of Nadine, someone she really didn¡¯t like.
Tess exhaled a relieved breath and tiptoed out to freshen up.
Though she hadn¡¯t slept much, she felt oddly energized-enough to carefully put on light, polished makeup.
But as she stepped into the living room, a sudden thought hit her-living under the same roof as Finn meant they¡¯d definitely run into each other.
Remembering the bad moments fromst night, she hesitated and looked around warily.
Keepsake 118
Chapter 118 Save Her From All That Pain
Finn¡¯s not around.
Tess let out a breath of relief.
Since she was nning to divorce and no longer saw herself as Mrs. Lock, she didn¡¯t bother giving orders to the household staff and decided to make a simple breakfast herself.
Just as she set the te on the table, her eyes caught Finn¡¯s, and she noticed the dark circles shadowing his tired gaze.
He obviously hadn¡¯t slept well, but the weariness added a fragile touch to his sharp, handsome face.
Tess quickly looked away.
But Finn took a step closer.
¡°Afraid to meet my eyes?¡± His voice held a hint of augh, but it was hard to tell what he meant.
Tess pressed her lips together and ignored him.
Finn stared at her pale face for a moment and sighed. ¡°Good morning, Tess.¡±
He sounded calm and casual-as if they were just a normal married couple exchanging routine greetings.
Tess froze, her knife and fork paused in midair. She gave him a strange look, silently asking what he was ying at.
Finn acted like he didn¡¯t see it and deliberately sat down right across from her.
She frowned, watching him quietly.
She didn¡¯t touch her food and locked eyes with him instead, her gaze cold and steady.
Finn then called a maid over. ¡°Make me the same breakfast she¡¯s having.¡±
The maid nced at the simple meal, looking confused and unsure.
Finn¡¯s indifferent stare made the maid hold back her doubts and quickly head to the kitchen.
¡°What are you trying to do?¡±
Impatience shed in Tess¡¯s eyes as she asked bluntly.
Finn, calm and collected, wiped his knife and fork but said nothing at first. After a while, he finally murmured, ¡°Don¡¯t talk while eating.¡±
Because the meal was simple, the maid was soon back with a nicely ted breakfast.
Finn epted it and began eating, one bite at a time.
It seemed like his odd behavior was just an excuse to have breakfast. Original content can be found at find?novel
Tess sneered softly, choosing not to question him more. She turned back to her own te.
Living at Evermount Vi saved her from paying rent, but she hadn¡¯t forgotten the heirloom Finn had given her yesterday-Gillian¡¯s
ne.
She promised herself she¡¯d pay him the 100 million dors back.
Once the divorce is final, we¡¯ll be strangers. I don¡¯t want to owe him anything. Plus, I have to find a safer ce to live soon.
Evermount Vi is only temporary.
Tess finished her breakfast quickly and cleaned up the dishes before standing.
Her movement made Finn raise an eyebrow.
Just as she turned to leave, Finn¡¯s voice came softly.
¡°Tess.¡±
He called her gently, his tone carrying a strange, hard-to-exin feeling.
A chill ran down her arm.
A sudden panic bloomed in her chest. She didn¡¯t stop walking; in fact, she hurried up.
Finn dropped the calm act and stepped forward, grabbing her wrist.
Tess¡¯s fingers stiffened, and she shot him a fierce re.
Caught off guard by her angry look, he hesitated.
The sudden fire inside him was instantly cooled by a ssh of harsh reality.
He parted his lips but lowered his gaze, mumbling roughly, ¡°Where are you going? I¡¯ll have someone send you.¡±
Tess twisted her wrist hard and pulled away.
She thought about Finn¡¯s strange reactions, her eyes darkening as if he were a wild animal in front of her.
What¡¯s going on with him?
Puzzled, she hurried to the bedroom to check on La.
Bang!
The loud m of the door made Finn¡¯s brows twitch.
He froze where he stood, and after a long moment, he slumped back down at the table like a broken doll.
The maid eyed the barely touched breakfast and hesitated. ¡°Mr. Lock, should I make you something fresh?¡±
Finn shook his head. ¡°You can go.¡±
The maid¡¯s worried look softened, but inside, she felt relief.
As the footsteps faded away, Finn¡¯s gaze grew lonely.
He pressed his thin lips together, staring at the modest breakfast that matched Tess¡¯s.
He had stolen a few nces while she ate heartily.
Just watching her had stirred his appetite.
But now, with the chair across from him empty, the meal lost all meaning.
Finn let out a long, heavy breath, his eyes dark and unfocused.
Last night, he had stayed alone in the study.
He opened a secret folder on hisputer.
It held photos and videos tracking Tess¡¯s every move since she got out of prison.
Zane had been tas!
Only throug
with gathering the evidence.
inn learn the truth.
soaked by a passing truck¡¯s sprinklers had been her. The desperate mother begging at Lock Group Private o been her. And so much more¡
motion crashed in Finn¡¯s chest, bitterness filling his mouth.
he and regret.
und her sooner, could I have saved her from all that pain?
A year ago, before she went to prison, no matter how much he resented her or looked down on her, she still lived rtively well as Mrs. Lock and a topwyer in Aetheris.
Keepsake 119
Chapter 119 Maria
Just one year, she went from top socialite to prisoner, from the high life to hitting rock bottom. How could she stay so calm through it
all?
Finn frowned, staring hard at the photos and videos of Tess through hisputer screen.
Who exactly is she?
He pressed a hand to his pounding chest, realizing he¡¯d never really understood her at all. Now, looking at the woman he had once ignored and even looked down on, a mix of feelings started to stir inside him.
What¡¯s going on with me?
He tossed and turned all night, searching for answers.
Before dawn, whether it was out of guilt or selfishness, he called the office handling Gillian¡¯s inheritance, pressuring them.
He figured that inheritance was meant for her anyway.
Once that was done, Finn looked away while rubbing his temples, nning to get some rest.
Meanwhile, Tess held La close as she got into a cab.
The baby, still sleepy, rubbed her eyes while her tummy grumbled.
That was when Tess realized she had forgotten to feed La egg custard after washing her, changing her clothes, and giving her form and supplements.
La was everything to her.
So instead of rushing to im the inheritance, Tess told the driver to stop near a shopping center.
She remembered a good baby food spot there, one that probably served egg custard.
But after checking the directory, she couldn¡¯t find it. She decided to ask an employee nearby for help.
As she walked over, she looked up and froze, meeting a face she hadn¡¯t seen in ages.
¡°Mrs. Ember?!¡± the woman eximed.
Tess was shocked too. ¡°Maria?¡±
Her eyes scanned the woman¡¯s noticeably aged face, and a sharp pain twisted in her chest.
Maria Burn had worked at Evermount Vi for years, and she had always looked younger and healthier than others her age. But just months after Tess escaped, Maria¡¯s cheeks were hollow and worn, as if she¡¯d aged decades.
Tess¡¯s heart tightened. She grabbed Maria¡¯s hand, worry flooding her, ¡°What happened? Why are you here?¡±
Her fingers brushed the rough calluses on Maria¡¯s hands, sending a deep ache through her.
Maria looked unsure, unable to exin.
Chapter 119 Maria
Seeing Tess¡¯s reaction, Maria quickly pulled her hand away.
Tess looked at her and understood right away. ¡°Is this because of Finn?¡±
Maria bit her lip, struggling, then silently nodded. ¡°Mrs. Ember, I¡¯m sorry-I told Mr. Lock where you were.¡±
¡°That¡¯s behind us now. But if you told him, why did he still fire you?¡±
Maria hesitated, unwilling to say more.
Tess stared at her deeply lined face. There was no anger, just sorrow and guilt.
¡°Are you doing okay now?¡±
Tess lowered her voice, holding back her emotions and anger.
Maria nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not asfortable or safe as before, but I¡¯m managing.¡±
Tess felt a little relieved but dropped her gaze, lost in thought.
She didn¡¯t notice the flicker of something cross Maria¡¯s eyes.
¡°Wah!¡±
Suddenly, La cried out in her arms.
The restless baby reached toward Maria, but she wasn¡¯t grabbing like she did with Tess. It was more like a gentle pat.
Snapping back to the moment, Tess ignored the strange gesture and guessed hunger was the cause, so she quickly made form with Maria¡¯s help.. Find the newest release on find?novel
With a baby bottle in her mouth, La quieted but still fussed softly, babbling more than usual.
Tess exchanged a puzzled look with Maria, who leaned closer to check. But as soon as Maria got near, La fussed louder.
Embarrassed, Maria stepped back, and only then did La calm down.
Tess gently reassured, ¡°She must be shy.¡±
She scratched La¡¯s tiny, soft nose with a smile, her voice warm and loving. ¡°La, Maria has helped me so much. You can¡¯t be
rude.¡±
Maria smiled quickly to ease the mood. ¡°La¡¯s just a baby. How can she understand you?¡±
Tessughed, and the mood warmed between them-except La still looked a little unhappy.
The small interruption didn¡¯tst long. After slipping some cash to Maria, Tess followed directions to the baby food spot. Once La was fed, Tess hurried to her meeting.
When she arrived, she saw a line of sharply dressed men and women waiting quietly by the entrance.
Tess blinked, surprised by their serious looks.
The leader stepped forward when he saw her, greeting her warmly.
¡°Ms. Ember, we¡¯ve been expecting you. This way, please.¡±
He gestured politely and led her inside.
Keepsake 120
Chapter 120 Hidden Wealth
Tess couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit surprised.
Are all these people waiting for me?
????????
She let out a cold breath, thinking this seemed a bit over the top.
But she didn¡¯t hesitate for long. Hugging La tightly in her arms, she followed the leader in.
¡°Please take a look. This is Gillian¡¯s handwritten will.¡±
The man leading the group respectfully handed her an envelope, carefully holding it with white gloves.
At those words, Tess¡¯s hands trembled.
Grandma¡¯s handwritten will?
Her emotions surged, and her eyes quickly turned red.
Sensing Tess¡¯s grief, everyone in the reception room silently lowered their heads, giving her space.
With shaking fingers, Tess touched the thick envelope.
Though they called it a will, there were at least ten pages. It felt more like a farewell letter Gillian had written just for her.
Only thest two pages mentioned how to handle the inheritance. The rest of it was all about Tess-memories, affection, and love.
By the time Tess finished reading thest page, tears were already streaming down her face.
Ever since Nadine had shown up, Tess had been treated like an outsider in her own home.
But Gillian had never changed her opinion or treatment of her. If anything, she had loved Tess even more, spoiling her like always.
When Tess was sent to prison, it had happened so suddenly that she didn¡¯t even get the chance to defend herself. And during that year behind bars, she wasn¡¯t entirely alone.
Nadine would sometimes visit just to mock her, purposely bragging about how close she was getting with Finn.
From the moment Tess went to prison, she hadpletely given up on Finn. Discover more novels at f?ndnovel
Her cold attitude wasn¡¯t at all what Nadine expected, and it left her frustrated.
That was when Nadine started spreading rumors.
She¡¯d say things like Gillian was so angry about Tess¡¯s disgraceful actions that she had cut all ties with her.
Back then, Tess would sit with her back to Nadine, biting her lip so hard it bled as she tried not to make a sound.
But no matter how hard she wiped her eyes, the tears just kept falling. All she thought about during those days was getting out so that she could kneel by Gillian¡¯s side and exin everything face to face.
She never did those things they used her of. It was all lies, nder.
Chapter 120 Hidden Wealth
She had always been a good kid, the kind Gillian could trust.
But fate yed its cruel trick. By the time Tess finally got her freedom back, Gillian was already gone.
Tess¡¯s eyshes were wet with tears, her whole face streaked with glistening traces of sorrow.
And now¡
Her hands shook uncontrobly as she held the envelope.
Gillian had written that she had never once believed what the outside world said. She had always trusted Tess, the girl she had raised with her own hands.
Tess bit her lip even harder, refusing to let go until she tasted blood.
Sensing her sadness, little La reached out and gently patted her chest.
La¡¯s tiny hand was soft, almost weightless, like a piece of cotton candy pressing against her skin.
There was barely any strength in the touch, yet somehow, it soothed Tess¡¯s aching heart.
She held La¡¯s hand close to her lips.
As her breath warmed La¡¯s palm, the little girl didn¡¯t fuss. Instead, she carefully wiped the tears from Tess¡¯s cheeks.
When the lead staff member noticed Tess was finally calming down, he said in a gentle voice, ¡°Wepletely understand how you feel. Would you like to take a moment? We can continueter if you prefer.¡±
¡°No, let¡¯s do it now.¡±
Tess wiped her face and stood up.
The dead were gone, and the living had to keep moving forward.
Especially now that she had La, Tess knew she had to be strong. She couldn¡¯t let herself drown in grief forever.
The staff member nodded respectfully. ¡°Of course. But Mrs. Larson¡¯s estate is quite substantial. Please follow me to our secured
vault.¡±
Tess gave a small nod and followed him.
This time, the line of staff members didn¡¯t follow. Instead, they stood guard outside the door like bodyguards.
¡°Please, this way.¡±
The staff member unlocked a heavy security door with aplex code and led Tess inside.
But instead of the piles of gold bars or dazzling diamonds she expected, the first thing she saw was two rows of bookshelves.
Her heart tightened.
The staff member softly guided her attention. ¡°Over here.¡±
Reluctantly, Tess pulled her gaze away from the bookshelves and followed him to a corner of the room. There stood an exquisite 2/3
vanity table.
The entire piece was crafted from rare shell nuts, with the feathers of exotic birds woven into the design. One nce was enough to know it was priceless.
Switching to a pair of ck gloves, the staff member carefully opened the small drawers built into the vanity.
He opened them one by one, revealing a stunning set of jewelry.
The jewels sparkled so brightly that Tess blinked instinctively.
¡°Mrs. Larson was a seasoned jewelry collector. These pieces are some of the things she left for you,¡± the man exined.
Then, he reached over to a nearby table and picked up a thick stack of documents. ¡°These are the deeds to several vis and estates under Mrs. Larson¡¯s name. There¡¯s also a winery overseas that¡¯s still in operation.¡±
¡°This is ¡ ¡± Tess started but trailed off, her mind spinning.
The staff member continued to pull out more property records, one after another, leaving Tesspletely stunned.
The Embers weren¡¯t exactly some grand, prestigious family in Aetheris. They¡¯d been in decline for years. She never imagined Gillian had this much hidden wealth.
She blinked in confusion.
The staff member, genuinely happy for her, didn¡¯t rush her to snap out of it.
Keepsake 121
Chapter 121 Targeting Her
Chapter 121 Targeting Her
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It was Tess who snapped herself out of it first. ¡°All of this¡ Everything in this room has been left to me?¡± she asked.
¡°Yes,¡± the staff member replied.
¡°Then what about those two rows of bookshelves?¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t help but ask. Her eyes didn¡¯t linger on the dazzling jewelry or the property deeds in front of her. Instead, they drifted toward the shelves.
The staff member hesitated for a second.
After all, he¡¯d been in this line of work for years and was used to seeing people get overwhelmed with excitement or frozen in shock after suddenly inheriting a fortune. Usually, no one even asked about anything else. Read full story at find?novel
But this young woman in front of him had already calmed down as if none of this enormous wealth mattered at all.
The staff member was quietly surprised. His attitude toward Tess shifted, and his tone became noticeably more respectful.
¡°Those are some rare documents Mrs. Larson left for you. Most of them are iplete manuscripts,¡± he exined.
¡°Rare documents?¡± Tess repeated, a little confused, but her feet were already moving toward the shelves.
As she scanned the shelves, her eyes widened.
She had always known that Gillian wasn¡¯t just a wealthy socialite; she was also a world- renowned pianist.
And now, here in front of her, were the handwritten scores and lyrics of many of history¡¯s greatest musicians.
Tess couldn¡¯t believe it. Her fingers itched to start flipping through them.
She was raised by Gillian, who taught her everything from a young age.
Most people only knew about her achievements inw, but few realized she was also well-
$44
Chapter 121 Targeting Her
versed in music and medicine.
She slowly moved past the first bookshelf, then stopped at the second.
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Just as she suspected, the second shelf wasn¡¯t about music. It was filled with case files from Lock Group¡¯s most notorious cases, rare paintings from across the world, and ancient medical texts that were nearly impossible to find anymore.
By the time she finished looking through both shelves, Tess¡¯s chest was tight with emotion.
The real treasure in this room wasn¡¯t the jewelry or the estates¨Cit was these books and manuscripts.
Any one of them could sell for an astronomical price at auction.
Tess forced herself to steady her breathing and keep her expression calm.
¡°How secure is this room?¡± she asked, her tone serious.
The staff member was caught off guard. Hardly anyone ever asked that. But he answered with confidence, ¡°This is protected with military¨Cgrade security. The lock on the door uses ssified technology.¡±
He patted his chest as if to swear on it, and Tess finally let herself rx a little.
¡°Can you keep everything in here under your custody for now? I¡¯ll pay the storage fees.¡±
The staff member was surprised but nodded. ¡°Of course. That won¡¯t be a problem.¡±
Usually, when someone inherited something like this, they couldn¡¯t wait to take it all home right away.
He couldn¡¯t help but nce at Tess again. She wasn¡¯t like anyone else he¡¯d met.
By the time Tess left the building, the new bank card she had set up earlier had already been credited with a few million dors.
Before applying for the new card, she had checked her old ounts. Everything had been unfrozen.
She transferred the remaining funds from her old card into the new one and then discarded the old cardpletely.
Because the new card had just been issued, even with identity verification,rge transfers couldn¡¯t go through all at once. The funds would have to be deposited in phases.
Chapter 121 Targeting Her
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Still, having a few million dors in liquid assets on hand made Tess feel a lot more at ease.
But just as she stepped out to the side of the road to hail a cab, a shy pink Maserati came screeching up and blocked her path.
Tess¡¯s heart jumped. She held La close and quickly took a few steps back.
But the car didn¡¯t move. It stayed right there, deliberately blocking her.
That kind of move was too familiar. Tess stopped walking.
This was no coincidence. She knew someone was targeting her.
The car door opened, and a pair of long, slender legs stepped out.
It was Nadine. She stood in front of Tess and locked eyes with her, staring her down.
Tess narrowed her eyes.
¡°How much did she leave you?¡±
Nadine¡¯s tone was sharp, like an interrogation.
Tess¡¯s gaze shifted slightly, and her eyes were wary. ¡°And how is that any of your business? Your name wasn¡¯t mentioned in the will. I don¡¯t owe you an exnation.
¡°Now, get out of my way.¡±
Her tone was firm, firmly putting Nadine in her ce.
Nadine was caught off guard for a moment.
Then, her wless face twisted into something darker.
She crossed her arms and let out a coldugh. ¡°Tess, what¡¯s this? Got a little inheritance and now, you think you¡¯re better than everyone else? Did you forget you¡¯re still an ex¨Ccon?¡±
The moment those words came out, the people nearby who had been quietly watching all turned their heads to look at Tess more carefully.
They couldn¡¯t believe that a young, kind¨Clooking woman like Tess had been to prison.
¡°Wow, you really can¡¯t judge a book by its cover.¡±
Murmurs and whispers started rippling through the crowd.
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Chapter 121 Targeting Her
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Nadine kept her eyes locked on Tess, waiting to see her break¨Cfor shame or anger to sh across her face.
But Tess stayed calm. Her expression didn¡¯t change at all, as if she couldn¡¯t hear a word of the mockery around her.
That only made Nadine more irritated.
¡°Tess, who are you putting on an act for? We grew up together. I know you better than anyone. You think keeping a straight face hides how low and pathetic you are?¡±
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Chapter 122 Completely Ignored
Chapter 122 Completely Ignored
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Nadine took a step forward and dug her sharp nails into Tess¡¯s face, nearly jabbing into her
eyes.
But Tess didn¡¯t flinch. Her cold, steady eyes stared straight at Nadine, as if silently mocking her.
Nadine¡¯s nerves tightened, and her eyes suddenly turned red with rage.
She lifted her hand, ready to p Tess across the face.
But before her palm couldnd, arge hand caught her wrist in midair and mped down hard.
¡°Miss, this is a public ce. What exactly do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±
The man¡¯s voice was low and calm, but there was a chilling edge beneath it that made people instinctively uneasy.
Nadine froze, startled.
In that brief moment of hesitation, Tess seized the chance. She raised her hand and pped Nadine hard across the face.
The p was brutal, making Nadine¡¯s head whip to the side.
This time, she wasn¡¯t just startled; she was dizzy. Her mind went nk, and she couldn¡¯t recover right away.
Her vision was still spinning when Tess¡¯s sharp voice sliced straight into her ears like needles.
¡°Nadine, don¡¯t mess with me. We haven¡¯t even settled the score for everything you¡¯ve done, and you¡¯re already so eager to throw yourself at me again?¡±
As she spoke, Tess grabbed Nadine¡¯s face, forcing her to look at her.
Nadine¡¯s eyes helplessly.
widened in panic, but she couldn¡¯t break free. She could only re at Tess
¡°I¡¯m no longer part of the Embers. And without that name over my head, I don¡¯t have to care about the Embers¡® reputation anymore. From now on, I won¡¯t go easy on you,¡± Tess said coldly.
Tess smiled, but there was no warmth in it. Her eyes were filled with dangerous malice.
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Chapter 122 Completely Ignored
Nadine was genuinely shaken. Fresh chapters posted on find[?]ovel
This wasn¡¯t the Tess she used to know.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
::.
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A familiar voice suddenly cut through the tension. It was Finn. To Nadine, it sounded like salvation.
Her eyes widened, filling with tears in an instant. She cried out, ¡°Finn!¡±
She looked toward him with a pitiful, pleading gaze, her expression full of fear and helplessness.
But Finn didn¡¯t move toward her. He stood where he was, his eyes focused on Tess instead.
His features were sharp and deep. Under the scorching noontime sun, his expression looked even colder, like there was frost hanging around him despite the heat.
Some people in the crowd recognized him and immediately went silent. The gossiping stopped as the whole area grew still.
But Tess acted like she didn¡¯t even notice Finn¡¯s stare. She kept gripping Nadine¡¯s face tightly, her hand unmoving until Nadine¡¯s tears finally dripped onto her skin.
¡°Finn, help me!¡± Nadine sobbed, her tearful eyes locked on him. ¡°I just asked about Grandma¡¯s inheritance, and Tess hit me out of nowhere!¡±
Finn¡¯s cold eyes flickered slightly, and for the first time, he took a step forward. He came closer, stopping right in front of the two women.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
His voice was low and smooth, but there was no hint that he intended to stand up for Nadine. If anything, he sounded like a man who¡¯d happily help his wife do something ruthless.
Tess hadn¡¯t wanted to look at Finn at all. But when his soft, almost gentle tone reached her ears, it sent chills all over her body.
She immediately let go of Nadine¡¯s face and took a few steps back, instinctively putting some distance between herself and Finn.
Noticing Tess¡¯s reaction, Abel stepped forward and positioned himself right in front of her, shielding herpletely.
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Chapter 122 Completely Ignored
Finn¡¯s gaze shifted to Abel.
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
4
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Abel spoke, his tone still polite but his stance protective. ¡°Uncle Finn, so you two know each other?¡±
His words were respectful, but his tall frame didn¡¯t budge. He stood like a wall in front of Tess.
With hisrge shadow covering Tess, she suddenly felt a little safer.
But the moment Abel said those words, Tess¡¯s whole body went stiff. Her eyes widened as she stared nkly at the two of them.
Uncle Finn?
Abel is Finn¡¯s nephew?
Finn noticed her shock. He realized Tess had no idea about his rtionship with Abel. And clearly, Abel also didn¡¯t know that the woman he was protecting right now was Finn¡¯s wife.
A strange frustration bubbled up in Finn¡¯s chest. He rubbed his brow, annoyed. ¡°There are too many people around. I¡¯ve asked Zane to book a nearby caf¨¦. Let¡¯s go there and talk,¡± he said.
Their gazes kept shifting between one another. In the back¨Cand¨Cforth, they seemed to havepletely forgotten about Nadine standing off to the side.
Nadine stared at the three of them in disbelief. Finn was looking at Tess over Abel¡¯s shoulder. Abel, who had addressed Finn as ¡°Uncle Finn¡°, still refused to move out of the way. His arms were spread slightly as he stood protectively in front of Tess like she was some priceless
treasure.
Nadine¡¯s lips trembled. She couldn¡¯t ept being sopletely ignored.
Clenching her teeth, she suddenly stepped in between the three of them, blocking their path.
Her sudden, sharp movement immediately drew their attention. All three turned to look at her, frowning.
The weight of their stares made Nadine¡¯s hands tremble. Only then did she realize what she had just done.
Keepsake 123
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Besides the three of them, the surrounding crowd was still watching, curious to see what Nadine would do next.
Her face flushed red, but she had no way out now. Forcing herself to put on a brave smile, she tried to defuse the situation. ¡°Finn, didn¡¯t you say you were going to the office today to review some documents? This was just a minor misunderstanding. There¡¯s no need to make a big deal out of it.¡±
Her heart was pounding, but she still tried to reach for Finn¡¯s arm. The moment her fingers got close, she froze. His icy aura made her instinctively pull her hand back.
¡°No need, huh?¡±
Abel spoke upzily, brushing the loose strands of hair from his forehead. His tone sounded casual, but his eyes were sharp and unreadable.
With his arms crossed, he let out a coldugh. ¡°I know who you are.
¡°You¡¯re Nadine, right? Uncle Finn¡¯s legal counsel at thepany?¡±
Abel tapped his chin as he said her name aloud.
His tone gave nothing away, but Nadine still felt a wave of relief.
After all, he had called Finn ¡°Uncle¡± and Finn hadn¡¯t denied it. Maybe they were family. She could use this connection to get some goodwill from people in Lock Group.
Over the past year when Tess was in prison, Nadine had be the woman closest to Finn, but she¡¯d never once met any of his family.
Now that she had, Nadine straightened her back and made sure to present her best side.
She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her smile sweet but her eyes shing with pride. ¡°I¡¯m Nadine Ember,¡± she said, her tone soft. She was trying to y up her charm.
Abel looked at her with a strange glint in his eyes. His expression shifted subtly, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking.
¡°I also heard you¡¯re one of the topwyers in Aetheris now?¡± he added.
¡°I don¡¯t dare im that,¡± Nadine replied modestly.
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Chapter 123 Humiliated
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Abel gave a faint smirk. ¡°Then tell me¡ If someone insults, attacks, and spreads lies about another person in public, and the victim insists on pressing charges, what do you think should happen to the perpetrator?¡±
His voice was slow and calm, but his gaze was locked on Nadine like a hawk.
His long, narrow eyes focused sharply, the light in them cold enough to make anyone shiver.
Nadine froze, her lips parting slightly, but no sound came out. Her face drained of color.
She wasn¡¯t stupid.
She knew exactly who Abel was talking about. This was all directed at her for what she¡¯d just done to Tess.
The air turned so still it felt suffocating. No one dared to speak.
After a long moment, Abel chuckled softly, breaking the silence. ¡°So ¡ you¡¯re supposed to be Lock Group¡¯s lead attorney, aren¡¯t you? Can¡¯t you even answer a simple question like that?¡±
He nced over at Finn with a mocking smile. ¡°Uncle Finn, does yourpany not have any hiring standards anymore? Are you just letting anyone in now?¡±
The crowd sucked in a collective breath.
Most of the onlookers had already figured out who these people were. Three of the four standing here were major figures. And Abel, being Finn¡¯s nephew, came from wealth and power, too.
But this was Aetheris, and Finn was the city¡¯s most powerful man. Even if it was his family member, calling out Nadine like this in front of so many people was practically a p in Finn¡¯s face.
People stole nervous nces at Finn, waiting to see how he would react.
But Finn remained calm with his lips pressed together. He was silent.
Nadine¡¯s heart dropped.
She kept sending Finn desperate looks, begging for help with her eyes. But he didn¡¯t move or respond. In the end, she gave up.
Her mind shed back to that night at the auction when Finn had invited Tess as his date. Nadine¡¯s hands slowly curled into fists beneath her sleeves. Jealousy and bitterness burned in Read full story at f?ndnovel
18:51 Sat, Sep 27
Chapter 123 Humiliated
her chest, so sharp it almost made her dizzy.
Why?
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Tess has already cut ties with the Embers. She isn¡¯t even considered a proper socialite anymore, so why do all these powerful men still flock to her?
I¡¯m being humiliated right to my face, yet all I can do is stand here alone, enduring the mockery and
sarcasm.
Nadine could see it now¨CFinn was siding with Tess.
What made it worse was the way the crowd stared at her. They didn¡¯t dare look too long at Finn, so they focused on her instead. And when they realized Finn wasn¡¯t stepping in to protect her, which was unlike the rumors being spread around, their gazes became bold, curious, and merciless.
Her cheeks burned. She regretted evering here today. All she had done was make herself a :
With Abel no longer blocking her, Nadine immediately got bolder. ¡°Tess, what do you think you¡¯re doing? You hit me first! I haven¡¯t even started holding you ountable yet. Why are you making things so difficult for me?¡±
Her lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face.
Nadine¡¯s delicate features always made her look pitiful, and now that she was crying, it stirred up the crowd¡¯s emotions.
¡°Yeah! We all saw it¨CTess hit Ms. Nadine first!¡±
Someone spoke up, and others quickly chimed in.
But Tess showed no fear in the face of their usations.
She gently stroked La¡¯s tiny hand, but her expression stayed icy cold. ¡°Nadine made the first move. I was just defending myself. Before you pick sides, maybe you should figure out what happened. If you don¡¯t know the full story, you¡¯re better off staying out of it. Otherwise, you¡¯ll just be used.¡±
She said it calmly but sharply, then tapped Abel¡¯s arm and pointed up at the surveince cameras. ¡°There¡¯s my witness, and there¡¯s the evidence.¡±
Abel, standing behind Tess, raised an eyebrow with interest. His bright eyes never left her.
Ever since he ran into Tess again, she¡¯d always acted polite and gentle, like a soft little rabbit trying to hide her pain.
But now, this rabbit had ws¨Cand she wasn¡¯t afraid to use them.
Abel, who loomed over her with his tall stature, finally saw her for who she was. She wasn¡¯t a rabbit at all; she was an eagle.
His gaze burned hotter.
This just confirmed he¡¯d chosen the right person.
Tess¡¯s words were clear and sharp. Nadine¡¯s face went pale. Her lips moved, but no words came
out.
The crowd noticed that too, and slowly, the tide began to turn.
Chapter 124 Thunderp
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¡°I was just shopping nearby, I did see Ms. Nadine try to hit Tess first. It was Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew who stopped her.¡±
¡°Wow¡ I didn¡¯t think Ms. Nadine was that kind of person.¡±
Whispers spread through the crowd, and Nadine¡¯s face turned ghostly white.
¡°You¡¯re all talking about me trying to hit her, but you don¡¯t even know why!¡± Nadine suddenly shouted, her voice hoarse.
Her outburst made the crowd go quiet for a moment.
Their eyes darted around until someone cautiously spoke up.
¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true. From what we¡¯ve heard, Ms. Nadine has always been Mr. Lock¡¯s favorite. Why would she hit someone for no reason? Maybe Tess did something to push her too far?¡±
More people nodded in agreement.
¡°Could be. Let¡¯s not forget Tess is an ex¨Ccon. She¡¯s been to prison. How much can you trust someone like that?¡±
The rumors started flying again. Then, from somewhere in the back, a voice called out, ¡°Ms. Nadine! Just tell us what happened! We¡¯re willing to hear you out!¡±
In a sh, the crowd that had just been scolding Nadine switched sides.
Tess narrowed her eyes, but she wasn¡¯t surprised.
She¡¯d already been through the worst life could throw at her. A few people whispering behind her back didn¡¯t matter anymore. Compared to everything else she¡¯d suffered, this was nothing.
Hands shot into the air, with people eagerly calling out, demanding Nadine tell her side of the
story.
Even Abel, who had just been standingzily to the side, suddenly straightened up. He nced down at Tess, worried for a second.
But Tess didn¡¯t even blink. She just stood there quietly, watching the scene unfold.
That put Abel at ease.
This woman was exactly who he thought she was.
Chapter 124 Thunderp
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¡°I was just shopping nearby. I did see Ms. Nadine try to hit Tess first. It was Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew who stopped her.¡±
¡°Wow¡ I didn¡¯t think Ms. Nadine was that kind of
person.¡±
Whispers spread through the crowd, and Nadine¡¯s face turned ghostly white.
¡°You¡¯re all talking about me trying to hit her, but you don¡¯t even know why!¡± Nadine suddenly shouted, her voice hoarse.
Her outburst made the crowd go quiet for a moment.
Their eyes
darted around until someone cautiously spoke up.
¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true. From what we¡¯ve heard, Ms. Nadine has always been Mr. Lock¡¯s favorite. Why would she hit someone for no reason? Maybe Tess did something to push her too far?¡±
More people nodded in agreement.
¡°Could be. Let¡¯s not forget Tess is an ex¨Ccon. She¡¯s been to prison. How much can you trust someone like that?¡±
The rumors started flying again. Then, from somewhere in the back, a voice called out, ¡°Ms. Nadine! Just tell us what happened! We¡¯re willing to hear you out!¡±
In a sh, the crowd that had just been scolding Nadine switched sides.
Tess narrowed her eyes, but she wasn¡¯t surprised.
She¡¯d already been through the worst life could throw at her. A few people whispering behind her back didn¡¯t matter anymore. Compared to everything else she¡¯d suffered, this was nothing.
Hands shot into the air, with people eagerly calling out, demanding Nadine tell her side of the story.
Even Abel, who had just been standingzily to the side, suddenly straightened up. He nced down at Tess, worried for a second.
But Tess didn¡¯t even blink. She just stood there quietly, watching the scene unfold.
That put Abel at ease.
This woman was exactly who he thought she was.
18:51 Sat, Sep 27 Find the newest release on find~novel
Chapter 124 Thunderp
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His lips curled into a smile before he rxed back against the wall, his posture casual again.
To the crowd, his rxed stance looked like silent support for Tess.
Seeing that the people around her were starting to side with her again, Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up with hope.
She let her brows furrow, her lips trembling as tears welled up in her eyes again. ¡°Tess ¡ I didn¡¯t want to say this, but you¡¯ve left me no choice! You¡¯ve hurt me too much!¡±
She put on an expression of reluctance, like she¡¯d been forced into this confession.
Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed.
Then, Nadine suddenly pointed straight at Abel.
Abel raised an eyebrow, his expression still calm. Even his eyes held no emotion.
¡°Tess is my sister. As her little sister, of course, I don¡¯t want to see her make the same mistakes and end up on the wrong side of thew again.¡±
The crowd perked up at that.
Wait¡ this isn¡¯t just some petty drama anymore. Is this about something illegal?
Confusion spread across their faces.
But Nadine didn¡¯t stop there.
¡°Everyone knows Tess went to prison before, right? She got caught stealingpany secrets. Even after that, Finn was still willing to pick her up from prison himself. He never once mentioned divorce, so they¡¯re still legally married.¡±
Her voice rose, and her words mmed into the crowd like a thunderp.
People didn¡¯t immediately react to the morality of it all. Their first instinct was to nce, almost instinctively, at Abel. His face stayed expressionless.
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Chapter 125 He is Mr Lock¡¯s Nephew
Didn¡¯t this guy just say he¡¯s Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew?
So this is a case of¡ the nephew stealing his uncle¡¯s woman?
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Such a shocking scandal left everyone stunned, their minds reeling as they found themselves oddly impressed by Abel¡¯s boldness.
Tess narrowed her eyes slightly as she listened to Nadine¡¯s outburst, her expression unreadable.
¡°I never knew that besides stirring up drama, you also had a knack for making up rumors.¡±
She sneered coldly, clearly unfazed by Nadine¡¯s earlier usation.
Her indifference made those around her begin to second¨Cguess what they¡¯d just heard.
Finn was the richest man in Aetheris. On top of that, he was young, aplished, and ridiculously good¨Clooking. Honestly, they couldn¡¯t fathom how someone could marry a man like him and still want to cheat on him.
With that in mind, their eyes shifted andnded on Abel.
But this man who imed to be Finn¡¯s nephew¡ With those alluring eyes and striking features, he carried an effortless kind of elegance. He was a total catch, too.
Their gazes moved between the two of them, and in the end, they could only draw one conclusion¨CTess really was one lucky woman!
As Tess noticed the onlookers¡® expressions gradually shifting into admiration, a smile tugged faintly at the corner of her lips.
¡°This is Abel, Finn¡¯s nephew. He had just arrived in Aetheris back then. As his uncle¡¯s wife, isn¡¯t it natural for me to take a little extra care of him?¡±
Tess spoke slowly, her tone calm.
¡°Exactly. Mr. Lock is so busy. Having Tess fulfill her role as his wife and look after his nephew¡ makes perfect sense, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°You¡¯re lying! Finn holds immense power and has countless staff members in his vi. As his wife, why would you need to care for Abel personally? You¡¯re obviously making things up! The two of you were already involved¨Clong before you ever knew he was Finn¡¯s nephew!¡±
Chapter 125 He is Mr Lock¡¯s Nephew
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Nadine wasn¡¯t about to let Tess twist the whole situation with a few words. Her eyes widened in fury as she snapped back, her eyes bloodshot.
A strange glint flickered through Tess¡¯s eyes, but she pushed it back down.
She was indeed making a weak argument. But whether she had met Abel before or after knowing he was Finn¡¯s nephew, Nadine had no way to prove it.
In the end, all she could do wassh out in frustration, her words slipping into thoughtless rambling.
Just as Tess had predicted, Nadine still wanted to say something, but Finn was already rubbing his temples, signaling for Zane to take her away.
When her wrist was restrained, Nadine was still in a daze.
She didn¡¯t understand why Finn seemed so different from before. He had watched the whole thing with cold detachment.
Where was the Finn who used to panic the moment she got hurt? Where did that man go?
As Nadine was dragged away, she no longer kept her eyes locked on Tess. Instead, she stared at Finn with a look of raw unwillingness.
But Finn didn¡¯t spare her so much as a nce.
He simply turned his back on her, cutting her off from his sightpletely.
He came to a stop in front of Tess.
His long, darkshes fluttered, then lowered to shield the deep emotion in his something to say to you. Abel, you should join us, too.¡±
¡°I have eyes.
Tess looked up at him, her expression unreadable.
When Nadine hurled usations at her, he hadn¡¯t said anything¨Cnot even a single word.
But the moment she fired back with a few retorts, he hurriedly told Zane to take Nadine away. Finn, just how much do you love Nadine? How far are you willing to go to protect her?
After getting out of prison, there were a few times when Finn¡¯s odd behavior made her start to see him differently. But every time, that impression was always quickly shattered.
Just like now.
Chapter 125 He is Mr Lock¡¯s Nephew
¡°Is there really anything left to talk about between us?¡±
Tess shot back coldly, not even willing to spare him a nce.
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Finn stared nkly at Tess¡¯s distant expression. He couldn¡¯t describe the feeling in his chest. It was dry, choking, and suffocating, making it hard to breathe.
Their gazes shed in midair¨Chis full of bleak sorrow, hers frosted with indifference.
In the end, it was Abel who stood up and ced himself between them.
His tall figure stood between the two as he said, ¡°Uncle Finn, that won¡¯t be necessary. If there¡¯s anything she needs to know, I¡¯ll tell her.
¡°We¡¯ve got things to take care of. We¡¯ll take our leave now.¡±
Tess blinked quickly but said nothing. Instead, she followed Abel into his car without hesitation.
Her figure disappeared swiftly, without the slightest trace of hesitation.
Finn¡¯s hand involuntarily clutched his chest, but he was unable to stop the stabbing pain in his heart.
He didn¡¯t know why, but the once¨Cobedient Tess who used to follow him so devotedly ¡ now seemed so far out of reach.
Standing off to the side was Zane, who couldn¡¯t bear to watch any longer. After sending Nadine away, he hurried forward to disperse the crowd.
The drama between the four had ended with Finn left standing alone. No one dared gossip about Aetheris¡¯s richest man, so the crowd quickly dispersed.
¡°Mr. Lock, are we still heading to the file room?¡±
Zane reminded Finn softly.
Finn¡¯sshes quivered in a daze. When he lifted his eyes again, they had regained their rity.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
He took long strides and got into the car.
Zane followed closely behind, sighing quietly. As a bystander, he had seen everything clearly.
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Chapter 125 He is Mr Lock¡¯s Nephew
Ever since he joined thepany, he had been serving by Finn¡¯s side.
He had seen for himself the way Finn treated Tessa.
800 Original content can be found at find?novel
Finn had always ignored her. Every now and then, he¡¯d be drawn to her for a moment, but he usually snapped out of it quickly.
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Chapter 126 Have We Met Before?
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But now, as Zane watched Finn¡¯s behavior grow increasingly out of character, he knew that Finn wouldn¡¯t be snapping out of it anytime soon.
Zane let out a heavy sigh and strode after Finn.
Once the street was finally cleared, a hidden figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
Max¡¯s eyes settled on the two cars heading off in different directions¨Cone with Finn, the other with Abel. His eyes held a quiet storm.
Finn¡¯s nephew, huh?
He thought of how Abel had shielded Tess. He ran a hand along his jaw, and his
gaze
darkened.
The
way Abel had looked at Tess¨Cthat was not the gaze a nephew should have when looking at his uncle¡¯s wife.
Max frowned. A knot of confusion tightened in his chest, heavy as stone.
Dealing with Finn alone was already a headache¡ Why did Abel have to show up now?
Tess, oh Tess¡
Max rubbed the calloused tips of his fingers, lingering for a long moment before finally turning to leave.
Meanwhile, Abel sat beside Tess in his car, eyeing her nervously. She sat in silence with her lips pressed tightly together, and his heart gave a subtle, uneasy quiver.
The stillness inside the car felt unusually heavy, making even his own space feel constricting.
Eventually, Abel couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore and spoke, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?¡±
As he spoke, he reached out to touch Tess¡¯s forehead, worry etched in his expression.
But she flinched ever so slightly, avoiding his hand.
When his palmnded on nothing but air, a flicker of confusion shed through Abel¡¯s eyes before he lowered his head in defeat.
¡°Tess, do you me me?¡±
Chapter 126 Have We Met Before?]
Hearing him call her name made her heart skip a beat.
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She looked up in surprise, meeting Abel¡¯s deep, unfathomable eyes.
There was a storm of emotion inside them, tangled and unreadable.
Just one nce and Tess felt as if she¡¯d been caught in a giant invisible, unable to move. ¡°Abel, have we met before?¡±
She asked, her voice low and uncertain, as if the words had slipped out of their own ord.
It sounded like a question, but her tone leaned closer to a statement.
When she realized what she had said, even she was caught off guard.
But Abel¡¯s eyes lit up at those words. His pupils gleamed like stars shining in the night sky.
He surged forward in a rush of emotion, trying to grasp her hands. ¡°Tess, did something?
¡°It¡¯s me! Take a good look at me!¡±
His gaze burned with hope, fixing on her like a man searching for a miracle. ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find~Novel
But his sudden movement startled her, and she instinctively leaned back.
you remember
As the faint scent that had lingered between them suddenly vanished, Abel¡¯s hand froze awkwardly in midair.
¡°What do you mean?¡±
Tess frowned, wariness creeping into her eyes.
Am I supposed to remember something? Or did he mistake me for someone else?
At that moment, Tess couldn¡¯t help but recall a few over¨Cthe¨Ctop twists in melodramatic romance novels.
The thought made her nce sideways at Abel, and the earlier tension within her quietly melted away.
When Abel met Tess¡¯s suspicious gaze, he felt like a sharp w had gripped his chest. Her guarded and distant look stirred a cold sense of disappointment in him.
s
¡°Nothing.¡±
He chose to swallow what he was about to say and forced a smile.
The atmosphere inside the car shifted, and the air grew heavy.
Tess looked at Abel¡¯s downcast profile. Her lips parted slightly, then closed again. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to speak what was on her mind.
A strange stillness settled between them, and the car came to a quiet stop.
It was only then that Tess realized she had gotten into Abel¡¯s car to avoid Finn ¡ but she had never asked where they were going.
Abel opened the car door and held out his hand to her. ¡°Get out and take a look.¡±
Tess frowned and instinctively looked down at her arms.
La¡¯s eyes shimmered like a gxy full of stars. Curiosity spilled from her as she craned her head toward the open door.
After hesitating for a moment, Tess decided to get out.
After all, when she nced out the window, all she saw was a long road, trees, and thick bushes. It looked like the middle of nowhere.
Yet strangely, she felt no fear in her heart. She couldn¡¯t exin it, but even though she barely knew Abel, she didn¡¯t feel wary or afraid of him. In fact, it was as if something inside her was subtly drawn to him.
Could it be that ¡ she really had forgotten something? Had she known Abel all along?
Tess kept her expression nk, hiding her confusion.
She avoided Abel¡¯s outstretched hand, bent down with La in her arms, and stepped out of the car.
Once she stepped out, the view opened up at once. Only then did she see the car had stopped in front of a deste¨Clooking vi.
It was eerily quiet around them. Not even the sound of wind could be heard, making the ce feel all the more deserted.
Following Abel¡¯s lead, she stepped into the vi. When the wall lights came on, she saw the hallway lined with rows of entric, intricate paintings.
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Chapter 126 Have We Met Before?
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Tess frowned deeply. The further in they walked, the more paintings she saw, until she finally stopped in front of thest one.
¡°Tess, do you know why I came to Aetheris?¡±
Abel¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper, as if he¡¯d already sunk into a memory long buried.
¡°Why?¡±
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Tess responded with a matching question, going along with the moment. By now, she had even grown used to the way Abel addressed her.
Unlike the disgust she felt whenever Max used the same name for her, she found herself unusually patient with Abel.
She liked to think of herself as someone who didn¡¯t meddle in other people¡¯s business, and yet at this moment, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Abel hade to Aetheris in the first ce.
¡°You think these paintings are any good?¡±
Abel didn¡¯t answer directly. His fingers pressed against the wall, then slowly moved to the framed painting.
The works were highly distinctive, drawn with gentle strokes that outlined simple yet intricate shapes. Just a few brushstrokes brought the scenes vividly to life¨Cproof of the artist¡¯s remarkable skill.
But Tess¡¯s eyes were drawn to a signature in the corner.
Tessandina?
Her gaze shifted, and she pointed at it. ¡°Is that the artist¡¯s name?¡±
Abel raised his eyebrows, neither confirming nor denying. ¡°I came here for her.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t quite understand, but Abel seemed so immersed that she didn¡¯t interrupt him.
Tessandina¡
She mouthed the name under her breath. There was something oddly familiar about it, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t ce it.
¡°I¡¯ll have Yannick drive you home.¡± Yannick Davies was his driver.
Abel seemed to snap out of his thoughts.
Tess looked straight at him. His expression was sincere. It was a genuine offer.
She nced toward the corridor that led to a bend ahead. The walls were pristine white, yet a shadow clung faintly to the surface.
Chapter 127 Are You Heading Somewhere?
Something about this vi felt strange.
But since Abel had spoken about sending her home, she didn¡¯t refuse.
La, on the other hand, looked somewhat disappointed.
In the end, Tess left in a daze, choosing to get into Yannick¡¯s car.
Only when the trail of exhaust smoke faded into the distance did Abel retract his gaze.
He turned, his eyes falling on a slightly disordered room.
His long, darkshes lowered, hiding the shadows deep in his eyes.
s
The man who had always seemed radiant and warm was now wrapped in an icy chill, as if his whole being had frozen over.
Ever since Tess stepped into the vi, he had been quietly observing every shift in her expression.
He hadn¡¯t missed the flickers of confusion, the thoughtful silence, or the look of quiet bewilderment on her face.
Abel¡¯s hand slowly moved to the sculpture on the table, feeling its delicate lines and the refined curve of its nose¡
Beneath his palm was a statue that bore an uncanny resemnce to Tess.
He withdrew his hand slowly and took a few steps back.
The room was packed and messy, filled with clutter.
He let out a sigh.
He hadn¡¯t even been in Aetheris long, yet he had already carved so many statues that resembled her.
Abel pressed a hand against his chest, feeling the emotions that churned wildly inside him.
Meanwhile, Tess had already told Yannick to drive her back to Evermount Vi.
Before receiving Gillian¡¯s inheritance, her life had been a mess, and she was gued by anxiety and fear.
Now, at least she could finally move to a new ce with La.
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After all, she had made up her mind to divorce Finn. Continuing to live under the same roof with him simply wasn¡¯t an option anymore.
Tess ced La gently on the bed, then began packing without a moment¡¯s hesitation.
Even as her hands worked steadily, her mind wandered to that brief run¨Cin with Maria at the supermarket.
No wonder something had felt off ever since she returned to Evermount Vi¨Clike something was missing. She¡¯d been living here for almost a week and hadn¡¯t seen Maria once. It turned out Finn had kicked her out long ago.
Tess instinctively recalled the past and how she had begged Maria after being released from prison. She started packing even faster.
She left without a hint of reluctance. She didn¡¯t take any of the clothing or jewelry Finn had prepared for her and La, nor did she leave behind any of her own belongings.
Tess clutched La with one arm and dragged a suitcase behind her, stopping directly at the vi¡¯s gate and waiting for it to open.
The security guard was startled to see her all packed up, but knowing who she was, he didn¡¯t dare stop
her. Instead, he tried to politely stall her. ¡°Mrs. Lock, where are you going?
¡°Do you need me to get a driver for you?
¡°Why are you carrying a suitcase? I can get one of the house staff to help you with that.¡±
He kept talking, all while subtly positioning his body to block her exit.
Tess came to a halt, visibly annoyed. She shot him a cold stare.
The guard stiffened, his lips pressed together as a bead of cold sweat trickled down his temple.
Once he stopped moving, Tess resumed walking, pulling her suitcase past him. She left the vi without hesitation and got into the taxi that had been waiting outside.
She had made it clear to Finn from the start¨Cone of the terms was that no one was to question her whereabouts. Every staff member working at Evermount Vi had been instructed ordingly.
As he watched the car speed away, the guard quickly reached for his phone to call Finn.
But no one answered. The call simply rang until it disconnected automatically.
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Panic and dread surged in the guard¡¯s chest. After calling several more times and still getting nothing, he braced himself and dialed Zane¡¯s private number.
Meanwhile, deep in Lock Tower¡¯s restricted file room, a loud ringtone suddenly shattered the silence.
The sudden vibration in his pocket made Zane jump. He quickly pulled out his phone and silenced it.
Finn, who had been flipping through documents, paused mid¨Cmotion. His brows drew together in
lenced it.
Finn, who had been flipping through documents, paused mid¨Cmotion. His brows drew together in irritation as he looked over at Zane.
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Zane looked at Finn with an apologetic expression, then nced at the screen with a frown.
A call from Evermount Vi? Has something happened?
Zane felt a bit puzzled, but after a moment¡¯s thought, he silenced the call.
Evermount Vi was equipped with a top¨Ctier home security system, so it couldn¡¯t be a dangerous emergency like a fire. If it wasn¡¯t that, then everything else could wait, as what was in front of him was more important.
Zane pondered for a moment. Then, after silencing his phone, he went back into the file room.
He was unaware that the guard, whose call had been disconnected, had a doomed expression on his face.
¡°Why did he decline my call?¡±
The guard looked once more in the direction Tess had departed, and now, there wasn¡¯t even a trace of the car to be seen!
He pped his thigh, his face full of regret.
Rules are for guidance, not dictation. I really ought to be more adaptable in how I tackle this. Now look at what I¡¯ve done!
I should have stopped Mrs. Lock first!
The guard paced anxiously, the memory of the vi¡¯s chaos a few months ago resurfacing in his mind.
Back then, Finn personally went to pick up Tess. But Tess had left the prison alone and returned to the vi first.
When Finn discovered that Maria had helped Tess conceal her whereabouts, he flew into a rage and punished her severely. Even when Maria revealed Tessa¡¯s whereabouts to Finnter, she was still fired and expelled from the vi.
Remembering the previous incident, the guard shivered for a moment. Not even bothering with his duties, he immediately hailed a taxi and headed to Lock Group.
Finn was unaware Tess had already departed from Evermount Vi, remaining fully absorbed
in the files in his hands.
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Chapter 128 I¡¯m Resigning From Lock Group
Zane was also helping him go through the files, and on the table was the half¨Cdamaged scroll Charles had previously given Finn.
Knock, knock!
Suddenly, knocks came from outside the file room.
Finn and Zane exchanged a nce. Zane arched a brow, suppressing the unease rising in his chest as he walked over to open the door.
As the elegant red wooden door swung open, there stood Charles.
Zane¡¯s expression shifted when he saw who it was.
They hadn¡¯t seen each other in barely a month, yet Charles looked like a different man.
His brows were drawn low, shrouding the brightness that once defined his eyes. Now, they were murky and unreadable. His whole aura was like a de dulled by wear.
¡°Come with me.¡±
Zane kept his voice low.
Charles¡¯s lips parted slightly, but he moved to follow without a word.
Finn sat down on the nearest wooden chair. As he looked at Charles, he tapped the table, signaling him to sit and speak.
Charles didn¡¯t hesitate and sat on the seat Zane had pulled out for him.
¡°What exactly do you know about the incident from a year ago?¡±
Finn got straight to the point. His knuckles tapped the tabletop at a steady rhythm, each tapnding squarely in Charles¡¯s chest¨Clike the light drizzle from that day a year ago.
Charles lowered hisshes, though there was a hint of mocking behind his silence.
His eyes fell instinctively on the half¨Cdamaged scroll lying on the table¨Cthe very one he had
delivered.
Back then, he had devoted everything to trying to overturn Tess¡¯s case. He had even used his position to secretly search for anything that could support a retrial.
He knew what kind of person Tess was¨Cand how she felt about Finn.
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Lock Group was thergest business conglomerate in Aetheris. With a name like that, few dared to cross them. That was why the legal department of Lock Group had always been more symbolic than functional. The title of ¡°head of the legal department¡± might sound impressive, but for Tess, it was a position she reluctantly took for Finn¡¯s sake.
Tess stealing Lock Group¡¯s business secrets?
I don¡¯t believe it, yet Mr. Lock actually does.
¡°Mr. Lock, are you trying to clear Tess¡¯s name, or are you aiming to catch the real culprit and bring them to justice?¡±
Charles looked up, his eyes calm and clear like freshly fallen snow on a winter¡¯s day.
Finn¡¯s fingers froze in ce. His gaze flickered for a moment, then settled coldly on Charles. ¡°You just need to tell me what know.¡±
you
Charles answered while shaking his head, ¡°I am not obligated to do so.¡±
With that, he extended a document forward.
Finn nced at him, then took the document he offered. The first thing that caught his was the prominent heading: ¡°Resignation Letter.¡±
¡°I¡¯m resigning from Lock Group.¡±
Charles spoke slowly, his stance firm.
eye
After Tess apologized to Nadine in the center of Lock Group¡¯s lobby, Finn gave up on pressuring him forpensation, and Charles was able to stay on at Lock Group. Thew firm also didn¡¯t face any repercussions and continued to thrive.
He had bought back the old mansion that was auctioned off. Every day when he passed by the room Tess and La used to live in, it always felt like what happened in the past was a beautiful dream.
Finn¡¯s expression grew incredibly unpleasant.
His voice was icy and low as he asked, ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ve thought this through?¡±
Charles remained silent, only nodding.
Finn tossed the document to Zane. ¡°Since this is what he wants, go process his resignation.¡±
Upon hearing that, Charles intended to stand up, not wanting to stay any longer.
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Chapter 128 I¡¯m Resigning From Lock Group
However, Finn stood up first, pressing him back into his seat.
His actions were exceptionally forceful, carrying a hint of threat.
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A hoarse, chilling voice sounded from above. ¡°Charles, tell me what you know. Otherwise¡ I promised her I wouldn¡¯t make things difficult for you, but don¡¯t try to provoke me either. Follow current nov?ls on Find¡ïNovel
Finn¡¯s palm massaged Charles¡¯s shoulder, and the chilling aura he exuded was enough to seep into Charles¡¯s entire body, even through the fabric.
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¡°Mr. Lock, are you trying to force me to do something against my will again?¡±
Charles shot back, unwilling to back down.
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But Finn wasn¡¯t the least bit annoyed. His eyes narrowed slightly as if something had suddenly urred to him.
He looked at Charles again, an inexplicable heaviness rising in his chest. Still, he uttered a
sentence.
¡°She¡¯s at Evermount Vi.¡±
Charles had worked at Lock Group for many years. He understood Finn¡¯s stubborn nature all too well, and he also knew¡ that Finn¡¯s feelings for Tess weren¡¯t ordinary.
Charles¡¯s eyes narrowed, the calm facade he had been maintaining finally beginning to crack.
Finn had actually stooped so low as to use Tess as a threat!
A year ago, he had been the one to send her to prison. Now that she was back living at her old residence, was she being subjected to deliberate mistreatment?
Charles clenched his jaw. His eyes were filled with utter contempt for Finn¡¯s shameless tactics.
But facing that look of disapproval, Finn remained unfazed. He gave a cold, mocking smile. ¡°Speak. Tell me everything you know.¡±
Charles¡¯s arm trembled slightly. Bitterness lodged in his chest, but he still muttered in a low voice, ¡°Nadine. Call her over.¡±
¡°Nadine?¡±
Finn repeated with a frown, his brows heavily knotted.
He suddenly yanked Charles by the cor. ¡°What does this have to do with Nadine? Don¡¯t try to y me.¡±
Meeting Charles¡¯s defiant gaze, Finn¡¯s fingertips turned cold.
If Nadine really was involved¡
Finn¡¯s throat bobbed, a wave of unease creeping into his chest.
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Judging from Charles¡¯s attitude, it seemed the leak of Lock Group¡¯s trade secrets a year ago might not have been Tess¡¯s doing, after all. Somehow, it was connected to Nadine¡
In that case, everything he did over the past year¨Chis attention to Nadine and all the usations he hurled at Tess¡
Finn¡¯s lips pressed into a hard line. He stepped back in shock.
To Charles, Finn¡¯s reaction looked more like disbelief that Nadine could be implicated.
He stared coldly at the once lofty man whose face had gone pale, his heart quietly crying out in defense of Tess.
Someone as good as her ¡ How did she end up with the wrong person like Finn? If it had been him instead¡
Charles¡¯s heart surged with emotion, but a sudden thought doused it like cold water, and that feeling instantly faded. He slowly lowered his head and forced himself to calm down.
In the end, Finn still told Zane to call her in.
Nadine arrived at the file room looking confused.
After what happened on the street earlier, Finn didn¡¯t ask her to apany him in reviewing the case files.
In the past, whenever he came to the file room, he always brought her along.
Back in her office, she had fumed and smashed things in frustration.
How could Finn change so suddenly?
The more she thought about it, the more she med everything on Tess.
When Zane pushed her office door open, her face still carried traces of jealousy.
On the way over to the file room, Nadine felt dazed.
Something didn¡¯t feel right.
When they finally reached the file room, she was brought to stand before Finn.
Finn¡¯s expression was grim, his lips pressing together into a thin, tight line.
When he looked up, the warmth he had once shown her was gone.
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Across from him, Charles sat with his head slightly bowed, unresponsive.
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The strange tension in the room made Nadine¡¯s heart race, and she began to feel uneasy.
¡°Finn¡ what¡¯s going on?¡±
Nadine finally summoned the courage to speak.
Finn didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he lifted his chin and Charles a look.
gave
Charles finally turned around and said in a cold, firm tone, ¡°Ms. Nadine, it was you who first discovered the leak of Lock Group¡¯s trade secrets a year ago and reported it to the authorities, wasn¡¯t it?¡±
The question made Nadine stiffen.
She lifted her head in a daze. The three men before her were all staring at her intently, as if they were interrogating a prisoner.
A loud buzz filled her mind.
She instinctively cried out, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±
Her startled outburst made all three of them narrow their eyes slightly.
Zane tried to smooth things over. ¡°Ms. Nadine, it¡¯s just a few questions. There¡¯s no need to be so nervous.¡±
Though he spoke gently, the way his eyes assessed her carried an edge of calction. ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find?novel
Just one mention of that case and her whole demeanor flipped. Anyone would find that suspicious.
Realizing her earlier reaction had been too much, Nadine bit the tip of her tongue. The sharp, tingling pain gradually helped her regain herposure.
¡°Sit.¡±
Zane pulled a chair over at just the right moment.
Nadine¡¯s legs were weak, so she didn¡¯t resist.
Charles continued, ¡°Ms. Nadine, you were the one who reported Ms. Tess back then. Not long after, you produced the so¨Ccalled evidence showing that she had leaked Lock Group¡¯s secrets to Hunt Group.
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¡°I wouldn¡¯t have reported her without evidence!¡±
Nadine blurted out,tching onto what she thought was a loophole in his statement.
¡°Oh?¡±
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Charles let out a cold chuckle. ¡°The evidence you submitted at the time was a surveince clip showing Ms. Tess and Max appearing to exchange something. And right after the leak urred, you immediately presented that so¨Ccalled ¡®evidence.¡±
Nadine listened, her expression turning to confusion.
She had thought it all through back when she staged the whole thing. There shouldn¡¯t have been any ws.
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Nadine stared at Charles, unsure of what he would say next.
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¡°Then let me ask you, Ms. Nadine. If you truly had evidence, why didn¡¯t you tell Mr. Lock as soon as you noticed something was wrong? Why wait until thepany¡¯s secrets were leaked before stepping forward?¡±
Charles¡¯s gaze was sharp, and he pressed her with cach word.
Finn, however, felt his heart sink.
His eyes flicked between them, but he kept his lips tightly sealed. He let Charles take the lead.
Nadine was stunned by the pressure but quickly regained herposure. She replied smoothly, ¡°At the time, I just thought it was a little strange. I didn¡¯t know Tess was nning something like that.¡±
Her eyes flickered slightly, betraying the calction behind her calm tone. She spoke with righteous indignation. ¡°How was I supposed to know Finn was her husband? She betrayed Finn just to help her childhood friend¡¯spany! If thepany secrets hadn¡¯t been leaked, I never would¡¯ve suspected that my sister was passing Lock Group¡¯s confidential information to Max.¡±
Her words came in a rush. Just moments ago, her pale face had shown fear. Now, it flushed with breathless urgency.
Her story sounded solid, and Finn¡¯s initial shock eased¨Cthough only slightly.
A year ago, Tess had indeed made a serious mistake.
But she¡¯d already paid the price. As long as she didn¡¯t contact Max again, he was willing to let it - go.
¡°Is that so?¡±
Charles let out a softugh, snapping Finn out of his thoughts.
He locked eyes with Nadine, speaking slowly and deliberately. ¡°Then why were you monitoring Tess beforehand?¡±
Nadine froze.
¡°Was it just a coincidence¨Cor was it deliberate?¡±
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The moment the words left his mouth, Finn suddenly looked up. His usual calm gaze had turned sharp and intense.
His eyes locked on Nadine¡¯s pale face.
Nadine¡¯s heart nearly stopped.
For a moment, the air grew thick and heavy with tension, like the ominous silence before a
storm.
¡°Mr. Lock! Mr. Lock!¡±
A sudden pounding at the door shattered the frozen air.
Zane broke out in a sweat. He nced at Finn¡¯s dark expression and stood up cautiously to open the door.
Who the hell would barge in at a time like this?
When the door opened, a familiar figure stood there, hunched over with his hands on his knees as he gasped for breath.
¡°Felix? You left your post without permission?¡±
Zane scolded him.
The security guard, Felix, was panting hard. He ignored Zane¡¯s scolding. He dared to meet Finn¡¯s eyes for the first time. ¡°Mr. Lock! Mrs. Lock ¡ She-¡±
¡°What happened to Mrs. Lock?¡±
The moment Finn heard the name ¡°Mrs. Lock¡°, his heart lurched.
¡°Mrs. Lock has run away!¡±
Felix finally caught his breath and pped his thigh.
Finn¡¯s heart seemed to skip a beat¨Cthen he shot to his feet, eyes zing with a cold fury. ¡°What?!¡±
Zane was just as stunned.
He opened his mouth cautiously. He nced at Finn¡¯s tense expression and frighteningly cold demeanor, then asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t Mrs. Lock just get back not long ago? How could she be gone already?¡±
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Chapter 130 She¡¯s Gone
¡°When did this happen?¡±
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Finn¡¯s tone held a razor¨Csharp edge. Felix trembled and nced at Zane. ¡°Before I called Zane, Mrs. Lock had already left by car.¡±
The journey from Evermount Vi to Lock Group spanned almost half of Aetheris.
Finn¡¯s expression turned deadly as he grabbed his suit jacket from the chair and strode out without hesitation.
Charles quickly stood as well, intending to help find Tess, but Zane blocked his path. ¡°Mr. Jackman, today¡¯s meeting is postponed. We¡¯ll reach out if needed.¡±
Charles froze, like someone had doused him in ice water. He bit his lip and stepped aside.
Nadine hadn¡¯t moved. She exhaled slowly, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
She watched Finn leave, her expression shifting. Her heart felt like it had been shattered.
Zane didn¡¯t waste a second. He immediately turned and followed Finn.
The rest were escorted out of the file room by Felix under Zane¡¯s orders.
Once Nadine reached a corner of the hallway, she checked to make sure no one was watching. Then, she quickly pulled out her phone from its wrapping.
She covered the screen, and when the call connected, she lowered her voice. ¡°Mr. Hunt ¡
Meanwhile, Finn had shoved everything else out of his mind. He was even sitting in the front passenger seat¨Ca rare sight. His eyes were bloodshot.
¡°Is the route correct?¡±
His voice was ice¨Ccold, making sweat bead on Zane¡¯s forehead. ¡°Felix said she went this way. There¡¯s only one international hotel and a new bar along this route.¡±
Finn didn¡¯t speak. He pressed his lips tightly together as he gripped his pant legs, his fingertips digging into the tense muscles of his thighs.
Just two days ago, he had finallye to terms with his feelings for Tess. He even went out of his way to return Gillian¡¯s inheritance. But he¡¯d forgotten something¨CTess was no longer the same woman from a year ago. She was no longer the person who would wait for him, hoping for his affection and approval.
Now, regret gripped him as he stared at the navigation screen in the car.
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What he hadn¡¯t expected was that the first thing she would do after getting the inheritance was to leave him behind.
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¡°Mr. Lock! We¡¯re here!¡±
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As soon as Zane spoke excitedly, Finn pushed open the car door before it had evene to aplete stop.
Zane was startled by Finn¡¯s urgency. Before he could react, Finn was already striding toward the hotel.
He quickly followed, with a group of ck¨Csuited bodyguards behind him, moving in perfect
sync.
¡°Did a woman named Tess check in recently?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was low and cold, his piercing gaze radiating enough intensity to make anyone shrink back.
The receptionist flinched under the pressure of his presence and began to stammer. ¡°I ¡ I ¡ ¡±
Zane quickly stepped up and said gently, ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t remember. Just check the guest registry.¡±
The reminder seemed to snap the receptionist out of her daze. She nodded repeatedly and moved the mouse to ess the system. But just as the records loaded, she suddenly closed it. ¡°No, wait. Our policy doesn¡¯t allow us to disclose guest information. Sir, this is beyond my authority.¡±
Her eyes widened, though her voice trembled slightly.
Finn narrowed his eyes. The air around him grew dense and oppressive.
Zane quickly stepped forward again and shed his credentials.
¡°I¡¯m the executive assistant to the CEO of Lock Group, and this is Mr. Finn Lock, our CEO. We¡¯re looking for his wife, who left home unexpectedly. She¡¯s alone with a child, and we¡¯re worried about their safety.¡±
¡°Finn Lock!¡±
The name hit like thunder. The receptionist¡¯s mouth fell open in shock. She hadn¡¯t expected the legendary billionaire to be so young¨Cand so strikingly handsome.
¡°We¡¯ve already spoken with your manager. If there¡¯s any issue, we¡¯ll take full responsibility.
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Please check again.¡±
The receptionist hesitated, but at that exact moment, her phone rang.
After answering the call, she said quickly to her boss, ¡°Hello, Mr. Yarrow. Understood.¡±
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After hanging up, she quickly resumed searching the system. Her forehead was now covered in
sweat.
Only then did she realize how close she hade to offending Finn. Her job in Aetheris was on the line!
Her attitude shifted dramatically. Within moments, she handed Finn a spare keycard. ¡°This is Ms. Tess¡¯s room key.¡±
Finn nced at the room number on the keycard, then headed straight for the elevator without another word.
Zane motioned for the bodyguards to follow.
Meanwhile, Tess had no idea her location had already been discovered. She had just finished unpacking and was preparing to head downstairs for breakfast.
She¡¯d left in such a rush that La was already starting to fuss from hunger.
Carrying La in one arm and a small bag with baby feeding supplies in the other, Tess headed for the nearby service elevator. It was quicker and more private.
When she reached the restaurant and took a seat, a familiar hand suddenly ced a sandwich on her table.
Tess frowned, about to say the seat was taken, but paused when she saw the ck obsidian watch on the man¡¯s wrist.
Looking up, she met a pair of warm, smiling eyes.
¡°Why are you here?¡± Tess asked, surprised.
Abel shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just staying temporarily in Aetheris, so I live in hotels most of the time. I just didn¡¯t expect to run into you.¡±
He didn¡¯t hide the surprise in his voice. His gaze stayed on her, bold and sincere.
When he first learned Finn¡¯s wife was Tess, he¡¯d pretended to stay calm. But inside, it felt like a boulder had dropped on his chest.
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He couldn¡¯t connect her with the woman rumored to have been imprisoned, nor with the supposedly ipetent husband she had described, who turned out to be his own uncle.
He¡¯d heard stories that Finn¡¯s wife had been jailed formercial crimes, that she was wicked and had colluded with Finn¡¯spetitor.
But if that woman was Tess, then he retracted all of his doubts and disdain.
It was just because she was Tess.
He wouldn¡¯t believe for a second that she¡¯d done anything wrong.
It wasn¡¯t Tess who was at fault; it was the people spreading those lies.
That was why he had brought her to his vi and why he hadn¡¯t yet exined the tangled rtionship between them.
His feelings were conflicted¨Ctorn.
After all, she was Uncle Finn¡¯s wife.
But he hadn¡¯t expected that justing downstairs for breakfast would bring the person who lingered in his dreams right before his eyes.
It felt surreal, like something out of fate itself. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find¡¤novel
Abel¡¯s heart pounded. Without thinking, he stepped in front of her.
Tess, though surprised by his sudden appearance, stayedposed. Given Abel¡¯s identity, she kept a polite distance.
She nodded and said softly, ¡°I¡¯ve moved.¡±
Abel felt like two sides of himself were battling¨Cand finally, one had won.
He asked nervously, ¡°I heard you went back to Evermount Vi recently. Did you leave so soon? Did Uncle Finn treat you badly?¡±
Tess raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his concerned tone. ¡°I¡¯ve been nning to divorce Finn for a long time. How do you think it¡¯ll look if we continue to live under the same roof?¡±
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Chapter 132 No Escape
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After saying that, Tess didn¡¯t want to exin further. She pulled a bottle from the diaper bag and began preparing form for La.
Abel no longer had his usual aloof, regal air. He immediately offered to help, his tone gentle. ¡°Let me do it.¡±
Tess hesitated, but when she met those bright, sincere eyes, she gave in and let him take over. Abel quickly returned with a warm bottle of form, smiling as he brought it to La¡¯s lips. La obviously recognized the person in front of her and opened her little mouth totch onto the bottle with her tiny teeth.
Abel watched her adorable movements with fascination, his heart overflowing.
Just then, Finn stormed into the restaurant with a line of bodyguards behind him. This was the scene he walked in on¨CAbel bent over while feeding La and Tess looking on with soft eyes, her long hair gently cascading over her shoulders as she held her daughter.
The three of them looked like a peaceful family. It was a picture¨Cperfect moment.
¡°Tess!¡±
A thunderous shout shattered the silence.
She heard the heavy thud of leather shoes approaching, each step measured and ominous. A sudden chill ran down her spine.
Tess¡¯s body tensed, while Abel remained rtivelyposed.
He straightened up and said, ¡°Uncle Finn?¡±
Finn walked right past him, his cold gaze fixed entirely on Tess.
She pressed her lips together tightly and turned her face away. The warmth in the restaurant evaporated instantly. Now, Finn looked like the viin who had ruined everything.
His
eyes darkened visibly, though he tried to hold back the fury boiling inside him. He red coldly at Abel. ¡°So, you remember I¡¯m your uncle? Then you should know who she is!¡± This update is avable on find?novel
Each word from him struck like an usation, growing more relentless.
Chapter 132 No Escape
Abel narrowed his eyes.
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The air turned heavy with silence¨Cuntil Abel shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you two about to get divorced anyway?¡±
After all, their marriage had already reached its end, so what was wrong with him caring for Tess and La? He trusted what Tess had told him. Even if the man in front of him was his own uncle¡ If Tess said her husband had failed her, then it was only right that someone else treat her better.
Abel thought it through and became even more righteous in his stance.
Finn frowned and let out a coldugh. ¡°Who said we¡¯re getting divorced?¡±
As soon as the words left his mouth, he pulled Tess into his arms without warning.
Tess obviously hadn¡¯t expected his sudden words and actions. She stumbled into his chest, dazed by the sudden movement.
Abel¡¯s
eyes narrowed, a rare intensity recing his usual calm.
The strong scent of tobo filled Tess¡¯s nose¨Cso overwhelming that it made her dizzy.
She blinked, trying to clear her head. Then, she shoved Finn away. Her brows furrowed as she red at him. ¡°I told you¨Cthe divorce papers will be delivered to your office any minute now!¡±
Abel exhaled in visible relief. To his shame, a flicker of hope rose in his chest.
But Finn gripped her slender wrist tightly without letting go, his eyes fixed on Tess with dangerous intensity. His gaze was full of fierce possessiveness.
¡°I¡¯m not letting that happen!¡±
Tess was startled by the storm of emotion in his eyes. The next moment, Finn wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her close as though he wanted to absorb her into himself.
She couldn¡¯t move. Her cheek was pressed against his chest, where she could hear the steady, pounding rhythm of his heart.
She was stunned.
Is this really Finn?
The Finn she remembered had always been distant and cold, like fresh snow on a
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Chapter 132 No Escape
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mountaintop¨Cpretty to look at, but nobody could ever get close enough to leave a mark.
Throughout their marriage¨Caside from that one night he¡¯d been drugged¨Che had never shown her the slightest warmth and had never lost control like this.
Finn reached out with his other hand, pulling Tess tightly into his embrace as his cold, vignt eyes locked on Abel. ¡°We will never divorce. She will always be my wife, so don¡¯t you dare harbor any fantasies about her,¡± he dered firmly.
His voice was low and rough, like thunder rumbling in Tess¡¯s ears.
She was still in a daze and only caught a glimpse of Abel¡¯s suddenly ashen and defeated expression before being pulled away.
Tess struggled to break free, but Finn didn¡¯t let go. In one swift motion, he scooped her into his arms.
The restaurant, which had already been cleared, now had only one person standing frozen in ce¨CAbel.
Zane nced cautiously at Abel¡¯s dark expression, swallowed hard, and strode away.
What a joke! He knew exactly what kind of man Abel really was.
If it were Charles, he might¡¯ve still had the nerve to speak up¨Cbut this guy? Not a chance. He wouldn¡¯t dare even if you paid him a million dors!
Zane hunched his shoulders and quickly followed. The moment he got into the driver¡¯s seat, he could feel the stormy tension in the air. It was like lightning about to strike.
Caught in a war of fire and ice, he felt utterly miserable.
Tess was held tightly by Finn in the back seat,pletely restrained in his embrace.
With La still in her arms, Tess didn¡¯t dare make any wild movements. But she struggled as much as she could.
And for the first time since she was released from prison, the ice in her eyes began to melt, revealing something deeper.
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Chapter 133 He Breaks the Deal
Finn stared at her. The disgust on her face hit him like a punch to the gut.
¡°Why?¡±
His raspy voice broke the silence. It was barely louder than a whisper.
Tess paused, then realized what he meant.
He wanted to know why she¡¯d vanished without saying a word.
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She shot him a furious re. ¡°There¡¯s no reason! Just stop ying and do what you promised!¡±
Finn didn¡¯t reply. His eyes stayed locked on her angry face, lips pressed tight.
Tess felt like she¡¯d hit a pillow. Her rage had nowhere tond, making her chest feel even heavier. She tried harder to pull away.
Smack!
Finn suddenly spanked her.
The atmosphere in the car instantly froze.
Tess¡® face went from flushed to humiliated in a heartbeat.
Her body had always had its curves in the right ces¨Cslim and eye¨Ccatching.
Even after prison time and everything she¡¯d been through, she hadn¡¯t lost that.
But now, that spot stung. It took her a second to realize what had just happened.
He just spanked me!
Tess red at Finn, but his expression was still cold.
La watched their standoff, her big eyes darting between the two adults. The tension made her puff up her cheeks, and then she suddenly burst out crying.
Tess had no choice but to suck it up andfort her daughter.
The car picked up speed. Outside, familiar streets told them they were close to Evermount Vi.
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Right before they pulled up, La finally stopped crying, though tears still clung to her cheeks.
Tess reached out to wipe them, her heart aching.
Then Finn spoke, his voice cold and sharp as a de, ¡°We did have a deal, Tess. I broke it.¡±
Tess froze, hand still near La¡¯s face. She was about to blow up on him, but Zane opened the door, and Finn scooped her up before she could even speak.
She suddenly felt weightless. Letting out a startled gasp, she instinctively reached out, but the only thing in sight was Finn¡¯s neck. Her hand shot back like she¡¯d touched fire.
With no ground to stand on, she had no choice but to cling to La.
To anyone watching, Finn looked like he was effortlessly carrying both a woman and a child, calm and steady.
He didn¡¯t set them down until they were inside Evermount Vi.
As soon as her feet hit the floor, Tess tried to make a break for it.
But Finn moved quicker, pulling La from her arms before she could react.
It felt like a part of her had been torn away. Tess could only stand there, stunned.
He nced at La, now silent in his arms, and headed to the couch.
Tess stayed still, hands clenched into fists beneath her sleeves.
Above them, a giant crystal chandelier hung low, scattering light across Finn¡¯s face. It made his sharp features stand out even more, his expression unreadable¨Ccold, distant, like he wasn¡¯t even real.
They weren¡¯t far apart, but it felt like a huge gap stretched between them.
Tess bit her lip, overwhelmed by a mix of pain and rage that nearly brought tears to her eyes.
¡°What do you want from me?!¡±
Her voice cracked with emotion as she stared at him. This content belongs to Find~Novel
He didn¡¯t love her. Then why hold on? She¡¯d gone through hell. Guilty or not, she¡¯d already paid the price. Why keep her caged up, hurting her over and over again?
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Chapter 133 He Breaks the Deal
Her eyes were red, but she wouldn¡¯t look away.
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Finn¡¯s gaze was deep, like staring into a night sky with no stars¨Cjust secrets he refused to say.
¡°Tess ¡
Finn tried to speak, but it felt like something was stuck in his throat.
Looking at her pained, broken expression, he waspletely lost for words.
They sat in silence until Tess wiped her face, her voice cold and hard. ¡°You broke the deal. I¡¯m not staying. Let¡¯s not drag this out. I¡¯ll handle the divorce papers. We¡¯re done.¡±
She tossed the words at him, sharp and final.
It felt like someone mmed a weight onto Finn¡¯s chest. His face darkened. ¡°Divorce? So you can run off with Abel?¡±
Tess stared at him in shock.
She¡¯d only known Abel for a few days. Did Finn fall for Nadine¡¯s nonsense? Did he think she¡¯d been unfaithful?
As she looked at him, something inside her shifted. Maybe she never knew who he was.
As her husband, he hadn¡¯t believed her when she got arrested a year ago. Even when people stood up
for her, he shut them down without a thought.
And just like that, she was locked away for a year.
Now, even though she hadn¡¯t done a thing with Abel, Finn was quick to believe Nadine¡¯s lies and see her as nothing more than a cheating slut.
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Chapter 134 I¡¯ll Never Forgive You
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Tess looked him up and down, then let out a coldugh. ¡°If you can¡¯t even trust me, what¡¯s the point of staying married? Let¡¯s end this. It¡¯s better for both of us.¡±
To Finn, those words hit differently, like she wasn¡¯t even trying to deny anything.
His eyes instantly turned bloodshot. Holding onto what little control he had left, he gently ced La on the couch and stood up fast.
His tall figure cast a shadow over her, and for a second, her vision seemed to blur.
¡°You think I¡¯m just gonna let this go, Tess?¡±
Without warning, he grabbed her chin.
Her skin was soft under his fingers. His heartbeat jumped, but it didn¡¯t change the storm brewing on his face.
¡°You¡¯re free toe and go from Evermount Vi. But if you try to run again, I¡¯ll use everything I¡¯ve got to bring you back, and I won¡¯t guarantee you¡¯ll have any freedom left when I do.¡±
His tone was t and cold, with no emotion in it.
But the words hit her like a sharp jab to the head.
She widened her mouth in a daze, stumbling back a step.
Did Finn mean to lock me up?
The thought sent a chill crawling down her spine, making her body tense.
Finn caught the fear in her eyes. It stung, but his face stayed firm.
Tess¡® anger exploded like a fire.
Smack!
Eyes burning, she pped him hard.
The sound cracked through the room.
J: J.
hand.
mone
oes in
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Chapter 134 I¡¯ll Never Forgive Your
Chapter 134 I¡¯ll Never Forgive You
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Tess looked him up and down, then let out a coldugh. ¡°If you can¡¯t even trust me, what¡¯s the point of staying married? Let¡¯s end this. It¡¯s better for both of us.¡±
To Finn, those words hit differently, like she wasn¡¯t even trying to deny anything.
His eyes instantly turned bloodshot. Holding onto what little control he had left, he gently ced La on the couch and stood up fast.
His tall figure cast a shadow over her, and for a second, her vision seemed to blur.
¡°You think I¡¯m just gonna let this go, Tess?¡±
Without warning, he grabbed her chin.
Her skin was soft under his fingers. His heartbeat jumped, but it didn¡¯t change the storm brewing on his face.
¡°You¡¯re free toe and go from Evermount Vi. But if you try to run again, I¡¯ll use everything I¡¯ve got to bring you back, and I won¡¯t guarantee you¡¯ll have any freedom left when I do.¡±
His tone was t and cold, with no emotion in it.
But the words hit her like a sharp jab to the head.
She widened her mouth in a daze, stumbling back a step.
Did Finn mean to lock me up?
The thought sent a chill crawling down her spine, making her body tense.
Finn caught the fear in her eyes. It stung, but his face stayed firm.
Tess¡® anger exploded like a fire.
Smack!
Eyes burning, she pped him hard.
The sound cracked through the room.
The overhead light caught the hard lines of his face, but Tess didn¡¯t see any handsomeness in
Chapter 134 I¡¯ll Never Forgive You
him
anymore¨Cjust fury and disgust.
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¡°You can¡¯t lock me up! That¡¯s illegal!¡±
She yelled at him hoarsely. Finn touched his check and turned away. She couldn¡¯t see his face.
The silence stretched, then he chuckled.
He turned back slowly, his expression dark and stubborn.
¡°We¡¯re married, Tess. You¡¯re the one always trying to run.¡±
His bloodshot eyes fixated on hers, burning with a dark, twisted obsession.
Tess¡® heart raced. For a second, she questioned if he was even the same man she had married.
A chill crept up her spine. She reached out for La, hoping to bolt, but Finn was already in her way.
¡°Mmph-¡±
Her eyes flew open.
His face was inches from hers. Then he kissed her.
Her mind went nk. For a moment, everything went silent. She didn¡¯t even know what day it
was.
Finn pinned her arms behind her back, kissing her like he was punishing her.
He just wanted to shut her mouth that kept drawing lines between them. But once their lips met, he couldn¡¯t stop.
He lost himself, even trying to slip his tongue between her lips.
His mind wandered to that crazy night a year ago.
Her cries and moans from that night echoed in his head like a dream.
Finn couldn¡¯t help but kiss her deeper until he felt a sharp pain on his tongue.
¡°Hiss-¡±
He gasped, snapping back to reality.
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Chapter 134 I¡¯ll Never Forgive You
They pulled apart. Her lips were red and swollen.
But Finn didn¡¯t look even a little guilty. His eyes stayed locked on her lips.
Tess was shaking with anger and shame, thinking he was a monster.
They were only a couple in name. How dared he kiss her?!
Her chest burned with humiliation, but she blinked the tears away.
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Then, she suddenlyughed. ¡°This is revenge, right? You think something happened between me and Abel, so you feel ashamed and want to get back at me.¡±
Her mocking grin made her disgust clear.
Finn frowned and was about to exin, but Tess didn¡¯t let him.
She sneered, ring at him with hatred. ¡°I¡¯ll never forgive you! I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to get that divorce!¡±
The words hit him like a heavy curse to the chest.
¡°Dream on.¡±
His teeth clenched, and his jaw tightened.
Rage flickered across his face as he sneered, his eyes cutting like frozen ss.
Tess bit her lip so hard she tasted blood.
She red at Finn. This content belongs to find?novel
He stood there,pletely blocking the way out. His grip on the door handle was so tight the veins on his hands popped, making it clear he wasn¡¯t budging.
Tess instantly realized there was no way she¡¯d be leaving tonight. She scooped La into her arms and spun on her heel.
Bang!
She stormed into the bedroom, mming the door shut behind her.
The crash echoed through the ce, stirring up a cold gust that rippled through the air.
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Chapter 135 It¡¯s a Misunderstanding
Chapter 135 It¡¯s a Misunderstanding
Finn stood frozen, looking like all the energy had been drained right out of him.
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Things between them hadn¡¯t ended well, and now Evermount Vi felt heavy with tension.
He stayed in the living room for a long time, quietly smoking. The cigar smoke twisted around his face, hiding most of it from view.
His mind was a mess. Soon, he got a call from Zane. He answered with a scowl and stormed
out.
Even with the car windows down and warm air blowing in, Finn only felt more annoyed. He rubbed his temples, clearly stressed.
Zane had called about a problem. A newpany had somehow gotten hold of a patent the Lock Group had just secured. Now the tech and legal teams were freaking out and locked in a meeting, trying to fix things.
¡°Mr. Lock, when we went to find Mrs. Lock, Ms. Nadine had already taken off.¡±
¡°She¡¯s not answering?¡±
Finn could hear keyboard clicks in the background. Zane¡¯s voice came back, sounding troubled. ¡°All our calls keep getting blocked. Maybe she¡¯ll pick up if you call.¡±
His tone was hesitant, almost pleading.
Lately, Nadine and Tess had been all over the news, always stirring up drama together. Zane had tried to clean up the mess online, but some clips and photos still slipped through.
They¡¯d managed to shut down most of the gossip, but whispers were still going around.
With the Lock Group¡¯s crisis, things were tense.
¡°Do your best for now. I¡¯m heading over,¡± Finn said, sounding serious.
He hung up and immediately called Nadine.
Unlike with Zane, the call went through right away.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± she said softly, but her voice felt distant.
Finn frowned. He could tell she was upset.
Chapter 135 It¡¯s a Misunderstanding
¡°Where are you?¡±
He didn¡¯t waste time and went straight to the point.
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Nadine turned her head and replied with a stiff tone, ¡°I already know why you¡¯re calling. But if you¡¯re going to doubt me, I¡¯d rather step back from the Lock Group¡¯s stuff. I don¡¯t want to be dragged into it.¡±
She tried to sound casual, but inside, she was nervous.
Her hand shook around her phone, and her chest felt tight.
She knew how ruthless Finn could be. And even though she realized how badly thepany needed her, she still couldn¡¯t shake that nervous feeling.
Finn stayed quiet, rubbing his brow.
Since Tess went to prison, most of the youngwyers she¡¯d trained had left. She had been a key figure in the legal field, and people followed her. Nadine had taken over and be the topwyer at thepany. Now that Charles was gone too, the department was barely holding on.
¡°It was a misunderstanding.¡±
Finn¡¯s deep voice finally came through the phone, a little softer now, like he was trying to calm her down.
Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up, her mood flipping from anxious to thrilled.
But Max¡¯s advice echoed in her mind, so she forced herself to stay calm. ¡°Finn, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t care about thepany. But you and Zane truly hurt me today¡¡±
Her voice broke, sounding like she¡¯d been wronged badly.
Finn felt himself getting annoyed, but he forced himself to be patient. ¡°It was just a misunderstanding. I¡¯ll have Zane apologize to you.¡±
He pushed on, ¡°Where are you now?¡±
Nadine mumbled, ¡°At the Sky Caf¨¦.¡±
¡°Stay there.¡±
He then ended the call.
His luxury car flew down the road, grabbing attention from everyone he passed.
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Chapter 135 It¡¯s a Misunderstanding
He didn¡¯t slow down until he reached the central building of Aetheris.
A
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At the same time, Nadine sat in the caf¨¦, nibbling whipped cream off her spoon. She acted calm, but her eyes kept ncing at the window.
All she could think about was the words he said-¡°Stay there.¡±
It was just two words, but they hit her hard, making her heart race.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she barely noticed the door open.
When she saw Finn walk in and sit across from her, she quickly straightened up.
His presence instantly pulled attention from everyone nearby. People started ncing their
way.
Feeling the eyes on her, Nadine sat even straighter.
Finn tapped the table lightly with a ringed hand and asked gentlemanly, ¡°What do you feel like eating?¡±
Nadine kept her serious look, repeating Max¡¯s advice in her mind.
Everyone knew Finn had changed toward Tess ever since she got out of prison. She used to be the star of the legal team, and now she was an ex¨Ccon with a mysterious kid. With all those strikes against her, Finn seemed more drawn to her instead of backing off.
Max had told Nadine to learn a little bit of Tess¡® stubbornness.
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Chapter 136 Save Me?
Chapter 136 Save Me?
Nadine felt irritated, but she was seriously thinking things through.
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¡°Finn, I heard there¡¯s trouble with the patent stuff. Shouldn¡¯t you be focused on that instead of eating with me?¡±
She nced up, For original chapters go to fin?novel
her eyes
filled with resolve.
Her sudden boldness made Finn freeze for a second. There was a flicker of curiosity in his
eyes.
As he studied her face, an inexplicable sense of familiarity hit him.
His chest tightened without warning.
¡°We¡¯ll take all the top rmendations. And she¡¯ll have the passionfruit mousse.¡±
His tone turned icy as he handed the menu to the waiter, who rushed over.
Nadine caught on to the shift in his mood. Beneath the table, her hands clenched. She wasn¡¯t sure how to react.
¡°Nadine, you matter a lot to thepany. It¡¯s not a big deal to share a meal with you.¡±
Finn rxed his tense expression and smiled slightly.
Nadine¡¯s heart skipped. She looked down shyly.
Right then, Finn nced at her again, eyes lingering longer than usual. But his thoughts drifted¨Cto Tess, La, and Abel¨Crecalling how effortlessly close they had been.
Heat flooded through him. He even started cutting Nadine¡¯s steak for her.
¡°Let¡¯s head back to the office after we eat, alright?¡±
His voice was soft, and for once, his cold stare hadpletely melted.
Nadine nodded without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever I can to support you!¡±
Finn smiled gently and used a napkin to wipe a bit of cream from her mouth.
Neither of them realized a camera was quietly capturing the whole scene from the shadows.
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Chapter 136 Save Me?
At the same time, someone unexpected showed up at Evermount Vi.
Tess sat with La in her arms, staring nkly out the window.
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The tall ss panes opened onto the massive garden, where jasmine and white roses bloomed in the sun.
Sunlight poured in, scattering across the crystal railings like a prism.
But Tess¡® eyes stung, holding back tears.
She blinked hard and looked again. The garden, bright and alive, suddenly felt like a prison.
La sensed her mother¡¯s sadness and reached out tofort her.
But Tess couldn¡¯t shake the heavy feeling.
Just then, a slender hand gently tapped the ss, pulling her out of her trance.
When she turned to see who it was, she thought she was hallucinating.
Max had somehow made it inside and was outside the window, trying to get her attention.
Tess¡® expression hardened. She held La closer and stepped back.
Max¡¯s eyes
dimmed when he saw her recoil.
Still, he straightened up and forced a smile, even though she wasn¡¯t buying it.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m here to save you.¡±
¡°Save me?¡±
Tess looked at him, her voice thick with sarcasm. ¡°Like when you and Nadine ¡®saved¡® me by tossing me in prison?¡±
Max didn¡¯t know what to say. Pain shed across his face. ¡°Why can¡¯t you believe I¡¯m on your side?¡±
His eyes scanned the fancy room beforending back on her. ¡°Tess, it was Finn who pushed for your arrest. Yet you¡¯d rather stay trapped here with him than leave with me?¡±
¡°You¡¯re no different than him!¡±
Tess snapped, her face cold and unreadable. ¡°Leave. I don¡¯t want to see you again.¡±
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Chapter 136 Save Me?
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Her stubborn refusal hit Max like a punch to the chest. Rage began to burn under his skin, leaving him feeling empty.
His worried look vanished. He stared at Tess with a mix of longing and bitterness. ¡°I¡¯ve got a stable career now. I can give you and La everything. But you¡¯d still rather depend on Finn and won¡¯t even look at me.¡±
He let out a sneer and pulled out some photos. ¡°Here. Take a look at the man you trust so much. Want to see what he did after dragging you back?¡±
He tossed the photos to the floor, letting them scatter across the room.
The afternoon breeze blew a few inside.
Tess hesitated. Her eyesnded on one that stopped near her feet.
It was a clear shot of Finn and Nadine.
There was no mistaking either of them¨Cshe knew their faces too well.
The image showed Finn gently wiping cream from Nadine¡¯s mouth. Nadine looked shy, and Finn looked affectionate. They looked like a perfect couple.
Tess felt a lump in her throat. She couldn¡¯t find the words.
¡°He brought you back, and now he¡¯s busy apanying Nadine.¡±
Max¡¯s words wereced with scorn for Finn and ridicule for Tess.
But she just stayed quiet, biting her lip.
Just as he sensed something was off, she looked up with a sharp re. ¡°And what about you? Snooping around with a camera? You¡¯re no better than him.¡±
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Chapter 137 Secrets Are Leaked
Tess scoffed and stomped down on the photo with her heel. ¡°Leave now.¡±
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Max¡¯s expression darkened. He stared at her, like he didn¡¯t even know who he was looking at anymore.
Was that truly the quiet, gentle Tess he used to know? Could a year in prison truly turn someone into apletely different person?
The sweet girl he remembered was gone¨Cnow she was fierce, almost unrecognizable.
Suddenly, the sharp noise of curtains being drawn sliced through the silence.
Tess stood up and yanked them shut, covering the massive window and cutting off Max¡¯s view.
Just knowing he was still outside made her feel sick.
She exhaled hard, full of pent¨Cup anger.
Soon, the sound of leather shoes faded away. The world finally went quiet.
Tess felt drained, like every ounce of strength had left her body. She sank onto the bed.
Her mind kept going back to that photo. Nadine and Finn were way too close.
She clenched her fists on instinct.
It had been a year. Tess didn¡¯t hate them anymore, but she was still furious.
What exactly did she feel toward Finn now? Why did he keep pretending their marriage was still intact when it wasn¡¯t? Why did he bring her back just to turn around and cozy up to Nadine?
What did he think she was? A pretty decoration to leave on disy?
Tess ripped the photo apart and tossed it aside, then lit it up and watched it burn.
That was all going exactly how Nadine wanted.
While Finn was distracted, Nadine shot a smug look toward the corner.
She admired Finn¡¯s side profile, feeling a rush of satisfaction. Her pride was fully fed.
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Chapter 137 Secrets Are Leaked
Tess, hope you liked my little gift.
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She smiled and set her utensils down. ¡°Finn, workes first. Let¡¯s get back to the office.
Finn paused mid¨Ccut and set the steak knife down. ¡°You¡¯re finished already?¡±
Nadine shook her head, giving him a yful smile. ¡°You still owe me a proper dinner once this
is over.¡±
The word ¡®owe¡® made Finn blink for a second, but he quickly masked it.
He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Pretty confident, huh?¡±
Nadine caught his meaning and grinned confidently. ¡°Of course. I¡¯m the bestwyer at the Lock Group. I won¡¯t let you down.¡±
Finn didn¡¯t waste a second and hurried back to the office with her.
Everyone was already waiting in the conference room, looking tense and exhausted.
As soon as Finn opened the door, all eyes turned to them at once.
There was a wave of relief, followed by a burst of voices. ¡°Mr. Lock, Ms. Nadine! Thank God you¡¯re here!¡±
Zane quickly came over to pull out their chairs. Fresh chapters posted on find¡¤novel
Finn¡¯s expression shifted instantly, slipping back into work mode.
Nadine scanned the room. Everyone looked super tense, and it made her heart race.
Judging by the atmosphere, she could tell things were about to get messy.
Her hands started to get mmy.
She had a solid grip onw stuff and could manage in a firm. Butpared to Tess, she was way out of her league.
Thest time thepany hit a crisis, she barely pulled through by cashing in every favor she had. What about this time?
A guy wearing thick sses, clearly some kind of researcher,unched into a long exnation. Then, he looked straight at Nadine, clearly expecting something.
Finn cleared his throat. ¡°Any thoughts?¡±
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Chapter 137 Secrets Are Leaked
Nadine blinked. ¡°Huh?¡±
P:
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The researcher looked frustrated that she hadn¡¯t been paying attention, but he still went over everything again.
Someone had stolen the Lock Group¡¯s confidential information and leaked it early. Now, most of their product designs were out in the open, and thepetitor¡¯s version looked practically the same. The inte was going crazy.
They didn¡¯t have any solid proof to back up their im that they created it first, and every idea they had hit a wall.
By the time the guy finished talking, his voice was dry and strained.
He turned toward Nadine with a hopeful look, and slowly, everyone else followed his gaze.
Nadine felt a chill run through her fingers.
Finn frowned at her frozen expression, feeling strange. ¡°You¡¯ve got nothing?¡±
Zane jumped in quickly to ease the pressure. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Ms. Nadine. Mr. Lock is already contacting our former technical staff who designed the first phase.¡±
The patent had taken almost two full years to develop, and several tech teams had cycled through it.
The first technical staff had moved abroad. The second team had been working right around the time the leak happened, which was why Finn told Zane to track down the first crew instead.
¡°Uh¡ let¡¯s just wait until we hear from the first team,¡± Nadine said.
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Nadine stood there for a long time. But in the end, all she came up with was a pointless suggestion.
The conference room went quiet.
A bunch of confused and curious staresnded right on her.
Why was thepany¡¯s topwyer so out of ideas?
Most of the people in the room had been around for years. They couldn¡¯t helpparing her to Tess¨Cthe former legal powerhouse who¡¯d already been dismissed.
To be honest, Tess had been on another level.
She didn¡¯t just know thew inside out¨Cher mind was razor¨Csharp, too. Every time a problem arose, she handled it herself and solved it.
Stuff that overwhelmed everyone else? Tess made it look easy. But Nadine? Even though her reputation had grown bigger than Tess¡®, she wasn¡¯t living up to the hype today.
A few people nced around at each other, clearly thinking the same thing.
Finn¡¯s eyes were locked on Nadine¡¯s troubled expression, his face slowly darkening.
He¡¯d always supported her, always seen her as a real talent.
When Tess was in prison, Nadine had be his go¨Cto.
But now, he found himself questioning if she was even trying. Maybe she hadn¡¯t moved past the previous grievance.
Right then, Zane suddenly jumped up, waving his phone with excitement. ¡°Mr. Lock! I got through!¡±
That got nearly everyone on their feet. Their eyes lit up as they focused on Zane¡¯s phone.
¡°Mr. Lock?¡±
The moment that familiar voice came through, people started exchanging hopeful nces.
It was the original tech staff behind their patent¨Cthe one who¡¯d drafted the whole thing from scratch. He was insanely talented and had probably kept extra copies.
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Chapter 138 Steven Stone
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If they could get him on board, it might be their one shot to shut down the inte drama using them of copying.
Finn took the phone. ¡°Steven, I need your help.¡±
There was a short pause, followed by a calm, distantugh. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding, Mr. Lock.
I haven¡¯t worked there in years. Why would I help now?¡±
Skipping all pleasantries, Finn exined the situation straight up.
Steven Stone sounded surprised, but he still said no.
¡°I already quit,¡± he said, voice polite but firm.
The room fell into silence again.
If Steven wasn¡¯t willing to hand over the early drafts, there was almost no way out of this mess.
Finn squinted coldly. ¡°We treated you well when you were with us. We even helped you relocate overseas. We¡¯re not asking much¨Cjust show up with a copy and clear our name.¡±
But Steven wasn¡¯t backing down. ¡°I earned everything I got. I gave a lot to thepany. So why the pressure now?¡±
His voice stayed friendly, but every word carried a sharp edge, like he was smiling while throwing knives.
Zane snuck a peek at Finn and wasn¡¯t surprised to see his boss looking furious.
¡°Mr. Lock, maybe you should ask someone else. If that¡¯s all, I¡¯m hanging up.¡±
¡°Tess is out of prison.¡±
Finn suddenly blurted it out, clearly frustrated.
And right then, Steven, who¡¯d been shutting them down, suddenly stopped talking.
Everyone looked confused¨Cwhy bring up Tess all of a sudden?
Only Zane seemed to get it.
He¡¯d always been close to Finn and Tess, so he knew the old stories that most others didn¡¯t.
Back in the day, the top staff from each department were like a tight crew. Tess and Steven hit it off fast and became close friends right away.
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Chapter 138 Steven Stone Original content can be found at Find1Novel
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After Tess married Finn, word spread among the higher¨Cups that she got the cold shoulder.
When she was taken to prison, Steven resigned and left Crorus that day.
Everything seemed to revolve around Tess.
Finn pursed his lips, looking struggled and troubled.
He hadn¡¯t wanted to mention old stuff, but he didn¡¯t have much of a choice.
He let out a sigh. ¡°She¡¯s out now. She has a kid. She¡¯s doing okay.¡±
The other end stayed quiet. The joking tone was gone, reced by something cold. ¡°Mr. Lock, did you ever think it¡¯d end up like this?
¡°I¡¯ll be back soon. If you want those drafts, tell Tess toe see me herself.¡±
Then, he ended the call without missing a beat.
Still, his words gave the team a tiny glimmer of hope.
Finn lowered the phone slowly. They finally had a possible way out, but it didn¡¯t make his headache any lighter.
Old memories came rushing in.
They had met once before Steven submitted his resignation.
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Steven never understood why Finn had to be so harsh with Tess. The two of them had a huge fight, and after that, they just went their separate ways.
Steven moved overseas and dropped off the map.
Tess was the only person who could ever get him to budge.
Once the call ended, everyone wore different expressions, but Nadine¡¯s face showed the most difort.
She kept her eyes down, letting her pale blonde hair hide most of her face.
Behind those curls, her jaw was tight, her expression stiff.
She¡¯d just been embarrassed in front of everyone. But when Tess¡® name came up, everything was suddenly back on track.
Now, the silence in the room felt like a p.
Tess again!
Finn was finally treating Nadine like he used to before Tess got out of jail. But then, Tess was brought up again.
Nadine¡¯s eyes were red and full of anger.
¡°Zane, call Evermount Vi.¡±
Finn put his phone down and gave the order. Zane nodded without hesitation.
Finn looked around the room, calm andposed. ¡°Steven ising back in a few days. He¡¯ll confirm the patent is original. From now on, legal¡¯s in charge. Prepare to sue¨Cwe¡¯re not letting this slide.¡±
People still looked unsure, but they nodded and nced toward Nadine.
She was running the legal team now, after all.
Nadine¡¯s eyes were still red. She hesitated, biting her lip.
¡°Finn, are we jumping the gun? I mean ¡
will Tess even want to talk to Steven?¡±
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Chapter 139 Will She Meet Him?
Her voice sounded genuinely concerned, like she cared deeply about the Lock Group.
Others started to look doubtful, too.
¡°Mr. Lock, maybe we should find more solid proof first ¡¡±
The
person speaking trailed off awkwardly.
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The rumors about Finn dragging Tess out of the hotel restaurant were shut down fast, but most of the people here had helped deal with the aftermath. They knew exactly what had happened.
Would Tess, who once leakedpany info and never had a good rtionship with Finn, be willing to help?
¡°That¡¯s not your business,¡± Finn said as he massaged his temples, putting an end to the discussion.
The meeting broke up in a hurry. No one said much and just went back to work.
Finn stayed behind, staring at theputer screen. It was ying security footage of Max sneaking into Evermount Vi.
The video cut to Max and Tess facing off.
The camera by the entrance only caught Max¡¯s back through the ss, along with part of Tess¡® dress.
Eventually, Max stormed off furiously. Finn shut off the video.
¡°Mr. Lock, Mrs. Lock isn¡¯t answering her phone,¡± Zane said as he came in, looking uneasy and holding the phone out.
Finn looked at the screen and saw the missed call. He frowned. ¡°Anything else urgent going on with thepany?¡±
Zane paused, a bit thrown, and shook his head. ¡°Right now, everyone is tied up with the patent stuff. Everything else is on hold for now.
¡°Also, the inte is blowing up with fake posts. Some are saying we¡¯ve stolen patents before. The PR team¡¯s scrambling to keep up.¡±
Finn pursed his lips, his expression darkened.
¡°I¡¯m heading out early. Keep me updated on the legal team¡¯s progress.¡±
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Chapter 139 Will She Meet Him?
He stood up without warning and grabbed his navy jacket from the chair.
Zane was honestly shocked.
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Finn never left early. The whole reason the Lock Group was where it was now was because he worked around the clock. Readplete version only at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?
But Zane didn¡¯t ask questions. He just went to coordinate things with Bill.
Finn made a beeline for Evermount Vi. When he stepped inside, the smell of food hit him.
Tess was in the kitchen, wearing an apron she bought through the delivery service. The apron was patterned with strawberries and trimmed withce. Her wavy hair was tied back with a headband, and some soft bangs framed her face. She looked kind and gentle, like a sweet housewife.
Following the smell, Finn walked into the kitchen and took in the whole picture.
Something in his expression shifted. His heart skipped a beat.
The kitchen fan hummed in the background, but everything else faded out for him.
Tess hadn¡¯t noticed him standing there. She was focused on her phone, following a recipe as she tried to make a few simple dishes.
To make sure she didn¡¯t disappear again, security around the vi had been tightened.
Finn kept saying she could do whatever she wanted, but the new cameras near the gate said otherwise.
With nothing else to do, Tess had started looking up recipes just to pass the time.
La sat nearby in the baby chair Edith had given them, her bright eyes full of sparkle.
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¡°La, you¡¯re still too little to help out in the kitchen. When you¡¯re bigger, I¡¯ll let you try, okay?¡±
Tess softly patted La¡¯s head, smiling warmly as her
cyes
crinkled.
La let out a few baby sounds and nodded like she understood.
After putting two tes of food on the table, Tess rubbed her lower back, looking tired, and pulled off her apron.
Finn¡¯s attention went straight to the table.
There were scrambled eggs and shredded pork¨Cnothing fancy, just basic homemade stuff.
But the smell hit him hard, and his stomach growled.
His eyes dimmed slightly as they lingered on Tess¡® face.
She picked up her fork, took a bite, and blinked in surprise. It seemed like she didn¡¯t expect it to taste that decent.
But after a few more bites, she slowed down.
She still had over half a te of pasta left when she pushed it aside. Her appetite was clearly
gone.
With no one watching, Tess didn¡¯t bother pretending to be tough. She let out a long sigh, her shoulders sagging.
She looked fragile, like a nt about to wither away.
Finn¡¯s
gaze
darkened again.
Was it that miserable for her to live at Evermount Vi and be near him?
He blinked, frustration clouding his eyes.
A momentter, the quiet was broken by the sound of dishes being picked up.
Tess grabbed her te, but then arge handnded over hers.
Finn took it from her without saying anything and started eating the leftover pasta. He even
Chapter 140 He¡¯ll Be Back Soon
used the same fork she¡¯d been using.
Tess backed away, trying to take the te back, but he didn¡¯t even flinch.
He stayed calm and tapped the table with his knuckles, telling her to sit back down.
She looked annoyed. Updates are released by find?novel
Why was Finn home now? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to still be at work?
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But he didn¡¯t seem to care about her mood. Even though he looked refined, he wolfed down both dishes like he hadn¡¯t eaten in days.
¡°Wow, Mr. Lock, broke already? Gotta snatch leftovers now?¡±
Tess gave up and dropped the te, throwing him a sarcastic smile.
Finn paused briefly, then dropped his gaze and finished off thest bite before cing the te on the table.
He pulled out a custom handkerchief and casually dabbed his mouth. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to waste food.¡±
His voice was low and calm, not bothered by her sarcasm.
Tess clenched her fists. His cool and arrogant attitude only made her more annoyed.
¡°Well, since you helped yourself to that much, and this isn¡¯t free, go ahead and wash the dishes.¡±
She mmed the tes down and grabbed La from her stroller, ready to walk off.
But before she could even take a couple of steps, a firm grip caught her wrist.
She tried yanking her arm back twice, but it didn¡¯t work. She turned and shot Finn a re.
¡°Your cooking isn¡¯t bad,¡± Finn suddenly said, catching her off guard.
¡°I¡¯ve been doing it for over a year. If I didn¡¯t learn, I¡¯d probably be dead by now¨Cthanks to you.¡±
Tess gave a cold smirk, her eyes filled with sarcasm.
Finn looked stunned, clearly hit by her words. His brows scrunched as he grumbled, ¡°Do you have to be so snide every time we talk?¡±
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She stared at him and suddenly chuckled sharply, full of hatred. ¡°You seriously expect me to be polite to the guy who¡¯s been holding me and my daughter here like prisoners?¡±
He looked at her. The disgust and rejection in her eyes hit him hard, like a de straight to the chest.
His hand shook a little while still holding her wrist.
¡°I need to talk to you.¡±
Turning his face away, his voice dropped back into its usual distant tone.
Tess made it clear she didn¡¯t want to listen. Her eyes stayed locked on his hand.
His head started to ache, so he just cut to the point. ¡°Steven will be back soon. He wants to see you.¡±
She froze.
Steven?
For once, her eyes didn¡¯t look defiant. Something softer showed through, like ripples spreading after a pebble hits a still pond.
After she got out of prison, she tried to reconnect with people from her past.
Most of her old coworkers at the Lock Group had moved on with their lives. Only Charles had stuck around. Her closest friend, Steven, was said to have moved overseas, and no one seemed to know how to reach him.
When she came to Aetheris for Finn, she left everything else behind. She had no family and friends here.
For her, Aetheris felt like a forgotten ce stuck in time.
Tess¡®shes quivered. ¡°When?¡±
If Steven wasing back, she honestly wanted to see him.
¡°I¡¯ll let you know when it¡¯s scheduled.¡±
This time, Tess didn¡¯t push back.
Right then, the silence was interrupted by a knock at the door.
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Chapter 140 He¡¯ll Be Back Soon
Finn nced at Tess¡® cold expression, then stepped over to answer it.
As soon as he opened the door, a pretty face pecked in.
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Nadine was standing there, smiling sweetly. ¡°Finn, Zane mentioned you headed home early.
¡°The legal team got a new n, and I wanted to run it by you. You weren¡¯t at the office, so I figured I¡¯d stop by here instead.¡±
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Chapter 141 The Real Reason
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After saying that, Nadine leaned forward a bit, trying to sneak a look inside. ¡°I heard Tess is staying here again. Is she home now?¡±
¡°We¡¯re off work. This is my personal time. We¡¯ll deal with work tomorrow.¡±
With that, Finn was ready to close the door.
Nadine¡¯s smile froze. The brightness in her eyes faded, reced by disappointment.
She gave him a pleading look, but he didn¡¯t move an inch.
Right then, Tess showed up behind him. Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. Before Finn could stop her, she slipped right past him.
¡°Tess! You¡¯re truly back!¡±
As the door swung open, Finn sighed and rubbed his temples. A headache was building.
He turned around to see Nadine clutching Tess¡® hand with way too much enthusiasm.
Instead of kicking her out, Finn just shut the door and let it be.
Tess stared at the overly cheerful woman, thinking Nadine looked more like a carnivorous flower with perfume.
Her expression went cold, and she pulled her hand away sharply, not even pretending to be nice.
¡°I don¡¯t remember Grandma ever saying I had a younger sister,¡± Tess said bluntly before walking away.
Nadine¡¯s hand stayed awkwardly in the air. Her face twitched, but she pped on a fake smile. ¡°I think you¡¯ve misunderstood me-¡±
¡°There¡¯s no misunderstanding.¡±
Tess cut her off, her tone sharp as ice.
The air turned thick with tension. Finn finally spoke up. ¡°Nadine, if you¡¯ve got something to say, just say it and then leave.¡±
Tess had already made it clear she wasn¡¯t interested in Nadine¡¯s act, but Nadine hadn¡¯t
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Chapter 141 The Real Reason
expected Finn to back Tess up.
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Nadine quickly masked the disappointment in her eyes, though a sh of malice still slipped through.
¡°Finn, are you nning to tell Tess about Steven?¡±
Before anyone could respond, she reached for Tess again, full of fake concern. ¡°Tess, the Lock Group has got a big problem. We need Steven to testify, but he¡¯s refusing to give us the documents unless he talks to you. This is important, so please don¡¯t vent your dissatisfaction with me on the Lock Group.¡±
Tess looked at Finn after that, eyes narrowing.
Her usually calm expression shifted, now filled with something closer to realization.
No wonder Finn was being so generous about the Steven meeting.
It turned out that the Lock Group needed her to get the documents.
Tessughed bitterly at her naivety, a sadness washing over her.
So that was the real reason.
She hadpletely misjudged Finn.
Finn didn¡¯t think he had done anything wrong, but the moment their eyes met, guilt hit him out of nowhere.
He tried to keep his tone steady. ¡°Tess, that¡¯s what I wanted to talk to you about. The Lock Group needs your help.¡±
His tone was serious.
Since Nadine had already spilled everything, he saw no point in hiding it anymore.
¡°So, even you¡¯ve got problems you can¡¯t fix? Now you want an ex¨Ccon to step in and save the day? Or should I say, you¡¯re here to beg?¡±
Her voice was mocking, and there was no warmth behind the smile.
The word ¡°ex¨Ccon¡± hit like a p.
Finn¡¯s face tightened. ¡°Tess!¡± he snapped.
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Chapter 141 The Real Reason
The warning in his voice just made her feel more sarcastic.
(49
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Funny how the man who sent her to prison now couldn¡¯t even stand hearing the word.
What a joke.
She let out a coldugh, cradled La in her arms, and turned to leave.
Even a short conversation with them gave her a headache and chest pain. She¡¯d rather not see them at all.
Nadine noticed Tess was about to walk away. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but she faked a worried look and reached for Tess again.
But this time, Tess didn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Get lost!¡±
¡°Ah!¡±
Nadine let out a dramatic scream as she stumbled backward.
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he stepped in to catch her.
Nadine went pale from the shock. But once shended safely in his arms, she clung to him like she was terrified.
Tears welled up as she looked up at him while sneaking a smug nce in Tess¡® direction.
But then, her eyesnded on La.
La sucked on her pacifier, staring curiously at everyone.
Her features looked way too much like Finn¡¯s. Nadine¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.
Finn smelled the strong perfume on her and felt another headacheing on.
A few steps away, Tess just watched the two of them, cold and silent.
Her time in prison had been harsh. The forcedbor had made her tougher, but no way she had the strength to toss a full¨Cgrown woman like that.
She saw through Nadine¡¯s act immediately.
Tess smirked and said nothing. The rightful source is Find_Novel(.
Finally, Finn seemed to snap out of it. Once Nadine was steady, he gently pushed her away.
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Chapter 141 The Real Reason
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The warmth from his embrace disappeared. Nadine stood frozen for a second, then slowly looked up, only to meet Tess¡® sharp stare.
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Chapter 142 Why Does She Fall for Him?
Chapter 142 Why Does She Fall for Him?
Nadine caught on immediately, fists tightening in anger.
Finn cleared his throat and frowned. ¡°Tess, Nadine is your sister.¡±
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Tess looked from Nadine to him, thenughed, like she felt amused by what she was hearing.
¡°Oh really? So sisters are supposed to share husbands now?¡±
Her voice was cold, and her sarcasm sharp.
Her meaning was obvious. Finn¡¯s face darkened right away.
Nadine shot Tess a smug look.
So what if she knows? Finn is mine. No way I¡¯m letting her have him.
that?
But on the surface, she widened her eyes, looking wounded. ¡°Tess! How could you say You can be mad at me all you want, but Finn is your husband. Don¡¯t you trust him at all?¡±
¡°Hmph.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t answer. She mmed the door right in their faces.
Finn¡¯s expression went from bad to worse.
Nadine caught it from the corner of her eye, but inside, she was thrilled.
That¡¯s right, Tess. Keep pushing him away. That just makes it easier for me to get closer.
¡°Finn, she-¡±
Nadine lowered her head, putting on a hurt look. ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have shown up, legal team wanted me to check in with you right away .
¡°1
but the
Her voice trailed off, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Finn felt like his brain was stuck in slow motion.
¡°Come on. Let¡¯s talk in the study.¡±
He tugged at his tie, clearly annoyed.
1/4 Original content can be found at find~novel
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Chapter 142 Why Does She Fall for Him?
Nadine¡¯s face lit up. She quickly followed behind, her cheeks flushed pink.
Once the noise outside faded, Tess leaned against the door, heart tight with anger.
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Who gave Nadine the nerve to walk in and act like that? Did she think I would just sit back and take it?
Her teeth clicked as she bit her lip, shes of Finn defending Nadine reying in her mind.
Tess blinked hard, then gave a bitter smile.
She was stuck in Evermount Vi¨CFinn¡¯s territory.
So what if she felt disgusted?
She clenched her fists as she looked out the tall window.
Outside, the sky was lit up with brilliant shades from the setting sun, but the metal bars on the window blocked her from all of it.
Right now, those bars felt like prison walls, and she was the bird stuck behind them.
Tess stared nkly for a while, then finally let out a soft, bitterugh.
Why did Finn always have to tear her down like that?
Even if he hated being forced into marrying her, hadn¡¯t she paid enough already?
As night crept in, she tucked La into bed but still couldn¡¯t fall asleep. She dragged herself into the kitchen, hoping a cup of chamomile tea would help.
When she opened the door, she noticed how still everything felt. Only a faint glow from the hallway lights lit the space.
She walked quietly through the house, but a sliver of light from a cracked door caught her attention.
Her
eyes lifted.
It was Finn¡¯s study.
The door wasn¡¯t fully shut, and she could hear a man and a woman talking.
¡°Finn, did Tess agree to meet Steven?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
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Chapter 142 Why Does She Fall for Him?
¡°So, what do you think about the n I suggested?¡±
¡°Not bad.¡±
¡°Compared to when Tess was in charge?¡±
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Finn¡¯s voice sounded a little distant, but he patiently answered Nadine¡¯s endless questions.
Then, she brought up Tess.
That was when he stopped flipping through the files. His eyes slowly rose from the papers.
Unlike earlier, he didn¡¯t respond right away. A picture of Tess shed in his mind¨Cstill and unshaken, like a wildflower blooming on a stormy cliff.
She had rooted herself in a ce deep inside him.
Finn pursed his lips, hisshes twitching slightly. When he saw Nadine watching him with those hopeful eyes, he looked away and said tly, ¡°Yes. Tess only managed what she did because of you.¡±
He forced a small smile, like it was nothing.
Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up, and she leaned across the desk shyly.
From Tess¡® angle, Finn looked gentle, and Nadine¡¯s cheeks were glowing red.
Tess¡® heart missed a beat.
She thought she¡¯d gotten used to the hurt, but it still felt like someone ripping open a wound.
Getting used to pain didn¡¯t mean it stopped hurting.
Tess pressed her palm against her chest. That thin beam of light from the doorway felt like it was burning into her eyes.
Why had she ever fallen for Finn?
He was the kind of man who could flirt with her adopted sister and still act like she meant nothing.
She used to be thrilled to marry him.
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Chapter 142 Why Does She Fall for Him?
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And now? He had the nerve to erase everything she¡¯d worked for at the Lock Group just to keep Nadine happy.
Tess was trembling with anger.
She couldn¡¯t bear to watch them anymore. As she turned to walk away, the edge of her coat brushed the wooden door, making a soft, idental sound.
¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice cut through the silence, sharp and on guard.
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Chapter 143 He Won¡¯t Divorce Her
Nadine turned toward the sound.
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By the door stood a woman in a in nightgown, her face still carrying a trace of sadness.
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed as he forced out her name. ¡°Tess?¡±
¡°Just walking by. Don¡¯t mind me.¡±
Tess gave a polite smile and turned to leave.
¡°Tess!¡±
Something about how calm she was made Finn panic a little. He quickly reached out and grabbed her arm.
¡°Let go of me.¡±
Tess stared coldly at his hand, her voice cool and firm.
But it was exactly that quiet calm that made Finn¡¯s heart beat faster.
¡°The Lock Group is in serious trouble. Nadine was just giving me an update,¡± he blurted.
¡°Why are you telling me that?¡±
Tess turned back, her eyes meeting his like she truly didn¡¯t
get - it.
Finn froze.
Her face was unreadable as she nced at them.
But he suddenly felt like he¡¯d lost something.
Since Tess got out of prison, Finn had sensed her pulling further and further away. Now, staring at her cool expression, it finally sank in.
Did she not love him anymore?
Hisshes twitched. He used to hate how clingy she was. But now that she¡¯d let go, all he felt was panic.
¡°You¡¯re my wife,¡± he said, locking eyes with her.
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Chapter 143 He Won¡¯t Divorce Her
Nadine¡¯s heart sank like a stone. The word ¡°wife¡± hit her hard.
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She had no right to say anything, but it didn¡¯t stop her from curling her fists, her eyes burning with jealousy.
But she quickly masked it and said, ¡°Tess, don¡¯t misunderstand. We were just talking about work. Finn¡¯s been under a lot of pressure at the office. As his wife, you should try to understand him more.¡±
Nadine forced an understanding smile.
But Tess didn¡¯t even look at her.
¡°That title means nothing to me now.¡±
Her voice was soft, almost like a breeze disappearing into the dark.
With that, she turned around and left resolutely, disappearing into the night.
Finn¡¯s lips parted, but nothing came out. Every word got stuck in his throat.
Nadine quickly covered the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes and put on a worried look.
She tugged at his sleeve gently. ¡°Finn, Tess seems upset. I still have more to report, but I can wait till tomorrow. You should go talk to her.¡±
Even as she said it, her teary gaze begged him to stay.
But this time, Finn didn¡¯t hesitate. He kept his eyes fixed on the direction where Tess had gone.
Nadine bit her lip when he didn¡¯t look at her.
¡°Okay.¡±
This time, Finn didn¡¯t stick around. He gave a quiet reply, then flipped off the study lights.
The room sank into darkness, hiding the stunned look frozen on Nadine¡¯s face.
¡°You head back first,¡± he said.
The only thing left behind was the chill in the air and the soft sound of his footsteps fading down the hall, along with a barely audible goodbye.
Once everything went still, Nadine finally realized he had left.
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Chapter 143 He Won¡¯t Divorce Her
Her eyes widened as she stared into the pitch ck.
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She bit her lip hard, watching helplessly as he walked off in the same direction Tess had gone.
By the time Finn reached Tess¡® door, the front entrance of Evermount Vi had already shut.
He knocked gently, mindful that La was probably sleeping.
Tess didn¡¯t want to disturb La either, so even though she didn¡¯t want to see him, she still opened the door.
She stared coldly at Finn, silently demanding to know why he was there.
¡°The Lock Group is in trouble. The only shot we have at fixing things is by getting the original draft from Steven fromst year.
¡°He won¡¯t hand it over unless he talks to you.¡±
His tone was firm, showing how serious it was.
Tess looked at him for a moment. The dim light softened the sharp lines of his face. He didn¡¯t look as cold or tough as usual.
She kept her gaze on him, then stepped outside and quietly closed the door behind her.
She nced at him and said in a low voice, ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside.¡±
La was still asleep. Tess didn¡¯t want to risk waking her up.
Finn¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he quickly followed.
But when they stood face to face outside, Tess¡® icy stare hit him like cold water.
¡°You should start thinking about signing the divorce papers.¡±
She said it before he could get a word in.
Finn¡¯s expression instantly hardened.
He didn¡¯t hesitate at all and blurted out, ¡°No way.¡±
His eyes locked onto hers. ¡°If getting your help means I have to divorce you, then don¡¯t bother.¡±
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Chapter 144 Conversation
:
Finn let out a heavy breath. Frustration pushed hard against his chest.
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Tess noticed the shift in his face. His features darkened, and though he kept his voice steady, the tension underneath it all was clear. She found it almostughable.
He drew closer, reaching out to hold her¨Cwarm and soft¨Cin his arms. He refused to let her ?????? ???? FindN()vel- go.
¡°No matter how big this storm gets, the Lock Group has been standing for years. We¡¯ve got enough strength to weather it,¡± Finn said.
His tone was cold, solid, and full of finality.
Tess looked at him for a moment, then stepped back and exhaled. ¡°Fine. One condition. I don¡¯t know what it is yet, but you¡¯ll agree to it.¡±
Finn didn¡¯t expect her to give in so easily. But as soon as she spoke, his guard shot right back - up.
¡°Anything but divorce.¡±
His eyes stayed locked on hers. They were deep and dark, like staring into a pit that never ended.
Tess held his gaze, and for a second, it felt like she was being dragged into something that could swallow her whole.
She turned away with a cold voice. ¡°So you¡¯ll say yes to anything, as long as it¡¯s not divorce?¡±
Once she gave that promise, Finn finally rxed a little. He rubbed his forehead and nodded. ¡°Fine. But there¡¯s a line.
¡°And I decide where that line is. If I say no, then it¡¯s no. You¡¯ll just have to think of something else.¡±
His words came with caution, but when he looked up again, Tess was already watching him with a sharp, mocking look.
¡°I¡¯ll let you know when I figure it out.¡±
She turned to leave. But before she could take a step, Finn moved and blocked her path.
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Chapter 144 Conversation
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His tall frame cast a heavy shadow over her. With the light behind him, his face looked darker than usual, and for just a second, something softer slipped through.
¡°Tess¡ it¡¯s not what you think. I mean the thing between Nadine and me.¡±
Tess blinked slowly. ¡°Oh? The secretary and the boss? ssic setup. Perfect for an affair.¡±
She gave a dryugh.
¡°Finn, the divorce is just a matter of time.¡±
She said it quietly and shut the door behind her.
The hallway was dim. Wall lights gave off a faint yellow glow. There was no one else around. Finn lowered his gaze.
The veins on his hand bulged as he clenched his fist. His emotions ran high and heavy.
Even now, she couldn¡¯t help making a jab at him and her foster sister.
Finn¡¯s lips pulled into a cold, tight smile. His eyes stayed dead still. Not a trace of warmth.
So what about her and Abel? Or Max?
His hand curled tighter.
His wife. His nephew. He di
His wife. His nephew. He didn¡¯t even know when they had met. He had no clue how close they had be.
She could bond with Abel like they were soulmates, but the second he so much as spoke to Nadine, she turned cold and sarcastic.
The Lock Group had found a way out of its crisis. But Finn couldn¡¯t find a single ounce of peace. His chest felt like it was being squeezed from the inside.
Later that night, he sent a message to Zane, who was already deep asleep. He asked him to dig into how Tess and Abel first met, and what kind of rtionship they had now.
As soon as the message left his phone, Finn¡¯s eyes turned red. He squeezed the device in his palm and quietly made his way to the bedroom.
The room was dark. The light switch sat right by the door, but he didn¡¯t reach for it. He walked forward in silence, step by step, until he reached the bed.
His hand swept across the nightstand until his fingers found a flower¨Cshaped button. He
16:00 Tue, Sep 30
Chapter 144 Conversation
pressed it.
A soft light bloomed around the room.
:
The first thing his eyesnded on was the small floralmp by the bed.
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The room Tess and La stayed in were cleaned out specifically for them. But back then¡
Finn opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Everything of Tess¡® had been removed from this room. Everything but thatmp. It had been left untouched.
He stared at it. To him, it was nothing more than a forgotten object. But themp looked just like it had on the day she left. Spotless. Bright. Even the shade, which should¡¯ve collected dust, was clean like it had just been wiped.
Finn looked away and sank into the bed.
It wasrge. It was cold.
Maybe it just felt that way because she wasn¡¯t there.
Finn had always slept like clockwork. Even on a bed that could hold ten people, he stayed perfectly still, never straying from his side.
But that night, something made him reach out. His hand touched nothing but a cold, empty sheet.
The chill sank into his skin and crept into his chest.
He didn¡¯t know when sleep took over. By the time he opened his eyes again, the sun had already climbed high into the sky. His phone buzzed with a call from Zane.
Still groggy, Finn answered. ¡°Mr. Lock! I told Steven that Mrs. Lock agreed to meet him. He¡¯snding this afternoon, and he¡¯s bringing the draft we¡¯ve been waiting on!¡± Zane¡¯s voice rang with energy.
That snapped Finn awake.
¡°Get ready. We¡¯re heading to the airport.¡±
He changed into a fresh suit and told the driver to take him to the office.
Tess heard the rush of tires as the car pulled away. She stood by the window, watching the
16:00 Tue, Sep 30
Chapter 144 Conversation
Maybach speed off into the distance.
Steven was finallying back.
Her thoughts drifted.
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Last night, she had made her terms clear to Finn. It wasn¡¯t just about securing her own ground. Deep down, she really did want to see Steven.
Around noon, Zane called and invited her to the Lock Group office. They would go to the airport together.
Tess handed La off to the nanny at Evermount Vi. She took her time getting ready, making sure every detail was in ce before heading out to meet them.
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Chapter 145 Meeting
By the time Tess arrived, the car for the airport run was already waiting by the front gate.
She stepped out of the taxi, and just then, the back window of a nearby car rolled down.
A sharp profile came into view.
Finn turned his head slightly, looked at her, and said, ¡°Get in.¡±
Tess paused for a moment. Her eyes swept across the busy street before she bent down and climbed into the car.
The back seat was spacious. With only the two of them inside, Tess sat as far away as she could. There was enough room between them to seat several more people.
Finn nced at the gap between them. He pressed his lips together and forced down the irritation building inside.
They didn¡¯t exchange a word the entire ride. When they reached the airport, Finn opened the door for her. Their eyes met briefly, but Tess turned away before anything could settle in the silence.
¡°Tess, long time no see.¡±
The familiar voice came from right behind her. Calm and formal.
She turned around, caught off guard. Steven was already standing there. She had no idea when he¡¯d shown up.
It had been a full year since theyst saw each other. Unlike her, Steven looked nearly the same. He still wore those clear square sses. His hair was slicked back clean with gel, the cut sharp and neat.
He rolled up the sleeves of his deep blue striped dress shirt and stepped forward, shutting the car door for her before Finn could even react. His whole presence radiated control and ss, the kind earned through years in the corporate world.
Tess blinked. Her chest tightened, and her nose stung unexpectedly.
Seeing him again brought back too much.
Their eyes met. Steven¡¯s gaze shifted slightly.
10.00 Tue, Sep 30
Chapter 145 Meeting
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If Finn hadn¡¯t been standing next to her, he might not have recognized her from behind.
The Tess he remembered had been firm, brilliant, and full of ideas.
She reminded him of himself in some ways¨Cquick¨Cthinking,posed, and professional. But she had always been softer when it counted.
Now, she seemed different. The edge had faded. She looked like someone who had once been ice but had melted into something fluid, someone who was still strong but warmer, quieter.
Steven found himself staring.
¡°Zane said this flight didn¡¯t serve food,¡± he said. ¡°There¡¯s a restaurant nearby. We can grab a bite and talk there.¡±
Finn moved in just slightly, cing himself between them and cutting Steven¡¯s line of sight.
Steven caught the message and backed off with a polite smile. It was smooth and distant. ¡°Sure.¡±
Tess followed silently behind. Follow current nov?ls on Find[?]ovel
As soon as they stepped into the restaurant, a bright voice rang out from across the room.
¡°Finn! What are the odds?¡±
Nadine trotted over, her eyes lit up like she¡¯d just spotted a prize.
Finn looked surprised.
¡°What are you doing here?¡±
Nadine stuck out her tongue yfully and pointed toward a table behind her.
An older man sat there, hair white, posture straight, eyes sharp. He nodded respectfully at Finn.
The elder was obviously a respected person.
¡°This is my professor from college,¡± Nadine said. ¡°I¡¯ve been really worried about Lock Grouptely, so I brought him over to help brainstorm some ideas.¡±
She looked up at Finn, clearly fishing for praise.
Finn gave her a small smile. ¡°You¡¯ve done well.¡±
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Chapter 145 Meeting
As he spoke, he lowered his gaze just enough to hide the nce he stole at Tess.
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Nadine lit up with pride. She waved it off as if it was nothing. ¡°It¡¯s really no trouble! I¡¯m just d I could help you.¡±
They spoke like no one else existed. Steven took it all in. He raised one brow, then looked at Tess.
He knew her. He knew what she used to feel about Finn.
But now, she looked at the two of them with the calm detachment of someone watching strangers.
Not a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. Nothing.
Steven felt something off.
¡°You must be Mr. Stone,¡± Nadine said suddenly. Her face brightened as she reached out a hand toward him.
Steven¡¯s smile stayed fixed. He lifted his arm and blocked her approach before she could get any closer.
His tone was smooth, but there was no warmth in it. ¡°We have business to discuss. This isn¡¯t a good time for a fourth person. I hope you¡¯ll understand, Ms. Ember.¡±
One nce was all it took. Steven had heard the stories even before returning home. He already had a rough picture of Tess¡® family, and Nadine¡¯s identity clicked instantly.
He narrowed his eyes.
They turned cold.
Back when he still worked at Lock Group, Nadine hadn¡¯t stood out. He only knew Tess had a foster sister in thepany.
Tess had always treated her kindly, but there had been something off in how she spoke about her. Like there was something buried between them.
Nadine clearly hadn¡¯t expected to be shut down so bluntly. Her smile faltered, and her face stiffened.
She looked to Finn for help.
But Finn stayed with Steven on this one. ¡°Go take care of your professor first.¡±
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146 Headpat
Chapter 146 Headpat
Nadine¡¯s gaze dulled.
But a secondter, Finn loosened his grip and rested his hand gently on her head.
¡°I¡¯ll meet up with you once I¡¯m finished,¡± he said.
His voice dropped low, smooth and calm as it brushed against her like a warm breeze.
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A flush spread across Nadine¡¯s cheeks, and her ears turned pink. The tight knot in her chest loosened in an instant.
She nodded eagerly, her tone soft and full of pride.
¡°I¡¯ll wait for you.¡±
She didn¡¯t catch the cool distance in his eyes, as though the words hade from someone else.
Before leaving, she tossed onest look at Tess.
Her steps grew light, and her mood soared.
Steven raised a brow, his sharp eyes flicking between Finn and Tess.
¡°You already know how bad things are at Lock Group. I held up my end. How about you?¡±
Finn tapped the table to remind him.
Steven pulled his gaze back and offered a smooth, unreadable smile. ¡°Come on, Mr. Lock, we¡¯ve known each other a long time. Can¡¯t we talk like old friends before diving into work?¡±
He stood up, grabbed the bottle, and poured red wine into Finn¡¯s empty ss. ¡°Some people are worth the wait,¡± Steven said, his voice light. ¡°Just make sure you¡¯re not waiting on the wrong ones.¡±
Finn squinted slightly. Something about those words rubbed him the wrong way.
Steven raised his ss like nothing happened. He still wore that careful, polite smile, but Finn felt his mood dip.
The line dropped like a pebble in still water.
Chapter 146 Headpat
Tiny, but it rippled.
Finn looked at Tess.
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She didn¡¯t lift her head. She kept cutting her steak in silence, her face turned calmly to the side.
¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Steven said, noticing her struggle. Original content can be found at Find?Novel
He reached over and took her te.
Tess didn¡¯t argue.
It wasn¡¯t about being delicate. Her steak was cooked through and tough to cut.
She gave him a small smile.
It was a simple expression and nothing more. But to Finn, it cut like ss.
His jaw tightened. A sharp weight pressed on his chest.
¡°I¡¯m a busy man, Steven,¡± Finn said, dropping his utensils. The noise rang out as metal met porcin.
Steven narrowed his eyes. He didn¡¯t say another word. He reached into his briefcase, pulled out a folder, and set it firmly on the table.
The easy smile vanished.
¡°My mistake,¡± he said coldly. ¡°You¡¯ve got more on your te than we do. We¡¯re just nobodies, right?¡±
His voice dripped with sarcasm. It made Tess frown.
Finn¡¯s face went hard.
He stood and looked directly at her. ¡°You¡¯ve seen him now. Time to head home, Mrs. Lock.¡±
He said the title with weight, like it was a brand.
His tone left no room for argument.
Steven noticed the change. He looked from one to the other.
It had been a year since he¡¯d seen them.
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Chapter 146 Headpat
Back then, Finn didn¡¯t care much what Tess did. He never tried to control her.
Now, things felt different.
Steven turned to Tess.
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Something wasn¡¯t right.
She nced at him and then back at Finn. Her voice stayed calm. ¡°I¡¯m not in a hurry. If you have work, Mr. Lock, then I suggest you get back to it.¡±
Finn had expected it, but her words still unsettled him.
¡°No.¡± he said at once.
Tess looked up, her tone sharp.
¡°Then I¡¯ll use the condition you promised me yesterday. I can¡¯t ask for a divorce, and now I can¡¯t even sit down with an old friend?¡±
er voice wasced with dry scorn.
Her eyes narrowed, and her voice wasced with dry scorn.
She looked like someone who had been locked away too long, and every look she gave him was full of defiance.
But the truth was, he was the one stuck now.
Finn stood frozen.
She could have asked for anything¨Chis money, his possessions, even his heart¨Cand he would have handed it over.
But all she wanted was time with Steven.
So small, yet it shook him to his core.
He stared at the two of them.
Then he let out a short, bitterugh. The air around him felt colder in an instant.
¡°Fine.¡±
He spat the word like it left a bad taste.
Finn spun around and left, walking so fast the wind kicked up behind him.
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Chapter 146 Headpat
Steven reached out and ttened the edge of the tablecloth before it could fly up.
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With Finn gone, he rxed. His tone softened, like an older brother watching out for someone he cared about. ¡°You mentioned divorce. What¡¯s going on?¡±
Before Tess could speak, he continued with a frown, ¡°You used to want to marry him so badly. What changed? Is this still aboutst year, or did something else happen?¡±
His face grew more serious with each word. It was clear he was ready to stand by her if she gave him even one reason.
A quiet warmth rose in Tess¡¯s chest. She told him what she was thinking¨Cclear, honest, and without holding back.
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Keepsake 147
Chapter 147 Steven¡¯s Concern
Chapter 147 Steven¡¯s Concern
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When Tess lowered her eyes and quietly said she had nothing left to hold on to, a strange mix of sorrow and relief spread across Steven¡¯s face.
He hated everything Finn had put her through, but he also felt grateful she had finally chosen to start living for herself.
¡°Come on. I know you hate food like this.¡±
Steven stood up fast and moved her untouched steak aside.
He picked up the keys from the table. ¡°I never sold my ce in Aetheris. Had the car brought around earlier. Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you to that little spot you always loved.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes
lit up, and she stood with him.
Aetheris had always felt empty. Her grandmother had once filled that space with warmth. Tess missed her gentle hands and the simple,forting meals she used to cook.
One time, she and Steven had found a quiet restaurant that made food just like her grandmother¡¯s. From then on, it became their favorite ce to go when they had the time.
Steven led her outside. The car waited at the curb.
.
They got in, and once the engine started, Tess rolled the window down. A rare calm settled over her.
But when she looked to the side, her whole body tensed.
Finn was there. Nadine stood beside him, and the professor she had mentioned was just behind them.
Steven followed her gaze and saw it too.
Without speaking, he reached over and rolled her window up.
The car pulled away in silence.
Tess said nothing. Her lips stayed pressed together. Her eyes stared nkly at the streets rushing past.
Steven watched her in the rearview mirror.
:
Chapter 147 Steven¡¯s Concern
She looked quiet, but the stiffness in her shoulders told the truth.
He turned back to the road and kept driving.
A
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When they arrived, the old restaurant was gone. Its sign had been reced, and the building had a fresh coat of paint.
It also sold a different type of food.
¡°It¡¯s changed, but we can get lunch here,¡± Tess said, eyeing the unfamiliar setup.
¡°We¡¯re not eating here,¡± Steven said, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about that ce the whole time I was away.¡±
He pulled out his phone and began searching for the shop¡¯s new ce. A few tapster, the name ¡°Lock Group¡± shed on the screen.
His eyes paused on it. Hisshes twitched, but he didn¡¯t stop. He turned the car and drove off again.
Meanwhile, Finn had already taken the draft from Steven and left. He told Zane to return first.
Inside the car, Finn¡¯s face was still, but the tight set of his jaw said plenty.
¡°Lock Group¡¯s problems haven¡¯t been easy. I¡¯m grateful for your help, Professor,¡± he said.
His tone was polite, and his posture stayed rigid, every part of him carrying his usual cool authority.
¡°My student still has a long way to go. It¡¯s only fair I offer what I can,¡± the professor replied with a dryugh..
He cast a sideways nce at Nadine.
After the brief exchange, Finn turned to the window. His lips were pressed tight.
He kept staring at the rows of trees sliding past outside.
No one spoke.
Nadine sat stiffly, her hands tight in herp.
She knew Tess was the reason Lock Group had pulled through. Tess had met with Steven, and Steven had handed over the original draft. But Nadine didn¡¯t want to admit that. So she had contacted her former professor, who now had a respected name in the legal field, hoping he
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Chapter 147 Steven¡¯s Concern
could help go after thepany that had copied them.
She had to prove she was better at Tess at something, at least.
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She had worked hard to sell it¨Ctalking up Finn, calling him the richest man in Aetheris. She made it seem like helping him would bring big rewards.
But now, Finn¡¯s distant behavior made the professor wonder if it was worth it.
Nadine gave him a silent look, trying to calm his doubt.
¡°Mr. Lock.¡±
Zane¡¯s voice came from the front seat as the car pulled up to the Lock Group building.
The towering ss and steel frame cut clean through the skyline. Compared to the other buildings nearby, it looked massive.
The professor had been getting restless, but when he saw the building, even he paused. The irritation left his face, reced by quiet awe.
So this is Lock Group.
Finn leaned toward Nadine. ¡°Take the professor to your office.¡±
He stepped out without waiting. His pace was steady and quick.
He and Zane took the executive elevator. Nadine and the professor followed behind and waited for the standard one.
As Finn disappeared from view, the professor leaned toward Nadine. ¡°That¡¯s yourw?¡±
brother¨Cin-
Now that no one else could see, Nadine let her smile drop. Her face sagged, tired. ¡°The marriage was arranged by the family,¡± she said under her breath. ¡°There¡¯s nothing between them.¡±
The professor studied her tired face, then looked again in the direction Finn had gone. His eyes narrowed slightly.
He had heard all her stories and all her dreams from years ago. He had hoped she could pull him into something worthwhile. But now, after seeing the man for himself, doubt settled in his gut.
Still, since he had alreadye this far¡
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Chapter 147 Steven¡¯s Concern
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He followed Nadine through the wide lobby. But before they reached the elevators, a group of people came charging toward them with sharp, urgent energy.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 148
Chapter 148 In the Company
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He stumbled backward, dazed, his vision bursting with shes of white. It took several uneven steps before he managed to find his bnce.
¡°What the hell¡¯s your problem?!¡±
His voice roared across the lobby. The calm mask he wore cracked apart, and rage flooded his face.
Nadine didn¡¯t look much better. She had her hand mped tight on the front desk girl¡¯s shoulder, gripping so hard the poor woman stood frozen and upright like a statue.
¡°We came to demand justice!¡± someone shouted from the crowd. ¡°Lock Group stole ourpany¡¯s patent! Apany this big stealing from a startup¨Chow can you be this shameless? What, you think you can get away with it because we¡¯re small?!¡±
The man at the front wore a simple ck suit. It was clearly from a cheaper luxury brand. While it was clean and fitted, it couldn¡¯t hold a candle to Finn¡¯s custom Romagnan tailoring.
Even Nadine looked shocked. They were the ones who stole their design, yet this group marched in like they were the victims. It was so brazen, so backward, it left her stunned.
had
Behind her, the professor stared at the crowd with narrowed eyes. Their faces were twisted with outrage. Their hate toward Finn wasn¡¯t hidden¨Cit was in as day.
¡°Ms. Nadine!¡±
The receptionist gasped, her voice sharp with pain under Nadine¡¯s grip.
That sound snapped everyone¡¯s attention toward the corner.
The crowd paused, then turned their heads in unison, their eyes locking onto Nadine.
¡°So you¡¯re Nadine? That shamelesswyer screwing Finn?!¡±
The man in ck screamed it at her. His words cut through the noise like a de.
The moment the insult hit, Nadine¡¯s face turned cold and dark.
It was close to lunchtime, and Lock Group¡¯s ground floor was packed with employees passing through. The yelling had already drawn a crowd. Now thatment rang through the open space, heads turned and mouths fell open.
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Everyone knew Mr. Lock hadn¡¯t finalized his divorce. They also knew Tess had served time. And it was no secret how gentle and attentive Finn was with Nadine. Some people even respected the way he treated her.
But for this man to say something like that in the heart of Lock Group? It was like he had a death wish.
Some workers looked at him like they were already mourning.
Nadine stepped forward, her gaze sharp and cold. ¡°You¡¯d better watch your mouth. This is Lock Group, not some back alley. Outsiders don¡¯t get to cause scenes here.¡±
She scanned the area, then motioned toward the guards. ¡°Throw them out.¡±
The security team jogged in, reaching the scene quickly. They moved in on the man and grabbed him by both arms. ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡±
But he wasn¡¯t about to go quietly. His fury exploded again. ¡°So now Lock Group¡¯s using force?! You stole from us and now you¡¯re trying to silence us?!¡±
He stomped hard and screamed, his voice echoing through the building.
The energy jumped from him to the rest of the group. Their anger surged, and people began to shout and push forward. ¡°Give us answers! Stop hiding behind your power!¡±
¡°You stole our patent!¡±
The voices piled on, louder and sharper with each second.
It didn¡¯t stop there. The man had already tipped off the press, and now a swarm of reporters pushed through the crowd.
the
Camera shes lit up space.
Chaos took over the entire lobby.
Shutter clicks filled the air.
There weren¡¯t enough guards to control the scene. They were pushed and pulled in every direction.
A sh of something sharp passed through the man¡¯s eyes. He lunged forward and grabbed Nadine¡¯s wrist with a crushing grip. His face twisted with fury. ¡°You¡¯re the one sleeping with Finn, aren¡¯t you? Go call him down. Tell him I want answers! Tell him that he¡¯s a cruel bastard that¡¯s gone mad with power, and now he¡¯s trying to kill a poor startup that¡¯s just trying to survive!!¡±
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His fingers pressed into her skin. Nadine winced. The elegance she usually carried vanished in
a second.
Her jaw clenched. Her brow tightened. She tried to break free, but she couldn¡¯t.
Pain shot through her arm. Her wrist felt like it might snap.
¡°Let go! You¡¯re hurting me!¡±
She cried out, sweat dripping down her face.
The reporters caught it instantly. Their lenses turned like a pack of wolves, zeroing in on the struggle.
Nadine raised her other arm to cover herself.
The professor just stood there. His eyes were wide, and his whole body locked in ce.
Even as Nadine whimpered beside him, he didn¡¯t move.
She shot him a desperate look. Her wrist was turning red and swelling fast. She was terrified it might break.
She opened her mouth. She was just about to give in and agree to call Finn, when her eyes caught a familiar silhouette outside.
Her breath caught. Her gaze froze.
¡°Wait! I¡¯m not his lover! We¡¯re just coworkers! You want Mr. Lock? Look over there! That¡¯s his wife!¡±
Her scream cut through the noise like a siren.
The man froze. His eyes narrowed as he red at her.
Nadine raised her free hand and pointed out the ss doors.
He turned and looked outside. There stood a woman with a cold, distant presence.
¡°You¡¯re not lying? That¡¯s really Finn¡¯s wife?¡±
Sara Lili
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Keepsake 149
Chapter 149 Drag Her Down
He paused, unsure of what to say.
Nadine nodded fast. ¡°Yes! Just ask the staff! Everyone here knows who she is!¡±
The man in the ck suit nced at the front desk and the security guards nearby. The team had changed a few times, but with Nadine¡¯s silent cue, a few of them nodded along.
They knew Finn clearly favored Nadine. As employees, they understood exactly who to please.
The man shoved Nadine aside and passed her off to someone behind him. Then he waved his hand and led a group straight out the front doors.
¡°Didn¡¯t think they¡¯d move the building,¡± he muttered. ¡°I parked in the garage. Hope you don¡¯t mind walking me down, gorgeous.¡±
Steven kept his face serious, but his tone was light. Tess let out a softugh, and for once, the weight pressing on her chest lifted.
¡°You¡¯re Tess?!¡±
A deep voice cut through the air.
Before Tess could respond, a thick arm shot toward her.
Steven blocked it instantly. He pped the man¡¯s arm away and pulled Tess behind him, eyes locked on the stranger. ¡°Who the hell are you? What are you trying to do?¡±
¡°This has nothing to do with you! We¡¯re here for Tess!¡±
The man threw his hand forward, and the group behind him surged ahead without hesitation. Steven¡¯s jaw tightened. He stepped forward and kicked the lead man in the chest.
The man staggered back and mmed into the pavement. A sharp cry escaped his throat, followed by a guttural scream of pain.
The sun was beating down hard. The concrete outside Lock Group felt like it had been cooking all day. As soon as his skin touched the burning ground, blisters bubbled up and spread across his arms.
The others froze. They rushed to help him, but none of them dared take another step forward.
:
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Chapter 149 Drag Her Down
¡°I don¡¯t even know who you are. What do you want from me?¡±
Tess brushed Steven¡¯s arm with her hand, signaling him to move back.
He shifted slightly, giving her space to step in front and meet the man¡¯s re.
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¡°It¡¯s all over the inte,¡± he said, voice thick with anger. ¡°You¡¯re Finn¡¯s wife. Don¡¯t act like don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on.¡±
He jabbed a finger toward her.
Tess raised her hand and smacked it away.
Her mind ran through thetest news.
It didn¡¯t take long to guess what this was about.
you
But his words still nagged at her¨Che clearly didn¡¯t recognize her. So who had pointed him her way?
¡°She knows!¡±
A sharp voice cut through the crowd.
Nadine stepped into view, cradling her wrist. ¡°Finn talked about Lock Group in front of her. She knows everything.¡±
She said it again, then softened her tone. ¡°Tess, you¡¯re Finn¡¯s wife. You helped fix the situation. guing Lock Group. You already know what¡¯s going on. How can you turn your back on us now? Just exin it to them. Please.¡±
She looked worried, like a loyalpany woman just trying to help.
The man¡¯s eyes snapped back to Tess. ¡°You helped them?! There¡¯s already a n?!¡±
His voice rose, thick with disbelief.
He had uploaded hispany¡¯s designs online long before Lock Group made theirs public. The timeline was clear. The evidence was solid. There was no way they could win this fight¡ª unless there was something they didn¡¯t know.
Sweat rolled down his spine. Fear turned to rage. ¡°You filthy woman! You¡¯re covering for Finn! Do you have no sense of justice? Of shame?¡±
His voice cracked. His bloodshot eyes were wide and wild.
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Chapter 149 Drag Her Down
Steven moved closer. He didn¡¯t blink. His eyes stayed fixed on the man.
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Tess didn¡¯t budge. Her face was calm, her gaze cold. She looked toward Nadine, then turned to the man with ice in her voice.
¡°I haven¡¯t worked at Lock Group in a long time. I only carry thebel of ¡®family. I have no say inpany matters. If you think your rights were vited, talk to awyer. Take it to court. Don¡¯t stand here yelling like some street thug.¡±
She didn¡¯t flinch. Her steady tone made the man hesitate for a second.
Then the shame hit. He had backed off because of her¨Cbecause of a woman. His pride burned. ¡°You¡¯re Finn¡¯s wife! I¡¯ll talk to you because I want justice, and you¡¯re close to the source! Get him down here now! I want answers!¡±
Tess said nothing. She reached back and tugged gently on Steven¡¯s shirt.
He turned and saw the look in her eyes. Her lips parted slightly. He could read the words. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
He got it right away. He took her hand and started stepping back slowly.
But Nadine saw them move. ¡°They¡¯re trying to leave! Stop them!¡±
Her scream snapped the man back into motion. He turned fast and grabbed Tess by the wrist. ¡°You bitch! You think you can run?!¡±
His grip tightened. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere until I see Finn!¡±
His rage exploded. His hand mped down even harder than before. Tess¡¯s skin lost all color. Her fingers turned pale and stiff.
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Chapter 150 I Am Not His Wife
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Steven¡¯s face turned dark and dangerous. He seized the man¡¯s wrist in one swift motion and barked, ¡°Let go!¡±
¡°Tell Finn to get out here!¡± the man in the suit growled, veins bulging across his forehead.
But instead of backing down, he deliberately tightened his hold on Tess in defiance. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s see who breaks first¨Cme, or this bitch-¡±
¡°Argh!¡±
A fist materialized out of thin air, sending him sprawling before anyone could blink.
The man crumpled to the floor, clutching his face as stars spun wildly overhead.
A stunned silence fell over the room as all eyes snapped to the neer.
Abel stood there, jaw clenched tight, his features carved in fury. He poised like a panther mid- pounce, the residual tension in his frame making even his elegant features seem secondary to the raw, predatory energy rolling off him.
¡°Uncle Finn can¡¯t even keep his damnpany in check now? Since when does just anybody get to barge in and throw shit around?¡±
His tone could¡¯ve frozen hell.
Tess stumbled back, finally freed from the man¡¯s grip. She stared at Abel as if seeing him for the first time.
She¡¯d never seen him like this before.
Abel now carried a kind of deadly sharpness that unmistakably echoed Finn. It was hard to reconcile this version of him with the cheerful, easygoing boy she remembered.
Nadine¡¯s expression curdled.
Not him again!
The man on the floor blinked rapidly, trying to steady himself, still reeling from the blow.
¡°You¡
¡°1
He lifted his head, ready to spit venom, only to choke on it as Abel¡¯s fierce gaze locked onto
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Chapter 150 I Am Not His Wife
his.
Who the hell is this guy?
Then the word ¡°Uncle Finn¡± registered. His eyes flew wide in disbelief.
He¡¯s Finn¡¯s nephew?
But¡ that couldn¡¯t be right. No one had ever mentioned Finn even had a nephew.
His
gaze darted to Nadine, her stony confirmation sinking his stomach.
It was true. Fuck.
¡°Are you alright?¡±
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He turned to Tess, the fury in his eyes melting into concern¨Ca transformation so stark it left her momentarily speechless.
Steven observed the exchange from the sidelines, his gaze lingering on Abel with quiet assessment before looking away.
Tess gave a slight shake of her head, and Abel¡¯s shoulders rxed visibly.
¡°If you want something from Finn, then deal with him directly. Whye after me?¡±
Tess nced at the disheveled man at her feet, her voice calm but edged with frost.
His once¨Cpristine suit was now crumpled and dirt¨Cstreaked, hair mussed, the polished facadepletely shattered.
Without the expensive tailoring, all that was left of him was a thuggish air of petty spite.
¡°You are his wife!¡±
Abel¡¯s presence was suffocating, pressing him down like iron weights. The man didn¡¯t dare lift his head, yet resentment still burned in his chest.
¡°If you want Finn, you can make an appointment or go through proper channels. And let¡¯s be honest here. You know Nadine can get you to him if that¡¯s all you¡¯re after. But you didn¡¯t. You came at me because you wanted an easy target.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice rang out, just clear enough to reach every ear in the vicinity.
A weighted silence fell over the room.
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Chapter 150 I Am Not His Wife
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The man¡¯s face contorted as her words peeled his ugly motives bare in front of everyone.
¡°So what if it¡¯s true? You¡¯re his wife. Isn¡¯t it your responsibility to take the fall for him?¡±
The man shot back..
Tess cut in coldly. ¡°I¡¯m not his wife.¡±
Those words shut him up. The man blinked, then shot a questioning look at Nadine.
Nadine¡¯s eyes gleamed with malice as she announced loudly, ¡°Tess! You can¡¯t just turn your back on Finn because of a little hardship, can you?¡±
The reaction was instantaneous. Onlookers¨Cwhether they were passersby, the man¡¯s aplices, or Lock Group¡¯s employees¨Cstared at Tess, their expressions shifting to something ufortably judgmental.
So Tess was that kind of woman?
Tess lifted her eyes, locking onto Nadine with icy precision.
¡°Even if I am,
do you really think taking me would make Finne running? You¡¯ve made the wrong bet. In a city as vast as Aetheris, I¡¯m nothing more than a speck in his eyes.¡±
She made no effort to exin or defend herself. Instead, a razor¨Cedged smile curled her lips. ¡°See that woman over there? She¡¯s the one who holds Finn¡¯s heart. Nadine, my dear sister, I¡¯ve cleared the path for you. Don¡¯t waste it.¡±
The implication was razor¨Csharp. Dozens of eyes swiveled to Nadine, their gazes ricocheting between the two women as if watching a riveting stage y.
Nadine¡¯s ears rang. For once, her silver tongue failed her.
She watched Tess, confusion flickering behind narrowed eyes.
The Tess she remembered was decisive at work but always muted, almost submissive when it came to Finn. When had she grown such fangs?
Nadine clenched her teeth, her mind a blur.
¡°Make way!¡±
Zane¡¯smanding voice boomed through the crowd.
Everyone turned toward the sound as he shouldered through the gathering, nked by two
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squads of ck¨Csuited bodyguards. Within seconds, they¡¯d encircled the man in the suit and his aplices.
Chapter 151 Just Passing Through
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 151
Chapter 151 Just Passing Through
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On Zane¡¯s right stood a timid receptionist
arsin
the same one Nadine had been pinching carlier.
The moment the troublemaker left, she rushed to tell Zane what happened.
Zane¡¯s tall and intimidating bodyguards wore slightly loose suits, showing off their broad shoulders and solid muscles.
With them standing there, the suited man instantly fell silent, his head bowed like a scolded child.
¡°Mr. Lock.¡±
Zane gave a respectful nod to the man behind him. The bodyguards stepped aside instantly, leaving a clear path.
Finn walked forward with long, steady strides. His sharp, heavy gaze swept over the crowd before itnded right on the suited man and Tess.
His very presence could silence them on the spot, so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Reporters nearby froze, eyes going wide.
No one thought the situation would actually bring out Finn.
They didn¡¯t speak, but their hands itched to capture every second, already thinking of headlines.
Finn¡¯s eyes flickered with something unreadable the moment he saw Tess¨Clike something passed through him, but he didn¡¯t let it show.
Then he turned away, walked over to the suited man, and stopped.
Without uttering a single word, the pressure rolling off him was enough to make the man¡¯s whole body shake.
It felt like standing before an iceberg¨Cone wrong move, and it woulde crashing down on him.
¡°Come to stir up trouble at Lock Group?¡±
His voice was low, giving away nothing. But the cold pressure in the air made his mood clear.
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Chapter 151 Just Passing Through
The suited man felt like he couldn¡¯t breathe.
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The person he¡¯d been demanding to see was standing right there, yet he couldn¡¯t look him in the eye.
Finn toyed with a ring on his finger. His voice was frosty. ¡°Take him away. Turn him over to the police.¡±
Zane gave a few quick nces to his bodyguards. They lifted the troublemaker and dragged him off.
Then he waved for the staff to clear out, and the bystanders scattered fast.
Only a few people remained¨CTess, some reporters, and a couple of others.
¡°All recordings and photos¨Cdelete them. If anything leaks, Lock Group will take action.¡±
Finn looked straight at the reporters and warned them.
They clearly hated to see their big scoop vanish, but they knew exactly who they were dealing with.
When the richest man in Aetheris spoke, who in their right mind would dare push back?
Under Zane¡¯s watch, the reporters reluctantly erased everything and shuffled away.
The ce had been in an uproar, but the moment Finn showed up, the chaos melted away.
Tess gave a silent, bitter smirk. She didn¡¯t want to linger, so she turned to leave.
¡°Wait.¡±
He lifted a hand, stopping her.
She frowned, meeting his deep, unreadable blue eyes.
Finn stared at her for a moment before ncing toward Abel. His tone went back to icy. ¡°Top floor. Both of you.¡±
That bossy tone rubbed Tess the wrong way, and the defiance she¡¯d been holding back started to rise again.
She tried to walk off, but Finn saw iting and pulled her straight into his arms.
She crashed into him, and all she could register was the firm grip at the back of her head.
Chapter 151 Just Passing Through
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¡°Mrs. Lock, we checked their gear, but there might still be something we missed. You should go back to the office with Mr. Lock first.¡±
Zane said, trying to calm Tess down.
Her thoughts clicked instantly at his words.
Catching on to what he meant, she shot Finn a cold re, pushed him away, and said tly, ¡°I can walk myself.¡±
And she did, striding ahead.
Abel, who¡¯d been leaning aroundzily, immediately followed.
Finn¡¯s hand dropped to his side, curling into a fist before loosening again.
His eyes narrowed, a faint shadow crossing them.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Steven about to follow them. ¡°Thanks for the file,¡± Finn said, his tone clipped. ¡°But this is a family matter now. Please step back.¡±
Steven stopped, and Finn turned away without another nce, heading inside.
All Steven could do was send Tess a quick text. ¡°Call me if you need me. I¡¯lle get you.¡±
After sending the text, he made his way toward the underground garage. From a distance, he spotted a restaurant he hadn¡¯t visited in years. But his gaze slid past it without a flicker of interest. The warmth he¡¯d shown while talking with Tess earlier was gone.
Without someone to share it with, it was just another meal.
Meanwhile, inside the Lock Group¡¯s CEO office, Tess and Abel sat side by side, facing Finn across the desk.
Finn¡¯s expression gave nothing away, but his eyes stayed fixed on the small space between the two of them, and the longer he looked, the more it grated on him.
¡°Tell me what are you doing here?¡± he asked as he stared at Abel, frowning.
Abel tuggedzily at his loose bow tie. ¡°Just passing through.¡±
¡°Passing through?¡± Finn¡¯s voice carried a mocking edge now. His voice cooled again. ¡°Your hotel¡¯s on the other side of Aetheris. You call that passing through?¡±
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Chapter 152 Finn¡¯s Warning
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His voice dripped with sarcasm, and Abel gave a guilty little nose rub before sneaking a nce
at Tess.
Tess didn¡¯t so much as blink¨Clike she was barely even there.
When he saw she wasn¡¯t bothered, Abel straightened up and said, ¡°Been hanging around Aetheris for a while. Thought I¡¯d drop by Uncle Finn¡¯s ce.¡±
He shrugged, eyebrows arched in a cocky way.
Technically, he wasn¡¯t lying, but Finn Lock¡¯s mood got even colder.
Abel was checking Tess out right in front of him, like Finn wasn¡¯t even there.
Finn¡¯s jaw flexed, teeth grinding in silence, and a dull ache started behind his temples.
If Zane hadn¡¯t gotten that call from the front desk, Tess would probably owe him another favor right now.
Finn¡¯s lips pressed thin, his gaze hard on Abel.
Last time at the charity dinner, Abel tried to cozy up to his wife in his ce. And now he was pulling the knight¨Cin¨Cshining¨Carmor act again?
With a scoff, Finn stood and, without warning, scooped Tess into his arms.
The move stunned her. By the time she realized what had happened and started to push away, Finn was already back in his chair, holding her tight.
Abel tensed instantly, half a step forward like he might intervene, but when he caught the nk look on Tess¡¯s face, he slowly dropped his hand.
His usualzy grin faded, and the easygoing spark in his
eyes vanished.
¡°Uncle Finn ¡ ¡®
??
¡°What¡¯s with the long face? Can¡¯t I hug my own wife?¡±
With Tess in his arms, Finn¡¯s bad mood faded. His expression softened, and he looked like someone who knew exactly where he belonged.
The weight of that ¡°wife¡± title crushed Abel right where he sat.
apter 152 Finn¡¯s Warning
Abel¡¯s expression darkened.
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The two men stared cach other down¨CFinn with a faint curve to his lips, Abel with his smile air between them was sparking.
¡°Let go,¡± Tess said sharply, catching the difference in their expressions and feeling a re of
anger.
What did they think she was¨Csome prize to be fought over?
¡°No.¡± His answer was instant.
Tess shot him a deadly re, but Finn only raised a brow.
Their eyes locked like two fists meeting midair.
Inside, Tess felt a confusing tangle of emotions.
She knew Finn had never thought much of her, so why had he been so in her spacetely, even doing things he used to hate?
It didn¡¯t make sense, and the heat of his touch was suffocating.
¡°Tess, we¡¯re still married. Remember who you are. And the guy across from you? He¡¯s also your nephew.¡±
His voice was low, his warm breath brushing her ear.
Tess went rigid. She stared at Abel, her brows furrowing.
She caught what Finn was implying.
Abel was no ordinary man. Even when he actedzy or reckless, there was always that air about him¨Clike he¡¯d been born to it. She¡¯d figured his interest in her was because she reminded him of someone, and since he seemedid¨Cback, she¡¯d never taken it too seriously.
But Finn¡¯sment made her remember that icy look Abel had given downstairs.
Someone like him should¡¯ve been great at hiding his feelings, and with all those media cameras around, you would think he¡¯d keep his cool. But nope, he didn¡¯t even bother. Right there in front of everyone, he dropped the troublemaker with one clean punch.
Even Tess¨Cnot always the quickest to catch on¨Ccould tell something wasn¡¯t right.
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Chapter 152 Finn¡¯s Warning
She felt a shiver run down her spine.
So that¡¯s why Finn had called them both in to warn her.
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She turned her gaze away from Abel and gave Finn a sharp re, but didn¡¯t try to wriggle free this time.
Every now and then, she nced down, hershes hiding the unease in her eyes.
It all made sense.
Finn¡¯s golden¨Cboy nephew¨Chow could he be tied to her, the almost¨Cex¨Cwife with a record?
The realization somehow calmed her, though the irony still bothered her.
Snapping out of her daze, Tess realized how close their bodies were. Even withyers of fabric between them, she could feel the heat.
She shifted ufortably, her brows twitching.
Finn seemed unaware of what she was thinking¨Chis face stayed neutral, though the slow movement of his Adam¡¯s apple gave away a flicker of tension.
He might have looked calm, but her faint scent was like a match, seeping into him and scattering his thoughts.
Abel¡¯s eyes darkened as he watched them.
¡°You¡¯re getting divorced, aren¡¯t you? If Uncle Finn doesn¡¯t love her anymore, then maybe you should give Tess a little space.¡±
His tone was almost casual, but the sh of his teeth felt like the glint of a knife. The air between the two men was thick with tension.
Off to the side, Zane could feel sweat on his neck.
He nced out at the zing sunlight and rubbed the goosebumps on his arm.
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Chapter 153 You Reading Her Mind Now?
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Right now, he felt like he¡¯d been dunked in boiling water and ice at the same time¨Chis brain was on fire, but a cold chill crept down his spine.
Knock, knock.
Zane practically leaped at the chance to open the door.
Tess, tense and uneasy, tried to pull away, but Finn¡¯s grip was firm¨Cshe couldn¡¯t budge.
When Nadine showed up in her sleek heels, the sight in front of her made her burn with envy.
¡°You¡
¡±
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out¨Cshe just stood there, frozen.
Finn didn¡¯t even flinch. He just nced over, brows furrowed slightly. ¡°What is it?¡±
Tess caught Nadine¡¯s betrayed look and immediately sprang to her feet, heat rushing to her ears and neck. Irritation and regret twisted in her gut.
Had she really just gone along with Finn¡¯s little performance to please him? After everything he¡¯d
put her through, why had she given the Locks an inch?
Tess snapped back to her senses, realizing she¡¯d just made a huge mistake.
Somehow finding the strength, she pulled herself out of Finn¡¯s arms and quickly stepped back, putting space between them.
The moment his arms were empty, Finn¡¯s expression turned stormy. But with Nadine standing there, he couldn¡¯t just pick up where he left off, so he rubbed his temples and shot her an irritated look.
Biting her lip, Nadine said, ¡°Legal and PR have figured out the next steps, and I brought the paperwork for you to check ¡
Her voice got rougher toward the end.
¡°Bring them here.¡±
Since it was a work matter, Finn pushed down his impatience and tried to sound a little calmer.
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Nadine¡¯s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. But halfway to him, something seemed to click in her mind¨Cshe gasped and stumbled forward.
Finn instinctively caught her, arms steadying her upper body.
Nadine sucked in a breath, wincing as she nced down at her ankle.
The thin heel of her expensive shoe had snapped clean through, exposing the fine leather of the sole beneath, and her ankle was already turning red.
A tear slid down her cheek.
¡°What happened?¡± Finn asked, his gaze flicking from the papers in her hand to her injury. There was an edge of concern in his voice.
She clung to him tightly, and that tiny bit of sympathy was all it took¨Cher tears began to flow.
With reddened eyes, she turned her head toward Tess. ¡°Tess, why did you make me fall?¡±
The room went dead quiet.
Finn¡¯s gaze locked on Tess.
Tess froze, instantly realizing what was going on.
She gave a cold, mocking smile in her heart.
What a cheap, clumsy setup.
¡°Tess?¡± Finn¡¯s deep voice carried a weight that pressed into her.
Startled, she looked up¨Cand all she saw in his eyes, besides worry for Nadine, was suspicion.
¡°Maybe it was an ident ¡ ¡±
Nadine exined quickly, her voice full of sadness, like she was really trying to understand Tess.
Her tear¨Cstreaked face only made her look more fragile.
¡°I didn¡¯t do it.¡±
¡°It wasn¡¯t her.¡±
Tess and Abel spoke at the same time.
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As their voices ovepped, Finn¡¯s eyes briefly darkened, and his cold stare hardened into a hostile re.
¡°You reading her mind now?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice came out sharp, giving Abel no courtesy at all.
Tess stepped farther away from both Finn and Nadine, like they were beasts.
When Abel saw her reaction, he stepped forward, shielding her behind him.
They stood almost shoulder to shoulder. Finn¡¯s eyes were so cold they almost looked frozen.
He could hear Nadine quietly sobbing, which only made him more upset, as if something was squeezing his chest tight.
He nced down at Nadine¡¯s ankle and noticed a bright red mark that had already started to swell up quite a bit.
A mark like that ¡
Finn¡¯s gaze shifted without meaning to, wavering as itnded on Tess.
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Tess¡¯s face darkened.
Her eyes stayed cold and steady on Nadine, then she abruptly lifted her leg.
¡°Open the door. I¡¯m leaving.¡±
She walked right past Nadine and stopped in front of Zane.
Zane nced helplessly at Finn.
When he heard that she wanted to leave, Finn looked up suddenly.
¡°Tess, you sure about that?¡± Finn¡¯s voice dropped into a low, icy rumble.
It was as if he¡¯d been plunged into icy water, his eyes dark and menacing.
His tone lifted at the end, sending a chill through the room, full of threat and danger.
But Tess stood frozen in front of Zane, as if she hadn¡¯t heard a word.
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Zane rubbed his temple, unsure what to do¨Cuntil a low, sarcasticugh sounded beside him. Tess brushed past without looking back and pulled the door open.
Abel had been watching her closely, uneasy at the tension in her face. Without sparing a at Finn¡¯s dark expression, he hurried out after her.
nce
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Chapter 154 We Should Keep Our Distance
Chapter 154 We Should Keep Our Distance
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The mood in the office instantly sank, pressing down like a weight. Zane¡¯s vision blurred, and he felt like he couldn¡¯t catch his breath.
Nadine, meanwhile, snuck a cautious look at the clearly irritated Finn beside her, took a few deep breaths, and finally gathered enough courage to say in a pitiful voice. ¡°Finn
¡
Her tone carried a mix of emotions, but Finn barely looked at her before pushing to his feet. ¡°Call Lock Group¡¯s private clinic. Have them check Nadine¡¯s ankle.¡±
Nadine blinked, stunned, and grabbed at his sleeve like she didn¡¯t want him to walk away. ¡°Finn
But he just motioned for Zane to take her out.
When the door shut behind them with a dull thud, Zane held out a hand to her. ¡°Ms. Nadine, let¡¯s get you downstairs. The car¡¯s been waiting.¡±
She bit her lip so hard she tasted blood.
Back in the office, Finn¡¯s chest felt tight.
Still fuming, he sat down, only to find his thoughts in chaos. Suddenly, he stood, mming his fist into the wall.
A jolt of tingling pain shot through his knuckles, numbing his whole arm.
Dropping back into his chair, he tried to read the papers Nadine had brought, but his eyes slid right over the words.
Smack!
He mmed the folder shut, shoved his right hand into his pocket, and strode over to the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window.
Everyone down there was just tiny dots. Even the traffic looked like tiny toys scurrying along.
But in his mind, all he saw was Tess¨Csmiling,ughing¨Cgetting into either Steven¡¯s or Abel¡¯s
car.
Finn¡¯s jaw tightened until it hurt. That icy, dismissive look of hers burned in his head.
Anger boiled up. He swept the stack of papers off his desk. He snatched up his phone, calling
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Chapter 154 We Should Keep Our Distance
Zane mid¨Chospital run. ¡°You there yet? Which department?¡±
Meanwhile, Abel caught up to Tess just as she was about to disappear down the street.
He reached out to stop her, but she met him with a cold, annoyed look.
Something in Abel¡¯s chest gave a nervous jump. ¡°Tess ¡ ¡± he said carefully.
She lifted a hand, stopping him.
¡°I¡¯ve got a friending to pick me up. Finn¡¯s right. We should keep our distance.¡±
And with that, she walked off without looking back.
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Abel¡¯s breath caught. He¡¯d managed to reach her, yet his feet felt rooted as he watched her leave.
Tess slipped into a sleek ck car sent by Steven.
The driver politely reminded her to buckle up, then caught her eye in the rearview mirror, his tone earnest. ¡°Ms. Tess, Mr. Stone is overseeing construction at a new researchb. He said if you¡¯re interested, he¡¯d like to invite you for a visit. If you need to go anywhere, just let me know.¡±
Tess thought it over for a moment, then told him to swing by Evermount Vi to pick up La and bring her along.
When they arrived, the nanny had just finished feeding the baby.
La, satisfied and calm, gazed up at Tess with wide, round eyes and gave an adorably well- behaved smile.
Something in her tiny face pulled Tess¡® thoughts straight to Finn¨Chis unreadable stare when he¡¯d noticed Nadine¡¯s ankle.
He hadn¡¯t said anything, but the questions in his eyes had been clear.
Tess bit her lip, feeling her mood sink.
Such a sloppy trick, and yet he¡¯d fallen for it.
Was it blind loyalty to Nadine, or did he just think Tess couldn¡¯t possibly be telling the truth?
Feeling uneasy, Tess couldn¡¯t help but tell the driver to speed up.
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She rolled the window down, letting the wind tangle her hair and strip some of the weight from her thoughts.
When they finally pulled up, she was surprised to see Steven himself waiting outside.
People nearby slowed their steps, curious.
Many were top researchers from across the country and abroad, and they all knew Steven¡¯s reputation in the scientific world. For him to personally greet someone ¡
They stayed around, eager to find out who this important visitor was.
As Steven¡¯s familiar car stopped, everyone¡¯s eyes lit up, and they cast their gazes inside.
The driver got out, opened Tess¡® door, and a pale, graceful leg appeared first, followed by the sweep of a white dress and a striking face.
But¡
The crowd¡¯s attention was snagged on the baby in her arms, a perfectly delicate little doll.
Steven blinked in surprise before stepping forward. ¡°This is ¡ ¡±
¡°My daughter. La Ember.¡±
¡°La ¡ Ember.¡±
He swallowed his shock and slowly repeated those two words under his breath.
¡°That¡¯s a beautiful name.¡±
Then he lowered his gaze and reached out to Tess, wanting to hold the baby.
La, surprisingly friendly, pped her little hands in response.
Tess smiled gently, softly guiding Steven on how to hold a baby before carefully handing La over to him.
Steven¡¯s expression brightened as he cradled her¨Clight, warm, fitting perfectly in his arms.
Even though he spent most of his time in theb, he kept fit with regr exercise, so his arms were strong. He gently bounced La, making herugh.
Seeing their interaction made Tess smile, and the warmth between them eased her worries.
16:54 Wed, Oct 1¡
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Chapter 155 Come Work with Me
Chapter 155 Come Work with Me
¡°Come with me.¡±
Steven lifted a hand and motioned for Tess to follow.
¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Stone!¡±
¡°Bringing family for a tour?¡±
Along the way, a few familiar staffers greeted him with smiles.
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Steven answered with a rxed grin, even ying along. ¡°Yes. My daughter. Cute, isn¡¯t she?¡±
That earned a chorus of teasing praise¨Ceveryone saying how lucky he was.
Steven tilted his head toward Tess with a smug little raise of his brow.
She knew he was joking and didn¡¯t bother correcting him, only smiling with helpless
amusement.
He¡¯s still so childish, despite being a respected expert now.
They walked deeper into a glowing corridor awash in cool, technological blue. Gradually, the crowd thinned until there was almost no one around.
But behind them, a pair of dark eyes followed their backs until they turned a corner and disappeared. Only then did the watcher lower their gaze, pale lips pressed tight.
¡°Is it Finn¡¯s?¡±
When Steven was sure no one else was near, he asked in a low voice.
At the mention of that name, Tess¡¯s gentle smile faded. It was still there, just faint, with a cool edge. ¡°Mm.¡±
She reached over and hooked her finger around La¡¯s.
Steven studied her for a long moment before his gaze shifted to the child.
nem
He sighed, then looked upward, as though caught in a long memory.
¡°When I found out you¡¯d gone to prison, I went straight to see Finn. That man really has a heart of stone.¡±
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Chapter 155 Come Work with Me
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A thin, mocking smile tugged at his lips. ¡°After that, I resigned from Lock Group and went abroad.¡±
Tess¡¯s fingers trembled.
She hadn¡¯t expected the past to be like this.
¡°But it wasn¡¯t really a loss. With the reputation I¡¯d built during those years at Lock Group, I quickly received invitations from plenty of renowned international researchers.¡±
His tone was almost casual, as if to keep her from feeling any guilt.
¡°So¡ whye back to Aetheris?¡±
Her voice was soft, almost airy.
¡°There¡¯s a certain material that can only be produced here in Crorus. The Central Institute wanted to set up a branch in Aetheris, and I volunteered to lead it.¡±
He kept it simple.
But she couldn¡¯t help recalling how, as they¡¯d walked, people had greeted him with such respect.
In just a year, Steven had be even more aplished.
As a friend, she felt genuinely happy for him. But she couldn¡¯t keep from lowering her gaze, hiding the faint shadow in her eyes.
Back then, they had been equals¨Cheads of two top departments at Lock Group.
Now, time had carried them in opposite directions.
She couldn¡¯t quite name the feeling¨Cpart wistfulness, part sadness.
Steven caught it instantly. ¡°Do you still want to be awyer?¡±
The sudden question caught her off guard.
She looked at him, puzzled, not sure what he was getting at.
¡°My license was revoked.¡±
She paused. ¡°What happened a year ago can¡¯t be cleared, so I can¡¯t touch that sacred profession again.¡±
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Chapter 155 Come Work with Me
Her voice drifted, light as wind, fading into the air.
A quiet sadness seemed to ripple around them.
55
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¡°Thene work with me as a legal advisor. It might not fully use your talents, but the cases I handle aren¡¯t small. Once your matter is resolved, it¡¯ll be easier for you to return as Ms. Tess, the attorney, without losing touch with the field.¡±
Steven¡¯s tone was serious, his gaze steady.
She froze, her bright eyes locked in ce like ice.
Scanning his face in disbelief, she seemed to be checking if he was joking.
He caught the look and arched a brow, feigning annoyance. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m a scientific expert now. That expression makes me look like I have no credibility.¡±
His easy humor made herugh, and the tension between them eased.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m serious. Come work with me.¡±
Seeing her rxed, his expression turned firm again.
His words were measured and deliberate. ¡°Do what you love. Do what you want.¡±
Her heart jolted, his voice echoing in her ears, thawing the blood in her veins.
¡°Alright.¡±
This time, there was no hesitation.
He was right¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t let a year¨Cold nder define her. She wouldn¡¯t abandon her career. Once the truth came out, she would return to the profession she loved and shine brighter than
ever.
Her eyes zed with renewed fire.
Steven held her gaze. That light in her eyes was dazzling¨Cmore brilliant than any diamond he had ever cut.
Realizing he¡¯d been staring too long, Steven looked away quickly.
Then they continued the tour. They strolled along the way as Steven exined everything he knew in a warm, even tone.
3/4
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Chapter 155 Come Work with Me
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She even felt like a country bumpkin stepping into the big city¨Cher eyes were truly opened.
They walked all the way to the end, where daylight spilled in from outside.
As they stepped out, a woman clutching a thick stack of papers was waiting at the door.
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Chapter 156 Jealousy
Chapter 156 Jealousy
She looked especially young, her soft, round checks still carrying the innocence of youth, though the faint upward tilt at the corners of her eyes tempered that sweetness.
¡°Mr. Stone, who is this?¡±
She lifted her head, her gaze firstnding on Tess, then stealing a careful nce at the child cradled in Steven¡¯s arms.
¡°Tess, meet my intern assistant, Jolie Reagen.¡±
Steven didn¡¯t answer Jolie¡¯s question directly. Instead, he turned to Tess to make the introduction.
Tess gave Jolie a polite nod. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Tess Ember, Mr. Stone¡¯s friend.¡±
The words ¡°Mr. Stone¡± rolled off Tess¡¯s tongue with an unexinable softness.
Steven shot her a mock re.
Seriously? With how close we are, she still acts that formal?
In a rare yful mood, Tess caught his reproachful look, raised a brow, and stifled augh.
Their brief exchange drew a shadow over Jolie¡¯s face. She lowered her head, letting the thick rims of her sses slide down just enough to cover most of her eyes.
¡°Mr. Stone, this is theb report that just came in.¡±
She raised her voice and handed him the folder.
Her bluntness made Steven¡¯s brow crease, though he said nothing, simply reaching out to take it. ¡°Got it. You can head back now.¡±
But Jolie didn¡¯t move. Her feet seemed nailed to the floor.
Still looking down, she stubbornly added, ¡°The director asked you to handle it quickly and give
him an answer.¡±
Her uncharacteristic persistence made Steven study her for a moment longer.
Noticing his gaze, her shoulders stiffened, and her fingers twisted together even tighter.
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Chapter 156 Jealousy
Tess nced between them and broke the silence first. ¡°If you¡¯ve got work, go ahead. It¡¯s getting dark¨CI should be heading back.¡±
¡°Alright. I¡¯ll be waiting for you next time.¡±
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Steven¡¯s lips softened into a smile, his expression warming as he looked at Tess. The clear,posed lines of his face held a tenderness Jolie had never seen before.
Tess took La from his arms and strode off.
By now, evening had nearly fallen. A breeze lifted the hem of her skirt, making her look like a white lily swaying gracefully. She was tall, slender, and impossibly poised.
Something dark andplicated flickered in Jolie¡¯s eyes, a thin thread of jealousy weaving through her chest.
With Tess gone, Steven¡¯s demeanor cooled instantly, returning to his usual distant, untouchable self.
He flipped through the report in his hands, cast Jorie a sidelong nce, and without a word, turned back toward theb.
Jolie followed in stiff silence.
Tess, meanwhile, slid into Steven¡¯s private car. The driver, now familiar with her, struck up a
conversation.
¡°Ms. Ember, did you just get divorced?¡±
He knew his boss¡¯s temperament well, and he¡¯d never seen Steven care about anyone like this before.
The question caught Tess off guard. She recovered quickly, her smile calm and unshaken. ¡°My husband¡¯s dead.¡±
The driver froze, then stumbled through an apology in broken Crorusese.
Tess smiled, shook her head, and waved it off.
He didn¡¯t dare ask more, fearing he would cross a line.
As Tess gazed out the window, her delicate profile remained just as striking in the distorted
view of the rearview mirror.
The driver couldn¡¯t help but think, Such a beautiful young woman, with an adorable child ¡ and
Chapter 156 Jealousy
already widowed.
He sighed quietly to himself.
s
Tess, of course, had no idea what he was thinking. If she did, she might haveughed out loud.
The night breeze followed her home to Evermount Vi. By the time she arrived, the sky was a deep twilight.
La, still restless without her evening bottle, babbled softly in her arms.
Tess quickened her steps, heading straight into the vi.
Outside, the dim light was just evening haze¨Cbut inside, not a single light was on. The darkness was so heavy she couldn¡¯t see her own hand in front of her face.
The silence felt unnervingly sharp.
Her heart tightened, and her steps automatically slowed.
Fingers brushing the wall for guidance, she made her way toward the center of the living room -only to catch the faintest hint of light ahead.
Her brows knitted as her gaze followed it. There, sunken into the couch, two figures were pressed close together.
Nadine was sprawled against Finn¡¯s chest. In the stillness, the only sound was their mingled breathing¨Cslow and deep, then quick and shallow.
¡°Tess¡¡±
The man¡¯s voice came rough and low in the dark.
Nadine¡¯s heart pounded, her face flushing a deep, feverish red.
She tilted her head up shyly, fingertips brushing his chest in a slow, deliberate caress. ¡°Finn ¡ it¡¯s Nadine. I¡¯m here.¡±
The brush of her hair against his cheek made Finn¡¯s eyes narrow. In his haze, he could almost see Tess standing right in front of him.
His back went taut. His hand suddenly mped down on Nadine. ¡°Tess ¡¡±
Even that single syble, drawn out in his deep voice, was enough to ripple the air with heat.
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Chapter 156 Jealousy
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Nadine¡¯s pulse kicked hard. Her bright eyes lifted straight into Tess¡¯s gaze from across the
room.
She¡¯d heard the footsteps; she¡¯d known exactly when Tess had arrived.
Tess¡¯s figure was swallowed in shadow, while Nadine and Finn sat under the dim pool of light, the warm amber glow wrapping them in an intimate haze.
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Chapter 157 Staged Marriage
The defiance in Nadine¡¯s eyes was crystal clear to Tess.
Snap-
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With a cold expression, Tess flicked on the main light. The entire living room flooded with blinding white, like the sun itself had been dropped indoors, exposing even the dust in the
corners.
The sudden re made Finn falter for a moment as his mind began to clear.
Gone was the forgiving haze of warm amber¨Cnow Nadine¡¯s face wasid bare before him.
Finn¡¯s pupils tightened. A jolt of strength surged through his weakened body, and he quickly leaned back to put space between them.
The heavy stillness in the air made him realize something was off.
Following instinct, he turned his head¨Cand there was Tess, holding La, standing a few
her cold as ice. paces away, gaze
A rush of panic shot through him. His eyes trembled, lips parting on instinct to exin.
But instead of words, all that followed was the sound of Tess¡¯s calm, steady footsteps. She didn¡¯t spare the two on the couch so much as a nce. Crossing the room, she switched on the hallway lights one by one and headed straight to the kitchen to make La¡¯s form.
Nadine¡¯s eyes lingered on Tess¡¯s retreating back before she turned to Finn, her cheeks still flushed. ¡°Finn, you¡¯re awake?¡±
Hope glimmered in her gaze.
Finn¡¯s brows drew tight, his eyes carrying a shard of ice. ¡°Why are you still here?¡±
Nadine froze, clearly not expecting that to be the first thing out of his mouth.
She shook her head, then forced a small smile. ¡°You were drunk. I brought you home¨CI didn¡¯t feel safe leaving.¡±
Finn pressed his lips into a thin line, his gaze scanning her face, the frown never easing.
Right.
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Chapter 157 Staged Marriage
He had been drunk.
s
His eyes dropped, fingers pressing to his temple as a pounding headache tore through his skull.
Seeing the change in his expression, Nadine hurried forward, holding out a bowl. ¡°Finn, here. It¡¯s hangover soup. Drink it.¡±
When Tess returned from the kitchen with a contented La in her arms, she walked in on the picture¨Cperfect scene¨CNadine fussing over Finn, Finn surprisinglypliant, his disheveled hair framing his face in a way that made him look almost fragile.
What a perfect, beautiful pair.
Tess gave a short, silentugh to herself, then turned away toward her room.
¡°Tess.¡±
The sudden call stopped her.
She hesitated before turning, impatience flickering in her eyes.
Finn no longer carried themanding edge of a man in power. Instead, there was a shadowed, obsessive intensity about him.
His bloodshot eyes locked unblinking on her. ¡°Where have
you
been?¡±
The fact that his first words were an interrogation made Tess¡¯s brows pull tight, her irritation in. ¡°What¡¯s it to you? We don¡¯t interfere in each other¡¯s lives.¡±
With that, she turned to leave.
But in the next moment, the man who had been too drunk to stand somehow found the strength. In a few stumbling steps, he caught up and mped a hand around her wrist.
His eyes bore into hers, unyielding. ¡°I asked you¨Cwhere were you?¡±
A dangerous, icy anger swirled in his
gaze.
And then it hit him¨Che remembered.
and Steven holding La in his arms. When Tess left Lock Group, he¡¯d sent someone to follow her. The photos thatnded on his desk showed Tessughing and talking with Steven
¡
First Max, then Charles, Abel, and now Steven¨Ceach name burned like a brand.
Chapter 157 Staged Marriage
His vision turned red with rage. If he could, he¡¯d rip them all apart.
Boss or employee, family or not¨Che was too far gone to care.
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Reports piled on his desk went untouched. For the first time, he¡¯d felt the urge to find a bar.
And somehow, he¡¯d ended up back at the very ce where he¡¯d once caught Tess trying to run.
He¡¯d gone alone, no entourage, no private room upstairs¨Cjust a shadowed corner on the crowded first floor and several bottles of top¨Cshelf liquor.
From the first sharp burn of the alcohol to the blur that followed, hallucinations had begun to creep in. Bottle after bottle, until his mind was foggy.
It wasn¡¯t until the bar manager spotted him sitting unnervingly still that anyone approached. One look at his face was enough to startle the man into calling Nadine to get him.
With the driver¡¯s help, Nadine hauled him back to Evermount Vi. Even with an injured ankle, she waved off the staff, insisting on tending to him herself, softly coaxing, preparing the hangover soup.
¡°Mr. Lock, don¡¯t take your drunkenness out on me.¡±
Tess pried his hand off.
Finn lunged forward again, gripping her tighter. ¡°You¡¯re my wife!¡±
The word ¡°wife¡± cracked through the air, low and loud, more growl than statement.
Nadine¡¯s brows pinched; goosebumps prickled her skin.
He had always called Tess ¡°my wife¡± in a formal, almost distant way¨Cfitting for a marriage in name only.
But this¨Cthis intimate word¨Cmade her jaw tighten.
Tess¡¯s face went cold. ¡°Mr. Lock, ours is a staged marriage for appearances. I don¡¯t care if you bring another woman back to Evermount Vi¨Cbut you don¡¯t get to question where I go.¡±
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Chapter 158 The p That Drew Battle Lines
Chapter 158 The p That Drew Battle Lines
Her words cut like ice.
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A flicker ran through Finn¡¯s eyes, and instead of letting go, his grip on her wrist tightened.
Those usually cold, sharp eyes now burned with a strange heat, as if holding a flickering me.
He gritted his teeth and said, ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is that I don¡¯t care about you?¡±
She
gave a short, humorlessugh. ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re always busy trying to impress other women.¡±
Finn¡¯s jaw clenched hard.
The moment those words left her mouth, Tess¡¯s expression changed. In a blur, before anyone could react, her palm whipped across his face.
His head snapped to the side. On that chiseled, almost too¨Cperfect face, a bright red mark appeared instantly.
Her p had been full force. It was meant to hurt.
Only then did Nadine gasp in shock. She limped forward on her injured foot, nearly hopping to his side, her face tight with worry as she inspected the mark on his cheek.
Seeing the ring red print, Nadine¡¯s anger surged. She jabbed a finger toward Tess¡¯s face and snapped, ¡°Tess! Are you crazy?¡±
Tess¡¯s gaze flicked to that finger, and her irritation deepened. She smacked Nadine¡¯s hand away without hesitation.
Shifting La higher in her arms, she stepped forward, her eyes dark and dangerous. ¡°Nadine, don¡¯t think I won¡¯t touch you just because Finn is backing you.¡±
Her voice was icy, the threat unmistakable.
Nadine flinched and stepped back, eyes darting nervously, ¡°You ¡ What are you trying to do?¡±
Tess looked between the two of them, but whatever spark she¡¯d had a moment ago faded. Without another word, she turned and walked toward her room with the uneasy child in her
arms.
¡°Tess!¡±
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Chapter 158 The p That Drew Battle Lines
Finn¡¯s furious shout followed her down the hall, but her steps didn¡¯t falter.
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Nadine seethed. ¡°Finn, Tess¡¯spletely out of line! She actually hit you! Who gave her the nerve?¡±
Thosest words struck a different chord in Finn¡¯s mind.
Who gave her the nerve?
Was it Abel? Or was it Steven?
His hand curled into a fist, eyes clouding over. In one swift move, he pulled Nadine into his arms and deliberately raised his voice. ¡°Who cares who¡¯s backing her? She threatened my chief legal counsel¨Cno one¡¯s going to get away with that!¡±
Finn¡¯s bold, intoxicating scent hit her nose, and Nadine¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment, as if she¡¯d just been handed the greatest surprise of her life.
Tess¡¯s hand froze on the door handle, then she mmed it shut with a loud bang.
Without the heat of their stares on her back, her strength seemed to drain away, and she slumped against the door.
From outside came his voice, loud and unrestrained. ¡°This time the Lock Group survived thanks to you, Nadine! In a couple of days, I¡¯m throwing a celebration for you at Evermount Vi!¡±
Tess¡® gaze dropped, and when she looked up again, her eyes had narrowed, the corners glinting with cold amusement.
A celebration for Nadine
¡
at Evermount Vi?
Finn might as well announce he wanted to p his legal wife across the face.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. She locked the door, straightened up, and stared ahead, her expression t and unreadable.
But she couldn¡¯t shake the image of Nadine¡¯s triumphant smirk.
She set La gently on the bed, tucking her in. Tess¡¯s empty hands now curled into fists.
Had she been too meek all this time? Was that why they dared to unt themselves in her face?
Fine. If they wanted a fight, they¡¯d get one.
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Chapter 158 The p That Drew Battle Lines
A
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Her cheeks felt cold, her mind shing to the image of Finn and Nadine, their heads bent close together.
Her longshes shadowed the glint in her eyes. She sat beside the bed, softly patting La, and with her free hand, dialed a number she hadn¡¯t called in years.
The line picked up quickly, and an unfamiliarnguage¨Ctinged with delight¨Cflowed from the other end.
The tension in her chest eased. Matching their tongue wlessly, she replied with fluid ease.
They ended the call with the person on the other end giving a firm nod and an awkward but clear Crorusese. ¡°Okay, Red.¡±
Setting her phone aside, Tess leaned down, humming a gentle luby until La drifted off.
Outside, the night deepened.
Under the moonlight, Nadine bit her lip, watching the chauffeur pull up to take her home.
Meanwhile, just beyond Tess¡¯s closed door, a tall figure stood silent, his gaze dark and conflicted. His expression was caught between wanting to speak and being unable to.
No one knew how long he lingered before finally turning to leave.
The next morning, the very first thing Nadine did was contact the country¡¯s top gown designer, arranging a private selection to be sent to her home.
By the time she received the emailed invitation to Finn¡¯s banquet that afternoon, the gown had already arrived.
She and her best friend, Sydney Garner, opened the exquisitely wrapped box together.
¡°Nadine, is this a private piece by Sierra Fisher herself?¡± Sydney asked, running her fingers reverently over the gown¡¯s fabric. Even in the dim light, the pearls and crystals¨Clike raindrops along an eave¨Ccaught and scattered light in dazzling bursts.¡±
Nadine had the nanny hang the dress up, her eyes full of satisfaction.
¡°That¡¯s right. I had Max reach out to Sierra for me. The Hunt Group is a big name in the design world right now, and with Sierra just returning to the country, she needs their support. That¡¯s how I managed to get this so easily.¡±
Sydney¡¯s eyes widened in admiration as she stroked the smooth silk, envy glinting in her gaze.
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Chapter 158 The p That Drew Battle Lines
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Once the gown was hung, they could see it fully¨Ca floor¨Clength dress in milk¨Csmooth silk. scattered with shimmering jewels. It was like wearing the night sky itself.
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Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
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¡°Nadine, the banquet¡¯s at Evermount Vi. The moment you step in wearing this, you¡¯ll steal the spotlight. So what if Tess is Finn¡¯s wife? You¡¯ll still outshine her.¡±
Hearing that, Nadine practically glowed. Tilting her chin, she gave a dismissive snort. ¡°Tess? Please, Sydney¨Cshe¡¯s just a shabby ex¨Ccon. How could she possiblypare to me?¡±
Ever since Tess got out of prison, she¡¯d only dressed up once¨Cat that auction. Every other time they¡¯d crossed paths, Tess was in in, almost dowdy clothes.
A woman like that, trying topete with her? What a joke.
Nadine¡¯s lips curled in disdain.
Sydney nodded eagerly in agreement.
gone all
The celebration banquet was set to bevish. Even with just one day of prep, Finn had out. The event was already making waves in the entertainment news, with headlines like ¡°Lock Group Clears Its Name¨Cgiarist Arrested,¡± ¡°Ms.Nadine Credited for Major Contribution¨CMr. Lock Throws Banquet in Her Honor,¡± and ¡°Mr. Lock Opens His Private Evermount Vi for the Celebration.¡±
Scrolling through the trending posts, Nadine¡¯s brows lifted in satisfaction.
The next day, after some thought, Tess had agreed to Steven¡¯s request¨Cjust to help his research institute with legal matters asionally.
That afternoon, she returned from the institute to find the gates of Evermount Vi swarming with activity.
A line of luxury cars clogged the entrance, guests in tailored suits and designer gowns stepping out and walking the rest of the way in.
¡°Miss, you¡¯ll have to get out of here. No cars are being let through,¡± the taxi driver said, ncing at her uncertainly.
From the online buzztely, he recognized the vi¨Cit was the private estate of one of the country¡¯s wealthiest men, and today it was hosting a banquet. Most guests were dressed to the nines. But his passenger? Casual clothes, arriving in a cab.
Then a thought crossed his mind, Another influencer here to snap photos at the gates?
It fit too perfectly.
Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
His lip curled slightly in disdain.
These young people are really vain¡
¡°Miss, I said, get out,¡± he repeated, his tone sharper this time.
Tess had been reaching for her bag to step out, but the irritation in his voice made her nce at him.
That single look made him bristle. ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡±
She paused mid¨Cmotion, pulling her leg back into the cab. ¡°And what kind of customer service is that supposed to be?¡±
He gave a short, derisiveugh. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? I said get out.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll be filing aint,¡± she said coolly, stepping out without another nce.
He stared after her, incredulous. A ? His jaw tightened, anger ring. He mmed his door, canceled his next ride, and followed her toward the gate.
At the vi¡¯s entrance, security was checking each guest¡¯s invitation. The elite guests chatted idly while they waited in line.
¡°Oh my God, is that thetest Dior gown you¡¯re wearing?¡±
¡°Yours is gorgeous too. It has such a unique cut.¡±
The air was full of ttery and politeughter.
Tess ignored it all, stepping right up to the guard and motioning for him to open the gate.
Before the guard could speak, a woman in line turned to look her over, her tone sharp with annoyance. ¡°And who are you supposed to be?¡±
Her eyes swept over Tess from head to toe, unimpressed.
¡°Where¡¯d youe from? No gown, no invite¨Cand you think you can cut my line?¡±
She crossed her arms and barked to the guard, ¡°Throw her out!¡±
Tess¡¯s gaze
shifted briefly to her, cold and unreadable, before settling on the head security
officer¨CFelix.
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Chapter 159 The Gatecrasher
Felix broke into a nervous sweat and shot the woman a warning look.
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Was she crazy? This might be a party venue for them, but for Finn¡¯s wife, this was home.
¡°Thisdy-¡± he began, frowning.
But the woman cut him off with a re. ¡°Think before you speak. I was invited here personally by Nadine.¡±
Pulling off her sunsses, she revealed her face¨CSydney.
Felix froze for half a second.
Tess didn¡¯t so much as nce her way. Her eyes stayed on the security device in Felix¡¯s hand, her face half¨Chidden in the scarf wrapped around her neck.
Sydney noticed the deliberate snub, and her temper red.
¡°Who the hell do you think you are, ignoring me?¡±
She reached out to yank Tess back, but Tess pped her hand away without hesitation. ¡°Back off.¡±
The word was muffled under her scarf, but the ¡°back off¡± came through loud and clear. Around them, a few onlookers raised their brows in surprise.
Everyone knew the Garners had fallen on hard times in recent years, and no one expected Sydney to cause a scene at Evermount Vi. But then again, she was Nadine¡¯s famously close friend.
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Chapter 160 Collision at the Gate
Chapter 160 Collision at the Gate
Nadine was Finn¡¯s precious¨Chis openly acknowledged favorite. Who would dare disrespect
her?
To the crowd watching, this in, unremarkable woman¡¯s nerve was downright shocking.
Sydney froze for a beat before snapping, ¡°You bitch! How dare you talk to me like that!¡±
She lunged, reaching to grab Tess.
¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±
Themotion at the entrance was throwing off the whole check¨Cin process, and impatient murmurs began to ripple down the line. The noise drew the attention of Nadine, who had arrived fashionablyte.
She stood out immediately¨Cdressed not in the sweeping gowns most women wore tonight, but in a chic, tailored tweed suit, looking crisp andposed.
At the sound of her footsteps behind her, Tess¡¯s jaw tightened.
Felix, already sweating bullets, quickly lowered his phone from his leg and fired off a text for help to Zane.
¡°Tess?¡±
Nadine recognized Tess.
Nadine¡¯s voice rang out, drawing startled nces from everyone nearby.
Wasn¡¯t Nadine¡¯s sister Tess? And wasn¡¯t Tess still Finn¡¯s legal spouse? Wait¨Chad they even divorced?
The crowd¡¯s expressions shifted¨Ccuriosity, shock, and calction flickering in their eyes. They gave the two women a once¨Cover.
The legal wife and the CEO¡¯s new me, in the same ce¡ Who wouldn¡¯t be interested?
Nadine gave Tess a slow once¨Cover, feigning surprise. ¡°Tess, why are you dressed like this? Didn¡¯t Finn tell you? Tonight¡¯s his celebration banquet for me.¡±
A banquet thrown for Nadine, without even notifying Tess, who lived in the vi.
19:17
Chapter 160 Collision at the Gate
That little revtion spread like wildfire through the onlookers, and they exchanged nces, sensing the scent of a scandal.
¡°Whether he told me or not¨Cdoes it matter?¡±
Tess turned fully to face her, cold eyes locking on Nadine¡¯s.
Thest trace of politeness was gone from her face. Beyond the unopened gate was a crowd just waiting to see her humiliated.
For a moment, everyone was stunned.
Nadine¡¯s expression shifted before she smoothed it back into that warm, gracious smile. She stepped forward, reaching as if to take Tess¡¯s hand. ¡°Tess, you¡¯ve misunderstood-
But Tess pulled her hand back before she could touch her, leaving Nadine¡¯s fingers hanging awkwardly in the air.
Nadine drew back with a tight smile, the air between them growing heavy and tense.
¡°Open the gate,¡± Tess said tly. ¡°Or I can¡¯t promise your celebration will go smoothly.¡±
Tess spoke emotionlessly, her indifferent gaze sweeping over everyone present.
Nadine¡¯s smile froze. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t answer. She just swept an icy gaze over the entire gathering.
A chill prickled up Nadine¡¯s spine. She knew Tess wasn¡¯t bluffing.
¡°Mrs. Lock!¡±
Zane¡¯s voice cut through the tension as he hurried out from inside the vi.
To Nadine, the sound was as wee as a lifeline.
¡°What the hell are you doing, blocking Mrs. Lock?¡± Zane barked at Felix.
Felix mped his mouth shut, swallowing whatever excuse he¡¯d been about to give.
Zane had been at Finn¡¯s side for years¨Csharp enough to read a room at a nce. One look at the scene told him exactly what might happen if this dragged on.
Seeing the crowd craning to watch, he stepped forward, smiling at Tess. ¡°Mrs. Lock, it¡¯s crowded out here. Let¡¯s head in.¡±
Chapter 160 Collision at the Gate
The gates swung open at his remote.
Tess had no interest in further squabbling. She straightened her back and strode inside without looking back.
+5 Free Crims
As she and Zane disappeared through the gates, the entrance returned to its orderly rhythm
But an odd undercurrent lingered in the air.
Several guests stole nces toward Nadine.
After all, Finn¡¯s wife had just been escorted in personally by the CEO¡¯s own assistant¡.
And Nadine¨Cthe so¨Ccalled favorite? She was still outside, standing in line.
¡°Nadine, didn¡¯t Finn say you could go straight in? Why are you waiting here?¡± someone asked aloud.
Nadine¡¯s smile wavered, cursing whoever had the gall to bring that up.
Thankfully, Sydney jumped in, shing her a ttering smile¨Ca clear signal for Nadine to y along.
The next moment, Nadine¡¯s lips curved into a gracious smile. ¡°No rush. I¡¯m with Sydney, so of course I wouldn¡¯t pull strings just to skip the queue.¡±
Sydney leaned in with a girlishugh, looping her arm through Nadine¡¯s.
The little disy smoothed over most of the awkward stares, and thepliments began to flow.
People began to praise. ¡°Ms. Nadine is so gracious.¡±
¡°No wonder she¡¯s won Mr. Lock¡¯s heart.¡±
¡°But Mrs. Lock was escorted in by his personal assistant. Howe Nadine didn¡¯t get the same treatment? That¡¯s odd¡¡±
Nadine and Sydney exchanged a nce, both grinding their teeth while keeping their smiles
intact.
Sydney lowered her voice. ¡°Let her have her little moment. Once you change into that gown and walk in, she¡¯ll be nothing but the country bumpkin standing in your shadow.¡±
The thought soothed Nadine¨Cjust enough.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 161 A Surprise
Chapter 161 A Surprise.
As night fully descended, the gates of Evermount Vi shut tight.
+5 Free Coins
The estate sprawled across a massive property, containing not only the main residence where Finn and Tess stayed but also multiple other structures with ballrooms, art galleries, card rooms, and more for guests¡® enjoyment.
With visitors arriving, many of the long¨Cclosed leisure facilities were opened once again.
At the same time, Tess stood by the tall window, phone in hand, watching guests shaking their heads as they looked over the grounds.
¡°Did you manage to get it?¡±
The question was spoken in that strange, umon tongue.
In the same fluentnguage, Tess replied, ¡°It¡¯s wonderful, thank you.¡±
¡°No need for politeness with me. But when will you return? I¡¯m nearly out of essential oil and have been sleeping poorly.¡±
¡°I¡¯lle back once my busy spell is over.¡±
The other person hesitated, clearly unwilling, but reluctantly agreed.
After setting her phone aside, Tess¡® eyes narrowed.
On thewn, Nadine stood at the front, weing guests as if the ce belonged to her.
Tess calmly looked away and turned toward the bed.
An intricately made dressy spread out on the nkets.
¡°Knock, knock!¡±
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
The sudden sound made Tess frown, and she quickly hid the dress under a nket.
La, who was in the baby chair nearby, pped cheerfully as the nket puffed up from the
breeze.
Once everything appeared ordinary, Tess unhurriedly went to answer the door.
19:17 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 161 A Surprise
Finn was outside, instinctively ncing in.
Nothing unusual met his eyes.
:
He ignored the faint odd sound he¡¯d caught just before.
45 Free Coy
¡°There¡¯s a party for Nadine in the vi,¡± he said tly. ¡°As my wife, it wouldn¡¯t look right for you not to be there.¡±
But as he met Tess¡® cool gaze, his words faltered.
A momentary rush of emotion surged, then faded instantly.
He pressed his lips together and added, ¡°If you really don¡¯t want to, then stay here.
Saying it seemed to drain him, and he turned to go immediately after.
¡°Who said I didn¡¯t want to?¡±
Her light, taunting voice reached him just as he was about to walk away.
Finn paused, and frowned back at her.
Tess met his eyes. ¡°As the hostess, it would indeed be rude not to go.¡±
She gave a cold half¨Csmile, then shut the door sharply.
¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡±
That was all she left him with.
Finn stood still, his gaze fixed on the closed door, uncertain of her real thoughts.
Even though she had agreed to attend, which was exactly what he¡¯d asked, her distant manner made it impossible for him to feel any sense of triumph.
He walked away with a clouded look.
Just outside the main house, Sydney stepped into his path.
Finn¡¯s expression darkened, while Sydney stared at his strikingly handsome face, momentarily forgetting everything Nadine had instructed her to say.
¡°If it¡¯s nothing, move aside.¡±
19:17 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 161 A Surprise
Already in a foul mood, Finn¡¯s tone was sharp toward the uninvited interruption.
It was like Sydney had been doused in ice water, her earlier excitement vanishing instantly.
She forced herself to look up again, but when her eyes reached his sharply defined lips, her breath caught, and a chill crept over her.
The air around him radiated danger, making her pulse race.
Lowering her head quickly, she stammered, ¡°Mr. Lock, Nadine sent me to get you.¡±
Finn, about to leave, paused and frowned at her. ¡°Nadine?¡±
Sydney nodded quickly. ¡°Yes! She wants to start the banquet early and asked me to tell you!¡±
Earlier than nned?
Finn lowered his eyes, hiding the brief flicker of surprise.
Banquet times and events were always set in advance, rarely altered. But as Nadine was the guest of honor
of honor ¡ he would allow it.
When he looked up again, his face showed no change.
¡°Lead the way.¡±
Sydney¡¯s face lit up as she quickly led him on.
Finn straightened his ck suit, which was still the same one he¡¯d worn since leaving work, and followed with long steps.
Meanwhile, a luxury sports car arrivedte at the vi gates.
Felix stepped forward to stop it. ¡°Mr. Lock, the banquet has already started. It¡¯s not a good time
to enter now.¡±
The window slid down, revealing a slender hand taking off a pair of sunsses to show a handsome face beneath.
Abel arched a brow and grinned with yful arrogance. ¡°Is that so?¡±
¡°A¨CAbel¡
11
Felix stammered the name but didn¡¯t finish before opening the gate.
1917 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 161 A Surprise
Abel tossed his sunsses into the back seat and sped through.
Inside, although the banquet had officially begun, without the main figure present, the atmosphere stayed casual and mingling
Outside the dressing room. Sydney knocked. ¡°Nadine, are you
inside?¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 162 Finn¡¯s Visit
No sound came from within.
Finn¡¯s brows drew together faintly.
Sydney¡¯s expression shifted, and she knocked on the door more gently. ¡°Nadine?¡±
There was still no reply.
Sydney¡¯s face grew tense as worry crept in. ¡°Mr. Lock, could something have happened?¡±
s
She quickly found the key, and with a soft ¡°click,¡± the door swung open. Nadine, seated before the vanity, turned in surprise, one hand pressed against her chest, her face pale as if startled.
¡°Ah!¡±
Nadine bit her lip nervously, her eyes shimmering with tears.
Only then did Sydney realize her blunder. Nadine wore almost nothing, clutching fabric to her chest, her shoulders and back exposed.
Flustered, Sydney didn¡¯t know how to react. ¡°Nadine! Why didn¡¯t you answer me when I knocked?¡±
¡°I was too focused to hear you!¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice trembled as if she might cry.
Sydney nced at Finn¡¯s severe expression and hurried to exin. ¡°Mr. Lock, Nadine was getting dressed. It¡¯s my fault ¡
¡°I
Finn¡¯s frown deepened as he studied the two silently.
Before they could leave, a crowd hurried toward them.
¡°Ms. Nadine, where¡¯s the banquet happening?¡±
¡°Wasn¡¯t it supposed to start earlier? Why hasn¡¯t it?¡±
The ovepping chatter echoed along the corridor.
19:17 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 162 Finn¡¯s Visit
¡£()
+5 Free Cons
They bustled forward, but the moment they saw the scene, they froze like startled deer.
¡°Ah!¡±
This time Nadine¡¯s scream was even sharper.
Sydney finally reacted, and frantically tried to drive the group away.
The hallway descended into chaos, with only Finn remaining still, his face unreadable.
All of this was seen by thete¨Carriving Abel.
His usual yful air was gone, reced by a heavy gaze locked on the two in the crowd¡¯s
center.
Nadine still appeared flustered and confused, her slender neck flushed crimson.
Her messy clothing was obvious to anyone, hinting at the possibility of something intimate between her and Finn.
Abel¡¯s casual demeanor vanishedpletely, and without realizing it, he was standing straight.
An unexpected anger welled up in him.
In that instant, he felt as though he were Tess¨Chumiliated openly while still married.
If Finn and Nadine could act like this in front of others, what happened behind closed doors?
No wonder Tess had seemed reluctant to acknowledge her marriage when they first met! Now everything made sense!
¡°Bang!¡±
A loud sound rang out from nearby.
It snapped the crowd out of their daze, and they all turned toward it, but no one was there.
They were confused.
Finding nothing, they turned their eyes back.
¡°The banquet will be in the dance hall on the first floor of the side building, please arrive on time!¡±
Chapter 162 Finn¡¯s Visit
Sydney raised her voice quickly, shielding Nadine from view.
The guests¡® expressions shifted, and they forcedughs before leaving.
Nonsense.
Finn¡¯s expression was like ice, and anyone who couldn¡¯t see that clearly had been a waste of time.
They dispersed rapidly, while Abel had already walked toward the dance hall.
His leather shoes clicked as he strode forward.
He paused at the entrance.
Where should he even find Tess?
Abel tried to rein in the frustration in his chest. He sent Tess a message that read, ¡°Where are you? I have something to tell you.¡±
The moment he lowered his phone, an odd calm settled over him.
What exactly was he nning to do?
The thought hit him abruptly.
Abel froze for a beat, staring at his phone.
What right did he even have to say anything to her?
The question left him speechless.
But almost instantly, an image of a youthful, radiant face surfaced in his mind.
She was smiling at him, her bright eyes like glittering gxies.
That look had stayed with him for years.
Abel suddenly returned to the moment, his gaze now resolute.
No matter what, no matter even if it was Finn, he could not stand seeing Tess hurt and betrayed.
¡°Are you looking for me?¡±
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19:17 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 162 Finn¡¯s Visit
A soft female voice spoke from not far away.
Abel lifted his head.
+5 Free Cons
A woman with long, flowing hair sat at the piano, draped in avish white faux fur, like a divine figure in the snow.
From his angle, Abel could just make out her exquisite, icy features.
His heartbeat thundered, and a sudden impulse took hold.
That impulse carried him toward her.
At that instant, thinking of all she had endured, he blurted out without thinking, ¡°Tess, marry me!¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 163 Sudden Memories
Chapter 163 Sudden Memories
Bang!
The piano suddenly let out a discordant and strange sound.
Tess stared at Abel with a strange look, her expression wondering if he lost his mind.
¡°Do you even know what you¡¯re talking about?¡± Tess red at him.
However, Abel nodded firmly. He was determined and said, ¡°Of course!¡±
s
He instinctively reached out for Tess¡® hand and continued, ¡°Uncle Finn might have wronged you, but I won¡¯t.¡±
Abel looked up. His usually gloomy and wild gaze was now full of sincerity and hope.
Tess was startled and quickly pulled her hand back.
Suddenly, a series of images shed in her empty mind.
She didn¡¯t recall ever having those memories, yet they felt strangely familiar.
She stared at Abel¡¯s face as her consciousness began to fade.
¡°Tess, wake up!¡±
Behind her was a raging me roaring high into the sky.
A young boy was holding a girl. Although he tried to stay calm, his trembling fingertips and sobbing revealed his inner panic.
¡°Abel¡¡±
The girl in his arms finally showed some response.
He was overjoyed and leaned closer anxiously, asking, ¡°Tess, don¡¯t be scared. Just hold on a little longer. I¡¯ve already called the ambnce,¡±
He tried to by my
Chapter 163 Sudden Memories
side.¡±
As his voice roared, cold yet burning tears fell onto the girl¡¯s body.
She stared nkly at him, just like how Tess was staring at Abel at the moment.
The images kept shing in her mind.
Suddenly, her eyes widened and she snapped back to reality.
Abel looked at her worriedly,
??
+5 Free Coma
The shing images ovepped with the reality, especially Abel¡¯s face. Although years had passed, it was as if it hadn¡¯t changed at all.
A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, but she quickly hid it.
No wonder ¡
No wonder Abel looked at her like some precious acquaintance when they first met. It turned out there really was a connection between them in the past.
She pursed her lips. The fragmented memories were sudden and incredibly vivid.
When the memories showed up, she was almost certain that the girl was herself.
However, when she thought of the cold and merciless figure at the end of those memories, the boy¡¯s desperate pleading, the girl who turned away without a nce and leaving the boy heartbroken, Tess felt like her heart was struck by a heavy blow.
She quickly pulled away and yelled, ¡°Abel!¡±
His name cracked in the air like a warning, but it only made his heartbeat race and his gaze was even more intense.
¡°As long as I¡¯m still married to Finn, I¡¯m still your aunt!¡± Tess said as she red at him coldly.
Her words were like an icy de stabbing straight into his heart.
Silence fell between them.
Abel¡¯s gaze showed pain and disappointment, but he still looked up, trying to search for the faintest warmth in her. There was none.
He hesitated and said, ¡°Tess¡
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19:17 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 163 Sudden Memories
The familiar name echoed in her mind and Tess silently bit her lip.
She turned her head away, ¡°Don¡¯t bother me anymore.¡±
¡°Bothering you?¡± Abel was in disbelief.
1(56)
s
¡°That¡¯s right! As Finn¡¯s nephew, you must¡¯ve heard about my unrequited love for him. Why would you think I¡¯d disregard morality and give you a second nce?¡±
Abel was stunned and his eyes were filled with pain, but he still said unwillingly, ¡°You said you wanted a divorce and Uncle Finn had wronged you. I just saw him with Nadine.¡±
¡°Abel,¡± Tess cut him off. She stared at him and continued, ¡°Love is what makes people hate.¡±
Those few words blocked everything he was about to say.
He looked at her nkly, as if he¡¯d never known this woman before.
Just then, amotion was heard from outside.
Abel¡¯s expression changed. Despite having a lot of questions in mind, he could only give her one longplicated look before slipping off and waited by the side of the stage.
At the same time, the door was opened and a wave of gasps filled the room.
¡°Oh my god! Isn¡¯t this just like the ballroom in the ancient castle!! Mr. Lock really went all out!¡±
¡°Wait, do you see the piano up there? There¡¯s a woman behind it! How did she get here before us? Could she be the performer Mr. Lock hired?¡±
They started specting about the woman¡¯s identity.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for taking time to attend the celebration arranged by Finn for me. It¡¯s truly an honor!¡± Nadine picked up the microphone and made a quick opening speech.
She shrugged the shawl off her shoulders and continued, ¡°Now, let the party begin!¡±
As her words fell, thunderous apuse and gasps filled the room.
Nadine was already dressed in a luxurious gown covered in diamonds and jewels. She was shining so brightly under the dazzling light.
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Chapter 164 May We Have a Dance?
Chapter 164 May We Have a Dance?
People who knew fashion could tell her dress was rare.
56
s
They all looked at Nadine with envy, but their eyes quickly went to a man sitting on a couch in a dark corner, sipping wine.
Finn swirled the wine in his ss, his face hidden in the shadows as he took a sip. His eyes were as dark as ink.
From where they were, they only caught his sharp profile as he asionally nced toward the center.
He looked like he was waiting for something.
Finn looked at the piano on the stage.
To show how much he cared about Nadine, he¡¯d flown in her favorite private band from
overseas.
Finn¡¯s thoughts drifted, and his eyes unconsciously moved toward the entrance.
He¡¯d left the doorway open just wide enough for one person to walk in. But all that wasing through the door was a single ray of the setting sun.
Didn¡¯t she say she would be here? Finn wondered to himself.
He looked down, hiding the disappointment in his eyes.
The party was buzzing with chatter and music.
Finn felt a wave of irritation he couldn¡¯t exin, but when the smooth piano music started, it was like a stream that somehow settled his nerves.
He frowned and looked for the piano, but all he could see was arge grand piano blocking a blurry but graceful figure behind it.
His gaze dropped to the wide, ornate hem of a gown trailing across the floor.
Not far from him, Abel sat on a soft couch, looking very at case,
Abel lounged in a dim corner, the light catching only the edge of his jaw as he tipped back his ss. Each slow swallow seemed to deepen the quiet intensity in his eyes.
Chapter 164 May We Have a Dance?
Beside him were two empty wine bottles.
The usual aggression and ambition in his eyes were gone¨Cnow they just looked lost.
s
He robotically lifted a new bottle of wine and drank. Sometimes he would stop and his eyes would fix on the grand piano on the stage, his gaze intense and unwavering.
His gaze seemed to pass right through the piano andnd on the person ying it.
Does love always breed hate?
Even after Uncle Finn treated her so poorly, could a trace of love still remain?
No. It couldn¡¯t be that simple. She must have her reasons.
Abel felt an indescribable reluctance, and soon, another bottle was emptied.
Tess lowered her gaze, focusing intently on her fingers and the music scores.
Only her tremblingshes gave away the turmoil inside.
With Abel staring so intensely, how could she not sense it?
Tess pressed her lips together, letting her fingers quicken as her anxious heartbeat sped up.
The piece was Spring Birds.
She yed faster to mask the panic in her chest.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but recall some images from her mind just a moment ago.
It shed through her mind, so real it sent a shiver down her spine.
Love breeds hate.
The words echoed in Tess¡¯s heart.
She had said it to get Abel to leave her alone, but she hadn¡¯t expected it to stir up her own
emotions.
Her hands were ying the climax of Spring Birds.
Her fast ying was matched by the rapid beat of her heart, just like it had been years ago.
Why did she fall in love with Finn? When did it start?
19:17 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 164 May We Have a Dance?
Tess¡® mind drifted.
It was probably in university ¡
56
s
For four years, he was all she could see. But she never knew that during a short six¨Cmonth exchange program, she had left a deep impression on someone else.
A big wave of disbelief finally left her chest, and she let out a long, helpless sigh.
She couldn¡¯t help but think about Abel¡¯s rash words.
Tess¡¯s fingers trembled.
Was that a marriage proposal?
Tess pursed her lips and, after a long moment, looked up.
She¡¯d made up her mind to walk away from Finn, and since Abel was his nephew, she didn¡¯t want anything to do with him.
Besides, what happened with Finn had taught her a harsh lesson.
From now on, she¡¯d only trust and rely on herself.
Finally, her heart calmed down, and the music softened as well.
¡°Finn, may we have a dance?¡±
Nadine stood nervously in front of him, twisting her hands and blushing.
She nced at him, feeling a little anxious.
This party was thrown just for her, so there was no way he¡¯d make her look bad in front of everyone, right?
Before she could dwell on it, Finn rose.
¡°Okay.¡±
Nadine was surprised by his quick response, but then broke into a brilliant smile.
When Tess gets here, she¡¯ll see me dancing with Nadine, right?
Finn snapped out of his thoughts and held out his hand to Nadine, inviting her to dance.
Chapter 164 May We Have a Dance?
Nadine shyly ced her hand in his.
Thump!
The piano on the stage suddenly made a loud, resonant sound.
The dancers around them slowed their steps and all turned to look at the center of the room.
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Sara Lili 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.
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V
Chapter 165 Center of Attention
Finn and Nadine instantly became the center of attention.
s
The chandelier in the middle of the ballroom shone brightly, making Nadine¡¯s dress look like a flowing river of stars.
Nadine¡¯s eyes gleamed with triumph as she slid the shawl off her shoulders.
¡°Wow! I¡¯ve never seen such a gorgeous dress!¡±
¡°That shoulder detail is genius¨Cwait, isn¡¯t this Dior¡¯stest custom piece everyone¡¯s been talking about?¡±
Gasps rippled through the crowd as some fashion¨Csavvy guests recognized the dress on Nadine.
The top of the dress was designed to look like a butterfly that was about to take off.
She moved her shoulders and stood tall, making the butterfly seem alive.
Dior¡¯s haute couture gowns are nearly impossible to get, but this exclusive custom¨Cmade dress is the only one of its kind! Mr. Lock really went all out for Nadine!¡±
Many people whispered to one another, using the extravagant gown to try to figure out Finn¡¯s reaction.
Nadine was pleased with the response. Her eyes swept the room with a trace of disdain, but when theynded on Finn, her expression softened.
¡°Finn ¡ ¡± she said, her tone lingering and tender.
Finn seemed distracted, but he finally snapped out of it and put his arm around her slender waist.
The piano melody flowed smoothly.
Nadine began to dance to the rhythm.
In that moment, Nadine outshone everyone in the room. Standing next to Finn, she seemed to glow.
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Chapter 165 Center of Attention
With a simple spin, her dress twirled, drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd.
The piano reached its final note, and Nadine dipped gracefully on cue.
p p p!
The ballroom erupted in apuse.
¡°Ms. Nadine dances beautifully!¡±
¡°Ms. Nadine and Mr. Lock are the perfect match!¡±
?
+5 Fren Coins
¡°If you ask me, this isn¡¯t a celebration¨Cit¡¯s Mr. Lock showing the world how much he adores Ms. Nadine!¡±
Compliments poured in-¡°perfect match,¡± ¡°adores¡°-and Nadine couldn¡¯t stop smiling.
Her friends surrounded her, making her the center of attention.
Tess looked up with indifference, her gazending on Nadine¡¯s shy smile.
Her gaze then moved to the mouth of the person speaking to her.
Almost no one knew it, but Tess could read lips.
The person wasying it on thick.
¡°Nadine, I think Tess is just a wife in name, arranged by Mr. Lock to appease his family. She doesn¡¯t have your status! Just look at how much he loves you!¡±
¡°How can you say that? Even though my sister was a bit forceful in marrying Finn, they are still a married couple. Please be kinder with your words.¡±
She bit her lip, pretending to be torn.
She pretended to defend Tess, but every word was filled with disdain.
Boom!
The music on the stage suddenly changed.
The noise sted so loud it made nearby guests wince.
Chapter 165 Center of Attention
They were immediately annoyed and red in the direction of the noise.
45 Free Coins
Finn¡¯s mind had been hazy, but as he narrowed his eyes, a flicker of emotion finally appeared.
He frowned, looking toward the stage. Before he could motion to Zane to take care of it, a tall, slender person stood up from behind the piano.
Tess.
Finn¡¯s scattered thoughts immediately came together, and his eyes widened.
When did she get here?
Had she been there all along, ying the piano?
A flurry of questions erupted in Finn¡¯s mind.
Nadine froze for a moment before her expression soured when she recognized who it was.
Even though she was furious, she forced a pleasant smile.
¡°Tess? Where is the pianist I hired? You shouldn¡¯t have gone to all that trouble.¡±
Nadine took a step toward her, but Tess didn¡¯t even look up and just walked past her.
The move showed off her figure to everyone.
Finn and Abel both stared in shock.
The lively ballroom suddenly tensed, a chill filling the air.
Tess casually flicked her loose curls over her shoulder.
She was wearing a form¨Cfitting mermaid gown withyers of feathers at the hem.
With just a slight movement, the dress¡¯s deep backless design showed off her smooth back.
Head held high, she revealed the gown¡¯s boldest feature¨Ca neckline plunging to her navel. Instead of looking provocative, it made her look like a swan poised to take flight.
Her sudden appearance stole everyone¡¯s attention.
If Nadine¡¯s dress had wowed them before, Tess¡¯s entrance left them stunned.
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Chapter 166 I¡¯m Here to Ruin It?
Sometimes silence was the biggestpliment.
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Nadine sensed the shift in the room and quickly figured out what Tess was up to. Her face darkened.
Still, under so many watchful eyes, she maintained her warm smile. ¡°Tess, I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d actuallye to my celebration. I¡¯m so touched.¡±
She stressed the words ¡°my celebration,¡± trying to pull everyone¡¯s attention back to herself.
But the goddess¨Clike woman in front of her stole the spotlight, leaving most people still staring.
¡°Is she a fairy?¡±
¡°She spent a year in prison¨Cshouldn¡¯t Tess look worn¨Cout by now? How is she still so gorgeous?¡±
The crowd was stunned.
Seeing all eyes on Tess, Nadine ground her teeth in frustration. All she could do was clench her fists.
¡°You should be touched¨Cthrowing a party at Evermount Vi is not that easy,¡± Tess said atst.
She smirked, arms folded, leisurely meeting Nadine¡¯s eyes.
Nadine was confused for a moment; she didn¡¯t get what Tess was saying.
Then, Tess leaned in and patted her on the shoulder. ¡°I haven¡¯t divorced Finn yet, so I still have a say in Evermount Vi.¡±
She met Nadine¡¯s bewildered gaze, and her confidence instantly put Nadine in her ce.
Standing side by side, the difference between them was obvious.
The ones who¡¯d just been praising Nadine and Finn as a perfect match fell silent.
After all, the wife obviously had the upper hand.
Chapter 166 I¡¯m Here to Ruin It?
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Everyone¡¯s eyes darted between the three of them, as if they had sensed something unusual.
The ballroom hung in silence.
¡°Everyone, I don¡¯t mean to interrupt. Please continue to enjoy the music and dance.
Tess pped her hands, and the music started up again.
The heavy and strained atmosphere slowly began to dissipate.
It was as if Tess were the real host here.
Nadine¡¯s expression soured, but the lively atmosphere was better than the guests¡® constant, curious nces.
Since Tess showed up, Finn hadn¡¯t said a word¡ªjust kept staring at her.
Nadine noticed his distraction and felt a tight, suffocating weight in her chest.
¡°Tess ¡ You ¡ ¡±
Nadine bit her lip, looking hurt and at a loss for words.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why do you look so upset? Am I not wee?¡± Tess pretended to ponder, touching her chin, then put on a disappointed expression. ¡°I guess I¡¯ve made a mistake bying here.¡±
With that, she turned to leave.
Even though Nadine was fuming about what had just happened, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of relief when she saw her leaving.
But before Tess could take more than two steps, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her waist.
Something dark shed in Tess¡® eyes.
With lightning speed, Finn grabbed Tess¡¯s right hand, and with a little force on her wrist, he pulled her body tightly into his arms.
Tess was so surprised that she lost her bnce and fell deep into his embrace.
His subtle, clean scent surrounded her.
Tess looked down, hiding the triumphant, cunning look in her eyes. Underneath it all was the
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Chapter 166 I¡¯m Here to Ruin It?
heavy satisfaction of a n working perfectly.
Even this step had been calcted.
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Tess¡¯s mind immediately reyed what happened two days ago, especially the countless provocative looks Nadine had thrown her way when Finn wasn¡¯t watching.
Nadine was two¨Cfaced.
Tess didn¡¯t stoop to that level, but it didn¡¯t mean she didn¡¯t know how to.
Her eyes turned cold.
Why did Nadine naively think she would always be a pushover?
She sneered to herself.
¡°What do you want?¡± Finn¡¯s hoarse voice, like the rasp of sandpaper, came from above her head.
Tess raised her eyebrows slightly, making sure to hide the sneer on her face before looking up. ¡°Finn, I only wanted to attend Nadine¡¯s celebration party; what could I possibly do?¡±
Her eyes were full of confusion, as if she wasn¡¯t the one who had a grim expression in his arms just a moment ago.
The woman, in her long white swan dress and with her clear, ssy eyes, was so captivating that even though Finn knew she wasn¡¯t innocent, he couldn¡¯t say a single word of usation.
Whenever he met her gaze, he¡¯d lose himself for a moment, like he was falling in.
They stared at each other as if no one else was there, like a perfect¨Clooking couple on a movie poster.
Tess felt disgusted, but she kept an innocent look on her face.
Nadine watched, her eyes welling up immediately.
It was hard to tell if it was anger or hurt.
She couldn¡¯t stand it anymore.
¡°Tess, why did youe and ruin my party?¡±
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Chapter 166 I¡¯m Here to Ruin It?
Tess¡¯s body stiffened.
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Nadine saw her chance. With tears in her eyes, she was about to say more, but Tess spoke first, ¡°I came with nothing but sincerity to join your celebration. How could you say I¡¯m here to ruin
it?¡±
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Chapter 167 Kiss
Chapter 167 Kiss
The hurt in her eyes was impossible to miss.
Nadine froze.
Tess was right.
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Since she¡¯d shown up, she¡¯d only said one simple sentence on stage¨Chardly enough to ruin the party.
If anything, it made Nadine look like she was making a big deal out of nothing.
Finn turned his gaze toward Nadine, catching the stiffness in her face.
Nadine tensed up instantly.
Yes, this made her look like she was in the wrong, but how was that her fault? Tess definitely didn¡¯te with good intentions. Her snapping like that was perfectly reasonable!
Nadine bit her lip.
Tess¡¯sshes trembled, making her look as fragile as porcin. ¡°Nadine, maybe we¡¯ve had some misunderstandings before. But right now, I am truly happy for your sess. I didn¡¯t expect my being here would cause you such trouble and misunderstanding ¡ Maybe I shouldn¡¯t havee.¡±
Her face dimmed, and she slipped out of Finn¡¯s arms, lifted her skirt, and strode away.
Her figure looked like a bird about to take flight, with her dress fluttering like feathers.
Finn¡¯s chest tightened, and he went after her without thinking.
Nadine didn¡¯t move, her face already pale.
The three of them had been standing in a corner, but guests still nced over now and then.
Now, Nadine was left standing there all alone.
She ground her teeth, hesitated, then followed.
As soon as the others left, Abel swayed as he stood up.
He¡¯d looked wasted a moment ago, but once he stood, his eyes were sharp.
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Chapter 167 Kiss
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Once Tess ran out, the ball was dered over. Zane was leading everyone toward the outdoor swimming pool.
¡°Please enjoy yourselves.¡±
With Finn and the others gone, Abel, as Finn¡¯s nephew, became the only host.
He gave a casual wave, exuding that polished, roguish charm.
The crowd cheered, and those who had changed into swimsuits immediately jumped into the pool to y.
Abel gave a small smile and watched the scene for a moment before turning around.
The moment he turned away, his smile vanished, leaving his face hard and cold.
His gaze swept the room until itnded on arge floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, and his eyes narrowed.
Standing not far away, staring at the same spot, was Nadine, who had been unable to find Finn and Tess.
Her face was dark with anger.
Meanwhile, Finn¡¯s wholeposure fell apart.
His eyes were wide as he stared nkly at the beautiful face so close to his.
Tess lowered her gaze, quickly ncing at the two people standing out so clearly downstairs.
Abel waspletely dumbfounded, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. Nadine was so angry that her face was red and her neck was stiff.
¡°Tess, what are you up to?¡±
Finn kept his voice low, though a strange, inexplicable anticipation was already rising in his
chest.
Tess¡¯s head was resting on Finn¡¯s shoulder, and she could feel his muscles vibrate as he spoke.
She ignored him and raised her eyebrows.
At the same time, her gaze met Nadine¡¯s.
Abel, who was standing nearby, even took a step forward to get her attention, but Tess didn¡¯t
Chapter 167 Kiss
even look at him.
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Nadine¡¯s expression shifted, and she immediately began looking for an entrance to get inside.
But before she could find it, the two of them were almost pressed together.
Tess forcefully pulled on Finn¡¯s tie.
¡°Mmm-¡±
Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Tess wrapped her arms around Finn¡¯s neck and kissed him.
The whole thing was so sudden it caught Finn off guard.
Suddenly, it was like the world went silent¨Cmaybe he just stopped feeling anything else. The only things he could feel were Tess¡¯s soft lips on his and the breath they were sharing because they were so close.
The dim light made the moment feel beautiful yet ambiguous.
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened, like a ck hole, yet his heart was shamefully full.
Her familiar scent pulled him back to that wild night a year ago.
But even though Tess was kissing Finn, her clear eyes showed no lust, as if he were just a tool she was using to reject others.
Finn suddenly snapped out of his daze. He followed her gaze and looked down, first seeing Abel¡¯s gloomy, pale face.
¡°Tess, are you using me?¡± He pulled away, his voice cold and low, with a hint of anger.
He had followed her gaze and, seeing Abel¡¯s pale face, pretty much figured out what was going - on.
Tess stopped looking out the window.
Before she could react, the air around her turned sharp and cold.
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Chapter 168 Let¡¯s Make it Real
Chapter 168 Let¡¯s Make it Real
Tess¡¯s arms broke out in goosebumps, and before she could say a word¡
¡°Mmph¡¡±
Her eyes widened in surprise.
One hand sharply pinched her cheek, while the other locked firmly around her waist.
Finn¡¯s deep gaze drilled into hers, sharp enough to pierce right through her.
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His strength, though careful not to hurt her, felt as if he wanted to press her right into his bones and blood.
Finn leaned in dangerously close.
¡°If you want to pretend, why not make it convincing?¡±
His tone was cold butced with teasing.
Before Tess could react, Finn suddenly leaned in again, his mouth capturing hers in a quick, firm kiss. Their lips pressed together, and his tongue pushed for control.
Realizing he meant to take the kiss further, Tess snapped at him, ¡°Let ¡ go of me!¡±
She pushed at him, but his solid frame didn¡¯t move an inch.
Through the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, their intimate and tangled posture could be seen. Those little movements, now and then, only deepened the lingering, breathless tension.
Tess truly panicked this time, but Finn refused to let her break free.
His arms squeezed tighter around her slim waist.
Her waist was soft, almost like a tuft of cotton.
A glint shed in Finn¡¯s eyes, and his grip tightened just a little more.
Heat spread through his hands, sending a shiver up her spine. Tess froze, breath caught, her wide eyes locked on his.
¡°Finn ¡
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Chapter 168 Let¡¯s Make it Real
Her voice shook, her attempt at sounding threatening falling t.
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Finn¡¯s stare grew more intense, the silence between them broken only by the sound of their uneven breaths.
In the next instant, his hand moved to the back of her head, pressing, holding her still. The move was domineering, inescapable.
A long, consuming kiss followed.
¡°Let ¡ mmph ¡ go!¡±
Her mouth was trapped beneath his, her resistance useless, managing only a few faint words.
¡°Isn¡¯t this what you wanted to show him?¡±
Finn finally eased his aggressive kissing, his eyes narrowing as they shifted toward the windows below.
Tess froze, then instinctively turned her head to the side.
Not far away stood Abel, his eyes¨Conce filled with mocking amusement¨Cnow dark and devoid of any sparkle.
His fist was clenched tight at his side.
A sudden ache struck Tess¡¯s chest. Hershes trembled before she quickly lowered her gaze.
But that fleeting, tangled emotion in her eyes did not escape Finn¡¯s notice.
His eyes narrowed, and a cold feeling seemed to spread from him.
He gripped her chin and pulled her closer, making the kiss even more intense.
When Tess nced over her shoulder, she noticed Nadine standing not far from Abel.
While Abel Shaw still looked calm, Nadine¡¯s expression was openly unpleasant, her face was undisguisedly ugly, almost twisted.
From behind, two fierce stares bore into them, making Tess¡¯s heart uneasy. In that distraction, her lips opened slightly.
Finn caught this small slip and pressed the kiss even deeper.
The sky outside was as ck as paint, making the bright glow from the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling
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Chapter 168 Let¡¯s Make it Real
stand out, and their entwined silhouettes even casier to see.
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Abel stood frozen, his eyes burning with a fury that threatened to tear him apart. But the moment he heard footsteps halt behind him, the emotion vanished as quickly as it had red, leaving only cool detachment in his gaze.
¡°Do you like Tess?¡±
Boiling with anger, Nadine suddenly thought about joining forces with the man before her.
Abel didn¡¯t even lift his head. ¡°Why does that matter to you?¡±
The warmth and charm he once showed Tess were gone¨Cnow Abel was like a tall, unreachable mountain seen from afar, cold and intimidating.
Nadine felt her chest tighten for reasons she couldn¡¯t exin, but as the two people above kept holding each other, her eyes reddened, and she seemed ready to take a big risk. ¡°I can work with you. After all, once she divorces Finn, you¡¯ll be free to go after her.¡±
She met Abel¡¯s eyes with certainty.
Atst, he reacted, tilting his head toward her. ¡°Huh?¡±
When their eyes locked, a sudden chill ran down Nadine¡¯s spine.
Atst, someone noticed them.
¡°Ms. Nadine, Mr. Shaw, what are you looking at?¡±
The neer, holding two skewers of grilled meat, was about to see what they were staring at when Nadine forced a stiff smile and grabbed his arm. ¡°Nothing at all. Let¡¯s go join the celebration ¡
¡±
She quickly steered the conversation away, making sure the neer hadn¡¯t caught sight of the scene near the window, then exhaled in quiet relief.
Almost hurrying out of the area, Nadine¡¯s face¨Cso used to wearing a fake smile¨Cshowed a darker, unpleasant look now that no one was watching.
She didn¡¯t even nce toward Finn as she left, her averted eyes still holding a faint hint of fear.
Nadine quickened her pace.
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Chapter 168 Let¡¯s Make it Real
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Once the people below had gone, Tess stomped on Finn¡¯s exquisitely expensive custom¨Cmade leather shoes.
Finn drew in a deep breath yet didn¡¯t show the slightest sign of irritation.
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Chapter 169 We Can Never Be Together
Chapter 169 We Can Never Be Together
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The corners of his eyes tilted upward, his lips curling into a sly grin, a look of enjoyment flickering as he watched Tess¡¯s reckless antics.
A shiver ran down Tess¡¯s spine, and she quickly stepped back several paces to put space between them.
The ridiculousness of the scene stuck to her mind like stubborn glue, winding around her
nerves.
Not knowing exactly how she felt, Tess threw a quick look at Finn before hurrying off.
This time, Finn stayed still instead of going after her.
After some time, he lifted a hand and touched his lips, as if they still held a trace of warmth.
Tess¡¯s thoughts were a tangled mess.
She had nned to use Finn to make Abel give up on her. However, when the act began to feel a little too real, it left her deeply unsettled.
She gave her head a small shake, trying to push away the tangled mess in her mind. All she wanted now was to get back to La¨Cher little baby who could always calm her heart.
But just as she stepped onto the first floor, a shadow fell over her before she could lift her head.
Tess froze where she stood.
¡°Do you still have feelings for him?¡±
The words were spoken softly, as if to ask, Weren¡¯t you the one who said he hurt you? Weren¡¯t you the one who wanted to end things? Weren¡¯t you ¡
Every unspoken question was cut short by Abel¡¯s final, trembling words.
His gaze locked on her, eyes shimmering with tears he refused to let fall, making her chest tighten.
¡°Abel, we can never be together.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t answer his question but went straight to the point.
She lifted her cool, distant eyes¨Ccold and proud.
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Chapter 169 We Can Never Be Together
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Abel froze, struggling to match the person before him with the shadowy figure he had just spotted near the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows.
¡°Fine.¡±
His lips curled into a bitter smile, one that looked even sadder than tears.
Tess was still caught off guard by his quick eptance when the man in front of her had already turned and walked away.
Only after his cool, crisp scent faded did she snap back to reality.
Pressing her teeth lightly to her lip, she slipped past the crowd and made her way toward the main house.
She didn¡¯t stop until she opened the bedroom door, where the maid was rattling a toy to entertain La.
Startled by the sound of the door, she turned and found Tess standing at the doorway, her face pale.
Hurrying to assist her, the maid quickly got to her feet.
Tess lifted her hand, motioning her to stay back, and said with a faint shake of her head, ¡°I¡¯ll handle it.¡±
Those few words seemed to drain all her strength.
Though worry lingered in the maid¡¯s expression, she reluctantly walked out.
The faint click of the door shutting lingered in the room as Tess, steadying her unsteady frame, made her way to the bed.
She sank down beside La, only finding ease when her face rested against the child¡¯s tiny chest.
La tilted her head upward, her big, round eyes blinked up at her.
¡°Mama ¡ Mama ¡
¡±
She pped her little hands, mumbling the words softly.
Tess¡¯s heart melted.
¡°I¡¯m here.¡±
Chapter 169 We Can Never Be Together
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She leaned down, wanting to kiss La, but the memory of being tangled up with Finn 30 minutes ago suddenly rushed into her mind.
She stopped short, her lips hovering inches from La¡¯s cheek.
¡°Knock, knock!¡±
The sudden knock on the door pulled her thoughts back.
Tess¡¯s brows drew together as she nced toward the door.
Who would show up at this hour?
The door creaked open, and Tess spotted a face she barely knew.
Sydney stood outside with her arms folded and her head tilted. ¡°Nadine¡¯s worried you haven¡¯t eaten. She wants you to toe.
The sight of Tess¡¯s spotless white dress made her expression flicker before she quickly looked away, hiding the jealousy in her eyes.
¡°Honestly, I have no idea why she worried you might starve. It¡¯s absurd.¡±
Her voice dripped with contempt.
Hearing the sneers and sarcasm from the other woman, Tess kept her face calm, only letting her
eyes narrow slightly.
Invite me to barbecue? Since when was Nadine that generous?
A cold smile tugged at her lips.
¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m noting.¡±
Tess moved to shut the door.
¡°Don¡¯t just stand¡ huh? Wait¨Cwhat?!¡±
Sydney¡¯s eyes went wide with shock.
Did she just turn me down?
In the past, Sydney had often given Tess trouble, but a year ago Tess had always gone along
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Chapter 169 We Can Never Be Together
quietly. Now she actually had the nerve to say no?
A sudden re of anger shot through Sydney.
g
¡°Noting? Tess, you dare to refuse? Listen to me. You¡¯d better be grateful! Every cook and maid in the house has been reassigned! If you don¡¯te, you can starve for all I care!¡±
She had expected Tess to give in under the threat, but instead, Tess only stared back at her. eyes cold and unyielding.
¡°Are you done?¡±
Before Sydney could respond, the door shut hard in her face.
The abrupt m made Sydney flinch, her whole body trembling as her face flushed with
anger.
Still, when she remembered the task Nadine had given her, she hesitated.
Looking around, her eyesnded on a gift box by the door, boldly stamped with arge ¡°C¡± logo.
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Sara Lili 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.
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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. 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¨Conly to stop halfway there.
The power was out.
Gritting her teeth, her thoughts immediately went to Sydney.
How could it be such a coincidence? The ckout happened right after she left.
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?¡±
you say you weren¡¯ting? Why are you suddenly downstairs¨Cand with a
Nadine spotted her first, walking over with a smile. Her eyes shone with excitement, though she masked it almost perfectly.
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Chapter 170 A Sudden ckout
s
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 one 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.
So¡ why was she holding a child?
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¨Cdark 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 cold, and she didn¡¯t so much as nce at Nadine, who had stepped forward to 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¨Cnotch. How could the power suddenly go out?
Seeing Tess ignore her, Nadine¡¯s smile faltered for a moment, though something unreadable
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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¨Cmannered 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¨Cand suddenly, everything around them was silent.
Sydney¡¯s hand was still half¨Craised 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 for 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.
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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
19:19 Thu, Oct 2
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.
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Chapter 171 Tess Fell Into Water
Chapter 171 Tess Fell Into Water
Still, he let it slide after Nadine casually asked him to.
Tess scoffed.
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Only a few hours ago, her heart had been racing and trembling. Now it felt suddenly chilled.
But she had no time to dwell on it now.
Clutching La closer, Tess tried to hide the child¡¯s facepletely.
The more she tried to hide her, the more everyone¡¯s curiosity grew.
Who was this little girl?
¡°She¡¯s hungry. I need to prepare the form,¡± Tess said sharply, her face serious.
¡°I¡¯ll tell Zane to speed things up,¡± Finn replied without hesitation.
Their voices were low, but in the quiet of the pool party, every word was heard loud and clear.
Naturally, guests started to whisper among
themselves.
Many stole nces at Nadine, who was standing off to the side.
Dressed in her evening gown, Tess looked elegant beside Finn in his ck suit. Together, they resembled a perfect pair, like ck and white swans.
Their conversation flowed so naturally, it was as if they were an old married couple, which made Nadine seem unneeded and too shy.
This left everyone puzzled.
Could Mr. Lock and Tess really have a child together?
But she had been in prison a year ago, and the child looked less than one year old.
If the child was truly Mr. Lock¡¯s, why did no one know? Did Tess get pregnant in prison?
As they pondered, this seemed the only exnation that made sense.
With that thought, their gazes toward Tess noticeably shifted.
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Chapter 171 Tess Fell Into Water
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Nadine smiled politely, but inside she was angry. She only felt a bit better when she saw the strange looks on people¡¯s faces.
¡°Waaah!¡±
La finally lost patience and began crying loudly from hunger.
¡°I need hot water,¡± Tess said quickly, scooping up La and gently bouncing her to calm her down.
Those four words came out sharply, almost like an order directed at Finn.
He didn¡¯t seem irritated, though, and quickly summoned the chef and a nanny to help her.
Tess handed La over and carefully prepared her form herself.
It wasn¡¯t until Latched onto the bottle that her pitiful cries finally ended.
La sucked quietly and obediently, while Nadine shot a nce at someone standing behind her.
¡°Ms. Tess, I really admire you! Back when you were the head of the legal department at Lock Group, you were my idol. I never imagined you have a child now!¡±
Suddenly, an excited voice broke the calm atmosphere.
Tess turned toward the corner, puzzled, to see a chubby girl with a flushed face who seemed to have summoned a lot of courage to speak.
¡°Thanks,¡± Tess replied, giving the girl a small nod, though she felt it was unusual.
This slight acknowledgment immediately lit up the girl¡¯s eyes.
She took a step forward, gathering her courage, and asked, ¡°Can I take a picture with you?¡±
Before Tess could respond, the girl moved closer.
But when Tess saw that chubby girl¡¯s phone screen waspletely ck, a sudden, uneasy feeling shot through her.
Sure enough, the moment the girl got near, a powerful shove hit her waist, mercilessly sending her crashing into the nearby pool.
Ssh!
15:50 Fri, Oct 3
Chapter 171 Tess Fell Into Water
¡°Help! Someone¡¯s fallen into the pool!¡±
:
Tess fell into the pool, sending a spray of water flying everywhere.
The loud ssh sent the guests into a panic, many frantically shouting for help.
The once lively barbecue party turned into chaos in an instant.
194
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Tess, caughtpletely off guard, plunged headfirst into the water. The sudden choking sensation hit her immediately.
Since developing a traumatic fear of water while in prison, she couldn¡¯t swim anymore.
A chilling feeling crept from her toes upward.
Water filled her nose, and her throat felt blocked, making her terrified and hopeless.
¡°Someone help! Tess!¡±
Nadine stood at the edge of the pool, looking equally panicked.
The chubby girl froze in ce,pletely at a loss¨Cclearly not expecting this to happen.
Ssh!
Another wave of water hit.
But unlike before, this time a heavy silence followed.
They saw Finn take off his suit and jump straight into the pool.
¡°Tess? Are you okay?¡±
Finn held the pale, shivering Tess tightly in his arms, one arm supporting her, the other reaching to pull her out of the water.
Nadine rushed over to lend a hand.
Just then, Zane arrived. Seeing what had happened before him, his face went white with shock.
He dashed forward, grabbed Finn, and helped haul them both onto the poolside.
Once on solid ground, Finn immediately leaned over Tess, his voice soft but full of worry. ¡°Tess, are you alright?¡±
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Chapter 171 Tess Fell Into Water
However, Tess, clearly choked by water, kept her eyes tightly shut.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 172
Chapter 172 Taking Tess to the Hospital
Chapter 172 Taking Tess to the Hospital
¡°Call for ambnce! Take her to the hospital!¡±
Finn¡¯s looked alert and he immediately leaned over to perform CPR on her.
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People around watched in a mix of surprise and disbelief, but Finn didn¡¯t pay them any attention.
As soon as Tess regained consciousness, he scooped her up across his arms without hesitation.
Zane hurried after him, quickly taking La from the nanny.
The Lock Group Private Hospital ambnce arrived immediately. Finn, ignoring the surprised crowd, ran into the ambnce with Tess still in his arms.
¡°Wee woo¡ wee woo
11
The shrill wail of the ambnce siren cut through the night as it sped away from Evermount Vi.
The guests were left staring at one another, uncertain and uneasy.
¡°Still hanging around? Isn¡¯t it time everyone went home?¡±
Abel stepped out from a corner, holding what remained of a champagne ss¨Conly the broken stem in his hand.
His words brought everyone back to reality.
The party ended in confusion.
Nadine looked slightly pale, but thinking of the child¡¯s appearance tonight, a sense of relief eased her heart.
She looked down, thinking, and when she looked up, she met a pair of sharp, intense eyes.
Before she could react, Abel was already standing in front of her.
His strong hand pressed against her neck, his tone cold and threatening, ¡°If you even think aboutying a hand on her ¡¡±
His words stopped as his grip tightened.
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Chapter 172 Taking Tess to the Hospital
Nadine¡¯s face immediately turned red, and she struggled for air.
She red back. ¡°This has nothing to do with me!¡±
Abel scoffed. ¡°It better not be.¡±
With that, he shoved her to the ground and walked off.
He walked toward the main gates of Evermount Vi, that is also Lock Group Private Hospital¡¯s direction.
4
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After what had just happened, the guests quickly left, scared of getting into more trouble.
Before long, the vast pool and the spacious surroundings were left with only Nadine and Sydney.
¡°Nadine, do you think everything is okay? I thought Mr. Lock hated Tess the most, so why did he act like that today¡
Sydney paused, still thinking about how Finn had been both gentle with Tess and quick to help her, which made her feel quietly worried.
Nadine pressed her lips together, filled with frustration, but she spoke confidently, ¡°Why worry? Finn was just showing some humanity toward Tess, right in front of everyone!¡±
Sydney felt a bit relieved, though unease still lingered in her chest.
As her thoughts wandered, she suddenly remembered the box with the ¡°C¡± logo she had noticed outside Tess¡¯s room.
Meanwhile, Tess was rushed to Lock Group Private Hospital.
When the doctors found out she had fallen into the water and lost consciousness, they immediately prepped her for surgery.
Finn, as a family member, waited anxiously outside under the bright red ¡°Emergency¡± sign.
¡°Is she okay?¡±
The moment the emergency room light switched off, Finn suddenly rose to his feet.
The doctor appeared calm and said, ¡°She swallowed some water, but it¡¯s all taken care of. Now we just have to wait for her to wake up.¡±
Finn let out a long, relieved breath.
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Chapter 172 Taking Tess to the Hospital
Tess was then moved to a private VIP ward.
Finn didn¡¯t ask the nanny to stay. He decided to keep watch on his own.
D
1949
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It was alreadyte at night, with everything around cerily quiet. Finn didn¡¯t feel sleepy. His eyes kept drifting to Tess¡¯s face.
She seemed like a peaceful doll, her lovely features glowing faintly in the soft light. At this moment, she wasn¡¯t arguing or fight him.
Finn couldn¡¯t help but hold his breath, staring at her gentle, beautiful face.
Meanwhile, back at Evermount Vi, most of the guests had quietly left, but Nadine and Sydney stayed as if they owned the ce.
Nadine, guided by Sydney, walked over to the spot where Tess had left the gift box.
¡°Could this be from that Cavrielle brand?¡±
Nadine frowned, but her face stayed mostly calm.
It was clear she wasn¡¯t very concerned.
Sydney had good intentions, but she understood just how prestigious the Cavrielle brand was.
Across all of Aetheris, only a select few were lucky enough to receive custom¨Cmade dresses. from them.
If this really was a dress from Cavrielle, it would exin why Tess looked so breathtaking today.
Sydney noticed her reaction and couldn¡¯t help feeling doubtful, questioning her own assumptions.
Still ¡
As a leading brand in luxury fashion, Cavrielle always carefully chose their clients, usually reserved for the wealthy, influential, or those with outstanding achievements.
On top of that, they also ced great importance on that client¡¯s own aplishments, which meant there was simply no way to obtain a custom gown through someone else.
Tess was an ex¨Ccon. There was no way she could get a custom dress from Cavrielle. The more Sydney thought about it, the more she realized she had been overthinking.
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Chapter 172 Taking Tess to the Hospital
-94
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She scolded herself inwardly. Of course, there was no way Tess was qualified to have Cavrielle make her a custom dress.
It seemed the dress was just a fake, bought somewhere just to satisfy her vanity.
Sydney¡¯s eyes shifted slightly, then she met Nadine¡¯s gaze with a thoughtful look.
The moment their eyes locked, a quiet understanding passed between them.
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Keepsake 173
Chapter 173 A Dream Past Due
Chapter 173 A Dream Past Due
:
Sydney lifted her phone and took a few quick photos.
¡°Ms. Nadine, aren¡¯t you heading home? Would you like me to hail a cab for you?¡±
From a short distance away, Zane appeared, cradling a restless baby in his arms.
La was usually an angel, but she had been cranky ever since Tess fell into the water.
Perhaps La could recognize him and realize her mother was nowhere in sight.
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Finn had left Zane to look after La. There were house staffs around, sure, but Zane didn¡¯t dare hand the baby off to them.
The unexpected arrival startled both women for a moment, but they quickly recovered their
¡°I already called a cab¨Cit should be here soon,¡± Nadine said.
She had originally nned to spend the night at Evermount Vi, but she quickly dismissed that idea the moment Zane spoke.
Clearly, Finn had no intention of letting her
stay.
A hot wave of embarrassment swept over her, making her wish she could disappear into the floor.
¡°Alright. Have a safe trip,¡± Zane replied with a polite nod, though a flicker of coldness shed in his eyes before he turned his attention back to the little one in his arms.
He walked away, gently soothing La as he went.
Nadine kept watching his back, her look both confused and intense.
Zane might be an assistant, but after years working with Finn, he had influence at thepany¨Ceven she listened to him.
Yet here he was, unable to say no to Tess¡¯s child.
Moments like this kept adding up. What she once thought was a rare ident kept happening whenever it involved Tess, and it made Nadine feel bitter inside.
Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Tess¡¯s mind drifted in and out of awareness. It felt as if an
15:51 Fri, Oct 3¡
Chapter 173 A Dream Past Due
.:.
invisible hand was pulling her into a dark abyss.
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When the fog finally cleared, she realized she had been dreaming¨Can old, bittersweet
memory.
She was back in a ssroom, doodling in the margins, when the teacher suddenly called on her.
Unprepared, she nced around the room, her eyes catching the lush green trees swaying outside the window.
Her hesitation annoyed the teacher, who scolded her sharply.
¡°It¡¯s one. You disrupt me.¡±
Before she could answer, the boy sitting beside her¨Cwho didn¡¯t seem to be paying attention either¨Cspoke up. His deep, emotionless eyes contrasted sharply with the lively atmosphere of the campus, making him all the more maic.
Tess found herself drawn into his eyes. The coldness in them made her remember him.
He finished his answer and sat. Tess had the impulse to say something¨Canything¨Cwhen the boy stood again, frowning.
In a crisp shirt, tall and poised, he somehow looked both immacte and intimidating. She couldn¡¯t deny how charming the outfit looked on him.
Then he simply walked out, ignoring the fact that ss was still in session.
The strangest thing was that no one¨Cnot the teacher, not the other students¡ªdared to stop him or even look his way.
Who was he?
From that day on, Tess began watching him¡ªsometimes deliberately, sometimes without realizing it.
That youthful curiosity eventually wove the snare that trapped her in years of pain.
She gave a bitter smile in her sleep. Her body shifted slightly on the hospital bed, and a single tear slid from the corner of her eye.
Her eyes fluttered open.
The sterile white ceiling stared back at her¨Cempty, just like she felt inside.
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Chapter 173 A Dream Past Due
¡°You¡¯re awake?¡±
She heard a man¡¯s low voice, ovepping with the impatient voice from her dream.
Tess¡¯s thoughts settled, sluggish and reluctant.
She blinked her eyes as she slowly turned her gaze toward Finn¡¯s hand holding hers.
His skin, like the man himself, was cold.
Tess drew her hand back.
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The sudden absence of her warmth made him pause, but he quickly regained hisposed expression.
¡°Does anywhere hurt?¡±
He asked, voice rough.
Only then did Tess remember, she¡¯d fallen into the water and ended up here.
¡°No,¡± her lips moved; her throat was sand¨Cdry.
The spacious VIP room was silent except for their breathing, the quiet atmosphere making the air feel all the colder.
¡°Where¡¯s La?¡±
Tess blurted, panic surfacing as her mind cleared.
¡°Zane stayed at the vi to watch her,¡± Finn replied.
The look in his eyes shifted slightly, but he still responded to her question.
His gaze lingered on her, holding a trace of irritation he didn¡¯t seem aware of.
She¡¯d been hurt, and yet not once had she asked about her own condition¨Conly about a child whose father he still hadn¡¯t been able to identify.
The baby was safe at the vi. What could possibly happen to her there?
An unexpected tightness gripped his chest, leaving him oddly frustrated.
¡°I see. You can go now,¡± Tess said with a faint nod.
15:51 Fri, Oct 3
¹«Ë¾
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Chapter 173 A Dream Past Due
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A breath eased out as relief took hold. Her unfocused gaze finally slid to Finn¨Ccool, almost indifferent, as if he were no more than a passing acquaintance.
Finn¡¯s fingers curled. His voice turned sharp. ¡°Tess, do you think you can call me and send me away whenever you want?¡±
She gave him a strange look. The fragments of her dream surged back when she met those deep, cold eyes.
A glint flickered in her eyes as she quickly turned away.
¡°Finn,¡± she said quietly, ¡°if it weren¡¯t for you, how would I have ended up like this?¡±
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Keepsake 174
hapter 174 Collision in the Hospital Room
Chapter 174 Collision in the Hospital Room
Tess let out a quietugh, a little mocking.
Finn¡¯s brows drew together ever so slightly.
What did this have to do with him?
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She looked at him quickly, enough to see he was confused, but she had no patience left to exin.
Was he simply slow to catch on, or did he trust Nadine too much?
Closing her eyes, Tess reyed the moments before she fell into the water.
Nadine and Sydney had clearly nned it in advance. One hand pushed on her lower back, sending a tingling shock shot through her body, and the next moment she lost all her strength. She fell into the water with no warning.
Her eyes lowered.
She leaned toward thetter exnation¡ªwhich made her want to see Finn even less.
Bang! Bang!
A sharp bang rattled the door.
Finn, still locked in a tense staring contest with Tess, finally rose to answer.
He¡¯d only cracked it open when Steven shoved his way in.
Striding into the room, Steven sat down in the seat Finn had just left. ¡°You know how to swim -so how on earth did you hurt yourself falling into a pool?¡±
The calm, confident look Steven usually had was gone, reced by clear, worried restlessness.
Pushed aside, Finn stared at Steven holding Tess¡¯s hand, his coldness making Steven shiver.
Somehow, his wrist felt cold.
¡°When are you getting out of here?¡± Steven asked warmly.
Tess shook her head. She didn¡¯t know.
Chapter 174 Collision in the Hospital Room
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He leaned forward, speaking with the tone of an older brother lecturing a stubborn sibling. ¡°You knew it was a trap from the start, and you still walked right into it. You got lucky this time -but what if you¡¯d been seriously hurt? Who would speak up for you then? Who would take your side?¡±
It sounded like he was scolding Tess, but every word was aimed squarely at the man standing off to the side with a grim expression.
Tess caught the subtext, a faint smile tugging at her lips. But underneath, she couldn¡¯t stop thinking.
After all, she¡¯d agreed to attend the party just to irritate Nadine.
She¡¯d even requested a custom Cavrielle¡¯s gown, determined to steal the spotlight and make Nadine jealous.
But she never expected Nadine to be so brazen¨Cblocking the crowd¡¯s view with a plus¨Csize girl before shoving her into the water in front of everyone.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± Steven said, standing up to face Finn, ¡°Don¡¯t you think you owe us an exnation? Tess wouldn¡¯t fall into a pool for no reason.¡±
¡°An exnation?¡±
Finn repeated, his tone unreadable, though the dropping temperature in the room hinted at his mood.
A humorlessugh escaped him, his patience finally snapping. ¡°Steven, Lock Group¡¯sst project owed some of its sess to you. I¡¯ve always remembered your contributions, and I¡¯ve been generous in return. But¡
¡°1
His voice sharpened, eyes shing with clear possessiveness over Tess. ¡°But you¨Can outsider- want me to give you an exnation about my wife?¡±
The words ¡°outsider¡± and ¡°wife¡± were said sharply, slicing through the air.
Their eyes locked, tension bristling in the air.
¡°Wife?¡± Steven¡¯s smile vanished. He met Finn¡¯s gaze. ¡°If you truly saw Tess as your wife, you wouldn¡¯t be teaming up with outsiders to hurt her.¡±
Finn frowned, clearly bewildered.
When had he ever sided with anyone against Tess?
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Chapter 174 Collision in the Hospital Room
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Both of them clearly saw the look of confusion in his face¨Cone meeting it with silent ridicule, the other with clear disdain.
Steven gave up on arguing. He turned toward Tess, about to peel an apple for her, but before he could reach for the fruit, Finn caught his wrist.
¡°What did you mean? When have I ever teamed up with outsiders to hurt her?¡±
Steven pressed his lips together. He tried to pull free, but Finn¡¯s hold didn¡¯t let go.
¡°Fine,¡± Steven said with a cold chuckle and stopped trying to get the apple.
He turned around and met Finn¡¯s eyes. ¡°I spoke with the doctor. Tess swallowed a lot of water. Let me ask you this. She can swim, so how did she nearly drown in a pool that size?¡±
Finn froze.
Steven didn¡¯t give him time to recover. ¡°A year ago, I demanded for a deeper investigation, but you insisted the evidence was conclusive. Tell me¨Cback then, did you treat her like your wife?¡±
The mention of the past made Finn¡¯s brow knit tighter. Irritation red. ¡°That case can¡¯t be overturned. If she was guilty, she had to ept the punishment. And besides-¡±
But his eyes met Tess¡¯s, cold and distant, and the rest of his words died in his throat.
Back then, all he¡¯d felt toward her was the resentment of a man forced into a marriage by his elders¨Cnothing like now.
He clenched his fists but said nothing.
¡°Besides, you trusted Nadine more than
your
wife.¡±
Steven¡¯s voice was filled with sarcasm.
¡°Nadine¡¯s her sister. Why would she go after Tess?¡± Finn countered.
¡°She¡¯s not.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 175
Chapter 175 The Breaking Point
Chapter 175 The Breaking Point
Tess cut him off mid¨Csentence.
Finn blinked, startled, and lifted his gaze to her.
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Her face was expressionless, the corners of her lips tilted upward without the faintest trace of a smile.
¡°I told you¨Cshe¡¯s not my sister. Since when does some random foster kid count as family? Finn, she¡¯s a lot closer to being your lover than my sister.¡±
¡°Tess Ember!¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was low and sharp, the kind of coldness that could cut through bone.
¡°Get out.¡±
Her reply was almost a whisper, eyes lowered, not sparing him another nce.
A wave of exhaustion crashed over her, heavy and sudden. Tess narrowed her eyes, looking like a solitary cat tending its wounds¨Cisted, weary, and helpless.
After the tension rose, the door clicked shut behind him, leaving only the stillness of the hospital room.
Tess sank back into the pillows; she closed her eyes, her shoulders sank into the soft pillow.
¡°Nadine pushed you, didn¡¯t she?¡±
Steven had settled back into his chair, his eyes filled with clear concern.
¡°Yeah.¡±
She pressed her lips together.
Steven studied her¨Cclose enough to reach out¨Cbut something in his chest twisted; he had a hard time describing it.
He almost reached out to ruffle her hair but stopped halfway, his hand falling back to his side with a quiet sigh.
¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m back in Aetheris now. You¡¯re not alone; you still have me.¡±
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:
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Chapter 175 The Breaking Point
His voice was gentle, a quiet anchor.
Tess froze for a beat, then felt a rare, unexpected warmth bloom in her chest.
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They¡¯d once been colleagues, friendly enough that she¡¯d often told him how lonely it felt living in Aetheris with no family.
She didn¡¯t realized he¡¯d remembered.
Her nose stung.
¡°By the way
¡
¡±
Steven¡¯s tone shifted¨Cmore serious, his face tensed.
Tess nced at him in confusion, but he was already pulling up something on his phone, handing it over. ¡°I saw this and thought it seemed off. I asked around, found out you¡¯d been hospitalized, and came straight here.¡±
She took the phone. Her eyesnded on the headline.
¡°Tess Ember Wears Knockoff Gown to Nadine Ember¡¯s Celebration Party¡±
A small me icon and the bright red word ¡°HOT¡± sat next to it, showing it was one of the tform¡¯s most talked¨Cabout topics.
She tapped it open. There¡¯s a picture of her from behind, in the white gown she¡¯d worn- custom¨Cmade, one of a kind.
Scrolling down, she saw thements. In just two hours, there were already hundreds of thousands.
¡°Seriously? Wearing a fake Cavrielle to your sister¡¯s party? Pathetic. Wear a knockoff because
couldn¡¯t get
get the real one?¡±
you
¡°Tess had everything¡ªa prestigiousw degree, a promising career¨Cand threw it all away. Now she¡¯s stealing her sister¡¯s man too.¡±
¡°Does she really have everything? If she wears knockoffs, maybe her talent is fake too.¡±
The phone screen was a wall of venom.
¡°Wait a second¨CMr. Lock is her husband, right? How¡¯s that stealing a man?¡±
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Chapter 175 The Breaking Point
¡°Wow, didn¡¯t know ex¨Ccons could still pull the tragic¨Csaint act.¡±
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Anyone who tried to defend her was instantly swarmed and attacked by otherments until the originalments were deleted.
The self¨Cappointed justice warriors celebrated like they¡¯d just saved the world.
A stone seemed to press down on Tess¡¯s chest. Her expression stayed calm, but her heart throbbed in pain.
¡°People online say whatever they want,¡± Steven said softly. ¡°The inte loves to jump on whatever¡¯s trending. Don¡¯t let it get to you.¡±
She shook her head and forced a smile. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±
To prove it, she met his eyes, letting him see the the clear and strong will still in her.
She wasn¡¯t guilty. And she wouldn¡¯t take the me for malice born of lies.
Her fingers tightened on the nket, creasing the fabric.
She didn¡¯t need to think long to know who was behind this.
She¡¯d only wanted to live her life in peace¨Cbut some people seemed determined to ruin it.
Her gaze turned cold.
Maybe¡ it was time to speed things up.
¡°If you¡¯re nning something, I can help,¡± Steven said, sharply sensing the shift in her mood.
Tess smiled faintly. ¡°This time, I want to handle it myself. But if I need backup, I¡¯ll count on you, Mr. Stone.¡±
¡°Of course.¡±
They shared a look¨Cone of quiet understanding.
The tension eased, if only a little.
But as Tess lowered her gaze again, her brow furrowed.
How had anyone recognized her gown as a knockoff of Cavrielle at all? The White Swan was private couture¨Cno Cavrielle tags, no signature marks.
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Chapter 175 The Breaking Point
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She was puzzled, but the answer was obvious; it was a deliberate attack on her reputation.
In high society, being used of wearing counterfeit luxury could ruin your reputation.
Meanwhile, Nadine and Sydney had deliberately stayed out until dawn, even stopping at a quaint caf¨¦ for breakfast.
But the moment they stepped out of their car, a wave of reporters surged toward them, microphones thrust forward.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 176
Chapter 176 Scandal in the Spotlight
Chapter 176 Scandal in the Spotlight
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¡°Ms. Nadine, have you seen today¡¯s trending news? What¡¯s your take on your sister wearing a counterfeit Cavrielle gown to the g?¡±
¡°Ms. Nadine, your sister went as far as wearing a fake dress just to steal your spotlight. Do you have anything to say to her?¡±
The questions were sharp, deliberately crafted to stir up trouble and spark drama.
Surrounded by reporters, Nadine put on a look of polite distress. ¡°Please, everyone, try not to block the way.¡±
It was almost dawn. The streets were still quiet, but more people were starting to show up.
Meanwhile, not far away, someone with a phone slipped into the crowd, pointing the camera at Nadine. On the screen, a livestream was already running.
Jostled by the press of bodies, Nadine swayed slightly. Her gaze flickered toward a small figure in the crowd, lingering for only a moment before she looked away.
She smiled apologetically. ¡°I understand Tess¡¯s intentions. But I can¡¯t condone her choice. As Finn¡¯s wife, everything she does reflects on the image of Lock Group. As her sister, I can forgive her. But as a member of Lock Group, I have to admit¨CI¡¯m disappointed.¡±
She put on a look of heartfelt concern, and the photographers went wild, desperate to capture every fleeting expression.
Meanwhile, the live audience had already surged past one hundred thousand viewers¨Cdespite the early hour.
¡°Mr. Lock needs to get a new wife. This one¡¯s nothing but trouble!¡±
¡°Nadine is stunning¨Cand so kind! I can¡¯t believe Mr. Lock hasn¡¯t divorced Tess yet. Look at Nadine instead! He should be looking at our Nadine!¡±
The live chat flooded withments¨Chalf tearing into Tess, half showering Nadine with praise.
This public sh of vanity and intrigue sent Nadine¡¯s poprity soaring again.
¡°Tess¡¯s misdeed? There¡¯s more to that; what you see is just the tip of the iceberg,¡± Sydney¡¯s
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Chapter 176 Scandal in the Spotlight
voice suddenly cut in.
The reporters turned their microphones toward her in unison, sensing fresh scandal.
Sydney smirked smugly, ready to drop a bombshell¨Cwhen another voice broke in.
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¡°Oh my gosh! Look at the news! Tess cheated on her husband and has an illegitimate child!¡±
The wordsnded like a boulder in a pond, sending shockwaves through the crowd.
Excited, the reporters whipped out their phones to check thetest headlines.
One post was dominating the feeds. It was grainy photos of Tess holding a baby, sometimes with Charles at her side, other times with Abel, and even Steven. The headline was brutal. ¡°Disgraced Ex¨CConvict Uses Illegitimate Child to Humiliate Mr. Lock.¡±
¡°Ms. Nadine, were you aware Tess had an illegitimate child?¡±
¡°Do you know who the father is?¡±
¡°Ms. Nadine-¡±
The questions came in a frenzy, mics practically shoved into her face.
This time, Nadine¡¯s expression faltered. She quickly ducked into her car and shut the door.
All of it¨Cevery word, every image¨Cwas still streaming live.
By the time Nadine drove away, the recording had already hit social media, setting off an online firestorm.
Two days of peace had ended for the Lock Group¡¯s PR department. They were once again thrown into full¨Cblown crisis mode.
In his office, Finn¡¯s expression was as dark as a brewing storm.
¡°They dared to show La¡¯s face?¡± His voice was low and dangerous, eyes fixed on the photo in the news.
Zane, sweating under the weight of his boss¡¯s anger, rushed to speak. ¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯ve sent people to pull the story and delete every photo of Miss La and Mrs. Lock.¡±
¡°Find whoever¡¯s behind this,¡± Finn said, mming a hand down on his desk so hard it creaked. ¡°No mercy.¡±
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Chapter 176 Scandal in the Spotlight
Zane left quickly to ry the order to the team.
As the door closed, Finn pressed his fingers to his temples.
His thoughts were tangled, his chest still burning with anger.
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Seeing La¡¯s sweet little face stered online had filled him with a fury he couldn¡¯t shake- like an intruder had kicked down the gates of a safe, private ce he¡¯d fought to protect.
But mixed into his rage was the memory of Tess, with that cold, disappointed look in her eyes.
His fingers twitched, and the expensive pen in his hand snapped, ink bleeding onto the crisp white paper.
Abruptly, he stood, grabbed his coat from the back of his chair, and walked out.
Momentster, his Maybach pulled out of the basement garage, heading straight for the hospital.
When he arrived, Tess was sitting up in bed, her arm trembling, her whole body shaking.
Finn froze, his breath catching, and he looked down at her hands.
The light from her phone lit up her face, making her skin look very pale.
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Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt
Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt
Finn¡¯s gaze darkened as he stepped forward and took her phone from her.
One nce was enough¨Che knew Tess had found out everything.
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¡°I¡¯ve already sent people to handle it. Every photo of La will be destroyed,¡± he said, turning the phone face¨Cdown and setting it on the nearby cab.
¡°Do you know who did it?¡±
Tess finally lifted her head. Her voice was hoarse and had an icy undertone.
He hesitated at her reaction, worry shing across his face before he shook his head. ¡°Not yet.¡±
¡°Then look into Nadine and Sydney.¡±
Her eyes locked onto his, as if waiting to see how he¡¯d respond.
¡°Nadine?¡±
His brow furrowed in confusion, but one look into her gloomy eyes stopped him from saying anything back.
¡°I¡¯ve already asked Zane to look into it. You just focus on resting.¡±
In her ears, it sounded like he was defending Nadine.
Tess gave a cold, mocking smile and leaned back.
Her shoulders sank into the pillow, making her appear even more fragile.
But when she turned her head, her tense expression tightened into something resolute.
¡°Tess ¡ ¡± Finn frowned, feeling uneasy by her refusal to meet him halfway; he was frustrated.
¡°My gown was custom¨Cmade. No brand tag. And yet the inte is exploding with ims that I wore a knockoff Cavrielle dress. That¡¯s no coincidence. The only way anyone could know is if they saw the gown¡¯s box at the vi. Sydney passed by my bedroom door. Naturally, she and Nadine are my first suspects.¡±
She paused, voice cool and calm. ¡°And now, right after that scandal, La¡¯s pictures are all over the media. Too convenient, don¡¯t you think?¡±
Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt
Tess closed her eyes, her voice calm yet strikingly clear.
Each word was measured, every sentence made sense.
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Finn froze for a moment. When he looked up again, all he could see was her pale face, eyes
still shut.
She was like an orchid with its stem snapped¨Cstill noble, still resilient, but worn thin by too many storms.
His fingers twitched, his supposedly cold heart pulling tight.
Some part of him wanted to cross the space between them, to pull her into his arms, to promise he¡¯d make it all go away, that she had nothing to worry about.
But the distance between them felt like a gulf too wide to cross.
Lowering his gaze, he tucked his hands back at his sides.
¡°I¡¯ll look into it. Just focus on getting better,¡± he said, his tone gentler than he intended.
Tess didn¡¯t answer.
Whether she couldn¡¯t hear him or wouldn¡¯t, her eyes stayed closed.
A flicker of disappointment crossed his face. Staying would change nothing.
¡°If you need anything, have the nurse call me,¡± he said, and left.
The door clicked shut. Tess opened her eyes, full of mixed emotions.
She stared at the closed door and let out a long, shaky breath.
Even the air in front of her felt misty.
Pushing herself up, she grabbed her phone and dialed. ¡°The gown you gave me¨Cit doesn¡¯t have any brand tags, right?¡±
She had to double¨Ccheck.
On the other end of the line, there was the sound of someone crunching noisily on a snack. ¡°Of course not,¡± came the breezy reply. ¡°It¡¯s a privatemission. My name carries more weight than anybel out there¡ªwhy would I put abel on it and ruin my design?¡±
The words were bold, but Tess knew the designer had the reputation to back them up.
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Chapter 177 Shadows of Doubt
The designer shrugged nonchntly before curiosity crept in. ¡°Why are you asking?¡±
¡°No reason.¡±
Her mind went back to yesterday, to Sydney standing at her bedroom door.
She was certain she¡¯d left the gift box outside¨CSydney must have seen it.
Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed, losing their usual softness and turning cold.
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If it really was them¡ She could tolerate what they¡¯d done to her. But if they went so far as to go after La, she wouldn¡¯t forgive it.
Meanwhile, Finn drove in silence, his thoughts a tangle. There were a couple of times he nearly turned the wheel the wrong way.
When he reached the front of the tower, he handed the car over to the valet to park.
Just as he got out of the car, what seemed like a normal group of people suddenly turned into a crowd of reporters, holding up cameras that were shing.
He got annoyed and gave them a cold look.
The reporters surrounded him, but Finn carried such an imposing presence that even the most fearless paparazzi¨Cthe kind who lived for scandals and feared nothing¨Cfell silent under his gaze.
Then a voice shouted from the crowd, loud and sharp, ¡°Mr. Lock, what¡¯s your response to the rumors that your wife had a child out of wedlock during her year in prison? Are you really okay with that?¡±
That first question broke the dam. Microphones and recorders shot up all around him.
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Chapter 178 Under the Spotlight.
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¡°Mr. Lock! Is the child yours? If so, why have you kept it a secret? If not, do you know who the biological father is? Will you still raise this illegitimate child?¡±
The questions were sharp and painful, with cach one intended to inflict emotional harm. The first floor of Lock Tower was crowded, full of people eager for thetest drama. Naturally, they had already heard the rumors burning up the inte these past few days, and now they were all quietly eavesdropping.
¡°Illegitimate child?¡± Finn¡¯s voice cut through the noise, calm but biting. ¡°Show me one credible report that states the child you¡¯re referring to is illegitimate. As journalists, sloppy reporting is a serious offense.¡±
The second reporter froze, his words faltering.
Employees who overheard enough to catch the gist found themselves silently sweating for the reporters.
Chasing headlines was one thing, but to speak to Mr. Lock like that? It was reckless beyond measure. Did they really not understand who they were baiting?
When Mr. Lock sneezed, half the market caught a cold.
Poking him in public was asking for trouble.
Shoulders hunched, employees hurried on, pretending they¡¯d seen nothing.
Finn¡¯s gaze
turned icy. ¡°Mypany has a dedicated legal team. When you receive the letter of liability from my attorneys, don¡¯t me me for yourpse in judgment today.¡±
The effect was instant. The lobby fell silent.
¡°Finn!¡±
A lilting, melodious voice from a woman broke through from behind.
Finn turned. Nadine jogged up, looping her arm through his with a show of easy affection. ¡°Zane told me a crowd of reporters got into the lobby. I didn¡¯t expect they¡¯d actually block you.¡±
Unlike the gentle tone he¡¯d shown her days ago, Finn met her concern with pressed lips and eyes devoid of warmth.
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Nadine¡¯s next words caught in her throat. Her gaze flickered, then she forced a smile. ¡°Finn, what¡¯s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?¡±
He looked away, forcing down the words Tess had thrown at him not long ago.
¡°Everyone,¡± Finn said evenly, ¡°this is a public space. Please stop monopolizing it and creating disruption.¡±
Her heart thudded for no reason she could name.
She shifted her focus to the reporters, straightening her back and adopting the bearing of a chief legal counsel.
But to Finn, every mannerism of hers inevitably drew aparison to the frail figure lying in that hospital bed.
Tess might have looked delicate, yet the determination in her bright eyes spoke of strength.
Finn¡¯s eyes flickered slightly, startled by his thoughts.
Subconsciously, he¡¯d beenparing Nadine to Tess¨Cand Tess was winning.
Another voice rang out, ¡°Ms. Nadine, the rumors about your sister¡¯s illegitimate daughter are everywhere online. Surely you knew? Will you give the public¨Cespecially Lock Group¡¯s supporters¡ªan exnation?¡±
Scowling, Finn immediately sensed something was amiss.
group, where
His shadowed, predatory gaze swept over the crowd of reporters, none of whom dared meet his eyes. Then his attention narrowed, honing in on a lower corner of the something¨Cor someone¨Chad drawn his notice.
¡°I¡¯m as surprised as anyone,¡± Nadine said firmly. ¡°But the child is Tess¡¯s, and we will still fulfill our responsibility to raise her.¡±
That statement froze the crowd for a beat¨Cthen set off an even bigger frenzy. ¡°So you¡¯re confirming the rumors? That the child isn¡¯t Mr. Lock? That she is an illegitimate child?¡±
The question sent a surge of excitement through them, eyes gleaming like predators scenting blood.
Nadine¡¯s face paled.
Panic flickered through her expression, and though she fought to keep herposure, the fine sheen of sweat on her brow betrayed her.
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But when her eyes met his, she found nofort¨Conly the steady, fathomless chill of the sea
in a storm.
But when their gazes met, she found only the calm, cold depth of an an¨Csilent,
fathomless, and unyielding.
A shiver ran down her spine.
is
At that moment, Zane rushed in from the top floor, taking in the chaos at a nce. He stepped in front of Finn, voice firm. ¡°Regarding the rumors about Mr. and Mrs. Lock, ourpany investigating. We will not answer any rted questions at this time.¡±
The authority in the CEO¡¯s chief assistant silenced the room in an instant.
The reporters swallowed hard, stealing nces at Finn and the imposing figures now nking him.
Zane had anticipated the press¡¯s frenzy and had already called for security.
Two neat rows of broad¨Cshouldered men in dark suits filed in, their sheer presence serving as a warning.
No one dared to push further.
Nadine¡¯s eyes flicked over the scene, resentment pricking in her chest.
Her gaze turned toward Zane, the irritation building¨Conly for her to smooth it away with a smile.
¡°Zane¡¯s right,¡± she said lightly. ¡°Why don¡¯t you all focus instead on Lock Group¡¯s uing charity event for the orphanage?¡±
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Chapter 179 A Calcted Move
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Nadine¡¯s smile was radiant, her eyes softening, making her seem gentle and approachable.
When it became clear there was no more dirt to dig up for a scandal, the reporters¡® energy dimmed. Still, they tossed out a few polite questions for appearance¡¯s sake.
As the event¡¯s lead organizer, Nadine kept her answers strictly professional.
Then, at the very end, she turned toward the cameras and gave a yful wink. ¡°Finn and I will both be attending the uing charity event,¡± she said sweetly. ¡°We may even adopt a child with disabilities to raise as our own.¡±
The moment those words left her mouth, the press corps lit up like a swarm of mosquitoes catching the scent of fresh blood.
¡°Ms. Nadine is adopting a disabled child? Most phnthropists stick to donations and charity events. Why would Mr. Lock take on the responsibility of raising an orphan himself? Is this ¡ maybe a reaction to Tess¡¯s betrayal?¡±
1
¡°Will adopting a child cause any conflict with Mrs. Lock¡¯s rumored child from another rtionship?¡±
:
The press instantly came alive again, questions firing off like a swarm of gnats that had scented blood.
Zane immediately signaled to the security team.
In an instant, a wall of tall, imposing men stepped forward, forcing the excited reporters to retreat until they were pushed out of the building.
Finn stood there, his gaze cold as ice.
Zane risked a nce at him before speaking carefully. ¡°Mr. Lock, I think this situation is far moreplicated. Even though our team has been working to bury the trending topics, and most of Miss La¡¯s photos have been removed, anything rted to Mrs. Lock is still spreading like wildfire.¡±
Finn didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, he turned toward Nadine. ¡°Go back to your office.¡±
She froze, caught off guard, feeling hurt.
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Chapter 179 A Calcted Move
The subtext was clear¨Che was asking her to step aside.
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Nadine was unwilling to obey; she nced up at him, only to realize he wasn¡¯t even looking at her. Without another word, he strode away with Zane in tow.
Her face darkened instantly.
The lobby was crowded. She had no desire to stand there under curious stares, so she turned on her heel and went back upstairs.
Meanwhile, the doors of the CEO¡¯s private elevator slid shut.
Finn rubbed at his temples. The dim amber light in the cramped space offered littlefort.
¡°Let it cool down,¡± he said in a low, decisive voice.
Zane blinked in surprise.
The scandal was still burning at the top of the trending lists. Letting it cool down sounded harmless in theory, but without intervention, the heat might not fade¡ªit could just as easily re into an even bigger ze.
¡°Move Nadine¡¯s charity project up on the calendar,¡± Finn added.
Zane understood. If they couldn¡¯t smother the fire, they¡¯d drown it out with a bigger, controlled ze.
As for the real mastermind behind this ¡
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed, the glint in them as sharp as a knife.
Lock Group¡¯s chaos had barely settled. Elsewhere, Tess was discharged from the hospital.
From the moment she¡¯d fallen into the water to now, barely two days had passed. Her body was still weak, but her mind was focused.
Two days without seeing La gnawed at her heart, but she pushed back the urge to rush home. She had something more urgent to do.
Her fingers curled into a fist.
She gave the taxi driver the address of the institution where her grandmother¡¯s inheritance was kept.
Her grandmother had left a substantial estate. Though her influence in Aetheris was modest,
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Chapter 179 A Calcted Move
there were a couple of properties lying around.
She requested the release of a particrmercial property.
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¡°This is what you requested,¡± the staff said respectfully, handing over a stack of documents.
Tess nodded politely and took them.
Her next stop was the supermarket where Wanda now worked.
¡°Mrs. Lock? What happened to you?¡± Wanda¡¯s eyes widened in shock at her pale face.
¡°Something came up,¡± Tess said, brushing it off before grasping Wanda¡¯s hand. Her tone turned serious.
¡°Wanda, I need your help.¡±
The gravity on her face made Wanda¡¯s heart tighten.
¡°Of course¨Cjust tell me.¡± Wanda swallowed hard; she started to take this seriously.
Tess handed her the documents. ¡°I¡¯m opening a store here in Aetheris, but I can¡¯t run it publicly, so I want you to be the face of it. I¡¯ll pay you three times what you¡¯re making now. If it does well, your pay will go up.¡±
Wanda stared at her, stunned. The documents felt like they were burning her palms.
She asked in confusion, ¡°You want to start a business? But, you¡¯re Mrs. Lock. You don¡¯t need to do this.¡±
From what she knew, Mr. Lock might not dote on his wife, but he¡¯d never let his wifeck for anything.
Why would Mrs. Lock suddenly want to open her own shop?
¡°Let¡¯s just call it a personal venture,¡± Tess said with a faint smile.
But even with her lips curved, her eyes held a quiet determination.
The storm online had yet to settle.
For a corporation the size of Lock Group, its PR team should have wiped it out by now¨Cbut it had only slowed slightly. That meant the person behind it wasn¡¯t ordinary.
Tess pressed her lips firmly together.
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Chapter 179 A Calcted Move
Until now, she¡¯d been convinced Nadine and Sydney were behind it all.
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But now, she was beginning to wonder if the true puppeteer was someone far more dangerous.
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Chapter 180 Shadows Closing In
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The feeling of being out in the open while her enemies lurked in the dark sent a chill straight through Tess¡¯s heart.
Finn¡¯s halfhearted reaction to her usations against Nadine was the final straw.
If asking for help got her nowhere, then she¡¯d be the one others turned to.
Her hands curled into clenched fists.
Wanda hesitated, studying the shifting emotions in Tess¡¯s eyes. That flicker of light and shadow made Wanda oddly uneasy.
¡°Mrs. Lock, working in the supermarket is exhausting,¡± she said slowly, ¡°but it also means I¡¯m dealing with everyday folks, so the stress isn¡¯t as bad. Let me think it over.¡±
She carried the weight of reluctance and looked troubled.
Tess didn¡¯t press her. She simply nodded. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll respect your decision.¡±
Wanda walked her to the door, watching until Tess¡¯s cab vanished down the street. Then she nced around cautiously, crouched by the corner of the wall, and dialed a number.
Unaware of what happened with Wanda, Tess moved on to her next stop¨CBessie.
¡°What? That¡¯s basically making me your employee!¡± Bessie¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. ¡°Like on TV¨Cyou¡¯re the big boss, and I run the ce!¡±
Bessie¡¯s eyes widened with delight.
¡°You could put it that way.
¡°Then I¡¯m in! Absolutely!¡±
¡
11
Bessie agreed right away; sheughed heartily. Her gaze on Tess was full of newfound admiration. ¡°Never thought you were just pretty with a good background¨Cyou¡¯ve got guts too!¡±
Unlike Wanda¡¯s hesitation, Bessie had the kind of fearless loyalty that made her ready to throw herself into the fire for a friend. She was the first to pledge her support.
Tess handed over a neat stack of paperwork she hadn¡¯t been able to deliver.
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¡°Here are the property deed and the shop¡¯s documents. The address is 267 Sycamore Row,¡± Tess exined, detailing every step.
Bessie listened intently, nodding as Tessid out each detail.
Tess pulled out several embroidery designs. ¡°You¡¯ve been in this neighborhood for years, Bessie. You know everyone. I¡¯ll need you to help spread the word.¡±
Bessie flipped through the sketches, her eyes lighting with surprise. ¡°These are yours?¡±
¡°Yes. They were designs I¡¯d shelved¨Csome are iplete. I¡¯ll finish them soon.¡±
Her sincerity drew another long, appraising look from Bessie.
She¡¯d already revised her opinion of Tess twice¨Cfirst when she saw this frail¨Clooking woman working herself to the bone to raise her child, then when she watched her handle humiliation at work with sharp wit.
And now, even someone like Bessie, who felt she was old, found herself catching a little spark of hope.
¡°Alright,¡± Bessie said firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll hand in my resignation in a couple of days, then I¡¯ll get the shop fixed up for you.¡±
Bessie pped Tess¡¯s shoulder. It was a simple promise, but the warmth and loyalty in her voice stirred something deep in Tess.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, but her heart swelled with warmth.
In Aetheris, she¡¯d always been alone.
Married to Finn, yet never cherished.
She had built a ster career at Lock Group, only to lose it all to a storm she never sawing.
And now, after all these years, she realized that aside from La, she had no one¨Cuntil she met these openhearted friends while sweeping streets for a day¡¯s pay.
Her chest felt heavy.
¡°I won¡¯t be able to stay long,¡± Tess said. ¡°I¡¯ll send you the shopyout for the renovations.¡±
¡°Even better!¡± Bessie grinned. ¡°I hate the brainy stuff.¡±
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Chapter 180 Shadows Closing In
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After a few more words, Tess left. By the time her cab pulled up to Evermount Vi, the sun was dipping low,
She stepped onto the curb, and another taxi rolled to a stop right in front of her.
The window slid down. ¡°Need a ride, miss?¡± The driver called.
Tess gave him a puzzled look.
She had clearly just gotten out of a cab¨Cwhy would he even ask?
¡°No, thanks.¡±
She turned toward the vi, her thoughts already racing ahead to La. It had been days¨Chow was she now? Her steps quickened with worry.
Tess¡¯s chest tightened, and her steps quickened into a near run.
But then¨Cfootsteps echoed behind her, fast and closing in.
A hand shot out, seizing her hair with a brutal yank. Painnced across her scalp as her head was wrenched back.
A low, chilling voice hissed in her ear, ¡°Think you can get away, bitch?¡±
Her face was jerked to the side, forcing her to meet a pair of cold, venomous eyes.
The murky depths glinted with pure malice.
The hostility in them sent every nerve in her body snapping taut. She had no idea who she could¡¯ve crossed since getting out of prison.
¡°So you¡¯re Mrs. Lock, huh?¡±
His grip on her hair tightened until the skin at her temple pinched. Madness burned in his
gaze.
And then she recognized him¨Cthe cab driver she¡¯d met during the celebration party at Evermount Vi.
Her stomach knotted, fear rising as she took in the fleshy face and the small, mean eyes nearly swallowed by the folds around them.
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Chapter 181 A Gift
Chapter 181 A Gift
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She had read enough online crime reports to know¨Cstories of drivers taking revenge on passengers were everywhere.
A chill crawled up her spine. Tess swallowed hard, forcing herself to lookposed even as fear gripped her.
¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? This is a gatedmunity. Every corner here is under surveince.¡±
Her voice trembled despite her effort to keep it steady.
The driver¡¯s eyes widened as he fixed his gaze on hers. ¡°You really think I¡¯m an idiot? Those security cameras at the gate are useless¨Cjust for show. Just like you¨Cdressing in fancy clothes and thinking you can fool me?¡±
Tess froze. Her mind shed to the extra security camera Finn had installed for her.
When Finn first installed them, the tiny red light felt like a pair of watchful eyes. Now, to her horror, that light was gone¨Cthe eye had closed.
Her chest tightened, a mix of dread and something harder to name.
She had no time to dwell on it¨Cthe driver¡¯s grip tightened, forcing her back toward the car.
Panic jolted through her. She tried to cry out, but he caught on instantly, mping a rough hand over her mouth.
¡°Mmph-!¡±
Her pupils widened in shock as she fought against him, but the difference in strength between them was hopeless.
The more she struggled, the more agitated he became. A quick nce around assured him no one was nearby, and his hands grew rougher, as if venting some twisted resentment over their difference in status.
In seconds, angry red marks bloomed across her pale cheek, her face draining of color.
Her muffled cries filled the air, but the driver¡¯s muttered curses only grew louder.
Then¨Ca ck Maybach rolled to a stop not far away.
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Tess¡¯s eyes flew open in desperation. But the man¡¯s hand stayed firmly over her mouth, blocking her only chance to call out.
She could only watch, helpless, as Finn and Nadine stepped out of the car. Side by side, they walked into the vi.
¡°Looks like the rumors were true¨Cyour husband¡¯s got another woman.¡±
The driver¡¯s sneer slid over her face, dripping with contempt. ¡°Even if you vanished, your husband wouldn¡¯t lift a finger to find you.¡±
His cruel smile deepened as he raised the tinted window, sealing her inside.
Through the tea¨Cbrown ss, herst glimpse was of Nadine¡¯s light, flowing skirt¨Cand Finn¡¯s tall, elegant figure, slowly blurring from view.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
An unlicensed ride pulled away from the curb.
Back at the gates, Nadine and Finn had no idea what had just happened.
Nadine lowered her gaze, feigning shyness.
She had assumed that after Tess¡¯s recent public scandal, Finn would be too busy dealing with the fallout to see her. Yet here he was.
¡°Finn,¡± she murmured softly, ¡°Tess¡¯s situation seems urgent. How did you find the time to ¡ meet with me?¡±
Her tone was quiet, her head tilted in modest hesitation, but her eyes lifted now and then, clearly fishing for a certain answer.
Finn¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as he looked down the long stone path. ¡°The staff is handling it. Tess is still sick, and I don¡¯t like leaving La in someone else¡¯s care.¡±
The response caught Nadine off guard.
After a pause, he added, ¡°And I didn¡¯t get the chance to give you your gift after the celebration party.¡±
At that, Nadine¡¯s lips curved in a smile, though she tried to temper it with feigned restraint. ¡°Tess¡¯s crisis should be your top priority, Finn. How can you still think about bringing me gifts?¡± she said with a yful scold, her hand brushing her lips as she cast him a sidelong nce.
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Finn¡¯s brows moved slightly, but he said nothing, letting his lowered eyes shield the shadowed thoughts in his eyes.
He led Nadine to Tess¡¯s bedroom.
The gift box was still sitting unopened at the door.
¡°I had a gown made for you,¡± he said, pausing beside it. ¡°I nned to give it to you after the party, but since you¡¯d already changed, I thought I¡¯d bring itter.¡±
He nudged the box toward her with the tip of his shoc, signaling her to open it.
¡°Oh!¡± Nadine was startled. The thrill at hearing the word ¡°gown¡± was doused like a bucket of cold water, and a spark of anger red beneath her polite smile.
The box matched almost exactly the one Sydney had described earlier, and the sight of it made her chest tighten.
¡°Finn, why was my gift left outside Tess¡¯s room?¡±
¡°I ordered a custom piece straight from the fashion house¨Cone of a kind. I wasn¡¯t sure how it would look, and your sister knows the industry, so I asked her to check if it would suit you.¡±
Nadine crouched to open the box¨Cand froze. It was empty.
Her face darkened instantly. The hand holding the box tightened until the veins stood out.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Finn asked.
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Finn leaned in, puzzled, and saw the same thing she did¨Cnothing but the hollow interior of the box.
Nadine was upset.
So the stunning gown that had stolen the spotlight at the party was supposed to be hers? Tess had actually worn the dress Finn had given her just to grab attention?
She clenched her teeth, the image of Tess basking in admiration shing in her mind.
Nadine could almost see the moment reying: one second, the crowd¡¯s eyes were fixed on her, and the next, all attention had shifted to Tess. That moment was supposed to be hers.
Finn leaned in. When Nadine felt the air grow colder with him getting closer, she quickly smothered whatever shed across her mind and put on a look of uneasy disappointment. ¡°Finn, it¡¯s empty.¡±
She lifted her gaze, eyes glistening with wounded innocence. ¡°Yesterday, Tess wore a Cavrielle wasn¡¯t gown, and you told me the dress was one of a kind¨Ccustom made. There was only one, there?¡±
Her voice trembled as she lowered her head, feigning injury.
Finn¡¯s dark eyes deepened, a sharp glint of something unreadable shing in their depths.
Gathering what looked like courage, Nadine¡¯s eyes reddened as she whispered, ¡°How could she do this? This wasn¡¯t just a gown¨Cit was your gift, your thoughtfulness. And now ¡ she¡¯s caught up in a storm over it. If she¡¯d only told me, maybe none of this would have happened.¡±
Her voice hitched at the right moments, the perfect blend of hurt and reluctant concern, painting herself as a younger sister betrayed but still thinking of her older sister¡¯s well¨Cbeing.
Finn didn¡¯t so much as twitch. His face remained unreadable, the silence stretching until it began to feel heavy.
When nofort came, Nadine¡¯s confidence wavered. She sensed something slipping, and her heart began to pound¨Cuntil he patted her shoulder.
¡°So that¡¯s the story behind that controversial gown,¡± a deep male voice said from behind. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about your sister. The PR team knows what they¡¯re doing.¡±
The smile froze on Nadine¡¯s face.
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Chapter 182 The Missing Gown
What?
That wasn¡¯t the reaction she¡¯d expected.
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She looked up, ready to say more, but Finn had already taken the box from her arms and set it back in ce with a quiet finality.
¡°Since I can¡¯t give you the gown now, let¡¯s head back to the office.¡±
Without another word, he walked away.
Her polished, gentle expression cracked as she stared at his retreating back.
¡°What is it?¡±
Finn asked when he noticed she hadn¡¯t moved. He stopped and turned, his sculpted features catching the light, eyes shifting slowly over her face. There was something in them- something sharp, something weighing her.
Nadine¡¯s heart gave a faint flutter. She snapped back to herself, a flicker of panic still in her
eyes.
Finn¡¯s gaze darkened. He said nothing as Nadine jogged to his side.
When he started walking again, his pace was measured, but his gaze, when it flicked toward her, carried a hint of suspicion.
He¡¯d never told her the dress was Cavrielle, yet she¡¯d named the brand instantly and linked it without hesitation to the gown Tess had worn.
Finn dropped his eyes, masking the shadow in them; his lips ttened into a hard, straight line.
Out of the corner of his eye, he nced at Nadine, and a question rose, sharp and unwee. Nadine, are you really as innocent as you im?
Before he could dwell on it, a figure came jogging toward them.
Felix.
He¡¯d just failed to pick up Tess from the hospital and, irritated with himself, had parked the car when he spotted Finn and Nadineing down the corridor.
He hurried over, choosing his words carefully. ¡°Mr. Lock, wee home. The hospital says Mrs. Lock has already been discharged. Did you see her on your way in?¡±
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04
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Finn¡¯s drifting thoughts snapped tight. His jaw set. ¡°Tess has been discharged? And you didn¡¯t get her?¡±
Two questions, cold as steel, apanied by a stare that felt like usation.
Sweat broke on Felix¡¯s forehead.
He lowered his head in guilt, but the temperature seemed to drop anyway, a pressure building that drove the chill right between his shoulder des.
Finn¡¯s expression was grim, the air around him heavy¨Cstorm weather, moments before it breaks.
¡°Update Zane. Call the hospital. Pull the security footage. I want Mrs. Lock¡¯s trail¨Cfast.¡±
Themand cut like a drawn de, bright and dangerous.
Felix bobbed his head and took off at a sprint.
¡°Finn ¡
Nadine¡¯s voice was small, uncertainty creeping in at the edges.
She reached for his sleeve, but he brushed her hand away without breaking stride.
¡°Call yourself a cab. You can clock off early today.¡±
His pace quickened, heading for the garage.
The situation was already vtile¨CTess¡¯s name was all over the inte, every eye watching for the smallest misstep. It was exactly the kind of moment when danger could strike.
Finn¡¯s chest tightened. He didn¡¯t let his mind go to darker ces.
He broke into a run, letting the wind tear through his perfect part, and didn¡¯t stop until he reached the car, breathing hard, heart hammering.
The Maybach, usually driven steadily, sped up as he floored the elerator. On the console, Zane¡¯s call came through, the urgency in the ringtone matching the pounding of Finn¡¯s heart.
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Chapter 183 The Trap in the Rearview
¡°Talk.¡±
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Finn¡¯s words were clipped,ced with a subtle tension and anger that most would have missed.
His gaze appeared fixed on the road ahead, but his mind was far away.
¡°Mr. Lock, I confirmed with the hospital¨Cthey said Mrs. Lock specifically instructed them to dy telling us she¡¯d been discharged.¡±
¡°Ridiculous!¡±
The sharp, impatient bark came through the speaker.
Zane flinched.
Mr. Lock was usually the picture ofposure¨Ccold, detached, and frighteningly in control of his emotions. As a businessman, his ability to keep his temper in check was almost unnerving.
This sudden, unrestrained anger was nothing short of shocking.
Was this really the same man?
Then it clicked¨Cevery time Mr. Lock¡¯s emotions broke past his iron control, it was because of Mrs. Lock. And right now, the world outside was far more dangerous for her than she probably realized. His reaction made sense.
¡°Have you pulled the surveince footage? She must¡¯ve taken a cab. Track the direction she left -priority on traffic cameras.¡±
Finn forced his anger down; his voice cut straight into Zane¡¯s head and knocked his wandering thoughts aside.
¡°Find out where she went¨Cfast.¡±
He said it again, sharper this time. The urgency in his tone made it clear how tense¨Cand how desperate¨Che was.
Zane didn¡¯t dare waste another second. He ryed the order immediately.
Meanwhile, Tess had no idea that Finn had mobilized half of hispany resources to find her. Her mind was entirely on escape.
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Chapter 183 The Trap in the Rearview
P:
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¡°I¡¯ve been doing this job a long time. Anyone who¡¯s ever crossed me, not one of them had a good ending!¡±
The driver smacked the steering wheel, his voice dripping with fury as if reliving the scene from the other day when Tess had challenged him.
His narrow, mean eyes red at her in the rearview mirror, calcting exactly how he¡¯d deal with her.
A chill crawled down Tess¡¯s spine under that gaze. She warned, ¡°This is a civilized country. Do you even understand the consequences of what you¡¯re doing?¡±
¡°Consequences?¡±
He sneered, his eyes glinted smugly. ¡°I¡¯ve got a doctor¡¯s note saying I¡¯m mentally unstable. How else do you think I¡¯ve walked away untouched after what happened to those before you?¡±
A cold shiver slid down Tess¡¯s spine. The smug grin on his face made her stomach churn, fear crawling over her like a thousand tiny insects.
Absurd. If he really were mentally unfit, how could he still be taking passengers? And if he wasn¡¯t, then he was hiding behind a false diagnosis, free to harm others without consequence.
Tess¡¯s chest tightened with frustration, but her limbs only grew colder.
Facing a brazen madman who thought he was untouchable, her deepest fear was for her safety.
¡°Where are you taking me? What do you want from me?¡± she asked, forcing her voice to stay even, praying he wouldn¡¯t snap.
¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough. Gotta admit, you¡¯re prettier than the others.¡±
His grin twisted into something lecherous.
A chill rolled through Tess.
She swallowed the surge of difort, turned her face away with a show of annoyance, and let her gaze drift barely toward the world beyond the tinted ss.
Her look of humiliation only made the driverugh harder.
The sound was coarse and ugly, echoing inside the car. Sweat beaded across Tess¡¯s palms.
What scared her more was the view outside; she had taken a good look and knew where they
were.
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Chapter 183 The Trap in the Rearview
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The car jolted over bumps; trees wed toward the sky on both sides. Bit by bit, she realized they were leaving the city.
She jolted at the possibility.
¡°Wait! I need to use the restroom,¡± she blurted.
The driver frowned, studying her expression. She looked humiliated, as though forced to speak despite her pride.
He¡¯d worried she might try something, but that look pleased him far too much.
This time he didn¡¯t underestimate her worth. His gaze slid over her clothes¨Csimple, yes, but well made, the fabric catching the light. The idea of a wealthy woman falling under his control filled him with a sickening thrill. He even let out a long, satisfied breath.
¡°Fine.¡±
He mmed on the brakes and, through the rearview mirror, studied Tess¡¯s reaction.
She looked out the lowered window. Her expression darkened.
Heughed heartily at her reaction.
The area was remote¨Cno sidewalks, just a rough gravel road nked by dense forest and weeds that nearly reached her knees.
¡°What, not getting out?¡± His eyes glinted with something indecent.
Tess bit down on her lip and rolled the window back up. ¡°Where are you taking me? I¡¯m not doing this out in the open.¡±
He snorted. ¡°Hmph! Rich people¨Cso fussy, especially women. Doesn¡¯t matter where we end up, you¡¯ll be a lump of flesh.¡±
When she didn¡¯t insist on stopping, the sinister chill in his eyes faded.
Women like her¨Cpolished, high¨Css¨Cwould never willingly relieve themselves outdoors in broad daylight. If she pushed to get out here, there¡¯d only be one reason: escape.
A cold light shed in his eyes.
He nced again at the woman gritting her teeth in shame.
Idiot!
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Chapter 183 The Trap in the Rearview
Humming a melody under his breath, he started the car once more.
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Through the mirror, Tess caught almost all of it¨Cthe look, the calction¨Cand it told her exactly what she needed to know.
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Chapter 184 Run for Her Life
Hisment of ¡°a lump of flesh¡± struck Tess as oddly creepy.
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She¡¯d never heard anyone describe a person that way before, and the sheer strangeness of it sent a tremor through her chest.
Once she was sure the driver had rxed his guard, she quietly slid her hand into her pocket. fingers brushing the cool edge of her phone.
Since leaving prison and giving birth to La, her life back at the vi had beenfortable enough, but she no longer favored delicate dresses. Instead, she preferred everyday clothes with pockets¨Cmuch easier on the hands, especially for moments like this.
Coincidentally, her phone sat snugly in the pocket of her pants.
Tess¡¯s gaze flicked toward her handbag, tossed carelessly onto the passenger seat after he¡¯d snatched it from her.
Afraid of attracting attention in the upscale neighborhood, the kidnapper hadn¡¯t even checked it before tying her hands and shoving her into the car.
She found the phone easily enough. Tess worked from memory and tried to trigger the emergency
alert feature.
Again and again, she repeated the motion. Finally, she slid the phone back into her pocket and pulled her hand free.
¡°Isn¡¯t there a public restroom anywhere along the road?¡± Sheined, her voice carrying a hint of innocence that matched her youthful face.
The driver wrote her off as foolish, and, deep down, he despised her.
Anyone this sheltered had to have spent the first half of her life coasting on family privilege.
His initial irritation twisted into something darker, more sinister.
It was fine. He¡¯d be the one who caused her to suffer.
¡°Quick! Pull over! I can¡¯t hold it anymore!¡±
Tess flushed, her urgency and embarrassment written inly across her features. The driver shot her a wordless re; her pampered act was giving him a headache.
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Chapter 184 Run for Her Life
¡°Out!¡± he barked, and the door popped open.
Tess didn¡¯t move. She bit her lip, hesitating.
¡°What now?¡± he snapped irritably.
¡°I don¡¯t have tissues.¡±
Thump¨Che flung her bag at her.
¡°If you don¡¯t have any, then use leaves.¡±
Head down, Tess swallowed her anger.
But when she looked away, a quick glint shed in her eyes.
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She carefully slipped the phone she¡¯d hidden in her sleeve back into the bag, then pulled out a little packet of tissues to keep up the act.
Seeing her take the tissues, the driver yanked the bag from her, checked it, and¨Cfinding the phone still inside¨Cdecided she was exactly what he thought: a spoiled rich fool.
Leaning on her family background to push people around. Once she was dumped in the middle of nowhere, she¡¯d be nothing.
He sneered and tossed the bag onto the front passenger seat.
Tess dawdled out, enduring another round of his barking and muttered insults.
When she was finally away from the car, he pulled out his own phone and started scrolling videos, letting out a sleazy chuckle in the cramped cabin.
Tess kept her back stiff and moved slowly.
The shoulder was still gravel, and the weeds were even taller now, brushing her waist.
She ced each step carefully, wary of hidden dips in the uneven ground.
After she¡¯d gone about 30 feet, she risked the slightest nce back at the car¨Cand at the man in the driver¡¯s seat.
He seemed to believe Tess entirely and didn¡¯t spare her another nce.
Tess sank lower, then slipped behind the nearest tree in one swift move.
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Chapter 184 Run for Her Life
Once she was sure the driver couldn¡¯t see her, she took off, sprinting into the brush.
¡°A lump of flesh!¡± The words circted in her head. Aetheris was one of the most developed regions in Gloriodon; even the outskirts shouldn¡¯t feel this empty. Only one ce past the border was truly chaotic¨Ca no¨Cman¡¯snd about 37 miles out.
A red¨Clight district.
They called it Vongolia, awlessnd.
It had a notorious harbor that opened straight into international waters.
If he didn¡¯t n to throw her into the ocean, then he meant to sell her into that district.
The image of being trapped there, forced to sell her body to make a living and never seeing La again, made her stomach drop.
There were so many things she hadn¡¯t done, too many grudges to settle. She would not die in disgrace.
Tess ran the opposite way from where the car had been headed, as if a predator was running after her.
Eventually, the driver sensed something was off.
He checked the time; 30 minutes had passed.
He jumped out of the car, but the grass stretched forever; there was no sign of Tess.
¡°Slut!¡± he roared, his face twisting with rage.
He dove back behind the wheel, yanked the steering hard, and gunned the car off the gravel straight into the grass.
Lock Group, CEO¡¯s office.
¡°Mr. Lock, we have something!¡±
Zane pulled up the hospital¡¯s exterior footage and marked out all the ces Tess might have passed.
Finn jumped to his feet and instructed, ¡°Start with that supermarket.¡±
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Chapter 184 Run for Her Life
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They had just reached the door when it swung open. The nanny hurried in, La in her arms. ¡°Mr. Lock, I don¡¯t know why, but Miss La won¡¯t stop crying. We¡¯ve tried her form since morning, and she refused to eat, and she¡¯s been wailing nonstop!¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes went at once to the baby in the nanny¡¯s arms.
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Chapter 185 Missing Again
Chapter 185 Missing Again
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La looked as if she¡¯d been frightened out of her wits, two lines of tears still clinging to her chubby cheeks. The round eyes that were usually so bright and lively were screwed shut from crying. Her pinkish mouth was puckered into a pout.
The little girl seemed to sense that Finn was watching her. Suddenly, she stopped crying and fixed him with those wide, round eyes.
A strange warmth surged through Finn¡¯s chest. Just meeting the baby¡¯s gaze felt as if some invisible thread had linked them together.
He had no real connection to this child, and yet, looking at her filled him with an unfamiliar blend of unease and tenderness.
Startled by his strange emotion, he turned away. ¡°Bring her with us.¡±
He didn¡¯t understand why Tess had run off, but he knew the child mattered to her.
La, wrapped snug in her nket, seemed to catch his words and stopped crying, though her mouth was still pursed.
Zane told Felix to wait for them back in the vi and to alert them the moment Tess returned or any news came in.
Momentster, their group swept into the supermarket, drawing startled looks from shoppers.
The bodyguards, sharp in tailored suits, moved with quiet precision, but it was the man leading them¨Cbroad¨Cshouldered, striking, and radiating authority¨Cwhose presence made people avert their eyes.
Some customers, not wanting trouble, quietly slipped out the doors.
Zane, holding La, scanned the aisles for Wanda. It was La who spotted her first, babbling and pointing toward a corner. Zane turned and spotted the stiff, elderly figure standing there.
¡°Wanda!¡± he called, hurrying over with La in his arms.
Finn followed, stopping just behind him.
Under their gaze, Wanda flustered, she abandoned her attempt to sneak out through the exit.
Meeting Finn¡¯s icy stare, she rubbed her hands before forcing herself forward. ¡°M¨CMr. Lock¡
she stammered.
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Chapter 185 Missing Again
¡°Where¡¯s Mrs. Lock?¡± His voice was low, cold.
Wanda¡¯s panic shifted to confusion.
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She nced up at Finn¡¯s dark, piercing eyes, felt her heart jolt, and quickly looked down again.
Was he asking about Mrs. Lock? Did Mrs. Lock runaway after meeting her?
The thought brought her back to a simr incident months ago.
She swallowed her saliva but didn¡¯t dare to answer.
¡°Wanda,¡± Zane pressed, his tone stern, ¡°this is urgent. If you know where Mrs. Lock is, speak up
-now.¡±
¡°I¨CI don¡¯t know,¡± Wanda¡¯s heart pounded, fear creeping in.
Thest time Tess had escaped, she¡¯d paid for it dearly. And now, somehow, she was involved again.
She shook her head frantically.
¡°Mr. Lock, I swear I saw her¨Cbut I truly don¡¯t know where she went!¡±
Finn¡¯s brows drew together as his gaze swept her pale face.
Then he turned away and instructed, ¡°Check the exterior security cameras. Let¡¯s go.¡± Wanda doesn¡¯t have any information for them; pressing her for answers would be pointless. After a pause, Zane cast her a long, unreadable look before following Finn outside.
They had barely stepped through the doors when Zane¡¯s phone rang. Felix¡¯s voice came through, loud and clear.
¡°Mr. Lock! I found a button on the long driveway outside the vi. I think it might be Mrs. Lock¡¯s.¡±
The speakerphone¡¯s audio came through loud and clear, and Finn¡¯s expression turned instantly grave.
He nced at Finn, and the man moved quickly.
¡°Keep checking the surveince footage. We¡¯reing back now.¡±
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Chapter 185 Missing Again
800
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The car sped down the road, and in minutes, Finn was striding toward Felix, who waited by the curb.
¡°Mr. Lock!¡± Felix rushed forward, holding out the button for him to see.
Finn turned it over in his fingers, his eyes narrowing when he spotted the tiny gold hallmark on the back.
It was from Cindere¨Ca small, niche brand Tess loved.
¡°You found it here?¡±
Felix nodded quickly.
Finn¡¯s gaze flicked to the ground, his eyes instantly narrowing.
He took a step forward and started searching the ground before him.
Finn knew this brand well: minimalist, easy to wear, and every button hand¨Cglued to preserve the fabric. The craftsmanship was so precise that one wouldn¡¯t simply fall off unless there¡¯d been a violent struggle.
He grew increasingly worried. A chilling possibility took shape in his mind.
Fear and dread coiled up his spine like wet vines after a storm. The thought of Tess being harmednded like cold rain on his skull¨Ceach drop sharp as torture.
¡°Find her! Contact the cops and pull every traffic camera feed. I don¡¯t care what it takes¨Cbring her back!¡±
He grabbed Zane by the cor, the usually calm, detached eyes now burning red with rage. Seeing the change in Finn¡¯s expression, Zane grasped the gravity of the situation. He handed La to the nanny and immediately began issuing orders to the relevant departments.
¡°Gah¡ ba¨Cba ¡
¡¡®
11
Suddenly, La, still in the nanny¡¯s arms, fixed her gaze on Finn¡¯s phone lying on the car seat and babbled toward it.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 186
Chapter 186 Run for Her Life
Chapter 186 Run for Her Life
Finn¡¯s mind was a tangled mess, but he still followed La¡¯s line of sight.
The phone screen lit up with a ring warning.
His heart thudded as he snatched it into his hand.
A message shed across the inbox¨Cshort but shocking.
¡°I¡¯m in danger! Please call the police!¡±
His eyes narrowed at the words.
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Finn knew it was Tess¡¯s phone¡¯s emergency alert system¨Cshe couldn¡¯t even send him a normal
message.
This was the only way she could cry for help.
Finn¡¯s chest felt as if a giant hand had mped around it, making it difficult to breathe.
The message came with a link. He tapped it instantly, and a map popped open.
Tess¡¯s location was pinging from the eastern outskirts of Aetheris, the route trail showing every step she¡¯d taken in the past hour.
He forced himself to stay calm, but the path was obvious¨Cit was leading straight to the far eastern edge. And there was only one ce beyond that.
Vongolia.
A hot¨Ccold rush of adrenaline surged through him.
¡°Eastgate outskirts. Toward Vongolia!¡± His voice was a low, sharp bark as he slid behind the wheel.
His words startled Zane, who was still on the phone. Zane was hurriedly wrapping up the call and jumping in the car.
¡°Wah! Wah! Lay! Lay!¡±
La, who had been quiet until now, suddenly burst into loud sobs, squirming violently in the nanny¡¯s arms to reach for Finn.
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Chapter 186 Run for Her Life
s
She was strong, and her strength caught the nanny off guard. The nanny nced at Finn helplessly.
His hand paused on the ignition; countless possibilities swirled in his mind before he said, ¡°Get in.¡±
It took a moment for the nanny to realize he was talking to her. The second the words left his mouth, La stopped crying¨Calmost like she understood.
Zane¡¯s eyebrows shot up.
Is this what they call mother¨Cdaughter intuition? He didn¡¯t dwell on it.
Finn had hit the gas. Zane lurched forward, barely catching himself before his forehead met the windshield.
The car shot forward like an arrow, the speed impossible to miss once they hit the busier
streets.
A traffic officer stepped forward to g them down, but before he could lift a hand, a call from his superior ordered him to stand down.
With no one blocking their way, the Maybach tore on, soon rattling over a stretch of uneven gravel.
In less than an hour, the sky had turned dark.
Meanwhile, Tess was curled in on herself at the bottom of a shallow pit she had dug with her bare hands.
All around her stretched an endless sea of weed. The growth was thick and tall, but her dark- shade clothing still stood out against it.
Somewhere nearby, the murderous driver was hunting her down with a car. On foot, she didn¡¯t stand a chance of outrunning him, so she¡¯d chosen to hide and wait until he passed before making her move.
¡°Slut!¡± his voice rang out, mocking and cruel. ¡°When night falls in these hills, the bearse out. You bettere with me than get torn apart.¡±
The driver¡¯s curses and threats grew closer, each word chipping away at Tess¡¯sposure. She lifted her head just enough to cast a terrified nce around her.
Night was closing in quickly; the evening wind had turned biting and was cutting through her
9:57 Sun, Oct 5
Chapter 186 Run for Her Life
clothes. It hissed through the grass with a sound eerily like a bear¡¯s low growl.
A tremor ran through her chest.
Crap! T¨Cthere aren¡¯t really bears here, right?
¡°Dang it! You can run, huh?¡±
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Finding nothing, the driver¡¯s voice rose in frustrated profanity before the rumble of the car began to fade.
Only when the engine noise had dwindled into the distance did Tess dare to lift her head above the rim of the pit.
The vehicle¡¯s taillights glowed faintly before vanishing altogether.
But she didn¡¯t move just yet.
There was no guarantee he wouldn¡¯t double back, and she¡¯d already pushed that murderer past the point of reason. If he caught her now, escape would be almost impossible¨Cand the suffering certain.
She clenched her teeth as the cold wind cut across her skin. Her injured knee throbbed, a dull ache growing sharper in the chill.
After holding her breath for what felt like an eternity and hearing nothing but the whisper of grass, she began to crawl out.
Hunched low, she crept until she reached the broad trunk of a tree, using it as cover before she finally straightened.
A relief breath left her lips, but she wasn¡¯t out of danger yet.
Her priority was to reach somewhere¨Canywhere¨Cwhere there were people.
She pushed forward through the grass, moving as quickly as she could without stopping.
The night had fallen intoplete darkness, the kind where you could barely see your hand in front of your face.
A half¨Cmoon hung in the sky, just enough to cast a pale glow over the sea of grass. Tess used its light to feel her way forward, her steps quick but careful.
Every faint rustle of grass made her heart race.
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Chapter 186 Run for Her Life
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s
She didn¡¯t know if the driver¡¯s warning about bears was true, but the thought hovered over her like a de suspended by a thread, ready to fall at any moment.
Atst, the grass thinned and shortened.
Relief red as her foot met the firm crunch of gravel.
But the road was empty.
She kept going, following the path until the shadowy outline of a building appeared ahead.
Her chest leapt with hope, and she broke into a run¨Conly to feel the blood in her veins turn to ice when she saw it clearly.
It was a derelict wooden cabin, its walls and door savaged as if by something massive and violent.
Three words crashed into her mind: Bears are here.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 187 Shadows in the Moonlight
Chapter 187 Shadows in the Moonlight
Tess stepped back a few paces, her eyes darting around in fear.
The night was still, except for the asional brush of a cold breeze.
She pressed a hand to her chest, forcing herself to calm down.
But fate had other ns; from behind her came a faint rustle.
Her spine went rigid. Her feet felt nailed to the ground.
Then she saw it, a massive shadow stretching toward her.
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Tess went cold all over. She swallowed hard without thinking, her mind goingpletely nk.
That tall, hulking shape belongs to a bear.
Her legs weakened, and a wave of despair washed over her.
Had she just escaped a killer¡¯s grasp only to end up torn into shreds by a bear?
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
She¡¯d even drafted herst will in that brief moment¨Cuntil a pair of clear, innocent ck eyes shed in her mind.
Tess¡¯s chest tightened.
La.
She clenched her hands.
If something happened to her, what would be of La?
Her jaw clenched. A rush of desperate courage filled her.
She was about to make a run for it when-
¡°Mama¡
¡°1
A small, childlike voice rang out, impossibly clear in the still night.
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Chapter 187 Shadows in the Moonlight
Tess froze.
It sounded just like La.
Her little girl still had trouble pronouncing ¡°Mommy¡± and always said ¡°Mama¡± instead.
Her thoughts were a mess when the shadow moved and suddenly lunged at her.
Tess¡¯s eyes went wide. It was toote for her to make a run now.
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She squeezed her eyes shut. The scent of tobo¨Cwarm and faintly intoxicating¨Cfilled her senses, followed by the heat of a human body.
Her chaotic mind turned nk.
Strong arms locked around her. A man¡¯s face pressed into her neck, holding her as if she were a priceless treasure he¡¯d lost and finally found.
¡°F¨CFinn?¡± She whispered, dazed.
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me.¡±
His voice was low, almost muffled, but his hold only tightened.
She couldn¡¯t breathe, pounding his back with her fists. Finn reluctantly eased his grip¨Cshifting from an embrace to holding her wrist instead.
His eyes burned red and wild, yet when they met hers, he seemed to wrestle his strong emotions back under control.
Tess frowned and tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.
¡°You¡¡± she began, but the words died in her throat.
Something in his gaze stopped her cold.
In the moonlight, they stared at each other.
A cool silver glow draped over them like a thin veil.
Her worried heart finally settled.
For a moment, she believed she saw something tender in his eyes; however, she reassured herself that it was merely her imagination.
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Chapter 187 Shadows in the Moonlight
She blinked quickly and turned her face away. ¡°How did you find me?¡±
2
s
¡°Tracking,¡± he said, voice rough, hisshes lowering as he looked at the wrist he still held.
His gaze shifted, and his fingers slid down to sp her hand fully, his palm hot against hers.
Feeling the warmth of his skin, Tess¡¯s brow twitched. She tried to pull free, but again, he wouldn¡¯t let her.
¡°What about the driver?¡± she asked, forcing the subject back to business.
¡°We didn¡¯t spook him. My men are tailing him,¡± Finn said, his thumb brushing over her hand.
At the mention of the man, his eyes shed with a dark, dangerous light.
Anyone who daredy a hand on his woman would pay for it.
Tess gave a nod.
If that man had the gall tomit such crimes so brazenly, it meant his ¡°psychiatric exemption¡± wasn¡¯t his only shield¨Csomeone powerful had to be backing him.
¡°Mama!¡±
The bright, cheerful call snapped her out of her thoughts.
Joy and urgency hit her at once. Tess hurried forward and scooped La into her arms.
This time, Finn let go instantly.
¡°You brought her here? Do you have any idea how dangerous this ce is?¡± Tess¡¯s voice held an edge of scolding.
Finn didn¡¯t answer, only pressed his lips together and took it all in.
Zane quickly jumped in. ¡°Mrs. Lock, Miss La insisted oning. And honestly, we wouldn¡¯t
first!¡± have spotted you if she hadn¡¯t seen you
Tess suddenly realized that call she¡¯d thought was a hallucination earlier had been real.
When she saw La¡¯s little face up close, the same face she had worried over just minutes ago, it made Tess¡¯s nose sting.
She held the child tighter, breathing in her sweet, milky scent, her heart finally settling.
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Chapter 187 Shadows in the Moonlight
¡°You¡¯re such a good girl,¡± Tess murmured, ruffling La¡¯s hair, her expression soft.
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t
In the moonlight, she looked like some ethereal goddess from an old legend¨Cgentle and beautiful.
Finn¡¯s gaze lingered on her face; his gaze turned shadowed and unreadable.
He swallowed hard, lowering his head to hide the flicker of emotion in his eyes.
¡°It¡¯ste. Let¡¯s go home,¡± he said quietly.
¡°Go home¡± were such simple words, but in this moment, they carried a strange, unexpected warmth.
For once, Tess didn¡¯t argue. She nodded.
But just as she was about to get in the car with La in her arms, she stopped.
¡°The man who kidnapped me today,¡± she said tly, ¡°was a serial killer.¡±
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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¨Calive and unhurt¨Cand 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¨Cims 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¨Csentence.
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.
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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¨Cand 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?¡±
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.
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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¨Cbright 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.
Why?
He hade homete at night with Tess, and now his attitude toward her had shifted¨CFinn 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.
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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¨Che¡¯s only free tomorrow.¡±
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Keepsake 189
Chapter 189 A Storm in the Dark
Chapter 189 A Storm in the Dark
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Nadine blurted everything out in one go, her eyes full of expectation as she looked at Finn.
But his expression was anything but pleased.
Adopt a child from an orphanage with Nadine?
Charity work was fine, but this¡ whose stupid idea was it?
A chill seemed to settle around him.
He¡¯d always been aware of the gossip about him and Nadine, but he¡¯d chosen to ignore it, believing the truth would speak for itself. He never imagined they¡¯d take it so far as to spin such an absurd story.
Finn pressed his lips together, his gaze turning cold as itnded on Nadine, making her shift ufortably.
¡°If you want to do charity, put it through thepany¡¯s ounts. Adoption is out of the question. Have the PR department handle the rest. Will that do?¡±
Nadine froze, staring at his increasingly distant expression. ¡°But¡ ¡± she began.
Her words died. Even with only a close distance between them, Finn¡¯s handsome face was impassive, yet it felt like an icy wall had risen between them.
In the end, Nadine left, swallowed by the thick darkness of night.
Finn¡¯s staff worked quickly. By the time Tess woke up, the vi was quiet except for the asional trill of sparrows passing through. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and opened the door to find Zane standing there, his hair still damp with morning dew.
¡°You ¡ ¡± Tess couldn¡¯t hide her surprise.
Zane gave her a polite, professional smile. ¡°Mrs. Lock, Mr. Lock¡¯s gone to the office. The matter you asked him to look intost night¨Cthere¡¯s news.¡±
¡°Oh?¡± Tess arched an eyebrow, curiosity pushing away thest traces of sleep.
Zane pulled a folder from under his arm. ¡°Take a look.¡±
He pointed to a page showing the monitored route of a car, his finger sliding toward the edge.¡±
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¡°You were right,¡± he said. ¡°The driver was in contact with someone tied to the red district you suspected. But there¡¯s more. That area borders the coast, and there¡¯s a port handling outbound cargo. We believe the n was to get you there, then transfer you to a waiting boat offshore. It possibly involves a bigger criminal operation.¡±
His exnation was thorough. Tess¡¯s mouth widened, and a cold shiver ran down her spine with the morning breeze.
Yet deep down, she couldn¡¯t shake a strange feeling.
Zane¡¯s ount connected the dots perfectly, but an uneasy knot still twisted in her chest. Something was missing.
¡°How¡¯s Finn handling it?¡± she asked.
Tess couldn¡¯t quite pin down why she felt so uneasy, but she pushed the thought aside for now.
¡°Mr. Lock had us contact the cops. The evidence is already submitted,¡± Zane reported.
¡°But since it crosses the border, chances are the other side will let it fade away.¡±
Tess nodded. She knew Finn had already done everything within his power.
She thought about checking in with Bessie for updates, but before she could take more than two steps, Zane stepped in front of her. ¡°Mrs. Lock, it¡¯s not a good idea for you to go out right now. The rumors about you online are everywhere, and after what happened, it¡¯s not safe out there.¡±
The concern on his face seemed genuine.
Tess frowned slightly. Something about his solemn expression unsettled her.
When she¡¯d first woken up in the hospital, she¡¯d skimmed a few headlines¡ªenough to know her custom gown had sparked a media frenzy. But since then, she¡¯d been busy running her store, and then the kidnapping; she hadn¡¯t looked at the news again.
If this was just the usual gossip, Zane¨Ca veteran who had worked with Finn for years- wouldn¡¯t be rattled. He¡¯d seen far worse. So why was he so grim now?
Her suspicion sharpened; something felt off.
She gave him a long look, then pulled out her phone and scrolled through thetest news.
With each swipe, her expression darkened. And then she saw La¡¯s name. The headlines were riddled with wild, sensational spection. Her breathing hitched, anger ring hot in her
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Chapter 189 A Storm in the Dark
chest.
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¡°Those shameless vultures¨Cdon¡¯t they have any line they won¡¯t cross? They would go as far as dragging a child into this mess.¡±
Rage crept onto her face.
Zane rushed to calm her. ¡°Our team is working hard to bury the story. The inte has a short memory¨Cgive it a couple of weeks and people will move on.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together, refusing to answer.
Zane shifted uneasily under her silence¨Cuntil she suddenly looked up, her gaze cutting straight through him.
It made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
¡°Move.¡±
Her voice was cold and cutting.
Zane sucked in a sharp breath, opened his mouth to argue¨Cbut she shoved him away.
He watched her stride away. Given her identity, he couldn¡¯t forcefully stop her.
With a sigh, he rubbed the bridge of his nose and pulled out his phone to report to his boss.
Finn listened in silence before letting out a weary breath. ¡°Send someone to follow her. Keep her safe.¡±
He added, ¡°Make sure she never finds out.¡±
Zane nodded; it was the only thing they could do.
Meanwhile, Tess took a cab straight to the supermarket where Wanda worked. On the way, she sent a quick message to the nanny and reminded her to take good care of La.
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Chapter 190 Kidnapped
¡°Wanda, have you thought it over?¡± Tess asked.
:
She had just gotten out of the car and went straight to the point.
Wanda¡¯s expression changed slightly. She quickly blinked to masked it.
She looked at Tess, as if she¡¯d thought things through, nodded, and said, ¡°Alright!¡±
Z44
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Tess smiled when she heard her agree. ¡°You can contact herter. When the renovation is done, you¡¯ll be the first to go there and get familiar with the work environment.¡±
Wanda nodded happily in agreement..
As Tess walked out of the grocery store, she sighed a relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
There was a reason why Wanda ended up in this situation, so Tess wanted to help her.
However, she still felt unsure.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but look back, but still unable to exin her uneasy feeling, so she decided to just leave for now.
As for Bessie, Tess hadn¡¯t had time to see her and only texted her about the renovation
progress.
While waiting for her ride outside the grocery store, she looked up and in a blink, a dark shadow appeared before her.
Suddenly, a strange scent entered her nose and her limbs went weak, even speaking was difficult to her too. She could only let the other person do as they pleased.
She managed to force out a few muffled sounds. ¡°Mmm! Who-?¡±
Her heart sank, wondering if Zane had jinxed her.
So soon, again?
The next second, she felt her wrist being gripped tightly.
Wanda¡¯s grocery store wasn¡¯t in a crowded area, but it¡¯s daylight. Tess couldn¡¯t believe that someone would actually be so bold tomit a crime.
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Chapter 190 Kidnapped
:.
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¡°Get her in!¡± The man behind her quickly tied two thick ropes around her arms and pressed her skin so tightly that it caused her pain.
He threw arge coat over her to hide anything suspicious.
Tess gasped and the next moment, she ws lifted onto someone¡¯s shoulder.
She felt a chill down her spine.
Tess was trembling and tasted blood from on her tongue.
Right when she was about to give up¡
Bang!
A loud noise was heard.
Those man started to froze.
They exchanged nced in shock, then quickly gave up their n.
¡°What do you take our Aetherisw for?¡±
Steven appeared out of nowhere. One of his hand was mped tightly on the neck of that man, who lifted Tess earlier, and pinned him against the wall.
The rough stone wall scraped his scalp, causing him to grimace in pain.
Meanwhile, Tess also freed herself with Steven¡¯s help.
Fresh air filled her lungs and she quickly regained her strength.
She ripped off the hood. Her hair was messy afterwards.
¡°Who are you?¡± She asked firmly.
She stood up straight and shot cold gaze to them.
The kidnapper¡¯s expression was twisted, but he clenched his jaw and remained silent.
Steven¡¯s gentlemanly demeanor was gone, reced by a lethal killer aura.
He tightened his grip. The kidnapper was already quite fat, and being held like that, his breathing was constricted. His face turned red instantly and his eyes were rolling back as if he were about to die.
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Chapter 190 Kidnapped
Tess stared at him, although he¡¯s still clenching his jaw.
Steven¡¯s gazended on Tess, asking for her opinion.
Suddenly, her eyes widened.
¡°How are you rted to that driver couple days ago?¡± She asked.
¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡±
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The sudden question made the air between them froze. The kidnapper didn¡¯t move, but Tess still noticed the brief flicker in his
She understood instantly.
eyes.
Tess scoffed. ¡°Still not giving up, huh? I guess the person behind this is paying you a lot.¡±
She stepped closer to him.
Her figure looked fragile and thin, but she¡¯s radiating a charismatic presence. ¡°Who hired you? How much did they pay for my life, huh?¡±
Her gaze was deep and cold.
It¡¯s the first time she realized her life worth so much, enough for them to keep targeting her.
The kidnapper unconsciously swalled hard.
¡°I just don¡¯y like you. You¡¯ve leaked the confidential information of the Lock Group and caused so many people lose their jobs. Even an ex¨Cconvict like you still hadn¡¯t be abandoned. Finn must be blind. What does he even see in you?¡±
A wave of sadness washed over Tess¡® face.
¡°Don¡¯t listen to his nonsense. He said that just to provoke you,¡± Steven said.
Then, he kicked the kidnapper away.
His bulky body was mmed and bounced off the wall.
He cried out in pain before falling silent. It seemed like he suffered internal injuries.
A momentter, Steven¡¯s bodyguard grabbed him by his hair.
Steven asked him coldly, ¡°There¡¯s no surveince camera her. Believe it or not, I can really
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Chapter 190 Kidnapped
make you a mute.¡±
The terrifying words made the fat kidnapper tremble in fear.
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Keepsake 191
Chapter 191 Chief Legal Counsel
Chapter 191 Chief Legal Counsel
This time, he hunched his neck and didn¡¯t dare say a word.
But still, he gritted his teeth and couldn¡¯t force anything out.
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Even Steven¡¯s bodyguards had put in the effort, but they made no progress. One of them turned to Tess for direction.
¡°Should we take them to the police for questioning?¡± he suggested.
Tess shook her head, bitterness flickering in her eyes.
¡°Tie them up and leave them here.¡±
Steven¡¯s brows drew together in confusion, but one look into her cool, steady gaze, and he caved without argument.
He personally ordered his men to bind them tight, every knot firm.
Tess gave the group onest look at the mouth of the alley before following Steven into the
car.
As the door shut, she said evenly, ¡°Someone will take care of them.¡±
The vehicle eased away. A few dark figures emerged at the far end of the alley.
Tess calmly pulled her gaze back.
¡°Finn¡¯s men?¡±
Steven understood instantly.
Her face was pale, and she neither confirmed nor denied it.
Seeing her mood drop, Steven didn¡¯t press.
Finn was practically an unspoken taboo between them.
And what happened back then, even more so.
No matter how much time had passed, no matter how much had changed, that incident was still the deepest wound she had carried.
1/4-
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Chapter 191 Chief Legal Counsel
¡°Do you all think it was me¡ ?¡±
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¡°Tess!¡± Steven¡¯s hands mped hot and firm on her narrow shoulders. ¡°Look at me. In my eyes, it was never you. You will always be the same Tess I met at the very start. Understand?¡±
The scenery outside the window kept changing, and then stilled.
Her breathing steadied, and at some point, his hands slipped away, his fingers rubbing lightly as if reluctant to let go.
Because she still had lingering side effects, she got out of the car with Steven¡¯s support.
¡°Those rumors about you have been flying all overtely. You really haven¡¯t been affected?¡±
He guided her toward his privateb, making small talk as they walked.
Her eyes darkened a fraction, but she still gave a light shrug with a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯ve already said¨Cthey¡¯re just rumors.¡±
Steven studied her for a moment.
She was clearly forcing nonchnce, and in the dip of her gaze, he caught a sh of something dim and heavy.
He sighed inwardly but didn¡¯t bring it up again.
They reached the far end of the corridor in a silence that was quiet, but not unfriendly.
Steven pushed the door open, sounding just a touch proud. ¡°I had this office set up just for you.¡±
Her gaze went straight to the crescent¨Ccolored desk and chairs, tucked neatly beside a circle of sleek, white furniture.
When she looked back, he was smiling and raising his brows. ¡°Go take a look.¡±
He led her closer. On the disy shelf nearby sat rows of freshly purchased books.
One nce at the titles and her nose stung. She didn¡¯t even know what to say.
¡°You¡¡±
Her voice rasped, thick with unspoken emotion.
¡°Hey, don¡¯t start.¡±
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Chapter 191 Chief Legal Counsel
$44
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His normally serious, almost older¨Cbrother face softened with a smile. ¡°Check if anything is missing.¡±
She nodded hard.
Her fingertips brushed the pristine covers, each one thick and weighty like a brick¨Cvolumes. she knew by heart.
These were the reference books she¡¯d relied on back at the Lock Group, always kept within arm¡¯s reach on the office shelf.
She hadn¡¯t expected Steven to think of even this detail in furnishing her new office.
¡°It¡¯s perfect.¡±
Her voice carried a hoarse edge, her eyes full of memory.
She might have agreed to help him, but it was in name only¡ªat best, she was a consultant. Yet he treated her like this.
Warmth spread through her chest. ¡°You really didn¡¯t have to¡ª¡±
¡°Of course I did.¡±
His reproach was light but firm, cutting her off.
¡°Tess, you do realize I¡¯ve hired Aetheris¡¯s youngest chief legal counsel, right?¡±
He patted her shoulder.
It was framed as a reminder, but it also held strength.
She couldn¡¯t help the flicker of wistfulness.
Chief legal counsel¨Cis that really me?
Her thoughts drifted back to the courtroom, to the sharp debates and the fire in her voice.
How long has it been since those brilliant days?
Hershes fluttered twice before she smoothed her expression.
¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±
She would be his right hand and maybe she could reim the shine she once had.
Chapter 191 Chief Legal Counsel
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From just two steps away, Steven watched the change in her eyes¨Cfrom lost, to nostalgic, to resolute¨Cand felt an unbidden swell of pride for her.
He gave her a quick rundown of her uing responsibilities, then slid a file into her hands.
¡°You came at just the right time. Here¨Can opportunity for you to help, and to show what you can do.¡±
He smiled faintly.
She opened it and skimmed.
It was one of academia¡¯s mostmon scandals¨Cgiarism.
But this one had a twist.
The Nexus Research Institute¡¯swyers had already proven originality, but the opposing side had countered with ims of excessive raw material content and irregrities in the ingredients used.
¦¯
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Chapter 192 Don¡¯t Forget Who You Are
Chapter 192 Don¡¯t Forget Who You Are
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Although it wasn¡¯t exactly a major incident, for a research institute just starting operations in Crorus, it was still a heavy blow.
¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to trouble you with this.¡±
Steven handed her some evidence documents.
When the conversation shifted into her professional field, Tess¡¯s expression grew serious.
Her face tightened as she nodded. ¡°I understand. Just give me some time.¡±
Steven agreed on the spot without the slightest hesitation.
As the institute¡¯s head, there wasn¡¯t a trace of worry in his eyes.
No one knew better than he did just how formidable Tess was in the legal arena.
The two of them kept talking until dusk.
Steven had originally nned to take Tess to dinner before sending her home, but was urgently called back to handle a sudden situation.
With no other choice, he let her take a cab back on her own.
Tess didn¡¯t mind.
By the time she arrived at Evermount Vi, night had already fallen.
The moment she pushed the door open, she hurried toward the bedroom.
It had been a busy day, and she hadn¡¯t had a moment to check in on La.
A pang of guilt rose in her chest.
Her childhood had taught her to value every moment she could spend with her daughter.
Thinking this, Tess quickened her steps¨Conly to be stopped mid¨Cstride by a deep male voice from the living room.
¡°Over here.¡±
Finn lifted his gaze, his dark eyes locking on her.
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Chapter 192 Don¡¯t Forget Who You Are
Tess¡¯s expression shifted, her steps freezing.
She frowned at the sight of the scene on the couch.
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La was nestled quietly in Finn¡¯s arms, her tiny mouth making soft coos, her dark, grape¨Clike eyes squinting into a delighted smile.
Tess knew her daughter best¨Cthis was La¡¯s ¡°I¡¯mfortable¡± face.
Her gaze flicked over to Finn, suspicion brewing in her eyes.
His broad shoulders made La look even smaller, like a delicate porcin figurine. The size difference was stark, yet somehow¡ harmonious.
Her chest tightened.
Is this¡ the pull of blood?
Her eyes flickered, and she quickly masked the emotion.
¡°Sit.¡±
Finn arched a brow and gestured toward the couch opposite him.
Instead, Tess pressed her lips together and swept La out of his arms in one swift motion.
Only when the soft little bundle was securely wrapped in her arms did she take her seat.
The warmth and weight gone from hisp, Finn¡¯s presence seemed to turn noticeably.colder.
But when he looked at Tess again, the chill eased.
¡°I don¡¯t have much time, so you¡¯d better have found who¡¯s behind this.¡±
Tess lifted her chin slightly.
His brows drew up in mild surprise¡ªbut it didn¡¯tst.
If she could have Steven¡¯s men tie someone up and dump them in an alley, then she had to have known Finn¡¯s people were shadowing her, and had done it deliberately.
A rare spark of amusement and appreciation shed in his eyes, but his voice dropped back into its cool, t tone. ¡°That driver who kidnapped you? His psych evaluation was faked.¡±
For the first time, Tess¡¯s calm cracked.
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Chapter 192 Don¡¯t Forget Who You Are
She didn¡¯t answer right away, only looked at him.
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Seeing she was waiting, Finn didn¡¯t drag it out. ¡°Remember I told you there¡¯s a port in Vongolia that handles certain¡ offshore shipments?¡±
¡°They weren¡¯t nning to toss me in the ocean, were they?¡±
The thought popped into her head¨Cridiculous and chilling all at once.
Finn said nothing, just stared straight at her.
Her breath caught, cold prickling from her toes to her spine.
The aftershock hit so hard that even her teeth trembled.
They really had nned to feed her to the fish.
Straight out of a crime movie¨Cwiping out the evidence for good.
Her fingers clenched around La turned white. ¡°You said his evaluation was fake. So, a sane man wouldn¡¯t have done something that vile just because he ¡®doesn¡¯t like me.¡°¡±
¡°Do you
have any
leads on who¡¯s behind this?¡±
Who had she crossed this badly?
Her jaw tightened, eyes grave, and she instinctively held La tighter.
Finn¡¯s mind flicked to the phones he¡¯d confiscated from those men.
¡°Not yet.¡±
He shook his head.
Her stomach sank.
In Aetheris, if even Finn found it troublesome, then whoever was behind this was no ordinary
opponent.
¡°But I¡¯ve already sent people to give them a warning. For now, the danger¡¯s off the table.¡±
Seeing the paleness cast on her face, Finn spoke almost without thinking, as if to steady her.
Tess nced at him before looking away.
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As much as she disliked Finn, she couldn¡¯t deny it¨Chis words in Aetheris carried the weight of a royal decree.
¡°You went to see Steven today.¡±
It wasn¡¯t a question¨Cit was a statement.
Tess wasn¡¯t surprised he knew her movements. She met his gaze openly.
Their eyes locked in the space between them¨Chers calm, his deep.
¡°Don¡¯t forget who you are¡ Mrs. Lock!¡±
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Keepsake 193
Chapter 193 What Is He Up to Now?
Chapter 193 What Is He Up to Now?
Finn was the one to break the silence.
This time, Tess didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she stood up with La in her arms.
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She gave him a cool nce. ¡°Then you should be clear about your own identity, too, Mr. Lock.¡±
Two back¨Cto¨Cback crisis had been resolved, both tied directly to him. For once, Tess felt an unusual calm toward him.
She wasn¡¯t the kind to repay kindness with betrayal, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to be as cutting toward him as before.
Still, sarcasm was hard to avoid.
Holding La close, she headed for her room.
The simple acetate dress she wore¨Csleek, with a faint sheen¨Cmade her slender frame look even straighter, more poised.
Finn¡¯s gaze followed her all the way until the door shut.
La, still clinging to her mother¡¯s neck, peeked over Tess¡¯s shoulder and beamed at him, her clear eyes narrowing into little crescent moons.
A thought rose sharply in Finn¡¯s mind.
That familiar face¡ is La really not his child?
His brows drew together.
He¡¯de home early from work, and on his way past the kitchen had heard the nanny softly soothing La.
The little girl must have been starving¨Cwhen she looked up at him, there were still two wet streaks of tears on her cheeks.
He was a man who valued peace, yet in that moment, he felt no irritation at all. Instead, he reached out and took her from the nanny¡¯s arms.
The nanny hesitated for a beat, then quickly handed him the bottle.
Finn mimicked her movements, feeding La himself.
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She stared up at him with her dark shiny eyes, being nursed contently, her round cheeks. moved with each suck.
For a moment, something stirred in his otherwise cold heart.
¡°Looks like the young miss really likes you, Mr. Lock,¡± the nanny dared to remark.
He didn¡¯t deny it¨Cjust kept his eyes on the little bundle in his arms.
Does La like me? What about her mother?
The question came unbidden.
And the next moment he snapped back to reality, he was somewhat stunned.
Why the hell would I even think that?
He cleared his throat, hiding the flicker of awkwardness.
That was the scene Tess had walked in on earlier.
What she didn¡¯t know was that quite a bit of time had passed¨Che¡¯d been keeping La entertained all along, enough to make passing house staff give him strange. looks.
Looking down at the child, his ice¨Cbound eyes softened, rippling with unexpected warmth.
Tess, oblivious to hispse, locked the door behind her.
Her phone lit up¨Csomeone was calling.
Her face tightened.
¡°What?!¡±
The voice on the other end was loud, dramatic, and furious.
Then came the sound of fists pounding against a table.
¡°Are they blind? They call themselves high society, yet can¡¯t even recognize a real luxury brand when they see one?¡±
The low curses dripped with ridicule.
Tess let out a faintugh and hurried to calm him. ¡°It¡¯s already stirred up enough. I just don¡¯t want these false rumors spreading any further.¡±
¦¯
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Chapter 193 What Is He Up to Now?
¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡±
He bellowed with rare fervor. ¡°Just wait¨CI¡¯ll have my brother handle the PR!¡±
¡ Your brother?¡±
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She thought of the reclusive head of the Dickinson family¨Cshe¡¯d only seen him once, and that was from a distance. Would he really lower himself to defend her?
Her hesitation was all too obvious to the man on the line, and he instantly took it as doubt.
¡°Just wait!¡± he snapped.
Beep-
With that, the call was disconnected.
Tess stared at the phone, baffled.
The name ¡°Marc Dickinson¡± blinked briefly on the screen before going dark.
What is he up to now?
Frowning, she set La on the bed to get her settled for the night.
Only after turning off the light did another message from Marc pop up, ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll give you a surprise.¡±
Still confused, she typed a reply¨Cbut no answer came.
She eventually let it go and tried to sleep.
The night outside looked oppresive with heavy clouds tangled together.
But sleep didn¡¯te easily to everyone.
In the most exclusive high¨Crise apartment in Aetheris, the lights still burned.
you
A woman¡¯s trembling, furious voice spilled through the crack of a window. ¡°3 million and still can¡¯t get it done? Useless! You swore you could handle it and clean it up. Now, even the people you sent have been arrested?!¡±
On the other end, after taking the brunt of her tirade, a man¡¯s voice suddenly snapped back. ¡°We haven¡¯t evene after you yet! Weren¡¯t you the one who said she was just some nobody? How the hell did she end up connected to Finn?¡±
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The words made her go still for a moment, but then she bit out, ¡°He¡¯s just a convict who¡¯ll be divorced any day now. What kind of connection¡® is that? I paid you 3 million!¡±
¡°And we wouldn¡¯t do it for 30 million! This job nearly got us killed!¡±
He hung up without waiting for her reply¨Cwhether out of anger or because he had his hands full dealing with the aftermath, she didn¡¯t know.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 194 Temporary Fix
Chapter 194 Temporary Fix
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The woman who first threw usations was ring at the phone, still stuck on an unfinished call, her cheeks hot with a mix of rage and irritation. In one quick motion, she tossed it down onto the bed. ¡°What a bunch of useless idiots who can¡¯t do anything right!¡±
The next morning came in a blur. Tess still hadn¡¯t gotten a single update from Marc. Instead, the first news she heard was about the group that had kidnapped her.
Zane was already waiting outside the door.
Even though everyone now knew about La and there was no point hiding her anymore, Tess had been in serious danger only two days earlier. To keep her daughter safe, she¡¯d left La at the vi with the nanny.
They started walking, talking as they went.
¡°Mrs. Lock, you gotta be extra cautious right now. From what we learned yesterday and from the people we questioned, it looks like someone actually put a hit on you.¡±
Tess¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°A hit on me?¡±
Her eyes went wide, and a cold shiver slid up her back.
Zane¡¯s nod was slow and firm, his face set. ¡°That¡¯s the only thing that makes sense. We¡¯re still digging to find who¡¯s behind it, but honestly¡ we might never know.¡±
Her mood sank lower. Even Finn¡¯s right¨Chand man thinks the trail is hopeless. Who could possibly be after me?
¡°But don¡¯t stress too much,¡± Zane added quickly. ¡°Even if we can¡¯t trace the mastermind, you¡¯ll have top¨Ctier bodyguards with you. And Mr. Lock already sent a team to go after the criminals¡® main base.¡±
He spoke steadily and sure, as if he was telling her everything was under control.
Hearing that, Tess tried to push the tension out of her shoulders.
¡°How¡¯s Finn handling the mess online?¡± she asked.
The kidnapping could wait; what really pressed on her was La.
She never thought people could get so`shameless for clicks. It was one thing for strangers to insult her, but dragging La¡¯s family background into it?
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Her anger had been simmering nonstop, and for someone usually calm, it showed.
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Zane¡¯s expression turned uneasy. ¡°Since you¡¯d rather not talk about Miss La¡¯s birth, all we can do is use Lock Group¡¯s pull to quiet things down.¡±
Seeing her frown deepen, he added fast, ¡°With thepany involved, the Aetheris press won¡¯t dare make trouble. It¡¯s not a permanent solution, but it¡¯ll shield you and Miss La for now.¡±
Tess bit her lip, her eyes flickering with a fight she couldn¡¯t hide.
Keeping La¡¯s birth a secret meant people would keep guessing, keep throwing nasty, baseless ims.
But if it got out that La was Finn¡¯s daughter, Finn would never agree to let her go.
She swallowed hard, holding back her words she wanted to say.
Her fists clenched tight, frustration heavy in her chest.
Finn¡¯s influence had just crushed the tabloids and cut the rumors off at the source.
She wanted nothing more than to walk away from him, yet he¡¯d been the one to save her from the kidnapping and the one who shielded La online. Against that, how could she call herself a good mother?
It was like her lungs were in a vise.
She lowered her gaze, her voice soft enough for the breeze to carry away. ¡°Alright. Go take care of it.¡±
Zane caught the shadow in her eyes and guessed she wasn¡¯t happy about the temporary fix. But there was nothing better they could do.
He didn¡¯t say another word and headed back to Lock Group.
The hum of the car faded down the road.
Only then did Tess lift her head, determination burning clear in her
eyes.
If she was choosing to keep La¡¯s identity under wraps, then raising and protecting her was on Tess alone. Once the divorce came through, she couldn¡¯t lean on Finn.
She¡¯d have to get stronger herself.
With online attacks piling up and deliberate smears hitting her again and again, she knew the
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truth¨Cpeaceful days were just a fantasy.
She¡¯d need to climb to the very top of thedder.
Her thoughts were still swirling when her phone gave a sharp notification chime.
A secondter, her ringtone started ying.
She nced at the screen, eyebrows lifting.
Marc was calling.
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His voice came through full of excitement. ¡°My brother¡¯sing to Aetheris in a couple of
you, the mystery designer.¡± days! Want to meet him? He says he really admires
The invite caught her off guard, but at the word ¡°admire¡°, the corner of her mouth twitched. She cleared her throat politely. ¡°That¡¯s ¡ nice of him.¡±
Marc didn¡¯t notice the awkward tone. If anything, he got more hyped. ¡°Nice? No, you deserve it! You don¡¯t even realize¨Cthose designs you gave usst year? They were a total hit! My brother made a killing from them!¡±
His voice was all upbeat pride, casual and a little smug as he addressed someone else. ¡°See, Wayne? Told you trusting me would pay off. Tess¡¯s skills are right up there with mine!¡±
¡°I heard you¡¯ve had some trouble?¡±
There was a rustle on the other end, and then a deeper, steady voice rang out.
Tess froze, realizing Marc¡¯s brother was right there¨Cand now he had the phone.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Tess didn¡¯t keep the same easy tone she had with Marc¨Cthis time, her voice was more serious.
¡°I heard Marc rushed in without thinking. And now you¡¯re mixed up in all those rumors about whether your Cavrielle dress is fake?¡±
He said it casually, but there was this natural kind of authority in how he spoke, like someone who always gets taken seriously. And when he said ¡°all those rumors,¡± there was an extra sharpness to it, a cooler edge.
Tess listened to that deep, smooth voice on the line, her face showing nothing but confusion. She caught on to those words ¡®rushed in without thinking¡® right away.
Borrowing that dress had been her idea. Marc was his younger brother, yet somehow he was speaking warmly and politely to her while making it sound like Marc had messed up.
It felt a little unreal, but she figured it was just the way he carried himself.
She answered honestly, keeping her tone soft. ¡°Mr. Wayne, I specifically asked Marc for that custom Cavrielle gown. It was never released to the public, so of course, the inte went wild. Honestly, I should be the one saying sorry since it brought trouble to the brand.¡±
¡°No problem.¡±
His voice was calm and steady, like deep water¨Cstill on the surface but with something hidden underneath. If.she really listened, there was even a faint note of gentleness there.
She blinked, wondering if she¡¯d just imagined it.
Marc is all energy and noise¨Chow can his brother be so different? Are they even from the same family?
Before she could dwell on it, Marc¡¯s voice suddenly came through, loud and theatrical as he snatched the phone back. ¡°Seriously? ying favorites? You meet a big shot and forgot about me?¡±
He sounded like a kidining, trying to rope her onto his side.
Tess let out augh but didn¡¯t step into their argument.
While they bantered, she checked her watch¨Cless than an hour until her meeting with Bessie.
Her voice turned businesslike. ¡°This ended up being more trouble than I thought, and I never meant to drag Cavrielle into it. But now that it¡¯s blown up online, whatever I say won¡¯t calm it
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down. If it¡¯s okay¡ could you help me get in touch with Cavrielle¡¯s head of PR so they can set the record straight?¡±
Her tone stayed gentle but firm, carrying quiet confidence. Marc froze mid¨Ctease, ncing toward the man in front of him.
His brother didn¡¯t look like him at all¨Ctall, silver streaks in his hair despite his age, and piercing blue eyes that made him seem like he came from somewhere else entirely. His whole presence was polished and smooth, like a fine wine.
¡°Tess, who do you think my brother is?¡±
Marc rolled his eyes. She¡¯s asking for the head of PR? The biggest boss is standing right here!
Tess stiffened, realizing how awkward her request sounded now.
Of course, it was overstepping. Marc might be a Cavrielle designer, but he¡¯d told her he¡¯d only rmended her to his brother¨Cand she¡¯d heard his brother didn¡¯t handle the daily running of things. Cavrielle was just one of the manypanies under him.
Asking someone in that position to take care of this for her was definitely pushing it.
¡°If that¡¯s too much, forget I said anything. I¡¯ve got something else I need to do, so I¡¯ll head out. Thanks for your time.¡±
She adjusted smoothly, her tone apologetic.
Marc¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Wait-¡± He reached for the phone again, but his brother cut in with a polite goodbye, handed the phone back, and walked off.
Marc gawked. ¡°Wayne, what was that?¡±
Wayne Dickinson¡® lifted one eyebrow. ¡°Ind in Aetheris tomorrow. Wannae?¡±
Marc groaned. ¡°No chance. I¡¯ve got a collectionunch in a few days, so I¡¯m not leaving.¡±
Wayne only nodded, straightening his navy tie. ¡°Send the guy to my office.¡±
Without another word, he walked away¨Ctall, broad¨Cshouldered, and somehow even more striking with that mix of elegance, charisma, and silver hair.
The office door shut behind him. Marc stood there a moment before remembering he¡¯d been about to argue¨Conly to realize it was pointless now.
He muttered to himself and went to do what he was told. And it wasn¡¯t because of the whole
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¡°older brother¡± thing, of course not.
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It¡¯s just¡ when your brother is ten years older and always pulling rank, you learn which battles are worth it.
Meanwhile, Nadine had just gotten to the office and headed straight over to check what PR had done so far.
¡°How bad is it? That gossip about Tess wearing a fake Cavrielle gown has been trending for days. I heard it¡¯s even reached Cavrielle¡¯s top exec in Crorus.¡±
Her brow was drawn tight, worry written across her face.
The PR head, Alfred Robt, nearly jumped when he saw her. Setting down his pricey coffee, he broke into a wide smile. ¡°Ms. Nadine, something this small shouldn¡¯t trouble you toe here yourself!¡±
Nadine gave him a look that said she didn¡¯t agree, though there was a flicker of pride in her eyes all the same.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 196 Blurring the Sides
¡°How could this ever count as something small?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice cut sharply, every word lined with authority.
Alfred, still smiling like nothing could rattle him, waved her into the office.
¡°Now we¡¯ve got the ce to ourselves.¡±
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When the soundproof ss door clicked shut, he personally pulled out a chair for Nadine, his voice full of sweetness. ¡°Tess is basically a nobody. If Mr. Lock didn¡¯t care about her role as Mrs. Lock, he wouldn¡¯t waste his time bailing her out.¡±
With no staff walking past anymore, Nadine let her polite act drop.
Alfred was her hand¨Cpicked prot¨¦g¨¦, and those gossip stories linking her to Finn? He¡¯d been one of the people making sure they caught fire.
¡°I told you to keep the gossip alive. How¡¯s that working out?¡±
She tilted her chin, aplete shift from the friendly, soft image she¡¯d shown Tess earlier.
Alfred jumped to answer. ¡°Of course, I did exactly what
you said!¡±
His eyes practically lit up with pride. ¡°Mr. Lock sent Zane to push me a few times, telling me to shut it down quick, but I kept dragging my feet. I¡¯d wait a bit, then pay somementers to bring it up again. And whenever the higher¨Cups asked, I just told them, ¡®Someone¡¯s obviously out to get us.¡±
He looked way too proud of himself.
Nadine¡¯s lips curved. ¡°Not bad.¡±
Leaning in, Alfred lowered his voice. ¡°Thing is ¡ I might¡¯ve been making excuses, but I think someone else really is out there making sure Tess¡¯s bad rep sticks.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes narrowed, locking on his.
For a second, both of them looked like they were thinking the exact same thing.
Nadine broke the silence. ¡°The enemy of my enemy ¡ is my short¨Cterm friend.¡±
Alfred nodded quickly and sat back in his chair.
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¡°Wait.¡±
:
His gaze snapped to theputer, and the grin dropped from his face.
¡°What?¡±
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Something cold and uneasy coiled in Nadine¡¯s chest. Seeing his sudden shift made her heart
start to race too.
Alfred¡¯s hand shook as he pointed at the screen. ¡°Cavrielle just put out an official statement!¡±
Before he even finished, Nadine was already moving toward him.
On the huge monitor, bold ck letters under a bright red ¡°Cavrielle Official¡± headline screamed for attention.
Her gut dropped. Cold prickles ran over her skin. She forced her breathing to steady and kept reading.
¡°After careful review by certified in¨Chouse experts, the gown worn by Ms. Tess¨Ccurrently the subject of online debate¨Chas been verified as an exclusive, custom Cavrielle original.¡±
Her eyes slid lower until she saw the vivid red seal underneath.
A shiver ripped through her.
She took a sharp breath and opened thements.
¡°I knew it. This is ssic Cavrielle. People who only judge by the tag know nothing.¡±
¡°This totally has Selina¡¯s touch ¡
11
The second someone mentioned ¡°Selina,¡± the replies blew up.
¡°Yeah, exactly! Selina¡¯s a special guest designer for Cavrielle, not full¨Ctime. Rumor is that she only gave them a handful of designs, but they helped rule the luxury market for the past two years. That hidden embroidery? ssic Selina.¡±
Selina ¡
The more Nadine read, the tighter her face became.
Suddenly, she grabbed Alfred by the cor, nails digging in. ¡°Why would Cavrielle defend Tess? And who is Selina? How would Tess even get one of her designs?¡±
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Her fury hit like a storm, eyes shing red.
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Alfred¡¯s own eyes went wide, her twisted rage making him swallow hard. ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t know! Tess is a nobody¨Can ex¨Ccon! How could she get Cavrielle¡¯s official support?¡±
Nadine¡¯s breathing came fast as she scrolled further.
Sure enough, other people were asking the same thing.
¡°Tess might¡¯ve been rich once, but she¡¯s an ex¨Ccon with no family left in Aetheris. Mr. Lock never liked her. Plus, she had an illegitimate daughter. No way could she afford a Selina gown. Even Nadine, who¡¯s spoiled rotten by Mr. Lock, only wore a slightly fancier custom piece at her own celebration.¡±
Thatment set things off again, shaking up the crowd and blurring the sides.
¡°This must be Lock Group¡¯s PR team. They probably begged Cavrielle to lie for Tess.¡±
That one sharpment shot straight to the top.
People who¡¯d been defending Tess flipped instantly, feeling tricked and getting angrier.
¡°Tess, show your face and apologize! Sitting on millions while wearing fakes? Shameless! And now, after all this mess, you¡¯re hiding like you¡¯re dead?¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
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¡°Some people will do anything for attention. Like, it was her own sister¡¯s party, and she still showed up in a fake designer dress just to steal the show. Seriously, how messed up do you have to be?¡±
The hate toward Tess just kept stacking up. Anyment trying to clear her name or defend her? It vanished before it could get traction.
Nadine¡¯s cold eyes stayed locked on the very first post that kicked off the bacsh. A shadow crossed her face.
It had only taken seconds for the inte to turn against Tess.
As thement sections filled with venom, Nadine¡¯s tense look slowly smoothed out again.
¡°Ms. Nadine?¡±
Seeing her calm down, Alfred finally spoke up, careful with his words. ¡°Do you still want me to keep pushing the story?¡±
¡°No. Just make it look like you¡¯re working to cool down the trending tags and online buzz.¡±
Alfred, now free of her grip, bobbed his head fast.
Nadine strutted off, pulling up her blog like she owned the ce.
Hertest post about her daily life had already maxed out at 9999+ments.
When she tapped. it open, her phonegged for a beat.
A quick scan showed every singlement was people defending her, feeling bad for her.
She held back the smirk tugging at her mouth and typed, ¡°Sorry for taking up public space like this, but I guess I should speak up since I¡¯m part of this too. Tess and I might not be blood- rted, but I¡¯ve always treated her like my own sister. That party was for me, but I was happy to share that moment with Tess. I just hope everyone stays calm and respectful.¡±
On the surface, it sounded kind. In reality, it was a quiet stab aimed right at Tess.
The inte went wild.
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It wasn¡¯t just drama¨Cwatchers anymore¨Cnow everyone was rallying behind Nadine, calling her generous, while roasting Tess with the nastiest insults they could think of. Some even started digging for Tess¡¯s private info,
Someone actually found her personal blog.
At that time, Tess was waiting for a ride to meet Bessie when her phone wouldn¡¯t stop buzzing.
She opened it to find hundreds¨Cmaybe thousands¨Cof new DMs.
Every random scroll showed the same thing¨Cstrangers calling her shameless for wearing fakes, using her of stealing her sister¡¯s spotlight, even telling her to go to hell.
Her breath caught. The raw maliceing from people she didn¡¯t even know hit her like a crashing wave,
Her hands shook, but she forced a slow inhale, trying to stay steady.
She searched the trending topics until she saw how it had all started. Her face went pale.
Her gaze stopped at Cavrielle¡¯s official ount, itsment section almost buried. For a second, she didn¡¯t even know how to react.
She never thought Cavrielle themselves would step in¨Cand the only person she could imagine making that happen was Marc.
But what hit her harder was seeing Marc¡¯s kindness twisted into something ugly.
Confusion turned into rage.
But she didn¡¯t have time to fully feel it¨Cbefore her ride even got there, a group of locals who called themselves Nadine¡¯s ¡°face fans¡± and ¡°career fans¡± spotted her.
¡°Is that Tess? It¡¯s her!¡±
One loud call, and suddenly dozens of eyes swung her way, but none of them were friendly. Every look was like a predator sizing up its prey.
A chill shot through her before she could think. Her body just moved.
¡°Grab her! Make her say sorry to Nadine!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s teach this shameless woman a lesson!¡±
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Chapter 197 Like a Shield
The shouts didn¡¯t stop as Tess took off, sprinting 100 yards without thinking.
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Behind her, heavy footsteps pounded the ground. They were like a swarm of obsessed fans, all seeing her as nothing but an eyesore.
One nce back showed a wall of angry, locked¨Con angry mobs.
Adrenaline surged. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, loud enough to drown everything else out.
She hadn¡¯t gotten far before a sharp sting red in her heel.
She didn¡¯t need to look¨Crunning in heels had ripped the skin raw.
The pain made her wince, but stopping wasn¡¯t an option.
Her time inw had taught her just how ugly people could get. She wasn¡¯t about to risk finding out how far they¡¯d go.
Right then, shadows fell over her. She looked up, and a wave of hopelessness hit hard.
It was a dead end.
¡°She¡¯s guilty for sure! Why else would she run? Let¡¯s grab her and teach her a lesson!¡±
¡°She went into the alley!¡±
The footsteps got louder¨Cfirst messy, then falling into a steady jog.
They were almost on her when a voice rang out.
¡°How dare you! This is Aetheris territory, and you¡¯re out here making trouble?¡±
Zane¡¯s voice cracked through the air, sharp andmanding. Tess spun toward the sound, eyes going wide. He stood at the alley¡¯s entrance,pletely blocking it.
Behind him, she could just make out the stacked shadows of the people he was holding back.
How did he end up here right now?
The question barely formed before a strong hand wrapped around her wrist.
Light spilled down from above before disappearing as his tall frame covered her, casting her in shadow like a shield.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 198 Which He¡¯d Choose
¡°Come with me back to the office.¡±
Finn showed up so suddenly it felt unreal, like he¡¯d just stepped out of nowhere.
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His voice was as cool and steady as ever, but there was a quiet weight behind it this time- something tense hiding underneath.
Tess froze.
Her head felt light, almost spinning, and that deep, smooth tone of his only made it worse. The heat from his grip on her wrist burned through her skin.
She couldn¡¯t stop herself from looking up at him. She now understood better why she had loved him for so many years.
Outside, the noise had mostly faded, though a few annoyed voices still floated in.
¡°Even though you work for Mr. Lock, this alley is still a public-¡±
Zane¡¯s voice cut them off sharply, ¡°If you¡¯ve gotints against me, take them to Lock Group and write them up there!¡±
That shut everyone up. Finn didn¡¯t say another word, just turned and walked, Tess falling in step beside him.
As soon as she sat in the soft leather seat, the cool, woodsy scent he carried filled her nose.
¡°You know Connor Hale?¡± Finn asked.
The name didn¡¯t ring a bell. She frowned and nced at him. ¡°Nope.¡±
He studied her face like he was searching for any hint of a lie.
Seeing none, he finally looked away.
¡°He¡¯s the CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s branch in Crorus,¡± Finn said, his low voice lingering. ¡°This morning, he defended you on Cavrielle¡¯s official page.¡±
He handed her his tablet.
Tess blinked in surprise, her thoughts fuzzy.
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I didn¡¯t expect Marc to act this fast.
But¡ who exactly is Connor?
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She scrolled through the post. The newestments backed her up, but further down, the insults were still there.
Then she saw the turning point¨Ca reply using Connor¡¯s verified ount, just 30 minutes old.
¡°Cavrielle confirms there¡¯s no false information. Mr. Lock was never involved. We willingly provided Ms. Tess with her dress.¡±
Below it was a photo of a contract.
Her eyes flickered¡ªshe recognized it fromst year, when she¡¯d bought shares in Cavrielle.
That one line about ¡°willingly providing¡± the dress spread like wildfire, sparking a fresh wave of online talk.
¡°Never heard of this Connor guy, but his first post is defending Tess?¡±
¡°Wait. She was still awyerst year, right? And she already invested in Cavrielle? Guess she¡¯s been hiding a lot.¡±
Now the inte has divided¨Chalf shocked at her connections, half quietly impressed.
When Finn first heard about it, he¡¯d reacted just like everyone else.
But sitting next to her now, he caught himself looking at her again, wondering what else he didn¡¯t know.
¡°Is what he said true? You really invested in Cavriellest year?¡±
She didn¡¯t dodge the question. Hershes lowered slightly, hiding her thoughts.
¡°Yeah.¡±
The simple, steady answer caught him off guard. His eyes lingered on the pale curve of her neck before he looked away.
¡°Lock Group will push urgent PR with this.¡±
He cleared his throat, slipping back into that cold, untouchable air of authority.
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Chapter 198 Which He¡¯d Choose
Tess only nodded, saying nothing.
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They still had a bit to go before reaching Lock Group. His gaze kept drifting over to her.
Then, almost under his breath, he said, ¡°Tess, how much about you do I still not know?¡±
Before she could answer, their eyes met, with hers showing a hint of confusion.
¡°Mr. Lock!¡±
His phone rang. Frowning, he answered. Zane¡¯s urgent voice came through.
¡°Ms. Nadine went to make a donation today. On the way down the mountain, her car crashed. She¡¯s being rushed to the hospital, and she¡¯s been calling your name nonstop in the ambnce
Even Finn¡¯s usual calm cracked, his face turning grim.
¡°Where? Lock Group Private Hospital?¡±
Tess heard every word. She gave a quiet, detached reply.
Go to Nadine, or stay here and clear her name¨Cthere was never any doubt which he¡¯d choose.
He¡¯d never picked me before even when things were fine, so why would he do that now, when Nadine is hurt?
Sheughed at herself inside, swallowing the bitterness and keeping her face unreadable.
¡°Alright.¡± Finn gave her onest look, something unpleasant twisting in his chest. But Nadine¡¯s importance to thepany won out. ¡°I¡¯ll get there as soon as I can.¡±
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Chapter 199 Just a Cover
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 199
Chapter 199 Just a Cover
Chapter 199 Just a Cover
A 44
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¡°Zane¡¯s right behind us. He¡¯ll take you back to Lock Group. With him there, nobody¡¯s gonna mess with you.¡±
Finn usually didn¡¯t talk this much at once. His words should¡¯ve feltforting, but instead, they left a weird coldness in Tess¡¯s chest.
A secondter, she was already standing on the sidewalk.
Finn lowered the window. ¡°Tess-¡±
¡°Don¡¯t bother. If you¡¯re already thinking about another woman, no need to fake the whole loving husband act.¡±
Her tone was icy, her expression even colder, wiping away whatever ease they¡¯d had in the car.
Finn paused, like he wanted to respond, but nothing came out.
Her sudden distance didn¡¯t sit right.
What does she mean¡ªI¡¯m thinking about another woman? And who says I¡¯m faking the loving husband act? We¡¯re married, after all!
Zane¡¯s car pulled up, while Finn¡¯s was already far down the street.
¡°Mrs. Lock, let¡¯s get back to the office,¡± Zane said politely.
Tess didn¡¯t argue. She stayed calm and slid into the seat.
They drove until Lock Group¡¯s tower was in sight. That was when her brows pinched together.
The street outside was swarming with people. Faces full of righteous anger, plenty people holding big professional cameras, all waiting for something.
By the time Tess realized the reason, it was toote.
Zane¡¯s license te had given them away. The crowd surged toward them like a wave. ¡°Tess! Still no apology after all this time? You just hide behind the Mrs. Lock title while Mr. Lock cleans up your mess!¡±
usations flew, some faces lighting up at the chance to film a scandal.
Tess didn¡¯t feel shame or anger¡ªjust puzzled.
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She thought back to thement by the CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus branch from about an hour ago.
Clearly, these people have been waiting here for me and haven¡¯t seen it yet.
The mass of bodies pressed closer, circling the car. Zane sighed. ¡°Mrs. Lock, I called security and the bodyguards. Just hang in there.¡±
His frown deepened at the sight of the crowd.
Then Tess¡¯s window lowered.
Herposed face met the re of a man in mid¨Cyell.
He froze the second he saw her.
Tess¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as she looked across the restless crowd.
¡°Go check Cavrielle¡¯s official ount for thetest statement by the CEO of their Crorus branch.¡±
Her voice was steady and clear, carrying a quiet kind of authority.
It wasn¡¯t loud, but it cut through the noise enough to make a few angry faces falter.
People nced at each other. From the back, someone scoffed, ¡°What statement? You¡¯re just using the Mrs. Lock name. If Mr. Lock wasn¡¯t scared you¡¯d cause trouble, he wouldn¡¯t have made Cavrielle lie for you.¡±
The voice was in and unremarkable, the kind that slipped away from memory.
Tess tried to find them, but all she saw was a wall of heads.
Her frown deepened as she scanned the crowd.
The voice died away, but the tension spiked again, the earlier calm gone.
¡°Wait!¡±
Someone spoke up fast, cutting through the noise. ¡°Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus branch CEO went public -Tess is a shareholder, and they gave her that dress themselves!¡±
The girl repeated it word for word, then froze in ce.
Tess¡¯s brows lifted slightly.
Chapter 199 Just a Cover
The crowd, which had been heating up again, cooled instantly.
Still, a few skeptics pulled out their phones to check.
Every one of them found the same thing.
Disappointment spread across faces.
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¡°You believe whatever they post? Contracts can¡¯t be faked? If she really owns shares, why hide it and let rumors blow up until Cavrielle had to jump in? And remember¨Cshe¡¯s a convict. Before that, just awyer. How could she possibly know the CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus branch? This is just a cover!¡±
The sharp tone pulled hesitant ones back toward suspicion.
¡°Tess, got anything else to say?¡±
Dozens of eyes red at her. Cameras lifted high, ready to catch every word.
Zane stayed silent, watching.
He hadn¡¯t thought this crowd would be so stubborn.
Tess¡¯s patience wore thin. Her gaze swept over the sea of faces, searching for the one voice pushing everyone against her.
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Chapter 200 CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus Branch
Chapter 200 CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus Branch
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Tess scanned the crowd but couldn¡¯t find the one who¡¯d spoken. She gave a short, coldugh and started rolling the window back up¨Cuntil a hand grabbed the door, yanking hard like they knew exactly what she was about to do.
The sudden movement made her freeze. A slow wave of fear crept into her chest.
The security and bodyguards Zane had called still weren¡¯t there. If this group lost control, she¡¯d be the one taking the hit.
¡°Let go!¡±
Her tone was sharp, firm.
The person didn¡¯t back off. Instead, they yanked even harder, trying to wrench the door open. One nce at their crazed grip told Tess¨Cif they got it open, she wouldn¡¯t stay safe in the car.
Her eyes went cold. She clenched the handle, bracing with all her strength.
That door was the only thing between her and the mob.
Dozens of eyes stared in at her, dark and hungry, like wolves sizing up prey.
And she was the prey.
If Zane weren¡¯t sitting up front, I would¡¯ve been alone.
Not that it matters¨CI¡¯ve always been alone. The thought hit, and suddenly, the fear faded.¡±
Zane¡¯s face was tight with disbelief. He¡¯d never imagined it would get this bad. Too bad, Mr. Lock isn¡¯t here. If he were, maybe¡ But thinking of what Finn was doing right now, and then ncing at the woman beside him, still calm and beautiful, her fear hidden somewhere deep, stirred something strange in him.
His gaze swept the furious crowd as he shouted for them to stop, phone pressed to his ear, urging security to hurry.
Across town, Nadine was lying in a hospital bed, a smug smile tugging at her lips as she watched a livestream on her phone. The anonymous feed had already pulled in over a hundred thousand viewers.
She nced at the door, then at the IV bag above her with a frown.
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Chapter 200 CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus Branch
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The sharp disinfectant smell was annoying, but the sight of Tess¡¯s pale face on¨Cscreen made her mood lift again.
She tapped Tess¡¯s number and called.
The livestream caught the moment Tess lowered her head to check her phone.
¡°Tess, you okay?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice was as soft as usual, but carried that subtle amusement people had when watching someone else fall.
Hearing the sudden question, Tess finally pieced it together.
¡°You nned this?¡±
Her jaw tightened.
Nadinezily spun a finger over her polished nails. ¡°nned what? The part where I get into a car ident and ask Finn to look after me?
¡°Sorry, Tess,¡± she added in a sugary sweet tone. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Finn to show up so quick after I called Zane. But I heard you¡¯re stuck outside Lock Group. Sounds pretty lively over there.¡±
The fake guilt in her tone made Tess¡¯s stomach turn.
¡°Nadine? You¡¯re awake?¡±
The deep, firm voice came from somewhere near Nadine, followed by footsteps.
Tess¡¯s back went rigid.
It was Finn.
¡°You¡¯re not hurt, but the doctor said you were shaken. You should rest a little.¡±
¡°I¡¯m fine, Finn. Weren¡¯t you supposed to go find Tess? Didn¡¯t you say you were taking her to Lock Group¡¯s PR team today to handle all the drama?¡±
¡°Yeah. But I¡¯ll stay here with you a bit first.¡±
Their warm, easy voices carried through the phone. Tess¡¯s expression stayed cold, still as stone, but the faint tremble in her hand holding the phone gave her away.
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Chapter 200 CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus Branch
She ended the call.
Beep, beep¡
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The busy tone hummed before Finn finally looked at Nadine¡¯s phone. ¡°Who were you talking to?¡±
Nadine beamed. ¡°Thepany. You won¡¯t let me out of bed, so I had to call in sick.¡±
She stuck out her tongue, theint sounding more like yful flirting.
Finn¡¯s eyes flickered. He looked away, pouring her a ss of water.
His cool reaction surprised Nadine, but when she felt the cup in her hands, she told herself not to overthink it. Finn has always been like this¡ right?
Still, her grip on the cup tightened.
While the hospital stayed calm, Tess¡¯s side was ready to explode.
¡°Tess, stop hiding!¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, tell your fans the truth!¡±
¡°Tess¡¡±
The yelling didn¡¯t stop.
Zane had locked the doors.
Tess¡¯s thoughts kept circling back to Finn and Nadine¡¯s voices, but her eyes stayed fixed on a shadow outside the window.
A heavy sadness crept in.
Right now, she felt like a tiny boat in the middle of an endless ocean, every wave ready to pull her under.
¡°I¡¯m Connor Hale, CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus branch.¡±
The deep, smooth voice cut through the chaos. The noise outside died instantly as everyone turned toward the man who had just appeared.
He held up a badge, and his assistant raised it high so the whole crowd could se?.
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Chapter 200 CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus Branch
Tess¡¯s focus snapped back in an instant.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 201 Rumors Copsed
Connor Hale?
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Tess blinked at the name, then lifted her head. Right outside the car window was a tall guy standing perfectly straight.
The first thing she noticed was his golden hair, then his suit, which looked like it cost more than most people¡¯s rent. His whole being screamed money and ss.
He turned slightly, just enough for her to catch the sharp nose, strong brow line, and that obvious foreign vibe. The whole ¡°elegance¡± thing could¡¯ve been his brand.
The crowd froze for half a second before losing their minds all over again.
¡°It¡¯s Connor! You and Tess know each other?¡±
¡°Weren¡¯t you in Kingnd? How¡¯d you end up here in Aetheris?¡±
¡°Is Tess really wearing Cavrielle? Can we trust your statement?¡±
Reporters shoved their way forward, swarming him even harder than they had with Tess earlier.
Connor ignored every question. His bodyguards stepped in like a wall, pushing back both the media and the troublemakers.
He raised his voice. ¡°Every word Cavrielle¡¯s released, including mine, is true. I came to Aetheris myself to meet this shareholder who¡¯s been a big part of our growth. I have great respect for
her.¡±
And that was all. The bodyguards pushed everyone back a good ten feet.
Tess still felt like she was in a weird dream, but Connor turned toward her first.
Up close, his features were striking¨Cpale skin, ocean¨Cblue eyes, the kind you couldn¡¯t look away from.
Yeah, he was handsome. Not just ¡°nice¨Cto¨Clook¨Cat¡± handsome. The kind that makes you forget how to breathe.
He walked over like every step mattered, his smile warm and steady.
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Tess froze for a moment. There was something about him that felt familiar.
He¡¯s a little like Marc. But¡ they have different names.
¡°Hi, Ms. Tess.¡±
He bent slightly toward her, a small gesture that somehow felt huge.
Even the reporters and hecklers behind the barrier were caught off guard. They actually stepped aside and cleared a path, their previous arrogance all gone.
Connor wasn¡¯t just some random guy. He was the CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus branch¨Cone of the most powerful names in luxury fashion.
Seeing him treat Tess with that kind of respect was enough to drop jaws.
¡°Hello, Mr. Hale.¡±
Tess got out of the car, straightened up, and gave him a small nod.
¡°You¡¯ve been a valuable shareholder and friend to our brand. I hope you can forgive how slow we were to speak up.¡±
His apology carried the calm charm of a man who¡¯d just stepped out of a rainy street in a foreignnd.
¡°Yourpany speaking up was more than enough,¡± Tess said, her tone softening.
¡°No, meeting you is the real privilege. Aetheris is new to me¨Cwould you allow me take you to dinner and show me the best spots around?¡±
Polite, grounded, and warm¨Che didn¡¯t push, just asked.
Of course, Tess agreed.
She looked up at him, and it was like all the weight she¡¯d been carrying just disappeared.
He ced a steadying hand at her waist, leading her away.
Nobody blocked their path.
The whole thing yed out in front of the crowd and tens of thousands watching online.
People went wild on X.
Chapter 201 Rumors Copsed
¡°So Tess really is a Cavrielle shareholder?¡±
¡°Forget that! Connor flew in just to back her up. That¡¯s not defense¨Cthat¡¯s protection.¡±
¡°I think I¡¯m changing my stand¡
¡±
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The mood flipped instantly¨Cfrom doubting Tess to being jealous of her.
The CEO showing up was enough to shut them up.
And then Cavrielle¡¯s official ount dropped the bomb and posted the original sketches for Tess¡¯s dress.
¡°Ms. Ember¡¯s dress is a one¨Cof¨Ca¨Ckind custom, designed by Selina herself. Zero chance of duplication.¡±
They even attached a video of the design process.
The ¡°knockoff dress¡± rumors copsed in seconds. People who¡¯d been mocking her earlier were suddenly scrambling to apologize.
Sydney was the first to catch the change online and immediately called Nadine.
¡°How did Cavrielle¡¯s CEO even end up there?!¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice shook with anger, though she kept it low so no one outside her hospital room could hear.
¡°I have no clue. First, the whole ¡®illegitimate daughter¡® thing got crushed because Finn blocked the media, and now the dress rumor¡¯s gone too. How does she keep getting this lucky?¡±
Sydney¡¯s jaw tightened as she stared at the livestream rey, showing Connor treating Tess like royalty.
What the hell is so special about Tess?
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Chapter 202 Looking at a Payday
Chapter 202 Looking at a Payday
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Sydney¡¯s eyes were burning with jealousy, so sharp it felt like it might spill right out.
Nadine kept reying the livestream, staring at Connor¡¯s face as if she was trying to drill holes in the screen, then ncing back at Tess over and over again.
¡°Nadine, what¡¯s left for us to do now?¡±
Sydney¡¯s voice was sharp and irritated, with her words running together. ¡°How could Tess even know Connor? Why would someone like him waste his time on her?¡±
As Sydneyined, Nadine narrowed her eyes. A quick, cold calction crossed her face.
She tilted her chin slightly, a scheming look settling in. ¡°Cavrielle¡¯s got a bunch of shareholders, but I¡¯ve never seen them roll out the CEO for one of them. An older man and a younger woman ¡
11
Grinding her teeth, Nadine typed a short message to a ck¨Cprofile icon in her phone. ¡°Follow them.¡±
Somewhere else, a man in a baseball cap got the text. He pulled the brim lower, shadows hiding most of his face except for the glint of cold eyes.
He scanned the area.
The crowd that had been packed in earlier was gone, cleared out by Lock Group¡¯s security team. Tess and Connor were already on their way toward a nearby restaurant.
He swept the area again before blending into the crowd, relying on his memory.
When he reached an upscale ce, he spotted them atst¨Ctwo familiar figures sitting on the second floor by the window.
He stopped.
Dressed in ck, he blended right into the crowd, impossible to pick out. Instead of going in, his eyes shifted to the building across the street and spotted a second¨Cfloor private room. Perfect.
Minutester, a camera lens was pointed straight at their table.
He waited there until Tess and Connor¡¯came down to the first floor. On cue, the shutters in the opposite building closed.
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Chapter 202 Looking at a Payday
¡°Really, I¡¯m so grateful you helped me. Honestly, I never thought Marc could talk youing. I probably caused you trouble.¡±
Tess bent slightly; her whole posture was respectful.
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into
Connor noticed the genuine seriousness in her expression and let out a small, amused smile.
His eyes softened, almost yful, before he quickly shifted back to his polite, public expression.
¡°We¡¯ve known each other for a while,¡± he said, lips pressing together in thought.
Tess epted it easily, honestly impressed and surprised that Marc had such a connection.
Connor¡¯s smile widened as he realized she was winning him over without trying. Normally, he hated small talk in his off¨Chours. But right now? He didn¡¯t mind at all.
¡°Selina, yourst sketches really impressed our clients than anything we¡¯ve had in years. The sales numbers were incredible. I¡¯m already looking forward to your next one.¡±
His voice held nothing but admiration.
Tess felt her cheeks were blushing, but then her thoughts shifted, and she spoke more seriously, ¡°I might be able to work on a new collection. But¡ aren¡¯t there still two dresses from myst set that never made it out?¡±
Connor nodded. ¡°Yeah. You said you¡¯d handle those two personally, but then you disappeared. We couldn¡¯t reach you, so they¡¯ve just been sitting.¡±
Tess went still for a moment before lowering her gaze.
That ¡°disappearing¡± period? She¡¯d been in prison, waiting in silence for release.
Her throat tightened. ¡°Do you still have those sketches? I could rush the prototypes for those two and leave the rest to your team.¡±
Connor¡¯s eyes lit up almost instantly.
Back then, Tess had handed over just two sets¨Cone for evening gowns, one for high¨Cend daily wear. Both had been a massive hit, selling out instantly among the wealthy crowd.
He coughed lightly into a curled fist, but the excitement was obvious. ¡°I keep your originals with me when I travel. They¡¯re in my hotel room right now. If you¡¯re okay with it, we can head there and grab them.¡±
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Chapter 202 Looking at a Payday
Even his usual calm was slipping into
pure
enthusiasm.
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Tess had expected a copy. Hearing he had the real thing warmed her unexpectedly.
¡°That sounds great.¡±
They agreed right then and headed for the car.
The man in the ck cap froze halfway through packing up. His eyes tracked their vehicle as it pulled away, and he quickly fell in step, tailing them.
He found another vantage point directly across from the hotel entrance and set up his lens again, locked on the doorway. Before long, Tess and Connor walked back out. That was when his eyes shed¨Chungry and calcting¨Cas if he was looking at a payday.
¡°I¡¯ll leave the sketches with you for now,¡± Connor said. ¡°Are you free tomorrow? If you¡¯re in a rush, we can meet here and go over the new designs together.¡±
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Chapter 203 Just Another Desperate Reporter
Chapter 203 Just Another Desperate Reporter
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Tess gave Connor the address for her shop¨Cthe one Bessie had been fixing up. It was pretty much done now.
¡°Sure. Whenever works for you works for me.¡±
Connor nodded politely. The way his eyes narrowed slightly, along with the faint lines at the corners, made him look like some ssy gentleman.
Once they parted ways, Tess rubbed her narrow shoulders.
The day was turning into night. A cold breeze swept by, making her face tighten even though she wasn¡¯t sure why. She nced around the street like she wasn¡¯t looking for anything specific ¡ but maybe she was.
Her phone rang. It was Marc.
¡°Are you still out there? Tess, your name¡¯s all over the inte right now!¡±
Marc¡¯s tone was tired and irritated, probably with that crumpled, sour look on his face.
Wayne had thrown this mess at him as ¡°training,¡± telling him to handle it in a way that kept Tess happy.
¡°Still out there?¡± Tess caught what he said. ¡°Wait¨Chow do you know what I¡¯m doing?¡±
¡°Because I know. Go check the entertainment news. You¡¯re just standing there looking around, but they¡¯ve already turned it into some shady guilty¨Cconscience thing.¡±
Tess stayed quiet, which only made Marc sound more annoyed.
¡°Guilty conscience?¡±
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Then her phone pinged. It was a breaking news alert.
Tess was used of cheating, caught in a secret fling with Cavrielle¡¯s CEO!
Thements section was full of smug and nasty takes.
¡°See? I told you. Why else would Cavrielle¡¯s big boss show up in Aetheris for her? They¡¯re having an affair, obviously!¡±
Chapter 203 Just Another Desperate Reporter
¡°She¡¯s still with Mr. Lock and already seeing someone else? Gross.¡±
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¡°Come on, it¡¯s obvious. Sure, he¡¯s fit for his age, but he¡¯s over 20 years older than her. I don¡¯t even know what she sees in him. How shameless.¡±
Tess scrolled once, her eyes turning cold.
She was about to tell Connor she¡¯d handle it herself, but before she could type, his came in first. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this. Don¡¯t worry.¡±
message
Her gaze stayed on the words for a moment before she typed back, ¡°No need. I¡¯ll take care of it this time.¡±
Her text was short and clear.
Connor stopped, tightening his grip on the phone. He looked at her contact name and pictured her face¨Csoft but strong, with a kind of quiet toughness that stuck with him.
He¡¯d heard about her beauty and talent before, but seeing her in person? The way she carried herself left a real impression.
She was humble, but powerful. Rare at her age.
¡°Tess, are you even listening? Should I get Wayne¡ªI mean, the CEO, to help? But you¡¯ll owe me. I want another design sketch. Actually, the more, the better.¡±
Marc nced at his screen. The call was still connected, but she hadn¡¯t answered yet. He went from frowning to smiling at the thought.
Her voice returned calm and steady. ¡°I already know how I¡¯m going to deal with it.¡±
Marc groaned, but then straightened up. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s the n?¡±
Tess ran a thumb over her nails, then looked up, her gaze sharp. ¡°If people want to keep digging up dirt on me, the best way to shut them up is to prove them wrong in public.¡±
A cold smile touched her lips as she nced at the blog post she¡¯d written.
Her finger hovered over ¡°Send,¡± then slid to ¡°Save as Draft¡± instead.
¡°You stay out of this,¡± she told him before hanging up.
Marc just gave a half¨Chearted ¡°fine.¡±
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Chapter 203 Just Another Desperate Reporter
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Tess gged down a cab and opened the top¨Ctrending article¨Cthe one that started it all.
She scrolled past the text until she hit the high¨Cresolution photos. Her eyes hardened.
There it was, the so¨Ccalled ¡°proof¡± of her and Connor¨Cshots of them having dinner and walking into the hotel.
Heat rose in her chest, slow and sharp.
She tried to guess who might¡¯ve taken the pictures, but nothing came to mind.
She was usually good at noticing things like that. Which only meant one thing¡ªthis had been set up carefully, so carefully that she hadn¡¯t felt a single shadow behind her.
Her lips pressed into a line, her expression unreadable.
One question chilled her from the inside out.
Is this just another desperate reporter chasing clicks, or ¡ someone sent to ruin me on purpose?
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Chapter 204 Threw the Words Like Knives
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Tess¡¯s thoughts were all over the ce, heavy and tangled. She couldn¡¯t stop shing back to that kidnapping just several days ago. Without really thinking, her fingers moved across her phone screen, putting together a long post on X.
When she finally hit ¡°send,¡± her hand had already curled into a fist.
If it were only her name getting dragged through the mud, she wouldn¡¯t have rushed. But when people who¡¯d actually helped her were getting caught in the crossfire, she couldn¡¯t just let it slide.
Her mind drifted again, zoning out until the driver¡¯s voice cut through. ¡°We¡¯re here!¡±
Tess blinked, gave a quick apologetic smile, and got out of the car.
The second she stepped into Evermount Vi¡¯s grounds, her heart started pounding for no particr reason.
She frowned at herself, ncing toward the beautiful vi just ahead.
Maybe it was the darkness settling in, but the whole building seemed to shift in her mind¡ªas if it wasn¡¯t a home anymore, but some huge animal crouched and ready to spring.
Once she pushed the door open, warm light spilling from the hallway snapped her back. She told herself she was just wound up from stress.
But as soon as she passed the living room, that same uneasy feeling rushed over her again.
Her eyes slid toward the couch, and there he was.
Finn sat there in silence, jaw tight, dark eyes locked straight on her.
And just like that, Tess realized her earlier feeling had a reason.
Still, she didn¡¯t have the patience for Finn right now. Her head was already packed with problems, so she headed toward her room to check on La instead.
Coming home to that kind of stare when she was already on edge? Anyone¡¯s temper would
crack.
It waste. She wondered if the housekeeper had already made La¡¯s form.
She picked up her pace until Finn¡¯s voice stopped her.
Chapter 204 Threw the Words Like Knives
¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be exining yourself?¡±
The question came out of nowhere.
She stopped with her eyebrows knitting, and looked back at him.
His expression was dark, his presence cold and heavy. He seemed¡ hurt.
That thought startled her. Did I really just think of him as hurt?
The surprise burned away fast, reced by irritation.
I¡¯m running myself ragged, and now Finn is demanding answers? How¡¯s that fair?
She shook her head and shot back, ¡°Exin what, exactly?¡±
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The truce they¡¯d managed for a few days shattered right there, the air between them growing cold.
¡°We¡¯re not divorced yet, Tess. You think I don¡¯t exist anymore?¡±
Her pale face stayed nk, almost bored.
Her indifference made his jaw clench harder.
His voice dropped, low and bitter. He seemed angry and also mocking himself.
Her look basically said, What¡¯s his problem now? Seeing that, whatever patience he had was gone.
Her mouth twisted into a cold little smile. ¡°Being a widow¡¯s not the worst thing.¡±
She didn¡¯t have to spell it out¨Cthe sarcasm was obvious.
Finn had started to lecture her, but her casual dismissal just stoked the fire.
¡°Can¡¯t you talk to me like a normal person for once?¡±
She crossed her arms, eyes icy as she studied his shadowed, still¨Chandsome face. A short, humorlessugh escaped. ¡°You¡¯re the one who started questioning me. Besides, I¡¯m not your employee anymore. You don¡¯t get to talk to me like that.¡±
Her stare didn¡¯t waver. Finn¡¯s throat felt tight.
He rubbed his temples, took a breath, then lowered his head slightly.. ¡°Those pictures of you and Connor all over the inte¨Cwhat do you have to say about them?¡±
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Chapter 204 Threw the Words Like Knives
That caught her off guard. She¡¯d only just seen them herself.
¡°Do you really like hanging around other men that much?¡±
The roughness in his voice hit before she could even think.
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Her eyes went wide. She tapped her own face with one finger. ¡°I like hanging around other men?¡±
She stared at him like he was someone she¡¯d never met.
Her deal with Cavrielle had always been business¨Cstrictly investor and project. But from Finn¡¯s mouth, it sounded like she was depending on a man.
The hot, knotted feeling in her chest started to freeze over.
¡°At some point, ¡°First it was Charles, then Abel, Steven ¡ and now Connor out of nowhere¡ Finn had gotten up and crossed the room, closing the gap in a few steps. His hand mped around her wrist like a steel cuff. ¡°Who¡¯s next, Tess? And what¡¯s the deal with Connor?¡±
If she would just give in a little, I¡¯d fix them for her. But why does there always have to be other men?
Tess yanked her wrist free. ¡°Next? There will be many more men, but never you.¡±
Her gaze stayed locked on his as she threw the words like knives.
Right after the words left her mouth, his tall frame jolted twice, and then his grip on her wrist mped down even harder.
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Chapter 205 You¡¯re a Coward
Chapter 205 You¡¯re a Coward
That one line-¡°never you¡°-snapped thest thread holding Finn together.
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And Tess brushing off the whole Connor thing just piled even more weight on his chest.
His eyes locked on her. It was dark and sharp enough to make the air feel heavy.
After a long pause, he suddenly gave a slow smile¨Cpretty on the outside but carrying something cold and dangerous underneath. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve gotten rid of guys before. Connor won¡¯t be any different. You¡¯d better hope you¡¯ve got nothing going with him.¡±
The threat was clear. Tess¡¯s head whipped toward him, her eyes wide. ¡°What are you gonna do?¡±
His eyes were locked on hers, intense and unblinking, like a storm about to burst.
¡°I¡¯m telling you now¨Ctouch him, and I won¡¯t let it go.¡±
She yanked his tie, her voice cutting and cold.
But to Finn, it didn¡¯t sound like a warning¨Cit sounded like she was protecting Connor. And here she was, ready to fight him over another man.
The chill in his eyes deepened, shifting toward something darker, almost blood¨Cred. In one move, he caught her wrist, twisted her arm behind her, and pinned her head with his other hand.
¡°Mmph!¡±
Her eyes went wide, pure outrage shing there, the silent look of someone calling him insane.
She struggled hard, but the strength gap was obvious. When she couldn¡¯t get free, she used the only weapon left¨Cshe bit him.
Finn grunted in pain but didn¡¯t back off. If anything, he pushed harder, taking what he wanted with heat and control, leaving no space for escape.
The quiet living room filled with ragged breaths¨Chers sharp and unwilling, his low and steady.
Finn didn¡¯t want to stop and was almost desperate for more.
But for Tess, it was nothing but anger and humiliation. Every sound felt too loud, too raw,
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Chapter 205 You¡¯re a Coward
echoing in her head.
Her eyes burned, turning red.
¡°Let go.¡±
:
He tried to push further, but her clenched jaw kept him out.
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When he looked at her again, the coldness in his eyes had shifted into something unguarded. Then he saw it¨Cher gaze full of fury and shame, fresh tears rolling down her face.
Finn froze, his hands hesitating.
Only now did he realize what he¡¯d done. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Tess didn¡¯t wait¨Cher hand cracked across his face.
Smack!
The sound cut through the air.
His head turned with the hit, hair falling over half his face, hiding whatever was in his expression.
Tess wiped her mouth hard, like she was scraping away filth. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting.¡±
Those simple words were sharp enough to stab.
Finn¡¯s throat moved, and he slowly lifted his gaze.
She had already stepped back, her eyes lit with nothing but pure hate.
A year ago, she¡¯d looked at him with hope. Even the fragile truce from days ago felt like it had never existed.
Cold panic crawled into Finn¡¯s chest.
He reached out a little, wanting to hold her there, but his arm felt like it weighed a ton. The words he wanted to say tangled in his mouth.
He gave a crooked smile instead, voice low like he was talking to himself. ¡°I¡¯m disgusting?
¡°Unlike Connor, right? That¡¯s why you¡¯re eating with him, heading to hotels with him?¡±
Still stuck in his twisted thinking, Finn just pushed her, further away. Tess¡¯s patience finally
Chapter 205 You¡¯re a Coward
snapped. She turned, heels clicking hard against the floor.
¡°Tess, don¡¯t push me.¡±
Her pace slowed but didn¡¯t stop.
Even with her back turned, she could feel his stare burning into her.
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Right before she reached the door, his voice sliced the air. ¡°Get any closer to him, and I¡¯ll buy Cavrielle outright.¡±
She froze.
Hand still on the doorknob, she spun around, heat zing in her chest.
Finn stood there like he owned the moment. ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡±
¡°You¡¯re a coward, Finn. Nothing more,¡± she spat.
The memory of him using the same underhanded tactics on Charles only fueled her rage.
His face stayed dark. Lips pressed together, he didn¡¯t speak, but his stance said enough.
Bang!
The door mmed so hard that it rattled.
In the bedroom, the sound startled La awake. The baby¡¯s wide eyes blinked, but when she saw Tess, she started babbling for a hug.
Tess felt drained, but she crossed the room and scooped La into her arms. The first tear slid down her cheek.
Once the door was shut, it was just the two of them. And with that, all the hurt she¡¯d been. holding back broke loose.
She buried her face in La¡¯s small chest, telling herself not to cry in front of her. But no matter how hard she bit her lip, the tears came anyway¨Chot, heavy, and impossible to stop.
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Keepsake 206
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Chapter 2061 Doubt I Matter
Chapter 206 I Doubt I Matter
¡°Mommy¡ Mommy¡
Every day, La¡¯s words were getting easier to understand.
A tiny, warm hand touched Tess¡¯s check, light as a puff of air, brushing away her tears.
Hershes fluttered, and she hugged La tighter.
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From the side, La¡¯s face looked so much like Finn¡¯s¨Ctoo much like his¨Cand it made her chest ache even worse.
She mmed her fist into the mattress, imagining tearing Finn apart.
But thinking about the fight earlier, she knew he hadn¡¯t been bluffing about Cavrielle. If he wanted to buy it just to spite her, he could.
Her hands curled into fists, but for Connor¡¯s sake¨Cso he wouldn¡¯t get dragged into this¨Cshe decided to get in touch with Marc for Connor¡¯s number. She¡¯d cancel their meeting tomorrow.
Marc sent the contact almost right away, then asked if she¡¯d taken care of things yet.
That was when Tess realized that she hadn¡¯t even checked what happened after she posted her statement earlier. She sent him her X handle, then logged in herself.
Marc opened her page too.
Half an hour ago, she posted something, and it already had millions of views, with over a million likes andments.
¡°Hi everyone, this is Tess. I want to clear up the rumors. Mr. Connor and I are strictly business partners. A year ago, I bought Cavrielle shares. So, yes, I¡¯m a shareholder. Those photos going around online were taken while we were talking about business. Also, I am Cavrielle¡¯s chief designer, Selina, and we were discussing the newest design ideas.¡±
Her words hit the inte like a rock dropped in still water, sending out waves of chaos.
Most of the replies were mocking.
¡°She¡¯s seriously lost it¨Ccalling herself Selina now?¡±
¡°Her? No way. Selina¡¯s been one of the top designers for years. People fake it all the time, but she¡¯s the boldest faker yet.¡±
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Chapter 2061 Doubt 1 Matter
¡°Shameless. I¡¯ve already DMed the real Selina to expose her.¡±
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And just like that, the whole thing blew up even more. By speaking up, she¡¯d basically poured gas on the fire.
She hadn¡¯t expected it to go this far.
¡°You¡¯re really gonna put yourself as Selina?¡± Marc¡¯s voice sounded half¨Csurprised, half¨Cworried.
¡°Yeah. If I don¡¯t, people will just go on to make things up. And now Cavrielle and Mr. Hale are getting pulled in. I can¡¯t just sit here.¡±
Her answer seemed to wake Marc up. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get in touch with your personal studio and the X team handling your ount.¡±
Back when Tess first invested, she¡¯d told everyone she didn¡¯t care about design or running shares¨Cshe just wanted to focus on being awyer. Cavrielle hired pros to take care of it all.
But the title of chief designer wasn¡¯t fake¨Cshe used the best materials, and her designs had made a serious profit over the years.
Later, Cavrielle had a trustpany handle her dividends, and the money had quietly piled up into something huge.
¡°Since I couldn¡¯t reach you before, I had to wait for you to contact me. That¡¯s why I never told you about the money you¡¯ve had all this time.¡±
Even at her lowest¨Cbroke, sweeping streets with La, worried about rent¨CTess never imagined her random investment had already made her quietly wealthy.
Marc¡¯s words left her stunned.
¡°I¡¯m sending you the trust fund manager¡¯s contact, plus your X ount manager.¡±
Her phone lit up with several new messages.
She already had Gillian¡¯s massive inheritance now, so cash wasn¡¯t a problem¨Cbut still, the irony was heavy.
When you¡¯re broke, you¡¯re one step away from sleeping on the street. When you¡¯re not, someone tells you you¡¯ve been rich the whole time.
Tess rubbed her forehead.
Marc¡¯s tone shifted.
CAPPE
Chapter 206 I Doubt I Matter
¡°But¡ Mr. Hale probably wouldn¡¯t want you pulling away from him over this.¡±
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Her hands paused, and a faint, almost self¨Cmocking smile tugged at her lips. ¡°I doubt I matter to him that much.¡±
Hearing that, Marc wanted to argue, but nothing came out.
She¡¯d always been like this¨Ckeeping her walls up, staying distant, never letting herself believe she was worth more.
He let out a quiet sigh and didn¡¯t push it.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 207
Chapter 207 Invitation
Chapter 207 Invitation
¡°So, what¡¯s your n?¡±
Marc rubbed his chin as he asked.
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Tess¡¯s fingers stopped mid¨Ctyping. When she nced up, there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.
What could she even do now?
The post was already out there. But all she was getting back were waves of sarcasm¨Cand some people even spinning wild theories that Finn had paid Selina¡¯s team to hand her a fake identity just to help her.
She knew how nasty the inte could be. A few lines of official¨Csounding words wouldn¡¯t clear her name.
Right when she couldn¡¯t think of her next move, a message popped up from Connor.
He caught her hesitation instantly. No awkward questions about her canceling¨Che just changed the subject, smooth and calm. ¡°Well, that¡¯s perfect, then. I came to Aetheris to work on a Cavrielle fashion show, and before I got here, I set up a charity dinner with a local orphanage.¡±
His voice was deep and smooth, like expensive wine¨Cpolished with the kind of quiet authority that made people want to listen¡ or be careful.
He paused, then added, polite as ever, ¡°May I have the honor of inviting you to join us? I¡¯ve seen the news¨Cyou¡¯re in the middle of a storm. This could be a good chance to set the record straight.¡±
¡°So formal,¡± Marc muttered under his breath.
It was obvious now¨Cthey were in the same ce. Connor had probably overheard her whole talk with Marc.
Tess felt a little ufortable, but she had to admit, the idea was tempting.
¡°Tess,e on. He¡¯s literally handing you the perfect stage to fix this. You¡¯re just gonna let the gossip keep running wild?¡± Marc urged.
Still, she was a little surprised. Marc loved design as much as she did he was Cavrielle¡¯s head designer too¨Cbut the way he talked about Connor carried a strange mix of confidence and
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Chapter 207 Invitation
familiarity.
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Tess blinked, hiding the thought. After a pause, she said, ¡°Alright. Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Hale. I¡¯ll be there.¡±
¡°Oh, one more thing, Ms. Ember.¡±
She froze before ending the call.
Connor¡¯s voice came through again, low and even. ¡°If you want to clear your name, the most convincing way is to show up in a gown no one¡¯s ever seen before¨Ca Selina original. Something unforgettable.¡±
The suggestion was soft, but it made her think.
Marc was about to grab the phone when Tess replied, ¡°Alright. And thanks for the help. For the next quarter, I¡¯ll give you and Cavrielle a 5% cut.¡±
It might not mean much to Cavrielle, but Connor¡¯s thanks sounded genuinely warm. ¡°Then I¡¯ll thank you for your generosity on Cavrielle¡¯s behalf.¡±
Every word from him carried that calm, gentlemanly tone, like sunlight breaking through clouds.
The tightness in Tess¡¯s chest eased a little.
She didn¡¯t want to touch her grandmother¡¯s inheritance yet, and Connor¡¯s offer felt like a gift she hadn¡¯t expected.
When the call ended, her mood was lighter.
Around midnight, La still slept soundly, even with Tess talking nearby. Her breathing was soft and even.
Tess let out a slow breath, her gaze softening at the sight of those round, rosy cheeks. For once, her restless heart feltpletely still.
She leaned in and kissed La gently.
Between almost drowning, being kidnapped, and all the noise online, she¡¯d been so caught up that she¡¯d barely noticed her sweet little girl.
Tess tucked the nket around La and drifted off beside her.
The night was damp with dew. Somewhere else, someone was wide awake.
4
20:41 Mon, Oct 6 N
Chapter 207 Invitation
:
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In a high¨Crise in Aetheris, a sharp, cold voice cut through the room. ¡°Tess is Selina? Please. She¡¯s just a book¨Csmartwyer. If she hadn¡¯t worked hard, she probably couldn¡¯t even make it in court.¡±
The insults didn¡¯t stop.
A chair hit the vanity, revealing a striking but stubborn face twisted in anger.
Nadine bit her lip hard. ¡°I don¡¯t care. You screwed it upst time. This time, I¡¯m getting my ce back!
¡°This time, I¡¯m putting in another million.¡±
The other end of the line went quiet. No one says no to that kind of money, especially from a client this generous.
¡°Ms. Nadine, please send the deposit first.¡±
The next morning, right on time, an envelope damp with dew was delivered to Tess.
In gold embossing, it was marked as Cavrielle¡¯s exclusive g, with ¡°Selina¡°, stamped so big it nearly outshone the Cavrielle logo itself.
Tess let out a small, amused breath, but a warm feeling was still felt in her chest.
Finn was nearby, fixing his tie. His dark, unreadable eyesnded on the invitation in her hand. He gave a low, coldugh.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 208
Chapter 208 What Does He Want?
Chapter 208 What Does He Want?
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Last night, when everything felt ready to blow, all Finn had seen online was Tess and Connor caught up in some messy gossip headline. Butter, back in his room, he spotted her post exining things.
That huge ¡°Selina¡± printed across the invitation felt like an open insult.
Selina?
Tess is Selina?
I thought I knew her pretty well¨Cturns out, maybe not.
When the news broke, he was just as floored as everyone else. Even with years in the business world, he remembered Selina¨Cthe mysterious, genius designer.
He¡¯d once thought about ordering a custom suit from her, but her studio had t¨Cout refused.
No one had ever told him no before.
If Tess had been Selina this whole time¡ maybe it sort of added up.
Still, how was that even possible?
He still found it hard to believe.
A year ago, when Selina was all over the fashion world, wasn¡¯t Tess stuck behind bars?
Finn kept his face nk, not giving away a thing, while Tess¡¯s patience was clearly running out.
The guy¨Ctall, broad, and impossible to ignore¨Cstood in the doorway, blocking her path.
¡°You gonna move or what?¡±
Her voice was sharp, eyebrows drawn tight.
That edge in her tone snapped him out of his thoughts.
His chest tightened, and he caught himself staring longer than he meant to. But the guarded, keep¨Cyour¨Cdistance look in her eyes shut down that brief flicker of warmth instantly.
His face cooled. Still, remembering how yesterday he¡¯d questioned her like everyone else, a little guilt crept in.
Chapter 208 What Does He Want?
¡°Evermount Vi belongs to me.¡±
:
He lifted a brow, tugging at the cuffs he¡¯d already fixed.
To Tess, it just looked like he was picking a fight.
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She gave a short, coldugh and yanked the tie he¡¯d just adjusted. ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing straight -you¡¯re the one refusing to sign the divorce papers. I could walk out today if I wanted to.¡±
Her eyes were sharp, voice like steel.
Finn¡¯s heart gave a sudden, hard kick. He imagined the vi without her¨Csilent, empty, like some pce floating way above the world.
¡°Tess, howe you can talk nicely to everyone else, but you¡¯re always rude with me?¡±
His tone was serious now, shadows from his brow darkening his eyes, making them look deep, almost lost¨Cas if they belonged to someone alone in a ce no one visits anymore.
Tess froze for a beat, then her expression shifted.
She scanned him head to toe, wondering, What¡¯s his deal?
But when their eyes met, something in his gaze made the words she¡¯d been ready to throw vanish from her lips.
Her chest lurched hard.
She bit her lip, staring back at him, and realized, Isn¡¯t this the kind of look I used to want from him?
The rush of feelings tightened around her heart, squeezing, almost hurting.
Why?
Her lips trembled, but when she looked up again, her eyes were cold, dark as ice.
A year ago, he didn¡¯t believe me and locked me up himself.
He trusted Nadine¡¯s lies over me and tossed me aside like I was nothing.
I got out and raised La alone, all while enduring Nadine¡¯s constant humiliation¨Csomething he stood by and allowed.
The small flicker of heat in her chest iced over. She pushed the memories away.
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Chapter 208 What Does He Want?
She gave a short, cuttingugh. ¡°Mr. Lock, your memory¡¯s worse than I thought.¡±
Every word dripped with sarcasm.
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Finn¡¯s mouth opened, his jaw tightening like the words hurt to say. ¡°Lock Group will put out a statement about you. We¡¯re already working to shut down the rumors.¡±
His gaze shifted to the invitation in her hand. ¡°And some events aren¡¯t necessary.¡±
h
There were quicker, easier ways to help her, but in his mind, as his wife, she didn¡¯t need help from anyone but him.
His tone had a firmness she¡¯d never heard from him before.
Tess eyed him, suspicion flickering, and a stubborn heat rose in her chest. ¡°Strange. A year ago, you weren¡¯t in any rush to defend me. Now you¡¯re ying hero?¡±
Her voice cut like ss.
Finn¡¯s throat went tight as a pale shadow crossed his face.
But when he saw the me in her eyes, the doubt he¡¯d been avoiding slipped back in.
Could she really have been innocent a year ago?
Still, only a few people had ess to Lock Group¡¯s secrets¨Cand she was the only one with close ties to
Max.
¡°If you¡¯re leaving, then go. I don¡¯t want to see you.¡±
Her expression stayed icy as she mmed the door.
The burst of air felt like a rope tightening around his neck, cutting off his breath.
He stood there, heat burning in his chest, a restless fire coiling under his ribs.
Connor is a businessman too. Men like us always chase profit first. So why is Connor helping Tess?
What does he want?
Finn let out a dryugh and mmed his fist into the wall.
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Keepsake 209
Chapter 209 I¡¯m Busy
Chapter 209 I¡¯m Busy
:
The metallic taste of blood hit Finn right away. His palm was streaked with dark red.
¡°Mr. Lock! What are you doing?¡±
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Zane rushed over. The sight of Finn venting his anger made his eyes bug so far they almost popped out. He looked like he was about to lose it.
¡°Get me an invite to Cavrielle¡¯s charity g.¡±
That was all Finn said before he walked off.
Zane was left frozen.
He scratched his head.
Cavrielle?
Didn¡¯t he tell me yesterday to toss that invite in the trash?
Still, Zane knew better than to question orders. He trailed after Finn, already dialing Cavrielle¡¯s PR team.
When the richest man in Aetheris wanted something, people still answered quickly.
Meanwhile, Tess stood by the window, her gaze following the car disappearing down the road.
Annoyed, she rubbed her temples and grabbed her phone to text Connor so they could head to the studio Bessie had prepped for her.
Before she could send it, a hand snatched the phone right out of her grip.
Abel stood in front of her, tall and rxed, turning her phone in his palm like he owned it. Without even looking at the screen, he locked it.
Tess¡¯s expression cooled instantly. She stepped back, creating distance.
¡°What are you doing here? Give me my phone.¡±
Her tone was t and cold.
If dealing with Finn was like walking through brambles, facing Abel was like stepping into poison ivy.
Wed, Oct 8
Chapter 209 I¡¯m Busy
:
Her lips pressed tight,shes lowering to hide her thoughts.
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It had been a while since she¡¯d seen him¨Cever since she and Finn had staged that scene to keep him away.
Abel¡¯s smile dimmed for a second, but it returned quickly, eyes bright with that spoiled, cocky energy.
¡°This is my uncle¡¯s vi. I¡¯m his nephew. Dropping in on my aunt isn¡¯t a crime, is it?¡±
He put a little extra weight on ¡°aunt.¡±
Technically, he wasn¡¯t wrong, but Tess still frowned.
¡°Finn¡¯s at work. Give me my phone.¡±
She held out her hand, keeping her voice steady.
Abel didn¡¯t hide the way he stared at her, then sighed and handed it back.
But instead of stepping away, he leaned closer.
¡°I had business outside Aetheris. As soon as I finished, I came straight back.¡±
His tone was smooth, cool, and almost gentle.
He bent slightly so their
eyes
met.
For a second, Tess thought of a big dog wagging its tail.
Startled, she took two quick steps back, her posture stiffening. ¡°You should tell Finn that,¡± she replied sharply.
It hit her only after she said it. Is he exining where he¡¯s been?
She looked away, still trying to act like the older, more in¨Ccontrol one.
Abel didn¡¯t buy it. He leaned on the wall, loose and self¨Cassured, the kind of confidence you can¡¯t teach.
¡°Ms. Ember.¡±
The deep voice came from nearby.
Tess had been seconds from losing her patience, so when she saw Connor, she lit up like she¡¯d
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Chapter 209 I¡¯m Busy
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been rescued.
Her frozen expression melted, and she walked over to him.
He was in sharp, casual clothes, with a folded handkerchief peeking from his pocket. Even the silver strands in his perfectly styled hair looked like they belonged. He carried an air of quiet elegance that was hard to ignore.
Abel¡¯s eyes tracked her, and his fist clenching when he saw how warmly she greeted Connor.
¡°And you must be Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew.¡±
Smooth as ever, Connor broke the tension first, speaking to Abel.
Abel only smirked. He didn¡¯t answer, but his dislike was obvious.
Tess frowned, ready to snap, but Abel raised his browszily. ¡°Abel Shaw.¡±
He didn¡¯t reply to Connor directly and just gave his name, dripping with swagger.
Connor¡¯s eyes slightly narrowed.
Shaw?
His expression shifted slightly, and he gave a polite bow. ¡°My apologies, Mr. Shaw.¡±
Abel only gave a cold snort.
Tess cut in. ¡°If you¡¯re looking for Finn, go to Lock Group. If you¡¯re looking for me, I¡¯m busy.¡±
Her stare cut right through him.
Abel¡¯s mood soured. He wanted to say something else, but all he could do was watch Tess and Connor get into the car.
Frustration coiled in his chest.
She didn¡¯t lost any memory, but she¡¯s still pushing me away.
No matter how many times Abel thought about it, it made no sense. In the end, he stormed to his ultra¨Crare sports car and climbed in, mming the door hard enough to make it rattle.
9:46 Wed, Oct 8
Chapter 210 A Good Man
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 210
Chapter 210 A Good Man
While Abel was still driving around, Tess had already asked Connor to stop the car.
They pulled into a quiet, tucked¨Caway alley.
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Tess pushed open an old, weathered door, and Connor¡¯s eyes went wide. He thought it¡¯d be some tiny, practical space¨Cbut instead, it felt like stepping into a hidden world.
The doorway looked run¨Cdown, but inside, the clean white walls made the ce feel calm and peaceful. Gold racks stoodpletely empty.
Minimalist was the perfect word.
And still, it was gorgeous¨Csimple in a way that felt just right.
¡°It¡¯s a bit in, but go ahead and have a sit.¡±
Tess spoke with a small, apologetic smile, then told Bessie to bring tea.
Bessie, clearly thrilled, kept sneaking nces between them until Tess finally let her go.
¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting this,¡± Connor said after sipping the tea. His eyebrows lifted slightly before he set the cup down.
Seeing that, Tess quietly made him a coffee instead.
Connor epted it with a small, sheepish smile.
¡°I figured you wanted to sort this out fast, so I scheduled the g for tomorrow. Hopefully, it¡¯s not too soon¨Care you ready?¡±
He broke the silence first, his tone easy and calm.
¡°Of course.¡±
Tess nodded without hesitation and handed him apleted sketch.
Connor took it, nced at it, then stopped cold.
Selina was known for her boldness and originality.
The gown in the drawing was simple, but the skirt was painted in mes¨Cparts already burned to ash, others still zing.
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Chapter 210 A Good Man
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The model¡¯s head was covered with a long, snow¨Cwhite veil that fell to her neck and was held in ce with rubies, as if it could catch fire at any second and reveal her face.
Connor was floored, his fingers trembling the way they did when he came across real genius.
These days, he was all business and deals, but he still remembered the days when he studied design with his younger brother.
Sometimes those memories felt like they belonged to someone else.
Right now, he realized how rare Tess¡¯s talent really was.
¡°Ms. Ember, you never stop surprising me.¡±
Never?
Tess noticed the odd tone but let it slide. She smiled slightly. ¡°I should be thanking you for letting me prove myself.¡±
Before she was Selina, her life was full of legal battles, clever strategies, and the man she had once lovedpletely.
Her link to Cavrielle had came out of nowhere¨Cjust one sudden spark of inspiration.
She¡¯d been sent to prison right after their first meeting, but now the payoff was bigger than she had ever dreamed.
Especially this charity event, made just for her.
It hit her then¨Cfalling in love wasn¡¯t the dangerous part. Loving the wrong person was what wrecked you.
If she had seen past him back then, maybe she¡¯d have spotted the bigger world sooner. Maybe she¡¯d already be holding it.
But she believed that day woulde¨Cif not for her, then for La.
Her voice was steady and sincere.
Connor shook his head. ¡°No. If you¡¯ve made it here and gotten me to back you willingly, it¡¯s only because of your skill and effort.¡±
Thepliment made her cheeks warm.
Realizing he¡¯d gone on a bit, Connor stood. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±
9:46 Wed, Oct 8
Chapter 210 A Good Man
He headed for the door, and Tess didn¡¯t stop him.
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The dress wasn¡¯t finished yet, and the clock was ticking. She pushed down the restless energy in her chest and moved deeper into the workspace.
Bessie came bouncing over, eyes sparkling. ¡°Girl, you and him¡
She nced between Tess and the closed door, clearly itching for gossip.
¡°Business partners,¡± Tess said with augh.
Bessie sighed dramatically. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s a great guy and all, but you¡¯re young and he¡¯s kinda older.¡±
and
gorgeous¡
She kept mumbling, seriously evaluating his ¡°qualifications¡± like she was matchmaking.
Tess just smiled, then said seriously, ¡°He¡¯s a good man.¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Bessie¡¯s curiosity dropped¨Cuntil she spotted someone in the corner. ¡°Wanda!
¡°What are you doing hiding there? Lurking like that?¡±
She hurried over and pulled Wanda Herrera into view.
Tess looked up at the noi
Wanda looked uneasy and gave Tess a quick, stiff smile. ¡°Mrs. Lock, I was just passing by. I didn¡¯t see anything.¡±
She rubbed her hands together, avoiding eye contact.
¡°What¡¯s to see? He¡¯s just Ms. Ember¡¯s business partner,¡± Bessie said cheerfully, clearly not suspicious at all.
Tess gave Wanda another look, but remembering the help she¡¯d given before, figured she was just ufortable here, so she didn¡¯t press it.
3
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 211
Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room
Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room
She merely dipped her head before leaving to attend to business.
The entire day, she buried herself in the studio, working until evening. By sheer determination, she finished the gown just in time.
Blood red intertwined with pure white, making it striking yet romantic.
s
Even with all the dresses she¡¯d handled in her career, Tess still found herself awed by the finished piece.
She carefully packed the gown into a suitcase, along with a recently powered¨Coff camera from the nearby table.
With that, most of the work was done.
Am
Her nerves eased, and even her steps felt lighter as she entered the Evermount Vi.
But unlike her mood, the man lounging on the living room sofa radiated a heavy, stormy
presence.
Tess didn¡¯t spare him a nce and headed straight for her room.
Finn¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise when the door shut with a sharp bang. He stared at it for a moment, his brow furrowing.
Too proud to knock, he retreated to his study instead, locking himself in until midnight.
Tess never cared for such games. She had only one goal¨Cto do her best for tomorrow¡¯s banquet. That night, she slept soundly beside her child until morning.
The night was eerily calm, but beneath the surface, currents were shifting.
Entry to the banquet and ticket checks began in the afternoon.
Tess arrived in Connor¡¯s car. Since he was the host, she didn¡¯t have to join the long line of debutantes outside but was escorted directly into the hotel.
She thanked him with a nod before heading off to change.
This trip was all about making an impression¨Cthere was no room for mistakes. She hadn¡¯t expected Connor¡¯s involvement.
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Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room
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Her hands moved faster, aware of the man quietly checking his gold watch now and then. though he never rushed her. Even so, she began to feel a bit guilty.
Then she opened the door.
White and red merged seamlessly on her figure.
Her delicate frame carried the gown¡¯s beauty to perfection.
Gone was the youthful naivety¨Cnow, as a mother, her elegance held a quiet allure.
Connor¡¯s lips parted slightly, his steady gaze breaking for a moment.
Tess noticed the unhidden admiration in his eyes and knew she looked stunning.
She started toward the hall, but he caught her wrist.
His palm was huge¨Ccool at the edges, warm at the center.
¡°Wait,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll have the host call you in when it¡¯s time.¡±
He had nned every
detail.
She hesitated only a moment before nodding in agreement.
For now, the moment was calm. Outside, however, the crowd was buzzing.
¡°It¡¯s almost time. She said she¡¯d clear the air-so where is she?¡±
¡°She¡¯s probably too scared to show. Such a waste of Mr. Hale¡¯s effort.¡±
¡°If you ask me, that ex¨Ccon Tess has no credibility. And yet, she always has someone powerful backing her. Must be her body she¡¯s selling ¡ ¡±
The guests chattered on, theirints tumbling over one another, until their eyes began to meet¨Ceach nceced with a shared, knowing contempt.
The woman who had been leading the gossip froze mid¨Csentence. Out of nowhere, she sneezed, then turned around, a shiver running through her as she found herself staring into a pair of dangerous eyes¨Cso deep they were like a ck hole, ready to pull her in and never let her escape.
¡°Mr. Lock¡
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Chapter 211 The Dress That Stole the Room
Her voice trembled, her face pale.
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She hated Tess, but even she had to admit¨CTess was lucky to have married this man.
Finn¡¯s lips curved into a frost¨Cedged smile. He lifted his chin slightly. ¡°Are you from the Lamberts?¡±
The words were like shards of ice.
The other women scattered instantly.
Emma was on the verge of tears, standing there alone and fragile, awash in a crushing wave of regret.
Back then, she would have been thrilled for Finn to even remember her family¡¯s name¨Cbut
not now.
Her teeth chattered uncontrobly.
¡°Terminate all Lock Group coborations with the Lamberts, he said coldly. ¡°And have all our partners cut ties as well. I don¡¯t care about the losses¨Cdo it immediately.¡±
His gaze swept over the group like a de¨Cdeadly, warning.
Then he turned and strode away, his tall frame radiating an authority that lingered long after he was gone.
Emma copsed to the floor in a cold sweat.
It was over.
All because she¡¯d let her tongue slip, her family was now facing ruin.
Finn didn¡¯t care about the fallout. He walked into the main hall, eyes scanning the crowd for the woman he hadn¡¯t yet seen.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 212
Chapter 212 The Designer¡¯s Reveal
Chapter 212 The Designer¡¯s Reveal
A soft hand slipped through the crook of his arm.
¡°Finn, were you looking for me?¡±
Nadine appeared, checks aglow, her eyes bright and lively.
Finn¡¯s expression barely shifted. After a brief hesitation, he gave a small nod.
He couldn¡¯t exactly say he¡¯d been searching for Tess.
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He clenched his fists, then forced himself to rx, though his face remained cold and stern.
Nadine sensed something forced off in his reaction, but with so many eyes on them, she kept her smile wide and radiant¨Cying the part of the touched, gratefulpanion. ¡°You¡¯re so good to me, Finn.¡±
¡°Have you seen your sister?¡±
He pinched the bridge of his nose, ignoring the soft, sugary tone in her voice.
Nadine¡¯s expression froze, her smile suddenly strained.
¡°My sister¡ I heard she came as Mr. Hale¡¯s date tonight. I haven¡¯t seen him either, but I did spot his car outside. Who knows what the two of them are doing alone right now?¡±
Her voice was cautious, but her words carried an unmistakable edge.
As expected, Finn¡¯s gaze shifted to her, weighing the truth in her words. When he met her
his thin lips pressed together, and a sudden heat surged in his chest. timid resolute eyes,
yet
Tess was his wife, so why was she avoiding him to be another man¡¯s partner?
Just the thought set his nerves on edge, sparking an urge to burn the whole ce down.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight.¡±
The deep, steady voice carried through every corner of the hotel lobby via the sound system.
Heads turned toward the source.
Connor stood on a raised tform, dressed in a crescent¨Cwhite suit that emphasized his tall, refined frame. A red beaded brooch on hispel added a hint of roguish charm.
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Chapter 212 The Designer¡¯s Reveal
s.
Though in his 40s, his firm jawline and sharp eyes spoke more of seasoned charisma than age.
As the Executive President of Cavrielle¡¯s Crorus division, he drew a wave of appreciative apuse.
Connor briefly outlined the purpose of the charity g, and at the end, he casually mentioned Tess¡¯s name. Finn¡¯s expression hardened instantly, his eyes narrowing at the man on stage.
Connor noticed the intense gaze from below but deliberately ignored it.
¡°Recently, online rumors about my friend ¡®Selina¡® have been getting out of hand,¡± he continued, voice calm and grounded. ¡°As her friend, I cannot stay silent. I came to Aetheris specifically to present this mysterious Cavrielle designer. Only recently did I learn that Selina is, in fact, the woman so maligned on the inte¨CTess.¡±
His voice was gentle, carrying a calm, steady power that seemed to settle the heart.
But the mention of ¡°Tess¡± always, inevitably, stirred excitement.
¡°Words are cheap. If she¡¯s here to clear her name, why hasn¡¯t she shown up? Maybe she¡¯s guilty and too afraid to face us,¡± a sharp female voice called out.¡±
Connor¡¯s gaze you.¡±
flicked toward the speaker, then shifted away. ¡°Selina, everyone is eager to see
The lights dimmed. A single beam of white fell across half of Connor¡¯s figure. From the shadows, a slender arm in a pristine white sleeve slipped through his elbow.
Breath caught collectively in the room.
The vast hall fell silent, filled only with the faint sound of breathing.
The spotlight widened, then zed to full brightness. And there she was.
Tess stood like a goddess descended, the red beaded crown on her head gleaming like drops of fresh blood.
¡°I am Selina. And I am Tess,¡± she said coolly.
Her voice was clear and cold, like moonlight scattered on snow.
¡°Whose gown are you wearing?¡± someone asked.
As the crowd was still immersed in this visual feast and couldn¡¯t recover, those who woke up first couldn¡¯t help but speak out.
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Chapter 212 The Designer¡¯s Reveal
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¡°Of course, it¡¯s my own design,¡± she replied. ¡°If you won¡¯t believe me, or the official certification from Cavrielle, then let the work speak for itself.¡±
She lifted her chin slightly, her fair, slender neck arched like a swan¡¯s.
From a nearby couch, Finn¡¯s gaze locked on her.
It was an indescribable emotion¨Che was clearly restraining himself from looking too much, yet he couldn¡¯t help but stare at every inch of her skin.
Finn frowned, feeling an inexplicable irritation.
Nadine, catching his flicker of hesitation, felt a sharp pressure in her chest¨Cher breath tightening.
At that moment, the hall remained hushed.
Indeed, there was no better proof of her identity than her work.
like gown,
And this masterpiece.
every
creation by the genius designer Selina, was an instant, undeniable
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 213
Chapter 213 The usation
Chapter 213 The usation
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Among the guests were leaders in the fashion and design world. They studied Tess with critical eyes, searching for any trace of familiarity in the gown¡¯s style. When they found none, the bold, avant¨Cgarde fusion could point to only one signature¨CSelina¡¯s.
A quiet awe crept into their expressions.
¡°She¡¯s an ex¨Ccon! Why should we take her word for anything? Maybe Selina sent her the dress herself!¡±
From somewhere in the crowd, an indignant voice rang out. The usation hit the room like a stone striking still water.
Tess¡¯s fingers curled into her palms, the edges of her manicured nails biting into soft skin until it stung.
The uglybel¨Cex¨Ccon¨Cmade Finn¡¯s brow twitch from across the hall. His sharp gaze locked onto the speaker, a small, inconspicuous figure in the crowd.
Under that re, the person swallowed hard, their rehearsed words dying on their tongue.
¡°I¡¯ve seen the sketch for that gown before!¡± The voice came from Nadine, who shot to her feet, eyes fixed on Tess, her tone dripping with disappointment. ¡°Tess, how could you lie to everyone and im you designed it yourself?¡±
The sudden usation caught everyone off guard.
All at once, the crowd¡¯s attention bounced between the two women.
But Nadine¡¯s reputation was far cleaner than Tess¡¯s¨Cplus, she was her sister. Who would believe she¡¯d lie?
The admiration in the designers¡® eyes quickly turned to outrage.
One elderly man¡ªrevered as a ¡°master of design¡± in China¨Cmmed his palm on the nearest table so hard the cups rattled. ¡°Tess, to im someone else¡¯s work as your own is a grave offense in our field! You owe Selina an immediate apology!¡±
Beneath the wide brim of her hat, Tess¡¯s face was shadowed. Only her smooth jawline and red lips caught the light beneath the beaded fringe.
Finn¡¯s expression shifted¨Cfirst a cold nce toward Nadine, then a frown at Tess.
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Chapter 213 The usation
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He had never seen her design anything before, let alone a piece like the one she wore tonight,
His hand clenched into a fist.
Compared to the angry guests, Tess appeared calm.
Her cool gaze swept over the furious old man, then locked on Nadine. ¡°You¡¯ve seen this gown¡¯s sketch?
¡°Where? Do you have proof? If you¡¯re making such a im without evidence, I won¡¯t hesitate to take this to court. Thew doesn¡¯t y favorites¨Cnot even for family.¡±
Her voice was sharp, her presencemanding.
Nadine faltered, her face tightening. ¡°I ¡
¡°You im sisterly affection, yet you openly try to ruin me without cause. Nadine, what is it you really want?¡±
Her eyes were cold, like a de honed to perfection.
Nadine bit her lip, her eyes filling with tears.
The sudden shift in the situation left the crowd momentarily confused.
¡°I only wanted to protect your dignity, but you¡¯re being so aggressive.¡±
Then, Nadine suddenly stood, holding up her phone screen for those nearby to see. The guess close enough to her leaned in¨Cand froze. Their eyes widened, and soon they were ring at Tess in disgust.
¡°It¡¯s the exact same sketch! Tess, what do you have to say for yourself?¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes widened, her lips trembling slightly in shock.
She couldn¡¯t believe it.
A few eager guests quickly asked the image to be projected onto the hall¡¯s big screen.
Nadine hesitated, then nodded, casting Tess a look full of wounded disappointment.
Standing beside Tess, Connor noticed the flicker of emotion on her face. He gently squeezed her sleeve, a silent reassurance.
She felt the pressure at her wrist, brushed aside part of her hat¡¯s veil, and revealed eyes lined
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Chapter 213 The usation
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like mes¨Cclear, steady, already understanding.
Connor¡¯s worry dissolved instantly.
He nced at the sketch now disyed behind them.
It was indeed Tess¡¯s original design,plete with Selina¡¯s signature.
¡°Why do you have Selina¡¯s sketch?¡± Tess asked, her voice trembling.
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A sh of satisfaction crossed Nadine¡¯s eyes before she donned a pitiful expression again. ¡°Why can¡¯t I know Selina, just because you im to be her? I never thought you¡¯d be bold enough to dere yourself publicly. As her devoted fan, I can¡¯t watch you keep making the same mistake.¡±
Her wounded tone, as if trying to guide Tess back to the right path, swayed more than a few hearts in the audience.
¡°It¡¯s unbelievable how two sisters from the same family can turn out so differently,¡± someone muttered.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 214
Chapter 214 Her Proof
Chapter 214 Her Proof
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¡°Don¡¯t cry, Ms. Nadine. A thief like Tess deserves to be called out. If she didn¡¯t want this mess, she shouldn¡¯t have done it in the first ce!¡±
While everyone else was spitting out angry words, Tess stayed surprisingly calm.
Finn tightened his grip before letting go, but his eyes stayed locked on her face.
In the corner, a pair of gloomy, fearful eyes hid.
Emma scanned the furious guests and tried to make herself invisible.
She didn¡¯t dare get involved. After all, Finn, the most prominent and richest man in Aetheris, was lounging on the couch. Connor, the host of the g, was standing right next to Tess.
Even though Finn acted like Tess didn¡¯t matter to him, Emma had been bombarded with calls asking what Tess had done.
He was obviously protecting Tess.
With those two backing her up, rumors didn¡¯t mean a thing.
Emma hunched her shoulders, feeling sick when she imagined the trouble waiting for herter.
The discussions and insults hit their peak.
Then, the big screen flickered, switching to a video.
The camera zoomed in on a desk, capturing a slender, fair hand sketching on paper. The footage sped up, and a gorgeous design took shape in no time.
Then, the camera pulled back, showing a stunning, serious¨Clooking face.
The room went dead quiet.
The video rolled on. Tess made a dress, shaped the pattern, selected the fabric, and sewed deep red pearls onto the hem.
The piece slowly came together, growing more perfect by the second.
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Chapter 214 Her Proof
Then, the screen went ck.
Nadine froze, turning paler.
Tess lifted her gaze slowly, scanning the stiff, silent crowd. Her voice sounded light but dripping with sarcasm. ¡°So? Is that enough proof for you?¡±
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She pulled off her veil, and the spotlight hit her face¨Csmooth checks and red lips, as if she¡¯d stepped right out of a painting.
Finn¡¯s usually calm eyes narrowed.
Standing close, Connor caught a faint cool scent from her and felt a little thrown off.
¡°Nadine, now it¡¯s my turn to ask. Where exactly did you get my design draft?¡±
Tess¡® face chilled instantly. Therge red beads on her skirt seemed frozen solid, like hardened drops of blood.
¡°Funny
¡ I didn¡¯t realize Selina knew you.¡±
She gave a mocking sneer, head tilted high, carrying herself with a mix of pride and elegance.
From the second floor, someone quietly took in the scene¨Cadmiration tinged with longing, edged by obsession. But when it shifted to Nadine¡¯s pale face, it was reced by pure disgust and coldness.
People began ncing toward Nadine, their expressions a mix of doubt, shock, and confusion.
They couldn¡¯t believe that Nadine, the one they had trusted, was the liar. And Tess, the one everyone had ridiculed and looked down on, turned out to be Selina.
The crowd¡¯s gazes wavered, like reality itself had started to feel unreal.
¡°I ¡ I¡ ¡±
Nadine¡¯s lips moved stiffly, her fingers twisting together before she forced herself to speak. ¡°Someone sent that design draft to my email anonymously. I only said I knew Selina because I thought no one would believe me otherwise. Tess, I just didn¡¯t want to see you take the wrong path, but I had no idea you were truly Selina. That¡¯s ¡ good¡
¡°1
But her exnation didn¡¯t win everyone over.
To them, it felt like she¡¯d used them as pawns just now.
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Chapter 214 Her Proof
¡°Weren¡¯t you sisters close? If you wanted to stop he
why not just talk to her first?¡±
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Voices with simr usations surrounded her. Nadine stood frozen, helpless, and finally turned toward Finn with tears.
His cool, detached stare met hers, sending a chill down her spine. Then, she fainted.
Right before she hit the floor, Finn frowned and caught her, handing her off to Zane.
Zane nearly jumped, like he¡¯d just been handed something that could explode.
Not daring to hold her too much, he grabbed her cor and the waist of her dress just enough to keep her upright before quickly rushing off to get an ambnce.
Once Finn stepped in, the murmurs died down.
Everyone assumed he was about to defend Nadine. But instead, he stepped forward and positioned himself between Tess and Connor.
He swept over them coldly, finally stopping on Tess¡® frown.
¡°There¡¯s new evidence in the case from a year ago involving Tess. Lock Group will have the original team reopen the investigation.¡±
The tone and gaze were like a winter moon high over an icy peak¨Cchilling, distant, yet unshakably proud.
Beside him, the host, whose spotlight had just been stolen, couldn¡¯t hide his pale face or embarrassment. But Finn stood firm, untouchable, and the crowd didn¡¯t dare to say anything.
His words spread fast.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 215
Chapter 215 Gossips
Chapter 215 Gossips
Tess froze in ce.
45 Free Coins
As Finn walked toward her, her mind raced with scenarios. Maybe he was about to defend Nadine or mock her. But she didn¡¯t expect him to announce he¡¯d reopen the investigation from a year ago.
Her emotions tangled into a mess. Tess nced up, only to see his tall figure blocking her view, deliberately standing between her and Connor.
¡°The g ends here,¡± he said. ¡°Mr. Hale, please go ahead with the charity donation segment. My assistant Zane will handle Lock Group¡¯s contribution.¡±
After lowering the mic, Finn grabbed Tess¡® hand.
Zane, just back from sending Nadine to the ambnce, caught sight of that and twitched his lips in disbelief.
Ignoring the reactions from the audience below, Finn led Tess away without exining a thing.
The guests stared in shock as the two walked off, then turned their curious eyes toward Connor.
He clenched his fists so tightly that veins stood out. But he stayed calm, as if it didn¡¯t bother him that his femalepanion was taken away in front of everyone.
Those who knew him well, though, could see the tension in his jaw.
His locked on Tess, who looked a little stunned but didn¡¯t pull away from Finn¡¯s grip.
gaze
Connor¡¯s fingers dug into his palms as he fought the urge to follow.
ncing at the confused guests, he forced himself to focus on the situation and smooth his expression into a polite, distant smile. ¡°Tess is indeed Selina. This charity g was meant to clear up the rumors about her identity. This is Cavrielle¡¯s and my official stance.¡±
With Tess gone, his warmth faded. He still smiled lightly, but there was a cold authority in his voice.
His words pulled the tension right back, every eye snapping to him in stunned silence.
As the CEO of Cavrielle, Connor had thrown a charity auction just to defend Tess!
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Chapter 215 Gossips
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The crowd¡¯s disbelief was obvious, but Connor didn¡¯t linger. Like Finn, he passed the rest to his assistant and walked off.
By the time he vanished around the corner, the hall was buzzing again.
¡°Wait, I thought Tess and Mr. Lock were over? Why¡¯s he suddenly digging into that case from a year ago? Wasn¡¯t he the one who sent her to prison back then?¡±
Naturally, their first topic was the state of Tess and Finn¡¯s rtionship.
Whispers flew around the room, but no one dared speak too loudly.
Zane was still nearby, and if word of any gossip reached him, they could end up like Emma.
A few eyes darted to the spot Emma had been earlier. The Lamberts had already sent people to quietly and forcefully take her away.
Though they tried to hide it, the people around them could notice their dark expressions. That alone was enough to warn the crowd¨Cbadmouthing Tess was a quick ticket to trouble. Their gazes wavered, unsure of what to say next. Soon, the talk turned to Nadine.
¡°Didn¡¯t they say Mr. Lock was crazy about her? Some even imed he was gonna rece Tess with her. Then why didn¡¯t he even look at her when she fainted?¡±
The few people gossiping exchanged nces, each silently agreeing that something had definitely changed.
By the end of the night, the donation segment felt more like a formality than an actual event. Meanwhile, Finn and Tess had already arrived at the gates of Evermount Vi.
Oddly, she wasn¡¯t mad about him dragging her out of the g. Instead, her eyes shifted with emotions that were hard to define.
When they stepped into the living room, Finn tossed his suit jacket over the back of the couch and loosened his tie, every movement dripping withzy confidence.
Tess didn¡¯t head upstairs like usual. She stayed put, frowning at him.
That was when it hit her that she couldn¡¯t figure him out anymore.
He was thest person she¡¯d ever expect to bring up her past.
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Chapter 215 Gossips
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978
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So why was he the one who suddenly announced at the g that he would reopen her case from a year ago?
Or maybe the real question was¡ when had he started believing her?
Finn never overlooked her stare. He rubbed his temples and spoke first, ¡°What is it?¡±
His voice was low and steady.
¡°What did you mean by your words at the g?¡± Tess asked bluntly.
gaze aside. His He froze for a beat, hand halfway through messing up his hair, then shifted his face stayed cold. ¡°With the media and so many people watching, you¡¯re still my wife. That titlees with dignity¨Cyou should keep it.¡±
His words came out casual, like he was tossing scraps to a small animal¨Carrogant and without
mercy.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 216
Chapter 216 I Don¡¯t Need You
Chapter 216 I Don¡¯t Need You
Tess¡® eyes grew colder, and she nced away.
She didn¡¯t notice the brief, unreadable look in Finn¡¯s eyes before it vanished.
B
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He tilted his head, showing a faint smirk. ¡°You don¡¯t think I believe you¡¯re innocent, do you?¡±
His flippant words hit harder than a p.
Her face went pale. She let out a coldugh, biting her lip. ¡°The mighty Mr. Lock sure knows how to make things final.¡±
Her voice dripped with sarcasm, but the bitterness beneath it was real.
She¡¯d been foolish to ever think Finn might truly understand her or believe her.
¡°Tess, what¡¯s the point of throwing jabs at me?¡±
Finn squinted slightly, sharp and merciless. ¡°You¡¯ll always be an ex¨Ccon. I¡¯m the only one willing to ept you as you are. Steven? Connor? Neither of them would put up with a woman who¡¯s been to prison.¡±
He stood abruptly and grabbed her wrist.
She flinched at the touch, a tremor running through her.
¡°Get your hands off me! ept me? Put up with me?¡±
She yanked herself free, her gaze zing. The whites of her eyes were streaked with red.
Sheughed like thest breathtaking glow of twilight before the world ended. She was filled with both despair and unyielding strength. ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone¡¯s eptance. Not yours either, Finn Lock!¡±
She spat out his full name like a challenge.
For a second, he looked taken aback, his eyes flickering.
Then, Tess turned and walked away, her white dress fading into the night.
Only the fiery edge of the fabric seemed alive, pulsing with defiance.
Finn¡¯s throat tightened as he watched her leave angrily. His hand slowly curled into a fist.
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Chapter 216 I Don¡¯t Need You
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A memory of her devastated face from a year ago shed through his mind, along with the drizzle from that day.
Just then, he received Zane¡¯s call.
¡°Mr. Lock, Ms. Nadine just woke up. Also, should I go ahead and reopen Mrs. Lock¡¯s case fromst year? Do you need-¡±
At Nadine¡¯s name, Finn frowned. And when Zane finished speaking, his expression went hard as ice.
He squinted, feeling uneasy.
The way Tess had been actingtely made the whole case from a year ago feel a lot less clear-
cut.
He wasn¡¯t truly convinced she was guilty¨Cnot all the way, at least.
Finn swallowed, forcing his heartbeat to slow, his hands curling into fists.
That uncertain possibility was even more unsettling than facing Tess¡® fury.
If he had truly wronged Tess a year ago¡
Finn didn¡¯t dare to think further.
He eased back until the couch cushions caught him. He¡¯d done his share of digging into her past, but most of it had been scrubbed clean. Still, he¡¯d gotten enough glimpses to know prison hadn¡¯t been easy. People treated her like she was nothing, like someone to push around.
A cold, uneasy feeling settled in his chest.
If Tess hadn¡¯t stolen thosepany secrets, then he wasn¡¯t just mistaken¨Che¡¯d been the one to send her to prison.
¡°Mr. Lock? Mr. Lock?¡±
The long silence had Zane wondering if the call had dropped, but the line was still open. Nadine¡¯s broken sobs faintly carried through.
¡°No.¡±
Finn¡¯s grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles went pale.
Chapter 216 I Don¡¯t Need You
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He pursed his lips, as though he¡¯d made up his mind. ¡°There¡¯s no need to reopen the case.¡±
Zane sounded thrown off, like he wasn¡¯t sure he¡¯d heard right.
Finn¡¯s tone went even colder. ¡°It¡¯s just for show to keep the press quiet. There¡¯s no truth to uncover. A mistake stays a mistake.¡±
His tone was firm, carrying a hint of detachment.
Zane frowned, sensing something wasn¡¯t right. But as Finn¡¯s subordinate, he had no choice but to follow orders.
After hanging up, Finn sank back into the couch, his back pressing into the cushions. In a heavy mood, his eyes were shadowed in the dim room.
He paused, staring at Tess¡® closed door. The inner conflict in his chest slowly gave way.
Everything from the past was done. Even if he uncovered the truth, he couldn¡¯t turn back time.
He rubbed his knuckles over and over, tightening his grip.
Maybe it was better to just make things right with Tess now. No matter what had happened a year ago, she was still his wife, and she deserved more respect than anyone else.
Meanwhile, Tess locked herself in her room, smiling mockingly, though the sadness behind her eyes was unmistakable.
She actually still hoped Finn might care enough to dig into the past.
How could she have been so naive?
9:47 Wed, Oct 8
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 217 She¡¯s My Child
Chapter 217 She¡¯s My Child
Tess knew better than anyone how heartless he could be toward her.
She pressed a hand to her chest, almost pping herself to snap out of it.
That tiny flicker of hope from before had dug into her heart like a thorn.
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Ever since she got out of prison, she¡¯d reminded herself not to get her hopes up about anyone. But now, seeing the smallest change in Finn had made her revert to that naive, hopeful version of herself.
Tess gritted her teeth and punched her chest, punishing herself for even thinking that way.
¡°Wahhhh-¡±
La suddenly cried from the bed.
Tess¡® heart clenched, and she hurried to pick her up. Immediately, La stopped fussing and looked up with wide, pitiful eyes.
Tess realized she¡¯d probably scared La and softened her voice. ¡°Good girl, La ¡ ¡±
But unlike before, when a bit of coaxing worked, La still looked upset, reaching her little hands toward Tess as if trying tofort her.
Tess froze, her nose tingling.
For so long, she¡¯d beenpletely alone in Aetheris, carrying everything on her own. But now, she had La. Her restless heart finally felt anchored.
She hugged her daughter close, letting La¡¯s unique scent calm her racing thoughts.
Feeling her mother¡¯s calm, La finally smiled.
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Connor replied quickly, ¡°It¡¯s my duty. You¡¯re one of Cavrielle¡¯s top designers. We always take care of our own.¡±
Tess let out a rxed smile, relieved.
Thinking back on the g, she typed back, ¡°I should thank you properly. How about I treat you to a meal tomorrow? Please allow me the honor.¡±
¡°My pleasure.¡±
The next day, Tess wore afortable, simple white dress. She didn¡¯t leave La with the nanny at Evermount Vi as usual. Today, she kept her daughter by her side.
Yesterday¡¯s g would surely be all over the inte, and today would be full of chatter. Bringing La was also her way of fighting back against the media¡¯s rumors about her. Who her father was didn¡¯t matter; what mattered was that La was her child.
Tess headed straight to the restaurant with La.
It was a delicate Crorusese pastry shop. Arriving early, they ran into the breakfast rush.
Connor was already there, wearing a crisp white suit. Even with a few streaks of white in his hair, he still drew attention with his upright posture and handsome face.
Passersby couldn¡¯t help sneaking nces, wondering who would be honored enough to have him wait on them.
Soon, Tess appeared.
As a young woman, she exuded aposed presence, like a calm, motionless sea.
The crowd quickly looked away, some faces flickering with a mix of awe and regret.
¡°Hello, Tess,¡± Connor said with a smile. His gaze swept over La, but he didn¡¯t ask anything right away.
Instead, he handed Tess a ss of in buttermilk and a te of matcha pastries. ¡°I heard these are the specialties here. Give them a try.¡±
Tess felt a bit embarrassed.
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It was a breakfast ce with a strong Crorusese style. She¡¯d overlooked whether Connor, being mixed¨Crace and possibly more foreign, would be used to it.
¡°Is this okay for you?¡± she asked, apologetic. She¡¯d just wanted to treat him to local specialties.
Connor caught her dilemma. ¡°Of course. I¡¯m half Crorusese and these aremon at home. My brother is super picky, so we always have a professional Crorusese chef anyway.¡±
Tess nodded, relieved.
Then, Connor turned his attention to the child in her arms. ¡°She is ¡
Tess was a bit embarrassed. ¡°She¡¯s my child. I didn¡¯t want to leave her alone at home, so I brought her. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±
He froze, staring up at Tess, clearly caught off guard.
Her child?
Beforeing here, he¡¯d already looked into her background, knew about her struggles with Lock Group and Finn, and had an idea of her broken marriage.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 218 Marry Me
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At first, Connor had only intended to protect his interests, supporting this rising star designer who seemed like a walking cash flow. But after actually spending time with Tess, he had to admit he was drawn to her, maybe even a little under her spell.
His longshes hid the flicker of emotion in his eyes.
Tess, on the other hand, was uneasy.
Bringing La without warning had been bold. After all, not everyone liked kids, and it could be seen as impolite.
She lowered her gaze, about to apologize, but Connor interrupted.
¡°Ms. Ember, may I ask about your current marital status?¡±
Tess froze, looking up to meet his eyes.
He had a few more wrinkles at the corners, but his gaze was still clear and bright, showing no signs of fatigue.
She sensed no impatience. And somehow, she even glimpsed a hint of surprise.
Tess shook her head internally, thinking she must be imagining things.
She responded softly, ¡°I¡¯m nning a divorce, but I haven¡¯t set a date yet.¡±
Connor nodded, his eyes immediately drifting to La, gazing at her chubby little face with pure adoration.
At 40, he couldn¡¯t have kids because of his health, but he had always loved children.
The moment he found out Tess had one, a rush of joy hit him, mixed with a sudden, impulsive urge.
He wanted to marry this smart, charming woman.
Connor couldn¡¯t hide his feelings. He reached for La and looked at Tess, silently asking, ¡°Can I hold her?¡±
Tess naturally handed La over.
La behaved well, letting him hold her without fuss.
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Chapter 218 Marry Me
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She even snuggled into his arms, curiously staring up at him, almost melting his heart. She felt soft and warm, just like a big plush toy.
Connor¡¯s admiration was obvious, though his movements were a little awkward since it was hist first time holding a child. He made sure she was safe, gripping her securely.
Tess couldn¡¯t helpughing at this usuallyposed, business¨Csavvy man getting flustered by a child. At the same time, the scene warmed her heart.
Connor quickly adjusted, holding La morefortably. She seemed to like him too, giggling as he gently rocked her.
She even greeted him in her childlike way, swaying her head from side to side adorably.
Her round, chubby head, capped with a pink hat for the season, made her look even cuter.
Her bright, clear little voice sounded like bells, filling Connor with affection.
He suddenly looked up, his tone serious and a little impulsive. ¡°Ms. Ember, I hope this isn¡¯t too forward, but I need to say it.¡±
Tess was caught off guard by his sudden seriousness, quickly motioning for him to
go ahead.
Connor nodded. ¡°Ms. Ember, I want to marry you.
¡°Marry me, and I¡¯ll give you everything I¡¯ve got¨Cfame, power, money¨Cyou can choose whatever you want.¡±
Her eyes went wide. She waspletely shocked as she stared at him, trying to figure out if he was joking.
Seeing her hesitation, Connor shook his head firmly. ¡°I¡¯m not joking. I mean it.¡±
Her cheeks flushed, and she felt a little confused.
Finn¡¯s words from yesterday came to mind. If she couldn¡¯t clear the past year¡¯s
misunderstandings, she¡¯d always carry the stigma of being an ex¨Ccon, and now she also had a child to think about.
Connor didn¡¯t hide the truth either. He admitted he couldn¡¯t have kids, then nced down at La in his arms. ¡°I truly liked La from the moment I saw her.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t help but smile a bit.
She had never imagined her first marriage proposal would be because someone loved her
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child.
Connor¡¯s eyes flickered, yet he remained silent.
Of course, it wasn¡¯t just about La.
He wasn¡¯t one of those men from Crorus who married only because of a child.
Tess captivated him¨Cfragile yet strong, full of ideas, and extremely talented.
Her designs had impressed him from the very beginning.
He didn¡¯t exin more, not wanting to overwhelm her.
¡°This is sudden, and I probably won¡¯t be able to finalize my divorce anytime soon,¡± Tess said, letting her cheeks cool as she politely declined.
Connor didn¡¯t show disappointment. Instead, he smiled warmly. ¡°Then just think about me after your divorce.¡±
He raised his ss of orange juice for a toast.
Even with his mixed heritage, he still wasn¡¯t quite used to in buttermilk.
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Chapter 219 Stay Away From Her
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 219 Stay Away From Her
Tess just smiled, saying nothing definite.
Someone sharp¨Ceyed captured the scene.
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Rumors about Tess had been raging online, and yesterday¡¯s g hadpletely shut down the gossip. With Connor defending her and Finn speaking up, her reputation had instantly done a full turnaround.
Once the controversies over counterfeit brands and Selina¡¯s identity were cleared, the inte quieted for a while.
But there were always a few who wanted drama, especially after a sneaky photo appeared online.
Netizens couldn¡¯t resist.
¡°Isn¡¯t that Mr. Hale? Tess is out with a child and having breakfast with him?¡±
¡°Hey, remember how a while back, Tess wasn¡¯t just wrapped up in the whole fake¨Cbrand and false¨Cidentity drama? There was also that mysterious kid. Rumor has it that someone powerful swept everything under the rug. They deleted all trending posts and pics. Not a single trace of the child remained.¡±
¡°Could that kid belong to Mr. Hale? Maybe Tess has been involved with him for why he crossed countries to back her ¡
¡±
ages. That¡¯s
Meanwhile,izens kept buzzing online, while Tess strolled down the street, chatting andughing with Connor.
Connor held La, iming it was just to spare Tess some trouble. But in reality, he adored the little girl and probably wished he could just pocket her and take her home.
Tess noticed but didn¡¯t say a word, letting him have his moment.
They wandered casually, stopping now and then at shops. Tess introduced Connor to local Aetheris treats and artsy crafts.
At the end of the street, a ck Bugatti Veyron red at them from across the road, its lights shing like it was sizing her up.
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Chapter 219 Stay Away From Her
Tess felt annoyed, ready to walk past, but the car moved forward and blocked her way.
It seemed quite relentless.
That was when she realized it wasing for her.
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As she frowned and studied it carefully, the car window rolled down, revealing a tense, cold face inside. His chilly gaze flicked briefly to Connor, who was holding La.
Finn looked grim as ever.
The car door swung open.
His long, straight legs appeared first, then a tall figure stepped out, casting a shadow that made the air feel heavier.
Tess, who had just been chatting with Connor, instantly went cold.
Finn showing up here was clearly not wee.
Connor stayed calm as always. He gave a polite, gentle smile. ¡°What a coincidence, Mr. Lock.¡±
Finn tantly ignored Connor¡¯s greeting. His scorching gaze locked on Tess, only flicking briefly to La in her arms.
She brings La out, too?
¡°Not really,¡± Finn said, snorting. He sounded annoyed.
Connor, expecting Finn¡¯s attitude, just raised an eyebrow.
Tess frowned deeply. ¡°What do you want?¡±
Finn¡¯s face shifted slightly but stayed grim. ¡°Remember your ce. Come home with me.¡±
Even Connor had to admit Finn¡¯s tone was harsh.
¡°Mr. Lock, Ms. Ember just invited me politely to thank me for yesterday¡¯s help. Does this need interference?¡± Connor asked, slightly confused.
Finn looked up, eyes still locked on Tess. ¡°The Embers sent someone. Are you sure you won¡¯t leave?¡±
Thement caught her off guard. Tess kept her cool, but her fingers twitched.
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Chapter 219 Stay Away From Her
She finally stared at Finn, her gloomy eyes studying the truth behind his words.
His stare was sharp and direct.
Her grip on La tightened.
Perhaps it was true.
Why would the Embers send someone? Something was off.
Who wasing? And why?
A flood of questions raced through her mind.
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Tess couldn¡¯t waste more time thinking. Grimly, she hailed a cab back to Evermount Vi.
She gave Connor a small, apologetic smile. The sparkle in her eyes had dimmed.
He felt a tug at his heart. Though he regretted it, he didn¡¯t try to stop her. Instead, he smiled gentlemanly and said they could continueter.
Finn scoffed when he heard that.
When Tess climbed into the cab and left, his expression darkened even more.
Tess departed first with the child. Finn stayed behind, staring coldly at Connor. Connor met Finn¡¯s malice with a polite smile, though his eyes were distant.
¡°Stay away from her,¡± Finn said coldly, like a shadow crawling out of hell.
Connor lightly smiled, calm and confident. ¡°Ms. Ember is amazing. Anyone would be drawn to her. But I know thew and morals. I¡¯ll get her consent after you two are divorced.¡±
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Chapter 220 Let¡¯s Divorce
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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After saying that, Connor excused himself, walking off with the doll and perfume Tess had bought.
¡°Divorce? Don¡¯t even think about it,¡± Finn said, his voice icy.
Connor paused for a moment when he heard Finn, but he just shrugged it off and kept going.
Once Finn faded from sight, Connor pulled out his phone and called Marc. ¡°Marc, do you know her?¡±
The question caught Marc off guard. He blinked a few times before realizing Connor meant Tess.
¡°Oh, we¡¯re pretty close!¡± Marc said, trying to sound confident, though he hesitated when it came to actually knowing her.
Connor didn¡¯t ask more. He just suggested Marc fly to Aetheris if he wasn¡¯t busy.
Marc was left confused. Was that truly Connor¨Cthe guy who always put business first?
He could only wail over the phone after Connor hung up.
Meanwhile, back at Evermount Vi, Tess had already put La to bed. She sat on the couch, her face tight with resentment, ready to confront Finn.
¡°Where are the Embers?¡± she demanded sharply.
She couldn¡¯t believe Finn had used such a flimsy excuse. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
¡°Forget the Embers. If I let you and Connor flirt in public, you¡¯d probably be filing a marriage certificate in minutes.¡±
Finn scoffed, his eyes full of mockery and displeasure.
Tess snapped back without hesitation, ¡°We can do that. But let¡¯s sign the divorce papers first, so I don¡¯t get used of bigamy.¡±
She then turned around, heading for her room to grab the divorce papers.
Finn¡¯s eyes went cold, and he grabbed her wrist tightly. ¡°Tess, are you trying to piss me off?¡±
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Chapter 220 Let¡¯s Divorce
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His words came out between clenched teeth, full of obsession and resentment.
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Tess stared up at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one forcing me? We don¡¯t have any feelings for each other. Why drag this out? Let¡¯s get a divorce. It¡¯s better for both of us.¡±
Her cheeks were tense as she tried to pull free from his grip.
Something snapped in Finn at that moment.
No feelings? How could she say that? He knew how much she had once loved him!
Finn¡¯s chest heaved sharply. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
His cold breath hit her neck, making Tess freeze.
¡°I disagree!¡± He growled with clenched teeth, pure anger in his voice.
Tess sensed trouble. But before she could react, Finn had already lifted her horizontally.
Her body swung into the air.
Tess¡® eyes went wide as she struggled. ¡°Finn! Are you crazy?!¡±
Finn stayedpletely cold, like a statue, carrying her away.
She recognized that he was carrying her to his bedroom.
Cursing silently, she kicked and twisted even harder. ¡°Let me go! If you don¡¯t, I swear I¡¯ll hate you forever!¡±
Tess could only force out those sharp words. Atst, Finn¡¯s eyes flicked to hers.
She froze.
His eyes held a proud yet icy emptiness, like a vengeful spirit stripped of its soul.
A dark, obsessive smirk crossed his face. ¡°Then hate me.¡±
Bang! The door mmed behind them.
Tess, still dazed, barely had time to react before Finn flung her onto the bed.
Veins bulging, he yanked at his tie.
Snapping fully awake, she struggled wildly. ¡°Finn, you maniac! Don¡¯t you dare touch me! I
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Chapter 220 Let¡¯s Divorce
won¡¯t forgive you¨CMmm!¡±
Her words were cut off as his lips crushed hers.
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Tess¡® eyes, already wide, widened even more in fear as she stared at the man pressing himself against her, his eyes shut tight.
¡°Finn¡
Mmm¡
He held her hands firmly above her head.
She feltpletely exposed, like a fish out of water, shame washing over her.
Finn didn¡¯t open his eyes, leaving it unclear whether he was lost in the moment or purposely avoiding seeing her difort.
He pried her teeth apart and forced their tongues together.
The kiss was intense. His breathing grew heavier, more ragged.
Tess felt like she could barely breathe. Her vision blurred from theck of air.
Just when she expected him to keep going, he pulled back.
His warm breath brushed her neck, and his husky voice, full of desire, murmured, ¡°Hate me¡ Better not let me go forever.¡±
He let out a low chuckle. There was no triumph in it, only a deep, sad resonance.
Tess frowned, and then she stiffened.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 221 Doubts
Chapter 221 Doubts
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Finn¡¯s lips, once cold, now burned on her skin. They brushed her neck, trailing lower, lingering
as if he wanted to taste every inch and never stop.
His mouth moved while his hand tugged at her clothes.
¡°No!¡±
Tess gasped and kicked as hard as she could, trying to push him away.
But he was too strong. Finn pinned her harder, his knees trapping her legs beneath his weight.
The sharp sound of tearing cloth filled the air.
A rush of cold swept over her chest, and her scream broke through the silence.
Why is he doing this to me?
Her bare shoulders trembled under his grip. She tried to cover herself, but his hands locked her in ce.
She wanted to break free, but his body crushed every attempt.
Her strength drained away. Helplessness swelled inside her like dark water closing over her head.
Her lungs felt heavy, her mind sinking under the weight of dread.
Finn¡¯s lips moved toward her chest, then suddenly stopped.
He tilted his head, his expression twitching like something had broken his focus. The dampness on her skin caught his attention.
She¡¯s crying.
His eyes opened fully, and the sight hit him like a de.
Her hair was tangled, her skin pale and blotched. Two lines of tears clung to her cheeks.
The shredded fabric barely covered her stomach and privates, leaving too much of her skin exposed.
His brow tightened, and a memory from a reckless night a year ago surged into his mind.
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Chapter 221 Doubts
He let go of her wrists.
Tess¡¯s eyes hardened. She shoved him with every bit of strength she had.
The sudden motion made the torn clothes slip even lower, baring her even more.
She snatched the nket, wrapped herself tight, and red at him with pure hatred.
¡°I¡ ¡±
Finn¡¯s mouth moved, but no sound came. His throat felt locked shut.
His gaze fixed on her face, the only part of her not hidden under the nket.
The color in her cheeks was gone, reced with a cold, lifeless stillness.
¡°I will never forgive you for this, Finn.¡±
Tess let out a bitterugh.
Something in her hopeless expression shook him.
Panic rose in his chest.
He reached for her hand, but she pped him hard before he could touch her.
The sharp crack cut through the quiet.
He looked at his hand, now hanging uselessly at his side.
The warmth from her skin was gone.
A hollow ache spread inside him like something vital had been ripped away.
When he looked at her again, the anger in his eyes had faded into heavy loss.
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He stared at her like he¡¯d forgotten how to breathe. She met his gaze with nothing but hatred, as if staring at an enemy.
Another sharp twist tore through his chest.
Finn¡¯s body shook faintly.
He forced himself to stand. His height still loomed over her, but he looked strangely small.
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Chapter 221 Doubts
Tess didn¡¯t look away, her eyes sharp and guarded.
¡°Get some rest.¡±
His voice was hoarse, and he didn¡¯t look at her again as he headed for the door.
Relief almost slipped from her lips.
But he stopped, and her chest tightened all over again.
¡°The Embers have arrived in Aetheris,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I wasn¡¯t lying to you.¡±
He stepped out and shut the door.
Tess was alone atst.
Finn¡¯s presence still lingered, but the heavy air in the room thinned.
Tess¡® body went limp. She copsed onto the soft mattress and sank into the pillow.
She clutched the nket over her chest as she stared nkly at the ceiling.
Her mind didn¡¯t dwell on the Embers. She didn¡¯t relive what had just happened.
She let her thoughts drift away, empty, like a boat floating far from shore.
Her mind returned after what felt like an eternity.
It was quiet outside. She wondered if Finn was still in the vi.
It wasn¡¯t even his day off¨Che should have been at the office.
The thought pulled her brows together. Something didn¡¯t fit.
He hade here just to confront her. But how had he known where she was?
The answer was noting to her just yet, so she pushed it aside and focused on the Embers.
With Nadine in the hospital, a visit from the Embers was expected.
But they wouldn¡¯t just stop at the visit. They¡¯d make sure toe after her too.
And Nadine¡¯s hospitalization ¡
Tess narrowed her eyes.
+5 Fine Coing
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Chapter 221 Doubts
The photo Nadine had shown back at the banquet was Tess¡® design. But Tess¡® studio was private. Tess wondered how Nadine got her hands on her work.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 222 Exploding Mind
Chapter 222 Exploding Mind
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A storm of questions crashed through her mind, pounding until it felt like her skull would split.
Something flickered in her memory, but it slipped away before she could catch it.
Tess rubbed her temples, stood up, and grabbed the thin nket from Finn¡¯s bed. She wrapped it around herself and made her way to her own room.
She walked through the living room and the study, but not a sound came from either room.
She figured Finn had already left for work, and the tightness in her chest eased just a bit.
When she opened her bedroom door, she saw La already awake. Tess didn¡¯t know when the girl had gotten up, but she was sitting quietly without a single tear or fuss.
The moment La spotted her, she broke into a huge smile.
Tess felt her restless heart finally steadying down.
She quickly changed into fresh clothes, then scooped La up into her arms.
La pped her hands and babbled with joy.
Their warm momentsted only a short while before a burst of noise shattered it.
Someone was pounding on the front door, and angry mutters came between the knocks.
Tess frowned. She was wondering who it might be, and she went to open the door.
The moment she turned the knob, the door was shoved open from the other side.
¡°What took you so long?
¡°You¡¯re sitting around acting like you own the ce so much that you can¡¯t even open a door without making a show of it?¡±
Tess had to make a hasty retreat just to escape the foul breath that came with the words. She looked up, her irritation growing, and her chest tightened when she recognized them.
Kylie stood there with the same hard, tight¨Clipped expression as always, and next to her was her sister, Heidi Larson, whose face was set in open hostility.
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Chapter 222 Exploding Mind
:
A
By family ties, Tess should have called Marlene her aunt, but she¡¯d made it clear at her grandmother¡¯s memorial¨Cshe wanted nothing to do with the Embers.
Her expression turned cold, sharp enough to shut people out.
¡°Get out.¡±
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Heidi¡¯s smug look wavered, and her eyes went wide. ¡°You can¡¯t talk to me like that, Tess!¡±
Kylie jumped in. ¡°You¡¯re not even showing Heidi a shred of respect now? You¡¯ve really grown some nerve, haven¡¯t you?¡±
Tess let out a sharpugh, holding La and putting space between herself and the two women. ¡°I haven¡¯t been an Ember for a long time. You¡¯re no aunt of mine.
¡°And one more thing.¡±
She lifted her chin, her gaze like ss. ¡°This is Evermount Vi. You don¡¯t belong here.¡± The force of her presence made Heidi flinch, and she shot Kylie a quick look.
This was not the same daughter who took every insult and humiliation as they came.
¡°Not an Ember? That¡¯s not your call to make. As long as you carry our name, you¡¯re one of ours! You¡¯re ours tomand!¡± Kylie snapped, her brows lifting as her voice rose.
She reached for Tess¡¯s arm.
¡°Apologize to your aunt. We gave you years in Aetheris, let you live like ady, and now you¡¯ve thrown your manners in the trash.
¡°You have no ss at all! I can¡¯t tell anyone you¡¯re my daughter! I¡¯d be mortified!¡±
Tess stepped back fast, the disgust in her eyes cutting deep. ¡°Of course I¡¯m not your daughter. My mother died the moment I went to prison. You think you¡¯re the only one who¡¯d be embarrassed? Please, I¡¯d rather tell everyone I¡¯m an orphan. I¡¯d rather die than get caught having any ties to you. You disgust me.
¡°And here¡¯s something else. If you don¡¯t walk out now, I¡¯m calling security. When they start dragging you out like a couple of strays, let¡¯s see if you can hold your head up high. I think it serves as an excellent test of character.¡±
Her cold smile twisted into a smirk.
Her words made both Kylie and Heidi flush with rage, but they didn¡¯t move closer.
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Chapter 222 Exploding Mind
Part of it was the sting of humiliation.
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The other part was their so¨Ccalled pride. Even though the Embers had lost their old standing and were desperate totch onto the Locks, Kylie and Heidi still clung to pride like it mattered more than their lives.
Kylie¡¯s re sharpened. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten bold. You think you can threaten me now?¡±
Tess stared back, too uninterested to speak.
Kylie¡¯s voice shook with anger, but she forced it steady. ¡°I¡¯m here because of Nadine. She¡¯s in the hospital because of you. I talked to her on the phone, and you haven¡¯t even gone to see her. How do you even sleep at night? You¡¯re her sister!¡±
By the end, the faint wrinkles around her eyes deepened with the heat in her face.
¡°Because of me?¡±
Tess sounded like she¡¯d just heard a bad joke. Her lips curled into a smile, but her eyes stayed ice cold.
Heidi shivered, nudging Kylie¡¯s arm.
Kylie hadn¡¯t expected that reaction, and her brows pulled tight. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±
¡°Your awfully limited intelligence. How you throw yourself at your perceived enemy just because someone fed you lies. And to double the hrity, your ignorance is great seasoning for the meal. You came all the way here to demand answers from me as if you¡¯d already decided I was at fault before you bothered asking around.¡±
Her smile vanished, and her presence hit like a wall.
Without another word, she pulled out her phone and called the gatehouse. ¡°Why¡¯d you let these two in? Get over here and take them out.¡±
Felix was on duty that day. The second he heard her voice, he agreed without hesitation and ran straight toward the main building.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 223
Chapter 223 Felix Arrives
Chapter 223 Felix Arrives
It was the first time he had ever heard Tess this furious.
The thought made him hurry.
As he reached the street, a taxi rolled to a stop at the gate.
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She nced at the unfamiliar guard, gave a smooth exnation about knowing the owner, and walked in without resistance.
When Felix reached the doorway, he spotted a hand raised high¨Cready to strike Tess¡® pale cheek.
His eyes widened. He surged forward to block it.
But Tess moved faster. She caught Kylie¡¯s wrist with a sharp, unshakable grip.
A year behind bars had strengthened her hands more than anyone expected.
Kylie¡¯s hand stopped midair. It trembled, yet she refused to lower it. She red at Tess. ¡°How dare you resist me!¡±
Felix stumbled up, breathless and sweating, stepping between them. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I only let you in because you said you were Mrs. Lock¡¯s mother. And you¡¯re trying to hit her?¡±
Kylie burned with embarrassment. First Tess had stopped her. Now a security guard was talking back.
¡°And who do you think you are? You¡¯re nothing but a guard dog! Do not take that attitude with me!¡±
Felix¡¯s face tightened, but he stayed silent. He nted himself in front of Tess, ready in case Kylie tried again.
¡°Next time, make sure they¡¯re stopped dead in their tracks before they cane in.¡±
Tess shot Felix a sharp look.
His jaw clenched. ¡°If I¡¯d known what they¡¯d do, I wouldn¡¯t have just stopped them. I¡¯d have called the cops and had them both thrown out.¡±
Heidi¡¯s temper red. ¡°You damn guard. You think you can throw us out? Do you even know who you¡¯re messing with?¡±
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Chapter 223 Felix Arrives
¡°If you hurt Mrs. Lock, you¡¯ll pay for it. And forget about running away.¡±
Felix shoved his sleeve up, showing the hard muscle on his arm.
Kylie and Heidi froze. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? You gonna hit us?¡±
Their sudden hesitation made Felix smirk.
¡°What the hell is going on?¡±
The sultry voice sliced through the air.
Kylie and Heidi turned toward it like they had found backup. ¡°Nadine!¡±
¡°What are you doing here? You should be in the hospital!¡±
¡°Nadine! Your sister¡¯s letting the guard attack us. This is unbelievable!¡±
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Kylie fussed over her, and Heidi clung to her side. She wanted to use Nadine¡¯s influence to make Tess bow.
Nadine smiled faintly, her skin pale. ¡°I was worried, so I checked myself out early.¡±
She looked at Tess with open disapproval. ¡°How could you do this? It¡¯s Mom and Aunt Heidi, and you¡¯re letting Felix go after them. What if Finn hears about this?¡±
Felix blinked, ncing between Tess and the three women.
Is she sure she¡¯s Mrs. Lock¡¯s mother?
Feels more like she¡¯s their mortal enemy from the way they treat her.
Tess¡® expression stayed cold. She didn¡¯t even look at them.
¡°Felix, throw them out. All three of them.¡±
She waved her hand and walked toward the stairs with La in her arms.
Felix didn¡¯t get the story, but his¨Cboss had given her orders. He opened the door and blocked the women. ¡°Please leave.¡±
Felix didn¡¯t get the story, but his boss had given her orders. He opened the door and blocked the women. ¡°Please leave.¡±
¡°Felix, think about what you¡¯re doing. My mom and aunt already spoke with Finn. They¡¯re
Chapter 223 Felix Arrives
guests here.¡±
Her sharp tone made him hesitate and nce at Tess.
Tess frowned slightly and started to answer when a voice came from outside.
¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Leave anyway.¡±
It was azy, deep voice with a streak of arrogance.
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Nadine and the others turned, annoyed at the interruption. But when they saw him, Kylie and Heidi froze like they were staring at a ghost. Nadine¡¯s eyes brightened, though her thoughts scattered.
Abel leaned on the doorway, his gaze drifting like slow clouds. Sunlight spilled behind him, washing over Tess.
The fact that he was echoing Tess¡® mild order was proof he was in a good mood. If it were up to him, he¡¯d have told Felix to grab these women by the cors and throw them out.
Felix stepped forward.
Though Tess¡® orders could be challenged, Abel¡¯s weren¡¯t. He was the heir to the estate.
Felix didn¡¯t wait. ¡°Ladies, please. Don¡¯t cause trouble.¡±
Kylie and Heidi, spoiled as they were, knew better than to push him. They traded a look and stayed quiet, turning to Nadine.
But Nadine wasn¡¯t calm. Her face went cold.
¡°Don¡¯t cause trouble?¡±
She repeated the words, frowning as she tapped on her phone.
When she was done, she red at Felix. ¡°If you touch my family, I¡¯ll make sure you regret it.¡±
The sweetness in her voice was gone. The mask had crackedpletely.
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Keepsake 224
Chapter 224 Following Orders.
Tess¡¯s smirk was cold, and her brows lifted in challenge as she looked straight at Felix.
Felix lunged forward without a word, his hand darting out to grab Tess.
But Heidi was faster.
She swatted his arm away with a sharp p, her nails raking across his skin.
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Felix sucked in a breath and pulled back. A jagged red scratch burned down his forearm.
¡°This is Evermount Vi, Nadine,¡± Tess said, her voice hard and steady. ¡°I don¡¯t care what Finn lets you get away with, but if you keep acting out, even he might not be able to shield you.¡±
Her words hit like a strike, and the air seemed to tighten around her.
Abel didn¡¯t rush to speak. The corner of his mouth curled with quiet amusement as he watched her take control without raising her voice. His eyes gleamed with approval.
Out of the corner of her eye, Nadine saw that look, and her jaw tightened until it hurt.
Abel might only be Finn¡¯s nephew, but he carried himself like someone used to being in charge. Even if he wasn¡¯t on Finn¡¯s level, he was still top¨Ctier. Seeing him side with Tess made Nadine¡¯s stomach twist, and her re grew darker.
¡°Tess, I am your sister. If you hadn¡¯t shoved me into the water, Mom and Aunt Heidi wouldn¡¯t have had toe all the way here. You can¡¯t give me that attitude, not when you¡¯re in the wrong.¡±
Tess turned and passed La to the nanny, who had rushed in to check on the noise. ¡°Take her inside,¡± she said quietly.
She didn¡¯t want her daughter to see what was about to happen.
The nanny was just stepping away when Heidi moved into her path.
She bent slightly, trying to peer at the baby¡¯s face. La scrunched her tiny nose, her lips turning down like she was about to cry. The girl did not like Heidi.
She stared at Heidi with the kind of stubborn defiance that seemed far too old for her age.
Heidi¡¯s smile faltered. She straightened and looked at Tess with a sneer. ¡°Tess, Evermount Vi still belongs to Mr. Lock. You¡¯re only his wife in name. Don¡¯t fool yourself into thinking you
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Chapter 224 Following Orders
actually run the ce.¡±
Her tone turned sharper.
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¡°And here¡¯s some elderly advice. Don¡¯t mistake my patience for weakness. You probably dragged this little bastard in from the du-¡±
The sharp crack of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the open space.
Heidi¡¯s head snapped to the side, her cheek stinging from Tess¡¯s sudden p.
¡°Tess!¡±
Heidi froze for a second, then clutched her face and let out a piercing scream. Her eyes burned red as she red at Tess like she wanted to tear her apart.
Tess stood still, her expression calm, but her chest rose and fell quickly.
¡°Get her out of here,¡± Tess ordered, her voice cutting through the air.
There was no warmth in her eyes this time. The only thing left was ferocity.
The nanny stiffened, cold sweat sliding down her spine, and hurried the baby away.
Abel pushed himself away from the wall, his rxed air gone.
The living room fell silent except for the faint steps of the nanny leaving and La¡¯s cheerful voice from down the hall.
¡°Bad! Bad!¡± She chirped again and again.
Heidi¡¯s face had turned a blotchy mix of blue and gray.
Nadine rushed to her side. The cheek was already swelling, hot, and bright red.
Heidi¡¯s knees wobbled like she might copse.
¡°Tess, that¡¯s too much!¡±
Nadine¡¯s tone was sharp, her face full of usation.
While all three women wore different expressions, Tess¡® was steady, her presence colder than before.
She leaned in until her eyes were level with Heidi¡¯s. Her voice was low, each word deliberate. ¡°If
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Chapter 224 Following Orders
+5 free Coin
you ever insult my daughter again, by the time I¡¯m done with you, you¡¯ll be begging me to let you go with nothing but a p.¡±
Heidi¡¯s lips trembled, but when she met Tess¡® unblinking gaze, her stomach sank. She knew Tess meant every word.
She shivered, and Nadine quickly stepped between them. ¡°I¡¯m not letting you threaten my aunt. I¡¯ve always thought you were distant toward Mom because you felt like I took some of her love from you. I¡¯ve felt guilty about that and tried to make up for it. But Aunt Heidi hasn¡¯t done anything to deserve this. Even if she was wrong, she¡¯s still your elder. You should be more forgiving.¡±
¡°Seriously, that just came out of your mouth? Fucking rich, Nadine. Do you even hear yourself?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t bother humoring her. She folded her arms and smiled faintly, like she¡¯d just heard a bad joke.
Nadine hadn¡¯t expected the bluntness. Her face drained of color, then flushed hot.
Tears welled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks. ¡°I just don¡¯t agree with how you treat your elders, but you twist it into thinking I have some hidden motive.¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 225
Chapter 225 Finn¡¯s Back
¡°Finn¡¡±
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Her voice broke as she spoke his name, tears glistening in her eyes as she looked toward the doorway.
That single word made Tess freeze for a heartbeat, but she quickly recovered her usualposure.
Kylie and Heidi also turned to face the door.
A man in a perfectly cut suit stepped in fast, his sharp features set in a tense expression.
Heidi felt the weight of his presence hit her, her pulse jumping nervously.
So that was the chill she¡¯d felt earlier. It figured¨Che was the wealthiest man in Aetheris, and it showed.
He must¡¯ve been there, watching them for some time.
Finn walked forward.
Tess¡® earlier frost toward the others was nothingpared to now. When she¡¯d spoken to them before, it had been sharp. Now, it was absolute zero. Her face was nk, and her eyes were still and dark like deep water.
¡°If you need to talk to your guests, take it somewhere else. As long as we¡¯re still married, I¡¯m not letting people I can¡¯t stand step foot inside Evermount Vi.¡±
The moment Finn stopped walking, Tess looked straight at him and threw the words at him like ice.
His body went rigid, his gaze every bit asplicated as hers.
Right now, Tess looked like a hedgehog with every quill raised.
Something in his chest tightened in a way he didn¡¯t expect.
He¡¯d actually been there for a while, long enough to see her p someone.
By logic, he should have called her out for disrespecting her elders. But the second he met her eyes, he found himself leaning toward her side, unable to speak a single word against her.
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Chapter 225 Finn¡¯s Back
Tess looked away and headed for the bedroom.
Inside, the nanny was still trying to soothe La, but something was wrong.
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La was normally easy to care for, and that job was always Tess¡® favorite part of living in Evermount Vi.
The baby was sweet, affectionate, and far too smart for her age. Sometimes she¡¯d hold onto Tess¡¯s finger, and that little face would fill Tess¡¯s heart with warmth.
But today, La wouldn¡¯t stop crying. She was restless, uneasy, and couldn¡¯t seem to settle down.
When Tess stepped in, the nanny¡¯s face was tight with worry.
¡°You can go now,¡± Tess said softly.
The frigid attitude she had earlier had softened considerably.
The nanny let out a quiet breath of relief and slipped out.
Once the door was shut, Tess still felt unsettled. She forced herself to hum gently while rocking the baby in her arms.
Her presence worked almost instantly.
They said a mother¡¯s voice could calm a child better than anything else. Sure enough, La¡¯s little whimpers faded until she was still.
Tess¡¯s heart melted.
She knew La had been trying to stand up for her earlier.
How could someone so tiny understand so much?
Her lips lifted in a faint smile, and the heaviness in her chest eased.
But the warmth in that room didn¡¯t reach the hallway, where the air was tense.
Heidi stepped up to Finn, showing him her swollen cheek. ¡°Mr. Lock, you¡¯ve got to back me up here! Tess has lost it. She actually pped me¨Cand I¡¯m her aunt! Nadine¡¯s in the hospital, so I came to check on her, and what does Tess do? She hits me and then has security throw me and her mother out!¡±
Finn¡¯s cold eyes flicked to the red mark on her cheek, then moved to Kylie. He gave her a small
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Chapter 225 Finn¡¯s Back
nod. ¡°Mrs. Ember.¡±
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Kylie nodded back. ¡°Finn, Tess went too far. That temper of hers¡ Really sorry if she¡¯s caused you any trouble. You¡¯re her husband. If she steps out of line, lecture her about it. She needs to be set straight.¡±
Finn¡¯s brows pulled together, but he didn¡¯t answer.
Abel, standing nearby, stared at her in disbelief.
She calls herself a mother? Yet she just told her son¨Cin¨Cto abuse her own child?
A spark of fury lit in his chest.
¡°Oi, you¡¯re not the victim here! That hag called La a bastard, and you said nothing about it! Tess did nothing wrong!¡±
His palm smacked against the table with a sharp crack.
The roguish ease in his handsome face was gone, reced by something cold and dangerous. Kylie and Heidi flinched, then shot him a re. ¡°The adults are talking here. Shut up, child.¡± But the second the words left their mouths, regret flickered across their faces.
Even if he wasn¡¯t on Finn¡¯s level in status, a man who could walk freely into Evermount Vi clearly had some kind of connection.
They both nced at Finn.
His expression had turned to ice. ¡°You called La a bastard?¡±
His voice was low and cold, carrying a dangerous edge.
Kylie and Heidi trembled. They looked at each other before Kylie forced out, ¡°Heidi¡¯s a spoiled girl, so she never thinks before she speaks. Please don¡¯t take it to heart, Mr. Lock. For Nadine¡¯s sake, spare her just this once.¡±
Coming from an old aristocratic family, she knew how to read the room.
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Keepsake 226
Chapter 226 Angry
She backed off immediately.
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Yet she still didn¡¯t get it. Tess¡® kid had been born out of wedlock, so the worst part of thement was just the bluntness. In reality, they had been trying to defend Finn.
¡°If you wish to spend more time with Nadine, my men can get you a ce near her apartment.¡±
Finn¡¯s brow creased. He didn¡¯t respond. He just switched to another topic.
It wasn¡¯t much different from an actual answer.
Nadine froze, staring at him like she couldn¡¯t believe what she¡¯d heard.
Tess had been terrible not just to her but to her elders, and she had even treated Finn with disrespect. So why wasn¡¯t he upset? Why would he throw them out over one rude remark from her aunt?
Kylie and Heidi clearly hadn¡¯t seen iting either.
Abel leaned against the wall again. This time, though, there was a faint smirk on his face, and his eyes stayed locked on the women with a sharp, dangerous edge.
Like a predator with a smile, there was a cold, deadly vibe about him.
The sudden tension made them nce toward the corner, then quickly avert their eyes.
How does he have that kind of intimidating aura?
Finn checked his watch, rubbed his temple, and started to leave. Before he went, he nced at Tess¡® closed bedroom door, then looked at Felix. ¡°If they want an apartment, you find one. Put it on Zane¡¯s ount.¡±
He walked away without another word.
What crushed Nadine even more was that during his entire visit, he hadn¡¯t looked at her more than three times.
The uneasy knot in her chest only tightened.
She was sure something had happened between Tess and Finn that she didn¡¯t know about. And even if they looked like sworn enemies now, she feared what might happen if that barrier
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Chapter 226 Angry
between them ever broke.
She didn¡¯t want to dwell on it.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
She bit down hard and motioned for Kylic and Heidi to follow.
Felix stepped forward to open the door. ¡°If you need anything, just call.¡±
He smiled toothily, but his eyes glinted with sly amusement.
Nadine¡¯s chest grew tighter.
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Her fists balled at her sides as she remembered waking up to the news that Finn had once told a banquet hall full of people he would investigate the events of a year ago to clear Tess¡® name.
He had started looking into it back then, but she¡¯d managed to dy him.
She had even used the extra time to destroy any rted files.
Her mind drifted as she walked, her steps light and unsteady, like she was moving through fog.
Heidi still looked like she wanted to stay, but Kylie nudged her along.
The living room finally went silent, and the air felt cleaner.
Abel¡¯s gaze lingered on Tess¡® door. His rxed look faded into something heavier.
He let out a quiet sigh.
The years had not treated her well.
His chest tightened with an emotion he finally recognized¨Cheartache.
He pressed a hand over his heart, feeling its heavy thud, and released a slow, deep breath.
It took a long moment before he finally turned and left without a sound.
Tess had no idea about the tension outside. She had just gotten La to sleep when a text from Steven appeared on her phone.
That was when she realized she hadn¡¯t heard from him since theyst met.
His message was short. ¡°Tess, I might need your help.¡±
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Chapter 226 Angry
The scene turns to the inside of a taxi.
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After reminding the nanny to change La¡¯s diapers and feed heron time, Tess headed out.
Steven¡¯s messages kepting, filling in the details.
¡°There¡¯s trouble at theb. I had to rush back to the main office overseas to deal with it, but there¡¯s still one major problem left unsolved.¡±
Now she understood why he was absent.
No wonder he hadn¡¯t been around¨Che¡¯d been buried in work abroad.
¡°Go ahead.¡±
She called him.
Steven¡¯s voice was calm and measured, the tone of a man used to thinking things through. ¡°It¡¯s amon problem. Our institute haspetitors, but I didn¡¯t think they¡¯d stoop to stealing our reports and data then releasing the results first.
¡°We¡¯ve been on this project for over six months, and it¡¯s been the institute¡¯s main focus. Yesterday, I finished improving the design at the main office, but now the most urgent step is taking them to court.¡±
His tone stayed even, but Tess caught the exhaustion underneath.
She frowned. ¡°You want me to be yourwyer?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
His answer was solid.
¡°Thepetitor¡¯s headquarters is in your country. We want to hold the trial there. And you¡¯re still the bestwyer in the country in my eyes.¡±
His voice carried genuine respect and trust.
But Tess hesitated.
A year ago, when she went to prison, she had lost her attorney license. She could no longer stand in court as thewyer she had once been so proud to be.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 227
Chapter 227 Suggestion
Chapter 227 Suggestion
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She told him the truth. There was a pause on the line before Steven finally said, ¡°Or¡ how about I hire another attorney, and youe along as a junior associate?¡±
Tess bit her lip. She hesitated but eventually gave a slow nod.
Steven had been there for her more than once. There was no way she could step back when he needed her.
Once she agreed, the call ended.
Steven¡¯s gaze shifted to hisputer. His screen was crammed with headlines about Tess- stories that had flipped from the whole inte mocking her to praising her for a stunningeback. It had been a masterstroke.
But his eyes lingered on one photo¨CTess standing by a pool¡¯s edge.
In the water was Nadine thrashing wildly, her face pale with panic. Guests scattered in a frenzy, some shouting, others pointing. Tess stood there, her face unreadable, though her eyes held a faint, empty look.
Something tightened in Steven¡¯s chest.
He had always been a man of reason, yet his first thought was wishing he could rewind time.
If he¡¯d been there, he would¡¯ve pulled Tess out of that scene.
Someone like her deserved to stand tall and brilliant under the sun, not be dragged down by scheming vultures.
Part of the reason he¡¯d called her now was selfish.
Tess came in a hurry. Steven was dressed in white, and he was wearing a pair of gold¨Crimmed sses that added a sharp, dangerous edge to his otherwise refined look.
¡°I¡¯ve already contacted an attorney. He¡¯ll be here soon. You two can go over the details when he gets here.¡±
He raised an eyebrow, pulled a jar of gummy candy from his drawer, and set it on the desk. ¡°Help yourself to this.¡±
Steven carried an air like a mountain hidden in a secluded area¨Ctall, steady, and quietly proud.
Chapter 227 Suggestion
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But around Tess, that chill seemed to fade. He felt almost like the guy next door she might¡¯ve known as a kid.
Tess stared at the jar, caught off guard.
Back in her old office, she had kept that exact brand of candy on her desk. She skipped meals often, and to keep her blood sugar steady during high¨Cpressure moments, she always kept gummies nearby.
She hadn¡¯t had them in a long time. Not since she left the profession.
¡°You¡¡±
She started to speak but stopped short.
¡°I saw them on your desk before. I don¡¯t even like candy, so take it.¡±
He gave a faint smile and shook his head.
Tess finally took the jar.
Two firm knocks hit the door.
¡°Come in.¡±
The door opened.
¡°This way,¡± a calm female voice said, guiding in a man with a full head of white hair.
His face had only faint lines near his
eyes.
The woman looked at Tess, her gaze flickering before she quickly looked away.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the jar of gummies in Tess¡¯s hands.
She remembered being told to buy that exact brand and never knowing why¨Cuntil now.
Tess¡¯s face stayed neutral.
She recognized Steven¡¯s assistant.
¡°You can go,¡± Steven told her.
She hesitated.
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Chapter 227 Suggestion
¡°And thisdy¡
Steven¡¯s eyes turned cold.
The door shut from the outside.
¡°Mr. Tommy Jynn?¡±
¡°That¡¯s me.¡±
Steven nced at the file in front of him.
The guy was only 40, but his hair was already white as snow.
He didn¡¯t voice the question out loud, however. Steven just passed him a folder. ¡°This is everything we can give you. You¡¯ll go through it with her. She¡¯ll be your intern for appearances.¡±
Tommy nodded, then looked at Tess. The moment he saw her face, his eyes went wide.
¡°You¨Cyou¡¯re Tess?!¡±
Tess shifted awkwardly.
Her name still carried a shadow in legal circles, so being recognized wasn¡¯t unusual.
¡°I¡¯m only here as a junior associate. You don¡¯t need to feel pressured.¡±
¡°Pressured?¡± Tommy looked puzzled.
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Keepsake 228
He nced at Steven, then broke into a big grin. ¡°With Ms. Tess on the case, our odds just shot way up!¡±
His open praise made Tess realize she had read him wrong.
She rubbed her nose, still confused.
That incident a year ago had wrecked her career, so why did he act like he had no clue?
Back then, the uproar in Aetheris had been huge.
Steven didn¡¯t seem surprised at Tommy¡¯s reaction.
He even smiled and said, ¡°That¡¯s right. She¡¯s the one¨Cyoung Tess, the name everyone in Aetheris knew.¡±
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Chapter 227 Suggestion
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Tommy nodded, looking at her with a mix of excitement and nostalgia, like he was holding something back.
Tess returned a polite smile.
They sat at her desk and began going over the file Steven had provided.
It didn¡¯t take long for her to understand the case.
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Chapter 228 The Case
Chapter 228 The Case
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This wasn¡¯t a tough problem. The real headache was handling awsuit on Crorus soil, which was moreplicated than the usual technical work. Still, it wasn¡¯t impossible.
Whenever Tommy hit a wall or looked unsure, Tess would step in with a polite reminder.
Just a few quiet words from her would give him the clue he needed to find the solution instantly, and that made him admire her even more. It also made Tess feel a little embarrassed.
The three of them worked steadily at their stations until lunch rolled around. Steven suggested they grab something to eat at a restaurant in the nearby shopping district.
Her stomach was starting to feel empty, so Tess saw no reason to refuse.
The moment they sat down at the table Steven had reserved, Tess caught sight of someone she didn¡¯t want to see.
Nadine was seated not far away. Across from her sat an older man Tess recognized¨CNadine¡¯s teacher.
Tess narrowed her eyes. They were deep in conversation. The old man¡¯s face was tense with anger, and every now and then he let out a cold, mockingugh.
Nadine seemed half¨Cinterested, yet she still replied to him sentence by sentence and even poured him water now and then. She kept up appearances well enough.
Tess didn¡¯t bother trying to figure out what was going on between them. Steven noticed her look and leaned in. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked quietly.
She lowered hershes. ¡°Nothing.¡±
Steven followed her gaze and spotted Nadine. His eyes flickered for a moment, but he stayed quiet.
¡°Ms. Ember, you have to try this one. It¡¯s the best thing here!¡±
Tommy¡¯s booming voice and big gestures drew curious stares from other tables.
Tess smiled, picked up a piece of fish from the te he¡¯d rmended, and took a bite. ¡°It¡¯s smooth, light, and fresh. You really know your food, Mr. Jynn.¡±
Her words made Tommy beam, and he went on describing the rest of the dishes with real
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Chapter 228 The Case
excitement.
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Tess yed along, tasting each in the order he suggested and giving her thoughts every time.
She had only made it to the third dish when two shadows fell over their table.
Nadine and her teacher stood right beside them.
Tess kept eating without looking up, though Tommy froze in ce.
¡°Tommy? Didn¡¯t think anyone still hung around with you,¡± the old man said.
With his long white hair and coat that looked like it belonged in a fantasy novel, he could have passed for a wise mentor¨Cuntil he opened his mouth. His tone made it clear he liked picking fights.
Tommy¡¯s fork hesitated midair.
It was subtle, but Tess caught it.
She set her fork down and frowned at them.
¡°Out of money? Here to bum a meal?¡±
Steven almost spit out his tea but managed to swallow it, breaking into a fit of coughing instead.
Tess shot him an exasperated nce.
Steven covered his mouth, smiled apologetically, and sat straighter.
Nadine¡¯s face turned pale, and her eyes burned as she red at Tess.
When had she gotten such a sharp tongue?
¡°Tess, if Finn were here, I think he¡¯d be surprised.¡±
¡°Surprised?¡±
Tess took a slow sip of tea with a calm face. ¡°He¡¯s seen plenty. This wouldn¡¯t faze him¡ªthough you might think so.¡±
The message was clear¨CNadine had gotten nowhere near the close circle of Finn.
Nadine¡¯s face flushed red, and she found Tess more difficult to handle than ever.
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Chapter 228 The Case
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Steven nced between Tess, who had just put Nadine in her ce, and the old man, whose stare had shifted menacingly to Tommy. His tone went icy. ¡°Ms. Nadine, take your teacher and move along. You¡¯re killing our appetite.¡±
This time Tess coughed, covering her mouth with a napkin.
Steven reached over and gently patted her back.
His fingertips brushed her thin frame, and something unreadable passed through his eyes.
Tess didn¡¯t notice. She kept her head lowered and gave him a teasing look.
She hadn¡¯t expected someone as calm as Steven to be that blunt.
Steven met her gaze and raised a brow in silent agreement.
¡°Steven, you think you¡¯re that important? Lock Group doesn¡¯t need you anymore. Who are you to challenge me? And this is a public ce. Where I stand isn¡¯t your concern!¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice was heated, her words spilling out without thought.
Tess frowned at her with open disbelief.
Stupid people were like dead people¨Cthey never realized how they affected those around them.
¡°Nadine is Mr. Lock¡¯s favorite now. Forget this little restaurant. If we told you to leave, you¡¯d have to obey.¡±
The old man stood with his hands on his hips, looking smug.
And he had reason to be.
Thanks to Nadine, Lock Group had recently solved a big problem with his help. The academy had rewarded him with a promotion and a raise, and now he was sure his once¨Caverage student was his ticket to sess.
¡°Does Finn know about this?¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Tess scoffed sharply and took another slow bite, acting like the whole scene was beneath her.
Steven¡¯s calm indifference and Tess¡® mocking tonended hard, leaving the two across the table rattled. The older man¡¯s re snapped back to Tommy. ¡°Your name¡¯s been trash in the legal world for years. I bet all your old buddies dropped you. And now you¡¯re hanging around with people even lower than you.¡±
He managed to insult both of them in one breath.¡±
Tess and Steven exchanged a nce, disbelief tugging at their lips.
This man was talking to them like they were clueless and easy to push around. And he was doing it right to their faces.
Tess rubbed her temples. Her patience was running thin.
¡°If you don¡¯t leave us alone right now, we¡¯ll see whether my pull as Finn¡¯s wife is stronger¡ or yourbel as his situationship.¡±
She mmed her fork on the table. Her face went cold, stripped of any warmth.
She hated using Finn¡¯s name, but it was the quickest way to shut this down.
And it worked.
Nadine¡¯s expression twisted, her face shifting between pale and flushed. Calling her a situationship hit her like a blow.
Nearby diners started ncing over, some lingering to watch.
Nadine had no choice but to leave with her teacher.
They shoved a few bites into their mouths before heading out, though Nadine made sure to throw Tess a venomous re on her way past.
Tess didn¡¯t move.
The only thing that soured the victory was having to use Finn¡¯s name at all.
She¡¯d never liked mentioning him, but even she had to admit it carried weight.
Andtely, his strange behavior made her doubt whether his feelings for Nadine had ever been
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Chapter 229 Mockery
as real as she¡¯d thought.
Her gaze softened for a moment, but the thought faded.
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Dragging Finn¡¯s name into it wasn¡¯t the end of the world. Reputation was just noise, and they were still married. She had no reason to feel guilty.
When she looked up, the mood at the table felt different.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she asked.
Tommy¡¯s hand trembled slightly as he held his fork. He kept his head low.
¡°You and your friend are smart people, Ms. Ember. You heard what that old man said. I thought you¡¯d have questions for me.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes shifted to him. She caught the dullness, the struggle, and the faint resignation in his expression.
Steven sipped his tea. ¡°The fact I asked you to represent me means I already looked into your background.¡±
That made Tommy pause. ¡°Even so, you really have nothing to ask?¡±
¡°No. Skill is the only thing I care about. If you were as bad as they say, I wouldn¡¯t have invited you.¡±
Besides, he also had another reason.
Still, he wasn¡¯t going to spill it right here.
Tess sat there, not quite sure what to think.
Tommy let out a slow breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. ¡°That old man ¡ he¡¯s my former ssmate.¡±
Tess raised a brow.
¡°We both graduated from the bestw school in the country. My first case out of school put me in court against my professor. He was charged with bribery and corruption, and I took the intiff¡¯s side.¡±
Tess could already see where it was heading.
A teacher raising a student, only for that student to be the one to bring him down¨Cit was
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Chapter 229 Mockery
bitter no matter how you looked at it.
But that didn¡¯t fully exin the venom the old man had just thrown.
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¡°After that, I stayed in circles the industry didn¡¯t like. My family¡¯s wealthy, so I often took cases for poor clients for free. It didn¡¯t take long before otherwyers used me of wrecking the market. They teamed up to dig up dirt and ruin my name. I love the job, but my reputation got so bad that even when I offered free help, people thought I had some hidden agenda.¡±
His gaze dropped again.
Tess noticed his shoulders.
When she first met him, he hadn¡¯t been shy, but there¡¯d been energy in the way he carried himself. His shoulders had been squared. Now they sagged, weighed down by something
unseen.
And in that moment, she saw herself in him.
Being pushed away from what you love¨Cit hollowed you out.
¡°Steven still needs you on this case, Mr. Jynn,¡± Tess said gently, picking up a pastry and setting it on his te.
¡°Let¡¯s carve this step out, then we keep climbing. Someone like you should be leading the field and setting the tone for the rest.¡±
Tommy looked up, surprise flickering in his tired eyes. Warmth spread in his chest.
His face was lined like an old tree, every crease telling a story, but right now it felt like cool water had started running through him, washing some of the weight away.
Steven smiled quietly.
He¡¯d always known Tess had this way about her¨Chonoring the work and the people who did it right.
¡°Thank you, Ms. Ember,¡± Tommy said.
¡°Alright. Let¡¯s eat,¡± Tess replied.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 230 The Meal
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Steven felt the tension case, and a small smile crept onto his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he nced at Tess again, and the smile deepened.
This was the Tess he remembered.
Gentle, yet brimming with quiet strength.
She even carried a sharper edge nowpared t gave him a strange sense offort.
the reserved Tess from before, and that
Lunch had been warm and lively, but Tess was the first to stand. ¡°If you need to reach me, you¡¯ve got my number. Let me know once the trial date¡¯s set.¡±
She handed her contact to Tommy.
Steven didn¡¯t try to stop her. He just gave a small nod.
They had already spent plenty of time together over lunch, and the work waiting for him back at hisb was piling up. He needed to head out.
He had barely taken a few steps before Tess waved him off, insisting he didn¡¯t need to walk her
out.
He didn¡¯t look away until she disappeared into the distance.
Tommy kept his eyes on her for a moment too before speaking, his tone full of respect. ¡°She¡¯s even more impressive in person.¡±
Steven didn¡¯t confirm or deny it. ¡°She won¡¯t let you down.¡±
They exchanged a brief look, a silent understanding passing between them.
Tess, unaware of their thoughts, was already in the back of a cab.
She had been so caught up in small tasks all day that she had nearly forgotten something important. Seeing Nadine earlier had jolted her memory.
How had her design sketches ended up with Nadine?
The thought hit her like a punch, and her brows drew tight.
This wasn¡¯t a small problem.
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Chapter 230 The Meal
She had never taken those designs out of her studio. Someone had leaked them.
Her expression hardened.
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Her studio was a private workspace now, and only Bessie and Wanda helped her keep it running.
Which meant the leak could only havee from one of them.
Tess pressed her lips together.
Her first instinct wasn¡¯t to dig for proof. It was to avoid the answer.
She didn¡¯t want either of them to be guilty.
Bessie had stepped in to help her and La during their hardest times.
Wanda had been under her protection, and when Tess left, Wanda had paid a heavy price to help her.
How could either of them betray her?
Tess¡¯s fists tightened, but logic slowly took control.
She lowered her head and sent a message to both women¨Cone to buy fabrics, the other to pick up tools and essories.
She included the lists and told them she¡¯d stop by that evening to check the supplies.
¡°Drop me off a few hundred feet before you arrive at the destination,¡± Tess told the driver.
He nodded, and soon she spotted the studio¡¯s locked front door.
She stopped and tried the handle, making sure it was locked.
Once she was certain no one was inside, she unlocked it and stepped in.
As she expected, everything was spotless and empty.
Her gaze rose to the small bump above the doorway. Her eyes darkened.
A hidden camera.
She walked to her desk, sat down, and powered on theputer to ess the footage.
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She would never let someone with an agenda stay in her circle.
She swore it silently, though her hand on the mouse trembled.
She prayed it wasn¡¯t either of them.
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Her teeth pressed hard together as she clicked on the date she had worked on the designs.
She yed the video at double speed, scanning every moment.
Then Wanda¡¯s figure appeared on the screen.
Wanda nced toward Bessie¡¯s spot, waited for her to leave, then moved to Tess¡¯s desk.
Her movements were quick, but her eyes darted around nervously as she flipped through the sketches and snapped photos.
Tess sank back into her chair like the air had been sucked from her lungs.
It was Wanda.
She couldn¡¯t put the feeling into words, but the ache in her chest was sharp and deep.
If it had been Bessie, she could have found a reason.
Bessie had always cared for her and La, and she owed her much.
But Wanda?
Tess stared at the screen in disbelief.
Why would Wanda turn on her?
When Wanda had been drowning, Tess had been the one to pull her up.
Something inside her felt like it was shattering.
A bright, loud voice broke the silence.
¡°Oh, dear, you look gloomy!¡±
Tess looked up to see Bessie and Wanda walking in together.
She calmly shut off the monitor, but not before catching the flicker of panic in Wanda¡¯s eyes.
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Chapter 230 The Meal
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¡°Mrs. Lock, what brings you here? I thought you wereingter,¡± Bessie said with a warm smile.
Tess returned the smile, but her gaze locked on Wanda.
¡°Are you settling in here well, Wanda?¡±
The question made Wanda stiffen.
A sh of unease passed through her eyes before she masked it.
Why that question, specifically? Did she find out what I did?
Tess caught the reaction.
¡°Yeah¡ it¡¯s good,¡± Wanda replied, her voice a little unsteady.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 231 Wanda¡¯s Weird Behavior
Chapter 231 Wanda¡¯s Weird Behavior
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Bessie could feel the room getting tense, so she jumped in to lighten things up. ¡°What¡¯s with the long faces? Tess is just worried you might not be used to things here. Rx!¡±
She gave Wanda¡¯s shoulder a friendly pat.
Then, without waiting, Bessie moved to help carry Wanda¡¯s stuff. Wanda tried to wave her off, but Bessie¡¯s upbeat energy was impossible to refuse.
¡°Don¡¯t be shy,¡± Bessie said as she scooped up the shopping bags and headed for the storage
room.
In seconds, it was just Tess and Wanda in the big, quiet office.
Tess¡¯s gaze settled on Wanda, casual at first nce but sharp enough to make her squirm.
Wanda felt it like a pin in her back.
Tess¡¯s expression darkened slightly.
Something was¡ off.
Ever since she first saw Wanda after getting out of prison, Tess couldn¡¯t shake the feeling something had changed.
Wanda looked older, more worn out.
more
At first, Tess figured it was from the rough times at Evermount Vi and losing her job, thinking her lifestyle had just taken a hit. She hadn¡¯t thought much of it.
But now, it was clear¨CWanda seemed like a whole different person.
She was jumpy, like she was scared of something. No wonder Bessie kept telling her to loosen - up.
¡°I¡¯m not here for anything big, just passing through,¡± Tess said, her tone light.
Wanda nodded, trying to calm herself as she returned a faint smile.
¡°Tell Bessie I¡¯m heading out,¡± Tess added, hershes flicking as she moved theputer
mouse.
The words ended right as the shutdown chime yed.
Chapter 231 Wanda¡¯s Weird Behavior
Wanda¡¯s shoulders cased.
Before leaving, Tess¡¯s gaze lingered on the ceiling for a moment.
She quietly switched on the other micro¨Ccameras in the studio.
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At first, it was just for show, so she only put one camera by the door. But when someone inside turned traitor, she had no choice but to use the others too.
Tess left quickly, with no hesitation.
Wanda politely walked her to the door, then darted a look toward the storage room. When she saw Bessie hadn¡¯te back yet, she slipped off to hide in a corner.
Meanwhile, in the taxi, Tess pulled out her phone and saw Wanda¡¯s face pop up on the screen.
¡°Hello? Mr. Hunt!¡±
That name made Tess¡¯s hand jolt.
Mr. Hunt?
A face she hadn¡¯t seen in years shed in her mind, sending a cold shiver through her. She kept listening.
¡°Mrs. Lock showed up today out of nowhere. It¡¯s weird¡ªI can¡¯t shake the feeling something¡¯s
wrong¡
¡°Huh? Still want to do it? Then ¡
¡°Okay¡ I¡¯ll keep watching.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t hear the other person and had no idea if it was who she thought, but Wanda¡¯s voice came through crystal clear.
On¨Cscreen, Wanda looked torn, like she was debating with herself, but eventually bowed her head as if giving in.
Tess¡¯s eyes went cold.
The call ended. Nothing else happened.
Tess set her phone down, her face shadowed with disappointment.
Chapter 231 Wanda¡¯s Weird Behavior
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Being stabbed in the back by someone she trusted hit hard.
She bit her lip, the bitter feeling rising in her chest.
Her eyes drifted to the window, her thoughts foggy.
She wasn¡¯t ready to shake it off yet.
Then, a loud ringtone broke through her thoughts.
She picked up, and Marc¡¯s voice practically shouted through the line, full of excitement. ¡°Tess! I¡¯m in Aetheris!¡±
Tess blinked in surprise. ¡°What? Out of nowhere?¡±
¡°It¡¯s a long story¡ Anyway, I¡¯m about to board. I¡¯llnd in two hours. You and Mr. Hale bettere get me!¡±
His bossy tone should¡¯ve been annoying, but instead it was like sunshine chasing away her gloom.
Tess agreed without hesitation.
If it weren¡¯t for Marc, those ugly rumors about her might still be floating around.
¡°Absolutely!¡± she replied.
Marc double¨Cchecked that she¡¯de before hanging up.
Settling into his first¨Css seat, he looked out at the runway, lips curling in thought.
Did his brother seriously have a thing for Tess?
Yikes¨Cwasn¡¯t that totally robbing the cradle?
He muttered about it to himself, but as the younger brother, he decided he¡¯d still y wingman.
After all, family was family.
He sighed dramatically.
Seriously, looked like it¡¯s on him to handle it.
Lost in his thoughts, he was startled by a soft touch on his hand.
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Chapter 231 Wanda¡¯s Weird Behavior
¡°Hi!¡±
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A flight attendant crouched beside him, checks pink. ¡°Excuse me, are you Marc? The famous designer?¡±
Marc blinked¨Coh, right, no sunsses today. He scratched the back of his head and grinned. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s me.¡±
¡°After wend, could I get your autograph? My sister goes to your old school and she¡¯s always looked up to you!¡±
He happily agreed.
Their chat drew some attention from nearby passengers.
Sydney nced over.
Marc?
The young prodigy who¡¯d made the list of top international designers?
By then, Marc had pulled on an eye mask, ready to nap.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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From Sydney¡¯s seat, she could see Marc¡¯s sharp nose, his light brown curls, and the pricey wool shirt with the ¡°Cavrielle¡± logo.
Her heart skipped, and her cycs lit - up.
She¡¯d once stood up for Nadine¨CNadine was fine, but her family paid the price. Under Finn¡¯s pressure, her father packed her out of Aetheris overnight, iming it was to build character, though everyone knew it was really to show Finn¨Cthey were falling in line.
Now, on her way back, she¡¯d run right into the famous Marc¡
Something calcting flickered in her gaze.
The flight was only a couple of hours, and Marc, restless, kept tugging off his
He rubbed his jaw, looking a little uneasy.
Truth was, he still felt a little guilty.
eye
mask.
He still couldn¡¯t wrap his head around Tess having a kid. Sure, he¡¯d read the stories, but he figured they were just tabloid fluff.
What threw him even more was that his brother thought this somehow made her perfect wife material.
Completely absurd.
He was leaning on his hand, lost in thought, when a soft voice cut in. ¡°Excuse me Marc, the designer?¡±
are you
She sounded tentative. Marc grinned, a bit smug. ¡°That¡¯s me. Looking for an autograph?¡±
Sydney¡¯s smile widened as her eyes flicking over his expensive outfit, a spark of amusement shing.
She pushed a strand of hair over her shoulder. ¡°Would you? Are you flying into Aetheris, too?¡±
He blinked, mentally double¨Cchecking this was a direct flight.
Catching on, Sydney smoothly switched topics with a friendly smile. ¡°I¡¯m from Aetheris. If you ever need help with anything, just let me know.¡±
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Chapter 232 Say Sorry
Marc figured she was just being polite and chuckled. ¡°So¡ about that autograph?¡±
His bright, cager look made Sydney¡¯s lips twitch, but she still handed him a pen without fuss.
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Once Marc scrawled his signature and passed it back, she gave it the quickest nce before tucking it into her bag with a polite smile. ¡®Really appreciate it!¡°¡±
She looked like she wanted to chat more, but Marc wasn¡¯t interested. With the ne about tond, the conversation fizzled.
The moment theynded, Marc hurried off. He¡¯d barely stepped out of the cabin when his phone rang.
A calm male voice said, ¡°The driver has your luggage. Ms. Ember and I are waiting.¡±
Marc didn¡¯t slow down or look back.
Still, someone¡¯s eyes were on him as he walked away.
At the same time, Connor was hanging up.
¡°He¡¯s just gotten off¨Cgive him a minute.¡±
His voice was warm and polite.
Tess waved it off with a smile, saying they¡¯d been friends for years, so waiting was no big deal.
Connor smiled but stayed quiet.
¡°Tess? What are you doing here?¡±
The sharp female voice made Tess¡¯s brows pinch.
She knew the voice right away, her brows pulling together as annoyance flickered in her eyes.
She gave no response, the cold shoulder instantly making Nadine bristle.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m talking to you!¡±
Nadine reached for her arm, but a firm, cool hand caught her instead.
Nadine¡¯s fingers curled as she looked up into eyes that, though smiling, carried a sharp edge of authority. ¡°Ms. Nadine, please watch your manners in public.¡±
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Chapter 232 Say Sorry
He wasn¡¯t angry, but the control in his voice made her pulse skip.
¡°Nadine!¡±
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Sydney¡¯s voice rang out. When she saw what was happening, her expression hardened. ¡°What are you doing?¡±
She stepped in, pulling Nadine behind her like a shield.
Then she turned her re on Tess. ¡°Wow. Climb your way to a rich bachelor, and now you think you¡¯re untouchable? Nadine¡¯s basically your sister, and you let her get humiliated out here?¡±
The sharp tone beside her made Tess¡¯s head throb, and she shot Connor a look.
Better to steer clear of drama than dive into it¡ªespecially since they¡¯d only just patched things up a couple of days ago and didn¡¯t need more trouble.
But Sydney took their silence as guilt and pressed harder. ¡°What, walking away? Say sorry to Nadine!¡±
Tess had been nning to wait somewhere else for Marc, but she stopped, her gaze sweeping over with icy calm.
She got it now.
She¡¯d been willing to let it go¨Cbut if they wanted to keep pushing, then fine.
¡°Say sorry?¡± she echoed with a dryugh.
Sydney hadn¡¯t expected the usually easygoing Tess to bite back, and it caught her off guard.
¡°Say you¡¯re sorry, or I¡¯m taking this straight to the press! Selina¡¯s in the spotlight, isn¡¯t she? Keep acting like this and see who still sticks by you.¡±
She locked eyes with Tess, chin raised, as if she¡¯d just found her weak spot.
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Chapter 233 Are You Working As a Boy Toy Now?
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 233 Are You Working As a Boy Toy Now?
Tess was speechless.
She shot Sydney a look that screamed, Are you stupid or something?
She was a designer, not some celebrity idol.
Sydney¡¯s face went pale, then twisted. ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡±
¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±
A dazed male voice cut in.
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Marc appeared, carrying a big load of toy blind boxes on his left shoulder and a pile of snacks in his right hand. He even had a lollipop in his mouth, making his wordse out slurred and hard to understand.
The unexpected appearance made Sydney¡¯s twisted expression freeze for a moment before she forced it back to normal. ¡°You ¡ why are you here?¡±
She reached up and fixed her hair.
Marc lookedpletely baffled. ¡°This is the arrival area ¡
Connor stepped in and took some of the blind boxes from Marc.
Marc instinctively tried to hand a few to Tess, but Connor¡¯s sharp re stopped him cold. Left with no choice, Marc continued holding everything himself.
Nadine and Sydney watched the whole thing unfold and exchanged a look.
So Marc actually knew Tess?
Sydney felt like the whole world had gone crazy.
But seeing how natural they all were with each other, she felt even more stifled.
She¡¯d spent the whole flight trying to chat him up in first ss, and he hadn¡¯t cared at all. Now he was all warm and friendly with Tess?
Anyone would feel awful being treated so differently.
Nadine¡¯s fists clenched.
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Chapter 233 Are You Working As a Boy Toy Now?
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How did Tess even know him? And when did she even get acquainted with so many top names in the industry?
Something¡¯s off!
Tess is just a stiff, rule¨Cobsessed bookworm who only knows how to memorize and study case files. She even spent a whole year in prison. No way she could¡¯ve built such a wide alone. Someone had to be backing her!
Nadine¡¯s eyes settled on Connor almost without her realizing it.
He was well past his youth, yet he carried none of the sluggishness that often came with age. Instead, he wasposed and striking presence that put people at ease.
Connor was the CEO of Cavrielle for Crorus. Marc was one of the brand¡¯s star designers. Of course they¡¯d know each other.
Nadine clung to that thought, trying to reassure herself.
Even though Tess had long made it clear that she was Selina, Nadine continued to shut out that truth. In fact, Selina was Cavrielle¡¯s new design icon, so it was perfectly natural for her to know Marc. But Nadine kept fooling herself, insisting that this was impossible.
Seeing that the two had finally quieted down, Tess and her group wanted to leave. However, Nadine blocked their way, seemingly unwilling to give up.
Nadine bit her lip, looking on the verge of tears, her tear¨Cfilled eyes brimming with reluctance.
Tess was startled by her act and felt a sinking feeling settle in her chest.
¡°Tess, you and Finn aren¡¯t divorced yet, so how can you shamelessly date a strange man alone like this?¡±
Nadine¡¯s face was full of indignation, as if she were deeply disappointed in Tess.
Her sharp voice instantly drew the attention of the rtives waiting around the arrival area.
Tess arched a brow. She had guessed right¨CNadine was about to stir up trouble again.
¡°Could it be that the elder sister is secretly cheating and got caught by her upright younger sister?¡±
¡°Oh my! That¡¯s wild! Wait¡ why do those people look kind of familiar?¡±
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Chapter 233 Are You Working As a Boy Toy Now?
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The murmurs around them showed no sign of stopping, and some busybodies even pulled out their phones, intending to film.
Nadine was clearly satisfied with the stir she had caused, and she even took the chance to throw a provocative nce when no one was watching.
Tess had long grown used to her foolish antics. ¡°They are my work partners, so why did they suddenly turn into some scandalous dates when you talk about them? You¡¯re so worried about your Finn¨Cif he and I end up divorcing early because of the rumors you spread, wouldn¡¯t that make it easier for you to marry him? Isn¡¯t that what you want?¡±
Her wordsid Nadine¡¯s intentions bare for everyone to see.
In an instant, the faces of the onlookers changed.
This wasn¡¯t just a scandalous drama¨Cit was turning into a family soap opera!
Marc stood on the side, chewing his candy and clicking his tongue in amazement.
Was this really the Tess he knew?
The Tess he remembered had the cool, gentle charm of misty rain. But now she seemed like a sudden gust of wind, sometimes soft, sometimes sharp, striking without leaving a trace.
Marc watched the scene with fascination, his eyes gleaming with interest.
¡°Besides, he and I have a marriage of convenience. How many times do I need to remind you? If we were an ordinary couple, he wouldn¡¯t be tangled up with you every day. So our lives have nothing to do with each other, and you don¡¯t need to stand up for him. Even if I decided to hire ten boy toys today, the one who should be upset is him. If he can¡¯t stand it and decides to have his assistant hand me the divorce papers, I¡¯ll be ready to sign them any time.¡±
Tess crossed her arms and looked straight at Nadine, a cold arrogance in her eyes that seemed to look down on everything.
Her aura easily overpowered Nadine¡¯s.
¡°Connor, are you working as a boy toy now?¡±
Marc lowered his voice and teased Connor.
Connor just kept smiling like usual, but Marc felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
Then came that cool, low voice. ¡°I heard there¡¯s a good new mine discovered in Aldevra. Don¡¯t you like jewelry design? Maybe I should send you there to learn something?¡±
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Chapter 233 Are You Working As a Boy Toy Now?
Marc looked like he was about to cry. Connor had totally one¨Cupped him.
He didn¡¯t want to go digging for gems in some remote ce like Aldevra!
¡°You sharp¨Ctongued bitch!¡±
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Sydney saw Nadine¡¯s face stiffen with anger and quickly pulled her behind her, ready to snap back. But before she could say anything, Nadine tugged on her sleeve.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 234 Come Home With Me
She turned back with displeasure. ¡°Nadine, you¡¯re just too kind.
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The rest of her words caught in her throat as she saw the man walking toward them. As he approached, she felt the temperature around her drop in an instant.
Sydney instinctively edged backward. The man¡¯s face was as dark as a looming storm cloud.
A deep male voice came alongside the heavy thud of expensive leather shoes hitting the floor.
¡°Ten boy toys, huh?¡±
Tess frowned, clearly caught off guard by the man¡¯s sudden appearance.
What is Finn doing here?
She avoided Finn¡¯s gaze and met Connor¡¯s eyes instead. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Unlike Tess, Connor still wore a faint smile, showing not the slightest hint of tension or awkwardness.
But as soon as Tess took a step, her wrist was seized in an unyielding grip.
After several failed attempts to pull away, her anger red, and she red at him. ¡°Let go of me!¡±
Yet the moment her eyes met his, her breath hitched.
His eyes were as ck as a void, a bottomless abyss. No light could prate them, and the whites that should have contrasted so sharply were veined with red. He was like a madman on
second. the edge, someone who could bring ruin at any
Finn¡¯s lips curved into a cold smile. ¡°Tess, I¡¯m not dead yet.¡±
¡°Oh? Since you¡¯re not dead, then we can get a divorce.¡±
Tess turned away, trying to erase the image of moments ago from her mind.
The moment the word ¡°divorce¡± left her lips, she could feel his grip on her wrist tighten further.
Connor¡¯s smile had vanished at some point, and he fixed his gaze intently on Finn¡¯s hand around her slender wrist.
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He stepped forward with a frown and pressed down on Finn¡¯s hand with firm disapproval. His tone was steady as he said, ¡°You¡¯re hurting her.¡±
¡°Do you think it¡¯s your ce to step in?¡±
If Finn¡¯s attitude toward Tess could be considered gentle, then his attitude toward Connor was nothing short of hostile.
Tess¡¯s patience had run out, and her expression hardened. ¡°What exactly do
¡°Come home with me.¡±
Finn locked eyes with her.
He felt like he was losing his mind.
Ever since that kiss the other day, his thoughts had been inplete chaos.
you want?¡±
At first, he simply didn¡¯t get it¨Cwhy would someone like Tess, an ex¨Ccon who had once clung to him eagerly while he couldn¡¯t even be bothered to look at her, now have so many other men around her?
But eventually, he ended up just like those men. His gaze kept getting drawn to her, too. Yet she was the kind of woman who forgot how others had once treated her with kindness.
He did his best to avoid her, and he made a point not to dig for news about her. But today, when he once again heard about her whereabouts from the bodyguards he¡¯d sent to follow her, he finally couldn¡¯t hold back anymore.
Charles, Abel, Steven, Connor ¡
Every time he drove one of those men away, another came right after!
Finn pressed his lips together, his handsome face clouded with gloom and resentment.
¡°She¡¯s probably a better choice to take home with you.¡±
Tess gave a half¨Chearted shrug and pointed straight at Nadine with a careless air.
The gesture made Finn¡¯s face flush with rage.
Nadine¡¯s expression shifted, too. But she forced herself to ignore the bitterness in her heart and looked nervously at Finn, anxious to hear what he would say next.
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Chapter 234 Come Home With Me
But Finn let out a coldugh. ¡°Tess, you know I only see her as a colleague.¡±
As soon as he said it, Nadine¡¯s face visibly went pale.
But no one seemed to care¨Cexcept Sydney.
Then Finn¡¯s eyes swept over Tess¡¯s face, and it was as if a sudden realization hit him.
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He tightened his grip on Tess¡¯s hand, and there was even a hint of hope in his voice. ¡°Are you .. jealous?¡±
His eyes lit up, as though everything suddenly made sense.
Finn suddenly leaned in. ¡°Come home with me. I¡¯ll keep my distance from Nadine from now
on.¡±
Tess felt like he had gone crazy.
What is he even talking about?
She looked up and stared at Finn, her expression strange, then yanked her hand away and pushed him back. ¡°A real colleague wouldn¡¯t be clinging to you all the time. And whatever¡¯s going on with you, it¡¯s none of my business.
¡°Finn, even if we¡¯re still technically married, we¡¯re walking different paths now. It¡¯s better not to interfere with each other anymore.¡±
Tess spread her hands in a dismissive gesture, like she couldn¡¯t care less.
Finn¡¯s frame trembled slightly, and he stared at Tess in disbelief. But when he saw the nonchnt look on her face, it felt like someone had stabbed him in the chest with a dull
knife.
He was about to step forward again, but Connor blocked him just in time.
The two men were about the same height, their eyes meeting in midair¨Cone calm and steady like a pine on a cliff, the other gloomy and tense like a deep mountain pool.
Connor politely raised an arm to stop him. ¡°Mr. Lock, you can¡¯t hold others to strict standards while giving yourself a free pass.¡±
He smiled, eyes curving in a way that made it hard to refute him.
Tess stood right behind Connor, as if she had picked a side¨Cand it wasn¡¯t Finn¡¯s side.
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Chapter 234 Come Home With Me
Finn¡¯s chest tightened with a dull ache.
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Still unwilling to give up, Nadine ran up and grabbed his arm, then snapped at Tess, ¡°There¡¯s nothing between me and Finn! Don¡¯t go around throwing baseless usations!¡±
Tess didn¡¯t respond. She simply smiled and stared at Nadine¡¯s movement with a knowing look.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 235 You Are Hopeless
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Though Nadine¡¯s words aimed to rify, her hands moved in a way that seemed eager for others to get the wrong idea about her and Finn.
Tess caught every bit of it.
In that moment, everything became perfectly clear.
She suddenly felt she had truly been foolish a year ago.
How could she have let a few petty incidents crush her, leaving her in tears night after night, sunk in endless gloom?
Lifting her chin once more, Tess left without a single word.
Marc had watched a scene that made no sense to him, yet he happily followed after her. Connor trailed behind them, carrying the toys and the snacks.
If the Cavrielle senior executives happened to see this, the teasing would be endless.
The arrival area they had been in was cleared out by Zane using ¡°money power,¡± leaving only Finn and his bodyguards behind.
¡°Finn?¡±
Looking at the man whose face was shrouded in deep gloom, Nadine couldn¡¯t help feeling
uneasy.
In the next moment, his cold fingers pried hers apart, one by one.
Finn pressed his lips together and left without a word, surrounded by a group of bodyguards.
Only then did Sydney step forward cautiously. She cast a wary nce at the man¡¯s departing figure. ¡°Nadine, Mr. Lock, he ¡
It felt to Nadine as if a hole had been torn in her chest, the emptiness and dread swelling within, yet she still swallowed and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine¡ It¡¯s fine¡ Finn is just upset because of Tess. Once he¡¯s in a better mood¡¡±
She murmured softly, not knowing whether she was speaking to Sydney orforting herself. Sydney said nothing, but her gaze lingered on Nadine, and her brows drew together slightly.
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Chapter 235 You Are Hopeless
Ding!
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The message alert tone rang out, sounding unusually loud in the
empty space.
lit eyes up.
Nadine opened her phone, and the moment she saw the name ¡°Finn,¡± her
Her smile returned in full, and she excitedly raised her phone to show Sydney. ¡°See? I told you! Finn texted me!¡±
She unlocked the screen, and her smile deepened the instant she read the text. ¡°Finn says he¡¯s nning to attend the charity event thepany originally arranged for him. He wants to go to the orphanage with me!¡±
up his
Sydney perked up at once. ¡°Really? Looks like you were right! Once Mr. Lock makes mind, he¡¯ll take the initiative toe to you! As for Tess, that woman can only affect his mood for a while!¡±
Basking in the praise, Nadine straightened her back with pride.
Meanwhile, Finn sat in the Maybach¡¯s back seat, his expression dark and brooding.
Zane couldn¡¯t help wiping the sweat from his forehead.
He cautiously nced at the rearview mirror. ¡°Mr. Lock, are you sure you want to do this?¡±
He had been at the scene earlier as well, helping to evacuate the crowd and checking people¡¯s phones to make sure nothing had been secretly recorded. In the process, he had nced over at Finn and the others a few times and had more or less pieced together what had happened.
But¡
Perhaps it was the weight of all those years of obsession¨Cmaybe Mrs. Lock had once felt something for Mr. Lock.
But after everything that had happened, I genuinely believed that if I had been in her position, I wouldn¡¯t have held on to any illusions either.
And yet, ironically, it was only after all of it that Mr. Lock developed feelings for her.
The worst part was that he wouldn¡¯t even admit it.
Zane thought to himself in silence.
¡°Hmm.¡±
1
10:18 Thu, Oct 9 M¡
Chapter 235 You Are Hopeless
Finn couldn¡¯t help but clench his fist.
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He could still remember those early days after marrying Tess. Every time a rumor from thepany made its way to her, she¡¯d find a chance to bring it up. She never asked him directly -always hinting, always probing.
Back then, even though marriage had made him feel something different for her¨Csomething he didn¡¯t feel for others¨Che still treated her poorly, driven by the resentment of being forced into the marriage.
She¡¯d recoil like a startled little animal whenever heshed out, but she never gave up. She¡¯d always try again.
In the end, she was just angry about spending a year in prison because of him, wasn¡¯t she?
¡°For tomorrow¡¯s charity event, make sure there are reporters following us throughout.¡±
Finn ordered coldly.
As his subordinate, Zane had no choice but to agree. But in his heart, he was quietly thinking, Mr. Lock, you really are hopeless.
Only someone who still has feelings for you would get jealous when you¡¯re too close to someone else. That exins Mrs. Lock¡¯s behaviors¡
It¡¯s such a simple truth¨Cdo you really not get it, or are you just lying to yourself?
Zane kept his head down and focused on driving, deciding not to get involved in their messy love drama.
Unlike the heavy, cold silence in the Maybach, the air between Tess, Marc, and Connor was much more rxed.
¡°So what brings you two to Aetheris all of a sudden?¡±
Tess looked at Marc with interest.
Before Marc could respond, Connor was already shooting him a warning look¨Cyou know what you can and can¡¯t say.
Marc grinned and casually said, ¡°It¡¯s been a while. I just thought it¡¯d be nice to catch up.¡± Tess let out a long, drawn¨Cout ¡°Oh.¡±
3/4 ¡°Since Marc happened to be here ¡ we raised quite arge sum at the charity g a while back.
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Chapter 235 You Are Hopeless
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I¡¯m nning to donate it to a local orphanage in Aetheris. Want toe with us to check it out?¡±
Connor smoothly changed the subject.
But the word ¡°orphanage¡± struck a chord in Tess¡¯s heart. It left an odd feeling behind.
Maybe it was because she was a mother now¨Cshe really couldn¡¯t handle hearing about things like that anymore.
If she even pictured La growing up all alone in an orphanage¡ she¡¯d probably break down in tears right there.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 236 Going to the Orphanage
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Back then, she had been raised by her grandmother. Her parents¡® love was nearly nonexistent. Her grandmother gave her all the affection and care she could, and yet most of her childhood still felt overshadowed by gloom.
As for those children who had been abandoned, their situation must have been even worse.
¡°Of course.¡±
She nodded firmly.
Marc and Connor exchanged a nce. Marc raised his eyebrows with a smug look.
Connor quietly lowered his gaze to his phone screen, where his chat with Marc was still on disy.
Marc had said, ¡°Tess has a kid. Typically, the first thing a single mom considers when remarrying is how the guy treats her child! You¡¯ve got to show her your patience and love for kids!¡±
Connor had asked, ¡°Like what?¡±
Marc had replied, ¡°Donate to an orphanage! Go take care of those kids! Show Tess that you¡¯re someone she can rely on!¡±
Connor had been skeptical, but whenever he thought of how gently Tess looked at La, he figured he might as well take Marc¡¯s advice.
The moment he brought up donating to the orphanage, he kept his eyes locked on Tess¡¯s face, carefully observing every flicker of emotion.
There had been sorrow, tenderness¨Cand hope.
Maybe, for once, Marc¡¯s usually half¨Cbaked advice wasn¡¯t so bad after all.
Tess had originally gone to pick up Marc from the airport, but in the end, it was he and Connor who ended up driving her back to Evermount Vi.
The next morning, Tess had just gotten up and was getting ready to head to the studio when a message from Connor appeared on her phone.
She raised her eyebrows slightly when she saw the message.
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Chapter 236 Going to the Orphanage
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She hadn¡¯t expected the orphanage visit to happen so soon. Connor had moved far quicker. than she anticipated.
But since she had already said yes, she couldn¡¯t just back out. She simply told Bessie she wouldn¡¯t be going to the studio for the day.
Considering the nature of the visit, Tess had deliberately dressed with care.
She wore a simple and elegant long ck dress, paired with a white belt that highlighted her slim waist. A white, multi¨Cpetal camellia rested on her chest as a subtle ornament.
In front of the vanity mirror, she hesitated for a moment before finally reaching for a delicate hat adorned with matching camellias. The finished look made her seem like ady straight out of an old magazine cover¨Cgraceful and beautiful.
As she reached the door, she unexpectedly ran into Finn.
After yesterday¡¯s unpleasant ending, the silence between them now felt even heavier.
Tess furrowed her brows slightly and reached out to open the door.
Finn said nothing, but his dark, deep eyes were locked on her.
She ignored himpletely, lifted her chin just a little, and stepped into the taxi that had been waiting.
Finn, who usually moved with sharp decisiveness, suddenly stopped cold. He stood rooted in ce like a post, his eyes trailing the car until it vanished. The dust kicked up in its wake felt like a blur of emotion clouding his vision.
Jealousy, doubt, and paranoia ¡ At that moment, all those emotions roared to life inside him.
She looked all dressed up¡ Who exactly is she meeting?
Finn¡¯s hands hung by his sides, and they slowly curled into fists. It felt like the air in his chest was being squeezed out.
He couldn¡¯t quite describe what he was feeling, but the violent urge to tear everything apart churning in his chest was all too real.
Just then, Nadine called. ¡°Finn, where are you?¡±
Her voice, soft and sweet like a songbird, rang out as the screen lit up. But instead of soothing him, it only irritated him more.
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Chapter 236 Going to the Orphanage
¡°Almost there.¡±
He gave a curt reply and hung up immediately.
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Nadine stared at the call screen, still blinking in confusion as the beeping tone echoed in her
ear.
Finn¡¯s cold attitude waspletely different from yesterday, and that familiar fear that had never really gone away crept back into her heart.
She stuffed the phone back into her purse and forced a smile that came out stiff. ¡°Mr. Lock will be here soon. Let¡¯s go ahead.¡±
She had only just received wordst night about today¡¯s visit to the orphanage. While she hadn¡¯t expected Finn toe back to her so quickly, her heart had still been filled with joy.
But now¡
She bit her lip, forcing a smile for the sake of dignity and tofort herself.
Meanwhile, Tess had already arrived at the meeting spot she¡¯d agreed on with Connor.
¡°Where¡¯s Marc?¡±
She asked as soon as she saw him, and Connor chuckled. ¡°He¡¯s never had much patience, and he doesn¡¯t like being around kids.¡±
¡°That makes sense.¡±
Tess nodded, eyeing Connor with subtle curiosity because of the easy familiarity in his tone when mentioning Marc.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
They got into Connor¡¯s car together.
As soon as they were settled in the backseat, Connor handed her two gummy candies. ¡°It¡¯s early. You didn¡¯t have breakfast, did you? I should¡¯ve picked a better time.¡±
Tess hesitated, then smiled as she epted them. ¡°Thanks.¡±
¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±
Connor shook his head, his gaze flicking up to the GPS screen on the dashboard. ¡°The director at the orphanage asked us to join them for breakfast. He said they¡¯ve prepared cornbread. Supposedly, it¡¯s the cook¡¯s specialty, and the kids all love it. Would you be up for that? Or
10:18 Thu, Oct 9 M
Chapter 236 Going to the Orphanage
should we grab something on the way?¡±
¡°Cornbread?¡±
Tess frowned slightly.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Connor nced at her, a little puzzled.
g
Tess met his eyes and spoke calmly, though there was a hint of doubt in her voice. ¡°They¡¯re caring for kids who are still growing and need good nutrition. Doesn¡¯t it seem a little odd for their ¡®specialty¡® to be just cornbread? No fruit, no eggs, not even milk?¡±
Connor paused, caught off guard. He didn¡¯t have a good answer for that.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 237 Cissy
Chapter 237 Cissy
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
His voice had taken on a heavier tone.
By the time they arrived, the sun was zing overhead at midday.
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The orphanage looked a little run¨Cdown, its faded red sign coated in a thin mist from the morning air.
Hudson was already standing at the entrance. When he saw them get out of the car, he greeted them with a broad smile.
¡°You must be Mr. Hale and Ms. Tess?¡± Hudson asked warmly.
Tess nodded, though she couldn¡¯t help giving Hudson an extra nce or two.
¡°Come with me.¡±
Hudson led Connor and Tess straight inside.
In the big yard, several children stood in a neat line. They looked a little shy when they saw the two strangers.
¡°The kids are a bit wary around new people,¡± Hudson exined as he showed them around.
Tess¡¯s gaze,
however, drifted toward the far right end of the line¨Ctoward a small girl who stood apart in more ways than one.
Unlike the others, she seemed both timid and bold at the same time. She studied Connor and Tess openly, her eyes jet¨Cck and strangely cold.
That wasn¡¯t the kind of look a child should have.
Almost without thinking, Tess walked up to her and knelt. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±
The sudden move startled Hudson. He hurried over, as if to pull the two apart.
Tess noticed the odd reaction and felt an uneasy curiosity stir inside her.
¡°Ms. Ember, this one doesn¡¯t behave,¡± Hudson warned. ¡°She¡¯s hurt people in the home more than once. You¡¯d better be careful.¡±
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Chapter 237 Cissy
He shot the girl a sharp re and motioned for her to leave.
The girl didn¡¯t argue. She lowered her head and started to walk away.
¡°Wait!¡±
Tess raised her voice. She sidestepped Hudson and caught the girl¡¯s wrist.
It was so thin it felt like she was holding bare bones.
s:
Tess¡¯s heart skipped. She looked up at Hudson with a pleasant smile. ¡°I like her. How about letting her give us the tour?¡±
Hudson hesitated, his gaze lingering on the girl with a look Tess couldn¡¯t quite read.
¡°Is that a problem?¡± Connor asked lightly, one brow raised. His tone was friendly, but there was an edge underneath, a quiet authority that pressed for agreement.
Hudson wiped his forehead. ¡°I ¡ suppose that¡¯s fine.¡±
Without waiting, Tess slid her hand down to take the girl¡¯s cold, stiff palm.
Without another word, Tess slid her hand down and caught Cissy¡¯s hand.
The cold in Cissy¡¯s palm made her eyebrows twitch in surprise. Tess lowered her head to look at her. Cissy kept her head down, hiding her expression, but Tess could feel the stiffness in her body.
¡°Mr. Waite, you can get back to work,¡± Tess said gently. ¡°She can show us around.¡±
¡°Well ¡ all right. We¡¯ve prepared some breakfast for you,¡± Hudson replied, retreating with a few backward nces before finally disappearing around a corner.
By the time Hudson stepped into the corner and wiped his forehead, cold sweat was already dripping. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was something strange about Tess. But since important guests were about to arrive, he had no choice but to focus on other tasks for now
alone. group and leave Tess and her
Once alone, Tess crouched down again to meet the girl¡¯s eyes.
¡°What¡¯s your
name?¡±
For the first time, there was a flicker of life in that still gaze. She bit her pale lip and answered, ¡°Cissy Murrow.¡±
¡°That¡¯s a lovely name.¡±
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Chapter 237 Cissy
Tess gave her hair a gentle ruffle.
Maybe it was because of La, but Tess always had a softer spot for little girls.
Cissy¡¯s eyes shifted slightly.
Connor nced between them. ¡°Why don¡¯t you show us the ce?¡±
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Cissy gave a small nod and started walking. She kept two steps ahead, moving like a shadow through the halls.
It wasn¡¯t much of a tour¨Cjust silent walking, room to room.
Tess and Connor exchanged a look. They both saw the same questions in each other¡¯s eyes, but neither spoke.
Eventually, Cissy led them to the cafeteria.
Inside, it was quiet.
When Tess pushed open the door, she saw several children¨Cmost around five or six years old -sitting at long tables. At that age, kids were usually noisy, but these ate silently, their eyes on their tes.
Cissy, a bit older at maybe eight or nine, brought Tess a te of spaghetti.
Connor followed behind, serving himself after showing his visitor¡¯s pass.
The noodles were springy and topped with a rich meat sauce that smelled delicious.
Tess nced at the other children¡¯s tes. They only had in pasta with a couple of lettuce leaves.
Cissy returned with her te¨Cin pasta topped with two fried eggs. She froze for a moment, then quickly ate every bite.
Tess¡¯s heart tightened. She pushed her untouched te toward Cissy. ¡°Are you full?¡±
For a second, hunger shed in Cissy¡¯s eyes, but she forced herself to shake her head and look down again.
Tess noticed. She twirled some spaghetti with her fork, then scooped more than half meat sauce and all¨Conto Cissy¡¯s te. ¡°I can¡¯t finish this much. Can you help me out?¡±
10:19 Thu, Oct 9 M¡
Chapter 238 Cross the Line
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 238 Cross the Line
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Tess kept her gaze soft as she looked into Cissy¡¯s eyes, her tone carrying a quiet request.
The rich scent of the meat sauce drifted up from the te. Cissy¡¯s throat bobbed, and in the end, she gave a firm nod.
As Tess watched Cissy cat with desperate hunger, her expression cooled.
Without a word, Connor slid part of his meat sauce onto Tess¡¯s te. Leaning close, he murmured in her ear, ¡°I can¡¯t finish this either, Ms. Ember. Mind helping me out?¡±
Tess gave a quietugh but didn¡¯t refuse.
By the time the three of them stepped out of the cafeteria, the air outside had grown louder. She and Connor exchanged a nce, then, without speaking, headed toward the noise.
The sight that met them made them stop short.
At some point, arge crowd of reporters had gathered at the orphanage gate, and more were still arriving. Professional camera gear was set up in neat rows, all aimed at the entrance.
And in the middle of it, Tess spotted a familiar figure.
¡°Make sure we get the best shots. Once Finn arrives, we start!¡± Nadine¡¯s voice rang out over themotion.
Suddenly, her words cut off, as if someone had reached out and closed a hand around her throat.
When Tess looked up, Nadine was staring back at her, wide¨Ceyed and full of resentment.
¡°Tess? What are you doing here?¡±
Tess had no intention of getting involved and turned to leave, but Nadine¡¯s voice rose to a shriek. She broke into a run toward her.
Tess sidestepped neatly, letting Nadine¡¯s grab miss its mark.
With her hand hanging awkwardly in the air, Nadine drew it back, her re sharpening. ¡°Tess, you¡¯re so damn annoying!¡±
After the outburst, Tess¡¯s initial surprise faded, and her face turned cold.
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Chapter 238 Cross the Line
¡°Ms. Nadine, this is a public ce. You might want to watch your manners.¡±
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Connor stepped in front of Tess, his tall frame casting a heavy shadow over Nadine. His voice carried a quiet warning.
Nadine¡¯s bravado faltered, but she still sneered. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re the one who should be careful.¡±
Her gaze raked over Tess, this time tinged with envy.
If it weren¡¯t for that face, Nadine thought, the rest of her could almost pass for some rich man¡¯s pampered daughter.
¡°Tess, your dear Finn hasn¡¯t even signed the divorce papers, and here you are visiting an orphanage with some older man? Can¡¯t you wait a little longer?¡±
Her tone grew nastier with each word. Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed.
That was when Cissy moved.
Like a small, wild animal, she barreled straight into Nadine¡¯s stomach.
The woman let out a startled cry and stumbled backward, falling hard to the ground.
¡°Mr. Waite! Mr. Waite, there¡¯s a maniac here!¡± she screeched, jabbing a manicured finger toward Cissy.
Hudson came hurrying over, belly bouncing with each step. When he saw the scene, he nearly had a stroke.
His face darkened. ¡°Cissy, help Ms. Nadine up and apologize right now!¡±
But Cissy only lifted her eyes, silent as ever.
It was as good as ignoring himpletely.
Hudson¡¯s temper red, and he was about to drag her off for a beating when Tess stepped in, blocking him.
¡°Really? She¡¯s a child. And you¡¯re going to hold a grudge?¡± Tess¡¯s tone was light but edged with steel.
Nadine¡¯s anger faltered under the words, and she stood there fuming in silence.
The longer she thought about it, the more it burned. With help from those nearby, she got to her feet and red at Tess. ¡°Protecting her like that¡ People might think she¡¯s your other
10:19 Thu, Oct 9 M
Chapter 238 Cross the Line
illegitimate daughter!¡±
p!
:¨C
Q
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Tess¡¯s hand cracked across her face, the sound sharp enough to silence the whole crowd.
Nadine swayed, her head ringing, too stunned to react. Hudson just stood there with his mouth open, unsure what to do.
¡°I warned you not to cross the line,¡± Tess said coldly.
¡°What the hell are you doing?¡±
The low, sharp voice cut through the air like an arrow.
To Nadine, Finn¡¯s voice was like rain in a drought. Her eyes instantly filled with tears. ¡°Finn!¡±
She threw herself into his arms.
Finn¡¯s gaze flickered, but with Tess¡¯s cool, distant eyes on him from a few feet away, he didn¡¯t push Nadine away.
The crisp scent of his cologne wrapped around Nadine, filling her with smug satisfaction.
In his embrace, her small frame looked almost fragile next to his tall, imposing build.
Tess stood watching them¨Cher legal husband holding her legal half¨Csister¨Cand her face remained utterly calm.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 239
Chapter 239 Question
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Connor nced at Tess, worried. But when he saw how calm she looked, he hid his nerves.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was deep and rough. He didn¡¯t sound angry, but there was something in his tone that made people stand straighter.
His cold gaze swept over everyone. Hudson finally stepped forward, rubbing his nose, and awkwardly exined.
¡°I ¡ I just can¡¯t ept this. Tess is still your wife, and yet she¡¯s out here acting so close with another man. What will people think?¡±
Nadine bit her lip, her cheeks turning pink.
Finn¡¯s eyes shifted toward Tess and Connor, standing side by side, with a little girl between them. For a moment, the three of them looked almost like a family.
Something in Finn¡¯s chest tightened.
¡°Tess,¡± he said, his voice cool, ¡°Nadine¡¯s right. Why did you p her?¡±
Finn stared at Tess.
Nadine¡¯s heart leapt at his words. She looked up at him with teary, soft eyes. Then she gave a nce toward the photographers she had arranged earlier.
They had only been here to take staged pictures for a press release, but running into Tess was an unexpected gift.
Nadine¡¯s lips curved ever so slightly.
¡°I pped her because I felt like it,¡± Tess said tly, crossing her arms. ¡°If she doesn¡¯t want to get pped, she should stay out of my way.¡±
The words were short and sharp, leaving no room for argument. Only Tess herself knew her fingers were trembling.
Yes, Nadine was right¨CI hit her. Does that make me the unreasonable one? Tess gave a coldugh in her mind, though her eyes held a brief flicker of sadness.
Finn hadn¡¯t expected that answer. He looked at her like he was seeing a stranger.
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Chapter 239 Question
200
s
Connor, on the other hand, let out a quietugh at Tess¡¯s boldness. But when his eyes moved to Finn and Nadine, the humor faded.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± Connor said, his tone calm but carrying authority, ¡°Ms. Ember used with no proof. How is that Tess¡¯s fault?¡±
Tess¡¯s fa?ade of toughness wavered for just a second at Connor¡¯s voice.
¡°Why are you here with him?¡± Finn asked suddenly, changing the subject.
Nadine blinked, caught off guard. She looked up, only to see Finn¡¯s sharp jaw and cold expression.
Tess raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why does it matter to you? Even if we¡¯re married, you have no right to control what I do.¡±
Her indifference only made Finn¡¯s irritation grow.
¡°Mr. Lock, are we starting yet?¡±
Zane¡¯s voice came from the entrance. He¡¯d had to park farther away and walk in. As soon as he stepped inside, he noticed the reporters gathered at the gate, all watching something in the courtyard with curiosity.
When Zane saw who was inside, his stomach dropped.
Mrs. Lock? And she¡¯s here with Mr. Hale¨Cthe one Mr. Lock can¡¯t stand right now?
A chill ran down his spine.
¡°Looks like you¡¯re busy, Mr. Lock,¡± Connor said smoothly. ¡°Tess and I will be on our way.¡±
Tess turned to leave, clearly done with the drama.
Nadine gritted her teeth. Her cheek still stung from the p, but she had no choice but to swallow her anger.
Zane hurried to smooth things over. ¡°Right, Mr. Lock, the reporters outside have been waiting a while.¡±
At that, Nadine quickly pulled out apact mirror and powder puff. She patted her face, covering the red mark. Then she nced up at Finn with a pitiful expression.
Finn only gave her a brief, unreadable look and said nothing.
10:19 Thu, Oct 9 M
Chapter 239 Question
The tension made Zane rub his nose.
s
¡°Mr. Hale, Ms. Tess,¡± Hudson said politely, ¡°Mr. Lock is here to donate today. The media¡¯s already here, so we¡¯d appreciate your cooperation.¡±
Tess had no interest in being on camera. She and Connor walked over to a stone bench by the courtyard wall, pulling Cissy down beside them.
She hadn¡¯t forgotten how the little girl had stood up for her earlier.
The memory of Nadine¡¯s shocked face made Tess¡¯s lips curl in a faint smirk.
At Zane¡¯s signal, the reporters flooded in.
Even though they stayed far enough away to keep Tess out of the shots, their questions were loud and clear.
¡°Mr. Lock, are you and Ms. Nadine nning to adopt a child together?¡±
That question made everyone look up in surprise, eyes shining with curiosity.
Nadine herself had floated the idea months ago, though Finn had told her to handle it on her own. She never expected that one day they¡¯de to the orphanage together.
The question also made Tess¡¯s chest tighten.
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Keepsake 240
Chapter 240 Perfect
Chapter 240 Perfect
Nobody else knew, but she was certain¨CLa was Finn¡¯s child..
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Finn kept facing the cameras, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught Tess watching him.
Her nce was quick, almost stolen, but it was enough to darken his gaze.
His eyes shifted again toward Tess and Connor. They sat on either side of little Cissy, their shoulders angled toward her. Tess bent low to whisper something, and Connor spoke now and then, too.
The three of them looked like they belonged together. The picture gnawed at Finn.
His hand clenched on his knee. His chest felt like someone had set a stone on it.
¡°Maybe,¡± he said finally, his voice t. It was a vague answer to the reporter¡¯s question, but his gaze flickered in one direction.
That single, nomittal word set the reporters buzzing. Even Nadine¡¯s eyes
lit up.
Across the yard, Tess scrolled through her phone, replying to messages. Her fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.
¡°Mr. Lock, could youment on your current rtionship with Ms. Tess?¡± one of the reporters pressed.
Once the first question was out, the rest tried to push things toward Finn and Nadine¡¯s rtionship.
Finn frowned, then shot a sharp look at Zane. Zane stepped forward, voice firm. ¡°Today is about Lock Group¡¯s charity donation. Let¡¯s focus on that. Please avoid personal questions about Mr. Lock and Ms. Nadine.¡±
The air cooled instantly. The reporters were frustrated, but after that, they stuck to safe topics. The interview wrapped up quickly.
Hudson epted the oversized check¨Cits long string of zeroes hard to miss¨Cand grinned.
¡°On behalf of the kids, thank you, Mr. Lock.¡±
Finn gave a small nod, his arm still around Nadine¡¯s shoulders. His cold, detached face made the gesture seem almost formal.
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Chapter 240 Perfect
s
Then, with a faint smile at her, he said, ¡°Thank Nadine. She¡¯s the one who wanted me to help the kids.¡±
¡°Finn¡¡± Nadine ducked her head, giving a shy little smile. She looked up at him, drinking in his sharp jawline and forgetting the flicker of uncase she¡¯d felt earlier.
On the other side of the yard, Tess and Connor exchanged a nce¨Cand quietly put their own check back into Connor¡¯s pocket.
Tess took Cissy¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯d like to sponsor this child,¡± she said.
The words drew stares from Hudson, Finn, and Nadine.
Finn¡¯s brows tightened. Nadine¡¯s eyes first showed confusion, then a flicker of realization. ¡°Tess,¡± Nadine said sweetly, ¡°you don¡¯t have to sponsor a child just because Finn and I are thinking about adopting. Sponsoring might be different from adopting, but it still takes time andmitment. You shouldn¡¯t make a rash decision.¡±
She covered her mouth like she¡¯d just blurted something inappropriate. Her expression looked concerned, but her eyes held a glint of condescension.
Tess met her gaze with a t, cold look, as if Nadine wasn¡¯t worth the trouble.
That stung Nadine.
She blinked twice, then tilted her head toward Finn. ¡°Finn, don¡¯t you agree with me?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes stayed on Tess. ¡°Nadine¡¯s right. Sponsorship isn¡¯t something you do out of impulse. It¡¯s not fair to the child.¡±
His brow stayed furrowed.
Tess almostughed at the absurdity. Her patience was running thin. ¡°I¡¯ll use my ount. It has nothing to do with the Embers or the Locks. So, no, you don¡¯t get to tell me what to do.¡±
Her grip on Cissy¡¯s hand tightened, as if to reassure her.
Cissy might have seemed unusually mature, but she was still just a kid. When Tess had first said she wanted to sponsor her, Cissy¡¯s eyes had lit up with a hope that couldn¡¯t be faked. Being told ¡°no¡± so bluntly had dimmed that light, though she tried to hide it.
The sight made Tess¡¯s anger burn hotter.
Connor noticed too. ¡°Mr. Waite,¡± he said gently, ¡°you can process the sponsorship under my ount if that¡¯s easier.¡±
10:19 Thu, Oct 9 M¡
Chapter 240 Perfect
Cissy froze, then nced up.
s
The two of them stood side by side, tall enough to block most of the sunlight. But the light that slipped through between them still warmed her.
She didn¡¯t fully understand why her chest felt tight¨Clike something inside was starting to
grow.
Finn saw it too. His face didn¡¯t change, but his jaw tightened.
Oh, perfect.
Using Tess¡¯s and Connor¡¯s ounts.
We¡¯re not even divorced yet, and she¡¯s ready to raise a kid with another man?
Finn¡¯s teeth clenched so hard it hurt.
Zane, wiping sweat from his forehead, could feel the tension crackling in the air.
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Keepsake 241
Chapter 241 Cissy¡¯s Hidden Plea
Chapter 241 Cissy¡¯s Hidden Plea
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Facing Finn¡¯s chilling gaze, the orphanage director was seething inwardly but still forcing himself to appear considerate as he spoke. ¡°Ms. Tess, this child has always had a bad reputation. at the orphanage, and she refuses to follow the rules.¡±
¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±
Tess frowned with displeasure and cut him off.
Her eyes were sharp and dangerous, as if one more negative word about Cissy might prompt her to tear down the entire orphanage.
The director, Hudson Waite, shuddered at her tone, his chubby cheeks trembling.
¡°Here are Cissy¡¯s living expenses for the month. I will personally deliver them or send someone with them every month from now on.¡±
Tess pulled out a pen from her bag and quickly wrote a check.
She capped the pen, walked over, and pressed the check into Hudson¡¯s hand.
Upon feeling the rough texture in his grip, Hudson trembled even more.
His reaction was due to the sinister voice that had just whispered in his ear.
¡°I¡¯ll send people to check regrly, and I¡¯ll inspect personally. If Cissy¡¯s situation remains the same as before she was sponsored, well¡ ¡±
Hudson looked up nervously, meeting a pair of threatening, cold eyes, then quickly looked down again.
His back was already drenched in cold sweat.
Her words served as a clear warning.
It seemed like she knew something.
Hudson could only force himself to nod repeatedly. ¡°Of¨Cof course! Cissy is so fortunate to have your sponsorship!¡±
Tess crouched down again and gave Cissy a few instructions, then decided not to stay any longer.
Chapter 241 Cissy¡¯s Hidden Plea
But just as she stood up, Cissy grabbed her hand.
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She looked down in confusion. The little girl, who had always seemed gloomy and withdrawn, timidly grasped both of them with her hands, one holding Tess and the other holding Connor, refusing to let go.
¡°Will youe back?¡±
She bit her lip, her voice as soft as a whisper.
Tess had to crouch down again to hear her.
Tess¡¯s gaze lightly swept over Cissy, and Connor also looked deeply at the two of them.
¡°Of course I will.¡±
Tess replied seriously, and Connor patted her head.
Cissy then forced a small smile and reached out to hug both of them.
When she let go, her cheeks were already bright red.
Tess was moved by the little girl¡¯s shy emotions, her heart meltingpletely.
When she and Connor reached the orphanage gate, Cissy was still standing there watching
them.
People had sponsored her before, but once theymitted to sponsoring her, they never came again, and the sponsorship barelysted one or two months before ending.
From the corner of her eye, Cissy nced at Hudson, then looked away coldly.
When she casually raised her eyes, she met the intense gaze of the man not far away.
Unlike the nervousness she showed with Tess and Connor, she calmly met Finn¡¯s any other emotions.
eyes,
without
Finn¡¯s eyebrows drew tightly together. The girl had already turned and left on her own.
Nadine carefully observed Finn¡¯s displeased expression. Though she felt frustrated inside, she also felt somewhat smug.
Tess was such an idiot, trying to attract Finn¡¯s attention this way but instead making him
Chapter 241 Cissy¡¯s Hidden Plea
unhappy.
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A calcting glint shed in her eyes as she nned to add fuel to the fire. ¡°Finn, Tess is really too impulsive.¡±
Finn let out a coldugh. ¡°Who can control her?¡±
The mockery in his words was intense. Nadine sensed Finn¡¯s disgust toward Tess, feeling even more delighted inside, but she missed the trace of reluctance and jealousy in the man¡¯s tone.
Meanwhile, Tess and Connor had already gotten into the car.
Connor looked at Tess. ¡°Why did you suddenly decide to adopt Cissy?¡±
Tess propped her head up, her eyes twinkling. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hold back from donating the money
too?¡±
She nced at the check in his hand.
It was a substantial amount. If given to Hudson, it could renovate the entire orphanage or greatly improve the children¡¯s meals.
The two shared a knowing smile.
The children¡¯s meals were very simple. Most of them were skinny and frail, while Hudson was plump and overweight. It was hard not to suspect the administrators were pocketing the donations.
¡°I¡¯ll have my assistant convert this into supplies and send them to the rural middle school.¡±
Connor said with a faint smile.
Tess also nodded in agreement.
¡°Take me to this research institute.¡±
Tess gave the driver an address.
She had originally nned to go to the studio in the morning and meet Steven in the afternoon, but she hadn¡¯t expected Connor to arrange the orphanage visit.
Tess looked down at her watch. The time was about right for her appointment with Steven.
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Chapter 241 Cissy¡¯s Hidden Plea
¡°Nexus Research Institute?¡±
Connor repeated the address Tess had mentioned, with a hint of surprise.
Tess looked at him. ¡°You know it?¡±
¡°Of course.¡±
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Connor nodded. ¡°I heard this institute has been expanding in Crorustely. It used to be a top- tier research institute overseas. But it seems they¡¯ve run into some trouble recently.¡±
He looked at Tess. ¡°But how do you know about it?¡±
After all, design and research werepletely unrted fields.
¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, it should be rted to the trouble you mentioned.¡±
Tess shrugged, keeping him in suspense.
¡°Oh?¡±
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Chapter 242 Courtroom Comeback Sparks
Chapter 242 Courtroom Comeback Sparks
Connor raised an eyebrow.
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Tess smiled without saying a word. The car had stopped right at the research institute¡¯s
entrance.
Research institutes typically deal with a lot of scientific secrets and do not allow outsiders to
enter.
Connor racked his brain but couldn¡¯t figure out what credentials Tess had to get inside. That was until he saw her get out of the car. As soon as she stood at the door, the guards seemed used to her arrival. They respectfully helped open the door.
Connor¡¯s eyes deepened as they fell on Tess¡¯s silhouette against the light.
She was surrounded by a mysterious aura that made it hard to look away.
Something tugged at his heartstrings.
¡°You¡¯re here so early?¡±
As soon as Tess walked into Steven¡¯sboratory, he heard the footsteps and looked up unhappily at first. When he saw who it was, he softened his tone.
¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Jynn?¡±
Tess looked around but didn¡¯t see the familiar figure.
Steven took off his white gloves, wiped his hands, and raised an eyebrow. ¡°You just got here, and you¡¯re already asking about Mr. Jynn?¡±
His serious face showed a hint of yful teasing.
Tess smiled back. ¡°The trial¡¯s this afternoon. Howe you¡¯re soid¨Cback as the client? Looks like I¡¯m the one sweating bullets while you¡¯re cool as a cucumber.¡±
Steven chuckled and tossed the wet wipe into the trash can. ¡°He¡¯ll be here soon.¡±
Tess used the free time to casually flip through the prepared case files and documents on the desk. Just as Steven said, it wasn¡¯t long before Tommy arrived, holding his big belly and wiping
his mouth.
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Chapter 242 Courtroom Comeback Sparks
His eyes lit up when he saw Tess. ¡°Ms. Tess!¡±
Tess was amused and exasperated by this old man¡¯s enthusiastic style.
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Tommy didn¡¯t care at all. He proudly opened the case files on the desk one by one for Tess to check. ¡°These are what I¡¯ve collected and organized with Mr. Stone¡¯s assistant. Please take a look.¡±
Tess nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve seen them. They¡¯re veryplete.¡±
Tommy immediately beamed with joy.
At that moment, Steven¡¯s assistant came over carrying a tray of tea.
Her first ncended on Tess, with that same look that made Tess ufortable.
Tess frowned and looked away.
After all, she wasn¡¯t Tess¡¯s assistant. Tess couldn¡¯t voice anyints about her.
Tommy casually picked up the teacup and enthusiastically said, ¡°Ms. Tess, this is some good tea I collected. Try it!¡±
¡°Mr. Jynn!¡±
The assistant suddenly eximed, trying to stop Tommy¡¯s action.
Tommy was startled by her sudden shout. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Facing the gazes of the three people in the room, the assistant hunched her shoulders, and her voice lowered. ¡°This tea was only brewed for one person.¡±
If Tess drank it, there would be none left.
Tommyughed heartily. ¡°I thought it was something serious. Just brew more after we drink it!¡±
He immediately reached over and poured a cup for Tess.
Tess originally wanted to refuse, but after the assistant¡¯s strange behavior, she reached out to take it. She smiled without speaking and looked at the assistant.
You can¡¯t let people who dislike you feel too .
Tess drank it in one gulp. ¡°Good tea.¡±
Chapter 242 Courtroom Comeback Sparks
His eyes lit up when he saw Tess. ¡°Ms. Tess!¡±
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Tess was amused and exasperated by this old man¡¯s enthusiastic style.
Tommy didn¡¯t care at all. He proudly opened the case files on the desk one by one for Tess to check. ¡°These are what I¡¯ve collected and organized with Mr. Stone¡¯s assistant. Please take a look.¡±
Tess nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve seen them. They¡¯re veryplete.¡±
Tommy immediately beamed with joy.
At that moment, Steven¡¯s assistant came over carrying a tray of tea.
Her first ncended on Tess, with that same look that made Tess ufortable.
Tess frowned and looked away.
After all, she wasn¡¯t Tess¡¯s assistant. Tess couldn¡¯t voice anyints about her.
Tommy casually picked up the teacup and enthusiastically said, ¡°Ms. Tess, this is some good tea I collected. Try it!¡±
¡°Mr. Jynn!¡±
The assistant suddenly eximed, trying to stop Tommy¡¯s action.
Tommy was startled by her sudden shout. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Facing the gazes of the three people in the room, the assistant hunched her shoulders, and her voice lowered. ¡°This tea was only brewed for one person.¡±
If Tess drank it, there would be none left.
Tommyughed heartily. ¡°I thought it was something serious. Just brew more after we drink it!¡±
He immediately reached over and poured a cup for Tess.
Tess originally wanted to refuse, but after the assistant¡¯s strange behavior, she reached out to take it. She smiled without speaking and looked at the assistant.
You can¡¯t let people who dislike you feel too .
Tess drank it in one gulp. ¡°Good tea.¡±
Chapter 242 Courtroom Comeback Sparks
His eyes lit up when he saw Tess. ¡°Ms. Tess!¡±
Tess was amused and exasperated by this old man¡¯s enthusiastic style.
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Tommy didn¡¯t care at all. He proudly opened the case files on the desk one by one for Tess to check. ¡°These are what I¡¯ve collected and organized with Mr. Stone¡¯s assistant. Please take a look.¡±
Tess nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve seen them. They¡¯re veryplete.
Tommy immediately beamed with joy.
At that moment, Steven¡¯s assistant came over carrying a tray of tea.
Her first ncended on Tess, with that same look that made Tess ufortable.
Tess frowned and looked away.
After all, she wasn¡¯t Tess¡¯s assistant. Tess couldn¡¯t voice anyints about her.
Tommy casually picked up the teacup and enthusiastically said, ¡°Ms. Tess, this is some good tea I collected. Try it!¡±
¡°Mr. Jynn!¡±
The assistant suddenly eximed, trying to stop Tommy¡¯s action.
Tommy was startled by her sudden shout. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Facing the gazes of the three people in the room, the assistant hunched her shoulders, and her voice lowered. ¡°This tea was only brewed for one person.¡±
If Tess drank it, there would be none left.
Tommyughed heartily. ¡°I thought it was something serious. Just brew more after we drink it!¡±
He immediately reached over and poured a cup for Tess.
Tess originally wanted to refuse, but after the assistant¡¯s strange behavior, she reached out to take it. She smiled without speaking and looked at the assistant.
You can¡¯t let people who dislike you feel too .
Tess drank it in one gulp. ¡°Good tea.¡±
Chapter 242 Courtroom Comeback Sparks
Tommy got even more excited. ¡°Right? Have some more!¡±
With that, he poured another cup for Tess.
Tess drank it all in one go again.
After two cups, the teapot was empty.
Tommy handed it to the assistant. ¡°Go brew another pot. I still want some.¡±
With that, he turned without looking back and pulled Tess toward the desk.
The assistant froze in ce, her hands tightly gripping the tray.
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Steven noticed her standing still and frowned slightly. ¡°What are you standing there for? Do you want me to do it?¡±
A sh of hurt passed through the assistant¡¯s eyes, but she lowered her head, bit her lip, and left.
Steven¡¯s gaze shifted andnded on Tess.
Tess happened to look up, meeting his eyes. The slyness in her eyes was not hidden at all.
Steven smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of indulgence.
When he lowered his eyes, he hid the depth in them again.
After all, he had been in the corporate world for many years. He could detect some unusual reactions and attitudes.
However, the people in the research institute were not recruited by him. Unless theymitted a major mistake, they generally wouldn¡¯t be fired.
Tess discussed the defense process in detail with Tommy again until the time was almost up.
The assistant knocked on the door again.
¡°Come in.¡±
That pot of tea had been brewing for nearly two hours.
The resentment on the assistant¡¯s face was darker than a storm cloud.
¡°I¡¯m heading to the courthouse now. Heat it up for me when I get back.¡±
Chapter 242 Courtroom Comeback Sparks
Tommy waved his hand and left with Tree
The assistant was so angry she could barely stand steady. Steven followed closely behind. giving her one more nce before quietly withdrawing his gaze.
This case was scheduled at the Aetheris District Court.
Tess stepped onto the familiar long steps again, feeling an indescribable mix of emotions in
her heart.
When she was still that famous topwyer, the Actheris District Court was the ce she knew best, besides Evermount Vi and the Lock Group.
She could even clearly remember which brick had a crack.
But after being away for a year, it felt like a lifetime had passed.
She felt a surge of emotions as she climbed step by step, finally seeing the great seal hanging high.
Tess¡¯s heart raced with renewed passion.
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Chapter 243 Courtroom Rivals sh
Chapter 243 Courtroom Rivals sh
¡°Tess?¡±
Suddenly, a surprised female voice interrupted her thoughts.
That familiar voice made Tess frown and look over.
Nadine was standing not far away, staring at her with shock written all over her face.
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Tess¡¯s gaze swept the courtroom. In front of her was the sign for ¡°intiff¡¯s Attorney,¡± while the opposite side was empty.
Tommy had already hurried over and plopped down in the seat.
Only then did Tess understand.
She didn¡¯t know if it counted as enemies crossing paths.
She never expected that her first formal case after getting out of prison would run right into Nadine.
Nadine looked extremely ufortable.
Why was Tess here?
Compared to the surprise of Tess¡¯s appearance, the pressure and tension in her heart were even greater.
Although she had indeed reced Tess¡¯s previous position at the Lock Group and in everyone¡¯s minds, she knew her own abilities best.
Most of her ¡°sessful cases¡± relied on help from her mentor. Her own skills might be better than those of averagewyers, but they were far from reaching Tess¡¯s top¨Clevel expertise in the field.
It wasn¡¯t until the two were almost sitting face¨Cto¨Cface that Nadine realized she had picked up a hot potato.
¡°Ms. Nadine, I¡¯m counting on you!¡±
Nadine¡¯s client looked at her with excitement and expectation, then nced provocatively at
Steven.
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Chapter 243 Courbeom Rivals Cloch
This was his inf in Autheris after all, and Steven hart hired twowyers who seemed totally
mnknown.
He had spent a fortune to hire the renownedwyer Nad
The intiff lifted his chin, learly already seeing the light of victory.
If he defeated Steven, not only would he acquire that immensely valuable project, but Steven¡¯s research institute would also lose its biggestpetitor.
The intiff smugly narrowed his eyes, obviously lost in pleasant daydreams.
Tess sat up straight, her eyes holding a knowing smile that put huge pressure on Nadine.
T¨CI¡¯m Nadine Ember, counsel for the intiff, Zack¨CZack Finch.¡±
Nadine stood up to go through the procedure.
Her slightly stuttering words made her mentor take notice, and he couldn¡¯t help but look at Nadine a couple more times.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
As soon as she sat down, her mentor¡¯s aged voice came in a low tone.
Nadine bit her lip hard. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the other side to bring in Tess.¡±
¡°What¡¯s there to fear?¡±
Her mentor scoffed lightly.
The disdainful tone made Nadine regain her confidence.
¡°Then Tommy stood up. I¡¯m Tommy Jynn, defense counsel for the defendant, Steven Stone.¡°¡±
With those words, Nadine breathed a sigh of relief.
So Tess was just there for support.
Meanwhile, her mentor stared fixedly at Tommy.
Tommy didn¡¯t back down and returned the gaze. Their eyes shed in mid¨Cair, and even feel the faint sparks flying.
you
could
With the bang of the gavel, the court officially began.
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Chapter 243 Courtroom Rivals sh
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¡°This case involves an infringement dispute between the intiff, Zack Finch and the defendant. Steven Stone. ording to the intiff¡¯sint and evidence, the intiff ims that the defendant infringed on his legal rights in thetest research announced by his
research institute.¡±
Nadine first presented the evidence prepared by the intiff. ¡°Your Honor, please look. The initial research time provided by the Nexus Research Institute was after the intiff, Zack, had already provided it.¡±
Once the timeline issue was established, the oue of this kind of case was pretty much set
in stone.
Nadine raised her head, her eyes smugly looking at Tess.
Her mentor was right.
Tess is an ex¨Ccon already abandoned by the industry. What is there to fear from her?
¡°I do not ept the authenticity of the evidence unterally produced by the intiff. The initial research time provided by the intiff for the Nexus Research Institute is not urate.
¡°Additionally, this is the evidence we provide. Please review it, Your Honor.¡±
Tommy stood up and handed the documents to the clerk.
The judge took over, frowning while flipping through them.
She closed the file, and her gaze toward Tess deepened.
She set the file aside and announced they would continue with both sides¡® arguments.
Tommy and Nadine went at it tooth and nail, back and forth. It seemed like a tie, or even Nadine having the upper hand.
Nadine even had time to shoot a few provocative nces at Tess.
Just as Nadine confidently waited for the judge¡¯s verdict, nning to hold the Nexus Research Institute and its director Steven fully ountable, the court rejected it on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
¡°The Court will render its verdict within one month.¡±
The judge had a serious expression and dered the court adjourned.
¡°Why?¡±
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Chapter 248 Courtroom Rivals ds
19istel was written all over Nadine¡¯s face.
She mmed the table and stood up, her face twisted in anger.
Zack also widened his eyes. ¡°We providedplete evidence. Why was it rejected?¡±
The judge nced down coldly. ¡°Wait for the verdict.
The upromising attitude and tone shut down theirints.
Nadine reluctantly bit her lip but had to let it go.
Zack stood up in anger and dissatisfaction, and even his initial respectful attitude toward Nadine diminished significantly.
But he still remembered Nadine¡¯s status. Even with fire in his chest, he could only turn away and vent on his apanying subordinates.
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Chapter 244 License Revoked Fury
The intiff¡¯s side was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.
Tess and her group seemed much more rxed.
They packed up the files and were about to leave when they were stopped.
¡°Tess.¡±
Tess¡¯s steps halted, and her body stiffened slightly.
+10 Free Couis
She turned around. The judge, who had been cold¨Cfaced earlier, was standing not far away, her eyes holding someplex emotions.
¡°Lyra Bell, long time no see.¡±
She forced a smile, pretending to be casual.
Lyra walked closer, her gaze scanning Tess from head to toe. Seeing that she seemed to be doing well, she breathed a sigh of relief.
¡°How did you get involved in this case?¡±
Her tone was familiar, drawing extra nces from Steven and Tommy standing beside Tess.
¡°A friend.¡±
Tess smiled warmly.
Lyra nodded. She raised her hand hesitantly for a moment, then ced it on her shoulder. ¡°When are youing back?¡±
The sudden question made Tess¡¯s body freeze.
She looked up, meeting Lyra¡¯s concerned eyes, feeling an indescribable mix in her heart.
She and Lyra had known each other for years¨Cone would go on to be a renownedwyer in Aetheris, the other, the highest¨Cranking judge in Aetheris court.
Lyra was the one who had seen her moments of glory the most. Their rtionship was not close, but they had always maintained a deep mutual understanding.
¡°Soon.¡±
1
Chapte: 244 License Revoked Fury
The pursed her lips, her gaze firm.
¡°Creol. F¡¯ll be waiting for yen
When they walked out of that solemn courthouse, Tess¡¯s chest was still surging with waves of erotion, even making her fair cheeks flush red with excitement
Just as she reached the bottom of the long steps, a surprised voice suddenly rang in her ears, sharp and piercing, cutting through Tess¡¯s thoughts.
Finn!¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up, and she practically flew towards him.
Finn was leaning against a limited¨Cedition Maybach car, looking over at the sound.
But the gaze that should havended on Nadine suddenly shifted, falling on Tess not far away.
He obviously had not expected Tess¡¯s appearance. A sh of surprise passed through his eyes, but then he noticed Steven beside her, and his expression turned cold again.
Nadine also keenly noticed Tess¡¯s presence. The smile on her lips deepened, and she walked up with shyness written all over her face.
¡°Finn, what are you doing here?¡± Finn looked down at Nadine, his eyes slightly narrowing, and he also smiled gently and indulgently. ¡°You¡¯re in court. Of course I had toe.¡±
The affection in his tone made Nadine¡¯s cheeks burn.
The intimate actions between the two made Steven frown, his already serious face bing even colder.
He discreetly nced at Tess¡¯s expression from the corner of his eye. Seeing her face unchanged, he rxed a bit.
Tess didn¡¯t ignore his concerned look and gave him a reassuring nce.
She hadpletely ignored the lovey¨Cdovey pair¨Cbut the moment she took a step, Nadine¡¯s words, mentioning her, stopped her in her tracks.
¡°Finn, I didn¡¯t expect Tess to be the opposing counsel this time!¡±
Her tone was full of surprise.
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Chapter 244 License Revoked Fury
Finn looked over with interest, slowly focusing on Tess. ¡°Oh?
You were the defense attorney?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes were deep. his thickshes casting a shadow, making it hard to see the emotions in
them.
Tess acted as if she hadn¡¯t heard, signaling Steven to leave together.
With Tess¡¯s attitude clear, Steven naturally wouldn¡¯t do anything extra. He went ahead and opened the car door for Tess.
Tommy¡¯s expression changed. He lowered his head a bit, then followed and got into the car.
¡°Tess!¡±
The man finally couldn¡¯t hold back, his voice still low but carrying rising anger.
Tess paused mid¨Cmovement as she bent to enter, then coolly flicked an emotionless nce their way.
Finn¡¯s cold eyes narrowed. He strode forward and gripped her slender wrist.
He had clearly held it many times before, but touching her thin wrist again still made his hear tremble involuntarily.
Finn hid the fluctuating emotions, his eyes extremely dark. ¡°Do you really not want to see me that much?¡±
¡°Mr. Lock, not everyone has so much free time to talk about love or even be forced to watch you two being all lovey¨Cdovey.¡±
Tess curled her lips in a cold smile, her gaze lightly sweeping over Finn and Nadine, her eyes carrying sarcasm without a trace of warmth.
¡°Tess, don¡¯t get the wrong idea about me and Finn.¡±
¡°You wish I would
get
the wrong
idea.¡±
Tess raised her hand to interrupt.
¡°Tess, I booked a dinner to celebrate tonight.¡±
Steven¡¯s serious voice came from the half¨Copen car window, carrying a gently urging tone.
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Chapter 244 License Revoked Fury
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Tess raised an eyebrow and lightly agreed, her gaze falling on Finn¡¯s hand to signal him to let
Nadine¡¯s pale face from being cut off earlier had not faded, but her eyes widened. ¡°I remember your attorney license was revoked a long time ago. Why are you still¡
She quickly covered her mouth.
Tess¡¯s hand paused, and Finn also frowned. ¡°Your attorney license was revoked a year ago. I specifically sent people to make sure of it. Just for a bit of favor with him, you¡¯re even willing to break thew by handling a case without a license?¡±
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Chapter 245 Marc¡¯s Urgent Call
Finn¡¯s tone was heavy,ced with confusion and a sharp edge of resentment.
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¡°You clearly know you¡¯re no match for Nadine, and much of your previous reputation was built on her talent. Yet because of him, you-¡±
¡°I¡¯m no match for Nadine?¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes turned cold and piercing at the absurdity of his words.
She had an absolute intolerance for anyone questioning her professionalism, especially when beingpared to the unskilled Nadine.
Tess stared hard at Finn, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words.
His words seemed to use her of stealing Nadine¡¯s glory. She knew better than anyone how much sweat and effort she had put into reaching her previous position.
In a world where women and neers were often belittled and suppressed, she had established her legacy purely through skill. And yet, he was talking like it was her disgrace.
Noticing Tess¡¯s sudden hardening expression, Nadine¡¯s heart skipped. She feared Tess might take it seriously.
She quickly reached out to Finn, attempting to smooth things over. ¡°Finn, don¡¯t say that. Tess has worked very hard too.¡±
Tess¡¯s sudden surge of seriousness was interrupted, and a wave of fatigue instantly washed over her.
She didn¡¯t bother arguing with them and simply opened the car door and got in.
The vehicle then roared to life, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Nadine was relieved, but she caught Finn¡¯s deep, scrutinizing gaze from above. ¡°You seem unwilling to bring up the past. She took your honor¨Cdon¡¯t you resent her?¡±
Nadine¡¯s fingers trembled as she tried to keep the natural smile on her face.
She looked up at Finn innocently and batted hershes. ¡°Finn, what are you talking about? She¡¯s my sister. Although Tess has never been very fond of me, I¡¯ve always genuinely treated her as family.¡±
Chapter 245 Mare¡¯s Urgent Call
As she spoke, she boldly swayed Finn¡¯s arm in a yful, girlish manner.
Finn¡¯s dark gaze lingered on her face for a long moment before slowly shifting away.
¡°Go back.¡±
His voice was barely audible.
419 Free Coms
Nadine sensed his coldness but rxed slightly as she realized he wouldn¡¯t press further.
Meanwhile, Steven had the driver pull up at a restaurant.
¡°All right, a little impromptu treat,¡± he said.
His usually tense face softened into a faint smile. This was an attempt tofort Tess in his
own way.
Meeting Tess after a year, he noticed that her demeanor had grown quieter; yet, the weight of her subdued mood was still palpable.
Through the car window, Tess recognized the restaurant to be the one she had often passed while working at Lock Group, but never had the chance to dine in.
She looked at Steven, unsure whether it was a mere coincidence.
Tommy stepped out first, holding the door wide for Tess.
He knew that submitting the evidence to the judge had nearly guaranteed victory, so he no longer felt burdened.
But when his gaze inevitably fell on Tess, he couldn¡¯t help recalling the little incident outside the court earlier today.
Tommy lowered his eyes, then regained his usual yful cheer. ¡°Man, I¡¯m starving! Let¡¯s go all out since Mr. Stone is treating!¡±
Tess hesitated for a moment. Though her mood was low and she didn¡¯t have an appetite, she didn¡¯t want to ruin the moment.
She nodded and stepped out, only to meet a pair of striking eyes the moment she walked in.
What a small world, Connor was here as well.
¡°Hey, Ms. Ember.¡±
Chapter 243 Mare¡¯s Urgent Call
Conner stood up and looked over at her, his gaze polite as it fell to her side. ¡°Who are you with?¡±
Steven immediately became guarded. His previously softened gaze around Tess hardened back into his usual irond neutrality.
¡°Friends, she said with a polite smile as she introduced them.
¡°This is Steven Stone, head of Nexus Research Institute, and this is Tommy Jynn, Steven¡¯s
attorney.
¡°This is Connor, the CEO of Cavrielle¡¯s operations in Crorus.¡±
The brief introductions caused Steven¡¯s hands to tense and rx again. However, he forced himself to appearposed.
¡°Nice to meet you,¡± Connor said with a nod while gesturing warmly to the seat across from him.
By now, it was close to evening. The restaurant had a great location and delicious food, and it was almost always full around this time.
Tess scanned the room, noticing that almost all the seats were upied.
Steven parted his lips to refuse, but Connor beat him to it. ¡°This ce has great food, and it¡¯s busy everywhere. Why don¡¯t you guys make do and have a quick meal here?¡±
His gentle smile and mature demeanor were smooth and left no room for criticism.
However, Steven¡¯s brow furrowed slightly.
Despite Connor¡¯s polite and gentlemanly manner, a subtle, inexplicable resistance lingered in his chest.
¡°Thanks,¡± Tess murmured, stepping in to ease the awkwardness.
Connor smiled lightly and signaled a waiter to quickly tidy the table. Meanwhile, his gaze drifted to Steven for a moment before casually looking away.
Just as Tess settled into her seat, Marc¡¯s call came through, his voice urgent and hurried.
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Chapter 246 Another Online csh
Chapter 246 Another Online csh
¡°Tess! Go online, you¡¯ve blown up again!¡±
The loud, exaggerated tone made Tess groan, and she held the phone a little farther away.
Connor was quick to take her phone. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± He answered with a soothing voice.
Marc fell silent for a moment as he realized who was on the other end. Heughed awkwardly. ¡°Con¨CMr. Hale, you¡¯re here too?¡±
¡°What happened? What do you mean by ¡®blown up¡® just now?¡±
Connor¡¯s tone was serious.
Marc¡¯s mouth twitched in embarrassment before he shifted to a more serious tone. ¡°Did Tess attend a court session involving Nexus Research Institute?¡±
Hearing the news about himself, Steven¡¯s gaze instinctively flicked over with a frown.
He sensed something wasn¡¯t right and opened the news feed on his phone.
Tess¡¯s name was right before his eyes, followed by a big, bold ¡°breaking¡°.
Marc¡¯s voice continued on the phone.
¡°Tess, the news online says yourw license has been revoked, that you have no qualification to participate in the trial. Seems like the defendant side you¡¯re apanying could also be affected.¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes as her mind raced. It didn¡¯t take long for her to pinpoint the culprit behind spreading this information.
Her first instinct was to look at Steven, and their eyes met just as she did.
¡°I¡¯m not yourwyer, I was there as your apaniment,¡± she said.
She gave him a reassuring nce, signaling him not to worry.
Steven, however, shook his head.
She assumed he was worried about how this might affect the trial oue, but that wasn¡¯t it. He was more concerned about Tess.
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Chapter 246 Another Online csh
A while ago, he had rushed abroad because of this incident and had missed the time when Tess was being attacked online. He only learned about it through other people¡¯s talks after
returning home and getting everything back in order.
Besides facing widespread online bacsh, Tess had even gone through a dangerous kidnapping.
If he had known what would happen to her, he would never have gone abroad; he would have stayed by her side to protect her.
¡°Can you find which entertainment outlet first reported this?¡± Tess asked calmly.
There was a pause on the other end as Marc looked for a lead.
¡°Chances are slim.¡±
The group at the table fell into silence, listening to the steady tapping of keys over the phone.
After a long moment, Marc frowned in regret. ¡°I can¡¯t find it. Multiple news outlets broke it simultaneously¨Cthere¡¯s no way to know which one was first.¡±
Tess¡¯s jaw tightened.
She had already guessed who was behind this.
It seemed Nadine still wasn¡¯t willing to give up.
But without identifying the first outlet, she couldn¡¯t proceed with her investigation. Without sufficient evidence, neither the media nor the public would believe her.
Even if she proved her innocence, the person tampering behind the scenes wouldn¡¯t face justice.
¡°Actually, it wouldn¡¯t be so tricky if someone authoritative in Aetheris spoke up
Marc trailed off, as if hinting at something hesitantly.
Tess¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll handle whates next.¡±
With that, she hung up.
¡±
Connor¡¯s concerned gaze fell on her. ¡°Are you in a rush? I can ask the staff to hold off serving. Let me know if there¡¯s anything you need.¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Tess shook her head and sat back down, giving Steven and Tommy a small, calm
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Chapter #46 Another Online csh
simile. Tm staying for now since Steven is treating us to dinner.¡±
Both Steven and Connor were slightly taken aback. They hadn¡¯t expected her to remain soposed when everyone else would be panicking.
Steven¡¯s gaze lingered on Tess, his eyshes twitching slightly.
It was hard not to wonder if only someone who had endured so much could remain this calm.
His hand rested on his leg, tightening subtly.
Among them. Tommy was the most rxed after Tess. He plopped into his seat and began eating the appetizers on the table. ¡°No use panicking¨Clet¡¯s cat first!¡±
Tess smiled faintly, motioning for them to sit and enjoy the meal.
The atmosphere of the meal was fairly pleasant, though Steven and Connor remained slightly reserved toward each other.
¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡±
As Tess was done eating, Steven and Connor both stood up and spoke at the same time.
Their voices ovepped, making them nce at each other.
Tess nced at them and said, ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯ve got a few things to handle. You guys go ahead and finish your meal.¡±
Then, she immediately returned to her studio.
Hertest creations still sat on the desk.
The first step after confirming her identity was to show her work.
She hadn¡¯t expected something like this to happen, though.
Rubbing her forehead, Tess felt a headacheing on.
Yet she set her hand down and fixed her gaze sharply on the glowingputer screen.
At the top, bold ck letters screamed across the page¨Cobviously articles condemning Tess for attending court without a license.
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Chapter 246 Another Online csh
Her eyes scanned slowly, narrowing at the sharp, cutting words of the media.
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Chapter 247 I Can Handle It
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¡°I knew it! So what if she¡¯s Selina? A year ago, she stole trade secrets, and a yearter, her identity isn¡¯t going to magically clear her name! A convict is still a convict!¡±
¡°My filter for Selina ispletely shattered now. Why does Tess only ever do illegal things?¡±
¡°Ever since her identity as Selina came out, public opinion has been one¨Csided. I never liked her in the first ce. Who gets it? It¡¯s satisfying to see someone you hate exposed again!¡±
Thement section was a battlefield of its own.
Some were fence¨Csitters who had suddenly switched sides. Others swooped in after, acting as if they¡¯d seen iting all along. But without exception, every remark dripped with sarcasm and disdain toward Tess.
Tess¡¯s expression was cold as she scrolled through the top¨Clikedments.
Her mind was sharper than ever.
Her gaze shifted to the design draft she had set aside.
Currently, the public was firmly against her. Even if she released a new design, it wouldn¡¯t reverse her reputation¡ªif anything, the bad press would drag sales down and damage Cavrielle¡¯s performance.
She weighed the situation calmly.
She had been in court that day only as apanion, surrounded by dozens of people who all knew she hadn¡¯t spoken. Steven¡¯s defensewyer was Tommy.
And yet she couldn¡¯t stop herself from considering the worst.
Nadine had probably already bought off most of them¨Cor pressured them from above into keeping quiet. Otherwise, after so much time had passed, there was no reason for everyone to be even more convinced of her guilt.
Her fingers tapped lightly on the desk. Her expression was utterly calm, as if the flood of hatefulments wasn¡¯t aimed at her at all.
After everything she¡¯d been through, the greatest change in her was her state of mind.
Chapter 2471 Can Handle It
Tess lowered her eyes as her hand curled into a fist.
When she looked back at the screen, a strange glint shed in her gaze.
The truth was right there in the open; clearing her name was only a matter of time.
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What she cared about now was how to turn this wave of online hate into a tool for her own gain.
At the moment, hashtags about Tess attending court without a license have garnered tens of thousands of posts. Any headline with ¡°Tess¡± was at the top of the trending page.
If it wasn¡¯t just a rumor, this would no doubt be a wave of overwhelming traffic¨Cbut it¡¯s not impossible to turn it to mutual benefit.
Tess narrowed her eyes, only to be interrupted by a sudden ringtone.
She nced at the phone, and Abel¡¯s name shed across the screen.
She frowned and was ready to block the call when a message from him popped up.
¡°If you don¡¯t answer, I¡¯lle to find you.¡±
A few simple words, yet she could almost see his cold, handsome face and that unyielding
stance.
She pressed her lips together in resignation and answered.
¡°Have you decided how you¡¯re going to handle it?¡±
His voice was nothing like its usual teasing drawl¨Cthere was a hard, steady edge to it.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have a n.¡±
Her tone was light.
Abel was silent for a moment. ¡°Cavrielle¡¯s been affected too. Connor can barely manage his own mess. And with Steven involved, the best move is to keep your distance. So, Tess, you could always consider me.¡±
His voice was still as bold and wild as ever.
Hearing about Cavrielle made Tess¡¯sposure waver.
She quickly searched for updates on Cavrielle¡¯s situation and found it worse than she¡¯d
Chapter 2471 Can Handle It
imagined.
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Manyizens were now boycotting Cavrielle because of her. Even designs she had never touched were being demanded for removal without any reason.
Some outright stated that unless she was fired immediately, Cavrielle could wait to be shunned by the entire industry.
Just skimming thetest reports made her brow tighten sharply.
She had underestimated the sheer madness of these people.
Without replying to Abel, she typed a message to Connor asking about Cavrielle¡¯s current
state.
His answer was as calm as ever, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Do what you need to do.¡±
Her eyes flickered.
It was as if he already knew what she intended.
Aside from the personal attacks against her, the rest of the news was all about Cavrielle.
In Crorus¡¯s stock market, Cavrielle¡¯s shares had nearly plummeted. The sea of ring red on the chart made her heart clench.
Her fingers curled tighter.
On the other end, her silence made Abel exasperated. ¡°Tess, do you really have to resist me like this? You know that if I help you-¡±
¡°No.¡±
Her voice cut him off, t and final.
Abel¡¯s hand froze around his phone, a flicker of confusion and disappointment clouding his
eyes.
¡°Thanks, but I can handle it.¡±
Her tone was cold, almost mechanical.
A chill spread through Abel¡¯s chest.
He knew she could be passionate¨Cbut never for him.
Chapter 247 I Can Handle It
Biting his lip, Abel felt a tight, suffocating sense of grievance.
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To him, if someone could get him to take the initiative and offer help, it was a stroke of luck for them. Anyone who turned it down was a fool who didn¡¯t know what was good for them.
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Chapter 248 Number One Lawyer in Aetheris
Chapter 248 Number One Lawyer in Aetheris
Unfortunately for Abel, the person he was dealing with was Tess.
He couldn¡¯t do anything to her.
He let out a sigh. ¡°Fine. But if you ever need anything, you call me first.
¡°I¡¯ll help you, Tess¨Cjust say the word¡¡±
His voice was low, the words almost fading into the air.
Yet they were heavy with sincerity. It was like an earnest promise.
Something stirred in Tess¡¯s chest, a feeling she couldn¡¯t quite name.
She gave a quiet ¡°Mm¡± and ended the call.
Then she immediately dialed Connor.
On the other end, he sounded mildly surprised at her calling first. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
??
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¡°Mr. Hale, should we consider the public¡¯s demands? The Crorus stock market took a hit today, and tomorrow might be even worse.¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Hale. We can¡¯t keep staying silent¨Cignoring it will only fuel their anger.¡±
¡°Mr. Hale, Cavrielle has countless designers. Since thepany is profit¨Coriented, shouldn¡¯t we prioritize the brand¡¯s interests above all else?¡±
Before Tess could answer, several voices on the other end jumped in, talking over each other.
¡°Quiet!¡±
A loud smack of a palm on the table cut through the noise, and the line fell silent.
Tess¡¯s brows twitched.
She had never seen Connor so furious before.
¡°My apologies.¡±
His voice returned to its usual calm, lowered as he addressed her.
Chapter 248 Number One Lawyer in Aetheris
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Tess couldn¡¯t quite say how she felt. She could only shake her head and murmur, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±
¡°If Gavrielle can¡¯t survive something like this, then I don¡¯t believe it¡¯s a brand worth keeping alive,¡± Connor said.
He soundedmanding without needing to raise his voice.
Her heart gave a faint tremor.
On the surface, it sounded like a warning to the staff, but beneath it, she could hear that it was an unspoken reassurance meant for her.
Tess lowered hershes. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it as quickly as I can. Please bear with me for the trouble I¡¯ve caused everyone.¡±
The call ended, and Connor stared at the phone screen for a moment.
¡°Meeting adjourned,¡± he said coldly, a rare chill radiating from him.
The employees who had been so vocal a moment ago now nced at each other warily, silent
as stone.
At that same moment, Tess felt a weight pressing on her chest, as though a heavy stone had been ced on her back.
Connor had been dragged into this mess because of her.
The light in her eyes faded, and she lowered her gaze.
But the next moment, she straightened up.
Even if it meant waiting, she couldn¡¯t just sit there and be ughtered.
Tess scrolled through her contacts until she found a number buried in the far corner of her phone.
Online outrage continued to escte, and the crowd was lost in their frenzy of tearing her
apart.
But just as the conflict hit its peak, a small reversal appeared.
The court verdict was out.
Chapter 248 Number One Lawyer in Aetheris
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The defendant, Steven, was found not guilty. Swiftly, Steven filed a countersuit, iming that the former intiff, Zack, had infringed upon his rights and damaged the reputation of both himself and Nexus Research Institute.
Zack couldn¡¯t ept the verdict. Almost immediately, he stormed to Nadine.
¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be the number onewyer in Aetheris? How the hell did you lose? I paid you a fee way higher than anyone else¡¯s! You swore to me it¡¯d be fine! Are you kidding me now?¡±
He made a scene right at the reception desk. Nadine, who had rushed over, wore a dark, ugly expression.
Although she wasn¡¯t the most exceptionalwyer in the field, she could at least judge the likelihood of a case.
By her and her mentor¡¯s judgment, Zack¡¯s case had seemed a sure win¨Cso how had it slipped through her fingers?
Nadine¡¯s mind was a mess, but she forced herself to speak calmly, trying to soothe him. ¡°Please, don¡¯t get upset. I¡¯ll do my best to handle this for you. Let¡¯s discuss it in my office.¡±
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw people passing through the lobby.
It was morning rush hour, and employees wereing and going. Some were even throwing curious nces their way.
¡°We¡¯ll discuss it right here!¡± Zack refused to budge.
¡°I want everyone to see that Aetheris¡¯s so¨Ccalled topwyer is nothing but an empty title!¡±
That outburst earned her even more amused, watchful stares.
Nadine bit down on her difort and kept her voice soft. ¡°Even though we didn¡¯t get the result you wanted, you haven¡¯t suffered any real losses yet. I promise to represent you in court for free next time. Let¡¯s head to my office and discuss how to proceed.¡±
Zack¡¯s gaze swept over her from head to toe before he straightened his back. ¡°This was your negligence to begin with. I¡¯m already being nice for not holding you ountable. I wouldn¡¯t want anything for free. With skills this lousy, I have to wonder how much fluff is behind that ¡°Number One Lawyer in Aetheris¡± title! I¡¯m not even sure if I would want you to handle the next trial!¡±
The words were humiliating and merciless, sending an ugly flush creeping across Nadine¡¯s
cheeks.
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Chapter 248 Number One Lawyer in Aetheris
The asional nces from the crowd only wound her nerves tighter.
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Nadine¡¯s expression darkened, but she couldn¡¯t throw a fit in front of so many people. She could only bite her lip and force out, ¡°What do you want then?¡±
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Chapter 249 Zack Demanding Compensation
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Her fingertips tightened around the hem of her skirt, the small motion was enough to catch the eye of someone watching from not far away.
Zane came forward with an easy smile, stepping neatly between Nadine and Zack.
¡°Isn¡¯t this Mr. Finch? What brings you here?¡±
Though he smiled and spoke gently, his time at Finn¡¯s side had left its mark¨Cthere was an edge beneath the warmth, an undercurrent of authority impossible to ignore.
Zack recognized him instantly. And he understood that, despite the smile, Zane carried the quiet weight of a warning.
It jolted him to his senses.
Lock Group was Finn¡¯s territory, after all. And Nadine was Finn¡¯s treasured favorite. Rumors on the inte might argue endlessly over whether Finn valued Nadine more than Tess, but Zack had to admit that Nadine¡¯s alleged romance with Finn had stayed in the headlines for an entire year. That kind of consistency was rare.
A fineyer of sweat broke out across Zack¡¯s forehead.
But with so many eyes watching, he still had to keep up appearances.
He cleared his throat and said, ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s talk in your office.¡±
Nadine was surprised by Zane¡¯s sudden appearance and his intervention.
She instinctively assumed Finn had sent him.
When she saw how quickly Zack¡¯s attitude had softened, a faint flicker of disdain and mockery passed through her eyes, but her face remainedposed. ¡°This way, please,¡± she said with a graceful smile.
Zane didn¡¯t follow them. Instead, he stayed behind to disperse the small crowd that had gathered. ¡°Back to your desks. Delete every recording you have.¡±
His sharp gaze swept the area, and the employees who had been secretly filming quickly lowered their heads, fumbling to clear their phones.
Once he was sure nothing remained, Zane finally stepped into the elevator.
Chapter 249 Zack Demanding Compensation
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Zack is well¨Cknown in the industry for being difficult and impatient. Why did Ms. Nadine ever agree to take his case?
Zane frowned.
Tess had been tangled in fresh rumorstely, and Finn had specifically tasked him with keeping an eye on trending news. He hadn¡¯t expected that the moment he opened hisptop, the very first headline would be the verdict in Nadine¡¯s case.
It took him no time at all to guess that Zack woulde storming in.
That was just his nature.
Anyone he targeted suffered, and anyone who tried to help him suffered too.
Zane sighed but let the thought go.
He was Finn¡¯s personal assistant, and his work always revolved around the tasks assigned by Lock Group and Finn. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Zack¡¯s presence might tarnish Lock Group¡¯s image, he wouldn¡¯t have bothered to step in.
Meanwhile, Zack crossed one leg over the other and lounged back in a chair across from Nadine.
Once the office door was closed, Nadine¡¯s expression cooled noticeably.
¡°How do you want to handle this?¡± she asked directly.
Zack nced around the office with open curiosity, paying little attention to Nadine¡¯s words. ¡°Of course, you¡¯re going topensate me with every ounce of sincerity you¡¯ve got.¡±
Inwardly, he couldn¡¯t help but click his tongue in amazement.
Mr. Lock really did spoil this second¨Crate .
Even as a wealthy man himself, with an office in the heart of Aetheris, where every inch of space cost a fortune, his own workce couldn¡¯t bepared to this.
Zack couldn¡¯t help stealing a few more nces, and his flirtatious nces lingered on Nadine¡¯s beautiful, delicate face.
Nadine¡¯s face darkened under his stare, the sharpness in her brows and eyes deepening.
Who does he think he is? It¡¯s bad enough he had treated me so poorly outside¨Cnow he even dared to look
at me like that?
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A seed of malice took root in her heart, and as she narrowed her eyes, a glint of cold light shed through them.
¡°Compensation?¡±
Nadine¡¯s smile returned, warmer and more genuine than before.
She personally handed him a ss of water, leaning in just enough to speak in a low, conspiratorial voice. ¡°Mr. Finch, if you ask me, you¡¯re looking forpensation from the wrong person.¡±
Zack flicked her azy nce. ¡°If not from you, then who? I had evidence so solid anywyer could¡¯ve won, and yet in your hands it turned into nothing.¡±
¡°Exactly. With evidence that strong, how could it have ended like this?¡±
Her voice was soft,ced with a subtle charm, coaxing him along.
But he simply downed the water in one gulp and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°What else could it be? You¡¯re just not as good as your reputation ims.¡±
Nadine¡¯s smile froze, and her expression darkened.
But thinking of her n, she kept herposure and widened her smile. ¡°Perhaps ¡ Tess¡¯s side pulled some strings at the defendant¡¯s side?¡±
She leaned closer.
Zack¡¯s eyes widened, and when he turned his head, he met Nadine¡¯s meaningful gaze.
¡°What do you mean?¡±
Seeing that he¡¯d taken the bait, Nadine¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°You don¡¯t know? Normally, the judge, the intiff, the defendant, and theirwyers must have no prior connection. But Tess and the judge from thest trial are anything but strangers.¡±
Zack¡¯s pupils dted with every word. ¡°You mean ¡
11
Their eyes met¨Cone filled with shock, the other heavy with implication.
¡°Well, well!¡±
Zack pped his hand down on the desk furiously.
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Chapter 250 If Finn Wasn¡¯t My Uncle
Chapter 250 If Finn Wasn¡¯t My Uncle
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Nadine had just smiled gleefully when Zack, surprisingly, decided to be smart for once.
His gaze locked sharply on her. ¡°And why should I believe you?¡±
The confident curve at the corner of her lips froze for a moment. She quickly recovered and tilted her chin slightly. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t believe me. What about Mr. Lock? Do you believe him?¡±
She looked right into his eyes without wavering, and that made Zack hesitate.
He got to his feet. ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait until Mr. Lock says it himself.¡±
After all¡
He rubbed his hands together as a certain elegant face shed in his mind.
Nadine bit her lip, silently cursing him for refusing to take the bait, yet she could only force a pleasant smile. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll go to Finn right after this.¡±
In the end, it was the mention of Finn that made Zack, who had been looking for trouble, drop
the matter.
Meanwhile, Tess was meeting Lyra at the highest floor of Aetheris¡¯s revolving sky restaurant.
Lyra set down her drink that had arrived first. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±
Tess raised her brows slightly, clearly not expecting such directness. She ced her own ss down and looked at Lyra earnestly. ¡°The rumors online are spreading wildly. They¡¯re hurting my career¡ªand my friends as well. I¡¯d like to ask you to help set the record straight.¡±
Lyra¡¯s fingers tightened on the delicate ss. ¡°But there were so many people present that day. Do you know why the rumors are still spreading, even growing?¡±
She looked up to study Tess¡¯s expression.
¡°I¡¯ve guessed,¡± Tess said with a softugh.
She was calmer than Lyra had expected.
Her gaze met Lyra¡¯s without flinching. ¡°And you? Have you epted it?¡±
A brief silence hung in the air before Lyra shook her head, breaking it. ¡°As a presiding judge, I
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can refuse to ept it. But the moment I speak out to clear your name, it will be the same as overturning my superiors¡® table and pping my colleagues in the face.¡±
Tess¡¯s heart sank upon hearing that.
She sighed. ¡°I didn¡¯t think it through. I¡¯m sorry for putting you in such a difficult position.¡±
¡°Mhm.¡±
Lyra¡¯s brows were drawn together. Though her face still carried a trace of childlike delicacy, the tension there made her intimidating.
That was the end of the subject. Tess wouldn¡¯t press her for more. She called a waiter over to hurry the food along. ¡°Then let¡¯s just treat this as a get¨Ctogether.¡±
She smiled warmly at Lyra.
But Lyra seemed caught off guard. Her puzzled gaze flicked to Tess as an inexplicable tremor stirred in her chest.
¡°No, thanks,¡± she said, standing up.
Right now, Tess was at the very center of public controversy. Getting too entangled with her would do Lyra no good.
Lowering hershes, Lyra added quietly, ¡°You¡¯d better keep an eye on the intiff¡¯s attorney from that day. She has quite a background.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.
She had known Nadine was involved, but she hadn¡¯t expected Lyra to bring it up herself.
¡°Thank you,¡± Tess said solemnly.
Lyra picked up her leather briefcase and left without another word.
The seat across from Tess was suddenly empty¨Conly for a new figure to slide into it naturally momentster.
Tess looked up, her brows twitching slightly when she saw the mboyant, handsome man in a fitted motorcycle jacket.
She had deliberately chosen a secluded window seat, but Abel¡¯s arrival immediately drew curious nces toward her.
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He didn¡¯t care in the slightest. Leaningzily on one arm, he looked at her with bored eyes. ¡°Tough situation?¡±
Tess¡¯s lips twitched. She was beginning to suspect Abel had been following her.
She had enough on her te already and no patience to deal with him¨Cespecially given her past attitude toward him. Even if he hadn¡¯t taken offense, being alone together still felt awkward.
¡°If you want to eat, stay,¡± she said, grabbing her bag to leave.
Abel followed her helplessly. ¡°Tess, what difference would it make if you came to me?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not just refusing toe to you, I¡¯m telling you not to get involved at all.¡±
Tess¡¯s path was blocked by him, and she red up at him.
Abel¡¯s tall frame trembled faintly, the easy arrogance on his face slipping away, his usual fiery energy now veiled in a thinyer of sorrow.
Unwilling to give in, he tightened his grip on Tess¡¯s wrist for the first time, forcing her to face him. ¡°Why is it that even with the fire already at your doorstep, you still refuse to ept my help?¡±
Annoyance flickered in Tess¡¯s eyes. She tried to yank her wrist free, but it didn¡¯t budge. She red at him and said, ¡°Abel, look at me clearly. I was Finn¡¯s wife. Our marriage may have fallen apart, but we¡¯re still bound byw. What right do you have to help me? How could I possibly ept help from my ex¨Chusband¡¯s nephew?¡±
Her words were sharp and cold.
Abel¡¯s lips parted.
My help had nothing to do with Uncle Finn.
And she knew that¡
A flicker of pain crossed his eyes, but he still didn¡¯t loosen his grip.
¡°Tess, is your refusal really because of my connection to Uncle Finn?
¡°If Finn wasn¡¯t my uncle¡¡±
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Chapter 251 A Broken Resolve
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He locked his gaze on Tess, as if he had decided to read something from those captivating
eyes.
Tess¡¯s heart skipped a beat at his sharp question, but she forced herself to turn her face away.
¡°There is no what if, Abel. Leave me alone!¡± Everyone had turned against her. And after serving time, how could she ever open her heart again? La was all she had left.
During those dark nights of captivity, La was the light that gave her strength. She had once poured her love into someone, only to be left with nothing. She had once ced her trust in someone, only to be betrayed so deeply that it felt like hell.
Memories of her broken trust shed through her mind. Tess avoided Abel¡¯s gaze, her tone cold and heavy, filled with exhaustion and loathing.
Abel froze, his strength draining immediately.
¡°Say that again!¡±
She gave the same answer.
¡°Please, stop bothering me!¡±
The bright fire in his eyes
dimmed.
Tess turned and walked away.
This time, Abel didn¡¯t follow.
Her fingers tightened around her purse.
I¡¯m sorry, Abel.
At Lock Group, Finn sat in his office, flipping through the files Zane had given him.
His brows drew together.
¡°Tess won the case?¡±
His voice was cool, edged with surprise.
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¡°Yes. Mr. Zack, whom the intiff Nadine represented, was unhappy with both the verdict and her performance. He caused a scene here earlier, so I asked her to take him back to her office and handle it.¡±
Zane reported everything clearly.
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened, lingering on the pile of documents on his desk. His emotions were hard to read.
How could Nadine lose to Tess?
Every triumph Tess once imed in the courtroom was thanks to Nadine working quietly behind her. So when they finally stood on opposite sides, how could Tess have beaten her?
Confusion clouded his thoughts, and Zane could sense his doubt.
¡°Zane,¡± Finn finally spoke, meeting his eyes.
¡°Do you really think someone like Tess¨Cwho built her reputation by stealing credit from others¨Ccould actually defeat Nadine in court?¡±
After all, Tess had lost her license and spent a whole year in prison. There was no way she could have honed her skills in there. Meanwhile, Nadine had be the Chief Legal Counsel at Lock Group, with ess to confidential cases and resources no one else could touch.
In both theory and practice, Nadine should have had the upper hand.
Zane¡¯s chest tightened as two faces shed in his mind. Tess¨Celegant, strong, and independent. Nadine¨Csoft, fragile, and spoiled, the kind of girl who had been pampered since childhood. If he was being honest, judging by character and professionalism, he leaned toward
Tess.
He lifted his eyes toward Finn, whose brow was furrowed deep with worry. Zane pressed his lips together, swallowed what he really wanted to say, and wisely kept silent.
¡°Go manage the media buzz,¡± Finn said.
When there¡¯s no reply, Finn waved him off, signaling him to leave.
Meanwhile, in the office next door, Nadine had just sent Zack out. She walked back in, opened herptop, and froze.
Online, Tess¡¯s reputation had flipped again.
The judge had gone on social media to rify that Tess hadn¡¯t taken part in the defense. She
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had only been there to apany a friend.
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Nadine¡¯s eyes locked on the verified ount with a check. The username was Lyra Bell¨Cthe very judge from that trial.
Her teeth sank into her lip as her fingers scrolled down through thements.
The speed of the crowd¡¯s change of heart left her shaken.
[So the judge confirmed Tess was only there as support.]
[I heard Tess and the defendant are friends. The actual defensewyer was that guy named Tommy Jynn.]
[Guess we misunderstood her again. Looks like the whole inte owes her an apology.]
Thement section, once filled with hate, had turned almost yful. Nadine¡¯s expression darkened.
She had already paid people inside the court to keep things under wraps. So why was someone stepping up to defend Tess now?
Her fists clenched tight. Bitterness and fury burned inside her chest.
Nadine had risked her reputation in court. Zack had stormed to the office to cause trouble. And yet Tess came out on top¨Cgaining sympathy, clearing her name, and even earning the inte¡¯s guilt.
Why?
Would Tess always outshine her?
Her face twisted in rage. She couldn¡¯t hold back and called Max, her voice sharp the moment he picked up. ¡°You said everything was handled! Then why did someonee forward to help Tess?¡±
There was silence on the other end, followed by a low, mockingugh. ¡°Zack lost because of your poor performance. I¡¯ve helped you enough. Don¡¯t think you should take out your anger
at me.¡±
Max¡¯s fingers tapped against his desk, his face hardened, and his voice was t and cold. ¡°Do you know how much money and influence I burned through to pull strings at the court? I should be sending you the bill.¡±
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The dangerous tone in Max¡¯s voice froze Nadine. She suddenly realized how much she still depended on him.
¡°We¡¯re working together, aren¡¯t we? You said you had the court staff under control; that¡¯s why I handed over Lock Group¡¯stest files.¡± She forced down her frustration and softened her voice. ¡°But now the chief judge herself has stepped in. Our n to frame Tess is ruined.¡±
Max said nothing.
The silence on the other end made Nadine¡¯s stomach twist.
Other than Finn, she had no one else to rely on. Most of her schemes depended on Max¡¯s help.
She hurriedly continued, ¡°Didn¡¯t you want Tess to be hated by everyone so she¡¯d have no choice but toe back to you? Now that the n failed, people aren¡¯t ming her at all. They¡¯re actually apologizing to her! If we didn¡¯t push her to the edge, she¡¯d never turn to you.¡±
Her words hit the mark.
Max gave a coldugh. ¡°Check your email. If you still can¡¯t get this right, I¡¯ll have to think hard about whether working with you is worth it.¡±
Then came the t beep¨Cbeep of a disconnected call.
Nadine was scolded so harshly that her face turned pale. She wanted to snap back at Max, but forced herself to hold it in and stay calm.
She opened her inbox and found an anonymous email.
The moment Nadine saw the message, her smile spread wider. The gloom that previously had weighed on her vanished.
She let out a smug grin.
With this, Tess, you¡¯ll never get back on your feet.
Tess had no idea she was being targeted again. She returned early to the vi.
Holding La in her arms, she finally felt her nerves loosen a little.
She soothed her daughter while scrolling through her phone.
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A headline in bold red jumped out at her: #EveryoneOwesTess Apology!
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She frowned, thinking it was another cruel tag meant to mock her. But when she tapped it open, her eyes grew heavier.
Lyra had stepped forward for her.
Her chest tightened with emotion, and she quickly dialed Lyra¡¯s number.
The call had barely connected before she blurted, ¡°Lyra, won¡¯t this hurt your job?¡±
There was noise in the background, too jumbled for Tess to hear.
¡°Hold on.¡±
Lyra¡¯s cold voice came through, and then it sounded like she muted the phone. The line wentpletely quiet. After a moment, faint rustling noises reached her ear.
¡°I¡¯m not doing the least bit to help you.¡±
Lyra looked up at the long rows of bright yellow lights above the hallway. Her gaze lingered on the sign of her workce, a reminder of its weight.
¡°I¡¯m the chief judge,¡± she said evenly. ¡°If I stay silent when I see injustice, then I don¡¯t deserve to hold such a sacred position of fairness.¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice was cold, like the first frost in autumn. Even though her tone was quiet, it carried a force that made people uneasy.
Tess felt a rush of respect, but warmth also stirred in her chest.
Whether Lyra was acting out of duty or trying to help her¨Cor maybe both¨CTess was the one who truly benefited.
¡°If that¡¯s all, I¡¯m hanging up.¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice was t again, as if Tess¡¯s gratitude meant nothing to her.
Tess sensed something odd but didn¡¯t want to press further.
The call had barely ended when a heavyset middle¨Caged man stormed in. His face was twisted with anger.
¡°Lyra, you¡¯ve really done it this time! The whole court agreed, and you had to be the special one?!¡±
Chapter 252 The Judge Speaks
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He mmed his hand against the wall. The loud crack sounded like thunder.
Lyra pressed her lips together and lowered her head without a word.
Her silence only made him angrier.
¡°What¡¯s the matter? Cat got your tongue?¡±
¡°I¡¯m the chief judge. It¡¯s my duty to protect the dignity of this profession.¡±
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He let out a sharp, mockingugh. ¡°Don¡¯t act so high and mighty. You think this job is anything more than a way to earn a living?¡±
¡°Fine.¡± He nodded furiously, his temper boiling over. ¡°Then keep your precious dignity. Go pack up your office¨Cyou¡¯re fired!¡±
With a sweep of his arm, he stormed out.
Lyra¡¯s legs froze. Her body trembled before she steadied herself with a hand against the wall.
She looked around the courtroom she knew so well, and grief swelled inside her.
Lyra loved this job. She didn¡¯t want to see it corrupted, nor did she want to walk away.
Being dismissed from the District Court would leave a permanent stain on her career. It would crush any chance she had of standing in the role she loved ever again.
Her eyes dimmed, but when she lifted her head again, they were filled with determination.
She had chosen justice, and she would defend it. If power had already poisoned the system, staying would only betray her heart.
She straightened her back and stood tall.
After a long while, a slender figure walked out through the towering front doors. From high above, a pair of cold, watchful eyes followed her every step.
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Chapter 253 Tides Turn
¡°Have you handled the situation?¡±
The woman¡¯s voice was sharp and arrogant.
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The man who had just been acting tough now bowed his head and gave a fake, ttering smile. ¡°Of course, I already sent her packing!¡±
Nadine¡¯s lips curved into a smug smile.
In her mind, not just here in Aetheris or even the country, but across the whole world, power was the only thing that mattered.
Tess, did you really think a few favors would change the way things worked?
Satisfied, she was about to hang up when the man nervously broke in, ¡°Ms. Nadine, I did exactly what you asked. You promised me ¡
¡±
Nadine gave a coldugh, her words dripping with pride. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet. At the next hearing, I expect results. Do that, and you¡¯ll get what you want.¡±
Hearing that, the man¡¯s smile grew wider. He promised no one would dare to go against her again.
Nadine set down her phone; after a moment of thought, she dialed Kylie.
¡°Nadine? Why are you calling me?¡±
Kylie answered in surprise.
Since she caused a scene at the vi, Kylie had noticed a change. Nadine seemed colder to her.
Even though they now lived in the same building, Nadine never came to see her. Every time Kylie offered to drop by her office with homemade food, Nadine shot her down with the excuse that her office wasn¡¯t a food ce and she wasn¡¯t starving anyway.
Kylie had worried Nadine was pulling away from her. But now, Nadine¡¯s call felt like a blessing.
¡°Mom.¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice came through the line, full of tears.
Kylie was startled. She clutched the phone tight and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Nadine? Did
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Chapter 253 Tides Turn
someone hurt you? Who was it? You can tell me!¡±
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Nadine¡¯s voice trembled with grievance. ¡°Mom, Aunt Heidi ¡ I didn¡¯t even want to bring it up, but Tess went too far this time!¡±
She twisted the truth, iming Tess had schemed with Lyra to make Zack lose his case, which led to him storming her office and making a huge fuss.
Nadine sniffled. ¡°I thought I could let it go, since it was Tess. But Zack caused a scene at thepany. Now all the employees are pointing their fingers at me. If Tess doesn¡¯te forward and make a statement, I don¡¯t even know how I can stay at this job without shame.¡±
Her pitiful words had barely fallen. Kylie¡¯s shrill voice cut through. ¡°Is Tess trying to rebel against us?! To use such dirty tricks against you? You¡¯re her sister! When she was gone, it was you who stood by me and cared for me. She doesn¡¯t appreciate you, fine¨Cbut to attack you like this? Outrageous!¡±
Kylie¡¯s chest rose and fell in anger. Heidi rushed over to calm her down, then leaned toward the phone, spitting curses at Tess.
¡°Tess must be crazy. I always knew she was jealous of you. Didn¡¯t think she¡¯d be this maniptive and her method so cruel. Too bad you aren¡¯t Kylie¡¯s real daughter.¡±
Her words, meant tofort, only fanned Kylie¡¯s fury.
Nadine. I¡¯ll stand up for you. I¡¯ll go to
Kylie mmed the table and stood up. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, Nadine. I¡¯ll stand her right now and see what kind of tricks Tess thinks she¡¯s ying!¡±
Nadine and Kylie traded a few fake pleasantries before ending the call. The moment the line dropped, a sly glint of triumph flickered in Nadine¡¯s eyes.
A faint smile curled across her lips.
As the call ended, the inte red with a new topic.
An anonymous source had contacted multiple media outlets, iming Tess and Lyra were secretly colluding.
[I¡¯ve got a rtive at the District Court. Word is Judge Lyra was already fired that day.]
[If that¡¯s true, why would the court dismiss her without reason? Clearly, Tess and Lyra must¡¯ve worked together and rigged the ruling!]
[And to think I defended Tess earlier. Guess she had iting. No wonder she¡¯s getting roasted online!]
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In just a few minutes, thetest rumor spread all over the inte.
Tess noticed the shift right away.
The bold headline-¡°Judge Lyra Fired¡°-made her heart jolt. A bitter ache ran through her chest.
She had only wanted Lyra¡¯s help. Tess never thought it would bring such serious trouble down on her.
The flood of insults online didn¡¯t shake her. Instead, she tried calling Lyra over and over, but every call went unanswered.
Her nerves grew tighter with each ring.
Grabbing her coat, she decided to find Lyra. But when she opened the door, she came face¨Cto- face with a security guard looking troubled.
Tess¡¯s brows knit in suspicion.
Before she could speak, Kylie stepped forward, wedging her arm against the doorframe so Tess couldn¡¯t shut it. Her face was full of stormy anger.
¡°Tess! Do you have to go against your
sister?!¡±
Making sure the door stayed open, Kylie red down at her like an elder scolding a child.
Tess understood immediately, but she had no patience for their drama today.
¡°Move!¡± she snapped, her face cold, her voice sharp.
Kylie and Heidi both flinched, startled by her tone. But once they caught their breath, their anger came roaring back. ¡°Tess, are you rebelling against us now? How dare you speak to your elders like that?!¡±
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Keepsake 254
Heidi chimed in, backing Kylie up. ¡°See? A bastard raised outside the family can neverpare to Nadine, who grew up under your care. Just look at her attitude!¡±
Her eyes swept over Tess with contempt, sharp with scorn and challenge.
Tess¡¯s brows tightened, knitting together. But as she remembered how important Lyra was, she clenched her fists and refused to respond.
Instead, she pushed past Kylie, who was blocking her way.
The moment she touched her, Kylie let out a dramatic shriek and dropped to the floor with a thud. She pped the ground and wailed, ¡°Tess, you¡¯ve gotten bold! You actually pushed me!¡±
Tess hadn¡¯t expected Kylie to toss aside the polished, high¨Csociety image she always showed the world just to pick a fight with her.
Meeting Tess¡¯s shocking gaze, Kylie rubbed her nose awkwardly but then quickly shrugged it off.
After all, here in this city, who really knew her?
Still, the sting in her pride burned, and she poured all of her rage out on Tess. ¡°You ungrateful brat! Are you trying to drive me to my grave? I carried you, I raised you, and this is how you treat your mother? You actually raising a hand at your own mother?¡±
But no matter how hysterical Kylie grew, Tess didn¡¯t move an inch.
Arms crossed, she watched her mother spiral, deciding to put her ns to find Lyra on hold for now.
Noticing Tess¡¯s cold, detached stare, Kylie suddenly lost her momentum. Even her tantrum felt pointless.
Heidi, noticing the tension in the room, rushed forward to help Kylie up and fussed over her. ¡°Tess turned out this awful; it isn¡¯t your fault,¡± she said with a heavy sigh. ¡°You carried her for nine months, gave birth to her, and look how she repays you. Who could¡¯ve guessed she¡¯d treat her mother this way? Kylie, are you hurt? Come on, get up.¡±
Listening to the two of them go back and forth without even lowering their voices, Tess couldn¡¯t help it¡ªsheughed.
Kylie¡¯s face flushed red, cheeks ring red in embarrassment. ¡°What are youughing at?!¡±
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Tess¡¯s eyes swept over her furious face, and in that moment, all the love she once held toward her mother vanished like smoke.
¡°You imed you gave me life and raised me. But like Heidi said, I grew up outside. Grandma raised me, while your precious Nadine had your full attention. Don¡¯t use those rules to press me down. And as for being your biological daughter¡ª¡±
Tess let out a sharpugh, her eyes fixed on the two of them as their faces froze. ¡°You admit I¡¯m your daughter, yet you always favored the one who isn¡¯t even blood. To you, I was never as good as the girl you adopted, was I?¡±
There had been a time when Tess longed for her mother¡¯s love. But why had it always been out of reach?
She pressed down the ache inside her chest and said coldly, ¡°I cut ties with you long ago. Don¡¯t act like this is about family. You¡¯re only mad because Nadine got hurt. Maybe ask her what she did first. And one more thing¨CI already warned you. You are not allowed to enter the vi without permission. If you don¡¯t leave right now, I¡¯ll call the police and have you charged with trespassing.¡±
The moment she mentioned the police, their arrogance vanished. Their pride shrank like air leaking from a balloon.
¡°You¡¡±
Kylie pointed at Tess, her face flushed red with anger, chest rising and falling fast.
Tess, on the other hand, wore a faint smile, her eyes cold as ice.
¡°Nadine would never do anything wrong! Don¡¯t you dare nder her!¡±
Kylie finally managed to shout after holding it in for so long.
The absurdity of it all nearly made Tessugh out loud.
Even Heidi stole a few nces at her sister, confused.
Despite the looming threat of the police, Kylie¡¯s concern remained fixed on Nadine.
Tess¡¯s mocking smile disappeared. ¡°And you¨Csince these two refuse to leave, you can leave with them. Don¡¯t bothering back.¡±
She nced at the security guard.
He was a new face, probably hired not long ago.
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Chapter 254 Breaking the Illusion
Startled, the security guard¡¯s expression hardened at once.
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Working here at Evermount Vi paid several times more than other jobs, with far less work. He couldn¡¯t risk losing this job.
With a snap, he pulled out his stun baton. ¡°Are you leaving or not?!¡±
The sharp crackle filled the air.
Kylie and Heidi both jumped at the crackle of the stun baton. They shot Tess a vicious re, then turned pale and bolted.
They didn¡¯t stop until they reached the palm¨Clined street outside the vi. Kylie bent over, gasping for air.
When she finally looked back, her eyes burned with frustration as she stared at the grand vi.
She, Heidi, and Nadine had to settle for an ordinary condominium: Tess had stolen Nadine¡¯s chance, married Finn, and moved into this luxury home worth a fortune.
Everything Tess owned supposedly belonged to Nadine.
Heidi noticed Kylie¡¯s dark expression and asked carefully, ¡°So¡ are we going to let this go?¡±
¡°Of course not!¡± Kylie snapped.
The memory of being chased out by the security guard¡¯s stun baton made her face flush even deeper, as red as a tomato.
Her eyes
burned with fury. ¡°Tess doesn¡¯t care about family ties; she can¡¯t me me for being ruthless! In the end, she¡¯ll have to step aside for Nadine!¡±
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Chapter 255 Meeting at the Waffle House
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Heidi¡¯s eyes flickered. She leaned in and whispered, ¡°So, what do you n to do next?¡±
Kylie red at the vi and snorted, ¡°Just wait and see.¡±
Heidi, confused, followed her into the car.
The vehicle pulled away, leaving only the trail of exhaust behind. Tess finally stepped out to the doorway.
She was almost fully disguised.
With the way people online hated her, she wouldn¡¯t be surprised if someone tried to throw eggs at her in real life.
Adjusting the mask that covered most of her face, she showed the driver an address on her phone.
It was just an ordinary Waffle House.
When she arrived at the busy food truck park, she couldn¡¯t help being surprised.
Of all ces, Lyra wants to meet here?
She hesitated but stepped in.
Even with her face covered, Tess¡¯s slim figure drew plenty of stares.
People could tell she was beautiful without even seeing her face.
The owner¡¯s eyes lit up, ready to wee her himself, but Tess had already spotted Lyra in a corner booth. She went straight over, leaving the disappointed man to retreat empty¨Chanded.
Lyra sat with a simple te of waffles in front of her.
Tess slid into the seat across from Lyra and frowned. ¡°Why are you eating this?¡±
A wave of guilt and sadness washed over her.
Tess¡¯s eyes softened as she looked at Lyra.
Lyra didn¡¯t seem to mind at all. She calmly swallowed a bite, then set down her fork.
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Chapter 255 Meeting at the Waffle House
Her gaze ran over Tess¡¯s outfit, and for a moment there was even a hint of approval in her eyes.
¡°I avoid ces where people might recognize you. And I lost my job. Finding another won¡¯t be simple, so I need to save what money I have left,¡± Lyra said.
She came from an ordinary family. Eating cheap meals wasn¡¯t something that bothered her.
Tess clenched her fists, her chest heavy. ¡°Why don¡¯t you work at mypany? I¡¯ll pay you.¡±
Lyra raised her head with surprise. ¡°Yourpany? Aren¡¯t you a fashion designer now? What would aw major like me even do there?¡±
Tess opened her mouth to argue, but Lyra lifted a hand to stop her. ¡°Don¡¯t offer me a job because you feel guilty. This is my decision. I¡¯m standing up for the career I care about, not doing it for you.¡±
She sipped her coffee calmly.
Though Lyra was half a head shorter than Tess, in that moment Tess saw her surrounded by a glow, like gold light in the air.
To have someone like this in the legal world¨Cthat was truly remarkable.
And yet, people didn¡¯t value her.
Tess couldn¡¯t even describe the ache she felt inside.
¡°Nothing serious. You should go. It¡¯s not safe for you to be seen in public right now.¡±
Lyra paused with her fork, then added, ¡°I¡¯m doing fine.¡±
She told Tess not to worry about her and to deal with her own problems.
It was strange¨Cever since they¡¯d run into each other at the courthouse, Lyra had gone out of her way to check Tess¡¯s situation.
She hadn¡¯t expected Tess to go through so much after leaving prison. Carrying the title of Mrs. Lock had brought Tess endless trouble.
She looked morous on the outside, dressed in expensive clothes, but every wave of online hate only grew worse.
For anyone with a weaker mind, it would push them over the edge.
Lyra had made it clear she wanted Tess to leave. Tess was still worried but knew Lyra¡¯s tough
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Chapter 255 Meeting at the Waffle House
attitude wouldn¡¯t let her ept her kindness. She sighed. ¡°Take care.¡±
Two simple words, but heavy with meaning.
Lyra froze for a moment, lowered her head, and gave a soft grunt.
Tess stepped out of the diner, only to run straight into two all¨Ctoo¨Cfamiliar faces.
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Kylie and Heidi¡¯s eyes lit up the second they saw her. Kylie quickly waved at the crowd behind them. ¡°There she is! Over here!¡±
Tess¡¯s pupils shrank. In her mind, Kylie¡¯s smug smile exploded like fireworks.
Before she could react, the crowd behind her charged like a pack of hungry wolves. ¡°Tess! You bribed the judge and rigged the trial! And you still dare to show your face in public?!¡±
¡°Everyone! Don¡¯t let her get away!¡±
People shoved and pushed, the air filled with deafening shouts and curses.
The crowd¡¯s anger boiled over. Hands shot up, fists waving in the air, all aimed at Tess as if they were ready to strike in the name of justice.
The scene was terrifying. Tess froze where she stood.
Kylie fanned the mes, screaming, ¡°Tess is an ungrateful daughter! I tried to talk to her today, and she said she wanted to cut ties with me. She even had me thrown out of her house!¡±
Heidi¡¯s eyes burned with the same fire. ¡°Nadine has been ruined because of Tess! She doesn¡¯t care about family, and her attitude is disgusting! If her mother can¡¯t control her, then of course we need everyone here to demand justice!¡±
One usation after another sent the crowd¡¯s sense of righteousness into a frenzy.
Like a pack of wolves with glowing eyes, they all locked their gaze¨Cthis time, directly on Tess.
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Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
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If it hadn¡¯t been for the line of neighbors nearby, the mob would have already rushed forward
and yanked Tess¡¯s hair, ready to teach her a lesson.
¡°Someone as vile as her doesn¡¯t deserve to live!¡± someone shouted.
The roar sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The residents, worried about trouble, quickly stepped aside to avoid the chaos.
Without a second thought, Tess turned and ran.
The noise of her footsteps loudly echoed through the street.
Her legs kept moving, her mind nearly nk, working only on instinct.
These people were out of their minds.
Staying behind to argue was pointless. They were lost in their own idea of justice. Until she had proof, no one would listen.
If she had hesitated even a second, the crowd would have swallowed her whole; there was no way she could leave unscathed.
She ran faster, but the sounds behind her only grew louder.
They were closing in on her.
At first, she had a small head start when they didn¡¯t realize she¡¯d bolted, but that advantage was shrinking by the second.
Her chest tightened. She could hear the thunderous sound of footsteps behind her. Tess felt like they were right at her back.
¡°There she is!¡± a man shouted.
Her heart dropped.
She didn¡¯t dare look back. Her legs, heavy and weak, still kept pushing forward.
¡°Tess! Stop right there!¡±
The voice was so close it was almost in her ear.
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Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
¡°Arghh!¡±
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Tess gasped. Out of nowhere, a hand shot from the dark mouth of an alley and pulled her inside.
Her eyes went wide. Before she could react, a hand mped over her mouth.
The grip was rough, but the stranger was considerate; he left a space to leave her nose free to breathe.
Tess blinked, realizing the person meant no harm.
The alley was silent. A faint citrus scent from the stranger¡¯s clothes filled her nose, sharp and clean. But almost at once, a foul odor hit her, making her eyes sting.
She realized they were standing near a pile of garbage.
Heavy footsteps and ragged breathing closed in outside.
¡°Where¡¯d she go? Wasn¡¯t she just here?¡±
¡°Maybe she ran that way!¡±
¡°Come on! Let¡¯s check!¡±
The mix of male and female voices echoed, their footsteps pounding again like rolling thunder in the distance.
When the noise finally faded, Tess let out a breath of relief. The gag over her mouth was pulled
away.
She wanted to thank the stranger, but he spoke first. ¡°My ce is nearby. Come with me.¡±
The tone was t and mechanical¨Calmost like a robot.
Tess turned in surprise. At the mouth of the dark alley stood Lyra, her figure straight and
unshaken.
Tess wanted to refuse, but the foul smell around her pressed into her nose and lungs.
¡°This ce is a dump. I have hot water at home,¡± Lyra said calmly, her eyes cool and distant.
Tess didn¡¯t hesitate any longer. She whispered thanks and followed.
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Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
Lyra¡¯s apartment was simple but spotless.
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She asked Tess to give her a minute, then she pulled a brand¨Cnew white T¨Cshirt with a price tag on out of her closet and pointed her toward the bathroom. ¡°It¡¯s never been worn. There are disposable towels inside.¡±
Tess epted it with gratitude.
She clutched the T¨Cshirt in her hands, looked back at Lyra, and said with rare seriousness, ¡°Thank you.¡±
Lyra leaned against the wall, scrolling her phone. Her thumb froze mid¨Cswipe.
She raised her eyebrows and held up the screen. ¡°You¡¯re trending again.¡±
The video showed the chaos from the food truck park earlier.
The word ¡°again¡± made Tess twitch her lips in embarrassment.
¡°They¡¯re still out there. And the media¡¯s swarming now.¡±
Lyra lifted a curtain just enough to peek outside.
Even on the street below, she saw a group of paparazzi waiting with heavy cameras.
Tess had clearly underestimated their madness.
¡°Stay after you take a shower. It¡¯s safer here,¡± Lyra suggested.
Tess knew she¡¯d be a target the second she stepped outside. She nodded without protest and went into the bathroom.
Lyra¡¯s eyes lingered on the closed ss door. Her feelings were a tangle.
She wasn¡¯t sure if she had done the right thing¨Cmaybe she was just following her gut.
Tess was stuck in Lyra¡¯s apartment with nowhere to go. Meanwhile, news of what happened at the food truck park had already reached Finn.
On the
top floor of Lock Group, Zane wore a rare serious look.
Finn stared at the photos on his tablet, his eyes dark and unreadable.
If Tess weren¡¯t being hunted and shouted at, the pictures could have passed for celebrity shots.
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Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
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Crowds of people chased after her, fists raised high. Her red dress red as she ran, and her long hair flew behind her like ribbons of silk.
In thements section, some cheered at the sight, while others regretted she hadn¡¯t been caught
¡°Still no sign of her?¡± Finn asked quietly.
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Chapter 257 Nadine¡¯s Request
Chapter 257 Nadine¡¯s Request
Finn set down the tablet, his face dark and tense.
He balled his fist, his mind circling back to the photos of Tess being chased.
The thought alone made his chest tighten.
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¡°I¡¯ve already sent people to look for her,¡± Zane reported quickly. ¡°Once they find her, they¡¯ll do everything they can to keep Mrs. Lock safe.¡±
The situation was grave; Zane had dispatched men the moment he found out.
Finn¡¯s heart kept hammering against his rib.
Knock. knock, knock.
A sharp knock echoed through the office.
Zane nced at Finn. When Finn rubbed his brow and waved a hand, Zane got up to open the door.
Nadine stood outside.
She hurried in, rushing straight toward Finn with a pitiful look on her face. ¡°Finn,¡± her voice wavered.
Already frustrated, Finn frowned at her.
Meeting those dark, cold eyes made Nadine tremble. But remembering her purpose, she forced herself to keep looking straight at him.
¡°What is it?¡±
His tone was t.
Nadine bit her lip. ¡°It¡¯s about Tess.¡±
The mention of that name pulled Finn¡¯s scattered thoughts together. He finally looked at Nadine directly. ¡°What about her?¡±
Nadine noticed the slight change in his attitude, and it left a sour taste in her heart.
She twisted her fingers and said, ¡°Tess secretly contacted the district court judge. Zack lost the
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Chapter 257 Nadine¡¯s Request
case, and now he¡¯s threatening toe after me if I don¡¯t handle it.¡±
Tears welled up in her eyes. ¡°Finn, I¡¯m scared.¡±
Finn frowned.
That did sound like something Zack would do.
¡°What do you want me to do for you?¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up, but she quickly lowered them to hide her joy.
If Finn was willing to ask that, there was hope.
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With a cautious tone, she asked carefully, ¡°Finn, since it involves Tess, I don¡¯t want to make things hard for you.¡±
Finn looked at her, his gaze steady and unreadable, clearly waiting for her to go on.
Nadine clenched her hands, summoning her courage. ¡°I want Lock Group to step in. Otherwise, Zack won¡¯t let the matter go easily.¡±
Finn understood right away.
She only wanted Lock Group to show its power¨Ca small thing, really.
Considering Nadine still worked for thepany, he only needed to give a simple instruction to make it happen.
He waved a hand at Zane. ¡°Go take care of it.¡±
Zane agreed right away. Nadine looked pleased, not dragging things out like she usually did.
Zane worked fast¨Cno wonder he was the CEO¡¯s right¨Chand man.
Back in her office, Nadine¡¯s phone rang. It was Zack.
¡°Ms. Nadine, about this morning, I hope you won¡¯t take it to heart.¡± His voice was full of ttery.
A sharp gleam shed in Nadine¡¯s eyes, though her tone stayed soft. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You lost the case; it¡¯s natural to be upset. I understand.¡±
Zack kept nodding, praising her for being so understanding. Then he lowered his voice.
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Chapter 257 Nadine¡¯s Request
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¡°But¡ the real culprit wasn¡¯t me; putting all the me on me feels pretty unfair.¡±
Nadine¡¯s tone grew quiet.
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Zack mmed his hand on the desk. ¡°You¡¯re right! I¡¯ll make sure the real culprit pays. I won¡¯t let you suffer for nothing!¡±
A triumphant smile curved on Nadine¡¯s lips as Zack hung up.
At that moment, a shy red Ferrari pulled up outside Lyra¡¯s apartmentplex.
Its over¨Cthe¨Ctop entrance caught Lyra¡¯s attention. She stopped Tess, who was just about to leave.
¡°Wait.¡±
Tess turned, puzzled. Lyra¡¯s face was tense, her eyes fixed on the street below.
Tess had already checked her live location. The street, once packed with frustrated people and reporters, had been cleared¨Cprobably by the authorities.
She felt safe enough to leave.
But seeing Lyra¡¯s serious look, she followed her gaze. Down below, a small group of people clustered around the Ferrari. At the center stood a man dressed in ck with ck wings stitched into his jacket.
At hismand, the group scattered, like they were searching for someone.
¡°Are they looking for you?¡± Lyra asked, eyes narrowing at Tess.
¡°I don¡¯t know them.¡±
Tess shook her head firmly.
She meant it¨Cthese were strangers.
Still, the way they spread out across the street made her uneasy.
¡°If you¡¯re not sure, maybe you should stay here,¡± Lyra said lightly, then turned back to her
room to work.
Bang! Bang!
A whileter, a sudden knock echoed through the apartment.
Chapter 257 Nadine¡¯s Request
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Tess had been sketching designs on the couch, but the sound made her jump, goosebumps crawling up her arms.
Her mind went straight to those fierce¨Clooking men she had seen earlier.
Heart racing, she tiptoed to the door and peered through the peephole.
The face she saw wasn¡¯t who she expected.
Lyra asked. ¡°It¡¯s Steven, right? The courthouse kept his number. I just called him to pick you up.¡±
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Chapter 258 Finn Picks a Side
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Lyra appeared behind her at some point, arms crossed, speaking in a calm tone.
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Tess couldn¡¯t hide her surprise. She hadn¡¯t expected Lyra to arrange everything for her.
Without waiting any longer, she pulled the door open. The moment Steven saw her, his serious expression softened. He grabbed her wrist, turned it a couple times, and asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡±
He had just stepped out of theb when he overheard his assistant gossiping and mentioning Tess¡¯s name.
Almost instantly, he felt something was wrong. Checking his phone, he saw the inte flooded with trending posts about Tess.
When he saw Tess¡¯s photo that captured the attention of the inte, his first reaction wasn¡¯t admiration. It was fear.
Behind her graceful figure, a crowd of furious people charged after her like some rabid beasts. Just one look at it made his heart tremble.
He had tried calling her many times, but her phone had been off, which only added to his
worry.
Tess met Steven¡¯s concerned eyes and shook her head.
Steven let out a breath of relief. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you answer your phone?¡±
That¡¯s when Tess remembered¨Cher phone had been off in her pocket the whole time.
She hadn¡¯t realized how much it had worried him.
As she pulled out the dead phone, Steven gave a smallugh; he finally let go of his worries.
At least she was safe. That was all that mattered.
¡°Come with me,¡± he said.
He still hadn¡¯t let go of her wrist.
Such a simple sentence somehow carried the weight of a vow.
Tess felt goosebumps rise and brushed it off as her imagination.
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Chapter 258 Finn Picks a Side
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¡°There are still people outside,¡± Lyra reminded them at the right moment.
¡°Outside?¡± Steven frowned, walked to the window, and lifted the blinds.
His eyes narrowed when he spotted a familiar car. ¡°That looks like Zack¡¯s car.¡±
¡°Zack?¡±
Tess and Lyra gasped at the same time, hurrying to the window.
At that moment, the angry crowd regrouped after failing to find her.
Zack, furious, scolded them before climbing into his Ferrari and speeding away.
Only then did Steven drop the blinds.
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He had investigated Zack before thewsuit and knew exactly the kind of man he was. It couldn¡¯t have been anyone else.
But why was Zack here?
Steven knew the man well¨Csomeone who bullied the weak but feared the strong.
The only reason he¡¯d show up now was probably because he had lost the case and wanted to cause Tess trouble.
Still, Tess was Mrs. Lock, the wife of Lock Group¡¯s president. Zack shouldn¡¯t dare to cross that line.
The three of them sat in silence. The room felt heavy and still.
¡°Can you take me home?¡± Tess finally said, raising her eyes to Steven.
She had left the vi for a long time. Dealing with all this drama had made her neglect La. The child had been left with Joanna all day¨Cshe couldn¡¯t stay away tonight.
Steven didn¡¯t argue. He just nodded.
¡°Be careful on the way,¡± Lyra said softly behind her.
Though her voice was quiet, Tess¡¯s sharp cars caught it.
She turned back with a bright smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±
Her smile was bright and dazzling, like a shining gem, filling the shabby apartment with
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Chapter 258 Finn Picks a Side
unexpected warmth.
Steven looked away quickly, his gaze unsettled.
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Noticing Tess¡¯s eagerness to get home, he pushed the car as fast as possible within the speed limit.
The two of them rode in silence the whole way back.
Tess used the brief break to scroll through thetest trending news.
One headline made her frown.
Zack had taken to social media to vent his frustration. He even tagged the District Court, iming he was unhappy with the ruling.
[Steven brought Tess with him, but who would¡¯ve thought the judge had such close ties with her? Nexus Research Institute clearly stole our patented design, yet we lost the case. It¡¯s heartbreaking for people like us who dedicate our lives to research!]
He painted himself as a helpless victim. Within minutes, his post attracted swarms of online users. Thements were filled with sympathy, people defending him, and angry usations aimed at Tess.
[Didn¡¯t you just go to Lock Group to cause trouble for Nadine not long ago? Why are you suddenly ming everything on Tess?] one user sniped.
Zack¡¯s rivals in the industry seized the opportunity to mock him.
His eyes burned with anger as he scrolled through the sarcastic remarks, mentally running through the list of people who disliked him.
But this was social media¨Ceveryone had their public image to protect.
So he wrote back, [Lock Group has already stepped in! Nadine was ruined because of Tess. Tess colluded with the judge and threw her sister¡¯s reputation under the bus. How shameless can you get?]
That single phrase¨CLock Group had stepped in¨Cinstantly sent the discussion into overdrive.
Everyone knew what that meant.
It meant Lock Group had picked a side. That was power; that was authority.
And from Zack¡¯s words, Lock Group clearly stood with Nadine.
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Chapter 258 Finn Picks a Side
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Tess had been dogged by rumors for a long time, but never once had Lock Group positioned itself against her.
Now it seemed clear, Finn was backing Nadine. And in the public¡¯s eyes, that made Nadine the golden child of destiny.
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Chapter 259 A Bitter Realization
In no time, the trending tag shot straight to the top.
Tess stared at the headlines, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.
Finn actually sided with Nadine?
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Tess¡¯s heart pounded hard, a rush of bitterness and ache rising in waves, clogging her throat until no sound could escape.¡±
Why?
Nothing had even been settled yet.
Tess knew Finn favored Nadine.Their closeness and small disys of affection were almost out in the open. Yet as the CEO of Lock Group, Finn rarely made his feelings public.
Her throat tightened as she swallowed down the bitter taste in her mouth. Her eyes stung, wide and burning.
She pinched hard at her arm, trying to calm herself.
What was she even disappointed about?
Finn and Nadine had been together for a long time. A year ago, the two of them had worked together to send her to prison. Wasn¡¯t that proof enough?
Why would Finn¡¯s decision mess with her heart?
Biting her lip, Tess hated herself for being so weak.
¡°We¡¯re here.¡±
Steven¡¯s steady voice broke into her storm of thoughts.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? You look pale.¡±
She lifted her head and caught sight of herself in the rearview mirror. Her face was ghoulishly white, her lips drained of color from pressing them too hard.
¡°I¡¯m fine, thanks.¡±
She shook her head, pushed open the door, and stepped out.
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Her thin frame trembled as she walked, like a leaf about to be blown away by the wind.
Steven frowned, worry clouding his eyes.
At that moment, he regretted pulling Tess into this at all.
With her gone, the faint trace of her perfume vanished, leaving the car heavy and airless.
He sighed and turned the wheel, driving off.
Meanwhile, Tess stood frozen at the doorway.
The front door was cracked open, and she could hearughter and cheerful voices inside.
¡°La? Come to me.¡±
It was Nadine¡¯s voice.
Tess¡¯s eyes went wide. She shoved the door open and rushed inside.
Right in the middle of the living room, Nadine was holding La.
Her heart stopped.
¡°What are you doing?!¡± Tess shouted, her voice sharp.
She lunged forward, snatched La into her arms, and red at Nadine like a hawk.
But Nadine had expected this. She only smiled wider.
¡°Tess, why are you so nervous?¡±
¡°Why are you even in here?¡± Tess shot back.
She locked her eyes on Nadine, scanning La from head to toe.
When she saw nothing wrong, she breathed a little easier. Then she turned to Nadine again.
Nadine¡¯s face changed in an instant. The smug look vanished, reced by soft, pitiful eyes. She hurried over to Finn¡¯s side.
¡°Finn!¡± she called sweetly.
Finn nced her way but kept his eyes mostly on Tess.
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This time, Tess wasn¡¯t ignoring him. She red at him with pure fury, as if he were the enemy.
His brow twitched a little.
¡°Finn, I don¡¯t care what¡¯s going on between you and Nadine,¡± Tess said, her fists tight at her sides. ¡°But how could you let her touch La?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes slid from La back to Nadine.
¡°Tess, you¡¯ve got it wrong,¡± Nadine said quickly. She waved her hand, her face all innocence. ¡°Joanna went to fix La¡¯s dinner. I just happened to see and thought I¡¯d help. La¡¯s so adorable¨Cwho wouldn¡¯t love her?¡±
Her tone was soft and sincere.
Tess let out a coldugh. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Finn? Going broke? Can¡¯t you afford to hire another maid to work here? Since when do you need your future wife to babysit?¡±
¡°Enough.¡±
Finn pressed his fingers to his temple. His voice was low, but the weight of it filled the room.
Nadine swallowed back the words she wanted to say.
Tess¡¯s smirk only sharpened. Her cold eyes locked on Finn¡¯s, and instead of backing down, her re grew even harder.
Something hit Finn in the chest.
His brow tightened into a deep furrow.
¡°Nadine was just helping watch La. Do you have to be so hostile?¡± he said.
Tess¡¯s face froze for a second, then slid back into mockery.
What if she hadn¡¯te back in time?
Her eyes burned with ice, nearly turning to stone as she stared at Finn. The tension rolling off her was enough to make anyone shiver.
She clutched La close, her body stiff, like a mother eagle protecting her chick.
¡°Go home,¡± Finn finally told Nadine, rubbing his forehead.
Nadine sensed the heavy atmosphere, but her gaze lingered on Tess a moment longer.
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:
Out of the corner of her eye, she studied La, intrigued by the fierce way Tess stood protectively over her. Nadine¡¯s brow lifted ever so slightly, amused.
Still, her face remained innocent. She gave a slight shrug. ¡°Alright then, Finn. I¡¯ll go.¡±
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hapter 260 Lucky Break
Tess didn¡¯t linger. She knew she had already found an unexpected surprise tonight.
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She didn¡¯t pick a fight with Nadine. Instead, she stood firm, holding La in her arms as she faced Finn.
Her stubborn, unyielding face made Finn¡¯s head pound. ¡°I just let her hold La for a minute,¡± he said.
¡°Who gave you that right?¡±
Tess shot back, her eyes locked on his. ¡°La is my daughter. Not Nadine, not even you, gets to touch her without my permission.¡±
Finn¡¯s expression hardened.
¡°Tess, do you really have to make this into a scene?¡±
Tess pressed her lips together and said nothing. But her eyes remained fixed on his, cold and unyielding, making her stance clear.
The air between them grew tense. Their gazes shed in midair, sharp and unrelenting, like two des meeting point to point.
Tess¡¯s hands clenched so tightly around La that her arms began to ache.
She finally turned her gaze away.
There was nothing left to say. Finn would always take Nadine¡¯s side.
Even as La¡¯s father, he couldn¡¯t see how much Tess guarded their daughter against Nadine.
She didn¡¯t expect him to understand anymore.
Without another word, she carried La back to the bedroom.
Her stiff, defiant figure made Finn¡¯s temple throb harder. His face stayed tight, but the veins on his forehead gave him away.
Once the door shut, Tessid La on the bed and checked her carefully again.
She couldn¡¯t rx after Nadine had touched her.
Chapter 260 Lucky Break
Knock, knock!
A knock came from the door. Joanna came in with a small bowl of Gerber rice cereal.
La was growing fast and had started eating baby food.
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Tess¡¯s face stayed cold as she warned Joanna never to hand La over to anyone else again.
It was the first time Joanna had ever seen her so strict. She nodded quickly, promising to follow her instructions.
Tess didn¡¯t push it further and let her leave.
¡°Mommy?¡±
She lifted a spoonful of cereal to La¡¯s mouth. La stared at her with wide, round eyes and suddenly called out with a happy smile.
Tess froze, the spoon stopping mid¨Cair. Joy and surprise filled her eyes.
She hadn¡¯t expected La to say it so clearly¨Cespecially since not long ago her words had only been baby babble.
The thought made Tess¡¯s chest ache.
She had been so busytely; she really had neglected spending time with her daughter.
¡°Mommy¡¯s here,¡± she whispered gently, coaxing her with a smile as she lifted another spoonful.
This time, La opened her mouth right away. The warm, sweet smell of food filled the air.
She finished the small bowl quickly, then licked her lips with satisfaction.
When La was full, Tess set the bowl aside and climbed onto the bed. She sat next to La and began telling her a story.
At first, La repeated little bits of her words with a puzzled look. But before long, her eyes closed, and she drifted into sleep.
Tess looked down at La¡¯s soft little face, and her heart nearly melted.
She gentlyid her t on the bed, pulled the nket over her, and tucked her in.
The room was quiet. After a day full of ups and downs, Tess finally felt calm. Even her breathing slowed.
Chapter 260 Lucky Break
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It was silent around her, and though she didn¡¯t feel sleepy yet, she pulled out her phone to check the news. But the moment her eyes scanned the screen, she sat up straight.
Lyra had released the evidence Steven had submitted to the court earlier online.
In thements,wyers from all over began analyzing what Lyra had shared.
The conclusion was the same¨CSteven¡¯s side was certain to win.
Lyra¡¯s ount was verified, and her inbox was flooded with messages, yet she posted a firm
statement anyway.
[I have no private contact with Tess. Any connection between uses only from work. Steven¡¯s trial was the first time we spoke since her release.]
Still, many inte users didn¡¯t believe her, and thement section was full of curses.
But little by little, morewyers spoke up, adding their voices in support.
Many of them had worked in District Court trials and had handled cases alongside Lyra.
They understood better than idle gossipers that her reputation as a judge was well earned. She had brought fairness back to cases that once seemed impossible to reverse.
¡°What? How could she have a backup?!¡±
By now the sky outside was pitch ck. Nadine immediately got on the phone, demanding
answers.
On the other end, a man stammered nervously, ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t know. That shouldn¡¯t have happened.¡±
Steven¡¯s evidence had been held by the court since submission. It was never released, never returned.
No one expected Lyra had kept a copy.
The man cursed under his breath.
That lunatic was going to ruin them.
¡°You useless idiots!¡± Nadine exploded, mming the call shut.
She rushed to hire more trolls and pulled every string she could to delete thewyers¡®
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Chapter 260 Lucky Break
But for every voice silenced, another one appeared right after.
It was endless. Nadine was sweating from the effort, but it made no difference.
Finally, she hurled her phone onto the bed, her face twisted with fury.
Why was Tess always this lucky?!
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Chapter 261 A Shift in the Wind
Chapter 261 A Shift in the Wind
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Tess had no idea Nadine was falling apart at that very moment. She was glued to the news feeds, watching public opinion flip in real time. The tag had changed from Tess Ember Conspired with Lyra Bell¡® to ¡°Truth Revealed¨CTess Ember Was Innocent All Along!
She blinked, stunned by how fast things had turned.
¡°Was this you?¡± She muttered, then sent a quick message to Steven.
It was almost midnight, yet Steven replied instantly.
¡°Nope.¡±
Just one word.
Tess gripped her phone tighter.
Lyra had influence, sure, but the wave ofwyers speaking up for her couldn¡¯t be random.
If it wasn¡¯t Steven, then who?
Abel?
His reckless, cocky face shed in her mind. She shook her head. No, it couldn¡¯t be him.
She had guessed Abel was someone with an extraordinary background, but this was Aetheris. Abel seemed like he had slipped into this city without permission.
Confusion sank in, leaving her restless.
Meanwhile, only a few doors away, the light in the study still glowed.
Finn leaned on the edge of his desk, his face hard and cold.
¡°Mr. Lock, we¡¯re doing everything possible to manage the noise. Most of the talk online about Mrs. Lock is now positive.¡±
Finn rubbed his temples and gave a faint grunt in reply.
Hearing the chill in his tone, Zane quickly found an excuse to end the call.
The screen went dark. Finn set his phone aside without a thought.
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Chapter 261 A Shift in the Wind
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He had promised Nadine earlier that he would pressure Zack, but he never expected it would drag Tess into even deeper trouble. Almost at once, he had sent Zane to collect evidence and try to fix the mess.
The way things had turned out was precisely what he expected.
Still ¡
He frowned, and the sharp lines of his face fell into heavy shadows.
His thoughts were a blur, filled with the image of Tess ring at him with those cold, furious
eyes.
He was a man of high rank, proud and untouchable in most things.
But when it came to her, he had no power at all.
Finn let out a long sigh. The smoke from his cigarette curled into the air, fading in the room.
At that same moment, Nadine stood frozen with her phone pressed tight in her hand.
Max¡¯s voice spilled through the line, sharp with mockery and a chilling edge. ¡°Nadine, you really are pathetic.¡±
Her fingers trembled.
She finally realized Tess¡¯s sudden change in public opinion couldn¡¯t be that simple.
But what stunned her most was finding out who had stepped in.
It was Finn. How could it be Finn?
How could it possibly be him?
4
Nadine¡¯s hands wouldn¡¯t stop shaking. Max¡¯s voice kept buzzing in her ear, fanning the mes.
¡°Nadine, you keep saying how much Finn cares for you, but the moment Tess walked out of prison, all his attention went straight to her.
¡°Compared to Tess, you¡¯re nothing. No¨Cyou don¡¯t even deserve to bepared.¡±
¡°That¡¯s not true!¡±
The sound of breaking objects echoed on Nadine¡¯s end. Max chuckled darkly, his voice wrapping around her like a cruel whisper she couldn¡¯t escape.
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Chapter 261 A Shift in the Wind
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When he dered she had lost to Tess, that statement hit Nadine like a storm, soaking everyst bit of her pride.
¡°Beep beep-¡±
The call ended with a sharp beep.
On the glowing screen, Max¡¯s name shed like a p across her face, hot and humiliating.
¡°Tess? How could I possibly lose to Tess?¡±
Nadine clenched her phone so tightly her sharp nails dug into her palm, carving red marks across her skin.
Ever since she was brought into the family, she had always been one step above Tess. Their mother spoiled her more and favored her more. How could she, of all people, fall short to Tess?
Biting her lip until it stung, Nadine lifted her eyes.
The moon hung behind thick clouds, just as dark and smothered as her heart.
Max, after hanging up, wiped the smile from his face. What was left was cold, sharp, and
merciless.
He narrowed his eyes at the phone in his hand.
Max wasn¡¯t cruel enough to crush Nadine just for fun. But he knew her weakness, and she needed a hard shove.
It had already been two, almost three months since Tess walked free.
He had tried meeting her a few times, but she pushed him away every time. All he could do now was track her through other means.
And now, more and more people were gathering around her.
Max¡¯s fingers tightened. His dark eyes grew colder.
He had thought that Tess went to prison only because Finn misunderstood her. Once she was released, with him already standing strong in Kingnd, he believed he could take her away and give her the life he had always dreamed of.
But he never expected her hatred to be so fierce, so unyielding.
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Chapter 261 A Shift in the Wind
Max crushed his cigarette into the crystal ashtray, grinding it down with extra force.
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He couldn¡¯t do anything that might spark Tess¡¯s anger again. Nadine, however, had be the perfect way to reach her.
Max pulled off his thin gold¨Crimmed sses, pressed his fingers against the delicate frame, then tossed them aside in frustration.
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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¨Cit 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¨Cout 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¨Cyou 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¨Cguessing herself. Still, Zack was a slick, sharp¨Cdressed 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.
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Chapter 283 This Is the Last Time I¡¯ll Help You
Chapter 283 This Is the Last Time I¡¯ll Help You
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With Steven and Zack¡¯s case back on the docket, Nadine knew her title as ¡°the top attorney¡± was about to be shredded¨Cand mocked.
What terrified her more was Tess¡¯s safe return. What she¡¯d done to that ¡°little bastard¡± La wouldn¡¯t stay hidden. What would Finn think once he knew?
Her chest tightened until she could barely breathe. Just imagining it left her panicked.
¡°Finn¡¯s already digging into the nanny at Evermount Vi.¡±
On the other end, Max stayed silent long enough that Nadine thought he¡¯d hung up. voice came back, calm and cial.
The nanny ¡
Nadine¡¯s fingers shook against her phone.
Once Finn uncovered the nanny, wouldn¡¯t she be next?
Then his
¡°Tell me this. That night¨Cbesides the three of you and the kid¨Cwas there a fifth person there?¡±
Max probed her.
The reminder lit a spark in her.
Right¨Cbesides Tess and the brat, no one else had been there. How could Finn just take Tess¡¯s word for it? As long as she denied everything and shoved the me onto the nanny, who could touch her?
Her hopelessness flipped into adrenaline.
Her nerves finally started to rx. She slowly stood up.
As for Zack¡¯s case, she¡¯d simply deny knowledge¨Cthen pay him off to take the fall.
The gleam in her eyes came roaring back. A far cry from her earlier despair.
She remembered, too, the way she¡¯d snapped at Max just minutes ago. She couldn¡¯t afford to alienate him¨Cnot when she needed him more than ever. They¡¯d been in the same boat for a long time.
Chapter 283 This Is the Last Time I¡¯ll Help You
¡°Mr. Hunt¡ about earlier-¡± she began, trying for sweet.
But Max wasn¡¯t buying it.
¡°You¡¯ve gotten this far on my back, Nadine, and you¡¯re still this useless.¡±
She clenched her jaw, swallowing the sting, not daring to talk back.
¡°This is thest time I¡¯ll help you.
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¡°You know what I want. Tess. I want her back with me¨Cwillingly. Don¡¯t you dare forget what you promised.¡±
His voice was low, raw, and aching with a love that had gone unanswered far too long.
Max cut her off, his tone final.
After he gave the ruthless ultimatum, the line went dead.
Nadine froze, phone pressed against her ear, before rage twisted her face. She flung it aside.
Still, if Max was handling the storm, she could breathe again. But caution gnawed at her. She dialed the nanny.
The moment she heard the call connect, a man¡¯s icy voice shot back, ¡°Who is this?¡±
Nadine jerked, panic mming through her. She hung up.
The nanny, quick on her feet, erased the record and forced herself to meet Finn¡¯s stare. Sweat beaded at her brow.
Then, she remembered what had been whispered to her before. She forced a servile smile. ¡°Spam call.¡±
She rubbed her hands together nervously. ¡°Mr. Lock, was there something you needed from
me?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes flicked over the phone clenched in her palm, then locked on her instead.
Zane held out a tablet with the footage pulled up¨Cher standing in view of a security camera, whispering with a shadowy figure who kept checking over his shoulder.
¡°Do you recognize him?¡±
Zane tapped the screen, tone neutral.
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Chapter 283 This Is the Last Time I¡¯ll Help You
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The nanny flinched, snapping her gaze away. She shook her head hard. ¡°I do. I do recognize him.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed. Zane shot him a look, surprised. They¡¯d both expected her to hold out longer.
¡°Fine. Then, tell me what you were meeting about. What was discussed?¡±
Two pairs of sharp eyes bore down on her. She cracked, copsing to her knees with a thud.
¡°Mr. Lock, punish me if you must! Mrs. Lock scolded me earlier¨CI held a grudge, so I contacted outsiders to get back at Miss La.¡±
¡°What did they give you?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes and voice both turned icy.
¡°A¨Ca pouch of salt. Just a pinch would¡¯ve been enough for the child to ¡
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Her voice trailed off when she saw his expression darken like a storm front. She hunched, trembling.
The next second, Zane hauled her up by the arm, veins standing out with fury. ¡°You were hired to care for Miss La. And you¡¯d stoop to harming her over your petty spite?¡±
She nched, lips working without sound.
He flung her down in disgust.
She couldn¡¯t stop trembling in fear.
Just as she was secretly relieved to have survived, a pair of leather shoes appeared in her sight and echoed in her ears.
The nanny froze, trembling as she looked up. Finn stood above her, his face carved in shadow, yet she thought she saw the weight of a storm gathering behind his gaze.
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Chapter 284 You Want Me to Call You Naive?
Chapter 284 You Want Me to Call You Naive?
¡°Call the police. Tell them we¡¯ve got an attempted murder suspect.¡±
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Finn¡¯s voice was lethal. He was ready to end this. The nanny crumpled, dropping to her knees, forehead smacking the floor in frantic bows. ¡°Mr. Lock! I¨CI lost my mind! Please, let me go! I have elderly parents depending on me. I can¡¯t survive prison!¡±
She was sobbing, snot and tears running down her face, stripped of all the neatposure she once carried. Pathetic, like a stray cat drenched in a downpour.
Neither Finn nor Zane flinched. They just stared coldly.
¡°Ah!¡±
She toppled over as Zane¡¯s boot mmed her down. Her whole body trembled.
¡°When you tried to hurt Miss La, did you think about your parents then? Did you think about the consequences?¡±
Zane kicked her again, not showing a shred of sympathy.
She stared at him, wide¨Ceyed, desperate. But outside, the rising wail of sirens
grew closer.
The door opened. The officer in charge, his chest pinned with medals, dipped his head respectfully toward Finn before gesturing.
Silver cuffs clicked around the nanny¡¯s wrists, and she was hauled away to the car.
Her face was pale, hollow, but not frantic¨Cnot like someone whose world had just copsed.
It was as if ¡ she¡¯d expected this.
Finn¡¯s gaze followed the squad car until it vanished. His lips pressed into a hard line, his eyes darker than night.
Zane muttered, seething, ¡°She really must be insane. Pretending to be harmless while she was actually this vicious? Did her jealousy eat her alive enough for her to go after a child?¡±
He would¡¯ve kept going, but one sharp look from Finn silenced him.
Evermount Vi fell quiet again. Finn didn¡¯t head to the office. Instead, he drove straight back to the hospital where Tess and La were resting.
Chapter 284 You Want Me to Call You Naive?
¡°How¡¯s recovery?¡±
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He stepped in smoothly, setting fresh flowers in the vase on her bedside table as if it were a habit.
Tess¡¯s smile faded the moment she saw him. She barely nced at the bouquet before looking
away.
The air went stiff, awkward, broken only by La¡¯s steady gulps at her bottle.
With Tess injured, she¡¯d switched her to form for easier digestion.
Finn sat beside her, unbothered by the chill, though a sigh pressed heavily in his chest.
Her resistance had be routine.
He pulled out a chair and sat next to her.
¡°The one behind La¡¯s attack¨Cit¡¯s been found.¡±
Tess¡¯s hand stilled on the bottle. Her throat worked before she rasped, ¡°Who?¡±
Just that one word sent a chill through him.
¡°The nanny?¡±
She let out a bitterugh, eyes snapping up to lock with his. ¡°Do you honestly believe a nanny acted alone? That she had the guts to move against La on her own?¡±
Finn frowned. ¡°What are you implying?¡±
¡°What about Nadine? Did you even look into her?¡±
Tess pressed, her voice cutting.
Her intensity ground against him, made his chest tighten.
She could smile for anyone else¨Ceven that judge, Lyra¨Cbut when it came to him, she looked at him like he was the enemy. He hated how much that stung.
His tone hardened. ¡°What¡¯s Nadine got to do with this? There¡¯s surveince of the nanny buying medicine from outsiders. She admitted it herself¨Cyou disciplined her, she held a grudge, sheshed out. Isn¡¯t that enough proof?
¡°Or tell me, Tess¨Cwhat exactly do you want?¡±
Chapter 284 You Want Me to Call You Naive?
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Her hand froze. She looked up, and for a split second her eyes turned into ice, sharp enough to
cut.
The room dropped in temperature.
¡°Finn, you think a hired nanny would risk everything over some petty scolding? You want me to call you naive?¡±
Her stare bore into his, cold and merciless, the kind of winter chill that burns skin.
He faltered, a flicker of doubt pushing through.
Is Tess really that sure?
But¡
He clenched his fists. ¡°I¡¯vebed through every report, every camera. There¡¯s nothing- nothing¨Cthat ties Nadine to this.¡±
Sheughed. A hard, humorless sound that echoed in the sterile room.
Then, she turned her face away, t and emotionless. ¡°Fine. Then do me a favor, Mr. Lock- leave. I need to rest with my daughter.¡±
No doubt about it¨Cshe was kicking him out.
His jaw clenched, his face stormy as he stood.
He closed the door carefully, resisting the urge to m it¨Cfor the child¡¯s sake. Not even a scrap of anger was allowed to slip out.
The moment the door clicked shut, Tess¡¯s eyes
darkened.
She stared at the sterile wall, her chest twisting like a knife grinding into flesh.
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Chapter 285 I¡¯ll Take Revenge Myself
Chapter 285 I¡¯ll Take Revenge Myself
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Even though Tess had always known Finn favored Nadine, she never expected him to just let this incident slide¨Ceven when La¡¯s life was at stake.
He let Nadine blind him, but Tess saw everything clearly.
There weren¡¯t any cameras inside Evermount Vi, and when Tess rushed back, she personally witnessed La struggling painfully in Nadine¡¯s arms.
She refused to believe it was just a misunderstanding. She also noticed Joanna¡¯s eager¨Cto- please attitude toward Nadine.
With everything going on, Tess couldn¡¯t possibly let Nadine get away with this.
Tess clenched her fists, her chest filled with disappointment in Finn as La¡¯s father.
¡°I want to be discharged!¡±
Tess pressed the nurse call button, and in no time, the familiar nurse came over, standing cautiously at her bedside.
As soon as the nurse heard the word ¡°discharged,¡± she looked troubled. ¡°Mrs. Lock, if you want to be discharged, you¡¯ll need to do a full¨Cbody checkup. If your health isn¡¯t up to par, it¡¯ll cause trouble for the hospital, and Mr. Lock won¡¯t let us off easy¡¡±
She exined cautiously, her voice trembling.
Tess listened quietly, but the moment she heard ¡°Mr. Lock,¡± all her patience vanished. ¡°Do I need his permission just to be discharged? If hees after you, tell him to find me at Evermount Vi.¡±
She clearly meant what she said, even peeling off a sticky note to leave her contact info for the
nurse.
Tess looked her in the eye and repeated, ¡°I want to be discharged. Now.¡±
The nurse seemed lost, but remembering the hospital¡¯s warning, she reluctantly agreed.
Soon, Tess carried La out of the hospital. Her tall, slim figure drew a lot of attention, and the baby in her arms made people sigh in pity as they turned away.
Tess ignored everyone, got straight into a cab, and had the driver stop at an intersection. Bessie was already waiting there.
Chapter 285 I¡¯ll Take Revenge Myself
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¡°Bessie, I need you to look after La for me. I really can¡¯t trust anyone else right now.¡±
Bessie quickly agreed and left with La.
Tess rolled up the cab window, her eyes turning cold.
If Finn won¡¯t go after Nadine, then I¡¯ll take revenge myself!
She told the cab driver coldly, ¡°Take me to the apartment at the address I sent you.¡±
The driver paused. ¡°Miss, people who live at that apartment are big shots and elites of Aetheris. Why would you want to go there?¡±
As he spoke, he checked Tess¡¯s face in the rearview mirror. No matter how many times he looked, he couldn¡¯t get over how striking she was.
Tess nodded in silence, her hand tightening under her sleeve.
¡°We¡¯re here.¡±
As soon as the car stopped, Tess thanked the driver and got out quickly.
She stood in front of the expensive¨Clooking building, the driver¡¯s words echoing in her mind.
Big shots and elites of Aetheris¡ Did he mean people like Nadine?
She was someone who barely coasted through college, yet now people call her an elite? They really have no idea who she is.
All of this¡ they should have been mine.
Tess bit her lip and walked right in.
¡°Miss, may I ask-¡±
The security guard reached out to stop her, but Tess just gave him a cold nce and stated her name, introducing herself.
¡°Move aside.¡±
Her tone got even colder. The guard hesitated. Realizing that this woman shared the samest name as Nadine, he wondered if they were sisters.
Knock knock.
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Chapter 285 I¡¯ll Take Revenge Myself
¡°Who is it?¡±
Nadine opened the door while still glued to her phone, never looking up.
When there was no reply for a while, she looked up in annoyance.
When she saw who was at the door, she froze.
Tess stood silently in the doorway, staring her down with that chilling smirk.
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Nadine¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she forced a guilty smile. ¡°Tess? What are you doing here ¡
¡°Ahhh!¡±
Before she could finish, Tess mmed the door wide open and grabbed Nadine by the hair.
The searing pain tore straight through her scalp and shot into her bones.
Nadine¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What are you doing? There are surveince cameras here! Are you out of your mind?!¡±
¡°Thanks for the reminder.¡± Tess sneered.
Nadine screamed, but Tess ignored her, dragging her into the apartment by the hair without any expression.
Nadine turned pale with fear. A chilling sense of dread crept through her whole body, wiping away all her usual niceties and the gentle image she kept up in public.
She looked at Tess in terror before shrieking for help. ¡°Help! Somebody help! Help me!¡±
¡°Help?¡±
Tess let out a coldugh, yanking even harder so Nadine¡¯s face twisted in pain. ¡°Tess, what are you trying to do?¡±
Tess scoffed. ¡°What am I trying to do?¡±
Bang!
The sound of the door mming shut cut Nadine off.
Nadine crouched down in pain as Tess red at her from above, her gaze icy,
¡°You think just because Finn can¡¯t figure out what you did, you¡¯ll get away with it?¡±
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Chapter 285 I¡¯ll Take Revenge Myself
She let out a bitterugh, as if mocking Nadine¡¯s naivety.
Her pale face took on a sinister grin, and Nadine could feel fear crawling up her back.
¡°What? I don¡¯t understand
¡°You don¡¯t understand?¡±
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Chapter 286 Did I Mention La?
Chapter 286 Did I Mention La?
Smack!
Tess pped Nadine hard, knocking her to the floor, limp and helpless.
Her cars rang from the blow, and shes of light flickered before her eyes.
Smack!
Tess moved fast,nding another p before Nadine could react.
Smack!
Nadine let out a sharp, anguished scream, clutching her face with trembling hands.
Her cheek was burning¨Cjust a light touch made it throb even more.
¡°Do you get it now?¡±
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That icy voice above her felt like a st of winter wind, snapping Nadine back to reality.
Her face twisted with pain and hatred as she finally came to her senses. ¡°Tess, are you out of your mind? It was Joanna who hurt La, not me! Don¡¯t you dare try to pin this on me!¡±
Tess¡¯s raised hand paused midair at those words.
Just as Nadine thought she was safe and began to rx, Tess tilted her head and asked, ¡°Did I mention La?¡±
Nadine froze, a chill sweeping over her.
The next second, Tess¡¯s hand mped around her neck.
A year behind bars had left Tess stronger than ever. Even though she was fresh out of the hospital, she was still much tougher than someone as spoiled as Nadine.
Tess pressed down hard on Nadine¡¯s neck, forcing her head lower with every push.
A cold fury filled her eyes.
Whenever Tess saw Nadine, she remembered the incident¨Cthose memories still made her shudder, leaving her waking up in a cold sweat at night.
Chapter 286 Did I Mention La?
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When she arrived, she saw La shaking all over. The floor was covered in vomit, and Nadine and Joanna had justughed as they watched her suffer, taking sick pleasure in it.
Tess¡¯s thoughts wandered, but she didn¡¯t loosen her grip.
Nadine felt as if her neck might snap. She opened her mouth to say something, but Tess yanked her by the hair, dragging her forward.
¡°If Finn finds out what you¡¯re doing to me, he¡¯ll never let you off!¡±
She watched in horror as Tess approached, eyes wide with panic.
Tess ignored her threats and pped her twice more.
¡°I already warned you, stay away from me and my
child.¡±
Her eyes were cold as ice.
¡°I ¡ I didn¡¯t ¡ It wasn¡¯t me! Didn¡¯t Finn already look into everything for you?¡±
Nadine cowered, her voice shaking.
¡°Oh, really? What did you give Joanna to keep her quiet?¡±
Tess gave a cold, creepy smile.
Nadine¡¯s heart started to race. Why does Tess feel so intimidating all of a sudden?
Before she could process it, Tess dragged her over to the couch, her cold eyes sweeping over Nadine, making her feel even smaller. ¡°Tess, I swear it wasn¡¯t me ¡ really ¡ ¡±
She was shaking all over, her words tumbling out in fear.
Suddenly, Tess pulled out a small, gleaming knife.
She pressed the de against Nadine¡¯s delicate, pale neck, making her break out in a cold
sweat.
¡°Tess, please, calm down! If you hurt me, Finn will never forgive you! You¡¯ll end up in prison for the rest of your life!¡±
Tess only sneered. ¡°Didn¡¯t you guys already put me in prison once? That¡¯s nothing new to me.¡±
Nadine heard the danger in her voice. Taking advantage of Tess¡¯s distraction, she broke free from her grip and bolted toward the door in terror. ¡°Help! Someone¡¯s attacking me with a
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Chapter 286 Did I Mention La?
knife! Help!¡±
:
She screamed at the top of her lungs, but the door was locked tight.
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A chill swept up behind her, and Tess grabbed her by the hair, dragging her back down to the floor.
Just as Nadine was about to lose hope, a sudden knock sounded at the door. ¡°Hey? Nadine! Are you home?¡±
Tess froze for a second, recognizing Heidi¡¯s voice.
Heidi stood outside, looking confused.
She had just finished grocery shopping. As she was walking down the hallway, she thought she heard Nadine calling for help.
Heidi knocked again. ¡°Nadine?¡±
¡°Mmmph-¡±
Tess mped her hand over Nadine¡¯s mouth, watching the door coldly.
So Heidi¡¯s still around. That¡¯s quite surprising. That means Kylie probably lives nearby, too.
It was because of her that I got cornered in that food truck park alley¡
Tess¡¯s grip tightened with the rush of emotion.
I¡¯m Kylie¡¯s real daughter, but she always favored Nadine. I gave up hoping for fairness long ago, but I never thought she¡¯d actually hurt me!
Nadine¡¯s face went from red to purple as Tess kept her mouth covered.
Somehow, she managed to break free. She immediately lunged at the door, making a huge
noise.
¡°Aunt Heidi! Help me! Tess is here. She¡¯s trying to hurt me!¡±
Her piercing screams echoed down the hall, causing Heidi¨Cwho had been about to leave¨Cto turn back instantly.
Heidi dropped her groceries and pressed her eye to the peephole. Sure enough, she saw Tess pulling Nadine by the hair, while Nadine struggled in vain, lookingpletely disheveled and
terrified.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 287 A Taste of Your Own Medicine
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Heidi banged on the door in a panic. ¡°Tess! What are you doing? Let go of Nadine, right now!¡±
Tess frowned, the noise grating on her nerves.
Heidi pounded on the door while frantically calling Kylie. It wasn¡¯t long before Kylie rushed over in a panic.
When she saw the scene through the peephole, she almost fainted with rage.
¡°Tess, you ungrateful child! How dare you do this to your own sister! Stop this nonsense at once!¡±
She mmed on the door and hurriedly dialed Finn.
Tess narrowed her eyes at the chaos outside. She didn¡¯t care to hide anything anymore, so she walked right over and opened the door.
When Kylie saw the mess and the two tangled figures inside, her face flushed with anger.
Tess looked calm as ever, but Nadine was a trembling wreck.
Kylie¡¯s voice shook with anger. ¡°Tess, let Nadine go!¡±
Hermanding tone was the same as when Tess was a child.
But this time, Tess showed no reaction to hermand.
She gently ran the silver knife over Nadine¡¯s cheek, her eyes sending Kylie a silent warning¨Cif you dare step closer, I¡¯ll cut her.
Before Kylie could get a word out, Nadine screamed, ¡°No! No! Mom, stay back! Stay back!¡±
¡°Tess! What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±
Nadine¡¯s desperate, hoarse scream rang out as cold sweat broke out across her skin.
¡°What am I doing? I¡¯m just letting you have a taste of your own medicine.¡±
Tess replied coldly and, without warning, produced a handful of salt from somewhere.
Nadine¡¯s eyes went wide with fear as she protested, ¡°You¡ mmph!¡±
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Chapter 287 A Taste of Your Own Medicine
Tess stuffed the salt into Nadine¡¯s mouth.
The sharp, salty taste filled her mouth, burning her throat with every breath.
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Nadine clutched her neck, coughing and retching so violently that she copsed onto the floor. Then she stuck a finger down her throat, desperate to throw up what she¡¯d swallowed.
The sight of Nadine¡¯s agony made Kylie¡¯s eyes fill with tears. She red at Tess, her face twisted with fury, as if she wanted to tear her apart.
¡°Tess, you are a lunatic! I¡¯ll make sure Finn sees who you really are!¡±
Kylie tried to charge at Tess, but the glint of the knife forced her to back off.
Tess smiled, but her eyes stayed ice¨Ccold. ¡°Did you ever think about this when you fed salt to La?¡±
Nadine couldn¡¯t even speak, her eyes desperately scanning the room for water.
She tried to crawl toward it, but Tess yanked her back by the neck.
Forced to look up, Nadine sobbed and choked. ¡°Te ¡ Tess ¡ I won¡¯t forgive you for this!¡±
Tess leaned close to her ear. ¡°I remember telling you La is my bottom line. You never
should¡¯ve touched her.
¡°And you really thought I¡¯d let you off so easily, after everything you¡¯ve done?¡±
With that, thest hint of a smile disappeared from Tess¡¯s face.
With a flick of her hand, she pulled out a long whip.
The smooth leather surface of the whip bristled with sharp spikes.
Nadine froze, her body instinctively shivering before her mind even registered what she saw.
Tess narrowed her eyes, watching Nadine¡¯s fear with satisfaction.
Seeing Nadine¡¯s wide, terrified eyes brought a rush of satisfaction.
Tess ran her fingers over the whip¡¯s leather, calmly watching every change in Nadine¡¯s expression.
Tess had gone out of her way to get this whip.
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Chapter 287 A Taste of Your Own Medicine
¡°You ¡ ¡±
Nadine stared in horror at the whip in Tess¡¯s hand.
Z(40)
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Kylie hadn¡¯t expected Tess to pull out something like that. She just stood there, unable to react.
¡°Ah!¡±
Nadine¡¯s screams were faster than her brain could process.
She was struck to the floor, the fine fabric of her clothes splitting open to reveal a long red mark on her pale skin.
A glint of madness shed in Tess¡¯s eyes, but she quickly forced it down.
Her days in the hospital had given her plenty of time to think.
She had a feeling that every bit of her suffering was Nadine¡¯s doing.
This whip was something Nadine should recognize all too well.
¡°Mom! It hurts!¡±
Sprawled on the floor, Nadine struggled for air, all traces of her usual high¨Csociety elegance
gone.
Kylie¡¯s eyes turned red. ¡°Tess, put the whip down! We can talk this out!¡±
She looked at Nadine with heartache, struggling to keep her anger in check.
Tess raised her brows in faint surprise.
Kylie had always been cold and strict with her. Tess had often wondered if she was really her daughter.
She never imagined she would ever see Kylie soften¨Cand it only happened because her precious adopted daughter was threatened.
Tess scoffed inwardly, finding the whole episode deeply ironic.
She then looked up, her
eyes empty and indifferent, as if she hadn¡¯t heard Kylie at all.
She no longer cared about these people¡¯s opinions. They were irrelevant to her. She was going to do what she wanted.
Chapter 287 A Taste of Your Own Medicine
Tess raised her right hand high, ready to bring the whip down on Nadine again.
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Nadine¡¯s arm still throbbed with pain. As she stared at the whip above her, she nearly fainted from terror.
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She was too scared to open her eyes, trembling as she squeezed them shut, but the pain she expected never came.
After what felt like ages, Nadine finally cracked her eyes open. When she saw who had arrived, she almost burst into tears. ¡°Finn!¡±
Tess¡¯s brow furrowed tightly as she stared coldly at the unwee guest.
Finn had kicked the door open. When he saw the chaos inside, he strode straight in and grabbed Tess by the wrist.
Her wrist was slender but full of a dangerous strength.
Feeling just how delicate her wrist was, Finn¡¯s brow furrowed sharply.
Tess had clearly been waiting for him, the smile on her lips mocking and cold.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
He asked with a frown.
¡°I¡¯m treating her exactly how she treated La,¡± Tess said, her eyes dark and cold. ¡°It¡¯s only fair.¡±
Only then did Finn understand why she had gone to such lengths to do this, and his frown grew even deeper.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°This wasn¡¯t Nadine¡¯s fault. Joanna was bribed by someone who held a grudge against you, so she hurt La to get back at you.¡±
Tess stared straight at him for a long time before letting out a coldugh. ¡°Finn, I don¡¯t need you to believe me, and you can stay out of this.¡±
She tried to yank her wrist free from his grip, but he wouldn¡¯t budge.
Tess red at him, but Finn pressed her hand down.
¡°Enough,¡± he said, his tone low and edged with impatience.
Tess¡¯s back went rigid for a second. A chilling, defiant smile crept over her face, her eyes turning dark and dangerous. ¡°Let go of me.¡±
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Finn only tightened his grip, holding her even more firmly. ¡°Come home with me. La is waiting for you at Evermount Vi.¡±
Tess finally stopped struggling. Instead, she fixed her gaze on Finn and drew out each word deliberately, ¡°Let. Go. Of. Me.¡±
Hearing her words, Finn felt like something had mmed into his chest.
He had looked into her eyes countless times, but now they seemed more numb and hollow than ever, leaving his heart uneasy.
It was as if someone had gripped his heart and squeezed it tight.
Finn tried again, even bringing up La. ¡°If you¡¯re not satisfied, I¡¯ll have Zane investigate again. But you need toe home with me first. La is still at Evermount Vi. Can you really bear to leave her there alone?¡±
Seeing Tess¡¯s steely resolve, he instinctively softened his voice, a hint of pleading slipping in.
Tess shot him a sidelong nce, finding his words almostughable.
A cold smile curled on her lips. ¡°Once I teach everyone who wants to hurt La a lesson, she¡¯ll be safer than ever.¡±
With that, Tess raised her hand and aimed the whip at Nadine.
Paralyzed by fear, Nadine crumpled to the floor again before she could even stand upright.
¡°Finn, help me!¡±
She scrambled toward Finn, eyes wide with terror.
¡°Zane, get Nadine out of here!¡±
Finn frowned, sidestepping her, and barked the order to Zane.
Zane immediately stepped in and pulled Nadine away, while Finn kept a tight hold on Tess¡¯s
wrist.
With Nadine getting pulled away, Tess suddenly found a burst of strength and shoved Finn aside. She charged forward and grabbed Nadine by the hair, pping her hard across the face over and over.
It all happened in an instant, and nobody in the room even had time to react.
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Tess then lifted the whip and struck Nadine¡¯s body several times, putting all her strength into each blow.
¡°Ah!¡±
Nadine¡¯s shrill screams echoed through the room. After a few seconds, the others finally snapped out of their shock and rushed over to pull them apart.
Her face instantly swelled, turning red and puffy like an overripe tomato. Tears streamed down her cheeks relentlessly, leaving her looking utterly pitiful and miserable.
¡°Nadine!¡±
Kylie rushed over and scooped Nadine up, cupping her ruined face in trembling hands.
Heidi stepped in front of them protectively. She red furiously at Tess. ¡°Tess! Mr. Lock already said it wasn¡¯t Nadine. Why are you still treating her like this?¡±
Tess barely registered the angry usations. Instead, she fixed her gaze squarely on Nadine. ¡°You know better than anyone what really happened. If you ever try this again, the pain will be ten or a hundred times worse than today.¡±
It might have sounded like any other threat, but when Nadine saw the cold fury in Tess¡¯s eyes, she couldn¡¯t help but shudder, her teeth chattering uncontrobly.
Finn felt a headacheing on, and Zane immediately swooped in to help Nadine up.
¡°Take her to Lock Group Private Hospital for a check¨Cup.¡±
Finn barely spared Nadine a nce before turning to restrain Tess, holding her by both arms.
Finn¡¯s distant attitude left Nadine devastated. The heartbreak was so intense, she felt like her body might copse at any moment.
She looked at Finn, unwilling to ept it, but his attention was all on Tess. The slight furrow in his brow was the only sign that he remembered she was even there.
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He had stayed up all night until now. Through his investigations, he had already found out that Tess had nothing to do with the leak of ssified information then. However, all the clues had dried up, and there was nowhere left for his investigation to go.
Finn nced at Nadine, who was crying her eyes out, and suddenly felt irritated for no reason.
He hadn¡¯t expected Nadine to be The Embers¡® illegitimate daughter, but he didn¡¯t care much about that and had nothing more to say.
He rubbed his temples, forcing himself to focus. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±
Nadine twisted her hands, her face full of inner struggle, looking like she was torn between the two sides. ¡°Finn, I came here to tell you¨Cmy dad says he has dirt on Tess. If she insists on going up against him, the only oue will be mutual destruction. I really don¡¯t want to see things end that way¡¡±
At the mention of Tess, Finn¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Where¡¯s Henry right now?¡±
A cold light shed in the depths of his eyes, breaking through his calm facade.
¡°Come with me.¡±
When they got to the Ember Residence, the vi was already surrounded by a dense crowd.
Somehow,izens had tracked down the address of Ember Residence, and crowds of people gathered outside the vi. Many were armed with all sorts of dangerous objects, making a hugemotion at the gates. ¡°Henry cheated on his wife and stole assets from the Larsons! Nadine is greedy and ruthless, always taking what isn¡¯t hers. These two have to apologize!¡±
The calls for an apology came in waves, deafeningly loud.
Nadine¡¯s face went white as a sheet.
At that moment, Henry and Kylie walked out of the vi. They were instantly surrounded by the crowd, who jostled them and even swung objects their way.
Ms. Tess said it herself¨Cher worthless dad ignored her, and her clueless mom always sides with the outsiders. So, she asked us to stand up for her!
As soon as those words were out, the crowd raised their fists and surged forward.
Nadine screamed in fear, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt my parents!¡±
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She fought her way into the crowd, trying to reach Henry and Kylie, but the people in the outer circle blocked her like a wall.
Henry and Kylie were still trying to exin, ¡°This was all Tess¡¯s scheme. She¡¯s been lying her whole life¡¡±
But their voices were drowned out by the chaos. Finn stood where he was, his brow deeply furrowed. After some hesitation, he still reached out to stop Nadine.
Nadine¡¯s eyes flickered, but she kept struggling to break free. ¡°Finn, I¡¯m begging you, call Tess. She¡¯ll listen to you. Maybe she misunderstood my parents, but that doesn¡¯t mean she should have people hurting them!¡±
She kept begging for help, but her words made it sound like Tess had sent these people.
Finn pressed his lips together, his face cold and tense.
¡°It¡¯s not Tess.¡±
He said in a low voice, giving Zane behind him a look.
Zane caught on right away and signaled the bodyguards to keep order.
But stopping the crowd only made them angrier.
¡°Look at her! As Tess¡¯s adopted sister, Nadine is nothing but an illegitimate daughter living off Tess¡¯s privilege. On top of that, she even got involved with her brother¨Cinw. Seriously, she¡¯s a disgrace to Aetheris!¡±
Their angry eyes swept over Nadine¡¯s pale face, but nobody dared look at Finn for more than a second before ncing away.
When Kylie heard Nadine being insulted and cursed, she wanted to defend her, even if she couldn¡¯t refute the usations. ¡°You¡¯ve all been tricked by Tess! Nadine isn¡¯t an illegitimate child. I saw Shannon in the morgue with my own eyes!¡±
¡°No one would believe you, Kylie. Everyone knows you always take Nadine¡¯s side! Your words mean nothing!¡±
A sharp voice shot back from the crowd.
Kylie tried to speak up in protest, but in the end, she couldn¡¯t find a single word to say.
Henry spoke up at just the right moment. ¡°Fine, if you¡¯re all so sure Tess is telling the truth, let¡¯s go confront her right now!¡±
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He called out with so much confidence that the once¨Cdetermined crowd started hesitating.
After all, it was hard to believe that anyone truly guilty would act so righteous.
All eyes turned to him, as if considering whether he might be telling the truth.
¡°All right!¡±
Atst, one of the leaders in the crowd stepped up and agreed.
Finn¡¯s brow was furrowed so tightly it looked like a knot. He hadn¡¯t expected things to spiral to this point, with everyone ready to face off with Tess.
He felt nothing but frustration and unease.
Without Finn¡¯s order, the bodyguards refused to let the crowd pass.
Just as things had finally calmed down, the crowd started getting agitated again.
Henry, still standing tall, faced Finn head¨Con. ¡°Mr. Lock, I know you still care about your marriage, but Tess ndered her own family and ruined the family¡¯s reputation. As the head of The Embers, I can¡¯t just stand by and do nothing!¡±
He was firm and unyielding, and the crowd was soon murmuring among themselves.
Henry seems so confident. Maybe Tess really has been manipting things online all along?
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Chapter 327 She Must Be Scared
¡°Are you stupid? Did you forget why we¡¯re here?¡±
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In the corner, someone exchanged a few low, hushed words. The noise from the crowd quickly drowned them out.
Just as the words left their mouth, a cold, piercing stare shot over.
The speaker ducked their head, pretending not to notice.
Finn stood rooted to the spot, the atmosphere around him growing tense.
¡°Finn, now that everyone¡¯s got their own version of the story, why not let Tess exin herself? Maybe she can clear up the misunderstandings, and everyone can make up again.¡±
She spoke cautiously, her eyes sparkling and full of hidden anticipation and joy.
Finn¡¯s emotions were a tangled mess.
Deep down, he wanted to side with Tess, but he really couldn¡¯t connect Nadine to the nasty image people had been spreading about her online.
Finally, he pressed his lips together and stepped aside.
That move set everyone else in motion. The rest of the group surged forward as the bodyguards¡® restraint started to slip.
¡°Tess is living at Evermount Height now, follow me!¡±
Henry waved his arm, leading the crowd as they headed to Evermount Height as one big, noisy group.
Along the way, some who were in the know avoided Finn¡¯s gaze and began to whisper among themselves.
¡°I thought Tess used to live at Evermount Vi with Mr. Lock. Why¡¯d she end up moving to a regr apartinent at Evermount Height?¡±
Some gossipy folks traded nces, something new flickering in their eyes.
¡°I heard Tess and Mr. Lock got divorced not long ago! I didn¡¯t believe it at first, but now that Tess has moved out, it really seems possible. Think about it¨Cshe¡¯s been framed and kidnappedtely, so why did Mr. Lock pick now to get divorced?¡±
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459
¡°Mr. Lock isn¡¯t the type to act on impulse. What if what the Embers said is actually true? Maybe Tess fooled everyone online. If Mr. Lock rushed the divorce, maybe it was to help Nadine
Someone thought back to how Finn had just gone back to Ember Residence with Nadine. Their eyes lit up, convinced they¡¯d figured out the truth.
The moment that idea was voiced, the whole group was taken aback, suddenly feeling like everything made sense.
Lost in their own thoughts, they soon reached Evermount Height.
¡°Get Tess toe down! If she really feels wronged, let¡¯s settle this face¨Cto¨Cface!¡±
Henry gestured sternly, but the Evermount Height security guard shook his head. ¡°Ms. Ember isn¡¯t here.¡±
¡°She¡¯s not?¡±
Kylie was already worked up and itching to vent her anger at Tess. The moment she heard Tess wasn¡¯t home, she lost her patience. ¡°Don¡¯t lie! It¡¯s almost dark now. If she¡¯s not here, where else would she be?¡±
At that, Finn nced up at the sky. The sunset was already fading, and the blue was deepening overhead.
¡°She must be scared,¡± Henry sneered, tilting his chin up as his eyes shed with sharp light.
Meanwhile, Tess told the cab driver to stop in front of Evermount Height.
She opened the car door, frowning as she looked outside.
A big crowd was blocking the entrance to Evermount Height. Themotion was easy to hear, even from hundreds of yards away.
Her eyes swept the group and locked on a few people leading the charge.
Henry, Kylie, Nadine¡
There was only one reason she could think of for them to show up here¨Cthey were looking
for her
Her gaze paused for a second on the tall figure at the edge.
She narrowed her eyes slightly
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Chapter 327 She Must Be Scared
Finnt
The instant she saw him, her palm went cold.
Her fingers curled up instinctively, and she could hear her own heartbeat speed up.
Hardly anyone knew she had moved out of Evermount Vi.
So¡ Finn¡¯s the one who brought them here?
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Tess couldn¡¯t quite describe how she felt. She curled her lips in a cold sneer, irritated at herself for her brief surprise.
¡°I need to go to another ce. Here¡¯s the address. I¡¯ll pay extra,¡± she said lightly to the cab driver, closing the window.
He turned the car around at once.
As soon as they left, Tess sent a message to Bessie, warning her not to let anyone in.
She¡¯d barely hit send when Henry¡¯s call came through. ¡°Tess, we¡¯re downstairs at your apartment. I can¡¯t believe you went so far as to spread rumors and nder my rtionship with your sister, even insulting thete Ms. Bolton. The Embers have always had a good reputation¨Chow could we have raised someone like you? If you have nothing to hide, let¡¯s clear the air in front of everyone and the media!¡±
His voice boomed, dripping with fake righteousness.
Tess said nothing.
Henry lifted his phone and put it on speaker.
Tess, you¡¯re just scared, aren¡¯t you?¡± he sneered, eyebrows raised.
He still put on the act of a stern elder, but a hint of smugness shed in his eyes.
He wasn¡¯t sure how Tess had found out about Shannon, but he¡¯d already arranged for her to be protected. And since Kylie had ¡®misunderstood his connection with Nadine, she was now cager to make up for it by following his every word.
As long as Shannon stayed hidden and he kept denying everything, Tess would never be able to prove anything
¡°Want to argue with me? Maybe you should take a look at Ember Group first.¡±
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Tess¡¯s mocking voice came from the phone.
All the confidence drained from Henry¡¯s face.
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His heart skipped a beat as he hurriedly pulled out his phone.
When he saw what was on the screen, he nearly fainted from anger.
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Ember Group¡¯s stock price had plummeted. Countless retail shareholders were dumping their shares at rock¨Cbottom prices, while Tess openly posted online offering to buy them back at a high price.
Her intentions couldn¡¯t have been more obvious.
Henry gritted his teeth. ¡°Tess, what are you trying to do?¡±
Tess smiled faintly. ¡°All your original startup money came from the Larsons. They sponsored everything.¡±
She still hadn¡¯t found Shannon yet. Without solid evidence in hand, she wasn¡¯t nning to go head¨Cto¨Chead with Henry just yet.
But that didn¡¯t mean she would let him keep running wild and do whatever he wanted.
¡°Now it¡¯s about time you gave it all back.¡±
That casual remark made Henry jump up from his seat.
He quickly put his phone away, dumping the mess on Kylie. ¡°I need to get back to the office immediately. Take Nadine and handle things from here.¡±
With that, he got into his car without looking back.
The exhaust fumes drifted away as he sped off, leaving everyone else stunned¨Cincluding Kylie, who was leftpletely lost.
If Henry and Nadine hadn¡¯t reminded her, she would have believed Tess¡¯s statement online.
Now she was left to deal with it alone, and she wasn¡¯t sure what to do.
Nadine nced at Kylie, who was frozen in ce, and bit her lip hard.
What a useless woman!
Still, she had no choice but to force a smile and turn to the crowd that had rushed over.
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¡°Sorry, everyone. Something came up at thepany, so my dad had to leave and take care of it right away.¡±
As she exined Henry¡¯s departure, she kept sneaking peeks at Finn. Then, she put on a troubled look and quietly added, ¡°As for what happened, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve all heard some rumors. It¡¯s Tess¡
She bit her lip. ¡°Since Tess isn¡¯ting back, I guess we¡¯re not going to see her today. Sorry to make you alle for nothing.¡±
Nadine bowed deeply to the crowd.
Her sincere attitude made the crowd¡¯sints die down a little.
¡°We rooted for Tess, but after what we just saw, it¡¯s pretty clear we backed the wrong person!¡±
Someone¡¯s angry voice cut through the crowd. It was like tossing a stone into a calmke¡ª waves of unrest quickly spread in every direction.
¡°Yeah, seeing how Tess talked to her elders, I¡¯m starting to think she¡¯s not the victim at all. Ms. Nadine, on the other hand, has been nothing but polite. That¡¯s what a realdy should be like!¡±
One after another, people chimed in. The support for Nadine kept building, and soon, almost everyone had switched sides.
Watching how she turned everyone¡¯s opinion around in just a few sentences, Nadine kept her face humble and polite. But inside, she was secretly delighted.
¡°Everyone, Ember Group will cover all your travel expenses today.¡±
She made the promise with emphasis, earning even more praise from the crowd.
The group eventually dispersed, but Finn didn¡¯t move.
His gazended on Nadine, a little lost.
He thought he knew Nadine well, but now it felt like she¡¯d subtly led the group in a certain direction.
Finn rubbed his forehead, thinking he was just being paranoid.
¡°Finn, aren¡¯t you going to wait for Tess?¡±
Nadine looked up at him, waiting for his response.
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At the mention of Tess, Finn stopped in his tracks, even though he¡¯d been about to leave.
¡°Ember Group¡¯s in trouble. You should go back and see if you can help Mr. Ember.¡±
He nced at Nadine.
Nadine hadn¡¯t expected Finn to say that, and for a moment, she was too stunned to react.
¡°Then you ¡¡±
¡°1
¡°Lock Group is fine. I¡¯ll wait for her here. Is there anything you want me to ask?¡±
He raised his chin slightly, his longshes casting a shadow over his eyes.
Seeing his striking face up close, Nadine couldn¡¯t help the surge of joy and longing that welled up inside her.
She looked down shyly, struggling topose herself.
Her hands twisted together as a conflicted look appeared on her face.
¡°Tess and the Embers are on terrible terms now. But¡¡±
Nadine sighed, her eyes full of hurt. ¡°I never wanted to see them like this. Tess just misunderstood Dad and Mom. They¡¯ve always treated both of us equally. They just looked after me a little more because I wasn¡¯t as sharp as Tess.
¡°It¡¯s just¡¡±
A clear, sparkling tear suddenly slipped down Nadine¡¯s cheek.
That tear was only the start¨Ca whole string of tears quickly followed.
She looked strikingly beautiful, even when she was crying.
Her tear¨Cstreaked face was enough to make anyone¡¯s heart ache.
Finn frowned.
Nadine choked up, ¡°Finn, I don¡¯t expect Tess to ept me anymore. But please, tell her to respect my mom!¡±
Her tone was firm, like a wildflower standing tall against the wind.
Seeing her like this, Finn felt a strange heaviness settle over him.
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By now, things had be so messy that even he couldn¡¯t tell what was real anymore.
He¡¯d always thought the Embers were just a bit harsh with Tess, but he never imagined she¡¯d fight back so hard. She had even dragged Nadine¡¯ste mother into this, just to get back at Ember Group. It seemed she was determined to destroy thempletely.
Chapter 329 You Don¡¯t Get to Tell Me What to Do
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 329 You Don¡¯t Get to Tell Me What to Do
Chapter 329 You Don¡¯t Get to Tell Me What to Do
¡°Yeah.¡±
Finn answered absentmindedly, sounding irritated.
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Nadine nced over at him nervously, then lowered her gaze, looking both wronged and dejected.
Kylie stepped forward to shield her. She couldn¡¯t help but say to Finn, ¡°Mr. Lock, I have no idea what Tess told you after she got out of prison, but she grew up with me and her grandmother. She¡¯s been a liar since she was a child. Why else would I have left my own daughter for my mother to raise? And now, even as an adult, she still lies to get her way. She even ndered the woman who saved my life!¡±
Her anger red as she spoke, and she pulled up the death certificate on her phone to show Finn.
After Henry got back to Ember Group, he had his assistant send Kylie the certificate.
Finn had heard a few things about the Embers. He vaguely remembered the car ident from more than 10 years ago.
Shannon fell off a cliff while trying to protect Kylie. People said there hadn¡¯t even been aplete body to recover. Her remains were left at a funeral home for two days before they were quickly cremated.
Even if Tess had a grudge against the Embers, she shouldn¡¯t have dragged Shannon into it.
Finn¡¯s expression grew colder, his face unreadable in the dim light.
¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±
He replied quietly and had Zane drive the two women home.
Night settled in, but Tess still hadn¡¯t returned.
ncing up at the thick night sky, Finn crouched by the light, his shadow cast long and lonely.
Just then, a pair of elegant Cavrielle leather ts came into his view.
He looked up abruptly.
Tess was standing in front of him.
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Chapter 329 You Don¡¯t Get to Tell Me What to Do
Her face was nk, and her eyes were devoid of emotion.
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Looking at her, Finn felt as if something had mmed into his chest. He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat.
¡°Did you bring them here this afternoon?¡±
It was Tess who spoke first.
She¡¯d left to take care of other things beforeing back to Evermount Height, mostly to avoid that mob.
She just hadn¡¯t expected Finn to still be here.
Finn heard the me in her tone and stood up to exin, ¡°It was Henry.¡±
Tess¡¯s brow tightened, but she didn¡¯t say anything.
There was no reason for Finn to lie about this, but how did Henry know where she lived?
She pushed aside the fleeting suspicion.
¡°Mr. Lock, how much longer are you nning to stay?¡±
Her voice was cold, a touch of mockery in her tone.
¡°Are you targeting Ember Group?¡±
Finn dodged the question, bringing up something else.
Tess arched an eyebrow slightly.
Their eyes locked¨Chis as deep as the sea, hers as frosty as fresh snow.
Only then did Tess realize how calm she felt facing Finn now.
¡°I¡¯m just taking back what belongs to me.¡±
She lifted her eyes, her gaze sharper and more warning than before.
Tess could now talk to Finn without getting worked up, but if he tried to stand in her way, not even the Lock Group could stop her from carrying out her ns.
Especially since all of Henry¡¯s funding for Ember Group hade from the Larsons. He always imed it was the Larsons¡®pensation for Kylie, but that wasn¡¯t true.
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Chapter 329 You Don¡¯t Get to Tell Me What to Do
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Back when Kylie insisted on running away with Henry, Gillian was upset but still helped. She bailed out Ember Group every time they lost money.
Without Gillian and the Larsons, Henry and the Ember Group would have been nothing.
Tess sneered to herself. Everything I¡¯m doing is justified.
Everything Henry fought so hard for¨Ceverything he was never meant to have¨Cshe would take them all back.
¡°Do you really have to be so stubborn? If what happened today gets out online, your recent rifications will all be for nothing.¡±
Finn frowned, trying to reason with her.
But Tess only smiled dismissively, ¡°People have said worse things about me.¡±
In the silence of the night, her pale face and red lips made her look almost unreal¡ªa little ghostly, a little wild.
To Finn, she suddenly felt like a stranger, as if she were a drifting spirit or a wisp of fog- something that could disappear at any moment.
¡°Tess, you hate the Embers, but this has nothing to do with Nadine. She¡¯s only ever wanted to get along with you. You shouldn¡¯t use herte mother against her.¡±
Finn suddenly blurted it out. The second the words left his mouth, he was shocked himself.
He looked up, and sure enough, Tess¡¯s face darkened, the mockery at her lips turning icy.
¡°I ¡ ¡±
Finn started to exin, but Tess cut him off. ¡°Finn, you¡¯re thest person who gets to tell me what to do. Whatever bond we had ended a year ago.¡±
She stared him down coldly, her mind shing back to all the pain she¡¯d suffered in prison.
How could I have spoken to him so calmly just now?
A rush of absurdity overwhelmed her.
The Embers might have treated her terribly, but her grandmother always did her best to protect her. In truth, the pain and hardship in her life came from the man standing before her.
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Chapter 330 La is Your Daughter
¡°Tess, are you ming me?¡±
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Finn took a step forward. Tess instantly backed away as if he carried the gue, putting distance between them.
Suddenly, a gulf of empty space opened up between them, and Finn¡¯s expression turned even colder.
¡°If you hadn¡¯t stolen Lock Group¡¯s secrets back then, I never would have sent you to prison.¡±
He swallowed hard. ¡°You spent a year in jail, then came out with a baby no one could exin. Tess, have I ever thrown that in your face?¡±
His arm trembled slightly.
At the mention of La, Tess¡¯s eyes instantly turned bloodshot with anger.
¡°What did you say?¡±
She rushed forward, grabbing Finn by the cor.
Did he really just call La an illegitimate child?
How dare he?
Tess¡¯s sudden outburst left Finn stunned. He tried to calm her, but she pped him hard across the face.
Smack!
The sharp p echoed loudly through the still air.
Finn stood frozen, his right cheek tingling and burning.
Tess red at him, like she could burn a hole right through him.
¡°Finn, La is your daughter.¡±
Now that their divorce was certain, there was no point in hiding La¡¯s identity anymore.
¡°What?¡±
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Chapter 330 La is Your Daughter
Finn¡¯s eyes went wide in shock.
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Seeing the disbelief on Finn¡¯s face, most of Tess¡¯s anger melted away, reced by a rush of satisfaction.
¡°You forced yourself on me that one time. I got pregnant. That¡¯s all it was.¡±
Her words echoed in the air, and Finn¡¯s body shook violently.
¡°What?¡±
His voice was trembling, filled with disbelief and pain.
Tess got pregnant before? Then La is ¡
Every doubt in his mind vanished, but all that was left was the pain of realization.
¡°Why¡¡±
His voice was hoarse and low, overflowing with regret and confusion.
Finn¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed Tess¡¯s wrist. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ever tell me La was my daughter?¡±
When Tess hade back to Evermount Vi, he¡¯d had Zane look into everything she went through after getting out of prison.
He knew she¡¯d struggled, that she¡¯d faced setback after setback, including that night when La got dangerously sick.
But deep down, he¡¯d always believed La was the result of Tess cheating on him, so he never felt any real guilt.
And now Tess was telling him that La was his daughter.
Finn¡¯s legs gave out¨Che stumbled back several steps before regaining his bnce.
Tess was pulled along and nearly fell.
¡°Why?¡±
Tess¡¯s lips curled into a twisted smile, as if she¡¯d just heard the funniest joke in the world. In the darkness, she looked like a spirit who¡¯d endured every torment imaginable.
¡°Finn, even if I¡¯d told you the truth, what good would it have done for me or La?¡±
Chapter 330 La is Your Daughter
Tess let out a coldugh, her eyes full of sarcasm and hatred.
For once, she feltpletely clear¨Cheaded.
¡£,58)
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After everything she¡¯d been through, she wasn¡¯t about to soften or hesitate just because Finn was finally sorry.
She knew that from now on, she only had herself to count on.
¡°So this is how you see it? Is that why you never told me La¡¯s identity?¡±
Finn looked up, disbelief all over his face.
Tess gave a faint, dismissive smile, not bothering to argue with him.
¡°If you¡¯d told me La was mine, I would have protected you both. You left home, and La suffered so much with you. If you¡¯d told me sooner, none of this would have happened.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice trembled as his emotions overwhelmed him, his chest rising and falling sharply.
Tess looked at him coldly, her head slightly bowed in a show of icy contempt.
¡°So
you knew I suffered, and you knew La suffered too, but you did nothing¨Cjust because you thought she wasn¡¯t
your child.¡±
A sense of absurdity washed over Tess.
She was filled with a sense of bitter irony.
This is so ridiculous that it¡¯s almost funny.
¡°Finn, you don¡¯t deserve to be La¡¯s father. Not just because you forced yourself on me, because you¡¯re cold, heartless, and arrogant.¡±
but
If Finn had trusted her even a little, she wouldn¡¯t have spent a year pregnant and alone in prison.
With everything that had happened, he was thest person who had any right to judge her.
¡°It¡¯s not true¡ It¡¯s not like that, Tess.¡±
Finn¡¯s lips trembled. For someone usually so calm and distant, he lookedpletely devastated.
He reached for Tess, but she dodged his hand.
Chapter 330 La is Your Daughter
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A year ago, I still had hope for you. I really believed that if I tried hard enough, you¡¯d finally see my worth.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice lingered in the air, thin as mist.
Finn stood frozen, panic surging in his chest.
¡°You ¡¡±
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Chapter 331 The Scars
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Tess turned around and stared straight at him, her gaze sharp.
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¡°I spent a year in prison with La. All that suffering was thanks to you and Nadine. I¡¯m already dealing with Nadine. As for you, you should be grateful I haven¡¯t gone after you yet.¡±
Tess smiled faintly.
Finn felt a jumble of emotions, but he suddenlytched onto a thought and asked urgently, ¡°How could you have suffered when you were pregnant? They give special treatment to pregnant women in there, right?¡±
He¡¯d been furious when he found out Tess had stolen Lock Group¡¯s secrets, but she had still been his wife. Even if she ended up in prison, people there would have shown her some respect for his sake¨Cespecially since she was already pregnant at the time. So how could she have suffered?
Finn clenched his fingers tight as he stared at Tess, desperate and unwilling to believe it.
Tess clearly picked up on what he was thinking.
¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡±
Her smile grew wider, and light glinted at the corners of her
eyes.
Tess swallowed, opened the door, and strode quickly inside the apartment.
Finn paused for a second, then followed after her.
The moment the front door closed behind them, a ripping sound shattered the quiet of the night.
Tess used scissors to slice her shirt open, tearing it right in half.
Her pale back was revealed for all to see.
Finn¡¯s eyes went wide in shock, his gaze moving across her back in disbelief.
¡°What the ¡¡±
The skin that had once been wless was now covered in scars.
In the light, he could see every pale and reddened mark clearly. They were the result of
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Chapter 331 The Scars
repeated injuries and healing.
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Finn couldn¡¯t name what he was feeling, but the pain felt suffocating.
He looked up, still shaken from what he saw.
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Sometimes, in the stillness of midnight, shes of that night they spent together a year ago would resurface in his mind when he least expected them.
He remembered the sound of her crying and the soft, helpless whimpers she made. They kept reying in his ears like the sweetest birdsong, tugging at emotions he thought he had buried.
He had always considered himself a rational person, but that night, he¡¯dpletely lost himself to obsession and madness.
Losing control of his emotions left him furious. The next day, when he found out Tess had stolenpany secrets, he immediately connected it to their night together. He convinced himself Tess was just using him again. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to see her ruined.
His fingertips trembled as he reached out, wanting to touch Tess¡¯s back.
But Tess seemed to sense his movement. She shot him a cold look, then calmly pulled out a nket and wrapped herself up, as if nothing had happened.
Tess settled onto the couch, eyes drifting to the darkness outside, as if lost in that nightmare from a year ago.
¡°You thought they¡¯d treat me differently because I was Mrs. Lock. But even you, Mr. Lock, refused to acknowledge me. Why would anyone else show me mercy?¡±
Herughter rang out like a bell tolling through the still air, edged with despair.
How could she not be desperate? A woman thrown into prison by her own husband had no one to rely on¨Cshe became cheapbor and someone¡¯s entertainment.
If she hadn¡¯t found out she was pregnant soon after arriving, things would¡¯ve been even worse.
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened as he stared at Tess, finally realizing a new coldness and steel in her that hadn¡¯t been there a year ago.
Was it that year of suffering that changed her?
Finn¡¯s heart pounded wildly.
Chapter 331 The Scars
She really went through all that pain in prison?
:
By the time it reached his side, it dropped heavily, all strength gone.
A wave of helplessness swept over him, leaving him drowning and breathless.
He looked at Tess, as if she were hisst hope.
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¡°Tess, didn¡¯t you say everything that happened a year ago was all a setup? You said you were framed, right? I¡¯ve started looking into it myself. I¡¯ll make it up to you and La.¡±
He stepped closer, nervous and unsure, the divorce agreement he¡¯d just signed shing in his mind.
¡°Tess, let¡¯s not get divorced, okay?¡±
His voice was weak, trembling with panic and fear.
Tess kept her back to him, refusing to answer.
Finn¡¯s heart pounded as he stared at her back.
Finally, she stood up.
She turned her beautiful, icy face toward him. It was still as striking as ever. But this time, there were no emotions in her eyes. They were as cold as winter snow.
¡°Hahaha!¡±
She suddenlyughed, her voice like a firework bursting in the night¡ª-brilliant and gone in a blink.
Tess dropped her smile but kept her eyes on Finn, her gaze tinged by a hint of amusement.
She said, ¡°Finn, do you really think we still have a chance?¡±
¡°Finn, it was autumn when I was sent to jail. Do you know how cold winters get in Aetheris?¡±
Tess tilted her head, her thoughts drifting far away, as if she¡¯d truly gone back to that icy
winter.
The topwyer in Aetheris. The wife of the richest man in Aetheris. There she was, sent to prison by her own husband.
Chapter 331 The Scars
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But worse than the fall from grace were the monsters inside that prison.
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¡°In prison, all it takes is one person turning on you, and soon everyone gangs up on you. Do you have any idea how I got these scars?¡±
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Chapter 332 The Paternity Test Report
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She let out a quietugh, her tone still calm and distant, as if she were telling someone else¡¯s story instead of her own.
¡°They called me vicious. They said I was shameless for getting into a man¡¯s bed. They doused me with cold water in the freezing winter. They made me clean the whole prison by myself. Any time something upset them, they¡¯d yank my hair and p my face. Getting beaten became the norm. After a while, even that wasn¡¯t enough¨Cthey started topete with each other, to see whose cut would make me scream louder.¡±
Tess looked at Finn with a gentle smile, her face betraying none of the fear or numbness she¡¯d felt back then.
¡°When I was seven months pregnant, my belly was so big I could barely walk. But I didn¡¯t get any special treatment. That was prison. La wasn¡¯t even born at full term¨Cshe came early. Even byte spring, she was still so weak. I was at the very bottom of the prison food chain. They wouldn¡¯t give me any of the hot water or food, even if it ended up being thrown away. I cried and begged for La¡¯s sake, to the point where I lost every shred of dignity I had left. For that whole year, the only thing that kept me alive was La.¡±
Finn¡¯s lips quivered, and he whispered, ¡°Stop. Please just stop.¡±
¡°Finn, whatever feelings I had for you vanished during that year. They¡¯re gone.¡±
Tess watched his every move from across the room. Maybe it was the pain of those memories, or maybe something else, but a deep sadness slowly welled up in her heart. Tears began to gather at the corners of her eyes.
Hershes fluttered, catching the glimmer of unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall.
Tess took a deep breath and forced all the sorrow and pain back down.
Luckily, it was all in the past.
That nightmare was finally over.
She nced toward one of the rooms.
La was sleeping soundly there.
Even though winter wasing, La had everything she needed¨Cwarm clothes, nourishing food, and afortable home.
Chapter 332 The Paternity Test Report
Those days of misery would nevere back.
Tess stopped smiling. Her eyes seemed to freeze over.
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¡°Finn, I won¡¯t trust you, and you don¡¯t deserve it. What have you ever done for La as her father?¡±
She tossed a paternity test report at him.
Once the divorce was finalized, she arranged for a paternity test for Finn and La, using their hair samples.
Finn¡¯s lips trembled as he looked at the report, his eyes locking onto the number¨C99.9% match.
He closed his eyes, his aching heart shattering.
It was just as Tess had said.
Now, any words of begging or regret werepletely meaningless.
He¡ really didn¡¯t deserve her trust.
Suddenly, Finn thought of everything he¡¯d done.
For a small scratch on Nadine, he¡¯d sent every doctor at Lock Group¡¯s private hospital away, nearly letting La die of a high fever.
If anything had happened to La, he never would have forgiven himself.
Finn bit down on his lip, letting the metallic taste of blood fill his mouth.
¡°I am sorry,¡±
Those three words were short and barely above a whisper, but they were heavy with meaning -a guilty weight he couldn¡¯t escape.
Tess¡¯s fingers stilled for a moment.
She immediately turned away, hiding her flicker of surprise in the darkness.
¡°Leave.¡±
Her voice was light as a feather, almost inaudible.
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Chapter 332 The Paternity Test Report
This time, Finn didn¡¯t try to stay.
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After a moment of silence, she heard the sound of slow, heavy footsteps echo in the hallway.
The clicks of those expensive dress shoes echoed like the final beats of a farewell.
The door closed softly behind him.
Tess looked up at the ceiling, her eyes
nk.
Even after leaving, Finn didn¡¯t go far.
He stared for a long time at the tightly shut gates of Evermount Height. He slowly pressed his hand over his chest, feeling the frantic beat of his heart.
He never imagined La was his child.
He never imagined Tess had suffered so much in prison.
He never imagined¡
Regret and guilt crashed over him at the same time, nearly suffocating him.
Back then, he¡¯d thought Tess deserved any punishment for stealing Lock Group¡¯s secrets.
But now ¡ everything he believed had been turned upside down.
Suddenly, Finn clenched his fist tightly, as if waking from a dream.
No.
Tess wouldn¡¯t steal Lock Group¡¯s secrets.
That idea shed through his mind, lighting up every dark doubt he¡¯d ever had.
He used to be annoyed with Tess, tired of her passionate feelings for him.
But now, thinking back-
How could someone who loved him that much ever betray him and hand over secrets to Max?
If Tess hadn¡¯t loved him, why would she have kept La?
Finn¡¯s heart clenched tight, as if he were finally grasping the truth.
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Above him, the moon shone bright, its silver light illuminating everything in the world.
rity swept over Finn¡¯s mind.
His breath quickened, and his footsteps picked up.
¡°Zane, pull the security footage from thest time I went to the club. Find the waitress who served me. Bring her to me.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was sharp andmanding.
Zane agreed right away.
¡°And I want every surveince tape from the year Mrs. Lock was in prison.¡±
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Chapter 333 What Are You Crying For?
After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he added that sentence.
As he spoke, his arm trembled ever so slightly.
¡°Okay, Mr. Lock. I¡¯m on it.¡±
The call ended, leaving nothing but silence.
After giving all those orders, Finn¡¯s steps finally slowed.
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He wandered down the familiar road back to Evermount Height, his mind drifting through memories of all he¡¯d experienced with Tess.
He wasn¡¯t sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, he had started to see her in a different light.
He realized what he really resented was how she used schemes to make his family force him into marrying her.
Although, he had to admit that over time, he had started to admire her in ways he never expected.
If they had just spent a little more time together, if that ident a year ago had never happened ¡ maybe La wouldn¡¯t have been born so early. Maybe they¡¯d never have ended up like this.
But life didn¡¯te with second chances.
Finn felt empty, almost like a shadow.
He blended into the night with his dark coat, until his figure disappearedpletely.
Tess, meanwhile, didn¡¯t stand by the window hoping for Finn¡¯s return like she did a year ago. As soon as Finn left, she turned and went back to her room.
The drama about her and the Embers was getting worse online, and she didn¡¯t bother reading the news. At that moment, she saw a long¨Cforgotten email in her inbox.
It was sent anonymously, but there was no mistaking who it was from. It might as well have had ¡°Henry¡± stamped on it in big letters.
After all, she¡¯d blocked every Ember contact ages ago.
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Chapter 333 What Are You Crying For?
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¡°Tess, even if you think the Embers ignored you, you never went without food, clothes, orfort. To others, you were always the privileged Ember heiress. Are you really going to ruin us just because of a little childhood jealousy?¡±
Tess rested her head in her hand, looking utterly indifferent.
He actually had it right.
Bringing down the Embers was her next move.
She curled her lips coldly, not even a little tempted to reply.
The steady sound of La¡¯s breathing filled her ears, bringing a sense of calm.
Tess nced over at La¡¯s sweet, sleeping face, and the chill faded from her face.
She closed her email and went to check on her acquisition of Ember Group shares.
With the stock price crashing, most of the small shareholders had already rushed to sell, especially since Tess was offering to buy at a high price. Even if everyone knew a showdown was brewing between Tess and the Embers, it didn¡¯t concern them.
Major shareholders were still holding back, but the smaller ones had already bailed. By now, Tess had quietly gathered nearly 20 percent of the shares.
Seeing everything falling into ce, Tess sent Lyra a quick message with the good news before bed.
Meanwhile, the top floor of the Lock Tower remained brightly lit.
Zane looked absolutely wrecked, like he hadn¡¯t slept in days.
Anyone would be miserable getting pulled out of bed like that.
He grumbled inside but kept a respectful face.
¡°Mr. Lock, here¡¯s the surveince footage you wanted.¡± He handed over the tablet. ¡°Ms. Stuart is on her way.¡±
As he watched tablet being passed to him, Finn¡¯s hand trembled ever so slightly.
Onscreen was a messy corner of a prison cell.
A pair of white¨Cgloved hands was scrubbing the floor.
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Chapter 333 What Are You Crying For?
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Suddenly, a heavy boot kicked out from the side.
¡°Ugh!¡±
Over the noisy background, the sound of a woman stifling a cry broke through.
¡°This is your idea of cleaning?¡±
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A fat woman, nked by her cronies, stood at the front. Her chubby hand grabbed a pretty face and yanked it in front of the camera.
Finn¡¯s pupils shrank.
It¡¯s Tess!
Even with the blurry footage, her beauty was clear.
Fair skin, jet¨Cck hair, and even with her face twisted in pain, she was still striking.
¡°I told you to clean, and this is the result? No wonder Zee had to teach you a lesson yesterday.¡±
The fat woman¡¯s sidekick grinned smugly, looking proud of herself.
Tess shrank back, her eyes filled with fear.
She knew that no matter how hard she tried, they would always find a way to pick on her.
They were targeting her, in and simple.
Tess looked like a startled animal. Her eyes darted around in fear, only making her look even more beautiful.
Jealousy flickered in the eyes of the women crowding around her.
Suddenly, a mean¨Clooking long¨Cfaced woman stepped forward.
She yanked Tess¡¯s hair, forcing her to tilt her head up in pain.
¡°You married Mr. Lock just because of this pretty face, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Her voice was full of venom, and her long, pointed fingernails scratched at Tess¡¯s scalp.
A spike of fear ran down Tess¡¯s spine.
A single tear of terror slid down from the corner of her eye.
¡
A
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Chapter 333 What Are You Crying For?
Smack-
The p was harsh and rang out across the cell.
All the noise in the cell stopped dead.
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¡°What are you crying for? There aren¡¯t any men here, so who do you think you¡¯re trying to seduce?¡±
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Chapter 334 Tell Me Everything
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The long¨Cfaced woman let out a cruelugh and pulled a nail clipper from her pocket.
She had held onto it for this exact moment.
The moment it appeared, everyone in the cell perked up with excitement.
¡°If you like seducing people with your face so much, what would you do if I ruined it?¡±
What could she do? Once she gets out, Mr. Lock is just going to dump her!¡±
People around her jumped in, one after another. They mocked andughed so loudly it seemed like the noise would blow the roof off.
Tess hung her head in humiliation, biting her lip so hard she wouldn¡¯t make a sound.
Her already pale face turned ghostly white.
Watching all this unfold on screen, Finn felt like he couldn¡¯t breathe from the pressure on his chest.
He hit pause, his fingertips still trembling.
Those monsters¡
Finn clenched his jaw, his usually cold eyes zing with fury, as if he could burn everything down.
¡°Track down every person on that screen. I don¡¯t care if they¡¯re on the other side of the world -find them for me.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was full of menace, sending a chill through Zane as he stood by.
He couldn¡¯t help but shiver, feeling a chill run down his back.
Finn tapped on the tablet again, and the video continued ying.
Even in the blurry footage, the nail clipper glinted coldly.
Tess¡¯s eyes went wide with terror. All the tears she¡¯d been fighting finally spilled out, streaming down her face like pearls on a broken string.
¡°No¡¡±
Chapter 334 Tell Me Everything
There was no hero to save her.
:
The sharp de left a bloody scratch across her wless face.
The sh of red set off another round of cheers.
Rrrrip!
One of the women in the cell yanked open Tess¡¯s shirt.
¡°I saved a knife and fork from lunch. Let me try!¡±
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, wild like a wolf at the sight of fresh meat.
¡°Let me try, too! I have a steel scrubber!¡±
Even more women surged forward.
¡°Let me go! Please, no! Please!¡±
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Tess¡¯s desperate screams for help were drowned out by the frenzy ofughs and cheers, making the scene on screen unbearable to watch.
Watching from the side, Zane felt goosebumps break out all over his body. He was filled with sympathy for everything Tess had been through.
Finn¡¯s fist clenched so hard that he tasted blood in his mouth.
Knock knock-
¡°Mr. Lock, are you in there?¡±
A woman¡¯s nervous voice suddenly rang out.
The unexpected sound broke the suffocating silence in the office.
Finn forced down the fury rising in his heart.
He looked up at the door, his eyes still red.
¡°Zane.¡±
He rubbed his brow and told Zane to open the door.
As Zane turned away, Finn pulled a pair of gold¨Crimmed sses from his desk and put them
Chapter 334 Tell Me Everything - on.
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The sharp menace around him faded, reced by a distant, icy coldness.
The moment Janice Stuart entered the office, the first thing she spotted was Finn behind the desk.
Only one dimmp was on, the golden rims of his sses catching the light every now and then.
The atmosphere inside the office was heavy and tense, making Janice feel even more on edge.
She stopped in front of Finn, feeling a cold chille over her.
¡°Mr. Lock, did you need something from me? Mr. ck told me you wanted to see me.¡±
She forced herself to ask the question.
Finn¡¯s icy eyes swept over her as he nodded slowly. ¡°You weren¡¯tpletely honest thest time at the club.¡±
He raised his eyes, locking his gaze on Janice.
His eyes were so dark and deep, it was like looking into a ck pool.
Even though he was just sitting there, Janice felt crushed by his presence.
When she heard what he said, she squeezed her hands together, cold sweat breaking out on her back.
She¡¯d already guessed what this was about on her way over, and this confirmed it.
But¡
Janice bit her lip, clearly troubled.
¡°Whatever threats you¡¯ve received or deals you¡¯ve made, tell me everything. For the threats, I promise you and your family will be safe. As for the deals, you know who I am, and you know I¡¯m capable of giving you a better offer.¡±
Finn tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
The sound echoed in the quiet night, each tap weighing on Janice¡¯s nerves.
Somewhere outside, rain began to fall, matching the rhythm of Finn¡¯s tapping.
Chapter 334 Tell Me Everything
The office was silent enough to hear a pin drop.
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Janice¡¯s palms were already marked with red lines from how tightly she gripped them.
Finn stared at her, sensing how difficult this was for her.
But he also knew Janice was the key to unlocking the truth.
With his brow rxed and his face nk, he looked even moremanding and serious, almost like the statue of some imposing, mysterious deity.
Janice¡¯s heart thudded in her chest.
¡°Janice, you know what happens to people who cross me in Aetheris.¡±
Finn¡¯s fingers curled into a fist, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.
No one in the city had more power than he did, and he was wielding it to intimidate without restraint.
The chill in his words was enough to freeze anyone solid.
Janice¡¯s knees nearly buckled. Cold sweat soaked her back.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
4/
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Chapter 335 I Can¡¯t Leave Aetheris
She suddenly started pping herself repeatedly.
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Zane¡¯s eyes widened in shock, but he quicklyposed himself and tried to look unfazed.
Finn just frowned and said nothing, waiting coldly to see what she¡¯d do next.
¡°Mr. Lock, I really didn¡¯t want to do this, but I had no other choice.¡±
Janice nearly buried her face in her chest in shame, tears sliding down both cheeks.
Zane watched from the side, feeling a pang of sympathy for her.
¡°Ms. Stuart, you¡¯re in Aetheris. If Mr. Lock says he¡¯ll protect you, who would darey a hand on you? What exactly are you so afraid of?¡±
He tried to reason with her, his tone gentle.
After all, this wasn¡¯t just about Finn¨Cit concerned Tess¡¯s fate too.
¡°And didn¡¯t you say Mrs. Lock helped you a lot when you were at thepany? Now that Mr. Lock wants to clear Mrs. Lock¡¯s name, how can you just stand by and do nothing?¡±
Zane continued to persuade her.
Finally, Janice¡¯s body shook violently, as if she¡¯d finally made up her mind about something.
She slumped, staring down at the floor like a deted balloon.
When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with guilt and despair.
Her hands twisted together as she nervously nced at Finn.
Is Mr. Lock really nning to clear Mrs. Lock¡¯s name, just like Mr. ck said?
He was the one who sent her to prison in the first ce, wasn¡¯t he?
And all these years, there have been rumors about him and Nadine.
Is he really going to choose Mrs. Lock over Nadine?
Janice¡¯s heart was pounding. She bit her lip but still didn¡¯t say anything.
Chapter 335 I Can¡¯t Leave Aetheris
Atst, Finn¡¯s patience ran out.
¡°Leave Aetheris tomorrow.¡±
He stood up.
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Whether she¡¯d been threatened or just acted out of self¨Cinterest, Janice¡¯s betrayal of Tess was a fact. If she wouldn¡¯t help, leaving Aetheris was already the lightest punishment.
His towering figure cast a deep shadow over her, the pressure almost suffocating.
Janice¡¯s eyes went wide.
¡°Leave Aetheris?
¡°No, please, no!¡±
Her emotions finally broke loose, and she turned desperately to Zane for help.
But Zane could only shake his head helplessly.
Janice¡¯s heart lurched as she rushed over to Finn. ¡°Mr. Lock¡
Standing right next to Finn, he towered over her, looking down with a cold, unreadable gaze.
It was only then that Janice saw how dark his eyes were¨Cit was like staring into a ck hole.
She swallowed hard, fear creeping over her. Atst, she gave in. ¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯ll talk, I¡¯ll tell you everything!¡±
¡°I will tell you everything, just please don¡¯t make me leave Aetheris!¡±
Finn paused, then sat back down and waited for her to go on.
The terrifying sense of oppression finally eased.
Janice¡¯sshes fluttered as she forced herself past herst wall of resistance.
Despair washed over her.
She looked up, as if lost in a whirlpool of old memories.
¡°Mr. Lock, you might not know this. Aetheris is famous for its advanced medical technology. I came here mainly to treat my mom¡¯s illness.
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Chapter 335 I Can¡¯t Leave Aetheris
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¡°A year ago, someone threatened me, using my mother as leverage to force me out of Lock Group. It wasn¡¯t out of the blue. That day, I happened to notice some confidential files in the file room had been tampered with.¡±
Hearing that, Finn¡¯s face darkened, and Zane tensed up as well.
¡°My mom couldn¡¯t handle being transferred to another hospital again, and from my investigation, I could tell that someone was targeting Mrs. Lock from the start.¡±
Janice¡¯s voice was soft, but the wordsnded like a around Finn¡¯s heart.
Hearing something he¡¯d suspected but tried to ignore, Finn slumped in his chair, drained of strength.
He clung to the armrests, as if he could crush the conspiracy with his bare hands.
¡°Why should I believe you?¡±
He tried to keep the emotion out of his voice, but his eyes were cold as ice.
Janice seemed to have expected the question.
¡°Mrs. Lock was always good to me. I owe her so much.¡± Janice pressed a hand to her heart, her face full of guilt.
¡°But-¡±
She lifted her head and met Finn¡¯s eyes, her gaze burning with determination. ¡°After I left, I had someone leave something in the file room. If you really wanted the truth, Mr. Lock, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen it by now.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed.
¡°What?¡±
He tried to keep his tone even.
¡°A case file. The one about Mrs. Lock¡¯s case.¡±
Janice¡¯s hands clenched tight.
¡°After I left thepany, I always felt I owed Mrs. Lock. So I kept an eye on what was happening there. I never guessed those people really nned to send her to prison.
¡°My family situation left me trapped, and for a whole year, I was haunted by guilt. Thank you,
Chapter 335 I Can¡¯t Leave Aetheris
:
Mr. Lock, for giving me this chance to finally tell the truth.¡±
Having said her piece, Janice seemed to gain some courage.
Ignoring how weak her knees felt, she stood up straight.
Finn narrowed his eyes.
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Chapter 336 Shocking Truth
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¡°Back then, everyone who owed Tess a favor was secretly gathering evidence. Charles even told me that he gave you half of the case file.¡±
Janice looked straight into Finn¡¯s eyes.
¡°Mr. Lock, you didn¡¯t believe Mrs. Lock a year ago. We all knew what we did back then might be for nothing, but I just wanted to make it up to her. I never thought that you would personally ask for the truth.¡±
Janice sighed and sounded helpless.
Hearing her words, Finn felt even more confused.
Just as she said, his current attitude was aplete opposite from how he acted back then.
¡°Do you know who threatened you?¡±
Finn¡¯s fingers made a clicking sound, giving off an eerie chill.
Janice bit her lips and said, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I do have a suspect.¡±
¡°Say it.¡±
The air grew tense.
¡°Nadine.¡±
In an instant, their surroundings grew
silent.
At the Aetheris Prison, all the officers formed a circle and nervously looked at the man in the
center.
Finn sat boldly in the warden¡¯s chair.
His gaze swept over everyone, making the room felt even colder.
¡°Mr. Lock, w¨Cwhy are you here?¡±
The warden, Leopold, crept forward and his forehead was already soaked in cold sweat.
The richest man was here, but it didn¡¯t look like he came for a good reason.
¡
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Chapter 336 Shocking Truth
He was extremely nervous.
¡°Do you still have the surveince footage from a year ago?
Finn looked up with his dark eyes.
¡°Huh?¡±
Leopold thought he¡¯d misheard.
Surveince footage from year? What did he want with that?
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He scratched his head and his eyes darted around nervously. He felt uneasy and said, ¡°We usually keep surveince footage for five years. We should still have those fromst year.¡±
Finn put a tablet in front of him.
It showed the scene of Tess being abused.
Her pale skin was covered in shocking red marks.
Leopold frowned and suddenly thought of something. His gaze grew shifty and started to feel guilty.
¡°I want the footage for one whole year.¡±
Before Janice left, she only told him Nadine¡¯s name and some vague
clues.
Finn had spent his free time going over the footage on the tablet.
He wanted to know what happened to Tess that year.
However, he didn¡¯t expect that most of the time, she was being abused and assaulted by other
inmates.
His gut told him that it wasn¡¯t that simple, so that¡¯s why he came here personally.
¡°T¨Cthis is already the whole year,¡± Leopold said, pulling his head back nervously.
¡°Huh?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice sounded cold and sharp, making Leopold shiver for no reason.
¡°A whole year and this is all you have?¡± Zane asked.
16:31 Mon, Oct 20
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Chapter 336 Shocking Truth
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As soon as he spoke, the bodyguards behind him surged forward and red intensely at Leopold.
He swallowed hard.
It was absurd, actually.
He was a warden, yet he was also the one being threatened in his own territory.
However, he nced at the only man sitting down and gave up.
¡°Mr. Lock¡ ¡±
¡°If you can¡¯t give the full footage, you¡¯ll be staying here and recording a full year¡¯s worth of it,¡± Finn said.
Upon hearing him, Leopold¡¯s head started to pound.
Finn wasn¡¯t someone who would show up for no reason. This footage might be very important to him.
However ¡
His fingers were clenched tightly.
When Zane came to get the footage, he specifically asked for the area where Tess was. Thinking about it now, Leopold felt even more nervous.
¡°Go get my safe.¡±
He clenched his fist, but could only hide them at his sides.
After all, here in Aetheris, one would rather mess with officials or other big shots than Finn alone.
Soon after, a ck box with a silver lock was brought in.
The lock was opened and there was a USB drive inside.
Finn had mixed feelings when he saw it.
He plugged it into the nearestputer and it showed the truth that had been hidden.
Unlike the clips he brought earlier, the scenes on the USB were much more shocking.
Chapter 336 Shocking Truth
He scrolled through and saw her pale face.
Was she giving birth?
He frowned hard.
The video continued. Tess was bleeding a lot and curled up in a corner.
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She was pounding on the wall, trying to get someone¡¯s attention. But every time someone walked by, they would just nce at her and walk away, ignoring the pool of blood on the floor.
Finn¡¯s heart was tearing apart.
The scenes that followed were even worse. Tess stared at the ceiling nkly with a desperate and empty gaze, while she was still bleeding.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 337 Treatment
Chapter 337 Treatment
With one nce, he realized Tess had already decided to end her life back then.
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Only after she fully passed out did someone drag her away while muttering curses under their breath.
When they returned her to the cell, a small pink infant rested in her arms.
He had seen Tess before. Despite all the degradation she endured, her eyes had always been sharp and steady. But this time, she returned with a cold vibe, like she had crawled straight out of the underworld.
Anyone who tried approaching her or La was driven away by the deadly warning in her
stare.
The cries that once filled the prison vanished, leaving an eerie stillness that felt like death itself lingered.
Finn mmed hisptop shut as he was unable to keep watching.
¡°Why?¡±
Finn red coldly at the people before him.
The warden froze; he was paralyzed with dread.
¡°What ¡ ah!¡±
Before he could speak, a hand seized his head and mmed it hard into the wall.
The warden screamed like an animal being ughtered.
Blood sprayed across the wall within seconds.
¡°Mr. Lock! Mr. Lock! Please, let¡¯s talk this out! Please!¡±
The warden cried for mercy while snot streamed down his face. The stench of urine slowly filled the room.
Finn ignored him, and tightened his grip.
When Tess gave birth, they had just stood by. Now it was time for them to pay.
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Chapter 337 Treatment
Finn¡¯s face remained hard as stone, his hand never loosening.
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Everyone in the prison was so petrified they barely dared to breathe. All of them regretted showing up today.
The warden¡¯s vision blurred with stars. He was certain he was about to die here.
Zane saw things was about to get worse and rushed to intervene. ¡°Mr. Lock!¡±
The Lock Group might be untouchable in Aetheris, but killing someone would cause a storm.
Surprisingly, those words had an effect.
Finn released the warden¡¯s head, only to grip his throat a momentter.
The warden¡¯s eyes rolled back, blood sliding down his brow.
He cried, ¡°Mr. Lock, what have I done to you? Please, I beg you, just say it! Don¡¯t kill me!¡±
Finn¡¯s hand only tightened as the warden wheezed for air, but the ache in his chest didn¡¯t lessen.
Suddenly, a desperate thought struck the warden.
¡°About Mrs. Lock ¡ I swear I knew nothing! If I had, I would¡¯ve punished them myself!¡±
He clutched Finn¡¯s arm.
Finn gave a coldugh.
¡°Gio Lambert, do you take me for a fool? How could you not know? What did they bribe you with? You daredy a hand on Mrs. Lock!¡±
Without Gio¡¯s approval, who would¡¯ve had the nerve to touch Tess?
This wasn¡¯t mere inmate spite; it was orchestrated.
Someone had ensured Tess would suffer in prison. The warden might not have acted directly, but he certainly profited.
¡°Gio, you really are asking for death.¡±
The words entered his ears like a bomb.
The grip suddenly loosened.
Chapter 337 Treatment
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He couldn¡¯t even stand, and he copsed in a heap.
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But instinct to survive took over. With a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees, mming his forehead to the ground before Finn.
¡°Mr. Lock, Mr. Lock! I admit it, I lost my head!¡±
His face pressed against the floor, some foul liquid pooling beneath him.
He was drowning in regret.
How had Finn uncovered this?
But¡ hadn¡¯t Finn never cared for Tess before? Why now, chasing after what happened a year back?
At first, Zane thought Finn was just venting his anger on the warden. But after hearing the exchange, he realized there was more.
Could it be¡ Tess¡® torment in prison had been the warden¡¯s doing?
That exined Finn¡¯s murderous rage just now.
¡°Who?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was calmer, but his eyes still glinted with frost.
The warden quivered on the floor and did not dare to lift his head.
¡°It was ¡ it was¡¡±
His hesitation earned him a vicious kick.
The warden was thrown onto the couch, crashing with a dull thud.
¡°I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll talk! I never saw his face. He paid me a huge sum to make Tess suffer in prison. I knew she was your wife, but ¡ he imed you two were only married in name. He said he¡¯d stolen information from Lock Group, that you¡¯d despise her even more, so I shouldn¡¯t worry. He said you ordered it¡.
¡°So it wasn¡¯t your idea to give Tess that ¡®treatment?¡±
His body shook violently.
Finn staggered back, and he nearly copsed.
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Chapter 337 Treatment
¡°It wasn¡¯t me. I never ¡
He frowned hard.
¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
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He never imagined that the one who hurt him would actually disguise themselves under his
own name.
It finally made sense why Tess had been so determined to cut ties after leaving, and why her hatred toward him ran so deep.
Finn felt as if his chest were being torn open, but what tormented him more was how powerless he had been.
¡°Zane, investigate everything that happened in that prison this past year. Every single person who joined in, or just stood aside, make sure they suffer tenfold.¡±
His words were frigid.
In an instant, the prison felt like it had been plunged into ice.
The wardeny sprawled on the floor, like a lifeless carcass.
They were finished, all because they hadid hands on Tess.
Finn walked out, leaving the room as lifeless as a tomb.
Once inside the car, the storm raging inside him ebbed, reced by a strange kind of calm.
He realized that if he hadn¡¯t been so indifferent to Tess, none of this could have happened. He had handed those people the opportunity.
And now, the nightmare that haunted him for a year turned out to have been orchestrated.
Tess bore no guilt at all.
All of a sudden, the only thing he wanted was to see her.
¡°Mr. Lock, should we return to headquarters?¡±
Zane nced at Finn through the rearview mirror.
The man¡¯sshes were thick and long, lowered halfway, concealing the storm in his eyes and making him seem even more severe.
Since the divorce, Finn had gone mad searching for traces from a year ago, desperate to prove Tess¡® innocence.
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Chapter 338 A Chance
¡°Drive to Evermount Height.¡±
Zane blinked, convinced he had misheard.
Evermount Height?
Wasn¡¯t that where Tess and La were living?
:
He faltered for a moment, but then a razor¨Csharp re shot at him from the mirror.
He immediately turned the wheel.
By the time they reached the ce, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
The world was still, with only the asional chirping of birds breaking the silence.
¡°La, be good.¡±
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A soft female voice drifted from the yard as she pushed a stroller while murmuring tofort the child.
Finn¡¯s throat constricted as his eyes glued to the figure.
Tess was bent down before La, holding a warm bottle of milk to the baby¡¯s pink lips.
Her hair draped down, covering much of her pale and delicate face. She radiated a quiet gentleness.
Finn¡¯s eyes grew heavier.
Tess rose and nced around.
An odd sense told her someone was watching.
But after scanning the area and finding no one, she dismissed it as fatigue and her imagination.
She had been tied up with buying Ember Group shares. The smaller pieces were easy enough, but the major ones were hard¨Cwon.
She had asked Connor to dig around and discovered that Lock Group was the one obstructing
her.
It made sense. Gillian had left her an enormous legacy. Only the top families in Aetheris could interfere, and since they had no ties to the Embers, they wouldn¡¯t get involved. The only
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Chapter 338 A Chance
obstacle was Lock Group.
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Yet what startled her was that just as she prepared to fight Lock Group head¨Con, she woke up at dawn to find several stubborn shareholders suddenly agreeing to sell.
She didn¡¯t know Lock Group¡¯s scheme, but she acted quickly to secure the deals.
Now, she controlled 40% of Ember Group¡¯s stock!
Tess¡® eyes lit with resolve.
Henry and his allies would not walk away unscathed.
¡°Lyra, did you dig up anything?¡±
¡°Yes!¡±
On the line, Lyra who¡¯s usuallyposed, actually sounded excited.
Tess asked at once, and Lyra replied in a tone brimming with contempt and fury. ¡°Ember Group¡¯s shares have copsed, and Henry still has the gall to show up at a hotel.¡±
Tess¡® fingers tightened around her phone, a cold smile touching her lips.
¡°Make sure your team gets clear shots. That¡¯ll be crucial proofter.¡±
¡°Understood! I have more work, talkter.¡±
Tess gave a few final orders and ended the call.
With that settled, she felt the weight lift. She picked up La from the stroller and began pacing around the yard.
Perhaps it was the birds overhead, but La stretched out her tiny hands, babbling and grasping at the air.
Tess carried her outside.
The moment she stepped out, she knew her earlier suspicion wasn¡¯t just imagination.
A tall, brooding silhouette stood there.
Dark shadows hung beneath the man¡¯s eyes.
Tess¡® eyes flickered, but she quickly turned away, pretending not to notice.
Chapter 338 A Chance
But he didn¡¯t move, blocking her path.
Tess straightened while clutching La, and her posture rigid.
¡°Finn, what are you doing here?¡±
Finn pressed his pale lips together.
Tess frowned as she felt annoyed, and she tried to walk
past
him.
¡°Give me one more chance, Tess. I¡¯m begging you.¡±
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Keepsake 339
Chapter 339 Tess Overhears
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The man¡¯s voice was soft, as if the wind can carry away his words, yet Tess heard every word clear as ss.
A bitter smile touched her lips, sharp as broken ss. Her eyes glittered with scorn.
She shifted her body, and her gaze met Finn¡¯s. His eyes burned with raw sincerity, begging her with every ounce of his soul.
¡°Give me a chance to take care of you and the child. Let me make things right. I know you¡¯ve carried pain no one should ever endure. But the child cannot grow up without a father.¡±
Finn poured out his heart, each word heavy with regret. He was desperate for her forgiveness.
However, when he lifted his head, he was struck by the emptiness in her stare.
His heart sank to the bottom of despair.
His knees trembled, and his strength was drained. He swayed as if the ground had betrayed him.
Tess clutched La against her chest. To Finn, only the soft crown of the baby¡¯s head was visible. It was no more than a fragile shadow of life.
She met his eyes without flinching. The timid woman who once begged for his scraps of love was gone. The woman standing before him was cold and distant, a stranger looking at someone she no longer imed to know.
¡°La has gone through her whole life without a father.¡±
Herugh was faint, but it sliced through the air. Her hand rested gently on her daughter¡¯s back.
Since the day Tess had fought for her child¡¯s life in a prison cell, La had belonged only to her.
¡°Finn, do you remember the time Nadine twisted her ankle? About a few months ago?¡±
Her voice was steady, calm, like a bird that had grown used to soaring against storms and rain.
Finn opened his mouth to speak, but the words refused toe. They lodged in his throat like barbed wire, choking him, leaving him in pain.
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Chapter 339 Tess Overhears
His shoulders drooped, and his head bowed low. Defeat clung to him, suffocating.
¡°Tess, I had no idea. If I had, I would¡¯ve never let you and La suffer that way.¡±
¡°Most of the suffering we went through was your doing.¡±
Her voice was sharp, and her eyes struck him with blows harder than stone.
Finn¡¯s lips parted, but nothing came.
The truth pressed down on him, undeniable.
Her hatred was justified.
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¡°La almost died from her illness because of you. If she hadn¡¯t survived, Finn, I would have wished nothing more than to take your life with my own hands.¡±
Her words were colder than frozen rivers in February.
Finn¡¯s teeth sank into his lip, and his hands curled into trembling fists at his sides.
¡°I ¡ I just want to see La onest time.¡±
His eyes lifted, filled with desperation, pleading silently for mercy.
A shadow passed through Tess¡¯s gaze.
Never before had she seen the powerful Finn standing so small, so stripped of his pride.
His eyes lingered on the tiny bundle in her arms.
He was clinging to the fragile hope that her heart would soften enough to let him glimpse the child.
But Tess raised her hand and shielded La closer. She hid her from his view.
Her stare was sharp, cold, and final. It was carrying a warning he could not mistake.
¡°Finn, the only tie you share with La is blood. Beyond that, you are nothing to her.¡±
She turned her face aside, her words cutting deep. ¡°You have no reason to see her.¡±
Thest spark inside Finn¡¯s chest flickered and died.
His head fell, and his body sagged as though hollowed out.
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Chapter 339 Tess Overhears
In her mother¡¯s arms, La shifted uneasily. The child sensed the storm in their voices, and her tiny body shivered with fear.
Tess rocked her gently, patting her back in a soothing rhythm. Only when her eyes fell on La did her cold mask break, and warmth bloomed there, soft and tender.
¡°Mr. Lock, please leave.¡±
With La in her arms, Tess turned away. Her white dress swirled in the air, blooming like a flower as she walked off without looking back.
Finn¡¯s feet felt anchored to the ground. He stood frozen¨Cpowerless¨Cas he watched the woman and child vanish into the distance.
At Evermount Height, the air hung thick with sorrow and loss, every corner weighed down with gloom.
Across town, however, Lyra¡¯s side of the city pulsed with unease.
Bessie crouched low in the brush, her eyes sharp as des. They were scanning the entrance until they fixed on a familiar figure.
Her teeth clenched, and she spat out her disgust. ¡°That old bastard. Thepany is falling apart, and still he snuck out for a session with his mistress.¡±
Lyra pressed a finger to her lips, asking for silence, though her eyes never left Henry. She was every bit as attentive as Bessie.
The contempt inside her matched Bessie¡¯s, though she kept her words locked behind her teeth. At least one of them could voice out the thoughts they both shared.
A sly curl touched Lyra¡¯s lips as she adjusted the camera lens, zooming in until Henry¡¯s every pore filled the screen.
Henry opened his car door, ready to step inside, when his phone lit up. He stared at the message, froze, then lifted his head.
Lyra shifted her camera upward and caught sight of a woman at the third¨Cfloor window.
The woman¡¯s face was carefully preserved, her skin smoothed and painted, but time had stolen the glow of youth. Her beauty looked forced, and her movements were practiced. They were dripping with false sweetness.
And yet, she held Henry captive.
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Chapter 339 Tess Overhears
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Their eyes locked across the distance, and Henry¡¯s grin curved until his eyes narrowed with delight.
Lyra¡¯s heart hardened with disdain, while Bessie muttered curses under her breath.
Momentster, Henry straightened his tie and pulled his mask of respectability back on, the perfect image of a polished executive.
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Chapter 340 Get the Mistress
Chapter 340 Get the Mistress
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He slipped behind the wheel of his car and drove away.
¡°Bessie!¡±
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Lyra snapped her fingers against Bessie¡¯s arm, dragging her out of the storm of curses she was muttering about Henry.
¡°Come on, we¡¯re going upstairs.¡±
Before Bessie could even process what was happening, Lyra had yanked her forward with firm insistence.
Her shoes barely found bnce, and they were already beneath the hotel¡¯s glowing awning.
¡°Wee,dies. Are you here to check in?¡±
The receptionist¡¯s voice carried rehearsed brightness.
Lyra¡¯s gaze cut across the street.
The hotel stood at the center of downtown, wrapped inyers of bustling malls and neon signs. Directly opposite rose the grandest theater in Aetheris, its brilliant marquee glittering like a crown and drawing eyes from every corner of the square.
¡°I want a room facing the theater. On the third floor. Is there one open?¡±
The receptionist shook her head with an apologetic tilt. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that room is already taken.¡±
¡°How long is the guest staying?¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice was sharp with purpose, leaving no room to ignore the question.
¡°You could take a look at our other rooms,¡± the receptionist offered with a cautious smile. ¡°There¡¯s still one on the fifth floor that faces the theater.¡±
¡°No. The view is best from the third floor.¡± Lyra¡¯s tone left no room for negotiation. ¡°That is the one I want. Tell me when that guest ns to leave. Or I¡¯ll put down a deposit now to guarantee my stay.¡±
She drew a sleek ck card from her purse and set it onto the counter with casual precision.
The card shimmered beneath the light, intricate golden lines winding across its surface like
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Chapter 340 Get the Mistress
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The receptionist¡¯s brow twitched, recognition flickering in her eyes. This was no ordinary guest. Her voice lowered into careful respect. ¡°There¡¯s no need for a deposit, ma¡¯am. Allow me to make a call and confirm with the current upant.¡±
Lyra gave a small nod.
The phone rang, breaking the tension like a bell.
¡°Hello, this is the front desk. May I ask how long you n to extend your stay?¡±
A woman¡¯s voice burst through the line, dripping with arrogance.
¡°Why are you calling me out of nowhere? Are you saying I didn¡¯t pay enough?¡±
Lyra and Bessie exchanged a sharp look, their disgust mirrored perfectly in each other¡¯s eyes.
¡°That isn¡¯t the case,¡± the receptionist replied, voice steady but cautious. ¡°Another guest is interested in your room. We wanted to ask if you¡¯d consider moving. Of course, we¡¯d provide fullpensation.¡±
¡°No. You¡¯re not listening. I already paid for six months. If you call me again about moving, then your hotel won¡¯t stay in business much longer.¡±
Six months.
Lyra¡¯s eyes flickered. For a heartbeat, her expression shifted, but she forced it back under control.
The call ended. The receptionist looked back at her, guilt etched across her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±
Lyra lifted a hand in dismissal, though her voice still carried a quiet edge. ¡°She paid for six months, yes? Do you know when she checked in?
¡°I don¡¯t mind waiting if her stay is almost up.¡±
¡°She¡¯ll need to renew in two months. She doesn¡¯t live in Aetheris, but she visits several times a year. Each time, she stays for weeks,¡± the receptionist answered.
¡°I see.¡±
Lyra schooled her features into a mask of mild disappointment, then turned with Bessie and walked away.
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The instant they stepped out of the hotel, their polite fa?ades vanished. They were reced with cold looks.
A figure in ck slipped out of the shadows and appeared at Lyra¡¯s side as if conjured from the night itself.
¡°Send everything we¡¯ve recorded these past few days to Ms. Ember.¡±
Lyra handed him the camera she had carried so carefully.
¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±
He disappeared almost instantly, swallowed by the dark.
Bessie¡¯s mouth fell open in stunned silence.
¡°Tess, I¡¯ve got news I know you¡¯ll want to hear.¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
Lyra recited every detail she had coaxed out of the receptionist.
Tess sat at her desk, La finally asleep in her crib.
As Lyra¡¯s words reached her through the phone, Tess¡¯s eyes turned cold and unyielding.
Shannon had been in Aetheris for four months. There was no way she would linger alone. That meant Henry was here as well. 1
Every year, Shannon returned to Aetheris more than once, and every visitsted weeks.
A bitter curve pulled at Tess¡¯s mouth.
Henry¡¯s recklessness stunned her. He had hidden a woman who should have stayed dead, in the center of the city right under her nose.
Was he so confident because he believed his trail was invisible? Or was it because he thought she and Kylie were too blind to see the truth?
¡°I sent the files to your email.¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice carried the final blow before the line went dead.
Tess shook off her haze, opened herptop, and pulled the files onto her screen.
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Shannon¡¯s face filled the frame. Tess¡¯s lips arched higher, but her eyes hardened into frozen
steel.
The woman who should have died at the bottom of a cliff more than ten years ago had not only survived, but she was also thriving in luxury.
She had even managed to slip her illegitimate daughter into the Embers.
Every step had been meticulously nned.
Tess¡¯s fists clenched, her knuckles pale with strain.
Her eyes narrowed as something else flickered across the screen.
In the background, a small body stumbled and crawled across the floor, awkward and unsteady.
Her pupils constricted.
It was a child.
Is that Shannon¡¯s?
The boy stood upright, and the camera¡¯s rity revealed his face.
His features were a stark blend of Shannon and Henry. They were thin and colorless, carrying no warmth.
Rage mmed through Tess¡¯s chest.
The two of them had gone so far as to create another child in their deception.
Her body shook, fury threatening to break loose. She drew several heavy breaths, forcing the fire back down.
¡°Bessie, I need to return to the office.¡±
When Bessie apanied her back to Evermount Height, she tread carefully. She kept close but not too close, watching Tess¡¯s face settle from violent anger into chilling calm.
Bessie bit back every bitter word she wanted to say about Henry¡¯s shamelessness and focused instead on arranging the car.
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Following the navigation, the driver pulled up in front of a modest office building.
¡°We¡¯re here, Ms. Ember.¡±
Tess told him to head back, then she strode quickly inside.
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The first thing she noticed was the pristine white walls, spotless and untouched by dust.
Her gaze lingered, her mind drifting for a moment.
This was the newest office building she had purchased.
She had already decided to take over Ember Group, and she refused to step foot in that revolting ce they called their headquarters, so she thought it was best to carve out an entirely new space of her own.
¡°Tess.¡±
Abel suddenly appeared from some shadowy corner, as if he had been waiting all along.
The man¡¯s tall frame cast a heavy shadow across her face. His wide, luminous eyes carried a softness that reminded her of a loyal dog wagging its tail. The contrast only heightened his strange charm.
¡°You¡¯ve gone through a lot for this.¡± Tess gave him a polite nod.
Abel¡¯s expression twisted with displeasure. ¡°Now why would you get so formal with me?¡±
He instinctively reached for her hand, but she sidestepped without a trace of hesitation.
His fingers twitched uselessly in the air before he tucked them back into his pocket, pretending it never happened.
¡°Come on,¡± he said with an easy grin.
¡°The first floor isn¡¯t fully furnished yet, but your office is already set up perfectly.¡±
Tess did not object, and she followed him down the hall.
¡°How are the sharesing along?¡± she asked in passing.
Abel raised his brows.
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¡°That sort of stuff¡¯s right up my alley. It¡¯s in the bag.¡±
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With arrogant ir, he ran his hand through his hair. The strands fell across his forehead, and his bright eyes gleamed all the more.
After all, this was the same man once hailed as a genius of global finance. A smallpany like Ember Group was child¡¯s y to him.
But if it was for Tess, then nothing ever felt beneath him.
He kept that thought locked away, showing nothing but the smug curve of his lips.
¡°Good.¡±
Tess felt a weight lift off her chest when she heard his words.
She offered him a faint smile and asked nothing further.
¡°Ta¨Cda.¡±
Abel strode ahead and pushed open the door for her.
If the old folks in Kingnd could see him now, they would have fumed with disbelief.
Their golden prodigy was doing something as simple as opening doors for someone else.
The office revealed itself in sleek, modern style. A pale gray carpet stretched to the wide ss windows.
A white swivel chair sat by the desk, while sheer white curtains swayed gently with the draft.
On the curved marble desk sat a single photo frame with a brushed metallic finish.
Its design was elegant and chosen with obvious care.
Tess¡¯s heart clenched as she scanned the room, emotions she could not name weighing her down.
Abel¡¯s eyes stayed quietly fixed on her, studying every flicker of her reaction.
¡°Well?¡± he asked with a smile.
¡°It¡¯s beautiful. I like it.¡±
Tess tightened her hand into a fist, her smile just a little too forced.
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He had put too much thought into this. It made her feel undeserving of his efforts.
Abel¡¯s gaze darkened for a heartbeat, then the corners of his mouth lifted higher.
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¡°I knew you¡¯d appreciate the look, Tess the Great Designer. That curved marble was custom made, carved by a master. Look at those pale veins across the surface. Gorgeous, isn¡¯t it?¡±
He lifted his chin, eager for her approval.
Tess studied him for a moment, trying to read something deeper from his expression.
But his face was far tooposed, so she gave up and looked away.
A sudden crash echoed from outside the building.
They exchanged a nce, the tension between them forgotten, and hurried down the stairs.
Henry stood at the entrance, fury zing in his eyes.
Kylie was seething with anger as well.
¡°Tess! Get out here this instant!¡±
The moment Tessid eyes on him, the unease she felt before disappeared. Her every movement slowed into deliberate calm.
She walked down thest step with quiet grace.
¡°That door is worth a hundred grand. Scratch it, and I¡¯m sending the bill to you.¡±
Her voice was steady as she lifted her
gaze.
Her words stopped Henry cold. His fists unclenched, and he forced himself to halt.
Then he red at her, his rage spilling over. ¡°What is it you¡¯re trying to do? Are you going to ruin the family before you¡¯re finally happy?¡±
Earlier that day, after meeting Shannon, Henry had returned to thepany office only to be struck by devastating news.
He had checked Tess¡¯s shares before, and she had held less than 5% But overnight, they had skyrocketed to 40.
He himself, as chairman andrgest shareholder, held only 42.
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Henry¡¯s chest rattled. Fear, fury, perhaps a mix of both. Henry did not know.
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The first thing he did was call Kylie. And then more bad newsnded. Tess had bought a brand new office building in the city center.
With both piecesbined, of course he was suspecting Tess. Tess wanted to take Ember Group down and build her own empire in its ce.
Terror and anger burned through his veins, and he hade racing over without a second thought.
¡°Ms. Ember,¡± a reporter started. ¡°Word is you¡¯ve been buying up Ember Group shares. You¡¯re the only daughter of the Embers, yet you¡¯re so desperate to build your ownpany. Is it because you fear Nadine might inherit instead, so you¡¯re choosing to destroy it all before it evenes to that?¡±
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¡°Ms. Ember, how do you answer the rumors online saying you ndered your parents, grew up into a pathological liar, and lived without morals?¡°¡±
¡°Ms. Ember, who is your daughter¡¯s father? Rumors im you and Mr. Lock are divorced. Does this mean the child¡¯s father has returned?¡±
Microphones lunged at her from every direction, shes exploding like lightning. The reporters¡® hands were pushing so close it felt as if Tess would drown in the crush.
Only then did she see that Henry had note alone. He had dragged nearly every well- known outlet in Aetheris with him, all hungry for a scandal.
The roar around her swelled until it shook the air. Tess¡¯s face stayed cool, her expression carved in stone. But when the questions cut toward her daughter, her eyes sharpened in an instant, slicing through the crowd like steel leaving its sheath.
¡°If anyone drags my daughter¡¯s name into this again, I wille for you with charges of nder and defamation, and I will sue you into bankrupcy.¡±
Her voice cracked like ice, sharp enough to wound.
Her stare swept over the crowd, slicing across the raised microphones.
Her threat fell like a de, and silence dropped heavy over the room.
The reporter who had spoken froze up. His arm was stiff, and the microphone was shaking in his grip.
Tess fixed her gaze on him. ¡°Get out.¡±
The wordsnded, and Abel moved before the echo died. His hand caught the man by the cor, and with one brutal motion he hurled him outside.
The action flowed smooth and unbroken. It was so fast, it stunned the room. Quiet crashed down, and the air turned so still that even the fall of a pin would have rung loud.
Tess stood at the center, her white dress wrapping her slim waist, her figure delicate yet her presence sharp as a de. Strength clung to her like a second skin.
From a distance, Nadine watched, her teeth grinding together with hate.
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Her own life had sunk to ruin, yet Tess stood untouchable, admired, and strong.
Envy and rage climbed through her chest like weeds tightening around her heart.
¡°Tess, he was only doing his job. You can¡¯t have Finn¡¯s nephew toss him out.¡±
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Nadine¡¯s voice rose sweetly, at least on the surface, but her eyes flicked toward the reporter sprawled outside on the pavement. Her tone was dripping with me as she turned back to
Tess.
Tess shifted her head, her gazending coldly on Nadine.
Her words had barely left her mouth when the reporters began to whisper.
¡°She¡¯s right, the guy was only doing his job. Did Tess snap because they touched a nerve?¡±
¡°Forget that, did you hear her? That man with her is Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew?¡±
¡°Yeah, but Tess is divorced from Mr. Lock. Why is she tied up with his nephew now?¡±
The murmurs spread like fire. Nadine caught most of them, and pride flickered in her eyes.
Tess narrowed her gaze at her, catching the glint of triumph with ease.
A softugh slipped from her lips.
The apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree. She¡¯s just like her mother.
The kindness was an act, a scheme to tell everyone who Abel really was.
¡°You might have suffered from theck of a mother¡¯s love, given that yours is ¡ well, dead. My daughter¡¯s isn¡¯t. I¡¯m still here. My daughter does not need your judgment or anyone else¡¯s.¡±
The smile left Tess¡¯s face. Cold swept through the air, pressing heavy on every chest.
Her words carried no kindness, only cruel finality.
Nadine¡¯s face twisted, shame spreading across her features.
Shannon was not gone. Nadine must have known the truth all along.
Tess¡®
eyes flicked toward Henry. His fists clenched tight, his re locked on her, yet no answer came from his mouth. Satisfaction burned through her veins.
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¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Abel saidzily, his back against the doorframe. His nce cut to Nadine, filled with scorn. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but an illegitimate child. You have no ce to speak.¡±
Heat rushed to Nadine¡¯s cheeks, her skin ming red with humiliation.
This was far more than she¡¯d ever endured in her whole life.
¡°Nadine is not illegitimate! My family adopted her! We love her like she¡¯s our own!¡±
Kylie¡¯s voice ripped through the air, sharp and furious. She stepped forward, her finger stabbing at Tess. ¡°¡°But you, you¡¯re the outsider! You¡¯re the unwanted one!¡±
Her outburst froze the room. Tess herself had not expected her mother¡¯s words to cut so deep, so sudden.
The words weighed heavily and cruel because they came from her own mother¡¯s mouth.
Tess¡® face didn¡¯t flinch, but her fingers curled tight at her side, hidden from the crowd.
But Abel caught the tremor of her fists.
Without a word, he reached for her, his palm closing warmly around hers.
Heat flowed into her skin, steady and grounding.
Tess blinked, startled, lifting her eyes to him. His gaze held a teasing spark, but beneath it ran something steady and fierce.
Is that all it takes to break you down? That was probably the question.
Or perhaps it was his silent promise. I¡¯m not going anywhere.
He lifted a brow, dangerous charm burning at the edges of his eyes.
Her chest jolted hard, as if struck.
She lowered hershes, but when they rose again, her gaze burned with cold fury.
¡°I¡¯m no longer a part of your family, Mrs. Ember. It¡¯s very old news now, at least for me. Perhaps the reporters would love to know more. Talk to them.¡±
Her voice rang through the hall, steady and clear. She pped once, the sound cracking through the space, echoing against the high walls.
At once, a group of security guards hurried inside, sweat shining on their foreheads.
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Henry and the reporters had stormed their way in before, breaking past the staff. It had taken everything for security to fight their way here.
Tess¡¯s chin lifted, her eyes sharp with warning as they swept the crowd.
¡°Thispany is not open to the public. What you did is trespassing. I can sue you for that.¡±
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¡°There are high¨Cdefinition cameras in every corner.¡±
Abel¡¯s tone was slow and careless as he gestured toward the walls.
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The moment those words left him, the crowd fell silent. All the shouting stopped, as if someone had cut the cord. Dozens of eyes turned to Henry, waiting for him to decide what
came next.
Tess let her gaze drift over the room. She did not know when their noise had ended, only that the sudden quiet carried the heavy urge of people wanting to run.
Henry¡¯s face darkened.
He had only wanted to rile the press against Tess. If any of this tipped into something illegal, it would shatter his dream of wing back shares of thepany.
His eyes flicked with thought. He lifted his hand, pressed it against his mouth, and let out a deep cough on purpose.
When he looked up again, his voice carried weight. ¡°Tess, Ember Group is my life¡¯s work. Even if you think we treated you unfairly, why turn that bitterness on Ember Group itself? You¡¯re going to kill me!¡±
He smoothed himself into the part of a gentleman. His brows were creased in a mask of concern, as if he were a father who truly cared.
His gaze swept the room, slow and deliberate. ¡°You are the only daughter of the family. Ember Group will belong to you sooner orter. There is no reason to make such a mess out of this.¡±
Tess folded her arms. Her eyes were cold as she watched him put on his act.
She could not deny that brazen shamelessness had its own kind of genius. He had barged in like a tyrant, but the moment she struck back, he dressed himself as the caring elder just trying to guide her.
Nadine heard every word. Her stomach tightened, but she recognized it as nothing more than a dy. She pressed her jaw tight and stayed quiet.
¡°Fine.¡±
The sudden curve of Tess¡® lips pulled the whole room still.
Chapter 343 Threat
Every face froze in ce.
Henry¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Tess, does that mean you agree to let it go?¡±
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Hope rushed over him. He rubbed his palms together like a man already tasting victory. ¡°That¡¯s what I love to hear. Now hand me back your shares. We are family, and you will inherit them in the end. But right now you are too young to run apany of this size. Let me manage it while I still have the strength.¡±
His words carried a light cheer.
Henry was so engrossed in his own world, he was blind to the sharp glint shing in Tess¡® gaze.
¡°If memory serves, you still hold 43% of the shares. If they are all going to be mine one day, why don¡¯t you just write your will now and name me the heir?¡±
Her brows rose, and her smilended squarely on him.
Henry froze, his thoughts stumbling as if his ears had betrayed him.
The reporters were stunned by Tess¡® brazen deration. They shifted and traded looks, faces twisted with unease.
Henry was only in his forties, which meant he was still in his prime. To be pressed for a will by his own daughter made even strangers ufortable.
His mouth stretched into a strained smile. ¡°Tess, you are such a joker.¡±
The smile drained from Tess¡¯s lips, leaving her face t and cold. ¡°If you¡¯re not setting up a will, then grab these people and get out of my sight.¡±
The truth struck Henry in one blow. She had yed him.
His teeth ground together so hard that the scrape of enamel cut through the air. With reporters swarming all around, he could not explode no matter how much he longed to.
¡°Tess, I am not dead yet.¡±
¡°That will change soon.¡±
Tess brushed her nails with calm ease. Her voice was smooth, her eyes sharp with scorn.
Henry¡¯s face lost its color. His eyes rolled back, and only Kylie¡¯s arm at his side kept him from falling.
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¡°Even if you don¡¯t want to hand your shares to Dad, you shouldn¡¯t have cursed him.¡±
Nadine hurried forward, her delicate features lit with righteous anger.
Tess¡¯s eyes moved right past her, as if she were invisible.
That silent dismissal burned hotter in Nadine¡¯s chest than any
insult.
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Kylie stepped forward and nted herself firmly before Tess. ¡°Your father bent his pride and lowered himself to you, yet you stand here throwing arrogance in his face. Fine. From this day, I will see you as no daughter of mine. Ember Group will never be yours.¡±
She tried to drag Henry away, but felt him resisted. She looked down and saw the flick of his eyes signaling her.
Tess already held 40% of the shares. He only had 43. If she gained even a sliver more, the title of majority shareholder and chairman would fall into her hands. That was something he could not let happen.
¡°Don¡¯t be reckless, Mom. Tess is just upset. Once she calms down, she will see that you¡¯re doing this for her own good. Even if Ember Groupnds in her hands now, her anger will fade and she will return it to us.¡±
Nadine¡¯s soft tone sounded gentle, but every word cut deeper.
Tess found the whole actughable. She let her lips curl, the smirk in.
Kylie knew Nadine¡¯s words were self¨Cdeception. Tess was not acting out of a passing temper. The smirk on her face said everything.
Kylie¡¯s rage only swelled hotter. She could not understand it. Tess had once been meek, always obedient. But the woman standing before her now after prison was someone entirely different.
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She had not only turned her back on the Embers, she had gone even further and set her sights on destroying Ember Group altogether.
Regret wed at Kylie¡¯s chest until it made her sick. If she had known her child would grow into someone like Tess, she would have ended her life the very day she was born.
Kylie¡¯s fingers shook, her whole body trembling with fury.
¡°Gathering shares in secret will not save you, Tess! I still hold 10% of Ember Group¡¯s stock. The moment I pass it to your father, every move you¡¯ve made will copse into nothing.¡±
Her words broke free with a sharp, bitterugh.
At once, Henry and Nadine locked eyes. The spark of triumph in their gazes mirrored one another, shining with shared pride.
Tess noticed the shift in their faces. Her own gaze settled on Kylie, and in its depth flickered something close to pity, though she hardly realized it herself.
Kylie shuddered beneath that strange look. It crawled over her skin, leaving her restless and unsettled.
Her instincts screamed for her to get out.
She clutched Henry¡¯s arm. ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡±
Henry caught her hand and enclosed it in his palm. ¡°Darling, did I hear you right? You¡¯re going to give those shares to me?¡±
¡°Of course I am.¡±
Kylie¡¯s head bobbed in a fierce nod.
¡°My love, you are my one blessing. You are the gift that has saved and will keep saving me.¡±
Henry pulled her into his arms, his excitement flooding through the embrace.
The warmth of his voice, the affection in his touch, struck Kylie with disorienting force. She could not remember thest time he had held her this close.
Her lips trembled into a fragile smile. Her eyes shimmered as she whispered, ¡°You are my husband. Of course I shall stand with you. Bringing this curse into the world who now fights
16:33 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 344 A Different Woman
against us, that is the sin I owe you.¡±
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¡°Wonderful, wonderful. With you at my side, I¡¯ll never waste another second pretending with
that curse.¡±
Henry¡¯s grin stretched so wide the lines at the corners of his eyes crinkled and bloomed with smug delight.
Nadine¡¯s excitement was in as day. She kept darting looks toward Henry, each one charged with unspoken agreement.
They had known from the start that Tess would never return the shares she wed her way to im. That was why they had dragged so many reporters with them. They were not only to stir headlines around Tess, no. They were tools to press Kylie into handing over her shares.
Back then, Kylie had taken only 10% of Ember Group. No one imagined that such a small piece would one day hold the power to change everything.
Nadine¡¯s lips twitched upward before she forced them down. She dug her nails into her palm, shaping her mouth into a mask of grief.
Her father had said it clearly. Her mother had brought a younger brother back with her. That boy would one day be given his rightful ce in the family, and she would finally shed the shame of being branded illegitimate.
¡°I don¡¯t have the time to sit here while you put on your shoddy act. If you¡¯re not gone in ten minutes, I¡¯ll hand everything over to the Aetheris Police Department.¡±
Tess lifted her phone, the glow of the screen casting a pale light over the room. The countdown ticked ruthlessly toward zero.
The reporters noticed Henry and his group¡¯s disinterest in taking this any further. They had no interest in wasting time. Cameras slung over their shoulders, they slipped out one by one.
The scandal they had captured today would be more than enough to feed their
papers.
Yet before leaving, several of them could not help but nce again at Abel.
Tess¡® eyes narrowed. She raised her hand, ready to order the guards to stop them.
She did not yet know who Abel truly was, but her gut told her he was far from ordinary. She would not risk him bing a name stered across every headline.
Abel caught her thought in an instant. His hand pressed hers back down. ¡°This whole hall reeks. I¡¯ll grab something to clear the air.¡±
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Chapter 344 A Different Woman
His eyes gleamed as he gave her a quick wink.
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The yful gesture brimmed with energy, but carried an edge of teasing charm that made Tess¡¯s skin prickle.
Goosebumps rushed down her arms. She stepped back fast and pped his hand away.
Abel¡¯s lips drooped into a pout. His eyes clouded with hurt, wordlessly using Tess of being coldhearted.
A throb felt behind her eyes. She pressed her fingers against her brow and avoided his gaze. ¡°Just get to it already.¡±
The Embers remained cornered at the back of the hall, while Nadine watched every flicker of Abel and Tess¡¯s exchange.
Her fists curled so tight her nails bit into her palms.
Why does fortune keep falling into her ? Right after her divorce with Finn, she finds herself entangled with his nephew! Finn¡¯s already the richest man in Aetheris. His nephew is also part of the elite circle as
well.
Jealousy chewed at her chest like a thousand sharp insects, crawling and biting until she could hardly breathe.
She dragged in quick, heavy breaths, trying to clear her thoughts.
It did not matter. Even if Abel was Finn¡¯s nephew, he could never surpass Finn himself. Finn was the richest man in Aetheris, and no one could rise above him.
Her face finally softened as she reminded herself of that truth.
After all, she was bound to be Finn¡¯s wife.
Henry¡¯s mind was not tangled with jealousy, but he caught Abel¡¯sment and understood the insult hidden inside it. His face hardened into stone.
Before leaving, he cut Tess onest venomous re.
Tess¡® lips lifted in a mocking curl, tossing the look back at him like a dare.
To her, it was nothing more than a careless flicker of a smile.
Yet the man beside her reacted with fierce resolve.
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Abel stepped forward, ced Tess behind him, his striking face set with defiance as he locked eyes on Henry.
Chapter 345 Abel¡¯s re
Chapter 345 Abel¡¯s re
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Sara Lili 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.
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He stood with his back to Tess, and the proud defiance he showed her before had drained away. His eyes, so much like Finn¡¯s yet darker, gleamed with a chill that seemed to carve out of some cursed forest. Henry felt as if one more nce would summon a de dripping with blood, raised to strike him down.
A tremor ran through Henry, sharp and violent. His stride quickened against his will.
This man was no ordinary figure. Nadine had called him Finn¡¯s nephew, but Finn never carried this kind of suffocating menace.
Nadine felt her skin prickle with cold, though she had no idea why. She turned her head just in time to see Henry¡¯s face drained of color.
¡°Dad?¡± she whispered.
Henry stayed silent. He only gripped her arm hard and dragged her forward in long, hurried steps.
By the time they reached the parking lot, Kylie stretched for the car door, but Henry¡¯s hand snapped around her wrist to stop her.
She turned, her face painted with surprise, but then she caught the restless spark in his eyes. ¡°Kylie, let¡¯s head back to the office first. I¡¯ll have my secretary draft the transfer papers,¡± Henry said quickly.
Kylie froze as if startled. ¡°Why bother with a transfer? If I announce that I gave you the shares, that will settle it. You¡¯ll hold 53%, and Tess won¡¯t be able to move against you.¡±
Henry forced hesitation into his voice. ¡°That won¡¯t do. Share ownership has to be written down and filed. You need toe with me and sign the transfer contract.¡±
Nadine understood the silent plea in her father¡¯s eyes. She rushed into Kylie¡¯s arms with a smile that burned too bright. ¡°Mom, what are you waiting for? Tess is pressing hard. If we don¡¯t finish this as soon as possible, Tess might get her hands on more shares and surpass Dad, and then everything will fall apart.¡±
Kylie bit down on her lip as though caught between choices, but after a long silence, she nodded once. ¡°Alright.¡±
Henry¡¯s face lit with triumph, and he bent forward to open the car door for her himself.
Kylie looked at his rare eagerness, and strange emotions swelled inside her chest, rising like
Chapter 345 Abel¡¯s re
bubbles breaking the surface of water.
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She sank into the back seat, yet doubt still tugged at her. She lowered the window and looked at Henry.
¡°Once the shares are made official, we¡¯ll sign a new transfer contract. I promised my mother.¡±
Her tone wavered as if she was reminding herself as much as him.
Henry nodded fast, his voice full of certainty. ¡°Of course. Don¡¯t worry. Once Ember Group survives this storm, everything will be returned to you.¡±
He gave the promise as he slid into the car beside her.
Without knowing it, Kylie pressed her palm over her chest.
Her heart hammered harder with every beat, and unease slithered through her like a shadow refusing to leave.
She forced it down.
Years ago, she had chosen Henry as the man she would stand with for life. He was drowning now, and it was her duty to lend him a hand. Trust was the only anchor within a marriage.
She told herself the words again and again until her doubts sank out of sight.
The car glided through the dim parking lot and sped straight toward Ember Group.
Far above, a pair of watchful eyes tracked every move.
Tess stood at the window, her gaze cold as she followed Kylie¡¯s steps.
Her grandmother¡¯s will had left no space for doubt. She had never trusted Henry, no matter how perfect his smiles appeared. Deep down, she always knew he was not a man who could be trusted with anything that mattered. The family had pleaded with Kylie, but she clung to him as though he had cast a spell over her. Atst, Tess¡® grandmother had been forced to make Kylie hold ten percent of Ember Group as a safeguard. It was a final defense against betrayal.
Tess lowered her gaze, her chest tight.
And yet she cast aside Grandma¡¯s careful ns and safeguard for her.
Abel felt the heaviness weigh down her mood. In one swift motion, he scooped her off the ground and cradled her against him.
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Chapter 345 Abel¡¯s re
The sudden rush upward made Tess gasp in shock as her bnce slipped away.
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Abel onlyughed softly and set her back down with care. ¡°I heard a new amusement park just opened in Aetheris. Would you like a trip there?¡±
It took Tess a moment to realize he was only ying pretend, mimicking the swoop of a roller
coaster.
She shot him a sharp re.
¡°Stop touching me. I¡¯m not a kid anymore.¡±
¡°Amusement parks are fun for all ages. Even when you¡¯re 70, I¡¯ll still take you to ride the carousel,¡± Abel replied, leaning back with his hands locked behind his head.
The words sounded light as air, but when they left his mouth, they carried the weight of a vow.
Something faint stirred in Tess¡¯s chest, brushing against feelings she thought had frozen to ice long ago.
But the cold inside her heart did not melt.
¡°You can take La instead,¡± she said tly as she slid onto the edge of her desk.
Abel saw her sudden shift, and the yful gleam on his face faded. The quiet tenderness he carried slipped back into hiding.
¡°Tess, you¡¯re divorced from Uncle Finn now. Why won¡¯t you give me a chance?¡±
His voice cracked with frustration as he dragged a chair close and sat across from her.
Tess¡® hand stilled on the pen, but only for a breath, before she forced herself to keep writing.
Her eyes stayed down as she said, ¡°Abel, you¡¯re still young. I have no idea why you¡¯ve set your heart on me. There¡¯s a whole world out there and a lot of fish to catch. A fish that belong only to you.¡±
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Abel¡¯s brows tightened, and a feverish light burned in his eyes. It carried the weight of something obsessive, something that refused to let go.
¡°I only want you.¡±
His hand pressed down hard on the stack of papers Tess tried to turn. The weight of it pinned her in ce and forced her to meet his stare.
She lifted her eyes against her will. For one piercing instant, the depth in his gaze startled her. It carried a likeness to Finn so close that it sliced straight through herposure. Her breath caught, and she turned away at once. Her voice sharpened with rising heat.
¡°You¡¯re going straight back to Finn if you¡¯re not going to drop this from now on.¡±
She shoved his hand away from her desk.
The office fell into silence. The only sound left was the steady scrape of her pen against the paper as she forced herself to keep writing.
Abel rose slowly without a word. His tall frame stretched over her desk, and the weight of his shadow covered her like a storm cloud.
That shadow lingered for a long moment before it finally pulled away.
Abel turned and walked out in silence.
The tip of Tess¡¯s pen hovered in midair. She stayed frozen like that for a long time until a heavy sigh slipped from her lips.
Abel did not understand the danger of what he was doing. She could not let herself act without caution.
She tried to dive back into her work, but the moment her pen touched the page, a sharp pain split through her head. She set the files aside with weary hands.
Her fingers pressed against her temples as she reached for herputer. The screen flickered to life, and just as she feared, the headline ring across it made her chest tighten. The top story zed with a photograph of her and Abel standing side by side.
She hated to say it, but the photographer hired by Henry¡¯s people was rmingly skilled. It was only one simple picture, but the way it had been captured made it look like a professional portrait of two people who belonged together.
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She scrolled down through thements, and her suspicions were confirmed. Hardly anyone cared about the business itself. Most of the chatter was about how striking she and Abel looked as a pair.
Some people were even searching for the journalist¡¯s and the photographer¡¯s X ounts.
The entire thing felt senseless, yet against her better judgment, she saved the photo anyway.
That very article spread into the highest floor of the Lock Group.
The moment someone stepped into the CEO¡¯s office, the air inside struck like walking into the middle of winter.
Zane shuddered and saw Finn sitting before theputer, his face locked in a frozen re.
¡°Take those photos down. Erase every trace of this story from the trending lists.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice hit like ice the moment Zane approached.
Zane nced at the glowing monitor, and in that instant, he understood what had turned his boss¡® expression so cold.
¡°Yes, sir.¡±
He answered quickly, but sweat was already breaking down his back.
At Ember Group, Henry almost stumbled in his rush as he pushed a warm sheet of from the printer into Kylie¡¯s hands.
Nadine followed at his side, pressing a pen into her mother¡¯s palm.
paper
fresh
¡°Honey, as soon as you sign this, you should go home. There are things I need to handle here at thepany, and Nadine will stay behind to help me.¡±
Henry spoke with practiced charm, and Nadine nodded eagerly beside him.
¡°What could Nadine possibly do to help you?¡±
The unease in Kylie¡¯s chest grew heavier.
She knew Nadine had risen to be one of the most respected attorneys in Aetheris, but Kylie had raised her. She had watched Nadine grow from the start, and no one knew her limits
better than she did.
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¡°Of course I can help Dad. And it will be good for me to watch how he works. I can learn from
him.¡±
For a heartbeat, Nadine¡¯s face flickered with something unguarded, but she smoothed it away and tugged at Kylie¡¯s arm with practiced sweetness.
¡°Don¡¯t worry about a thing. A long, long time ago, I promised you that when you married me, you would never need to worry about thispany. You were only meant to live infort. Leave all of this to me and Nadine.¡±
Henry¡¯s honeyed voice covered her doubts, but the pen in Kylie¡¯s hand hovered above the signature line. Something shed across her thoughts, but it slipped away before she could reach it.
¡°Darling, once you sign this, I need to prepare the public notice for the shares. With your help today, the rest will be simple.¡±
¡°Mom, just sign it already.¡±
Both of them urged her at once.
Kylie bit her lip until it ached, pushing every echo of doubt out of her mind.
Her hand rose, and she signed the agreement.
The moment the final stroke left her pen, Henry snatched the agreement with a burst of excitement.
The sharp motion startled Kylie, and Henry noticed at once. He softened his voice, trying to soothe her. ¡°Go home and catch up on some sleep, honey. Nadine will see you out.¡±
Inside, Henry burned with triumph. From this moment forward, she no longer had Ember Group. None at all.
any
ties to
Still, he did not let his excitement show. On the outside, he was still the gentleman he pretended to be.
¡°Come on, Mom.¡±
Nadine slipped an arm around her and steered her toward the elevators.
Kylie followed, but the farther she walked, the tighter her chest grew. Panic crept in like a shadow, and just before they reached the door, her hand mped down hard on Nadine¡¯s
wrist.
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Nadine froze. A flicker of irritation shed in her eyes, but she swallowed it down. ¡°Mom, what is it?¡±
Kylie¡¯s throat tightened, and she forced the words out. ¡°You and your father are really busy at work. I should get you some refreshments.¡±
Her lips trembled as she spoke.
Nadine blinked, confused, then curved her lips into a gentle smile. ¡°There is no need for that, Mom. Please don¡¯t trouble yourself.¡±
Kylie¡¯s grip tightened again.
Pain shot through Nadine¡¯s arm, and her voice rose in a cry. ¡°Mom, you are hurting me!¡±
The sound tore through Kylie¡¯s ears like ss breaking. She flinched and let go at once. ¡°Nadine, are you alright?¡±
She grabbed her daughter¡¯s hand and studied her fingers with care. In that moment, she missed the sudden change in Nadine¡¯s face, the way her expression had darkened.
¡°Mom, please just go home!¡±
Nadine¡¯s hands pressed against her shoulders, guiding her firmly toward the waiting car.
Kylie stumbled in a haze, her eyes searching Nadine¡¯s impatient face. Confusion spread through her chest like a fog she could not shake.
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Sara Lili 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.
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¡°Nadine, the shares have already been signed over. All that¡¯s left is the public notice. You¡¯re acting way too eager. You and your father are definitely keeping something from me.¡±
Nadine¡¯s lips curved into a quick smile that barely reached her eyes. ¡°Mom, that¡¯s ridiculous. What could Dad and I possibly hide from you?¡±
She leaned across the seat, pulling the belt firmly across Kylie¡¯s chest as if she feared her mother might break free at any second.
¡°Stay home and wait for us. There¡¯s no reason for you toe to the office.¡±
Her posture shifted until her shoulders blocked Kylie¡¯s view of the passing street. Only when she spotted the familiar ck car sliding into the underground garage did she finally let out the breath she had been holding.
Honestly, I can¡¯t believe Dad. He told Mom to over right after the papers are signed. Yeah, we have no reason to butter up to Kylie anymore, but that doesn¡¯t mean we can let our guard down now.
A tight pressure wrapped around Kylie¡¯s chest. Years of swallowing words and keeping her head down pressed her into silence.
¡°Fine. Go help your father with whatever he needs.¡±
The words slipped from her lips as she forced down the unease wing at her.
Nadine¡¯s smile softened, almost convincing in its warmth. She stood still, watching Kylie¡¯s car roll away, then turned toward the
garage.
The moment she stepped into the cool dimness, her phone buzzed. Henry¡¯s voice poured out, filled with urgency.
¡°Nadine, is she gone? I only mentioned the transfer, and your mother already wanted to rush over. Meet her at the garage.¡±
Nadine let out a small sigh ofint. ¡°I already saw her out. If I hadn¡¯t blocked her, Kylie would have noticed. You two are moving too fast.¡±
¡°Of course we¡¯re moving fast. I¡¯ve already booked tickets for you overseas. Tonight you¡¯ll meet your mother¡¯s son. We¡¯ll reunite as a family and then take a trip together.¡±
Hisughter rippled through the phone, rich with delight.
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In that instant, Nadine could see her future gleaming bright before her eyes. The joy inside her rose so sharply that her smile became impossible to hide.
¡°Forget it. You haven¡¯t even seen your mother yet. I¡¯lle get you myself.¡±
His voice brimmed with energy. Papers rustled faintly on the other end as he prepared to
leave.
By the time Nadine arrived, Shannon had already taken her hand. Tears shimmered across hershes as she whispered, ¡°Nadine, after all these years, I finally get to see you.¡±
The face was familiar yet strange, and Nadine¡¯s body stiffened. Still, she leaned forward and hugged her. ¡°Mom, once you leave this country, you won¡¯t ever have to struggle again.¡±
Henry¡¯sugh broke the moment. ¡°Struggle? Your mother hasn¡¯t been struggling.¡±
He draped his coat gently over Shannon¡¯s shoulders and rubbed her hands between his palms. ¡°The air is cold. You should¡¯ve worn moreyers.¡±
Shannon¡¯sshes fluttered, and she tilted her face toward him, melting into his chest. ¡°I was shopping nearby. The moment I saw your message, I hurried here. I had no time for clothes.¡±
Her softness and the glow in her eyes washed away the faint me Henry had carried.
¡°You really do know how to make me give in.¡±
He tapped her forehead yfully, and the two of them looked as though they lived in a world that belonged only to them.
Nadine stood off to the side, her eyes darkening. Tess shed through her mind, and the thought dug sharp into her.
Tess was just like her mother.
Always unwanted. Always pitiful.
A cruel smile tugged at Nadine¡¯s mouth.
¡°Where¡¯s Kaleb?¡± Henry asked suddenly.
Shannon answered softly, ¡°He fell asleep. The mall wore him out. He was out the moment hey in the car.¡±
Nadine tilted her head and pecked inside. A little boyy sprawled across the seat, his shirt a rare designer piece that only a few children in the world could own. Even his tiny bow tie
Chapter 347 Fooled
glimmered with small diamonds.
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Her mind returned to Tess. Tess had grown up in nothing but a in white cotton dress.
¡°Kaleb, wake up. Your father and sister are here.¡±
Shannon¡¯s voice was tender as she nudged him awake. His eyes cracked open, and he exploded into irritation, his voice sharp and wild. Only after Shannon and Henry soothed him together did he finally quiet down.
¡°No work for me today. I¡¯m taking all of you to dinner in the sky in Aetheris¡® biggest joint.¡±
Henry swept his hand through the air, and Kaleb burst into a shriek of joy. The cold and empty garage suddenly carried a spark of life.
The luxury car rolled forward, its polished frame glinting under the dim light. In one shadowed corner, a figure stood with a camera.
The screen lit up, capturing every detail in clear precision. The silhouette was pleased with their work.
¡°How does it look?¡±
¡°Perfect. Every shot is clear.¡±
The restaurant glowed high above the city.
Night had wrapped itself around Aetheris, but streaks of fading gold still lingered across the horizon like ribbons caught in the air.
¡°Dad, try this.¡±
Kaleb¡¯s spoiled temper had disappearedpletely. He leaned forward and ced a slice of salmon into Henry¡¯s te with care.
Henry¡¯s grin widened, his voice tumbling out with praise that never seemed to stop.
Shannon leaned close with a yful smile. ¡°You two need to quiet down.¡±
¡°Nadine, try this.¡±
Her eyes lingered on Nadine as she slid a cup of steaming haute chocte toward her.
Chapter 347 Fooled
Life abroad was nothing but leisure, but whenever she returned to Aetheris, this very restaurant and its haute chocte always stood as her greatest indulgence.
A
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 348 Adulterous Family
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¡°The most important thing a woman can ever have is her face.¡±
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Shannon chin dipped with grace as her soft curls slid forward, framing her cheeks in a way that gave her an elegance almost impossible to ignore.
Nadine watched Shannon¡¯s every movement as ifmitting it to memory.
It was no surprise now why her father never warmed to Kylie despite having lived with her for years. He treated her like a colleague, not a partner,ing home each night with the same nk face he wore at work. Nadine finally understood. Her mother¡¯s beauty was the kind that could unravel a man.
The realization sent Nadine¡¯s chest swelling with pride, her spine lengthening as if to match the power of that truth.
Kylie had once been a rare beauty in her own right, wless in her youth. Yet time andpromise had dimmed her radiance. What had once shone like a wless pearl now looked faded, as if its surface had been rubbed dull by years of neglect. And that only made Nadine¡¯s mother shine brighter in her elegance and beauty.
¡°Thank you, Mom.¡±
Nadine¡¯s brows softened as she epted thepliment with poise.
The longer Shannon studied her, the more pleased she became. Yet a shadow crossed her eyes, and her lips pressed into a thoughtful line.
¡°But I can¡¯t understand how Kylie raised you the way she did. I hear you¡¯re working as awyer now? That¡¯s no life for you. A woman should be cared for, not ground down in some ordinary job. You¡¯re your father¡¯s daughter. You shouldn¡¯t be wasting yourself like that.¡±
She spoke, and at the same time she cast Henry a quick, teasing look.
That yful spark, light and feline, stirred something in Henry¡¯s chest, making him ache as if invisible ws had grazed across his skin.
Nadine¡¯s face warmed and she lowered her gaze, her voice soft with modesty. ¡°It¡¯s not too hard
on me.¡±
Then her tone brightened, unable to contain her excitement. ¡°Mom, do you know Finn? He¡¯s the richest man in Aetheris. I ¡ I like him.¡±
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Chapter 348 Adulterous Family
Color spread hot across her cheeks, and her eyes fell to the table.
¡°Really?¡±
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Shannon¡¯s gaze sharpened at once, intrigue dancing across her features. ¡°That¡¯s my girl. You aimed for the very best.¡±
Nadine¡¯s embarrassment deepened, but in her mind she could see Finn¡¯s sculpted, serious face, and the thought made her vision blur with longing.
In all of Aetheris, and perhaps across the entire country, no man stood equal to him.
¡°But from what you¡¯re saying, you haven¡¯t won him yet?¡±
Shannon¡¯s tone teased, her interest clear.
Nadine curled close against Shannon¡¯s arm, her voice sweet as a child¡¯s. ¡°Mom, he just got divorced, but it won¡¯t be long until I snag him for myself.¡±
¡°Just divorced?¡±
Shannon¡¯s fingers grazed her perfect chin as she thought aloud. ¡°A man that wealthy and powerful is bound to be surrounded by women. Who was his ex¨Cwife? Whoever she is, she must have had something to capture a man like that.¡±
The question made Nadine¡¯s expression sour, irritation clouding her pretty face.
¡°You know who it is. It¡¯s Kylie¡¯s daughter, Tess.¡±
The words dropped heavy into the room, and silence followed, thick and stifling.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Shannon¡¯s lips curved, and augh slipped through.
¡°Tess?¡±
Her eyes narrowed, her beauty sharpened by the contempt that shed there. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, Nadine. What kind of daughter could Kylie ever raise? She lost to me back then, and now she¡¯s still spinning in circles at our mercy. I believe in you. You¡¯ll be the one standing at the top, as the wife of the richest man in Aetheris.¡±
She gave Nadine¡¯s hand a gentle pat.
Nadine lowered her face as if shy, but beneath hershes her eyes burned with fierce light.
Kylie had lost to her mother in the past, and Tess would lose to her as well.
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¡°Enough of this. We¡¯re together as family tonight. Why waste our breath on outsiders?¡±
Henry¡¯s tone cut through, steering the moment back with case.
¡°Tess, you gave me a hard time this morning, but I still helped you. Buying me dinner isn¡¯t too much to ask, is it?¡±
The familiarzy drawl rang out, and Abel¡¯s voice carried with it that careless, taunting edge no one could mistake.
Nadine¡¯s knife stalled against her steak, her back going rigid in her chair.
Tess halted, her re snapping toward the man who clung to her every step like a shadow she couldn¡¯t shake. ¡°Say another word, and you can stay here eating alone.¡±
The threat hit its mark, and Abel went silent at once.
Relief rolled through Tess at the quiet that followed.
Her gaze shifted toward a round table by the window, lingered there for a heartbeat, then drifted back as if she had noticed nothing at all.
¡°We¡¯ll take a parlor.¡±
Abel spoke first at the host stand.
¡°No. We¡¯ll sit outside. The night looks good.¡±
Tess¡¯s interruption came calm and final.
The server froze for a moment, caught between the two.
Abel spoke again, without the faintest hesitation. ¡°You heard thedy.¡±
The server¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement, curiosity buzzing as she nodded. ¡°Of course.¡±
Her gaze darted between them, unable to hide her interest, as she led them across the floor.
She had worked here long enough to see her share of actors, models, and celebrities, since this was one of the finest restaurants in Aetheris. But never had she seen a pair like these two, both stunning to look at, both maic in presence.
The man carried himself with cool arrogance, untouchable and sharp, yet the way he moved for the woman made him seem like a devoted dog who would follow her without question.
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The server, nearly giddy with delight, guided them to a window table. ¡°This is one of the best spots in the house. Lucky you, it just opened up.¡±
Tess nced at it, her sharp eyes catching the subtle stiffness of several diners nearby. She let her gaze slid away with studied calm, as though nothing had caught her attention.
¡°Fine. We¡¯ll take it.¡±
Abel noticed it too. His eyes narrowed with a flicker of suspicion, his mind racing with connections. He began to understand why Tess had agreed to dinner at all. Realization left a trace of bitterness on his face, as if he had finally grasped he might be nothing more than her
cover.
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Chapter 349 No Coincidence
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Tess knew exactly how clever he was. She lifted her chin, tapped his slouched shoulder with ease, and leaned close enough for her breath to warm his car. A faint smile curved her lips as she whispered, ¡°If you don¡¯t feel like eating, then you can leave.¡±
Her words sliced straight through the air. Even the smile that Abel adored turned into something edged with frost that was sharp enough to sting.
Abel¡¯s back stiffened even more than the shoulder she touched. The warmth of her breath lingered by his car, circling and coiling until it burned across his skin like a sudden me.
Heat rose to his face.
She wasn¡¯t keeping him at a distance anymore.
That single thought stirred a hidden thrill inside him. Excitement flickered in his eyes before he could even notice it himself.
Tess never caught the shift in him. She simply stepped ahead and slid into her seat with calm grace.
Only then did Abel snap back to himself. He strode forward, long and steady, and pulled her chair out for her like a gentleman.
¡°Sir, ma¡¯am,¡± the server began politely, ¡°since you don¡¯t have a reservation, there will be a wait for the entr¨¦es. Would you like to order dessert while you wait?¡±
¡°Bring me a raspberry ck forest.¡±
Abel spoke without even ncing at the menu.
The server hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir, but that dessert isn¡¯t on our menu.¡±
Abel ced his ck card t on the table as if it were nothing. ¡°Then your chef should learn how to make it. If he can¡¯t, then he can be reced.¡±
Tess blinked at him, confusion shing like a bright question mark in her mind.
What on earth is he trying to pull?
The server looked unsettled, but still bowed her head and set the card back in front of him carefully. ¡°I¡¯ll contact the kitchen right away.¡±
16:34 Mon, Oct 20¡
Chapter 349 No Coincidence
So, one of them was determined to push, and the other was too willing to bend.
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Tess rubbed her forehead with a quiet sigh. When she lifted her gaze, Abel¡¯s wide eyes were locked on her, shining with childish pride. He didn¡¯t speak, but his expression gave him away. He was smug, waiting to be praised, as if asking her, ¡°Well? Did I impress you?¡±
Tess pressed her lips together and forced a smile.
¡°Just because you¡¯re rich doesn¡¯t mean you can make people do something they cannot.¡±
Abel¡¯s shoulders sagged at once, drooping like a flower struck by frost.
He muttered with quiet frustration. ¡°The chef¡¯s profile outside said he used to work at the Fountain Opera House in Kingnd. Their raspberry ck forest is their signature. It¡¯s your favorite¡¡±
¡°What are you rambling about?¡±
Tess cast him a sharp nce.
¡°Nothing.¡±
He turned his face away with stubborn silence.
Tess let it pass and lowered her eyes toward the window.
She leaned her cheek against her hand. Her gaze was drifting, though no one noticed the other hand hidden under the table. Her fingers curled tight against her thigh.
Raspberry ck forest. After all this time, he still remembered.
The restaurant was calm and elegant, touched by the soft night breeze. In her white dress, Tess looked as though she might take flight at any moment, like a spirit with wings about to disappear into the dark.
Abel stared at her,pletely spellbound. His hand moved up to cover his mouth, trying to hide the red flush spreading across his face.
Between them, the atmosphere felt warm and easy, but at the next table, tension coiled tight.
Henry¡¯s expression darkened with disbelief.
Why is that brat showing up?
He tilted his head ever so slightly to look, and the moment his eyesnded on Tess, his mind
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Chapter 349 No Coincidence
faltered.
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Her side profile gleamed with a beauty that pulled him straight back to the first time he hadid eyes on Kylie.
It was impossible to deny. Tess had inherited her mother¡¯s beauty. No, that beauty was sharpened further and refined beyond what Kylie had ever carried.
Shannon noticed his slip. She stirred her haute chocte with a spoon, the crisp clink ringing out, but she said nothing at all.
Nadine swept her hair forward as though to hide her face, her guilty conscience in as day.
Of all times, it had to knock right now.
¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡±
Tess rose from her seat.
Abel shifted to follow her, but her sharp re stopped him in his tracks. He sank back into his chair, left alone in silence.
Shannon¡¯s eyes followed Tess¡® every step until she vanished from sight. Then her attention dropped onto Abel, lingering over him with thought.
The moment Tess was gone, the warmth on his face vanished. His features hardened, cold and unreadable, his sharp profile like some painted noble from an old European canvas, beautiful yet dark.
Shannon¡¯s gaze fell to the red diamond pinned at his chest. She stared, her fingers curling tight around her handbag.
¡°I need to fix my makeup.¡±
Her tone was gentle as she rose with her
purse.
Henry, distracted by Tess¡® sudden arrival, waved her off with little thought.
Shannon stepped into the women¡¯s restroom. Inside, Tess stood at the sink, rifling through a stack of papers in her hands.
The sight froze Shannon mid¨Cstep.
¡°You know why you¡¯re here. I¡¯m standing right in front of you.¡±
Chapter 349 No Coincidence
Tess lifted her head at once.
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Her eyes were icy, like winter frost, and the chill mmed into Shannon the instant their
met.
A shiver ran the length of her spine. Her mind circled back to what Tess had just said.
¡°You nned this?¡±
Her heart hammered, unease growing heavy in her chest. She clutched her purse tighter.
Tess tossed the papers into her hands without a word of exnation. ¡°See for yourself.¡±
gazes
Shannon¡¯s brow furrowed. She nced up at Tess once more, then slowly lowered her gaze to the documents now resting in her hands.
16:34 Mon, Oct 20
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 350 Shaken Shannon
Chapter 350 Shaken Shannon
A few pagester, the color drained from Shannon¡¯s face.
You¡¯ve been spying on me? How long has this been going on?¡±
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Her hands shook as she flipped through the file faster and faster until she hit thest page. She mmed the folder shut with a sharp crack that echoed off the restroom tiles. Her wide filled with horror and disbelief, as if she had just uncovered something monstrous.
Tess leaned back and studied Shannon¡¯s panic. She searched inside herself for a rush of revenge but found nothing. All that remained was a hollow calm.
¡°Sounds like someone thinks her dirty little secret is kept under incredibly secure wraps. Surprised?¡±
eyes
Herugh was soft, yet every word sliced deep. The mockery pressed against Shannon¡¯s nerves like a wire pulled too tight.
¡°What do you even want from me?¡±
Shannon¡¯s breath caught as the truth hit her. Tess was terrifying.
She wondered when Tess had discovered she was still alive.
She and Henry had covered their tracks for years. The world had long forgotten about that scandal. She could even walk the streets barefaced, and no one would look twice.
No one in their right mind would believe that a woman dered dead more than ten years ago was still alive.
Her nails dug hard into her palms as her body shook.
¡°You¡¯re rushing to y family again because you just got Kylie¡¯s shares. You think Ember Group belongs to you now, and that emboldens you¨Ca mistress dered dead, only to be seen strutting like she owns the ce long after her proimed demise.¡±
Tess raised a brow.
Her words struck sharp and merciless, and Shannon¡¯s face twisted with anger.
¡°Tess, you better watch your mouth.¡±
She forced her voice to steady.
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Chapter 350 Shaken Shannon
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It was true, Henry had Kylie¡¯s shares. No matter how many Tess gathered, she would never unseat him as Ember Group¡¯srgest shareholder.
Even if everything came to light, it would barely touch her.
That thought stiffened her spine.
Pride slid back over her face.
She cursed herself for letting a few photos and the voice of Kylie¡¯s daughter rattle her.
¡°So this is what you came for. I don¡¯t know when you started tailing me, but if this ever leaks, I¡¯ll drag you to court. I¡¯ll fight you with every legal means avable.¡±
She lifted her chin, her eyes full of disdain.
Tess¡¯s lips curved in a smile as if she had just heard the most amusing thing.
¡°Shannon, you really think clutching Ember Group¡¯s shares makes you safe? Ember Group belongs to me. And you will live through every punishment you deserve¨Cyou and that evil little family of yours.¡±
Her smile lingered faint, but her eyes grew dark and merciless.
Shannon¡¯s chest clenched, her heart pounding so hard it rattled against her ribs. She stared at Tess and felt her confidence falter.
No.
She reminded herself this was only Kylie¡¯s daughter. She could not be dangerous. She was nothing but a younger fool who carried her mother¡¯s weakness.
Her nails broke skin in her palm.
¡°Tess, not even your mother could beat me back then. There¡¯s no chance you¡¯ll do better.¡±
Her eyes narrowed, and the soft mask she wore around Henry vanished in an instant.
Tess looked at her true face and almostughed at the bitter irony.
¡°That¡¯s funny. Kylie swore she saw your body pushed into the crematory. She believed it with her whole heart. So tell me, how did you survive? Or was Henry the one who pulled the strings?¡±
Her gaze burned into Shannon.
Chapter 350 Shaken Shannon
Shannon¡¯s eyes flickered with pride, a sly gleam lighting up her face.
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¡°She was a fool. A fool all too easy to trick. The body in that crematory wasn¡¯t mine. While she sobbed over a stranger¡¯s corpse, Henry stood right beside me,ughing.¡±
Shannonughed, bright and cold, like ss chimes shaking in the air. The woman was amused. Clearly, some funny memory had struck her.
The sound filled the empty restroom with cruelty.
Tess never looked away. Her hand moved, and she pressed pause on the recorder she carried.
¡°So that¡¯s how it is. Stop wasting your energy, Tess. Your mother failed, and so will you. And you¡¯d better not even think about messing with my daughter¡¯s life.¡±
Shannon stepped closer, her re sharp and threatening.
Tess might be divorced from the wealthiest man in Aetheris, but that didn¡¯t make her harmless.
Shannon wouldn¡¯t let her daughter¡¯s happiness hang in the bnce again. She had failed her once, but now she swore to protect her.
Tess almostughed at how puffed up Shannon looked, warning her like a guard dog.
¡°She can take what she wants. It¡¯s something I threw away, but there¡¯s no guarantee she can take it and run with it. She¡¯ll need more than ¡ whatever she¡¯s got going on to seed.¡±
With azy flick of her wrist, Tess slipped the folder from Shannon¡¯s grip.
The gesture was smooth, sharp, and hauntingly familiar¨Ca mirror of Abel¡¯s movements.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 351 Amused Tess
Chapter 351 Amused Tess
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Tess yanked hard, but Shannon¡¯s grip was unyielding, clinging to the folder as though her life. depended on it.
¡°Hm?¡±
Tess¡¯s brows drew together as her eyes cut toward Shannon. The softness in Shannon¡¯s face had melted away, reced by a shadowy look full of venom.
¡°Give those to me.¡±
Her words came out jagged, each syble pressed hard between her teeth. The final notes grinded like a threat meant to slice the air.
Tess folded her arms across her chest, tilting her head, her gaze cool and unhurried. ¡°Do you really believe I went to all this effort, sent people to track you, gathered all these photos, just to wave them at you as a scare?¡±
Her tone dripped with calm certainty. ¡°Take this set if you want it. It means nothing. I have plenty of copies.¡±
Her lips curved faintly,shes lowering with a slow, delicate flutter. Yet to Shannon, it felt like ws raking across her skin, setting her nerves aze.
¡°You¡¯re nothing like that foolish mother you had. You¡¯re far more cunning.¡±
Shannon spat the words through clenched teeth. Her grip trembled, and atst her hand ckened, letting the folder fall away.
Tess gave a quietugh. ¡°I cut ties with her long ago. But neither of us could ever be cruel enough to fake a death and slip a secret daughter into her father¡¯s house as his ward. You¡¯ve shown me a masterss in cunning.¡±
Her mocking toneshed out, and Shannon¡¯s face drained to a sickly gray.
Her body quivered, her knees buckling as she copsed into Henry¡¯s arms the moment he
rushed in.
¡°What¡¯s happening here? Why are you two¡
¡±
grown restless when Shannon failed to return. He had brought their child with Henry had him, only to stumble straight into Tess¡® sharp words.
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Chapter 351 Amused Tess
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A glint flickered in Shannon¡¯s eyes, but her face crumpled with pitiful tears. ¡°Henry, we hurt Kylie, what we did all those years ago. When I saw Tess today, I only wanted to apologize.¡±
Her voice broke, her sobs hitching. ¡°But Tess has every right to hate us.¡±
Henry¡¯s chest burned with fire. All he saw was the fragile woman trembling in his arms, and it tore at him.
He stroked her hair, his voice low and tender. ¡°Shannon, Kylie was never innocent. If not for her, you and I would have been married long ago. You would never have had to suffer in silence without a name. You were too kind. This was their wrong, not yours.¡±
Henry turned on Tess then, his eyes cold, his voice cutting like steel. ¡°I knew you were trouble the moment you showed up. Apologize to Shannon right now.¡±
He held Shannon tighter against him, his face hard with authority.
Tessughed, the sound sharp, mocking.
Ever since they seized Kylie¡¯s shares, they no longer bothered to hide.
¡°Apologize?¡± Tess¡¯s smile twisted, her finger pointing toward Shannon. ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell him what you just saw for yourself?¡±
She slipped the folder into her bag with careful ease, unmoved by Henry¡¯s growing rage.
His jaw clenched as her indifference scraped against his pride, but the unease in her words struck him even harder.
His re whipped toward Shannon, his voice rough. ¡°What did she mean?¡±
¡°She had people tailing me. She took photos. She even filmed us!¡±
Shannon burrowed deeper into his chest, her voice trembling with practiced fear.
Henry¡¯s expression shifted in an instant.
¡°Tess, what are you trying to do?¡±
The sound scraped out raw, sending dread up his spine. The sensation slithered like icy spiders sinking into his skin.
His eyes locked on Tess, as if he could tear through her calm and find the truth underneath.
His first instinct was disbelief.
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He had hidden Shannon so carefully. How could Tess know? Yet the tremble in Shannon¡¯s shoulders beneath his hand chilled him to the bone.
Kaleb hovered nearby, confusion in his eyes. However, he caught the subtle look his mother sent him. It was a silent signal passed in a breath.
Tess swung her bag onto her shoulder and turned for the door. Then a sudden rush of air brushed her legs, and a handtched tight onto her bag.
The tug was violent. The zipper split apart, and papers spilled across the floor. Photographs scattered everywhere, fanning out across the tiles like a storm of glossy snow.
Henry¡¯s polished mask shattered. His restraint vanished in a blink.
He stomped down on the photos, his voice rising in a furious growl. ¡°Tess, you¡¯ve lost your mind!¡±
Nadine froze at the sight, her body locked in shock.
She couldn¡¯t believe what she was seeing. When did the Embers start this line of work? This isn¡¯t the same meek Tess we know.
¡°If you want them, then take them.¡±
Tess¡¯s brows tightened as she stepped right over her fallen bag, not sparing it a nce.
Nadine¡¯s pulse raced as she lunged forward, seizing Tess¡¯s wrist. ¡°No, you can¡¯t just walk away! You must have more copies. You can¡¯t leave until you erase them all!¡±
Her grip pressed against cold skin. Her heart pounded like thunder, but she held on with all her strength.
Tess¡¯s brows arched, irritation sparking in her eyes.
¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? She¡¯s with me!¡±
A deep voice slid into the room, low andzy, curling close to Nadine¡¯s ear.
She froze as a massive, veined, unyielding hand mped around her wrist.
The pressure tightened. Pain red, tearing a cry from her throat, and she was forced to let go.
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Chapter 352 Abel Shows Up
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 352
Chapter 352 Abel Shows Up
Chapter 352 Abel Shows Up
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Nadine rushed to look at her wrist. A band of angry red had already bloomed across her skin, wrapping around it like a raw scar.
Abel moved in front of Tess, shielding her with his frame. He leaned close and gave her a cocky wink, his voice smooth and mocking. ¡°Just so you know, I¡¯m not some sort of creep, Tess. I don¡¯t barge into thedies¡® spaces. I just tailed these bozos here.¡±
¡°Oh, shush.¡±
Tess¡¯s re cut sharp at him.
Abel¡¯s grin only stretched wider, curling into something shameless.
Their exchange pushed Henry past his limit. His face hardened, his tone snapping like a whip. ¡°Tess, don¡¯t fool yourself into thinking you¡¯re safe just because he¡¯s here. Delete every single thing you recorded. Now.¡±
He thought he had covered every angle, yet Tess had tricked him.
His fury rattled his hands.
Tess¡¯s face vanished behind Abel¡¯s shoulders. Abel heard Henry¡¯s words and chuckled, the sound low and cruel. He pped slowly, the noise echoing in the tiled room, his smile curling sharp. ¡°Oh? So now you¡¯re nning to get back at my Tess?¡±
He stepped back just enough to set a hand on Tess¡¯s shoulder. Then he lowered himself, his mouth brushing near her ear. ¡°So, tell me. Whose ass you want to see whooped first?¡±
He made his breath fan against her skin, dragging warmth across her ear like a wicked game.
The restroom was nearly empty, so his voice rang clear. Henry and the rest heard it all.
Heat rushed to Tess¡¯s ears. She tried to keep herposure, yet the flush spreading across her face betrayed her.
She red at Abel, warning him to stop. But his gaze locked on the red rising up her neck, and instead of pulling back, he leaned closer.
¡°They came at me first. As long as I¡¯m here, no one will touch you. They deserve a lesson. Or maybe ¡ I¡¯ll start with that brat. Disciplining bratty kids. Mm, my favorite.¡±
Abel¡¯s stare slid toward Kaleb. The smirk on his lips twisted darker, like a knife catching the
Chapter 352 Abel Shows Up
light.
He saw it clearly. That boy had been the one who grabbed Tess¡¯s bag.
Shannon froze in rm. She yanked Kaleb behind her, shielding him tight.
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Henry caught the venom in Abel¡¯s eyes, and fear rippled through him. He softened his voice, though his jaw remained locked tight. ¡°Tess, just delete the files. You¡¯re still my daughter. I don¡¯t want this to get any worse.¡±
Tess gave a small shrug. ¡°But I never promised to let you off the hook. And if I want to walk out of here, you don¡¯t have the power to stop me.¡±
The mocking curve on her lips vanished, leaving only a face sharp and cold like a de of ice.
Henry¡¯s chest thudded hard. The face staring back at him was ruthless, and for a moment he couldn¡¯t connect it with the quiet girl he once knew.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Abel straightened at her words. He walked by her side, silent and steady, like a shadow glued to her.
But as they reached the doorway, a tall figure dressed in ck stepped into view.
Their eyes met, sharp and unflinching.
Finn¡¯s stare was deep and dark. As his gaze lowered to the sight of them standing shoulder to shoulder, it grew heavier by the second.
Nadine¡¯s pupils shrank. Panic seized her chest. She darted forward and nted her foot on the photos scattered on the ground, blocking them from sight.
What? What is Finn doing here?
Shannon caught Nadine¡¯s rm and her head pounded with dread.
She had nned a surprise, not this.
Henry had told her the rumors. For years, the media whispered that Finn had feelings for her daughter. All they needed was a chance.
She had failed Nadine too many times. If Nadine wanted Finn, then she would help her. That was the promise she made to herself. She even arranged for him to join them today. She never expected Tess to ruin it.
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Chapter 352 Abel Shows Up
Her nails cut into her palm as she clenched her fists.
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¡°Mr. Lock,¡± Shannon said, her voice stretched into a strained smile, ¡°please let the staff take you
to our table. We have some business to finish here first.¡±
But Finn didn¡¯t look at her. His stare never broke from Tess.
¡°What are you doing here with him?¡±
His voice was low, rough, and heavy with something he couldn¡¯t contain.
Tess turned her head away. She tugged Abel¡¯s arm, trying to leave.
Finn¡¯s hand shot out, catching her wrist.
Her step froze, her body trapped.
Then Abel¡¯s palm pressed over Finn¡¯s hand, steady and unyielding.
He smiled, his voice cool but taunting. ¡°Uncle Finn, if you hold her like that, you¡¯re going to hurt her.¡±
Their eyes collided, the air between them snapping with tension, as if sparks leapt unseen.
Finn¡¯s presence turned frigid, pressing hard, heavy enough to crush. But before it could suffocate the room, Tess¡¯s voice broke through.
¡°Let go.¡±
Her eyes lifted to his, cold and stripped of any warmth. She stared at him like he was nothing but a stranger.
The chill in her voice hit deeper than a blow. Finn felt it cut through him, as if he had been dropped into ice water.
Abel narrowed his gaze as Finn¡¯s hand slipped away from under his.
Tess looked aside. This time when she moved forward, no one tried to hold her back.
The restroom fell into silence, so sharp that each breath sounded harsh.
Shannon¡¯s brow furrowed tight.
Finn¡¯s first nce had been for Tess. He had been standing here all this time without sparing her daughter a single look.
Chapter 353 Awkward
Chapter 353 Awkward
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Chapter 353 Awkward
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Shannon felt that something was off. Her head tilted just enough to catch Nadine¡¯s face drained pale, her skin the color of
paper.
¡°Mr. Lock, we should take this conversation inside the restaurant.¡±
Henry¡¯s temples pounded, yet he forced calm into his voice. He straightened, trying to y the role of host for Finn.
Finn¡¯s cold eyes swept across the restroom. His gaze lingered on the uneasy faces inside before sliding away with disinterest.
¡°Alright.¡±
The wordnded heavy, void of warmth.
He turned and walked out, leaving silence in his wake.
The moment his imposing presence disappeared, Nadine¡¯s mask broke. Hatred twisted her features as she spat, ¡°Tess!¡±
Shannon¡¯s hand moved in slow circles over her daughter¡¯s back. She was trying to soothe Nadine, though her own thoughts were miles away.
She knew that if the photos in Tess¡¯s possession were ever revealed, Henry¡¯s grip on Ember Group would shatter. Even as thergest shareholder and chairman, the scandal would destroy thepany¡¯s reputation overnight.
Her eyes locked with Henry¡¯s, and in them, she saw the same fear mirrored back at her.
When they stepped back into the restaurant, Finn was already seated. He chose a spot at a distance but angled his chair to face Tess and Abel directly, as though his position had been carefully calcted.
¡°Well?¡±
The chaos from the restroom had faded. The table was now covered with tes of desserts and entrees.
Abel leaned close to Tess and nudged her softly. ¡°Try the cake.¡± His eyes lit up with boyish anticipation as he watched her lift her fork.
The vor that touched her tongue was delicate, a mingling of tart and sweet. The familiar
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Chapter 353 Awkward
taste carried memories into her mind.
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Her hand paused in midair, the fork caught between motion and stillness. She lowered her head, blotting her lips with a napkin, trying to hide the flicker of shadow that crossed her face.
When she looked up again, Abel was watching her with hope in his eyes. She gave the smallest nod, her voice short and distant. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±
Abel¡¯s chest sank.
He searched her face, desperate for something more, but no matter how long he looked, he found nothing.
Atst, he lowered his
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
gaze,
defeated.
Tess tilted her head, puzzled by his silence. Abel looked tired, his shoulders heavy, yet he still forced a smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±
The smile trembled, frail as a page ready to tear.
A heaviness pressed against Tess¡¯s chest. The unease left her restless, though she had no words to bridge the gap.
She let the question fall away. They both bent their heads over their tes. Abel quietly cut pieces of steak and ced them on her te, his hand clenching harder on the knife and fork with each slice.
The thought burned inside him. Has she really forgotten about me?
The table sank into quiet. A sorrowful air hovered, though underneath lingered a faint thread of warmth.
Finn¡¯s gaze never shifted. He watched their every move, yet the food Nadine set in his te remained untouched.
Nadine bit down so hard her jaw ached.
¡°Do you not like this ce, Finn?¡±
Her voice reached for his attention, but he didn¡¯t look at her.
He only shoved the te aside. ¡°Yeah.¡±
Chapter 353 Awkward
That single word mmed shut everything she had tried to say.
Her breath caught, and she pressed her teeth into her lip to hold back the sting.
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Shannon noticed her daughter¡¯s unease and spoke quickly. ¡°Nadine, my daughter, you should sit back down and get some rest. You haven¡¯t taken a single bite of what I served you. All you¡¯ve done is pile food onto Finn¡¯s te.¡±
Finn ignored the exchange. He only lifted his eyes to Shannon, studying her in silence.
He knew Nadine was adopted. Her parents were both dead. Her only mother was Kylie. So who¡¯s this woman?
The thought stirred the headlines that had been stered everywhere. Ember Group had denied the stories, but the rumors never seemed to fade.
If Shannon truly was Nadine¡¯s mother, then perhaps those whispers held some truth.
If Tess was raised in that kind of family, then the neglect and abuse she suffered might not have been because of her own personality.
Finn¡¯s chest tightened, the ache curling deep into his ribs.
He could not tear his gaze from Tess¡¯s back.
Since the divorce papers were signed, she had disappeared from his world as if the earth itself had swallowed her.
He had epted Nadine¡¯s invitation only because the media had been pressing harder every day. His guilt over Tess left him desperate for any chance to uncover what had truly happened a year ago. Never once had he imagined he would see her here.
At the table, Tess and Abel had softened. Now and then, Abel coaxed augh from her, and her smile curved warm and bright.
The sight pierced Finn like a knife.
¡°Do you have wine?¡±
His sudden voice froze the room.
Henry reacted first, though confusion lined his face. He motioned for the waiter. Soon, red wine filled Finn¡¯s ss.
He lifted it and drained it in one swift motion. His eyes clouded further, the weight of sorrow
Chapter 353 Awkward
sinking in.
Nadine¡¯s worry spilled over. ¡°Finn, you shouldn¡¯t drink like that. It¡¯s not good for you.¡±
+10 free Cos
She attempted to stop him from pouring another ss, but Shannon¡¯s sharp nce made her hesitate and step back.
The single ss did nothing to cloud his mind, but he acted as though her words had never been spoken. His eyes clung to Tess, following her every small movement. Even the soft strands of her hair that swayed with the air seemed to hold him captive.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 354 Nadine¡¯s n
Chapter 354 Nadine¡¯s n
:
470 Fred Cond
Nadine finally saw the truth with crushing rity. Finn was getting his heart broken over Tess
Her nails dug so deep into her palm that little crescents of pain bloomed across her skin. Bitterness surged in her throat so sharply, it nearly strangled her.
Shannon¡¯s hand slid over hers, warm and steady, grounding her with a mother¡¯s quiet strength.
Nadine blinked hard. She lifted her head in a daze only to see Shannon curl her finger, calling her closer with a knowing gesture.
When she leaned in, Shannon¡¯s eyes narrowed, sharp and probing. ¡°Nadine, are you absolutely sure that Finn loves you?¡±
Her gaze
flicked between Finn and Tess, quick and merciless, as if weighing their every breath.
The sting of her mother¡¯s doubt scorched Nadine¡¯s cheeks, draining the pale from her skin and leaving her flushed. Still, she bit down on her trembling lip and forced her voice into calm. ¡°Of course he does, Mom. Finn just went through a divorce with Tess. It¡¯s normal for him to feel torn apart right now. He only needs time. He¡¯ll get past it.¡±
Shannon tilted her head, nodding like she wanted to believe her daughter, though hesitation lingered in her eyes. She leaned closer, her tone lower, edged with warning.
¡°Then what you tried to do was silly. If he wants to drink, that¡¯s all the more reason not to stop him.¡±
The reproach in her gaze sliced through Nadine.
Nadine faltered, confusion flickering in her eyes. Shannon lifted a finger, tapped her daughter¡¯s forehead, and bent close, her voice sly and secretive. ¡°Men are easiest to win over when they¡¯re caught in that soft blur between sober and drunk.¡±
Their eyes locked. And in that instant, the haze in Nadine¡¯s gaze cleared into sudden understanding.
Shannon¡¯s lips curved, satisfaction spreading as she saw the realization take root.
¡°Good girl. Go on now.¡±
She patted Nadine¡¯s shoulder, coaxing her forward with a mother¡¯s gentle push.
¡°Finn, let me order you another bottle.¡±
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Chapter 354 Nadine¡¯s n
+10 Free Coins
Nadine¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she noticed his ss was nearly empty. She lifted her hand high, signaling the waiter without hesitation.
Finn stayed silent. He only lifted the wine and swallowed, each gulp searing his throat while grief twisted deeper into his chest, until both pain and fire tangled together.
Henry sat watching from the side, his eyes narrowed. He couldn¡¯t read the full game Shannon and Nadine were ying, but the outline was clear enough. If Nadine managed to tie Finn to her, it wouldn¡¯t just benefit the Embers¨Cit would raise them to power that few could touch.
Across the table, Tess kept her gaze lowered, yet her attention clung to Finn. She caught the haze in his eyes. Dark and unfocused, they sank into something hollow, something dangerous.
Her chest grew tight. Unease spread cold and heavy, carrying thoughts that unsettled her more with each passing moment.
Then Abel shifted, sliding just enough in his chair to block her view.
Tess had no choice but to draw her eyes back to him.
He stered innocence across his face as he dropped some plump seafood on her te. Try this one. I had to move closer, otherwise I couldn¡¯t serve you right.¡±
She saw straight through his little trick, yet a helpless smile tugged at her lips. She peeled the shellfish, ate it, and even offered a polite word of thanks, formal and careful.
That small gesture was enough. Abel lit up like he had been handed a prize. His joy burst so brightly he looked ready to wag his tail like a dog eager for affection.
The sight burned through Finn.
Abel¡¯s frame blocked most of Tess from his view, and frustration welled hot and restless inside him. With liquor and longing fighting an intense battle within him, he pressed his palms against the table as if ready to rise.
But his body betrayed him. His knees buckled. Weakness dragged him back into his chair.
Nadine was on him in an instant, her hands steady as she caught his weight. Triumph red bright in her eyes.
Her gaze found Shannon¡¯s across the table. The two women shared a smile sharp and deep, a silent exchange of victory. ¡°Finn, you¡¯re drunk. I¡¯ll take you to a hotel. You need some rest.¡±
Nadine leaned closer,shes lowered, a faint blush painting her cheeks. Her voice carried that shy sweetness carefully crafted to charm.
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Chapter 354 Nadine¡¯s n
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But Finn¡¯s brow furrowed. He shoved her away, hard and cold, then slumped back into his chair.
Nadine¡¯s eyes flew wide. For a heartbeat, she thought she must have imagined the rejection. Yet the icy indifference in his face told her she hadn¡¯t.
Slowly, Finn lifted his head. His gazended on her, sharp with disbelief and humiliation that cut deeper than words.
His thoughts scattered, rity drowned beneath a thick, suffocating fog.
In his blurred vision, her eyes ovepped with Tess¡¯s.
A memory rose sharp and merciless. A year ago, Tess had been dragged away in handcuffs, her beautiful eyes dim with despair.
And onlyst night, when he had forced himself on her, those gem¨Clike eyes had filled with tears, glistening as they spilled down her face.
His hand moved before thought could catch it. He clutched Nadine¡¯s wrist, desperation glimmering in his eyes, the fragile joy of something long lost and suddenly found.
¡°Te¡ Tess?¡± he whispered, voice raw.
Nadine froze.
His touch sent a jolt of cold through her veins. Her face nched in disbelief.
Tess. Why does it always circle back to Tess?
But then her mother¡¯s words echoed inside her.
She forced a strained smile and bent close to his ear. Her whisper trembled but held. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me, Tess. You¡¯ve had too much. Let me take you back to rest.¡±
The moment the lie left her lips, Finn stilled. His struggle eased. He even leaned into her willingly.
Nadine¡¯s face twisted with strain, but Shannon caught her expression and gave a small shake of her head. ¡°Nadine, remember this. In the end, the result matters more than the way you get there.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes hardened with resolve. She braced herself and helped Finn to his feet. ¡°Dad, Mom, Finn¡¯s drunk. I¡¯ll take him to the nearest hotel so he can rest.¡±
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:
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Henry didn¡¯t question it. With a simple wave of his hand, he let them go without hesitation.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 355 The n Begins
Shannon¡¯s eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction as she watched the two figures fade into the dark. A thought crossed her mind, sharp and fleeting. She reached for her phone, typed out a message with quick fingers, and then deleted it before it could leave her screen.
¡°Check, please.¡±
At the next table, Abel snapped his fingers with careless ir. The sound cracked through the air as if it belonged to him, his whole posture dripping with smug delight.
Tess kept her eyes fixed on the path Nadine had taken, her focus unshaken. Abel, however, let his
gaze slide across her with an ease that carried both curiosity and boldness.
They paid their bill and stepped into the night. At the front desk, Tess asked the clerk for directions to the nearest movie theater, sending them walking in the opposite direction from Nadine.
Once their figures disappeared, Henry and Shannon seemed to release the breath they had been holding. Their bodies rxed, the tension slipping from their shoulders as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted.
But unseen by them, Tess and Abel doubled back. They moved in silence, circling until they caught the trail that Nadine had taken.
¡°Follow them,¡± Tess whispered, her voice low and edged with steel.
She grabbed Abel¡¯s wrist and pulled him into stride.
Abel gave no resistance. He fell in behind her, keeping close, staying only half a step away from her.
His eyes dropped to where her hand gripped his arm.
Her fingers clutched him tightly. Every time she pulled him forward, her touch pressed against his skin, leaving heat in its wake.
His thoughts stirred with a restless energy, and excitement lit his expression. No matter how hard he tried, he could not hide the thrill that flickered in his eyes.
He cleared his throat, his voice breaking the silence. ¡°The Royal Hotel is right there. That¡¯s where they went.¡±
Her eyes met his in confusion, but she caught his meaning at once. She tugged him along with
14:34 Tue, Oct 21
Za
167
Chapter 355 The n Begins.
determined steps.
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Abel followed, his lips curled with pride, the smile of a man who felt he had already won.
When they reached the entrance of the Royal Hotel, two attendants were preparing to close for the night.
Tess strode forward and blocked their way. ¡°Did a man and a woman juste in here? The man was drunk.¡±
The attendants froze. Surprise flickered across their faces, betraying them for an instant.
They blinked fast, then tried to cover their unease. ¡°May we ask who you are? We cannot give out guest information.¡±
Their words sounded firm, but Tess caught the strain in their voices. She saw the nervous glint in their eyes and knew better.
¡°I¡¯m here on official business. I need your cooperation.¡±
Her tone turned sharp, edged withmand, as she slid out her identification. It was the badge Lyra had told her never to leave behind.
The attendants stiffened. A judge from the District Court, standing in front of them?
They shared a look, their expressions hardening with the weight of what they saw.
Before they could respond, Abel tossed a sleek ck card onto the counter. His voice was cold and certain. ¡°The man inside is my uncle, Finn. The woman who took him here has foul intentions for the man. I have every right to go in and help him.¡±
He stared them down, his presence heavy with arrogance and wealth. The attendants faltered beneath his gaze, trembling under its weight. One risked a nce at his face and saw it, the clear resemnce to Finn.
The ck card sealed it. That rare diamond edition was carried by only one man in Aetheris¡ª Finn Lock himself. If Abel had one, then he was not bluffing.
And his face was already familiar. They had seen it online, clear as day. There was no mistaking him.
Still, it had been Nadine who had entered minutes earlier. Nadine, who had hovered around Finn in whispers and headlines for over a year. Now that Finn¡¯s divorce filled every page, people expected her to be Finn¡¯s next wife. That was why the hotel granted her a private buyout at such a low cost.
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Chapter 355 The n Begins
:
So why did his nephew carry such obvious disdain for her?
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¡°The youngdy paid us to close the floor. She insisted we turn away every other guest tonight.¡± One of them chewed his lip, then steadied himself. ¡°But if you insist, I will take you to the suite.¡±
This attendant carried himself with control, clearly the leader among
Tess gave a firm nod. ¡°Show us the way.¡±
them.
They walked together, their footsteps echoing through a long corridor. Atst the attendant stopped before a private suite and ced a hand on the door.
¡°This is the room.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll handle it if she tries toe after you,¡± Abel said as he tapped the attendant¡¯s shoulder. He dismissed her with the easy wave of a man used to being obeyed.
Relieved to be spared the risk, she vanished down the hall.
Abel and Tess exchanged a sharp nce, silent but certain.
Inside, Nadine stood unaware, her cheeks flushed with color, her eyes bright with feigned shyness as she stared at the man on the bed.
Finn¡¯s gaze met hers, clouded and hazy, the alcohol blurring his vision.
¡°T¡ Tess¡
??
The word left his lips, dry and broken. It was barely more than a whisper. His eyes unfocused until Nadine¡¯s form blurred into the figure he longed for most.
The night air swept in through the open window, catching the edge of her white dress and lifting it into gentle waves. To him, it looked like a vision torn from a dream he had chased again and again in his sleep.
He tried to rise, but the liquor weighed heavy at his body. His limbs gave out, leaving him half- sprawled across the bed, his eyes locked on her without a single blink.
Finn wondered if this was only a dream.
¡°Finn.¡±
Nadine leaned down, her lips brushing his ear as she spoke his name in a tender murmur.
Chapter 355 The n Begins
:-
A
??
+10 Free Cons
He gazed at her with longing, but even then, in his haze, he spoke another woman¡¯s name.
Her heart burned with loathing for Tess, yet she swallowed it whole.
So he¡¯s fallen in love with Tess.
Her nails dug deep into her palms as she forced herself to mimic Tess, copying her gestures, her tone, her every move, because losing was not an option.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 356
Nadine¡¯s mother had been right all along.
D
r 356 Nadine¡¯s Move
Her gamble hit its mark. Finn froze, then reached out and grabbed her hand himself.
10 Free Coins
Nadine stiffened. She lowered her gaze and saw him staring at her, eyes filled with desperation. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡±
The weight of it struck her chest like a heavy blow.
She had never seen Finn like this.
In her memories, he was always the untouchable man at the top of Aetheris. Cold. Distant. He was so far above, even standing face to face with him, you could never reach him.
Yet now, mistaking her for Tess, he looked at her with an emotion she never imagined he could show.
Bitterness burned through her, but she kept her purpose in mind. She sat back down, her voice sugar¨Csweet as she whispered close to his ear, ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±
Her words curled out, soft and delicate, enough to make his chest tremble.
Finn squinted, his eyes clouded with confusion. The woman before him looked like Tess, yet at the same time, not at all.
His hand lifted, trembling, inching toward her face. But the memory of his own rejection stopped him. His fingers pulled back before they could touch her.
Even that hesitation made Nadine¡¯s eyes sh with hope.
But before she could move closer, a thunderous crash split the room.
The hotel door shook hard as Abel¡¯s leg mmed into it, the frame rattling from the force of the blow.
Beside him, Tess narrowed her brows.
¡°Who¡¯s out there? What are you trying to pull?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice erupted from inside, raw with fury and panic.
Abel grinned, his mouth curved in mischief as he threw Tess a yful wink. He dropped his voice low and gravelly.
¡°Ma¡¯am, please open up. This suite seems to have a serious fault with the facilities.¡±
¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong. You can check when I leave!¡±
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Chapter
356 Nadine¡¯s Move
Nadine¡¯s words cracked sharp, filled with irritation, her focus still locked on Finn.
¡°Stop standing there! Go away already!¡±
Her impatience dripped from every syble.
A
+10 Fram Coins
Tess narrowed her eyes and raised her knuckles, rapping firmly against the door. Her tone dropped calm and steady, though softer than Abel¡¯s. ¡°Ma¡¯am, the building is old. The systems here could give out any second. There¡¯s even a risk of fire.¡±
Inside, the movement went quiet.
A few secondster, Nadine yanked the door open, her face twisted with raw frustration.
is man¡¯s drunk? Because he looks wide awake to me.¡±
Tess nced at Finn with a steady gaze. ¡°He¡¯spletely wasted.¡±
Otherwise, Nadine never would have dragged him here so easily.
Abel gave a casual shrug, pushing aside the unease stirring in his chest.
But Nadine could no longer hold back. Tess had shattered her n, and Abel stood there beside her as if none of it mattered. Nadine stormed forward and blocked their path. ¡°Why are you even here? I rented this suite myself. How the hell did you get in?¡±
Her voice rang with raw outrage and sharp usation.
Tess gave her a calm, cutting look. ¡°You do realize what you¡¯re doing right now is breaking the
10 Free Coins
Finn¡¯s heart had never drifted from Tess, not since that night. Now that he knew Tess¡¯s daughter was their own flesh and blood, the truth had hit him with a burning regret. Nadine told herself that if she bore him a child, he would see her the same way.
He would treat her with the same devotion. He would fall for her too. He will. I know he will.
¡°Yes. It¡¯s me.¡±
Nadine¡¯s pulse quickened as her gaze clung to Finn¡¯s lips.
The heat of alcohol rolled off his breath, thick and sharp. It was making her head spin until she almost felt drunk herself.
¡°Finn, I¡¯m Tess. You can do anything you want with me.¡±
Her tone softened with a sweetness meant to charm, yet temptation wound through every word as she locked eyes with him.
¡°Anything I want?¡±
His voice slurred, his body sluggish under the heavy fog of liquor. Every movement dragged slow and uneven.
¡°Yes. Of course.¡±
Nadine copied Tess¡¯s voice, her chest burning as she forced down the sour jealousy that threatened to rise.
For a long moment he was still. Then Finn moved.
Nadine¡¯s eyes
lit with triumph.
His hand snapped up and closed hard around her wrist.
¡°Tess, give me one more chance. Please.¡±
Her body stiffened. Her face darkened as fury gripped her.
Even now, all he wanted was another chance with Tess.
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Chapter 356 Nadine¡¯s Move
+10 Free Coins
Shame and rage tangled in her chest until she felt herself suffocating on the weight of it.
¡°Fine. I¡¯ll give you that chance. So maybe we should¡.
Her voice dropped, warm and suggestive, as she leaned in and breathed against his ear.
Finn¡¯s gaze blurred further. His normally stone¨Ccold face was warming with a faint red flush.
¡°Bring La back to Evermount Height. I¡¯ll protect you and the child with everything I have.¡±
His eyelids fought against the pull of exhaustion as he tried to hold her eyes, desperate to prove his sincerity.
But the woman in front of him was not Tess.
Nadine¡¯s face twisted darker. Her fists clenched so tight her nails bit into her skin. Bitterness gnawed at her with every second.
She stared at him, fighting the storm in her chest, then yanked the strap of her dress down, baring the smooth curve of her shoulder. ¡°Finn ¡
11
The word slipped out soft, almost pleading. But the instant he heard her, his body jolted. His hand shoved her hard.
Nadine staggered back. Shock spread across her face as she stared at him from a distance.
He still looked drunk, but the air around him turned sharp and cold.
¡°You¡¯re not Tess. Who are you?¡±
His voice came broken and rough, thick with rejection.
Nadine¡¯s rage simmered, but she stretched her lips into a seductive smile. ¡°Finn, I am Tess. I came back.¡±
¡°You¡¯re Nadine.¡±
The name fell heavy from his lips. The room¡¯s warmth vanished, reced by a chill that scraped down Nadine¡¯s spine.
Her smile faltered. Her heart pounded loud against her ribs. ¡°If you can¡¯t see me for who I really am, then I¡¯ll just leave.¡±
Her mind raced as she recalled Tess¡¯s face, manner, and words. She pictured exactly how Tess would speak in this moment and forced herself to mimic it.
14:34 Tue,
Chapter 356 Nadine¡¯s Move
Her gamble hit its mark. Finn froze, then reached out and grabbed her hand himself.
10 Free Coins
Nadine stiffened. She lowered her gaze and saw him staring at her, eyes filled with desperation. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡±
The weight of it struck her chest like a heavy blow.
She had never seen Finn like this.
In her memories, he was always the untouchable man at the top of Aetheris. Cold. Distant. He was so far above, even standing face to face with him, you could never reach him.
Yet now, mistaking her for Tess, he looked at her with an emotion she never imagined he could show.
Bitterness burned through her, but she kept her purpose in mind. She sat back down, her voice sugar¨Csweet as she whispered close to his ear, ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±
Her words curled out, soft and delicate, enough to make his chest tremble.
Finn squinted, his eyes clouded with confusion. The woman before him looked like Tess, yet at the same time, not at all.
His hand lifted, trembling, inching toward her face. But the memory of his own rejection stopped him. His fingers pulled back before they could touch her.
Even that hesitation made Nadine¡¯s eyes sh with hope.
But before she could move closer, a thunderous crash split the room.
The hotel door shook hard as Abel¡¯s leg mmed into it, the frame rattling from the force of the blow.
Beside him, Tess narrowed her brows.
¡°Who¡¯s out there? What are you trying to pull?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice erupted from inside, raw with fury and panic.
Abel grinned, his mouth curved in mischief as he threw Tess a yful wink. He dropped his voice low and gravelly.
¡°Ma¡¯am, please open up. This suite seems to have a serious fault with the facilities.¡±
¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong. You can check when I leave!¡±
14:34 Tue, Oct 21
Chapter 356 Nadine¡¯s Move
Nadine¡¯s words cracked sharp, filled with irritation, her focus still locked on Finn.
¡°Stop standing there! Go away already!¡±
Her impatience dripped from every syble.
A
+10 Fram Coins
Tess narrowed her eyes and raised her knuckles, rapping firmly against the door. Her tone dropped calm and steady, though softer than Abel¡¯s. ¡°Ma¡¯am, the building is old. The systems here could give out any second. There¡¯s even a risk of fire.¡±
Inside, the movement went quiet.
A few secondster, Nadine yanked the door open, her face twisted with raw frustration.
356 Nadine¡¯s Move
+10 Free Coins
Shame and rage tangled in her chest until she felt herself suffocating on the weight of it.
¡°Fine. I¡¯ll give you that chance. So maybe we should¡.
Her voice dropped, warm and suggestive, as she leaned in and breathed against his ear.
Finn¡¯s gaze blurred further. His normally stone¨Ccold face was warming with a faint red flush.
¡°Bring La back to Evermount Height. I¡¯ll protect you and the child with everything I have.¡±
His eyelids fought against the pull of exhaustion as he tried to hold her eyes, desperate to prove his sincerity.
But the woman in front of him was not Tess.
Nadine¡¯s face twisted darker. Her fists clenched so tight her nails bit into her skin. Bitterness gnawed at her with every second.
She stared at him, fighting the storm in her chest, then yanked the strap of her dress down, baring the smooth curve of her shoulder. ¡°Finn ¡
11
The word slipped out soft, almost pleading. But the instant he heard her, his body jolted. His hand shoved her hard.
Nadine staggered back. Shock spread across her face as she stared at him from a distance.
He still looked drunk, but the air around him turned sharp and cold.
¡°You¡¯re not Tess. Who are you?¡±
His voice came broken and rough, thick with rejection.
Nadine¡¯s rage simmered, but she stretched her lips into a seductive smile. ¡°Finn, I am Tess. I came back.¡±
¡°You¡¯re Nadine.¡±
The name fell heavy from his lips. The room¡¯s warmth vanished, reced by a chill that scraped down Nadine¡¯s spine.
Her smile faltered. Her heart pounded loud against her ribs. ¡°If you can¡¯t see me for who I really am, then I¡¯ll just leave.¡±
Her mind raced as she recalled Tess¡¯s face, manner, and words. She pictured exactly how Tess would speak in this moment and forced herself to mimic it.
14:34 Tue,
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 357
Chapter 357 Stopped
The instant Tess lifted her eyes, Abel¡¯s broad shoulders had already filled the doorway.
His solid arms pressed forward and forced the heavy door wide open. By the time Nadine realized what was happening and rushed to stop him, the chance had already slipped away.
Her re zed with fury as she stared at the two who had barged in without permission. Her eyes glowed red with rage. ¡°Tess?! What the hell are you doing here?¡±
Her voice cracked through the room like a whip. On the bed, Finn froze in ce.
Tess turned her head, her gaze catching his.
He no longer looked clouded or lost. The shock of seeing her seemed to have burned through part of his drunken haze.
Her brows tightened as she tried to read him, but before she could gather her thoughts, Finn moved.
He pushed himself upright. The confusion he had shown Nadine was gone. Instead, it was reced by an unshakable focus as his steps carried him toward Tess.
¡°Tess.¡±
He leaned forward, reaching for her. Abel¡¯s hand shot out and mped down on his shoulder, stopping him cold.
Abel arched one brow, his voice slow and skeptical. ¡°Are you sure thNadine¡¯s mother had been right all along.
D
10 Free Coins
Finn¡¯s heart had never drifted from Tess, not since that night. Now that he knew Tess¡¯s daughter was their own flesh and blood, the truth had hit him with a burning regret. Nadine told herself that if she bore him a child, he would see her the same way.
He would treat her with the same devotion. He would fall for her too. He will. I know he will.
¡°Yes. It¡¯s me.¡±
Nadine¡¯s pulse quickened as her gaze clung to Finn¡¯s lips.
The heat of alcohol rolled off his breath, thick and sharp. It was making her head spin until she almost felt drunk herself.
¡°Finn, I¡¯m Tess. You can do anything you want with me.¡±
Her tone softened with a sweetness meant to charm, yet temptation wound through every word as she locked eyes with him.
¡°Anything I want?¡±
His voice slurred, his body sluggish under the heavy fog of liquor. Every movement dragged slow and uneven.
¡°Yes. Of course.¡±
Nadine copied Tess¡¯s voice, her chest burning as she forced down the sour jealousy that threatened to rise.
For a long moment he was still. Then Finn moved.
Nadine¡¯s eyes
lit with triumph.
His hand snapped up and closed hard around her wrist.
¡°Tess, give me one more chance. Please.¡±
Her body stiffened. Her face darkened as fury gripped her.
Even now, all he wanted was another chance with Tess.
14:34 Tue, Oct 21
Chapter
Chapte
14:34 Tue, Oct 21
Chapter 357 Stopped
10 Free Coins
Nadine let out a sharpugh, brittle and hollow. Her pulse hammered in her throat, but she forced her face into a mask of calm.
She had already gone all in, and there was no turning back now.
Her nails pierced her palms as she curled her fists. She lifted her chin with a bitter smile. ¡°Tess, stay out of this. You divorced him. You walked away from the Embers. You have nothing to do with me or Finn anymore. You can turn around and pretend none of this ever happened.¡±
Her voice hardened with defiance. ¡°And if you keep fighting me, there¡¯s no point in it.¡±
Her hands trembled as she squeezed tighter.
Tess, in contrast, looked steady and unshaken.
¡°Making you miserable is the point. And I do love to see that look on your face.¡±
Her lips curved into a taunting smile, her gaze daring Nadine to snap. Just as Tess expected, Nadine¡¯s eyes red¨Chot and burning with fire.
Abel watched with an amused grin, his eyes gleaming as they lingered on Tess. He didn¡¯t bother to hide the delight tugging at his lips.
Nadine, shaking with fury, snatched up her phone and barked into it.
¡°Hello, reception? Do you see what¡¯s happening right now?¡±
Tess folded her arms and watched her without the slightest rush.
¡°Throw them out! Nobody¡¯s allowed in this room without my permission!¡± Nadine shouted, her voice cracking with rage.
Abel stood in front of Finn, their arms pressing against each other as if silently testing their strength.
Tess gave them a single nce, dismissed their childish disy, and turned her eyes away.
¡°Apologies, Ms. Nadine,¡± the front desk answered politely, their tone crisp and final.
¡°Given who these two are, we have no choice but to honor their request.¡±
Nadine¡¯s face twisted with rage. ¡°You ¡
¡°1
14:34 Tue, Oct 21
Chapter 357 Stopped
The line went dead, the abrupt cut humming in her car.
For a moment she stood frozen, then a harshugh tore from her lips.
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Tess pped her hands together lightly. ¡°So tell me, will you walk out on your own, or do I need someone to carry you out?¡±
Her smile looked sweet, but the icy threat beneath it cut sharp.
Nadine¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. ¡°Tess, do you honestly thinktching onto Finn¡¯s nephew puts you above me?¡±
Her voice hissed with contempt as she red.
Tess brushed a strand of hair from her face, her tone casual. ¡°Then I suppose someone will just have to escort you out.¡±
Before Nadine could move, Abel stepped forward. Even though he hated how close Finn had gotten to Tess, he didn¡¯t hesitate. He grabbed Nadine by the cor and dragged her out with the ease of a hawk clutching prey.
There was no mercy in his grip.
Nadine hit the hallway floor with a heavy crash, her body twisting against the carpet.
The door mmed behind her with a sharp crack that echoed like thunder.
For a stunned moment, she only stared at the closed door. Then the realization struck, and she shot up, pounding her fists against it. ¡°Tess! You lunatic! Let me in right now! This is my suite, you have no right to lock me out!¡±
Her shouts rattled the hall, but the walls muted most of her noise. Only the dull thud of her fists seeped through, faint and harmless.
Inside, Tess turned her gaze away from the door. Just seconds ago, Finn had tried to wrap his arms around her, but Abel was quick and shoved him back onto the bed.
She nced at him. He was drowning in drink, his body melting into the sheets like dead weight.
Abel dusted his palms together.
Not my fault you got so wasted, Uncle Finn.
¡°But Tess,¡± Abel said, his voice low and edged with something sharp, ¡°you¡¯re already divorced
14:34 Tue, Oct 21
Chapter 357 Stopped
:
from him. Why do you even care what happens to him?¡±
He didn¡¯t even notice how jealousy crept into his tone.
Tess gave him a strange look. ¡°Well, he is your uncle, is he not?¡±
At that, Abel¡¯s mouth curved into an amused smile.
¡°So what you¡¯re telling me is, you only stepped in to save him because of me?¡±
He leaned closer, mischief sparking in his eyes, his breath teasing against her ear.
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But the moment didn¡¯tst. Tess pressed her palm against his cheek and pushed his face away.
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Keepsake 358
Chapter 358 Prepare to Leave
¡°You are overthinking it,¡± Tess said evenly.
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She offered no more exnation. She stepped forward and slipped her hand into Finn¡¯s suit jacket. Her fingers closed around his phone, pulling it out with ease. She scrolled quickly, preparing to call Zane.
There was no lock screen. The phone opened without resistance.
Tess froze when her eyes fell on the wallpaper.
Her expression shifted instantly.
It was her.
Her lips twitched as she stared at the image. The heat in her chest drained away, leaving only an icy emptiness.
She could not remember when the photo had been taken.
Her mouth pressed into a hard line. She could not name the emotion twisting inside her.
When she had loved him with everything she had, he had ignored her as though she were invisible. He had brushed her off with casual disregard.
Now, after the divorce, he chased her with desperate devotion, as if he could not live without her.
All she could do was let out a bitterugh.
Men.
¡°What is it?¡± Abel leaned closer, noticing her sudden pause, only to be pushed back by Tess.
Abel¡¯s face was painted with frustration, the familiar expression of grievance climbing back onto his young features.
Tess almost smiled at the pitiful scene. Her spirits lightened, and she teased softly, ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡±
She ignored the pinned chat at the top of Finn¡¯s messages and scrolled down to Zane¡¯s.
The call connected immediately. ¡°Mr. Lock¡ª¡±
Chapter 358 Prepare to Leave
¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Tess interrupted, her voice firm.
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The voice on the other end froze, disbelief crackling through every word. ¡°Mrs. Lock?¡±
Zane¡¯s confusion was obvious.
But Mr. Lock¡¯s supposed to be meeting up with Ms. Nadine? So why does his ex¨Cwife have his phone?
¡°Your boss is drunk,¡± Tess said calmly. ¡°He is at the Royal Hotel. Come pick him up.¡±
She sent the location with a swift tap, slipped the phone back into Finn¡¯s pocket, and stepped away without hesitation.
Abel immediately clung to her side, persistent as ever.
Tess, unbothered, sidestepped and moved toward the door. However, she came to a stop at the threshold.
Her head tilted slightly.
¡°Do you want to stay?¡±
Abel reacted instantly, darting into the hall with sudden determination. ¡°Uncle Finn can handle himself.¡±
Tess raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
The moment she opened the door, chaos erupted.
¡°What are you doing?!¡±
Nadine¡¯s scream ripped through the corridor, sharp and frantic.
Tess followed the sound.
At the far end, Nadine struggled against a group of hotel security guards holding her in ce.
Zane was already moving quickly toward them.
He had been nearby, so he arrived in seconds.
¡°Zane, what the hell is this?¡± Nadine shouted, her eyes zing.
Zane inclined his head, but the polite smile he usually wore was gone.
2/
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Chapter 358 Prepare to Leave
???
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His tone was cold and hard. ¡°Ms. Nadine, you got Mr. Lock drunk and never contacted me. Instead, you brought him here on your own. Your actions have called your intentions with my employer into question. As a result, we will be pursuing legal measures against you.¡±
His words cut through the corridor like steel. Then he spotted Tess approaching, Abel close at
her side.
The rigid lines of his face softened immediately. He bowed deeply. ¡°Mrs.-¡±
Tess lifted her hand to stop him. ¡°I am no longer married to him. Just call me Tess.¡±
Zane froze, then swallowed hard and nodded. ¡°Thank you for your help, Ms. Tess. I speak on behalf of Mr. Lock.¡±
¡°Of course,¡± Tess replied quietly.
She gave him a small gesture, signaling him to clear the way.
Zane got the meaning instantly. He waved the guards aside and pushed Nadine gently but firmly out of the path.
Nadine fought back. She twisted violently as she tried to lunge at Tess, her face flushed with humiliation.
She could not believe that she was being treated like a criminal while Tess was treated with
respect.
Her teeth bit into her lip, nearly drawing blood. Panic churned inside her chest.
Her n had failedpletely. There would be no chance to get close to Finn again.
And judging by Zane¡¯s expression, Lock Group would not overlook this. If rumors spread that she tried to seduce Finn, she would lose everything. She would never marry him, and her reputation would be ruined.
Her face drained of color.
A sharp crack echoed through the hall.
The pnded with absolute rity, silencing the corridor instantly.
Nadine froze, her hand pressed against her burning cheek, eyes wide and vacant as if her mind had stopped.
Tess smiled coldly, merciless. ¡°Nadine, did you really think Aetheris was your personal
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Chapter 358 Prepare to Leave
yground?¡±
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Her eyes swept over Nadine with pure disdain. She grabbed Abel¡¯s arm and left without another word.
Their figures disappeared down the hall, leaving Nadine in stunned silence. Only after Tess was gone did Nadine snap. She lunged and screamed like a wild animal, straining against the guards who held her fast.
¡°Tess! You filthy bitch! This is all your fault!¡±
Her voice broke into hoarse shrieks. Zane¡¯s brow furrowed at her hysteria. ¡°Shut her up take her away.¡±
and
A guard shoved a handkerchief into her mouth, turning her curses into muffled sobs. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled helplessly.
Only after Nadine was dragged off did Zane head toward Finn¡¯s room.
He opened the door to find Finn sitting upright on the bed, drawn by the noise.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± Zane said quietly, bowing his head.
His eyes flicked over the rumpled sheets, taking in the disarray.
4/
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Keepsake 359
Chapter 359 Unbelievable
Chapter 359 Unbelievable
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Nadine hadpletely lost her mind. The audacity of her, trying to force herself on Finn.
Even thinking about it made Zane¡¯s scalp prickle and his stomach tighten. He could not believe anyone would be so reckless, so bold, as to actually try it.
Finn stood up and pressed his hand to his suit jacket. A frown furrowed his brows as he tossed the jacket onto the bed.
¡°Get me another room close by. And tell someone to get me a fresh set of clothes immediately.¡±
His voice was low andmanding, and his eyes were deep and dark. The drunk, out¨Cof¨Cit look he had worn before waspletely gone.
Finn narrowed his eyes and nced at the door.
The hallway was empty now. The shadows and movements that had been tangled there moments ago were gone.
Memories of what had just happened made his hands clench into fists.
He could handle his alcohol, and a few bottles from Nadine would never make him lose control. From the very beginning, her invitation had seemed strange, but he never imagined she would try something so shameless and vile.
He had agreed to attend the gathering to see if he could get her to talk about what happened a year ago.
But before he could act, Tess showed up.
Thinking about her made him wonder if he had even been drunk.
The moment she showed up, he felt more than surprise¨Che felt a pull in his chest, a flutter that made his heart race.
He had not expected her toe.
The moment she showed up, all his thoughts scattered. Every part of him screamed to move
closer to her.
He lowered hisshes, and his chest shook slightly with tension.
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Chapter 359 Unbelievable
:
¡°Mr. Lock, what should we do with Nadine now?¡±
Zane set down the phone he had been told to call and bowed respectfully to Finn.
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Finn remembered everything that had happened just moments before. He narrowed his eyes, and a sharp, chilling light shed across his gaze¨Ccold and dangerous.
He still could not understand why Nadine had invited him to that gathering. He had never imagined she would n something so twisted.
The ridiculous image of what had happened reyed in his mind.
Nadine copying Tess made his skin crawl. Though born to different mothers, they bore some resemnce. Their eyes, especially, looked nearly identical. Tess¡¯s eyes were icy now, but Nadine¡¯s always carried a hint of vanity and greed.
He had been drunk, yes, but he was far more aware than she realized. He remembered everything that happened in the hotel. Yet when he looked into Nadine¡¯s eyes, the small spark of desire in his mind pushed him down a path that he should never have taken. For a moment, the two of them seemed to ovep.
He knew clearly that the person in front of him was not Tess. Everything that happened afterward was only a half¨Creal, half¨Cacted scene.
¡°Release the footage.¡±
Finn raised his eyes and locked onto a faint, glowing speck in the ceiling.
His mind was a tangle of restless thoughts. He clenched his fists tightly.
Tess, why can¡¯t you just trust me? I have changed. I will protect you and La. I will do everything I can to keep you safe.
Zane hesitated, uncertainty written clearly on his face.
¡°Mr. Lock, this ¡ this might have caught you as well¡¡®
¡°Release it.¡±
¡°1
Finn¡¯s voice was cold, deep, and unyielding, each word dropping like a weight that could not be lifted or challenged.
Zane froze in ce, then nodded stiffly. ¡°Yes.¡±
Finn pressed his fingers to his brow and exhaled slowly. ¡°You can go. Tell the guy to knock and
14:34 Tue, Oct 21
Chapter 359 Unbelievable
leave the clothes outside when he arrives.¡±
His voice loosened, drifting like vapor ready to vanish at any
second.
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Zane felt the unusual tension radiating from him. This time he did not hesitate. He obeyed quietly and closed the door with careful movements.
The room fell silent, leaving Finn alone. He stood upright for a moment, then it felt as if every ounce of strength had been drained from him. His feet glided lightly across the soft carpet, barely touching it, as if he were floating.
After a long pause, a thin curl of smoke rose near the window.
Shadows softened the sharp lines of his handsome face, leaving only a heavy, silent loneliness wrapped tightly around him.
Meanwhile, Abel and Tess had just stepped out of the building when someone blocked their path.
A crowd had gathered outside, murmuring and pressing close. These people had not leave since the beginning of themotion.
Tess quickly realized what had happened. Nadine being taken away had caused a stir.
She had not expected Zane to disregard Nadine¡¯s pride. The action surprised her, though only slightly.
Tess raised one eyebrow and nced down at the hand gripping hers tightly.
Shannon¡¯s face was pale. He stared at Tess without blinking. ¡°Wait, what are you doing here? I thought you¡¯d left the restaurant! Are you behind all of this?¡±
Henry¡¯s face darkened. Seeing Nadine being led toward the police car stunned the nearby pedestrians. For a family this influential, it was a scandal of the highest order.
As Nadine struggled, she pleaded with her parents, tears streaming uncontrobly. Tess¡¯s name came out of Nadine¡¯s lips like a hiss, venom dripping from her tone,
¡°What did you do to your sister?!¡±
Henry¡¯s voice roared from deep in his chest. His usually smooth and polite face twisted, nearly breaking.
He gripped Tess¡¯s wrist tightly, leaving a red mark almost immediately.
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Chapter 359 Unbelievable
200
Tess, however, did not react. Her expression remained calm, almost indifferent, with a faint. teasing smile tugging at her lips. The expression carried a quiet challenge¨Cdaring anyone to
test her.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 360
Chapter 360 Who Are You Threatening
¡°Kylie didn¡¯t give me a little sister.¡±
She shrugged, ignoring what Henry and Shannon said.
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Her reaction only made the two of them burn with anger. Even Shannon¡¯s fake gentleness slipped away.
¡°Tess, I don¡¯t care what you did, but you¡¯d better bring Nadine back to me!¡±
One of her hands mped hard around Tess¡¯s wrist, while the other clung nervously to Henry.
Tess¡¯s patience snapped. Her cold, disgusted gaze fell on Shannon¡¯s hand.
¡°Let go.¡±
Her voice was t, but it carried the chill of ice under ake¨Ccalm on the surface, sharp underneath.
Henry ignored her and lifted his chin. ¡°You¡¯re going to the station to bail Nadine out. Then you¡¯re going to make a public statement saying she was arrested because of you.¡±
His tone turned cruel. ¡°Otherwise, that shiny newpany of yours won¡¯t survive in Aetheris.¡±
His words were full of menace, meant to crush her.
Tess suddenly let out augh, short and sharp, like she¡¯d just heard the world¡¯s funniest joke.
Henry¡¯s face darkened. He opened his mouth to scold her but then froze. A cold pressure pressed into the side of his neck.
A hand appeared out of nowhere, a silk cloth wrapped around it, gripping his throat tightly.
¡°Who are you threatening?¡±
The man¡¯s voice was icy, and it rose at the end, mocking. The low, rich sound didn¡¯t make him seem yful¨Cit made the air turn terrifying.
Henry¡¯s whole body stiffened. He slowly turned his head.
Abel was standing right behind him, almost six¨Cfoot¨Cthree, leaning down just enough to look down on him. His expression was a half¨Csmile that made Henry¡¯s stomach sink.
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Chapter 360 Who Are You Threatening
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Why is Abel still here? They had checked carefully¨CTess had been alone when they came.
¡°Were you talking about me?¡± Tess asked with a smile.
Then, while Shannon froze in surprise, Tess grabbed one of her fingers and twisted it back.
The pain hit hard and fast. Shannon cried out and let go immediately.
Tess slipped free with ease, then locked eyes with Abel.
¡°Here¡¯s the cake.¡±
He winked at her, then held out a neatly wrapped slice of raspberry ck forest cake.
Before leaving earlier, he had decided to pack it for her. He hadn¡¯t expected Henry and Shannon to use that short window to corner her.
A sharp look shed in Abel¡¯s eyes, but when he looked at Tess again, his face softened into a teasing smile. His voice was light, yful, with just a hint of flirtation.
Tess shot him a re.
Abel straightened reluctantly, his expression turning serious again.
¡°I¡¯m guessing Nadine¡¯s mess is something you, the homewrecker, taught her?¡±
He stroked his chin, his tone full of disdain.
Henry and Shannon both froze, then their faces went ck with fury.
Shannon leaned weakly into Henry¡¯s arms, biting her lip like she wanted to speak but stopped herself. That silent act said more than words.
¡°Mr. Shaw,¡± Henry barked, ¡°out of respect for you being Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew, I¡¯ve always treated you politely. So why are you insulting my woman?¡±
Shannon¡¯s lips curled, though she still acted soft and forgiving. She tugged on Henry¡¯s arm and whispered, ¡°Henry, he¡¯s Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew. Don¡¯t stir up trouble because of me. It¡¯s not worth it. I can swallow a little grievance.¡±
Henry squeezed her hand. ¡°Shannon, you¡¯ve suffered enough with me already. And don¡¯t forget, Nadine is supposed to marry Finn one day. That makes Abel her nephew, too. How can a junior be this disrespectful to his elders?¡±
They kept their voices low, but Tess heard most of it.
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Chapter 360 Who Are You Threatening
She couldn¡¯t hide the mocking smile in her eyes.
& G
Really? Nadine is already hauled away by the cops, and they are still dreaming about her marrying Finn?
¡°Well, let me do you a favor and tell you the truth,¡± Tess said lightly. ¡°Nadine didn¡¯t seed. In fact, Finn¡¯s assistant, Zane, personally had security throw her out. I don¡¯t know the rest, but Lock Group might be preparing to go after her for this.¡±
Leaving those words hanging in the air, Tess climbed into Abel¡¯s Rolls¨CRoyce Phantom.
The engine roared to life, making bystanders jump. People who had started to walk away stopped again, covering their mouths in shock at the sight.
Henry and Shannon didn¡¯t chase her. Tess¡¯s words were still echoing in their heads.
Nadine failed? And Lock Group might after her?
Shannon¡¯s heartbeat raced. She didn¡¯t want to believe it. From what she knew about men, maybe Tess caught Finn¡¯s eye more, but no man ever turned away from a woman who threw herself at him. Nadine should still have a chance.
¡°Let¡¯s go to the station first,¡± Henry said darkly. ¡°The longer Nadine stays there, the more Ember Group suffers.¡±
He decided without hesitation.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 365
Chapter 365 Woken Up
Henry didn¡¯t know how to answer.
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Nadine was being held at the police station, but there was no way he could tell Kylie that.
Pretending to be busy, Henry flipped through the folder in his hands. ¡°Kylie, Nadine¡¯s already an adult. You have to give her some personal space. I¡¯m swamped right now, let¡¯s talkter.¡±
¡°Hen¡
Beep, beep.
The call cut off. Kylie didn¡¯t move. Her arm slipped down as she set her phone aside.
If she guessed right, Shannon was probably with Henry at this very moment.
Kylie gave a coldugh. She wiped away her tears, and what remained in her eyes was nothing
but hate.
She stood up and followed the address from the anonymous email, heading straight for the Aetheris police station.
She had no idea who sent that email or why. But she was grateful.
Those videos and recordings had stopped her from being kept in the dark like some clueless fool.
Forcing down her grief and anger, Kylie called for a driver.
By evening, the car pulled up at the station.
Kylie showed her ID. While speaking with the warden, she caught the strange looks on a few patrol officers¡® faces.
Her fingers curled tight. She bit her lip and ignored them.
¡°This way, madam.¡±
The warden didn¡¯t treat her like Henry and Shannon, who had to speak to Nadine through thick soundproof ss. Instead, he personally led Kylie straight inside to Nadine¡¯s cell.
The ce had been quiet until the sound of heels stopped at the door. Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up. She rushed forward, pressing against the bars. ¡°Mom! You came! Did you find a way to get me out?¡±
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Chapter 365 Woken Up
Her voice shook with excitement. But when she saw who it really was, her smile faltered.
It wasn¡¯t Shannon. It was Kylic.
Her grin stiffened. ¡°Mom
Mom? Why are you here? How did you even know I was in here?¡±
Kylie¡¯s face showed almost no emotion. Her lips curved into a small, forced smile.
¡°Nadine, weren¡¯t you just calling for me?¡±
Nadine froze. She hadn¡¯t expected Kylie to ask that.
She looked up, panicked, meeting Kylie¡¯s frowning gaze.
¡°I was calling you,¡± Nadine rushed out. ¡°Who else would I call? You¡¯re my only mom.¡±
Kylie didn¡¯t reply. Her eyes swept over Nadine.
Nadine¡¯s whole body tensed. Something about Kylie felt different. Her eyes especially. They used to be so clear ¡ almost naive. But now they were sharp, as if she had finally woken up.
¡°Mom, did Dad tell you I was here? I told him not to say anything.¡± Nadine tried to change the subject, her smile looking painfully fake.
¡°Nadine, what are you doing in the Aetheris Prison?¡±
Kylie already knew, but she asked anyway. Nadine¡¯s face shifted. She opened her mouth, then shut it again.
¡°I ¡ I ¡
Her little act fell t. Kylie was still staring at her with that half¨Csmile, and Nadine¡¯s heart began to pound.
Why does she look so different today? Did she find out something?
The thought made Nadine¡¯s chest tighten.
But then Kylie¡¯s lips curved into a gentle smile, her eyes narrowing kindly, almost motherly.
¡°Mom, now¡¯s not the time for this. Can you just get me out of here?¡± Nadine jumped at the chance.
Kylie was a Larson, and the Larsons were one of the most famous families in Kingnd. Henry and Shannon had to meet Nadine through the ss, but Kylie was allowed straight into the cell
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Chapter 365 Woken Up
block.
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People said even when someone from a great family fell from power, their name still carried weight. Kylie had already stepped away from the Larsons, but strangers still gave her respect.
¡°No.¡±
Kylie shook her head.
Nadine¡¯s heart cracked.
Her legs went weak, and she copsed back onto the cold iron bed. Curling into herself, she whispered, ¡°Just go.¡±
Kylie stared through the small window in the door, her eyes like ice.
So the child she had raised all these years was actually Shannon¡¯s daughter.
Her fingertips trembled, but she forced them down.
The sound of her heels faded into the distance. Nadine lifted her head, but instead of relief, dread filled her chest.
She stared at the empty window, pressing her hand to her chest where her heart was pounding so fast it scared her.
She bit down hard on her lip. Henry had promised he¡¯d find a way to help. But it had already been two days.
She didn¡¯t know how much longer she couldst.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 366
Chapter 366 Death Notice
¡°Warden! Hasn¡¯t my dad posted bail for me yet?¡±
Nadine clung to the bars, trying to lean out as far as she could.
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The iron door was heavy, and the rust on it gave off a rotten stench that made her head throb..
Her mind felt tight, but she still shouted at Leopold with all her strength.
This time, Leopold didn¡¯t sneer at her like usual or brush her off. His face was calm, almost like he was delivering a death notice that had nothing to do with him. ¡°The Embers won¡¯t be posting your bail.¡±
His voice faded along with his footsteps, leaving silence in their wake.
Nadine froze.
What did he mean, the Embers won¡¯t be posting my bail?
She was Henry¡¯s daughter. How could Henry note for her? She was still so young¨Cif she stayed locked up without bail, she¡¯d end up with a criminal record.
Panic wed at her chest. But she couldn¡¯t reach Henry, so all she could do was wait helplessly in her cell.
¡°Warden.¡±
A man stepped forward respectfully, handing the ¡°warden¡± a folder.
The ¡°warden¡± paused, then took it without a word.
At the far end of the hall, the warden¡¯s cold gaze slid toward Nadine¡¯s cell, where her screams rattled the walls.
She lifted her chin. From under the brim of her cap, her sharp eyes gleamed.
Tess adjusted her gloves and pressed the cap lower, hiding her delicate face back into shadow. Abel, however, couldn¡¯t look away. His eyes lit up at the sight of Tess in her uniform. Her waist looked even slimmer, cinched in by the duty belt.
He blinked, forcing himself back to reality, but his smile still lingered as he stared at her.
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Chapter 366 Death Notice
¡°So¡ role¨Cying as a cop, huh?¡±
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When Nadine was out of sight, Abel leaned close, bumping her shoulder with a teasing grin.
A pale hand shot out and twisted his car.
¡°Hey! Tess!¡±
Red rushed up his neck. Abel covered his face, sneaking a nce around to make sure no one
saw.
Luckily, the station was unusually quiet tonight. They¡¯d made sure of it beforeing.
Abel pouted, still leaning against her. He muttered, ¡°If anyone saw that, my reputation would be ruined.¡±
Tess smiled faintly. ¡°I could call them in.¡±
Abel straightened at once. ¡°No need for that.¡±
Her lips twitched at his sudden serious act, though she quickly forced them down.
She cleared her throat, putting her stern warden mask back on. ¡°Let¡¯s get to the interrogation room.¡±
Abel didn¡¯t argue. He strode ahead with his long legs, but paused now and then to let her catch - up.
He even made sure Tess walked in first. But just as he was about to follow, he stopped for a second.
His gaze flicked to a corner of the ceiling.
Making sure Tess couldn¡¯t see, the yful light in his eyes vanished. They sharpened, cold and challenging.
He raised a brow toward the hidden camera, then stepped inside with a faint, unreadable smirk.
At that same moment, Finn sat in the CEO¡¯s office of Lock Tower, eyes locked on the live feed. His fingers tightened against the desk.
Abel¡
¡°Mr. Lock, about Mr. Shaw ¡ ¡± Zane asked carefully.
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Chapter 366 Death Notice
Finn¡¯s face darkened. He pressed his lips tight, saying nothing.
But the air in the office dropped several degrees. It had been that way ever since the feed first appeared on Finn¡¯s screen.
Zane shrank into his cor.
Damn. Ever since he realized how he feels about Mrs. Lock, he¡¯s been acting like some silent guardian.
When Tess had reached out to the Aetheris police station, Finn had only told Leopold one thing over the phone. ¡°Do everything exactly the way she wants.¡±
Otherwise, Abel¡¯s status in Kingnd meant nothing here in Aetheris. He had no real power in this city. Tess alone could never have swayed the high¨Cups.
Zane forced down his thoughts and focused back on the screen.
¡°Ms. Tess, this came from Lock Group. It¡¯s an order requiring Nadine to be held for three months.¡±
Leopold handed Tess the document with deep respect.
Her brows arched in surprise.
Nadine¡¯s stunt had been disgraceful, sure, but it was only an attempt. Three months behind bars was extreme, no matter how you looked at it.
¡°What about the Embers? Have they made a move?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t overthink it. She simply assumed Finn was furious. And in that sense ¡ it made perfect sense.
14:01 Wed, Oct 22
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 367
Chapter 367 The Net Tightens
Leopold looked confused when he heard the name.
He scratched his head. ¡°Ember Group?¡±
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The interrogation room went silent for a long moment. Finally, Leopold shook his head. ¡°No word about Ember Group around here.¡±
Tess gave a faint smile.
So, Henry really had abandoned Nadine.
For someone as selfish as him, it wasn¡¯t surprising.
Still, she wondered¨Cwhat would Nadine feel when she realized everything she had been waiting for was nothing but a lie?
Ring! Ring!
Both Tess and Abel¡¯s phones buzzed at the same time.
Tess opened hers and saw another flood of breaking news alerts.
Abelzily swiped open his news app to check.
¡°#Henry_Ember_Exposed¡±
¡°#Shannon_Bolton_Back_From_Dead¡±
¡°#Nadine_Ember_Detained_For_Three_Months¡±
¡°#Henry_Ember_Ilegitimate_Son¡±
The hashtags shot straight to the top of the trending list. Almost every headline tied to the Embers was climbing fast.
Tess smirked.
The trap had finally closed.
Abel seemed to understand her n without a word. He just stood beside her, a faint smile in his eyes.
(
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Chapter 367 The Net Tightens
*10 Free Coins
The man¡¯s tall figure stood under the harsh light of the interrogation room, casting a shadow that covered Tess¡¯s slender frame. It was as if his presence wrapped around her, bing a mountain she could lean on, reminding her she wasn¡¯t alone.
Thement sections under the news articles kept exploding with new posts.
Tess scrolled through a few. The sarcasm online was sharp enough to cut.
[Henry really is something¨Cfreeloading his wife and betrayed her. How can anyone be that shameless?]
[Shannon¡¯s no better. Pulling off a fake¨Cdeath stunt like that?]
[Kylie isn¡¯t innocent. After all these scandals, the only one I feel sorry for is Tess.]
Tess paused at thatstment, her chest stirring with emotions she hadn¡¯t expected.
It was true. From the moment Nadine entered her childhood home and turned her life upside down, to the years she suffered after marrying Finn only to end up in prison¨Cher path had been nothing but painful.
But now, she was no longer that same girl.
Hershes lowered, hiding her thoughts.
Abel, sharp as ever, noticed the shift in her mood. His gaze softened, holding a rare hint of worry for someone who usually lived carefree.
After a long silence, Tess steadied herself and rose. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got work to do.¡±
Abel followed right behind her.
The moment they stepped out of the detention center, Tess¡¯s phone rang again. It was Lyra, her voice calm but edged with urgency.
¡°Tess, check your email. Henry¡¯s dumping hispany shares. I also found out he used Ember Group¡¯s name¡ªand Kylie¡¯s identity¡ªto take out massive loans!¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes slightly. Her face stayed calm.
None of this surprised her. After all, she¡¯d seen iting.
Henry¡¯s scandal had blown up. Even if he held onto his position as chairman of Ember Group,
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Chapter 367 The Net Tightens
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the shame alone would drown him. If he didn¡¯t step down soon, thepany would copse. Henry was selfish to the core. At a critical moment like this, he would do everything to grab more profit for himself. But Tess never expected him to go so low¨Ctrying to dump massive debt onto Kylie.
The thought pressed on Tess¡¯s chest like a heavy stone.
She lifted her eyes to the horizon. The sky was glowing with streaks of red and gold, but the light was already being swallowed by the rising night.
Tess nced sideways at Abel. ¡°Keep someone on Kylic. Watch what she¡¯s up to.¡±
When she sent an anonymous email to Kylie, she guessed Kylie woulde to the Aetheris police station to see Nadine. Maybe she wanted to check if the ¡°truth¡± in that email was real. That¡¯s why Tess and Abel arrived ahead of her.
She was curious.
Rumors about her family had already been spreading online. Yet Kylie stayed quiet. Was it because Henry and Nadine did a good job keeping her in the dark? Or was Kylie lying to herself?
Tess pulled back her gaze and climbed into the car.
Meanwhile, inside the Ember Residence-
Henry sat in his study, his face dark with anger.
¡°Mr. Ember, are these all the items you want to put up for auction? Including this vi under your feet?¡±
The auction staff, wearing spotless white gloves, carefully inspected the piles of valuables stacked high on the desk.
The list included several of Henry¡¯s houses, along with countless pieces of jewelry owned by Kylie and Nadine.
Henry clutched the bank card in his pocket. On it was all the money he had left¨Cwhat he scraped together by selling his Ember Group shares at rock¨Cbottom prices. At first, because of Tess¡¯s deliberate smear campaign, no one wanted to buy. But just moments ago, a mysterious investor had suddenly swept in and bought every single share he had.
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Keepsake 368
Chapter 368 The Hidden Wedding Dress
¡°No, no, no need for an auction. I¡¯ll sell at the lowest price, as long as you pay quickly
Henry suddenly changed his tone, as if he had just thought of something.
At once, the inspectors¡® eyes lit up. Their smiles grew wider. ¡°Of course, Mr. Ember¡±
Henry finally let out a sigh of relief. The tension in his body cased.
If he sold everything, he could take his family overseas. Even if he lost the title of Ember Group¡¯s chairman, he would still live wealthy for the rest of his life. And in another country, he could start fresh.
Thinking about this, Henry straightened his back. A touch of elegance returned to his posture, the same confidence he had once carried as a man of high society.
¡°Come with me. There¡¯s one more thing I need you to look at.¡±
He stood up and led the inspectors upstairs to the top floor.
The moment they stepped inside, a heavy smell of dust and mold filled the air. The space was empty except for an old wooden cab. Its in look made it oddly intriguing.
¡°What¡¯s this¡
The lead female inspector walked closer. She ran her eyes over the wood grain. When she saw it was nothing but ordinary wood, her interest faded.
¡°Mr. Ember, this is just a regr cab. You could get one exactly like it from any furniture factory. It has no real value.¡± She shook her head.
She shook her head.
Henry only smiled faintly, a secretive glint in his eyes.
¡°It¡¯s not the cab I want you to see. It¡¯s what¡¯s inside.¡±
With that, he opened the door.
A sh of pure white appeared before them.
The three inspectors froze, stunned by the sight.
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Chapter 368 The Hidden Wedding Dress
It was a wedding dress, dazzling and wless. Even stored in a in old cab, its beauty and holiness shone through.
¡°This¡¡±
The female inspector hurried forward, putting on fresh white gloves before daring to touch it.
Her eyes sparkled as she quickly called for theirpany¡¯s top jewelry appraiser.
They pulled out magnifying sses and examined every inch of fabric. Their voices trembled with excitement. ¡°Even at a nce, I can tell this isn¡¯t just decorated with diamond chips. These are real diamonds. Many of them look close to one carat each. There must be hundreds -maybe thousands¨Csewn into this gown.¡±
Henry watched their shock with pride glowing in his eyes. Excitement surged through him, though he forced himself to stay calm.
He cleared his throat lightly. ¡°So how much do you think this wedding dress is worth?¡±
At those words, all the inspectors straightened up. Their faces turned serious. ¡°Mr. Ember, this wedding dress is a rare treasure. If it goes to an auction house, it will cause a huge stir. We can¡¯t give you a perfect quote right now, but without even factoring in the craftsmanship or the designer, just the fabric and jewels alone make it worth no less than 300 million.¡±
The number hit Henry like a hammer. Even his calm fa?ade nearly cracked.
300 million-at least.
His greedy eyes slid over the wless white gown. A thought crept into his mind.
If a single wedding dress could fetch this kind of money, how much power did the Larsons really have?
Henry¡¯s heart pounded hard, his chest trembling with every beat.
His fingers clenched tight as his eyes stayed locked on the wedding dress, unable to look away.
Was everything he had done really the right choice?
Doubt began to slip in.
That gown had been sent by the Larsons when he married Kylie.
She was their only daughter. Butter, Kylie had cut ties with thempletely because of him.
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Chapter 368 The Hidden Wedding Dress
Back then, he was still young. Sure, he had pursued Kylic for her family¡¯s wealth and identity, but he also carried a grudge against the Larsons for how they treated him.
In the end, he and Kylie only rushed down to city hall and signed the papers. They never even held a real wedding, which was why the dress had stayed locked away upstairs all these years.
This vi itself had been part of the Larsons¡® settlement when they cut him off. Kylie never knew that. Henry had long since changed all the records into his name, lying to her that he had bought it himself when he came to Aetheris to start fresh.
¡°I¡¯ll give you more time for the appraisal,¡± Henry said, his face tightening. ¡°But this wedding dress must stay secret. No one can know about it.¡±
Henry pulled himself out of his memories, his face tightening.
The inspectors had already realized the gown¡¯s value. They also knew the Embers never could have owned something like this on their own. Its origin clearly needed digging into.
They grew serious, nodding again and again, promising to keep it quiet¨Cthough they warned Henry not to pass it on to another dealer.
Once they left, Henry pulled out his phone and called. ¡°Kylie,¡± he said, his voice low, ¡°put the coffee down. I need to talk to you.¡±
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Chapter 369 Henry Spun New Lies
The other end of the line was silent.
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At this hour, Kylic usually chose a quiet, upscale caf¨¦ where she could sip coffee and listen to piano music. Even in the calmest ces, though, there were always faint clinks of sses and low voices drifting around.
Henry felt uneasy for no reason. ¡°Kylie, are you at a caf¨¦?¡±
But Kylie was sitting in her car. She watched men in white gloves carry a massive safe out of the house. Her eyes flickered with a mix of shock and pain.
¡°Henry, who are those people in our house?¡±
She tried to stay calm, but a quiver still slipped through her voice.
If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, one of them was holding the haute couture wedding gown she had never been able to bring herself to wear.
Henry¡¯s heart sank. He forced augh into the phone. ¡°Kylie, thepany¡¯s in serious trouble. We needed arge amount of cash fast, so I sold off some luxury items at home. I¡¯m turning them into working capital to keep us afloat. You don¡¯t want to see Ember Group copse after all the years we poured into it, do you?¡±
He softened his tone, coaxing her.
But Kylie only felt the sting of mockery.
¡°Really? So that¡¯s your excuse.¡±
She opened the car door. At the same time, Henry rushed up, breathing hard as if he had run all the way.
¡°Kylie, you should¡¯ve told me you were at the door. I¡¯d havee to meet you.¡±
Henry¡¯s forehead was slick with sweat. Maybe it was from running, or maybe it was from guilt.
Kylie noticed and stared a little longer.
The secret pressing on her heart was too heavy. Her fingers clenched tight, and finally she looked straight at him. ¡°Shannon¡ She¡¯s alive, isn¡¯t she?¡±
Henry¡¯s eyes went wide.
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Chapter 369 Henry Spun New Lies
¡°Kylie, where did you hear that rumor?¡±
110 fime Crane
He forced augh, but his smile was still and fake, nothing close to convincing. He reached for her hand, but she yanked it away.
¡°Henry, we¡¯ve been married all these years. I gave up my family¨Cthe people who loved me and spoiled me since I was a child¨Cjust to be with you. And this is how you repay me?!¡±
Her voice rose into a furious cry. At some point, her eyes had already filled with tears.
Henry¡¯s face turned pale as he watched Kylie¡¯s furious expression. ¡°Who told you this?¡± he demanded.
Kylie opened her phone and yed the photos and videos right in front of him. ¡°You told me before it was all fake. Was that a lie too?¡±
She gave a hollowugh, but it only made her look even more heartbroken. ¡°You, Shannon, and Nadine¨Cyou all worked together to trick me. You made me look like a fool!¡±
With trembling hands, Kylie threw the phone to the floor. The screen shattered instantly, splintering Henry and Shannon¡¯s faces into something ugly and twisted.
Henry¡¯s patience had reached its breaking point. But then he remembered the wedding dress locked away upstairs. He took a deep breath, forcing a smile as he looked at her. ¡°Kylie, yes¡ I was wrong. I failed you.¡±
The moment those words left his mouth, Kylie felt her heart sink to the bottom.
She staggered back a few steps, as if all the strength had drained from her.
¡°You admit it?¡±
Her voice was barely more than a whisper, heavy with pain.
Henry grabbed her hand. ¡°Kylie, I¡¯m sorry. Those pictures and videos are real. But listen-¡± He leaned in desperately. ¡°That woman isn¡¯t Shannon. I can have her exin it to you.¡±
Kylie froze, confusion shing across her face.
She nced at the broken screen on the floor.
Even though years had passed, Shannon¡¯s face still lingered in her memory. The moment she saw that woman¡¯s image, it dragged her back to that dreadful stormy night over ten years ago -the night that haunted her dreams again and again.
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Chapter 369 Henry Spun New Lies
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Suddenly, Henry walked over and pleaded, ¡°Kylic, I¡¯ve wronged you. But hear me out¡
He tried to take her hand again.
Kylie stood stiff, too stunned to move.
Since the day she met Henry, he had always carried himself with pride, even when he was poor. That confidence was what drew her in, the girl who had always been spoiled and adored. Now, this man was pleading with her.
Her heart wavered, but her face stayed cold, waiting for what he would say next.
¡°She¡¯s not Shannon. Her name is Sacha Goodman. I met her while I was overseas on a business trip. The reason I noticed her in the first ce was because she looked so much like Shannon did ten years ago. But she ¡ she¡¯s skilled at charming and manipting people. Before I realized it, I got involved with her.¡±
Henry lowered his head, his voice dull and heavy.
Kylie blinked, still struggling to process his words.
¡°So what you¡¯re telling me,¡± she whispered, dazed, ¡°is that she¡¯s your lover. You cheated on me, but not with Shannon?¡±
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Chapter 370 A Shattered Trust
Chapter 370 A Shattered Trust
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Henry lifted his head. ¡°Kylie, how could you be so foolish? Shannon has been dead for ten years. You saw her with your eyes¨Cshe was taken to the morgue, then cremated. How could anyonee back from that?¡±
After he spoke, guilt shed across his face. He lowered his head and muttered, ¡°But I know I¡¯ve wronged you, Kylie. I lost myself and fell under the seduction. When you weren¡¯t around, I was lonely, and I made a mistake.¡±
Kylie looked at Henry, who was grabbing her hand and begging for her forgiveness. Her feelings were tangled, impossible to sort out.
When she first saw those photos and videos, she immediately believed it was her best friend, the one who had died so young. Betrayal and anger burned through her. But now, as she calmed down, Henry¡¯s words made sense. That woman was just someone who looked alike. A dead person couldn¡¯t rise again.
Her rage faded. Still, the thought of the man who had once promised her lifelong loyalty having an affair left her sick inside.
Henry noticed the shift in her mood. He let out a breath of relief.
He seized the opportunity and pulled her into his arms.
Kylie pushed him away, her chest tight with unease.
This time Henry didn¡¯t force it. He stayed where he was.
¡°Kylie, I¡¯m sorry. I promise you¨CI¡¯ll cut ties with her right now. From this day forward, no more contact.¡±
He sounded so sure of himself, almost swearing an oath.
Kylie¡¯s anger had faded, but her mind was still spinning.
She stared at Henry, dazed and unsure.
Their eyes locked¨Chis full of pleading, hers clouded with doubt.
She bit her lip. ¡°We need some time apart.¡±
Henry froze for a moment, then quickly nodded. ¡°Alright. As long as you don¡¯t divorce me, we can cool off. You stay in the house, and I¡¯ll stay at the office for a while.¡±
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Chapter 370 A Shattered Trust
Kylie studied him for a long time before turning away. Her silence was as good as agreemen
Henry watched her walk off slowly. The guilt and carchal tone on his face vanished in an
instant.
His gaze dropped to the shattered phone lying on the floor.
He bent down, picked it up, and paused on the anonymous email glowing on the broken screen. His eyes turned cold and sharp.
Who would dare expose him to Kylie and try to ruin his ns?
He gripped the phone so tightly it seemed he could crush the sender along with it.
At the coffee shop.
Tess and Lyra had rented a small private booth.
¡°Do you want me to intercept it?¡±
A sharp¨Clooking woman in ck, her high ponytail swinging behind her, nced at Tess while her fingers flew across the keyboard.
Long, pale fingers wrapped in ck gloves tapped quickly across the keyboard, smooth and sharp to watch.
On the screen, Kylie¡¯s loan records lit up. Tess¡¯s eyes hardened.
She lowered her gaze to the live surveince feed on her wrist monitor, her face serious.
¡°No need,¡± Tess said coldly.
¡°She¡¯s so foolish; just let her stay that way¨Cuntil she¡¯s stripped of everything.¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes slightly, her face showing a cold, almost unfeeling look.
The three people in the booth stayed silent. The woman in ck shut down every page with a single key.
¡°How¡¯s it going, Raven?¡± Lyra asked, handing her a ss of water.
Raven Moreno drained it in one gulp and smiled. ¡°Easy. Just a few clicks.¡±
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Chapter 370 A Shattered Trust
Tess studied her.
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Lyra had introduced Raven as a topputer expert. And since Henry was using Kylie¡¯s identity to pile up loans, Tess wasn¡¯t about to let him walk away free.
Raven set the ss down. She leaned back with her hands behind her head and swung one legzily. ¡°I stole Henry¡¯s identity too. Took out a few hefty loans under his name. No way he¡¯s getting out of the country anytime soon.¡±
She grinned, wicked and pleased with herself.
Lyra raised a brow but didn¡¯t object.
She knew her friend well.
Tess, however, felt a flicker of admiration.
¡°Nice work,¡± she said, patting Raven¡¯s shoulder.
She patted Raven on the shoulder but couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried they¡¯ll track you down for this? And working in this field¨Cit doesn¡¯t seem very safe.¡±
Before Raven could answer, Lyra stood up and exined for her.
¡°Oh, that¡¯s just a hobby of hers. She keeps different identities out there, and her skills are top- notch. None of the things she¡¯s done have ever been cracked.¡±
Lyra gave Raven a yful wink. Raven didn¡¯t deny it¨Cshe only smirked with pride.
Tess nodded slowly, ¡°I see.¡±
Then Lyra suddenly added, ¡°By the way, Tess, don¡¯t you still have that old music score you picked up from your family house? Maybe let her take a look.¡±
Tess froze. Raven leaned in at once, her eyes glowing. The cool, untouchable hacker from a moment ago was gone. Now she looked like a curious kid. ¡°Music score?¡± she asked eagerly.
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Chapter 371 The Hidden Music Score
Chapter 371 The Hidden Music Score
¡°Yes, and it looks like a rare piece of music score,¡±
Lyra spoke with yful exaggeration, instantly catching Raven¡¯s interest.
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She turned to Tess and exined, ¡°Raven is one of the most outstanding young pianists in our country. That sheet music you got carlier¨Cshe might really be able to figure something out.¡±
Tess was taken aback, surprise shing in her eyes.
The secret hacker they knew was actually Crorus¡¯s best pianist.
It felt like something straight out of a novel.
¡°Don¡¯t tter me,¡± Raven said coolly, waving her hand. But she suddenly leaned closer to Tess, eyes full of excitement. ¡°Can I see it?¡±
She had studied piano since childhood and showed incredible talent. She had devoted her life to the instrument and achieved remarkable sess at an age most would still be learning. For her, stumbling across an unpublished music score was like a once¨Cin¨Ca¨Clifetime miracle.
¡°Of course.¡± Tess nodded, noticing her excitement.
She had nned to wait until things settled down before asking an expert to look at the score, but she hadn¡¯t expected Lyra to introduce her to one right away.
With Tess¡¯s agreement, Raven¡¯s eyes lit up. Her icy, untouchable image from earlier vanished, reced with sheer joy.
The three of them quickly piled into Abel¡¯s car and headed straight for Evermount Heights. But the moment they arrived, Tess frowned.
A tall figure stood silently at the front gate, looking like he had been waiting for hours. The stillness around him carried a lonely weight.
Tess recognized him immediately.
Lyra stepped out of the car; her expression changed rapidly before she smoothed it back to calm.
Hearing the click of heels behind him, Finn turned around.
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Chapter 371 The Hidden Music Score
110 five son
His face was tight, handsome as ever. There was a fragile sadness to him now, as if depression had carved it into his features.
The dark shadows under his eyes hadn¡¯t faded in a long time.
Tess looked away, her tone cold. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±
Raven, impatient, snapped, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with blocking the way? If you stop me from getting that music score, I¡¯ll run you over.¡±
Lyra¡¯s eyes went wide in shock. She rushed forward and quickly pped a hand over Raven¡¯s mouth.
Tess couldn¡¯t help ncing at Raven, whose mouth was still covered. The sight almost made herugh, but Finn stood right there, and it killed the moment.
Finn¡¯s eyes shifted to Raven.
Even though Raven had treated him rudely, his face showed no extra emotion.
Tess raised an eyebrow, surprised by Finn¡¯s change.
When Finn looked back at Tess, his gaze lingered too long, greedy, like he wanted to take in every detail of her at once.
He cleared his throat, forcing himself to swallow down the storm of emotions inside.
His voice came out low and melodious but raspy. ¡°Henry is dumping Ember Group stock at bargain prices. He¡¯ll sell to anyone¨Cjust not you.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together. She didn¡¯t answer right away, though doubt flickered in her eyes. ¡°So you came here just to tell me that?¡±
She hadn¡¯t even finished saying, ¡°If that¡¯s all, then leave,¡± before Finn shook his head and handed her something.
It was a document. Bold letters on the front read: Stock Transfer Agreement.
Tess froze. She lifted her eyes, only to meet his dark, unfathomable stare.
¡°I bought it all,¡± Finn said, his voice firm. ¡°I came today to give it to you.¡±
He didn¡¯t look away.
Tess stood still. Her pupils shifted before she finally stepped back.
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Chapter 371 The Hidden Music Score
Finn¡¯s hand reached for nothing.
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The air grew heavy. Lyra, sharp as always, leaned past Raven and rolled the car window up, giving them privacy.
¡°You¡¯ve been buying Ember Group shares for weeks, haven¡¯t you?¡± Tess asked.
Finn kept his lips pressed tight, his eyes locked on her.
¡°We¡¯re divorced, Mr. Lock. What¡¯s the point of this?¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as a de cutting into Finn.
His fingers twitched, but he didn¡¯t pull the papers back.
¡°Consider it to bepensation. I wronged you and La before,¡± Finn said quietly.
Hisshes lowered to hide the storm in his dark eyes, which represented words he could never say out loud.
The truth was, he had spent a fortune buying up Ember Group¡¯s shares. But deep down, the only reason he did it was to see her again.
¡°Well then, I¡¯ll thank you on La¡¯s behalf,¡± Tess replied, her face calm and cold as she took the folder.
The shares were important to her. Since Finn had called itpensation, she had no reason to refuse. After all the pain he had caused, epting his offer hardly seemed unfair.
Her straightforward manner made Finn¡¯s eyes brighten the moment she reached out. He forced himself to steady the rush of hope inside him.
If she was willing to ept, then maybe¨Cjust maybe¨Cit wasn¡¯t toote.
¡°Tess, are you done yet?¡±
Lyra called just in time, tapping the car window to remind her.
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Chapter 372 The Lost Sonata
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Finn¡¯s eyes flickered. He cleared his throat and said, ¡°Since you¡¯re busy, you should go ahead.
He stepped back on his own.
Tess nced at him once, then looked away and got into the car without a word.
The SUV rolled into Evermount Heights, but Finn stayed rooted to the spot.
From a distance, his tall frame gave off a sharp, icy presence that made people¡¯s hearts tighten.
He finally lifted his gaze, staring straight at the car that had already vanished from sight.
His feelings were tangled¨Crestless, heavy, and dim.
Lowering his head, his eyes fell on his fingertips.
Just a moment ago, he had only handed over a file. Their fingers hadn¡¯t even touched. Yet he still rubbed his fingertips slowly, as if clinging to a feeling he couldn¡¯t exin.
Tess hated him. He knew it. He deserved it.
But still¨Che loved her.
He realized that toote. Now, the woman he longed for was nothing more than a stranger.
Finn¡¯s shoulders slumped.
For the first time, the powerful man who once ruled the top of Aetheris society felt crushed by defeat and helplessness.
When the car stopped, the three of them walked side by side into Evermount Heights.
Raven tilted her chin toward Finn in the distance. ¡°That¡¯s your ex¨Chusband?¡±
Tess raised an eyebrow, not giving a clear answer.
Lyra¡¯s eyes lingered on Tess, her tone full of warning. ¡°What did he give you? I thought you wanted nothing to do with him. You¡¯re divorced now. Don¡¯t even think about looking back.¡±
Tess nodded. Seeing their guarded faces, she couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Rx.¡±
¡°Henry¡¯s been dumping Ember Group stock online at dirt¨Ccheap prices. He¡¯ll sell to anyone, as
14:02 Wed, Oct 22
Chapter 372 The Lost Sonata
long as the buyer isn¡¯t me.¡± She lifted the folder in her hand. ¡°Finn bought it all and handed it to me. Said it¡¯spensation for me and La¡±
Raven let out a dramatic sigh of relief. A cocky grin spread across her face. ¡°Guess he¡¯s still got a shred of decency. You should take it. It¡¯s not like it¡¯s a bad deal¡±
Lyra¡¯s eyes lingered on the folder in Tess¡¯s hand. Her brows tightened, then eased again. She didn¡¯t say much more, only offered a gentle reminder. ¡°Tess, don¡¯t go soft on him. Not ever.¡±
Tess smiled and tugged the two of them straight into the living room. ¡°I¡¯m already divorced. He¡¯s part of the past.¡±
¡°Now, let¡¯s look at the music score!¡± She called out, reaching up to pull the metal box from the shelf.
When it came to something that truly interested her, Raven finally grew quiet. She leaned in, watching closely as Tess opened the box.
Insidey a sheet of music, carefully wrapped in stic. With Tess¡¯s permission, Raven grabbed it eagerly.
Raven was a woman who usually carried herself with sharp, confident energy, almost like a man. But when she studied the sheet music, all that restless fire faded. It was as if a gentle hand smoothed it away, leaving her calm and focused.
At first, her face lit with excitement and curiosity. But after just two lines, her expression hardened.
She didn¡¯t keep reading. Instead, she jerked her head up and stared at Tess. ¡°T¨Cthis really belonged to your grandmother?¡±
Her voice trembled with shock and disbelief, like someone who once imed to love dragons but was now terrified after meeting a real one.
Meeting Raven¡¯s gaze, Tess felt her own chest tighten.
¡°Isn¡¯t this Wentworth Hampton¡¯s Splendor Sonata?¡±
Lyra had noticed Raven¡¯s strange reaction. She stepped closer and studied the sheet again.
But Raven didn¡¯t answer. It was as if she hadn¡¯t even heard him. She clutched Tess¡¯s hand, her excitement breaking through. ¡°There¡¯s only one page?¡±
She rummaged through the box, searching for more.
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Chapter 372 The Lost Sonata
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When she found nothing, she muttered, ¡°A treasure like this¡ stuffed away so carelessly?¡±
Lyra and Tess exchanged a look. Both could see something unusual in Raven¡¯s every move.
¡°This is all I had when I brought it back,¡± Tess said softly.
At her words, Raven¡¯s shoulders slumped.
She let out a long breath, as though slowly returning to herself. ¡°This is indeed Wentworth¡¯s handwritten Splendor Sonata,¡± she said atst. ¡°Its disappearance was one of the greatest regrets in both the music world and the collectors¡® world. I never thought I¡¯d be lucky enough to see one of the missing pages here, of all ces.¡±
¡°One of them?¡± Tess frowned, catching on to her choice of words.
¡°Yes.¡± Raven¡¯s striking face glowed with intensity.
¡°Experts believe the manuscript had at least five pages. What you have here is the first. Tess, who exactly was your grandmother?¡±
Her eyes zed with determination, unwilling to give up until she knew the truth.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but follow her line of thought, the question pressing down on her heart.
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Chapter 373 Secrets Behind the Score
Chapter 373 Secrets Behind the Score
To Tess, her grandmother had always been a legendary woman. But based on what Tess knew about her, there wasn¡¯t anything mysterious about her life.
Back when Kylie insisted on marrying Henry, her daughter even cut ties with the family. Worried about her daughter, Gillian quietly moved to Aetheris. Later, she followed them again to Krigan, just to take care of Tess.
Tess knew the Larsons were one of the most powerful families in Kingnd. The only possible source of this sheet music she could think of was the Larsons¡® old collection. But her grandmother¡¯s maiden surname was Ashton¨Cshe wasn¡¯t a Larson herself.
Tess shook her head. ¡°For as long as I can remember, Grandma was just an ordinary old
woman.¡±
Raven leaned in with a sly look. ¡°No, what kind of ordinary grandmother has the original music score of Splendor Sonata?¡±
¡°Maybe the Larsons?¡± Lyra suggested.
Raven recalled Tess¡¯s family background at her reminder.
She crossed her arms, rubbed her chin, and looked thoughtful. ¡°The Larsons ¡ it¡¯s not impossible.¡±
Then she suddenly leaned closer to Tess. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to reconnect with them?¡±
The question caught Tess off guard. She froze, unsure what to say.
Seeing her hesitation, Raven pped her thigh in frustration. ¡°Your mother broke ties with her parents, but you didn¡¯t! If an ordinary olddy had the first page of Splendor Sonata, then there¡¯s a good chance the rest of it is still with the Larsons! And if this score is ever revealed, it¡¯ll be a treasure for both the music world and collectors!¡±
Raven¡¯s eyes sparkled as brightly as the sun, while Tess blinked, trying to avoid her burning gaze.
¡°I¡¯m not really thinking about that right now,¡± Tess said with a shrug.
The words hit Raven like a bucket of cold water. Her whole body seemed to droop, like a balloon losing air.
Lyra chuckled at her dramatic slump but still stepped up to pat Raven¡¯s arm gently. ¡°Enough.
Chapter 374 Secrets Behind the Score
This is Tess¡¯s decision¡±
¡°Fine.¡± Raven muttered. She carefully closed the box, then nagged Tess over and over, even demanding she buy a safe to store it.
Tessughed and promised again and again, just to cheer her up.
When Raven and Lyra finally left, one dragged her feet in disappointment while the other tried tofort her with kind words.
Tess watched their backs until they disappeared, then slowly turned and walked back into the living room.
Her gaze fell on the iron box resting on the table. Almost without thinking, she picked it up and held it in her hands.
Her fingertips traced the worn edges, the rough metal catching against her soft skin. As she touched it, her thoughts drifted far away.
She couldn¡¯t help but feel guilty. Growing up with her grandmother all her life, she had never asked much about her past.
Tess let out a long breath, then suddenly remembered something. She hurried into the bedroom to grab the key to the safe.
She had been too busy before, her mind stretched thin from one thing after another. But now, with a moment to breathe, she realized something didn¡¯t add up. If her grandmother was just an ordinary old woman, how could she have left behind such arge inheritance? Tess couldn¡¯t help but think of the grand piano locked in the vault.
Ever since she was little, she had lived with her grandmother. Her parents only sent enough money to cover basic living costs. But her grandmother gave her everything she had. She taught Tess everything she knew¡ªfashion design and even a little piano. The only problem was, Tess never understood music theory at all.
Maybe that sheet music really did belong to her grandmother.
The thought made Tess¡¯s heart skip.
From what Lyra and Raven had exined, Wentworth was from Yeshana.
He was about the same age as her grandmother too. Whether her grandmother had collected his manuscript or had actually known him, the idea sounded almost absurd.
Her mind spun in confusion, and she forced herself to push the questions aside.
14:02 Wed, Oct 22
Chapter 373 Secrets Behind the Score
¡°Tess, La¡¯s awake.¡±
Bessie¡¯s gentle voice came from behind her, careful and quiet.
Tess nced at the grandfather clock on the wall. At this hour, La should still be taking her afternoon nap. She must have been woken by the noise in the living room carlier.
Tess nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll go check on her.¡±
The moment she opened the door, La called out in her soft little voice, ¡°Mommy,¡± without even looking up.
Warmth spread in Tess¡¯s chest. She hurried over in a few quick steps.
As soon as she sat on the bed, La reached out with her chubby little hands, asking to be held.
Tess gathered her into her arms, pressing her close. The sweet, milky scent unique to children filled her nose.
But as she held her tighter, Tess suddenly noticed something odd¨Ca faint, steady tapping against her back.
She pulled La away just enough to see. In her daughter¡¯s tiny hands was a small, pink drum.
Tess frowned the instant she saw it.
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Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy
Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy
Tess worried a toy with a hard edge might hurt La, so most of her baby¡¯s toys were soft stuffed animals.
She searched her memory, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t recall seeing this little drum before.
Her eyes stayed locked on it, her stare deepening. It wasn¡¯tpletely unfamiliar¨Calmost like she had seen it somewhere.
¡°Bessie.¡± Tess carried La into the kitchen, where Bessic was busy making baby food.
¡°What is it, Tess?¡± Bessie asked without looking up.
¡°Do you remember this toy? Did you buy this drum for La?¡± Tess held up the pink drum.
Bessie leaned closer, squinting at it. She scratched her head. ¡°I may be old, but I know kids like fun new things. Why would I buy her a drum?¡±
Her answer only made Tess more uneasy.
Neither of them had bought it. So how had it ended up in La¡¯s hands?
A chill crept into Tess¡¯s heart.
¡°In thest few days, has anyone strangee around Evermount Heights?¡± she asked quickly.
The question made Bessie go serious.
She set down the dishes and thought carefully, then shook her head. ¡°No. You¡¯ve been busy and away a lot. I¡¯ve been here with La the whole time.¡±
Tess¡¯s face hardened. She pressed her lips tight and threw the pink drum straight into the trash.
¡°Feed La first,¡± she said, trying to steady her breath.
But her chest still felt tight.
She had made too many enemiestely. The memories of what she and La had already gone through still haunted her.
Tess decided she needed to double¨Ccheck the cameras and strengthen the security system in
14:03 Wed, Oct 22
Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy
the house.
¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±
Tess sat with La at the table and fed her.
10 The Ca
Bessie noticed there was nothing left for her to do. She untied her apron, rubbed her hands clean, and nced at the trash can.
Then she grabbed the bag and carried it outside.
She walked to the neighborhood¡¯s trash station, tossed the bag in, and hummed a tune as she strolled away.
But soon after she left, a figure appeared.
Tall and thin, with a sharp, brooding presence.
Long fingers pulled the pink drum out of the bag. He tapped it once with his fingertip. A dull thud echoed.
Hidden beneath messy bangs and a baseball cap, his deep¨Cset eyes burned with restless affection.
So, they threw it away?
Behind the mask, his jaw clenched tight. The faint grind of teeth broke the silence.
After a long pause, the dark figure turned and left, as if he had never been there at all.
At the same time, La finished a bowl of baby food and snuggled into Tess¡¯s arms, humming softly.
She looked so sweet and cute that Bessie¡¯s heart melted.
¡°See? I spend more time with La than anyone, but she¡¯s not this close to me,¡± Bessie teased with a smile.
Tessughed, her eyes crinkling.
The cozy scene filled the room with warmth, and Tess felt a calm she hadn¡¯t known in a long time.
But that peace didn¡¯tst.
14:03 Wed, Oct 22
Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy
Ring!
Abel¡¯s phone rang, wild and sharp, just like him¨Cloud, reckless, and bold.
¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Tess answered.
¡°Nadine¡¯s out of prison.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Tess frowned at the news.
Abel repeated it, then exined, his voice low and steady, like the strings of a cello. ¡°Uncle Finn had her locked up for three months. We were sure her family had written her off. But just now, Henry and Kylie showed up and posted her bail. Reporters were even there when she walked out. Looks like Henry and Kylie nned it that way.¡±
When Abel got serious, he carried a charm that was impossible to ignore.
But Tess kept her focus on the news itself.
¡°The scandal online hasn¡¯t blown over yet,¡± Abel continued. ¡°Henry¡¯s been dodging every question from the press. All the signs point to him trying to skip town.¡±
Tess frowned even deeper.
She could understand Henry¡¯s n¡ªdumping Nadine, who didn¡¯t matter much, and walking away clean. But why would he suddenly change his mind and bail her out so publicly?
¡°What about Shannon? What¡¯s going on there?¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes turned sharply.
¡°You¡¯ll have to check with Lyra. I called you right away when I saw something was off,¡± Abel replied.
Tess pressed her lips together. She said nothing more and quickly began typing to Lyra.
But before she could send her first message, a reply from Lyra popped up.
¡°Shannon moved out of the hotel.¡±
That message made Tess narrow her eyes.
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Keepsake 375
Chapter 375 Funeral for the Living
Chapter 375 Funeral for the Living
H10 free Collis
Something felt wrong. Whether it was the strange way that family had been acting or Shannon suddenly moving out, it all pointed to trouble brewing.
What were Henry and his people nning?
Just then. Tess¡¯s phone buzzed with a new message from Lyra.
¡°Tess, turn on the livestream. Nadine just got out of prison.¡±
Tess quickly handed La over to Bessie, then rushed to her study and opened theputer.
She didn¡¯t even need to type anything. The top story shed across the screen, marked with a me icon.
¡°#Nadine released from prison, ims online rumors are part of someone¡¯s conspiracy!¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes lingered on the word ¡°someone.¡± A bad feeling tightened in her chest.
She clicked on the hottest livestream. Nadine¡¯s face filled the screen.
She looked nothing like her old self. Prison had not been kind to her. The once morous features were pale and drained of color. Her lips, once painted with luxury¨Cbrand lipstick, were cracked and dry.
Tess frowned and turned up the volume. Nadine¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and familiar.
¡°Even if I would rather not admit it, my mom died in that car crash more than ten years ago! I don¡¯t know who spread those lies to frame me and my adoptive father. But I¡¯ll say this¡ªI¡¯m grateful my foster parents raised me, and I challenge whoever is targeting me to step forward and face me!¡±
Her eyes burned red, her words sharp and deliberate.
The force of her voice made her look convincing, almost powerful.
A reporter shouted, ¡°Ms. Nadine, do you know who this person is?¡±
Another turned toward Henry. ¡°Mr. Ember, this is the first time you¡¯re responding to the online scandal. Do you have anything to say?¡±
¡°Mrs. Ember, do you believe Nadine?¡±
Chapter 375 Funeral for the Living
15 Free cas
In the livestream, the reporters looked like starving wolves. They rushed in with excitement, firing off questions nonstop, as if they wanted to tear a piece of flesh from them.
¡°I know exactly who it is!¡± Nadine snapped.
Every microphone pointed to her.
She stared straight into the camera, as if she were looking directly at the person she med.
¡°I know you¡¯re jealous of me. I know you hate me. But you shouldn¡¯t spread lies to nder Dad.
Tess!¡±
The name exploded through the livestream. In an instant, the frenzy hit its peak.
[Ms. Nadine, you used the culprit as Ms. Tess¨Cwhat proof do you have?]
[Mr. Ember, do you believe Tess is behind this?]
[Mrs. Ember, do you trust the online rumors or the people standing beside you?]
Questions came flying from every direction. Microphones were shoved so close it felt like the reporters wanted to stuff them right into their mouths.
Throughout the entire live broadcast, Kylie¡¯s face stayed stiff. From beginning to end, it was Nadine and Henry who did all the talking.
¡°Everyone, please! Calm down!¡±
Henry reached for a microphone and pulled it to his mouth.
He was dressed in a suit and tie, hair slicked back with gel. With a small cough, he straightened his back, putting on the image of a confident chairman.
His old, sharp, calcting eyes locked onto the camera.
¡°Shannon is my wife¡¯s savior. She passed away more than ten years ago. My wife and I do not want to hear any more rumors about her. The inte has twisted her memory into something ugly, so we¡¯ve decided to give her the proper funeral she deserves¨Cbetterte than never.¡±
His heavy voice stunned the room. Reporters gasped.
14:03 Wed, Oct 22
Chapter 375 Funeral for the Living
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No one had ever heard of nning a funeral for someone who was supposedly alive. Yer Henry had just said it himself¨CShannon was dead. That statement hit back at all the online ims that Shannon was still alive.
¡°All major media will be invited. Please, let us clear our names once and for all¡±
Henry set the microphone down, bowed toward the cameras and reporters, and ended the broadcast.
Tess stared at herputer screen, her hand clenching tight.
¡°Clear your name? You don¡¯t have one,¡± Abel scoffed over the phone before she could even speak.
Tess frowned. Her usually clear eyes clouded with doubt.
Something about the situation didn¡¯t add up. What made Henry suddenly change his mind? What were they really nning?
She narrowed her eyes, thinking it over, but couldn¡¯t find a clear answer.
¡°Lyra, keep an eye on them,¡± Tess finally instructed.
At this point, even the smallest movement was worth paying attention to. Lyra replied quickly. Tess shifted her attention back to her call with Abel. ¡°Do you know where they¡¯re nning to hold Shannon¡¯s funeral?¡±
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Keepsake 376
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
Tess quickly cleared the table.
Abel dropped his mocking tone and spoke more seriously.
¡°I heard it¡¯s going to be at the biggest cathedral in Aetheris.¡±
At those words, Tess¡¯s face changed.
The biggest cathedral in Aetheris ¡
Why that ce of all ces? Were Henry and Nadine doing this on purpose, or was it just coincidence?
She remembered something her grandmother once told her.
When Kylie and Henry got married, Ember Group had just started to rise. Henry wasn¡¯t from one of the old powerful families in Aetheris, but with his savings, the money from the Larsons, and Kylie¡¯s assets, he could have easily afforded a grand wedding.
Back then, their n was to hold the ceremony at that cathedral. But in the end, the wedding never happened.
Tess pulled up the live stream on her phone again.
She stared at Kylie¡¯s face. It was a strange world.
THAT
What on earth had Henry said to make Kylie believe him, even after seeing all those photos and videos with her own eyes?
Her brow furrowed.
After a long silence on Tess¡¯s end, Abel finally asked, ¡°Should we go there in person?¡±
¡°Of course.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together and answered firmly, without the slightest hesitation.
But she also knew Henry had made a big deal out of Nadine¡¯s release from prison just to draw the media¡¯s attention. He wanted the spotlight on himself to prove how much effort he was putting into Shannon¡¯s funeral. With all that, it wouldn¡¯t be easy for Tess to slip in unnoticed.
She voiced her concern. Abel¡¯sugh came through the phone, light and confident.
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
¡°Tess, you¡¯re underestimating me. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll pick you up and we¡¯ll go together.¡±
His words calmed her racing thoughts.
Warmth spread through her chest as she gripped the phone tighter.
¡°Alright,¡± she said softly.
60
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At the Ember Vi, Henry held Nadine by the arm.
¡°Nadine, it took me a lot of effort to get you out on bail.¡±
Nadine nced toward Kylie, who had gone upstairs and shut the bedroom door, iming she was too tired. Once she was sure Kylie couldn¡¯t hear, she looked back at Henry. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s really going on? Why-¡±
¡°Hey!¡±
Henry quickly cut her off, pulling her toward the wall and lowering his voice. ¡°Those stories Tess spread in the news, they¡¯re hard to exin away. Ourpany has hit rock bottom. To bring it back to where it was before? That would take at least five or ten years. By then, how old do you think I will be?¡±
Nadine followed his reasoning, her face growing serious.
She grabbed his hand. ¡°Dad, what are you going to do?¡±
¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to tell you,¡± Henry said with a heavy sigh. ¡°I n to take all the assets we still have and move abroad. We¡¯ll start over¨Cme, you, your mom, and your brother. We¡¯ll have a new life.¡±
He wore a sorrowful look.
Nadine looked puzzled. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then about the funeral¡ once I got out, we could¡¯ve just left. Why lie to her?¡±
She meant Kylie¨Cthe woman they had been fooling all along.
Nadine nced at the closed bedroom door.
Kylie had always treated her like an apple to her eyes, protecting her and caring for her. But this time, after Nadine got out of prison, Kylie barely looked at her. She didn¡¯t even say a fewforting words.
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
:
That strange change made Nadine uneasy. What exactly had happened in the family while she was gone?
¡°Because¡
behind her are the Larsons,¡± Henry whispered carefully, casting another look toward Kylie¡¯s door. His eyes glimmered with greed. ¡°Her family might have publicly imed they had cut ties with her, but when I brought inspectors overst time, I found out they left her a wedding dress worth more than 300 million dors.¡±
¡°300 million?!¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes went wide. She quickly covered her mouth to stop herself from shouting.
300 million¨Cfor just a wedding dress?
She had followed Finn to countless auctions, big and small, but she had never seen a wedding dress worth that much.
Her heart pounded wildly. The Larsons suddenly seemed more powerful and untouchable
than ever.
¡°So¡¡±
Nadine grabbed Henry¡¯s hand.
Their eyes locked, and in that silent space between them, the same calction passed like a spark.
Henry leaned close and whispered in her car. ¡®I already told your mom about this. What matters now is sticking to the same story. Before we leave the country, we need to squeeze every bit of money we can from her.¡±
Nadine couldn¡¯t hide her excitement. She nodded hard at him.
¡°But ¡¡± She suddenly thought of something, lifting her eyes with doubt. ¡°Dad, the Larsons already announced they cut her off. Do you really think it¡¯ll be that easy to get money out of them? The Larsons are one of the most powerful families in Kingnd.¡±
Henry¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about that. Your old man has his own way.¡±
Tess quickly cleared the table.
Abel dropped his mocking tone and spoke more seriously.
¡°I heard it¡¯s going to be at the biggest cathedral in Aetheris.¡±
At those words, Tess¡¯s face changed.
The biggest cathedral in Aetheris ¡
Why that ce of all ces? Were Henry and Nadine doing this on purpose, or was it just coincidence?
She remembered something her grandmother once told her.
When Kylie and Henry got married, Ember Group had just started to rise. Henry wasn¡¯t from one of the old powerful families in Aetheris, but with his savings, the money from the Larsons, and Kylie¡¯s assets, he could have easily afforded a grand wedding.
Back then, their n was to hold the ceremony at that cathedral. But in the end, the wedding never happened.
Tess pulled up the live stream on her phone again.
She stared at Kylie¡¯s face. It was a strange world.
THAT
What on earth had Henry said to make Kylie believe him, even after seeing all those photos and videos with her own eyes?
Her brow furrowed.
After a long silence on Tess¡¯s end, Abel finally asked, ¡°Should we go there in person?¡±
¡°Of course.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together and answered firmly, without the slightest hesitation.
But she also knew Henry had made a big deal out of Nadine¡¯s release from prison just to draw the media¡¯s attention. He wanted the spotlight on himself to prove how much effort he was putting into Shannon¡¯s funeral. With all that, it wouldn¡¯t be easy for Tess to slip in unnoticed.
She voiced her concern. Abel¡¯sugh came through the phone, light and confident.
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
¡°Tess, you¡¯re underestimating me. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll pick you up and we¡¯ll go together.¡±
His words calmed her racing thoughts.
Warmth spread through her chest as she gripped the phone tighter.
¡°Alright,¡± she said softly.
60
10 Free Coins
At the Ember Vi, Henry held Nadine by the arm.
¡°Nadine, it took me a lot of effort to get you out on bail.¡±
Nadine nced toward Kylie, who had gone upstairs and shut the bedroom door, iming she was too tired. Once she was sure Kylie couldn¡¯t hear, she looked back at Henry. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s really going on? Why-¡±
¡°Hey!¡±
Henry quickly cut her off, pulling her toward the wall and lowering his voice. ¡°Those stories Tess spread in the news, they¡¯re hard to exin away. Ourpany has hit rock bottom. To bring it back to where it was before? That would take at least five or ten years. By then, how old do you think I will be?¡±
Nadine followed his reasoning, her face growing serious.
She grabbed his hand. ¡°Dad, what are you going to do?¡±
¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to tell you,¡± Henry said with a heavy sigh. ¡°I n to take all the assets we still have and move abroad. We¡¯ll start over¨Cme, you, your mom, and your brother. We¡¯ll have a new life.¡±
He wore a sorrowful look.
Nadine looked puzzled. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then about the funeral¡ once I got out, we could¡¯ve just left. Why lie to her?¡±
She meant Kylie¨Cthe woman they had been fooling all along.
Nadine nced at the closed bedroom door.
Kylie had always treated her like an apple to her eyes, protecting her and caring for her. But this time, after Nadine got out of prison, Kylie barely looked at her. She didn¡¯t even say a fewforting words.
Chapter 376 The Cathedral
:
That strange change made Nadine uneasy. What exactly had happened in the family while she was gone?
¡°Because¡
behind her are the Larsons,¡± Henry whispered carefully, casting another look toward Kylie¡¯s door. His eyes glimmered with greed. ¡°Her family might have publicly imed they had cut ties with her, but when I brought inspectors overst time, I found out they left her a wedding dress worth more than 300 million dors.¡±
¡°300 million?!¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes went wide. She quickly covered her mouth to stop herself from shouting.
300 million¨Cfor just a wedding dress?
She had followed Finn to countless auctions, big and small, but she had never seen a wedding dress worth that much.
Her heart pounded wildly. The Larsons suddenly seemed more powerful and untouchable
than ever.
¡°So¡¡±
Nadine grabbed Henry¡¯s hand.
Their eyes locked, and in that silent space between them, the same calction passed like a spark.
Henry leaned close and whispered in her car. ¡®I already told your mom about this. What matters now is sticking to the same story. Before we leave the country, we need to squeeze every bit of money we can from her.¡±
Nadine couldn¡¯t hide her excitement. She nodded hard at him.
¡°But ¡¡± She suddenly thought of something, lifting her eyes with doubt. ¡°Dad, the Larsons already announced they cut her off. Do you really think it¡¯ll be that easy to get money out of them? The Larsons are one of the most powerful families in Kingnd.¡±
Henry¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about that. Your old man has his own way.¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 377
Chapter 377 Shattered Illusions
Nadine gave a small nod, half understanding, and didn¡¯t ask further.
A
60
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Henry patted her shoulder and kept talking, painting promises in the air. ¡°For now, you can¡¯t let Kylie suspect anything. I already agreed with her that we¡¯d live apart for a while. Stay close to her; keep an eye on what she¡¯s doing. If anything unusual happens, tell me right away.¡±
Nadine agreed without hesitation.
She might not have been strong in school or work, but she wasn¡¯t blind. News reports and the falling stock prices made it clear¨Cthe Ember Group was falling apart. Even if her father sold all his shares and moved them overseas, life would only be modest at best. Their old days of luxury would be gone forever.
Her hands curled into fists.
Before prison, if Henry had told her they¡¯d all be moving abroad, she would have refused.
Because of Finn.
She had always believed Finn treated her differently. She waited for him to one day make her his wife and ce her at the top.
Why else would a man surrounded by executives choose her¡ªa department head in legal¡ªto stay at his side? When Tess was still his wife, he had sent her to prison without hesitation. He was cold and ruthless. Yet this same man once called in an entire hospital staff to treat her for a minor cut.
Those little details had filled her with hope. She never imagined it was only a dream.
Nadine bit down hard, her chest aching with sharp pains.
When he sent her to prison, he had shown no mercy.
Finn was heartless.
But in the long, bitter days behind bars, she finally understood.
She had only ever been a distraction for him and Tess. Even sending her to prison was his way of trying to win Tess back.
Henry¡¯s voice broke through her thoughts. ¡°You¡¯ll need to help out at the funeral too. I¡¯m going to see your mother.¡±
16:36 Thu, Oct 23 B
¡
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Chapter 377 Shattered Illusions
With that, he strode away.
Nadine listened to the fading footsteps before slowly lifting her head.
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Her eyes, usually a mix of sweetness, innocence, and hidden malice, now looked as if covered in a gray mist.
Her body was stiff, like a scarecrow nted in the ground.
After a long time, she finally moved, feeling the numbness rush through her limbs.
She hesitated, then walked upstairs.
Henry, meanwhile, pressed harder on the gas and drove straight to the condo where Nadine had lived before. To make room for Shannon after she checked out of the hotel, he had convinced Nadine to give the ce up.
¡°Strange, Nadine hasn¡¯t been aroundtely.¡±
¡°Yeah, I haven¡¯t seen her for a while either.¡±
Two elderly voices drifted over. Following the sound, Henry spotted two familiar faces.
Mom? Aunt Tamara?
When had they to Aetheris?
Henry sensed trouble. He quickly turned away, trying to hide his face.
The two women each carried a basket of groceries and walked past him. They gave him a brief look but didn¡¯t stop.
¡°Hey, just the other day I heard Henry¡¯s name on the news again.¡±
¡°Well, he¡¯s the Chairman of Ember Group. Of course his name pops up all the time.¡±
¡°That¡¯s true.¡±
The two chatted as they went inside, closing the door behind them.
Henry let out a breath of relief, then followed the apartment number Shannon had given him.
16:36 Thu, Oct 23 B¡
Chapter 377 Shattered Illusions
:
?? ? 60
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He needed Nadine to talk to his mom and Aunt Tamara and get them back to Krigan as soon as possible.
Knock, knock.
He rapped on the door.
After just two knocks, the lock clicked, and the door swung open.
Kaleb stood there holding up a limited¨Cedition model airne.
Henry slipped inside quickly and shut the door. He scooped Kaleb up onto the couch. ¡°Where¡¯s your mom?¡±
¡°There!¡±
Kaleb pointed toward the kitchen.
Shannon was standing nearby, looking at Henry with both joy and a hint of resentment.
Henry motioned for her to put down the vegetables she was holding and patted the spot next to him on the couch.
Although she seemed somewhat hesitant, Shannon eventually sat down beside him.
¡°It¡¯s been so many years¡ªhow would I even know how to cook?¡± Shannon whispered inint.
She lifted her hands, showing her fingers.
They used to be perfectly cared for, but now they were covered with blisters from trying out online recipes, along with red scratches from kitchen tools.
Henry frowned at the sight of her battered hands. Still, he tried to reassure her. ¡°This is a critical moment. You¡¯ll have to put up with it for now and stay away from others. Hiring a maid isn¡¯t safe right now.¡±
Shannon gave a sharp little huff, her face sour.
Henry nced at her but didn¡¯t respond. Instead, his eyes shifted to Kaleb. ¡°By the way,¡± he said, ¡°when it¡¯s just you and Kaleb at home, don¡¯t open the door so carelessly. Always check the peephole first.¡±
Shannon crossed her arms and turned her face away. ¡°I know. I¡¯m supposed to be dead, right? Can¡¯t exactlye back to life and answer the door.¡±
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Keepsake 378
Chapter 378 Sabotage Abel
Chapter 378 Sabotage Abel
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Henry could hear the hint of me in Shannon¡¯s voice. Feeling awkward, he rubbed his nose. ¡°There¡¯s no other way. This is the only option I had,¡± he said.
He softened his tone, trying to calm her.
¡°I have sold most of thepany shares, but if I want to make sure you and the kids live a wealthy life, it¡¯s still not enough.¡±
Shannon pouted. She had only been acting spoiled at first, but his gentle words made her drop her anger, though she pretended to stay upset.
Henry leaned closer and spoke earnestly. He knew exactly how to press her buttons. ¡°Think about it. Kylie¡¯s family used to give her a wedding dress worth hundreds of millions. You raised our child alone overseas and went through so much. Don¡¯t you think we deserve to take something back from her?¡±
Shannon¡¯s eyes lit up. She turned her face to him, nodding. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±
¡°Remember this,¡± Henry said, patting the back of her hand. ¡°You can¡¯t show your face in public right now. If you need anything, tell me. I¡¯ll have someone bring it over.¡±
¡°Got it,¡± Shannon said, pursing her lips.
Though she was old enough to show her years, Henry¡¯s money had kept her living well overseas. She now looked like a woman in her thirties. Ten years ago, standing beside Kylie, she had seemed like a servant next to a princess. But if they stood together now, Shannon would be the pampered rose and Kylie the one weathered and buried in the dirt.
Henry¡¯s gaze darkened at the thought.
¡°By the way, what about Nadine?¡±
Shannon suddenly asked.
She remembered how Henry had once nned to leave Nadine behind. Yet the first thing he did after changing his mind was pay a huge sum to bail her out.
Shannon had agreed with not taking Nadine abroad, but Nadine was still the daughter she gave birth to, and she couldn¡¯t help asking.
¡°We¡¯re not leaving the country anytime soon. Don¡¯t worry about Nadine.¡±
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Chapter 378 Sabotage Abel
Henry¡¯s eyes narrowed.
¡°Oh¡¡±
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Shannon nodded slowly, not fully understanding. Her hand began to wander over Henry¡¯s arm, restless and teasing.
Henry felt a sudden rush of heat crawl up his skin. He looked up and saw the woman¡¯s eyes brimming with affection, her gaze pulling him in like a tide.
His throat tightened.
Before he could react, Shannon giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
¡°Henry-¡±
Her voice was sweet and sticky, like honey that wouldn¡¯t melt away.
Henry pinched his brow, ncing at Kaleb nearby, and tried to push back. ¡°Shannon, I¡¯ve been busytely.¡±
¡°It won¡¯t take long.¡±
Shannon pressed her finger against his lips, silencing him. Then she called to the boy. ¡°Kaleb, go to your room and read your book. I¡¯ll test youter on what you¡¯ve studied.¡±
Kaleb nodded, obediently hugging his ne model as he walked into his room.
¡°Lock the door. Unless I knock, don¡¯te out.¡± Shannon¡¯s voice carried after him.
A click followed, the sound of the door locking.
She turned back to Henry with a sultry smile. ¡°Now?¡±
Henry let out a helplessugh, though the heat inside him grew even stronger.
He swept her up in his arms.
The heavy m of a door echoed behind them.
Inside Finn¡¯s office, Zane gave a short report about thetest hot news online.
On the surface, he looked serious, but deep down he was silentlyining.
16:36 Thu, Oct 23 B
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:
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Chapter 378 Sabotage Abel
Mr. Lock had already turned down several hard¨Cwon business deals. Instead, he was spending a lot of resources keeping track of Mrs. Lock¨Cno, ex¨CMrs. Lock.
¡°Abel¡¯s been around Tess a lottely?¡±
Finn frowned as he listened. Every time Abel¡¯s name came up, it made his calm mood sour.
¡°Yes,¡± Zane answered after ncing at Mr. Lock¡¯s dark expression.
¡°His family doesn¡¯t n to rein him in?¡±
Finn¡¯s face stayed cold and tense as he tapped the desk.
Zane struggled to keep a straight face.
How was he, just a small assistant, supposed to know what the powerful Shaws were doing?
He could only give a stiff smile, showing all his teeth.
¡°Call the Shaws. Find something to keep Abel busy,¡± Finn ordered with a deep voice, his brow furrowed.
?
At that, Zane¡¯s smile turned bitter. He carefully looked up at Finn. ¡°Mr. Lock, thest time we contacted them, Mr. Shaw found out. He deliberately sabotaged several of our major deals.¡±
Zane sighed inwardly. As a loyal employee, his life really wasn¡¯t easy.
Mr. Lock and Mr. Shaw were technically family, yet they kept striking at each other. Mr. Lock wanted Abel pulled back to Kingnd and away from his wife, so he kept pressuring the Shaws with excuses. But Mr. Shaw was wilder. Once he found out, he used his power to hit back at Mr. Lock right away.
The two men fought openly and in secret. The hits didn¡¯t destroy each other, but they hurt just enough to annoy.
Finn leaned forward, his eyes sharp. ¡°Would you like to sit in this chair instead?¡±
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Keepsake 379
Chapter 379 Broken Pen, Broken Heart
Chapter 379 Broken Pen, Broken Heart
Finn lifted his gaze. His dark eyes, half¨Csmiling, settled on Zane.
¡°Yes, Mr. Lock!¡±
Zane lowered his head right away, his voice firm.
Finn gave a cold snort.
Zane bolted out of the office like his shoes were on fire.
Minutester, he hung up the phone, his forced smile stiff on his face.
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He rubbed his cheeks to loosen them, then knocked again and walked back inside. ¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯ve already spoken with the Shaws.¡±
¡°Good,¡± Finn answered tly.
¡°Get in touch with Henry. I¡¯ll be attending Shannon¡¯s funeral in a couple of days.¡±
Zane blinked, confused. But the warning from earlier kept him quiet.
He didn¡¯t dare question Finn¡¯s decision this time and just hurried out to make the arrangements.
When the door shut, the office fell silent.
Finn tilted his head back, catching a glimpse of the sky.
The weather was gloomy today. Heavy gray clouds pressed low on the horizon.
Tess¡ She would probably be there too.
His eyes lowered, his longshes hiding the storm inside him¨Cfeelings he couldn¡¯t show, couldn¡¯t speak, and couldn¡¯t share.
Snap!
The quiet broke with a sharp crack,
Cool ink spread over his fingers. Finn looked down to find he had crushed his pen in one hand.
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¡
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Chapter 379 Broken Pen, Broken Heart
ck ink bled across the page, blooming into flowers.
His mind shed back to the divorce papers.
Tess¡¯s handwriting was clean and quick, every stroke confident.
He had hesitated for hours before finally forcing his name onto the page.
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Tess, are you really that heartless? Do you mean it when you say all the love we had is gone?
Finn clenched his hand tighter.
He didn¡¯t believe it. He couldn¡¯t. He wanted to fight for her.
Tess, can¡¯t you just turn around and look at me once more? 1
The air on the top floor felt heavy, pressing down like a storm cloud. It made the weight in his chest even harder to bear.
Two dayster, Tess woke early.
She picked out a bright rose¨Cred dress, short and striking.
Tess pouted slightly as she applied lipstick that matched the color of her skirt.
In the mirror, her face looked calm and elegant. Her brows were soft, her eyes gentle. But her lips glowed vivid and sharp, like a wildflower blooming in the snow.
Following her routine, Tess continued putting on her makeup while her phone yed thetest headlines.
Henry¡¯s voice filled the room, steady and strong. ¡°After this funeral, I hope everyone can see the earlier rumors were false. The misunderstanding was my fault. When you stand too high, it¡¯s easy to stir jealousy. About my mistake during my marriage, I¡¯ve already confessed to my wife, and she has forgiven me. I only hope the public will be fair and keep a clear eye on what is true and what is not.¡±
His speech echoed across the dressing room.
Tess¡¯s lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile.
She never thought Henry could be this shameless.
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Chapter 379 Broken Pen, Broken Heart
60
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He gave
Shannon a new identity, calling her a look¨Calike lover who¡¯d had stic surgery. He even staged a funeral for a living person just to cover up the rumors around him.
Herugh, light as silver bells, echoed through the room, dripping with mockery.
Still, she had to admit it¨Chis move was clever. By admitting he cheated with an ordinary woman, he avoided the risks tied to Shannon¡¯s real name.
Tess couldn¡¯t deny Henry was a seasoned businessman, sly and cunning as a fox.
Her smile faded. She narrowed her eyes, her face turning cold.
She was determined to find out what he tried to achieve with this grand funeral.
Knock, knock.
A knock came just as she set down her lipstick. She grabbed her bag and opened the door.
Abel leaned against the frame, dressed in a zing red motorcycle jacket. His hair was slicked back with gel, showing off his smooth forehead.
The moment he saw Tess, his eyes lit up. He pulled down his oversized sunsses, finally revealing his sharp, sparkling eyes.
Tess¡¯s lips twitched.
Abel acted like he didn¡¯t notice. He spun in ce and flicked his hair with a showy gesture. ¡°Well? What do you
think?¡±
Tess gave
A weirdo.
him a thumbs¨Cup. ¡°One of a kind.¡±
She swallowed thest part.
Abel looked even prouder, jangling his diamond¨Cstudded car keys. ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll drive you to the funeral.¡±
Tess almostughed again.
The two of them¨Cshe in magenta, he in zing red. Who would have thought that they were actually going to a funeral? They looked like they were there to cause trouble.
¡°You think we can even get in like this?¡± she asked.
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Chapter 379 Broken Pen, Broken Heart
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Abel raised his thick eyebrows and gave her a look. ¡°Don¡¯t insult me. There¡¯s nowhere in this city¨Cor even this country¨CI can¡¯t
get into.¡±
He tilted his chin high, full of swagger.
Tess stepped ahead of him, grabbing the chain around his neck. ¡°Move it.¡±
Her hair brushed past as she tugged, quick and sharp.
Abel followed close, the light pull at his neck barely enough to guide him. Still, that tiny tug was enough to change something in his eyes, as though an invisible thread tied him to her hand.
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Keepsake 380
Chapter 380 The Bold Entrance at the Funeral
Chapter 380 The Bold Entrance at the Funeral
Tess¡¯s pale fingers pressed slightly, turning the tips a soft pink.
They weren¡¯t standing too close, yet Tess¡¯s perfume still drifted right into Abel¡¯s nose.
Every step she took carried that light scent, lingering in the air.
Abel felt weak, as if his body had no strength of its own, letting her lead the way.
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They reached the lobby almost without realizing it. The cool, fresh air outside cleared his head. Abel quicklyposed himself.
¡°I¡¯ll get it.¡±
Before Tess could turn, Abel rushed ahead to open the door for her.
His eagerness made Tess nce at him twice.
Abel rubbed his nose and avoided her eyes.
She slid into the passenger seat. Abel¡¯s heart skipped as he dropped into the driver¡¯s seat.
¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Tess asked, holding a small card.
It was lying on the seat before she sat down.
¡°The invitation to Shannon¡¯s funeral,¡± Abel exined. ¡°Funny thing is, not long ago Henry was selling off hispany shares and made a big deal about keeping you out. Clearly, he¡¯s been guarding against you. But now? This funeral¡¯s not asplicated as I thought.¡±
The scenery rolled past the window. Tess looked out, the corner of her lips lifting. ¡°Complicated is precisely what it shouldn¡¯t be. Honestly, he probably wants me to show up.¡±
¡°Then it¡¯ll serve him right,¡± Abel chuckled.
The funeral was set for the morning. With makeup and travel, Tess hadn¡¯t eaten breakfast. She leaned against the car door, pale and a little weak.
Abel learned of this. The moment they parked, he guided her straight to the food stalls nearby.
The funeral wasn¡¯t strict about guests, which was unusual. If it had been indoors, the doors would¡¯ve been packed. Instead, it was held outside on the cathedral¡¯swn.
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Chapter 380 The Bold Entrance at the Funeral
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Around them, the crowd was a mix of wealthy families in simple ck and white. Rows of reporters snapping endless photos. From a distance, it looked like a sea of people.
But since everyone else had chosen in and simple colors, the moment they showed up, all eyes turned to them. Reporters widened their eyes and snapped away, sh after sh aimed straight at the pair.
My goodness! Who wears that to a funeral?
¡°The dessert table¡¯s over there. I grabbed us some cakes.¡±
Abel strolled over boldly, ignoring the stares. He handed Tess a strawberry cake¡ªeach guest was allowed only one.
Aristocratic families cared deeply about how they looked in public. Abel¡¯s bright red jacket stood out like a p to their faces. Not one of them could say a word.
¡°They¡¯re taking pictures of you.¡±
Tess lifted her eyes while nibbling at her cake, her tone yful as her gaze swept over the shing cameras.
Abel smirked, correcting her. ¡°Of us.¡±
Abel popped two pieces of fruit into his mouth, chewed twice, then made a face. ¡°This is awful. I told you Henry was up to no good. What, is he trying to poison me?¡±
He leaned a little closer to Tess, pretending to whisper, but his voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. He sounded less like someone sharing a secret and more like someone waving a g to announce it to the world.
His sharp words made the guests around them twitch their lips, holding backughs.
That was Abel¨CFinn¡¯s nephew¨Csomeone who could get away with anything.
Not far away, Henry stared at the live feed on a monitor. His cold, sinister eyes locked on the tiny figures on the screen.
The funeral was being held on thewn in front of the cathedral, so the cameras were set far away. They couldn¡¯t capture clear faces, but the bold colors stood out.
He couldn¡¯t see Tess¡¯s or Abel¡¯s expressions, but those two bright sshes of color were enough.
Henry¡¯s knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.
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Chapter 380 The Bold Entrance at the Funeral
¡°Dad, Tess really doesn¡¯t care about us at all!¡± Nadine hissed, her eyes burning.
But her re fell harder on Abel.
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The two of them¨Cone in bright red, the other in magenta¨Cstood out like shy bouquets among the crowd dressed in ck and white.
Nadine¡¯s jaw tightened as she stared at the pair standing so close together.
Why?
Why did Tess always get so lucky?
She just divorced Finn, yet here she is, walking in and out with Abel like they are glued together.
Abel might not match Finn in power, but as Finn¡¯s nephew, he was still far above an ordinary rich boy.
¡°She¡¯ll pay for this,¡± Henry growled, standing up.
¡°It¡¯s time to clear our names at the funeral.¡±
Nadine still burned with anger inside, but she forced herself to nod and obediently follow right behind.
At the funeral, Tess and Abel¡¯s presence made everyone else uneasy. Guests who had been calm a moment ago now sat stiff, careful with every move. Only those two acted bold and carefree.
Tess was used to the stares. She felt the weight of people¡¯s eyes on her but didn¡¯t react.
Abel was even more shameless. He leaned into a camera, grinned, and brushed his hair back like a showman.
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Keepsake 381
Chapter 381 Pushed Aside
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Oh right¨CAbel had streaked a few locks of red into his ck hair, giving him a sharp, stylish look.
¡°Cough, cough.¡±
Abel was checking himself in a mirror when a low cough sounded behind him.
He frowned and turned. Zane was standing there, leaning slightly forward. ¡°Mr. Shaw, Mr. Lock wants to see you.¡±
Thezy grin faded from Abel¡¯s face. His yful look shifted, bing more serious.
He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Uncle Finn wants me for what?¡±
¡°You¡¯ll have to ask him yourself.¡±
Zane kept his head down, acting like he was just following orders.
Abel stared at him for a moment, then ran a hand through his messy hair with a hint of impatience. ¡°Where is he?¡±
¡°This way.¡±
Zane gestured toward a sleek, stretched Lincoln parked nearby. The car looked both extravagant and understated.
A flicker of annoyance passed through Abel¡¯s eyes, but he masked it and adjusted his expression. He went to find Tess.
¡°Uncle Finn¡¯s here. I¡¯ll go meet him. Be careful on your own,¡± Abel said firmly.
¡°How¡¯s she on her own?¡±
A husky, almost boyish voice belonging to a woman cut in.
Abel and Tess turned to see Raven and Lyra walking over together.
Lyra wore a mint¨Cgreen dress, elegant and proper, though a bit too eye¨Ccatching for a funeral.
She gave Tess a quick wink.
Raven, on the other hand, was in all ck¨Cleather jacket, wide¨Cleg pants, and a mess of blood-
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Chapter 381 Pushed Aside
red skull essories that had nothing to do with mourning.
The two stood side by side, facing Abel and Tess.
Suddenly, the funeral had four walking distractions.
Tess¡¯s lips twitched, but warmth filled her chest.
¡°Go on, we¡¯ve got Tess,¡± Raven said, shoving Abel aside and taking his spot next to her.
Lyra slipped in on Tess¡¯s right.
One left, one right. Abel waspletely edged out.
His face darkened.
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Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh under her breath. She waved at him. ¡°Go handle your business first.¡±
As soon as she said it, Raven grabbed Tess¡¯s hand and dragged her toward the dessert table. ¡°We got here way too early. I spent forever putting this outfit together, and now I¡¯m starving.¡±
¡°I need something sweet too,¡± Lyra chimed in, following close behind.
Tess was already full, but she stayed with them, pointing out the best pastries.
Raven grabbed a slice of ck Forest cake and shoved it into her mouth. The moment she chewed, her face twisted. ¡°Henry is so cheap. He wants to y rich guy by throwing a funeral for someone who¡¯s been dead for over ten years, but he couldn¡¯t even get decent food. Who¡¯s supposed to eat this stuff?¡±
Her voice carried like a megaphone. Henry, who had just walked in, heard every word. His face darkened, but with so many guests around, he was forced to keep a polite smile.
Lyra covered her mouth, pretending to eat while holding backughter.
She even gave Raven a quick thumbs¨Cup under the table.
Henry cleared his throat and smiled at the crowd. ¡°Everyone, thank you for taking the time to be here. This funeral is for myte wife¡¯s savior, Ms. Bolton. She passed away more than ten years ago, and today I finally honor her.¡±
He paused, his voice steady and loud enough for all to hear. ¡°Recently, rumors about Ms. Bolton ing back to life¡® have been spreading everywhere. Even I was confused at first. Those rumors caused a lot of damage, so I wanted to take this chance to set the record
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Chapter 381 Pushed Aside
straight.¡±
:
Raven puckered her lips again and muttered, ¡°Shameless.¡±
She hadn¡¯t said it loudly, but the guests sitting closest heard it clearly.
660
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A few nced her way, but Raven just red right back, daring them to say something.
Meanwhile, Abel followed Zane¡¯s lead and climbed into Finn¡¯s car.
The moment the door opened, a st of icy air hit him.
The car door shut with a heavy thud. Abel had barely stepped inside when he met Finn¡¯s eyes.
Those eyes were still as dark and piercing as he remembered, but now they carried a trace of
sorrow.
When Finn realized it was Abel, his chin lifted slightly, his presence pressing like a weight.
¡°You¡¯ve been with Tess a lottely, haven¡¯t you?¡±
Before Abel could even sit properly, Finn¡¯s voice cut across the space, sharp and demanding.
Abel stretched out, crossing his legs as he dropped onto the cushioned seat like he owned it.
The two sat facing each other. One man was young, handsome, and wild; the other wasposed, refined, and radiated the power of someone who had spent years dominating boardrooms.
¡°Of course,¡± Abel said easily. ¡°I came here for her. Now that I¡¯ve found her, I¡¯m sticking with her until I take her safely back to Kingnd.¡±
He leaned back, resting an arm behind his head, casual and carefree.
Finn¡¯s expression darkened at Abel¡¯s blunt honesty. His eyes narrowed, cold and sharp, his words edged with suppressed anger.
He gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°Do you even realize she¡¯s your sister¨Cinw?¡±
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Keepsake 382
Chapter 382 Enemies in the Same Car
Chapter 382 Enemies in the Same Car
¡°Uncle Finn, you and Tess divorced a long time ago, didn¡¯t you?¡±
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Abel finally got serious, though a faint smile still yed on his lips. There was a sharp edge in his tone, almost like he meant to provoke. ¡°And if I¡¯m not mistaken, I knew Tess before you ever did.¡±
He tilted his head, pretending to look innocent. However, every word was meant to hit Finn right in the chest.
As soon as the wordsnded, the car fell into a heavy silence. The air felt frozen, like even breathing was out of ce.
Abel didn¡¯t care at all. He shrugged and smiled as if nothing had happened.
The one who reacted the strongest among all three was Zane.
His eyes darted nervously between the two. Sweat rolled down his forehead, but he dared not lift a hand to wipe it away.
Abel locked eyes with Finn.
Their gazes shed midair¡ªone wild, the other cold and sharp.
Abel couldn¡¯t even exin what he felt at that moment. He only knew that, deep down, he wanted to stand against Uncle Finn.
When he was little, he had heard stories of Finn¡¯s power and sess in Aetheris. Back then, the boy he was had admired the uncle he had never met.
But once he learned Finn was Tess¡¯s ex¨Chusband, all of that respect crumbled down.
He had searched for Tess for years, only to find she had been with Finn. If Finn had treated her well, maybe he could have let it go. But after a few years apart, the cheerful, gentle girl he remembered had turned cold and numb. To Abel, all of that was because of Finn and people like him.
Without realizing it, Abel had stepped onto Finn¡¯s opposite side.
And even though Finn and Tess were divorced, it was clear he still had feelings for her.
In a way, they were rivals in love.
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Chapter 382 Enemies in the Same Car
¡°Your mom is calling you. Answer it.¡±
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Finn wasn¡¯t the type to waste time. In that short silence, he had already texted and arranged for someone from Abel¡¯s family to give him a call.
Abel¡¯s face darkened.
¡°That¡¯s low.¡±
His eyes burned with anger as he red at Finn.
But Finn just raised an eyebrow, ignoring Abel¡¯s rage. He even waved his phone like a taunt.
Ring-
¡°Abel! When are youing home? How long are you going to stay out there and mess around?!¡±
The sharp voice of an elegant woman sted through the speaker the moment the call connected.
Abel rubbed his forehead, already sensing the troubleing in. He softened his voice, trying to sound calm, even coaxing. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m busy right now. I can¡¯te home yet.¡±
¡°Busy?¡±
A sharpugh came from the other end of the line, followed by a cold voice. ¡°You¡¯ve been looking for her for months and still won¡¯t give up? The entire family is covering for you, and you think you can keep being this irresponsible forever?¡±
Abel listened to the scolding, his fingers tightening and loosening around the phone.
¡°I just went back not long ago, didn¡¯t I?¡± he muttered.
His usually bright, youthful voice sounded heavier than before.
¡°Once is enough? Do you even understand the size of our family business?¡±
His mother¡¯s angry hand mmed against the table, the sound echoing through the phone. Finally, she cut straight to the point, her tone sharp with warning. ¡°I don¡¯t care what excuse you have. You¡¯reing home in the next two days. Don¡¯t forget what you promised your grandfather.¡±
The moment she mentioned his grandfather, Abel¡¯s rebuke died out.
Chapter 382 Enemies in the Same Car
:
The words he wanted to say got stuck. His lips moved, but no sound came out.
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Abel never got the chance to answer. The call cut off, leaving only the cold beep¨Cbeep in his
car.
That call left him restless. He tossed the phone toward Finn, his movements edged with anger.
Finn caught it with ease and, without hurrying, set it aside.
¡°Kingnd and Aetheris,¡± he murmured, ¡°only three hours apart by ne.¡±
His tone carried a hint of darkness, sharp enough that even Abel, still burning with frustration, could hear the mockery.
Abel¡¯s jaw tightened, teeth shing as his expression shifted. Gone was the yful, puppy¨Clike charm Tess often saw in him. In its ce burned a rebellious, dangerous rage.
¡°Finn Lock, you can¡¯t treat her right, and now you don¡¯t even want anyone else to?¡±
The moment those wordsnded, Zane¡¯s chest tightened. The shock of it made him grow
nervous.
Good Lord! How could Mr. Shaw dare talk to Mr. Lock like that?
Worried and tense, he stole a nce at Finn¡¯s face¨Cand sure enough, what he saw there chilled him to the bone.
¡°This isn¡¯t your concern,¡± Finn said, his voice rough and low,ced with a chill that could freeze a grown man¡¯s blood.
¡°You¡¯re just a kid. You have no right to meddle in what happens between me and her.¡±
¡°Of course, it is my concern,¡± Abel shot back. ¡°She¡¯ll be my future wife. Uncle Finn, the truth is -you¡¯re the one who won¡¯t matter to her anymore.¡±
Abel snapped back with a mocking retort, as if trying to vent all the anger he had just swallowed.¡±
With that, he shoved the door open and stormed out.
The door mmed hard, the whole car shuddering under the blow..
16:40 Fri, Oct 24 M
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Keepsake 383
Chapter 383 Cold Tension
Chapter 383 Cold Tension
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The air inside the car dropped close to freezing, and Zane sat stiff, sweating through his shirt.
¡°Mr. L-¡± He started carefully, but his voice trailed off.
Sweat was soaking through the back of his shirt.
Finn¡¯s jaw was tight. After a long silence, he lowered hisshes and rubbed at his temple with clear irritation.
¡°Tell them to call Abel again. Push him harder.¡±
His tone carried a sharp edge, almost vengeful.
Zane wiped his forehead and hurried out to make the call. His mind reyed the sh he had just witnessed between Abel and Finn.
Both men carried enough weight to shake the outside world, yet in the car they bickered like boys bragging on a schoolyard.
But that was something Zane would never dare to say out loud.
He shrank in fear. He stepped out of the car with his phone.
Finn straightened his suit and stepped out from the car. Dressed in a deep navy suit with a gold¨Cthreaded tie, he looked like an old Euron noble, refined and imposing.
Meanwhile, Abel had gone looking for Tess. He had just hung up on another annoying phone call and now searched frantically, as if she were the cure for his frustration.
Luckily, her bright magenta dress stood out in the crowd.
Abel jogged toward her, but Finn reached Tess first.
¡°You haven¡¯t had breakfast?¡± Finn asked.
He had actually arrived early but stayed in the car, watching Tess and Abel walk straight to the
dessert table.
¡°I have
my chef here. He can make you some grits,¡± Finn added in a low voice, his eyes soft with concern.
The newly divorced couple standing together again instantly caught the press¡¯s attention.
Chapter 383 Cold Tension
Reporters lit up and turned their cameras on them, snapping shot after shot.
¡°No,¡± Tess replied firmly.
She stepped back, putting space between them.
The scent she carried slipped away. Finn¡¯s gaze dimmed for a moment.
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He was about to ask, ¡°Do you really want to push me away like this?¡± But Abel showed up suddenly and caught Tess by the hand.
¡°I heard Henry brought back the funeral workers who cremated Shannon more than ten years ago.¡± Abel said quickly. ¡°He even called in the doctors and nurses who treated her. Come with me¨CI¡¯ll show you.¡±
His eyes locked on hers, his voiceced with urgency.
Tess could sense something off in the air.
To her left stood Abel. To her right, Finn. The three of them formed a triangle around her, all staring directly at her.
The tension made Tess ufortable.
Raven shook his head, muttering under his breath about the two men. Lyra stayed calmer, her eyes shifting over the group as if ready to step in and rescue Tess from the awkward standoff.
¡°Ms. Tess, finally we meet.¡±
A clear, firm male voice broke the silence.
Tess turned toward it. Connor and Marc walked in together. Connor wore a sharp white suit, while Marc was dressed in a bold, shy purple robe,
Connor¡¯s arrival felt like a breeze rolling in.
Tess instantly rxed. But the relief didn¡¯tst¨CMarc rushed forward so suddenly that she almost stumbled.
Abel caught him just in time.
Marc, held back, gave him a wounded look. Irritated, he forced his feelings down and slid in close beside Tess.
Leaning toward her cox
¡°T
¡°1
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Tess couldn¡¯t help pressing her hand to her forehead at the sight of his oundish outfit.
¡°Message received,¡± she said with a softugh.
¡°Not just received¨Cshow me some love. You should know, he¡¯s the one who dragged me out of bed early and got dressed. Didn¡¯t want to miss a chance to see you.¡±
Marc kept his voice low, gossiping with Tess like a teenager.
She understood exactly what he meant. She gave a faint smile.
But it only dragged her from one awkward situation into another.
¡°Tess!¡±
The sharp cry of a woman¡¯s voice split the air.
Everyone around Tess turned toward the sound.
Nadine stood at a distance, dressed in a white dress with a single white flower pinned in her hair. She looked furious, her re locked on Tess.
Her sudden appearance made the quiet tensions between the groups vanish. People instinctively shifted Tess backward, as if to shield her.
But Tess stepped forward.
Nadine marched up, stopping right in front of her.
Because Tess was taller, Nadine found herself looking slightly up when their eyes met, as if Tess held the higher ground.
Nadine hid her unease, forcing her voice to be sharp. ¡°Tess, what is this supposed to mean? Did you bring all of them here to wreck the funeral? This was meant for my mom. Even if you don¡¯t ept her, can¡¯t you at least show the dead some respect?¡±
Her eyes swept over the group. But when theynded on Abel and Finn, she barely spared them a nce before moving on.
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Chapter 384 The Spark at the Funeral
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¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? I picked this deep purple on purpose. It¡¯s a limited edition for this season¨Cyou can¡¯t even buy it in stores. Are you questioning my taste?¡±
Marc crossed his arms and red, clearly unhappy.
Nadine nearly rolled her eyes right out of her head at his boldness.
Connor waited for Marc to finish, then slowly stood. He gave Nadine an apologetic nod. ¡°Ms. Nadine, sorry about that. Marc¡¯s still young. He blurts things out. Please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±
That softened Nadine¡¯s face a little. She started to straighten up, ready to say something. But then she caught Finn¡¯s deep gaze from the side. Her palms clenched. Forcing herself to look calm, she asked, ¡°And you, Tess? My birth mother died saving your mother. Indirectly, she helped you. And this is how you repay us? Showing up in clothes that steal all the attention?¡±
Her face burned red with anger.
Tess didn¡¯t care about her anger at all. She just shrugged and said, ¡°The invitation didn¡¯t say anything about what to wear.¡±
Abel jumped in right after. ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t see any rules either. What, are you nning to kick
us out?¡±
Connor gave Nadine a polite smile. ¡°They¡¯re just kids. Please tell Mr. Ember not to take it too seriously.¡±
Her eyes were fixated on him. That¡¯s when she realized his warmth was nothing more than a de wrapped in disguise.
Everyone here was an adult¨CMarc was the only one still young. Connor brushed everything aside with that flimsy excuse, as if she were a fool.
The more she thought about it, the darker her expression grew.
All these people had closed ranks around Tess.
The group that stood in the center stood out in bright colors, while the rest of the crowd wore only ck and white. They looked like they wanted attention. The only one dressed with any sense was Connor, in his pale white suit.
¡°Ah! Sorry, bro¨CMr. Hale!¡±
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Marc, who had been sipping winezily, suddenly tilted his ss and dramatically sshed it across Connor¡¯s suit.
The deep purple stain spread across the crisp white fabric.
Those nearby gasped. The onlookers rushed forward, fumbling to hand over napkins in an attempt to clean Connor up.
Luckily, Connor¡¯s suit was made from a fabric designed to resist stains. A swipe with a wet cloth, and the wine disappeared.
But the liquid had already seeped deep. Like a spark catching fire, it brought out hidden designs beneath the fabric¨Cpatterns in a vivid green that glowed against the white.
What had looked like a in suit now transformed into a masterpiece of design.
The reporters¡® eyes lit up. Cameras snapped from every direction.
In the quiet corner, Nadine¡¯s face turned sour.
They had done it on purpose.
This wasn¡¯t an ident. It was all part of their n. The strange, colorful outfits, the staged drama¨Cthey hade to the funeral ready to cause a scene.
Connor, never one to stay out of the spotlight, raised his ss to Nadine with a polite smile that looked more practiced than sincere. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect things to turn out this way. My apologies. You don¡¯t mind, do you, Ms. Nadine?¡±
He tipped his ss back and finished it in one swallow.
Nadine¡¯s fingers tightened around her wine ss. Her hand was shaking.
She gritted her teeth. Nadine was furious.
But with so many guests and reporters watching her every move, she forced out a stiff, awkward smile.
¡°Where are you, Nadine? Why aren¡¯t you back yet?¡±
Henry¡¯s steady voice rolled through the crowd like a heavy drum.
Tess¡¯s mocking look instantly sharpened into something colder.
Guided by others, Henry stepped into the circle of people.
Chapter 384 The Spark at the Funeral
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He spotted the shy group gathered around Tess and noticed Nadine¡¯s pale, tense face.
No wonder he¡¯d asked Nadine to keep things in order and get the funeral started, yet she never came back.
Henry¡¯s face darkened. He turned to Tess, his voice low and stern. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t bother to exin. She brushed off her dress and smirked at him. ¡°Of course I¡¯m here to remind you of the past. Didn¡¯t Shannon wear a magenta dress not long ago? Strange, she died all of a sudden, and you¡¯re holding a funeral for her?¡±
Her eyes shed with cold light, and her words made Henry¡¯s heart tremble.
Henry forced himself to look calm and solemn, then snapped at Tess, ¡°Today is Shannon¡¯s funeral. I overlooked your wild behavior before and didn¡¯t stop you from attending. But if you dare stir up trouble here, don¡¯t me me for forgetting the bond between father and daughter.¡±
His voice was a low growl, heavy with threat, his eyes burning like fire.
Conor cut in coldly, ¡°Ms. Tess, I¡¯ve been tied up with work and haven¡¯t stayed in Aetheris much. But even I¡¯ve heard you cut ties with yo
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Chapter 385 Steal the Spotlight
Connor frowned and tilted his head at Tess, pretending not to understand.
¡°Who are you trying to argue with?¡±
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Abel saw how fast Conor had jumped in. He let out a mockingugh himself, as if he were afraid of falling behind.
One spoke, the other followed, and soon their eyes locked in the air. The tension between them sparked like static electricity.
Henry¡¯s face darkened instantly, but he dared not show anger toward either of them.
One was the acting CEO of Cavrielle in the country. The other was Finn¡¯s nephew. And Henry -once the proud chairman of the Ember Group, now fallen from power¨Ccouldn¡¯t afford to provoke either of them.
Especially since Finn himself was here.
Henry cautiously nced in Finn¡¯s direction.
Unlike Connor and Abel, Finn didn¡¯t speak. He simply stood a few steps behind Tess, close enough to be near her yet distant enough to seem detached. His eyes hardly moved toward anyone else. They lingered lightly on Tess, following her every shift.
Henry, being a man himself, could read the affection in Finn¡¯s gaze. It only made his headache
worse.
Tess broke into a smile, her eyes curving gently. She looked harmless, yet every move she made carried a weight of confidence that was impossible to overlook.
¡°Mr. Hale is right. I cut ties with this family a long time ago. Today, I¡¯m here as the founder and CEO of a new legal aidpany.¡±
Her slender fingers pulled out an elegant business card, pale pink nails pressing against the edge. She even had Abel hold it up so the nearest camera could capture it.
¡°We just founded Mars Legal. I sincerely hope our friends in the press will help spread the word. We n to go public in a few months.¡±
She pped her hands, inviting all the reporters to take photos.
The funeral meant for Shannon had suddenly turned into aunch event for Tess¡¯s new
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Henry clenched his teeth, his re so sharp it looked like he might tear Tess apart on the spot.
She just had to oppose him in everything.
¡°Of course, Mr. Ember, you¡¯re wee to pay mypany a visit,¡± Tess said sweetly, slipping a card into his hand as well. ¡°Though, since we¡¯re going public in a few months, I wonder if you¡¯ll be around long enough to see it.¡±
Her words carried an innocent smile, but her eyes hinted at something deeper¨Csomething that left Henry uneasy. His heart gave a heavy thud.
By the time he looked up again, Tess had already moved away.
She had drawn the attention of the crowd with her. Reporters swarmed toward her, snapping photos and firing off questions.
¡°Ms. Tess, it seems you¡¯ve truly left your family behind. But why would you choose to start a legal aidpany?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, didn¡¯t yourw license get revoked a year ago? Why run aw¨Crted business under those conditions?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, since you¡¯ve already cut ties with the Embers, why are you here at this funeral? Is it really, as Mr. Ember and Ms. Nadine imed, just to stir up trouble?¡±
The reporters¡® questions came one after another.
She only kept a small smile, answering a few from time to time.
¡°As the founder of mypany, I don¡¯t have to handle everything myself. Losing my license doesn¡¯t stop me from starting a business like this.
¡°As for the license, I¡¯ve already filed an appeal. I¡¯ve always believed I was innocent in that casest year. The truth wille out eventually. More than anyone, I want myw license restored.
¡°And about the im that I came here to cause trouble? People will see what they want to see.¡±
On thatst question, Tess winked at the camera.
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One reporter had chosen to stream live. His channel shot straight to the top. The number of viewers online passed 200,000.
[Wasn¡¯t that case already settled? Tess spent a whole year in prison. Now she¡¯s saying it¡¯s still under investigation? Could there really be more to the story?]
[Hahaha, isn¡¯t this wild? Sure, showing up at a funeral like this is messed up, but the reactions are hrious.]
[Am I the only one who thinks Tess looks stunning? She winked at me, and I swear my world spun.]
[Tell us something new, man!]
Comments flooded across the screen faster than anyone could keep up.
The people inside the room had no idea a storm was exploding online.
Kylie¡¯s arrival brought the chaos back down a notch.
She frowned and nced at the group around Tess, their outfits striking her as odd. Still, she pressed her lips together and said nothing. Instead, she tugged on Henry¡¯s sleeve.
Everyone¡¯s here now.
The woman¡¯s voice carried the marks of age and weariness. It was rough and low, and beneath it all, you could still hear the exhaustion in her tone.
Tess waved a hand, signaling the press to step back, pausing the short interview.
She stood tall, her gaze calm as it drifted across the room. Her eyes lingered a moment longer on Kylie before moving on.
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Chapter 386 The Chill in His Eyes
Chapter 386 The Chill in His Eyes
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Kylie clearly hadn¡¯t slept well these past few days. The face that once looked bright and full of life now seemed dull and sallow, as if it had aged decades overnight. Even her spirit seemned
drained.
The crowd grew a little quieter.
Henry, though still fuming inside, reminded himself of the reason he was hosting this funeral.
He shot Tess a harsh re, then turned to leave.
But just as he pulled his gaze away, a sudden chill spread through his body.
His instincts made him nce toward the cold corner of the room¨Cwhere Finn was staring at him with icy eyes.
Those eyes were deep and merciless, like a frozen cier at the end of the world. Just looking at them made Henry¡¯s heart tremble.
He shivered, lowered his head, and quickened his steps.
Tess narrowed her eyes slightly. She didn¡¯t miss the sudden change in Henry¡¯s expression.
Out of everyone here, only Finn had the power to scare Henry like that.
Her mind reyed their earlier conversation, leaving her with more questions than answers.
Finn sudden appearance and the way he¡¯d been actingtely struck her as strange.
First, Finn had bought up the huge batch of Ember Group shares Henry dumped, then delivered them personally to the Evermount Heights. And now, he showed up at Henry¡¯s funeral wearing a navy¨Ccolored suit¨Csomething she had never seen him wear before.
It all felt strange. Tess couldn¡¯t quite figure it out.
But this wasn¡¯t the time to ponder this. The funeral was officially beginning.
Henry stepped onto the small stage that had been set up in advance. Holding a microphone, he raised his voice to the crowd.
¡°Everyone, I¡¯ve arranged this long¨Cdyed funeral to put an end to the rumors that have been spreading online.
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¡°I¡¯ve invited the crematorium worker who handled Shannon¡¯s body, as well as the doctor who confirmed her death and the nurse who wheeled her into the morgue.¡±
As soon as Henry finished speaking, Nadine brought three people onto the stage.
Each one held
up
their business license.
On the big screen behind them, the camera zoomed in, showing everything clearly.
Henry raised his voice. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, these three were in direct contact with Shannon back then. If anyone knows whether she was truly alive or dead, it¡¯s them.¡±
The first to speak was a crematorium worker. ¡°I personally burned her body in the furnace. I made sure it waspletely reduced to ashes before I left.¡±
Next, a doctor and nurse stepped forward. ¡°When Ms. Bolton was brought to our hospital, she was already in critical condition. Before we could even get her into surgery, she passed away. The moment we confirmed her death, we stopped the procedure. Not long after, her body was taken to the morgue for temporary storage.¡±
As they spoke, old surveince footage flickered on the big screen. The images were blurry; the technology from that time was far less advanced.
¡°Words alone aren¡¯t enough,¡± Henry exined. ¡°We went through great trouble to recover these recordings, even though they¡¯re old and unclear.¡±
Both eyewitnesses and evidence wereid out. The entire room fell silent.
But online, the livestream was buzzing.
[So Shannon really is dead. But then how did those rumors start, saying she was still alive¡ª and worse, that she was secretly with Henry? That¡¯s just awful. That¡¯s defaming the dead!]
[Don¡¯t you wonder who started those lies? When Nadine got out of prison, the first name she called out was Tess. Creepy if you think about it.]
[Doesn¡¯t take much thought. Clearly Tess nned this. I work in finance, and I know how business rivalries y out. Tess wanted to crush the Ember Group with rumors.]
[Where are all the people who said Tess was beautiful a minute ago? Come on, still dizzy for someone who has no limits?]
Thements rolled in nonstop. The stream¡¯s poprity only climbed higher, with more
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Chapter 386 The Chill in His Eyes
than half a million viewers now watching live.
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The first reporter who started streaming nced at his phone, the screengging under the flood of messages. His bloodshot eyes lit up with excitement.
He looked straight at Tess.
And in the hall itself, nearly everyone had their eyes locked on her too.
They hade for the funeral, but most already knew what had been going on.
Henry and Tess had shed publicly many times, but this time Henry hadn¡¯t stopped her from attending.
Everyone here was sharp enough to realize what that meant: this wasn¡¯t just about a funeral. It was a showdown, and Tess was the target.
Sure enough, Henry spoke again, his anger breaking through. ¡°I am furious about the rumors spreading online. But what hurts me most is discovering who spread them.¡±
He paused, then delivered the blow. ¡°After investigation, I can now say that the one behind it all is my own daughter¨CTess Ember.¡±
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall.
Yet even as every eye turned to her, Tess¡¯s face remained calm, unchanged.
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Chapter 387 A Father¡¯s Betrayal
¡°As Tess¡¯s father, I feel deeply ashamed. I can¡¯t believe I raised a daughter like her.¡±
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Henry lowered his head, wearing a look of defeat. His voice carried a heavy sigh, though there was also a touch of staged disappointment. ¡°Shannon once saved my wife¡¯s life. But her child grew up as an orphan. Out of guilt, my wife brought Nadine into our home. We treated Nadine with extra care. I never thought Tess would twist that kindness into hatred toward us, or worse, into jealousy of Nadine. She wanted revenge. Tess went to prison for stealingpany secrets from Lock Group. Instead of facing her mistakes, she med Nadine for reporting her. Not long ago, she even managed to get Nadine locked up for a few days.
¡°A child like this makes me sick with shame!¡± Henry¡¯s voice rose with anger, his chest heaving. ¡°And she¡¯s right about one thing¨Cwe cast her out of the house just days ago!¡±
The st of Henry¡¯s voice over the microphone echoed in Tess¡¯s ears. Her eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and scorn.
She couldn¡¯t believe it. Facts as solid as stone had been twisted into lies once they left his
mouth.
Raven¡¯s jaw dropped. She shot Tess a strange look and muttered, ¡°That¡¯s really your dad?¡±
Everyone knew the truth about Nadine¡¯s time in jail¨Cshe had tried to seduce Finn and ended up punished by him. Yet Henry had flipped the story into Tess being jealous and taking
revenge.
Tess only shrugged, showing how helpless she felt.
Marc, always outspoken, spat on the ground. Not caring about the guests or reporters around them, he barked, ¡°An old man with one step away from your grave still shamelessly spews garbage.¡±
Connor had looked worried at first. But after a quick nce at Tess, seeing her calm face, he finally rxed. Still, he spoke gently with Lyra, offering Tessfort.
Not far away, Finn¡¯s gaze stayed on Tess.
She stood surrounded by people, leaning in at times to talk quietly with one or another.
For the first time, Finn realized that just a year ago, when she was still with him, she had almost no friends. At thepany, she only kept close with Steven.
But now? Now she seemed happier, maybe even freer, than she had ever been with him.
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His hand clenched into a fist before he realized it. Henry¡¯s voice droned on in the background, grating on his nerves.
Henry was still going on and on, speaking with too much excitement, when a hand suddenly appeared and yanked the microphone right out of his grip.
¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡±
A man¡¯s strong voice cut through the hall.
It was Abel. He had vanished moments before, but now he stood on the stage, holding the microphone high like a trophy.
Tess¡¯s mouth fell open in shock at his bold move.
¡°When did he get up there?¡± she whispered.
Marc was even more dramatic, his eyes about to pop out of his head.
¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Raven muttered, smacking his lips.
¡°Abel, don¡¯t think you can do whatever you want just because you¡¯re Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew!¡±
Nadine shouted as she ran up to the stage. She tried to grab the microphone, but she was too short. Even when she stood on tiptoe, Abel lifted it higher, teasing her like a child.
But he wasn¡¯t in the mood to y with her. He stomped down hard on the projector. ¡°All of this footage is fake,¡± he dered. ¡°And those witnesses? Please. Anyone with enough cash can hire them.¡±
The crowd of reporters swarmed forward at once, buzzing like flies around meat. ¡°Mr. Shaw, are you saying you know the truth?¡±
Henry and Nadine both stiffened at the question. No matter how hard they tried to hide it, the flicker of panic in their eyes was sharp enough for Tess and her group to notice.
Abel, lit up under the shing spotlights, scratched his head casually.
¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he said with a grin, showing off his sharp white teeth. The arrogance in his
smile was obvious.
Everyone could see what he meant: maybe he didn¡¯t know, but Henry had ticked him off, and that was enough.
That single, cocky answer made Henry¡¯s eyes roll back so hard he nearly fainted on the spot.
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Reporters who had thought the story was about to turn awkwardly tugged at their mouths. The room fell strangely quiet.
Abel gave the broken projector two more hard kicks, making sure it waspletely useless. Then he jumped down from the stage with a swagger,nding right beside Tess.
A sudden breeze lifted her hair, carrying the clean, sharp scent that clung to Abel.
Abel winked at her, then slipped something into her hand.
Tess frowned slightly and looked down. It was a sh drive¨Cthe very one that had been plugged into the projector.
She froze, then looked up at Abel¡¯s grin.
He had gone up there just to get the source file for her?
Her chest tightened. She couldn¡¯t even name the feeling rushing through her, but it was strong and impossible to ignore.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 388 The Press Turns
Tess bit her lip and forced down the strange feelings rising inside her.
She carefully slipped the file into the hidden pocket of her bag.
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She was certain now¨CShannon was alive. She hadn¡¯t even left Aetheris. But then where had Henry gotten that security footage he just showed?
That was her first question.
With this sh drive, she finally had a chance to dig deeper.
The room was still unsettled, the noise pressing from all sides, until atst Kylie stepped forward.
She held another microphone in her hand.
¡°I¡¯m Kylie,¡± she said, her voice calm but steady. ¡°Years ago, Shannon saved my life, and she died because of it. As for the recent rumors, there¡¯s been some truth mixed in.¡±
Her words calmed the crowd, and the person involved stepped forward. All eyes turned to her.
She lowered her gaze slightly, her whole presence soft and distant, almost untouchable.
¡°I¡¯ve seen the pictures and videos online. The woman standing next to my husband, Henry, is not Shannon. That woman is named Sacha. She looked like Shannon and even had surgery to resemble her more, just to get close to Henry. He told me everything. And I chose to forgive him.¡±
Her calm voice carried across the hall.
¡°Long before this, Henry had already exined everything to the media. But I understand- after all the chaostely, people have grown wary of any official statement. That¡¯s why, as the one involved, I came forward myself to clear things up.¡±
When she finished, Kylie set the microphone down and slowly stepped off the stage.
Tess narrowed her eyes and followed her with a sharp gaze. She watched every movement until Kylie vanished from sight.
In her memory, Kylie had always been pampered and proud, carrying the air of someone raised in privilege. But marriage to Henry had worn her down¨Cshe¡¯d grown sharp, bitter, and full of spite.
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Chapter 388 The Press Turns
Since Tess hadpletely cut ties with the Embers, almost three weeks had passed.
She remembered thest glimpse of Kylie¡¯s ck dress as she disappeared.
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Tess had even arranged for Lyra and Bessie to keep an eye on Kylic. But why did it feel like, overnight, she had be a different person?
Tess¡¯s unease grew heavier, though no matter how she pondered this, the pieces wouldn¡¯t fit. She had to set her doubts aside for now.
With Kylie¡¯s testimony backing him up, Henry looked far more rxed on stage.
He scanned the crowd of guests and reporters, his expression calm as he lifted the microphone again. His gaze slid past Abel andnded squarely on Tess. ¡°Mr. Shaw,¡± Henry said smoothly, ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you felt the need to interrupt earlier, or for whose sake. After all, my family has no real conflict with you or with Mr. Lock.¡±
The words seemed mild, but the intent was sharp.
Henry kept his tone polite, but his gaze and hint were clear. He was pointing the finger at Tess.
The tension rippled through the crowd.
Henry gave a broad, practiced smile and adjusted his tie. ¡°Of course, now that the funeral has gone on, we can overlook the little scuffles just now. Between the witnesses I¡¯ve brought and my wife¡¯s personal statement, everything here should be enough to end the false stories and rumors against my family and against me. I trust the press will report fairly and truthfully on today¡¯s events.¡±
He gave a small bow.
Tess raised an eyebrow.
Sure enough, the moment Henry announced everyone was free to move around, cameras and microphones surged toward Tess like a crashing wave, as if they meant to drown her.
¡°Ms. Tess, the Embers used you of being the one behind the rumors. Do you have anything to say in your defense?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, was it really jealousy that drove you to try to destroy the Embers?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess-¡±
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The questions flew so fast, reporters shouting with excitement, raising their microphones so high they could¡¯ve touched the ceiling.
In that moment, the microphones felt like sharp knives shing in the air, all aimed straight at
Tess.
Abel and Connor quickly stepped forward, putting themselves between her and the reporters.
¡°Stay back!¡± Connor¡¯s voice carried an icy edge.
¡°Come any closer, and don¡¯t me me for what happens next!¡± Abel growled, his tone dark and threatening.
Lyra wasn¡¯t as tall as the two men, but she lifted her badge high, shing it as a warning.
For a moment, the frenzied reporters, eyes zing, held back. Their rush slowed, restrained just enough to stop them from boxing Tess in.
Tess listened to the nonstop questions and the mor pressing in from all sides. Irritation pricked at her, and she frowned.
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Chapter 389 Chaos at the Funeral
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 389 Chaos at the Funeral
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Tess hadn¡¯te to this funeral with good intentions. She only wanted to unsettle the Embers and see what was really going on.
But Henry¡¯s surprise witnesses and the old surveince video caught herpletely off guard.
How could he have found security footage from over ten years ago so easily in just a few days?
The questions kept piling up in her mind, but this wasn¡¯t the time to think about them. Right now, the real problem was the swarm of reporters closing in.
The people around Tess tried to block the crowd, but within minutes sweat beaded on their foreheads and backs.
The funeral was held outdoors on a huge piece ofnd, which meant even more media had shown up¨Csome of them probably slipping inte just to get a shot.
The reporters acted like starving wolves catching the scent of blood. They shoved and wed, desperate to tear Tess apart in front of everyone.
¡°Tess! You¡¯ve let down all the people online who believed in you!¡±
The shout exploded from somewhere deep in the crowd.
Suddenly, someone surged forward like a wild animal, diving into the press of bodies. Chaos followed.
People shoved harder. They pushed those in front off bnce until they toppled forward into the line ahead.
In an instant, order copsed into chaos.
Through the chaos, one quick¨Ceyed reporter spotted Tess and charged straight at her.
Raven was knocked to the ground, breaking open the protective circle around her.
Reporters nearby lit up with excitement, squeezing through the gap toward Tess like sharks scenting blood.
¡°Ms. Tess! Give us a statement!¡±
She was no longer just a woman at a funeral. In their eyes, Tess had be a precious gem locked in a treasure chest.
Chapter 389 Chaos at the Funeral
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Whoever grabbed hold of her would walk away with the biggest story of the week. Fame and fortune were on the line, and the temptation drove them wild.
The temptation to gain their fame was too much. Their eyes went red, and frenzy took over.
Abel saw the chaos spiraling out of control. He wrapped Tess tightly in his arms and forced his way through the crowd, carving out a path.
Before Tess could even react, all she felt was the roar of voices around her and the crush of bodies being shoved aside like walls of flesh.
Abel held her close, shielding her as he snapped at those blocking the way. ¡°Move!¡±
Then he lowered his voice, urgent but gentler than his earlier outburst.
¡°Don¡¯t look. Stay with me.¡±
But his movements had already drawn the eyes of those standing on the outer edge.
The reporters suddenly seemed unusually united. They rushed forward and blocked Abel¡¯s path.
He stared at the wall of bodies in front of him and was forced to stop, his face dark with anger.
Tess also had no choice but to halt.
That pause gave the crowd behind them time to catch up. Soon, more people were pushing in.
¡°Ms. Tess, are you running away because you¡¯re guilty?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, you were once one of the topwyers in Aetheris. You should know it¡¯s against thew to spread lies online. Why did you do it?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, you¡¯ve been saying all along that you would investigate the truth behindst year¡¯s usations of stealing Lock Group¡¯s secrets. But you¡¯re still giving the same excuse. Let me take a bold guess¨Cyou¡¯re not exactly innocent, are you?¡±
Sharp questions were hurled at her one after another.
Abel kept Tess locked tightly in his arms. Her face was buried against his chest, hidden from
view.
However, his expression said everything. His handsome face was dark as a storm, his sharp
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eyes sweeping over every reporter who dared to push forward.
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¡°We won¡¯t be answering questions right now,¡± Abel said coldly. ¡°The evidence you want will be dealt withter.¡±
He stood tense, eyeing those around him, like a guard dog ready to tear into anyone who made a move. One wrong step, and he was ready to strike without hesitation.
¡°Step back!¡±
The standoff broke when a deep, booming voice cut through the air.
Zane rushed in, panting for breath, with a wave of bodyguards behind him.
At a nce, they stretched out in several solid rows.
The guards moved fast. They pulled back the reporters closest to Tess and spread out to keep order in the room.
In an instant, the reporters who had been so bold just moments ago were surrounded by towering figures in ck. The sheer height and presence of the men were enough to make them hesitate, their earlier arrogance fading into silence.
Zane let out a heavy breath of relief and jogged up to Tess. ¡°Mrs. Lock¨CMs. Tess, are you alright?¡±
The slip made him rub his forehead awkwardly. He risked a nce at his boss standing not far
away.
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened when he heard Zane call her ¡°Mrs. Lock.¡± His gaze on Tess grew even more intense.
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Chapter 390 The Weight of Power
Zane¡¯s sudden appearance meant only one thing¨Che was representing Finn.
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Backstage, Nadine watched as the situation she had carefully set up was brought under control. Instead of the chaos she expected, everything had slipped neatly into Zane and Finn¡¯s hands. Jealous rage burned in her eyes.
She clenched her teeth and mmed her fist against the wall.
The pain spread from her knuckles down to her palm, but she hardly felt it.
Compared to the ache twisting inside her chest, it was nothing.
Why? Tess was already divorced from him. So why would he still step in?
Tess too turned her head, almost without thinking, and looked at Finn.
He stood not far away.
Unlike the chaos and disarray around them, he looked untouched¨Cdressed sharp in a tailored suit, his presence cold andmanding. An invisible shield had set him apart from everyone else.
Finn stood not far away. From where she stood, Tess could clearly read the emotions in his
eyes.
Zane¡¯s voice cut across the noise, ¡°Anyone who crosses the line, the Lock Group will hold you fully ountable. We¡¯ll demand theirpanies fire them, and every partner business connected to us here in Aetheris will refuse to hire them.¡±
It was an open threat. Like a sharp de pressed against their throat.
In in words, if anyone went after Tess, they could forget about having a future in this city.
Such arrogant words would sound ridiculous from
But this came from Finn.
anyone else.
The crowd¡¯s expressions shifted. Faces showed all kinds of reactions, but one thing was the same¨Ceveryone grew more restrained.
Then Tess suddenly spoke up.
Chapter 390 The Weight of Power
¡°Yes. The recent scandals broke online about the Embersing from me.¡±
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She remembered how they had shouted for an answer, and in the end, she chose to step forward and admit it openly.
The reporters, who had just wilted under pressure, lit up with excitement again.
¡°So, Ms. Tess, are you admitting the Embers were right? That this was all revenge?¡±
Someone shouted, almost tripping over his own words in eagerness. But then he remembered Zane¡¯s warning and nced nervously at Finn.
When he saw no reaction from Finn, the man rxed and turned back to Tess.
¡°No.¡± Tess shook her head.
¡°I grew up with my grandmother. Yes, they treated Nadine and me differently, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯d spend years plotting revenge. And look at me now¨CI¡¯m caught in this storm of public opinion too. Why would I ruin myself just to settle an old childhood grudge?¡±
She paused, then added firmly, ¡°And from the very start of this funeral, I¡¯ve been sending the same message¨CShannon is alive.¡±
The crowd buzzed. A reporter quickly pushed forward, speaking louder than the rest, ¡°But Mr. Ember showed proof. He found witnesses and even video footage. People can be bribed, sure, but ten¨Cyear¨Cold security tapes? How could they be faked so precisely in just a few days?¡±
Tess only shrugged, calm and steady. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I want to know. But don¡¯t worry. In a few days, I¡¯ll give everyone a proper answer.¡±
That silenced them.
For reporters, the truth wasn¡¯t the real prize. They only cared about the story, about the spark that drew attention.
If Tess promised more, and if Finn stood right there radiating enough pressure to freeze the air, none of them dared push further. ¡°Then we¡¯ll wait for your exnation, Ms. Tess.¡±
¡°From this point onward, the funeral is closed to the media,¡± Finn¡¯s deep voice carried over the
group.
His eyes swept over the reporters, his deep voice echoing through the air.
The moment he stepped in, it was like the temperature dropped. A cold weight spread everywhere.
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Chapter 390 The Weight of Power
Reporters who met his gaze lowered their heads at once.
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They all understood what his words really meant. Several nced toward Henry before quietly preparing to leave.
In an instant, the once¨Ccrowdedwn was empty, leaving only the elite guests and noble families behind.
They disappeared so quickly it shocked Tess. After the chaos of the rushing crowd, to have it all settle this easily felt unreal.
She pressed her lips together, still dazed.
Who else in Aetheris could control such a massive swarm of reporters with so little effort other than Finn?
A single thought grew louder inside her¨Cpower.
Only those standing at the very top of the city¡¯s pyramid had the power to speak and be heard.
She clenched her fists, forcing down the rush of emotions in her chest.
Now that things had calmed, she felt the heat around her. That was when she realized she was still tucked against Abel¡¯s chest.
¡°They¡¯re all gone. A man and a woman shouldn¡¯t be holding each other like this,¡± came a cool voice from behind.
Connor stood right at Abel¡¯s back, his tone carrying an unexpected chill.
Abel only grinned wider, the curve of his mouth lifting higher.
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Chapter 391 Mrs Lock Said Thank You
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Abel felt Tess stir in his arms. He raised a brow, then tightened his hold around her and shot Connor a mocking look. ¡°What kind of outdated rule is that? Are you from the Stone Age?¡±
Marc grinned and offered, ¡°He¡¯s mixed¨Cblood.¡±
Abel gave him a sharp nce that clearly meant, ¡°Did I need you to exin that?¡±
Connor reyed his words in his head and realized they did sound awkward.
He rubbed his nose, then spoke seriously. ¡°Even though the reporters are gone, your behavior toward Ms. Tess is still inappropriate.¡±
Abel scoffed, the corner of his mouth curling into a smirk full of disdain. He didn¡¯t take Connor¡¯s words seriously at all.
But the movement in his arms couldn¡¯t be ignored.
¡°Abel.¡±
Her voice was calm but carried authority.
He clicked his tongue, then finally let go.
Tess stepped out of his arms and faced the stares around her. She smiled lightly at her friends. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
Abel muttered, ¡°Of course you¡¯re fine. I was protecting you.¡±
But the moment she pulled away, he felt as if a hollow opened in his chest. Even the trace of her scent in the air faded.
His face darkened, though no one noticed. To them, he was always cold and distant unless Tess was involved.
¡°By the way.¡±
Tess pulled the sh drive Abel had given her out from her bag.
Lyra¡¯s eyes locked onto it. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±
Tess exined briefly, then handed it to Raven. ¡°Do me a favor. I¡¯ll consider helping you track down the missing music score of Splendor Sonata.¡±
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Chapter 391 Mrs Lock Said Thank You
Raven¡¯s eyes lit up.
She snatched the drive eagerly. ¡°Easy.¡±
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With the reporters gone, the tension in the room lifted. Everyone rxed.
Tess lifted her gaze.
Across the room, Finn still stood where he was.
Their eyes met.
Her beauty was undeniable. The rush of the moment had left a blush on her cheeks, like red stone warmed by fire. Her magenta dress bloomed against her pale skin like a flower in snow.
Finn found himself staring, lost.
But Tess soon turned her gaze away.
Zane¡¯s heart, which had leapt in joy just a moment ago, sank again.
Sigh. He had hoped the couple could get back together.
Tess walked up to Zane and said softly, ¡°Tell your boss that I appreciate his help.¡±
She brushed back her hair and left without pause.
Her steps were steady; she never looked back.
She had already figured out why Finn had been acting so strangelytely. But they were divorced. Getting back together was impossible.
The help he gave her¨Cshe¡¯d ept it only aspensation for her and La. Anything beyond that, she wouldn¡¯t take.
She walked away.
That quiet figure from a year ago had finally bloomed into a striking flower.
Finn stood frozen in ce.
Zane carefully stepped up behind him. ¡°Mr. Lock, she said thank you.¡±
At those words, Finn lowered his eyes. His longshes shaded the darkness in them.
She thanked him.
Chapter 391 Mrs Lock Said Thank You
Such polite, distant words.
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He pressed his lips together, a storm ofplicated emotions rising inside him, darker than he wanted to admit.
Zane studied his boss, who stood wrapped in cold silence, and let out a quiet sigh.
Fate had yed its cruel trick. He missed his chance with her.
Back when Mrs. Lock had loved him with all her heart, Mr. Lock had been cold and unfeeling. He never imagined that one day he would regret it so deeply after losing her.
¡°Mr. Lock, what about the Embers?¡± Zane asked softly, ncing toward the distance.
During the chaos just now, none of the Embers had shown up. The truth was, Finn had ordered his men to keep them under control.
¡°Let them go,¡± Finn said tly.
The warmth in his eyes was gone, leaving only ruthlessness.
He suddenly looked up, his gaze pausing on the empty stage.
In his mind, the scene reyed: Abel charging forward without hesitation, snatching the microphone from Henry¡¯s hand.
Was that why she kept Abel close? Because she liked that burning spark of youth?
Finn¡¯s hand clenched before he could stop himself.
¡°Yes, Mr. Lock,¡± Zane answered and strode toward the back of the stage.
Behind the temporary setup, Henry and Nadine sat slumped in chairs, looking pale and weak.
Several tall bodyguards stood nearby, watching their every move with sharp eyes.
The moment Zane appeared, Nadine¡¯s eyes widened. She grew agitated.
¡°Zane! Everyone¡¯s gone¨Cwhy won¡¯t you let us go?!¡± She shouted, her face flushed in red.
Just minutes ago, she had nned to walk out and watch Tess¡¯s embarrassment. Before she could do that, a pack ofrge men suddenly burst in and pinned her down.
16:42 Fri, Oct 24 M.
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Chapter 392 Mr Lock Orders
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Keepsake 392
Chapter 392 Mr Lock Orders
Chapter 392 Mr Lock Orders
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Nadine nced down at her wrist. A pair of silver handcuffs mped her hands together.
The cold metal dragged her back to those humiliating nights she once spent in prison.
The memory made her blood boil.
Henry¡¯s face was just as dark, though he kept calmer than Nadine, showing his age and restraint.
¡°Zane,¡± he barked, ring, ¡°what¡¯s the meaning of this? Why did you order your men to do this to us?¡±
Zane wasn¡¯t the obedient man he was in front of his boss. Here, his tone was different.
He gave a slight smile. ¡°Simple. We can¡¯t risk you stirring up trouble.¡±
Then he tilted his head and gave the bodyguards a look. ¡°Release them.¡±
The guards obeyed at once.
Nadine barely tasted freedom before she spun on Zane, her fury sharp. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but Finn¡¯spdog! Who do you think you are, talking to me like this?¡±
Zane¡¯s smile never faded, but his eyes narrowed, a sharp glint shing within them.
He looked at her as if amused.
From the day Nadine had stepped foot into Lock Group, she had despised him.
Zane gave a faint smile. ¡°Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, Ms. Nadine.¡±
Hearing his softer tone, Nadine lifted her chin, almost smug.
Nadine eyes locked on Zane; she was used to his respectful attitude.
But since Finn had thrown her into jail thest time, she had already cut ties with that man. Whatever little patience she once had for Zane was gone,
Zane¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled. But his next words made Nadine¡¯s pupils widen. ¡°Take those people away.¡±
The order had barely left his mouth when the bodyguards rushed forward. In an instant, the
Chapter 392 Mr Lock Orders
:
doctor, nurse, and crematorium worker standing behind Nadine were pinned down.
Her face darkened. ¡°Zane, what are you doing?!¡±
His smile didn¡¯t waver. If anything, it looked a little creepy.
¡°Mr. Lock¡¯s orders,¡± he said, his lips curving deeper.
Nadine¡¯s heart sank.
In the blink of an eye, the three were dragged toward a waiting van.
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¡°Ms. Nadine!¡± they cried out in terror. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Didn¡¯t you and Mr. Ember bring us here? What¡¯s happening?¡±
The scene turned into chaos. Nadine and Henry both looked furious.
Nadine stepped forward, blocking the van.
She red at Zane andmanded, ¡°Let them go! They¡¯re here because of me. You have no right to take them!¡±
At her words, the three captives lit up with desperate hope. They struggled hard, trying to break free.
But these bodyguards weren¡¯t weak.
One shoved down hard on the crematorium worker¡¯s shoulder, forcing a cry of pain.
The other two managed to stay calmer and stopped resisting. But the beads of sweat breaking out across their foreheads gave away their fear.
Watching the tense standoff between Nadine and Zane, the doctor and nurse exchanged a worried nce. The unease in their eyes only grew stronger.
¡°Mr. Zane, can I ask why Mr. Lock wants us taken away?¡±
The doctor looked at Zane; he asked with a respectful, gentle tone.
Zane¡¯s smile had vanished. His face carried the same sharp seriousness as Finn¡¯s.
¡°Mr. Lock will meet you himself. You¡¯ll know then.¡± His voice was calm, but his eyes slid toward Nadine, whose face was twisted with anger.
¡°Ms. Nadine, Mr. Lock is in the car. If you have anyints, I can take you to him.¡±
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Chapter 392 Mr Lock Orders
The moment Finn¡¯s name came up, Nadine had no choice but to swallow her rage.
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Her jaw clenched, her nails dug deep into her palm, but all she could do was watch helplessly as the three were taken away.
Before leaving, Zane stopped by the car where Finn sat.
The car door opened. From a distance, Nadine caught sight of a dark navy coat.
She couldn¡¯t see all of him, but even that faint glimpse carried an undeniable air of cold authority and elegance.
Bitterness clouded Nadine¡¯s eyes.
How could such an incredible man¨Cdivorced and free¨Cstill be on Tess¡¯s side?
Jealousy wrapped around her heart like thick vines, squeezing so tight she could hardly breathe.
What did Tess have that she didn¡¯t?
Since childhood, Nadine had been the one everyone favored. Her family adored her. Tess had always been ignored; even Kylie liked Nadine more. Nadine was loved and admired, always standing taller than Tess.
So why had everything turned upside down?
Henry had been standing behind her the whole time, quietly watching her shifting expression. He said nothing until Zane and his group were gone. Then he rose slowly.
¡°Dad, why did Finn take them?¡± Nadine asked, her fists clenched.
Henry¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Why do you think? Didn¡¯t you see how Finn treated Tess today?¡±
He snorted and cast Nadine a sidelong nce.
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Chapter 393 A Call That Shakes Everything
Chapter 393 A Call That Shakes Everything
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Tess had been in prison for a year. She always imed that Finn had feelings for Nadine. Now, it was clear¨Cno one couldpare to Tess in Finn¡¯s heart.
¡°Is he trying to use those three to help Tess?¡± Nadine clenched her fists, hatred burning inside.
her.
¡°What else could it be?¡±
Henry lifted his dark eyes. The deep lines on his face make him look even creepier.
Nadine bit her lip and stayed quiet.
Those witnesses were people they had worked hard to dig up from the past. But after so many years, how much could they really remember? Of course, money had to be involved.
And Finn¨Cbeing the richest man in Aetheris¨Chad wealth, resources, and power far beyond what their family could match.
If he personally stepped in to deal with those witnesses, their whole n would fall apart.
Once a crack opened in their story, everything else would crumble.
Nadine¡¯s heart sank.
¡°Don¡¯t worry, for something this important, I wouldn¡¯t just rely on money.¡±
Henry gave a coldugh.
He had been in business far longer than Nadine and was much more cautious in his ways.
Nadine finally lifted her head. When she saw the confidence in Henry¡¯s face, she let out a breath of relief.
She wasn¡¯tpletely at ease, but she managed a smile and clung to his arm. ¡°Dad, I knew you always cover every detail.¡±
Her ttery clearly pleased him.
Still, Henry couldn¡¯t help remembering how he had once thought about leaving Nadine behind to go overseas with Shannon. Facing his daughter now, he felt a little uneasy.
He cleared his throat and changed the subject. ¡°Alright. Tess and her people must be in chaos
¡
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Chapter 393 A Call That Shakes Everything
by now. Let¡¯s head back to the condo and check on your mom and brother.¡±
Henry smoothly pulled his arm free.
Nadine didn¡¯t notice. Excited, she followed him with lighter steps.
The two got into the car.
¡°Davy, take us to the apartment.¡±
Henry instructed the driver, who immediately understood.
The car turned toward the apartment Nadine had been staying in.
Halfway there, a sharp ringtone cut through the silence.
Henry nced at the screen¨Cit was Shannon.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Nadine and I were just on our way to see you.¡±
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His voice softened, but the other end didn¡¯t answer right away. He only heard muffled voices and footsteps in the background.
A sense of dread rose in his chest. Then Shannon¡¯s sharp voice burst through the phone. ¡°Henry! I¡¯m pregnant!¡±
¡°What?!¡±
Henry, usually soposed, lost control. He gripped the phone tightly. ¡°Are you sure?¡±
Shannon¡¯s voice came through the noise, shaky but full of excitement. ¡°Lately, I missed my period. Nothing happened for weeks, so I finally came to the hospital for a checkup.¡±
Henry set his phone down, his mood a tangle of emotions. He couldn¡¯t put a finger on it.
At such a critical time, Shannon was pregnant?
¡°You¡¯re at the hospital right now?¡± Henry asked, trying to stay calm.
¡°Yes,¡± Shannon replied. His tone grew firm, almost urgent. ¡°Go back to the condo right away. Don¡¯t stay on the outside. We¡¯ll talk about this when I get home.¡±
The urgency in his words made Shannon grip the report tighter, her heart pounding.
¡°Okay, I¡¯ll head back now.¡±
M
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Chapter 393 A Call That Shakes Everything
The call ended. Henry¡¯s earlier calm was gone.
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¡°Dad, is Mom pregnant?¡± Nadine asked, stunned. Her eyes flickered with something strange. ¡°But we¡¯re nning to move overseas. Now Mom¡¯s pregnant? That¡¯s a real problem.¡±
Henry¡¯s brows knit so tightly they looked like a knot.
He knew this was the worst timing imaginable.
¡°Let¡¯s go home first and talk it over with your mom.¡±
He threw out the words, turned his eyes away in frustration, rubbed his forehead, and stared out the window. Clearly, he didn¡¯t want to say more.
Nadine swallowed her questions and fell silent.
While the family wrestled with this new tension, Tess¡¯s side had a breakthrough worth celebrating.
Inside Mars Legal, Raven sat at her desk.
Abel¡¯s sh drive was plugged into herptop.
On the screen yed the same footage that had been projected on the big screen earlier.
¡°Well?¡± Lyra asked, unable to make sense of the video, her voice tight with worry.
Raven¡¯s fingers tapped across the keyboard, zooming in and out on the footage. Finally, she set the mouse down, the corner of her mouth lifting.
¡°There are signs of editing.¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes.
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Chapter 394 The Covered Body
Of course.
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She knew it. How could those people have gotten their hands on ten¨Cyear¨Cold security footage so easily?
But¡
Tess¡¯s eyes moved across the dim, grainy video on the screen.
Surveince and recording tech a decade ago wasn¡¯t what it is now. The picture wasn¡¯t sharp. Even zooming in only showed blurry faces and the outline of the hospital¡¯s interior.
¡°I don¡¯t see any signs this part was edited.¡±
Raven paused the video on the scene Henry imed showed Shannon¡¯s body in the morgue.
The glowing sign that read ¡°Morgue¡± flickered eerily above the door.
¡°Patient from Krigan, name¡¯s Shannon Bolton,¡± a doctor told the nurse in charge.
The nurse nodded and wheeled the body, draped in a white sheet, into a cold storage chamber.
Tess narrowed her eyes at the shape on the stretcher.
The more she stared, the more wrong it felt.
From start to finish, not once did anyone lift that sheet.
She leaned closer, her voice low as she tapped Raven¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Speed it up. y the whole clip.¡±
Although she was confused, Raven obeyed and fast¨Cforwarded the footage,
Tess followed every frame, her gaze never leaving the stretcher that appeared again and again.
The same white sheety firmly in ce, stretched over the shape of a human body, but it
never once shifted.
¡°Raven,¡± she said, her eyes narrowing. ¡°You said the morgue footage wasn¡¯t tampered with.
You¡¯re sure?¡±
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Chapter 394 The Covered Body
Tess narrowed her eyes.
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¡°Of course.¡± Raven barely hesitated. ¡°Spotting edits can be tricky, but at my level it¡¯s fairly simple. There¡¯s nothing altered here.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together, eyes locked on the screen, deep in thought.
Maybe she had been looking at it all wrong.
Henry wouldn¡¯t dare hold such a public funeral, showing this footage, unless he had something he trustedpletely.
She asked Raven to freeze the video again at the morgue.
¡°Tell me,¡± Tess said suddenly, ¡°what if that body under the sheet was never Shannon at all?¡±
The words dropped like ice in the room.
Lyra frowned and met Raven¡¯s stiff gaze.
A chill crept up both their spines.
Abel, however, only curved his lips into a faint smile.
¡°From the day Nadine walked out of prison to Henry staging this grand funeral today, only three days have passed.¡±
The man¡¯s deep, sly voice cut through the tension in the room. Unlike everyone else, he seemed rxed, almost amused.
The words hooked everyone¡¯s thoughts at once.
Lyra¡¯s face turned serious as she sank into deep thought. She rubbed her arm, already covered in goosebumps.
¡°Tess believes they couldn¡¯t have gotten ten¨Cyear¨Cold security footage in just a few days. But most of this video doesn¡¯t look edited at all. Which means¡
¡°This footage was probably prepared over ten years ago,¡± Tess finished.
In that moment, all her thoughts came full circle.
Raven shrank back, a chill crawling down his spine.
The incident wasn¡¯t some ident. It was a trap nned for over a decade.
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Henry looked like a polished, respectable businessman on the surface. But who would have thought he carried such dark, frightening intentions all along?
¡°But this is still only our guess,¡± Connor said softly.
His calm voice washed over the group like cool water, steadying their shaken nerves.
He looked at Tess. ¡°You promised the media you¡¯d give an answer in the next few days. We¡¯ll need real evidence.¡±
Tess nodded.
He was right.
All they had now were scattered leads.
But evidence? That was the hardest part.
They suspected the body wasn¡¯t Shannon¡¯s. Yet that corpse had been cremated more than ten years ago. Even if they found her ashes, it wouldn¡¯t prove anything.
¡°Evidence? That¡¯s easy,¡± Abel said with a suddenugh, breaking the heavy silence.
Tess turned her head. Abel¡¯s eyes were locked on her, sharp and knowing, as if he had read her worries from the look on her face.
He brushed her nose lightly, teasing. ¡°Silly. The body¡¯s gone, but Shannon¡¯s still alive.¡±
The words lit a spark in Tess¡¯s mind.
She had been so buried in dark thoughts she had almost forgotten that.
But as quickly as hope came, doubt crept back in. Her shoulders slumped. ¡°Even if she¡¯s alive, I¡¯m sure Henry¡¯s already hidden her somewhere. The fact he dared to stand in public and ¡®clear things up¡® proves he¡¯s got Shannon under control.¡±
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¡°And Henry keeps insisting he cheated with a woman who looked almost exactly like Shannon. Even if we find Shannon, what if she denies who she really is?¡± Lyra said quickly.
Her words dropped into the room like stones, leaving everything silent.
¡°Mr. Shaw¡¯s idea makes sense,¡± Connor¡¯s calm voice broke through the silence atst.
Everyone turned their eyes to him.
Connor was the oldest in the room, though he hardly looked it. Slim, sharp, and always dressed ahead of the trend, he carried himself with the energy of someone younger.
Just standing there, he seemed to settle the nerves of everyone else.
¡°The real problem now,¡± he gently concluded, ¡°is not finding Shannon. It¡¯s making sure Shannon admits who she really is.¡±
Abel puckered his lips, biting back the words he wanted to say. He noticed Tess¡¯s serious expression and swallowed his sarcasm.
¡°Shannon is still in this city,¡± Connor continued, stroking his chin. ¡°No matter how well she hides, people need food, clothes, and a ce to stay. In today¡¯s digital age, tracking someone isn¡¯t impossible. But ¡ ¡± His eyes shifted to Tess, a little hesitant. ¡°Ms. Tess, all of us here are skilled in our fields. But when ites to searching for someone in this city, the most powerful tool is influence.¡±
He didn¡¯t finish the thought, but Tess understood.
Tess caught Connor¡¯s gaze and felt a jolt in her chest.
He didn¡¯t say the words, but she knew exactly what he meant.
In Aetheris, who else held power like Finn¨Cthe man at the very top of the pyramid?
The Lock Group controlled finance, healthcare, and everyday needs. If anyone could track someone down, it was him.
She thought back to the time she ran away years ago, living in fear, careful with every step, certain she had left no trace. But Finn still found her.
Her fists clenched. She pressed her lips tight and stayed silent.
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Chapter 395 ying Detective
As soon as heid that out, everyone thought of the same person.
The room instantly grew awkward.
¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Abel said suddenly.
All eyes swung to him.
¡°Abel, what do you mean, ¡®take care of it¡°?¡±
Tess frowned, tugging at his sleeve to pull him back down.
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But he stayed standing tall. He even reached over and messed up Tess¡¯s hair on purpose.
She red at him, her bangs falling across her forehead, and he only grinned wider.
¡°I¡¯m divorced from Finn. Even if you¡¯re his nephew, I¡¯m not asking you to bother him.¡±
Tess pressed down hard on his shoulder and forced him back into his chair.
Abel blinked. ¡°Uncle Finn isn¡¯t exactly easy to deal with. Even if I¡¯m his nephew, that doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯ll listen to me. But he owes me a favor. This is the perfect time to make him it
pay
back.¡±
Hearing that, Tess hesitated. Just moments ago she had refused without a second thought.
Abel caught her hesitation and pulled her down onto the couch beside him. ¡°Rx. Let me handle this.¡±
She studied him, doubt still lingering in her eyes.
¡°If Mr. Shaw can take care of it, then all the better,¡± Connor said at the right moment. ¡°This city is huge. We can¡¯t just run around looking for someone on our own.¡±
That eased Tess¡¯s worry. She let Abel go, turning back to the group to focus on the next problem.
But Abel didn¡¯t join the discussion this time. Instead, his eyes stayed fixed on Tess, as if he couldn¡¯t get enough of looking at her.
¡°How are we going to make Shannon admit who she really is?¡± Raven asked first.
Connor had clearly been waiting for this question. His answer came fast. ¡°We¡¯ll get a DNA test. Compare her to Nadine. That¡¯ll settle it.¡±
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Chapter 395 ying Detective
Raven smacked her leg and gave him a thumbs¨Cup. ¡°Smart thinking.¡±
With that, the toughest questions were finally answered.
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Marc groaned dramatically and flopped across the soft couch. ¡°Finally! I feel like we¡¯ve been ying detectives.¡±
The next second, Raven smacked him on the forehead. ¡°Move over, you¡¯re in my spot.¡±
¡°Hey! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Marc froze from the p, then iled his arms and made silly faces at Raven.
Raven rolled her eyes and gave him a kick in the backside.
The two of them wrestled and argued like a couple of little kids.
The rest of the group chuckled, while Connor rubbed his forehead, embarrassed. This was not exactly the picture of dignity.
For some reason, he felt embarrassed by the whole scene.
At the apartment, Shannon stood in the entryway. She pulled off her mask, hat, and sunsses.
On the couch sat Henry and Nadine.
¡°Daddy!¡± Kaleb shouted, rushing into Henry¡¯s arms.
Holding his son softened Henry¡¯s stiff expression.
He looked up at Shannon. ¡°You took Kaleb to the hospital with you?¡±
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er 396 A Child on the Way
Chapter 396 A Child on the Way
Shannon slipped her heels off and sat down next to Henry.
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¡°We don¡¯t have a maid at home. I can¡¯t just leave
Kaleb by himself in the house,¡± she said, twisting her waist a little with a hint ofint.
Henry didn¡¯t answer right away. His eyes fell on the report in her hands. ¡°You¡¯re sure you¡¯re pregnant?¡±
Shannon¡¯s eyes widened at this. ¡°You think I¡¯d lie about this?¡±
¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡±
Henry softened his voice when he saw her bristling like a cat.
Shannon huffed, turned her face away, and tossed the report onto hisp. ¡°See for yourself!¡±
Henry¡¯s mind was full of mixed emotions, but he forced himself to stay calm and took the report.
As he read the diagnosis, frustration showed in the crease of his brow.
Shannon was sharp enough to catch this at once.
¡°You don¡¯t want this baby?¡± She asked.
He pressed his lips together, silent.
That silence was enough for Shannon to understand.
¡°Shannon, this just isn¡¯t the right time. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t care about you or the baby,¡± Henry said, his face full of conflict.
Shannon stared at him. Her eyes drifted over the lines that had already etched themselves across his face.
Her hand went protectively to her stomach.
After a long pause, she lowered her head, her voice small and tired. ¡°I understand.¡±
Henry was about to speak, but she continued, her voice breaking. ¡°But we¡¯re not young anymore. I¡¯m nervous, yes¡ªbut I¡¯m also happy. If we end this pregnancy, I don¡¯t know if we¡¯ll ever have another chance.¡±
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Chapter 396 A Child on the Way
She lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with tears.
A
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Henry had been firm just moments ago, but her tears made him falter. The sight of Shannon¡¯s face so close, streaked with sorrow, pulled at his chest. His heart clenched.
He hurried forward and wrapped her in his arms. ¡°We can talk this through. Don¡¯t cry. You¡¯re carrying a baby now. You can¡¯t let yourself get too upset.¡±
¡°Dad, Mom¨Cthe news online is already leaning in our favor,¡± Nadine said, stepping in. ¡°The one who should be careful is Tess, not us. And Mom couldn¡¯t be seen in public right now. It¡¯s the perfect time for her to rest and take care of the baby. Why throw away a little brother or sister?¡±
Henry¡¯s resolve wavered.
Shannon gripped his arm tightly, her fear in.
¡°Henry, you¡¯ve always wanted another child. And Kaleb wants someone to grow up with.¡±
Her words, and Nadine¡¯s steady voice in his ear, made him hesitate.
It was true. From the start, Henry and Shannon hadn¡¯t intended to include Nadine with their n to skip town. In their city, the tradition was that a family wasn¡¯t reallyplete until it had two children. He just hadn¡¯t expected the second one toe at such a difficult time.
¡°Daddy, I want a baby brother or sister too!¡± Kaleb chimed in.
The boy was encouraged by Shannon¡¯s nce. He rushed forward, clinging to Henry¡¯s hand and tugging it yfully, his little voice sweet and pleading.
When his favorite son joined in, he could only sigh in defeat. ¡°Since you want this, we¡¯ll keep this baby.¡±
The moment those words left his mouth, Shannon¡¯s gloomy face lit
up
with joy.
¡°Henry, I knew you cared about me the most!¡±
She nestled into his arms, then lifted his hand and ced it on her belly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it to happen so fast. Maybe this is a sign from above.¡±
Henry¡¯s interest was caught. He gently stroked her still¨Ct stomach. ¡°How so?¡±
Shannon smiled and blinked. ¡°It must mean our ns are working out. That¡¯s why this baby came. When the timees, we¡¯ll go overseas together and live a good life.¡±
16:44 Fri, Oct 24 B.
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Chapter 396 A Child on the Way
Her words pleased Henry.
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Even though he believed everything was under his control, Finn¡¯s bold move at the funeral- snatching away the witnesses he had arranged¡ªstill left him uneasy. Now, back home with his wife and children close by, he felt his spirits rise. He couldn¡¯t help but lift his chin smugly.
If Tess truly had any leverage, she wouldn¡¯t have told the media to wait several days to provide her exnation. Besides, he had already taken care of the witnesses. Even if Finn took them away, it wouldn¡¯t change anything.
Because of his good mood, Henry¡¯s usual cold edge faded.
Holding Shannon close, savoring her warmth, he still put on a stern face and warned, ¡°We can keep the baby, but you have to be careful. Things look good for us now, but surprises can alwayse up.¡±
Shannon nodded quickly, her eyes so full of joy they could hardly hold it in.
Across the room, Nadine sat alone on a small couch. By all reason, she should have smiled at such a warm scene. But something heavy pressed on her chest, making it impossible to feel happy.
Henry rubbed his chin in thought. ¡°Since you¡¯re pregnant, I¡¯ll have to find you a maid in a couple of days.¡±
At that, Shannon¡¯s eyes lit up, unable to hide her excitement. ¡°Really?¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 397
¡°Of course. You¡¯re pregnant now. You can¡¯t do heavy lifting, long hours, or messy chores. But it¡¯s not safe to hire a maid so suddenly. I¡¯ll need to look into it, find the right one, and trained. Since you don¡¯t have much time left in your term, just make do for now.¡±
get her
Henry stroked Shannon¡¯s sweet¨Cscented hair and spoke gently.
Hearing she wouldn¡¯t need to work on house chores anymore, Shannon quickly nodded and threw herself into his arms, yful and happy. ¡°Henry, you treat me so well.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve been with me since you were young. If I don¡¯t take care of you, who else would I take care of?¡± Henryughed, holding her close.
At the top floor of Lock Group, inside Finn¡¯s office.
¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯ve set those people up in my office,¡± Zane reported as soon as he arrived.
Finn didn¡¯t even look up. His pen flew across the papers, signing name after name. ¡°Most likely, Henry offered them plenty of benefits. Find out what they got.¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Lock.¡±
Bang! Bang!
Suddenly, a loud knock echoed at the office door, sharp and impatient, carrying the arrogance of the one outside.
Zane nced nervously at Finn, who had paused his signing.
Just minutes ago, Abel had called, demanding to see him.
¡°Come in.¡±
Finn put his pen down and folded his hands, his eyes fixed on the door.
Abel stepped in wearing a sharp red leather biker jacket. His presence lit up the otherwise stark
ck office.
He casually pulled up a chair, sat down, and crossed one leg over the other.
¡°Uncle Finn, you called my family to get them to ask me to go home because you don¡¯t want
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Chapter 397 Fire and Ice
me around Tess, right?¡±
:
The words hit like a de. Finn¡¯s eyes turned cold.
But Abel acted as if he didn¡¯t notice. He spun the chairzily and grinned at Finn.
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¡°Let me guess. Somebody already lost his chance to stand by her side. Feeling jealous?¡±
Abel suddenly yanked the chair closer and leaned in.
Their eyes locked mid¨Cair¨Cone dark and icy as winter, the other zing hot and reckless as fire.
Zane¡¯s eyes almost popped out of his head when he heard Abel¡¯s daring words.
Oh my
God. Is Mr. Shaw out of his mind? How could he talk to Mr. Lock like that?
But Abel only smiled, raising his brows with a look full of challenge.
¡°Abel, do you really think staying close to her means you¡¯ll get a chance?¡±
Abel¡¯s cold eyes narrowed, sharp as des.
Zane froze at those words.
He rubbed his ears, making sure he didn¡¯t mishear it.
What did Mr. Lock just say? Is this world upside down?
Mr. Shaw had said something outrageous, yet Mr. Lock didn¡¯t deny it. Instead, he fired back with his own jab.
Abelughed. ¡°Still better than someone who never even gets close.¡±
The sh between the two was like sparks flying off steel. Zane sucked in a sharp breath.
Finn¡¯s face darkened, cold and frightening.
Abel suddenly tapped his fingers on the desk.
Finn frowned at him.
¡°You forced my family to call me home,¡± Abel said, shrugging with a cocky grin. ¡°But you know as well as I do, if I don¡¯t want to leave, no one can make me.¡±
16:45 Fri, Oct 24 B..
¡
Chapter 397 Fire and Ice
¡°So?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was cold, low, and rough, with a menace that made Zane¡¯s skin crawl.
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¡°I can go back on my own,¡± Abel said lightly. ¡°But I¡¯ll need you to help me with one thing.¡±
Even though he was technically asking for a favor, Abel lookedpletely rxed and confident, as if he were sure Finn wouldn¡¯t refuse.
Finn gave a coldugh. ¡°Abel, you think too highly of yourself. I¡¯ve got plenty of ways to drag you back. Why should I waste a favor on you?¡±
Abel rubbed his chin. ¡°Because you won¡¯t refuse. It¡¯s simple. I just need you to help me track down Shannon¡¯s whereabouts in Aetheris. If you do that, I¡¯ll go home for a while. Who knows, maybe you¡¯ll even earn yourself a little goodwill in front of Tess.¡±
He shrugged again, words sharp as needles. ¡°Not that you two will ever get back together.¡±
Zane wiped sweat from his brow. The man never stopped poking the bear.
But instead of blowing up, Finn went quiet.
His eyes narrowed. Without thinking, his fingers tightened around the pen he had been holding.
¡°She sent you to me?¡±
Finn asked atst, lifting his gaze to pin Abel with a hard stare, as if searching for the truth in his face.
Zane almost doubted what he was seeing.
Mr. Shaw was provoking him nonstop, and instead of raging, Mr. Lock was pressing for answers?
Zane forced his jaw shut, afraid it might hang open.
Abel spread his hands.
¡°How could she?¡±
The answer was disappointing, but Finn didn¡¯t react much. Only his eyes flickered faintly, as if he had expected it all along.
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Keepsake 398
Chapter 398 A Risky Bargain
¡°Fine.¡± His voice was cold.
When Abel heard the answer, the corners of his mouth lifted in triumph.
Yet at the same time, his bright eyes dimmed a little.
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He knew Tess and Finn would never get back together again, but the thought of leaving still left him unsettled.
After all, Tess was extraordinary. Men circled her constantly. Abel always imed that he was perfect, but when it came to the woman he liked, Abel couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy.
¡°I¡¯ll give the order. The moment there¡¯s any sign of Shannon, she¡¯ll be informed right away.¡±
Finn tapped his knuckles against the desk, pulling Abel back from his thoughts.
Abel instantly bristled. ¡°Why would you be the one telling her? That¡¯s our deal.¡±
Finn gave a faint smile, though there was nothing warm in his eyes¡ªonly a sharp, icy gleam. ¡°You¡¯re far off in Kingnd. Even staying in touch with Tess takes extra effort.¡±
Abel started to argue, but Finn cut him off. ¡°If you disagree, we have no deal. Find another way to track Shannon.¡±
With that, he shot Zane a look to show Abel the door.
Zane caught on right away; as soon as he made a fake move, Abel yanked him back.
Grinding his teeth, Abel spat out, ¡°Fine.¡±
Finn lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Then tell Tess to unblock me from her contact list.¡±
At that, Abel burst outughing. ¡°So that¡¯s what this is about¨CTess blocked you.¡±
Finn¡¯s face darkened.
¡°Abel, you¡¯re the one asking me for help right now,¡± Finn said in a low, biting tone.
Every word seemed forced through clenched teeth.
Abel rubbed the bridge of his nose, finally letting the smile fade.
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Chapter 398 A Risky Bargain
¡°Just remember what you promised me.¡±
Laun
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He tossed the words out and started toward the door. But halfway there, something struck him, and he turned back.
¡°I heard you brought those witnesses Henry dug up back to your office.¡±
Abel lowered himself back into the chair, eyes locking onto Finn. ¡°What exactly are you nning to do?¡±
Finn raised a thick brow, his eyes colder than before. ¡°This isn¡¯t something that concerns you.¡±
don¡¯t you think
¡°Uncle Finn, you have wronged Tess deeply. Trying to make it up to her now, don¡¯t it¡¯s toote?¡±
Abel crossed his arms, reading Finn¡¯s thoughts like an open book.
Finn pressed his lips together. A sh of ice, then a shadow of regret, flickered in his eyes.
He nearly snapped the tip off his new pen.
¡°Abel, you¡¯d better worry about yourself. Things would be tough for you at home. You wouldn¡¯t be able to leave that easily this time.¡± Finn gave a sharp huff and flicked a nce at Zane.
¡°Show him out.¡±
Zane stepped forward. ¡°Mr. Shaw-¡±
Abel lifted a hand, cutting him off.
¡°I¡¯m leaving anyway. No need to rush me.¡±
His eyes narrowed as he stood, tapping his fingers against Finn¡¯s desk. ¡°How about I help Uncle Finn with the questioning instead?¡±
He stared straight into Finn¡¯s eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t tell her. If anythinges out of it, the credit goes to you.¡±
Finn¡¯s gaze hardened as he looked at his nephew, who no longer showed him the same respect as before. But doubt crept into his mind.
Zane hadn¡¯t gotten anything useful from the three witnesses. Even if Finn stepped in himself, the results probably wouldn¡¯t be any different.
Abel, though¨Che¡¯d been close to Tess all along. He might know more about what was really
16:45 Fri, Oct 24 B
Chapter 398 A Risky Bargain
going on.
Besides ¡
¡°What did you take at the funeral?¡± Finn asked tly.
Abel froze for a second. Surprise flickered in his eyes, but he quickly hid it.
¡°You think you can hide that from me. Speak up.¡±
Finn shot him a cold look.
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Abel knew he couldn¡¯t bluff his way out. He shrugged. ¡°The sh drive Henry used to y that video.¡±
¡°You came to me because she found something on it?¡±
Finn¡¯s gaze was sharp.
Abel straightened, his usual careless grin gone. He met Finn¡¯s stare with a serious look.
Their eyes locked in the air. Abel finally gave in and admitted, ¡°I suspected that the video Henry yed that day had problems. After checking, I confirmed there were some edits. But the key footage wasn¡¯t altered. That makes us think Henry prepared that recording more than ten years ago. As for the rest, I can¡¯t tell you right now. What I can say is finding Shannon has be the key to clearing Tess¡¯s name.¡±
His jaw was tight, his usual carefree look gone.
Finn could see how serious the situation was.
His brow stayed furrowed, but he didn¡¯t press further. Instead, he waved to Zane. ¡°Take him.¡±
At once, Abel¡¯s mouth curled into a grin.
¡°Mr. Shaw, those three are in my office. Please,e with me.¡±
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Keepsake 399
hapter 399 Abel Takes the Lead
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Zane bowed respectfully and led Abel down the hallway.
The two of them entered the office one after the other.
Inside, three people were waiting. The air felt heavy, and their nerves showed. The moment they heard the door open, all three jumped to their feet.
¡°When are you letting us go?¡± the cremation worker asked first, his voice tight with impatience.
The doctor and nurse followed quickly. ¡°We still have work to do. What exactly does Mr. Lock want from us?¡±
Zane stood in front, only part of his body showing in the doorway. The three craned their necks, trying to see who was behind him.
But it wasn¡¯t Finn. It was the man who had caused such a scene at the funeral.
Abel strolled right in as if he owned the ce. He dropped onto the soft couch, threw his legs up on the coffee table, and leaned back with a swagger.
The bold move stunned the three into silence.
They exchanged nces, each one wondering who this man really was.
At the funeral, Mr. Ember had hinted that this man had some kind of tie to Mr. Lock.
Before their thoughts could go further, Abel reached out and yanked the doctor into the chair across from him.
¡°You¡¯re the one who signed off that Shannon was dead?¡±
He lifted his charming eyes with azy air.
The doctor shivered the moment their hands touched. Struggling to keep his face calm, he gave a stiff nod, ¡°Y¨Cyes, that was me.¡±
¡°Oh?¡±
Abel rubbed his chin, pretending to understand. Then he suddenly leaned forward, his eyes lighting up.
¡°Tell me this¨Cwas Shannon pretty?¡±
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Chapter 399 Abel Takes the Lead
The question caught everyone off guard.
¡°Well?¡±
Abel mmed his palm on the table, making them all jump. ¡°Answer me!¡±
¡
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The doctor swallowed hard; he steeled himself and answered, ¡°She was yes, she was quite pretty.¡±
¡°Quite pretty, huh?¡± Abel scratched his chin, a sly grin curling on his lips. ¡°So, just average then. No way she was as beautiful as my Tess.¡±
He leaned backzily, arms crossed behind his head. ¡°Tess is stunning. Her mom must¡¯ve been, too. Honestly, Henry must¡¯ve been blind.¡±
Abel slouched deeper into the couch, spotted a bottle of whiskey on the desk, and eagerly cracked it open. He poured himself two quick sses and downed them like water.
Every gesture of his seemed reckless, like some spoiled rich kid with nothing better to do.
The act worked¨Cthe three strangers began to lower their guard.
¡°Mr. Shaw,¡± the nurse finally spoke up, her voice soft. ¡°Mr. Ember and Ms. Bolton have always kept things proper between them. There¡¯s nothing romantic there.¡±
Abel¡¯s half¨Cclosed eyes suddenly snapped open. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he asked, ¡°And how would you know that?¡±
The nurse¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she met his face¨Cso striking it almost looked prettier than
a woman¡¯s.
She quickly lowered her head and muttered, ¡°Back then, I was the one who ced Ms. Bolton¡¯s body in the morgue.¡±
Abel didn¡¯t reply. He just smiled faintly, though a cold gleam flickered in his eyes.
¡°And you¨Cdo you
think she was pretty?¡± he asked, almost casually.
The nurse thought his question was random. To her, Abel looked like nothing more than a spoiled rich kid with too much time on his hands. Her guard dropped. ¡°Yeah, Ms. Bolton was very pretty,¡± she answered without thinking.
¡°Really? But ording to Henry¡¯s video, you¨Cthe one on duty in the morgue¨Cnever lifted the sheet covering her face.¡±
16:45 Fri, Oct 24 B¡
Chapter 399 Abel Takes the Lead
:
Abel rested his chin in his hand, smiling as he watched her.
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Her stomach dropped. She looked up, startled, only to meet eyes that seemed to pierce straight through her.
Her heart began to race. She tried to exin, but her tongue felt heavy, her words clumsy. ¡°I ¡ I¡ ¡±
By then, Abel¡¯s smile was gone. His handsome face tightened, and all hints of yfulness vanished. What remained was cold authority. ¡°Tell me,¡± he said, his voice sharp, ¡°was that body really Shannon?¡±
The question hit hard, with no room to dodge.
The doctor and nurse both went pale. Their mouths opened, but no words came out. They nced desperately toward the crematorium worker, hoping for help.
He caught on quickly and jumped in, ¡°Mr. Shaw, surely there wasn¡¯t an extra body lying around, right? It¡¯s been years. People mix up details all the time. That¡¯s normal.¡±
He gave Abel a nervous, ttering smile.
But Abel wasn¡¯t smiling anymore. His presence grew heavier,manding. ¡°Nichs Wood,¡± Abel said slowly. ¡°Born in Krigan. You¡¯ve been working in Aetheris for 20 years, stationed at the crematorium near Primal Hospital. Ten years ago, your wife had ate pregnancy, so you left and went back to Krigan.¡±
He arched a brow. ¡°Am I right?¡±
Nichs¡¯s fingers curled into a fist as a tremor ran through him. His heart thudded hard against his ribs.
Abel leaned back and tapped the coffee table with his knuckles. ¡°Over ten years ago. The same year Shannon supposedly died. From what I found, you resigned right after handling her case. Left Krigan in a hurry.¡±
He narrowed his eyes to a slit, only a trace of his pupils showing. ¡°Strange coincidence, don¡¯t you think?¡±
Nichs froze. His eyes widened in shock, staring at Abel as he couldn¡¯t believe what was happening.
How could he know so much, down to every detail?
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 400
Chapter 400 Tough Nuts to Crack
Chapter 400 Tough Nuts to Crack
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¡°And from what I know, when you went back to Krigan more than ten years ago, you got a hefty fortune. Your wife was even admitted to the best maternity hospital at the time.¡±
Abel kept smiling as he added more details.
The more he spoke, the paler Nichs¡¯s face became.
Zane nced around the office, feeling the air turn heavy.
His heart raced with both shock and admiration. From Zane¡¯s angle, all he could see was Abel¡¯s tall, upright back.
From the funeral to the office had only been a short ride. Yet in that time, Mr. Shaw had already dug up
this much?
Zane¡¯s pulse raced. Questions about Abel filled his mind.
Being Mr. Lock¡¯s nephew already set him apart from most people. But what shocked everyone was that even Mr. Lock himself hadn¡¯t uncovered these things, yet Mr. Shaw had uncovered so many things.
Zane swallowed hard, unsure what kind of man was standing in front of him.
¡°You ¡ who are you actually?¡±
Nichs¡¯s lips trembled. Fear had already drowned his eyes.
¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about who I am,¡± Abel said, lifting his chin slightly.
His eyes carried a cold warning. ¡°What I¡¯ve told you¨Cyou know better than anyone if it¡¯s true. Tell me what really happened back then, and your wife and son will be safe.¡±
Themand struck like thunder. Nichs¡¯s pupils went nk. With a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees, startling the others.
Zane quickly shut the door.
¡°I ¡ I can¡¯t say¡¡±
Nichs muttered through clenched teeth, his head sinking so low it nearly touched his chest.
Abel¡¯s usually calm face tightened, his brow furrowing.
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Chapter 400 Tough Nuts to Crack
He snorted coldly, ¡°Whatever Henry promised you, I¡¯ll pay double. No¨Ctenfold.¡±
Then, as if from nowhere, a ck¨Cand¨Cgold credit card appeared between his fingers.
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He spun it lightly between his fingers, then pressed it against the coffee table and slid it forward. Nichs only had to lower his head to see the gleaming ck card¨Ca symbol of the highest wealth and power.
Zane¡¯s brows twitched.
Mr. Shaw, as always, knew how to make an entrance.
Nichs couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from the card. He had only seen it in the news before, never in real life. And now here it was, right before him.
But even with his desire written all over his face, Nichs clutched at his shirt and lowered his head again. ¡°Mr. Shaw,¡± he whispered hoarsely, ¡°I can¡¯t tell you.¡±
The moment the words fell, the air in the room turned cold.
Abel wasn¡¯t a man with much patience. The only person who ever got his endless tolerance was Tess. Now, after all the effort he put in just to get another rejection, the anger in his eyes was impossible to hide.
He red at Nichs and gave a coldugh. ¡°What he can do, I can do too. In fact, I can be a hundred times colder than him.¡±
Nichs felt like a boulder had just dropped on him.
His legs gave out, and he copsed to the floor, his arms and legs weak.
Even then, he clenched his jaw tight, refusing to say more.
Zane nced at him. Nichs was stubborn and silent; he knew the interrogation had hit a wall.
¡°Mr. Shaw, maybe you should head back and say goodbye to Mrs. Lock. If we get any update,
you know.¡±
I¡¯ll let
Zane spoke carefully, meeting Abel¡¯s sharp gaze, though his chest tightened in fear.
Abel hesitated at his words.
His hand slipped into his pocket and held his phone.
16:45 Fri, Oct 24 B..
Chapter 400 Tough Nuts to Crack
On the way here, he received another call from his family, but he hadn¡¯t picked up.
¡°The same thing I said to him goes for all of you.¡±
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With that, Abel stood up. He shot onest cold nce around the room before walking out.
The moment the office door shut behind him, he stopped the recorder on his phone.
So far, everything his team had dug up matched his suspicions.
But Nichs¡¯s strange reaction stuck in his head, making his brows furrow.
There had to be something he still didn¡¯t know.
Zane saw the tight crease in Abel¡¯s forehead and kept quiet, trailing him nervously, afraid of setting him off.
He followed Abel all the way downstairs. Just as he let out a breath of relief, Abel stopped him.
¡°I¡¯ll be away for a while. Tell Uncle Finn to run a full check on their families.¡±
Zane nodded right away.
Abel didn¡¯t wait for the private car Zane had arranged. Instead, he gged down a random cab outside the Lock Tower.
On the ride back to Tess, he finally returned the call.
The line connected, and the voice on the other end wasted no time.
¡°Finn booked you a flight to fly home tonight. Someone will be there to pick you up.¡±
Abel tightened his hold on the phone. ¡°He can¡¯t wait, huh?¡±
His sarcasm was caught right away. The voice on the line snapped, ¡°You¡¯ve been gone long enough. Miss this flight, and you won¡¯t be leaving Kingnd for months.¡±
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Chapter 401 Hug Me
Chapter 401 Hug Me
¡°By the way, what did you have my secretary check for you today? Listen, you¡¯re the only son in this family, and that means you carry more weight than anyone else. If you just want to have some fun while you¡¯re young, fine. But if you cross the line, don¡¯t me us when wee down on you hard.¡±
The call ended with a sharp click.
The t beep ¡ beep ¡ rang again and again, sharp in his ears.
Abel kept holding the phone, the sound of that bossy voice still stuck in his head.
He bit down hard, trying to calm himself, but the anger pushed through. His fist mmed against his thigh.
Pain stung right away, a red mark showing on his skin. He didn¡¯t even notice.
¡°Kid, do you fight with your folks?¡±
The driver, a kind¨Clooking older man, nced at him through the rearview mirror.
Abel¡¯s face stayed cold. ¡°No.¡±
The driver smiled a little, not bothered. ¡°You¡¯re still young. Your family just worries about you.¡±
Abel gave a quiet grunt and closed his eyes, pretending to rest so the man would stop talking.
But rest never came. The cab bumped along the road, and his mind wouldn¡¯t stop turning. He opened his eyes and stared out the window.
The cab was in and ordinary, the kind you¡¯d forget the moment you stepped out. On the window, faint handprints spread across the ss, cloudy and pale, like fog smearing out the view of the world outside.
Abel stared at them, lost in thought, his chest tightening as air refused to fill his lungs.
In that moment, the prints weren¡¯t just marks anymore. They twisted in his mind, turning into
a hand pressing him down, pinning him in ce, squeezing the breath right out of him.
And that gray blur outside blocked the whole world from him.
Abel clenched his hand tight.
1
Thest time his family dragged him back, they had hit him hard, even though he had just finished a big project. Only that win had given him this chance to The driver¡¯s voice broke through.
Abel stepped out of the cab and almost ran right into Tess and her friends.
Raven spotted him first. ¡°Abel! Perfect timing¨Cwe were just heading to grab some food. Want
to-¡±
¡°Tess.¡±
It was like he didn¡¯t even see anyone else. He went straight for her and caught her hand.
The sudden touch made Tess¡¯s skin prickle. She tensed, ready to pull back¨Cuntil she heard that familiar voice call her name.
¡°Abel?¡±
She blinked, caught off guard by the desperate look on his face.
¡°What happened? Weren¡¯t you meeting with Finn? Did something¡ª¡±
But before she could finish, her vision tilted.
Abel had already pulled her hard against his chest.
Connor, who stood closest, reacted at once and stepped forward to break them apart. But Abel bent down, slid an arm under Tess¡¯s legs, and swept her up in his arms. He shot Connor a sharp re, dark and dangerous, nothing like the man people usually saw.
¡°You¨Cwhat are you doing?!¡±
Tess gasped as the ground dropped away beneath her, arms flying around his neck just to steady herself.
Abel didn¡¯t answer.
He was already moving fast, straight to the car she¡¯d parked outside. The wind rushed past as he leaned close to her ear. ¡°Tess, unlock it.¡±
Her eyes widened. ¡°Put me down!¡±
Instead, he held her tighter, his gaze locked on hers.
Tess finally noticed how strange he looked¨Cdifferent, almost frightening.
¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±
¡°Just unlock the door first.¡±
His tone softened, notmanding but begging.
Warm breath brushed her car, and heat crept up her neck until it burned on her cheeks. She bit her lip, her face tight.
Still, she did what he asked and hit the unlock.
Abel slid her into the seat and climbed in after, mming the door behind them.
Before Tess could ask what he was doing, he buried his face against her neck.
His breath came hot, hotter than before, climbing higher, scorching her skin.
Her whole body flushed. She pushed at him weakly. ¡°Abel, you¡ª¡±
¡°Tess, just hug me. Please, just hug me.¡±
His voice cracked against her corbone, muffled but heavy with need.
Tess¡¯s fierce struggling froze all at once.
The man in her arms didn¡¯t feel like the smooth, wild rich boy everyone thought he was.
Right now, he felt more like a hurt, lost puppy¨Cclinging to her as if she were the only thing keeping him together.
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Keepsake 402
Chapter 402 Going Back to Kingnd
¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±
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Something in Tess stirred¨Csomething soft, almost motherly. Without thinking, she raised a hand and brushed it gently across Abel¡¯s back.
That small, tender motion made his eyes drift shut,fort easing across his face.
¡°I¡¯m leaving,¡± he murmured.
Tess blinked, caught off guard, then slowly realized.
He was from Kingnd, after all. Staying in Aetheris this long had never been
¡°When?¡± she asked quietly.
¡°This afternoon.¡±
¡°So soon?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
The word was t, but his arms only tightened, locking her against him.
permanent.
Tess felt their bodies pressed close, her own breath growing thinner under the weight of his.
Unease pricked at her, and she shifted a little in his hold.
¡°Will you miss me?¡± Abel¡¯s voice broke the silence again.
This time he bent his head, eyes locked on hers, waiting for an answer like it was the only thing in the world that mattered.
Tess¡¯s chest tightened for reasons she couldn¡¯t exin.
She nodded without hesitation. ¡°Of course.¡±
But Abel¡¯s gaze dimmed.
He could see how easily she¡¯d said it. Too easily. The kind of answer she¡¯d give to anyone¡ªa friend, a ssmate, anyone who asked.
¡°That¡¯s not the kind of missing I meant ¡
¡°1
Chapter 402 Going Back to Kingnd
He pressed his face against Tess¡¯s neck, a little stubborn.
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Tess felt the tickle on her shoulder and gave his cheek a light tap, telling him to back off.
But inside, she wasn¡¯t nearly as calm as she looked.
She understood what all of Abel¡¯s little moves really meant.
¡°Everyone¡¯s gonna miss you,¡± she added, trying to cover the mess in her heart.
The moment Abel heard that, his grip on her wrist only tightened.
Like a kid throwing a fit, he forced her to look at him. ¡°You know what I mean. You won¡¯t even try to make me feel better?¡±
Tess met his stubborn eyes, pressed her lips together, and then turned away.
¡°You¡¯re heading out this afternoon, right? Go pack your stuff. I¡¯ll grab dinner with the others¡ª they¡¯re still waiting outside.¡±
¡°Tess!¡± Abel¡¯s voice came low and sharp.
But Tess only patted his shoulder, then opened the car door.
Maybe because he knew he really was leaving soon, he didn¡¯t hold her that hard. This time, she slipped free without much effort.
¡°See you next time.¡±
She paused with one foot out of the car and turned her head a little.
The light caught the side of her face, her small nose and soft features glowing in the glow.
Her voice was gentle, almost like she wasforting him.
Then she walked away, fast and steady.
Abel sat in the back seat, eyes locked on her until she and the group waiting outside were gone.
Finally, he curved his lips into a helpless smile.
¡°To Noveau District,¡± he told the driver, giving a clear address.
With Tess gone from sight, his smile faded. He leaned back, shut his eyes, and sank into silence.
Chapter 402 Going Back to Kingnd
:
The car rolled off. Not far away, Tess stopped mid¨Cstep and nced back.
¡°What is it?¡±
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Raven leaned close, nosy, her bright eyes not matching the edgy, gothic outfit she wore.
¡°He¡¯s going back to Kingnd,¡± Tess said softly.
The moment he spoke, the group that had been chatting noisily fell quiet.
¡°Mr. Shawes from a powerful family. With thates a heavy load of responsibility. Staying here in Aetheris too long isn¡¯t the best idea,¡± Connor said softly.
¡°It¡¯s not like he¡¯s gone forever. Aetheris and Kingnd might be far, but it¡¯s not like flying between Crorus and Yeshana. My brother does that all the time,¡± Marc muttered, rubbing his nose like it was nothing.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he caught a sharp look aimed his way.
He gave a nervousugh and quickly ducked his head.
¡°Yeah¡ Tess, let¡¯s just go eat,¡± Lyra said, trying to shift her focus.
Tess smiled and nodded without a fuss.
Not far away, a sleek ck Maybach sat parked by the curb.
¡°Mr. Lock, you want me to keep following her?¡± Zane asked, tapping the steering wheel out of boredom, sneaking nces at Finn¡¯s face in the rearview mirror.
¡°Just go
find a ce to eat,¡± Finn said tly, stepping out of the car without another word.
Zane blinked, stunned. By the time he snapped back, he saw his boss¨Cdressed in a hand- tailored designer suit¨Cwalking step for step right behind Tess and her friends.
Scratching his head, Zane could only chalk it up to a man chasing after his wife.
At a bistro filled with soft live music, wooden tableware, green palms in tall pots, and books stacked high on shelves, the air felt warm and easy.
¡°Nice ce,¡± Raven muttered, sliding into a window seat before anyone else could.
She waved them over with a grin¨Conly to notice the others had stopped in their tracks.
16:54 Sat,
Chapter 402 Going Back to Kingnd
¡°What are you all looking at?¡±
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Keepsake 403
Chapter 403 I Came Here for You
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Raven muttered to herself as she stood with the others, following their gaze in the same
direction.
Finn was walking straight toward them.
She traded a look with Tess.
Uh¡ is it toote to bail?
¡°I came here for you,¡± Finn said.
Before she could even think it through, he was already standing right in front of them.
Tess frowned but didn¡¯t rush to send him away.
¡°Shannon¡¯s whereabouts are still unknown,¡± Finn said, his eyes locked on hers.
Her eyes were pale in color, catching the light like ss beads. But whatever spark used to live inside them wasn¡¯t there anymore.
Finn lowered his gaze for a moment, hiding the dim look in his eyes.
Tess¡¯s stare turned uneasy.
No news on Shannon¨Cso why is he here?
And¡
She nced behind him out of habit. Zane wasn¡¯t there.
The richest man in Aetheris, CEO of the Lock Group, and he¡¯d shown up without an assistant or bodyguard.
¡°After you
Jeft,
I took Henry¡¯s witness back to Lock Group. It might help you now.¡±
His voice was low, missing the usual sharp edge he wore in public.
¡°Mr. Lock, are you really nning to hand that to us?¡± Lyra asked with a small smile, her eyes sliding to Tess on the side.
If Finn was saying this, the intel had to be valuable. But his history with Tess made itplicated.
¡
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Chapter 4031 Came Here for You
¡°Yeah.¡±
He nodded, eyes never leaving Tess. ¡°I booked a private room.¡±
The meaning behind it was clear as day.
Tess¡¯s palm tightened into a fist.
+20 Free Coins
By all logic, Tess had no reason to let Finn pull her back into his orbit¨Cespecially not in some closed¨Coff space. Thest time, when he handed over Henry¡¯s shares in her family¡¯spany for free, that should¡¯ve been the end of it.
¡°Come with me. All of you.¡±
Finn¡¯s calm words made Tess¡¯s head snap up in surprise.
He hadn¡¯t asked just her?
She had been sure if she refused to go alone, he¡¯d keep the intel to himself.
Finn¡ªthe richest man in Aetheris, a man who owned power others only dreamed of. A man used to calling the shots, cold and absolute.
Even after the divorce, she¡¯d seen how he couldn¡¯t let go, how his quiet persistence clung to
her.
That was exactly why she wanted no part of him. Yet instead of using this moment to trap her one¨Con¨Cone, he¡¯d invited her friends along.
Tess dropped her eyes, swallowing her shock.
Around them, silence itself became the answer.
¡°Follow me.¡±
Finn led the way.
At the far corner of the bistro, a hidden spiral staircase rose to a second floor. The private rooms there were only for those with special arrangements.
He pushed open the door. The faint scent of sandalwood drifted out, soft and calming.
They all took their seats.
¡°This is a recording Abel left before he left town,¡± Finn said, pulling a recorder from his pocket.
Chapter 403 I Came Here for You
Abel¡¯s voice, along with three witnesses, began to y.
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When the crematorium worker¡¯s voice cracked into near¨Ccopse, the mood around the table shifted. Faces hardened, eyes darkened.
¡°Henry¡. Did he threaten their families?¡± Tess whispered, her palm damp, the thought hitting
her first.
¡°Not sure,¡± Finn said, shaking his head. ¡°But very likely.¡±
¡°Mr. Lock, you let us hear this because ?¡± Lyra leaned forward, her eyes narrowed, testing his
intent.
¡°Abel
¡
gave it to me before he left. Thought it might help you.¡±
Tess stared at the recorder, emotions twisting in her chest.
Abel had once told her he¡¯d stopped by his family briefly. But when he left again, it was without a sound. This time, though, the weight in his voice felt like goodbye.
If he ever came back to Aetheris again, it wouldn¡¯t be soon¨Cor easy.
He¡¯d once said Finn owed him a favor. Tess hadn¡¯t believed it. More likely, the two men had struck some deal behind closed doors.
The thought made her stomach knot.
Finn¡¯s voice cut in again. ¡°The two doctors and the nurse¨Cdigging into them won¡¯t be too hard. They¡¯re likely just in it for money, and even then, they can¡¯t confirm much. My guess? That nurse never even pulled back the sheet on ¡®Shannon¡¯s¡® body.¡±
His eyes caught Tess¡¯s, sharp and unreadable, like he could cut straight into her thoughts.
Her chest tightened.
¡°Yeah,¡± she answered faintly.
¡°I can¡¯t say for sure Shannon¡¯s still in Aetheris. If she¡¯s already left the country, even I can¡¯t track her,¡± Finn said, tapping the recorder on the table. ¡°That means the crematorium worker is your best shot. And from what I know, the media deadline you agreed to is only a few days away.¡±
d
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Keepsake 404
Chapter 404 Are You Going to Krigan?
Finn¡¯s steady voice made the private room fall even quieter.
Tess¡¯s palm tightened.
He isn¡¯t wrong.
A
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¡°And if we can prove Henry forced the crematorium worker to fake it, not only would it clear Tess¡¯s name, it¡¯d hit Henry hard,¡± Lyra added quickly.
¡°So¡
Tess met Finn¡¯s eyes.
You may have to go to Krigan yourself,¡± he said slowly.
¡°Krigan?¡±
Tess frowned right away.
From the recording, it seemed the crematorium worker¡¯s wife and kid still lived there. But even if she went, what could she really get out of it?
¡°Krigan is far from Aetheris,¡± Finn exined, calm as ever. ¡°It¡¯s a slow town, not much development. Lock Group never built anything major there. Even if I showed up in person, I wouldn¡¯t have the same pull as the Embers. They¡¯re the old money there.¡±
¡°But I cut ties with them.¡±
Tess¡¯s brow stayed tight.
¡°Krigan¡¯s pretty closed off. I¡¯ve had people shaping the narrative there, keeping things under wraps. And you could always put on a show¡ If nothing else, your grandmother¡¯s name in Krigan still carries weight. That alone puts you ahead of anyone else.¡±
Finn¡¯s
eyes
flickered, his heartbeat quickening with a mess of emotions.
For a moment, he saw her grandmother again¨Cproud, unshaken, standing toe¨Cto¨Ctoe with his own mother and somehow still pressing her down.
He pulled himself back.
¡°Think about it. If you¡¯re not willing, I¡¯ll do everything I can to track Shannon¡¯s trail. As for
Chapter 404 Are You Going to Krigan?
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your deadline with the press¨CLock Group can buy you time. We can slow things down, put on the pressure.¡±
His voice was rough yet smooth, every word threaded with solutions. The strength in his tone, mixed with that quiet pull of charm, filled the room.
¡°Give me some time to think,¡± Tess said softly, lowering her gaze.,
After visiting Gillianst time, Tess had sworn she¡¯d never go back to that ce of heartbreak.
Finn didn¡¯t push her. He simply stood. ¡°It¡¯s your call. I booked this room for the whole day. Stay here, have dinner.¡±
He didn¡¯t linger and didn¡¯t even try to use it as an excuse to share a meal with them.
With long strides, he left.
Tess¡¯s eyes lingered on the door as it shut tight.
¡°Geez¨Cthis guy just won¡¯t give up, huh?¡± Raven teased, rubbing her chin.
Lyra knew her temperament well and had always let her have her way, but this time shot her a look and nudged her arm, telling her to drop it.
Raven flopped back into her chair, grabbed the menu, then perked up again, gging down the waiter.
She poked her head back through the door. ¡°So, what do you guys want?¡±
¡°Anything¡¯s fine. Order whatever,¡± Connor said with his usual polite smile.
¡°Okay!¡± Raven chirped and vanished again.
¡°Marc, go with her,¡± Connor told Marc with a look.
Marc¡¯s head shook so fast it was a blur. But when he caught Connor¡¯s eyes, he hunched down and trudged off after Raven, resigned.
That left just three inside the room.
¡°Krigan. Are you going?¡± Connor asked gently. ¡°I could go with you.¡±
Tess smiled, turning him down. ¡°I probably have to. Even if Finn can use his power to pressure the press, that kind of stunt chips away at my credibility. In a few months, I¡¯m nning to take my brand public, and that kind of shadow isn¡¯t good. And don¡¯t forget¨CI¡¯m your lead designer
Chapter 404 Are You Going to Krigan?
at Cavrielle. You¡¯re not afraid I¡¯ll stir up more drama for thepany?¡±
Her tone was light and yful, trying to ease the heaviness Finn had left behind.
¡°Not afraid.¡±
Connor shook his head.
Two words, steady and sure, carried weight enough.
Tess¡¯s throat tightened, a warmth running through her chest.
¡°Then I¡¯ll go with you. We don¡¯t exactly have conflicts of interest,¡± Lyra offered.
This time, Tess didn¡¯t say no.
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20 Free Coins
Ever since Lyra had cemented her ce at the top of the Aetheris District Court, her freedom and influence had only grown.
From the intel she¡¯d shared, she was sharp¨Cquick, resourceful, and worldly.
¡°Alright. We¡¯ll get ready tonight,¡± Tess said with a firm nod.
¡°Didn¡¯t I say I don¡¯t want it? Stop ordering food!¡±
¡°Then I¡¯ll eat it! Quit being selfish!¡±
The sounds of bickering squeezed in through the crack of the door.
Marc and Raven stumbled back in, shoving each other like kids.
The three inside rubbed their foreheads.
But soon, none of them could deny¨Cthe bistro wasn¡¯t just stylish. The food was surprisingly good, too.
By the time the five of them were stuffed and ready to pay, the hostess at the front desk shook her head with a polite smile. ¡°Mr. Lock already took care of it.¡±
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Keepsake 405
Chapter 405 A Flyer
Tess froze for a second as she pulled out her phone.
¡°I¡¯ll pay. His ¡ you should have a way to refund it, right?¡±
She pushed her phone forward, firm in her intent.
%?)
+20 Free Coins
The hostess hesitated but then remembered the words Finn had left before walking out.
¡°If she asks for anything, do everything you can to make it happen.¡±
¡°Of course. We¡¯ll process the refund for Mr. Lock right away,¡± she said, bowing slightly before pointing at the payment code. ¡°You can scan here.¡±
Once the bill was settled and the group left, the hostess bit her lip and dialed Finn¡¯s number.
¡°Mr. Lock, your payment has already been refunded. Ms. Ember didn¡¯t ept it.¡±
Finn¡¯s grip on the phone tightened.
His gaze lowered, though he had seen thising.
¡°All right.¡±
Still, the truth was hard to deny¨Che and Tess were only drifting farther and farther apart.
Apartment.
¡°You¡¯re so clumsy!¡±
Shannon frowned, ring at the maid, Tania Fowl, with clear irritation.
Henry said Tania had been ¡°trained,¡± but the truth was, he¡¯d just brought her in from a small town. The so¨Ccalled training wasn¡¯t about cleaning skills¨Cit was about keeping secrets. She looked simple and quiet, the type who wouldn¡¯t ask questions.
But how could someone from such a backwater know how to take care of her?
Shannon¡¯s face twisted with disgust.
Tania clutched her rag nervously, opening and closing her mouth without knowing what to
16:54 Sat, Oct 25 B
Chapter 405 A Flyer
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say.
¡°Exactly!¡±
Kaleb, the ultimate mama¡¯s boy, instantly puffed up to defend his mother. With all his strength, he shoved Tania hard.
Caught off guard, Tania mmed against the edge of the table and cried out in pain.
¡°Ah!¡±
¡°You¡¯re so loud! What if you scare my baby?¡±
Shannon exploded, throwing the ss in her hand onto the floor. The shards scattered, her re sharp and merciless.
Tania flinched but didn¡¯t dare make a sound this time. She just bit her lip until it bled, clutching her stomach where she¡¯d been hit.
¡°Stop acting pathetic! Clean this up now, or I¡¯ll have Henry fire you.¡± Shannon¡¯s voice was ice.
Tania¡¯s face went pale. With a thud, she dropped to her knees, hurriedly gathering the broken pieces with her bare hands.
She couldn¡¯t afford to lose this job. Back home, she had a sick son and a baby grandson who still needed milk. If she were fired, her family wouldn¡¯t survive.
Her hands shook as she picked up shard after shard, the ss cutting into her skin, blood mixing with the dust on the floor. Still, she didn¡¯t stop.
By the time she dumped the trash, Shannon had already taken Kaleb back to her room to rest.
Tania opened her hands, staring at the raw cuts across her palms.
Her arms trembled as she slid down against the wall, crouching on the floor.
She was nearly 50. If her son hadn¡¯t gotten sick and her daughter¨Cinw hadn¡¯t run away, leaving behind a newborn, she should¡¯ve been enjoying her old age by now. Instead, here she was, dragged across states just to work like a mule.
At least the job paid well. It came with room and board, and the recruiter had even promised to help with her son¡¯s treatment. That¡¯s why she had rushed here without thinking twice.
But she never expected the woman she served to be this cruel, this impossible to please.
Chapter 405 A Flyer
Her heart ached, but she forced herself up, searching quietly for the first aid kit.
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When everything was finally cleaned and her cuts wrapped, she carried the bloody tissues outside to the dumpster.
This time, though, something made her stop.
A notice had been posted on the wall. She remembered seeing one there before, but it had been torn to shreds, the words impossible to read. Now, a fresh one had been pasted over it.
And this one hadn¡¯t been ripped. Her eyesnded on it, and her breath froze.
¡°Wait ¡¡±
Tania gasped.
It looked like a missing¨Cperson flyer, and the face printed on it was all too familiar.
It was her demanding employer.
Her chest shook as every doubt she¡¯d carried snapped into ce.
No wonder she never left the apartment. No wonder she imed she was pregnant but barely showed, never stepping outside. No wonder every checkup was done with the doctoring in¨Cand even then, she always wore a mask.
Tania¡¯s gaze slid lower.
She couldn¡¯t read the words. But she could recognize the numbers.
¡°Four zeros¡ Then five ¡ One million!¡±
She stumbled back a few steps, hand flying to cover her mouth.
Her eyes lit with a sharp gleam.
The pay here was good, sure¨Cbetter than what most people got back in her small town. Butpared to a million, it was nothing.
Her heart pounded. With trembling fingers, she looked around carefully, making sure no one was watching. Then she pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the contact info at the bottom of the flyer.
Shoving the phone back into her pocket, she hunched her shoulders and slipped back into the apartment.
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Chapter 406 When?
Tania had barely opened the door when she came face¨Cto¨Cface with an unhappy look.
¡°Where did you go? Why were you gone so long?¡±
At some point, Henry hade back to the apartment.
¡°I¡ I just went to take out the trash.¡±
His eyes swept over her, pausing for a long moment before he finally let her inside.
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¡°My wife is pregnant, and you¡¯re the only one here to look after her. You can¡¯t be gone that long,¡± he scolded sharply.
Tania hunched her shoulders and nodded fast. ¡°Yes¡
Henry turned his gaze elsewhere. ¡°Where is she?¡±
¡°In the bedroom, napping with Kaleb.¡±
Without another word, Henry walked straight into Shannon¡¯s room and gently woke Kaleb. ¡°Go with Tania and sleep in your own bed.¡±
Half¨Casleep and rubbing his eyes, Kaleb shuffled out with her.
Henry shut the bedroom door firmly behind them.
Shannon¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Henry, how do you have time to be here now? Everything okay at thepany?¡±
He pulled her into his arms and shook his head. ¡°Nothing big going on. Just three more days- once Tess¡¯s reputation tanks, everything will move right into ce.¡±
Shannon let out a breath of relief and settled against him.
¡°How¡¯s the baby?¡± His voice softened.
¡°The doctor saidst time there¡¯s nothing wrong.¡± She gave him a yful re. ¡°It¡¯s still early. There¡¯s not much else to know yet.¡±
Henry chuckled, rubbing her belly gently. ¡°This baby came at the perfect time. Once he¡¯s born, he¡¯s bound to bring us all the wealth in the world.¡±
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Chapter 406 When?
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Shannon couldn¡¯t hide her smile. ¡°Then let me thank you on the baby¡¯s behalf¨Cfor working so hard, Dad.¡±
They shared a tender look, but suddenly, Shannon¡¯s stomach twisted hard, like a storm churning inside.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Henry¡¯s brows pulled tight the moment he saw her face change.
¡°It¡¯s fine¡ probably just normal morning sickness.¡±
Shannon¡¯s face was pale as she shook her head, but unease still gnawed at her chest.
She tugged on Henry¡¯s arm. ¡°Maybe ¡ next time, we should just go to the hospital for the checkup?¡±
The moment she said it, Henry¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°No!¡±
His sharp refusal froze her in ce, and the look on her face made him realize he¡¯de down too hard.
He caught himself, softened his tone, and spoke as if coaxing her. ¡°Like you said, the baby¡¯s still early. A hospital check wouldn¡¯t show much anyway. And right now, things are too sensitive. You absolutely can¡¯t be seen out in public.¡±
His voice was gentle, but his eyes carried weight.
Shannon¡¯s chest tightened with bitterness.
More than ten years ago, she¡¯d given him a daughter with no name, no title. Now that she finally had a chance to G ¡
Chapter 406 When?
His look carried a clear warning.
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At the thought of the 300 million on the line, Shannon gripped his hand tighter. But in the end, she let out a sulky sigh and loosened her hold.
Only then did his face ease. He pulled her close, softening his voice again. ¡°See? That¡¯s why I got you the maid. You don¡¯t need to worry about anything. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll bring the doctor back here for another check. And soon, I¡¯ll take you myself for the hospital visit.¡±
After all his sweet words, Shannon¡¯s expression finally softened with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, in the next room, Tania stood stiffly, her eyes fixed on Kaleb sitting on the padded floor.
¡°You¡¯re in my way!¡±
Kaleb was wide awake now, scattering his expensive blocks across the mat. He shot her a sly nce, his eyes darting with mischief.
Tania quickly stepped back in a panic.
But Kaleb wasn¡¯t done. He hurled a block at her foot with all his strength. ¡°Move! Move!¡±
She dodged just in time, her heart pounding.
Kaleb showed no guilt. In fact, he grinned with cruel delight, and Tania¡¯s back broke into a cold
sweat.
His mother was already a wanted face on TV, and now this boy¨Cso young, yet already so vile.
A mix of fear, resentment, and hatred stirred inside her.
Kaleb smirked, waving the giant toy in mock threat. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about telling Mom and Dad. They won¡¯t believe you. And even if they do, they¡¯d never do anything to me.¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 407 Punishment
Chapter 407 Punishment
:
Tania stared at him like she was looking at a little demon.
¡°You¡¡±
She swallowed hard, her throat tight.
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¡°You hurt me on purpose like this¨Caren¡¯t you scared I¡¯ll call the cops?¡±
The moment the word ¡°cops¡± left her mouth, Kaleb flinched as if struck. He dropped the in his hand, his eyes zing, and lunged at her.
toy
Caught off guard, she stumbled back as he mmed her into the wall. Her spine hit hard.
¡°Hiss-
Kaleb shoved forward, his small hands gripping her waist, trying to pin her there. But he was just a kid¨Chis strength wasn¡¯t enough.
She pushed him off with a bit of force.
¡°Ahhh! Waaaah!¡±
Kaleb copsed on the floor, rubbing his face into the carpet as he wailed at the top of his lungs.
The sudden outburst startled her, freezing her in ce.
¡°You-!¡±
But Kaleb¡¯s eyes sparkled with triumph. Hearing footsteps outside, he kept up the sobbing act, lips quivering.
Bang!
¡°Kaleb, what happened?¡±
Shannon burst through the door, with Henry right behind her.
He scooped Kaleb into his arms at once. ¡°Kaleb? What¡¯s wrong? Tell me.¡±
Kaleb nestled against his chest, shivering as though heartbroken. His small voice cracked between sobs. ¡°Tania pushed me! She said I¡¯m a bad kid, and she was gonna call the cops on
16:55 Sat, Oct 25 B¡
Chapter 407 Punishment
me!¡±
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Tears soaked into Henry¡¯s expensive suit as Kaleb buried himself deeper, ying the victim.
Tania froze, panic rising. She stammered out, ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Ember, it¡¯s not like that, I-¡±
Smack!
Shannon¡¯s hand cracked across her face, not even giving her the chance to exin.
Her face twisted, sharp and cruel. ¡°Tania Fowl, you¡¯d better remember¨Cyou¡¯re just a maid we hired. And you dare say you¡¯ll call the cops on my son?!¡±
Shannon¡¯s p hit ten times harder than Kaleb¡¯s shove. Tania could feel her right cheek swelling almost instantly, burning hot beneath her trembling hand.
¡°Ma¡¯am, it was Kaleb¨Che tried to throw blocks at me. I just wanted to scare him a little ¡ ¡±
Her shoulders hunched, her voice shaking.
Shannon only grew angrier, stepping in close. ¡°Scare him? Someone as low as you thinks you have the right to scare him? What if you traumatize my son? If he throws blocks at you, let him! We have plenty of money. If anything breaks, we¡¯ll pay for it.¡±
She turned, clutching Henry¡¯s arm as if delivering a formalint. ¡°Look at the kind of person you brought into this house!¡±
Tania¡¯s heart dropped to the floor. Her eyes darted nervously to Henry, begging for even a trace of fairness.
He was calmer than Shannon, but his face was dark.
Henry had always kept up a polished, steady image in public¨Cbut he wouldn¡¯t tolerate someone he saw as ¡°beneath him¡±ying a hand on his son.
¡°Tania, apologize to Kaleb. And your paycheck this month is cut in half.¡±
His tone was like steel.
Her heart seized.
With no time to think, she fell to her knees with a thud. ¡°Mr. Ember, I¡¯ll apologize to Kaleb, but please don¡¯t take my pay! My son is still in the hospital, waiting for surgery. I can¡¯t¡ª¡±
¡°Enough. You made a mistake. This is your punishment.¡±
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Chapter 407 Punishment
Henry stared down coldly, his voice cutting through her pleas.
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The weight of that icy gaze drained her of all strength; she copsed on the floor like a broken doll.
Kaleb slipped out of Henry¡¯s arms, strutting over to her. His grin was smug, his eyes glittering. ¡°See? I told you¨Cwhat could you possibly do, even if Mom and Dad knew?¡±
He pressed his spotless sneaker down on her hand.
¡°Mom, I don¡¯t wanna y with toys anymore. I wanna watch TV in your room.¡± Kaleb looked up, eyes wide and innocent, holding out both arms.
Shannon¡¯s face softened instantly. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant, so let Dad carry you.¡±
¡°Come on, Kaleb,¡± Henry said, lifting Kaleb easily into his arms.
The three of them walked out together like a picture¨Cperfect family. Shannon lingered a moment longer. Just before stepping out, she turned her head. Her eyes cut sharp and cold into Tania¡¯s ghost¨Cwhite face. ¡°Pick up the toys. Then get back to your storage room.¡±
With a dismissive snort, she lifted her chin high and swept out.
Tania stayed frozen on the floor, staring nkly at the empty doorway. Her neck felt like a rusted hinge as she slowly lifted her head toward where they¡¯d gone.
Her monthly pay was 20 grand. With that, plus what little savings she had, she could just barely cover the surgery her son needed at the end of the month. Henry had promised to cover the smaller hospital bills, but never the surgery. Now, with half her pay gone, she was short ten grand.
Where could she ever find that money?
Her arms wrapped around herself, her body curling in. She was already old, already broken by the loss of one child years ago. The tiny spark of hope she¡¯d found for her son¡¯s future had just been stomped out by that boy.
Her face, weathered and worn like bark, twisted in grief as two tears carved down her cheeks, dripping silently to the floor.
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Chapter 408 Packing for the Trip
Chapter 408 Packing for the Trip
By now, pain, despair, and hatred were all twisted together inside Tania.
+20 Free Coins
Something dark crossed her mind. Her fingers curled in tight, inch by inch, as though she were fighting a brutal war within herself.
After a long time, her grip loosened. With shaking hands, she began gathering the toys Kaleb had scattered across the carpet, one by one, neatly cing them back where they belonged.
When everything was back in order, she staggered down the hall to her tiny room¨Cthe suffocating storage room they called the servant¡¯s quarters.
She sank into a corner, clutching her chest with one hand while the other fumbled for her phone.
¡°Hello ¡ ¡±
¡°1
Airport.
A woman in a ck leather jacket stood at the gate, half her face hidden by oversized sunsses, her whole presence sharp and cool.
Only when a striking sh of red appeared in the crowd did she curve her crimson lips into a smile and slide the sunsses down.
¡°What? You came back again and still didn¡¯t bring her with you?¡± she teased, arms folded.
Abel pushed his own shades up into his hair, showing off a wless hairline. His fox¨Clike eyes, sharp yetzy, narrowed with a mix of chill and swagger. ¡°Since when did you get so nosy?¡±
She only shrugged, not answering.
¡°David already grabbed your bags. Mommy¡¯s waiting outside.¡±
¡°Just say Mom. Not Mommy.¡±
Abel
gave a cold snort, swung his biker jacket over his shoulder, and strode off.
She didn¡¯t react¨Cshe was long used to his sharp tongue. But as his back turned, a flicker of malice crossed her eyes.
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They walked straight into the underground garage, where a ck Cayenne stood out like a spotlight.
¡°Nice of you to finally show up.¡±
The moment Abel pulled open the door, a harsh female voice cut through.
His fingers stiffened on the handle. Frustration red in him, but he lowered his head obediently. ¡°Mom.¡±
¡°Hmph. Why don¡¯t you go to Aetheris and call someone else Mom? You came back to Kingnd and still had to bargain with your uncle just to set foot here?¡±
Sitting inside was a woman of sharp elegance, her beauty lined with authority. Her tone was nothing short of scolding as she locked her gaze on him.
Sliding into the seat beside her, Abel muttered, ¡°What¡¯s so urgent in Kingnd anyway?¡±
¡°Doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s urgent. You need to remember who you are.¡±
She huffed and turned her head.
¡°Demi, tell David to head straight to the family estate.¡±
¡°Alright,¡± Demi Shaw answered quickly. After David stowed the bags, she leaned in to give him the instructions.
But Abel¡¯s face stayed dark, and the mood in the car thickened like smoke.
Outside, the sky was burning. Clouds the color of blood stretched low across the horizon.
Far away in Aetheris, Tess was drowning in work.
After reporting her movements to her allies there, she rushed back to Evermount Height to pack. While she was busy giving orders, Lyra had already hauled a suitcase inside to help her.
¡°Take this.¡±
The door banged open. Raven stormed in, clutching a long ck rod in her hand.
¡°What¡¯s this?¡±
Lyra¡¯s mouth twitched. She stepped closer, touched it, and realized it was a stun baton.
¡°What are you trying to do?¡±
16:55 Sat, Oct 25 B
Chapter 408 Packing for the Trip
Her eyes went wide, shock all over her face.
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Raven looked dead serious, her voice carrying a sharp edge, almost threatening. ¡°You¡¯re heading out to investigate. There¡¯s always a chance you¡¯ll run into bad people. This is just in
case.¡±
¡°Hahaha! Raven, have you been binging too many crime shows? Still living in your Netflix series, huh?¡±
Marc doubled overughing, made a silly face at her, and mocked her on purpose.
Raven¡¯s face instantly darkened. In a sh, she closed the gap, grabbed him by the ear, and yanked hard. ¡°You think some spoiled brat like you gets to talk?¡±
¡°Ah¨Cow, ouch!¡± Marc winced and howled, scrambling to get Tess to stick up for him.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the sight, though her voice stayed gentle. ¡°We¡¯re just checking out what¡¯s going on at Nichs¡¯s ce. Hopefully, we can talk to his family. Nothing dangerous should happen.¡±
Her calm smile made Marc perk right back up. He red at Raven, puffing himself up. told you. You¡¯ve just let those series fry your brain.¡±
¡°See! I
Raven, already irritated, only dug her fingers deeper into his ear. Finally, somewhere to let her temper out.
Marc let out high¨Cpitched yelps, darting his eyes at Connor for help.
Connor only smiled, then gave him a swift kick that sent him stumbling out the door.
Click.
The door shut behind him with effortless grace¨Cand locked.
¡°You ¡¡±
Tess¡¯s mouth twitched at the sight of Connor¡¯s ¡°ruthless¡± side.
¡°He was too loud,¡± Connor said tly, then smoothly shifted the subject. ¡°When will back from this trip?¡±
you be
¡°Just a few days. Won¡¯t take long.¡±
Lyra¡¯s eyes sparkled with rare gossip. ¡°Mr. Hale, you sound awfully worried about Tess.¡±
16:55 Sat, Oct 25 G..
Chapter 408 Packing for the Trip
As she said it, she watched his face with keen interest.
¡°Of course,¡± he said.
Not a flicker crossed his expression. His answer came naturally, without hesitation.
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Chapter 409 Connor Loves Kids
Lyra looked a little bored.
¡°If you need anything, call me.¡±
Connor¡¯s eyes shifted to Tess.
Tess nodded, not bothering with polite refusals.
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¡°Abel just left, and someone still didn¡¯t take their chance,¡± Lyra muttered, lips curling, her tone pointed.
Tess flushed with sudden embarrassment, shooting her a re. ¡°Why are you acting like Raven now?¡±
Lyra onlyughed without a care. ¡°Well, she¡¯s been my friend for a long time.¡±
Still, she wasn¡¯t like Raven. Lyra had a sharper sense, always able to catch shifts in the mood around her.
She changed the subject. ¡°But while you¡¯re gone, what about La?¡±
Just thinking of the soft, sweet girl made her slip into Tess¡¯s shoes, and the thought tugged at her heart.
Tess¡¯s hands paused mid¨Cfold, her whole body sinking into quiet worry.
Since moving into Evermount Heights, she¡¯d been swamped with endless troubles. Rarely had she been able to spend real time with La. And now, she was about to be away for days.
She pressed her lips together, feeling heavy guilt.
Since getting out of prison, she had sworn to never let herself owe anyone again. Her messy entanglement with Finn¨Cdone, erased. But with La ¡ the guilt stayed sharp, pressing at her heart.
¡°Bessie lives here in Evermount Height. I¡¯ll just have to trouble her a bit more.¡±
She lowered her head, hiding the shadow in her eyes.
Knock, knock.
¡°Hey, you in there? La¡¯s been fussing to see you.¡±
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Chapter 409 Connor Loves Kids
Right on cue, Bessie¡¯s voice came from outside the door.
Tess froze, then quickly set aside her packing and went to open it.
Bessie stood there holding La, whose big round eyes locked straight on her.
¡°Mom!¡±
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La¡¯s clear, sweet voice rang out as she reached out her chubby arms, begging to be held.
Tess¡¯s chest ached and warmed at the same time as she quickly pulled the little one into her
arms.
La was chubby now, her whole body smelling like milk, the kind of hug that could lift anyone¡¯s mood.
When Connor saw her, his eyes lit up. A man who was usually cool, almost distant, suddenly had a glow in his gaze.
Years back, he¡¯d been full of fire, always chasing thrills¡ªextreme sports, wild stunts, all of it. By middle age,
the consequences caught up with him.
He couldn¡¯t have kids.
So when he learned Tess already had a daughter, he didn¡¯t see it as a problem like most guys might. Instead, he felt nothing but joy. To him, it even felt like fate.
¡°Lyra!¡±
La peeked over Tess¡¯s shoulder, her bright eyes darting around until theynded on Lyra, who was standing just behind her mom.
She was still young but sharp for her age. Not only could she remember the faces around Tess, but she could also call out their names clear as day.
Lyra stepped forward, took her tiny hand, and gave it a gentle shake. ¡°Sweet La, I¡¯m right here.¡±
Almost
everyone in the room had their eyes on the baby, caught by her charm.
Bessieughed along. ¡°So many people visiting today. Normally, La loves a crowd. Funny she¡¯s been fussy tonight. Maybe she feels what you feel, Tess¨Cshe knows you¡¯re leaving.¡±
At those words, La bobbed her head up and down like a little rattle, as if she agreed.
Chapter 409 Connor Loves Kids
¡°What a darling little cupcake,¡± Raven said, leaning closer, eyes full of wonder.
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It was La¡¯s first time meeting her, but she wasn¡¯t shy at all. With a giggle, she reached for Raven¡¯s braids.
Unlike most toddlers, she wasn¡¯t rough¨Cjust curious, touching them lightly.
Marc leaned in too, but before he could get close, Raven stepped on his foot and shoved him back.
¡°Tess, can I hold her?¡± Connor asked suddenly.
¡°Of course.¡±
Tess turned, caught by the hopeful look in his eyes, and carefully passed La into his arms.
He¡¯d never held a kid before, and it showed. His movements were slow and careful, like one wrong shift might break her.
But La wrapped her little arms around his neck without hesitation, soft and warm against his skin.
Connor looked down at the rosy¨Ccheeked girl, a rush of emotion swelling in his chest. He loved kids.
Tess watched him, that distant man now glowing with joy, and couldn¡¯t help but smile.
¡°Looks like La really is loved by everyone,¡± Bessie said, clicking her tongue in admiration.
Tess stayed close by, as she always did, never letting La out of her sight. She¡¯d worked as a nanny before and met plenty of kids¡ªbut she had never seen another as smart, beautiful, and sweet as La.
¡°Bessie, I¡¯ll be gone a few days. You¡¯ll be the only one here with La. Just be careful when you go out, okay?¡± Tess said, her voice steady but firm.
Connor held La tight while Tess freed her hands, giving her careful instructions.
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Chapter 410 Is She Gone?
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¡°Oh, then I cane by Evermount Heights to take care of her. Just hand me some sheet music, and I¡¯m good.¡± Raven chuckled.
Connor quickly added, ¡°Since you won¡¯t let me go with you to Krigan, I¡¯ll be around here in Aetheris. I can stop by Evermount Heights more often too.¡±
Seeing them volunteer one after another, Tess agreed at once. ¡°Of course¨Cjust give Bessie a call first, and it¡¯s fine.¡±
Connor¡¯s heart swelled with joy, his gaze falling on La with even more affection.
It was like La knew they were all her mom¡¯s friends. She puffed her little cheeks, rubbed her face against Connor¡¯s arm, and looked absolutely adorable.
¡°Connor!¡± she called.
That single word made his eyes brighten, his fingertips even trembling with excitement.
¡°Looks like she¡¯s remembered your name,¡± Tess said with a smile.
¡°And me? My name¡¯s Raven!¡± Raven leaned in eagerly.
La blinked her big eyes. ¡°Raven!¡±
That sweet call filled Raven with pride, and she shot Marc a smug look, gloating.
Marc bristled with jealousy, but before he could even open his mouth, Tess gently took La back from Connor¡¯s arms and handed her to Bessie. ¡°Bessie, take her out for now. I need to pack fast, or I¡¯ll miss my train.¡±
Bessie understood right away and hurried off with La.
Marc, who thought it was finally his turn, was left standing there speechless.
Half an hourter, they all left Evermount Heights together.
Tess and Lyra got into the same car, waving from the window. ¡°We¡¯re heading straight to the
station. No need to see us off.¡±
Bessie stood in line with the others, holding La as they said goodbye.
As the car pulled away and the row of figures blurred into the night, Tess turned to look out
Chapter 410 Is She Gone?
the window.
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The sky had already sunk into darkness, not pitch ck, but heavy enough to swallow the horizon.
The window was half open, and the cool night wind slipped inside.
¡°This is the address I dug up for Nichs. I can¡¯t be sure if it¡¯s real, though.¡±
Lyra spoke first, sending Tess a pin drop on her phone.
¡°I trust you. Let¡¯s start there.¡±
Tess nodded, eyes on the navigation screen.
A night train cut through the dark, speeding straight into the unknown.
Lock Group, CEO¡¯s Office.
¡°Mr. Lock, I got a call this afternoon.¡±
Zane knocked lightly before stepping in.
At that moment, Finn had just dropped into his chair, still looking worn from the day.
¡°What call?¡±
He opened hisptop, sliding a new sh drive into the side port.
¡°Hello is this the number for the woman you¡¯re looking for?¡±
¡
¡°Sorry? Who¡¯s calling?¡±
¡°I found a flyer near the trash. The woman in the picture looks exactly like my boss¡¯s wife. Did I get the wrong number? The digits are right, though.¡±
¡°What? Can you tell me herst name?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know, but I do know my boss¡¯sst name is Ember.¡±
Zane yed the recording, the voices spilling into the office.
16:55 Sat, Oct 25 B.
¡
Chapter 410 Is She Gone?
The moment ¡°Ember¡± came out, Finn¡¯s head shot up, his pupils narrowing.
The recording continued-
¡°You¡¯ve got the right number. Can I ask where you work? What kind of job?¡±
¡°I¡ is the reward really a million?¡±
¡°Absolutely. Could you share where you work?¡±
¡°I¡¯m the housekeeper my boss hired for his wife. But I can¡¯t give out the location yet.¡±
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¡°If you¡¯re worried, we can meet somewhere safe. You set the spot. I¡¯ll bring 200 grand in cash as a deposit.¡±
¡°¡ Fine. I¡¯ll be in touch.¡±
The recording ended.
Zane pocketed his phone and asked carefully, ¡°Mr. Lock, do you think it¡¯s worth trying?¡±
Finn narrowed his eyes, his finger tapping against the desk. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Lock.¡±
Dusk pressed down, heavy clouds sinking low. A strange chill settled in Finn¡¯s chest.
¡°And her? She¡¯s gone?¡±
Zane blinked, realizing only after a moment that ¡°her¡± meant Tess.
¡°She should be at the train station by now,¡± he answered cautiously, sneaking nces at Finn¡¯s expression.
Finn lowered his gaze, emotions swirling behind his eyes.
The office fell into heavy silence.
Suddenly, he stood, long fingers pulling his suit jacket off the chair.
Zane froze, startled by the sudden move.
¡°Mr. Lock, you¡¯re not ¡
11
Thinking of going with her to Krigan, are you?
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16:55 Sat, Oct 25 B¡
Chapter 410 Is She Gone?
The question stuck in his throat, but the look in Finn¡¯s eyes was enough to answer it.
¡°Book me the fastest train out of here.¡±
Zane¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°But, Mr. Lock, you just said you¡¯d meet the caller in person-¡±
He cut off as soon as Finn¡¯s gaze sliced his way, cold and sharp. ¡°Yes, Mr. Lock.¡±
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Chapter 411 I¡¯m Not Going Back
Chapter 411 I¡¯m Not Going Back
With that, Zane strode out of the office, breaking into a near jog the moment he crossed the doorway.
Finn followed close behind.
Downstairs, he was already sliding into the backseat of his town car.
Rolling down the window halfway, his sharp profile cut through the night air. The line of his nose gave him an edge of steel as he spoke. ¡°Confirm the info she gave us. Stake out the location. And keep eyes on the paternity results for Henry and Nadine.¡±
His voice was low andmanding.
Zane bent halfway, nodding again and again.
Once the orders were done, the window slid up, and the car peeled off without the slightest hesitation, exhaust trailing in its wake.
Zane stood there, only straightening once he was sure the car was gone.
He let out a long sigh, muttering to himself.
This is what being a working stiff feels like.
With a bitter smile, he shook his head and started back toward the building. But before he could reach the doors, his phone lit up with a call. The screen read: ¡°Lock Group Private Hospital.¡±
He answered right away.
¡°Mr. ck, the hair analysis you requested hase back. I¡¯ve sent someone over to deliver it to your office.¡±
¡°Appreciate it.¡±
His stomach dropped at the words. Hanging up, he broke into a fast stride for the reception
desk.
The front desk clerk brightened when she saw him. ¡°Perfect timing, Mr. ck. A courier just dropped off a file from the hospital for the CEO¡¯s office.¡±
¡°Give it to me.¡±
He snatched the envelope, tore it open, and pulled out the report.
It was the test Finn had ordered¨Chair samples from Henry and Nadine sent for DNA analysis.
They¡¯d both known the answer already. Blood ties like that were as solid as stone. Still, a paper report would strengthen Tess¡¯s defense in court.
Zane¡¯s eyes ran to thest line: ¡°Probability of kinship¨C99.9%.¡± His brow eased atst.
He snapped a few photos of the report and sent them straight to Finn.
By now, Finn had already reached the train station.
He slipped onto the train just in time, finally with a moment to check his phone.
The DNA report photo glowed on his screen. Without thinking, he forwarded it straight to Tess.
After a long pause, her reply came. ¡°?¡±
¡°When did you do this?¡±
Finn replied, ¡°Not long ago.¡±
And then¡ªnothing.
Finn stared at the screen, the silence stretching. He didn¡¯t even notice the night pressing down against the windows outside.
With her quiet gnawing at him, he picked up the phone, set it down, and then finally caved and typed again.
¡°When you¡¯re back in Aetheris, I¡¯ll have Zane deliver the report to you.¡±
Tess sent another message, ¡°Thanks.¡±
Just that¨Cone in word. Still cold. Yet Finn¡¯s long fingers tightened around the phone, his heart thudding with a rush he couldn¡¯t hide.
He coughed softly, covering his mouth, trying to smother the grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Even a small ¡°thank you¡± means something. Proof she hasn¡¯t rejected me outright.
Meanwhile, Tess and Lyra sat side by side on the train bound for Krigan.
Lyra caught sight of the message on Tess¡¯s screen, her eyes narrowing. ¡°What¡¯s this? A guilty conscience? Now that you¡¯re divorced, he suddenly thinks he should win
The bite in her tone made Tess shift, embarrassed.
That flicker of difort didn¡¯t slip past Lyra¡¯s sharp gaze.
you back?¡±
She leaned closer, studying Tess¡¯s face under the warm glow of the carriage lights.
Her eyes froze on Tess¡¯s cheek¨Con a faint scar, nearly invisible unless you were close enough to see the pale edges.
Something in Lyra¡¯s chest twisted, a pang of pain.
Her cool fingertips brushed Tess¡¯s skin.
¡°Did you forget what he did to you? This scar¨Cyou got it in prison, didn¡¯t you? Because of him?¡±
Her voice cracked with anger, sharp with frustration.
She locked eyes with Tess. ¡°Do you know why I¡¯ve been pushing for you and Connor? Sure, he¡¯s older, but I¡¯ve seen how he treats you. Don¡¯t you dare go soft just because Finn is showing a little regret now.¡±
Tess met her gaze, warmth flooding her chest.
She couldn¡¯t help but pull Lyra into a soft hug. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not going back.¡±
The words fell like a vow, steady and final.
Lyra drew back, holding her at arm¡¯s length, needing to see her face.
Tess¡¯s skin was pale and smooth like ss. Her eyes, framed with longshes, carried a gentleness¨Cbut also a resolve that couldn¡¯t be shaken.
Atst, Lyra exhaled in relief.
¡°As long as you know where you stand.¡± She patted Tess¡¯s shoulder, but then her expression shifted, serious again. ¡°Still ¡ don¡¯t think too highly of Abel either. He may not be the right one. After all, he¡¯s Finn¡¯s nephew.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 412
Chapter 412 Ld Scardino
Chapter 412 Ld Scardino
Lyra couldn¡¯t help but nce at Tess with concern.
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She had handled countless divorce cases, and as a woman herself, she understood just how deeply a failed marriage could scar someone¨Chow it could shape a woman¡¯s life long after the vows were broken.
¡°We¡¯re just friends,¡± Tess said lightly, offering a faint smile.
She rubbed her temples and leaned back against the cushion, feigning exhaustion as she closed her eyes for a moment.
Lyra noticed she didn¡¯t want to talk and wisely stayed quiet.
¡°Hello, has the train been dyed? It should have arrived by now,¡± came a sudden voice nearby -manly, slightly hesitant in Crorusese, but soft and pure, the kind that immediately puts you
at ease.
Something about the voice felt familiar to Lyra. She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise.
Across from them sat a man who looked almost unreal.
His skin was pale and smooth, his eyes a bright, deep blue that seemed to shine. His nose was straight and sharp, and his features were strong, but there was also a soft, gentle air about him that made anyone feelfortable just looking at him.
Wait¡
Lyra¡¯s mouth opened slightly, her eyes full of shock and excitement.
¡°You know him?¡±
Tess opened her eyes, noticing the change in Lyra¡¯s expression. She followed Jade¡¯s gaze and saw the man.
Tess, used to handsome men, still felt a flutter at how calm and confident he seemed.
Even Lyra, usually so calm, couldn¡¯t hide her excitement and gripped Tess¡¯s hand tightly.
¡°That ¡ that¡¯s L Scardino, the world¡¯s most famous pianist right now,¡± Lyra whispered.
¡°L Scardino?¡±
14:17 Sun, Oct 26
Chapter 412 Ld Scardino
Tess frowned. The name sounded strangely familiar, but she couldn¡¯t remember why.
She pushed the thought aside for now, keeping her question to herself.
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¡°Thest stop for this train is Krigan. How could a guy from Yripend even be here? Maybe he just looks a little like someone?¡±
Lyra scratched her head as she looked at him.
Krigan wasn¡¯t exactly a rich city in Crorus. Forget world¨Cfamous pianists¨Cmost domestic stars didn¡¯t even bother performing here.
¡°Maybe ¡ he¡¯s just traveling?¡± Tess offered dryly.
Lyra shrugged, giving no real answer.
Silence fell again. But Tess suddenly remembered the man¡¯s question to the conductor.
She checked her phone¨Cwell past the scheduled arrival time.
¡°Looks like it¡¯ll be at least half an hour past check¨Cin by the time we reach the hotel,¡± she said.
Lyra sighed.
Tess stared out the window. The night wasn¡¯t too deep yet, but the world outside was dark, dotted with stars.
For some reason, she feltpletely calm.
On returning home, maybe she could stop by Gillian¡¯s house.
She let hershes fall.
¡°Excuse me, are you from Krigan?¡±
A nervous voice broke the quiet.
Lyra looked up first. The handsome man they had been watching earlier now stood awkward and shy in front of them.
His bright blue eyes were fixed on Tess¡¯s face.
¡°Me?¡± Tess asked.
¡°Yes, yes!¡±
14:17 Sun, Oct 26
Chapter 412 Ld Scardino
He sped his hands tightly and nodded hard.
¡°I am. Do you need any help?¡±
Tess¡¯s brows lifted in confusion.
The moment Ld spoke, his eyes excitement. ¡°Can I go home with you?¡±
¡°What?!¡±
Lyra¡¯s eyes went wide.
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lit up like sparkling gemstones. His voice trembled with
A cup of coffee tipped over onto the table.
She coughed for a long moment before regaining herposure.
She stared at the man in disbelief, then nced at Tess as if to make sure she hadn¡¯t imagined - it.
Tess¡¯s lips twitched.
Ld seemed startled by their reactions, looking even more timid, yet he didn¡¯t move away.
¡°I ¡ I ¡¡± His hands fidgeted together, fingers pressing nervously against each other. Still, he lifted his eyes to them, stammering, ¡°Can I go home with you?¡±
Lyra¡¯s expression had moved past shock¨Cit was pure awe.
She looked straight at Tess, her eyes silently saying, ¡°When did you start having this kind of effect on people?¡±
A stranger on the train, alreadypletely won over and asking to go home with her?
Even Lyra, usually so calm, felt it was unreal.
Tess gave a small, apologetic smile. ¡°Sorry, we don¡¯t know each other.¡±
¡°I know you!¡±
Ld¡¯s eyes shone brightly, as if afraid Tess wouldn¡¯t believe him.
He hurried back to his seat and returned carrying a small, finely made leather bag.
14:17 Sun, Oct 26
Chapter 412 Ld Scardino
:
Tess squinted slightly when she saw the bag, her curiosity piqued.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 413
Chapter 413 Can I Go Home with You?
Chapter 413 Can I Go Home with You?
At first, Tess thought this was just some new scam. But the moment she saw the bag, all her doubts vanished.
It was a ssic vintage bag from the mid¨C20th century, something that had only circted among high society. She had even read about it once on Gillian¡¯s bookshelf.
¡°Look!¡±
His Crorusese was still rough, but his eyes were bright and honest.
Tess instinctively looked at the hand he was holding out.
In it was an old photo.
The instant she saw it, her eyes went wide.
She shot up from her seat and grabbed his arm. ¡°Where did you get this photo?¡±
¡°Ouch ¡ that hurt,¡± he said, wincing.
Tess realized she had overreacted. Embarrassed, she stepped back and let go.
¡°Sorry,¡± she said.
¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he replied, smiling.
¡°My name is Ld Scardino,¡± he said. ¡°You probably don¡¯t remember, but your name¡ is Tess, right?¡±
His eyes were clear and earnest.
Even though his Crorusese was clearly broken, he pronounced Tess¡¯s name perfectly¡ªa word that was hard for foreigners to say correctly.
He had clearly practiced it many times.
Tess stared at this sudden stranger, a flood of questions forming in her mind.
Ld met her sharp gaze and just smiled sweetly. ¡°What¡¯s your full name, Tess? What¡¯s your full name?¡±
¡°You haven¡¯t told me how you even got this photo,¡± Tess said, frowning, her tone serious.
Ld looked a little disappointed at her cold expression. But he didn¡¯t refuse her request.
He held out the photo to her, pointing to the man in it. ¡°This ¡ is my grandfather.¡±
¡°Grandfather?¡±
Tess repeated the word silently to herself, her eyes fixed on the woman in the photo.
Though she looked so different from her memory, Tess instantly recognized her. It was Gillian.
In the photo, Gillian looked young¨Cnothing like the face full of wrinkles Tess remembered. Her skin was smooth and wless, almost perfect.
Gillian had always been beautiful. But seeing her young like this made Tess even more stunned.
But¡ why was Gillian in a photo with a foreign man?
Tess¡¯s confusion deepened.
She lifted her eyes and handed the photo back to Ld.
Lyra, on the other hand, felt like she was in a dream.
Ld¨Cthe person in front of her¨Cwas exactly her idol.
She stared straight at him. The shy, awkward man in front of her seemedpletely different from the dazzling pianist she had watched on stage.
She remembered how she met Raven at a grand music concert. Their shared love for piano had brought them together, and they quickly became close friends. That concert had been part of L¡¯s global tour. Raven had disappeared for a few minutes and returned with L¡¯s personal autograph for her.
And now ¡ her idol was standing right in front of her.
¡°You ¡ L,¡± Lyra said, pointing between him and Tess, ¡°your grandfather knew Tess¡¯s grandmother?¡±
¡°I remember you,¡± L said, smiling warmly at Lyra.
Hearing ¡°I remember you¡± made Lyra¡¯s eyes widen in surprise.
She pointed at herself. ¡°Me?¡±
¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡±
He blinked, clearly not nning to say more.
A quiet, strange tension settled over the three of them.
Luckily, the train finally arrived, breaking the awkwardness.
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Tess and Lyra stood to leave, but L followed, keeping a three¨Cstep distance behind them all the way to the exit.
Tess turned. ¡°Even if our grandparents knew each other, we¡¯replete strangers now. Are you really going to follow us?¡±
¡°I want to go home with you¡¡± L said, lifting his wide, innocent eyes. He looked both guilty and pitiful.
Lyra couldn¡¯t help but pinch the bridge of her nose.
On stage, L had been charming, sophisticated, and almost cold, carrying a passionate intensity in his music.
But now¡ he looked like a lost little puppy.
Was this really the same idol she had admired all these years?
She let out a small sigh.
¡°Then you have to tell me why you came to Krigan¨Cand why you brought this photo with you,¡± Tess said.
¡°If I tell you, will you take me home?¡±
L¡¯s eyes lit up.
After he said ¡°Can I go home with you?¡± for the third time, Tess¡¯s lips twitched. But thinking it through, she still nodded firmly. ¡°All right.¡±
¡°My grandfather passed away five months ago. I just finished my global tour and only then learned the sad news. After he passed, he left me this photo and told me to find out where the
woman in it is now¨Cso I could visit her.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 414
Chapter 414 None of Your Business
L rushed through the whole story, afraid Tess would lose patience and leave him behind.
Tess frowned, her emotions tangled in a way she couldn¡¯t name.
She let out a long sigh. ¡°My grandmother¡ She¡¯s already passed away.¡±
L froze for a moment.
Tess turned to leave.
L realized she was walking away and quickly hurried after her. ¡°I told you, you have to take me home with you.¡±
Maybe it was the mention of Gillian that made Tess¡¯s chest feel tight, as if a heavy weight pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.
Her face darkened.
¡°The
¡°No!¡±
person you¡¯re looking for is gone. You really don¡¯t need to stay in Krigan.¡±
L¡¯s blue eyes widened. He stepped closer, gripping her jacket even tighter. ¡°Tess, I¡¯m here for you.¡±
¡°She¡¯s not the person you¡¯re looking for.¡±
A low, sharp voice cut through the air like a de.
The familiar sound made Tess stop in her tracks. She turned slowly, eyes narrowing.
¡°Finn?¡± she said, frowning. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±
Her gaze swept over him, cold and sharp. ¡°Were you following me?¡±
Finn¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°No,¡± he said firmly.
Maybe his denial sounded too forceful, because he lowered his eyes and added, ¡°I¡¯m here on business too. I didn¡¯t expect to see you here, and I happened to notice someone bothering you.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes lingered on him suspiciously.
After a long moment, she turned away.
¡°Bothering me?¡±
Lyra, still reeling from seeing her idol copse into a shy, nervous figure, bristled immediately
when she heard Finn use L.
¡°Bothering her? He¡¯s not bothering her¨CTess doesn¡¯t even know him! Why is he following
her?¡±
Finn¡¯s gaze hardened as he looked at L. His eyes were cold and sharp, like steel.
¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡±
Tess cut him off sharply.
She didn¡¯t believe the world was small enough for this to be a coincidence. Finn just happened toe to Krigan? The Lock Group didn¡¯t even bother with Krigan. Still, her dyed train did y a part in them running into each other.
She didn¡¯t say anything to expose him. Instead, she turned and started walking away.
¡°Noting?¡± she called back.
L immediately hurried after her, eyes and mind locked on herpletely.
Lyra, seeing Tess¡¯s resolute attitude, couldn¡¯t help but give her a thumbs¨Cup, then quickly got into the car behind them.
The three of them left, disappearing from view.
Finn stood where he was, feeling the wind on his face suddenly much colder.
He tightened his hands into fists, eyes narrowing, fixating on the eager young man walking
with them.
¡°Mr. Lock! Didn¡¯t expect your train to arrive early. I¡¯m so sorry for beingte!¡±
A quiet Maybach pulled up beside him. The driver carefully got out to help Finn with his luggage.
Passing close to him, the driver shivered.
Even Krigan nights weren¡¯t this cold.
Kingnd.
The city lights gleamed.
¡°Still not up?¡± A woman¡¯s voice said, sharp with irritation.
The maid bowed quickly, answering carefully. ¡°Mr. Shaw said yesterday he wanted to adjust his time zone aftering back to the family estate, so he went straight to his room and fell asleep. He hasn¡¯te down yet¨Che probably hasn¡¯t fully woken up.¡±
Abel¡¯s mother, Miranda Shaw, snorted. ¡°He¡¯s not sleeping. He¡¯s just ignoring us.¡±
The servant bit his lip and stayed silent, bowing lower.
¡°Mom, Abel is in Aetheris chasing someone. After waiting for so many years, he finally found her. If we call him here out of the blue, anyone would be a little annoyed,¡± Demi said, stepping forward to hold Miranda¡¯s arm.
Though her words defended Abel, her eyes held a faint, unreadable glint. She lowered her head slightly, masking it.
¡°Is he still a child? Doesn¡¯t he know who he is?¡± the woman shouted. ¡°Go
get
him!¡±
¡°No need.¡±
A cold, sharp male voice cut through.
The people downstairs looked up. Abel came down in casual home clothes.
Normally, simple clothes soften a person¡¯s aura¡ªbut on him, they only made him look morezy. The sharp, dangerous air around him hadn¡¯t diminished a bit.
The woman narrowed her eyes. ¡°Abel, you came back yesterday and went straight to sleep. You forgot the family ceremony to see your grandfather?¡±
He nced at her lightly. ¡°Grandpa won¡¯t me me. It¡¯s the same whenever I go.¡±
Though his face was turned toward Miranda, his eyes flicked briefly toward Demi, scanning her with a mix of caution and warning.
Demi stood behind Miranda, swallowing nervously, her hands curling tightly at her sides.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 415
Chapter 415 Abel¡¯s Grandpa
¡°Abel, just because Grandpa spoils you doesn¡¯t mean you can do whatever
The woman¡¯s voice was sharp.
¡°Mom, let¡¯s eat first. Don¡¯t keep Grandpa waiting.¡±
Demi pushed down a bit of nervousness and held onto her mother¡¯s arm.
Abel smirked, shrugged, and walked past them toward the dining room.
Miranda stared at his back for a long time before sighing.
you want.¡±
She patted Demi¡¯s hand. ¡°At least you¡¯re sensible. I don¡¯t see why he even stays in Aetheris. Do you think we¡¯d let some ordinary girl from there marry into our family?¡±
¡°I heard the one Abel brought back is from Krigan,¡± Demi said with a soft, gentle smile.
¡°Krigan?¡±
Miranda frowned even more. ¡°Where on earth is that?¡±
Her voice rose in anger. ¡°I never wanted him to go to Aetheris! He better not bring back random people! Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you. If that country bumpkin makes your grandpa upset, getting kicked out would be the easiest part of the fallout!¡±
Demi watched her mother¡¯s outburst with obvious anticipation in her eyes.
She shook her mother¡¯s hand. ¡°Mom, Grandpa dotes on Abel. He¡¯d never kick him out. And even if something did happen, I¡¯d be there with you.¡±
Miranda nced at Demi. ¡°You still have to get married. I¡¯d better spend more time talking sense into your brother.¡±
Then, she headed to the dining room.
Demi stayed where she was. The smile hadn¡¯t faded, but on a closer look, her face was tense and her teeth grinding faintly.
She slowly clenched her hand, her sharp fingertips digging hard into her palm.
The faint sting felt like a jolt of electricity running through her.
No matter how hard she tried or how much she ttered them, Abel was their only choice for heir.
Demi¡¯s heart was filled with resentment.
She forced herself to smile and followed after them as if nothing was wrong.
The Shaw Residence¡¯s dining room was just as luxurious. A long, custom¨Cmade table filled the room, covered with countless dishes.
There weren¡¯t many people in the dining room. At the head of the table sat an elderly man, thin and aged, yet his eyes were sharp and full of life. He was Gideon Shaw, Abel¡¯s grandfather. On both sides of him, a seat was left empty.
When Abel walked in, he sat down at his right hand.
Miranda followed right after and took the seat beside Gideon¡¯s left hand.
Demi nced at the remaining empty spot.
Her father wasn¡¯t here tonight, but that seat was always reserved for him.
As she looked away, her gaze slid back to where Abel was sitting.
He skipped past all the other elders present and took the ce right next to Gideon. That alone showed how much he was favored¨Cno one else of their generation got that treatment.
Demi¡¯s eyes darkened for a moment before she masked it and chose a seat close by.
¡°Abel, you finally remembered toe home?¡±
Gideon looked at the grandson sitting nearest to him, teasing him.
¡°Didn¡¯t the family keep nagging me?¡±
Abel didn¡¯t bother hiding why he came home,
¡°What? Who was nagging you? You¡¯re old enough to choose, and you finally found someone you liked. If someone¡¯s nagging you, they¡¯re gonna scare away my future granddaughter¨Cin-
Gideon instantly lost his temper and mmed his fork down on the table.
Abel just shrugged, neither agreeing nor denying.
Gideon¡¯s sharp gaze swept around the table, obviously ming someone.
Miranda frowned, then quickly smiled. ¡°He¡¯s just messing around. You don¡¯t have to go along
with him.¡±
She picked up the serving spoon and put some food on Gideon¡¯s te, trying to change the topic.
But Gideon wasn¡¯t having it. He pushed the te away. ¡°Messing around? Is there anything in the world more important than Abel starting a family?¡±
Grandpa widened his eyes and looked straight at Abel. ¡°Well? Tell me, which family¡¯s daughter is it? I¡¯ll back you up.¡±
Abel¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Really, Grandpa?¡±
He quickly poured him a cup of tea and even stood up to massage his shoulders with a fawning grin. ¡°Grandpa, you¡¯re not young anymore. You¡¯d better keep your word.¡±
Gideon pretended to be annoyed, but he was grinning. ¡°Would your grandpa lie to you?¡±
¡°No! Absolutely not!¡±
Before Abel could say anything more, Miranda cut in sharply.
The atmosphere at the table instantly turned tense.
Gideon stared at Miranda. ¡°You¡¯re not young anymore. Why are you still so hot¨Ctempered?¡±
Realizing she had overreacted, Miranda squeezed the spoon she was holding and softened her expression. ¡°You can¡¯t say yes to Abel on this.¡±
¡°Oh?¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 416
Chapter 416 Abel¡¯s Defiance
Gideon suddenly got interested.
After all, Abel was the most outstanding one among the younger generation of the Shaws. Not just this generation¨Che was one of the best in several generations. Miranda knew how exceptional he was too, so she always gave him whatever he wanted. It was rare to see her turn
him down to his face.
As for why Abel was only one of the best ¡
Gideon¡¯s eyes darkened at the thought of his youngest son in Aetheris.
He snorted inwardly and quickly pulled his thoughts back.
¡°He¡¯s been busy in Aetheris for months. I heard he picked up some wild girl from Krigan.¡±
¡°Krigan?¡±
Gideon frowned. He had no impression of that ce at all.
The moment Abel heard his mother belittle Tess, his face darkened. ¡°Mom, she¡¯s not some wild girl!¡±
¡°She¡¯s not? I¡¯ve never even heard of Krigan. Do you really think some properdy who matches your status coulde from there?¡±
Miranda¡¯s face was unusually stern, her tone leaving no room for
argument.
Abel¡¯s eyes turned cold, his voice sharp. ¡°She¡¯s the one who suits me best, and she¡¯s the only one I want. Where she¡¯s from doesn¡¯t matter.¡±
Miranda was so furious that she nearly rolled her eyes and fainted.
She mmed the table. ¡°No way! I don¡¯t agree!¡±
Abel stayed calm. ¡°I¡¯m the one marrying her. Besides, it¡¯s not even certain she¡¯ll say yes.¡±
Abel turned his head away.
Seeing that he wouldn¡¯t even look at her, Miranda jabbed her finger in the air in frustration. ¡°You! You are trying to kill me with stress! What is our family¡¯s status? What is your position? You could have any rich, ssy woman you want. Why obsess over a hopeless rtionship?¡±
¡°Mom, calm down.¡±
Demi stepped up and gently rubbed Miranda¡¯s chest to help her breathe easier. She nced at Abel, then said in an understanding tone, ¡°Feelings can¡¯t be forced. Besides, nothing¡¯s even official yet, so don¡¯t get yourself sick over it.¡±
¡°Demi¡¯s right.¡± Gideon stroked his white beard and looked at Miranda. ¡°Look at you. Why are you getting worse as you get older? Even the kids see things more clearly than you.¡±
Miranda sat back down, though she still red at Abel.
¡°All right, Abel, do you have anything to say?¡±
Gideon gave Abel a look, hinting that he should try to calm Miranda down.
But Abel ignored it and went back to his seat, looking a bit sulky.
¡°Grandpa, I only want her.¡±
Hearing that, Gideon¡¯s face darkened, which was rare.
¡°Abel, I don¡¯t want to interfere just yet, but don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re the heir of the Shaws.¡±
His sharp eyes locked straight onto Abel¡¯s.
Abel was the sessor he had carefully trained. He hadn¡¯t handed the family fully over to Abel¡¯s father, because he wasn¡¯t good enough. Luckily, Abel turned out to be the kind of grandson who made him proud. One day, the entire family would be passed down to him.
For people of their status, romance was unimportant, so he didn¡¯t want to get involved in his grandchildren¡¯s love lives. But Abel was stubborn¨Csaying he only wanted one person was definitely a major mistake for an heir to make.
Abel felt like a heavy weight was pressing down on his chest under that sharp gaze.
He lowered his eyes.
¡°Grandpa, I always remember who I am.¡±
His voice was low and unexpectedly hoarse.
Only then did Gideon look away, nodding. ¡°Great. As long as you know that. But since your mother doesn¡¯t agree, you¡¯ll stay at thepany for now.¡±
He sipped his tea, narrowed his eyes, and seemed to be enjoying the aroma.
It was also his way of saying the topic was over.
No one spoke at the table. Though it was a family dinner, there wasn¡¯t any warmth. Everyone quietly ate the fancy food, but it tasted like nothing.
Abel kept his lips pressed tight. He lowered his head, his hair hid his eyes, masking the struggle and gloom in them.
His heart felt squeezed by an invisible hand, the tension rising to his throat, making it hard to breathe.
In a daze, he thought of that face¨Cdelicate yet striking¨Cand couldn¡¯t help but clench his fingers.
It¡¯s only been a while, and I¡¯m already missing her.
Aetheris Apartment.
¡°Well?¡±
Shannon clung excitedly to Henry¡¯s arm, leaning over to peek at the message on his phone.
Henry quickly read it, then squinted. ¡°The wedding dress price is out, but they want me to go to their office in person.¡±
Shannon frowned. ¡°Why can¡¯t they just text you the price? Why make you go all the way there?¡±
Henry rubbed his temples.
For some reason, there was no reaction from Tess¡¯s side. That should be a good thing¨Cit meant she still couldn¡¯t deny the story they¡¯d put out.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 417
Keepsake 417 Summary
In Chapter 417 of ¡°Keepsake 417,¡± the tension between Henry and Shannon esctes as they discuss the wedding dress locked away at the vi, which holds significant emotional and financial value. Henry expresses his frustration over the situation, feeling the weight of their choices and the impact of their past decisions, particrly regarding Kylie. Shannon, sensing Henry¡¯s ambition and the darkness surrounding his thoughts, worries about their future and the implications of bringing another child into theirplicated lives.
As the conversation unfolds, Henry¡¯s determination to extract value from the wedding dress bes evident. He believes that the dress may be worth far more than its initial appraisal, igniting a flicker of hope in Shannon. Yet, beneath this excitement lies Shannon¡¯s anxiety about their circumstances, especially as she contemtes the implications of their choices on their growing family. Her internal struggle is palpable, as she grapples with the question of whether having a child is the right decision amidst their turbulent lives.
The chapter also shifts to Kylie¡¯s perspective, where she feels isted and trapped in the vi, which serves as a reminder of her past and the pain associated with it. Her emotional state is fragile, and when her daughter Nadine arrives, the brief moment of joy quickly dissipates, leaving Kylie feeling empty and confused. This juxtaposition of Shannon¡¯s hope and Kylie¡¯s despair highlights the emotionalplexity of their intertwined lives, as both women navigate the consequences of their rtionships with Henry and the family dynamics that have shaped their existence.
Ultimately, the chapter captures the conflicting emotions of ambition, love, and uncertainty that define Henry and Shannon¡¯s rtionship, while also illustrating Kylie¡¯s loneliness and longing for connection. The characters are caught in a web of past grievances and future aspirations, each grappling with their own fears and desires as they seek to forge a path forward.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 417**
**Chapter 417: A Strange Reaction**
Henry¡¯s unease grew in the silence that enveloped them, her calm demeanor only intensifying his difort. It was as if the air had thickened,den with unspoken words and hidden worries.
¡°I¡¯ll go there myself, then,¡± he finally exhaled, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. ¡°But even if we manage to get the quote for the wedding dress, it¡¯s still locked away at the vi, and we can¡¯t retrieve it.¡±
Shannon huffed, a spark of irritation flickering in her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s precisely because you spoiled her. She expressed a desire to live independently, and you actually moved out of the vi to amodate her whims.¡±
¡°I did it to be with you, didn¡¯t I?¡± Henry countered, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice.
With a yful tap on Shannon¡¯s nose, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. ¡°I also didn¡¯t foresee that you¡¯d end up pregnant again.¡±
Shannon wiggled her hips yfully, a soft hum escaping her lips, but she chose not to respond verbally, her thoughts swirling in a mix of emotions.
¡°Regardless, I wasn¡¯t nning to sell the wedding dress immediately. Waiting a couple of weeks or even a month won¡¯t hurt us,¡± he added, trying to sound reassuring.
Henry squinted, his eyes narrowing as he calcted their next steps. The tension in the room was palpable, and Shannon could sense the weight of his thoughts.
Sitting up straight in his embrace, Shannon turned to face him fully. ¡°Are you still intent on moving forward with your next n?¡± she asked, her voiceced with concern. She couldn¡¯t help but nervously stroke her still-t stomach, a gesture that betrayed her anxiety.
Henry nodded, a glimmer of ambition shining in his eyes, the greed swirling within him like a tempest.
He noticed the worry etched across Shannon¡¯s face and gently stroked her hand, attempting to soothe her. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. Once we extract thest ounce of value from Kylie, we¡¯ll vanish without a trace. When I tried to sell the vi before, they approached me. But now, for the wedding dress, they want me toe to their office. That indicates this dress is likely worth far more than their initial estimate.¡±
He clicked his tongue twice, the sound echoing with frustration. ¡°They appraised this dress at 300 million. If it goes any higher¡¡±
Their eyes locked, and Shannon¡¯s gaze sparkled with excitement, a flicker of hope igniting within her.
Henry¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. ¡°Shannon, the Larsons behind Kylie aren¡¯t just an ordinary family; they¡¯re a treasure trove waiting to be tapped into.¡±
Hearing the confidence in Henry¡¯s voice sent a thrill through Shannon, causing her heart to race.
¡°In the past, they looked down on me. Kylie is their own flesh and blood, yet they cast her out of the family simply because of their disdain for me.¡±
As memories of the past flooded back, Henry¡¯s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding together in frustration. ¡°Now that I¡¯m finally breaking free from Crorus, I am determined to take revenge for everything that transpired over a decade ago!¡±
Shannon gazed at Henry, sensing the darkness in his expression, and chose not to intervene.
But as she looked down, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach, a wave of unease washed over her.
Is having this child truly the right choice?
The thought gripped her tightly, causing her to clench her hand in apprehension.
Noticing Shannon¡¯s sudden silence, Henry gently patted her back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just hang in there a little longer. Once I score big with the Larsons, I promise to whisk you and the baby away to a better life.¡±
His gaze bore into hers, and he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear tenderly. ¡°We¡¯ve been together since childhood. If it weren¡¯t for Kylie¡¯s status and family, I would have never left your side. All these years, you¡¯ve endured so much abroad because of her. I owe it to you to make everything right.¡±
Shannon felt a warmth spread through her at his heartfelt words.
She wrapped her arms around him tightly, like a small kitten seeking sce. ¡°Henry!¡±
The sweetness in her voice echoed with nostalgia, a name she had lovingly called him since their youth.
Hearing that familiar tone sent a rush of warmth through Henry, igniting a spark between them.
Their eyes exchanged tender nces, and before long, they found themselves tangled in each other¡¯s embrace, lost in the moment.
Meanwhile, at Ember Vi, Kylie sat alone and suddenly sneezed, the sound breaking the silence that hung heavily in the air.
She rubbed her nose, ncing around the empty ¡°home¡± that felt more like a prison than a sanctuary.
Initially, she had been oblivious to the vi¡¯s significance, but Henry hadter exined that he purchased it with grand aspirations of expanding his business in Aetheris.
Now, she slumped weakly on the couch, feeling like a mere shell of herself, hollow and devoid of spirit.
An inexplicable heaviness had settled in her heart, a persistent weight that drained her of joy. No matter how hard she pondered the source of her sorrow, it eluded her understanding.
¡°Mom!¡±
Suddenly, a sweet voice pierced through the gloom, pulling Kylie from her thoughts.
She sat up to see Nadine rushing toward her. ¡°Nadine?¡±
A flicker of happiness sparked within her, but it quickly faded, leaving behind a strange, unsettling emptiness that clung to her.
¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mom? Are you feeling unwell?¡± Nadine asked, concern etching her features as she sat beside Kylie and reached out to check her forehead.
¡°No! No, I¡¯m fine,¡± Kylie replied hastily, flinching as Nadine¡¯s fingers approached, as if they were a live wire.
Nadine paused, looking at her empty hand, confusion flickering in her eyes.
Realizing her overreaction, Kylie quickly averted her gaze, desperate to mask her difort. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be helping your dad at thepany? Why are you here?¡± she asked, attempting to redirect the conversation.Conclusion
In the aftermath of their emotional exchange, Henry and Shannon found themselves standing on the precipice of a new beginning, their hopes intertwined with ambition and a shared dream for a brighter future. The warmth of their embrace served as a reminder of their enduring bond, a connection that had weathered storms and emerged stronger. Yet, beneath the surface of their excitement, a flicker of uncertainty lingered in Shannon¡¯s heart, a question that gnawed at her: was this path truly the right one for them? As Henry¡¯s determination to reim what was lost surged, Shannon couldn¡¯t help but wonder if their pursuit of wealth and revenge would overshadow the simple joys of family and love.
Meanwhile, Kylie¡¯s solitude echoed theplexities of their intertwined lives, highlighting the stark contrast between her istion and the burgeoning hope shared by Henry and Shannon. The weight of her own emotions, coupled with the arrival of Nadine, brought forth a fleeting glimpse of happiness that quickly dissipated into the shadows of her discontent. In this moment, it became clear that each character was grappling with their own battles, their paths shaped by past choices and present desires. As the chapter closed, the emotional arc of their lives hung delicately in the bnce, a poignant reminder that the pursuit of dreams oftenes at a cost, and the true value of life lies not in material gain, but in the connections forged through love, understanding, and the courage to face the unknown together.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, the tension between Henry and Shannon is set to escte as they grapple with the consequences of their ambitious ns. With Henry¡¯s determination to extract every ounce of value from the wedding dress and his desire for revenge against the Larsons, readers can anticipate a thrilling blend of emotion and conflict. As Shannon continues to wrestle with her own anxieties about motherhood and the choices they¡¯ve made, her inner turmoil might lead to unexpected confrontations. Will her worries push her to reconsider their path, or will she find the strength to fully support Henry¡¯s dangerous ambitions?
Meanwhile, Kylie¡¯s istion at Ember Vi will deepen, revealingyers of her character that have been shrouded in mystery. As she tries to navigate her feelings of emptiness and the pressures of her family legacy, the arrival of Nadine may serve as a catalyst for change. The dynamic between mother and daughter is poised to shift dramatically, potentially leading to revtions that could alter the course of their intertwined fates. Will Kylie find sce in her daughter, or will the weight of her past continue to haunt her? The next chapter promises to unravel theseplex rtionships, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the fateful decisions that lie ahead.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 418
Keepsake 418 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 418,¡± the story unfolds between Nadine and her mother, Kylie, during a reflective moment after a family funeral. Nadine expresses her gratitude for Kylie¡¯s efforts to reconcile with her father, creating a warm but bittersweet atmosphere. As they converse, Kylie appears distant, grappling with the emotional weight of their situation, which ispounded by the recent loss and the loneliness she feels in her new life post-separation from her husband.
Nadine, sensing her mother¡¯s solitude, tries to bridge the emotional gap by sharing her own feelings of istion during her time in prison. This moment of vulnerability prompts Kylie to confront her own loneliness and the memories of happier times with her family. As Nadine seeksfort, Kylie is reminded of the warmth and love that once filled her life, highlighting the stark contrast with her current destion. The conversation turns deeper as Nadine inquires about Kylie¡¯s family, revealing her longing for connection and eptance.
As the discussion shifts toward family ties, Kylie experiences a mix of nostalgia and anxiety about reconnecting with her estranged rtives. Nadine¡¯s innocent questions about meeting her grandfather stir a sense of hope in both characters, yet Kylie¡¯s internal conflict about her past decisions surfaces. The mention of her biological daughter, Tess, triggers frustration in Kylie, showcasing theplicated dynamics within their family. Nadine¡¯s excitement about the possibility of meeting her grandfather brings a momentary lightness to their conversation, but it also forces Kylie to confront her unresolved feelings about her family.
The story captures the emotionalplexities of family rtionships, particrly the longing for connection amidst feelings of abandonment and regret. Kylie¡¯s struggle with her past choices and her desire to reconnect with her family are palpable, while Nadine¡¯s innocent enthusiasm serves as a poignant reminder of the love and bonds that still exist, despite the challenges. Ultimately, ¡°Keepsake 418¡± explores themes of longing, familial ties, and the bittersweet nature of reconnecting with one¡¯s roots in the face of loss and change.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 418**
Nadine¡¯s gaze lingered on Kylie¡¯s face, a soft smile blossoming on her lips. ¡°I¡¯m really d you took the time to clear things up with Dad at the funeral, Mom,¡± she said, her tone light yet sincere. ¡°With Tess likely running around trying to handle everything, it¡¯s given me a chance to spend some quality time with you.¡±
She punctuated her words with a yful wink, embodying a sweet, obedient demeanor that felt almost effortless.
¡°Uh, sure,¡± Kylie replied, her voice slightly distant, as if she were still processing the weight of Nadine¡¯s words.
The mention of the funeral seemed to cast a temporary shadow over the room, and as Kylie nodded slowly, her thoughts drifted elsewhere, leaving her momentarily lost in a fog of memories.
Out of Kylie¡¯s line of sight, Nadine squinted, her curiosity piqued.
¡°Mom, you must be feeling a bit lonely being home all by yourself, right?¡±
Nadine leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if sharing a secret that only the two of them could understand.
This time, Kylie responded without hesitation. ¡°Yeah, your dad and I aren¡¯t living together anymore, and I¡¯m still getting used to Aetheris.¡±
Nadine let out a long, drawn-out ¡°Oh,¡± her heart swelling with a mix of empathy and concern. She called for the housekeeper, requesting an assortment of snacks, and soon enough, a te of cookies appeared. Dipping one in milk, she offered it to Kylie with a tender smile. ¡°Do you ever get homesick, Mom? When I was in prison, I felt so isted. You and Dad were all I thought about.¡±
As she spoke, Nadine sniffled slightly, resting her head against Kylie¡¯s shoulder, a gesture that felt both innocent and vulnerable.
She chatted as if it were the most casual topic in the world, but the moment her head met Kylie¡¯s shoulder, she sensed the subtle tension in her mother¡¯s body.
A flicker of sharp awareness sparked in Nadine¡¯s eyes.
¡°Nadine, why are you suddenly bringing that up?¡±
Kylie¡¯s fingers, which held the cookie, trembled slightly, betraying her unease.
Nadine lifted her gaze, her eyes wide and innocent. ¡°I just find it curious that you never talk about family. When I was locked away, I felt so alone and missed you and Dad more than anything. Now that you¡¯re on your own, I wondered if you feel the same way about your family.¡±
Tilting her head, she resembled a small, naive creature seekingfort and understanding.
Kylie¡¯s eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.
Her family? Of course, they upied her thoughts!
Those joyful moments felt like echoes from a distant past, fading into the shadows of her current reality.
The loneliness she felt now was more acute than ever; once, she had always been surrounded byughter and warmth.
How did I end up in this deste ce?
Kylie found herself entranced, letting the cookie soak in the milk until it disintegrated, drifting down to the bottom of the ss.
The warmth of the milk against her fingertips finally brought her back to the present.
¡°Grandma never liked me. What about your other family? I think I¡¯ve only met Grandma. Do you think your other rtives would ept me?¡± Nadine asked in a soft, sweet tone, her voiceced with hope.
She wrapped her arms around Kylie¡¯s, resting her cheek against it, seeking a connection that felt both tender and fragile.
Kylie watched Nadine¡¯s affectionate gesture, a wave of nostalgia washing over her.
In her childhood, she had often embraced her parents in that very same way, a gesture filled with love and trust.
Looking down, Kylie noticed the skin on her hands, no longer as smooth and youthful as it once had been.
So many years had slipped by unnoticed.
Time was relentless.
Her mother was gone, and what of her father?
A sharp pang of worry tightened around Kylie¡¯s heart, a sudden realization of the fragility of life.
Sensing the shift in Kylie¡¯s mood, Nadine looked up, concern etching her features. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Kylie shook her head, but an impulse surged within her, and she grasped Nadine¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°Would you like to meet your grandpa?¡±
Instantly, Nadine straightened, her face illuminating with excitement. ¡°Really, Mom?¡±
But just as quickly, her enthusiasm dimmed, and she slumped back down, disappointment clouding her expression. ¡°But I¡¯m just your adopted daughter. If anyone should meet Grandpa, it should be Tess.¡±
The mere mention of Tess¡¯s name sent a ripple of frustration through Kylie, momentarily overshadowing any lingering familial bonds. ¡°She¡¯s unfilial! She doesn¡¯t deserve to see your grandpa!¡± Kylie snapped, her voice sharper than she intended.
Nadine¡¯s expression remained sweet, yet the thrill of anticipation danced in her eyes, betraying her excitement.
She quickly enveloped Kylie in a hug, her eyes sparkling with eagerness. ¡°When are we going to see Grandpa? What should I prepare?¡±
Kylie felt her heart waver at Nadine¡¯s infectious enthusiasm.
More than two decades had passed since she had made the decision to marry Henry, severing ties with the Larsons. They had supported her family financially, and now, as she contemted returning, would they even wee her back?
Kylie cast her gaze downward, but the thought clung to her, refusing to fade.
She longed to return home.
To that simpler life filled withughter and love, a life untainted by the gnawing solitude that now enveloped her.
¡°You don¡¯t need to prepare anything special. I¡¯ll reach out to them soon,¡± Kylie said softly, her voice carrying a hint of reassurance.
¡°That won¡¯t do! I heard your family is more impressive than ours,¡± Nadine replied, her voice bubbling with excitement. ¡°I thought about bringing some local specialties from Krigan, but maybe that¡¯s too simple? What should we bring? Hmm¡ perhaps I could select some jewelry gifts from Cavrielle for the elders. Tess can¡¯t go, but a lot of Cavrielle¡¯s designs are hers¡ªit would be like she¡¯s joining us too¡¡±Conclusion
As the conversation flowed between them, a fragile bridge began to form, connecting Kylie¡¯s yearning for familial warmth with Nadine¡¯s hopeful innocence. The prospect of rekindling ties with her estranged family stirred something deep within Kylie, awakening long-buried emotions that had been overshadowed by years of solitude. Nadine¡¯s bright enthusiasm acted as a balm, soothing the sharp edges of Kylie¡¯s loneliness and igniting a flicker of hope in her heart. The thought of introducing her daughter to her father was both daunting and exhrating, a chance to reim a piece of her past while nurturing the bond they shared. It was a moment that hinted at the possibility of healing, of embracing theplexity of family ties, and of rediscovering the love that had once defined her life.
Yet, as the shadows of doubt crept in, Kylie grappled with the reality of her decisions. Would her family truly ept Nadine, the daughter she had fought so hard to protect? The weight of her past decisions loomedrge, but in Nadine¡¯s bright eyes, Kylie saw a glimmer of the future she longed for¡ªa future where love could bridge the gaps of time and hurt. With every word exchanged, the emotional arc shifted, transforming despair into a tentative optimism. As they sat together, nning their journey to reconnect with the family that had once been a source of joy, Kylie felt a renewed sense of purpose. Perhaps it was time to embrace theplexities of her past and forge a new path forward, hand in hand with her daughter, ready to face whatevery ahead.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of ¡°Keepsake 418,¡± readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions as Kylie grapples with the decision to reconnect with her estranged family. The anticipation builds as she prepares to reach out to her father, a man she hasn¡¯t seen in years, and the weight of that choice loomsrge. Will the Larsons ept her back into their fold, or has the chasm of time and choices made her a stranger in her own family? As Kylie navigates herplex feelings of nostalgia, guilt, and hope, the reader will feel the tension of her internal struggle, particrly as she considers how her rtionship with Nadine will be affected by this monumental step.
Moreover, Nadine¡¯s innocent enthusiasm and desire to bond with her biological family will addyers ofplexity to the narrative. Her eagerness to impress and connect with her grandfather serves as a catalyst for Kylie¡¯s own memories and regrets. As the chapter unfolds, the dynamic between mother and daughter will be tested, revealing deeper truths about identity, belonging, and the ties that bind. Will Kylie find the courage to embrace her past, or will fear of rejection hold her back? The stage is set for an emotional reunion that promises to unravel long-buried secrets and redefine their family ties. Prepare for heartfelt revtions and unexpected twists that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the story unfolds.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 419
Keepsake 419 Summary
In **Chapter 419: Kylie¡¯s Wedding Dress** of *Keepsake 419*, Nadine is filled with excitement as she ns for a wedding celebration, dreaming of every detail. However, her enthusiasm is cut short when Kylie, filled with sadness, asserts that they don¡¯t need any of it. Kylie then leads Nadine to the dressing room, a ce that once brimmed with joy but now serves as a stark reminder of their changed circumstances. As they enter, Kylie is confronted with the emptiness of the wardrobe, realizing that many of her cherished dresses are missing, sold off by Henry to save thepany. This revtion brings forth feelings of anger and betrayal in Kylie, who had chosen to remain silent about Henry¡¯s decisions until now.
As Kylie grapples with her emotions, Nadine notices her distress and tries to reassure her, promising to speak with Henry about restoring their wardrobe. Despite Nadine¡¯sforting words, Kylie feels a mix of frustration and sorrow, leading to a heavy silence as she ascends the stairs to the top floor. There, the only remaining piece of furniture catches her attention¡ªa wooden cab. Kylie¡¯s soft request to Nadine to ship something hints at the significance of what lies within. When she opens the cab doors, she is relieved to find her wedding dress still intact, a symbol of her past dreams and happiness.
The sight of the beautiful dress, adorned with tiny diamonds, evokes a wave of nostalgia and joy in Kylie, contrasting sharply with her earlier feelings of loss. Nadine, awed by the gown¡¯s beauty, expresses concern about its value and the implications of shipping it away. Despite Nadine¡¯s hesitation, Kylie is resolute, insisting that the dress be sent off without discussing it with Henry. This decision marks a turning point for Kylie, transforming her from a hesitant figure to one filled with determination and purpose.
Meanwhile, in Krigan, Tess and Lyra prepare for their investigation while reflecting on the developments in their lives. Tess mentions that L will be sharing a room with them, and both girls feel a sense of relief after a long day. Lyra, still processing the surreal nature of their situation, wonders about L¡¯s interest in Tess and the potentialplications it may bring. The chapter weaves together themes of loss, resilience, and theplexities of personal rtionships, setting the stage for further developments in both Kylie and the girls¡¯ lives.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 419**
**Chapter 419: Kylie¡¯s Wedding Dress**
Nadine was practically buzzing with excitement, her mind racing with ideas and ns for the uing celebration. She envisioned every detail, from the flowers to the cake, and how they would alle together to create the perfect day.
But before she could share another thought, Kylie interrupted her, her voice firm yet tinged with a hint of sadness. ¡°They don¡¯t need any of this.¡±
With that, Kylie took Nadine by the hand and guided her back to the dressing room, a space that had once been filled withughter and the thrill of trying on beautiful gowns.
As they stepped inside, the vanity stood mostly bare, a stark reminder of the changes that had swept through their lives. Kylie¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as she approached the wardrobe, her heart sinking.
Upon opening the doors, she was greeted by an unsettling sight: many of her cherished dresses were missing, leaving only a handful of in outfits that had be her daily wear.
Suddenly, a memory flickered to life in her mind. Henry had mentioned, not too long ago, that he had sold off many of their belongings to rescue thepany from the brink of financial ruin. Those dresses, the ones she had lovingly brought over from Krigan, were more than just fabric; they were pieces of her history. Two of them had been gifts from her family for hering-of-age ceremony, moments she had cherished deeply.
Kylie¡¯s expression darkened, a storm brewing behind her eyes.
While she had been aware of Henry¡¯s actions, she had chosen to stay silent, convincing herself that it wasn¡¯t worth the fight. But standing here now, confronted by the emptiness of the wardrobe, she felt a mix of anger and betrayal. She had only worn simple clothes at home since then, avoiding the wardrobe altogether. The stark emptiness before her was a bitter reminder of what was lost.
Nadine, perceptive as always, noticed the change in Kylie¡¯s demeanor and quickly shut the wardrobe doors. ¡°Dad really messed up! Thepany was in dire straits, but he shouldn¡¯t have gone this far. Mom, I promise I¡¯ll talk to him when I get back to the office tomorrow. Once the business is back on track, I¡¯ll make sure to fill this wardrobe with thetest styles!¡±
Kylie pressed her lips into a thin line, choosing silence over conflict. Listening to Nadine¡¯s sweet reassurances, she felt a flicker of warmth but remained resolute in her thoughts.
With a frustrated sigh, she mmed the wardrobe shut again, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room.
Without a word, she turned and ascended the stairs to the top floor, her footsteps heavy with unspoken emotions.
Nadine followed closely, her eyes darting around the space until theynded on the only piece of furniture remaining in the vast emptiness¡ªa wooden cab, standing like a sentinel in the middle of the room.
¡°Nadine, can you ship something for me?¡± Kylie¡¯s voice was soft, almost wistful, as if she were conjuring a dream.
Nadine¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement, her gaze fixed on the cab.
So this must be the incredibly expensive wedding dress Dad was talking about!
¡°Just tell me, Mom!¡± she eximed, her eagerness palpable.
Kylie reached out to touch the cab¡¯s handle, her fingers brushing against the surface. She attempted to wipe away the dust that had settled, but to her surprise, the cab was impably clean, almost too slick to be real.
A frown creased her brow as she examined her hand, which was devoid of any dust, a puzzling thought.
Hardly anyone ever ventured to the top floor¡ªnot even she herself.
With a quick motion, she flung open the cab doors and released a breath she hadn¡¯t realized she was holding when she spotted the wedding dress hanging gracefully inside.
Thank goodness.
If Henry had dared to sell this dress too, she would have confronted him without hesitation! At least he had recognized the significance of this dress and spared it from his reckless decisions.
A wave of relief washed over Kylie, mingling with aplex swirl of emotions as she took in the sight of the wless, white fabric that had once filled her with joy.
Nadine¡¯s eyes widened in awe as she took in the dress¡¯s beauty.
Now I see why Dad couldn¡¯t stop raving about this stunning gown.
Though the lighting in the room was dim, the tiny diamonds adorning the dress sparkled like stars, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost ethereal.
¡°Help me ship this dress. I¡¯ll give you the address in a moment,¡± Kylie instructed, her fingers gently caressing the delicate fabric.
She had been thrilled at the prospect of wearing it, but the dream of walking down the aisle in it had nevere to fruition.
She couldn¡¯t tear her gaze away from the dress.
Nadine¡¯s voice trembled with concern. ¡°This dress is so expensive and beautiful. Are you really going to ship it away?¡±
Dad said it was worth 300 million dors. By shipping it off, it feels like giving away a fortune!
Her anxiety was palpable as she nced at Kylie, who remained calm, lost in the reverie of her memories.
Kylie finally tore her eyes from the dress and decisively closed the cab door.
Turning to Nadine, her tone was resolute. ¡°Yes, ship it.¡±
Nadine stood frozen, her expression darkening. ¡°This is way too expensive. Shouldn¡¯t I discuss it with Dad at thepany first?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Kylie shook her head, her eyes sparkling with determination. ¡°There¡¯s no need to talk to him. Just do what I say.¡±
Unlike the hesitant woman who had climbed the stairs just moments ago, she now moved with a newfound vigor, her spirit seemingly rejuvenated.
Nadine watched as Kylie descended the stairs, casting onest reluctant nce at the closed cab.
No way, I have to tell Dad!
**Krigan.**
Tess and Lyra stood by the doorway, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation.
¡°I got a room for you. It¡¯s right across from us,¡± Tess said, gesturing for L to follow her.
This time, L didn¡¯tin about sharing a room; he simply nodded obediently.
Finally, with L on his way, Tess and Lyra¡ªexhausted from the long drive¡ªcould finally let out a sigh of relief.
After a quick wash-up, they both flopped onto their beds, the weight of the day slowly lifting off their shoulders.
¡°Tess, it seems like he¡¯s got his eyes on you. For our investigation tomorrow, do you think it¡¯s okay if we bring him along?¡±
Lyra stared up at the ceiling, her mind still reeling from the surreal nature of it all.
Her idol shone like a star on stage, yet here he was, blissfully unaware of the chaos he had brought into their lives¡ªespecially as he became entwined with her best friend.Conclusion
In the wake of her emotional turmoil, Kylie emerged from the dressing room with a renewed sense of purpose. The absence of her cherished wedding dresses had initially left her feeling hollow, a painful reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of survival. Yet, as she stood before the exquisite wedding dress¡ªan emblem of her past hopes and dreams¡ªshe found a flicker of strength igniting within her. The decision to ship the dress away was not just about relinquishing a material possession; it was a deration of her autonomy, a step towards reiming her narrative amidst the chaos that had enveloped her life. Nadine¡¯s concerns echoed in her mind, but Kylie was resolute. This was a moment of empowerment, a choice she was making for herself, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of control over her destiny.
As she descended the stairs, a sense of rity washed over her. The weight of her silence and the burden of her unspoken grievances began to lift, reced by a determination to confront the challenges ahead. Nadine¡¯s anxious gaze lingered on the cab, but Kylie¡¯s heart swelled with a newfound hope. The journey forward would not be easy, but she was ready to face it head-on, armed with the knowledge that her past, while significant, would not dictate her future. The wedding dress, once a symbol of lost dreams, had transformed into a keepsake of resilience¡ªa reminder that even in the face of adversity, she could still choose her path and embrace the possibilities thaty ahead.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the story unfolds in the next chapter of *Keepsake 419*, readers can expect a thrilling exploration of Kylie¡¯splex emotions surrounding the wedding dress and her tumultuous rtionship with Henry. With Nadine¡¯s growing concern about the implications of shipping off the gown, tensions are sure to rise as Kylie grapples with the weight of her past and the decisions she must make for her future. Will she stand firm in her resolve to let go of the dress, or will the memories it holds pull her back into the web of nostalgia and regret? The emotional stakes are high, and the consequences of her choices will ripple through her family dynamics, revealing deeper truths about loyalty, sacrifice, and the meaning of love.
Meanwhile, Tess and Lyra¡¯s storyline promises to intertwine seamlessly with Kylie¡¯s journey, as their investigation takes unexpected turns. With L now in the mix, the dynamics shift, and readers can anticipate a blend of intrigue and romance as they navigate theplexities of their intertwined lives. Will Tess find the courage to confront her feelings for L while delving deeper into the mysteries surrounding them? Or will the revtions they uncover lead to unforeseenplications that threaten to unravel everything they hold dear? The next chapter is set to be a captivating blend of emotional depth and suspense, leaving readers eager to discover what lies ahead for each character as they face their own crossroads.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 420
Keepsake 420 Summary
In Chapter 420 of ¡°Keepsake 420,¡± Lyra is filled with excitement and disbelief at the thought that her idol might remember her. However, her friend Tess quickly dismisses the idea of bringing the idol along on their mission, expressing concern for their secretive ns. Lyra, feeling a protective instinct towards her idol, argues that he seems incapable of taking care of himself and worries for his well-being. Despite Tess¡¯s practicality, Lyra is captivated by her idol¡¯s undeniable talent, which she believes overshadows his childishness.
As the conversation shifts to their ns, Tess reveals that they will first visit the idol¡¯s family, as it appears that he is under the control of a man named Henry due to familial ties. Lyra suggests they also investigate the hospital where the idol¡¯s wife gave birth, hoping to gain more insight into the situation. Their unspoken trust in one another is evident as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Finn, Lyra¡¯s husband, is at the hotel, grappling with feelings of jealousy and frustration as he thinks about another man being close to Tess. Although he is typically disciplined and controlled, he finds himself acting on impulse as he prepares to see her. His internal struggle reveals a deeper sense of sadness about their rtionship, as he feels like a stranger in his own marriage.
Later, Nadine rushes to her father, Henry, in a state of panic about Kylie wanting to ship a valuable wedding dress. Henry¡¯s initial shock turns to calm as he understands the situation, but Shannon, Nadine¡¯s mother, is rmed at the thought of losing the dress, which holds significant value. The tension esctes as Henry surprisingly suggests letting Kylie ship the dress, prompting Shannon¡¯s disbelief and concern about the financial implications. The chapter ends with a mix of urgency and familial dynamics, highlighting theplex emotions surrounding their decisions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 420**
**Chapter 420: n**
Could it be that her idol actually remembered her? The thought sent a thrill through Lyra, mingling with a sense of disbelief.
¡°Of course we¡¯re not bringing him,¡± Tess interjected, her toneced with exasperation, as if the idea were utterly preposterous.
¡°But he looks like he can¡¯t take care of himself. I¡¯m genuinely worried about him,¡± Lyra countered, her brow furrowing in concern.
With a heavy sigh, Lyra felt the familiar tug of that ¡°protective fan¡± instinct. It was an odd mix of admiration andpassion that often surfaced when she thought of her idol.
Tess turned to face Lyra, her mouth twitching in a half-smile, half-scoff. ¡°I thought meeting him would make you see he¡¯s just a normal guy, nothing special.¡±
¡°That¡¯s not quite it,¡± Lyra replied, squinting slightly as she considered her words. ¡°What truly impressed me was his talent. It¡¯s undeniable.¡±
She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it didn¡¯t matter if her idol was a bit childish; his genuine talent was what truly captivated her.
Tess shook her head in disapproval. ¡°But don¡¯t even entertain the thought of bringing him along. Very few people here in Krigan are aware of our true purpose, and we must keep our intentions under wraps. He can just stay at the hotel, safe and sound.¡±
Lyra nodded thoughtfully, appreciating Tess¡¯s practicality. ¡°Exactly.¡± She turned her gaze back to Tess, her curiosity piqued. ¡°So, have you figured out our n for tomorrow?¡±
The moment business was mentioned, Tess¡¯s demeanor shifted. Her eyes narrowed, and the yful banter evaporated, reced by a steely seriousness. ¡°First, we¡¯re going to visit his family.¡±
Lyra listened intently as Tess continued. ¡°From Abel¡¯s recording, it sounds like Henry has some sort of control over Nichs, not just because of financial transactions, but likely due to family ties.¡±
¡°Right,¡± Lyra agreed, her mind racing. ¡°If we have time, we should also check out the hospital where Nichs¡¯s wife gave birth. It might give us more insight.¡±
As her words hung in the air, Lyra met Tess¡¯s gaze. In that silent exchange, their trust in one another spoke volumes, a bond that needed no words.
Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby below¡
¡°Mr. Lock, are you staying at this hotel? We booked thergest and most luxurious suite in all of Krigan just for you¡ª¡±
Finn shot a nce at the speaker, causing the man to immediately mp his mouth shut, retreating into himself like a turtle withdrawing into its shell.
¡°Check me in,¡± Finnmanded, his voice low, icy as winter.
Yet, as he stood there, his gaze flickered momentarily to the second floor, where the lights went dim. A fleeting softness crossed his features as he contemted the woman he was about to see. He was all too aware that his arrival might not bring her joy. This was less about her happiness and more about his need to soothe his own restless heart.
Finn was usually a man of discipline, someone who thrived on control. Yet, here he was, acting on a whim, an impulse that felt foreign and exhrating.
He lowered his eyes, the depths of his thoughts hidden from view.
But then, his mind drifted back to that guy who had been with Tess earlier.
He couldn¡¯t deny the pang of jealousy that twisted in his gut. They were practically strangers, yet this man had the privilege of being close to her, of following her around. And Finn, her husband for years, often felt like a stranger himself, treated with disdain and resistance.
His eyes clouded with a mix of frustration and sadness.
¡°Mr. Lock, your room is ready,¡± the clerk announced, breaking through his reverie.
Finn epted the room key, the remnants of his earlier emotions dissipating like mist. All that remained was his familiar cold demeanor.
Later that evening, after spending some time with Kylie, Nadine hurriedly sought out Henry, her heart racing with urgency.
¡°Dad! Kylie wants to ship the wedding dress from the top floor!¡± she burst into the room, her voice tinged with anxiety.
The housekeeper, who had been diligently mopping the floor, froze mid-motion, gripping the mop handle tightly as she nced up, concern etched on her face.
¡°What?!¡± Henry eximed, his surprise evident.
Before he could fully process the situation, Shannon sprang up from her seat, her movements frantic. She nearly lost her bnce, twisting awkwardly as she rushed to Nadine.
Henry, however, remained unfazed, stepping forward to grasp Nadine¡¯s wrist firmly. ¡°She wants to ship the wedding dress? To whom? Why on earth would she do that?¡±
Nadine, sensing the tension in the air, quickly exined the situation, her words tumbling out in a rush.
As the details sank in, Henry¡¯s expression shifted from rm to a more rxed demeanor. He sank back into his chair, the worry lines on his face smoothing out.
Shannon, still on edge, turned to Henry, her brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°What is she up to, Henry?¡±
¡°Nadine, good job,¡± Henry said, his voice low and measured as he regarded his daughter.
Shannon¡¯s confusion only deepened.
Nadine beamed, obediently settling between her parents, eager for their approval.
Meeting Shannon¡¯s bewildered gaze, Henry softened his tone to rify, ¡°Kylie probably wants to send the wedding dress to the Larsons.¡±
At that, Shannon shot up from her seat, her frustration bubbling over. ¡°No way! That wedding dress was a gift from the Larsons when they married you. She can¡¯t just send it away! And why aren¡¯t you worried? That dress is worth over 400 million!¡±
She tugged insistently at Henry¡¯s sleeve, trying to rally him to her side, then suddenly turned back to Nadine, a realization dawning on her. ¡°You¡¯re not actually going to let her ship it, are you?¡±
Nadine shook her head vigorously. ¡°The wedding dress is still at the vi. I came here as soon as I found out so we could talk about it.¡±
Shannon let out a sigh of relief, but then Henry¡¯s next words made her heart race anew. ¡°Let her ship it.¡±
¡°What?!¡± she gasped, disbelief flooding her features.
Henry took Shannon¡¯s hand, squeezing it gently, attempting to calm her rising panic. ¡°Shannon, didn¡¯t I just tell you I¡¯m going to make a significant profit from the Larsons?¡±
Shannon¡¯s annoyance simmered down slightly, but she couldn¡¯t shake her apprehension. ¡°But if you let that dress go, you¡¯ll be losing 400 million before you even see a dime from the Larsons!¡±Conclusion
As the chapter unfolds, the emotional arc reaches a poignant climax, drawing a clear line between aspiration and reality. Lyra¡¯s initial thrill at the thought of her idol remembering her transforms into a deeper understanding of theplexities surrounding him. Her protective instincts sh with Tess¡¯s practicality, highlighting the tension between admiration and the harsh truths of their mission. This internal struggle reflects Lyra¡¯s growth, as she learns to navigate her feelings while remaining focused on their shared goal. The silent bond forged between her and Tess underscores the importance of trust and coboration, grounding Lyra¡¯s admiration in a more mature perspective.
Meanwhile, Finn¡¯s journey illustrates the fragility of human emotions, as jealousy and longing intertwine with his disciplined exterior. His fleeting softness reveals a man grappling with the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his present. As Nadine¡¯s urgent plea disrupts the familial dynamic, the tension esctes, showcasing the conflicting desires for security and ambition. Henry¡¯s unexpected decision to allow the wedding dress to be shipped embodies the sacrifices made in pursuit of greater goals, even at the risk of personal loss. Together, these narratives weave a tapestry of longing, ambition, and theplexities of human rtionships, leaving readers with a sense of unresolved tension that promises further exploration in the chapters toe.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Henry and Shannon esctes, the stakes are about to rise dramatically. In the next chapter, we can expect a deeper exploration of the power dynamics at y within the family, especially as Henry¡¯s motivations for allowing the wedding dress to be shipped be clearer. Will he reveal a hidden agenda that could change everything for Shannon and Nadine? As secrets unravel, tensions will re, and loyalties will be tested, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.
Meanwhile, Lyra and Tess are gearing up for their pivotal meeting with Henry¡¯s family, and the stakes couldn¡¯t be higher. With their mission shrouded in secrecy, the duo must navigate a web of familial ties and hidden agendas. Will they uncover the truth about Nichs and the hold his family has over him? Anticipate unexpected alliances and shocking revtions that could alter the course of their n. As the chapter unfolds, the intertwining stories of Lyra, Tess, and Finn will converge in ways that will leave readers breathless, eager to see how each character¡¯s choices will shape their fates in this intricate narrative.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 421
Keepsake 421 Summary
In Chapter 421 of ¡°Keepsake 421,¡± the story revolves around Henry¡¯s ambitious n to exploit a recent revtion about a 400 million dor wedding dress belonging to Kylie. While Henry is excited about the potential financial gain from the Larsons, Shannon, who is more innocent and naive, struggles to understand the magnitude of the situation. Henry¡¯s affection for Shannon contrasts with his underlying resentment towards Kylie, who has never fully epted him as part of the family.
As the chapter unfolds, Henry encourages Nadine to assist Kylie with the shipment of the wedding dress, which he believes could open doors to significant profits. Nadine, eager to help, feels a rush of excitement at the prospect of transforming her own life with the money. Despite her father¡¯s confidence, Nadine grapples with her own insecurities about her performance at work and her rtionship with her family. This internal conflict is highlighted when she falsely boasts about her sess at the Ember Group, masking her struggles with school and work.
The following day, Nadine visits Kylie, who is tending to flowers in the garden. The serene setting starkly contrasts with the emotional turmoil both women are experiencing. Kylie expresses her hesitation about reaching out to her estranged family, fearing it may disrupt their lives. Nadine, sensing her mother¡¯s turmoil, reassures her that familial bonds remain strong despite the passage of time. This moment of connection between mother and daughter underscores the theme of longing for family and the emotionalplexities of reconciling past decisions.
Overall, the chapter captures a blend of ambition, familial tension, and the struggle for eptance. Henry¡¯s calcted ns sh with the emotional realities faced by Kylie and Nadine, creating a rich narrative filled with hope, anxiety, and the desire for connection. As the characters navigate their intertwined fates, the stakes continue to rise, leaving readers eager to see how their rtionships will evolve amidst the looming financial and emotional challenges.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 421**
**Chapter 421: Nadine Wasn¡¯t in Henry¡¯s Escape n**
That staggering amount was 400 million! Even the wealthiest of families wouldn¡¯t casually hand over such a fortune without a second thought!
Shannon¡¯s expression shifted, her brow furrowing in disbelief. It was evident she didn¡¯t share Henry¡¯s enthusiasm.
¡°Hahaha!¡± Henryughed heartily, giving her a yful tap on the forehead, his affection for her evident in that simple gesture.
Shannon was a breath of fresh airpared to Kylie; at times, her adorable innocence and naivety made his heart race in a way he hadn¡¯t anticipated.
He took a moment to exin, ¡°The Larsons have made it clear to everyone that they severed ties with Kylie ages ago. And here I am, the son-inw they never wanted. Even if I wished to bridge that gap, they wouldn¡¯t allow it. Fortunately, Nadine had a chat with Kylie today, which jogged her memory to reach out to the Larsons.¡±
A self-satisfied smile crept across his face as he realized his n was unfolding just as he had hoped. Yet, beneath that smile, a flicker of resentment danced in his downcast eyes.
Nadine¡¯s mention of the Larsons had stirred something in Kylie, prompting her to make secretive moves. Deep down, Henry understood that Kylie had never truly epted him, no matter how hard he tried.
His fists clenched tightly, the tension in his hands mirroring the turmoil in his mind.
Shannon, only partially grasping the intricacies of the situation, was still grappling with the loss of the extravagant 400 million dor wedding dress.
Noticing her distress, Henry ced aforting hand on her shoulder, attempting to ease her worries. ¡°Rx. Think about it for a moment. The Larsons parted with 400 million just for that dress. If I can get close and secure a substantial profit, that amount could easily multiply¡ªperhaps even tenfold.¡±
As those words sank in, a glimmer of relief washed over Shannon¡¯s face.
She shot him an exasperated look, but it quickly softened as she nestled into his embrace, seekingfort.
¡°So, do I really have to help her ship the wedding dress tomorrow, Dad?¡±
Nadine, who had been quietly absorbing Henry¡¯s words, felt a rush of excitement.
The Embers were in dire straits now, far worse than before. If she could manage to snag even a fraction of that 400 million Henry had mentioned, it wouldpletely transform her life.
¡°Absolutely, go help her ship it. And make sure to spend extra time with her these days¡ªkeep her spirits high, do whatever she needs.¡± Henry nodded, his gaze narrowing as he plotted his next steps. ¡°Oh, and remember the address she shares with you. I need to know.¡±
Nadine nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm palpable.
Suddenly, a thought struck Henry, and he turned to her with curiosity. ¡°How¡¯s everything going at thepanytely?¡±
He had decided against taking Nadine along when he and Shannon left, but since she was their daughter, he might just leave her with the chaotic Ember Group.
Unlike Shannon or Kaleb, Nadine had grown up under his roof, enjoying a more privileged life at the Ember Residence than Tess, the so-called ¡°real¡± heiress. He felt no obligation to her¡ªleaving thepany to her was more than sufficient.
That was why he had been darting between thepany and their apartment, urging Nadine to spend more time at the office and absorb the intricacies of the business world.
¡°The managers in a few departments praised my work,¡± she replied, a hint of pride in her voice.
Nadine grabbed Henry¡¯s arm, shaking it yfully. ¡°But, Dad, what¡¯s our next move? Tess promised the media she¡¯d rify things in a few days, and it¡¯s already been two days.¡±
She quickly shifted the topic, her eyes darting nervously.
The truth was, she struggled with everything¡ªschool and work alike. That little boast? It was entirely fabricated.
Henry, oblivious to her difort, focused on her words and scoffed dismissively. ¡°She¡¯s just stalling for time. Why else would she bepletely silent until now?¡±
Nadine nodded, her anxiety dissipating under his confident tone.
The following day dawned bright and early, and Nadine made her way to Ember Vi without dy. Upon her arrival, she found Kylie tending to the flowers in the garden, a serene sight that felt strangely out of ce in the current turmoil.
Since Henry had moved out, the vi seemed to echo with emptiness, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere it once held.
¡°Nadine? What brings you here so early?¡± Kylie eximed, surprise evident on her face as she looked up.
Nadine offered a sweet smile, wrapping her arms around Kylie¡¯s arm in a gentle embrace. ¡°Mom, I was preupied yesterday, so I thought I¡¯de today to help you with the dress shipment.¡±
Kylie nodded appreciatively, but her gaze shifted to the top floor, hesitation clouding her features.
¡°Is something bothering you?¡±
Nadine noticed Kylie¡¯s lips pressed together, a sign of her inner turmoil, and followed her gaze.
Kylie¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°Nadine, it¡¯s been ages since Ist connected with my family. Is it really okay to reach out to them out of the blue? Won¡¯t it disrupt their lives?¡±
She instinctively ced a hand over her heart, her body trembling slightly as worry washed over her.
Nadine quickly interjected, her voice filled with warmth. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t think like that! Even after all this time apart, the bonds of blood remain strong. They¡¯ll be overjoyed to hear from you.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Kylie¡¯s eyes appeared distant, as though she were lost in the memories of the day she severed ties with the Larsons, the weight of that decision still heavy on her heart.Conclusion
In the aftermath of their conversations, a sense of hope began to intertwine with the lingering tension that had enveloped their lives. Henry¡¯s ambitious ns for wealth and connection had sparked a flicker of determination in Nadine, who found herself torn between the expectations of her father and the emotional turmoil of her mother. As she stood beside Kylie, she recognized the fragility of their family ties and the potential for healing thaty in reconnecting with the Larsons. The warmth of her embrace was a reminder that, despite the chaos, love remained a powerful force¡ªone that could bridge the gaps created by time and hurt.
Yet, beneath the surface of this newfound hope, the shadows of doubt still loomed. Kylie¡¯s hesitance echoed the internal struggles that Nadine faced, as she grappled with her own fabricated confidence. The weight of familial expectations and the fear of failure threatened to overshadow the budding connections they sought to rekindle. However, as they stood together in the garden, the vibrant blooms surrounding them symbolized the possibility of renewal. With each shared moment, they began to understand that the path to healing would require vulnerability and courage, but it was a journey worth embarking upon¡ªone that could ultimately redefine their family narrative and restore the bonds that had once seemed irreparably broken.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as Nadine navigates herplicated rtionship with both her mother, Kylie, and the looming presence of the Larsons. With the weight of the 400 million dor wedding dress hanging in the air, Nadine¡¯s determination to help Kylie reconnect with her estranged family will lead to unexpected revtions. As she delves deeper into the intricacies of her family¡¯s past, secrets long buried may resurface, testing loyalties and reshaping their future. Will Nadine¡¯s efforts to mend familial ties bring the healing they desperately need, or will it unearth more chaos than they can handle?
Moreover, Henry¡¯s ulterior motives wille to the forefront as his ns for the Ember Group and the Larsons begin to intertwine. The stakes are higher than ever, and his seemingly innocent encouragement of Nadine might reveal a more sinister agenda. As Shannon tries to keep pace with the whirlwind of emotions and ambitions around her, readers will be left questioning whether her innocence can withstand the brewing storm. Will she stand by Henry¡¯s side, or will she uncover the truth behind his ambitions? The next chapter promises to unravel these threads, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the fates of these intertwined lives.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 422
Keepsake 422 Summary
In Chapter 422 of ¡°Keepsake 422,¡± Kylie faces a pivotal moment in her life as her parents confront her about her choice to marry Henry, a man they disapprove of. Gillian, Kylie¡¯s mother, expresses deep disappointment, while her father tries to appeal to her emotions, reminding her of her cherished status in their family. Despite their heartfelt warnings, Kylie stands firm in her decision, showcasing her stubbornness and youthful belief in love¡¯s power. This confrontation leaves her parents ready to sever ties, which sends a chill through Kylie as she reflects on the potential loss of her family.
As the chapter unfolds, Kylie isforted by her friend Nadine, who remains supportive despite the tension. Kylie¡¯s memories flood back, contrasting her past dreams and aspirations with her current reality. The once-glorious life she led as an heiress now feels diminished, marked by wilting flowers and fading splendor. Despite her resolve, a sense of mncholy envelops her as she whispers about the wedding dress still stored in her safe, hinting at her desire to hold onto her dreams even amidst familial discord.
Nadine, eager to help, rushes to retrieve the wedding dress, but her excitement turns to disappointment when she discovers the safe contains only trivial items¡ªa collection of forgotten dreams rather than treasures. As she searches through the contents, she finds a card with an address, which she quickly photographs and sends to Henry, demonstrating her determination to assist him in their ns. However, the realization that the safe held nothing of value leaves Nadine feeling disillusioned, contrasting the high expectations she initially had.
The chapter concludes with Nadine carrying the wedding dress down the stairs, while Kylie expresses concern for her friend¡¯s ability to manage therge box. Nadine reassures her, insisting she can handle it alone, which evokes feelings of guilt in Kylie for doubting her friend¡¯s strength. This moment highlights theplexity of their friendship, as Kylie grapples with her emotions about trust and loyalty amidst the chaos of her impending marriage and fractured family ties.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 422**
**Chapter 422: Junk in the Safe**
¡°Kylie, if you¡¯re so set on abandoning everything we¡¯ve built and marrying him despite our heartfelt warnings, then we¡¯ll have no choice but to consider you as if you were never our daughter at all.¡±
In that moment, Gillian appeared older than her years, her face etched with lines of worry and disappointment, yet her eyes sparkled with a fierce intensity as they bore down on Kylie.
¡°Kylie,¡± her father interjected, his voice softer yetced with concern, ¡°I understand the allure of true love, but you must see that he is not the man you believe him to be. Come home with me, and you¡¯ll always be our cherished little princess.¡±
He reached out, dressed impably in a tailored suit, a luxurious watch gleaming on his wrist¡ªone that was almost impossible to acquire in those days.
But back then, Kylie had been young, filled with dreams and aspirations, her heart stubbornly convinced that love could conquer all obstacles.
¡°No, Dad, Mom, I only want Henry. If you can¡¯t ept that, then I won¡¯t being back.¡±
With that, she turned away, her resolve hardening.
At that time, she had been even more headstrong and unyielding than her parents, who stood ready to sever ties with their only daughter.
Reflecting on it now sent a chill coursing through her veins.
Nadine, ever observant, rushed to her side, steadying her with a gentle touch.
Kylie¡¯s fingers instinctively sought the warmth of Nadine¡¯s smooth arm, recalling a time when her own skin had been even softer, unmarred by the passage of time.
The Larsons were a prominent name in Kingnd, a family of undeniable prestige. As the sole daughter of her generation, Kylie had been the epitome of an heiress¡ªa true princess in every sense.
But now?
Kylie lifted her chin defiantly, her gaze scanning the remnants of her once-glorious life. All the splendor had faded, leaving behind only the flowers she had nurtured with care, now marred by wilted branches.
A sudden wave of mncholy washed over her, tugging at her heartstrings.
¡°The wedding dress is still up on the top floor. The address is safely tucked away in the safe in my room. The code you need is your dad¡¯s birthday.¡±
Kylie¡¯s voice emerged softly, almost a whisper, as if it could evaporate into the air at any moment.
Nadine¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, but she quickly masked her enthusiasm with a serious demeanor. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll take care of it right away.¡±
Without waiting for a moment to ensure Kylie was steady on her feet, she dashed upstairs, her footsteps echoing off the walls.
Kylie swayed slightly, feeling the world tilt as Nadine disappeared from view.
That unsettling, inexplicable feeling of dread crept back into her mind.
Kylie focused on the spot where Nadine had vanished, unease gnawing at her insides.
She shook her head, attempting to dismiss the feeling as a product of the recent whispers and rumors that had been circting around her.
After all, Nadine was the daughter left behind by her best friend, who had sacrificed everything to protect her. Surely, Nadine was just as loyal as Shannon had been.
With a heavy sigh, Kylie made her way slowly into the living room, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her.
Meanwhile, Nadine didn¡¯t head straight to the top floor; she made a beeline for Kylie¡¯s bedroom.
Once inside, she approached the safe with purpose, her heart racing with anticipation.
After inputting Henry¡¯s birthday, the lock clicked open with a satisfying sound.
Nadine¡¯s eyes widened with delight.
In the past, Henry had imed he couldn¡¯t open that little safe in Kylie¡¯s room. How ironic that it was so simple, and now she had done it effortlessly.
A smirk yed on her lips.
Kylie couldn¡¯t fault her for being ruthless; she could only me herself for being so na?ve, cing her trust in someone so easily.
With excitement bubbling within her, Nadine swung the safe door wide open, but whaty inside left her feeling slightly disillusioned.
Nadine reached in, her fingers sifting through the disorganized contents.
No jewels, no glittering gold bars¡ªnothing of real value. Just a haphazard collection of scraps, remnants of a forgotten past.
Determined, she dug deeper into the chaotic mess, but after a moment of fruitless searching, she finally relented.
Why would anyone lock such worthless junk away in a safe?
Frustration bubbled within her as she quickly scanned the scattered papers.
They were all trivial remnants¡ªsome sheet music, a few sketches¡ªa veritable graveyard of forgotten dreams.
Nadine felt the thrill of discovery slip away, reced by disappointment.
As she flipped through the pile, her fingers brushed against a sturdy card that stood apart from the rest, less worn and damaged. An address was inscribed upon it.
This must be the Larson residence.
Nadine hastily shoved the heap of useless papers back into the safe, snapping a few photos of the card before sending them off to Henry.
¡°Dad, here¡¯s the address for the Larsons.¡±
Henry¡¯s reply was swift, ¡°Make sure to retrieve the wedding dress.¡±
Nadine responded, ¡°Right away.¡± With determination, she hurried back up to the top floor, intent on carefully packing the wedding dress.
Momentster, she descended the stairs, a massive box in her arms, nearly half her height.
Kylie rushed over, calling for the housekeeper. ¡°This package is enormous! Nadine can¡¯t manage it alone. Please, help her get it out.¡±
Just as the housekeeper moved to assist, Nadine quickly interjected, ¡°No, no! Mom, you¡¯re underestimating me! Sure, it¡¯s a big box, but it¡¯s not heavy¡ªit¡¯s just one wedding dress. I can handle it myself. Let the housekeeper stay here with you.¡±
Hearing Nadine¡¯s thoughtful reassurances filled Kylie with a pang of guilt for her earlier feelings of unease. She hesitated, then asked again, ¡°Are you absolutely sure? It looks quite heavy for you.¡±Conclusion
In the end, Kylie stood at the precipice of her past, feeling the weight of her choices pressing down upon her. The confrontation with her parents had been a turning point, a moment that crystallized her determination to follow her heart, even if it meant severing ties with her family. Yet, as she watched Nadine scurry about with the remnants of her life, a bittersweet realization dawned upon her. The treasures she had once held dear had transformed into mere keepsakes, memories locked away in a safe that now felt more like a tomb than a sanctuary. The wedding dress, a symbol of her dreams, was no longer a beacon of hope but a reminder of the fragility of love and the consequences of her decisions.
As Nadine continued her task, Kylie felt a strange mix of pride and sorrow. She admired her friend¡¯s unwavering loyalty, yet a shadow of doubt lingered in her mind. Had she ced her trust in the right person, or was she merely repeating the mistakes of her past? The remnants of her once-glorious lifey scattered around her, and with each passing moment, she grappled with the realization that love was not a fairytale, but aplex tapestry woven with both joy and heartache. Ultimately, Kylie understood that her journey was only beginning, and as she prepared to step into an uncertain future, she vowed to embrace the lessons learned from her past, carrying forward the bittersweet memories as she sought to forge her own path.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Kylie and her parents reaches a boiling point, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional turmoil that has been brewing beneath the surface. With Nadine¡¯s discovery of the seemingly worthless contents of the safe, including the mysterious address, the stakes are raised significantly. What secrets does the address hold, and how will it impact Kylie¡¯s already fragile rtionship with her family? As she grapples with her decision to stand by Henry, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of revtions that will challenge her convictions and force her to confront the reality of her choices.
Moreover, Nadine¡¯s role in this unfolding drama is set to evolve. Her determination to retrieve the wedding dress and her swiftmunication with Henry suggest that there are ulterior motives at y. Could Nadine¡¯s loyalty to Kylie be tested as she navigates the treacherous waters of family loyalty and ambition? As secrets unravel and alliances shift, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover how these dynamics will affect Kylie¡¯s future. Will she find the strength to reim her identity amidst the chaos, or will she sumb to the pressures surrounding her? The next chapter is poised to be a turning point, filled with unexpected twists that will keep readers guessing until the veryst moment.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 423
Keepsake 423 Summary
In Chapter 423 of ¡°Keepsake 423,¡± the emotional tension esctes as Kylie watches her daughter Nadine prepare to leave with a precious wedding dress. Despite Kylie¡¯s insistence that she is fine, her worry is evident as Nadine hurries to ship the dress, which carries significant value and emotional weight. The moment is heavy with unspoken fears and the urgency of the situation, as Nadine is soon met by her father, Henry, who arrives to personally oversee the delivery. His serious demeanor highlights the stakes involved, particrly concerning the Larsons, who are denying Kylie as their daughter.
Henry¡¯s determination to deliver the dress himself is driven by a protective instinct, knowing that the Larsons are a powerful family that would not be easily deceived. His concern for Kylie and the potential fallout from the Larsons¡¯ actions weighs heavily on him. Nadine, eager to support her father, agrees to continue looking after her mother, while Henry¡¯s firm refusal to consider sending a replica of the dress underscores the gravity of their situation. The chapter closes with Kylie feeling isted and burdened by guilt, whispering her fears of forgiveness into the silence of the vi.
Meanwhile, Lyra and Tess embark on a search for Nichs, navigating through narrow streets filled with uncertainty. Their hope quickly turns to frustration as they encounter a grumpy neighbor who initially rebuffs them. However, a small act of kindness from Lyra helps to soften the woman¡¯s demeanor, leading to crucial information about Nichs¡¯s recent move. The revtion that he has not left the area entirely ignites a spark of determination in Lyra and Tess, who are now more resolved than ever to find him.
The chapter captures a blend of emotions¡ªworry, urgency, and hope¡ªas the characters navigate theirplex rtionships and the challenges they face. Kylie¡¯s internal struggle with guilt contrasts sharply with the determination of Lyra and Tess, setting the stage for further developments in their intertwined stories. The reader is left anticipating the next steps for both families, as the stakes continue to rise.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 423**
**Chapter 423: Visiting Nichs¡¯ Home**
¡°No, no, I¡¯m perfectly fine!¡±
Kylie¡¯s voice was firm, yet the worry etched on her face told a different story. She stood rooted to the spot, her heart heavy, as she watched Nadine clutch the delicate wedding dress, the fabric shimmering in the soft light of the vi. Each step Nadine took felt like a mile, the weight of the moment pressing down on both of them.
¡°Mom, I¡¯m going to ship this. I promise I¡¯ll let you know as soon as it¡¯s done,¡± Nadine muttered hurriedly, her words tumbling out as she made her way toward the door, urgency in her stride.
¡°Be careful!¡± Kylie called out, her voice trailing behind as Nadine slipped through the vi¡¯s gate, disappearing from sight.
Just as Nadine stepped outside, a sleek ck car glided to a stop right in front of the vi. The tinted window rolled down, revealing Henry, his expression serious as he gestured to the driver to ce the box in the trunk.
Nadine slid into the back seat, her breathing in quick gasps. ¡°Dad, why are you here in person?¡± she asked, a hint of confusion crossing her features.
Henry narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly. ¡°Not only am Iing in person, but I¡¯m also delivering it myself,¡± he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Nadine¡¯s brow furrowed further, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
Henry pulled out the photo that Nadine had just sent him, the image of the wedding dress ring back at him. ¡°This address is all the way in Kingnd. After everything, your mother¡¯s worry ispletely justified,¡± he said, his voice steady butced with concern.
He understood the stakes all too well. If the Larsons continued to deny Kylie as their daughter, everything he had worked for could crumble, including the exquisite wedding dress valued at an astonishing 400 million dors.
¡°Should we find someone to create a high-quality replica and send that first?¡± Nadine suggested, her frown deepening as she considered the implications.
¡°No,¡± Henry replied firmly, shaking his head.
He knew the Larsons were an elite family, steeped in wealth and influence. There was no way they would be fooled by a counterfeit. The thought of sending a fake made his stomach turn. To ensure the best oue, he resolved to deliver the package himself and gauge the Larsons¡¯ reaction firsthand.
¡°Nadine, I need you to keep going back to the apartment and look after your mom for a little while longer,¡± he instructed gently, his voice softening as he spoke to her.
Nadine nodded eagerly, her expression brightening. ¡°Of course, Dad,¡± she replied, her head bobbing up and down in agreement.
With that, the ck car sped away, leaving Kylie alone.
Kylie stood for a moment, staring at the now-empty front gate, her heart heavy. After a long sigh, she retreated inside, seeking sce on the couch.
¡°Dad, Mom, will you ever forgive me?¡± she whispered, her voice barely breaking the silence that enveloped the vi.
The quiet wrapped around her like a suffocating vine, constricting her heart with each passing second.
Meanwhile, Krigan.
Lyra and Tess navigated the winding streets, their GPS guiding them to a house nestled deep within a narrow alley. They parked and stepped out, exchanging nces filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
¡°Excuse me, is this Nichs¡¯ ce?¡± Lyra called out, her voice echoing slightly against the brick walls.
¡°Is anyone home?¡± Tess added, her knuckles rapping against the door with a sense of urgency.
After several knocks, silence hung in the air, thick and heavy. They shared a nce, both wearied by theck of response, their expressions mirroring each other¡¯s concern.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Lyra murmured, her brow furrowing as she took a step back, scanning the area for any sign of life.
Bang, bang, bang!
¡°Anyone home?¡± Tess shouted, her voice rising in frustration.
¡°Enough already?!¡± came a sharp voice from the neighboring apartment.
The door swung open, revealing a middle-aged woman with disheveled blonde hair, her annoyance palpable. ¡°What are you kids doing? Can¡¯t I get some sleep?!¡± she snapped, her irritation evident.
Lyra quickly stepped forward, her tone apologetic. ¡°We¡¯re really sorry for disturbing you. We¡¯re looking for someone, but they haven¡¯t answered, so we might have been a bit too loud,¡± she exined, her eyes pleading for understanding.
As she spoke, she discreetly slipped a handful of cash into the woman¡¯s palm, hoping to soften her demeanor.
The crisp feel of the bills seemed to change the atmosphere. The woman¡¯s expression shifted, her annoyance fading slightly as she coughed, clearing her throat. ¡°Oh, you should¡¯ve mentioned that sooner,¡± she said, her tone softening.
She nced towards the neighboring door, suddenly chatty. ¡°Well, you¡¯re a bitte. They moved out not long ago. A fancy car came and picked them up.¡±
Tess and Lyra felt their hearts plummet at this news.
¡°Recently? When exactly did that happen?¡± Tess pressed, her voice tinged with urgency.
¡°About a week ago,¡± the woman replied, rubbing her chin as she reminisced. ¡°It was odd, though. They didn¡¯t take much with them. My son said it was a luxury vehicle, so I figured they were doing well, but they all looked so unhappy.¡±
¡°Maybe they were just pretending to be sad so we wouldn¡¯t envy their new wealth,¡± she remarked, clicking her tongue as she tucked the cash into her pocket.
Tess exchanged a nce with Lyra, determination sparking in her eyes.
¡°Did they leave Krigan?¡± she asked, her voice steady despite the uncertainty.
Lyra was not ready to give up hope just yet.
¡°No way!¡± the woman eximed, her certainty shining through. ¡°Nichs¡¯ son is still going to school here. I even saw himing home just a couple of days ago.¡±
At that, Tess and Lyra¡¯s eyes lit up with renewed hope.
¡°Do you know which school he attends? Or when his sses end?¡± Lyra asked eagerly, her excitement palpable.
¡°School? I¡¯m not entirely sure. I just know that poor kid has had a tough start. He was born premature and often gets sick, but his grades are good. I usually see him finishing up around five or six in the evening,¡± the woman exined, her voice taking on a sympathetic tone.
¡°Thank you so much,¡± Tess said, gratitude flooding her voice as they prepared to leave.
As they turned to go, the woman reached out, grabbing their attention. ¡°Wait¡ is this really for me?¡± she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of the day¡¯s events, both Kylie and Nadine found themselves grappling with the weight of their choices and the uncertainty of their futures. Kylie¡¯s heart ached with the burden of her past, the haunting question of forgiveness echoing in her mind. Alone in the vi, she felt the walls closing in, each moment steeped in the memories of what once was and what could never be again. Meanwhile, Nadine, despite her father¡¯s stern demeanor, felt a flicker of hope igniting within her as she prepared to navigate theplexities of her family¡¯s legacy. The promise of a wedding dress, a symbol of love andmitment, carried the potential to mend the rifts that had formed over the years.
As Lyra and Tess stood on the precipice of a new lead, the flicker of hope for Krigan¡¯s safety and well-being surged within them. Their determination to uncover the truth about Nichs and his family fueled their resolve, igniting a sense of purpose that had been absent for far too long. The unexpected kindness of the neighbor reminded them that amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there were still glimmers of humanity andpassion. Together, they stepped forward, ready to face whatever challengesy ahead, united by their shared mission and the belief that love, in all its forms, could ultimately triumph over adversity.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions will rise as Nadine and Henry confront the realities of their precarious situation with the Larsons. With Henry determined to deliver the wedding dress personally, readers can expect a gripping exploration of the dynamics between families steeped in wealth and the emotional burdens they carry. As the story unfolds, Nadine will grapple with her loyalty to her parents and the looming threat of losing everything they¡¯ve fought for, making for a heart-wrenching sh of familial love and societal expectations. Will the Larsons ept Kylie as their own, or will the weight of their elitism prove insurmountable?
Meanwhile, Lyra and Tess¡¯s quest to find Nichs is about to take a thrilling turn. Armed with new information about his school and the challenges he faces, the duo is set to embark on a race against time. As they navigate theplexities of their mission, the stakes will escte, leading to unexpected encounters and revtions that could change everything. Will they manage to connect with Nichs in time, or will their efforts unravel before they can even begin? The anticipation builds as they inch closer to the truth, and readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these intertwined destinies unfold.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 424
Keepsake 424 Summary
In Chapter 424 of **Keepsake 424**, Lyra and Tess embark on a mission to uncover the truth about Nichs¡¯s family, particrly focusing on his son, who remains in Krigan while the rest of the family has moved away. Their curiosity is piqued when they learn about the ruthless nature of Henry, who seems confident that no one will challenge his lies. As they discuss their next steps, Lyra suggests visiting the hospital where Nichs¡¯s wife gave birth, believing it may provide crucial leads. Tess enthusiastically agrees, and they head to Krigan Primal Hospital.
Upon arrival, Lyra takes the initiative to approach the hospital staff and requests ess to security footage from over a decade ago. However, their request is met with skepticism and resistance from the staff, particrly from Wendy, who is initially dismissive and warns them about the restricted area. Tess, undeterred by the threats, maintains her focus on Wendy, recognizing her importance among the staff. Despite their earnestness, the staff remains firm, stating that they cannot release the footage without higher approval due to privacy concerns.
Frustration mounts as Tess realizes that her n to sneak in and investigate has been thwarted. Meanwhile, Lyra remainsposed and resourceful, pulling out a document that captures the attention of the staff. The atmosphere shifts dramatically as the staff members¡¯ shock bes evident, prompting Wendy to reconsider their request. After a brief moment of tension, she agrees to seek higher approval, leading them to the hospital director, Patricia Sinir, who is introduced as the authority figure they need to convince.
Patricia, though appearing frail, possesses a sharp intellect and inquires about the purpose of their visit. Tess responds respectfully but firmly, indicating that they cannot disclose their intentions at that moment. Sensing the tension, Lyra remains vignt as Patricia leads them to the archive room, a space filled with sealed records and documents, each holding the potential to unlock secrets from the past. The chapter concludes with a sense of anticipation as they step into the archive, ready to uncover the truth hidden within.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 424**
**Chapter 424: Visiting the Hospital**
With a yful wink, she gestured toward the crumpled bills tucked away in her pocket.
¡°Keep it. If wee back with more questions, I hope you¡¯ll be willing to help us again.¡±
¡°Of course, of course!¡± the woman replied, a hand patting her chest as if to assure them of her sincerity.
Lyra¡¯s lips curled into a smile as she grasped Tess¡¯s hand, eager to leave the awkward atmosphere behind.
¡°So, let me get this straight. Nichs and his entire family have moved out, and only one child has remained?¡±
As they rounded the corner, the street empty of passersby, Lyra squinted, her curiosity piqued.
¡°Henry¡¯s actually more ruthless than I ever imagined,¡± she mused, her brow furrowing slightly.
Tess let out a snort of disbelief. It was hardly surprising that Henry felt invincible, confident that no one would dare expose his lies.
¡°So, what¡¯s our next move? Are we really going to hunt down Nichs¡¯s son?¡±
Lyra turned her gaze to Tess, her eyes searching for a hint of reassurance.
¡°Where do we even begin? There are countless good students in Krigan; it feels like an impossible task. Maybe we should just wait until school¡¯s out and then keep an eye on his ce.¡±
Lyra nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing. ¡°It¡¯s still early in the day. How about we visit the hospital where Nichs¡¯s wife gave birth first? That might give us some leads.¡±
Tess¡¯s agreement came instantly, her enthusiasm palpable.
They hailed a taxi and made their way directly to Krigan Primal Hospital, the building looming ahead as they arrived.
As soon as they stepped out of the cab, Lyra took the lead, guiding Tess toward the security monitoring room with a sense of purpose.
Tess felt a wave of confusion wash over her as she watched Lyra move with such ease and confidence, her mind racing to catch up as they entered the surveince room.
¡°Hi, is there any chance we could check the security footage from over ten years ago?¡± Lyra asked, shing a charming smile at the staff member who regarded them with a skeptical eye.
The staff member, clearly on edge, nervously rested his hand on the phone, as if ready to call for backup. ¡°Who are you two? You do realize this area is restricted, right?¡±
¡°The recordings from ten years ago are stored on tapes in the archives. I hope you¡¯ll leave soon and not disturb our work,¡± the lead female staff member, Wendy, said sternly, though she couldn¡¯t help but provide a bit of information.
¡°Wendy, why are you wasting time talking to them?¡± another staff member interjected, ring at them. ¡°If you don¡¯t leave now, we¡¯ll have to call security!¡±
Tess, undeterred by the threat, kept her gaze locked on Wendy, who had spoken to them earlier. The respect the other staff showed her indicated her importance in this ce.
¡°Hello, I need ess to the surveince footage from your hospital¡¯s maternity ward dated June 7th, 16 years ago,¡± Tess stated, her voice steady as she looked at Wendy, hope shining in her eyes.
Wendy had initially dismissed Tess as just another intruder, but the earnestness in her expression made her hesitate, lowering her defenses just a fraction.
Still, she shook her head firmly. ¡°Unless we receive approval from higher-ups, we cannot release any surveince footage. Sharing it with outsiders could lead to privacy vitions and other serious risks.¡±
A wave of frustration washed over Tess. She realized she had put them in a precarious position; her initial n had been to sneak into the surveince room and conduct her own investigation.
Before arriving in Krigan, she had secretly picked up a few tricks from Raven, which made her feel somewhat prepared.
Unexpectedly, Lyra had boldly pulled her into the room, taking charge in a way Tess hadn¡¯t anticipated.
Tess turned to Lyra, seeking guidance.
But Lyra remainedpletelyposed, rifling through her bag with calm determination.
She produced a document, holding it aloft for everyone to see.
¡°Now?¡±
As the bold letters on the document caught their attention, the expressions on the staff members¡¯ faces shifted dramatically, their shock evident as they stared at Lyra and Tess.
Wendy¡¯s demeanor hardened. ¡°You¡¡±
¡°Can we see it now?¡± Lyra interjected, her voice firm.
After Lyra tucked the document away, Wendy took a moment to gather herself, her face now tense and her eyes serious. ¡°Normally, we need approval from higher-ups. Do you have a moment? I¡¯ll go report this. They usually won¡¯t refuse.¡±
Lyra and Tess exchanged a quick nce, then gestured for her to proceed. ¡°Go ahead.¡±
Wendy walked off with purpose, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor, a sound that echoed in the otherwise quiet space.
Momentster, she returned, apanied by an elderly woman who moved with small, quick steps.
¡°Hello, this is our current hospital director, Patricia Sinir. She insisted on weing you herself after I briefed her about your request.¡±
Wendy offered a slight nod to them, her expression still wary.
Tess and Lyra remainedposed, their anticipation barely contained.
¡°May I ask the purpose of your visit?¡± Patricia inquired, her voice steady.
Though she appeared frail, even a bit hunched, her eyes were sharp and piercing, revealing a keen intelligence.
¡°We can¡¯t disclose that right now. However, since I¡¯ve already shown you my identification, we would appreciate your full cooperation,¡± Tess replied, her tone firm yet respectful.
Lyra shook her head slightly, sensing the tension in the air.
¡°I see¡¡±
Patricia didn¡¯t press further. ¡°Follow me. The archive room is restricted. Wendy, please wait for us here.¡±
She shot a stern nce at Wendy before leading Tess and Lyra directly to the archive room.
As the door swung open, they were greeted by a heavy, musty odor¡ªthe unmistakable scent of a room long sealed off from the outside world.
Rows upon rows of records and documents were meticulously sealed andbeled on the shelves, each one holding secrets of the past waiting to be uncovered.Conclusion
In the dim light of the archive room, a sense of resolve settled over Lyra and Tess as they stepped into the realm of hidden truths. The musty scent of old records enveloped them, a reminder of the weight of history they were about to confront. With each step deeper into the room, they felt the emotional gravity of their quest intensify¡ªthe longing for answers, the need to piece together a fragmented past, and the hope that this journey would lead them to the truth about Nichs and his family. The stakes were high, and the uncertainty of whaty ahead only fueled their determination. Together, they were not just seeking information; they were embarking on a mission to reim a part of their lives that had been shrouded in mystery.
As they began to sift through the archives, the bond between Lyra and Tess deepened, forged in the fire of shared purpose and unspoken fears. The initial awkwardness of their visit faded, reced by a sense of camaraderie that buoyed their spirits. They were no longer just two friends caught in a web of confusion; they had be allies in a quest for justice and closure. With each document they uncovered, they were reminded of the importance of their journey¡ªnot just for themselves, but for those whose stories remained untold. In that moment, surrounded by the echoes of the past, they understood that their pursuit was not merely about uncovering the truth; it was about healing, connection, and the unbreakable ties that bind them to each other and the lives they sought to uncover.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As Tess and Lyra step into the archive room, the atmosphere thickens with anticipation. The musty scent of old records envelops them, hinting at the countless stories and hidden truths waiting to be unearthed. With the hospital director, Patricia Sinir, guiding them deeper into thisbyrinth of memories, the stakes are higher than ever. Will they find the critical information that could lead them to Nichs¡¯s son, or will they encounter obstacles that threaten their investigation? The tension is palpable as they prepare to sift through years of forgotten footage, hoping to piece together the puzzle that has eluded them for so long.
But the journey won¡¯t be as straightforward as they hope. With Patricia¡¯s sharp gaze and guarded demeanor, it¡¯s clear that the hospital holds more secrets than they initially anticipated. As they delve into the archives, the duo must navigate not only the physical challenges of essing the footage but also the emotional weight of the revtions that maye to light. Will they uncover a connection that ties Nichs¡¯s family to the very heart of their investigation? Or will they stumble upon something darker that forces them to reconsider their next steps? The clock is ticking, and with each moment spent in the archive, the suspense builds, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what lies ahead in this intricate web of mystery and intrigue.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 425
Keepsake 425 Summary
In Chapter 425 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± Patricia works diligently in a small room filled with tension as she reviews old surveince footage from June of a previous year. Despite her steady voice, she feels anxious about the task at hand, which is crucial for Tess and Lyra. As they gather in the surveince room, the atmosphere is thick with memories, and Patricia sets up the necessary equipment for Tess and Lyra to view the footage they need to uncover important answers.
As the grainy footagees to life, Tess¡¯s excitement grows when they spot the ward they were searching for. They focus on Rachel Wood, a middle-aged woman who appears despondent and isted in her hospital room, contrasting sharply with the families of other patients. The doctor¡¯s inquiries about Rachel¡¯s family reveal her dire situation; she is alone and struggling as her due date approaches, desperately needing support but facing the harsh reality of her circumstances.
Rachel¡¯s emotional turmoil is palpable as she pleads with the doctor not to discharge her, revealing the absence of her husband, Nichs. The doctor shows a flicker of empathy, recognizing the strain Rachel is under. After he leaves, Rachel¡¯s despair deepens, and she reaches out to Nichs, her voice trembling with worry. This moment highlights her vulnerability and the heavy burden she carries as she awaits her husband¡¯s return.
The narrative shifts when Nichs finally appears on the footage, rushing in with determination to pay Rachel¡¯s hospital bill. Tess and Lyra are captivated as they witness him handling arge sum of cash, raising questions about how he acquired such wealth. The tension esctes when Tess notices Nichs receiving a call from someone named Mr. Ember, leaving her with an unsettling feeling. The chapter concludes with Tess and Lyra in shock as they realize the implications of what they have just uncovered, hinting at deeper secrets tied to Nichs and the mysterious Mr. Ember.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 425**
**CONTENT:**
**Chapter 425 Mr. Ember**
Patricia was quick on her feet, her fingers dancing over the keyboard as she navigated through the old surveince footage. The familiar hum of theputer filled the small room, creating a tense atmosphere.
¡°This is the footage you asked for,¡± she announced, her voice steady despite the fluttering anxiety in her chest. ¡°It covers the entire month of June that year.¡±
Tess nced over, her eyes lighting up with gratitude as she nodded. ¡°I really appreciate it.¡±
Patricia, trying to downy the weight of the task, waved her hands dismissively. Yet, beads of sweat began to form on her forehead, a testament to the pressure of the moment.
Tess caught sight of Patricia¡¯s unease and exchanged a knowing nce with Lyra, who offered a reassuring wink, silently conveying that everything would be alright.
The three women made their way back to the surveince room, a ce thick with memories and unspoken secrets. Patricia instructed Wendy to set up aputer specifically for Tess and Lyra, ensuring they had a clear view of the footage they desperately needed to see.
As the screen flickered to life, the figures they had been searching for began to emerge from the shadows of time.
¡°Yes, that ward!¡± Tess eximed, her heart racing as their eyes locked onto the scene before them.
The footage, captured over a decade ago, was grainy and dark, yet it held the key to the answers they sought. They focused intently on a three-person patient room, zeroing in on a middle-aged woman tucked away in the corner, her demeanor heavy with despair.
Before leaving, they had scrutinized Nichs¡¯s wife¡¯s personal information and photo, making it easier to spot her instantly.
On the screen, Rachel Wood appeared lost in her thoughts, often gazing out the window as if searching for something just beyond her reach. The two other women in the ward were surrounded by loving families, but Rachel sat alone, a stark contrast to their warmth.
¡°Mrs. Wood, when will your family get here?¡± the doctor pressed, his voice a mix of concern and urgency.
Rachel¡¯s situation was dire; since her admission, visitors had been few and far between. With her due date fast approaching, she desperately needed thefort of a loved one by her side.
Rachel froze at the doctor¡¯s question, her heart sinking. She shook her head slowly, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Doctor, my husband isn¡¯t around.¡±
¡°Any other family?¡± the doctor continued, though his tone held a hint of impatience. ¡°Your hospital fees are already half a week overdue. If you can¡¯t settle them by the end of the week, we¡¯ll have to discharge you.¡±
The doctor¡¯s frown deepened, but there was a flicker of empathy in his eyes as he regarded the lonely woman.
Rachel tightened her grip on the bedsheet, her knuckles turning white as she lowered her head, her voice trembling as she pleaded, ¡°P-Please don¡¯t kick me out. My husband is trying to get the money!¡±
The doctor¡¯s expression softened momentarily as he nced at Rachel¡¯s visibly weakened body, a stark reminder of the toll the pregnancy was taking on her health. He knew that the delivery would be a struggle for both mother and child if things didn¡¯t change soon.
¡°You should rest and wait for the baby¡¯s father toe,¡± he said gently, his voice nowced with concern.
Once the doctor left, Rachel seemed to dete, her energy slipping away like sand through her fingers. Shey back on the bed, her eyes dull and lifeless, until a solitary tear traced down her cheek.
It was clear that her thoughts were heavy; she touched her stomach, her expression a mix of longing and worry. With a shaky breath, she reached for the phone beside her, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Nichs, the hospital is rushing me¡ When will you be back?¡±
¡°Skip this,¡± Tess said softly, her voice low but firm.
Wendy hesitated, her finger hovering over the controls, before fast-forwarding the yback.
Lyra, however, suddenly spoke up, urgency in her tone as she directed Wendy to stop the moment Nichs came into view.
Tess and Lyra held their breath, their eyes glued to the screen as Nichs rushed onto the scene, a hint of urgency and panic etched on his face.
¡°Honey, I¡¯m going to pay the bill right now!¡± he dered, his voice filled with determination as he moved to calm Rachel, instinctively checking his pocket before darting toward the payment area.
¡°Pause. Let¡¯s stay in this timeframe¡ªbring up the surveince from the maternity ward payment area,¡± Tess instructed, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Wendyplied, and soon the screen disyed Nichs once more.
He halted at a corner, a short distance from the payment area, and extracted a thick stack of bills from his pocket.
Tess¡¯s eyes widened as she estimated the stack; it was filled with one-hundred-dor bills, likely amounting to around a hundred thousand dors.
Her heart raced. That sum of money was a small fortune a decade ago. Nichs, just an ordinary employee at the crematorium, how could he possibly havee into such a windfall?
He pulled out some cash to settle the bills, then quickly retreated to a quieter spot, his demeanor shifting as he received an urgent call. He answered politely, nodding and smiling nervously throughout the conversation.
When the call ended, the tension in his face eased slightly, but he still looked drained, his shoulders trembling under the weight of an unseen burden.
Tess paused the footage, her gaze narrowing as she zoomed in on Nichs¡¯s phone. The caller ID was unmistakable¡ªMr. Ember.
Mr. Ember¡
A chill ran down Tess¡¯s spine as she snapped a picture of the screen with her phone. She then instructed Wendy to return to Rachel¡¯s room and speed up the yback.
In a matter of minutes, they witnessed Nichs returning to pick up Rachel shortly after she had given birth.
Tess and Lyra straightened up from their hunched positions over theputer, both wearing expressions of shock and disbelief as the reality of the situation began to sink in.Conclusion
As the footage flickered to a close, an unsettling silence enveloped the room, thick with the weight of revtions and unspoken truths. Tess, Patricia, and Lyra sat in stunned disbelief, their hearts heavy with the implications of what they had just witnessed. The image of Nichs, a man they had once viewed through a lens of sympathy, now transformed into a figure shrouded in mystery and moral ambiguity. The connection to Mr. Ember loomedrge, casting shadows over the past choices that had led them to this moment. Each woman grappled with the emotional turmoil that surged within them, the intertwining threads ofpassion and betrayal weaving aplex tapestry of their shared history.
In that dimly lit surveince room, the air was thick with a sense of urgency, yet also a bittersweet understanding of the fragility of human connections. The revtions had not only uncovered the depths of Nichs¡¯s struggles but had also illuminated the profound loneliness that Rachel had endured. Tess felt a swell of empathy for the woman whose life had been marred by abandonment, while simultaneously wrestling with the gnawing curiosity about Nichs¡¯s hidden life. As they processed the weight of their findings, a newfound determination ignited within them¡ªa resolve to uncover the truth behind Mr. Ember and the choices that had irrevocably altered their lives. In this moment of vulnerability and strength, they understood that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, yet it was a path they were ready to walk together, united by the shared desire for rity and closure.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, readers can expect to delve deeper into the enigmatic connection between Nichs and Mr. Ember, a figure that suddenly loomsrge in the unfolding mystery. As Tess, Patricia, and Lyra piece together the implications of Nichs¡¯s unexpected windfall, the tension will escte, revealingyers of secrecy that threaten to unravel everything they thought they knew. What kind of deal did Nichs strike that could lead to such a substantial amount of money? And how does Mr. Ember fit into this intricate web of rtionships and desperation? The stakes are rising, and with each revtion, the urgency to uncover the truth intensifies.
Moreover, the emotional toll on Rachel will take center stage as the narrative shifts back to her perspective. With the weight of motherhood pressing down on her and the shadow of abandonment looming, her struggle for connection and support will resonate deeply. Will she find sce in the aftermath of her delivery, or will the circumstances surrounding her and Nichs¡¯s life continue to spiral into chaos? As the chapter unfolds, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how the past intertwines with the present, and what choices will ultimately define their fates. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions and revtions that will challenge the characters¡¯ loyalties and reshape their lives forever.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 426
Keepsake 426 Summary
In Chapter 426 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± Tess and Wendy are deeply involved in an investigation at the hospital. Tess urges Wendy to copy important video clips from the yback, and after a moment of hesitation, Wendy finds his resolve andpletes the task. He hands Tess a sh drive, symbolizing their hard work and determination. As they leave the hospital, Tess expresses her gratitude towards Lyra, who had secured a special investigative badge for them, igniting a vow in Tess to clear her name and honor Lyra¡¯s loyalty.
Later, the trio finds themselves at a bustling restaurant, where Tess and Lyra spot a boy named Ken sitting alone. Ken, who is revealed to be the son of Nichs, appears fragile and isted amidst the lively atmosphere. When Tess and Lyra approach him, Ken is initially startled but eventually agrees to let them join him. Their conversation begins light-heartedly, with Tess ordering food for Ken, showing her concern for his well-being.
However, the mood shifts dramatically when the topic of Ken¡¯s parents arises. Ken¡¯s difort bes evident, and he reveals that his parents have moved away, triggering a wave of emotions. Lyra¡¯s reaction is fierce, questioning how parents could abandon their child. Ken, feeling misunderstood, defends his parents vehemently, asserting that they left to protect him. His outburst reveals the deep pain and turmoil he has been harboring, as he struggles against thebels and judgments ced upon him by others.
The confrontation esctes as Tess and Lyra challenge Ken¡¯s perspective, leading him to erupt in anger. He passionately defends his parents, revealing the internal conflict he faces between the harsh realities of his situation and his desire to protect his family¡¯s image. This moment of emotional intensity underscores the themes of loyalty, misunderstanding, and theplexities of familial rtionships, leaving the characters at a crossroads of empathy and conflict.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 426**
**CONTENT: Chapter 426 y the Videos**
Tess gently rested her hand on Wendy¡¯s back, her voice steady yet filled with an undercurrent of urgency. ¡°Make sure to copy the important clips from the yback for me.¡±
Wendy hesitated, his fingers momentarily suspended in the air, as if caught in a web of uncertainty. He nced up at the dean, seeking reassurance in the older man¡¯s expression. The dean met his gaze with a single, affirming nod. Only then did Wendy spring into action, his fingers dancing across the keyboard with newfound determination.
Before long, he handed the sh drive to Tess, a tangible symbol of their long and arduous investigation within the hospital¡¯s walls. The weight of the task they had undertaken seemed to lift, if only slightly.
As they exited the building, Tess and Lyra walked side by side, the cool air brushing against their skin. Tess turned her head, curiosity igniting her voice. ¡°What was that badge you showed them earlier?¡±
Lyra¡¯s face lit up with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°Oh, that? I borrowed it from my boss. It¡¯s not just a badge of authority; it grants special privileges for investigations.¡±
Tess nodded, absorbing the information, though the intricacies of it all eluded her. Her gaze lingered on Lyra, a flood of gratitude swelling within her. The effort Lyra had gone through to secure such a thing for her was no small feat.
A wave of warmth spread through Tess¡¯s chest, and her fingers instinctively curled into a fist, a silent vow forming in her mind. She promised herself that she would clear her name soon. She would not allow Lyra¡¯s unwavering loyalty and hard work to be in vain.
With renewed resolve, Tess lifted her chin toward the sun, its golden rays illuminating her path.
Later, they found themselves at a quaint little restaurant for lunch. The atmosphere buzzed with the lively chatter of students on their break,ughter echoing off the walls.
The tables were brimming with teenagers, all engaged in animated conversations, their tes piled high with food.
Suddenly, Lyra nudged Tess¡¯s arm, drawing her attention to a figure across the crowded room. Tess stiffened, her heart racing as she followed Lyra¡¯s gaze. Her eyes locked onto a boy sitting alone at a corner table, and recognition hit her like a cold wave.
That was Nichs¡¯s son.
Hisplexion was pale, and his lips bore a faint blue hue. He looked fragile, almost ethereal, as he sat hunched over in silence. Whileughter and joy erupted around him, he remained isted, his fingers tapping nervously against each other, waiting for his meal.
¡°Hi there. Are you eating all by yourself?¡±
Ken looked up, startled, his gazending on a girl whose beauty took his breath away.
He inhaled sharply, words escaping him as they tangled in his throat. ¡°I¡ I¡¡±
His voice faltered, eyes darting around the room, unable to meet hers.
Lyra, sensing his difort, reached out and delicately brushed her fingers through his hair. Her smile was radiant, cutting through the haze of his anxiety. ¡°Do you mind if we sit with you? You¡¯re local, right? My friend and I are just visiting, and we¡¯d love to ask you a few questions.¡±
Her gentle touch sent a rush of warmth through him, igniting a fire beneath his pale cheeks. He had always been wary of strangers, yet in that moment, he found himself nodding.
Lyra and Tess settled into the chairs across from him.
¡°What did you order?¡± Tess inquired, her tone light.
¡°Spaghetti bolognese,¡± Ken replied, his fork trembling slightly in his grasp.
¡°Hi, we¡¯d like two spaghetti bolognese, please,¡± Tess called out to the waiter. ¡°And could you bring a te of ribs as well?¡±
Her eyes roamed over Ken¡¯s slender frame, concern etched across her features. ¡°Pasta is fine, but you¡¯re still growing. You need something more substantial.¡±
Ken blinked in surprise, realizing the ribs were intended for him.
¡°No, no!¡± he shook his head vigorously, hands waving in protest.
Lyra stroked his hair once more, her voice soothing. ¡°Think of it as a thank you for letting us join you.¡±
The warmth of her touch made his cheeks flush deeper, his skin radiating heat as if it were on fire.
When their food arrived, Tess leaned back in her chair, her demeanor casual yet probing. ¡°Why are you eating out here alone? Do you live far away? Or are your parents too busy?¡±
At the mention of his parents, Ken flinched visibly. His eyes darted away, and the color drained from his face.
His lips pressed tightly together, a barrier against the emotions threatening to spill.
Tess maintained her gaze, unwavering and intent.
¡°They moved away,¡± he finally muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, head bowed in defeat.
¡°Moved away?¡± Lyra¡¯s expression darkened, her palm striking the table with a sharp thud. ¡°What kind of parents do that? You¡¯re still just a kid! How could they leave without taking you?¡±
¡°No!¡±
Ken sprang up from his chair, his breathing in ragged gasps. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, nails digging into his palms, grounding him amidst the tempest of emotions swirling within.
Since their departure, his ssmates had tormented him mercilessly, branding him an orphan, abandoned. But they were wrong. He knew the truth deep in his heart.
His sudden outburst drew the eyes of nearby diners, and shame flooded his cheeks, burning like fire as he sank back into his seat. Yet, his gaze remained locked on Lyra, fierce and unyielding. ¡°My parents are not irresponsible! They had no choice!¡±
¡°Choice?¡± Tess scoffed, a harshugh escaping her lips. ¡°What reason could ever justify leaving their child behind?¡±
Her mocking eyes pierced through him like daggers, and he felt his resolve wavering. His lips trembled, his entire body quaking with a mix of humiliation and anger.
Lyra, sensing his distress, rubbed his back in slow,forting circles, though her words cut deep. ¡°You¡¯re too young. You see the world too kindly. Your parents don¡¯t deserve that title. It¡¯s pitiful for you¡ª¡±
¡°I am not pitiful!¡±
Ken erupted, a fierce ze of emotion igniting within him, like a caged fire finally breaking free. The weight of every taunt and sneer he had endured shattered in that moment.
His shoulders hunched, a wild animal poised to defend itself. His eyes zed with fury as he red at Tess and Lyra. ¡°My mom and dad are the best parents in the world! They left Krigan without me to protect me! You don¡¯t know anything! I won¡¯t let you insult them!¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of their intense exchange, a profound silence enveloped the table, punctuated only by the distant chatter of the restaurant. Tess and Lyra exchanged nces, recognizing the depth of Ken¡¯s pain and the fierce loyalty he held for his parents. It was a moment of revtion, not just for Ken, but for Tess as well. She felt a wave of empathy wash over her, realizing that in their quest for answers, they had inadvertently pried open old wounds. It was a reminder that every story is woven withplexities, and that understanding often requires more than just surface-level inquiry. As Ken¡¯s fiery defense of his parents echoed in her mind, Tess felt the stirrings of a deeper resolve; she would not only fight for her own name but also learn to wield her voice withpassion.
With lunch drawing to a close, a sense of camaraderie began to blossom between the trio. Ken, though still shaken, found sce in the genuine concern emanating from Tess and Lyra. The barriers he had built around his heart started to weaken, reced by the warmth of unexpected friendship. Tess, too, felt a shift within herself; the burdens she carried felt a little lighter as she embraced the shared vulnerability that connected them all. In this moment, amidst theughter and tter of the restaurant, they forged an unspoken pact to protect one another, to seek truth not just for themselves, but for those who felt abandoned and misunderstood. As they left the table, the sun shone brighter, illuminating a path forward filled with hope, healing, and the promise of new beginnings.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the emotional stakes to rise as Tess and Lyra delve deeper into Ken¡¯s turbulent world. With the revtion of his parents¡¯ departure still echoing in the air, the tension between the trio will intensify. Tess¡¯s fierce determination to uncover the truth about Ken¡¯s family will sh with his protective instincts, leading to an explosive confrontation that could change everything. Will Tess¡¯s relentless pursuit of justice push Ken further into his shell, or will it ignite a spark of courage that allows him to confront his past?
As the lunch progresses, the atmosphere is bound to shift dramatically. The once-bustling restaurant may be a battleground of emotions, where secrets are unearthed and alliances are tested. With Ken¡¯s anger boiling over, Tess and Lyra must navigate the fragile bnce between empathy and inquiry. Expect heart-wrenching confessions, unexpected revtions, and perhaps a glimpse into the reasons behind Ken¡¯s parents¡¯ actions. Will they uncover a hidden truth that not only reshapes Ken¡¯s understanding of his parents but also propels Tess and Lyra closer to unraveling the mystery that binds them all together? The next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of emotions, where every word exchanged could tip the scales in unexpected directions.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 427
Keepsake 427 Summary
In Chapter 427 of ¡°Keepsake 427,¡± tensions rise as Tess confronts Ken about his abandonment of his child, igniting a fierce emotional exchange. Ken, filled with rage, uses Tess of being naive, iming she cannot understand the true terror of having one¡¯s family threatened. Lyra, concerned for Ken, reaches out to him, attempting to ground him as he grapples with painful memories from his past. The intensity of Ken¡¯s emotions begins to wane as he recalls a traumatic event when intruders violently invaded his home, leading to a desperate plea from his father to protect his family.
As Ken¡¯s memories flood back, the narrative reveals the harrowing scene where his mother bravely defends him against the intruders. The leader of the assants demands Ken¡¯s father toply with their threats, showcasing the immense pressure and fear that envelops the family. Ken feels a mix of dread and helplessness as he watches his father crumble under the weight of desperation, illustrating the devastating impact of the encounter on their lives. The name ¡°Mr. Ember¡± resonates painfully in Ken¡¯s mind, serving as a haunting reminder of the monster that shattered their family.
Tess and Lyra, understanding Ken¡¯s turmoil, offer their support in finding the culprits responsible for his family¡¯s suffering. Despite his initial suspicion, Ken begins to see a glimmer of hope and determination, leading to a decision to take a leave from school to confront his past. As they prepare to leave, the atmosphere shifts, and Ken¡¯s resolve strengthens, suggesting a turning point in his journey towards healing and vengeance.
Meanwhile, Tess encounters L, a small figure waiting for her, which triggers feelings of guilt for not fulfilling her promise to take him to his grandmother¡¯s grave. L¡¯s eagerness to join Tess and Ken on their journey to Aetheris reveals a deep bond and a desire for connection, despite the challenges ahead. Tess grapples with her own conflicting emotions, torn between her quest and her responsibility to L, ultimately agreeing to take him along, which underscores the themes of loyalty and the weight of promises in the narrative.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 427**
**Chapter 427 Angry Ken**
Tess¡¯s lips twisted into a sharp smile, her voice slicing through the air like a de. ¡°You know, I¡¯m a mother too. No matter the circumstances, I would never abandon my child.¡±
Ken¡¯s chest heaved with the intensity of his rage, his words bursting forth in a torrent, raw and unrefined. ¡°You can say that because you¡¯ve never faced true terror! You¡¯ve never had someone threaten your family, so you think it¡¯s easy to pass judgment on those who have!¡±
Lyra¡¯s expression shifted dramatically, concern etching lines across her face. She quickly bent down, her hands enveloping his trembling ones, grounding him. ¡°Honey, what do you mean by threats? Were your parents threatened? Please, tell me what happened. I want to help you.¡±
As Ken¡¯s furious gaze met her gentle demeanor, the fire within him began to wane. It was as if invisible hands were soothing his pain, wrapping around his anger and easing it away.
His body trembled violently, memories flooding his mind like a relentless tide.
The nightmare reyed vividly in his thoughts. Just days ago, men had stormed into his home, wreaking havoc as if they were a violent tempest. They smashed furniture and tossed belongings as if they were mere toys. His mother had bravely attempted to stop them, but they shoved her aside with brutal force, sending her crashing to the floor with a pained cry.
The leader of the intruders remained shrouded in shadows, his voice a low growl that sent chills down Ken¡¯s spine. ¡°Bring Nichs out here!¡±
On that fateful day, his father was supposed to be at the mill, working hard as usual. But an urgent call from his mother had summoned him home, her voiceced with panic, warning him of the chaos that awaited.
Upon arriving, he had steeled himself for a confrontation, but the sight of those men drained him of all fury, leaving only a chilling dread in its ce.
¡°Have you made your decision?¡±
Thergest man stepped forward, his bulk overshadowing Ken¡¯s fatherpletely, like a dark cloud eclipsing the sun.
A cold wave of fear coiled tightly around Ken¡¯s chest.
¡°Yes! I¡¯ll do it! I¡¯ll help!¡±
His father¡¯s voice cracked under the immense pressure, the weight of desperation evident in every syble.
The man who had once stood tall was now reduced to something fragile and broken.
¡°Do as you¡¯re told. And your wife and child areing too.¡±
With a heavy thud, Ken¡¯s father copsed to his knees, his voice trembling with urgency.
¡°Please, let my boy stay. He¡¯s still in school. Don¡¯t take him!¡±
Ken¡¯s mother clung to him fiercely, her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders, her eyes aze with fear. In a moment of desperation, she produced a pair of scissors from nowhere, pressing the de against her own neck, daring the men to take another step.
For a heartbeat, the intruders hesitated. The leader pulled out a phone, making a call that felt like a death knell.
Lyra¡¯s voice broke through his memories, tender yet insistent.
¡°Do you remember what they called the person on the line?¡±
Ken clenched his teeth so tightly that pain shot through his jaw.
¡°Mr. Ember.¡±
The name burned into his memory, a constant reminder of the monster who had shattered his family.
The recollection left him shivering, a cold sweat breaking out across his skin.
Tess and Lyra exchanged a nce, their eyes heavy with understanding.
Tess leaned in closer, her gaze unwavering.
¡°We can help you find them. But you need to trust us ande with us. Will you?¡±
Ken¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. He took a step back, suspicion igniting like a wildfire within him.
¡°You knew all along. You came here just to find me.¡±
A faint smile graced Lyra¡¯s lips, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes at his quick deduction.
¡°You¡¯re right. We¡¯re going after the ones who took your parents. But to confront them, we need proof.¡±
Tess nodded, her resolve unshakeable.
Ken¡¯s gaze dropped, hisshes casting long shadows across his pale cheeks. The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating, leaving both women to wonder if he would refuse their offer.
Then, with a sudden surge of determination, his head lifted, and a fierce light ignited in his eyes.
They arranged for him to take a leave from school. By the time Tess and Lyra guided him back to the hotel, the sky was a canvas of deepening dusk, the day slipping away.
As Tess ascended to the second floor, she halted abruptly. A small figure crouched outside her door, so lonely and deste that it pierced her heart like an arrow.
L¡¯s head snapped up at the sound of her footsteps. His tired eyes sparked with sudden recognition and joy upon seeing her.
He scrambled to his feet, rushing toward her, but the blood rushed to his head from crouching too long, causing him to falter and nearly stumble.
Tess caught him just in time, the weight of her forgotten promise crashing down upon her. She had vowed to take him to his grandmother¡¯s grave, to visit the ruins. Yet, she had pushed that promise aside, consumed by her own quest.
She had found what she came for, and she could leave Krigan the very next day. But she hadn¡¯t fulfilled her promise to him, and guilt gnawed at her insides.
¡°Who is that?¡±
L¡¯s gaze shifted to Ken, curiosity mingling with something sharper, a hint of protectiveness.
¡°He¡¯sing with us tomorrow. We¡¯re leaving for Aetheris.¡±
L¡¯s eyes narrowed, seizing upon the word with an intensity that surprised Tess. ¡°You¡¯re leaving tomorrow? But you promised me! What¡¯s Aetheris? I¡¯ming too!¡±
His voice rang out with protest, a plea for inclusion.
Tess pressed her fingers to her temple, exhaling a sigh of resignation. ¡°Fine. Tomorrow morning, I¡¯ll take you there. In the afternoon, we¡¯ll leave for Aetheris.¡±
L¡¯s shoulders rxed, but only slightly, the tension still evident in his stance. ¡°And Aetheris? I¡¯m going with you.¡±
Tess¡¯s brows knitted together, her voice sharpening with concern.
¡°Why would youe?¡±
L held her gaze steadily, unflinching, his resolve unwavering. He tilted his head slightly, like a stubborn stray animal that refused to back down.
¡°Because I want to stay with you.¡±
The words spilled from his lips, bold and unguarded, almost reckless.
Tess let out a breathlessugh, a mixture of frustration and amusement bubbling up inside her. If she had known he would cling to her like this, she might have thought twice before engaging him on that first day.
Her thoughts must have yed across her face, for his expression shifted. His eyes fell, the spark of determination dimming. His head bowed low, shoulders sagging as if he were a stray pup left out in the rain, alone and abandoned.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the tumultuous events, Ken found himself standing at a crossroads, the weight of his past still heavy on his shoulders but the promise of a new path stretching out before him. The fire of his anger had transformed into a flicker of hope, ignited by the unwavering support of Tess and Lyra. As he looked into their eyes, he felt a sense of solidarity that had long eluded him, a bond forged in shared pain and the pursuit of justice. The memories of that fateful day still haunted him, but now they served as a catalyst for action rather than a shackle of despair. With a newfound determination, he resolved to confront the shadows of his past, not just for himself but for the family he had lost, and for the future he desperately wanted to reim.
Meanwhile, Tess grappled with her own conflicting emotions, torn between hermitment to L and the urgent call of her mission. The guilt of neglecting her promise weighed heavily on her, yet the unexpected bond she was forming with Ken stirred something deep within her¡ªan awakening to the importance of connection and loyalty. As she watched L¡¯s spirit dim, she realized that her journey was not solely about seeking vengeance; it was also about nurturing the rtionships that mattered most. With a sigh, she embraced her role as a protector, vowing to honor her promise to L while also standing by Ken as they faced the unknown together. In that moment, she understood that true strengthy not just in the battles fought, but in the love and support shared along the way.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions as Tess grapples with her conflicting promises to L and her mission to help Ken confront the shadows of his past. The stakes are higher than ever as the trio prepares to journey to Aetheris, a ce shrouded in mystery and danger. As they delve deeper into their shared quest, the tension between loyalty and obligation will reach a boiling point, forcing Tess to confront her own motivations and the weight of her decisions. Will she prioritize hermitment to L or the urgent need to assist Ken in uncovering the truth behind his family¡¯s turmoil?
Moreover, the chapter promises to unveil the secrets lurking in Aetheris, where Ken¡¯s past intertwines with Tess¡¯s own hidden truths. As they navigate the treacherousndscape, alliances will be tested, and revtions wille to light that could alter the course of their journey forever. With Ken¡¯s emotional scars still fresh and L¡¯s determination to stay by Tess¡¯s side, the group will face not only external threats but also the internal struggles that threaten to tear them apart. Expect unexpected twists and heart-wrenching moments that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what lies ahead.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 428
Chapter 428 Headache
Tess pressed her palm to her forehead.
The same tired stunt again. Another round of fake pity.
¡°Buy your own ticket.¡±
Her voice snapped like a whip. She yanked Lyra and Ken back into the room and mmed the door hard behind them.
At that instant, the door next door swung open with a creak.
L¡¯s eyes glimmered with sudden joy, but the spark dimmed the moment he saw the man leaningzily against the frame.
His brows twitched, his face shifting back into the mask of a star untouchable on any stage.
¡°Why won¡¯t you let her go? What¡¯s your angle?¡±
Finn¡¯s stare was sharp enough to cut.
L gave a lowugh. His bright blue eyes slid to him, gleaming with derision. ¡°Let her go? That¡¯s funny. You¡¯re the one who can¡¯t move on. You¡¯re nothing but something she already cast aside. And you still act like you¡¯re noble?¡±
The words were smooth and clear as spring water, yet they carried poison. The sound made anger burn hotter, not fade.
For once, Finn¡¯s cold, unreadable eyes burst alive with fire.
¡°That does it.¡±
He lunged forward, but L mmed his door shut in a sh. A thin crack remained, just wide enough for one blue eye to gleam through.
¡°Get mad all you want. The past stays in the past. You don¡¯t even deserve to stand at her side anymore.¡±
L¡¯s smile shed through the gap, sharp and cruel.
Finn¡¯s chest heaved, rage rattling inside him. But before he could strike again, the door mmed shut.
A sharp snap followed as the lock slid in ce.
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His face twisted with fury, cracks spreading through the mask he wore, as if it might break
apart.
His teeth ground so hard that scrapes echoed through the silent hall.
His fist stayed on the door, but the strength bled from it, sliding lower and lower until it hung useless.
He let out a heavy breath, raw and uneven.
His eyes blurred with confusion, as if the man raging moments before had been someone else.
That loss of control, that reckless fire-it was everything he despised in himself.
He bit his lip and pushed himself straight again.
His eyes fixed on Tess¡¯s closed door. Pain mped down on his chest like an iron hand.
What burned the most was not L¡¯s insult. It was the truth hidden inside it. He and Tess were already worlds apart, and he could not deny it.
He stumbled back to his own room, battered and humiliated.
The scene turns to Kingnd.
The sky was painted with streaks of crimson, thest light of day spilling over a vast estate. Not a lone mansion, but a spread of grand, towering vis rising against the glowing heavens.
A delivery man stood outside the gates. A cap shaded his eyes. A mask covered half his face. His gaze wandered upward, unable to stop staring at the opulent world beyond the walls.
He pressed the call button. Soon, a young woman drifted toward the entrance, dressed in soft loungewear.
One nce told him enough. She wore the newest Chanel release, the one that had sold out within days.
Even simple casual wear carried a price tag in the millions. And now, he saw it not in ads or catalogs, but right there on her.
¡°Good evening. I have a package for you. Please sign here.¡±
Chapter 428 Headache
His head dipped, the brim of his cap hiding his face.
¡°Package?¡±
She frowned, pushing her hair back with restless fingers.
Her eyes scanned thebel, flipping it over and over, but she found nothing clear.
¡°It¡¯s from Aetheris? Could this have been sent to the wrong ce?¡±
No. The sender also left a message for you.¡±
¡°Hm?¡± She muttered, phone already in hand. She snapped a quick picture of the box.
¡°No one here ordered anything,¡± she murmured.
¡°The sender said she is your family. The one you married off. I checked the details. They match.¡±
Her hands froze. She shoved the box back toward him. ¡°My family has no married daughter. You made a mistake¡ª¡±
Her words stopped cold. A thought struck her hard. Her gaze dropped to the box again, her face shifting as dread crept in.
Her brows pulled tight. Her hand shot out to seize the carton, desperate to know what waited inside.
The delivery man watched her closely. He slipped her a letter opener, his motion smooth and quiet.
She nced up, but his face was lost beneath the shadow of his cap. She took it anyway. Her fingers worked fast, tearing into the tape.
The box opened. Insidey a wedding dress, blinding and wless.
Jewels gleamed across the fabric like stars scattered in velvet, each one catching the light.
Her face drained pale. Her chest pounded, each beat loud enough to echo in her ears.
¡°Dad! Mom!¡±
Her hands shook as she lifted her phone and dialed. The line clicked, and she cried out the moment it connected.
¡°She sent the dress! Kylie sent her wedding dress!¡±
Her voice rang out sharp, but the chaos that came through the receiver was even louder.
¡°What?! Are you standing at the door right now?!¡±
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 429
Chapter 429 Request for Help
Violet, tell the courier to stay for a while. We¡¯ll pay for every loss. Your mother and I are on our way down!¡±
Two elderly voices burst through the phone, strong andmanding despite the years.
The woman clutched the delivery man¡¯s arm. ¡°Sir, you heard them just now. We¡¯ll pay you back double. Please stay a little longer.¡±
The delivery man paused, then gave a firm nod. ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered, voice rough and muffled. The sound made her nce at him again, suspicion flickering in her eyes, but she forced herself to look away.
Violet! How¡¯s everything? Where¡¯s the delivery man?¡±
Soon, two older figures appeared, leaning on each other as they stepped forward.
Their pace was slow, their years obvious. Yet jewels gleamed on their clothes, and every detail spoke of wealth. Olivia¡¯s hair was glossy, and Benjamin¡¯s posture was straight and steady. They did not look like ordinary elders.
The delivery man raised his eyes once, then quickly lowered them.
¡°Is this the package from Aetheris?¡±
Benjamin¡¯s voice was clipped and sharp.
Olivia reached into the box, her fingers stroking the gown inside. The fabric was familiar.
She had chosen it herself years ago. The diamonds on the hem had been mined from the Larsons¡¯ ownnd in Aldevra.
Her nose burned, her eyes turning red.
¡°Yes. Ms. Larson had me deliver it. She warned me that the gown was precious. I carried it all the way from Aetheris to Kingnd.¡±
Ms. Larson? That made Olivia shiver. She rushed forward and gripped the man¡¯s arm.
¡°You saw her? Tell me. After all this time, how is she? Please tell me she¡¯s well!¡±
Her gaze locked onto him, full of desperate hope.
He winced at her strength but lowered his head respectfully. ¡°She didn¡¯t look well. Her clothes and jewelry shone, but her spirit seemed fragile. When I came for the package, she kept talking to her child. She spoke about her life before marriage. I think she misses home.
Tears spilled down Olivia¡¯s cheeks.
¡°I begged her not to marry him! My sister begged her too! She was so stubborn. And now she talks about the past, about this house. She must be suffering! She must! She¡¯s alone in a strange ce with no family. No one is there to protect her. She must have been bullied all these years!
Her sobs poured out as her handkerchief soaked through with tears.
The younger woman stepped close and held her mother¡¯s hand. ¡°Mom, please don¡¯t jump straight to the worst-case scenario. The man said her clothes looked fine. That means Henry hasn¡¯t failed her.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s face tightened with fury. ¡°That man had nothing back then. He built himself from dirt. If he dares to mistreat her after all that, I¡¯ll never forgive him!¡±
His thick brows and mustache bristled with anger.
Neither he nor Olivia noticed the delivery man ducking his head lower, unease in in his
movements.
¡°Did she send a message for us?¡±
Violet¡¯s voice trembled as she asked.
¡°No. None,¡± the man said with regret. ¡°She hasn¡¯te home in a long time, or that¡¯s what they told me. But she left her address and number on the package. If you want to reach her, you
can.
¡°Thank you,¡± Violet said softly.
She gave a polite nod and motioned for him to go.
He bowed low and hurried away. At thest second, he nced back at the grand estate.
The Larsons. Wealth. Glory. Power.
When he turned, his eyes
hardened.
Greed and malice flickered in Henry¡¯s gaze as he walked away.
¡°Dad, Mom, what do you think?¡±
Violet closed the heavy door and faced her parents.
The weight of the news pressed them. Their proud figures sagged. Age seemed to fall across their shoulders in an instant.
Olivia leaned into Benjamin, her voice breaking.
¡°All these years, Kylie must have suffered so much.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s expression was stern, but memory softened his tone. ¡°She fought to marry that useless man. None of us wanted it. We knew he wasn¡¯t worthy of her.¡±
¡°At least she dresses well. Maybe she just misses us. Don¡¯t let your hearts be troubled,¡± Violet said gently.
¡°Your sister has been gone from the Larsons too long. If she learns her father is gone ¡ Olivia¡¯s voice trailed, sorrow bending her frame.
Benjamin wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His hand moved in slowfort.
11
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 430
Chapter 430 Sadness
Olivia pressed her face into Benjamin¡¯s chest and stayed silent.
The sorrow spread like a shadow, filling every corner of the room until Violet¡¯s chest ached with uncase.
¡°Dad, Mom, if you truly want to see her, the address is written right here. We can go find her. That way we¡¯ll see for ourselves how she¡¯s living now.¡±
Violet held up the tag from the package, her voice steady but full of feeling.
The room grew still.
Olivia and Benjamin locked eyes. Hesitation flickered between them, yet love for family weighed heavier than doubt.
¡°Violet, write down the address and number.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s voice rang with resolve. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed Olivia¡¯s tear-streaked cheeks. ¡°Look at you. You¡¯re crying like a little baby. Kylie is fine. Stop worrying. Let¡¯s go back inside.¡±
Olivia sniffled softly but gave no answer. She followed him in silence into thergest vi.
¡°Dad, Mom? What¡¯s going on?¡±
The moment they stepped into the wide living room, Micah Larson noticed the heaviness etched on their faces.
He hurried forward, dropping to one knee before them, his eyes sharp with fear. ¡°Something happened, didn¡¯t it? Please tell me what it is.¡±
The Larsons had stood strong for years, never shaken. For them to look like this, it had to be something grave.
¡°Your cousin sent back her wedding dress.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s words were heavy, each one weighted with meaning.
Micah¡¯s eyes widened, disbelief cutting through him. ¡°Kylie? She reached out to you?¡±
Olivia shook her head. ¡°She didn¡¯te herself. She sent it through someone she hired. But she left her address and phone number on the box.¡±
Micah¡¯s breath quickened, urgency painting his face. ¡°Where¡¯s the package? Let me see it.¡±
¡°There¡±
Violet pointed behind her. A servant in a ck suit and white gloves was dragging the enormous box forward.
Micah rushed to it at once. ¡°Aetheris? That was the ce she nned to marry. But I heard she left for another city soon after.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know the details. But this address is clear.¡±
Violet tapped the letters on the tag.
¡°Since we have her address, and since you both want to see her, then why not go to her?¡±
The polished businessman who ruled the outside world slipped away. What stood there now was the boy from years ago, the one who once clung to Kylie¡¯s sleeve, refusing to let her leave.
¡°No. Wait.¡± Micah¡¯s eyes shed with doubt. The glow of hope dimmed as unease took its ce. ¡°Why would she suddenly send her wedding dress back after all these years?¡±
The question struck the room cold.
Yes. Why would Kylie do this now? Why after silence for so long? It was odd. Worrying, even. Thoughts were starting to swirl in their heads.
Benjamin¡¯s eyes clouded with worry. His jaw tightened as he turned to Olivia. Their faces were taut, the weight of fear pressing down.
He rose without pause. His voice cut through the air, sharp and loud, like a hand mming hard against a table.
¡°Micah, make the arrangements. We leave for Aetheris at once.¡±
The sound made every back straighten.
The air itself shifted, the weight of it pressing in.
And now all eyes turn to Krigan.
Perhaps because they had found Ken, Tess slept in rare peace. Her sleep was deep, and when she woke, the morning had already passed.
Lyra entered, bncing a te with toast and eggs. Tess blinked against the light, slowly pulling herself back from her dreams.
¡°Wash your face and finish your breakfast. If we don¡¯t leave soon, L will storm in here yelling his head off.¡±
Lyra teased with a soft smile.
Tess rubbed her eyes, still sluggish. Then faint noises drifted through the hall.
The door had not been fully shut. Every sound was carried clearly.
¡°Tess, why aren¡¯t you out yet? You promised me.
¡°You gave me your word.¡±
Tess¡¯s lips twitched.
She had never imagined someone could mutter to himself this much.
Lyra caught her look and only smiled wider, the gentleness in her eyes mixing with mischief.
Tess dressed in silence. When she stepped out, the haze had lifted.
She folded the egg into the toast, took a few bites with milk, then held the rest in her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go. If he keeps shouting, I¡¯ll lose my mind.¡±
Lyra chuckled softly and fell into step behind her.
The instant Tess appeared in the hall, L¡¯s eyes burned with light. ¡°Tess.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Tess chewed and knocked on Ken¡¯s door. She told him firmly to stay in the hotel and not step outside. Then she strode off, her pace brisk and sure.
Her figure cut through the hallway like a de. L froze at the sight of her, then stumbled to follow.
His gaze clung to her back, his eyes dark, heavy with longing that refused to fade.
¡°Wait for me!¡±
He hurried forward, closing the gap until he walked at her side.
The noise of the hall faded into silence.
Then a soft click broke through.
5
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Finn pushed open his door. He leaned against the frame, tall and lean, one hand gripping the knob.
His gaze followed the group, locked on the ce where they had just vanished.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 431
Chapter 431 Clenched Hands
Finn¡¯s grip tightened, and the chill of the metal seeped deep into his skin.
Down below, the taxi that carried Tess and herpanions sped down the road. Not far behind, Finn stepped into a ck Maybach. The car rolled forward in silence, trailing them at a steady pace, never too close, never too far.
The cemetery rose ahead, its rows of stone markers stretching beneath the gray sky.
The moment Tess saw them, a strange calm settled over her.
She stepped out of the cab and walked slowly through the solemn grounds. She kept going until she stood before her grandmother¡¯s grave.
Tess lowered herself onto one knee. To her, Lyra and L had faded from the world.
Her hand trembled as it touched the cold stone. ¡°Hey, Grandma.¡±
Her voice was so soft it was nearly lost to the heavy air.
Clouds pressed low above them. The chill of the wind brushed across the rows of
Yet there was no fear here, only stillness.
graves.
Even L, so full of life on most days, had fallen quiet. His eyes slid often toward Tess, uneasy and worried.
¡°Ms. Ember, please forgive me for intruding.¡±
Lyra bent down and ced a bouquet of white flowers at the grave.
She had bought them the night before. Droplets still clung to the petals from the florist¡¯s spray.
She only knew Tess¡¯s grandmother by herst name, nothing more.
¡°Ms. Mnie Ember, it has been so long.¡±
L crouched lower, his tone respectful. Heid a small patterned box beside Lyra¡¯s bouquet.
The white blooms and the decorated box glowed against the stone.
Tess¡¯s brows drew tight. She turned sharply to him.
¡°What did you just call her?¡±
Her eyes locked on his, sharp and demanding.
She had never told anyone her grandmother¡¯s name. Not even Lyra knew.
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And the words ¡°so long¡± struck like a de. Is he repeating the thoughts of his grandfather?
¡°Ms. Mnie Ember was my grandfather¡¯s first love.¡±
L¡¯s voice was calm, almost tender.
Tess¡¯s eyes widened.
He shrugged lightly. ¡°They met when they were young. Fate tore them apart. My grandfather never stopped thinking about her. But the ocean stood between them, and the letters he sent never reached her.
¡°When he died, he made me promise to find her.¡±
Lyra¡¯s eyes shifted between them, her face shadowed with thoughts she kept to herself.
L was not her blood. His grandfather had loved someone else. Did he ever think about the pain his grandmother must have felt?
L caught her gaze and smiled faintly.
¡°The truth is, my grandmother was part of their separation. Our family carried that wound for years. I came here only to carry out my grandfather¡¯sst wish.¡±
Lyra nodded slowly. Doubt lingered, but she held her tongue. It was not her ce to ask.
The three of them fell silent, their eyes fixed on the grave.
Tess ced a bouquet for her grandmother as well. She set a cushion on the ground, sat on it with her knees, and put her hands in a prayer for her grandmother. Then she stood up. ¡°See you, Grandma.¡±
She rose to her feet. Lyra and L followed. Together, they walked toward the small house near the cemetery.
¡°You wanted to see my grandmother¡¯s home, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Tess¡¯s voice was faint, stripped of strength by the weight of the graveyard. She pointed ahead.
Lyra¡¯s heart tightened. She cast Tess a worried look.
They stepped through the gate. The scent of wild grass and faded flowers drifted on the air.
Tess breathed in and turned toward the pond.
The water¡¯s surface was scattered with fallen petals.
They came from the flowers her grandmother had once cared for.
With no one left to care for them, the blossoms had withered and fallen into the water.
Her eyes shook, but she forced herself onward.
She pushed open the door, and a wave of dust rose, sharp and heavy.
It had not been long since herst visit, yet the smell of emptiness had grown strong in the rooms left without life.
Even L, usually restless and bold, slowed his steps. His shoes creaked lightly against the wooden floor.
¡°Why did youe here? What are you looking for?¡±
Tess lifted her head, her eyes clear and steady.
The sight of her gaze sent a ripple through L¡¯s chest. He tried to steady it. He shook his head.
¡°I came only to fulfill my grandfather¡¯s wish. I¡¯m not looking for anything else.¡±
The truth burned in him, but he held it back. He was searching for someone, not something.
He swallowed the words.
Tess frowned but turned her gaze away.
Lyra, however, had spotted something.
Her pace quickened. She walked straight across the room.
Confusion flickered across Tess¡¯s face, but she followed close behind.
Soon, the two women stood before an old wooden table with a pane of ss fixed on top. Beneath the ssy photographs, pressed t and waiting to be seen.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 432
Chapter 432 Photographs
L stepped into the room, but his gaze locked on the photographs under the ss.
Every picture showed Tess as a little girl.
She had never looked loud or unruly. Even when she smiled, her lips curved gently, her calm. There was peace in every image.
A deep stir rose in L¡¯s chest. His mind echoed with his grandfather¡¯s final words.
¡°Your wife is probably there.¡±
cyes
The words had been whispered on a frail breath, spoken when life was already slipping away. Yet his grandfather¡¯s eyes had still zed with light.
L had gripped that fading hand tightly.
He had known the truth. His grandfather¡¯s body was failing, but he was burning with onest burst of fire.
And then it happened. The old man let out two sudden bursts ofughter. His breath broke, and his body stilled.
His eyes stayed wide open. Tears streaked his face.
The
gone.
greatest pianist of his age, the man who had reigned on the world stage for decades, was
His death swept across the news. Voices from faraway nations mourned him. Yet his burial was quiet, carried out exactly as he wanted.
¡°This is my grandfather¡¯s ashes. He came here long ago, and he loved thisnd. Can I bury him under the soil of this yard?¡±
L lifted a small round tin in his hands. It was not elegant. The edges were crooked. It looked more like a child¡¯s failed craft.
It might have seemedughable. But in L¡¯s grip, it was sacred. His face, usually rxed and boyish, had turned solemn.
Tess and Lyra were still looking through the photos. They froze at his words. Tess waved her hand gently.
¡°Go on. We¡¯ll wait for you here.¡±
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L nodded. His eyes lingered onest time on the photographs, as if he wanted to steal them into his memory.
Outside, a breeze rose across the yard.
Cold sank into his bones.
People always imed artists were too sentimental. L had always mocked that. But standing there now, unease rippled through his chest.
He lifted his face. The wind brushed his cheek like a tender hand.
¡°Is that you, Grandpa?¡±
His blue eyes darkened with emotion.
He drew in a long breath and dragged out an old rusted shovel from the corner.
He pressed it into the soil again and again until a hollow pit opened.
He tested the tin inside the gap, careful that it fit just right.
He chose a patch far from the living flowers, afraid the ashes would harm their roots.
As he pushed soil over the tin, a sudden gust sent a single petal drifting down. It touched his arm and clung there.
L stopped. His eyes fixed on the delicate shape.
He looked up.
The nearest cluster of flowers was fading. Their stems drooped. Only a handful still bloomed bright.
Yet one perfect petal had flown to him, untouched and whole.
He pinched it between two fingers. He thought about burying it with the ashes, then changed his mind and slipped it into his pocket.
When the earth covered the tin, L did not return right away. He stood there, lost in thought.
He had lived his life at his grandfather¡¯s side. The man was more than family. He was
everything.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
The voice pulled his head up.
Tess stood nearby, dressed in a soft blush dress.
She tilted her head, her hair sliding over her shoulder. She looked gentle, yet bright.
His heart hammered against his ribs.
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¡°Why does it take you so long to bury something?¡± Tess¡¯s heels tapped against the ground as she came closer. She crouched beside him, her eyes steady on his. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡±
The sight of her left him shaken.
He lowered his gaze fast, blond strands falling forward to shield his eyes.
It soothed his nerves, though only barely.
But his heartbeat roared inside him, wild and unsteady.
¡°I ¡ I was thinking about my grandfather.¡±
Tess watched him, feeling his grief.
She pulled out two small stools and passed one to him.
¡°If there¡¯s something inside you that hurts, maybe you should tell me.¡±
Her voice was soft.
To L, it was a song over dark waters, pulling him near. It was asking him to talk about his heart. His past.
He wanted to speak. And courage welled within him.
He lifted his head and met her eyes.
¡°Alright. Long story, though.
He paused, then his tone grew heavy.
¡°My grandmother¡¯s family had money. They forced my grandfather to return and marry her. My father was born into hate. My grandfather¡¯s cold indifference broke his wife. She wanted to my father in front of my grandfather. My grandfather never loved her or my father, but he still protected the child. He could not let his own blood die.¡±
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 433
Chapter 433 Long Story
His voice sank lower, heavy with every word. ¡°After that night, he took my father and ran. He raised him while keeping up with his performances in the theater. He worked as both father and mother. Then one day, someone noticed his gift. From that moment on, he climbed to the very top of the piano world. By then, he was already middle-aged.
¡°When my grandfather became famous, my grandmother showed up again. She had pushed him aside before, but now she wanted him back. This time he refused. He finally had the strength to do so. She would not give up. She turned her eyes on my father. She tempted him with her money and power. He walked straight back into her cage.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice cut through the silence.
¡°But you were raised by your grandfather, weren¡¯t you?¡±
¡°Yes. L¡¯s voice was soft, like leaves falling with no ce tond.
¡°My mother died giving birth to me. My father hated me for it. He believed I stole her life. When he left, he abandoned me with my grandfather.¡±
His words dropped like stones, filled with the loneliness of a child who had no home and no
roots.
Tess¡¯s eyes softened.
She had never guessed that this man, who always looked free of worry, carried such a heavy
past.
¡°My grandfather gave me everything. That is why I crossed the ocean to honor his wish.¡±
His eyes burned with a sharp light.
Tess met that gaze. Something else flickered inside it.
She blinked, and it was gone. L had turned his head away.
Perhaps that something was just her imagination, after all.
She pressed her lips together, forcing down the unease that curled in her chest.
When she turned away, L shifted, his eyes resting on the line of her cheek.
His words had been honest. His story had been real.
Chapter 433 Long Story
But not all of it had been told.
Just then, Lyra¡¯s voice broke the heavy air.
:
¡°You were sent to find him. So why are you out here too?¡±
Sheughed lightly as she came to stand behind them. Her tone felt like warm wind scattering
the shadows.
¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡±
Tess rose to her feet. She set the small stool against the wall.
Her words were meant for L.
He followed her lead, cing his stool by the wall before walking back with her.
Inside, Lyra had already taken the photographs from under the ss and spread them across
the table.
Tess¡¯s eyes caught on one. Her hand stopped in ce.
She lifted it, her brows knitting tight. It was a photo of four people.
She recognized three.
Her grandmother. L¡¯s grandfather. Herself.
But thest one¡
A boy dressed like a prince doll from the west, polished and perfect. He looked her age. But she had no memory of him.
Lyra narrowed her eyes, studying the picture. She turned to L.
¡°L, this boy¡ that has to be
you, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
At her words, Tess lifted her head. Her gaze met L¡¯s steady eyes, zing with intensity.
He did not look away. He smiled, showing his white teeth.
¡°Yes. That¡¯s me.¡±
¡°Tess, we met when we were children.¡± His voice was soft and gentle.
Tess¡¯s brows stayed tight. The memory was gone.
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Maybe the reason his name had sounded familiar at first was because of that. Her forehead was still creased.
L shrugged.
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t remember.¡± What matters is now and whates after.
Tess pressed her lips together. The air felt thick. She slid the photo into an envelope and tucked it into her bag, cutting the moment short.
The others let it be.
They moved on through the house.
Tess brushed dust from the shelves, pulling down books to look through them.
Her hand reached the very top and stopped on thest book.
Most of the shelves held design manuals. But this one stood out. Its cover bore bold ck letters that spelled one word. Piano.
Curiosity tugged at her. She pulled it free.
The moment she lifted it, something slipped out and hit the floor with a dull sound.
Lyra¡¯s eyes darted toward it.
Tess bent to pick it up, her face puzzled. It was a thick envelope.
She opened it. Inside were sheets of paper, their edges browned with age.
Her fingers brushed the fragile pages. They were handwritten scores.
Lyra¡¯s eyes narrowed. Her voice rang out, sharp and trembling.
¡°L! Look at this. Are these your grandfather¡¯s manuscripts?¡±
Shockced every word.
L stepped in close. His eyes swept over the pages. His gaze sharpened at once. His hand clutched the papers hard, then released them quickly, afraid they might tear.
¡°Yes. This is his handwriting.¡±
Lyra and Tess locked eyes. Lyra spoke fast, her breath quick. ¡°Check if Splendor Sonata is in there. See if there¡¯s even a draft!¡±
Tess flipped through the papers quickly, then slowed.
Her face turned unsure. She lifted her eyes to Lyra, troubled.
She did not understand music at all.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 434
Chapter 434 Lyra¡¯s Discovery
Lyra¡¯s eyes widened as the realization struck her. She smacked L lightly on the back, her tone sharp with urgency.
¡°You¡¯re the piano master here. Hurry up and help us. Check these sheets, see if Splendor Sonata is among them!¡±
¡°Splendor Sonata?¡± L frowned, his voiceced with doubt and confusion. ¡°Why are you searching for that piece?¡±
Lyra leaned closer, speaking fast, her words rushing out.
¡°We already have the first original. That¡¯s why we believe the rest could be here. Splendor Sonata is famous all over the world. The manuscript itself is worth a fortune!¡±
¡°So the first one is in your hands.¡± L¡¯s reply was soft, almost careless.
But Lyra caught a strange tone beneath his words. She lifted her head, her gaze narrowing.
L¡¯s fingers moved with deliberate calm. He held a book small enough to fit in one hand. His long pale fingers turned the pages slowly, one after another. Every sheet carried the score of Splendor Sonata. Only the very first pagey nk.
Lyra¡¯s lips parted, her breath trapped in her throat.
¡°So this is what you¡¯ve been looking for?¡± L¡¯s smile was faint. He pressed the entire book into Tess¡¯s arms.
Far away, inside the sleek towers of Lock Group, Zane finally received the address he had been waiting for.
A message glowed on his phone. His eyes lit with triumph. He snapped hisptop shut, grabbed his briefcase, and carried a polished steel lockbox as he strode out of the office.
The address brought him to a quiet park.
His brows furrowed. A park was thest ce he had expected. But then he saw her.
A woman sat alone in a pavilion, her outfit matching the description he had been given. His steps carried him straight to her.
¡°You must be Tania?¡± Zane¡¯s voice sliced through the hush.
Tania flinched, startled. Her fingers twisted together as she nodded in a rush.
¡°Yes¡ I¡¯m Tania. You¡¯re from Lock Group, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Her eyes lifted, cautious and quick. She studied his tailored suit, the shine of his shoes, the steady air he carried.
He looked exactly like the kind of man who belonged to a powerfulpany like Lock Group.
The thought only made her chest tighter.
¡°You don¡¯t need to be afraid.¡± Zane¡¯s voice softened. He noticed her unease and eased himself into the seat across from her.
He tapped the suitcase in his hand.
¡°This is the money we agreed on. It¡¯s the deposit. Twenty percent. You can count it yourself.¡±
The lockbox gleamed, its edges reflecting the light. Tania couldn¡¯t help but stare.
Twenty percent. That meant two hundred thousand.
Her hands shook. She balled them into fists to steady herself.
¡°What ¡ what do you want to ask me?¡± Her voice trembled, but her eyes shone with excitement.
Zane¡¯s smile was calm and measured.
¡°I only want to know one thing. The woman you spoke of on the phone. The boss¡¯s wife. Is it
this woman?¡±
He slid a photograph across the table.
It was Shannon.
¡°Yes. That¡¯s her!¡± Tania blurted.
Her head bobbed in fast nods.
She knew that face. She would know it anywhere. And now she wanted to vent.
She had worked as a nanny in that home for only a few days, yet every moment had been
Shannon had crushed her spirit.
Her memory red, sharp and hot. Shannon had gone to Henry with lies, and then had cut her pay in half. Half her wages stolen.
That money had been meant to save her child.
They had shown her no kindness. She would show them none.
¡°She¡¯s at an apartment on Windflower Avenue in Aetheris. It¡¯s where young, single people live. If you want to go, I can take you right now,¡± Tania said, her teeth grinding with rage.
Zane studied her face, seeing the bitterness that burned there.
He could guess Shannon had broken her down.
¡°No. I don¡¯t need you toe. Just send me the exact address.¡± He lifted one hand, cutting her off. He pushed the lockbox across the table. ¡°It¡¯s yours. Open it.¡±
He tilted his chin, urging her forward.
Her heart pounded. She slid her fingers across the lock. The click echoed sharp and clear.
She lifted the lid. Her eyes filled with green.
Stacks of cash.
Her chest heaved. Her pulse thundered so fast she thought it might burst.
Two hundred thousand. Enough to save her child.
Tania¡¯s vision blurred with tears.
She clutched the suitcase tight against her chest.
¡°Thank you! Thank you so much!¡±
Zane waved her off with a steady hand.
¡°No thanks are needed. But remember. I¡¯ll have more questions for youter. And I¡¯ll need your full cooperation.¡±
¡°Yes. I¡¯ll do everything you ask!¡± Tania cried.
Inside the Aetheris apartment, Shannon rushed forward as Henry stepped through the door.
¡°Well? Tell me. Did the Larsons get the wedding dress? How did they react?¡±
¡°They got it.¡± Henry peeled off his jacket and tossed it carelessly at Tania.
She caught it fast. Her head stayed low, hiding the flicker of thought deep in her eyes.
Henry sank onto the couch, smug satisfaction etched across his face.
¡°After all these years, they still care that much about Kylie. Who would¡¯ve thought?¡±
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
Keepsake 435
Chapter 435 Cruel Schemes
Shannon hurried close, her movements quick, her hands pressing into Henry¡¯s shoulders with desperate care. Her voice trembled with desperation. ¡°You mean ¡
Henry¡¯s lips curved into a wicked smile. His eyes narrowed, sharp and cold. ¡°The package carried a full address and number. It is only a matter of time before the Larsons track us down.¡±
Now that she knew the n was moving forward, Shannon¡¯s mouth lifted in a grin. But the joy faded in a blink. She seized Henry¡¯s arm, her nails dug into his sleeve.
¡°But you told me the Larsons were richer than kings. You said they had power that could crush anyone. If theye here to back Kylie ¡ and they find out you cheated, what happens then?¡±
Henry¡¯s chest jerked at her words, but his mind steadied fast. His fingers brushed over her soft hand as he forced a calm smile.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. Kylie has already forgiven me. We have been married for years. The Larsons will nevere here and force us to split apart after all this time.¡±
Their eyes locked. The tension cracked, and they bothughed.
At the side, Tania kept her head bowed. Every word was safely recorded on her phone. She hid her triumph behind a servant¡¯s calm mask. She moved like she was only stepping out to take the trash.
She pressed the screen dark and slipped the phone back into her apron.
Her steps were light as she slipped out of the apartment. Her hand darted into her pocket. She pulled the phone free and sent the recording straight to Zane.
Zane had just returned home when his phone chimed.
He opened the alert, and the voices of Henry and Shannon spilled out into the air.
The scheme unfolded in his ears. His face hardened with shock, then filled with disgust at the shameless pair.
¡°100,000 has been deducted from your ount.¡±
With one tap, he sent the money.
¡°Well done.¡±
Tania¡¯s phone lit with orange. Her hands trembled as she gripped it tight.
¡°Thank you, Mr. ck!¡±
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She pressed the screen against her chest, her eyes scanning the area before hiding it again.
Her face remained calm as she threw the trash away, though her heart burned with fire.
Zane, meanwhile, sent the recording on to Finn.
It was a relief that Tania had kept her cover. Without her, none of them would have known that Henry and Shannon had been weaving this n for so long.
Inside Finn¡¯s car, the voices yed through the speakers. At first his gaze drifted out the window, cool and distant.
But as the words sank in, his brows pulled tight. He turned his head back to listen.
The Larsons.
His fingers rubbed together, his eyes narrowing as thoughts stormed beneath the surface.
Then it hit him like a strike. The piece he had missed all this time. Kylie¡¯s identity. She belonged to the Larsons.
A Kingnd aristocratic family.
Unease poured into him, cold and heavy.
He told himself he would share it with Tess as soon as they reached the hotel. But then he looked up.
She and the others were already stepping out of the old house. His gaze fixed on her at once.
Since their divorce, Tess carried herself with a brightness he had never noticed before. She glowed with warmth and grace. The sight stabbed at him. He had ignored her brilliance for
years.
Jealousy and regret twisted inside him.
Lyra slid into the car with Tess, her tone teasing and bright.
¡°Who would have guessed L would be so generous? Raven is obsessed with Splendor Sonata. When she learns you brought back the full piece, she is going to lose her mind with joy.¡±
L stood by the trunk, sliding their things inside. He nced up, confusion in on his
face.
¡°What? What are you two talking about?¡± He blinked, scratching the back of his head. ¡°What did I miss?¡±
Tess let out a softugh.
¡°We were praising you. Now get in the car.¡±
L never argued with her. He climbed into the back seat without another word.
Lyra caught Tess¡¯s eyes in the mirror and sent her a yful wink.
Tess coughed twice and turned her face away.
The car rolled off, vanishing down the street. None of them noticed the ck sedan that still waited at the curb.
A creak broke the silence as the door opened.
Finn stepped out, his shoes grinding against the
pavement.
His gaze lifted toward the graveyard they had visited earlier.
His feet carried him there, slow and certain, as if pulled by a hidden force.
The air grew heavy as he entered the field of stone markers. The silence pressed down, solemn and deep. His jaw tightened. He straightened his tie, standing tall.
His eyes moved across the rows until they froze on a grave smothered in fresh flowers. He stepped closer. He recognized them. It was the bouquet Lyra had carried that morning.
He bent down slowly, his eyes falling on the carved words.
Here Lies Mnie Ember.
Four in words.
His brows furrowed. His chest tightened. Without thought, his palms pressed together at his heart as he bowed to the stone.
This had been Tess¡¯s grandmother. By marriage, she had been his grandmother as well.
A long breath escaped his lips. His voice rose in the stillness.
¡°Mnie, I am Tess¡¯s husband. This is my first time here after so many years. I feel nothing but shame for that.¡±
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she¡¯s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
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Chapter 436 Lightning
The words had barely left her mouth when the heavens split apart with a violent roar.
Finn¡¯s head jerked upward. A streak of lightning shed across the darkened sky.
Only minutes ago the air had been clear, the clouds light and harmless. Now a wall of ck storm clouds pressed low, heavy enough to smother the city.
Rain wasing.
A restless fear twisted inside Finn¡¯s chest. His steps quickened.
He threw himself into the driver¡¯s seat and pushed the car hard toward the hotel.
¡°Faster!¡± His voice snapped like a whip as the engine roared louder.
When the hotel finally came into view, his eyes caught Tess and the others stepping through the doors.
Relief eased the knot inside him.
But the second he crossed the lobby threshold, the storm broke wide open.
Rain mmed against the earth in torrents, each drop striking like nails hammered into the ground.
He raced up the stairs to his floor. As he rounded the corner, Tess appeared without warning. Her face was drained of color, her steps frantic.
She stumbled straight into him.
Her body hit his chest with force. Finn¡¯s heart jolted. His arms wrapped around her instinctively, pulling her in tight.
¡°What happened?¡± His voice was low, urgent, filled with heat.
Tess felt his breath wash over her hair. She ignored the sting blooming on her nose and snapped her head up.
They stood less than half a head apart. Her pulse leapt. She pushed herself back, but then froze as a thought cut through her mind. Her eyes sharpened, piercing him.
¡°It¡¯s pouring outside. Tell me what you were doing out there.¡±
Finn¡¯s face did not waver. His words came firm and steady. ¡°What happened? Tell me now.¡±
Just then, Lyra rushed into view. Her gaze darted between the two of them. A frown carved deep lines into her face. She stepped forward, yanking Tess behind her.
¡°Mr. Lock. You just got back?¡± Her voice carried suspicion, edged with warning.
Finn caught the weight of her stare. In that instant he knew something grave had urred.
L arrived secondster, his tone sharp.
¡°When we left, you were still at the hotel. Why are you showing up only now?¡±
Chapter 436 Lightning
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¡°I was about to step out. The storm started, so I came back.¡± Finn¡¯s reply was curt and cool. But his eyes never left Tess, as if the words were meant only for her.
¡°So you were here the entire time? Did you hear anything strange? The boy we found is gone.¡±
¡°Gone?¡± Finn¡¯s jaw clenched. His tone cut like steel.
¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll pull the security footage.¡±
Tess stared at his briskmand. Doubt prickled inside her, but she forced her steps forward. ¡°I¡¯ming with you.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll go too!¡±
¡°Count me in!¡±
Lyra and L burst out together, fear quickening their voices as they hurried to follow.
Tess shot Finn a nce. His silence spoke louder than words. His eyes flickered with disapproval, but he gave in.
Momentster they stood in the hotel¡¯s monitoring room.
Tess had no idea how Finn had gained ess so quickly, but money and power could open any door.
¡°Bring up the footage from ten o¡¯clock.¡±
Ten o¡¯clock. The moment he had already left the hotel and climbed into his car.
The staff member nodded at once. His hands shook as he moved the mouse. Fear shadowed his face.
The monitor lit up, showing the long hallway. The silence was thick. The luxury wing was rarely full, and these past nights, only Tess and her group stayed there.
The fast¨Cforwarded footage crawled by. The hallway looked still, lifeless. Then, an hourter, a shadow appeared.
Head to toe in ck, Mask. Cap pulled low. The man nced around, cautious. He rapped lightly on Ken¡¯s door.
¡°Hello. Complimentary lunch from the hotel. Would you like one?¡±
¡°Yes, thank you-¡± Ken¡¯s words cut short, choked into muffled gasps.
The intruder pressed a dark cloth over his mouth.
Ken convulsed, his arms and legs thrashing in desperate struggle. But within seconds, his movements faltered. His strength vanished. His body slumped hard to the ground.
The entire attack ended in less than half a minute.
A shiver raced down the staff member¡¯s spine.
His eyes slid toward the group.
Each face was carved with stone. Tess stood at the front, her expression a mask of frost. Her eyes froze the air around her.
¡°Pull the lobby footage.¡±
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Chapter 436 Lightning
Her voice was sharp, low, dangerous.
The man¡¯s legs trembled.
He scrambled to obey.
The screen shifted. The ck figure hauled Ken¡¯s limp body through the back exit. At the desk, the clerk nced up once, quickly turned away, as if terrified to get involved.
then
The room fell into absolute silence. Even the hum of the machines seemed drowned out by the cold creeping through the air.
¡°Your hotel¡¯s security is remarkable,¡± Tess whispered.
Her words ground against her teeth with restrained fury.
¡°Not finished yet,¡± Finn said. His eyes slid to her, calm but firm. ¡°Pull the back¨Clot footage.¡±
Tess¡¯s fury burned through her veins. But she knew anger solved nothing. She forced her jaw tight and kept her eyes locked on the
screen.
The footage shifted again. The dark figure carried Ken to a car waiting at the curb. He shoved the boy into the trunk, mmed it shut, and slid into the driver¡¯s seat. The car pulled away, swallowed by the rain.
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Keepsake 437
¡°Here. Make it bigger.¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice was sharp andmanding, like a gavel striking wood. Her fingertip tapped firmly against the screen.
The staff jumped to obey. The image shifted. A license te appeared, hazy but still clear enough to read.
¡°I¡¯ll send the te to Zane. He¡¯ll contact the Krigan officials in my name and track it down.¡±
Finn raised his phone, his hand steady as stone.
Tess pressed her lips together and stayed silent.
She knew calling the police would waste too much time. Finn was the only path that made sense.
She despised relying on him, but there was no choice.
Half of the time she had bargained with the press was already gone. Every second mattered now more than ever.
¡°Thank you.¡±
Her words came quietly, her lips parting to reveal a faint glimpse of teeth.
Finn¡¯s fingers froze against the phone for an instant. Then his grip tightened.
¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±
His eyes lowered, his tone smooth and calm as a quiet tide.
¡°What do you mean nothing, Mr. Lock?¡±
Zane¡¯s voice rang out from the phone, careless and unaware.
Finn¡¯s eyes turned sharp, cold fire flickering in the dark.
What are you, blind? Is working with me too cushy for you?
Zane faltered at the silence, his confusion in.
Then Finn¡¯s voice slid through the line, colder than steel.
¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to you. I sent you the te. Track it now. Move faster than you ever have in your life.¡±
¡°Yes sir, right awa-¡±
The call cut off with a t tone.
¡°In ten minutes, we¡¯ll have a lead.¡±
Finn slipped his phone away. His gaze locked on Tess, burning, unwavering.
¡°Fine.¡±
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Chapter 437 Search
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Tess answered fast.
She knew that rushing in panic would solve nothing. Her body sank into the chair, though her chest was far from steady.
The man on the footage had gone straight to Ken¡¯s door. That was no coincidence,
He had a n. He had a reason. But what was it?
Her head ached. She pressed her fingers against her forehead.
Then cool fingertips touched her skin. They massaged her temples gently.
Her head snapped up in surprise. L was there beside her, his gaze gentle, almost glowing. He looked like something out of a story, like a spirit sent to soften pain.
¡°You don¡¯t look well. Do you feel a little better now?¡±
His eyes were ocean blue. They pulled her in like water. Not to drown, but to hold her above the surface.
¡°Thank you.¡± Tess¡¯s voice was faint. She meant to push his hands away. But his touch slid down, pressing against her shoulder. His fingers kneaded in a steady rhythm, firm yet careful.
Lyra watched them. Her heart twisted. The man she had idolized as an artist seemed to crumble in front of her. Yet if it was for Tess, maybe it was not shameful after all.
Tess felt the pressure of his hands sinking into her stiff shoulders. Her muscles locked tight beneath his palms.
¡°Rx,¡± L leaned close, his breath brushing against her ear. ¡°You¡¯ve been carrying too much weight these past days.¡±
His voice was clear, like the sound of a mountain stream. But the heat of it scattered her thoughts.
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed from across the room. His stare fixed on them with a cold edge.
L raised his head at the same time. His gaze was direct, unhidden, almost daring.
Their eyes collided in the air.
No sound, but it was a duel, fierce and endless.
Finally, L smiled. His lips curved in a teasing arc, and his brows lifted in challenge. The look stabbed straight into Finn¡¯s pride. Jealousy surged inside him, breaking down his walls.
The ten minutes dragged by like torture.
Then a shrill ring shattered the silence.
¡°Why so slow? Have you learned nothing about efficiency in all these years at mypany?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice thundered the moment Zane picked up.
Zane¡¯s gut turned cold. His heart sank. But his mouth rushed to make excuses.
¡°Mr. Lock, we found it. I sent the live location to your phone. I also sent it to Ms. Tess.¡±
Chapter 437 Search
Tess tapped lightly against L¡¯s hand, telling him to stop. She pulled her phone out and scanned her messages.
The map glowed bright. A red dot pulsed across the screen, moving fast.
¡°The car is headed straight for Aetheris.¡±
Zane¡¯s voice echoed loud through the monitoring room.
Tess pinched the screen and zoomed out. Her brows drew tight as she studied it.
The vehicle had already passed Krigan¡¯s border. It sped along the highway that ran parallel with Bradington.
Beyond Bradington waited Aetheris.
Aetheris.
Her heart mmed hard against her chest.
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Ken¡¯s abduction was no random crime. The purpose was clear. They wanted Ken. Or they wanted to cut her off from the truth she was chasing. Aetheris was the key.
Her fingers twisted together in thought. Who in Aetheris sent that man?
Henry?
Her steps in Krigan had been hidden. She had told no one outside her circle.
Henry should be basking in his victory, savoring her downfall. Why would he waste energy tracking her now?
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Sara Lili 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.
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Tess had already ruled him out, but no other suspect rose in her mind.
Her thoughts spun wildly, tangled and restless like a storm in her mind.
The monitoring room was silent. The air was heavy and pressed down like a weight. Every breath felt thick.
Lyra¡¯s voice broke through the stillness.
¡°We should head back to Aetheris. The kidnappers are taking Ken there. They chose to drive instead of using public transport because they were afraid of being exposed. That means we can get there ahead of them and wait.¡±
Her words struck clear and sharp. Tess nodded without hesitation.
¡°Pack your things. I¡¯ll change the tickets.¡±
She turned at once and strode out with long steps, her posture was firm and unyielding.
Minutester, they rushed onto the express train line.
The Larson estate glowed under the soft evening light.
¡°Mom, did Aunt Kylie send something home?¡±
Violet was folding clothes when her daughter Brianna Larson pushed the door open. The little girl tilted her head, her wide eyes full of curiosity.
Violet¡¯s face softened at once. She pulled the child close, kissing the top of her head while still folding clothes.
¡°Yes, sweetheart. Your aunt has been away for many years. That¡¯s why I am going with your grandparents to see her.¡±
¡°I want to go too!¡± Brianna¡¯s eyes curved like little moons. She clung to Violet¡¯s arm and pleaded in a sing¨Csong tone.
¡°Brianna, you don¡¯t even know your aunt.¡±
The voice came from the doorway. Gemma Larson stood with folded arms, her tone heavy with exasperation.
At 15, Gemma already carried herself with the grace of a youngdy.
¡°That¡¯s only because I have never met her. If you take me too, Mom, I¡¯ll get to know her. She¡¯ll like me right away.¡±
Brianna blinked her bright eyes, her pink lips pushed into a pout. She looked like a doll, sweet and delicate.
Gemma turned her gaze toward Violet.
She remembered how her mother used to sigh when she was younger.
She remembered when her mother once showed her an old photograph with another girl.
That girl was her mother¡¯s cousin.
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Chapter 438 No More Suspects
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Violet had spoken then with sorrow. She had said Kylie left the Larsons for love, a story the family preferred not to repeat.
Over time Violet mentioned it less. By the time Brianna was born, she said nothing at all.
¡°Mom,¡± Gemma said softly now, her voice steady but uncertain, ¡°Aunt Kylie chose to leave. Why would she suddenly send a wedding dress after all these years? Is it because her husband treated her badly?¡±
She was smart, but she was still young. Her eyes glowed with both wisdom and confusion.
¡°Maybe she just misses you and Grandma and Grandpa.¡±
Brianna rested her chin on her hand, her tone innocent.
Violet stroked both girls¡® heads, yet Gemma¡¯s words echoed inside her chest.
Kylie had been gone for so many years. She vanished without a trace. She changed her address so no one could find her. Now, after all this time, she had reached out first.
¡°Maybe¡ she just misses home.¡±
Violet¡¯s voice trembled.
¡°Mom, what if it isn¡¯t that? What if Uncle Henry is like Dad? You never trusted him.¡±
Gemma bit her lip.
Violet¡¯s hand froze in ce.
They had never wanted Kylie to marry Henry. No matter how he acted, no matter how sweet he spoke, something inside them warned that he was dangerous.
Henry was not a good man.
And her own husband¡
Violet¡¯s hands clenched tight around the folded clothes.
He had promised loyalty. He had sworn to love her for life. Yet behind her back he tried to steal from the Larson safe. If the servants had not caught him, the damage would have been beyond repair.
She had ended it fast. Divorce. No mercy. He had walked out with nothing.
¡°Gemma¡ are you saying¡¡±
Violet¡¯s voice trailed, heavy with dread.
¡°Mom, I read a story today. No one goes out of their way for nothing. They always want something.¡±
¡°I understand.¡± Violet¡¯s voice was faint, almost lost.
She sent the girls back to their rooms. She got back to her bed, but her heart was still tangled in unease.
She then put her suitcase down, and she walked down the hall to her parents¡® chamber and knocked.
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Chapter 438 No More Suspects
¡°Violet? It¡¯ste. What brings you here?¡±
¡°Dad, Mom, it¡¯s weird Kylie suddenly sent her wedding dress home. That feels strange.¡±
Olivia¡¯s chest tightened at once. Her face hardened, her tone sharp.
¡°Come in.¡±
The door shut behind her with a sharp snap.
¡°Violet, what are you saying?¡± Benjamin¡¯s deep voice filled the room. He sat upright on the bed, his brow pressed low, his presence
strong.
Violet repeated everything Gemma had told her.
When she finished, a heavy silence nketed the room.
Olivia¡¯s hands locked together. Her eyes glistened with pain.
¡°Violet¡ you mean your sister didn¡¯t send the dress because she missed us. You think she may want something else.¡±
Her voice broke with grief and disbelief.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 439 Spection.
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Violet rushed to her mother¡¯s side, her hand pressed against her back infort. Her voice was gentle, meant to soothe. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t let it trouble you. Gemma is still just a child. Kids speak without thinking. But what she said is not impossible either. That¡¯s why I came to you. Maybe Kylie just wants to see us again.¡±
¡°Gemma is right.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s voice carried the wear of years, yet his words struck with authority.
¡°Henry looks polished, like a gentleman. Men like that hide the deepest schemes. They are selfish and cold inside. Kylie has always been driven by feelings, even before she left. We spoiled her. Every small hurt sent her running back home. But she has been silent for so many years of marriage. That is not her.¡±
His thoughts sharpened as he spoke. His eyes burned with rising fire. ¡°Maybe Henry has been controlling her.¡±
The wordsnded heavy. Olivia sprang to her feet, swift and fierce, her movements carried a strength that defied her age.
¡°What?¡±
Her cane struck the floor with a sharp crack. She stood tall, unyielding, like a warrior unbowed by time.
¡°Then maybe we shouldn¡¯t go. You both are not young anymore.¡±
Violet¡¯s voice wavered with hesitation.
¡°No.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s reply was sharp and instant.
¡°If this is true, then we have more reason to go. If she is trapped, then we must see it ourselves. But we must tread carefully this time.¡±
The two elders met eyes. Their expressions grew heavy with solemn resolve.
¡°Since you¡¯ve made up your minds, I¡¯ll have the housekeeper pack for you in the morning. Rest now.¡±
Violet gave her reminder, then slipped out, closing the door softly behind her.
The night deepened, and shadows draped over the city of Aetheris as Tess and her group arrived.
Lyra frowned at her glowing screen.
¡°The car looks like it stopped.¡±
She passed the phone to Tess.
¡°Maybe they figured out we were tailing them?¡± L scratched his head,
uneasy.
Tess¡¯s face grew colder.
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Chapter 439 Spection
¡°No. Not likely. That signal belongs to his car. He must be close.¡±
She spread her fingers on the map, zooming into the city center.
Her brows tightened into hard lines.
What kind of man kidnaps a child and still lingers in the heart of the city?
Her gaze lifted to Lyra. Their eyes locked, both grim, both steady.
¡°I know where he is.¡±
The words came from the darkness. A figure emerged, his voice low and maic.
Tess¡¯s body stiffened. Her hand curled into a fist.
¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±
Lyra¡¯s arm pulled tight around Tess, her guard high and tense.
Tess turned, and her breath faltered. It was a face she had sworn never to see again.
¡°Max. Tess¡¯s childhood friend,¡± the man said, introducing himself with calm poise.
Lyra¡¯s eyes darted between them, her suspicion sharp.
Tess¡¯s face was hard as stone. ¡°Why are you here? What do you know?¡±
¡°I know everything that¡¯s been happening in Aetheris. I know about Henry. I know about you.¡±
Max stepped forward. His stare locked on her, unwavering.
¡°The child is missing. I can help you.¡±
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He leaned close, his lips near her ear, his breath hot and invasive. His presence slid closer like a serpent from myth¨Cdeadly yet alluring.
Tess¡¯s skin crawled. Every breath he exhaled felt like a forked tongue flicking against her.
She stepped back, goosebumps prickling across her arms.
¡°What child? How do you know about him?¡±
Her voiceshed sharp, her gaze cutting into him like des.
Max did not falter. He smiled, smug and certain.
Of course. She was still the Tess he knew, the one who always saw through his games.
¡°I had him taken. You would not have left Krigan so easily otherwise. Henry is your problem, but I can deal with him. And aboutst year, I can help you with that too.¡±
His
eyes churned with dark storms, circling her like a predator eyeing its prey.
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Chapter 439 Spection
His tone was light, yet every word dripped poison.
Lyra¡¯s chest tightened. Her skin crawled. This man was creeping her out. She knew then.
Ken¡¯s kidnapping was no ident. It was his doing.
¡°You¡¯ve been following me. And now you try to threaten me?¡±
Tess¡¯s voice was steel, her anger burning hot beneath her calm face. She guessed what Max must¡¯ve done.
Max only smiled wider. Her fury lit something inside him. He savored her re as if it was a gift.
¡°No, Tess. I came to help you.¡±
He leaned closer, his body slick with menace, cold and suffocating like the coil of a snake.
¡°Hold up.¡±
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L¡¯s voice cut in, sharp and clear. ¡°So let me get this straight. We could have brought the child back safe. But you kidnapped him first. And now you show up in the dead of night to im you¡¯re here to help?¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 440 Questions
He red at Max, his stare sharp as a knife. His look spoke one clear thought. You¡¯ve lost your mind.
Max¡¯s blurred eyes cleared the instant they met L¡¯s. A sharp gleam cut through his face, cold and alert.
¡°And who the hell are you supposed to be?¡±
His voice was dark, filled with danger.
¡°I¡¯m just a man.¡±
L shrugged with a careless tilt, his tone blunt and dismissive.
The odd back¨Cand¨Cforth broke the tension choking the air. Tess and Lyra both eased slightly, though L¡¯s jab rang true.
Max¡¯s behavior was twisted.
His intentions were rotten to the core.
¡°What do you want from me?¡±
Tess¡¯s brows tightened, her voice harsh and dripping with hate.
Max¡¯s head snapped toward her as if pulled by force. For a brief second, his body trembled. Her cold eyes cut him down, and the rejection stabbing deeper than any de.
¡°You¡¯re divorced from Finn now. Come with me. Please. He can¡¯t clear your name anymore. I can.¡±
He had followed her all the way from Krigan.
He had stalked her footsteps. He had overheard every word she spoke to Finn. The memory of her wedding night still tortured him. That pain burned like fire inside his chest.
He had waited too long.
She had once loved him deeply, but now she was finally free. Though the divorce had been not too long ago. Who knew what might happen? He would never give her up.
He would use threats, promises, and lies¨Canything at all.
¡°Come with me. I can end this tomorrow. You don¡¯t need to drag yourself through this.¡±
His gaze clung to her, hungry and desperate.
¡°Why?¡± Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed.
For a moment, her heart jolted. Something clicked inside her mind. But she swallowed the thought and buried it deep. She stepped closer, her voice like a de cutting air.
¡°Why are you so sure you can clear my name? Why bring upst year?¡±
The fire in Max¡¯s stare red hotter. Her sudden push lit him up like sparks striking dry tinder. His mouth opened, ready to spill
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Chapter 440 Questions
everything, but her sharp eyes forced him to swallow the truth back down.
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He reached for her hand. ¡°Juste with me. I¡¯ll take you to the child first. Then I¡¯ll tell you everything aboutst year.¡±
Tess yanked away, her voice colder than steel. ¡°Get out of my sight.¡±
Her eyes gleamed with icy resolve. ¡°If you don¡¯t tell me where the child is, I¡¯ll hand this recording to the police. I¡¯ll see you charged for child trafficking.¡±
Her phone glowed in her hand. The recording app shone bright on the screen.
Max¡¯s face twisted with shock and rage. ¡°You recorded me? When?¡±
¡°Since the moment you showed up.¡±
Her voice was sharp and freezing, like frost cracking on a mountain peak.
¡°Very well! Very well!¡±
His bitterugh split the air like a crack of thunder. Each word grated like teeth grinding stone. His re burned molten.
¡°All these years. After everything between us, you still treat me like this?¡±
Tess¡¯s face was hard as stone. ¡°By sunrise, if I don¡¯t see Ken, then I¡¯ll see you in court.¡±
She turned away without another nce. She walked off, L and Lyra close behind.
Max froze in ce, his body shrouded in shadow, like smoke that refused to fade.
L trailedst. Before stepping away, he cast one nce back. His blue eyes gleamed with a flicker of cold mockery.
Inside the car, Lyra¡¯s voice burst sharp with disgust.
¡°He calls himself your childhood friend? That¡¯s beyond vile!¡±
¡°No one knows what he truly wants.¡±
Tess leaned into the seat, her eyes narrowed, her body wrapped in stern calm.
Max had hovered around her ever since she left prison. He had clung like a ghost that refused to die. Only when she moved into the vi in the north had his shadow faded. She had almost forgotten him. But now he returned, bold and filthy.
She pressed her hand against her brow, easing the weight that pressed behind her eyes.
The engine rumbled alive. The car rolled forward. The window cracked open, and night air drifted in cool and soft.
It brushed against her face. Hershes fluttered. Her mind drifted.
Streetlights flickered faintly outside. Aetherisy hushed in silence. The car was just as still. Days of running had drained Lyra. The moment her head touched the seat, her breathing fell deep and steady. L¡¯s hands stayed firm on the wheel, though his eyes flicked to the mirror now and then.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 441
Tess released a slow breath that carried the weight of all her thoughts.
Her mind circled back to Max and the words he had dared to throw at her.
He imed he could clear her name from what happened a year ago.
Why would he say that?
The Hunt Group had grown fast this past year, but it was nowhere near strong enough to rival the Lock Group. Even Finn had promised again and again that he would help her, yet no progress had been made. How could Max im with such certainty that he could seed?
The truth from that night still remained sealed away. She never uncovered who had gone to such cruel lengths to destroy her, but she knew Nadine and Max had yed their part.
They had betrayed her.
Her fingers clenched hard.
She still remembered the shock of her arrest, the cold bite of handcuffs, and the weight of prison walls that closed in like chains. Her shock turned into burning rage.
Why did they do this to me?
She had no answer.
Nadine had grown up wrapped in love and care, all the things Tess never had. Tess had given way to her over and over again, but it had never been enough. And Max? He imed he loved her, yet in the face of greed, he had struck her down without hesitation.
The silence of prison had been suffocating. Only La¡¯s presenceter on gave her strength.
Her hatred dulled, but disgust and rejection remained like scars etched into her bones.
Now, with both Nadine and Max standing in her path again, her heart had frozen over. She no longer sought pity or forgiveness. She wanted the truth revealed and justice served. Every single person who hurt her would pay.
Her eyes lifted, no longer dimmed by sorrow but sharp and clear.
¡°We¡¯re here.¡±
L¡¯s voice broke the silence as he stepped out and opened the car door.
Tess guided Lyra, still heavy with fatigue, out of the seat. When she lifted her gaze, L¡¯s eyes were fixed on her, pleading quietly.
¡°Come in then.¡±
Her tone carried reluctant agreement.
He had followed her from Krigan to Aetheris. She couldn¡¯t leave him standing out on the street.
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Chapter 441 Sigh
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¡°I¡¯ll help!¡±
His unease shifted into sudden eagerness as he stepped forward to support Lyra.
The three entered Evermount Heights. When Tess flicked on the lights, a figure lying across the couch snapped into view.
¡°Connor?¡±
The name escaped her lips in surprise. Even Lyra, still drowsy, snapped awake at the sight.
The man stirred at the noise, blinking against the brightness until his vision cleared. He sat upright slowly, and when his eyes found Tess, a sheepish smile tugged at his face.
¡°You¡¯re back?¡±
¡°Yes. But why are you here?¡±
Tess eased Lyra onto the couch and turned her questioning stare on him.
Connor¡¯s answer did note at once. His eyes instead locked onto L.
¡°You¡¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
It was rare to see Connor hesitate, but before Tess could follow his gaze, he turned back to her with a gentle smile. ¡°And who is
this?¡±
¡°L. The world¨Cfamous pianist. Tess¡¯s shadow these days.¡±
Lyra, now more awake, teased with a grin.
L showed no shame, no fluster. He nodded withposure. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±
But his narrowed gaze lingered on Connor.
¡°I see¡ ¡°Connor pressed his lips together and looked away. ¡°I had free time. The house was quiet without you, so I thought I¡¯d spend more time with La.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve done me a favor.¡±
Tess nodded and moved on without furtherment. She led them toward the spare rooms. ¡°Choose your rooms. Just for tonight.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll take this one.¡±
L pointed to the room nearest Tess¡¯s.
¡°No. That one is mine.¡±
Lyra cut in sharp, her voice edged with warning.
He might be her idol, but the way he looked at Tess carried too much meaning.
5:37 pm
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Chapter 441 Sigh
He was still a stranger, no matter how familiar he had be these past days. She would keep her guard.
L caught her tone and dropped his im without a fight.
¡°Fine. Then I¡¯ll take the next one.¡±
Tess turned to Connor. ¡°And you? Is that room fine with you?¡±
He had only one room left.
¡°Of course. Better than the couch.¡±
His warm smile lightened the air around them.
Everything felt more at ease with him around.
¡°Good. Then clean yourself up and get some sleep.¡±
Tess left it at that. After tidying a bit, she slipped into her own room.
She pushed the door open on careful feet. Silence filled the space, broken only by soft and steady breaths.
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La slept soundly in her cradle, her little face calm and serene. Beside her, Bessie had made a bed on the floor, keeping watch like a sentinel.
Tess¡¯s eyes softened as she crouched down. She ced a gentle hand on Bessie¡¯s shoulder.
Bessie stirred, her eyes shing with joy as she woke. ¡°You¡¯re back!¡±
Tess nodded and patted her shoulder lightly once more, urging her to go rest.
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Keepsake 442
Chapter 442 At Home
Bessie must have been exhausted from caring for La all these days.
She did not protest. She rose gently, her steps light, and slipped out of the room. The door clicked shut behind her.
The room now belonged only to Tess and the baby.
The curtains by the window hung half¨Cdrawn. A stream of moonlight spilled through, brushing over La¡¯s tiny face as she slept.
Her cheeks were plump and soft, her breathing steady, her sleep deep and sweet.
Tess felt her chest grow calm, as if something warm and steady had filled her heart.
She leaned down and pressed a kiss to her child¡¯s forehead. Then she pulled her tired body toward the bed.
The night moved on.
Far away, Finn drove fast through the dark. Dust clung to him from his long journey. By the time the sky neared dawn, he stopped. His thoughts wavered between Evermount Vi and the Lock Group headquarters. His hands tightened on the wheel before he chose thepany.
Without her, the vi was nothing but a hollow, lifeless shell. He could not stand the emptiness inside.
When he reached the building, his body froze. A shadow crouched at the gate.
His boots struck the pavement, each step sharp and loud in the still air. The figure straightened. Moonlight cut across his face.
¡°Max?¡±
Finn stopped in ce. His eyes narrowed, locked on him.
The stench of liquor clung to Max. His frame swayed as if the ground itself shifted beneath him.
His head lifted, and his hazy eyes glimmered red with hate that spread like fire.
¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice carried sharp warning. His spine was straight, his body tense like a drawn de.
Max acted as though he did not hear him. His jaw clenched. His words dripped with venom. ¡°Why¡¡±
His voice cracked into rage.
¡°Why even after the divorce she still refuses to look at me?¡±
He burst forward like a madman. His hand clutched Finn¡¯s cor. His eyes were bloodshot, scarlet veins spreading like branches through the whites.
¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡±
Finn¡¯s boot mmed into his chest.
5:37 pm
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Chapter 442 At Home
The blow was swift and brutal, clean as lightning splitting the sky.
The crack of bone echoed out. Max flew back, his body smacking the ground.
Pain ripped through his limbs, but hatred and envy only grew darker inside him.
He wed at the ground, fighting to rise. His body betrayed him, dropping him back in defeat.
¡°You went to her, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Finn crouched low, seizing his cor again. His eyes were cold as stone.
¡°What business is it of yours? You two are divorced.¡±
Max lifted his head. A jaggedugh tore out of him. His smile twisted until his whole frame shook with madness.
Finn towered above him, jaw clenched, his tall body casting a shadow that swallowed Max.
Blood thundered through Max¡¯s veins, loud and violent.
Why?
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He thought of everything he had built. Hunt Group still sank under Lock Group¡¯s weight. Finn had sent Tess to prison, yet she still spoke to him. To Max, she offered nothing but cruel rejection.
His chest burned. Am I lesser than him?
¡°I am no less than you!¡±
His voice was hoarse, raw like a ghost wing out of the grave.
Finn¡¯s reply was sharp as ice. ¡°You lost because you are vile. One year ago, the scheme that destroyed her carried your mark. Tess and I will never let you go free.¡±
His eyes were des that cut deep.
The words struck Max like a blow. His head snapped up.
¡°How do you know¡ what makes you say that?¡±
Finn gave a coldugh. The air froze still around them.
¡°You gained the most out of the event that year. I trust Tess. That leaves me no choice but to suspect you.¡± Finn¡¯s gaze locked on Max, cold as unmelted ice.
Max stared at him, then broke into augh that spiraled into madness.
¡°You believe her?¡±
His shoulders shook as heughed.
His body bent forward, his head pressed down as the sound ripped through him.
Finn¡¯s brows pulled tight as he watched the disy.
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Chapter 442 At Home
Max¡¯sughter faded, his voice thinning to a ghostly whisper.
¡°Finn, you think you can uncover the truth from that year? If you had the power, you would have shown the proof the very first time you stood before the press iming you would help her.¡±
Finn¡¯s fists clenched hard. His voiceshed out.
¡°So it really was you.¡±
Max¡¯s body jolted. His teeth ground hard as he red up. ¡°You tricked me into saying it?¡±
Finn¡¯s fury snapped loose. He yanked him up by the cor, dragging his face close. His voice thundered through the night. ¡°Max, all for your selfish hunger, you forced Tess to walk into prison while carrying your child?¡±
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Keepsake 443
Chapter 443 Disbelief
His voice dropped low, heavy as iron, cold as a cutting wind.
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During the time Tess had been gone, Finn had poured every spare moment into studying her day¡¯s in prison.
Every detail of her suffering stabbed him open like a knife carving flesh.
But no matter how much it tore at him, the charge pinned to her name remained. She had been used of stealing Lock Group¡¯s secrets. That truth stood like stone.
Lately, his doubts had sharpened until they cut him raw. Tonight, all his doubts hardened into certainty.
The veins on the back of his hand bulged with rage.
¡°You swore you loved her. And this is what you did to her?¡±
Each word struck Max like hot metal branding his skin.
Max trembled, but his head lifted high. The fire in his eyes burned stubborn and wild. His voice cracked with pride. ¡°So what if I did? I came out on top. Hunt Group is the second biggestpany in Aetheris now. Tess is free. You two are divorced. Even if the child is yours, she¡¯ll never let you have it. She will never let the child call you father. If she agrees, she can be Hunt Group¡¯s queen today. All I did was let her sit in a cell for a year. Big deal.¡±
The words wed into Finn¡¯s chest like nails. His fury exploded.
His fist swung and mmed into Max¡¯s face. The punchnded square on his nose with brutal force.
Max¡¯s head whipped to the side. A stream of hot blood gushed down his face.
He blinked through the daze. His hand lifted to his nose. His fingers smeared thick blood across his skin. His expression twisted.
¡°You hit me! What right do you have to hit me?¡±
His eyes glowed red, zing with rage.
¡°Finn, stop pretending to be some hero. If you loved her, if you trusted her, then how did she end up in prison when you ran Lock Group?¡±
Chapter 443 Disbelief
The words pierced him straight through.
Finn¡¯s chest tightened. His body gave a sudden shake. His nails bit deep into his palm.
It was true.
The one who had let her down the most, the one who had left her to suffer, was him.
Max saw it, the crack in his eyes. His lips curled in triumph.
¡°You feel guilty, don¡¯t you? Ha! Finn, the mighty Finn, guilty for anyone but himself?¡±
Hisughter rose sharp and cruel. But once it broke apart, emptiness seeped in.
His grin stiffened, then slowly dropped.
He had been plotting this since the moment he followed Tess to Krigan.
He had known she would reject him.
What he had not counted on was Finn tailing her too.
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On that trip, she had let Finn close, though reluctantly. She had taken his help. She had pushed Max away.
Jealousy ate through him like acid. It had driven him to crouch at the Lock Group gates tonight.
He could not ept - it.
He had wed his way up, reshaping himself to be worthy of her. Yet even after her divorce, she still turned her face from him. She would rather rely on the man who had thrown her into a cell than take his hand.
The thought ripped him apart.
He could not stand for it, yet what could he do?
Finn had stood by while Nadine tormented her. Finn had failed her. In Max¡¯s eyes, he was the
better man.
Unless she still loves Finn. If that¡¯s true, what I do doesn¡¯t matter.
The thought crushed him hollow. His fury drained into despair.
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Chapter 443 Disbelief
Finn stood rigid, his eyes sparking like fire.
Max shoved himself upright. His steps dragged as he turned to leave.
Only his final words clung in the air.
¡°Finn, you and I are the same.¡±
The night grew darker.
The moonlight stretched their shadows long and thin against the ground.
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Morning spilled over Evermount Heights.
Max had not slept.
ck shadows stained the skin beneath his eyes.
¡°I¡¯ll give you the kid. But you¡¯ll meet one condition.¡±
One of his hands clutched Ken. The other knocked against the door.
Tess appeared, hair tousled from sleep, her eyes heavy. Her drowsiness broke the instant she saw him.
Her gaze turned sharp. Distrust hardened her face. She knew Max would never show kindness without a price.
He had once been her closest friend. She had leaned on him through her youth. But people changed. A year ago, she had seen his true nature.
¡°If you don¡¯t hand him over, I¡¯ll call the police. The decision is mine, not yours.¡±
Her voice was t, cold as stone.
For a moment, Max¡¯s empty eyes flickered. His stare wavered like smoke. But when it met Tess, light kindled in his gaze.
Then he smiled.
Yes. That was Tess. The woman he called his.
Sharp. Fearless.
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Chapter 443 Disbelief
If Finn had never appeared, she and Max would have been perfect.
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Her lips pressed tight as she watched his sudden smile spread. She stepped back, cautious and tense. But her eyes flicked toward Ken, steady and calm, urging him not to fear.
Chapter 444 Condition
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 444
Chapter 444 Condition
Chapter 444 Condition
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Ken had been taken, and terror still clung to him like a lingering shadow. He bit down on his lip, silent, but his small body shivered in thin waves he could not stop.
¡°My demand is simple.¡±
Max¡¯s stare burned into Tess. His hand slid from Ken¡¯s shoulder to the fragile skin of his neck.
Tess¡¯s brows pulled tight. Her eyes turned sharp as des. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±
Max¡¯s mouth curved, but the smile never reached his eyes.
¡°To make you the wife of Hunt Group¡¯s president.¡±
His words hit like chains.
Tess answered in a heartbeat. Her voice was hard and final. ¡°Never.¡±
Max¡¯s lips pressed together. The light drained from his eyes until they turned dull and shadowed.
¡°Then tonight. Kenobi Lake Residence. Have dinner with me.¡±
Tess blinked, stunned. ¡°That¡¯s it? That¡¯s what you want?¡±
¡°That¡¯s it. Anything else, you¡¯d never agree to.¡±
He let out a softugh. His tone sounded in, but his gaze sank deeper, heavy enough to set unease crawling through her chest.
Her pulse raced, but one look at Ken¡¯s pale, frightened face left her no choice. She curled her fingers tight and gave her answer. ¡°Alright.¡±
The instant she spoke, Max released him.
Ken froze, then bolted like prey fleeing a predator. He ran behind Tess and clutched her arm
with both hands.
His fingers shook with fear as they locked around her sleeve.
Tess nced down at him. Her heart twisted.
What had Max done to leave him this broken?
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Chapter 444 Condition
¡°Tess. You muste.¡±
Max¡¯s voice drifted like fog. It was soft but dangerous, like mist hiding a cliff¡¯s edge.
Was the next step safe ground or a fatal drop? The sound made her skin prickle.
¡°Max, has anyone told you that you¡¯re acting insane?¡±
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Her voice rang out, sharp and fearless. Max stopped. He did not turn back, but a coldugh spilled from his lips.
¡°If madness is the price to win you, then I¡¯ll stay mad forever.¡±
He exhaled deep and walked away with long strides.
Tess felt a chill crawl through her body. She closed her eyes for a moment, then turned.
Max¡¯s footsteps faded into the night. She led Ken inside.
¡°Don¡¯t be scared. Tell me what they did. Tell me everything.¡±
Her hand rubbed his back in gentle circles, her voice steady. Ken stayed silent for a long time before he whispered, his tone broken with tremors.
¡°Don¡¯t go. Please don¡¯t go.¡±
He clung to her clothes with desperate strength. His eyes pleaded, but he refused to say more.
Tess frowned deeper. She whispered calm words to him, but her thoughts grew sharp. Her fingers moved fast as she sent messages to Lyra and Raven.
They arrived quickly. Raven burst in first, her steps loud and fierce.
The three of them sat together, and Tess repeated every detail. By the end of it, all it gave them was suspicion.
¡°He went through all of that trouble just to ask you to dinner?¡±
Raven¡¯s lip curled. Her palm mmed the table. ¡°That dinner is not just dinner, Tess. You can¡¯t go!¡±
¡°She¡¯s right. Ken is safe now. You don¡¯t need to take the risk.¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice added strength to the warning.
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Chapter 444 Condition
:
Tess pressed her lips tight, unease growing heavy inside her.
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¡°Think about it. He should have taken Ken. At least he should have used the dinner to keep him from me. Why did he let Ken return so easily?¡±
Her words fell heavy, like stones sinking in water.
Silence followed.
Their eyes met, confusion filling them all.
¡°Then are you going to go?¡±
Raven finally spoke, her voice low. Her gaze fixed on Tess.
Tess tightened her fingers and turned to Raven with sudden focus. ¡°Before I decide, tell me. The thing I asked you to investigate¨Cdid you find anything?¡±
For years she had thought Kylie gave Nadine the file. Later she learned the file was not what destroyed her. Something else had been behind it. And another possibility surfaced.
Raven blinked, caught off guard by the shift. Then she pulled a folder from her bag. ¡°Of course.¡±
She spread the papers wide. ¡°The case from a year ago¨Cthe one where they used you of stealing Lock Group¡¯s secrets¨Cwas closed fast. The evidence is thin. But I dug up something.¡±
Her finger tapped a page.
Tess leaned close, her eyes narrowing. Raven had hacked into thepany itself. Screenshots of surveince footage wereid out on the sheets.
Raven grinned, her teeth shing white. ¡°I hacked into Lock Group¡¯s system.¡±
She pointed at the images. ¡°On the day the files leaked, only a handful of people entered the records room. Most were staff. Only one stood out.¡±
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Chapter 445 The Posttion
Chapter 445 The Posttion
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 445
Chapter 445 The Posttion
¡°Nadine.¡±
B
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Lyra¡¯s brows furrowed hard, her eyes narrowing as she fixed on thest photo at the bottom of the screen.
¡°Yeah. When she walked out, it looked like she slipped something out with her.¡±
Raven tapped on the screen, forcing the other two to zero in on Nadine¡¯s hand.
The grainy footage showed Nadine leaning carefully out of the camera¡¯s reach. Her body tilted, blocking the lens, while her right hand brushed over the pocket on her thigh. That same hand slid across the shelf in the records room. The movement was unclear, too quick and hidden, but it was purposeful.
That strange, deliberate motion reeked of suspicion.
¡°Wait.¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice cut through the air, snapping the thread of thought that ran between them.
The others turned their eyes on her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°How did you manage to get Lock Group¡¯s surveince so easily? I know you¡¯re skilled, Raven. I trust you. But Lock Group¡¯s security system is no joke. It¡¯s one of the strongest in this country. Maybe even the strongest anywhere.¡±
Lyra¡¯s gaze locked on Raven like a de.
Raven fell silent.
¡°And Finn kept insisting he was digging into what happened a year ago. But he never turned up any proof. If he really did check, then how could Lock Group¡¯s own CEO not get ess to footage from his ownpany?¡±
Lyra¡¯s words carried weight, each syble heavy.
Tess¡¯s eyes went dark with thought.
She scratched at her scalp, hesitant. ¡°Uh¡ I found it in the trash folder on one of Lock Group¡¯sputers.¡±
The room froze. Silence hit like a wall.
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Chapter 445 The Posttion
Tess¡¯s lips curved in awkward hesitation.
If that was true, then maybe it wasn¡¯t impossible.
Who would ever think a year¨Cold deleted file would still be sitting there in the trash?
Lyra pinched the bridge of her nose. Awkwardness settled heavily over her.
So Raven¡¯s angle was odd, but maybe it worked.
You kept the original file, right?¡±
Lyra cleared her throat, breaking the silence.
Raven pulled out a sh drive and pressed it against her chest with pride. ¡°Of course.
A
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¡°Even if it doesn¡¯t show me inside the records room, it proves I wasn¡¯t there. That means the story fromst year finally has an exnation.¡±
Tess pressed her fingers into her forehead, thinking hard. But unease gnawed at her.
If the footage didn¡¯t catch her, then why had Nadine sworn it was her? And why had Finn believed her without a shred of evidence?
She gave voice to the doubt burning inside. Lyra¡¯s face turned grave.
Tess knew Lyra understood thew better than anyone here.
Thew in Aetheris was strict. No one should ever be locked away without hard evidence.
¡°Nadine¡¯s poison. She probably yed some dirty trick back then.¡±
Raven¡¯s voice was cold and sharp, slicing through the heavy silence.
The moment snapped.
¡°Tess, right now what matters is catching Henry. The mess from a year ago can wait.
Lyra¡¯s tone was steady, leaving no room for argument.
Tess¡¯s fingers dug into her palm.
She nodded and forced herself to breathe.
The one stuck in the past was her.
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Chapter 445 The Posttion
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She pushed it down and spoke clear. ¡°Ken¡¯s already been found. Once he¡¯s ready, he can testify. And Zane gave me the paternity test. It proves Henry and Nadine are father and daughter. That¡¯s enough to corner him.¡±
Each piece stacked higher. With every word, their case grew stronger. Lyra and Raven both let faint smiles soften their faces.
Henry¡¯s day of reckoning hade.
¡°But what about Shannon?¡±
Lyra lifted her head, her voice tight. ¡°Are we really letting her go without justice?¡±
The evidence only tied Nadine to Henry as his illegitimate child. It couldn¡¯t erase the im that Shannon was gone. It couldn¡¯t prove Nadine was truly Shannon¡¯s daughter. Ken¡¯s testimony only showed Henry¡¯s cruelty and his part in the crash years ago.
¡°Exactly. If Henry keeps denying it, then all we¡¯ve got is proof of cheating. That¡¯s nothing more than scandal. It won¡¯t destroy him.¡±
Raven¡¯s voice dropped. Her jaw locked, her eyes dark.
She had always been the type to return hurt with tenfold vengeance.
To dig so deep and gather so much, only for Henry to walk away almost untouched¨Cit was unbearable.
¡°Of course not. I¡¯ll see him ruined. I¡¯ll see him shattered.¡±
Tess¡¯s head lifted. Her dark eyes burned with iron resolve.
Kingnd.
Shaw Corporation.
¡°Abel.¡±
Demi no longer wore the leather jacket from the airport. Now she stood in a tailored light¨Cblue suit that hugged her waist and cut a sharp, professional line.
Abel, in contrast, wore only a in white shirt and trousers. A pair of dark sses rested on his
nose.
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Chapter 445 The Posttion
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He looked clean, boyish, and strangely gentle, so out of ce against the towering steel and stone around them.
¡°Mom sent me to tell you this. She won¡¯t see you.¡±
Demi¡¯s lips curved as she spoke. Her tone was cool, clipped, all business. Yet her words hit Abel¡¯s chest with a sting that made it ache.
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Keepsake 446
Chapter 446 1 Shall See Her
Chapter 446 1 Shall See Her
¡°Move. I¡¯m going to see her.¡±
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Abel¡¯s face darkened, his voice cold as his eyes locked on the slim figure blocking his way.
Demi shook her head, her tone steady. ¡°Abel, let it go.¡±
The second those words left her mouth, Abel¡¯s stare turned icy. The air between them grew sharp and heavy.
Demi didn¡¯t falter. She went on, her voice smooth, almost careless. ¡°Mom won¡¯t let this happen. Neither will the Shaws. Our family has held its name for generations. The only one who married beneath their rank was Uncle. And he was cut off from the Shaws long ago.¡±
Her lips curved, her eyes arching with a smile that carried no warmth. ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re nning to cut yourself out of the family too?¡±
Her softugh carried no kindness.
¡°And one more thing. I looked into it. That Tess you¡¯ve been so obsessed with ¡ she¡¯s the same woman Uncle Finn married. Word is, they¡¯re divorced now. But tell me, Abel, did that have something to do with you?¡±
She feigned surprise, her mouth opening in a false gasp. Her eyes stayed t, as cold as ss.
Abel¡¯s stare cut into her like a de. Shadows gathered around him as he narrowed his eyes.
Then he gave a low, humorlessugh. ¡°You¡¯re the one who should give up. And Demi, tell me. Since when has the family been able to choose who I marry?¡±
He stepped forward. Each step carried weight until he stood so close she could feel his breath.
His tall frame loomed, casting her in shadow. The pressure crashed down like a wave.
¡°If I made her divorce Uncle, then that proves I was skilled.¡±
Hisugh was soft, but his words dripped with contempt.
¡°And when Mom and Grandpa find out? You can¡¯t even step outside Kingnd. What makes you think you can ever marry her?¡±
Demi bit her lip hard. The mask she wore cracked apart. Her skin drained pale, her words twisted back on her.
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Chapter 446 1 Shall See Her
Abel¡¯s brow furrowed, irritation sparking in his eyes.
He had returned to the Shaws only days ago. He barely rested before he dove into thepany¡¯s affairs. In just a few days, he secured several major projects. He gave everything to prove his worth, to show his grandfather his strength and his loyalty.
Yet this morning, when he went to see Grandfather, he was met with nothing but a fleeting nce and one cold line, ¡°Ask your mother.¡±
So he came here, seeking Miranda. And she had refused to see him. As if she had known he woulde.
Fire raged in Abel¡¯s chest.
In these few days, he learned the weight of longing. A single day apart dragged like years.
Demi watched his silence, and her lips curved with victory. Her eyes glimmered with pride.
A man chained by love had no right to lead thepany.
¡°Work clothes are supposed to be professional.¡±
Her gaze trailed over Abel¡¯s figure. Her tone was polite, her smile practiced. Yet every word carried a hint of challenge.
Abel nced at her, then looked straight past as though she wasn¡¯t there.
¡°Demi,pany rules may be fixed. I am the one who makes them.¡±
Did they think blocking him here would stop him?
His voice was clear and sharp, smooth as steel. It carried a chill that lingered long after.
¡°Fine.¡±
Demi froze, standing as if she were nothing but air.
Even as Abel walked away, her lips stayed curved in a smile. But her eyes darkened, hard as ice.
He had mocked her again.
Since childhood, Abel had always stood above her, always pressed her down. Her ambition burned hot, but she had nowhere to release it.
Her nails dug into her palm, the polish scraping skin. Outwardly, she kept her
grace,
her
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Chapter 446 I Shall See Her
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Her phone buzzed.
Demi lowered her eyes to the screen. She took a slow, steady breath, then lifted her head high and walked toward the top¨Cfloor conference hall.
The hall was packed, every chair taken except one at the back.
¡°Demi, Violet is here. Why are you sote today?¡±
Miranda¡¯s frown was sharp as she scolded Demi.
¡°It¡¯s fine. I came early. Demi, sit.¡±
Violet¡¯s smile was warm, her voice soft. It swept away the sting of Miranda¡¯s words.
Demi bowed her head, whispered an apology, and slipped into thest open seat.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Abel. He sat at the head of the hall, sunk into the grandest chair like a king on his throne. His body stretched back, rxed yetmanding. His presence filled the room, regal and untouchable.
She forced herself to look away. She lowered her gaze, hiding the storm in her eyes.
Violet¡¯s eyes lingered on her for a breath, then drifted on as if nothing had been seen.
¡°Violet, what brings you here today?¡±
Miranda¡¯s tone shifted, warm and familiar.
The Larsons had always been one of Kingnd¡¯s strongest houses. Their power was steady, their roots deep. They had stood for years, like a mountain unmoved by time.
¡°Naturally, I came because there¡¯s a case to discuss with your family. I brought the contract for all of you to review.¡±
Her voice was calm. Then her eyes flicked to her secretary.
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 447 Violet Digs Deeper
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 447
Chapter 447 Violet Digs Deeper
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Miranda¡¯s secretary took the file from her and, with a subtle nod from Miranda, carefully ced it in front of Abel.
Abel frowned when he saw it; irritation almost leaked from his eyes.
¡°The old man wants to groom Abel; now, most of the Shaw holdings are under his control.
Miranda exined with a smile.
¡°Abel is young and already runs such a massive business empire¡ªthat impresses me.¡±
Violet made a few polite remarks and then quietly waited for Abel to read.
¡°Why is the Larsons offering us so many concessions?¡±
Abel closed the folder and pushed it back.
He always seemed casual, but with one quick look, he¡¯d spotted the oddness in the paperwork; that made Violet¡¯s earlier assessment of him carry weight¨Cthis guy really was one of the top dogs in Kingnd.
¡°That¡¯s right, I¡¯m offering the concessions willingly. But I have some questions.¡±
Violet agreed frankly andid out her purpose.
¡°Questions for me?¡±
¡°Questions for me?¡± Abel¡¯s brow furrowed in genuine puzzlement.
If he hadn¡¯t known the Larsons wereing, he might not have agreed to meet at all. He was curious about the Ember family by blood rtion, but he didn¡¯t expect that the first time he met the head of the Larsons, she¡¯d single him out.
¡°Yes. We¡¯re nning a trip to Aetheris; I hear you just returned from there.¡±
Violet smiled gently, like a warm breeze.
Abel sensed something off, but outwardly, he remainedposed. ¡°You want to ask why?¡±
¡°The Embers.¡±
At those two words, the room went quiet; everyone looked puzzled, but Abel¡¯s gaze sharpened.
19:51 hu, Nov 6
Chapter 447 Violet Digs Deeper
A flicker passed across his eyes and then was gone.
He lifted his chin slightly. ¡°The Embers?¡±
Violet didn¡¯t press immediately¨Cshe scanned the room, taking in the faces.
50
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Miranda understood at once and pped her hands, motioning for everyone else to leave.
Demi hadn¡¯t moved; Violet¡¯s gaze settled on her. ¡°Ms. Shaw, you went too?¡±
Violet¡¯s smile narrowed into something almost too friendly¨Cwords like a gentle de.
Demi¡¯s fingers tightened; she felt exposed.
¡°Demi, please step out.¡±
Miranda¡¯s tone turned sharp when Demi hadn¡¯t budged.
¡°Sorry, I was distracted.¡±
Demi snapped back to reality, got up, and left without dy.
Violet¡¯s eyes lingered on Demi¡¯s retreating back, deep in thought. Once Miranda closed the meeting room door, Violet refocused on Abel.
¡°What exactly do you want to know?¡±
¡°Twenty years ago, a daughter from the Larsons married into the Embers and lost contact with her family. Recently, there¡¯ve been faint traces¨Crumors she¡¯s in Aetheris. I also heard you just came back from Aetheris, so I wanted to ask.¡±
Violet spoke slowly, sipping the tea on the table; every gesture was calm andposed.
Abel studied her.
He did the math: the woman sitting across could well be Tess¡¯s aunt.
Though he¡¯d thought poorly of Kylie¨Creckless and childish¨Cthis woman had a colder, deeper edge that made him wary.
¡°There is an Ember family in Aetheris now.¡±
She rxed a fraction at his confirmation and let her hand resume its casual grip on the cup.
¡°I also heard you wanted to go to Aetheris, but the elders in your family disagreed. I can help
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 447 Violet Digs Deeper
negotiate with them.¡±
¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡±
Abel kept his cool, but his mind churned.
He¡¯d met Kylie, a reckless fool; this woman was different¨Ccalcted and dangerous.
Violet¡¯s gaze was steady. ¡°Youe with us to Aetheris.¡±
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Abel watched her, noting the faint smile on her lips and the steady cadence of her voice.
¡°Fine.¡±
They soon stepped out of the meeting room. Violet took the initiative to shake Miranda¡¯s hand.
¡°Mr. Shaw didn¡¯t disappoint. I¡¯m looking forward to working together.¡±
Miranda couldn¡¯t help stealing another look at Abel; given his temperament, she¡¯d expected pushback, not praise. That surprised her.
¡°You¡¯re too kind. If my child said anything offensive, please forgive him.¡±
¡°No worries, I¡¯m very satisfied.¡±
Violet patted Miranda¡¯s hand and moved on.
¡°The Larsons haven¡¯t shown themselves in years; I didn¡¯t expect their first deal to go through so smoothly.¡±
¡°Abel lives up to his reputation.¡±
Shareholders murmured their approval while Demi clenched her fists in the corner.
¡°I¡¯m leaving for Aetheris tomorrow¨Ctell Shania to pack my things.¡±
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Keepsake 448
Chapter 448 Max Trying Hard
Abel watched his mother and spoke softly.
:
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Miranda knit her brows, thinking he still hadn¡¯t given up; her face hardened, and she was ready to refuse.
¡°Yes, that¡¯s our condition for the concession. Mr. Shaw has already signed the contract¨Cplease honor the agreement.¡±
Violet had left, but her secretary was still there with the file, waiting to hand it off to Shaw Corporation¡¯s staff.
At those words, Miranda¡¯s expression instantly soured.
She looked up at Abel and, sure enough, caught the faint arch of his brow.
A rebellious son! Really growing a spine.
But Abel was in an excellent mood; humming to himself, he didn¡¯t even go back to the office- he took a cab straight home.
:
At the Kenobi Lake Residence.
Max already had a spread of tempting dishesid out in front of him¨Ctop¨Cshelf ingredients, elegant ting¨Cevery detail showing how much he¡¯d cared enough to prepare for whoever wasing.
Still, the hot dishes had cooled on the table, and an hour had passed beyond their agreed time.
Max¡¯s jaw tightened; the smile that usually lived in his eyes had turned to frost.
Just as he started to think Tess had stood him up for good, he stood and saw a figure in ck approaching.
Tess Ember wore afortable, tasteful ck skirt and top. She arrivedte, yes, wasn¡¯t a trace of hurry on her face.
Max sat back down; whatever negative mood he¡¯d been carrying evaporated.
¡°I thought you weren¡¯ting.¡±
but there
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 448 Max Trying Hard
¡°I really didn¡¯t want to.¡±
Tess answered with a sarcastic edge, throwing a barb his way.
Max only smiled, unfazed by her resistance.
¡°Try this.¡±
He used the serving fork to put a piece of fish on Tess¡¯s te.
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He¡¯d once lived close to Tess¡¯s grandmother¡¯s house and had been drawn in by the scent of her grandmother¡¯s grilled salmon with chili¨Clime ze¨Che¡¯d drooled over the railings, and the grandmother, kind as she was, would always invite him in and offer a meal.
Tess had been a pretty, delicate child back then; she¡¯d act possessive if Grandma gave him an extra piece.
¡°I don¡¯t like fish. It smells fishy.¡±
Tess pushed the fish aside with an unused fork.
Since her grandmother passed, she hadn¡¯t eaten fish again.
Max froze for a beat, then slowly withdrew his hand.
¡°Then, try something else.¡±
¡°Max, just say what you want. Is this really just some nostalgic get¨Ctogether?¡±
Tess cut him off bluntly.
She had no patience when it came to him.
Max¡¯s face went briefly ugly; he stared at Tess, then set his fork down. ¡°Do we really have to get to this point? You won¡¯t even talk to me?¡±
¡°Max, am I supposed to be grateful to you?¡±
Tess sounded like she¡¯d heard a joke.
¡°If you hadn¡¯t kidnapped Ken, I wouldn¡¯t have had to run back to Aetheris in the middle of the night to find him. And you keep saying you pity what I went through¡ªbut didn¡¯tst year¡¯s mess have your fingerprints all over it?¡±
Tess spoke each word slowly, eyes locked on Max¡¯s.
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 448 Max Trying Hard
Sure enough¨Cshe¡¯d caught a tiny tremor in his pupils.
450
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¡°You resisted me, so I had to use drastic measures. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have agreed to see me at all,¡± Max said, lowering his head; he looked miserable and hollow.
That pitiful look earned Tess only a sneer.
Max had a darkness about him that made people uneasy; anyone who fell for that sorrowful act would be a fool.
¡°A year ago, yes, I rode the fallout from the damage to the Lock Group¡¯s secrets to push the Hunt Group to the top. But I¡¯m a businessman¨Cwhen opportunity knocks, you don¡¯t let it pass.¡±
¡°Tess, the real ones who hurt you were Finn and Nadine. I¡¯ve been trying to help you¡ªtrying to pull you away from Finn and the Embers.¡±
Tess lifted her chin. Max¡¯s eyes were earnest, desperate to convince her.
¡°So, now I should thank you?¡±
Tessughed coldly.
She¡¯d always been striking¨Clike a pale wall painted with a single, vivid red blossom¨Cbeautiful,posed, and sharp.
Max¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed; his gaze red with heat. ¡°Of course.¡±
¡°Tess, you¡¯re divorced from Finn now. Be with me¨Chere in Aetheris, you won¡¯t have to lower yourself to anyone, and nobody can frame you.¡±
His heartbeat quickened; he felt like he was inching closer to a lifelong dream.
Tess¡¯s brow suddenly tightened.
¡
¡°Is that so?¡± She sounded mildly interested, propping her chin on her hand. ¡°Framed you say you can clear my name. Fine¨Cthen who actually stole Lock Group¡¯s secrets a year ago? Was I wrong about you all along?¡±
19:51 hu, Nov 6
Chapter 449 Odd Sensation
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 449
hapter 449 Odd Sensation
Tess looked puzzled.
That brief hesitation was all it took to ignite something in Max.
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¡°Tess, you really misunderstood me. Back then, you pointed the finger at me because I benefited the most a year ago. But I swear, I was innocent.¡±
¡°Then, tell me¨Cwho was actually guilty?¡±
Tess fixed Max with a searching stare.
Max met her eyes; he knew she was probing, but he took a breath and said slowly, ¡°Nadine.
Tess¡¯s fingers tightened on her fork.
¡°You sure?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Max showed no hint of lying¨Ccalm, almost fatalistic.
He lifted his gaze to hers. ¡°Raven should¡¯ve pulled the surveince footage by now, right?¡±
At those words, Tess mmed her fork down on the table.
She looked
up,
sudden and sharp. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Max smiled faintly. ¡°The footage from a year ago¨Cif even Finn couldn¡¯t find it, how could you have tracked it down so easily?¡±
¡°So you nted that clue on purpose? Why give it to me?¡±
Tess watched him warily, trying to read whatever scheme he had tucked away.
¡°Tess, you can rx around me. I want to help you. This isn¡¯t some ploy to win you over¨Cjust don¡¯t keep shutting me out.¡±
Max¡¯s voice was earnest; those warm, moonlit eyes made his words feel like heat on her chest.
But Tess¡¯s skin crawled.
Gross.
If she didn¡¯t already suspect Max had a hand inst year¡¯s mess¨Cif she didn¡¯t suspect he and
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 449 Odd Sensation
Nadine might both be involved¨Cshe could¡¯ve been fooled by this show of feeling.
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¡°If you say you love me, and you have that surveince on hand, why let Nadine frame me?¡±
Tess watched him hard, and sure enough, she saw his expression crack for a split second.
¡°Tess, I did try. But back then, everyone knew I was close to you, and Finn always resented me. They never gave me a chance to bring proof. I exhausted myself trying to help, and in the end, you still went to prison.¡±
Regret spread across Max¡¯s face.
Hearing him¨Cwatching him¨Cmade Tess feel like the world inside her turned over.
Hypocrite.
¡°You showed up and aren¡¯t touching your food ¡ ¡± Max said, lowering his eyes; for a beat, he looked mournful, then perked up and added, ¡°If that dish doesn¡¯t suit you, I¡¯ll have them bring a fruit wine.¡±
He was trying to change the subject.
Tess offered a half¨Csmile but didn¡¯t engage. ¡°Fine. I heard this ce has a new cherry wine.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll get it.¡®¡±
Max didn¡¯t hesitate; he called a server and specifically asked for a low¨Calcohol option.
Thoughtful¨Cyet the man in front of her was far from the big brother she¡¯d once known.
Tess turned her gaze out to theke.
Kenobi Lake Residence¨Cthe ce was named for the round mirror¨Clikeke outside the window.
Night wasing; the sunset faded, and golden ribbons spread over the water, still glittering.
Tess stared and felt oddly detached.
¡°Miss, your low¨Cproof cherry wine.¡±
The drink arrived quickly; Max helped set a straw in the ss and pushed it toward her.
¡°Try it.¡±
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 449 Odd Sensation
Under his eager look, Tess studied the wine.
It was a deep red¨Cshe couldn¡¯t help but think of blood.
She frowned; something about the ss set her on edge.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
She hesitated, and Max, concerned, urged, ¡°It¡¯s warm out¨Cdrink before it melts.¡±
Tess hesitated, then took a sip.
The cherry was bold and weirdly intense; the chilled fruit juice was oddly refreshing.
She took another sip, then set it down.
¡°How is it?¡±
Max nced at the ss, then back at her.
¡°Not bad.¡±
? ?
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Tess gave a perfunctory answer, grabbed her bag, and stood. ¡°I¡¯ve had my drink. I¡¯ll be going
now.¡±
Max didn¡¯t stop her; he stayed seated. ¡°Alright.¡±
Tess rose quickly¨Cmaybe she¡¯d sat too long¨Cshadows seemed to blur in front of her for a
moment.
She blinked and the dizziness passed.
She chalked it up to a moment of low blood pressure and walked out briskly.
Halfway to the door, she had to steady herself against the frame.
She rubbed her temple; the room felt oddly tilted.
Her first thought went straight to that ss of cherry wine.
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Keepsake 450
Chapter 450 Max Drugs Tess
Wait, wasn¡¯t that a low¨Calcohol drink?
She¡¯s handled hard liquor before¨Chow could two sips of fruity wine get her drunk?
Tess shook her head, trying to clear the fog, but it didn¡¯t help.
She fumbled for her phone to call Lyra and have her pick her up.
Before she could dial, a hand closed around the phone.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? You look like you¡¯re feeling unwell.¡±
Max¡¯s voice was low, with a dangerous, ttering edge.
Tess forced her eyes open and tried to focus, but the world wouldn¡¯te into focus.
¡°Max?¡±
It took her a long moment to ce him.
¡°You look drunk. I¡¯ll take you to rest,¡± he said, gentle and obliging.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and began guiding her somewhere.
Tess went limp against him, only half supporting herself on his strength.
She walked in a haze, clueless about where she was being led.
¡°Tess, you really can¡¯t hold your liquor.¡±
His tone had turned sticky, like a snake coiling and dripping venom.
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10 Free Going
Tess felt her head spinning, her legs barely holding her up, and the world was swirling in front of her eyes.
She blinked, trying to straighten up, but couldn¡¯t steady herself. Without Max, she¡¯d probably copse.
Watching her fade, Max¡¯s expression darkened with intent.
He pressed close and, voice hoarse and coaxing, murmured, ¡°Tess, I¡¯ll get you to rest. You¡¯re very unwell right now.¡±
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 450 Max Drugs Tess
?? ?
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Those words sounded like a luby in her ear; after he said them, she felt hotter, a flush rising from her neck into her face, and her world grew even more blurry.
¡°Mm¡
¡±
Her voice drooped. Max¡¯s eyes lit - up.
He moved her straight to the nearest hotel, taking a back route with few witnesses. At the front desk, they barely nced at him and processed the check¨Cin quickly.
But not far away, in a corner they hadn¡¯t even noticed, Raven stared at Max through clenched teeth. ¡°I knew he was up to no good. No wonder he was so eager to hand over Ken.¡±
¡°Ambush,¡± Lyra said, voice cold.
¡°What do we do now? Tess just went up with him.¡±
Raven frowned hard. They had anticipated something like this and nned for it¡ªbut the idea of Tess alone in a hotel room with Max still made them uneasy.
¡°I had a tracker and camera¨Cwatch installed on her¨CSteven delivered it this afternoon.¡±
¡°Steven?¡±
Raven hadn¡¯t heard the name before.
¡°Steven¨Can old friend of Tess¡¯s, good in tech,¡± Lyra exined, then patted Raven¡¯s shoulder.
¡°Check theptop. See if the feed is updating in real time.¡±
Raven opened the thinptop he¡¯d brought; the prepared web page showed a live stream.
Because Tess¡¯s steps were unsteady, the footage shook more than normal.
They crouched in a shadowed corner, one keeping an eye on the hotel, the other recording the feed.
¡°Tess, do you know how long I¡¯ve waited for this day?¡±
The camera shifted just in time to catch Max¡¯s greedy face. His gaze on Tess was intense, devout, possessive¨Cthe look of a man who thinks he¡¯s finally getting what he¡¯s wanted.
From the moment he¡¯d first seen the delicate girl by the flowered railing, his heart had raced.
Max stared at Tess and didn¡¯t even notice the tiny red recording dot blinking next to the
19:51 Thu, Nov 6
Chapter 450 Max Drugs Tess
delicate watch on her wrist.
Tess was clearly out of it¨Cdrunk, or drugged¨Cher eyes ssy, her head unfocused.
Outside, Lyra and Raven swore at Max¡¯s callousness and the way he¡¯d set this up.
¡°Max? I¡¯m not well. I need to rest¨Clet go.¡±
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Tess tried to push him away; sleepiness clung to her like wet clothes and dragged her down.
But Max¡¯s hand slid up, gently cupping her cheek.
¡°Tess, it¡¯s just the medicine kicking in. Wait a bit¡ªyou¡¯ll feel better.¡±
Greed leaked through his words.
Tess had already lost her bearings; she couldn¡¯t make sense of him. She blinked and asked, nkly, ¡°What are you saying? Medicine? Did I take something?¡±
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Keepsake 451
Chapter 451 Nadine¡¯s Scheme
Chapter 451 Nadine¡¯s Scheme
And seeing her like that only made Max more obsessed.
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His patience felt endless; he reached out and stroked her hair with exaggerated gentleness. ¡°Mm, Tess, take the medicine. I will sleep with you tonight, you¡¯ll feel better in the morning.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t make sense of much anymore¨Cshe stared nkly and, half¨Cawake, nodded once. ¡°Medicine¡ sleep¡ better. Grandma said the same.¡±
Her whisper was soft and sweet.
Max moved to remove her outer coat.
If an outsider saw the scene, they¡¯d call him considerate¨Cwho¡¯d guess the ugly, filthy intent under that handsome, gentle face?
He peeled the coat away, and Tess¡¯s smooth, pale shoulder showed like a polished white pearl.
A dark light flickered in Max¡¯s eyes. Facing her dazed gaze, he should have felt shame¨Cbut he felt only excitement.
He was going to have her.
Tess was stubborn to the point of recklessness and decisive. She¡¯d loved Finn hard once, and after prison, she¡¯d divorced him without looking back. By rights, she should have cut him off entirely¨Cyet she still had ties to him now.
Jealousy fermented in Max¡¯s chest; he kept narrowing it down to the same conclusion: she¡¯d slept with Finn, maybe even had his child. If Tess wouldn¡¯t ept him, then maybe¨Cif Max did to her what Finn had ¡
The thought scattered his focus; the idea of standing beside Tess sent a thrilling shiver through him.
He closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss her.
Those cherry lips he¡¯d imagined for so long¨Cwas he finally going to get them?
His heart hammered so loud he could feel it in his throat.
¡°Come on! Stop dawdling¨CNadine said this is going to be the hot scoop in a day or two. She leaked it industry¨Cwide herself. Whoever breaks it first wins!¡±
A skulk of people had appeared outside the hotel, craning their necks and peeking around.
They kept ncing down at their phones, like they were checking for updates.
When everyone confirmed what they¡¯d seen, they slipped into the lobby together.
The desk was about to stop them, but a long line of people poured in, and the staff, worried about safety, stepped aside to call for
help.
¡°Nadine, what are you doing?¡±
A low¨Ckey luxury car idled nearby.
Chapter 451 Nadine¡¯s Scheme
Nadine squinted at the convoy outside; Henry frowned. ¡°Nadine, what¡¯s going on?¡±
Hiring that many reporters must cost a fortune.
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Times weren¡¯t what they used to be¨CKylie¡¯s wedding dress didn¡¯t sell, and the family¡¯s lifestyle couldn¡¯t go back to past extravagance. Henry¡¯s old frugal habits were resurfacing.
¡°Dad, don¡¯t worry. Tess keeps defying you¨Cshe needs a lesson,¡± Nadine said coolly, eyes fixed on the hotel lobby.
Tess¨Ccaught cheating in bed this time¨Cwhat would she say then?
Nadine had nned to use Max and their theft of Lock Group secrets to drag Tess down. Instead, Tess had kept slipping out of every trap and somehow ended up as Cavrielle¡¯s guest designer, celebrated by people like Abel and Connor.
Why her? She didn¡¯t deserve it¨Cnot in Nadine¡¯s book.
Jealousy and resentment swelled until Nadine wanted to rip Tess apart.
Even if she was born with less, Henry truly loved Shannon, and she had always been the favored one growing up¨Cmore spoiled than Tess. Besides, if Tess¡¯s mother hadn¡¯t butted in and blocked her parents back then, the rightful first daughter of the Embers would¡¯ve been Nadine! Tess has been sitting in my ce this whole time! If it weren¡¯t for Tess, I wouldn¡¯t carry the stain of having been detained!
The more Nadine thought about it, the wilder the anger churned in her chest, boiling and surging until she wanted to run upstairs and tear Tess to pieces.
But a scene she¡¯d imagined flickered through her mind, and the heat in her throat slowly cooled; her mouth curved into a strange, tight smile.
It¡¯s fine¨Cjust wait a little longer. Once my n rolls out, Tess will be ruined; soon, the whole of Aetheris will be shouting for her head.
Out front, the crowd fell into a quiet choreography. Ten steps from the entrance, they slowed, tiptoed forward, huddled at the door, and kept checking their phones for the cue.
Max had no idea what was going on out there. Inside, he had beenpletely lost in the woman before him.
He leaned in closer to the person he¡¯d been dreaming about.
But just as he was only a finger¡¯s width away from Tess, something louder than his heartbeat pierced through the room.
8:31 pm P
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Keepsake 452
hapter 452 Tess Turns the Tables
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Tess¨Cwho a moment ago had been like a puppet at his mercy¨Csuddenly snapped to her feet, every movement sharp and decisive,
Before Max could react, she pressed the face of the watch. A thin, lethal spike emerged, and Tess aimed it straight at Max¡¯s cheek.
¡°Max, guess which one of us is the hunter and which one¡¯s the prey.¡±
She gave her neck a small twist; a crisp snap of bone sounded.
Max¡¯s zed, drugged look vanished in an instant.
He frowned, staring at the woman in front of him who no longer looked dazed. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Where was that weak, barely standing woman from just moments ago?
¡°How-? The drug didn¡¯t take effect?¡±
He muttered to himself, but before he could think further, a mockingugh sounded above his head.
¡°What do you mean?¡±
Tess smiled coldly and closed the distance, bringing the watch on her wrist up close to his face¨Cso close you could see the pores on his skin.
¡°What is that?¡±
Max¡¯s senses kicked in; his expression froze, and his eyes locked on the device strapped to her wrist.
A silverdies¡® watch looked pretty against her pale skin, but the more he looked, the colder he felt.
At this point, even someone slow on the uptake ought to realize something was wrong.
What had been a setup to trap Tess had flipped; confronted by her deliberately calm eyes, he felt the walls closing in¨Che¡¯d walked right into a snare.
Bang-
Just as they stood there in tense silence, the door was violently shoved open from outside.
¡°Quick!¡±
¡°Ms. Ember! You just got divorced and now you¡¯re cozying up to your childhood sweetheart¨Cdon¡¯t you feel any guilt?¡±
¡°Ms. Ember, a year ago, Mr. Hunt was the biggest beneficiary of the Lock Group¡¯s leaked trade secrets. Now, you¡¯re seen with him¡ª are you saying you two were already nning this a year ago?¡±
¡°Ms. Ember, you promised to clear up the rumors about the Ember family¨Cthere are only a few days left and still no statement from you. Instead, you¡¯re alone in a hotel room with Mr. Hunt. Did you n this, or are you helpless and had to call on him for help?¡±
8:31 pm p
Chapter 452 Tess Turns the Tables
Tess frowned as spotlights shed wildly in her face.
The reporters swarmed like locusts; she and Max were the field they¡¯de to devour.
Her movements and whereabouts were supposed to be private¨Chow did they even know she was here?
Her heart sank. Instinctively, she nced back at Max to check his reaction.
He looked just as stunned.
Putting the reporters aside, Tess¡¯s suspicionnded on her own family.
If anyone wanted to make sure she couldn¡¯t talk her way out, it would be the Embers.
The reporters quickly realized what was happening, too.
Some, eager to shoot, had already started pressing shutters without really taking in the scene.
Now, they looked dazed, unsure what they¡¯d captured.
Tess aimed at Max, wrist steady, posture proud¨Cthis was no tawdry tryst the press had been angling for.
¡°Do you know this is illegal?¡±
She smoothed herself, collected every thread ofposure, voice t and calm.
The reporters froze for a beat.
They¡¯d fired off question after question, but she wasn¡¯t biting at all.
¡°Ms. Ember, are you avoiding our questions because you¡¯re guilty?¡±
Even now, some stubborn reporter tried to push her.
Tess swept them with a look sharp as a de; the boldest reporter immediately shrank back.
That silence spread through the lobby like ice.
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¡°I¡¯ve always thought anyone in the news business should have at least a basic grasp of thew,¡± Tess said, voice cool and intimidating.
¡°I have no obligation to answer any of your outlets¡® questions.¡±
Her voice was icily calm¨Cthe words were a refusal, but there wasn¡¯t a hint of guilt or evasiveness in them.
¡°But given certain questions, I can offer a partial response.¡±
Tess cleared her throat, voice t. ¡°Regarding being in a hotel room with Max, I am the victim. My wristwatch records; the footage and audio can attest to everything.I will investigate and pursue this matter.
¡°And the rification I promised earlier¨CI haven¡¯t forgotten. It¡¯s ongoing, and you¡¯ll get an answer in due time.¡±
The reporters, intimidated by her presence, could only nod awkwardly as if they understood.
Chapter 453 Legal Action
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 453
Chapter 453 Legal Action
¡°Oh, and just so you know, I¡¯ll be taking legal action against all of you as well.¡±
Tess suddenly smiled.
The second those words left her mouth, the reporters who had been about to leave empty handed froze mid¨Cstep, staring at her in shock.
¡°What?¡±
¡°Ms. Ember, what are you implying?!¡±
Now that the spotlight was on them, unease crept over their faces.
Tess¡® smile remained, but her gaze turned sharp. ¡°Do you really think you¡¯re meless?¡±
She folded her arms, her eyes mocking and confident, exuding a natural dominance that made people instinctively yield.
¡°Who brought you here? Name the one pulling the strings, and maybe I¡¯ll consider sparing you.¡±
She kept smiling, her demeanor calm and steady.
Max, who had been watching silently from the sidelines, finally sensed something was amiss.
So these reporters hadn¡¯te by chance¡ Someone had lured them here to trap him?
A chill slid down Max¡¯s back, his brows casting his eyes in deep shadow.
Someone had the audacity to scheme against him behind his back?
Who could it be?
Cold dread spread through Max¡¯s chest, tightening around him.
Tess picked up on the tension, shot him a sidelong nce, then looked away without concern.
If they started turning against each other, it would save her the effort.
¡°Uh¡¡±
The reporters hesitated, exchanging wary looks, caught between fear and doubt.
¡°In that case, I¡¯ll just meet you all in court.¡±
Tess¡® smile was cool as she waved them off. ¡°I¡¯ve got the footage, so wait for subpoenas from yourpanies. Be sure to check your inbox.¡±
As soon as she finished, a pudgy reporter in the back broke first: ¡°It was Nadine!¡±
Once one cracked, the rest quickly followed.
¡°Yeah, she said there was a massive story here! She swore we wouldn¡¯t regret it.¡±
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Chapter 453 Legal Action
¡°That¡¯s right: Leven saved her texts.¡±
20 Free Coins
One by one, they started shifting me.
if Nadine hadn¡¯t dragged them into this, they never would¡¯ve shown up, and now they were facingwsuits.
They hadn¡¯t gotten the scandal she promised; just trouble and regret.
Totally not worth it. Annoyed and bitter, they began venting.
Tess watched their confessions with an cold stare, then nced at the tiny camera hidden in her watch, arching her brow.
Meanwhile, outside the hotel, Lyra was watching the live feed. She caught Tess¡® direct look and grinned.
¡°How¡¯s it looking?¡±
She turned to Raven.
Raven smirked, patting the arm she¡¯d just used to film. ¡°Everything¡¯s recorded.¡±
Their gazes met. Almost at the same time, they noticed a ck car racing off.
They exchanged a knowing smile.
Soon after, people began trickling out of the hotel where Tess had confronted them.
They looked defeated but relieved to escape intact.
¡°Oh, and even if I could drop the subpoenas, you still caused me headaches. Yourpanies can deal with the fallout.¡±
Tess leanedzily against the doorframe, sending them off with a sly, fox¨Clike grin.
Max remained inside, his eyes never leaving the woman in the doorway.
She leaned against it; she was nothing like the soft Tess he used to know. She was far more maic now.
He swallowed hard.
When the room finally settled, Tess turned slowly, her gaze turning frigid.
¡°Max, tell me. If I hadn¡¯t shown up, what would you have done?¡±
She crossed her arms, her face nk, void of warmth.
Max looked straight at her and shook his head. ¡°You¡¯d never stay away.¡±
¡°Why not?¡±
For the first time, Tess¡® expression shifted, her brows pulling together, though she still kept her guard up.
Max¡¯s eyes burned with longing, his darkest truths exposed, no longer hidden.
2/
apter 453 Legal Action
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¡°Because you know what kind of man I am. Ken was only a warning. I kidnapped him once, I could do it again. You appearing here is the only way to settle this.¡±
Max spoke with unnerving frankness, shrugging without an ounce of guilt.
Tessughed, her voice blooming like a crimson flower in snow.
But no one could tell if it was beauty or blood.
¡°So you were certain I¡¯de, and you even had the staff drug the drinks beforehand.¡±
Her words dripped with scorn. ¡°Max, I knew you were rotten, but I never thought you¡¯d sink this low.¡±
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Keepsake 454
454 Consequences
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Max kept a faint smile on his face, pretending Tess¡® words didn¡¯t faze him. But in reality, the hand hidden in his pocket stopped moving and clenched into a fist.
¡°Tess, I¡¯ve got nowhere left to turn.¡±
He raised his eyes to hers, and there was a crazed fire burning in them.
¡°You divorced him, but you still won¡¯t give me a chance. This is all I can do. And you even had a child with him. After everything he put you through, you still gave birth to his kid and treat her like royalty.¡±
A flicker of pain and conflict crossed Max¡¯s expression.
He just couldn¡¯t make sense of it. What did Finn have that hecked? Maybe before, it was about power, but now, he had caught up step by step. Even when Lock Group shed head¨Con with Hunt Group, they didn¡¯t necessarily win.
¡°First of all, I don¡¯t have any interest in you. Since you and Nadine betrayed me together, you should be d I don¡¯t despise you. And someone like you has no right to even mention my daughter. La belongs to me. After our divorce, she has nothing to do with Finn.¡±
Tess spoke clearly.
At that moment, a tall silhouette at the doorway stiffened.
¡°Finn, should we leave?¡±
Zane stood at the entrance, speaking carefully so as not to intrude.
He cast an uneasy look at Finn.
Finn¡¯s lips pressed into a tight line, his face ashen.
Just earlier, Nadine had dumped a pile of scandals about Tess onto the media.
Finn had rushed over with Zane, anxious, straight to the hotel.
But when they arrived, most of the press had already cleared out. From outside, they only overheard this exchange.
Zane had always thought his boss hadn¡¯t treated Tess well, but hearing this now, he felt a rare twinge of pity.
After discovering La was his real daughter, Finn had been both overjoyed and tormented, unable to rest the entire night.
The following morning, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, he told Zane to drive him to the toy store to pick out presents.
That day, truck after truck delivered all kinds of children¡¯s items to Evermount Height.
Cribs, rockers, even a specially made kiddie pool. Brand new dresses and glittering trinkets for girls, plus every possible baby dish and spoon.
By the time he got back, he was so drained he could barely stay on his feet.
Finn¡ He regretted every mistake.
Chapter 454 Consequences
But from Tess¡® demeanor now, nothing he did seemed enough to fix the damage.
¡°Let¡¯s go ¡±
Once he was sure she was safe, Finn couldn¡¯t remain there any longer.
He turned away, his heavy footsteps echoing across the spotless floor, his hand pressed against his chest.
Then, a thought struck him.
Staying close meant heartbreak. Walking away meant losing all joy.
Tess, what am I supposed to do?
Finn looked up, then gave onest, lingering look toward the closed door..
This was the consequence of his own actions. Now, the only thing left was to try to atone to her and their daughter.
As soon as Finn and Zane left, Tess pushed open the door and stepped out.
Max remained inside alone.
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¡°Max, that surveince clip from a year ago wasn¡¯t you saving me. At most, it was you trying to ease your conscience. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to make every person who wronged me pay.
¡°Including you.¡±
Her tone was sharp, filled with unwavering determination and strength.
Max stared at the sweep of her dress as she exited, her cutting words echoing in his chest like emptiness.
Right before Tess walked out, she couldn¡¯t resist ncing down the corridor, sensing someone had been there.
But she brushed it off, shook her head, and strode away.
The moment she exited the hotel, Lyra and Raven hurried up to her. ¡°So? My watch worked, right?¡±
Raven arched a brow, tapping Tess¡® wrist.
¡°Perfectly.¡±
Tess grinned, openly showing her approval.
¡°Oh, and just as you guessed, Nadine and Henry were right downstairs. Raven even got them on video. Clear as day.¡±
Lyra handed Tess a tiny camera as she spoke.
Feeling its weight in her palm, Tess smiled coldly.
This whole setup was probably Max¡¯s n, but Nadine had twisted it against him.
She had only asked Lyra and Raven to keep an eye out for odd movements, never expecting such a stroke of luck.
Her grip tightened around the small device.
Chapter 454 Consequences
As disgusting as Max had been, the oue couldn¡¯t have turned out better.
She narrowed her eyes.
Back in the room, she hadn¡¯t missed the look in Max¡¯s eyes.
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Chapter 455 Headline
Mas had no clue Nadine had puitted such a sneaky stunt behind his hack
And how him, that was way meet the line
So when Test figured out it was Nadine, she immediately pressured those people into revealing Nadine
After all, pissing off a paranoid lunatic was a pretty sure way to get revenge.
Let¡¯s head home.¡±
Tess patted Lyra and Raven¡¯s shoulders.
Under the sunset, the three of them walked side by side. They looked slim, graceful, and carried themselves with undeniable strength.
At an apartment.
¡°What¡¯s going on? They¡¯ve been in that hotel room forever, and there¡¯s not a single update online?¡±
Henry had just gotten home and immediately started scouring the inte, but there was nothing to be found.
Nadine looked confused as well. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense. We saw them go in. Plus, Max drugged Tess. She was totally out of it. How could she possibly fight back?¡±
¡°Maybe we left too early, and something changed afterward!¡±
Henry¡¯s voice was sharp, but inside he was anything but calm. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. His re at Nadine. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have done this.¡±
Her annoyance flickered when she heard his usations. ¡°Dad,e on. I did it for all of us. Once Tess is ruined for good, we can finally live our way. And maybe the reporters are just taking time to get the story right. Big news like this needs a proper reveal.¡±
She pressed a hand to her chest, looking a little pale. She was trying to calm both herself and Henry.
Henry realized getting angry now was pointless. He just gave her another re and turned away.
Nadine felt even worse inside. Ever since getting out of prison, her parents had treated her differently.
It hurt, but she swallowed it, keeping quiet.
¡°Nadine, check the news! What¡¯s going on?!¡±
Suddenly, Shannon, who¡¯d been with Kaleb, shouted, running over in her socks without shoes.
¡°Shannon, you¡¯re pregnant! Be careful!¡±
Henry barked, ready to help with her slippers, but Shannon grabbed his arm. ¡°Forget the shoes! Just check the news!¡±
¡°The news?¡±
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r 455 Headline
Nadine¡¯s smile appeared as she remembered what had just happened. ¡°See, Dad? I told you reporters need time Herees the
Her grin froze. Het whole face went stiff and awkward.
Henry saw it immediately and knew something was wrong.
He stepped forward, snatched her phone, and scanned the screen.
Big, red letters screamed, ¡°Breaking! Nadine Tips off the Media¨CTess Vows to Hold Them ountable!¡±
The headline was vague, but Henry¡¯s heart raced.
He scrolled through the article, and his face went pale.
It spelled out how Max had tried to assault Tess, but she fought back. It also exposed how Nadine had tipped off the media, leaking the hotel¡¯s location.
¡°Are you insane?!¡±
Henry was so angry that he could barely think straight. He threw Nadine¡¯s phone across the floor with a loud smash.
Nadine went pale, her voice shaking near tears. ¡°Dad! How did this happen? What am I supposed to do?!¡±
¡°Idiot! If you¡¯re going to do something like this, at least do it right!¡±
Henry was fuming, holding his forehead and jabbing a finger sharply into Nadine¡¯s without holding back.
A red mark quickly appeared on her smooth, fair skin.
She bit her lip, furious inside but with nowhere to vent. She kept her head down, desperate for help.
She had been near the restaurant when she saw Max dragging a dazed Tess into the hotel. She immediately understood what he was nning and called Henry over. Everything happened so fast that she didn¡¯t have time to make a new ount to contact the media. Still, she had told them to hide her identity.
Nadine clenched her fists.
What the heck went down in that hotel room?
Max was always so careful. How did he mess that up?
She couldn¡¯t figure it out, but she knew the top priority now was to kill the trending topic and fix everything.
¡°Dad, yelling won¡¯t help. What should we do now?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice was hoarse from crying. Shannon stood silently nearby with a frown, simply watching Henry to see what he would
do next.
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456 Apologize to Her
Chapter 456 Apologize to Her
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Henry¡¯s eyes turned icy as he scrutinized Nadine from head to toe, sharp enough to make anyone flinch.
¡°This mess. Our family is in a critical spot right now. We need public support, yet you stirred up trouble! Things aren¡¯t like before. When you got out of prison, you already burned our connections with other families. And now youe to me with this? What exactly do you expect me to do?¡±
His voice dripped with usation.
Nadine¡¯s jaw dropped, shock written all over her face. ¡°What ¡ What do you mean?
¡°Dad, are you just gonna leave me hanging?¡±
She lunged forward, grabbing his hand and almost begging. ¡°You¡¯re my dad! If you don¡¯t help me, nobody will!¡±
A flicker of irritation crossed Henry¡¯s face. He was about to shake her off when Shannon stepped in, gently pressing his arm. ¡°Henry, Nadine is our daughter. Maybe there¡¯s another way.¡±
He frowned, confused.
They had nned to leave the country and cut Nadine loose. It made sense with everything happening. So why was Shannon suddenly pleading for her?
She gave him a subtle nudge and patted his hand with meaning.
¡°Go handle things at the office. Your mom and I will figure it out.¡±
Henry rubbed his forehead, clearly annoyed.
Nadine felt a wave of relief and nearly cried when she heard he would help. She whined and put on her sweetest act. ¡°Dad, Mom, I knew you¡¯d help me. I¡¯ll go to the office now.¡±
Fearing they¡¯d change their minds, she bolted out the door.
Once Nadine was gone, Henry dragged Shannon onto the couch. ¡°What are you thinking?¡±
She patted his hand. ¡°The Larsons aren¡¯t here yet. There¡¯s no rush to cut her off.¡±
¡°That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m worried!¡± Henry¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Back then, the Larsons never agreed for Kylie to marry me. Families like that care about bloodlines. If they find out we adopted a girl and pushed Tess out, I¡¯ll be in serious trouble.¡±
¡°So what? Nadine was adopted with Kylie¡¯s agreement. And no one knows my real identity yet. At worst, they¡¯ll just me you for spoiling her.¡±
Shannon¡¯s calm, reassuring voice made Henry exhale slowly, finally starting to rx.
¡°I used to think Nadine was sensible, but she¡¯s caused nothing but problemstely. She¡¯s never done anything worthwhile, only making things worse.
He looked at Shannon with a mix of frustration and confusion. ¡°You agreed we should give up on Nadine. She grew up in Ember Residence. I¡¯ve done more than enough. Our kid will be born soon. When we leave the country, don¡¯t go soft on her.¡±
32 pm P
hapter 456 Apologize to Her
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¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± She shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not helping her out of pity. The Larsons aren¡¯t here yet, and Nadine knows too much. Until we¡¯re safely gone, we need to watch her.
¡°Even a cornered rabbit can bite. Nadine isn¡¯t dumb.¡±
Henry¡¯s eyes narrowed as his expression grew serious.
¡°I didn¡¯t think this through.¡±
He patted her hand, tension returning. ¡°Look at this mess online. Even if I want to help her, what can I do?¡±
¡°You said the Larsons care a lot about bloodlines, right?¡± Shannon¡¯s eyes gleamed with schemes.
¡°If that¡¯s true, they¡¯ll be in Aetheris any day. Why not use this to stage something and bring Tess back?¡±
¡°No way!¡± Henry shook his head, thinking it was absurd. ¡°Tess is tough now! Bring her back? Not happening!¡±
¡°I heard Tess cares most about her grandma. Gillian¡¯s grave is near your old house in Aetheris, right?¡± Shannon smiled cunningly.
She looked gentle, but something was chilling about her.
¡°What do you mean?¡± Henry gasped sharply.
¡°It¡¯s been years since the Larsons saw Kylie or her child. They¡¯ll hand over a hefty sum, but getting anything from them is much harder than from Kylie or Tess.¡±
Shannon fiddled with her nails, a gleam of mischief in her eyes.
Henry was beginning to understand, but he was still confused. ¡°How does this help Nadine?¡±
¡°Have Nadine apologize to Tess in person. Say she panicked when she saw someone hurting Tess and called the media for help. Tell Tess you regret kicking her out and want her back.¡±
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Keepsake 457
r 457 She¡¯s Outside
Chapter 457 She¡¯s Outside
Henry and Shannon exchanged looks, and he instantly understood what she meant.
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At Mars Legal.
Tess was finally back at her office, doing her usual work. The only change was someone following her everywhere¨Ca clingy
sidekick.
¡°Ken, that small office next door is all yours. I already had someone bring over all the textbooks you¡¯ll need. Just study there whenever you want.¡±
She gave his shoulder a reassuring pat.
Ken was still shy, barely meeting her eyes. But hearing how much she¡¯d prepared for him made him feel genuinely moved.
¡°Tess, what about my dad and mom?¡±
Just as Tess turned to leave, Ken gently tugged on her sleeve.
Meeting his worried anxious look, her chest tightened.
She said seriously, ¡°Just a few more days. Once you¡¯re ready, we¡¯ll do everything we can to find your parents.¡±
That night, after finally settling the mess with Max and Nadine, Tess could finally rx and talk with Ken. That was when she found out that Nichs and his wife had been taken from their home by some unknown people. Ken had tried calling them, but he got nothing.
They had disappeared, only to show upter at Shannon¡¯s funeral to testify for Henry.
But even then, only Nichs had appeared¨Chis wife was missing.
The more Tess thought about it, the heavier her heart felt.
What Henry did was a crime.
Intimidation at the very least. Probably illegal detention, too.
She never expected him to be that bold, not with thew watching.
¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll do my best to help,¡± Ken said firmly, heading into the office Tess had set up for him.
Watching his thin frame disappear, Tess let out a quiet sigh.
Henry¡¯s ruthless tactics were worse than anything she¡¯d imagined.
¡°Tess! Come out! Your ¡®sister¡® is here to beg for forgiveness!¡±
A loud voice called out as Raven, stomping in her Gothic¨Cstyle ck tform shoes, came rushing over.
Tess frowned in confusion.
Chapter 457 She¡¯s Outside
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¡°Nadine is right outside!¡±
Raven winked with a grin and pointed out the window.
Tess¡® heart skipped a beat. She looked outside.
The first floor was packed. Nadine stood surrounded by people, but everyone had given her some space.
What¡¯s she trying to pull now?
Tess¡® expression darkened. Raven stroked her chin. ¡°A wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing, huh? So, are you going down? Or should I kick her
out?¡±
¡°She came all this way. I might as well hear her out.¡±
Tess¡® expression turned nk, unreadable.
Raven cheered and bounced downstairs.
As soon as the two of them reached the door, the crowd and reporters perked up, eyes shining.
¡°Here theye!¡±
Meanwhile, at Kingnd, Shaw Residence.
¡°Is it truly that urgent?¡±
Miranda didn¡¯t look thrilled.
Violet took off her sunsses, squinting in the harsh light. ¡°It¡¯s fine. If your son is busy, I can wait.¡±
She sounded calm, but nobody else was.
Miranda rubbed her forehead. ¡°Shania, go get him.¡±
Shania barely stepped inside before Abel strutted out. He dragged a massive suitcase, muchrger than the ones he¡¯d brought before.
Miranda red at his smug face, barely able to contain her anger.
He waspletely provoking her!
Abel pushed his sunsses onto his forehead, winked, and said, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m heading out for work. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±
He sounded like he was showing off, which earned an eye roll from Miranda.
¡°Abel, even if you¡¯re using work as an excuse to see her, don¡¯t just focus on romance. Make sure you entertain Ms. Violet, too.¡±
Demi couldn¡¯t resist stirting pot by adding some fake concern.
Violet noticed and looked at Abel. ¡°Romance, huh?¡±
Chapter 457 She¡¯s Outside
He didn¡¯t hide it. Scratching his head, he grinned, acting all mysterious. ¡°Yep, my soulmate.¡±
Joy practically shone from his eyes. Violet raised an eyebrow, but she didn¡¯t pry into his private life.
¡°The tickets are ready. Let¡¯s go.¡±
Her assistant handed Abel the ne ticket.
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Seeing the familiar destination made his heart skip. His yful expression softened, and the wild spark in his eyes turned into genuine affection.
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Keepsake 458
Chapter 458 How¡¯s She Doing Now?
Abel didn¡¯t even need to see Tess¡® name. Just spotting where she was from made his heart race.
He smirked, gripped the ne ticket tightly, and climbed into Violet¡¯s stretch Lincoln.
But the moment he stepped inside, he froze.
¡°Hey, kid, what¡¯s wrong? You spacing out?¡±
Benjamin and Olivia were loungingfortably. When they saw Abel looking stunned, they chuckled.
Come on, hurry up. We¡¯ll miss the flight if you keep staring around.¡±
violet was way more rxed, just giving him a quick look was enough to nudge him along.
Abel finally sat down, picking a seat that was neither too close nor too far. Still, he felt on edge.
He immediately recognized who he was sitting with¨Cthe real power behind the Larsons.
Back in Kingnd, Benjamin and Olivia had dominated both sides of thew and the business world. Their legendary stories were still remembered, though now they were mostly out of the spotlight. Some even assumed they were gone.
But that wasn¡¯t why Abel was nervous.
It was because those two were basically Tess¡® grandparents.
He fiddled with his hands, and a few cheeky thoughts popped into his head.
Who knew I¡¯d meet your grandparents before you did, Tess?
He imagined bragging to her about it. His mind wandered, and his face gave him away.
¡°Kid? Hey, kid?¡±
Olivia gently tapped his arm, snapping him back.
¡°Huh? Oh, sorry! Go ahead!¡±
He jumped slightly, instantly switching to polite mode.
Violet watched him, feeling a little off.
That wasn¡¯t the Abel she¡¯d heard about.
There was none of that cocky yful attitude¨Che was polite and clean¨Ccut.
Anyone he¡¯d bullied before would probably be furious seeing that.
¡°Haha, here¡¯s the thing. I heard you went to Aetheris and seem to have some connection to the Embers. We¡¯re heading there, so we wanted to ask. How¡¯s the Embers been these past years? Did anything happen while you were there?¡±
Olivia rattled off questions, trying to hide her worry, though her clenched hands gave her away.
Abel already knew what she wanted to know, so he answered calmly, ¡°To be honest, I know you want to ask about Henry¡¯s current wife, Kylie.¡±
Olivia didn¡¯t hide it anymore. ¡°Exactly. How¡¯s she doing now?¡±
Judging by Abel¡¯s expression, she figured he probably knew what had happened back then.
¡°Not great. After Kylie married Henry a few yearster, she brought in an adopted daughter. Over time, she even pushed her real daughter, Tess, out. The Embers have been having a rough couple of years. Last I heard, they were close to going bankrupt. And ¡ Henry¡¯s cheating scandal has been all over the newstely. Looks like he and Kylie aren¡¯t even living together now.¡±
gave them the main points, but he held back some details.
Olivia¡¯s calmness disappeared instantly. She smacked her thigh furiously. ¡°I kept warning her not to marry him, but she wouldn¡¯t listen! An adopted daughter forcing out her own kid? Was Henry blind? And he actually cheated?!¡±
Her anger kept building, making it hard for her to even breathe. Abel quickly stepped closer and rubbed her back gently.
Benjamin looked grim as well. ¡°Kylie isn¡¯t the type to just put up with stuff. If Henry cheated, there¡¯s no way she¡¯d just live apart. Why not just get a divorce?¡±
¡°Uh¡¡± Abel hesitated, his mouth twitching. It sounded kinda silly, but he told the truth. ¡°She¡¯s attached to the adopted daughter. That girl probably convinced her not to divorce.¡±
¡®Foolish!¡±
Benjamin¡¯s frown deepened, wrinkles forming on his forehead.
¡®Dad, Mom, calm down,¡± Violet said softly, worried in her voice. Butpared to them, she was way more collected.
She looked at Abel. ¡°You said Kylie had a daughter, but the adopted one drove her out?¡±
When Tess was mentioned, he pursed his lips, voice serious. ¡°No.¡±
He shook his head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just the adopted daughter. Kylie and Henry also pushed her out.¡±
The three of them exchanged stunned looks, confusion written all over their faces.
¡®How could this happen? Is Kylie losing it? That¡¯s her daughter! How could she favor the adopted one over her real child?¡± They rowned, full of doubt. ¡°Was there something wrong with that kid?¡±
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Keepsake 459
Chapter 459 Their Anger
¡°No, Tess is fine it¡¯s those people who treated her unfairly.¡±
Abel quickly filled them in on what he knew about Tess¡® past.
The car went silent. Only his steady voice filled the space as he told the story.
The more he exined, Violet who usually never flinched, showed a flicker of change in her expression.
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When he mentioned Tess being kicked out of the Ember Residence, Benjamin mmed his cane hard against the car floor.
angl
The noise rattled the whole vehicle.
¡°Unbelievable! Since Kylie married Henry, she¡¯spletely lost it! And now she¡¯s even doing this to her daughter!¡± Benjamin clutched his chest, fuming. ¡°And Nadine? If what you¡¯re saying is right, her showing up wasn¡¯t a coincidence. These leeches! How could they treat Tess like that?¡±
Olivia spoke up immediately, ¡°Violet, forget looking for the Embers. Let¡¯s go to
She nced at Abel.
¡°Mars Legal,¡± he told them quickly.
¡°That¡¯s it!¡± Olivia waved. ¡°We¡¯re heading to my granddaughter¡¯spany!¡±
Compared to Kylie, who was hopeless, Olivia was way more interested in meeting her outstanding granddaughter that Abel had talked about.
Violet didn¡¯t argue and just nodded.
¡°And then?¡± Benjamin leaned forward, waiting for Abel to continue.
Abel hesitated. The next part involved Shannon.
Benjamin had pointed out that Nadine¡¯s appearance wasn¡¯t random, and he was right. But the public didn¡¯t know the full story yet, and Tess hadn¡¯te forward to exin anything. Abel was unsure if he should tell them everything.
While he was thinking, the car suddenly stopped.
¡°We¡¯re here.¡±
At the driver¡¯s reminder, they all exchanged nces. Benjamin interrupted Abel, ¡°Let¡¯s get on the ne first!¡±
They rushed into the airport.
Abel didn¡¯t hang back and helped with their luggage, acting way more attentive than anyone expected.
The three followed him. They first nced at his tall, straight posture, and then exchanged silent looks, each lost in thought.
Soon, the ne to Aetheris was airborne.
Aetheris, Mars Legal.
Tess had no clue that people wereing to Aetheris for her. She stood with her arms crossed, watching Nadine put on a crying
act.
Nadine bit her lip, embarrassed. But remembering Henry¡¯s instructions, she forced herself to face Tess.
Tess, you¡¯re misunderstanding me.¡±
ted an eyebrow, lookingpletely uninterested.
Seeing how cold Tess was made Nadine frustrated. Thinking of her n, she swallowed her anger to keep her act going.
Tears started running down Nadine¡¯s cheeks. ¡°What happened yesterday¡ It¡¯s not what you think!
¡°You were having dinner with Max at the restaurant. I was there too, but you didn¡¯t see me. I saw you drink the water he gave you, then went out. I got worried and followed you.
¡°But I knew if Max wanted to hurt you, there was nothing I could do. So I tried to make a scene to get help!¡±
Nadine nced at Tess, worried she might have messed up the lines Henry told her to say.
On the surface, she was crying, looking pitiful.
Tess just stared and pursed her lips, saying nothing.
Nadine thought her n was working.
Tess had always believed what people told her. Nadine didn¡¯t know why Tess had changed so much after getting out of prison, but she didn¡¯t think anyone could change that fast.
Taking a deep breath, Nadine reached for Tess¡® hand, but Tess pulled away.
Tess¡® eyes turned icy.
Nadine recoiled, pretending to be hurt. ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to forgive us. But we exined everything so many times. Dad and Mom are kind. They just worried about me being alone, so they paid more attention to me. It¡¯s not that they don¡¯t care about you. I didn¡¯t expect you would not only misinterpret them, but also be so biased and reject me.¡±
Same old speech. Tess was fed up.
She rubbed her forehead, hiding her disgust for a moment.
Then, lowering her hand, her face went back to cold and nk.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 460
¡°Forget everything else for now. Why are you even here?¡±
Tess crossed her arms and tapped her elbow absentmindedly.
Nadine¡¯s eyes brightened at the question. She rushed to exin, ¡°I came to clear up this misunderstanding. Don¡¯t let it fool you. I also wanted to make peace with you. Mom has been living alone since she and Dad split. She¡¯s lonely and truly misses you.¡±
Her eyes were full of fake sincerity. Anyone who didn¡¯t know the real story might feel touched.
¡°Tess,e home. Whatever Dad and Mom said before, it was just anger. They¡¯d never turn their backs on you. Since you left, Mom realized how much you mean to her. Everyone regrets what happened.¡±
Nadine spoke slowly, trying to sound heartfelt.
Tess wasn¡¯t buying it. Her heart stayed cold.
¡°Yeah, Ms. Tess. People do stuff they don¡¯t mean when they¡¯re stressed. I¡¯m sure Ms. Nadine was just trying to help at that time.¡±
Suddenly, a voice came from the crowd.
Tess looked around instinctively, but there were too many people to spot who said it.
¡°And from what Ms. Nadine said, your parents do seem kind of pitiful. Thepany is struggling, and you¡¯ve cut ties with them. Now there¡¯s all this drama between the adopted daughter and the real one. Rumors are everywhere. No one is having a good
moment.
¡°Ms. Tess, parents always care about their kids. Every family has their own ways of doing things, but their love doesn¡¯t change. Maybe favoring Ms. Nadine hurt your feelings, but you¡¯re grown now. You should understand that your parents have to take care of the people who have helped them to avoid criticism.¡±
Once one person spoke, a bunch of others jumped in, offering their so¨Ccalled advice.
Tess looked around. Seeing their fake concern, she thought it was all a joke.
She even wondered if those people¡¯s brains were receable¨Cjust swap them out now and then. Not long ago, everyone had been obsessed with her drama with the Embers. Now, the same people were acting all moral and preaching to her.
She looked back at Nadine.
¡°So, are you saying you brought all those reporters into my room just to ¡®rescue¡® me?¡±
Tess squinted, a faint smirk on her lips.
Nadine shivered, seeing the cold glint in Tess¡® eyes.
She knew her excuse was weak. But since it was Henry¡¯s idea, she nodded reluctantly. ¡°Yeah¡ that¡¯s right.¡±
Tessughed out loud, even pping at Nadine. ¡°Nice.¡±
¦Ð¦Á¦Ñ¦É¦Ò¦É ¦Ó¦Ï¦Ô
HICH
Nadine frowned, clenching her hands at her sides, unsure what Tess was nning.
Then, Tess¡® voice cut through, cool and sharp.
¡°So when you thought I was in danger, your first move wasn¡¯t to call the police but the reporters?¡±
She repeated Nadine¡¯s ridiculous excuse, dripping with sarcasm.
The crowd, who had been a little touched before, froze.
That was true. If Nadine wanted to help, why call reporters instead of the police?
it of the police showed up, you and Mr. Hunt would have had to give statements. If people saw that, it¡¯d be tricky to exin,¡±
adine stammered, her face pale.
Tess tilted her head. ¡°Since when is giving a statement shameful? If someone did something wrong, shouldn¡¯t they be the ones worried?¡±
She lifted her chin, cold and steady. ¡°Max isn¡¯t scared, so why should I be?¡±
¡°I¡¡± Nadine bit her lip harder.
¡°Say it!¡± Tess shot Nadine a sharp look. ¡°You brought all those reporters hoping to catch me and Max in scandalous photos, didn¡¯t you?¡±
¡°No! No way! Tess, how could you think that?!¡± Nadine panicked, waving her hands.
Tess just smiled faintly, eyes cool and indifferent, ignoring Nadine¡¯s theatrics.
¡°If there¡¯s nothing to hide, there¡¯s nothing to be scared of. Ms. Nadine said Ms. Tess was framed by Mr. Hunt. Wouldn¡¯t it make more sense to call the police? Having them back up her innocence would be way more convincing.¡±
A tiny voice spoke from somewhere in the crowd.
This time, Tess noticed the speaker. It was Ken, wearing a hat, tucked away in a corner.
She raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. At the same time, a warm feeling spread through her chest.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 461
ess went to Aetheris to dig into what happened with the Woods and their past. But she hadn¡¯t expected them to leave before she arrived, leaving only Ken behind.
At first, Tess only saw Ken as a witness who could clear her name. But after what he just did for her, her gaze on him grew deeper.
The whole ce was in chaos. It was loud and hectic, with people getting hit from all sides by different bits of news. Nobody knew who was speaking up, and most didn¡¯t even bother to check.
But Ken¡¯s words hit hard. The people who had just been defending the Embers and trying to talk Tess down werepletely stuck.
They looked at each other and saw each other¡¯s hesitation.
The shouting and noise slowly started to calm. Nadine knew if things went on like that, the crowd¡¯s opinion would swing against
her.
Her jaw tightened, and she forced the look of someone who had been cornered.
With her eyes filled with struggle, she snapped, ¡°Tess, do you truly want me to spill everything?¡±
Her sudden attitude left people confused. Was she hiding something important?
¡°Ms. Nadine, if you¡¯ve got something to say, just say it. We¡¯ll all support you.¡±
Those who loved stirring drama were quick to jump in, urging her to speak.
Nadine looked around, clearly moved, then nodded slightly and turned toward Tess. ¡°Even though you¡¯ve already been divorced once, I bet you still care about your reputation.¡±
She pursed her lips until they went pale, giving her a fragile look. But her clenched fists and straight back made her seem stubborn, like a flower refusing to fall.
¡°Mr. Hunt has a lot of influence in Aetheris. If the police step in first, there¡¯s no telling if this will just get covered up. I¡¯m doing this so everyone can see the truth and not let it disappear.¡±
As soon as she said it, whispers filled the room.
They had forgotten just how much power Max held now.
Nadine¡¯s worries weren¡¯tpletely unreasonable.
Still, what shocked them most was that she actually dared to bring up something so touchy in public.
Tess squinted, sizing up Nadine. For once, she looked genuinely puzzled.
From what she knew, Nadine and Max were at least allies. Sure, after Henry returned, they didn¡¯t seem close. But now, Nadine was openly calling Max out, practically cutting ties in front of everyone. Where did she get the nerve?
Max wasn¡¯t as strong as Finn yet, but he was still second¨Cinmand in Aetheris. Nadine was bold enough to toss him aside to save herself.
Wouldn¡¯t she be scared he¡¯d take revengeter?
A heavy feeling settled in Tess¡® chest. It felt like something important was hidden from her. But no matter how hard she thought, she couldn¡¯t see what it was.
¡°So, does power sit above thew in Aetheris?¡±
The sudden voice came from the corner. It sounded old but strangely childlike.
The bluntness made everyone jolt and turn to look.
Tess hadn¡¯t expected someone to speak so directly. She turned her head and spotted a tall figure dressed in fiery red.
She froze.
bel was standing right there, silently mouthing words to her, ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡±
Why¡¯s he here?
Her first reaction wasn¡¯t excitement but pure confusion and disbelief.
The day he left, he had looked heartbroken, and she truly thought she¡¯d never see him again.
¡°Ma¡¯am, you can¡¯t just say things like that,¡± someone in the crowd spoke up, instinctively defending Aetheris.
Tess¡®shes trembled as she finally tore her eyes from Abel and looked past him.
Behind him stood two elderly folks and a middle¨Caged woman. The older pair had white hair but still seemed full of energy. The woman wore a flowing dress made of rich fabric, her hair decorated with pearls. She looked graceful and calm, but her sharp expression showed she was firm and decisive.
Why was Abel with them? Tess couldn¡¯t figure it out.
¡°Did I say something wrong? When things happen here, you don¡¯t call the police first, but the press. Since when are reporters more useful than police in Aetheris?¡±
Olivia squinted, her tone strange and mysterious.
Her words made the whole crowd shiver.
No one knew who she was or why she was daring to talk like that.
¡°Ma¡¯am, that¡¯s not what I meant. Please don¡¯t misunderstand.¡±
Nadine¡¯s chest felt heavy. She sensed that something was seriously wrong.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 462
Chapter 462 She Wants to See You
Olivia finally turned toward Nadine, giving her a once¨Cover before scoffing and looking away. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m some clueless olddy who can¡¯t follow what¡¯s going on?¡±
¡°Miss, from what I heard, my wife¡¯s exnation makes sense. Why are you so worked up? Are you saying she made it up?¡±
Benjamin rubbed his chin, his sharp eyes cutting into Nadine like an eagle.
Meeting his gaze made Nadine¡¯s heart skip. A shiver ran through her, cold sweat forming right away.
When did these two old folks even show up?
She balled her hands into fists, trying to hold on to her gentle act. ¡°How could you two say that? Maybe I was just nervous then and didn¡¯t handle it well.¡±
Her teeth sank into her lip.
If it were just about dragging Max down with her, she could ditch him. The Embers¡® real aim was to cozy up to the Larsons anyway. Everyone knew the Larsons in Kingnd had way more value than the Hunts in Aetheris.
But if the police in Aetheris got pulled into this mess, things could explode fast.
She swiped at her forehead, convinced those people hade just to make trouble.
¡°Oh, so you¡¯re just dumb?¡±
Abel grinned, looking annoyingly smug. His words only made her angrier.
Nadine¡¯s face darkened, fury burning inside. But with all eyes on her, she forced a littleugh.
¡°She¡¯s not dumb. She¡¯s just trouble.¡±
Violet suddenly had a fan in her hand,zily waving it like a richdy from the old days.
Tess couldn¡¯t stop staring at the three of them.
They were with Abel.
She didn¡¯t know much about him, but she was sure he was extraordinary. And those three? There was definitely more to their story.
Also¡
Tess unconsciously pressed a hand to her chest.
She didn¡¯t know why, but a strange feeling of familiarity rose in her.
She searched her memory, but she was certain she¡¯d never met them.
With their striking presence, she would have remembered if she had.
Who were they? And why were they stepping in so boldly on her side?
She lifted her eyes and locked onto Abel¡¯s.
He just kept smiling, winking at her, and teasing nonstop.
Tess knew he wouldn¡¯t give her a straight answer, so she shot him a warning re before looking away.
Abel pouted like a sulking kid. But as soon as she turned her head, his yful look vanished.
¡°I didn¡¯t think it through earlier, but at least I stopped Tess from getting hurt, didn¡¯t I?¡±
Nadine¡¯sugh was stiff, her insides boiling, though she still tried to look sweet.
Tess studied Nadine¡¯s twisted expression, smiling meaningfully. She waited to see what Nadine would try next.
Nadine didn¡¯t even have a good excuse, yet she had the nerve to show up at Tess¡®pany. Tess knew it wasn¡¯t just about clearing her name.
Her eyes flickered as she scanned the people around.
Most of them were probably arranged by Nadine.
What game was Nadine ying?
¡°Tess, if you¡¯re still upset about how I acted, you cane home with me sometime. I¡¯ll apologize in person¡ ¡°Nadine forced a stiff smile, her eyes filled with stubbornness. Then, she seemed to remember something. She lowered her head, her face dimming.
When she looked back up, her expression was almost pleading. ¡°Mom says her mental state hasn¡¯t been good. She truly wants to see you. She knows she was too harsh before. She hopes you¡¯lle home so she can apologize.¡±
Her words weighed heavily, making even the annoyed onlookers go quiet.
Everyone turned to see Tess¡® reaction.
Behind Abel, the Larsons clenched their fists.
They traded nces, bitterness and tension clear in their eyes.
Mental issues? The Kylie they remembered had been cheerful and free¨Cspirited, never someone to sink into that. How could she be struggling now?
Abel noticed the shift in their mood. He leaned close, lowering his voice tofort them. ¡°Rx. Nadine is probably just spouting lies.¡±
¡°Abel, we want to see her. If what that adopted daughter said is true, can you take Tess with us to visit?¡±
Olivia lifted her eyes to him.
She had lived her life confident and carefree, but now she was lowering herself to ask a young man for help.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 463
Chapter 463 You Can¡¯t Be So Heartless
Olivia¡¯s feelings were all tangled up.
Kylie was still a Larson by blood. They had raised her since she was a kid, and it was tough watching her turn into the person she
was now.
Abel didn¡¯t know what to say when he saw the hope in their eyes. In the end, he just nodded, ¡°If that¡¯s truly the case, I¡¯ll try talking
to Tess.¡±
Once he said that, the Larsons finally seemed to rx.
Benjamin grabbed Abel¡¯s arm and patted it, smiling gratefully. ¡°Good kid. Knowing Tess has someone like you beside her makes us
feel so much better.¡±
Abel¡¯s ears turned red instantly. He turned away, looking shy.
Benjamin and Olivia shifted their eyes back to Tess, who was standing not too far away.
Violet tilted her head and nced at Abel, her eyes narrowing.
¡°Kid, that soulmate you were looking for in Aetheris¡ Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s Tess?¡±
Her sharp gaze was like a de, and even Abel, who never feared much, froze a little.
He scratched his nose with a sheepish grin, clearly awkward.
¡°Ms. Violet, maybe we should¡ focus on thatter.¡±
Abel tried to change the subject, but his red face gave him away.
Violet studied him a little longer.
He had been famous in Kingnd since he was young¨Ctalented, handsome, admired by everyone. If he ended up with Tess, it would be perfect:
She looked away, already plotting things in her head, more and more satisfied with the idea.
Meanwhile, Tess frowned. Her eyes stayed on Nadine, like she was trying to figure out if Nadine was lying.
Since Nadine got out of prison, Kylie had seemed different. At Shannon¡¯s funeral, she even showed up to clear things up. Her tone and her behavior were nothing like the harsh; strict mother Tess remembered from when she was little.
Could Nadine be telling the truth? Had Kylie truly had a mental copse?
Was it because of Henry¡¯s cheating?
When Tess¡® cold gazended on her, Nadine pressed harder. ¡°Tess, please. Mom truly needs you. She hasn¡¯t been eating or drinking. Maybe only you can help her get better.¡±
Her voice cracked like she was close to crying. It almost sounded believable.
¡°Ms. Tess, Kylie is still your mother. You can¡¯t seriously be this heartless.¡±
Someone in the crowd cut in with a righteous tone.
¡°Yeah, no matter what happened, she¡¯s your family. What harm is there in just visiting her?¡±
¡°Seriously, how can you be so cold?¡±
People started joining in one after another, staring at Tess. They didn¡¯t say much, but their eyes were full of me.
It was like she¡¯d be branded the worst person alive if she refused Nadine.
Nadine let the tears roll down her cheeks. ¡°Thank you, everyone, for speaking up. I truly had no other choice. Our family hasn¡¯t treated Tess the best before, but I hope she won¡¯t hold it against us. Mom¡¯s health is terrible right now. Tess, I just want to grant her wish, so I had to trouble you.¡±
She looked pitiful on the surface, but she was thrilled inside while watching everyone corner Tess.
That was exactly what she wanted.
No matter how strong Tess was, could she stand against the weight of the crowd?
Tess noticed the faint challenge shing in Nadine¡¯s eyes, even though no one else caught it.
Her face turned colder.
If she refused, the headlines tomorrow would paint her as cruel and ungrateful. But if she agreed?
Tess sneered in her heart.
Even if Kylie suddenly regretted everything and wanted to patch things up, Tess didn¡¯t need it. The thought of being near them again only made her feel disgusted and sick.
Everyone was waiting on Tess, pressing her for a response.
Suddenly, she smiled. ¡°When did I ever say I wouldn¡¯t go?¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 464
Chapter 464 Her Shamelessness
As soon as Tess said that, Nadine froze in shock. ¡°What did you just say?¡±
Tess smirked meaningfully and repeated slowly, ¡°When did I ever say I wouldn¡¯t go?¡±
She crossed her arms and raised a brow. ¡°From the very beginning, I never refused. You all acted like I¡¯dmitted some huge sin.¡±
Tess chuckled and even pped her hands lightly.
Her voice was calm, almost yful, but the people around her looked stiff and embarrassed.
She wasn¡¯t wrong.
Tess had never said no. It was the crowd who jumped to conclusions and started attacking her.
Now that they realized it, their faces turned sour. When they nced at Tess again, there was guilt in their eyes.
Meanwhile, Abel was busy helping Benjamin and Olivia move over to a quiet corner.
Tess, on the other hand, let her gaze slidezily back to Nadine.
¡°I hope you mean it. Don¡¯t make me waste my time going there for nothing.¡±
Her words made her stance obvious.
Nadine blinked, still confused about Tess¡® sudden change.
Wasn¡¯t Tess determined to cut off the Embers and Kylie? Did she truly get swayed by family bonds after hearing about Kylie¡¯s
breakdown?
Nadine couldn¡¯t figure it out. In the end, she shoved the questions aside and clenched her fists.
Whatever Tess was nning, it didn¡¯t matter. Nadine had gotten the oue she wanted.
¡°Alright, Tess. I¡¯ll be waiting for you tomorrow.¡±
Nadine forced a sweet smile, dropped her line, and turned to leave.
¡°Hold up.¡± Raven stepped in to stop Nadine.
Nadine stopped, annoyed. ¡°What now? Something else?¡±
Her voice carried impatience when it wasn¡¯t Tess speaking.
Tess caught the change right away, her eyes narrowing as a sharp glint shed across them.
¡°You think you can just leave? You stirred up the press and pushed your way into a private room. Don¡¯t think this ends here.¡±
Raven stepped forward and red. She was floored by how shameless Nadine could be.
Nadine faltered, her face stiff. ¡°Didn¡¯t I already exin? What else do you want from me?¡±
¡°You call that an exnation? Do you even get that what you did breaks thew?¡±
Before Raven could blow uppletely, Lyra grabbed her arm, frowning hard.
Raven jerked at the hold and shot Lyra a disgruntled look.
¡°Let her go. Kylie is alone at the vi. She needs someone with her.¡±
Tess reassured the two, then motioned for Nadine to head out.
Nadine let out a sigh of relief. But before she left, she threw Raven and Lyra a smug, mocking nce.
Tess isn¡¯t stopping me, but you two won¡¯t quit meddling. Nosy busybodies.
Nadine strutted off, and Raven somehow could see a hint of arrogance and showiness in her back. If Lyra hadn¡¯t been holding her back, Raven might¡¯ve gone after Nadine and yanked her hair right there.
With the drama over, the crowd realized there was nothing more to watch and slowly drifted away.
Once things calmed down, Lyra tugged Tess into the office.
¡°Why didn¡¯t you press her harder? Do you truly believe she means well? If we hadn¡¯t set things up ahead of time, you¡¯d already be blowing up online for sneaking around with Max right after your divorce.¡±
Raven red at Tess, frustration and worry all over her face.
Lyra had told Raven what Tess had gone through before, so Raven was extra protective. She didn¡¯t want Tess falling into the same mess again. But Tess¡® reaction just now made it seem like she¡¯d forgiven the very people who hurt her most.
¡°Tess, letting her off like that just makes Nadine look innocent in front of everyone. You¡¯re basically giving her a free pass to keep pretending. There¡¯s nothing good about this¨Conly risk,¡± Lyra said, frowning hard, clearly unsettled.
She usually trusted Tess¡® choices and stayed out of it. But this time, Tess¡® attitude left her uneasy.
¡°No,¡± Tess replied softly, shaking her head.
She looked at her two friends with a genuine smile. Her heart felt full, and even her palms tingle with heat.
She reached for their hands and noticed how cold their fingers were. They must¡¯ve been truly shaken by how she handled things.
¡°Legally, I can¡¯t cut family ties just by saying it. If Kylie is truly sick, I should visit her. And honestly, do you think the Embers actually listen to her anymore? Henry must be the one who sent Nadine to find me.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 465
Keepsake 465 Summary
Tess reveals to Lyra and Raven that she is pretending to go along with Henry¡¯s n to uncover his true intentions. She exins that Henry underestimates her, thinking she has no moves left, but she knows his ego and schemes threaten not only her but also Ember¡¯s reputation. Tess suspects Henry¡¯s n is bigger than just ruining her or saving Ember Group, especially after he sent Nadine to ¡°help¡± her, which seems suspicious.
Lyra offers to apany Tess to Ember Vi, but Tess refuses, knowing they wouldn¡¯t allow backup and fearing a scene. The tension in the room is thick, with Ken quietly staying in the corner. Suddenly, Abel arrives with three others, including Violet, who apologizes for not knocking. Tess is polite but unsure about the neers. Benjamin and Olivia, two older figures, begin yfully bickering over who should speak to Tess first, behaving like mischievous children despite their legendary status in finance.
Violet watches her parents¡¯ antics with a small smile before looking away, while Abel seems entertained by the scene. Tess feels embarrassed and silently asks Abel to intervene, but he just shrugs with a grin. Ultimately, Tess escorts both Benjamin and Olivia into the office, supporting them under each arm. There is something off about the group, and Tess can¡¯t refuse their persistent requests despite her reservations.
Olivia reflects on the contrast between Tess¡¯s youthful, wless hand and her own and Benjamin¡¯s wrinkled, aged hands. She sighs, feeling a mix of pride and sorrow as she sees her granddaughter, remembering her own extraordinary life. Olivia quietly praises Tess as ¡°Good girl¡± and gently pats her hand, offering a silent gesture of approval and warmth.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 465 Me First
Tess narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharpening into something unreadable, almost enigmatic. There was a quiet intensity about her that made her seem mysterious, as if she were guarding a secret no one else could guess.
¡°What?!¡± Lyra and Raven eximed simultaneously, their surprise breaking the tense silence.
Lyra caught on quicker than Raven, her voice tinged with a nervous edge. ¡°You¡¯re¡ trying to bait them, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Raven¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°What do you mean?¡± But as she looked at the serious expressions on the others¡¯ faces, a tight knot formed in her chest. Suddenly, realization dawned on her. ¡°Wait¡ Tess, you¡¯re pretending to go along with their n just to uncover what they¡¯re really up to?¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± Tess confirmed with a subtle smile¡ªnot the cold, guarded one she had worn earlier, but a softer, warmer expression that hinted at quiet confidence.
¡°I¡¯ve beenying low these past few days,¡± she exined, her voice steady butced with urgency. ¡°Henry thinks I¡¯m out of moves. With his inted ego, he¡¯s probably convinced I¡¯ve got nothing left to fight with. But if I don¡¯te up with a solid story soon, Ember¡¯s reputation will be destroyed¡ªand I¡¯ll go down with it. That¡¯s exactly what Henry wants.¡±
She paused briefly, then added, ¡°But then he sends Nadine to ¡®help me out¡¯? That¡¯s too suspicious. He¡¯s definitely nning something bigger than just ruining me or saving Ember Group. I have to stay alert.¡±
Her words silenced both Lyra and Raven. If Tess was right, the situation was far more dangerous than they¡¯d imagined. They exchanged worried nces, the weight of the moment sinking in.
¡°Do you want us toe with you to Ember Vi tomorrow?¡± Lyra asked quietly, her voice almost a whisper.
¡°No,¡± Tess replied firmly. ¡°Even if I wanted backup, they¡¯d never allow it. After everything that happened today, they won¡¯t risk causing a scene at the vi.¡±
She gave their hands a reassuring squeeze, though it barely eased the tension hanging thickly in the air. The room felt suffocating, as if the pressure was closing in on them all.
Ken remained tucked away in the corner, barely daring to breathe or move.
Then, unexpectedly, an elderly voice broke the silence. ¡°We could go with her.¡±
All three women turned toward the source of the voice.
Abel entered the room, followed by three others trailing behind him.
¡°Sorry for not knocking,¡± Violet said quickly, her smile warm but tinged with apology. She couldn¡¯t help stealing another nce at Tess.
¡°If Abel brought you, then it¡¯s fine,¡± Tess said politely, though she had no idea who the others were. Still, she stepped forward, ready to offer her help.
Benjamin and Olivia both reached out at the same time, each wanting Tess¡¯s attention.
The atmosphere grew thick with awkwardness as they red at one another, like children squabbling over a prized candy.
Olivia swatted Benjamin¡¯s hand away. ¡°Me first.¡±
¡°I¡¯m older,¡± Benjamin argued, crossing his arms and fake-coughing dramatically, as if he might keel over any second.
Olivia rolled her eyes at his theatrical disy, muttering under her breath about what a total drama king he was.
Violet watched her parents yfully bickering like mischievous children, her lips twitching into a small smile before she looked away, pretending not to notice.
If anyone back in Aetheris could see them now, they¡¯d never believe these were the same two legendary figures in finance. Instead, they resembled a pair of yful old souls from aic strip.
Abel stood nearby, clearly entertained by the whole scene.
Tess, meanwhile, looked so embarrassed that she shot Abel a desperate nce, silently pleading for him to intervene.
Abel just shrugged, a mischievous grin ying on his lips, as if to say, ¡°Not my problem.¡±
Now, both Benjamin and Abel found themselves on the receiving end of annoyed res.
In the end, Tess had no choice but to escort them both into the office, supporting one under each arm.
From the moment those people arrived, something about them felt off. Maybe it was because Abel had brought them, or perhaps it was that strange, almost familiar sensation Tess couldn¡¯t quite ce. Either way, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to refuse their persistent requests.
Olivia felt the gentle touch on her arm and nced down at Tess¡¯s smooth, fair hand.
Kylie had been about this age when she left home¡ªher skin just as wless and soft.
But now¡
Olivia lowered her gaze to her own hand, then to Benjamin¡¯s. Both of their hands were shriveled and wrinkled, like dried vines clinging to life.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips.
She had always prided herself on her sharp mind and the extraordinary life she had lived¡ªa life most people could only dream of. By all rights, she shouldn¡¯t have any regrets. Yet, seeing her granddaughter for the first time, time suddenly felt cruel. Her heart ached with a bittersweet mix of pride and sorrow.
¡°Good girl,¡± Olivia murmured softly.
Once Tess led them across the desk, Olivia reached out and gently patted Tess¡¯s hand, a silent gesture of approval and warmth.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a poignant note, weaving together the tension of Tess¡¯s precarious position with the warmth of familial bonds. Tess¡¯s resolve to navigate the treacherous waters alone underscores her strength and determination, even as the arrival of Abel and the yful squabbling of Benjamin and Olivia add a tender, humanizing touch to the unfolding drama. The contrast between the looming threat and the gentle moments shared among these characters highlights theplexity of their lives¡ªwhere vulnerability and courage coexist.
Amidst the high stakes and unspoken dangers, Olivia¡¯s quiet gesture toward Tess serves as a beacon of hope and eptance, reminding us that even in the darkest times, connection and understanding endure. This blend of tension and tenderness leaves the reader with a sense of anticipation and emotional depth, as Tess braces herself for the challenges ahead, supported by the subtle but unwavering presence of those who care for her.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of alliances and hidden motives surrounding Tess. As she navigates the perilousndscape of Ember Group¡¯s internal power struggles, the tension between loyalty and suspicion will only intensify. With Abel¡¯s unexpected arrival and the enigmaticpanions he brings, questions arise about their true intentions and how they might influence Tess¡¯s precarious position. The delicate bnce Tess maintains between revealing too much and staying one step ahead will be tested like never before.
Emotions are set to run high as old rivalries resurface and new dynamics emerge among the characters. The yful yet poignant interactions between Benjamin, Olivia, and Violet hint at deeper familialplexities that maye to light, addingyers of emotional depth to the unfolding drama. Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s quiet determination and the subtle support from those around her suggest that theing challenges will not only test her resolve but also reveal unexpected strengths and vulnerabilities. Readers can anticipate a chapter rich with suspense, emotional nuance, and the slow unraveling of secrets that could change everything.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 466
Keepsake 466 Summary
In this chapter, Benjamin surprises Tess by showing genuine gratitude instead of his usual teasing, setting a serious tone. Violet enters the scene, observing Tess intently and questioning her knowledge about their identities. Tess honestly admits she doesn¡¯t know who they are but feels a strong presence from them, especially since they came with her friend Abel. This honesty seems to endear her to the group, though Violet¡¯s subtle nce at Abel hints at underlying tensions.
The conversation shifts as Lyra asks about Violet¡¯s earlier statement regarding apanying Tess to Ember Vi. Violet exins that they were invited to the Ember Group and decided to join Tess since they share the same destination. Olivia encourages Tess to lead the way, emphasizing trust despite not knowing anyone else. Tess is hesitant, concerned about theck of introductions and potentialplications, but Abel quietly reassures her that taking them along could be advantageous and promises protection.
Eventually, Tess agrees to meet them the next day at thepany, signaling a tentative trust. Before parting, Olivia surprises Tess by slipping a priceless, glowing bracelet onto her wrist as a small gift for including them. Tess is startled and tries to pull away, but Olivia¡¯s firm grip and yful tone make it clear this gesture is significant. Violet notices the bracelet with a flicker of emotion but quickly hides her reaction, leaving an air of mystery around the gift and the group¡¯s intentions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 466: A Small Gift
This time, Benjamin didn¡¯t break the mood with his usual jokes aimed at Olivia. Instead, he adopted a serious demeanor, fixing Tess with a steady, appreciative gaze before nodding firmly. ¡°Thanks, kid,¡± he said quietly.
Tess blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the unexpected gratitude. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she replied softly, unsure of how to respond.
Just then, Violet entered the room, her presence calm and poised. Her eyes remained locked on Tess, studying her with quiet intensity.
Kylie had always been known for her spoiled and reckless nature, but her daughter waspletely differentposed, sharp, and remarkably collected.
¡°Tess,¡± Violet suddenly asked, her voice calm but probing, ¡°do you know who we are?¡±
The question hung in the air, freezing everyone for a brief moment.
Tess had run through countless possibilities on the way here, but she wasn¡¯t certain. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted honestly.
Olivia chuckled softly, her tone teasing but gentle. ¡°You don¡¯t even know us, and yet you¡¯re so considerate?¡±
Tess simply answered, ¡°You all gave off a strong presence, and you came with my friend.¡±
Her straightforward honesty only seemed to endear her to the group even more.
However, Violet caught one particr word¡ª¡°friend.¡±
She shot a sly nce at Abel.
As expected, Abel scratched the back of his head sheepishly, looking a little deted.
¡°I see¡¡± Violet drawled the words with a meaningful smile. ¡°Looks like you treat your friends pretty well.¡±
Abel caught the subtle jab and offered an awkward smile in return.
Tess noticed the unusual tension between them but chose not to interfere, instead giving a small, uneasy smile.
Breaking the silence, Lyra spoke up. ¡°Earlier, you said you wanted to go with Tess to Ember Vi. What exactly did you mean by that?¡±
The atmosphere shifted back to business.
¡°We were invited to the Ember Group as well,¡± Violet exined warmly. ¡°Abel thought we should stop here first, and then we ended up watching the whole scene outside. Since Ms. Tess is heading the same way, why not go together? Honestly, it feels like we get along.¡±
Tess never believed much in fate, but meeting these three gave her a strange sense of familiarity. There was something about them that felt unlike anyone else she¡¯d met.
¡°Good girl,¡± Olivia said with a yful wink. ¡°We don¡¯t know anyone here. If you lead the way, we¡¯ll feel safer.¡±
Benjamin didn¡¯t say much but tapped his cane lightly, as if to silently agree.
Despite this, Tess hesitated. They hadn¡¯t even introduced themselves properly, and it was clear they didn¡¯t intend to. If she asked too many questions, she doubted she¡¯d get any answers. Bringing them along mightplicate her carefullyid ns.
Abel noticed the crease forming between her brows. While the others focused on her, he quietly stepped closer from behind and leaned in. In a low whisper, he said, ¡°Taking them with you might actually work to your advantage.¡±
She stiffened at his voice and turned to face his confident smirk. Yet, his eyes were calm and steady, offering reassurance.
¡°Henry wouldn¡¯t darey a finger on them,¡± Abel added, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze, silently urging her to rx. ¡°I¡¯ll take you all there. If anything happens, just text me. I¡¯lle running.¡±
The deep rumble of his voice helped to soothe her nerves.
Tess could sense that these three were no ordinary people. Abel wouldn¡¯t have brought them along if he hadn¡¯t thought it through thoroughly.
Even without knowing the full n, she found herself trusting him.
¡°Alright,¡± she finally said, releasing her worries. ¡°Tomorrow, meet me downstairs at thepany.¡±
The three exchanged satisfied nces.
¡°Kid.¡± Olivia suddenly stood, reached out, and grabbed Tess¡¯s wrist, sliding a bracelet onto her hand.
The piece was unmistakably priceless, glowing with vibrant colors and sparkling wlessly in the light.
Tess gasped, instinctively trying to pull her hand back. ¡°What are you doing?¡±
Olivia was old, but her grip was unexpectedly firm.
She smiled broadly, tightening her hold so Tess couldn¡¯t pull away. ¡°Consider it a small gift for taking us with you.¡±
Her tone was light and yful.
Violet¡¯s eyebrows twitched as she caught sight of the bracelet, though she quickly smoothed her expression, masking whatever flicker had crossed her eyes.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a delicate moment of trust and connection, where Tess, initially hesitant, allows herself to lean on the unexpected support of Olivia, Violet, Abel, and Benjamin. The bracelet, a symbol of their alliance, carries more weight than its beauty suggests¡ªit is a tangible sign that Tess is no longer alone in her journey. Through the quiet exchanges and subtle nces, the narrative gently underscores themes of loyalty, protection, and the unspoken bonds that form when people choose to stand together.
Emotionally, Tess¡¯s guarded heart begins to soften, touched by the sincerity and quiet strength of herpanions. The tension between caution and trust weaves through the scene, highlighting her internal struggle but also her growing courage to embrace uncertainty. In this moment, the chapter captures a poignant bnce between vulnerability and resilience, setting the stage for the shared path ahead while honoring the quiet power of small gestures in forging meaningful connections.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
Next chapter promises to deepen the intrigue surrounding Tess and her unexpectedpanions. As Tess agrees to bring Olivia, Violet, and Lyra along to Ember Vi, the dynamics between these characters are set to evolve, revealingyers of trust, tension, and unspoken motives. The mysterious bracelet Olivia gifts Tess hints at hidden significance, suggesting that their journey together will be far from ordinary.
Emotions will run high as Tess grapples with the weight of new alliances and the risks they entail. Abel¡¯s quiet confidence and protective promise add a reassuring yetplex dimension to the unfolding story, leaving readers eager to see how his influence will shape theing events. The subtle exchanges and guarded nces foreshadow challenges that may test loyalties and uncover secrets, making the next chapter apelling continuation of this delicate bnce between caution and courage.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 467
Keepsake 467 Summary
In this chapter, Olivia offers Tess an emerald bracelet, a precious family heirloom, as a gift. Tess initially refuses, feeling it is too expensive to ept, but Olivia insists, exining that her family has many such bracelets and she wants Tess to have it. Violet is surprised by Olivia¡¯s generosity and the significance of the bracelet, recognizing it as a Larson family treasure. She observes Tess closely, admiring her genuine and humble nature, which gives Violet a sense of reassurance despite Olivia¡¯s impulsiveness.
Benjamin quietly disapproves of Olivia¡¯s boldness but remains silent, acknowledging the need for strong leadership in the Larson family. Tess, unsure, looks to Abel for guidance, who nonchntly tells her to decide for herself. Tess subtly shows her frustration at Abel¡¯s smugness by pressing her heel against his shoe, which catches his attention. Abel then suggests holding onto the bracelet for Tess temporarily, and she reluctantly agrees, feeling it would be rude to refuse again.
As the group prepares to leave, Abel flirts with Tess, making her blush and re at him, while Violet watches Abel¡¯s behavior with curiosity and mild disapproval. Lyra and Raven, Tess¡¯s friends, step up to host the group, offering to find a ce to eat. Violet feelsforted by the strong support system Tess has in her friends, contrasting with the troubled past Abel shared about Tess¡¯s transformation from a bright, cheerful cousin to a more reckless woman. Violet also sympathizes with Olivia¡¯s daughter, who has faced unfair treatment but remains strong.
The chapter ends with a sudden interruption as Nadine, driving away, is forced to brake sharply when a shy sports car cuts her off at an intersection, hinting at potential tension or conflict ahead.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 467: Her Friends Are Solid
Since it was Olivia who had offered the emerald bracelet, Violet felt it wasn¡¯t her ce to step in or interfere.
¡°This is way too expensive. I can¡¯t possibly ept it,¡± Tess said firmly, pushing the bracelet back toward Olivia with a resolute shake of her head.
But Olivia just smiled, cing a casual hand on her chest, radiating an effortless confidence. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. My family¡¯s been in the emerald business for generations. We have stacks of bracelets like this back home. Honestly, I don¡¯t have anything else with me, so just take it.¡±
Violet¡¯s lips twitched in surprise at Olivia¡¯s words, though she quickly masked any awkwardness. A whole collection of these bracelets at home? That was the very heirloom every Larson sessor had inherited through the years. Violet couldn¡¯t believe Olivia had not only brought one here but had given it outright to Tess on their very first meeting.
She stole another nce at Tess. There was something about the girl that immediately drew her in. Tess was genuine, humble, and carried herself with the quiet confidence of someone destined to lead a family someday.
The longer Violet observed her, the more she felt a sense of reassurance. Olivia¡¯s impulsiveness no longer irritated her.
Benjamin, meanwhile, rubbed his temples in silent exasperation at Olivia¡¯s bold gesture but chose to say nothing. They were all aging, and the Larson family needed a strong leader to rise. Maybe Olivia was acting on impulse, but surely she had her reasons.
Tess felt the cool weight of the emerald bracelet resting on her wrist and looked over at Abel, silently seeking his opinion since he had been the one to bring everyone together.
He merely shrugged, clearly signaling that she should handle it however she wished.
That smug little grin of his made Tess grit her teeth in frustration. Without thinking, she pressed her heel down against his shoe, grinding it just a bit.
Abel¡¯s smirk faltered, his lips twitching in surprise. He nced down and saw the beige heel pressing firmly into his ck shoe. The contrast was sharp, yet somehow fitting.
For a moment, Abel forgot the sting and simply felt dazed, his gaze lingering on Tess. He ran his tongue over his canine tooth, squinted, and then looked up at her.
¡°How about this? Let me hold onto it for now. I¡¯ll give it back when you leave,¡± he suggested smoothly.
Tess had no choice but to agree, at least for the moment. Olivia¡¯s enthusiasm was overwhelming, and refusing again after everything she¡¯d said would just seem rude.
Sensing Tess¡¯s hesitation, Olivia didn¡¯t push any further. She simply nodded and let the matter drop.
Abel, however, wasn¡¯t paying attention to the conversation at all. His eyes remained locked on Tess, his gaze traveling slowly from the strands of her hair down to the graceful curve of her chin, growing more intense with every passing second.
¡°Tess, if you keep this up, I might need someone to help me walk soon,¡± he murmured, leaning in close to whisper right by her ear.
Tess felt the warmth of his breath on her skin, and her cheeks instantly flushed a deep pink. She cleared her throat softly, quickly pulling her foot back and trying to hide her embarrassment. Still, she shot Abel a sharp re.
As usual, he had no shame. Instead, he shed her a cocky grin, clearly pleased with himself.
Violet had been watching Abel closely, her eyes appraising him carefully. He usually carried himself well, even with that wild streak. So why was he acting so flirtatious with Tess?
Violet clicked her tongue, deciding that was probably just how young people behaved these days.
¡°Abel came all the way from Kingnd, didn¡¯t he? I¡¯m guessing you all did. From what you said, you justnded, right?¡± Lyra stepped forward, taking on the role of host with a warm smile. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Why don¡¯t we find somewhere nearby to eat?¡±
Violet studied Lyra for a moment. A nice girl. Pretty, too.
Raven quickly chimed in, ¡°Yes, finally! I¡¯m starving!¡±
Violet turned her gaze to Raven. Compared to Lyra¡¯s soft and thoughtful demeanor, Raven was bolder and more restless. Yet her fiery spirit made Violet feel a sense of satisfaction.
Tess¡¯s friends seemed solid. That thought eased some of Violet¡¯s nerves.
After all, Abel had shared with them on the ne parts of Tess¡¯s past they¡¯d never heard before. It was hard to believe the bright, cheerful cousin Violet once knew had transformed into the reckless, wild woman Abel described.
Meanwhile, Tess, Olivia¡¯s daughter, had been treated unfairly. Thankfully, she was strong enough to stand her ground.
That realization stirred a flicker of sympathy within Violet.
¡°All right then, let¡¯s all go together,¡± she said, feeling a bit more at ease.
At that moment, Nadine was driving away when a shy sports car suddenly cut her off at the intersection, forcing her to brake sharply.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a note of quiet strength and growing understanding. Tess¡¯s humility and resilience shine through, earning the respect and subtle admiration of those around her. Olivia¡¯s generous spirit and unwavering confidence, though bold, serve as a reminder of the deep bonds and shared histories that connect these characters. The intery between Abel¡¯s yful teasing and Tess¡¯s guarded responses adds ayer of warmth and tension, hinting at theplexities of their rtionships.
Amidst the undercurrents of past hardships and unspoken stories, Violet¡¯s observations reveal a newfound eptance and hope. The solidarity of Tess¡¯s friends, each with their unique personalities, brings aforting sense of unity and support. As they prepare to move forward together, the chapter gently underscores themes of loyalty, strength, and the quiet courage it takes to face whatever lies ahead.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the dynamics between Tess and Abel, as their yful yet charged exchanges hint at unresolved tensions and perhaps more intimate revtions. With Abel¡¯s boldness contrasting Tess¡¯s guarded nature, their interactions could lead to moments of vulnerability or conflict that will test their fragile alliance. Meanwhile, Olivia¡¯s generous gesture with the emerald bracelet continues to cast a subtle influence, raising questions about her true intentions and the weight of family legacy on everyone involved.
As the group settles down for what should be a simple meal, the sudden interruption on the road hints at external forces beginning to stir, threatening to disrupt the fragile calm. This unexpected event might not only endanger Nadine but could also signal the arrival of new challenges that the characters must face together. Emotions are simmering beneath the surface, and the next chapter will likely explore how these rtionships evolve when confronted with unforeseen obstacles.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 468
Keepsake 468 Summary
Nadine is suddenly confronted by Max, whose cold and unforgiving demeanor immediately terrifies her. When Max uses her of setting him up, Nadine tries to flee, but he quickly grabs her with a merciless grip. Despite her protests about the presence of cameras, Max dismisses her concerns and reveals his intent to settle the score for her betrayal.
Max¡¯s anger intensifies as he recalls how Nadine involved him in a scandal without his consent, and he harshly confronts her about her motives. Nadine tries to exin, but Max¡¯s grip tightens dangerously around her neck, silencing her and deepening her fear. Tears stream down Nadine¡¯s face as Max mocks her reasons, using her of wanting to cause trouble for Tess and asserting his dominance.
Max forcibly drags Nadine toward his car, ignoring her desperate pleas about the consequences if she doesn¡¯t get home. As he speeds away, Nadine¡¯s panic esctes, and she realizes she ispletely at his mercy. Max heads to a Hunt Group factory and orders the guard to clear the manager¡¯s office and keep others out, signaling a dark n in motion.
Inside the car, the tension is suffocating. Nadine is disheveled and terrified while Max waits silently, cracking his knuckles ominously. His once soft gaze toward Tess has transformed into a cold, merciless stare fixed on Nadine, making it clear that she is nowpletely vulnerable and must face the consequences of her actions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 468: Settle the Score
Nadine¡¯s heart suddenly skipped a beat, an inexplicable jolt that made her nce up sharply. The car window rolled down slowly, revealing a face as cold and unforgiving as ice.
Her breath caught in her throat instantly.
It was Max.
¡°W-what do you want?¡± Nadine stammered, her words stumbling awkwardly as panic crept in.
Max¡¯s lips curled into a chilling smile that quickly faded, reced by a menacing re. His expression was ruthless, devoid of any warmth.
¡°Nadine, how dare you set me up?¡± he spat, his voice dripping with usation. With a sharp m of the car door, he stepped out and started walking toward her with deliberate, threatening strides.
Nadine¡¯s body trembled all over. As he closed the distance, fear surged through her veins, but she forced herself to snap out of her paralysis and tried to run.
Max anticipated her move instantly. Before she could even take a step, he lunged forward and grabbed her shoulder with a grip like iron.
¡°Ah!¡± Nadine cried out, pain twisting her face.
His hold was merciless, like an eagle¡¯s talons clutching her tightly enough to tear her clothes and dig painfully into her skin.
¡°Max, what are you doing? There are cameras here!¡± she gasped, terror rising in her voice. Yet she bit her lip hard, determined not to copse.
¡°There¡¯s no press here,¡± Max sneered, his eyes colder than winter frost. The look he gave her sent a shiver racing down her spine.
Hearing those words, Nadine began trembling uncontrobly¡ªnot just her fingers, but her legs too. Any hope she¡¯d clung to moments ago was shattered.
It was clear now: Max hade to settle the score.
Before she could react, his iron grip tightened and his hand shot up to mp around her chin.
¡°Nadine, do you really think you¡¯re so special? You actually set me up?¡± His voice was low and venomous as he stared into her anguished face.
When the room he and Tess had upied was suddenly swarmed by reporters, he never imagined Nadine was behind it all. How had she be so brazen?
He¡¯d also overheard the conversation outside Mars Legal earlier. He didn¡¯t understand why Nadine was suddenly ying nice with Tess, but dragging him into this mess without his consent? Did she expect him to just ept it quietly?
His grip squeezed harder, and Nadine feared he might crush her jaw.
¡°Max¡¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.
His hand slid from her chin down to her neck, and a cold wave of dread crawled up her spine.
What could she possibly do now?
Nadine¡¯s eyes widened in helplessness, her lips trembling with fear. She struggled to find words. ¡°Mr. Hunt! I¡ I had my reasons¡¡±
But as his hand closed firmly around her throat, her voice was silenced. Tears of terror streamed down her cheeks.
¡°Reasons?¡± Max¡¯s voice wasced with scorn. ¡°Nadine, you just wanted to mess with Tess. Don¡¯t think you can do whatever you want just because the Embers are doing better.¡±
A cruel smirk twisted his lips.
Nadine shook her head desperately, trying to deny everything, but Max wasn¡¯t listening. He hauled her toward the car by the neck.
The sports car roared to life, kicking up dust as it sped away, carrying Nadine¡¯s frantic screams on the wind.
Before long, Max drove straight to the nearest Hunt Group factory.
¡°Mr. Hunt, what brings you here today?¡± The guard at the gate snapped awake as Max rolled down the window. He stood quickly, hurrying over with a polite smile to open the gate.
¡°Take me to the manager¡¯s office. Clear him out, and don¡¯t let anyone else in,¡± Max ordered coldly, slipping on his sunsses to mask the darkness burning in his eyes.
The guard felt a chill run down his spine but nodded without hesitation. Orders were orders. He rushed off to make the arrangements.
¡°Max, what are you doing? If I don¡¯t get home tonight, people will notice! You¡¯ll be in trouble! Let me go! I swear I won¡¯t tell anyone about today!¡± Nadine¡¯s voice trembled with panic as words tumbled out in a desperate rush.
Max barely opened his eyes, watching her disheveled face in the rearview mirror like a snake eyeing its prey.
She was sweating despite the air conditioning. Her once-perfect hair clung in damp strands to her forehead,pletely undone¡ªnothing like the poised, confident woman she¡¯d been before.
Max lowered his head, waiting silently for the guard while casually cracking his knuckles.
The sharp pops echoed through the quiet car, where only their breathing and pounding hearts filled the tense silence.
Each second felt unbearably long, every tiny noise scraping at Nadine¡¯s frayed nerves.
¡°Nadine, listen carefully. You¡¯re the one who should be begging me.¡±
He lifted his gaze. The same eyes once soft and obsessed with Tess were now cold and merciless, locking onto Nadine with ruthless intent.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a chilling note, capturing the raw intensity of the confrontation between Nadine and Max. Nadine¡¯s vulnerability isid bare, her fear and desperation a stark contrast to Max¡¯s cold, unyielding resolve. Their fraught dynamic, steeped in betrayal and power, underscores the fragile bnce of control and the consequences of past actions. The emotional tension is palpable, leaving readers suspended in a moment where hope feels distant and the stakes unbearably high.
This encounter highlights the themes of retribution and the unraveling of facades, as both characters face the fallout of their choices. Nadine¡¯s trembling defiance against Max¡¯s ruthless dominance speaks to theplexity of their intertwined fates. The chapter¡¯s atmosphere, thick with dread and unresolved conflict, sets the stage for the inevitable reckoning, reminding us that every action carries weight and that settling scores oftenes at a steep emotional cost.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to plunge deeper into the tense and vtile dynamic between Max and Nadine, as the stakes escte far beyond what either of them anticipated. As Max¡¯s dark intentions be clearer, Nadine¡¯s vulnerability and desperation will be tested in ways that could redefine her fate. Readers will be drawn into a gripping psychological battle, where fear, power, and hidden motives intertwine, leaving no one unscathed.
Emotions will run high as the past and present collide, exposing cracks in alliances and forcing characters to confront ufortable truths. The shadow of Tess loomsrge, and the tangled rtionships between these three will be even moreplex and fraught with tension. Expect the next chapter to revealyers of character motivations and secrets, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation that could change everything.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 469
Keepsake 469 Summary
Nadine¡¯s determination falters under Max¡¯s cold, intimidating stare. Desperate, she begs him to release her, iming Henry had forced her into a situation beyond her control. Max coldly assures her he will handle Henry as well, sending a chill through Nadine. A security guard signals them, prompting Max to speed away abruptly, causing Nadine to be violently thrown around inside the car. They arrive at a deserted, sterile-looking location, where Max drags Nadine out roughly and locks her inside a sealed office.
Inside the office, Nadine is physically and emotionally battered. Max attacks her, choking and striking her repeatedly, leaving her weak and terrified. Despite the pain and fear, Nadine¡¯s hatred for Tess burns fiercely, intensified by Max¡¯s cruel words and actions. She tries to resist mentally, holding onto defiance even as her body fails her. The situation is bleak, with Nadine trapped and powerless, overwhelmed by humiliation and despair.
Meanwhile, at the apartment, Henry grows worried over Nadine¡¯s prolonged absence as evening falls. Shannon remains calm and dismissive, reminding Henry that Nadine¡¯s part in the n is done and urging him to focus on dinner ns instead. Despite his unease, Henry tries to shake off his concern, but the tension lingers as the sunset casts long shadows over the factory where Nadine remains captive.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 469: Shadows at Sunset
Nadine¡¯s resolve crumbled beneath Max¡¯s icy gaze.
Her teeth clenched so tightly that the metallic tang of blood filled her mouth. ¡°Please¡ I¡¯m begging you. Let me go. Henry forced me¡ªI had no choice,¡± she whispered, desperation seeping into her voice.
Max¡¯s lips curled into a low, chillingugh. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll deal with Henry too.¡±
That promise sent a shiver down Nadine¡¯s spine, her back stiffening involuntarily.
At that moment, a security guard appeared silently, giving a subtle nod toward the still-sealed window, then shed an ¡°OK¡± sign with his fingers.
Without hesitation, Max gripped the steering wheel and mmed his foot down hard on the elerator. The car lunged forward with a sudden jolt.
Nadine was thrown back into the seat, her body jolted violently. Before she could regain her bnce, Max mmed on the brakes, throwing her forward again, pain radiating through her limbs.
The surroundings were eerily quiet¡ªtoo sterile, too empty. It looked nothing like a factory should.
Max exited the vehicle with long, purposeful strides across the deserted lot. Without a word, he yanked open her door, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and dragged her out roughly.
She gasped, trying to break free, but her struggles were futile. He shoved her into an office, the windows already tightly sealed.
Nadine hit the cold, hard floor with a painful thud. Her arms scraped against the rough surface, sharp stinging shooting through her skin.
She looked up just in time to see Max locking the door behind him. A wave of dread tightened around her chest.
¡°Max, what do you want from me?¡± Her voice quivered, the question spilling out repeatedly, each time more desperate than before.
Max loosened his tie slowly but said nothing. Then, without warning, he grabbed her by the throat and mmed his fist into her face.
The force sent her flying from the floor onto the couch. Her head spun, the room tilting dangerously.
¡°Nadine,¡± Max growled, leaning over her, his grip tightening around her neck, pinning her firmly to the couch. Her hair spilled over the edge, nearly brushing the floor.
The suffocating pressure felt like drowning.
Nadine clung desperately to his wrist, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°I¡ I was wrong¡¡±
¡°Toote for that,¡± he sneered, delivering a harsh kick to her leg.
She crumpled to the floor, her body aching, fragile and defeated.
A heavy, suffocating despair settled deep within her chest.
Her eyes flickered toward the locked door¡ªno escape awaited her. She was trapped, forced to endure his wrath.
Her n had seemed perfect. If the press caught Tess and Max together, the scandal would destroy them both. No one would pause to question who had leaked the story.
But Tess had a backup n.
Rage twisted painfully in Nadine¡¯s gut. She bit down hard on her lip until blood smeared across her skin, then gasped sharply as Max¡¯s fist crashed into her back.
Her body convulsed, tears streaming freely down her cheeks.
Max loomed over her, his eyes cold and unforgiving. ¡°You really thought you could use me.¡±
¡°Max!¡± Nadine¡¯s voice cracked, but she red up at him, hatred burning fiercely despite her fear. ¡°You¡¯re the one who went after Tess. Weren¡¯t you afraid of being exposed?¡±
Knowing there was no mercying, Nadine forced herself to lift her head, eyes zing with defiance.
But the pain pinned her down, her body refusing to obey.
She felt like nothing more than a discarded animal, used and tossed aside.
Humiliation scorched her from within.
Her hatred for Tess red hotter, fueling the fire burning in her chest.
¡°You¡¯re nothing but an illegitimate brat. Don¡¯t think you can stand against me,¡± Max¡¯s voice cut through the air like a de, turning the room icy cold. His words froze her blood.
Nadine stared at him, the defiant spark in her eyes sputtering out, reced by pure terror.
¡°Max¡ªah!¡±
Her scream shattered the silence of the office, echoing off the walls and rattling the ceiling.
Meanwhile, at the apartment¡
¡°Why isn¡¯t Nadine back yet?¡± Henry frowned, his hand resting gently on Shannon¡¯s belly.
Shannon, calm and unbothered, popped another piece of dried fruit into her mouth. ¡°What¡¯s the rush? The news already said it, didn¡¯t it? Tess agreed to go to Ember Vi tomorrow.¡±
Henry hesitated, then nodded slowly. It was true¡ªNadine had alreadypleted her part.
Still¡
He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling his heartbeat quicken, a tight unease creeping in.
His gaze drifted toward the window. Nadine had been gone nearly the entire day. Now, evening was settling in. She had never stayed out thiste before.
¡°Oh, stop overthinking,¡± Shannon teased, giving his arm a yful nudge. ¡°Go get Kaleb. It¡¯s time for dinner.¡±
Henry blinked, shaking off the worry gnawing at him. ¡°Alright.¡±
Back at the factory, the sky was aze with streaks of fiery sunset, casting long shadows across the empty lot.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a harrowing note, capturing the raw intensity of Nadine¡¯s ordeal and the suffocating power Max wields over her. Her desperate pleas and fierce defiance sh with the brutal reality of her situation, leaving her battered and broken both physically and emotionally. The stark contrast between her torment and the calm normalcy at the apartment underscores the istion and danger she faces, deepening the emotional weight of this moment.
Amidst the shadows cast by the setting sun, the storyys bare themes of betrayal, power, and survival. Nadine¡¯s struggle is not just against Max¡¯s cruelty, but also against the crushing despair of being trapped in a situation spiraling beyond her control. The chapter¡¯s closing image of the fiery sunset mirrors the turmoil within her, hinting at a storm yet toe while holding the reader in the tense silence of what lies ahead.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the tension between Nadine and Max, as the fragile bnce of power shifts in unpredictable ways. Nadine¡¯s desperate situation will test her resilience and reveal new facets of her character, while Max¡¯s cold ruthlessness threatens to push them both to the edge. Emotional turmoil and raw vulnerability are poised to collide, making every interaction charged with uncertainty and danger.
Meanwhile, the quiet unease at Henry¡¯s apartment hints at looming consequences that may ripple through the lives of those connected to Nadine. As shadows lengthen with the setting sun, secrets and alliances will be challenged, and the true cost of past choices will begin to surface. Readers can expect a chapter filled with suspense, emotionalplexity, and the simmering threat of confrontation that will keep them on edge.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 470
Keepsake 470 Summary
Max stayed in the office much longer than usual before leaving silently and driving away in his sports car. He stopped at the back of Ember Group¡¯s headquarters, made sure no one was watching, and forcefully pulled Nadine from the passenger seat. She was barely conscious and limp as he dropped her on the cold pavement, then quickly drove off without looking back. Nadine slowly regained awareness, feeling pain in her jaw and head, left alone in the fading light.
At the building¡¯s entrance, Kylie appeared, dressed simply but with a quiet strength. She had been waiting at the Ember Residence to support Nadine, who had been struggling, but today Nadine was missing. The silence at home was unbearable, so Kylie came to thepany itself, reflecting on how much Ember Group had grown since she and Henry started it. Despite Henry¡¯s apologies for his betrayal, Kylie found it hard to forgive him. With Henry gone, Tess out of the picture, and Nadine consumed by work, Kylie felt a deep loneliness and hoped to convince Henry toe home if she saw him.
When Kylie tried to enter thepany iming to be the chairman¡¯s wife, the receptionist immediately doubted her and used her of pretending. Kylie¡¯s anger red, feeling insulted after all she had endured. The receptionist hesitated but refused to let her see the chairman without an appointment. Just then, Sophia Bet arrived and intervened, allowing Kylie to proceed to see Nadine. Sophia led Kylie through the sleekpany interior, though she secretly mocked Kylie¡¯s presence.
Sophia, who was dressed sharply and confident, knew that Tess had already taken control of Ember Group, even if the formal shareholders¡¯ meeting had not yet happened. She saw Kylie as a former figure with no real power anymore and looked down on her quietly. Despite Kylie¡¯s attempt to assert herself as the matriarch of the empire, Sophia was aware that the true Mrs. Ember was now someone else, and Kylie¡¯s importance had faded in the eyes of thepany.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 470: The Forgotten Wife
Max lingered inside the office far longer than usual before finally emerging into the dimming light. He didn¡¯t utter a single word as he strode past the security guard, who watched silently as Max slid into his sleek sports car. With a roar of the engine, the vehicle sped away, leaving only a trail of dust behind.
The security guard clicked his tongue in quiet envy, his gaze following the car¡¯s swift departure before returning to his post by the gate.
Max¡¯s car came to a halt at the rear entrance of Ember Group¡¯s imposing headquarters. Cloaked by shadows, he carefully scanned the surrounding area, ensuring no prying eyes were nearby. Once he felt certain of his privacy, he yanked Nadine out of the passenger seat. She was barely conscious, her body limp and lifeless as he unceremoniously dropped her onto the cold pavement, as if she weighed nothing at all.
The sudden chill of the concrete beneath her stirred Nadine slightly. Her eyelids fluttered open slowly, the fading sunset casting harsh streaks of light across her blurred vision.
A sharp ache radiated from her jaw, crawling relentlessly up to throb behind her temples.
Max didn¡¯t spare her a nce. Without hesitation, he climbed back into the driver¡¯s seat and sped away, leaving Nadine alone on the cold ground.
At that moment, a woman appeared at the building¡¯s entrance. Draped in a soft beige knit cardigan, she moved with a quiet grace that spoke of both strength and solitude¡ªan aura that made passersby steal a second look.
Kylie¡¯s hands clenched tightly at her sides.
She had heard that Nadine had been strugglingtely, so for the past few afternoons, Kylie had made a habit of waiting at the Ember Residence, hoping to offer somepany andfort.
But today, Nadine was nowhere to be seen¡ªhourste andpletely absent.
The silence at home had grown unbearably heavy, so Kylie decided toe here, to thepany itself.
Her eyes lifted to the towering ss facade of Ember Group¡¯s headquarters, and a wistful sigh escaped her lips.
Years ago, when she and Henry had started from scratch, Ember Group had been nothing more than a cramped, modest office. Now, it loomedrge, one of the most influential names in all of Aetheris.
The thought of Henry tightened something deep in her chest.
She was painfully aware of what men were capable of, but having been raised in a family where honor and integrity were paramount, she had never experienced betrayal firsthand. Even though Henry had apologized and bowed his head in remorse, she found it impossible to forgive him fully.
With Henry gone, Tess vanished from the picture, and Nadine buried in endless work, the loneliness inside Kylie¡¯s heart grew into a vast, aching void, pulling at her relentlessly.
If she happened to run into Henry today, maybe she¡¯d finally tell him toe home.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Kylie stepped toward the building¡¯s entrance.
¡°Ma¡¯am?¡± a voice called out suddenly.
When Kylie gave her name at the front desk, the receptionist froze, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Kylie from head to toe. Confusion and suspicion flickered across her face.
¡°Ma¡¯am, you can¡¯t just walk in without an appointment and im you¡¯re the chairman¡¯s wife,¡± the receptionist said sharply, her tone bordering on usatory.
Kylie blinked, then her expression darkened. ¡°Are you implying that I¡¯m pretending to be Henry¡¯s wife?¡±
She mmed her palm down on the desk, the sharp noise startling the receptionist.
Kylie¡¯s anger was already simmering from the sting of Henry¡¯s betrayal. Now, to have an employee question her identity felt like a deep, personal insult.
The receptionist shifted ufortably under Kylie¡¯s intense gaze.
Still, she recalled clearly¡ªthe woman who hade here before was not the real Mrs. Ember.
Her face twisted into a troubled frown.
¡°Give me the number for the chairman¡¯s office,¡± Kylie demanded sharply.
The receptionist hurried forward, blocking ess to the phone directory. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am! You can¡¯t see the chairman without an appointment!¡±
¡°Isabe, you may return to your duties,¡± a new voice interrupted, cutting through the tension like a lifeline.
The receptionist¡¯s face brightened with relief. ¡°Ms. Bet, thank goodness!¡± She shoved the phone book into Sophia Bet¡¯s hands and quickly retreated, like a startled rabbit.
¡°Mrs. Ember, my apologies. She¡¯s new,¡± Sophia said smoothly.
Sophia was dressed impably in a ck blouse tucked neatly into a fitted red skirt.
Kylie frowned slightly at the outfit but kept her chin lifted. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Nadine.¡±
¡°Of course. Right this way, please,¡± Sophia replied with a polite smile, leading Kylie toward the elevator.
Kylie followed, her eyes wandering over the sleek interior of thepany.
Because her gaze drifted casually, she missed the subtle flicker of mockery in Sophia¡¯s eyes.
Ember Group had already been taken over by Tess, though the shareholders¡¯ meeting to formalize it hadn¡¯t yet urred. Kylie was, at best, the former Mrs. Ember, yet here she was, carrying herself like the matriarch of the empire.
Sophia didn¡¯t overlook the way Kylie¡¯s eyes appraised her.
She scoffed inwardly, filled with disdain.
Isabe wasn¡¯t new at all¡ªshe¡¯d been with thepany for six months. Everyone already knew who the true Mrs. Ember was now. If Sophia weren¡¯t so experienced, no one would even remember Kylie¡¯s existence.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a somber note, weaving together the threads of abandonment, identity, and unspoken pain. Nadine¡¯s physical and emotional fragility contrasts sharply with Max¡¯s cold detachment, underscoring the loneliness that shadows her existence. Meanwhile, Kylie¡¯s quiet strength and yearning for connection reveal the deeper wounds left by betrayal and loss, as she confronts both external skepticism and internal turmoil. The tension between past and present, memory and reality, is palpable, highlighting the fragile bonds that once held these lives together.
Amidst the towering ss and corporate power of Ember Group, the personal battles continue to unfold, reminding us that beneath the surface of sess and influence lie hearts bruised by misunderstanding and rejection. Kylie¡¯s determination to reim her ce, despite the shifting tides of loyalty and recognition, speaks to the resilience of love and the enduring hope for reconciliation. This chapter leaves us suspended in a moment of quiet despair and tentative courage, inviting reflection on theplexities of human rtionships and the scars they leave behind.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the emotional turmoil that surrounds Kylie as she confronts the harsh realities of her fractured life. Her determination to find Nadine and reim some semnce of control within the empire she once called home will surely face unexpected resistance. The tension between Kylie and thepany¡¯s new power holders hints at a collision course that could unravel long-held secrets and loyalties.
Meanwhile, Nadine¡¯s precarious state after Max¡¯s cold abandonment raises urgent questions about her fate and the hidden motives driving those around her. As Kylie steps further into the shadowed corridors of Ember Group, the lines between past and present blur, setting the stage for revtions that could change everything. Readers will be drawn into the unfolding struggle for identity, power, and redemption, eager to see who will emerge stronger and who might be lost to the shadows.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 471
Keepsake 471 Summary
Kylie arrives at the office hoping to find Nadine, but Sophia informs her that Nadine hasn¡¯te in that day. Kylie is confused and worried because Nadine is usually very busy and never misses a chance to visit her. When Kylie asks about Henry, Sophia reveals that he hasn¡¯t beening to work for a long time and that Nadine has been managing everything alone. This news shocks Kylie, as she had thought Henry was still present at the office.
Feeling overwhelmed and confused, Kylie leaves the building and wanders the street, lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, she hears a faint voice calling ¡°Mom! Help me,¡± which she recognizes as Nadine¡¯s. Despite her disbelief and fear that she might be imagining things, Kylie follows the voice and finds Nadine in a terrible state. Nadine¡¯s clothes are torn, and her body is covered in bruises and cuts, making her look like a broken doll.
Kylie is horrified and shaken by the sight of her daughter¡¯s injuries. Nadine weakly asks Kylie to take her to the hospital, prompting Kylie to call emergency services. When the ambnce arrives, paramedics carefully lift Nadine onto a stretcher despite her pain. Kylie stays by her side during the ride, offeringfort and support.
At the hospital, Kylie anxiously asks the doctor about Nadine¡¯s condition. The doctor exins that Nadine was brutally beaten but, fortunately, her internal organs were not damaged. The bruises and muscle injuries will take time to heal. Though relieved that Nadine¡¯s injuries are not life-threatening, Kylie¡¯s heart remains heavy with sorrow and a deep desire to protect her daughter.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 471: Mom, Help Me
¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡±
As the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, Sophia¡¯s cheerful smile quickly returned to its usualposed expression. Kylie stepped out briskly, her footsteps echoing lightly against the polished floor as she was led toward the office where Nadine typically worked.
¡°Wait right here. I¡¯ll go see if she¡¯s around,¡± Sophia said, her voice gentle but cautious.
Momentster, Sophia reappeared, wearing an apologetic look. ¡°Mrs. Ember, I¡¯m sorry to say this, but Ms. Nadine hasn¡¯te in today.¡±
Kylie¡¯s eyebrows knitted together so tightly it was as if she could slice through the air with them.
That didn¡¯t add up. Nadine was always talking about how swamped she was with work. How could she possibly skip today, of all days? She never missed a chance to visit Kylie¡ªso why wouldn¡¯t she show up at the office?
A knot of unease tightened in Kylie¡¯s chest. She nced around the sleek, sterile lobby, then asked abruptly, ¡°What about Henry? It¡¯s still working hours. Can you take me to him?¡±
Without waiting for a reply, she started walking toward the direction of Henry¡¯s office, but Sophia hesitated.
¡°Um, Mrs. Ember¡ you didn¡¯t know? Mr. Ember hasn¡¯t beening in for quite some time. Ms. Nadine has been managing everything on her own.¡±
Henry¡¯s reputation was already in tatters. Only a handful of minor shareholders lingered, and none of them seemed to care about him anymore.
Sophia kept her tone polite, but Kylie sensed the undercurrent of frustration beneath it.
Her heart plummeted like a stone sinking in deep water.
¡°He hasn¡¯t been here in ages?¡± Kylie repeated, disbelief thick in her voice.
But Henry had told her they were living apart and that he was staying at the office. Why would the staff say otherwise? If he wasn¡¯t here, then where had he been all this time?
Questions swarmed her mind like a storm, each one more unsettling than thest. A heavy, suffocating pressure gripped her chest, twisting it painfully.
Then, a dark, terrifying thought crept in¡ªone she couldn¡¯t bring herself to ept.
She shook her head fiercely, trying to banish the awful suspicion.
By the time she stumbled out of the building, she barely remembered how she¡¯d gotten there. The sun was dipping below the horizon, streaking the sky with fading gold and crimson hues.
¡°Mom¡¡±
Kylie wandered aimlessly down the street, lost in a haze, when she caught a faint voice brushing past her like a whisper in the wind.
It sounded just like Nadine.
She froze but kept moving forward, her heart pounding in confusion.
She must be losing her mind. Or maybe she was so overwhelmed with anger that her ears were ying tricks on her. Why else would Nadine¡¯s voice suddenly echo in her head?
Rubbing her temples, she tried to clear her thoughts, but the voice only grew louder.
¡°Mom! Help me¡¡±
This time, the cry was raw and desperate, as if someone was pouring everyst ounce of strength into that plea.
Kylie spun around, her breath catching. In the shadowed corner of the street, she saw a figure barely recognizable.
¡°Nadine!¡±
She gasped and hurried over.
What she saw made her stomach churn with dread.
If it hadn¡¯t been for the familiar clothes and that unmistakable voice, she wouldn¡¯t have believed this broken figure was her daughter. Nadine looked less like a living person and more like a shattered doll.
The dress Kylie had carefully chosen for her was torn to shreds, the skirt ripped into ragged strips. Bruises and cuts mottled her skin, dark and angry marks spreading across her arms like vicious bite wounds.
Kylie had been sheltered from the harsh realities of the world. She had never witnessed anything so horrifying in her life.
Her hands trembled as she crouched beside Nadine, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to touch her. ¡°Nadine, what happened? Who did this to you? How could anyone do this?¡±
Her voice quivered, and for a moment, all the confusion and pain she¡¯d felt earlier melted away, reced by a raw, aching sorrow.
Tears streamed down Nadine¡¯s face as she looked up weakly. ¡°Mom¡ please. Take me to the hospital.¡±
That desperate plea snapped Kylie back to reality. She fumbled for her phone with shaking hands and dialed emergency services.
The wail of sirens soon filled the air as the ambnce arrived. A team of paramedics rushed out, carrying a stretcher as they hurried to lift Nadine carefully inside.
Even that simple act¡ªjust raising her onto the stretcher¡ªwas unbearable to watch. Every time someone¡¯s touch grazed her, Nadine hissed sharply in pain.
Kylie¡¯s brows knitted tightly, her face clouded with anguish, as if she could feel each injury herself.
She climbed into the ambnce and stayed by Nadine¡¯s side throughout the ride to the hospital, holding her hand gently, whisperingforting words.
Once they arrived, she followed the medical team until Nadine was bandaged and settled into a hospital room.
¡°Doctor, please¡ªwhat happened to my daughter? How did she end up like this?¡± Kylie¡¯s voice trembled as she gripped the doctor¡¯s arm, desperate for answers.
¡°From what I can see, she was brutally beaten,¡± the doctor exined gravely. ¡°The injuries are severe, but thankfully, whoever did this held back enough to avoid damaging her internal organs. Still, the bruising and muscle damage will take a long time to heal.¡±
Hearing the doctor¡¯s careful assessment lifted a small weight from Kylie¡¯s chest, though the pain in her heart remained raw.
She thanked the medical staff quietly, then turned back to look at Nadine lying pale and fragile in the hospital bed. Her heart clenched anew, aching with a fierce protectiveness and sorrow she couldn¡¯t shake.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a note of profound vulnerability, capturing the raw emotional turmoil Kylie experiences as she confronts the harsh reality of Nadine¡¯s suffering. Through the shattering image of her daughter¡¯s battered form, the story delves deeply into themes of pain, helplessness, and the desperate need for protection. Kylie¡¯s journey from confusion to urgent action highlights the fierce love that drives her to face even the most unbearable truths for the sake of her child.
Despite the darkness that shadows this chapter, there remains a fragile thread of hope woven through Kylie¡¯s unwavering presence by Nadine¡¯s side. The quiet strength she shows in the hospital, whisperingfort and seeking answers, reflects the resilience born of maternal love. This moment, though heavy with sorrow, marks the beginning of a new chapter where healing¡ªboth physical and emotional¡ªmust take root, reminding us of the enduring power of care amidst despair.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the shadows that have begun to cloud Kylie¡¯s world. As she grapples with the shocking truth about Nadine¡¯s condition and the unsettling absence of Henry, the emotional stakes rise sharply. Expect the tension to build as Kylie confronts the painful realities lurking beneath the surface of her family¡¯s fractured facade, and as she searches for answers that may note easily.
Emotions will run high as Kylie¡¯s protective instincts sh with the overwhelming confusion and fear threatening to consume her. The fragile bond between mother and daughter will be tested in ways neither anticipated, and the ripple effects of these discoveries may force Kylie to face difficult decisions. The next chapter will leave you questioning who can be trusted and what secrets still lie hidden in the shadows.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 472
Keepsake 472 Summary
Kylie sat tensely beside Nadine¡¯s hospital bed, overwhelmed by anger and betrayal after learning that Tess, her own daughter, had caused harm to Nadine. Despite the pain inflicted by Henry¡¯s betrayal, it was Tess¡¯s actions that cut deepest, especially since Nadine had been a constant support through their troubles. When Nadine weakly revealed that Tess was responsible, Kylie¡¯s shock quickly turned to fierce hatred, recalling how Tess¡¯s behavior had only worsened over the years and driven Henry away, while Nadine remained kind and considerate.
Nadine tearfully recounted the abuse she suffered, locked in a room and beaten by people under Kylie¡¯s knowledge, with her injuries painfully visible. Kylie¡¯s fury boiled over as she condemned Tess¡¯s cruelty, ming her spoiled upbringing andck of manners for her callousness. Despite Nadine¡¯s fear of confronting Max, the powerful new CEO who had physically harmed her, the real source of her suffering was Tess¡¯s instigation. Kylie vowed to make Tess pay for her actions, determined to protect Nadine at all costs.
Though Nadine hesitated, feeling conflicted about harshly judging her sister, Kylie was resolute that Tess¡¯s betrayal was unforgivable. She admitted past failings as a mother but insisted it was time to act decisively. Nadine foundfort and hope in Kylie¡¯s fierce protection, grateful for her mother¡¯s strength.
Nadine then recalled a recent incident involving Tess and reporters, which might have triggered Tess¡¯s hostile behavior. Kylie¡¯s anger reignited upon learning that despite Nadine¡¯s attempts to help Tess, her sister still held a grudge. The chapter ends with Kylie¡¯s rage deepening as she realizes the full extent of Tess¡¯s cold-heartedness and the pain she caused her own family.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 472: It Was Tess
Kylie sat rigidly beside Nadine¡¯s hospital bed, her fingers tightly clenched into fists, her gaze sharp and filled with fury. The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in around them, the faint hum of machines punctuating the heavy silence. Betrayal had cut deep¡ªHenry¡¯s treachery was one wound, but now her own flesh and blood, Tess, had vanished from their lives forever. Through all of this turmoil, only Nadine had remained steadfast by her side. Yet now, someone had inflicted such pain on her daughter, and Kylie¡¯s heart burned with anger and helplessness.
¡°Tell me, Nadine,¡± Kylie demanded, voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and rage, ¡°who did this to you? Who could be so cruel?¡±
After receiving treatment and IV fluids, Nadine¡¯s strength slowly returned, but tears still streamed down her pale cheeks. Her hands trembled as she pointed weakly, voice barely above a whisper, ¡°Mom¡ it was Tess.¡±
Kylie¡¯s breath caught sharply. ¡°Tess?¡± she repeated, disbelief and shock mingling in her voice. ¡°How could she be so heartless?¡±
Nadine¡¯s body shook violently as sobs overtook her. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s all her fault!¡± Panic filled her eyes as if a dreadful memory had just resurfaced, one too painful to bear.
Seeing Nadine¡¯s fragile state, Kylie reached out, her hand shaking as she gently tried to soothe her. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Nadine. I¡¯m here. You¡¯re safe now.¡± Her tone softened, tender and motherly, but beneath that warmth, her eyes darkened with cold fury.
Tess¡ªthe very name ignited a fierce hatred in Kylie¡¯s heart. That spoiled child had never earned Henry¡¯s favor, while Nadine, the adopted daughter, was always considerate and kind. Even Henry, often consumed by work, had begun spending more time at home because of Nadine¡¯s presence. Over the past two years, Tess¡¯s behavior had only worsened, driving Henry further away. She was a disappointment, unable to bring any happiness to her father. And now, she had dared to hurt Nadine¡ªthe only person who had ever been Kylie¡¯s truefort.
Disgust churned inside Kylie. Holding Nadine¡¯s trembling form close, she whispered fiercely, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Nadine. I will make sure she pays for this.¡±
¡ª
Nadine finally lifted her tear-streaked face from Kylie¡¯s embrace, sorrow etched deep in her eyes. ¡°Really, Mom?¡± she asked, clutching Kylie¡¯s sleeve as if fearing the answer might be no.
¡°I can¡¯t even begin to exin,¡± Nadine continued, voice trembling. ¡°Kylie hurt me so badly. She locked me in a room and had people beat me. It hurts so much.¡± She showed Kylie her injured arm, the scars raw and painful to look at. Seeing them, Kylie¡¯s heart clenched with a fresh surge of anguish.
¡°She¡¯s lost her mind!¡± Kylie spat, mming her fist against the bed with such force the frame shook. ¡°Who does she think she is, acting like she owns everything just because she left our family? I bet it¡¯s because she was raised by her grandmother and never learned any manners!¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes welled with tears again, but a small spark of pride flickered inside her despite the pain. Still, when she thought of the true culprit behind her suffering, she clenched her fists tightly, forcing herself to steady her trembling body.
Max, the newly crowned CEO of the secondrgestpany in Aetheris, was a force to be reckoned with. The Embers had fallen, and although the Larsons had yet to regain full power, Max¡¯s rise was undeniable. Nadine knew she couldn¡¯t afford to cross him again. But every time she recalled that locked room, her heart pounded with fear.
Max hadn¡¯t held back his blows. Each strike felt like it could be herst breath. More than once, she had believed she might die there, trapped and helpless.
A shiver of terror shed across her eyes.
She understood she couldn¡¯t confront Max now, but wasn¡¯t Tess the one who had set all this in motion?
With that thought, Nadine buried her face in Kylie¡¯s arms, sobbing pitifully until Kylie¡¯s fierce promise cut through her despair.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make her pay for what she¡¯s done.¡±
¡ª
¡°Mom¡¡± Nadine¡¯s heart leapt with hope, but she quickly blinked, feigning hesitation. ¡°But¡ even though Tess was wrong, she¡¯s still my sister. Isn¡¯t it a little too harsh?¡±
Kylie¡¯s voice snapped, sharp with righteous anger. ¡°Too harsh? She hurt you this badly and didn¡¯t even care that you¡¯re family! She¡¯s been out of control for years. Maybe I failed as a mother when she was little, but now, it¡¯s time I step up and do what¡¯s right.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes gleamed with relief and gratitude as she nestled closer to Kylie. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re the best.¡±
¡ª
Suddenly, a thought struck Nadine, and she hesitated, gripping Kylie¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°Mom, did you see the news yesterday? I might have caused some trouble for Tess. Now that I think about it, maybe that¡¯s why she acted this way toward me.¡±
Kylie frowned, trying to recall. ¡°You mean when you called the reporters to help her?¡±
Nadine nodded softly.
Kylie¡¯s anger red anew. ¡°You tried to help her, and she¡¯s still holding a grudge? How did I end up with such a cold-hearted daughter?¡±
Nadine whispered sadly, ¡°Maybe she was scared I would ruin her little moment.¡±
Kylie¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion for a moment, but when she met Nadine¡¯s eyes and understood what she meant, her expression darkened with rage.
¡°So that¡¯s it! No wonder you tried to save her, and she still went after you! She¡¡±Conclusion
The chapter closes on a raw and painful note, capturing theplex web of betrayal, familial love, and simmering resentment that binds Kylie, Nadine, and Tess. Kylie¡¯s fierce protectiveness over Nadine reveals the depth of her maternal devotion, even as she grapples with the devastating realization that Tess, her own daughter, has be a source of such harm. Nadine¡¯s vulnerability and courage in recounting her suffering evoke a profound sympathy, highlighting the emotional scars that run deeper than the physical ones. The tension between forgiveness and justice pulses through their exchange, underscoring the difficulty of navigating fractured family ties when trust has been shattered.
Amidst the sorrow and rage, a fragile hope flickers as Nadine leans on Kylie¡¯s unwavering support, embodying the resilience born of shared pain. Yet the shadows cast by Tess¡¯s actions and the looming threat of Max¡¯s power remind them that the path ahead is fraught with danger and difficult choices. The chapter leaves readers suspended between heartbreak and determination, emphasizing the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the fierce instinct to protect those we love, even when the woundse from within.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fractured rtionship between Nadine and Tess, revealing more about the motivations and emotions driving their conflict. As Kylie¡¯s fury intensifies, the family dynamics will be tested, and the line between love and resentment may blur even further. Readers can expect emotional confrontations that unearth painful truths, forcing each character to face the consequences of their actions and choices.
Tension is mounting not only within the family but also in the wider world surrounding them. With Max¡¯s ruthless presence loomingrge, Nadine¡¯s vulnerability and fear will likelye to the forefront,plicating her path to healing and justice. The delicate bnce between seeking retribution and preserving family bonds will create a gripping emotionalndscape, leaving readers eager to see how far Kylie is willing to go to protect her daughter and what price Tess might pay for her betrayals.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 473
Keepsake 473 Summary
Kylie is overwhelmed with anger and disbelief when Nadine reveals that Tess, her daughter who recently divorced, ns to return home despite past conflicts. Nadine tries to calm her mother, reminding her of their family¡¯s reputation and exining that Tess has agreed toe back to Ember Vi. Though Kylie is furious and reluctant, Nadine persuades her by emphasizing the importance of family unity and the possibility of healing old wounds.
Nadine expresses a heartfelt desire for Tess to return, believing their family will be stronger together despite past hurts. She gently appeals to Kylie, who is torn between resentment and the hope of reconciliation. Kylie ultimately agrees to let Tesse home but warns that forgiveness will note easily. This moment reveals the deep emotional struggle within the family, with Kylie trying to maintain her pride while grappling with her feelings toward her rebellious daughter.
The mood shifts when Henry arrives unexpectedly, bringing flowers and showing concern for Nadine, who had been injured and hospitalized. His presence surprises both women and hints at unresolved tensions and secrets, especially as Kylie recalls rumors about Henry¡¯s recent absence. Henry¡¯s renewed energy and kindness contrast with the family¡¯s turmoil, suggesting he may y a pivotal role in the unfolding family dynamics.
Throughout these events, the story highlights themes of anger, forgiveness, and theplexities of family rtionships. Nadine acts as a bridge between her mother and sister, hoping to mend fractures and bring peace to their troubled household. Meanwhile, Kylie¡¯s conflicted emotions and Henry¡¯s return addyers of tension and anticipation to the narrative.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 473: Let Tess Come Home
Kylie¡¯s fury was so intense that she couldn¡¯t evenplete her sentence. Her chest heaved rapidly as her breath came in short gasps. Seeing this, Nadine quickly stepped forward, trying to soothe her mother¡¯s anger.
¡°Our family, the Larsons, has always been held in high regard,¡± Nadine began gently. ¡°How did we end up with such a shameless daughter? She just finalized her divorce and already seems to have lost all sense of propriety. Meeting a man in secret¡ªafter all the help you gave her, and she actually believes you sabotaged her date?¡±
Kylie¡¯s mind was spinning with rage. Her eyes darted wildly as she struggled to contain her emotions.
¡°What a disgrace!¡± she snapped, her voice cracking under the weight of her fury as she unleashed all her pent-up frustration in one explosive outburst.
Nadine¡¯s tone softened as she spoke again. ¡°Mom, about that¡ I actually went to apologize to Tess this morning. But on my way back, I was kidnapped and injured. I told Tess that you haven¡¯t been feeling welltely, so I asked her toe visit you. We¡¯ve already reached an agreement¡ªshe promised she¡¯ll return to Ember Vi tomorrow.¡±
Grabbing Kylie¡¯s arm gently, Nadine remembered what Henry had told her earlier. Though she didn¡¯t want Tess back, Henry had insisted multiple times that she had no choice but to allow Tess toe home. Perhaps having Tess nearby wouldn¡¯t be so terrible after all¡ªit might even make it easier to keep an eye on her.
Kylie¡¯s frown deepened as her voice softened slightly. ¡°Nadine, how can you be so weak? Are you trying to drive me mad? You even apologized to her?¡±
¡°Mom,¡± Nadine replied, blinking and casting an innocent, pleading nce at her mother, ¡°you¡¯ve been sighing a lottely. I thought it was because you missed Tess after she left. But I already told the media everything, so there¡¯s no turning back now.¡±
Her tone was yful, almost spoiled, as she tried to lighten the mood with a sweet smile.
Kylie¡¯s expression softened a little, though the mention of Tess still made her scowl. ¡°Fine, I understand. So, what exactly do you want me to do now?¡±
Nadine¡¯s face brightened with a genuine smile. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m still hurt, so I can¡¯t go tomorrow. You¡¯ll have to meet her alone at the vi. And please, don¡¯t be too angry with Tess. Getting upset will only make you feel worse.¡±
She gently patted Kylie¡¯s back, hoping to calm her down.
Kylie snorted in disbelief. ¡°Don¡¯t get mad at her? If it weren¡¯t for you, she wouldn¡¯t even be allowed to set foot in this house.¡±
¡ª
Chapter 478: Let Tess Come
¡°Mom, you¡¯re the best,¡± Nadine said, curling into her mother¡¯s arms with a tender smile. Then, her voice took on a softer, more pleading tone. ¡°Mom, could you please do me one small favor and let Tesse home?¡±
Hearing this, Kylie reached out and touched Nadine¡¯s forehead with concern. ¡°Are you running a fever or something? After everything Tess has done to you, you still want her back?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice was gentle and sincere. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve thought about it, and I just feel like our family is better when we¡¯re all together. I was upset before because Tess hurt me, but now that you¡¯re here with me, I feel okay. Tess is your daughter, after all. Seeing you so sadtely breaks my heart. Maybe if shees home, you¡¯ll feel happier.¡±
Her words were filled with warmth and genuine care.
Kylie looked at her kind-hearted daughter and felt a bittersweet wave wash over her. She was deeply grateful to have adopted Nadine. If she had only Tess¡ªa rebellious and ungrateful daughter¡ªshe might have long ago sumbed to anger or loneliness.
Finally, Kylie spoke, her voice steady but reluctant. ¡°Alright, if that¡¯s truly what you want, I¡¯ll agree. But after everything she¡¯s done, even if shees back, I won¡¯t forgive her immediately.¡±
Turning her face away, she tried to maintain her pride.
Nadine¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°Of course, Mom! Just let here home so she can make it up to you.¡±
Hearing that, Kylie felt a small measure of relief.
¡°Who¡¯s Mrs. Ember?¡± Kylie asked suddenly.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
Henry appeared in the doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Both women turned toward the sound. When Kylie saw Henry, her eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, but she quickly masked her emotions andposed herself.
Suddenly, she recalled the rumors circting at the office.
Henry hadn¡¯t been seen there for several days. He had lied to her.
Without realizing it, Kylie¡¯s expression grew cold.
Henry stood tall in a sharp ck suit. Though he was middle-aged and had looked worn down by recent troubles, now he appeared refreshed, energetic, and confident once again.
¡ª
¡°Nadine, I¡¯m here,¡± Henry said kindly, his smile gentle and fatherly.
¡°Dad? Why are you here? How did you find out which hospital I was in?¡± Nadine asked, surprised but her eyes sparkling with happiness.
Lately, she hadn¡¯t understood why Henry had been so distant. Besides discussing work or business ns, he rarely spoke to her.
¡°How could I note when my daughter was hurt?¡± Henry replied softly, cing the flowers on her bedside table. Yet, his gaze kept drifting toward Kylie. ¡°Kylie, you must have had a hard time.¡±Conclusion
The chapter delicately unfolds theplex emotionalndscape within the Larson family, portraying a fragile bnce between anger, forgiveness, and hope. Kylie¡¯s fierce pride and hurt are palpable, yet beneath her stern exterior lies a mother grappling with the desire for family unity. Nadine¡¯s gentle insistence and warmth act as a soothing balm, reminding everyone of the unbreakable bonds that tie them together, even amidst pain and misunderstanding. The promise of Tess¡¯s return symbolizes a tentative step toward healing, underscoring the theme that reconciliation often requires patience and courage.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s unexpected arrival brings a subtle but significant shift, hinting at renewed strength and support within the family. His presence offers a quiet reassurance that, despite recent trials, the Larsons are not alone in their struggles. Together, these moments capture the bittersweet reality of familial love¡ªwed, challenging, but ultimately enduring. The chapter closes with a sense of cautious optimism, leaving the characters poised on the edge of potential reconciliation and emotional growth.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the emotionalplexities within the Larson family as Tess¡¯s return to Ember Vi looms closer. Kylie¡¯s reluctant eptance of Tess¡¯s homing sets the stage for a tense reunion filled with unspoken grievances and fragile hopes. Will Kylie¡¯s guarded heart soften, or will old wounds resurface, threatening to unravel the fragile peace Nadine so desperately wishes to nurture?
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s unexpected arrival and renewed presence introduce a new dynamic that could shift the family¡¯s bnce. His concealed motives and the subtle tension in his interactions with Kylie hint at unresolved issues that may soone to light. As emotions run high and loyalties are tested, the next chapter will explore the delicate dance between forgiveness and pride, leaving readers eager to discover how each character will navigate the storm ahead.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 474
Keepsake 474 Summary
In this chapter, Henry surprises Kylie by presenting her with a single red rose, a gesture that initially makes her ufortable and distant. Kylie, preupied with her office troubles, coldly rejects the rose, questioning the appropriateness of the gesture. Despite this, Henry gently ces the rose in her hand, sparking a vivid memory in Kylie¡¯s mind of their first encounter at a flower shop years ago. Back then, Henry¡¯s sincere admiration and simple kindness left asting impression on Kylie, despite her proud and somewhat arrogant demeanor.
The shback reveals the beginning of theirplex rtionship, marked by Henry¡¯s genuine affection and Kylie¡¯s guarded attitude. Their initial meeting was filled with yful tension and subtle charm, setting the stage for the deep connection that would develop over time. The red rose bes a symbol of Henry¡¯s enduring love, a tradition he maintains every anniversary, even as their lives be moreplicated.
Returning to the present, Kylie confronts Henry about his recent absence from work, sensing something amiss. Henry admits to staying in a cheap motel and feeling sidelined since the Ember Group shares went public, trying to shield Kylie from worry. Nadine then reveals that Tess now effectively controls the Ember Group, and Henry has been attempting to reconcile with her, which exins his secretive behavior.
The chapter ends on a somber note, with the family grappling with the shifting power dynamics in their business and the emotional strain it causes. The tension between personal rtionships and professional challenges is palpable, highlighting theplex intery of loyalty, love, and ambition within the family.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 474: A Single Red Rose
After finishing his words, Henry unexpectedly pulled out a single red rose from behind his back.
Kylie hesitated for a moment when he extended it toward her, but she didn¡¯t reach out to ept it. Instead, a frown crept onto her face as she nced at Henry.
¡°Dad, I get that you love Mom, but don¡¯t you think you¡¯re a little too old to be this cheesy?¡± Nadine teased with a yful smile, though her eyes kept darting toward Kylie, curious about how she would respond.
Kylie¡¯s mind was still tangled in the office troubles, and she simply stared at the rose without making a move to take it.
¡°It¡¯s not a special asion. You don¡¯t have to do this. Just take it back,¡± she said, her voice cold and distant.
Henry and Nadine exchanged an awkward nce, momentarily caught off guard.
¡°You don¡¯t need a special day to give flowers,¡± Henry replied softly.
Then, with gentle care, he took Kylie¡¯s hand and ced the rose in her palm.
Kylie¡¯s gaze fixed on the vivid red bloom resting there, and suddenly, a memory stirred deep inside her¡ªthe very first time she met Henry.
Back then, she was a wealthy young woman visiting Aetheris, confident, lively, and a little spoiled. Henry had been standing in a flower shop, selecting flowers, and the moment he saw her, his eyes brightened instantly.
Kylie was no stranger to admiring looks from men, so she met his gaze with a sharp re. But Henry¡¯s handsomeness softened the sting of his stare, and unlike usual, she didn¡¯t feel angry.
¡°Fresh red roses. Would you like one?¡± he had asked, holding out a single-stem rose.
The stem hadn¡¯t been trimmed yet, and a small thorn pricked his palm.
¡°You¡¯re bleeding,¡± Kylie pointed out, unable to hide her concern despite her pride.
Henry noticed the tiny drops of blood on the green stem and quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe it off. Instead of tending to his wound, he leaned over the pile of roses, searching carefully. ¡°Let me find you a better one.¡±
Kylie watched him fuss over the flowers with growing curiosity and studied him more closely.
¡°You don¡¯t work here, do you?¡± she asked bluntly.
Henry paused for a moment, then gave a shy smile. ¡°No, I¡¯m just buying flowers too.¡±
¡°I thought you worked here¡ªyou kept trying to sell me roses,¡± Kylie said, folding her arms and tilting her chin up.
Her wless face, framed by a pearl ne that shimmered against her smooth skin, made her look every bit the pampered heiress.
Henry¡¯s eyes flickered, and he scratched his head awkwardly. ¡°I just think roses look good on you.¡±
He extended another rose toward her¡ªthis onerger, with fuller petals and a deeper, richer color.
¡°I look good with roses?¡± Kylie asked, casting him a sharp sideways nce as she lightly held the stem.
Roses were such amon flower. How could something so ordinary suit someone like her?
She loosened her grip, and the rose slipped from her fingers, falling to the dusty floor. In an instant, that beautiful flower became the ugliest in the shop.
Henry was stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected such arrogance from this pretty woman.
He stood frozen, unsure how to react.
Kylie raised an eyebrow at him, and when she saw his surprised expression, she couldn¡¯t help butugh.
Covering her mouth, she giggled softly, her body trembling slightly. ¡°Then tell me¡ªwhy do you think so?¡±
¡°Because it¡¯s beautiful,¡± Henry said after a brief pause, his eyes clear and full of genuine admiration.
Though his words were simple, the look in his eyes made Kylie¡¯s heart skip a beat.
She blinked, her eyshes fluttering almost imperceptibly.
¡°How cheesy,¡± she muttered, turning sharply away.
With a proud air, she strode off and climbed into a luxury car¡ªa rare, limited-edition model nearly impossible to find at the time.
Henry remained rooted to the spot, still frozen.
Only after her car had driven far away did he begin to regret his words.
Kylie, unaware of his feelings, narrowed her eyes and instructed the driver to find out who that man was.
She had no idea that this small spark of curiosity would lead to countless encounters in the future¡ªand eventually, a deep,sting love. Every year on their anniversary, Henry would present her with a single red rose.
***
¡°Where have you beentely? You haven¡¯t shown up at work,¡± Kylie asked quietly, breaking the silence.
She held the rose tightly in her hand, her grip firm as she waited for Henry¡¯s exnation, suspicion flickering in her eyes.
Henry, however, didn¡¯t seem troubled. ¡°I¡¯ve been staying at a cheap motel. Since the shares went public, the Ember Group should have a new owner by now. Thepany has been sidelining me, and I didn¡¯t want you to worry, so I told you I was still at the office.¡±
He lowered his head, his expression weary and defeated.
Kylie¡¯s eyes softened for a moment, wavering with uncertainty.
That was when Nadine spoke up. ¡°Mom, the Ember Group basically belongs to Tess now. Dad¡¯s been trying to patch things up with her, so she hasn¡¯t taken full control yet. He¡¯s been staying somewhere else and told me not to tell you.¡±
The room fell silent, the weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air.Conclusion
The chapter gently unfolds theplexyers of Henry and Kylie¡¯s rtionship, weaving past memories with present struggles. The single red rose bes a poignant symbol of enduring affection and the subtle tensions that linger between them. Through their interactions, the story captures the bittersweet nature of love¡ªhow it can be both tender and fraught with unspoken worries, especially when life¡¯s challenges cast shadows over their connection.
Amidst the emotional distance and the weight of external pressures, there remains a quiet hope rooted in their shared history. The rose, simple yet profound, reminds them¡ªand us¡ªthat love often persists in small gestures and memories, even when words falter. This chapter leaves us reflecting on the resilience of the heart and the delicate dance between holding on and letting go.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into theplex dynamics within the Ember family, as the fragile bnce between loyalty, love, and betrayal bes increasingly strained. Kylie¡¯s guarded demeanor and Henry¡¯s quiet resignation hint at unresolved tensions that could soon surface, challenging their rtionships and forcing them to confront painful truths. Nadine¡¯s revtion about Tess¡¯s growing influence foreshadows a looming power struggle that might threaten not only thepany but the family¡¯s unity as well.
Emotions will run high as characters grapple with their past decisions and uncertain futures. The subtle shifts in alliances and the unspoken histories between them suggest that nothing is as simple as it seems. Readers can anticipate moments of vulnerability, unexpected confessions, and the stirring of old wounds that may either heal or deepen the divides. As the story unfolds, the significance of that single red rose will continue to resonate, symbolizing both enduring love and theplexities thate with it.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 475
Keepsake 475 Summary
Kylie confronts Henry about the secrets he¡¯s been keeping from her despite their long marriage. Though hurt, she remainsposed, and Henry and their daughter Nadine share a mischievous look, revealing they¡¯ve been hiding something. Nadine suggests Henry move back home since motels are ufortable and he¡¯s been eating takeout, which leads to yful teasing between the family. Eventually, Kylie agrees to let Henry move back in, and the family shares a warm, reconciliatory moment.
Meanwhile, at Evermount Height, Raven confronts Tess about only receiving one page of the music piece ¡°Splendor Sonata¡± despite hearing it has over ten pages. Tess initially remains silent but then returns with the entire music book, surprising Raven with the full fifteen pages. Raven is astonished and questions the authenticity of the book, to which Tess reveals she got it from her grandfather.
The scene shifts as L casually appears, wearing cartoon pajamas and messy hair, catching Raven off guard. She dramatically uses Tess of hiding a man in her house, and L exins he met Tess in Aetheris and came with her. Raven studies him skeptically but eventually epts his presence. She questions why he looks so young, and L responds with a re, easing the tension. The chapter ends with Raven inquiring if L brought the music book, which he confirms.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
475 You¡¯re Hiding a Man in Your House!
Kylie pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Henry, I¡¯m your wife. We¡¯ve shared more than two decades together, faced every storm side by side, and yet you still keep secrets from me?¡± Her voice was steady but carried a hint of hurt beneath the surface.
At her words, both Henry and Nadine exchanged nces, their faces lighting up with mischievous grins, as if they had just pulled off a secret victory.
Without hesitation, Henry stepped forward and wrapped Kylie in a warm embrace. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, honey. From this moment on, I promise to bepletely open with you.¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice came softly, almost coaxing. ¡°Mom, maybe Dad should move back home. Those cheap motels can¡¯t befortable. He¡¯s been eating takeout every day, and honestly, he¡¯s putting on weight.¡±
Kylie chuckled, shaking her head affectionately. ¡°You little troublemaker.¡±
Henry frowned at Nadine¡¯s teasing tone, but Nadine quickly feigned fear and darted into Kylie¡¯s arms for protection.
Drawing Nadine close, Kylie shot Henry a pointed look. ¡°What? She¡¯s not wrong.¡±
Henry sighed deeply, running a hand over his forehead in mock defeat. ¡°Alright, alright, you¡¯ve got me. Nadine, you always run to your mom when things get tough. I don¡¯t stand a chance against her.¡±
Despite his frustration,ughter bubbled up in his voice, softening the moment.
Kylie nced away, a small smile tugging at her lips as she said, ¡°Fine, since Nadine asked so nicely, you can move back in today.¡±
Henry wasted no time, stepping forward to pull both women into a tight hug. ¡°Finally! I¡¯ve missed you both so much. I¡¯m sorry for everything that happened before.¡±
Kylie let go of her lingering resentment and rested her head against Henry¡¯s chest, the weight of their years together settling into a quiet peace.
Evermount Height.
¡°Tess, did you know?¡± Raven leaned in closer, her voice dripping with intrigue.
Tess was busy feeding baby La some pureed food but nced up with a curious expression. ¡°Know what?¡±
¡°I heard ¡®Splendor Sonata¡¯ has over ten pages. You only gave me one! I¡¯ve been working so hard for you, and honestly, I feel a bit cheated,¡± Raven pouted, clutching the torn page like it was a treasured keepsake.
Tess remained silent, her hands momentarily still before she gently passed La to Bessie. Without a word, she turned and walked toward the bedroom, leaving Raven calling after her.
¡°Hey! Where are you going?¡±
Raven watched Tess¡¯s retreating back, confusion knitting her brows. Had she said something wrong?
Minutester, Tess returned, holding a music book in her hands.
¡°What¡¯s that? Did you just grab it now?¡± Raven asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.
¡°You said you felt cheated, so here,¡± Tess said, handing the book over.
Raven crossed her arms, still unconvinced. ¡°That still doesn¡¯t seem fair. I¡¯m a top hacker and a world-ss concert pianist! You really think a little book makes up for all the work I¡¯ve done for you? Oh, wait.¡±
She smirked confidently, but as she flipped the first page, her grin froze and her eyes widened in astonishment.
¡°Is this¡ the rest of ¡®Splendor Sonata¡¯?¡±
Her fingers quickly turned the pages until she reached the final one. There were fifteen pages in total, and thest was clearly the conclusion.
Looking up at Tess, Raven¡¯s eyes were wide with disbelief, as if she had just stumbled upon a magical secret. ¡°Where did you get this? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s a fake!¡±
Tess¡¯s lips twitched in amusement at Raven¡¯s shocked expression. ¡°Of course not. I got it from my grandpa.¡±
Just then, L strolled by, munching on a bag of chips. He wore the cartoon-print pajamas that Tess had bought for Ken, his blond hair tousled messily over most of his face, leaving only his mouth visible.
Raven blinked, taken aback by the sight.
She turned to Tess with a horrified expression, as if she had uncovered a hidden truth.
Sighing, Tess rubbed her temples, already feeling the brewing headache.
¡°Wow, you¡¯re hiding a man in your house?¡± Raven gasped, rushing over to L and brushing the hair away from his face.
Tess watched her dramatic reaction silently, feeling helpless but not intervening. She quietly picked up La and covered the baby¡¯s ears.
¡°What¡¯s going on? When did you two start dating?¡± Raven¡¯s eyes grew even wider, as if the world had just flipped upside down.
L blinked and answered honestly, ¡°I met her in Aetheris, then I came with her.¡±
Raven narrowed her eyes, studying him suspiciously. ¡°What¡¯s with the kiddie look? Trying to act younger now?¡±
L¡¯s lips twitched, and he shot her an annoyed re.
That look finally made Raven rx, and she sighed, patting her chest. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s the real L.¡±
She settled back onto the couch, sinking into the cushions as she absorbed the surprising scene.
¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be in Yeshana right now?¡± she asked, still eyeing the music book.
Raven rubbed her nose thoughtfully. ¡°Wait, did you bring this here?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± L replied simply.Conclusion
The chapter delicately unravels the tension between Kylie and Henry, revealing the enduring strength of their bond despite past secrets. Their sharedughter and gentle teasing with Nadine highlight the warmth that still exists within their family, suggesting a hopeful path toward renewed openness and understanding. The embrace they share marks a quiet reconciliation, a testament to the resilience of love that has weathered many storms.
Meanwhile, the scene at Evermount Height introduces a blend of curiosity and surprise as Raven discovers Tess¡¯s treasured music book and the unexpected presence of L. The intery of intrigue and gentle humor underscores themes of trust and the unfolding of hiddenyers within rtionships. Together, these moments weave a tapestry of connection, revealing how love and secrets coexist in the delicate dance of everyday life.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the intricate web of rtionships and secrets that are slowly unraveling. As Henry returns home, the fragile peace within the family is likely to be tested¡ªold wounds may resurface, and the dynamics between Kylie, Henry, and Nadine could shift in unexpected ways. The warmth of reunion might soon be tinged with unresolved tensions, leaving readers wondering how long this newfound harmony willst.
Meanwhile, the mysterious discovery of the full ¡®Splendor Sonata¡¯ and the unexpected presence of L in Tess¡¯s home hint at hiddenyers yet to be explored. Raven¡¯s incredulity and Tess¡¯s quietposure suggest that there are stories beneath the surface waiting to be told, possibly revealing more about their pasts and the choices they¡¯ve made. Emotional undercurrents and subtle conflicts are poised to emerge, promising a chapter filled with revtions and the delicate bncing act of trust and suspicion.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 476
Keepsake 476 Summary
In this chapter, L reveals a remarkable musicalposition called ¡°Splendor Sonata,¡± surprising Raven, who is frustrated that he hadn¡¯t shared it earlier. Their yful banter highlights their close friendship, while Tess quietly observes, feeling a gentle warmth as she soothes baby La. Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, Raven¡¯s subtle worried nce toward Tess hints at underlying tension.
Raven insists Tess should ask L to leave early, warning that he causes trouble, but Tess remains neutral, trusting both friends. The conversation shifts to Tess¡¯s uing visit to the Embers and the possibility of forgiveness, which sparks a mysterious chill in Raven. Before leaving, Raven takes the music sheet with her, believing she can honor Gillian¡¯s legacy better than Tess, whocks the musical talent.
As Raven pulls L aside for a private discussion, Tess senses something serious but chooses not to interfere. Meanwhile, Ken, a young boy Tess has brought from Krigan, nervously asks when she will help him find his parents. Tess promises to begin searching after finishing her tasks the next day, reassuring Ken and calming his anxiety.
Outside, Raven¡¯s demeanor changes as she questions L about his presence in Krigan and his connection to Tess. L¡¯s casual yet unsettling response suggests a hidden agenda, and the two old friends face each other with growing suspicion. The chapter closes on a tense note, emphasizing the contrast between their past friendship and the new, uncertain schemes unfolding between them.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
476 Old Friends, New Schemes
Chapter 476 Old Friends, New Schemes
L shrugged casually, as if it was no big deal at all.
Raven¡¯s jaw tightened in frustration. ¡°Seriously? You had something this incredible all along? Why didn¡¯t you show it to us sooner?¡±
A mischievous grin yed on L¡¯s lips. ¡°Hey, I only just discovered it recently.¡±
Tess observed their yful bickering quietly, choosing to stay out of it.
She already knew these two shared a close bond¡ªLyra had once mentioned how Raven helped her get L¡¯s autograph.
¡°Tess, you really should kick him out early. He¡¯s nothing but trouble. You can¡¯t keep him hanging around the house,¡± Raven said firmly, flipping through the entire music sheet of ¡°Splendor Sonata.¡±
L immediately scowled and shot her a sharp re. ¡°What? Trying to stir up trouble again? Don¡¯t forget, we¡¯re friends¡ªand I gave your friend an autograph!¡±
He stared at her intensely.
But Raven remained unfazed. Instead, she leaned in closer to Tess, lowering her voice to a confidential whisper. ¡°Trust me on this.¡±
¡°No way!¡± L protested loudly.
Tess watched the two of them behaving like squabbling children and couldn¡¯t help but smile softly. She didn¡¯t take their teasing seriously. Her attention drifted back to La, cradled gently in her arms, as she soothed the baby with a tender smile.
Yet, as she nced down, she missed the subtle, worried look Raven shot her.
¡°Whatever,¡± Tess sighed, deciding it wasn¡¯t worth continuing the argument with L. She shifted the conversation, turning to Raven. ¡°You¡¯re visiting the Embers tomorrow, right? Are you really considering forgiving them?¡±
¡°Maybe,¡± Tess finally admitted, a faint smile touching her lips.
When Raven caught the sparkle in Tess¡¯s eyes, an inexplicable chill ran down her spine.
She tugged at her sleeves nervously and, when she lifted her gaze again, noticed L watching her for a brief moment.
¡°If anything happens, you know how to reach me. I¡¯ll be going now,¡± Raven said softly, her eyes briefly shing with emotion before she masked it once more.
She stood, carefully sliding the first draft of ¡°Splendor Sonata¡± back into the music book and clutching it tightly. With a small wave, she indicated to Tess that she was taking it.
Tess nodded in approval, letting her keep the sheet music.
After all, theposition had belonged to Gillian, and Tess felt it was better entrusted to someone like Raven, who could truly appreciate and bring it to life. Music wasn¡¯t her strong suit, and in Raven¡¯s hands, the piece would carry far more meaning than if she held onto it.
¡°Oh, by the way, L, it¡¯s been a while since we caught up. Let¡¯s chat before you go.¡±
Just as Raven was about to leave, she suddenly spun around with a wide grin and grabbed L¡¯s arm, pulling him toward the door.
Tess¡¯s eyes flickered with curiosity, wanting to ask what was happening. But when she saw the serious look on Raven¡¯s face, she held back.
Whatever was going on, it clearly didn¡¯t involve her. Somehow, her instincts told her it was best not to get involved.
As she watched them leave, Tess noticed a figure quietly peeking out from around a corner.
She shifted her gaze slightly and asked softly, ¡°Is something wrong?¡±
Ken looked uneasy, standing awkwardly in the unfamiliar surroundings.
Tess thought about how she had brought him all the way from Krigan to Aetheris. Since he was still young, she had arranged a guest room for him at Evermount Height.
¡°Tess, are you going back to your own home tomorrow?¡± Ken asked quietly, nervously tugging at the hem of his shirt. After a brief pause, he looked up at her with anxious eyes. ¡°Then¡ when will you take me to find my mom and dad?¡±
Tess was caught off guard for a moment. She saw a mix of worry and hope shining in his gaze.
She answered gently, ¡°Once I finish my things tomorrow, I¡¯ll start helping you look for your parents.¡±
Her voice was calm and steady, reflecting her sincere promise.
Hearing this, Ken visibly rxed. He exhaled softly, his shoulders loosening.
He smiled gratefully. ¡°Thanks, Tess. I¡¯m going to bed now.¡±
Waving at her quietly, he walked away with light, polite steps as always.
Tess watched him leave, feeling a swirl of emotions knotting inside her heart.
Meanwhile, just outside the door¡
Raven nced back toward the house, ensuring Tess couldn¡¯t overhear. Then, her friendly smile vanished, reced by a sharp, calcting gaze as she faced L.
¡°How did you end up in Krigan, and just happen to meet my friend?¡± she asked coldly.
Raven didn¡¯t believe in coincidences.
Seeing it was only the two of them, L dropped any pretense.
He shrugged lightly.
If the man inside had once seemed like a fairy bathed in morning light, now he resembled a shadowy demon lurking in the dark.
¡°Not really a coincidence,¡± he replied with a smile.
His eyes curved warmly, but there was an unsettling edge beneath his friendly demeanor.
¡°What are you nning?¡± Raven demanded.
Her back stiffened, every muscle tense and alert.
¡°Rx, we¡¯ve known each other for years,¡± L said, spreading his hands in a calming gesture, blinking his striking blue eyes.
¡°That won¡¯t work on me,¡± Raven retorted coldly.
She waved her hand dismissively, but her gaze grew sharper, colder.
The air between them crackled with unspoken tension as old friends faced new schemes.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a delicate bnce of warmth and suspicion, revealing theplexyers of friendship and hidden intentions among the characters. Tess¡¯s gentle care for La and her quiet promise to Ken underscore the enduring themes of hope and trust amid uncertainty. Meanwhile, the yful yet charged exchanges between L and Raven highlight the thin line between camaraderie and conflict, reminding us that even old friends carry secrets that shape their paths.
As the evening shadows lengthen, the subtle tensions simmer beneath the surface, hinting at challenges ahead but also the strength found in bonds forged through shared history. Tess¡¯s instinct to stay uninvolved contrasts with Raven¡¯s sharp vignce, illustrating the different ways they navigate loyalty and caution. This chapter leaves us suspended in a moment where past connections and future schemes intertwine, setting the stage for the unfolding drama with a quiet, poignant intensity.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate dynamics between L and Raven, revealingyers of their shared history and the true nature of L¡¯s presence in Krigan. Their charged exchange hints at underlying motives and secrets that could unsettle the fragile bnce within their circle. As their old friendship shes with new suspicions, readers can expect a tense atmosphere where trust is questioned and alliances may shift.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s quiet determination to help Ken find his parents introduces a heartfelt thread that contrasts with the brewing conflict. Her gentle promise to Ken carries emotional weight, suggesting that personal quests and the search for belonging will y a significant role in the unfolding story. The subtle hints of worry and hope in Ken¡¯s eyes invite readers to invest emotionally in his journey, while Tess¡¯s protective instincts underscore the stakes involved.
With Raven¡¯s sharp instincts and L¡¯s unsettling charm setting the stage for confrontation, and Tess¡¯spassionate resolve anchoring the narrative, the next chapter is poised to weave together tension, emotion, and intrigue. The unfolding schemes and personal struggles will likely test loyalties and reveal unexpected truths, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 477
Keepsake 477 Summary
L and Raven share a tense conversation where L suggests that recent events feel destined rather than coincidental. Raven questions his intentions, especially since Mr. Scardino has died and wonders if L is willing to sacrifice his own dreams to fulfill Scardino¡¯sst wishes. L warns Raven not to interfere with his ns, his tone serious and unyielding. Raven, determined and protective, vows to defend Tess, warning L not to harm her despite theirplicated history.
The interaction reveals aplex rtionship marked by past connections and conflicting loyalties. L¡¯s demeanor shifts from casual to cold, signaling a deeper conflict beneath the surface. After their confrontation, L calmly enters a room, leaving Raven worried and unresolved, though she resolves to warn Tess if needed. She leaves the scene in quiet contemtion, troubled by what mighte next.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Kylie findsfort in Henry¡¯s embrace, a rare moment of tenderness between them. Henry ns to take Kylie home and rest, showing a softer side to his usually reserved nature. He informs Kylie that Tess will being to stay with them, a decision influenced by Nadine¡¯s concern for Kylie¡¯s health. Despite past tensions between Henry and Tess, Henry emphasizes the importance of family and reconciliation for the sake of Kylie and the baby.
Kylie reacts with skepticism but is moved by Henry¡¯smitment to family unity. Henry acknowledges Tess¡¯s past mistakes but insists that blood ties remain strong and that they cannot abandon her. This moment brings a sense of cautious hope and emotionalplexity, as Kylie grapples with her illness and the shifting dynamics within the family. The chapter closes with a fragile but heartfelt connection between Kylie and Henry, hinting at the challenges and reconciliations ahead.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 477: It Was Meant to Happen
L¡¯s smile faded as he observed Raven¡¯s reaction, his expression turning serious andposed. ¡°I never said it was just a coincidence,¡± he murmured quietly, his voice steady but carrying a hint of conviction. ¡°In some strange way, it feels like this was destined to be.¡±
Raven frowned, her brows knitting together in confusion. ¡°But what exactly are you trying to achieve?¡± she asked cautiously. ¡°Mr. Scardino has already passed away. Are you really going to abandon your own dreams just to fulfill all of his odd final wishes?¡±
To anyone unfamiliar with their history, Raven¡¯s words might have seemed perplexing, even puzzling. There was an unspokenplexity between these two that only they could understand.
After a brief pause, L¡¯s rxed demeanor shifted. A shadow of loneliness and seriousness crossed his features, recing the earlier casualness.
¡°Raven,¡± he said quietly, ¡°just because you know a few things doesn¡¯t give you the right to meddle in my ns.¡±
His deep blue eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unwavering, delivering a clear warning.
Raven¡¯s hands clenched tightly at her sides as she stared back, unyielding. She opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, swallowing her words.
¡°Tess is a good person,¡± she finally said, her voice firm and unwavering. ¡°If you try to harm her in any way, I won¡¯t care about whatever history we have. I¡¯ll be the first to stop you. Don¡¯t even think about crossing that line.¡±
Her re was fierce, unwavering, each wordced with determination.
L noticed the seriousness in her eyes and understood she meant every word.
For a moment, he regarded Raven thoughtfully. She had been his grandfather¡¯s favorite student, a connection forged over many meetings and shared experiences. Usually carefree and lighthearted, this was the first time she had confronted him so boldly¡ª all for someone else¡¯s sake.
¡°If I really wanted to, what could you possibly do?¡± L raised a brow, one hand casually slipped into his pocket as he leanedzily against the wall. A soft chuckle escaped him. ¡°I wonder what you¡¯re overthinking this time.¡±
He pushed off the wall and straightened up.
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The gentle, charming aura that had surrounded him vanished, reced by a faint but unmistakable air of disdain and gloom. It was as if Raven was facing an entirely different man.
¡°Take care,¡± he said curtly, then opened the door and stepped inside. The warm light spilling from within softened his features once more, making him appear calm and peaceful again.
With practiced ease, he closed the door behind him.
Raven remained standing there, staring at the closed door. Her lips pressed tightly together, her face tense with unresolved worry.
She sighed quietly, telling herself to let it go for now. If anything went wrong, she would warn Tess immediately.
Turning away, she slipped into her car and drove off into the quiet, dark night.
¡ª
Inside the hospital room, the tension finally began to dissipate.
Kylie leaned back against Henry¡¯s chest, allowing herself to beforted by the steady warmth of his embrace¡ªa feeling she hadn¡¯t experienced in a long time.
¡°I¡¯ll have someone take you home first,¡± Henry said softly. ¡°Later tonight, I¡¯ll return to the vi and get some rest myself.¡±
His hand gently brushed through her hair, his touch tender and soothing. The softness in his voice and gesture was unusual, a marked contrast to his usual reserved demeanor.
Though Kylie was middle-aged now, his gentle care still made her heart flutter unexpectedly.
In the past, when Henry had been younger and pursuing her, he had always been polite and careful, acting like a true gentleman. Even after they married, he maintained a respectful distance in their daily lives, rarely showing this kind of intimate closeness.
Kylie felt a light dizziness from the sudden tenderness, a warmth spreading through her chest.
¡°By the way,¡± Henry added, ¡°Nadine told me that Tess will being over tomorrow.¡±
He nced down to gauge Kylie¡¯s reaction.
It was clear that Nadine¡¯s earlier pleading had softened Kylie¡¯s resistance somewhat. Though she didn¡¯t look pleased, she no longer opposed the idea outright.
Kylie frowned slightly, her voiceced with skepticism. ¡°Wasn¡¯t there a lot of tension between you and Tess at Shannon¡¯s funeral? I even heard you asked her to clear things up properly. And now you want her toe home? Nadine wants us all to reconcile too. Doesn¡¯t that make all the effort you put in before seem pointless?¡±
Henry sighed softly, brushing a stray lock of hair back from her face. ¡°Nadine only invited Tess because she¡¯s worried about your health. Even if I have my differences with Tess, I have to put you and the baby first. The rest¡ well, if it can wait, then we¡¯ll wait until you¡¯re better. Those issues can wait. Tess is my daughter, and I have a responsibility to guide her.¡±
Kylie blinked in surprise, her heart pounding with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. ¡°So, we¡¯re really letting Tesse back to live with us?¡±
Henry gave a helpless smile but nodded firmly. ¡°She made mistakes before, yes. But blood ties don¡¯t change. We can¡¯t just abandon her forever. No matter how rebellious Tess is, she¡¯s still our daughter.¡±
His voice was gentle, his eyes meeting hers with a quiet intensity, as if invisible threads connected their hearts.
Kylie felt a little unsteady, almost as if she were dreaming. Was her illness ying tricks on her?
Yet the warmth of Henry¡¯s hand holding hers was undeniably real, grounding her in the moment.Conclusion
The chapter delicately explores theplex intery of loyalty, protection, and unresolved tensions among the characters. L¡¯s conviction that fate has intertwined their lives contrasts sharply with Raven¡¯s fierce determination to safeguard Tess, highlighting the fragile boundaries between past promises and present realities. Their charged exchange leaves lingering questions about trust and intentions, underscoring the emotional weight each carries while navigating their intertwined histories.
Meanwhile, the quiet moments between Kylie and Henry offer a tender counterpoint, revealing the enduring bonds of family and the hope for reconciliation despite past conflicts. Henry¡¯s gentle care and decision to wee Tess back into their lives emphasize the theme of forgiveness and the importance of unity in the face of hardship. Together, these narratives weave a poignant tapestry of love, duty, and the courage to face uncertain futures with open hearts.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile and tense dynamics surrounding Tess¡¯s return. As Raven stands firm in her protective stance, the question lingers: how far will L go to pursue his mysterious ns, and what price will Tess have to pay? The subtle shifts in L¡¯s demeanor hint at a brewing storm beneath his calm exterior, setting the stage for a confrontation that could challenge loyalties and reveal hidden motives.
Meanwhile, the tentative reconciliation within Henry and Kylie¡¯s household introduces a new emotionalplexity. Tess¡¯s return is not just a physical homing but a catalyst for unresolved feelings and past grievances to surface. With Kylie¡¯s health and the family¡¯s fragile bnce at stake, the next chapter will explore how love, duty, and forgiveness intertwine, creating a poignant backdrop for the characters¡¯ evolving rtionships. Expect moments of vulnerability and strength as they navigate the uncertain path ahead.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 478
Keepsake 478 Summary
Kylie quietly agrees to Henry¡¯s wishes, resting her head on his shoulder as he shares a serious conversation with Nadine. Henry admits that he hasn¡¯t been present enough to support Nadine, leaving her alone at home, and urges Kylie not to be angry with Tess when she returns. After a brief moment, Henry walks Kylie out, but once she leaves, his expression darkens as he confronts Nadine about what happened.
Nadine reveals that Max attacked her after she tried to make peace with Tess at Tess¡¯spany. Despite the pain, she remainsposed while recounting the incident. Henry, showing little sympathy, tells her she won¡¯t be returning to the vi and should rest at the hospital instead, implying Tess likely does not want to see her. Left alone, Nadine feels abandoned and hurt, struggling with the loneliness andck of concern from Henry.
In the hospital, Nadine attempts to contact her mother, Shannon, but the conversation is brief and distant, leaving Nadine feeling even more isted. She vents her frustration by demanding her dinner from a nurse, which momentarily relieves her tension. As the night passes slowly, Nadine remains alone, surrounded by the sterile quiet of the hospital.
The next morning, Henry¡¯s assistant arrives at Mars Legal to stand in for Nadine. Tess helps the elders and Violet into a car, while others follow in separate vehicles toward Ember Vi. Tess notices Nadine¡¯s absence and expresses concern, but Abel exins that Nadine was hurt by Max the day before, shedding light on why she is not present.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
478 Nadine Being Left Alone
Kylie nestled closer to Henry, resting her head gently against his shoulder. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do whatever you want,¡± she whispered softly.
Henry exchanged a brief, meaningful nce with Nadine before averting his eyes. His voice lowered to a quiet murmur. ¡°Nadine told me everything. This is on me. I haven¡¯t been around enough, leaving you all by yourself at home. Once Tess returns, we¡¯ll all be together again. And when that timees, please don¡¯t be angry with her, okay? You really can¡¯t afford to lose your temper right now.¡±
Kylie nodded earnestly, absorbing every word.
Henry lingered a moment longer, speaking a little more before finally releasing Kylie¡¯s hand and rising to his feet. ¡°Let me walk you out. The driver¡¯s already waiting outside.¡±
Grasping his hand firmly, Kylie urged, ¡°You should hurry home too.¡±
Henry smiled and nodded in agreement, but as soon as Kylie stepped away, the warmth drained from his face and eyes. His expression darkened, a frown creasing his brow as he turned to look at Nadine, whoy quietly in the hospital bed.
¡°How did this even happen? What did Tess do to you?¡± he asked, his voice low but edged with coldness.
Nadine caught the icy re in Henry¡¯s eyes but didn¡¯t flinch. Biting her lip to hold back the pain, she finally spoke, her voice trembling with hurt. ¡°It was Max. I went to Tess¡¯spany, just like you told me to, to try and make peace with her. But Max held a grudge. He waited for me as I left, dragged me to the nearest factory near Hunt Group, and beat me up¡¡±
She let the full truth spill out, the pain in her voice unmistakable.
Henry¡¯s face remained unreadable, if anything, his annoyance seemed to deepen as he stared at her.
¡°Then you¡¯re not going back to the vi tomorrow. Tess probably doesn¡¯t want to see you anyway. Just stay here and rest,¡± he said brusquely, waving his hand before turning and leaving the room.
Nadine was left alone, swallowed by a hollow emptiness. The quiet hum of the hospital room was broken only by the asional drip from the IV beside her.
So Tess didn¡¯t want to see her, and now Henry was abandoning her too? She had endured all this pain because of his orders, yet not a single word of concern had passed his lips.
Her heart felt as if it had been torn to shreds, a deep ache settling inside her chest.
She bit her lip again, trying to swallow the bitter lump rising in her throat. Leaning back against the pillow, she closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her scattered thoughts before finally reaching for her phone and dialing Shannon.
¡°Mom¡¡± she began hesitantly.
¡°What¡¯s wrong, Nadine?¡± Shannon¡¯s voice was soft and gentle, like the first light of dawn breaking through the mist.
Nadine¡¯s nose stung unexpectedly. ¡°Mom, I got hurt.¡±
¡°Hurt? What happened? Did you get looked after?¡± Shannon¡¯s tone remained calm, but Nadine sensed an absence of real worry beneath it.
Gripping the phone tighter, Nadine felt a wave of difort wash over her. Suddenly, she found herself too drained to keep talking.
¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she replied quietly.
¡°If it¡¯s nothing, then just handle it yourself. Kaleb! Be careful! Don¡¯t eat the peel!¡± Shannon¡¯s voice shifted abruptly to anxious as she yanked an orange peel from Kaleb¡¯s mouth, sighing in relief before gently cradling him to soothe him.
¡°I have to go, your brother needs to eat,¡± she said hurriedly before ending the call.
The dial tone buzzed in Nadine¡¯s ear. She bit her lip again, sadness and frustration swirling inside her.
On impulse, she pressed the call button on the hospital wall.
A nurse appeared quickly, checking Nadine¡¯s IV with a soft voice. ¡°Ms. Nadine, is everything alright? Do you need anything?¡±
Nadine fixed her with a sharp gaze. ¡°Do you know what time it is? Where¡¯s my dinner? Is this how patients are treated here?¡±
The nurse froze, clearly taken aback by Nadine¡¯s sudden anger. Her usual calm demeanor vanished, reced by nervousness. Even standing there, she looked uneasy.
¡°It¡¯s still half an hour before dinner is served to patients. But if you¡¯re hungry, I can get it ready right now!¡± she offered, twisting her hands anxiously before hurrying away after receiving another re from Nadine.
Nadine¡¯s chest rose and fell deeply. Releasing her frustration had brought a small measure of relief.
Time passed slowly, and night settled over the hospital.
In the quiet darkness, everyone was wrapped up in their own ns and thoughts.
As dawn began to break, Henry¡¯s assistant arrived punctually at the entrance of Mars Legal, standing in for Nadine.
Tess helped the two elders and Violet into her car, with Abel already behind the wheel.
Lyra and Raven still looked uneasy, trailing behind in a separate vehicle. L had alsoe to thepany and didn¡¯t want to be left out, so he climbed into their car as well.
The two luxury cars followed Henry¡¯s assistant, heading straight toward Ember Vi.
¡°Why isn¡¯t Nadine here?¡± Tess frowned, a sense of unease creeping over her.
Abel, however, seemed to know more. Resting one handzily on the steering wheel, he nced at Tess. ¡°It¡¯s because of yesterday. Nadine got hurt by Max.¡±Conclusion
The chapter gently unfolds the raw vulnerability Nadine experiences as she finds herself physically and emotionally isted. Despite the pain inflicted by Max and the cold distance from Henry, her spirit wrestles with the ache of abandonment and the hollow quiet of the hospital room. The strained phone call with her mother further emphasizes Nadine¡¯s solitude, highlighting the fragile threads of connection she clings to amid her suffering. Her moment of anger toward the nurse reveals a desperate need for care and acknowledgment, underscoring the depth of her loneliness.
As the night deepens and dawn approaches, the story paints a poignant picture of separation and unspoken tensions among those connected to Nadine. The absence of her presence at Ember Vi bes a silent testament to the fractures that recent events have caused. This chapter delicately captures the emotional cost of conflict and misunderstanding, leaving Nadine suspended in a space between hurt and hope, as those around her grapple with their own uneasy feelings.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the emotional turmoil surrounding Nadine¡¯s fragile state. As she remains isted in the hospital, the lingering shadows of betrayal and pain are likely to intensify, revealing more about theplex dynamics between her, Henry, and Tess. Will Nadine find the strength to confront the coldness she faces, or will her solitude push her toward unexpected decisions? The tension between loyalty and resentment is palpable, setting the stage for poignant moments of vulnerability and confrontation.
Meanwhile, the movements of Tess and the others toward Ember Vi hint at unfolding developments that could shift alliances and power bnces. The unease Tess feels about Nadine¡¯s absence suggests that not everything is as straightforward as it seems, and Abel¡¯s cryptic remarks addyers of mystery and potential conflict. Readers can anticipate a mix of emotional reckonings and subtle power ys that will challenge the characters¡¯ rtionships and test their resolve in the chapters ahead.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 479
Keepsake 479 Summary
In this chapter, Abel reveals to Tess that something significant has happened involving Nadine and Max, sparking Tess¡¯s curiosity and concern. Abel¡¯s casual demeanor contrasts with the seriousness of the situation, especially when he mentions that Nadine is ¡°almost dead,¡± indicating the severity of the conflict. Tess reflects on the dangerous dynamic between Nadine and Max, recognizing that Nadine must have apelling reason to provoke Max so recklessly, despite the obvious risks.
As they arrive at Ember Vi, tensions rise when the assistant informs them that Lyra and Raven are not allowed inside, following strict orders from Henry Ember. This exclusion causes visible frustration, particrly from Raven, who is ready to confront the situation aggressively. Tess, showing her own resolve and cold determination, decides not to enter if Lyra and Raven are barred, signaling her solidarity and strength.
The chapter also highlights underlying family dynamics and alliances, with Violet observing Tess¡¯s considerate behavior and the assistant navigating the delicate instructions from Henry. Despite the escting tension, L¡¯s calm voice reassures the group, hinting at readiness for any confrontation that may arise. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, setting the stage for unfolding conflicts and revtions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 479: Something¡¯s Up
The moment Abel spoke, Tess¡¯s lips twitched involuntarily. She quickly nced at him, catching the mischievous sparkle in his eyes. ¡°When did this even happen?¡± she asked, curiosity piqued.
Abel raised a single eyebrow, his lips curling into a knowing smile but offering no words. Tess¡¯s mind raced, and she took a quick guess. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡ it was while we were leaving the office?¡±
¡°Bingo,¡± he replied with a quiet chuckle.
The traffic light switched to red, and Abel casually snapped his fingers in a yful gesture. Tess couldn¡¯t help but let out a smallugh, amused by the absurdity of the situation.
Deep down, she understood that Nadine was probably using this incident as an excuse to pull her back into the Embers¡¯ sphere. And Max¡ªwho was taking the fall this time¡ªmust have truly riled someone up.
¡°Is she seriously hurt?¡± Tess asked, her tone turning grave.
¡°Almost dead,¡± Abel said tly, his voice dripping with indifference when mentioning Nadine.
Those two words made Tess¡¯s brow furrow repeatedly. Almost dead. The phrase echoed ominously in her mind.
Max was ruthless, a man who never held back. If Nadine was caught in his crossfire, it meant she had taken the brunt of his wrath this time. The more Tess pondered it, the deeper her frown grew.
There had to be some unspoken agreement between Nadine and Max¡ªwhether recent or longstanding. She knew Max was dangerous, like a venomous snake that never forgave until revenge was served cold. Yet, despite that knowledge, Nadine had pushed him forward without hesitation, letting him shoulder the me.
Tess narrowed her eyes in thought. The only conclusion she could draw was that whatever Nadine sought was far more important than the peril of crossing Max.
She mulled over it, but the reasons eluded her.
Abel noticed the tension settling over her face. He hated seeing Tess so troubled and usually did whatever he could to ease her worries. But this time, despite knowing a bit of the situation, he held back from offering falsefort. Instead, he simply gave her a soft, reassuring nce.
At that moment, his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, catching the knowing looks exchanged between the two elders and Violet sitting quietly behind them. Whatever was unfolding, they would all find out soon enough¡ªperhaps even a surprise for Tess.
Though she never voiced it, Abel understood that Tess longed for a genuine family, especially now that she had a child. Kylie¡¯s blind loyalty to outsiders made her unworthy of that title. Thankfully, the Larsons still held onto some semnce of reason.
¡°Ms. Tess, please step out of the car,¡± the assistant¡¯s voice broke the silence.
He had been leading the way, halted his vehicle, and now approached Abel¡¯s window with a slight bow, showing extra respect.
Tess stepped out gracefully and immediately turned to assist the two elders climbing out of the back seat. Her considerate gesture did not go unnoticed¡ªViolet watched her with growing satisfaction.
Just then, the cars carrying Lyra and Raven pulled up.
As their windows rolled down, the assistant quickly interjected, ¡°Mr. Ember has specifically instructed that Ms. Bell and Ms. Moreno are not permitted inside.¡±
He raised a hand to halt Raven, who looked ready to storm forward.
¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Raven snapped, ring sharply at the assistant.
Despite his nervousness and sweat beading on his forehead, the assistant met her gaze and shook his head firmly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Moreno. These are Mr. Ember¡¯s orders. I¡¯m only following them.¡±
He still vividly remembered Henry¡¯s expression when those two names were mentioned¡ªhis face twisted with disgust and resistance.
Lyra had once been a mere judge in the Aetheris District Court. After some mysterious incident, she was fired, only to suddenly rise to a high-ranking management position wielding unexpected power. And Raven¡ well, Henry had frowned deeply, pondering for a long moment before waving his hand dismissively and dering, ¡°Neither of them is allowed in!¡±
Snapping back to the present, the assistant bowed his head politely, awaiting further instructions.
¡°If they can¡¯te in, what about us?¡± Violet asked, folding her arms and eyeing him with curiosity.
Only then did the assistant dare to meet her gaze¡ªher face marked by time but still strikingly beautiful.
Henry had not issued any orders concerning them.
¡°Uh¡ maybe I should check?¡± the assistant stammered.
Tess removed her sunsses, revealing most of her face. She lifted her chin slightly, radiating a cold, sharp aura. ¡°If they¡¯re not allowed inside, then I won¡¯t be going in either.¡±
The assistant immediately recalled Henry¡¯s repeatedmands: ¡°No matter what, you have to bring Tess to me.¡±
He hesitated, ncing at the group¡ªan elderly man, an elderly woman, and a middle-aged woman. Surely, they wouldn¡¯t cause any trouble.
¡°Alright, pleasee this way,¡± he finally relented, opening the gate.
Raven¡¯s fury was palpable; she was nearly losing control, ready to tear down the gates of Ember Vi itself.
¡°Just rest for now,¡± L¡¯s calm, steady voice cut through the tension. ¡°If anything happens and we need to get inside, no door will stop us.¡±Conclusion
The chapter closes on a note thick with tension and unspoken alliances, reflecting the intricate web of loyalty and danger that surrounds Tess and those close to her. Tess¡¯s growing apprehension about Nadine and Max¡¯s dangerous game, paired with Abel¡¯s quiet support, underscores the emotional weight she carries as she navigates a world where trust is scarce and every move is fraught with risk. The subtle dynamics within the group, especially the exclusion of Lyra and Raven, hint at deeper conflicts simmering beneath the surface, leaving Tess caught between her desire for family and the harsh realities imposed by the Ember n.
Despite the mounting challenges, Tess¡¯sposed demeanor and willingness to stand firm in the face of adversity reveal her resilience and determination. The chapter¡¯s closing moments, with the gate opening reluctantly and the promise of unwavering protection from L, suggest a fragile hope amid the storm. It is a poignant reminder that while the path ahead may be uncertain and fraught with peril, Tess is not alone¡ªshe has allies who will stand by her, even when the world seems poised to close its doors.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the intrigue surrounding Nadine¡¯s precarious situation and the shadowy dynamics at y within the Embers¡¯ circle. Tess¡¯s growing unease hints at hidden alliances and secrets that could challenge her trust and force her to confront ufortable truths. As tensions mount, the delicate bnce of power and loyalty will be tested, especially with figures like Lyra and Raven barred from entry, raising questions about their true intentions and the reasons behind Henry¡¯s harsh decree.
Emotions are set to run high as Tess navigates this fraught atmosphere, torn between her desire for family and the cold realities imposed by those around her. Abel¡¯s quiet support contrasts with the simmering conflict, suggesting that alliances might shift in unexpected ways. The looming presence of the elders and Violet¡¯s watchful gaze add an extrayer of suspense, hinting that Tess¡¯s next steps could have far-reaching consequences not just for herself, but for everyone connected to the Embers.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 480
Keepsake 480 Summary
Lyra¡¯s idol finally spoke, leaving her with no reason to argue, while Raven exchanged a sharp, wary nce with L before quietly retreating into the car, her movements tense and deliberate. Meanwhile, Tess and the others made their way up the rough cobblestone path to the vi, apanied by two elderly figures who exchanged disapproving looks, doubting whether the modest building deserved the title of vi despite Henry¡¯s efforts to secure it.
At the vi¡¯s entrance, Henry stood protectively with Kylie, reassuring her that he had repurchasedpany assets to prevent her suffering. However, Kylie¡¯s calm was shattered when she noticed five unfamiliar faces staring at them. Among these visitors was Tess, supporting an elderly woman as she stepped forward, revealing themselves as Kylie¡¯s Aunt Olivia and Uncle Benjamin. Kylie¡¯s emotional reaction to seeing them after many years brought tears to her eyes, and Henry felt a surge of panic and shock at their sudden appearance.
Tess, usuallyposed, was visibly shaken by the revtion, her expression a mixture of shock and incredulity. She questioned the identity of the elderly couple and the implications of their presence, especially since Gillian, presumably a key family member, had died long ago. Tess sensed a strange familiarity with the visitors despite never having met them before, which deepened her confusion and unease.
Abel, having quietly followed the group, smirked at Tess¡¯s reaction and teased her, but Tess remained troubled. She knew the Larsons were a powerful and wealthy family from Kingnd, whom Kylie had cut ties with years ago. The unexpected reunion with these estranged rtives left Tess struggling to understand theplex family connections and the truth behind this surprising encounter.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 480 A Shocking Truth
When her idol finally spoke, Lyra found no reason to argue. Yet, Raven shot L a sharp, wary nce before quietly sliding back into the car, her movements deliberate and tense.
Meanwhile, inside the vi¡¯s grounds, Tess and the others were making their way up the uneven cobblestone path leading to the house. The stones beneath their feet were rough and jagged, causing a slight difort with each step. The air was still, heavy with anticipation.
Two elderly figures, walking alongside them, kept exchanging disapproving looks as they surveyed the surroundings. Honestly, the ce was better than what they had feared for Kylic, yet could this modest building truly be called a vi? It appeared far too small for such a grand title.
Their eyes met, and the mutual distaste was unmistakable. If Henry had any inkling of their thoughts, he would likely have rolled his eyes in exasperation. After all, he had invested considerable effort and resources to secure this private vi in Aetheris, even movingpany assets to make it happen.
As they continued, the imposing front door of the vi came into view. Henry stood there, impably dressed in a sharp suit, his arm wrapped protectively around Kylie¡¯s shoulders. Their heads were close together, whispering secrets only they could hear.
¡°Didn¡¯t you already sell these off when thepany was struggling?¡± Kylie asked softly, clutching her shawl tightly around her.
Henry gently adjusted the fabric, his voice calm and reassuring. ¡°Thepany is in Tess¡¯s hands now. After everything we¡¯ve been through, I couldn¡¯t bear to let you suffer any longer. So, I bought it all back for you.¡±
Kylie lifted her gaze, meeting his warm, tender eyes, feeling a flicker offort. But then, something caught her attention ahead. She blushed, lowering her eyes in an attempt to hide her reaction, yet after a moment, she deliberately shifted her gaze forward.
Instantly, her body froze, every muscle tense and unyielding.
Henry noticed the sudden change and followed her line of sight.
Five cold, unfamiliar faces were staring directly at them.
Tess, the person Henry had been waiting for, stood slightly behind, supporting an elderly woman¡¯s arm as she carefully stepped forward.
¡°Why¡¡± Kylie¡¯s voice trembled, and her fingers shook uncontrobly. Her lips quivered as if struggling to form the words.
Henry¡¯s heart pounded fiercely.
They are here¡
A wave of panic surged through him even faster than his initial shock.
The Larsons! How did they manage to get to Aetheris so quickly? And why hadn¡¯t he been informed?
Despite his unease, Henry stood his ground as they approached.
He nced down at Kylie, noticing the quivering of her eyshes and the trembling of her lips.
Since arriving homest night, Kylie had not left his side. She had even leaned against him, waiting anxiously at the door for Tess. But now, she took a hesitant step forward, almost instinctively, inching closer to the unexpected visitors.
Tess and the others halted just a few steps away from Kylie.
Kylie¡¯s eyes locked onto the two elderly faces she hadn¡¯t seen in many years.
The wrinkles etched on their cheeks stirred a deep, aching sensation in her nose, and her eyes immediately welled with tears.
¡°Aunt Olivia¡ Uncle Benjamin¡¡± she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Though her words were soft, they carried clearly through the quiet air.
Tess¡¯s usuallyposed and stern expression suddenly softened, reced by shock. Her calm demeanor cracked as she shifted her gaze repeatedly between Kylie, the elderly couple, and Violet.
Aunt Olivia? Uncle Benjamin?
If these were indeed Kylie¡¯s aunt and uncle, did that mean they were effectively her grandparents?
Tess looked up at Abel, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Abel had expected Henry to bar his entry to the vi, but since he had only stopped Lyra and Raven, he had quietly followed along.
Seeing Tess¡¯s stunned face, Abel smirked slightly and lowered his voice teasingly, ¡°Surprised?¡±
Surprised? Tess¡¯s expression was far from happiness. It was a mixture of shock and incredulity.
She frowned deeply, watching Kylie¡¯s reaction, her mind racing to process the words she had just heard.
Had Kylie really said what she thought she heard?
But Gillian had died long ago! So why were Gillian¡¯s sister and brother-inw here in Aetheris?
Still¡
Tess¡¯s eyes flicked back to the elderly couple once more.
From the moment she firstid eyes on them, there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity, even though she was certain she had never met them before.
Could this strange feeling be tied to someplicated family connection?
Nervously, Tess twisted her fingers, the lightheartedughter she had shared with the elders earlier now reced by an awkward stiffness.
She still found it hard to believe.
Tess was well aware of the Larsons from Kingnd¡ªa family of immense wealth and power, whose children were far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
But Kylie had severed ties with them years ago, and they had not been in contact since. To Tess, the Larsons felt even more distant than before.
Her mind buzzed with questions. Confronted with this unfamiliar and tangled family link, she couldn¡¯t help but frown in confusion, struggling to piece together the truth behind this unexpected reunion.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a poignant moment of reunion and revtion, weaving together threads of past and present that stir deep emotions within the characters. Kylie¡¯s trembling voice and tear-filled eyes reveal the profound impact of seeing her long-lost rtives, while Tess¡¯s shock and confusion underscore theplexity of family bonds and hidden histories. The vi, once a symbol of protection and new beginnings, now bes a stage where unresolved feelings and secrets quietly surface, inviting reflection on loyalty, identity, and the ties that bind.
Amidst the tension and uncertainty, the chapter captures the fragile hope that even amidst shock and disbelief, connections¡ªno matter howplicated¡ªcan offer a chance for understanding and healing. The characters stand at the threshold of a new chapter, where the past¡¯s shadows challenge them to confront truths and navigate the delicate bnce between eptance and resistance. This emotional crossroads leaves readers with a sense of anticipation, underscoring the enduring power of family and the unexpected ways it shapes our lives.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of family secrets and long-buried emotions that have suddenly resurfaced. As Kylie faces the unexpected arrival of Aunt Olivia and Uncle Benjamin, the fragile calm within the vi is set to shatter, revealing hidden pasts and unresolved tensions. Tess¡¯s growing unease hints at revtions that could challenge everything she thought she knew about Kylie¡¯s history and the true nature of their connections.
Emotions will run high as loyalties are tested and characters grapple with the shock of these newfound rtionships. The subtle nces, the trembling hands, and the hesitant steps all suggest that beneath the surface lies a storm of conflicting feelings¡ªfear, hope, and perhaps betrayal. Readers can anticipate a chapter rich in emotionalplexity, where the characters¡¯ inner strugglese to the forefront, setting the stage for confrontations and decisions that could change the course of their lives.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 481
Keepsake 481 Summary
Abel noticed Tess¡¯s tension and gentlyforted her, assuring her that Mrs. Larson and the others wanted her to discover certain truths on her own. Tess was struck by Abel¡¯s newfound quiet strength, which made her feel unexpectedly safe despite her unease. Their silent exchange was charged with unspoken feelings, while Viotet observed but soon lost interest.
Meanwhile, Olivia and Benjamin arrived with the family, stirring mixed emotions. Olivia held tightly to Benjamin¡¯s arm, and Kylie was overwhelmed with disbelief and emotion at seeing them again. Benjamin¡¯s stern reminder that Olivia had left the Larsons long ago created tension, especially since Kylie still longed for their reunion. Henry tried to ease the situation by encouraging everyone to move inside, but Benjamin ignored him and focused on Tess, inviting her to join them.
Tess was surprised to be asked first and responded with polite humility, showing the respect she held for Olivia and Benjamin despite past conflicts. Henry, feeling sidelined, was visibly irritated but had anticipated this reaction. He reminded Tess that she was still connected to the Larsons, unlike Kylie, who had distanced herself. Henry then spoke to Tess privately, but she confronted him sharply, questioning why he wanted to discuss matters since they had supposedly cut ties.
Benjamin¡¯s angry reaction to Tess¡¯s question revealed the deep unresolved conflicts within the family, highlighting the fragile andplicated rtionships between them. The chapter ends with tension mounting between Tess, Henry, and Benjamin, underscoring the emotional and familial struggles they face.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 481: Didn¡¯t We Already Cut Ties?
Abel could sense the tension radiating from Tess as she stood there, her body stiff and her hands trembling slightly. Without hesitation, he reached out with a gentle touch, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. He paid no mind to Viotet¡¯s curious gaze fixed on them. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to keep anything from you,¡± Abel said softly, ¡°It¡¯s just that Mrs. Larson and the others wanted you to discover this on your own. There¡¯s no need to be nervous. After all, they¡¯re almost like your grandparents too.¡±
Tess lifted her eyes to meet Abel¡¯s steady gaze. Usually, his expression was yful, teasing even, but now there was a seriousness there that caught her off guard. The boy she once thought of as just a kid had transformed into someone with a quiet strength ¡ª a calmness that somehow made her feel safe, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Her heart fluttered unexpectedly, and she quickly averted her eyes, unsure of why she felt so unsettled. When she looked away, Abel¡¯s eyes dimmed ever so slightly, a flicker of something unspoken passing through them.
Tess pressed her lips together, forcing herself to meet his gaze again. Abel lowered his head just a bit, his eyes lingering on her longer than necessary. He felt a pull toward her, a maic draw he was trying hard to resist, all while maintaining aposed exterior.
Viotet arched an eyebrow but soon lost interest in their silent exchange, turning her attention instead to the scene unfolding before her.
Despite Tess¡¯s stiffness, she still held Olivia¡¯s left hand tightly. Olivia, in turn, clutched Benjamin¡¯s arm with her right hand, as if anchoring herself to him. When Kylie¡¯s voice rang out, Benjamin nced down. Olivia tightened her grip on his sleeve, the fabric wrinkling under her fingers.
The mention of Kylie stirred a memory deep within Benjamin ¡ª a little girl dressed as a princess, giggling and posing cutely for them. The realization hit him hard: how much time had passed, how much they had all aged. His face, now marked with lines, probably bore more wrinkles than his worn clothes.
Henry¡¯s heart pounded in his chest. He shot Tess a sharp look before turning a re toward the assistant who had been instructed to lead the group. *This idiot! I told him to bring Tess, not the entire family!*
The assistant, catching Henry¡¯s fierce gaze, shrank back in fear.
¡°Wee, Aunt Olivia, Uncle Benjamin,¡± Henry said quickly, forcing a warm smile as he stepped forward to greet them.
Kylie hurried over, her excitement barely contained. Olivia¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, especially as Kylie drew near and reached out to touch her.
¡°Aunt Olivia, is it really you?¡± Kylie whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Despite standing right there with her long-missed family, Kylie felt as if she were caught in a surreal dream.
¡°You left the Larsons a long time ago,¡± Benjamin said, shaking off his emotions and adopting a stern tone. ¡°Now Tess is grown, and we just came to Aetheris to see her. We heard she¡¯d being here, so we decided toe along.¡±
Olivia shot him a sharp look at the mention of ¡°left the Larsons.¡±
They had finallye to see Kylie, and now Benjamin acted as if he were above it all.
Those words tightened Kylie¡¯s throat painfully. She opened her mouth to respond but found herself unable to speak.
Sensing the rising tension, Henry stepped in to smooth things over.
¡°Aunt Olivia, Uncle Benjamin, Kylie has missed you both all these years. Now that you¡¯re finally here, let¡¯s not bring up past grievances. Since you¡¯re here for Tess, why don¡¯t we head inside? Standing out here is tiring.¡±
He gave a small, thoughtful smile, trying to appear courteous.
Benjamin didn¡¯t even nce at him. Instead, he turned to Tess. ¡°So, Tess, what do you think? Would you like to go inside?¡±
Caught off guard, Tess blinked, snapping out of the shock that had held her moments before.
¡°Me?¡± she asked, clearly surprised.
Typically, Tess was strict and sometimes sharp with Henry and Kylie, even bordering on disrespectful. But with Olivia and Benjamin, she was always polite, humble, and respectful. She hadn¡¯t expected to be asked first.
¡°Of course. Without you, we wouldn¡¯t even be here,¡± Olivia added warmly.
Perhaps reminded by Benjamin¡¯s words, she smiled gently at Tess, waiting patiently for her answer.
The two elders made their intentions clear, and Henry, who had been ignored, looked visibly irritated. But this reaction was exactly what he had anticipated.
To the Larsons, Kylie was now just a woman who had long since left the family. But Tess was different. Even though Kylie had distanced herself, she had never truly severed ties with the Larsons. Her daughter, Tess, remained a part of the family.
Good thing he had asked Nadine to bring Tess home.
¡°Tess, you shoulde too. I have something I need to discuss with you,¡± Henry said, his voice softer than usual, the cold edge reced by a hint of genuine concern.
¡°Discuss what? Mr. Ember, didn¡¯t we already cut ties?¡± Tess turned her head swiftly, her eyes wide and innocent as she stared at Henry.
At that moment, Benjamin¡¯s sharp gaze shed with anger. ¡°Cut ties?!¡± he snapped, his voice low but fierce.Conclusion
The chapter delicately unravels theplex emotions tied to family bonds, past grievances, and the fragile connections that persist despite time and distance. Tess¡¯s interaction with Abel reveals a quiet strength and vulnerability, highlighting her internal struggle between hesitation and eptance. Meanwhile, the reunion with Olivia and Benjamin stirs a poignant mix of nostalgia and unresolved tension, underscoring the enduring impact of history on present rtionships. The subtle shifts in tone and expression among the characters paint a vivid picture of longing, regret, and the tentative hope for reconciliation.
As the Larsons and the younger generation navigate this delicate moment, the chapter emphasizes the theme of belonging and the unspoken ties that bind them together. Tess¡¯s poised response to the invitation to enter the family home symbolizes a step toward bridging divides, even as old wounds remain tender. The charged exchange between Henry and Benjamin hints at theplexities of loyalty and forgiveness, leaving the reader with a sense of anticipation and emotional depth that resonates beyond the immediate scene.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of family dynamics and unresolved emotions that simmer just beneath the surface. Tess finds herself at a crossroads, caught between the past she thought she had left behind and the present that insists on pulling her back in. The tension between Henry, Benjamin, and Olivia hints at old wounds that have yet to heal, and Tess¡¯s unexpected role in this reunion could force her to confront feelings she has long tried to suppress.
As the Larsons¡¯ visit stirs memories and unspoken grievances, the delicate bnce within the family threatens to unravel. Abel¡¯s quiet strength and the subtle, charged moments between him and Tess add an intimateyer to the unfolding drama, suggesting that personal connections will y a crucial role amidst therger conflicts. Readers can anticipate a chapter rich with emotionalplexity, where loyalties will be tested and the true meaning of family will be questioned once more.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 482
Keepsake 482 Summary
Olivia confronts Henry angrily, using him of losing his mind, while Wolet demands answers from Abel, who admits he failed to inform them about recent developments. At St. Ben Cams, Benjamin confronts Henry with fierce anger, mming his cane into Henry¡¯s shin and chastising him for wanting to sever ties with Tess, his daughter. Benjamin reminds Henry of the family¡¯s support when he started his business and expresses his disappointment in Henry¡¯s treatment of Tess. Henry endures the reprimand silently, feeling shame and frustration but unable to respond with anger.
Olivia joins Benjamin in pressing Henry, using Tess of being out of control and framing her sister, and dismissing Henry¡¯s im that Tess is his biological daughter as insufficient reason to cut ties. Olivia¡¯s sharp words and physical pressure on Henry intensify the confrontation, while Kylie intervenes, trying to calm the escting tension. Violet then steps forward, defending Tess and challenging the harsh descriptions of her, noting how Kylie now appears fragile and diminishedpared to her confident past self.
Kylie reflects on her recent loneliness and her hope that sending a wedding dress to the Larsons might bridge the gap between them, but she had not expected their sudden appearance today. The chapter closes with the group caught in a charged atmosphere of anger, resentment, andplicated family ties, yet beneath the surface, there remains a delicate hope for reconciliation despite the harsh emotions disyed.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 482 Supported by the Larsons
¡°Henry, have you lost your mind?¡± Olivia¡¯s eyes zed with fury, her re sharp and unyielding as she confronted him.
Wolet had remainedposed during the journey, but the moment she caught wind of the news, her calm shattered. She swiftly shot Abel a pointed look, her expression demanding answers.
Abel, caught off guard, awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, clearly realizing he hadpletely neglected to inform them about this development.
¡ª
ST. Ben Cams
Benjamin steadied himself on his cane, his movements slower than the younger men¡¯s, yet in a heartbeat, he was standing directly before Henry.
Though Henry was taller, the stern, weathered expression on Benjamin¡¯s face made him bow his head slightly, a gesture that harkened back over two decades to when he had pleaded with them to allow him to marry Kylie.
Benjamin¡¯s fury erupted. He mmed his cane down hard against Henry¡¯s shin. ¡°Tess is your daughter, and you want to sever ties with her? Henry, when youunched your business, our family never treated you poorly. Is this how you repay the children of our family?¡±
His voice cut sharply through the air, and his gaze was nothing short of intimidating.
Henry yelped sharply from the pain, but when their eyes locked, he gritted his teeth, swallowing his pain. Being reprimanded in front of Tess and Abel dredged up a flood of old memories¡ªshame and frustration wed at his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Yet, unlike before, Henry couldn¡¯t explode in anger. He simply stood there, head bowed, enduring it, grinding his teeth so fiercely he feared they might shatter.
The Larson children?
Even if Tess chose to distance herself from him, she remained his daughter. But to the Larsons, she was suddenly ¡°their child.¡± Some things never changed. The Larsons¡¯ arrogance remained as strong as ever, despite the passing years.
¡°Uncle Benjamin! Tess is out of control. She hurt her sister, even framed her, and keeps stirring up trouble for our family. I¡¯m only trying to teach her a lesson. Besides, she¡¯s my biological daughter. How could I truly cut ties with her?¡±
Henry lifted his head, but his gaze stayed fixed on Tess.
Now the truth was clear.
Benjamin and Olivia were here to back Tess. Their loyalty was unwavering.
Tess smirked as she watched Benjamin scold Henry, their eyes locking.
She narrowed her eyes, lips curling into a mocking smile.
Not really cutting ties with me?
Tess sneered inwardly, dismissing Henry¡¯s sudden change of heart as nothing but empty words.
¡ª
¡°Hmph!¡± Olivia snapped angrily, seizing Benjamin¡¯s cane and pressing it harder against Henry¡¯s shin. ¡°What kind of daughter is she? Out of control? Framing her sister? I only know Kylie has one daughter¡ªwhere did this sistere from? I just arrived in Antheris yesterday, and Tess didn¡¯t even recognize me, yet she treated me kindly. Out of control? Don¡¯t make meugh! You must be blind!¡± she shouted, driving the cane down with more force.
If she weren¡¯t so old now, Olivia mused grimly, she would have grabbed a belt long ago and given him a proper scolding.
Henry¡¯s face twisted in pain, but he fought to stayposed. Soon, the muscles around his mouth stiffened, and beads of sweat gathered on his forehead.
Kylie watched the confrontation, her chest tightening with difort.
¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± she suddenly cried out, stepping between Henry and the others to halt the escting tension.
¡ª
¡°Aunt Olivia! Uncle Benjamin! What more do you want? Tess isn¡¯t just a Larson¡ªshe¡¯s part of the Embers too. Yes, she¡¯s harsh and mean, but what¡¯s wrong with Henry trying to discipline her?¡±
Feeling the pressure on his shin ease, Henry exhaled deeply, leaning slightly on Kylie, exhaustion evident in his posture.
¡°Harsh and mean?¡± Violet repeated, frowning thoughtfully.
She lifted her heel, the sharp click echoing in the tense silence.
Standing nearly eye-to-eye with Kylie, Violet scrutinized her from head to toe.
Years ago, when Kylie left home, they had been about the same height¡ªKylie might even have been taller. But now, even face-to-face, Violet had to look downward to meet Kylie¡¯s eyebrows.
It wasn¡¯t that Violet had grown taller or Kylie had shrunk; Kylie had simply begun to hunch over without realizing it. Even as she straightened to support Henry, she still appeared small and fragile.
Violet stared, barely recognizing the woman before her.
She remembered Kylie as a confident, proud girl from a wealthy family, envied by many. Spoiled by her parents, Kylie had always carried herself with pride. But now, she looked crushed, like a fragile reed bending in the wind. Not only was she holding herself up, but she was also propping someone else.
Violet¡¯s gaze shifted behind Kylie to Henry, who was still catching his breath.
¡°Tess is definitely not the harsh, mean child you¡¯re describing,¡± Violet said, meeting Kylie¡¯s eyes with slow, deliberate certainty.
Kylie returned her gaze, though her fingers clenched tightly by her side.
She had asked Nadine to send the wedding dress to the Larsons, hoping it might draw their attention, perhaps even spark some outreach. After all these years apart, and with Henry gone for a time, she had felt lonelier than ever, aching for the warmth of home. Nadine had assured her the package was delivered, but days passed without a single reply. Kylie assumed the Larsons had not forgiven her yet.
So, thest thing she expected was for them to actually appear at the vi today.
¡ª
The room hung heavy with tension, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering resentment. Each nce, every gesture, spoke volumes about theplicated ties binding them all together. Despite the harsh words and simmering anger, beneath it ally a fragile hope for reconciliation.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing the raw emotions and fractured bonds within the Larson family. The confrontation between Henry and his rtives reveals the deep wounds and misunderstandings that have long festered, yet also hints at the enduring loyalty and love that persist beneath the surface. Olivia and Benjamin¡¯s fierce defense of Tess underscores the protective instincts of family, even when faced with painful truths and difficult choices.
Amidst the tension and bitterness, Kylie¡¯s quiet strength and vulnerability shine through, embodying the fragile hope for healing and eptance. The arrival of the Larsons, unexpected yet significant, serves as a reminder that despite years of separation and silence, the ties of blood and shared history remain unbroken. This chapter delicately bnces conflict andpassion, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation for the family¡¯s journey toward understanding and unity.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of family loyalties and unresolved grievances. As the Larsons make their presence felt more strongly, the emotional stakes rise, and the delicate bnce between old wounds and the possibility of forgiveness teeters precariously. The simmering tensions between Henry, Tess, and the others hint at conflicts that may challenge their fragile attempts at reconciliation.
Expect to witness more intense confrontations, where hidden resentments and unspoken truthse to light, forcing each character to confront their own vulnerabilities. The shifting dynamics within this fractured family will evoke powerful emotions, revealing just howplicated love and loyalty can be when past mistakes refuse to fade. The next chapter will leave readers eager to see whether these fractured rtionships can find a path toward healing or if the cracks will only deepen.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 483
Keepsake 483 Summary
In this chapter, a tense confrontation unfolds between Kylie and Violet, centered on the custody and understanding of Tess. Kylie is fiercely defensive, insisting that as Tess¡¯s birth mother, she knows her daughter best and resents Violet¡¯s interference. Violet, however, challenges Kylie¡¯s parenting, using her of failure and iming to understand Tess better despite being seen as an outsider. The emotional strain is palpable as both women sh over their perceptions of Tess and her upbringing.
Kylie¡¯s anger intensifies as sheshes out, using Tess of jealousy and cruelty toward Nadine, an adopted girl whose mother died because of Kylie. This revtion stirs a dark tension in the room, especially with Abel¡¯s sharp, threatening gaze directed at Kylie. The atmosphere is thick with unresolved pain and bitterness, highlighting deep family fractures and conflicting loyalties. Despite the hostility, Tess remainsposed and even intervenes to calm Abel, showing her own strength amidst the turmoil.
Benjamin and Olivia support Tess, pointing out that her distance from Kylie stems from past failures rather than personal fault. They make it clear that their visit is for Tess¡¯s sake, not Kylie¡¯s, further isting Kylie and underscoring the strained family dynamics. Kylie¡¯s health and mental state are brought into question, and Henry attempts to soothe the situation by urging Tess to be more understanding, though his tone carries an authoritative, almost scolding edge.
The chapter ends on a note of unresolved tension, with Kylie copsing into Henry¡¯s arms, overwhelmed by the confrontation. Theplex emotions of anger, disappointment, and protective instincts swirl through the characters, setting the stage for ongoing conflict and deeper exploration of family bonds and personal struggles.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 483: Always the Same
He had never intended to allow Violet toe along.
¡°I raised my daughter¡ªI gave birth to her,¡± Kylie snapped, her re sharp and icy as she faced Violet. Her tone was hard, as if revealing any weakness would be a sign of defeat. ¡°What makes you think some outsider knows my child better than I do?¡±
¡°Outsider?¡± Violet repeated quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, yet the weight behind the word was unmistakable. She immediately caught the flicker of anger shing in Kylie¡¯s eyes.
A tightness gripped Violet¡¯s chest. The warmth she had felt just moments before vanished, reced by a cool, controlled reserve.
¡°You don¡¯t understand Tess at all,¡± Violet said steadily, lifting her chin with a quiet confidence that cut through the tension in the room¡ªthe same sharp edge that had made her a formidable force in the business world. ¡°Even if I¡¯m just an outsider to you, I know her better than you ever will.¡±
¡°Kylie,¡± Violet continued, her voice calm but firm, ¡°don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve failed as a mother?¡±
A cold smile curled at the corners of Violet¡¯s lips, her eyes reflecting pure disappointment. She had never met the adopted daughter Abel had mentioned before, but deep down, she sensed that Tess was nothing like the version Kylie and Henry portrayed.
That realization only made her more curious.
What kind of parents would belittle their own child like this?
Her mind wandered briefly to the rumored adopted girl, Nadine.
Violet¡¯s wordsnded like a heavy blow to Kylie¡¯s gut.
¡°Violet, you have no right to tell me how to raise my daughter!¡± Kylie snapped, her voice sharp and defensive, her posture tense like a cornered cat ready to strike.
Benjamin and Olivia exchanged tired nces, both rubbing their temples as if trying to soothe their growing frustration.
Same story, different day.
Tess scanned the room, taking in everyone¡¯s reactions. A strange unease settled deep in her chest. The atmosphere felt thick, like a heavy fog had rolled in, clouding everything in confusion and unspoken pain.
Kylie¡¯s hands clenched so tightly that her fingers trembled, and her entire body shook as she unleashed her fury on Violet.
¡°You haven¡¯t seen Tess in years! You¡¯ve only been with her for, what¡ªtwo days? And now you think you understand her?¡± Her voice wasced with bitterness, teeth clenched tight.
Though her words targeted Violet, her gaze locked fiercely on Tess. ¡°If she were really the obedient, clever child you im, do you think I would ever turn my back on my own blood to protect an adopted girl instead?¡±
¡ª
Her face remained impassive, but inside, her heart tightened painfully. Her pupils flickered with a slight tremor.
Molet frowned deeply at Kylie¡¯s outburst, unable to stop herself from ncing at Tess once more.
Kylie¡¯s reaction was far too extreme, far too defensive.
¡°Kylie,¡± Olivia spoke gently but firmly in Tess¡¯s defense, ¡°Tess is a good kid. When you treat her with kindness, she reflects that kindness back. The reason she¡¯s distant from you now is because you failed her before.¡±
Kylie¡¯s chest heaved, the sight of everyone siding with Tess cutting her like a thousand knives.
Then the words spilled out, uncontrolled and raw. ¡°Failed her? She brought this on herself! Ever since Nadine came into the house, she¡¯s been jealous. But she doesn¡¯t understand¡ªNadine¡¯s mother died because of me! Of course I feel guilty. Of course I had to take extra care of that child. But Tess used that as an excuse to target Nadine at every turn! A girl that cruel doesn¡¯t deserve to be my daughter!¡±
Her voice shattered the silence like broken ss.
Abel¡¯s expression darkened instantly, his eyes narrowing into sharp, dangerous slits as he fixed his gaze on Kylie.
Perhaps sensing the deadly intensity, Kylie quickly fell silent.
The room grew still, heavy with a suffocating quiet.
In the end, it was Tess who reached out, gently grabbing Abel¡¯s arm before he could react.
Their eyes met, and the fierce anger in his gaze softened into something almost tender.
¡°Kylie,¡± Benjamin said, tapping his cane lightly against the floor, his voice heavy with both authority and disappointment. ¡°You left the Larsons years ago. There¡¯s nothing more to say to you. I came today for Tess. Nadine told us your mind wasn¡¯t well and asked Tess to visit you. Now that I see you for myself, it¡¯s clear she was right.¡±
Kylie swayed unsteadily, then copsed into Henry¡¯s arms, her face a mask of disbelief.
From their words, it was obvious¡ªthese people had only known Tess for a few days, yet they defended her fiercely. Worse, they openly admitted they were here for Tess. It was Tess who had asked them toe¡ªnot Kylie.
¡°Olivia, Benjamin,¡± Henry said, stepping forward to hold Kylie tighter. ¡°Kylie¡¯s health has been fragiletely. She¡¯s under immense stress, and it makes her say things she doesn¡¯t truly mean. Tess, as her daughter, you should try to be more understanding.¡±
His voice was smooth, rehearsed, clearly aimed at calming the storm. But when he nced sideways at Tess, there was still that cold,manding air¡ªthe unmistakable tone of a father scolding a child.Conclusion
The chapter delicately exposes the fractured bonds and simmering tensions within this family, revealing how pain and misunderstanding have shaped their fractured rtionships. Violet¡¯s unwavering conviction in Tess¡¯s worth and Kylie¡¯s fierce, defensive love paint a poignant picture of conflicting maternal instincts and unresolved guilt. The emotional turmoil is palpable, as each character grapples with their own version of truth, struggling to reconcile past wounds with present realities.
Despite the harsh words and sharp usations, a subtle undercurrent of hope lingers, embodied in Tess¡¯s quiet strength and the protective support she receives from those who believe in her. The chapter closes on a note of fragile tension, suggesting that healing will require more than just confrontation¡ªit will demand empathy, patience, and the courage to face ufortable truths. In the midst of the storm, the characters¡¯ vulnerabilities shine through, reminding us that family, no matter how broken, is never beyond the possibility of redemption.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fractured family dynamics that have been simmering beneath the surface. As tensions between Kylie and Violet escte, the emotional stakes for Tess be even more pronounced. Readers can anticipate a closer look at Tess¡¯s internal struggles as she navigates the painful divide between her birth mother¡¯s usations and the support from those who have recently entered her life. The fragile alliances in the room hint at underlying secrets yet to be fully revealed, and the question of who truly understands Tess remains tantalizingly unresolved.
Meanwhile, the presence of Abel, Benjamin, Olivia, and Henry addsyers ofplexity to the unfolding drama. Their loyalties, motivations, and past experiences with the family will likelye under scrutiny, setting the stage for confrontations that could either heal or further fracture their rtionships. The emotional undercurrents swirling around Kylie¡¯s fragile health and her vtile reactions suggest that theing chapter will explore themes of guilt, protection, and the blurred lines between love and resentment. Readers should prepare for a chapter rich with emotional intensity, where every word and gesture carries weight and meaning.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 484
Keepsake 484 Summary
In this chapter, Tess listens bitterly to Henry¡¯s self-righteous speech, where he tries to justify her mother¡¯s harsh attitude by ming Tess¡¯s past rebellion. Henry ims that now, with more time, he intends to fix things and insists that Tess is still part of the family because of her Embers blood. Tess, however, finds his arroganceughable and responds with calm defiance, asserting her ce in the family on her own terms.
Kylie, Henry¡¯s wife, sneers at Tess, using her of abandoning the family since she has the Larsons¡¯ support. Tess disregards Kylie¡¯s hostility and moves forward, but Abel, another family member, confronts her with a cold remark about how she treats guests, referencing Nadine. The tension esctes as they use Nadine as a weapon against Tess, stirring anger in Kylie. Despite the hostility, Tess and Abel share a brief moment of teasing that hints at aplicated rtionship beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, Violet observes the interactions with concern andter confronts Kylie directly. She reveals that she and others came to support Tess but have now turned their attention to Kylie, holding her responsible for the family¡¯s troubles. Violet warns Kylie that her favoritism toward Tess and blind trust in Henry will lead to consequences that no one will help her escape. The chapter ends on a cold, merciless note as Violet delivers this stark warning.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 484: Heartless
Tess felt a sharp pang of bitter irony twist deep within her chest as she listened to Henry¡¯s self-righteous rambling. His words, dripping with false concern, grated on her nerves.
¡°Your mother¡¯s attitude toward you didn¡¯te out of nowhere,¡± Henry dered, his tone heavy with supposed wisdom. ¡°Since you¡¯re here visiting us today, I want you to understand something. You were too rebellious before. I¡¯ve been busy with work all these years, but now I finally have the chance to set things right. Everything I say is for your own good. You¡¯re still part of this family.¡±
He lifted his chin, as if delivering a grand, solemn speech to an audience eager for his approval.
Tess almost burst outughing. The arrogance! Did he truly believe he could just undo everything whenever it suited him, as if the entire world revolved around his whims?
¡°Henry,¡± Kylie interrupted sharply, her voiceced with a cold sneer, ¡°look at how arrogant she is. Now that she has the Larsons backing her, she doesn¡¯t even care about staying in our family.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed, a sly smile creeping onto her lips like a cat pretending to be obedient while plotting mischief. ¡°Of course I¡¯ll stay. Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± she said smoothly. ¡°You just said it yourself¡ªI carry the Embers¡¯ blood. I¡¯m part of the Embers, too.¡±
Kylie stiffened, caught off guard. She knew Tess¡¯s fiery temper well and hadn¡¯t expected her to ept Henry¡¯s words with such calm defiance.
Henry¡¯s eyebrows twitched, then heughed, slipping effortlessly into the role of the gracious father. ¡°Good. A child who recognizes her mistakes and corrects them is a good child. Let¡¯s forget the unpleasantness from just now. Come inside, everyone.¡±
He pushed the door open, putting on the warm host act.
Kylie hesitated, her hands pressing tightly against Henry¡¯s waist. He gave a slightly awkward smile, patted the back of her hand, and whispered something in her ear. Only then did she release her grip.
Once inside, Tess strode past Kylie without a nce. Kylie let out another cold snort of disdain.
Tess ignored herpletely, but Abel was harder to dismiss. He mirrored Tess¡¯s expression, though his smile held a chilling edge that made others uneasy.
¡°Mrs. Ember,¡± he said with a sideways nce as he gripped Tess¡¯s arm, ¡°if you don¡¯t know how to treat guests, maybe you should go take care of Nadine instead.¡±
Kylie¡¯s body trembled with fury. They had hurt Nadine, and now they had the audacity to act all high and mighty in front of her¡ªusing Nadine as a weapon to strike at Tess.
Tess moved into the living room. Only after Kylie was out of sight did she lightly tap Abel¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re so mean. Aren¡¯t you afraid she¡¯ll lose it ande after you?¡±
Her tone was teasing, but there was a spark of genuine amusement beneath it.
Abel chuckled, though the lightness didn¡¯t reach his eyes.
Then, just as quickly, the cold tension in his gaze melted away, reced by that familiar yful look he always wore when teasing her.
He cupped her cheeks gently, forcing her to meet his gaze, and winked. ¡°What then? If she hits me and bites my ear, and maybe even likes me, I might as well die.¡±
His words came lightly, but carried a dangerously charming undertone.
Tess locked eyes with him, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as if the locked door around her heart had been nudged open.
¡°Then go die,¡± she said, swallowing hard as she forced herself to look away, leaving only a cold snort behind.
¡°You¡¯re so heartless,¡± Abel remarked with a chuckle, unfazed. He followed her quietly, his voice filled with a soft fondness.
Behind them, Violet walked slowly, her brows furrowed deeply as she observed their banter. Concern etched across her face.
Somewhere behind Violet, Kylie¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°Violet, you and Aunt Olivia and Uncle Benjamin really came here just to back her up?¡±
Bitter resentmentced her words.
Violet, still facing away, let the warmth drain from her eyes. Only a faint trace of coolness remained as she turned to face Kylie.
Henry had hurried off to the living room to prepare snacks. Kylie lingered at the doorway.
Violet took a closer look at her.
Kylie was dressed in an outdated designer gown¡ªone that had fallen out of fashion at least five years ago.
¡°No,¡± Violet said firmly, shaking her head. ¡°Kylie, we came for you. But not anymore.¡±
Kylie blinked, startled by the sudden change in tone.
Violet¡¯s voice was calm but carried undeniable weight. ¡°From the moment the wedding dress arrived at the Larsons, we started searching for you. We wanted to see how you were doing. Along the way, we discovered what¡¯s been happening with the Embers. Kylie, this is all on you¡¡±
¡°You don¡¯t know anything!¡± Kylie snapped angrily, cutting her off.
Violet opened her mouth to respond but stopped herself.
¡°Let me give you onest piece of advice,¡± Violet said, thest flicker of concern vanishing from her face, reced by a cold, merciless re. ¡°Keep favoring that adopted daughter and blindly trusting Henry, and when the bacshes, no one will be there to save you.¡±Conclusion
The chapter closes on a tense and emotionally charged note, highlighting the fractured bonds and simmering resentments within the family. Tess¡¯s defiantposure in the face of Henry¡¯s condescension and Kylie¡¯s scorn reveals her resilience and unwillingness to be diminished, even as the weight of past grievances and betrayals hangs heavily in the air. Abel¡¯s teasing yet tender interaction with Tess offers a brief, intimate reprieve, hinting at deeperplexities beneath their sharp exchanges, while Violet¡¯s stern confrontation with Kylie underscores the growing divide and the consequences of misced loyalties.
Amidst the coldness and conflict, the characters¡¯ true feelings and motivations areid bare, emphasizing themes of pride, betrayal, and the struggle for eptance. The chapter leaves the reader with a palpable sense of unease and anticipation, as the fragile alliances and simmering tensions promise further emotional upheaval. Through sharp dialogue and subtle gestures, the story captures the painful dynamics of family and the difficult path toward understanding and reconciliation.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions within the Ember family, where loyalties are tested and alliances shift like quicksand. As Tess navigates theplex web of family politics, her defiant stance against Henry and Kylie will undoubtedly provoke stronger reactions, revealing cracks in rtionships that seemed unbreakable. The emotional undercurrents between Tess and Abel hint at a fragile connection that might bothfort andplicate her path forward.
Meanwhile, Violet¡¯s cold warning casts a shadow over the household, suggesting that the consequences of past choices are closing in with relentless force. The strained dynamics and unspoken grievances threaten to erupt, leaving characters to confront harsh truths and difficult decisions. Readers can expect an atmosphere thick with suspense and emotional intensity, where every word and gesture carries the weight of impending change.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 485
Keepsake 485 Summary
Kylie is stunned and overwhelmed when Violet uses her of being foolish and jealous, ming her for stirring up trouble due to old resentments from twenty years ago. The tension between them esctes quickly, with Kylie angrily using Violet of interfering in her life and causing Henry to leave her. Violet¡¯s anger turns into a quiet, fragile resolve as she promises never to interfere again, leaving Kylie feeling crushed rather than relieved.
Henry finds Kylie standing alone, trembling and pale, and senses her distress. When Kylie questions him about Violet¡¯s role in their past troubles, Henry confirms Violet did force him to leave but exins that their worlds were too far apart at the time. Despite lingering unease, Kylie chooses to trust Henry and allows him to lead her inside.
Inside, the atmosphere remains tense as family members gather. Tess sits between Olivia and Benjamin, while Abel is frustrated at being pushed aside. Violet sits quietly, epting a wet wipe from Tess to soothe the sting of alcohol and the pain from Kylie¡¯s harsh words. Violet reflects on her past efforts to protect Kylie¡¯s happiness, now twisted into me and resentment, leaving their fragile rtionship on the brink of breaking.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
485 Far Apart
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The wordsnded on Kylie like a sudden blow, knocking the breath out of her. A surge of panic flooded her chest, and her lips quivered slightly. But then, a sharpness glinted in her eyes, hardening into pure hatred as she fixed Violet with a fierce re. ¡°Are you seriously cursing me?¡± she spat. ¡°Violet, you¡¯re the one being foolish! You¡¯ve only spent two days with Tess, and already you¡¯re under her spell. You don¡¯t truly know who she is! You¡¯re still the same as you were twenty years ago¡ªjealous because I was loved more, because my life was better. That¡¯s why you keep stirring up trouble!¡±
Her words hung in the thick silence between them, heavy and unforgiving.
Only then did Kylie realize she¡¯d crossed a line she couldn¡¯t take back.
She pressed her lips into a thin line and stepped back, trembling slightly as doubt gnawed at her.
Violet¡¯s expression hardened in response. Usuallyposed and serene, now her anger was unmistakable, darkening her features. ¡°Me? Stirring up trouble? No wonder you¡¯ve hated me all these years. So this is what you¡¯ve been thinking about me all along.¡±
Kylie knew she was wrong, but her pride refused to let her admit it. Her eyes zed with fury as she yelled, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t gone behind my back to talk to Henry, he never would¡¯ve left me. None of this tragedy would have happened!¡±
Her voice rose, almost a shout now. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t refused to let Henry marry me¡ªand dragged Mom into it¡ªwhy else would Aunt Olivia and Uncle Benjamin have forced me out of the Larsons?¡±
Violet froze, staring at Kylie¡ªthe same girl she had protected and loved since childhood. But now, Kylie¡¯s face was twisted with years of bitterness, spewing two decades of resentment.
¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Violet said softly.
A wave of regret and exhaustion swept over her, settling deep in her chest.
Then, unexpectedly, she let out a quietugh.
Kylie bit her lip, a flicker of fear crossing her eyes as Violet¡¯s expression shifted from anger to something fragile.
Violet exhaled slowly, her breath trembling. Then, locking eyes with Kylie, she said firmly, ¡°I¡¯ll never interfere in your life again.¡±
It was the promise Kylie had longed to hear for decades. Yet, instead of relief, it felt like a heavy weight crushed her chest, breaking apart with a dull, painful thud.
Without another word or nce back, Violet turned and walked away toward where Tess and the others had gathered.
¡°Kylie, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
Henry¡¯s voice broke through her daze. He had noticed she hadn¡¯te inside with the rest and found her leaning against the cold wall near the door, her face pale and drawn. When he took her hand, he felt it trembling faintly.
Kylie looked up at him, eyes ssy and unfocused.
Henry frowned. ¡°Are you cold standing out here? Everyone else is inside. Why are you still standing here?¡±
His tone held no warmth¡ªonly emptiness, maybe even a trace of irritation.
She searched his face, desperate for the tenderness he¡¯d shown earlier, but found nothing.
Then her mind drifted back to Violet¡¯s eyes moments ago¡ªhow they had gone cold and lifeless.
¡°Henry¡ back then, was it really Violet who forced you to leave me?¡± The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Henry froze. ¡°Why are you asking that now?¡±
¡°Answer me.¡± Her fingers tightened around his wrist.
Henry felt the grip grow stronger; she wasn¡¯t going to let this go easily.
His heart sank under the weight of her doubt.
Violet had been thest to enter the living room.
Had she said something to Kylie?
¡°Of course it was,¡± Henry admitted quietly. ¡°But at the time, our worlds were just too far apart. I understood.¡±
He gave a small, bitterugh, his face clouding over with the same haunted look from twenty years ago¡ªwhen he first confided his insecurities to Kylie.
Though unease still gnawed at her, Kylie looked at Henry¡ªher partner for more than two decades¡ªand clenched her teeth, choosing to believe him.
She let him pull her hand, guiding her inside the living room.
In the center of the room, three rows of couches were arranged.
The longest row was already upied by Tess and the others. Olivia had pulled Tess to sit on her left, while Benjamin held her on the right. Abel, eager to sit beside Tess, was pushed to the far edge.
He nced at Benjamin, who sat between them, and almost groaned in frustration. Just as he was about to ask for a seat swap, Benjamin¡¯s cane blocked his face. ¡°Abel, hold this for me.¡±
Abel took the cane, catching Benjamin¡¯s raised eyebrows that silently said, ¡°Calm down, kid.¡±
He nearly choked on his own irritation.
Tess, nestled between the elders, didn¡¯t notice the tension. Her gaze was fixed on Violet, who had just sat down, her face heavy with unspoken burdens.
¡°Mrs. Violet,¡± Tess said softly, offering her a wet wipe.
Violet blinked in surprise, then epted it with a quiet, ¡°Thanks.¡± She pressed it gently to her temple, rubbing the cool cloth back and forth.
The sting of alcohol cleared her head a little, but the memory of Kylie¡¯s harsh words still throbbed painfully at her temple.
She had poured so much effort, so much love, into protecting Kylie¡¯s happiness back then. Yet that very care had be the reason Kylie med her for destroying her marriage.
And now, all that history felt like a fragile thread stretched too thin, threatening to snap.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a poignant note of fractured bonds and lingering wounds, where years of misunderstanding and resentment collide in a painful confrontation. Kylie¡¯s fierce words reveal the depth of her bitterness, while Violet¡¯s quiet eptance and retreat hint at a weary surrender to the unbridgeable gap between them. Despite the harshness exchanged, the emotionalplexity remains palpable, underscoring how love and pain can be entangled in the most intimate rtionships.
Amidst the tension, Henry¡¯s presence offers a fragile anchor, his honesty a tentative bridge over the chasm of doubt. Yet, the silence and distance that settle over the room speak to the unresolved grief and fractured trust that still linger. The chapter leaves us with a sense of fragile hope, tempered by the weight of past choices, reminding us that healing is a slow, uncertain journey shaped by both forgiveness and pain.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
Tensions simmer beneath the surface as old wounds resurface, threatening to unravel the fragile peace between Kylie and Violet. The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional fallout of their confrontation, exploring how years of resentment and misunderstanding have shaped their fractured rtionship. As both women grapple with their pain and regrets, readers can anticipate a poignant exploration of forgiveness and the possibility of reconciliation¡ªor further estrangement.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s conflicted feelings and the lingering shadows of the past cast aplicated light on the present, stirring doubts and unresolved questions that could challenge the bonds between the characters. The atmosphere is thick with unspoken truths and fragile alliances, setting the stage for moments of vulnerability and unexpected revtions. Prepare to witness the delicate dance of trust and betrayal as these intertwined lives navigate the consequences of long-held secrets and the yearning for closure.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 486
Keepsake 486 Summary
Violet feels numb and bitter, while Henry nervously holds Kylie¡¯s hand as they face Benjamin and Olivia. Benjamin confronts Henry with rumors that Shannon, Kylie¡¯s best friend, is not dead but kept overseas as Henry¡¯s mistress. Henry denies the allegations, exining that a funeral was held for Shannon to dispel the rumors, but admits his carelessness in letting gossip spread, which hurt Kylie deeply.
Olivia angrily uses Henry of cheating and breaking his promises to Kylie, but Kylie tries to defend her husband. Henry then kneels suddenly, asking for forgiveness for betraying Kylie¡¯s trust and breaking his marriage vows. Despite Henry¡¯s disy of remorse, Tess remains cold and unreadable, and Violet smirks mockingly. Kylie urges the elders to stop making things harder, having already forgiven Henry, which frustrates Olivia.
Benjamin then shifts the focus, using Henry of pressuring Tess to retract her ims and exin herself to the media. Henry admits Tess promised answers to reporters and defended his actions as a father trying to protect his name from her rebellious lies. Benjamin harshly criticizes Henry¡¯s inability to control his daughter and manage the family business, demanding he resolve the issue publicly. The tension in the room is thick as Henry faces mounting pressure from the Larsons.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Keepsake 486
486 What a Fool
A bitter, hollowugh escaped Violet¡¯s lips, though inside she felt nothing but numbness, as if her emotions had been drainedpletely.
Henry grasped Kylie¡¯s hand firmly and took a seat opposite the others, his posture tense and uneasy.
¡°Henry,¡± Benjamin began, his expression darkening noticeably, ¡°I¡¯ve been hearing some troubling rumors about youtely. Some say Shannon, Kylie¡¯s best friend, never actually died. They im you¡¯ve been keeping her overseas as your mistress. Such stories don¡¯t just appear out of nowhere, do they?¡±
Before Henry could even fully settle into his chair, a restless unease made him shift ufortably.
¡°Olivia, it¡¯s all a huge misunderstanding. That rumor is absurd. We even held a funeral for Shannon to put those rumors to rest, and Tess was there to confirm it. But I admit, I was careless. I allowed gossip to spread, and that hurt Kylie deeply. That¡¯s why people believed it,¡± he exined nervously, eyes flickering between the two elders, searching for any sign of their judgment.
¡°Careless? That¡¯s not carelessness ¡ª that¡¯s outright cheating!¡± Olivia snapped sharply, mming her palm down on the coffee table with force. ¡°Do you even remember the promises you made to us when you asked to marry Kylie?¡±
¡°Aunt Olivia, I¡¯ve already forgiven Henry¡ª¡±
¡°Silence!¡± Olivia cut Kylie off sharply, shooting her a re filled with frustration and disappointment.
Kylie had meant to help by scolding her husband, but instead, she instinctively jumped to his defense.
¡°Olivia, Benjamin, I¡¯ve let you down,¡± Henry said quietly.
Suddenly, with a heavy thud, his knees hit the floor.
The entire living room fell into a stunned silence. Every pair of eyes turned toward him, shocked by his unexpected gesture.
Without hesitation, Henry knelt there, head bowed.
Olivia and Benjamin exchanged a brief, disapproving nce.
Violet raised one eyebrow, a mocking smirk ying at the corner of her mouth.
Tess simply stared at him, her face cold and unreadable.
¡°Henry, what are you doing? Get up!¡± Kylie¡¯s voice trembled with panic as she rushed forward, pulling at his arm.
Henry allowed her to help him to his feet, then bowed deeply once more. ¡°This is entirely my fault. I betrayed Kylie¡¯s trust and broke the promise I made to you when I asked for her hand in marriage. Please, forgive my foolishness.¡±
His tone was steady, but Kylie¡¯s eyes softened with pity as she brushed off the imaginary dust from his knees.
Tess almostughed quietly to herself.
If she hadn¡¯t known about Henry¡¯s recent affectionate moments with Shannon at Nadine¡¯s apartment, she might have been fooled by his current disy of remorse.
¡°Aunt Olivia, Uncle Benjamin, it¡¯s over now. Please don¡¯t make things harder for Henry. I have already forgiven him,¡± Kylie¡¯s voice was gentle yet resolute.
Olivia¡¯s chest tightened with irritation. Kylie¡¯s blind defense of Henry only made Olivia less inclined to argue further. She turned her head away with a cold snort.
What a fool.
¡°If he¡¯s cheating, he¡¯s hurting you. But if you don¡¯t care, then there¡¯s nothing more for us to say,¡± Benjamin said sharply, his tone cutting through the tension.
Henry let out a breath of relief¡ªuntil Benjamin spoke again.
¡°But I also heard you¡¯ve been pressuring Tess. You im she ndered you and want her to exin herself to the media.¡± Benjamin¡¯s hair waspletely gray, and his eyes clouded with age, but when he looked at Henry, they sharpened like des.
His words hung heavily in the air, weighing down on everyone present.
Sweat beaded on Henry¡¯s forehead as his gaze flicked toward Tess.
She remained unmoved, expression unreadable.
Lowering his eyes, Henry wiped his mmy palms on his suit trousers.
Only now did he fully grasp why the Larsons had appeared so suddenly.
And why they had approached Tess first, rather than Kylie.
It was clear: Tess was running out of time. She had promised the media proof but had nothing to show, so she involved the Larsons to increase the pressure on him.
The more Henry considered it, the more sense it made.
He lifted his head, a calcting glint shing in his eyes. ¡°Benjamin, you don¡¯t know the whole story. It was Tess who stood before the reporters and promised answers¡ªnot me. She¡¯s been rebellious, even going so far as to spread lies about her own father. As her father, I had to defend my name¡ªand teach her a lesson she won¡¯t forget.¡±
Henry forced a faint smile, adopting the role of a stern, righteous parent.
Benjamin responded only with a cold snort. ¡°Then go tell the media to shut this down. If you can¡¯t even protect your own daughter, you don¡¯t deserve to manage the Embers family business.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s words were blunt, almost like amand, leaving no room for argument.Conclusion
The weight of betrayal and fractured trust hung heavily in the room, casting long shadows over the fragile bonds that once seemed unbreakable. Henry¡¯s public disy of remorse, though dramatic, failed to mend the deep wounds his actions had inflicted, leaving Kylie caught between loyalty and heartbreak. Olivia and Benjamin¡¯s harsh judgment underscored the severity of his transgressions, while Tess¡¯s silent defiance hinted at unresolved tensions that threatened to unravel the family further. Amidst the turmoil, Kylie¡¯s gentle forgiveness stood as a fragile beacon of hope, though the path ahead remained uncertain and fraught with pain.
In this charged atmosphere, the characters grappled with theplex intery of truth, deception, and the consequences of broken promises. The chapter poignantly explored themes of trust, ountability, and the struggle to reconcile love with betrayal. As the Larsons asserted their authority and Henry faced the repercussions of his choices, the emotional undercurrents revealed the delicate bnce between familial duty and personal integrity. The unresolved conflicts left the air thick with anticipation, setting the stage for the difficult decisions and revtions yet toe.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile dynamics tearing the Embers family apart. As Henry¡¯s fa?ade of remorse is met with skepticism, the tension between loyalty and betrayal will intensify, leaving Kylie caught in the crossfire of conflicting emotions and harsh judgments. The simmering distrust from Olivia and Benjamin hints at a brewing storm that could expose even more painful truths and test the bonds of family and marriage.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s mysterious role and her unresolved promise to the media will continue to cast a shadow over the household, heightening the stakes for everyone involved. With Henry¡¯s authority challenged and his intentions questioned, theing chapter will explore how far each character is willing to go to protect their interests¡ªand what sacrifices they might be forced to make in the process. Expect a mix of confrontation, revtion, and emotional turmoil that will keep readers on edge.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 487
Keepsake 487 Summary
In this chapter, tensions run high within the Larson family as old wounds and conflicts resurface. Henry struggles to maintain control over the vtile situation, especially as Benjamin¡¯s threatening presence looms over him. Kylie is emotionally torn, recalling how Tess once framed Henry, making it impossible for him to clear his name, and she fiercely protects her family¡¯s honor despite feeling powerless.
The focus then shifts to a significant family heirloom¡ªan emerald bracelet that symbolizes the Larson legacy and its power. Tess is seen wearing this precious item, which shocks Kylie and others, as it was meant to be inherited by her. Olivia, asserting her authority as the current matriarch, insists that the bracelet belongs to her and that she alone can decide its rightful heir. This sparks a heated dispute, with Violet reminding Olivia that she left the Larsons decades ago and no longer has a say in their affairs.
Tess finds herself caught in the middle, aware of the bracelet¡¯s importance but hesitant to ept it outright. Olivia¡¯s silent warning prevents her from removing it, suggesting that the timing for such a significant eptance is not yet right. Meanwhile, Kylie¡¯s frustration grows as she watches the family dynamics unfold, feeling helpless against the entrenched power struggles.
The chapter ends on a bitter note, with Kylie warning that if Tess inherits the Larson legacy, the family risks bing as fractured as the Embers, highlighting the deep divisions and unresolved conflicts that continue to gue them all.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 487: The Next Owner
Henry¡¯s lips twitched ever so slightly, betraying a hint of suppressed emotion. He had always believed the Larsons were the same as ever¡ªstubborn, unreasonable, and fiercely protective to a fault.
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¡°When Tess framed Henry back then, did she ever stop to consider how impossible it was for him to clear his name?¡± Kylie¡¯s voice trembled with a mix of frustration and sorrow as the thought crossed her mind.
The image of Nadine shed before Kylie¡¯s eyes¡ªlying in bed, tears streaming down her face, broken and hurt. A surge of protectiveness rose within Kylie,pelling her to speak up first.
But Benjamin paid her no mind. His piercing gaze locked onto Henry like a hawk ready to strike. One wrong word, and the cane in Benjamin¡¯s hand would havee crashing down.
Henry gritted his teeth, torn between anger and restraint.
Time seemed to slow, stretching unbearably. Then, Henry gently pulled Kylie back down beside him, her face paling instantly.
It was in that moment she realized her voice held no weight here. All she could do was re at Tess with a burning hatred.
Does she really want to tear my entire family apart before she¡¯s satisfied?
¡°Fine,¡± Henry finally spoke, his voice low and heavy.
His expression darkened, the smile on his lips stiff and forced.
Fixing Tess with a stern, almost paternal look, he said, ¡°Tess, for the sake of everyone, I¡¯ll forgive you this once. You¡¯re still part of this family. Everything you do carries the Embers¡¯ name, so this cannot happen again.¡±
Tess nearly choked on his insincere tone.
She idly fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist, his words drifting past her like a faint breeze¡ªbarely worth her attention.
Henry¡¯s temper red at her tant indifference, but with the Larsons watching closely, he dared not lose control.
The frustration burned fiercely inside him.
Tess felt his hateful stare burning into her skin. A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
¡°What¡¯s that on your wrist?¡± Kylie¡¯s voice cracked, her eyes fixed on the bracelet encircling Tess¡¯s arm.
The living room lights caught the jewelry repeatedly, making it shimmer in the dim glow.
The stone radiated a deepke-green, shifting to a soft, watery blue whenever it caught the light.
An emerald bracelet.
Her eyes widened in shock. That was the Larsons¡¯ heirloom!
How on earth did it end up on Tess¡¯s wrist?
Kylie¡¯s gaze flicked between the bracelet and Tess¡¯s face, disbelief clear in her wide eyes.
¡°That was meant for you years ago,¡± Olivia said calmly, taking a slow sip of her tea.
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She grimaced as the bitter taste hit her tongue, spitting the tea leaves into her cup. ¡°Since you left the Larsons, it naturally passed on to the next rightful heir.¡±
Henry noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere as well.
Watching Kylie¡¯s reaction, he quickly nced down at Tess¡¯s wrist.
But Tess immediately tugged her sleeve down, concealing the bracelet from view.
¡°Then why give it to Tess?¡± Kylie pressed, staring pointedly at Olivia. ¡°I don¡¯t ept that!¡±
Olivia¡¯s expression hardened.
Inheriting the Larson legacy wasn¡¯t merely about wealth¡ªit symbolized immense power and influence.
Whoever was chosen would be ecstatic, and those close to them would rise alongside.
Yet this was the first time Olivia had witnessed a mother oppose her own daughter¡¯s inheritance.
She had once thought Kylie was merely foolish. Now, she saw there was no hope for her.
¡°That bracelet belongs to me,¡± Olivia snapped sharply. ¡°I¡¯ll decide who receives it. Who are you to argue?¡±
Her re was fierce, her presencemanding the entire room.
Even Tess, who had faced countless storms, felt the weight of Olivia¡¯s pressure.
¡°Mrs. Ember, don¡¯t forget¡ªyou left the Larsons over twenty years ago,¡± Violet said coldly, cutting through the tension. ¡°You no longer have any right to interfere in Larson affairs.¡±
Tess lowered her gaze, staring down at the bracelet.
It wasn¡¯t just a piece of jewelry¡ªit carried real significance. No wonder Kylie had reacted so strongly.
But if it truly meant that much, she couldn¡¯t keep it.
Olivia, watching everyone carefully, caught the hesitation flickering across Tess¡¯s face.
The moment Tess moved as if to remove the bracelet, Olivia¡¯s hand shot out, covering her wrist.
Tess looked up, meeting Olivia¡¯s eyes.
Olivia shook her head slightly, her lips forming silent words: Don¡¯t take it off.
Frozen, Tess slowly let her hand fall back to her side.
Though the Larsons were her blood rtives, she had only met them a handful of times. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to ept something so significant just yet.
Still, the timing wasn¡¯t right now. She would keep the bracelet on and return itter¡ªwhen the moment was more appropriate.
That was her n.
But Kylie was seething after Violet¡¯s cold dismissal. She despised the situation but found herself powerless to change it.
Violet was right¡ªKylie had severed ties with the Larsons long ago. She had no authority to decide who inherited what.
¡°If you let Tess inherit, the Larsons will end up just like the Embers,¡± Kylie snapped bitterly. ¡°Completely broken.¡±Conclusion
The chapter closes on a tense and emotionally charged moment, where the weight of family legacy and unresolved grievances hangs heavily in the air. The emerald bracelet, a symbol of power and inheritance, bes a silent battleground for loyalty, identity, and eptance. Tess¡¯s reluctant eptance of the bracelet, despite her internal conflict, mirrors the fragile ties that bind the Larsons, revealing theplexities of belonging and the burdens of the past.
Amidst the simmering resentment and unspoken pain, the characters grapple with their roles within a fractured family, each carrying their own scars and hopes. The chapter poignantly captures the struggle between forgiveness and resentment, authority and rebellion, hinting at the delicate bnce required to keep the family from shatteringpletely. It leaves the reader with a sense of anticipation and empathy, attuned to the fragile, intricate dance of love and duty that defines the Larson legacy.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of family loyalties and unspoken resentments that have been simmering beneath the surface. As the significance of the emerald bracelet bes clearer, tensions between the Larsons and the Embers are bound to escte, forcing characters to confront painful truths about identity, inheritance, and what it truly means to belong. Emotional undercurrents will surge as loyalties are tested and old wounds threaten to reopen.
Expect the fragile peace in the room to shatter, revealing cracks in rtionships that seemed unbreakable. Kylie¡¯s fierce protectiveness and Olivia¡¯s unyielding authority set the stage for a power struggle that could redefine the family¡¯s future. Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s internal conflict about epting the bracelet hints at deeper personal dilemmas that may surface, challenging her sense of self and ce within the family legacy. The next chapter will keep you on edge, wondering who will emerge stronger and who might be left behind in the fallout.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 488
Keepsake 488 Summary
Violet expressed her anger and bitterness toward Kylie, using her harshly of neglecting Tess, a girl who had suffered years of mistreatment and loneliness. The tension in the room was palpable, with Violet¡¯s frustration shing against Kylie¡¯s own feelings of being misunderstood. Kylie was defensive, believing that Tess was cunning and ruthless, and felt unfairly judged by others.
Henry intervened gently, taking Kylie upstairs to rest and promising to handle the situation downstairs. His attention was caught by the hidden bracelet on Tess¡¯s wrist, a family heirloom symbolizing the Larson inheritance. This revtion sparked a flicker of greed in Henry, as he realized that if Tess was truly a Larson heir, she was also his daughter by blood, potentially bringing the inheritance under his control.
Upstairs, Kylie resisted Henry¡¯s hold, desperate to return downstairs and stop the family from handing over the Larson inheritance to Tess, which she saw as a dangerous mistake. Henry calmed her, suggesting she rest while he promised to voice her concerns to Olivia and Benjamin. Kylie, exhausted and reassured by Henry¡¯s words, finally rxed and allowed herself to be led to the bedroom.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Tess attempted to remove the precious bracelet, but Olivia insisted she keep it. Abel supported Tess, reminding her that gifts from respected elders should not be taken back and hinting at the significance of Tess¡¯s presence there. Their silent exchange revealed Tess¡¯s hidden intentions and Abel¡¯s awareness of them. Just then, Henry returned with a seemingly eager smile, asking if more drinks were needed as the tense conversation continued.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 488: Keep It
Violet clenched her jaw tightly, her voice dripping with bitterness and resentment.
Her harsh wordsnded like a venomous curse, and immediately, a shadow crossed Violet¡¯s face, darkening her expression as if the room itself grew colder.
With a sudden force, she mmed her palm down on the coffee table, the sharp sound echoing through the tense air. ¡°Kylie, I¡¯ve never encountered a mother like you before!¡± she snapped, her chest rising and falling rapidly with the weight of her fury.
They had just arrived at Aetheris, and on the way, Abel had already shared how Tess had been neglected and mistreated by the Embers for years¡ªleft to fend for herself, invisible and unwanted. Now, standing in this grand yet cold space, they all felt the urgent need to defend this girl who had endured so much loneliness.
But Kylie¡¯s eyes burned with a different fire¡ªone of frustration and inner turmoil.
Why do they keep using me of mistreating Tess? If only they knew the truth about how cunning and ruthless Tess can be, would they still judge me so harshly?
Just as Kylie was about to retort sharply, Henry intervened, pulling her gently but firmly into his embrace. He held her close, his voice calm but apologetic as he addressed the others. ¡°Kylie¡¯s been emotionally fragiletely. I¡¯ll take her upstairs to rest. I promise toe back downter and properly host everyone.¡±
While speaking, Henry¡¯s gaze flickered toward Tess¡¯s wrist, searching for the bracelet they¡¯d argued over, but it was cleverly concealed beneath her sleeve. Despite not seeing it, Henry already pieced together the truth from their heated exchange.
That bracelet was the heirloom¡ªan emblem reserved solely for the Larson heir.
Which meant, of course¡
A flicker of greed sparked in Henry¡¯s eyes.
If Tess truly inherited the Larsons, she would still be an Ember by blood¡ªhis own daughter. That inheritance could eventually fall under his control.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but catching a few sharp, watchful nces from the others, he quickly suppressed it and led Kylie upstairs without another word.
¡ª
Once they reached the second floor, Kylie wrenched herself free from Henry¡¯s hold and snapped, ¡°What are you doing? Let me go!¡±
Henry¡¯s voice softened, almost coaxing. ¡°Kylie, what¡¯s wrong? Why are you so upset?¡±
His tone was gentle, but beneath ity a probing curiosity, searching for answers.
Grasping his arm like a lifeline, Kylie¡¯s voice trembled with desperation. ¡°I have to go back down! They want Tess to inherit the Larsons! That¡¯s like signing the family¡¯s death warrant!¡±
Henry¡¯s suspicions were now fully confirmed, but he kept his excitement carefully hidden behind a mask of calm. ¡°We can¡¯t interfere,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°If the Larsons have made this decision, there must be a reason behind it.¡±
Kylie¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°What reason? They¡¯ve barely met Tess! And yet, they¡¯re handing over everything to her? That¡¯s madness!¡±
She lunged toward the stairs, but Henry caught her arms, pulling her gently yet firmly against his chest.
¡°Ou¡ I can¡¯t breathe!¡± she gasped, struggling.
He stroked her hair soothingly. ¡°You¡¯ve been under a lot of pressuretely. That¡¯s why you¡¯re so tense. Why don¡¯t you rest for a while? I¡¯ll go downstairs and voice your concerns to Olivia and Benjamin.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Her resistance softened, hope flickering in her eyes.
Henry lowered his head, his smile warm and reassuring. ¡°Of course. If it worries you, I¡¯ll handle it.¡±
Only then did Kylie finally rx, the tension in her body ebbing away. Perhaps it was the adrenaline from the earlier argument or the weight of her anger finally dissipating, but exhaustion now crept in quietly.
She rubbed her forehead, her thoughts briefly flickering to Violet still downstairs, but she didn¡¯t resist when Henry gently led her toward the bedroom.
¡ª
Downstairs, all eyes watched Henry and Kylie disappear up the stairs.
Tess immediately reached to remove the bracelet from her wrist.
¡°Don¡¯t stress yourself over it. It¡¯s just a bracelet,¡± Olivia said softly, her earlier sternness reced by a gentler warmth.
¡°No. It¡¯s too precious. I only agreed to wear it until you left. I nned to return it to you before then,¡± Tess insisted, shaking her head as she tugged at the sp.
¡°I gave it to you. Keep it,¡± Olivia replied firmly.
Amid the quiet tension, Abel slipped beside Tess, ignoring the sharp re Benjamin cast his way.
Feeling Benjamin¡¯s burning stare from his right, Abel rubbed his nose nervously, pretending not to notice.
Tess shot him a sharp look. What are you ying at?
¡°They¡¯re all respected elders,¡± Abel whispered, his voice low. ¡°Once a gift is given, it¡¯s not right to take it back, is it?¡± Then, leaning closer, he lowered his voice further. ¡°Besides, isn¡¯t this why you came here in the first ce?¡±
He stopped, but when their eyes met, the unspoken understanding passed between them.
Tess¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She hadn¡¯t expected him to see through her intentions so quickly.
The warmth of his breath brushing against her ear barely registered anymore.
Just then, Henry hurried back down the stairs, his smile a little too eager.
¡°I let Kylie rest. So, how¡¯s the conversation going? Need more drinks? Should I have the staff bring something up?¡±Conclusion
The chapter delicately captures the swirling emotions and hidden tensions that bind the characters together. Violet¡¯s fierce protectiveness, Kylie¡¯s inner turmoil, and Henry¡¯s quiet calction all intertwine, revealing the fragile bnce of trust, suspicion, and desire for control within the family. The bracelet, a simple yet powerful symbol, bes the focal point of their struggles¡ªrepresenting inheritance, identity, and the unspoken battles beneath their polished facades.
As the evening unfolds, the characters¡¯ vulnerabilities areid bare, yet so is their resilience. Despite the fractures and misunderstandings, there remains a thread of hope and connection, seen in Henry¡¯s gentle reassurances and the subtle exchanges between Tess and Abel. The chapter leaves us with a poignant reminder that beneath the weight of legacy and expectation, it is the human heart¡¯s quiet yearning for eptance and understanding that truly shapes their destiny.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the intricate web of alliances and suspicions surrounding Tess¡¯s im to the Larson inheritance. As tensions simmer between Violet, Kylie, and Henry, emotional undercurrents will likely surface, revealing more about their true motivations and fears. The fragile peace in Aetheris feels ready to shatter, with loyalties tested and secrets threatening to unravel.
Expect the characters¡¯ inner struggles to be more pronounced, especially as Henry¡¯s subtle ambitions and Kylie¡¯s desperation sh with the protective instincts of those around Tess. The delicate bnce between trust and betrayal will keep everyone on edge, and readers will be drawn into the charged atmosphere where every nce and word carries weight. The question remains: who will emerge as Tess¡¯s true ally, and who will stand in opposition, driven by hidden agendas?
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 489
Keepsake 489 Summary
Benjamin showed clear disapproval and disgust before leaving the room, setting the tone for the tense visit. Olivia, unimpressed by the Embers¡¯ in surroundings and poor tea, reminded Henry that despite Kylie leaving the Larsons, their family ties remained strong and warned him against underestimating them. Henry, feeling threatened but determined, assured her he would protect Kylie while secretly plotting to maintain control over the narrative and counter Tess.
As Benjamin and Olivia were assisted out, Abel and Tess walked ahead freely. Abel questioned Tess¡¯s trust in Henry¡¯s promises, but Tess remained calm and confident, believing Henry¡¯s attempts to please the Larsons would ultimately fail. Their conversation was interrupted by Olivia, who asked Tess if she had recently visited Gillian¡¯s grave, a question that revealed the lingering sorrow over the loss of a significant family member.
The mention of Gillian deeply affected Tess and the others. Olivia shared her grief, recalling Gillian¡¯s concern for Kylie and her eventual move to Krigan, which had distanced her from the family. Violetforted Olivia, acknowledging the inevitability of loss with age, while Benjamin silently pleaded with Tess to help ease Olivia¡¯s pain. Tess responded with kindness, offering to visit Gillian¡¯s grave with Olivia in the future, which brought somefort to the grieving woman.
Olivia, moved by Tess¡¯s sincerity, softened and allowed herself to let go of some of her grief. She encouraged Tess to drop formalities now that their identities were known, signaling a shift toward a closer family connection despite the painful memories. The chapter closes on a note of tentative hope amid the sorrow, highlighting theplex emotions and strained rtionships within the Larson family.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 489 Forever Gone
Benjamin shot him a sharp, disapproving nce before turning away, clearly disgusted.
¡°No need,¡± he said curtly.
He was the first to rise from his seat.
When Henry casually mentioned having drinks, Olivia¡¯s eyes flicked toward her cup of tea, which she had barely touched. She nced around the so-called ¡°vi¡± of the Embers. The ce was nothing more than in, cheap, and utterly ordinary.
The tea¡ªif it could even be called that¡ªtasted like leftover dirty water from the day before.
She had once heard that the Embers were respected entrepreneurs in both Aetheris and Krigan, but now, it was painfully obvious that their glory days were long behind them.
¡°We came here today to check on Kylie,¡± Olivia said firmly. ¡°Even though she left the Larsons, we have neverpletely cut ties. The Larsons are far from dead.¡±
She straightened her posture and shot Henry a sharp, warning look from the corner of her eye, her tone heavy with unspoken threats.
Henry caught the underlying menace in her words, feeling a cold sweat trickle down his spine. He forced augh to cover his unease. ¡°As long as I¡¯m with Kylie, you can rest easy.¡±
Violet appeared shortly after, but before stepping outside, she turned back for onest reminder. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to call the media.¡±
Henry froze for a moment, realizing that Violet was subtly instructing him to manage the narrative for Tess.
Since Shannon¡¯s funeral, he had worked tirelessly toe up with excuses for Kylie. Now, with the Larsons stepping in, all that effort risked being undone.
¡°Of course!¡± Henry replied quickly, lifting his chin defiantly.
So what? He thought. I¡¯ll just find another way to strike back at Tess. If the Larsons want to name her as heir, then I¡¯ll keep ying the role of the caring father.
Violet studied him for a moment longer before finally turning away.
¡ª
This time, Henry had even arranged for servants to assist Benjamin and Olivia as they exited, while Abel and Tess walked freely at the front.
¡°He said he¡¯d handle the media for you. Do you actually believe him?¡± Abel askedzily, raising one eyebrow as his gaze never left Tess.
Tess kept her eyes forward, calm and detached.
¡°I believe him,¡± she replied, a faint, knowing smile curving her lips. ¡°Trying to please the Larsons will get him much further than going against me.¡±
Herugh was soft and delicate, like a gentle chime floating through the air.
Abel¡¯s gaze deepened as he stared at her,pletely captivated, refusing to look away.
¡°Tess,¡± a voice called from behind¡ªit was Olivia, hurrying to catch up.
Both Abel and Tess turned toward her.
Olivia stepped forward quickly. ¡°Girl, did you visit Gillian¡¯s grave recently?¡±
She finally voiced the question that had been weighing heavily on her heart.
The Larsons¡¯ contacts in Krigan had reported fresh flowers appearing at Gillian¡¯s grave, and Olivia had assumed Kylie had gone to repent to herte mother.
But seeing Tess today made her reconsider.
At the mention of Gillian, a heavy weight settled on Tess¡¯s chest. Her breath hitched.
She bit her lip and lowered her gaze.
¡°Yes. Grandma¡¯s grave is in Krigan, far away from Aetheris. I had some business nearby, so I stopped by¡¡±
Olivia stumbled over her words, and Abel quickly steadied her.
Benjamin stood stiffly, leaning heavily on his cane. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the carved lion¡¯s head handle, as if letting go would cause him to copse. Tears welled in Olivia¡¯s eyes at the mention of Gillian.
¡ª
That brilliant, unforgettable woman¡ gone.
¡°She worried about Kylie back then,¡± Olivia murmured softly. ¡°That¡¯s why she insisted oning to Aetheris. In the end, her grief and disappointment led her to settle in Krigan. I never thought thest time we met would truly be thest. Now she¡¯s gone forever.¡±
Her voice was low, thick with sorrow.
¡°Mom, you¡¯re not young anymore,¡± Violet said gently, pained to see Olivia so lost. ¡°At Aunt Gillian¡¯s age, it was bound to happen.¡±
She rubbed Olivia¡¯s back soothingly, offering whatfort she could.
Olivia swayed but caught herself by gripping Tess¡¯s arm.
Her gray hair fell forward, hiding her expression, but the despair radiating from her was unmistakable.
Benjamin¡¯s heart ached as he watched. He reached out as if to offer support but pulled back, instead giving Tess a look that silently begged, Help her.
Tess understood immediately. No words were needed.
She gently took Olivia¡¯s hand, stroking her fingers with quiet tenderness. ¡°Olivia, if you¡¯d like, once I finish some things, maybe I could invite you to Krigan. We could visit Grandma¡¯s grave together.¡±
Olivia slowly lifted her head. Tess¡¯s eyes were sincere, filled with a quiet strength thatforted her.
She nodded, squeezing Tess¡¯s hand. A sharp sting rose in her nose, and she blinked quickly to hold back tears.
¡°Good girl,¡± Olivia said softly, patting Tess¡¯s hand before turning to Violet. ¡°You¡¯re right. She¡¯s gone. I shouldn¡¯t carry more grief than I have to.¡±
She sighed deeply.
¡°Tess, now that you know who we are, you don¡¯t have to be so formal. It sounds too distant.¡±Conclusion
The chapter closes on a poignant note, weaving together the threads of grief, loyalty, and tentative hope. Olivia¡¯s sorrow over Gillian¡¯s passing reveals the deep wounds that history and loss have left on the Larson family, while Tess¡¯s gentle offer ofpanionship hints at the possibility of healing and renewed bonds. Amidst the underlying tensions and power struggles, this moment of shared vulnerability reminds us that even in fractured families,passion can bridge the painful gaps.
At the same time, the chapter underscores theplex dynamics between the characters, with Henry¡¯s uneasy fa?ade and the Larsons¡¯ cautious involvement painting a picture of fragile alliances and unspoken challenges. Yet, through the quiet strength Tess shows, there is a subtle promise that understanding and support can emerge from the shadows of past regrets. The emotional currents here set the stage for a future where connection may slowly rece conflict, even as the past continues to echo in their lives.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile dynamics within the Larson family as old wounds and unspoken tensions resurface. Olivia¡¯s vulnerability and the weight of past losses will likely bring newyers of emotionalplexity, especially in her interactions with Tess. The tentative offer to visit Gillian¡¯s grave hints at a possible turning point, where past grievances may begin to soften, but the underlying currents of mistrust and unresolved pain remain palpable.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s precarious bncing act between protecting Kylie and managing the media narrative suggests that conflicts both personal and public are far from over. As Tess and Abel navigate their own intricate rtionship, the subtle power ys and shifting alliances within the Embers and Larsons will continue to build, keeping readers on edge about who will emerge stronger and who might be left behind. The next chapter is set to explore these delicate threads, weaving together hope, sorrow, and the relentless pursuit of control.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 490
Keepsake 490 Summary
Olivia warmly reveals to Tess that since Tess¡¯s grandmother was her sister, Tess is also her granddaughter. This heartfelt deration surprises Tess, who struggles to fully grasp the meaning at first. Violet yfully insists Tess call her ¡°Grandma¡± from now on, and when Tess finally says the word, Olivia is deeply moved, nearly brought to tears.
Benjamin then steps forward, teasing Tess lightly before prompting her to call him ¡°Grandpa.¡± Once Tess embraces the new family titles, Benjamin softens and presents her with a ring as a gift, encouraged by Violet and Olivia to ept it as a symbol of their family bond. Abel quietly supports this gesture, though Violet quickly interrupts his conversation with Tess, teasing him about his close attention to her and hinting at his feelings.
Olivia catches the yful exchange between Abel and the others, scolding Abel for staring at Tess and teasing him abouting all the way to Aetheris for her. Despite the teasing, Tess finds herself amused by Abel¡¯s awkwardness and even yfully stomps on his toe. As the group prepares to leave, Tess reminds them that Lyra and Raven are waiting outside, prompting a knowing but silent exchange between Violet and Abel.
Outside, Raven¡¯s blunt remark about their dy is met with understanding from the Larsons, who appreciate the importance of respecting their elders. The family agrees to head to a nearby restaurant in Aetheris, ready to enjoy a meal together and celebrate their reunion, cherishing the moment of their newfound family connection.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 490: That Makes You My Granddaughter, Too
Olivia offered Tess a gentle, heartfelt smile, though her eyes glistened with the threat of tears that hadn¡¯t quite fallen yet. The warmth in her expression contrasted with the moisture that shimmered just beneath the surface.
Tess looked visibly surprised, caught off guard by Olivia¡¯s sudden deration, but Olivia pressed on with quiet determination.
¡°Tess,¡± Olivia began softly, ¡°your grandmother was my sister. Since you are her granddaughter, that means you are my granddaughter as well.¡±
Her voice was tender, filled with a deep affection as she regarded Tess with a loving gaze. The room felt charged with emotion, the air thick with unspoken connections and family ties.
Tess still seemed a little dazed, struggling to fully grasp the meaning behind Olivia¡¯s words. Just then, Violet approached with a bright smile, gently patting Tess on the shoulder. ¡°From now on, you¡¯ll have to call me Grandma whenever we meet,¡± she said yfully.
Once Violet finished, Olivia looked up at Tess, her eyes shining with hope and anticipation.
The resemnce between Tess and her grandmother was unmistakable¡ªso strong, in fact, that Olivia had been taken aback when she firstid eyes on her. It was as if a piece of the past hade alive in the present.
¡°Grandma,¡± Tess finally said, the word slipping out naturally as she nodded slightly, as if confirming a new reality.
Hearing Tess call her ¡°Grandma,¡± Olivia¡¯s emotions nearly overwhelmed her, tears threatening to spill over. ¡°Good girl!¡± she eximed softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Benjamin hobbled forward, leaning on his cane, and gave the tip of Tess¡¯s shoe a light, teasing tap.
Sensing something unusual, Tess looked up and met Benjamin¡¯s eyes.
He remained silent, but his expression spoke volumes¡ªas if silently asking, ¡°You called her Grandma, but what about me?¡±
¡°Grandpa,¡± Tess responded without hesitation this time.
Once she had begun, the words came more easily. Calling them Grandma and Grandpa felt natural, as if a missing piece had finally fallen into ce.
Benjamin¡¯s stern, icy expression from earlier that morning softened immediately. He reached into his pocket and pulled a ring from one of his fingers.
¡°Since your Grandma has already given you a gift,¡± he said with a grin, ¡°I can¡¯t be left behind.¡±
He carefully slipped the ring into Tess¡¯s palm.
Tess tried to refuse, unsure if she should ept such a personal gift, but Violet was quicker, wrapping Tess¡¯s fingers gently around the ring. ¡°Think of this as your official first present from Grandpa. Go ahead and take it.¡±
¡°Violet¡¯s right,¡± Olivia chimed in. ¡°We¡¯re family now. There¡¯s no need for formalities. Just ept it.¡±
Abel, standing nearby, spoke quietly to Tess, ¡°They haven¡¯t seen you in so long. It¡¯s only right they give you something.¡±
Violet overheard hisment and arched a curious eyebrow. Without hesitation, she slipped between them, nudging Abel aside with a yful smirk.
Abel¡¯s face flickered with mild annoyance, but Violet was quick to speak first. ¡°I heard Tess is still single. We¡¯re still at Ember Vi, and there are cameras everywhere. Why are you sticking so close to her?¡±
She shot Abel a pointed sideways nce.
Abel immediately caught her meaning and forced a wry smile, then blinked at Tess with exaggerated innocence.
Benjamin and Olivia walked ahead, but they didn¡¯t miss the lighthearted exchange behind them. Turning around, they noticed Abel gazing at Tess with hopeful eyes.
Olivia¡¯s senses immediately sharpened.
Smack!
She gave Abel a gentle but firm swat on the head. ¡°Kid, I heard you came all the way to Aetheris looking for someone. Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s my Tess?¡±
Olivia¡¯s hands rested firmly on her hips, hermanding presence filling the space.
Tess suddenly recalled their very first meeting and covered her mouth to hide augh, ncing sideways at Abel.
He scratched his head sheepishly and whined softly in Tess¡¯s direction.
Tess deliberately looked away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her attention.
Abel was left staring pitifully at the back of her head. With Olivia¡¯s stern gaze fixed on him, all he could do was offer a sheepish smile. ¡°Olivia¡¡±
Before he could finish, Benjamin smacked him again.
Benjamin¡¯s re was sharp. ¡°Why do you keep staring at my granddaughter?¡±
¡°You¡¯re all making it really hard for me and Tess to spend time together,¡± Abel muttered under his breath.
¡°What was that?¡± Violet¡¯s eyes narrowed sharply.
Abel quickly masked his frustration with a smile. ¡°Nothing at all.¡±
Tess, standing closest, caught every word.
Though everyone was teasing Abel, Tess couldn¡¯t help but rey his words over and over in her mind. She stared at him for a moment, then spun on her heel and deliberately stomped down on his toe.
Abel winced at the sudden sharp pain, turning to look at Tess in confusion. Seeing her barely suppressing augh, he couldn¡¯t help but smile back, though he quickly hid it behind a cough.
¡°Grandma, Grandma, Aunt Violet,¡± Tess said nervously, meeting Violet¡¯s gaze. ¡°Lyra and Raven are still waiting outside. If we don¡¯t go soon, they¡¯ll start to worry.¡±
Violet exchanged a knowing look with Abel but said nothing. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she agreed.
As soon as they stepped outside, Raven poked her head out of the car window. ¡°What took you so long?¡±
She tapped her watch with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s almost time to eat.¡±
¡°Sorry,¡± Lyra apologized with a warm smile, pulling Raven back inside the car. ¡°She¡¯s just blunt and a bit reckless sometimes.¡±
After all, the elders before them deserved respect.
The Larsons didn¡¯t mind Raven¡¯s bluntness at all. In fact, they agreed to head to the nearest restaurant in Aetheris for a meal together, ready to savor the moment of family reunion.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a tender note of newfound family bonds and the healing power of eptance. Olivia¡¯s heartfelt deration and the warmth shared among the Larsons symbolize the bridging of past and present, where Tess¡¯s identity is embraced fully by those around her. The yful teasing and gentle gestures, like the gifting of the ring, reveal a family ready to wee her with open arms, underscoring themes of belonging and love.
Amidst the lighthearted interactions and shared smiles, there is an undercurrent of hope and connection that promises growth and deeper rtionships. Tess¡¯s journey toward embracing her heritage and the affectionate eptance from Olivia, Benjamin, and Violet mark a turning point, where the weight of history is lifted by the simple, profound act of calling someone ¡°Grandma¡± and ¡°Grandpa.¡± This moment of reunion sets the stage for a future woven with warmth, understanding, and the promise of togetherness.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the emotional bonds that have just begun to form between Tess and her newfound grandparents. As the family gathers for a meal, subtle tensions and unspoken feelings are likely to surface, revealing theplexities beneath their joyful reunion. Tess¡¯s interactions with Abel, in particr, hint at a delicate dance of affection and restraint, suggesting that their rtionship may face challenges that test their patience and resolve.
Meanwhile, Olivia and Benjamin¡¯s protective yet affectionate demeanor sets the stage for potential conflicts as they navigate their roles in Tess¡¯s life. The warmth of their eptance is tinged with a hint of caution, leaving readers eager to discover how these dynamics will evolve. With the close-knit group stepping out into the bustling world of Aetheris, the next chapter is sure to blend heartfelt moments with subtle undercurrents of tension, promising a rich tapestry of family, loyalty, and perhaps unexpected revtions.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 491
Keepsake 491 Summary
In 1989, Henry watches anxiously as a car leaves, then notices Kylie standing at the top of the stairs. Concerned, he asks why she is still awake, and she exins she wants to check on Nadine, who remains alone in the hospital. Despite the tense atmosphere, Kylie insists on leaving, feeling disappointed after the Larsons¡¯ visit, where all attention was given to Tess and not her. The quiet house amplifies her frustration and the simmering resentment she feels.
Henry, focused on his phone, misses Kylie¡¯s emotional shift as she steps outside. He then calls Nadine, who is weak but alert in the hospital. Henry informs her that the Larsons ignored everyone except Tess and even gave her the family heirloom¡ªthe jade bracelet, symbolizing the Larson heiress. Nadine reacts with shock and fury, struggling to understand why Tess, whom the Larsons had just met, would be named the heiress.
Nadine¡¯s anger turns into jealousy as she grapples with the implications of the Larsons¡¯ decision. Henry suggests that this unexpected turn might work to their advantage, helping Nadine regain someposure. However, he also orders her to remove all trending posts about Tess, prioritizing the Larson fortune over their previous ns. Nadine is distressed by this directive, fearing it will ruin their efforts, but Henry¡¯s firm resolve leaves no room for argument.
The chapter ends with Nadine exhausted and defeated, realizing she mustply with Henry¡¯s orders despite her pain and humiliation. The media silence and the Larsons¡¯ decision to end the investigation into Shannon¡¯s fate leave many disappointed, while Nadine prepares to announce that Tess will no longer need to prove Shannon is alive. The heavy weariness envelops Nadine as she contemtes the uncertain future.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 491: They Gave Her the Emerald Bracelet
1989
As the car disappeared down the driveway, Henry pressed his fingers against his temples, finally tearing his eyes away from the live surveince feed streaming on his phone. The tension in his brow deepened as he sank into the couch, then shifted to a semi-reclined position, gazing up at the ceiling lost in thought. It was then that he noticed Kylie standing quietly at the top of the staircase.
¡°Why are you still up here? Didn¡¯t I tell you to rest?¡± he called out, his voice tinged with concern and a slight frown creasing his forehead.
¡°I saw them leave,¡± Kylie replied softly, her eyes fixed on the empty doorway below. ¡°Nadine¡¯s still alone at the hospital. I need to check on her.¡±
Kylie began to descend the stairs slowly, now wearing a fresh designer coat that contrasted sharply with the quiet atmosphere of the house. Henry gave her a brief, assessing look. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he chose not to argue and merely waved her off with a resigned gesture.
Almost at the door, Kylie paused and nced back at him. Henry was already upright again, fingers rapidly tapping across his phone¡¯s keyboard. His face was set, focused on the messages he was sending.
Kylie pressed her lips into a thin line. She had waited so eagerly for the Larsons toe by, hoping for some recognition or warmth. Instead, all their attention had beenvished on Tess. The excitement that had sparked within her earlier now dissolved into a bitter disappointment. She nced around the empty living room, the silence wrapping around her like a heavy cloak, and felt a tightening knot of frustration in her chest.
She couldn¡¯t quite put her finger on why she felt this way¡ªperhaps it was the umtion of long-simmering resentment that had quietly built up over time. Henry, absorbed in his phone, never once looked her way and missed the subtle change in her expression.
Without another word, Kylie turned and stepped outside, the door clicking softly behind her.
Henry watched the door close, then nced toward the empty hallway to confirm she was gone before dialing Nadine¡¯s number.
¡°Dad? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Nadine¡¯s voice came through faintly, still weak from her hospital stay.
¡°The Larsons stopped by,¡± Henry said, his voice low and tense. ¡°Just like I thought, they ignored everyone but Tess. And those old fools even handed her the family heirloom¡ªthe jade bracelet.¡±
There was a long pause on the other end of the line.
Nadine, who had sounded fragile moments before, suddenly clenched her fist tightly, drawing strength from somewhere deep inside.
They gave the Larsons¡¯ heirloom to Tess? What had she ever done to deserve such an honor? If memory served, this was the first time the Larsons had even met her!
¡°Are you sure it was their heirloom?¡± Nadine asked, disbelief coloring her tone. ¡°Maybe it was just a regr gift.¡±
¡°No,¡± Henry replied, his voice firm. ¡°Judging by Kylie¡¯s reaction, it wasn¡¯t just any gift. I¡¯m almost certain it was the jade bracelet¡ªthe symbol of the Larsons¡¯ heiress.¡±
At that moment, Nadine¡¯s hand knocked a ss off her nightstand, the crash echoing sharply in the quiet hospital room.
The Larsons¡¯ heiress? And Tess?
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her eyes shing with a fierce, burning anger.
¡°This is their first meeting! Why would they make her the heiress?¡± she spat through gritted teeth, jaw clenched tight.
Her hatred now morphed into a fierce jealousy, wing its way out from the depths of her heart.
¡°I don¡¯t know why the Larsons made this choice,¡± Henry said quietly, ¡°but honestly, it might work in our favor.¡±
His calm, steady tone helped bring Nadine back from the edge of her rage. She tried to steady her breathing, but the rapid gasps continued for a few moments.
That was true. If Tess had truly be the Larsons¡¯ heiress, it could be a double-edged sword¡ªsomething they could use to their advantage.
Nadine¡¯s fingers dug painfully into her palm, trying to channel the sharp sting into rity of thought.
She bit her lip hard, the hatred still simmering beneath the surface.
¡°Oh, and the Larsons want all the trending posts about Tess taken down. Handle it,¡± Henry added, his voice leaving no room for argument.
¡°What?¡± Nadine gripped her phone tighter, panic rising. ¡°If we do that, everything we¡¯ve nned will be wasted!¡±
¡°Just do it,¡± Henry said, his tone cold and decisive. ¡°What¡¯s more important than securing the Larson fortune for ourselves?¡±
Nadine opened her mouth to protest but found herself unable to speak. Henry¡¯s unwavering resolve was unmistakable.
¡°Dad, I¡¯ve embarrassed myself enough already, and I¡¯m hurt. I can¡¯t deal with the media right now¡¡±
¡°Just get it done in the next few days. You can call the news outlets from your hospital bed. You don¡¯t need to go anywhere.¡±
With that, Henry ended the call.
The cold dial tone sounded in Nadine¡¯s ear. Her fingers trembled as she set the phone down, her arms still shaking with rage and exhaustion.
The past few days had been unusually quiet in the media, everyone waiting for Tess to rify the situation. Many hoped it would be a major headline.
Now, Nadine was about to announce on Henry¡¯s behalf that there would be no further investigation, and Tess would no longer be required to prove Shannon was alive.
Anyone who had been waiting so long would surely feel frustrated and disappointed.
Nadine slumped back against her hospital bed, all her remaining strength draining away as a heavy weariness settled over her.Conclusion
The chapter closes on a somber note, capturing the weight of unspoken tensions and the bitter sting of exclusion. Kylie¡¯s quiet disappointment and Nadine¡¯s simmering jealousy reveal the deep emotional fractures caused by the Larsons¡¯ unexpected favor toward Tess. Yet beneath the surface of resentment and frustration lies a fragile thread of strategy, as Henry¡¯s calm pragmatism hints at arger n unfolding amidst the chaos.
Despite the pain and weariness that grip them, the characters remain tethered by their shared desire to im what they believe is rightfully theirs. The emerald bracelet, a symbol of legacy and power, bes more than just a keepsake¡ªit embodies the shifting alliances and quiet battles waged in the shadows. As the chapter ends, the characters¡¯ inner turmoil and resolve set the stage for theplex struggles yet toe.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions within the Larson family, as Nadine grapples with the shock of Tess being named the heiress. Her feelings of betrayal and jealousy are likely to intensify, setting the stage for emotional confrontations and difficult decisions. The fragile bnce of power and loyalty could be tested as Nadine struggles to reconcile her own ambitions with the unexpected turn of events.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s cold pragmatism and strategic moves hint at a looming conflict over control of the Larson fortune. The decision to suppress media attention on Tess will undoubtedly have consequences, stirring unrest and possibly exposing hidden agendas. As secrets begin to unravel, the characters will be forced to confront their true motives, and alliances may shift in surprising ways. Readers can expect a chapter rich with emotionalplexity and mounting suspense.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 492
Keepsake 492 Summary
Nadine is found by her mother, Kylie, looking pale and fragile, clearly in pain. Nadine confides in Kylie that Tess has been sending people to hurt her despite her attempts to make peace. Overwhelmed by emotion, Nadine seeksfort in her mother¡¯s arms, expressing her confusion and hurt. Kylie, deeply concerned and protective, promises to stand up for Nadine and confront Tess about the bullying.
Kylie¡¯s protective instincts are intensified by the sight of a fresh scar on Nadine¡¯s forehead, reminding her of a traumatic night involving Shannon¡¯s sacrifice to save her. This memory fuels Kylie¡¯s determination to protect her daughter from further harm. Despite the tender moment between mother and daughter, Kylie¡¯s resolve is fierce and unyielding.
Meanwhile, Tess and her group, the Larsons, arrive at a luxurious hotel after leaving a restaurant. Abel, the leader, disys charm and flirtation, which irritates L, who is unimpressed and somewhat disdainful. Tess is reminded of Ken, who she had promised to help find his parents. She feels conflicted about her priorities, torn between investigating the Embers, exposing lies, and caring for Ken.
At the office, Tess finds Ken waiting patiently, eager for her help. Lyra notices Tess¡¯s difort and suggests that L take Ken for a while while they use the office. Ken agrees shyly, showing his trust and hope. L is surprised to be given the responsibility of looking after Ken, while Lyra yfully winks at him, hinting at a favor. The chapter ends with a mix of tension, care, and unresolved ns among the characters.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Keepsake 492: I¡¯ll Wait For You Guys
A gentle knock echoed on the door.
¡°Nadine, how are you feeling?¡± Kylie¡¯s voice was soft with concern as she pushed the door open and immediately spotted Nadine, slumped over and looking pale and fragile.
Nadine¡¯s eyes met Kylie¡¯s caring gaze, and a sharp sting pricked her nose. ¡°Mom!¡± she called out, her voice trembling and more fragile than usual.
Without hesitation, Kylie hurried over, the food she had been carrying forgotten on the floor. She took Nadine¡¯s cold hand in hers, wrapping it warmly in her palms. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Nadine? Are you hurting again?¡±
Nadine clung to Kylie, burying her face deep into her mother¡¯s chest, her voice barely above a whisper, as if carrying the weight of some deep injustice. ¡°It hurts.¡±
¡°Mom¡ it hurts so much. I don¡¯t understand why Tess is doing this to me. I apologized, tried to make peace, but she still sends people to hurt me.¡±
Her sobs shook her small frame as she leaned into Kylie¡¯sforting arms.
Kylie¡¯s heart tightened painfully. She ran her fingers gently through Nadine¡¯s hair, her expression darkening the moment Tess¡¯s name was mentioned. ¡°She¡¯s just an ungrateful little brat.¡±
This time, Nadine didn¡¯t try to stop her mother¡¯s harsh words or pretend otherwise. She simply trembled quietly in her mother¡¯s embrace.
¡°Mom, could you please talk to Tess for me? Tell her to stop picking on me?¡± Nadine looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes,pletely vulnerable and helpless.
Kylie¡¯s gaze fell on the fresh scar on Nadine¡¯s forehead, where the bandage had slipped off. Though the wound had been treated, a long, angry mark remained.
The sight stabbed at Kylie¡¯s heart.
Suddenly, memories of that stormy night flooded her mind¡ªwhen the car had teetered on the edge of disaster, and a badly injured Shannon had mustered thest of her strength to push Kylie to safety.
Shannon¡¯s once-elegant jacket was torn to shreds, her blood mixing with the rain-soaked ground below.
The recollection left Kylie shaken to her core. She tightened her hold on Nadine, her teeth clenched as she spoke with fierce determination.
¡°Nadine, don¡¯t be afraid. I promise, I will stand up for you.¡±
Nadine sobbed harder, clutching her mother as if seeking protection from the cruel world.
Though the scene between mother and daughter seemed tender on the surface, there was a cold, unyielding fire burning in Kylie¡¯s eyes.
¡ª
Meanwhile, Tess and herpanions were stepping out of the restaurant.
The Larsons, led by Abel, made their way toward the city¡¯s most luxurious hotel to check in.
¡°I¡¯lle find you in a bit,¡± Abel said, opening the car doors for the two elders with a practiced charm. Then, casting a flirtatious nce at Tess, he slid into the driver¡¯s seat.
Ugh¡ Disgusting.
L shuddered, his face contorted in disgust.
Raven nced over with a smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t you care about your image in front of your fans?¡±
As for the so-called fans, Lyra, who had witnessed everything, just rolled her eyes in silent exasperation.
But L paid no mind. In broken Crorusese, he muttered, ¡°Just a reflex.¡±
At that moment, Abel rolled down his window and lowered his sunsses, revealing sharp, mischievous eyes.
He shot L a re meant to intimidate.
Yet L only seemed amused, maybe even a little smug, as he tugged on Tess¡¯s sleeve. ¡°That kid¡¯s still at the office.¡±
Tess blinked, suddenly realizing he was referring to Ken.
She had promised to help Ken find his parents but had brought him all the way from Krigan to Aetheris only to leave him alone.
She awkwardly scratched her nose. ¡°Let¡¯s head to Mars Legal first.¡±
When they arrived at the office, Tess opened the door to find Ken quietly reading at her desk.
¡°Tess, are you done with your stuff? Can you help me look for my mom and dad now?¡± Ken¡¯s eyes sparkled when he saw her.
But Tess¡¯s expression was troubled.
She had nned to investigate what the Embers were up to and then focus on exposing Henry¡¯s lies, hoping Nichs¡¯s family could finally be reunited.
She hadn¡¯t expected the Larsons to show up and have Henry handle the press.
Lyra was the first to notice Tess¡¯s difort.
She nced at Tess, then turned to Ken.
The boy was in middle school but already taller than her.
¡°Ken, we need to talk about a few things. How about you let L show you around for a while, and we¡¯ll use the office?¡±
She smiled warmly and ruffled Ken¡¯s hair.
Shy as ever, Ken packed up his things. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll wait for you guys.¡±
L stared at Lyra, stunned at being handed babysitting duty.
Is she really my superfan?
Lyra gave him a yful wink, silently asking for a favor.Conclusion
The chapter delicately unfolds the vulnerability and pain Nadine endures, highlighting the protective bond between mother and daughter. Kylie¡¯s fierce determination to shield Nadine from harm and her unwavering promise to stand up for her illuminate the depth of maternal love amidst adversity. The emotional weight carried by both women underscores the themes of resilience and the longing for peace in the face of cruelty.
Meanwhile, the quieter moments with Tess and Ken reveal theplexities of responsibility and trust within their circle. Tess¡¯s internal conflict and Lyra¡¯s gentle support create a tender backdrop to the unfolding drama, emphasizing the importance ofpanionship and hope. Together, these intertwined stories reflect the enduring strength found in connection, even when shadows of conflict loomrge.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the emotional turmoil surrounding Nadine and Kylie, as the mother¡¯s fierce protective instincts sh with the relentless torment Nadine faces. The tension between them and Tess is palpable, and readers can expect the simmering conflict to escte, revealing more about the motivations behind Tess¡¯s actions and the true extent of the pain inflicted. Kylie¡¯s vow to stand up for her daughter hints at aing confrontation that could test their courage and resolve in unexpected ways.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s uneasy alliance with Abel and the Larsons introduces a newyer of intrigue, especially as Ken¡¯s situation bes moreplicated. Tess¡¯s internal struggle between her responsibilities and her promises to others creates a fragile bnce that might soon tip. As Ken waits and L steps into a surprising role, the dynamics within this group are set to evolve, potentially bringing alliances and loyalties into question. The next chapter will likely explore these rtionships more deeply, weaving together personal stakes with broader mysteries that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 493
Keepsake 493 Summary
L, feeling uneasy about the tense conversation, quietly leaves the room, leaving Lyra, Raven, and Tess to discuss their next move. They review evidence, including a paternity test proving Henry is Nadine¡¯s father, surveince footage, and a witness named Ken. They confirm that Shannon has been hiding in Nadine¡¯s apartment, exining why previous searches at hotels and rentals were fruitless. Henry has been cautious, always alert in the photos, and Tess notices the Embers lurking in the background, recalling their past troublemaking and realizing they are still in Aetheris.
Tess is determined not only to expose Henry but also to bring down Shannon and Nadine. She recalls her grandmother¡¯s advice about striking decisively and refuses to settle for just clearing their names. Lyra and Raven express concern for Tess, reminding her of the brighter future she has now with her daughter and warning her not to lose herself in the quest for revenge. They emphasize their support but urge her to consider the cost.
Despite her friends¡¯ worries, Tess remains resolute, her mind haunted by painful memories of betrayal, imprisonment, and loss. The chapter ends with Tess confronting the heavy burden of her past and the fierce determination driving her forward.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Keepsake 493
493 We¡¯re Worried About You
L¡¯s usually gentle, charming features had shifted into a look of mild displeasure. He felt the weight of the delicate conversation ahead and knew it was best to quietly exit. With a heavy sigh, he closed the door softly behind him, leaving the room in a tense silence.
Once he was gone, the atmosphere in the office grew noticeably more serious.
Lyra and Raven sat facing Tess, their expressions grave.
¡°The Larsons told Henry to handle the press first. Are we still going ahead with our n against him?¡± Raven asked, spreading out the evidence she had collected across the table.
Tess scanned the papers carefully.
Among the documents were a paternity test confirming that Henry was Nadine¡¯s father, surveince footage from Krigan General Hospital¡¯s morgue, and, most crucially, a witness named Ken.
Her brow furrowed. ¡°What¡¯s Finn¡¯s take on this? Didn¡¯t Zane mention someone spotted Shannon already?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Lyra replied, scrolling through her phone before opening a chat with Zane and forwarding the location to Tess. ¡°After several days of surveince, they confirmed Shannon lives at that address.¡±
She nced up. ¡°The problem is, Shannon hardly ever leaves. Zane¡¯s team managed to get a few shots of Henry sneaking around, but no clear pictures of Shannon herself.¡±
Tess studied the address on her phone, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Isn¡¯t that Nadine¡¯s apartment?
That exined it.
They had wasted time checking hotels and rental listings for Shannon, unaware she had been hiding in one of Nadine¡¯s properties all along. While Henry and Kylie pretended to live apart, Henry had actually been staying there with Shannon.
A cold, ironic smile tugged at the corners of Tess¡¯s lips.
She looked down at the photos spread out before her.
Most of the images were taken from a distance using sophisticated equipment. Henry was clearly cautious¡ªevery picture showed him scanning his surroundings, never dropping his guard.
One particr photo caught Tess¡¯s attention.
Henry looked more suspicious than usual, but what drew her eye was the pair standing in the background.
She frowned.
The Embers?
She recalled the two previous times the Embers had appeared to stir trouble.
So they¡¯re still in Aetheris? She had thought they would have disappeared by now.
Her eyes flicked back and forth between the faces in the photo, her chin lifting slightly in determination.
Clearly, Henry didn¡¯t want those two to know about his involvement.
It made sense. If the Embers ever learned about their current reputation and situation, they would likely show up and cause chaos.
Just thinking about how stubborn and shameless they could be gave Tess a headache.
¡°Even though the Embers promised to contact the media themselves, we actually don¡¯t need to worry much. The leads we have now may not be enough to finish this, but they¡¯re already strong enough to hit Henry hard. At the very least, we can clear our names,¡± Lyra concluded, her voice calm as she looked to Tess for her response.
¡°No,¡± Tess said firmly, shaking her head.
The grandmother she remembered had always seemed warm and gentle, but her eyes were sharp and unwavering. When Tess was a child, her grandmother had taught her how to catch snakes.
¡°You have to kill it in one strike,¡± she¡¯d said, ¡°never give it a chance to fight back.¡±
Tess had always thought people were no different.
Shannon wouldn¡¯t have risked staying in Aetheris unless something even more important was anchoring her here.
Tess wanted more than just to expose Henry¡¯s lies. She was determined to bring Shannon and Nadine down alongside him.
With that fierce resolve, her gaze burned with unyielding determination.
Lyra and Raven exchanged a serious look, their expressions hardening as well.
¡°Tess, we know everything you¡¯ve been through. We¡¯re just so relieved you made it out,¡± Lyra said, pausing before continuing carefully. ¡°But we don¡¯t want to see you spend your whole life chasing revenge. You have a wonderful daughter now, and a future that¡¯s so much brighter than your past. We¡¯ll support you if you want to make the Embers and Shannon pay¡ªbut don¡¯t lose yourself in the process.¡±
Lyra spoke all at once, her eyes locked on Tess¡¯s.
Raven rubbed the back of her neck uneasily, ncing between Tess and Lyra, trying to read her friend¡¯s expression.
Despite her easygoing nature, Raven¡¯s artistic sensitivity made her especially attuned to moods. Lately, Tess reminded her of a general meticulously nning a campaign¡ªcalcting and carefully plotting every move to bring down the Embers and Shannon.
Raven honestly thought it wasn¡¯t worth it.
¡°Lyra¡¯s right. We¡¯re worried about you,¡± she said softly.
Tess met their concerned gazes and finally realized how heavy and bleak her own mood had be.
Her mind drifted, memories shing through her thoughts.
She remembered Nadine and Max framing her, sending her to prison.
She remembered her beloved grandmother passing away shortly after, and how she never even got the chance to say goodbye.Conclusion
The chapter closes with Tess standing at a crossroads between vengeance and healing, her resolve burning fiercely to dismantle the web of deceit spun by Henry, Shannon, and the Embers. Yet, amidst the strategic ns and mounting evidence, the weight of her past and the concern of her closest allies remind her that the path she chooses will shape not only her future but also the life of her daughter. The emotional turmoil she carries is palpable, reflecting the deep scars left by betrayal and loss, yet also hinting at the strength she draws from those memories.
Lyra and Raven¡¯s gentle admonitions underscore the delicate bnce Tess must find between justice and self-preservation, highlighting the theme of friendship and support in the face of hardship. Their worry is a tender counterpoint to Tess¡¯s fierce determination, suggesting that true victory lies not only in exposing the truth but in reiming her own peace. As the chapter ends, Tess¡¯s internal struggle leaves readers poised on the edge of hope and hardship, embodying theplex journey of healing amid the shadows of past wounds.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into Tess¡¯s internal struggle as she grapples with the fine line between justice and vengeance. The tension among the trio¡ªTess, Lyra, and Raven¡ªwill intensify, revealing more about their loyalties and the emotional toll this battle is taking on them all. As Tess¡¯s resolve hardens, readers will witness theplexities of friendship and the sacrifices made when personal vendettas collide with the desire for a better future.
Meanwhile, the looming presence of the Embers adds ayer of unpredictable danger, hinting that Tess¡¯s carefullyid ns may soon face unexpected obstacles. The shadowy connections and hidden motives surrounding Henry, Shannon, and Nadine suggest that truths long buried might surface, forcing Tess to confront not only her enemies but also her own past. This emotional and strategic crossroads will leave readers eager to see whether Tess can maintain her focus without losing herself along the way.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 494
Keepsake 494 Summary
Tess reflects on the many years she spent feeling invisible and dismissed at the Embers, the painful memories momentarily overwhelming her. Despite this, she forces herself to remain calm andposed as she interacts with Lyra and Raven, masking her inner turmoil with a faint smile. The tension in the office lingers, but Lyra senses Tess¡¯s determination and suggests wrapping up early so Tess can spend time with La, a gesture Tess quietly appreciates.
Shortly after Lyra and Raven leave, Abel arrives, immediately noticing the worry on Tess¡¯s face. Their conversation reveals Abel¡¯s concern for her well-being and his gentle teasing about her distracted state. When Abel touches her cheek, Tess feels a rush of emotions but firmly asserts that she is fine, though the closeness unsettles her. Abel¡¯s yful demeanor eases the mood, but the weight of earlier conversations with Lyra and Raven still lingers in Tess¡¯s mind.
Tess confesses her internal conflict, questioning whether focusing on revenge against the Embers and Shannon is a mistake. Abel responds with honesty and concern, urging her to move beyond the past and embrace the new chapter in her life. He reminds her that everyone carries pain from their past but warns against letting it consume her. Though younger, Abel¡¯s steady and reassuring presence offers Tess an unexpectedfort.
Encouraged by Abel¡¯s words, Tess considers letting go of old grudges and spending more time with La, signaling a tentative step toward healing. While the room feels lighter as she speaks, the past continues to whisper in her mind, hinting that moving on will not be easy.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
494 You Can¡¯t Keep Living in the Past
Tess¡¯s mind wandered back over the countless years she had spent at the Embers, years filled with being overlooked, dismissed, and treated as if she were invisible. The memories stung sharper than she expected, and she bit down hard on the inside of her lip, the sudden pain jolting her back to the present moment.
¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she murmured to herself, forcing a steady breath. ¡°I won¡¯t let bitterness cloud my judgment.¡±
With great effort, she lifted the corners of her mouth into a faint smile as she faced Lyra and Raven, determined to mask the turmoil she felt inside. Yet, despite her attempt at calm, the atmosphere in the office remained thick with unspoken tension, barely easing at all.
Lyra let out a quiet sigh, sensing Tess¡¯s resolve. She chose not to press further. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re nning to keep things civil with the Embers for now,¡± she said softly. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we can put the investigation on hold. Why don¡¯t we wrap up early today? That way, you can spend some more time with La.¡±
Standing, Lyra moved toward the door, but paused and nced back at Tess. The look she gave was full of understanding, almost like a silent encouragement. Tess caught it and returned the gesture with a gentle nod and a small smile.
Raven, who had never been fond of heavy, suffocating moods, quickly followed Lyra out without another word.
Not long after the door clicked shut behind them, a knock came from outside. ¡°Come in,¡± Tess called out, still straightening the files Lyra had left scattered on the desk.
Abel appeared in the doorway, his breath a little uneven as if he had hurried over from somewhere. The first thing he noticed was the worry etched across Tess¡¯s face.
¡°What¡¯s wrong, Ms. Ember?¡± he asked, concern threading his voice.
He crossed the room in a few long strides and settled into the chair opposite her, his eyes fixed intently on her. Tess felt a sudden awkwardness under his gaze; his presence was distracting enough, and now the paperwork seemed even harder to focus on.
Sighing, she pushed the files aside. ¡°Did you get Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Violet settled in okay?¡±
Abel studied her for a moment longer, his gaze lingering thoughtfully. ¡°Of course,¡± he replied smoothly.
He tossed his jacket over the back of the chair and leaned backfortably, yet his eyes never left Tess. ¡°But why didn¡¯t you answer my question earlier?¡± he pressed.
Tess blinked, confused. ¡°What question?¡±
Abel clicked his tongue twice, a teasing edge to his tone. ¡°Ie all this way, and you¡¯re miles away in your head? That¡¯s a little rude, don¡¯t you think, Ms. Ember?¡±
He leaned forward, lowering himself so their eyes met evenly. ¡°I asked what¡¯s wrong. You don¡¯t look well.¡±
Before she could respond, his hand gently cupped her cheek.
The softness of her skin surprised him ¡ª smoother and more delicate than most girls¡¯, untouched by any makeup¡¯s artifice. Feeling that tender warmth beneath his fingertips, Abel¡¯s eyes darkened with something deeper, more intense.
Tess could see every flicker of emotion passing through his gaze, raw and unguarded. The closeness made her heart pound, and instinctively, she ced her hand on his chest, gently pushing him back.
¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said firmly.
Abel pulled away, ncing down at her hand resting on his chest, then let out a low, amusedugh. He sank back into his chair with a shrug. ¡°Alright then.¡±
Though his voice was light, the teasing lift at the end made it clear he wasn¡¯t quite convinced.
Tess watched him carefully, her pulse quickening. She pressed her fingers to her forehead, trying to calm the rush of emotions swirling inside her.
Abel¡¯s yful tone had brought a brief lift to the mood, but the words Lyra and Raven had spoken earlier still echoed in her mind, heavy and persistent.
¡°Am I making a mistake by focusing all my energy on getting back at the Embers and Shannon?¡± she suddenly blurted out.
Abel¡¯s expression shifted to a frown as he met the conflict in her eyes. ¡°Was that what Lyra and Raven said before they left?¡±
He had hurried straight to Mars Legal after leaving the hotel, hoping Tess was still there. Seeing Lyra and Raven exit the office with unusually serious expressions had made him ask if Tess was around.
¡°Maybe,¡± Tess admitted quietly. ¡°For me, I just want you to notice me more, even when I¡¯m busy.¡±
Abel was candid, his voice soft but sincere. Tess hadn¡¯t expected such honesty, and a flush of embarrassment mixed with irritation crossed her face as she shot him a sharp look. ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡±
¡°So am I,¡± he replied, nodding.
Noticing the stiffness in her expression, Abel quickly shifted the subject. ¡°You just returned from Krigan a few days ago, and since then, you haven¡¯t stopped moving. Ever since you got to Aetheris, you¡¯ve thrown yourself into dealing with the Embers and chasing old scores. That¡¯s why everyone¡¯s worried.¡±
He looked directly into her eyes. ¡°We all have things from the past that hurt us. But Tess, you¡¯ve started a new chapter. You can¡¯t keep drowning in old pain.¡±
Though Abel was younger, his voice was steady and reassuring in a way that surprised her. The moment felt strangely out of ce, yetforting.
Clearing her throat, Tess forced a small smile. ¡°It¡¯s all behind me now. Maybe I should listen to them and head home early to spend some time with La.¡±
The room seemed a little lighter as she said the words, but inside, the past still whispered softly, refusing to be forgotten so easily.Conclusion
The chapter delicately explores Tess¡¯s internal struggle between clinging to the wounds of her past and the possibility of moving forward. Her interactions with Abel reveal a tender vulnerability beneath her guarded exterior, highlighting the emotional weight she carries. Despite her efforts to maintainposure, the lingering pain and unresolved feelings continue to shadow her present, underscoring the challenge of letting go.
Yet, through Abel¡¯s gentle honesty and the supportive presence of Lyra and Raven, Tess begins to acknowledge the need for change. The quiet encouragement to embrace a new chapter and prioritize the present offers a glimmer of hope amid the turmoil. Though the past remains a subtle undercurrent, Tess¡¯s tentative decision to seek sce in thepany of loved ones suggests the first steps toward healing and renewal.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into Tess¡¯s internal struggle as she grapples with the weight of her past and the desire to move forward. Her interactions with Abel suggest a growingplexity in their rtionship, hinting at moments of vulnerability and unspoken feelings that could challenge both of them. As Tess tries to bnce her pursuit of justice with her personal life, the tension between her resolve and lingering pain is bound to intensify.
Expect subtle shifts in the dynamics between Tess and those around her, where unvoiced emotions and unresolved conflicts maye to the surface. The quiet moments of understanding could be tinged with hesitation, and Tess¡¯s determination to keep her focus might be tested in unexpected ways. Readers will find themselves drawn into the delicate dance between past and present, longing and restraint, as Tess navigates the path ahead.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 495
Keepsake 495 Summary
In Chapter 495 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Take Me to the Restaurant,¡± Tess experiences a whirlwind of emotions as she attempts to navigate herplicated rtionship with Abel. As she rises to leave, her heart races, and she deliberately avoids his gaze. Abel, however, takes control of the situation by grabbing her hand and leading her out of the room, much to Tess¡¯s surprise and annoyance. Despite her protests, Abel¡¯s yful demeanor and firm grip create a mix of frustration and exhration within her.
As they rush to the underground garage, Tess¡¯s irritation grows, culminating in a moment of defiance when she stomps on Abel¡¯s shoe, leaving a mark on his leather. Abel feigns pain but enjoys the yful banter, which softens Tess¡¯s irritation. Their dynamic shifts as they drive toward their destination, where Tess receives a message from Finn regarding a dinner appointment that interrupts the moment. Her decision to attend the meeting adds tension to the atmosphere, especially as Abel¡¯s jealousy begins to surface.
Tess¡¯s determination to meet Finn leads her to instruct Abel to take her to the restaurant instead of home. This decision creates a palpable tension in the car, with Abel feeling a mix of frustration and longing as he watches her focus on her phone. The silence between them thickens, filled with unspoken words and emotions that neither wants to address. Tess¡¯s attempt to speak is thwarted by the wind, leaving her feeling unsettled as they drive toward the restaurant.
Meanwhile, Finn, who is observing from the shadows, is determined to ensure Tess arrives at the restaurant. His interactions with Zane reveal a calcted n, highlighting the underlying tension and stakes involved. As Tess and Abel arrive at their destination, the ufortable silence lingers, filled with confusion and unresolved feelings. Just as Tess is about to step out, Abel calls her name, prompting her to reconsider her next move and face the uncertainty that lies ahead.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 495: Take Me to the Restaurant**
Tess rose from her seat, her heart racing as she deliberately averted her gaze from Abel¡¯s prating eyes. She reached for her bag, her fingers brushing against the fabric, but before she could make her escape, Abel swiftly intercepted her, his hand closing around the strap. ¡°I¡¯ll walk you out,¡± he dered, his voice firm yet warm.
Before Tess could muster a protest, he had already taken hold of her hand, pulling her along with him as he led her out of the room, not sparing a nce back. A flicker of surprise danced across Tess¡¯s features, but it quickly faded, reced by a curious awareness of their joined hands.
As they hurried down the corridor toward the underground garage, Tess felt an odd mixture of annoyance and exhration. No matter how much she tried to pull away, Abel maintained his grip, a yful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. The way he seemed unaffected by her silent protests only fueled her frustration.
They half-jogged, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the empty space as they reached the garage. Abel brought her to his car and came to a sudden halt. Tess, catching her breath, ced a hand on her chest, feeling her heart race. She shot him a re, her annoyance bubbling over, and without hesitation, she stomped down on his shoe. A small mark appeared on the pristine leather, a testament to her defiance.
¡°Ouch,¡± Abel eximed, feigning pain, yet his smile only widened. He seemed to relish the yful banter, enjoying the lighthearted tussle.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but soften at his demeanor. Despite her irritation, she purposefully turned her back to him and slid into the back seat, crossing her arms in a huff.
¡°Oh, my poor front passenger seat,¡± Abelmented dramatically, slipping into the driver¡¯s seat with a theatrical sigh.
¡°Come on, hurry up. La will be waking up soon,¡± Tess urged, her voice tinged with urgency.
¡°Yes, my Ms. Ember,¡± he replied,ughtercing his words as he turned the key in the ignition, the engine roaring to life.
As they drove out of the garage, sunlight flooded the car, warming the space between them.
Just then, Tess¡¯s phone buzzed insistently, breaking the moment.
¡°It¡¯s 4 PM. I made a dinner appointment with the person who reported Shannon. Do you want toe?¡±
The message from Finn made Tess narrow her eyes, a frown creeping onto her face as she checked the time. It was only 3:20 PM.
Abel, noticing her change in expression through the rearview mirror, raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did someone message you?¡± he asked, his curiosity piqued.
¡°Yeah,¡± she replied, her brow furrowing in thought. Her fingers hovered over the text box, hesitating before she ultimately deleted her response.
¡°It¡¯s from Finn,¡± she admitted, the weight of her words hanging in the air.
At that moment, the traffic light ahead changed to red, and Abel instinctively hit the brakes. Taking advantage of the pause, he raised an eyebrow yfully. ¡°Uncle Finn? Did the informant say anything new?¡±
Tess met his gaze in the mirror, a mixture of apprehension and determination swirling within her. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t take me home yet. Take me to the restaurant.¡±
After a brief moment of contemtion, she typed a quick response to Finn: ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there on time.¡±
Abel tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on Tess¡¯s face in the rearview mirror. She was so engrossed in her phone, oblivious to the tension brewing in the car. A pang of jealousy surged within him, gnawing at his insides.
Why does it bother me so much to see her focused on someone else?
He stared at her reflection, a mix of frustration and longing swirling in his chest.
The light turned green, and the cars behind them began honking impatiently. Abel finally tore his gaze away from her, turning the wheel just before Tess noticed the shift in his demeanor.
A heavy silence enveloped the car, thick with unspoken words.
¡°I already sent you the location,¡± Tess said, her voice breaking the stillness, but Abel didn¡¯t respond.
Sensing something was off, she nced up, locking eyes with his mncholy gaze for a brief moment before he looked away, steering the car toward the outskirts of town.
¡°You¡¡± she started, but the wind whipped through the half-open window, carrying her words away before she could finish.
As they departed, the lingering scent of cigarette smoke curled through the garage. A man d in sleek ck patent leather shoes emerged from the shadows, revealing Finn¡¯s sharp features. A cigarette dangled between his fingers as he watched the vehicle disappear down the road, the ash falling silently to the ground.
Finn nced down, then crushed the cigarette beneath his heel with a decisive, ruthless motion. Unlocking his phone, he saw the chat with Tess still open on the screen.
¡°Zane, bring her over,¡± he instructed, his voice steady as he climbed into a discreet ck Maybach parked nearby, camouged perfectly in the shadows.
The car melted into the darkness, bing visible only when the headlights flickered on.
¡°Yes, Mr. Lock. She and I will be waiting at the restaurant,¡± Zane confirmed.
¡°Okay,¡± Finn replied curtly, determination etched on his face.
The luxury vehicle sped away, leaving only a faint cloud of exhaust in its wake.
Meanwhile, Tess and Abel arrived at the restaurant on the edge of town. Abel parked the car, and an ufortable silence filled the air, thick with tension and unspoken thoughts.
Tess felt a swirl of confusion and frustration as she nced at Abel, her heart racing. She opened the door, ready to step out.
¡°Tess,¡± Abel called out, his voice breaking through her thoughts.
She nced at her phone, noting that there were still ten minutes left before her meeting. With a sigh, she let her hand drop from the door handle and turned to face him, curiosity mingling with uncertainty.Conclusion
As Tess stood on the precipice of uncertainty, the weight of her decision hung heavily in the air. The yful banter and lightheartedness that had characterized her interactions with Abel now felt overshadowed by the looming presence of Finn and the unknowns that awaited her. The warmth of the sunlight streaming through the car window contrasted sharply with the chill of apprehension that settled in her chest. She was torn between thefort of Abel¡¯spany and the urgency of hermitment to Finn, a choice that felt increasinglyplicated. Yet, in that moment, she realized that her heart was not merely a vessel for obligation; it was apass, pointing toward the connections that truly mattered.
Abel¡¯s gaze held a mixture of concern and longing, and Tess could sense the emotional stakes rising between them. With each passing second, the unspoken words lingered, amplifying the tension that crackled in the air. As she turned to face him, she understood that whatevery ahead at the restaurant would not only impact her rtionship with Finn but also redefine her bond with Abel. In that fleeting moment, she grasped the significance of their sharedughter and yful exchanges, recognizing that these moments were more than mere distractions; they were the foundation of something deeper. With her heart racing and her mind swirling with possibilities, Tess took a breath, ready to confront theplexities of her choices, knowing that the path ahead would shape her future in ways she had yet toprehend.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As Tess stands at the precipice of a crucial meeting, the air thick with unresolved emotions, readers can expect a whirlwind of revtions and confrontations in the uing chapter. With Abel¡¯s lingering gaze and the weight of Finn¡¯s message hanging over her, Tess is caught in a web of tension that could unravel at any moment. Will she be able to navigate theplexities of her rtionships while remaining focused on the task at hand? The restaurant promises to be more than just a backdrop; it will be a crucible where secrets are revealed and alliances are tested.
Moreover, the shadow of Finn loomsrge, his intentions shrouded in mystery. As Tess prepares to meet the informant who holds vital information about Shannon, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Finn¡¯s presence disrupt the fragile connection she shares with Abel, or will it serve as a catalyst for deeper understanding? Readers should brace themselves for unexpected twists that could alter the course of Tess¡¯s journey, as loyalties are questioned and choices must be made. With every tick of the clock, the tension esctes, leaving us on the edge of our seats, eager to discover what awaits Tess at the restaurant.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 496
Keepsake 496 Summary
In Chapter 496 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°I Can¡¯t Stay Here For Long,¡± the tension between Tess and Abel is palpable as they navigate theirplicated emotions. Tess, recently divorced from Finn, catches Abel¡¯s eye in the rearview mirror, sparking a mix of jealousy and concern in him. Abel struggles with his feelings, fearing that expressing them might upset Tess, who has consistently avoided him in Finn¡¯s presence. Despite the underlying tension, Tess¡¯s quick agreement to apany Abel to meet Finn surprises him, leading to a moment of unexpected closeness as they arrive at a secluded restaurant.
As they enter the restaurant, Abel¡¯s demeanor shifts from anxious to attentive, showcasing a protective side as he carries Tess¡¯s bag. However, his confidence wavers when Finn appears, dressed in ck and apanied by Zane and a nervous woman named Tania. The atmosphere bes charged as Tess interacts with Tania, who is clearly anxious about the meeting. Tess¡¯s calmness contrasts with Tania¡¯s nervousness, highlighting the power dynamics at y.
The scene intensifies as Tess takes on a leadership role, instructing Tania to answer her questions honestly. Abel¡¯s earlier gloom dissipates as he tries to lighten the mood, but Finn¡¯s dark expression hints at underlying tension between the characters. Tania¡¯s urgent reminder that she cannot stay long adds to the pressure of the situation, emphasizing the stakes involved. Tess¡¯s memories of jasmine tea from her past life serve as a poignant reminder of what she¡¯s lost, deepening the emotionalplexity of the moment.
Ultimately, the chapter encapstes the struggle of navigating past rtionships while trying to forge new connections. Abel¡¯s protective instincts and Tess¡¯s authoritative presence create a dynamic filled with unspoken feelings and unresolved tension, setting the stage for further developments in their intertwined lives. As Tess prepares to ask her questions, the reader is left anticipating the impact of this meeting on all involved.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 496 I Can¡¯t Stay Here For Long
Chapter 496 I Can¡¯t Stay Here For Long
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At that moment, Abel happened to look up, locking eyes with Tess in the rearview mirror.
Tess¡¯s heart skipped a beat.
¡°You and Finn are already divorced.¡±
He bit his lip, as if he¡¯d finally made up his mind to say it.
His heart was pounding, making him feel anxious and unsettled.
He worried that saying it out loud might cross a line and make Tess upset.
¡°Yeah, I remember.¡±
Tess sensed a trace of jealousy hanging in the air.
Looking at Abel¡¯s reflection, she realized his face in the rearview mirror was stiff and cold, yet she could swear there was a hint of hurt, too.
¡°Should Ie with you?¡±
He fixed his eyes on Tess.
It seemed that ever since he¡¯d found Tess, she always avoided him whenever Finn was around.
So when he got the news about going to see Finn while driving her home, he felt a strange tightness in his chest.
¡°Sure.¡±
Tess answered without hesitation.
Her quick reply left Abel a little stunned.
¡°What?¡±
But before he could react, Tess had already opened the door and stepped out. ¡°If you¡¯rete, just stay in the car and don¡¯t bothering in.¡±
She gave her watch a shake.
A secondter, Abel practically jumped out of the driver¡¯s seat.
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Chapter 496 I Can¡¯t Stay Here For Long
He rushed after her like an eager assistant, even offering to carry Tess¡¯s bag.
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Watching his attentive attitude, Tess couldn¡¯t help but smile, thinking back on how silent he¡¯d been in the car.
Abel stayed right by her side, sneaking nces at her now and then. If their eyes happened to meet, he didn¡¯t wink or flirt like usual. Instead, he shyly looked away.
They¡¯de to a rather secluded spot in Aetheris. The restaurant was stylish and peaceful, but there were barely any customers.
Tess nced at Abel, who was quietly carrying her bag, her eyes flickering with thought.
Meanwhile, Abel kept walking, his heart still thumping.
He¡¯d grown up knowing he was at the very top of the pyramid¨Cmoney, power, and an ever- growing arrogance to match.
As the golden boy of Rumsford, he¡¯d lived most of his life not caring what anyone thought, but when Tess brought up Finn, he always got nervous.
He hadn¡¯t forgotten.
Back before Tess divorced Finn, she¡¯d made it clear he should keep his distance.
Even when Abel made his feelings obvious, she¡¯d always brushed him off, reminding him she was married to his uncle.
Abel¡¯s grip tightened on the bag.
¡°Tess.¡±
A deep voice sounded beside her ear.
Abel instinctively frowned, looking up to see Finn. He was dressed in all ck, sitting at the table ahead.
Zane stood behind him, and across from them sat an older woman who looked nervous and out of ce.
¡°Is this Tania?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t greet Finn right away. She looked straight at the woman, who kept swallowing nervously.
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Chapter 496 I Can¡¯t Stay Here For Long
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When Tania heard Tess call her name, she stood up so suddenly that her teacup rattled.
Seeing that, she grew even more frantic.
¡°Y¨CYes, I¡¯m Tania. Hello, miss.¡±
Tess noticed her anxiousness and gestured for her to sit.
Tania looked to Zane for reassurance, only sitting when he nodded.
¡°This is Ms. Ember. You answer to her now. If she has any questions, you answer them honestly, okay?¡±
Zane gave Tania a clear order.
She nodded right away.
Tess set her bag down and hesitated about where to sit.
The table was small, with just two seats on each side.
Tania took one, Finn took the other across from her.
¡°Uncle Finn, it¡¯s been a while.¡±
Abel¡¯s earlier gloom was gone, his eyes shining under the bright lights of the crystal chandelier above them.
He plopped down uninvited beside Finn.
Finn nced at the grinning Abel, and his expression darkened.
Naturally, Tess sat by Tania, which made the woman jump all over again.
With all these important people at her table, Tania was beyond nervous.
¡°Mr. Lock, Ms. Ember, I can¡¯t stay here for long. My employer will get suspicious.¡±
Tania finally mustered the courage to say it.
Tess understood. She nced over, ignoring the jasmine tea Finn offered.
Back at Evermount Vi, she used to start every day with a cup of jasmine tea, letting the fragrance fill the house.
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Chapter 496 I Can¡¯t Stay Here For Long
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¡°I¡¯ll just ask a few questions so that you can get back sooner. If you want, you can take the food with you.¡±
16:34 Wed, Nov 19 B
Chapter 497 Shannon is Pregnant Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of their meeting, Tess felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. The tension in the air was palpable as she navigated theplexities of her past with Finn while grappling with the unspoken feelings that lingered between her and Abel. Despite the unease that Finn¡¯s presence brought, Tess found a strangefort in Abel¡¯s unwavering support, his eagerness to stand by her side a stark contrast to the memories of her previous life. As she nced at Tania, the nervous neer, Tess recognized a reflection of her own anxieties¡ªan echo of the uncertainty that had clouded her decisions. Yet, in that moment, surrounded by both familiar faces and fresh beginnings, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her, a reminder that she was not alone in this journey.
Abel¡¯s presence, once a source of confusion, now felt like a beacon of warmth and possibility. As they navigated this delicate interaction, Tess realized that the weight of her past was not a burden she had to carry alone. The subtle nces they exchanged spoke volumes, hinting at a connection that was both fragile and profound. With each question she posed to Tania, Tess felt a step toward reiming her agency, a step away from the shadows of her former life. She could sense Abel¡¯s unwavering support, and it filled her with a newfound strength. As the chapter closed, Tess understood that while she couldn¡¯t stay in the past any longer, the future held the promise of healing and the potential for something beautiful, whether it was with Abel or within herself.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing Chapter 497, titled ¡°Shannon is Pregnant,¡± readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions and revtions that will leave them on the edge of their seats. With Tania¡¯s anxious demeanor still fresh in their minds, Tess is set to delve deeper into theplexities of her rtionships, especially with Finn and Abel. The tension at the table is palpable, and as Tess navigates her past with Finn, she must also confront her feelings for Abel, who is silently grappling with his own insecurities. Will Tania¡¯s revtions about her employer lead to unexpected consequences for Tess and those around her?
Moreover, the chapter promises to introduce a shocking twist that will change the dynamics between the characters. As the title suggests, Shannon¡¯s unexpected pregnancy will add anotheryer ofplexity to the already tangled web of rtionships. How will this news affect Tess¡¯s decisions moving forward? Will it bring her closer to Abel, or will it push her back into the shadows of her past? As secrets unravel and new challenges arise, readers will be left eagerly anticipating how these developments will shape the future of Tess and herpanions. Prepare for a chapter filled with suspense, emotional confrontations, and the possibility of new beginnings.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 497
Keepsake 497 Summary
In Chapter 497 of ¡°Keepsake 497,¡± Tess providesfort to Tania, who is anxious about recent developments involving the Embers. Tania is curious about why Nadine was sent to make peace with her, prompting Tess to delve into the situation. Tania reveals that there is a significant n involving the Larsons that could lead to substantial financial gain, which raises concerns for Tess as she suspects the Embers¡¯ actions are directed towards the Larsons.
As the conversation progresses, Tess learns that Nadine is currently hospitalized at Aetheris Memorial Hospital, a fact that brings a mix of emotions for her. She reflects on her previous actions, which led to Nadine¡¯s exposure of Max Hunt, and the swift retaliation that followed. The tension esctes when Finn, another character, unexpectedly asks if Shannon is pregnant, shifting the mood in the room. Zane confirms that Shannon has been pregnant for some time, but has been kept at home under the care of visiting doctors, which surprises Tess.
Tess processes this new information, realizing the implications of Shannon¡¯s pregnancy and how it connects to therger scheme involving Nadine. She contemtes the role of each character, particrly how Nadine has been treated as a pawn by the Embers. This revtion prompts Tess to reassess her understanding of the dynamics at y, especially regarding Henry¡¯s influence over Nadine and Shannon.
The chapter concludes with Tess attempting to lighten the mood by offering to cover Tania¡¯s dinner bill, but the atmosphere remains thick with tension as she prepares to ask one final question. The emotional weight of the situation hangs in the air, leaving both Tess and Tania on edge as they navigate theplexities of their rtionships and the unfolding drama surrounding them.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 497**
**Chapter 497: Shannon is Pregnant**
Tess offered Tania a reassuring nod, apanied by a warm smile that seemed to melt away the tension lingering in the air. It was a small gesture, yet it worked wonders to soothe Tania¡¯s frayed nerves.
¡°Alright then, just fire away with your questions. I promise, as long as I know the answer, I¡¯ll share everything with you,¡± Tess said, her voice steady and inviting.
Tania ced her hand over her chest, a gesture of emphasis that spoke volumes of her determination. ¡°Why did the Embers suddenly decide to send Nadine to make peace with me?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries; she dove straight into the heart of the matter.
At first, Tania appeared somewhat bewildered, her brow furrowing in thought.
¡°I¡¯m not really sure about that. My job usually revolves around cleaning the apartment, and they never bothered to conceal their discussions from me. But I did overhear something about a significant n¡ªsomething involving the Larsons and a chance to make a lot of money,¡± she replied, scratching her head in contemtion.
A significant n¡ Making a lot of money¡ And the Larsons are involved?
The implications of Tania¡¯s words began to swirl in Tess¡¯s mind, and she felt a frown forming on her lips as her expression turned grave.
From the very beginning, I suspected that Henry and Nadine¡¯s peculiar actions were somehow aimed at the Larsons. But what could they possibly do that would have any real impact on them?
Questions raced through Tess¡¯s mind like a relentless storm, each one more perplexing than thest, leaving her feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
Forcing herself to set aside her swirling doubts, Tess turned her focus back to Tania, eager for her next inquiry. ¡°Which hospital is Nadine at now?¡±
This question seemed to lighten the mood for Tania, who responded without hesitation. ¡°Aetheris Memorial Hospital.¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes slightly, mentally noting the information.
She had orchestrated Nadine¡¯s exposure of Max, ensuring that the truth would drive a wedge between them for good. However, she hadn¡¯t anticipated that Max Hunt¡¯s retaliation would be so swift.
Nadine had barely finished unveiling him before she found herself in a hospital bed.
Now that Tess was back with the Embers and Nadine was in distress, it was only logical that she would pay her a visit.
Tess weighed her options for the next question, feeling a twinge of hesitation creeping in.
I could probably unravel most of this on my own. And if it¡¯s something deeper, Henry and Shannon would certainly keep it hidden from someone like Tania. They¡¯re not naive.
¡°Is Shannon pregnant?¡±
Just as Tess posed the question, Finn¡¯s voice cut through the air, steady and low.
Tania, who had felt at ease while speaking with Tess, now shifted in her seat, her unease palpable as she faced Finn.
Tess frowned, ncing at Finn. He appeared unruffled, his demeanor calm andposed, while Zane rummaged through a folder he had discreetly pulled from behind him.
He ced it on the table, opening it for Tess to peruse. ¡°Ms. Ember, you asked me to keep an eye on Shannon earlier. Using surveince and location tracking, I found her at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Aetheris Primal Hospital.¡±
Zane pointed to the pertinent section in the file.
Tess leaned in, her eyes scanning the surveince photo that clearly captured Shannon¡¯s face.
Her gaze sharpened, and she felt a rush of emotions.
She looked back at Finn, who remained as inscrutable as ever, his dark eyes revealing nothing.
It was clear now why he had posed that question.
¡°Yes, the ma¡¯am has been pregnant for some time. However, Mr. Ember has insisted that she remain at home. Even her check-ups were primarily managed by doctors who visited the apartment,¡± Zane continued, his tone matter-of-fact.
Tania recalled how these people had yed a crucial role in saving her son¡¯s life, and she feltpelled to share everything she knew without holding back.
When Tess absorbed the confirmation, a slight easing of her frown indicated a shift in her thoughts.
No wonder.
Her fingers pressed into the edge of the papers, leaving a crease that mirrored the tension in her mind.
I can¡¯t believe Shannon is actually pregnant.
Her thoughts drifted to everything Henry had coerced Nadine into doingtely.
Tess narrowed her eyes once more, a sense of realization dawning upon her.
It seems Nadine was likely discarded by them long ago. She was merely a pawn, tossed aside when no longer useful.
¡°Alright, I understand,¡± Tess finally said, giving Tania a gentle nod while noticing her gaze wander to the untouched dishes on the table.
With a wave, she summoned a server to package the food, smiling warmly as she turned back to Tania. ¡°I heard your son is currently at Aetheris Primal Hospital? Was it Henry who arranged for his admission?¡±
After posing the question, she nced at Finn, adding, ¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯m having this food packed up for her. I hope you don¡¯t mind. Dinner¡¯s on me.¡±
Upon hearing that she intended to cover the bill, Finn¡¯s expression shifted slightly, a hint of displeasure crossing his face.
¡°Go ahead. I already had Zane settle the bill,¡± he replied, his tone neutral but firm.
Tess nodded, a grin breaking across her features. ¡°Mr. Lock, you truly are a gentleman.¡±
¡°Please pack all of this for her to take home,¡± she instructed the server, who readily agreed.
Just as a glimmer of joy illuminated Tania¡¯s face at the thought of taking the food home, Tess¡¯s final question caused her to freeze in ce, the atmosphere thickening with unspoken tension.Conclusion
As the weight of Tess¡¯s revtions settled in the air, a profound sense of rity began to emerge amidst the chaos of emotions swirling around her. Shannon¡¯s pregnancy, once a mere whisper of uncertainty, now loomedrge, intertwining with the fates of everyone involved. Tess¡¯s heart raced as she contemted the implications¡ªof love, betrayal, and the fragile bonds that held them all together. The realization that Nadine had been merely a pawn in a muchrger game ignited a fire within her,pelling her to protect those she cared for, even as the shadows of deceit threatened to engulf them. The warmth of her earlier connection with Tania now felt like a lifeline, a reminder that in this tangled web of alliances and secrets,passion could still prevail.
In that moment, Tess understood that her mission extended beyond mere survival; it was about ensuring a future for Shannon and her unborn child, a future that would not be marred by the machinations of the Embers or the Larsons. The tension in the room shifted as she resolved to confront the challenges ahead with unwavering determination. With a newfound sense of purpose, Tess turned to Tania, who had be an unexpected ally in this unfolding drama. Together, they would navigate the treacherous waters of their entwined destinies, forging a path toward hope and redemption. As the server prepared the food for Tania, Tess felt a flicker of optimism ignite within her, signaling that perhaps, against all odds, they could emerge from this turmoil stronger than ever.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of **Keepsake 497**, readers can expect a whirlwind of revtions as Tess delves deeper into the tangled web of rtionships and secrets surrounding Shannon¡¯s unexpected pregnancy. With the confirmation of Shannon¡¯s condition hanging heavily in the air, Tess must navigate the delicate dynamics between the Embers, Nadine, and the Larsons. What are the true implications of Shannon¡¯s pregnancy for the future of the Ember family? As Tess grapples with her newfound knowledge, she will be forced to confront the motives of those around her, especially Henry, whose actions may have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.
Tension will escte as Tess makes her way to Aetheris Primal Hospital, where Shannon is being kept under the watchful eye of those who have their own agendas. Will she be able to uncover the truth about the Embers¡¯ ns and their connection to the Larsons? As she pieces together the fragments of information, the stakes will rise, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. Expect unexpected alliances, hidden agendas, and a race against time as Tess strives to protect those she cares about while unraveling the mystery behind the Embers¡¯ significant n. Each revtion will bring her closer to understanding the perilous game being yed, and the choices she makes could alter the course of their lives forever.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 498
Keepsake 498 Summary
In Chapter 498 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± Tania is filled with anxiety as she interacts with Tess, who is trying to reassure her despite the tense atmosphere at the table. Tania feels the weight of scrutiny from everyone present, especially from Finn and Abel, as she nervously shares how Mr. Ember offered her a way to get her son treated at a hospital in exchange for her help as a maid. The situation is emotionally charged for Tania, who is desperate to care for her son but feels the pressure of the moment.
As the conversation unfolds, Tania is relieved when Tess offers her takeout food to take home, and she quickly leaves the restaurant, feeling a bit of the burden lift off her shoulders. However, instead of returning directly to her apartment, she decides to visit her son in the hospital, cherishing the special time she has each week to see him. This decision highlights her deep love andmitment to her child, even amidst her struggles.
Meanwhile, Tess is seenmunicating with someone named Lyra, indicating her own hidden motives as she seeks to track Tania¡¯s son¡¯s hospital room. The chapter shifts to Finn¡¯s perspective, revealing his internal conflict as he reacts to Tess¡¯s calm demeanor. He feels a mix of concern and jealousy, particrly when he notices the emerald bracelet Tess is wearing, which is tied to the Larsons. His urgent question about what the Larsons said to Tess adds tension to the scene, suggesting that there are deeper connections and unresolved feelings at y.
Tess¡¯s response to Finn¡¯s inquiry reflects her desire to maintain boundaries after their divorce, but the mention of the braceletplicates matters further. Abel¡¯s yful demeanor contrasts with the underlying tension between Finn and Tess, creating a charged atmosphere as they navigate theirplicated rtionships. The chapter ends with an unresolved tension, leaving readers curious about the implications of the Larsons and the significance of the bracelet, as well as the future of the characters¡¯ intertwined lives.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 498 What Did the Larsons Say to You?
Chapter 498 What Did the Larsons Say to You?
Tania looked at the woman before her nervously.
Even though Tess was smiling, Tania still felt an unexinable sense of distance.
She gripped her hands together under the table, her fingers twisting anxiously.
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Tess kept her smile and even patted Tania gently on the shoulder, signaling her to rx. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m just asking. Of course, I wouldn¡¯t do anything to your son.¡±
Tania nced around the table and saw everyone¡¯s eyes on her. Finn¡¯s gaze was cold as ice, and Abel¡¯s gaze was yful and mischievous. Only Tess¡¯s gaze was truly gentle.
Zane picked up on the tense atmosphere, gave Tania a look, and cleared his throat.
¡°Just answer whatever Ms. Ember asks.¡±
He repeated the instruction.
Tania bit her lip, lowered her head, and mumbled, ¡°Okay.
¡°About two weeks ago, Mr. Ember suddenly found me in Krigan and said he could get my son treated at a big hospital in Aetheris. All I needed to do was work as a maid for a few days and help take care of someone.¡±
Feeling the pressure all around, she answered much more thoroughly this time.
Tess nodded in understanding.
Just then, the server came over with the takeout containers.
¡°Sir, miss, it¡¯s all packed up.¡±
The table was soon cleared, leaving a pile of takeout containers.
¡°You take these home,¡± Tess told Tania, pushing the boxes toward her.
Tania nced at Zane for approval. When he nodded, she hurried to thank Tess and left.
It wasn¡¯t until she stepped out of the restaurant that she finally felt like she could breathe again, the weight on her back lifting a little.
Tania gged down a cab but didn¡¯t head straight back to the apartment.
16:35 Wed, Nov 19 B
Chapter 498 What Did the Larsons Say to You?
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Even though Henry had warned her repeatedly not to stay out too long, today was her special day¨Cevery week, she was allowed two hours to visit her son in the hospital.
She nned to bring the packed food along for her son to try.
Thinking this, Tania settled into the back seat of the cab.
Tess pulled her gaze back from the window, lowered her head, and tapped out a message to Lyra.
¡°Have Raven get someone to follow her. I need to know exactly which hospital room her son is in for treatment.¡±
A reply came quickly. ¡°Got it.¡±
Only then did Tess put away her phone and look up.
¡°Thank you.¡±
She said it earnestly to Finn.
After all, now that they were divorced, the fact that he was still helping out could only be seen as an act of goodwill.
Finn looked at Tess¡¯s calm expression and felt like an invisible hand was squeezing his heart.
He pressed his lips together in silence.
Tess noticed his silence and, figuring the mood was already awkward, nodded slightly and prepared to leave.
Abel caught her movement, his eyes lighting up as he got ready to follow her out.
¡°Wait.¡±
But just as Tess was about to leave, Finn spoke up.
She had no choice but to stop and look back at him.
¡°I heard the Larsons sent someone here?¡±
Finn raised his eyes to Tess, but his gaze kept drifting toward Abel.
From what he¡¯d heard, it was Abel who brought the Larsons over.
74
Chapter 498 What Did the Larsons Say to You?
When Tess heard the question, she frowned.
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After all, it had nothing to do with him. She wasn¡¯t obligated to answer that question. But since she¡¯d asked for his help not long ago, it didn¡¯t seem right to just brush him off.
¡°Yeah.¡± She picked up the file on the table. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed at the slight movement of her hand.
He stared hard at her slim, fair wrist¨Cthere was an emerald bracelet on it.
That emerald bracelet was the Larsons¡® heirloom, only given to their heiress!
He looked up, his usually cold, expressionless eyes suddenly stormy, like an undercurrent beneath calm waters.
¡°What did the Larsons say to you? Did they ask you to go back to them?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was sharp with urgency.
Tess paused, her back still to him, brows furrowing.
Why would Finn ask that?
She remembered the way he¡¯d just stared at her. She looked down and saw the bracelet on her wrist.
Is this bracelet really just an ordinary emerald like Grandma said? If that was true, why did everyone react so strongly to it? If it were just Kylie, that would make sense. She might just be jealous for Nadine¡¯s sake. But why would Finn care?
Tess couldn¡¯t help touching the bracelet, feeling the coolness at her fingertips.
¡°Uncle Finn, you two are already divorced. These questions are getting too personal.¡±
Abel stepped forward, slinging an arm around Tess¡¯s shoulders and shing Finn a cheeky grin.
His attitude and posture were totally rxed, almost yful, as if he didn¡¯t have a care in the world. But there was a sh of sharpness in his eyes as he locked gazes with Finn, the tension between them palpable. Conclusion
As Tania stepped out of the restaurant, the weight of the tense conversation began to lift from her shoulders, reced by a flicker of hope. The act of bringing food to her son felt like a small yet significant step toward reiming a sense of normalcy in her chaotic life. The kindness shown by Tess, despite the underlying tension, reminded her that there were still people willing to help. With each passing moment in the cab, she allowed herself to dream of brighter days ahead, where her son would be healthy and the shadows of uncertainty would fade. This moment of respite, however fleeting, was a reminder that even in the darkest times, there could be glimmers of light.
Meanwhile, the emotional undercurrents swirling around Tess and Finn signaled a deeper struggle beneath their seemingly resolved rtionship. Finn¡¯s sharp inquiry about the Larsons revealed a vulnerability that contradicted his usual stoic demeanor, hinting at unresolved feelings and lingering attachments. Tess¡¯s hesitation in responding reflected her own internal conflict, caught between her past with Finn and her present choices. As Abel¡¯s yful demeanor provided a momentary distraction, the tension between Finn and Tess lingered, suggesting that their paths were still intertwined in ways neither of them fully understood. In this chapter of their lives, the emotional stakes were high, with the potential for healing or further heartbreak hanging in the bnce.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Tess and Finn to escte, as the implications of the Larsons¡¯ heirloom bracelet weigh heavily on their interactions. Finn¡¯s urgent questioning hints at deeper connections and unresolved feelings that could unravel the fragile peace between them. What secrets lie behind the heirloom, and why does Finn¡¯s demeanor shift so drastically at its mere mention? As Tess grapples with the unsettling realization of her bracelet¡¯s significance, the stakes are raised¡ªboth for her personal life and her rtionship with Finn.
Meanwhile, Tania¡¯s journey to the hospital with her son takes center stage, promising a poignant exploration of her struggles and hopes. Will she encounter unexpected challenges that could jeopardize her ns, or will this visit bring the relief and joy she desperately seeks? As she navigates theplexities of her situation, the narrative will delve into her emotionalndscape, revealing her resilience and determination. The chapter is poised to intertwine these narratives, creating a rich tapestry of suspense and anticipation that will leave readers eager for the next twist in this intricate story.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 499
Keepsake 499 Summary
In Chapter 499 of ¡°Keepsake 499,¡± Tess stands at a critical juncture between two men, Abel and Finn, feeling the tension in the air. As she takes Abel¡¯s hand and pulls him away, Finn is left in a state of shock, grappling with the realization that he has lost the right to ask Tess to stay with him. This moment is filled with emotional turmoil for Finn, who feels a profound sense of loss as he watches Tess move further away from him, both physically and emotionally.
Zane, observing Finn¡¯s distress, attempts to redirect the conversation by mentioning the significance of an emerald bracelet belonging to the Larsons, which Tess might inherit. This revtion brings a heavy weight to Finn¡¯s heart, as it implies Tess may leave Aetheris for Kingnd, a ce where he fears she might not return. Finn¡¯s internal struggle is palpable as he contemtes the implications of losing Tess forever, raising questions about his own feelings of inadequacy and helplessness.
As the chapter progresses, Zane provides Finn with updates on his investigation, which momentarily lifts the cloud of despair hanging over him. Finn¡¯s focus shifts back to his work, revealing his determination to regain control over his circumstances. Hismand to Zane to keep tabs on a pianist connected to the Embers indicates his growing resolve to uncover the truth and protect his interests, despite the emotional turmoil he is experiencing.
Meanwhile, Tania arrives at the hospital, filled with anticipation but also a sense of envy as she observes a well-dressed woman rushing by. This moment serves as a stark reminder of the different paths the characters are on, with Tania¡¯s excitement contrasting sharply with Finn¡¯s despair. The chapter culminates in a poignant exchange between Kylie and Nadine, where Nadine¡¯s question about Tess¡¯s return underscores the uncertainty and longing that permeates the narrative. Kylie¡¯s response is tinged with sadness, reflecting theplex dynamics of family ties and the weight of unfulfilled promises.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 499**
**Chapter 499: Did Tess Say She¡¯d Come Home?**
Tess felt the palpable tension crackle in the air as she stood between the two men, a sense of urgency coursing through her veins.
¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± shemanded, her voice low but firm.
With a sharp re directed at Abel, she took hold of his hand, pulling him away from the scene.
Finn stood frozen, his heart racing as he contemted calling her back, a desperate plea forming on his lips. But as he caught sight of their intertwined fingers, the words evaporated before they could escape. In that fleeting moment, a stark realization hit him¡ªhe no longer had the right to ask her to stay.
Was it true? Had he truly lost every reason to cling to her?
Zane, ever observant, noted the way Finn¡¯s usuallyposed demeanor faltered, as if a heavy weight had settled upon his shoulders. The air around him shifted, thickening with an unspoken sorrow.
¡°Mr. Lock, is there something significant about that emerald bracelet?¡± Zane ventured, attempting to disrupt the heavy silence and draw Finn back from his spiraling thoughts.
Finn¡¯s gaze dropped, his thickshes casting shadows over his eyes, obscuring the turmoil within.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally lifted his gaze, revealing eyes that seemed unfocused, lost in a fog of confusion. A flicker of panic danced within their depths.
¡°That¡¯s the Larsons¡¯ heirloom,¡± he murmured, his voice heavy with implication. ¡°It¡¯s only given to their heiress.¡±
The weight of his words hung in the air. If Tess were to be the Larsons¡¯ sessor, it would mean a departure to Kingnd¡ªan unfamiliar ce far removed from Aetheris. And knowing Tess, she likely wouldn¡¯t return. The thought gnawed at him; if he ever hoped to see her again, he wouldn¡¯t even have an adequate reason to reach out.
Zane, catching the depth of Finn¡¯s concern etched across his features, tried to offer a glimmer of reassurance.
¡°Mr. Lock, Mrs. Lock is still consumed by her quest for revenge against the Embers and Shannon. She¡¯s definitely going to remain in Aetheris for the time being,¡± he said, hoping to lighten the burden resting on Finn¡¯s shoulders.
Finn¡¯s eyes flickered, a spark of acknowledgment igniting within him as he processed Zane¡¯s words.
There was still time. He still had a chance.
¡°I asked you to restore the deleted security footage from a year ago. Any updates?¡± Finn inquired, his tone shifting back to its usual sharpness, the cloud of gloom dissipating as he focused on the task at hand.
Zane straightened, adopting a more formal demeanor. ¡°The professionals reported that the security system and some internal systems were tampered with, but the experts are on it. We should have all the footage back in a few days.¡±
Finn nodded, his expression resolute. ¡°Make it fast. And what about the man I asked you to investigate?¡±
Without pausing, Finn strode forward, his pace quickening as he fired off his questions.
Zane hesitated, then recalled Finn¡¯s earlier inquiry. ¡°He appears to be a world-renowned pianist, L.¡±
¡°A pianist?¡± Finn¡¯s brow furrowed, a fierce intensity radiating from him, sharp enough to cut through steel.
¡°Yes, and it seems this pianist¡¯s grandfather was quite close with Ms. Ember¡¯s grandmother,¡± Zane replied, noting the way Finn halted mid-stride, as if struck by a sudden revtion.
For a fleeting moment, Finn envisioned a tall, dignified old man standing before him, the air thick with history and unspoken connections.
Hisshes fluttered as he pressed his lips into a thin line, then issued a newmand. ¡°Since he¡¯s in Aetheris, keep tabs on him.¡±
Ever since Tess had departed, it felt as though the people surrounding her only multiplied, each new presence a reminder of her absence.
With his hand clenched tightly at his side, Finn moved with purpose, his brisk pace a testament to his growing agitation.
Zane, bewildered yet acutely aware of the anger emanating from his boss, scratched his head in confusion but hurried to keep up.
As they exited the building, the setting sun painted the sky in fiery hues of red, a stark contrast to the turmoil within Finn.
Meanwhile, Tania had arrived at Aetheris Primal Hospital, her heart racing with anticipation.
¡°Nadine, Mom¡¯s almost there,¡± she spoke into her phone, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and concern.
Just as she stepped out of the cab, her gaze fell upon a well-dressed woman rushing by, worry etched across her features.
Tania felt a pang of envy but quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to draw attention to herself or invite any trouble.
Kylie, oblivious to the world around her, hurried inside, her focus solely on her destination.
¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Kylie?¡± Raven remarked as she pulled up nearby, her purpose solely to keep an eye on Tania. The unexpected sight of Kylie caught her off guard.
¡°She¡¯s probably here to see Nadine. Should we inform Tess?¡± Raven turned to Lyra, seeking her input.
Lyra hesitated, contemting the implications. ¡°You follow Tania. I¡¯ll check on Kylie and the others. We can update Tesster,¡± she decided, and Raven nodded in agreement.
The two women parted ways as soon as they exited the car, each on their own mission.
Knock, knock.
Kylie rapped lightly on the hospital room door before pushing it open.
Upon seeing her, Nadine¡¯s pale face brightened with a weak smile. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re here.¡±
Kylie rushed to her side, taking Nadine¡¯s hand in hers, warmth flooding her heart. ¡°Of course. If I hadn¡¯t needed to wait at the vi to see Tess today, I would have spent the entire day by your side at the hospital.¡±
A strange look flickered across Nadine¡¯s face at the mention of Tess. She tugged gently on her mother¡¯s sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Mom, did Tess say she¡¯de home?¡±
The question caught Kylie off guard, her heart sinking at the thought of Tess. ¡°Yeah,¡± she replied, her tone darkening as she bent down to adjust Nadine¡¯s nket. ¡°Your dad mentioned that she¡¯s still a daughter of the Embers. As for her promise to handle things with the media, your dad said he¡¯d take care of it, so she doesn¡¯t have to worry about it anymore.¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of Tess¡¯s departure, the air hung heavy with unspoken emotions, weaving a tapestry of longing and unresolved connections. Finn¡¯s heart raced as he grappled with the reality of her absence, the intertwining threads of their lives now frayed and uncertain. The weight of the emerald bracelet loomed over him, a symbol of Tess¡¯s potential departure into a life that might not include him. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a flicker of hope ignited within him as he recognized that time still lingered¡ªhe still had a chance to reach out, to reim what felt irretrievably lost. Finn¡¯s determination surged, propelling him forward as he shifted his focus to the task at hand, a reminder that even in the face of heartache, purpose could reignite the path ahead.
Meanwhile, Kylie¡¯s heart sank at Nadine¡¯s innocent question, a stark reminder of the rift that had formed in their family. The mention of Tess stirred aplex mix of emotions within her¡ªlove, worry, and a sense of helplessness. As she adjusted Nadine¡¯s nket, she felt the weight of her daughter¡¯s absence like a specter hovering over them. The promise of Tess¡¯s return felt fragile, overshadowed by the realities of her ties to the Embers and the responsibilities that beckoned her away. Yet, in that moment, Kylie resolved to keep hope alive, to nurture the bond that still connected them despite the distance. As they sat together in the hospital room, the flickering light of familial love shone through the uncertainty, a testament to the enduring strength of their rtionships, even when tested by the trials of life.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the narrative unfolds in the next chapter, readers will be drawn deeper into the tangled web of emotions and secrets that bind Tess, Finn, and the others. With the stakes rising, Finn¡¯s determination to uncover the truth behind the security footage and the enigmatic pianist will lead him down a path fraught with unexpected revtions. Will he discover connections that could change everything he thought he knew about Tess and her past? The tension between Finn and Abel will also simmer, as both men grapple with their feelings for Tess, setting the stage for confrontations that could alter their rtionships forever.
Meanwhile, Tania¡¯s journey to the hospital takes on a new urgency as she navigates her own feelings of jealousy and concern. The introduction of Kylie and Nadine adds anotheryer ofplexity, hinting at family dynamics that mayplicate Tess¡¯s situation even further. Will Kylie¡¯s hopes for Tess to return home be dashed by the realities of their tumultuous lives? As Raven and Lyra embark on their own missions, the narrative will weave together multiple threads, leading to a climactic moment that promises to unveil hidden truths and challenge loyalties. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster as the characters confront their pasts and fight for their futures in the next gripping chapter of *Keepsake 499*.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 500
Keepsake 500 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 500: Mom, You¡¯re the Best,¡± the story unfolds with Kylie expressing her deep frustration and betrayal over the Larsons¡¯ decision to give an heirloom emerald bracelet to Tess, a girl they barely know, instead of her. Kylie¡¯s icy tone reveals her emotional turmoil as she grapples with feelings of rejection from her own family, who seem to favor Tess over her. Nadine, Kylie¡¯s daughter, tries to lighten the mood but is quickly drawn into the intensity of Kylie¡¯s emotions, leading to a confrontation about the fairness of the situation.
As Kylie reveals her anger about the Larsons¡¯ choice, Nadine¡¯s disbelief grows. She struggles to understand why Tess, a stranger, would be treated as an heiress after only one encounter, especially when Kylie has been a loyal member of the family. The tension esctes as Kylie coughs from the force of her emotions, while Nadine desperately seeks answers and feels the weight of jealousy and inadequacy inparison to Tess. The conversation shifts as Nadine confronts Kylie about her sacrifices for love and the implications of Tess¡¯s newfound status.
The emotional conflict peaks when Nadine urges Kylie to reconsider the Larsons¡¯ decision regarding Tess. Nadine¡¯s heartfelt plea emphasizes her own struggles and the sacrifices Kylie made, highlighting theplexity of family dynamics and love. Kylie¡¯s internal battle culminates in a moment of resolution, where she reassures Nadine of her ce in her heart, promising to address the situation with the Larsons. This moment of connection between mother and daughter brings a wave of relief and affection, showcasing the strength of their bond amidst the chaos.
Meanwhile, Lyra, an observer of the situation, finds amusement in the unfolding drama. Her cold demeanor contrasts sharply with the emotional turmoil within the hospital room, as she notes Kylie¡¯s determination to ensure fairness between her biological and adopted daughters. Lyra¡¯s reaction underscores theplexities of family rtionships and the societal expectations surrounding inheritance and love. The chapter ends with a sense of unresolved tension as Raven, a new character, inquires about the oue of the encounter, leaving readers curious about the future implications of this family conflict.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 500: Mom, You¡¯re the Best**
Kylie¡¯s voice sliced through the air with an icy detachment, as if she were recounting the exploits of a stranger rather than expressing her own feelings. The only hint of emotion that crept into her tone was a deep-seated disgust, a visceral reaction to the situation at hand.
Nadine, ever the peacemaker, picked up on Kylie¡¯s discontent and attempted to infuse the atmosphere with a lighter spirit. She offered a tentative smile, her brow furrowed with concern. ¡°Mom, that¡¯s just how it goes sometimes. But really, you shouldn¡¯t let seeing Tess get to you like this. Did she do something to upset you again?¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes were filled with worry as she searched Kylie¡¯s face for answers, hoping to find a glimmer of reassurance.
But when Kylie¡¯s gaze met hers, the bitterness within her erupted, spilling out uncontrobly.
¡°The Larsons came over! They¡¯re my family, yet every single one of them chose Tess, a girl they¡¯d only just met! They even gave her that emerald bracelet¡ªthe Larsons¡¯ heirloom, meant for their heiress!¡±
Kylie¡¯s voice rose, her anger igniting as her eyes glistened with unshed tears, the kind thate from deep frustration and betrayal.
¡°What?¡±
The moment those words reached Nadine¡¯s ears, the calmposure she had been holding onto shattered. She felt a surge of tension course through her body, her heart racing.
¡°The emerald bracelet meant for the Larsons¡¯ heiress? Mom, are you absolutely sure about this? Why on earth would they give something so precious to Tess?¡±
Disbeliefced her voice, urgency and frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
How could this be fair?
Tess had been a stranger to the Larsons until now. How could she suddenly be elevated to the status of their heiress after just a single encounter?
¡°How would I know?! Aunt Olivia and Uncle Benjamin must have lost their minds! How could they so carelessly hand over that kind of legacy?¡±
Kylie¡¯s fury was palpable, so intense that it sent her into a fit of coughing, her body shaking with the force of her emotions.
Nadine sat there, frozen on the edge of the bed, her mind racing in a haze of disbelief. She was so overwhelmed that she barely registered Kylie¡¯s coughing fit.
¡°Mom, you know what that emerald bracelet signifies. Didn¡¯t you even try to stop them?¡±
With a sense of desperation, she clutched Kylie¡¯s arm, her heart pounding as she sought answers.
Kylie clenched her jaw, her frustration boiling over. ¡°Of course, I tried! But your dad stopped me!¡±
The mention of Henry snapped Nadine back to reality, her jealousy momentarily giving way to rity.
She tightened her grip on the nket, her knuckles turning white.
Henry must have intervened because, if Tess truly inherited the Larsons¡¯ fortune, he would stand to gain the most as her biological father.
But¡
Nadine¡¯s eyes turned steely, her heart hardening.
She couldn¡¯t ept this reality!
Throughout her life, she had received all the love and affection from her parents, while Tess had been left to navigate a lonely existence with Gillian.
So why?
Why did Tess get to marry Finn, the wealthiest man in Aetheris? Even after their divorce, she still had a parade of suitors vying for her attention. And now, the Larsons wanted her to inherit their fortune too?
Why was she so fortunate? Just because she was Kylie¡¯s biological daughter, did that mean Nadine could never measure up?
A thousand gnawing doubts burrowed into Nadine¡¯s heart, driving her to the brink of madness.
¡°Mom, do the Larsons even realize what kind of person Tess truly is?¡±
With a sudden burst of emotion, Nadine yanked Kylie¡¯s arm, as if trying to expose the bruises hidden beneath the heavy bandages wrapped around her slender limbs.
Her arm bore the marks of past struggles, a testament to the pain she had endured.
¡°Mom, I know you sacrificed everything to be with Dad. You even distanced yourself from the Larsons for him, but you¡¯re still part of that family. Tess is your biological daughter, and while she may deserve their kindness, making her the heiress is a decision you must reconsider!¡±
Nadine¡¯s gaze was earnest, reflecting a genuine concern for the future of the Larsons as she spoke.
Kylie felt a wave of conflict wash over her, the weight of her choices pressing down heavily.
She pressed her lips together, wrestling with an internal battle that seemed almost insurmountable.
¡°Yes, I¡¯m a Larson too, and I can¡¯t just stand by and watch Tess jeopardize the family¡¯s legacy.¡± After what felt like an eternity, Kylie finally seemed to arrive at a resolution. She nodded decisively, her expression softening as she reached out to Nadine, patting her hand affectionately. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sweetheart, I¡¯ll talk to them. You don¡¯t need to stress so much.¡±
¡°And even though Tess is my biological daughter, you will always be the one I cherish the most. If the Larsons truly wish to give her something, I promise you¡¯ll receive your fair share as well.¡±
¡°Mom¡ you¡¯re the best.¡±
As those words left Kylie¡¯s lips, Nadine felt a rush of emotions swell within her. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she threw herself into her mother¡¯s embrace, her pride momentarily set aside.
Meanwhile, Lyra observed the entire scene through the ss window of the hospital room, her expression a mask of cold amusement.
She turned away, a smirk curling at the corners of her lips.
Unbelievable.
Kylie was determined not to let her biological daughter enjoy any of the good fortune that came her way. If Tess received something nice, Kylie insisted that her adopted daughter share in it as well.
I¡¯ve never seen anything quite like this.
Lyra scoffed internally,mitted the room number to memory, and slipped away quietly.
Just as she exited Nadine¡¯s room and stepped into the elevator, she collided with Raven, who was ascending from the lobby to meet her.
¡°How did it go?¡± Raven inquired, stepping out of the elevator with a curious expression. ¡°Did you manage to find Nadine¡¯s room?¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, a fragile truce emerged between Kylie and Nadine, woven together by threads of love and shared pain. The tumultuous emotions that had surged through them began to settle, reced by a tentative understanding. Kylie, in her moment of rity, reaffirmed the deep bond she shared with Nadine, promising that her affection would never be overshadowed by Tess¡¯s newfound status. This promise, though born out of conflict, served as a reminder of theplexities of family ties, illustrating that love can coexist with jealousy and rivalry. As they embraced, the weight of their struggles began to lift, allowing space for healing and reaffirmation of their unique connection.
Yet, outside the sanctuary of their reconciliation, shadows loomed. Lyra¡¯s cold amusement hinted at the lurking dangers that still threatened their fragile peace. The dynamics of family and loyalty were far from simple, and the specter of Tess¡¯s inheritance hung heavily in the air, casting doubt on the sincerity of promises made. While Kylie and Nadine found sce in each other, the specter ofpetition and resentment lingered, suggesting that the battle for eptance and love was far from over. As the chapter closed, the emotional arc of their rtionship hinted at both hope and uncertainty, leaving the reader to ponder the true meaning of family in the face of adversity and rivalry.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Keepsake 500*, tensions will undoubtedly escte as Kylie prepares to confront the Larsons about their shocking decision regarding Tess. With her emotions still raw from the revtion, Kylie must navigate the treacherous waters of family loyalty and the delicate bnce of her rtionships. Will she stand firm in her determination to protect Nadine¡¯s ce in the Larson legacy, or will her maternal instincts toward Tess cloud her judgment? As the stakes rise, readers can expect a gripping exploration of family dynamics, jealousy, and the lengths one will go to secure their loved ones¡¯ futures.
Meanwhile, Lyra¡¯s cold amusement hints at a deeper, more sinister agenda. As she observes the unfolding drama, her motives remain shrouded in mystery, leaving readers to ponder what role she will y in the conflict. Will she manipte the situation to her advantage, or does she have her own score to settle? With Raven now on the scene, the potential for alliances and betrayals grows, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation that could alter the course of the Larson family forever. The next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of emotions, revtions, and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 501
Keepsake 501 Summary
In Chapter 501 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Bracelet,¡± Raven and her friends are caught up in a whirlwind of excitement and concern as they uncover the whereabouts of Tania and Nadine. Raven, brimming with enthusiasm, reveals that they have followed Tania and discovered unexpected information about Nadine¡¯s condition in the hospital. Tess, who is multitasking with her baby, listens intently as Raven shares the news, leading to a moment of realization about the connections between the characters.
As the conversation unfolds, it bes clear that Tania¡¯s son is in a dire situation, and Henry has stepped in, iming to help by securing a hospital room for the boy. However, Raven reveals the troubling truth that Henry¡¯s promises of top-tier care are nothing but deceit. This revtion casts a dark shadow over the group¡¯s perception of Henry, highlighting his maniptive nature and raising questions about his true intentions. Tess¡¯s concern grows as she grapples with the implications of Henry¡¯s actions, especially considering the child¡¯s suffering.
The tension esctes when Lyra brings up the significance of a bracelet that Tess possesses, which symbolizes the heir status of the Larsons. The discussion reveals Kylie¡¯s ulterior motives in wanting to reim the bracelet for her own benefit, furtherplicating the already fraught dynamics among the characters. Tess¡¯s determination solidifies as she contemtes the implications of Kylie¡¯s im, igniting a fierce resolve to protect Nadine¡¯s interests against those who would exploit her.
As the chapter concludes, the atmosphere shifts from intense discussion to a more light-hearted moment when Abel announces dinner, momentarily breaking the tension. However, the weight of their earlier conversation lingers, leaving the characters acutely aware of theplex web of rtionships and motivations that bind them together. The chapter captures a blend of excitement, concern, and determination as the characters navigate their intertwined fates.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 501: The Bracelet**
¡°Found it! But what¡¯s the scoop on Tania?¡±
With a mischievous grin, Raven spun her phone between her fingers, excitement radiating from her. ¡°I¡¯ve got the whole thing on video. Let¡¯s get moving. Tania¡¯s likely on her way back to Nadine¡¯s apartment by now.¡±
Without wasting a moment, they hurriedly climbed into the car, the engine roaring to life as they sped away.
Once they settled into their seats, Raven dialed Tess, anticipation bubbling in her voice.
¡°We followed Tania,¡± she announced, her toneced with thrill. ¡°And we stumbled upon something quite unexpected, too.¡±
Meanwhile, Tess was multitasking, carefully spooning baby food into La¡¯s mouth while listening intently to her friend¡¯s animated voice on the other end. ¡°Unexpected? Don¡¯t tell me you actually found Nadine?¡± she teased, feigning ignorance.
¡°How did you guess?!¡± Raven responded, her surprise palpable.
Tess chuckled softly, amusement dancing in her eyes.
After all, they had just been at the hospital, and even if she didn¡¯t know the exact room, she was well aware that Nadine was receiving treatment at Aetheris Primal Hospital.
¡°You must have seen Kylie visiting her, right?¡± Tess asked, her voice calm and assured, as if she had already pieced together the puzzle.
Raven¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief, her expression aical mix of shock and realization.
Lyra couldn¡¯t help butugh at Raven¡¯s reaction. Taking the phone from her friend, she chimed in, ¡°Nadine¡¯s in room 8, a private ward on the fifth floor of Aetheris Primal Hospital.¡±
¡°And Tania¡¯s son is on the seventh floor, room 45¡ªa shared ward,¡± Raven added, her voice tinged with urgency.
Tess set the utensils down, wiping La¡¯s mouth with a napkin before responding. ¡°Did you two uncover anything else?¡±
Lyra and Raven exchanged a knowing nce, a silent conversation passing between them.
Raven took the lead, her voice steady. ¡°From what you gathered from Tania earlier, it seems Henry is ying the role of the hero. Her son was badly injured and needed immediate care. That¡¯s when Henry swooped in, iming he could use his connections to secure a spot for the boy at Aetheris Primal Hospital.¡±
The gravity of the situation settled in.
Aetheris Primal and Lock Group Private were the city¡¯s leading hospitals, renowned for their cutting-edge technology, expert doctors, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Henry had even arranged for Tania¡¯s son to be admitted free of charge.
Yet, the Embers were struggling, teetering on the brink of financial ruin, contemting the sale of family assets just to make ends meet. It was baffling that Henry would suddenly show such generosity.
¡°He can¡¯t genuinely be trying to help that kid, can he?¡± Tess mused, her brow furrowed in concern as she handed La over to Bessie and retreated to the study with her phone.
¡°Exactly,¡± Raven replied, her eyes narrowing in disdain. ¡°When Tania visited her son, I overheard some nurses chatting.
¡°Turns out, Henry merely got the boy a room. All those promises he made¡ªtop-tier doctors, cutting-edge equipment¡ªwere nothing but empty lies. If they had initiated proper treatment two weeks ago, the child might have had a fighting chance. But now, with this sham of care, he¡¯s essentially beyond hope.¡±
An oppressive silence enveloped the conversation as Raven¡¯s words hung heavily in the air.
Tess pressed her lips into a thin line, her heart constricting with worry.
She had always perceived Henry as self-serving and maniptive, but the thought that he would allow a child to suffer just to secure someone innocent enough to care for Shannon was unfathomable.
¡°Try reaching out to the hospital,¡± Tess suggested quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°See if there¡¯s still a chance for him to receive real treatment.¡±
Though Raven was skeptical, she nodded in agreement.
¡°Tess,¡± Lyra interjected suddenly, breaking the heavy silence that had settled.
¡°I overheard something outside Nadine¡¯s room. That bracelet you have¡ªit seems to symbolize the Larsons¡¯ heir status. Kylie and Nadine were discussing how to reim it from the Larsons. Kylie even mentioned wanting Nadine to gain some benefits from the Larsons as well.¡±
Her tone turned icy, each word dripping with disdain.
When she finished, an eerie silence enveloped the conversation, both on the line and in the room around them.
After a long pause, Tess let out a short, humorlessugh, her gaze dropping to the bracelet resting against her wrist.
Though she hadn¡¯t fully grasped its significance, the reactions of those around her hinted at its importance. The fact that the Larsons had bestowed it upon her after a single encounter was almost unbelievable.
Her expression hardened, determination recing uncertainty.
Kylie wants to stake a im on Nadine¡¯s share of the Larsons¡¯ fortune?
A foster daughter like her? What right does she have to demand anything?
¡°I understand,¡± Tess replied coldly, her voice sharp enough to slice through the tension in the air.
Raven and Lyra exchanged nces, a shared glimmer of satisfaction lighting their eyes.
Nadine and Kylie¡ªone was cunning, while the other remained blissfully unaware. Whatever unfolded next, they had both set the wheels in motion for their own downfall.
¡°Tess, dinner¡¯s ready!¡±
A voice rang out from the kitchen, breaking the charged atmosphere.
On the other end of the line, Lyra and Raven froze momentarily, their eyes wide as they exchanged concerned looks. Abel appeared, brandishing a spat in one hand, a pink apron adorning his waist.
It seemed that La¡¯s fondness for the color pink had transformed nearly every item in the house into shades of that cheerful hue.
As the aroma of dinner wafted through the air, the gravity of their conversation lingered, a reminder of the tangled web they were all caught in.Conclusion
In the aftermath of their revtions, the trio found themselves at a crossroads, each grappling with the weight of their discoveries. Raven¡¯s initial excitement had morphed into a palpable tension, as the implications of Henry¡¯s deceit settled heavily upon them. Tania¡¯s son, a victim of circumstance, was now entwined in a web of maniption that extended far beyond his immediate suffering. Tess, with her heart aching for the innocent child, felt a surge of responsibility; she could no longer remain a passive observer. The bracelet on her wrist, once a mere essory, now became a symbol of theplex legacy that bound them to the Larsons, igniting a fierce determination within her to protect those who were vulnerable, even if it meant confronting the shadows of greed and betrayal.
As dinner beckoned, the warmth of home shed with the chilling reality of their situation, creating an emotional dissonance that was hard to ignore. Theughter and chatter from the kitchen felt like a distant echo, reminding them of the normalcy they yearned for but could no longer fully embrace. Lyra and Raven shared a silent vow; they would not let Nadine and Kylie¡¯s ambitions overshadow theirmitment to justice. Together, they would navigate this treacherous terrain, fueled by a newfound resolve to expose the truth and safeguard the innocent. In that moment, they understood that their bond was not merely forged from friendship but was a fierce alliance against the darkness that threatened to engulf them all.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension mounts, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate dynamics between Tess, Raven, and Lyra, as they navigate the treacherous waters of family loyalty and betrayal. With the revtion of the bracelet¡¯s significance, readers can anticipate a gripping exploration of Tess¡¯s newfound determination to protect Nadine¡¯s interests against Kylie¡¯s ambitious schemes. The stakes are higher than ever, and Tess will have to summon every ounce of courage and cunning she possesses to confront the looming threat that Kylie represents. Will she be able to outmaneuver her rival, or will she find herself ensnared in a web of deceit that could cost her everything?
Moreover, the chapter is likely to shift focus back to Tania and her son, whose fate hangs precariously in the bnce. With Raven and Lyra racing against time to uncover the truth behind Henry¡¯s motives, readers can expect a thrilling chase through the corridors of Aetheris Primal Hospital. The tension will escte as they dig deeper into the murky waters of Henry¡¯s past and his connection to the Larsons. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, the gripping narrative will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether they can save Tania¡¯s son from the clutches of a man whose intentions may be darker than they ever imagined.
Finally, the chapter will likely culminate in a dramatic confrontation that could change everything. Whether it¡¯s a showdown between Tess and Kylie or a revtion that shakes the foundations of their rtionships, the next chapter is set to be a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions, twists, and turns. With each character¡¯s motivations bing clearer, the reader will be left breathless, eagerly awaiting the next installment to see how the tangled threads of loyalty, ambition, and survival will ultimately weave together.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 502
Keepsake 502 Summary
In Chapter 502 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Apron Incident,¡± Tess finds herself in an unexpected situation with Abel, who is cooking dinner. Their interaction begins with a phone call, where Tess informs her friends that she¡¯ll join them shortly, and Abel, eager to show off his cooking skills, yfully urges her to hurry. The initial awkwardness between them dissipates as Tessughs at Abel¡¯s childish tone, leading her to agree to help him in the kitchen.
As Tess enters the kitchen, she is surprised to see a beautifully arranged dining table filled with steaming dishes, challenging her perception of Abel as someone who could cook. Abel, however, yfully ims he doesn¡¯t need her help, indicating that all she has to do is eat. Tess is taken aback by his confidence and begins to wonder about his background, especially since hees from a wealthy family.
The mood shifts when Abel yfully asks Tess to help him with the knot of his apron, which he ims is stuck. Their banter bes flirtatious as Tess teases him about the tightness of the apron, and Abel¡¯s reactions hint at both difort and amusement. Tess enjoys the yful dynamic, but she also realizes she is getting drawn into his teasing game, which adds ayer of tension and excitement to their interaction.
Just as the yful moment esctes, Bessie walks in and interrupts, creating an awkward yet humorous situation. She quickly turns away, pretending not to have seen anything, while reminding Tess that dinner will get cold if she doesn¡¯t hurry. The chapter captures the light-hearted chemistry between Tess and Abel, blending humor with a hint of romance as they navigate their growing connection in the kitchen.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 502 The Apron Incident
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Tess slowly lifted her head, her movements a little stiff, and found herself staring right into Abel¡¯s sharp gaze.
Their eyes met midair, and Abel quickly noticed the phone in her hand.
¡°What¡¯s going on? Are they calling you?¡± he asked easily, without a hint of awkwardness.
Even though Lyra and Raven couldn¡¯t see him, both froze, not sure what to say or do.
Cooking? Abel?
They both twitched their lips at the same time, struggling to picture that cocky,id¨Cback guy standing in front of a stove.
Tess cleared her throat and broke the silence. ¡°I¡¯ll be there in a minute.¡±
¡°What?¡± Abel didn¡¯t catch it and stepped forward, still holding the spat.
¡°I said, go on. I¡¯lle eat soon.¡±
Tess rubbed her forehead helplessly and repeated herself.
Lyra¡¯s teasing voice came through the phone, with a barely hiddenugh. ¡°We¡¯ll head back, Tess. Since Mr. Shaw himself is cooking, you¡¯d better hurry.¡±
Abel looked satisfied and gave Tess a firm nod.
¡°Alright,¡± she said softly, her lips curving just a little.
When the call ended, Abel pouted. ¡°Come on. I cooked with my own hands. You should be running over here already.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh at his childish tone, the awkwardness fading away. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll help you.¡±
She followed him into the kitchen, ready to help set the table, but froze when she saw the dining table already lined with dishes¨Ceverything neatly ted and steaming hot.
Abel set down the spat, untied his apron with one hand, and raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°Why would I need your help? All you have to do is sit down and eat.¡±
Tess blinked in surprise, ncing at the impressive spread before her.
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Chapter 502 The Apron Incident
:
Her eyes traveled up and down Abel for a second.
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She still didn¡¯t know his true background, but since people from the Larsons were following him around, and he was Finn¡¯s nephew, there was no doubt he came from money. How could someone like that know how to cook?
Just as she was lost in thought, Abel leaned in a little, lowering his voice as he tugged on the knot behind his back.
¡°Uh, I tied it a bit too tightly earlier. It¡¯s kind of stuck,¡± he muttered, stealing nces at her from the corner of his eye. ¡°Think someone could give me a hand?¡±
His tone went up yfully at the end, teasing on purpose.
Tess narrowed her eyes.
Where did he pick up this act? He¡¯s ¡ actually a little flirty.
Her expression softened, and she sighed. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll help.¡±
Abel¡¯s lips curved into a grin. His usually cool, serious eyes lit up with a spark of amusement. ¡°Thanks.¡±
The word came out light andzy, almost ticklish.
Tess could tell what he was thinking, but she didn¡¯t stop her hands from working at the knot. Still, she gave him a sharp look every time he tried to sneak a nce over his shoulder.
She pulled a little harder than necessary, and Abel¡¯s face twisted as the apron tightened around his waist.
Even though she could tell he was ufortable, Tess pretended not to notice. Her eyes glimmered with amusement, but her face stayed perfectly innocent. ¡°Oh, no, it¡¯s really tight. Guess I¡¯ll have to pull a little harder.¡±
¡°It¡¯s ¡ fine¡ ¡°Abel¡¯s voice came out strained, his eyes rolling slightly as he forced a smile. ¡°You can ¡ uh keep going, Tess. You¡¯re not too¨Cah¨Crough.¡±
Before he could finish, Tess gave another strong tug. Abel flinched, his breath catching in his
throat.
¡°Just hang on a second,¡± Tess said, barely hiding herugh as her hands moved behind his back. Abel clenched his jaw tightly, refusing to let any sound escape.
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¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you ufortable?¡± Tess asked sweetly, tilting her head to watch him. Her tone dripped with fake concern.
Abel only had to turn slightly to see her bright, mischievous eyes. She looked like a little fox, sharp and yful.
He forced a grin, his face a little strained. ¡°Ufortable? Not at all. Feels great.¡±
His teasing tone made her pulse skip, and for a moment, she forgot to pull. Her grip loosened without her realizing it.
¡°Tess, that¡¯s too gentle. Doesn¡¯t feel right,¡± Abel said, grinning wider, his voice thick with mischief.
Snapping out of it, Tess realized she¡¯d fallen into his little game again. She red at him, then yanked the knot with more force.
Abel¡¯s face twisted as he tried to keep smiling. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s it ¡ Perfect,¡± he managed between breaths.
¡°Uh¡ Tess? You two¡
11
Bessie had just walked into the kitchen¨Cand froze on the spot.
She gasped, quickly turning away and covering her face with both hands.
¡°I didn¡¯t see anything, I didn¡¯t see anything,¡± she muttered under her breath while backing toward the door.
Right before disappearing around the corner, she called out, ¡°Tess, I know you young folks have energy, but if you don¡¯te eat soon, dinner¡¯s gonna get cold.¡± Conclusion
As theughter and teasing filled the kitchen, Tess felt a warmth blossoming within her, a delightful contrast to the uncertainty that had clouded her heart earlier. The yful banter with Abel had stripped away theyers of tension, revealing a connection that felt both refreshing and exhrating. In that moment, surrounded by the aroma of the meal he had prepared, she realized that the lines between their worlds were blurring. Abel, with his unexpected charm and vulnerability, was no longer just Finn¡¯s nephew or the enigmatic figure she had been wary of; he was someone she could share a lighthearted moment with, someone who made her feel seen and appreciated.
Yet, as Bessie¡¯s interruption reminded them of the outside world, Tess understood that this yful exchange was just the beginning of something deeper. Theughter echoed in her mind as she set the table, a reminder that life was not just about the uncertainties they faced but also about the bonds they forged in the midst of it all. With each dish ced carefully on the table, Tess felt a renewed sense of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, this was the start of a new chapter in her life¡ªone where she could embrace both the joy and theplications of human connection, where she could findfort in the unexpected, and where the apron incident would be a cherished keepsake of their budding rtionship.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect a delightful mix of tension and humor as Tess and Abel navigate the aftermath of Bessie¡¯s unexpected interruption. Theedic undertones will heighten as Tess grapples with her feelings for Abel, caught between the yful banter and the undeniable chemistry that simmers beneath the surface. Will she be able to maintain herposure, or will the awkwardness of the moment lead to a deeper revtion about their rtionship?
Moreover, the dynamic between the characters is set to evolve as Lyra and Raven, still buzzing from their phone call, may have their own opinions on the budding flirtation. Their teasing could spark a series of lighthearted confrontations, pushing Tess to confront her feelings head-on. With the kitchen now a backdrop for both culinary delights and emotional entanglements, readers will be on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the situation unfolds. Will Tess finally uncover theyers of Abel¡¯s character, or will the apron incident lead them both to a deeper understanding of each other? The next chapter promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions,ughter, and perhaps a hint of romance.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 503
Keepsake 503 Summary
In Chapter 503 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Apron Revenge,¡± the tension between Tess and Abel esctes after a yful yet intense confrontation. Bessie, witnessing their dynamic, reacts by bolting away, leaving Tess visibly upset. Abel finds humor in the situation until Tess retaliates by cutting the strap of his apron with scissors, making her intentions clear. Her calm yet icy demeanor instills a sense of fear in Abel, who quickly submits to her authority, promising not to tie knots too tightly again.
As the scene shifts to the dinner table, the atmosphere lightens slightly. Bessie encourages Tess to eat while Abel, now morepliant, serves her a dish he learned from a five-star chef. Tess¡¯s initial irritation softens as she tastes the food, but she remains guarded, insisting that Abel not serve her. The yful banter continues, with Tess rolling her eyes at Abel¡¯s pitiful expressions, which starkly contrast his usual cold demeanor. Bessie, noticing this shift, openly criticizes Tess for not appreciating Abel¡¯s efforts, suggesting that he is a rare find among men.
Tess¡¯s cold smile hints at her underlying intentions, as she teasingly drops a chili pepper onto Abel¡¯s te, challenging him to eat it. Abel, feeling the pressure of Tess¡¯s gaze, forces himself to consume the spicy dish despite his difort. Tess¡¯s satisfaction at his struggle suggests a deeper game at y, as she maintains control of the situation. Meanwhile, Bessie observes the interaction with a sense of relief, believing that the two have reconciled.
However, Tess¡¯s mind is elsewhere, preupied with more pressing matters involving the Embers and the Larsons, indicating that her thoughts are clouded by issues beyond her yful rivalry with Abel. Despite her small appetite, she tastes a bit of everything, acknowledging Abel¡¯s efforts while noticing his flushed face. This moment of concern hints at aplex rtionship dynamic, where yful revenge intertwines with genuine care, leaving the reader curious about the future developments between Tess and Abel.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 503 The Apron Revenge
:
Chapter 503 The Apron Revenge
Right after saying that, Bessie bolted.
Tess¡¯s face darkened instantly.
Abel, on the other hand, burst outughing.
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At first, it was just a low chuckle, but when the pull on his back suddenly loosened and he turned to see Tess¡¯s sour expression, heughed even harder.
Snap!
Tess grabbed the scissors hanging on the wall and sliced right through the strap of Abel¡¯s
apron.
Then she smiled, lifting the sharp scissors and giving them a little wave in his direction.
The cold and sharp metal gleamed under the light, shing with a faint chill as she moved her hand.
¡°If you ever tie a knot that tight again, next time, I won¡¯t just cut the apron strings.¡±
Her tone was calm, but the curve of her lips was icy.
Abel flinched, shivering a little, and quickly raised his hands in surrender. ¡°Got it. Won¡¯t happen again.¡±
¡°Hmph.¡± Tess gave a short snort and tucked the scissors away. ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡±
Abel exaggeratedly patted his chest and let out a long sigh of relief.
Sure enough, Tess heard him behind her and turned, shooting a deadly re over her shoulder.
Abel instantly straightened his back and followed her obediently.
When they reached the table, Bessie quickly pulled out a chair for Tess.
¡°Bessie, let La rest in the crib for a bit. Come eat,¡± Tess said as she sat down.
A momentter, Bessie appeared at the table, wiping her hands.
Abel, now much more well¨Cbehaved, leaned forward to serve Tess some food. ¡°Try this. I
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learned this recipe from a five¨Cstar chef.¡±
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It was a tender piece of fish, lightly sauced, looking rich and vorful enough to make anyone¡¯s mouth water.
Tess twitched the corner of her lips.
When she looked up, she caught Bessie staring at them with an amused nosy grin.
As soon as their eyes met, Bessie blinked and quickly turned away. ¡°Uh¡ I¡¯ll try this one then.¡±
Tess was speechless.
Still, she picked up the small piece of fish on her te and ate it. When she saw Abel reaching for another, she quickly said, ¡°No need to serve me. Just eat.¡±
Abel froze, ncing at her pitifully before slowly pulling his hand back. ¡°Oh ¡ okay.¡±
Tess rolled her eyes.
He looked so wronged, as if she¡¯d just bullied him.
She shot him a hard re, but that only made him shrink even more, like a scolded puppy.
Tess could hardly believe this was the same Abel she knew¡ªthe one who was always cold, ruthless, and decisive. Seeing him act like this made her skin crawl.
Bessie finally couldn¡¯t take it anymore.
¡°Tess, men these days are all the same¨Cuseless. I won¡¯t even start on your ex¨Chusband, but seriously, they¡¯re all trash. A guy like Abel is rare. Look at him! He¡¯s probably been spoiled his whole life, and yet he still cooked you a full meal himself. You can¡¯t even give him apliment? He serves you food, and you re at him?¡±
Bessie scolded Tess openly, then turned tofort Abel. ¡°Don¡¯t mind her, Abel. That¡¯s just how Tess is. But if you treat her right, she¡¯ll remember it, trust me.¡±
Abel looked touched and nodded eagerly.
Tess gave him a sideways nce.
Ah, so that¡¯s what this little act was about.
She smiled coldly, her voice sweet but her eyes anything but. ¡°I know. I¡¯ll make sure to treat him very well.¡±
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As she spoke, she reached out with her fork and dropped a bright red chili pepper into Abel¡¯s te.
¡°Here. Eat up.¡±
Her tone was cheerful, but her gaze was sharp enough to cut ss.
Abel froze, uneasy, and stared at the chili sitting on top of his pasta. His throat tightened.
He wasn¡¯t one for nd food, but he definitely couldn¡¯t handle spicy.
When Tess noticed he wasn¡¯t moving, she tilted her head and smiled. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Shaw? Still mad at me? Is that why you won¡¯t eat what I serve you?¡±
That hit him right where it hurt. He realized he¡¯d trapped himself.
He forced a grin and, without hesitation, scooped the chili together with some pasta and swallowed it whole. ¡°Of course not. I¡¯m not mad at all.¡±
Tess watched him eat, then gave a satisfied nod.
Abel felt his stomach catch fire, but under Tess¡¯s watchful gaze, he kept smiling. ¡°Guess my cooking¡¯s not bad after all, huh?¡±
Bessie looked between them, finally satisfied that the two had ¡°made up.¡±
Tess, however, had her mind on the Embers and the Larsons. She didn¡¯t have the energy to mess around with Abel anymore.
She had a small appetite, but still tasted a bit of everything since Abel had worked hard on the meal.
Meanwhile, Abel, usually quick and restless, was oddly sluggish now.
When Tess set her food down, she noticed his flushed face and frowned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Conclusion
In the aftermath of the yful confrontation, a delicate bnce began to settle between Tess and Abel. The remnants of their earlier tension lingered in the air, but theughter and lighthearted banter served as a balm, softening the sharp edges of their rtionship. Tess, having wielded her scissors as both a weapon and a yful reminder, found herself surprised by the warmth that began to bloom in her chest. As Abel struggled through the fiery challenge of the chili pepper, she couldn¡¯t help but admire his resolve, even as she maintained her icy demeanor. The table, once a battleground of emotions, transformed into a sanctuary where they could share not just food, but the tentative beginnings of understanding and camaraderie.
Bessie¡¯s meddling brought rity to Tess as she observed the dynamic shift between her and Abel. His eagerness to please, despite her sharp tongue, unveiled a vulnerability that made him more human in her eyes. Theughter that echoed through the room hinted at the possibility of deeper connections, and for the first time, Tess felt a flicker of something beyond mere annoyance¡ªan acknowledgment of Abel¡¯s efforts and a hint of respect. As the meal progressed, the barriers between them began to dissolve, allowing for the first stirrings of a bond that could withstand the trials ahead. In that moment, Tess realized that perhaps the apron strings she had severed were not just a symbol of her frustration, but also a means of cutting away the past, paving the way for a future that held unexpected promise.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension between Tess and Abel to escte as they navigate theplexities of their rtionship. With the yful banter of the dinner table behind them, the stakes are higher now, especially with Tess¡¯s mind upied by the looming threats from the Embers and the Larsons. Will she be able to focus on the external dangers when the dynamics between her and Abel are so charged? As tensions rise, expect moments of vulnerability that reveal deeperyers of their characters, all while the threat of their enemies looms ever closer.
Moreover, Bessie¡¯s meddling is bound to stir the pot even further. Her well-meaning but intrusivements may push Tess to confront her feelings about Abel, leading to unexpected revtions. Will Tess finally acknowledge the growing bond between them, or will her stubbornness lead to a confrontation that could unravel everything? As Abel grapples with his own feelings and the consequences of his actions, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in this intricate game of love, rivalry, and survival.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 504
Keepsake 504 Summary
In Chapter 504 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°A Taste of Regret,¡± Abel experiences a painful cramp that reflects the internal tension he is feeling. When Tess asks how he is, he forces a smile and ims he is fine, masking his true emotions. Tess, noticing his strained expression, expresses concern but ultimately decides to leave for the study. Before leaving, shepliments his cooking, which brings Abel a fleeting moment of happiness, but it is quickly overshadowed by another wave of pain. He abruptly pushes his te away and asks Bessie to clean up, leaving the table in haste.
As Tess tries to concentrate on her work in the study, her thoughts drift to Abel, and she finds herself unable to focus. After some time, she decides to check on him but discovers he is missing. Bessie informs her that Abel left shortly after she went to the study, which deepens Tess¡¯s worry. Unable to shake off her concern, she heads to check on La, who is sleeping peacefully.
Meanwhile, at the Embers, Henry is confronted by Shannon over the phone, who expresses frustration about his prolonged absence. He tries to exin his situation, emphasizing the need to maintain appearances due to the Larsons¡¯ scrutiny. Shannon¡¯s irritation softens slightly, but she continues to express her dissatisfaction, even taking out her frustration on Tania, who is cleaning. Tania¡¯s silent struggle with her emotions highlights the tension in the household.
The conversation between Henry and Shannon reveals the strain in their rtionship, exacerbated by her pregnancy mood swings. Shannon demands more freedom, feeling trapped, while Henry tries to manage the situation carefully. Their exchange underscores the challenges they face, with Shannon¡¯s impatience shing with Henry¡¯s caution. As the chapter concludes, Henry reluctantly agrees to visit Nadine, leaving him to reflect on theplexities of his current circumstances and the emotional weight of his responsibilities.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 504: A Taste of Regret**
Abel felt a sudden, jarring cramp twist through his stomach, a sharp reminder of the tension that had been building inside him. As Tess¡¯s question reached his ears, he instinctively raised his head, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just wanted to enjoy my own cooking a little longer,¡± he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Tess studied him for a moment, her gaze lingering on the strained smile he wore. There was a flicker of concern in her eyes, but she ultimately chose to look away. ¡°Take your time then,¡± she said, her tone softening as she turned to leave for the study.
Before she departed, she cast onest nce at the dishes spread out on the table. ¡°The food¡¯s really good,¡± she remarked, her voice carrying a hint of warmth that made Abel freeze momentarily. He looked up, hoping to catch her gaze, but she was already walking away, her silhouette fading into the dim light of the hallway.
Her words echoed in his mind, igniting a small spark of happiness within him. A smile crept onto his face, but it was short-lived. Almost immediately, another wave of pain surged through his stomach, sharp and insistent.
He pushed his te away, the tter of ceramic against the table breaking the silence. ¡°Bessie, could you clean this up? I¡¯m done,¡± he called out, urgency creeping into his voice.
Without waiting for a reply, he stood up abruptly and hurried off, the tension in his body propelling him forward.
Bessie blinked in confusion, her brow furrowing at his sudden departure. ¡°I think he forgot the salt,¡± she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she resumed her task.
The dinner concluded in an unusual quietness, the only sound being the soft rustle of the evening breeze outside, which had turned the sky into a canvas of gentle, muted hues.
Tess remained in the study for a solid hour, attempting to focus on the folder Zane had handed her. Yet, no matter how hard she concentrated, her mind wandered, straying from the words on the pages to thoughts of Abel. She found herself imagining his teasing grin and those mischievous eyes that always seemed to hold a secret.
After battling her inability to focus for too long, she finally surrendered to the distraction and exited the study, only to find that Abel was nowhere in sight.
Bessie was still busy mopping the floor when Tess approached. ¡°Where¡¯s Abel?¡± she inquired, a frown creasing her forehead.
Bessie looked up, pausing her work. ¡°He left right after you went to the study,¡± she replied, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Tess nodded lightly, absorbing the information but still feeling a nagging sense of worry. She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off, so she decided to check on La, who was peacefully sleeping in her crib.
Meanwhile, at the Embers.
¡°You¡¯ve been holed up in the Embers¡¯ vi for days now. Are you nning to forget about your two kids and me?¡± Shannon¡¯s voice crackled through the phone, sharp and petnt.
Henry quickly covered the receiver, ncing around to ensure no one was within earshot before lowering his voice. ¡°You know I¡¯ve been busy. I don¡¯t want to stay here either. But the Larsons are sending people over, and I have to keep up appearances,¡± he exined, his tone dripping with a feigned helplessness, as if being at the Ember Residence was akin to a prison sentence.
Shannon¡¯s irritation softened slightly upon hearing his tone. She tossed a fruit pit onto the freshly mopped floor, watching with satisfaction as itnded with a soft thud.
Tania, who had just cleaned that area, froze in disbelief, her mouth agape.
¡°What are you staring at? Clean it up!¡± Shannon barked, shooting Tania a re before reclining back onto the couch, returning to her conversation with Henry as if nothing had happened.
Tania lowered her head, her long bangs cascading forward to obscure her expression. The only indication of her frustration was the way her fingers clenched the mop handle tightly, knuckles white with suppressed anger.
Silently, she resumed her task, wiping the floor again with a sense of resignation.
Shannon smirked, observing Tania¡¯s silent struggle without a hint of remorse. She leaned back into the couch, sweetly cooing into the phone, ¡°So when are youing back? The baby and I miss you.¡±
She ced a gentle hand on her belly, every movement deliberate and graceful.
¡°Now that I¡¯m further along, I can¡¯t just sit at home waiting for a doctor to drop by for some quick checkup,¡± she pouted, her voiceced with impatience.
Henry caught the underlying tone of her words, frowning as he processed her request.
The silence stretched on, amplifying Shannon¡¯s growing irritation. ¡°Say something! You¡¯ve already had Nadine smooth things over with the press for Tess, right? So no one¡¯s paying attention to us for now. What¡¯s the harm in me going out a little? Or are you trying to keep me locked up in this apartment forever?¡±
Henry sighed deeply, rubbing his temple as frustration mounted. ¡°Shannon, it¡¯s not that simple. The media aren¡¯t the only ones watching. There are others we need to be careful about.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± she snapped, her voice rising with indignation. ¡°It¡¯s been so long! You even held a funeral for me. Who¡¯s left to be afraid of?¡±
Her tone grew spoiled, the irritation clearly fueled by her pregnancy mood swings.
Henry exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. ¡°Fine. I¡¯lle back in a few days and take you to the hospital myself.¡±
That seemed to ease Shannon¡¯s tension a bit.
She shifted in her seat, then suddenly straightened up. ¡°Oh, right. I heard Nadine¡¯s still in the hospital¡ªhurt badly, too. I can¡¯t go see her, so at least you should. You¡¯re her dad, after all.¡±
Henry was quickly losing interest in the conversation, agreeing just to cate her. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll check on her.¡±
¡°Okay, that¡¯s it. I¡¯ve got things to handle here. Gotta go,¡± she said, her tone dismissive.
Without waiting for Henry¡¯s response, she hung up the phone, leaving him to contemte the weight of their conversation.Conclusion
As the evening unfolded, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved feelings hung heavily in the air, leaving both Abel and Tess grappling with their own forms of solitude. Abel¡¯s abrupt departure from the dinner table signified more than just a fleeting difort; it marked a retreat into a shell of regret and longing. The momentary joy sparked by Tess¡¯spliment was quickly extinguished by the pain of his internal struggles, leaving him with a lingering sense of loss that overshadowed the warmth of connection. Meanwhile, Tess, lost in thoughts of Abel, felt a growing unease as she sensed the distance between them. Her attempts to focus on mundane tasks were futile, as her heart tugged her towards the man whose presence had be both afort and a source of worry.
In the Embers, the tension was mirrored in Henry and Shannon¡¯s strained conversation, revealing the fractures in their rtionship that had widened over time. Shannon¡¯s impatience and frustration were palpable, a reflection of her own insecurities and the istion she felt, much like Abel¡¯s. Henry¡¯s reluctant agreement to visit Nadine was a bittersweet acknowledgment of his responsibilities, yet it also underscored the emotional chasm that had formed between him and Shannon. As the chapter closed, the characters were left at a crossroads, each wrestling with their own regrets and desires, hinting at the inevitable choices thaty ahead. In this moment of quiet introspection, the narrative beckons the reader to contemte the true cost of love and the weight of the choices we make, reminding us that every action carries the potential for both connection and heartbreak.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions are set to rise as Abel grapples with the emotional turmoil that has begun to surface. With his sudden departure from dinner leaving Tess in a state of concern, readers can expect a deeper exploration of their rtionship dynamics. Will Tess confront Abel about his strange behavior, or will she choose to give him space, allowing her own worries to fester? As Abel navigates his feelings, the lingering echoes of Tess¡¯s warmth may push him to confront the regrets he harbors, setting the stage for potential revtions that could alter the course of their connection.
Meanwhile, the drama at the Embers continues to unfold, with Shannon¡¯s impatience growing as she feels increasingly isted. Her conversation with Henry hints at underlying tensions and secrets that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed facade. As Shannon¡¯s frustration boils over, will she take matters into her own hands, leading to unforeseen consequences? Readers should brace themselves for a sh of emotions and the emergence of hidden truths that could impact not only Shannon and Henry but also those around them. The next chapter promises to delve deeper into these characters¡¯ struggles, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the fallout from their choices.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 505
Keepsake 505 Summary
In Chapter 505 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± Shannon is engulfed in anger after a phone call abruptly ends, revealing her feelings of betrayal as she suspects her partner has returned to his ex, Kylie. Frustrated and overwhelmed, sheshes out by throwing a fruit te on the floor, startling her housekeeper, Tania. Despite Tania¡¯s concern for Shannon¡¯s well-being and the baby, Shannon¡¯s anger is palpable, and she demands Tania clean up the mess, showcasing her vtile emotional state.
As Tania cleans, she struggles with her own emotions, feeling dehumanized by her treatment at the hands of Shannon and her son, Kaleb. Kaleb¡¯s disdain for Tania only deepens her resentment, highlighting the power dynamics in their rtionship. Tania¡¯s bitterness grows as she reflects on how she is viewed merely as a servant, devoid of respect or dignity. This moment emphasizes the istion and frustration she experiences in her role, pushing her to leave the suffocating apartment.
Meanwhile, in a hotel, Benjamin and Olivia discuss their granddaughter Tess¡¯s troubles with Nadine. Olivia¡¯s fierce determination to seek justice for Tess contrasts with Benjamin¡¯s moreid-back approach, revealing their differing personalities. Olivia¡¯s fiery spirit drives her to take action, insisting on confronting the situation directly, while Benjamin tries to temper her enthusiasm with caution. Their banter illustrates the depth of their rtionship and their protective instincts as grandparents, even as they navigate the challenges of their new environment in Aetheris.
As Olivia devises a n to visit the adopted girl connected to the conflict, Benjamin bes increasingly anxious about the potential consequences of her actions. Despite his attempts to dissuade her, Olivia remains resolute, showcasing her fearless nature. The chapter closes with a sense of impending confrontation, setting the stage for future conflicts as Olivia¡¯s determination shes with Benjamin¡¯s caution, and Tania¡¯s struggle for respect continues amidst the chaos of Shannon¡¯s household.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 505 Grandma¡¯s n
Beep, beep¡
Shannon froze, listening to the dial tone echoing in her car, her face dark with anger.
He hung up that fast? Just because he¡¯s back with Kylie?
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Or maybe he never wanted to stay here with me in the first ce¨Che was only around before because Kylie kicked him out of the house!
Her thoughts spiraled out of control, each one fueling her anger until her chest rose and fell sharply.
Bang!
She suddenly exploded, snatching up the fruit te on the coffee table and hurling it to the floor with a loud crash.
Tania came out of the kitchen with the mop in her hand, startled half to death.
¡°Ma¡¯am ¡ what¡¯s wrong? Getting angry isn¡¯t good for the baby!¡±
She stepped forward carefully, but Shannon shot her a sharp re. ¡°Then why are you standing there? Clean it up! Or do you want to piss me off even more?¡±
Tania flinched at the outburst. She wanted to fight back, but Shannon was her boss. So she bit her lip, swallowed the frustration, and quietly bent down to clean the mess.
Shannon huffed and stormed into her bedroom, mming the door so hard that it rattled.
The noise startled her son, Kaleb, who poked his head out of his room. He saw Tania crouched on the floor, picking up pieces of broken fruit and porcin.
He rolled his eyes and sneered, ¡°Stupid country girl. All you do is make Mom mad.¡±
Tania¡¯s jaw clenched. She kept her head down, hiding her face behind her bangs, but her fingers gripped the mop handle so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The bitterness in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Kaleb strutted back into his room like a little prince, and Tania quickly finished cleaning before rushing out of that suffocating apartment.
Once the door shut behind her, she turned and stared at the apartment number, her eyes cold
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Chapter 505 Grandma¡¯s n
and hard.
She hated them.
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To them, she was nothing more than a servant¨Csomeone to boss around, to insult, to treat like she wasn¡¯t even human. She didn¡¯t even have the dignity of being seen as a person.
¡°Hey, it¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve seen Nadine.¡±
The sudden voice of an elderly woman broke her thoughts.
Tania stiffened and immediately lowered her head, pretending she was just stepping out to take out the trash.
¡°Isn¡¯t that Nadine¡¯s apartment? I didn¡¯t recognize the girl who just left.¡±
¡°Yeah, weird. You think something happened to Nadine? We should check on her.¡±
At a hotel.
Benjamin satfortably in an armchair, watching Olivia pace back and forth in front of him. ¡°You¡¯re not tired yet? You¡¯ve been walking in circles for ten minutes,¡± he teased, chuckling. Olivia stopped just long enough to shoot him a re, then kept pacing.
¡°How can you be so calm?¡± she snapped. ¡°Nadine bullied Tess! I didn¡¯te all the way to Aetheris just to sit around. I¡¯m going to get justice for my granddaughter.¡±
She waved her hand and even clenched her fist, her expression fierce and determined.
Benjamin sighed and rubbed his forehead.
His wife had always been like this¨Cfiery, bold, andpletely unafraid of confrontation. And now that troublemaker, Nadine, had messed with their granddaughter; she was doomed.
¡°Let the kids handle their own problems,¡± he said gently. ¡°Tess isn¡¯t the kind to be pushed around anyway.¡±
Olivia¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. She nted her hands on her hips. ¡°Listen to yourself! You really are getting old. Whose side are you on, huh? Anyone listening would think you¡¯re that adopted girl¡¯s grandpa instead of Tess¡¯s!¡±
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Chapter 505 Grandma¡¯s n
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Benjamin groaned and raised his hands in surrender. ¡°Alright, alright. You¡¯re right. As Tess¡¯s grandparents, we should support her.¡±
That seemed to satisfy Olivia a little, but not entirely. She still stepped forward and stomped on his foot. ¡°Good. Then I¡¯m giving you an order.¡±
She lifted her chin proudly. ¡°Tell that boy from the Shaws to find out which room that the adopted girl¡¯s staying in at Aetheris Primal Hospital. Since she¡¯s Kylie¡¯s foster daughter, I think it¡¯s only fair that I pay her a little visit.¡±
Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she rubbed her chin.
Benjamin instantly broke into a cold sweat. His wife wasn¡¯t just talking¨Cshe meant it.
¡°No,¡± he said quickly, straightening up. ¡°We¡¯re not in Kingnd anymore. This is Aetheris. You can¡¯t just do whatever you want here.¡±
Olivia snorted. ¡°Aetheris? Please. It¡¯s got nothing on Kingnd. No one dared mess with me back home¨Cwhy would I be scared here? Besides,¡± she added, tapping her chin thoughtfully, ¡°I heard the Shaws know some big shot here, the richest man in Aetheris ¡ what was his name? Fred? Flint? Something like that.¡±
Benjamin blinked, stunned.
1
So she¡¯s done her homework already. Clearly, this whole ¡®defend Tess¡¯s honor¡® thing has been brewing for a while.
Still, he frowned and stood firm. ¡°This is reckless, Olivia. You¡¯re not going.¡±
Olivia crossed her arms and huffed. ¡°I knew you¡¯d say
that.
¡°Forget it¨CI¡¯ll talk to Violet instead.¡±
She turned toward the door, and Benjamin barely had time to react before Violet walked in. Conclusion
As the chapter closes, the emotional turmoil within Shannon reaches a boiling point, leaving her grappling with feelings of betrayal and istion. Her anger, initially directed at her ex, has now spilled over into her interactions with Tania and her son, Kaleb. The shattered fruit te symbolizes not just her fractured rtionships but also her internal chaos. Tania, caught in the crossfire, embodies the resentment and dehumanization that Shannon¡¯s outbursts perpetuate. This moment serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked emotions can create a cycle of hurt, pushing those around us further away just when we might need them the most.
Meanwhile, Olivia¡¯s fierce determination to protect her granddaughter Tess highlights the contrasting dynamics of family loyalty and confrontation. Her spirited nature juxtaposes Benjamin¡¯s cautious approach, revealing theplexities of their rtionship as they navigate the challenges in Aetheris. Olivia¡¯s resolve to seek justice for Tess signifies a shift in their family¡¯s narrative, suggesting that the fight for dignity and respect will not go unnoticed. As both Shannon and Olivia grapple with their respective battles, the chapter concludes with a sense of unresolved tension, hinting at the challenges ahead and the potential for growth that lies in confronting their truths.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as Olivia¡¯s determination to confront Nadine reaches a boiling point. With her fiery spirit, she is not one to back down easily, and her ns to seek out the adopted girl at Aetheris Primal Hospital may lead to unexpected confrontations. Will Olivia¡¯s boldness put her and Benjamin in a precarious situation? As she seeks justice for Tess, the reader will be left wondering how far she is willing to go and what consequences her actions might bring.
Meanwhile, Shannon¡¯s inner turmoil is far from over. Her anger at the sudden turn of events with her ex and the chaos within her home will likely push her to make drastic decisions. As tensions rise with Tania and Kaleb, will Shannon find a way to regain control over her life, or will her emotional outbursts lead to further istion? The intery between Shannon¡¯s struggles and Olivia¡¯s quest for justice promises to intertwine their fates in unexpected ways, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these characters navigate theirplex rtionships and the challenges ahead.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 506
Keepsake 506 Summary
In Chapter 506 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Racing Through the Night,¡± the tension esctes as Benjamin urgently confronts Violet about their mother, Olivia¡¯s, reckless intentions. Benjamin pleads with Violet to intervene, sensing that Olivia is about to make a misguided decision regarding Nadine, her adopted daughter. Olivia, however, is resolute in her belief that she must stand up for Nadine against perceived injustices, showcasing her fiery spirit despite her age. Violet, caught between her mother¡¯s determination and Benjamin¡¯s concerns, decides to support Olivia, believing that her mother may actually be onto something this time.
As night falls, the narrative shifts to Tess, who is overwhelmed with worry after noticing her partner¡¯s rming condition following dinner. Memories of their past interactions flood her mind, heightening her anxiety as she tries to reach him. After a tense phone call with Zane, who informs her of her partner¡¯s worsening health, Tess¡¯s panic esctes. She realizes that her partner cannot handle spicy food, which raises questions about why he consumed a fiery dish earlier. This realization propels her into action as she prepares to rush to the hospital.
Determined and frantic, Tess calls for help with her baby, La, and sets out into the night, her heart racing with concern for her partner¡¯s well-being. The atmosphere is thick with urgency as she navigates the streets, her thoughts consumed by the fear of losing someone she deeply cares about. In the cab, Tess¡¯s anxiety is palpable, and she grapples with her emotions, reflecting on her feelings and the urgency of the situation. The chapter captures a mix of familial tension and personal turmoil, highlighting the characters¡¯ deep connections and the lengths they will go to for those they love.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 506 Racing Through the Night**
¡°Mom, what is it that you want to discuss with me?¡± Benjamin¡¯s voice was raised, a hint of urgency threading through his words.
¡°Violet, do something to stop your mother!¡± he added, his tone both desperate andmanding.
Violet felt a jolt of surprise at his intensity. For a fleeting moment, she froze, her gaze darting to his serious expression before she quickly grasped Olivia¡¯s arm. ¡°Mom? What¡¯s happening? Did you and Dad have some sort of argument?¡±
Olivia shot a re over her shoulder at Benjamin, annoyance flickering in her eyes. ¡°Argument? Not at all! I was merelying to find you. Why don¡¯t you go ask around and see which hospital room that adopted daughter of yours is in?¡±
Violet¡¯s brows knit together as she processed her mother¡¯s words. She turned to Benjamin, whose expression was a mixture of helplessness and concern, and the pieces began to fall into ce.
¡°Mom¡ you¡¯re not seriously nning to visit Nadine, are you?¡±
Violet gently urged Olivia to sit down, her instinct to calm her mother kicking in.
Without a hint of hesitation, Olivia nodded, her determination unwavering. ¡°Of course I am. Kylie has always spoiled Nadine and turned a blind eye to Tess. Now that we¡¯re here, I refuse to let Tess continue to be mistreated. We have to stand up for her!¡±
With a proud demeanor reminiscent of a seasoned heroine, she patted her chest, her sharp eyes gleaming with resolve.
Violet couldn¡¯t help but wipe the beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
Even at her age, Mom¡¯s fiery spirit remains undiminished.
¡°Violet, you need to rein in your mother¡¯s reckless impulses,¡± Benjamin interjected, leaning heavily on his cane as he settled beside them. ¡°This is Aetheris, not Kingnd. We are guests here, and we ought to conduct ourselves ordingly.¡±
But Olivia was clearly uninterested in the notion of propriety. Throughout her life, she had never been one to hold back, and while age may have slowed her physically, her fiery spirit had not dimmed in the slightest.
Violet¡¯s brow furrowed in contemtion, her mind racing with the implications of her mother¡¯s intentions. After a moment¡¯s pause, she finally said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll ask the Shaw kid to look into it.¡±
Benjamin nearly leapt from his chair, incredulity written all over his face. ¡°Violet! Your mother haspletely lost her mind, and now you¡¯re going to join her in this madness?¡±
With a light smile, Violet replied, ¡°Dad, I actually believe Mom is onto something this time.¡±
Olivia lifted her chin with pride, shooting Benjamin a triumphant nce.
She gave Violet a gentle nudge. ¡°Go on, hurry up!¡±
As Violet¡¯s heels clicked down the hallway, Benjamin slumped back into the armchair, shaking his head in exasperation.
¡°Ridiculous,¡± he muttered under his breath, but ultimately, he made no move to stop them.
¡ª
The sun had set, and the night enveloped the world in a thick nket of darkness. The air was heavy,den with an uneasy stillness, as Tess found herself in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
She had justid La down in her cradle, her heart aching at the sight of her daughter¡¯s peaceful face. But now, her mind was racing, her thoughts tangled in a web of worry.
Her eyes fell upon the coffee table, where remnants of dinner lingered, and memories of the evening flooded back.
He had looked as though he was trying to mask his difort, his lips pressed tightly together, hisplexion fading to an rming shade of white.
The more she thought about it, the more chaotic her feelings became. Carefully, sheid La in the cradle before grabbing her phone and dialing a number, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed out a message.
¡°Are you asleep?¡± she typed, hitting send. But the silence that followed felt deafening, the absence of a reply gnawing at her.
She remembered the times when he would respond with a quick voice message, hisughter echoing through the phone, the sound of water sshing in the background as he joked around in the shower.
But now, with the clock ticking ominously, Tess¡¯s worry deepened. She called him, her heart racing as the line rang. After what felt like an eternity, someone finally answered.
Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, a stern male voice cut through the tension. ¡°Ms. Tess, this is Zane. Mr. Show¡¯s condition has red up again. I¡¯m with him at the hospital now and preparing to take him to Lock Group Private Hospital. Would you like me to convey anything to him when he regains consciousness?¡±
Tess felt a chill run down her spine. ¡°What?!¡± she echoed, her brow furrowing deeply.
Her mind raced back to dinner¡ªthe way his face had lost color right after he had consumed that spicy dish.
He can¡¯t eat spicy food at all?
Her stomach dropped as anxiety gripped her. Clenching her phone tightly, she replied urgently, ¡°Send me the location as soon as you arrive. I¡¯m on my way!¡±
She quickly called Bessie to ask for help with La, threw on a coat, and dashed out the door, her heart pounding with a mix of panic and determination.
He can¡¯t handle spicy food, so why did he cook something so fiery? And when I teased him about that chili, why didn¡¯t he say a word?
The night air was brisk as she hurried down the path from her house to the road, her heels clicking against the pavement. The wind whipped her hair back, tugging at her coat as if urging her onward.
¡°Get me to Lock Group Private Hospital!¡± she instructed the cab driver as she gged down a taxi, yanking the door open and climbing in, breathless and anxious.
The driver caught sight of her troubled expression and, without a word, pressed down on the gas, the car veering sharply onto the main road.
¡ª
Tess sat in the backseat, her eyes glued to her phone, anxiously waiting for Zane¡¯s message toe through.
The cab was enveloped in a tense silence, punctuated only by the steady hum of the engine. The driver nced at her through the rearview mirror, concern etched on his face. ¡°Is someone you care about unwell, miss? A close friend or a family member? You seem genuinely worried.¡±
Tess¡¯s fingers hesitated above her phone, her heart racing.
Someone I care about?
Her thoughts began to spiral, reflecting on the depth of her feelings, the uncertainty of the night, and the urgency of the moment.Conclusion
As the night deepened, Tess¡¯s whirlwind of emotions transformed into a resolute determination. The fear that had gripped her heart was now intertwined with a fierce protectiveness, propelling her forward through the darkness toward Lock Group Private Hospital. Each click of her heels against the pavement echoed her racing thoughts, a rhythmic reminder of the urgency she felt for the man who had unwittingly captured her heart. The realization that he had been struggling silently with his difort weighed heavily on her, igniting a fire within her to confront not only his health but also the unspoken truths that lingered between them. In that moment, Tess understood that her feelings ran deeper than mere friendship; they were rooted in a profound connection that she could no longer ignore.
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Violet and Olivia¡¯s united front had begun to shift the dynamics of their family, revealing the strength thaty in their bond. Benjamin¡¯s initial skepticism had transformed into reluctant eptance as he witnessed the fierce resolve of the women he loved. The night had not only brought forth challenges but had also illuminated the resilience of their hearts, reminding them that in the face of adversity, they could lean on one another. As Tess raced toward the hospital, her thoughts swirling with concern and hope, she unknowingly joined a tapestry of love and determination woven by her family. Together, they would face whatever awaited them, fortified by the knowledge that they were not alone in their struggles, and that love could indeed be the most powerful force of all.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension mounts, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions and revtions in the next chapter of ¡°Keepsake 506.¡± Tess¡¯s frantic rush to the hospital sets the stage for a night filled with uncertainty and desperation. With her heart racing and her mind clouded by worry, Tess will confront not only the potential health crisis of someone she cares deeply for but also the deeper implications of their rtionship. Will she finally confront her feelings, or will the chaos of the night overshadow her moment of rity?
Meanwhile, Violet¡¯s decision to support her mother¡¯s bold n introduces an intriguing dynamic. As she seeks the help of the Shaw kid, the stakes are raised, and the tension between the characters will intensify. Readers can expect a sh of ideals between Olivia¡¯s fierce determination and Benjamin¡¯s cautious approach, leading to unexpected consequences. Will they uncover the truth about Nadine and Tess¡¯s situation, or will their actions spiral out of control? The chapter promises to explore theplexities of family ties and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as the night unfolds.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 507
Keepsake 507 Summary
In Chapter 507 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Someone Important,¡± Tess grapples with her feelings for Abel, her ex-husband¡¯s nephew, as she rushes to the hospital after learning he is undergoing surgery for acute gastritis. Despite their distant familial connection and the short time they have known each other, Tess realizes that Abel holds significant importance in her life. Her panic and guilt intensify when she learns about his condition, highlighting her emotional investment in his well-being.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Tess encounters Finn, her ex-husband, who observes her concern for Abel with a mix of jealousy and bitterness. Their interaction is tense, as Finn struggles with the realization that Tess has moved on and now views him as merely a former opponent rather than a partner. Tess¡¯s calm and detached response to Finn¡¯s questions further emphasizes the emotional distance that has developed between them, showcasing her determination to prioritize Abel¡¯s health over their past.
As the chapter progresses, the atmosphere shifts when Finn decides to leave, allowing the tension to dissipate. Zane, Tess¡¯spanion, attempts tofort her by downying the severity of Abel¡¯s condition and providing insight into the situation. The warmth of Zane¡¯s presence contrasts with the coldness of Finn¡¯s departure, allowing Tess to momentarily rx, though her worries linger.
The chapter concludes with Zane revealing that Finn arrived at the hospital before anyone else, indicating Finn¡¯s underlying concern for Tess and Abel. This revtion addsplexity to the dynamics between the characters, suggesting that despite Finn¡¯s jealousy, he still cares for Tess. Tess¡¯s mixed emotions and the unresolved tension between the characters set the stage for further developments in their rtionships, leaving readers eager to see how these connections will evolve.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 507 Someone Important
Chapter 507 Someone Important
Is Abel really that important to me?
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As for what the driver said about ¡°a close friend or a rtive¡°, Tess and Abel weren¡¯t rted by blood at all. The closest connection they had was that he was her ex¨Chusband¡¯s nephew¨Ca rtionship so distant that it barely counted. They¡¯d only even known each other for a few months.
1
Seeing her expression stiffen slightly, the driver blinked and fell silent, focusing on the road ahead.
¡°He¡¯s¡ a really important friend,¡± Tess finally said after a long pause, her voice a little hoarse.
The driver nodded thoughtfully. Then, with a sudden tap on the brake, he said, ¡°We¡¯re here!¡±
Before he even finished, Tess pushed the door open and hurried out.
When she reached the location Zane had shared, she saw a group of people gathered outside a brightly lit room. The glowing sign above the door read Operating Room.
¡°He¡¯s in surgery?¡± Tess¡¯s face went pale as she turned to Zane in panic.
Zane looked ufortable, but before he could speak, a nurse nearby exined, ¡°It¡¯s acute gastritis. Mr. Shaw shouldn¡¯t eat spicy food. Looks like he identally ate some today and upset his stomach.¡±
Tess swayed slightly, guilt washing over her like a wave.
¡°Mrs. ¡ Ms. Tess,¡± Zane said quickly, trying tofort her, ¡°it¡¯s not serious. He¡¯ll be fine once the treatment¡¯s done.¡±
But then he suddenly felt a heavy, cold stare burning into his back.
Zane shrank away and stood quietly off to the side.
From the moment Tess had arrived, Finn had been standing there, mostly unnoticed. His deep eyes locked on her now. ¡°You¡¯re that worried about him?¡±
His low voice cut through the silence outside the operating room.
Tess¡¯s back stiffened, though she quickly forced herself to stay calm.
She had noticed Finn right away. It was impossible not to¨Chis tall figure and the sharp, cold air that seemed to surround him made him stand out anywhere.
¡°Of course I am,¡± she said tly, her tone firm.
The air between them seemed to drop several degrees.
Finn stared at her, but Tess refused to even nce in his direction.
He couldn¡¯t stop reying the image of her rushing in, panic written all over her face, desperately asking about Abel. All that worry¨Cnone of it had been for him. As for him, her ex¨Chusband, she¡¯dpletely
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Chapter 507 Someone Important
forgotten he existed. She wouldn¡¯t even spare him a look.
¡°Does Abel mean that much to you?¡± he asked, his voice rough with jealousy.
Tess finally looked at him, her expression cool.
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¡°Finn, I do appreciate what you¡¯ve done for metely. I really do,¡± she said evenly. ¡°If you need help, you can contact the head of Mars Legal directly, and we¡¯ll do everything we can to cooperate. But beyond that, we don¡¯t have any personal rtionship.¡±
Her tone was calm and detached.
Finn¡¯s eyes went nk for a moment. In her sharp, confident demeanor, he saw a glimpse of the woman she used to be¨Cthe chief legal counsel of Lock Group.
Back then, she was poised, professional, and untouchablyposed, like a warrior from another era.
He clenched his fists. No matter how much he didn¡¯t want to admit it, he could finally see the truth. In Tess¡¯s mind, he was now nothing more than someone she used to face across a courtroom¡ªan opponent,
not a partner.
¡°Alright,¡± he said quietly, lowering his head. His longshes hid the emotions flickering in his dark eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll go. Zane, stay here.¡±
He didn¡¯t say another word. He just turned and walked away.
It was alreadyte. The hallway outside the operating room was dim, the light only covering a small waiting area.
Finn¡¯s tall figure disappeared slowly into the darkness until there was nothing left.
Tess nced in his direction before turning away, her expression unreadable. She sat silently, waiting for. the surgery to end.
Zane nced between the two of them, shaking his head slightly.
They say people in the middle of things can¡¯t see clearly, but outsiders always can.
Zane noticed Tess¡¯s furrowed brow and tried tofort her. ¡°Ms. Tess, stomach issues run in Mr. Lock¡¯s family. It looks bad, but it¡¯s really not serious. You don¡¯t need to worry too much.¡±
The tension seemed to ease the moment Finn left. The air even felt warmer.
Tess looked up at Zane with a grateful smile, though her brow was still furrowed. ¡°How were you at his hotel so quickly when he got sick?¡±
¡°Mr. Shaw called the private hospital¡¯s emergency line before he passed out,¡± Zane exined. ¡°Since I¡¯m Mr. Lock¡¯s personal assistant, I was notified right away and came as soon as I could.¡±
He spoke carefully, exining every detail.
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Chapter 507 Someone Important
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Then, almost hesitating, he added, ¡°Actually¡ Mr. Lock got here before anyone else. He¡¯s been waiting here too. He came ¡ because of you.¡± Conclusion
In the dimly lit hallway, Tess sat in silence, her heart racing with a tumult of emotions. The weight of her concern for Abel was palpable, a stark contrast to the cool detachment she had shown Finn. As she waited for news, she realized that her feelings for Abel had transformed into something deeper than mere friendship. The panic she felt at the thought of losing him illuminated the significance he held in her life, a realization that bothforted and frightened her. The tension that had hung in the air dissipated with Finn¡¯s departure, leaving behind a bittersweet rity. Tess understood now that her past with Finn was just that¡ªa past. She had moved on, but the journey had not been without its scars.
Meanwhile, Finn walked away, the shadows swallowing him whole, leaving behind the remnants of a connection that had once defined him. His heart ached with jealousy and loss, but as he stepped into the darkness, he recognized the truth: Tess had chosen her path, and it no longer included him as a partner. The realization was a harsh reminder of their fractured rtionship, and though he felt the sting of rejection, he also understood that he had to let her go. In that moment, Finn became a silent witness to Tess¡¯s growth, acknowledging the strength she had found in herself. As he moved further away, the pain of their past lingered, but so did the hope that perhaps, in time, they could both find their own ways to heal.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing Chapter 508, readers can expect the tension between Tess and Finn to reach a boiling point. With Finn¡¯s quiet departure still echoing in the dimly lit hallway, Tess is left grappling with her feelings for Abel while navigating theplex dynamics of her past with Finn. The emotional stakes are higher than ever as Tess must confront not only her guilt over Abel¡¯s condition but also the unresolved feelings that linger with Finn. Will she finally acknowledge the depth of her connection with Abel, or will her past with Finn pull her back into a world she thought she had left behind?
As the surgery unfolds, Tess¡¯s anxiety will intensify, forcing her to confront the implications of her rtionships. Zane, who seems to be caught in the middle, may y a pivotal role in revealing the truth about Finn¡¯s feelings and intentions. Will he act as a bridge, helping Tess see the bigger picture, or will he inadvertentlyplicate matters further? The chapter promises to delve deeper into Tess¡¯s psyche as she weighs her loyalties and emotions, leading to a moment of reckoning that could change everything. Prepare for a whirlwind of revtions, as secretse to light and choices must be made¡ªchoices that will define Tess¡¯s future and her heart.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 508
Keepsake 508 Summary
In Chapter 508 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Late Night at the Office,¡± Tess finds herself in a tense situation as she awaits news about Abel, who has just undergone surgery. The atmosphere is filled with anxiety as the lights above the operating room go out, signaling the end of the procedure. When the doctors finally bring Abel out on a hospital bed, Tess¡¯s heart races with a mix of relief and worry. She quickly responds to the doctor¡¯s call, eager to ensure Abel¡¯s recovery, while Zane stands in the background, maintaining a protective distance regarding Tess¡¯s involvement.
As the doctor provides Tess with instructions about Abel¡¯s care, Zane¡¯s demeanor shifts from concern to a more detached stance, emphasizing that Tess¡¯s decisions are now her own since she and Finn are divorced. This moment highlights the emotionalplexities surrounding their rtionships, with Zane feeling the weight of the situation as he observes Finn¡¯s deteriorating state. Zane reflects on his long-standing friendship with Finn, noting how the pressures of work have taken a toll on him, leading to sleepless nights and increasing exhaustion.
Back in the CEO¡¯s office, Finn appears consumed by his work, unable to detach from the stress that surrounds him. Zane¡¯s attempts to encourage Finn to take a break are met with resistance, as Finn grapples with feelings of hopelessness and longing for Tess, despite their estrangement. The chapter captures Finn¡¯s internal struggle, revealing a bitter acknowledgment of his loneliness and the futility of his hopes for reconciliation with Tess.
When Tess unexpectedly appears at the office with food, her gentle demeanor and thoughtful gesture momentarily break through Finn¡¯s emotional barriers. However, Finn¡¯s instinct to push her away resurfaces, leading to a tense interaction where Tess feels unwee. The scene encapstes theplexity of their rtionship, as Tess¡¯s kindness is met with Finn¡¯s coldness, leaving both characters grappling with their unresolved feelings amidst the silence of the night.
Ultimately, this chapter delves into themes of istion, regret, and the struggle for connection. Tess¡¯s caring nature contrasts sharply with Finn¡¯s emotional turmoil, setting the stage for potential reconciliation or further heartbreak as they navigate their intertwined lives. Thete-night setting serves as a metaphor for their current state¡ªdark, lonely, and filled with unspoken emotions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 508 Late Night at the Office
Chapter 508 Late Night at the Office
Tess stayed quiet, pretending she didn¡¯t hear thatst part.
Just then, the light above the operating room door went out.
Tess quickly stood up, her heart racing.
A momentter, the door swung open, and nurses pushed out a hospital bed.
Abel was lying there, his face pale, but there was already a faint color returning to his lips.
¡°Mr. Shaw¡¯s family?¡±
The doctor had just taken off his mask when he called out toward the hallway,
¡°Me! That¡¯s me!¡±
Tess rushed forward.
The doctor gave her a quick once¨Cover, and his brows furrowed slightly beneath his surgical cap, barely noticeable.
He nced toward the doorway, where Zane was standing.
Wait¨Cisn¡¯t this Mrs. Lock?
Zane gave him a small nod.
The doctor cleared his throat softly and said to Tess, ¡°The nurse will take you to his room. For the next few days, make sure he follows the meal n we¡¯ve provided. No spicy or greasy food, got it?¡±
Tess nodded quickly and followed the nurse down the hall toward the recovery ward.
The doctor, however, didn¡¯t leave right away. He turned and slowly walked over to Zane.
Before he could even ask, Zane raised his hand to stop him.
¡°Mr. Lock and Ms. Ember are divorced,¡± he said tly. ¡°Whatever she does now is her own business. We don¡¯t have the right to interfere.¡±
The doctor studied Zane¡¯s stiff face for a second, then just sighed. ¡°Mr. Lock didn¡¯t look so good when he came in earlier. Make sure he gets some rest.¡±
Zane blinked, a bit thrown off, but didn¡¯t reply. He simply thanked the doctor and told him to get some
rest.
the de
Truth was, the doctor wasn¡¯t wrong. Lately, Finn had barely been sleeping. Even when Zane went back to the officete at night to grab some files, the light in the CEO¡¯s office was still on.
Zane had been by Finn¡¯s side for years, through corporate crises and sleepless nights, but he¡¯d never seep g
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Chapter 508 Late Night at the Office
him like this before¨Cso worn down, so consumed.
Zane sighed quietly.
He¡¯d been bringing in more coffee these past few weeks than he had in years.
429 Free Coins
He lifted his eyes, staring down at the long, empty hallway, and couldn¡¯t help picturing that lonely figure walking away earlier.
Ms. Ember probably isn¡¯t going to forgive Mr. Lock again. Is all this really worth it?
The thought weighed heavily on his chest, but reminding himself of his position, he turned and headed back to the office.
The moment he stepped onto the top floor, he saw the door to the CEO¡¯s office wide open, the lights still zing inside.
Finn was leaning over his desk, staring at hisptop screen. Every now and then, he typed something, then stopped, frowning as he took a sip of coffee.
¡°Mr. Lock.¡±
Zane¡¯s voice broke the silence.
Finn looked up, rubbing his brow with his thumb and asking, ¡°How is he?¡±
¡°Mr. Shaw¡¯s out of surgery and stable. The doctor just said to keep him off spicy food, and he¡¯ll be fine.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Finn gave a small nod, acknowledging the update.
Zane hesitated, then said quietly, ¡°Mr. Lock, it¡¯s reallyte. You should go home and rest.¡±
Finn looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Did someone say something to you?¡±
Zane caught the faint hope flickering in those dark eyes.
¡°It was the doctor,¡± he said carefully. ¡°He noticed you didn¡¯t look well when you came in earlier.¡±
At that, Finn¡¯s fingers tightened around his coffee mug. A crooked smile tugged at his lips¨Ca bitter, mocking one.
He knew she wanted nothing to do with him, and yet he still couldn¡¯t help hoping she cared.
How pathetic.
¡°Got it.¡±
His voice was low, and he turned his gaze back to the screen.
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Zane knew there was no point in pushing further. Not wanting to make him more irritated, he simply nodded and left quietly.
Once the footsteps faded away, Finn finally looked up again. His eyes were dark, like deep water that seemed to swallow all light.
He turned toward the window. Outside, the city had gone quiet. Even the downtown lights weren¡¯t as bright anymore.
The whole city was asleep¨Ceveryone but him. His mind was a mess, and no amount of coffee could calm it.
He stood up, cigarette between his fingers, and walked over to the window.
His tall, lean frame was outlined against the ss, smoke curlingzily upward. The loneliness around him felt heavy, almost suffocating.
¡°Finn? You¡¯re still up thiste?¡±
His ears perked up at the familiar voice. He turned and saw a woman standing not far away.
It took him a second to focus, but when he did, he saw Tess. She looked calm and gentle, holding a small takeout box in her hands.
¡°What are you doing here?¡± he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
¡°I heard from Zane that you were still working,¡± Tess said softly. ¡°It¡¯s sote, and I figured you probably hadn¡¯t eaten yet.¡± She walked up and ced the box on the corner of his desk. ¡°I made some seafood rolls myself. Want to try it?¡±
Her eyes were warm and bright, softer than the moonlight streaming through the window.
Without realizing it, Finn found himself stepping closer.
But then Tess lowered her gaze suddenly, her voice flustered. ¡°If you don¡¯t want it, that¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll go. Sorry.¡± She quickly closed the box and turned to leave, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
In the quiet room, he could still hear an echo of his own voice from earlier¨Ccold and distant. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not toe?¡±
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Chapter 509 Taking Responsibility Conclusion
In the stillness of the night, Finn stood at the precipice of his own emotions, caught between the shadows of regret and the flicker of hope that Tess brought with her. Her gentle gesture of bringing food was a reminder of the warmth he had lost, yet the walls he had built around himself felt insurmountable. As she turned to leave, the weight of his earlier words hung heavily in the air, a bitter reminder of the distance he had created. In that moment, he realized that his loneliness was not just a consequence of his choices but a reflection of his fear of vulnerability. Tess, with her quiet strength, had offered a lifeline, but he was still grappling with the remnants of his pride and past mistakes.
For Tess, the act of reaching out was both a challenge and afort. She had always cared for Finn, but theplexities of their history made it difficult to bridge the gap between them. As she walked away, her heart ached with the realization that forgiveness might be a long road, one that required both of them to confront their feelings and fears. Yet, in that fleeting moment, she had felt a glimmer of connection, a reminder that healing was possible. With each step she took, she resolved to hold onto that hope, knowing that sometimes the most profound changes begin with the simplest acts of kindness, even in thete hours of the night.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing Chapter 509, titled ¡°Taking Responsibility,¡± readers can expect to delve deeper into the emotional turmoil gripping Finn and Tess. With Tess¡¯s unexpected appearance in the CEO¡¯s office, the tension will escte as Finn grapples with his conflicting feelings of loneliness and the hope that Tess might still care for him. Will he push her away again, or will he finally confront the feelings he has been trying to suppress? The stakes are high, and Tess¡¯s gentle persistence could either break down the walls Finn has built around his heart or push him further into istion.
Meanwhile, Zane, who has been a steadfast presence in Finn¡¯s life, will find himself at a crossroads. As he witnesses the struggle between his friend and the woman who once meant so much to him, Zane will have to confront his own beliefs about loyalty and friendship. Will he step in to facilitate a reconciliation, or will he respect Finn¡¯s wishes to keep Tess at arm¡¯s length? The chapter promises to explore theplexities of their rtionships, revealing hidden motives and unspoken truths that could change everything. Readers should brace themselves for a whirlwind of emotions as the characters navigate their intertwined fates, leading to a dramatic climax that will leave them eager for more.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 509
Keepsake 509 Summary
In Chapter 509 of **Keepsake 509**, Tess steps outside, visibly defeated and hurt, prompting Finn to reflect on their past when they were still together. The weight of regret and sorrow overwhelms him as he recalls the love and concern Tess had for him during a difficult time, particrly when Abel was hospitalized. This moment of reflection leaves Finn feeling powerless and lost, as he gazes at the dark sky, feeling the absence of hope.
Inside the hospital room, Abel awakens to find Tess by his side, initially believing he is dreaming. Their yful banter quickly reveals the underlying tension and affection between them. Despite his illness, Abel attempts to lighten the mood, but Tess¡¯s frustration over his reckless eating habits surfaces, leading to a mix of annoyance and care. Their dynamic showcases a blend of humor and concern, highlighting their rtionship¡¯splexity.
As the conversation unfolds, Abel¡¯s yful demeanor contrasts with Tess¡¯s serious concern for his well-being. She scolds him for his choices but also tends to him with tenderness, reflecting her deep-seated feelings. Abel¡¯s realization of her care prompts a lighthearted exchange, where he jokingly uses her of being secretly in love with him. Tess, while maintaining herposure, acknowledges her responsibility for his condition, which adds ayer of intimacy to their interaction.
The chapter concludes with Tess¡¯s decision to stay with Abel in the hospital, emphasizing hermitment to support him despite the challenges they face. Abel¡¯s surprised reaction to her staying indicates a shift in their rtionship dynamic, where the boundaries of friendship and care begin to blur. Tess¡¯s yful acknowledgment of taking responsibility for Abel¡¯s situation hints at deeper feelings, leaving the reader with a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead in their rtionship.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 509**
**Chapter 509: Taking Responsibility**
Tess¡¯s expression crumbled, her shoulders slumping as she stepped outside, the weight of hurt and defeat evident in her every movement.
Finn, caught in a moment of instinct, reached out as if to grasp her retreating figure, but his hand only met the unyielding chill of the windowpane. The cold sensation jolted him back to the present, and suddenly, he was engulfed by memories from a year prior¡ªthe days when Tess had still been his wife, and the world felt less fractured.
Each recollection crashed over him like a relentless tide, each wave of regret cutting deeper than thest, making it difficult for him to draw a breath. He pressed a hand against his chest, where an ache blossomed, spreading like ink in water, saturating him with sorrow.
He recalled the same worried expression she wore earlier when Abely in that sterile hospital bed¡ªhow she used to look at him with that same blend of concern and love.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Finn found himself feeling utterly powerless. He tilted his head back, letting his gaze drift up to the vast expanse of the dark sky, which was devoid of even a single moonbeam to light his way.
**In the hospital room.**
Abel stirred slowly, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal Tess sitting beside him, her expression far from joyful.
¡°Am I dreaming?¡± he murmured, blinking in confusion and rubbing his eyes, as if that simple gesture could shake off the remnants of sleep. ¡°Howe I wake up and Tess is right next to me? You don¡¯t look happy¡ but still, what a nice dream.¡±
¡°What are you mumbling about?¡± Tess interjected, raising her hand to give him a swift flick on the forehead.
The unexpected jab jolted him awake instantly.
Abel froze for a brief moment, his hand moving to the spot she had struck, the sleepy haze evaporating, reced by a dawning realization that this was no figment of his imagination.
¡°Tess? What are you doing here?¡± he eximed, yanking the nket up to his chin as if it could shield him from the embarrassment of being caught off guard.
Tess regarded him with a raised eyebrow, unimpressed by his dramatic reaction.
¡°Knock it off and act normal,¡± shemanded, her tone sharp but tinged with an undercurrent of affection.
Abel pouted, his bravado faltering, but he ceased his fidgeting.
He lowered the nket, revealing his face, still pale from illness but undeniably handsome. A sheepish smile crept onto his lips, as he attempted to lighten the mood. ¡°So, Tess, what are you doing here? Did you miss me or something?¡±
Tess rolled her eyes, her annoyance bubbling to the surface. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t have eaten that spicy food, Abel. You know you can¡¯t handle it!¡±
Abel shrank back under her gaze, his expression turning sheepish as he recalled the moment he had indulged in the forbidden dish. ¡°You gave it to me,¡± he muttered, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice.
¡°You can¡¯t eat spicy food, and your stomach is in turmoil because of it!¡± Tess eximed, mming her palm down on the bed in frustration.
The bed frame creaked ominously, and Abel flinched, instinctively sucking in his stomach. ¡°You hardly ever serve me anything! How could I not eat it?¡±
Tess was so furious she felt as if smoke might just start billowing from her ears. Yet, deep down, she knew that there was little she could truly do to him in this state. She clenched her fists, her voice sharp. ¡°Next time, just don¡¯t do it in your hotel room alone, okay?¡±
Abel could sense that her anger was more bluster than anything else. A grin broke across his face as he tried to inch closer to her, but the moment he shifted, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen, causing him to wince.
Tess caught the change in his expression immediately. She slipped a pillow behind his back, propping him up gently. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± she scolded, concerncing her tone.
Abel inhaled sharply, stifling augh despite the difort. Even in pain, his eyes sparkled with mischief, bright and full of life.
He gazed at Tess, who was now just inches away, and he could feel the pallor of his face fading. ¡°Alright,¡± he said softly, a small grin tugging at his lips as if he found the entire situation amusing.
Tess sighed, feeling a mix of exasperation and affection. He was always like this¡ªyful, childlike,pletely oblivious to the need for self-care.
¡°Tess,¡± Abel said after a thoughtful pause, rubbing his chin as if pondering a great mystery, ¡°I remember calling the ambnce before I passed out. How did you even know I ended up in the hospital?¡±
Then a light seemed to flicker in his eyes. ¡°Wait¡ªdon¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve been secretly in love with me this whole time! You must¡¯ve had someone following me, right? That¡¯s how you showed up so fast when I got sick. You care about me!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself,¡± Tess replied, smacking his hand lightly when he pointed at her in jest. ¡°You¡¯re still acting like a child even when you¡¯re sick.¡±
Abel met her sharp gaze, his expression shifting to one of mock disappointment. ¡°Sorry¡¡±
That single word emerged so pitifully that Tess found herself unable to muster any more ire.
There was no sense in getting angry at a patient, after all.
¡°I¡¯m fine now,¡± Abel said after a moment, his tone turning more serious. ¡°You should go home and rest. La still needs you there.¡±
Tess regarded him with surprise, taken aback by his unexpected maturity.
After a brief silence, she tucked the nket around him, her voice softening. ¡°There¡¯s a fold-out bed here. I¡¯ll stay tonight. Bessie¡¯s at home with La.¡±
Abel¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re staying here? In the same room as me?¡±
Tess froze, caught off guard by the implication behind his words.
It was a perfectly normal thing to do¡ªstaying with a patient¡ªbut the way he said it made the situation feel far more intimate than it was meant to be.
She forced a smile, then flicked his forehead again, this time yfully. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to make you eat spicy food, but it¡¯s partly my fault. I¡¯m just taking responsibility.¡±
¡°Taking responsibility?¡± Abel echoed,pletely missing the point of her words. His eyes lit up, a grin spreading across his face as his imagination began to run wild.Conclusion
As Tess settled into the fold-out bed beside Abel, the emotional turmoil that had engulfed her began to ebb, reced by a fragile sense of hope. The earlier weight of defeat was still present, but it felt lighter now, as if shared in the dim light of the hospital room. With each yful jab exchanged with Abel, she felt the remnants of their past connection flicker back to life, igniting a warmth that had long been buried underyers of hurt and regret. Tess realized that taking responsibility wasn¡¯t merely about the mistakes made; it was about the willingness to embrace the present and the possibilities thaty ahead. In this moment, she found sce in theughter that danced between them, a reminder that amidst chaos, the bonds of affection could still weave their way through the cracks.
Finn, on the other hand, remained a silent observer of their reconnection, grappling with the bittersweet realization that the love he once shared with Tess was evolving. Standing alone in the dark, he felt the ache in his chest deepen, but there was a flicker of understanding that perhaps this was a necessary chapter in their lives. As he watched Tess rediscover joy in the simplest of moments, he understood that love sometimes meant letting go, allowing the ones you care for to forge new paths. The darkness of the sky above seemed to mirror his own uncertainty, yet within it, he sensed the promise of dawn. The emotional arc of this chapter was not just about loss but also about growth, eptance, and the enduring power of love, even in its transformed state.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Tess and Abel simmers beneath the surface, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into theirplicated rtionship. With Tess¡¯s decision to stay by Abel¡¯s side, readers can anticipate a night filled with unspoken emotions and unexpected revtions. The hospital room, typically a sterile environment, will transform into a space charged with vulnerability, where both characters must confront their feelings and the weight of their past choices. Will Tess¡¯s protective instincts toward Abel bring them closer together, or will the ghosts of their history loom toorge to ignore?
Moreover, Finn¡¯s emotional turmoil will likely continue to y a pivotal role as he grapples with his feelings of regret and longing. The juxtaposition of his memories with Tess and the present reality will create a haunting backdrop, setting the stage for a potential confrontation or reconciliation. As he reflects on their shared past, readers may find themselves questioning whether Finn can muster the courage to take responsibility for his actions and fight for the rtionship he once cherished. The next chapter is poised to explore theplexities of love, responsibility, and the difficult choices that define us.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 510
Keepsake 510 Summary
In Chapter 510 of ¡°Keepsake 510,¡± Tess visits Abel in the hospital, where their interaction is charged with tension and humor. As Tess sits across from Abel, she feels a headache brewing, mirroring her frustration with his yful defiance. Abel, despite being injured, insists on maintaining control over the situation, jokingly demanding a private suite to keep Tess away. His antics, thoughical, reveal a deeper concern for her well-being, as he suggests she leave for the night. Tess, caught between irritation and amusement, ultimately decides to walk away, leaving Abel with a sense of regret for her departure.
Outside the hospital, Tess reflects on the evening as she catches a cab. She feels a mix of relief and anxiety, knowing that her recent divorce from Finn has made her the subject of gossip. Abel¡¯s behavior, she realizes, was an attempt to protect her from unwanted spection. As she arrives home, the weight of the night lingers in her thoughts, highlighting her vulnerability amid the chaos of her life.
The following morning, Tess is abruptly awakened by a phone call from Violet, who is inquiring about Abel¡¯s condition. Their conversation takes an unexpected turn when Violet asks about Nadine, the Embers¡¯ foster daughter, stirring Tess¡¯s curiosity. Violet¡¯s tone hints at ulterior motives, and Tess is left bewildered by the sudden shift in focus. Despite her confusion, she provides Violet with the information she seeks, unaware of the implications it holds.
Meanwhile, Violet and Olivia are on a mission, determined to confront Nadine at the hospital. Their arrival at Nadine¡¯s room is marked by a sense of intimidation, as they assert their presence. Nadine, initially startled and defensive, quickly realizes their intentions are far from benign. Violet¡¯s disdainful remarks ignite a spark of defiance in Nadine, who stands her ground against the two women. The chapter closes with a palpable tension, as Nadine prepares to defend herself against their scrutiny.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 510**
**Chapter 510: The Late-Night Visit**
Tess sat across from Abel, her gaze locked onto him, and felt the familiar throb of a headache creeping in, a dull drumbeat that mirrored her growing frustration.
Before she could muster a response, Abel crossed his arms defiantly, a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°Absolutely not. I¡¯m the one in the hospital bed here. Sure, I might be a bit bruised, but let¡¯s be honest, I still look pretty good. I can¡¯t let you near me.¡± His tone was half-joking, half-serious, but there was an edge of sincerity that made Tess frown.
With a sudden burst of energy, he began furiously pressing the nurse call button, as if it were a life-or-death situation.
When the nurse arrived, he waved his hand theatrically, as if summoning a servant. ¡°You see? She¡¯s definitely up to no good. Don¡¯t let her stick around to take care of me. I demand a private suite¡ªjust for myself!¡± His dramatic ir was almostical, yet Tess found herself at a loss for words.
The nurse¡¯s lips twitched in amusement, caught between professionalism and the absurdity of the situation.
Abel was undeniably handsome, with an intensity that could easily charm anyone, but it was evident he had a few loose screws rattling around in that head of his.
Nevertheless, the nurse had to adhere to the wishes of her patient, and she cast Tess an apologetic nce, silently acknowledging the chaos of the moment.
¡°If you need anything at all, just give me a shout,¡± Tess said, her voiceced with helplessness as she raised her phone in a half-hearted gesture of reassurance.
Abel blinked, his expression shifting as he considered her words. ¡°You should really head home. It¡¯ste, and it¡¯s not proper for a man and woman to be alone at this hour.¡± His tone was teasing, but there was a hint of genuine concern there.
Tess rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of irritation and amusement. ¡°I¡¯m leaving,¡± she replied tly, turning on her heel and striding away without a backward nce.
As soon as her slender figure vanished around the corner, Abel felt a pang of regret. Hisshes fluttered, and he whispered to himself, ¡°I wish you¡¯d stayed.¡±
Outside the hospital, Tess finally managed to hail a cab, the clock already well past midnight.
Sinking into the back seat, she let out a breath she hadn¡¯t realized she was holding, feeling her tense muscles begin to rx.
But as the city lights blurred past, her mind began to wander once more.
Her fingers tightened around her purse, a small anchor in the storm of her thoughts.
Deep down, she understood that Abel had been putting on that ridiculous act to shield her from potential gossip.
Only recently divorced from Finn, she was still the subject of whispers and spection. Even though the faces she¡¯d seen outside the operating room were familiar, the fear of rumors spreading like wildfire loomed over her.
With a quiet sigh, Tess walked through the gates of Evermount Heights, the pale moonlight casting long shadows on the ground.
The following morning, before she had even fully opened her eyes, her phone rang insistently, pulling her from the depths of sleep.
¡°Tess, I just heard the Shaw boy is in the hospital,¡± Violet¡¯s warm voice greeted her, cutting through the fog of her drowsiness.
Tess assumed Violet was reaching out to check on Abel. ¡°He¡¯s fine¡ª¡± she started, but was quickly interrupted.
¡°Do you know which room Nadine is in at Primal Hospital?¡± Violet¡¯s question caught Tess off guard, shifting the conversation in an unexpected direction.
¡°Why are you asking about that Shaw kid?¡± Tess replied, her brow furrowing in confusion.
¡°But since he¡¯s in the hospital, pushing him for work now might seem a little heartless,¡± Violet added, her toneced with a hint of mischief.
Tess¡¯s lips twitched in realization. So that¡¯s why Violet had called.
¡°She¡¯s in the inpatient wing, fifth floor, room eight. It¡¯s a private suite,¡± Tess informed her, still feeling a bit bewildered but determined to be honest.
¡°Aun Violet, what exactly are you nning?¡± she questioned hesitantly, her curiosity piqued.
Violet¡¯s voice took on a conspiratorial tone. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this between us for now. Don¡¯t worry about it. Just pretend I never asked.¡±
And with that, she hung up, leaving Tess staring at her phone in utter bewilderment.
Meanwhile, Violet exchanged a knowing nce with Olivia, who stood beside her, already poised for action.
The two women found themselves in the lobby of Primal Hospital¡¯s inpatient building, their heels clicking on the polished floor as they moved with purpose.
¡°Fifth floor, let¡¯s go,¡± Olivia said briskly, her brow arched with determination as she headed straight for the elevator.
When they arrived at room eight, the gold-trimmed sign reading ¡°VIP Suite¡± gleamed under the fluorescent lights, a stark contrast to the sterile environment.
Olivia scoffed lightly, a smirk forming on her lips. ¡°A foster daughter living in a VIP room? Not too shabby.¡±
With a firm knock, she rapped on the door, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
The sudden noise jolted Nadine from her nap, her IV still dripping steadily beside her.
She blinked, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of two elegant, intimidating women standing before her, their expressions unreadable.
The irritation she felt faded, reced by a creeping sense of unease. ¡°W-who are you? You can¡¯t just barge into a patient¡¯s room like this!¡±
Olivia, tall and broad-shouldered, stepped forward, her presencemanding. ¡°You¡¯re the Embers¡¯ adopted daughter, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Nadine¡¯s heart sank at the realization that they were indeed there for her.
¡°W-what do you want with me?¡± she stammered, instinctively clutching her nket tighter, as if it could shield her from their scrutiny.
¡°Nothing much,¡± Violet replied smoothly, her voice calm yetced with an underlying tension. She walked closer, her heels clicking against the floor, each step deliberate.
¡°Just curious about what the Embers¡¯ shameless foster daughter looks like. So this is it,¡± she said, her faint smile not reaching her eyes as she scanned Nadine from head to toe, her gaze dripping with disdain.
The contempt in Violet¡¯s tone ignited something deep within Nadine, her fear morphing into anger. ¡°Who do you think you are? I¡¯ll call security and have you thrown out!¡± she retorted, her voice rising with indignation.Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of thete-night visit, both Tess and Abel found themselves grappling with the weight of unspoken emotions. Tess, while trying to shake off her irritation, felt the lingering warmth of concern for Abel, recognizing that his yful bravado was a mask for deeper vulnerabilities. As she navigated the city streets, the chaos of her thoughts reflected the turmoil of her recent past, reminding her that even amidst theughter and teasing, the specter of judgment from her divorce still loomedrge. Tess¡¯s resolve to protect her heart shed with her instinct to reach out, leaving her in a poignant state of ambivalence.
Meanwhile, the unexpected confrontation in the hospital room marked a turning point for Nadine, who faced the harsh reality of her situation head-on. The arrival of Violet and Olivia, with their poised yet intimidating presence, forced her to confront not only her identity as the Embers¡¯ foster daughter but also the insecurities that came with it. As her anger red in response to their disdain, Nadine felt a flicker of empowerment igniting within her, a realization that she would not allow herself to be diminished by their scrutiny. In this moment of defiance, the emotional arcs of all three characters intertwined, each struggling with their pasts and the weight of their present, setting the stage for theplexities of their rtionships to unfold in the chapters toe.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tension will reach a boiling point as the confrontation between Nadine and Violet esctes. With Violet¡¯s disdainful remarks lingering in the air, Nadine will find herself grappling with her emotions, caught between her instinct to defend herself and the vulnerability of her current situation. As secrets and hidden agendas begin to unravel, readers can anticipate a deeper exploration of Nadine¡¯s character, revealing theyers of her past that have shaped her into the fierce individual she is today. Will she stand her ground against the judgmental gaze of the Embers¡¯ social elite, or will fear and insecurity cloud her resolve?
Meanwhile, Tess will be drawn back into the whirlwind of hospital drama, forced to confront her own feelings about Abel and the implications of his hospital stay. As she navigates the murky waters of gossip and her recent divorce, Tess will have to decide whether to shield her heart or embrace the chaos that surrounds her. With Violet¡¯s machinations at y and Abel¡¯s charm lingering in the background, the stakes will rise, setting the stage for unexpected alliances and revtions. Get ready for a chapter filled with sharp dialogue, emotional confrontations, and the kind of intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats!
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 511
Keepsake 511 Summary
In Chapter 511 of ¡°Keepsake 511,¡± titled ¡°The VIP Room Standoff,¡± the tension esctes as Nadine finds herself confronted by Olivia and Violet in her hospital room. Olivia¡¯s defiance and smug demeanor ignite Nadine¡¯s fear and anger, making her feel trapped and vulnerable. Despite her trembling state, Nadine summons the courage to press the call button for help, desperate to rid herself of the intruders. The rm¡¯s sound brings her a flicker of reassurance, but the situation remains fraught with hostility as she confronts the two women, demanding their removal.
Nadine¡¯s emotional turmoil intensifies as sheshes out, throwing objects and asserting her family¡¯s wealth and influence in a bid to regain control. Her frustration peaks when she realizes that the nurses are hesitant to act decisively, caught in the crossfire of Nadine¡¯s panic and Olivia¡¯s calm defiance. The nurses¡¯ attempts to mediate the situation only heighten Nadine¡¯s distress, as she feels increasingly isted and threatened by the presence of the two women who im to be her rtives.
The standoff reaches a critical point when Violet¡¯s cryptic remarks send chills down Nadine¡¯s spine, hinting at a deeper connection that she cannotprehend. As Nadine¡¯s anger morphs into hysteria, she struggles to maintain herposure, feeling the weight of her family¡¯s expectations pressing down on her. The dynamic shifts as she confronts the reality of her situation, grappling with the fear of the unknown and the looming threat that Olivia and Violet represent.
Just as the tension reaches its peak, Kylie arrives, her anxious presence signaling a potential turning point in the confrontation. The chapter closes with a sense of impending revtion, leaving readers on edge as they anticipate the unfolding drama and the secrets that bind these characters together. Nadine¡¯s emotional journey reflects her struggle for autonomy and the desperate need to understand her ce in a world that feels increasingly hostile and confusing.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 511**
**Chapter 511: The VIP Room Standoff**
¡°No need to rush us, dear. We¡¯re simply waiting for someone, and then we¡¯ll be on our way,¡± Olivia dered, raising an eyebrow with an air of defiance.
So, more of them are on their way? Nadine thought, her insides twisting with dread.
She trembled uncontrobly, the bed vibrating beneath her as her teeth chattered in fear.
Her eyes widened in disbelief¡ªhow could these women be so brazen as to act this way in a hospital setting?
With a surge of determination, she mmed her finger down on the call button, the shrill rm outside the door cutting through the tension like a knife. ¡°Room 8 calling!¡± it red, echoing in her ears.
Her heart raced, but the sound of that rm brought with it a flicker of reassurance.
¡°You just wait! How dare you cause a scene in a hospital? None of you are leaving here!¡± she shouted, lifting her chin defiantly, a spark of pride igniting in her eyes.
Olivia red at the smug expression on Nadine¡¯s face, feeling a wave of irritation wash over her. No matter how she tried to rationalize it, that look was infuriating.
She exchanged a knowing nce with Violet, who stood beside her with an air of calm.
Kylie had told me I¡¯d like this adopted daughter once I met her. What a joke. Like her enough to give her a good smack, maybe.
Olivia clenched her jaw, her gaze narrowing as she noticed the bruises on Nadine¡¯s arm.
So, someone¡¯s already dealt with her? No wonder she¡¯s in here. She deserves it, really.
Though Olivia rolled her eyes internally, her expression remained cool and detached, revealing nothing of her thoughts.
In stark contrast, Violet exuded an elegantposure, her eyes sharp and icy as they fixed on Nadine. The moment she turned her gaze toward the younger woman, the very air in the room seemed to freeze.
The staff at Primal Hospital were impressively efficient. Mere moments after Nadine pressed the call button, three nurses burst through the door, their faces a mix of concern and professionalism.
¡°What¡¯s the matter, Ms. Nadine? Are you experiencing pain?¡± the lead nurse inquired, her voice polite yetced with tension. But as her eyes swept across the scene, she froze, taking in the hostility hanging thick in the air.
¡°Uh¡¡± she began, hesitating as she nced between the three women before her gazended on Nadine. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±
Fuming, Nadine hurled a cup from her tray against the wall. ¡°These two are here to cause trouble! Get them out of my sight!¡±
¡°We haven¡¯t done anything wrong. We¡¯re merely waiting for someone,¡± Olivia replied coolly, leaning back in the visitor¡¯s chair with an air of nonchnce, as if she owned the ce.
Her calm demeanor caused the nurses to falter, uncertainty creeping into their expressions.
¡°Ms. Nadine, do you know these women?¡± one nurse asked cautiously, trying to gauge the situation.
¡°No!¡± Nadine snapped, cutting the nurse off before she could continue. In a fit of rage, she snatched an apple from the fruit tray and flung it to the floor. ¡°Kick them out! My parents are paying a fortune for my care here, and this is the service I get?¡±
A strange, growing fear enveloped Nadine as she looked at the two women. Panic wed at her, edging dangerously close to the surface. All she wanted was for them to disappear.
The nurses exchanged hesitant nces, clearly sensing Nadine¡¯s escting distress.
¡°Ladies,¡± the lead nurse said respectfully, ¡°our patients require a quiet environment to recover. If you¡¯re not family, I must ask you to leave.¡±
She bowed slightly, gesturing toward the door with an air of authority.
Olivia scoffed, leaning her elbow on the armrest, utterly unyielding. ¡°Who says we¡¯re not family? We¡¯re rtives.¡±
Her deration stunned everyone in the room into silence.
Nadine froze, her mind racing. She couldn¡¯t recall ever having rtives like these.
¡°I don¡¯t know her!¡± she spat through gritted teeth, her voice trembling with indignation.
¡°Don¡¯t know us?¡± Violet¡¯s eyes narrowed, a faint, knowing smile ying on her lips. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±
The way she spoke sent a chill down Nadine¡¯s spine, her instincts screaming that something was terribly wrong.
¡°I don¡¯t care who you are¡ªget them out of here, now!¡± she shouted, her fear morphing into a tempest of anger.
In a fit of frustration, she seized a pillow and began to beat it against the bed, ring furiously at the nervous nurses. ¡°Do you even care about keeping your jobs? My father is the CEO of Ember Group, and my mother is a Larson from Kingnd! If anything happens to me, you¡¯ll all regret it!¡±
Her voice rang sharp and fierce, trembling with rage.
Olivia and Violet exchanged a long, meaningful look, the tension between them palpable.
¡°So, this is the Embers¡¯ adopted daughter?¡± Olivia remarked coolly. ¡°Knows how to throw her weight around, that¡¯s for sure.¡±
Violet¡¯s tone dripped with mockery, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with Nadine¡¯s fury.
Nadine¡¯s face flushed crimson with embarrassment and anger. ¡°What¡¯s it to you? Who do you think you are? Who sent you?¡±
Her anger burned so intensely it threatened to boil over into hysteria, but Violet remainedposed, exuding an air of unshakeable confidence.
She smiled faintly, an enigmatic glint in her eye. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±
Just as those words left her lips, a voice called from the hallway, urgent and anxious. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Why are you all blocking the door?¡±
¡°Nadine? What happened?¡±
Kylie appeared outside the room, clutching her purse tightly, her wide, worried eyes scanning the scene within.Conclusion
As the tension in the VIP room reached its peak, Nadine¡¯s heart raced with a mix of fear and defiance. The arrival of Kylie, her adoptive mother, brought a glimmer of hope, cutting through the suffocating atmosphere that Olivia and Violet had created. In that moment, Nadine realized that she was not alone; she had someone who cared deeply for her and would stand against the chaos. The confrontation had forced her to confront not only the threat posed by these women but also her own insecurities and fears. With Kylie¡¯s presence, the emotional tide began to shift, offering Nadine a chance to reim her sense of safety and assert her own identity.
The standoff had revealed the stark contrast between the cold, calcted demeanor of Olivia and Violet and the warmth and protective instinct of Kylie. Nadine¡¯s anger, once a raging fire, began to cool as she felt the strength of familial love enveloping her. The realization that she had a true family willing to fight for her left her feeling emboldened. As the confrontation unfolded, Nadine¡¯s journey from fear to empowerment became evident, setting the stage for her to confront not just the women before her but also therger challenges thaty ahead. In that moment, she understood that her worth was not determined by her lineage or the expectations of others but by the bonds she chose to forge and the strength she found within herself.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the door swings open to reveal Kylie, the atmosphere in the VIP room thickens with anticipation. What will she make of the chaotic scene? With her protective instincts ignited, Kylie is bound to confront Olivia and Violet, demanding answers to the unsettling presence that has infiltrated her daughter¡¯s hospital room. The tension is palpable, and readers can expect a fierce showdown as Kylie asserts her authority, determined to shield Nadine from these mysterious women who im to be family. Will Kylie uncover the truth behind their intentions, or will the confrontation escte into an all-out battle of wills?
Moreover, the arrival of Kylie introduces a new dynamic to the already fraught situation. Her protective nature and fierce loyalty to Nadine will undoubtedly sh with Olivia and Violet¡¯s coldposure. As secrets begin to unravel, the stakes will rise, and the hidden connections between these characters wille to light. Will Nadine¡¯s past be revealed in a way that changes everything she thought she knew about her family? The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of rtionships, unveiling shocking revtions that could alter the course of Nadine¡¯s life forever. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions, confrontations, and unexpected twists that will leave readers breathless as they turn the page.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 512
Keepsake 512 Summary
In Chapter 512 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± Kylie bravely pushes through a crowd to confront a tense situation in a hospital room, where her adopted daughter, Nadine, is recovering. Upon entering, Kylie is shocked to find Aunt Olivia, the matriarch of the powerful Larson family, casually lounging and seemingly unfazed by the charged atmosphere. Kylie¡¯s anxiety is palpable as she realizes the implications of Olivia¡¯s presence, particrly for Nadine, who has never met her before and is visibly shaken.
As the conversation unfolds, Olivia¡¯s sarcasm and disdain be evident, causing Nadine to pale and Kylie to feel increasingly desperate to defend her. Kylie¡¯s attempts to introduce Nadine and ease the tension are met with Olivia¡¯s cold and dismissive remarks, which highlight the stark divide between traditional family values and Kylie¡¯s modern choices. Olivia¡¯s condescending attitude towards Nadine¡¯s adoption stirs Kylie¡¯s anger, leading her to assert the importance of their bond despite societal notions of bloodlines.
The emotional stakes rise as Olivia¡¯s harsh words cut deep, revealing the underlying family dynamics that have long been fraught with tension. Kylie grapples with feelings of resentment towards her family¡¯s disapproval of her life choices, particrly her decision to adopt Nadine. As Olivia prepares to leave, Nadine, overwhelmed by the confrontation and the fear of losing Kylie¡¯s support, reaches out for reassurance, emphasizing the fragile state of their rtionship and the weight of family expectations.
Ultimately, the chapter encapstes a moment of intense emotional conflict, where themes of eptance, identity, and the struggle for familial recognition collide. Kylie¡¯s determination to protect Nadine and assert her role as a mother is challenged by Olivia¡¯s traditionalist views, leaving readers with a sense of unease about the future of their rtionship and the impact of family legacy on personal choices.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 512: The Confrontation**
Kylie finally managed to navigate her way through the throng of people clustered at the entrance. The head nurse, spotting her, hastily ushered the other nurses aside to clear a path, her eyes wide with concern.
As Kylie stepped into the room, her heart raced at the sight before her.
Olivia, lounging casually, lifted her headzily, her demeanor utterly unfazed by the tension in the air.
¡°Aunt Olivia¡ what are you doing here?¡± Kylie¡¯s voice quivered, betraying her anxiety.
Instantly, Nadine¡¯splexion drained of color, turning as pale as a ghost.
Aunt Olivia?
Nadine¡¯s gaze darted towards the older woman who stood next to Olivia. If that was indeed Mom¡¯s aunt, then she must be the one nowmanding the Larsons.
The Larsons had always been synonymous with formidable women at the helm. I¡¯ve heard the stories of Mom¡¯s mother and cousin¡ So, this woman must be the current matriarch of the family?!
Nadine¡¯s thoughts whirled chaotically. Her eyes widened as she fixed her stare on Olivia¡¯s back, a chill creeping down her spine.
Violet, ever observant, caught the flicker of rm in Nadine¡¯s expression and offered a faint smile, attempting to ease the tension.
¡°I merely came to pay a visit to the illustrious adopted daughter,¡± Olivia remarked, her tone light yetced with an undercurrent of sarcasm. ¡°Although, judging by her reaction, it seems my presence is not exactly weed. The moment I stepped through the door, she was already shouting for me to leave.¡±
Olivia¡¯s soft chuckle resonated in the room, her eyes squinting in amusement. From a distance, she might have resembled a gentle grandmother, but upon closer inspection, aplex sharpness lurked behind those aging eyes.
Kylie felt cold sweat bead on her forehead.
She nced at Nadine, whose face waspletely drained of color, a ghostly pallor recing her usual vibrancy.
¡°Aunt Olivia, Nadine¡¯s never met you before,¡± Kylie interjected nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°She¡¯s been through a lot recently, and her emotions are still raw. Your sudden appearance must have startled her.¡±
With a forced smile, Kylie extended the fruit she had brought, even peeling an orange and offering it to Olivia with her own hands. But the moment their eyes met, words caught in her throat, stifled by Olivia¡¯s derisive gaze.
¡°Is that so?¡± Olivia replied lightly, her tone deceptively casual. She made no move to take the orange, her eyes, though seemingly cheerful, were sharp andden with unspoken usations.
¡°Great Aunt Olivia, I didn¡¯t realize who you were,¡± Nadine quickly interjected, her voice taking on a surprisingly humble tone. ¡°I was startled, that¡¯s all. I didn¡¯t mean to be rude. Please forgive my disrespect.¡±
The rapid shift in her demeanor was so stark that even the two Larsons, seasoned veterans of the business world, raised their eyebrows in surprise.
No wonder Tess has found it challenging to manage her. This girl certainly knows how to adapt when it suits her.
Olivia let out a cold, mirthlessugh.
¡°Forgive you? If it were that simple, what need would we have for the police?¡±
Her voice dripped with casual disdain, leaving both Kylie and Nadine stiff with unease, exchanging nces filled with apprehension.
¡°Aunt Olivia, please don¡¯t be so harsh on her,¡± Kylie pleaded once more, desperation creeping into her tone. ¡°Anyone would feel defensive in the presence of strangers.¡±
Olivia shot her a scathing look, her expression unyielding.
Of course, no wonder Tess has been pushed around for so long. Kylie always seems to choose the wrong side.
¡°Well, you are correct about one thing,¡± Olivia replied coolly, her words slicing through the air. ¡°We are indeed strangers. She¡¯s merely an adopted girl. What connection does she have with the Larsons?¡±
Her expression darkened as she took the peeled orange from Kylie¡¯s hand, crushing it within the napkin before letting it fall onto Nadine¡¯s bedside table.
Nadine froze, her heart pounding in her chest. The soft thud of the orange hitting the table reverberated through her, sending a shiver down her spine.
Kylie¡¯s expression twisted in anger.
¡°Aunt Olivia, Nadine is my adopted daughter. How can you say she has nothing to do with the Larsons? It¡¯s the 21st century! Are we truly going to cling to outdated notions of bloodlines like they did in the past?¡±
Violet¡¯s brows knitted together in confusion, her frown deepening.
What on earth is this woman talking about?
Since when did esteemed families abandon their concern for lineage and start relying on empty emotional rhetoric like this?
Olivia regarded Kylie as if she had lost her senses.
¡°I swear, Henry must have brainwashed you,¡± she replied coldly, her voiceced with disappointment. ¡°Do you even grasp why I came here today?¡±
Kylie¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. It was painfully clear that neither of them understood her. A wave of resentment surged within her chest.
They disapproved when I insisted on marrying Henry years ago, and now they refuse to ept my decision to adopt Nadine. Is it my choices they despise, or is it me?
Kylie felt the weight of resentment pressing down on her, but she knew she had to maintain herposure.
Her fingers clenched tightly at her sides as she fought to keep her emotions in check. ¡°Aunt Olivia,¡± she said, her voice stiff yet resolute, ¡°Henry is a good man. This decision has nothing to do with him. Adopting Nadine was solely my choice.¡±
¡°Fine,¡± Olivia replied coldly. ¡°You severed ties with the Larsons long ago. If you wish to adopt a stray cat or dog tomorrow, that is entirely your affair. It bears no relevance to us.¡±
She let out a sharp, humorlessugh. ¡°I came here out of kindness¡ªto show you your adopted daughter¡¯s true nature. Perhaps it¡¯s time you mend things with your real daughter.¡±
The atmosphere in the room thickened, heavy with unspoken tension.
Olivia stood, brushing off her sleeves as though she were done with the entire encounter.
But just as she turned to leave, Nadine, still grappling with her pain, mustered the strength to sit upright and clutched Kylie¡¯s sleeve, her fingers trembling.
She looked up at Kylie, her eyes wide with desperation.
If the head of the Larsons walks out now¡ what will be of the promise Mom made me?Conclusion
In the charged silence that followed Olivia¡¯s biting words, a palpable shift urred within the room. Kylie¡¯s heart raced, not just from the confrontation but from the realization that she stood at a crossroads. The weight of Olivia¡¯s disdain hung heavy in the air, but it was Nadine¡¯s trembling grip that anchored her. In that moment, Kylie understood that her loyalty to Nadine transcended the familial ties that Olivia clung to so fiercely. The love she had for her adopted daughter was not diminished by bloodlines or the judgment of others; rather, it shone brighter in the face of adversity. Kylie¡¯s resolve hardened, and she found her voice, not just for herself but for Nadine, who had been caught in the crossfire of old family grudges.
As Olivia¡¯s figure receded, leaving behind a trail of scorn, Kylie felt the burden of generations lift slightly from her shoulders. She turned to Nadine, whose eyes mirrored a mixture of fear and hope, and for the first time, Kylie saw the strength thaty within the girl. ¡°You are more than anybel they try to impose on you,¡± she said softly, her voice steadying as she spoke. In that moment, the room transformed from a battleground of familial strife into a sanctuary of eptance. Together, they would forge their own path, one that honored their bond and defied the constraints of lineage. The confrontation had ignited a fire within them both, a determination to reim their narrative and build a future where love, not blood, defined family.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension in the room reaches a boiling point, readers can expect the fallout from Olivia¡¯s shocking revtions to unfold in the next chapter. Kylie stands at a crossroads, torn between her loyalty to Nadine and the harsh expectations of her family. With Olivia¡¯s parting words lingering in the air, the stakes are higher than ever, and Kylie must confront not only her aunt¡¯s disdain but also her own insecurities about her choices. Will she find the strength to defend her family against the relentless pressure of tradition, or will Olivia¡¯s words drive a wedge between her and Nadine, jeopardizing their fragile bond?
Additionally, Nadine¡¯s emotional turmoil will take center stage as she grapples with her identity and the implications of Olivia¡¯s visit. Her desperate plea for eptance and understanding hints at deeperyers of her character that are yet to be explored. Will she rise to the asion and assert her ce within the Larson legacy, or will the shadows of her past continue to haunt her? The next chapter promises to delve into theplexities of family dynamics, revealing the true nature of loyalty and belonging, as Kylie and Nadine navigate the treacherous waters of familial expectations and personal truths. Prepare for a gripping continuation where every choice carries the weight of consequence, and the ties that bind them may also threaten to tear them apart.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 513
Chapter 513 The Truth Comes to Light
Kylie met Nadine¡¯s pleading eyes. Even though every part of her resisted, she still couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Aunt Olivia! Even if I¡¯ve left the Larsons, I still carry the Larson blood. How can you be so heartless?¡±
¡°Heartless?¡±
Before Olivia could speak, Violet stepped forward, blocking Kylie¡¯s view of her.
Her heels clicked sharply against the floor, making her appear half a head taller as she looked down coldly at Kylie. ¡°Kylie, you¡¯re dumb, but the Larsons aren¡¯t going to follow you down that path.¡±
She crossed her arms, her tone dripping with disdain. ¡°Only you could take our kindness and twist it into an insult.¡±
Then she added, ¡°But you¡¯re right about one thing. You¡¯ve left the Larsons, but you haven¡¯t cut tiespletely. Your descendants are still Larsons by blood.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes lit up at those words. She exchanged a quick, hopeful nce with Kylie, but before she could even breathe out a sigh of relief, Violet continued, ¡°The Larsons will always wee Tess. She¡¯ll rightfully be one of the family¡¯s heirs.¡±
Kylie¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her mind going nk.
Nadine¡¯s smile froze on her face.
¡°No! Nadine is my daughter!¡± Kylie snapped, her voice trembling with anger.
But Violet just lifted her chin, turned on her heels, and strode off in her heels without a second nce.
¡°Kylie,¡± she said coldly as she walked away, ¡°you should know¨Cyou¡¯ve just destroyed yourst
chance.¡±
Meanwhile, outside the storm brewing at the hospital, another revtion was unfolding in the top¨Cfloor office of Lock Group.
¡°Mr. Lock, the investigation results are in. And the restored security footage is ready too!¡± Zane said breathlessly, knocking excitedly at the door.
With Finn¡¯s permission, he practically jogged into the office, clutching a thick stack of files.
Finn looked up from the document he was signing, his pen pausing midair as he saw the thick stack of files in Zane¡¯s arms.
¡°Well?¡± His brows furrowed deeply, fingers intecing tightly¨Ca small gesture that revealed just how tense he was.
Zane hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and ced the files on the desk.
¡°Mrs. Lock was framed.¡±
Finn¡¯s hands clenched into fists. ¡°Give it to me.¡±
He pressed his lips together, grabbed the documents, and started flipping through the pages.
Inside were carefully selected security snapshots¨Cimages of peopleing and going, all neatly arranged. Among them was Tess¡¯s figure, briefly passing through. A note in bold letters stated, ¡°Mrs. Lock entered the file room to retrieve a case file rted to an infringementwsuit she was working on and then left. She didn¡¯t take anything else.¡±
The truly suspicious person had been highlighted in color¨CNadine.
¡°Also,¡± Zane continued, ¡°staff from the secure archives confirmed that Ms. Nadine used one of theputers in that room.¡±
The missing confidential files had included several documents, but the one that caused the biggest loss for Lock Group was taken on the same date as captured in the footage.
The folder Tess took for the infringement case was originally thought to be one of the confidential files, but it actually wasn¡¯t.
Zane pointed to another printed still from the footage, showing Nadine unplugging a sh drive from theputer.
¡°Mr. Lock, these images were all extracted from the full footage. We¡¯ve saved every second of it.¡±
He then set a brand¨Cnew sh drive on Finn¡¯s desk.
Finn¡¯s lips trembled slightly.
Ever since Tess had been released, he¡¯d had doubts about what really happened a year ago. But fear kept him silent. He was afraid that he¡¯d truly wronged her.
Now, the truth hit him like a punch to the chest.
Zane hesitated before adding, ¡°There¡¯s one more video. You need to see it for yourself.¡±
He opened a tablet and yed a recording.
This one was clearer than the others.
It showed Nadine and Max standing close together in a quiet corner of the Lock Group building. They leaned in, whispering, then exchanged something small before walking away.
Max, wearing a mask, slipped into a discreet ck Maybach parked by the curb. Nadine looked around nervously before heading back inside.
¡°This was filmed the day before thepany used Mrs. Lock of stealing ssified information,¡± Zane exined as Finn swiped through the footage.
Finn¡¯s face grew darker and darker, his jaw tightening until it looked carved from stone.
Even if the videos weren¡¯t perfect proof, they were enough to clear Tess¡¯s name.
Nadine and Max had been working together all along¨CMax targeting Tess, and Nadine going after the Lock Group itself.
Finn didn¡¯t need to think any further. His arm trembled slightly, every emotion crashing inside him at once.
Guilt washed over him like a rising tide, flooding his chest until it became hard to breathe.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 514
So it turns out I was wrong all along.
Tess¡ I really wronged her.
Finn felt like someone was carving a knife through his chest. At that moment, he almost wished he¡¯d been the one locked up for a year instead.
He had seen the surveince videos from the time Tess spent in prison¨Cfreezing nights, a cell with barely any warmth, her belly swelling with pregnancy while she endured endless humiliation and istion from everyone around her.
All of it¡
Just thinking about it made Finn¡¯s heart ache painfully.
He trusted the wrong people. No wonder¨Cno wonder Tess hates me so much.
If only I had believed her, even a little, would things have turned out differently?
He pressed a hand against his chest, his whole body sinking as if the strength had drained right out of him.
Zane watched the grief written all over Finn¡¯s face, his own brows tightening. The sight made him feel sick inside.
He had helped arrange Tess¡¯s imprisonment back then¨Cfollowing Finn¡¯s orders, of course. But still, he had been part of it.
And to think it had all been one big misunderstanding.
But that ¡°misunderstanding¡± had ruined Tess¡¯s best years. She¡¯d gone to prison when she was at the height of her career. That one year had crushed her, and even after getting out, she¡¯d never returned to her former glory.
Zane¡¯s mind drifted to the memory of her back then¨CTess, the topwyer at Lock Group, always in her sleek zer and heels, walking through the halls with that sharp confidence that made everyone step aside. She had been unstoppable.
But after that, he never saw Tess in her work clothes again. She never set foot in that courtroom battlefield as awyer, not even once.
Zane let out a soft sigh, a mix of regret and admiration. Tess had survived the unthinkable,
and she was still standing. That alone was something to respect.
¡°Mr. Lock, should I send all this to Mrs. Lock right away?¡± he asked carefully.
Finn didn¡¯t lift his head. His elbows rested on the desk, face buried in his hands.
Send them? What right do I have to send her anything?
He bit back the bitterness rising in his throat. ¡°No. Send it to Lyra. She¡¯s awyer too.¡±
Then his voice hardened. ¡°Keep digging into Nadine and Max. I want every move they make reported to me. Every single detail.¡±
Zane nodded quickly.
Finn paused for a second, his gaze turning sharp. ¡°And about Hunt Group¨Cthey¡¯ve been leeching off Lock Group long enough. It¡¯s time to tighten our control.¡±
A dangerous glint shed in his eyes as he spoke.
Zane immediately agreed and slipped out before Finn could say another word.
If he stayed any longer, he might end up the next target of that icy fury.
He closed the office door as quietly as possible, then bolted straight for his own office.
After sending the files to Lyra, his phone rang almost immediately.
¡°What the hell is this supposed to mean?¡± Lyra¡¯s voice was clipped and tense, her tone sharp.
Zane had expected the call. He set down his mouse and spoke carefully, ¡°We¡¯ve reopened Ms. Tess¡¯s case from a year ago. We¡¯ve found evidence that clears her name.¡±
¡°Clear her name?¡± Lyra¡¯s voice trembled with anger. ¡°She already spent a year in prison, Zane. And now you¡¯re telling me she¡¯s ¡®cleared¡®? If she was only suspected back then, why was she thrown behind bars?¡±
Her eyes burned into theputer screen, her whole body shaking.
They had finally uncovered the truth, yet all she felt was rage and heartbreak.
A whole year in prison, all because she was framed, set up, and ndered.
As Tess¡¯s friend, Lyra¡¯s first reaction was pure anger.
012
Zane stayed silent for a moment, lips pressed together. There wasn¡¯t much he could say to defend himself or thepany.
Finally, he spoke in a low, steady tone. ¡°On behalf of Lock Group and Mr. Lock, I want to personally apologize to Ms. Tess. We¡¯ll make an official statement on every tform to clear her name. She was innocent, and thepany intends topensate for everything she lost ¡ªher career, her license, her reputation¨Cand for all the suffering she endured in prison. We¡¯ll make it right, in every way we can.¡±
His voice was solemn, sincere.
He knew how much Tess meant to Finn now. But more than that, he understood what that one year had done to her¨Chow deeply it must have scarred someone who had been innocent all along.
¡°Hah.¡± Lyra gave a short, coldugh. ¡°Zane, you tell Finn he can apologize to her himself.¡±
With that, she hung up.
Zane stood frozen for a second, still holding the phone to his ear. All he could hear was the dull, repeating beep of a disconnected line.
He looked up instinctively toward Finn¡¯s office across the hall, but the door was tightly shut.
Zane tightened his grip, debating whether to pass Lyra¡¯s words on to Finn.
After a long moment, he finally stood up.
Evermount Heights.
¡°Tess!¡±
Lyra had spent the entire night going through the files Zane sent. By the time dawn broke, she was already on her way to Evermount Heights.
Usually, thepany wasn¡¯t even open at this hour.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 515
Chapter 515 The Knock on the Door
Lyra had just knocked when the door swung open from the inside.
Tess looked at Lyra¡¯s anxious face, a little stunned.
After all, in her memory, Lyra had always been the calm and collected type¨Cthe kind of person who wouldn¡¯t flinch even if the sky were falling.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? What happened?¡±
She led Lyra inside, shut the door, and gently patted her arm to calm her down.
Lyra didn¡¯t speak until she sat down and caught her breath.
Then she pulled a tablet from her briefcase, turned it on, and showed Tess the files Zane had sent her.
¡°There¡¯s an update on the case from a year ago¨Cthe one where you were used of stealing Lock Group¡¯s confidential info.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes tightened, her fingers curling slightly.
Lyra scrolled quickly through the tablet, and Tess¡¯s expression grew more serious by the second.
¡°Where did you get this?¡± Tess asked, her brow furrowing.
¡°Finn¡¯s been digging into it all this time. He finally found something. Zane gave me these,¡± Lyra exined honestly.
Tess bit her lip and sighed.
¡°It¡¯s been a year, and only now there¡¯s a result. But what good does it do?¡±
She pressed the power button and gestured for Lyra to put the tablet away.
Lyra hesitated, and the words were caught in her throat. Her gaze lingered on Tess¡¯s face before she stepped forward and lightly patted her shoulder.
¡°Tess, I know how much you suffered back then. I¡¯m d you¡¯ve finally built a good life for yourself. But time can¡¯t be reversed, and the people who framed you are still walking free.¡±
Tess stopped pacing and lowered her eyes.
¡°I know,¡± she said quietly. ¡°And I¡¯m not letting them off the hook.¡±
Her voice was cold and steady.
Lyra frowned slightly. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, and you understand that, why don¡¯t you seem happy? This means your name can finally be cleared.¡±
Tess gave a faint smile, her eyes distant.
¡°I spent a whole year in prison, and not once did I hear any update about the case. I was framed and locked up within a single day.¡±
Her tone dripped with irony.
¡°And now Finn suddenly wants to dig up the past¨Cwhat¡¯s his real reason?¡±
Lyra froze for a second, slowly realizing what Tess was implying. ¡°You mean-¡±
Before she could finish, the doorbell rang.
Tess and Lyra exchanged a look, one filled with icy calm, the other with tense uncertainty.
¡°Who is it?¡±
Lyra stepped forward to open the door.
Zane stood there, looking a little apologetic and surprised to see her. ¡°Ms. Bell?¡±
¡°Is Ms. Tess here?¡± he asked, peering carefully inside.
That small movement gave Lyra a clear view of the man standing behind him.
Finn. Tall, broad¨Cshouldered, and intimidating even when he wasn¡¯t trying to be.
But today, there was something different about him¡ªa quiet heaviness in his eyes.
Lyra met his gaze over Zane¡¯s shoulder.
¡°Sorry to bother you,¡± he said, giving her a polite nod.
Bang!
Lyra mmed the door shut so hard that it echoed through the apartment.
Zane stumbled back in shock, eyes wide. Another second slower, and his nose might¡¯ve been
broken.
He blinked, stunned by Lyra¡¯s rare burst of aggression.
Lyra turned around, still fuming, and met Tess¡¯s surprised eyes.
Realizing how intense her reaction had been, Lyra coughed awkwardly.
¡°Don¡¯t see them,¡± she said firmly, her face hardening again.
If Tess hadn¡¯t reminded her earlier, she probably would¡¯ve let them in out of habit.
Sure, Finn had helped investigate the case recently, but she wasn¡¯t na?ve.
They were here to apologize for what happened a year ago¡ªand that wasn¡¯t something a simple sorry could fix.
¡°Tess.¡± Finn¡¯s voice came from outside the door. ¡°I¡¯m here to make things right.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t move, but Lyra¡¯s face twisted in disgust.
¡°I¡¯m calling Raven,¡± she muttered. ¡°She can back us up if this turns ugly.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh softly at Lyra¡¯s defensive stance.
But she didn¡¯t stop her. She simply waited.
After all, she was no longer that foolish woman who once threw away a topw firm¡¯s offer just to join Lock Group for the sake of love.
That love had long expired. Andpared to that, friends mattered a whole lot more.
¡°What?! He actually has the nerve to show up?¡±
Raven¡¯s voice exploded through the phone after Lyra quickly exined the situation.
¡°Don¡¯t open the door! I¡¯ming over right now!¡±
With that, Raven hung up abruptly.
Tess could clearly hear the jingle of car keys just before the call disconnected.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 516
Lyra put down her phone. The person on the other end had been even more worked up she was, which somehow helped her calm down.
While they waited for Raven to arrive, Tess peeked through the peephole.
Finn and Zane were still standing there, straight¨Cbacked and motionless.
She blinked, then turned away.
¡°What¡¯s going on out there?¡±
A sleepy voice suddenly came from behind them.
than
L appeared, rubbing his eyes, his face showing that half¨Cdazed look of someone who¡¯d just been dragged out of bed.
Lyra twitched her lips, looking oddlyposed now.
Is he seriously still here after all these days?
She turned to Tess, who gave her a helpless shrug.
Catching the quiet exchange between them, L suddenly perked up.
¡°Hey, you two aren¡¯t talking about me, are you?¡±
He squinted yfully and leaned closer.
Over the past few days, Lyra hade to realize that the ssy, elegant image she¡¯d built of him in her mind didn¡¯t match reality at all. He was just an ordinary, easygoing guy¡ªand she¡¯d gotten used to his little antics.
¡°Of course not,¡± she replied.
L didn¡¯t buy it. He circled them suspiciously, his eyes narrowing at Lyra like a curious fox sniffing around.
¡°Really, we¡¯re not,¡± she repeated.
He finally let Lyra off the hook, though he still looked half convinced.
¡°So, what¡¯s going on outside?¡± he finally asked, remembering why he¡¯de downstairs in the
first ce.
Tess pointed toward the window. ¡°My ex¨Chusband¡¯s outside trying to ¡®make things right.¡±
¡°Ex¨Chusband?!¡±
L¡¯s eyes went wide as saucers. He stared at Tess in disbelief.
¡°What ex¨Chusband? You were married?!¡±
He grabbed the sleeve of her sweater, refusing to let go until she exined.
Tess looked at his shocked face and suddenly realized she¡¯d never actually told him who Finn
was.
¡°I was married,¡± she said evenly. ¡°We got divorced not long ago.¡±
¡°And she has La too,¡± Lyra added casually.
L froze like he¡¯d just been struck by lightning, even staggering a little.
He¡¯d always thought La was the result of some long¨Cago rtionship¨Cmaybe an ident from Tess¡¯s youth. He¡¯d never met her husband, so the idea of a recent divorce hit him hard.
Lyra nced at L¡¯s stunned, heartbroken expression, then looked helplessly at Tess for help.
But Tess¡¯s face stayed calm, untouched.
She didn¡¯t really know what kind of role she yed in L¡¯s life, but she wasn¡¯t na?ve either. She¡¯d seen the look in his eyes¨Cthe quiet feelings he tried to hide.
And those were exactly the kind of feelings that needed to be cut off clean.
¡°What about me then?¡±
L¡¯s voice broke the silence.
Tess frowned, her eyes narrowing at him.
What about him? What does he have to do with this?
Their eyes met, and something flickered in his expression. The meaning of his own words hit him a second toote.
What about me?
His lips pressed tightly together, and it was like all the life had been drained from him. The spark in his eyes dimmed, and without another word, he turned and went upstairs.
Lyra watched his back disappear up the staircase, her brows knitting together.
¡°What was that? I thought you two barely knew each other¨Cwell, aside from when you were kids.¡±
Tess frowned slightly too. She looked toward the empty stairway, then sighed.
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
Truth was, ever since she¡¯d met L, she¡¯d felt something strange in the way he looked at her. It wasn¡¯t the look of someone meeting for the first time.
But she couldn¡¯t exin it. She had no memory of ever knowing him before.
Lock Group Private Hospital
Early that morning, the Larsons went together to visit Abel in his hospital room.
¡°What in the world happened to you?¡±
Olivia, who¡¯d always been fond of Abel, frowned when she saw his arm hooked up to an IV.
Abel already looked much better than he had a few days ago.
He waved his good hand lightly. ¡°It just looks bad. I¡¯m fine, really.¡±
Olivia gave a thoughtful nod and sat down on the soft chair Violet pulled over for her.
¡°I heard you¡¯ve got a bit of a crush on Tess,¡± Olivia said, narrowing her eyes as she rubbed her chin.
Her tone sounded casual, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.
Abel immediately felt the air in the room drop a few degrees.
¡°Uh¡ Mrs. Olivia, why are you suddenly asking that?¡± he said, scratching his head nervously.
Olivia wasn¡¯t about to let him dodge the question. She tapped the side table impatiently. ¡°Out
with it.¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
He blurted it out without even thinking.
The word hung in the air. Both Violet and Benjamin turned toward him at the same time.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 517
Abel suddenly felt like the air in the room had gotten heavier.
Olivia, having gotten her answer, didn¡¯t seem as fierce as before. She casually grabbed a few grapes from the small dish sitting on Finn¡¯s bedside table and popped them into her mouth.
Within minutes, half the te was gone.
¡°Mrs. Olivia, Tess peeled those for me. I barely got to eat any,¡± Abel said, his voice full of regret.
Olivia froze mid¨Cbite, her brows knitting as she red at him.
¡°Oh, really? You¡¯ve got some nerve, kid! You mind that I¡¯m eating grapes, but you¡¯ve got your eye on my granddaughter?¡±
She gave an indignant huff, pushing the te aside¨Cthen sneakily popped two more grapes into her mouth anyway.
Tess peeled these herself. No point letting them go to waste, especially not for some outsider.
Abel broke out in a cold sweat.
Great. I¡¯ve managed to offend the elder before I even have a chance to make a good impression.
¡°Mrs. Olivia, I shouldn¡¯t have said that,¡± he said quickly. ¡°Please, go ahead and eat. If there aren¡¯t enough, I¡¯ll peel more for you myself. Even though I¡¯m hurt and sick, I¡¯ll make it work.¡±
Olivia turned her face away with a hum of satisfaction. ¡°That¡¯s more like it. You¡¯d better show some sincerity if you think you¡¯re worthy of my granddaughter.¡±
With that, she clutched the grape dish possessively and continued eating, one grape at a time, clearly enjoying herself.
Violet watched her mother¡¯s childish behavior and rubbed her forehead helplessly.
Meanwhile, Abel¡¯s eyes were still locked on that te of grapes, full of regret.
I should¡¯ve just eaten them earlier. I held off because Tess peeled them herself, and I wanted to save them, but now? They¡¯re gone¨Cstraight into someone else¡¯s mouth.
He sighed quietly and made a mental note. Next time Tess to visit, I¡¯ll turn on the charm. Maybe she¡¯ll peel another te for me.
The thought made him grin without realizing it.
¡°What¡¯s that smirk for?¡±
Violet came up behind him and flicked his forehead with her finger.
Abel jerked his head back, rubbing the spot. ¡°Ow. Sorry, Mrs. Violet.¡±
¡°I have a question,¡± she said coolly.
¡°Sure, anything,¡± Abel replied, instantly straightening up.
¡°Shannon¡¯s not dead, right? And Nadine is her daughter with Henry?¡±
She asked it so bluntly that Abel froze.
He hadn¡¯t mentioned anything specific about Shannon when he¡¯d told the Larsons about Tess¡¯s past¨Cmostly because there hadn¡¯t been solid proof yet. But it seemed Violet had pieced it together herself.
¡°Yes,¡± he said after a pause, nodding without hesitation.
The cheerful mood in the hospital room vanished in an instant.
Olivia¡¯s once kind expression turned cold. She mmed the empty grape te down on the nightstand.
¡°Well, isn¡¯t that just perfect. Nadine and Shannon, what a pair!¡±
Her voice dripped with sarcasm and fury. Her eyes glinted with anger as she thought about how those two had fooled Henrypletely¨Cand how poor Kylie had been kept in the dark, grateful all these years for lies.
Violet¡¯s face hardened too, her brows drawing tight.
¡°Nadine¡¯s about the same age as Tess,¡± she said slowly. ¡°That means Henry and Shannon were already involved way back then?¡±
The words hung heavy in the air.
Benjamin, sitting by the corner, was so furious that he pushed himself up with his cane.
¡°If that¡¯s true,¡± he growled, ¡°then Henry must¡¯ve been sneaking around with Shannon long before he even married Kylie!¡±
Violet¡¯s gaze deepened, her mind racing. ¡°But wasn¡¯t Shannon introduced to Henry as Kylie¡¯s best friend?¡±
¡°Maybe,¡± Abel said cautiously, ¡°they actually knew each other even before Kylie came into the picture.¡±
Everyone turned to look at him.
The idea was unsettling¨Cand the silence that followed made it worse.
They exchanged grim looks, cach seeing the same anger reflected back.
¡°That¡¯s ¡ very possible,¡± Violet said finally, clenching her fists. ¡°If Tess and Nadine are so close in age, then this wasn¡¯t some short¨Cterm affair. If what you said is right, then Shannon getting close to Kylie, bing her so¨Ccalled best friend¨Cit could¡¯ve all been nned from the start.¡±
As she spoke, the horrifying pattern became clear. A cold sweat broke out down her back.
If this were all true, then Shannon and Henry had set Kylie up from the very beginning. And Kylie, sweet and trusting after being spoiled all her life, had been the perfect prey for their long game.
¡°Abel,¡± Olivia said suddenly, breaking the silence. ¡°When you¡¯re back on your feet, I have something important I¡¯ll need your help with,¡± she said, her tone calm but heavy.
Abel nodded without hesitation. ¡°Just tell me what you need. I¡¯ll do everything I can.¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 518
Chapter 518 An Unexpected Apology
¡°Look into Shannon and Henry¡¯s past.¡±
Olivia¡¯s tone was serious.
Back then, they had never truly investigated Henry. Even when they didn¡¯t agree with Kylie marrying him, they only used threats to make her leave the Larsons. They just thought he was another social climber chasing a rich girl.
But looking back now, Henry wasn¡¯t a man trying to climb up¨Che was a spider, weaving his web early, just waiting for Kylie to fall in.
Abel immediately realized how serious this was. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll get someone on it right away. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll handle it.¡±
Olivia finally looked at him properly.
He was a good¨Clooking young man, with thatzy, confident air that bordered on cocky. But the moment anyone mentioned Tess, that arrogance vanished, reced by a quiet sincerity that made people trust him.
After learning about Tess¡¯s past rtionship, they had only one thought now¨Cto bring her back to Kingnd and make up for all the pain she had endured.
¡°Kid,¡± Olivia said suddenly, standing up, ¡°I hope I¡¯m not wrong about you.¡±
Violet caught the hidden meaning in her mother¡¯s words and gave Abel a knowing nce.
¡°We¡¯ll head out now. Take care of yourself,¡± she told him, then left with the two elders.
Abel stood there, watching them go. He couldn¡¯t quite exin it, but he suddenly felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
At Evermount Heights, Finn and Zane were still waiting outside, while Lyra and Tess sat together inside, deep in discussion about how topletely take down the Embers and Shannon¨Chow to make sure they could never recover from it.
Although the security footage was enough to clear Tess¡¯s name, it still didn¡¯t reveal who had actually set her up.
Who had nned it all? And what did they gain from it?
Tess and Lyra were almost certain it was Nadine.
¡°What¡¯s the holdup here?¡±
A sharp female voice cut through the air.
Lyra and Tess both flinched slightly and turned toward the door.
Raven had arrived.
After a quick nce from Tess, Lyra got up and opened the door.
Raven stood there in her usual gothic outfit, hands on her hips, ring at Finn and Zane.
The moment the door opened, she marched right in without hesitation.
Finn finally caught sight of Tess.
She stood about ten feet away, slim and pale, her presence delicate yet striking¨Clike a single red brushstroke on a watercolor painting.
¡°Tess, I came to beg for your forgiveness.¡±
The word ¡°beg¡± made Tess¡¯s calm eyes flicker for a second.
When she looked up, she met Finn¡¯s gaze¨Cearnest, heavy with regret.
Even Zane, standing beside him, looked surprised.
¡°Mr. Lock, do you really need to beg for anything?¡± Tess said lightly, the corner of her lips curving into a faint, almost mocking smile.
Finn¡¯s expression tightened with pain. ¡°I asked Zane to send the files to Lyra. You must¡¯ve seen them. I found the truth about what happened a year ago.
¡°I know I was too quick to judge you. I was wrong. Now, whatever you ask of me, I¡¯ll do it. I just want a chance to make things right¨Cto make it up to you.¡±
His voice was low and steady, filled with sincerity that would¡¯ve been hard for most people to ignore.
But Tess wasn¡¯t most people. The year she spent behind bars had stripped her of trust and hope.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± Lyra cut in before Tess could reply, stepping forward to block his view. ¡°Let me get
this straight¨Cyou say you ¡®looked into it for Tess¡®? Sounds more like you¡¯re trying to fix the mess you made a year ago.¡±
She smiled politely, but her tone was firm.
Lyra was usually well¨Cmannered andposed, especially when dealing with people face¨Cto-
face.
But in this case, she had to rein herself in¨Cbecause Raven was standing right beside her, ready to explode at any second.
¡°Exactly!¡± Raven snapped. ¡°You¡¯re the one who had her locked up for a year, and now you think saying sorry fixes it? You owe her big time!¡±
Zane gave both women a wary look, then nced at his boss.
Finn didn¡¯t get defensive. He lowered his gaze, his voice calm and humble.
¡°You¡¯re right. It was my mistake. I trusted the wrong person and didn¡¯t stop to question it. Everything that happened was my fault. I came here today because I want to apologize- sincerely.¡±
He epted every word of criticism, his eyes fixed on Tess, whose face was half¨Chidden behind her friends. There was a flicker in his expression¨Csomething unspoken, deep and conflicted.
His genuine attitude made even Lyra and Raven hesitate, unsure what to say next.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 519
Chapter 519 The End of Us
The two women nced at each other, then turned toward Tess.
¡°No need,¡± Tess said softly, shaking her head.
The air seemed to freeze instantly.
Finn felt like something had mped around his heart, squeezing until he could barely breathe.
A quiet panic rose inside him¨Cthe fear of losing something he¡¯d already lost once before.
He flexed his fingers slightly and looked straight into her eyes. ¡°Whatever I owe you, I¡¯ll make it right, okay? Tess ¡ please, forgive me.¡±
His voice was rough and low, breaking at the end, barely more than a whisper.
¡°Finn, after a year behind bars, I¡¯m not the same person anymore. Even if I forgive you, we can¡¯t go back to how things were. So why bother?¡±
Her tone was calm, but her eyes were empty.
Finn stared into those crystal clear eyes and saw his own hunched reflection in her pupils, but it was only a faint image on the surface. He couldn¡¯t reach her.
She didn¡¯t love him anymore.
His heart sank, and deep down, he finally epted it.
At first, he¡¯d been so sure of himself.
Even when he sent her to prison a year ago, he told himself picking her up when she got out was already a big enough gesture.
But things didn¡¯t go his way.
He never found her. When he came home, irritated, he learned she¡¯d already left.
She was avoiding him. She didn¡¯t want to see him.
Back then, he thought she was just being stubborn. He figured she¡¯d cool off ande home after a few days.
But she never did.
Instead, she started meeting new people, getting involved in things that had nothing to do with him and never once looked back.
That was when Finn began to panic. He convinced himself it was those people around her who had changed her, so he started going after them, trying to force her to return.
In the end, it was because of Max¡¯s constant tricks that Tess finally gave in. She only went back to Evermount Heights because she was worried about La¡¯s safety.
After that, Finn thought things could go back to how they used to be.
But Tess¡¯s eyes were always distant, filled with quiet sadness.
It was like she couldn¡¯t see him anymore.
Or maybe, she had already erased him from her world.
In the end, she handed him the signed divorce papers.
She moved out of Evermount Heights and made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him again.
The memories yed through his head in a blur, each one sharper than thest.
Finn¡¯s tall frame wavered slightly, and he stumbled back a few steps.
Tess nced at him, then looked away.
¡°Let¡¯s just pretend we never knew each other,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Go home.¡±
She turned and put her hand on the door.
¡°No.¡±
Finn¡¯s calm expression suddenly cracked, panic flickering in his eyes. He reached out, pressing his hand against the wall beside her. His pupils were dark and unfocused, like ink spreading through water.
He reached for her arm, his voice trembling. ¡°No ¡ Tess, you were the one who begged me to marry you. How can you just throw it all away?¡±
His emotions spiraled out of control, his eyes bloodshot.
Tess looked at him in disbelief. The man in front of her didn¡¯t look like the Finn she once
knew.
The Finn she remembered was calm,posed, always putting his career first. But the man standing here now¨Che was obsessive, unstable, almost frightening.
How did he be like this?
Tess frowned, her gaze falling to the hand gripping her wrist.
He was holding on so tight, like he was afraid she¡¯d disappear.
¡°Finn, let go,¡± she said coldly.
There was irritation in her voice.
They were divorced now¨Cstrangers, really. She didn¡¯t owe him anything, not even kindness.
¡°No. Not unless you forgive me.¡±
His lips trembled. His eyes were red, filled with desperation that almost looked pitiful.
Tess froze for a second. She couldn¡¯t even connect this man with the confident, powerful Mr. Lock she once knew.
Lyra and Raven exchanged looks, their eyes wide with disbelief. Zane¡¯s jaw dropped.
Was this really Mr. Lock?
Realizing how shocked he looked, Zane quickly tried topose himself¨Cbut deep down, he couldn¡¯t help thinking how much Finn resembled Abel right now.
They really were family. Even the way they chased after women was the same.
He rubbed his chin, remembering how Abel always acted like a spoiled kid around Tess.
But Tess wasn¡¯t like that with Finn. She could tolerate Abel¡¯s antics because she saw him as a younger brother. With Finn, she had no patience left.
¡°If you don¡¯t let go, I¡¯ll call the cops,¡± she warned, holding up her phone.
The emergency dial screen was already open.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 520
hapter 520 A Surprise in Scrubs.
Zane didn¡¯t think much of it.
After all, everyone in Aetheris knew who the Lock Group was. Even if Finn really got arrested, he wouldn¡¯t spend more than an hour inside before someone pulled strings to get him out.
But Finn¡¯s pupils tightened as he stared at Tess¡¯s phone screen.
Is she seriously about to call the cops on me, just to make me leave?
His eyes widened. A faint, bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, somewhere between mockery and heartbreak.
Finn¡¯s fingers twitched slightly before he finally loosened his grip on Tess¡¯s wrist.
Tess shot him a t look, then turned to head back inside.
But just as she was about to close the door, Finn, who had been silent for a while, suddenly lifted his gaze. ¡°Is the reason you won¡¯t forgive me¡ because of Abel?¡±
¡°Abel?¡±
For the first time, emotion flickered in Tess¡¯s eyes¨Cbut it wasn¡¯t softness. It was anger. She was furious that Finn would even suggest something like that.
Her face darkened instantly.
¡°How could that possibly have anything to do with me? Uncle Finn, please. I¡¯m not that irresistible.¡±
And right then, azy, teasing voice cut through the tension.
Everyone froze and turned toward the sound.
Abel was stepping out of a cab, still dressed in hospital scrubs, closing the door behind him.
Tess¡¯s brows knit tighter, but she still hurried forward to steady him.
¡°Why are you out of the hospital already?¡±
She gave him a quick once over. Hisplexion looked normal, with no sign of the pale, weak look he¡¯d had before, so he seemed to really be okay.
¡°And why are you still wearing your hospital clothes?¡±
Her lips twitched as she took in the light¨Cblue uniform that screamed ¡®I escaped the ward.¡®
Abel just grinned,pletely unfazed. ¡°Tess, I secretly checked myself out today just to surprise you. I was too excited to change. It¡¯s just clothes¨Cwhat, you don¡¯t like the look?¡±
He blinked at her a couple of times, like a spoiled puppy begging for attention.
Raven rolled her eyes. ¡°Getting discharged is a surprise now?¡±
Abel raised his brows, threw an arm around Tess¡¯s shoulders, and smirked. ¡°Of course it is. Tess must¡¯ve been worried sick about me in the hospital. Now that I¡¯m standing right here, she doesn¡¯t have to miss me anymore.¡±
The moment those words left his mouth, Raven made a face and mimed gagging.
Abel didn¡¯t even nce at her. His gaze stayed locked on Tess, overly dramatic and way too flirty.
¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough.¡±
Tess lifted her hand and pressed her palm against his cheek, forcing his head to the side.
Most guys would¡¯ve been embarrassed to be brushed off like that in front of an audience, but Abel only seemed more intrigued. His eyes flicked to her hand, and he murmured, ¡°You smell nice.¡±
Then he leaned in closer, exhaling softly against her neck.
Tess stared at him nkly for a second, then nced down at her own hand.
Next time, I¡¯m washing with chili¨Cscented soap.
Raven clicked her tongue. ¡°Tess, stop touching him. Any second now, he¡¯s gonna start licking your hand.¡±
Lyra covered her mouth to hide herugh but nodded in agreement.
Abel didn¡¯t seem the least bit offended. He just narrowed his eyes yfully and kept winking at Tess.
The four of them were so caught up in their banter that they basically forgot Finn was even there.
Zane risked a nce at him and instantly regretted it.
Finn¡¯s face was dark, his fingers clenching so tightly at his sides that the veins stood out.
Zane¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked away.
¡°Uncle Finn? What are you doing here?¡± Abel acted like he¡¯d just noticed Finn, looking genuinely surprised.
Tess turned her head as well.
Finn¡¯s expression was stone cold.
At that moment, even though Tess was still there, he couldn¡¯t stand being in that ce any longer.
¡°Tess, whateverpensation you want¨Cwhatever you need¨CI¡¯ll make it happen. All I ask is that you forgive me.¡±
He repeated himself firmly, his voice steady this time. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you. As long as it takes.¡±
Then he clenched his jaw, turned to leave, but stopped halfway to nce back.
The side of his face was sharp andposed, his tone suddenly icy. ¡°Abel, remember who you are. You¡¯re not a kid anymore. You should know what your responsibilities are.¡±
With that, he walked off, his stride long and his anger barely contained.
¡°Responsibilities?¡± Tess muttered under her breath. She didn¡¯t care that Finn was gone, but his words stuck with her.
She frowned and looked at Abel. ¡°What did he mean by that?¡±
Abel blinked, looking clueless, then spread his hands. ¡°He¡¯s just being dramatic. He¡¯s jealous because I¡¯m spending time with you.¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes, studying him closely, as if trying to tell whether he was lying.
But Abel just looked back at her with innocent, wide eyes¡ªand then gave her a cheeky wink.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 521
Chapter 521 What¡¯s Best for La
Left with no other choice, Tess pulled her gaze away.
She took Abel¡¯s arm and said, ¡°You might be out of the hospital, but you still need to rest. Don¡¯t stay on your feet too long.¡±
The group finally went back inside.
As soon as Abel felt Tess touching his arm, his face flushed even redder. He quickly nodded and obediently walked in with her.
But while everyone else was looking forward, Abel¡¯s eyes darkened for a split second. Something restless shed through them¨Can emotion he tried to hide.
He couldn¡¯t help ncing back in the direction Finn had gone, his chest tightening.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Tess helped him sit down, noticing his distracted look.
¡°Nothing. Guess your perfume¡¯s making me dizzy.¡±
He said it without thinking.
Raven immediately rolled her eyes dramatically.
Lyraughed, but Tess looked a little embarrassed and shot Abel a warning re to shut him - up.
Abel pouted but did as she said, quietly sipping from his ss of water.
¡°Tess, you did the right thing,¡± Raven said, chewing on the candy Bessie had handed her. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about forgiving that guy. He can¡¯t just throw money at you and think it makes up for everything. If he really wants forgiveness, maybe he should try spending a year behind bars himself.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t help but smile helplessly at Raven¡¯s righteous tone.
¡°Of course I won¡¯t forgive him.¡±
¡°But
¡
Tess,¡± Lyra said suddenly, frowning, ¡°La¡¯s still his daughter. Are you really nning to stay enemies with him forever?¡±
The living room fell silent to the point you could hear if a pin drop.
In Bessie¡¯s arms, baby La seemed to sense they were talking about her. She reached out with her tiny hands, trying to sit up and see what was going on.
Bessie shifted her a little so that La could look around the room.
Tess lifted her eyes, her gaze softening when itnded on La¡¯s chubby face.
The baby had grown so fast. Just a little while ago, she¡¯d been tiny and fragile, and now, she was plump and rosy¨Ccheeked like a little apple. Her big dark eyes looked like shiny grapes, bright and full of life.
Tess thought about what Lyra had said, twisting her fingers together anxiously.
She couldn¡¯t forgive Finn¨Cnot after he let someone frame her, not after he threw her in jail for an entire year without even checking the facts. Every memory of him only reminded her of that pain. All she wanted now was to cut him out of her lifepletely.
But¡
Her eyes flickered as she looked at La again.
She wondered, Is that really fair to La?
After all¡ Finn was her biological father. La had never met her dad since birth, and barely spent any time with him.
She hadn¡¯t given Finn a chance to try being a father, and it felt like she was cutting off La¡¯s chance to have a dad.
Raven suddenly gave Lyra a strange look. ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±
Lyra frowned, confused.
Meanwhile, Tess pushed aside her messy thoughts and looked up at the two of them.
Raven huffed, clearly annoyed. She poked Lyra on the forehead with one finger. ¡°La is Tess¡¯s daughter. Whoever Tess says is her dad is her dad. And even if she doesn¡¯t have one, who cares? La¡¯s got two godmothers¨Cthat¡¯s way better than some useless dad who never shows up.¡±
She folded her arms with a scoff, her tone full of disdain.
Honestly, she¡¯d rather watch Abel end up with Tess than let Finn be La¡¯s dad.
Raven¡¯s blunt words broke the tension instantly, and the room warmed up again.
Lyra realized she¡¯d been overthinking things.
¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said, nodding seriously. ¡°That was narrow¨Cminded of me. Tess, only the person you recognize deserves to be called La¡¯s father.¡±
Abel watched them talk, but his gaze drifted toward La.
He rubbed his chin and cleared his throat. ¡°You know¡ maybe I-¡±
¡°You should go upstairs and rest.¡±
Before he could say another word, Tess pped a hand over his mouth, stopping him before he could embarrass her any further.
Abel¡¯s
eyes widened. He looked at her pitifully, blinking like a scolded puppy.
But the moment he met her raised eyebrow, he surrendered instantly.
¡°Okay, okay, I won¡¯t say anything¡¡± he mumbled.
¡°Good. Now go. You just got out of the hospital¨Cyou need a couple of days to recover.¡±
Tess¡¯s tone was firm. There was no arguing with her.
She turned to Bessie. ¡°Take him upstairs. I¡¯ll hold La.¡±
Bessie nodded and gently handed the baby over. As Tess took La into her arms, the soft, milky scent of the baby filled the air.
La blinked up at her with curious eyes, her sweet little face so adorable that it made Tess¡¯s heart melt.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 522
Chapter 522 Stirring Trouble Again
Bessie also gestured toward Abel and said, ¡°Mr. Shaw, please follow me.¡±
Even though Abel clearly didn¡¯t want to, he could feel Tess¡¯s eyes on him the entire time, so he had no choice but to do as he was told and head upstairs.
Once he was out of sight, the three people left behind exchanged looks, and without a word, all seemed to decide it was time for a new topic.
Lock Group Private Hospital
¡°Mom¡
didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d help me? But Great Aunt Olivia, Great Uncle Benjamin, and Aunt Violet all looked like they really didn¡¯t like me.¡±
Nadine sat curled up in Kylie¡¯s arms, tears rolling down her cheeks one by one.
Kylie¡¯s heart ached at the sight. She lifted a hand to gently wipe away the tears.
¡°They¡¯re just being misled by Tess. They don¡¯t know how kind you really are.¡±
Kylie held her close, soothing her in a soft voice.
¡°Then ¡ does that mean the Larsons won¡¯t ept me?¡± Nadine looked up at her mother, her eyes full of hurt.
Kylie hesitated for a moment. Something about all this felt off, but she still kept her tone gentle. ¡°Of course not, sweetheart. Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Olivia just act tough, but their hearts are soft. Remember how they insisted on cutting me off from the Larsons years ago? And now look¨Cthey still came to see me. It¡¯ll be the same with you.¡±
She gave Nadine aforting pat on the shoulder, trying to ease her pain.
Nadine¡¯s mood brightened a little after hearing that, though two lines of tears still streaked her cheeks. ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Of course. When have I ever lied to you?¡±
Nadine finally let out a small sigh of relief. Kylie tucked the nket snugly around her, fussing over her as if she were made of ss.
¡°Kylie?¡±
Suddenly, the hospital room door swung open, and Henry appeared, looking slightly anxious.
He nced at the two of them. ¡°I heard the Larsons came by yesterday. Is that true?¡±
As he spoke, he turned and gave Nadine a meaningful look.
¡°Yeah,¡± Kylie said with a frown, her expression openly showing her disgust. ¡°I¡¯m guessing Tess must¡¯ve said something to them first.¡±
Nadine widened her eyes in apparent shock. ¡°What? Tess did this behind my back? Why would she do that? I¡¯m her sister! I know she¡¯s still mad, but wasn¡¯t it enough that she had people beat me up? Now she wants Great Uncle Benjamin and Great Aunt Olivia toe humiliate me too?¡±
Her voice broke as she spoke, trembling with hurt, as if she¡¯d suffered the greatest injustice in the world.
Henry quickly yed along, his tone sharp with mock indignation. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t she? You and I both know what Tess is like. She¡¯s always scheming¨Cshe¡¯s gone after both me and your mom before. So you think she¡¯d spare you?¡±
As he stirred things up, his eyes darted toward Kylie now and then, watching her reaction.
Smack!
Kylie¡¯s hand mmed hard on the table.
Her eyes zed with anger. ¡°Tess must think she¡¯s untouchable! I¡¯ll make sure the Larsons see who she really is!¡±
¡°Hey, hey ¡ ¡± Henry hurried forward to calm her down, rubbing her back like he was trying to keep her from losing itpletely.
¡°Kylie,¡± he began earnestly, ¡°I know you¡¯ve missed the Larsons all these years. I¡¯ve actually been keeping an eye on how they¡¯ve been doingtely. When you told me the Larsons gave Tess the family bracelet,¡± Henry continued, lowering his voice, ¡°I finally figured out why.¡±
Kylie looked at him, frowning in confusion. Her gaze met his midair, and she said, ¡°Go on.¡±
¡°You were an only child, and Olivia only had one daughter, Violet. But Violet has no interest in taking over the family business. And she only has a couple of daughters, who are still kids. The Larsons have always passed leadership to the women, not the men. Olivia and Benjamin are getting old, and they¡¯re desperate to name a sessor. Tess ¡ well, she¡¯s the only one left. She¡¯s young and at just the right age to step in.¡±
He exined slowly,ying it all out like a calm analyst.
Kylie¡¯s face grew more serious as she listened.
¡°No wonder ¡ so that¡¯s why,¡± she murmured.
Nadine chimed in right on cue. ¡°I knew it! I was wondering why they¡¯d hand the whole Larson family to Tess after just one meeting. Turns out they didn¡¯t have anyone else to choose from.
¡°But if Tess is the one in charge, she¡¯ll destroy the Larsons!
¡°Even if there¡¯s no one else, I¡¯ll never agree to her inheriting it!¡± Kylic clenched her fists, her anger ring again.
I might have been cast out from the Larsons, but I¡¯m still their blood. I still care about what happened to that family.
And Tess is like a cancer¨CI can¡¯t just stand by and let her ruin everything, even though Tess is my own daughter.
¡°Violet¡¯s middle¨Caged now and doesn¡¯t want the responsibility. With no younger generation ready to take over, they had no choice but to give it to Tess,¡± Henry sighed, patting the back of Kylie¡¯s hand gently.
Then suddenly, his eyes lit up. He stepped closer and grabbed her arm. ¡°Kylie, if you¡¯re that worried¡ how about this?¡±
He leaned in, his eyes sharp for just a second before softening again. ¡°Olivia and Benjamin are old and stubborn now. If the Larsons have already decided to hand things to Tess, then maybe¡ we should just go along with it.¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 523
Kylie¡¯s eyes widened the moment she heard that. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Of course not!¡±
Her voice was sharp,ced with disappointment. ¡°Henry, we¡¯ve been married for years, and we¡¯ve been through everything together. Are you still holding a grudge because the Larsons didn¡¯t ept you back then? You can¡¯t just throw away the family¡¯s future over something so
childish!¡±
Henry didn¡¯t get angry. Instead, he smiled and lightly tapped her forehead. ¡°What are you thinking? I know you don¡¯t trust Tess and don¡¯t want her taking over.¡±
¡°Then what did you mean by what you just said?¡±
Kylie turned her head away, still sulking, clearly not in the mood to talk to him.
Henry chuckled and tried to soothe her. ¡°Just listen to me.¡±
He gently turned her face back toward him, and though reluctant, Kylie finally met his eyes.
¡°If Tess isn¡¯t capable, but the Larsons insist on making her the heir, then fine¨Clet¡¯s go along with it. She¡¯s already back with the Embers now. That means she¡¯s still one of us. Even if the Larsons im you¡¯re no longer part of their family, as long as Tess remains an Ember, she¡¯s still our daughter. That gives us every right and duty to help her handle things.¡±
He gave her a little wink.
Kylie frowned, clearly thinking it over. ¡°You mean ¡
11
¡°But¡ ¡± she bit her lip, looking torn. ¡°The Larsons never wanted me involved inpany affairs. And with Aunt Olivia and Uncle Banjamin still around¡ªnot to mention Violet herself¡ª as long as they¡¯re there, they¡¯ll never let me influence Tess. Besides, I already cut ties with the Larsons. How could they possibly agree to this?¡±
Henry gave her a reassuring look. ¡°They don¡¯t need to know. It¡¯s better than standing by and watching Tess destroy everything the Larsons built.¡±
The two of them exchanged a look, saying nothing more.
Kylie swallowed the uneasy feeling in her chest and finally nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±
Henry¡¯s face lit up with satisfaction. He squeezed her hand and reminded her gently, ¡°Then for now, don¡¯t argue with Tess like you did yesterday. She¡¯s grown up and doesn¡¯t listen to us anymore. All we can do is go along with her for now¨Cand make our moveter.¡±
¡°But I¡¯m her mother!¡± Kylie huffed, unwilling to back down. But when she saw Henry¡¯s disapproving expression, her shoulders slumped. ¡°Fine I get it.¡±
¡
¡°The Larsons will thank you for this someday, Kylie. Just hang in there a little longer.¡±
Henryforted her softly, though his eyes and mind were already elsewhere.
Kylie, meanwhile, found herself lost in the rare tenderness Henry was showing her¨Ca warmth she hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.
Top floor, Lock Group¡¯s CEO¡¯s office.
¡°Hmm, I think the Shaws¡® business should consider expanding into Aetheris.¡±
Finn stood by the tall ss windows, eyes half¨Cclosed as he spoke into the phone.
There was a brief silence on the other end. ¡°Expand into Aetheris?¡± Miranda repeated hesitantly, exchanging a surprised look with Gideon.
Finn had lost his father when he was young and had refused every offer the Shaws made to bring him back into the fold. Instead, he¡¯d gone straight to Aetheris, built his empire from scratch, and be the undisputed business king of the city.
As Finn flourished in Aetheris, the Larsons had also thought about expanding there. But Finn had made it clear he wasn¡¯t interested in letting them in. After hitting several dead ends, the Larsons had backed off, not wanting to make things worse between them.
So why was Finn suddenly inviting them now?
¡°Finn, do you ¡ already have something in mind?¡± Gideon asked carefully, taking the phone from Miranda, his voice trembling with barely contained excitement.
¡°I have a project that I¡¯d like to work on with the Shaws. It could also help the Larsons grow in Aetheris.¡±
Finn¡¯s tone was calm, but his eyes darkened, concealing the calction behind his words.
¡°Oh?¡± Gideon¡¯s interest was immediately piqued, his eyes brightening.
He had always felt guilty toward Finn, so whenever Finn called, he usually agreed to whatever he asked for.
Though most of Finn¡¯s previous calls had been about assigning tasks to Abel.
But this time¡
¡°Of course, the Larsons would be d to cooperate. Tell me what you have in mind,¡± Gideon said eagerly.
Finn paused. ¡°Mywyers will contact you about the details. I¡¯ll help you¨Cbut I have one condition.¡±
¡°Name it.¡±
¡°I want Abel to be the project leader.¡±
The room fell silent.
Gideon and Miranda looked at each other, confused.
¡°Finn ¡ did Abel cause trouble for you when he visited Aetheris a while ago?¡± Miranda asked cautiously.
At first, she was just as pleased as Gideon to hear Finn mention Abel, thinking it meant Finn still cared about the family and wanted to stay connected. But after hearing this request, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder.
¡°You can refuse,¡± Finn said curtly, his patience wearing thin.
If it weren¡¯t for Abel, he wouldn¡¯t have spoken a single word to anyone from the Shaws.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 524
¡°Finn, is this project urgent?¡±
¡°Very. He needs to get back to Kingnd as soon as possible to handle the coordination.¡±
Finn lied smoothly without blinking.
¡°Finn, we agreed to everything you asked before, but this time¡ we can¡¯t.¡±
Gideon sounded uneasy. It was the first time he¡¯d ever turned Finn down.
Finn frowned. ¡°Why not?¡±
¡°Abel didn¡¯t go to Aetherispletely by choice,¡± Miranda exined carefully. ¡°It was part of our coboration with the Larsons. Benjamin and Olivia personally asked him to go.¡±
¡°Benjamin and Olivia, huh?¡± Finn raised a brow, clearly surprised.
From what he knew, Benjamin and Olivia rarely showed themselves anymore. Though they still technically held power, it was Violet who managed most affairs. The two had not appeared in public for a long time.
¡°Yes,¡± Miranda said patiently. ¡°They specifically requested Abel apany them to Aetheris.¡±
¡°Got it.¡±
Finn hung up immediately.
Since the Larsons themselves had made the request, Abel couldn¡¯t possibly leave before they did.
Finn rubbed his temples, irritation creeping in.
His mind kept shing back to the way Tess and Abel interacted¡ªthe small nces, the teasing, the subtle touches.
He remembered the way Tess red at Abel in mock annoyance, the way Abel leaned in close to whisper something near her neck. What looked like harmless flirting carried an undercurrent of intimacy so thick that it almost suffocated him.
His hands curled into fists. For the first time, he admitted his jealousy and cowardice.
Because of his own mistakes, he couldn¡¯t face Tess. Instead, he resorted to underhanded,
maniptive ways to force her and Abel apart.
He hated how pathetic it made him look¨Cbut deep down, all he wanted was for Tess to look at him again, even if it was just once.
Abel, thatter, had gained her attention so effortlessly. How could Finn not feel jealous?
He let out a long, heavy sigh.
But he had forgotten¨Cit was he who had pushed her away in the first ce.
Evermount Heights.
¡°Tess, I was too emotional the other day. Please don¡¯t me me. Since you¡¯vee back to the Embers, why don¡¯t you stay here instead of living outside? I really want to make it up to you. Nadine heard you¡¯reing home, so she rushed to finish her hospital discharge. I even cooked myself to celebrate our family reunion.¡±
Kylie¡¯s voice on the phone was deliberately gentle, warm, and loving, the perfect picture of a caring mother.
But Tess, listening on the other end, didn¡¯t react. Her expression was nk, and she subtly leaned away from the phone.
¡°Tess?¡±
When there was no response, Kylie called out again, her tone slipping with irritation she couldn¡¯t fully hide.
Henry frowned and shot her a look, silently telling her to calm down.
Kylie caught herself and forced her tone back into something patient and tender.
¡°Sweetheart, I know you¡¯ve been on your own all this time. When you were little, I wasn¡¯t a good mother, and as you grew up, we drifted apart. We haven¡¯t even spent proper time together for years. Please ¡ give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?¡±
She tried again, sounding almost pleading.
Across the room, Raven sat beside Tess, exaggerating a pout and silently mouthing, ¡°Please give me a chance, boo¨Choo.¡±
She shaped her lips into an over¨Cthe¨Ctop O and blinked dramatically, the expression both mocking and funny.
Lyra nced at her, amused, but didn¡¯t stop her.
After all, she felt the same way¨Cneither of them believed this sudden burst of motherly affection was genuine.
¡°Don¡¯t go,¡± Lyra mouthed silently to Tess, echoing Raven¡¯s skepticism.
Tess looked utterly uninterested in talking to Kylie, but when her eyes flicked toward Lyra and Raven, a faint smile appeared.
¡°Alright.¡±
Her quiet answer broke the long silence, and on the other end, Kylie froze in surprise. She turned quickly to Henry, who nodded encouragingly.
¡°Good! Thene home tonight, Tess. I¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡±
Kylie rushed out the words as if afraid Tess would change her mind.
¡°Got it,¡± Tess said softly before hanging up.
The t beeping tone followed.
Kylie lowered the phone, her face twisting in mild irritation.
What kind of daughter hangs up on her mother first? No manners at all.
But Tess¡¯s agreement was exactly what Henry had been hoping for. He¡¯d been worried she might refuse.
Now that his goal was achieved, his interest in humoring Kylie disappeared.
¡°I¡¯m heading out,¡± he said curtly.
Kylie¡¯s frown deepened, her frustration bubbling over. ¡°Where are you going?¡±
¡°The kid¡¯sing home tonight. I¡¯m going grocery shopping.¡±
¡°Just let the housekeeper-¡±
Before she could finish, Henry was already gone.
Her feelings were tangled between resentment and an odd sense of warmth she couldn¡¯t exin.
It was the first time Henry had ever seemed to care so much about the child she had given birth to.
Kylie couldn¡¯t help ncing at her phone, its dark screen reflecting her conflicted face.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 525
Truth be told, Kylie never liked Tess. Sure, the girl had her ws¨Cshe was stubborn, defiant, never easy to manage. But what really made Kylie resent her was something deeper. Henry¡¯s attitude toward her had been lukewarm for years, and their marriage had lost the passion it once had. Somehow, in her heart, Kylie med it all on Tess.
She believed Tess was the reason that she¡¯d lost Henry¡¯s love. (D)
She pulled her gaze back and headed toward the kitchen.
¡°Hannah, make something simple for dinner tonight¨Cjust a few home¨Ccooked dishes. Oh, and make sure the grilled salmon with chili¨Clime ze is really fresh.¡±
After giving a few quick instructions, she suddenly remembered Henry hadn¡¯t asked what ingredients to buy.
¡°Write down everything you need and text the list to Henry. He went out grocery shopping.¡±
The housekeeper nodded repeatedly, and Kylie let out a yawn before heading upstairs for a
nap.
At that very moment, Tess was facing Raven¡¯s sharp, disapproving re.
Tess nced at her and couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Why did you agree to go?¡± Raven rolled her eyes. ¡°You really think they mean well? They¡¯re obviously up to something. You should know better than that.¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± Lyra added, frowning. ¡°Even if nothing bad happens when you go to the Embers¡®, it¡¯s just a show to win you over. Kylie treated you like dirt before, and now she wants to y the loving mother act? No way. You can bet Henry¡¯s behind this.¡±
Lyra shot Tess a disapproving look too.
Both women clearly thought Tess had no reason to y along with the Embers¡® little game.
That family is nothing but a bunch of leeches¨Cwe should stay as far away from them as possible.
¡°There¡¯s a saying,¡± Tess said, blinking mischievously. ¡°The higher the hope, the deeper the disappointment.¡±
Raven caught that look in her eye and immediately sat up straight, her earlier irritation
¡°You¡¯re nning to toy with them, aren¡¯t you?¡±
¡°Maybe.¡± Tess arched a brow and gave a faint smile.
¡°Henry¡¯s acting all loving with Kylie now, but it¡¯s just for the Larsons¡® sake. He¡¯s scheming for himself and for Shannon. I¡¯m not letting him get what he wants. The higher he climbs, the harder he¡¯ll fall.¡±
Her words were calm, but the spark in her eyes made both Raven and Lyra shiver.
¡°I¡¯m in.¡± Raven said without hesitation. She was surprised at how much Tess had changed¨Cbut she liked this sharper, more confident version of her.
Lyra, however, stayed quiet for a moment.
She studied Tess, concern flickering in her eyes. She didn¡¯t want her to drown in bitterness or let revenge be her whole life.
But she also knew what those people had done to her. Whatever happened to them now- they¡¯d brought it on themselves.
¡°If it¡¯s what you want, then do it.¡± Lyra rubbed her temples and nodded too.
Tess understood her meaning. She reached out and gently ced her hand over Lyra¡¯s.
She looked up and met a pair of clear, determined eyes.
¡°Thanks. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Tess said with a small smile.
That was enough to ease Lyra¡¯s heart.
¡°Hey!¡±
¡°Tess!¡±
Suddenly, two loud voices ovepped, echoing through the house so loudly it could¡¯ve blown the roof off.
A momentter, there came the pounding of footsteps on the stairs.
Abel and L burst into view, practically tangled together, both looking furious.
¡°What on earth are you two doing?¡± Tess stood up, her eyes immediately locking on Abel.
¡°What¡¯s going on? You just got discharged from the hospital¨CI told you to rest.¡±
Her brows knitted with worry.
The moment Abel heard her voice, his confidence shot up. He stomped forward, hiding behind her like a kid tattling to his teacher. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me you had someone else staying here,¡± he grumbled, ring at L. ¡°What¡¯s he still doing here?¡±
in
L¡¯s face fell, his expression full of quiet hurt. ¡°Tess, why did you let him stay your
house?¡±
He took a step forward, his thin frame in casual clothes looking so fragile it seemed a gust of wind could blow him over.
Abel raised a brow and immediately wrapped a hand around Tess¡¯s shoulder, possessive and smug. ¡°That¡¯s my question, actually. What, you¡¯re a big¨Cshot musician, but you can¡¯t even afford a hotel room?¡±
L¡¯s eyes flicked toward him, the sadness vanishing and reced with sharpness¨Clike a wolf defending his territory. ¡°And you? Why aren¡¯t you staying at a hotel?¡±
¡°Because Tess can¡¯t bear to have me stay anywhere else,¡± Abel said proudly, puffing up his chest as he leaned closer to her just to get under L¡¯s skin.
That did it. L¡¯s eyes reddened, and he looked at Tess like a kicked puppy. ¡°Tess!¡±
He reached out to grab her hand, but Abel was faster, smacking his hand away and giving him a deadly re.
L froze, his expression nk, though his fingers curled slightly as tears welled up in his blue eyes.
¡°Enough.¡±
Tess rubbed her temples, clearly done with their nonsense. ¡°Alright, tell me¨Cwhat¡¯s this fight about?¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 526
Keepsake 526 Summary
In Chapter 526 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The White Dress,¡± tensions rise among the characters as Abel and L find themselves in a confrontation. Abel, who seems to revel in chaos,ins to Tess about being punched by L, who is defensive and insists that Abel shouldn¡¯t have been on the second floor. Tess quickly realizes that Abel is not entirely to me, as it was her suggestion for Bessie to show him around. However, the situation esctes when L questions Tess¡¯s decision to allow another man to stay in their shared space, leading to a fierce exchange where Tess asserts her authority and suggests that L find alternative amodations.
As the argument unfolds, L¡¯s emotional turmoil bes apparent. He struggles to find the right words to express his feelings, only to be met with Tess¡¯s cold demeanor, which leaves him feeling heartbroken. Tess, frustrated with the childish behavior of both men, demands they return to their rooms or face immediate eviction. This disy of strength from Tess surprises Abel, who tries to y peacemaker, but ultimately, the situation forces L to retreat, feeling defeated and heavy-hearted.
The narrative shifts as Tess prepares to visit the Ember Residence, where she chooses to wear a cherished white chiffon dress from her past. This dress symbolizes her connection to Gillian, who had always shown her love and care despite theck of affection from her own parents. As Tess travels to the Ember Residence, she reflects on her memories associated with the dress, particrly the day she was brought back home, evoking a mix of nostalgia and sadness.
Upon her arrival, Tess is greeted by Henry and Kylie, but the emotional weight of the moment is palpable. Kylie¡¯s reaction to seeing Tess in the dress reveals deep-seated memories and regrets, particrly regarding their tumultuous past. The sight of the dress triggers Kylie¡¯s recollections of the day Tess first came home, a moment that marked the beginning of theirplicated rtionship. As memories flood Kylie¡¯s mind, she grapples with the realization of how much has changed between them, leaving her feeling suffocated by unexpressed emotions and the distance that has grown over the years.
Overall, this chapter delves into themes of conflict, authority, and theplex dynamics of familial rtionships, all while highlighting the emotional resonance of memory and the impact of past choices on present interactions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 526 The White Dress
Chapter 526 The White Dress
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¡°I was being good, just following Bessie upstairs. But when I walked past a room, he opened the door and punched me.¡±
Abelined to Tess with a pitiful face, though his eyes were practically glowing with mischief, not even trying to hide how pleased he was to start trouble.
L clenched his fists and snapped back, ¡°He barged onto the second floor!¡±
Tess quickly pieced things together, her eyes flicking toward Abel.
To her surprise, the troublemaker wasn¡¯t actually at fault this time.
¡°It was my idea,¡± she said evenly. ¡°I told Bessie to show him around.¡±
¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true.¡±
Bessie finally came down the stairs, a little out of breath, her face still pale from themotion.
She had no clue what had happened¨Cone moment the two were just talking, the next they were swinging at each other, scaring the life out of her.
L¡¯s shoulders slumped when he realized it really was his mistake.
¡°But¡¡± he said stubbornly, stepping forward, ¡°how could you let another man stay here?¡±
His voice dropped low, and Tess gave him a strange look. ¡°Why can¡¯t I? If that¡¯s how we¡¯re doing things, then you should move out of Evermount Heights too.¡±
By the time she finished, her eyes were sharp, her tone fierce enough to shut down any argument.
Abel¡¯s eyes practically sparkled.
That¡¯s my
Tess.
¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯m the bigger person here,¡± Abel said quickly, tugging at Tess¡¯s arm like a peacemaker.
If Tess really lost her temper and threw everyone out of Evermount Heights, he¡¯d be doomed too.
His darting eyes didn¡¯t escape Raven¡¯s notice.
She rolled her eyes.
Men can be scheming too.
¡°You can go find a hotel for the next few days,¡± Tess said to L tly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to stay here anymore.¡±
Her tone was final, with no room for discussion.
Chapter 526 The White Dress
L¡¯s body swayed, his breath catching as he looked for any sign of softness in her face. But when he met her cold, distant gaze, he felt his heart falling straight into a pit and shattering.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Tess didn¡¯t bother arguing with the two ¡°kindergarten kids¡°. She pped her palm on the table. ¡°If you two don¡¯t go back to your rooms right now, you can both pack your bags and leave today.¡±
L¡¯s fists tightened, but when he saw the firm look on Tess¡¯s face, he finally gave in and trudged upstairs, shoulders heavy.
Abel, on the other hand, looked smug as ever. Before leaving, he even threw Tess a flirtatious wink, practically floating away with satisfaction.
Tess was speechless. She opened her mouth to scold him, but before she could, Abel¡¯s expression changed, and he vanished in a sh.
Raven and Lyra had watched the whole thing y out like an audience at aedy show. They both rubbed their foreheads.
Sometimes, they seriously questioned what kind of chaotic energy surrounded Tess. Why is everyone around her such a weirdo?
After spending a few days with L, Lyra had almost forgotten he used to be her idol.
¡°You¡¯re going back to the Embers tonight,¡± Lyra asked. ¡°Do you want us to wait outside for you?¡±
Tess shook her head. ¡°No need. I¡¯m ying a part, and I¡¯m going all in. I¡¯ll probably have to stay the night at the Embers.¡±
The two nodded quietly, exchanging thoughtful looks.
Before long, the afternoon rolled around.
Tess chose a white chiffon dress she used to love wearing years ago.
Even though Kylie and Henry had never shown her much affection growing up, Gillian always treated her with warmth and care. She¡¯d made sure Tess nevercked anything¨Cher closet had once been filled with princess dresses.
When Tess had been forced to return to the Embers years ago, the only thing she¡¯d brought with her in her small suitcase was that same white dress Gillian had given her.
Her eyes softened as she slipped it on and stepped into a cab headed for the Ember Residence.
¡°There she is!¡±
Henry spotted her first and nudged Kylie¡¯s arm, who was waiting by the front door.
A cab stopped at the gate, and when the door opened, the edge of a white, fluffy skirt came into view.
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Chapter 526 The White Dress
Kylie froze the instant she saw it.
¡°Mom? Mom?¡±
Nadine nudged her hand, but Kylie didn¡¯t react¨Cshe just kept staring at Tess, who was walking slowly toward them, lost in her own daze.
¡°Tess,e in,¡± Henry said warmly. ¡°Your mom made dinner just for you.¡±
It wasn¡¯t until Tess was standing right in front of her that Kylic finally seemed to wake from her trance. She fidgeted, not knowing what to do with her hands.
¡°Okay.¡±
Tess¡¯s tone was calm and detached, while Kylie¡¯s eyes drifted as memories flooded in.
That dress¡ It reminded her of the day Tess first came home.
Back when Kylie realized Henry didn¡¯t love her anymore, and after seeing Nadine get hurt because of Tess, she sent Tess away to live with Gillian. Years passed before she finally brought her back home, and that day, Tess had been wearing this same white chiffon dress.
The stubborn, defiant little girl she remembered had turned cold and distant, shutting everyone out- especially her.
As memory ovepped with the present, Kylie¡¯s chest tightened like an invisible hand had seized her heart, making it hard to breathe.
10.34 Tue, Nov 25
Chapter 527 The Dinner Table Conclusion
In the aftermath of the chaos at Evermount Heights, Tess finds herself grappling with the weight of her past as she dons the white dress that once symbolized innocence and warmth. The fabric, a tangible connection to her childhood and the love Gillian provided, now serves as a bittersweet reminder of theplex rtionships that have shaped her. As she steps into the familiar yet fraught atmosphere of the Ember Residence, the memories flood back, intertwining with the present. Kylie¡¯s stunned reaction to Tess¡¯s appearance reveals the deep-seated emotions that have been buried beneath years of resentment and distance. The dress acts as a bridge, drawing forth memories of a time when their bond was untainted, yet also highlighting the chasm that has formed between them.
As Tess confronts her past, she stands at a crossroads¡ªcaught between the child who once wore the dress with hope and the woman who has learned to shield her heart from hurt. The tension in the air is palpable as Kylie grapples with her own feelings of guilt and longing, recognizing the girl she once sent away in the defiant figure before her. This moment marks a turning point, not just for Tess, but for the entire family. The emotional arc culminates in a quiet yet powerful acknowledgment of their shared history, suggesting that healing is possible, but only if they are willing to confront the pain of the past together. As they stand on the precipice of rekindling their connection, the white dress bes a symbol of both the fragility and resilience of familial love, hinting at the possibility of reconciliation amidst the scars of their shared history.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In Chapter 527, titled ¡°The Dinner Table,¡± the tension at the Ember Residence is set to reach a boiling point. As Tess steps through the door in the white chiffon dress¡ªa symbol of her past and theplex rtionships that have shaped her¡ªKylie is confronted with a flood of emotions that she has long buried. The dinner table, a ce meant for warmth and family connection, will likely transform into a battleground of unspoken words and unresolved feelings. Will Tess finally confront Kylie about their tumultuous history, or will the weight of their shared past keep them locked in silence?
As the evening unfolds, expect the dynamics between Tess, Kylie, and Henry to shift dramatically. With each passing moment, the tension will mount, revealing hidden resentments and long-held secrets. The return of Tess is not just a physical presence; it¡¯s a catalyst for change, forcing everyone at the dinner table to reckon with their choices and the consequences that have rippled through their lives. Will they find a way to bridge the chasm that time and hurt have created, or will the dinner be a painful reminder of what has been lost? Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster as the characters navigate theirplex rtionships and the ghosts of their pastse to life.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 527
Keepsake 527 Summary
In Chapter 527, titled ¡°The Dinner Table,¡± the tension at the dinner gathering is palpable, primarily stemming from Kylie¡¯s frustration with Tess¡¯s cold demeanor. As the family members enter the house, Kylie stands frozen outside, feeling a mix of irritation and resentment towards Tess, whocks warmth and kindness. Despite Kylie¡¯s efforts to maintain a cheerful facade, her emotions bubble beneath the surface, and she struggles to present a weing atmosphere for Tess, who has just returned home.
As they sit down for dinner, Kylie¡¯s attempt to please Tess by preparing her favorite dish, grilled salmon, seems to soften Tess¡¯s icy exterior momentarily. However, the moment is fleeting, and the underlying tension remains as Tess subtly mocks Nadine about her recent attack, which Nadine is desperate to avoid discussing. This exchange reveals the animosity between the two women, with Tess¡¯s sharp remarks cutting through the polite atmosphere, leaving Nadine feeling uneasy and irritable.
Henry, sensing the rising tension, tries to steer the conversation and lighten the mood, but his efforts fall t as Tess remains unimpressed with the meal. Despite Kylie¡¯s and Henry¡¯s attempts to win Tess over with food, her disinterest is evident as she barely touches her te, highlighting her dissatisfaction with the dishes prepared. The atmosphere grows heavier as Kylie¡¯s unease deepens, concerned that their carefully nned dinner is failing to achieve its intended purpose.
Ultimately, the chapter illustrates theplex dynamics within the family, with Kylie¡¯s desire for connection shing against Tess¡¯s aloofness. The dinner table, meant to be a ce of warmth and reunion, bes a battleground of emotions, revealing the fractures in their rtionships and the challenges they face in rebuilding trust and understanding. Tess¡¯s indifference to the meal symbolizes her broader disconnection from the family, leaving the future of their interactions uncertain.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 527 The Dinner Table
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Henry frowned when he noticed Kylie
¡°Kylie? What are you standing there for?¡±
till frozen in ce while everyone else was heading into the house.
Tess also stopped and turned around. Her expression was calm and emotionless.
Looking at that cold, detached face, the mix of irritation and resentment in Kylie¡¯s chest kept growing.
Why does she always look like that?
Can¡¯t she be a little more like Nadine, understanding, gentle, and sweet? Can¡¯t she at least try to care a little, or maybe even act nice to please her dad once in a while?
¡°Let¡¯s eat,¡± Kylie said stiffly, her face darkening as she marched toward the dining room.
Henry immediately caught the shift in her mood and quickly tugged at her sleeve, shooting her a look to calm down.
Realizing she¡¯d lost herposure, Kylie bit her lip, forcing a smile. ¡°Guess I got too excited knowing you wereing home. I¡¯ve been looking forward to it all day. Come on, Tess, dinner¡¯s ready. Mom made it herself¡ªyour favorite grilled salmon with chili¨Clime ze.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes flickered for a second at the mention of the dish.
It was Gillian¡¯s specialty¨Cone of those meals that carried pieces of their shared memories.
She hadn¡¯t expected Kylie to prepare it.
For a brief moment, Tess looked s. The frost in her eyes seemed to melt a little.
She didn¡¯t say anything, just gave a small nod and followed them inside.
Seeing her reaction, Henry and Nadine exchanged nces, and the same pleased spark showed in both their eyes.
If they could just win Tess¡¯s trust, transferring the Larsons¡® assets would be a piece of cake.
At first, their n was only to squeeze onest bit of profit out of the Larsons. But since the Larsons were blind enough to name Tess as their heir, well, too bad for them.
Henry could barely hide the smug curl of his lips. He coughed lightly, forcing the smile away.
Nadine clenched her fists, forcing a smile to adjust her mood.
To wee Tess home, Henry had rushed to get her discharged from the hospital, not even caring that she hadn¡¯t fully recovered yet. She was still limping as she walked.
But that was fine.
C
O
18:34 Tue, Nov 25!
Chapter 527 The Dinner Table
If it meant securing the Larsons¡® fortune, a little suffering now was a small price to pay.
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Nadine made up her mind and turned even more attentive, stepping forward to pull out Tess¡¯s chair herself. ¡°Tess, here, sit down.¡±
Tess nced at her, one eyebrow lifting slightly as her gaze swept over Nadine¡¯s covered arms and legs- every inch of her wrapped up.
She didn¡¯t refuse. She sat down calmly, though her eyes stayed on Nadine. Her lips curved faintly, almost teasing. ¡°I heard you were attacked a while ago. You¡¯re all healed up already?¡±
She acted surprised, smiling lightly. ¡°Did they catch who did it?¡±
Of course, she knew it had been Max. And Nadine knew that Tess knew, but she couldn¡¯t say a word.
As soon as Tess finished speaking, Nadine¡¯s face went pale.
She forced out a stiff smile, her tone dry. ¡°No idea. Some lunatic, I guess. I just let it go¨Cwasn¡¯t worth making a fuss.¡±
¡°How generous of you,¡± Tess said tly, shifting her gaze toward the table.
Her voice, though light, carried a sharp edge that lingered awkwardly in the air.
Nadine¡¯s stomach churned with irritation, but she kept smiling anyway, even as she cursed Tess a hundred times over in her head.
¡°Alright, alright,¡± Henry jumped in quickly, sensing the tension. ¡°It was just a minor injury, nothing serious. Tess,e try your mom¡¯s cooking. She made your favorites.¡±
Kylie seemed to snap back to herself, quickly picking up the serving spoon to ce some fish on Tess¡¯s te. ¡°Here¨Ctry this first.¡±
The dish, a pan¨Cseared white fish drizzled with creamy lemon sauce, looked almost exactly like the one Tess remembered from years ago.
She didn¡¯t hesitate. She picked up her fork, cut off a small piece, and took a bite.
Henry leaned forward eagerly. ¡°Well? How is it?¡±
Tess¡¯s expression stayed the same. She gave a faint nod, then set her fork down and pushed the te slightly aside.
Seeing her reaction, Kylie turned toward Hannah Woods, who was standing nervously in the corner. Didn¡¯t she practice this recipe over and over? The look on Tess¡¯s face clearly says she doesn¡¯t like it.
¡°Maybe it¡¯s not really your thing. Try something else,¡± Henry said quickly, shing a smile as he scooped more food onto Tess¡¯s te. The lines on his face deepened with the effort.
Tess nced at the fish again but didn¡¯t touch it.
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Chapter 527 The Dinner Table
The sauce was heavy with dill¨Cher least favorite herb. Gillian would never have used it.
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Still, she didn¡¯t turn down Henry¡¯s gesture. She even took a polite bite of the roasted eggnt he offered. but her brows pinched right after.
Too much garlic.
She swallowed a few bites before setting her utensils down. Half the pasta on her te was still untouched, and each dish Henry had given her had only a single bite missing.
The table fell quiet.
Kylie looked uneasy.
I know everyone has their own preferences, but Hannah is a chef I personally chose after much thought. She¡¯s talented. Tess can¡¯t actually dislike every dish¡ right? Conclusion
As the dinner progressed, the tension at the table became almost palpable, underscoring the fragile dynamics between the family members. Kylie¡¯s initial excitement had waned into disappointment, her attempts to bridge the emotional gap met with Tess¡¯s cold indifference. The carefully prepared dishes, meant to evoke nostalgia and warmth, instead highlighted the growing chasm between them. Tess¡¯s polite but dismissive reactions to the food were not just about the vors; they symbolized the deeper rift in their rtionship¡ªone that Kylie desperately wished to mend. The weight of unspoken resentments hung in the air, and what should have been a weing homing felt more like a battleground, with each bite taken as a silent testament to their unresolved conflicts.
Yet amid the simmering tension, there was a flicker of hope. Tess¡¯s slight smile and her teasing remarks hinted at a willingness to engage, even if only for a moment. Kylie¡¯s determination to please her sister shone through her stiff demeanor, revealing her longing for connection. As Nadine and Henry exchanged worried nces, the realization dawned that this dinner was not merely about food but about rebuilding trust and family bonds. The evening may have started with frost and difort, but the undercurrents of love and longing were undeniable. In this delicate dance of emotions, the potential for healingy just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to break free from the confines of their shared history.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension at the dinner table to escte as Tess continues to navigate the choppy waters of familial expectations and her own personal grievances. With Kylie¡¯s growing frustration towards Tess¡¯s cold demeanor and Henry¡¯s mounting pressure to win Tess¡¯s favor, the atmosphere will be increasingly charged. As secrets simmer beneath the surface, Tess¡¯s sharp wit may cut deeper, revealing cracks in the carefully constructed facade that Henry and Nadine have built. Will Tess¡¯s bitingments ignite a confrontation, or will she choose to y the long game, biding her time while she assesses the true motives of those around her?
Moreover, the culinary missteps that have already set the stage for difort will likely take a darker turn. As Tess remains unimpressed with the dishes meant to evoke nostalgia and warmth, it will be clear that the stakes are higher than just a simple family meal. Each bite she takes¡ªor refuses¡ªwill symbolize her resistance against the maniptions of her rtives. With the tension escting, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, wondering whether Tess will reveal her true feelings about the Larsons¡¯ ns or if she will continue to y the role of the dutiful daughter, all while plotting her own course of action in this intricate game of family dynamics. Will the dinner table serve as a battleground for honesty, or will it be a stage for deception?
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 528
Keepsake 528 Summary
In Chapter 528, titled ¡°The White Room,¡± tensions rise during a dinner where Kylie feels med by her daughter Tess for the unappetizing meal she prepared. Tess¡¯s reaction is one of indifference, revealing her dislike for the ingredients used, which creates an ufortable atmosphere at the table. Henry, trying to smooth things over, suggests going out to eat, but Tess tly declines, indicating her emotional distance from the family.
As the chapter progresses, Tess is led to a bright, immacte white room that Henry has prepared for her, hoping to rekindle their father-daughter bond. Despite his efforts and the cheerful ambiance, Tess remains unresponsive and detached. Henry¡¯s attempts to connect are met with resistance, as Tess rejects his overtures and expresses a desire for the room¡¯s decor to be changed to blue, symbolizing her difort and disconnection from her father.
The emotional weight of the scene is palpable as Tess reflects on her past and theck of genuine familial connection. Her cold smile and distant demeanor highlight her feelings of abandonment and resentment towards Henry, who seems oblivious to the depth of her hurt. The chapter concludes with Tess finding sce only in solitude, lying on a bed surrounded by a single photo of herself in a white dress, which serves as a stark reminder of the absence of shared family memories and the emotional void in her rtionship with her parents.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 528 The White Room
Chapter 528 The White Room
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Kylie noticed the look of me in Henry¡¯s eyes and felt a deep sting of hurt. Her face darkened.
¡°Tess, do you really not like the food, or do you just hate that I was the one who made it for you?¡±
Tess had just stood up to leave when Kylie blurted it out.
Hearing that, Tess stopped mid¨Cstep and turned to face the three people watching her.
Henry looked uneasy. ¡°Your mom¡¯s just upset, that¡¯s all. She didn¡¯t mean it like that. Don¡¯t take it to heart, Tess.¡±
Kylie¡¯s expression flickered, and she quickly lowered her head, pressing her lips together in silence.
Tess nced over each of their faces, noticing the guilt, the awkwardness, and the tension, and she suddenlyughed. Herugh was light and clear, echoing through the quiet dining room, sharp with irony.
¡°I don¡¯t eat onions, dill, or garlic.¡±
Her words hung in the air, cold and deliberate. She looked at them yfully, but there wasn¡¯t a trace of warmth in her eyes.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop to freezing.
Kylie¡¯s expression shifted slightly, while Henry instinctively nced at Tess¡¯s te. Every dish was sprinkled with chopped garlic and flecks of dill.
He looked around the table¨Cevery single te had them.
His face turned pale.
¡°Tess, your mom didn¡¯t know,¡± Henry said quickly. ¡°She thought adding those would make everything taste fresher. Look, if you didn¡¯t eat enough, why don¡¯t we all go out? I¡¯ll take you anywhere you want¨Cmy treat!¡±
He patted his chest and tried to smile, sneaking nces at her face.
¡°No need,¡± Tess said tly. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡±
Her refusal left Henry awkward for a moment, but he recovered quickly. ¡°Alright then, maybe go rest for a bit. I¡¯ll have Hannah show you to the room we prepared.¡±
He waved to the housekeeper.
Hannah hurried forward and bowed politely. ¡°Ms. Tess, pleasee with me.¡±
Tess nodded and didn¡¯t refuse this time, which made Henry sigh in relief.
They went upstairs, and when the door opened, a bright white room came into view¨Cspotless, almost too clean.
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Chapter 528 The White Room
Tess¡¯s eyes flickered slightly.
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Henry rubbed his hands together, eager and nervous. ¡°You¡¯ve always loved wearing white dresses since you were little. I figured you must still like the color. Everything here was prepared especially for you. Come in and see if you like it.¡±
¡°Yes, Ms. Ember,¡± Hannah added quickly, picking up on his tone. ¡°As soon as Mr. Ember heard you¡¯d agreed toe back, he personally picked and custom¨Cordered everything here, just waiting for your arrival.¡±
Henryughed a little too loudly, ncing fondly at Tess. ¡°Of course! What kind of father would I be if I didn¡¯t take care of my daughter?¡±
He reached out, trying to take her hand. ¡°Tess, I know I made mistakes before. I just want to make it right now. Please, give me another chance.¡±
But Tess moved her hand away before he could touch her.
The smile on Henry¡¯s face froze, then faltered. He awkwardly withdrew his hand. ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine,¡± he said with a strainedugh before stepping into the room.
Tess followed without a word, her expression nk.
The air was heavy with unease. Even Hannah seemed to sense it and moved carefully, afraid to make a sound.
¡°You can both go now,¡± Tess said quietly. ¡°I¡¯m going to rest.¡±
She stepped onto the thick carpet, the white decor all around her so bright that it almost hurt her eyes.
¡°Change everything to blue.¡±
The words hit Henry like a p. The smile he¡¯d been forcing instantly dropped. ¡°You ¡ don¡¯t like it? I thought white was your favorite color. You used to wear white dresses all the time when you were little.¡±
Hannah looked puzzled too. She pointed to a framed photo on the nightstand. ¡°Ms. Ember, see? You¡¯re wearing a white dress in this picture.¡±
Tess looked up, her eyes distant and empty.
She stared straight at Henry, her lips curling into a faint, cold smile. ¡°That¡¯s because when I was a kid, you only saw me once. And that one time, I happened to be wearing white.¡±
Henry¡¯s eyebrows twitched, but Tess¡¯s faint smile made his stomach twist.
¡°I¡¯ll have the staff change it tomorrow,¡± he said quickly. My mistake.¡±
Tess waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯m tired.¡±
There was no room left for them to linger. Henry¡¯s attempts to please her had allnded wrong, and even he couldn¡¯t stand to stay another second.
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18:35 Tue, Nov 25
Chapter 528 The White Room
¡°Alright then, rest well. I¡¯ll let you sleep.¡±
He pulled Hannah out of the room with him, his face dark and heavy.
When the door finally clicked shut from the outside, Tess¡¯s body rxed for the first time.
She changed into her pajamas andy on the bed. It was soft¨Ctoo soft¨Cswallowing her whole body.
Her eyes drifted toward the nightstand, where the photo Hannah had shown her earlier stood in its frame.
It was the same picture¨Cjust her, in that white dress.
They¡¯d gone to all this trouble to get close to her, but couldn¡¯t even bother to put up a family photo. Just this one picture of her alone.
The truth was, they¡¯d never taken a family photo with her. In fact, she had no idea where they¡¯d even found this one. Conclusion
In the sterile brightness of the white room, Tess felt the weight of her father¡¯s intentions suffocating her. Theughter that had briefly filled the dining room now felt like a distant echo, overshadowed by the stark reality of their fractured rtionship. Henry¡¯s attempts to connect¡ªhis eagerness to please¡ªonly served as a reminder of the years lost and the emotional chasm that remained between them. Tess¡¯s cold smile reflected not just her disappointment in her father¡¯s failure to truly know her, but also the realization that the love she craved could not be manufactured by mere gestures or carefully curated spaces. The bright decor, meant to evokefort and nostalgia, instead highlighted her istion, leaving her feeling more like a stranger in her own life.
As the door clicked shut behind Henry and Hannah, Tess finally exhaled, the tension in her body dissipating like mist in the morning sun. Alone in the room, she confronted the painful truth of her existence¡ªher father¡¯s love had always been conditional, filtered through his own perceptions and memories. The solitary photo of her in a white dress served as a poignant reminder of her childhood, a moment captured without the warmth of family or shared experiences. In that moment of solitude, Tess resolved to reim her narrative, to redefine her identity beyond the expectations ced upon her. With a heart heavy yet resolute, she embraced the silence, ready to confront her past and forge a new path forward, one that would be painted in her own colors.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions are set to rise as Tess grapples with herplex feelings towards her father and the life he¡¯s crafted for her. With the stark contrast of the pristine white room serving as a backdrop, Tess¡¯s internal conflict will deepen, revealingyers of resentment and longing. Readers can anticipate a poignant exploration of their strained rtionship as Tess confronts her past and the emotional distance that has defined her interactions with Henry. Will she find a way to bridge the gap, or will her resistance only push them further apart?
Moreover, the narrative promises to introduce new dynamics as Tess begins to assert her independence and desires, demanding a space that reflects her true self. The shift from white to blue symbolizes not only her rejection of the past but also her quest for identity and belonging. As she navigates her feelings, the chapter will likely unveil unexpected revtions about her family¡¯s history and the reasons behind their estrangement. Prepare for a gripping blend of emotional turmoil and self-discovery that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how Tess will reim her narrative amidst the shadows of her upbringing.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 529
Keepsake 529 Summary
In Chapter 529 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Cold Breakfast,¡± Tess reflects on her past with Gillian, who had a talent for design and made every dress she wore with love. This nostalgia brings a warmth to her otherwise cold surroundings, but her hunger soon drives her out of bed to check the fridge. As she approaches the kitchen, she overhears a conversation between Henry and Kylie about her dietary preferences, revealing their frustration andck of understanding towards her needs. Tess feels a mix of emotions¡ªsurprise and mild amusement¡ªas she realizes they are discussing her.
After hearing the conversation, Tess¡¯s hunger dissipates, and she feels a sense of relief despite the chaotic atmosphere. She decides to return to her room, where exhaustion overtakes her, leading to a deep sleep. The next morning, Nadine knocks on her door with a forced smile, asking her to join for breakfast. Tess, aware of Nadine¡¯s insincerity, responds coldly and ms the door, igniting Nadine¡¯s jealousy and anger.
When Tess finally descends for breakfast, she finds Henry eagerly awaiting her, but she dismisses the meal, stating she is not hungry and heading to the office instead. This decision frustrates both Henry and Kylie, who are left to deal with their disappointment over the cold breakfast they prepared for her. The chapter ends on a tense note, highlighting the strained rtionships within the family and Tess¡¯s growing sense of detachment.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 529 Cold Breakfast
Tess let out a faintugh, her eyes filled with mockery.
Her gaze lingered on the white dress in front of her, but slowly drifted off.
In her memory, Gillian had been a true master of all trades. Even though they¡¯d lived together in a small, humble house, it was always full of life¨Cthe sound of music ying, the smell of home¨Ccooked food, and most often, the rhythmic hum of a sewing machine.
The Larsons were never short on money.
But Gillian was a designer, and every dress she wore was one she¡¯d made herself¨Cstitched carefully by hand, full of warmth and love.
Tess¡¯s eyes, once sharp and cold, softened as she thought about it. Even the in white wallpaper around her seemed to lose its stiffness and feel a little warmer.
Before she knew it, sleep crept up on her. She drifted off without meaning to, but hunger soon woke her again.
The food at the Ember Residence hadn¡¯t suited her taste, so she¡¯d barely eaten. Now she was starving.
Tess sighed quietly and got up, deciding to check the fridge.
It wasn¡¯t thatte¨Caround 9 p.m.
As she made her way toward the kitchen, she caught the faint sound of voices and stopped. She slowed her steps and moved closer, careful not to make a sound.
Standing just outside the kitchen, she saw the warm light spilling out and heard the conversation inside.
It was Henry and Kylie.
¡°What happened? How could you not know she doesn¡¯t eat onions, dill, or garlic?¡±
She.
Tess instantly realized they were talking about her, and her ears perked up.
Kylie sounded defensive, a bit resentful at being scolded. ¡°It¡¯s not like she lives with us! How would I know that?¡±
¡°But you didn¡¯t have to put those things in every single dish, did you?¡± Henry replied, sounding annoyed.
Kylie snapped back, refusing to take the me. ¡°Hannah made the food, not me! Besides, Nadine likes onions, dill, and garlic. We¡¯ve always cooked that way. You were eating just fine yourself, weren¡¯t you? And now you¡¯re turning it on me?¡±
She pouted. ¡°Also, you were the one who messed up the room setup, remember? Hannah told me.¡±
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Chapter 529 Cold Breakfast
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Henry rubbed his forehead, frustrated but helpless. ¡°Tess finally agreed toe back, and we just keep messing things up. We¡¯ll have to be more careful next time.¡±
Kylie muttered an unenthusiastic ¡°Fine,¡± her face nk.
Their voices filled the quiet hallway.
Tess¡¯s eyes flickered slightly.
She hadn¡¯t expected anything from either of them anyway. As for the dinner earlier¨Cit had tasted in enough, but there was no way someone like Kylie, pampered her whole life, had made it herself.
Now that she knew Hannah had cooked it, everything made perfect sense.
Tess¡¯s lips curved faintly. The hunger she¡¯d felt moments ago vanishedpletely.
Sleepiness took over again. She gave the kitchen onest nce, then quietly slipped back to her room.
Maybe it was the exhaustion from dealing with everyone all day, but as soon as she hit the bed, she fell into a deep sleep¨Cand didn¡¯t wake up until morning.
Knock, knock, knock.
She woke to the sound of someone knocking..
Still half¨Casleep, she rubbed her eyes and opened the door. Nadine stood there, smiling brightly, though the effort behind it showed.
¡°Tess, Mom and Dad asked me to wake you for breakfast.¡±
Her eyes sparkled with fake warmth, the perfect picture of a sweet, caring little sister.
If Tess hadn¡¯t already known what was behind that face, she might have believed it.
¡°Okay.¡±
Her reply was short. Before Nadine could say anything else, Tess closed the door in her face.
The door mmed with a loud thud. If Nadine hadn¡¯t stepped back in time, it would¡¯ve hit her right in the
nose.
As soon as Tess was out of sight, Nadine¡¯s expression darkened, her teeth grinding in anger.
Tess actually mmed the door on me.
Her eyes burned with jealousy and rage as she red at the door, as if she could see right through it at the person inside.
When Tess finally came downstairs half an hourter, Kylie was already restless.
Her patience was wearing thin despite Henry¡¯s attempts to calm her.
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Chapter 529 Cold Breakfast
The moment Tess appeared, Henry jumped to his feet, smiling. ¡°There you are, Tess! Nadine went to call you a while ago. Look, breakfast¡¯s gone cold now. The taste won¡¯t be the same anymore¨Cwhat a shame.
He sighed, sneaking a nce at Tess¡¯s face.
But Tess didn¡¯t even look at the seat they¡¯d saved for her. She just gave the table a quick nce and said, ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. I¡¯m heading to the office.¡±
With that, she grabbed her purse and walked out.
Nadine¡¯s eyes followed her the whole way, narrowing when she saw the bag swinging from Tess¡¯s hand. If I¡¯m not mistaken, that¡¯s thetest limited¨Cedition designer purse¨Cone of only 10 ever made. And Tess has one! ¡°She¡¯s not eating? We waited all this time for nothing?¡±
Kylie¡¯s anger red, but Henry quickly ced a hand on her shoulder, pressing her back into her seat. His own face, though, was dark with irritation.
He hadn¡¯t expected Tess to be that disrespectful.
¡°Forget it. Let¡¯s just eat,¡± he said stiffly.
The two of them sat back down, chewing on the now¨Ccold breakfast with sour expressions.
¡°Hannah! Make another serving¨Cand one for Nadine too!¡± Kylie shouted angrily.
Henry nearly choked, mming his spoon down before passing his te forward. ¡°And one for me, too.¡± Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of the breakfast debacle, Tess felt a strange sense of liberation wash over her. The chaotic dynamics of her family, once a source of anxiety and frustration, began to lose their grip on her. As she stepped out of the house, the weight of their expectations and judgments faded, reced by a flicker of resolve. The cold breakfast, the sharp words exchanged, and the simmering resentment within her family were no longer her burdens to bear. Instead, Tess embraced the freedom that came with her choices, realizing that she had the power to carve her own path, even if it led her away from the warmth of a shared meal.
Meanwhile, the Larsons were left to grapple with the fallout of their actions. Henry¡¯s frustration and Kylie¡¯s anger simmered at the breakfast table, a stark reminder of the growing chasm between them and Tess. As they chewed on their cold food, the warmth of familial bonds felt distant, overshadowed by misunderstandings and unspoken grievances. Nadine¡¯s jealousy burned brightly, revealing the cracks in their seemingly perfect facade. In that moment, it became clear that the real challengey not just in understanding Tess¡¯s needs, but in confronting the deeper issues that had long been buried beneath the surface. The breakfast may have been cold, but the simmering emotions promised a heated confrontation that was yet toe.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of ¡°Keepsake 529,¡± tensions are set to escte as Tess grapples with herplicated rtionships with her family. With the cold breakfast serving as a metaphor for the chilly atmosphere in the Ember Residence, readers can expect a deeper dive into the underlying resentments and rivalries that simmer just beneath the surface. Tess¡¯s defiance is only the beginning; her refusal to conform to the expectations of her family will challenge the fragile dynamics they¡¯ve established. Will her absence at the breakfast table trigger a confrontation, or will it lead to an unexpected revtion that forces everyone to confront their feelings?
As the narrative unfolds, the reader can anticipate a pivotal moment that will either bridge the gap between Tess and her family or widen it further. With Nadine¡¯s simmering jealousy and Kylie¡¯s frustrationing to a head, the stage is set for dramatic confrontations that could shift the bnce of power within the household. Will Tess finally stand up for herself, or will she sumb to the pressures of familial expectations? The next chapter promises to unravel these tangled emotions, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how Tess navigates theplexities of love, rivalry, and self-identity in a household that feels anything but weing.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 530
Keepsake 530 Summary
In Chapter 530 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Breakfast Trouble,¡± Tess begins her day by grabbing breakfast on her way to work. Upon arriving at the office, she finds her colleagues Lyra and Raven already present. Lyra has be a prominent figure at the court, rarely needing to be in the office unless it¡¯s a significant case, while Raven, having had no recent performances, spends her time assisting Tess with thepany¡¯s preparations for an uing IPO and strategizing against their adversaries, the Embers.
As Tess settles into her work routine, Abel arrives with an array of breakfast items, clearly trying to impress her. He suggests that Tess didn¡¯t eat enough while dealing with the Embers, offering her his food instead of letting her enjoy what she had brought. Tess, feeling slightly annoyed by Abel¡¯s overbearing gesture, chooses to share her breakfast with Ken, who has not eaten yet. This small act of kindness brings a smile to Ken¡¯s face and creates a moment of camaraderie, while Abel sulks in the background, feeling left out.
The atmosphere shifts when Raven and Lyra enter the office, teasing Tess and Abel about their breakfast gathering. Despite the light-hearted banter, Abel¡¯s irritation grows as he feels his private moment with Tess is being interrupted. Lyra, sensing the tension, suggests they discuss important matters with Tess, but Abel insists they finish their breakfast first, showcasing his desire to maintain the intimate setting.
Ultimately, Tess prioritizes her colleagues¡¯ needs over her own breakfast, indicating hermitment to her work and the people around her. As Abel reluctantly takes Ken away to give Tess space for the discussion, the chapter highlights the dynamics of their rtionships, bncing humor and tension, while also showcasing Tess¡¯s nurturing side amidst the chaos of their professional lives.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 530 Breakfast Trouble
Chapter 530 Breakfast Trouble
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Tess grabbed some breakfast on her way to work. When she got there, Lyra and Raven were already in their offices.
Lyra was now a big shot at the court, so unless it was a major case, she rarely had to appear in person. Raven, on the other hand, hadn¡¯t had any recent performances and was basically free most of the time. Sotely, the two of them had been spending their days at thepany, helping Tess handle things.
After all, the news about thepany¡¯s uing IPO was already public, and there were still plenty of procedures to prepare for.
But more importantly, they needed to find a way to get rid of the Embers once and for all.
¡°You got breakfast?¡±
Abel arrived almost at the same time as Tess, immediately spotting the takeout bag in her hand.
Tess frowned slightly and looked up. Abel¡¯s hands were full of bags¨Ceach one clearly from a different caf¨¦ or bakery.
Her eyebrow twitched. ¡°What¡¯s all that?¡±
¡°I figured you probably didn¡¯t eat much while you were with the Embers,¡± Abel said with an innocent look. ¡°Breakfast is the most important meal, so I thought I¡¯d bring you some.
His tone was pitiful, almost begging for praise.
Tess¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°But I already-¡±
Before she could even finish, Abel snatched her bag and tossed it onto Ken¡¯s desk. ¡°Eat mine instead.¡±
Ken, who had been quietly doing his homework at the corner desk, jumped at the sudden noise. He blinked at the breakfast now sitting in front of him, then at Tess, who gave him an apologetic look.
Tess shot Abel a sharp re and ignored his little pouty faces and desperate gestures. She walked straight over to Ken.
¡°You haven¡¯t eaten yet, have you? Let¡¯s eat together.¡±
She leaned down and pulled out a chair across from her desk for him.
Abel pursed his lips, sulking as he reluctantly sat down beside them, clearly unhappy to give up his private spot.
Tess began unwrapping the breakfast containers one by one, and the smell quickly filled the office.
Ken¡¯s throat moved as he swallowed hard, the sound loud in the quiet room.
Tess smiled lightly. ¡°Go ahead, don¡¯t be shy.¡±
O
Chapter 530 Breakfast Trouble
She ced a sandwich in front of him.
Ken looked a little embarrassed at first, but the smell soon got to him. He started eating,pletely focused, though between bites, he still managed to mumblepliments about how good it all tasted.
Abel sat to the side, clearly being ignored, and started tapping his fingers irritably against the desk.
When Tess nced up, she met his pitsion¨Clike a puppy who¡¯d just been left out in the cold.
For a split second, the thought made Tess want tough at herself for the ridiculousparison. Then she ced a croissant in front of Abel. ¡°Eat.¡±
She shot him a look, and Abel immediately brightened up, grinning as he dug in.
¡°Well, well, eating without us, huh?¡±
The office door swung open.
Raven and Lyra stood side by side in the doorway, arms crossed, both wearing amused looks.
Tess¡¯s mouth twitched. Great. Just what I need.
Raven strutted over in three long strides, clicking her tongue twice. ¡°Well, don¡¯t you look like a happy little family of three? How¡¯s breakfast, huh?¡±
Abel didn¡¯t even flinch at her teasing. Still chewing his pastry, he replied calmly, ¡°What family of three? La¡¯s not here.¡±
Raven¡¯s mouth dropped into an exaggerated ¡°O.¡±
She pped her hands and was about to keep teasing when Tess cut in.
¡°Enough already. Since you¡¯re here, just sit and eat.¡±
She pointed to the empty chairs nearby.
Lyra waved a hand. ¡°No need. We already ate.¡±
¡°Then stop interrupting,¡± Abel muttered, frowning.
I¡¯ve worked hard to get this little moment alone with Tess, and now not only is there a kid sitting with us, but two more uninvited guests? Absolutely not.
Lyra caught the annoyed look on his face and couldn¡¯t help smiling. Spending so much time around Raventely must have rubbed off¨Cshe¡¯d picked up a bit of that mischief.
¡°Tess, when you¡¯re done eating, we need to talk. Or, if you¡¯d rather, we can talk while you eat,¡± Lyra said, ncing at Abel from the corner of her eye.
Sure enough, his expression darkened.
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Chapter 530 Breakfast Trouble
¡°No,¡± he said tly, pping the table. ¡°After we cat!¡°.
Before he could say anything else, Te and eat somewhere else. I have work
shoved a lunch box into his hands, packed full of food. ¡°Take Ken to do.¡±
Abel froze.
Raven burst outughing, nearly doubling over.
Ken, meanwhile, just quietly picked up his portion and stood there waiting.
¡°Go,¡± Tess said, frowning.
Abel snorted, ring at Lyra and Raven before reluctantly heading for the door.
¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Tess asked once they were gone. She pushed her food aside and looked at them seriously.
¡°Nothing urgent. We can talk while you eat,¡± Lyra said, her tone soft when speaking to Tess.
¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Your things are more important.¡± Tess shook her head. Conclusion
In this chapter, Tess navigates theplexities of her rtionships while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos surrounding thepany¡¯s IPO and the looming threat of the Embers. The breakfast scene serves as a microcosm of her life, where she juggles the demands of her colleagues and her desire to foster connections. The yful banter and underlying tension with Abel highlight her struggle to assert her boundaries while also nurturing the camaraderie that has developed among her team. Tess¡¯s decision to prioritize Ken and share a meal with him illustrates herpassionate nature, even as she grapples with the interruptions from Lyra and Raven, who represent both support and distraction in her life.
As the chapter concludes, Tess¡¯s emotional arces full circle. Despite the chaos and interruptions, she finds sce in the small moments of connection with her colleagues, reminding her of the importance ofmunity in her life. The yful teasing and shared meals serve as a reminder that, even in the face of challenges, there is joy to be found inpanionship. Tess¡¯s willingness to put others first, even when faced with her own frustrations, underscores her growth and resilience. Ultimately, this chapter encapstes the delicate bnce between personal aspirations and the bonds that hold her team together, leaving Tess with a renewed sense of purpose as she prepares to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to rise as Tess navigates not only theplexities of her work environment but also her rtionships with the people around her. With Lyra and Raven¡¯s unexpected arrival, the dynamics in the office are bound to shift, and Tess will have to bnce her responsibilities while managing the yful yet disruptive antics of her colleagues. As they prepare to discuss crucial matters regarding thepany¡¯s IPO and the looming threat of the Embers, Tess¡¯s focus will be tested like never before. Will she be able to maintain herposure amidst the chaos?
Moreover, the chapter will delve deeper into the underlying tensions between Tess and Abel. His jealousy and possessiveness are starting to surface, especially with Ken¡¯s presenceplicating their interactions. As the narrative unfolds, readers will witness whether Tess can keep her professional and personal life separate or if the mounting pressures will push her to confront her feelings. With the stakes higher than ever, the next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of emotions, revtions, and perhaps even a pivotal moment that could change everything for Tess and her team. Get ready for an engaging mix of drama, humor, and unexpected twists!
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 531
Keepsake 531 Summary
In Chapter 531 of ¡°Keepsake 531,¡± Lyra shares significant information about Nichs, revealing that he is hiding in a factory on the outskirts of Aetheris. Tess, intrigued and concerned, realizes that the factory is registered under Henry¡¯s name, raising suspicions that he may be concealing Nichs there. This discovery weighs heavily on Tess, as she reflects on her promise to Ken, a child she brought from Krigan who has been searching for his parents. The urgency of the situation intensifies as Tess considers the implications of Henry¡¯s involvement and the need to reunite Ken with his family.
The trio discusses the factory¡¯s security, with Lyra and Raven admitting they have only managed a brief drone reconnaissance due to its heavy fortifications. Tess is determined to gather more intelligence before making any moves, recognizing the delicate nature of their mission. She contemtes reaching out to Steven for technical support, highlighting the importance of careful nning and strategy in their approach to infiltrating the factory. The pressure mounts as Tess grapples with the responsibility of Ken¡¯s well-being and the potential risks involved in confronting the Embers.
As the conversation shifts to lighter topics, Tess¡¯s demeanor changes, revealing her underlying anxiety about Henry¡¯s operations. The realization that he could be running a factory without her knowledge sends a wave of unease through her. She begins to formte a n, considering the possibility of using her presence at the Ember Residence as a cover to uncover Henry¡¯s secrets. Just as her thoughts spiral, a call from Henry interrupts her, inviting her to choose her bedding at his ce. Tess¡¯s heart races with a mix of excitement and apprehension, aware that this encounter could lead to further revtions about the situation at hand.
Ultimately, the chapter captures Tess¡¯s internal struggle as she bnces her responsibilities towards Ken and theplexities of her rtionship with Henry. The stakes are high, and as Tess prepares to meet Henry, she is acutely aware that every decision could impact not only her ns but the lives of those involved. The tension builds as the chapter concludes, leaving readers eager to see how Tess navigates the challenges ahead.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 531**
**Chapter 531: The Factory on the Outskirts**
Lyra decided not to press the issue any further. With a calm demeanor, she stated, ¡°About that Nichs you wanted us to investigate, we¡¯ve managed to uncover something significant.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Tess¡¯s curiosity piqued, her brows lifting slightly in anticipation.
¡°Yes,¡± Lyra confirmed, her voice steady. ¡°He¡¯s still in Aetheris, at least as far as our intel suggests. We haven¡¯t pinpointed his exact location yet, but it seems he¡¯s holed up in a factory somewhere on the outskirts of the city.¡±
Raven, ever the efficient one, effortlessly retrieved a tablet from her bag. The screen flickered to life, revealing a detailed map of Aetheris.
She gestured towards a specific area on the outer edge. ¡°The businesses run by the Embers havepletely crumbled, but during our investigation, we discovered that this factory is actually registered under Henry¡¯s name. And surprisingly, it¡¯s still operational.¡±
Tess¡¯s expression shifted, a serious look settling on her features. ¡°So, you suspect that Henry is hiding Nichs there?¡±
It had been a while since she had brought Ken from Krigan to Aetheris. In the beginning, the boy had incessantly pleaded to find his parents, his eyes filled with hope and desperation. Tess had skillfully deflected his requests, knowing she needed to gather solid evidence and reliable witnesses before making a decisive move against the Embers. But the unexpected interference from the Larsons had thrown her ns into disarray. Now, Ken had ceased his inquiries, but Tess¡¯s promise lingered in her mind like a weight. She couldn¡¯t betray the trust she had built with him.
¡°Exactly,¡± Lyra affirmed, her tone unwavering. ¡°The Embers¡¯ influence is waning, and even the few families that once aligned with them have distanced themselves. There¡¯s hardly anyone left who could conceal someone as significant as Nichs, especially with Ken¡¯s mother involved.¡±
Tess nodded, her mind racing as she contemted the implications. She then looked up, her gaze sharp. ¡°Have you sent anyone to scout the area? What¡¯s the environment like around that factory?¡±
Lyra and Raven exchanged a knowing nce before shaking their heads in unison. ¡°It¡¯s not that we didn¡¯t want to,¡± Lyra exined, her voice tinged with frustration. ¡°That ce is heavily secured. We could only manage a brief aerial glimpse using a drone.¡±
¡°Oh, right! Steven lent us the drone,¡± Raven chimed in, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. ¡°He¡¯s been busy developing some new technologytely.¡±
¡°Steven?¡± Tess blinked, momentarily taken aback. It had been a whirlwind of activitytely, and she realized she hadn¡¯t thought about him in quite some time.
¡°Yeah,¡± Lyra replied, her tone casual yet informative. ¡°After that wholewsuit with Nadine, hisb received a significant influx of funding. He essentially re-emerged into the scene.¡±
Tess nodded, absorbing the information but choosing not to dwell on it. ¡°We need to get a closer look at Henry¡¯s factory,¡± she dered with determination.
Lyra and Raven immediately voiced their agreement. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll devise a way to infiltrate.¡±
Tess frowned slightly, acutely aware that this wouldn¡¯t be a straightforward task.
Ken was still just a child, and she couldn¡¯t keep him with her indefinitely. It was essential for him to be reunited with his parents as soon as possible.
¡°If you require any technical support, reach out to Steven,¡± she decided after a moment of contemtion. ¡°For now, concentrate on mapping the factory¡ªitsyout, the surrounding area. Don¡¯t rush in just yet. Wait for my signal.¡±
¡°Understood,¡± they replied in unison, acknowledging the delicacy of the situation. With lives at stake, one misstep could unravel everything they had worked for.
Tess felt a n beginning to form in her mind, but it was still too premature to share her thoughts.
¡°Is there anything else?¡± she asked, pursing her lips as she lifted her gaze expectantly.
Both Lyra and Raven shook their heads, indicating they had nothing further to add.
Lyra tilted her chin toward Tess, urging her gently. ¡°Go on, finish your breakfast.¡±
Raven pressed her lips together, her eyes sparkling with yful mischief, as if she could already sense the turbulent thoughts swirling in Tess¡¯s mind.
Tess felt her cheeks flush for reasons she couldn¡¯t quite articte and shot Raven an exasperated re. ¡°Enough. Out.¡±
The two of them burst intoughter as they made their way to the door, their lightheartedness filling the room.
But as soon as the door clicked shut behind them, the buoyancy vanished from Tess¡¯s face.
Henry is operating an entire factory right under Kylie¡¯s nose? How did I not hear about this until now?
A tightness gripped her chest as anxiety seeped in.
As for the n I was contemting¡
She realized that perhaps remaining in the Ember Residence wasn¡¯t such a terrible idea after all. It might actually provide her with the perfect cover to unearth Henry¡¯s secrets from within.
Her mind raced as she considered the possibilities, her brows knitting together in concentration.
Just then, her phone buzzed, vibrating against her desk and jolting her from her thoughts.
She nced down at the caller ID and felt a jolt of surprise¡ªit was Henry.
¡°Tess,¡± his voice came through, smooth and gentle as always. ¡°I might not have the best taste, so why don¡¯t youe over and pick out your own bedding? Your mom and Nadine are here too, but since it¡¯s your room, you should choose what you like.¡±
Speak of the devil.
¡°Sure. Where are you?¡± Tess replied, her voice steady and unhesitating.
There was a brief silence on the other end, a moment of surprise evident in Henry¡¯s tone. He clearly hadn¡¯t expected her to agree so readily¡ªhe was used to her turning him down.
¡°Alright, alright! I¡¯ll send you the address,¡± he responded quickly, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice.
Tess checked the location disyed on her screen, grabbed her coat, and prepared to head out, her heart racing with the thrill of the impending encounter.Conclusion
As Tess stepped out into the cool air, the weight of her responsibilities settled heavily on her shoulders. Theughter of Lyra and Raven echoed in her mind, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within her. The prospect of uncovering Henry¡¯s secrets loomedrge, and the urgency to reunite Ken with his parents intensified her resolve. With each passing moment, she felt the familiar tug of loyalty and the burden of trust she had built with the boy. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, yet Tess knew that the stakes had never been higher. She had to navigate the delicate bnce between her mission and the emotional ties that bound her to both Ken and Henry.
As she approached the address Henry had sent, anticipation coursed through her veins. The thrill of the impending encounter mingled with a sense of foreboding; she was stepping into a web of deception and hidden truths. Tess understood that this meeting could very well alter the course of their lives. With her heart racing and her mind sharp, she resolved to keep her guard up, knowing that beneath Henry¡¯s smooth exteriory aplexity she was only beginning to unravel. The emotional arc of her journey had led her to this pivotal moment, where hope, fear, and determination converged. Whatevery ahead, Tess was ready to face it head-on, driven by the promise of truth and the desire to protect those she cared for most.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, readers can expect Tess to navigate theplex web of her emotions and the precarious situation surrounding Henry and Nichs. As she prepares to visit Henry¡¯s factory, the tension will escte, blending her personal stakes with therger mission at hand. Will Tess manage to maintain herposure while delving deeper into the secrets of the Embers? The chapter promises a thrilling exploration of her internal conflict, as she weighs her growing suspicions against her lingering loyalty to Henry.
Moreover, the dynamics between Tess, Lyra, and Raven will shift as they embark on a covert operation to gather intel on the factory. Anticipate high-stakes moments as they devise a n to infiltrate the heavily secured site, with unexpected challenges that could jeopardize their mission. Will they uncover the truth about Nichs before it¡¯s toote, or will they find themselves ensnared in a dangerous game of deception? The tension will mount as Tess¡¯s resolve is tested, urging readers to hold their breath as the plot thickens.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 532
Keepsake 532 Summary
In **Keepsake 532**, Tess encounters Abel outside a furniture store, where he expresses eagerness to apany her. Initially hesitant, Tess agrees, and they make their way to the store¡¯s basement furniture section. Abel¡¯s curiosity leads him to question Tess about her ns at the Ember Residence and why she is involved in picking out furniture. Tess, however, quickly shifts the conversation to a more serious note, revealing that she may need Abel¡¯s help to stall someone while she addresses an urgent matter.
As Tessys out her n, she instructs Abel to create distractions, even suggesting he flirt with Nadine if necessary. Abel is taken aback by this request, feeling a mix of confusion and indignation, particrly when reminded of his rtionship to Finn, Tess¡¯s ex-husband. Meanwhile, Nadine observes from a distance, her jealousy brewing as she witnesses the closeness between Tess and Abel. She grapples with her feelings of inadequacy and resentment, questioning why Tess seems to attract attention despite her scarred appearance.
The tension esctes when Henry, another character, greets Tess warmly but quickly shifts his focus to Abel, creating an awkward moment. Tess smoothly reassures Henry about Abel¡¯s presence, and they proceed into the store. Nadine tries to maintain a facade of cheerfulness, but her jealousy remains palpable. As they enter the custom furniture showroom, Tess is surprised to find her mother, Kylie, engaged in conversation about a new vanity table, contradicting Henry¡¯s earlier im about her not feeling well.
The atmosphere thickens with unspoken tension as Tess realizes she has overheard her mother¡¯s conversation, leading to a mix of surprise and deeper emotions on her face. This moment encapstes theplex dynamics between the characters, highlighting themes of jealousy, familial expectations, and the struggle for eptance amidst personal scars. The chapter closes with a sense of unresolved conflict, leaving readers eager to see how these rtionships will unfold.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 532**
**The Trap at the Furniture Store**
Tess had only just begun to stride forward when she caught sight of Abel, who had been lingering outside, his expression a mix of boredom and impatience. Suddenly, his face brightened as if a light had flicked on inside him. He rushed to catch up, his voice cutting through the air, ¡°Where are you going?¡±
Tess remained silent, her focus fixed on the cor of her coat as she adjusted it with a slight tug. With a deliberate motion, she turned her phone toward him, revealing the address disyed on the screen.
¡°I¡¯ll go with you. My car¡¯s parked downstairs,¡± Abel dered, his eagerness palpable.
Tess tilted her head slightly, a gesture that suggested she was weighing her options. After a brief moment, she relented, ¡°Alright. Come on, then.¡±
With that, she quickened her pace, her heels clicking against the pavement.
The instant Abel heard her consent, he didn¡¯t waste a moment; he dashed forward, calling out, ¡°Tess! Wait up!¡± His enthusiasm was infectious, and he felt a surge of adrenaline as he hurried to join her side.
Before long, they arrived at one of Aetheris¡¯srgest department stores, a sprawlingplex that seemed to stretch endlessly. They took the elevator down, descending to the depths of the building, where the furniture section awaited them in the basement.
¡°So, you¡¯re really nning to keep staying at the Ember Residence?¡± Abel asked, his curiosity piqued as they navigated through the rows of furniture. ¡°Why are you even helping them pick out furniture?¡±
Tess halted a few yards from their intended destination, her body tense as she turned to face him. The seriousness in her expression was unmistakable. ¡°Since you¡¯re already here, I¡¯ve got a job for you.¡±
At the change in her tone, Abel straightened, instinctively sensing the gravity of the moment. ¡°Got it.¡±
She gestured for him toe closer, and he stepped forward eagerly, like a dog anticipating a treat, his eyes bright with anticipation.
¡°I might have to leave suddenly,¡± Tess said in a low voice, her gaze steady and unwavering. ¡°You¡¯ll need to stall them for me.¡±
¡°Use whatever works¡ªmake up some fake project, throw out a business proposal, flirt with Nadine if you have to. I don¡¯t care what you do, just buy me some time.¡±
Abel¡¯s expression shifted to one of confusion mixed with mild indignation. ¡°Flirt with Nadine? Tess, you know I¡ª¡±
¡°Thene up with a fake project,¡± she interrupted, her tone t yet firm. ¡°You¡¯re Finn¡¯s nephew. That alone makes you valuable to them.¡±
Abel¡¯s shoulders sagged slightly, and he nodded, though his demeanor still bore a hint of sulkiness. When Tess mentioned Finn, a shadow flickered across his face, darkening his eyes momentarily before he masked it with indifference.
Not far away, Nadine had been observing their every interaction, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of them whispering so closely. Her jaw clenched tightly, as if she were trying to suppress a growing storm of emotions.
How long has it been since Tess divorced Finn? And now she¡¯s getting cozy with his nephew? What a disgrace.
A wave of jealousy surged through Nadine, hot and fierce, igniting a fire in her chest.
First Finn, now Abel. Why does Tess get all the attention? Men practically line up for her like moths drawn to a me. What¡¯s so special about her? That scarred face?
Nadine¡¯s gaze fixated on Tess¡¯s features, a mix of disdain and disbelief washing over her.
When I stood close earlier, I noticed the faint white scar on Tess¡¯s cheek. But from a distance, it¡¯s hardly noticeable.
Still, it¡¯s ruined, isn¡¯t it? A woman with a scarred face, cast aside by Finn, and Abel can still stand her?
Nadine bit her lip, her jealousy seeping from her very being, a palpable force that threatened to consume her.
But before she could spiral further, Tess and Abel approached her, their footsteps echoing in the vast space.
She dug her nails into her palm, trying to channel the pain into something more constructive, to snap herself out of this spiraling jealousy.
¡°Tess, you¡¯re here!¡± Henry¡¯s voice sliced through her thoughts as he stepped forward, his smile warm and weing. However, his gaze quickly flicked past Tess to Abel, and his expression shifted slightly. ¡°Oh¡ I didn¡¯t expect you, Mr. Shaw.¡±
He rubbed his hands together awkwardly, trying to ease the tension. ¡°I¡¯m afraid we weren¡¯t prepared for such an important guest.¡±
Abel shot him a brief nce, his expression revealing nothing as he remained silent.
¡°He gave me a ride. You don¡¯t have to worry about him,¡± Tess interjected smoothly, cutting through the awkwardness like a knife.
Henry¡¯s face rxed, and he nodded quickly, grateful for her reassurance.
¡°Tess,e on in. Your mom¡¯s here too,¡± he said with genuine warmth. ¡°She¡¯s not feeling her best today, so she didn¡¯te out to greet you.¡±
He gestured toward the back of the store, leading the way with a practiced smile that barely masked his nerves.
Nadine followed closely behind, forcing a cheerful tone into her voice, ¡°Yeah, Tess, we¡¯ve been here a while. Come take a look.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t respond, her expression inscrutable, but she moved forward nheless, her thoughts swirling in a tempest of uncertainty.
As they entered the custom furniture showroom, Tess was surprised to find that Kylie was not resting as Henry had imed. Instead, she stood near the corner, engaged in an animated conversation with a saleswoman about a beige vanity table.
¡°Yes, my daughter¡¯s vanity at home is getting old,¡± Kylie said, her voice soft and nurturing. ¡°I thought I¡¯d order a new one for her.¡±
Henry quickly stepped up beside her, a smile on his face as he nced back at Tess. ¡°See? Even though your mom didn¡¯t wait outside, she¡¯s been thinking about decorating your room.¡±
Catching Henry¡¯s hint, Nadine hurried closer, ready to call Kylie over. But before she could, Kylie had already turned at the sound of footsteps behind her.
¡°Nadine, what do you think?¡± Kylie asked with a softugh, her eyes brightening. ¡°Once Tess picks her things, we¡¯ll get this one installed for you too.¡±
Just as she finished speaking, a pair of pale, slender legs appeared at the corner of the aisle.
Kylie¡¯s gaze traveled upward, and she froze when she saw Tess standing there, only a few feet away, her expression a mix of surprise and something deeper.
From the look on Tess¡¯s face, it was clear she had heard every single word, and the air in the room thickened with unspoken tension.Conclusion
As Tess stood there, the weight of her past and the uncertainty of her present collided in a moment of stark rity. The warmth of familial connection she had hoped to find in the furniture store felt overshadowed by the sharpness of jealousy and the unhealed wounds of her divorce. She hade seeking sce in the familiarity of her mother¡¯s presence, yet instead, she was met with the reality of her fractured rtionships. The sight of Kylie, animated and engaged in conversation, served as a painful reminder of what she had lost and what she was still fighting to reim. In that instant, Tess understood that the journey ahead would not only require navigating theplexities of her family dynamics but also confronting the lingering shadows of her past.
Abel¡¯s presence, once a beacon of support, now felt like a double-edged sword. While he represented a new chapter, his connection to Finnplicated her emotions further. The jealousy radiating from Nadine only intensified Tess¡¯s resolve to stand tall, scarred but unbroken. As the tension hung palpably in the air, Tess realized that she needed to embrace her own worth, not just as Finn¡¯s ex-wife or a mother, but as an individual deserving of love and respect. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for the confrontation ahead, determined to reim her narrative and forge a path that honored both her past and her future. In that moment, Tess recognized that her journey was not merely about furniture or family but about finding her ce in a world that had often made her feel like an outsider.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of **Keepsake 532**, readers can expect a dramatic esction of tensions as the intricate web of rtionships begins to unravel. Tess, caught in a precarious situation, must navigate theplexities of her past and present as she faces her mother, Kylie, and the unexpected implications of her presence at the furniture store. With Nadine¡¯s simmering jealousy threatening to boil over, the atmosphere will crackle with unresolved emotions, and the stakes will rise as Tess¡¯s motivationse into question. Will she be able to maintain herposure, or will the confrontation with her mother lead to revtions that could change everything?
As the narrative unfolds, Abel¡¯s role as Tess¡¯s reluctant ally will deepen, forcing him to confront his own feelings and loyalties. With Nadine watching their every move, the tension will mount, creating a pressure cooker of emotions that could explode at any moment. The reader will be left wondering how far Tess is willing to go to protect her secrets and what consequences her actions might have on the fragile dynamics between her, Abel, and Nadine. Expect unexpected alliances, hidden truths, and the potential for betrayal as the chapter promises to deliver a whirlwind of drama and intrigue, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 533
Keepsake 533 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 533,¡± the atmosphere is charged with tension as Kylie¡¯s unexpected response to Tess¡¯s celebration ns leaves Henry feeling irritated. Despite his outwardly warm demeanor, Henry¡¯s contempt for Kylie¡¯s actions is palpable, as he tries to redirect the focus onto Tess, who has always felt overshadowed by her sister Nadine. Tess¡¯s awareness of this familial imbnce adds ayer ofplexity to the outing, as she grapples with her feelings of frustration and disappointment at her mother¡¯s insistence on including Nadine.
As the group navigates through the furniture store, Tess maintains aposed exterior, even as she feels a wave of difort wash over her. Her calm demeanor contrasts sharply with the internal turmoil she faces, especially when she experiences sudden distress, clinging to Abel for support. This moment of vulnerability highlights her emotional struggle, as she tries to downy her difort while simultaneously seeking reassurance from those around her.
Henry¡¯s concern for Tess esctes as he suggests taking her to the hospital, but Tess hesitates, attributing her unease to a poor night¡¯s sleep. The interaction between Tess and Abel adds a subtleyer of intimacy, showcasing their connection amidst the chaos. Tess¡¯s attempt to defuse the situation by suggesting they continue shopping without her reveals her desire to maintain control while also hinting at her underlying anxiety.
The dynamics between the characters shift as Tess expresses gratitude towards her parents, particrly in her acknowledgment of Kylie as ¡°Mom,¡± which stirs an unrecognizable emotion in Kylie. This moment encapstes theplicated mother-daughter rtionship, filled with unspoken tensions and unresolved feelings. As Tess walks away, she carries a mix of emotions¡ªrelief, frustration, and a longing for eptance¡ªwhile Nadine¡¯s jealousy and Abel¡¯s presence create an undercurrent of rivalry and attraction thatplicates the family dynamics further.
Overall, the chapter intricately weaves together themes of familial tension, self-identity, and the struggle for eptance, leaving the characters at a crossroads as they navigate their rtionships and individual emotions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 533**
**ying Along**
Kylie¡¯splexion drained of color, leaving her looking almost ghostly.
Henry had not anticipated her response, and the surprise quickly morphed into irritation. He shot her a piercing nce, a silent reprimand that spoke volumes. Then, with an effort that felt almost painful, he turned to Tess, forcing a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°You know how your mom is¡ªtoo generous for her own good. Always trying to ensure everyone feels included. But Nadine¡¯s room is already sorted, so we don¡¯t need to worry about that. Today is meant to be all about you.¡±
His voice was warm, almost soothing, yet the contempt hidden in his gaze when he thought Tess wasn¡¯t looking was unmistakable. It was as if he deemed Kylie utterly incapable of understanding the situation.
Tess had always been acutely aware of the imbnce in affection and attention that had existed during their childhood, with Nadine often ced on a pedestal. Now, even when this outing was intended to celebrate her, Kylie had to drag Nadine into the mix. What a fool. After all these years, why hadn¡¯t she learned?
Kylie felt a wave of indignation wash over her, but she was also self-aware enough to recognize her own actions. She forced out a fragileugh. ¡°I just thought it would be nice if no one felt excluded.¡±
Tess¡¯s expression remained unchanged, as if she were made of stone. There was not a flicker of emotion on her face; the calm smile that lingered at the corners of her lips never wavered.
¡°It¡¯s perfectly fine,¡± she replied, her voice light and airy. She tilted her head toward the store clerk, who was clearly caught in the middle of the awkward tension and was doing her best to remain unobtrusive. ¡°I¡¯m not really a fan of white or beige. Can you show me something in a softer blue palette instead?¡±
Her tone was steady, each word carefully chosen, as if she were crafting a delicate bnce of assertiveness and grace.
The store clerk nced nervously at Henry, who was nodding vigorously behind Tess, urging her to follow Tess¡¯s lead. With a sigh of relief, she rxed. ¡°Of course, Ms. Tess. Let me show you a few options. If you don¡¯t find anything you like in stock, we can always customize something special just for you.¡±
She gestured toward the bedroom section with a flourish. ¡°Let¡¯s begin with the beds.¡±
As Tess followed the clerk, she shot a quick, mischievous wink at Abel, who was standing nearby, and he instantly understood the unspoken message.
Just as Tess arrived at the bed disy, her expression shifted, brows furrowing in distress. She grasped Abel¡¯s arm tightly, her fingers curling around him as if he were her only anchor.
Abel felt the tension ripple through her, and instinctively, he reached out to steady her.
Tess¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, her face losing its color. One hand clutched her stomach, while the other gripped his arm for support, her entire being radiating difort.
Henry, who had just caught up with them, rushed over, concern etched across his features. ¡°Tess, what¡¯s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?¡±
Nadine, however, was fixated on Tess¡¯s stomach. Her eyes darted between Tess and Abel, a wild, frightened thought flickering in her mind¡ªone she dared not voice.
A fine sheen of sweat formed on Tess¡¯s forehead, but she shook her head, forcing out a breathless response. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I must have eaten something that didn¡¯t agree with me earlier.¡±
Henry¡¯s expression darkened slightly, though he maintained a gentle tone. ¡°Why don¡¯t I take you to the hospital? You can alwayse backter and pick out the furniture. Your health is what matters most.¡±
Tess hesitated, weighing her options. ¡°It¡¯s just¡st night, sleeping in that all-white room was terrible. I woke up feelingpletely drained, and I hardly touched my breakfast. Maybe this is just a lingering effect from that.¡±
Abel, who had gone out of his way to prepare her avish breakfast that morning, stood there, momentarily at a loss for words.
When no one was watching, he blinked at Tess with a look of concern, his little finger slipping into her palm, teasing her where she held onto his arm.
The soft, ticklish sensation sent a jolt through Tess, and she shot him a re, silently warning him to stop.
Abel averted his gaze quickly, feigning innocence, though a small, smug smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
¡°Oh¡ I see,¡± Henry murmured, clearly at a loss for how to proceed with the situation.
¡°Maybe I just need to find the restroom,¡± Tess said hastily, trying to defuse the tension. ¡°You guys go ahead and look around. I trust your judgment¡ªand the store¡¯s style, too. Just¡ please avoid anythingpletely white. A soft blue theme would be perfect.¡±
She rattled off her words, and the sheen of sweat on her forehead returned, glistening under the store¡¯s lights.
¡°Alright, your mom and I will take care of it,¡± Henry said, nodding decisively. ¡°If you don¡¯t like what we choose, we can always change itter.¡±
Tess nodded in gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.¡±
It was a simple gesture of politeness¡ªshe hadn¡¯t even looked directly at Kylie¡ªbut the word ¡°Mom¡± made Kylie¡¯s eyes flicker with something unrecognizable. Her hands, which had been resting on herp, instinctively lifted and twisted together over her stomach, betraying her unease.
¡°Go on, sweetheart,¡± Kylie said gently, her voice softening. ¡°I¡¯ll look around for you.¡±
Tess cast her mother onest nce before she turned away, feeling a mix of emotions.
Kylie met her gaze for a fleeting moment, but before she could hold it, Tess shifted her focus elsewhere.
¡°Okay,¡± Tess murmured quietly, holding her stomach as she began to walk away.
Nadine¡¯s eyes tracked Tess¡¯s retreating figure, jealousy simmering within her. But then, her gaze shifted toward Abel.
The furniture store was situated in the basement, yet the ceilings were high and airy. Still, Abel¡¯s mere presence seemed to weigh heavily in the atmosphere, as if the ceiling had lowered, pressing in on them.
Nadine stared at his tall, athletic frame, dressed in clothes that exuded luxury without needing abel to proim their worth. A wave of conflicting emotions surged through her chest, leaving her feeling both captivated and frustrated.
**Chapter 534**
**ying the Game**Conclusion
As the outing came to an unexpected halt, the emotional undercurrents among the family members became palpable, each grappling with their own insecurities and desires. Tess, caught between the expectations of her parents and her own sense of self, navigated the turbulent waters of familial dynamics with a fragile resolve. Her attempt to assert her preferences in the face of pressure showcased her growth, yet the lingering shadows of past grievances threatened to overshadow her moment. Kylie¡¯s gentle response, though seemingly supportive, hinted at deeperplexities¡ªher desire to connect with Tess battling against the weight of years spent in Nadine¡¯s shadow.
Meanwhile, Abel¡¯s presence served as a silent anchor for Tess, his subtle gestures of support providing her with a flicker offort amidst the chaos. The unspoken bond between them contrasted sharply with the tension that enveloped the family, illuminating the emotional scars left by favoritism and unacknowledged feelings. As Tess walked away, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty swirled within her, leaving her to ponder the delicate bnce of love, eptance, and the longing for individuality in a family that often felt anything but united. In that moment, the journey to reim her voice had only just begun, a path fraught with challenges yet illuminated by the promise of newfound strength.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as Tess grapples with her unsettling feelings and the dynamics within her family. With her health in question and the underlying jealousy brewing between Nadine and Abel, the atmosphere is charged with unspoken words and hidden motives. Will Tess sumb to her difort, or will she find the strength to confront the emotions that have long been buried? The delicate bnce of affection and rivalry threatens to unravel, leaving Tess caught in the crossfire of familial expectations and her own desires.
Moreover, the stakes will rise as Henry and Kylie navigate their ownplexities while trying to support Tess. Their reactions to her condition will reveal deeperyers of their characters, and the fa?ade of family unity may begin to crack under the weight of unaddressed issues. As Tess seeks sce in the soft blue palette she craves, will it be enough to soothe the tumult within her? Expect revtions that could change the course of their rtionships forever, and watch as Tess¡¯s journey unfolds, revealing not just her own struggles but the intricate web of connections that bind them all. The stakes are higher than ever, and the next chapter promises to be a turning point filled with drama, emotion, and the potential for transformation.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 534
Keepsake 534 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 534,¡± the story unfolds around Tess, a single mother grappling with her fears ofmitment and societal judgment. Abel, a strikingly handsome young man from a powerful lineage, seems unattainable for someone like Tess, who feels past her prime. Nadine, a character who observes this dynamic, believes she possesses the qualities that would attract Abel, unlike Tess, who is burdened by her past with Finn. Nadine¡¯s jealousy and desire to win Abel¡¯s attention intensify as she reflects on her own allure and youth.
As the characters interact in a furniture store, tension arises between Nadine and Abel. Nadine attempts to charm Abel with her questions, but he dismisses her efforts with a nonchnt attitude, leaving her feeling belittled. Abel¡¯s arrogance and indifference only heighten Nadine¡¯s frustration, as she struggles to maintain herposure in the face of his dismissive remarks. The scene captures Nadine¡¯s emotional turmoil, osciting between confidence and vulnerability, as she grapples with her feelings of inadequacypared to Tess.
Henry, another character in the mix, tries to mediate the situation and involves Abel in the furniture selection process. However, Abel shows little interest, revealing that he believes the choices are mundane and unworthy of his time. This further emphasizes his detached demeanor, as he expresses no desire to engage with the decisions that will affect Tess¡¯s living situation. The dynamics shift when Abel unexpectedly expresses interest in discussing business with Henry, hinting at potential coborations between their families, which introduces a newyer of intrigue and opportunity.
As the chapter progresses, the emotional stakes rise, particrly for Henry, who is both surprised and excited by Abel¡¯s proposition. The weight of Abel¡¯s words, coupled with his confident demeanor, leaves Henry in a state of anticipation and ambition, contemting the implications of this new business rtionship. The chapter concludes with a sense of uncertainty and potential, as characters navigate their intertwined fates amidst personal desires and societal expectations.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 534**
**ying the Game**
What if¡ Tess is just a frightened single mother, grappling with her fear ofmitment and marriage?
Abel, on the other hand, is young, strikingly handsome, and hails from a lineage of immense power. Surely, there¡¯s no chance he¡¯d ever find himself tethered to someone like Tess, who, by societal standards, is well past her prime.
As Nadine mulled over this thought, a growing conviction settled within her.
The only thing Tess might possess that could pique Abel¡¯s interest is her past with Finn. That tantalizing hint of the forbidden is something a typical socialite could never provide.
Yet, Nadine knew all too well that such allure fades swiftly with time.
I¡¯m not like Tess, she reassured herself.
I¡¯m youthful, radiant, untouched by the scars of life, and I don¡¯t have a child weighing me down. If anyone deserves Abel¡¯s attention, it should undeniably be me.
People often described Finn as cold, detached, and indifferent towards women. But he had clearly shown a preference for her.
Nadine¡¯s mind drifted back to those moments when Finn would fix his gaze on her, his expression utterly devoid of emotion.
Her fingertips twitched with a mix of excitement and frustration.
No, she chastised herself. Tess merely had him under a temporary spell. After all, why would Finn have gone out of his way for me in the past?
If I could capture Finn¡¯s attention once, then winning over Abel should be a piece of cake.
¡°Mr. Shaw, do you have any favorite interior styles?¡± Nadine inquired, summoning her courage. She lifted her gaze to meet his, the overhead lights casting a warm glow that made her eyes sparkle with a hint of allure.
She was adept at wielding her charm¡ªa delicate bnce of innocence and sweetness that could make most men swoon.
But Abel was not just any man.
He didn¡¯t even bother to nce in her direction.
Once Tess departed, he loungedzily on one of the disy beds, casually crossing one leg over the other. ¡°I had no idea you moonlighted as a furniture store clerk, Ms. Nadine,¡± he remarked, his voice dripping with nonchnce.
He yawned, and the sound echoed in the silence.
Thement struck like a p¡ªcasual yet painfully sharp.
Nadine¡¯splexion paled, her expression stiffening. Yet, recalling who he was, she quelled her irritation and forced a smile. ¡°Mr. Shaw, I thought since you¡¯ve been around Tess for a while, your tastes might align with hers.¡±
¡°Doesn¡¯t even make sense,¡± Abel muttered, rolling his eyes in a dismissive manner.
Even that seemingly rude gesture held a certain charm. There was a cool, reckless edge to his demeanor that exuded both arrogance and an undeniable maism.
Henry, sensing the palpable tension between them, stepped in to diffuse the situation.
¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s take a look around. Miss, could you show my wife and me a few styles?¡± he requested, his voice firm yet polite.
The store clerk, who had been frozen in ce, finally exhaled a breath she hadn¡¯t realized she was holding.
Still, she mentally kicked herself for not checking her horoscope beforeing to work that day.
¡°Here, take a look at this one¡ªmodern Euron style,¡± she suggested, gesturing towards a sleek white bed adorned with subtle gold ents.
Henry barely registered it before shaking his head. ¡°She doesn¡¯t like white.¡±
¡°Of course,¡± the clerk responded quickly, eager to please. ¡°We can customize. Ms. Tess mentioned a soft blue earlier¡ªI just wanted to show you the design first.¡±
Henry hesitated, ncing at Kylie.
She appeared utterly bored. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I guess,¡± she replied, her tonecking enthusiasm.
Henry frowned, sensing her disinterest. Leaning closer, he grasped her wrist and whispered urgently, ¡°We¡¯re trying to gain Tess¡¯s trust, remember? Don¡¯t give her that attitude. She doesn¡¯t even see you as her mother right now.¡±
Kylie¡¯s expression darkened, but she straightened her posture, forcing herself to appear more engaged.
¡°Mr. Shaw,¡± Henry said suddenly, turning his attention back to Abel, ¡°maybe Nadine¡¯s onto something. You could help us pick something too.¡±
Abel raised an eyebrow, his demeanor still rxed, yet he nced around at the various beds. He didn¡¯t seem particrly invested in the selection process.
Tess wouldn¡¯t be residing at the Ember Residence for long, so he had no intention of wasting his time choosing a bed she would abandon.
¡°They¡¯re all pretty basic,¡± he stated, standing up and stretching slightly. ¡°If you can¡¯t decide, just wait for her to return. Actually, while we¡¯re at it, I wanted to have a word with you, Mr. Larson.¡±
Henry froze in surprise. ¡°Me?¡±
This is Abel¡ªFinn¡¯s nephew, a full-fledged member of the Locks. And he wants to talk to me?
Henry straightened instantly, excitement flickering in his eyes. ¡°Of course, Mr. Shaw. What is it? I¡¯m all ears.¡±
Abel¡¯s voice remained calm, yet it carried an undeniable weight. ¡°You know, Finn is my uncle, but I¡¯m a Shaw, and he¡¯s a Lock.¡±
He casually ran a hand along his jawline, each movement sharp yet graceful, exuding a confidence that felt effortless.
¡°The Shaws are looking to expand into the Lock Group,¡± he continued slowly. ¡°My family has been urging me to identify potential investors and partners.¡±
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Then, Abel¡¯s gaze locked onto Henry¡¯s, a piercing intensity that made Henry¡¯s heart race.
For a fleeting moment, Henry was taken aback by the smoothness of Abel¡¯s tone. But as thest sentence sank in, his expression shifted dramatically¡ªhis mind racing to keep pace with the unfolding possibilities.Conclusion
As the day wound down, the tension in the air shifted, echoing the emotional turmoil each character faced. Tess, though burdened by her fears and insecurities, had unwittingly be the center of a web of desires and ambitions. Nadine, in her quest for validation, found herself grappling with the realization that her youthful allure might not be enough to overshadow the depth of Tess¡¯s journey. Abel, with his striking presence and enigmatic charm, represented not just a potential partner for Nadine, but also a mirror reflecting theplexities of human connection¡ªwhere power, attraction, and vulnerability intertwine. The stakes were high, and each character stood on the precipice of their own choices, unaware of how their paths would ultimately intertwine.
In this delicate dance of emotions, the underlying theme of self-worth emerged, as Tess began to recognize that her past did not define her future. Nadine¡¯s envy and ambition, while palpable, hinted at her own insecurities, leaving her to question the value of superficial charm in a world where authenticity reigns supreme. Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s unexpected opportunity with Abel sparked hope and ambition, suggesting that alliances could be forged in the unlikeliest of moments. As they navigated their intertwined fates, the characters were left to ponder what it truly meant to be seen, valued, and loved, not just for their appearances or pasts, but for the strength and resilience thaty within. The journey ahead promised to be fraught with challenges, but it also held the potential for profound transformation and understanding.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter of **Keepsake 534**, readers can expect the tension to escte between Nadine and Abel as their paths intertwine further. With Abel¡¯s unexpected interest in Henry¡¯s business acumen, the stakes are raised not only for Henry but also for Nadine, who is desperate to prove her worth and charm. Will she find a way to leverage this new dynamic to her advantage, or will she be overshadowed by Tess¡¯s lingering presence? As the allure of power and ambition begins to weave its way into their interactions, Nadine must navigate the treacherous waters of ambition, jealousy, and desire.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Tess¡¯s backstory, revealing the emotional scars that haunt her and the reasons behind her fear ofmitment. As Nadine attempts to undermine Tess¡¯s position in Abel¡¯s life, will Tess rise to the asion and reim her narrative? Theplexities of their rtionships are bound to unfold, with surprising twists that could alter the course of their lives. Expect moments of vulnerability, heated confrontations, and perhaps an unexpected alliance as the characters grapple with their pasts and the choices that lie ahead. Will Nadine¡¯s charm be enough to win over Abel, or will Tess¡¯s strength and resilience turn the tables? The next chapter is set to unravel thesepelling dynamics, leaving readers eager for more.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 535
Keepsake 535 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 535,¡± Henry experiences a mix of excitement and anxiety as he engages with Abel, who hints at a significant business opportunity linked to his daughter Tess. Henry¡¯s eagerness is palpable, as he navigates the conversation with a facade of politeness while internally grappling with his desires. Abel, observing Henry closely, maintains aposed demeanor, masking his own thoughts about the man¡¯s ambitions and motivations. The dialogue between them reveals Henry¡¯s aspirations and the potential coboration that could arise due to his connection with Tess.
As the discussion progresses, Henry¡¯s enthusiasm grows, especially when Abel mentions the luxury goods manufacturing project. However, a sudden mention of a factory raises Henry¡¯s suspicions, prompting him to question the legitimacy of the opportunity. Abel¡¯s calm responses and subtle adjustments to his statements reveal a careful negotiation of power dynamics. Henry¡¯s relief at the mention of Max, a figure he is somewhat familiar with, indicates his desire to align himself with the right connections in this venture.
The introduction of Nadine, Henry¡¯s daughter, shifts the narrative as she bravely steps forward to assert her own knowledge about Max. Her determination to rify any misunderstandings showcases her character¡¯s strength and ambition. Despite Abel¡¯s initial icy demeanor, Nadine¡¯s sincerity and willingness to help create a moment of tension and potential for coboration. This interaction highlights the generational dynamics at y, with Nadine seeking to carve her own path while navigating theplexities of adult rtionships and business.
The chapter culminates with Tess in a hurry, anxiously trying to reach a destination, emphasizing the urgency and interconnectedness of the characters¡¯ lives. The narrative weaves together themes of ambition, familial ties, and the pursuit of opportunities, leaving readers curious about how these rtionships will evolve and impact the unfolding story. The emotional undercurrents of excitement, determination, and the weight of expectations create a rich tapestry that drives the characters forward.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 535**
Henry¡¯s eyes widened, a flicker of anxiety dancing behind his polite facade as he wrestled with the tumult of thoughts swirling in his mind. He managed to maintain a courteous demeanor, but the excitement bubbling within him was nearly impossible to conceal. ¡°Oh, I see. So why are you bringing something like that up with me?¡±
He forced a smile, an artful pretense of reluctance, yet his eyes sparkled with uncontained eagerness.
Abel, ever the keen observer, caught the glimmer of greed in Henry¡¯s gaze but chose to feign ignorance, a practiced indifference ying across his features.
¡°Well, you are Tess¡¯s father,¡± Abel drawled, his tonenguid and unhurried. ¡°Now that Tess has returned to the Ember Residence, naturally, the first people whoe to mind are you and the Embers.¡±
Henry nodded enthusiastically, his cheeks flushing with a blend of excitement and pride. He barely registered the store clerk¡¯s attempts to guide him through the aisles, his focus solely on Abel. Without hesitation, he pulled out a chair and nted himself down with a sense of determination. ¡°It¡¯s truly an honor. So¡ what kind of project are we discussing here?¡±
Leaning in just a touch, Abel¡¯s voice lowered conspiratorially. ¡°Luxury goods manufacturing. Thebor costs are significant, to say the least. If it weren¡¯t for your connection to Tess, this substantial opportunity wouldn¡¯t being your way.¡±
Abel raised an eyebrow, his expression challenging.
Henry, catching the implication instantly, straightened up, a grin spreading across his face like sunshine breaking through clouds. ¡°Wow! I didn¡¯t expect such candor from you, Mr. Shaw! This truly would be an incredible honor for me. Do you think I could arrange a formal meeting with you and your parents to discuss the finer details?¡±
He leaned in, enthusiasm radiating from him, but Abel was not one to allow such proximity easily. With a subtle shift, he maintained afortable distance, his expression remaining stoic, his features sharp and inscrutable.
Meet my parents?
Henry? Really? Is the man out of touch with reality?
Yet Abel buried those thoughts deep within. He didn¡¯t exude arrogance, but there was a slight softening in his tone.
¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not feasible. They¡¯re quite busy.¡±
Henry nodded vigorously, eager toply. ¡°Of course, of course. Your parents are certainly not just anyone. Ipletely understand.¡±
¡°Still, you and I can discuss the coboration first,¡± Abel added, his voice steady and inviting.
That was all the encouragement Henry needed. He promptly dismissed thoughts of Kylie and Nadine, dragging another chair closer and positioning himself directly across from Abel, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
¡°This project is based at a factory on the outskirts of Aetheris,¡± Abel stated, his tone even and measured.
At the mere mention of a factory, Henry¡¯s body tensed involuntarily. ¡°A factory?¡±
His brow furrowed, suspicion creeping into his expression as he scrutinized Abel. But as he met Abel¡¯s calm, unwavering gaze, he forced a smile, though it felt strained.
¡°Mr. Shaw, perhaps there¡¯s been a misunderstanding? Whichpany begins its operations with a factory on the outskirts?¡±
Abel shook his head slowly, his eyes keenly observing every subtle shift in Henry¡¯s demeanor. Then, as if recalling something, he casually amended his statement. ¡°Maybe I misremembered. Not the outskirts, but a factory a bit farther from downtown. I believe thepany¡¯s current president is a gentleman named Max.¡±
A wave of relief washed over Henry at the mention of the name.
Thank goodness.
¡°Do you know Max?¡± Abel inquired, his gaze lifting to meet Henry¡¯s with an innocent curiosity.
Henry¡¯s expression shifted to one of seriousness, the mention of business sharpening his focus.
¡°Well¡ we¡¯ve crossed paths a few times, but we don¡¯t really coborate,¡± he replied after a moment¡¯s hesitation.
¡°Oh? Personally?¡± Abel probed, his interest clearly piqued.
Henry¡¯s heart raced under Abel¡¯s scrutinizing gaze. Just as he opened his mouth to borate, a gentle tug at the back of his jacket interrupted him.
He turned to find Nadine standing there, her demeanor shy yet hopeful, her eyes darting towards Abel when she thought no one was watching.
¡°Well, it¡¯s not really me who knows him,¡± Henry chuckled, nudging Nadine forward slightly. ¡°It¡¯s actually my daughter.¡±
A fleeting crease appeared between Abel¡¯s brows, a flicker of something akin to disgust crossing his features before he masked it.
Nadine¡¯s expression dimmed momentarily, but she clenched her fists in determination, lifting her chin defiantly. ¡°Mr. Shaw, perhaps there was a misunderstanding due to our previous encounter. But I can exin. And regarding Max, I actually know him quite well.¡±
¡°Actually¡¡± A spark of inspiration lit up her eyes as she contemted her next words.
She looked at Abel with genuine sincerity, her hesitation just enough to convey her earnestness. ¡°I recall that Tess and Max were childhood friends. Given your connection with her, if you were to ask Tess to reach out to him, she would likely oblige, wouldn¡¯t she?¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t mentioned it to her,¡± Abel replied tly.
Nadine¡¯s eyes flickered with a glimmer of excitement, but she quickly concealed it behind a bashful smile. ¡°Really? But Mr. Shaw, don¡¯t you and Tess¡ª¡±
Abel¡¯s icy re silenced her instantly. Yet, there was no defeat in her gaze; only renewed determination.
¡°If you prefer not to approach Tess, I can assist you instead,¡± she offered sweetly, her voiceced with sincerity. ¡°I grew up with Max as well. We¡¯ve known one another for ages.¡± She smiled shyly, taking a bold step forward.
This time, Abel did not retreat.
Nadine¡¯s smile deepened, emboldened by the moment.
At the Ember Residence,
¡°Hurry!¡± Tess urged the cab driver, her eyes darting to her watch anxiously.
Twenty minutes had already slipped by since she exited the furniture store.Conclusion
As the conversation unfolded, the emotional tides shifted for both Henry and Nadine, revealing theplexities of familial bonds and unspoken ambitions. Henry, initially consumed by his own aspirations, found himself navigating the delicate bnce between pride and anxiety. The mere mention of a partnership tied to his daughter Tess ignited a fervor within him, yet the arrival of Nadine, with her hopeful determination, reminded him of the stakes involved. The tension in the air thickened as he grappled with his own desires and the realization that this opportunity could either elevate their family or furtherplicate their dynamics. It was a moment of reckoning for Henry, where the excitement of potential sess shed with the responsibility he felt toward his daughter and her aspirations.
For Nadine, this encounter marked a pivotal moment in her journey towards self-assertion. Despite her initial hesitation, she stepped into the spotlight, ready to advocate for her family¡¯s interests in a world that often overlooked her voice. Her courageous offer to reach out to Max reflected not only her desire to help but also her burgeoning confidence in her own connections. As she faced Abel¡¯s icy demeanor, she transformed her vulnerability into strength, signaling a shift in her character. The chapter closed with Tess racing towards the Ember Residence, setting the stage for a reunion that could alter the course of their intertwined lives. In this delicate dance of ambition and familial love, the characters stood on the brink of transformation, each grappling with their roles in a narrative that was as much about personal growth as it was about external sess.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter of ¡°Keepsake 535,¡± readers can expect the tension to escte as Henry and Nadine find themselves navigating aplex web of rtionships and ambitions. With the stakes raised by Abel¡¯s proposal for a coboration, Henry¡¯s excitement is palpable, yet the shadows of doubt loomrge. Will he be able to convince Abel to bring Tess into the fold? The dynamics between these characters promise to shift dramatically as Nadine¡¯s unexpected determination to connect with Max introduces a newyer to the narrative. Will her efforts bear fruit, or will Abel¡¯s cold demeanor stifle any potential for coboration?
As Tess races against time to reach the Ember Residence, the anticipation builds. What revtions await her upon her return? With her father and sister embroiled in discussions that could alter their future, Tess¡¯s arrival is poised to disrupt the delicate bnce of ns already in motion. Readers will be left on the edge of their seats, wondering how Tess will react to the unfolding drama and whether her connection with Max will y a pivotal role in the family¡¯s aspirations. The chapter promises to intertwine personal ambitions with familial loyalty, setting the stage for a confrontation that could change everything.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 536
Keepsake 536 Summary
In Chapter 536, titled ¡°The Hidden Blueprint,¡± Tess disys unwavering determination as she arrives at Henry¡¯s vi, her urgency palpable. The driver, taken aback by her sudden exit from the car, mutters in disbelief at the reckless enthusiasm of youth. Tess¡¯s mind is flooded with memories of her past experiences in Krigan, where Henry was often absent. The revtion of Shannon¡¯s survival raises her suspicion about Henry¡¯s potential hidden assets, leading her to meticulously investigate his study.
As Tess searches through the organized desk, she discovers discrepancies in the ledgers, indicating that someone has tampered with the data. Frustration mounts as time slips away, and the presence of housekeepers increases her anxiety. However, her resolve strengthens when she notices aw dictionary that seems out of ce. Upon inspection, she finds a blueprint of a factory hidden within its pages, igniting a sense of excitement and validation for her instincts.
With her heart racing, Tess documents the blueprint with her phone, ensuring to leave everything undisturbed. She then esses Henry¡¯sputer to erase any evidence of her presence, demonstrating her resourcefulness and quick thinking. Just as she prepares to leave, she hears footsteps approaching, heightening her tension and urgency.
Meanwhile, Henry grows anxious at a furniture store, concerned about Tess¡¯s prolonged absence. Abel, oblivious to the escting situation, discusses a significant project while Henry¡¯s worry intensifies. Nadine¡¯s suggestion to call Tess is met with resistance from Abel, who believes Tess is capable of handling herself. However, Nadine¡¯s intuition about potential danger adds to Henry¡¯s mounting anxiety, leaving him restless and uneasy about Tess¡¯s safety.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 536 The Hidden Blueprint**
Tess¡¯s gaze wasser-focused, her determination palpable in the air. Even the driver, usually unfazed by the hustle and bustle of the world outside, seemed to hold his breath in anticipation.
¡°We¡¯re here!¡± he announced, mming on the brakes with a sense of urgency that echoed in the cabin. As he exhaled a long sigh of relief, the tension in the vehicle dissipated momentarily.
¡°Seriously, what¡¯s the rush¡ª¡± he began, but before he could finish his thought, the backseat was already void of its upant.
With the speed of an arrow released from a bow, Tess bolted from the car, vanishing down the path in mere seconds, her adrenaline propelling her forward.
The driver blinked in astonishment, rubbing his eyes in disbelief as if to confirm he hadn¡¯t imagined the scene. ¡°Kids these days¡¡± he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in resignation.
Meanwhile, Tess had already reached the threshold of Henry¡¯s study. Memories flooded her mind from her time in Krigan; Henry had always been a phantom presence, constantly away on business trips, barely home for more than a fleeting few days. The study had often felt like a deserted ind, its shelves cluttered with dusty tomes that had been neglected for ages.
The revtion that Shannon was still alive, coupled with the knowledge that Henry frequently traveled abroad with her, ignited a flicker of suspicion in Tess. Perhaps he had relocated some assets overseas? But as she pondered the thought, a sense of certainty washed over her¡ªHenry was too meticulous, too guarded to stash anything of importance far from his immediate reach.
This vi in Aetheris, with its pristine fa?ade, felt increasingly suspect to her.
With a quiet determination, she eased the door closed behind her, her eyes darting around the immacte room.
The desk was impably organized, likely the result of the housekeeper¡¯s diligent efforts.
Tess approached it with purpose, her fingers deftly tugging open the drawers beneath the desk.
Inside, she found ledgers and ounting books¡ªnothing particrly noteworthy at first nce.
As she flipped through several pages, her instincts kicked in; the numbers had clearly been manipted.
**Chapter 536 The Hidden Blueprint**
It was evident that someone had gone to great lengths to alter the data.
She methodically checked each drawer, but her search yielded no promising results.
Standing upright, she sighed deeply, rubbing her lower back, her eyes scanning the orderly study with growing frustration.
Had she miscalcted?
Her brows knitted together as she reyed the clues in her mind, but no matter how she approached the puzzle, her conclusion remained unchanged.
A nce at her watch revealed that nearly forty minutes had slipped away.
A bead of sweat began to form on her forehead.
Though Henry and Kylie were absent, the presence of housekeepers lurking about heightened her anxiety.
I must act quickly.
Her gaze sharpened as she turned towards the bookshelf, meticulously lined with volumes.
While hope was a dwindling me, she knew she couldn¡¯t afford to overlook any potential hiding spots.
As her fingers brushed against the spines, she suddenly froze. A thickw dictionary caught her eye, its cover seemingly out of ce.
Her heart raced, a quickened thump echoing in her chest. She reached up and pulled it from the shelf, examining it closely.
Henry had never pursued a legal education, and as the head of Ember Group, he had little to do with such matters. Nadine, on the other hand, was blissfully ignorant and lethargic. So what was aw dictionary doing here?
Her instincts red. Tess traced her fingers along the book¡¯s spine, sensing something was amiss.
With careful precision, she opened it. Tucked between the pages was a single, ttened sheet of paper.
Her breath hitched in her throat as she gentlyid it on the desk and unfolded it.
Before hery a detailed blueprint of a factory¡¯s interioryout.
I was right!
**Chapter 536 The Hidden Blueprint**
Excitement ignited her spirit. She strained her ears for any sounds outside the door while swiftly pulling out her phone to capture images.
She meticulously photographed every section of the map, ensuring both close-ups and full views were documented, then carefully returned the blueprint to its original resting ce, ttening the pages and recing the book exactly where she had found it.
From a distance, it appeared untouched, undisturbed.
Next, Tess approached Henry¡¯sputer, her heart racing as she powered it on.
Opening the security camera software for the entire house, she plugged in a USB drive. With the program running, Raven could remotely ess it, erasing any trace of her presence in the study and recing it with footage of an empty room.
Once everything was set, she crept quietly toward the door.
Just as she was about to pull it shut behind her, she froze, hearing faint sounds from within.
Footsteps. The rustle of fabric. Someone was approaching.
Meanwhile, at the furniture store, Henry cast anxious nces toward the entrance, his brows knitting together in concern.
Abel, for once, was speaking more than usual, his voice animated. ¡°This project represents one of the Shaws¡¯ biggest investments this year. We¡¯ve poured an immense amount of manpower, resources, and capital into it¡¡±
¡°Uh, Mr. Shaw, hasn¡¯t Tess been gone for quite some time?¡± Henry finally interjected, his tone careful yet tinged with urgency.
His eyes gleamed with eagerness, but the tension in his face revealed a hint of anxiety.
Abel frowned, clearly irritated at the interruption.
Sensing the rising tension, Nadine quickly interjected to ease the situation. ¡°Perhaps she¡¯s not feeling well. I can give her a quick call.¡±
Abel¡¯s expression shifted, and he made a move as if to stop her. ¡°Tess isn¡¯t a child anymore. If something were wrong, she would have texted us. She mentioned she was going to the restroom, so there¡¯s no need to call.¡±
Nadine looked up at him, her face a mix of confusion and worry. ¡°But Mr. Shaw, it¡¯s been nearly an hour since she left. Even if she went to the restroom, it shouldn¡¯t take this long. If something is genuinely wrong and we wait too long, it could lead to serious consequences.¡±
Henry felt his chest tighten, his heart beginning to race with an unsettling urgency.
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+20 Free CoinsConclusion
In the climactic moments of Chapter 536, Tess¡¯s relentless pursuit of truth culminates in a mixture of exhration and dread. The discovery of the hidden blueprint not only validates her instincts but also propels her deeper into the web of deception surrounding Henry. As she meticulously documents the evidence, the stakes rise, and the weight of her mission bes palpable. The juxtaposition of her triumph against the ticking clock amplifies her anxiety, reminding her that time is of the essence. The footsteps approaching the door serve as a stark reminder that she is not alone, and the danger of being caught loomsrge, threatening to unravel everything she has worked for.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s growing concern for Tess heightens the tension, revealing theplexities of their rtionship. His instinctive worry, paired with Abel¡¯s dismissive attitude, underscores the disconnect between the characters. While Tess races against time to uncover the truth, Henry grapples with his own anxieties about her whereabouts. The emotional arc of this chapter culminates in a powerful convergence of fear, determination, and the desperate need for resolution. As Tess stands on the precipice of discovery, the intertwining fates of all involved are set to collide, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the threads of loyalty, betrayal, and survival will ultimately weave together.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension builds, readers can anticipate a heart-pounding continuation of Tess¡¯s covert mission. With the blueprint safely tucked away, the stakes have never been higher. Will Tess manage to escape the study unnoticed, or will the footsteps drawing closer reveal her presence? The clock is ticking, and Henry¡¯s growing anxiety about Tess¡¯s whereabouts adds anotheryer of urgency. The dual narratives of Tess¡¯s stealthy maneuvering and Henry¡¯s increasing concern are poised to intertwine, heightening the suspense as both characters inch closer to a potentially explosive confrontation.
Moreover, the hidden blueprint holds secrets that could unravel the very foundation of the Ember Group and expose Henry¡¯s ndestine dealings. As Tess delves deeper into the implications of what she has discovered, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to see how her newfound knowledge will impact her next steps. Will she ally with Raven to uncover the truth, or will she find herself in a perilous situation that forces her to confront Henry? The unfolding drama promises unexpected twists and revtions, ensuring that every moment is fraught with tension and intrigue. Prepare for a chapter that will keep you guessing until the veryst page!
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 537
Keepsake 537 Summary
In Chapter 537 of ¡°Keepsake 537,¡± titled ¡°Almost Caught,¡± the tension esctes as Tess finds herself in a precarious situation. Kylje encourages Abel to make a quick phone call, but he hesitates, sensing the pressure from those around him. Meanwhile, Tess is hiding against a wall, feeling the weight of anxiety as Hannah¡¯s suspicious voice echoes through the corridor. The atmosphere is thick with fear as Tess narrowly avoids being discovered, her heart racing as she escapes to a cab, relieved to have avoided a confrontation.
As Tessmunicates with Abel via text, her relief is momentarily lifted by a yful emoji he sends, which brings a small smile to her face despite the surrounding tension. However, back at the store, Nadine grows increasingly anxious about Tess¡¯s absence, repeatedly calling her without response. Abel remains calm under pressure, but Kylje¡¯s frustration boils over, leading to a confrontation that momentarily silences the room. The air is thick with tension as Abel¡¯s re silences Kylje, showcasing the high stakes of their situation.
Just as the atmosphere bes unbearable, Tess arrives with a calm demeanor, holding a bag of medicine to exin her absence. This unexpected return defuses the tension, and her rxed attitude contrasts sharply with Kylje¡¯s earlier outburst. Tess¡¯s nonchnt response to the worried inquiries from herpanions reveals her determination to maintain control over the situation. She swiftly shifts the focus to the furniture order, revealing her desire to move past the emotional turmoil and assert her authority in the decision-making process.
The chapter concludes with Tess¡¯smanding presence as she ces a significant order, much to the excitement of the store clerk, who sees a lucrative opportunity. Abel, however, remains protective, subtly blocking the clerk¡¯s eager gaze, indicating his concern for Tess¡¯s well-being. The chapter encapstes a mix of anxiety, relief, and determination, showcasing the characters¡¯ struggles and the intricate dynamics of their rtionships amidst the looming threats around them.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 537**
**Chapter 537: Almost Caught**
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+20 Free Coins.
¡°She¡¯s absolutely right, Mr. Shaw,¡± Kylje interjected, her voice steady yet insistent. ¡°It¡¯s just a quick phone call. What harm could it possibly do? It¡¯s far better to make a quick check-in than to sit here fretting.¡±
Abel felt a slight twitch in his fingers, a nervous reaction he couldn¡¯t quite suppress. For a fleeting moment, he appeared torn between his instincts and the pressure mounting around him. If he continued to resist, he feared they might begin to suspect something was amiss.
At that very moment, Tess was pressed firmly against the wall, her back rigid with tension. She could sense a shadow looming behind her, creeping closer, its presence sending shivers down her spine.
¡°Mr. Ember? You¡¯re back already? I thought you were out shopping for furniture with Mrs. Lock?¡±
Hannah¡¯s voice echoed down the corridor, tinged with curiosity and an undertone of suspicion.
Tess bit her lip, feeling the cold sweat trickle down her forehead like a bead of anxiety.
¡°Huh? That¡¯s strange. No one seems to be here?¡±
Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed as she peered down the long, seemingly deserted hallway.
It felt utterly vacant.
I could¡¯ve sworn I heard something.
Confused, she scratched her head, her eyes darting around, and finally turned to leave, a sense of unease settling in her gut.
Once Hannah¡¯s footsteps faded into the distance, Tess released a shaky breath, her heart racing. She cautiously peeked out, ensuring the coast was clear, and then slipped quietly toward the staircase at the end of the hall.
That was a close call.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed violently in her hand, and she quickly pressed her palm against it, relieved that she had set it to silent before sneaking in.
Finally, she made it to the cab, sinking into the backseat with a sense of relief washing over her as her pulse began to steady.
As soon as the car started moving, she quickly typed a message to Abel.
¡°How¡¯s it going? They didn¡¯t notice anything, right? Are you still at the store?¡±
**Chapter 537: Almost Caught**
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+20 Free Coins
Abel¡¯s response came almost immediately. Given the watchful eyes surrounding him, he kept his reply sinct. ¡°Still here. Come over.¡±
Before locking his screen, he added a cheeky winking bunny emoji, a small attempt at levity amidst the tension.
Tess stared at the cute little sticker for a moment, a smile tugging at her lips despite the circumstances. She cleared her throat and quickly swiped the chat away.
¡°To the furniture store. Please hurry.¡±
The cab sped off, weaving through the streets.
Meanwhile, back inside the store, Nadine was growing increasingly anxious, repeatedly dialing Tess¡¯s number, her frustration mounting with each unanswered call.
¡°Why isn¡¯t she picking up?¡± Her voice tightened with worry as she turned to Henry, seeking some reassurance.
His jaw was set, a telltale sign that he was equally uneasy. Something about the situation felt off, like a storm brewing just out of sight.
¡°Mr. Shaw, do you know what¡¯s going on?¡± His eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in their depths as he regarded Abel.
¡°She¡¯s on her way,¡± Abel replied coolly, his demeanor calm, yet his eyes were sharp, his chin lifted just enough tomand authority.
Kylie, who had been standing quietly behind them, could no longer contain herself. Her irritation bubbled over, twisting her features into a scowl. ¡°Maybe Tess is still upset with us. She probably agreed toe just to make us look bad, then ditched us on purpose! Maybe she just loves watching us scramble around for her!¡±
Her tone was biting,ced with usation. In an instant, Abel¡¯s expression darkened, and he shot her a re so piercing that it felt like daggers aimed straight at her heart.
Kylie froze, the fire of her indignation snuffed out by the chill radiating from him. The sudden drop in temperature was enough to make her swallow hard and fall silent, the tension palpable in the air.
Just then, a calm,posed voice broke through the thick atmosphere.
¡°Sorry. I wasn¡¯t feeling well, so I stopped by a pharmacy.¡±
In that moment, it was as if the ice around them began to melt, the oppressive heaviness lifting as Abel turned towards Tess, relief washing over his features.
**Chapter 537: Almost Caught**
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+20 Free Coins
Tess approached slowly, holding up a stic bag that clearly revealed two boxes of medicine nestled inside.
Her demeanor appeared rxed, making Kylie¡¯s earlier outburst seem wholly unreasonable and out of ce.
Kylie¡¯s expression stiffened, but Henry quickly interjected, his tone shifting to one of gentle concern. ¡°Nadine tried calling you several times, but you didn¡¯t answer. We were just worried.¡±
¡°My phone was on silent,¡± Tess replied calmly, then turned her gaze toward Kylie. ¡°By the way, what were you saying just now? I thought I heard my name.¡±
Kylie bit her lip, suddenly at a loss for words, but Henry stepped in front of her, using his taller frame as a shield. ¡°Your mom¡¯s been a bit emotionaltely. Don¡¯t take it personally.¡±
Tess offered him a faint nce, then looked away, clearly disinterested in pursuing the topic further.
¡°I¡¯m not feeling great today. I¡¯m done picking. I checked out the furniture earlier¡ªit all looks lovely. Just order the most expensive options, everything in mist blue.¡±
As she spoke to the store clerk, her hand rested lightly on her lower stomach, a subtle gesture that hinted at her difort.
The clerk¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Of course, Ms. Tess! How about this¡ªwe exchange contact information, and I¡¯ll send you photos of the final selections for your approval. You won¡¯t even have toe back in person.¡±
Her enthusiasm was palpable, her attitude brimming with politeness and eagerness.
¡°Sure,¡± Tess replied casually, waving her hand dismissively.
That single word sent the clerk¡¯s heart racing, as if she had struck gold.
All the most expensive items¡ªand a custom color!
This sale alone could secure my entire year¡¯s bonus.
Her excitement bubbled over as she gazed at Tess, her eyes practically sparkling with admiration, as though she were looking at a walking fortune.
Abel frowned and subtly shifted to the side, positioning himself to block the clerk¡¯s greedy gaze. ¡°Let her handle it. Since you¡¯re not feeling well, I¡¯ll take you home.¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of the near-miss, a fragile peace settled over the group as Tess rejoined them, the tension of the moment dissipating like mist in the morning sun. Her calm demeanor and effortless deflection of Kylie¡¯s usations served as a balm for the frayed nerves around her. As she engaged with the store clerk, her authority reasserted itself, and the atmosphere shifted from one of suspicion to admiration. Abel, observing her with a mix of pride and protectiveness, felt the weight of the evening¡¯s anxiety begin to lift. The storm that had threatened to break over them had passed, leaving behind a sense of relief, albeit tinged with the unspoken understanding of the precariousness of their situation.
Yet, beneath the surface of this newfound calm, an undercurrent of unresolved tension lingered. Tess¡¯s subtle gesture of resting her hand on her lower stomach hinted at deeper concerns, concerns that neither she nor Abel dared to voice in that moment. As they prepared to leave the store, the unspoken bond between them strengthened, forged in the fires of shared anxiety and the thrill of narrowly escaping disaster. The night may have ended with a semnce of normalcy, but both Tess and Abel knew that the true challengey ahead, waiting just beyond the horizon. Together, they would navigate theplexities of their lives, their hearts intertwined amidst the chaos, each keeping the other¡¯s secrets close, like cherished keepsakes.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tension is bound to escte as Tess and Abel navigate the aftermath of their near-miss with discovery. With the stakes higher than ever, readers can expect a gripping exploration of the dynamics between the characters. Will Kylje¡¯s simmering suspicion lead to a confrontation that unravels their carefully constructed facade? As Tess grapples with her difort and the implications of her actions, her rtionship with Abel will be put to the test, forcing them to confront the secrets they¡¯ve been harboring.
Meanwhile, Nadine¡¯s growing anxiety and Henry¡¯s protective instincts suggest that the group¡¯s unity is hanging by a thread. As they delve deeper into their furniture shopping facade, will they be able to maintain their cover, or will the cracks begin to show? The tension within the store is palpable, and it¡¯s clear that not everyone is convinced by Tess¡¯sst-minute excuse. Expect unexpected alliances, shifting loyalties, and perhaps a revtion that could change everything. As the chapter unfolds, the reader will be left on the edge of their seat, wondering if Tess and Abel can outsmart their friends and keep their secrets safe¡ªor if they are, indeed, almost caught.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 538
Keepsake 538 Summary
In Chapter 538 of ¡°Keepsake 538,¡± the story unfolds in a high-end store where Henry Ember faces the shocking reality of an eight million dor price tag for redecorating his daughter¡¯s bedroom. The sales clerk¡¯s disbelief and Henry¡¯s initial confidence quickly turn into panic as he realizes the enormity of the expense. Despite his financial struggles and the recent changes in the Ember Group, he feelspelled to maintain a facade of calm and support for his daughter, Tess, who is unaware of the financial strain this decision ces on him.
As the situation esctes, Henry¡¯s internal conflict bes palpable. He grapples with feelings of humiliation and desperation, especially when his friend Abel subtly mocks him, further intensifying his anxiety. Even though he knows this purchase is beyond his means, Henry insists on paying, driven by a promise to Tess and the fear of appearing inadequate. The moment he hands over his credit card, he feels a sense of despair, realizing that he is sacrificing hisst financial safety for the sake of his daughter¡¯s happiness.
Tess, while appearing innocent, seems to enjoy the tension, and her reaction adds to Henry¡¯s turmoil. She feigns surprise at the price, but her smirk suggests a deeper awareness of the situation. Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s other daughter, Kylie, bes suspicious and confronts him about the sudden avability of such arge sum of money. This confrontation exposes the cracks in Henry¡¯s carefully constructed narrative about their financial struggles, leaving him scrambling to justify his actions.
Kylie¡¯s feelings of betrayal and confusion deepen as she recalls her father¡¯s previous ims of their financial instability. The tension between father and daughter highlights the emotional strain within the family, exacerbated by Henry¡¯s recent absence and his attempts to keep up appearances. Nadine, sensing the rising conflict, tries to intervene, but the damage is done. The chapter closes with Kylie feeling isted in the vastness of their home, surrounded by memories of a life that feels increasingly out of reach, leaving the reader to ponder the implications of Henry¡¯s choices on their family dynamics.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 538**
**Chapter 538: Eight Million Dors for a Bedroom?!**
The sales clerk stood frozen for a brief moment, her eyes wide with disbelief. Then, as if jolted from a trance, she quickly grabbed her tablet and inquired, ¡°Ms. Ember! Excuse me, but should I charge this to¡?¡±
Her gaze darted nervously between Abel and Henry, clearly uncertain about whom to address in this peculiar situation.
Tess raised an eyebrow, her attention now firmly fixed on Henry.
¡°Of course, it¡¯s me,¡± Henry dered, his voice bright and confident as he stepped forward, eager to take charge. ¡°I¡¯m doing this to redecorate my daughter¡¯s room, after all!¡±
He took the tablet from the clerk¡¯s hands, but as he nced at the total, his heart sank.
Eight million dors?!
What kind of bedroom could possibly warrant a price tag like that?
Panic gripped him, tightening his chest like a vice, yet he forced himself to maintain a facade of calm.
¡°Are you certain this isn¡¯t a mistake?¡± he inquired, his voice strained, wearing a smile that felt more like a grimace.
The clerk shook her head with unwavering confidence. ¡°No mistake, Mr. Ember. Ms. Tess specifically requested our most luxurious pieces. I¡¯ve double-checked everything.¡±
Henry¡¯s hands quivered slightly as he clutched the tablet.
Eight million dors? The Ember Group has changed hands, and all I have left is a small secret factory still churning out products. That amount is half a year¡¯s revenue, just for a bedroom that hardly matters!
It felt as though his heart was bleeding out.
¡°Mr. Ember, you don¡¯t look so good. Would you like me to handle it instead?¡± Abel interjected smoothly, his tone feigning kindness.
But to Henry, those words felt like a p in the face.
Isn¡¯t this just a public humiliation? I said I wanted to help Tess decorate. If I back out now, everyone will see me as a liar, and Tess¡
Henry felt torn, a conflict raging within him.
¡°No, no, I couldn¡¯t possibly let you pay. I promised Tess I¡¯d take care of it,¡± he replied, forcing a stiff smile, his hands trembling as he fished out a credit card from his suit pocket.
¡°Charge it,¡± he said weakly, the words barely escaping his lips.
As he handed over the card, a sense of despair washed over him.
That was hisst safety.
He watched the clerk take the card with a grin that felt like a knife twisting in his gut. There was nothing he could do now but curse silently under his breath.
Tess, however, had already caught the reluctance etched on his face, though she pretended to be oblivious. She blinked innocently, her voiceced with feigned surprise. ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be that expensive. Dad, are you sure it¡¯s not too much for you?¡±
Too much? Of course, it¡¯s far too much!
Henry¡¯s insides twisted in agony, but he forced a chuckle, trying to mask his turmoil. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, sweetheart. If it¡¯s what you want, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes glimmered with a hint of emotion, as if she were touched by his words, but Abel caught the barely concealed smirk lurking behind her loweredshes.
That subtle upward curve at the corner of her mouth was pure mockery directed at all three of them, a silent challenge.
¡°Looks like I was mistaken about you guys,¡± Abel added smoothly, his voice dripping with insincerity. ¡°You really do treat Tess well.¡±
Together, they boxed Henry into a corner, leaving him no choice but to maintain his cheerful facade while he bled inside.
Kylie, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t tear her gaze away from the card Henry had just handed over. Confusion and hurt twisted her expression into a painful knot.
Didn¡¯t Dad tell me we were broke? So where on earth did this sudden eight millione from?
Henry felt her piercing stare and inadvertently met her eyes. Instantly, his body tensed, a rush of anxiety flooding through him.
¡°Where did you get eight million?¡± she asked bluntly, her voice cutting through the air, utterly unconcerned with the others watching.
Henry¡¯splexion shifted from pale to crimson and back to pale again in a matter of moments. He quickly stered on a smile, covering her hand with his. ¡°Kylie, what are you saying? Thepany might be struggling, but I still have some savings.¡±
He shot her a desperate look, silently pleading for her to drop the subject.
But Kylie¡¯s eyes widened, a look of betrayal flickering across her face.
¡°You told me before¡ª¡±
¡°¡ªThat was before,¡± Henry interrupted, hisughter nervous and strained. ¡°Thepany changed hands, remember? I sold off a few shares, and I¡¯ve been selling some things around the house. That¡¯s where it came from.¡±
He tried to keep his tone warm and gentle, hoping to soothe her rising suspicions.
Yet Kylie remained unconvinced, her expression a mixture of disbelief and hurt.
Sensing the tension escting, Nadine quickly jumped in to diffuse the situation. ¡°Mom, Dad¡¯s not lying. Selling the house stuff was just temporary. When things get better, he did buy a lot of it back, remember?¡±
She tugged lightly at Kylie¡¯s sleeve, hoping to calm her down, but Kylie bit her lip, torn between anger and disbelief.
Back then, Henry had told her that the family was on the brink of copse, even suggesting they might have to sell their beloved mansion. That was why she had forgiven him for pawning off her clothes and jewelry¡ªsome of which were vintage pieces from the Larson Estate, cherished dresses that had been with her for years.
In the past few weeks, Henry had been staying elsewhere, leaving Nadine to visit her for only brief moments each day. Most of the time, Kylie found herself alone in the vast Ember Residence, wandering aimlessly through empty rooms that echoed with memories. Sometimes, she would open old boxes, touch her treasured dresses and jewelry, and allow those memories tofort her¡ªbecause that was all she had left.Conclusion
In the midst of the extravagant chaos, Henry found himself ensnared in a web of conflicting emotions. The pressure to maintain his facade for Tess and the family weighed heavily on him, yet inside, he felt like he was crumbling. The eight million dors for a bedroom became a symbol of his desperation, a stark reminder of how far he had fallen. As he handed over the credit card, the act felt less like a gesture of love and more like a surrender to the expectations of those around him. He was desperate to prove himself, to show Tess that he could still provide, even when the truth was that he was barely keeping his head above water. The pang of betrayal in Kylie¡¯s eyes cut deeper than any financial loss; it was a wound that would take time to heal.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s feigned innocence and Abel¡¯s insidious remarks only deepened Henry¡¯s anguish. The subtle mockery in Tess¡¯s smile felt like a betrayal from his own daughter, while Abel¡¯s insincerity added salt to the wound. As the tension hung thick in the air, Henry realized that the price of thisvish bedroom was not just mary; it represented the unraveling of trust within his family. The moment felt like a turning point, not just for him but for all of them. As he stood there, caught in the storm of emotions and expectations, Henry understood that the real challengey ahead: rebuilding the bonds that had frayed under the weight of financial strain and mimunication. The road to redemption would be long, but perhaps, just perhaps, it could lead to a deeper understanding of love and sacrifice within his family.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions are set to escte as Henry grapples with the fallout of his impulsive decision to splurge on Tess¡¯s bedroom. With Kylie¡¯s piercing questions still ringing in his ears, he must navigate the delicate bnce between maintaining his family¡¯s trust and hiding the truth about their precarious financial situation. Expect a deeper exploration of Henry¡¯s internal conflict as he wrestles with the consequences of his actions, and the growing suspicion from Kylie that threatens to unravel the fragile fa?ade he has built. Will he find a way to reassure his family without revealing the full extent of their struggles?
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s yful mockery of the situation will likely take center stage, as she revels in the power dynamics at y. Her seemingly innocent demeanor masks a deeper strategy, and readers can anticipate her next moves as she seeks to manipte her father¡¯s guilt for her own gain. Abel, ever the opportunist, will also y a pivotal role, using the mounting tension to further his own agenda. With alliances shifting and secrets lurking just beneath the surface, the next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of emotional confrontations and unexpected revtions that will leave readers eager for more.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 539
Keepsake 539 Summary
In Chapter 539 of ¡°Keepsake 539,¡± Kylie is consumed with anger upon learning that Henry has sold her cherished jewelry. Her fury initially overwhelms her, but as Henry exins their dire financial situation, her outrage begins to dissipate, leaving her conflicted and frustrated. She grapples with the unsettling knowledge that Henry has spent an extravagant eight million on Tess for a bedroom makeover, questioning his priorities and decisions, especially after their recent struggle to regain financial stability.
Kylie¡¯s emotional turmoil is palpable, and her frustration is only exacerbated by Nadine¡¯s attempts to calm her down. Despite Nadine¡¯s soothing words, Kylie¡¯s mood remains tense, reflecting the heavy atmosphere in the room. Feeling exhausted from the emotional strain, Kylie admits her fatigue, prompting Henry to suggest that Nadine take her home for some much-needed rest. This moment of vulnerability reveals the strain on Kylie¡¯s mental state and the unspoken tension in her rtionship with Henry.
Meanwhile, Tess observes the interaction between Henry and Nadine with curiosity, while Abel feels a chill at the unfolding drama. Henry tries to reassure Tess about his intentions, exining that his financial struggles led him to make sacrifices, including selling Kylie¡¯s jewelry. He expresses his desire to make Tess happy despite their circumstances, but Tess, with her keen instincts, sees through his facade and recognizes the desperation behind hisvish gesture.
As the chapter unfolds, Tess decides to leave, leaving Henry momentarily stunned. She dismisses his suggestion to bring La home, asserting that the baby isn¡¯t used to constant movement. Abel attempts to intervene but is met with Tess¡¯s swift rejection. After Tess walks away, Henry feels the weight of his failed ns and the reality of his financial situation. Meanwhile, Tess watches him leave, sensing that he may be heading to see someone else, which stirs a mix of determination and resolve within her.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 539**
**Chapter 539 Spent Eight Million for Tess**
Kylie¡¯s heart raced with fury when she discovered that Henry had sold her precious jewelry. The anger bubbled within her like a boiling pot, threatening to spill over.
But as Henryid bare the dire circumstances they were facing, her initial outrage began to wane. She found herself trapped in a web of understanding, forced to ept his actions¡ªeven if it felt like swallowing a bitter pill.
Yet now, a new question gnawed at her: what prompted Henry to suddenly shower Tess with such extravagant generosity? Eight million for a mere bedroom makeover? It was iprehensible.
Kylie¡¯s frustration simmered just beneath the surface, and it irritated her to no end. Why was he spending sovishly when they had just wed their way out of financial ruin?
Nadine, sensing the storm brewing inside Kylie, stepped in with her usual calm demeanor. ¡°Kylie, let¡¯s take a breath. It¡¯s going to be okay,¡± she said softly, her words a balm to Kylie¡¯s frayed nerves.
Although Nadine¡¯s words offered a sliver offort, Kylie¡¯s expression remained icy, her mood a palpable cloud hanging over the room. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, making it feel as if they were all walking on eggshells.
¡°I¡¯m exhausted,¡± Kylie finally admitted, her voice strained. She pressed her fingers against her temples, hoping to ease the pressure building in her head.
As the words left her lips, Henry felt a wave of relief wash over him. He turned to Nadine, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. ¡°Nadine, why don¡¯t you take your mom home? She needs some rest.¡±
Nadine hesitated, ncing back at Abel, reluctant to leave him behind. But she understood the importance of the moment. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll head out,¡± she said, gently taking Kylie¡¯s arm, guiding her toward the door. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
They had barely taken a few steps when Nadine paused, turning back to Henry with a bright smile.
¡°Oh, Mr. Shaw,¡± she said cheerfully, ¡°about our earlier conversation¡ªif you ever need to talk or want some assistance, just give me a call.¡± She mimicked the motion of holding a phone, her eyes sparkling with sincerity.
Kylie¡¯s irritation red again, her eyes narrowing as she watched the interaction unfold. She halted, clearly unimpressed, her annoyance radiating off her in waves.
Tess, observing from a distance, raised an eyebrow at Nadine¡¯s boldness. Her gaze flicked between Abel and Nadine, curiosity piqued.
Abel felt a shiver run down his spine, as if a cold wind had swept through the room. It was an unsettling feeling, like the sharp edge of a knife grazing his back.
¡°Tess¡¡± he began, wanting to exin, but Nadine swiftly cut him off.
¡°I¡¯m leaving now, Mr. Shaw. Tess, I¡¯ll see you next time,¡± she said with a bright smile, waving as she turned to leave, disappearing around the corner.
Henry turned back to Tess, his expression shifting to one of remorse. ¡°Tess, I know my actions upset your mom. She¡¯s just feeling grumpy because of the jewelry situation. It¡¯s not personal, I promise.¡±
He continued, his voice earnest. ¡°We were in a really tight spot financially not too long ago. Selling her things was the only way to keep us afloat. Things have improved now, and I managed to save a little. I didn¡¯t think it woulde in handy today. I might not be wealthy anymore, but I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to make you smile.¡±
His eyes glistened, betraying the vulnerability he felt, as if he were on the verge of tears.
Tess¡¯s lips curved slightly, her expression softening as she began to piece together his intentions.
So, he was trying to pull at her heartstrings, she mused, a hint of sarcasm creeping into her thoughts.
Years of navigating theplexities of business andw had sharpened Tess¡¯s instincts. She could see right through Henry¡¯s fa?ade, recognizing the desperation behind his generous gestures.
In essence, he was still struggling financially. That eight million he splurged on her could have easily ignited a conflict with Kylie, yet he chose to prioritize Tess instead.
She offered him a small, serene smile, her voice calm andposed. ¡°Well, since we¡¯re done here, I should be on my way.¡±
Henry froze, momentarily taken aback.
He looked up, searching Tess¡¯s expressionless eyes for a sign of consideration.
Wait a minute.
After all I¡¯ve said, she can¡¯t just leave without a second thought, can she?
Henry clenched his jaw, forcing a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°Alright then. You didn¡¯t eat muchst night. When you get home, have Hannah whip you up some snacks.¡±
Tess waved her hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m heading to Evermount Heights. La¡¯s still there. I¡¯ll be back tonight.¡±
Henry¡¯s face lit up at the mention of La, a child he hardly got to see. ¡°Tess, since you¡¯re going back home, why not bring La with you tonight?¡±
For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Tess¡¯s face. She regarded Henry with cold, piercing eyes. ¡°La¡¯s just a baby. She¡¯s not ustomed to constant moving.¡±
Henry opened his mouth to protest, but the words escaped him.
¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll drive you,¡± Abel interjected, stepping forward and taking hold of Tess¡¯s wrist.
In a fluid motion, Tess twisted away from his grasp, slipping free with ease. He hadn¡¯t held her tightly, merely attempting to guide her, but she was already walking away, her heels clicking against the floor.
Abel¡¯s heart raced, a sudden panic gripping him. Before he could voice his concern, Tess was already striding away, leaving him in her wake.
Henry, still reeling from the failure of his n to bring La home, exited the furniture store with a heavy sigh. The weight of his dwindling bank ount pressed down on him, and he muttered to himself as he hailed a taxi, heading in the opposite direction of Ember Vi.
From her car, Tess watched him leave, a knowing look in her eyes as she spected that he was likely heading to see Shannon.
Her gaze sharpened, filled with determination, as she felt Abel tugging nervously at her sleeve, the soft rustle of fabric breaking the silence between them.Conclusion
As the tension in the air began to dissipate, Kylie felt a bittersweet sense of resignation wash over her. The confrontation with Henry had forced her to confront not just her anger at his actions, but the deeper fissures in their rtionship. The jewelry, once a symbol of their shared dreams, had now be a painful reminder of their struggles. Yet, amid the turmoil, there was a flicker of understanding that perhaps Henry¡¯s extravagant gesture towards Tess was born not out of neglect for Kylie, but rather from a desperate need to reconnect with the remnants of joy in their fractured lives. This realization, though difficult to ept, allowed her to breathe a little easier, knowing that both of them were grappling with their own demons.
Meanwhile, Tess stood at the precipice of her own emotional upheaval, torn between loyalty to her mother and theplexities of her father¡¯s intentions. As she watched Henry leave, the weight of his financial struggles and the sacrifices he had made for her began to resonate within her. The eight million spent on a bedroom makeover now felt less like a frivolous expenditure and more like a plea for connection in a world where love was often overshadowed by mary woes. With a newfound determination, Tess resolved to navigate the delicate bnce between her parents¡¯ expectations and her own desires. In that moment, she understood that while their paths were fraught with challenges, the bonds of family, however strained, could still hold the potential for healing and reconciliation.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension between Kylie and Henry to reach a breaking point. With Kylie¡¯s fury still simmering beneath the surface, her confrontation with Henry is poised to explode as she demands answers about his extravagant spending on Tess. The stakes are higher than ever, as the fragile peace they¡¯ve managed to maintain threatens to shatter, leaving both characters grappling with the consequences of their choices. Will Kylie finally voice her frustrations, or will she continue to suppress her feelings, allowing resentment to fester?
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯splex rtionship with Henry will deepen, as her keen instincts begin to unravel theyers of his motivations. As she navigates her own emotions, the reader will be drawn into her internal struggle¡ªcaught between the desire to understand her father and the need to protect herself from disappointment. The chapter promises to explore the dynamics of family loyalty and the hidden truths that bind them, while also hinting at Tess¡¯s growing resolve to carve her own path, independent of Henry¡¯s influence. Will she confront him about his choices, or will she take matters into her own hands, leading to unforeseen consequences? The anticipation builds as the characters inch closer to a pivotal moment that could redefine their rtionships forever.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 540
Keepsake 540 Summary
In Chapter 540 of ¡°Keepsake 540,¡± the tension between Tess and Abel is palpable as they navigate theirplicated emotions. Tess is visibly upset after watching Henry leave, her sadness reflected in her silence and tear-filled eyes. Abel, noticing her distress, tries to engage her yfully, but she responds with sharp impatience, indicating deeper issues at y. Their conversation reveals Tess¡¯s jealousy and insecurity regarding Abel¡¯s interactions with Nadine, highlighting her struggle with trust stemming from past experiences.
As they drive, Abel¡¯s yful teasing about Tess¡¯s feelings turns serious when he addresses her concerns about loyalty. He reassures her that he is not like Uncle Finn, emphasizing the difference in their characters and intentions. This moment of vulnerability from Abel encourages Tess to open up slightly, yet she remains guarded, questioning what Abel discussed with Nadine after she left. The mention of Max, a familiar figure associated with past troubles, intensifies her anxiety and frustration, showcasing her protective instincts towards their rtionship.
The atmosphere shifts as Abel shares his honest thoughts about Nadine¡¯s involvement, revealing his perceptiveness and ability to see through others¡¯ facades. Despite his lighthearted demeanor, he grapples with his feelings for Tess, which remain unacknowledged by her. The chapter concludes with Tess feeling a moment of relief after sessfully sending a message, contrasting with the earlier tension. Abel¡¯s attempt to lighten the mood with humor about his exhausting day serves as a reminder of their connection, even amidst theplexities of jealousy and unspoken emotions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 540**
**Chapter 540: Tess, Are You Jealous?**
¡°Tess, why are you ignoring me?¡±
The question hung in the air, thick with unspoken emotions. Tess remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground until Henry¡¯s car finally turned the corner and vanished from sight. Her eyes shimmered, glistening with unshed tears, reflecting a deep well of sadness and helplessness.
Abel observed her, noting the way her expression shifted ever so slightly as she finally turned her head to acknowledge him. He straightened his posture, puffing out his cheeks in a yful pout, hoping to coax a response from her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he inquired, his voice gentle, almost a whisper, yet his eyes sparkled with curiosity and concern.
Tess¡¯s gaze darted away, her tone sharp and cutting like a knife. ¡°If you don¡¯t start driving, I¡¯ll just call a taxi myself.¡±
The moment the words left her lips, the engine roared to life, its sound filling the silence that had settled between them.
Abel¡¯s frown deepened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Yet, when he caught sight of Tess¡¯s icy re from the passenger seat, he swallowed hisints, much like a puppy that had just been scolded, retreating into a sulky silence.
As they drove, Tess¡¯s eyes remained glued to the road ahead, though they asionally flicked toward Abel, who was still pouting slightly, his lips forming a stubborn line.
¡°What did you want to talk about with Nadine?¡± she finally broke the silence, her voice softer now, almost tentative.
Abel nearly mmed on the brakes in surprise; her willingness to engage was unexpected. The question echoed in his mind, transforming his earlier grumpiness into a surge of excitement.
¡°Tess, are you jealous?¡± he asked, a broad grin spreading across his face, his heart racing with exhration.
Tess frowned, her expression hardening. ¡°Just drive properly,¡± she retorted, her voiceced with impatience.
Abel nodded, but he couldn¡¯t resist stealing quick nces at her tense face, the way her jaw clenched and her eyes narrowed.
¡°You still haven¡¯t answered me,¡± he teased, a confident smirk dancing on his lips. ¡°Are you jealous of me talking to Nadine?¡±
His gaze sparkled with mischief as he turned to look at her fully, eager for her reaction.
Tess rubbed her temples, feeling a headache brewing from his incessant questions. She raised her hand, a gesture meant to halt his yful probing. ¡°I¡¯m more worried you might side with Nadine,¡± she admitted, crossing her arms defensively and letting out a cold, humorlessugh.
Trust was a fragile thing for her. Despite the bond she had built with Abel, memories of past hurts lingered like shadows, whispering doubts into her mind.
The atmosphere in the car thickened with tension, a palpable silence enveloping them.
Abel could sense the weight of her words, the underlying fear that apanied them. He raised his eyebrows, a serious expression settling on his face. ¡°Tess, what do you think I am? I¡¯m not like Uncle Finn.¡±
Just then, the traffic light turned red, and Abel mmed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden halt at the intersection. He turned to her, gently grasping her shoulder, urging her to meet his gaze.
¡°Tess, Uncle Finn doesn¡¯t know boundaries or even his own heart. But I¡¯ve always been sure about mine. We¡¯re different. Sure, we might share some blood, but that doesn¡¯t make us the same,¡± he said, his voice earnest and unwavering.
Tess looked into his sincere eyes, feeling a tumult of emotions stir within her, each one moreplicated than thest. She frowned, trying to suppress the feelings that threatened to rise up. ¡°So¡ after I left, what were you guys talking about?¡± she asked cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest.
In that moment, Abel¡¯s demeanor shifted; he became open and honest, recounting everything he had discussed with the Embers after her departure.
¡°Max?¡±
Tess¡¯s expression tightened at the mention of the familiar name, a knot forming in her stomach. Nadine had already faced issues with Max, and now she wanted to use him to get closer to Abel?
A scoff escaped her lips involuntarily.
Was Nadinepletely oblivious, or simply foolish?
Abel rubbed his chin yfully, a lighthearted gesture that belied the seriousness of their conversation. ¡°I was just testing Henry, but Nadine jumped in and offered to help,¡± he exined nonchntly, though a hint of sarcasmced his words.
Unlike Finn, Abel had a knack for seeing through people¡¯s facades, and Nadine¡¯s intentions were as transparent as ss.
Lost in his thoughts, Abel¡¯s gaze drifted toward Tess without him even realizing it.
He had grown up in a tangled web of familialplexities. To the outside world, he appeared carefree and somewhatzy, but beneath that surfacey a sharp intellect. Yet, he found himself perplexed by Tess¡¯s true feelings toward him, and that uncertainty gnawed at him.
His thoughts swirled like leaves in the wind, and despite believing he was being obvious, Tess seemedpletely unaware of the depth of his feelings. He sighed quietly, though his expression remained casual and rxed.
¡°So, did you find what you were looking for?¡± he asked, attempting to shift the conversation, his eyes still fixed on her.
Tess didn¡¯t look up from her phone, scrolling absentmindedly as she replied without much thought, ¡°Yeah, I got it. I¡¯ll send it to Raven and the others first.¡±
As soon as she hit send, the screen shed, confirming the picture had been sent. Raven¡¯s reply came swiftly, ¡°Got it.¡±
A wave of relief washed over Tess, and she rxed for the first time in what felt like ages.
Abel tilted his head, observing her closely. ¡°I was super busy today,¡± he said, breaking the silence again. ¡°Dealing with all those crazy people was exhausting. And Nadine¡ just talking to her made me cringe.¡±
He dramatically clutched his chest, but his eyes kept darting to Tess, searching for her reaction.
Tess understood his feelings all too well, yet she maintained a serious expression, rubbing her chin in contemtion. Finally, she said, ¡°Sounds like you had a rough day. You should go home and rest.¡±Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of their exchange, a fragile understanding began to weave itself between Tess and Abel. The tension that had once filled the car slowly dissipated, reced by a tentative camaraderie built on shared experiences and unspoken fears. Tess, despite her initial defensiveness, found herself softening under Abel¡¯s unwavering gaze. His earnestness cut through her walls, allowing her to glimpse the trust he ced in her, a trust she had long struggled to ept. As the weight of her insecurities began to lift, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her¡ªa hope that perhaps, this connection could transcend the shadows of their pasts.
Abel, too, felt a shift within himself. The yful banter that had characterized their rtionship now held a deeper significance, revealingyers of emotion he had yet to fully acknowledge. As he watched Tess begin to rx, he realized that their bond was evolving, shifting from mere friendship to something more profound. Theughter and teasing that once felt frivolous now echoed with the promise of understanding and eptance. In that moment, as they drove on toward an uncertain future, both Tess and Abel understood that they were no longer just navigating theplexities of their individual lives; they were embarking on a shared journey, one that held the potential to heal old wounds and forge a new path together.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, the tension between Tess and Abel is set to escte, as the unresolved feelings simmer just beneath the surface. With the mention of Nadine and Max hanging in the air, Tess finds herself grappling with her emotions, leading to a confrontation that could either deepen their bond or shatter the fragile trust they¡¯ve built. Expect a rollercoaster of emotions as they navigate theplexities of their rtionship, forcing them to confront not only their feelings for each other but also the ghosts of their pasts that threaten to resurface.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve into Tess¡¯s internal struggles, revealing more about her insecurities and fears, especially regarding Abel¡¯s ties to Nadine. As Abel attempts to reassure her, his own vulnerabilities maye to light, challenging the facade he has maintained. Will Tess finally open up about her jealousy, or will the fear of vulnerability keep her locked in silence? The stakes are high, and the emotionalndscape is charged, leaving readers eager to discover whether they will take a step forward or fall back into the shadows of doubt. Prepare for a gripping exploration of trust, loyalty, and the intricate dance of emotions that could change everything for Tess and Abel.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 541
Keepsake 541 Summary
In Chapter 541 of ¡°Keepsake 541,¡± a pivotal moment urs when Tess offers words of encouragement to Abel, who visibly struggles with feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. His initial response reveals a deep-seated frustration about not knowing how to enjoy life, which ispounded by his sense of unfairness regarding theck of appreciation for his hard work. Tess¡¯s calm demeanor provides a soothing contrast to his turmoil, and while Abel¡¯s mood improves slightly, the underlying tension of their rtionship remains palpable.
The narrative shifts focus as they encounter Ken, a young boy grappling with anxiety over his missing parents. Tess empathizes with Ken¡¯s plight, offering himfort and hope despite the uncertainty of his situation. Her gentle reassurance helps lighten Ken¡¯s burden, and he expresses heartfelt gratitude, which highlights Tess¡¯s nurturing nature. This interaction serves as a reminder of the innocence of youth and the emotional weight carried by those affected by adult conflicts.
As the chapter progresses, Abel¡¯s thoughts turn dark as he recalls past grievances involving Ken¡¯s father, Nichs. This reflection reveals Abel¡¯s protective instincts towards Tess and his internal conflict regarding morality and vengeance. Tess responds with a firm stance on forgiveness, particrly concerning children, indicating her desire to shield La from the repercussions of adult mistakes. Her determination to rise above the chaos around her bes evident, showcasing her strength and resilience.
The chapter culminates in a moment of connection between Tess and Abel, where he acknowledges her growth and expresses hismitment to protect her. His gesture of support brings warmth to Tess, contrasting with her previous experiences of coldness and betrayal. This exchange solidifies their bond, as Tess realizes she has someone steadfast by her side, ready to face the challenges ahead together. The chapter closes with a sense of hope and determination, setting the stage for the battles yet toe.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 541**
**Chapter 541: You¡¯re Doing Great**
The moment those words left Tess¡¯s lips, Abel¡¯s expression shifted dramatically. His brow furrowed, and his shoulders sagged as if the weight of the world had suddenly settled upon him.
¡°You really don¡¯t know how to have fun,¡± he mumbled, the disappointment seeping into his tone like a slow leak.
He cast a sidelong nce at Tess, but the moment their eyes met¡ªher calm, unwavering gaze¡ªhe quickly looked away, hunching his shoulders further. ¡°Even if I didn¡¯t do much, I still worked hard. Isn¡¯t it fair to treat me to a meal?¡± His voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with a hint of pleading.
A flicker of amusement danced in Tess¡¯s eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. ¡°Okay, but let¡¯s wait until things settle down,¡± she replied, her voice soothing yet firm.
Though disappointment flickered in Abel¡¯s heart, it was a slight improvement from before. He straightened his posture, gripping the steering wheel with renewed determination. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s head back to the office,¡± he announced, his tone more upbeat.
Mars Legal.
As the car came to a stop, Tess¡¯s gaze fell upon a familiar figure shifting nervously at the entrance. Ken stood there, caught in that awkward phase of adolescence where he was growing taller, yet still looked somewhat childlike. Despite being nearly the same height as Tess, his presence felt far more fragile.
¡°Tess!¡± he called out, his voice rushing forth with an urgency that betrayed his anxiety. He hurried over, his expression a mix of hope and apprehension. ¡°Raven said you might know where my dad and my mom are. Is that true?¡±
In that moment, Tess understood the weight of his worry. She felt a pang of empathy for the boy standing before her, his heart clearly burdened by the absence of his parents. Speaking softly, she offered him a sense offort. ¡°Right now, we do have some guesses, but we¡¯ll need Raven and Lyra to figure it out for sure.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry too much yet,¡± she added gently, her words meant to soothe his frayed nerves.
Ken¡¯s eyes glistened with gratitude, and he felt a swell of emotion that nearly brought him to tears. He longed to reach out, to grasp Tess¡¯s hand in thanks, but the tall figure beside her made him hesitate. Instead, he met her gaze with sincerity. ¡°Tess, thank you so much!¡±
Tess returned his smile, warm and encouraging. ¡°Go back and study,¡± she urged, her tone light, yet filled with an underlying seriousness.
Ken nodded earnestly and departed, his steps lighter and more fluid than usual, contrasting sharply with his previous stiff demeanor.
Once he was out of sight, Abel¡¯s frown returned, his expression darkening. ¡°Back at Shannon¡¯s funeral, when Nichs med you, did he ever think his son would need your help to find him?¡± His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife.
Typically, Abel and Ken shared a decent rapport, often exchanging casual banter. Yet, the memory of Nichs¡¯s actions haunted him, resurfacing every time he encountered Ken.
He turned his gaze to Tess, studying her face intently. A single thought consumed him: he always saw himself as a bnce between good and bad, but if anyone dared to harm Tess, he would not hesitate to act without mercy.
Tess lifted her eyes to meet Abel¡¯s dark, serious gaze, and in that moment, she understood the depth of his concern for her well-being.
¡°I¡¯m not some saint who forgives everyone,¡± she said, her voice steady yet tinged with an emotion that hinted at her own struggles. It was as if her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning, much like the mist that nkets the earth after a rainstorm.
She continued, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because of La. Kids are innocent. If they aren¡¯t involved, I won¡¯t me them for their parents¡¯ mistakes.¡±
Her thoughts drifted, a whirlwind of contemtion about the future. She longed for the day when she could finally leave all this turmoil behind, to focus on La, to protect her as she grew up in a safe and nurturing environment.
But for now, there were still battles to fight.
Tess¡¯s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly as a cold determination washed over her. ¡°Sometimes, the higher you lift someone, the harder they fall. Henry thinks he controls everything, but when the person he trusts most turns against him, that¡¯s the most satisfying revenge.¡±
Her resolve was palpable, a fierce desire to shatter his arrogance and force him to confront his own vulnerabilities and errors.
As her thoughts deepened, Tess lifted her chin imperceptibly, embodying strength, much like a resilient tree that stands tall against the harshest of winds.
Abel watched her, captivated by the transformation he saw in her.
¡°What? Surprised? Didn¡¯t think I could be different from the nice, gentle person you imagined? I use my image to get what I want. Not what you expected, huh?¡± Tess¡¯s tone was teasing yet serious, as if she were testing the waters to see how he would react.
¡°No,¡± Abel replied firmly, shaking his head, his eyes brimming with unwavering determination.
He reached out, gently patting Tess¡¯s shoulder. A wave of warmth surged through her, easing the tension that had been coiling tightly in her mind.
Surprised by his gesture, Tess looked up, her brow furrowing slightly as she met the respect shining in his eyes.
¡°You¡¯re doing great. Otherwise, I¡¯d always worry about you getting treated badly when I¡¯m not around,¡± Abel said, his tone earnest, almost protective.
Ever since he learned about the hardships Tess had faced, he felt an overwhelming responsibility to safeguard her. If anyone dared to harm her, he would not hesitate to unleash whatever cruelty was necessary to make them pay.
Tess gazed into his eyes¡ªdark and strong, yet illuminated with a warmth that starkly contrasted with Finn¡¯s cold, empty stare. In that moment, she knew she had someone who would stand by her side, no matter the storm.Conclusion
As the chapter unfolds, the emotional arc of both Tess and Abel culminates in a moment of mutual understanding and unspoken support. Tess, grappling with her past and the weight of her responsibilities, finds sce in Abel¡¯s unwavering presence. His acknowledgment of her strength and determination serves as a balm for her weary spirit, reinforcing the bond that has been forged through shared struggles. In this exchange, Tess not only sees Abel as a protector but also as a partner in the fight against the adversities that loom over them. Their rtionship transforms from mere acquaintanceship to a deeper connection, grounded in empathy and shared purpose.
Meanwhile, Abel¡¯s protective instincts awaken as he witnesses Tess¡¯s resolve to shield the innocent from the repercussions of their parents¡¯ choices. Hismitment to her well-being reflects a profound respect for her character, recognizing that her strength is not just in her ability to endure but also in her willingness to confront the darkness that surrounds them. The chapter closes on a note of hope, with Tess and Abel standing together, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Their intertwined paths suggest that, despite the turmoil of their pasts, they have found in each other a source of strength and resilience, illuminating the way forward in a world fraught with uncertainty.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Tess and Abel simmers, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into their evolving rtionship. With the weight of their pasts hanging over them, readers can anticipate a thrilling exploration of loyalty and trust. Will Tess¡¯s determination to protect La lead her to make choices that could jeopardize her newfound bond with Abel? Or will Abel¡¯s unwavering support help her navigate the treacherous waters ahead? The stakes are rising, and every decision they make could alter the course of their lives.
Moreover, the looming presence of Henry and the unresolved issues surrounding Ken¡¯s parents add an intriguingyer of suspense. As Tess grapples with her moralpass, the narrative is set to unravel theplexities of vengeance and forgiveness. Will Tess embrace her darker instincts to confront Henry, or will she find a way to rise above the chaos? With each turn of the page, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these intertwined lives will navigate the tumultuous challenges that lie ahead. Prepare for a chapter filled with emotional depth, unexpected alliances, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 542
Keepsake 542 Summary
In Chapter 542 of ¡°Keepsake 542,¡± Tess is filled with a whirlwind of emotions as she decides to find Lyra and Raven, attempting to escape the heaviness of her recent encounter with Abel. Her heart races, and she tries to steady herself but feels overwhelmed by the tension. Abel, left behind, grapples with regret and confusion, realizing he may have acted too quickly in their interaction. As he returns to his car, he is haunted by the lingering scent of Tess, a reminder of their connection.
Upon reaching the second floor, Tess is met with yful banter from Raven and Lyra, but her difort about Abel¡¯s absence is palpable. She feels exposed, suspecting that her friends witnessed her emotional turmoil. Attempting to shift the focus, she inquires about their work on the map analysis, which leads them to a serious discussion about arge factory that hase under scrutiny. The enormity of the factory raises concerns about the difficulty of locating two individuals within its vast space without attracting attention.
Lyra takes charge of the conversation, outlining the factory¡¯syout and the potential hiding ces for the individuals they are searching for. The atmosphere grows tense as they realize theplexity of their task, but Lyra¡¯s calm demeanor offers some reassurance. As they analyze the map, they consider where the individuals might be concealed, ultimately narrowing it down to the management office, given the nature of the factory¡¯s operations.
Tess, however, remains contemtive and skeptical. She acknowledges the logic of their deductions but warns that factory workers may not be aware of the significance of the individuals they¡¯re looking for, potentially failing to recognize them even if they were nearby. This insight adds ayer ofplexity to their mission, emphasizing the need for careful nning and a deeper understanding of the environment they are dealing with. Tess¡¯s determination to uncover the truth is evident, setting the stage for the challenges ahead.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 542**
**Chapter 542: A Huge Factory**
¡°I¡¯m heading upstairs to find Lyra and Raven first,¡± Tess announced, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the very air around her was thick with tension.
Her heart raced like a wild drum, each beat echoing the turmoil within. The sharp sensation of her own fingertips pressing into her palm was a desperate attempt to anchor herself, a feeble remedy against the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
With a swift motion, Tess turned away, almost as if she were trying to flee from the weight of the moment.
Abel, however, did not pursue her this time. He remained rooted to the spot, a mixture of confusion and uncertainty etched on his face.
His gaze fell to his hand, where her warmth still lingered, a fleeting memory of connection. Yet, when he curled his fingers, he found only emptiness.
Raising his eyes, he nced toward Tess¡¯s office, the ss window gleaming with an almost deceptive rity. She wasn¡¯t there.
A wave of regret washed over him; he realized he had acted too hastily. The impulse to chase after her had dissipated, leaving him with a sense of resignation. With a heavy heart, he turned and made his way back to his car.
Inside, the faint scent of her lingered in the air, a ghost of her presence. Abel closed his eyes, leaning back against the seat, inhaling deeply as if trying to preserve the essence of her fragrance, wishing it would never fade.
Meanwhile, Tess ascended to the second floor, where Raven and Lyra awaited her arrival, their expressions yful and teasing.
As she approached, her body tensed once more, the calm she had just grasped slipping away like grains of sand through her fingers.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Mr. Shaw didn¡¯te with you?¡± Raven inquired, tilting her head in a mock-serious manner, her eyes darting behind Tess as if expecting Abel to emerge from the shadows.
Lyra stifled a giggle beside her, but Tess¡¯s expression darkened, her cheeks heating with embarrassment.
She suspected they had witnessed the entire encounter between her and Abel downstairs, and the thought made her skin crawl.
¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough,¡± she said, rubbing her forehead with a sigh, attempting to mask the flush creeping across her face. ¡°How¡¯s the map analysising along?¡±
As they shifted gears into seriousness, the lighthearted banter evaporated.
Lyra nodded, her demeanor transforming. ¡°Follow me,¡± she instructed, leading Tess and Raven into the office. On the desk, arge printed map sprawled out, waiting for their scrutiny.
Finally, Tess could take a proper look at the area. Back at the Ember Residence, her anxiety had clouded her judgment, preventing her from truly absorbing the details.
¡°ording to the data our drone transmitted, and what our team observed outside, that factory spans approximately 100,000 square feet,¡± Lyra borated, her tone steady and informative.
¡°One hundred thousand square feet¡¡± Tess echoed softly, her brows knitting together in concern.
Such a vast expanse was the domain of only thergest corporations. The Ember Group in Aetheris had always struggled, lingering in the mid-tier of industry rankings. So, how had Henry managed to construct such a colossal factory without raising any rms?
Raven¡¯s expression turned serious as she continued, ¡°Exactly. With a facility of that size, locating two individuals inside without drawing attention will be a monumental challenge.¡±
The atmosphere in the room shifted, the weight of their task settling heavily upon them.
Noticing the tension, Lyra tapped her finger on the map, her voice cutting through the gloom. ¡°If it¡¯s going to be difficult, we simply need to adjust our strategy and be more meticulous in our nning.¡±
She pointed to the map Tess had brought. ¡°The factory is divided into four primary sections: the work area, the employee lounge, the shipping area, and the management office.¡±
Her calm yet assertive tone provided a much-needed sense of reassurance, allowing the others to rx slightly.
Tess and Raven, who had been locked in their thoughts, leaned in closer, eager to absorb Lyra¡¯s insights.
¡°Consider this,¡± Lyra continued, her brow furrowing slightly as she guided them through the reasoning. ¡°If Nichs and his wife are being concealed here, there are bound to be too many employees around. It¡¯s unrealistic to expect everyone to keep such a significant secret. Most likely, many of them don¡¯t even know that those two are present. So, where would they most usibly be hidden?¡±
She paused, allowing them to ponder the implications.
¡°By that logic, we can eliminate the work area and the shipping zone. The employee lounge doesn¡¯t seem fitting either. So, that leaves the management office?¡±
Raven scratched her head, deep in contemtion.
Lyra nodded in agreement, her conviction unwavering. ¡°That¡¯s my thought as well. If Henry is indeed the true proprietor, the workers might not even recognize him. Only the management would interact with him. Therefore, if he wanted to conceal someone within, he would need to coordinate with the management first.¡±
Raven nodded, her expression thoughtful, then turned to Tess, seeking her input. Yet Tess remained silent, her frown deepening, lost in her own reflections.
¡°Tess, what¡¯s your take on this? Lyra¡¯s idea resonates with me,¡± Raven pressed gently.
Lyra added, ¡°If you¡¯refortable with it, I can have our drone conduct additional flyovers around the management office for a closer look.¡±
She turned to Tess, anticipation evident in her gaze.
¡°No.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice broke through the discussion, cutting them off as she lifted her head, determination etched on her features.
Her brows were still knitted in concentration, revealing the depth of her contemtion.
Lyra noticed the intense focus in Tess¡¯s eyes and asked, ¡°What¡¯s troubling you, Tess?¡±
In that moment, Tess reached out, gently tapping the map as if it were a portal to the answers they sought.
¡°What you¡¯ve suggested makes sense,¡± she began, her voice steady yet thoughtful, ¡°but remember, factory workers aren¡¯t like people who stay glued to the news online. Honestly, if Nichs stood right next to them, they might not even recognize his face or understand the gravity of the situation he¡¯s in.¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of her encounter with Abel, Tess found herself at a crossroads, torn between the emotional weight of their brief connection and the pressing urgency of their mission. The tension that had enveloped her moments before now transformed into a resolute determination as she stood before the sprawling map, the enormity of their task dawning upon her. Theughter of Raven and Lyra faded into the background, reced by the gravity of their situation. Tess recognized that the stakes were higher than her personal turmoil; they were fighting for lives shrouded in secrecy, and the path ahead demanded every ounce of her focus and strength. As she tapped the map, she felt the resolve solidifying within her, a reminder that while her heart may be conflicted, her purpose remained clear.
Meanwhile, Abel sat in his car, the scent of Tess still lingering like an unfulfilled promise, a bittersweet reminder of what could have been. The emptiness of her absence weighed heavily on him, yet he understood that their paths were intertwined with arger narrative that transcended their fleeting connection. As he gazed out the window, he felt a renewed sense of purpose ignite within him. The regret of not pursuing her was mingled with the understanding that both of them were caught in an intricate web of duty and desire. With a deep breath, he resolved to support Tess from afar, knowing that their shared mission would ultimately guide them back to each other when the time was right. In this moment of rity, he found sce in the belief that their individual journeys, though fraught with challenges, would lead them toward a future where both their hearts and their ambitions could finally align.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As Tess grapples with the implications of Lyra¡¯s analysis, the tension in the air thickens, hinting at a brewing storm of revtions and decisions that could alter the course of their mission. In the next chapter, readers can anticipate a deeper exploration of Tess¡¯s internal conflict as she weighs the risks of their n against the potential for uncovering the truth about Nichs and his wife. Will she find the courage to confront her fears and take the lead, or will doubt cloud her judgment further? The stakes are rising, and with them, the pressure on Tess to act decisively.
Meanwhile, the dynamics among the trio¡ªTess, Lyra, and Raven¡ªwill shift as they delve into theplexities of their strategy. Expect moments of tension and camaraderie as they navigate their differing perspectives on the mission ahead. With the looming threat of discovery at the factory, the group will need to rally their strengths and forge a united front. Will they uncover hidden truths within the factory¡¯s walls, or will their efforts lead to unforeseenplications? The next chapter promises to unravel the intricate web of rtionships and secrets that bind them, all while pushing them closer to a confrontation that could change everything.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 543
Keepsake 543 Summary
In Chapter 543 of ¡°Keepsake 543,¡± Tess grapples with the heavy burden of their mission to locate Nichs and his wife amidst a daunting array of possibilities. Her concern is palpable as she artictes the challenges they face, which shifts the atmosphere from light-hearted to serious for herpanion, Lyra. Tess¡¯s determination surfaces as she proposes a dual strategy: using drones for surveince while simultaneously considering undercover tactics to gather intelligence within the factory. This moment underscores the gravity of their situation and the weight of responsibility they both feel.
As Tess borates on her n, Lyra and Raven¡¯s initial uncertainty gives way to a sense of purpose. They engage in brainstorming potential candidates for an undercover role, revealing the tension and stakes involved. The conversation highlights Tess¡¯s leadership qualities and her ability to inspire confidence in her team. When Tess suggests Steven Stone as a viable option, the atmosphere shifts again, with both Lyra and Raven warming to the idea, showcasing their coborative spirit and hopefulness in the face of adversity.
Upon arriving at the Nexus Research Institute, the trio encounters Jolie, who is protective of Steven¡¯s well-being. This interaction introduces ayer of conflict, as Raven¡¯s eagerness to wake Steven shes with Jolie¡¯s insistence on letting him rest. The tension esctes, revealing the dynamics of their working rtionships and the pressures they all face. Tess finds herself caught in the middle, navigating the delicate bnce between urgency and empathy.
The chapter culminates with Steven¡¯s unexpected appearance, still groggy from sleep but alert to the situation. His interaction with Jolie disys a shift in power dynamics, as he asserts his authority over her, suggesting aplex rtionship between the characters. The scene encapstes the emotional undercurrents of concern, frustration, and determination that permeate their mission, setting the stage for the challenges that lie ahead as they work together to uncover the truth.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 543**
**Chapter 543: Tess¡¯s ns**
Tess¡¯s voice emerged slowly, each wordced with a palpable weight of concern. The gravity of their situation loomed over her like a dark cloud, and she could feel it pressing down on her chest.
¡°If my instincts are correct,¡± she began, her brow furrowing, ¡°there are simply too many areas we need tob through. This could make the task of locating Nichs and his wife exceedingly difficult.¡±
At her words, Lyra¡¯s expression shifted, her yful demeanor evaporating as seriousness took its ce. She followed Tess¡¯s gaze, focusing intently on the juncture where the work area seamlessly blended into the shipping section.
Viewing the situation from this angle painted a clearer picture.
¡°So, if that¡¯s the case,¡± Lyra remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation, ¡°we¡¯re not going to find Nichs or his wife anytime soon.¡±
Her tone conveyed the daunting nature of the task ahead, and Tess could sense the weight of the challenge settling on both of them.
Tess pressed her lips into a thin line, her mind whirring with possibilities. After a moment of contemtion, a spark of determination ignited within her. ¡°Lyra,¡± she said, her voice steadying, ¡°there¡¯s also a significant chance that someone from management might be involved in all of this. We should implement your drone n simultaneously.¡±
¡°Simultaneously?¡± Lyra echoed, her brow arching in surprise as she turned to Tess. ¡°You have another idea brewing?¡±
Tess nodded, her mind racing. ¡°At this moment, I can think of only two potential strategies. First, we could ce someone undercover inside the factory to gather intel. If Nichs is mingling with the regr employees, we might just cross paths with him. The second option would be to pull one of the workers aside for questioning. It could yield quicker results, though it might also lead us down a dead-end.¡±
She nced at both Lyra and Raven, her expression earnest. ¡°Do either of you have alternative suggestions?¡±
Lyra and Raven exchanged uncertain nces, both appearing to grapple with the weight of the task at hand.
¡°Nope,¡± Lyra finally said, shaking her head with a hint of frustration.
¡°Let¡¯s go with your n,¡± Raven chimed in, her voice steady. ¡°I believe your approach is the safer route.¡± Lyra nodded in agreement, visibly relieved by Raven¡¯s support.
Tess began to rub her fingers together, a habit she had when deep in thought. ¡°So, we need someone who can slip into the factory unnoticed. Who do we have that fits the bill?¡±
¡°Raven and I can¡¯t do it,¡± Lyra said after a thoughtful pause, her voice tinged with worry. ¡°Henry might drop by the factory from time to time, and he already knows both of us. If he spots us there, it could blow our cover. But selecting someone at random feels like a gamble we can¡¯t afford.¡±
Raven¡¯s mind raced through a list of potential candidates, but one by one, she dismissed each name, her expression a mix of frustration and concern.
¡°What about Steven Stone?¡± Tess interjected suddenly, a glimmer of hope in her voice.
¡°I remember that Steven has had directmunication with Nadine, but he hasn¡¯t encountered Henry yet,¡± she added, gauging the reactions of herpanions.
Lyra and Raven exchanged thoughtful looks, and it seemed they were warming to the idea.
¡°Plus, the drones we¡¯re using were developed by Steven himself. If he takes charge, he¡¯ll undoubtedly execute the n more effectively than we could.¡±
Lyra¡¯s face brightened as she slowly nodded, clearly appreciating the notion.
Raven¡¯s excitement bubbled over, and she mmed her palm down on the table, a grin spreading across her face. ¡°I¡¯ll go find him!¡±
Tess, rising to her feet, interjected, ¡°Let me take care of it. This is a significant favor we¡¯re asking, and I can¡¯t just leave everything in your hands without stepping in myself.¡±
Lyra nodded in agreement, her eyes glimmering with determination.
With a shared sense of purpose, they all piled into the car and made their way to the Nexus Research Institute.
Upon their arrival, they were met by Jolie, who stood sentinel at the office door. The moment sheid eyes on them, her expression darkened, a storm brewing in her gaze.
Raven stepped forward, her hand poised to knock, but before she could make contact, Jolie¡¯s voice sliced through the air. ¡°Mr. Stone is sleeping. Please, do not disturb him!¡±
¡°Sleeping?¡± Raven questioned, ncing at her watch in disbelief. The afternoon had already slipped past five o¡¯clock.
¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s nearly dinner time anyway. I¡¯ll go wake him up,¡± Raven replied nonchntly, brushing Jolie aside as she reached for the door once more.
Jolie¡¯s expression morphed into one of sheer disapproval as she stepped in front of Raven, blocking her path with an unwavering stance.
After a series of frustrating attempts to get past, Raven¡¯s annoyance bubbled over. ¡°Are you doing this on purpose?!¡± she snapped, her re fiery.
Jolie dropped any pretense of politeness, her frustration evident. ¡°It¡¯s your fault! Mr. Stone has been working tirelessly in theb all night, and he finally gets a moment of rest. And now youe to disturb him again!¡±
Though her words were directed at Raven, her eyes were fixed on Tess, as if seeking an ally in her irritation.
Confusion knitted Tess¡¯s brow. Why was Jolie directing her ire at her?
¡°Alright then. Please let us know when Steven wakes up,¡± Tess replied, stepping back, her tone diplomatic.
Despite Jolie¡¯s brusque demeanor, Tess noted the genuine concern in her eyes for Steven¡¯s well-being, a trait that felt surprisingly rare in their line of work.
¡°No need, I¡¯m awake.¡±
At that moment, the office door swung open, revealing Steven, d in a wrinkled light blue shirt that hinted at his recent slumber. His eyes were bleary, as if he had just emerged from a dream.
Jolie¡¯s panic was palpable. ¡°Mr. Stone, you hardly slept at all! I¡¯ll kick them out right now so you can rest more. I¡¯ll wake youter for dinner¡¡±
But her words faltered mid-sentence.
Steven¡¯s gaze locked onto hers, devoid of emotion yet piercingly sharp.
Jolie¡¯sposure wavered as she nervously bit her lip, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
¡°You are my assistant. Your primary responsibility is to adhere to my instructions.¡±Conclusion
As Tess and herpanions navigated theplexities of their mission, the emotional weight of uncertainty began to lift, reced by a burgeoning sense of hope. The initial despair that had clouded their thoughts transformed into a collective determination, each of them rallying around Tess¡¯s strategic vision. With the prospect of involving Steven Stone¡ªa man whose expertise and connections could prove invaluable¡ªtheir path felt less daunting. The tension that had gripped them since the beginning of their search began to dissipate, reced by a shared resolve to uncover the truth behind Nichs and his wife¡¯s disappearance. Tess felt a flicker of optimism, knowing that even in the face of adversity, they had each other to rely on, and that camaraderie would be their greatest strength.
In the heart of the Nexus Research Institute, the stakes were higher than ever, but so too was theirmitment to one another. The confrontation with Jolie had revealed theplexities of their situation, yet it also underscored the importance of teamwork and mutual respect. As Steven emerged from his slumber, a sense of urgency intertwined with the camaraderie they had built. Tess recognized that while the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, it was the bonds they formed that would ultimately guide them through the darkness. Together, they stood on the precipice of discovery, ready to face whatevery ahead, their hearts united in purpose and resolve.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension esctes within the Nexus Research Institute, readers can anticipate a pivotal confrontation between Tess, Lyra, and Steven that will set the stage for their daring n to locate Nichs and his wife. With Jolie¡¯s protective instincts shing against the urgency of their mission, the dynamics among the characters are bound to shift dramatically. Will Tess be able to convince Steven to join their cause, or will his reluctance to get involvedplicate their already precarious situation? The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking, pushing Tess to navigate the delicate bnce of persuasion and urgency.
Moreover, the looming threat of management¡¯s involvement adds an intriguingyer of suspense. With Tess¡¯s suspicion that someone higher up may be orchestrating events behind the scenes, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the shadows of the factory. Readers can expect unexpected twists as Tess and her team grapple with the possibility of betrayal from within. As they push forward with their ns, the tension will rise, leading to revtions that could change everything. Will their strategies yield the results they desperately need, or will they walk into a trap set by those they least expect? The answers lie just beyond the horizon, and the journey is only beginning.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 544
Keepsake 544 Summary
In Chapter 544 of ¡°Keepsake 544,¡± tension rises between Steven and Jolie as he expresses his irritation with her concerns about his health. Steven¡¯s stern demeanor leaves no room for Jolie to defend herself, leading to a heart-wrenching moment where she pleads to remain in hisb. Her emotional turmoil is palpable as she feels misunderstood and wronged, especially when Steven dismisses her concerns and suggests she leave for the day. This dismissal deepens her feelings of jealousy and frustration, particrly towards Tess, who seems to have Steven¡¯s favor.
As the chapter progresses, Tess enters the office, sensing the underlying tension. Despite her unease, she tries to engage with Steven, who offers her tea and expresses concern for her well-being. Their conversation shifts as Tess reveals her ns for a factory operation, which Steven initially finds absurd. However, her confidence grows as she presents her idea, and to her surprise, Steven¡¯s enthusiasm begins to surface, indicating his willingness to help.
Their yful banter adds a lighter tone to the chapter, showcasing the budding connection between Tess and Steven. Tess feels a mix of embarrassment and excitement as she navigates their conversation, especially when Steven jokingly suggests preparing for the factory environment. The chapter concludes with Tess feeling relieved that Steven is open to her proposal, and she yfully negotiates a dinner date as part of the agreement, highlighting the growing bond between them amidst the earlier tensions.
Overall, the chapter captures a range of emotions, from Jolie¡¯s jealousy and frustration to Tess¡¯s nervousness and excitement. The dynamics between the characters evolve, setting the stage for potential coboration and deeper connections as they navigate their professional and personal rtionships.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 544**
**Chapter 544: Asking a Favor**
Steven¡¯s voice wasced with irritation, a clear indication that he was losing his patience.
¡°But¡¡±
Jolie¡¯s expression was a mixture of conflict and hesitation. She yearned to voice her thoughts, to defend herself, but Steven¡¯s demeanor was unyielding, cutting her off before she could gather her words.
¡°If you feel the need to overstep your boundaries, then perhaps you¡¯re not suited to remain in myb or to continue as my assistant. Once Iplete this project, I will discuss your reassignment with the dean, and I¡¯ll ensure you find a ce that¡¯s more appropriate for your skills.¡±
His countenance was stern, leaving no space for debate or negotiation.
Jolie¡¯splexion drained of color, her heart racing as she lowered her gaze, her voice quaking with emotion. ¡°Please don¡¯t do that, Mr. Stone. I was only concerned about your health. I promise I won¡¯t interfere again. Just let me stay.¡±
Her words dwindled to a whisper, almost inaudible, akin to the faint buzz of a mosquito, as if she felt utterly wronged and misunderstood.
Steven flicked his gaze toward her momentarily, his expression unyielding. ¡°You can head home early today. Return to the staff dorm and take some time to rest.¡±
He then shifted his attention to Tess, his tone softening slightly. ¡°What are you lingering there for? Come inside.¡±
With that, he swung the office door wide open, silently beckoning her to enter.
At this point, Tess had little choice but toply. She stepped into the room, followed closely by Raven and Lyra. Raven, with a deliberate slowness, allowed Lyra to pass her, casting a smirk at the crestfallen Jolie standing by the door.
Jolie¡¯s jaw tightened, her teeth grinding together, but she held back any reaction, knowing better than to confront them.
Once the door clicked shut behind them, her expression morphed into one of bitter jealousy.
I was only looking out for him! Why does he treat me this way, all because of that woman?
Jolie¡¯s frustration boiled over as she bit down so hard on her teeth that she feared they might shatter, directing all her ire toward Tess.
With a frustrated stomp of her foot, she fled the scene, leaving behind the tension that had filled the air.
Inside the office, Tess felt a slight twitch in her eyelid, a subtle sign of her own unease.
She instinctively rubbed at it, and in that moment, Steven was already offering her a steaming cup of tea. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?¡±
Tess shook her head, attempting to dismiss his concern. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve been juggling too muchtely and haven¡¯t taken the time to rest. I¡¯m feeling a bit flustered.¡±
He nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. ¡°You really should prioritize some rest.¡±
As she took a sip of the warm tea, its soothing warmth enveloped her, easing her tension and smoothing the lines of worry on her face. ¡°You¡¯re telling me to rest? Your assistant mentioned you¡¯ve been burning the candle at both ends for the past few days, and it seems like it¡¯s because of me?¡±
Her words emerged hesitantly, a hint of awkwardness coloring her tone.
¡°Don¡¯t pay any mind to her nonsense. She¡¯s just looking for attention,¡± Steven replied, waving his hand dismissively, his striking gaze settling on Tess with an intensity that made her heart race.
Though his tone was light and teasing, there was a sincerity in his eyes as he regarded her.
It had been just over a month since they first met, yet Tess had blossomed into someone entirely different.
In their initial encounters, she had been shrouded in the grief of losing herwyer¡¯s license. Now, she stood as the CEO of apany on the brink of going public, radiating an aura of strength and authority that was hard to ignore.
He admired her transformation, genuinely pleased to see how far she hade.
Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh, a soft blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Honestly, it felt a bit embarrassing that she was here solely because she needed a favor.
¡°Alright, let¡¯s drop the formalities. Just tell me what¡¯s on your mind,¡± she urged, her voice gaining a bit of confidence.
Noticing her hesitation, Steven quickly interjected, ¡°Well, what can I help you with, Ms. Ember? It¡¯s a pleasant surprise to have you here.¡±
Her heart fluttered at his words, and she took a deep breath before exining her n to bring someone in to assist with Henry¡¯s factory operations.
¡°Are you really suggesting that a top research scientist should work on a factory floor?¡±
Steven removed his sses, staring at her incredulously.
Tess felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment at his reaction.
It did sound a bit oundish.
She bit her lip, trying to find the right words. ¡°This is just a suggestion, of course. If you¡¯re not interested¡¡±
¡°When do you need me? Should I prepare in advance? Maybe I should get a tan to blend in?¡±
Steven interrupted her, his excitement palpable.
His enthusiasm caught her by surprise, and before she could respond, he yfully tapped her on the forehead.
¡°We¡¯re discussing serious matters here. Stay focused.¡±
Tess¡¯s face flushed a deep crimson as she swatted his hand away, shooting him a mock re.
¡°We still need to iron out the details.¡±
Clearing her throat, she looked at him with bright eyes. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re on board?¡±
After all, even though she¡¯d given him an out, she genuinely couldn¡¯t envision anyone else fitting for the task.
Steven adjusted his cor, his demeanor casual. ¡°It sounds intriguing.¡±
¡°However, I do have one condition.¡±
¡°Name it.¡±
Tess felt a wave of relief wash over her. At least he wasn¡¯t outright refusing her request.
She felt a twinge of guilt knowing that Steven was busy because of her, and his willingness to negotiate made her feel a bit better.
¡°When it¡¯s all done, you owe me dinner.¡±
Steven tapped the desk lightly, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
Tess was momentarily speechless, a smile breaking across her face.
Why does everyone seem to want me to treat them to dinner?Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, the emotionalndscape of theb shifted dramatically. Jolie¡¯s heartache, stemming from her desire to care for Steven and her subsequent feeling of rejection, shed painfully with the budding connection between Tess and Steven. Her jealousy and frustration bubbled over, leading her to flee the scene, leaving behind a whirlwind of unresolved emotions. Meanwhile, Tess, having emerged from her own struggles, found sce and strength in Steven¡¯s support, their yful banter hinting at a deeper bond forming between them. The juxtaposition of Jolie¡¯s turmoil and Tess¡¯s newfound confidence painted a vivid picture of theplexities of human rtionships, where love, jealousy, and ambition intertwined.
As the chapter closed, the promise of coboration between Tess and Steven began to overshadow the tension that had just unfolded. Their sharedughter and lighthearted negotiations signaled a shift toward a more hopeful future, one where they could support each other in their respective endeavors. Steven¡¯s willingness to consider Tess¡¯s proposal, coupled with her yful insistence on a dinner date, suggested that their rtionship was evolving beyond mere professional boundaries. In this moment, it became clear that while jealousy and conflict could threaten to tear them apart, the potential for connection and understanding might just forge a new path forward, one filled with promise and the possibility of healing.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension from the previous scene lingers, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected developments in the next chapter. With Jolie¡¯s jealousy simmering just beneath the surface, her next move could either escte the conflict or lead to a surprising alliance. Will she confront Tess directly, or will her frustration manifest in a more insidious way? The dynamics between the characters are shifting, and Jolie¡¯s reaction could set off a chain of events that may alter the course of their rtionships, especially with Steven caught in the middle.
Meanwhile, Tess and Steven¡¯s burgeoning partnership promises to deepen, especially as they navigate theplexities of their professional and personal lives. With Steven¡¯s willingness to step out of hisfort zone and embrace a new role, readers can expect moments of levity and camaraderie that highlight their growing connection. Yet, the yful banter over dinner suggests that there are still unspoken feelings simmering beneath the surface. As they embark on this new venture together, will the lines between business and personal begin to blur? The anticipation builds as we wonder how their coboration will unfold and what challenges lie ahead.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 545
Keepsake 545 Summary
In Chapter 545 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Farewell Dinner,¡± Tess senses a change in Steven as he reveals his impending departure to the overseas headquarters. His usually bright eyes reflect a shadow of sadness that unsettles her. Despite her steady voice, Tess¡¯s concern is palpable as she questions Steven about what he is hiding. The atmosphere shifts dramatically as Steven confirms that he must leave, creating a heavy silence in the room that even Raven, typically chatty, cannot break.
Tess attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy by suggesting a farewell dinner, but her emotions betray her. As she traces the rim of her cup, seekingfort, Steven¡¯s faint smile does little to mask the turmoil within him. Lyra¡¯s curiosity about the reasons behind Steven¡¯s departure only adds to the tension, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Tess, determined to support Steven, raises her cup in a toast to his future, her voice steady yet filled with emotion.
As the conversation progresses, Steven struggles with his own feelings, unsure of Tess¡¯s true sentiments. The moment bes more poignant as Tess agrees to help him leave as soon as possible, showing her willingness to support him despite the pain of separation. After Tess and the others leave, Steven is left alone, feeling an ache in his chest as he reflects on her absence, longing for her presence.
In a parallel storyline, Steven contacts Terry to request the transfer of his assistant, Jolie, as he prepares to leave. His firm decision causes tension and frustration, especially as Terry struggles to understand the reasons behind Steven¡¯s sudden change. Jolie, feeling the sting of rejection, defends herself, but the conversation quickly turns into a confrontation about her rtionship with Steven, revealing underlying jealousy and tension. The chapter concludes with Jolie feeling defeated and emotional, highlighting the ripple effects of Steven¡¯s departure on those around him.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 545: Farewell Dinner**
As Tess lifted her gaze to meet Steven¡¯s, she was caught off guard by the fleeting shadow of mncholy that passed through his usually bright eyes. It was a rare sight, one she hadn¡¯t expected to see, and it sent a ripple of unease through her.
¡°Something¡¯s not right,¡± she thought, her brow furrowing slightly. ¡°You¡¯re hiding something from me, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her voice was steady, but the concern beneath it was palpable.
Steven hesitated, the silence stretching between them like an unspoken barrier. Finally, he nodded, almost imperceptibly. ¡°The project turned out great,¡± he began, his voice measured, ¡°but soon, I¡¯ll be leaving for the overseas headquarters.¡±
The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. Even Raven, who typically filled the space with her chatter, fell silent, absorbing the weight of his words.
¡°A farewell dinner, then?¡± Tess ventured, attempting to sound nonchnt, but the heaviness in her tone betrayed her.
Her fingers traced the rim of her cup, seekingfort in its warmth, as if it could shield her from the impending change.
¡°Maybe,¡± he replied, a faint smile gracing his lips, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes, which remained clouded with something deeper.
¡°Isn¡¯t Nexus Research Institute thriving? Why do you need to head to the headquarters?¡± Lyra interjected, her curiosity piqued, but also tinged with concern.
Though they hadn¡¯t shared as many moments with Steven as they had with Abel, the tension in the room was palpable, and Tess¡¯s sorrow was contagious.
¡°It¡¯s the decision made by the headquarters,¡± Steven exined, his tone calm andposed. ¡°They¡¯ve brought in a new wave of researchers, and they need my guidance to help them settle in.¡±
Tess nodded, absorbing his words. Then, with a sudden burst of resolve, she raised her teacup and gently clinked it against his. ¡°Then I wish you a brilliant future and a smooth journey ahead,¡± she dered, her voice steady yetced with emotion.
His fingers tightened around his cup, the gesture almost instinctual. He swallowed hard, forcing a small smile to mask the turmoil within. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll take all the good wishes I can get.¡±
¡°So, when exactly do we start?¡± he asked, cutting through the lingering silence with a directness that surprised even him.
¡°As soon as possible,¡± Tess replied after a moment¡¯s thought. ¡°That way, it won¡¯t dy your trip.¡±
Steven¡¯s gaze lingered on her face, searching for something he couldn¡¯t quite define.
Sometimes, he found it hard to gauge Tess¡¯s true feelings. Did she genuinely care, or was she merely putting on a brave face? Her calm demeanor often left him feeling helpless, caught in a web of uncertainty.
¡°There¡¯s no rush,¡± he said slowly, weighing his words. ¡°But if you¡¯re in a hurry, I can leave as early as tomorrow.¡±
Tess met his gaze with determination. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll have Lyra and the others take you there then.¡±
She nodded quickly, her agreementing without a moment¡¯s hesitation. After giving her instructions, she didn¡¯t linger, leaving with Lyra and Raven, the door clicking shut behind them.
Steven¡¯s eyes trailed after her until the door was firmly closed, an ache settling in his chest. Even in her absence, his gaze remained fixed on the spot where she had stood, as if he could will her back with sheer willpower.
He didn¡¯t know how long he stood there, lost in thought, before finally pulling out his phone and dialing Terry¡¯s number, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on his shoulders.
¡°Mr. Curtis¡¡±
¡°Ah, Steven! What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Terry¡¯s voice was warm and cheerful, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Steven¡¯s heart.
¡°I¡¯d like to transfer Jolie out. I¡¯ll be returning to headquarters soon, and she doesn¡¯t need toe with me.¡± His tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of firmness that brooked no argument.
Terry hesitated, a frown creasing his brow. ¡°Steven, Jolie has been your assistant since you joined Nexus Research Institute. Did she do something wrong?¡±
¡°I need an assistant, not someone who tries to control me. This is not up for discussion,¡± Steven replied, his voice resolute.
With that, he ended the call abruptly, the sound of the line disconnecting echoing in his ears.
Beep, beep.
Terry frowned at the phone, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Reluctantly, he dialed Jolie¡¯s number, knowing the conversation wouldn¡¯t be pleasant.
¡°What?¡± Jolie¡¯s voice came through,ced with disbelief.
Terry sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can do. Steven is one of the top talents that the headquarters values most. I can¡¯t force him to change his mind. What did you do to upset him this time?¡±
He rubbed his temples, a headache forming from the stress of it all.
¡°I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± Jolie shot back, her voice rising defensively.
¡°Didn¡¯t do anything? Steven isn¡¯t the type to make decisions on a whim. Do you think it¡¯s easy to get close to someone like him? If you hadn¡¯t insisted on working under him, I wouldn¡¯t have gone to such lengths to arrange it!¡± Terry¡¯s frustration was palpable, and he struggled to keep his tone even.
¡°It¡¯s all because of Tess!¡± Jolie eximed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her tone sharp and filled with venom.
¡°Tess?¡± Terry frowned, trying to reconcile the name with the image of the elegant, determined woman he hade to know.
As the director of Nexus Research Institute, his days were filled with administrative tasks, but he kept himself updated on thetest happenings in Aetheris. He was well aware of the controversies surrounding Tess, her cleverness and ambition making headlines.
¡°Forget it,¡± he finally said, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. ¡°If Steven wants you gone, thene back and assist me here. It¡¯ll be easier work anyway.¡±
Jolie bit her lip, the urge to argue still bubbling within her. ¡°But can¡¯t you¡ª¡±
¡°Jolie!¡± Terry¡¯s voice was sharp, cutting through her protests with a finality that left no room for discussion.
Swallowing her words, she lowered her head, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
When the call finally ended, her phone screen went dark, leaving her staring at it for what felt like an eternity. Slowly, she lowered it, her face pale and drawn, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon her shoulders.Conclusion
As the farewell dinner drew to a close, the emotional undertones lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. Tess, despite her brave facade, felt the ache of separation settling deep within her chest. She had wished Steven well, but the reality of his impending departure loomed over her like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on the warmth of their shared moments. The tension that had filled the room was a testament to the connections forged, even if they had been brief. Tess understood that goodbyes were never easy, especially when they were intertwined with theplexities of unexpressed emotions. The quiet resolve she had shown masked a deeper sorrow, one that made her heart ache for what could have been.
Meanwhile, Steven stood alone, grappling with the weight of his decision and the void left by Tess¡¯s absence. Her determination to support him, even in the face of her own pain, struck a chord within him, amplifying the turmoil he felt about leaving. The rity of his choice to transfer Jolie away only added to his sense of loss, as he realized that he was not just leaving behind a job, but also a connection that had begun to mean something profound. As he stared at the closed door, he understood that this farewell was not just a parting of ways; it was a poignant reminder of the fragility of rtionships and the bittersweet nature of change. In that moment, both Tess and Steven were left to navigate the echoes of their emotions, each carrying a piece of the other into the unknown future that awaited them.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension from the farewell dinner lingers in the air, readers can anticipate a deepening exploration of the emotional currents that bind Tess and Steven together. With Steven¡¯s impending departure looming, the next chapter promises to delve into the ramifications of his decision, not just for him, but for Tess and the dynamics within their circle of friends. Will Tess confront her feelings for Steven, or will she continue to mask her emotions behind a fa?ade of bravery? The stakes are high, and the uncertainty surrounding their rtionship is bound to unravel in unexpected ways.
Moreover, the fallout from Steven¡¯s abrupt decision regarding Jolie is set to create ripples that will affect the entire Nexus Research Institute. With Terry caught in the crossfire, readers can expect a confrontation that will reveal more about Jolie¡¯s motivations and herplex rtionship with Steven. As tensions escte, alliances may shift, and loyalties will be tested, leading to a dramatic confrontation that could change the course of their intertwined fates. The next chapter is poised to be a turning point, filled with revtions and emotional depth, leaving readers eager to discover how these characters navigate their challenges and what sacrifices they may need to make for the sake of their futures.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 546
Keepsake 546 Summary
In Chapter 546 of ¡°Keepsake 546,¡± Jolie is caught off guard by Steven¡¯s insistence on her departure, leading to a tense confrontation. As she grips her phone tightly, a sense of anger and frustration builds within her. The atmosphere bes charged when Tess exits Steven¡¯s office, and Jolie uses her of causing her transfer, unleashing a wave of hostility. Tess is confused but tries to defend herself, while Jolie¡¯s usations grow sharper and more venomous, revealing her underlying jealousy and desire for control over the situation.
The confrontation esctes as Tess stands her ground, asserting her position as Steven¡¯s guest while dismissing Jolie¡¯s authority as merely his assistant. Tess¡¯s transformation from a passive figure to a confidentwyer is evident, as she confronts Jolie about overstepping boundaries. Despite Jolie¡¯s attempts to manipte the situation by invoking Steven¡¯s hard work and dedication, Tess remains resolute, challenging Jolie¡¯s right to speak for Steven and urging her to address her feelings directly.
As the tension peaks, Jolie¡¯s confidence momentarily falters when Tess¡¯s calm demeanor and assertive words cut through her anger. Tess¡¯s refusal to engage with Jolie¡¯s provocations signifies a shift in power dynamics, leaving Jolie feeling isted and furious. The chapter ends with Tess leaving in her car, while Raven and Lyra reflect on the confrontation. Raven¡¯s lightheartedness contrasts with Tess¡¯s internal struggle, hinting at the emotional turmoil she feels despite the victory over Jolie.
Overall, the chapter captures theplex emotions of jealousy, resentment, and empowerment as the characters navigate their rtionships with one another. Jolie¡¯s need for validation shes with Tess¡¯s newfound strength, setting the stage for further conflict and character development in the story.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 546**
**Chapter 546: Don¡¯t Feel Guilty**
Jolie had not anticipated that Steven would be so adamant about her departure this time around.
Her body tensed up, a tightness spreading through her limbs as she instinctively tightened her grip around her phone. It felt as though she might shatter it into pieces if she squeezed any harder.
Just then, Tess emerged from Steven¡¯s office, her footsteps echoing down the long corridor as she made her way toward the front entrance. A gentle breeze swept past her, brushing against her back, stirring the quiet tension in the air.
¡°Are you satisfied now?¡±
The voice that pierced the silence was icy,ced with hostility.
Tess halted abruptly, recognizing the voice was directed at her. She turned to see a woman partially cloaked in shadows, her expression radiating animosity.
Jolie red at her, eyes narrowed as if she were facing a sworn enemy.
Confusion clouded Tess¡¯s mind, and she furrowed her brow, scrutinizing Jolie with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. ¡°Satisfied with what?¡± she asked, her toneced with skepticism.
¡°Steven had me transferred.¡±
Jolie¡¯s words cut through the air, sharp and venomous, reminiscent of a character from a horror film.
Tess¡¯s jaw tightened at the usation, but before she could muster a response, Raven interjected, her voice assertive.
¡°What does your transfer have to do with Tess? Sounds to me like you¡¯re just meddling where you don¡¯t belong.¡±
Jolie rolled her eyes dramatically, clearly unfazed by Raven¡¯s challenge.
She thrived on creating chaos, all while refusing to shoulder any me herself. The mere thought of someone trying to manipte her emotions sent her into a simmering rage.
¡°Ms. Jolie, please refrain from causing a scene. We have matters to attend to, so kindly step aside,¡± Lyra said, stepping forward to shield Tess from Jolie¡¯s ire.
Despite Lyra¡¯s calm demeanor, her unwavering gaze pinned Jolie in ce, signaling her authority in the situation.
Jolie had lived a life of privilege, where she had only ever feltpelled to respect one person: Steven. Beneath her tough exterior, she was nothing more than a drama queen craving attention.
As the three women regarded her with disdain, Jolie¡¯s irritation boiled over. ¡°Tess, do you really think this has nothing to do with you? If it weren¡¯t for your presence, Steven would have taken me back to headquarters. So, what are you even doing here today?¡±
Her voice was rising, a tempest brewing within her.
Tess¡¯s expression hardened, her resolve solidifying.
Gone was the easygoing woman of the past; thewyer in her had never allowed anyone to walk all over her. Why should she start now?
¡°Jolie, Steven is remarkably patient. If you hadn¡¯t continuously overstepped your boundaries, he wouldn¡¯t have had to make such a request. Let¡¯s be clear¡ªI¡¯m his guest, and you¡¯re merely his assistant. Your role is to inform him of my presence, not to dictate terms or try to toss me out.¡±
Tess crossed her arms, towering over Jolie, her icy gaze a stark contrast to Jolie¡¯s simmering fury.
A strange chill crept into Jolie¡¯s fingers, but jealousy propelled her to cling to her argument. ¡°I¡¯m his assistant, not yours!¡±
She shot Tess an infuriated re, her voice dripping with contempt. ¡°Do you have any idea how many sleepless nights he¡¯s spent working on those drones? When I went to wake him this morning, he had just turned off the lights to finally catch some sleep. If you truly cared about him, you wouldn¡¯t be pushing him to the brink like this.¡±
Her words flowed rapidly, sharp as daggers. Tess fell silent for a heartbeat, the weight of Jolie¡¯s usation settling heavily in the air.
It was undeniably true.
Steven had been bending over backwards to amodate her needs, pouring his heart and soul into helping her. And now, with Jolie throwing that truth in her face, guilt surged within Tess like a tidal wave.
¡°Jolie, who gave you the right to speak for Steven and to disparage Tess in such a manner?¡±
Lyra sensed the shift in Tess¡¯s demeanor and stepped in before she could respond, her re directed at Jolie.
¡°Assistant? You genuinely think that grants you authority over anyone?¡±
Raven quickly added, her eyes scanning Jolie with barely concealed disdain.
But Jolie dismissed them both, her focusser-like on Tess. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Cat got your tongue? I assumed someone like you would just bask in the perks and pretend everything was fine.¡±
Tess lowered her gaze, her longshes casting dark shadows beneath her eyes, the silence stretching ufortably between them.
She remained utterly mute, and Jolie took this as a sign of victory.
Just as her confidence began to swell, a mockingugh cut through the tension like a knife.
Jolie¡¯s heart sank, a wave of anger flooding her cheeks. ¡°What are youughing at?!¡±
Tess met her re with unwavering resolve. ¡°Lyra and Raven are correct. Whatever is happening between Steven and me is our business. You are his assistant, not a judge or interrogator.¡±
¡°And don¡¯t think I don¡¯t see through your act. If you have feelings for him, if you genuinely care, then tell him directly. Stop unloading all this nonsense onto me. It¡¯s futile.¡±
With that, Tess pivoted on her heel, determination radiating from her every move.
Lyra nced back at the frozen figure of Jolie, her expression inscrutable, before following Tess out the door.
Raven, however, couldn¡¯t resist rolling her eyes, her gaze lingering on Jolie¡¯s clenched fists, a sound of disapproval escaping her lips.
Though she remained silent, her disdain was palpable.
Jolie¡¯s face paled with fury, but Tess had already slipped into her car, driving away from the scene.
¡°You all missed the look on her face just now,¡± Raven eximed, her excitement bubbling over as she twisted in the passenger seat to face Tess and Lyra. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she pped her hands together.
Tess, however, seemed less enthused, curling into her seat, her gaze fixed out the window, lost in her own thoughts.
¡°You don¡¯t need to feel too guilty,¡± Raven said, her voice softening as she nced at Tess, sensing the turmoil within her.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Tess sat in the car, her heart heavy with the weight of Jolie¡¯s usations. The words had cut deeper than she had anticipated, stirring a whirlwind of emotions that left her feeling vulnerable. Despite Raven¡¯s attempt to lighten the mood, Tess couldn¡¯t shake the gnawing guilt that enveloped her. She hade to realize that her presence in Steven¡¯s life had inadvertently strained his rtionship with Jolie, a fact that now haunted her. Yet, in the silence of the car, Tess also understood that she had a right to carve out her own space in Steven¡¯s world, one that was not dictated by Jolie¡¯s insecurities or need for attention.
As they drove away, the tension that had filled the air began to dissipate, reced by a resolute sense of rity within Tess. She had stood her ground against Jolie, asserting her own worth and the legitimacy of her feelings for Steven. It was a pivotal moment of growth, a deration that she would no longer allow herself to be overshadowed by someone else¡¯s drama. With each passing mile, Tess felt the shackles of guilt begin to loosen, reced by a burgeoning confidence that reminded her of her own strength. She was not merely an essory in Steven¡¯s life; she was a force to be reckoned with, ready to embrace whatever challengesy ahead.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions between Jolie and Tess are set to escte as the fallout from their confrontation reverberates through their lives. With Jolie¡¯s vindictive nature threatening to unravel the delicate bnce between her and Steven, readers can expect a deeper dive into theplexities of loyalty and ambition. Tess, grappling with her newfound guilt over Steven¡¯s well-being, may find herself at a crossroads. Will she confront her feelings for him, or will the weight of Jolie¡¯s usations push her further away? The emotional stakes are rising, and Tess will need to decide how much she is willing to sacrifice for her own happiness.
Meanwhile, Jolie¡¯s simmering rage is bound to lead her down a darker path. As she plots her next move, her maniptive tendencies could create chaos that not only threatens Tess¡¯s position but also puts Steven in a precarious situation. The chapter promises to unveil Jolie¡¯s true motivations, revealing whether she is driven by jealousy or a deeper, moreplex desire to reim her position in Steven¡¯s life. With the stage set for an explosive confrontation, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the lengths to which Jolie will go to assert her dominance and the consequences that will follow.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 547
Keepsake 547 Summary
In Chapter 547 of ¡°Keepsake 547,¡± the atmosphere is charged with tension as Lyra initiates a serious conversation with Tess. Lyra¡¯s firm yet gentle approach reveals her concern for Tess, who is grappling with feelings of guilt regarding Steven¡¯s sacrifices for her. Tess reflects on their past, recalling how Steven, once a promising tech star at Lock Group, abandoned his career to support her during a difficult time. This inner turmoil ispounded by the looming influence of Jolie, who watches from the shadows, consumed by envy and resentment.
As Tess and Lyra discuss the need to not let Jolie manipte them, Tess begins to feel a flicker of hope, suggesting they throw Steven a farewell party. However, the mood shifts when Jolie confronts Steven in his office, her emotions boiling over as she realizes the dangerous task being assigned to him. Her frustration grows as she struggles to connect with him, feeling invisible and dismissed despite her long-standing loyalty. Steven¡¯s cold demeanor contrasts sharply with the warmth he shows Tess, intensifying Jolie¡¯s feelings of inadequacy and desperation.
Jolie¡¯s attempts to engage Steven only lead to more frustration, as he remains focused on his work and dismissive of her presence. The emotional distance between them bes painfully clear when he tells her to pack her things and leave. This moment is a turning point for Jolie, who feels the weight of her unfulfilled desires and the reality of her situation pressing down on her. As she watches Steven retreat, a sense of loss washes over her, but she ispelled to linger, clutching a key that symbolizes her unresolved feelings and intentions.
The chapter encapstes aplex intery of emotions: Tess¡¯s guilt and hope, Jolie¡¯s envy and desperation, and Steven¡¯s indifference. The characters are caught in a web of past sacrifices, present tensions, and uncertain futures, leaving readers eager to see how these dynamics will unfold. The looming presence of Jolie and her intentions adds an element of suspense, hinting at potential conflict as the story progresses.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 547**
**Chapter 547: Pack Your Things**
The air in the room was thick with unspoken words when Lyra¡¯s voice sliced through the silence. ¡°We need to talk,¡± she said, her tone firm yet gentle.
Tess halted mid-thought, her gaze shifting to meet Lyra¡¯s eyes, which shimmered with concern. There was something in that look that made Tess instinctively bite her lip, a habit she had developed over the years whenever anxiety crept in.
Raven, who had been smiling just moments before, suddenly became still, her expression morphing into one of seriousness. The mood in the car shifted palpably, as if they were all holding their breath, waiting for the next wave to crash.
Lyra reached out, her fingers brushing against Tess¡¯s in a soft, reassuring gesture. ¡°Look, I know Steven has been a huge help to us. It feels a bit selfish to say this, but he chose to be part of this too. If you let Jolie manipte you, then she wins. And we can¡¯t let that happen.¡±
Tess exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction. ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± she replied, though the uncertainty in her voice betrayed her. Her gaze drifted toward the window, her thoughts clearly elsewhere, lost in a haze of memories and regrets.
She continued, her voice barely above a whisper, ¡°When I was awyer at Lock Group, Steven and I were close. He was my anchor. And when everything fell apart, he severed ties with Finn and left the country. I¡¯ve always felt this heavy weight of guilt for what he sacrificed for me.¡±
Back then, Lock Group was a titan in Crorus, and Steven, a rising star in the tech department, had a promising future ahead of him. Yet, he had willingly tossed it all aside, venturing into the unknown just to be there for her. It was a testament to his character, one that Tess cherished andmented in equal measure.
¡°Talent shines no matter where itnds,¡± she thought, a small flicker of pride igniting within her.
¡°We should throw him a proper farewell party when this project wraps up,¡± Lyra suggested, her fingers still gently rubbing Tess¡¯s to soothe her frayed nerves.
Tess nodded, a small smile breaking through her earlier mncholy.
As they drove away, the trio remained blissfully unaware of the figure lurking in the shadows, watching their departure with a gaze that could cut ss.
Jolie stood there, her heart racing with a mix of envy and resentment, the cold wind biting at her skin as she felt fury simmering within her. She remained rooted in ce until the chill seeped deep into her bones, finally forcing her to move toward Steven¡¯s office, her steps slow and deliberate, each one heavy with the weight of her emotions.
Just as she had anticipated, the light in Steven¡¯s office was still glowing warmly against the encroaching night.
With a cautious approach, she crept closer, allowing only a furtive nce into the room.
Inside, Steven was hunched over his desk,pletely absorbed in his work, a sprawling map unfurled before him.
Jolie recognized that map instantly; it was the very one Lyra had handed to him earlier, detailing a factory located on the outskirts of Aetheris.
The audacity of it all struck her like a blow. They were actually asking Steven to infiltrate that ce and track someone down? The thought sent a wave of indignation coursing through her veins.
How could they even consider putting him in such a dangerous position? Steven was a brilliant tech researcher, and she wouldn¡¯t even trust him with trivial tasks, let alone something so reckless.
Yet here he was, diving headfirst into their unreasonable demands as if they were nothing more than a casual request.
The more she reyed the scene in her mind, the angrier she became, her arm trembling involuntarily with frustration.
Knock, knock!
This time, she struck the door firmly, her heart racing.
¡°Come in,¡± came Steven¡¯s voice, calm and collected.
As she entered, Steven nced up, momentarily taken aback by her presence. But he quickly regained hisposure, his face settling into an expression of cool indifference. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±
Jolie felt her cheeks flush, her nerves making her fidget with her fingers. ¡°Mr. Curtis has informed me,¡± she managed to stammer out.
Steven shrugged, his demeanor unbothered. ¡°Then pack your things and get going.¡±
The words hit her like a cold wave, draining the color from her face.
She gripped the edge of her leg, trying to project an air of calm. ¡°Okay,¡± she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she lifted her gaze, her eyes shimmering with a mix of longing and desperation. ¡°Mr. Stone, I¡¯m leaving in a few days. I just wish I could stay by your side until then.¡±
For a fleeting moment, Steven¡¯s fingers paused on the map, but he quickly resumed his focus. ¡°No need. I won¡¯t be here for a while.¡±
¡°Are you going to that factory?¡± she blurted out, her curiosity getting the better of her.
The question hung in the air, and she immediately regretted her impulsiveness, falling silent as he replied, ¡°Yeah.¡±
He didn¡¯t even bother to look up, and in that moment, Jolie felt as if she had vanished into thin air. The frustration bubbled within her, threatening to overflow.
¡°Are you still busy? Will you be stayingte like before?¡± she pressed, unwilling to let the conversation die, as if she needed him to acknowledge her presence just a little longer.
Steven¡¯s brow furrowed slightly at her persistence, impatience creeping into his voice. ¡°You can go and rest first. If you don¡¯t want to, you can start packing your things now.¡±
His words were sharp and unyielding.
Yet, she couldn¡¯t help but notice he had never spoken to Tess in such a manner. From what she gathered, Tess had only worked alongside him at Lock Group for a year, while she had been by his side for much longer.
Frustration gnawed at her insides, and she clenched her teeth, battling against the sting of his cold remarks.
¡°Mr. Stone, there are only a few days left. Let me assist you a bit more,¡± she implored, stepping closer in a bid to bridge the emotional chasm between them.
Reaching for the teapot, she intended to pour him a cup, hoping to create a moment of connection.
But before her fingers could even grasp the handle, Steven moved the cup aside and rose to his feet. ¡°You can leave. I¡¯m going back to rest.¡±
Jolie¡¯s hand hung suspended in the air, caught between hope and despair. But Steven seemed oblivious, striding toward the door with purpose. ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving?¡± he asked, ncing back only briefly.
With no other option, she trailed behind him, the weight of her unfulfilled desires pressing down on her.
As he closed the door behind them without a second thought, heading straight to his room, she felt a pang of loss.
But just as she was about to turn away, somethingpelled her to nce back at the office.
Once she was sure Steven had truly gone, she hesitated, then revealed a key from her palm, its surface glinting ominously in the dim light.Conclusion
As the chapter draws to a close, the emotional currents swirling around Tess, Lyra, and Jolie have reached a critical juncture. Tess¡¯s moment of vulnerability, where she confronts her past and the guilt she harbors about Steven¡¯s sacrifices, serves as a poignant reminder of the weight that unspoken emotions can carry. Lyra¡¯s steadfast support offers Tess a glimmer of hope, suggesting that perhaps they can honor Steven¡¯s journey rather than let jealousy and maniption dictate their actions. The small smile that breaks through Tess¡¯s mncholy signifies a tentative step towards healing, a recognition that while the past may haunt them, the present holds the potential for camaraderie and celebration.
On the other hand, Jolie¡¯s confrontation with Steven encapstes her desperate longing for connection amidst the istion she feels. Her futile attempts to bridge the emotional gap only highlight the chasm that has formed between them, entuated by Steven¡¯s cold indifference. As she clutches the key in her palm, a symbol of her unresolved feelings and unfulfilled desires, it bes clear that her journey is far from over. The chapter leaves readers suspended in a moment of tension, where the stakes are high, and the choices made in theing days will irrevocably alter the dynamics between these three characters. Each of them stands at a crossroads, faced with the challenge of navigating their intertwined fates, and the echoes of their decisions will resonate long after they part ways.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as Jolie grapples with her feelings of betrayal and desperation. With the revtion of the key in her hand, the stakes are raised significantly. What secrets does she n to uncover, and how will her actions impact the fragile dynamics between her, Steven, and Tess? The emotional undercurrents will likely deepen, as Jolie¡¯s motivations be clearer, driving her to make choices that could alter the course of their intertwined lives. The air is thick with anticipation, and the question looms: will she act on her impulses or retreat into the shadows of her unspoken feelings?
Meanwhile, Tess and Lyra will confront the implications of their ns for Steven, as they navigate theplexities of loyalty and sacrifice. As they prepare for the farewell party, underlying tensions may surface, revealing cracks in their friendship and the potential for betrayal from unexpected quarters. Will they be able to rally around Steven, or will Jolie¡¯s interference create a rift that could jeopardize everything they¡¯ve worked for? The chapter promises to unravel secrets, ignite conflicts, and challenge the characters¡¯ resolve as they approach a pivotal moment in their journey. Expect revtions that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what lies ahead in the unfolding drama of Keepsake 547.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 548
Keepsake 548 Summary
In Chapter 548 of ¡°Keepsake 548,¡± the atmosphere is thick with tension as Jolie approaches her apartment, where a heated confrontation awaits. Shannon¡¯s icy disdain for Henry is palpable, and the emotional distance between the two is stark. Despite Henry¡¯s attempts to bridge the gap with forced reassurances, Shannon¡¯s frustration boils over as she confronts him about his broken promises and the emotional betrayal she feels after he married Kylie. The conversation esctes, highlighting their unresolved issues and deep-seated pain.
As Shannon expresses her anguish, she feels trapped and suffocated by Henry¡¯s excuses and the weight of their shared past. Her emotions are further amplified by her pregnancy, leading to a vtile mix of anger and sorrow. Henry, overwhelmed by the confrontation and his own financial pressures, reacts defensively, which only deepens Shannon¡¯s sense of betrayal. Their rtionship, once filled with love, has transformed into a battleground of usations and hurt, leaving both characters feeling isted and misunderstood.
In a moment of desperation, Henry storms out, leaving Shannon in stunned silence. The emotional fallout of their argument hits Shannon hard, causing her physical pain and distress. She calls out for help, her anxiety escting into a frantic need for support. When Tania arrives, Shannon¡¯s fear for her unborn child takes center stage, leading her to demand immediate medical attention with an intensity that shocks Tania.
As Shannon¡¯s panic reaches a breaking point, she copses, leaving Tania to grapple with the chaos of the situation. The chapter closes with Tania¡¯s frustration and concern as she contemtes the broken phone and the remnants of a troubled past. The emotional turmoil of the characters is palpable, setting the stage for the unfolding drama and the challenges they must face moving forward.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 548**
**Chapter 548: Medical Emergency**
The night enveloped the world in a thick cloak of darkness. The only illumination came from the moon, which peeked shyly from behind a curtain of clouds, casting a silvery glow that barely prated the shadows. In Jolie¡¯s hand, the keys sparkled momentarily, and the faint glimmer in her eyes mirrored a flicker of hope in the all-consuming ckness.
As she approached the apartment, a familiar tension filled the air.
¡°So, you finally decided to grace us with your presence?¡± Shannon¡¯s voice dripped with icy disdain as she shot Henry a piercing look.
They upied the same couch, yet an invisible chasm stretched between them¡ªone on the left, the other on the right, like two strangers reluctantly sharing a confined space. The silence was thick, filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.
Henry attempted to lighten the mood with a forced smile, though it felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t be upset. Just bear with me a little longer. Once this hectic phase passes, I promise I¡¯ll be with you¡ªreally with you¡ªall the time.¡±
He reached out, wanting to draw her close, to bridge the gap that had grown between them. But Shannon recoiled, pushing his hand away with a swift motion. ¡°You always say that! It¡¯s always something¡ªwork, deals, excuses! When will it end?¡±
Her re pierced through him, a fiery arrow aimed directly at his heart.
Henry¡¯s hand hovered awkwardly in the air before he finally withdrew it, the warmth of her presence slipping away. The smile that had graced his lips faltered, but he quickly masked his difort, trying to smooth over the tension. ¡°Shannon, please, don¡¯t do this right now. You know how swamped I am. The Larsons are in town, and you understand how crucial this is for our future. Don¡¯t make this any more difficult for me.¡±
As he spoke, Shannon felt a tightness constricting her chest. A sharp pang of ache surged within her, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Perhaps it was the pregnancy hormones ying tricks on her emotions, amplifying her sensitivity, but she couldn¡¯t help the way she felt. Every word he uttered was a reminder of their past conversations, yet it only deepened her sense of entrapment, suffocation, and simmering rage.
¡°You just want to stay there, don¡¯t you?¡± she retorted, her voiceced with fury. Vivid images from earlier that day flooded her mind¡ªtexts, photos, clues that she could no longer ignore. Her vision blurred as the bitterness of anger intertwined with the sting of heartbreak.
She clenched her jaw tightly, transforming every ounce of sorrow into a fierce, burning anger.
Henry was already on edge, his mood soured by a day filled with financial strain and disappointment. He hade to Shannon¡¯s ce seeking sce, but instead, he was met with suspicion, usations, and a tempest of yelling. His expression darkened.
¡°Enough!¡± he barked, rubbing his temples in an attempt to stave off the growing frustration that threatened to spill over.
Shannon froze at his outburst. The chill in his eyes sent a wave of fear crashing over her.
¡°I¡¯ve been with you since we were kids!¡± she cried, her voice trembling with raw emotion. ¡°You promised to marry me. You said it a hundred times! But then you betrayed me and married Kylie! I stood by your side as your lover, supporting your dreams. Is this how you repay my loyalty?¡±
Her eyes widened, filled with disbelief and anguish, as if she were confronting a stranger rather than the man she had loved for so long.
To Henry, her voice morphed into a cacophony¡ªsharp, relentless, and utterly draining. The gentle Shannon he had once cherished now felt like a frenzied stranger, lost to him.
Why couldn¡¯t she see? Everything he did¡ªthe deals he struck, the sacrifices he made¡ªwas for her and their unborn child.
But the apartment that once felt like a sanctuary now closed in on him, suffocating and stifling. He could no longer bear the weight of their shared space.
With a sudden surge of impulse, Henry mmed the door behind him and stepped into the night, refusing to nce back.
Shannon was left in stunned silence, her gaze fixed on the door that stood ajar, a gaping maw of uncertainty. She had no idea how long she remained there, waiting for him to return, but the door remained stubbornly closed.
¡°Ugh¡ª¡±
Perhaps it was the mounting stress or the simmering anger that bubbled within her. With a groan, she clutched her stomach, half-copsing onto the couch, her expression contorted in pain.
¡°Where is everyone? Tania! Are you dead or what?!¡±
Her voice escted into a sharp, desperate scream. In a fit of rage, she swept her arm across the table, sending ssware crashing to the ground, shards scattering like her frayed nerves.
When Tania finally burst through the door, she was greeted by the sight of Shannon, her face slick with sweat and panic.
The moment their eyes met, Shannon seized Tania¡¯s arm with a grip so fierce that her nails dug into Tania¡¯s skin.
¡°Ouch!¡± Tania winced, trying to break free, but Shannon¡¯s hold was unyielding. Bent over the couch, she looked up at Tania with wild, frantic eyes. ¡°Call an ambnce! Take me to the hospital! If anything happens to my baby, I swear I¡¯ll make you pay for it!¡±
Shannon¡¯s voice rang out, a chaotic blend of anger, fear, and desperation.
Tania froze for a moment, taken aback by the intensity radiating from Shannon. She looked like a cornered animal, ready tosh out. Trembling slightly, Tania fumbled for her phone, her hands shaking as she began to dial.
¡°Hello? Yes¡ª¡±
Before she couldplete the call, Shannon snatched the phone from her grasp, barking out their address with urgency. ¡°If you¡¯rete and something happens to my baby, you¡¯ll all be fired, do you hear me?!¡±
After her tirade, Shannon hurled the phone to the floor, the loud crack reverberating through the room, causing Tania to jump in shock. Her eyes widened as she bent down to retrieve it, but Shannon¡¯s iron grip mped down on her wrist, holding her in ce.
Tania felt the tension in the air, the phone lying just out of reach, its screen dark and lifeless. She could only watch, helpless and frustrated, as Shannon¡¯s grip refused to relent.
Finally, the pressure eased.
Shannon¡¯s body went limp, her consciousness slipping away as she fainted.
Tania quickly pried her hand free and rushed to check the phone. It was broken, the screen shattered beyond repair, and it wouldn¡¯t even turn on.
Frustration flickered across her face. She red at Shannon¡¯s unconscious form, then turned toward Kaleb¡¯s room, the door firmly shut, silence reigning within. The boy was blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding in the living room.
After onest nce at Shannon to ensure she was truly out cold, Tania quietly slipped into her own room. She crouched by the trash can and soon discovered what she had been searching for¡ªseveral small, broken pieces hidden inside, remnants of a past that now seemed to haunt her.Conclusion
As the night deepened, the weight of shattered promises and unresolved tensions hung heavily in the air, marking a turning point in the lives of those trapped within the confines of the apartment. Shannon¡¯s emotional outburst, fueled by fear and betrayal, had pushed her to the brink, leaving her vulnerable and alone in her despair. The once-familiar space now felt alien, filled with memories tainted by Henry¡¯s absence and his unfulfilled assurances. In her moment of desperation, as she clutched her stomach and screamed for help, it became painfully clear that the stakes were higher than ever. The fragility of life, both hers and her unborn child¡¯s, loomedrge, overshadowing the emotional turmoil that had driven a wedge between her and Henry.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s abrupt departure into the night symbolized more than just a physical exit; it marked the emotional severance of a bond that had once been steadfast. As he walked away, the weight of his choices bore down on him, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of his actions. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with the potential for redemption or further heartache. The night, shrouded in darkness, mirrored their fractured rtionship, yet it also held the possibility of new beginnings. In the silence that followed Shannon¡¯s copse, the apartment echoed with the unspoken hope that perhaps, amidst the chaos and pain, there remained a flicker of light¡ªa chance for healing, understanding, and the rekindling of a love that had once promised so much.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, the tension that has built between Shannon and Henry will reach a boiling point, leading to a confrontation that neither of them can escape. With Shannon¡¯s health in jeopardy and the stakes rising, Henry will be forced to confront the consequences of his choices. Will he return in time to support her, or will his absence deepen the chasm between them? As Shannon grapples with her fears for her unborn child, the emotional turmoil will not only test her strength but also reveal hidden vulnerabilities that have long been buried beneathyers of anger and betrayal.
Meanwhile, Tania¡¯s discovery of the broken pieces from her past hints at secrets that could unravel the fragile bnce of their lives. What truths lie hidden in those remnants? As she navigates her own emotionalndscape, Tania will find herself at a crossroads where loyalty and self-preservation sh. The chapter promises to delve deeper into theplexities of their rtionships, intertwining moments of desperation with unexpected revtions. With the clock ticking and tensions escting, readers can expect a gripping exploration of love, fear, and the lengths one will go to protect what matters most.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 549
Keepsake 549 Summary
In Chapter 549 of ¡°Keepsake 549,¡± the story unfolds in a moment of chaos as Tania rushes to gather scattered pieces of something important, driven by a sense of urgency. The situation esctes when an ambnce siren pierces the atmosphere, signaling the gravity of the emergency. Two paramedics arrive, demanding to know what has happened, and Tania, trembling with fear, reveals that her boss, Shannon, who is pregnant, has copsed due to sudden stomach pain. The medics spring into action, and the scene bes frantic as they prepare to take Shannon away on a stretcher.
Kaleb, Shannon¡¯s son, awakens to the chaos and is met with the horrifying sight of his mother being carried out. His confusion quickly turns to despair as he cries out for her, feeling his world shatter in that moment. Instead of rushing to her side, he copses in the living room, overwhelmed by emotion, and desperately calls his father, Henry, for help. The panic in Kaleb¡¯s voice conveys the gravity of the situation, leaving Henry jolted awake and filled with dread as he tries to grasp what has happened.
As the narrative progresses, Tania chooses to reach out to Zane instead of directly contacting Henry, understanding the dynamics of authority during such a crisis. When Henry receives the call from Kaleb, he is thrust into a whirlwind of fear and urgency, trying to piece together the situation while grappling with his own frustration. The conversation reveals Kaleb¡¯s helplessness and fear, amplifying Henry¡¯s anxiety as he demands information about Shannon¡¯s condition and whereabouts.
Tension mounts as Henry struggles with his emotions, feeling the weight of the situation while also dealing with his own frustrations. His harsh words to Kaleb create a moment of silence that deepens the emotional turmoil. Meanwhile, Taniamunicates with Henry, providing updates on Shannon¡¯s condition and the urgency of the situation. The chapter concludes with Henry feeling the pressure of time and responsibility, as he faces the reality of the unfolding crisis while navigating theplicated dynamics of his family rtionships.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 549**
**Chapter 549: They Took Mom Away**
In a flurry of panic, Tania swiftly gathered the scattered pieces, wrapping them carefully in a napkin before shoving them deep into her pocket. The urgency of the moment consumed her, and she barely registered the sounds around her.
Suddenly, the wailing of an ambnce siren sliced through the air outside the building, a sharp reminder of the chaos unfolding within.
Bang! Bang!
A series of heavy knocks reverberated against the door, demanding attention.
¡°Emergency services! Did you make the call?¡± came the authoritative voice from the other side.
Two paramedics stood there, their faces obscured by masks, but their expressions were undeniably serious. ¡°Is it you? What happened?!¡± one of them pressed, urgencycing his tone.
Tania¡¯s heart raced as she hurried to open the door, her voice trembling as she exined, ¡°It¡¯s not me; it¡¯s my boss. She¡¯s pregnant, but she suddenly had stomach pain and passed out!¡± The words tumbled out of her mouth in a rush, each sybleced with fear.
The medics wasted no time, rushing into the room. The instant theyid eyes on Shannon, motionless on the couch, their demeanor shifted to one of intense focus.
¡°Quick! Get the stretcher!¡± one of them shouted, urgency spilling from his lips.
They swiftly lifted Shannon, their voices ovepping in a chaotic chorus ofmands and reassurances. Themotion finally stirred Kaleb, who had been peacefully sleeping upstairs, deep in dreams that were now shattered.
He stumbled out of his room, bleary-eyed and disoriented. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Tania! Who did you let in? It¡¯s so loud! How am I supposed to sleep?¡± he bellowed, irritation spilling over as he rubbed his eyes.
But the sight that met his gaze froze him in ce.
Tania turned her head just in time to see him standing there, his expression one of confusion and fear. He watched in horror as his mother was carried away on the stretcher, and in that instant, his world crumbled. ¡°Mom!¡± he cried out, his voice breaking under the weight of despair.
Instead of rushing to Shannon¡¯s side, Kaleb found himself copsing onto the living room carpet. He grasped the phone that had fallen to the floor, his small hands trembling as he dialed a number through his tears. ¡°Dad!¡± he managed to choke out.
Meanwhile, Shannon was whisked away into the emergency room, leaving Tania outside, her heart heavy as she prepared to reach out to the family.
**1/3**
**9:02 Sat, Nov 29**
**Chapter 549: They Took Mom Away**
Rather than calling Henry immediately, Tania opted to send a text to Zane first. The weight of her situation pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she knew all too well who truly held authority in this chaotic moment.
As soon as Zane received her message, he wasted no time in passing the distressing news to Finn, knowing how crucial it was to keep everyone informed.
Meanwhile, Henry was jolted awake by the incessant ringing of his phone, the sound cutting through the fog of sleep.
¡°What in the world? Who¡¯s calling in the middle of the night? Are you out of your mind?¡± he snapped, irritationcing his voice.
Then, through the speaker, came the terrified, tear-stained voice of his son. ¡°Dad! They took Mom away!¡±
The panic in Kaleb¡¯s voice sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through Henry¡¯s veins. He quickly silenced his phone, ncing over at Kylie, who was still half-asleep beside him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
She stirred slightly, mumbling as if she might wake up, but Henry¡¯s focus was solely on the conversation.
His heart raced as Kaleb¡¯s words echoed in his mind. He leaped out of bed, darting into the bathroom to gather his thoughts. He turned the volume up on his phone, desperate to catch every word.
¡°Kaleb? What happened? What did you just say about your mom?¡± His voice was low but filled with urgency.
On the other end, he could hear the unmistakable sound of his son¡¯s sobs.
¡°Mom got taken away by the doctors and nurses!¡± Kaleb repeated, his voice trembling with fear.
¡°Doctors? Nurses? What do you mean? What happened to your mom?¡± Henry pressed, a wave of panic crashing over him as he felt his mind racing, thoughts colliding chaotically.
¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± Kaleb managed to reply, his crying growing more frantic.
Frustration bubbled within Henry, though he fought to keep his tone steady. ¡°Where did they take her? Which hospital?¡± he demanded, the urgency in his voice rising.
¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± came the helpless response, the same sobs filling the line, echoing the despair in Henry¡¯s heart.
His patience frayed, Henry¡¯s teeth clenched as he muttered under his breath, ¡°Useless trash.¡±
The harshness of his words hung in the air, and he immediately sensed the shift in Kaleb¡¯s demeanor. The boy fell silent, fear evident in the stillness that followed. Henry had never spoken to him like that before, and the realization struck him like a blow.
¡°Stay at home. Don¡¯t go anywhere, you hear me?¡± he said, his voice strained as he rubbed his forehead, exhaustion creeping in. He was at the end of his rope, frustration boiling over.
He ended the call and swiftly dialed Tania. ¡°What¡¯s going on with her?¡± he barked, urgencycing his tone.
Tania¡¯s breathlessness came through the line, a sign of the chaos she was navigating. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. She was rushed to the ER. All I know is she was yelling in the living room and then suddenly clutched her stomach in pain. By the time the medical staff arrived, she had already passed out.¡±
Henry¡¯s heart sank further at her words. He had been about to scold her for not calling him sooner, but the gravity of the situation silenced him.
¡°Send me the hospital location,¡± he instructed, his voice clipped. ¡°If I can¡¯t make it there, tell her not to draw too much attention. If it¡¯s nothing serious, have here home right away.¡±
He spoke quickly, ncing at the clock.
Ten o¡¯clock. The night was growingte, and a sense of dread settled over him.
Henry rubbed his forehead, trying to shake off the mounting anxiety as he turned toward the bedroom, yearning for a moment of respite.
But the instant he opened the door, he froze. Kylie, who had been lying in bed moments before, was now sitting up, her eyes piercing through the dim light, fixed on him with an intensity that made his heart race.
¡°Where are you going?¡± she asked, gripping the nket tightly, her gaze unwavering.
Caught off guard, Henry stammered, ¡°Bathroom,¡± his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Just answering a prank call.¡±
Kylie¡¯s eyes narrowed, clearly unconvinced by his flimsy excuse.
¡°Really? I heard a child¡¯s voice. Since when do kids make prank calls?¡±
Henry¡¯s grip tightened around the doorknob, the phone still pressed against his leg. A chill crept down his spine as he felt the weight of her scrutiny, the tension in the air thickening as he struggled to maintain hisposure.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the chaos, Tania stood alone in the living room, the echoes of panic still reverberating in her mind. She clutched the napkin containing the scattered pieces of her boss¡¯s life, a tangible reminder of the fragility that surrounded them all. The weight of uncertainty hung heavily in the air, as she contemted the emotional toll of the night. Kaleb¡¯s cries for his mother pierced her heart, a haunting sound that would linger long after the sirens faded. Tania felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility, not just for Shannon, but for the fractured family left behind, and the helplessness of the moment weighed on her shoulders like a shroud.
Meanwhile, Henry grappled with the realization of his own shorings as a father, the sting of his harsh words echoing in his mind. The fear that had gripped Kaleb was mirrored in his own chest, a visceral reminder of how quickly life could shift from mundane to catastrophic. As he prepared to face the looming uncertainty of the hospital, he understood that he needed to confront not only his worries about Shannon but also the growing distance between himself and his family. The night had stripped away the veneer of normalcy, leaving behind raw emotions and a desperate need for connection. In this moment of crisis, the fragile threads of their lives intertwined, reminding them that love, though often taken for granted, was the most vital keepsake of all.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the chaos unfolds in the aftermath of Shannon¡¯s sudden medical emergency, readers can expect the tension to escte as Henry races against time to reach the hospital. The emotional stakes are high, and with Kaleb¡¯s fragile state hanging in the bnce, the family dynamics will be put to the test. Will Henry manage to bridge the growing rift between him and his son, or will his frustration push them further apart at a time when they need each other the most? Tania, caught in the middle, will have to navigate her own feelings of helplessness while trying to provide support to both Kaleb and Henry.
Meanwhile, the narrative will delve deeper into Shannon¡¯s condition, exploring the uncertainty and fear that grips the family as they wait for news. What will the doctors discover? Will they be able to stabilize her, or is there a more significant crisis looming? Tania¡¯s resolve will be tested as she bes a crucial source of strength for Kaleb, while also grappling with her own fears about the future. The chapter promises to intertwine moments of heart-wrenching vulnerability and the fierce determination of a family fighting against the odds, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the fate of Shannon and the impact her condition will have on their lives.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 550
Keepsake 550 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 550,¡± the tension between Henry and Kylie esctes as they confront underlying issues of trust andmunication. Henry attempts to maintain a facade of calmness, but the grimace on his face reveals his difort. Kylie, feeling an overwhelming sense of urgency and anxiety, demands to see Henry¡¯s phone, driven by a haunting dream where a child called him ¡°Dad.¡± This dream amplifies her fears and creates a rift between them, as Henry¡¯s confusion and concern sh with Kylie¡¯s desperation for reassurance.
As the confrontation unfolds, Henry¡¯s anger res when he feels used of dishonesty. He questions Kylie¡¯s trust, and she struggles to express the turmoil within her. Despite her insistence that she trusts him, the dream¡¯s implications weigh heavily on her mind. Both characters experience a mix of emotions¡ªKylie¡¯s determination to uncover the truth and Henry¡¯s humiliation and hurt at being doubted. The dialogue between them is charged, with usations and defenses flying, highlighting the fragility of their rtionship.
When Kylie finally examines Henry¡¯s phone, she finds nothing rming except a call to Nadine, which Henry tries to dismiss as a harmless surprise n for Kylie¡¯s birthday. However, the revtion only deepens Kylie¡¯s guilt and confusion, as she grapples with the implications of Henry¡¯s secrecy. His reaction¡ªcold and dismissive¡ªfurther alienates her, and she feels the warmth of their connection slipping away. The emotional stakes rise as Henry¡¯s frustration culminates in a decision to leave, mming the door behind him, leaving Kylie in a state of shock and despair.
As Henry drives away, he contacts Nadine, revealing a maniptive side to his character. His earlier anger dissipates, reced by a smug satisfaction as he discusses how easily he deceived Kylie. The story concludes with a sense of unresolved tension, as both characters are left to navigate their emotions in the aftermath of their confrontation. The night stretches on, symbolizing the ongoing turmoil within their hearts, while the world outside remains oblivious to their struggles.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 550**
Henry forced a smile that felt more like a grimace, his fingers stiff and cold as he rubbed them together. The tension in the air was palpable, and he took a step back toward the bed, pulling Kylie into his embrace, hoping to bridge the growing chasm between them.
¡°Give me your phone,¡± she demanded, her voice sharp and insistent.
Kylie felt a tightness in her chest, as if an enormous weight had settled there, making it hard to draw in a breath. The urgency of the moment pressed down on her, and she could feel her heart racing, a frantic drum in her ears.
Henry¡¯s expression darkened, shadows flickering across his features. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you today?¡± he asked, his voice edged with concern and confusion.
¡°Just give it to me!¡± she snapped, reaching out for the device with a sense of desperation.
Henry¡¯s jaw tightened, his anger ring like a sudden me. ¡°So you don¡¯t trust me?¡± The usation hung heavy between them, a bitter taste in the air.
Kylie met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. ¡°I do trust you. I just need to see your phone.¡±
The words tumbled out, but she struggled to articte the turmoil inside her. In her dream, a child¡¯s voice had called Henry ¡°Dad,¡± a sweet, innocent sound that echoed in her mind¡ªa young boy¡¯s voice, bright and clear.
When she awoke, the pain in her chest felt all too real, a sharp reminder that Henry was no longer beside her, leaving her feeling hollow and anxious.
Henry clutched his phone tightly, humiliation and hurt etched across his face. ¡°You trust me? Then why are you checking my phone? What are you trying to find?¡±
¡°I heard a kid calling you Dad. I just want to see for myself and stop worrying.¡±
Kylie bit her lip, her determination hardening. She could feel the weight of her words, each one a step deeper into the chasm between them.
Henry¡¯s gaze roamed over her face, searching for answers. After what felt like an eternity of silence, he exhaled heavily, as if he had reached a conclusion. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, his tone icy. ¡°If you don¡¯t find anything, then what?¡±
Kylie¡¯s hands clenched slightly at her sides. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing, then¡¡±
¡°Then what¡¯s the harm in showing you right now?¡± she pressed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and resolve.
In that moment, Kylie felt herself slipping from the calm, patient woman she usually was. The disappointment in Henry¡¯s eyes cut her deeply. ¡°You¡¯re the one insisting on checking my phone. That means you¡¯ve stopped trusting me. I¡¯ve been running around nonstop for Tess and your family, and now you¡¯re doubting me because of something you heard in a dream?¡±
Kylie¡¯s heart wavered at his words, but the haunting cry of ¡°Daddy¡± still echoed in her mind, vivid and insistent, as if it had happened just beside her.
¡°Come with me,¡± she said through gritted teeth, her voice barely above a whisper.
¡°Fine,¡± Henry replied, a low, mockingugh escaping his lips.
He thrust the phone into her hands. ¡°Go ahead. Check it.¡±
Kylie took the phone, but Henry suddenly sat up in bed, fury radiating from him. His hands rested on his hips as he began to pace, a caged animal trapped by his own emotions.
¡°Kylie, I¡¯ve already apologized for everything! I¡¯ve told you everything! But if you still want to check, fine! If you find nothing, then I guess we¡¯re done!¡±
His words struck her like a blow, cold and final.
Kylie¡¯s fingers trembled as she held his phone, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She looked up, startled by the intensity of Henry¡¯s anger.
All she wanted was a glimpse, a reassurance. Why was he reacting this way?
Her grip tightened around the phone, confusion and hurt swirling in her eyes. Yet, a small voice in her heart urged her to look, to uncover the truth, no matter how painful.
With a heavy heart, she lowered her gaze and began scrolling through his phone¡ªcall logs, messages, social media apps¡ªnothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Except, one recent call stood out. It wasn¡¯t from a random number, as he had imed. It was a call to Nadine.
¡°You said it was a prank call,¡± Kylie said, lifting her eyes to meet his. ¡°Then why did you call Nadine?¡±
Henry let out a cold snort, his expression hardening. ¡°Your birthday¡¯sing up soon. Nadine and I were nning a surprise for you. She just won a jewelry set at an auction and called me the moment she got it.¡±
He turned away, his words slicing through the air. Kylie¡¯s body trembled at the implications, guilt washing over her like a tidal wave.
She stepped closer, her heart racing. ¡°Henry, please listen to me. I¡¯ve just been so stressedtely. I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡±
¡°Hmph.¡±
His cold snort cut her off, the warmth that once radiated between them now reced by an icy barrier.
He stepped forward, snatching the phone from her hands, his voice sharp. ¡°Paranoid!¡±
Without looking back, he added curtly, ¡°If you don¡¯t trust me, then there¡¯s nothing left for us to discuss.¡±
He grabbed his suit jacket from the rack, determination etched on his face. ¡°I¡¯ll go find a hotel to sleep in.¡±
The door mmed shut behind him, the sound reverberating in the silence, leaving Kylie standing frozen, staring at the closed door, her heart heavy and her mind racing.
Once Henry closed the bedroom door, he cast a quick nce back, ensuring Kylie hadn¡¯t followed him. When the hallway remained silent, he hurried down to the garage, started his car, and sped off toward the hospital.
As he drove through the vi gate, he dialed Nadine¡¯s number, urgency in his voice.
¡°Dad, how¡¯d it go? Did she buy it?¡± she asked, her tone bright and eager.
Henry¡¯s earlier anger dissipated, reced by a smug smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. ¡°Good thing you were still awake. That clueless girl actually believed me. I told you to call me and then erase Kaleb¡¯s number from the log. A little trick like that works every time.¡±
He chuckled, shifting gears as he navigated the streets. ¡°Tomorrow, go buy a random diamond ne or something for her.¡±
The night stretched on, filled with unspoken words and unresolved tension, as the world outside continued to turn, oblivious to the storm brewing within their hearts.Conclusion
In the aftermath of their explosive confrontation, the silence between Kylie and Henry felt insurmountable. The weight of unspoken usations hung heavily in the air, each unaddressed fear and doubt creating an emotional rift that seemed impossible to bridge. Kylie stood at the threshold of her own heartache, grappling with the realization that her trust, once a sturdy foundation, now felt like fragile ss, shattered by the echoes of a dream and the painful truths hidden beneath the surface. As Henry¡¯s departure left an emptiness in the room, she understood that their love was at a precipice, teetering between the desire for connection and the suffocating grip of suspicion.
Meanwhile, Henry drove away, the thrill of deception mingling with the bitter taste of betrayal. The smug smile that had briefly adorned his face faded as he reflected on the consequences of his lies. Theughter he shared with Nadine felt hollow against the backdrop of the turmoil he had left behind. In that moment, he realized that the very trust he had exploited was the same trust that could have anchored their rtionship. As he navigated the darkened streets, the weight of his choices settled upon him, a reminder that love cannot thrive in shadows. Both he and Kylie were caught in a cycle of hurt and misunderstanding, each longing for reassurance yet retreating further into their own fears, leaving their future uncertain and fragile.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter of *Keepsake 550*, the tension between Henry and Kylie reaches a boiling point, forcing them to confront the shadows lurking in their rtionship. As Henry seeks refuge from the emotional chaos at a hotel, Kylie is left grappling with the weight of her suspicions and the haunting echoes of her dream. Will she uncover the truth behind Henry¡¯s mysterious phone call to Nadine, or will her search for answers only deepen the rift between them? Expect a whirlwind of emotions as both characters navigate their pain, mistrust, and the fragile threads that bind them together.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s deceptive confidence begins to unravel as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. The facade he has built to protect his secrets may not hold for long, especially with Kylie¡¯s determination to uncover the truth. As he interacts with Nadine, the stakes rise, and theplexities of their hidden motivese to light. Will his lies catch up with him, or can he maintain control of the narrative? Prepare for unexpected revtions and emotional confrontations that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see if love can withstand the storm of betrayal and doubt.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 551
Keepsake 551 Summary
In Chapter 551 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Perfect Setup,¡± Henry grapples with a growing tension as he navigates a crisis involving Shannon, who has fallen ill. Despite his attempts to maintainposure while speaking with Nadine, he is internally fraught with frustration over the timing of Shannon¡¯s health issues, which threaten to unravel their meticulously crafted ns. As Nadine rushes to the hospital, her urgency reflects the high stakes of the situation, while Henry¡¯s demeanor shifts from confidence to seriousness as he recognizes the gravity of their circumstances.
Meanwhile, Tania, who is at the hospital, engages in a secretive phone call with Zane, discussing the chaos she has orchestrated regarding Shannon. She feels a sense of satisfaction knowing that Shannon¡¯s emotional turmoil has contributed to the current crisis. Tania¡¯s resentment towards Shannon and Kaleb is palpable, as she views them as obstacles in her life. Her interactions with Nadine reveal a tense dynamic, where Nadine¡¯s frustration with Tania¡¯s perceived negligence is met with Tania¡¯s submissive eptance of me, showcasing the power struggle between them.
As the chapter unfolds, the emotional tension esctes when Nadine learns of her mother¡¯s condition. The arrival of the doctor brings a wave of relief, but Henry¡¯s insistence that Shannon should leave the hospital immediately ignites a fierce confrontation. Shannon¡¯s anger and hurt surface as she feels reduced to a problem that Henry wants to discard, leading to a heated exchange where Henry reveals the sacrifices he has made for her and their child. This moment of vulnerability exposes the underlyingplexities of their rtionship, marked by resentment, obligation, and unspoken emotions.
The chapter culminates in a powerful confrontation between Henry and Shannon, where both characters are forced to confront their feelings and the reality of their situation. Henry¡¯s frustration boils over as he artictes the pressures he has faced, while Shannon¡¯s emotional outburst reveals her deep-seated insecurities and the pain of feeling like a burden. This exchange not only highlights the tensions in their rtionship but also sets the stage for potential revtions and shifts in their dynamic as they grapple with their intertwined lives and the consequences of their choices.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 551: The Perfect Setup**
Henry pressed his fingertips against his temples, a familiar tension building in his mind as he struggled to maintain hisposure. ¡°We need to move forward,¡± hemanded, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Nadine, on the other end of the line, felt a flicker of confusion but quickly masked it withpliance. ¡°Of course, whatever you say,¡± she replied, her tone obedient yet uncertain.
¡°Right,¡± Henry continued, shifting gears in their conversation. ¡°How is your mother doing? Were you able to reach the hospital in time?¡±
The sound of hurried footsteps and heavy breaths echoed through the receiver, a clear indication of Nadine¡¯s urgency. ¡°I¡¯m almost there!¡± she eximed, her heart racing as she navigated through the bustling streets.
As she turned into the parking lot of Aetheris Primal Hospital, the bright, fluorescent sign illuminated her anxious expression. ¡°Good. I¡¯m on my way too,¡± Henry responded, his earlier confidence evaporating, reced by a serious demeanor.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him. Why, of all times, did Shannon have to fall ill? The Larsons were still in the city, and if anything went awry, the carefully constructed ns that had taken years to build could crumble in an instant.
Henry pressed his lips together, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Shannon had a knack forplicating matters, and even now, with everything on the line, she had to make a scene. Perhaps he had indulged her too much over the years.
He let out a derisive snort as the hospital¡¯srge crimson sign came into view, the looming reality of the situation settling in.
Inside Aetheris Primal Hospital, Tania found herself tucked away in a quiet corner of the hallway, her back against a potted nt as she whispered into her phone. ¡°Are you certain everything has been arranged?¡± she asked, her voice low and conspiratorial.
Zane¡¯s voice on the other end remained calm, almost clinical, devoid of any emotion. ¡°Yes, all matters have been addressed,¡± he assured her.
Tania quickly shielded her phone with her hand, her eyes darting around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. ¡°Everything¡¯s been handled,¡± she replied, a hint of satisfaction creeping into her voice. ¡°I suspect Shannon must have caught a glimpse of those photos, which is why sheshed out at Henry. She didn¡¯t get what she wanted and ended up here instead.¡±
A flicker of delight danced in her tone as she imagined the chaos she had orchestrated.
Shannon and Kaleb were like demons in her life. The mother would unleash her wrath and heap endless tasks upon her whenever things spiraled out of control. The son wouldsh out, mocking her misfortunes withughter that cut deeper than any physical blow.
People like them didn¡¯t deserve thefort of a peaceful life.
¡°Good,¡± Zane¡¯s voice replied, steady and unyielding. ¡°More individuals will be arriving at the hospital shortly. Just maintain yourposure. Don¡¯t let anyone suspect a thing.¡±
¡°Understood,¡± Tania affirmed, her heart racing as the call ended.
Just then, she spotted Nadine striding down the hallway in her high heels, the sharp clicks resonating against the sterile walls. Nadine¡¯s expression was a mix of tension and determination, her eyes scanning the area in search of her mother.
Tania quickly shoved her phone into her pocket and hurried forward, adopting a facade of concern. ¡°Ms. Nadine, you¡¯ve finally arrived! I was starting to worry about what to do if you hadn¡¯te!¡±
She feigned a nervous demeanor, her bodynguage exuding fragility as if she were a deer caught in headlights.
Nadine shot her an icy re, impatience etched across her features. ¡°Where¡¯s my mom?¡± she demanded, her voice sharp.
Tania had grown ustomed to Nadine¡¯s frosty tone over time. She pressed her fingers into her palm, trying to suppress her rising anxiety, and pointed weakly toward the emergency room behind her. ¡°She¡¯s inside. They¡¯re still conducting tests.¡±
Nadine¡¯s gaze turned piercing. ¡°My dad helps you with your son¡¯s medical expenses and even gave you this job. Is this how you care for my mother?¡±
Tania epted the scolding in silence, lowering her head and avoiding eye contact. No matter how harsh Nadine¡¯s words were, she endured them like a seasoned warrior.
Biting her lip to keep herposure, Tania replied, her voice steady despite the humiliation gnawing at her. ¡°Ms. Nadine, you¡¯re right. What happened to your mother was my responsibility. I should have taken better care of her.¡±
Nadine¡¯s desire to reprimand Tania dissipated as she caught sight of Shannon¡¯s pale, quiet face, her heart softening momentarily.
¡°Just wait until my dad arrives. He¡¯ll handle you,¡± she muttered, turning away with a mix of frustration and concern.
At that moment, the door swung open, and a doctor emerged, his mask pulled down around his neck. ¡°Your mother is stable,¡± he announced casually. ¡°The stress triggered some contractions. Keep her calm, have her eat light, and she¡¯ll be just fine.¡±
A wave of relief washed over Nadine as she inhaled deeply, the tension in her shoulders easing. She instinctively started to push past the doctor to enter the room, just as Henry arrived at her side.
¡°Nadine, move aside,¡± he instructed firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
She stepped back without hesitation, allowing him to enter the room.
Inside, Shannony quietly on the hospital bed, her eyes fluttering open. She appeared a world away from the woman who had recently lost her temper over the phone. Instead, she exuded a calmness that bordered on eerie, a faint sorrow etched across her features.
Henry approached her bedside, scrutinizing her condition before speaking in a clipped tone. ¡°Since it¡¯s not serious, you shouldn¡¯t stay here tonight. You need to return to the apartment immediately.¡±
Shannon slowly turned her gaze toward him, confusion mingling with disbelief. ¡°You want me to go home?¡± she echoed softly. ¡°I just fainted, and you want me to leave now?¡±
She bit her lip, a flicker of hurt shing in her eyes.
Henry rubbed his forehead, a sigh escaping his lips as frustration bubbled within him. ¡°Shannon, I do care about you,¡± he said wearily. ¡°But you know how precarious our situation is right now. If you¡¯re not seriously injured, it¡¯s safer for you to leave as soon as possible.¡±
Even as he spoke, he tried to keep his voice gentle, coaxing her as though she were a fragile bird ready to take flight.
¡°Safe, safe!¡± Shannon snapped, her voice cracking with anger. ¡°Is that all I am to you? Just a problem to be disposed of? Admit it, Henry, you¡¯ve wanted to cut me out of your life for a long time, haven¡¯t you?¡±
Her fury erupted, eyes zing as they locked onto his. Shannon wouldn¡¯t relent until she extracted a confession from him.
Henry¡¯s patience finally shattered. ¡°Who do you think I¡¯ve been doing all this for?¡± he shot back, his voice sharper than intended. ¡°If it were just me, I could have left the country and never looked back. But you got pregnant by ident. Do you have any idea how much pressure that put on me?¡±
He red at her, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°If I wanted to get rid of you, don¡¯t you think I would have done it years ago¡ªright after I married Kylie? Why would I continue to take care of you? Why would I ensure that you and Kaleb had a good life overseas? You think that just happened by chance?¡±
Henry paused, his expression tightening as he continued, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me, you wouldn¡¯t have lived like this all these years¡ªlike a rich wife without a care in the world.¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, a heavy silence enveloped the hospital room, punctuated only by the rhythmic beeping of the machines. Shannon¡¯s anger hung in the air like a storm cloud, but beneath ity an undeniable vulnerability. Henry¡¯s words, raw and unfiltered, had pierced through her defenses, revealing the tangled web of their shared history and the sacrifices made in the name of obligation. As Shannon processed his confession, the flicker of resentment began to dim, reced by a flicker of understanding. This moment, charged with emotion, was not just about me but a recognition of theplexities that bound them together¡ªa bond forged in both love and hardship.
As they stood on the precipice of a new understanding, the weight of their past began to shift. Nadine, observing from the doorway, felt the tension ease, a sense of hope blossoming within her. Perhaps the chaos that had threatened to unravel their lives could transform into a catalyst for change. In the wake of their emotional turmoil, the possibility of healing emerged, offering them a chance to redefine their rtionships. The hospital, once a ce of fear and uncertainty, now held the promise of reconciliation. As they faced the uncertain future together, each of them understood that the path ahead would require vulnerability and courage, but it was a journey they could navigate¡ªtogether.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Henry and Shannon reaches a boiling point, readers can expect the fallout from their explosive confrontation to ripple through the hospital corridors. Will Shannon¡¯s anger lead her to make a decision that could change everything for her and Kaleb? With Henry¡¯s carefully constructed ns hanging by a thread, the stakes have never been higher. The arrival of Nadine¡¯s father could add anotheryer ofplexity, as his protective instincts sh with Henry¡¯s calcted approach. Will he side with his daughter, or will he recognize the precarious bnce Henry has maintained all these years?
Meanwhile, Tania¡¯s scheming will undoubtedlye to a head as her machinations begin to unravel. With more individuals arriving at the hospital, the potential for chaos loomsrge. Will her facade of concern hold up under scrutiny, or will her true motives be exposed? As secrets begin to surface and alliances are tested, the hospital setting transforms into a battlefield of emotions, where loyalty and betrayal dance dangerously close. Expect revtions that will not only challenge the characters¡¯ rtionships but also force them to confront their pasts in ways they never anticipated. The next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of drama, filled with unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 552
Keepsake 552 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 552,¡± the tension between Henry and Shannon reaches a boiling point as they confront the emotional fallout of their strained rtionship. Henry¡¯s sharp words cut through the air, revealing the bitterness that has reced the love they once shared. Shannon, feeling the weight of his condescension, reflects on the years she has silently supported him, only to be confronted with the harsh reality that their bond has deteriorated into animosity. The emotional toll of their shared past bes evident as she grapples with feelings of disbelief and betrayal, realizing that the man she once knew has be a stranger.
As the confrontation esctes, Shannon¡¯s inner turmoil bes palpable. She recognizes the facade she has built around herself is crumbling, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. Henry¡¯s cold dismissal of her feelings intensifies her sense of despair, leading her to question the sacrifices she has made for him. The oppressive silence that follows their argument underscores the emotional distance that has grown between them, pushing Shannon to seek sce outside the room where their conflict unfolded. When she encounters her friend Tania, the stark contrast between her usual pride and her current fragility reveals the depth of her struggle.
Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to Steven, who arrives at a factory under suspicious circumstances. The security guard¡¯s skepticism highlights Steven¡¯s refined appearance, which seems out of ce in the gritty environment. However, Steven¡¯s calm demeanor and unexpected disy of strength challenge the guard¡¯s assumptions. As he navigates the factory, his determination bes evident, and he seeks information about the different work zones, hinting at a deeper purpose behind his presence. The tension in the factory mirrors that of Shannon and Henry¡¯s confrontation, as both scenarios explore themes of identity, vulnerability, and the masks people wear.
As Steven¡¯s journey unfolds, he bes a pivotal figure in the broader narrative, suggesting that his motivations are tied to the unfolding drama between Shannon and Henry. The connections between the characters be increasingly intricate, hinting at arger story of intertwined fates. With both Shannon and Steven facing their respective challenges, the emotional stakes rise, leaving the reader eager to discover how their paths will ultimately converge. The chapter encapstes a moment of vulnerability and determination, setting the stage for the conflicts that lie ahead.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 552**
**552 Undercover Mission**
Henry stood his ground, his voice slicing through the air like a sharpened knife. ¡°You think this is easy for me, Shannon? You¡¯re mistaken.¡± The sharpness of his tone echoed in the small room, a clear indication that neither of them was willing to yield to the other.
The atmosphere crackled with tension, thick enough to suffocate. It was as if the very walls were closing in, threatening to engulf them in their simmering animosity.
Shannon felt his words pierce her heart, each syble a reminder of the love that had once flourished between them now turned bitter. She looked at him, the man who had once held her heart in his hands, and felt a wave of disbelief wash over her. Did he truly believe he was doing her a favor with his condescending remarks?
Had he ever paused to consider the emotional toll it had taken on her all these years?
They had shared their childhood, navigating theplexities of life side by side. When he had sought to elevate himself by cozying up to Kylie, she had stepped aside gracefully, never uttering aint. For years, she had stood by him, a silent supporter without any title, without recognition, and without ever asking for anything in return. And now, was it all being twisted into a burden he was cing on her shoulders?
Her throat constricted painfully as she lifted her gaze once more, only to find that the man she had known so intimately had morphed into aplete stranger before her eyes.
Even her recent breakdown¡ªwasn¡¯t that a direct result of the relentless stress he had caused?
Shannon¡¯s nails dug into her palm, the sharp sting grounding her in the moment. The perfect facade she had painstakingly constructed¡ªa world of sweet lies and beautiful illusions¡ªwas crumbling around her. What remained was a chaotic mess, sticky and painful, a stark contrast to the life she had envisioned.
¡°Are you going home or not?¡± Henry¡¯s voice turned icy, devoid of any warmth. ¡°Now that the truth hase to light, you can forget about living the life of a carefree rich wife. The onlybel waiting for you now is that of a homewrecker.¡±
He regarded her with an unsettlingck of empathy, watching as the fire of anger in her eyes flickered and dimmed until she finally looked away, her spirit seemingly deted.
An oppressive silence settled between them, heavy and suffocating. Finally, Shannon pulled back the nket, swinging her legs over the side of the bed with a quiet resignation. She moved toward the door, each step echoing her inner turmoil.
Outside, Tania awaited her, and the moment she caught sight of Shannon¡¯s hollow expression, her heart lurched in rm. Concern etched across her features, she tried to peer into the room. But when Tania met Henry¡¯s cold, prating gaze, she quickly averted her eyes, feeling the weight of his disdain.
Tania rushed forward, instinctively reaching out to support her friend. Shannon, usually so proud and aloof, did not resist this time. Instead, she clutched Tania¡¯s arm, leaning against her as if she were the only thing keeping her upright.
It was then that Tania truly understood the extent of Shannon¡¯s fragility. Without her support, she would have crumpled to the floor, utterly defeated.
In that fleeting moment, Tania saw the vulnerability thaty beneath Shannon¡¯s polished exterior.
Yet, despite the pity that swelled within her, Tania was acutely aware that Shannon had orchestrated her own downfall. She harbored no regrets about the choices she had made.
**Private Factory.**
¡°You here for the job?¡±
At the entrance, a security guard scrutinized the man standing before him with a lingering gaze, skepticism etched into his features. The man appeared far too refined for a ce like this, his polished demeanor standing in stark contrast to the gritty environment of the factory.
¡°This is a factory. We hireborers, not office clerks. Are you sure you¡¯vee to the right ce?¡±
The guard¡¯s frown deepened, his doubt palpable as he assessed Steven¡¯s intentions.
Steven merely smiled, a calm expression that suggested he was ustomed to such scrutiny. Without uttering a word, he bent down and effortlessly lifted a heavy bag of cement, tossing it aside with ease.
Inside the car, Lyra and Raven exchanged startled nces, both taken aback by the unexpected disy of strength from someone who seemed so lean and reserved.
¡°You¡¯re new here, right? Head over to Zone A first and get a feel for the work,¡± the guard instructed, waving his hand dismissively.
Recently, thepany had been pressured to ramp up production, leaving them desperate for more workers. Tension hung thick in the air as they hired anyone who showed up, yet the guard couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this man didn¡¯t belong here. With his clean-cut appearance andposed demeanor, Steven looked more suited for an office than a factory floor.
The guard clicked his tongue inwardly, his disbelief growing.
With a face like that, he could be doing anything else. Why would he choose to toil away here?
What a waste of good looks!
Shaking his head in quiet incredulity, the guard watched as Steven strode through the gates.
¡°Zone A?¡± Steven asked, leaning slightly forward, his voice respectful. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking, how many zones are there in this factory? How are they organized? And what does it take for someone to work in Zone B or Zone C?¡±
People are inherently visual creatures, even amongst their own kind. Seeing Steven¡¯s polite and humble demeanor, the guard softened slightly, deciding not to make things difficult for him.
¡°Zone B is made up of long-term workers who were hired just before thetest expansion,¡± the guard exined. ¡°Zone C is reserved for the veterans¡ªthe ones who know this ce inside and out. Getting into Zone B isn¡¯t too challenging, but Zone C¡¡±
His eyes roamed over Steven once more, skepticism creeping back in.
With skin that soft, it was clear that Steven didn¡¯t look like someone who could endure the rigors of factory life.
¡°Don¡¯t even think about it,¡± the guard muttered, stamping the entry pass before waving him through.
Steven didn¡¯t press for more information. As he stepped past the gate, he turned his head just enough to catch the gaze of someone observing him from a car parked in the distance.
As he moved forward, his hand brushed lightly against his chest. A fleeting glimmer of silver shed briefly before it disappeared beneath his clothing.
His expression returned to one of calm determination as he walked with steady strides.
Meanwhile, in the parked car not far away, Raven and Lyra listened intently to the faint sounds filtering through the phone¡ªheavy footsteps reverberating through the static.
¡°If that guard¡¯s information is urate, Nichs is most likely in Zone B,¡± Lyra deduced, her voice steady and analytical.
Raven nodded in agreement. ¡°Steven must have figured that out as well. All we can do now is keep a close watch and wait for his signal.¡±
They exchanged a knowing nce, started the engine, and drove off, their minds focused on the task ahead.
Just as Steven arrived at the workers¡¯ dormitory, a bucket of water came hurtling toward him. Without flinching, he caught it mid-air with ease.
¡°I said I wanted a single room!¡± a man shouted, his voice thick with irritation.
Steven calmly set the bucket down, his gaze unwavering. The man stomped closer, his tone escting. ¡°Who the heck are you? Who sent you here?¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of their confrontation, Shannon stood at a precipice, the weight of Henry¡¯s words lingering like a bitter aftertaste. The love they once shared had been twisted into a weapon, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. As she leaned against Tania, the realization of her own fragility struck her with full force. The facade she had maintained for so long was shattered, revealing the chaos beneath. No longer could she pretend that the years of silent support had not taken a toll on her spirit. The emotional turmoil that had brewed within her came crashing down, and for the first time, she felt the full impact of her choices. It was a moment of reckoning, a painful acknowledgment that the path she had walked was paved with sacrifices that had gone unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Steven¡¯s entrance into the factory symbolized a different kind of journey¡ªone marked by determination and resilience. As he navigated the skepticism of the guard and the harsh realities of factory life, his calm demeanor hinted at an inner strength that contrasted sharply with Shannon¡¯s emotional unraveling. The glimmer of silver beneath his clothing served as a reminder of the purpose driving him forward, even in the face of adversity. While Shannon grappled with the remnants of her past, Steven was stepping into a new chapter, ready to confront the challenges ahead. Their parallel arcs¡ªone steeped in loss and the other in resolve¡ªpainted a poignant picture of how choices shape destinies, ultimately leading them both toward the uncertain horizons that awaited them.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of ¡°Keepsake 552,¡± readers can expect the tension between Shannon and Henry to reach a boiling point. As Shannon grapples with the emotional fallout of their confrontation, she is forced to confront not only her past decisions but also the reality of her present circumstances. Will she find the strength to reim her identity, or will Henry¡¯s words continue to haunt her, solidifying her role in the narrative he has crafted? The stakes are high as Shannon wrestles with her feelings of betrayal and the remnants of love that still linger, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how she will navigate this emotionalbyrinth.
Meanwhile, Steven¡¯s undercover mission takes a thrilling turn as he delves deeper into the factory¡¯s inner workings. With his calm demeanor masking a determined resolve, he must navigate the treacherous waters of factory politics while keeping his true intentions hidden. As he inches closer to uncovering the truth about Nichs, the tension esctes with every passing moment. Readers will be left wondering whether Steven can maintain his cover amidst the growing suspicion of those around him, and how his path will ultimately intertwine with Shannon¡¯s. Expect unexpected twists and a deepening mystery that will keep you eagerly anticipating the next revtion in this gripping tale.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 553
Keepsake 553 Summary
In **Keepsake 553**, the story unfolds with a tense confrontation between Steven and Duncan in a cramped dorm room. Steven, facing financial hardship, expresses his frustration by throwing a bucket at Duncan¡¯s feet, revealing his desperate situation. Duncan, initially skeptical, quickly realizes that Steven¡¯s calm demeanor hides a formidable strength. As Steven begins to unpack his suitcase, a power struggle ensues, culminating in Duncan¡¯s panic as he finds himself overpowered by Steven¡¯s grip. The exchange reveals Duncan¡¯s cowardice and Steven¡¯s determination to extract information about a man named Nichs, indicating a deeper purpose behind Steven¡¯s arrival.
The narrative shifts to Shannon, who returns home alone after a difficult encounter with her husband, Henry. As she sinks into silence on the couch, her son Kaleb seeksfort, sharing the harsh words he received from Henry. However, Shannon¡¯s response is detached, revealing her own emotional turmoil. When she finally voices her feelings about Henry, it triggers a flood of pent-up rage and sorrow, showcasing her struggle against an oppressive rtionship. This moment of vulnerability contrasts sharply with Kaleb¡¯s innocent need for maternal support, highlighting the emotional disconnect in their family dynamics.
Meanwhile, Kylie experiences a moment of shock upon finding Henry at her home, leading to an emotional plea for forgiveness. Her desperation reflects the strain in their rtionship, as she grapples with the fear of losing him. Henry¡¯s response is measured yet disappointed, revealing theplexities of their bond. He expresses his dedication to her and his frustrations over herck of trust, indicating that their rtionship is fraught with misunderstandings and unspoken expectations. This interaction underscores the themes of loyalty and betrayal, as both characters navigate their emotionalndscapes.
Overall, the chapter explores themes of power dynamics, emotional struggles, and the impact of strained rtionships. The characters grapple with their fears and desires, revealing the profound effects of their circumstances on their interactions. As tensions rise and vulnerabilities are exposed, the narrative invites readers to reflect on theplexities of human connections and the lengths individuals will go to seek understanding and resolution.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 553**
**The Stranger in the Dorm**
Steven stood there, a look of confusion etched across his face. In a sudden burst of frustration, he hurled the bucket at the man¡¯s feet, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. ¡°I¡¯m broke.¡±
The man blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of the statement.
¡°Broke?¡± he echoed, his brow furrowing in disbelief.
A realization washed over him¡ªSteven¡¯s response was a window into why he had chosen to work at the factory.
Yet, skepticism lingered in the man¡¯s eyes. He scrutinized Steven from head to toe, taking in the details.
Despite the simplicity of his attire, there was an unsettling quality about him¡ªtoo immacte, too polished, and tooposed for someone engaged in physically demandingbor.
¡°You part-time?¡± the man inquired, his tone a mix of curiosity and challenge.
¡°Full-time,¡± Steven replied, his voice steady and unwavering.
A rapid exchange of words ensued, punctuated by the sound of zippers as Steven began to unpack his suitcase, methodically organizing his belongings with an almost serene demeanor.
It dawned on the man then.
He had been made a fool.
Scratching his head in bewilderment, he felt anger bubbling beneath the surface, quickly recing his confusion. He pped his thigh in frustration and bellowed, ¡°I don¡¯t care what you are¡ªpart-time or full-time! This room¡¯s mine! Get out!¡±
With a resounding bang, the suitcase hit the floor, the sound reverberating in the cramped space.
The irate man red daggers at Steven, his body coiling with tension as he watched him closely, anticipating a confrontation.
But Steven, unfazed, didn¡¯t even nce in his direction. Instead, he crouched down, continuing to sort through his belongings as if the man¡¯s presence was of no consequence.
¡°I¡¯m talking to you! Are you deaf?¡± the man shouted, his voice rising in pitch as he stormed forward, desperation fueling his aggression.
He lunged to grab Steven by the cor, but before he could make contact, Steven sidestepped effortlessly. One handnded lightly on the man¡¯s shoulder, yet it felt as if a mountain hade crashing down upon him.
The man¡¯splexion drained of color, his earlier bravado evaporating in an instant, leaving him trembling on unsteady legs.
He would have never guessed that this seemingly calm and gentle figure possessed such incredible strength.
Desperately, the man twisted his shoulder, trying to break free, but the tighter he fought, the more unyielding Steven¡¯s grip became.
A slight smile yed on Steven¡¯s lips as he leaned in, his eyes locking onto the man¡¯s. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± he asked, his tone surprisingly calm and pleasant.
But the pain radiating through the man¡¯s arm was a stark reminder that this was no harmless encounter.
¡°D-Duncan Harold,¡± he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
¡°Good, Duncan,¡± Steven acknowledged with a nod. ¡°Now tell me, have you seen this man before?¡±
With that, he produced a photograph, holding it delicately between his fingers. It was an image of Nichs.
Duncan¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion at first, but recognition flickered in his eyes as he connected the face in the picture to a memory.
¡°Well?¡±
Steven¡¯s soft hum filled the silence, and Duncan felt a strange detachment from his own arm, as if it were no longer his.
¡°Y-yes! Yes, I¡¯ve seen him!¡± he blurted out, panic creeping into his voice.
A satisfied smile spread across Steven¡¯s face. He loosened his grip, but it was a deliberate act, not one born of kindness. ¡°Then tell me, where is he now?¡±
Despite the easing of pressure, Duncan remained tense, ncing furtively at Steven. ¡°W-why do you want to know?¡± he whispered, fearcing his words.
Steven¡¯s smile remained, but an icy chill enveloped the space between them.
¡°Zone B!¡± Duncan finally eximed, his voice rising in terror. ¡°He¡¯s in Zone B with his wife!¡±
The words tumbled out in a rush, fueled by fear and desperation. He divulged every detail he knew, his resolve crumbling under the weight of Steven¡¯s presence.
Duncan was the type of man who preyed on the weak and cowered before the strong. Without any support, he would never dare to act so boldly.
¡°Get some rest,¡± Steven said, giving Duncan a light pat on the shoulder before turning to leave.
The moment the door clicked shut, Duncan¡¯s legs buckled beneath him, and he copsed onto the floor, his body shaking uncontrobly.
Who is that man? And what is he doing here?
¡ª
**Apartment.**
Shannon returned home alone, the sun already peeking over the horizon. Henry had to make his way back to the vi, leaving her with a heavy heart.
She sank onto the couch, silence enveloping her like a shroud. The sound of movement caught her attention, and Kaleb cautiously opened his bedroom door, peering out.
¡°Mom¡¡±
Upon seeing her, Kaleb rushed out, tears streaming down his face as he flung himself into her arms. His voice quivered as he recounted every harsh word Henry had hurled at him earlier¡ªevery scolding, every moment of disappointment.
He had expected his mother tofort him, perhaps even to express anger on his behalf. Instead, Shannon¡¯s response was muted; she wrapped her arms around him loosely, her expression vacant, her eyes devoid of warmth.
Kaleb froze, sensing something was amiss. Tentatively, he tugged at her sleeve, fear creeping into his heart. She remained still, unresponsive.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak again, Shannon suddenly bent down, burying her face in his shoulder.
¡°Your dad¡¯s a terrible man!¡±
The words spilled out, sharp and bitter, her voice trembling with suppressed rage. In an instant, tears cascaded down her cheeks, a torrent of emotion breaking free.
Henry remained oblivious to Shannon¡¯s unraveling. By the time dawn broke, he was already back at the vi, his mind preupied with his own thoughts.
Kylie awoke early, her mind still clouded from the events of the previous night. As she stepped into the living room, she froze in disbelief. Henry was sitting on the couch, an unexpected sight that momentarily felt like a dream.
¡°Henry?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.
When he slowly turned his head in her direction, she rushed forward, throwing herself into his arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Henry,¡± she sobbed, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°It was my fault. I misunderstood you. Please forgive me.¡±
Tears streamed down her face as she gazed up at him, her eyes brimming with desperation.
¡°I just¡ I can¡¯t live without you.¡±
She wept quietly, trembling under the weight of the cold, unyielding look on his face. Her heart raced, fear gnawing at her insides.
After what felt like an eternity, she felt his arm finally tighten around her, a flicker of warmth amidst the chill.
Kylie lifted her head, hope igniting in her eyes as she met his gaze. Henry looked down at her, his voice low and steady, echoing the gravity of the moment.
¡°Kylie, I know you¡¯ve been under immense pressuretely,¡± he began, his tone measured. ¡°But no matter what, you should never have doubted me. People used to say I was only after your family¡¯s wealth, but when you severed ties with them, I chose to stay by your side. I worked tirelessly so you could continue to livefortably, so you could be that carefree woman you once were.¡± He paused, disappointment flickering in his eyes like a dying ember. ¡°After everything I¡¯ve done, how could you not trust me?¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of the tumultuous encounters that unfolded, both Steven and Shannon found themselves grappling with their own emotional battles. For Steven, the confrontation with Duncan marked a pivotal moment, revealing not only his strength but also the depths of his determination to uncover the truth about Nichs. As he walked away from the factory, a sense of purpose fueled his steps, the weight of his mission pressing firmly on his shoulders. He had transformed from a man merely surviving to one who was resolutely seeking justice, embodying resilience in the face of adversity. The cold, calcted interactions had stripped away any lingering doubts, leaving him fortified by the knowledge that he could navigate the darkness surrounding him.
Meanwhile, Shannon¡¯s emotional unraveling served as a stark contrast to Steven¡¯s newfound resolve. The moment she embraced Kaleb, her earlier stoicism shattered, revealing the raw, unfiltered pain of a mother caught in the throes of a toxic rtionship. Her tears were not just for her son, but for herself¡ªa cathartic release from the years of silence and suffering at the hands of Henry. As she clung to Kaleb, the emotional walls she had built began to crumble, hinting at the possibility of healing and reconnection. In that fleeting moment, she realized that vulnerability could be a source of strength, allowing her to confront the tumultuous reality of her life and the choices thaty ahead. Both characters, in their distinct struggles, emerged from their respective storms with a clearer sense of identity, ready to face the uncertain paths that awaited them.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
What to Expect in the Next Chapter?
As the tension between Steven and Duncan unravels, readers will be drawn deeper into the intricate web of secrets that bind the characters together. Steven¡¯s calm demeanor masks a powerful resolve, and his pursuit of Nichs will lead him into unexpected confrontations and revtions. The stakes are rising, and as Steven delves further into the mystery surrounding Nichs¡¯s whereabouts, the shadows of his past will begin to emerge, testing his strength and determination. Will Duncan¡¯s fear give way to a deeper understanding of Steven¡¯s motives, or will it spiral into further chaos? The next chapter promises to peel back theyers of these characters, revealing their vulnerabilities and hidden agendas.
Meanwhile, Shannon¡¯s emotional turmoil will take center stage as she grapples with the ramifications of her fractured family dynamics. Her confrontation with Henry has set off a chain reaction of events that will ripple through their lives, forcing each character to confront their choices and the consequences that follow. As Shannon¡¯s emotional state teeters on the brink, readers will be left wondering how her rtionship with Kaleb will evolve amidst the chaos. Will she find the strength to protect her son from the fallout, or will her own struggles consume her? The uing chapter is poised to bring heart-wrenching moments and unexpected alliances, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what lies ahead for these intertwined lives.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 554
Keepsake 554 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 554,¡± the story opens with Henry and Kylie in a moment of tension. Henry is visibly disappointed, gripping the couch as Kylie desperately seeks to reconcile their differences. She embraces him tightly, promising to never doubt him again, her voice filled with sincerity. However, Henry¡¯s silence fills her with dread until he finally softens, admitting he can¡¯t stay angry for long. This moment of vulnerability leads to a deeper connection as he reassures her of his trustworthiness, and they share an affectionate exchange about nning her uing birthday party, rekindling the warmth between them.
Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to L and Tess, where tension esctes as L pleads not to leave. Despite his promises to listen to her, Tess remains firm in her decision, leading to L¡¯s emotional breakdown. He expresses his determination to stay with her, revealing the depth of his feelings, which confuses Tess. Their exchange bes heated as L insists he came to Aetheris for her, not just to fulfill family obligations. The atmosphere thickens with unresolved emotions as Tess questions his motivations, and L¡¯s desperation bes palpable.
As the confrontation intensifies, L deres Tess his fianc¨¦e, prompting a protective response from Abel, who stands ready to defend her. This deration shocks Tess, leaving her in disbelief as she demands an exnation. L, undeterred, insists on their childhood promise and rushes to fetch an old photo album as proof. When he returns with pictures of a young Tess, her initial recognition of the images shifts the dynamic, introducing a mix of nostalgia and suspicion. The revtion of their shared pastplicates their rtionship further, leading to a moment of reckoning that could alter their futures.
Overall, the chapter captures a range of emotions, from the warmth of reconciliation between Henry and Kylie to the intense conflict and confusion experienced by L and Tess. The juxtaposition of these rtionships highlights themes of trust, love, and the weight of past promises, leaving the characters at pivotal crossroads that will define their paths moving forward.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 554**
Henry¡¯s fingers gripped tightly around the edges of the couch as he gazed at Kylie, a storm of disappointment swirling in his eyes.
¡°Henry!¡±
Kylie felt a tightening in her chest, an instinctual understanding that he was beginning to soften under her gaze.
Desperate to bridge the chasm that had formed between them, she threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly as if her embrace could erase the hurt. ¡°I won¡¯t do it again, I promise! I¡¯ll never doubt you again!¡± Her voice was fervent,ced with sincerity, each word tumbling out in a rush.
When he remained silent, her heart plummeted, dread creeping into her thoughts like a shadow. Then, from above her head, she heard a long, weary sigh that seemed to echo her own turmoil.
¡°Alright,¡± he finally replied, guiding her gently to sit on hisp. ¡°I can¡¯t stay angry at you for long.¡±
His gaze locked onto hers, his voice dropping to a low, persuasive murmur that sent shivers down her spine.
¡°Kylie, you have to understand something important. Right now, I¡¯m the one who¡¯s closest to you. Who else can you trust if not me?¡±
Kylie nodded fervently, her heart racing. ¡°I trust you!¡±
A flicker of satisfaction danced in Henry¡¯s eyes before he masked it with a more serious expression.
He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and leaned in closer, inhaling the soft, sweet scent that enveloped her. It was a fragrance that lingered in the air, delicate and enchanting, a stark contrast to Shannon¡¯s overpowering perfume.
Henry¡¯s demeanor softened as he spoke. ¡°Your birthday ising up soon. I¡¯ll have Nadine help you n a big party¡ªa real celebration this time.¡±
Kylie lifted her head from his chest, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°A birthday party? You¡¯re not mad at me anymore?¡±
Her voice quivered slightly, betraying her lingering uncertainty.
¡°Such a silly girl,¡± Henry chuckled, his tone warm and affectionate. ¡°How could I ever stay mad at you?¡±
In that moment, Kylie¡¯s heart swelled with warmth, a radiant happiness washing over her like sunlight breaking through clouds.
¡°Alright,¡± she said softly, a smile blooming on her lips. ¡°I¡¯ll reach out to my family tomorrow and invite them over.¡±
¡°Hmm,¡± Henry nodded, a satisfied smile creeping onto his face.
They embraced in the living room, a picture of a couple wrapped in simple yet profound affection, oblivious to the world around them.
As evening descended upon Evermount Heights, the atmosphere shifted.
¡°Tess¡¡± L¡¯s fingers clutched the edge of Tess¡¯s sleeve, his blue eyes wide with desperation. ¡°Can I not leave?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Tess shook her head firmly, brushing his hand away with a decisive motion that left no room for argument.
¡°I-I won¡¯t fight him anymore,¡± he murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he bit his lip, lowering his head in defeat. His tousled hair fell across his face, obscuring his expression from her view. ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you from now on.¡±
When he finally dared to look up, his blue eyes glimmered with an urgency that mirrored the depths of a troubledke, full of unspoken fears.
Tess sank onto the couch, gently taking La from Bessie¡¯s arms, her heart heavy with the weight of the moment. She looked at L and shook her head resolutely. ¡°No. I told youst time. You have to go today.¡±
The instant those words escaped her lips, Abel, who had been loungingzily on the couch, suddenly perked up. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and a smug grin spread across his face, as if he were savoring a delicious secret.
He cast a nce at L, a look of pure satisfaction etched across his features¡ªsmug, amused, and just a tad too pleased to witness L¡¯s turmoil.
Yet L paid no heed to Abel¡¯s taunts, his mind consumed by thoughts of Tess. Her cold words echoed in his ears, her refusal to even nce back at him cutting deeper than any knife.
¡°No! I¡¯m staying with you!¡± he shouted, his voice trembling with emotion. ¡°I came to Aetheris for you!¡±
In that moment, he felt on the brink of aplete breakdown, ready to unleash a storm of frustration right there in the living room.
¡°For me?¡±
Tess frowned, instantly sensing the odd tone in his voice. She looked up, confusion knitting her brow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you go to Krigan to fulfill your grandmother¡¯s wish? You said you came to Aetheris because you only knew me and wanted to explore the country. So why are you saying this now?¡±
L¡¯s gaze bore into hers, desperately seeking any sign of hesitation or affection, but there was none. His heart shattered into a thousand pieces, each fragment cutting deeper than thest.
¡°I didn¡¯t juste to Aetheris,¡± he said through gritted teeth, his voice low but filled with intensity. ¡°I came to Crorus for you too!¡±
Tess¡¯s confusion deepened. Before she could formte a response, L stepped forward, grasping her wrist with a fervor that startled her.
If she wouldn¡¯t allow him to touch her clothes, then he would seize her hand instead.
¡°You¡¯re my fianc¨¦e!¡± he eximed, the words bursting forth like a dam breaking.
Before Tess could react, a solid punch flew through the air.
Abel had risen at some point, his tall figure now positioned protectively in front of Tess, his re fierce and menacing, like a wolf ready to defend its pack.
¡°What did you just say?¡± Abel¡¯s voice was low and dangerous, each word spat out through clenched teeth, vibrating with barely contained fury.
Tess quickly stepped in, pulling Abel back before the situation escted further. Even so, the gust of air from Abel¡¯s swing sent a jolt of fear through her, her heart racing.
She shot Abel a warning nce, urging him to sit down, then turned her attention back to L. ¡°What did you mean by that?¡± she asked, her voice steady yetced with tension.
L stood his ground, his face flushed but resolute. ¡°You¡¯re my fianc¨¦e! We were promised to each other as kids! We¡¯re meant to be together!¡±
He shouted those words with such fervor that the room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of his deration hanging in the air like a thick fog.
Tess crossed her arms, her expression a mixture of disbelief and bewilderment as she stared at him, her eyes silently demanding an exnation. What on earth are you talking about?
L froze for a brief moment, his cheeks flushing a deeper shade of crimson. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me? I have your childhood photos!¡±
Before she could respond, he dashed upstairs, his footsteps echoing with urgency. Momentster, he burst back into the room, clutching an old photo album with trembling hands.
He opened it right in front of her, flipping through the pages with a fervor that betrayed his anxiety.
Inside were pictures of a young Tess, unmistakable in her innocence. Her soft cheeks and bright eyes sparkled in each captured moment, a testament to a childhood long past.
Tess¡¯s expression hardened as she recognized the images.
Those were indeed her childhood pictures, a trove of memories she had long forgotten, and there were so many of them.
She narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her voice. ¡°Where did you get these?¡±
L lifted his chin defiantly, a glimmer of pride igniting in his gaze. ¡°You forgot? Our families met before. My grandpa took pictures with your grandma. We were in those photos too!¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of their emotional turbulence, both Henry and Kylie emerged from their confrontation with a renewed sense of connection, their hearts mending with each shared moment. The promise of a birthday celebration became a symbol of hope, a testament to theirmitment to each other despite the shadows of doubt that had briefly clouded their rtionship. As they embraced, the warmth of their affection enveloped them, washing away the remnants of disappointment and recing them with a radiant joy that felt almost tangible. For Kylie, the thrill of Henry¡¯s unwavering trust ignited a spark of determination to nurture their bond, while for Henry, the sight of her blossoming happiness reassured him that love was indeed a force strong enough to bridge any chasm.
Meanwhile, the tension between Tess and L reached a boiling point, revealing theplexities of their past and the weight of unspoken promises. L¡¯s heartfelt deration shattered the silence, forcing Tess to confront the reality of their shared history and the emotions she had long buried. As he presented the photo album, the echoes of their childhood began to resurface, intertwining their fates in a way that neither had anticipated. In that moment, the room pulsed with the potential for reconciliation, a chance for them to redefine their rtionship amidst the chaos. The confrontation served as a catalyst, urging Tess to navigate her feelings and ultimately decide if she could embrace the connection that had once been forged in innocence, setting the stage for a new chapter in their lives.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension in the room thickens, readers can expect emotions to run high as Tess grapples with the shocking revtion of her childhood connection to L. With the resurfacing of long-buried memories, the stakes are raised, and the dynamics between the trio¡ªTess, L, and Abel¡ªwill shift dramatically. Will Tess confront her feelings for L, or will her past be too overwhelming to reconcile with her present? The discovery of the childhood photos may serve as a catalyst, igniting a whirlwind of emotions and forcing Tess to question her own heart.
Meanwhile, Henry and Kylie¡¯s budding rtionship will face its own trials as the shadows of doubt and mistrust loomrge. With Kylie¡¯s birthday approaching, the promise of celebration may be overshadowed by unresolved issues and lingering insecurities. As they prepare for the party, will they be able to navigate theplexities of their bond, or will external forces threaten to pull them apart? Anticipation builds as readers await the unfolding of both couples¡¯ journeys, each facing their own crossroads that could either strengthen their love or tear them apart. The next chapter promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, where secrets unravel and hearts areid bare.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 555
Keepsake 555 Summary
In **Keepsake 555**, tension mounts as Abel confronts Tess and L about a childhood promise that has resurfaced, igniting a whirlwind of emotions. Abel¡¯s urgency and protectiveness are palpable as he demands rity from Tess, who feels overwhelmed by the situation. Tess, reflecting on their past, insists that the promise made in their youth holds no relevance in their adult lives, leading to L¡¯s desperate plea for acknowledgment of their shared history.
As the confrontation esctes, Abel¡¯s protective instincts kick in, resulting in a physical altercation when he intervenes to defend Tess. This moment of aggression culminates in Tess asserting her authority by kicking Abel out, showcasing her strength and desire to take control of the situation. The door ms shut, leaving Abel outside, grappling with a mix of confusion and wounded pride, while inside, L briefly feels a flicker of hope before being unceremoniously pushed out as well.
With the men gone, the atmosphere shifts as Tess, Raven, and Lyra regroup to discuss their n to locate Nichs, intertwining their personal struggles with their mission. Raven¡¯s yful teasing about Tess¡¯s past with L lightens the mood, but Tess remains steadfast in her disinterest in rekindling old mes, reflecting on the burdens of love after her divorce. This moment of camaraderie among the women highlights their independence and strength, suggesting that they find fulfillment beyond romantic rtionships.
As they strategize, the contrast between the calm inside and the brewing conflict outside is stark. L and Abel stand at the door, locked in a fierce stare, their unresolved emotions boiling over. Abel mocks the idea of a childhood marriage contract, while L retorts with bitterness, revealing the deep-seated rivalry and hurt between them. This confrontation encapstes the story¡¯s themes of past promises, emotional turmoil, and theplexities of adult rtionships, leaving the reader anticipating the next developments in their intertwined lives.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 555**
**The Childhood Promise**
Abel sprang from his chair, tension coiling through his body like a tightly wound spring. ¡°What photo are you talking about?¡± he demanded, his voice barely above a whisper yetced with urgency.
His gaze flitted between L and Tess, a whirlwind of panic and anger swirling within him. In that moment, he resembled a young girl whose heart had been shattered by the very person she had trusted the most. ¡°Tess, you need to say something!¡±
Tess, feeling the weight of the situation press down on her, rubbed her temples in frustration. The whole ordeal was draining her. ¡°That was ages ago when we were just kids. I honestly don¡¯t even recall any engagement. If that¡¯s the reason you¡¯ve been lurking around, I think it¡¯spletely unnecessary.¡±
L¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re trying to back out of it?¡±
The words hung in the air like a heavy fog. For a fleeting moment, it felt as if the remnants of L¡¯s already fragmented heart were disintegrating into dust, scattering away from him.
Tess¡¯s lips twitched slightly, a mix of annoyance and pity. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about it, and I never agreed to any of this. Even if it was real back then, we¡¯ve both grown up now. That promise shouldn¡¯t hold any weight.¡±
¡°It does count!¡± L¡¯s voice rose, desperate and pleading.
He could feel the finality in Tess¡¯s tone, a wall he could not breach. Instantly, his eyes burned with frustration and hurt. He reached out, intent on grasping her wrist, but before he could make contact, Abel intervened, pushing L¡¯s arm away with a forceful shove. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear her? She said it doesn¡¯t count!¡±
Abel¡¯s re was icy and sharp, a de of warning that cut through the tension. The fury zing in his eyes made it abundantly clear: one more misstep, and he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to escte the confrontation.
Truth be told, his heart raced with a mixture of fear and protectiveness.
Sensing the escting hostility, Tess quickly stepped between the two men, her presence a barrier. Without uttering a single word, she lifted her foot and delivered a swift kick to Abel, sending him stumbling toward the door. ¡°You too. Go back to your hotel.¡±
Abel blinked, momentarily stunned by her sudden assertiveness.
The door mmed shut behind him with a resounding bang, leaving him standing in the hallway, staring nkly at the closed door. His hair was slightly disheveled, but it was his pride thaty in tatters.
Inside, L¡¯s expression flickered with renewed hope, as though he was about to voice something profound.
Bang!
In the blink of an eye, he found himself unceremoniously shoved out the door.
Raven peeked from behind Tess, a cheeky grin spreading across her face as she retracted her foot, looking half-apologetic yet undeniably pleased with herself. ¡°You can¡¯t waste time arguing with that guy.¡±
With a p of her hands, she pulled Tess down to sit beside her, the air filled with a sense of camaraderie. ¡°Steven¡¯s already inside the factory. Everything¡¯s going ording to n. And ording to his roommate, Nichs is working in Zone B.¡±
Raven reported her findings in one breath, then eagerly epted the ss of water Tess handed her, gulping it down as if it were a refreshing elixir.
¡°Alright, we¡¯ll wait for Steven to confirm everything,¡± Tess replied, nodding in agreement.
At that moment, Lyra interjected, holding a folded blueprint that she and Raven had just retrieved from Tess¡¯s study. ¡°If we really manage to locate Nichs, how exactly do we n to get him out?¡±
Tess pondered for a moment, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. ¡°The factory is fully residential,¡± she mused. ¡°But surely there must be times when they send people out for supplies.¡± She paused, her mind racing through possible scenarios. ¡°If not¡ then here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do.¡±
She pointed decisively at the transport area on the map. ¡°Steven can knock him out and bring him there. We¡¯ll have someone waiting to pick them up.¡±
Raven and Lyra exchanged nces, their eyes lighting up with understanding and agreement. They nodded in unison, clearly on board with Tess¡¯s n.
¡°Okay, I¡¯ll send a message to Steven,¡± Lyra said, standing up and making her way toward the study with purpose.
Once she left, the living room fell into afortable silence, leaving just Tess, Raven, and little La. Raven¡¯s gaze wandered around the room before pausing briefly at the doorway, a yful smile creeping back onto her face. Turning back to Tess, she teased, ¡°You know, Tess, L might seem a bit slow at times, but he¡¯s actually quite sharp. Are you sure you¡¯re not considering giving that childhood sweetheart of yours another chance?¡±
Tess shot her a look of disbelief. ¡°I told him to leave. Weren¡¯t you the one who just kicked him out?¡±
Raven scratched her head, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. ¡°Hey, that¡¯s different!¡±
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. ¡°Come on! L¡¯s the world¡¯s top piano master now¡ªfame, money, the whole package. Being with him wouldn¡¯t be so bad, would it?¡±
Her gaze drifted momentarily toward La, and then Abel¡¯s face flickered in her mind, causing a slight frown to cross her features. Something about it felt off, a sense of unease lingering in her thoughts.
Catching on to Raven¡¯s matchmaking tone, Tess couldn¡¯t help but let out a softugh. ¡°You don¡¯t even have a man in your life, yet you¡¯re always worrying about mine.¡±
Raven¡¯s cheeks flushed a bright red at this retort. She shot Tess a mock re, her yful spirit shining through. ¡°Wow, look at you! You¡¯ve been around Abel too long; now you even talk like him!¡±
Seeing Raven all riled up brought a warm chuckle from Tess, the tension that had been building earlier slowly dissipating.
¡°Honestly,¡± Tess said softly, resting her chin on her hands, ¡°after the divorce, I stopped caring much about love. Whether I have it or not doesn¡¯t matter to me. Sometimes, it even feels like a burden.¡±
Raven fell silent, her fiery demeanor giving way to a quiet understanding that settled deep within her.
¡°In that case, that¡¯s perfectly fine,¡± Raven replied softly. ¡°Even without a partner, you still have me and Lyra.¡±
She leaned back thoughtfully, a small smile creeping onto her face. Life wasn¡¯t so bad after all.
The three of them¡ªbrilliant minds in the tech world¡ªheld power, wealth, and status. Theycked for nothing. In their dazzling realm, perhaps they didn¡¯t need a husband toplete their picture of perfection.
The atmosphere in the room was calm, even warm, yet outside, the air was thick with tension.
At the door, L and Abel stood toe-to-toe, their eyes locked in a fierce re, neither willing to yield an inch.
¡°Haha! A childhood marriage contract?¡± Abel scoffed, his lips curling into a mocking grin. ¡°Didn¡¯t she just kick you out?¡±
Without Tess to temper him, L¡¯s facade of innocence and hurt dissipated, reced by a cold smirk that could slice through ice. ¡°At least our elders made a promise. You think you¡¯re better than me? She tossed you out first.¡±Conclusion
As the dust settled from the emotional storm that had erupted, Tess found sce in the camaraderie of her friends. The earlier chaos faded into the background, reced by a sense of unity and purpose. With Raven and Lyra beside her, she realized that the bonds they shared were far more significant than any fleeting promise made in childhood. Theughter and lightness that filled the room served as a reminder that life was not solely about romantic entanglements; it was about the connections that uplifted and empowered them. Tess¡¯s heart, once heavy with the weight of past rtionships, began to lighten, allowing her to embrace the present and the friendships that had weathered the storms of life.
Outside, the tension between L and Abel simmered, a stark contrast to the warmth within. Their rivalry was a reflection of the unresolved feelings that lingered in the air, yet Tess understood that she could no longer be tethered to the ghosts of her past. The promise of childhood, once a source of longing and regret, now felt like a distant echo, overshadowed by the strength of her newfound independence. As she looked around at the faces of her friends, Tess felt a sense of empowerment swell within her. She was ready to forge her own path, unencumbered by expectations or obligations, and in that moment, she knew that her story was just beginning.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of **Keepsake 555**, the simmering tension between L and Abel is set to explode. As they stand outside, locked in a battle of wills, the stakes have never been higher. With Tess caught in the middle of their escting feud, she must confront her feelings about the childhood promise that has resurfaced to haunt her. Will she find the courage to confront her past and the implications it holds for her future? The air is thick with anticipation as the confrontation between the two men threatens to unravel the fragile peace Tess has fought to maintain.
Meanwhile, the n to rescue Nichs loomsrge in the background. With Steven already inside the factory, the clock is ticking, and Tess, Raven, and Lyra must act quickly to ensure everything goes ording to n. As they strategize their next move, the dynamics of their rtionships will be tested. Will Tess¡¯s resolve to keep her distance from L falter under the weight of nostalgia and unspoken feelings? Or will the looming threat of their mission overshadow any romantic entanglements? The chapter promises a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected alliances, and the potential for revtions that could change everything for Tess and her friends. Prepare for a rollercoaster ride of suspense and heart as the story unfolds!
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 556
Keepsake 556 Summary
In Chapter 556 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Song in His Dream,¡± tension esctes as Abel¡¯s sinister intentions towards L be evident. Abel¡¯s malicious plotting is palpable, causing L to feel an overwhelming sense of dread. The atmosphere thickens with fear as L recognizes Abel as a genuine threat, leading to a confrontation that Tess interrupts with a decisivemand to take their fight outside. This moment of intervention diffuses the immediate conflict, but the unspoken animosity lingers as both men retreat, leaving Tess to grapple with the emotional fallout.
Later, L seeks sce in a hotel room near Evermount Heights, where he reflects on the earlier confrontation and Tess¡¯s apparent indifference to his feelings about their childhood marriage contract. This contract, which he views as a significant part of his identity, seems trivial to her, deepening his sense of istion. As he struggles with his thoughts, he turns to whiskey forfort, but the alcohol leads him into a disorienting haze, causing him to question his reality and triggering memories of his grandfather.
In a poignant shback, L recalls his childhood piano lessons with his grandfather, filled with frustration yet underscored by a sense of obligation. The memory shifts to a moment of profound loss when he discovers his grandfather¡¯s lifeless body, a moment that crystallizes his grief and loneliness. The recollection of his grandfather¡¯s words brings bothfort and pain as L grapples with theplexities of their rtionship, feeling resentment for the expectations ced upon him while also cherishing the bond they shared.
As L navigates his feelings of abandonment and longing, he acknowledges Tess¡¯s enduring presence in his life, symbolized by the photo album filled with memories. This connection to Tess bes a lifeline, reminding him that he is not entirely alone. However, in his intoxicated state, he copses, surrendering to unconsciousness. In his dream, he finds sce in the familiar presence of his grandfather, who ys the piano while Tess¡¯s grandmother sews nearby. Thisforting scene brings L a sense of nostalgia and belonging, allowing him to reconnect with the music that resonates within him, symbolizing hope amidst his turmoil.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 556 The Song in His Dream**
The instant those words slipped from his lips, a sinister grin spread across Abel¡¯s face, dark and foreboding. He flexed his fingers, the sound of his knuckles cracking echoing in the tense atmosphere, already plotting the precise location of his first strike.
It had to be somewhere that would inflict considerable pain yet leave no visible trace¡ªjust enough to ensure this smooth-talking fool wouldn¡¯t dare run to Tess with hisints.
As this malicious intent twisted and turned in Abel¡¯s mind, L observed him silently, feeling a chill crawl down his spine.
Earlier, when Bessie had ushered him upstairs, a warning bell had gone off in his head. Every instinct screamed that Abel was a man to be feared.
Abel was a genuine threat.
L felt the light in his eyes dim, the air thickening around them as if the very atmosphere hade to a standstill, the wind itself holding its breath.
¡°Take it outside if you¡¯re going to fight,¡± Tess interjected sharply, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
With a swift motion, she flung the door open and mmed it shut with a resounding bang that reverberated through the room.
Both men flinched at the sudden noise, the fire in their confrontation extinguishing in an instant.
They exchanged one final, seething re before turning away, each retreating to their respective cars, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
From her vantage point by the window, Tess watched their vehicles pull away, the sight stirring a mix of emotions within her. Only after they had vanished from view did she firmly click the lock into ce, sealing off the chaos that had briefly invaded her space.
Later that evening, L found himself checking into a hotel nestled near Evermount Heights.
His room was perched high above the ground, and as he gazed out the window, the sprawling greenwns below seemed to stretch endlessly.
He dragged a chair across the room, plopping down and letting his eyes wander over the view, but his mind was preupied.
All he could rey was the confrontation and the sting of Tess¡¯s disbelief.
Or perhaps it was indifference that cut deeper¡ªmaybe to her, that childhood marriage contract was merely a relic of family lore, a trivial joke. But to him, it was the cornerstone of his existence, the thread that had woven through the fabric of his life, keeping him anchored through the years.
With a long, weary sigh, he lifted the ss in his right hand and drained thest drop of whiskey, the silence enveloping him like a shroud.
L had always prided himself on his self-control. Alcohol was a stranger to him, so it felt surreal that his first encounter with it would be in a foreignnd.
But then again, since it was her city, he found himself surprisingly at ease with the choice.
The liquor scorched its way down his throat, igniting a fire that made his eyes water. Before long, the edges of his reality began to blur, the world around him tilting at an odd angle. The moon outside the window appeared to slip from the sky, as if gravity had suddenly lost its hold.
¡°Wait¡ªwhy is the moon on the floor?¡±
He blinked furiously, rubbing his eyes in disbelief, but it remained stubbornly grounded, refusing to return to its rightful ce.
This couldn¡¯t be happening. He had seen the moon countless times before, and it had never behaved in such a bizarre manner.
He reached out instinctively, as if to right the celestial body, but his body swayed, and he copsed instead, his elbow crashing against the floor. The sudden jolt of pain pulled him halfway back to reality.
It turned out he had simply toppled off his chair, lost in a drunken haze.
L managed a sheepish grin, rubbing his sore arm as he hoisted himself back into the seat.
The moon outside continued to shine, steady and bright, just as it always had.
Yet the rity was fleeting. Soon, the room began to spin again, everything blurring and doubling in on itself.
His thoughts scattered like leaves caught in a whirlwind.
¡°Grandpa, why do I have to learn piano?¡±
The question echoed in his mind,den with childhood frustration. He had dreaded those lessons, sitting stiffly beside the old man, who wielded a ruler like a sword of discipline.
While other children yed outside,ughing and frolicking in the garden, he was confined indoors, shackled to the piano, forced to practice endlessly.
¡°Because you have talent,¡± his grandfather had replied, his voice firm yet encouraging.
¡°Grandpa! I won the gold medal for the youth!¡±
The memory surged back as he recalled running home, his heart swelling with pride, the trophy clutched tightly in his hands. But upon arriving, he found the old man lying still on the floor, motionless and cold.
The golden trophy slipped from his fingers, ttering to the ground as he fell to his knees, panic flooding him.
The old man, once a towering figure of strength and authority, now seemed so small and frail.
Deep lines of age etched into his face, and when L reached out to touch him, the wrinkles remained, stubborn and unyielding.
Only the mist¡ªthose faint, salty tears¡ªcould be brushed away.
¡°Grandpa, I don¡¯t want to be alone.¡±
His voice cracked with emotion as he cried, the weight of his loss crashing down on him.
And in that heart-wrenching moment, he finallyprehended the depth of his sorrow.
The old man offered a faint smile, barely lifting the corners of his lips, but perhaps it was merely a figment of L¡¯s imagination.
¡°How could you ever be alone?¡± the old man¡¯s voice was soft, fading like a whisper in the wind. ¡°Tess is waiting for you.¡±
¡°Now,¡± he murmured yearster, standing before a modest gravestone, ¡°I¡¯m one of the best pianists in the world.¡±
He ced a small bunch of grass before the stone, a simple tribute to aplex rtionship.
At times, he still harbored resentment toward his grandfather.
In his youth, he had loathed the way the old man had controlled and pushed him, burying him under an avnche of expectations.
And when the time came, that old man had left him behind, his final wordspletely devoid of connection to L¡¯s life. At the funeral, he hadid a solitary de of grass before the tombstone, a silent farewell.
His grandfather had once said that fabric was made from dried leaves and twigs, a lesson that had eluded L¡¯s understanding back then. All he felt was an overwhelming sadness.
In the years that followed, he wandered through life, often feeling like a ghost. People came and went, yet the one constant was the thick photo album he clutched tightly. Each year, he painstakingly reprinted the same old photographs, adding them to the collection. Over time, those few images filled the entire album, a testament to his past.
Grandpa used to insist that he was never alone.
And in a way, he was right. Tess remained with him, her presence woven into the fabric of his memories. The photo album apanied him on countless journeys, through various moments that shaped his life.
How could he ever let go of that so easily?
¡°Tess¡¡± L whispered, his voice barely audible as he took unsteady steps toward her, swaying like a leaf in the wind.
But after just a few faltering steps, he lost his bnce and copsed onto the floor, darkness enveloping him as he sumbed to unconsciousness.
In his dream, his grandfather was still there, aforting presence in the swirling chaos of his mind.
The old man yed the piano, the notes flowing effortlessly, while Tess¡¯s grandmother sat at her sewing machine, the rhythmic sound of the needle punctuating the air.
The melody of the piano and the soft hum of the sewing machine intertwined, creating a strangely soothing symphony.
He stood shyly to the side, his gaze drawn to Tess, who was eagerly asking her grandmother how to craft a dress. In that moment, he felt a pull of longing and nostalgia, and he quietly settled down beside his grandfather, joining him in ying the song that resonated deep within his soul.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, L found himself grappling with the weight of his memories and the haunting echoes of his past. The chaos instigated by Abel had stirred a tempest within him, forcing him to confront not only the fear of loss but also the unrelenting grip of expectation that his grandfather had imposed upon him. As he sat alone in his hotel room, the whiskey dulled the sharp edges of his sorrow, yet it could not erase the profound sense of istion that enveloped him. The moon, once a guiding light, had be a distorted reflection of his fractured reality, symbolizing the disconnection he felt from both his past and the present. In that moment, he understood that his journey was not merely about reconciling his rtionship with Tess, but also about finding peace within himself, a struggle that had long been overshadowed by the burdens of his childhood.
Ultimately, as he slipped into unconsciousness, the dreamscape offered him a fleeting sce¡ªa reunion with theforting figures of his past. The harmonious intery of the piano and the sewing machine created a melody that transcended the pain, weaving together the threads of his memories and the love he still held for Tess. In that ethereal space, he was reminded that while the scars of his past may never fully fade, they were part of arger tapestry that included moments of joy and connection. L¡¯s emotional arc came full circle as he embraced the truth that he was never truly alone; Tess¡¯s presence, both in reality and in his dreams, was a testament to the enduring bonds that shaped his life. As he yed alongside his grandfather, he felt a flicker of hope, a promise of healing that could bridge the gap between the past and the future, guiding him toward a new beginning.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the veil of unconsciousness slowly lifts, readers will find L grappling with the remnants of his dream, where echoes ofughter and music intertwine with the shadows of his past. The chapter promises an exploration of L¡¯s psyche, delving deeper into the memories that shape him and the rtionships that haunt him. With Tess¡¯s presence lingering like a phantom, the tension between them will heighten, forcing L to confront the unresolved feelings that swirl within him, both for her and the legacy of his grandfather.
Moreover, Abel¡¯s menacing presence will loomrger, as his intentions begin to surface more clearly. The stakes are raised when L¡¯s past collides with his present, leading to a confrontation that could shatter the fragile peace he has tried to maintain. With every passing moment, the threat Abel poses bes increasingly palpable, and readers will be left on the edge of their seats, wondering how L will navigate this treacherousndscape. Will he find the strength to stand up against Abel, or will the ghosts of his past continue to dictate his future? Prepare for a chapter filled with emotional turmoil, unexpected revtions, and the haunting melody of choices yet to be made.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 557
Keepsake 557 Summary
**Summary of Keepsake 557: Chapter 557: A Bitter Wake-Up Call**
In this chapter, Raven confronts L in a hotel room, filled with frustration and concern over his reckless behavior. The morning light fails to lift her spirits as she breaks into the locked room, only to be met with the overwhelming stench of alcohol and a disheveled L sprawled on the floor. Her emotions shift from disgust to anger as she realizes the extent of his self-destructive state. Raven¡¯s determination to wake him up leads her to p him multiple times, a desperate attempt to bring him back to reality.
As L slowly regains consciousness, he is met with Raven¡¯s fierce confrontation. She challenges his reckless drinking and questions his feelings for Tess, a woman from their shared past. Despite their long history, Raven sees through L¡¯s facade and recognizes his bitterness and obsession. She emphasizes that he has no right to judge Tess¡¯s life, highlighting the struggles she has faced. The tension esctes as Raven warns him that his selfishness could harm Tess, revealing her unwavering resolve to protect her friend from L¡¯s misguided intentions.
The chapter culminates in a powerful exchange, where Raven¡¯s words cut deep, forcing L to confront the reality of his feelings. As she leaves, her warning hangs heavily in the air, leaving L in a state of turmoil. Alone in the room, he grapples with the weight of Raven¡¯s admonition, reflecting on hisplex emotions toward Tess and the shadows of her past. The chapter captures a moment of raw confrontation, revealing the intricacies of their rtionships and the emotional stakes involved.
In a parallel scene, the narrative shifts to Duncan, who finds himself in a precarious situation with Steven. Tension builds as Steven¡¯s cold demeanor and physical intimidation create a sense of dread. Duncan¡¯s internal struggle is palpable as he recalls the painful moments he has endured. This subplot introduces a different kind of conflict, contrasting with the emotional turmoil faced by Raven and L. The stakes are high for Duncan as he tries to navigate the dangerous dynamics at y, highlighting the themes of fear and vulnerability in the face of coercion.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 557**
**Chapter 557: A Bitter Wake-Up Call**
The dawn of a new day broke, but it did little to brighten Raven¡¯s mood.
Bang! Bang!
She rapped on the door several times, her patience wearing thin as silence hung in the air. With determination, Raven hacked into the hotel¡¯s system, overriding the lock and pushing the door open herself.
As soon as she crossed the threshold, an overpowering scent of alcohol assaulted her senses, making her wrinkle her nose in disgust.
Waving a hand in front of her face to disperse the stench, she ventured deeper into the room. It didn¡¯t take long for her to find L. Hey sprawled on the floor, a chaotic mess of limbs and disarray.
Raven¡¯s brow furrowed as her gaze swept over the scene. A half-empty bottley discarded by his foot, and a puddle of liquor glistened ominously on the floor. Frustration bubbled within her, and she pressed her palm to her forehead, trying to quell the rising tide of irritation.
With a sudden resolve, she crouched beside him, her heart pounding with a mix of concern and anger. Without hesitation, she delivered three sharp ps across his face, each one echoing in the stillness of the room.
L stirred, blinking up at her through a haze of confusion, his eyes struggling to focus on the furious expression that greeted him.
¡°You¡ª¡± he began, but the words were barely a whisper.
¡°Do you want to die? If so, go drink yourself to death back home!¡± Raven snapped, punctuating her words with another resounding p.
That one seemed to jolt him awake, the sting igniting a spark of rity.
He recoiled, the pain burning on his cheek as he instinctively jerked to the side, narrowly avoiding her next swing.
¡°Raven!¡± he gritted out, his voice hoarse and strained, a mixture of anger and disbelief.
But she was relentless. Her hand came down again, quick and unforgiving.
Still half-drunk and half-awake, L stumbled to his feet, only to trip over his own feet and crash back down. His knee collided painfully with the floor, the sharp crack reverberating in the quiet room.
Finally, Raven paused, a mocking smile creeping onto her lips as she looked down at him. ¡°I thought you¡¯d been ying the innocent card for far too long,¡± she remarked coolly. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ve forgotten how to fight back.¡±
Her eyes narrowed, a steely glint reflecting her determination.
Raven had known L since childhood. They had both grown up under the same roof, sharingughter and secrets, their lives intertwined in ways that felt almost inevitable. She had been sent abroad to study music at a young age, but the bond they formed had endured through the years.
Yet, despite their history, Raven understood that the man before her was not the obedient, quiet figure he pretended to be around Tess.
Now, as hey on the floor, he was a far cry from the elegant pianist the world admired. His breath wasbored, his hair a wild tangle, and anyone observing would wonder just how deeply he had sumbed to the chaos of the previous night.
¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± he muttered, his voice low and gravelly, as if he were struggling to articte the weight of his feelings.
A chill enveloped him, heavy and suffocating.
Raven crossed her arms defiantly and plopped down on his bed without so much as a by-your-leave. L shot her a dark look, but she met it with indifference.
¡°Forget about Tess,¡± she said tly, her voice devoid of the usual warmth.
The usual spark in her eyes dimmed, reced by a seriousness that felt foreign.
L lifted his head, his gaze sharp and fierce. ¡°You don¡¯t get to dictate my feelings.¡±
¡°I¡¯m just trying to give you a dose of reality,¡± Raven replied, her hands spread wide as if to emphasize her point.
Her tone shifted, bing more somber. ¡°You¡¯re just bitter, L. You heard those things your grandpa told you when you were a kid, and you convinced yourself she was your fianc¨¦e.¡±
L froze, the weight of her words sinking in.
¡°So what?¡± he snapped back, biting his lip as he spoke through clenched teeth. ¡°I¡¯m here now. She¡¯ll find out sooner orter.¡±
¡°No,¡± Raven interrupted, shaking her head decisively.
Her expression was firm, leaving no room for debate. ¡°In her world, you¡¯ve always been an outsider. You don¡¯t know the struggles she¡¯s faced over the years. You have no right to judge her life or her past.¡±
L¡¯s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He stood there, enveloped in silence, grappling with the truth of her words.
Raven¡¯s voice sliced through the thick tension in the air, steady and unyielding. ¡°If you keep acting like she belongs to you¡ªselfish and full of pride¡ªI¡¯ll make sure she knows what kind of man you really are. You wouldn¡¯t want that, would you?¡±
The casual demeanor she had moments before vanished, reced by an icy resolve that made every word feel like a dagger aimed at his heart.
With a sudden bang, the door mmed shut behind her, reverberating through the room.
¡°Think about it!¡± Her voice echoed faintly, a haunting reminder of her warning.
L stood there, his jaw clenched tightly, Raven¡¯s admonition reying in his mind like a broken record.
She didn¡¯t understand! This wasn¡¯t about pride or obsession. His feelings for Tess were far moreplex than she could ever know.
His throat tightened with unspoken words, and in a moment of weakness, his legs gave way beneath him, sending him tumbling back onto the bed.
In the haze of exhaustion and frustration, two words slipped from his lips, heavy with meaning¡ª¡±Her past.¡±
His gaze darkened, the thought settling heavily in his chest.
Tess¡¯s past?
¡ª
**Factory Grounds**
¡°Are you sure this is the ce?¡± Steven¡¯s voice was cold, his grip on Duncan¡¯s cor unyielding as he covered Duncan¡¯s mouth with his other hand.
Duncan felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, the pressure of the situation overwhelming him.
If only he had realized the kind of person Steven was, he would have fled the moment they met. That wise decision would have spared him this torment.
¡°I¡¯m sure, I¡¯m sure!¡± Duncan stammered as soon as Steven loosened his grip just enough for him to speak. ¡°My Uncle Jackson is the foreman here. That guy¡ªuh, Nichs! Yes, Nichs¡ªhe was sent in by someone higher up, so I remember him clearly.¡±
He forced a weak smile, but his right hand, hidden behind his back, rubbed at the sore spot where Steven had kicked him.
His gaze involuntarily drifted down to Steven¡¯s legs, marveling at how someone so lean could deliver such a powerful kick.
He inhaled sharply, wincing at the memory of the impact.
Steven finally released his cor, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area beyond the gate.
He swept his gaze around again and again, but Nichs was nowhere to be found.
Without warning, he grabbed Duncan¡¯s cor once more, his expression unchanging.
¡°Get your uncle here,¡± Steven ordered, his tone t and devoid of emotion. ¡°Or call him. Ask where Nichs is right now.¡±
His face remained tense, still as stone¡ªno flicker of emotion, no hint of warmth. Yet that calm demeanor sent a chill down Duncan¡¯s spine.
And just like that, the pain in his backside red up again, as if his body remembered thest kick.
¡°Fine¡¡± he muttered through gritted teeth, fumbling for his phone.
He clenched his jaw, dialing his uncle¡¯s number while swallowing back the frustration that bubbled in his throat. Before he could even contemte voicing hisints, he felt Steven¡¯s cold, sharp gaze fixed on him, an unyielding reminder of the stakes at hand.Conclusion
As the morning light seeped through the cracks of the hotel room, Raven¡¯s confrontation with L marked a pivotal moment in their tumultuous rtionship. The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, resonating with the unspoken truths that had long been buried beneathyers of denial and bitterness. L¡¯s struggle to reconcile his feelings for Tess with the harsh reality of his situation left him grappling with a profound sense of loss and confusion. Raven¡¯s fierce determination to jolt him back to reality revealed the depth of her care, even as it masked her own vulnerabilities. In that charged silence, L was forced to confront not only his obsession but also the painful recognition that his past was not a shield but a burden, one that he could no longer ignore.
Meanwhile, Duncan¡¯s encounter with Steven unfolded in a stark contrast, highlighting the themes of powerlessness and fear. The oppressive grip of Steven¡¯s control over him mirrored L¡¯s internal battle, both characters ensnared in situations where their choices felt stripped away. As Duncan fumbled with his phone, the stakes of his predicament loomedrge, encapsting the desperation of a young man caught between loyalty and survival. The emotional arcs of both characters intertwined, reflecting theplexities of human rtionships and the haunting echoes of their pasts. Ultimately, the chapter closed with a poignant reminder that the journey to self-awareness is fraught with pain, yet it is also a necessary step toward redemption and healing.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions will continue to rise as Raven and L¡¯s confrontation reaches a boiling point. With her warning still echoing in his mind, L must wrestle with the weight of his feelings for Tess and the harsh reality Raven hasid bare. Will he finally confront his own demons and take responsibility for the choices he¡¯s made? Or will he sumb to the bitterness that has clouded his judgment? As Raven¡¯s icy resolve shes with L¡¯s inner turmoil, readers can expect a gripping exploration of loyalty, love, and the haunting shadows of the past.
Simultaneously, the narrative will shift to Duncan and Steven, where the stakes are equally high. With the tension palpable, Duncan¡¯s desperate attempts to appease Steven will lead to unexpected consequences. As he navigates the treacherous dynamics of their rtionship, the truth about Nichs and the motivations behind Steven¡¯s menacing demeanor will begin to unravel. Will Duncan find the courage to defy Steven¡¯s control, or will he remain trapped in a web of fear? As the two storylines intertwine, anticipation builds for revtions that could change everything for both Raven and Duncan, leaving readers breathless in their pursuit of the truth.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 558
Keepsake 558 Summary
In Chapter 558 of ¡°Keepsake 558,¡± titled ¡°The Factory Secret,¡± Duncan is overwhelmed with emotions but tries to maintainposure while speaking to Uncle Jackson. He inquires about Nichs, a figure from his past, but Jackson¡¯s irritation and dismissive tone heighten Duncan¡¯s anxiety. Despite Jackson¡¯s reluctance, Duncan¡¯s urgency prompts him to agree to a meeting in Zone B, leading to a moment of relief for Duncan, who shares a hopeful exchange with hispanion, Steven. However, Steven¡¯s insistence that Duncan guide him to the office quickly dampens Duncan¡¯s spirits, as he feels the weight of despair.
As they navigate through the bustling factory, Duncan tries to remain inconspicuous, knowing he is somewhat recognizable. With Steven¡¯s grip on him, he is forced to keep his head low, blending into the crowd. After a tense journey, they reach Jackson¡¯s office, where the situation esctes dramatically. Steven¡¯s aggressive demeanor frightens Jackson, who bes rmed upon realizing Duncan is in danger. Jackson¡¯s protective instincts kick in, and he quickly tries to diffuse the situation, fearing for Duncan¡¯s safety.
Once inside the office, Jackson¡¯s authority is challenged by Steven, who disys a calm but intimidating presence. The tension rises as Jackson realizes that Steven¡¯s motives may be linked to Duncan¡¯s inquiries about Nichs. As the conversation unfolds, Jackson grapples with the unsettling nature of Steven and the implications of their meeting. Duncan, feeling vulnerable, reaches out to Jackson for help, iming that Steven has harmed him. This desperate plea leads to a chaotic moment that leaves Jackson exasperated and concerned.
The chapter culminates in a power struggle between Jackson and Steven, as Jackson attempts to maintain control of the situation while protecting Duncan. Despite the tension, Jackson remains cautious about divulging sensitive information regarding Nichs to a stranger like Steven. The chapter highlights the emotional turmoil experienced by Duncan, the protective instincts of Jackson, and the menacing presence of Steven, setting the stage for further conflict and revtions.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 558**
**Chapter 558 The Factory Secret**
Duncan felt the weight of his emotions pressing down on him, but he quickly shifted the conversation, forcing himself to swallow the bitterness that threatened to spill over.
¡°Uncle Jackson, do you remember that guy, Nichs? Do you know where he is now in Zone B?¡± he inquired, trying to sound casual, though his heart raced with anticipation.
¡°What¡¯s got you so curious about him?¡± Jackson¡¯s voice crackled through the line, gruff and tinged with irritation, as if he were already weary of the conversation.
¡°Oh,e on! It¡¯s just a simple question. Did you forget how you promised my mom that you¡¯d keep an eye on me?¡± Duncan pressed, his voice rising slightly in urgency.
¡°Keep an eye on you? All day long, you¡¯re asking for this and that¡ªwhat do you think I am, a wishing machine?¡± Jackson snapped back, his tone sharp like the edge of a knife.
Duncan felt his shoulders tense, and he instinctively recoiled, casting a furtive nce at Steven. The way Steven¡¯s brow furrowed and his eyes darted toward Duncan¡¯s left side made Duncan¡¯s heart skip a beat. Anxiety gripped him like a vise.
¡°Uncle Jackson!¡± he yelped, panic flooding his voice.
¡°Alright, alright! Juste to my office in Zone B,¡± Jackson finally relented, his voice heavy with resignation.
A wave of relief washed over Duncan, easing the tension etched on his face. He turned to Steven, a hopeful grin spreading across his features. ¡°Hehe, see? That worked, right? Can I go now?¡±
For the first time, a flicker of warmth crossed Steven¡¯s face, a faint smirk ying at the corners of his lips.
Duncan¡¯s heart soared with joy, only to plummet just as quickly.
¡°I¡¯m new here,¡± Steven said, his voice steady and calm. ¡°I don¡¯t know where that office is. You¡¯ll take me there.¡±
Duncan¡¯s face fell, the weight of despair settling on him. He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes when Steven suddenly grabbed him by the cor, dragging him forward with an unyielding grip.
Zone B buzzed with life, the factory¡¯s busiest area. Workers flowed like a relentless river, moving back and forth in a chaotic dance ofbor. Duncan and Steven chose the most crowded path, weaving through the throng. No one paid them any mind; they blended in seamlessly, just two more faces in a sea of anonymity.
In truth, Duncan was somewhat recognizable around the factory, but with Steven¡¯s firm hand pressing down on the back of his neck, he was forced to keep his head low, avoiding any unwanted attention.
After what felt like an eternity of navigating through the bustling crowd, they finally arrived at the office Jackson had mentioned.
Knock, knock!
¡°Come in,¡± came the muffled reply from within.
Steven pushed the door open and stepped inside, swiftly locking it behind him.
Jackson, who had been seated at his desk, puffing on a cigarette, froze mid-drag. He nced up, and his heart sank as he was met with the chilling sight of an unfamiliar face. A gut instinct told him something was terribly wrong.
¡°Who are you?!¡± he barked, the authority in his voice faltering as he took in the scene.
Then he noticed Steven¡¯s hand firmly mped over Duncan¡¯s nose, a gesture that sent a jolt of rm through him.
¡°Duncan!¡± Jackson shouted, springing to his feet so abruptly that his chair crashed against the wall with a loud bang, the sound echoing in the small office.
Steven frowned slightly, his expression unyielding. ¡°If you make too much noise¡¡±
His warning hung in the air, heavy and unspoken.
Jackson hesitated, confusion washing over him. He watched as Steven¡¯s fingers tightened their grip, and within moments, Duncan¡¯s face flushed a deep crimson.
Panic washed over Jackson as he realized the precariousness of the situation. He waved his hands frantically, stammering, ¡°Alright, alright! I¡¯ll be quiet! Just don¡¯t hurt him!¡±
He only had one nephew, and his sister had drilled it into him countless times to take good care of Duncan. The thought of anything happening to him here sent a chill down his spine.
When Steven¡¯s gaze shifted toward the chair across from Jackson, the foreman understood immediately. Without missing a beat, he rushed over, pulling the chair out for Steven and then hastily dragging another one for Duncan, who looked utterly lost.
Once the chairs were in ce, Jackson sank back into his seat, his earlier bravado evaporating, reced by a nervous politeness.
¡°So¡ what¡¯s really going on here?¡± he asked, his voice cautious, darting between Steven and Duncan, searching for clues.
¡°No wonder this kid¡¯s been rambling on about someone named Nichstely. Are you trying to dig up information about him?¡± Jackson ventured, piecing together the odd questions that had been thrown at him.
Jackson had wed his way up the ranks in the factory through sheer determination and skill; he wasn¡¯t easily fooled. The more he considered the strange inquiries, the more the pieces began to align in his mind.
It wasn¡¯t just Steven¡¯s intentions that set off rm bells in Jackson¡¯s head; everything about him was unsettling. The way he carried himself, the quiet confidence, the sharpness in his gaze¡ªit was evident he wasn¡¯t your average factory worker. And poor Duncan! What terrible luck to be entangled with someone like this.
Meanwhile, Steven had little patience for idle chatter. Smart individuals didn¡¯t need their thoughtsid out in front of them. He raised his gaze, locking eyes with Duncan, whose fear was palpable, and slowly loosened his grip.
As soon as the pressure around his neck eased, Duncan¡¯s eyes widened in relief. He bolted toward Jackson, sobbing as he clung desperately to his uncle¡¯s arm.
¡°Uncle Jackson, you¡¯ve got to save me! He broke into my dorm room¡ªthe one you gave me¡ªand he hurt me! Look at my butt!¡±
Before anyone could intervene, Duncan began to tug at his pants, desperate to reveal the evidence of his supposed torment. Jackson¡¯s brow twitched in horror, and with a swift motion, he smacked Duncan¡¯s hand away, the sharp sound ringing in the room.
¡°Enough, you embarrassing fool!¡± he eximed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation, utterly speechless.
Forcing a strained smile, he stood and poured a cup of tea for Steven, attempting to regain some semnce of control.
¡°I¡¯m not sure what brings you here,¡± Jackson said carefully, ¡°but surely you didn¡¯te all this way just to ask about Nichs?¡±
Steven¡¯s voice remained calm, carrying an unmistakable authority that brooked no argument.
¡°That¡¯s not something I can disclose. But regarding Nichs¡ªtell me everything you know.¡±
His tone was firm, leaving no room for hesitation.
Jackson stared at the man before him¡ªcalm,posed, and sharp-eyed. There was something about Steven¡¯s presence, a quiet power that made him tense without even realizing it. His gaze flicked toward the locked door, a reminder that this was not just a casual conversation.
After all, he wasn¡¯t merely another worker; he was a foreman in this factory, someone who held ess to sensitive information. He couldn¡¯t just spill everything to a stranger, no matter how intimidating that stranger appeared.Conclusion
As the tension in the room hung thick like smoke, Duncan clung to the fragile hope that his uncle would protect him from the looming threat posed by Steven. The contrast between the warmth of Jackson¡¯s presence and the coldness of Steven¡¯s demeanor left him feeling vulnerable and exposed. In that moment, Duncan realized that the safety he had sought in his uncle¡¯s arms was not just about physical protection; it was about the emotional refuge that came from being seen and understood. Jackson¡¯s instinct to shield him ignited a flicker of resilience within Duncan, reminding him that even in the darkest moments, he had someone who cared deeply for him.
Yet, as Jackson faced the daunting task of navigating the dangerous waters of this unexpected confrontation, Duncan understood that the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty. The weight of his fears and the shadows of his past loomedrge, but the bond between him and his uncle gave him the strength to confront whatevery ahead. In this pivotal moment, Duncan embraced theplexity of his emotions¡ªthe fear, the longing for safety, and the flicker of hope that whispered that he wouldn¡¯t have to face this alone. Together, they would have to unravel the truth behind Nichs and the secrets that threatened to engulf them, forging a path forward that would redefine their understanding of family and trust in a world that often felt unforgiving.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as Jackson grapples with the dilemma of protecting his nephew while facing the enigmatic and threatening presence of Steven. With the stakes higher than ever, Jackson¡¯s instincts will be tested as he tries to decipher Steven¡¯s true intentions. Will he be able to safeguard Duncan from the shadowy figure who has invaded their lives, or will he find himself ensnared in a web of secrets that could unravel everything? The pressure mounts as Jackson must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and self-preservation, all while trying to maintain control of the situation.
As the confrontation unfolds, the mystery surrounding Nichs will deepen, drawing Duncan further into a narrative that intertwines danger and revtion. Expect unexpected alliances to form and hidden truths to surface, challenging the characters¡¯ motivations and forcing them to confront their pasts. The factory, once a backdrop of mundanebor, will transform into a battleground of wills, where every decision could lead to dire consequences. Will Duncan find the courage to stand up for himself, or will he remain a pawn in a game farrger than he anticipated? The next chapter promises to be a thrilling ride filled with suspense, emotional turmoil, and the haunting specter of the unknown.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 559
Keepsake 559 Summary
In Chapter 559 of ¡°Keepsake 559,¡± titled ¡°The Hidden Couple,¡± the tension esctes as Jackson finds himself confronted by Steven, a man who exudes an unsettling aura of menace. Jackson feels a deep-seated fear as he recalls the warnings about Nichs, a significant figure mentioned by the boss, which adds to his anxiety. The realization that knowing too much could lead to danger weighs heavily on him, and he grapples with the implications of sharing information about Nichs and his wife.
As Jackson engages in a cautious dialogue with Steven, he reveals that Nichs and his wife are provided with a private room, which raises Steven¡¯s interest in their whereabouts. Jackson feels a flicker of hope when Steven requests to see where they work, prompting him toply eagerly. However, the dynamic shifts when Steven¡¯s threatening demeanor bes apparent, leaving Jackson feeling paralyzed and anxious about the potential consequences of his choices.
The atmosphere grows increasingly tense as Steven leans in closer, hinting at a grim future for Jackson and the factory. Jackson¡¯s internal conflict intensifies as he weighs the risks of cooperating with Steven against the fear of potential repercussions. Despite his initial intention to alert others, he realizes that his survival might depend on appeasing this dangerous man. This realization leads him to reluctantly open the door for Steven, feeling resentment towards his nephew for bringing this trouble into his life.
As they navigate the factory, Jackson¡¯s sense of authority as a mid-level manager contrasts sharply with the looming threat posed by Steven. The chapter culminates as they reach the work zone, where Nichs and his wife are seen together, blissfully unaware of the turmoil surrounding them. The tension is palpable as Jackson¡¯s heart races, knowing that the fate of everyone involved hangs precariously in the bnce.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 559**
**Chapter 559: The Hidden Couple**
But¡
He swallowed hard, his gaze flickering nervously over Steven¡¯s expression before he quickly averted his eyes, a surge of fear coursing through him.
This man was not just here for a casual visit; he radiated a sense of menace. There was an unmistakable air of danger about him¡ªhe had likelye prepared for conflict.
Nichs.
The name echoed in Jackson¡¯s mind, persistent and troubling.
He had heard whispers, rumors circting among the workers, that Nichs was not just an ordinary man; he was someone of significance, someone the boss had specifically instructed him to keep an eye on. Jackson had taken that warning to heart, paying close attention from the very beginning. Yet, he had never anticipated that knowing too much could lead him into such perilous waters.
A bitter smile crept onto Jackson¡¯s lips as he reflected on his predicament.
¡°I only know that Nichs was a name the big boss mentioned directly,¡± he said cautiously, choosing his words with care. ¡°Most of the workers heree from distant ces. They stay for months, sometimes even years, returning home only during the lengthy holidays. But Nichs, he brought his wife along.¡±
Jackson let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the situation press down on him. He resolved to share everything he knew with Steven.
After all, anyone bold enough to arrive here alone, exuding that kind of calm yet sharp presence, was not someone to be trifled with. If he chose not to cooperate now, it wouldn¡¯t merely be his nephew who would suffer the consequences. No, he could very well find himself in a far worse predicament.
His eyes darted towards the locked door, and the corners of his mouth twitched in resignation.
It was evident that this man had never intended to offer him an escape route.
¡°Do those two stay together, or do they have separate dorms for men and women?¡±
¡°They stay together. The boss instructed me to provide them with a private room,¡± Jackson replied, his voice steady despite the tension.
Steven¡¯s eyes narrowed, a calcting look passing over his face. ¡°So¡ they should be working now? That means their dormitory is empty, correct?¡±
Jackson hesitated for a brief moment, weighing his options, but ultimately nodded. ¡°Yes, at this hour, they should both be on the floor. No one else uses that room.¡±
Steven¡¯s expression shifted to one of contemtion. ¡°Take me to where they work.¡±
At those words, a flicker of hope ignited in Jackson¡¯s eyes. He stood up immediately, eager toply, desperate to please.
¡°Of course! Right this way. Follow me,¡± he urged, his voice tinged with urgency.
Although Steven maintained a calm demeanor, he did not miss the glint of eagerness in Jackson¡¯s eyes. Slowly, he rose to his feet, his movements deliberate.
Jackson hurried to the door and unlocked it with a swift motion. Before he could even fully turn the knob, Steven was already right behind him, a shadow looming close.
Jackson froze, an unsettling chill creeping up his spine as he felt an eerie breath ghost against the back of his neck.
For a fleeting moment, he was paralyzed, as if a predator had its gaze fixed on him, poised to leap.
The brief thrill he¡¯d felt about potentially escaping this situation dissipated like mist in the morning sun. His shoulders tensed involuntarily, and a thin sheen of sweat began to trickle down his back.
¡°This is a small factory,¡± Steven murmured, his voice low and smooth, lips curling into a faint, unsettling smile as he leaned in closer to Jackson¡¯s ear. ¡°And you¡¯re merely one of the supervisors here. Let me share something with you¡ªthis ce is on borrowed time. Your days of ying boss are numbered. But if you fail to make the right choice today, those days coulde to an abrupt end.¡±
Jackson¡¯s stout body stiffened, and beads of perspiration began to gather on his forehead, glistening like tiny pearls.
While he might not have been the owner, as a mid-level manager, he had a keen awareness of the factory¡¯s operations. Orders were on the rise, shipments were moving at an impressive pace¡ªit appeared they were expanding rather than closing down. So why did this stranger speak as if he possessed knowledge of an impending doom?
Jackson cast a wary nce at Steven, but the moment their eyes locked¡ªthose cold, unfeeling eyes¡ªhis body quivered involuntarily.
For reasons he could not fullyprehend, he felt an unsettling certainty that the man was telling the truth.
¡°Please, follow me,¡± Jackson finally managed to say, attempting to steady his quavering voice. ¡°I¡¯ll ensure your safety and that no one discovers you were here.¡±
He straightened up, his tone more measured this time, and stepped forward to open the door himself.
Initially, his n had been to crack the door open and signal for help to have this man apprehended. But now, his resolve wavered.
There was something about Steven¡¯sposed and calcting demeanor that sent shivers down his spine. If he refused, he feared he might not live long enough to regret it. Yet, if he agreed¡ªwell, as long as no one else found out, he could still wake up tomorrow as the factory¡¯s manager. His life could continue as it always had.
After weighing his options, Jackson ultimately chose what appeared to be the safest path forward.
As he politely opened the door for Steven, he couldn¡¯t help but cast a resentful re at his useless nephew.
This entire mess, he thought bitterly, was thanks to that fool for inviting danger into my life.
The three of them moved quietly along a narrow service path designated for supervisors.
On the other side of a dense line of decorative trees, the sprawling factory came into view, a hive of activity.
Jackson may have only been a mid-level manager, but with thousands of workers under his purview, he carried himself like a king in a small town. Even his private rest area resembled a lush garden rather than a mere section of a factory.
As they reached the end of the path, Jackson raised a hand and pointed. ¡°There. That¡¯s them.¡±
Steven¡¯s gaze sharpened instantly, his attention snapping to the direction of Jackson¡¯s finger.
There they were, unmistakably, in a small corner of the work zone¡ªNichs and his wife, sitting side by side.
She was busily scaling up bags, while he passed the finished goods along with a practiced ease. Behind them, a narrow door stood ajar, and several workers waited there with carts, ready to transport the next load away.Conclusion
As the tension in the air thickened, Jackson felt a profound sense of resignation wash over him. He had made his choice, one born out of fear and self-preservation, yet it felt like a betrayal of a deeper loyalty to his own values. The sight of Nichs and his wife, diligently working together, ignited a flicker of empathy within him, a reminder of the human connections that thrived even amidst the harsh realities of factory life. He had hoped to shield himself from the dangers that loomed, but now he stood at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of his decision. The realization that he had willingly led a predator to prey on the innocent gnawed at his conscience, leaving him feeling more trapped than ever.
Steven¡¯s presence loomed like a dark cloud over the scene, his intentions as opaque as the shadows he cast. Jackson¡¯s heart raced as he watched the couple, oblivious to the threat that was now so close. The stakes had escted beyond mere job security; they now epassed the safety of those he had unwittingly endangered. In that moment, Jackson understood that the choices he made would ripple far beyond his own life, affecting those around him in ways he could not yet foresee. As he stood frozen, torn between self-interest and a burgeoning sense of responsibility, he felt the emotional arc of his journey shift. No longer was he just a manager trying to maintain his position; he was a man wrestling with the moral implications of his actions, facing the haunting prospect that sometimes, survival came at a cost far greater than one could ever anticipate.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension thickens, readers can anticipate a gripping exploration of loyalty and betrayal in the face of impending danger. With Steven¡¯s menacing presence looming over Jackson, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Jackson¡¯s decision to cooperate with Steven lead to a betrayal of trust, or will it provide him the protection he desperately seeks? The dynamics between the characters are set to shift dramatically as Jackson grapples with his conscience and the consequences of his choices. The revtion of Nichs and his wife working side by side introduces newyers to the unfolding drama¡ªwhat secrets do they hold, and how will they react to Steven¡¯s intentions?
Expect a pulse-pounding confrontation as Steven¡¯s true motivese to light. Will he reveal the impending doom he hinted at, or will his ns take a more sinister turn? The factory, a seemingly mundane backdrop, transforms into abyrinth of hidden agendas and unspoken threats, where every corner may hide a potential ally or a lurking enemy. As Jackson navigates this treacherous terrain, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in this tale of survival and deception. The next chapter promises to unravel theplexities of trust, as Jackson must decide who he can truly rely on when faced with the ultimate test of loyalty.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 560
Keepsake 560 Summary
In Chapter 560 of ¡°Keepsake 560,¡± titled ¡°Hidden Prisoners,¡± the story unfolds around Nichs and his wife, who appear drained and weary, embodying the toll of relentless hardship. Their paleplexions and exhausted expressions hint at a deeper struggle, one that contrasts starkly with the hardbor being performed by others around them. Jackson, who seems to be in a position of authority, exins that Nichs and his wife are not treated as regrborers, but rather are kept in a morefortable state, which raises Steven¡¯s suspicions about their true situation.
As Steven grapples with the unsettling realization that Nichs and his wife are effectively prisoners in a different sense, he questions Jackson about their treatment and contact with the outside world. Jackson¡¯s responses are evasive, suggesting a deeperplicity in the situation. This tension esctes as Steven demands that Jackson keep their conversation confidential, indicating the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of their actions. The atmosphere is thick with unspoken fears and the weight of moral dilemmas as Steven processes the implications of what he has learned.
Meanwhile, Duncan, caught in the middle of this exchange, feels confused and betrayed by his uncle¡¯s apparent alliance with Steven. As Steven takes control of the situation, Duncan is reluctantly forced toply with his demands, leading to a sense of helplessness. The dynamic shifts dramatically when Steven threatens Duncan,pelling him to use his connections to ensure Steven¡¯s safety andfort within the confines of their environment. This maniption stirs a mix of fury and resignation within Duncan, who feels trapped by the circumstances.
The chapter culminates with Steven making a pivotal call to Tess, revealing that he has located Nichs and his wife and is prepared to take action that night. Tess¡¯s excitement at this news underscores the urgency and hope surrounding their mission. As the chapter closes, the tension builds, leaving readers eager to see how the n to extract Nichs and his wife will unfold, while also highlighting the precarious nature of alliances and the emotional turmoil faced by the characters involved.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 560**
**Chapter 560: Hidden Prisoners**
Nichs and his wife appeared as though they had been drained of life, theirplexions pale and weary, each line on their faces telling a story of relentless hardship and despair. It was as if the weight of their existence pressed down upon them, leaving them shadowed and exhausted.
Jackson, sensing the gravity of the situation, shifted his demeanor, bing markedly more courteous. ¡°You see,¡± he began, his tone measured and cautious, ¡°there were specific orders regarding their treatment. They weren¡¯t considered regrborers, so their tasks were rather light¡ªnothing that required excessive noise or heavy exertion.¡±
As Jackson borated, Steven¡¯s gaze wandered, taking in the surroundings. It became painfully clear that everyone else wasboring under a sweltering sun, drenched in perspiration as they toiled with heavy loads. In stark contrast, Nichs and his wife seemed to be coasting through this ordeal, their situation far toofortable for what one would expect in such a ce.
The realization hit Steven hard; they weren¡¯t here to work at all. This was a different form of captivity altogether, one that gnawed at his insides.
His brow furrowed, and a storm brewed in his eyes. ¡°Have they been here the entire time? Have they had any contact with others?¡± he pressed, his voice low and intense.
Jackson pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ¡°The supervisor who brought them here checks in on asion. He¡¯s an old acquaintance of mine. Each time he drops by, it¡¯s just a cursory nce before he retreats to my office for tea,¡± he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of difort.
¡°Hmm,¡± Steven stepped back, his expression inscrutable.
¡°If anything goes awry here, you need to inform me immediately. And what we discussed today¡ªkeep it to yourself. Not a word to anyone,¡± he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jackson¡¯s demeanor shifted to one of utmost seriousness. ¡°Absolutely. Iprehend the gravity of the situation. My lips will be sealed,¡± he assured, nodding earnestly.
Finally, Steven managed a small, satisfied nod, though his mind was racing with the implications of their conversation.
Nearby, Duncan stood, utterly bewildered by the exchange unfolding before him.
Wait! Isn¡¯t Uncle Jackson supposed to be apprehending this guy? Why does it suddenly seem like they¡¯re in cahoots?
He scratched his head, desperately trying to recall some clever adage, but all he could muster was, ¡°birds of a feather flock together.¡±
As Steven turned to leave, he abruptly reached back and seized Duncan by the cor, dragging him along like amb led to ughter.
Duncan clenched his teeth, casting a pleading nce at his uncle, silently imploring him for assistance. But Jackson wouldn¡¯t even spare him a nce. Instead, he nervously rubbed his hands together and called out to Steven¡¯s retreating figure, ¡°Hey! What you mentioned earlier about my factory¡ªis that true?¡±
Steven paused but didn¡¯t turn around. ¡°Yes,¡± he replied curtly.
Jackson hesitated, the weight of his next words pressing on him. ¡°Are you the mastermind behind this? If it all goes ording to n, what will be of me? I lent you my help today!¡±
Steven finally pivoted, just enough for Jackson to catch a glimpse of his sharp, defined profile. ¡°I¡¯ll remember your contribution,¡± he stated coolly. ¡°You¡¯ll receive your due share.¡±
Jackson¡¯s face lit up with a broad grin. ¡°Ah, thank you! Thank you!¡± he eximed, nodding vigorously like a man who had just been promised a fortune.
Duncan watched the entire exchange in stunned silence. His uncle was acting like aplete sycophant, but he knew better than to voice his thoughts, especially with his cor still in Steven¡¯s iron grip.
Ultimately, he resigned himself to his fate, being unceremoniously pulled along as Steven ushered him out the door.
Duncan had been hoping that Steven would continue to masquerade as an ordinary worker, heading off to Zone A for his shift. Instead, Steven shed a smile that sent a shiver down Duncan¡¯s spine as he threatened him to use his connections to stay in the dorm and rest instead.
Fury bubbled within Duncan. The audacity! Yet, he had no choice. With a heavy heart, he fished out his phone and called the Zone A supervisor.
¡°Yeah, I think he¡¯s a great fit,¡± he said, forcing cheer into his voice. ¡°He¡¯ll just rest with me today.¡±
On the other end, the supervisor hesitated. ¡°Duncan, that¡¯s fine for now, but if he continues to skip work, I can¡¯t keep paying him. Even if you two are getting along, he¡¯s not you. I can¡¯t cover for both of you. People will start talking.¡±
¡°Pay doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Steven interjected smoothly from beside him.
¡°Right! Pay doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Duncan echoed, waving his hands frantically as if trying to dispel the supervisor¡¯s doubts.
The supervisor relented, ceasing his resistance.
¡°All right then, let him rest with you.¡±
The call ended abruptly, and Duncan copsed onto the bed like a starfish, arms flung wide. ¡°There! Are you satisfied now?¡± he huffed.
Steven raised an eyebrow, an air of authority around him. ¡°Lock the door. I¡¯m stepping out to make a call.¡±
The moment Steven exited, Duncan sprang up and dashed to the window, thrusting his face into the open air. He inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh breeze like a man who had just escaped the clutches of drowning.
Finally, he was gone.
Mars Legal.
¡°Steven¡¯s calling,¡± a voice announced.
Lyra exchanged a quick nce with Raven. Both women leaped to their feet almost in unison.
As Lyra answered the call, she strode purposefully toward Tess¡¯s office, Raven trailing closely behind, herptop cradled protectively under her arm.
Tess nced up just as the sound of hurried footsteps halted outside her door. A momentter, a deep, authoritative voice resonated through the phone.
¡°I¡¯ve located Nichs and his wife. I know where they¡¯re being held. Tonight, I¡¯ll have someone escort me to their quarters,¡± Steven reported, his tone clipped yet steady.
Thest few words were slightly muffled by the rush of wind on his end, but Tess¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such swift progress; it had only been a day since she had sent Steven on this mission.
He had tracked them down. Now, extracting Nichs and his wife was merely a matter of time.
¡°When can you get them out?¡± she inquired eagerly, her heart racing.
¡°If it¡¯s urgent,¡± Steven replied in a low voice, ¡°tonight.¡±
Tess tightened her grip on the phone, her fingers trembling with anticipation.
Meanwhile, Ken, lurking just outside the door, widened his eyes in disbelief. He pressed closer, anxiously observing the three individuals inside as they strategized their n.Conclusion
In the dim light of uncertainty, the emotionalndscape of the chapter reveals the intricate ties of loyalty and betrayal that bind the characters together. Nichs and his wife, once vibrant souls, now embody the toll of their hidden captivity, their spirits dulled by the weight of their circumstances. Meanwhile, Steven¡¯s calcted maneuvering unveils a darkeryer to his character, as he navigates the murky waters of alliances, revealing a cold determination to secure his own interests. Duncan, caught in the crossfire of his uncle¡¯s dubious dealings and Steven¡¯smanding presence, embodies the struggle of the innocent ensnared in the web of adult machinations. The chapter closes with a sense of impending action, as Tess¡¯s excitement for the rescue n contrasts sharply with the shadows of despair that loom over Nichs and his wife.
As the narrative unfolds, the emotional arc crescendos toward a pivotal moment of potential liberation. The juxtaposition of hope and despair resonates deeply, leaving the reader to grapple with the moralplexities of each character¡¯s choices. Steven¡¯s calcted assurances to Jackson, alongside Duncan¡¯s reluctantpliance, paint a portrait of a world where survival often demands unsavorypromises. Yet, amidst the tension, the flicker of hope ignites through Tess¡¯s anticipation of rescue, suggesting that even in the darkest corners of captivity, the possibility of redemption and freedom remains. The chapter concludes not with resolution, but with a heartbeat of suspense,pelling the reader to reflect on the sacrifices made in the name of loyalty and the lengths one will go to reim lost lives.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension mounts, readers can anticipate a thrilling esction in the stakes as Steven prepares for a covert operation to rescue Nichs and his wife. With the clock ticking, the urgency of the situation will be palpable, and the dynamics among the characters will shift dramatically. Will Steven manage to navigate the treacherous waters of deception and betrayal that surround him, particrly with Jackson¡¯s ambiguous loyalties loomingrge? The intery between loyalty and self-preservation wille to a head, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering who can truly be trusted in this intricate web of alliances.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the motivations of each character. As Duncan grapples with his growing unease about Steven¡¯s true intentions, his internal conflict may lead to unexpected decisions that could either aid or jeopardize the rescue mission. With Tess and her team strategizing in the background, the narrative will explore theplexities of their n and the potential fallout from their actions. Will they be ready for the consequences thate with defying the status quo? Expect a blend of suspense and character-driven drama as the pieces of this intricate puzzle begin to fall into ce, setting the stage for an explosive confrontation that could change everything.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 561
Keepsake 561 Summary
In **Keepsake 561**, Chapter 561, the story unfolds on a tense night filled with uncertainty and urgency. Tess, a protective figure, feels a mix of hope and anxiety as she interacts with Lyra and Steven. Their conversation reveals the stakes of the night: a critical n is in motion, and Tess is deeply concerned about the impact on a child¡¯s dreams. Steven, aware of the dangers posed by individuals like Duncan and Jackson, is determined to act swiftly and securely, knowing that the sess of their mission hinges on careful timing and execution.
As the night progresses, a shadowy figure infiltrates Steven¡¯sb, heightening the suspense. Raven and Lyra wait anxiously at the factory exit, questioning their trust in the unfolding events. Their dialogue conveys a sense of foreboding, as they grapple with the uncertainty of whether Steven¡¯s n will seed. Meanwhile, Steven leads Duncan toward Nichs¡¯s cottage, where tension builds as he prepares to confront Nichs. The atmosphere is thick with unease, and Steven¡¯s determination to seize the opportunity is palpable.
Upon reaching the cottage, Steven¡¯s encounter with Nichs takes a dramatic turn. The confrontation esctes quickly, with Steven using intimidation to assert control over the situation. Rachel¡¯s fear and desperation add emotional weight to the scene, as she witnesses the threat to her family. Nichs¡¯s anger and frustration bubble to the surface, yet he remains aware of the precariousness of their situation. The stakes are raised even higher when Steven reveals a photo of a frightened child, Ken, which sends Nichs into a panic, revealing the personal stakes involved.
This chapter encapstes a blend of emotional turmoil, tension, and theplexities of trust and betrayal. The characters are driven by their motivations, whether it¡¯s Tess¡¯s protective instincts, Steven¡¯s calcted risks, or Nichs¡¯s desperate need to protect his child. The story leaves readers on edge, anticipating the consequences of these high-stakes encounters as the night unfolds.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 561**
**Chapter 561: Best Time**
A faint rustling in the stillness of the night piqued Tess¡¯s curiosity. She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with the deep, hopeful pools of darkness that belonged to Lyra.
Tess pressed her lips together, choosing silence over words.
Lyra, ever perceptive, immediately grasped the unspoken tension. With a gentle nod, she stepped forward, taking the child¡¯s small hand in her own, leading them outside into the cool night air.
¡°Are we absolutely certain it¡¯s tonight?¡± Tess¡¯s voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of concern that betrayed her.
She couldn¡¯t bear the thought of the child¡¯s dreams being dashed once more.
¡°It¡¯s the earliest we can manage. And it¡¯s the most opportune moment,¡± Steven replied, his brow furrowing as he spoke.
He had seen enough of the world to recognize that Duncan was the epitome of a trust-fund kidcking ambition, a bit too naive about the harsh realities thaty beyond his sheltered life. Jackson, on the other hand, was a different story. Jackson had lived through enough to understand the darker shades of life. The way he flipped allegiances so readily suggested that his primary concern was profit, not loyalty.
Confronting someone like Jackson was a gamble, and Steven was not in the mood to take unnecessary risks. Tonight had to be both swift and secure.
¡°Alright,¡± Tess said, her expression softening as she nodded in agreement. ¡°If you¡¯re certain of your decision, reach out to Lyra and Raven if you require assistance. I¡¯ll ensure they¡¯re prepared to help. I¡¯ll also have people stationed at the exit to facilitate your escape.¡±
¡°Understood. Just let us know the moment you¡¯re ready to make your move,¡± Raven interjected, his tone serious.
¡°Absolutely. I¡¯ll see you tonight,¡± Steven affirmed.
With that, the call came to an abrupt end.
Beep ¡
That evening, a shadowy figure stealthily infiltrated Steven¡¯sb.
The silhouette slithered up a pale wall, akin to a serpent poised to strike.
It ventured deeper into the darkness, bing one with the shadows that enveloped the room.
The lights in theb flickered erratically, casting an eerie glow that danced across the walls.
Meanwhile, Raven and Lyra stood vigil at the factory exit that Steven had designated for them.
¡°That was quicker than I anticipated. Can we genuinely ce our trust in this?¡± Raven murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
He crept towards a corner, parting the foliage to steal a nce inside.
The workshopy cloaked in darkness, with only the stars and the sporadic shimmer of light reflecting off theke breaking the stillness.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, with no familiar figure emerging from the shadows, Raven shrugged and turned back to Lyra.
¡°The timing is much sooner than we had predicted,¡± Lyra remarked, her brow furrowed with concern. ¡°But if Steven believes it¡¯s the right moment, then he must have a strategy in mind. Let¡¯s just hold tight.¡±
Raven nodded, leaning against the car, trying to pass the time as he watched the night unfold.
Inside the factory, Steven was pulling Duncan along toward the cluster of single-story homes where Nichs resided.
As they approached the quaint little house, Steven squinted against the dim light.
While most of the workers were housed in dormitories, Nichs and Rachel had chosen a small cottage, cleverly concealed by towering trees. The branches stood eerily still, as if frozen in time.
Steven¡¯s gaze swept across the dense, immobile foliage.
The unnatural stillness hinted at unease.
And within that uneasey his opportunity.
¡°Are you sure it¡¯s in there?¡± he queried, nudging Duncan gently.
Duncan nodded vigorously. ¡°Uncle Jackson checked this himself. He wouldn¡¯t make a mistake.¡±
¡°Stay put,¡± Steven instructed firmly, before Duncan could utter a word in protest. With that, Steven¡¯s figure melted into the shadows, leaving Duncan standing there, mouth agape in surprise.
In an instant, Steven was at the door of the cottage. He rapped sharply on the wood.
¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± a gruff, cautious voice called from within. Steven¡¯s ears perked up; this was the man he needed to confront.
¡°I¡¯m here to conduct a time check,¡± he replied, lowering his voice to sound older and more indistinct.
¡°What do you mean, time check?¡± Nichs snapped as he swung the door open.
The sight of Steven sent a jolt of panic through him.
In a desperate attempt, he tried to m the door shut, but Steven was quicker, blocking it with one hand.
With a surge of force, Steven pushed the door wide open and slipped inside, shutting it firmly behind him.
Rachel, alerted by themotion, rushed in. The moment she caught sight of Nichs pinned against the couch by a slender man, her instinct screamed for her to scream.
¡°If you scream, I¡¯ll strangle him,¡± Steven warned sharply, his voice low butced with menace.
The threat effectively silenced Rachel; her mouth snapped shut as she trembled, tears cascading down her cheeks. ¡°No¡ I won¡¯t scream. I promise¡ I won¡¯t¡¡± she whispered, her voice quaking with fear.
Her tears flowed freely, and Nichs felt a tight knot forming in his head, a mix of anger and desperation.
¡°She¡¯s of no use,¡± Nichs hissed, his face flushed with frustration. ¡°If you want something, just say it. Tell me what you want.¡±
His anger simmered beneath the surface, but he was aware of the precarious situation he found himself in.
¡°I¡¯m here to help you,¡± Steven stated tly, his eyes locked onto Nichs¡¯s.
Nichs and Rachel exchanged wary nces, their expressions shifting from shock to suspicion. Nichs spat on the floor in indignation. ¡°Help us? You nearly choked me! How is that any form of help?¡±
In a heartbeat, his defiance faltered. Steven pulled out his phone, the screen illuminating a young face, tear-streaked and frightened.
¡°Ken!¡± Nichs eximed, his voice rising in horror, as if he were about tobust. ¡°What do you want? Why are you doing this? What have we done to you? Why are you targeting my child?¡±Conclusion
As the night unfolded, the stakes grew ever higher, intertwining the fates of Steven, Duncan, and the unsuspecting Nichs and Rachel. The tension that had simmered beneath the surface finally erupted, revealing the raw emotions of desperation and fear. For Tess, the silence she had chosen was a heavy burden, a testament to her love for the child and her determination to protect their dreams from the harsh realities that threatened to engulf them. The stakes had never felt so high, and with each heartbeat, the hope of a brighter future flickered precariously, like the flickering lights in Steven¡¯sb.
In this moment of uncertainty, bonds were tested, and the true essence of trust wasid bare. Steven¡¯s fierce resolve to confront the darkness that loomed over them encapsted the emotional arc of the chapter, where intentions blurred between help and harm. As Nichs grappled with the realization of his child¡¯s peril, the weight of his choices bore down on him, igniting a fierce protective instinct. The night was not merely a backdrop for their confrontation; it became a crucible for transformation, where fears would either shatter them or forge an unbreakable alliance. In the depths of this turmoil, hope remained¡ªa fragile yet potent force, urging them to seek the light amidst the shadows.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter of **Keepsake 561**, the tension will reach a boiling point as Steven¡¯s confrontation with Nichs reveals the deeper stakes at y. With Ken¡¯s image shing on Steven¡¯s phone, the emotional turmoil will escte, forcing Nichs and Rachel to grapple with the reality of their child¡¯s safety. Readers can expect a heart-pounding exchange filled with raw desperation and the weight of parental instinct. Will Nichs¡¯s anger lead to rash decisions, or will he find a way to negotiate for Ken¡¯s safety? This pivotal moment is bound to unravel secrets that could change everything for both families.
As the clock ticks down, Raven and Lyra will remain on high alert, their roles as protectors bing increasingly crucial. The shadows that envelop Steven¡¯s actions will begin to reveal their true nature, as the lines between ally and adversary blur. With each passing moment, the stakes grow higher, and the reader will be left wondering if Steven¡¯s n is as foolproof as he believes. The chapter promises to delve into the psychological warfare of trust and betrayal, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how the characters will navigate the treacherous waters ahead. Will they emerge united, or will the darkness consume them? Prepare for a thrilling ride that will leave you breathless.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 562
Keepsake 562 Summary
In Chapter 562 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± the tension esctes as Nichs struggles against Steven¡¯s grip, believing he is in danger. Ken, his son, intervenes through a phone call, desperately assuring Nichs that Steven is there to help. Despite Ken¡¯s pleas and reassurances about his safety with Tess, Nichs remains skeptical, searching for any signs of coercion in his son¡¯s expression. The appearance of Tess on the screen heightens Nichs¡¯s anxiety, as he fears her intentions may be rooted in revenge for past grievances.
Tess confronts Nichs about his involvement with Henry, revealing that she wants him to expose everything he did for him. Nichs¡¯s internal conflict intensifies as he grapples with the implications of her request. The weight of his past actions weighs heavily on him, especially as he recalls how his testimony had devastating consequences for Tess. The emotional stakes rise when Ken, filled with longing for his family, urges his father to trust Tess, furtherplicating Nichs¡¯s decision.
As the conversation unfolds, Tess¡¯s calm demeanor contrasts sharply with Nichs¡¯s turmoil. She assures him that she won¡¯t harm his family, despite the darkness of their past. This revtion stirs a flicker of hope in Nichs, but the fear of betrayal and the pain of his past actions keep him on edge. The chapter culminates in a moment of uncertainty and tension, as Ken realizes there are secrets between his father and Tess that he is unaware of, leaving him anxious and confused about the true nature of their rtionship.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 562 Secret
Chapter 562 Secret
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Nichs thrashed wildly, but Steven had no choice¨Che mped a hand over the man¡¯s mouth.
¡°Dad! Steven¡¯s really here to help you! Please, just go with him!¡±
Ken¡¯s voice came through the phone, full of panic.
Nichs froze, then turned to nce at Steven.
Steven gave a small nod, then looked at the screen. ¡°Ken, tell your dad¨Chave we ever treated you badly?¡±
Ken shook his head quickly. ¡°No. I¡¯ve been staying with Tess. Everyone here¡¯s been really kind to me.¡±
Still, Nichs didn¡¯t look convinced. His eyes searched Ken¡¯s face, trying to spot any trace of fear or a sign that he was being forced.
Then another voice cut in¨Ca calm, cool woman¡¯s voice.
¡°I need to speak with you,¡± Tess said, her face appearing on the screen.
Steven¡¯s expression softened for a moment.
But Nichs stiffened like he¡¯d just seen a ghost.
Of course. Now it made sense.
¡°You¡¯re trying to get revenge!¡± he shouted.
Years ago, Nichs had agreed to help Henry out of pure greed. Later, when Henry came back offering a huge sum of money¨Cand a chance to ¡°end things¡± once and for all¨CNichs got involved again.
But he¡¯d regretted it ever since.
Henry had been worried Nichs might one day turn on him. So he¡¯d kept Nichs and Rachel locked away in that factory, pretending they were ordinary workers. In truth, they were prisoners.
Now anger and shame twisted in Nichs¡¯s chest¨Cpart of it at himself, part of it aimed at Tess, the woman on the screen.
¡°No,¡± Tess said, shaking her head slowly. Her tone was calm but sharp. ¡°If I wanted revenge, your son would already be covered in bruises.¡±
As she spoke, she gently lifted Ken¡¯s arm to show it through the camera. His skin was pale and smooth. His wrists, once thin and bony, looked fuller and healthier now.
Nichs frowned. His suspicion hadn¡¯tpletely faded. ¡°Then what do you want?¡±
Tess lowered her gaze.
She knew if she didn¡¯t give him a solid reason, Nichs would never agree to follow Steven.
15:29 Fri, Dec 5
Chapter 562 Secret
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So she sat down, looking straight into the camera. ¡°I want you to expose everything you know¨Ceverything you did for Henry.¡±
Nichs froze. His body trembled slightly. ¡°So¡ that¡¯s why you went through all this trouble to sneak someone into the factory? To get me out?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t even try to hide it.
This time, Nichs didn¡¯t fight back. He just fell silent, weighing things in his head¨CHenry¡¯s power against Tess¡¯s threat.
Tess saw right through him.
¡°After Ember Group copsed, Henry lost his money and influence. Do you really n to stay locked up in that factory forever? Never seeing your own son again?¡±
Her voice dropped lower, carrying a quiet persuasion.
Then Ken¡¯s shaky, tear¨Cfilled voice came through: ¡°Dad, Mom, I miss you! Tess has been good to me. She¡¯ll be good to you, too!¡±
Nichs clenched his jaw. His resolve wavered. He lowered his head, his messy hair shadowing his face.
Steven waited patiently, silent but steady¨Chis presence alone carried weight.
¡°Ms. Ember,¡± Nichs finally said, his hands clenched tight, ¡°if I testify against Henry ¡ will you really let my family go?¡±
Tess¡¯s face stayed calm on the screen¨Csmooth, cold, unreadable.
¡°No.¡±
Her answer was simple and sharp, cutting through the quiet air.
Rachel¡¯s legs nearly gave out. She had to lean against the wall just to stay standing.
Nichs, on the other hand, looked strangely calm now. His fingers dug into his palms until his skin
turned red.
He knew exactly how big that old case had been¨Chow his testimony had helped ruin her life. He¡¯d heard the rumorster, the online hate, the things Tess had suffered.
He wasn¡¯t innocent. Not even close.
¡°Your family didn¡¯t do anything,¡± Tess said softly. ¡°So I won¡¯t hurt them.¡±
The light in Nichs¡¯s eyes flickered, just a little.
But on Tess¡¯s side of the screen, Ken stood frozen. His eyes widened in shock.
15:29 Fri, Dec 5
Chapter 562 Secret
What was Tess saying?
Was there something between her and Dad that I didn¡¯t know about?
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His gaze darted back and forth between the two faces¨Chis forehead damp with sweat.
Nichs and Rachel had vanished after being taken away by Henry¡¯s men. Later, it was Tess who promised she¡¯d find them. And now, after all this time, they were finally on the screen¨Cbut somehow, it felt like Tess and his father shared a secret no one had told him.
C Conclusion
In the tense silence that followed Tess¡¯s revtion, the emotional weight of the moment settled heavily on Nichs. He stood at a crossroads, grappling with the burden of his past actions and the haunting shadows of guilt that had followed him for years. The flicker of hope in his eyes was a fragile thing, ignited by the possibility of reconnecting with his family, yet overshadowed by the knowledge of the pain he had caused. Tess¡¯s calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the turmoil within him, as he weighed the cost of his testimony against the chance to reim his life and his son. In that moment, he realized that redemption mighte at a price, one that would require him to confront the demons of his past and the choices that had led him to this point.
On the other side of the screen, Ken¡¯s confusion mirrored theplex emotions swirling in the room. The bond between his father and Tess felt like a hidden thread, weaving through their shared history, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel the weight of unspoken truths. As he listened to his father¡¯s strained voice, a mixture of fear and longing filled his heart. The desire to reunite with his family shed with the uncertainty of what that reunion would entail. Yet, despite the tension, there was a glimmer of hope¡ªa fragile promise that perhaps, through the painful process of unveiling the past, they could forge a new path forward together. In this moment, the possibility of healing began to emerge, hinting that even the darkest secrets could lead to the light of understanding and reconciliation.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension esctes in the aftermath of Tess¡¯s shocking revtion, readers can expect a deep dive into theplex web of rtionships and past traumas that have shaped the characters¡¯ lives. Nichs stands at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of his past actions and the implications of Tess¡¯s offer. Will he find the courage to confront the demons of his past and expose Henry, or will fear of retribution keep him shackled to his silence? The stakes are higher than ever, and the emotional turmoil within him is sure to unravel in unexpected ways.
Meanwhile, Ken¡¯s confusion and fear will undoubtedly intensify as he struggles toprehend the nuances of his father¡¯s history with Tess. As secrets begin to surface, the fragile bond between father and son will be tested. Will Ken¡¯s desire for family and safety outweigh the unsettling truths that threaten to emerge? The next chapter promises to peel backyers of deception, revealing not only the true nature of Tess¡¯s intentions but also the hidden connections that bind these characters together. Prepare for revtions that could change everything they thought they knew about loyalty, love, and the price of redemption.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 563
Keepsake 563 Summary
In Chapter 563 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± Ken finds himself torn between loyalty to his father, Nichs, and his newfound trust in Tess, who has shown him genuine kindness. Nichs expresses his resignation, suggesting that perhaps this situation is for the best, and entrusts Tess with the safety of his family. Tess, despite her exhaustion, insists that Nichs must leave with Steven immediately, promising that his actions will be dealt with legally. This moment is filled with tension and urgency, as the characters navigate theirplex emotions and the gravity of their circumstances.
As they attempt to escape the factory, the atmosphere thickens with suspense when a guard shouts, prompting a moment of panic. However, Duncan, showing unexpected bravery, defends their presence, which surprises Steven. The dynamic between the characters shifts as they realize the stakes of their secretive actions. Duncan¡¯s boldness contrasts with the fear and hesitation felt by the others, highlighting the risk they are taking together.
The situation esctes when Jackson, Duncan¡¯s uncle, confronts them, revealing his connection to a well-known figure, Mr. Stone. This recognition sparks a mix of surprise and concern among the group, particrly for Duncan, who grapples with the implications of his uncle¡¯s anger. Steven remainsposed, reassuring Jackson that he will uphold his promises, which brings a moment of relief amidst the chaos. The chapter concludes with a frantic escape as Nichs suddenly bolts, leading to a chase that underscores the urgency and unpredictability of their predicament.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 563 Mr Stone?
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Ken¡¯s heart pounded. His eyes darted between the two people on the screen¨Cand what he felt most was hesitation.
By blood, he should¡¯ve stood firmly on his father¡¯s side. But after spending the past few days with Tess, he knew her kindness wasn¡¯t fake. She¡¯d treated him with real care.
¡°Maybe this is for the best,¡± Nichs finally said, his shoulders sagging like all the strength had drained out of him.
He gave a small, tired smile. ¡°Since Ken trusts you, Ms. Ember, I hope you¡¯ll keep your word. My wife and son had nothing to do with any of this.¡±
Tess frowned at his words, which sounded almost like a final farewell. ¡°Come with Steven first. I¡¯ll make sure what you did is handled through the proper legal channels.¡±
Nichs blinked, stunned. ¡°What? After everything I¡¯ve done to you, you¡¯re not nning to take revenge?¡±
Tess rubbed her temples. She looked exhausted. ¡°What you did will be handled by the authorities. Right now, you need to leave with Steven. Quickly.¡±
Herst words came fast, carrying both urgency and warning.
Steven shut the phone with a quiet snap. ¡°Can we go now?¡± he asked, ncing up at Nichs.
¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± Nichs said through gritted teeth. He grabbed Rachel¡¯s hand tightly.
Soon, the three of them crept toward the wall at the back of the factory. Duncan followed close behind, clearly thrilled to be part of something secret.
¡°Who¡¯s sneaking around over there?¡±
A sudden shout erupted behind them.
Everyone froze in ce, holding their breath.
¡°What¡¯s with the yelling in the middle of the night?¡± Another rougher voice barked.
Duncan stepped forward, scowling at the man with a shlight. When the guard saw Duncan¡¯s face, his attitude changed instantly.
¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, Duncan! Haha, I was wondering who it could be thiste,¡± he said, shrinking back a little.
¡°Can¡¯t I take a walk after dinner?¡± Duncan shot back, hands on his hips and eyes rolling. ¡°You¡¯re just a security guard. Why don¡¯t you go check Uncle Jackson¡¯s office if you¡¯re so curious?¡±
The guard immediately turned polite. ¡°No problem at all, sir. Please, take your time. I¡¯ll search somewhere
else.¡±
He hustled off quickly. But once he was out of sight, he muttered under his breath, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for
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Chapter 563 Mr Stone?
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Jackson backing you, who do you think you are? Just wait till your luck runs out.¡±
Steven nced at Duncan, clearly surprised by how he¡¯d stepped in to cover for them.
Duncan flicked the toothpick from his mouth to the ground and rolled his eyes back at him. ¡°Don¡¯t expect me to bail you out next time.¡±
A momentter, someone¡¯s boot hit Duncan square in the rear.
¡°You little punk! How dare you talk to Mr. Stone like that?¡±
The voice boomed like thunder.
Jackson came storming up, clutching his round belly and breathing hard.
Duncan yelped, rubbing his backside. Is this man really my uncle?
¡°Mr. Stone?¡± Duncan repeated, eyes wide as he looked at Steven again.
Wait a second¨CMr. Stone?
Isn¡¯t that the guy from TV?
He squinted at Steven, studying his thin, serious face.
The man does look fragile, but he also has that calm, expert kind of vibe.
Just like the scientists he¡¯d seen on the news.
¡°Thanks, both of you,¡± Steven said, his tone steady. ¡°We¡¯re leaving tonight. If anyone asks, you didn¡¯t see
us.¡±
He ced his hand on the top of the wall. On the other side, Lyra and Raven were waiting with a small step stool and a rope.
¡°Mr. Stone!¡± Jackson called out suddenly.
Steven paused and looked back, frowning slightly.
Jackson¡¯s face was tight with worry. ¡°The factory¡¯s full of security cameras. Even if we cover for you now, we can¡¯t hide it forever. About what you promised before
¡±
He trailed off, hope flickering in his eyes.
Steven met his gaze. ¡°I keep my promises. You won¡¯t have to wait long.¡±
Relief washed over Jackson¡¯s face. He even helped Steven climb up.
¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Steven said softly, then vaulted over the wall with ease.
Nichs helped Rachel up and climbed after her.
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Chapter 563 Mr Stone?
Their movements weren¡¯t exactly quiet¨CLyra and Raven watched every second, eyes sharp.
¡°Get in the car,¡± Lyra called once they were over.
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But the moment all three were out, Nichs froze. His eyes widened. Then, without a word, he bolted.
¡°Damn it!¡± Steven swore, jumping after him. Conclusion
In this intense chapter, the emotional stakes reach a boiling point as Ken grapples with theplexities of loyalty and trust. His hesitation reflects a deep internal conflict, torn between familial allegiance and the genuine kindness he has experienced from Tess. Nichs¡¯s weary eptance of the situation signifies a painful surrender, as he recognizes that his past actions cannot be undone, yet still hopes for redemption through Tess¡¯s mercy. This moment encapstes the heavy burden of choices made, and the weight of responsibility that each character carries. The urgency of their escape serves as a metaphor for their desire to break free from the chains of their past, highlighting the fragile threads that bind them together in this chaotic moment.
As the chapter unfolds, the tension esctes, culminating in a desperate flight from the factory. The dynamics among the characters shift, revealing unexpected alliances and the potential for new beginnings. Duncan¡¯s protective instinct and Jackson¡¯s flicker of hope illustrate the power of camaraderie in the face of adversity. The promise that Steven makes to Jackson signifies amitment to not only protect those he cares for but also to confront the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, this chapter closes with a sense of urgency and uncertainty, leaving readers eager to discover how these characters will navigate the challenges ahead, driven by the desire for redemption and the hope of a brighter future.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of ¡°Keepsake 563,¡± the tension reaches a boiling point as Steven and hispanions navigate the precarious aftermath of their escape. With Nichs suddenly bolting into the night, the group is thrown into disarray, forcing Steven to confront the reality of their situation. Will Nichs¡¯s impulsive decision jeopardize their carefullyid ns? As the shadows of the factory loomrge, the stakes are higher than ever, and the urgency of their mission weighs heavily on everyone involved.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s role bes increasingly pivotal as the consequences of her choices ripple through the lives of those around her. Her promise to handle Nichs¡¯s actions through the proper channels raises questions about loyalty and justice. Will she be able to maintain the delicate bnce betweenpassion and the need for ountability? As the chapter unfolds, readers can expect unexpected alliances to form, secrets to be revealed, and the ever-looming threat of Jackson¡¯s watchful eye toplicate matters even further. The tension is palpable, and the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of rtionships, moral dilemmas, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 564
Keepsake 564 Summary
In Chapter 564 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°Another Chance,¡± the tension esctes as Nichs attempts to escape from Steven and Raven. Nichs, filled with dread and desperation, realizes that returning to prison would be a fate worse than death, having already suffered greatly in the factory. As he runs, he is suddenly seized by Steven, who injects him with a syringe, rendering him unconscious. Raven expresses her frustration at Nichs for almost ruining their ns, while Steven insists they must leave quickly to avoid detection.
Inside the car, Rachel is distraught as she watches her husband unconscious in the back seat. She pleads with Raven and Lyra for another chance for Nichs, exining his fear and panic after their traumatic experience in the factory. However, Raven and Lyra remain unresponsive, with Lyra coldly reminding Rachel of the pain Nichs inflicted on her friend, Tess. Rachel feels a heavy sense of hopelessness as she realizes that her pleas may be in vain.
When they arrive at Evermount Heights, Tess is waiting for them. Ken, filled with concern for his father, is relieved to see him but anxious about the trouble Nichs has caused. Tess questions Nichs about his attempt to flee, reminding him of the consequences of his actions and the trust he has jeopardized. Nichs, feeling cornered and anxious, tries to appeal to Tess¡¯s sense of fairness, but she warns him that her willingness to help is contingent on his behavior.
The chapter concludes with Tess asserting her authority, making it clear that Nichs¡¯s escape attempt has jeopardized any goodwill she might have had. Her calm yet chilling demeanor leaves Nichs in a state of fear and uncertainty, realizing that he must now face the consequences of his choices and the precarious situation he has created for himself and his family.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 564 Another Chance
Chapter 564 Another Chance
Raven let out an angry grunt and bolted after him.
Steven wasn¡¯t about to fall behind either¨Chis eyes went cold, like frost had settled over them.
Nichs had actually dared to lie to them.
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He could feel the surge of energy behind him. His face tensed, and he lowered his head and ran harder. He knew Tess was a reasonable woman. That meant Rachel and Ken were probably safe with her. But he
wasn¡¯t.
He couldn¡¯t face another prison sentence. Life in the factory had already been torture. If he went back behind bars, it would be worse than death.
Just when he thought he¡¯d finally shaken them off and was starting to rx, a cool handnded on his shoulder.
Nichs froze. His legs gave out, and he nearly copsed.
Steven¡¯s grip tightened hard on his shoulder.
~3
Pure terror spread through Nichs¡¯s chest. Before he could struggle, Steven pulled out a syringe from nowhere and jabbed it into his neck.
Nichs tried to shout, but no sound came out. The world spun wildly, and he dropped face¨Cfirst to the ground.
Raven ran up, breathing hard, and saw Steven dragging Nichs by the cor across the dirt.
¡°He almost ruined my n!¡± Raven hissed, kicking Nichs twice in frustration.
Steven¡¯s expression was grim. His eyes flicked toward the factory¡¯s fence. ¡°He made too much noise. I don¡¯t know if the guards heard. We need to move¨Cnow.¡±
Raven immediately straightened up, her face serious. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±
A car slipped away into the night without a sound.
Rachel sat inside, staring at her unconscious husband in the back seat. Her eyes, already full of sorrow, glistened with bitter tears.
¡°Stop crying,¡± Raven said, chewing on a piece of candy. ¡°If he hadn¡¯t tried to run, he wouldn¡¯t be in this
mess.¡±
Lyra pressed her lips together but stayed quiet.
She wasn¡¯t exactly the forgiving type. If someone else had done to Tess¡® what Nichs had done, he¡¯d be beaten to a pulp before being handed to the police. Tess had promised not to go after the family, and that alone had made things easier for Nichs.
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Chapter 564 Another Chance
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Rachel was starting to realize that Raven and Lyra were nothing like the people who had dragged them into the factory before.
She took a shaky breath and said softly, ¡°Nichs was just ¡ terrified. After what happened in the factory, he panicked. I just¡¡± She looked down, fighting back tears. ¡°I hope you can give him another chance.¡±
She lifted her head, eyes filled with pleading.
But Raven and Lyra didn¡¯t answer. They just sat there in silence.
After a long moment, Lyra finally spoke, her voice calm but sharp as ice. ¡°A chance?¡±
Her usual warmth was gone. ¡°Do you know how much your husband hurt my friend?¡± she said coldly.
¡°She didn¡¯t take revenge when she had the chance. She chose to go through thew. That was her mercy.¡±
She shot Rachel a hard look.
Rachel¡¯s face twisted in pain. Her heart felt heavy, but she knew there was no point in begging anymore. She bit her lip and leaned back against the seat, silent.
The car drove straight to Evermount Heights. The front gate was open, and Tess was already waiting outside.
The moment the car stopped, Ken jumped out, nervous and hopeful. When he saw his parents in the back, his eyes lit up, and he ran toward them.
Nichs, still half¨Cdazed, was helped out by Rachel.
Ken looked at his father¡¯s limp body in rm, then nced up at Steven and Tess.
Tess turned to Steven, her eyes questioning.
¡°He tried to run after we got him out of the factory,¡± Steven exined. ¡°We gave him a shot¨Cjust a sedative. He¡¯ll be fine.¡±
Ken let out a relieved sigh and turned to Tess, embarrassed. ¡°Tess, I¡¯m so sorry. My dad caused trouble again.¡±
Tess shook her head. ¡°Let¡¯s get him inside.¡±
They carried Nichs into the house andid him on the couch. After a while, he slowly came to. The first thing he saw was three pairs of eyes staring back at him.
¡°When you ran,¡± Tess said quietly, ¡°did it ever cross your mind that I might change my mind about helping you¨Cafter you left your wife and son behind?¡±
She took a sip of tea, her voice calm but sharp.
Nichs froze, awkward and pale. ¡°Ms. Ember¡ I¡ I believe you¡¯re a fair person¡¡±
#1
Chapter 564 Another Chance
¡°I can change my mind.¡± Tess said, her tone t.
Cold sweat broke out down Nichs¡¯s back. He couldn¡¯t even sit still.
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¡°Well, Tess added with a faint smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes, ¡°you didn¡¯t get away. So, I guess you¡¯ll just have to live with that.
That small curve of her lips sent a chill straight down his spine. Conclusion
In this chapter, the emotional tension reaches a boiling point as Nichs grapples with the consequences of his actions and the fear of returning to a life he desperately wants to escape. The chase symbolizes not only his physical flight from danger but also his internal struggle with guilt and the weight of his past decisions. Rachel¡¯s plea for mercy highlights theplexity of their situation, showcasing a mother¡¯s unwavering love even in the face of betrayal. The contrasting responses from Raven and Lyra emphasize the harsh reality of justice and the scars left by betrayal, leaving Rachel to confront the painful truth that forgiveness may note easily.
As the chapter closes, Nichs awakens to the reality of his choices, facing the judgment of those he has wronged. Tess¡¯s chilling reminder of her power to withdraw her help serves as a stark warning, reinforcing the stakes of his situation. The atmosphere is thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings, leaving Nichs to ponder whether he truly deserves another chance. The weight of his family¡¯s future hangs in the bnce, encapsting the struggle for redemption amidst the shadows of past mistakes. The chapter leaves readers with a sense of foreboding, as the path to forgiveness remains fraught with obstacles, and the hope for a second chance feels as fragile as the bonds that tie them together.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As tensions rise in the aftermath of Nichs¡¯s reckless escape attempt, readers can anticipate a gripping confrontation between him and Tess. With her unwavering resolve and the weight of past grievances hanging in the air, Tess is poised to deliver a verdict that could alter Nichs¡¯s fate forever. Will her sense of mercy prevail, or will the scars of betrayal dictate her actions? The stakes are higher than ever, as Nichs must grapple with the consequences of his choices while facing the fierce protectiveness of those around him.
Moreover, the dynamics within the group are shifting, particrly with Rachel caught in the crossfire of her husband¡¯s mistakes and the harsh realities of their situation. Her plea forpassion may ignite a spark of empathy in the hearts of Raven and Lyra, but will it be enough to sway Tess? As alliances are tested and secrets threaten to unravel, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the characters¡¯ motivations and rtionships, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see who will emerge unscathed and who will bear the brunt of the past. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions, as the line between mercy and justice blurs in ways no one could have anticipated.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 565
Keepsake 565 Summary
In Chapter 565 of ¡°Keepsake 565,¡± Tess confronts Nichs about the truth behind a twenty-year-old incident involving a burned body that was believed to belong to Shannon. Her authoritative presence cuts through the tension, and she directly questions Nichs, leading him to reluctantly admit that the body was not Shannon¡¯s. Tess reveals that Henry had paid Nichs to resign and live a quiet life, but now she urges him to testify against Henry, suggesting that Nichs might crave revenge after being confined for months.
Nichs struggles with the pressure of Tess¡¯s expectations and the fear of being caught in the web of lies surrounding him. Despite his initial resistance, he feels the weight of his son Ken¡¯s hope and support, which ultimately sways him to agree to speak the truth about Henry¡¯s maniptions. Tess, maintaining her calm demeanor, instructs Ken to take Nichs to rest, indicating a shift in their dynamic as she takes charge of the situation.
As they move upstairs, Nichs reflects on Ken¡¯s newfound vibrancy after their time apart, feeling a sense of relief as the tension in his shoulders eases. Meanwhile, in the living room, concerns arise about Nichs¡¯s potential to betray them again, but Tess insists on the importance of his testimony, especially since theyck definitive evidence regarding Shannon¡¯s fate. The discussion shifts to the possibility of obtaining a sample of Shannon¡¯s hair from her maid, igniting a renewed sense of urgency among the group.
The chapter captures a blend of emotions, from Nichs¡¯s internal conflict and fear to Tess¡¯s unwavering resolve and Ken¡¯s hopeful innocence. The stakes are high as the characters navigate theplexities of trust, betrayal, and the search for truth, leaving the reader eager to see how the story unfolds.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 565**
**Chapter 565: Evidence**
Tess pped her hands softly, a decisive gesture that seemed to slice through the tension in the room. She straightened in her chair, her posture radiating authority. ¡°Twenty years ago¡ªthe burned body wasn¡¯t Shannon¡¯s, was it?¡±
In that moment, her calm demeanor transformed, her eyes sharpening like shards of ss. Nichs felt an unsettling sensation, as if invisible needles were piercing the atmosphere around him. He hesitated, his lips parting as if to speak, yet no words emerged, as though he were trapped in a mental tug-of-war over what to reveal.
Tess¡¯s unyielding gaze remained fixed on him, unwavering.
¡°Yes,¡± he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, his head bowing in a silent concession of defeat.
¡°After that,¡± Tess continued, her tone steady and measured, ¡°Henry paid you a substantial amount to resign. You returned to Krigan, settled into a semnce of normalcy, and lived a peaceful life for years. You probably didn¡¯t anticipate Henry reaching out to you again¡ªasking you to lie for him.¡±
Nichs closed his eyes tightly, a wave of frustration washing over him. ¡°If you already know all of this, then why pursue me? What is it that you truly want?¡±
¡°You¡¯ve been confined in that factory for months,¡± Tess replied, a faint, almost enigmatic smile gracing her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t you crave revenge?¡±
Her voice was calm, almost soothing, yet it carried an undercurrent¡ªa subtle intensity that could draw a man¡¯s thoughts dangerously close to the edge of recklessness.
Nichs¡¯s heart raced, a sudden jolt of realization coursing through him. He looked up, his expression sharp and incredulous. ¡°You¡¡±
¡°I need you to testify,¡± Tess stated tly, her words cutting through the air with an undeniable rity. ¡°Just as you did for Henry back then.¡±
¡°You¡¯re overestimating my influence,¡± Nichs muttered, his hands gripping the fabric of his pant legs, turning his gaze away in clear defiance.
He hade to terms with the reality that being caught could lead him back to prison. However, thest thing he desired was to be further entangled in the chaotic web spun by Tess and Henry.
Tess, however, remainedposed, her resolve unshaken. ¡°I¡¯m not asking for much. Just speak the truth. Reveal what Henrypelled you to do¡ªand how he kept you imprisoned afterward, preventing you from reaching out to anyone.¡±
Silence enveloped Nichs, his lips pressed tightly together, a wall of resistance building within him.
Tess scrutinized him, her gaze deepening with unspoken questions.
Why does he still harbor such fear?
The Ember family was teetering on the edge of copse, having never wielded significant power in Aetheris. So why does Nichs remain so paralyzed by dread?
¡°Dad,¡± Ken suddenly interjected, stepping forward and tugging gently at his father¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Tess has looked after me all this time. Please, just help her.¡±
Nichs¡¯s gaze fell, the hope shining in Ken¡¯s eyes stripping away thest vestiges of his defenses.
With a resigned sigh, he exhaled through clenched teeth. ¡°Fine. But I can¡¯t guarantee anyone will believe me.¡±
¡°That¡¯s alright,¡± Tess replied, her smile softening. ¡°What matters is that you¡¯re willing to speak.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve just returned from the factory. Go get some rest. Ken, please take them upstairs to the guest room,¡± Tess instructed, her tone shifting to one of gentle authority.
With Nichs¡¯s reluctant agreement, Tess nodded toward Ken, who beamed with relief.
¡°Come on, this way!¡± Ken eximed, leading the way with an infectious cheerfulness.
Nichs followed quietly, his eyes never straying far from his son. Ken had always been a bit reserved, but after their time apart, Nichs was taken aback by how much more vibrant and lively he seemed.
As they approached the stairs, Nichs paused for a fleeting moment, ncing back for onest look.
Tess was seated on the couch, her voice low as she conferred with Steven and the others, their expressions serious.
He let out a long breath, finally feeling the tension in his shoulders ease.
¡°Why don¡¯t we just throw him in jail?¡± Raven¡¯s voice cut through the stillness from the living room, her brow furrowed in concern. ¡°What if he turns against us again? We went through all that trouble to extract him, and he still attempted to flee.¡±
Tess maintained herposure, her demeanor unwavering. ¡°Shannon still hasn¡¯t resurfaced. Weck a body sample. Even if her appearance hasn¡¯t changed over the years, people can always im it¡¯s the result of stic surgery. The world believes Shannon perished over twenty years ago.¡±
Lyra nodded slowly, her expression contemtive. ¡°Nichs¡¯s crimes will be addressed. But until we locate Shannon, he remains a crucial piece of evidence.¡±
Steven offered a curt nod of agreement, while Raven leaned back with a resigned sigh.
¡°Wasn¡¯t Shannon supposed to be pregnant?¡± Raven suddenly asked, her posture straightening with newfound urgency. ¡°Did she ever go to the hospital?¡±
Tess rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her mind racing. ¡°Zane managed to obtain the hospital footage from that time and reviewed the records. The individual who went in for the examination was not Shannon. Henry must have orchestrated a false identity for her. Zane instructed the hospital to contact him immediately if anyone resembling Shannon showed up¡ªbut it¡¯s been years, and there hasn¡¯t been a single trace of her in any maternity ward throughout Aetheris.¡±
¡°Does it have to be a maternity ward?¡± Steven interjected after a contemtive silence.
¡°I¡¯ll look into it,¡± he added, narrowing his eyes with determination. ¡°Or perhaps we should speak with Shannon¡¯s maid. She¡¯s still residing in that apartment. Obtaining a few strands of Shannon¡¯s hair from her shouldn¡¯t prove too difficult.¡±
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the suggestion hanging in the air.
Then, Raven¡¯s eyes lit up with realization. ¡°Right! Why didn¡¯t we think of that sooner?¡±Conclusion
In the wake of Tess¡¯s unwavering determination, Nichs found himself at a crossroads, his internal struggle finally yielding to a flicker of hope. The weight of his past sins, once an imprable barrier, began to dissolve as he recognized the potential for redemption through the truth. Tess¡¯s calm authority and Ken¡¯s unwavering belief in him ignited a spark of courage, urging him to step out of the shadows of fear that had held him captive for so long. As he prepared to face the consequences of his actions, he realized that perhaps, in revealing the truth about Henry, he could not only reim his own life but also help uncover the fate of Shannon, the ghost that had haunted him for decades.
With each step he took alongside Ken, the bond between father and son blossomed anew, illuminating the path ahead. The chaotic web of lies began to unravel, and for the first time in years, Nichs felt the promise of a future free from the shackles of his past. As Tess and her team strategized in the background, the atmosphere shifted from one of despair to a tentative optimism, hinting at the possibility of justice and closure. Nichs understood that while the road to redemption would be fraught with challenges, he was no longer alone; he had allies willing to fight alongside him. With a deep breath, he embraced the uncertainty ahead, ready to confront his demons and reim the life he thought lost forever.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension in the Ember household thickens, the stakes are about to rise even higher. With Nichs reluctantly agreeing to testify against Henry, readers can anticipate a gripping exploration of his internal conflict. Will he find the courage to confront his past and expose the truth, or will his fears ultimately lead him to a path of self-preservation? Tess¡¯s enigmatic demeanor suggests she has a deeper n in mind, and her interactions with the other characters hint at a brewing storm that could either unite them or tear them apart. As secrets unravel, the fragile alliances formed will be put to the test, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.
Moreover, the search for Shannon intensifies, and the revtion that she may have been living under a false identity adds anotheryer of intrigue. The investigation will take unexpected turns, leading the characters into the depths of Aetheris where danger lurks at every corner. With the mention of Shannon¡¯s maid, the potential for new revtions loomsrge, and the question of her fate may hold the key to not only Nichs¡¯s redemption but the survival of the entire Ember family. As the clock ticks and the past catches up with the present, readers can expect a thrilling blend of suspense, betrayal, and the quest for truth that will leave them eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 566
Keepsake 566 Summary
In Chapter 566, titled ¡°Confused Puppy,¡± Tess experiences a surge of hope as she realizes that the DNA evidence linking Henry and Nadine may lead to the unraveling of long-held family conspiracies. With her heart racing, she quickly contacts Zane to gather samples that could potentially expose Henry¡¯s lies. After the call, Tess feels an overwhelming sense of relief and lightness, suggesting a shift in her emotional state as she contemtes the possible oue of the investigation.
As the conversation unfolds, Tess reveals her suspicions about Henry¡¯s intentions, particrly regarding the Larsons and the heirloom bracelet she received from them. Her friends, Raven and Lyra, begin to understand the depth of Henry¡¯s maniptive nature, realizing that he aims to control the Larsons through Tess. Despite the gravity of the situation, Tess maintains a cool demeanor, hinting at a strategic n to gather evidence against Henry and make him pay for his deceitful actions.
Meanwhile, chaos erupts at the factory where Henry storms in, visibly enraged and demanding information about Steven, a man he believes is a threat. The atmosphere is tense as workers, startled from their sleep, gather to hear Henry¡¯s demands. His aggressive questioning leads to a confrontation with Duncan, who, despite being a factory worker, appears confused and unhelpful under Henry¡¯s pressure. The scene illustrates Henry¡¯s vtile nature and the fear he instills in those around him, setting a dark tone for the unfolding drama.
As the chapter progresses, the tension between Henry and the factory workers esctes, highlighting the power dynamics at y. The hooded figure apanying Henry adds an element of mystery and intimidation, leaving the workers in a state of fear and uncertainty. The chapter concludes with Duncan¡¯s hesitant responses, likening him to a ¡°confused puppy,¡± which emphasizes the helplessness felt by those caught in Henry¡¯s wrath and foreshadows the potential consequences of his anger.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 566 Confused Puppy
Chapter 566 Confused Puppy
Raven twitched the corner of her mouth. ¡°I¡¯ll call Zane right now.¡±
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Tess¡¯s eyes lit up like a lightbulb had gone off in her head. She stood up quickly and reached for her phone, her steps quick and restless¨Calmost like she didn¡¯t realize how anxious she¡¯d be.
There was already solid DNA proof linking Henry and Nadine through blood. Now, if they could prove that Shannon and Nadine were also rted, then all of Henry¡¯s careful lies and secret schemes from years ago would finally fall apart.
Tess¡¯s heart was pounding.
Was the web of conspiracies that had haunted her family for so many years finally about to unravel?
¡°Got it. I¡¯ll contact Tania and have her collect the samples,¡± Zane said briskly after answering the call.
Tania agreed without hesitation.
When Tess hung up, she felt lighter than she had in days¡ªalmost giddy with relief.
¡°Once the resultse out,¡± Lyra asked, ¡°should we hold a press conference right away? Expose Henry¡¯s dirty secrets to everyone?¡±
¡°No rush,¡± Tess said, shaking her head. Seeing the others¡® confusion, she added, ¡°If I¡¯m right, Henry¡¯s sudden friendliness isn¡¯t about me¨Cit¡¯s about the Larsons.¡±
¡°The Larsons?¡± Lyra frowned. ¡°What do they have to do with Henry?¡±
Tess nced down at her wrist. The translucent emerald bracelet still rested against her pale skin.
She ran her fingers over its cool surface. ¡°The Larsons passed this heirloom bracelet to me. Kylie was furious at first, but her attitude changedter. I¡¯m sure Henry said something to her. I think his real goal is to control the Larsons¨Cthrough me.¡±
Raven drew in a sharp breath. She had always thought Henry was just a greedy, maniptive man who used women for power. But this was another level.
Lyra nodded slowly. ¡°It makes sense. It¡¯s easier to influence the Larsons through you than to get close to them directly.¡±
¡°Easier?¡± Tess gave a softugh, her eyes glinting darkly.
¡°So what¡¯s your n?¡± Lyra pressed. ¡°You¡¯re just going to let them keep circling your inheritance like
vultures?¡±
¡°The higher they climb, the harder they fall,¡± Tess said quietly, her tone cool but cutting. ¡°People who reach for the sky usually break the moment before they touch it.¡±
Raven and Lyra exchanged nces.
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¡°Keep collecting every piece of evidence we can find about Henry and Shannon¡¯s crimes,¡± Tess went on. ¡°When the time¡¯s right, I¡¯ll give him a gift he¡¯ll never forget.¡±
Her lips curled slightly as she looked out the window. The night was thick and heavy, the wind sharp with cold dew.
Meanwhile, the factory was in chaos.
Henry stormed in that night, his face twisted with rage. Behind him followed a short, hunched figure in a hoodie and face mask. The person¡¯s eyes, half¨Chidden beneath the brim of a cap, gleamed with something
venomous.
The noise woke the entire factory. Workers stumbled out of their bunks, and even the senior managers- who rarely showed their faces¨Crushed out, shouting orders to gather everyone in the main yard.
Within minutes, the ce was as bright as day.
¡°Has anyone seen this man?¡± Henry snarled, pointing at the giant projected image of Steven¡¯s face on the
wall.
The workers blinked sleep from their eyes, squinting up at the photo.
~
¡°Anyone who knows anything, speak up now! I¡¯ll make it worth your while!¡± Henry barked.
The air was tense¨Csilent¡ªuntil finally, a timid voice spoke up from the back. ¡°I think he¡¯s one of Duncan¡¯s friends.¡±
Henry¡¯s head snapped toward the voice.
In an instant, he was on the man, yanking him forward by the cor. ¡°What did you say? Who¡¯s he with?¡±
¡°Dun¡ Duncan,¡± the worker stammered. ¡°He¡¯s ¡ uh, Mr. Estrada¡¯s nephew.¡±
¡°Jackson Estrada?¡± Henry roared. His furious gaze swept the crowd. ¡°Get your ass out of here right now!¡±
There was a rustle of movement before Jackson appeared, his round belly bouncing as he shuffled forward awkwardly. ¡°Erm¡ Mr. Ember ¡ I ¡ I don¡¯t know that guy.¡±
¡°What about your nephew?¡± Henry¡¯s eyes were zing.
¡°That would be me,¡± said Duncan, stepping out just in time.
¡°Oh?¡± Henry narrowed his eyes, his stare cutting across Duncan¡¯s face like a de. ¡°Then call him out.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know where he is,¡± Duncan said, scratching his head like a confused puppy. ¡°He was around the past few days, but I didn¡¯t see him tonight. He was gone before bedtime.¡±
¡°And as a factory worker, you didn¡¯t think to report someone missing?¡°,
The muffled voice came from the hooded figure behind Henry¨Clow, distorted, and cold enough that no one could tell if it was a man or a woman. Conclusion
As Tess stood by the window, her heart swelled with a mix of anticipation and resolve. The weight of her family¡¯s tangled history felt lighter, the potential for truth finally within reach. With each passing moment, the prospect of exposing Henry¡¯s deceit became a tangible reality, and Tess¡¯s determination solidified. She understood that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but the thought of reiming her power and dismantling the web of lies that had ensnared her family for so long ignited a fierce fire within her. The cool touch of the emerald bracelet against her skin served as a reminder of her heritage and the strength thaty within her. Tess was no longer just a victim of circumstance; she was ready to take control of her destiny.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted at the factory, a stark contrast to the rity Tess felt. Henry¡¯s rage echoed through the halls, revealing the cracks in his carefully constructed facade. The frightened whispers of the workers and the tension in the air underscored the unraveling of his power. As he sought to assert dominance, it became evident that his grip was slipping, and the consequences of his past actions were catching up to him. The impending confrontation between Tess and Henry loomed on the horizon, promising a reckoning that would not only shatter his control but also liberate Tess from the shadows of her family¡¯s past. In this moment of uncertainty, both Tess and Henry stood on the precipice of change, their fates intertwined as the truth threatened to reshape their lives forever.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension esctes within the factory, readers can expect a gripping confrontation between Henry and Duncan that will test loyalties and reveal hidden truths. With Henry¡¯s fury reaching a boiling point and the mysterious hooded figure lurking in the shadows, the stakes have never been higher. Will Duncan¡¯s apparent ignorance about Steven¡¯s whereabouts lead to dire consequences for him and his family? Or will he find a way to navigate this treacherous situation without bing coteral damage in Henry¡¯s ruthless quest for control?
Meanwhile, Tess is poised to take action against Henry¡¯s maniptions. With the impending DNA results that could shatter Henry¡¯s carefully constructed facade, the anticipation builds as she plots her next move. Will she use the information to her advantage, or will Henry¡¯s wrath derail her ns? As the chapters unfold, readers will be on the edge of their seats, eager to see how Tess¡¯s strategy ys out against the backdrop of Henry¡¯s escting desperation. The intertwining fates of these characters promise to deliver shocking twists and revtions that will keep everyone guessing until the veryst moment.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 567
Keepsake 567 Summary
In Chapter 567 of ¡°Keepsake 567,¡± Duncan finds himself in a tense situation, feeling confused and irritated as he responds to questions about a missing person. His dismissive attitude contrasts sharply with the rising tension in the room, particrly from Henry, who is clearly distressed about the situation. The atmosphere is thick with silence and unspoken fears, as a masked figure reveals that Steven has already taken the missing individual, escting the panic surrounding the unfolding crisis.
Henry struggles with disbelief as he learns that Tess is not behind the abduction, but rather that Steven, a skilled expert, was able to locate the factory using advanced technology. The masked figure¡¯s cold demeanor adds to the urgency, pressing Henry to confront Tess for answers, despite his reluctance. The interactions among the characters highlight Duncan¡¯s arrogance and Henry¡¯s frustration, creating a palpable tension as they navigate the implications of the abduction.
As the scene unfolds, Duncan¡¯s defiance and insolence provoke further ire from Henry, who is grappling withrger issues beyond his control. The masked figure¡¯s insistence on finding Tess as the only lead further intensifies the pressure on Henry. Meanwhile, Jackson attempts to mediate the situation, recognizing the gravity of their predicament. The atmosphere grows even more charged as the characters realize the potential consequences of their inaction.
After the confrontation, Jackson urges Duncan to contact Steven quickly, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. Duncan feels a sinking dread as he grapples with the seriousness of the situation, knowing that time is running out. As the chapter closes, Duncan decides to rest briefly before reaching out to Steven, setting the stage for the impending crisis that looms over them as dawn approaches. The chapter effectively conveys a sense of urgency, confusion, and the emotional weight of the characters as they face an uncertain future.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 567**
**Chapter 567: Really Bad**
Duncan¡¯s brow furrowed as he regarded her, a mix of confusion and irritation crossing his face. With a dismissive shrug, he replied, ¡°How should I know? After dinner, I took a stroll, returned to my room, and crashed. I have no idea if he ever came back.¡±
Once more, silence enveloped the room, thick and suffocating.
Henry¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw tightening with unspoken tension.
¡°What else do you know?¡± he barked, pivoting sharply to the shadowy figure lurking behind him.
The person remained obscured in darkness, yet the glint of cold malice in their eyes was unmistakable.
¡°It¡¯s toote,¡± came the t response. ¡°Steven already took him.¡±
Henry¡¯s face contorted in disbelief. ¡°You told me Tess orchestrated this. She¡¯s not capable of that. How could she even be aware of this factory¡¯s existence?¡±
¡°She¡¯s not,¡± the figure sneered, their voice dripping with disdain. ¡°But the people surrounding her are. Steven is a leading research expert. Histest drone prototype can scan through walls. Do you really think he wouldn¡¯t be able to locate this ce?¡±
Panic surged in Henry¡¯s chest, tightening like a vice. ¡°Then what am I supposed to do now?¡±
The masked figure hesitated, their gaze drifting over to Duncan, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
After a moment¡¯s pause, they stepped closer, invading Duncan¡¯s personal space. ¡°You genuinely don¡¯t know where he went?¡±
Duncan twitched an ear, his curiosity piqued by the strange, diminutive figure.
The voice¡ªit sounded strangely feminine.
He feigned indifference, expertly adopting the demeanor of a spoiled brat. ¡°How would I know?¡± he retorted, hands nted defiantly on his hips, his voice rising to an exaggerated pitch. ¡°I told you, I was asleep! He¡¯s just some new hire. You expect me to babysit him all night?¡±
Around them, the workers exchanged incredulous nces.
They had witnessed Duncan¡¯s cocky demeanor with his peers before; his uncle¡¯s position in management often shielded him from repercussions. But to speak so brazenly to the boss himself? That was a different level of audacity.
Jackson¡¯s eyes darted nervously, and he rushed forward, eager to smooth over the situation. ¡°Mr. Ember, please don¡¯t take it personally. Duncan¡¯s just a bit spoiled¡ªI¡¯ll set him straightter.¡±
As he spoke, a wary nce was cast toward the short, masked figure.
Henry¡¯s foul mood was palpable, and Duncan¡¯s insolence only added fuel to the fire.
¡°Jackson, if you ever bring another idiot like this into my factory,¡± Henry growled, his voice low and dangerous, ¡°you can pack your things and leave with him!¡±
Duncan¡¯s face flushed with indignation. ¡°What¡¯s his problem? Am I supposed to stay awake all night watching that guy? I can¡¯t sleep unless he¡¯s in the room?¡±
¡°Shut up!¡± Jackson snapped, yanking Duncan by the arm, his frustration boiling over. ¡°You don¡¯t talk to Mr. Ember like that!¡±
Duncan scowled but lowered his head, though defiance still flickered in his eyes.
Henry pressed his fingers to his temples, feeling the weight of his growing frustrations. He had muchrger problems looming over him.
¡°Steven only came here because Tess asked for his help,¡± the masked figure interjected, their voice low and sharp, cutting through the tension. ¡°Now he¡¯s gone. If you want to find him, your only lead is Tess.¡±
Henry clenched his fists, frustration coursing through him. ¡°What am I supposed to tell her? I can¡¯t just appear out of nowhere!¡±
The air hung heavy for a moment, the silence thickening.
¡°That¡¯s your problem,¡± the masked figure replied coldly, turning away. ¡°Unless you want Tess to hold all the cards.¡±
Henry froze, his teeth grinding together in anger, yet he knew they were right. He had no choice but to confront Tess.
Fury boiled within him as he red across the factory floor, seething at the ineptitude of those around him who couldn¡¯t even keep track of one man.
If that masked figure hadn¡¯t contacted him tonight, he would have remained oblivious to Nichs¡¯s abduction until it was far toote.
The sound of Henry¡¯s knuckles cracking echoed ominously in the tense atmosphere. Jackson didn¡¯t dare look up; sweat trickled down his forehead, each drop a reminder of the gravity of their situation.
All he could think was that he hoped Steven wouldn¡¯t forget about him and Hudson once this ordeal was over.
Finally, when he mustered the courage to lift his gaze, he found that Henry and the masked figure had already vanished.
With a sigh of relief, Jackson quickly pulled Duncan away from the area.
¡°The factory¡¯s covered in cameras,¡± Jackson said, his voice taut with urgency. ¡°Henry was too furious to check right now, but once he does, we¡¯re done for. You need to contact Steven¡ªfast.¡±
Under the flickering lights, sweat glistened on his forehead, a testament to his rising anxiety.
Duncan¡¯s stomach sank, a sinking feeling of dread settling in. He could sense the gravity of the situation. This was bad. Really bad.
Jackson never got serious unless things were dire.
¡°Got it,¡± Duncan said, nodding firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll call Steven as soon as I get back.¡±
By the time he returned to the dorm and flicked on the light, less than three hours remained until dawn.
He hesitated for a heartbeat, then decided to seize a few hours of sleep first.
Morning arrived swiftly.
The window had been left ajar, and a brisk breeze swept in, rousing him from his slumber.
The instant he opened his eyes, he snatched his phone and dialed Steven¡¯s number, anxiety coursing through him.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the chaos, the weight of the night pressed heavily upon Duncan¡¯s shoulders, transforming his earlier bravado into a palpable sense of dread. He had always been the spoiled nephew, shielded by his uncle¡¯s influence, but now he stood at the precipice of a reality he could no longer ignore. The gravity of Nichs¡¯s disappearance hung over him like a storm cloud, forcing him to confront the consequences of his arrogance. As he dialed Steven¡¯s number, the urgency of the situation pierced through his defiance, revealing the vulnerability thaty beneath. Duncan understood that he could no longer hide behind a facade of indifference; the stakes were far too high, and the lives of those he cared about were in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s frustration simmered just beneath the surface, a potent reminder of the fragility of control in their world. The masked figure¡¯s words echoed in his mind, a stark warning that Tess now held the upper hand. The realization that he would have to confront her filled him with a mix of anger and trepidation, yet he knew it was the only path forward. The factory, once a symbol of his power, now felt like a ticking time bomb, and every moment wasted could deepen their peril. As dawn broke, a new resolve settled over Henry; he would not allow Tess to dictate the terms of this conflict. With determination igniting his spirit, he prepared to face the challenges ahead, understanding that the battle for Nichs¡¯s safety was just beginning.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension mounts, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of revtions and confrontations in the next chapter of *Keepsake 567*. With Duncan¡¯s call to Steven hanging in the air, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Steven respond in time to avert disaster, or has he already been swept further into the web of deception spun by Tess and her associates? The clock is ticking, and the fragile alliances within the factory are on the verge of copse. Each character must navigate their own fears and motivations, leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals.
Moreover, Henry¡¯s looming confrontation with Tess promises to be a pivotal moment. The masked figure¡¯s ominous warning has set the stage for a dramatic showdown, and readers will be left wondering how Henry will approach the situation. Will he manage to extract crucial information from Tess, or will his anger cloud his judgment? As secrets begin to unravel, the dynamics between the characters will shift, revealing hidden agendas and testing loyalties. The intricate dance of power, maniption, and desperation will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what lies ahead in this gripping tale.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 568
Keepsake 568 Summary
In Chapter 568 of ¡°Keepsake 568,¡± titled ¡°What Man?¡±, Steven receives a phone call from Duncan that ignites a sense of urgency within him. He recounts the chaotic events of the previous night, feeling anxious about a mysterious individual who seems to know too much about his ns. Just as he is trying to gather his thoughts, a forceful knocking at the door interrupts him, heightening his tension and curiosity. He quickly disconnects the call with Duncan and prepares to face whoever is at the door, wondering about the unexpected visitor at such an early hour.
Upon opening the door, Steven finds Henry, who appears weary and strained. The atmosphere in the room is thick with tension as Lyra questions Henry¡¯s early visit, prompting him to nce inside. Tess, surrounded by friends and holding baby La, senses the unease, and the focus shifts to Henry¡¯s intentions. Henry¡¯s awkward demeanor and the scrutiny from the group make him falter, as he tries to assert himself by iming he heard a man¡¯s voice, which raises immediate suspicion.
Bessie, protective of Tess, sharply confronts Henry, using him of trying to tarnish Tess¡¯s reputation. This confrontation reveals the history and power dynamics between Henry and Tess, with Henry attempting to regain control by criticizing Tess¡¯s associates. However, Tess stands her ground, asserting that Bessie is not her servant and refusing to let Henry dictate her actions. The exchange esctes as Tess sarcastically questions the values of the Ember family, highlighting the absurdity of Henry¡¯s concerns about her personal life.
Henry¡¯s frustration grows as he realizes Tess is no longer the submissive girl he once knew. Tess¡¯s defiance and strength unsettle him, as he attempts to soften his tone and appeal to her better nature. He acknowledges her recent divorce and expresses a desire to support her, but his underlying motives reveal his need to maintain control over her life and image. The chapter captures a pivotal moment in Tess¡¯s character development, showcasing her transformation from a neglected girl to a confident woman unwilling to be manipted by her past. The tension between her and Henry underscores the shifting power dynamics within the Ember family and sets the stage for further conflict.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 568**
**Chapter 568: What Man?**
¡°Duncan?¡±
The moment Steven¡¯s ears registered Duncan¡¯s voice crackling through the phone, he felt a surge of urgency. He spoke rapidly, recounting the chaotic events of the previous night, his words tumbling out in a frantic rush.
¡°A short person? Maybe a woman?¡± The frown etched on Steven¡¯s brow deepened, and a shadow seemed to cloud his expression.
Who on earth could that be? How could they possibly know about my ns¡ªor my every move?
His thoughts raced like wild horses, desperately trying to pin down the identity of this mysterious individual.
Bang! Bang!
The sudden, forceful knocking at the door jolted him from his spiraling thoughts.
Steven¡¯s muscles tensed instinctively, and he cast a quick nce at the others in the room, assessing their reactions.
He had returned homete the night before, opting to stay over at Evermount Heights. Now, as the sun rose and breakfast beckoned, he realized everyone had already gathered in the dining room.
Who could possibly be visiting at this hour?
Moreover, everyone who was close to Tess was already present.
Tess, sensing the tension, frowned slightly and gave a subtle nod. Steven, feeling the weight of curiosity and concern, rose to answer the door.
¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll call you back,¡± he said hurriedly, disconnecting the call with a swift motion.
On the other end of the line, Duncan froze, his phone still pressed to his ear. He had more to say, but the abrupt click echoed in his mind, and he sighed heavily. With a quick flick of his fingers, he sent a text, his words simple yet urgent: ¡°Call me when you¡¯re done.¡±
Bang! Bang!
The knocking intensified, insistent and impatient.
¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Steven called out, stepping closer to the door, every nerve on high alert.
Peering through the peephole, he recognized Henry standing outside, his face drawn and weary, yet he managed to force a polite smile.
¡°Mr. Ember?¡± Steven opened the door a crack, revealing only a portion of his face, cautious and wary.
¡°Judge Bell,¡± Henry greeted, that strained smile still stered on his face, his eyes darting past Steven, searching for something within the room through the narrow gap.
Lyra, ever the observant one, arched an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re here awfully early, Mr. Ember. What brings you by?¡±
She stepped aside slightly, her curiosity piqued. ¡°And what are you so keenly observing?¡±
Henry seized the opportunity, stealing a nce inside.
Tess sat at the table, nked by Raven and Bessie, cradling baby La in her arms. The remnants of breakfasty scattered across the table, but all eyes were fixed on him, creating an atmosphere thick with tension.
Caught under the weight of so many stares, Henry momentarily froze, then awkwardly stepped back. ¡°Oh¡ you¡¯re all up early,¡± he mumbled, his voice faltering.
¡°But I could have sworn I heard a man¡¯s voice¡¡±
He let his gaze drift around the room, feigning nonchnce while his mind raced.
Tess set her fork down deliberately, rising from her seat and approaching him, La nestled securely in her arms. Her calm, assessing gaze swept over Henry¡¯s face, taking in the dark circles under his eyes¡ªevidence of a sleepless night.
¡°What man?¡± Bessie interjected sharply before Tess could respond, her voiceced with indignation. ¡°Are you trying to tarnish Tess¡¯s reputation?¡±
With a forceful m of her utensils onto the table, she stood, ring at him with fiery determination.
Henry flinched at her sudden outburst, caught off guard by her intensity. Realizing how pitiful he must appear, he straightened his posture and forced a frown, attempting to regain hisposure. ¡°Tess, I know I¡¯ve wronged you,¡± he said, his tone stern, ¡°but that doesn¡¯t give you the right to let your maid act out of line! You really should keep your staff under control.¡±
His posture and authoritative tone were all too familiar to Tess, stirring memories of their past encounters.
She tilted her head slightly, a faint, mocking smile curling her lips. ¡°Bessie isn¡¯t my maid or my servant,¡± she replied coolly, her voice steady. ¡°She does what she wants. It¡¯s her right.¡±
The conviction in her tone made it abundantly clear that she had no intention of reining Bessie in.
Henry¡¯s expression darkened further, frustration etching deeper lines into his face.
¡°Tess, since you¡¯ve rejoined the Embers, it¡¯s crucial to remember who you represent,¡± he said, his voice sharp and unyielding. ¡°You¡¯re part of this family now. You can¡¯t act so childishly. And you certainly can¡¯t allow your people to show such disrespect to their elders.¡±
His condescending tone was a remnant of the past, but Tess was no longer the timid girl she had once been.
She lifted her chin slightly, her eyes gleaming with defiance. ¡°So this is what it means to be part of the illustrious Ember family?¡± she mused, her words dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯m not suited for that kind of ¡®noble upbringing.¡¯ Because honestly, I think Bessie has a valid point. What kind of father shows up at his daughter¡¯s house first thing in the morning just to inquire if she¡¯s hiding a man inside?¡±
Her cold gaze pierced through Henry like a dagger, chilling him to the core.
The heat of his anger dissipated in an instant, reced by a creeping sense of dread. As her words settled in the air, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
He had spoken thoughtlessly, his frustration blinding him to the consequences of his words.
He needed Tess on his side; he and Nadine had invested too much effort in bringing her back into the Ember fold. She was meant to be a pivotal piece in his ns, especially concerning the Larsons.
Tess was no longer that neglected little girl from years past.
¡°Tess,¡± he said after a moment of hesitation, forcing a weak smile, ¡°you¡¯ve misunderstood me.¡±
Taking a deep breath, he softened his voice, trying to appeal to her better nature.
¡°You¡¯ve just gone through a divorce. If you¡¯re considering dating again, I¡¯ll support you. Truly. But right now, things are¡ sensitive. I just don¡¯t want people talking about you. I may have sounded harsh, but my only concern is your well-being.¡±Conclusion
As the confrontation reached its peak, the air thickened with unspoken emotions, revealing the fractures in the rtionships that had long been buried beneath the surface. Tess stood resolute, no longer the fragile figure overshadowed by Henry¡¯s authority. Her words,ced with defiance and rity, echoed the transformation she had undergone¡ªan evolution from a girl seeking approval to a woman asserting her worth. In that moment, she reimed her narrative, challenging the very foundations of the familial expectations that had once confined her. The tension in the room shifted, and for the first time, the gathered friends and family bore witness to her strength, rallying around her as a protective shield against the remnants of her past.
Henry, confronted with the undeniable change in Tess, felt the grip of his power slipping away. His attempts to manipte her emotions faltered in the face of her unwavering resolve. The realization that he could no longer dictate her life settled heavily upon him, and the fear of losing her to her newfound independence gnawed at his insides. As Tess¡¯s defiance pierced through the facade of familial loyalty, it became clear that the dynamics of their rtionship had irrevocably altered. In this charged moment, the seeds of liberation were sown¡ªnot just for Tess, but for everyone present, igniting a spark of hope that perhaps the chains of the past could finally be broken, allowing for a future where authenticity and self-worth reigned supreme.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions will escte as the confrontation between Tess and Henry reaches a boiling point. With the air thick with unresolved issues and unspoken truths, readers can expect an explosive exchange that will reveal deeperyers of their fraught rtionship. Tess, emboldened by her newfound independence, will challenge Henry¡¯s authority in ways that could reshape their family dynamics forever. As secrets begin to unravel, the stakes will rise, and the question of loyalty will loomrge, leaving everyone in the room to grapple with their own motivations and fears.
Moreover, the mystery of the ¡°man¡± that Henry alluded to will take center stage, sparking a series of events that could either bring the family closer together or tear them apart. As Steven continues to unravel the threads of his own chaotic night, the implications of his conversation with Duncan wille to light, intertwining with Tess¡¯s struggles. With each revtion, the tension will mount, and unexpected alliances may form as characters are forced to confront their pasts and the consequences of their actions. Prepare for a chapter that promises intrigue, emotional depth, and the potential for shocking twists that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 569
Keepsake 569 Summary
In Chapter 569 of ¡°Keepsake 569,¡± titled ¡°Uninvited Guest,¡± the tension between Henry and Tess is palpable as they confront each other. Henry, desperate for answers, feels the weight of an invisible barrier separating them. Tess¡¯s indifference only fuels his frustration, as he struggles to understand her motivations and the changes in her behavior since theirst conversation. Despite his attempts to engage her, Tess remains emotionally distant, treating him as an outsider rather than a friend.
As Henry presses Tess about her absence from the Ember Residence, he bes increasingly aware of the peculiarities in her home, particrly the extra sets of silverwareid out for breakfast. His suspicions grow, especially when he learns that Steven, an old acquaintance of Tess, has been involved in the disappearance of the Nichs couple. This revtion heightens his urgency to uncover the truth, leading him to question Tess more aggressively about the unusual circumstances in her home.
Tess, trying to maintain a facade of normalcy, deflects Henry¡¯s inquiries while managing the presence of her children. However, the arrival of Connor, Marc, and Abelplicates matters further. Their entrance shifts the dynamic in the room, revealing the true purpose behind the extra silverware and heightening the stakes for Henry. He realizes that he is outnumbered and that the situation has escted beyond his control, leaving him feeling confused and irritated.
The chapter concludes with a sense of impending conflict as Henry grapples with the realization that he is surrounded by formidable opponents. The emotional turmoil he experiences is palpable, and the stakes are raised as he navigates the dangerous waters of deception and hidden motives within Tess¡¯s household. The atmosphere is charged with tension, leaving readers eager to see how the confrontation will unfold.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 569**
**Chapter 569: Uninvited Guest**
Henry took a deep breath, trying to articte his thoughts, but Tess stood before him, her expression a mask of stubborn indifference. It was as if an invisible wall had been erected between them, and no amount of reasoning could breach it.
¡°Mm.¡± The sound she made was dismissive, a mere hum that conveyed her disinterest.
After delivering what felt like a monologue, Henry observed that his words hadnded on Tess like raindrops on a stone¡ªno impression made, no change in her demeanor. Frustration bubbled within him, and he clenched his fists, the tension in his body escting.
¡°Why are you here?¡± Tess¡¯s gaze swept over him, cool and evaluating, as if she were assessing a piece of furniture rather than a person.
In that moment, a realization struck Henry like a bolt of lightning. He hade with a purpose, one that had momentarily slipped his mind amidst their earlier banter.
¡°Didn¡¯t you agree to return to the Ember Residence a few days ago?¡± he pressed, recalling their earlier conversation. ¡°You even spent a little time there, but today you didn¡¯te back. I thought I¡¯d check in and see what was happening.¡± His voice was steady, rehearsed¡ªcrafted during the drive over.
Tess¡¯s expression remained unchanged, her face a stoic mask. ¡°The bedroom isn¡¯tfortable. I¡¯ll think about moving back once the new bedding arrives.¡±
Henry nodded, feigning understanding, but his curiosity gnawed at him. ¡°I came here in such a rush. I see you¡¯re all having breakfast? Surely, you could spare an extra set of silverware for me?¡± He rubbed his hands together, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
Bessie didn¡¯t prepare much,¡± Tess replied, her tone t. ¡°Come on in.¡±
The unspoken message hung in the air: he was wee to join, but there would be no feast awaiting him.
Without hesitation, Tess swung the door wide open, inviting him inside. She was keenly aware of the need to maintain a semnce of peace with the Embers. If she outright rejected him at every turn, it would only raise Henry¡¯s suspicions further.
A smile broke across Henry¡¯s face, and he paused at the threshold, his mind racing with possibilities. ¡°Should I take my shoes off?¡± he asked, ncing around.
¡°For a bunch of women, you sure prepared a lot of food,¡± he remarked, taking in the spreadid out before him.
¡°I¡¯m a mother now. Being skinny isn¡¯t exactly a good thing,¡± Tess replied, her voice devoid of warmth as she cradled La in her arms and returned to the table.
Henry found a vacant seat and settled in, but his eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail.
He had recently received intel from his informant about the peculiar worker who had whisked away the Nichs couple¡ªnone other than Steven, an old friend of Tess and a distinguished figure at the Nexus Research Institute in Aetheris. Steven had acted on Tess¡¯s behalf, and Henry had rushed to Evermount Heights before dawn, determined to intercept them.
¡°Why are there four extra sets of silverware when there are only a few of you here?¡± he inquired, scanning the room for clues, his gaze sharpening as itnded on Tess.
One or two extra sets might have been easy to brush off, but four? That was a ring anomaly.
Tess nced at him, her expression unyielding. ¡°La can have soup now,¡± she stated, deflecting the question.
¡°What about the other three sets?¡± He pressed on, his determination palpable, unwilling to let the matter slide.
Tess¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of concern passing through her eyes. The moment Steven had confirmed Henry¡¯s arrival, she had instructed him to take the Nichs family upstairs to keep them hidden. The urgency of the situation had left little time to tidy up, and the silverware had been left behind in the chaos.
Henry¡¯s prating gaze bore into Tess, searching for any sign of deception.
¡°Mr. Ember, you¡¯re overstepping,¡± Tess said, pressing her lips together in a thin line.
Yet her evasive response only deepened his suspicions. He chose not to press further, instead pushing aside the new silverware Bessie had ced before him. ¡°I was so worried about your safetyst night that I couldn¡¯t sleep at all. My appetite has vanished,¡± he said, feigning nonchnce as his eyes drifted toward the staircase leading to the upper floor. ¡°Evermount Heights¡ I haven¡¯t had a proper tour of your home yet. Why don¡¯t you all continue eating while I take a look around upstairs?¡±
With that, he rose abruptly from his seat. Lyra and Raven exchanged anxious nces, their expressions pleading for Tess to intervene.
¡°The silverware was obviously prepared for the two of us,¡± Tess attempted to rify, her voice steady.
Just then, the door swung open, and Connor and Marc stepped into the room.
¡°Mr. Ember, breaking and entering without permission isn¡¯t right, you know,¡± Connor remarked, his tone light yetced with an underlying threat. He wore a crisp white suit, exuding an air of sophistication that contrasted sharply with Marc¡¯s more casual demeanor.
Marc interjected with a smirk, his words dripping with arrogance. ¡°Great, you started eating before I even got here.¡±
Abel bounded towards Tess, a bundle of energy, his cheerful demeanor lighting up the room.
With the arrival of these three men, the presence of the additional three sets of silverware suddenly madeplete sense to Henry.
His expression soured, confusion and irritation mingling in his chest.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you disappointed to see me?¡± Abel shot back, crossing his arms and sizing Henry up with a look of disdain that was impossible to miss.
Henry felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Connor and Marc were already formidable opponents in their own right, and now with Abel in the mix, the odds had shifted dramatically against him.Conclusion
In the tense atmosphere of the Ember residence, Henry¡¯s initial hopefulness began to unravel, revealing the deep-seated frustration that had been simmering beneath the surface. His attempt to connect with Tess had been met with a wall of indifference, leaving him feeling like an intruder in a ce he once thought was weing. The arrival of Connor, Marc, and Abel only heightened his sense of istion, transforming what was meant to be a simple visit into a battleground of unspoken tensions and veiled threats. As he sat at the table, surrounded by the remnants of a shared life he no longer felt a part of, the realization struck him that the bonds he had cherished were fraying, and the stakes were higher than he had anticipated.
Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, a flicker of determination ignited within Henry. He understood that the silverware was more than just a symbol of hospitality; it was a stark reminder of the secrets being harbored within these walls. The emotional arc of this confrontation had shifted from a personal connection to a fight for understanding and truth. As he prepared to face the challenges ahead, Henry recognized that the path to reiming his ce in Tess¡¯s life would require not just courage, but a willingness to confront the shadows lurking in the corners of their shared history. In that moment, he resolved to navigate theplexities of their rtionship, even if it meant standing alone against the tide of opposition that threatened to engulf them both.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, tensions are set to escte as Henry finds himself increasingly outnumbered and outmaneuvered in the Ember Residence. With Connor, Marc, and Abel now present, the dynamics of the room shift dramatically, and Henry¡¯s determination to uncover the truth about the extra silverware and the hidden Nichs family will be put to the ultimate test. As he grapples with the growing unease in the air, readers can expect a fierce battle of wits, where every word exchanged will carry weight and potential consequences. Will Henry manage to keep hisposure, or will the mounting pressure force him to reveal more than he intended?
Furthermore, Tess¡¯s resolve will be tested as she bnces her loyalty to her friends and her desire to protect her newfound family. The stakes are higher than ever, and her past connection with Steven will loomrge over her decisions. Will she find a way to maintain the fragile peace in her home, or will her secrets unravel in the presence of these uninvited guests? As the chapter unfolds, expect unexpected alliances, simmering confrontations, and perhaps even a revtion that could change everything for both Henry and Tess. The tension will be palpable, leaving readers eagerly turning the pages to see how the delicate situation unfolds.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 570
Keepsake 570 Summary
In Chapter 570 of ¡°Keepsake 570,¡± the tension among the characters is palpable as Henry grapples with his insecurities and suspicions. He feels the weight of his past mistakes, particrly his absence from his daughter¡¯s life, which is brought to light by Abel¡¯s bold remarks. Abel¡¯s audacity serves to crack Henry¡¯s carefully constructed facade, revealing his irritation and difort. The atmosphere is thick with unspoken emotions, as Tess observes the interactions, aware that the situation is deteriorating and that the Nichs family needs a safe refuge.
As the breakfast unfolds, Abel¡¯s yful yet provocative demeanor creates a contrasting levity amidst the tension. His demand for a blue te and casual banter with Tess injects moments of humor, even as Marc and Connor watch anxiously. Tess, caught between her responsibilities and the chaotic dynamics of her guests, struggles to maintain herposure while also addressing the urgent needs of the Nichs family. She recognizes that the presence of the three men is essential, yet Abel¡¯s exuberanceplicates matters.
Henry¡¯s internal conflict intensifies as he leaves the gathering, grappling with his lingering doubts about Tess and the whereabouts of Steven and the Nichs family. Despite his attempts to rationalize the situation, he cannot shake the feeling of deception. Outside Evermount Heights, he reaches out to inquire about Steven, only to be met with unsettling silence and a sense of foreboding from Jolie, who is left in the dark about Steven¡¯s absence. This chapter encapstes theplex intery of emotions, revealing the characters¡¯ struggles with trust, familial bonds, and the uncertainty of their circumstances.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 570**
**Chapter 570: The Perfect Cover**
Henry¡¯s broad shoulders seemed to slump under an invisible weight, the tension in the air palpable.
¡°No, no, of course not. You¡¯re reading too much into it,¡± he said, his voice strained as he forced a smile that felt more like a grimace, one that dripped with a desperate need for approval.
Tess, with her keen eyes, caught every subtle twitch of his features, the fleeting look of derision that danced in her gaze.
¡°Really?¡± she thought, amusement flickering in her mind like a candle in the wind.
Fortunately, the moment she had sent Bessie upstairs with Steven and his entourage, she had reached out to these three. The situation had taken a turn; Henry¡¯s suspicions had risen like a tide, making it clear that keeping them at Evermount Heights was no longer a viable option. That¡¯s where these three came into y, their presence a necessary shield.
¡°Right. A man who has been absent from his daughter¡¯s life for so many years has no business pointing fingers at the people in it now, does he?¡± Abel¡¯s words sliced through the tension, bold and unyielding, as he swept his hair back defiantly.
Raven, seated nearby, couldn¡¯t suppress the twitch of her lips, augh threatening to escape her. It was a moment of levity in the thick atmosphere, one that only Abel would dare to conjure. With connections that could shake the very foundations of their world, Henry felt the heat of fury rising within him, yet he was left with no choice but to swallow it down.
At Abel¡¯s audacious remark, Henry¡¯s carefully crafted fatherly facade began to crack, the fa?ade of authority slipping away like sand through his fingers.
His smile stiffened, a mask of forced politeness. ¡°Mr. Shaw, what exactly are you trying to say?¡± he asked, his voiceced with a mixture of irritation and confusion.
Abel met his gaze with an icy calmness. ¡°I¡¯m speaking the truth. Isn¡¯t that obvious?¡± he replied, the corners of his mouth curling into a smirk that only deepened Henry¡¯s difort.
Henry felt hisposure waver, the corners of his mouth drooping as he realized that sitting in that room for even one more moment would be an exercise in agony.
With a sudden burst of energy, he stood up, ncing at his phone, which betrayed him with itsck of notifications. Heughed awkwardly, a hollow sound that echoed in the silence. ¡°I have some business to attend to. I won¡¯t intrude on your meal any longer.¡±
Tess remained silent, merely waving her hand dismissively, signaling that he was free to leave.
Abel, ever the provocateur, crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. ¡°Do you need me to walk you out? Is it because of me?¡± he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he covered his mouth in a mock disy of innocence.
Henry¡¯s annoyance boiled beneath the surface, yet he felt utterly powerless against Abel¡¯s relentless charm. He forced a strained smile. ¡°Of course not, Mr. Shaw. Don¡¯t overthink it.¡±
¡°Fine, then see yourself out,¡± Abel replied nonchntly, his focus shifting back to the table.
The breakfast spread was a feast for the senses¡ªcolorful, abundant, and inviting. Abel¡¯s gaze flitted to the te before him, and he wrinkled his nose. ¡°I don¡¯t like white tes. Get me a blue one,¡± hemanded, his tone yful yet firm.
He called out to Bessie, who looked to Tess for guidance, her eyes wide with uncertainty.
With a sigh that spoke volumes, Tess rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of the morning¡¯s chaos. Yet, she relented, instructing Bessie to fulfill Abel¡¯s request.
A few momentster, Abel was grinning ear to ear, clutching a pristine blue ceramic te as he settled into the chair next to Tess. ¡°Try this,¡± he said, serving food onto her te with a casual expertise that made her lips twitch in a mixture of annoyance and amusement.
The Nichs family¡¯s situation was bing increasingly precarious. Henry¡¯s growing suspicion rendered Evermount Heights an unsuitable sanctuary for them any longer. That¡¯s why Tess had summoned these three¡ªshe needed to discuss a temporary refuge for the Nichs family.
But she hadn¡¯t anticipated Abel¡¯s¡ exuberance.
Tess¡¯s mouth curled into a reluctant smile as she took a small bite, her resolve wavering.
Abel was poised to add more to her te when she shot him a re, her voice firm. ¡°I have hands. If you want to eat, serve yourself.¡±
With a soft hum of understanding, Abel finally leaned over his own te, diving into his breakfast with an uncharacteristic focus.
Though his movements were unremarkable, the way his hair fell over his eyes obscured his bright gaze, giving him the appearance of a forlorn puppy, ears drooping in defeat.
Marc¡¯s eyes were fixed on the duo, anxiety gnawing at him as he observed Abel¡¯s antics. He clenched his jaw, a silent worry festering for his brother.
Oh God, Abel was a master maniptor, a puppeteer pulling strings with effortless grace. How could his honest, straightforward brother ever hope to stand a chance against such cunning?
At that moment, Connor, the straightforward brother, nced at Marc¡¯s frustrated expression, utterly confused by the tension swirling around them.
The natural banter among the group caught Henry¡¯s attention as he lingered near the door, taking onest look before stepping out. Much of his suspicion had dissipated, reced by an uneasy eptance. They really did appear to be exactly what Tess had described¡ªjust friends sharing a meal.
Yet, a lingering doubt gnawed at him.
Had that person deceived him?
He couldn¡¯t shake the thought, even as he shook his head, attempting to dismiss it for the time being.
She had no reason to lie.
But what about Steven? And the Nichs family? If they weren¡¯t at Tess¡¯s ce, where could they possibly be?
¡°Has Steven returned to the Nexus Research Institute?¡±
The moment he stepped outside Evermount Heights, Henry dialed that person, his brow furrowed in concern.
¡°No.¡±
This time, the voice on the other end was clear, though rough around the edges, unmistakably a woman¡¯s voice.
A pair of eyes filled with venom surveyed Steven¡¯s empty office, the silence echoing with unspoken dread.
Normally, at this hour, Steven would already be immersed in work.
Jolie couldn¡¯t help but tighten her fists, frustration bubbling within her as she contemted the uncertainty ahead.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the breakfast gathering at Evermount Heights, the emotional currents swirled with a mix of tension and reluctant camaraderie. Henry, once so certain of his authority, found himself grappling with a dissonance between his protective instincts and the growing realization that his daughter had forged bonds that challenged his perception of family. Abel¡¯s audacity had pierced through the carefully constructed walls of Henry¡¯s facade, leaving him vulnerable and questioning the very foundation of his assumptions. As he stepped out into the world beyond the sanctuary of his home, the weight of his doubts hung heavily on his shoulders, a stark reminder that the path to understanding and eptance was fraught with uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Tess navigated the delicate bnce of her role as a mediator, her heart softening at the sight of Abel¡¯s yful antics and the genuine connection forming around the breakfast table. Theughter shared, even amidst the underlying tension, hinted at a fragile yet hopeful unity that could shield the Nichs family from the encroaching storm. Yet, the shadows of doubt loomedrge, especially with the unsettling absence of Steven and the ominous presence of Jolie. As Tess contemted the precarious future, she clung to the hope that the bonds they were forging would serve as a shield against the chaos threatening to engulf them. In this moment, amidst theughter and the uncertainty, the true essence of family began to take shape, not solely defined by blood but by the connections forged in the fires of adversity.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension continues to rise within the walls of Evermount Heights, the next chapter promises to unravel the intricate web of deception and loyalty that binds Henry, Tess, and their unexpected allies. With Henry¡¯s growing suspicions threatening to expose the fragile peace they¡¯ve managed to maintain, readers can anticipate a sh of wills that will leave everyone on edge. Abel¡¯s yful antics may serve as a temporary distraction, but the undercurrents of conflict are palpable, hinting at a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Will Tess be able to devise a n that keeps the Nichs family safe, or will Henry¡¯s instincts lead him down a path of confrontation that could shatter their fragile alliance?
Meanwhile, the ominous presence of Jolie loomsrge, her frustration and determination signaling that the stakes are about to escte dramatically. As she grapples with the unsettling silence in Steven¡¯s office, readers will be drawn deeper into her quest for answers, which could have far-reaching consequences for all involved. The chapter will likely delve into her motivations and the lengths she is willing to go to uncover the truth, creating a suspenseful parallel narrative that intertwines with the main storyline. With every character facing their own demons and secrets waiting to be unveiled, the next chapter is set to be a thrilling ride filled with unexpected twists and revtions that will keep readers guessing until the veryst moment.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 571
Keepsake 571 Summary
In Chapter 571 of ¡°Keepsake 571,¡± Steven grapples with his feelings as he prepares to leave the country after helping Tess. His decision is fueled by resentment towards Tess, whom he mes for the strain in his rtionship with Jolie. Jolie, consumed by jealousy and bitterness, believes that Steven is with Tess, viewing her as a homewrecker who has disrupted their lives. The emotional turmoil is palpable as Jolie¡¯s frustration mounts, leading to a tense atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Abel and Ken are introduced in a scenario filled with awkwardness and tension. Abel, tasked with overseeing Ken, expresses his annoyance at having to babysit. Despite his initialck of interest, Abel¡¯s curiosity about Tess is piqued when Ken shares personal details about her preferences. This revtion shifts Abel¡¯s perspective, and he begins to see Ken as a valuable source of information rather than a burden. Their day together is marked by Abel taking notes while Ken quietly observes, highlighting a growing connection between them.
Back at Evermount Heights, Tess faces a different emotional challenge as she confronts Nichs, who had fled the previous night. His admission of cowardice and fear of prison reveals his vulnerability, stirring a mix of emotions in Tess. Rachel¡¯s desperate plea for mercy on behalf of her husband adds to the tension, as she fears for the future of their family. Her instinctive gesture towards Tess is thwarted by Raven, who intervenes sharply, showcasing the protective dynamics at y. Tess remains stoic amidst the emotional upheaval, suggesting aplex intery of power and vulnerability in her interactions.
The chapter encapstes themes of jealousy, vulnerability, and the struggle for control, as characters navigate their intertwined fates. Steven¡¯s desire to escape contrasts with the emotional ties that bind others, while Tess¡¯s stoicism in the face of Rachel¡¯s plea underscores her role as a figure of authority amidst chaos. The dynamics between the characters hint at deeper histories and unresolved tensions, setting the stage for further developments in their rtionships.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 571**
**Chapter 571: Taking Notes**
Where had he disappeared to?
Steven had made up his mind to leave the country after this one act of assistance for Tess, and the thought of never setting foot in Crorus again was bing more appealing by the minute. He had issued stern warnings to his superiors, making it clear that he would not entertain the idea of Tess apanying him as his assistant¡ªno way, no how.
It was all Tess¡¯s fault, that homewrecker! What could someone like Steven possibly see in a piece of damaged goods that had been tossed aside by a greedy man like Finn?
Jolie¡¯s heart swelled with resentment and bitterness, her thoughts spiraling into a vortex of me directed solely at Tess for Steven¡¯s icy demeanor toward her.
¡°He must be with her!¡± she seethed, her teeth clenched in frustration.
At that moment, Abel and Ken stood facing each other, an awkward tension hanging in the air.
One of them appeared timid, almost shrinking under the weight of expectation, while the other cast sideways nces, assessing the situation with a mix of curiosity and caution.
To ensure everything went smoothly, Tess had meticulously arranged for Ken to apany Abel, while Nichs and his wife were paired with Connor and Marc.
Babysitting a kid?
The thought made Abel feel a headache brewing. He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the tension. ¡°Listen, you¡¯re going to be staying at a hotel with me, and I expect you to stay close. No wandering off, alright?¡±
Ken nodded, his expression obedient and shy, as if he were agreeing to a monumental task.
Abel continued toy down a series of additional requirements, which, upon reflection, were rtively harmless, but Ken kept pressing his lips together, nodding along like a little soldier.
Abruptly, Abel¡¯s interest waned.
This kid wasn¡¯t nearly as charming as La.
Even though La was still quite young, she possessed an astonishing ability to read the room. She would blink those big, expressive eyes, absorbing everything around her before bursting into a fit of giggles.
¡°By the way, you¡¯ve been living at Evermount Heights for quite some time now,¡± Abel remarked casually, stroking his chin as he spoke. He couldn¡¯t help but think that even he hadn¡¯t spent that long in Evermount Heights.
A twinge of jealousy crept into his mind.
Abel scrutinized Ken from head to toe, mentally gearing himself up for what he was about to ask.
¡°You must know something about her, right?¡± he probed, his curiosity piqued.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he leaned in closer, his previously bored and indifferent expression now sparkling with renewed energy.
Ken blinked in surprise at the sudden proximity, momentarily taken aback before he quickly regained hisposure and replied earnestly, ¡°Ms. Tess likes blue, she loves lilies, but she doesn¡¯t like spinach, bell peppers, or garlic, and she also doesn¡¯t like¡¡±
His gaze drifted off as he fell into contemtion.
Abel straightened up, murmuring to himself, ¡°Likes blue, noted. Lilies? I¡¯ll make sure to buy her some next time. Spinach, bell peppers, garlic¡ hmm¡ I¡¯m not a fan of those either.¡±
He eagerlymitted Ken¡¯s insights to memory, suddenly realizing that maybe this kid wasn¡¯t as useless as he had initially thought.
The two spent the majority of the day together, though in reality, it was mostly Abel scribbling down notes while Ken quietly observed.
Meanwhile, back at Evermount Heights, after Tess had sent Abel off with Ken, Steven, along with Nichs and his wife, who had been hiding upstairs, finally made their way back down.
The couple had longed to reunite with their child, and as they watched him leave, their eyes followed the two figures at the door, who kept ncing back as if reluctant to part ways.
¡°Alright,¡± Tess said, clearing her throat to reim their attention.
The Nichs couple turned their heads reluctantly, as if pulled from a trance.
¡°Ms. Tess!¡±
Without warning, Rachel cried out desperately, dropping to her knees before Tess in an act of supplication.
Bessie quickly reached out, trying to halt her. ¡°Hey! What do you think you¡¯re doing? Are you trying to curse someone?¡±
She pped her thigh, and Rachel, overwhelmed with gratitude, felt a rush of embarrassment wash over her.
Stealing a nce up at Tess, Rachel saw no discernible reaction, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Bessie managed to pull her back to her feet and gently nudged her back into her seat.
Tess¡¯s gaze shifted away from Rachel, slowly settling on Nichs instead.
With a calm, steady rhythm, she tapped her fingertips against the table. ¡°You ran awayst night.¡±
There was no hint of emotion in her voice, yet Nichs felt a shiver run down his spine.
He looked at Tess, anxiety twisting in his gut.
Standing before her, facing her directly, was far more daunting than he had ever anticipated.
Nichs couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing unease.
He lowered his head, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was too much of a coward. I didn¡¯t want to go to prison.¡±
His voice trailed off, softening to a near inaudible murmur. Whether it was fear or genuine remorse toward Tess that made his voice tremble, it was evident that he was struggling to keep hisposure.
Watching this once-burly man hang his head in shame, wiping away tears, Tess¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, though her expression remained stoic.
Rachel, witnessing her husband¡ªwho had always been her rock¡ªnow appear so vulnerable, felt her heart ache profoundly.
She turned to Tess with pleading eyes. ¡°Ms. Tess, I don¡¯t know what history exists between you and my husband, but¡ does he really have to go to prison? We have a child. If he goes to prison now, it will not only destroy our family, but it will ruin our son¡¯s future too.¡±
As she spoke, she instinctively reached out to grasp the hem of Tess¡¯s clothing, but Raven, sharp-eyed and alert, caught the movement and kicked her hand away.
The action left Rachel momentarily stunned. When she looked up, shock was evident in her eyes. ¡°You¡¡±
Tess, however, showed no reaction to Raven¡¯s intervention, as if silently approving of it.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the emotional turmoil, the air in Evermount Heights crackled with unresolved tension and unspoken fears. Tess stood firm, her presence a silent testament to the weight of choices made and consequences yet to unfold. Nichs¡¯s vulnerabilityid bare before her was a stark reminder of the fragility of human connections, while Rachel¡¯s desperate plea tugged at the threads ofpassion within Tess. As she surveyed the scene, the conflicting emotions swirled within her¡ªanger at Nichs for his cowardice, yet a flicker of empathy for the family he had jeopardized. The moment felt pivotal, as if the very fabric of their lives hung in the bnce, waiting for Tess¡¯s decision to tip the scales toward redemption or retribution.
Meanwhile, Steven¡¯s impending departure loomedrge over the unfolding drama, casting a shadow over the rtionships that had formed and fractured in Crorus. Jolie¡¯s bitterness and Abel¡¯s unexpected camaraderie with Ken hinted at theplexities of love and loyalty. Each character grappled with their own fears and desires, forging connections that would either bind them together or tear them apart. As Tess prepared to confront the choices before her, the emotional arc reached a crescendo, echoing the themes of sacrifice and the quest for freedom. The decisions made in this moment would reverberate far beyond the walls of Evermount Heights, leaving an indelible mark on their lives, and perhaps even leading to a future where forgiveness could flourish amidst the ruins of betrayal.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter of *Keepsake 571*, readers can expect the tension to escte as Tess confronts theplexities of her rtionships with both Nichs and Steven. With Nichs¡¯s vulnerabilityid bare, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Tess show mercy, or will she stand firm in her convictions? The emotional turmoil that envelops the room promises to unravel secrets that have long been buried, and the consequences of their choices will ripple through their lives in unexpected ways.
Meanwhile, Abel¡¯s growing intrigue about Tess hints at a deeper connection that may blossom amidst the chaos. As he gathers intel from Ken, the innocent boy may unknowingly be a catalyst for change, bridging the gap between Abel and Tess. The dynamics of their interactions will shift, and readers will be left wondering whether Abel¡¯s newfound interest in Tess is purely professional or if it hints at something more personal. Will he take a chance on her, or will his hesitations keep him at bay?
As the chapter unfolds, expect revtions that will challenge loyalties and force characters to confront their pasts. The emotional stakes are rising, and the choices made will lead to an inevitable confrontation that promises to leave readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating whates next in this intricate web of rtionships and secrets.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 572
Keepsake 572 Summary
In Chapter 572 of ¡°Keepsake 572,¡± titled ¡°The Price of Greed,¡± Tess confronts Nichs about his past actions and the implications of his choices. Tess is portrayed as a strong and resolute figure, unyielding in her pursuit of justice. She expresses her disdain for emotional maniption and emphasizes that ountability cannot be avoided. Her icy demeanor and sharp words create a tense atmosphere, particrly for Rachel, who feels the weight of Tess¡¯s judgment.
Nichs, feeling cornered, is haunted by memories of his imprisonment in a factory controlled by Henry. Tess offers him a way out, suggesting that he can lessen his punishment by testifying against Henry, who had coerced him intoplicity. As Tessys out her terms, Nichs grapples with a mix of hope and fear, acknowledging his past involvement in Henry¡¯s schemes while longing for redemption. The stakes are high, and his desperation is palpable as he seeks assurance for the safety of his family.
Lyra, another influential character, supports Tess¡¯s stance by highlighting the gravity of Nichs¡¯s situation. She points out that while Nichs¡¯s past actions were harmful, Henry¡¯s crimes against him and his wife are far more serious. This revtion ignites a flicker of hope in Nichs, who realizes that he might escape severe punishment if he cooperates. Yet, the emotional burden of his choices weighs heavily on him, as he reflects on the trauma and istion he and his wife endured during their captivity.
As the chapter unfolds, Nichs¡¯s internal conflict deepens. He is torn between his desire to protect his family and the guilt of having once aided Henry. The darkness of his past looms over him, and he wishes he had acted differently when first approached by Henry. The narrative captures his turmoil, illustrating the high price of greed and the moralplexities of his situation. Ultimately, Tess and Lyra¡¯s unwavering resolve to seek justice for all involved adds ayer of intensity to the story, leaving Nichs at a crossroads as he contemtes his next move.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**TITLE: Keepsake 572**
**Chapter 572 The Price of Greed**
+10 Free Coins.
So, the end of the line is prison? If that were the case, shouldn¡¯t she be lying lifeless in some forgotten alley, heart shattered, and spirit crushed?
Tess¡¯s face was an icy mask, her demeanor bordering on mercilessness.
Standing resolutely beside her, Raven held her chin high, embodying the essence of a guardian angel, fiercely protective of Tess.
Tess had an intense aversion to emotional maniption; it was a tactic she loathed more than anything else in the world.
Tears wouldn¡¯t wash away the stains of your past misdeeds. And attempting to wriggle out of ountability by adopting the role of the victim was nothing short of disgraceful.
She let out a derisive scoff. ¡°Thew is unwavering. He can¡¯t evade it.¡±
Those simple yet powerful words drained the color from Rachel¡¯s face, leaving her in a state of utter destion.
Tess didn¡¯t spare Rachel a second nce; her attention was firmly fixed on Nichs.
¡°When you find yourself behind bars, I¡¯ll ensure that your wife and child are taken care of. Of course, you could always opt to flee. I could have Steven send you straight back to that factory.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice was sharp and clear, slicing through the tension in the room.
Nichs shuddered, his mind racing back to the agonizing days spent in that factory, a ce that haunted his memories.
He bit down on his lip, desperation creeping into his tone. ¡°What do you want from me?¡±
¡°It¡¯s straightforward. In fact, I¡¯ve alreadyid it out for you.¡±
With deliberate care, Tess poured a steaming cup of tea and slid it across the table towards Nichs.
Nichs¡¯s eyes followed the cup¡¯s movement, his fingers twitching with the urge to grasp it, yet he refrained.
Tess observed his hesitation and calmly averted her gaze, allowing him a moment of contemtion.
¡°When the moment arrives, I¡¯ll step in and help you rify everything. You simply need to exin how Henry coerced you into his schemes and kept both you and your wife imprisoned in that factory, cutting off all contact with the outside world.¡±
Tess was direct,ying out her terms with unflinching rity.
Nichs¡¯s brow remained furrowed, his thoughts churning. He recognized that Tess¡¯s demands were rooted in a sense of justice.
After all, he was the one who had initially aided Henry in those heinous acts.
¡°Once I agree to this, will I¡¡±
He couldn¡¯t bring himself to finish the sentence. Instead, he lifted his gaze, his eyes aze with a mixture of hope and dread as they locked onto Tess.
His heart raced, fingers digging into his palms as if bracing for a final verdict.
¡°When the timees, I will advocate for a reduced sentence on your behalf, but ultimately, the court will make the final call.¡±
Tess held his gaze, keenly aware of the moment his emotions crumbled.
¡°Back then, when Henry orchestrated Shannon¡¯s fake death and subsequently kept her as his mistress abroad, he only engaged in morally dubious actions that society would frown upon. If we¡¯re discussing criminal charges, there¡¯s little that can be pursued.¡±
Lyra chose that moment to interject, her voice steady and authoritative.
Aside from Tess, she wielded considerable influence in the room, and as soon as she spoke, all eyes turned to her.
¡°But he imprisoned you and your wife against your will, confining you both in that factory. If we truly investigate that, it¡¯s far from a trivial matter.¡±
Nichs¡¯s eyes lit up at her words, excitement coursing through him, his fingertips trembling in anticipation.
¡°Are you suggesting that while I might escape severe punishment, Henry will undoubtedly face substantial consequences?¡±
The memories of that harrowing night flooded back to him.
Henry¡¯s men had stormed into his small, cozy home, shattering the tranquility of his life in an instant.
¡°Didn¡¯t I already assist you? What more do you desire from me?¡±
Nichs¡¯s eyes widened, disbelief etched across his features as betrayal washed over him.
No matter how hard he fought, those men had dragged him out, tossing him into a vehicle like a ragdoll.
Even his wife hadn¡¯t been spared from their brutality.
His anxiety had only intensified as they were transported to the factory in Aetheris, a ce that was blindingly bright even under the cover of night. It was then that his heart plummeted to its lowest point.
That night, he had sustained injuries from his desperate attempts to escape, but Henry, fearing that he might divulge the n, had denied him medical care. Even now, he felt the lingering ache in his lower back on cold days.
Inside the factory, he and his wife weren¡¯t subjected to the same exhaustingbor as the other workers, forced toplete mind-numbing tasks.
But it felt no different from imprisonment. All their phones and devices that could connect them to the outside world had been confiscated. The dormitory they inhabited was riddled with cameras, stripping them of any semnce of privacy. It was enough to drive his wife to tearste into the night.
They were ensnared in a gilded cage, utterly isted in an age of digital connectivity, while their child remained out there,pletely out of reach.
Living in such oppressive darkness, his heart had been consumed by hatred.
¡°Theoretically speaking, yes, but your involvement in aiding and abetting did inflict significant harm. Therefore, you won¡¯t walk away entirely unscathed.¡±
Lyra chose her words with caution, aware of the delicate bnce of the situation.
But Nichs, consumed by thoughts of Henry¡¯s treachery, felt a surge of agitation.
¡°I¡¯m willing to help, but you must guarantee the safety of my wife and child.¡±
Nichs clenched his jaw, frustration boiling beneath the surface.
If only he had known that epting that meager sum would lead to such chaos and entangle his family in this nightmare, he would have grabbed a broom and chased Henry away the moment he darkened their doorstep.Conclusion
In the end, Tess stood unyielding, a beacon of strength amidst the chaos wrought by greed and betrayal. Her unwaveringmitment to justice and the protection of those wronged shone brightly, illuminating the path forward for Nichs. As he grappled with the weight of his past decisions, the flicker of hope ignited within him¡ªa chance to reim his life and safeguard his family from the clutches of a man who had turned their existence into a living nightmare. Tess¡¯s resolve to advocate for him, despite the shadows of his actions, offered a lifeline, a reminder that redemption was still within reach.
Nichs¡¯s journey through despair and regret had been long and harrowing, yet as he faced the prospect of confronting his past, he found himself at a crossroads. The painful memories of confinement and helplessness mingled with the burgeoning desire to protect his loved ones, igniting a fierce determination to break free from the chains of his own making. With Tess and Lyra by his side, he felt the stirrings of courage, realizing that while the price of greed had exacted a heavy toll, the potential for healing and justice could emerge from the ashes of his mistakes. In this moment of reckoning, he understood that facing the truth was the first step toward liberation¡ªnot just for himself, but for the family he had fought so desperately to keep safe.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as Tess and her allies delve deeper into the murky waters of betrayal and justice. With Nichs teetering on the edge of desperation, his choices will shape not only his fate but also the lives of his loved ones. As he grapples with the weight of his past decisions, the stakes will rise, forcing him to confront the very darkness he once sumbed to. Will he muster the courage to betray Henry and seek redemption, or will fear of retribution keep him shackled to his guilt?
Moreover, Tess¡¯s unwavering resolve and calcted strategies wille into y, revealingyers of her character that challenge the notion of morality in the pursuit of justice. As she navigates the treacherousndscape of maniption and power, readers will witness the intricate dance between loyalty and self-preservation. Lyra¡¯s authoritative presence will furtherplicate the dynamics, as her intentions be increasingly pivotal in the unfolding drama. Prepare for unexpected alliances, heart-wrenching choices, and the looming question of whether true justice can ever be attained in a world rife with greed and deception. The next chapter promises to be a gripping exploration of human resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 573
Keepsake 573 Summary
In Chapter 573 of ¡°Keepsake 573,¡± titled ¡°Gone Without a Trace,¡± the narrative unfolds with Tess firmly asserting her position to Nichs, who visibly rxes upon her promise. Their conversation reveals a misunderstanding about Tess¡¯s lineage, leading to Nichs¡¯s realization that she does not resemble her father, Henry. As Tess prepares to leave, she instructs Nichs to wait for her message and to stay with Connor and Marc, whom she gestures toward, indicating a sense of authority and control over the situation.
The chapter shifts focus to Raven, who is anxious about L¡¯s whereabouts. Tess notices Raven¡¯s growing impatience as she nces at her watch, prompting Tess to inquire about her urgency. Raven admits her concern for L, and Tess feels a pang of worry for him as well. Their exchange highlights the emotional weight of their shared history and Raven¡¯s struggle tomunicate L¡¯s troubling state to her friend Lyra, who idolizes him. Tess expresses confusion over L¡¯s fixation on her, revealing her reluctance to engage in another romantic entanglement.
As Raven attempts to find L at his hotel, she is met with silence and an empty room, which esctes her panic. Her frustration mounts as she realizes he has left without a trace, prompting her to call Tess in a state of urgency. The tension esctes as Tess learns of L¡¯s disappearance, and she quickly decides to assist Raven in searching for him. Their dynamic reflects a deep concern for L¡¯s well-being, and Raven¡¯s irritation at his emotional instability reveals her protective instincts.
The chapter culminates in a tense car ride where Raven expresses her frustration over L¡¯s unpredictable behavior. Tess, usuallyposed, is drawn into the gravity of the situation as they specte on L¡¯s potential whereabouts. The mention of Finn introduces a newyer ofplexity, suggesting that L may be seeking answers about Tess¡¯s past. This revtion leaves Tess in disbelief, emphasizing the intertwining of their lives and the looming uncertainty of L¡¯s actions. The chapter ends with a sense of urgency and concern as both women prepare to confront the unknown.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 573**
**Chapter 573: Gone Without a Trace**
¡°I already promised you,¡± Tess stated, her voice devoid of any inflection.
At the sound of her words, Nichs visibly rxed, a wave of relief washing over him. He allowed a smile to break through, lightening the mood as he teased, ¡°You¡¯re Henry¡¯s daughter.¡±
For the first time, Tess¡¯s typically stoic expression wavered. Her smooth brow creased in confusion. ¡°No.¡±
Nichs¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Tess¡¯s face, searching for any hint of resemnce, but after a moment of contemtion, he let his smile fade, adopting a more serious demeanor. ¡°You really don¡¯t look like him.¡±
¡°So what do I do now?¡± Tess inquired, her voice steady as she rose from her seat, signaling the end of their conversation.
¡°Wait for my message. I¡¯ll contact you when it¡¯s time,¡± she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°For now, you¡¯ll stay with them.¡± She gestured toward Connor and Marc, who were waiting nearby.
Nichs¡¯s eyes flicked toward Marc first, taking in the rough edges of his demeanor. His lips twitched in recognition, but a sense of ease washed over him when his gazended on Connor, whose calm presence provided a reassuring contrast.
After they had arranged their amodations, the Nichs couple departed in their car, taking Connor and Marc along. Raven and Lyra, who had been awake throughout the night, were equally eager to leave the scene behind.
Especially Raven.
She had been ncing at her watch with increasing frequency, a subtle gesture that Tess noticed.
¡°In a hurry?¡± Tess asked, her voice light yet probing.
Just as Raven was about to close the door behind her, Tess reached out, halting her exit. Their eyes met, and Raven seemed momentarily speechless, pressing her lips together as if weighing her words.
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s L,¡± she finally admitted, the tension in her voice palpable.
Tess had already surmised the reason for Raven¡¯s anxiety. She made a soft sound of acknowledgment but chose to remain silent, sensing the weight of the moment.
¡°Where¡¯s he staying now?¡± Tess asked casually, though her heart raced at the thought of L¡¯s well-being.
Raven¡¯s mind raced back to L¡¯s disheveled state, and a wave of difort washed over her.
She and Lyra had been close friends for years, their bond solid enough that they could share anything. Yet, with L looking so utterly wrecked, she found it difficult to broach the subject with Lyra, who idolized him. The embarrassment of it all gnawed at her.
¡°Over there,¡± Raven said, shielding her eyes from the sun as she pointed toward a tall building in the distance.
The sight of it made Tess¡¯s heart sink. She had urged him to move out, but the proximity of this new ce felt almost like a cruel joke¡ªhe might as well have stayed where he was.
¡°I don¡¯t understand why he¡¯s so fixated on me. To me, he feels like aplete stranger,¡± Tess admitted, her tone serious as she met Raven¡¯s gaze.
After her cautionary experience with Finn, she had no desire to be ensnared in another romantic entanglement.
Raven, sensing the gravity of Tess¡¯s words, nodded solemnly. ¡°I¡¯ve already told him, and I¡¯ll pass that message along again. Just go take care of him.¡±
Tess nodded, not wanting to prolong their conversation. She watched as Raven hurried away, her strides quick and purposeful.
However, when Raven arrived at the hotel where L was supposed to be, she was met with silence. No matter how hard she knocked, there was no response.
Frustrated and out of options, she resorted to picking the lock, ncing nervously at the security cameras that seemed to watch her every move.
As she pushed the door open, a wave of disbelief washed over her¡ªthe room was entirely empty. Fresh sheets had beenid on the bed, a clear sign that someone had left in a hurry.
In that moment, every nerve in Raven¡¯s body tightened. ¡°Where is he?¡± she eximed, hands on her hips, anger bubbling beneath the surface. She felt an overwhelming urge to confront L, to shake him out of whatever stupor he was in.
Quickly, she retrieved her phone to call him, but the oue was as expected¡ªno one answered.
Panic surged through her veins.
¡°Hey, Tess, did hee looking for you?¡± Raven shouted into the phone as she mmed the hotel door shut, urgencycing her voice.
Tess frowned at Raven¡¯s frantic tone. ¡°No, what¡¯s wrong? He¡¯s missing?¡±
¡°Yes! His room looks like it¡¯s been checked out, his phone¡¯s not going through, and I have no idea where he went!¡± Raven¡¯s voice trembled with anxiety.
Tess¡¯s expression turned grave. ¡°Send me your location. I¡¯ll help you look.¡±
Before long, the two women met at the hotel entrance, the tension palpable between them.
¡°No word at all?¡± Tess asked, opening the car door with determination. ¡°Get in first!¡±
Raven climbed into the car, panting heavily, her face glistening with sweat from her hurried jog.
She gritted her teeth in frustration, her voiceced with irritation. ¡°That emotionally unstable idiot¡ªwho knows where he might have gone off to in a fit!¡±
It was rare for Tess to witness Raven¡¯s temper re like this, and she understood the seriousness of the situation. Her own expression darkened. ¡°Think carefully. You were thest one to see him, right? Could something you said have triggered him?¡±
¡°Triggered him? Everything I said was¡¡± Ravenughed bitterly, but herughter died abruptly in her throat.
Silence enveloped them, and Raven¡¯s face grew tense, her expression turning grave. ¡°Tess, do you think he might have gone to find Finn?¡±
At the mention of Finn, Tess¡¯s usual calm demeanor faltered, surprise flickering across her features. ¡°Finn?¡± she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
What connection could L possibly have with Finn? Why would he seek him out now?
Raven appeared embarrassed, her cheeks flushing. ¡°I just remembered¡ªhis expression was a bit off when Ist saw him. I told him he didn¡¯t know anything about your past.¡±
¡°So you think he went to find Finn to learn about my past?¡± Tess¡¯s lips twitched, disbelief coloring her expression. She still felt Raven¡¯s theory waspletely oundish.Conclusion
As the weight of the situation settled heavily on both women, Tess felt the familiar pang of anxiety creeping in, intertwining with the threads of concern for L. The possibility that he might seek out Finn¡ªthe very person she had been trying to distance herself from¡ªsent a shiver down her spine. Tess had spent so long building walls around her past, and now it felt like those very walls were crumbling, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. She nced at Raven, whose frustration mirrored her own fears, and realized that this was not just about L anymore; it was about confronting the shadows of her past that she had so desperately tried to keep hidden.
With determination igniting within her, Tess shifted her focus from dread to action. ¡°We need to find him,¡± she dered, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. As they sped away from the hotel, the bond between the two women solidified, forged in the urgency of the moment. The journey ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but Tess understood that she could no longer run from her past or the connections that intertwined with it. The emotional arc hade full circle; it was time to face the truth, not only for L¡¯s sake but for her own. With each passing moment, Tess felt a flicker of hope that perhaps, in confronting these challenges, she could finally reim the pieces of herself that had been lost along the way.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of **Keepsake 573**, readers can expect an intense esction of the already palpable tension surrounding Tess and L¡¯splicated rtionship. As Tess and Raven embark on their frantic search for L, the stakes will rise dramatically. Will they uncover clues that lead them closer to L, or will they find themselves entangled in a web of misunderstandings and emotional turmoil? The urgency of their mission will push both women to confront their fears and insecurities, revealing deeperyers of their characters as they navigate the chaos unfolding around them.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve into L¡¯s psyche as he grapples with his feelings for Tess and the haunting shadows of his past. Readers will gain insight into his motivations and the reasons behind his sudden disappearance. Will he seek out Finn for answers, or will he confront the very issues he has been avoiding? The tension between Tess and Raven will alsoe to a head as they grapple with their own unresolved feelings and the implications of their actions. With every twist and turn, the narrative will build toward a climactic moment that could either bring them closer together or tear them apart, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating whates next.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 574
Keepsake 574 Summary
In Chapter 574 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± Raven is engulfed in frustration and anxiety as she grapples with the sudden disappearance of L. She questions his erratic behavior, noting that he had been fine at the hotel and is now unreachable. Her mounting worry is palpable as she suggests seeking help from Finn, despite the hesitation from her friend Tess. The emotional weight of the situation is evident, as Raven feels the urgency to find L while Tess grapples with the implications of involving Finn.
Meanwhile, Finn is portrayed in a tense confrontation with L, who seeks answers about his past rtionship with Tess. The atmosphere is charged with hostility as L questions Finn¡¯s treatment of Tess, revealing underlying insecurities and the bitterness stemming from their divorce. Finn¡¯s protective instincts re up as he feels the sting of L¡¯s blunt remarks, which serve as a reminder of his perceived failures. The exchange intensifies as L¡¯s words cut deep, igniting a storm of anger within Finn, who struggles to maintain hisposure.
As the confrontation esctes, Finn¡¯s rage culminates in an explosive outburst, showcasing his emotional turmoil. The dialogue between the two men highlights the unresolved feelings surrounding Tess and the impact of their shared history. Finn¡¯s frustration ispounded by the realization that he feels like an outsider in Tess¡¯s life, while others can approach her without hesitation. This sense of alienation drives him to confront his own feelings of regret and confusion about why Tess no longer wants him.
The chapter closes with Finn¡¯s internal struggle, as he is left grappling with the painful reality of his past rtionship. His conversation with Zane underscores his emotional state, revealing a man caught between nostalgia and the harsh truth of moving on. Despite Zane¡¯s attempts to offerfort, Finn is left with a heavy heart, reflecting on theplexities of love and loss, and the bittersweet nature of cherishing rtionships before they slip away.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 574: A Stain on Her Record**
Raven pressed her lips into a thin line, frustration simmering beneath the surface. ¡°L doesn¡¯t know anyone in Aetheris. Where else could he possibly go but to us? He was perfectly fine at the hotel¡ªwhy would he suddenly check out like a madman? And now he¡¯s not even picking up his phone!¡± Her voice rose slightly with each word, reflecting her mounting anxiety.
Tess, observing Raven¡¯s distress, noticed the glow of her phone screen still illuminating the dialing page for L. The monotonous voice echoed in the room, ¡°The number you have reached is currently unavable. Please leave a message after the tone, or try your call againter¡¡±
Raven, clearly agitated, turned up the volume, and they both listened to the disheartening message. With a sigh of defeat, she ended the call, her shoulders slumping.
¡°Should we go find Finn?¡± Raven suggested, her eyes gleaming with a mix of hope and desperation.
Tess hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor, as if the weight of the decision pressed heavily on her heart. She could sense the urgency in Raven¡¯s plea, but the thought of involving Finn sent a shiver of uncertainty through her.
Raven understood that her request might be seen as unreasonable, yet in that moment, it was the only option that seemed viable. L was known for his single-mindedness, and she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he would not rest until he found answers.
Their history with L wasplicated. They had first met in Krigan, where he had gleaned bits and pieces of Tess¡¯s childhood spent with her grandmother. However, the years she spent in school remained a mystery to him, and the only chapter left for him to uncover was the brief period she had shared with Finn as husband and wife.
¡°Alright,¡± Tess finally conceded, after a long moment of contemtion.
¡ª
In the sleek, modern office of Lock Group, perched high on the top floor, Finn sat behind his desk, his thick brows knitted together in concentration. He scrutinized L, who sat across from him, attempting to maintain aposed demeanor.
¡°You want to know about me and Tess?¡± Finn¡¯s voice was low, a chilling undertonecing his words.
¡°Yes,¡± L replied, his tone steady. ¡°I want to know how you treated her all those years. And why on earth did she fall for someone like you?¡±
L¡¯s posture was straight, almost too proper, contrasting sharply with Finn¡¯smanding presence. Finn remained silent for a moment, his gaze piercing as he assessed the man before him.
Ever since their divorce, it seemed as though Tess had attracted a parade of men, each eager to step into her life. The thought darkened Finn¡¯s mood further, his pupils narrowing until they appeared nearly ck. Though his expression remained neutral, the tension radiating from him was palpable, a storm brewing beneath the surface.
After a prolonged pause, Finn¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer. ¡°What gives you the right to ask me these questions?¡±
His gaze swept over L, filled with a contempt that was impossible to disguise.
¡°I want to understand her past. Even though you¡¯re history now, you¡¯re still a stain on her record,¡± L replied, his blue eyes betraying no emotion, as if he were merely stating a fact.
Finn felt the temperature in the room drop as L¡¯s blunt words pierced through him. His jaw tightened, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if L hade here solely to provoke him.
¡°Why don¡¯t you go ask her yourself?¡± Finn managed, fighting to keep his voice steady, though the barely suppressed rage was evident.
L shook his head, a slight frown crossing his features. ¡°I won¡¯t bring up her shameful past to her face.¡±
The words struck Finn like a physical blow, igniting a fire of fury within him. ¡°Shameful past?¡± he echoed, incredulitycing his voice. ¡°Get out.¡±
His expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes.
L, seemingly unfazed by the hostility, merely nodded, as if he had anticipated this reaction.
¡°Just as I thought,¡± he mused thoughtfully. ¡°No wonder Tess doesn¡¯t want you. I have no idea what blinded her back then.¡±
¡°Get the hell out!¡± Finn roared, unable to contain the eruption of anger any longer.
¡°Emotionally unstable too,¡± L quipped, brushing off nonexistent dust from his knees as he stood.
With that final jab, he exited the room, leaving Finn seething, his expression a mask of fury and frustration.
Finn clenched his fists, his entire body coiled with rage, as he stared at the door L had just closed, as if he could will it to open again. The echoes of L¡¯s disdainful voice lingered in the air, haunting him.
No wonder Tess doesn¡¯t want you¡ I have no idea what blinded her back then¡
Each sentence felt like a dagger, embedding itself deeper into his chest, twisting with every breath. Even though they were divorced, their connection as ex-husband and ex-wife remained, intertwined with the love they shared for their daughter. Yet here he was, feeling like an outsider, while even his nephew could approach her without hesitation.
Frustration surged through him, and with a sudden outburst, he mmed his fist down onto the desk, startling Zane, who had just entered to report.
The loud noise snapped Finn back to reality, and he lifted his gaze, only to find Zane looking at him with wide eyes, a shiver running down his spine. ¡°M-Mr. Lock¡¡±
¡°Why doesn¡¯t Tess want me?¡± Finn¡¯s voice was heavy with emotion, a mixture of confusion and desperation.
¡°Huh?¡± Zane¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, momentarily frozen as he processed the question.
¡°Why doesn¡¯t Tess want me?¡± Finn repeated, this time louder, the pain evident in his tone.
As the realization dawned on Zane, the confusion in his eyes shifted to something softer¡ªpity.
People were often like this, Finn thought bitterly. They didn¡¯t cherish what they had until it was gone, only to be left with regret.
¡°Mr. Lock, you and your ex-wife are the past now. There¡¯s no point dwelling on it,¡± Zane said gently, trying to offerfort, but Finn could feel the weight of his own heartache pressing down on him.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation with L, Finn found himself grappling with the echoes of his past, each word exchanged serving as a painful reminder of the love he once shared with Tess. The tension in the air was thick with unresolved feelings, and as he sat alone in his office, the solitude magnified the emptiness that had settled in his heart. The realization that he was now an outsider in Tess¡¯s life, overshadowed by the presence of another, stung deeply. Finn¡¯s anger towards L was not just about the man himself; it was rooted in his own insecurities and the haunting question of his worthiness. The frustration that had boiled over into rage now simmered into a profound sense of loss, leaving him to reflect on the choices that had led him to this moment.
Meanwhile, Raven and Tess stood at a crossroads, having witnessed the fallout of theirplicated histories with L and Finn. Raven¡¯s initial frustration had morphed into a determination to help, but Tess¡¯s hesitation revealed the deeper scars left by her past. The decision to reach out to Finn was fraught with emotional weight, as it would mean confronting the ghosts of their shared history. For Tess, the journey ahead was one of healing and reiming her narrative, while for Finn, it was a painful reckoning with the reality that sometimes, love is not enough to bridge the gaps created by time and choices. As both characters faced their respective challenges, the chapter closed with a poignant understanding: the past may leave its mark, but it is the courage to confront it that paves the way for a new beginning.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Finn and L esctes, readers can expect the fallout from their confrontation to reverberate through the lives of all involved. With Finn grappling with feelings of inadequacy and frustration regarding his past with Tess, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into his emotional turmoil. Will he confront his own demons ande to terms with the decisions that led to their separation? Or will he spiral further into despair, allowing his anger to cloud his judgment?
Meanwhile, Raven and Tess are on a mission to find L, who has seemingly vanished without a trace. Their search will not only test their resolve but also bring to light unresolved issues from their shared pasts. As they navigate theplexities of their rtionships, readers can anticipate unexpected revtions and confrontations that may change everything. Will they uncover the truth about L¡¯s sudden departure, or will their quest lead them into deeper emotional waters? The stakes are higher than ever, and the next chapter is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these intertwined fates will unfold.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 575
Keepsake 575 Summary
In Chapter 575 of ¡°Keepsake 575,¡± titled ¡°Too Late for Regrets,¡± Finn grapples with the emotional fallout of his divorce from Tess. He feels the weight of their past and the bitterness of regret as he confronts the reality that they have be strangers after their separation. His frustration is palpable as he questions how their rtionship deteriorated so quickly after signing the divorce agreement, leaving him feeling lost and alone. Zane, a colleague, observes Finn¡¯s turmoil and tries to provide him with a glimmer of hope by reminding him of their shared responsibility as parents to their daughter, La.
As Zane encourages Finn to focus on the bond he shares with La, Finn begins to feel a flicker of determination. Despite the coldness and distance that now define his rtionship with Tess, the realization that they still have a child together rekindles a sense of purpose in him. Zane emphasizes the importance of strategizing to win Tess back, prompting Finn to reflect on their past and the feelings that initially drew them together. This introspection leads him to confront his own previous indifference and the role his grandmother yed in shaping his decisions regarding Tess.
Finn¡¯s conversation with his grandmother reveals theplexity of his emotions. Initially, she expresses irritation over the divorce, but her surprising understanding opens the door for Finn to express his desire to reconcile with Tess. This moment of vulnerability is significant for Finn, as he acknowledges his regret and the misguided influences that led to their estrangement. The chapter ends with Finn¡¯s heartfelt deration of wanting to win Tess back, marking a turning point in his journey of self-discovery and emotional growth.
Overall, the chapter captures Finn¡¯s internal struggle and the gradual shift from despair to hope as he confronts his past choices. The intery of regret, longing, and the desire for redemption creates a poignant narrative that highlights theplexities of love and rtionships. Finn¡¯s journey is not just about rekindling his romance with Tess but also about reiming his identity as a father and acknowledging the depth of his feelings for her.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 575**
**Chapter 575: Too Late for Regrets**
The weight of those words pierced through Finn¡¯s heart like a dagger, twisting deeper with every syble.
He rose to his feet, his body teetering slightly as if the very ground beneath him had shifted.
¡°Then what am I supposed to do?¡± he eximed, frustration bubbling over. ¡°She won¡¯t even look at me! We were once husband and wife, and now it feels like we¡¯re mere strangers. How is it possible that after signing that damned agreement, we just drifted apart like that?¡±
Finn clenched his jaw, the bitterness of regretcing his voice, each word a reminder of the choices he wished he could take back.
Zane, observing Finn¡¯s turmoil, couldn¡¯t suppress a heavy sigh that escaped his lips.
¡°Mr. Lock¡ this¡¡±
He scratched his head, a gesture of uncertainty that mirrored his troubled thoughts.
When he had epted this job, he had anticipated the usual corporate challenges¡ªmanaging schedules, handling meetings, and keeping the CEO on track. He hadn¡¯t foreseen that he would also find himself navigating the choppy waters of personal rtionships.
¡°Wait!¡±
Suddenly, a spark ignited in Zane¡¯s eyes as he pped his thigh with a sense of revtion. ¡°Mr. Lock, even though you and Ms. Tess are divorced, you can¡¯t just erase the history you share. You still have a child together!¡±
It was as if he had unearthed a hidden treasure, a glimmer of hope amidst the shadows of despair.
Finn¡¯s eyes, once clouded with destion, flickered with a newfound light.
Yes! He and Tess had La, their daughter, an undeniable bond that remained unbroken.
Even if their romantic rtionship was a thing of the past, La¡¯s existence was a testament to their shared love. His identity as her father was something that could never be taken away from him!
¡°Right, we still have La¡¡±
Finn murmured softly, the weight of his negative emotions beginning to lift, reced by a flicker of determination.
¡°But Mr. Lock,¡± Zane interjected, his voice steady, ¡°now that we have a glimmer of hope, we must carefully strategize how to win back your ex-wife¡¯s heart.¡±
Zane¡¯s intention was clear; he wanted to ground Finn, to help him regain hisposure in the face of overwhelming emotions.
Finn¡¯s brow furrowed, a storm of thoughts brewing within him. As he sat back down, the uncertainty of his next steps washed over him like a cold wave.
¡°Go ahead,¡± he said, his tone a mix of resignation and curiosity.
Zane stroked his chin thoughtfully, the gears in his mind turning. ¡°Your ex-wife definitely mes you for believing Nadine and sending her to prison. But we can¡¯t change the past. That¡¯s already happened, and she¡¯s be extremely cold towards you now.¡±
Finn¡¯s heart sank at Zane¡¯s words, the light in his eyes flickering once more.
Yes, she was cold. The warmth they once shared had turned to ice, and the thought of it stung like a sharp needle.
¡°But!¡± Zane eximed, suddenly shifting his tone to one of optimism, pulling Finn from his spiral of despair.
¡°What if we try to rekindle that spark with your ex-wife? Remember how she pursued you in the beginning? Plus, now you have the advantage of being La¡¯s father. You¡¯re already ahead of all those other guys who are just hanging around her!¡±
Zane¡¯s hopeful gaze met Finn¡¯s, though internally, he wrestled with his own doubts.
If he were in Tess¡¯s shoes, he couldn¡¯t imagine forgiving someone like Finn so easily.
But what could he do? He was a loyal employee of the Lock Group, and Finn¡¯s happiness was now intertwined with his own job security.
Zane let out a silent groan while outwardly maintaining his supportive demeanor, trying to uplift Finn¡¯s spirits.
To his surprise, Finn actually seemed to be absorbing his words, leaning over the desk, his fingers brushing his chin in deep contemtion.
Back in the day, he had only been aware of Tess¡¯s feelings for him. Her pretty face would asionally appear in his thoughts, yet he had always remained distant, treating her affection with a cold indifference. He had never imagined that right after graduation, his grandmother would thrust an arranged marriage upon him.
The bride? Tess.
The overwhelming sense of distaste that apanied this forced union had gripped his heart with an iron fist. He had developed a profound aversion to the very woman he had previously overlooked and, paradoxically, found himself drawn to.
As memories flooded back, Finn¡¯s expression grew serious, a storm brewing behind his eyes.
Why had Tess liked him in the first ce? What hadpelled her to go through his grandmother to marry him?
These questions echoed in his mind, a riddle he couldn¡¯t solve, prompting him to reach out to the one person who might have answers.
¡°Grandma,¡± he said, his voice steady yetced with trepidation.
¡°Hmph, I heard you divorced Tess?¡±
As soon as the call connected, his grandmother¡¯s voice came through, sharp and irritated, cutting through the silence like a knife.
Finn felt a rush of embarrassment wash over him. ¡°Yeah.¡±
So, she had known all along.
There was a brief silence on the other end before he heard her let out a long, resigned sigh.
¡°Well, I¡¯vee to terms with it. What happened back then didn¡¯t consider your wishes at all. Since you have your own ideas, so be it. There¡¯s no need to continue making Tess suffer under your cold treatment.¡±
Her understanding was a surprising turn, yet Finn felt an urgent need to interrupt. ¡°Grandma! That¡¯s not why I¡¯m calling. I don¡¯t want things to be over between us.¡±
¡°You still want to get revenge on her?¡±
Her incredulous tone echoed through the phone, leaving Finn momentarily speechless.
He pressed his forehead with his palm, feeling utterly defeated.
His previous resistance to Tess had been heavily influenced by his grandmother¡¯s opinions.
She was simply too unpredictable.
But now, reflecting on it, marrying Tess had been the best decision his grandmother had made in all these years.
¡°I want to win her back.¡±
The moment those words left his lips, an eerie silence enveloped the line.
Finn pulled the phone away from his ear, checking to see if the call had dropped.
But the screen disyed that the call remained active, though the silence was deafening.
¡°Grandma?¡± he called out, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
¡°What is wrong with you?¡±
Only then did his grandmother respond, her tone dripping with disbelief.
Finn found himself at a loss for words, though he had anticipated her reaction.
¡°Grandma, I¡¯m not lying. I regret it.¡±Conclusion
In that moment of vulnerability, Finn¡¯s heart began to thaw, the icy grip of regret slowly melting away as he embraced the possibility of redemption. The realization that his past choices had not severed his bond with Tess but ratherplicated it fueled a newfound determination within him. He understood that the love they once shared could be rekindled, not through grand gestures or desperate pleas, but by nurturing the connection they still held as co-parents. The flicker of hope ignited by Zane¡¯s words and his grandmother¡¯s unexpected support illuminated a path forward, one where he could confront his past and rebuild the trust he had shattered.
As Finn hung up the phone, he felt a sense of rity wash over him. The journey ahead would not be easy; it would require patience, understanding, and a willingness to face the consequences of his actions. Yet, he was ready to embrace the challenge, fueled by the unwavering love for La and the memories of a time when he and Tess were not just strangers, but partners in life. With each step, he would strive to mend the fractures in their rtionship, not just for himself, but for the family they had created together. In that moment, Finn chose hope over despair, and with it, the promise of a second chance began to take root in his heart.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As Finn grapples with his tumultuous feelings and the weight of his past decisions, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into his quest for redemption. Readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions as Finn attempts to navigate theplex dynamics of his rtionship with Tess, fueled by the realization that their bond is not entirely severed by their divorce. Armed with newfound determination, he will face challenges that test his resolve, as he seeks to rekindle the love that once flourished between them. Will he be able to break through the icy walls Tess has built around her heart, or will his efforts only push her further away?
Moreover, the return of Finn¡¯s grandmother adds an intriguingyer to the narrative. Her unpredictable nature and sharp tongue will likely lead to unexpected confrontations, forcing Finn to confront the very beliefs that once held him captive. As he seeks her guidance, readers can expect a blend of wisdom and tough love that may either propel him towards reconciliation orplicate his journey even further. The stakes are high, and Finn¡¯s path to winning Tess back will be fraught with obstacles, self-discovery, and moments of vulnerability that could change everything. Will he find the courage to face his past and embrace the future with Tess, or will he remain trapped in the shadows of regret?
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 576
Keepsake 576 Summary
In Chapter 576 of ¡°Keepsake 576,¡± Finn confronts his grandmother with a newfound depth of emotion that surprises her. He admits to having treated Tess poorly in the past, realizing that he has fallen for her despite his previous indifference. His grandmother¡¯s probing question about love forces Finn to reflect on his feelings, highlighting the significant shift in his perspective. The weight of his confession creates a somber atmosphere, as he grapples with regret and the pain of past mistakes.
Meanwhile, Tess and Raven unexpectedly encounter L at Lock Tower. L¡¯s initial excitement upon seeing Tess quickly shifts to disappointment when Raven intervenes protectively. Despite L¡¯s eagerness to connect with Tess and learn about her past, Tess firmly resists sharing details, asserting that her history is not L¡¯s concern. This tension reveals theplexities of their rtionships, as Tess struggles with the burden of her past while L¡¯s determination to understand her only intensifies the situation.
L¡¯s insistence on learning about Tess¡¯s past brings forth a mix of emotions in her; she feels overwhelmed yet intrigued by his sincerity. Raven¡¯s silent support and exasperation add anotheryer to the dynamic, as Tess navigates her feelings towards both L and her past with Finn. Ultimately, Tess sets boundaries, making it clear that she does not wish to reconnect with Finn, despite L¡¯s hopeful demeanor. This decision underscores her desire to move forward rather than revisit old wounds.
As the chapter concludes, L¡¯s determination to stay close to Tess and Aetheris University signals amitment to his feelings, while Tess¡¯s exasperation reflects her struggle to bnce her past with her present. The interactions among the characters encapste the theme of love¡¯splexities, the weight of history, and the challenges of moving on. The emotional stakes are high as each character grapples with their desires and the consequences of their choices.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 576**
**Chapter 576: Do You Even Know What Love Is?**
Finn¡¯s voice resonated with a weight that was unfamiliar to his grandmother. It was a tone she had never encountered before, one that sent a shiver down her spine.
She felt as if the very foundations of her world had shifted beneath her feet, turning everything she thought she knew on its head.
¡°Wait, just a moment,¡± she interjected, her brow furrowing in confusion and disbelief. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who was so adamant about not marrying her? You only came around after all that back-and-forth, not to mention my relentless nudging. Why the sudden change of heart?¡±
Finn¡¯s lips appeared drained of color, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy he usually exuded.
¡°It was my mistake. Back then, I didn¡¯t treat her with the respect she deserved.¡±
His voice lowered almost to a whisper, the distant look in his eyes suggesting he was lost in abyrinth of painful memories.
¡°But now, I genuinely regret it. I¡¯vee to understand that I¡¯ve already fallen for her.¡±
The gravity of his confession hung heavily in the air, tinged with an unmistakable sorrow.
Finn had always been the sort of person who wore indifference like a shield, but as he reflected on the past, he realized he had sought out glimpses of Tess, deliberately trying to catch her eye. When he discovered it was her, he felt a mix of resistance and an unexpected sense of relief.
He had fallen for her long before he was willing to admit it. The pressure from his grandmother had kept his heart locked away, leading him to treat her poorly as a misguided form of self-defense.
¡°Love?¡±
After what felt like an eternity of silence, a voice finally broke through the stillness on the other end of the line.
His grandmother¡¯s voice was rough, and it shifted from concern to a chill that pierced through the conversation.
¡°Finn, do you truly grasp what love is?¡±
Finn hadn¡¯t anticipated his grandmother would probe so deeply into such a delicate subject. He tightened his grip on the phone, feeling the weight of her question settle heavily on his shoulders.
¡°Love¡¡±
At that very moment, Tess and Raven had just descended the stairs of Lock Tower, only to find themselves face-to-face with L, who seemed to be wandering aimlessly.
Raven¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she stepped forward, her hand swift and decisive as she yfully struck L¡¯s neck. ¡°You really came here, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Tess had only intended to apany Raven, so encountering L was an unexpected twist in her day.
She frowned, curiosity and concern mingling in her expression. ¡°What brings you here?¡±
L felt a sharp sting in his neck at first, but all sensation faded the moment his gaze fell upon Tess.
¡°Tess!¡±
His voice was filled with delight as he stepped forward, eager to grasp her hand.
But Raven was quicker, yanking him back with a protective instinct.
As he was forced away, L¡¯s entire demeanor dimmed, the light in his eyes flickering out.
Yet Tess, ever perceptive, saw through his act of helplessness. She crossed her arms, a look of determination etched on her features. ¡°Before anything else, answer our question.¡±
¡°It¡¯s just¡¡±
L¡¯s eyes remained locked onto Tess, a mixture of longing and determination in his gaze. ¡°I wanted to learn about your past, but I also knew you weren¡¯t keen on discussing him.¡±
Finn seemed rather ordinary in L¡¯s eyes. If someone as unremarkable as him could make Tess so devoted once, why couldn¡¯t he?
Meeting Finn had infused L with a newfound confidence, a spark he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.
Watching the hopeful light in his eyes, Raven couldn¡¯t help but feel a twitch at the corners of her mouth.
She rubbed her forehead in exasperation.
Well, at least this was better than him wallowing in negativity.
¡°My past?¡±
Tess¡¯s brow furrowed in surprise, clearly taken aback by his request.
L nodded, his expression steady and sincere. ¡°Your childhood, your school years, everything about your past with him¡ªI want to know it all. Even though I wasn¡¯t part of it, I want to make up for lost time.¡±
His conviction was palpable, yet Tess felt the weight of his words pressing down on her like a heavy burden.
She rubbed her temples, her gaze shifting to Raven, who remained silent but whose eyes spoke volumes of exasperation.
Raven felt a twinge of embarrassment and quickly averted her gaze.
¡°None of that is your concern. You don¡¯t need to dig into my past.¡±
Tess turned back to L, her voice t and firm.
But L was clearly unsatisfied with her dismissive tone.
¡°No way!¡±
He shook his head with determination. ¡°Raven¡¯s right. She reminded me of the importance of knowing your past. I can¡¯t change the days when I wasn¡¯t by your side, but I still want to learn about them.¡±
Tess found herself gaining a deeper understanding of the stubbornness Raven had mentioned, casting another helpless look in her direction.
Raven¡¯s eyes darted around, avoiding Tess¡¯s gaze once more.
¡°Fine, I won¡¯t meddle in your ns. If you truly want to know, Lyra and Raven can fill you in. Whether they choose to share is entirely up to them.¡±
With a resigned gesture, Tess spread her hands, ncing at the towering structure of Lock Tower before settling her gaze back on L. ¡°But don¡¯t go seeking out Finn because of me. We¡¯re divorced. I have no desire to get tangled up in that mess again.¡±
At her words, L¡¯s face brightened, and he nodded eagerly, his delighted gaze shifting to Raven.
This time, Raven held her ground, her eyes narrowing as she red at him.
But he simply smiled, a charming grin that seemed to light up his face.
Watching the yful banter unfold between them, Tess sighed in exasperation, cutting in. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head back.¡±
Only then did L leave, a satisfied grin stered on his face. When Raven suggested he return to the hotel, he tly refused.
¡°I want to stay close to Aetheris University.¡±
Just hearing that, Tess knew without a doubt that he had truly taken Raven¡¯s words to heart.Conclusion
In the aftermath of Finn¡¯s heartfelt revtion, the air hung thick with unspoken emotions, each character grappling with their own understanding of love and connection. Finn¡¯s journey of self-discovery had led him to confront the shadows of his past mistakes, illuminating the profound realization that love is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible force that shapes our lives and decisions. His grandmother¡¯s probing question served as a catalyst for introspection, pushing him to acknowledge the depth of his feelings for Tess, feelings he had long buried underyers of indifference and fear. As he embraced his vulnerability, the once-distant echoes of regret transformed into a rion call for redemption, drawing him closer to the love he had once taken for granted.
Meanwhile, the dynamic between Tess and L evolved, showcasing theplexities of rtionships built on past experiences and new beginnings. L¡¯s determination to understand Tess¡¯s history highlighted a desire to forge a deeper bond, yet it was met with Tess¡¯s instinctual need to protect her heart from the echoes of her past with Finn. Their interactions illuminated the delicate bnce between curiosity and caution, as Tess wrestled with the weight of her memories while L¡¯s earnestness offered a glimpse of hope. Ultimately, this chapter closed with a sense of tentative optimism, as each character took a step toward understanding not just what love is, but what it can be when embraced with honesty and courage.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of **Keepsake 576**, readers can expect the emotional stakes to rise as Finn grapples with the weight of his grandmother¡¯s probing question about love. Will he find the courage to confront his feelings for Tess, or will the fear of vulnerability hold him back? The tension between his past mistakes and the possibility of a future with Tess loomsrge, and Finn¡¯s journey towards self-discovery promises to be fraught with heart-wrenching revtions. As he navigates theplexities of his emotions, the reader will be left wondering if he can truly embrace love after so much time spent in denial.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s encounter with L hints at a brewing conflict that couldplicate her already tumultuous feelings. As L¡¯s determination to learn about her past intensifies, Tess must confront her own reluctance to revisit painful memories. Will she allow herself to open up to L, or will her fears of being hurt again keep her locked in a cycle of silence? With Raven caught in the middle, the dynamics between the trio are set to shift in unexpected ways, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these rtionships will evolve in the face of longing and unresolved feelings. The chapter promises a blend of introspection and tension, setting the stage for a pivotal moment that could change everything for Finn, Tess, and L.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 577
Keepsake 577 Summary
In Chapter 577 of ¡°Keepsake 577,¡± titled ¡°The Whole Truth,¡± Tess watches L¡¯s enthusiastic demeanor with a mix of admiration and reluctance, choosing not to interrupt his joy. However, Raven¡¯s yful frustration manifests in a swift kick to L, adding ayer of lightheartedness to the scene. In stark contrast, the atmosphere between Finn and his grandmother is heavy and somber, filled with unspoken words that create a palpable tension.
Finn¡¯s grandmother expresses concern about his feelings for Tess, urging him to let her go if he has only realized his feelings after their separation. Finn reflects on their past conversations, which were usually filled with warmth, making this serious discussion feel foreign. He admits to his grandmother that he had been drawn to Tess from the start but was too stubborn to acknowledge it, leading to a sense of regret that hangs heavily between them.
As the conversation unfolds, Finn seeks to understand his grandmother¡¯s insistence on his marriage to Tess, questioning her motives given Tess¡¯s background. His grandmother, lost in memories, recalls her initial impressions of Tess and her connection to Gillian, Tess¡¯s mother. She reflects on her impulsiveness in orchestrating their engagement, recognizing that her actions may have set off a chain of events with irreversible consequences, including Tess¡¯s imprisonment and Gillian¡¯s subsequent death.
The weight of these revtions begins to crush Finn, who realizes that Tess¡¯s feelings for him were deeper than he had understood. His grandmother suddenly brings up Tess¡¯s pregnancy before her imprisonment, which stirs painful memories for Finn. He struggles to articte his regrets about his past actions that led to Tess¡¯s downfall, while his grandmother¡¯s sharp tone reminds him of the cold reality of their situation. The chapter closes with Finn revealing the true culprit behind thepany leak that harmed Tess, indicating aplex web of emotions and entanglements that continue to affect their lives.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 577**
**Chapter 577: The Whole Truth**
Tess observed L¡¯s face, lit up with enthusiasm, and felt a pang of reluctance to disrupt his excitement. Instead, she offered a gentle wave of her hand, silently granting him the freedom to continue on his path.
Just as L was about to step away, Raven seized the moment, delivering a swift kick to his rear, her frustration manifesting in that yful yet pointed gesture.
Meanwhile, in a stark contrast to the lively scene above, Finn and his grandmother were enveloped in a heavy silence that hung thick in the air. The atmosphere had turned somber, and it felt as if the weight of unspoken words pressed down on both of them.
¡°Finn,¡± his grandmother began, her voice unusually grave, ¡°if you only realized your feelings for her after you parted ways, I strongly advise you to leave her be.¡±
Finn felt the gravity of her words, and even Zane, who stood nearby, couldn¡¯t help but steal nces at the unfolding conversation, sensing the tension that crackled between them.
In Finn¡¯s memories, calls with his grandmother were often filled with warmth and humor, a light-hearted exchange that made this serious tone feel foreign and unsettling.
¡°Grandma, looking back, I think I was drawn to her from the very beginning,¡± he confessed, his voice dropping to a whisper, tinged with regret. ¡°I was just young and foolish, too stubborn to ept your intentions. Now, I can¡¯t help but feel remorse for my actions.¡±
His admission hung in the air, and he could almost hear the sigh that escaped his grandmother, a sound heavy with understanding and perhaps a touch of disappointment.
She shook her head, a gesture that conveyed her own reflections on her past. Memories of her own youthful stubbornness flickered through her mind. In truth, she realized she had meddled too much in the lives of these young people.
¡°So, what prompted your call today?¡± she redirected the conversation, trying to regain some semnce of normalcy.
Finn straightened, a sense of determination igniting within him. ¡°Grandma, I need to understand why you were so insistent on my marrying Tess back then. She came from the Embers, a family that was just beginning to carve out their ce in Aetheris while focusing their efforts in Krigan.¡±
His grandmother had always held him to high standards, and the Shaws were a notable family even within Kingnd. It baffled him why she would have chosen someone like Tess for him.
This inquiry sent his grandmother spiraling into a reverie of the past.
Finn had been at the pinnacle of his youth, brimming with vitality, when he ventured to Aetheris. While she had begun to worry about his future happiness, she struggled to find anyone she deemed worthy of him.
Even his grandfather had praised Finn as a business genius, bolstered by their solid family legacy. In all of Aetheris, what girl could possibly be his equal?
But then¡
His grandmother inhaled deeply, the memory surfacing like a long-buried secret.
When she had orchestrated the match with Tess, she hadn¡¯t known the girl personally, but she was well acquainted with Gillian.
In Kingnd, the Shaws and the Larsons held equal power, a delicate bnce of rivalry and cooperation that defied expectations. They were two halves of a whole, interdependent and yet distinctly separate.
When Gillian had reached out to her, it had taken her by surprise. Coincidentally, she was visiting Finn at that very moment in Aetheris, which allowed them to meet face to face.
Tess¡ªthe daughter of the Larsons, living away from her family.
Gillian had always been proud, often keeping others at arm¡¯s length. This was the first time she had actively sought assistance.
Curiosity piqued, she found herself intrigued by this girl named Tess.
To her delight, Tess did not disappoint.
Upon graduation, she joined Finn¡¯spany. Even as an intern, she exhibited talents and professionalism that eclipsed many seasoned employees.
With each passing day, her admiration for Tess grew, as did her approval of the girl¡¯s unwavering affection for Finn.
Eventually, she and Gillian hade to an understanding, solidifying the engagement between the two.
Yet, she hadn¡¯t anticipated¡
A long sigh escaped her lips, as if a veil of mist had settled over her memories.
It was her impulsiveness and domineering nature that had set into motion a chain of events with irreversible consequences.
Had she not insisted on their union, Finn might have been drawn to Tess¡¯s professional prowess, and their rtionship could have blossomed organically.
Even if Tess had never captured Finn¡¯s heart, she might have remained by his side, thriving as that brilliant attorney.
But Finn¡¯s resistance had led to a cascade of errors.
The next time she had heard of Tess, it was through the grim news of her imprisonment.
Not long after, Gillian had passed away.
Her voice, filled with bittersweet nostalgia, resonated with the ache of lost opportunities and unfulfilled dreams.
With each revtion, Finn felt the weight in his heart grow heavier.
So Tess¡¯s feelings for him had run deeper than he had ever realized.
¡°I remember that Tess was already pregnant before she went to prison,¡± his grandmother suddenly interjected, her tone shifting.
The mention of that painful truth constricted Finn¡¯s throat, a lump forming as memories flooded back.
¡°Yes. I was under the influence at the time. I thought she would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. So when thepany faced issues the following day, and all signs pointed to her, I acted in a fit of rage without thinking, which led to¡¡±
Finn struggled to continue, his voice faltering.
¡°What good does regret do now?¡±
His grandmother¡¯s tone was sharp, tinged with a coldness that cut through the air.
This time, Finn held his tongue, opting to listen in silence.
¡°I¡¯ve heard you discovered who was truly behind thepany leak back then?¡± she probed, her curiosity piqued.
¡°Yes, it was Nadine, the adopted daughter of the Embers. She orchestrated everything to bring Tess down, all so she could remain by my side.¡±
His grandmother paused for a moment, then pressed on, ¡°I¡¯ve also heard it wasn¡¯t just that. During Tess¡¯s time in prison, you were indeed entangled with her.¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of revtions, the emotionalndscape shifted for both Finn and his grandmother. The weight of truth pressed heavily on Finn¡¯s shoulders, a burden of regret and realization that would take time to reconcile. He understood now that the past was a tangled web of choices, misunderstandings, and unspoken feelings that had led them to this moment. His grandmother¡¯s admission of her own impulsiveness mirrored his own mistakes, creating a fragile bond between them¡ªa shared acknowledgment of their wed decisions. As they navigated the choppy waters of their history, Finn felt a flicker of hope that perhaps understanding could lead to healing, not just for himself but for Tess as well.
Meanwhile, Tess stood on the sidelines, a silent observer of the emotional upheaval swirling around her. The depth of Finn¡¯s feelings, once obscured by the chaos of their past, now illuminated the path forward. She had long grappled with her own regrets, but hearing Finn¡¯s voice, filled with sincerity and remorse, ignited a spark within her. It was a reminder that their story was not yet finished; the threads of their lives were still intertwined, waiting for the chance to weave a new narrative. With a renewed sense of purpose, Tess resolved to confront her own past and embrace theplexities of their rtionship, hopeful that love could rise from the ashes of regret and transform their shared history into a future filled with possibility.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of **Keepsake 577**, readers can expect the tension between Finn and his grandmother to reach a boiling point as they delve deeper into the tangled web of past choices and regrets. With the revtion of Tess¡¯s pregnancy and the truth behind thepany leak hanging heavily in the air, Finn will grapple with the consequences of his actions and the impact they¡¯ve had on Tess¡¯s life. As he confronts the painful reality of his past, the stakes will rise,pelling him to make decisions that could alter the course of their futures forever. Will he find the courage to seek redemption, or will his fears and doubts hold him back?
Meanwhile, Tess and L¡¯s dynamic will take center stage as they navigate the aftermath of the revtions that have rocked their world. With Raven¡¯s yful interference and the unspoken feelings simmering beneath the surface, the chapter promises moments of levity intertwined with emotional depth. As Tess begins to uncover the truth about her own feelings for Finn and how they intertwine with her ambitions, readers will be left wondering: can she reconcile her past and present, or will the shadows of their history continue to loomrge? As the characters confront their truths, the stage is set for a confrontation that could either heal old wounds or deepen the rifts that have formed over the years. The anticipation builds¡ªwhat choices will they make when faced with the whole truth?
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 578
**Keepsake 578**
**Chapter 578 A Grandmother¡¯s Lesson**
¡°No!¡± Finn¡¯s voice sliced through the quiet air like a knife, sharp and unyielding. ¡°I¡¯ve only ever regarded Nadine as an employee. My feelings for her have never been anything more.¡±
Julia, his grandmother, responded with a calmness that belied the sharpness of her words. ¡°Finn, if you were truly innocent of any wrongdoing, those rumors wouldn¡¯t have circted the way they did. With your stature and influence, you could have easily put a stop to them, yet you chose not to.¡±
Her words struck him like a physical blow, leaving him momentarily speechless. Finn felt a tightness in his throat, the exnations he longed to voice caught somewhere between his heart and his mouth, unable to escape.
¡°But¡ Grandma, I truly didn¡¯t.¡±
His denial sounded hollow, almost desperate, like a plea thrown into an abyss.
Julia, with years of wisdom behind her, understood her grandson better than he realized.
Disappointment flickered across her face as she shook her head slowly. ¡°You didn¡¯t call me just to reminisce about the past, did you? You¡¯re seeking my assistance to win Tess back.¡±
The bluntness of her statement made Finn flush with embarrassment, yet he nodded resolutely. ¡°Yes, Grandma. I¡¯vee to understand my feelings for her. I can¡¯t bear the thought of losing her again.¡±
Julia paused, allowing the weight of his admission to settle in the air between them. After a moment of silence, she asked softly, ¡°Finn, if you were in Tess¡¯s position, would you take yourself back?¡±
The question caught him off guard, his brow furrowing as he contemted her words.
¡°Picture this,¡± Julia continued, her voice steady yetden with emotion. ¡°Imagine being wrongfully used and imprisoned while your partner believes the lies told about you and refuses to lend a hand. Then, after a year of istion, you emerge with your career and reputation in ruins, only to discover that same partner has been entangled in scandalous rumors with your adopted sister.¡±
Finn¡¯s expression darkened, each word from his grandmother striking him like a hammer on an anvil, shaping his understanding of the situation.
When she finally fell silent, Julia felt the dryness in her throat, releasing a bitter sigh. ¡°Finn, you truly are a fool.¡±
He lowered his gaze, absorbing her words with a quiet eptance. His subdued demeanor softened some of her frustration; after all, he was still her beloved grandson.
¡°Listen to me,¡± Julia said, her tone shifting to a gentler cadence. ¡°What a woman craves most is affection and care. You neglected her when she needed you the most. And now, with other good men vying for her attention, you¡¯re in a panic. When you were so close to Nadine, did you ever consider how that must have affected her?¡±
She sighed deeply, the weight of her concerns palpable.
¡°I know, Grandma. I was wrong,¡± Finn replied, his voice more sincere this time, tinged with regret.
Julia nodded, her heart softening. ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can to assist you, but remember, much of it hinges on your actions.¡±
Finn¡¯s dull eyes suddenly sparked with hope.
¡°Grandma, really? You¡¯ll help me?¡±
His excitement was almost contagious, his entire demeanor shifting as if a light had been switched on within him.
¡°Yes,¡± Julia replied with a small huff, her heart warming at his eagerness. ¡°I want to see the little grandchild Tess promised you before I grow too old. You may not value them, but I certainly do. I¡¯ll be in Aetheris in a few days, and you¡¯d better make yourself useful.¡±
In his mind, Finn could already envision a future where he and Tess were reunited, her radiant smile illuminating his world once more. His heart raced, filled with a mixture of hope and determination.
¡°Grandma, I promise I¡¯ll listen to you this time. I swear.¡±
¡°You¡¯d better,¡± she cautioned, her eyes narrowing slightly, a yful warning hidden in her tone.
Meanwhile, at the Ember residence, Kylie sat anxiously awaiting Henry¡¯s return, her posture slumped and fragile, reminiscent of a wilting flower.
Nadine hade to offer herfort, her voice soft and soothing. ¡°Mom, Dad¡¯s only human. You used him unfairly. It¡¯s only natural that he got upset.¡±
Kylie grasped Nadine¡¯s hand tightly, tears spilling down her cheeks uncontrobly. ¡°I just¡¡±
Her voice faltered as she struck her forehead with her fist, her eyes brimming with anguish. ¡°Nadine, I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s happening to metely. I¡¯ve been anxious all the time, on edge about everything. Perhaps that¡¯s why my mind has been ying tricks on me.¡±
Nadine took her mother¡¯s hand in hers, offering a reassuring smile. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Mom. I understand. You¡¯ve been through so much recently.¡±
The solidarity from her daughter caused Kylie to break down once more, clinging to Nadine as if she were her only lifeline in a stormy sea.
¡°Let me talk to Dad,¡± Nadine offered gently, patting her mother¡¯s frail shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll tell him not to stay angry and toe home soon.¡±
Kylie¡¯s face brightened at the prospect, a flicker of hope igniting in her eyes. ¡°You will?¡±
¡°Of course,¡± Nadine replied with a sweet smile. ¡°I¡¯ll call him right now.¡±
Kylie straightened, her body tense with anticipation as she watched Nadine dial the number.
The ringtone echoed in the room.
Once. Twice.
Silence.
As the seconds ticked by, Kylie¡¯s expression dimmed, the hope in her eyes fading.
Nadine¡¯s smile faltered. ¡°He¡¯s probably just busy. Let¡¯s give him a little time.¡±
She attempted to soundforting, yet Kylie¡¯s head hung low, disappointment weighing heavily upon her.
Nadine pressed her lips together, suddenly regretting her decision to suggest calling Henry. The phone in her hand felt like a burning weight, an anchor dragging her down into uncertainty.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 579
Keepsake 579 Summary
In Chapter 579 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Missing Couple,¡± the tension esctes as Nadine struggles to connect with her father, Henry, over the phone. After several failed attempts, she finally reaches him, only to be met with a sense of urgency and frustration. Henry¡¯smanding tone sends a chill through Nadine, and she quickly realizes that something is terribly wrong. Despite her mother¡¯s anxious energy, Nadine feels a flicker of determination to understand the situation better, promising to handle the matter with her father.
As Nadine rushes to her father¡¯s apartment, she is greeted by an unsettling silence and a frail Shannon cradling Kaleb. The atmosphere is thick with worry, and Nadine¡¯s heart races as she seeks out her father. When she enters the study, she finds Henry consumed by anger, fixated on a document that reveals a connection to Steven Stone, a man who has wronged her in the past. The revtion ignites a fire within Nadine, as she recalls the humiliation she suffered at the hands of Steven and Tess, solidifying her resolve to confront them.
Henry¡¯s fury intensifies as he reveals that Steven was involved in the disappearance of the Nichs family. This news shocks Nadine, prompting her to connect the dots and suspect Tess¡¯s involvement. As father and daughter grapple with the implications of this betrayal, the tension mounts. Henry¡¯s frustration boils over, leading to an explosive outburst that sends papers flying across the room, leaving Nadine startled and fearful. The gravity of the situation weighs heavily on her, as she realizes the stakes are higher than she initially thought.
In this chapter, the emotional turmoil is palpable, with Nadine osciting between determination and fear. The urgency of the missing couple¡¯s situation intertwines with her personal vendetta against Steven and Tess, creating aplex web of emotions. The chapter ends on a note of uncertainty, as Nadine and Henry struggle to piece together the mystery while facing their own internal battles. The sense of impending danger looms, setting the stage for the challenges that lie ahead.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 579: The Missing Couple**
By the third attempt, Nadine¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as she pressed the call button once more, only to be met with the same disheartening silence. Each ring echoed like a countdown in her mind, and she could feel Kylie¡¯s anxious energy beside her. Pressing her dry lips together in frustration, Kylie muttered under her breath, ¡°If it won¡¯t connect, just forget it. Stop calling, Nadine.¡±
The weight of her words hung in the air, her voice devoid of its usual vibrancy, as if the very essence of hope had been siphoned from her being. Her shoulders slumped, the tension of anticipation visibly draining away, leaving her looking as if she had just lost a battle.
Nadine, however, felt a flicker of relief when she finally heard the line click through. ¡°Mom! Dad picked up!¡± she eximed, her voice ringing with a mix of surprise and exhration. Instantly, Kylie, who had appeared so lifeless moments before, seemed to awaken. A spark ignited in her eyes as she leaned forward, her focusser-like on the phone. Nadine recognized the unspoken plea in her mother¡¯s gaze and instinctively raised the receiver to her ear.
¡°Dad! You finally answered. Mom¡¯s been¡ª¡± she began, but was abruptly interrupted.
¡°Nadine. Come here.¡±
Henry¡¯s voice was amanding presence,ced with urgency that sent a shiver down Nadine¡¯s spine. She froze, her heart racing, and nced at Kylie, who, as expected, looked crushed, the light in her eyes flickering out once more.
Nadine forced a smile, though it felt like a brittle mask. ¡°Dad? What¡¯s going on? You sound upset. I¡¯m with Mom right now. We were just reminiscing about that time when you¡ª¡±
¡°Nadine, are you not listening to me?¡± he snapped, impatience slicing through the air like a knife. The finality in his tone sent a chill through her. ¡°If you can¡¯t understand in words, don¡¯t bother calling me again.¡±
With that, the line went dead, leaving Nadine staring at the phone in disbelief, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned slowly toward Kylie, uncertainty clouding her thoughts.
Kylie managed a fragile smile, her hand waving weakly as if to push Nadine forward. ¡°Nadine, since your father asked, go on. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±
Nadine hesitated, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. But when she saw Kylie remain still, a flicker of determination ignited within her. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll talk to Dad and try to calm him down. He must have something urgent going on. Let me handle this.¡±
With that promise hanging in the air, she grabbed her bag and rushed out the door. The moment she slid into her car, her fingers were already dialing Henry¡¯s number again.
¡°Dad, what happened?¡± she asked, her voice trembling with concern.
¡°Nichs and his wife are gone,¡± he replied, his voice grim and heavy with dread.
Nadine mmed the brakes, nearly colliding with the wall in her panic. ¡°What?!¡±
She sped straight to the apartment, her mind racing with worry and questions.
Upon entering, an eerie silence enveloped her. In the living room, Shannon sat on the couch, cradling Kaleb in her arms. Fresh from the hospital, she looked frail, her once-vibrant presence now reduced to a ghostly shadow of itself.
Nadine paused, momentarily taken aback by the sight of the pale, hollow woman who had once exuded elegance and strength.
¡°Study. Now,¡± Henry¡¯s deep voice echoed from down the hall, brooking no argument. Nadine didn¡¯t dare linger; she hurried toward the sound, leaving Shannon and Kaleb behind. The peculiar atmosphere could wait¡ªHenry¡¯s tone made it clear that the matter at hand was far more pressing.
¡°Dad!¡± she called out as she burst into the study. Henry sat behind his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration, his eyes fixed on something that seemed to consume him.
She crossed the room in a sh, urgency propelling her forward.
¡°This person¡ªyou¡¯re sure?¡± he asked, his voice low but simmering with barely contained fury as he tapped a pen against a document.
Nadine leaned closer, recognizing the file he had shown her not long ago. ¡°Steven Stone,¡± she dered without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m positive. He¡¯s the one who humiliated me, the one who colluded with Tess to make me aughingstock!¡±
Fury ignited within her, the memory of that disgrace burning hot in her chest. She would see them both pay for what they had done.
Henry¡¯s shoulders rxed slightly, but the darkness that surrounded him only deepened, casting a shadow over the room.
With a sudden, explosive motion, he mmed his palm against the desk, the sound reverberating through the air.
Nadine flinched at the noise, her heart racing as she watched him lower his head, his hair falling messily over a face contorted with anger.
¡°It was that Steven who infiltrated my factory and took the Nichs family away!¡± he shouted, his voice rising with intensity.
¡°What?¡± Nadine¡¯splexion paled as she stared at the photo of Steven, disbelief washing over her.
¡°Dad, you and Steven never had any feud. Why would he¡ª¡± She halted mid-sentence, a realization dawning on her. ¡°Tess!¡±
The name burst forth from her lips, filled with urgency.
¡°It has to be her,¡± Nadine said through clenched teeth, her resolve hardening. ¡°She sent Steven to do it!¡±
Henry¡¯s expression hardened further, as if her words had confirmed a suspicion he had long harbored. A cold glint ignited in his eyes.
¡°The Larsons are still in Aetheris. We can¡¯t afford an open fight with Tess yet. I went to Evermount Heights at dawn to check on them myself. Nothing suspicious.¡±
He rubbed his temples, frustration etching deep lines into his face.
¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Nadine murmured, her mind racing. ¡°If she took them that night, she must have found somewhere else to hide them. Besides Evermount Heights, what other ce could she use to shelter the Nichses?¡±
The more Henry pondered the situation, the darker his mood became. In a fit of frustration, he swept his arm across the desk, sending papers flying in all directions. ¡°How should I know! I went there unannounced, but they were already gone. And those idiots at the factory couldn¡¯t even run a proper search!¡±
His temper red, and amidst a torrent of curses, he recounted what he had seen at the Embers¡¯ property.
Nadine recoiled, startled by his explosive fury. Her shoulders hunched defensively, and the fear in her eyes was unmistakable as she grappled with the gravity of the situation.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the tumultuous confrontation, Nadine stood at the precipice of a storm, her emotions swirling like the chaos around her. The urgency of her father¡¯s voice and the chilling revtion of the Nichs family¡¯s disappearance weighed heavily on her heart. As she absorbed the implications of their plight, a fierce determination ignited within her, overshadowing her earlier doubts. This was no longer just about her own past grievances; it had transformed into a battle for justice and the safety of those she loved. The flicker of hope that had briefly illuminated Kylie¡¯s face now fueled Nadine¡¯s resolve,pelling her to act decisively and confront the shadows of her family¡¯s past.
With every step she took, Nadine felt the burden of expectation and fear intertwine, yet she embraced the challenge thaty ahead. The realization that Tess was intricately woven into this web of deceit only strengthened her resolve to uncover the truth. Nadine¡¯s heart raced with the knowledge that she was not merely a victim of circumstance; she was a force to be reckoned with. As she prepared to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the Nichses¡¯ disappearance, she understood that this journey would demand not only her courage but also her unwaveringmitment to her family. In that moment, Nadine chose to confront the darkness head-on, determined to reim not just her family¡¯s honor but also the very essence of hope that had been so cruelly snatched away.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension esctes, readers can anticipate a gripping exploration of Nadine¡¯s determination to uncover the truth behind the Nichs family¡¯s disappearance. With her father¡¯s fury still lingering in the air, Nadine will find herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions¡ªfear, anger, and an unyielding resolve to confront the shadows of her past. The stakes are higher than ever as she realizes that Tess¡¯s machinations extend far beyond mere humiliation; they now threaten the very lives of those she holds dear. With every revtion, the mystery deepens, and Nadine¡¯s quest for answers will lead her down a treacherous path filled with unexpected twists.
Moreover, the next chapter promises to delve into the dynamics of family loyalty and betrayal. As Nadine grapples with her father¡¯s uncharacteristic rage and the implications of Steven¡¯s involvement, she must navigate the precarious bnce between familial duty and her own moralpass. Will she be able to rally her family¡¯s strength against Tess¡¯s sinister ns, or will the weight of their fractured rtionships prove too great? As secrets begin to unravel, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how Nadine will confront the looming threats and whether she can reim her family¡¯s safety before it¡¯s toote. The tension is palpable, and the next chapter is poised to deliver a thrilling ride of suspense and revtion.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 580
Keepsake 580 Summary
In Chapter 580 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Trap Tightens,¡± Nadine and her father Henry find themselves entangled in a tense conversation about the whereabouts of Nichs and his wife. As Henry¡¯s anger simmers, Nadine cautiously suggests that the couple might still be at Evermount Heights. Her words momentarily freeze the atmosphere, prompting Henry to reconsider the situation. Nadine¡¯s analytical reasoning begins to soften Henry¡¯s fury, leading him to acknowledge the possibility that they might have spent the night at Evermount Heights instead of just visiting for breakfast.
As Nadine and Henry delve deeper into the implications of their findings, the tension esctes. Henry, still consumed by rage over past grievances, expresses his desire to retaliate against those he believes have wronged him. Nadine, however, urges him to focus on retrieving Nichs and his wife, highlighting the potential fallout if their allegiances have shifted. The urgency of the situation bes palpable as they realize that their ns to confront the Larsons could unravel if they do not act swiftly.
Amidst the rising stakes, Nadine proposes a potential ally in their quest: Max. Despite Henry¡¯s initial skepticism regarding Max¡¯s willingness to help, Nadine argues that Max¡¯s ambitions align with their goals. She outlines Max¡¯s strategic nature and how he could be leveraged to their advantage. The chapter captures the emotional turmoil of both characters as they navigate their personal vendettas and the pressing need for cooperation.
Nadine¡¯s determination shines through as sheys out a n to draw Max into their scheme by leveraging Tess¡¯s position. This revtion adds ayer of intrigue and cunning to their strategy, suggesting that the dynamics of power and loyalty are at y. The chapter concludes with a sense of urgency and the potential for a calcted alliance, leaving readers eager to see how these developments will unfold in the face of their looming challenges.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 580**
**Chapter 580: The Trap Tightens**
As Henry¡¯s fury surged, Nadine felt a different kind of energy stirring within her.
¡°Dad,¡± she ventured cautiously, her voice steady despite the tension enveloping the room, ¡°do you think it¡¯s possible that Nichs and his wife are still at Evermount Heights?¡±
The moment her words left her lips, they seemed to freeze the air around them. Henry, caught in the throes of his anger, halted mid-breath, his expression shifting as he turned to face her. ¡°What did you just say?¡± he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Nadine felt the intensity of his gaze weigh heavily upon her, but she steeled herself, forcing the words to continue. ¡°You mentioned seeing Lyra and Raven at breakfast. It was early in the morning; they wouldn¡¯t have made the trip to Evermount Heights just for a meal. It seems far more usible that they spent the night there. Steven couldn¡¯t have managed to take Nichs and his wife on his own¡ªhe must have had assistance. Lyra and Raven were likely there that night too.¡±
Henry¡¯s brow, which had been twisted in rage, began to soften as he mulled over her words.
¡°That makes sense,¡± she encouraged him, sensing the shift in his demeanor. ¡°When you arrived, Steven and the Nichses were still inside Evermount Heights. They must have realized you wereing.¡±
Henry inhaled deeply, reying the scene in his mind like a film on repeat.
¡°Yes¡¡± he murmured, a spark igniting in his eyes. ¡°When I knocked on the door, I distinctly heard a man¡¯s voice. Yet when they finally opened it, there wasn¡¯t a single man at that table.¡±
Nadine nodded, her heart racing. That confirmed her suspicions.
¡°Unbelievable,¡± Henry growled, his voiceced with disbelief. ¡°She had the audacity to toy with me. I¡¯ll send people over immediately to block every possible exit¡ª¡±
But Nadine stepped forward, urgency coursing through her as she caught his arm, shaking her head. ¡°Not now. By this time, they¡¯ve likely been moved. Dad, we need to consider why Tess was so determined to find Nichs in the first ce.¡±
Henry¡¯s jaw clenched in frustration. ¡°Why else would she? The Larsons rushed to Aetheris, leaving me barely enough time to handle your mother¡¯s funeral. I finally saw a chance to retaliate, and because of them, I had to swallow that loss. And now Tess, that woman, still clings to her vendetta. She wants to clear her name¡ªwhile stabbing me in the back!¡±
By the end of his tirade, his voice had escted to a furious shout, each word scraping against his throat as if it were a physical struggle to contain his rage.
Nadine pressed her lips together, acutely aware of how perilous the situation had be. ¡°Dad, we have to retrieve Nichs and his wife immediately. If they¡¯ve switched allegiances, everything we¡¯ve built wille crashing down¡ªand it will obliterate any ns we¡¯ve devised to confront the Larsons.¡±
The air in the room thickened with tension, and Henry mmed his hand against the desk, frustration radiating from him. ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t understand that? The problem is, I have no idea where to begin!¡±
Silence fell, heavy and oppressive, as Nadine lost herself in thought, her mind racing through possibilities.
Time seemed to stretch, each secondden with anxiety.
Suddenly, Nadine lifted her head, her eyes sharp and prating as they locked onto Henry¡¯s. ¡°Dad, the Embers have already declined. Locating someone in Aetheris isn¡¯t straightforward, let alone extracting anyone from Tess¡¯s grasp.¡±
Henry¡¯s breathing grew morebored with each word she uttered, the weight of their predicament pressing down on him.
¡°It may be challenging for us to act,¡± Nadine continued, her tone shifting to one of determination, ¡°but there are others who can.¡±
Henry regarded her warily. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
A faint smile flickered across Nadine¡¯s lips, her voice dropping to a low, deliberate whisper. ¡°Max.¡±
Henry¡¯s fingers twitched involuntarily, doubt clouding his expression. ¡°Max? After the way we treated him, you think he¡¯d actually help us?¡±
His tone wavered, uncertainty evident in his voice.
Nadine¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, an enigmatic glint dancing across her features. ¡°Help?¡±
She let out a coldugh, the sound sharp and cutting. ¡°Max isn¡¯t the type to act out of goodwill. At best, it would be a matter of mutual benefit. And since it¡¯s cooperation we¡¯re after, as long as we possess the leverage he desires, he¡¯ll make his move.¡±
Henry still looked unsure, his mind wrestling with the implications.
Nadine pressed on steadily, ¡°Aetheris may be under Finn¡¯s control, but Max¡¯s ambitions are no secret. Ever since he pilfered Lock Group¡¯s trade secrets a year ago, Hunt Group has been climbing the ranks rapidly. He¡¯s emerged as the only other significant power in the city besides Finn. That¡¯s why he¡¯s the one we can leverage.¡±
She turned to face Henry fully, her gaze unwavering. ¡°Max likes to convince himself that he loves Tess, but when pushes to shove, he¡¯s never hesitated to choose his own profit over her. That cold, calcting nature¡ªwhile ruthless¡ªworks to our advantage.¡±
Henry nodded slowly, the gears in his mind turning. ¡°True. That man is cut from the same cloth as the Hunts¡ªhard-hearted and strategic. But what could we possibly offer him?¡±
Nadine¡¯s smile deepened, a glimmer of cunning in her eyes. ¡°We don¡¯t have to offer anything directly. Tess does.¡±
Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper,ced with intrigue. ¡°Once we leak the information that the Larsons have chosen Tess as their sessor, Max won¡¯t be able to resist. All we need to do is share a fragment of our n and extend an invitation for him to cooperate. He¡¯lle to us of his own ord.¡±Conclusion
In the wake of their fraught conversation, a tentative alliance began to form between Henry and Nadine, forged in the crucible of desperation. As the shadows of their past loomedrge, the promise of a shared purpose flickered like a candle in the dark. Nadine¡¯s unwavering resolve ignited a spark of hope within Henry, who had been consumed by his anger and grief. The realization that they could leverage Max¡¯s ambitions not only shifted their focus but also transformed their emotionalndscape. They were no longer just a father and daughter caught in a web of betrayal; they were strategists, united against amon enemy, ready to reim their narrative and confront the chaos threatening to engulf them.
As they prepared to navigate the treacherous waters ahead, the bond between them deepened, weaving together threads of trust and coboration. The weight of their losses still lingered, but it was now tempered by the strength of their shared determination. With every calcted step they plotted, they began to shed the burdens of their past, embracing the potential for redemption and victory. The path ahead was fraught with danger, yet in that moment, as they exchanged nces filled with unspoken understanding, they knew they were no longer alone. Together, they would rise from the ashes of their turmoil, ready to face whatever challengesy ahead, armed with the knowledge that their greatest asset was each other.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension mounts in the aftermath of Nadine¡¯s revtion, readers can anticipate a high-stakes game of strategy and maniption that will unfold in the next chapter. With Henry¡¯s fury simmering just beneath the surface and Nadine¡¯s calcted resolve, the stakes have never been higher. The introduction of Max into their ns hints at an impending alliance fraught with uncertainty. Will his ruthless ambition align with their desperate need for assistance, or will his self-serving nature lead to unforeseenplications? The dynamics of trust and betrayal will be put to the test as they navigate this precarious alliance.
Moreover, the looming threat of Tess and the Larsons will cast a shadow over every decision they make. The urgency to retrieve Nichs and his wife will drive the narrative forward, propelling both Henry and Nadine into a web of intrigue that could unravel everything they¡¯ve built. As they strategize their next moves, readers will be left wondering how far they are willing to go to reim their power and what sacrifices they may need to make along the way. The chapter promises a blend of suspense and revtion, as hidden motives are uncovered and alliances are forged in the crucible of desperation. Prepare for twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as the trap tightens and the stakes escte dramatically.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 581
Keepsake 581 Summary
In Chapter 581 of ¡°Keepsake 581,¡± titled ¡°Secrets Beneath Evermount Heights,¡± Nadine and Henry embark on a pivotal moment as they strategize to bring Max into their ns. Henry¡¯s excitement is palpable when he realizes that gaining Max¡¯s support could significantly shift the bnce of power in Kingnd. His determination ignites a sense of urgency, prompting Nadine to contact Max immediately, though their initial attempts are fraught with tension and anxiety as they wait for his response.
When Max finally answers, his chilling demeanor sets the stage for a high-stakes conversation. Henry, despite feeling the weight of his family¡¯s fallen status, pushes through his irritation to propose a coboration. However, Max¡¯s condescension is evident as he views Henry as a relic of a bygone era. Nadine¡¯s intervention bes crucial; she presents an enticing opportunity that could elevate Max¡¯s position and the Hunt Group¡¯s status, capturing his attention and shifting the dynamic of the conversation.
As the dialogue unfolds, Nadine¡¯s past betrayal loomsrge, casting doubt on her credibility in Max¡¯s eyes. She insists on the authenticity of her proposal, leading to a tense silence before Max reluctantly agrees to meet them. This moment marks a turning point for Nadine and Henry, as they realize that Max¡¯s connections could simplify their quest to locate Nichs, contrasting sharply with Finn¡¯s more straightforward approach.
Upon arriving at the caf¨¦, the atmosphere is thick with anticipation as they confront Max. Nadine dives straight into the details regarding the Larsons and their potential connection to Tess, revealing the stakes involved. Max¡¯s initial skepticism gives way to surprise as heprehends the significance of the Larsons and the power they wield. The chapter concludes with Max recognizing the opportunity presented by Tess¡¯s potential rise, marking a critical juncture in their ns and setting the stage for future confrontations and alliances.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 581**
**Chapter 581: Secrets Beneath Evermount Heights**
As Nadine spoke, a spark ignited in Henry¡¯s eyes, illuminating his face with a newfound determination.
¡°Absolutely,¡± he eximed, his handsing together with a sharp p. ¡°If we can get Max on board, everything will align perfectly.¡±
His thoughts began to whirl like a tempest, each idea feeding into the next. The Larsons were not merely a family; they were a formidable force in Kingnd, wielding influence that stretched far and wide. Even if they had to part with a fraction of their profits to bring Max into the fold, the potential for wealth and power was staggering¡ªfar beyond what Henry had ever dared to dream.
¡°Nadine, when are you going to reach out to him? No, wait¡ªdo it now!¡±
He seized her wrist, his excitement radiating from him like heat from the sun.
¡°Alright, alright,¡± she replied, her voice quick and slightly breathless.
Without wasting a moment, Nadine punched in Max¡¯s number, but as the phone rang and rang with no response, her expression shifted from eagerness to anxiety. Henry, however, remained fixated on her phone screen, his gaze unwavering, as if willing the call to connect.
Just as Nadine was about to abandon hope and drive to the Hunt Group¡¯s office herself, the call finally connected.
¡°Nadine, are you looking to die?¡±
Max¡¯s voice came through low and chilling,ced with an unmistakable edge of menace. Nadine¡¯s fingers tightened around the phone, her heart racing.
¡°Mr. Hunt! This is Henry Ember¡ªNadine¡¯s father,¡± Henry interjected, snatching the phone from her with a grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
There was a brief pause on the line, a silence thick with tension, before Max¡¯s tone shifted. The frostiness melted into something that almost resembled amusement, though it was hard to tell.
¡°Mr. Ember? What an unexpected surprise. What brings you to call me?¡±
He drummed his fingers idly on the desk, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth while his eyes remained inscrutable. His polite demeanor masked a thinly veiled condescension; the title ¡°Mr. Ember¡± dripped with a subtle mockery.
In Aetheris, it wasmon knowledge that the Ember Group had crumbled, its assets consumed by rivalpanies. Henry¡¯s im to the title was little more than a shadow of his family¡¯s former glory.
Yet, Henry swallowed his irritation, pushing it aside to focus on the task at hand. ¡°Max, I wish to discuss a potential coboration. I doubt you¡¯d want to dismiss this opportunity.¡±
¡°Coboration?¡±
Max¡¯s voice lifted slightly at the end, but his bodynguage remained unchanged. He lounged back in his chair, exuding an air of nonchnce. To him, Henry was just an old relic, clinging to the remnants of a once-great name, devoid of any real leverage or resources that could pique his interest.
Nadine stepped in smoothly, her voice steady and persuasive. ¡°Max, this involves both Tess and the future of Hunt Group.¡± She paused, letting her words hang in the air, her tone dropping lower as she continued, ¡°If you seize this opportunity, I can guarantee you¡¯ll eclipse Finn and elevate Hunt Group to the pinnacle of power in Aetheris.¡±
That statement caught Max¡¯s attention. He straightened in his seat, thezy haze in his eyes sharpening with sudden intensity.
¡°Nadine,¡± he said, his voice taut with skepticism, ¡°you¡¯ve lost all credibility with me. If you¡¯re lying again, you know the consequences.¡±
He meant every word. Her previous betrayal, aimed at gaining favor with Tess, had plunged Hunt Group into a dire situation. He had been forced to negotiate with smallerpanies just to keep the business afloat. The fact that he had even entertained her call was an act of restraint on his part.
¡°I¡¯m not lying,¡± Nadine insisted, her voice firm and unwavering. ¡°This is genuine.¡±
Silence enveloped the line for a few heartbeats, stretching out like a taut wire.
¡°Top-floor caf¨¦,¡± Max finally said, his voice cutting through the stillness before he abruptly ended the call.
Nadine and Henry exchanged nces, a wave of relief washing over them.
If Max agreed to join forces, locating Nichs would be a much simpler task. Unlike Finn, who operated above board, Max¡¯swork thrived in the shadows¡ªprecisely the kind of resource they needed.
Before long, they arrived at the caf¨¦.
Max was already seated, alone at a table, his fingers tapping a steady rhythm against the rim of his cup, lost in thought.
¡°Mr. Hunt.¡±
Nadine approached him with a practiced politeness, her demeanor carefullyposed. After he offered a brief nod, she and Henry settled into their seats, the tension palpable in the air.
Max finally lifted his gaze, his expression unreadable. ¡°Speak. I don¡¯t have all day.¡±
¡°Are you familiar with the Larsons of Kingnd?¡± Nadine asked, diving straight into the heart of the matter.
Max¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°What do they have to do with any of this?¡±
Nadineid out the facts sinctly¡ªthe connection between the Larsons and Tess, their recent arrival in Aetheris, and the purpose of their visit.
¡°Are you saying Tess might be the head of the Larson family?¡±
For the first time, Max¡¯s cool exterior faltered. Surprise flickered across his face, momentarily breaking through his usual detachment.
¡°Yes,¡± Nadine confirmed, her gaze steady. ¡°And the Larsons are still here in Aetheris. Once they return to Kingnd, they¡¯ll likely take Tess with them.¡±
Max¡¯s grip on his cup tightened, his thoughts swirling like a storm as the implications settled in.
The Larsons.
He understood precisely what that name represented. They were among the untouchables, not just in Kingnd, but throughout all of Crorus.
And now, Tess might inherit that vast empire.
To Max, this revtion was more than just shocking; it was an opportunity that surpassed anything he had ever envisioned.Conclusion
As the weight of their conversation settled over the table, a palpable shift urred within the trio. Nadine¡¯s heart raced with a blend of anxiety and hope, while Henry¡¯s excitement bubbled just beneath the surface. The stakes had never been higher, yet the prospect of aligning with Max Hunt, a man shrouded in both danger and opportunity, felt exhrating. With each word exchanged, they danced on the precipice of a new alliance that could either catapult them to unprecedented heights or plunge them into chaos. The shadows of their pasts loomedrge, but the promise of the future beckoned them forward, igniting a fire within that had long been dormant.
As the meeting progressed, it became clear that the path ahead would not be easy. Trust was a fragile currency, especially between Nadine and Max, whose history was marred by betrayal. Yet, in that moment, they were united by amon goal: to harness the power of the Larsons and secure their ce in the ever-shiftingndscape of Aetheris. With the stakesid bare and their resolve hardening, Nadine and Henry found themselves at a crossroads, ready to embrace the risks and rewards thaty ahead. The journey would undoubtedly test their limits, but as they exchanged determined nces, they understood that together, they could confront whatever secrets lurked beneath Evermount Heights.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension thickens in the air, the stakes have never been higher. In the uing chapter, readers can expect to delve deeper into the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that define the world of Aetheris. With Max¡¯s newfound interest in the Larsons and the potential power shift that Tess¡¯s ascension could bring, Henry and Nadine will need to navigate a treacherousndscape filled with hidden agendas. Will they be able to convince Max to fullymit to their cause, or will his skepticism lead to unforeseenplications? The clock is ticking, and the choices they make will ripple through their lives and the lives of those around them.
Moreover, the chapter promises to explore the darker undercurrents of Max¡¯s character. Known for his ruthless tactics and shadowy connections, Max¡¯s true intentions wille to light as he weighs the risks and rewards of aligning with the Ember family. Will he see them as allies or merely pawns in his game? As Nadine and Henry attempt to convince him of the Larsons¡¯ importance, they must also grapple with their own pasts and the lingering shadows of betrayal. With the stakes escting, readers can expect a blend of high-stakes negotiations, emotional confrontations, and the ever-looming threat of rival factions that could jeopardize everything they¡¯ve worked for. Buckle up for a thrilling ride through theplexities of ambition, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of power.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 582
Keepsake 582 Summary
In Chapter 582 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°A Daughter¡¯s Deception,¡± the tension esctes as Max confronts Nadine and Henry about their intentions regarding Nichs¡¯s disappearance. Max, embodying a cool and indifferent demeanor, questions their motives and the potential benefits of assisting them. Nadine and Henry, aware of the stakes, attempt to persuade him by revealing their n to undermine Tess and seize the Larsons¡¯ fortune for themselves. Their conversation isced with urgency and underlying deception, as they navigate the precarious situation they find themselves in.
Max¡¯s skepticism is palpable as he challenges their proposal, revealing his awareness of their ulterior motives. The dynamic shifts when he demands an exorbitant seventy percent cut for his assistance, leaving Nadine and Henry stunned. This moment highlights the desperation of their circumstances and Max¡¯s calcted maniption of the situation. Henry¡¯s anger simmers as he grapples with the audacity of Max¡¯s demand, leading to a heated exchange that underscores the tension and stakes involved in their scheme.
As the chapter unfolds, Nadine attempts to calm Henry¡¯s fury, reminding him of the potential wealth they stand to gain from the Larsons. Her words gradually shift Henry¡¯s perspective, recing his anger with a greedy anticipation of their future sess. This moment of maniption between the characters emphasizes the lengths they are willing to go for power and wealth, showcasing their moral ambiguity and the emotional turmoil that apanies their decisions.
The narrative then shifts focus to Tess, who is diligently managing her own concerns regarding the safety of those around her. Her authoritative demeanor contrasts sharply with the emotional turmoil Finn experiences when he reaches out to her with unsettling news about Julia¡¯s visit. This revtion stirs a mix of emotions in Tess, highlighting theplexities of her past rtionship with Finn and the unresolved feelings that linger. The chapter concludes with a sense of foreboding, as Tess grapples with the implications of Julia¡¯s impending arrival and the shadows of her past that threaten to resurface.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 582 A Daughter¡¯s Deception**
¡°Why are you sharing this with me? Or rather, what do you hope to gain in return?¡±
Max¡¯s eyes narrowed, his expression a mask of cool indifference. He had always found conversations with astute individuals to be refreshingly straightforward¡ªno superfluous chatter, just the essence of the matter.
Nadine and Henry exchanged a meaningful nce, the weight of their unspoken thoughts hanging in the air, before they began to unravel the tangled web of Nichs¡¯s disappearance and their precarious situation.
Max¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°So, you¡¯re asking me to assist you in tracking them down?¡±
He leaned back in his chair, a posture that conveyed both ease and skepticism, his gaze sweeping over the two of them as if he were sizing up a pair of pawns on a chessboard. ¡°And what¡¯s in it for me? You just mentioned that Tess could inherit the Larsons¡¯ fortune. Even if she does, what relevance does that hold for me?¡±
¡°It has everything to do with you,¡± Nadine interjected, her voice firm yetced with urgency.
Henry, feeling the pressure, clenched his hands together, searching for the right words. Heunched into the strategy he and Nadine had meticulously rehearsed earlier, determined to convey their n with conviction.
¡°You¡¯re saying,¡± Max interrupted, his tone slow and deliberate, ¡°that you wish to undermine Tess and seize the Larsons¡¯ assets for your own benefit?¡±
A glimmer of understanding sparked in his eyes, illuminating the depths of their scheme.
¡°Precisely!¡± Henry replied, not missing a beat.
¡°So that¡¯s the game you¡¯re ying,¡± Max remarked, his voice slicing through the tension like a knife. ¡°You¡¯ve been buttering Tess up, pretending to care about her, all to lure her back to the Embers¡ªand to keep me upied in the meantime.¡±
He leaned forward, his expression transforming as the pieces of the puzzle fell into ce. It was bing clear to him now. Nadine, who often struggled to manage her own affairs, had somehow found the audacity to manipte him.
¡°I had no other options,¡± Nadine said, her smile strained and her gaze averted. ¡°You must understand, Mr. Hunt¡ªwho could possibly resist the allure of the Larsons¡¯ fortune?¡±
She rubbed her hands together nervously, her difort palpable as she avoided his prating stare.
Max let out a short, icyugh. The taste of being used left an unpleasant aftertaste in his mouth, and he had no intention of concealing his discontent.
¡°I can assist you in finding them,¡± he saidzily, tilting his chin upward in a gesture of casual authority, ¡°but I¡¯ll be taking seventy percent.¡±
The deration hung in the air like a bombshell, freezing both Nadine and Henry in their tracks.
¡°Seventy percent?¡± Henry echoed, incredulity flooding his voice.
After all the scheming and meticulous nning, this man¡ªwho merely needed to locate someone¡ªhad the audacity to demand such an exorbitant cut?
¡°If you¡¯re not interested,¡± Max said, casually pushing back his chair, ¡°then our conversation ends here.¡± He stood, his voice shifting to a low, dangerous tone. ¡°Once Nichs testifies that you uwfully detained him, you¡¯ll be fortunate to retain your freedom, let alone a share of anything. By the time you manage to get out¡ªif you even survive that long¡ªyou won¡¯t be around to enjoy it.¡±
His wordsnded like a curse, heavy and foreboding.
Henry¡¯s face darkened, fury simmering just beneath the surface. Just as Max took his first step away, Henry mmed his hand down on the table with a force that rattled the coffee cups. ¡°Fine!¡±
Max halted but didn¡¯t turn back.
¡°Wait for my news,¡± he said simply, then strode away, his tall, lean figure fading from view and leaving Henry seething in his seat.
¡°Seventy percent,¡± he spat, incredulous. ¡°He dares to demand that much?¡±
With a surge of frustration, he hurled his coffee cup against the table, the crash drawing curious nces from nearby patrons.
Nadine quickly intervened, tugging at his sleeve with urgency. ¡°Dad, please calm down. The Larsons¡¯ wealth has been umting for generations. Even if we end up with only thirty percent, it¡¯s still more than most could dream of in several lifetimes. And besides¡ªMax is asking for seventy now, but do you truly believe we¡¯ll actually pay him when the timees? Once we take control of the Larsons, he¡¯ll be insignificant to us.¡±
Her voice was soothing, and gradually, Henry¡¯s tense shoulders began to rx.
She was right. Once they seized the Larsons¡¯ empire, Max would be irrelevant.
The mere thought of it caused his anger to dissipate, reced by the faint curve of a greedy smile that yed on his lips.
Nadine let out a soft sigh of relief, guiding him swiftly out of the caf¨¦.
Evermount Heights.
¡°For the next few days, ensure that someone is keeping watch on them,¡± Tess instructed over the phone, her tone brisk and authoritative. ¡°If you notice anyone suspicious in the vicinity, report it immediately. Don¡¯t let them out of your sight.¡±
She ended the call with Connor and Marc just as her phone rang again, the name shing on the screen making her hesitate. It was Finn.
Tess frowned, puzzled. Why would he be reaching out to her directly? Typically, if he had updates regarding the investigation, he would ry them through Zane.
After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she answered, her voice steady. ¡°Mr. Lock, what can I do for you?¡±
The sound of her voice¡ªfamiliar yet distant¡ªpierced through Finn¡¯s chest like a dagger. Theposure he had fought to maintain shattered in an instant.
¡°Julia ising to Aetheris,¡± he said quietly, his words heavy with implication. ¡°She asked to see you.¡±
His tone carried a hint of hesitation, as if he were treading on fragile ground. ¡°I¡ I haven¡¯t told her that we¡¯re divorced.¡±
Tess froze, caught off guard, unsure of how to respond.
She recalled vividly how their marriage had onlye to be because Gillian had approached Julia directly to arrange it. Out of a sense of obligation and guilt, Tess had always feltpelled to visit Julia, yet in the year and a half she had been married to Finn, she had never once taken that step.Conclusion
As the chapter draws to a close, the emotional stakes have reached a boiling point for both Nadine and Henry, who find themselves entangled in a web of deception and ambition. Their initial desperation to reim the Larsons¡¯ fortune morphs into a reckless determination, fueled by greed and the promise of power. Nadine¡¯s attempt to manipte Max reveals not only the lengths she is willing to go to but also her underlying vulnerability, as she grapples with the moral implications of her actions. Meanwhile, Henry¡¯s frustration gives way to a twisted sense of hope, as he envisions a future where they reign supreme, despite the precarious nature of their alliance with Max. The tension hangs heavy in the air, a prelude to the chaos that is sure to follow.
On the other hand, Tess stands at a crossroads, confronted by the specter of her past as Finn¡¯s unexpected call shatters her fragile sense of stability. The revtion that Julia ising to Aetheris forces Tess to confront unresolved feelings and the reality of her fractured marriage. The weight of obligation and guilt loomsrge, and she must navigate the treacherous waters of her emotions while grappling with the implications of Finn¡¯s silence. As both storylines converge, the stakes are raised, and the characters find themselves on the precipice of choices that could irrevocably alter their lives. The chapter closes with a sense of foreboding, as the characters¡¯ ambitions and secrets threaten to collide, setting the stage for a reckoning that will test their loyalties and challenge their very identities.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Keepsake*, readers can expect the tension to escte as both Nadine and Henry grapple with the consequences of their ambitious scheme. With Max now an unwilling aplice, the stakes are higher than ever, and the fragile alliance they¡¯ve formed could shatter at any moment. As they delve deeper into their ns to undermine Tess and seize the Larsons¡¯ fortune, the question looms: will their greed blind them to the dangers that lurk in the shadows? With Max¡¯s icy demeanor and sharp wit, his role as a potential double agent adds an intriguingyer of unpredictability. Will he remain loyal, or will he turn the tables on them when the opportunity arises?
Meanwhile, Tess finds herself at a crossroads as Finn¡¯s unexpected call brings Julia back into the picture. The emotional turmoil of their past threatens to resurface,plicating Tess¡¯s already precarious situation. How will she navigate the impending confrontation with Julia, especially now that the truth of her divorce hangs in the air? As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, readers should brace themselves for a whirlwind of revtions and conflicts. Will Tess find the strength to face her past, or will it consume her just as Nadine and Henry¡¯s ambitions threaten to unravel their future? The next chapter promises to be a gripping exploration of deception, ambition, and the intricate web of rtionships that bind them all.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 583
Keepsake 583 Summary
In Chapter 583, titled ¡°Shadows of Regret,¡± Tess firmly asserts her boundaries with Finn, reminding him that they are divorced and she has no obligation to meet Julia. Despite her resolve, Tess grapples with the emotional weight of the situation, considering Julia¡¯s efforts in their past marriage. The conversation reveals Tess¡¯s internal conflict; while she feels no obligation to meet Julia, she recognizes the potential ingratitude in refusing the meeting, ultimately deciding to confront the situation head-on.
Finn¡¯s response to Tess¡¯s decision is strained, indicating his own difort with the circumstances. He conveys Julia¡¯s insistence on seeing Tess, which surprises Tess, as she reflects on Julia¡¯s determination. Tess¡¯s thoughts reveal her awareness of theplexities of their past, and she decides it might be best to meet Julia to rify the truth about her divorce. This decision weighs heavily on her, showcasing her sense of responsibility and the emotional turmoil tied to her past rtionship.
As the conversation progresses, Tess learns that Julia is already on her way, prompting her to agree to meet at the Lock family estate, despite her skepticism. The mention of their daughter, La, shifts Tess¡¯s focus, highlighting hermitment to ensuring La¡¯s rtionship with both her parents remains intact. Finn¡¯s subtle excitement about the meeting contrasts with Tess¡¯s reluctance, hinting at the underlying tensions and unresolved feelings between the characters.
Meanwhile, Julia¡¯s presence loomsrge over Finn, as she pushes him to prepare for Tess¡¯s arrival, emphasizing the importance of winning Tess back. Julia¡¯s frustration with Finn¡¯s hesitance reflects her own ambitions and the pressure she puts on him. This dynamic creates a stark contrast between Finn¡¯s longing for reconciliation and Julia¡¯s more aggressive approach, leaving Finn caught between two powerful influences in his life.
In parallel, Tess finds sce in a simple outing with La, aiming to bring thoughtful gifts for her meeting with Julia. This moment of mother-daughter bonding underscores Tess¡¯s desire to create positive experiences for La amidst theplexities of adult rtionships. The chapter closes with a sense of anticipation, as Tess¡¯s decision to meet Julia sets the stage for potential confrontations and emotional revtions in their intertwined lives.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 583 Shadows of Regret**
¡°Finn, we¡¯re no longer married. I neither have the obligation nor the right to meet Julia. You need to tell her the truth,¡± Tess stated firmly, pressing her lips together as if sealing away any further protest.
As anticipated, silence enveloped the line, stretching out ufortably.
After what felt like an eternity, Finn finally replied, his voice strained. ¡°I told her you wouldn¡¯t want to see her. But she insisted. She believes that even though we¡¯re divorced, she still has the right to meet you.¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes, taken aback by Julia¡¯s tenacity. With a frustrated sigh, she ran her fingers through her hair, tousling the strands as her thoughts raced.
Yes, they were divorced, but it was Julia who had orchestrated their marriage with such fervor. If she were to decline this meeting, it would feel like an act of ingratitude, a dismissal of the efforts Julia had poured into their union.
Perhaps it would be best to meet her¡ªthen, in a fitting moment, she could reveal the truth about the divorce.
Tess sighed softly, the weight of the decision settling heavily in her chest. ¡°When is Julia arriving in Aetheris?¡±
¡°This afternoon,¡± Finn replied, his words clipped and to the point. Yet Tess sensed a flicker of excitement lurking beneath the surface of his calm demeanor. Shaking her head, she chided herself for reading too much into it.
¡°Just tell me the time. I¡¯ll go to the airport and pick her up.¡±
This way, she could address everything during the drive, steering clear of any unnecessary prolonging of the situation.
¡°She¡¯s already on the ne,¡± Finn interjected quickly. ¡°I don¡¯t know her exactnding time. She¡¯s unreachable right now.¡±
He was all too aware of Tess¡¯s intentions, and there was no way he¡¯d allow her to navigate this situation so easily.
¡°Julia wants to have a calm talk with you. She¡¯ll likely be exhausted uponnding, so it¡¯s better to let her rest first. Come to the Lock family estate tonight. She specifically asked me to convey that to you.¡±
Finn¡¯s fist clenched slightly, his heartbeat quickening at the thought.
¡°The estate?¡±
Tess¡¯s voice dripped with skepticism, her toneced with irony.
In the entire span of their marriage, she had scarcely set foot in that ce¡ªyet now, after the divorce, Julia was extending an invitation.
¡°She also wants to see La.¡±
The mention of her daughter stilled Tess¡¯s racing thoughts.
Despite everything that had transpired between her and Finn, La remained his daughter. If Julia wished to see her granddaughter, Tess couldn¡¯t rightfully turn her away.
¡°Alright,¡± she finally conceded, ¡°but we won¡¯t be staying overnight.¡±
It was a minor concession, yet to Finn, it felt monumental.
¡°Great. I¡¯ll inform you the moment her flightnds,¡± he replied, barely able to suppress the eagerness in his voice.
¡°Alright.¡±
As the call ended, the oppressive gloom that had shadowed Finn for days seemed to dissipate, leaving a glimmer of hope in its wake.
Across from him, Julia stood with her arms crossed, a satisfied smirk gracing her features.
¡°Don¡¯t stay at the office this afternoon,¡± she ordered briskly. ¡°Head to the estate and prepare it. Make sure someone cleans your mother¡¯s old room too.¡±
Finn¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion, the small smile that had emerged from Tess¡¯s agreement fading into uncertainty.
¡°But she said she¡¯s not staying at the estate,¡± he reminded her gently, trying to maintain some semnce of reason.
Julia rolled her eyes in exasperation. ¡°She said that. Do you honestly believe her? The estate is quite a drive from Evermount Vi. If it getste, do you think she¡¯ll take the child out into the night? Use your brain. Honestly, how do you even manage apany?¡±
She let out an irritated snort, scrutinizing her grandson as if he were a puzzle she couldn¡¯t quite solve.
Can¡¯t even keep his wife and child, she thought, annoyance ring within her.
Finn¡¯s lips twitched, and he replied, ¡°That might not be appropriate.¡±
Julia¡¯s expression darkened, her hands nted firmly on her hips as she red at him. ¡°Inappropriate? Finn, you lost your wife. I¡¯m trying to help you win her back, and you¡¯re worried about manners? When both your wife and child are gone, let¡¯s see how appropriate you feel then!¡±
Her sharp voice echoed through the room, causing Finn to instinctively recoil. Yet her words lingered in the air, heavy and unyielding.
No Tess. No La. What kind of existence would that be?
¡°I understand,¡± he said quietly, his tone resolute.
Julia¡¯s re softened, morphing into a look of approval. ¡°Good. Now go prepare everything.¡±
Meanwhile, Tess was blissfully unaware of the machinations brewing between Finn and Julia. She simply felt it would be rude to visit without bringing something. sping La¡¯s hand, she made her way to the mall, intent on selecting some thoughtful gifts.
It had been far too long since she had the luxury of spending an entire day with her daughter, and the rare tranquility of the moment filled her with an odd sense of contentment.
¡°Hello¡ª¡±
¡°Wrap that up for me, please.¡±
Just as Tess spotted a stunning red jade bracelet, a crisp, confident voice sliced through the air behind her.Conclusion
As the day unfolded, Tess found herself caught in a delicate web of emotions, osciting between apprehension and a burgeoning sense of purpose. The impending meeting with Julia felt like a pivotal moment, not only for her but for La as well. With each step through the mall, the weight of her decision to confront the past settled morefortably on her shoulders. She recognized that this encounter was not merely about addressing Julia¡¯s presence in her life but also about reiming her own narrative. The gifts she chose were imbued with love and intention, symbolizing hermitment to healing the rift that had formed in her family. In this moment, Tess felt a flicker of hope¡ªperhaps this meeting could lead to understanding and closure, allowing her to step forward into a new chapter.
Meanwhile, Finn¡¯s internal struggle mirrored Tess¡¯s journey, as he grappled with the consequences of his choices and the desire to mend what had been broken. Julia¡¯s insistence on preparing the estate hinted at her own motives, yet Finn clung to the hope that this reunion could be a chance to rebuild the family he had lost. The tension in the air was palpable, yet beneath ity the possibility of reconciliation. As he moved toply with Julia¡¯s demands, Finn was driven by the realization that without Tess and La, his life would be devoid of meaning. In the end, both Tess and Finn stood on the precipice of change, each ready to face the shadows of regret that had haunted them, with the faint promise of a brighter, shared future glimmering just beyond the horizon.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Keepsake 583*, the tension between Tess and Julia is set to escte as their paths finally converge at the Lock family estate. With Tess¡¯s resolve to confront the truth about her divorce and Julia¡¯s intentions shrouded in mystery, readers can expect a charged atmosphere filled with unspoken emotions and hidden agendas. As Finn¡¯s conflicting loyalties tug at his heart, the stakes will rise, revealing theplexities of love, regret, and the lengths one will go to reim what has been lost. Will Tess stand her ground, or will the weight of the past pull her back into a tumultuous rtionship with Finn?
Meanwhile, the dynamics between Finn and his grandmother, Julia, will further unravel as her maniptive naturees to light. Finn¡¯s struggle to navigate his responsibilities as a father while contending with Julia¡¯s relentless push to rekindle his connection with Tess will create a riveting backdrop for the unfolding drama. Will Julia¡¯s tactics seed in reuniting the family, or will they only serve to deepen the rift? As Tess prepares for her visit, the air will crackle with anticipation, making it impossible for readers to predict the oue of this pivotal encounter. The chapter promises to delve into the heart of familial bonds, secrets, and the shadows of regret that haunt them all.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 584
Keepsake 584 Summary
In Chapter 584 of ¡°Keepsake 584,¡± Tess finds herself in a jewelry store, where she encounters a young woman whose privileged demeanor and arrogance immediately unsettle her. Despite her newfound calmness since bing a mother, Tess feels the tension rise as the girl, disying entitlement, begins to purchase every item Tess shows interest in. This confrontation draws the attention of other shoppers and sales associates, creating an atmosphere charged withpetition and unease.
As Tess continues to browse, the young woman interrupts her repeatedly, making it clear that she is intent on overshadowing Tess. Despite the growing hostility, Tess chooses to remainposed, disying a quiet confidence as she navigates through the store. The situation esctes when the girl¡¯s bodyguard steps in, revealing that she has exceeded her spending limit, which only intensifies the young woman¡¯s anger and frustration.
In a surprising turn, Tess seizes the opportunity to subtly undermine the heiress by agreeing with her disdain for a ne that the girl had initially wanted to purchase. This clever maneuver not only shifts the focus back to Tess but also highlights the heiress¡¯s superficiality. The onlookers are amused, and Tess feels a sense of satisfaction as she maintains her dignity amidst the unfolding drama.
The chapter culminates with the heiress confronting Tess in a fit of rage, realizing that Tess has seen through her facade. The young woman¡¯s fury is palpable, exposing her insecurities and the lengths she went to assert her superiority over Tess. The encounter leaves asting impression, showcasing themes of ss struggle, self-assurance, and theplexities of social interactions in a world defined by wealth and privilege.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 584**
**Chapter 584 Terms of Cooperation**
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Tess turned her head slightly, her brow creasing as she observed a young woman with an exquisitely delicate face¡ªone that bore the unmistakable marks of a life of privilege and indulgence. The girl¡¯s chin was tilted defiantly upward, exuding an air of arrogance that made Tess¡¯s stomach twist.
With a subtle shift of her fingers, Tess turned her gaze away, feigning interest in another disy case filled with trinkets. Since the birth of her child, she had found a newfound sense of calm, feeling somewhat detached from the trivial disputes that seemed to gue the world around her. The thought brought a faint smile to her lips.
Her fingertips grazed the surface of a bracelet adorned with gleaming emerald beads. ¡°Excuse me, could you¡ª¡±
¡°I¡¯ll take that. Wrap it up for me.¡±
Tess felt her frown deepen. The hostility dripping from the girl¡¯s voice was unmistakable, a sharp contrast to the serene atmosphere she had been trying to cultivate.
When Tess turned her head, she caught the girl¡¯s raised brows and the unmistakable glint of challenge in her eyes. Confusion washed over her. *I¡¯ve never encountered her before. What provokes a stranger to behave this way toward me?*
Choosing silence, Tess decided it would be wiser to steer clear of any potential conflict. She moved to another counter, hoping to continue her browsing in peace.
But it wasn¡¯t long before the sharp click of high heels echoed behind her, a sound that seemed to pursue her relentlessly.
Tess¡¯s ears perked at the sound. She narrowed her eyes and paused before a disy featuring an Imperial Amethyst bracelet, its deep purple hue captivating her. ¡°This one¡ª¡±
¡°I¡¯ll take it.¡±
Tess let out a quiet sigh, turning her gaze away once more. Her attention shifted to a diamond butterfly brooch, proudlybeled as an exclusive custom design, a one-of-a-kind piece that would surely catch anyone¡¯s eye.
The saleswoman opened her mouth to inquire, ¡°Would you like¡ª¡±
¡°Wrap that up for me too,¡± the girl interrupted, her tone dripping with entitlement.
At this point, the pattern had be ringly obvious. The tension that crackled in the air had attracted the attention of nearby shoppers, their eyes darting between the two women like spectators at a thrilling match. Even the sales associates began to steal nces, their curiosity piqued as they observed the unfolding drama.
Despite the growing unease around her, Tess maintained herposure. She strolled leisurely from one counter to the next, pausing only when something exquisite caught her eye. Each time she opened her mouth to speak, the same voice sliced through the air behind her, apanied by the unmistakable sound of a card being swiped.
Initially, the staff seemed perplexed by the situation. But as realization dawned that the affluent young woman was purchasing every item Tess expressed interest in, they grew anxious¡ªthen overly attentive, eager to cater to Tess before the next confrontation erupted. A faint smile yed at the corners of Tess¡¯s lips, but she quickly smoothed it away, focusing on her next target.
¡°This one¡¡± she gestured toward a stunning ne strung with the finest white pearls, their luster captivating.
As expected, before she could finish her thought, the familiar voice rose again behind her.
¡°I¡¯ll¡ª¡±
¡°Miss!¡±
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This time, the interruption came not from Tess but from the girl¡¯s own bodyguard, who stepped forward, his expression uneasy.
¡°Miss, your father has already indicated that you¡¯ve exceeded half of your spending limit. I¡¯m afraid this one¡ª¡±
The young woman¡¯s face turned a deep shade of crimson. She shot an incredulous re at the man, her fury palpable.
¡°Would you like us to wrap it up for you, miss?¡± one of the saleswomen interjected quickly, clearly terrified that the young heiress might change her mind.
The girl¡¯s expression contorted in disgust. ¡°Wrap it up? It¡¯s hideous. When did I ever say I wanted it? I¡¯m not like some people with such atrocious taste.¡±
The saleswoman who had been handling the ne froze, her heart sinking at the unexpected outburst. She had hoped to be as fortunate as some of her colleagues before her, but fate had other ns in store.
The items the girl had carelessly selected were all rare, high-value collectibles. If any of them sold, themission alone would be worth months of hard-earned wages. Now, she could only bite her lip in frustration and nce hopefully at Tess. *Perhaps this elegant woman still desires it. After all, her rival clearly doesn¡¯t.*
Tess smiled lightly, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. ¡°She¡¯s right. These pieces are rather ordinary. I thought they warranted a closer look, but it appears I was mistaken. I should thank thatdy for bringing it to my attention.¡±
A hush fell over the floor.
The onlookers exchanged amused nces, their eyes flitting toward the young woman, whose face was now shifting from red to an unsettling shade of green.
Tess acted as if she hadn¡¯t noticed the stir she had caused. Calmly, she retrieved her phone and dialed Connor. ¡°Mr. Hale, could you create a custom brooch in the shape of a swallow for me?¡±
¡°Is it urgent?¡± His voice came through, low and steady.
¡°Somewhat. I¡¯ll need it by this evening.¡±
¡°That¡¯s a bit of a rush,¡± Connor chuckled softly. ¡°But I¡¯m free this afternoon. I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡±
¡°Thank you,¡± Tess replied with a faint smile before ending the call.
Feeling satisfied, she turned to leave¡ªonly to feel a sudden hand grip her shoulder tightly.
Frowning, she nced back to find the same young woman standing behind her, her face twisted in fury.
¡°You dared to make a fool of me?¡±
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The onceposed heiress was now a tempest of rage. Her eyes were bloodshot, her entire face flushed with indignation.
She hadn¡¯t genuinely wanted those pieces; she had merely purchased them to assert her superiority. And Tess had seen through her charadepletely.Conclusion
In the midst of the chaos, Tess emerged not only unscathed but empowered, having navigated the tumultuous encounter with grace and wit. The young heiress, once a figure of intimidation, had unraveled before her, revealing the insecurities masked by arrogance. Tess¡¯s calm demeanor served as a mirror, reflecting the shallow nature of the girl¡¯s actions while allowing her own confidence to shine through. As she walked away from the scene, a sense of victory washed over her, not just for herself but for all those who had felt belittled by the privileged elite. This moment became a testament to her growth, a reminder that true strength lies not in wealth or status but in the ability to stand tall in the face of adversity.
As Tess stepped out of the store, the weight of the encounter faded, reced by a renewed sense of purpose. The experience had reignited her understanding of her own worth, a realization that resonated deeply within her as a mother and as an individual. The trivialities of the past felt distant, overshadowed by the rity that came with her newfound perspective. With each step, she felt lighter, ready to embrace the world not just as a spectator but as an active participant, unafraid to assert herself and her desires. The day had transformed from a mere shopping trip into a pivotal moment of self-affirmation, leaving Tess with theforting knowledge that she could face any challenge thaty ahead, armed with her own resilience and the unwavering love for her child.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, readers can anticipate a dramatic esction in the confrontation between Tess and the furious heiress. With the tension already palpable, Tess¡¯s calm demeanor may be put to the ultimate test as the young woman, now unhinged, seeks to reim her dignity and assert her dominance. Will Tess stand her ground, or will she find herself drawn into a web of conflict that challenges her newfound sense of peace? The stakes are raised, and the atmosphere is thick with anticipation as onlookers hold their breath, eager to see how this sh of wills will unfold.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Tess¡¯s character, revealing how her recent experiences as a mother have transformed her perspective on confrontation andpetition. As she navigates this unexpected turmoil, Tess may uncover hidden strengths and assertive instincts that she never knew she possessed. Will she emerge victorious, or will the heiress¡¯s wrath lead to unforeseen consequences? With each twist, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how Tess will maneuver through this high-stakes scenario, and what it will mean for her future in a world rife with privilege and rivalry.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 585
Keepsake 585 Summary
In Chapter 585 of **Keepsake 585**, tension builds between Tess and a furious woman, who feels wronged. Tess maintains a calm and innocent demeanor, which only exacerbates the other woman¡¯s anger. Her bodyguard, Darius, tries to manage the situation, urging restraint as he senses the potential for chaos. Tess, oblivious to the storm brewing, suggests a trip to an ice cream shop to cool off, disying her kindness even in the face of hostility. As she leaves, the nket she carries reveals a baby, sparking a moment of recognition and disbelief between the furious woman and Darius.
The encounter leaves asting impression on Darius, who is captivated by Tess and the baby, La. The woman¡¯s anger dissipates as she realizes the child resembles someone significant to her, hinting at deeper connections and unresolved emotions. Meanwhile, Tess dismisses the incident as a minor inconvenience and focuses on her mission to find a gift for Julia, contemting a custom piece of jewelry that reflects Julia¡¯s refined yet youthful spirit.
As Tess navigates her thoughts, she cherishes the time spent with La, feeling a mix of tenderness and nostalgia for her daughter¡¯s growth. The narrative shifts to the Lock Group Headquarters, where Julia and Finn discuss the impending arrival of Roxanne, a figure from Finn¡¯s past. Finn¡¯s irritation grows as he worries that Roxanne¡¯s presence willplicate his ns to win Tess back, while Julia seems to see the situation as an opportunity for Finn to confront his feelings.
Julia¡¯s insight into love and rtionships bes a focal point as she questions Finn¡¯s understanding of love in light of his feelings for Tess. The chapter ends with a sense of anticipation, as the characters prepare for the family dinner, where emotions are likely to run high, and unresolved issues maye to the forefront. The intery of emotions¡ªanger, tenderness, and theplexities of love¡ªsets the stage for potential revtions and confrontations in the chapters toe.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 585**
**Chapter 585: Leverage and Betrayal**
Tess narrowed her eyes, a delicate smile ying on her lips, her demeanor soft and disarmingly innocent. ¡°I beg your pardon, miss, but what exactly are you referring to? Fooling you? I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not quite following.¡±
Her voice was light, almost tinged with kindness, which only served to intensify the other woman¡¯s simmering fury.
¡°You know perfectly well¡ª¡±
¡°What do I know?¡± Tess inquired, her tone pleasant, her eyes as clear as the finest ss. The woman¡¯s flushed, furious face was reflected in those eyes, a mirror to her rage.
For a moment, the woman froze, her anger morphing into embarrassment. But just as she was about to unleash her fury, her bodyguard grasped her wrist, holding it firmly. His warning gaze was sharp, a silent plea for restraint.
¡°Miss, we came to Aetheris to see Mr. Lock. Please, let¡¯s not stir up trouble here,¡± he murmured, his forehead glistening with sweat.
He understood his young mistress could be impulsive, but this reckless behavior was unlike her. If she provoked a scene in this ce, the consequences could be dire.
Yet, as his eyes flickered toward Tess, he found himself studying her face a moment longer, captivated.
It was easy to see why his charge was so incensed. The woman standing before them exuded an effortless calm, a serenity that could make anyone feel foolish inparison.
¡°I apologize, ma¡¯am,¡± the guard quickly added, lowering his head in a gesture of respect.
Tess lifted her chin slightly, her smile warm and gentle. ¡°It¡¯s quite alright. However, your youngdy seems a bit overheated. I assume you¡¯re not from Aetheris¡ªthere¡¯s a delightful ice cream shop right outside. Perhaps you could take her there to cool off.¡±
Without sparing them another nce, she hoisted her bag and began to walk away.
As she turned, a corner of the nket she clutched shifted, revealing the round, rosy face of the baby nestled within.
The furious woman¡¯s words caught in her throat, her gaze fixated on the child, and her expression faltered.
¡°Darius,¡± she murmured, tugging at her bodyguard¡¯s sleeve, ¡°look at her¡¡±
The man, Darius Crowe, followed her gaze. The moment his eyesnded on the baby, his breath hitched in surprise.
¡°This¡¡± he stammered, visibly taken aback.
The young woman¡¯s hand clenched into a tight fist. ¡°You see it too, don¡¯t you? She looks exactly like¡ª¡± Their eyes met, disbelief washing over them, but Tess was already disappearing, carrying La out of the mall.
To Tess, this encounter was nothing more than an unpleasant brush with an entitled stranger. She swiftly banished the memory from her mind as she made her way toward Evermount Heights.
Earlier, she had spotted several pieces of jewelry that could serve as suitable gifts for Julia¡ªelegant and stately, although perhaps a tad too conservative. From what Tess had gathered, Julia was known for her refinement, yet she possessed a surprisingly youthful spirit. After some contemtion, Tess decided that a custom-made piece from Connor would be the best choice.
She had chosen the swallow motif for a specific reason. Julia Hart had married into the Shaw family long ago, though her rootsy elsewhere. Even during her marriage to Finn, she had never seemed entirely connected to the Locks. Finn himself bore his mother¡¯s surname, not his father¡¯s.
As Tess walked, her thoughts began to drift. She nced down to find La¡¯s bright eyes gazing up at her, tiny fingers yfully tugging at her hair.
It had been quite some time since she had spent an entire afternoon solely with her daughter. After carrying La around the mall, her arms were beginning to ache, but the sight of how quickly her little girl was growing filled her heart with a profound tenderness.
**Lock Group Headquarters, Top Floor.**
¡°Lowes¡¯ girl is here already?¡±
Julia reclinedfortably in the chair Finn had arranged for her, amusement dancing in her eyes.
Finn¡¯s expression darkened at the mention of the name, a headache already looming on the horizon.
Julia noticed the shift in his demeanor and smirked, choosing not toment further.
Across the room, Zane shifted ufortably, ncing between them with a puzzled expression.
¡°Grandma, how did she even know you wereing?¡± Finn asked, rubbing at his temples, irritationcing his voice.
It wasn¡¯t just Roxanne¡¯s loud, willful personality that irked him¡ªshe had a knack for creating chaos wherever she went. He had gone through all this trouble to bring Julia here to help him win Tess back, and thest thing he needed was for Roxanne to show up and ruin everything.
Julia caught the reproach in his tone and shot him a sharp look. ¡°Personally, I think Roxanne¡¯s timing is impable.¡±
Finn frowned, incredulity etched on his face. ¡°Impable? How can you possibly think that?¡±
Julia¡¯s smile was knowing, as if she held a secret. ¡°That girl has been attached to you since childhood. If she traveled all this way, it¡¯s for you. And when the family dinner takes ce at the estate tonight, she¡¯ll insist on joining us.¡±
Finn groaned, his head lolling back in exasperation. ¡°How is that impable? Is there any chance we can send her home now?¡± He reached for his phone, muttering, ¡°I¡¯ll call the Lowes right now and have them take her back.¡±
¡°Wait!¡±
Julia stepped forward quickly, catching his hand before he could dial.
Her grip was firm, her gaze intense. Finn looked at her, bewildered. ¡°Grandma?¡±
Julia shook her head slowly, her expression serious. ¡°Finn, do you know why the first thing I asked when I arrived here¡ªafter learning about you and Tess¡ªwas whether you even understand what love is?¡±Conclusion
In the aftermath of the encounter, Tess found herself enveloped in a bittersweet sense of rity. The fleeting moment of tension had ignited a cascade of emotions within her, but as she cradled La in her arms, those feelings began to settle into a gentle warmth. The chaos of the mall faded into the background, reced by the soft cooing of her daughter and the realization that the world around her was not as daunting as it once seemed. With each step toward Evermount Heights, Tess embraced the profound connection she felt with La, a bond that transcended the misunderstandings and conflicts that had once clouded her heart. The baby¡¯s innocentughter echoed in her mind, reminding her that love, in its purest form, could heal even the deepest wounds.
Meanwhile, in the Lock Group Headquarters, the tension between Finn and Julia hinted at theplexities of love and familial ties that were yet to unfold. Julia¡¯s unwavering belief in the significance of Roxanne¡¯s presence suggested that sometimes, chaos could lead to unexpected resolutions. Finn¡¯s frustration reflected his inner turmoil, caught between his past and the hope of rekindling his rtionship with Tess. As the evening approached, the stage was set for revtions and reconnections that would challenge their understanding of love and loyalty. In this intricate web of rtionships, each character stood on the precipice of transformation, where the threads of their lives would intertwine in ways they could not yet foresee, leading them toward a future that held the promise of redemption and reconciliation.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as the dynamics between Tess, Finn, and the unexpected arrival of Roxanne be increasingly intricate. With Julia¡¯s cryptic warning about love lingering in the air, Finn must confront not only his feelings for Tess but also the implications of Roxanne¡¯s presence. Will he be able to navigate the emotional minefield that lies ahead, or will his past choicese back to haunt him? As the family dinner approaches, the stakes are raised, and secrets threaten to unravel, leaving Finn with difficult decisions that could alter the course of his rtionships forever.
Meanwhile, Tess is on a path of her own, blissfully unaware of the brewing storm. Her tender moments with La juxtaposed against the chaos at the Lock Group Headquarters hint at a deeper connection that could either fortify or fracture the fragile bonds between them all. As she prepares for the evening¡¯s gathering, will Tess¡¯s past collide with her present in unexpected ways? The reader will find themselves on the edge of their seat, eager to discover how these intertwining lives will converge, and whether the fragile threads of love and loyalty can withstand the weight of betrayal and ambition.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 586
Keepsake 586 Summary
In Chapter 586 of ¡°Keepsake 586,¡± titled ¡°Love is Perishable,¡± Finn grapples with the harsh reality of his failed marriage to Tess. An unexpected conversation with his grandmother, Julia, reveals the depth of his emotional turmoil. She exins that while Finn once had Tess¡¯s love, he failed to nurture it, leading to their divorce. Now, as he yearns to win her back, Julia warns him that if Tess no longer loves him, his efforts will be in vain. Finn is overwhelmed by her words, feeling as if he is on the brink of despair, struggling to understand how their love could fade so quickly.
Julia, observing her grandson¡¯s distress, expresses her sorrow and emphasizes the fragility of love, stating that it can wither under disappointment. She prepares to witness the uing meeting between Finn and Tess, noting that if Tess shows no signs of jealousy when another woman is present, even her intervention might not change the oue. Finn, once a figure of strength, now appears vulnerable and lost, battling the realization that love can be fleeting andplex.
Meanwhile, Tess is engaged in her own life, receiving a visit from Connor, who brings her a beautifully crafted brooch. Their interaction is warm and filled with anticipation, contrasting sharply with Finn¡¯s emotional struggle. As Tess prepares to meet Julia, she is unaware of the deeper currents of affection and tension swirling around her, particrly with Finn¡¯s unresolved feelings. Connor¡¯s quiet dedication to his art and his concern for Tess addyers to the unfolding narrative.
As the chapter progresses, we see Julia¡¯s determination to create a meaningful connection with her great-granddaughter, La, regardless of the oue between Finn and Tess. Julia¡¯s reflections on love¡¯splexities and hermitment to family illustrate the bittersweet nature of rtionships. The chapter concludes with the arrival of Roxanne, who brings her own brand of energy to the scene, setting the stage for further developments in the intertwined lives of these characters.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 586**
**Chapter 586: Love is Perishable**
The abrupt change in conversation sent Finn reeling, his mind struggling to adjust.
He bit down gently on his lower lip, a habit he had developed when caught off guard. ¡°Why?¡± he asked, his voice barely above a whisper,den with confusion and a hint of desperation.
The olddy¡¯s demeanor shifted, her expression transforming into one of unexpected gravity. Her gaze drifted out toward the open courtyard beyond the office windows, the serenity of the evening contrasting sharply with the tension in the room. Her voice, though calm, carried a weight of experience. ¡°When you married Tess, it was because she loved you. And now, as you stand here divorced and yearning to win her back, it¡¯s because you love her. But back then, your love wasn¡¯t strong enough; you pushed her away at every opportunity. Even under my pressure, your actions were merely obligations. But Tess? This time, no one ispelling her. If she no longer loves you, then every effort you make will be futile.¡±
Her words struck Finn like a physical blow, knocking the breath from his lungs. Hisplexion drained of color, and the rhythmic pounding of his heart filled his ears, drowning out all other sounds.
¡°Grandma, she used to love me so fiercely. She pursued me for years! How could it¡ how could it just vanish in such a short span of time?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice trailed off, choked with emotion as he battled the bitterness rising in his throat. He felt as if he were standing on the edge of an abyss, the ground crumbling beneath him.
Julia observed him in silence, her heart aching for her grandson. Finally, she exhaled a soft sigh, the sound tinged with sorrow.
The lines around her eyes deepened with concern as she reached out, cing a gentle hand on his shoulder. ¡°Finn, love is a perishable thing. It withers away when it¡¯s nurtured with disappointment.¡±
Finn swayed slightly, as though the very foundation of his world was shifting.
Julia pressed on, her tone taking on a more practical edge. ¡°When Roxanne arrives, I will be watching closely. If Tess can sit there and witness another woman cling to you without so much as a flicker of jealousy or emotion¡ then even my intervention would be futile.¡±
She straightened, her gaze now fixed on her grandson, who sat behind the massive desk, a figure of both strength and vulnerability.
In her eyes, Finn had always been extraordinary¡ªsharp,posed, and driven to an almost relentless degree. Even after severing ties with the Shaws, he had carved out a ce for himself in Aetheris through sheer determination. Yet, she had never seen him so unmoored, not even once. And now, all of this turmoil was for a woman he had once been hesitant to marry.
A bittersweet irony tugged at her heart. Love, she mused, is perhaps the most perplexing riddle life has ever devised.
With that thought, she resolved to seize this moment to craft a gift for her beloved great-granddaughter, La.
As a great-grandmother, she felt a profound sense of duty. Even if Tess chose not to reconcile with Finn, La would always be her great-granddaughter. Julia would cherish her as family, no matter the circumstances.
The mere thought brightened the heavy atmosphere that had enveloped Finn¡¯s office. Her frail but graceful figure seemed to lighten, her steps quickening with purpose. There was a spark of excitement dancing in her eyes.
¡°La, my darling, your great-grandma is on her way!¡±
¡ª
That evening, the long-abandoned Lock family estate in Aetheris glowed with a vibrant array of lights, a stark contrast to its usual solitude.
Tess had just stepped outside, eager to check on the progress of the brooch Connor was crafting for her, when she spotted him arriving in person.
His warm smile was afort, and he held up an exquisitely packaged jewelry box, the corners adorned with delicate emeralds, pearls, and diamonds, creating a harmonious blend of ssic elegance and contemporary ir.
¡°You came all the way here yourself?¡± Tess eximed, blinking in surprise, a swell of warmth blossoming in her chest.
¡°Didn¡¯t want to keep you waiting,¡± Connor replied, his eyes bright with anticipation. ¡°Here, take a look.¡±
He handed the box to her, and Tess epted it, shaking her head in gratitude. ¡°I trust your work implicitly. But I need to hurry¡ªit¡¯s getting dark. Drive safely.¡±
A quick nce at her watch confirmed her urgency; she was cutting it close to the time she had promised Julia. With a sense of quiet determination, she moved swiftly.
Connor nodded, watching as she climbed into a cab, the vehicle disappearing down the road.
The sky still held thest remnants of twilight, hues of purple and orange mingling in a breathtaking disy. Connor sighed inwardly, his gaze dropping to the small nicks and cuts on his fingertips. A wry smile tugged at his lips, a reminder of the price of creativity.
Even as a seasoned veteran in the design world, he still managed to bleed for his art.
He brushed his thumb over the rough patches of skin and climbed back into his car. But after a moment¡¯s pause, he decided to swing by Evermount Heights to check on La.
Meanwhile, at the Lock family estate, a conspicuously modified, diamond-dusted pink sports car roared up the drive, its engine echoing like a thunderp.
By the time Roxanne stepped out, Julia was already seated in the indoor conservatory, savoring her tea.
¡°Mrs. Shaw!¡± Roxanne chirped, breezing past the line of house staff, her usual arrogance evaporating the moment sheid eyes on Julia.
With syrupy sweetness, she dashed forward, wrapping her arms around the elderly woman.
Julia¡¯s face softened into a warm smile, her hand lovingly patting the girl¡¯s hair, a gesture that was both affectionate and subtly polite. ¡°Roxanne, don¡¯t tell me you snuck out again without letting your family know?¡±
Her voice was teasing, but her knowing gaze left little room for denial.
Roxanne stuck out her tongue, a yful grin spreading across her face. ¡°You already know, Mrs. Shaw! Why tease me about it?¡±
Julia chuckled softly but chose to say no more, until she felt a sudden drop in temperature behind her.
Turning slightly, she wasn¡¯t surprised to see a tall, cold figure standing there, rigid and imposing like a cier.
Roxanne followed her gaze, and when her eyesnded on Finn¡¯s sharply defined face, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
¡°Finn¡¡±Conclusion
In the end, the emotional currents swirling around Finn and Tess had reached a critical juncture, where love¡¯s fragility became painfully clear. Finn stood at the precipice of realization, grappling with the remnants of a love he once took for granted. Julia¡¯s words echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder that love, when neglected, can wither away, leaving behind only the specter of what once was. As he watched the world shift around him, he understood that his journey to win Tess back was not merely about reiming a lost love; it was a quest for redemption, a chance to confront the mistakes of his past and acknowledge the depth of his feelings. The weight of his grandmother¡¯s wisdom pressed upon him¡ªlove must be nurtured, or it risks bing a mere memory.
Meanwhile, Tess stood on the cusp of new beginnings, her heart stirred by the presence of Connor and the unexpected warmth of his gesture. As she hurried through the twilight, her mind danced between the past and present, the specter of Finn lingering just out of reach. Yet, with each step, she felt a burgeoning sense of autonomy, a recognition that her happiness did not solely hinge on the remnants of a rtionship that had once defined her. The vibrant lights of the Lock estate illuminated her path, symbolizing hope and the promise of new connections. In that moment, both Finn and Tess were on parallel journeys¡ªone seeking to reim what was lost, the other embracing the possibility of what could be. The conclusion of this chapter marked not just an ending, but the dawn of choices that could reshape their lives forever.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of **Keepsake 586**, readers can expect the simmering tension between Finn and Tess to reach a boiling point as the arrival of Roxanneplicates matters even further. With Julia¡¯s poignant warnings still echoing in his mind, Finn finds himself torn between the remnants of his past love and the uncertainties of his present. As he grapples with his emotions, the stakes will rise dramatically. Will he muster the courage to confront Tess about their fractured rtionship, or will Roxanne¡¯s presence create an insurmountable barrier? The air will be thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings, setting the stage for a confrontation that could change everything.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s interaction with Connor will take on new significance as she navigates her feelings for both men. The exquisite brooch he crafted serves as a symbol of her conflicting loyalties and desires. Will this new connection with Connor deepen her resolve to move on from Finn, or will the ghosts of their paste rushing back, forcing her to confront her true feelings? As the evening unfolds at the Lock family estate, the atmosphere will crackle with anticipation, and the choices made will reverberate far beyond the confines of the estate. Each character¡¯s journey will intertwine in unexpected ways, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the next twist in this intricate tale of love, loss, and the quest for redemption.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 587
Keepsake 587 Summary
In Chapter 587 of ¡°Keepsake 587,¡± the atmosphere is charged with anticipation as Julia whispers to Finn about a mysterious arrival, saying, ¡°Grandma, she¡¯s on her way.¡± Finn appears distant, lost in thought, while Roxanne, curious and confused, tries to decipher who ¡°she¡± is, sensing a flicker of emotion from Finn. This moment sparks irritation in Roxanne, as she recalls rumors about Finn¡¯s marriage and wonders if ¡°she¡± could be his wife, despite their divorce.
As the narrative unfolds, Tess arrives, stepping out of a taxi in a flowing white dress that captures everyone¡¯s attention. Julia, recognizing Tess, greets her warmly, recalling her previous involvement in Tess¡¯s marriage to Finn. However, Julia¡¯s initial approval of Tess contrasts with the tension in the room, especially from Roxanne, who appears envious and hostile. Finn observes the interaction with a mix of hope and disappointment as Tess avoids his gaze, highlighting the unresolved emotions between them.
Julia¡¯s nurturing demeanor towards Tess is evident as she reaches for her wrist, and the two share a moment of connection. Roxanne¡¯s jealousy intensifies, and Julia yfully questions Tess about her reluctance to engage. The warmth between Julia and Tess grows, but the underlying tension remains palpable, especially as Julia inquires about Tess¡¯s daughter, La. Tess exins her decision to leave La at home, which momentarily dims Julia¡¯s excitement.
Julia insists on giving gifts to La, but Tess hesitates, feeling ufortable epting them due to her divorce from Finn. Julia¡¯s frustration surfaces as she insists that Tess remains part of the family, emphasizing her connection to La. The chapter closes with Julia¡¯s insistence that Tess ept the gifts, revealing theplexities of family ties and the emotional weight of past rtionships, leaving both women at an impasse filled with unspoken feelings and expectations.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 587**
**Chapter 587: She¡¯s On Her Way**
In a soft, almost theatrical whisper, she spoke, her toneced with an exaggerated delicacy. ¡°Grandma, she¡¯s on her way.¡±
Finn remained unresponsive, his gaze fixed elsewhere, as if he were lost in thoughts far removed from the present moment.
Julia, however, caught the whisper and gradually straightened her posture, her curiosity piqued.
Roxanne, standing nearby, was left in a state of confusion. She?
Unable to contain her intrigue, Roxanne cautiously lifted her gaze, scrutinizing Finn¡¯s expression for any hint of what this ¡°she¡± might mean.
He seemed utterly indifferent when she called out his name, but the moment that enigmatic ¡°she¡± was mentioned, Roxanne detected a flicker of emotion in his otherwise stoic demeanor¡ªa fleeting spark that was both subtle and unmistakable.
Suddenly, a wave of irritation washed over Roxanne.
Who was this ¡°she¡± they were talking about?
Her mind raced back to the whispers she¡¯d heard in Kingnd¡ªrumors swirling about Finn¡¯s supposed marriage. Did that imply that ¡°she¡± was his wife?
But wait¡ weren¡¯t they already divorced?
Julia¡¯s voice cut through the air, firm andmanding, ¡°What are all of you standing around for? Go greet her at the door!¡±
Just as she finished her sentence, a voice rang out from the entrance, proiming, ¡°Ms. Ember is here!¡±
All three of them turned in unison, surprise etched on their faces. Tess emerged from a taxi, her simple white dress flowing around her like a gentle breeze, exuding an air of cool elegance that seemed almost ethereal.
Julia squinted for a moment, a flicker of recognition dancing in her mind.
It wasn¡¯t until Tess, escorted by a waiting maid, stepped closer that Julia¡¯s expression transformed, her eyes lighting up with a warmth that could melt the coldest of hearts. ¡°You must be Tess?¡± she inquired, her voice soft and inviting.
Tess pivoted toward the sound, her gazending on Julia. The older woman wore a flowing robe, her round face radiating brightness, with her ck eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky.
Understanding the history that connected her to the woman before her¡ªwho had once known her grandmother¡ªTess maintained a respectful demeanor, her lips curling into a gentle smile as she nodded. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, yes, that¡¯s me.¡±
Julia¡¯s eyes roamed over Tess from head to toe, a glimmer of approval shining in her gaze.
Tess was as graceful as the moon, delicate and almost fragile at first nce. Yet, her posture was upright and resolute, akin to a steadfast pine tree standing tall in a deep, serene valley.
Julia¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the time she had orchestrated Tess¡¯s marriage to Finn. She recalled how just dayster, Finn had called her in a huff,ining that he had been saddled with a troublemaker.
But the girl standing before her now was a far cry from the trouble Finn had described.
Tess shifted slightly under Julia¡¯s scrutinizing gaze, her eyes flitting towards the slender woman positioned beside Julia.
It was the same woman with whom she had shed at the mall earlier, and now, that woman was staring at her with a look of utter disbelief.
Finn observed as Tess¡¯s gaze moved from Julia to Roxanne, but she never cast a nce in his direction. The hope that had briefly ignited within him moments ago seemed to crumble, leaving behind a dull ache in his chest.
Tess felt the weight of Finn¡¯s intense stare but resolutely avoided meeting his eyes.
¡°It¡¯s getting dark outside. We should head inside,¡± she suggested, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Julia smiled gently, reaching for Tess¡¯s wrist with a motherly touch.
Instinctively, Tess bowed her head, striving to be as respectful as possible.
From her vantage point, Roxanne¡¯s expression turned green with envy. She rushed forward, intertwining her arm with Julia¡¯s. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, let me assist you!¡±
Her tone was bright, yet the re she shot at Tess told a different story, one filled with unspoken hostility.
Tess barely flinched. Just as she was about to release her grip, Julia held on tighter. ¡°Why are you pulling away? Are you trying to escape because you¡¯re disappointed to see me?¡±
Julia¡¯s face was stern, yet there was a yful undertone to her words.
Tess had no choice but to allow Julia to keep hold of her hand, shaking her head in earnest. ¡°Of course not, Mrs. Shaw. How could I ever be?¡±
Only then did Julia¡¯s expression soften, her warmth wrapping around Tess like aforting nket.
¡°Tess, where is La?¡±
Before they had even entered the main house, Julia¡¯s curiosity bubbled to the surface.
¡°She¡¯s still quite young. If it¡¯ste, I don¡¯t take her out,¡± Tess replied softly, her voice carrying a gentle tone.
Julia¡¯s face fell slightly in disappointment, but she nodded in understanding. ¡°That makes sense.¡±
¡°Then you¡¯ll have to take my gifts back for her,¡± Julia insisted, her finger pointing towards a pile of beautifully wrapped boxes arranged on a padded mat in the corner where house nts once thrived, each adorned with neat ribbons and bows.
Tess hesitated, caught off guard by the gesture.
¡°Um¡¡±
But Julia, sensing her reluctance, gave her hand a reassuring pat, maternal affection radiating from her. ¡°You married Finn so long ago, and I never had the chance to give you anything. Now that La is here, these gifts are the least I can do. Please, have someone send them to Evermount Heights for her.¡±
Tess felt a rush of surprise on La¡¯s behalf, but her instinct was to refuse.
She shook her head firmly. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, Finn and I are divorced now. I only came because I wanted to visit you. Now that you¡¯re in Aetheris, I simply wanted to bring you a small gift. Honestly, it wouldn¡¯t feel right for me to take all of this.¡±
Julia¡¯s expression darkened at her words, a hint of frustration creeping in.
¡°Even if you and Finn are divorced, you were still part of our family, and La will always be my great-granddaughter. You deserve these gifts. If you don¡¯t take them, I¡¯ll be upset. Please, don¡¯t make me angry!¡±Conclusion
As the evening unfolded, the tension that had initially clung to the air began to dissipate, reced by a budding warmth that wrapped around the group like an embrace. Tess, caught between the remnants of her past with Finn and the unexpected eptance from Julia, felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. The gifts, thoughden with memories of a life once shared, symbolized a bridge between her and the family she had once been a part of. Julia¡¯s insistence on honoring La, despite the divorce, was a gesture that transcended the boundaries of theirplicated history. It was a reminder that familial ties, once formed, could bend but not break, and that love could still flourish in unexpected ways.
Roxanne, observing the scene unfold, felt the sharp pang of jealousy begin to dull, reced by a reluctant admiration for Tess. The ethereal woman who had once seemed like a ghost from Finn¡¯s past was now standing resolutely in the present,manding respect and warmth from Julia. In that moment, Roxanne realized that Tess was not merely an obstacle in her path but a person worthy ofpassion and understanding. As Julia¡¯s yful reprimand softened the atmosphere, it became clear that the emotional arc of this reunion was not just about reconciliation but about eptance and the potential for new beginnings. With the shadows of the past receding, the promise of a renewed connection lingered in the air, hinting at a future where love, in its many forms, could thrive once more.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension in the room thickens with unspoken words and lingering nces, readers can anticipate a dramatic confrontation in the next chapter. With Julia¡¯s insistence on Tess epting her gifts, the underlyingplexities of family dynamics wille to the forefront. Will Tess finally reveal the true nature of her rtionship with Finn, or will she continue to sidestep the emotional minefield that lies between them? The air is charged with questions, and as Roxanne¡¯s jealousy simmers, her next move could either escte the conflict or lead to unexpected alliances.
Moreover, the arrival of Tess marks a pivotal moment that will undoubtedly unravel old wounds and ignite fresh tensions. Finn¡¯s silent struggle with his feelings for Tess promises to be explored more deeply as he grapples with his past decisions and the consequences they have wrought. Will he muster the courage to confront his emotions, or will he retreat further into his shell? As the night unfolds, the shadows of their shared history will loomrge, and the revtions that await could change everything for the characters involved. Prepare for a chapter filled with raw emotions, unexpected twists, and the potential for reconciliation¡ªor further heartbreak.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 588
Keepsake 588 Summary
In Chapter 588 of ¡°Keepsake 588,¡± the atmosphere is charged with unspoken emotions as Julia expresses her distress, prompting Finn to break the silence with a gentle suggestion about a gift for La. Tess acknowledges Julia¡¯s effort, and the moment shifts as Julia¡¯s sorrow gives way to a glimmer of happiness, seeking Finn¡¯s approval. This exchange highlights the underlying tension and concern among the characters, particrly as Finn contemtes the gifts surrounding them, aware that not all are from Julia.
Roxanne, who has been quietly observing, suddenly takes center stage by presenting her own gifts to Julia, showcasing her enthusiasm and excitement. However, Tess feels a flicker of challenge beneath Roxanne¡¯s cheerful demeanor, especially as she recognizes the jewelry items that Roxanne had previously taken from her. The tension esctes as Tess grapples with her feelings of rivalry, knowing that Roxanne harbors a crush on Finn,plicating her own status as his ex-wife.
As Roxanne disys hervish gifts, Tess bes anxious about her own present, fearing it may not measure up. Julia¡¯s role as the family matriarch adds to Tess¡¯s pressure, as she worries about disappointing her. Meanwhile, Roxanne¡¯s confidence grows, fueled by her belief that winning Julia¡¯s favor could also win her Finn¡¯s attention. The rivalry intensifies, creating an ufortable atmosphere filled with unresolved feelings.
Finn¡¯s intervention aims to diffuse the situation, but it only heightens Roxanne¡¯s frustration as she questions his defense of Tess. This moment reveals theplex dynamics at y, with Roxanne feeling overshadowed by Tess and grappling with her own insecurities about Finn¡¯s affections. The chapter concludes with a palpable tension in the room, leaving everyone on edge as they navigate their tangled emotions and rtionships.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 588**
**Chapter 588: Thank You, Mrs. Shaw**
As Julia uttered her words, her expression shifted, and she turned away, a genuine look of distress crossing her features. The moment felt heavy, charged with unspoken emotions.
¡°This is something Grandma spent the whole afternoon picking out. Maybe La will like it?¡± Finn finally broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried the weight of his concern.
Tess took a moment, her thoughts racing. She then nodded towards Julia, a small gesture that conveyed more than mere acknowledgment. ¡°Then I¡¯ll thank you on La¡¯s behalf, Mrs. Shaw.¡±
At this, a spark ignited in Julia¡¯s eyes, her earlier sorrow melting away, reced by a glimmer of happiness. She cast a furtive nce at Finn, as if searching for his approval.
Finn¡¯s fingers curled slightly, and a subtle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a hint of warmth amidst the tension. His gaze wandered to the assortment of gifts piled before them, each one a testament to thoughtfulness and care.
Yet, he knew that not every item in that collection came from Julia¡¯s hands¡
His eyesnded on Tess, who remained steadfast, her demeanor calm despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling around them. She didn¡¯t need to turn her head to sense his scrutiny; it was palpable.
¡°Since you got La something, Julia, why don¡¯t you take a look at what I prepared for you, too?¡± Tess suggested, her voice light and inviting, as she lifted the gift bag in her hand, a smile ying on her lips.
However, before Julia could respond, Roxanne, who had been silently observing until now, sprang into action. She positioned herself right in front of Julia, effectively cutting Tess off. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, I prepared something for you, too! You should see my presents first!¡±
Without waiting for anyone to react, she dashed into the living room, her excitement palpable, and returned momentster, armsden with a small mountain of gifts.
¡°Mrs. Shaw, look at these exquisite pieces of jewelry I picked out just for you! I know you¡¯ll absolutely adore them!¡± Her voice brimmed with genuine enthusiasm, radiating a vibrant energy that filled the room. Yet, Tess couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that beneath Roxanne¡¯s cheerful exteriory a flicker of challenge.
Tess¡¯s eyes flicked to the jewelry boxes sprawled across the table. As anticipated, these were the very items Roxanne had snatched from her during their shopping trip at the mall. The tension in the air thickened, and Tess could sense Roxanne¡¯s hostility, sharper and more pronounced than it had been during their earlier encounter.
Ever since the moment they had stepped into the house, Tess had noticed how Roxanne¡¯s gaze kept drifting towards Finn. Each time, her eyes would light up momentarily, only to drop shyly, filled with girlish excitement. It was clear: she was smitten with Finn.
At the mall, they had been mere strangers. But now, with Roxanne¡¯s feelings for Finnid bare, Tess felt the weight of her status as Finn¡¯s ex-wife. To Roxanne, she was not just a former partner but a rival in love.
While Tess was still navigating these tangled emotions, Roxanne had already begun unveiling the treasures within the boxes, eagerly presenting each piece to Julia.
¡°Look at this stunning ruby bangle! Itplements your skin tone perfectly, Mrs. Shaw. You won¡¯t find ruby bangles of this quality easily, even in Kingnd!¡±
¡°And here¡¯s a magnificent set of emerald jewelry. This emerald ne paired with matching earrings is simply divine.¡± Roxanne held the ne aloft, allowing the light to catch its facets, a proud smile gracing her lips. ¡°This is a top-tier piece, and it truly suits your style.¡±
¡°There¡¯s so much more¡¡± she continued, her excitement bubbling over as she showcased each box, spreading them out to dominate a significant portion of the table.
Just a quick nce revealed the extent of hervish spending, and Tess couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of anxiety.
Julia, ying along, picked up a few items, her smile genuine as she addressed Roxanne. ¡°Thank you, Roxanne. These are all wonderful.¡±
Roxanne, buoyed by the praise, turned her attention to Tess, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. ¡°What about you, Ms. Ember?¡±
There was an unmistakable glint in her gaze, as if she were eager to witness Tess¡¯s gift pale inparison.
The mall where they had met was thergest, most extravagant one in all of Aetheris, a ce where rare treasures were abundant. What could Tess possibly have found after leaving such a grand establishment that could rival Roxanne¡¯s offerings?
If Tess¡¯s present didn¡¯t measure up, would Julia be disappointed? Would she think Tesscked respect for her?
Julia had always held the position of matriarch within the Shaw family, a role thatmanded respect and attention, even from Finn. If Roxanne could win Julia¡¯s favor, it would undoubtedly bolster her chances with Finn, too.
The more Roxanne contemted this, the more her spirits lifted, and her earlier regret about her extravagant purchases faded into the background.
¡°Roxanne,¡± Finn interjected, his voice cool and edged with warning, cutting through the atmosphere like a knife.
When his icy gaze finally settled on her, Roxanne felt a surge of frustration bubble within her.
¡°Finn!¡± she eximed, her voice rising in indignation. ¡°Mrs. Shaw gave Ms. Ember¡¯s child so many gifts! I merely wanted to see what Ms. Ember had for her in return. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±
¡°Finn, why are you acting like this?¡± she added, feigning a delicate gesture by lifting her hand to dab at her eyes, though her re remained fiercely directed at Tess.
The fact that Finn seemed to care so deeply about his ex-wife caught her off guard, intensifying her irritation.
Hmph, Finn is defending her in front of everyone. That woman must be feeling quite pleased with herself.
A bitter taste filled Roxanne¡¯s mouth as she wrestled with her thoughts. She was acutely aware that Tess had been the one to capture Finn¡¯s heart first. How had Tess gotten so lucky to end up marrying him? Meanwhile, Roxanne had chased after Finn for years, and he had never even held her hand!
The tension in the room thickened, and the atmosphere crackled with unresolved feelings and unspoken rivalries, leaving everyone on edge as they awaited the next move.Conclusion
In the aftermath of the emotional turmoil, the room stood as a testament to theplexities of human rtionships, each character grappling with their own insecurities and desires. Julia¡¯s initial distress transformed into a moment of joy, as she realized the thoughtfulness behind the gifts meant for her and La. Finn¡¯s protective instincts came to the forefront, showcasing his loyalty to Tess, while also revealing the simmering tensions among the women vying for his attention. The yful rivalry between Roxanne and Tess intensified, highlighting their contrasting approaches to love and eptance. Each interaction became a delicate dance, underscored by the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future.
As the chapter drew to a close, the emotional arc reached a pivotal point, leaving the characters at a crossroads. Tess, despite her anxiety, stood firm, embodying resilience in the face of adversity. The unspoken bond between her and Finn was palpable, hinting at a deeper connection that transcended their shared history. Meanwhile, Roxanne¡¯s bravado masked her vulnerability, revealing the lengths she was willing to go to win Julia¡¯s favor and, by extension, Finn¡¯s heart. With the air thick with unresolved tension, the stage was set for a reckoning, where each character would need to confront their feelings and the choices thaty ahead, ultimately shaping the narrative of their intertwined lives.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, the simmering tension between Tess and Roxanne is poised to reach a boiling point. As Roxanne continues to showcase her extravagant gifts, Tess must grapple with her insecurities and the fear of being overshadowed. The stakes are higher than ever, not just for her own self-esteem but also for her rtionship with Finn, who seems to be caught in the crossfire. Will Tess find the courage to step forward and reveal her own carefully chosen gift, or will she allow Roxanne¡¯s boldness to dictate the narrative? The air is thick with anticipation as the dynamics shift, and readers will be left wondering how Tess will assert herself in this emotionally charged atmosphere.
Moreover, Finn¡¯s protective instincts toward Tess hint at deeper feelings that mayplicate the situation further. As he navigates the delicate bnce between his past and present, his reactions to Roxanne¡¯s provocations will reveal more about his character and his unresolved feelings for Tess. Will he stand firm in defense of his ex-wife, or will he finally confront the reality of his current rtionships? The chapter promises to delve into these intricate emotionalndscapes, leaving readers eager to see how the characters will respond to the mounting pressures around them. With each revtion, the stakes will rise, and the true nature of their connections will beid bare. The unfolding drama is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats, as they await the next twist in thisplex love story.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 589
Keepsake 589 Summary
In Chapter 589 of ¡°Keepsake 589,¡± the tension between Tess, Roxanne, and Julia esctes during a seemingly innocent gift exchange. Tess presents Julia with a beautifully crafted swallow brooch as a token of appreciation, which evokes warmth and admiration from Julia. The brooch, adorned with vibrant gemstones, captures the essence of a bird in flight and leaves Julia momentarily speechless. Tess¡¯s humility shines through as she downys the gift¡¯s significancepared to Roxanne¡¯s wealth, creating a stark contrast between their worlds.
However, the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Roxanne, feeling threatened by Tess¡¯s gesture, uses her of lying about the brooch¡¯s origin. This usation catches Tess off guard, stirring confusion and apprehension within her. Finn, who is present, reacts with irritation towards Roxanne¡¯s dramatics, defending Tess and threatening to remove Roxanne from the celebration if she continues her disruptive behavior. This confrontation reveals the underlying tensions andplexities in their rtionships, particrly the remnants of Finn and Tess¡¯s past.
Roxanne¡¯s outburst intensifies the situation, as she insists that the brooch is the work of a renowned designer, aiming to undermine Tess¡¯s credibility. Julia steps in to mediate, urging Roxanne to rify her ims. As the confrontation unfolds, it bes evident that Roxanne¡¯s jealousy and desire to assert her status are driving her usations. The chapter encapstes a moment of vulnerability for Tess, who grapples with the implications of Roxanne¡¯s words while trying to maintain herposure in a charged environment.
Overall, the chapter highlights themes of jealousy, social status, and theplexities of friendship. Tess¡¯s genuine gesture is overshadowed by Roxanne¡¯s insecurities, creating a poignant moment that reflects the emotional intricacies of their interactions. As the tension builds, the reader is left to ponder the impact of societal expectations and personal histories on rtionships.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
**Keepsake 589**
**Chapter 589: She¡¯s Lying**
Tess stood there, her expression unwavering, as the exchange between Roxanne and Julia unfolded before her. ¡°I could never hope to match Ms. Lowe¡¯s generosity,¡± she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. ¡°This is merely a small token of my appreciation. It¡¯s not much, but I hope it finds a ce in your heart.¡±
Julia, on the other hand, felt a warmth spread through her at Tess¡¯s words. She understood the subtle differences in their worlds; Roxanne hailed from a prestigious lineage in Kingnd, a realm of wealth and privilege that Tess could never truly prate.
¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Tess,¡± Julia replied with a gentle smile, giving Tess¡¯s hand a reassuring pat. ¡°If ites from the heart, it holds immeasurable value.¡±
With a faint smile gracing her lips, Tess carefully opened the gift box, her movements delicate and tender. There was no flourish, no ostentation; just a quiet grace that seemed to encapste her entire being.
Roxanne, however, couldn¡¯t suppress a dismissive nce. Yet, as her gaze fell upon the contents of the box, it was as if time froze. Insidey a breathtaking swallow brooch, meticulously crafted from an array of gemstones. Despite the hardness of the materials, the brooch exuded a lifelike quality, capturing the essence of a real bird in flight.
The swallow¡¯s body was adorned with vibrant emeralds, its eyes glimmering rubies, and its wings were intricately detailed with tiny white diamonds that outlined each feather with precision. The craftsmanship was so exquisite that even the gossamer-thin emeralds on the wings spoke volumes about the artisan¡¯s skill.
It wasn¡¯t just the luxurious materials that rendered it extraordinary; it was the artistry that had brought the piece to life. Even Julia, who had encountered her fair share of opulence, found herself momentarily speechless, her eyes wide with admiration.
¡°Tess, where on earth did you find such a stunning brooch?¡± she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she kept her fingers hovering just above the piece, wary of causing any damage.
¡°This brooch pales inparison to the exquisite jewelry Ms. Lowe has spent countless hours selecting,¡± Tess replied humbly, her modesty shining through. Julia nodded in approval, her eyes sparkling with delight and warmth.
¡°I truly adore it. Thank you so much, Tess,¡± Julia said, her gaze locking with Tess¡¯s, sincerity radiating from her every word.
With a gentle touch, Tess picked up the brooch. ¡°It would be my honor to help you wear it,¡± she offered, her voiceced with kindness.
Julia¡¯s face lit up with joy as she turned to let Tess pin the brooch onto her attire. ¡°This is absolutely marvelous! I feel years younger already,¡± she eximed, her eyes sparkling brighter as they met Tess¡¯s gaze.
Roxanne observed the scene with a mix of irritation and envy as Juliavished Tess with genuinepliments. The atmosphere was charged with warmth, a stark contrast to the hollow niceties Roxanne had previously received. A pang of difort squeezed her heart, leaving behind a dull ache that she couldn¡¯t quite shake off.
¡°Mrs. Shaw, that¡¯s not right!¡± Roxanne¡¯s voice sliced through the moment, her eyes fixated on the brooch. Julia turned to her, startled by the sudden interruption.
¡°Roxanne? What is it? What¡¯s troubling you?¡± Julia asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Roxanne¡¯s demeanor shifted, a sense of urgency creeping into her tone. ¡°Ms. Ember mentioned that she had this brooch custom-made by a friend,¡± she dered, her gaze piercing into Tess.
Tess narrowed her eyes, uncertainty swirling within her. She remainedposed, nodding slowly. ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± she affirmed, though a flicker of apprehension ignited within her.
¡°She¡¯s lying!¡± Roxanne¡¯s voice rose, her finger jabbing usingly at Tess.
The usation caught Tess off guard, her brow furrowing in confusion. Finn¡¯s expression darkened, a shadow of annoyance crossing his features as he witnessed Roxanne¡¯s dramatics.
¡°Roxanne, if you¡¯re intent on ruining Grandma¡¯s birthday celebration, I will have the Lowes escort you out this very moment,¡± Finn said, his voice icy and unwavering.
A shiver ran through Roxanne at his words, and the sting of unshed tears pricked at her eyes. ¡°Finn! I¡¯m not fabricating this! You two are divorced, so why are you still defending her?¡±
Fury bubbled within her, yet she refrained from unleashing it on Finn. Instead, she turned her ire toward Tess, her re sharp and usatory.
Tess felt a wave of confusion wash over her, her gaze darting to Finn before quickly averting it. It was true, as Roxanne had pointed out¡ªthey were divorced. Why was Finn so intent on defending her? Perhaps, she mused, he was simply concerned about the integrity of Julia¡¯s birthday celebration.
¡°Alright, let¡¯s all take a breath. We¡¯re not children anymore,¡± Julia interjected, stepping forward to ease the rising tension.
She turned to Roxanne, her expression patient yet firm. ¡°You im Tess is lying. What exactly do you mean by that?¡±
With Julia¡¯s calm demeanor serving as a balm, Roxanne regained herposure, her confidence surging back. ¡°I recognized the brooch the instant Iid eyes on it. This design is unmistakably the work of Wayne Dickinson, the former chief designer at Cavrielle. Ever since he left, no one has been able to replicate the vividness of his diamond iys. Those tiny diamonds along the wings are his signature style,¡± she dered, her voice dripping with authority as she lifted her chin, casting a frosty re at Tess.Conclusion
In the aftermath of Roxanne¡¯s outburst, the room hung heavy with tension, the warmth that had enveloped Tess and Julia now fractured by suspicion and usation. Tess stood at the center of it all, her heart racing as she grappled with the weight of Roxanne¡¯s words. She had given the brooch as a symbol of gratitude, a gesture meant to bridge the gap between their disparate worlds, yet now it felt like a weapon turned against her. Julia¡¯s supportive presence was a balm, yet Tess couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the fragile bond they had forged was at risk. The uncertainty of her truth lingered in the air, threatening to unravel the moment of joy she had hoped to create.
But as Julia stepped forward with grace and authority, the tide began to shift. Her calm demeanor provided a counterbnce to Roxanne¡¯s vtility, reminding everyone in the room of the real purpose of their gathering¡ªthe celebration of love and connection. Tess felt a flicker of hope ignite within her as she watched Julia stand up for her, a testament to the strength of their friendship. In that moment, Tess realized that the true value of the broochy not in its material worth but in the heartfelt intentions behind it. As the confrontation unfolded, she understood that no matter the oue, she had already won something far more precious: a bond forged through authenticity and kindness, one that could withstand even the sharpest barbs of jealousy and doubt.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the uing chapter, the tension in the room esctes as Roxanne¡¯s bold usation hangs heavily in the air. With Julia caught between her loyalty to Tess and her disbelief in Roxanne¡¯s ims, readers can anticipate a gripping confrontation that will reveal deeper truths about each character¡¯s motivations and insecurities. As the celebration spirals into chaos, the delicate bnce of friendships will be tested, and hidden agendas maye to light. Will Julia stand by Tess, or will doubts about the brooch¡¯s origin sway her judgment?
Moreover, Tess¡¯sposure will be put to the ultimate test as she faces Roxanne¡¯s relentless scrutiny. The stakes rise as Finn¡¯s protective instincts sh with hisplicated feelings for both women, leaving him to navigate a minefield of emotions. As the chapter unfolds, expect unexpected alliances to form and secrets to unravel, all while the opulent backdrop of Julia¡¯s birthday celebration serves as a stark contrast to the brewing storm. The atmosphere will be charged with anticipation as each character grapples with their truths, leading to a revtion that could change everything. Will the bonds of trust hold strong, or will the weight of deceit shatter them?
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 590
Keepsake 590 Summary
In Chapter 590 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± tensions rise as Roxanne confronts Tess about a brooch that Tess gave to Julia, iming it to be custom-made. Roxanne¡¯s usations are fueled by jealousy and contempt, as she suggests that Tess merely purchased one of Wayne¡¯s old designs instead of having it specially made. Tess, feeling cornered, realizes that if Wayne was involved, it was likely through Connor, the CEO of Cavrielle. Despite the pressure, Tess maintains herposure, asserting that the brooch was indeed a custom piece designed by a friend.
Roxanne esctes her attack, questioning the authenticity of the brooch and implying that Tess may have presented a fake gift. This usation shifts the focus from whether the piece was custom-made to whether it is genuine, which could have serious implications for Tess. As tensions mount, Finn¡¯s protective instincts kick in, and he warns Roxanne to back off. The confrontation reveals Roxanne¡¯s vulnerability, as she struggles with being scolded for the first time, especially by Finn, whom she deeply cares for.
Despite the hostility from Roxanne, Tess remains calm and collected. When Roxanne challenges her to prove her ims, Tess surprises everyone by agreeing to invite her friend over, who designed the brooch. This unexpected move catches Roxanne off guard, leaving her in disbelief. Tess¡¯s confidence in her decision hints at her determination to stand her ground, regardless of the usations thrown her way. The chapter ends with a sense of anticipation, as Tess prepares to confront Roxanne¡¯s doubts head-on, suggesting that she is ready to reveal the truth and challenge the narrative that Roxanne has created.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 590 I¡¯ll Invite Him Over
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¡°She didn¡¯t have a friend custom¨Cmake it for her. She probably just bought one of Wayne¡¯s old designs!¡±
Roxanne dered proudly, her gaze filled with rage and contempt as she looked at Tess, as if to say, See? Isn¡¯t it embarrassing to be caught doing something like this?
Tess frowned.
She could tell Roxanne was out to get her, but the way she spoke and acted just now made it clear she hadn¡¯t made anything up.
Tess¡¯s gaze shifted to the brooch on Julia¡¯s chest.
Wayne Dickinson¡
She moved her lips, not sure how to respond.
She¡¯d asked Connor to have the brooch made, and if Wayne was involved, it could only have been through Connor¡¯s ties as Cavrielle¡¯s current CEO. Was it possible that Wayne happened to be in Aetheris and made the piece as a special request?
Tess really was at a loss.
But her silence only made Roxanne bolder.
¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything now? If you can¡¯t think of a good excuse, I suggest you just admit it,¡± Roxanne taunted, folding her arms. ¡°Some people always use something store¨Cbought to pass off as a custom¨Cmade piece. It¡¯s just gross.¡±
She even scrunched up her face in a show of disgust.
The way she carried herself was petty and hostile, and Finn¡¯s face turned even colder.
His jaw tightened, but when his cold gazended on Tess¡¯s pursed lips, his anger faded a little. He was about to tell Roxanne to get out when Tess spoke up first.
¡°This really was a custom piece my friend designed for me¨Ceven the box was custom¨Cmade, too. If it really was something I bought for my own collection, I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s wrong as a gift. Why would I bother lying about it?¡±
Tess shook her head slightly, staying perfectly calm.
Julia¡¯s gaze lingered on Tess, and she nodded along.
¡°That¡¯s enough, Roxanne
¡°Your friend? Are you telling me your friend is Wayne?¡± Roxanne caught Julia¡¯s expression and raised her voice, her stare icy. ¡°Wayne is the only one who could have designed this, and as far as I know, he hasn¡¯t made anything in years. Are you telling me he came out of retirement just for you?
nu, Dec 11
Chapter 590 I¡¯ll Invite Him Over
¡°Or maybe¡¡±
Roxanne suddenly seemed to get an idea. ¡°Did you have someone copy his work? Is this a fake?¡±
Everyone fell silent.
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Now the question wasn¡¯t just about whether Tess¡¯s gift was custom¨Cmade or store¨Cbought, but whether it was even real. That was a much bigger deal.
No one could ept getting a knockoff as a gift.
Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed. She didn¡¯t answer. She just fixed Roxanne with a chilly stare, thinking she was being ridiculous.
¡°Ms. Lowe, if you¡¯re that curious, maybe you should meet my friend,¡± Tess said, her tone dripping with sarcasm for once.
Roxanne lifted her chin. ¡°Fine. Have your friend show up. What, is he Wayne¡¯s student? Even if he was, anyone with that reputation wouldn¡¯t be friends with someone like you.¡±
She made no effort to hide her contempt.
¡°Roxanne, that¡¯s enough.¡±
¡°Roxanne, say one more word and you¡¯re out!¡±
Julia and Finn¡¯s voices ovepped, both of them stepping in to stop Roxanne from attacking Tess any further.
Roxanne still wanted to keep going, but one look at their expressions shut her up.
She bit her lip hard, tears gathering in her eyes.
As the only daughter in her family, she¡¯d been spoiled her whole life, with two older brothers who always protected her. No one at home had ever scolded her like this. What made it worse was that it came from Finn¨Cthe person she cared about most.
He¡¯d yelled at her for his ex¨Cwife!
¡°I won¡¯t ept it! If she can¡¯t prove it, then she gave Mrs. Shaw a fake! What right does someone like that have to be at Mrs. Shaw¡¯s birthday party?¡±
Roxanne shouted, her eyes locked on Tess, like a wolf ready to pounce.
Even Zane could sense Finn¡¯s anger boiling over. He wanted to say something, but then a soft voice cut in.
¡°All right.¡±
Tess nodded, her face calm.
Everyone seemed to freeze.
20:56 Thu, Dec 11 BR
Chapter 590 I¡¯ll Invite Him Over
Roxanne stared, stunned. ¡°What did you say?¡±
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Tess smiled. ¡°I said, all right. You wanted to meet my friend, didn¡¯t you? If that¡¯s what you want, I¡¯ll invite him over.¡±
Roxanne stared at Tess¡¯s calm face in shock, convinced she was just bluffing.
How could she be so confident after giving away a knockoff as a gift? Conclusion
In the face of Roxanne¡¯s relentless taunts and usations, Tess found her voice, not just to defend herself but to reim her dignity. By inviting Roxanne to meet her friend, she took a bold step that shifted the power dynamic in the room. No longer the target of ridicule, Tess transformed the narrative, turning what was meant to be a moment of embarrassment into an opportunity for validation. Her calm demeanor in the face of adversity spoke volumes about her resilience and determination. It was a moment of quiet strength, a deration that she would not be diminished by the opinions of others, especially not by someone like Roxanne.
As the tension in the room hung thick, the reactions of Finn and Julia further highlighted the shift in allegiance. They stood by Tess, not only as friends but as allies, reinforcing her decision and taking a stand against Roxanne¡¯s bullying. This collective support underscored the emotional arc of the chapter, where Tess transitioned from a ce of uncertainty and vulnerability to one of empowerment and confidence. The impending arrival of her friend, a figure of respect and talent, promises to disrupt the status quo and challenge the misconceptions surrounding her. In this pivotal moment, Tess not only solidifies her ce among her peers but also sets the stage for a confrontation that will redefine her rtionships and self-worth.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as Tess prepares to invite Wayne over, a decision that could either vindicate her or unravel herpletely. With Roxanne¡¯s usations hanging in the air like a storm cloud, the stakes have never been higher. Will Wayne¡¯s presence confirm Tess¡¯s im of authenticity, or will it expose her to further humiliation? The anticipation of Wayne¡¯s arrival will undoubtedly send ripples through the group, forcing each character to confront their own insecurities and motives. As the confrontation looms, the dynamics between Tess, Roxanne, and Finn will shift, revealing deeperyers of jealousy, loyalty, and theplexities of their rtionships.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve into Tess¡¯s past with Wayne, shedding light on their friendship and the circumstances that led to the creation of the brooch. Readers will be left wondering what secrets lie beneath the surface and how they will impact the unfolding drama. Will Tess¡¯s confidence pay off, or is she stepping into a trap set by Roxanne? The emotional stakes are high, and as the characters grapple with their feelings, the tension will build to a breaking point. Prepare for unexpected revtions and intense confrontations that will leave you on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next twist in this gripping narrative.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 591
Keepsake 591 Summary
In Chapter 591 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°I¡¯ll Head Over Right Now,¡± Roxanne¡¯s surprise is palpable when she learns that Tess ims to have connections to Wayne, a renowned jewelry designer. Roxanne, who has studied jewelry design and knows Wayne has never taught anyone, is skeptical of Tess¡¯s ims regarding a brooch meant for Julia. Determined to expose Tess, Roxanne observes her closely, convinced that Tess¡¯s middle-ss background makes it impossible for her to have any true connections to Wayne.
Tess, feeling the pressure from Roxanne, decides to call her friend Connor, who designed the brooch, toe and rify the situation. As she speaks with him, her anxiety eases, but she feels guilty for putting him in this position. Connor¡¯s calm demeanor reassures her as he agrees toe over right away, despite her concerns about inconveniencing him. The conversation takes a turn when a child¡¯s voice, La, is heard on the phone, catching both Tess and Connor off guard.
Roxanne, listening intently, feels a sense of satisfaction at the prospect of Tess being exposed. She anticipates that once Julia and Finn see Tess¡¯s true nature, they will stop defending her. Meanwhile, Julia, who had been enjoying the birthday celebration, feels a wave of helplessness as the situation esctes. The mention of La, Tess¡¯s daughter, stirs emotions in Finn, who reflects on his past with Tess and the child they share, leading to a moment of introspection about his own feelings and regrets.
As Julia urges Tess to have Connor bring La along, Tess reluctantly agrees, realizing it would be a good opportunity for La to meet her great-grandmother. Julia¡¯s excitement and warmth toward Tess create a stark contrast to the tension in the room, as she prepares to wee Tess and offers her tea. The chapter closes with a sense of anticipation, highlighting the emotional stakes for all characters involved as they await Connor¡¯s arrival.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 591 I¡¯ll Head Over Right Now
Chapter 591 I¡¯ll Head Over Right Now
Roxanne heard Tess¡¯s response and couldn¡¯t hide her surprise.
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She¡¯d studied jewelry design herself, and she even went to the same university as Wayne. She knew for a fact that Wayne had never taken any students.
That was why she¡¯d been so sure Tess¡¯s brooch for Julia was a knockoff.
¡°Fine!¡±
Roxanne replied crisply, her eyes locked on Tess searching for any sign of panic
If Tess wanted to keep up the act, she wasn¡¯t about to let her off the hook.
She¡¯d even gone out of her way to look into Tess¡¯s background beforeing. Tess was just the daughter of a middle¨Css family from some out¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cway corner of Krigan. Apparently, even her own rtives didn¡¯t like her much.
Someone like that couldn¡¯t possibly have connections to Wayne.
¡°You said it yourself. Don¡¯t me me for being pushy. Go ahead, call your friend over.¡±
Tess actually pulled out her phone and started dialing.
¡°Tess? Why are you calling me now? Aren¡¯t you at Julia¡¯s birthday dinner? Did something happen? Is it about the brooch?¡±
Connor¡¯s voice was calm and steady as always, and Tess instantly felt her anxiety ease.
She apologized, ¡°Yeah, someone¡¯s insisting the brooch is fake and wants to meet you in person.¡±
She already felt bad enough for asking Connor to design the brooch, let alone having hime all this way for her. She honestly had no idea how to repay him.
¡°All right, no big deal. Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ll head over right now.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t lower her voice on the call, so everyone there could hear her and Connor.
Just then, a child¡¯s soft voice echoed through the phone.
Roxanne sneered inwardly.
Wayne had been a legend in the jewelry design industry for decades. He had to be over forty now, so there was no way he¡¯d sound that young
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Chapter 591 I¡¯ll Head Over Right Now
Tess was clearly putting on a show.
She waited eagerly for Tess to be exposed.
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She was sure that once Julia and Finn saw Tess¡¯s true colors, they¡¯d stop defending her. That would be her chance.
That thought alone filled her with satisfaction, and she already felt like she¡¯d won.
She even sneaked a nce at Finn, her cheeks flushed with nervous anticipation.
Julia had never expected Roxanne¡¯s arrival would turn a warm, peaceful celebration into such a mess. She feltpletely helpless.
¡°Mommy?¡±
A small, childish voice rang out from the phone.
Connor hadn¡¯t expected La to realize who he was talking to so quickly.
Tess was caught off guard as well. ¡°La? Why are you with Connor?¡±
Connor exined, ¡°After I dropped off the brooch, I figured La might be bored at Evermount Heights. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to keep herpany for a while.¡±
Tess murmured an acknowledgment, nning to end the call soon. But Julia came right over, gripping Tess¡¯s wrist with a sense of urgency. ¡°Is that my sweetheart, La?¡±
Her eyes met Tess¡¯s, as if she needed confirmation that the child on the line was Tess and Finn¡¯s daughter.
Finn straightened unconsciously.
He¡¯d only met La a handful of times, but hearing her call ¡°Mommy¡± so clearly made something twist in his chest.
If I hadn¡¯t divorced Tess ¡ would La be calling me Daddy¡® now, too?
He remembered the times she¡¯d tried to call him ¡°Daddy,¡± and now the memory of it echoed in his mind, leaving his throat strangely tight.
¡°Tess, if your friend is watching La, why not have him bring her over, too?¡±
Julia¡¯s tone was gentle but firm. Her grip on Tess wrist left no room for refusal.
Tess figured La should meet her great¨Cgrandmother anyway. Julia had prepared so many gifts for La; it¡¯d be too cold not to let La see her in person.
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Chapter 591 I¡¯ll Head Over Right Now.
So she nodded and asked Connor to bring La along.
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The moment Tess agreed, Julia lit up with happiness. She pulled Tess over to sit at the table. ¡°It¡¯ll take a while for your friend to get here. This estate isn¡¯t exactly close to Evermount Heights.¡±
She looked warmer and more weing than ever.
¡°You must be hungry after all this waiting. I¡¯ll have the chef bring out some desserts for you.¡±
She poured Tess a cup of hot tea herself, her tone full of care.
Tess could feel Julia¡¯s excitement, so she epted the tea with calm grace Conclusion
As the tension in the air began to dissipate, Roxanne¡¯s anticipation of Tess¡¯s downfall slowly transformed into an unexpected sense of unease. The warmth radiating from Julia and the genuine concern for La¡¯s presence shifted the dynamics of the evening. Tess, once a mere target of her scrutiny, now stood at the center of a familial reunion that Roxanne had not anticipated. The realization that her attempts to undermine Tess were backfiring left her feeling hollow, as theughter and excitement of the gathering contrasted sharply with her own bitterness. It was a stark reminder that sometimes, in the pursuit of proving oneself right, one can lose sight of the connections that truly matter.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and anxiety as she prepared for Connor¡¯s arrival with La. The prospect of her daughter meeting her great-grandmother filled her with hope, and the warmth of Julia¡¯s hospitality reassured her that perhaps, despite the chaos, she was carving out a ce in this family. As she epted the tea and settled into the moment, the weight of her past began to lift, reced by the promise of new beginnings. In that fleeting instant, surrounded by theughter of loved ones and the innocent call of her daughter, Tess realized that her journey was not just about proving herself; it was about embracing the love and eptance that had always been within reach.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, tensions will undoubtedly escte as Connor makes his way to the birthday dinner, bringing with him the potential for revtion and confrontation. Roxanne¡¯s anticipation of Tess¡¯s impending exposure will reach a boiling point, and readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering how the dynamics will shift once Connor arrives. Will he confirm or deny Tess¡¯s ims? The atmosphere is charged with uncertainty, and the stakes are higher than ever as the truth about the brooch¡ªand Tess¡¯s connections¡ªhangs in the bnce.
Moreover, the emotional undercurrents will deepen as Finn grapples with his feelings for La and the memories of his past with Tess. His internal conflict will add anotheryer ofplexity to the unfolding drama. Julia¡¯s eagerness to meet her great-granddaughter will juxtapose the brewing conflict, creating a poignant backdrop that highlights the fragility of family ties. As the characters navigate their intertwined rtionships, readers can expect unexpected alliances, revtions, and perhaps even a few shocking twists that will leave them eager for more. The next chapter promises to be a thrilling mix of drama, emotion, and suspense that will keep everyone guessing.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 592
Keepsake 592 Summary
In Chapter 592 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± the tension is palpable as Julia orchestrates a meeting between Finn and Tess, hoping to address underlying issues. Finn¡¯s bitterness is evident as he observes the calmness of Tess, contrasting sharply with his own emotions. He feels a deep sense of resentment, especially as he realizes that Connor is weed into Tess¡¯s life while he is kept at a distance. This realization amplifies his feelings of jealousy and regret over their divorce, making him wish he could turn back time and make different choices.
The arrival of Connor and his daughter La shifts the atmosphere dramatically. Julia¡¯s excitement over La¡¯s resemnce to Finn momentarily distracts her from the tension, but Finn¡¯s difort grows as he watches the family dynamic unfold. He feels like an outsider, grappling with the pain of seeing Tess with someone else. Despite knowing he has no right to these feelings post-divorce, he struggles to contain his emotions, wishing he could intervene and reim what he lost.
As the conversation turns to the brooch¡¯s authenticity, the tension esctes further. Connor¡¯s calm demeanor contrasts sharply with Roxanne¡¯s shock upon realizing his identity as Wayne Dickinson, a renowned designer. The revtion leaves her feeling resentful and confused, as she grapples with the implications of his presence and connection to Tess. The atmosphere in the room shifts as Julia seeks rification from Connor, leading to a moment of collective surprise when he confirms the brooch¡¯s authenticity, furtherplicating the already tense situation.
Overall, this chapter captures a whirlwind of emotions¡ªregret, jealousy, excitement, and confusion¡ªas the characters navigate theirplicated rtionships and unresolved feelings. Finn¡¯s internal struggle is at the forefront, highlighting the pain of lost love and the difficulty of moving on, while the interactions among the characters reveal deeper connections and tensions that are yet to be fully explored.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 592 What Do You Mean by That?
Chapter 592 What Do You Mean by That?
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Julia pulled Finn to sit directly across from Tess, giving Finn a quick, meaningful wink as she did.
She figured if she stepped in herself, Finn had to y along, too.
Finn sat down, sneaking a look at Tess before taking his seat.
Tess remained as calm as ever, showing no hint of emotion.
Finn felt a wave of bitterness. Even the tea in his mouth tasted bitter.
He had noticed earlier that Connor coulde and go at Tess¡¯s ce at Eve as he pleased, while he himself was always kept out.
¡°Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Lock, someone is here!¡±
Zane¡¯s voice broke through the tension as he hurried over.
Julia immediately called for the estate doors to be opened.
Heights
Connor appeared at the entrance in a pale gray suit, holding a little girl with wide, curious
eyes.
¡°Oh my sweetheart!¡±
The second Julia saw La, she couldn¡¯t hold back. She practically leapt up from her seat and hurried over to La.
¡°Look at those eyes and that nose¨Cshe looks just like Finn. What a beautiful child!¡±
Overwhelmed by excitement, Julia crouched by La¡¯s side, unable to take her eyes off her cute face. At that moment, nothing else mattered¨Cnot even the origin of the brooch on her chest.
Nothing was more important than her great¨Cgranddaughter.
Connor watched as Julia blocked the way, then nced at Tess with a bit of helplessness.
That was when Tess finally stood up to help Julia ¡°Mrs. Shaw, crouching is bad for your knees. Why don¡¯t you go back to your seat? I¡¯ll bring La over.¡±
¡°Mommy!¡±
La called out to Tess, her voice clear as a bell. Julia, totally charmed, nodded at everything
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Chapter 592 What Do You Mean by That?
Tess said and hurried back to her seat, but her eyes never left La.
Tess reached for La, motioning for her toe over.
¡°Careful.¡±
Connor gently passed La over, his tone soft.
The two of them looked surprisingly good together.
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But Finn just found the sight unbearable. He felt as if there were pins stabbing his eyes.
He wished he could kick Connor out on the spot or at least warn him to stay aw
But¡
All he could do was clench his fists under the table.
Since signing the divorce papers, he had no right to be jealous or angry.
Tess.
If only I could go back and stop myself from agreeing to that divorce. I¡¯d trade anything to change that
moment.
I should have stayed with Tess, no matter what. Even if she hated me, that would still be better than living without her.
Nobody knew what was going on beneath Finn¡¯s tense, controlled face, except maybe Connor, who gave him a long look before sitting down.
It just so happened that Finn looked up right then.
Their eyes met. Neither of them spoke, but the tension was unmistakable.
¡°Tess already exined everything to me before I came.¡± Connor broke the silence, his tone as calm and collected as ever.
Roxanne, meanwhile, stared in disbelief, her jaw dropping.
¡°So you¡¯re the one questioning the brooch¡¯s authenticity?¡±
Connor rested his arm casually on the table, smiling calmly.
As soon as he finished, Roxanne could feel everyone¡¯s eyes on her.
Tess nodded. ¡°Yes, Ms. Lowe insisted the only possible designer was Mr. Wayne Dickinson, and she said I couldn¡¯t possibly know him, so whatever I had must be a fake.¡±
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Chapter 592 What Do You Mean by That?
¡°You have sharp eyes, Ms. Lowe.¡±
Connor smiled at her, his voice light but with a chill behind it.
Roxanne clenched her teeth in shock.
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He is Wayne! Wayne¡¯s design piece was something she could only dream of. Even her senior project had referenced his early designs.
But what is Wayne doing here in Aetheris, and how did he know Tess?
Resentment and confusion boiled inside her, but there was nothing she could say
They locked eyes¨Che calm andposed, she clearly unsettled.
Julia looked at both of them, confused as to what was going on. Roxanne, who had just been so lively, was now silent.
¡°Mr. Hale, what do you mean by that?¡±
Julia turned to Connor for rification.
Connor nodded politely to Julia. ¡°Honestly, Ms. Lowe¡¯s analysis was right on target. This design really is Wayne Dickinson¡¯s signature style.¡±
Julia was stunned to hear Connor admit it so directly. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying this brooch¡
41 Conclusion
In the charged atmosphere of the room, Finn¡¯s internal turmoil reached a crescendo as he grappled with the undeniable reality of his situation. The sight of Tess bonding with Connor and their daughter, La, was a painful reminder of the choices he had made. Each moment felt like a dagger to his heart, forcing him to confront the consequences of his past decisions. The weight of regret settled heavily upon him, as he realized that the love he once shared with Tess was now overshadowed by the life she had built without him. Finn¡¯s longing for a different oue intensified, leaving him torn between the desire to reim what he had lost and the understanding that his actions had irrevocably altered their paths.
As the conversation unfolded around him, Finn felt a flicker of hope amidst the despair. Connor¡¯s acknowledgment of the brooch¡¯s authenticity signaled a shift in the dynamics of their rtionships, opening a door for potential reconciliation. Julia¡¯s unwavering support for Tess and La ignited a spark of determination within Finn. He resolved to confront his feelings and take responsibility for his past, recognizing that healing could only begin with honesty and vulnerability. In that moment, he understood that while the past could not be changed, the future was still unwritten, and perhaps, just perhaps, there was still a chance to mend the broken pieces of their lives.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension to escte as the truth behind the brooch and its designer unravels. With Connor¡¯s shocking admission that the brooch is indeed a genuine Wayne Dickinson piece, the dynamics in the room will shift dramatically. Julia¡¯s disbelief will likely lead her to question Tess further, while Roxanne, feeling both vindicated and threatened, maysh out in a desperate attempt to regain control over the narrative. This confrontation could spark a chain reaction, forcing long-buried secrets and resentments to surface, particrly for Finn, who is already grappling with his feelings of jealousy and regret.
Moreover, the emotional stakes will rise as Finn¡¯s internal struggle intensifies. Torn between his past with Tess and the reality of their separation, he may find himself at a crossroads. Will he confront Connor about his feelings, or will he remain silent, letting his bitterness fester? As the characters navigate this charged atmosphere, readers can anticipate unexpected alliances and betrayals, culminating in a revtion that could alter the course of their rtionships forever. The chapter promises to be a whirlwind of emotions, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out how theseplex dynamics will y out.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 593
Keepsake 593 Summary
In Chapter 593 titled ¡°I Am Wayne,¡± the story unfolds with Tess grappling with disbelief as she learns that Connor, who has been a close figure in her life, is actually Wayne Dickinson, a renowned jewelry designer. This revtiones as a shock not only to Tess but also to Julia, who has a keen interest in custom jewelry. Connor¡¯sposed demeanor and the hardships etched on his face lead Tess to reflect on their rtionship and the secrets that have been kept. Despite her surprise, Tess feels a sense of understanding towards Connor, realizing that his choice of name was a personal decision tied to his past.
As the atmosphere shifts, Finn, who has known Connor¡¯s true identity for some time, reacts with sarcasm, questioning the timing of Connor¡¯s revtion. This tension highlights the underlying conflicts among the characters, with Julia attempting to mediate the situation by inviting Connor to her birthday party, which serves as a cover for her desire to reunite Tess and Finn. The party, though small, bes a pivotal moment for the characters, particrly for Tess and Finn, who are navigating theirplicated feelings for each other amidst the backdrop of family dynamics.
Julia¡¯s nurturing nature shines through as she interacts with her daughter La, showcasing her growing affection for the child and her desire to see Tess and Finn rekindle their rtionship. The warmth of the gathering contrasts with Finn¡¯s internal turmoil as he grapples with his feelings of regret and longing for La, whom he realizes is unmistakably a blend of both him and Tess. This realization brings a mix of emotions for Finn, leading to a moment of vulnerability as he identally spills his wine, drawing Tess¡¯s attention and prompting a silent connection between them.
Overall, the chapter encapstes themes of identity, familial bonds, and unspoken emotions, as characters confront their pasts and navigate their present rtionships. The tension between Finn and Connor, alongside the warmth of Julia¡¯s intentions, sets the stage for potential reconciliation and deeper understanding among the characters as they face their intertwined fates.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 593 I Am Wayne
Chapter 593 I Am Wayne
Could Tess really give me a knockoff just to fool me? That just doesn¡¯t seem like her.
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Tess nced at Connor and Roxanne, looking a little lost herself. But deep down, she still believed Connor wouldn¡¯t set her up.
¡°It¡¯s true, Wayne designed and made this brooch Connor said with a soft chuckle, then added, ¡°In fact, I am Wayne.¡±
The room fellpletely silent. Even Julia, whod been utterly focused on La, nced up in surprise.
Julia had always been a fan of custom jewelry, so she knew the famous designe industry well.
She looked Connor up and down, taking in hisposed manner and the traces of hardship on his face. He didn¡¯t have the deep wrinkles she expected of a middle¨Caged man, but his steady presence was impossible to fake.
Finn had known Connor¡¯s identity for a while, so he didn¡¯t look surprised. He just pressed his lips together.
¡°You are Wayne Dickinson?¡±
Tess murmured in shock, staring at Connor in disbelief.
Wayne Dickinson, Marc Dickinson¡ No wonder Connor and Marc were always together. They¡¯re brothers. Why didn¡¯t I realize it before?
¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I used that name. After I retired from jewelry design, I thought I¡¯d take
my father¡¯s surname, and Marc would keep our mother¡¯s,¡± Connor exined, his eyes apologetic.
¡°I¡¯m sorry for keeping this from you.¡±
Tess shook her head slowly.
What name Connor used was his business¨Cshe had no reason to me him.
¡°Does anyone have any more questions about the brooch?¡± Connor asked with a faint, approachable smile, but there was a cool undertone that made it sound like a warning. ¡°Since I¡¯m here, I can answer anything you want to know.¡±
He didn¡¯t even look at Roxanne, but everyone knew exactly who he was addressing.
<
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Chapter 593 I Am Wayne.
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Roxanne¡¯s face turned red, but facing the real ¡°Wayne,¡± she didn¡¯t dare say another word.
Julia was about to smooth things over when a voice cut in.
¡°So that¡¯s why Mr. Hale kept his real name secret You were simply waiting for this moment to reveal the truth, weren¡¯t you?¡±
Finn suddenly spoke up, his tone chilly andced with a mocking edge.
Connor raised an eyebrow, meeting Finn¡¯s cold, dark stare.
Tess frowned.
Finn¡¯s words were full of sarcasm.
Julia picked up on Finn¡¯s hostility right away.
¡°Let¡¯s all calm down. Roxanne meant well, and I hope Mr. Dickinson doesn¡¯t take it personally. Since you¡¯re here, Mr. Dickinson, why not stay for my birthday party?¡± Julia said warmly.
She rose to her feet, but kept a gentle hand on Finn¡¯s arm to keep him seated.
Connor nced at Tess, saw her nod, and then smiled at Julia. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, it¡¯s an honor to join your birthday party. I¡¯m just sorry I didn¡¯t bring a proper gift.¡±
¡°Nonsense, Mr. Dickinson. Your presence alone makes this asion all the more special. Now, let¡¯s eat.¡±
Julia beamed and ushered everyone to the table, giving Zane a look to hurry the kitchen staff.
Though this was technically a birthday party, it wasn¡¯t really a big event. It was just a cover for Julia to see Tess, so she hadn¡¯t invited many guests. There were just enough to fill one end of the long table.
¡°La, you¡¯re still so little. I¡¯ll have the kitchen make you some porridge,¡± Julia said, calling someone over and then giving an extra instruction. ¡°And make sure to add my limited- edition wild honey. Our La deserves nothing but the sweetest things in life.¡±
She ruffled La¡¯s hair affectionately, making the little girl squint and pout adorably.
Julia grew more and more fond of her, wishing she could just take her back to Kingnd.
At first, she¡¯d only wanted to watch Finn and Tess from the sidelines. But now, with this sweet child in front of her, she was determined to see them get back together.
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Chapter 593 I Am Wayne
Finn¡¯s eyes wandered, but his gaze kept drifting back to La.
Sometimes, he even forgot to look away.
That was his daughter¡
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She looked so much like both himself and Tess.
Finn felt a deep ache in his heart.
and
He used to suspect La wasn¡¯t his, and he was always worried Tess had been with someone else. But this little girl clearly took after both of them¨Cher eyes, her nose, her m her delicate features were just like Tess¡¯s.
He¡¯d really been blind.
The thought made his chest tighten, and he identally knocked over his wine ss.
Tess, who¡¯d been quietly sipping her tea, looked up at the sound and caught Finn¡¯s unguarded, unsettled gaze. Conclusion
In the delicate aftermath of Connor¡¯s revtion, the air thickened with unspoken emotions, intertwining the past with the present. Tess¡¯s heart raced as she grappled with the truth about Connor¡¯s identity, realizing that the man she hade to trust was not only a talented designer but also a pivotal figure in her life. The tension in the room dissipated slightly, reced by a shared understanding that transcended the misunderstandings and secrets that had lingered. Julia¡¯s warm invitation to stay for the birthday celebration served as a gentle reminder that despite the chaos, there was still room for connection and healing. As the group moved toward the table, the atmosphere shifted from uncertainty to tentative hope, each character carrying their own burdens yet willing to embrace the moment together.
For Finn, the sight of La stirred a profound realization that reshaped his perception of fatherhood and love. The physical resemnce between him and his daughter ignited a flicker of longing within him, awakening feelings he had buried beneathyers of doubt and resentment. The idental spill of his wine ss mirrored the sudden flood of emotions he could no longer contain. Tess¡¯s gaze met his, a silent acknowledgment passing between them, filled with the weight of their shared history and the possibility of a future. As they sat down to celebrate, the promise of reconciliation loomed on the horizon, hinting that the path to healing was not only about confronting the past but also about embracing the love that still lingered in the spaces between them.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, the tension in the room is set to escte as the dynamics between the characters shift dramatically. With Connor¡¯s revtion that he is Wayne Dickinson, the renowned jewelry designer, the stakes have been raised significantly. How will this newfound identity affect Tess¡¯s perception of Connor, and what implications does it hold for her rtionship with Finn? Expect to see Tess grappling with her emotions as she navigates theplexities of Connor¡¯s past while trying to reconcile her feelings for Finn, who is still struggling with his own revtions about La.
Moreover, the atmosphere of Julia¡¯s birthday party is poised to serve as a backdrop for deeper confrontations and unexpected alliances. As the evening unfolds, will Finn finally confront his feelings about La and Tess, or will he remain trapped in his insecurities? The tension between him and Connor could ignite further conflict, especially with Finn¡¯s biting remarks already hinting at underlying animosities. As the characters gather around the table, secrets are bound to surface, and the true nature of their rtionships will be put to the test. Prepare for a chapter filled with emotional revtions, heated exchanges, and the potential for love to blossom amidst the chaos.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 594
Keepsake 594 Summary
In Chapter 594 of ¡°Keepsake 594,¡± titled ¡°I¡¯d Love to Spend More Time With Her,¡± Tess experiences a mix of tension and relief as she navigates her rtionship with her daughter La and her ex-husband Finn. As Julia, Finn¡¯s mother, offers to hold La, Tess feels a sense of unease, especially upon noticing Finn¡¯s regretful gaze towards La. This moment brings forth Tess¡¯s fear that Finn might want to fight her for custody, which wouldplicate her already challenging life. She is determined to protect her bond with La, feeling that her daughter is the reason she found strength after her time in prison.
Roxanne, another character present, observes the dynamics and feels jealousy towards Tess, believing that if Julia and Finn only value Tess for giving them a child, she could win their favor by having a child with Finn herself. This realization ignites a sense of ambition in Roxanne, who is eager to change her circumstances. Meanwhile, Julia reflects on the situation, realizing that her affection for La makes her want to see Tess and Finn reconcile, as she believes the child belongs with the Shaws.
The gathering starts off with a semnce of harmony as everyone enjoys the meal, but underlying tensions remain. Julia is keenly aware of Roxanne¡¯s unusual silence, sensing that something is amiss. After the meal, Julia proposes a tour of the house with Tess and La, hoping to foster a stronger connection among them. Tess hesitates but ultimately agrees, feeling it might aid her digestion and allow for more time with Julia and La.
As the chapter progresses, Connor, another character, offers to help carry La during the tour, which stirs jealousy in Finn. Julia observes the interactions, worried about the implications of Connor¡¯s involvement and Finn¡¯s reaction. The chapter ends on a note of unresolved tension, with each character grappling with their emotions and desires, setting the stage for potential conflicts and developments in their rtionships.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 594 I¡¯d Love to Spend More Time With Her
Tess couldn¡¯t help feeling tense inside.
¡°Mrs. Shaw, you should enjoy your meal. Let me hold La for you.¡±
She sounded perfectly gentle and sweet as she reached her arms out to Julia.
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La was happily nestled on Julia¡¯sp, but the moment she saw Mommy reaching for her, she grinned and stretched her arms out, too.
Julia caught both La¡¯s eagerness and the subtle tension in Tess¡¯s otherwise cal nced at Finn, immediately picking up on Tesss unease.
¡°Well, since La wants Mommy, I shouldn¡¯t y the wicked grandma.¡±
Juliaughed, handing La safely over to Tess.
Tess cradled her daughter, only rxing when she felt La in her arms.
She didn¡¯t miss the look Finn gave La just now. - es. She
He looked so full of regret. She feared he¡¯d regret the divorce. If he decided to fight her for custody, things could get ugly.
Life had already been hard enough for her. If not for La, she might never have made it out of prison. She owed everything to this child, and there was no way she¡¯d let anyone take La from her.
Roxanne watched all this, her lips twisting.
It¡¯s just a kid. Why make such a fuss? It¡¯s not like she¡¯s some kind of treasure.
She could have Finn¡¯s child too if she wanted.
Jealousy burned inside her, but suddenly, her eyes lit up with an idea.
Roxanne¡¯s eyes flicked from one face to another and finally settled on La.
Julia had been polite with Tess before, but the second she saw La, her attitude changed. In the end, neither Julia nor Finn really wanted Tess back; it was the child that mattered to them.
Roxanne¡¯s eyes sparkled as she realized she might be right.
That must be it!
Chapter 594 I¡¯d Love to Spend More Time With Her
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If Julia and Finn cared about Tess only because she gave them a child, then maybe if she gave Finn a child too, she¡¯d win their favor as well.
The idea set Roxanne¡¯s heart pounding with anticipation.
Julia hadn¡¯t thrown a huge party, but the dishes filled every inch of the long table. There was more food than people.
¡°Help yourselves.¡±
Julia smiled, then put a piece of fish on Tess¡¯s te. ¡°Tess, I know it¡¯s been a while since you had La, but recovering from childbirth takes longer than people think. Try the fish¨Cit¡¯s good for you.¡±
Tess smiled and thanked her, praising the chef after tasting it.
The table finally settled down. Even Roxanne, who was usually the noisiest, sat in silence, focused on her food. For a moment, things almost felt harmonious.
Julia shot Roxanne a doubtful nce.
She was never this quiet.
But at least she wasn¡¯t making trouble, which was a relief.
Julia thought it over.
She had nned to let Roxanne make a scene with Finn, just to see how Tess would react.
After all, she was pretty open¨Cminded and didn¡¯t want to force two people with no feelings to be together,
But when she saw little La, that soft, sweet face upied all her mind.
A child like this belonged with the Shaws. She couldn¡¯t stand the thought of losing her to someone else. The best thing would be for Tess and Finn to remarry each other.
Julia made up her mind to make that happen.
On the surface, things looked calm, but everyone had their own thoughts.
After Tess finished eating, she fed La a few bites. Seeing her daughter content, she put down the utensils and stood up, only for Julia to stop her. ¡°Tess, you¡¯ve been married to Finn for years, but I heard you never really toured the house. Why don¡¯t you walk around with me and La? I¡¯d love to spend more time with her
Julia¡¯s suggestion made Tess hesitate, but seeing her warm smile, she nodded. ¡°Sure, it¡¯ll help
Chapter 594 I¡¯d Love to Spend More Time With Her
with digestion anyway.¡±
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Connor, feeling like an outsider, thought about leaving. But with Finn there, he swallowed the words and stayed seated.
Feeling like an outsider, Connor thought about leaving. But with Finn there, he swallowed the words and stayed put. D
¡°Why don¡¯t I join you for the tour? I can help carry La.¡±
Connor stood up as Tess did, offering to carry La.
Julia¡¯s eyes darted between them, a new wave of worry rising.
Wayne and Tess¡
She narrowed her eyes, a sh of sharpness cutting through her age¨Cdulled gaze.
She looked at Finn, who, as expected, was ring at Connor.
¡°I actually have a few questions about jewelry design for Mr. Dickinson.¡±
And just as she expected, Finn stood up and locked eyes with Connor. Conclusion
As the chapter draws to a close, Tess finds herself navigating aplex web of emotions. The tension that once gripped her heart begins to ease as she cradles La, her daughter, feeling the warmth of their bond. Julia¡¯s kind gesture and genuine interest in spending time with La provide a glimmer of hope for a more harmonious future. Despite the underlying currents of jealousy and rivalry, Tess feels a flicker of support from Julia, who seems to recognize the importance of family. This moment of connection allows Tess to momentarily set aside her fears about custody and the past, focusing instead on the present and the love she shares with her daughter.
However, the chapter also hints at the unresolved conflicts that lie ahead. Roxanne¡¯s jealousy and her calcted thoughts about winning Finn¡¯s favor create an unsettling backdrop to the seemingly peaceful gathering. As Tess embarks on a tour of the house with Julia and La, theplexities of her rtionships with Finn and Roxanne loomrge. The emotional arc encapstes Tess¡¯s struggle for stability and eptance, revealing her determination to protect her daughter at all costs. The chapter leaves readers with a sense of anticipation, as Tess steps into the unknown, hoping to forge a new path that embraces both her past and the love she holds for La.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter of ¡°Keepsake 594,¡± readers can expect the tension to rise as Julia¡¯s desire to bring Tess and Finn back together bes more pronounced. With the unexpected offer of a house tour, the dynamics between the characters will shift dramatically. As Tess and Julia stroll through the halls, La in tow, will the memories of their shared past resurface, igniting old feelings and unresolved conflicts? The underlying currents of jealousy andpetition, particrly from Roxanne, promise toplicate what seems like a simple family outing.
Moreover, Finn¡¯s protective instincts are bound to re as he observes Connor¡¯s growing involvement with Tess and La. Will Finn¡¯s jealousy push him to confront Connor, or will he take a more strategic approach to win back Tess¡¯s heart? As these rtionships unfold, the stakes will only get higher, with La caught in the middle of adult ambitions and desires. Expect surprises, emotional confrontations, and perhaps even a revtion that could change everything for Tess and Finn. The next chapter is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these intertwined lives will navigate theplexities of love, family, and rivalry.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 595
Keepsake 595 Summary
In Chapter 595, titled ¡°The Unlucky Turn,¡± the tension in the air is palpable as Tess observes a strained interaction between Finn and Connor. Finn¡¯s cool demeanor contrasts with Connor¡¯s yful yet pointed remarks, hinting at underlying hostility. Tess¡¯s concern for the situation grows, but Connor reassures her with a subtle gesture, allowing her to step away from the tension and join Julia in the gardens.
As Tess and Julia walk through the estate, Julia attempts to persuade Tess to reconsider her past rtionship with Finn. Tess, however, remains resolute, insisting that her past is behind her and that she is content with her current life. Julia¡¯s sincere appeal to Tess¡¯s maternal instincts regarding their daughter, La, leads to a moment of vulnerability for Tess, but she stands firm in her belief that she can provide aplete and happy home for La without Finn¡¯s presence.
Julia¡¯s attempts to sway Tess be increasingly desperate as she argues about the potential challenges La may face without a father. Tess counters with unwavering confidence, asserting that her love and care will be sufficient for their daughter. The conversation reveals the depth of Tess¡¯smitment to her child, as she expresses her willingness to protect La from any negativity that may arise from their situation.
Despite Julia¡¯s emotional pleas, Tess¡¯s determination surprises her, leaving Julia at a loss for words. As the conversation reaches a standstill, Tess decides to leave with La, prompting Julia to extend an invitation for them to stay at the estate for the night. Julia¡¯s gesture reflects her desire to maintain a connection with La, even as Tess remains steadfast in her choices. The chapter closes with a sense of unresolved tension, highlighting theplexities of family dynamics and the struggle between past rtionships and present responsibilities.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 595 The Unlucky Turn
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Tess sensed the tension the moment it surfaced, like the sharp tang of smoke in the air.
She frowned slightly and cast a questioning nce at Finn.
His expression was impassive, his gaze locked on Connor. ¡°About the cooperation between Lock Group and Cavrielle,¡± he said coolly, ¡°I doubt Mr. Hale would refuse, would he?¡±
Connor¡¯s eyes flickered, almost imperceptibly.
Mr. Dickinson one moment, Mr. Hale the next.
He smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯d like to hear more. Or does Mr. Lock simply want to ta me through the family estate?¡±
His voice was light, teasing.
¡°The study, please.¡±
Finn extended a hand, gesturing toward the direction of the room.
with
Connor nced at him, the corners of his lips still curved, but said nothing¨Chis silence an
agreement.
Tess watched the two men, their words polite yet edged with something unspoken. The atmosphere between them was strange, faintly hostile. Her brows knitted in worry.
Connor, noticing her unease, gave her a brief shake of the head¨Ca quiet signal not to concern herself.
Reassured, Tess exhaled and followed Julia outside toward the gardens.
Roxanne was left behind at the table.
She clenched her jaw, stabbing her fork into the half¨Ceaten fish before her. The sticks stood upright, trembling slightly, while her re burned with frustration¨Csharp and petnt enough to draw nces from the servers nearby.
Meanwhile, Tess and Julia had walked without realizing it into the flowered corridor of the
estate.
¡°If you¡¯re nning to convince me to remarry Finn,¡± Tess said quietly, ¡°you don¡¯t need to
waste your
time.¡±
Julia stopped in her tracks. Her shoulders rxed, and she let out a small, ruefulugh.
|||
Chapter 595 The Unlucky Turn
¡°You¡¯re too clever, girl.¡±
Tess smiled politely but said nothing.
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Julia¡¯s gaze lingered on her for a moment, then dropped to the baby in her arms. A sigh escaped her.
¡°Tess, love is a strange thing,¡± Julia began. ¡°Sometimes iteste. Don¡¯t you want to try again? I¡¯m Finn¡¯s grandmother¨CI can see it. The way he looks at you now, I¡¯ve never seen him like that before.¡±
Her tone was sincere, almost pleading.
Tess, by contrast, was calm and detached. She shook her head lightly. ¡°I¡¯m fine a past is over. Let it stay that way.¡±
Julia pressed her lips together, realizing that the resolve in Tess¡¯s eyes was far firmer than she¡¯d expected. What she had thought would be a simple persuasion had run into an unyielding wall.
¡°And what about La?¡± Julia tried again. ¡°Do you really want her to grow up without a father? Don¡¯t you want her to have aplete, happy childhood?¡±
This time, her voice softened deliberately, her expression heavy with sorrow. She was gambling on a mother¡¯s heart.
And for a moment, it seemed to work¨CTess¡¯s eyes flickered slightly.
he
Julia¡¯s pulse quickened. But before she could say more, Tess¡¯s lips curved faintly. She looked down at the baby in her arms, her gaze tender yet unwavering.
¡°As long as I¡¯m here, La will have aplete and happy home,¡± she said softly. ¡°A father¡¯s title isn¡¯t what makes that true.¡±
Julia¡¯s breath caught.
She looked again at La¨Crosy¨Ccheeked, peaceful in her mother¡¯s arms¨Cand realized Tess wasn¡¯t wrong.
Under this woman¡¯s care, even without Finn, the child would grow up far better than most.
Still, Julia¡¯s chest tightened with defiance.
No.
La carried the Shaws¡® blood. She couldn¡¯t simply be lost to them.
?
Chapter 595 The Unlucky Turn
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¡°But what about when she goes to school?¡± Julia pressed on. ¡°Can you be by her side all the time? Without a father, she¡¯ll face gossip, judgment¨Chow much pressure do you think a child can bear?¡±
Her voice trembled as if on the verge of tears.
She tried reason, tried sympathy, but Tess remained unmoved.
¡°When La¡¯s old enough to understand,¡± Tess replied, ¡°I¡¯ll teach her myself. Having a mother is enough. The love she receives won¡¯t be any less than what other children get from both parents. And if anyone dares to humiliate her, she won¡¯t be the one swallow pride. I¡¯ll take responsibility for whateveres after.¡±
The meaning was clear enough: whoever dared to talk would be silenced¨Cby wor force.
Julia¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn¡¯t expected such blunt defiance from the gentle,posed woman before her.
For the first time, Julia found herselfpletely at a loss.
¡°You¡¡± she began, then sighed, letting her raised hand fall helplessly to her side.
Tess inclined her head politely. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll take my daughter and leave.¡±
¡°Wait.¡± Julia exhaled, then forced a weary smile. ¡°Why don¡¯t you and La stay at the estate tonight? I won¡¯t be in Aetheris for long, and since you won¡¯t reconcile with Finn, I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll get to see this little one again. Just stay one night¨Chumor an old woman.¡± Conclusion
As the evening drew to a close, Tess felt a quiet resolve settling within her. The conversation with Julia had been a battleground of emotions, yet she emerged unscathed, fortified by hermitment to La¡¯s happiness. The weight of familial expectations hung in the air, but Tess stood firm, determined to carve out a life for her daughter that was filled with love, free from the shadows of past grievances. Her heart swelled with the knowledge that she could provide a nurturing home, one that would shield La from the judgments of a world that often failed to understand theplexities of family. In that moment, Tess understood that her strengthy not in the presence of a father, but in the unwavering love she could offer.
Meanwhile, Julia¡¯s heart ached with a mix of admiration and frustration. She recognized the fierce spirit in Tess, a woman who would go to great lengths to protect her child. Yet, the longing for connection to the Shaw lineage gnawed at her, igniting a quiet desperation to see La embraced by her father¡¯s family. As she watched Tess cradle the baby, a flicker of understanding passed between them¡ªtwo women bound by love, yet separated by their convictions. In the stillness of the estate, amidst the fragrant blooms of the garden, both women faced the uncertain future, aware that their choices would shape not just their lives, but the legacy of the child they both cherished.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, readers can expect the tension between Tess and Julia to reach a boiling point, as their conflicting desires for La¡¯s future be even more pronounced. Julia, still reeling from Tess¡¯s resolute stance, will likely employ every emotional appeal in her arsenal to sway Tess, pushing her to reconsider the importance of family ties. With Finn¡¯s presence looming in the background, the stakes are raised, and the dynamics of their rtionships will be put to the test. Will Tess hold firm in her decision to keep Finn at arm¡¯s length, or will Julia¡¯s heartfelt pleaspel her to reconsider the past?
Moreover, as the night unfolds at the estate, secrets may begin to unravel. The atmosphere is charged with unspoken words and hidden agendas, especially with Finn and Connor¡¯s enigmatic exchange lingering in the air. Readers will be left on edge, wondering what truths will surface when these two men face off behind closed doors. Will their conversation reveal alliances that could shift the bnce of power within the Lock and Cavrielle families? With every turn of the page, the tension will mount, promising a chapter filled with revtions that could alter the course of Tess¡¯s and La¡¯s lives forever.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 596
Keepsake 596 Summary
In Chapter 596 titled ¡°A Priceless Selection,¡± Julia, adorned in luxurious jewels and a silk dress, feels an underlying loneliness despite her opulence. Her great-granddaughter, La, is a source of hope for her, but Julia fears she won¡¯t have much time left to see her. Tess, Julia¡¯spanion, hesitates at Julia¡¯s emotional maniption but ultimately agrees to stay for one night, sensing the elder¡¯s need for connection. Julia¡¯s demeanor shifts from sorrow to joy as she seizes Tess¡¯spliance, while La remains blissfully unaware of the tension, reaching out to Julia with innocent affection.
Meanwhile, a stark contrast unfolds between Finn and Connor, who confront each other with palpable hostility. Finn uses Connor of trying to get close to Tess for ulterior motives, revealing his protective nature over his family. Connor maintains a calm facade, denying any ill intentions, but Finn¡¯s aggressive demeanor esctes the confrontation. As Finn presses Connor about his rtionship with Tess and La, the atmosphere thickens with usations and underlying threats, showcasing Finn¡¯s desperation to safeguard his family from perceived betrayal.
The exchange bes increasingly heated, with Finn challenging Connor to defend his integrity regarding Tess and La. Connor¡¯sposure begins to waver under Finn¡¯s relentless scrutiny. The tension culminates in a physical altercation when Finn, unable to contain his rage, confronts Connor directly, demanding he repeat his insults. This moment marks a significant turning point, highlighting the emotional stakes involved and the lengths both men are willing to go to protect their interests and loved ones, setting the stage for further conflict.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 596 A Priceless Selection
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Julia¡¯s gaze drifted into the distance. Despite the jewels glimmering at her throat and wrists, and the elegance of her silk dress, there was a trace of loneliness in her eyes that no luxury could disguise.
Tess¡¯s expression wavered; hesitation flickered in her eyes.
Julia caught it at once and pressed her advantage. She closed her eyes with an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Ah, who knows how many years this old woman has left? I don¡¯t expect my great- granddaughter La to visit often. I only hoped to see her a little longer¨Cwas t1 to ask?¡±
o much
She pressed a hand to her chest, face full of grief, as if she might swoon at any moment.
Tess looked at her silently. For someone iming to be near death, she¡¯s remarkably energetic, she thought wryly. But Julia was an elder, and arguing would only make things worse. With quiet resignation, she nodded.
¡°Alright,¡± she said, her tone even. ¡°La and I will stay for one night, but we¡¯ll leave the estate first thing in the morning.¡±
Her voice was firm, her expressionposed.
Julia¡¯s gloom vanished in an instant. She beamed, grabbing Tess¡¯s hand and patting it affectionately. ¡°I knew you had a soft spot for an old woman like me!¡±
Tess only smiled faintly, calm and polite. La, oblivious to the tension, giggled in her mother¡¯s arms, reaching out a chubby hand toward Julia, as if she recognized her great- grandmother already.
Though a quiet unease lingered in her heart, Tess kept her expression gentle.
Elsewhere in the estate, the mood was entirely different. Finn and Connor faced each other like two opposing generals before battle¨Ceach cold, calcting, and unwilling to yield.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± Connor began smoothly, his tone courteous but tinged with steel, ¡°what exactly do you want? To my knowledge, Cavrielle hasn¡¯t been working with anyone by that name recently.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened. He tapped his pen once against the table, then leaned back on the couch, legs crossed in deliberate arrogance.
¡°Was that intentional?¡± His voice was low, sharp.
Connor¡¯s brows lifted slightly. ¡°Intentional?¡± he repeated with a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t
<
14:52 Wed, Dec 17 D G .
Chapter 596 A Priceless Selection
follow, Mr. Lock.¡±
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That smile made Finn¡¯s blood burn. The calm, unppable expression, that polite tone¨Cthey all grated on him.
He stood abruptly, meeting Connor¡¯s eyes head¨Con. They were nearly the same height, their gazes level¨CFinn¡¯s dark and predatory, Connor¡¯s cool andposed.
¡°You think I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re getting close to Tess? Finn¡¯s voice dropped to a hiss as he leaned in, his breath brushing Connor¡¯s ear like a de¡¯s edge.
Connor¡¯s shoulders stiffened. He took a step back, his expression still pleasant. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you mean. Tess and I met by chance, nothing more.¡±
Finn¡¯s lip curled. Talking to this man felt like striking a wall of air. Every word bounced off him, leaving Finn more agitated.
¡°By chance,¡± he repeated, the words grinding between his teeth. ¡°Does she know you can¡¯t have children, or should I ask why a world¨Crenowned designer and corporate executive has time to dote on a child who isn¡¯t his?¡±
¡°I¡¯m Tess¡¯s friend,¡± Connor replied evenly. ¡°She¡¯s busy, and I help where I can. That¡¯s all.¡±
But the faint smile he¡¯d worn was gone.
Finn mmed his pen onto the table with a sharp crack. ¡°Don¡¯t y innocent. You¡¯re nning to make my child yours!¡±
The usation thundered between them. Connor¡¯s hand curled into a fist against his thigh. Hisposure wavered for the first time.
¡°Watch your words, Finn,¡± he said coldly.
Finn sneered. ¡°Watch my words? If you¡¯re really as noble as you pretend to be, then swear it. Swear you¡¯ve never once thought about Tess or La the way I say you have.¡±
He stared hard into Connor¡¯s eyes, searching for even the smallest flicker of guilt.
Connor had rarely lost his temper in his forty¨Codd years, but something in Finn¡¯s tone kindled a fire in his chest.
¡°If you brought me here just to insult me,¡± he said quietly, his voice cutting, ¡°then I¡¯ve clearly overestimated your civility.¡±
Finn let out a shortugh. ¡°Civility isn¡¯t what you need to worry about. You should be worried about Tess. Stay away from her. She¡¯s not the kind of woman who falls for a servant¡¯s careful
attention.¡±
Chapter 596 A Priceless Selection
The insult hung heavy in the air.
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Connor¡¯s lips curved again, this time in a colder smile. ¡°And you¡¯re a washed¨Cup failure who doesn¡¯t even have the right to stand beside her.¡±
That was the spark. Finn¡¯s control snappedpletely. He lunged forward, grabbing Connor by the cor and jerking him close, fury zing in his eyes.
¡°Say that again,¡± he growled through clenched teeth. Conclusion
As the evening wore on, the contrasting emotions within the estate became palpable. Julia, relieved by Tess¡¯s reluctant agreement to stay, basked in a moment of joy that momentarily masked her loneliness. Theughter of La, innocent and unaware of the adult tensions surrounding her, filled the air with a sweetness that Julia clung to like a lifeline. Yet, beneath the surface, Tess¡¯s unease festered, her heart heavy with the weight of familial obligation and the knowledge that her daughter was unwittingly at the center of a storm brewing between Finn and Connor. The warmth of family was juxtaposed with the chill of unspoken conflicts, leaving Tess trapped in a delicate bnce of love and apprehension.
Meanwhile, the confrontation between Finn and Connor escted, revealing the raw edges of their rivalry and the depths of their insecurities. Finn¡¯s protective instincts surged, fueled by jealousy and the fear of losing Tess, while Connor¡¯s calm demeanor began to crack under the pressure of Finn¡¯s usations. The air crackled with tension, each man standing firm in his beliefs, their words sharp enough to draw blood. As the night deepened, it became clear that the emotional stakes were rising, threatening to tear apart the fragile bonds that tethered them all together. In this moment, the estate transformed from a sanctuary into a battlefield, where love, loyalty, and ambition collided, leaving everyone to grapple with the consequences of their choices.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Keepsake 596*, tensions are set to escte as the fragile dynamics within the estate unravel further. With Tess and La¡¯s unexpected stay, Julia¡¯s ulterior motives may be more apparent, leading to potential revtions that could change the course of their rtionships forever. Will Tess uncover the truth behind her mother¡¯s seemingly innocent request? Or will Julia¡¯s charm continue to mask her deeper intentions? The stakes are high, and the emotional undercurrents promise to make for a gripping continuation.
Meanwhile, Finn and Connor¡¯s confrontation is far from over. As the simmering animosity reaches a boiling point, readers can expect an explosive exchange that will reveal not just their individual motivations but also the lengths they are willing to go to protect their loved ones. With usations flying and tempers ring, will Finn¡¯s desperate attempts to safeguard Tess and La push him to make reckless decisions? The confrontation may lead to unexpected alliances or devastating betrayals, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they anticipate the fallout of this intense showdown.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 597
Keepsake 597 Summary
In ¡°Keepsake 597,¡± the tension esctes when Connor finds himself in a dangerous confrontation with Finn, who violently grips him by the throat. Despite the threat to his life, Connor maintains a defiant demeanor, challenging Finn¡¯s authority and expressing a sense of resilience even in the face of danger. The scene captures a raw emotional struggle, highlighting Connor¡¯s bravery and Finn¡¯s escting rage as he resorts to physical violence.
Tess, returning from a walk, senses something is wrong when she hears muffled soundsing from Finn¡¯s study. Her heart races as she rushes in to discover Finn attacking Connor. In a moment of fierce protectiveness, Tess intervenes, pulling Connor away from Finn¡¯s grip. Her immediate concern for Connor¡¯s well-being reveals her deep emotional connection to him, while Finn is left shocked and bewildered by her fierce loyalty.
As Tess tends to Connor¡¯s injuries, her anger towards Finn intensifies. She confronts him about his actions, questioning the fairness of his violence and the way the Lock family treats its guests. This confrontation exposes Finn¡¯s inner turmoil; he feels a mix of disbelief and bitterness as he realizes Tess¡¯s loyalty lies with Connor. The emotional stakes are high, and Finn¡¯s inability to articte his feelings leaves him feeling hollow and isted.
Julia, sensing the escting conflict, enters and attempts to diffuse the situation with a calmer approach. She reassures Tess that Connor¡¯s injuries are not serious and directs the focus towards helping him. However, Tess¡¯s anger remains palpable, creating a charged atmosphere in the room. The arrival of the doctor provides a momentary relief, yet the underlying tensions among the characters linger, leaving the emotionalndscape fraught with unresolved conflict and unspoken feelings.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
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Connor was shoved hard against the wall, Finn¡¯s hand mped around his throat. Within seconds his breath came shallow and strained, the color in his face flushing dark red. Even then, even gasping, Connor smiled.
¡°A failure like you,¡± he said hoarsely, ¡°has no right to tell me to stay away from her.¡±
His voice was ragged, but his eyes held nothing but quiet, unyielding defiance.
The heat surged to Finn¡¯s head. His grip tightened, and with a vicious shove, he mmed Connor¡¯s head against the study door.
Connor groaned, pain shing briefly across his face.
Outside, the sky had darkenedpletely, the night pressing over the estate like a heavy curtain.
When Tess returned from her walk with Julia, she noticed at once that the light in Finn¡¯s study was still on¨Cand then she heard it. A low, muffled sound, choked with pain and slipping through clenched teeth.
It was Connor.
Her heart lurched. She broke into a run.
With a loud crack, the study door flew open.
Tess¡¯s eyes swept across the room¨Cand froze on the sight of Finn pinning Connor against the wall, his hand still mped around the man¡¯s throat.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
Her voice cut through the room, sharp and furious. She strode forward and struck Finn¡¯s arm away, dragging Connor behind her in one smooth motion.
The shout startled Finn. He turned, staring at her as if he couldn¡¯t quite believe what he was seeing. Shock flickered across his face, quickly swallowed by something darker. ¡°Tess¡¡±
¡°Don¡¯t say a word!¡±
Her voice snapped like a whip. She turned immediately to Connor, eyes scanning the angry
red mark on his neck.
Regret hit her like a wave. Connor had onlye to the Lock estate because of her¨Cif something had happened to him here, she would never forgive herself.
14:53 Wed, Dec 17 D G
Chapter 597 Hidden Motives
¡°Are you alright?¡± she asked, her voice tight.
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Connor tried to answer, but her fingers were already brushing the reddened skin. The sight made her chest constrict, her expression hardening with restrained anger.
From the moment she entered, her attention had been locked entirely on Connor. Finn might as well have vanished from the room.
Watching her fuss over him, Finn felt something inside him drop away, hollow and cold. His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. His gaze shifted from Tess¡¯s worried face to Connor, and the light in his eyes dimmed into something sharp and bitter.
Connor caught the movement but said nothing. His calm eyes flicked briefly still resting at his throat, before he spoke, his voice low and steady. ¡°Tess, I did that may have upset Mr. Lock.¡±
and. ething
Perhaps it was the trace of foreign blood in his features, but when he lowered hisshes, there was a fragile, almost shattered cast to hisposure.
Tess¡¯s tone sharpened. ¡°Even if you did, he had no right toy a hand on you.¡±
The words struck her like a p.
Finn swayed slightly, disbelief twisting his face. didn¡¯t even hurt him, he thought. Even he admits he provoked me first¨Cand still she takes his side?
¡°Tess, that¡¯s not fair. He was the one who-¡®
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± she cut him off, her eyes zing, ¡°what kind of fairness do you think you¡¯re owed after this? You think violence makes you right? I invited Connor here to help, but you¡¯ve done nothing but make things harder. Is this how the Lock family treats its guests?¡±
Her re could have burned through stone.
Finn went rigid, the words hitting him harder than any blow. He opened his mouth, wanting to exin, but nothing came out. It was as if something sour and heavy had lodged in his throat, choking him into silent.
Themotion brought Julia rushing to the door.
One nce told her everything¨Cthe tension, the positions, the red mark on Connor¡¯s neck. Her temples throbbed.
She had always been proud of this grandson, but at that moment she wanted to call him exactly what he was¨Ca fool.
¡°Tess, calm down,¡± Julia said atst, her tone gentler. ¡°Mr. Dickinson¡¯s neck is only red, not
Chapter 597 Hidden Motives
broken or cut. I¡¯ll have the family doctor take a look. Help him to the sofa first.¡±
Her voice was soothing, though the look she shot Finn carried clear disapproval.
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Meanwhile, the baby in Julia¡¯s arms began to squirm and fuss, picking up on the charged tension in the room.
Tess¡¯s anger hadn¡¯t cooled, but she knew Julia was right. Taking a steadying breath, she guided Connor to the couch.
The doctor arrived momentster, examined the bruise, and reported calm! irritation¨Cnothing serious. The skin¡¯s sensitive, that¡¯s all.¡±
urface
Tess finally exhaled, but the cold in her eyes remained. Her jaw was set, her faceposed but unreadable, and the air around her was icy enough that no one dared speak another word.
Chapter 598 The Cost of Ambition Conclusion
As the tension in the room began to dissipate, the emotional stakes of the confrontation settled heavily on each character present. Tess¡¯s fierce protective instincts for Connor had ignited a fire within her, revealing the depth of her feelings and the lengths she would go to defend him. Her unwavering stance against Finn¡¯s aggression not only solidified her loyalty but also exposed the fractures in Finn¡¯s own sense of self, leaving him grappling with feelings of istion and regret. The weight of his actions bore down on him, and as he watched Tess tend to Connor, a profound realization dawned upon him: his ambition and desire for control had led him to betray the very values he held dear.
In the aftermath, as the room fell into a heavy silence, the bonds between them shifted irrevocably. Connor, still recovering from the shock of the encounter, found sce in Tess¡¯s unwavering support, a stark contrast to the hostility he faced from Finn. Meanwhile, Finn was left to confront the consequences of his choices, the bitterness of his jealousy gnawing at him. The night, once a canvas for ambition and rivalry, now painted a moreplex picture of loyalty, vulnerability, and the painful cost of their intertwined fates. Each character was left to reckon with their emotions, understanding that the path forward would require not only healing but a reevaluation of their rtionships, setting the stage for the tumultuous journey ahead.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the uing chapter, tensions will escte as the fallout from Finn¡¯s violent outburst reverberates through the Lock estate. The uneasy alliance between Tess and Connor will be tested, forcing them to confront the implications of their choices and the growing threat Finn poses not just to Connor, but to the fragile dynamics of their rtionships. As secrets simmer just beneath the surface, Tess must grapple with her feelings for both men and the consequences of her protective instincts. Will she stand by Connor, or will she find herself drawn back into Finn¡¯s orbit,plicating an already vtile situation?
Meanwhile, Finn¡¯s internal struggle will deepen, revealing a man torn between his ambitions and the consequences of his actions. The arrival of Julia, with her maternal instincts and disapproval, will add anotheryer ofplexity to the already fraught atmosphere. As she attempts to mediate, the question looms: can Finn redeem himself in Tess¡¯s eyes, or has he crossed a line that can never be uncrossed? The stakes are higher than ever, and the choices made in this pivotal moment could change the course of their lives forever. Prepare for revtions, confrontations, and the haunting weight of ambition in the next chapter of ¡°Keepsake.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 598
Keepsake 598 Summary
In Chapter 598 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°The Cost of Ambition,¡± the story unfolds with a tense atmosphere as La, a young child, senses distress and cries out for her mother, Tess. Her emotional outburst disrupts the silence, prompting Tess to embrace her, soothing the child immediately. Julia, an observer, is captivated by La¡¯s sensitivity, feeling she has stumbled upon something precious. However, the moment is overshadowed by the tension between Tess and Finn, who is at the center of a conflict involving an apology and usations.
As the confrontation esctes, Tess firmly defends her friend Connor, insisting that Finn¡¯s ims of provocation are irrelevant. This unwavering support causes Finn to reflect on his past mistakes, recalling a time when he dismissed Tess¡¯s exnations based solely on another¡¯s word. The emotional weight of the situation bears down on him, leading to a painful exchange where Tess demands an apology from Finn, who reluctantlyplies but is visibly affected by the coldness of her demeanor.
Finn¡¯s emotional turmoil culminates in a fainting spell, which shocks Julia and prompts a frantic call for a doctor. The family doctor quickly assesses Finn, revealing that his condition stems from emotional shock rather than physical injury. This moment serves as a stark contrast to Tess¡¯sposed demeanor; she remains detached from the chaos surrounding Finn¡¯s copse, illustrating her emotional distance and theplex dynamics at y.
As the chapter closes, Tess¡¯s calmness is juxtaposed with Julia¡¯s frantic concern for Finn, highlighting the emotional rift between the characters. Connor¡¯s inquiry about Tess¡¯sck of concern for Finn further emphasizes her emotional detachment, as she dismisses the need to check on him, suggesting a deeper conflict within herself and her rtionships. This chapter explores themes of loyalty, emotional pain, and the cost of ambition, leaving readers to ponder the implications of the characters¡¯ choices.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 598 The Cost of Ambition
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La sensed the tension in the air. Her big eyes blinked twice, and then she burst into tears. ¡°Mama!¡±
Her wail cut through the silence. She squirmed in Julia¡¯s arms, struggling, her little hands reaching desperately toward Tess.
The stiffness in Tess¡¯s face finally softened. She stepped forward, gathered the child into her arms, and held her close. As soon as La¡¯s head rested against her mother¡¯s chest, the crying stopped as if by magic.
Julia watched, stunned. Her gaze lingered on the baby, wonder growing in her eyes. watched Finn grow up, and even he hadn¡¯t been this clever or sensitive at that age. The more she observed La, the more she felt as though she¡¯d discovered a rare treasure.
Her lips curved faintly as she turned back to Tess. ¡°Tess,¡± she said gently, ¡°it looks like Mr. Dickinson isn¡¯t badly hurt. Still, this was Finn¡¯s fault. Let this old woman apologize on his behalf.¡±
Tess continued to cradle La, one hand rubbing her back in slow, steady motions. The baby had quieted, though Tess could feel her small body still trembling from fright.
¡°This matter,¡± Tess said tly, ¡°deserves an exnation¨Cfrom Mr. Lock both to me and to my friend.¡±
Her tone was cool, her expression unreadable. Even Julia¡¯s conciliatory smile faltered.
For the first time, Tess and Finn faced each other directly. Her eyes were calm and distant; his looked hollow, almost broken.
¡°You¡¯re not even going to ask what happened? What he said that made me react like that?¡± Finn¡¯s voice was rough, a thread of pleading buried beneath the anger.
Tess didn¡¯t look at him.
¡°Mr. Lock,¡± she said, ¡°I know what kind of person my friend is. He didn¡¯t touch you. Whatever you im provoked you doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll stand by him.¡±
Her voice was calm, but the words were merciless.
Finn¡¯s gaze dimmed, the faint light in his eyes snuffed outpletely. His hands clenched tight, his chest twisting with sharp, aching pain.
For a moment, he was back in the past¨Cremembering how, a year ago, he had refused to hear Tess¡¯s exnations and condemned her solely on Nadine¡¯s word. Was this how she had
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Chapter 598 The Cost of Ambition
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felt then? The helplessness, the injustice, the cold certainty that nothing she said would matter?
He bit down on his lip. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse. ¡°What do you want?¡±
¡°Apologize to him,¡± Tess said.
Finn¡¯s jaw flexed. ¡°Fine.¡± He hesitated, eyes rising to meet hers. ¡°But are you really not going to ask what was said? Aren¡¯t you even curious?¡±
His heart pounded painfully against his ribs, his gaze fixed on her pale,posed face
¡°I¡¯m not,¡± she said simply. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you two talked about. I only care ab did. I came here to demand an apology, nothing more.¡±
It was clear what she meant: she didn¡¯t care who was right or wrong. Even if Connor had provoked him, she didn¡¯t care. All she saw was Finn¡¯s hand on his throat¨Cand that was enough.
you
A sharp, twisting pain bloomed in Finn¡¯s chest. His temples throbbed; a vein stood out on his forehead.
¡°Fine,¡± he said atst, hisugh thin and hollow. ¡°My fault, then. I¡¯m sorry.¡±
He turned abruptly, mming the door so hard it rattled the walls.
The sound echoed through the room, but Tess didn¡¯t flinch. She sat on the couch, back straight, face calm as stone.
Julia pressed her fingers to her temple, her patience unraveling. She barely had time to sigh before a high¨Cpitched scream came from outside the door.
¡°Finn!¡±
Julia shot to her feet, heart lurching. She rushed out and froze at the sight of Roxanne kneeling on the floor, her face streaked with tears, panic etched into every line. Beside hery Finn, unconscious.
¡°Doctor! Someone get the doctor!¡±
Julia¡¯sposure shattered. Clutching the wall for bnce, she looked on the verge of fainting herself.
The family doctor, who had only just left minutes ago, was dragged back by the servants. The moment he saw Finn sprawled on the floor, his face turned pale.
After a quick examination, he exhaled in relief and said, ¡°Just a fainting spell. Emotional
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Chapter 598 The Cost of Ambition
shock, blood pressure spike. He¡¯ll recover soon.
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¡°Help him to bed,¡± he ordered the servants hovering nearby. They scrambled to obey, lifting Finn carefully and carrying him away.
Tess stood at the threshold, silent. She watched themotion from a distance, as if separated from it by an invisible wall. Not even the noise seemed to disturb her calm.
Julia followed the servants down the hall, her voice still trembling.
Beside Tess, Connor came to stand quietly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to check on him?¡± he
Tess¡¯s eyes stayed fixed ahead as she rocked La gently. ¡°What for?¡± she said so: nothing to do with me.¡±
Her tone was steady, almost serene. She didn¡¯t even nce toward the room where Finn had been carried. From her expression, she might as well have been speaking about a stranger. Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, the emotionalndscape shifted dramatically for all involved. Tess, embodying a quiet strength, stood firm in her convictions, her protective instincts for Connor overshadowing any lingering feelings for Finn. The moment she chose to prioritize her friend over the man who once held her heart marked a pivotal shift in her journey. The calmness with which she faced Finn¡¯s turmoil reflected her growth, a testament to the sacrifices ambition can demand. She had learned that the cost of loyalty and love could sometimes mean severing ties with the past, no matter how painful that might be.
For Finn, the weight of that confrontation was a heavy burden, one that left him reeling and vulnerable. His emotional breakdown, culminating in a fainting spell, symbolized the culmination of his inner turmoil and regret. As he was carried away, the stark contrast between Tess¡¯s resolute demeanor and his own fragility became painfully clear. In that moment, he realized that ambition can lead to istion, and the pursuit of validation mighte at the cost of genuine connections. The chapter closed not just on a physical copse but on the emotional unraveling of a man who had lost sight of what truly mattered¡ªunderstanding,passion, and the bonds that tie us together.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the dust settles from the chaotic scene, the emotional ramifications of Finn¡¯s copse will reverberate through the lives of those surrounding him. Tess, maintaining her stoic demeanor, will have to confront the consequences of her unwavering loyalty to her friend, Connor. The tension between her and Finn is palpable, and as secrets begin to unravel, the fragile bonds between them will be tested. Will Tess¡¯s steadfastness hold, or will her heart begin to soften as she witnesses the aftermath of Finn¡¯s fainting spell?
Meanwhile, Julia¡¯s frantic search for answers will lead her to uncover deeperyers of the conflict that has emerged. As she grapples with her own fears for Finn¡¯s well-being, she may find herself entangled in a web of ambition and rivalry that threatens to engulf them all. The stakes are higher than ever, and with La caught in the center of this emotional storm, the question remains: how will the characters navigate their intertwined fates? Expect revtions, confrontations, and perhaps even unexpected alliances as the story unfolds, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager for the next twist in this intricate tale of ambition and loyalty.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 599
Keepsake 599 Summary
In Chapter 599 of ¡°Keepsake,¡± titled ¡°A Deal Sealed in Greed,¡± tension builds as Connor and Tess navigate theirplex rtionship amidst the turmoil surrounding Finn¡¯s health. Connor questions Tess¡¯s indifference to the chaos, hinting at his own guilt in provoking Finn. Tess, maintaining herposure, asserts that her concern lies only with those she cares about, revealing a strong sense of self amidst the emotional turmoil.
As they enter Finn¡¯s room, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. Finn¡¯s reaction to Tess is one of despair, and Julia expresses concern for the baby Tess brought along, aware of the underlying issues. Roxanne, however, erupts with anger, ming Tess for Finn¡¯s condition and using her of malicious intent. Connor intervenes, trying to defuse the situation, but Roxanne¡¯s fury esctes, revealing her deep-seated resentment toward Tess.
Tess confronts Roxanne with a calm yet assertive demeanor, challenging her usations and asserting her strength. The confrontation highlights Tess¡¯s transformation; she no longer allows herself to be easily provoked. Julia, caught in the middle, attempts to mediate, realizing that she has underestimated Tess¡¯s resilience. Meanwhile, Roxanne, feeling isted, turns her attention back to Finn, her vulnerability surfacing as she clings to him.
The chapter concludes with Tess reflecting on her growth. The hurtful words that once affected her no longer hold power, showcasing her newfound strength and emotional stability. This evolution is evident as she stands firm against Roxanne¡¯s attacks, embodying a calmness that contrasts starkly with the chaos around her. The emotionalndscape shifts, leaving readers to ponder theplexities of rtionships and personal growth in the face of adversity.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 599 A Deal Sealed in Greed
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Connor studied her for a long moment before turning away, a faint curve tugging at the corner of his mouth.
¡°You truly don¡¯t care what we said?¡± he asked quietly. ¡°What if I was the one who provoked him?¡±
He lowered his head, meeting Tess¡¯s gaze as she looked up. One face calm with a trace of humor, the other still and detached.
Tess gave a small, wry smile. ¡°What I said earlier wasn¡¯t meant to anger Finn, a only for his ears.
¡°I care about what I see with my own eyes. I care about the people who matter to me.¡±
sn¡¯t
Her voice was cool and level, as clear and untouchable as snow on a mountain peak¨Cpure to look at, cold to the touch, impossible to grasp.
¡°And don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what kind of man you are, Mr. Hale.¡±
Her tone was steady, her eyes meeting his without a flinch.
Connor¡¯s smile deepened slightly.
They said nothing more, yet the silence between them carried an unspoken understanding.
¡°Since we¡¯re guests here, it wouldn¡¯t do to pretend nothing happened,¡± Connor said finally. With a faint smile, he rested a hand on Tess¡¯s shoulder and gently guided her forward- toward Finn¡¯s room.
Tess shrugged lightly, neither agreeing nor refusing, but still following his lead.
By the time they arrived, Finn had already regained consciousness. A needle drip was taped to the back of his hand.
At the sound of the door opening, he turned his head. When he saw Tess, the light in his eyes went out entirely.
Julia looked up as well. ¡°Why did you bring the baby? Be careful¨Cdon¡¯t let her catch anything.¡±
Her tone was soft, full of concern rather than me, even though she knew full well that Finn¡¯s copse had everything to do with Tess.
Roxanne, however, was far lessposed.
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Chapter 599 A Deal Sealed in Greed
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She marched across the room, eyes zing. ¡°Tess! Are you happy now? Finn¡¯s sick because of you! Was that your n all along¨Cto hurt him and gloat?¡±
She stepped closer, her hand half¨Craised as if to grab Tess by the cor.
Connor¡¯s eyes sharpened instantly. He moved between them, blocking Roxanne¡¯s reach. ¡°Ms. Lowe,¡± he said evenly, ¡°please mind your manners.¡±
¡°Manners?¡± she spat. ¡°Why should I mind my manners with a woman like her?¡± Her fury turned on him next, venomcing every word. ¡°You¡¯re blind, both of you! What did she give you to make you follow her around like a dog?¡±
alm
From the moment Roxanne first met Tess, irritation had been simmering ben facade. Now, she didn¡¯t even know whether she was venting her anger at Finnshing out for her own sake. Every word that left her mouth dripped with contempt, sharp and filthy enough to cut.
The room, full of proper, restrained faces, fell into a heavy silence.
Connor¡¯s expression cooled, his gaze narrowing on Roxanne¡¯s hands, ready to stop her if she struck out again.
But Tess reached out and pushed him gently aside.
She stood a little taller than Roxanne, and without the barrier between them, she looked down on the younger woman, her eyes glinting with disdain.
¡°Roxanne,¡± she said quietly, ¡°you¡¯re a guest of Julia¡¯s, so I¡¯ve been patient. But don¡¯t mistake that for weakness. You¡¯ve called me a ¡®whore¡® more than once¨Cperhaps I should live up to the name and show you what that earns.¡±
Her smile was cold as she handed La into Connor¡¯s arms, flexing her wrist as if to loosen it. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can take a p from one.¡±
The room went still. Roxanne froze, her bravado copsing as her face flushed crimson.
¡°You-!¡± she stammered.
¡°Enough, Roxanne,¡± Julia interjected quickly, stepping forward. ¡°I know you¡¯re upset about Finn, but this has nothing to do with Tess.¡± She gave Tess an apologetic nce, her expression almost pleading.
Tess gave a short, cold huff and lowered her hand. Taking La back from Connor, she gathered the child against her chest, and all at once her anger subsided. The sharpness vanished, leaving behind a calm, towering stillness¨Clike a tree that had weathered too many
storms.
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Chapter 599 A Deal Sealed in Greed
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Julia¡¯s gaze lingered on her, thoughtful. For the first time, she realized how little she truly understood this woman.
Roxanne, left with no one to support her, didn¡¯t dare meet Tess¡¯s eyes again. She backed off, biting her lip, her pride bruised. After a moment she turned toward Finn¡¯s bed, tears springing to her eyes as she clutched his arm.
¡°Finn,¡± she said tremulously, ¡°they say it¡¯s just overexertion, that you got too angry her fault, isn¡¯t it? She provoked you, and now she stands here acting like nothing Her voice wavered, softening to a pitiful whine. This kind of attack can damage y and the one who caused it¡ she doesn¡¯t even feel guilty.¡±
Her tone wasn¡¯t loud, but every word cut clearly through the room.
Tess knew exactly who she meant.
Her lips curved slightly, then smoothed back intoposure, as if the smile had never existed. Roxanne¡¯s barbed words slid right past her.
ch,
There had been a time when such remarks would have pierced her, leaving her shaken and unsure. But that Tess was gone. The woman standing there now had learned how to silence the noise¨Chow to let others talk, and not care. Conclusion
In the charged atmosphere of Finn¡¯s room, Tess emerged transformed, her earlier vulnerability reced by a steely resolve. She had faced Roxanne¡¯s venomous usations with a calmness that spoke of hard-earned strength, a testament to her growth through adversity. The confrontation had stripped away the pretense of civility, revealing the raw emotions simmering beneath the surface. As she held La close, Tess recognized that the chaos around her could no longer dictate her worth or her reactions. The weight of Roxanne¡¯s words, once heavy enough to crush her spirit, now felt like mere whispers in the wind¡ªinsignificant against the backdrop of her newfound self-assurance.
Connor¡¯s presence by her side signified a silent alliance, a mutual understanding forged in the fires of conflict. Their shared nces and steadyposure provided a grounding force amidst the turmoil, hinting at a deeper connection that transcended the immediate drama. As Tess stepped away from the fray, she carried with her the knowledge that she was no longer defined by the opinions of others, but by her own fierce heart and unwavering loyalty to those she loved. In that moment, she understood that true strengthy not in the absence of conflict, but in the ability to rise above it, unscathed and resolute.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, tensions are set to escte as the fragile dynamics within the room be increasingly vtile. With Roxanne¡¯s usations hanging in the air like a storm cloud, the atmosphere is charged with unspoken animosities and unresolved conflicts. Will Tess maintain herposure, or will the simmering anger within her boil over? As she stands poised between confrontation and restraint, readers can expect a gripping exploration of her character¡¯s evolution. The stakes are high, and the emotional fallout from Finn¡¯s condition will undoubtedly push everyone to their limits.
Moreover, Connor¡¯s role as a mediator wille under scrutiny. His protective instincts toward Tess have already put him at odds with Roxanne, and as the situation unfolds, he may be forced to confront his own loyalties. Will he choose to stand by Tess, or will the mounting pressure from Roxanne and the others force him to rethink his position? The chapter promises to delve deeper into theplexities of their rtionships, revealing hidden motivations and unexpected alliances. As secrets threaten to unravel, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what choices will be made and how those choices will change the course of their intertwined fates.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 600
Keepsake 600 Summary
In Chapter 600, titled ¡°Shattered Illusions,¡± the emotional tension esctes as Julia observes Tess¡¯s impassive demeanor while Finn finally breaks his silence, demanding Roxanne to leave. Roxanne, initially reveling in the authority she perceives from Finn¡¯smand, is abruptly stunned when Finn rifies that he meant her, not Tess. This moment of humiliation sends Roxanne reeling, while Julia steps in to diffuse the situation, suggesting that everyone but one maid should exit to allow Finn some peace.
Once alone with the maid, Finn¡¯s demeanor shifts dramatically, revealing a heavy burden of guilt as he contemtes the consequences of past actions that have deeply hurt another person. He poses a profound question about how one might seek forgiveness after causing significant pain, indicating his own struggles with remorse. The maid, caught off guard, stumbles through her response, but Finn¡¯s probing questions reveal his desperation for understanding and redemption.
As the conversation unfolds, Finn¡¯s inquiry deepens, touching on themes of sacrifice and sincerity in the pursuit of forgiveness. The maid, initially hesitant, recognizes the gravity of Finn¡¯s situation and reflects on theplexities of true remorse. She emphasizes that genuine understanding requires empathy¡ªwalking in the other person¡¯s shoes¡ªrather than merely offering material gifts or power. This insight resonates with Finn, who appears increasingly burdened by the weight of his past decisions.
The chapter concludes with a palpable silence, underscoring Finn¡¯s internal struggle as he grapples with the implications of the maid¡¯s words. The tension in the room is thick, as both characters are left to ponder the possibility of redemption and the true nature of forgiveness. The emotionalndscape is fraught with unspoken regrets and the hope for healing, leaving readers with a sense of unresolved conflict and theplexity of human rtionships.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 600 Shattered Illusions
Chapter 600 Shattered Illusions
Julia pressed a weary hand to her forehead, ncing sideways at Tess. She searched the younger woman¡¯s face for any sign of emotion but saw nothing. Tess¡¯s expression was perfectly calm, distant as ss.
¡°Get out,¡±
The voice came suddenly, Finn, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. and strained,
OW
Roxanne¡¯s eyes lit up at once. It was as if she had just been granted authority. Straightening her back, she turned on Tess with a sneer. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear him? Finn told you to leave!¡±
Her chin lifted in triumph, an invisible tail wagging behind her.
Tess arched a brow. Without a word, she shifted La in her arms and turned to go. She had no intention of staying where she wasn¡¯t wanted. The sky hadn¡¯t darkenedpletely yet¨Cif she left now, she could still make it back to Evermount Heights before nightfall.
¡°I meant you,¡± Finn said sharply, his teeth clenched.
The words hit the room like a p. He hadn¡¯t looked at Roxanne when he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Tess¡¯s back¨Cas if, with one more step, she would be gone for good.
Roxanne froze. ¡°Me?¡± she stammered, pointing to herself.
Finn¡¯s only response was a cold, sidelong nce before he turned his face away, refusing
even to answer.
Roxanne¡¯s world seemed to tilt. Her face burning red as shame crawled down her neck. Julia inhaled sharply and forced herself to intervene. ¡°Alright, Roxanne,¡± she said quickly. ¡°Finn just woke up. He needs rest and quiet. He must mean all of us.¡±
She turned toward the others and gestured briskly. ¡°Leave one maid to take care of him. Everyone else, out,¡±
One by one, they filed out of the room.
The moment the door closed, the light in Finn¡¯s eyes dimmedpletely. His shoulders sagged, his body sinking into the pillows as though doused in cold water.
The maid who had stayed behind to care for him didn¡¯t dare make a sound. She stood off to the side, watching him nervously, afraid even to breathe too loudly.
¡°If someone has done something terribly wrong the man on the bed said suddenly, his eyes still lowered, his tone calm but heavy, ¡°something that¡¯s deeply hurt another person¡ and now he wants to apologize, to make it right¨Chow should he do it?¡±
The question caught her off guard. She blinked, startled to realize Finn was actually speaking to her. For a moment she felt almost ttered, but as she reyed his words in her mind, confusion clouded her face once more.
¡°Um¡ well¡¡± she stammered, scratching the back of her head awkwardly.
¡°What if he¡¯s willing to give up everything?¡± Finn went on, his tone tightening. ¡°Mone, power, love¨Cwhatever it takes to earn forgiveness. Do you think it¡¯s possible? Could things ever go back to how they were?¡±
His gaze bore into her, unblinking, as though the answer mattered more than anything in the world.
The maid swallowed hard, wishing she were anywhere else. ¡°Maybe,¡± she said, hesitant.
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°And what if she went to prison because of him? Because he didn¡¯t trust her¨Cbecause he refused to listen while she begged him to believe her¨Cand she lost the job she loved more than anything?¡±
¡°Prison?¡± the maid gasped, eyes wide. ¡°Oh no. If someone sent me to prison, I¡¯d never forgive them, ever!¡±
The air in the room dropped several degrees.
Finny motionless on the bed, his face drained of color. The maid shivered, realizing toote what she¡¯d said.
Prison. Lost her job.
Her breath caught. Wasn¡¯t that what had happened to the former Mrs. Lock?
She sucked in a sharp breath. So that¡¯s who he was talking about.
Panicking, she hurried to correct herself. ¡°I mean¨Cit¡¯s not impossible. If someone truly wants forgiveness, their sincerity has to be real. That¡¯s what matters most.¡±
At that, a faint light flickered in Finn¡¯s eyes. He looked up again. ¡°Sincere?¡± he asked quietly. ¡°How much more sincere can a man be? He¡¯s willing to give her anything¨Cmoney, p¡¢ ver. love.¡±
The maid shook her head quickly. ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean. If someone already has those things, then the person they¡¯re trying to reach probably has all she needs too. Gifts aren¡¯t what she¡¯s missing.¡±
Finn¡¯s shoulders slumped. His lips pressed together, and he said nothing.
The maid hesitated before speaking again. ¡°To be sincere,¡± she said softly, ¡°you¡¯d have to walk in her shoes. Feel what she felt. Live through what she lived. Only then would you
understand enough to deserve her forgiveness.¡±
Finn didn¡¯t reply. His eyes moved slightly, the faintest hint of thought flickering there.
The room fell silent again, heavy and still. The maid shifted ufortably, wish hadn¡¯t spoken at all, unsure where to ce her hands¨Cor her eyes. Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of the confrontation, the air hung thick with unspoken truths and unresolved emotions. Finn¡¯s struggle toprehend the weight of his past actions revealed a man grappling with the consequences of his choices. The maid¡¯s words resonated deeply, illuminating the path to redemption that required more than mere offerings of wealth or power; it demanded genuine understanding and empathy. As she spoke of walking in another¡¯s shoes, a flicker of realization sparked within Finn, hinting at the possibility of healing if he dared to confront the pain he had caused. This moment marked a pivotal turn in his journey, suggesting that the road to forgiveness would be paved not only with regret but also with the courage to face the depths of his own failure.
Meanwhile, Tess¡¯s quiet departure echoed a profound sense of loss and resignation. Her calm facade masked the turmoil within, as she navigated the painful reality of being unwanted and misunderstood. The stark contrast between Finn¡¯s yearning for redemption and Tess¡¯s silent retreat underscored the emotional chasm that had formed between them. In the wake of shattered illusions, both characters stood at a crossroads¡ªFinn, on the brink of potential transformation, and Tess, burdened by the weight of her own sacrifices. As the chapter closed, the lingering question remained: could they find a way back to each other, or would the shadows of their past continue to dictate their futures?What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension in the room thickens, readers can anticipate an emotional unraveling in the next chapter. Finn¡¯s struggle with guilt and remorse will likely intensify as he grapples with the consequences of his past actions. The maid¡¯s poignant insights may push him to confront his own demons, leading to a pivotal moment of self-realization. Will he finally muster the courage to reach out and seek forgiveness from those he has wronged? The stakes are high, and the emotionalndscape is fraught with potential heartbreak.
Moreover, Tess¡¯s departure hints at a brewing conflict that could ripple through the rtionships within the group. Her absence may force Finn to confront not just his own feelings, but also the impact of his choices on others. As he navigates this tumultuous path, will he be able to mend the shattered illusions that have clouded his judgment? Expect surprises and revtions that could change the dynamics of their intertwined lives forever, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the story unfolds.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 601
Chapter 601 This Will All Be Over Soon
Chapter 601 This Will All Be Over Soon
She nced at Finn, then stepped back to her orginal spot.
¡°Thank you.¡±
After a long moment, Finn finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse.
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The maid was clearly stunned, and after she realized what he¡¯d said, she looked even more surprised.
Thank you?
Her face couldn¡¯t hide her shock as she lowered her eyes and happened to see Finn give her a small nod.
She felt both flustered and honored.
In her memory, Finn had always been cold, even arrogant and heartless, but now, his eyes were sincere, and there was even something like respect in his gaze.
The maid rubbed her hands together. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really.¡±
Finn let out a quiet hum and said nothing more, lowering his head as if lost in thought.
The room slowly returned to silence.
Outside the door, Julia was still cleaning up after what had just happened.
Roxanne lifted her chin and snorted at Tess before taking off at a run.
¡°She¡¯s been spoiled by the family all her life. That¡¯s just her temper,¡± Julia said helplessly, looking at Tess with eyes full of both affection and pity.
¡°You¡¯ve really been wronged today.
¡°And Mr. Dickinson, I apologize again for Finn¡¯s rudeness toward you.¡±
Before she could even bend down properly, Tess had already moved to help her up.
¡°Finn has already apologized for what he did. This has nothing to do with you, and you don¡¯t need to apologize for them.¡±
Tess shook her head, her expression serious.
Julia held her gaze for a long while, then let out soft sigh. ¡°Ah¡ to be honest, I really like
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Chapter 601 This Will All Be Over Soon
you, dear. It¡¯s just a shame¡¡±
Her voice was full of regret as she gently patted he back of Tess¡¯s hand.
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Judging by how Tess had reacted today, no matter how much she tried to force things between her and Finn, it probably wouldn¡¯t work out.
Tess smiled lightly but didn¡¯t respond to her hin. Instead, she said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing to regret. La is still your great¨Cgranddaughter.¡±
Hearing that, Julia seemedforted. She reached out and gently poked La¡¯s chubby cheek, her eyes crinkling as she smiled, and her whole body rxed. ¡°That¡¯s right. I still have La, my good girl.¡±
Downstairs looked warm and cheerful, while Roxanne, who was upstairs, stared at the four of them, wishing her eyes could turn into des and stab into Tess again and again.
After ring at Tess long enough, her gaze shifted and locked onto La instead.
Julia was holding the child at the moment, and both Connor¡¯s and Tess¡¯s eyes were on her - 100.
That little bastard who doesn¡¯t even have a fully formed mind yet, and she already gets to live like she¡¯s the center of the world?
Roxanne felt like her chest was a pile of dry wood, while Tess and her daughter were sparks. One small touch, and everything would go up in mes.
She¡¯s just a kid.
She clenched her fingers tightly.
What¡¯s so special about her? Once I get Finn, I can give him as many kids as he wants! When I give birth to a son, I bet Julia won¡¯t even spare a nce at that little bastard anymore!
Thinking that way finally gave Roxanne a bit offort.
She let out a cold snort, exhaled harshly, and turned back to her room.
The second she dropped onto the soft bed, her thoughts drifted, and Finn¡¯s pale, fragile face from earlier crept into her mind.
She¡¯d heard that the reason Tess had ever had a one¨Cnight stand with Finn back then was because¡
Roxanne¡¯s eyes shifted, and a sharp light flickered inside them.
<
Chapter 601 This Will All Be Over Soon
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Dickinson Residence,
Marc sat on the couch in boredom, flipping through channel after channel on TV, none of them holding his interest. He finally tossed his phone aside.
¡°Gosh, Connor is something else. Tess tells him to leave, and he just leaves, no hesitation at all. Now I¡¯m stuck at home alone, and I still have to keep an eye on you two instead of being allowed to go out.¡±
Nichs and Rachel shared awkward smiles, both a little embarrassed as they pulled in their shoulders.
Seeing how obedient and stiff they looked, Marc sighed again.
¡°Forget it.¡±
He stood up and nced at them. ¡°I¡¯m going out for a walk. If I stay here any longer, I¡¯m gonna lose my mind.¡±
We were supposed to switch shifts today. Connor is supposed to babysit them instead!
¡°If anything happens, just call the staff. You¡¯re not allowed to go out. Someone¡¯s definitely watching outside, just waiting for you to show your faces.¡±
Marc stretchedzily. He looked carefree, but his warning was unexpectedly thorough.
The two of them nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We know we¡¯re in danger right now. We¡¯re just grateful that you two and Ms. Tess are helping us.¡±
They were sincere, their faces full of real gratitude.
Marc nced again at the tall walls around them nted his hands on his hips, and nodded. ¡°Alright. You stay inside. I¡¯ll be back after a bit.¡±
With that, he dashed out the door like a burst of wind.
Oh, yeah! Freedom!
Marc ran off happily, disappearing in an instant.
Rachel stared at the spot where he vanished and sighed, lost in thought. ¡°If we hadn¡¯t crossed Henry in the first ce, maybe Ken wouldn¡¯t have had to live on the run because of us. He should¡¯ve been able to live like that too¡ carefree and bright.¡±
Nichs stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. ¡°Ms. Tess is willing to
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Chapter 601 This Will All Be Over Soon
help us. This will all be over soon.¡±
? ? 24%2
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 602
Chapter 602 A Message at the Door
Chapter 602 A Message at the Door
¡°Let¡¯s hope so.¡±
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Rachel let out a sigh and leaned against Nichs resting her head on his shoulder. Only then did she feel a little calmer.
Nichs ran his rough thumb gently through her hair, the two of them leaning on each other just like that.
Thud, thud¡
All of a sudden, they both looked up. Beyond the small garden was a swaying yellow figure.
¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±
Nichs instantly went on alert.
¡°Ms. Tess sent me. There are things that can¡¯t be said over the phone, so she left you a written message.¡±
Nichs walked over cautiously and saw the person outside wearing a delivery uniform through the gate.
¡°Ms. Tess?¡±
He rolled the name around in his mouth, confused, but still reached out to take it.
If something really had happened, he¡¯d regret it if he missed the message.
Nichs slipped his hand through the carved iron gate, not noticing the face hidden under the cap suddenly curl into a smile.
When Nichs took the envelope and looked up, that curve finally caught his eye.
rm bells went off in his head, but it was already toote.
A sharp numbness shot through his hand, followed by a wave of dizziness rushing straight to his head.
From a distance, Rachel saw Nichs standing there, frozen in ce. Unease rose in her chest as she hurried over. ¡°Nichs, what¡¯s wrong? What did Ms. Tess say¨Cah!¡±
The second she got close, a hand shot in from outside and mped tightly around her wrist.
Rachel stared wide¨Ceyed at the man in front of her. The delivery worker was ring at her
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Chapter 602 A Message at the Door
viciously. ¡°Don¡¯t scream. Don¡¯t make a sound. Open the door right now, or else¡¡±
His tone was threatening, and his arm shifted.
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Shaken but trying to stay calm, Rachel followed his movement with her eyes and saw that Nichs was already unconscious. His eyes were shut tight, his body barely held upright by the delivery man¡¯s arm.
What stood out most was the cold glint at his fingertips. When Rachel saw the de pressed against Nichs¡¯s throat, her pupils shrank in terror.
¡°Okay! I¡¯ll open it! I won¡¯t make a sound! Please don¡¯t hurt him!¡±
Rachel hurried to cover her mouth, staring at him, begging him to believe her.
The delivery man squinted and snorted. ¡°Open it now. No nonsense! And don¡¯t try anything funny, or else¡ this knife doesn¡¯t miss.¡±
Every nerve in Rachel¡¯s body was stretched tight. Panicking, she fumbled to unlock the door.
On the security footage, the ¡°delivery man¡± was dragging the unconscious Nichs by the neck, with a terrified Rachel following close behind.
The three of them moved step by step and then got into a small ck car together.
Marc was still at the bar, watching the dancers on the floor.
Ring, ring¡
The sudden phone call snapped him out of the excitement.
Marc pulled out his phone and saw the caller ID with a nce.
Connor!
He jumped up from the couch booth, covering the phone as he hurried outside.
Only after he was sure it was quiet did he answer the call.
¡°Connor? Why are you calling all of a sudden? Aren¡¯t you with Tess?¡±
Marc spoke first with a grin, though there was a hint of unease in his voice.
¡°Where are you right now?¡±
Connor¡¯s voice was sharp. Marc pursed his lips. ¡°At home.¡±
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Chapter 602 A Message at the Door
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There was a brief silence on the other end, then Connor said, ¡°I¡¯ll take your shift tomorrow. But today, you watch them closely.¡±
¡°Got it, got it. Don¡¯t worry. I will,¡± Marc answered carelessly.
Connor still sounded uneasy, but said nothing else and hung up.
Marc pocketed his phone, nced up at the neon bar sign outside, and suddenly felt bored. He wasn¡¯t in the mood anymore.
He shrugged and decided to head home. He¡¯d been out long enough anyway.
Getting back into his sports car, he turned the wheel and drove off.
Lock Estate.
It was alreadyte. Julia had the staff clean out several rooms for Connor and Tess to stay in. Tess¡¯s room, in particr, was arranged right next to Julia¡¯s.
¡°Alright. La yed hard today too. You two should get some good rest.¡±
Julia stood at Tess¡¯s door, her eyes lingering reluctantly on La¡¯s sleeping face.
She¡¯d wanted to spend more time with her, to y and tease her a little, but La had fallen asleep after being held only a short while. Even sleeping, she was unbearably cute.
¡°Yes. It¡¯ste. You should rest too.¡±
Tess nodded politely.
After agreeing, Julia quietly helped them close the door. Before heading back to her own room, she also turned off the lights in the hallway.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 603
Chapter 603 I Don¡¯t Want To
In a pitch¨Cck corner, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows by the wall.
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She peeked down the hallway where the lights were already off, then turned the other way, her eyes burning with resolve, as if she were about to do something big.
She lifted her head, crouched low, and tiptoed toward Finn¡¯s room.
Now and then, a sweep of lighthouse light passed over her, lighting up Roxanne¡¯s heavily made¨Cup face.
And as it slid across her, it also exposed her pale arms and thighs.
At that moment, Finn nced at the clock. It was nearing noon, and his gaze drifted.
After a long while, he let out a breath and slumped back, a heavy gloom settling over him.
This was probably the closest he and Tess had been since the divorce.
Finn raised his eyes. The room was silent, except for the faint drip of the IV above him.
His heart felt restless too.
Finn turned toward the window in a daze, then suddenly frowned, feeling as though a shadow had just moved.
¡°Who¡¯s out there?¡±
He cleared his throat and called out, but there was no response, only the quick retreat of a
shadow.
Finn frowned, unease growing in his chest.
It looked like a woman.
Knock, knock.
All of a sudden, someone knocked on the door.
¡°Who is it?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes narrowed, locked on the turning handle.
¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯m here to check your IV. Once this Bottle¡¯s done, that¡¯s it for tonight. You can
rest.¡±
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Chapter 603 I Don¡¯t Want To
Hearing the familiar voice of the doctor, Finn finally let him in.
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A momentter, the family doctor in a white coat came in with a medical bag, first checking the nearly empty IV bottle, then taking out a cotton swab.
When it finished, he quickly pulled the needle and pressed the swab to the spot. ¡°Mr. Lock, hold this yourself. Once it stops bleeding, you can rest.¡±
¡°Okay. Thank you.¡±
Finn nodded at the doctor. He still felt a faint chill, probably from the IV.
¡°My pleasure.¡±
The doctor stifled a yawn, picked up his bag, and left.
The door closed.
Finn leaned back on the bed and closed his eyes slightly. The cold had faded, and warmth slowly returned to his body.
Finn narrowed his eyes, but the more hey there, the more something felt wrong.
He frowned and pressed a hand to his lower abdomen, unsure why it suddenly felt unbearably hot.
Then he lifted his long, slender fingers and rubbed his temples, but it didn¡¯t help.
Finn checked the cotton swab. Seeing there was no more bleeding, he tossed it in the trash and threw off the nket before standing up.
He paced the room twice, but his head only grew foggier, with Tess¡¯s face appearing out of nowhere.
And¡ unlike all the times before when he couldn¡¯t control his thoughts about her, this time¡ felt different.
¡°Finn, stop, I don¡¯t want to!¡±
The woman¡¯s cry was shrill. Yet instead of heartache, Finn only felt the heat surge from his belly to his chest, until even his face burned.
He bit his lip.
Why would I think of this?
That was¡ the night from over a year ago when Tess and I slept together.
Chapter 603 I Don¡¯t Want To
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Finn¡¯s ears slowly turned red, and even his vision seemed to blur, ovepping into Tess¡¯s tear¨Cstreaked, flushed face.
¡°I must be losing my mind!¡±
Shame flooded him. He mmed his fist into the wall, the pain clearing his head a little.
Knock, knock.
This time, the knock came again.
Irritation red. He wasn¡¯t in the mood to be polite anymore. ¡°Who is it?¡±
Knock, knock.
No answer, just more knocking.
Finn stormed to the door and yanked it open, then froze when he saw who was outside.
Roxanne stood there like a delicate flower, moonlight spilling over her pale skin.
It was blinding.
¡°Roxanne? Have
lost you
your
mind?!¡±
Rage surged through Finn, yet his body burned even hotter, and he took a step back.
Roxanne wore almost nothing, barely covering what needed to be hidden, her figure on full disy.
Finn¡¯s pupils widened as he stared at the woman before him, as if facing some wild beast.
¡°Get out.¡±
He took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself, his fingers pressing hard against his pounding temples as he lowered his voice.
¡°Finn ¡ don¡¯t you like it?¡±
Roxanne ignored his anger and stepped closer instead, her eyes shimmering as she looked at him, soft and inviting.
The temperature around Finn seemed to drop instantly as he stared back at her. ¡°I¡¯ll say one more time. Get out.¡±
it
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Chapter 604 I¡¯m Tess
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 604
Chapter 604 I¡¯m Tess
Roxanne stared at the man in front of her, disbelief still flickering in her eyes.
Her gaze swept over Finn from head to toe, full of resentment.
I¡¯ve clearly already done enough¡
But why is he still resisting me? Is the dose not strong enough?
Roxanne thought to herself and boldly stepped even closer.
Finn suddenly felt a heavy wave of perfume hit his nose as Roxanne approached.
¡°Finn, it¡¯s me. I¡¯m Tess¡¡±
Remembering what the doctor had told her earlier, Roxanne cleared her throat and changed her tone.
And the brief rity in Finn¡¯s eyes finally dissolved into fog.
¡°Tess?¡±
He stared nkly at the person in front of him. Everything seemed wrapped in mist.
What is wrong with me?
Finn struggled to stay conscious and straighten himself, but the moment he reached out to grab the wall, a soft hand caught his instead.
¡°Help me, Finn.¡±
¡°Tess?¡±
Finn fixed his eyes on the blurred figure. He couldn¡¯t see Tess¡¯s face clearly, but she said she was Tess.
Is it really her? Or just a dream?
His body swayed as he tightly held onto the woman¡¯s wrist.
It¡¯s so slim and soft¡
Tess¡
Seeing Finn slowly lose control, Roxanne felt a surge of joy. The doctor didn¡¯t lie. The drug really
T
Chapter 604 I¡¯m Tess
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works!
¡°Y¨Cyou divorced me¡ You don¡¯t want me anymore.¡±
The man¡¯s voice was hoarse, filled with grievance.
Roxanne froze at his rare vulnerability, then reached up and tugged at his cor. ¡°It¡¯s me. I¡¯m back.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Really.¡±
As soon as she said it, a strong scent of tobo rushed up her nose.
Finn pulled her hard against his chest, as if he was afraid she might disappear again.
¡°It¡¯s really you¡ It¡¯s really you¡¡±
He murmured, pain and love mixing together in his voice.
¡°It¡¯s really me. I¡¯m back, Finn.¡± Roxanne gazed at him deeply, her eyes hiding heat and expectation. ¡°Now, you can do anything you want to me.¡±
The next second, the Finn who had just loosened his hold pulled her back again, as if he wanted to press her into his very blood this time
¡°Then stay with me forever, okay? Let¡¯s live with La. We¡¯ll be the happiest family in the world.¡±
Roxanne was stunned when she heard that, then felt something wet slide down her neck.
She touched it and looked up, only to see tears on Finn¡¯s face.
He¡¯s¡ crying?
I had someone give him an extra¨Cstrong aphrodisiac, nd now, holding the woman he longs for, all he wants is for her to stay by his side?
It felt as if a giant hand had gripped Roxanne¡¯s heart, squeezing until she ground her teeth in pain.
She pressed Finn¡¯s hand down and ced it on her smooth thigh. ¡°Finn, I won¡¯t just stay with you. I¡¯ll also¡¡±
The man¡¯s eyes shifted.
Chapter 604 I¡¯m Tess
Roxanne hesitated, but her body leaned closer to him anyway.
¡°Do you remember how we got La a year ago
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Their lips were barely a fingertip apart. Roxanne breathed softly toward him, her voice almost hypnotic.
Sure enough, Finn¡¯s gaze grew darker.
His body had already been burning. He¡¯d only been holding back because he thought she was Tess.
¡°Back then¡¡±
His lips moved, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to finish.
¡°Was it like this?¡±
Roxanne pulled his hand and slid it farther up her thigh.
In an instant, his eyes burned. He lifted the woman up by the legs and hoisted her against his waist.
Roxanne¡¯s height suddenly changed, and she let out a cry. When she realized what was happening, her voice softened into something sweet and alluring.
Finn pressed her down onto the bed, the intensity in his eyes almost swallowing her whole.
Roxanne¡¯s chest heaved, her curves rising and falling with it.
She swayed her hips. ¡°Finn ¡ let¡¯s have another baby¡¡±
A baby¡ another baby¡
When he heard that, thest thread of restraint in Finn¡¯s mind finally snapped.
He buried his face in Roxanne¡¯s neck, almost frantically breathing in her scent.
Wait¡ Why is it so sweet¡
All of a sudden, he sat up straight. His vision was still blurred, yet he abruptly pushed himself backward a few steps.
¡°Who are you?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice trembled.
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Chapter 604 I¡¯m Tess
What am I doing?
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Roxanne had been waiting for her victory, never expecting Finn to suddenly pull away.
Something¡¯s wrong!
She studied his eyes. They were still unfocused.
He isn¡¯t fully awake. Then how did he realize I¡¯m not ess?
Roxanne¡¯s smile almost cracked. ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯m Tess, Finn. I¡¯m Tess¡¡±
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 605
Chapter 605 Exposed Lies
Roxanne reached out, still trying to grab Finn.
If this fails too¡
Roxanne bit her lip, a hint of reckless resolve in her eyes.
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Finn felt like his whole body was burning to the point of melting, yet he knew clearly¡ªthis woman was not Tess.
Tess has never smelled this sickly sweet.
She used to smell faintly fragrant. After prison, she became cold, with a touch of bitterness.
This woman is not Tess!
But for some reason, everything before his eyes seemed to spin, as if his own mind were pushing him closer to that mass of fog.
Thud!
Finn mmed a fist into the wall.
The pain shot up his arm straight into his head.
¡°Roxanne?¡±
He forced his barely standing body against the wall and looked at the woman in front of him, grinding his teeth in hatred.
Roxanne stared nkly, her eyes dropping to Finn¡¯s hand.
It was the same arm with the IV. Fresh wounds had opened, and blood was already running down to his forearm.
Does he really not want to have one night with me the badly? Bad enough to hurt himself?!
In that moment, Roxanne felt humiliation like she had never known before.
¡°Get out.¡±
Finn panted, like a wounded wolf still ready to strike.
Roxanne bit her lip hard as two hot streams of tears fell down her cheeks.
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Chapter 605 Exposed Lies
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¡°Why? What¡¯s so good about Tess? I even pretended to be her, and you still wouldn¡¯t even touch me once!¡±
Roxanne was on the brink of copse. Herst mental barrier shattered as she screamed hysterically.
At the same time, Tess stopped outside the door
Julia nced at her. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go back and rest first?¡±
Tess pressed her lips together. ¡°Let¡¯s go in. Make sure nothing happens.¡±
Click.
Julia unlocked the door from the outside.
The hatred on Roxanne¡¯s face froze, and she slowly turned her head.
Julia stood at the doorway, her expression dark.
¡°Put your clothes on.¡±
She frowned, her face cold.
Only then did Roxanne realize she meant her. She grabbed the nket and wrapped it around herself, still staring in panic at the two intruders.
Julia swept her eyes over the mess in the room and felt as if she had aged ten years on the
spot.
¡°Call another family doctor to dress unds.¡±
Her voice was firm.
Tess¡¯s face was nk. She had noticed the moment she stepped inside¨CFinn¡¯s burning gaze had locked onto her and never moved.
Finn was led to the next room by the staff to wai for an exam. When one maid tried to help him, he pped her hand away.
¡°Tess, it¡¯s not what you think. I didn¡¯t¡¡±
He staggered toward Tess, fear in his eyes¨Csomthing she had never seen in him before,
Tess looked at the man who was a head taller than her, now standing there so humbled, and it twisted something inside her.
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Chapter 605 Exposed Lies
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Still, she turned her face away. ¡°It has nothing to do with me anymore. Mr. Lock, you should go rest and wait for the examination.¡±
Finn shook his head and tried to reach for her again.
¡°Mr. Lock, you¡¯re the victim here, but please show some restraint.¡±
Connor appeared out of nowhere and raised a hand to block Finn¡¯s fingers.
Finn¡¯s arm trembled.
Connor hadn¡¯t even touched him, yet Finn looked as if he had taken a heavy blow. He stumbled back several steps and stopped only when his back hit the wall.
He gasped for air, his face drained of color.
Julia looked at Finn, wanting to say something, but in the end, she only rubbed her temples. ¡°Take him out.¡±
Ring!
Suddenly, Connor¡¯s phone rang. He covered it and turned the volume down, then nced around.
His eyes went back to Finn. He still didn¡¯t feel at ease, so instead of stepping aside, he answered right there.
Connor nced at the screen.
Marc? Why would he be calling at this hour?
He felt uneasy all of a sudden.
Sure enough, the moment he picked up, Marc¡¯s frightened crying came through the phone. ¡°Connor! Nichs and Rachel are gone!¡±
¡°What?¡±
For once, even Connor was shaken.
Tess, who had been silent beside him, heard it too. The indifference on her face was reced by rm. ¡°What happened? How could two people just disappear?¡±
¡°I¨CI¡¡± Marc stammered, then clenched his teeth. It¡¯s my fault. I lied to you. I went out to have fun. I wasn¡¯t even gone for long. When I came back, they had already disappeared!
¡°I had someone check the security cameras. It shows a man dressed like a delivery guy
Chapter 605 Exposed Lies
showing up at the gate and then taking them away.¡±
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Marc exined as fast as he could, panicking like an ant on a hot pan, desperate to make up for his mistake.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 606
Chapter 606 The Security Footage
Chapter 606 The Security Footage
Marc knew full well how important those two were to Tess.
D
+10 Free Coins
He was kicking himself. Of all the times to goof off, he had to ck at a moment like this.
Marc hung his head and pounded his chest in remorse, burying his face into it.
¡°What¡¯s the point of doing this now?¡±
Suddenly, a cold snort sounded near his ear.
Marc turned his head in confusion and saw Raven ring at him with open disdain. Lyra stood behind her, her expression serious and her gaze clear and sharp.
¡°Raven, you¡¯re here? Please check the security footage first. We¡¯ll be there soon.¡±
Tess caught every bit of the noise from Marc¡¯s side of the call and quickly grabbed the phone to instruct her.
¡°I know. Lyra and I will review the footage first to figure out what happened. Get here as soon as you can.¡±
Raven was nothing like her usual carefree self now. Her face was cold and decisive.
She cut off the call in Marc¡¯s hand and crossed her arms with a raised brow. ¡°What are you standing around for? You want to wait until they¡¯re out of Aetheris before you move?¡±
Marc¡¯s expression shifted. He bit his lip and stood up. ¡°The security footage is here. Come with me.¡±
Normally, he and Raven were always at each other¡¯s throats, but this time, even though her tone was just as sharp, Marc kept quiet and didn¡¯t argue back.
He led Raven and Lyra straight into the study. On theputer screen was the surveince video he had already watched once.
¡°I was out for about two or three hours. That guy was disguised as a delivery driver. He came to the door a few minutes after I left and tricked the couple into leaving with him.¡±
He clenched his teeth. With every word, the guilt in his chest grew heavier.
His hands balled into fists, almost swallowed by regret.
Chapter 606 The Security Footage
Lyra and Raven were already seated at theputer, eyes fixed on the footage.
¡°Pause.¡±
Raven frowned, as if she¡¯d noticed something, and told him to stop the video.
Lyra clicked the mouse, and the screen froze.
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The frame stopped right as Nichs and Rachel got into the car, and the ¡°delivery driver¡± turned to leave.
¡°Here.¡±
Raven¡¯s eyes darkened. She pointed into a dim corner of the screen and looked at Marc. ¡°Can you brighten this?¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Marked by their intensity, Marc hurried to adjust the image.
As the picture became clearer, Raven put a hand on Marc¡¯s arm, signaling him to stop. Understanding shed in her eyes. ¡°The license te.¡±
She tapped the screen.
Lyra and Marc looked closer. The blur that had been there before now revealed a few visible characters.
Lyra immediately took a photo. ¡°I¡¯ll send the te number to¡¡±
Her first thought was the police, but she stopped herself.
Nichs¡¯s situation had always been handled in secret. Involving the police might blow their
cover.
Lyra pressed her lips together, hesitated, then looked at Raven. ¡°You and Marc keep watching the footage and see if there¡¯s anything else. I¡¯ll talk it over with Tess.¡±
After that, she nodded to them and left the study to make the call.
Raven reyed the video in slow motion, her eyes glued to the screen.
Marc watched her in silence, a hint of surprise in his gaze.
Today¡¯s Raven was nothing like the one he knew.
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Chapter 606 The Security Footage
Raven sensed his stare but ignored it, focused only on the video.
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¡°This ¡®delivery driver¡® probably dealt with Nichs first, then used him to threaten Rachel into opening the door and getting into the car with him.¡±
She tapped the screen, her tone certain.
Marc nodded and pointed. ¡°Yeah. Nichs always has his back to the camera here, but you can tell he¡¯s unsteady. The guy¡¯s basically holding him up and moving him along.¡±
Raven lifted her chin slightly. ¡°That ¡®delivery driver¡® must work out regrly or have a physical job. And Nichs was most likely drugged the moment he touched him.¡±
With that exnation, the strange details in the footage made sense.
Outside, Lyra was on the phone with Tess.
She briefly exined what they¡¯d found, then asked, ¡°Should we call the police?¡±
Tess¡¯s face darkened.
Lyra¡¯s call hade suddenly, so Tess had answered on the spot. The moment Tess heard it, her expression turned grim.
Connor¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I¡¯ll go back with you.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 607
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Chapter 607 A Line That Was Crossed
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Julia was standing close enough to hear most of what was said on the other end of the call.
¡°Tess, I don¡¯t know what happened on your end, but it¡¯s veryte already. If you¡¯re really in a hurry, I¡¯ll have a driver take you over there.¡±
Julia pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling both a headache and a hint of relief.
After all, something so shameful had happened in her home that she already felt too embarrassed to face Tess.
¡°I¡¯ll be there right away. We¡¯ll talk when I get there,¡± Tess said in a low voice. Then she looked at Julia again, her expression softening a little as she gave her a small nod. ¡°Thank you for the trouble.¡±
Julia had no time to deal with Finn and Roxanne anymore, so she told the staff to wake the sleeping driver first.
¡°She¡¯ll take you to the garage.¡±
Julia pointed to a maid to lead Tess the way.
Tess nodded and was about to leave, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed by a hand out of nowhere.
Finn stared at her urgently, as if afraid that once she walked away, she would nevere back.
¡°Before you go, hear me out, okay?¡±
His voice was almost pleading.
Tess stiffened, then slowly turned her head. Her face was cold, and her eyes were even colder.
¡°Mr. Lock, have some respect. And don¡¯t bother me.¡±
There was even a hint of harshness and disgust in her tone,
Finn¡¯s fingers loosened slightly, and his deep, icy eyes trembled hard.
Sensing his grip weaken, Tess twisted her wrist to pull free.
Instead, Finn grew stubborn and desperate. His hand tightened again, gripping her hard and refusing to let go.
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Chapter 607 A Line That Was Crossed
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¡°Listen to me. After I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll let you go. I won¡¯t bother you again. Didn¡¯t you just say you wanted to check a license te? I¡¯ll have someone look it up for you. Whatever you want to do, I¡¯ll help you. Trust me¡¡±
Smack!
Whatever patience Tess had left shattered. She pped Finn hard across the face.
¡°Tess, what are you doing? Are you crazy?!¡±
The crisp sound rang loudly through the suddenly silent room.
Roxanne lunged forward with bloodshot eyes, reaching for Tess¡¯s hair. Tess flung her one motion, mming her into the wall so hard her face twisted in pain.
away
with
This time, Tess finally looked straight at Finn. Her eyes were icy. ¡°Finn, let me say it again. We are over. Your mess is none of my business. But if you block me again, I won¡¯t mind taking you down too.¡±
When she said thest line, she first nced coldly at Roxanne, who was clutching her arms and baring her teeth in pain in the corner. Then her gaze returned to Finn as a warning.
Finn¡¯s tall body swayed, as if he might copse any second.
He bit his thin lip until the metallic taste of blood spread in his mouth. He closed his eyes, and in an instant, the light went out of him.
Then Tess turned to Julia, her expression gentle and respectful. ¡°I have something urgent to deal with. It¡¯s toote to take La with me. She may need to stay here tonight. I hope you can help watch over her. Thank you for understanding.¡±
Julia had been miserable watching Tess and Finn sh. But the moment she heard La could stay, she rxedpletely and nodded again and again. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll sleep in your room tonight and take care of La.¡±
Tess thanked her, then left with Connor.
Finn stared at their side¨Cby¨Cside figures. Then his legs gave out, and he copsed onto the bed.
Julia looked at Finn, who looked as though he¡¯d lost all hope in life. Her heart sank, but since he was her own grandson, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say anything too harsh.
She could only set Finn aside for now and turn with a frown toward Roxanne in the corner.
Julia¡¯s face was tight, her gaze stern.
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Chapter 607 A Line That Was Crossed
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She had always known about Roxanne¡¯s feelings for Finn. Back then, when Roxanne insisted oning along, she had even thought perhaps she might be a catalyst between Finn and Tess. She had never imagined Roxanne would do something so disgraceful.
Julia lifted a finger and pressed it to her temple. ¡°Roxanne, since nothing happened, I won¡¯t pursue this. But tomorrow morning at daybreak, you¡¯re going back to the Lowes.¡±
The moment those words came out, Roxanne copsed to the floor, her shoulders slumping.
She had gone all in tonight, risking burning every bridge. Yet when the result she had already expected finally arrived, her heart still hurt beyond control.
Roxanne looked up, her face drained of all color. ¡°Julia ¡ I promise there won¡¯t be a next time. Please don¡¯t tell my family. I¡¯ll stay by your side and behave myself. I¡¯ll be there for your birthday. I won¡¯t I won¡¯t chase what I shouldn¡¯t.¡±
¡
She sobbed, her shoulders shaking, and in the end, she secretly stole onest nce at Finn.
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Keepsake 608
Chapter 608 Passing me
Chapter 608 Passing me
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Finn lookedpletely drained now, sitting on the bed like a withered vine about to die.
Julia nced at Finn, then her eyes settled on Roxanne, who was pleading desperately. For a moment, she didn¡¯t know what to say.
Roxanne¡¯s heart was racing faster than it had when she¡¯d been exposed trying to seduce Finn.
On the surface, she was the heiress of the Lowes, but now, she was old enough to be married off. No matter how much her family spoiled her, an arranged marriage was inevitable. That was why she¡¯d been so desperate to make things happen with Finn. She didn¡¯t want a political marriage. She wanted to choose her own partner.
If she had really seeded, then no matter how dirty the method was, once she had Finn, the Lowes would have no choice but to go along with it.
But¡
Roxanne bit her lip as tears streamed down her cheeks.
If the Lowes found out she had done something like this and still failed, the shame alone would crush her to death.
¡°Don¡¯t tell them? Heh.¡±
Finn, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke. The look in his eyes had changed. It
cold. was like a cold¨Cblooded snake staring straight at Roxanne, making her spine go
¡°Did you think about me when you did all this?¡±
Roxanne froze.
She clearly hadn¡¯t expected those words toe out of Finn¡¯s mouth.
Her face went pale.
After all, she was a woman. If anything had happened, she would¡¯ve been at a disadvantage. So she didn¡¯t understand why Finn looked like he was the one who¡¯d been wronged.
Could it be¡
Roxanne clenched her fists.
15:26 Sun, Dec 21
Chapter 608 Passing me
He¡¯s talking about what Tess just said about them being done?
But isn¡¯t all of that his own fault? What does it have to do with what I did tonight?
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Fear and shock mixed with a strange anger inside Roxanne. With nowhere to vent it, sheshed out at the man she had admired for so long.
But only in her heart.
¡°I¡¡±
She clenched her teeth, unable to get the words out.
Finn stood up then, his tall frame towering over Roxanne, who was still sitting on the floor.
In her panic earlier, the nket that had covered her had fallen back onto the bed. She was still wearing nothing but that skimpy outfit.
Finn frowned and said coldly, ¡°You¡¯re disgusting.¡±
Those simple words pushed Roxanne straight to the edge.
She snapped her head up and stared at Finn in disbelief and fury. ¡°I¡¯m disgusting?¡±
Her nails dug into her palms, the pain spreading through her heart.
The pressure from her family and the contempt in the eyes of the man she loved were almost too much to bear.
Roxanne didn¡¯t know where she found the strength, but she suddenly stood up.
Even though she had to look up at Finn because of their height difference, her presence turned sharp and fierce. ¡°What about you? Aren¡¯t you disgusting too? Weren¡¯t you the one who pushed her away with your own hands? Weren¡¯t you the one who sent her to prison? And now you¡¯re standing there acting like I ruined your happiness. Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s ridiculous¡ª ugh!¡±
Her words were cut short as an iron grip mped around her throat.
Finn grabbed her by the neck. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage.
¡°Say that again.¡±
He ground out the words through his teeth.
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Chapter 608 Passing me
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Roxanne felt the air thinning instantly. She struggled to grab Finn¡¯s wrist, trying to make him let go, but her vision started to blur anyway.
¡°Finn!¡±
Julia was startled by his sudden outburst and rushed forward to bat his arm away.
Even though she no longer had a good impression of Roxanne, she still stepped in front of her, afraid Finn might go too far.
¡°Take him away. Put him in another room!¡±
Julia barked at the staff.
Behind her, Roxanne copsed to the floor, clutching her neck. Her eyes were wide, as if she¡¯d just escaped death. Cold sweat soaked her body.
The servants were frightened by Finn¡¯s rage too, but they still approached carefully and said in low, respectful voices, ¡°Mr. Lock¡¡±
Finn shook them off and strode out.
Atst, only Julia and Roxanne were left in the room.
Julia looked at Roxanne on the floor, her heart a mess of emotions.
She had watched Roxanne grow up, calling her affectionately all the time.
She had never imagined the girl would do something like this one day.
Julia sighed inwardly, even though her face stayed stern.
¡°Cover yourself up.¡±
She took off her own cashmere shawl and draped it over Roxanne.
Roxanne clutched the soft fabric around herself and lowered her head in shame.
¡°Go back to the Lowes tomorrow. I won¡¯t tell them what exactly happened.¡±
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Chapter 609 Deep Talks
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Julia felt that it was as far as she could go, at least in good conscience. She would treat it as the end of whatever bond she and Roxanne once had.
Roxanne knew she was in the wrong, and this oue was already more than she deserved. But¡ once she went back to the Lowes, she would have to ept an arranged marriage.
Julia had a maid take Roxanne back to her room, her mind still stuck on Finn¡¯s violent outburst
earlier.
As she stepped out, she ran into the same maid she¡¯d told to take Finn away.
Julia frowned. ¡°Where¡¯s Finn?¡±
The maid looked flustered and lowered her head. ¡°I ¡ I lost him.¡±
Julia¡¯s voice shot up. ¡°What? You lost him?¡±
Rubbing her forehead in frustration, she told the other staff behind her to fan out and look for him.
Group after group came back with no result.
Julia, who had been anxious, suddenly calmed down instead. She narrowed her eyes and told everyone to go rest.
Under the puzzled stares of the staff, she turned and walked in one direction.
She stopped outside Tess¡¯s old room.
Sure enough, the light was on inside.
She pushed open the door.
¡°Who said you could drink in here?¡±
Frowning, Julia strode in and snatched the ss from Finn¡¯s hand.
He was slumped on the soft couch, his eyes unfocused.
When he realized his drink had been taken, he looked up and met Julia¡¯s disappointed stare.
¡°Grandma ¡ why are you stopping me too?¡±
Chapter 609 Deep Talks
6:0
Julia gritted her teeth, grabbed his car, and dragged him toward the door.
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¡°La is in this room, and you dare drink in here?¡± she snapped, smacking him on the head. ¡°I¡¯ll knock some sense into you today!¡±
Finn¡¯s weak body swayed, but her words sank in.
Right¡ La is asleep inside.
He stiffened and set the bottle down.
Only then did Julia¡¯s expression ease a little.
¡°You should forget about Tess.¡±
Julia spoke suddenly.
Finn, who had just started to calm down, shot her a disbelieving look. ¡°What? Grandma, don¡¯t you love La too? Weren¡¯t you hoping we¡¯d get back together?¡±
Julia turned to him, reproach in her eyes. ¡°Didn¡¯t you bring all this on yourself? She doesn¡¯t want to forgive you.
¡°All the wrong you¡¯ve done¡ As your grandmother, I can¡¯t excuse it. Since she¡¯s made up her mind, you should let it go too.¡± Julia sighed, her gaze drifting back into the room and settling on the cradle. Her eyes softened with distance. ¡°Tess suffered so much back then, and she still raised La this well. You owe her far too much.¡±
She reached out and knocked hard on Finn¡¯s chest.
Back then, Gillian hade and praised her granddaughter to the skies. Finn had never had girls around him, and because of old ties, Julia had agreed to the marriage. She never thought it would all turn into this mess.
Tess had endured so much. When Julia was gone one day, she wouldn¡¯t even know how to exin it to Gillian in the afterlife.
Finn lowered his head, his messy hair hiding his eyes. He stayed silent.
His fists clenched tight at his sides.
¡°Grandma ¡ I really love her.¡±
Julia frowned. Listening closely, she could hear the sob in his voice.
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Chapter 609 Deep Talks
¡°Love?¡±
:
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She shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s toote. I¡¯m old now, and I can¡¯t control you anymore. If you insist on throwing yourself at a wall, then go ahead and hit it until you¡¯re bleeding.¡±
With a wave of her hand, she added, ¡°Go sleep in another room. Somewhere far from here. Don¡¯te in here drunk and scare La.¡±
With that, Julia closed the door and walked quietly to the cradle.
Her words had sounded fair, but after all, he was her own grandson. Sitting there now, her heart still felt heavy.
A small night¨Clight glowed in the room.
The warm light fell on La¡¯s soft little face. Julia stared at her in a daze, slowly rxing.
The love for the little one took root and grew like vines.
Julia reached up, slipped an emerald bracelet from her wrist, and gently ced it by La¡¯s hand.
Outside the window, Finn watched the tender scene between the old woman and the child. The cold wind cut into him, making him feel even more out of ce.
He turned unsteadily and walked away, soon swallowed by the darkness.
Tess had no idea what happened at the estate afterward. Her only thought was getting to Connor and Marc¡¯s ce as fast as possible.
By the time she arrived, Raven was already using her hacking setup to track the te number.
¡°How is it? Any results?¡±
Tess hurried into the study.
Raven¡¯s eyes lit up. The tension on her face finally eased. ¡°You¡¯re finally here. I¡¯ve got it. The te is invalid, obviously a ck¨Cmarket car. But I hacked into Aetheris traffic cams and tracked them heading toward the business district.¡±
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Chapter 610 The n
Chapter 610 The n
¡°The business district?¡±
Those words made Tess knit her brows tightly.
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Forcing Nichs and Rachel away was already illegal, and they actually went to the business district? Are they really that bold, or is someone backing them?
¡°Wait.¡±
A sharp light shed in Tess¡¯s eyes.
She said urgently, ¡°Pull the cameras around Hunt Group first.¡±
Everyone froze at once, confusion in on their faces.
Lyra¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°You think Hunt Group got involved?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together, her gaze turning heavy. ¡°In the business district, the Hunt Group and Lock Group headquarters take up most of the area. Finn has no reason to do this. The only one who¡¯d dare be this arrogant is Max.¡±
Raven hesitated. ¡°But why would Max do this? What does he gain from it? If Nichs and Rachel are taken from us, the biggest winner is Henry. And didn¡¯t Max already fall out with Nadine?¡±
Tess let out a chillyugh. ¡°You don¡¯t know Max.
¡°To someone who only cares about profit, old grudges mean nothing when there¡¯s money to be made.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together, her face grim.
Raven and Lyra both stiffened and turned to watch her.
¡°But what does Max get out of it?¡±
Raven still couldn¡¯t wrap her head around it.
Tess curved her lips into a cold smile. ¡°Simple. Whatever the Embers stand to gain, they can promise the same to Max.¡±
15:26 Sun, Dec 21
¡
¨¢ (7?)
Chapter 610 The n
The moment she said that, both Raven and Lyra¡¯s hearts sank.
¡°You mean¡¡±
Lyra bit her lip, hesitating before saying the words. ¡°The Larsons?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Tess nodded.
The air went still.
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She tapped the table, breaking the silence. ¡°Where are they now? Have they stopped?¡±
That snapped Raven back to her senses. She hurried to check the monitor. Sure enough, the footage showed the car driving straight into Hunt Group¡¯s underground parking garage.
¡°Now that we¡¯re sure, what do we do?¡± Lyra¡¯s face tightened. ¡°Go demand them from Max?¡±
Tess said nothing. Her heart felt like it was hanging in midair, unable to settle.
She rubbed her temples and said irritably, ¡°He won¡¯t give them back. Or he¡¯ll just deny it outright.
¡°With Max¡¯s shameless personality, even if you shove the footage in his face, he¡¯ll blink and say he knows nothing, that it isn¡¯t his problem, and he can¡¯t hand anyone over.¡±
A shadow fell over the room.
¡°Are we just gonna let this go? We already have almost all the evidence we need against the Embers, but whatever Nichs and Rachel go through after being taken will be hell. And for
Ken¡¡±
Lyra couldn¡¯t hide the concern in her eyes.
Back when they brought Ken back, it had been partly to stop Henry from sending more killers, and partly to pull Nichs and Rachel over to their side.
But time spent together always builds real feelings.
Tess felt a headacheing on too.
¡°I¡¯ll go find them. This is my fault.¡±
Marc suddenly straightened and spoke like he¡¯d made up his mind.
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Chapter 610 The n
Raven was already irritated. The second Marc spoke up, she snapped.
You?¡±
72
She grabbed his cor and yanked him toward her. ¡°A useless rich kid who can¡¯t even keep an eye on two people. What good are you now?¡±
She was about to go on, but Lyra quickly pulled her back and gave her a look to stop.
Raven swallowed her anger, snorted, and turned her face away.
Marc and Raven had always been at odds, one sharp¨Ctongued and the other never backing down. But this time. Marc knew he was wrong. He lowered his head and took her scolding in silence.
¡°Enough.¡±
Tess shook her head, stopping them both.
¡°From what Marc said, the delivery driver¡® showed up the moment he left. That means he had been waiting for a long time, ready to move. In a situation like that, the smallest slip can lead to disaster. Now that it¡¯s happened, there¡¯s no point arguing about who¡¯s to me. The only thing that matters is fixing it.¡±
Her voice was cold and steady, and the others fell silent.
¡°We¡¯re gonna get them back. But we still have to follow the original n. We can¡¯t alert the
enemy.¡±
Tess¡¯s face was tense.
¡°But how? Hunt Group isn¡¯t some factory we can just sneak into. This really is like searching for a needle in a haystack.¡±
Raven pressed her temples in frustration, not even sparing Marc a nce.
¡°Maybe¡ we pretend nothing¡¯s happened and lie low.¡±
Connor spoke up suddenly, his calm voice like a flowing stream.
¡°What do you mean?¡±
Tess asked.
Connor¡¯s gentle gaze settled on her as he exined, ¡°The Larsons have sent people. You
¡
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Chapter 610 The n
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already figured out Henry was trying to use you to get close to the Larsons. Right now, you¡¯re ying the role of a good daughter. Why not keep acting? Let Henry make his move when he can¡¯t hold back anymore, then strike back in one go. Once Henry falls, do you really think someone like Max, who only chases profit, will keep helping him hide people?¡±
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Chapter 614 Scribbling Away
Chapter 614 Scribbling Away
¡°Come out.¡±
After Tess left, the smile on Max¡¯s face didn¡¯t change¨Cinstead, it felt much colder.
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Hezily lifted his eyelids. ¡°You¡¯re staying. You know what you should and shouldn¡¯t do, right?¡±
Rachel dug her fingers into her palm and nodded hard.
Max raised a brow and let out an exaggerated yawn.
¡°Mr. Hunt, I¡¯m a woman too. I can tell how sincere you are about Ms. Tess.¡±
Rachel suddenly spoke.
At that, most of Max¡¯s drowsiness vanished.
He looked Rachel over with interest.
She was just an ordinary woman from the countryside, though she kept herself well and looked younger than her age.
Nothing special.
Max looked away, his eyes cooling. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡±
He turned to leave.
¡°I can help you get back together with her!¡±
Sensing the two burly bodyguards closing in behind her, Rachel called out urgently.
Sure enough, the words ¡°get back together¡± made Max stop, He slowly turned around.
¡°Where¡¯s that confidenceing from?¡±
He said that, but his eyes stayed on Rachel.
Rachel straightened her back and lifted her chin, trying to look convincing.
¡°Then please rest for now. I¡¯ll write you a n¡® right here.¡±
¡°A n? Why should I believe you? And why should I waste my time on you?¡±
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Chapter 614 Scribbling Away
Max¡¯s patience was running thin.
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Rachel suddenly smiled. Her eyes curved slightly as she rubbed her hands together in a ttering gesture. ¡°I heard them call you Mr. Hunt.¡±
She took another bold step forward. ¡°Mr. Hunt, I won¡¯t take much of your time. Just lend me a
pen here. It¡¯ste anyway, and you should be resting. I know better than to make you wait on - me.
¡°As for why you should believe me¡ I may not have known Ms. Tess long, but I¡¯ve lived long enough and seen many women. I¡¯m a woman myself. I understand women best.
She tried to make her voice sound sincere, persuading him word by word.
Little by little, Max began to waver.
He narrowed his eyes. A final trace of wariness remained in them. ¡°You really think you can do it?¡±
¡°Of course!¡±
Seeing hope, Rachel nodded hard.
Her eyes were earnest, as if she truly wanted to help him.
Max nced around, then suddenly stood up and brushed imaginary dust from his pant leg.
¡°Fine. I¡¯ll give you one chance. If you really can make her change her mind, I won¡¯t shortchange you.¡±
Max finally loosened.
Rachel¡¯s eyes lit up at once. ¡°Okay! I won¡¯t let you down. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll have it ready for you first thing tomorrow morning.¡±
Max noddedzily, then pointed at Fred. ¡°You. Give her the office key. If there¡¯s no so¨Ccalled ¡®n¡® on my desk tomorrow morning¡¡±
He raised a brow and didn¡¯t finish his sentence, but the air suddenly felt heavy.
Fred quickly pulled out a key and pressed it into Rachel¡¯s hand.
Rachel¡¯s heart was in her throat. She nodded hard and lowered her head, waiting for Max to leave.
Chapter 614 Scribbling Away
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Fred lingered behind, giving Rachel a warning look before leaving the door slightly ajar and going out.
When the footsteps outside finally faded, the office fell silent. Rachel tiptoed to the door and carefully closed thest narrow crack.
She scanned the office. Her gaze settled on the bookcase.
Not long ago, Tess had walked out. Rachel had been held in this very room, forced to watch her husband leave with Tess while she herself remained behind like a dead weight¡ or rather, a hostage.
Her heart ached.
She let out a soft sigh, then began pacing around the office restlessly. A sheet of paper in her left hand, a pen in her right.
She wandered and wandered until she stopped in front of the bookcase and looked it down.
¡°So these are the books the big shots on TV read?¡±
She stared at the thick volumes and muttered in awe.
up
and
Not a single light read. They were all about economics, market trends, and theories that made her head hurt at a nce.
Rachel clicked her tongue.
¡°Sigh.¡±
She sighed again and lowered her head. ¡°It¡¯s all this kind of stuff. I can¡¯t even find something to copy from. Ms. Tess ¡ let me think how to help you get your heart back.¡±
She dragged a chair in front of the bookcase, as if the sight of books could spark inspiration.
She ced the nk paper on herp. From time to time, she looked up at the shelves, then back down, scribbling away with her pen.
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Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 611 An Invitation
Chapter 611 An Invitation
¡°No.¡±
Tess frowned and refused outright.
::.
4200
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Raven didn¡¯t understand. ¡°It actually sounds pretty good, and it wouldn¡¯t mess up our original n.¡±
Tess shook her head, her tone firm. ¡°Henry already had Nichs testify for him. To Henry, Nichs has no more value. The only reason he¡¯s keeping him now is that he¡¯s afraid Nichs will spill his secrets.
¡°In that case, I can¡¯t guarantee Nichs and Rachel¡¯s safety.¡±
That exnation dropped the room into silence.
It was true.
Once Nichs had agreed to be a witness against Henry, he became their ally. As people, they couldn¡¯t just abandon his life and safety.
Raven yanked off her headset in frustration and tossed it onto the desk.
¡°That won¡¯t work, this won¡¯t work¨Cthen what can we do?!¡±
She¡¯d thought it was just a kidnapping. With her skills, finding them would¡¯ve been easy. Who would¡¯ve guessed Hunt Group would be involved?
They couldn¡¯t investigate, and they couldn¡¯t search.
Knock, knock, knock¡
Suddenly, urgent knocking sounded at the door.
They exchanged looks. Tess signaled Raven to lock theputer screen, then went to answer it.
A maid from the Dickinson Residence stood outside.
She bowed cautiously to Tess, then looked toward Connor. ¡°Mr. Hale, there¡¯s someone here iming to be from Hunt Group.¡±
Hunt Group?
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Chapter 611 An Invitation
The two words made everyone jump to their feet. ¡°Hunt Group?¡±
They echoed each other, shock in in their eyes.
¡°It must be someone Max sent. What does he want? To provoke us?¡±
Raven was on the verge of exploding.
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Lyra quickly grabbed her arm, trying to calm her down, while looking at Tess for guidance.
Connor looked to Tess as well, waiting for her call.
¡°Let him in.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice dropped. The turmoil in her eyes vanished, reced by a cold, solid calm like a fortress wall.
The maid looked at Connor, who nodded, signaling her to do as Tess said.
She left quickly, and soon returned with a short, middle¨Caged man in a neat suit.
He swept his gaze around the room like a radar, taking in everyone present. Then he tugged his tie and cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯m the new vice president of Hunt Group. I¡¯m here at your humble home to pass a message from our CEO.¡±
Even Lyra, who was usually the most polite, frowned.
¡°Your humble home,¡± as a self¨Cdeprecating phrase, felt painfully out of ce here.
Connor couldn¡¯t help ncing around.
He was the regional head of Cavrielle; this vi had cost a fortune and had been designed by him personally. And now someone called it a ¡°humble home.¡±
Heughed softly. ¡°So what message did you bring to our ¡®humble home¡® today?¡±
The man took it as ttery and lifted his stubby neck proudly, like a bald duck trying to mimic
a swan.
It was ridiculous.
Raven couldn¡¯t hold it in and snorted withughter.
That set the man off.
19:25 Mon, Dec 22
¡
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Chapter 611 An Invitation
¡°You! What are youughing at?!¡±
He red at Raven, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
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Raven covered her mouth and looked up at the ceiling, then down at the floor. ¡°Nothing.¡±
He felt offended but couldn¡¯t quite argue back. He turned away stiffly and said, ¡°Mr. Hunt says, if you want the Woods to stay alive, he wants Ms. Tess to go meet him and talk face to face.
¡°Mr. Hunt is very easy to talk to.¡±
He curled his lips into a stiff smile that looked anything but friendly.
Lyra frowned, feeling ufortable.
Tess hadn¡¯t expected Max to make the first move.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. ¡°And when is Mr. Hunt free?¡±
¡°All day today. But he¡¯ll only see Ms. Ember.¡±
¡°Alright. I understand.¡±
When a good opportunity presents itself, you don¡¯t refuse it.
Tess turned to grab her bag. Just as her fingers touched the strap, she looked back at the strange man still standing in the middle of the room. ¡°Why are you still here?¡±
The man froze and flushed. Arrogance started to creep back onto his face. But Raven had already had enough. She grabbed him by the cor, dragged him to the door, and kicked him straight out.
¡°Ahhh!¡±
He lost his footing and crashed to the ground, screaming.
Bang!
Raven mmed the door shut.
¡°Ah! You lunatics! My leg!¡±
The door shook from his pounding outside. Raven kicked it again so hard that it boomed, the whole house seeming to tremble.
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Chapter 611 An Invitation
The noise outside finally stopped.
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Raven pped her hands together and turned back smugly. But when her eyesnded on Tess, her yful look faded. ¡°You¡¯re really going?¡±
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Chapter 612 The Bargaining Chip
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Lyra tried to stop her too. ¡°I can¡¯t figure out what Max is doing at all. If you rush over like this, aren¡¯t you worried something might happen?¡±
Tess pressed her thin lips together, her expression grave. ¡°Maybe. But I know what he wants.
With that, Raven and Lyra didn¡¯t ask more. The three of them met each other¡¯s eyes in midair.
¡°We¡¯ll take you to the building.¡±
Raven grabbed the car keys without another word. Lyra threw on her coat and followed right after.
Tess knew they were worried about her and didn¡¯t say anything.
Connor and Marc exchanged a nce. Marc lowered his head, guilty and uneasy.
¡°We¡¯ll go
too.¡±
Connor sighed at this younger brother of his, but in the end, he didn¡¯t scold him.
Two cars sped away, the tires slicing through moonlight, heading straight for the Hunt Group¡¯s
tower.
Hunt Group.
¡°Mr. Hunt, didn¡¯t you just strike a deal with Henry? Didn¡¯t they tell you to be careful and keep everything quiet? Why would you so openly ask Tess toe?¡±
Fred Barnes, the assistant, was massaging Max¡¯s shoulders as he asked carefully.
Max lifted his sharp chin, letting cigarette smoke curl around and veil his eyes.
Heughed softly. ¡°In the end, what I really care about is the Larsons. Nadine is just a pretty face, and Henry¡¯s been under Tess¡¯s thumb from the start. Why would I tie myself to them?¡±
Fred still didn¡¯t quite get it. ¡°But¡ they can give you the Larsons¡ª¡±
¡°No.¡±
Max raised his brow, a chill and a wicked edge settling over him.
19:25 Mon, Dec 22
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Chapter 612 The Bargaining Chip
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¡°The confirmed heir of the Larsons is Tess. If I can make a deal with her, why would I bother gambling on the Embers?¡±
Hezily twirled his cigarette between his fingers.
Fred¡¯s eyes finally lit up. ¡°So you¡¯re nning to work the Embers. If the deal works, you hand Nichs over to her. That way, she¡¯ll owe you one.¡±
That was exactly what Max was thinking. He curled his lips into a dark smile.
He¡¯d never expected Tess, the neglected only child nobody wanted, to turn into the sole heir of the mighty Larsons of Kingnd.
Max narrowed his eyes as smoke drifted before them. The way ahead was hidden.
Letting Tess go back then was my biggest mistake.
¡°But Mr. Hunt, will Ms. Tess really appreciate this? I remember¡ when she was just released, you showed her all kinds of kindness, and she ignored you. And now she¡¯s no longer that helpless Tess.¡±
Fred hesitated as he spoke, watching Max¡¯s expression.
Max sneered. ¡°Then we¡¯ll see how valuable Nichs really is.¡±
With that, he crushed out a fresh cigarette between his fingers.
Knock, knock.
¡°Come in.¡±
A slim, pale figure appeared.
Even Max, who thought he knew Tess well, was stunned for a moment.
Then he smiled, his beautiful eyes curved with a dangerous charm. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡±
Tess walked in on her heels and stopped half an office away from him.
She ignored his greeting and went straight to the couch, sitting down on her own.
Max said nothing, his gaze locked on her.
¡°Mr. Hunt, you had mee all this way in the middle of the night. I doubt it¡¯s just to exchange pleasantries.¡±
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Chapter 612 The Bargaining Chip
:
Tess nced meaningfully at the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows and the night outside.
It was ck and heavy, like the world itself was about to sink.
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Max followed her gaze, then drew it back. There was even a trace of apology on his face. ¡°It iste. I shouldn¡¯t have bothered you. We could¡¯ve done this in the daytime.
¡°I would have waited for you.¡±
As he said that, Max lifted his eyes and looked straight at Tess, his gaze deepening.
A wave of goosebumps rose on Tess¡¯s arms. A chill ran through her.
But her face didn¡¯t change. She looked back at him calmly.
¡°Since I¡¯m here, speak.¡±
She got straight to the point.
Max leaned back, his fingerszily tracing the rim of his coffee cup.
¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other in so long. I didn¡¯t think the first thing you¡¯d say to me would sound so distant.¡±
Something flickered in Tess¡¯s eyes, then vanished.
She forced a smile and started to stand. ¡°If you¡¯re done reminiscing and have nothing to say,
then I¡¯ll go back and rest.¡±
Snap!
Max snapped his fingers calmly.
The gesture was sudden and strange.
Tess frowned, confusion in her eyes.
And in that split second of distraction, Nichs was brought out from behind the wardrobe that separated the lounge and the office.
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Chapter 613 The Deal
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The solid muscles on Nichs¡¯s body looked deted now, his whole figure sickly and weak.
Tess¡¯s pupils shrank. ¡°What¡¡±
¡°Sit.¡±
Max smiled.
Tess had no choice but to sit. But the moment her eyesnded on Nichs, her body stiffened.
¡°Henry wanted to use you to dig into the Larsons,¡± Max sneered. ¡°That idiot thought his n was airtight. You saw through it long ago, didn¡¯t you?¡±
His gaze settled on Tess.
From the moment rumors spread that Tess had returned to the Embers and was ying the role of a dutiful daughter, he knew something was off.
This was clearly Tess ying Henry and his whole family like fools.
Tess kept her calm mask. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. I¡¯m taking him with me.¡±
¡°If you don¡¯t get it, then you won¡¯t be able to take him.¡±
Max¡¯s voice dropped, ending on a teasing note that made her skin crawl.
Tess forced down the nausea and looked straight at him. ¡°Then state your terms.¡±
Atst, no more word games. Max spread his handszily. ¡°Very simple. I¡¯m not a greedy idiot like Henry, biting off more than I can chew. After you inherit the Larsons, I want you to help make Hunt Group the number¨Conepany in Aetheris.
¡°And grinding Finn under my heel can count as getting revenge for what he did to you a year ago.¡±
Max stood at some point and, before she realized it, had walked behind her. He leaned close, breathing by her ear.
Tess felt her limbs tremble.
She stepped away sharply, her gaze turning cold. ¡°I understand that you have ambitions, but don¡¯t try to pin them on me.¡±
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Chapter 613 The Deal
This time, Max didn¡¯t press closer. Instead, he froze.
It was as if all the strength drained from him. He leaned back and let out a long sigh.
¡°Tess, why won¡¯t you just believe I¡¯m sincere?¡±
?
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He stared at her intently. The look in his eyes even resembled affection for a split second.
Tess wasn¡¯t fooled.
¡°Sincerity? Let me put it simply. If it came down to me or your future, you wouldn¡¯t hesitate. Someone like you doesn¡¯t get to talk about sincerity.¡±
She smiled politely.
Max looked at her. Then heughed too. ¡°I was like this a year ago, and I¡¯m still the same now. My heart hasn¡¯t changed. I¡¯m just going with the flow. Those two things don¡¯t sh.¡±
He moved closer, forcing Tess into the corner of the couch. A trace of pride flickered in his eyes as he watched her guard herself.
Max bent down and inhaled near her hair, his manner almost deranged.
Tess tried to jump up, but a hand pressed her back down.
Max closed his eyes, as if he had eyes on his forehead.
He breathed in deeply and let it out slowly, satisfied. ¡°Tess, why won¡¯t you look at me? If I have
a better future, I can protect you and give you a happy life. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±
The urge to vomit climbed Tess¡¯s throat.
She forced herself to look away and said coldly, ¡°I ept your conditions. Now let him go.¡±
Max straightened. ¡°Sure.¡±
At his words, the two burly bodyguards restraining Nichs released him.
Tess shot Max a sharp look, then strode to Nichs and grabbed his arm.
Nichs grabbed her wrist instead, eyes red. ¡°Ms. Tess ¡ they¡¯ve still got Rachel!¡±
Tess turned to look at Max. Max shrugged. ¡°Nichs is the deposit. Rachel is the bnce. If I give you everything now, what if you go back on your word?¡±
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Chapter 613 The Deal
Tess stared at him.
So I¡¯ve underestimated him after all.
By handing over Nichs, he can secure my cooperation. By keeping Rachel, he can bind me.
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¡°I want to see Rachel at any time. And you¡¯d better treat her well. Don¡¯t neglect her or hurt her.¡±
Tess knew she couldn¡¯t take Rachel today. All she could do was fight for her.
Max lounged back against the couch. ¡°Of course. Mypany isn¡¯t some sweatshop.¡±
Tess ignored the implication, gripping Nichs¡¯s arm as she led him out.
At first, Nichs was rooted to the floor. Tess frowned and said, ¡°If you want to stay, I won¡¯t stop you¨Cyour wife included.¡±
Only then did he force himself to leave reluctantly, but his eyes stayed locked on a gap beside the bookshelf.
Behind it, a pair of tearful eyes flickered in the dark.
Tess nced in that direction too before she left.
But she felt like she was walking out of a wolf¡¯s den. The moment she stepped out of the office, she quickened her pace.
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Chapter 615 Backup n
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Everything Rachel did was watched by Max through the live feed as he rode back to the vi.
Fred studied Max¡¯s expression and asked carefully, ¡°Mr. Hunt, are you sure she really wants to help you? From what I see, Tess still treats that couple pretty well. Could this be some kind of scheme?¡±
There was none of Max¡¯s usual charm in his eyes now. Only a chill.
He curved his lips. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ve got a backup n.¡±
He tapped the tablet screen with his finger.
Fred nodded quickly and praised him in a low voice. ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re you. I kept wondering how you agreed so quickly, just letting her stay in the office to write some nonsense n.
¡°But¡¡±
Fred nced at the screen again, watching Rachel pause and write, then stand up anxiously and pace.
He scratched his head and said with interest, ¡°She actually looks like she¡¯s trying her best. It¡¯s kinda dumb, though. She doesn¡¯t even know you don¡¯t care about any ¡®n¡® at all.¡±
His mouth twitched, disdain all over his face.
Max frowned slightly. But his eyes shifted, and the fingers by his leg curled, clutching his fabric and wrinkling it.
I don¡¯t care?
If¡ her so¨Ccalled n really can make Tess¡ Then maybe I do care.
Max leaned back and let out a long breath.
Fred kept talking as he stared at the screen. ¡°See? I knew it. She really does have her own agenda.¡±
Max¡¯s ears perked up. He caught Rachel¡¯s muttering through the feed.
¡°Honestly, I only lived with Tess for a few days. How could I know her that well?¡±
Rachel tugged at her hair restlessly, soon turning it into a mess.
pant
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Chapter 615 Backup n
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¡°And if I can¡¯t write anything, what¡¯s the difference between staying here and going back to that factory? I just want a better life. Is that really too much to ask?¡±
She stomped as sheined, every move full of small¨Ctown pettiness.
Realizing Rachel was only grasping at straws for a morefortable life, Max lost interest.
Fred clicked his tongue. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought that¡¯s what she¡¯s really thinking? I remember Tess went through a lot to get her and Nichs out of that factory. Even Steven, a top national researcher, went in undercover and did manualbor for days.
¡°Really¡ You never know a person by looks alone. I wonder how Tess would feel if she knew this woman was plotting behind her back.¡±
Max rubbed his temples. Looking down at Rachel on the screen, his eyes went cold.
Just a petty woman ying small tricks.
He locked the tablet screen. ¡°Wake me when we¡¯re home.¡±
Then he leaned back against the seat and dozed off.
Fred immediately shut up, curling into his corner and not daring to make a sound.
Meanwhile, the Rachel they both dismissed suddenly stopped moving. The frantic look on her face vanished.
She lifted her gaze toward the corner of the wall. If you didn¡¯t look closely, you¡¯d never notice the faint blinking red light there.
Rachel¡¯s face hardened. She instantly stood and began searching the office.
She remembered Nichs mentioning things about Hunt Group in his sleep.
He¡¯d said thepany had grown fast these past two years, but the timing was always a little dirty.
Maybe¡ I can find something.
Rachel pressed her lips together, her mind filled with the image of Tess from earlier that day.
Ms. Tess truly cares about our family. I¡¯ve also seen how much she despises Mr. Lock. How could I betray her and help evil thrive?
She flipped through things faster, her eyes focusing on the bookcase.
19:26 Mon, Dec 22
¡
Chapter 615 Backup n
This shelf was double¨Csided.
The outer side held decorative pieces. The inner side was filled with books.
Something about it felt wrong.
Most of those books looked brand new, barely touched.
Suddenly, her eyes locked onto one.
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One book was as thick and wide as a dictionary, and unlike the others, its pages were yellowed and worn from frequent handling.
Rachel pulled it out and hugged it to her chest.
The moment her fingers brushed its spine, she felt something inside.
Her eyes
lit - up.
She pulled it out. It was a kraft¨Cpaper envelope.
What is this?
She held it up and shook it lightly.
The envelope wasn¡¯t even sealed, and whatever was inside felt thick and stuffed.
On a sudden impulse, she reached in and pulled out a small stack of papers.
She spread them open quickly and looked straight at the bottom.
Two names stood out clearly¨CMax and Nadine.
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Chapter 616 Smooth Things Over
Chapter 616 Smooth Things Over
Rachel¡¯s pupils shrank.
I know that name¨CNadine!
Nichs once told me she was a very ¡°adopted daughter.¡±
Rachel forced herself to calm down and carefully read the paper from top to bottom.
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When she finished, she slowly put the papers back into the envelope and slipped it into the book again, shock still flickering in her eyes.
She had vaguely heard about the huge data¨Ctheft scandal at Lock Group a year ago.
Only now did Rachel realize that she had first learned about Tess a year earlier.
She had been used of stealing Lock Group¡¯s trade secrets and sent to prison.
But¡ a year ago, it was clearly¡
Rachel pressed a hand to her chest, shaken.
Everything that had happened recently had overturned her world.
She never imagined an ordinary woman like herself would stumble into something this huge and dangerous.
What frightened her even more was Tess.
She looked much younger than Rachel, yet she carried so many schemes on her shoulders and had endured so much undeserved suffering.
Rachel felt deeply unsettled.
She had heard Tess had given birth in prison.
She vaguely remembered how cold that winter had been.
In that moment, a hot tide rushed through Rachel¡¯s heart and left her speechless.
She was a mother too. She treated her Ken like her own life.
For the first time, she truly understood Tess.
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After restoring everything she had disturbed, Rachel went back to her chair.
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She put on her anxious act again, yawned, then felt along the wall for the light switch and turned it off.
But when she reached the wall, her hand moved briefly, as if she had slipped something into her pocket.
That tiny movement was hidden from the camera. Nothing caught it.
Fred had been assigned to monitor Rachel all night. When he saw the lights go out, he yawned and sprawled on the couch to sleep.
He was full of questions.
Does she really think Mr. Hunt will spare her if she can¡¯t produce some ¡°n¡± tomorrow?
Fred stared nkly at the monitor, watching Rachel fall into a deep sleep in the dark. Now and then, she shifted and hummedfortably.
She even pulled a nket over her stomach.
Compared to her, Fred working ¡°overtime¡± in the study looked far more miserable.
Hested ten more minutes, resentment boiling over.
In the end, he couldn¡¯t take it anymore and went to his bedroom to sleep as well.
Right before dawn, Rachel suddenly sat up. She grabbed the and began scribbling quickly across the page.
paper and
pen fromst night
Early in the morning, as Hunt Group started buzzing with life, Fred showed up with dark circles under his eyes. Rachel, looking refreshed, smiled and handed him the paper, even asking kindly, ¡°Didn¡¯t you sleep wellst night?¡±
Fred¡¯s mouth twitched. He red at her. ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with you? Worry about yourself.¡±
Rachel shrank back and said nothing.
Fred skimmed the paper until a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
He went to open it and found Max there earlier than usual.
Max¡¯s eyes went straight to the paper in Fred¡¯s hand. He took it and read through it.
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Chapter 616 Smooth Things Over
When he finished, he frowned at Rachel, who stood to the side nervously.
¡°This is your n? Dinner and movies?¡±
Max scowled.
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¡°Young women all like that. I just figured there might be a misunderstanding between you and Ms. Tess. You should take the initiative to smooth things over, then invite her out. A woman with a child who¡¯s just divorced is at her weakest, both emotionally and mentally. That¡¯s exactly your chance.¡±
Max¡¯s brows knit tightly.
He gave a cold snort and flung the paper aside. Fred hurried to catch it.
¡°She won¡¯t even look at me. How am I supposed to ¡®smooth things over¡®? Do you think I need you to teach me to take her to dinner and go to the movies?¡±
Rachel hesitated, then her eyes lit up. She gathered her courage and stepped closer. ¡°Since you¡¯re already using me as leverage to make her give you benefits¡ Why not use me again and force her to have dinner with you, or go see a movie?¡±
Rachel smiled obsequiously.
Max¡¯s face tightened. He looked down at her. ¡°Use you as leverage?¡±
¡°Yes! I¡¯ll cooperate fully.¡±
Max pulled his gaze
back, his eyes shifting slightly.
Ember Group.
Even though Nichs and Rachel were under control again, they weren¡¯t in Henry¡¯s hands. It still made him uneasy.
He rubbed his temples, irritation written all over his face.
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Chapter 617 Came to See You
Nadine sat off to the side, hardly daring to breathe.
And on the other side was a small, thin figure wrapped up from head to toe.
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Henry stared at her and snapped, ¡°What¡¯s with all the hiding? Do you really think we don¡¯t know who you are?¡±
She¡¯de to tip them off toote, and in the end, she hadn¡¯t been of any real help. He had no reason to be polite to her.
Jolie listened to his arrogant, violent words and clenched her fingers.
She pulled off the baseball cap, dark sunsses, and face mask. Jolie¡¯s face was exposed to the air.
Henry swept a nce over her and clicked his tongue to himself.
So ordinary. No wonder Steven didn¡¯t want her and went after Tess instead.
He¡¯d meant it as a thought, but without realizing it, thest part slipped right out of his mouth.
The moment it did, Jolie¡¯s entire face darkened.
¡°Mr. Ember, what do you mean by that? If I hadn¡¯t warned you, you probably wouldn¡¯t have even realized Nichs and Rachel were about to be sent overseas!¡±
She mmed her palm on the table.
She was her family¡¯s only daughter and had always been doted on. This was the first time anyone had humiliated her like this to her face.
Well, except Steven.
Thinking of that, Jolie saw that clean¨Ccut, cold face in her mind, and she bit her lip.
Tess¡¯s face pushed its way in too.
The two of them standing together, Steven frowning at her with disgust¨Cshe couldn¡¯t get that image out of her head.
A ze seemed to roar in Jolie¡¯s chest.
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Chapter 617 Came to See You
Tess¡ That bitch¡
Her fingers tightened, sharp nails digging into her palm.
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Henry couldn¡¯t help feeling a little guilty at that, so his eyes shifted and he changed the subject. ¡°Nichs is already back. My tiny ce can¡¯t amodate a big shot like you.¡±
He jerked his chin toward the door, clearly telling Jolie to leave.
But Jolie didn¡¯t move. She locked eyes with Henry. ¡°You¡¯re really that sure the Max guy you found can help you?¡±
Henry didn¡¯t really have much confidence himself, but seeing Jolie¡¯s high¨Cand¨Cmighty look made him want to knock her down a peg.
¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that. Mr. Hunt has worked with my daughter plenty of times. As for his status and influence, he might even be stronger than your family.¡±
¡°Good! Since you said so, then we¡¯re partners too. But if Tess doesn¡¯t end up with the ¡®result¡® you promised, I won¡¯t let you off either.¡±
Jolie flung out that threat and stormed off.
Henry and Nadine watched as she grabbed her bag and left in a rage.
¡°Dad, what ifter we still need her for something?¡±
Nadine stared at the door, hesitant.
Henry snorted. ¡°A useless person who can¡¯t even keep her job because of Tess¨Cwhat do you think she can help with?
¡°How dare she threaten me¡ Hmph!¡±
He gripped his cup and smashed it onto the coffee table with a loud bang.
Nadine jumped at the sudden noise and nced at Henry carefully.
She didn¡¯t know if it was just her imagination, buttely, her father seemed nothing like the refined, gentle, intellectual man she remembered. He¡¯d gotten frighteningly irritable and hot- tempered.
Nadine shrank into the corner and didn¡¯t dare say another word.
The irritation burned up Henry¡¯s throat. He gulped down several more cups of coffee, but still
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Chapter 617 Came to See You
didn¡¯t feel any relief.
Knock, knock.
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Before Henry could say a word, Nadine hurried to answer the door, afraid she¡¯d be scolded if she were even a second too slow.
When she pulled it open, the person standing there was someone she hadn¡¯t seen in a long time. Shannon.
Nadine¡¯s face changed. She slowly turned to look at Henry. ¡°Dad¡¡±
¡°What are you dawdling for?¡±
Henry turned in irritation. The second he saw Shannon¡¯s soft, alluring face, he froze¨Cthen his anger red up.
¡°What are you doing here?! Didn¡¯t I tell you not to leave the apartment?!¡±
He jumped to his feet. He rushed over, yanked Shannon inside, then stuck his head out to check around. When he was sure there was no one else, he mmed the door shut.
In an instant, the room was sealed off. Only the three of them were inside.
Henry stared at Shannon. ¡°Give me an exnation.¡±
Nadine sensed the tension and hurried forward to try to separate them. ¡°Dad, since Mom¡¯s here, I can take her back after it dark.¡±
gets
¡°Nadine, go outside.¡±
Nadine was deeply worried. With how vtile Henry had beentely, she was afraid he might hurt her mother if he lost control.
But Shannon was far calmer than she expected.
When she heard Shannon say that, Nadine froze and turned, pleading with a small shake of her head for Shannon not to.
Shannon gave a faint smile, patted Nadine on the shoulder, then looked up at Henry. ¡°I have something to say. Don¡¯t drag the child into it.¡±
Henry frowned at Shannon¡¯s strange behavior today. Even his earlier fury subsided a little. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±
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Chapter 617 Came to See You
:.
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Shannon smiled. ¡°Nothing much. We had a small misunderstanding a while ago, but I miss you like crazy. So I came to see you.¡±
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Chapter 618 The Softest Trap
Shannon¡¯s words were soft and gentle.
But Henry felt something was very wrong.
The faint smile still rested on Shannon¡¯s lips.
Nadine inexplicably felt the atmosphere turn strange.
¡°Nadine, go
outside.¡±
Shannon said it again, and Henry said nothing.
Nadine nced between their faces, and after making sure they wouldn¡¯t start fighting, she quietly opened the door and left.
The door had just closed.
¡°Spit it out. What do you really want? Why tell Nadine to leave?¡±
Henry pressed at his brow, his tone cold.
Shannon looked at his face, and suddenly, her eyes filled with tears.
Henry watched her every move,pletely confused.
He frowned. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
The next second, Shannon¡¯s smooth, pale arms wrapped around Henry¡¯s neck, and then her hot tears fell, one heavy drop after another.
Henry froze, but Shannon began apologizing in a soft, trembling voice in his arms. ¡°I was being willful before. I know I was wrong now. You haven¡¯t given me a kind look in so long.¡±
She pouted, her eyes full of grievance.
Henry¡¯s heart softened despite himself, and he sighed. ¡°I did it all for you and our baby.¡±
¡°I know. I won¡¯t act like that again or fight with you anymore.¡±
She looked impossibly gentle, like a little cat, lightly scratching at his chest as she leaned against him.
Chapter 618 The Softest Trap
Henry felt itchy all over from her touch.
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Shannon sensed his stiffness and the subtle change, and in the moment she lowered her head, the cold curve at the corners of her lips vanished.
¡°Don¡¯t just stand there. The baby¡¯s tired.¡±
Shannon lifted her head again and looked up at Henry, her eyes sparkling with admiration and concern that made him feel strangely proud.
Henry let Shannon pull him over to the coffee table.
¡°Have some water.¡±
As if to show how obedient she was, she poured him another cup herself.
Henry happened to be thirsty and took it at once, draining it in one go.
This cup was cooler and more refreshing than any he¡¯d had before.
The fire in his chest vanished in an instant.
Henry even pressed his lips to the rim, savoring it for a moment.
He looked at Shannon, and her sudden visit didn¡¯t seem so hard to ept anymore.
He cleared his throat, and the tension in his face eased a little.
¡°Shannon, even though things are going our way right now, you can¡¯t be sure no one¡¯s watching you in secret, so I¡¯ve always told you to be careful with what you do.¡±
He sighed, his voice gentler than before.
Shannon blinked, then suddenly threw herself into his arms like a bird returning to its nest, her eyes full of grievance. ¡°I felt awful because you left without a wordst time and then kept ignoring me. I was afraid of losing you, so I couldn¡¯t helping to find you.¡±
Her delicate hands clutched tightly at his shirt.
Henry felt his chest itch where she touched him, and most of his anger
melted away.
He raised a hand and rubbed her head. ¡°Yeah ¡ I messed up too. Since you¡¯re here tonight, I won¡¯t say anything more. We¡¯ll do what Nadine said. When it getster, I¡¯ll have her take you back.¡±
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Shannon nodded obediently in his arms.
Compared to before, Henry now felt refreshed and at ease.
He looked down at Shannon¡¯s carefully dyed light¨Cbrown hair, his gaze drifting.
After all, they had so many years together. With her here, his heart finally felt calm.
Thinking this, Henry called Nadine back in, and the family ate dinner together.
When night had fully fallen, Henry personally walked Shannon out to the car Nadine had already parked and was waiting in nearby.
¡°I¡¯ll talk to you when I get home. For now, be patient. Aren¡¯t Kaleb and Tania still there with you?¡±
At those two names, Shannon¡¯s expression froze for a split second.
She pressed her lips together as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she only looked up and gave Henry an innocent smile. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll wait for you.
¡°Me and the little one.¡±
As she spoke, Shannon stroked her slightly rounded stomach, her eyes locked onto Henry¡¯s, dark and tempting.
Henry swallowed.
age, she He had to admit, Shannon had been with him for many years now. Even in middle was still beautiful, carrying both a mature charm and a calcted softness that made men weak.
Henry clicked his tongue inwardly, his gaze deepening as he looked at her.
Nadine didn¡¯t notice anything strange about her father. After helping Shannon close the car door, she got into the driver¡¯s seat, lowered the window to say goodbye, and drove off.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 619
Chapter 619 Where Have You Been?
At this moment, the sky had already gone dark.
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The road out of the factory was uneven, covered in loose gravel, and every now and then came the gritty sound of stones scraping beneath the tires.
One hand supporting her belly, Shannon lifted her eyes and looked at Nadine¡¯s face through the rearview mirror.
¡°Nadine, what have you and your dad been busy withtely?¡±
Her tone sounded casual, but a shadow passed through her eyes.
Nadine was only a so¨Cso driver, and on a rough road like this, she didn¡¯t dare rx at all.
Without lifting her head, she answered, ¡°We¡¯ve been dealing with Nichs. Tess took him from Dad a while back, and we only just got him back a few days ago.¡±
Shannon frowned when she heard that.
¡°Then what about the Larsons? How are they treating you and your dad these days?¡±
She smoothly changed the topic.
Nadine answered obediently, ¡°The Larsons still don¡¯t really ept Dad or me. And with all this mess with Nichstely, there¡¯s been no chance to show our faces over there.¡±
Shannon nodded. This time, she didn¡¯t ask anything else. Instead, she leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes, as if suddenly worn out.
Just then, Nadine finally drove onto a smooth stretch of road.
She spared a nce in the rearview mirror at the silent figure behind her. Shannon looked like she was already asleep.
Nadine¡¯s eyes drifted to Shannon¡¯s belly, which she still cradled with both hands, even with her eyes closed.
A strange bitterness rose in her chest.
In truth, she hadn¡¯t only learned in the past two years that Henry was her real father and that her mother was someone else entirely.
When she was young, Henry spoiled her terribly, even letting her run wild through his study.
She had stumbled across old photos of Henry and Shannon by ident, and along with them, letters that spelled everything out¨Chow she had been sent to the Embers and raised by Henry as an adopted daughter.
But meeting Shannon, her real mother, had only happened recently.
Chapter 619 Where Have You Bern?
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Just as Nadine was lost in her though, Shawn allerby ofke with her eyes will doreh
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Shannon opened her eyes. In their dear brightness was a hins A warning, ¡°e¡¯re a family, I will ny to make things up to you, Bar I hope you won¡¯t overthink things jou because your life was different from your brothers
Nadine¡¯s fingers tightened on the steering whed Saboon and mockery no her bones, inching and acting in a one
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Nadine forced a unile. ¡°Mom, what are you talking about Why would I overtink anything? We¡¯re wyether now, happy as one fernity. That¡¯s already word for u
conne
Shannon¡¯s sharp raze swept across Nadine¡¯s face. Only after a long moment did the look away.
After Shannon gave a hype beam, the car fell silent. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop
Nexon Research Institutr
We deliverably removed her digne at the entrance and even touched up her makeup
The waxed toward Steven¡¯s office as if nothing were wrong,
Urilike the brightly in office the remembered, it was picts ck bride this time, with not a single light on
We felt szed the fenced out the window. It was alreadyte.
Where would Steven have gone at this hour?
Secondward, the reached out and pushed the door
213
20:44 Wed, Dec 24 JB
JR
Chapter 619 Where Have You Been?
It wasn¡¯t locked¨Cjust barely shut.
The more she thought about it, the stranger it felt.
She took two careful steps inside, and her whole body slipped into darkness.
She stopped.
Just two steps in, and it already felt icy inside.
Jolie turned to leave.
Snap!
The light suddenly switched on, zing straight over her head like a noonday sun.
Jolie shuddered in fright, then realized Steven was sitting directly across from her.
He sat upright, but the exhaustion on his face was impossible to hide.
So that chill I felt earlier came from him.
Jolie forced her expression to look calm.
¡°Where have you been?¡±
Steven lifted his eyes coldly and went straight to the point.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 620
Chapter 620 Stand Against Money
Chapter 620 Stand Against Money
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Jolie had rehearsed countless exnations in her head. She smiled and answered smoothly, ¡°I¡¯ve made a few friends in Aetheris. If I¡¯m going back, I should have a meal with them, say goodbye properly.¡±
Steven didn¡¯t respond. He just stared at Jolie¡¯s face, then suddenly smiled. ¡°How¡¯s Henry¡¯s factory?¡±
The color drained from Jolie¡¯s face in an instant.
She swallowed harshly and tried toe up with an excuse, but when she met those faint, knowing eyes, no words woulde out.
Steven wouldn¡¯t say something like that without being sure.
Jolie¡¯s hand fell to her side, fingers curling tightly into the fabric of her pants.
Steven stood up as well. The chair scraped against the floor with a harsh screech as it slid back.
¡°I never thought I¡¯d be raising a traitor right under my nose,¡± Steven said with a coldugh.
The word ¡°traitor¡± made Jolie bristle at once. She rushed to defend herself.
¡°Mr. Stone, I did it for you! Ever since Tess showed up, you¡¯ve been working day and night. You even lowered yourself to working in a factory just to help her catch people. Why should she get that from you? I just couldn¡¯t stand seeing you wear yourself out!¡±
Steven stared straight into Jolie¡¯s eyes until she grew ufortable and instinctively looked away.
Thest trace of warmth on Steven¡¯s face vanished, leaving nothing but icy resolve.
¡°Jolie, this isn¡¯t your first time getting involved in Nichs¡¯s business. Today makes the second, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
His eyes were clear and sharp. He didn¡¯t give her even a second to deny it before continuing, ¡°Let me guess. When I took Nichs away, Henry found out so quickly. You tipped him off back then, didn¡¯t you?¡±
He stepped closer, the gentle air around him nowced with cold steel.
Steven sneered, ¡°Why? From the moment you first saw Tess, you already treated her like a thorn in your side.¡±
As Steven spoke, Jolie¡¯s face nched even further.
She clenched her fists, sharp nails digging into her palms.
After staying by his side for so long, this was the first time he had ever said so much to her.
Before, her biggest wish was that he¡¯d just talk to her more. She didn¡¯t expect it to finally happen today, only for him to use her of hating another woman.
He¡¯s asking me why? Doesn¡¯t he already know the answer?
20:44 Wed, Dec 24 R
Chapter 620 Stand Against Money
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Bitterness and resentment flooded Jolie¡¯s heart. She suddenly looked up, the soft pink eyeshadow on her lids now edged with a violent red.
¡°Why? You know exactly how I feel! You¡¯ve always known!¡±
Jolie lifted her chin and red at Steven, like she was trying to release every ounce of anger she¡¯d been holding in.
Steven watched her silently, then deliberately took a step back.
That tiny movement shattered what littleposure she had left.
¡°Why?!¡±
Tears streamed down her face, carving two wet paths through her carefully applied makeup.
Jolie wed at her arm, trying to look less pathetic, but it didn¡¯t help.
¡°How is she better than me? We¡¯re the perfect match in terms of family background, education, and the way we work so well together. But how is it that I stood by you for so long, and you¡¯ve never once given me a real look? And the moment she shows up, she takes all of your attention. Why?!¡±
Herst question came out as a hoarse scream.
And yet Steven stood there as calmly as a statue, unmoved by her heartbreak.
¡°I told you long ago to transfer out. You used your connections and forced the director to reverse my decision. Everything you did was on your own initiative. You brought this on yourself.¡±
Steven¡¯s voice was as t and still as an untroubled sea.
To Jolie, it felt like a knife had been plunged into her heart and twisted slowly.
She bit her lip hard, trying to keep thest broken sound from escaping her throat.
¡°Fine.¡±
She suddenlyughed, lifting a hand to wipe away her tears as if clinging to thest shreds of pride.
¡°I won¡¯t bother you anymore.¡±
Jolie red at him, her teeth clenched.
Steven frowned. ¡°You weren¡¯t going to stay by my side anyway. And¡ª¡±
He raised his phone. On the screen was a recording app.
¡°The institute has strict rules against inappropriate rtionships between colleagues. I¡¯ll hand in this recording, and I don¡¯t rmend you continue in research work.¡±
Steven spoke without emotion, not caring in the least about Jolie¡¯s wide eyes and shock¨Cfilled stare.
20:44 Wed, Dec 24
Chapter 620 Stand Against Money
Jolie snapped, ¡°What!¡±
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¡°And another thing,¡± Steven added coolly. ¡°The Reagens may be thergest shareholder of the Nexus Research Institute, but I¡¯ve already had headquarters refuse further cooperation with them.¡±
His cold voice drilled into Jolie¡¯s ears. She actuallyughed in anger. ¡°Steven, I admit you¡¯re a research genius. You made a name for yourself young. But what makes you think you can stand against money?¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 621
Chapter 621 Talent Beats Money
Jolie¡¯s face twisted with anger, her tone wild and arrogant.
¡°Well, headquarters already agreed to my terms.¡±
He raised his phone, and on the screen was the email from HQ replying to him.
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The price was that, within five years, he wouldplete five major research projects for the institute, for free.
¡°So it turns out talent really does beat money.¡±
Steven gave a faintugh. The next second, the smile vanished, and he calmly delivered Jolie¡¯s final
oue.
¡°You should already have an email from HQ. You¡¯re expelled from the institute and barred from entering under any identity.¡±
Jolie swayed, her eyes losing focus at once.
She had fallen for Steven ever since a techpetition years ago.
Steven¡¯s good looks, his calm air, and his outstanding, unrivaled talent had captured her at first sight.
She was a total science nerd herself. But the moment she saw Steven, something in her head went off.
That was the moment her brain was filled with love instead of science.
Using her identity as the Reagens¡® daughter, she sessfully became Steven¡¯s assistant. She had thought that a man like Steven, who lived at theb bench, would eventually notice the one closest to him.
But no matter how hard she tried or how much she gave, he never wavered. It turned out his heart already belonged to someone else.
And now, because he thought she had ruined that woman¡¯s ns, he was stripping her of the career she loved just as much.
¡°Why?!¡±
Jolie lifted her chin and red at Steven in fury.
At this moment, love seemed to turn into hatred.
For the first time, some emotion appeared on Steven¡¯s face.
He raised his chin slightly, cold light shing in his narrowed eyes. ¡°There¡¯s always been surveince in this office. A few days ago, you already got the notice from HQ. You¡¯re no longer my assistant and no longer have the right to enter my office.
¡°But you still came in. And you secretly did something, didn¡¯t you?¡±
THU
25
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20:16 Thu, Dec 25 G.
Chapter 621 Talent Beats Money
Steven¡¯s stare was razor¨Csharp.
Jolie bit her lip and stayed silent.
¡°You know how confidential a researcher¡¯s office is. Just that alone is enough to end your career.¡±
Steven¡¯s voice was low, and Jolie stopped crying too.
¡°Fine. I see it now. You¡¯re just getting revenge for Tess.¡±
She suddenly smiled, a dangerous light in her eyes.
Steven frowned at her twisted logic but didn¡¯t argue.
20)
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¡°Tonight¡¯s footage, the recordings, and the video of you sneaking into my office days ago will all be sent to HQ.¡±
Steven¡¯s voice was ice¨Ccold as he pointed to the door. ¡°Now, get out of my office.¡±
Jolie¡¯s chest burned appeared.
with frustration. Hatred and resentment fought wildly in her mind. Slowly, Tess¡¯s face
If it weren¡¯t for her, I would never have ended up like this.
The Reagen Corporation sounds powerful, but now, it¡¯s nothing more than a fading old¨Cmoney desperate for new blood. My parents were happy that I set my sights on Steven. In fact, they encouraged it.
If they find out I haven¡¯t achieved anything in research and got rejected by Steven¡
Jolie ground her teeth, hating Tess so much that she wanted to tear her apart.
But she didn¡¯t even get the chance to think further. Steven¡¯s tall frame cast a shadow over her, swallowing her whole, like a mountain about to crush her.
Jolie shot Steven a vicious re and threw out onest insult.
¡°You think standing up for her does anything? That shameless woman has so many men around her. Why would she ever look at a stiff, clueless guy like you?¡±
Steven¡¯s fingers froze. Then they slowly tightened.
In the next instant, Jolie mmed the door and left. But her words lingered in Steven¡¯s mind, refusing to fade.
He raked a hand through his hair in irritation, paced a few times, then finally sat back down and started on his design drafts again.
But even while drawing, his pen kept stalling and drifting.
20:17 Thu, Dec 25
Chapter 621 Talent Beats Money
That night, a lot of people couldn¡¯t sleep.
Evermount Heights.
The whole ride, Nichs barely dared to breathe, shrinking into himself as much as possible.
The car eventually stopped in front of Evermount Heights.
Tess got out of the car and told Raven and Lyra, ¡°If you¡¯re tired, go back to your rooms.¡±
Both of them shook their heads in sync. ¡°We¡¯ll sleep after this is settled.¡±
As soon as they spoke, their eyesnded on Nichs at the same time.
Nichs hunched his shoulders and followed them into the south wing step by step.
Another guilty one was Marc, hiding behind Connor.
Only Nichs had returned. Rachel was still being held by Max.
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They gathered around the coffee table and sat down on the couch. Hearing movement, Bessie got up.
Seeing all of them, she forced herself awake and made a pot of coffee for them.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 622
Chapter 622 Sleepover
Tess took a casual sip to wet her throat and set the cup down.
The ceramic cup touched the ss coffee table and made a sharp, clear sound.
Nichs¡¯s body jerked.
¡°I remember telling you all to be careful.¡±
Tess spoke in a low voice.
Nichs nearly buried his head in the floor.
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But he still stubbornly looked up at her, eyes earnest. ¡°It really was my fault. And thank you for saving me, Ms. Tess.¡±
Tess frowned but didn¡¯t interrupt.
¡°But¡ my wife¡¡±
Sure enough, the moment Nichs mentioned Rachel, he started crying again.
The man was built like a brick wall, his skin dark and his arms knotted with muscle. But now, he looked as fragile as paper.
¡°Is there really no other way?¡±
Nichs looked like he might drop to his knees right there.
¡°Until everything is done, Rachel probably won¡¯t be able toe back yet. But it won¡¯t matter. Max shouldn¡¯t make things hard for her.
Even hearing that, the tight knot in Nichs¡¯s chest didn¡¯t loosen.
¡°But we also need to speed things up.¡±
Tess curved her lips coldly, her gaze drifting to the tiles in the distance, thoughtful.
¡°Speed things up? Speed what up?¡±
All of a sudden, azy voice cut in, sounding like someone who had just rolled out of bed.
Everyone looked toward the voice. The moment they saw who it was, Connor¡¯s face went pale.
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18:22 Fri, Dec 26 R
Chapter 622 Sleepover
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Abel looked outrageously out of ce, wearing silk pajamas that shimmered under the light.
Why is he here?
Out of everyone, aside from Lyra and Raven¡¯s stunned looks, Connor almost had his eyes glued to Abel.
Why is he in Tess¡¯s house and dressed so¡
¡°Abel, what¡¯s going on with you?¡±
Tess felt a headacheing on too.
Abel spun around in ce. ¡°I came to see you. Bessie said you weren¡¯t in, so I figured I¡¯d take a nap. Thought you¡¯d be back by the time I woke up.¡±
Connor often helped Tess look after La, but he¡¯d never used that as an excuse to stay over.
Tess was used to Abel¡¯s strange habits by now. She didn¡¯t say much. She waved a hand, telling anyone who wanted to stay to grab a guest room and anyone who didn¡¯t could head home.
¡°Ah, I¡¯m exhausted.¡±
Raven yawned hugely.
Lyra blinked, her eyes watery. ¡°I¡¯ll stay next door with Raven.¡±
¡°As long as I don¡¯t have to room with Raven,¡± Marc muttered, and sure enough, Raven smacked him again.
Connor, ever the gentleman, smiled. ¡°It¡¯s toote, and it isn¡¯t safe to drive at night. If you don¡¯t mind, Marc and I may have to crash here for the night.¡±
It really waste. Tess nodded and had Bessie make the arrangements, while she headed back to her bedroom.
Abel¡¯s eyes followed Tess¡¯s back, and before he even realized it, his gaze had dimmed.
It seemed his presence meant nothing to her at 1.
Abel lowered hisshes, then followed her anyway, unwilling to give up.
Tess had taken only a few steps before she noticed someone behind her.
By now, she¡¯d reached the hallway near her bedroom, far from the living room, so the footsteps were especially clear.
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18:22 Fri, Dec 26 RW.
Chapter 622 Sleepover
Without warning, Tess stopped. Abel, lost in his thoughts, nearly crashed into her.
He froze when he met her cool, beautiful face.
¡°How long are you nning to follow me?¡±
Tess folded her arms and leanedzily against the wall.
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Compared to Tess¡¯s ease, Abel, who usually looked carefree, suddenly seemed awkward and restrained.
He curled one hand into a fist and coughed softly into it. ¡°Uh¡ we haven¡¯t talked in a long time.¡±
Tess¡¯s brows knit slightly as she looked him over
She could tell he wasn¡¯t the same as when they first met.
For some reason, her mood sank. Even her already tight expression grew colder.
She pressed her lips together. Her eyes fell on Abel¡¯s hopeful face, then drifted away. She swallowed the harsher words she¡¯d been about to say.
¡°I¡¯m busy. I need to sleep. I won¡¯t question why you showed up at Evermount Heights, but you should go home.¡±
Her tone was sharp and distant.
Abel¡¯s hand, which had been about to reach out, froze in midair. His eyes filled with disbelief.
¡°Tess, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
A rare panic appeared on his face. It felt like something he¡¯d almost had in his grasp was suddenly slipping through his fingers.
Tess looked up at him steadily, her face nk. ¡°I¡¯ste. Go home and rest,¡±
She turned as if to leave, but the moment her arm moved, someone grabbed it.
Abel stared at her. ¡°If you don¡¯t give me a real exnation tonight, you can go to sleep, but I¡¯ll squat outside your door.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 623
Chapter 623 Not Anyone
How could a person change this much in just a few days?
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Abel felt his heart sink in a way that made him panic. The calmer Tess looked, the more chaotic he felt inside.
Tess¡¯s gaze dropped to her right wrist, which he was gripping tightly. Her brows tightened, then rxed.
¡°What are you actually trying to do?¡±
Her tone was tired. She tried to pull free, but when her eyes met Abel¡¯s, her movement froze.
He stood there, tall and looming, his shadow swallowing her whole. His striking face was half hidden in the dark. What stood out most were his eyes.
¡°What is it this time? What did I do that made you start avoiding me on purpose?¡±
He clenched his teeth. There was even a tremor in his voice.
Tess was clearly stunned. She stared at him in shock.
Is he ¡ crying? Over something like this?
¡°Why¡¡±
Tess stopped herself mid¨Csentence. Seeing the red¨Crimmed eyes, she suddenly felt guilty for no good reason.
Abel¡¯s grip tightened.
He lifted his gaze. His eyes were bloodshot, a thin mist clinging to them. What unsettled her most was the dark, brooding look buried inside.
¡°Don¡¯t you know what I feel about you? You know! You¡¯ve always known!¡± he growled, full of hurt and stubborn rage.
Abel stared straight into Tess¡¯s eyes. ¡°Back then, ou hated that I was my uncle¡¯s nephew. You didn¡¯t even want to have anything to do with me It took so much for you two to finally get divorced, and now¡¡±
He bit his lip and stepped closer, wanting to be nearer to her, just a little.
As the shadow closed in, the first thing Tess sensed was a hot tear hitting her arm.
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18:22 Fri, Dec 26 A
Chapter 623 Not Anyone
Her emotions tangled into a knot.
¡°Abel, even though I divorced Finn, we still won ever be possible.¡±
Weariness and frustration surged together, but Tess hardened her heart.
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Abel froze. He stood there, a half arm¡¯s length from the woman who haunted his days and nights.
¡°Why?¡±
¡°I won¡¯t consider any man as my partner in life again.¡±
Tess turned her face away. She reached out and pried his fingers off, one by one.
This time, it was surprisingly easy. After only a moment, his hand fell limply to his side.
¡°Not even me?¡±
He asked stubbornly, his voice so hoarse it barely sounded like his.
¡°Not anyone.¡±
Bang!
Tess strode away. The bedroom door mmed shut, cutting Abel off outside.
Abel staggered forward a couple of steps, stopping only when she disappeared inside.
He stared at the closed door, the cold light in his eyes slowly fading until nothing was left but stillness.
Tess leaned against the door and took two deep breaths before she finally calmed down.
She steadied herself, then quickly pulled out her phone and started checking her messages, paying special attention to Finn.
Everything tonight had happened too fast. La was still at the Lock Estate.
There were no new messages from Finn. But there was a new friend request.
The profile photo showed a wealthy woman in designer sunsses, lounging by the sea.
The moment Tess epted, several photos of La sleeping were sent over, followed by a flood of praise.
¡°This little girl is just too adorable. Even sleeping, she¡¯s so well¨Cbehaved. Not a wiggle at all.
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18:22 Fri, Dec 26 @W
Chapter 623 Not Anyone
¡°Gosh, she¡¯s way cuter than her dad was at that age.
¡°She¡¯s like a little doll.¡±
Julia liking La this much was something Tess hadn¡¯t expected.
Reading the sincerepliments, the tight knot in her chest finally loosened.
¡°I¡¯lle pick her up tomorrow, Julia.¡±
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The stream of messages suddenly stopped, like someone had hit pause. After a long moment, a single reply came back. ¡°Alright.¡±
At the same time, at the Lock Estate, Julia had long since woken up and couldn¡¯t fall back asleep. She¡¯d been watching La the whole night.
She¡¯d finally met the little treasure, and now, she had to give her back so soon.
Julia felt like crying, and in her heart, she chewed out her useless grandson.
Such a good wife, such an adorable girl, all ruined by that worthless boy!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She threw off her nket and climbed out of bed, careful when she reached the door.
But the moment the door closed, her footsteps grew loud and unrestrained.
Where is Finn?
I¡¯m gonna drag that brat out and beat some sense into him!
Julia searched room after room. Finally, she found Finn in a dark, gloomy space filled with noise.
Click.
She pped the light switch. The room lit up instantly.
In the corner, Finn sat drunk out of his mind.
Seeing him like this only made her angrier. She stormed forward and kicked him hard, twice
in a row.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 624
Chapter 624 There Is Hope
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¡°Your wife and kid are gone, and all you can do is sit here getting wasted? Is this really the kind of coward we raised?¡±
Julia snatched the bottle out of Finn¡¯s arms. As she bent down, the strong reek of alcohol hit her in the face, and she frowned hard.
Finn was jolted awake by her movement. He opened his eyes weakly, only to be tapped in the face twice with the bottle by the old woman.
The cold ss sent a shock straight through his skull.
He squinted in confusion. Julia stood in front of him, staring him down with a hard expression.
¡°Get up!¡±
She pped him again, furious and disappointed. ¡°If you¡¯ve got the guts, then go after her! If you don¡¯t, then fix yourself and get over it. Don¡¯t go bothering her or ruining her life!
¡°Instead of sitting here drowning yourself in booze, go spend what little time you¡¯ve got left with La!¡±
Finn was already foggy, and the alcohol only made his reactions slower. ¡°Little time? La?¡±
Julia crossed her arms and snorted. ¡°Tess ising tomorrow to take La back. By then, you probably won¡¯t even get to see her again.¡±
That idiot. He loves her, but he agreed to the divorce and didn¡¯t even think to fight for custody.
She grumbled to herself, then shot Finn another fierce re.
Finn¡¯s heart sank. He didn¡¯t even notice the look this time.
It was like he suddenly woke up. He stumbled to his feet. ¡°I¡¯m going to see La.¡±
Julia was full of contempt for her grandson, but he didn¡¯t stop him.
After a few steps, he staggered back again. ¡°W¨Cwhich room is she in?¡±
Julia shook her head helplessly and knocked hin on the head like he was a dumb kid.
She snorted. ¡°Come with me. You don¡¯t even know which room your daughter¡¯s in? What kind of father are you?¡±
Chapter 624 There Is Hope
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For once, Finn didn¡¯t argue. Even though he swayed as he walked, he followed Julia without protest. Together, they quietly pushed open the loor to La¡¯s room.
Even though his head felt like it was going to split from the alcohol, Finn deliberately slowed down. He stood in front of La¡¯s crib and stare nkly at the tiny child.
She¡¯s mine and Tess¡¯s.
My La.
His fingers trembled. He wanted to reach out and touch her cheek. But Julia stopped him with a nce.
He pulled his hand back.
Right. It wouldn¡¯t be good to wake her.
He lowered his head, his chest filling with something warm and painful at the same time.
Finn kept staring at the soft little face, like a bun fresh out of a steamer. He suddenly thought of all those beautiful cakes locked behind ss disys¨Cthings he¡¯d never paid attention to before, but he now wanted more than anything.
¡°Grandma is there really no other way?¡±
¡
He suddenly grabbed the hem of Julia¡¯s skirt.
He sank down until he was sitting on the floor with his head bowed, his hair hiding his eyes. He looked drained and hopeless.
Julia felt a rush of mixed emotions.
Is this really my grandson? The one who once ruled the business world?
It¡¯s hard to believe.
Finn forced his head up. His eyes were foggy. Pain and struggle fought inside them. He looked like he was right on the edge of falling apart.
Julia¡¯s own heart started to ache.
But she also knew this much. After spending time with Tess, Julia could tell that she was a good one. Tess had her own mind, and she was strong, steady woman.
She had also seen it in Tess¡¯s eyes: Whatever belonged to the past was gone. Only Finn was
still stuck there.
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18:23 Fri, Dec 26 R
Chapter 624 There Is Hope
¡°Get up
first.¡±
? 48%
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With a headache, Julia pulled him to his feet. She looked into his eyes, but couldn¡¯t bring herself to tell him the truth.
¡°Everything can wait till tomorrow. Get some sleep tonight. Tess wille to get La tomorrow. You should at least look presentable. And no matter what happens between you two, La is still your daughter. That¡¯ll never change. Tomorrow, talk to Tess properly. Try to win a chance to see La in the future. They say feelings grow with time. And you two did have something once.¡±
Julia did her best tofort him.
¡°Really?¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes wavered. For the first time, a little light broke through the darkness in them.
¡°Yeah. Go rest.¡±
Julia patted his shoulder, encouraging him.
And just like that, Finn seemed to regain a little strength.
He wiped his face and stood up again, finally noticing the heavy smell of alcohol on himself.
He swayed, then frowned, disgusted with how miserable he looked.
Julia¡¯s words were like a pole propping up his back, holding him upright and helping him put on his polished shell again.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 625
Chapter 625 Airport Farewell
45 Free Coins
Finn took onest long look at La, who was sleeping soundly in the crib, then strode u Compared to his stumbling earlier, these steps were steady and firm.
Julia watched Finn¡¯s back as he finally pulled himself together and let out a long si
She tucked La in again carefully, then went back to bed.
The next day.
Tess dragged herself out of bed, her eyes still red and sore. But when she thought about picking La up soon, her whole body felt lighter.
Just as she finished washing up, her phone rang.
¡°Tess, are you up?¡±
It was Steven¡¯s voice.
His voice was still clear and calm, like leaves rustling in the wind.
Tess slowed her movements. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±
There was a brief silence, then the background suddenly became noisy
¡°I¡¯m getting ready to leave. Not sure if calling this early wakes you.¡±
He chuckled softly, sounding indifferent, yet Tess heard a trace of reluctance in his voice.
¡°Are you ¡ at the airport?¡±
¡°Yeah. Two hours till takeoff, I think.¡±
Steven¡¯s tone still carried a faint smile, but Tess¡¯s fingers tightened. ¡°Then ¡ will youe back?¡±
Steven lifted his gaze through the airport¡¯s floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows. A ne was alre..
iing outside.
He narrowed his eyes, his chest quietly growing heavy.
¡°No.¡±
The word fell like the final line of a closing curtain.
¡°Which airport? I¡¯lle see you off,¡± Tess spoke without hesitation.
¡°Harborfall International in Aetheris.¡±
As soon as he finished, Tess hung up.
She didn¡¯t even bother calling a driver. She ran straight to the garage, got into a car, and sped toward
OR
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Chapter 625 Airport Farewell
airport following the navigation.
80
s
Two hours¡ Evermount Heights was quite far from Harborfall International. Even if it didn¡¯t the full two hours, boarding usually started about twenty minutes before takeoff.
Tess pressed harder on the gas. She sent Julia a text saying she might not be able to
noon. Julia replied quickly with ¡°Okay.¡± Tess turned off the screen and stared straight ahead at the road.
After nearly an hour of driving, Tess finally reached the airport, slightly out of breath.
She texted Steven to ask where he was while driving into the parking area.
She didn¡¯t know what was going on that day, but the parking lot was eerily quiet. There wasn¡¯t a single moving car besides hers.
So she decided to park in Area A.
Just as she turned into Area A, an SUV with its headlights on suddenly rushed toward her.
Even as it got close, it didn¡¯t slow down at all and mmed straight into her. The blinding white light filled her vision, followed by the sound of shattering ss.
Tess¡¯s eyes flew wide open. The next second, a violent force mmed into her from behind, throwing her forward.
She lurched, instinctively bracing the steering wheel with both arms, but the world still spun violently, and the next moment, everything went ck.
The person responsible got out of her car and looked at the wreckage. Seeing the pink Lamborghini¡¯s front endpletely destroyed, she even leaned closer to peer inside.
When she saw Tess slumped over the steering wheel, blood slowly dripping down her forehead onto her fingers, Jolie smiled in triumph.
She didn¡¯t linger. She went to the trunk, pulled out her suitcase, and walked straight toward the terminal.
After she left, the parking lot seemed toe back to life. A car drove in and almost hit Lamborghini at the corner.
ink
Angry, the driver cursed under his breath and thenid on the horn. When the car in front still didn¡¯t move, he got out and knocked on Tess¡¯s window.
That was when he saw the ruined hood. And the unconscious woman inside.
¡°Ah!¡±
He screamed in panic and shakily pulled out his phone to call for help.
¡°Hello? 911?¡±
Sirens rang out soon after.
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Chapter 625 Airport Farewell
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Lock Group.
¡°A car ident urred in the underground parking lot of Harborfall International. A pink Lamborghini collided with an unlicensed SUV. The SUV driver is missing, and the Lamborghini¡¯s owner has been sent to the hospital for emergency treatment.¡±
Finn sat on the couch with a heavy heart, watching TV with Julia and La,
Julia noticed his distraction. ¡°Alright. Tess said she¡¯lle at noon.¡±
Finn was dressed in a full suit, even wearing the brooch Tess had once given him. He¡¯d rummaged through Julia¡¯s wardrobe and found a gold cufflink to match.
Dressed to the nines¨Cthat was the phrase that came to Julia¡¯s mind.
She never thought she¡¯d use it for her own grandson one day.
Julia looked away and held La tight in her arms.
14:46 Sat, Dec 27
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 626
Chapter 626 Mixed Feelings
Chapter 626 Mixed Feelings
Still, Julia was d that Tess wasing a littleter. That way, she could spe
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me with La.
But La seemed especially resistant to her. The sweet child from before vanishcu, and she suddenly reached out, repeatedly hitting Julia¡¯s arm as she tried to struggle free from her embrace.
Julia didn¡¯t understand, but she still let go a little. ¡°My sweet girl, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
She hadn¡¯t known until she looked. And when she did, her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. La¡¯s face was full of distress, her cheeks flushed red from holding her breath.
Julia froze. Without another word, she scooped La up and called out behind her for the family doctor toe take a look.
But La struggled even harder, both of her arms stretched forward, iling wildly in the direction of the TV.
Julia tried to hold her still, but La cried and kicked, tears streaming down as she pped at Julia¡¯s leg.
Julia couldn¡¯t make sense of it, but Finn suddenly frowned.
He followed the direction La was reaching toward. Then the scene on the screen changed. A face drainedpletely of color appeared.
¡°The patient is currently unconscious and has been rushed to Aetheris Primal Hospital for emergency surgery.¡±
¡°Tess!¡±
The moment Finn recognized that face, he jumped to his feet.
Julia gasped in shock, and La, as if echoing Finn¡¯s shout, abruptly stopped crying.
Julia rewound the broadcast and froze the frame on the patient¡¯s face.
When she saw it clearly, her eyes widened.
It¡¯s really Tess? She¡¯s been in a car ident?!
¡°Mom, I¡¯m going to the hospital!¡±
Finn sprinted toward the garage. Julia stood up too and hurriedly told the staff to get the driver and the car ready.
The quiet estate that had been waiting for Tess instantly fell into chaos.
Finn barely took a few minutes before he drove straight out of the gate.
He hadn¡¯t gone far when an unfamiliar number called. Though his mood was a mess, he answered anyway, almost on instinct.
14:47 Sat, Dec 27
Chapter 626 Mixed Feelings
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¡°Hello, are you a family member of Tess Ember? We tried contacting her parents but couldn¡¯t reach them, so we¡¯re calling you instead.¡±
¡°You¡¯re from the hospital?¡±
Finn¡¯s fingers tightened, and even his voice turned urgent.
¡°Yes. Ms. Tess was in a car ident in the airport parking garage. She¡¯s currently in surgery. Pleasee as soon as possible.¡±
¡°I¡¯m on my way.¡±
Finn hung up and shot forward in his car.
At this moment, there was no speed limit in his mind. When traffic police tried to stop him, he tossed a business card out the window and sped off.
By the time he arrived, the surgery lights were still on.
¡°How is she?¡±
He rushed to the nurse¡¯s station.
The nurse shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. They¡¯re still in surgery. We don¡¯t have details yet.¡±
Finn braced himself against the counter, forcing himself to stand still.
He paced anxiously, then suddenly stopped.
Finn pressed his lips together, pulled out his phone, but hesitated before unlocking it.
In the end, he still called Lyra and Raven.
¡°Tess was in a car ident. We¡¯re at Aetheris Primal Hospital, Building A, Third¨Cfloor operating room.¡±
After saying only that, he hung up.
Finn clenched his fist.
He was being selfish. He wanted Tess to see him first when she woke up.
But he also knew she would probably feel safer if Lyra and the others were there.
Crash!
The coffee cup Lyra holding fell to the floor.
Before she could even ask what had happened, the line was already dead.
Raven noticed Lyra¡¯s face change and froze mid¨Cting. Her expression tightened. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What happened?¡±
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Chapter 626 Mixed Feelings
Lyra was no longer calm. She jumped up, not even bothering with her coat. less win a car Aetheris Primal Hospital.¡±
tter!
s
enr
The te in Raven¡¯s hands hit the floor. She didn¡¯t care about the shattered porcin and grabbed her phone. ¡°I¡¯ll drive. Hurry!¡±
They rushed out of the house and headed straight for Aetheris Primal Hospital.
Abel was the first to arrive at the hospital, dust clinging to his clothes from how fast he¡¯de.
He¡¯d already been up and downstairs early that morning. Before he could even say a word to Lyra and Raven, he saw the shock on their faces and heard their urgent exchange.
By the time he processed it, he didn¡¯t even go back to change. He ran straight to the garage and drove like a madman, sting through red lights. Before the police could react, they were left staring at his exhaust.
¡°Are you at Tess¡¯s operating room?¡±
Abel gripped the wheel with one hand and called Finn with the other.
¡°Is the surgery over? How is she?¡±
He didn¡¯t even wait for Finn to answer the first question before asking the next.
There was silence on the other end. Finn had a storm of mixed feelings about Abel prying for details up front.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 627
Chapter 627 Two Voices
Abel was so anxious that he felt like he could tear the man on the other end apart. ¡°Say something!¡±
¡°She¡¯s not out yet.¡±
Finn finally answered, his voice low and hoarse.
Abel¡¯s heart sank. He bit down hard, eve.
tasting a hint of blood in his mouth.
¡°I¡¯ming over.¡±
Without another word to Finn, he hung up and rushed there at top speed.
Just as he arrived, Tess¡¯s bed was being pushed out of the operating room.
¡°Tess!¡±
The first thing Abel saw was her closed eyes on the hospital bed, and his heart twisted.
He ran over. His shout had been loud, but the person on the bed didn¡¯t move at all.
Abel¡¯s heart dropped to the bottom. He fought back the lump in his throat and looked up at the doctor. ¡°How is she¡¡±
¡°The crash caused the impact topress her internal organs. And she¡¯s too thin. Her overall condition isn¡¯t very strong. The injuries themselves aren¡¯t severe, but recovery will be more difficult for her.¡±
The doctor¡¯s words finally brought a glimmer of light back into Abel¡¯s dead, still eyes.
¡°Uh, which one of you is Te
Ember¡¯s family member?¡± The doctor/looked at the two men, each gripping one side of the bed, clearly puzzled.
¡°I am!¡±
¡°I am.¡±
One voice was hoarse and urgent. The other was low, edged with urgency.
They spoke at the same time, then coldly met each other¡¯s eyes.
The doctor hesitated, then flipped through the patient¡¯s file again. The only listed family member was her ex¨Chusband, Finn ¡ and there was no record of remarriage.
¡°Which one of you is Finn Lock?¡±
The doctor cleared his throat.
¡°I am.¡±
Finn looked up, unable to hide the spark of hope in his eyes.
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Chapter 627 Two Voices
Abel clenched his jaw and shot Finn a re.
¡°Alright. You follow the nurse and take her to the assigned room. The nurse will exin the care instructions in detail. Listen carefully.¡±
The doctor gave a final reminder.
Finn nodded at once. ¡°Yes. I will.¡±
¡°Mr. Lock, pleasee with me.¡±
The nurse helped push Tess¡¯s bed and gave Finn a respectful nod.
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This doctor was a big name at their hospital. He was already past retirement age, but thanks to his exceptional skill, he was still working on the front lines. So he didn¡¯t really keep up with Aetheris¡¯s gossip.
For example¡
The nurse stole a nce at Finn and Abel.
After Tess divorced Finn, she and his nephew, Abel, seemed entangled. Now it looks like it might be true after all.
The young nurse was thinking about the rumor when she identally bumped into someone head¨Con.
¡°Ah! I¡¯m so sorry!¡±
She apologized in a panic, only to see the person wince, then rush straight to the bed. ¡°How is she? Was the surgery sessful?¡±
Raven rubbed her leg and stared hard at Tess.
¡°Huh?¡±
The nurse hadn¡¯t expected more of Tess¡¯s people to show up¡
Keeping herposure, she nodded to both of them. ¡°Ms. Tess is out of danger. She just needs a long period of rest.¡±
Lyra¡¯s eyes were full of worry. ¡°Then why isn¡¯t she awake yet? What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°The anesthesia hasn¡¯t worn off yet. Just wait a little longer.¡±
The nurse exined patiently and suggested taking Tess to the room first.
Raven and Lyra quickly stepped aside. Abel followed closely behind.
Ember Residence.
¡°ording to thetest reports¡¡±
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Chapter 627 Two Voices
s
Kylie was curled up contentedly in Henry¡¯s arms, cating grapes Nadine handed her. It was the happiest thing she¡¯d ever imagined.
Then Nadine¡¯s hand suddenly froze.
¡°What is it, Nadine?¡±
Kylie sat up and saw Nadine staring fixedly at the TV.
¡°Dad, Mom! Isn¡¯t that Tess?!¡±
She panicked. Even Henry, who¡¯d been absentminded, looked over.
¡°That really is Tess! She was in a car ident in the Harborfall International parking garage!¡±
Henry eximed.
Kylie¡¯s heart skipped, and she looked over as well.
On the screen, two cars had collided. The front of a pink supercar waspletely crushed.
Henry¡¯s eyes lit up, as if he¡¯d just been handed the perfect opportunity. ¡°Tess was in a car ident. As her family, we have to go see her at the hospital!¡±
He quickly told the staff to fetch his coat, his whole mood oddly bright.
Kylie watched every move he made and felt uneasy, but she still stood up, went upstairs to grab a shawl, and then followed them out.
Yet when she was fetching the shawl and getting into the car, she looked strangely distracted.
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10:05 Mon, Dec 29
Chapter 628 Cracks in the Family
Chapter 628 Cracks in the Family
Kylie bit her lip as the conversation beside her poured into her ears.
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¡°Nadine, Tess is your sister after all. Something this serious happened to her. As her younger sister, you need to show more concern.¡±
Henry reminded her carefully, his eyes gleaming.
This is a perfect opportunity! I¡¯ve had enough of dealing with Kylie these past few days.
Nadine nodded again and again, excitement shing uncontrobly in her eyes.
It would be best if she ended up half¨Cbrained from the crash. That way¡
Nadine narrowed her eyes, already picturing the day Tess inherited the Larsons and could be manipted at will.
Kylie suddenly felt the back seat grow suffocating.
¡°Kylie, I know you don¡¯t like Tess much, but once she¡¯s out of the hospital, you still have to show the attitude a mother should have.¡±
Henry patted the back of Kylie¡¯s hand, looking gentle.
¡°I know.¡±
Kylie bit her lip and forced down the difort in her heart.
When the Embers arrived, they ran straight into the Larsons in front of the elevators.
Olivia and Benjamin were gripping each other¡¯s wrists, both looking tense, mouths muttering nonstop, Olivia and Benjamin were gripping each other¡¯s wrist ¡°Please be alright¡ please be alright¡¡±
Henry¡¯s eyes were sharp. He immediately patted Nadine¡¯s arm, signaling her to call out.
Nadine understood at once and opened her mouth wide to shout at them, ¡°Great¨CAunt-¡±
¡°My poor Tess!¡±
Right then, Olivia pped her thigh, cutting Nadine off.
And the elevator doors slid shut.
She leaned against Benjamin, tears streaming down her old face.
¡°She¡¯s suffered so much. Just when things were finally looking better, this happens¡ God, she¡¯s such a good child. How could you treat her like this?¡±
Oliviapletely lost control, pounding her chest and stamping her feet.
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Chapter 628 Cracks in the Family
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Benjamin didn¡¯t know how tofort her. His own heart felt heavy too, filled with Tess¡¯s calm, smiling
face.
Inparison, Violet was steadier. ¡°Dad, Mom, let¡¯s go see Tess first. What if she¡¯s really okay?¡±
She tried to reassure them, but neither of them listened.
¡°How could she be okay? The front of her Lamborghini was crushed.¡±
Olivia pulled out a rosary and started rolling them in her hands. ¡°I just hope she¡®
Ding.
The elevator reached their floor.
Olivia flinched, then hurried toward the ward with unsteady but urgent steps.
Benjamin and Violet each supported her from one side.
¡°How is she?¡±
They hadn¡¯t even pushed the door when they spotted two nurses outside and immediately grabbed their wrists to ask.
Startled at first, the nurses quickly regainedposure and answered carefully, ¡°There¡¯s no danger to her life, but she hasn¡¯t woken up yet.¡±
Hearing this, the three of them finally let out a breath.
Olivia, who had been wound up too tight, suddenly went weak and slowly slid down against the wall.
¡°Great¨CAunt Olivia!¡±
A sweet voice suddenly rang out.
This time, Nadine¡¯s call was finally heard.
When the three of them turned their eyes toward her, Nadine¡¯s heart jumped. She ran over shyly, pretending to be flustered.
¡°Great¨CAunt Olivia, Great¨CUncle Benjamin, Aunt Violet, you¡¯re here to see Tess too?¡±
Nadine put on the right amount of worry.
Olivia looked extremely displeased at their arrival and didn¡¯t bother hiding her irritation.
For a moment, the air turned stiff. It was Violet who stepped in to smooth things over. ¡°Something like this happened to Tess. Of course, we had toe see her.¡±
¡°Exactly. And who knows what she was messing around with, running off to the airport. Now look at this mess!¡±
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Chapter 628 Cracks in the Family
Henry put on his stern¨Cdad act and scolded.
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Olivia had been crouched in the corner, catching her breath. When she heard that, she suddenly pushed herself up with her cane and smashed it down on Henry¡¯s leg. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Tess is the victim here. How does it be ¡®messing around¡® when ites out of your mouth? Is that how you act like a father?!¡±
Olivia had to steadied herself again, but seeing Henry¡¯s disgusting hypocrisy still mad
furious.
That blow, however, made Kylie¡¯s eyes turn red.
She rushed forward to block her. ¡°Aunt Olivia! What are you doing?!¡±
Seeing Kylie step in, Olivia¡¯s strength gave out. The cane slipped from her hand.
No wonder Tess has suffered in silence all these years. This mother of hers is a big part of it!
Olivia was full of resentment, yet when facing Kylie, she lost all the harshness and rage she showed others.
Bang!
Perhaps drawn by the noise outside, Raven frowned and pushed the door open. She didn¡¯t look like the usual clumsy tomboy at all. Instead, her movements were surprisingly gentle, sharply contrasting with the irritation on her face.
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Dec 29
Chapter 629 Between Waking and Dreaming
Chapter 629 Between Waking and Dreaming
Raven lowered her voice. ¡°What are you all arguing about out here?¡±
She nced at the people standing outside and recognized every one of them at a nce.
70
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The moment Olivia saw Raven, she stopped going at the Embers and hurried forward. ¡°Is Tess still unconscious? Can I go in and see her?¡±
Henry immediately stepped forward too. ¡°I¡¯m going in as well.¡±
Raven first spoke gently to Olivia. ¡°You can.¡± Then she turned her head toward Henry, her eyes turning icy. ¡°As for you¡¡±
She looked him up and down, then waved to let the Larsons enter first.
Henry tried to follow them inside, but Raven blocked the doorway.
He red. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±
Not only did Raven refuse to let them in, but she even pushed them back a step. ¡°Tess needs quiet to recover. I¡¯m afraid seeing you will just make her condition worse.¡±
Raven curved her lips. ¡°Please be understanding.¡±
With that, she mmed the door shut,pletely ignoring the three dark faces outside.
From inside, Olivia had watched every move Raven made. Once the door closed, she gave her a thumbs- - up.
Raven felt a little embarrassed and scratched her head, but when her eyes fell back on Tess in the bed, her mood sank again.
Olivia, too, noticed the sharp scent of disinfectant in the room.
Tessy on the hospital bed, still deathly pale.
Then Olivia noticed someone sitting at Tess¡¯s side.
Finn looked up at her as well.
¡°Hello, I¡¯m¡ Tess¡¯s ex¨Chusband.¡±
Finn stood and extended his hand, ying the role of a respectful junior.
Olivie
narrowed her eyes, snorted coldly, and turned away, ignoring his outstretched hand.
Ex¨Chusband?
That¡¯s the one who wronged our darling Tess!
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Chapter 629 Between Waking and Dreaming.
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She had to admit the man looked good and carried himself with an air of privilege. But anyone who¡¯d hurt Tess wasn¡¯t going to look right to her, no matter what.
Finn forced himself to endure Olivia¡¯s undisguised hostility.
Ever since founding Lock Group, he¡¯d rarely been looked at like this.
¡°Ex¨Chusband¡¡± Benjamin frowned as well. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±
Hearing that, Abel seemed to find support and stood up too. ¡°Exactly. I don¡¯t get wh thinking, contacting an ex¨Chusband.¡±
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Finn.
Finn pressed his lips together.
His presence alone made the whole room ufortable.
So what if I¡¯m unwee? So what if I¡¯m hated? I¡¯ll wait for her to wake up.
¡°Mm¡¡±
A faint sound suddenly broke the tense air.
Lyra, who¡¯d been silent, rushed to Tess¡¯s bedside. ¡°Tess? How do you feel?¡±
At that, everyone turned their eyes to the bed.
>pital was
Sure enough, the face that had beenpletely still slowly tightened, as if she were in great pain, faint whimpers slipping between her lips.
Tess could hear Lyra calling her, but it was as though she were trapped inside a pure white cage, mist swirling all around.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m here. I¡¯m your shield. But when I¡¯m gone, you¡¯ll have to rely on yourself.¡±
Suddenly, warmth brushed the top of her head. In the next instant, she saw Gillian¡¯s faint silhouette, gently patting her hair.
¡°You have feelings for him? That makes sense. He¡¯s famous in the finance department. A real prodigy. He barely goes to ss now. I heard he even started his ownpany.¡±
In another scene, Tess walked beside a faceless friend, the two of them blushing as they whispered about a well¨Cknown ¡®Lock¡® guy at school.
¡°Tess, I don¡¯t know what you did to make Grandma force me to marry you, but we¡¯re only husband and wife in name. Don¡¯t expect anything else from me.¡±
On their wedding night, the room felt hollow and empty. The floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window was spotless, reflecting Tess¡¯s colorless face.
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Chapter 629 Between Waking and Dreaming
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¡°Whose bastard are you carrying? How shameless. Going after Mr. Lock and still tangled up with your childhood sweetheart.¡±
Cold wind whistled through the prison window. The tiny square of ss was within reach if she stood, yet Tess huddled in the corner, every limb aching.
¡°Let¡¯s get divorced.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll treat you like my own granddaughter.¡±
Everything from the past reyed in sharp detail.
Tess drifted through a distant dream of memories.
The happiness was sweet enough to drown in, yet never enough to let her sinkpletely. The pain was terrible enough to make her want to die, yet something always dragged her back.
A single tear slid from the corner of her eye.
Her life had known sweetness, though it was brief and fleeting.
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Keepsake 630
Chapter 630 Out of Reach
Chapter 630 Out of Reach
Tess felt sad and tired. She really just wanted to sleep like this forever.
Beep, beep, beep¡.
Suddenly, the heart monitor connected to the bedside table began shrieking in rapid bursts.
Everyone in the ward went pale. Lyra smashed the call button while shouting for son
In the blink of an eye, the door was thrown open..
The doctor rushed in to check her and went rigid.
¡°Hurry! She¡¯s crashing. We¡¯re losing her!¡±
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et a doctor.
He swung his arm, and a swarm of nurses surged in behind him, tearing Tess free with frantic hands and rushing her back into the operating room.
The sudden turn shut everyone up, and their hearts were hoisted back into a storm.
Finn hadn¡¯t rested much to begin with, and hearing that, he nearly copsed on the spot.
Abel was no better. Look closely, and the steel bed rail had been crushed into a dent by his grip.
¡°How did it get this bad so fast?¡±
Olivia looked ten years older in an instant and nearly sagged to the floor.
Violet hurried to support her, not knowing what else to say.
All they could do was watch Tess, face twisted in pain,
pain, get
get wheeled back into surgery.
Before long, a nurse came out first and stripped off her surgical gown.
¡°The patient¡¯s vital signs are very weak. You need to think of something or someone who can awaken her will to live.¡±
The nurse looked urgent, her forehead slick with fine sweat.
¡°Something¡ someone¡¡±
Lyra forced herself to think, then suddenly pped her hands. ¡°La! Hurry!¡±
This time, she grabbed Finn¡¯s sleeve without holding
bring La here, now!¡±
Finn had been confused, but once he heard thar ck. ¡°Isn¡¯t La at the Locks Estate? Get someone to
called Julia.
he pulled out his phone without a second thought and
After Finn exined everything on the call, Julia immediately agreed. Even before hanging up, the sounds
10:06 Mon, Dec 29
Chapter 630 Out of Reach
of hurried packing were alreadying through.
When Julia arrived, nurses had alreadye out, urging them for the third time.
She came running, clutching La in her arms, the baby iling and wailing in her swaddling.
¡°She¡¯s here! La¡¯s here!¡±
Julia moved like the wind. At her age, she was still trying to run.
The nurse hurriedly took the baby into the operating room.
Everyone waited outside for news.
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And La, who had been crying, went silent the moment she was carried in, as if she knew she¡¯de to save her mom.
Julia stared in astonishment and felt even more certain the child was a blessing.
¡°I hope she¡¯s okay¡¡±
They could only wait. Then Olivia¡¯s gaze suddenly locked onto Julia.
Only then did Julia notice Olivia sitting there.
Their eyes met in midair, shock shing between them at once.
Perhaps because so many people were around, they only held each other¡¯s gaze for a beat before looking
away.
But Lyra caught the strange exchange in full.
¡°Waa¡¡±
A few cries from an infant burst out from the operating room.
And that clear sound, at the same time, tore open the cage around Tess.
Forget the past. No more holding back.
That crying baby, unlike the scenes flickering through Tess¡¯s mind just now, became more and more real.
She rushed toward her and pulled her into her arms.
¡°Ms. Tess is awake!¡±
Good news erupted inside and outside the operating room at the same time.
Not long after, Tess w
wheeled out. She was still pale, but the curve of her lips was gentle and serene. Her body was still weak, her arms too feeble to hold La, so La wasid beside her instead.
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Chapter 630 Out of Reach
Watching them emerge together, Finn¡¯s chest ached with a sour, unspeakable pain.
¡°Tess¡¡±
His voice was hoarse.
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He pressed his lips together. He knew this wasn¡¯t the time to upset her, but his body moved on its own.
Before he could reach the bed, Abel yanked him back and strode forward himself.
Finn¡¯s face went ashen.
Abel ignored it.
¡°How is she?¡±
Everyone who¡¯de to see her crowded around the bed.
Tess¡¯s thoughts were still foggy. Hershes trembled as her gaze slid over the people around her. She forced a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±
Ever steady, Lyra told them to let the nurse wheel Tess back to her room first.
When they returned again, the stinging smell of disinfectant had faded.
Tess¡¯s awareness slowly came back.
Everyone hurried inside, yet a lone figure still stood outside the door.
Finn clenched his fists and found that he didn¡¯t even have the courage to step in.
He could only look at her through the gaps between the shoulders and elbows, trying to catch a glimpse. She was right there, and still just out of reach, a ghost he could never touch.
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Keepsake 631
Chapter 631 Getting the Perp
¡°My poor child¡¡±
Olivia hugged one of Tess¡¯s arms, crying her eyes out.
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Tess¡¯s life is hard enough, and now, she¡¯s been in a car crash too. I came to Aetheris to stand up for her, but before I could even do that, disaster struck first.
Benjamin was usually more rational than Olivia but this time, he didn¡¯t stop her from crying. He just stood there, staring at Tess with a face full of worry.
With the two elders blocking the front, Julia ended up standing on the outside, frozen as she looked at the scene inside.
She nced again at her useless grandson standing by the door and suddenly felt unbearably awkward.
Fortunately, Tess noticed her and lifted her head to speak first. ¡°Julia, thank you for bringing La back despite your busy schedule.¡±
As soon as she said that, Benjamin and Olivia turned their tender gazes to the little one.
¡°Look at this little angel, she looks just like her mom. So beautiful!¡±
Olivia cuddled La, and Benjamin¡¯s eyes were full of affection as well.
Warmth spread through the room.
Julia quickly followed along, smiling. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. La cried the whole way here, like she knew something had happened to her mom. She¡¯s such a smart, sweet girl.¡±
Tess smiled faintly.
¡°Oh, right. The Embers came just now too, but we kicked them out.¡±
Violet suddenly recalled.
¡°The Embers?¡±
Olivia stopped rocking La, disgust shing in her eyes.
¡°Hmph, good riddance. Tess needs peace and quiet. Thest thing she needs is to see them and get upset.¡±
This time, even the usually quiet Benjamin let out a cold snort, his tone full of contempt.
Chapter 631 Getting the Perp
For a moment, the room went stiff and heavy.
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No one pursued the topic further. Then Lyra suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence with a frown.
¡°Tess, do you remember anything about the crash? I only saw the news briefly on my phone. The SUV driver fled the scene and left no clues at all. The police checked the car and didn¡¯t even find fingerprints.¡± Lyra looked serious. ¡°I suspect this was a nned hit.¡±
Everyone¡¯s expressions changed when they heard that.
¡°A nned hit? In Aetheris? Isn¡¯t that a little ridiculous?¡±
Julia was the first to speak, disbelief written all over her face.
ement and
Although Aetheris wasn¡¯t the political or economic center of Crorus, itsv administration were among the best. ¡°Murder¡± was a word she¡¯d only ever heard on TV, even at her age.
¡°No. How could a normal driver leave no fingerprints at all? And the garage cameras just happened to be broken. Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s too neat and a little strange? I think only ¡®premeditated¡® can exin this.¡±
Raven agreed.
Abel¡¯s face was tight with anger.
He mmed his fist on the table. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone investigate this. I¡¯ll find out who did it!¡±
Even if that person were already dead, Abel would dig them out of the ground if he had to.
His arm trembled slightly.
He couldn¡¯t imagine what would¡¯ve happened if Tess hadn¡¯t been saved in time, if something really had gone wrong¡
Abel¡¯s throat tightened.
¡°If it was nned, and the mastermind failed this time, there¡¯s no guarantee there won¡¯t be a next time.¡±
Finn, who had been standing by the door, suddenly spoke. His cold voice dropped the temperature in the room even more.
Though they didn¡¯t like Finn, his words made sense and drew Lyra and Raven¡¯s attention.
Lyra and Raven exchanged a look. ¡°While Tess is recovering, we¡¯ll take turns staying with her
Chapter 631 Getting the Perp
and make sure no dangerous person gets near her room.¡±
Tess frowned and shook her head. ¡°No.¡±
Her voice was weak, but it silenced everyone. They all turned to her at once. ¡°Why?¡±
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¡°I think the chance of a second attempt is very low. Even if there were no cameras in the garage, once they hit me and ran, there would be cameras on the road. I think they probably went straight to the airport and left the country.
That made everyone¡¯s faces sink.
That¡¯s true.
In this age of big data, how could someone just disappear into thin air? Fleeing ove crash makes a lot of sense.
right after the
¡°But if they have gone abroad, it¡¯ll be hard to track them down. Even if we catch them, it won¡¯t be easy to prosecute them over there.¡±
Lyra rubbed her temples, her head aching.
Tess pressed her lips together. ¡°Since we all suspect it wasn¡¯t an ident, and even if it was, hit¨Cand¨Crun is still a serious crime. Let¡¯s cooperate with the police for now. If that person truly left the country¡¡±
Tess gave a bitter smile.
That little curve tugged painfully at everyone¡¯s heart.
Finn¡¯s eyes darkened. He took one long look at Tess, then turned and silently walked out of the room.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 632
Chapter 632 A Clue
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¡°Pull all airport surveince, focus on the parking¨Cgarage exits and everyone moving through them. Zane will send you the exact time window.¡±
The man walked fast down the hospital corridor his voice quick and low.
Inside the room, everyone was gathered around Tess, so focused that no one noticed Finn leaving.
¡°The doctor said I¡¯m lucky and basically out of danger. Sorry to make you all rush over like this. I¡¯m not in condition to see you off, but you all should head back first¡±
Tess spoke politely to everyone.
She felt a wave of exhaustion surge up in her chest. Maybe it was because she¡¯d juste out of surgery, but her whole body felt weak and heavy, and sleep kept pulling at her.
Everyone noticed how pale and drained she looked. They didn¡¯t want to leave, but in the end, they each said a few words of concern and left one by one.
When the room finally quieted down, Abel was still standing there.
Tess frowned slightly. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you leaving?¡±
¡°Lyra and Raven went to walk everyone out. Someone needs to stay here. Even though what you said makes sense, it doesn¡¯t rule out the possibility that the person is still in Aetheris. The news is everywhere right now. If they decide to strike again¡¡±
His eyes were bright and intense, as if he were making a solemn vow. ¡°Someone has to stay by your side and watch over you and take care of you, not leaving you for even a second.¡±
Tess was speechless.
¡°Then take care of La. I¡¯m going to sleep for a bit.¡±
She really was exhausted. The moment she finished speaking, her eyes closed, and she drifted off.
Abel blinked, clearly not expecting that. Then, as he looked at her sleeping face, his heart felt unbearably full.
He followed her instructions and picked La up, but his eyes never left Tess¡¯s face.
The longer he looked, the more something seemed to press against his chest, desperate to break free.
Chapter 632 A Clue
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As he gently rocked La, he leaned closer without meaning to and caught that faint, familiar scent of her in the air. It lingered at the tip of his nose.
His mind went nk.
Without thinking, he held La with one arm and slowly lifted his free hand, wanting to touch Tess¡¯s cheek.
Right then, the door swung open with a bang.
Connor and Marc finally showed up.
¡°Tess-¡±
When Marc saw Tess lying there with her eyes closed, what he¡¯d been about tay died in his throat.
¡°What¡¡±
His fingers shook. His eyes rolled back, and he almost fainted.
Connor grabbed him in time.
¡°How is she?¡±
Connor lifted his head and asked Abel calmly.
Even though he¡¯d always seen Abel as a rival, and they never got along, Abel still exined things briefly.
¡°Thank you.¡±
Connor let out a long breath, as if a weight had finally lifted from his chest.
¡°Oh, right. We saw some news about the crash online,¡± he added.
¡°I ran into Raven just now outside. They seemed to be talking about it,¡± Marc chimed in.
Abel frowned. He clearly didn¡¯t know what they were getting at.
¡°We think this might have something to do with Steven¡¯s assistant from theb,¡± Connor said seriously.
¡°Steven¡¯s assistant?¡± Abel repeated.
¡°Jolie?¡±
Chapter 632 A Clue
A weak female voice rang out from the bed..
¡°Yes.¡±
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Connor turned toward the sound and saw Tess slowly opening her eyes. The relief in his expression was impossible to hide.
¡°Thank God you¡¯re okay.¡±
He stepped forward quickly, eyes full of emotion.
¡°What were you saying about Steven¡¯s assistant?¡±
Tess pulled the conversation back on track.
Connor¡¯s eyes dimmed for a split second, but he quickly exined, ¡°The people who¡¯ve had bad blood with you are few. And among those you know, the only ones who were heading to Harborfall International that day were Steven and Jolie.¡±
As he spoke, Connor pulled out his phone and opened a chat log.
¡°That¡¯s something Steven caught before he left the country. Jolie looked off. That¡¯s when he started to suspect something.¡±
On the screen was a candid photo of Jolie. Her face was flushed, her expression tense yet excited.
Tess clenched her fingers.
¡°Alright. I got it. I need to rest for a while.¡±
It was as if she¡¯d used up thest of her strength just saying that.
Connor and Marc looked disappointed, but thinking of her condition, they both nodded and left together.
The room fell quiet again. Tess closed her eyes, her thoughts in knots. Before long, she slipped back into sleep.
Time in the hospital room seemed to speed up and slow down all at once. Tess kept an eye on how the case was developing. At the same time, she had Ember Group send over the financial statements.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 633
Chapter 633 Putting in a Good Word
Tess nned to formally take over Ember Group once she recovered enough to be
discharged.
The first day, things were
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Jolie¡¯snding location, eaceful, but on the second day, instead of getting case updates or
Jolie¡¯snding location, the Embers showed up again.
When Raven opened the door, she looked speechless and turned to Tess.
The corners of Tess¡¯s lips lifted slightly in a mocking curve.
¡°Tess, you were in a car crash. The three of us are worried sick about you. Just let us see you once, so we don¡¯t keep worrying.¡±
Henry clung to the door from outside, refusing to let Raven shut it.
Raven pulled at it twice but couldn¡¯t budge it. In anger, she pushed outward instead, mming it straight into Henry¡¯s nose.
The gentlemanly look vanished from his face. He clutched his nose and cried out, ¡°You little¡¡±
Henry red at Raven with bulging eyes, but Raven wasn¡¯t intimidated at all. She widened her eyes right back. ¡°What are you yelling for? Keep this up, and I¡¯ll call security. Then you won¡¯t be leaving this room¨Cyou¡¯ll be leaving the hospital.¡±
Raven curled her lip with a cold snort, looking downright arrogant and nearly sending Henry into cardiac arrest.
He tried pressing a hand to his chest to calm down, but he still couldn¡¯t hold it in.
This was the first time a younger person had ever treated him with this level of disrespect!
¡°Tess, is this how you teach your friends to behave?!¡±
Henry yelled into the room, almost forgetting why he¡¯de in the first ce.
Nadine hurriedly tugged at his arm as she whispered in embarrassment, ¡°Dad!¡±
That snapped Henry back to himself.
And then the silent Tess finally responded inside
¡°Raven is my friend. What¡¯s your problem? No wonder Ember Group ended up like this, and I have to clean up your mess.¡±
2003
Chapter 633 Putting in a Good Word
Tess spoke coldly.
Her gaze was icy now, a glint of frost shing in her eyes.
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She suddenly remembered she¡¯d been putting off checking on Ember Group altogether.
Her words nearly sent Henry rolling his eyes from rage, and Kylie turned stern as well, shouting sharply, ¡°Tess! Is this how you talk to your father?!¡±
Henry took a few rough breaths, and, without thinking, he and Nadine both moved to restrain Kylie.
Beep, beep¡
The nurse¨Ccall bell rang.
Tess was already weak, and the chaos from the parking¨Cgarage incident still weighed on her. Irritable and exhausted, she had no patience left to argue with them.
The nurse arrived quickly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Ms. Tess?¡±
Though she entered directly from the doorway, her eyes still drifted involuntarily from Tess in the bed to the Embers standing outside.
These people are weird.
Tess nodded politely and pointed toward them. They keep making noise outside and disturbing my rest. Please have someone remove them.¡±
The request wasn¡¯t unreasonable, and the Embers¡® shouting could be heard even at the front desk.
The nurse nodded repeatedly and took out her walkie¨Ctalkie, pressing the button. ¡°Hello, security¡¡±
Henry went pale upon hearing that and shot Raven a venomous look.
As for Tess¨Cno matter how furious he was, he couldn¡¯t afford to fall out with her now. So even though he was boiling inside, he forced it down.
¡°No need. I just remembered I have something else to deal with.¡±
Henry stormed off with a ckened face, his coat ring behind him like he was in a panic to escape.
He was always someone obsessed with appearances. Being ¡°asked out¡± by security would¡¯ve been humiliating beyond his limit.
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Chapter 633 Putting in a Good Word
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Kylie wanted to go in and scold Tess, but seeing Henry leave, she had no choice but to follow, still mutteringints about her the whole way.
¡°What awful parents,¡± Raven muttered as she mmed the door shut.
By contrast, Tess stayed calm. To her, their visit was nothing more than an unwanted interruption from strangers.
She even smiled as she handed Raven a peeled apple.
Abel had peeled it before going out to buy her lunch and left it on a te.
Raven nced at it knowingly, the irritation fading from her face as she smirked. ¡°Oh? Isn¡¯t this Mr. Shaw¡¯s handiwork? If I eat it, won¡¯t he chop me into pieces when he gets back?¡±
For the first time, Tess¡¯s perfectlyposed face cracked slightly. She shot Raven a look and reached out as if to grab it back. ¡°If you¡¯re not eating it, give it back.¡±
Only then did Raven grin and start eating, stuffing her mouth full.
¡°But honestly, Abel might look unreliable, but he¡¯s actually not bad.¡±
Maybe it was because she¡¯d eaten his apple, but Raven surprisingly spoke up for him.
Even Tess was a little taken aback.
In Tess¡¯s eyes, Raven was like a hedgehog, stabbing nearly everyone in her circle at least once.
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Keepsake 634
Chapter 634 Another Visitor
¡°Hey, what¡¯s with that look?¡±
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Raven felt a little awkward under Tess¡¯s stare. She scratched her head and exined, ¡°I don¡¯t even know how he found out about your crash. He got here even faster than we did. And these past couple of days you¡¯ve been in the hospital, he¡¯s been running around nonstop. Even though I said Lyra and I would take turns taking care of you, he¡¯s actually the one who¡¯s been bringing meals, changing dressings, doing everything.¡±
Raven rubbed her chin.
Tess¡¯s fingers tightened without her realizing it. The fruit in her hand even caved in a little.
She lowered her gaze. ¡°Then, when Abeles back, tell him he doesn¡¯t need to help out here anymore.¡±
Bang!
The ward door flew open. Abel stormed in, a thermal lunch box in hand, his face tight with panic and anger. He shot Raven a sharp re. ¡°What did you tell her?!¡±
Raven looked baffled, but since she¡¯d started the topic herself, she swallowed her irritation and rubbed her nose.
She ignored Abel, and he didn¡¯t bother arguing with her. He set the thermos on the bedside and hurried over to Tess.
He stared at her hard. ¡°What did you mean by what you just said?¡±
Under the weight of his heated gaze, Tess suddenly found it hard to say what she¡¯d meant.
That brief silence clouded Abel¡¯s
eyes.
He grabbed her wrist and slowly lowered his head. ¡°Why don¡¯t you want me toe anymore? You don¡¯t want to see me? You¡¯re trying to cut me off?¡±
His messy bangs shadowed his eyes. Tess could feel the sadness and loneliness rolling off him, and it only made her more speechless.
Abel refused to let go of her arm, but he didn¡¯t dare look up. He was afraid of seeing even a hint of confirmation in her eyes.
¡°Say something¡¡±
He was scared.
veu, Dec 3
Chapter 634 Another Visitor
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Tess had pushed him away again and again. He¡¯d lost count of how many times he¡¯d heard her reject him. Every time, it hurt more than thest.
¡°I meant you don¡¯t have to run around the hospital anymore. Raven and Lyra are taking. turns with me, and I¡¯ve hired a caregiver. Raven was justplimenting you.¡±
Hearing that, Abel finally lifted his head, surprise still in his eyes.
He shot Raven a nce, and sure enough, she rolled her eyes and snorted with her arms crossed.
Once he realized Tess wasn¡¯t trying to send him away, his eyes lit up. He held onto her and only then noticed she hadn¡¯t pushed him away like she usually did.
The panic vanished, reced by a pounding heart and swelling excitement. He wanted to be The panic vanished, reced by bolder.
¡°No, a caregiver can¡¯t take care of you better than I can.¡±
He huffed proudly, then lifted his shiny, eager eyes.
Tess twitched her mouth. ¡°Oh, really? Mr. Shaw?
She teased him in Raven¡¯s sarcastic tone. Seeing him frown, she went on, ¡°If you have time, help me look after Grandma and Grandpa these next few days. I heard your chance toe to Aetheris came from the Shaws working with the Larsons. This is part of your job. Don¡¯t ck off.¡±
Tess raised an eyebrow. Abel secretly thought it still didn¡¯tpare to staying by her side, but being seen favorably by Benjamin and Olivia wasn¡¯t a bad idea either. Maybe if the two elders took a liking to him¡
Abel¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of mischief shing across them.
Tess flicked his forehead.
¡°I asked you to take care of them. Don¡¯t get any ideas.¡±
Abel shrank his neck. ¡°Got it¡¡±
Then he instantly perked up and moved to unscrew the thermos. ¡°I had the caf¨¦ chef make
It¡¯s exclusive menu. Try it.¡± this specially for you. your
He excitedly took out the food and served it in a wide spread.
The smell of hot food finally hit her, making her appetite wake up all at once.
Chapter 634 Another Visitor
She hadn¡¯t felt hunger like this in a long time. Thest time was in jail.
¡°Alright. Let me taste this special menu you arranged.¡±
Tess raised her brow and took the te.
Just as her fingers touched something warm, there was a knock at the door.
Knock, knock.
Tess looked up in confusion. Who would be at this hour?
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But when Raven opened the door, her surprise was clear. ¡°Steven? Didn¡¯t you go overseas?!¡±
¡°How¡¯s Tess?¡±
Steven didn¡¯t even answer her question. He leaned in anxiously, his usual calm nowhere to be found.
Raven didn¡¯t even have time to react. She instinctively pointed inside. ¡°She¡¯s okay. She¡¯s resting in there.¡±
The moment he heard that, Steven visibly rxed. He pushed the door open and walked in carefully, afraid even the smallest movement might disturb her.
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Keepsake 635
Chapter 635 Say It
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When Steven finally stepped fully into the ward everyone noticed he was gripping someone by the cor.
They looked closer and saw the very person they¡¯d had people searching for¨CJolie¨Cstanding at the door, dragged in by Steven.
¡°W¨Cwhat¡¡±
Raven¡¯s eyes widened in shock.
Steven pressed his lips together, his expression grim.
He didn¡¯t say anything. He simply pulled Jolie toward Tess, keeping a bit of distance as if worried she might make another move.
¡°What are you¡¡±
¡°1
Tess was clearly surprised too.
¡°She was on the same flight as me. Wended together.¡±
Steven spoke solemnly.
Tess frowned slightly, still confused.
Steven patiently exined, ¡°I noticed her before takeoff. She looked nervous, so I kept an eye out. Then, as soon as wended, I saw the news from Aetheris about your ident. I remembered the SUV that hit you. Jolie drove that same one when she came to see me.¡±
¡°Ah!¡±
The moment he finished, Jolie, who had been shrinking behind Steven with her head down, suddenly screamed.
Raven pped her. Her eyes burned as she stared at Jolie.
Jolie¡¯s whole body jerked sideways. She covered her face, already flushed red.
She stared at Raven in terror, but Raven still looked unsatisfied and started cracking her wrist, ready to hit her again.
¡°Raven!¡±
Tess shouted sharply.
Chapter 635 Say It
This was Aetheris. A ce ruled byw.
If Raven kept swinging and did real damage, the consequence would be ugly.
Tess pressed her lips together, suddenly remembering her year in prison.
She couldn¡¯t let Raven get into trouble because of her.
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Abel had been itching to step in too. Seeing Raven throw the punch, he¡¯d almost enjoyed watching. But when he noticed how serious Tess looked, he moved forward and stopped Raven.
¡°What are you stopping me for? That animal tried to kill you! The doctor said it themselves! If it weren¡¯t for your car¡¯s safety system, you wouldn¡¯t be lying here right now!¡±
Raven shouted, arms iling, ready to smash Jolie¡¯s head in the next second.
¡°Raven, calm down. Listen to Tess.¡±
Steven freed one hand to hold her back as well.
¡°I need to ask her something first. After that, we¡¯ll call the police. Don¡¯t touch her, okay?¡±
Tess looked up at Raven, her eyes pleading.
That look froze Raven in ce. Her raised arm hung there for a moment before she finally let it fall.
But the anger in her chest hadn¡¯t faded. She red viciously at Jolie, then mmed the door behind her on the way out.
The sound shook the room so hard that Tess felt the floor tremble.
Steven and Abel, for once, weren¡¯t ready to fight. They exchanged a nce and stepped a little farther apart.
Steven pulled Jolie to a stop in front of Tess.
Only then did Tess notice Jolie¡¯s legs were shaking.
Tess lifted her eyes coldly, then suddenly let out a softugh. ¡°You¡¯re scared now, huh?
¡°You weren¡¯t scared when you wanted me dead. So why are you scared now that you¡¯re standing in front of me?¡±
Her lips curved into a sweet smile. If someone didn¡¯t know better, they might¡¯ve thought she was joking with a friend instead of questioning a potential murderer.
Chapter 635 Say It
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Jolie¡¯s face shifted over and over. Her fingers curled, then rxed. The red handprint on her cheek was clearly visible.
She bit her lip. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of you.¡±
The hatred in her voice wasn¡¯t even hidden.
Tess tilted her head. ¡°Why do you hate me?¡±
¡°Why?¡±
Jolie sneered as if she¡¯d just heard a joke. ¡°You really don¡¯t know? Or are you pretending? I have feelings for Steven. You act all flirty with him right in front of me, and you still dare ask why?¡±
With her secret exposed, Jolie seemed calmer instead of panicked¨Calmost reckless.
Tess still looked confused. Before she could speak, Steven barked, ¡°Jolie, I¡¯m not into you at
pay for!¡± all. Your one¨Csided feelings aren¡¯t something my friend and I should
Jolie had already been past caring. But when she heard that, her body trembled just slightly. It was a tiny movement, but Tess caught it.
Jolie had been ring at Tess, but she suddenly cracked into a grin. The smile was ugly and twisted.
¡°Friend?¡±
She stared straight into Steven¡¯s eyes andughed wildly. ¡°Do you seriously only see her as a friend?¡±
Jolie took a few sharp steps forward, eyes zing. ¡°Say it. Say you don¡¯t have feelings for her. Say it with your own mouth!¡±
She pushed him until his jaw tightened, and his face turned ashen.
Seeing sweat starting to bead at Steven¡¯s temples and how he kept his lips sealed, Jolie finally rxed her shoulders. Then sheughed so hard that her body shook.
Chapter 636 Stop It!
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Keepsake 636
Chapter 636 Stop It!
¡°Ha! Steven, you don¡¯t even believe yourself.¡±
Jolie lifted her brows.
When someone stops caring enough, it¡¯s like nothing matters at all.
Tess, on the other hand, stayed cool from start to finish.
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Abel¡¯s gaze stayed fixed on her. Steven kept stealing nces at her expression, and Jolie had already gone all in.
Yet Tess stayed calm, as if none of the chaos in front of her affected her.
¡°Tess, you must feel so proud, huh? All these men are lining up to love you. Even your ex- husband, who never cared before, is full of regret now.¡±
Jolie pped and looked at Tess with open provocation.
Tess narrowed her eyes slightly. The curve of her lips ttened.
¡°You¡¯re jealous because I got the attention of someone you couldn¡¯t, right?¡±
She remained as steady as ever. Jolie¡¯s grin stiffened on her face.
¡°You wanna pick a fight?¡±
Jolie¡¯s eyes shed, but Tess just spread her hands. ¡°I don¡¯t care. What Steven feels about me is his business. I have my own choices, and he knows that. What you¡¯ve be has nothing to do with me. But I¡¯m lying here now, and thew will deal with you.¡±
Her tone was t, utterly ignoring the looks that raced across Abel¡¯s and Steven¡¯s faces.
Jolie clenched her fists. The anger in her chest surged to her throat, and she felt as if she was about to spit blood.
¡°You bitch!¡±
Her eyes zed. In a blind rage, she lunged forward.
Smack!
Raven appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Jolle by the hair. She pped the other side of her face, then mmed her against the wall.
Chapter 636 Stop It!
The whole move was smooth yet brutal, done in one clean motion.
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Jolie¡¯s attack was sudden enough that no one reacted in time, but no one expected Raven to jump in like that either.
She crashed into the wall, slid down, and copsed onto the floor, barely able to move.
¡°How dare you¡¡±
She red at Raven in fury. Instead of stopping. Raven stormed forward and started throwing heavy punches at Jolie¡¯s face and nose!
¡°Ah!¡±
Jolie never expected Raven to go this wild. It hurt far
¡°It hurts! Ah! Stop it! Stop!¡±
se than the p from before!
All her arrogance was shattered. She covered her face and tried to shield herself from Raven¡¯s relentless fists.
This time, neither Steven nor Abel stepped in.
¡°Bitch! You still won¡¯t give up, huh? I¡¯ll beat you to death!¡±
Raven cursed,nding one punch after another without mercy.
¡°I¡¯m the Reagens¡® daughter! Hit me again, and I¡¯ll make sure you can¡¯t stay in Crorus!¡±
Feeling the heat and pain on her face, Jolie finally panicked for real. She trembled all over and screamed.
Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed, cold and sharp.
The Reagens?
She¡¯d never heard that name, but Steven¡¯s face clearly changed. He finally moved to pull Raven away.
But Raven was seeing red. She flung Steven¡¯s hand off.
¡°Crorus? Hahahaha! I¡¯m from Fregaria. Let¡¯s see if the oh¨Cso¨Cmighty Reagens can stop me from living on this!¡±
She pped Jolie hard on the same side again. The already swollen cheek puffed up instantly, even squishing one eye shut.
Chapter 636 Stop It!
The other three in the room all froze at Raven¡¯s words.
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Only after Jolie passed out cold did Raven get up. She even kicked her a few more times in
annoyance.
¡°I¡¯ll get a doctor.¡±
She dusted her hands off, flipped her ponytail, and looked cool as ever.
Everything had been witnessed by Marc through a crack in the door.
His mouth twitched as he stared at Raven in pure fear.
Bang!
Raven yanked the door open, making Marc stumble back several steps.
¡°What are you doing, standing there?¡±
Raven frowned, looking dangerous.
After seeing how brutal she had been, Marc didn¡¯t dare talk back like before.
He nced cautiously at the half¨Cdead Jolie inside, swallowed, and took two steps back. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m fine¡¡±
¡°Is Jolie in there?¡±
Connor spoke gently from beside him.
Raven pointed inside impatiently.
¡°If you wanna see, go in. I¡¯m getting a doctor. Don¡¯t let her die in there and stink up the ce.¡±
She crossed her arms, snorted, and walked off without a care.
Marc stood there stunned, his eyes practically falling out.
¡°Connor¡ she¡¡±
He looked after Raven in terror.
Connor didn¡¯t say much. He simply watched her leave, then looked away.
Everyone around Tess is ¡ interesting.
Chapter 636 Stop It!
He smoothed his already perfectly pressed suit, then pushed the door open.
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His voice was warm and low. ¡°Sorry. Looked like something was going on in here. I waited outside and overheard a bit.¡±
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Chapter 637 The Storm Isn¡¯t Over
Chapter 637 The Storm Isn¡¯t Over
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
Tess smiled softly and nced at Jolie, whoy unconscious on the floor.
¡°Why did youe all of a sudden?¡±
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¡°We just tracked down Jolie¡¯s location and saw that she¡¯d returned to Aetheris. I was worried she¡¯d find out you were okay and might try to hurt you again, so I hurried over to warn you first.¡±
Connor offered a small smile, his voice warm and easy.
¡°Looks like that won¡¯t be necessary now.¡±
Marc hunched his shoulders. The image of Raven ¡°in action¡± shed through his mind, and his body shuddered without him noticing.
She¡¯s terrifying!
You really can¡¯t judge a woman by her looks.
Marc was honestly starting to regret all those times he¡¯d mouthed off at Raven.
Connor also lowered his eyes to nce at Jolie, whose face had swollen beyond recognition. Even with all his experience, his brow still twitched.
That¡ really was brutal.
¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, she must be mixed¨Crace too.¡±
Tess lifted her eyes and looked at Steven.
¡°Yes. Her mother¡¯s from Crorus, and her father¡¯s from Yeshana. She took her mother¡¯sst name.¡±
Steven nodded, staring at Jolie on the floor. For a moment, he didn¡¯t know what to say.
Guilt washed over him at once.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m sorry. This is my fault. I didn¡¯t handle my private affairs properly. I never thought it would cause you this much trouble, or nearly cost you your life.¡±
He lowered his head. Strands of hair fell over his eyes.
If Jolie had really seeded in hurting Tess because of him, he¡¯d never forgive himself for the rest of his life.
¡°This has nothing to do with you. Some people go crazy, and you can¡¯t control that.¡±
Tess shook her head gently tofort him.
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Chapter 637 The Storm Isn¡¯t Over
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But Abel curled his lip and finally seized the chance to be sarcastic. ¡°Come on, this started because you didn¡¯t clean up your circle and made the wrong people fall for you. And now Tess gets caught in it.¡±
As soon as he said that, Tess shot him a re.
He just has to stir things up when it¡¯s already bad enough.
Abel instantly looked offended. His lips drooped, and his eyes grew watery.
He¡¯d been so cocky just a moment ago, and now, he looked pitiful.
Tess suddenly felt exhausted. Everyone in this room was a headache to deal with.
This time, even after Abel¡¯s sarcasm, Steven didn¡¯t snap back like before.
He just kept his head down. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±
Abe¡¯s eyes went wide. He even forgot to keep ying the victim.
Well, that¡¯s a first.
¡°Enough.¡±
Tess rubbed her temples to stop them. Just then, Raven came back shouting, with doctors and nurses pushing a stretcher.
¡°Yeah, that one. I did it.¡±
She pointed at Jolie on the floor.
Seeing another person there, lookingpletely unrecognizable, the doctors and nurses froze in shock. But soon, the confusion vanished and was reced by frantic motion.
They rushed to lift Jolie up. One of the doctors examined her and, after finding only surface injuries, finally let out a breath.
Raven let out a cold snort.
She¡¯d learned somebat skills. It looked brutal, and Jolie definitely suffered, but there wasn¡¯t anysting damage.
The doctors and nurses took Jolie away. Raven casually plopped down on the small couch and started munching on an apple.
¡°So you¡¯re from Fregaria?¡±
Now that things had finally calmed down, Tess remembered to ask.
Raven stroked her chin. ¡°L and I grew up together, and we¡¯ve always lived abroad. Of course, I¡¯m a foreigner.
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Chapter 637 The Storm Isn¡¯t Over
A foreigner saying she¡¯s a foreigner¡ Tess¡¯s brow twitched. Somehow, it sounded weird.
¡°The Reagens seem pretty powerful. You hurt her badly. What are you going to do about it?¡±
¡°What am I going to do? I¡¯m an orphan. Worst case, she can crush me with the Reagens¡® power.
Raven shrugged, totally unconcerned.
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Tess felt helpless and a little angry. She was mad that Raven cared so little about her own safety and rushed in without thinking, just to stand up for her.
¡°I¡¯ll handle this.¡± Tess reached out and grabbed Raven¡¯s hand. ¡°But next time, you can¡¯t be this reckless again.¡±
Raven just grinned and brushed it off with a joke.
If there were a next time, I¡¯d still do it.
Tess could see right through her and rubbed her forehead helplessly. Still, she knew Raven did it for her, and that made her heart feel warm.
¡°Jolie¡¯s an only child. Her family¡¯s always spoiled her rotten. That¡¯s why they went all out to shove her into the institute to work with me.¡±
Steven suddenly spoke up during the lull. ¡°When her family hears that she¡¯s been badly injured, they¡¯ll probably rush to Aetheris soon.¡±
Back to business. Tess¡¯s expression turned serious.
She pressed her lips together. ¡°Where are the Reagens mainly based? About how big is theirpany?¡±
Steven frowned.
He only knew that the Reagens were influential, and Jolie¡¯s father held a high position in the scientific world. That was why she¡¯d grown up so arrogant, destroying anything she couldn¡¯t have.
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¡°They¡¯re in Moserton. It¡¯s a little far from Aetheris, but close to Kingnd. They¡¯re one of the biggest giants in Moserton.¡±
Connor nced at Steven, who seemed at a loss, and answered for him.
After finding out everything was connected to Jolie, Connor had dug into her background.
Moserton¡
Hearing that name, Tess fell into thought.
Moserton was the political heart of Crorus. Business wasn¡¯t especially developed there, but anyone who could be called a ¡°giant¡± there didn¡¯t just have money¨Cthey also had endless tangled connections behind them.
No wonder Jolie was so arrogant¨Cshe even imed she could force Raven out of Crorus.
The atmosphere around the hospital bed instantly grew heavy.
¡°Let¡¯s not think about that for now.¡±
Tess changed the subject.
When trouble came, she¡¯d deal with it.
¡°La¡¯s about to wake up. Who wants to make today¡¯s baby food for her?¡±
Tess lifted a packet of rice cereal and joked, trying to lighten the mood.
¡°I will!¡±
¡°I¡¯ve taken care of La more. I should do it.¡±
Abel and Connor spoke at the same time, one eager, one gentle.
Tess looked at the two hands reaching toward her, but passed neither of them.
Instead, she raised her eyes to Steven, who stood quietly in the corner.
¡°Steven, could you help?¡±
Steven looked up, clearly surprised.
But he didn¡¯t refuse. He took it with a ttered expression.
¡°Sure.¡±
Out of everyone there, he¡¯d had the least contact with La. Feeling nervous, he clumsily spilled a bit of the cereal while mixing it.
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Chapter 638 Brewing Storm
Tess only smiled as she watched. She didn¡¯t say a word.
And as soon as Steven finished, La just happened to wake up.
As expected, the little girl waved her arms in the air the moment she woke and started crying for food.
Steven spoon¨Cfed her little by little, watching the little bundle go from fussy to content. Her thickshes fluttered, and she looked like a cute little doll.
Connor watched quietly.
All of a sudden, he thought that if he and Tess really had no future, then being La¡¯s godfather someday wouldn¡¯t be so bad either.
The mood in the hospital room slowly softened. Even Raven, who was usually restless, calmed down as she watched the warm scene.
At the Embers¡® apartment.
Crash!
Tania was cleaning when she identally knocked a small ss bottle off the table.
The bottle rolled to the floor, and the liquid inside let off a faint blue glow.
Tania didn¡¯t dare to look closely. Her face went pale as panic surged through her. She couldn¡¯t imagine what kind of inhuman punishment she was about to face.
The sound of shattering ss also caught Shannon¡¯s attention as she was changing clothes in the bedroom.
¡°Did you break my stuff?¡±
She didn¡¯t explode like before. Instead, she stared at Tania with a dark, vicious look.
That made it even more terrifying. Tania swallowed hard, her whole body shaking so badly that she could barely stand.
¡°I ¡ Ma¡¯am¡¡±
Smack!
A sharp pnded on Tania¡¯s face.
¡°You going to defy me too?¡±
Shannon¡¯s eyes looked as if they¡¯d been drowned in ink, pitch¨Cck.
She ground her teeth, ring at Tania like a wolf stalking in a dark forest, ready to tear open its prey¡¯s throat and drain it dry in the next second.
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Tania was so frightened that she dropped the broom and fell to her knees with a loud thud.
¡°Ma¡¯am! I didn¡¯t do it on purpose!¡±
Shannon¡¯s face was twisted with anger.
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She had bought that when she went to Henry¡¯s factoryst time and managed to get her hands on it.
This had been the second bottle.
¡°Mom? What happened?¡±
Nadine had heard the noise too. She came out of her room and saw the tense scene in the living room.
She walked over but stopped short, infected by the atmosphere and afraid to get involved.
¡°Tania, clean that up.¡±
Nadine gathered her courage, gave instructions, then let out a quiet breath before walking up to Shannon.
¡°Mom? What broke? I¡¯ll go buy it for you this afternoon.¡±
She stopped half a step away from Shannon.
She didn¡¯t know why, but Shannon already seemed different since before the factory¨Cor maybe it was after.
Even the warmth that used to draw her close was gone, reced by something dark and oppressive.
She didn¡¯t dare act intimate like she used to.
¡°Buy it? How are you gonna buy it?¡±
Shannon snapped, shooting Nadine a vicious look.
She turned and stormed back into her room, mming the door shut.
She ripped apart the clothes she¡¯d just changed into, screaming as she tore them to shreds.
The noise was loud and frightening.
Nadine and Tania froze outside the door, listening.
¡°Throw it away.¡±
Nadine frowned and ordered, her brow twitching.
Pressing her fingers to her temples, she forced down the unease in her chest before going back to her study to work.
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Chapter 639 Kaleb Saw Everything
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Chapter 639 Kaleb Saw Everything
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Tania finally let out a relieved breath. She hurried downstairs to clean up, but when she saw that tiny bit of clear liquid with a faint blue glow, a sudden chill crawled up her spine.
Without thinking, she grabbed a small ss bottle, scooped the liquid inside, and tucked it away.
What is this stuff? How could something like that drive Shannon into such a frenzy?
She shot a guilty nce toward Shannon¡¯s closed bedroom door. Tania slipped the vial into her pocket and went back to cleaning as if nothing had happened.
But she didn¡¯t notice that the door to Kaleb¡¯s room upstairs was cracked open. A pair of curious eyes had watched every move she made.
BANG!
Kaleb waited until she finished cleaning, then shoved his door open as loudly as he could. The loud noise. made Tania shudder.
¡°M¨CMr. Kaleb¡¡±
¡°Hmph.¡±
Kaleb folded his arms, gave her a smug little snort, and strutted away. Still, his gaze flicked sharply toward her hands.
Her palms were empty, but guilt still flickered across Tania¡¯s face. She hid her hands behind her back and forced a shaky smile.
Kaleb didn¡¯t say anything else. He simply lifted his chin, strutted past her, and walked straight into Shannon¡¯s bedroom.
Tania¡¯s heart pounded. She grabbed the half¨Cfull trash bag and rushed outside.
Once she was far enough from the building, she tossed the trash into the dumpster and ducked behind a tree to make a call.
Back in the house, Shannon stood by the window, staring down at her.
¡°You¡¯re sure about what you just said?¡± Shannon asked quietly.
She didn¡¯t look at Kaleb directly; she only watched him from the side.
Kaleb stood stiffly. He wasn¡¯t sure why, buttely, he felt nervous around his mom. She seemed different He didn¡¯t dare cling to her like before. So when he saw Tania acting weird earlier, he had run to his mom right away.
¡°It¡¯s true! She looked sneaky. I knew something was wrong!¡± Kaleb nodded hard, desperate to earn back his mother¡¯s attention.
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Chapter 639 Kaleb Saw Everything
Shannon narrowed her eyes. Once she was sure he wasn¡¯t lying, her gaze sharpened and locked onto Tanta below.
Outside, Tania was still on the phone with Zane. A chill crawled up her spine, but she med it on guilt and kept talking.
¡°Okay,¡± Zane said. ¡°Keep it safe. I¡¯lle get it tomorrow at this time.¡±
¡°Alright!¡±
The call ended. A secondter, her phone shed. It was a bank transfer of a hundred thousand dors. Her fear vanished instantly, reced by a bright grin.
But when she turned around, her smile froze.
Shannon stood at the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, staring at her. No expression. No warmth. Just watching.
Their eyes met. Shannon, who hadn¡¯t smiled in days, lifted the corner of her mouth¨Cjust slightly¨Cin a silentmand. ¡°Come up. Now.¡±
Tania¡¯s whole body went cold. The icy feeling shot from her feet to her scalp. She felt nailed to the ground.
That look on Shannon¡¯s face. Did she know?
Before she could think, Shannon stepped away from the window. Kaleb appeared in her ce, pulling the curtains shut. Before doing so, he shed a gleeful, mocking face down at Tania.
Tania swayed. Her legs felt like jelly. Even with an elevator, the thought of going upstairs felt impossible.
She bit down hard on her lip to steady herself.
No. What if Shannon just want me to go upstairs?
Tania dug her nails into her palm as she forced herself to stand straight. She sucked in a few steady breaths, trying to calm her nerves.
Right, I hadn¡¯t slipped up, had I?
No. Even if they really did find something out, she had to keep going. Zane hadn¡¯t paid her the full amount yet, and she still needed to keep this job.
With a tight knot in her chest, Tania dragged herself upstairs. But when she reached the hallway, the door was wide open.
¡°Ma¡¯am.¡±
Shannon stepped out of the bedroom and sat down on the living room couch, arms crossed, staring straight at her.
A chill shot through Tania, but she tried her best to keep her face calm.
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Chapter 639 Kaleb Saw Everything
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Before she could say anything, Shannon¡¯s gaze dropped to Tania¡¯s pocket. ¡°My son said you picked up the medicine I dropped.¡±
Her eyes narrowed, and she stood up from the couch.
¡°Why would you take it?¡±
Tania¡¯s right hand twitched hard. She quickly grabbed it with her left, trying to stop the shaking.
¡°I¨CI thought it would be easier to clean up, so I put it in a bottle,¡± she said, pushing the words out even though they made no sense. Her back grew damp with cold sweat.
Shannon didn¡¯t react at all.
The silence stretched¨Cheavy and sharp. Then Shannon bent down a little, looking her straight in the eyes. ¡°You think I¡¯m some fool you can trick?¡±
Tania¡¯s whole body trembled. This time, she couldn¡¯t hold it together. Her knees gave out, and she copsed to the floor. Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. Every word was stuck in her throat.
Shannon grabbed her cor and yanked her upright. ¡°Talk. What exactly were you nning to do with it?¡±
Chapter 640 The Lie Unraveled
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Chapter 640 The Lie Unraveled
¡°What are you doing?¡±
Henry pushed the door open, frowning as he stepped into the room.
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The scene in front of him looked strange. He walked forward and gently grabbed Shannon¡¯s arm. ¡°What happened?¡±
Kaleb¡¯s eyes darted quickly. He rushed over to exin before anyone else could speak. ¡°I¨CI saw Mom¡¯s stuff fall on the floor. I asked Tania to clean it up, and she picked it up to take it away! Mom got mad!¡±
Henry¡¯s gaze shifted to Shannon¡¯s face, as if asking whether Kaleb was telling the truth.
Shannon clearly hadn¡¯t expected Henry to walk in right now. Her face froze for a split second. Then she bit her lip and smoothly recovered. ¡°Yeah. Who knew a maid would have such sticky fingers?¡±
She let out a cold huff.
¡°I ¡ it¡¯s my fault, Ma¡¯am. And Ms. Ember trusted me so much.¡± Tania wrung the hem of her shirt like a nervous kid, head bowed as she confessed. ¡°I just thought Ma¡¯am¡¯s things must be nice. It¡¯d be a waste to throw them out, so I picked them up.¡±
Her voice trailed off as she lowered her head even more.
Henry had walked in thinking something serious had happened. Hearing this reason, he slipped into his usual gentleman routine andforted her gently. ¡°If Shannon didn¡¯t want them, then picking them up is just being thrifty. Go back to your room. You¡¯re done here.¡±
To Tania, these words were basically a free pass. She didn¡¯t linger. She thanked him over and over and hurried out.
Only then did Henry look back at Shannon. Her face was dark and tense. He chuckled and slipped an arm around her shoulders. ¡°Come on, look at you. Women from the countryside act like this sometimes. Why bother getting worked up?¡±
Shannon let out another cold snort, lowering her eyes to hide the flicker of darkness in them.
¡°So you finally decided toe home?¡±
Her anger seemed to fade the moment he said that. She lifted her eyes, showing that familiar mix of yfulness he knew so well.
Henry¡¯s smile softened for real this time. He slid his hand around her waist. ¡°If I didn¡¯te back, you¡¯d probably run to the police station next time to prove who you are.¡±
Shannon huffed and turned her head away, pretending to be annoyed but clearly enjoying the banter.
Henryughed and tapped her lightly on the back. ¡°Alright, alright, I rushed home the moment things
settled a bit.¡±
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Chapter 640 The Lie Unraveled
The two yfully nudged each other, and Kaleb couldn¡¯t help giggling at the sight. Henry shot him a look. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you in your room doing your homework?¡±
Kaleb¡¯s smile vanished instantly. He trudged back to his room and shut the door. ¡°Okay. Today I¡¯m all yours.¡±
Shannon stared at the man in front of her, feeling her heart soften again.
She reached up, tugged on his tie, and whispered, ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Of course.¡±
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Henry did notice something different about her. But when he looked closely, her face was still the same- soft, beautiful, and familiar.
He pushed away the strange feeling. He has probably just been too tiredtely.
Shannon suddenly threw herself into his arms. ¡°Good!¡±
Ring!
Henry¡¯s phone vibrated in his pocket.
Shannon¡¯s face instantly darkened, but Henry didn¡¯t notice. He looked at the name on the screen. It was Nadine. He answered slowly. ¡°What is it?¡±
¡°Dad! Something happened!¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice was panicked.
Henry frowned. ¡°Slow down. What happened?¡±
¡°Jolie exposed us!¡±
¡°What?!¡±
This time, even Henry, who had just told Nadine to stay calm, nearly jumped out of his skin.
¡°How did you even find out?¡±
He took two deep breaths, trying to get a grip before forcing the question out through clenched teeth.
¡°I heard Steven dragged Jolie back to Aetheris right after the nended. He even sent her straight to Tess. They said Raven beat her so badly that she ended up in the hospital and dumped her at the poli station. I¡¯m at the office helping Raven sort Ember Group¡¯s financial reports. But then that crazy girl Jolie named us as her aplices! The police couldn¡¯t reach you, so they came to me!¡±
Nadine rushed through everything in a single breath. Henry almost felt his blood pressure spike.
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Chapter 640 The Lie Unraveled
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That lunatic! If he¡¯d known Jolie had zero integrity, he would¡¯ve never worked with her. Now Tess was fine, and he was the one about to
fall. take the
¡°Dad, the officers said you need to go in as soon as possible for questioning.¡±
Nadine bit her lip, looking torn.
Henry¡¯s fury shot straight to his chest. He mmed his fist into the wall so hard he didn¡¯t even register the pain. ¡°Tell them I¡¯m on my way,¡± he snarled.
He hung up and tried to steady his breathing, but when he turned and saw Shannon standing stiffly on her own, her face ice¨Ccold, he forced his expression to soften. ¡°You heard it. Something came up. I have to take care of it.¡±
Shannon¡¯s face stayed tight. ¡°Okay.¡±
Henry felt a pounding behind his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll make time for you in the next couple of days. Didn¡¯t you say you wanted
your prenatal checkup? Give me a few days. I¡¯ll go with you, alright?¡±
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Chapter 641 A Promise He¡¯ll Regret
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Henry used thest bit of patience he had left to calm the woman in front of him. But deep down, irritation crept up on him before he even realized it.
Shannon¡¯s eyes finally showed a spark of life.
She lifted her head. ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Of course!¡±
Henry nodded again and again.
After Shannon¡¯sst trip to the hospital, he had been on edge, scared something might happen again. Now that things were quiet, he figured it would all be fine. He just needed to keep a low profile when the time came.
¡°If you dare to go back on your word, I¡¯ll expose every secret you¡¯re hiding!¡±
Shannon red and threatened him.
Henry burst outughing, acting like she was just being dramatic. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, squeezed lightly, then leaned in and kissed her cheek.
¡°You and I both know you won¡¯t. How could I let you down? Rx. I¡¯ll be there with you.¡±
He tossed out the promise carelessly and walked away.
The front door shut with a thud.
Shannon stared nkly at the doorway. Her arms hung by her sides, then slowly tightened into fists.
In the hospital room, Olivia had cleared everyone out.
Now only she and Tess remained.
¡°I heard you guys caught Jolie, and she gave up Henry?¡±
Olivia asked as she peeled a grape. It glinted under the light, matching the emerald bracelet on
her wrist.
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Chapter 641 A Promise He¡¯ll Regret
Tess took it quietly, chewing while she nodded.
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¡°Yes. Jolic insisted. She imed Henry pushed her into it. She imed she never would¡¯ve gone that far without him.¡±
Olivia let out a cold snort. ¡°So she thinks naming Henry gets her off the hook? She started this whole mess. She¡¯s the one who took action.¡±
Tess nodded, though her expression grew more serious. ¡°But I heard Jolie¡¯s family background isn¡¯t simple.¡±
She lowered her eyes, unsure of where to even begin.
Someone had almost taken her life¨Cthere was no way she could let that slide.
But if Jolie¡¯s family really had influence, giving her the punishment she deserved wouldn¡¯t be
easy.
¡°Herst name is Reagan?¡± Olivia followed the train of thought, searching her memory.
¡°Reagans from where?¡±
¡°I heard they¡¯re from Moserton.¡±
Moserton.
Even Olivia frowned at that city.
¡°How did we end up dragging Moserton into this?¡±
Tess knew Crorus¡¯s political center was no joke. And the Reagens, one of the top families there, carried real weight.
When she saw the look on Olivia¡¯s face, she finally understood why Jolie had always acted so bold back when she worked as Steven¡¯s assistant. With a family like that behind her, no wonder she thought she could do anything.
¡°You¡¯re not badly hurt,¡± Olivia said, shaking her head. ¡°But with Jolie¡¯s background, punishing her won¡¯t be easy.¡±
¡°I know, Grandma, but-¡±
¡°But if you were the heir,¡± Olivia cut in, raising a brow, ¡°that would be different. Our family can outrank a Reagens. Even if the Reagens try to protect her, as long as you insist, Jolie will end up paying for what she did.¡±
Chapter 641 A Promise He¡¯ll Regret
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Tess opened her mouth to respond, but Olivia suddenly winked at her¨Cfar too obvious, far too suggestive.
Tess didn¡¯t know whether tough or sigh.
Even now, Olivia still wanted her to take over the family business.
¡°Grandma, Aunt Violet is still young. You don¡¯t have to rush this.¡±
Hearing Tess¡¯s quiet refusal, Olivia shot her a sharp re¨Cfull of you have no idea how lucky
you are.
So many people begged for a chance to be tied to them, but this girl kept rejecting the offer again and again.
But seeing how stubborn Tess was and remembering she was still recovering, Olivia huffed and didn¡¯t push further.
After a short silence, something clicked in Tess¡¯s mind.
She turned to look at Olivia. She seemedpletely calm, even while piling more fruit on Tess¡¯s te.
¡°Grandma, I told you Jolie confessed that Henry was involved. And that my ident is tied to him too. But you don¡¯t seem surprised at all. Why?¡±
Olivia snorted. Twice. Like she¡¯d been waiting for that question.
¡°Henry?¡± She scoffed louder. ¡°I never wanted your mom to marry him. I knew from the start he wasn¡¯t a good man.¡±
She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, looking every bit like a grumpy but yful olddy.
Tess couldn¡¯t help smiling. Olivia¡¯s attitude had a way of lifting her mood.
¡°Then why did you visit them back then?¡±
¡°Because your mom married him,¡± Olivia said bluntly. ¡°Someone had to keep things looking decent, or her life would¡¯ve been miserable.¡±
Her voice was annoyed, but by the end she let out a sigh. Tess watched Olivia¡¯s expression soften with regret and didn¡¯t know what to say tofort her.
So Olivia had always known Henry was only after the family influence. But for Kylie¡¯s sake, she had turned a blind eye and endured his fake politeness all these years.
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Chapter 641 A Promise He¡¯ll Regret
¡°Grandma, when are you going back to Kingnd?¡±
Tess quickly changed the subject, not wanting to linger there.
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¡°What? You¡¯re tired of me already?¡± Olivia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Now you¡¯re trying to kick this old woman out?¡±
Her tone was full of mock outrage.
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Chapter 642 The Anchor in the Storm
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Tess knew Olivia wasn¡¯t truly upset. She smiled and spoke gently. ¡°I know you came to check on me and her. But you still have yourpanies in Kingnd. You shouldn¡¯t stay here too long.¡±
Olivia stretched her back like she didn¡¯t care at all. ¡°So what? If I leave for a few days and they can¡¯t run the ce without me, why do I even keep them? I might as well hand everyone a box and shut the whole ce down.¡±
The words came out bold and sharp. In one breath, the soft, kind Olivia turned into a tough, no¨Cnonsense chairman.
Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh, and she stopped trying to send her away.
¡°And with everything you¡¯ve been dealing withtely,¡± Olivia added, patting Tess¡¯s shoulder, ¡°it¡¯s good to have me around. I can keep things steady for you.¡±
Olivia still remembered the panic she felt the day she learned Tess had been in a car crash. Even now, the fear lingered.
¡°Sweetheart, stop trying to handle everything alone. I¡¯m here now. If you need help, ask me. I can support you.¡±
Her stern look disappeared. All that was left was warmth and love.
Tess¡¯s heart softened. She nodded hard and held onto Olivia¡¯s arm. ¡°If it¡¯s something I can manage, I¡¯ll handle it. When I can¡¯t, I¡¯ll ask you for help.¡±
go of her usual
Maybe it was because of Gillian, but Tess felt a deep closeness with this woman. Olivia reminded her of the warmth she had as a child. Without even noticing, she let cold distance and clung to this rare bit of family affection.
If she still felt anything toward Kylie now, it was gratitude for giving her a family that knew how to love.
¡°Good. You¡¯re a strong kid,¡± Olivia said softly.
Olivia felt warmth spread through her chest. She patted Tess¡¯s hand and nodded with
approval.
:
The hospital felt calm and cozy. But the police station? Not so much.
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Chapter 642 The Anchor in the Storm
Jolie was cuffed to a chair, her face twisted with anger.
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¡°Do you even know who I am? Do you know who my dad is? I already told you everything! Go arrest Henry! Why are you arresting me?¡±
She kept fidgeting, making the metal chains rattle against the chair.
¡°You only turned in your partner,¡± an officer said calmly. ¡°But you were the one who nned everything. Do you understand the difference?¡±
The officer clearly didn¡¯t like Jolie¡¯s arrogance. His brows pulled together, but he still held back from saying anything harsh.
This station was on sensitive ground. He didn¡¯t know who Jolie really was, but someone who dared act this bold probably had a powerful family behind her. He couldn¡¯t make a reckless
move.
¡°So what? Is Tess dead? Is she hurt for life?¡± Jolie snapped the moment she heard Tess¡¯s name. She red at the officer and jabbed a finger toward her swollen face. ¡°Look at me! They beat me up like this, and you¡¯re not arresting them? You¡¯re just biased! You treat me terribly because I¡¯m not from Aetheris. You¡¯ll regret this!¡±
The more she talked, the angrier she got, and she began struggling against the restraints again.
The officer felt a pounding headacheing on.
And legally, Jolie wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. Raven really had hit her. With a face that bruised, it could easily be considered assault. Even if everyone said it was all one¨Csided.
But Tess wasn¡¯t just anyone. She was Finn¡¯s ex¨Cwife and the woman he still cared about. He¡¯d specifically warned the station not to bother her. So Jolie¡¯s injuries were never even examined. She was dragged straight into holding.
¡°Stop yelling,¡± the officer said tly. ¡°If you want out so badly, call someone to post bail. But before that, Henry needs toe in and match your statements.¡±
The officer didn¡¯t want to deal with Jolie anymore. He threw down the words and walked out- better to not look at her at all.
Jolie froze, then stomped her feet in frustration. But with her arms cuffed, she couldn¡¯t even reach her chest, which only made her angrier.
¡°Officer!¡±
But before she could say more, the officer nearly ran straight into someone outside the door.
Chapter 642 The Anchor in the Storm
Henry.
¡°Henry? You finally showed up.¡±
The officer¡¯s impatience disappeared instantly. His face sharpened.
¡°Come to the interrogation room.¡±
He grabbed Henry¡¯s arm and pulled him inside.
The two were ced in a dim, closed room lit by a single overheadmp.
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Henry¡¯s expression was icy. Jolie shot him a furious re, ming him for everything.
Because Henry had been cooperative so far, the officer didn¡¯t make things difficult. The officer motioned for Henry to grab a chair and sit beside Jolie.
¡°Jolie says you told her to go after Tess. Is that true?¡±
The officer tapped his pen on the table to get Henry¡¯s attention.
¡°No.¡±
Henry shook his head calmly, not even pausing to think.
Jolie¡¯s eyes went wide. Her chair rattled as she jerked against it. ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡±
She twisted toward him, her face contorted with rage. ¡°He hinted it to me! He said, I¡¯ll leave the country in a couple of days, so whatever happens won¡¯t link back to me. Those were his exact words!¡±
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Chapter 643 Cornered in the Interrogation Room
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Henry let out a coldugh. ¡°Sure, I said that. But I never meant for her to cross every line just to hurt my daughter. How was I supposed to know she¡¯d take it the wrong way?¡±
The two of them kept arguing, neither willing to back down. The officer rubbed his temples, already annoyed.
¡°But I have one question,¡± the officer said. ¡°Jolie works in Crorus as an assistant at the Nexus Research Institute. And Henry, you¡¯re the former chairman of Ember Group. How did you two even meet?¡±
That question shut them both up.
The officer immediately sensed something was off. He mmed his hand on the table and barked, ¡°When I ask a question, you answer it! No hiding anything. No lying!¡±
Henry had thought he was prepared. But now sweat crawled down his back.
He nced at Jolie. Just as he feared, she was looking at him with a small, icy smile.
It wasn¡¯t anger anymore. It was the look of someone waiting for the drama to unfold.
Henry was shaken.
His most important assets were in Aetheris, on Finn¡¯s territory. Jolie came from a powerful family. She knew he wouldn¡¯t dare expose her.
And worse¡
Henry swallowed hard.
When Jolie first came to him, she told him Tess had sent Steven to rescue Nichs. That meant she must also know Henry had illegally kept Nichs under control.
Cold sweat gathered along Henry¡¯s hairline.
Their silence dragged on. The officer sensed even more wrongness and swept his sharp gaze across their faces. Then he mmed the table again. ¡°Speak!¡±
He barked, ¡°Jolie Reagen!¡±
Her face was bruised and swollen, making her look miserable. But she didn¡¯t look angry anymore. With Henry here, she seemed almost rxed, and that tiny curve on her lips made
Chapter 643 Cornered in the Interrogation Room
everything feel even stranger.
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When Jolie ignored him, the officer turned back to Henry with an exasperated sigh. ¡°You talk!¡±
Henry¡¯s throat bobbed.
¡°I ¡ she¡¡±
Henry stammered, unable to form a clear answer. The officer finally snapped and struck the table again. ¡°If you won¡¯t cooperate, then you¡¯re not leaving. Sit here until you remember!¡±
Henry¡¯s face turned pale. He looked awful.
Jolie saw things taking this turn and suddenly burst intoughter. Her eyes glittered with pure delight as she stared at Henry.
Power felt good. Crushing someone felt even better. She could feel that thrill rising again.
But then, a thought hit her like a jolt.
The first time she saw Steven, she was drawn to him instantly. She begged her family to pull strings so she could work at his side. All this time, she followed every rule he set, handled every detail for him, and acted like the perfect assistant.
But she wasn¡¯t doing it for the job.
She was doing it for him.
Heat surged through her chest. Her breathing grew uneven.
Why should she humble herself to get close to Steven? With her family influence, why couldn¡¯t she be the one with power over Tess? Why should she hold back when she disliked Tess so much? Why should she do the dirty work herself?
The more she thought about it, the clearer everything became. And as her thoughts settled, her breathing calmed.
Jolie sat quietly, her face nk. Her hands rested on herp, but her fingertips curled tightly.
Henry had no idea what was going through her mind. The quieter she became, the more terrified he felt. He was scared she might expose him at any moment.
¡°We met by ident,¡± Henry forced out, biting down on his nerves. ¡°My daughter knows Mr. Stone. Jolie is there as his assistant. We crossed paths a few times.¡±
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His face had gone nearly white.
The officer listened while sneaking nces at Jolie, watching for
But she sat so still it was unsettling.
any reaction.
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¡°Jolie says you pushed her to hurt your daughter,¡± the officer said. ¡°What do you have to say to that?¡±
When the officer couldn¡¯t get anything useful out of them, he had no choice but to circle back to the first question.
¡°Tess is my daughter. Everyone in Aetheris knows we just made peace again,¡± Henry argued. ¡°At my age, all I want is a warm home. Why would I tell someone to hurt her?¡±
He kept denying it, but his eyes kept flicking nervously toward Jolie.
The officer sighed and turned to her. ¡°Are you sure he told you to do it?¡±
Jolie didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she lifted her chin, shot Henry a sideways look, then curved her lips into a mocking smile at the officer. ¡°Does that even matter? How badly is Tess hurt? I can pay for anything. And I¡¯m not answering any of your questions. In fact, you should let me go. If my family gets here first, this ce won¡¯t stay peaceful.¡±
The officer had clearly never met someone this arrogant. His lips tightened in disbelief.
Henry was surprised too, but since she still hadn¡¯t exposed him, he secretly let out a breath.
Bang!
A sharp, arrogant crash exploded at the police station entrance.
The officers in the middle of the questioning shot to their feet, instantly alert, and rushed toward the door.
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Chapter 644 A Familiar Visitor
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Several officers rushed to the door, only to find a line of men in sharp suits. They looked less like visitors and more like hired private security.
¡°Who are you people? This is a police station! You can¡¯t just barge in here!¡±
Even the police chief was startled by the noise. He stepped forward when the officers instinctively moved aside for him.
A ck stretch Lincoln pulled up at the entrance. A pair of polished leather shoes touched the ground, followed by tailored suit pants.
¡°Are you the person in charge here?¡±
The man standing before them had a few silver strands in his hair. His presence alone made the room go quiet. One nce from him was enough to make anyone¡¯s pulse spike.
The police chief felt a chill crawl up
his spine.
He didn¡¯t recognize this man, and someone with this kind of aura was not someone he would forget.
The station often worked closely with Aetheris officials, yet he had never seen this person before. Someone this powerful¨Clooking¨Cmaybe he wasn¡¯t from Aetheris?
¡°And
you are?¡±
He didn¡¯t know the man¡¯s background, so he spoke carefully. But he still tried to hold his posture, remembering he was the police chief and everyone here looked to him.
¡°Moserton. The Reagens.¡±
:
Aetheris Primal Hospital.
¡°Jolie was bailed out of the station,¡± Lyra said as she pushed open the hospital room door, her brows knit tight.
Tess froze mid¨Cscroll on her phone.
¡°I figured.¡±
Chapter 644 A Familiar Visitor
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She set the phone aside and narrowed her eyes.
¡°Her family must have sent someone.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Lyra nodded, her expression dark. ¡°And honestly, even after Raven beat her up time, Jolie didn¡¯t look like she was willing to step down. Now that her family hade for her, she¡¯ll only get bolder. If she still wants to cause trouble¡¡±
Lyra hesitated.
The room grew quiet.
¡°Then I¡¯ll just beat her up again,¡± Raven muttered sharply from the couch.
It was unclear when she had woken up, but she lifted her fist with a threatening shake.
Lyra twitched her lips and patted Raven¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Raven, violence can¡¯t solve everything.¡±
She sighed and looked toward Tess, her face full of worry.
Tess stayed calm, lips pressed, expression unreadable. Just when Lyra¡¯s heart began to sink, Tess finally spoke. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything for now. Let¡¯s wait and see how they react. We¡¯ll find out if they really n to let Jolie do whatever she wants, or if they¡¯ll rein her in.¡±
¡°But I heard that old man dotes on her, a daughter he had at ater stage in life.¡± Lyra added quietly. ¡°He gives Jolie anything she asks for.¡±
Raven frowned.
She was a top hacker, and the moment she learned who Jolie¡¯s family was, she dug into every public record on the Reagens.
Raven might have a fiery temper, but she wasn¡¯t reckless.
¡°If the Reagens really n to protect Jolie ande after me.¡± Tess lifted her eyes, a cold glint shing across them. ¡°I¡¯m not some pushover they can do whatever they want to me.¡±
Her words fell heavy in the room. Raven and Lyra exchanged a look and both let out a small, proud smile.
But then someone knocked on the door.
Raven stood up to answer it. When she pulled it open, she saw a man she had never met before. But his features¨Csomething about them felt familiar.
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His hair wasbed back perfectly, styled with enough gel to hold a sharp, formal shape.
He smiled and lifted the gift box in his hand. ¡°Ms. Moreno, right? I¡¯m here to visit Ms. Ember.¡±
Raven¡¯s brows pulled together.
She knew everyone around Tess, but she had never seen this man. Who was he?
Still, she stepped aside and let him in.
¡°Tess, someone¡¯s here for you.¡±
The man walked in with polite manners. The moment he saw Tess lying in the hospital bed, his eyes flickered, clearly recognizing her.
Tess stared back with a deep frown.
She had no memory of him.
¡°Sir, who are you?¡±
Raven didn¡¯t know him either, yet he had recognized her right away. And he imed he was here for Tess, who didn¡¯t know him at all.
And those familiar¨Clooking features¡
¡°A Reagens?¡± Tess¡¯s voice dropped, guarded and icy.
At that word, the man let out a smallugh and even pped his hands lightly. ¡°Hahaha. Just like my research said, Ms. Ember really is sharp.¡±
¡°That¡¯s right.¡±
He ced the gift box on the small table.
That simple gesture made both Raven and Lyra tense up at once.
Raven even curled her fist inside her sleeve, her whole posture turning tight like a drawn bow.
¡°Rx,¡± the man said pleasantly. ¡°I¡¯m here on behalf of my daughter to apologize to Ms. Ember.¡±
He smiled warmly, almost too warmly. To Tess, he looked less like a polite father and more like a smiling predator.
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Chapter 644 A Familiar Visitor
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¡°If Mr. Reagen truly wants to show sincerity, wouldn¡¯t it make more sense for Ms. Jolie to stay at the police station and face the consequences?¡± Tess smiled calmly as she said it.
Cyrus Reagen¡¯s brow twitched.
He hadn¡¯t expected her to be this sharp¨Ctongued.
Cyrus had showed up in person, something he rarely did, and she had the nerve to push back.
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Chapter 645 A Threat Wrapped in a Smile
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Cyrus narrowed his eyes, and the smile on his face faded a little, though he still looked polite.
¡°My daughter acted out. I hope you won¡¯t hold it against her,¡± he said warmly. ¡°She¡¯s still young. As her father, of course I don¡¯t want her to suffer.¡±
His smile was gentle, but every word pushed them to feel sorry for him.
Tess¡¯s eyes turned cold. Even her smile disappeared.
She wasn¡¯t fooled. That apology was nothing more than a show.
¡°We¡¯re all about Jolie¡¯s age,¡± Tess said, lifting her gaze. ¡°But none of us were raised to hurt innocent people just because we didn¡¯t get what we wanted.¡±
The moment she said that, Cyrus¡¯s polite smile vanishedpletely.
His voice dropped. ¡°Ms. Ember, I came here hoping we could settle this peacefully. If each of us takes a step back, it benefits everyone.¡±
Cyrus finally showed his true color. Raven¡¯s eyes went wide. She turned to Lyra as if to say, ¡°See? I told you. He¡¯s just like Jolie. Shameless.¡±
She even rolled her eyes behind Cyrus¡¯s back on purpose.
No wonder Jolie turned out that way; it came from her father.
¡°You don¡¯t sound like someone trying to make peace,¡± Tess said with a short, chillyugh. ¡°You sound more like you¡¯re here to threaten me.¡±
Her expression turned cold and stern.
Cyrus stared at her, then suddenly broke into a grin.
2
He evenughed out loud, tilting his head back and pping his hands.
Raven and Lyra exchanged a confused look.
Tess watched him carefully. She didn¡¯t trust whatever game he was ying.
¡°From my research, Ms. Ember, you¡¯re quite an interesting person,¡± Cyrus said. His smile softened again, and his eyes held a strange admiration. ¡°Today proves it.¡±
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Chapter 645 A Threat Wrapped in a Smile
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He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture, as if he were just some tired dadining. ¡°Well, my daughter is reckless. And because she was born when I was older, I spoiled her too much. That¡¯s how she almost caused a disaster. I hope you won¡¯t hold it against her.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t case up. She didn¡¯t answer, waiting for him to finish.
Cyrus paused, then continued on his own.
¡°This was Jolie¡¯s fault. If you wantpensation, anything within my power, I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±
¡°Then what if I insist you hand Jolie back to the police?¡± Tess asked. ¡°She made her choices. She should face the consequences.¡±
Cyrus¡¯s brow tightened. He clearly didn¡¯t expect Tess to push back this hard or not give an elder man like him a way out.
His gentle tone began to crumble.
¡°I heard you¡¯re a mother too,¡± he said. ¡°So you understand how parents protect their kids. Let¡¯s show each other some understanding. I¡¯ll take Jolie home and punish her myself.¡±
He forced a smile, but the warmth in his eyes had vanished.
When Tess heard that, her heart jolted.
Cyrus had clearly done his homework. He¡¯d investigated her.
Bringing up La wasn¡¯t kindness. It wasn¡¯t empathy.
He was using La to force her hand.
Tess¡¯s gaze sharpened. She stared straight at Cyrus, refusing to blink.
His smile felt like a closing over her, tightening with every word, pressing down up ne could barely breathe.
La was her taboo. Touch it, and she¡¯d burn the world down.
She curled her fingers tight, trying to steady her breath and keep her face calm.
¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Tess said coldly. ¡°Thew is thew. If we just let things slide, then anyone who does something wrong can be taken home, scolded a little, and the whole thing disappears. Where¡¯s the justice in that?¡±
Her voice was stiff, her face frozen.
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Chapter 645 A Threat Wrapped in a Smile
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¡°Ms. Ember, you¡¯re still young,¡± Cyrus replied. ¡°And I heard you n to take over Ember Group, plus that new firm you built. Mars Legal, right? Things are already tough for you. It¡¯d be better not to stir up trouble outside.¡±
He raised a hand and adjusted his cuff, his eyes locking onto hers.
Tess saw the mask drop. And sheughed¨Ccold, quiet, bitter.
Of course. People like him were all the same. If they stood higher than you, they pushed down with their power. It worked every time.
Finn had done the exact same thing to her.
¡°No.¡±
Tess said the single word with finality.
Then she smiled, slow and sharp. Her eyes filled with faint mockery and aimed right at Cyrus.
He hadn¡¯t expected someone so young to defy him. For a moment, he actually looked offended.
¡°Tess, I heard you were a top student,¡± he said. ¡°So I won¡¯t exin what ¡®underestimate your strength meant. You¡¯re running two smallpanies. Even in Aetheris, those aren¡¯t worth anything in Moserton.¡±
He lifted his chin, his eyes full of disdain. The polite mask was gone.
¡°I¡¯ll admit you¡¯re talented for your age,¡± he said, ¡°butpared to my family? You¡¯re nothing. Jolie did make a mistake, and I came myself to apologize. So let¡¯s settle this and call it a day.¡±
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Chapter 646 Don¡¯t Push Your Luck
Chapter 646 Don¡¯t Push Your Luck
Cyrus was clearly warning her, ¡°Don¡¯t push your luck.¡±
Tess stared at the smug man in front of her, anger tightening in her chest.
Ïç
s
She liked to think of herself as gentle, but there were lines she would never cross, and she wasn¡¯t about to back down now.
¡°So, this is what the Reagens are really like?¡± Tess pped slowly, her voice full of sarcasm. ¡°First, Jolie tries to take my life. Now you show up here to pressure an injured patient into dropping the case.¡±
Lyra and Raven were just as disgusted. Raven stood up right away, yanked open the hospital room door, and snapped, ¡°There¡¯s nothing to discuss. We¡¯ll see this through to the end. Mr. Reagen, please leave.¡±
¡°Tess, you really want to go against the Reagens?¡±
Cyrus¡¯s face darkened. The air around him seemed to drop in temperature. His authority filled the whole room.
¡°I can forgive Jolie,¡± Tess changed her tone abruptly.
For a moment, Cyrus¡¯s expression eased. He let out a coldugh. ¡°At least you know what¡¯s good for you.¡±
¡°But,¡± Tess lifted a brow, ¡°please bring him back here too. The two of you can bow and apologize together. Do that and we¡¯ll end it here. I won¡¯t ask you forpensation.¡±
Cyrus¡¯s expression darkenedpletely. Then he burst outughing. ¡°Well, well, Tess, you¡¯ve got guts.¡±
He red at her, then flicked his hand sharply. ¡°Fine. Since you¡¯re turning down the easy this won¡¯t end well.¡±
With that, he spun around and stormed out.
BANG!
The door mmed so hard the walls shook.
¡°Hey! Sir! Please be gentle! This is a hospital! You¡¯re disturbing the patients!¡±
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Chapter 646 Don¡¯t Push Your Luck
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A nurse passing by called after him, but the moment Cyrus shot her a single cold look, she froze on the spot and fell silent.
Inside the room, no one spoke.
Everyone understood exactly what Cyrus meant.
¡°Tess, did we go too far just now?¡±
Lyra bit her lip, looking worried.
Tess lowered her eyes. Her heart thumped; for a moment she wondered if she had acted too recklessly.
From everything she¡¯d learned about the Reagens so far, dealing with them would be far harder than dealing with Henry.
Honestly, Henry was someone she¡¯d been toying with. She nned to lift him up just to watch him fall harder, breaking into pieces when he finally hit the ground.
But the Reagens? They weren¡¯t people she could y with.
Raven clenched her fists. ¡°We can¡¯t just let him walk all over us. Jolie hurt you. And now this old man says a few words, and it¡¯s all forgiven? So what does that make you, Tess? Nothing?¡±
She was right, but the situation was tricky.
Tess rubbed her temple. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You don¡¯t have to worry about me.¡±
She changed the subject. ¡°By the way, how¡¯s the Ember Group financial reporting along?¡±
She couldn¡¯t keep her eyes fixed on Henry and his mess any longer.
Being pushed down again and again by people with power had one benefit. It kept reminding her she couldn¡¯t stay where she was.
Fairness? Words written on paper meant nothing because shecked real power.
If she wanted real equality, quotingws alone wasn¡¯t enough. She needed leverage to have a say about her fate.
Why did Jolie dare try to hurt her that badly? Because she had a massive family behind her to catch her if she fell.
If that was the case, why couldn¡¯t Tess build the same strength for herself?
10:03 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 646 Don¡¯t Push Your Luck
Lyra looked uneasy.
¡°The files are still being¨Chmm¨Cprocessed. Are you in a hurry? You should rest.¡±
g
Tess shook her head. ¡°Honestly, most of what happened just scared me. You all insisted I stay in the hospital for observation, but I can feel it¨Cphysically, I¡¯m fine.¡±
Lyra considered that and nodded, though she still warned her carefully. ¡°Alright. This afternoon, I¡¯ll bring all the prepared reports to your room. But take it slow, okay? Don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡±
Tess nodded, giving her a sincere thank¨Cyou.
Lyra rolled her eyes at her. ¡°Why are you being formal with me?¡±
Then she left to gather the documents.
Once the door closed, Raven stared straight at Tess.
¡°You already have a n.¡±
It wasn¡¯t a question. It was a certainty.
Even though she hadn¡¯t known Raven as long as Lyra had, she still understood exactly what kind of person was standing in front of her.
Tess paused, her fingers still on her phone. She didn¡¯t hide it. ¡°Maybe.¡±
Raven frowned at the vague answer.
¡°If we reach a dead end. And it was me who hit Jolie. If Cyrus wants someone to me, he cane after me.¡±
Hearing Raven speak like she was ready to throw herself into the fire, Tess couldrep
So, this was the real Nadine. The past few days, she hadn¡¯t caused trouble. She even seemed calmer, almost different from the loud, clueless girl Tess remembered.
¡°Okay!¡±
Tess nced at Raven and gave her a small signal to stop.
When the wheelchair stilled, Tess tapped her fingerszily against the armrest. ¡°Go on. You¡¯ve been waiting out here long enough. What do you want?¡±
Nadine had finally gotten a response, but Tess¡¯s calm and effortless control threw her off. Nadine frowned a little.
Wasn¡¯t she the one who came to confront Tess? Why did it feel like it was Tess who had the upper hand?
Swallowing her irritation, Nadine got to the point.
¡°You had crossed the Reagens.¡±
She said it straight.
Tess blinked, her brows lifting slightly. She hadn¡¯t expected that topic from N
She stared at her in silence, waiting for the rest, but a heavy feeling settled in her chest.
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Chapter 647 Shadow and Worry
Chapter 647 Shadow and Worry
Tess shot Raven a quick wink.
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She had watched every hit Raven threw. That was why she didn¡¯t let Abel and the others pull Raven away. The only reason she didn¡¯t let Abel and the others stop her was because she knew Raven had been holding back the whole time.
Even so, Raven let out a long sigh and copsed onto the couch, exhausted.
She scratched her hair and muttered, ¡°Tess, power is a lot heavier than you think. You¡¯re too trusting. If Cyrus really wants to make a move, looking at those financial reports won¡¯t help. With a snap of his fingers, he could take Ember Group from you even after all that work you went through to grab it back from Henry.¡±
It was rare to see Raven so serious. Her words carried a weight that made Tess¡¯s chest tighten.
Tess turned toward her, catching the shadow flickering in Raven¡¯s lowered, sorrowful eyes.
Her heart sank. For some reason, it felt like Raven wasn¡¯t talking about her but about herself.
What had Raven gone through?
The question shot through Tess¡¯s mind before she could
stop it.
¡°I know things were rough for you in the beginning,¡± Raven said earnestly. It wasn¡¯t like her usual fiery self. ¡°When you escaped prison and hid from Finn, you should¡¯ve felt it; that kind of power he held could crush people from the bottom up. But even then, Finn still cared about you. He wasn¡¯tpletely heartless.
¡°But Cyrus?¡± Raven looked Tess straight in the eyes. ¡°He¡¯s different.¡±
She didn¡¯t sugarcoat anything andid out everything she had learned.
¡°I found out Jolie was supposed to go on arranged dates recently. Her family had set everything up, but she saw Steven and decided she liked him. Her family approved of Steven, so they let her chase after him.¡±
Raven¡¯s face grew stern. Every word showed just how much they spoiled Jolie.
Tess understood immediately.
Not only had she rejected Cyrus¡¯s offer today, but she also hadn¡¯t shown him or Jolie any respect at all. Whatever trouble she¡¯d stirred up, it wasn¡¯t going to be small.
10:04 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 647 Shadow and Worry
But Tess tightened her fist, remembering something someone once told her.
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She wasn¡¯t the kind of fool Cyrus thought she was, someone who would throw herself against a moving truck..
¡°Rx,¡± Tess said confidently. ¡°If he reallyes after me, I won¡¯t be standing here without a n.¡±
Raven paused, not fully convinced, but she still nodded without arguing.
The two stayed in the hospital room untilte afternoon. Then Raven called someone over to help lift Tess into a wheelchair, nning to take her out for some sun.
Tess sighed but gave in when she saw Raven¡¯s determined look.
A few minutester, they were in the small park outside the inpatient wing. The breeze was warm, the sky bright, and then they saw Nadine.
Without the Larsons around her now, Tess was left facing Nadine alone. Nadine still kept that polite smile on her face, but something about it felt off. Even her smile looked ufortable to look at.
Raven stepped forward, blocking Nadine¡¯s stare from reaching Tess.
¡°Ms. Moreno, there¡¯s no need to be so tense,¡± Nadine said with a soft smile.
Her eyes were wide as if she was trying too hard to look friendly.
Neither Tess nor Raven bought it.
¡°Move,¡± Raven said.
sudden moves, Raven She never liked Nadine. Since Nadine wasn¡¯t making any Tess¡¯s wheelchair forward, nning to pass her without a second thought.
Her confident look made Nadine¡¯s smile freeze for a split second.
¡°Tess, you¡¯re back with the Embers now. We¡¯re family. Why push me away?¡±
She forced her smile higher, but Tess didn¡¯t spare her a nce.
ushed
With Tess ignoring her, Raven didn¡¯t bother responding either. She just turned the wheelchair around to leave.
Nadine¡¯s smile finally copsed. She hurried forward and blocked their path.
Chapter 647 Shadow and Worry
Tess lifted her head atst, her eyes cold and steady.
¡°Nadine. Move.¡±
¡°What? You¡¯re afraid to talk to me for a few minutes?¡±
Nadine raised a brow, trying to bait her, her tone full of provocation.
Tess narrowed her eyes. The tension in her face softened a little, reced with a faint, mocking curve of her lips.
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Keepsake 648
Chapter 648 Not My Fault
g
Cyrus stormed out of the hospital that morning, but how did Nadine already find out? How did that happen?
Has she nted someone inside the hospital?
The doubt crossed Tess¡¯s mind, but her face stayed calm and cold.
¡°How do you know that?¡± Tess asked quietly.
Her voice was cool and distant, and it only made Nadine¡¯s anger burn hotter.
Nadine stared at her calm expression and felt fire rise in her chest.
When did it start? No matter how she tried to scheme against Tess, she always brushed it off with ease. Nadine never even scratched her, while she herself looked like a fool running in circles.
That contrast stabbed her pride like a thorn.
¡°Tess, are you still going to y dumb? They already came to our house at noon.¡±
Nadine¡¯s re made it clear she was ming Tess for the trouble.
Tess frowned.
Cyrus failed to pressure her in the morning and went straight to the Embers by noon. Clearly, he was determined to corner her.
¡°Dad told me toe warn you,¡± Nadine said, lifting her chin. ¡°He knows he owes you, and he wants to make it up to you. But he would help if you stopped causing problems. Do you even understand how much power they have? Even the Larsons can¡¯t make them back down easily. And Mom already left the Larsons. You¡¯re barely even rted now. Why would the Larsons lift a finger for you?¡±
She rattled on, every sentence trying to hammer Tess into epting her lowered ce.
¡°So what?¡± Tess finally snapped. ¡°He sent you to lecture me?¡±
Her patience was gone. Her eyes drifted to a nearby patch of flowers and weeds, not even bothering to look at Nadine.
That only made Nadine angrier. Her voice rose. ¡°Dad wants you to call them yourself and
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Chapter 648 Not My Fault
apologize!¡±
s
Then she gave Tess a contemptuous look. ¡°You didn¡¯t even get hurt. I don¡¯t know who you¡¯re putting on this act for.¡±
She muttered thest sentence under her breath, but Raven had sharp ears; she heard every word.
Raven¡¯s brows shot up. She marched forward, raised a fist, and warned, ¡°Nadine, your family may be weak. And yes, fighting the Reagens might give me trouble. But fighting you? No one would do anything to me.¡±
Nadine stumbled back in fear, eyes locked on Raven¡¯s fist.
¡°Y¨CYou!¡± she stammered.
Raven¡¯s dark eyes were sharp, her face tensed, and her whole body tight like a bowstring ready
to snap.
Nadine swallowed hard.
She hadn¡¯t forgotten Jolie¡¯s photos.
The once pretty face was swollen like a balloon and barely recognizable.
And rumor said Raven did every bit of that herself.
¡°You lunatic! You¡¯re so rough! Nutcase!¡± Nadine sputtered, breathing fast, terrified Raven might charge at her.
Tess and Raven both saw her panic, and the irony wasn¡¯t lost on them.
¡°Henry doesn¡¯t control me,¡± Tess said coldly. ¡°I went home because I wanted to. That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll obey everything he says.¡±
She let out a shortugh and turned her wheelchair around.
Raven came around to push her.
By the time Nadine finally gathered her scattered nerves, her heart was still pounding wildly. Tess and Raven were already far down the hallway¨Cbacks straight, silhouettes calm and steady. And somehow, that made them even more intimidating.
Nadine shook her head hard. She grabbed the cor of her shirt as regret burned through her.
10:04 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 648 Not My Fault
Come on. Raven wouldn¡¯t really hit her outside a hospital, right?
A
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The thought hit herte, and she clenched her teeth. She stomped once on the pavement, heels tapping sharply, and stormed off.
How dare they act so high¨Cand¨Cmighty? They turned down a polite warning. Fine, let them deal with the real consequences.
Nadine¡¯s fists tightened.
Henry had sent her to warn Tess to behave, and Tess didn¡¯t even listen. Good, let the Reagens teach her a lesson she¡¯ll never forget.
Nadine hated Tess so much in that moment she practically cursed under her breath, her heels clicking angrily all the way out.
Cyrus left the Ember Residence with Henry trailing behind him, bowing and scraping the whole way.
By the time he reached the hotel he had bookedst minute, his mood was already ice¨Ccold. Jolie stood before him with her head down, too scared to look up.
¡°Talk,¡± he ordered. ¡°What happened?¡±
His deep¨Cset eyes cast a heavy shadow over Jolie¡¯s face, giving him a sharp, intimidating air.
His gaze swept across Jolie¡¯s swollen face, and his brow tightened. ¡°You let yourself get beaten like this? Are you trying to embarrass us?
¡°We arranged a perfect marriage for you. You refused. You had to chase after that Steven boy. Nothinges of it, and you turn our family into aughingstock in the process.¡±
Cyrus let out a cold snort and dropped onto the couch with long, heavy strides.
Jolie crumpled her lips. ¡°Daddy! It¡¯s Tess¡¯s fault! She tried to seduce Steven, and she told people to hit me!¡±
Her voice cracked pitifully, eyes shimmering with tears as she looked eagerly at her father.
Cyrus spoiled this daughter more than anyone, but right now, even he has lost all of his patience.
3/4 ¡°Her fault? Really? I heard that woman is newly divorced and raising a kid. What kind of man
10:04 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 648 Not My Fault
do you think she¡¯s capable of seducing?¡±
ADMINJ
Keepsake 649
Chapter 649 The Storm They Calling Down
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Cyrus said the words, but that calm, pretty face still shed in his mind. The moment he spoke, even he started doubting himself.
¡°And you said she told people to hit you? Funny, because I heard you were the one bold enough to try running her over with your car. You wanted her gone. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±
Cyrus¡¯s voice turned sharp and his face hard.
Jolie froze. She snapped to attention like a kid caught stealing, tears hanging on her swollen
cheeks.
¡°Daddy! Who¡¯s your real daughter? Why are you taking her side?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t start that. When you¡¯re wrong, youin I¡¯m not on your
side.¡±
Cyrus let out a low snort. He already knew every trick Jolie pulled.
But Jolie caught something else in his tone; there was room for her to act spoiled. Her up. She stepped forward slowly, testing the waters.
eyes
lit
Cyrus didn¡¯t stop her. He only lifted a brow. She caught that tiny reaction, instantly perked up, and hooked her arm through his. ¡°Daddy, this wasn¡¯t even my fault. Tess was just in my way.¡±
He turned his head and stared at her smug expression, paired with her adorable eyes act. He was helpless. Cyrus flicked her forehead and sighed. ¡°You little brat!¡±
and cute
His tone had softenedpletely. Jolie leaned in andined, ¡°I mean, yes, I ran the car over her, but she¡¯s fine! And she asks someone to beat me. You¡¯re my dad. How could you help someone else?¡±
Her voice dropped, and she blinked her eyes as she shook his arm.
¡°Enough. I¡¯ve already had someone warn her. But at the end of the day, you were still the one in the wrong. Let¡¯s see if you keep running wild after this.¡±
Cyrus shot her a sharp look.
The moment Jolie heard he warned Tess, her eyes lit up. ¡°Daddy! I knew it! I¡¯m your favorite person! But Daddy-¡±
She tilted her head, suddenly looking sweet and harmless, nothing like the fierce girl Tess had faced earlier.
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Chapter 649 The Storm They Calling Down
Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and mischief. ¡°You really warned Tess?¡±
Cyrus caught the prying tone and raised a brow. ¡°Want to know the details?¡±
Jolie nodded so fast she looked like a bobblehead.
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Cyrus gave a cold snort and told her everything. How he ran into trouble at the hospital and how he even went to the Ember Residence afterward.
Jolie¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°That slut doesn¡¯t know her ce! You went in person, and she still acted like you owed her something?¡±
Cyrus¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°She does have a temper,¡± he snorted. ¡°But I wonder if she has the power to back it up.¡±
Jolie perked up at once, her eyes shining and lips curled, as she watched the gloomy look on her father¡¯s face.
Tess had crossed her father. That meant Tess was in for a very bad time.
¡°Oh, your mom already heard about this,¡± Cyrus added, giving Jolie a warning nce.
¡°What?¡±
Jolie¡¯s smile dropped instantly.
In their house, Sienna Reagen was the real one in charge. Jolie never expected this mess to reach her.
The current leader of the Reagan Corporation was also her mother. Sienna was a powerhouse who practically lived on airnes, juggling deals across continents. Jolie hardly saw her at all.
Even Cyrus¡¯s name came from her; shebined both family names and gave him a local
name.
¡°That¡¯s what happens when you act without thinking,¡± Cyrus said, tapping Jolie lightly on the forehead.
Then his gaze sharpened with meaning. ¡°But your moming here might actually help you. Didn¡¯t you want revenge?¡±
Jolie¡¯s gloomy face lit up instantly.
Right! If her mom stepped in, dealing with someone like Tess would be nothing.
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Chapter 649 The Storm They Calling Down
¡°Then¡
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Jolie¡¯s heartbeat sped up. She looked at Cyrus with bright, eager eyes, clearly wanting to ask something more.
But Cyrus saw straight through her. ¡°Don¡¯t even start about Steven.¡±
Jolie froze. Steven was one of the top researchers in the world now, someone every nation protected. Were they trying to crush him with their power? Impossible.
Jolie¡¯s excitement deted. She lowered her voice and said, ¡°Okay.¡±
¡°You¡¯d better behave,¡± Cyrus warned. ¡°When your mother arrives, don¡¯t make her angry.¡±
Jolie trudged toward the next room with her shoulders slumped. But the moment she remembered Tess was about to get punished, her mood bounced right back.
Ember Residence.
¡°Tess really said that?¡±
Henry¡¯s face turned ashen.
He had brought Tess back because he wanted the Larsons¡® power, status, and wealth. He swallowed humiliation to wee her home.
And now? No benefits but only trouble.
Nadine nodded quickly, exaggerating every word. ¡°She said you¡¯re nothing! She hade home, but
get to control her!¡±
you
don¡¯t
Henry¡¯s expression twisted even darker. He mmed his palm on the coffee table. ¡°Brat! Why didn¡¯t Jolie finish her off when she ran her over with the car?¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 650
Chapter 650 Trouble in the House
Chapter 650 Trouble in the House
The loud crash downstairs jolted Kylie awake from her nap.
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She rubbed her sleepy eyes and walked down the stairs, a thin shawl hanging off her shoulders.
¡°Kylie, why are you wearing so little?¡±
Henry saw her and tried hard to hold back his anger.
He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
Kylie felt warm at the small gesture. She looked up at him and asked gently, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you so upset?¡±
Hearing her voice, Henry let out a long, troubled sigh. ¡°It¡¯s Tess. She hit the daughter of the Reagens.¡±
¡°Tess? The Reagens?¡± Kylie repeated, frowning.
She searched her memory for that family.
¡°Aren¡¯t they one of those old¨Cmoney families from Moserton? How did Tess even get involved with them?¡±
She couldn¡¯t understand at all.
¡°Oh well.¡±
Henry pushed down his frustration and exined everything he knew.
Kylie¡¯s face grew darker and darker as she listened. By the end, her anger matched Henrypletely. She pped the coffee table, and the soft skin of her palm instantly turned red.
¡°Ever since she grew up, she¡¯s been causing trouble everywhere,¡± Kylie snapped. ¡°She¡¯s getting more and more unlikeable. I don¡¯t even know why you wanted her back in this house!¡±
Kylie was furious.
From the day she gave birth to that girl, she had never felt close to her. Henry didn¡¯t like Tess either. What was supposed to be a precious child born out of love turned into a ticking bomb.
Right now, Kylie only regretted not making a different choice years ago.
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Chapter 650 Trouble in the House
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¡°They aren¡¯t the type to let things go. If they decide to make trouble, we won¡¯t have any way to fight back!¡±
She gritted her teeth, wishing she could drag Tess home and shake some sense into her. Life had finally be peaceful andfortable. Tess just had to ruin it again.
¡°Cyrus said the same thing,¡± Henry said with a headache, rubbing his forehead. ¡°Even though ourpany is gone, I still have a couple of factories left in Krigan. Without those, we wouldn¡¯t be able to keep up with our daily expenses.
¡°But Cyrus made it clear: if Tess refuses to apologize to Jolie, her smallpanies will fall apart. Worse, he¡¯ll find a way to destroy everything I still have.¡±
His words made Kylie¡¯s expression harden, unusually stern.
When the Reagens made a threat, they meant it.
Nadine then shared her own experience from trying to speak to Tess, her voice full of frustration.
¡°That girl haspletely lost her mind!¡± Kylie snapped.
Kylie was so mad that her whole body felt hot. She yanked off Henry¡¯s jacket and her shawl and threw both onto the couch.
¡°I¡¯m going there myself. And I¡¯ll bring Aunt Violet and the others with me. I want them to see with their own eyes that Tess is not fit to take over anything! That way they¡¯ll finally drop this idea!¡±
Kylie was furious and decided to make things right.
Henry jumped in fast, grabbing her arm in panic. ¡°Hey, Kylie. Did you forget what I told you? If Tess takes over the Larson Group, we can still help her a little. But if it falls into someone else¡¯s hands, we¡¯re outsiders. We won¡¯t even get the chance to help.¡±
That stopped Kylie in her tracks.
She clenched her teeth, torn.
Even though Tess was her biological daughter, she still didn¡¯t want Tess to take over thepany. As a Larsons herself, she cared about protecting the family image.
But Henry wasn¡¯t wrong.
If Tess didn¡¯t take the role, the only other person left that qualified for that would be Violet.
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Chapter 650 Trouble in the House
:
Za
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Back then, she and Henry were forced apart because Violet refused to ept their marriage. The elders sided with Violet. Kylie had no choice but to leave the family.
All these years, she never stopped resenting her for it.
¡°Then¡¡±
Kylie hesitated.
Henry slid his hand over hers and gently squeezed. ¡°If this really bothers you, then maybe we should use this chance to push the Larsons to name Tess as the next heir.¡±
¡°No!¡±
Kylie cut him off instantly. Her eyes went wide.
She stared at Henry, hurt and angry.
How could he even suggest that?
Henry didn¡¯t back down. His voice dropped, calm and persuasive.
¡°Think about it. Instead of dragging this out, it¡¯s better we take control early. And we don¡¯t want the Reagans causing trouble and dragging us into it.¡±
Kylie opened her mouth, but no words came out.
She looked between Henry and Nadine. Both of them were nodding firmly.
¡°Mom, it¡¯s true,¡± Nadine chimed in, lifting a brow. ¡°Great¨CAunt Olivia and Great¨CUncle Benjamin are getting old. If anything happens to either of them, Tess won¡¯t even get a chance to im thepany. Aunt Violet will snatch it away before anyone reacts.¡± She leaned in, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. ¡°I heard something. Aunt Violet was the one who drove you and Dad apart years ago. That¡¯s why you two ended up living in this remote city. And now that Dad¡¯s business is finally doing better in Aetheris, Tess swooped in and took everything, ruining it all. If our family goes through one more hardship, we won¡¯t survive it.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 651
Chapter 651 Unsettling News.
:
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Kylie frowned, thinking deeply. She couldn¡¯t help remembering how much she had cut back. on her expenses over the past few years.
¡°Alright.¡±
After a long pause, Kylie finally lifted her head and gave a firm nod.
Henry¡¯s heart lifted with quiet joy. He tried to hide it and gently patted her back. ¡°Kylie, thank you for understanding how tough things have been for me.¡±
Feeling his warm hand on her back, Kylie leaned closer into his arms.
¡°Henry, you¡¯ve been the one holding this family together. It¡¯s my fault that I didn¡¯t give you a child like Nadine, someone who behaves and listens.¡±
As she spoke, Kylie grew emotional, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
Henry looked heartbroken. He quickly wiped her tears away. ¡°What are you talking about? How could I ever me you? Tess has always been difficult since she was young. We¡¯ve done everything possible to support her.¡±
Kylie nodded through her sniffles and buried her face in his chest.
But behind her, Henry and Nadine shared a secret look and a creepy smile.
Nadine¡¯s eyes drifted toward Kylie¡¯s back.
Tess, you think you¡¯re winning now? But your mom is already wrapped around our little finger. And we¡¯ll
aside. squeeze every bit of value out of you before we toss you
The Hospital Room.
Tess felt a sharp throb in her forehead.
Abel noticed immediately. He set down his spoon and gently rubbed her temples. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you unwell? I¡¯ll go get the doctor.¡±
He started to rise, but Tess caught his wrist and pulled him back.
She shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m done.¡±
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Chapter 651 Unsettling News
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The spoonful of soup Abel had cooled for her hovered for a moment before he set it aside. He stood up
and cleared the small table instead.
Tess pulled the stack of financial reports back onto the tray table. Watching Abel move around the room, she suddenly filled with emotion.
Abel¡¯s family raised him with care. Somehow, he had be so good at these little chores. It didn¡¯t match his image at all, yet it was surprisingly pleasant to watch.
¡°Head hurting and you¡¯re still working, boss?¡±
Abel teased while eyeing the papers in her hand. His voice was light, but there was real worry
in it.
Tess smiled, just as a knock sounded at the door.
Abel opened the door. Standing outside was a middle¨Caged woman in a business suit.
¡°Hello, Ms. Ember. We didn¡¯t have your number, but we heard you¡¯re recovering here. Sorry to bother you without notice.¡±
She looked like a sharp, capable office executive; as soon as she finished her long apology and lifted her head, she froze at the sight of Abel¡¯s rxed, handsome face.
¡°You¡¯re here to see Tess?¡±
Abel raised a brow and stepped aside.
¡°Tess?¡±
The woman repeated the name, and then it clicked. Her eyes lit up. She suddenly realized this man was the rumored fling her new CEO was close to. Her cheeks flushed with excitement. ¡°Yes! Exactly!¡±
Tess sat on the hospital bed, listening to their chatter. A secondter, a curious face popped into view, eyes sparkling with gossip. The words I totally shipped this were basically written across her forehead.
Tess twitched the corner of her mouth and cleared her throat. ¡°Employee for Ember Group? What brings you here?¡±
The woman straightened at once. She lifted her badge like she was presenting a passport. It read Prune Newton. ¡°Ms. Ember, you¡¯re reviewing thepany, right? I¡¯m the department lead. I can exin things more clearly for you. And there are a few matters I need to tell you about.¡±
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Chapter 651 Unsettling News
She hesitated, ncing toward the door at Abel.
:
Tess frowned slightly, immediately understanding the hint.
¡°You can leave,¡± she told him.
But the next second, her cool gaze softened just a little.
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Abel had been leaning against the doorframe. Tall and usuallyposed, he somehow looked thin and pitiful today, almost like a cardboard cutout about to fall over in the wind. And those lowered eyes, tragic and dramatic.
Tess was speechless.
Where did he learn these theatrics?
She rubbed her forehead helplessly. ¡°Just say it. He¡¯s not an outsider.¡±
The moment she said that, Prune¡¯s eyes lit up even more.
Even Abel, who looked sad, perked up. He walked over in two long strides, dragged a chair close to her bed, and flopped onto it. ¡°Go ahead,¡± he said, chin lifted, smug as ever. ¡°I¡¯ll help analyze.¡±
Tess¡¯s lips twitched again, but she let him stay.
Prune straightened. ¡°Ms. Bell visited Ember Group yesterday. She helped reorganize the entirepany to prepare for your takeover. But¡¡±
Prune gave an awkward, apologetic smile. ¡°Thepany is on itsst legs. It¡¯s hard to pull it back now. Ms. Bell found it tricky. She said you¡¯ll need toe in person to handle the bigger problems.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Tess nodded calmly. ¡°What else?¡±
Prune paused. She hadn¡¯t expected Tess to be so sharp.
¡°The Reagens sent someone,¡± she finally said. ¡°They want to work with us on a major project. But they need you to show up personally. The head of Reagen Corporation will being to Aetheris soon and hopes to meet you.¡±
Tess¡¯s hand stopped on the page she was turning.
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Chapter 651 Unsettling News
The room went silent.
:
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Prune suddenly felt restless. Her fingers twisted together behind her back as she stood stiffly at attention.
12:54 Sun, Jan 4
Ch
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 652
Chapter 652 An Intimidating Visitor
??? 88 )
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Abel let out a coldugh and broke the silence. ¡°They really don¡¯t give up, do they? What are they even after?¡±
Prune looked confused. She lowered her voice and asked carefully, ¡°Ms. Ember, do you know them?¡±
Tess was much calmer than Abel.
¡°Yeah. What else did they tell you? Aetheris has so manypanies. They wouldn¡¯t suddenly take interest in apany this close to bankruptcy without a reason.¡±
Her tone carried a light, mocking edge.
Prune stared at Tess¨Cthin, still sitting on a hospital bed, yet somehow looking like she had everything under control. She was secretly shocked and grew even more respectful. ¡°They said they can help Ember Group get back on its feet. Enough support to make thepany run normally again. Their only request¡¡± She paused. ¡°They said you already know.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes
shed with understanding. Her fingers curled tight.
¡°So it¡¯s pressure and temptation¨Cone trick after another,¡± she said with a softugh.
She waved her hand at Prune. ¡°I¡¯m getting discharged tomorrow. I¡¯ll go to thepany myself. You don¡¯t need to exin anything else. Since you¡¯ve delivered the message, go back to work.¡±
Prune didn¡¯t linger, but after two steps, she turned around. She looked straight at Tess. ¡°Ms. Ember, thepany faces a drastic problem. Most employees who could leave have left. Since you took thepany from the former chairman, we believe you n to keep it alive. Some of the senior staff are still holding on. We¡¯re waiting for you and hope you can help us keep our jobs.¡±
She bowed deeply.
Tess watched her, something stirring in her chest. Her voice softened. ¡°I know. Tell everyone I¡¯ll be there soon. I won¡¯t let them down.¡±
Prune¡¯s tight brow loosened, and even the corners of her lips lifted. ¡°We¡¯ll be waiting.¡±
After she left, Abel sat up straighter. ¡°Do you need me to go
with
you tomorrow?¡±
¡°No. Last time I went, I heard Grandma might be leaving soon. You should stay with them and
12:54 Sun, Jan 4
Chapter 652 An Intimidating Visitor
take them around.¡±
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She reached over and pressed a small key into his hand. Abel blinked, confused. Tess gave him a nod and urged him to take it. ¡°I¡¯ll send you an addresster. Most of the inheritance passed
down from my grandma is stored there. Take them there and show it to them.¡±
The moment she mentioned Gillian, Tess¡¯s whole face dimmed. Her voice grew heavy.
Abel held the cold metal key in his palm. He didn¡¯t insist on staying with her.
Tess wouldn¡¯t give him something this important unless she trusted himpletely.
¡°Okay,¡± he epted the task seriously.
Tess added, ¡°Oh, and keep your phone on. I might need your help tomorrow too.¡±
Abel frowned slightly. His eyes stayed fixed on her. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that a storm wasing.
But since she didn¡¯t want to say more, he didn¡¯t push.
¡°Just call or text me,¡± he said.
Hotel room.
Knock, knock-
Jolie still had a spoon in her mouth when she went to open the door. Before she even saw anyone, she caught a faint, icy perfume.
The spoon dropped straight to the floor. Then a cold, sharp female voice rang above her head. ¡°Having a good time, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Jolie¡¯s body shook. She slowly peeked out and froze when she saw those stern eyes. ¡°Mommy¡¡±
¡°Hmph.¡±
Sienna pushed the door open with one hand. Her gaze swept across the table covered in fancy dishes. ¡°You almost killed someone, but you surely seem pretty rxed.¡±
Cold sweat broke across Jolie¡¯s forehead.
¡°Well, I still have to eat, right? Mommy, it really wasn¡¯t my fault! You can¡¯t me me for this.¡±
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Chapter 652 An Intimidating Visitor
Jolie gathered her courage and tugged at the edge of Sienna¡¯s coat, eyes pleading.
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Sienna narrowed her eyes at Jolie¡¯s hand but didn¡¯t shake her off. Instead, she flicked her coat aside and strode to the only chair in the room. She sat down with authority. ¡°Your father told me everything.¡±
Jolie felt relief burst in her chest.
If Daddy already exined, then she should be fine.
¡°But I also know what kind of person you are.¡±
Sienna crossed her arms; her gaze was frosty.
Jolie¡¯s face fell instantly. She braced herself for the lecture.
Her mom was nothing like her dad. Her dad only looked scary; he never really had a strong opinion. Sienna held real power her whole life. She was fast and decisive, and her word was final. Order meant everything to her.
Jolie¡¯s head throbbed.
She hadn¡¯t regretted failing to kill Tess. She hadn¡¯t even regretted getting beaten up by Raven. But now? She truly regretted being reckless.
¡°M¨CMommy,¡± Jolie whispered, small and pitiful, not daring to act cute.
Sienna shot her a sideways look. Her eyes stopped on the swollen red mark on Jolie¡¯s cheek, and her brow tightened.
The next second, Jolie flinched as a cold hand touched her cheek.
¡°They hit you this hard? Does it hurt?¡±
Her tone didn¡¯t change at all, but Jolie could swear there was a hint of rage behind those words.
She lifted her eyes and met Sienna¡¯s t gaze. Maybe she imagined it. Maybe.
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Keepsake 653
Chapter 653 The Promise of Justice
Chapter 653 The Promise of Justice
¡°Ouch!¡±
¡°Honestly, you¡¯re pathetic.¡±
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Sienna pulled her hand back, but a sh of real worry and cold anger showed in her eyes.
She had always raised her child with tough, elite standards. She was strict, distant, and never soft. But Jolie was still the daughter she carried for nine months. Even though Jolie had made mistakes, letting someone beat her like this? That was on them, not Jolie.
¡°Tess is leaving the hospital tomorrow and heading back to the office. I¡¯m going there too to discuss a partnership. You¡¯reing with me.¡±
Her voice was cold. It was an order; Sienna left no room to argue.
Jolie doesn¡¯t get it. Her voice jumped a pitch. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re meeting with Ember Group? Why?! Tess is their CEO now! She¡¯s the one who hit me! How can you work with her? And I heard thatpany is close to shutting down. Why would we even work with them?!¡±
Sienna kept her brows tight. She watched as Jolie got worked up. She pressed her fingers to her temples. ¡°We¡¯re the Reagens. The Reagens of Moserton. Everyone watches what we do. Your dad tried to use to pressure them with our influence. If that spreads, what will people say about our family? That we throw our weight around to bully others?¡±
Her tone was sharp, full of me. Jolie still looked lost.
Sienna sighed. Jolie obviously wasn¡¯t following any of this. So, she cut it short. ¡°You¡¯reing with me tomorrow. I¡¯m going to get justice for you.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Jolie¡¯s eyes lit up. She almost couldn¡¯t believe it.
In her mind, her mom was always untouchable¨Ccold, distant, like a wless statue. Shved for work and order, not emotions.
But today, her mom promised she¡¯d stand up for her.
¡°You get bullied in public and even end up at the police station; you might not feel embarrassed, but I do.¡±
Sienna folded her arms, her gazending on Jolie¡¯s still¨Cswollen cheeks.
Jolie touched her face, feeling the heat and puffiness. Her cheeks burned, and she bowed her
11:20 Mon, Jan 5 & G
Chapter 653 The Promise of Justice.
head in embarrassment.
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¡°But Mom,¡± she whispered, ¡°you said we can¡¯t use our power. How are you going to get justice for me?¡±
Jolie blinked in confusion.
Sienna knocked gently against Jolie¡¯s forehead. ¡°You silly girl.¡±
¡°Our identity is sensitive. We can¡¯t show up looking like bullies, but that doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t use it.¡±
Jolie blinked hard. She understood nothing. Her eyes were wide and confused.
¡°You¡¯ll see tomorrow.¡±
Sienna looked into those clear, almost clueless eyes and sighed.
When she heard that, Jolie broke into a smile again. She stepped forward and clung to Sienna¡¯s arm, suddenly sweet and clingy. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re so good to me. I knew it!¡±
They shared a rare warm moment. Then Sienna told Jolie to finish her food, and she left the hotel room.
But the second she stepped out of Jolie¡¯s sight, her soft expression froze over.
Her whole presence turned sharp, like a sword drawn halfway from its sheath, cold enough to make anyone flinch.
Tess¡
Sienna narrowed her eyes. She wanted to see what kind of nerve this girl had; how dare Tessy a hand on her daughter?
The midday sun lit her face, but her eyes stayed dark and unreadable.
People passing by felt a chill for no reason and quickly looked away.
The next morning, Abel showed up early outside the hotel.
He had sent the Larsons an invitationst night. Abel arrived on time. The family gathered the entrance, but they seemed to be talking to someone unfamiliar.
Abel frowned and instantly grew alert. He walked toward them in quick steps.
2
Chapter 653 The Promise of Justice
As he got closer, he heard their voices.
¡°Sienna? What brings you to Aetheris?¡±
Olivia smiled warmly, her tone gentle..
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¡°It¡¯s been a while,¡± Benjamin added, surprisingly talkative. ¡°When you return home, give your parents my regards.¡±
Violet stood to the side, thoughtful and quiet.
¡°I came to handle something for my daughter,¡± Sienna said. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to run into mention it to our families when I¡¯m back.¡±
you. I¡¯ll
Her voice sounded young for someone their age, clearly a woman in her early middle years.
Abel stepped forward and spoke first. ¡°You ran into someone you know?¡±
The Larsons all turned at the sound of his voice. When they saw it was Abel, Violet hurried over and pulled him aside. ¡°Wait outside,¡± she said quickly.
Abel blinked, confused.
The Larsons had always treated him like their own. This was the first time they acted distant with him.
Even so, Violet shot him a subtle signal with her eyes, so he didn¡¯t argue. He muttered under his breath and stepped outside.
Once Abel left, Sienna finally turned toward the group. She only caught a glimpse of a tall figure walking away.
¡°And who is he?¡± she asked.
She looked over the Larsons again and noticed they were all dressed up, clearly ready to head
out.
What a coincidence.
In Crorus, there were only a handful of old families at the top. They didn¡¯t mingle often they all knew each other by name. Still, Sienna never expected staying in a random luxu hotel suite in Aetheris would lead her straight to the Larsons.
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Chapter 654 Secret Vault
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Sienna smiled. Her usually serious face suddenly looked warm and respectful. ¡°Heading out already?¡±
¡°Yes. That kid wants to show us around.¡±
Olivia returned the smile, gentle as always, though something heavy sat behind her eyes.
¡°I see. Well, I have things to take care of today, so I won¡¯t get in your way.¡±
Sienna gave a small bow and stepped aside, ready to leave.
Once the group reached the hotel entrance, they split into two directions.
Abel had waited so long he felt like he might grow moss at this point.
The moment Olivia stepped outside, she caught Abel¡¯s miserable expression.
She cleared her throat and tapped her cane. ¡°What are you standing there for?¡±
¡°Olivia, we agreed on eight¨Cthirty,¡± Abel said, tapping his watch. ¡°I have been waiting for half an hour.¡±
Olivia didn¡¯t take hisint seriously at all. Instead, she smacked his back with her cane. ¡°Oh please. You haven¡¯t even won Tess over yet. How bold of you toin?¡±
¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±
Abel shrugged, full of confidence.
Violet snorted and gave him a teasing look. ¡°Yeah, sure. I don¡¯t see it happening.¡±
The moment Abel heard that, his shoulders copsed. ¡°Wow, really? Fine then, I¡¯m not taki any of you anywhere!¡±
But of course, his rebellion was useless.
Benjamin grabbed him by the cor with a sharp snort. ¡°You¡¯re here already. You thin can escape? Nice try. Lead the way.¡±
Under three pairs of sharp eyes, Abel had no choice but to give in. Still, he couldn¡¯t he sneaking in a bit of pleading. ¡°Come on, ever since you all came to Aetheris, haven¡¯t I handled everything perfectly? I¡¯ve been working so hard!¡±
As they walked, everyone kept ncing at him from the side, waiting to see what this
Chapter 654 Secret Vault
plotting.
¡°Mhm.¡±
Their dull responses made Abel feel like all his enthusiasm evaporated into thin air.
¡°So?¡±
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Luckily, Violet decided to give him at least one tiny chance and tossed him a lifeline so he could keep talking.
Abel suddenly perked up again. He rubbed his hands together with a goofy grin. ¡°So, help me put in a good word with Tess, okay? Ever since she divorced Uncle Finn, she¡¯s been acting like a stone. No matter how I flirt, it never works.¡±
The three elders froze at his bold words. Olivia and Benjamin widened their eyes, and Violet twitched at the corner of her mouth. She lifted a brow at Abel, giving him a weird, judging look. ¡°Well, you¡¯re honest, I¡¯ll give you that.¡±
Abelughed carelessly,pletely shameless, and even winked at them. ¡°Of course I¡¯m honest. Who knows? Maybe we¡¯ll be one big family someday.¡±
¡°We can¡¯t help you with that,¡± Olivia said, shooting him a side¨Ceye. ¡°That depends on Tess.¡±
¡°Well then, I¡¯m not taking you there.¡±
Abel spread his hands and sat right back down, refusing to move.
¡°You little brat!¡±
Even Benjamin, usually the calm one, lost his patience. He stomped down on Abel¡¯s limited- edition sneakers. ¡°Tess trusted you with this job, and this is how you act? Shame on you!¡±
Abel dangled the car keys in front of them. ¡°I¡¯m the only one who knows the address.¡±
¡°Enough.¡±
Violet stepped forward and shoved his waist from behind.
Abel stumbled. In that moment, Violet snatched the keys straight out of his hand.
¡°You¡¯ll have plenty of chances to show offter. Get in the car.¡±
She opened the doors for the elders, helped them in, and then shoved Abel into the
seat.
Abel didn¡¯t totally get what she meant, but he understood at least half of it.
Chapter 654 Secret Vault
They were nning to help him.
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At that realization, he quit fooling around. He lit up with excitement, started the car, and drove toward the pinned location.
When the four of them arrived, a man in a sharp suit was already waiting at the entrance.
¡°Ms. Ember informed us ahead of time. Please follow me.¡±
He bowed respectfully and led them down a quiet corridor to a room that looked almost like a vault.
¡°Do you have the key?¡±
Violet stepped forward and slid the key, taken earlier from Abel, into the lock.
Click! It opened.
The four of them hurried inside, forgetting everything else. And then they froze. Rows and rows of neatly arranged bookshelves filled the room.
Olivia slowed down without meaning to.
These were Gillian¡¯s things?
Her eyes softened, full of emotions she hadn¡¯t nned to show¨Cregret, affection, and a grief she thought she¡¯d buried years ago.
When Kylie insisted on marrying Henry, she had broken all ties with the Larsons. Gillian had followed her daughter, leaving the family out of worry.
Kylie left for over twenty years. And Olivia had been separated from her sister for the same twenty years.
She never expected that by the time they reconnected, they would already be living in t different worlds. One of the living, one of the memories. All she could touch now were objects, not the person behind them.
Olivia¡¯s eyes reddened without her noticing. Her fingertips brushed along the books o shelves. A thinyer of dust covered them.
It felt like proof. Proof that Gillian had been gone for a long, long time.
Benjamin noticed her silence and the sadness on her face. He reached out and hel gently,forting her.
Their eyes met¨Cquiet, heavy¨Cand it felt like the same message passed between th
Chapter 654 Secret Vault
Gillian¡¯s gone. Don¡¯t drown ourselves in sorrow.
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Keepsake 655
Chapter 655 You Sure You Can Handle This
Chapter 655 You Sure You Can Handle This?
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Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat as her eyes moved slowly across the titles on the bookshelf.
Herbs. Design. These had always been her favorite things.
Had Gillian really spent the past twenty¨Cplus years living with only these hobbies to keep herpany?
¡°Tess said you all must miss her grandma a lot,¡± Abel said, repeating Tess¡¯s instructions word for word. ¡°So she arranged for you to visit this vault. If there¡¯s anything you like, you can take it.¡±
Olivia didn¡¯t even remember when she had walked over and sat before the vanity table.
She sat there, staring at the mirror on the desk, almost as if she hoped the reflection would show the face she hadn¡¯t seen in decades.
Hearing Abel¡¯s words, she shook her head. ¡°These things should mean more to Tess than to
us.¡±
Violet felt the same shock.
She had just flipped through the shelves herself. Some books were rare ancient scrolls that had been missing for years. Many were journals written by Gillian.
The depth and breadth of her knowledge were far beyond anything Violet had mastered.
A quiet respect rose in Violet¡¯s heart for the olddy she could barely remember.
Then, it hit her. Tess had grown up under Gillian¡¯s care.
So the things Tess knew¡ just how much had she learned?
A spark of curiosity shed in Violet¡¯s eyes.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
After walking through the room, Olivia suddenly said she wanted to leave.
Abel blinked. ¡°You¡¯re not going to look around more?¡±
¡°No need.¡±
Olivia shook her head. ¡°Being able to remember her through these things before we leave,
Chapter 655 You Sure You Can Handle This
that¡¯s enough for me.¡±
She sighed, stepped out the door, and said, ¡°We should
deal with.¡±
Just as she finished, Abel¡¯s phone rang.
¡°Abel, bring all of them to my office.¡±
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stay long. We still have things to
Tess¡¯s cool, steady voice came through the moment he picked up.
Abel grew nervous inexplicably, tension rising around him.
Olivia nced over and said, ¡°Tess has spoken. Still nning to linger here?¡±
They got in the car and headed straight for the Ember Tower.
Meanwhile, Tess set her phone down.
Raven and Lyra stood on each side of her like her bodyguards.
On a normal day, Tess would have told them to sit down on the couch. But right now, her face was tight, as if she was bracing for a storm.
¡°The Reagens aren¡¯t easy to handle,¡± Raven said, giving Tess a long, serious look.
There was a hint of doubt in her voice. ¡°And I didn¡¯t expect Sienna toe in person. She¡¯s not someone you can deal with lightly.¡±
¡°Are you sure you can handle this?¡± Raven asked quietly.
Tess tapped her fingers on the desk. When she lifted her gaze and met Raven¡¯s worried eyes, she said calmly, ¡°Let¡¯s see what she¡¯s nning to do.¡±
The words had barely fallen when someone knocked on the office door.
Prune peeked in, only half her body showing. Her face was pale with panic. ¡°Ms. Ember, something¡¯s going on outside. A lot of news reporters showed up out of nowhere. I sent people to ask, but no one will say who sent them
¡°News reporters?¡±
Tess repeated quietly, her expression tightening
Raven and Lyra exchanged a look. They walked to the window and pulled the curtains open.
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The building wasn¡¯t very tall. Looking down, they could clearly see a huge crowd packed together outside. Reporters held up cameras, bright shes bouncing off the ss.
Raven quickly yanked the curtains shut, anger ring. ¡°They brought this many reporters? What are they trying to pull?!¡±
¡°Trying to push public pressure on us?¡± Lyra¡¯s face had gone cold too.
Everyone knew Jolie started this mess. Raven did hit her, but it was only a light injury, nowhere near the same level as Jolie trying to kill Tess. They had sent Jolie to the police to wait for legal handling, but her family had personally shown up to bail her out.
Lyra¡¯s jaw tightened. Her balled fists trembled from anger; her arms shook ever so slightly.
¡°They¡¯re forcing my hand.¡±
Tess let out a coldugh. Her sharp eyes grew even frostier.
Prune stood by the door, shoulders scrunched, staring at the three of them with anxious, helpless eyes. She was waiting for them toe up with a solution.
Ring! Ring!
A sudden phone call shattered the tense silence.
They all looked toward the sound. Prune awkwardly pped a hand over her phone and switched it to silent mode. ¡°It¡¯s the receptionist.¡±
The three exchanged nces. Tess nodded for her to answer, and Prune lowered her voice.
¡°Hello? What¡¯s wrong, Lexi?¡±
¡°Ms. Newton, things are out of control! Everyone who is able to leave the building has already done so. Most of the security guards bailed too. The few left can¡¯t hold them back!¡±
Lexi¡¯s voice shook with panic. Behind her, they could hear shouting and heavy footsteps. Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed. She strode to the window and yanked the curtains open again.
Just as expected, the reporters who were crowded outside had forced their way into the building. Only a few reporters, unable to squeeze in, remained stuck at the door, pushing and craning their necks.
Lexi Obrien¡¯s voice rose in pitch, almost shrill now. ¡°Ms. Newton! We can¡¯t stop them! Those people are heading for the top floor!¡±
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Keepsake 656
Chapter 656 Cameras at the Door
The top floor was where Tess¡¯s office was.
¡°Where¡¯s your new CEO and chairwoman?¡±
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¡°Ms. Ember! We heard you ordered someone to hurt the Reagen Corporation heiress! You used her of running you over with her car but also told your people to beat her up. Is that true?¡±
¡°Tess, stop hiding!¡±
The shouting outside grew louder and louder.
Raven¡¯s face darkened. Her jaw tightened so hard it nearly clicked. ¡°I¡¯m going out there to send them away!¡±
She was ready to rush out, but Prune grabbed her arm just in time. ¡°Ms. Moreno, don¡¯t! They¡¯re looking for Ms. Ember. If you run out now, you¡¯ll be their next target!¡±
Lyra hurried over and pressed down on Raven¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Prune¡¯s right. Rx.¡±
¡°Rx? How am I supposed to rx?!¡±
Raven¡¯s eyes burned with rage. She wanted nothing more than to drag Jolie out and tear her
apart.
¡°I should¡¯ve knocked some sense into that bitch when I had the chance!¡±
She yanked her arm to break free from Prune, but she didn¡¯t try to rush out again.
No one expected Jolie to be this cruel at her age. She hurt someone, and now she twisted the story and sent reporters to harass them.
¡°If you walk out now, you¡¯ll be giving them exactly what they want,¡± Tess said calmly.
She cast her a look. Her cool voice eased some of Raven¡¯s fury.
¡°But what do we do now? Those people from Reagen Corporation will be here any minute! The second we leave this room, cameras will be everywhere. We can¡¯t even discuss anything in private. What does that make us?!¡± Raven¡¯s voice shook with humiliation and anger.
Tess understood what stung her most. The Reagens had gone way too far.
11:20 Mon, Jan 5 GB ¡¤
Chapter 656 Cameras at the Door
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¡°Don¡¯t let it get to you. We didn¡¯t do anything wrong. If cameras are rolling, it only means we have nothing to fear,¡± Tess said, steady and calm.
Her tone alone made people breathe easier.
Prune nced at her again.
Tess already had a child, andpared to thepany higher¨Cups, she was young and new to the business world. But herposure, it was something else. She was impressed.
¡°Right,¡± Prune agreed and nodded. ¡°If you¡¯ve done nothing wrong, you don¡¯t have to hide.¡±
Lyra crossed her arms, her face grim. ¡°But the media was clearly sent by the Reagens. That means they¡¯re against us. And we don¡¯t know what they want to discuss today. That¡¯s uncertainty number one. And number two, they might twist whatever we say. Some media outlets will edit things however they want.¡±
Lyra looked tense.
Tess frowned, tapping lightly on the desk. ¡°Then call the reporters we weren¡¯t contacted by. Get them here fast.¡±
Lyra froze, surprised Tess would respond like this. ¡°You mean?¡±
¡°Raven, call Abel. Ask him where he is.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t answer Lyra. She simply redirected the n.
¡°Abel? He¡¯sing too?¡± Raven blinked, stunned
But one look at Tess¡¯s serious eyes, and she quickly pressed the call button.
Everyone in the office snapped into motion.
Outside Ember Tower, Nadine sat in the backseat of her car. The window was half¨Ccracked as she watched reporters rush into the building.
Her eyes lit
up
with excitement, full of spiteful pleasure.
Henry had warned her not to ruin Tess¡¯s chance of taking over the Larsons. But giving Tess a little trouble wouldn¡¯t hurt anything, right?
She was enjoying the chaos when a luxury car sped up the driveway and stopped sharply in front of the now¨Csilent entrance.
Chapter 656 Cameras at the Door
¡°Great¨CAunt Olivia? Great¨CUncle Benjamin? What are you doing here?¡±
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The moment Olivia stepped out, she spotted Nadine staring at her with surprise and delight.
Olivia¡¯s expression barely moved. ¡°Nadine? Why are you here?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve been here all along. Even though the chairman had shifted from my dad to Tess, I still have my job here. And since Tess is new to the role, I thought I¡¯d help exin how things work here.¡±
Nadine smiled sweetly, innocent and sincere on the surface.
Olivia frowned slightly. She clearly didn¡¯t want to talk more, so she waved her hand as if saying she understood.
But just as she stepped toward the doors, Nadine hurried to block her. ¡°Tess asked me to wait for you here. Great¨CAunt Olivia, you must be here to help her talk with the Reagens, right? They aren¡¯t here yet, and it¡¯s still early. Tess told me to take you to a caf¨¦ nearby to have some breakfast.¡±
She looked respectful and yed the polite junior perfectly.
Olivia frowned again.
Abel lifted his phone, ready to stop this whole thing. But before he could speak, Olivia smiled kindly. ¡°Sure. I¡¯m hungry anyway.¡±
Abel narrowed his eyes.
Tess just called. No way she sent them off for breakfast.
But Olivia turned to him, ignoring the panic in his gaze, and smiled at him. ¡°Young man, breakfastes first. You¡¯reing too.¡±
Abel opened his mouth, but one sharp look from Olivia made him swallow the words. And so, the four of them followed Nadine into the caf¨¦.
They walked through two intersections.
¡°We¡¯re not there yet?¡± Olivia finally asked, her patience wearing thin.
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Chapter 657 The Offer
Chapter 657 The Offer
¡°This cafe is pretty good. It¡¯s right up ahead.¡±
Nadine smiled as she led the way.
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Olivia¡¯s patience was almost gone, but she didn¡¯tin. Luckily, after a few more steps, they finally arrived.
Abel dragged his feet behind them, grumbling the whole way while sending nonstop texts to
Tess.
Violet nced at him, then at Olivia walking briskly in front, saying nothing.
Ember Group, CEO¡¯s Office.
¡°Nadine¡¯s outside. She took them for breakfast,¡± Raven said after hanging up, her face tight with confusion.
Tess paused with her fingers in midair. At that moment, Prune came back after trying to calm the reporters downstairs.
¡°Ms. Reagen is here.¡±
Tessmanded, ¡°Let her in.¡±
Prune didn¡¯t move. She hesitated to speak. ¡°She brought two people with her. Should I let them in too?¡±
Tess frowned and looked toward the half¨Copen door. ¡°Let them all in.¡±
A bubbly voice came first, getting louder as it came closer.
¡°Mom, you actually came to this dump yourself? This ce doesn¡¯t even look as nice as the storage room at home!¡±
Tess frowned a little, her expression steady.
The door swung open.
A woman in a sharp ck leather trench coat stepped inside. Even in her forties, she didn¡¯t look tired or worn down. Instead, she carried herself like a polished de¨Csteady, bright, and
Chapter 657 The Offer
+20 Free Coins
dangerous. Standing next to her, Jolie looked even more childish, spoiled, and malicious.
Cyrus followed behind them at an easy pace. Gone was the cold sharp man from yesterday. Now, all his focus rested on his wife.
Jolie held onto Sienna¡¯s arm. When she looked at Tess, she raised her brows in open challenge.
She lifted her chin and dered, ¡°Tess, my mom says she¡¯llpensate you.¡±
¡°Oh?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t move, but her gaze met Sienna¡¯s in the air¨Cone sharp exchange after another.
¡°Tess Ember, the new president and chairwoman of Ember Group,¡± Sienna said, her calm face shifting into the tiniest smile.
Tess lowered her eyes. She heard how Sienna purposely stressed the word ¡°group¡°.
The truth was, Ember Group was already standing on the edge of a cliff. One wrong step and it wouldn¡¯t even count as a realpany anymore, let alone a group.
A warning and an insult.
¡°If thispany could carry that name, Ms. Reagen wouldn¡¯t show up.¡±
Tess smiled lightly, unbothered.
Her honest, straightforward tone made Sienna narrow her eyes and start to think highly of her.
¡°You¡¯re smart, so I¡¯ll be direct too.¡± Sienna¡¯s voice cooled as her expression hardened. ¡°Jolie is my precious child. She¡¯s everything to me. You had wronged her. As her mother, I¡¯m here to get justice for her. I think you can understand that.¡±
¡°I understand.¡±
Tess nodded once.
A flicker of surprise passed through Sienna¡¯s eyes.
This was going smoother than she expected.
She continued, ¡°We will give youpensation.¡±
At that, Jolie tightened her grip on Sienna¡¯s sleeve.
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Chapter 657 The Offer
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After she¡¯d hit Tess with her car, Jolie had fled Crorus right away, only for Steven to drag her straight back to the airport the moment he got off the ne. He even bought twost¨Cminute tickets home on the spot.
Even though her dad bailed her out after the police locked her up, the mess didn¡¯t end there.
She¡¯d been hiding in a hotel for days, resting her injured face, but she still checked the news.
Tess was hit, and they caught the suspect. Those topics kept hitting the headlines.
She scrolled on severalments and almost passed out from anger.
[Tess Ember. Yeah, she¡¯s pretty controversial, but being run over on purpose? That¡¯s attempted murder.]
[Exactly. Attempted murder is a serious offence.]
[I heard the girl who tried to run her over is the Reagens Corperation¡¯s heiress. Super spoiled. But still¨Chuman lives matter.]
[Reagen Corporation. Yeah, that¡¯s a deep background. No wonder she¡¯s bold.]
:
Every singlement roasted her.
Jolie had screenshotted them all and sent them to her mom. By that night, everyment was deleted, and every ount that posted them got wiped out too.
Only then did Jolie rx, just a little. Then, she started pestering Sienna to teach Tess a lesson, which led to the reporters storming Tess¡¯spany today.
A small sh of pride crossed Jolie¡¯s eyes.
¡°Compensation? Let me hear it.¡±
Tess tapped on the desk, the crisp sound pulling everyone¡¯s attention back.
Sienna took the contract from her assistant and handed it to her. ¡°Take a look.¡±
Tess raised a brow and skimmed through it. Without bothering with the details, she flipped straight to thest page and snorted. ¡°So the mighty Reagen Corporation actually intends to lower itself and cooperate with mypany.¡±
Herugh was soft, but the meaning beneath it was sharp.
9:57 Tue, Jan 6
Chapter 657 The Offer
Sienna¡¯s brows twitched. Tess¡¯s reaction wasn¡¯t what she expected.
Still, she kept her expression calm. ¡°Of course. Jolie was in the wrong.¡±
¡°Mhm¡¡±
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Tess rubbed her chin, then lifted her eyes with azy smile. ¡°Then please, Ms. Reagen. Tell me what you want.¡±
She spread her hands, her tone light and almost bored. ¡°Ember Group¡¯s situation is rough. Anyone who works with us right now is basically doing charity. There¡¯s no way you expect me to believe you¡¯d make such a losing deal just because of your daughter¡¯s mistake.¡±
Sara Lili
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Keepsake 658
Chapter 658 Tess Said No
Chapter 658 Tess Said No
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No one knew if it was because Tess had spent too much time around Abel, but even the way she moved now carried a hint of his attitude.
Sienna watched her closely for a moment. She caught the meaning behind Tess¡¯s words. She wanted honesty. That earned a flicker of respect in Sienna¡¯s eyes.
¡°Alright,¡± Sienna said. ¡°Since you¡¯re straightforward, I¡¯ll tell you straight away.
¡°The news about you getting hit by a car is still all over the headlines. Even if I try to bury it with my connections, people will keep talking. So instead of fighting that¡¡± She paused.
Tess raised an eyebrow, signaling her to go on.
¡°You clear Jolie¡¯s name. Say she didn¡¯t hit you. Say you misjudged her, and she got hurt because of your mistake, and that¡¯s why she ended up in the police station.¡±
Sienna lifted her chin, her voice calm but sharp, like she expected no one to argue.
Raven and Lyra tensed. Tess¡¯s face didn¡¯t show much emotion, but both women beside her felt their anger spike.
They had expected a shameless request, but hearing it out loud still made their stomachs twist.
¡°So for one business deal,¡± Tess said, her tone easy and mocking, ¡°you want me to throw away the little bit of reputation I have left?¡±
Sienna mistook Tess¡¯s reaction for progress, believing she was close to getting what she wanted.
¡°It¡¯s not just any business deal,¡± Sienna said, her voice full and proud. ¡°A partnership with the Reagen Corporation sets the direction for half thepanies in Moserton. For Ember Group, it¡¯s a huge opportunity. Especially now, when yourpany is barely staying afloat.¡±
She smiled, eyes filled with certainty. ¡°One setback, a hundred advantages. That¡¯s all it is.¡±
She looked at Tess smugly, the way someone looks at a deal that¡¯s already won. Sienna was confident she would say yes.
For a small localpany in Aetheris,nding a partnership with Reagen Corporation was basically a daydream. But today, Sienna had given Tess that chance.
¡°Ms. Ember, I¡¯m sure you understand. Yourpany is already on itsst legs. Without a major corporation backing you, there¡¯s no way you can recover, let alone survive in Aetheris.¡±
9:57 Tue, Jan 6
Chapter 658 Tess Said No
Cyrus finally spoke after a long silence.
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¡°Yeah, this is a huge chance for you. If I hadn¡¯t bumped into you, you wouldn¡¯t even qualify to meet my parents. And you¡¯d never get the chance to help your dump¨Clikepany to grow.¡±
Jolie¡¯s eyes sparkled with contempt.
Tess watched their smug faces. She looked calm, but a tight pressure wrapped around her chest, making it hard to breathe.
They acted this arrogant for one reason only¨Cthey¡¯re a powerful family.
Compared to them, everything she had was a drop in the ocean.
Big titles crush people. Wealth and power do the same.
Her hand curled slowly under the desk, then she forced her fingers open again.
¡°If it wasn¡¯t me who hit you, I would¡¯ve thought Tess was the one in the wrong,¡± Raven snapped atst, unable to hold back.
The family of three turned their eyes on her. Jolie red, shaking with anger. She pointed at Raven like a child tattling, her voice cracking, ¡°Mommy! It was her! She¡¯s the one who hit me!¡±
Then she pointed at her still¨Cred cheek, looking pitiful.
Sienna¡¯s expression sharpened instantly, cold and cutting like a de. ¡°It¡¯s you?¡±
She let out a coldugh. ¡°Tess, you need to control your employees. With the offer I¡¯m giving you, we¡¯re not begging for your forgiveness. You should be grabbing the chance to work with
us.¡±
Her narrowed eyes shed with a chilling threat, warning Raven without a single word.
Raven¡¯s muscles tightened at the Reagens¡® twisted version of the truth. She looked ready to march over and give Sienna the same treatment she gave Jolie.
Lyra grabbed her from behind and held her still.
¡°Well? Think about it,¡± Jolie said.
She folded her arms and smirked, loving how furious and helpless Raven looked. Her pride practically floated off her like a wagging tail.
¡°You three can leave now,¡± Tess said with a small smile.
9:57 Tue, Jan 6
Chapter 658 Tess Said No
Sienna started to nod. ¡°Since you agree, we can move fast and¨Cwait. What?¡±
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She had already pictured Tess admitted her defeat. Sienna definitely didn¡¯t expect this to be it. her answer. It took her a moment to process
Her expression darkened. Her sharp eyes pinned Tess in ce. ¡°You do realize the chance I¡¯m giving you is something mostpanies beg for.¡±
¡°I know.¡± Tess gave a lightugh.
But she still lifted her hand and pointed to the door. ¡°Please see yourselves out. No deal.¡±
Tess¡¯s tone stayed gentle. Her face stayed calm. Somehow, that calmness only made Sienna even more irritated.
Sienna always thought she was a very controlled person, but right now, anger burned under her skin.
very code does
¡°Tess, I¡¯m talking nicely to you now, but that doesn¡¯t mean this chance will stay on the table forever.¡±
Sienna warned, her voice dropping.
Tess shrugged. ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re nning to force me now?
¡°Isn¡¯t that already what¡¯s happening?¡± Her smile faded. ¡°The reporters outside¨Cthat was your doing, right? With things already pushed this far, why pretend this is a friendly partnership discussion?¡±
Tess let out a coldugh. Her whole presence sharpened. The air around her dropped like ice, and her face turned still and frosty.
3
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 659
Chapter 659 Cameras and Chaos
Chapter 659 Cameras and Chaos
Sienna and Tess locked eyes in midair, the tension sharp enough to hurt.
¡°Ms. Ember!¡±
The front doors burst open. People streamed in.
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Tess frowned. Prune looked crushed. Reporters rushed inside, cameras already raised.
¡°Ms. Ember, we just got breaking news saying you faked the car crash! They im you were never hurt and tried to use the story to get money out of Ms. Reagen. Is that true?¡±
¡°Ms. Ember, are you using shady methods to boost yourpany reputation?¡±
¡°Ms. Ember, can you show us your injuries?¡±
sh after sh exploded in her face. The reporters looked like starving wolves spotting fresh prey. In seconds, they packed around Tess so tightly that even Raven and Lyra could barely see her.
Microphones were shoved so close they were almost hitting Tess¡¯s mouth.
Tess¡¯s face darkened, colder than ever, though it was rare for her.
Jolie¡¯s excited voice cut through the noise. ¡°Yeah, Tess, you lied and imed I hit you with my car. If you were really hurt, how are you out of the hospital after just a few days? Come on, let the reporters check your injuries!¡±
The room erupted with her words.
They pushed even harder, some even reaching to pull up Tess¡¯s sleeves.
Raven finally fought her way to Tess¡¯s side and smacked away a hand.
¡°Touch her again and I¡¯m calling 911!¡±
Her voice cracked like a whip. She swept a fierce re across the room.
Her warning was sharp enough to make several reporters actually step back.
Their words caught in their throats. They looked at each other, wide¨Ceyed and unsure, and not
9:57 Tue, Jan 6
Chapter 659 Cameras and Chaos
a single one of them dared to step forward.
:
Jolie, seeing her moment slip, raised her voice again to stir things up again.
¡°If you¡¯re really injured, show us! Why hide it? Feeling guilty?¡±
¡°Yeah! We won¡¯t touch you. You show us yourself!¡±
¡°Right, why cover up unless you¡¯re lying? Maybe everyone¡¯s right about you.¡±
&
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The reporters didn¡¯t dare shout now, but they whispered nonstop, buzzing around Tess like flies. Tess¡¯s jaw tightened in annoyance. She looked one second away from exploding.
Lyra finally snapped. As she spoke, she lifted her badge.
¡°Whoever makes the im brings the proof. If you think she faked it, you show the evidence. You don¡¯t get to corner someone and force them to prove anything.¡±
The Aetheris District Court emblem gleamed. That shut them up fast. The crowd froze, eyes darting. None were sure what to say in the situation.
Sienna frowned, ncing between Lyra and Raven.
She hadn¡¯t expected Tess¡¯s people to be this capable.
¡°Also, if she wants to rebuild herpany, she doesn¡¯t need your help.¡±
A cold, deep voice rolled in from the doorway. It carried a sharp chill, almost like a st of winter air, and the weight of it made people instinctively step back.
Sienna was already annoyed. Now her face darkened even more as she turned.
Who is this? Who has the nerve to interrupt her and ruin her n right in front of everyone?
Someone from the Shaws?
Sienna¡¯s eyes flickered, surprise tugging at her thoughts.
Aetheris truly was full of hidden talents.
Today, she hadn¡¯t just run into Olivia and Benjamin, two legends who rarely showed public, but she had also seen someone she hadn¡¯t expected at all. Finn Shaw. No, now he was Finn Lock.
up in
9:57 Tue, Jan 6
Chapter 659 Cameras and Chaos
Finn stood at the doorway, frowning the moment he saw what was happening inside.
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Tess was surrounded so tightly that cameras and microphones were practically pressed against. her face. A whole wall of people boxed her in.
Finn didn¡¯t say a word. His jaw tightened as he walked forward, each step steady and cold. And without anyone telling them to, people moved. They just parted for him, opening a path for him.
Finn lifted his arm and brushed aside the microphones that were almost poking Tess in the
eye.
He stood tall, broad¨Cshouldered, and calm, like a mountain nted between Tess and the crowd. He didn¡¯t need to say anything. His presence alone was a shield.
When he turned his head, his icy gaze swept across the room.
The chatter died instantly. Every voice was shoved back down people¡¯s throats. Silence dropped like a weight.
Reporters stared at each other, eyes wide in fear. They all recognized him. How could they not?
It was Finn.
But some of them exchanged confused looks.
Wait. Weren¡¯t Tess and Finn already divorced? Why is he here?
Tess seemed just as stunned. Her pupils widened for a moment before she lowered her gaze again, masking everything behind calm brows.
¡°Why are you here?¡±
Her voice was soft. t. Like she wasn¡¯t letting any emotion show.
Finn¡¯s dark eyes dimmed for a second. He hesitated, almost as if arguing with himself, then let out a smallugh. ¡°You don¡¯t want to see me?¡±
He didn¡¯t wait for her answer. He turned back to the reporters, and his expression darkenedpletely.
Finn snickered, ¡°If I didn¡¯te, these people would¡¯ve walked all over you.¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 660
Chapter 660 Two Offers
Chapter 660 Two Offers
:
The moment those words fell, the room seemed to grow colder.
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Sienna frowned. Her sharp and pushy tone from earlier softened a little. ¡°Mr. Lock? What exactly did you mean by that?¡±
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him.
Finn finally shifted his attention to Sienna. His gaze was dark and unreadable.
¡°Ms. Reagen, weren¡¯t you worried about Tess and herpany?¡±
He grinned and reached out his hand.
Zane understood right away and handed him a folder.
¡°Mypany has a project worth about ten billion dors,¡± Finn said calmly. ¡°We¡¯re looking for a business partner. I think Ms. Ember looks like a good fit.¡±
Sienna finally understood why Finn came.
The smile on her lips faded.
¡°So Mr. Lock is saying mypany doesn¡¯t matter? That our partnership is optional?¡±
Her voice carried a cold bite.
But she knew the truth;pared to this man, her offer looked weak.
Finn didn¡¯t react to her anger. Instead, a faint smile tugged at his lips. ¡°Reagen Corporation ¡ well, Moserton is pretty far from Aetheris. And honestly, it still can¡¯tpare to mypany.¡±
His bluntness left even the reporters speechless.
Tess frowned. ¡°Finn-¡±
But before she could refuse, Finn turned to her. His eyes locked with hers, steady and intense. ¡°Ms. Ember, you¡¯re smart. Yourpany is close to bankruptcy. Since bothpanies want to help, why don¡¯t you think it over? Mypany is the toppany in Aetheris. We can support you better than a corporation from Moserton.¡±
He didn¡¯t care about the grave look on Sienna¡¯s face.
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Chapter 660 Two Offers
Sienna stared at this unexpected opponent, irritation shing in her
Why was Finn openly standing against her?
eyes.
Z
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He had built Lock Group into a giant. He should know who to work with and who not to provoke.
Tess looked into Finn¡¯s deep eyes and felt the message he wasn¡¯t saying out loud. He silently pleaded with her not to reject him in front of everyone.
She lowered her gaze. Tess understood Finn hade to support her.
But why? Who gave him the right?
Meanwhile, at the caf¨¦.
Olivia slowly finished her bread, dabbed her mouth with a white napkin, and stood. ¡°We¡¯re done eating. Let¡¯s head to the office.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes shed. She quickly got up and rushed to block her. ¡°Great¨CAunt Olivia, this ce has amazing coffee. You just finished your bread; maybe have something warm to help you digest before we go?¡±
This time, Olivia didn¡¯t move. She only smiled and stared right into Nadine¡¯s eyes. Nadine instantly grew uneasy.
Nadine touched her cheek, looking a little awkward. ¡°Hmm, why do you keep staring at me? Is there something on my face?¡±
Olivia finally moved. She set her cane back in ce. ¡°Well, since we¡¯re already here, it¡¯d be a waste not to try their coffee.¡±
Nadine hadn¡¯t expected Olivia to agree so easily. Her eyes lit up. She rushed off to call the waiter and served them coffee.
Abel grew anxious. While Nadine was speaking to a server, he tugged at Olivia¡¯s sleeve. ¡°What are you doing? Coffee can wait.¡±
Olivia gently lowered his hand. ¡°Young man, stay calm.¡±
She leaned back in the chair, half¨Cclosing her eyes, enjoying herself like she had all day to
spare.
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Chapter 660 Two Offers
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Since Olivia wasn¡¯t worried, Violet rxed too. She took another bite of the pastry in front of
her.
¡°Great¨CAunt Olivia! It¡¯s here!¡±
Nadine hurried back, carrying the coffeepot herself instead of letting the waiter do it.
She poured tea for everyone, careful and polite. Her eyes lowered to hide the dark thrill in her
gaze.
Of course she knew what the Reagens were nning to do.
If Olivia went upstairs now, how could she let Tess get cornered?
Henry told her not to ruin Tess¡¯s chance of inheriting the Larson Group. He never said she couldn¡¯t make things difficult for Tess.
Nadine counted silently in her heart.
Once that family of three finished making trouble for Tess and the media sted the whole story online, it would be toote for the Larsons to step in.
Ember Group, CEO¡¯s Office.
¡°Thispany is mine,¡± Tess said. Her voice was calm, clear, and firm. ¡°And I can tell all of you this. I don¡¯t know who our next business partner will be, but I¡¯m certain of one thing. It won¡¯t be Lock Group or Reagen Corporation.¡±
She stood tall, sharp¨Ceyed, her posture steady.
Even facing two seasoned business giants, she didn¡¯t back down.
Finn frowned, clearly unhappy. Sienna, however, let out a cold smile.
It turned out Tess was stubborn and clueless. She simply doesn¡¯t know what was good for her.
Sienna nced at Finn. As expected, his face was grim.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 661
Chapter 661 The Truth on Camera
Sienna¡¯s gape sharpened a hint of mockery in her eyes
Finn¡¯s already tense face grew even tighter.
The clearly had more to say.
¡°But since Ms. Ember doesn¡¯t want my help. Sienna cut in, lifting her chin, ¡°let¡¯s talk about something else.¡±
A cold glint shed through her eyes.
She tapped the desk. The crisp sound echoed sharply across the quiet office.
¡°Ms. Ember, can you exin why you had someone beat up my daughter and send her to the police station? As far as I know, you¡¯re not hurt at all, right?
¡°Ms. Bell also requested that anyone making a im must provide proof.¡±
Sienna¡¯s smile sharpened. She pped a folder onto the table.
¡°Everyone, this is Ms. Ember¡¯s full medical exam report.¡±
The moment she finished, the reporters went wild. Cameras clicked nonstop as they rushed forward like flies smelling food.
Tess, Raven, and Lyra all stared coldly.
It was a report from Aetheris Primal Hospital.
The color drained from Tess¡¯s face.
¡°Aetheris Primal Hospital¡¯s medical reports can¡¯t be essed by anyone except the patient or approved family members. How did you get this?¡±
Finn¡¯s voice cut through the noise, low and dangerous.
It wasn¡¯t the private Lock Group Private Hospital, but he still held most of the shares.
Leaking patient information? That was a serious vition.
Jolie watched the chaos with sparkling excitement. She smirked. ¡°Tess, what else do you have to say? The report shows you weren¡¯t injured at all. You did this on purpose!¡°¡±
Tess¡¯s pale face grew paler, like a fragile flower trembling in a storm,
She bit her lip, the edges turning a faint rose color. ¡°If you im I did this on purpose, then tell me. Why? What would I even gain from it?¡±
napter 661 The Truth on Camera
Jolie couldn¡¯t argue with that.
Sienna turned her gaze on her daughter, urging her to continue.
¡°I¡ you¡¡±
Jolie stammered,pletely unable to give a real answer.
Tess let out a fake smile, and her clear eyes swept over everyone in the room.
But before she could speak, Jolie barked, ¡°Of course you¡¯re jealous of me! You resent me! Back then, you kept bothering Mr. Stone. I was the one who stopped you, and I wasn¡¯t nice about it. People like you are petty and always hold grudges!¡±
She lifted her chin high, her chest rising and falling, as if she truly believed every word.
Tess¡¯s eyes shed with cold amusement.
This family really knew how to twist the truth.
Sienna¡¯s eyes shifted, and she quickly put on a heartbroken act. ¡°Ms. Ember, my daughter may have been spoiled, but she¡¯s always been a good kid. How could you frame her just because you felt upset?¡±
She rubbed her forehead like she was the victim here.
¡°Say whatever you want,¡± Raven shot back. ¡°The security footage shows everything. It recorded Jolie hitting Tess clear as day!¡±
Raven mmed a sh drive on the desk in fury.
Sienna¡¯s face froze. Her eyes sharpened as she stared at Raven¡¯s hand.
She nced at Jolie and silently asked. What is going on? Didn¡¯t you already deal with the surveince camera?
Jolie¡¯s face turned stiff with panic. She couldn¡¯t believe what she had heard.
¡°That¡¯s impossible! It was a blind spot!¡±
Her voice cracked; that one sentence exposed herpletely
Jolie mped a hand over her mouth. Toote, she had slipped.
Sienna shot her a warning re.
Jolie shrank her neck cowardly and stayed quiet.
Sienna clenched her jaw hard, her fists tightened under her sleeves.
¡°You¡¯ll know if it¡¯s real once you see it.¡±
Chapter 661 The Truth on Camera
Jolie couldn¡¯t argue with that.
Sienna turned her gaze on her daughter, urging her to continue.
¡°I¡ you¡.
Jolie stammered,pletely unable to give a real answer.
Tess let out a fake smile, and her clear eyes swept over everyone in the room.
But before she could speak, Jolie barked, ¡°Of course you¡¯re jealous of me! You resent me! Back then, you nice about it. People like you are
kept bothering Mr. Stone. I was the one who stopped you, and I whe! You resent me! Back then, you
petty and always hold grudges!¡±
She lifted her chin high, her chest rising and falling, as if she truly believed every word.
Tess¡¯s eyes shed with cold amusement.
This family really knew how to twist the truth.
Sienna¡¯s eyes shifted, and she quickly put on a heartbroken act. ¡°Ms. Ember, my daughter may have been spoiled, but she¡¯s always been a good kid. How could you frame her just because you felt upset?¡±
She rubbed her forehead like she was the victim here.
¡°Say whatever you want,¡± Raven shot back. ¡°The security footage shows everything. It recorded Jolie hitting Tess clear as day!¡±
Raven mmed a sh drive on the desk in fury.
Sienna¡¯s face froze. Her eyes sharpened as she stared at Raven¡¯s hand.
She nced at Jolie and silently asked. What is going on? Didn¡¯t you already deal with the surveince camera?
Jolie¡¯s face turned stiff with panic. She couldn¡¯t believe what she had heard.
¡°That¡¯s impossible! It was a blind spot!¡±
Her voice cracked; that one sentence exposed herpletely
Jolie mped a hand over her mouth. Toote, she had slipped.
Sienna shot her a warning re.
Jolie shrank her neck cowardly and stayed quiet.
Sienna clenched her jaw hard, her fists tightened under her sleeves.
¡°You¡¯ll know if it¡¯s real once you see it.¡±
Raven plugged the sh drive iner
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Chapter 661 The Truth on Camera
The audio wasn¡¯t great, but the video was clear.
Arge SUV sped straight toward Tess¡¯s car.
The front of Tess¡¯s car crumpled on impact. Inside, Tessy over the steering wheel, not moving.
The SUV didn¡¯t drive off. It waited ¡ watching.
Then the driver¡¯s door opened. A person stepped out. The camera captured her face clearly. It was Jolie..
The video cut off there.
Tess narrowed her eyes and smiled. ¡°So, this is
onto the steering wheel and make her hit me?¡±
framing your daughter? Did I somehow force her hand
me framing
Lyra stepped forward and snapped, ¡°Jolie, this is attempted murder. Tess is alive today because she¡¯s lucky.¡±
She turned to the reporters and said, ¡°And you reckless media outlets started pushing wild theories, twisting facts, and spreading lies. You¡¯re bing a danger to the whole industry!¡±
Her face reddened with anger; even her neck flushed.
Jolie¡¯s face went pale. Her body trembled, and she grabbed Sienna¡¯s sleeve in panic.
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Keepsake 662
Chapter 662 The Clowns
Chapter 662 The Clowns
Jolie¡¯s eyes filled with panic. Her lips moved a little, as if silently pleading her mother to help her about
what she shoud do?
Sienna felt her head was about to explode. She had spent her whole life winning in the business world. Sienna wasn¡¯t as reckless as Jolie, but she had always been lifted up by others, always moving forward without real obstacles. She had never met someone this tricky to deal with or a situation this
messy.
Atst, Sienna looked at Tess straight in the eyes.
¡°Isn¡¯t something off here? If Jolie really did it, she wouldn¡¯t be foolish enough to walk right into a security camera. And why would the footage be this clear?¡±
Tess returned the gaze openly. She shook her head and smiled.
¡°Ms. Jolie, maybe I should give you a little reminder.
¡°The incident might have happened in a blind spot, but that doesn¡¯t mean the other person¡¯s car doesn¡¯t have a dashcam.¡±
She exined everyone doubt about where the video came from.
Sienna¡¯s stare turned sharp and icy. She wished her eyes could be knives and slice a few pieces off Tess just to calm her anger.
No wonder. No wonder Tess had been calm from the start. She had prepared everything. She had been waiting for them to walk into the trap.
Because of this, she boldly rejected Finn¡¯s offer and wasn¡¯t interested in her offer. Tess already had her leverage.
What a terrifying woman. A storm was closing in, and Tess stood right in the center of itpletely still,pletely unshaken.
All their ns had just been crushed by the woman standing in front of them.
¡°Mommy,¡± Jolie nervously tugged on Sienna¡¯s arm. Her constant pulling only made Sienna even more irritated.
¡°Tess, you know how powerful public opinion is,¡± Sienna said, losing thest bit of her patience.
Her strong presence filled the room like a wave.
Tess frowned.
Finally done pretending?
¡°Do you know why the media showed up at yourpany so fast?¡± Sienna asked.
Sheughed coldly as she spread her hands wide. Every movement felt sharp.
?
Chapter 662 The Clowns
5 Free Conta
¡°You sent them.¡±
Tess, on the other hand, stayed much calmer and more rxed.
¡°Yes. Which is why offering you a business partnership was already my biggestpromise. I¡¯m not asking for much now. All I need is for you to tell the media that Jolie didn¡¯t mean to hurt you. You¡¯ll get the deal to help yourpany survive this crisis. And Jolie will be gone from Aetheris soon. No harm done to you Why not take the win?¡±
¡°Oh, it¡¯s tempting,¡± Tess said lightly. ¡°But I still feel annoyed. It¡¯s stuck in my chest. If I don¡¯t let it out, it bothers me.¡±
She smiled sweetly, her eyes curved, looking soft and harmless. But anyone who truly knew her could hear the hidden sting beneath her voice.
¡°Well, well,¡± a firm elderly voice suddenly called from the hallway.
¡°I came all the way to Aetheris, and I didn¡¯t expect anyone to have the nerve to upset our Tess.¡±
Everyone turned toward the door. Abel was helping Olivia step into the room.
¡°Olivia?¡± Sienna blurted out.
Sienna¡¯s eyes flew wide. She called out in shock.
Olivia? Why is she here?
Then it hit her about their brief encounter at the hotel in the morning.
Did Olivia know Tess? Did she actually to Aetheris for Tess?
The thought made Sienna¡¯s stomach drop.
She turned toward Tess and saw her smiling calmly, as if she¡¯d expected all of this.
¡°Hmph, Sienna, I was wondering why you suddenly showed up in Aetheris after all these years. So you came to make trouble for our Tess?¡±
Olivia walked forward, tapping her cane hard on the floor right beside Sienna¡¯s foot.
That cane was made of solid wood; the loud thud made Sienna¡¯s legs go weak.
Tess lifted her gaze and met Olivia¡¯s eyes. The older woman gave her a small wink.
Warmth rushed through Tess¡¯s chest, but she quickly pressed it down and kept her expression cool.
And then, she felt it. A sharp, hateful stare.
She looked un
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Chapter 662 The Clowns
Nadine had just been pouring coffee earlier, until Olivia forcibly ced her hand onto the hot coffee pot
The heat burned her palm, and she had yanked her hand back fast. Thankfully, Olivia hadn¡¯t pushed with full strength this time.
When Nadine looked up in shock, Olivia simply snorted. ¡°Nadine, I¡¯ve lived long enough to see through every little trick. Put those thoughts away.¡±
Then Olivia shot her a cold re¨Cno threats, no raised voice¨Cyet the authority in her eyes alone made Nadine tremble.
So, they had seen through her trick from the beginning, but they yed along. They¡¯d treated her
like a clown for amusement.
A wave of anger and humiliation washed over Nadine; before she could even process it, Violet grabbed her by the arm and yanked her from her seat.
Everyone strode to the Ember Group. Nadine couldn¡¯t break free. Violet¡¯s grip on her cor dug into her neck until she felt she could barely breathe.
Why? Why is this happening? Both of us are Henry¡¯s daughters. Why is the treatment we received a world of difference?
ADMINJ
Keepsake 663
Chapter 663 The Surprising Sessor
Chapter 663 The Surprising Sessor
616 Free Coins
Nadine¡¯s chest burned with frustration, but with Violet standing in front of her like a mountain, she could only swallow it down and remember her ce.
Nadine tightened her fingers.
¡°Mrs. Olivia, what do you mean by that?¡± she asked.
Sienna¡¯s heart trembled in shock, though she tried hard to keep herselfposed on the surface,
Olivia was no longer the gentle olddy she appeared to be most days. Right now, she was that Olivia¨Cthe legend who once built an empire with Benjamin. Her presence filled the room like a storm.
Abel reacted fast and slipped a chair behind her.
Olivia shot him a quick approving nce, then slowly withdrew her gaze, graceful and mighty. Her aura alone pressed down on everyone in the office.
¡°What do I mean?¡± she said. ¡°Tess is my granddaughter and the sessor I named. I may be old, but I¡¯m not useless. And I¡¯m not going to sit here and watch my sweetheart get pushed around.¡±
She gave a sharp huff and heavily struck her cane against
e floor.
Sienna felt the ground shake under her feet. A jolt shot straight up from her feet to her spine.
¡°Tess is a Larsons? And your chosen sessor?¡±
Her eyes widened. All her cold arrogance vanished, recedpletely by shock.
Jolie was thunderstruck.
Of course she knew what kind of power the Larsons held in this country. But how on earth was Tess connected to them?
And the sessor, she said?
This bitch? A sessor?!
Olivia didn¡¯t miss the shocking look on their face. She suddenly stood and reached for Tess¡¯s wrist.
¡°This is my family heirloom, the Crestwater Bracelet.¡±
She lifted Tess¡¯s arm. On her wrist, a bracelet¨Chalf emerald green, half ocean blue¨Cshimmered like clear ss under sunlight.
Sienna stared at the emerald bracelet, unable to look away and greatly shaken.
She had seen that bracelet before. Years ago when she met Olivia once, it was on Olivia¡¯s wrist back then. She remembered being so stunned by it that she searched every major auction house afterward but never found anything like it.
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Chapter 663 The Surprising Sessor
So it was real. It was that bracelet.
Which meant Tess really was the sessor!
Sienna¡¯s face drainedpletely of color.
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With the Larsons stepping in, even if she dragged out a thousand reporters to twist the truth, they could wipe those reports out effortlessly.
¡°Mommy.¡± Jolie tugging at Sienna¡¯s sleeve in panic.
But Sienna shoved her hand off without hesitation.
Tess caught the movement and smiled faintly. She didn¡¯tment.
Jolie¡¯s panic grew. When Sienna ignored her agai
she turned desperately toward Cyrus. ¡°Daddy.¡±
Cyruscked his own opinion. This man had always been soft and overly indulgent toward his daughter. Everyone knew it.
But he was also a smart man.
He had been with Sienna for years. Never once had he seen he
Even though Jolie was on the verge of tears, he was unmoved.
this expression.
Jolie finally realized the danger she was in. She felt a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her.
The first part of her body to go numb were her toes.
¡°Jolie, apologize.¡±
After a long, tense silence and under Olivia¡¯s intimidating stare, Sienna clenched her teeth and grabbed Jolie by the back of the neck.
Jolie trembled. When she looked up and met Tess¡¯s calm, unreadable eyes, she couldn¡¯t breathe with all the frustration building inside her body.
¡°Mommy!¡± she cried.
¡°Apologize!¡± Sienna snapped.
Her palm pressed harder, forcing Jolie¡¯s head down.
Crack!
A sharp sound of bones crackling came through the heavy, still air.
At the doorway, Nadine stood frozen, staring at Tess¡¯s stunning face.
Olivia had just announced Tess as the sessor. Why didn¡¯t Tess refuse? Hadn¡¯t she been refusing all this
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Chapter 663 The Surprising Sessor
time?
And¡
Nadine¡¯s gaze dropped to Tess¡¯s wrist.
That bracelet made her skin look even paler and brighter.
Jealousy¨Cwild, sharp, and ugly¨Cthrashed inside Nadine¡¯s chest like a trapped animal trying to tear its way
out.
Why? Why her?
Tess must be feeling so proud right now. So pleased with herself.
Nadine bit down on her lip hard. She didn¡¯t even notice the pain, only the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.
Tess¡¯s indifferent eyes swept past her. Nadine held her breath.
Then, in the next moment, the girl Nadine remembered¨Cloud, spoiled, and fearless¨Clowered her head in humiliation.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m sorry.¡±
Jolie forced out the words, biting her lip so hard it turned white.
Nadine¡¯s eyes widened in shock.
Jolie kept her head down, and the hand at the back of her neck continued to press, forcing her lower.
Sienna felt like her heart was bleeding, but she turned her face away, refusing to look at Jolie even as her daughter let out soft whimpers.
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Chapter 664 Unwanted Apology
¡°What?¡±
Tess frowned, as if she hadn¡¯t heard it clearly.
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Jolie froze. When she looked up, she met Tess¡¯s eyes¨Ccalm, sharp, and holding a hint of challenge.
The fire of rage rushed straight up Jolie¡¯s chest. Sienna must have sensed her daughter¡¯s anger, because her fingers tightened hard around Jolie¡¯s neck. A bright red mark was already forming.
Jolie had no choice. She lowered her head again. She clenched her teeth so hard her jaw trembled, and a painful groan slipped out.
¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡±
The words came out like a growl.
As soon as she said it, Jolie shut her eyes and swallowed every bit of anger and hurt left in her chest.
Her mother had always taught her that as a Reagen, she must never disgrace their family reputation. Jolie had been spoiled all her life and raised with pride.
But now, her mother was forcing her to lower her head.
That meant Tess was anything but ordinary.
Wasn¡¯t this woman a young mother who¡¯d been dumped by the richest man, Finn? At most, she was just the unknown daughter of the Embers.
So who was this old standing beside her?
Jolie bit her lip hard.
This time, she stopped trying to fight desperately to lift her head again. She epted her fate and kept it down.
¡°The volume was nice and loud,¡± Tess said with a light smile. ¡°But who knows if your apologyes fron your heart?¡±
Tess gave a light smile, brushing off Jolie¡¯s apology like it meant nothing.
Sienna caught that reaction, and her face turned dark. She quickly looked toward Olivia for help.
Olivia was unmoved. Her expression said everything clearly¨Cwhatever Tess decides, goes. She was here back Tess up, not anyone else.
Sienna¡¯s usual calm and pride werepletely gone. Sweat gathered across her forehead, tiny beads showing exactly how nervous she was.
¡°Mrs. Olivia, I¡ªI didn¡¯t expect Tess to be your sessor. If I had known earlier, I never would¡ª¡±
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¡°Never what?¡±
Tess crossed her arms and watched Sienna in a rx mannered, almost amused,
Olivia immediately understood what Tess was implying. Her eyes narrowed. ¡°If Tess weren¡¯t my granddaughter and not my sessor, were you nning to use your power to cover up Jolie¡¯s wrongdoing?¡±
She hit the word ¡°wrongdoing¡± especially hard, her gaze sharp and piercing.
More sweat rolled down Sienna¡¯s forehead, and even her back felt soaked.
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She hurriedly tried to fix things. ¡°No, that¡¯s definitely not what I meant. We came here to clear things up and to make peace with Ms. Ember.¡±
All her earlier confidence hadpletely copsed.
¡°Oh? Make peace?¡±
Tess¡¯s smile widened, filled with quiet mockery. Her gaze swept across the room like she was cutting through their excuses.
O
¡°Didn¡¯t Ms. Reagen just say you nned to have those reporters that you brought spread rumors about me?¡±
Tess lifted a brow, and the room went silent.
Compared to the family of three, who stood stiff as boards, Tess looked rxed.
She didn¡¯t have to tense up now. No one in the room could threaten her. Everyone had to follow her lead
The moment those words left her mouth, Sienna froze. Even the reporters felt a chill run down their leg
¡°Oh? So this is how your Aetheris media works?¡± Olivia said with a coldugh. ¡°You don¡¯t report the truth You twist it, edit it, and turn it into cheap drama?¡±
Her sharp stare cut through every pale¨Cfaced reporter in the crowd.
When Olivia got serious, the air around her tightened. People could practically feel the temperature dr
¡°Grandma, you don¡¯t have to be that mad,¡± Tess said gently. ¡°I am actually making some ns myself.¡±
Olivia lifted a brow, instantly intrigued. Her anger faded as quickly as it appeared.
¡°Oh, really? What did you arrange?¡± she asked.
Tess¡¯s lips curved. ¡°Well, Ms. Reagen isn¡¯t the only one who knows how to contact the media.¡±
Her voice was calm and cool, echoed in the space.
And that echo kept bouncing inside Sienna¡¯s chest, hitting the same spot again and again.
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¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Sienna¡¯s fingers tightened.
The cold mask she held onto began to crack.
ere invited by me,¡± Tess said with a little shrug.
¡°It means some of these reporters
¡°But unlike Ms. Reagen, I only aske
them to report the truth.¡±
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She then turned her head toward the crowd.
¡°So? You all recorded everything that happened in this office, right?¡±
Four or five reporters instantly raised the cameras, which glowed under the bright lights, and nodded.
Sienna swayed where she stood. Only now did she realize Tess had outyed her. Completely.
Her eyes widened and no longer hid her shock.
¡°Y¨Cyou nned this from the start!¡±
¡°No,¡± Tess said, shaking her head lightly.
Her voice was calm, almost gentle. ¡°I just deal with whateveres. If someone pushes, I push back. Simple as that.¡±
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Keepsake 665
Chapter 665 A Wolf Never Forgets a Grudge
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Sienna¡¯s expression shifted rapidly. She had to clutch Cyrus¡¯s arm just to stay standing.
At this point, the winner and loser were obvious.
Finn stood quietly by the door, lips pressed tight as he watched everything unfold.
But most of his attention was locked on Tess.
He looked at her from a distance away, ten or twelve feet apart. Somehow, she felt miles away.
Finn didn¡¯t even know when it happened, but Tess had grown far beyond the girl he remembered.
The Tess standing here now was proud, strong, and calm. She was nothing like his old memories of her, yet she drew him in even more. Something about her made him want to step closer. Just one step and then another.
Finn revealed nothing; he inhaled deeply, trying to steady his racing heart.
His eyshes lowered as the thought hit him. Maybe here was pointless.
But instead of feeling disappointed, he felt relieved. Happy, even, because Tess didn¡¯t need saving. She could fight her own battles.
Tess, if this is the path you chose, then I hope you can be stronger.
Without thinking, Finn lifted a hand and pressed it to his chest. He felt the heartbeat pounding beneath his palm as his gaze stayed fixed on Tess¡¯s profile.
Nadine caught every bit of his reaction, She noticed the admiration in his eyes, the approval, and the longingness.
All the things she had once begged for by pretending to be someone she wasn¡¯t. But now, Tess gets it all.
Jealousy crawled up her chest like a nest of biting ants.
Suddenly ¡
¡°Ahem.¡± A low cough cut through the tension in the room.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
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Abel covered his mouth and blinked innocently. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Probably just a cold.¡±
He calmly let his hand drop, but his eyes slid past the crowd and met Finn¡¯s midair.
Finn frowned. He could practically sense the hostilitying off his nephew.
He didn¡¯t like it, not one bit, but now wasn¡¯t the time to react.
Tess also shifted her gaze and gave Jolie a smile.
But Jolie was still forced down by her mother, her head pushed low, so Tess¡¯s downward nce felt like she was looking at her from above.
¡°Jolie, I won¡¯t forgive you. Yes, your family bailed you out, but that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re safe.¡±
Her voice was icy. It sounded t, almost without emotion, but it still sent a chill straight into others¡® hearts.
Jolie finally snapped and looked up. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±
¡°It means,¡± Tess said calmly, ¡°mypany doesn¡¯t need the partnership. And holding you responsible won¡¯t be difficult for me.¡±
Sienna¡¯s eyes flickered as she stared at Tess¡¯s face.
Only now did she realize Tess wasn¡¯t just smart. She was a wolf. And a wolf never forgets a grudge.
Her sharp nails dug into her palm as she forced herself to speak. ¡°Tess, this was Jolie¡¯s mistake. What kind ofpensation do you want? We¡¯ll take full responsibility.¡±
Tess finally gave a little reaction. ¡°Compensation, huh?¡±
She touched her chin. ¡°Looks like you really care about Jolie. I¡¯m almost jealous.¡±
Her words said one thing, but her face stayed calm and distant.
A bad feeling rose in Sienna¡¯s chest. The next second, Tess proved her instincts right. ¡°I heard there¡¯s a Financial Summit at the end of the year. Reagen Corporation and Larson Group will be attending.¡±
Sienna¡¯s eyes sharpened instantly, full of caution. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±
¡°No need to be so tense, Ms. Reagen. I¡¯m not trying to do anything.¡± Tess smiled lightly before shifting her tone. ¡°But Jolie¡¯s case counts as attempted murder. If I decide to pursue it, even
Chapter 665 A Wolf Never Forgets a Grudge
bail won¡¯t save her from what¡¯sing.¡±
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Sienna stared at the faint smile on Tess¡¯s lips, but to her, that smile felt like a de aimed straight at her throat.
How would she have thought of the Financial Summit?
Sienna¡¯s heart shook. She realized she had stepped right into Tess¡¯s trap from the very beginning.
¡°When the timees, I hope Ms. Reagen will give the Larson Group a few extra points of profits.¡±
Tess¡¯s smile softened at the corner of her eyes; she looked beautiful and even gentle. However, in Sienna¡¯s eyes, it was enough to make her grind her teeth.
Moserton might be a political hub, but its economy couldn¡¯tpare to Kingnd. The Reagens may be one of Moserton¡¯s top families, but in Kingnd, they were far from the center of power.
Sienna had hoped to take herpany to a higher level during that summit, maybe shift their headquarters closer to Kingnd, but none of that would be happening now.
She shot a furious re at Jolie, ming herpletely.
She¡¯d spoiled this girl too much. And now Jolie had stirred up a disaster; of all people, she had to provoke the Larsons, the toughest nuts to crack.
Olivia, hearing Tess¡¯s request, looked genuinely surprised.
Her gaze swept over Tess again, seeing her with new eyes.
She¡¯d expected Tess to take this chance¡¯to squeeze the Reagen Corporation hard for Ember Group¡¯s sake or push Jolie to go straight to prison. She never imagined Tess plotted all these for the benefit of the Larson Group.
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Chapter 666 Jolie¡¯s World Crumbling
¡°Ms. Reagen, have you thought it through?¡±
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Tess¡¯s voice was warm and calm, but to Sienna, it felt like a storm crashing down on her.
Her head pounded. Tess continued, gently but mercilessly, ¡°Oh, by the way, I already contacted the Aetheris Police Department. Jolie¡¯s case is serious. It caused serious harm to my body and my mental health.¡±
Sienna¡¯s eyes widened. She never imagined Tess would push her this far.
Jolie reacted stronger. No one knew where she found the strength, but she suddenly broke free from Sienna and threw herself at Cyrus.
She could tell from Sienna¡¯s silence that her mother was wavering. And Jolie refused to go to jail.
¡°Daddy! Daddy! I don¡¯t want to go there! I don¡¯t want to!¡±
She screamed, clutching Cyrus¡¯s arm for dear life.
Cyrus flinched from her shrill voice. His head throbbed as he looked at Sienna, who had gone pale as paper.
¡°Daddy! Tell Mom! Please! I¡¯m still so young¨Chow can I go to jail?! I don¡¯t want to! I don¡¯t want to! Didn¡¯t you both tell me to go through with that arranged marriage? Fine! I¡¯ll go! I¡¯ll do it! I don¡¯t want Steven anymore!¡±
She identally nced toward the window and froze. Police cars. Several of them. Parked right outside. Jolie nearly copsed on the spot, her face twisting in fear as she sobbed uncontrobly.
Sienna¡¯s presence was icy and intimidating now. Jolie didn¡¯t dare run to her. All she could do was cling to Cyrus, begging him to beg for her.
Tess watched the chaotic scene withplete ease.
She even leaned back in her soft chair, rxed and unbothered.
¡°Ms. Reagen, you can take your time,¡± Tess added, casually adding fuel to the fire.
Jolie whipped her head toward her. Tess¡¯s fingers tapped the desk, slow, steady taps that hit Jolie¡¯s nerves like hammer blows.
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Chapter 666 Jolie¡¯s World Crumbling
Jolie widened her eyes while her cries grew even more desperate.
Compared to her, Sienna looked disturbingly calm.
The cries echoed through the office. Even some reporters watching couldn¡¯t help feeling bad.
¡°Isn¡¯t this just some business event? How can it be more important than your daughter?¡±
¡°Yeah, a criminal record at her age? That¡¯ll ruin her whole future.¡±
The media loved gossip. And since Jolie¡¯s cries were loud enough to cover their whispers, a few reporters had already started murmuring among themselves.
But one phrase¨Cgo to jail and leave a record¨Cmade Tess¡¯s fingers stiff for a split second.
¡°If Ms. Reagen really can¡¯t decide,¡± Tess said suddenly, rising to her feet, her face cold and sharp, ¡°then I¡¯ll decide for you.¡±
Clearly, she¡¯d run out of patience.
¡°Since Ms. Reagen cares so much about the Financial Summit and since the police cars are already downstairs, let¡¯s have someone take Ms. Jolie down first.¡±
She raised a brow.
Before the words settled, Abel stepped forward and ced a firm hand on Jolie¡¯s shoulder.
As a mother, Sienna instinctively reached out to stop him. But the moment she lifted her eyes, she froze. That face. Sharp. Arrogant. Dangerous.
Abel.
She widened her eyes in shock.
The Shaws¨Cno, Kingnd¡¯s¨Cgolden boy! Why is he here in Aetheris?
Her hand trembled, and she pulled it back.
Jolie saw Abel¡¯s hand getting closer andpletely broke down. She yelled, ¡°No! I don¡¯t want to! Mom! Daddy!¡±
She staggered toward her parents, reaching for them. Cyrus stared closely at Sienna. She gave no reaction, and he didn¡¯t lift a hand to stop anything.
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Chapter 666 Jolie¡¯s World Crumbling
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Jolie¡¯s heart dropped straight into a freezing abyss. In that moment, she felt like she was drowning in ice.
Abel was never the patient type. He mped a firm hand down on Jolie¡¯s shoulder.
Jolie yelped, but before she could get another sound out, Abel snatched a napkin from the table and shoved it right into her mouth.
¡°Enough noise,¡± he muttered, digging a finger into his ear like she was nothing but a buzzing fly.
Then, he dragged her straight toward the door.
Jolie¡¯s eyes went wide. Panic swallowed her whole. She stared at Sienna, desperate and confused.
Why?
Why wasn¡¯t her mom saving her? Was some business summit more important than her life?
Jolie felt her heart drop, inch by inch, until it hit rock bottom and shattered.
The frantic light in her eyes dimmed, fading into nothing.
Nadine watched the scene unfold, stunned.
She understood Sienna¡¯s n, but in just a few minutes, everything turned upside down.
Tess hadpletely taken control of the situation.
The whole office went still.
Jolie didn¡¯t fight anymore. Her body went limp, hanging in Abel¡¯s grip as he dragged her toward the door, about to disappear from everyone¡¯s sight.
¡°Enough.¡±
Sienna finally forced out a word, her voice tight in her throat.
Tess lifted her hand slightly. Abel understood instantly and stopped walking.
Jolie felt the pull on her body vanish. She blinked, dazed and lost, unsure what had just changed.
Chapter 667 Check Mate
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¡°I can do that. I¡¯ll give the Larson Group a few extra points when the timees.¡±
Sienna¡¯s voice dropped low. She sounded worn out, like she suddenly aged ten years. Her sharp, powerful image of a career woman was gone.
¡°I¡¯m starting to think that request is too simple,¡± Tess said, rubbing her chin as if she were thinking. ¡°How about this? I¡¯ll take the points, but the rest, we¡¯ll decide when the timees.¡±
That sentence snapped the dull look right off Sienna¡¯s face. Her eyes lit with anger. ¡°You brat!¡±
¡°Looks like Ms. Reagen doesn¡¯t agree. Abel-¡±
Before Tess even finished, Abel started to pull Jolie away.
¡°Fine!¡±
Sienna shouted through her teeth. ¡°I agree!¡±
¡°Then tell the officers downstairs they can leave.¡±
Tess nodded, pleased. She turned to the reporters. ¡°Did you get all that on camera?¡±
They all nodded at once.
Violet had been watching the whole thing with perfect rity. The more she looked at Tess, the more impressed she was.
Olivia smiled too, calm and satisfied.
Abel let go. Jolie staggered away like someone who just escaped danger.
She rushed to Cyrus and grabbed his arm tight, not daring to look at Sienna.
¡°Ms. Reagen, see you at the end of the year,¡± Tess said, reaching out her hand politely.
She seemed friendly, but everyone could feel the provocation hidden in that gesture.
Sienna clenched her jaw tight, almost grinding her teeth to dust, but she had no choice except to swallow her pride.
¡°Fine. See you
then.¡±
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Chapter 667 Check Mate
Four words. All squeezed out from between clenched teeth.
She stared at Tess like she wanted to bite a piece off her.
Tess noticed, of course, but she simply smiled, calm and unfazed.
Atst, Sienna left with Cyrus and Jolie in wobbly steps.
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Once she was gone, the reporters she had arranged looked at each other, unsure of what to do -dread creeping up their spines.
¡°You all saw everything clearly,¡± Tess said, raising a brow at them.
¡°Report it truthfully if you want or follow Sienna¡¯s n. Your choice.¡±
Then she waved her hand, dismissing them.
The reporters practically bolted out of the office to save their skins. Even outside, they still felt a pang of fear.
How were they supposed to follow Sienna¡¯s script now?
For all they knew, Tess had nted her people among them.
All of them muttered quietly inside and epted their bad luck.
When everything wrapped up, only Tess¡¯s group and Nadine remained.
A shiver ran through her.
Coincidentally, Tess turned her head and looked right at her.
¡°Nadine, thanks for taking them out for breakfast. Otherwise, we¡¯d still be stuck with this until noon.¡±
She smiled as she spoke, but Nadine still felt a cold chill crawl down her back.
Nadine felt her teeth tter for no reason. She forced augh and tried to y it cool. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s what I should do.¡±
Tess rebuked, ¡°What should you
do?¡±
Her eyes tightened, and the curve on her lips didn¡¯t reach her eyes. It wasn¡¯t a smile¨Cit was a warning. ¡°If I remember correctly, I already fired you. Why were you at the office today?¡±
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The sharp question froze Nadine¡¯s fake smile in ce. ¡°I¡ maybe you remembered wrong. And I just happened to run into them.¡±
¡°Haha.¡±
Tess let out a coldugh and mmed her palm on the table. The loud, heavy thud made the room shake. ¡°Ember Group will be under my control from now on. Not just you. This rule applies to Henry too. Without my permission, neither of you is allowed to step into the building.¡±
Then her gaze shifted to Prune, who stood near the door. ¡°Did you hear what I said?¡±
Prune hadn¡¯t expected to be called out. She jumped, then nodded quickly. ¡°Yes, Ms. Ember! I¡¯ll tell the staff right away.¡±
Tess, satisfied with her quick reaction, waved her off to handle it.
Nadine¡¯s face turned ugly.
Raven stretchedzily and sighed dramatically.
¡°Some people try every sneaky trick in the book and still can¡¯t get anything done. I almost feel sorry for her.¡±
Nadine¡¯s face drained of all color.
Lyra tried to suppress her smile, but her soft chuckle escaped anyway.
She didn¡¯t say a word, but thatughnded on Nadine¡¯s face like a silent p.
Before she even realized it, tears were rolling down Nadine¡¯s cheeks.
¡°Tess,¡± Nadine said suddenly, switching tactics in a heartbeat. ¡°Today is your first day at the office. I came because I thought you might not be familiar with the workflow, so I wanted to help. But on the way, I ran into Great¨CAunt Olivia and the others. They came so early, and I only meant to show them some good food nearby. I didn¡¯t expect you to misunderstand me or let your people humiliate me.¡±
Her switching gears came as a surprise for Tess.
Tess frowned. She didn¡¯t quite understand what Nadine was trying to pull, until she caught the subtle nce Nadine shot toward Finn.
Ah. That exined it. This little performance¨Cshe had seen it before.
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All at once, Tess was reminded of the night she had just been released from jail¨Cthe night she carried La to the hospital because she had a fever.
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Chapter 668 Back Off, Kid!
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Tess guessed Nadine had probably acted cute the same way back then. She would whine and pout until Finn pulled half the medical staff out of the hospital just for her.
Tess lowered her eyes. Her longshes cast a faint shadow over the calm in her
When she looked up again, she turned straight to Finn.
¡°Mr. Lock, you can stay. But please take Nadine out with you.¡±
She lifted her hand casually, her tone t and steady.
gaze.
There was no anger,cking any sharp edge, but she made it clear she didn¡¯t care about anything that Nadine did at all.
For a second, Nadine¡¯s face fell. She hadn¡¯t expected Tess to insult her so smoothly while sounding so polite.
But Nadine recovered fast and forced a smile.
¡°Tess, I know you don¡¯t like me. So no matter what I do, it¡¯s always wrong.¡±
She dropped her gaze. Her eyes dimmed. She bit her lip until it turned pale, like she was holding in some huge sadness. She looked fragile enough to break.
Tess smiled and lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Great. If you¡¯re still here for another minute, I¡¯ll call security.¡±
The weak, pitiful act Nadine put up almost copsed.
She looked up in shock. Tess¡¯s half¨Csmile met her eyes¨Ccool, bored, like she had seen through every little trick and wasn¡¯t impressed at all.
Nadine¡¯s expression darkened. She turned to Finn for help. ¡°Finn¡ ¡±
¡°She can leave if she wants, but I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±
Finn didn¡¯t even let her finish. He stepped forward, voice low and firm, not caring at all about the look on Nadine¡¯s face as it crumbled.
Lyra and Raven were stunned. They never expected the always¨Cby¨Cthe¨Cbook Finn to say something like that.
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The two women exchanged a teasing nce, clearly enjoying the show, especially Raven¨Cwith her eyes locked on Nadine¡¯s hand. Nadine¡¯s fingers clutched at her skirt, the veins on her pale arm standing out.
She looked beyond furious.
Raven didn¡¯t bother hiding her reaction. She met Nadine¡¯s re head¨Con, full of open, unapologetic mockery.
The moment Nadine saw what happened, anger shot through her so fast she almost fainted.
And before Tess could even react to Finn¡¯s sudden move, Abel jumped in first. ¡°Uncle Finn, don¡¯t you have work to do? It¡¯s work hours now. What kind of CEO hangs around here like this?¡±
He cut in with a teasing grin, but his eyes were sharp with wariness.
Even though he was talking to Finn, Abel¡¯s gaze never left Tess. ¡°Right, Tess? Otherwise you wouldn¡¯t have rushed to send Uncle Finn away.¡±
His wordsnded. Two pairs of eyes met in the air.
For a split second, Tess could feel the tension, like sparks ready to ignite.
She lifted her head calmly, meeting both of their gazes head¨Con.
¡°Mmm.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes, once deep and steady with a hint of hope, dimmed instantly.
His gaze on Tess carried something restrained¨Csomething fragile and stubborn.
¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other in a long time,¡± his voice turned soft. ¡°I¡¯m La¡¯s father. At the very least, you need to let me see her.¡±
Tess frowned, confused and guarded.
¡°Mr. Lock, we agreed when we divorced. From now on, La belongs to me.¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± Abel muttered with a smirk. ¡°And really, long time? Didn¡¯t you just see her at the hospital a couple days ago?¡±
Finn¡¯s control finally cracked. He stopped masking his emotion and shot Abel a frigid re. He had always been calm and self¨Ccontained. Tess once thought he was a cold stone sitting at
the bottom of a well¨Cuntouchable, emotionless. This was the first time she¡¯d seen him look like this.
¡°Abel, this is between the grown¨Cups. You don¡¯t get to interrupt.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice came out low and rough, edged with authority.
That single line was a reminder¨Cof rank, of identity, of the past.
Tess had been Finn¡¯s wife. Even if they were divorced, Abel was not on the same level as Finn. Not in age, not in status, not in the world they came from.
Tess had turned Abel down many times because of this. And hearing Finn say it so bluntly made Abel¡¯s pride snap.
¡°Grown up, huh? Haha.¡±
Abel let out a coldugh. His usual easygoing act vanished, reced by a sharp chill that matched Finn¡¯s almost perfectly.
He stepped forward and nted himself right beside Tess, shoulder to shoulder with her as he stared Finn down.
¡°What do you mean by grown¨Cup? Funny, I don¡¯t remember signing up for that rule.¡±
He smirked, lifted his hand, and set it lightly on Tess¡¯s shoulder.
Tess¡¯s brow twitched the tiniest bit, but she didn¡¯t pull away.
Finn¡¯s eyes turned even colder, his calmness slowly cracking under pressure.
His face hardened without him realizing it.
A sudden warmth wrapped around his icy palm.
Finn frowned and looked down. Nadine was holding his hand, staring up at him with wide, cautious eyes. Her look was timid, but her action was anything but.
¡°Finn,¡± she said softly. ¡°Since Tess and Mr. Shaw don¡¯t want us here, maybe we should go.¡±
ADMINJ
Keepsake 669
Chapter 669 The Candy Showdown
Chapter 669 The Candy Showdown.
Nadine¡¯s voice sounded low and defeated.
But the very next second, Finn threw her hand off.
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The force was so sharp that Nadine stumbled back. She almost mmed into the wall before she even understood what happened.
Raven¡¯s eyes
lit up at the sudden drama, like she¡¯d just gotten front¨Crow seats.
Nadine finally caught her bnce and stared at Finn, wide¨Ceyed. ¡°Finn, you-¡±
¡°Nadine,¡± he cut in, his voice cold as winter steel. ¡°Back then, you were still Tess¡¯s sister. That¡¯s the only reason I didn¡¯t say anything when you called me by my first name. But now? Not anymore.¡±
His tone was icy enough to freeze the air.
Nadine felt her fingertips go stiff from the chill.
Tess watched the scene y out, arms crossed, and savored the show.
Abel grew panicked for no reason. He hurriedly grabbed a handful of candies from the coffee table, stuffing them into Tess¡¯s hands.
Sensing his gesture, Tess nced at him in confusion. Abel only pointed at the candies in his palm, telling her with a look. Rx. Just enjoy the show.
Tess let out a helplessugh. Abel was just a kid, so she¡¯d humor him.
So the two of them sat side by side, chewing candy, lookingpletely entertained.
Nadine nced over by ident. When she saw Tess and Abel sitting there so calmly, she almost spit blood.
She should never havee here. Now she was nothing but a joke.
¡°Tess, are you happy now?¡±
Nadine finally couldn¡¯t hold it in. She snapped the words out through her teeth.
Finn frowned. He followed Nadine¡¯s gaze toward Tess.
Chapter 669 The Candy Showdown
46
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Tess and Abel were sitting side by side, chewing candy at the same pace, like they were watching a show instead of living through a mess.
Lyra caught the question and spoke first, brows pulled tight. ¡°Nadine, what do you mean by that? You were the one chasing after Finn, begging him to leave with you. He turned you down. and you got embarrassed. What does any of that have to do with Tess?¡±
Raven jumped in right away, her tone sharp with sarcasm. ¡°Of course it has something to do with Tess. People like her never dare get mad at Finn. So, they me our poor Tess instead. So predictable.¡±
The two of them went back and forth so smoothly that even the Larsons couldn¡¯t helpughing.
Compared to all of them, Tess was the picture of ease.
¡°Not bad,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°Keep going.¡±
She reached over and grabbed another candy from Abel. ¡°This one¡¯s sweeter. Yours are good.¡±
¡°They¡¯re all yours.¡±
Abel poured every candy in his hand onto the table for her, then reached for more from the fruit bowl.
The two of them were in their own world, not caring who watched.
Nadine felt the blood rush to her head. Her vision went ck. She was so angry she almost fainted.
Finn¡¯s heart dropped too, but what hurt him more than being treated like some clown on a stage was that Tess wasn¡¯t even looking his way. Shepletely focused on Abel, acting like Finn didn¡¯t exist anymore.
¡°I have work at thepany,¡± Finn said quietly.
His voice was rough, like sand scraping in his throat. Finn sounded tired and low.
Finn turned away and walked out. He didn¡¯t even wait for anyone to react. The way his figure rushed toward the hallway almost looked like he was running away.
By the time Tess snapped out of it and looked toward the door, he was long gone.
Only Nadine was left standing in the room.
Chapter 669 The Candy Showdown
46
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¡°Not going after Finn?¡± Raven asked, her voice full of ridicule. ¡°Oh, right. He doesn¡¯t seem too happy to walk with you.¡±
As expected, Nadine¡¯s eyes burned with rage.
Violet¡¯s face hardened. She let out a sharp, cold huff. ¡°Nadine, once you step out that door, don¡¯t me Tess for anything.¡±
Nadine had been biting her lip, head lowered. Now she jerked it up, her re locked on the Larsons and finally on Olivia. ¡°You knew this from the beginning?¡±
Olivia tapped her cane on the floor. ¡°If I couldn¡¯t see through your little tricks, then all these years would¡¯ve been a waste.¡±
¡°You all yed me!¡± Nadine screamed.
Her voice cracked as she fell apart.
She had always loved attention and appearances. To learn she¡¯d been tricked and embarrassed herself in front of everyone? They should¡¯ve just killed her.
¡°Here¡¯s some advice,¡± Olivia said calmly. ¡°If you¡¯re not that sharp, stop trying to outsmart the people who are.¡±
Nadine¡¯s angry shouts didn¡¯t bother her at all. Olivia simply reached over and plucked the candy right out of Abel¡¯s hand.
¡°Olivia, you¡¯re still eating candy at your age?¡±
Abel stared at his empty palm in disbelief.
Olivia shot him a sideways look. ¡°And you? A grown man still eating candy. Aren¡¯t you embarrassed?¡±
Then, she peeled the wrapper in just a few quick motions and ced the candy into Tess¡¯s hand.
Tess paused for a moment but soon popped it into her mouth.
The sweetness spread across her tongue, warmer and sweeter than the ones before.
When Tess looked over at the elderly woman, she saw Olivia watching her with gentle eyes- like she was looking at a precious child she had always cared for.
Warmth rushed through Tess¡¯s chest and out to her fingertips.
17:08 Fri, Jan 9
Chapter 669 The Candy Showdown.
ÈÝ
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Maybe she liked sweets so much because life had been too bitter after she got out of prison.
Watching the three of them move together so naturally¨Cwarm, close, unbothered¨Cmade Nadine feel even more exposed. Standing there alone, she had never felt more humiliated.
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Keepsake 670
Chapter 670 An Adopted Daughter He Said
Bang!
The office door mmed open without warning.
Henry stormed in, pushing it wide.
The loud noise made everyone turn.
Nadine froze. Her eyes filled instantly, and tears poured down her cheeks.
¡°Dad!¡± She cried out shrilly, rushing forward to grab his arm.
¡°Dad, they¡¯ve been so awful to me.¡±
Her voice shook as if she had suffered every wrong in the world.
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Henry¡¯s face was fierce and angry. When he saw the Larsons, his expression finally eased a little.
Nadine, thinking she finally had someone to rely on, pointed a trembling finger at Tess. She was ready toin but too scared to speak up.
¡°Please, you have to help me,¡± she whispered.
She was crying softly, but the next second, before anyone saw iting, a hard p whipped across her face, knocking her head to the side.
Smack!
The sound was so loud and sudden that the whole room went still.
Nadine dropped to the floor, clutching her cheek in shock.
Henry¡¯s voice thundered through the room. ¡°You¡¯re an adopted daughter, and I¡¯ve clearly spoiled you way too much!¡±
Nadine¡¯s heart jolted. Her palms grew damp with sweat as she trembled.
She stared up at Henry, who looked furious. Nadine was stunned, realizing his anger was aimed straight at her.
Tess raised a brow. She looked a little surprised, but the calm quickly returned to her face.
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Chapter 670 An Adopted Daughter He Said
Honestly, seeing Henry act like that was nothing new.
Nadine nearly copsed on the floor, her whole body trembling.
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Her hand slid slowly from her check to her mouth. Her eyes were wide with shock and something close to irony.
Adopted daughter, he said.
¡°I heard what happened today,¡± Henry said sharply. ¡°Apologize to Tess and to Great¨CAunt Olivia and Great¨CUncle Benjamin!¡±
He shoved her from behind again, hard.
Pain shot up Nadine¡¯s back, like her bones were about to crack. But Henry¡¯s authority pressed her down even more than the blow. She lowered her head.
When she hesitated to apologize, Henry¡¯s patience snapped. He kicked her shin sharply as a warning. After that, he instantly turned toward Olivia with a polite smile. ¡°Mrs. Olivia, ever since my wife and I adopted Nadine, we¡¯ve tried to show extra care because of her past. But I didn¡¯t expect that kindness could¡¯ve spoiled her into having such a disrespectful attitude.¡±
Olivia didn¡¯t respond. That brief silence made Henry¡¯s face stiffen for a beat. He quickly cleared his throat and snapped back into his usual expression. ¡°Nadine!¡±
He looked down with a deep frown.
Shey on the floor, hair spread across the tiles, her tear¨Cstreaked face half hidden in the shadows.
¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was wrong,¡± she whispered, voice thick with sobs.
¡°Louder! Is that how I taught you to speak?!¡±
Henry kicked her again. Nadine¡¯s arms buckled, and she crashed straight onto the floor.
¡°I¡¯m sorry! I was wrong! I shouldn¡¯t have caused any trouble! I¡¯m sorry!¡±
Nadinepletely broke down. Her voice was a full¨Con scream.
Only then did Henry look satisfied. He turned toward Olivia with a stiff, apologetic smile. ¡°Please don¡¯t mind her. I¡¯ll take her away right now. She won¡¯t bother any of you again.¡±
¡°Henry, Nadine did wrong to Tess. But you make her apologize to me.¡± Olivia¡¯s tone sharpened. ¡°Seems to me you¡¯re the one who¡¯s confused.¡±
17:08 Fri, Jan 9
Chapter 670 An Adopted Daughter He Said
She looked straight at Tess; her tone was anything but friendly.
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Henry¡¯s mouth twitched. He followed her gaze toward Tess, though his face looked grave.
Still, he forced a smile. ¡°Tess, I know Nadine had wronged you this time. Luckily nothing serious happened. I heard the Reagens already backed off, right? Since you¡¯re fine, I can finally rx.¡±
Tess dug a finger in her car as if clearing out noise. Her expression was nk, but the impatience on her face was obvious.
Henry clenched his fist under his sleeve.
He had always been the big,manding man¨Cwhether with Kylie, Shannon, orter as a father to Nadine and Tess. Now being forced to apologize to Tess for Nadine¡¯s mess, it made his chest burn with frustration.
Inside, he cursed Nadine as a hopeless fool who did nothing but cause him trouble.
Right now, all he wanted was for Tess to be sensible.
¡°You can take her away,¡± Tess said casually.
Henry let out a breath of pure relief. He was even surprised Tess didn¡¯t make it difficult.
¡°Good, I¡¯ll-¡±
¡°Wait.¡± Tess frowned, rubbing her chin as she stared at him.
¡°How did you get in?¡±
Henry froze. A bad feeling crept up his spine.
¡°W¨CWhat do you
mean?¡±
Tess¡¯s face darkened in an instant. Her voice rose. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say it already? Whether it¡¯s Nadine or you, if you¡¯re not thepany staff, you are not allowed to enter this building, much less
floor!¡±
the top
She stood up sharply. Her palm mmed down on the desk with a hard crack. ¡°Where¡¯s Prune?!¡±
Right on cue, Prune came rushing in, sweating through her cor, with several newly hired security guards scrambling behind her.
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 671
Chapter 671 I Won¡¯t Let Anyone Bully Me Again
¡°Ms. Ember, this is my fault. I¡¯ll get them out right now!¡±
Prune immediately shouted instructions to the people behind her.
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A group of security guards moved quickly. Some split up and grabbed Henry and Nadine by the shoulders.
Henry¡¯s face went pale. ¡°What are you¡¯re doing?!¡±
¡°Sorry, Mr. Ember, you barged into the top floor without permission. Please cooperate!¡±
The lead guard, a tall, burly man, shouted right in Henry¡¯s ear.
Henry felt like his ear might burst.
The guard pushed him toward the door before he could argue.
¡°Let go! I can walk myself!¡±
But the guards ignored him. Frustrated with his slow pace, one grabbed his cor and threw him out.
Thest guard pressed his palms together politely and shut the door.
Henry immediately stopped struggling.
The office was quiet for a moment, then Raven snorted andughed.
¡°You let Henry in on purpose, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Her words sounded like a question, but she already knew the answer.
Tess already held a cup of tea that Abel had poured. She looked down and took a slow sip. ¡°Why ask if you already know?¡±
Raven leaned back andughed, clearly impressed.
Lyra watched from the side, feeling quietly relieved.
She remembered Tess as always gentle and soft. Watching her fight back like this felt almost unreal.
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Chapter 671 I Won¡¯t Let Anyone Bully Me Again
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¡°Wait, but those guards¡ Didn¡¯t Prune say most of Ember Group¡¯s guards had already quit?¡±
Raven rubbed her head, looking confused.
¡°Money fixes everything,¡± Abel said calmly, spreading his hands.
Raven¡¯s eyes went between Tess and Abel, then she understood. She pped her thigh. ¡°Nice! So this was all nned by you two?¡±
Tess just smiled quietly and didn¡¯t say anything.
Abel spoke up, ¡°This was meant for the Reagens, but I guess Henry showed up at the right time.¡±
As he spoke, he looked at Tess with a warm smile.
Olivia had been watching too. Suddenly, she took Tess¡¯s hand and gave it aforting pat. Her eyes were full of relief. ¡°I always worried you were too soft and could be pushed around. I didn¡¯t expect this. You¡¯re clever¨Cand the way you carry yourself is exactly what I hoped for.¡±
Hearing this, the coldness in Tess¡¯s eyes slowly softened. She put both her hands into Olivia¡¯s palms and held on. ¡°Grandma, I won¡¯t let anyone bully me anymore.¡±
She meant every single word.
Maybe she was saying it for Olivia. Maybe she was saying it to herself.
Olivia¡¯s eyes got watery. She nodded firmly. ¡°Good. Our family¡¯s child will never be pushed around by anyone ever again!¡±
Then her hand moved to Tess¡¯s wrist, pressing over the glowing bracelet.
¡°Tess, you¡¯re the best choice to inherit the Larsons.¡±
Tess froze for a moment, but this time she didn¡¯t refuse.
She lowered her head, a faint, calm smile on her lips, but her voice was steady and sure.
you ¡°Grandma, I won¡¯t let
down.¡±
If everyone wanted to push her down with power, why couldn¡¯t she be the one holding it?
Tess finally nodded in agreement. Olivia blinked for a moment, then her face lit up with joy.
¡°Good! That¡¯s my girl!¡±
¡±
Chapter 671 I Won¡¯t Let Anyone Bully Me Again
She hurriedly stood and pulled Tess up with her.
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Olivia lifted Tess¡¯s wrist high. The emerald bracelet sparkled even brighter under the warm lights. ¡°From now on, Tess is the only heiress of the Larsons!¡±
Everyone pped and cheered, their eyes full of genuine happiness for Tess.
No one looked scheming or envious. Every single person was genuinely happy for her.
Prune stood by the door, mouth slightly open, surprised by what she saw.
The Larsons¡® heiress¡ was our new boss?
¡°This time we could hire actors to help, but that won¡¯t always work. Rebuilding the security team is your responsibility.¡±
Catching Prune¡¯s nce, Tess had already walked over to her. She smiled and patted her on the shoulder.
Olivia, overjoyed, went to Abel and talked like she couldn¡¯t wait to get started.
¡°Oh right, Abel, contact the media. I want to announce this good news to the public!¡±
Even Abel was surprised by her energy. Where was the famous matriarch who could intimidate people inplete silence.
His eyes moved to Tess. She gave a small nod.
Yes, it was time.
Once everyone heard that she was inheriting the Larsons, many people watching from the shadows would start making moves.
Tess lifted her chin slightly, hiding the sharpness in her eyes.
That very day, the news that Tess was inheriting the Larsons¨Cand that the Reagens had apologized in person¨Cspread everywhere and quickly became viral.
Just as Tess expected, the whole Aetheris was restless that night.
In an apartment, someone whispered, ¡°Did Tess really be the Larsons¡® heiress?¡±
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Keepsake 672
Chapter 672 Shannon Was Acting Strange
Chapter 672 Shannon Was Acting Strange
Shannon held the tablet tight, her eyes shining.
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Henry felt unusually happy, already forgetting the humiliation from that afternoon. ¡°The only heiress. Do you know what that means? It¡¯s already set in stone. Tess will inherit the Larsons!¡±
Shannon couldn¡¯t hide her excitement. It was the first time she¡¯d felt real joy in days.
She caught Henry¡¯s arm, squeezing hard. ¡°When Tess inherits the Larsons, we¡¯ll find a way to clear out every person standing in our way¡¡±
Just thinking about the easy life waiting for them made Shannon shiver. She was so overwhelmed with joy that everything around her felt unreal.
¡°This is great!¡± she murmured.
The next moment, she felt a warm sensation in her lower stomach.
¡°Yeah. It is,¡± Henry said, his eyes drifting over the in floor tiles as his thoughts raced. ¡°Once we fully control the Larsons, that Finn and that Max will be at our mercy.¡±
Then he suddenly remembered what had happened that afternoon and gritted his teeth. ¡°And also Tess!
¡°Nadine may have acted alone today. But Tess was the one who threw me out of the Ember Group. She actually thinks having the Larsons behind her lets her do whatever she wants?¡±
Henry¡¯s jaw tightened. Recalling the guards tossing him out of the building made his face burn
with shame.
He always cared about keeping up appearances, yet Tess didn¡¯t care at all.
¡°It¡¯s fine. After we get the Larsons, Tess won¡¯t be able to cause any real trouble,¡± Shannon said.
Her gaze drifted as she hid a flicker of unease in her eyes.
Henry¡¯s mood lifted quickly. His hand softened as he slowly rubbed Shannon¡¯s lower stomach.
The warmth there made Shannon feel light¨Cheaded and unsure.
¡°Yeah. Just a little more. Then we¡¯ll take Kaleb overseas and enjoy life. And Tess¨Cby the time she figures out what¡¯s happening, she¡¯ll have nothing left.
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Chapter 672 Shannon Was Acting Strange
¡°Shannon, you¡¯ve finally gotten past the hard times and into something better.
Henry¡¯s eyes were bright as he looked at her with deep, undivided affection.
Shannon looked stunned, but inside her heart felt so cold it made her shiver.
¡°Okay.¡±
She forced a small smile.
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Henry thought it was all happy excitement. Heughed loudly as he pulled her into his arms.
Evermount Vi.
Finn didn¡¯t return to thepany like he said he would. Instead, he went straight home.
During the whole drive, the air in the car felt heavy. Zane kept sneaking looks at him through the rearview mirror, but the cold pressure from Finn¡¯s presence made him look away every time.
Zane trembled a little, yet he still peeked again. He chewed at the dry skin on his lip over and over. Finally, as they neared the house, he spoke, ¡°Mr. Lock, there¡¯s news from Tania.¡±
A faint spark showed in Finn¡¯s dull eyes.
¡°Tania?¡±
His voice came out low and rough. The cold in it made Zane shiver for no reason.
¡°Yeah. She said Shannon¡¯s been acting strangetely. She can¡¯t exin it well, but it seems like Shannon has been secretly consuming some kind of liquid, maybe a drug.
¡°She gave me a small sample. I had someone test it two days ago.¡±
Finn listened quietly, then leaned back and rubbed his forehead. ¡°Since you brought it up, you must have the results.¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Zane nodded. ¡°The liquid seems to contain some kind of special psychoactive drug.¡±
That sentence finally caught Finn¡¯s full attention. His eyes sharpened with interest. ¡°A psychoactive drug?¡±
His thin lips moved slightly as he repeated the words in his mind.
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Chapter 672 Shannon Was Acting Strange
$46
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After a moment, he frowned. ¡°I had you keep watch around Shannon¡¯s apartment. Who has she mettely? If it¡¯s a psychoactive drug, she must already have a regr.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Has Tess run into Shannon recently?¡±
Hearing the worry in Finn¡¯s voice, Zane hurried to answer. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Lock. No matter what Shannon tries, we won¡¯t let someone that dangerous get close to Ms. Tess.¡±
Finn rxed right away, leaning back in the seat. The sharp look in his eyes softened, like Tess was the only thing he cared about.
Zane looked at him and continued, ¡°Henry seems to be controlling Shannon¡¯s movements. Our people watched for days. She hardly left the apartment. A few days ago, she rushed to a factory on the edge of Aetheris. It¡¯s one of Henry¡¯s secret ces.¡±
¡°Mm.¡±
Finn gave a short, cold sound, telling Zane to go on.
¡°Mr. Lock, I strongly believe Shannon ns to use those psychoactive drugs on Henry.¡±
Finn¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.
¡°Henry has kept Shannon as his secret lover for years. If I¡¯m right, the only reason he¡¯s still acting polite toward Ms. Tess is because he wants the Larsons¡® money, power, and status. Once Ms. Tess is officially the heiress, Henry will do whatever he can to take the Larsons for himself.¡±
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Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 673
Chapter 673 I Don¡¯t Know What To Do Anymore
A
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Finn lifted his chin a little, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Henry is a total fool. Back then, even though the Larsons looked like they cut ties with Kylic, they still secretly gave a lot of money to Henry¡¯spany. After so many years, Ember Group is still a failure. Whether in Krigan or Aetheris, they¡¯ve always remained at the bottom. Now, even though Tess made a few small moves to Ember Group just right after she got out of prison, it¡¯s already close to going bankrupt. In the end, it¡¯s because Henry is a useless chairman. If he ever got control of the Larsons, he wouldn¡¯t grow the business at all. He would probably take all the Larsons¡® wealth and escape overseas to enjoy an easy life.¡±
Zane nodded again and again as he listened, then suddenly froze, snapping back to his senses. ¡°Mr. Lock, should we tell Ms. Tess right now? What if she falls for Henry¡¯s trap?¡±
Finn raised an eyebrow. In his mind, he pictured Tess¡¯s calm, cool face, and a faint smile showed in his eyes. ¡°You really think she doesn¡¯t know? She¡¯s just ying with Henry and his people at this point.¡±
As he finished talking, the car came to a stop in front of Evermount Vi¡¯s gate.
Finn pushed the door open and walked inside.
Zane rushed after him, but just as he reached the doorway, the door swung shut and blocked him outside.
Finn didn¡¯t even look back.
Zane stopped right away. He understood enough not to follow.
Finn rarely walked this fast. He was usually calm and steady¨Cnothing could shake him.
But right now, his steps were sharp and urgent, like someone desperate for a fix, trying to grab onest chance.
Bang!
The door mmed. Finn looked up, and only then did his heartbeat settle. His steps slowed down.
No one else came into this house. Not even the housekeeper. Finn cleaned everything here by himself.
He walked in slowly, his eyes moving across the small room.
Chapter 673 I Don¡¯t Know What To Do Anymore
Photos filled the walls, each framed in ss.
His heart tightened. His eyesnded on the biggest photo.
B
s
It hung right in the center. Unlike the other frames, this one was surrounded by fresh white roses¨Cthe ones he picked up from the garden behind Evermount Vi.
He nted those roses after Tess left. Every morning, he ced new ones there with his own hands.
Their wedding back then had been rushed¨Chardly fitting for the richest man in the country. Because of his dissatisfaction, Tess never got the grand wedding she deserved.
He still remembered that the ce had been filled with white roses.
It was the only thing Tess ever asked for.
But because he didn¡¯t like her back then, even the roses he bought were the cheapest ones he could find.
Finn looked at the wedding photo. He lifted his long finger toward Tess¡¯s face in the photo. But right before he touched it, he stopped.
His eyes flickered, then slowly darkened.
He stepped back and looked around the room.
Every wall was filled with photos of Tess¨Cso many that it made Finn, standing in the center, look like some kind of creepy stalker.
He let out a bitter smile. When he lifted his head again, grief filled his eyes.
Everything had ended like this because of him.
But his heart still wouldn¡¯t ept it.
His hand moved on its own, pressing against his chest¨Cwhen a knock sounded from outside.
Knock, knock!
The heavy noise pulled him out of his memories.
Who could it be?
He opened the door just a crack, using his tall body to block the view so no one could see
10:41 Sat, Jan 10¡ü
Chapter 673 I Don¡¯t Know What To Do Anymore
inside.
To his shock, Julia was standing there.
¡°Grandma?¡±
Finn stared at her,pletely surprised.
s
Shouldn¡¯t Grandma be staying at the family estate? Why was she here? And how did she even know about this room?
¡°You don¡¯t need to know how I found out.¡°.
Julia seemed to read the question in his eyes. She raised her hand and pushed the door.
Finn wasn¡¯t ready, so he staggered back a few steps, and the whole room came into view. When Julia saw the strange scene inside, she frowned and shot him a disapproving look. ¡°Someone told me you rushed home just so you could get here faster?¡±
Her scolding made Finn press his lips together tightly. ¡°I¡¡±
¡°What?¡±
Julia almost never got angry, but this time she grabbed him and dragged him out of the room, then mmed the door shut.
She red at him. ¡°You useless fool! And all that stuff inside? If Tess found out, what do you think she would think of you? Have you even thought about that?¡±
Her sharp voice cut straight through him. Finn had wanted to talk back, but then all his strength drained away.
His shoulders sank, and he lowered himself in defeat. ¡°Grandma, I don¡¯t know what to do anymore.¡±
10:41
Sat, Jan TU
ADMINJ
Keepsake 674
Chapter 674 Give Up On Tess?
Chapter 674 Give Up On Tess?
Hearing that, Julia¡¯s eyes flickered with hurt, but mostly deep disappointment.
¡°You!¡±
45 Free Coing
She scolded Finn. ¡°How many times have I told you? She¡¯s gone. If you can¡¯t change what happened, why keep holding on?¡±
She continued, ¡°If I had known you two would end up in such a mess, I never would have agreed to that old woman marrying Tess to you!¡±
Right after Julia said it, Finn grabbed her sleeve tightly. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡±
Julia turned back to him and saw the pain in his eyes.
¡°How did our family end up with someone as stubborn as you?¡± she muttered, rubbing her forehead.
Her chest rose and fell with anger.
For once, Finn was silent. He lowered his head and didn¡¯t say anything.
¡°You really won¡¯t give up on Tess?¡±
Julia shot him a sharp look.
Finn froze for a second. Then his eyes brightened, and he clutched her sleeve again, squeezing it almost to the point of ripping it.
Julia rolled her eyes and yanked her sleeve free. ¡°But when I took La to the hospital, I¡¯m pretty sure I saw Abel too. And by the way they looked, he and Tess aren¡¯t just simple friends.¡±
She met Finn¡¯s eyes, something unsaid lingering in her gaze.
Finn¡¯s brows furrowed. Just thinking about Abel brought a sh of resentment to his eyes.
¡°Yeah.¡±
He looked down. ¡°Abel met Tess not long ago. From what I know, he¡¯s pursuing her.¡±
Even though Julia had already guessed it, hearing Finn say it made her so mad she almost fainted. ¡°You¡¯ve all lost your minds. Completely! The two brightest kids in the Shaws, both ready to fight over the same woman?¡±
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Chapter 674 Give Up On Tess?
¡°She¡¯s worth it,¡± Finn said.
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¡°Worth it my foot! I care about Tess and La too, sure. But I feel even worse for you, Finn. Just stop already.¡±
Julia was so angry she even swore, throwing away her usual calm and gentle image.
Seeing Finn standing there, silent and hurting, she walked in circles, nervous and upset. ¡°Do they¡ does the family back in Kingnd know about this?¡±
She red at him.
¡°Maybe.¡±
Julia let out a long breath, like she had argued about this in her mind
many
times.
¡°Tess won¡¯t forgive you, and Abel might be part of the reason. He¡¯s the Shaws¡® heir. He and Tess don¡¯t match perfectly in status, butpared to you, he still fits her better.¡±
Hearing her
say that made Finn look strangely lost.
Julia gave him another re. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to the family tomorrow. If anything goes wrong for Abel, that will be your chance.¡±
The tight look on Finn¡¯s face slowly loosened. ¡°Is ¡ is that okay?¡±
Julia snapped, ¡°Okay? Of course not! But what else can we do? You¡¯re the one who refuses to move on! What do you expect me to do¨Ccut Tess in half so you and your nephew can each take one?¡±
Her eyes were practically burning with anger.
Finn felt a rush of emotion. He wanted to say something, but before he could, Julia had already stormed off.
He lifted his head in a daze, but the hopelessness from before had disappeared.
Evermount Heights.
Tess had gone home early to stay with La. She held the little girl in her arms, curled up on the couch,zily scrolling through her tablet.
She was checking the business news. With one swipe, the whole screen was filled with her
Chapter 674 Give Up On Tess?
name.
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¡°Tess bes the new heiress of the Larsons in Kingnd!¡±
¡°Mrs. Larson shows up in Aetheris and publicly names Tess as heiress after years away!¡±
¡°Tess handles the Reagens¡® usations. The Reagens publicly apologizes with their daughter!¡±
Headline after headline popped up, and Tess couldn¡¯t help smiling a little.
All of this had taken so much out of her.
Her thoughts wandered. She looked down at her wrist. The emerald bracelet glowed with a cool light.
She turned it gently with her fingers, showing the faint blue glow on the inner side¨Csoft, warm, and calming.
So this was what it felt like to belong to the Larsons¡® legacy. Suddenly, all the things she once thought impossible were now easy to ovee.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling as if she were floating on soft clouds.
Back then, she had turned the offer down again and again¨Cpartly because she didn¡¯t want the pressure, and partly because she wanted to seed on her own. But now, pushed by everything around her, she had finally epted it and jumped straight into bing the Larsons¡® heiress. And honestly, it felt pretty nice.
With that thought, she unlocked her phone. Her chat with Olivia was on the screen.
Olivia wrote, ¡°Tess, since the media has already reported everything officially, maybe ¡ you should move to Kingnd with La.
Kingnd¡
Tess¡¯s eyes flickered for a second, but her first reaction was to refuse.
Tess replied, ¡°Grandma, I still have things to take care of in Aetheris. I can¡¯t move to Kingnd for now.¡±
The answer came right away.
Olivia replied, ¡°I know a bit about what you¡¯re dealing with. It¡¯s Henry and his people, isn¡¯t it? If
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Chapter 674 Give Up On Tess?
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+5 Free Coins
you want revenge, with our family helping you, that can be easily arranged. Just say the word, and I can have someone throw him in jail to vent your anger. And that mistress and the
illegitimate daughter¨Cnone of them will escape!¡±
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Chapter 675 I Will Support You
s
She was only looking at a few light lines on the screen, but through the chat window, Tess could almost picture Olivia boiling with anger, promising she would stand firm.
Thinking about those people always dragged her mood down, but this time the sadness disappeared in an instant.
Tess replied, ¡°Grandma, how could I let them go so easily? I know you did a lot to learn what happened between Grandma Gillian and me. But there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know.
¡°When Grandma Gillian passed away, it happened right after I was sent to prison. Nadine went to see her on purpose, told lies, and twisted the truth just to upset her. That¡¯s what made her blood pressure rise and fainted. And from what I heard, Henry was there too. But he didn¡¯t call an ambnce right away to help her. Instead, he¡¡±
Tess typed every word slowly. Near the end, tears dropped onto her screen.
Her throat felt tight. The anger she had held inside for so long finally had a way out, and it hurt so much that tears ran down her face.
All her life, she was the child nobody wanted¨Cher father didn¡¯t care, her mother didn¡¯t love her either. But even so, she always felt lucky.
Because she had Gillian.
No matter who hated her or pushed her away, Gillian¡¯s small acts always told her that she loved her.
But someone that kind¡ They actually killed her!
Tess clutched her chest hard. Tears streamed down with all the grief she had held inside.
She would never let those people get away.
So what if it was hard? So what if it caused trouble? She would lift them up high, then crush them down hard. Whatever pain she had suffered, she would repay it back, even more.
On the chat screen, Olivia¡¯s side kept showing ¡°typing¡± over and over. She clearly wrote something, then deleted it, again and again. After that came a long silence.
Finally, a message appeared.
¡°All right. I will support you, and so will the Larsons.¡±
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Chapter 675 I Will Support You
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Warmth spread through her. Tess touched her nose, trying to push down the sting of emotion.
How nice.
She had a grandmother again.
If Grandma in heaven could see that I wasn¡¯t alone anymore, she would feel at ease, right?
¡°But Tess, bing the Larsons¡® heiress isn¡¯t a small deal. Even if you can¡¯t move to Kingnd right now, you¡¯ll have to goter. Everything in Krigan and Aetheris¨Cjust think of it as the past.¡±
Olivia said that on purpose. Tess could hear the worry in her tone¨Cshe was afraid Tess wanted to stay not only to deal with Henry and the others. Tess quickly replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandma. After Grandma Gillian passed away, there was nothing here worth keeping me. Once I finish things, I¡¯ll go to Kingnd.¡±
Olivia read Tess¡¯s reply and nodded, satisfied on the other side of the phone.
¡°Good. But you should still find a bit of time to visit Kingnd soon. The Larsons are huge, and so are our businesses. A lot of old foxes have been waiting to meet you.¡±
Olivia¡¯s eyes crinkled with a smile, but when she thought of those old foxes, her face darkened again.
Tess replied, ¡°If it¡¯s important, I cane in the next few days.¡±
¡°All right. Three days from now. Handle what you need to take care of first,¡± Olivia wrote.
The two agreed right away.
When Tess set down her phone, she noticed La had fallen asleep while holding onto her
arm.
Her soft little face looked like a sweet, fluffy marshmallow, and her small pink lips were like flower petals.
Tess felt a pang of guilt.
She was always busy with other things and didn¡¯t spend enough time with La. Thankfully, La neverined and never drifted away because of it.
Tess looked at La with soft, gentle eyes.
When she went to Kingnd this time, she wasn¡¯t going to leave La behind.
Chapter 675 I Will Support You
¡°La, I will take you to bed now.¡±
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Tess whispered the words, then leaned down and kissed La on the cheek. After that, she lifted her carefully and walked quietly toward the bedroom.
Night rolled in across the sky.
At the same time, an unexpected guest slipped into Max¡¯s private home.
¡°What are you doing here?¡± Max asked, watching Nadine with amusement.
Her whole face was flushed red.
Nadine looked like she was wrapped in a dark storm. Her hair hung over her cheeks and forehead, making shadows that hid most of her face.
¡°Is Nichs¡¯s wife here with you?¡±
She skipped all polite talk. Her voice was icy and strange.
Max¡¯s interest faded right away. He frowned. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±
¡°Give her to me. Henry hid her in your ce, but you already ¡®sold¡® Nichs to Tess as a favor, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯re not trying to make peace with her out of kindness. The truth is, you¡¯re excited because of the Larsons standing behind her.¡±
Nadine finally lifted her head. Her face came into view, but there was something dark and twisted in her expression.
Max studied her.
He had already heard the news about Tess and the Reagens, and all the news kept mentioning Nadine, too.
He said, ¡°How could kindness be fake? I¡¯ve loved her since we were young.¡±
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Chapter 676 Nadine¡¯s n
Max gave a small smile and acted like he didn¡¯t hear Nadine¡¯s request.
Hearing that, Nadine¡¯s face grew even darker.
Max¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. He only lifted an eyebrow and watched her.
¡°What¡¯s so special about Tess? Why does everyone line up to kiss her feet? Finn, Abel, Steven, Connor¡¡± She listed their names one by one, gritting her teeth. Then she suddenly looked straight at Max. ¡°Finn married her and even has a kid with her. Abel gets to be around her whenever he wants. Even Steven and Connor are her friends. And you? Why are you so loyal to her?¡±
Her words were sharp and cruel, and Max¡¯s face darkened, just as expected.
He let out a cold, twisted smile. His charming eyes glinted with something dangerous. ¡°Nadine, what makes you so sure that standing with me means you¡¯ll be safe? I helped you a couple times and now you think I¡¯m some nice guy?¡±
The air around them felt heavy, pressing down hard. Nadine¡¯s chest tightened until it almost hurt.
She clenched her fingers so hard they ached, but she still didn¡¯t ask for mercy.
Max lifted his brows, a little surprised. He didn¡¯t think Nadine would look so serious. Because of that, he actually eased up a little.
¡°Nadine, you¡¯re a fool who has schemes but no brain. Why would I waste my time helping you for free?¡±
His handsome face stayed icy, his presence sharp like a de.
Nadine didn¡¯t seem surprised. For once, she didn¡¯t explode. She stayed calm and quiet, like calm water.
¡°You really think Nichs¡¯s wife can take even a tiny part of the Larsons¡® wealth?¡±
She curled her lip in a cold smirk, her eyes full of mockery.
Max¡¯s fingers stopped tapping the table. He didn¡¯t argue right away. He frowned. ¡°Tess isn¡¯t like you. She went to prison, she suffered for years, but she won¡¯t turn into someone cruel. She won¡¯t just watch Nichs¡¯s woman get torn apart by me.¡±
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Chapter 676 Nadine¡¯s n
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¡°So what? You talk about how kind she is, and then you take advantage of that kindness.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes crinkled with a smile, and even her shoulders shook. ¡°Max, you¡¯re just as fake.¡±
He listened to her calling him out to his face, yet he didn¡¯t get angry at all. His brow twitched, as if he took it as apliment.
He said, ¡°So what? As long as I get what I want.¡±
¡°But Tess might not give it to you. I can.¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice was steady, and she stared straight at him.
¡°You?¡±
Max lifted his chin a bit, looking doubtful.
He always believed he could read people well. Nadine might have been raised as an adopted daughter, but inside, she was a spoiled mess¨Cno brains, bad ns, each mistake worse than the one before.
But the way she looked now was different¨Clike a starving wolf on itsst breath, ready to bite through her enemy even if it killed her.
Max rubbed his eyebrows, hesitating a little as he looked at the woman in front of him.
¡°All right. Tell me. What do you have that¡¯s worth trusting? Why would I team up with you?¡± he
said.
He sounded more patient than before.
Nadine let out a crooked, eerie smile. ¡°You¡¯ve already been ying both sides, haven¡¯t you? On the outside, you¡¯re helping Henry watch Nichs. But in secret, you handed him over to Tess. And you kept Nichs¡¯s wife as your backup. No matter how Henry and Tess sh into each otherter, you win.¡±
Max didn¡¯t show any reaction. He didn¡¯t answer either. He just motioned for her to continue.
¡°But did you ever think about this? Tess just got out of prison. She might not be the same woman you used to know. Even if she didn¡¯t turn cruel like me, how can you be sure she¡¯ll sit there quietly and wait for you to hand the man over? When Nichs left the factory, it was her people who snuck in and took him. Are you sure your men can watch her every second?¡±
Her words rushed out so quickly her mouth went dry, but she didn¡¯t care. She stared hard at Max, sure he would take her side.
Chapter 676 Nadine¡¯s n
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And she was right. When she finished, his frown deepened. He looked up and locked his eyes on Nadine. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, that could happen. So tell me what I get out of this.¡±
Hearing that, Nadine knew he was finally listening. Her chance had opened.
¡°Henry will do everything he can to take the Larsons¡® wealth from Tess. When that timees, I¡¯ll take all the Larsons¡® important documents and give them to you.¡±
As soon as she said it, the spark in Max¡¯s eyes faded again. He looked uninterested.
His lips curled slightly. ¡°Even if Henry manages to pull that off, you¡¯re still looking down on the Larsons. And if you hand me their important documents, everything Henry worked so hard would fall apart. You¡¯d rather give them to me than to him?¡±
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Chapter 677 The Deal
Max scoffed and tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Seeing that he was about to lose his patience, Nadine quickly said. ¡°I¡¯ll help you¨Ceven if I have to go against my dad.¡±
Max¡¯s half¨Cclosed eyes opened again, a little spark of interest showing. ¡°And why should I trust you? If Henry ends up on top, you¡¯re his daughter. Enjoying fancy things and a rich life would be easy for you. I don¡¯t believe you¡¯d be stupid enough to throw away a life full of crazy wealth just to get back at Tess. You know even better than I do just how powerful the Larsons are across all of Crorus. Once you be their heiress, even Finn, the guy you could never reach before, would basically be under your foot
He lifted his eyebrow at her, his eyes filled with a clear hint of temptation.
But Nadine didn¡¯t react at all. Not even a blink. It was as if none of his words touched her.
Max was a little surprised.
¡°Why not? If a life that good and a future that bright were offered to me, of course I¡¯d grab it.
Nadineughed, but the sound was sharp and mocking.
Max caught the hidden meaning. ¡°What are you saying?¡±
¡°Henry is nning to run away overseas with Shannon and that illegitimate son. They were never nning to take me with them.¡±
Nadineughed again, but her eyes sparkled with tiny, painful specks of light. She looked like someone standing right at the edge of despair.
Max froze for a moment.
No wonder.
No wonder she came here like she¡¯d thrown everything away with nothing left to lose. So that was it.
He thought using Tess himself had been cruel, but Henry was even more selfish.
For the first time, he even looked at Nadine with a bit of sympathy.
¡°So what do you want to do?¡± he asked.
Nadine exined, ¡°If Henry seeds, I¡¯ll use whatever trust he still has in me and give you everything the Larsons own. And if Tess wins? Same thing.¡±
Nadine¡¯s eyes burned with fierce determination. ¡°No matter what, I¡¯ll find a way to get you what you want. I just need your help.
Herst words came out through clenched teeth, like she had stuffed all her anger into them.
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Chapter 677 The Deal
Max watched her. It was clear that when it came to Tess, she didn¡¯t have a clear n yet.
But when you use someone, what really matters is how far they¡¯re willing to go, right?
¡°Fine. But I need to know what you¡¯re nning.¡± Max finally said.
Nadine pressed her lips together. ¡°When Tess asked for Nichs back then, you kept his wife. Like you said, Tess won¡¯t leave her behind. I just need to wait for the right moment. Then you can use the excuse of giving her back to draw Tess out. I¡¯ll give you the full n once I¡¯ve thought it through.¡±
Max frowned, staring at her. After a long pause, he gave a cold, chilling smile.
¡°Deal. Nadine, I didn¡¯t expect things to be this bad for you. And don¡¯t worry. If you can do what you say, I won¡¯t treat you unfairly.¡±
She said nothing. She turned and walked away quietly, disappearing into the darkness.
Nadine didn¡¯t even know what kind of courage she had walked in with, or what kind of emptiness she carried out. She only knew that when she reached the empty street and felt the cold wind brush her ankles again and again, her heart felt frozen and heavy.
Before today, she had never thought that Henry would try to abandon her, too.
She didn¡¯t call a taxi. She just walked quietly, without direction.
Yesterday¡¯s scene¨CHenry forcing her to apologize to Tess¨Cwas still fresh in her mind.
A bitter, mocking smile slowly spread across her lips. Then she lowered her head and let out augh.
She absentmindedly wiped at the corner of her eye and found it wet with tears.
All her life, even if the world treated her as an adopted child, within the Embers she had always been above Tess. So when Max said she¡¯d be spoiled, he wasn¡¯t wrong.
She just never imagined that being Henry¡¯s favorite would turn out to mean nothing. She was just like Tess, a piece of sand he could throw away whenever he wanted.
Her shoulders shook as sheughed, and when she stepped under a streemp, the light poured down, showing her tear¨Cstreaked face.
Max stayed at the window, watching her figure until it disappeared into the darkness.
He turned back and opened the surveince for Rachel¡¯s location.
Ever since Rachel had sent him that so¨Ccalled ¡°strategy guide,¡± he had moved her into a hidden room inside his office. During the day, an assistant brought her food. At night, she slept there.
The room was extremely secret. Only he and his personal assistant knew about it.
Max rested his chin on his hand and watched the monitor carefully.
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Chapter 677 The Deal
The room was pitchck. Even with the lights off, the high¨Cdefinition camera still clearly showed the figure on the bed.
Rachel looked uneasy. She frowned from time to time and shifted in her sleep.
Max watched quietly, thinking.
In that small room, which was basically like a vault, there was almost no way Tess could get in.
Chapter 678 Abel¡¯s Jealousy
Chapter 678 Abel¡¯s Jealousy
But¡
Max pressed his lips together, and Nadine¡¯s face from a moment ago popped into his mind again.
Forget it. I already said yes, and it looks like I won¡¯t lose anything anyway.
Max turned off the surveince feed, leaned back slowly in the chair, and closed his eyes. But his lips moved silently, whispering Tess¡¯s name over and over.
The next day.
¡°You¡¯re going to Kingnd?¡±
Abel grabbed Tess¡¯s hand in surprise, stopping her from packing.
Tess gently pulled her hand free, calm but firm. ¡°Just for three days at most. Grandma said I have three days to finish things in Aetheris. I don¡¯t think there¡¯s much to do, so I booked a flight for tonight.¡±
Abel stood there, his eyes shifting¨Cfirst unsure, then lighting up with excitement.
¡°I¡¯ming with you!¡± he said.
¡°You?¡±
Tess raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
Abel couldn¡¯t hide his excitement.
Tess was nning to officially announce she was taking over the Larsons on this trip, though Olivia and Benjamin would still handle most things for now.
But once Tess took over the Larsons, then he could¡
Abel clenched his fists, his heart beating fast.
Now, if the family knew how he felt about Tess, they probably wouldn¡¯t stop him!
Abel said, ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m going to Kingnd with you.¡±
¡°But, weren¡¯t you supposed to stay in Aetheris to keep Grandpa and Grandmapany? When they go back, you¡¯ll obviously go back with them too.¡±
Tess crossed her arms and looked straight at him, showing no mercy.
Abel¡¯s lips twitched. He gave Tess a pouty re and half¨Cwhined, ¡°Come on¡ Why are you like this¡¡±
His eyes were full of that sad, puppy¨Cdog look.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 678 Abel¡¯s Jealousy
For some reason, it made Tess feel like she was a wife being scolded, and a shlver ran down her spine.
¡°Alright. I¡¯m taking La with me this time. I don¡¯t need your help here. You go y with her for a while.
Tess gently pushed Abel toward the door.
Then, suddenly¡
Bang!
The bedroom door mmed shut right in Abel¡¯s face. No mercy.
Abel¡¯s lips twitched again. He let out an exaggerated sigh, but he couldn¡¯t hide his excitement. He ran to the living room to find Bessie.
¡°La, your godfather¡¯s here!¡±
Abel held his arms out to La, who was in Bessie¡¯s arms. Raven, who had been ying with La¡¯s toy, heard him and rolled her eyes immediately.
Even Tess hardly called herself La¡¯s godmother. And here he was, calling himself godfather!
But he was too excited to care about Raven¡¯s re.
La yed along too, snuggling quickly into Abel¡¯s arms.
Knock, knock!
Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.
With her hands free, Bessie went to open it. ¡°Mr. Hale?¡±
Connor stood there, holding a bunch of fragrant lilies.
He wore a neat white suit and smiled warmly, looking like a true gentleman. ¡°I heard Tess is heading to Kingnd. Cavrielle¡¯s newestunch owes a lot to her¨Cit¡¯s selling really well. I¡¯m busy and probably can¡¯t go with her, so I came to see her off.¡±
Bessie opened the door wide. ¡°She¡¯ll be happy to hear that. Pleasee in.¡±
The moment Connor walked in, he felt someone staring at him.
He looked up and saw Abel holding La, staring at him with a wary, suspicious look.
Connor didn¡¯t seem bothered. He just nodded at Abel and carried the bouquet to the coffee table, cing it down carefully.
He moved with confidence, as if he belonged in this house.
Abel frowned in annoyance at the boldness. Just then, Tess¡¯s bedroom door opened.
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¡°Mr. Hale?¡±
Tess had heard the noise from inside.
¡°Is your luggage ready?¡± Connor asked.
The moment he saw Tess, his eyes softened like a warm breeze, spreading a gentle calm.
¡°Almost,¡± Tess replied.
She stepped over and took La from Abel.
La snuggled into her arms, smiling brighter than ever. Her round eyes curved into little crescents as she tugged at Tess¡¯s dress and giggled.
The sound of herughter melted away Abel¡¯s annoyance.
¡°This must be your first time going to Kingnd, right? If you need anything, or worry about everyone back in Aetheris, just call me.¡±
Connor smiled warmly, his eyes full of care as he looked at Tess.
¡°No need. I¡¯ll stay with her.¡± Before Tess could reply, Abel interrupted.
Abel shot him a teasing, challenging nce from afar.
Raven stood nearby, watching with interest, ready to see what would happen.
However, Tess acted first. She put a hand over Abel¡¯s mouth and smiled at Connor. ¡°It should be fine. If anything happens, I¡¯ll let you know.¡±
Abel could have pulled away easily, but he didn¡¯t. He stayed there, letting her hold him, his eyes looking hurt and dramatic, like he had been treated unfairly.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 679
Chapter 679 Book a Flight to Kingnd
Tess gave Abel a helpless look, and only then did he calm down a little.
¡°By the way, where¡¯s Lyra?¡±
Tess looked at the small suitcase by her feet¨Cthe one that belonged to La¨Cand suddenly noticed that everyone was here except Lyra.
¡°You¡¯ve barely been at Ember Group for a day, and now you¡¯re
now you¡¯re going to Kingnd. She¡¯s really struggling over there.¡±
Raven sounded a little too pleased about it and
popped another grape into her mouth.
She was good at hacking and ying the piano, but politics andw were not her thing. Even if she wanted to help, she couldn¡¯t.
Hearing that, Tess felt a little guilty.
Before she could dwell on it, the door opened again.
Speak of the devil, Lyra walked in. But behind her, someone was trying to stay hidden in the shadows.
Raven frowned at the blurry figure. When she saw his face, she jumped up from the couch.
¡°L!¡±
She shouted his name.
1
He had disappeared without a word not long ago. She thought he had gone traveling, trying to heal from some personal pain. But now he was back suddenly. It meant he had been watching Tess all along. He hadn¡¯t let go.
L froze when Raven called him and stepped out from behind Lyra.
¡°You two¡
Tess looked from Lyra to L. She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped.
¡°I came to see you off. I ran into him at the door, so I brought him along,¡± Lyra said with a tired tone.
Raven walked over and grabbed L by the ear. ¡°Well, well. Where have you been hiding?¡±
¡°Krigan. Aetheris,¡± L murmured, looking down and answering honestly.
Raven frowned.
Wasn¡¯t he the one Tess brought back from Krigan? Why did he end up back there again? Could it really be what I¡¯ve been suspecting?
Raven took a sharp breath and gave L a careful look.
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Chapter 679 Book a Flight to Kingnd
¡°Good to have you back,¡± Tess said, with a hint of something unusual in her voice.
But she didn¡¯t press the matter and let it go.
¡°You¡¯re going to Kingnd?¡±
Hearing the voice he had been longing for, L looked up quickly, his eyes locked on Tess.
s:
Abel couldn¡¯t stay still. He stepped forward and stood right in front of Tess, blocking L¡¯s view.
¡°The ne leaves in a few hours. You¡¯rete,¡± he said, grinning in a sly, annoying way.
The pretty, clear face L wanted to see was reced by a teasing smirk. His expression darkened immediately.
Back then, Tess had kicked them both out. Why was this guy still by her side?
L clenched his fist. ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to you.¡±
If he had known he¡¯d be kicked out that day, he would have fought harder.
Abel raised his eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m just being nice, you know.¡±
The tension between them was thick, almost ready to explode. Lyra quickly stepped in and pulled them
apart.
¡°Enough. Tess is flying tonight. You can see her off.¡±
Her voice was soft. She nced at L, hiding a small sigh in her eyes.
Tess was definitely very captivating now, but there were too many people around her. For those people, what they felt was guilt, and that wasn¡¯t always a good thing.
¡°Can I ¡e?¡±
L¡¯s eyes moved past everyone andnded on Tess at the back. His look was careful, almost begging.
Raven rolled her eyes.
What a show.
¡°Of course. If you don¡¯t mind it beingte,¡± Tess said with a small smile.
She was happy to let a friend see her off.
¡°Okay,¡± L said, nodding strongly.
His serious stare felt like he had just made a promise to her.
Abel watched and got goosebumps all over. His chest tightened, as if someone was trying to steal what he treasured most.
O
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VA DOOK & rugnt to Kingnd
He couldn¡¯t help but make a few small, petty gestures.
He said, ¡°If you¡¯re ready, I¡¯ll take you all out to cat.¡±
¡°I¡¯ming too!¡±
L didn¡¯t take his eyes off Tess. He looked eager.
Tess nced at all the hopeful faces around her and couldn¡¯t help but smile a little.
She was only leaving for a few days, but they were acting like it was a long, final goodbye.
¡°Then let¡¯s all go,¡± she said.
With that, several luxury cars drove out of Evermount Heights.
Top floor, Lock Group.
¡°Mr. Lock, it seems Mrs. Lock has booked a flight for tonight,¡± Zane said, keeping his head down.
Finn had been buried in paperwork. He stopped mid¨Cstroke, a small blot of ink blooming where his pen met the page.
¡°Is she in such a hurry?¡±
His voice was low, with a shadow of sadness that was hard to describe.
Zane remained silent.
The office becamepletely quiet. Finn tried to focus on the papers in front of him. He flipped a few more pages, but the heaviness in his chest didn¡¯t go away. Finally, he pressed so hard on the pen that the tip broke.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 680
Chapter 680 He Only Wanted Her
It¡¯s broken again,
Finn frowned at the ck ink smeared on his hand and, feeling
clean it.
¡°Oh, right. There¡¯s a call from the Shaws. They want you to ¡°Oh, right. There¡¯s a call from the Shaws. They want you to
hoyed, grabbed a bunch of tissues to
Zane couldn¡¯t stop himself from looking at Finn. Just as he thought, Finn¡¯s face turned dark and angry.
¡°Zane, have you been here too long? Toofortable?¡±
The words barely left Finn¡¯s mouth before Zane shivered.
¡°Sorry, Mr. Lock.¡±
Finn mmed the pen into the trash can.
Don¡¯t need to push him? What nonsense!
Abel¡¯s going back with Tess. Does he want to piss me off?
¡°Any news from Grandma?¡±
But thinking about it, the Shaws wouldn¡¯t rush Abel for no reason. This trip is mainly to apany Mr. Larson and Mrs. Larson. Maybe Grandma did something.
¡°Mrs. Shaw said she did all she could. The rest is up to you,¡± Zane said respectfully, lowering his head.
Hearing that, Finn¡¯s anger suddenly stopped.
He lifted his eyes, and a mix of dark feelings showed.
Does it mean Grandma has actually done something?
He pressed his lips together, fingers curling into a tight fist.
The conflicted feelings passed, crushed under his stubborn obsession with that one person.
No matter what it took, he wanted her.
Tess, don¡¯t me me.
¡°Zane, book me a flight to Kingnd,¡± he said, his voice hoarse, gritty with determination.
Zane blinked.
¡°Tonight?¡±
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He looked at Finn and saw his face¨Chard, cold, and determined.
A rush of excitement went through Zane.
Is Mr. Lock really going all out to win Mrs. Lock back?
His eyes sparkled.
After all the boring office work, W
chase after love in real life? Perfect.
Tsk, tsk.
g like this unfold up close felt amazing¨Cseeing the time
But their boss wasn¡¯t like the ones in those stories.
He didn¡¯t have that shy, bossy attitude¨Cmore like a quiet struggle and a cold heaviness.
Zane stole a quick nce at Finn and got frozen by a sharp re. He ducked his head and hurried out of the CEO¡¯s office.
Ring, ring!
Zane had just left when the phone on the desk started ringing.
Finn frowned.
Who could be calling at this hour?
He picked up, and the first thing he heard was a calm voice, ¡°Finn.¡±
It was someone from the Shaws¨Cmore precisely, Abel¡¯s mother.
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Julia told me that Tess is your ex¨Cwife. Then Abel¡¯s in the wrong. I¡¯ll make sure to talk him out of it.¡±
Miranda sounded firm, like she really meant what she said.
Finn couldn¡¯t help thinking about the way Abel looked at Tess.
Every bit of light in his eyes seemed to shine only on her, and the rest of the world disappeared.
A man like that¨Chow could anyone make him let her go?
A faint, ironic smile appeared on Finn¡¯s lips.
He didn¡¯t know if he wasughing at how easy Miranda made it sound or at himself.
¡°Thanks,¡± he said.
His voice was low and rough.
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Miranda heard the click as the call ended. She set the phone down slowly, but the calm on her face disappeared. Anger shed in her eyes.
¡°Has Abel lost his mind? Falling for Fin¡¯s ex¨Cwife? And she¡¯s from some countryside!¡±
She mmed her hand on the table so hard it shook, and a bright red mark appeared on her palm
Demi jumped.
It was unusual to see her mother this angry.
¡°Mom, we already heard, right? Abel¡¯sing back. And he¡¯s bringing Finn¡¯s ex¨Cwife, Tess.¡±
Demi stepped a little closer, speaking softly, trying
¡°Tess¡¡±
to her down.
Miranda¡¯s lips moved, saying the name slowly. Her fingers clenched little by little.
¡°A woman Finn threw away¨Chow did she manage to control Abel like that? What does she have?¡±
She snorted coldly, her eyes full of anger and disgust.
Demi frowned, thinking hard. ¡°Maybe¡ from what I know, Abel has been looking for someone for a long time. Could Tess be the one he¡¯s been looking for?¡±
¡°What?¡±
Miranda¡¯s voice went higher, full of shock and disbelief.
She always knew Abel kept someone in his heart, but from her understanding, it had always seemed like a pointless obsession.
They¡¯d been apart so long. Who knew if that person even
wered
him?
But now, Demi was saying Abel had actually found her? And of all people, his uncle¡¯s ex¨Cwife?
Miranda clutched her chest, feeling furious and faint at the same time.
¡°If I¡¯d known from the start, I would never have let Abel leave Kingnd and mess around!¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 681
Chapter 681 Wee to Kingnd?
Miranda hit the table again, but this time it wasn¡¯t as loud. It felt more like regret than anger,
Demi stepped closer, rubbing her shoulder gently to help her calm down. ¡°Feeling regret now won¡¯t change anything. Since Tess ising to Kingnd, we have a chance to see her ourselves.
Miranda¡¯s tension slowly faded. She looked up sharply at Demi.
Their eyes met in the quiet room.
Miranda pressed a hand to her chest. ¡°Do you mean¡¡±
Demi gave a soft, teasing smile. ¡°Abel¡¯s grown up. He¡¯s not the little boy who used to follow you around. Now, he¡¯s the golden boy in the city. Even if we argue, with his temper, it won¡¯t work. So why not try a different approach?¡±
Miranda¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and she understood exactly what Demi meant.
od exactly what Demi meant.
¡°When does Abel get here?¡± she asked, pressing her lips together.
¡°Around 10 tonight,¡± Demi replied.
¡°Then we¡¯ll pick him up ourselves. And we¡¯ll see what kind of woman could make our two young ones fall so hard for her.¡±
Miranda let out a coldugh, her eyes sharp and icy.
Demi¡¯s smile grew. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll get ready.¡±
She left the room, and as soon as the door closed, her smile disappeared, leaving only a cold stare.
Abel, catching you off guard is never easy.
But you¡¯re giving me the chance now.
She lifted her chin, standing tall and proud, carrying the confident air of someone used to being in charge.
Ten o¡¯clock.
Theynded in Kingnd.
The night air was colder here than in Aetheris, especially at night.
¡°Why are you wearing so little?¡±
As soon as they stepped off the ne, Tess wrapped her arms around herself to stay warm. Abel noticed right away and draped his cashmere coat over her shoulders.
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She instinctively tried to refuse, but his hand on her shoulder stopped her he wasn¡¯t letting her argue
Abel said, ¡°It¡¯s not just you. You¡¯ve got La too.¡±
His eyes fell on the child in her arms.
Tess paused for a moment.
¡°Aren¡¯t you cold?¡± she asked, ncing up at him with concern.
¡°No, it¡¯s fine.¡±
He gave her a crooked smile and tugged the coat cor tighter around her neck.
Tess held La closer, feeling the warmth from the coat spread across her back.
¡°Tsk, tsk. Getting all cozy, you two?¡±
A softugh came from behind them.
Violet appeared behind them, her eyes teasing as she looked the two over.
Tess felt her face warm, a little embarrassed. Abel, on the other hand, didn¡¯t seem fazed at all.
¡°Good choice of words,¡± he said with a grin, clearly proud of himself.
Violet had only been joking, but she hadn¡¯t expected Abe to be this bold.
Forget it. If she kept teasing, he would just run with it.
¡°The Shaws and the Larsons are waiting outside. Once you walk out, you¡¯ll each go your separate ways,¡± she said, her yful expression fading into seriousness.
Hearing that, Abel¡¯s joking mood disappeared. The fearless guy suddenly seemed a little uneasy.
¡°Kingnd isn¡¯t that big. It¡¯s just a short split,¡± he said, trying to act casual, but Violet noticed a tiny flicker of worry in his eyes.
As they spoke, a cold wind blew past them. They had reached the airport exit.
¡°Abel!¡±
A woman¡¯s voice rang out sharply.
Abe¡¯s brows furrowed the moment he heard it. The usually cheerful guy suddenly looked serious.
Demi acted as if nothing had happened and stepped forward with a bright smile.
¡°You¡¯ve been in Aetheris for days. Mom and I missed you,¡± she said, moving slightly to the side.
Abel froze when he saw who was behind her.
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¡°Wee to Kingnd,¡± Miranda said.
Her smile barely reached her eyes, which stayed cold and calm.
Abel went on guard automatically.
Wee to Kingnd?
No matter how Abel heard it, the words didn¡¯t seem meant for him.
Sure enough, when he looked at Miranda, he saw her eyes go straight past him to Tess.
Tess frowned slightly, but she caught herself, not wanting to be rude.
¡°Hello, Mrs. Shaw,¡± Violet spoke first, greeting her.
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Miranda followed the voice, and when her eyes met Violet¡¯s, her smile finally softened. ¡°Hi, Ms. Larson,¡± she said warmly.
¡°Where are Mrs. Larson and Mr. Larson?¡±
Miranda turned slightly, scanning behind her, but didn¡¯t see anyone else.
¡°They¡¯re older now. They went ahead,¡± Violet said with a small, easy smile.
Miranda nodded thoughtfully, but couldn¡¯t help her gaze drifting back to Tess.
The way she looked at her made Tess increasingly uneasy, like each nce carried weight.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 682
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Chapter 682 You Shouldn¡¯t Have Come
Chapter 682 You Shouldn¡¯t Have Come
¡°So, you¡¯re¡ Tess Ember, right?¡±
She stepped closer, looking straight at Tess and smiling.
+10 Free Call
Tess noticed something behind the smile, but since this was Abel¡¯s mother, she stayed polite. ¡°Yes. You must be Mr. Shaw¡¯s mom. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you.¡±
She nodded slightly.
Miranda lifted her chin, acting like she deserved the respect.
Violet watched quietly, noticing the small gestures and frowning a little.
¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯de this time, so I didn¡¯t tell the servant to prepare a guest room. Why don¡¯t you go to a nearby hotel and rest first?¡±
Her eyes curved gently, and she looked kind enough, but the words she said left Tesspletely confused.
¡°Mom, Tess isn¡¯t staying with us. She¡¯s going to the Larson Estate.¡±
Abel saw that his mother was trying to make things hard for Tess and stepped in front of her.
When Miranda heard that, her face turned cold. ¡°Abel, I know you can be stubborn, but you can¡¯t drag Ms. Larson into your problems!¡±
Her tone was harsh, and she looked at Tess with clear disgust.
¡°Waaah!¡±
The sudden shout made sleepy La, in Tess¡¯s arms, start screaming loudly.
Miranda froze. She looked at Tess¡¯s arms and noticed the baby tucked under a thick coat, her elbow slightly bent.
Where did this child from?
Her eyes went wide.
Finn¡¯s?
This woman actually brought her and Finn¡¯s child here, too? What is she nning?
In just a few seconds, Miranda¡¯s imagination ran wild. She pictured Tess as a calcting woman, wing her way up the socialdder.
¡°Mom, Tess is part of the Larsons. It¡¯s normal for her to go with Ms. Larson,¡± Abel said.
He frowned, trying to push away the suspicion already taking shape in Miranda¡¯s mind.
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But Miranda only felt her anger grow. Seeing her son, who had always been a bit naughty but obedient, talk back in public almost made her lose her senses.
¡°Abel,e home with me!¡±
She stared at him like a warning that if he said no, their mother¨Cson rtionship could break.
Abel tried to exin, but she wasn¡¯t listening.
She thought he¡¯d lost his mind¨Cfalling for a divorced woman with a child! And with his uncle involved,
too.
To her, he was just blinded by love. Everything he said sounded like lines he had practiced.
Abel looked at Miranda, frustrated that she wouldn¡¯t listen to him. Then he nced at Demi, standing quietly to the side. She smiled faintly, clearly enjoying the scene.
¡°Yeah, Abel, don¡¯t make Mom worry,¡± Demi said.
Her smile disappeared quickly, but her eyes still held a small challenge.
Abel felt his frustration boil.
Next, Miranda, unable to hold back any longer, grabbed his wrist.
¡°Let¡¯s go home!¡±
She didn¡¯t care about keeping her usual poised, elegant demeanor. Every motion was sharp and forceful.
For the first time, Abel felt his mother¡¯s grip like solid metal.
He tried to shake it off, but it didn¡¯t budge. Only then did he realize how serious it was. Before he knew it, she had dragged him several steps along.
He had to jog a few steps to keep up with her.
¡°Abel, why couldn¡¯t you like someone else? You have to fall for your uncle¡¯s ex¨Cwife, and a woman with a kid! You¡¯ve gone crazy. If you want a woman that badly, I¡¯ll set you up on a date with one of the city¡¯s richest girls!¡±
Miranda yanked open the car¡¯s back door and pushed him inside.
Abel had followed her out of respect, but herst words made him struggle hard.
¡°Mom! I don¡¯t want to!¡± he shouted.
But Miranda ignored himpletely. She didn¡¯t even care that Demi was still outside. She called to the driver, ¡°Drive! Take us home!¡±
¡°Ma¡¯am, Ms. Shaw is still¡¡±
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Chapter 682 You Shouldn¡¯t Have Come
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¡°I said drive!¡±
Miranda had no patience for anything else. She red sharply at the driver.
The driver didn¡¯t dare say a word and immediately started the car.
A few steps away, Demi watched the car speed off. She clenched her hands tightly under her sleeves.
???????????
But she quicklyposed herself, hiding the little flicker of emotion she had shown, and slowly turned to face Tess.
Tess frowned, still staring at the disappearing car, but Demi¡¯s intense gaze pulled her attention back.
¡°Tess, you shouldn¡¯t havee to Kingnd.¡±
Demi shook her head, pretending to be worried, her eyes showing a hint of fake sympathy.
¡°And you really shouldn¡¯t have brought the child with you.¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 683
Chapter 683 Not Here for You
Demi¡¯s eyes drifted toward the child in Tess¡¯s arms, her tone full of disapproval.
+10 Free Coins
Tess stared at Demi¡¯s face, only to see her face gradually ovep with her mother¡¯s self¨Crighteous expression.
They truly were birds of a feather.
It wasn¡¯t as if she couldn¡¯t hear the contempt and mockery from these two members of the Shaws. The way they looked at her was like she was some foolish ant reaching for a towering tree.
But to her, the Shaws was definitely not a towering tree.
Miranda was Abel¡¯s mother, so Tess had to at least show her some surface¨Clevel respect as a junior. But Demi was different.
Tess chuckled softly, cutting off Demi¡¯s words. ¡°Ms. Shaw, you¡¯re overthinking things.¡±
She lifted her gaze and met Demi¡¯s eyes directly. There wasn¡¯t even the slightest embarrassment from being looked down on by the Shaws. Instead, she stood poised and rxed, even smiling with ease.
Demi frowned, as Tess¡¯s expression was not what she had expected.
The next moment, she heard Tess¡¯s cool, clear voice spread through the air andnd in her ears.
¡°Ms. Shaw, I¡¯m not here for Abel nor for the Shaws. As for bringing my child, since when is that not allowed in the capital?¡±
She lifted her brows slightly. Her thin figure stood in the night wind like she might blow away at any moment, yet she stood straight, a quiet strength in her posture.
Demi¡¯s expression changed.
Tess raised a brow, then reached out and tapped lightly on Demi¡¯s upper arm. ¡°Ms. Shaw, please move aside. You¡¯re blocking my driver.¡±
She smiled wlessly.
Demi¡¯s confident smile stiffened. Almost instinctively, she stepped aside as Tess guided her out of the way.
Immediately after, a loud horn sounded behind her.
Demi looked back and actually saw a luxury car waiting,
It was thetest model Ferrari, sleek and cool, extremely eye¨Ccatching in the dark night.
Tess didn¡¯t look back, walking straight to the car with La in her arms. Violet, thinking it was inconvenient for Tess to hold La, thoughtfully opened the car door for her.
The car started immediately after picking up the three of them.
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Chapter 683 Not Here for You
It was really here to pick up Tess?
Demi¡¯s eyes flickered with shock.
Then, the car window rolled down, revealing Tess¡¯s delicate face.
¡°Ms. Shaw, do you need me to call you a cab?¡±
+10 Free Colds
Demi¡¯s expression instantly turning ugly. She bit her lip and forced out a stiff smile. ¡°No need. I¡¯ll call my driver.¡±
¡°I see.¡± Tess touched her chin thoughtfully, then gave an apologetic smile. ¡°I thought they didn¡¯t bring you, so you¡¯d need a taxi.¡±
That sentence stabbed right into Demi¡¯s heart.
But Tess smiled gently, even kindly, leaving Demi with no way to explode.
¡°In that case, Ms. Shaw, you should wait inside the airport. It¡¯s cold tonight.¡±
As the words fell, Tess rolled up the window. Even before it fully closed, the smile on her face had vanished.
Demi stood alone in the cold wind. Her arm shaking either from the cold or from anger.
She truly hadn¡¯t expected Miranda to be so annoyed that she would just leave with Abel, leaving her stranded at the airport.
Demi swallowed, forcing down the bitterness in her chest.
She should be used to this by now, shouldn¡¯t she? Abel could do anything recklessly, but she had to tread carefully. Abel never had to struggle, never had to fight, and the Shaws still saved all the best things for him. Meanwhile, she had to fight tooth and nail just to catch the tiny scraps that fell from the table.
Demi thought about it andughed at herself.
It wasn¡¯t until half an hourter that the Shaws¡® driver finally arrived. By then, her whole body was cold, like a human block of ice.
But what was colder was her heart, which had been frozen for over 20 years.
In the car, Violet looked at Tess with interest.
¡°You¡¯re actually more¡¡±
She rubbed her chin, suddenly unable to find the right word.
¡°Or rather, not as weak and harmless as you thought?¡±
Tess smiled faintly.
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Chapter 683 Not Here for You
Violet raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
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¡°The Larsons only announced you as the heir within Aetheris. The capital doesn¡¯t know yet. So the Shaws probably hasn¡¯t investigated thoroughly. Mrs. Shaw must have misunderstood and thought you came to the capital for Abel.¡±
A look of enjoying a good show spread in Violet¡¯s eyes, along with a bit of praise. ¡°But the way you put Demi in her ce was pretty good.¡±
Tess lowered her eyes and didn¡¯t say anything.
Being unappreciated and always forgotten in a family, both of them had just chosen different paths.
Demi was still clinging to the Shaws and trying to get more while Tess had chosen to give up, even to seek
revenge.
Looking at it that way, they were both a bit pitiful.
¡°You¡¯re feeling sorry for her?¡±
Violet stared at Tess¡¯s quiet profile and sounded displeased.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 684
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Chapter 684 Wee Home
Chapter 684 Wee Home
+10 Free Coins
Violet had basically been running the Larsons business by herself for years. No matter how gentle she acted toward her family, after so many years of fighting in the business world, she could not possibly have a soft personality.
¡°No.¡±
Tess slowly shook her head. When she looked up again, her eyes were like the still water of an ancient well.
¡°I have never met Mrs. Shaw. Her misunderstandings about me are partly because of Abel, and mainly because of Demi. I¡¯m not so saintly that I would be understanding toward someone who plots against me.¡±
She leaned back against the seat. Her whole posture was rxed and relieved.
A hint of appreciation shed in Violet¡¯s eyes, and this time she didn¡¯t say anything more.
The car kept moving, soon driving out of the dark road into a brightly lit long driveway.
Tess knew they were getting close to the Larson Estate.
For some reason, she felt a little nervous.
¡°It¡¯ste. Your grandparents should already be asleep. I told the housekeeper to prepare a room. You can stay there for the next two days. If you don¡¯t like anything about it, we can change it anytime.¡± Violet gave a thoughtful reminder, then winked at her. ¡°The Larsons has plenty of rooms.¡±
Finally, a magnificent scene appeared before them, like an ancient European estate from a movie, with tall, elegant buildings resembling ancient castles.
Although Tess appeared calm on the surface, she silently gaped inside.
She had heard in many ways how extraordinary the Larsons were, but seeing it with her own eyes, she realized how small her imagination had been.
¡°Wee home, Ms. Tess!¡±
1
The moment Tess stepped out of the car, the servants lined up in two rows shouted in unison, startling Tess so much she almost pulled her leg back in.
Violet couldn¡¯t helpughing.
She had spent some time with Tess back in Aetheris, and Tess had always been calm. This was the first time she had ever seen her this flustered.
¡°Shh-¡±
Violet also got out of the car and signaled the servants to be quiet.
As expected, the surroundings fell silent. La shifted in Tess¡¯s arms, the tiny movement now noticeably
louder.
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Chapter 684 Wee Home
¡°Come with me,¡± Violet mouthed the words silently.
The two entered an indoor elevator together, rising straight to the top floor.
¡°Your grandparents also have rooms up here,¡± Violet quietly exined to her.
When the elevator chime sounded, Tess finally saw a long hallway lined with famous paintings.
¡°Tess, this is your home now.¡±
Violet said each word clearly, her eyes filled with sincerity, blessing, and affection.
The night wind outside was still sharp.
Tess¡¯s body had been weakened after a year in prison, so the cold bit her more than it would others.
But at this moment, Violet¡¯s words, carried by the wind, entered Tess¡¯s ears, bringing a warmth and sense of belonging she hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.
In this moment, even the Larsons¡® servants seemed genuinely happy to wee her and La home.
¡°We actually had someone start cleaning your room every day since your grandmother first met you.¡±
Violet pushed open the door with a smile. Inside was a soft European¨Cstyle room with elegant blue wallpaper and a sparkling crystal chandelier casting light over Tess¡¯s slightly dazed face.
¡°You like blue. We all know that.¡±
Violet gently patted Tess¡¯s shoulder, putting a slight pushing force on her to guide Tess inside.
After taking a few steps, Tess smelled a faint fragrance.
She felt lost in a dream, wrapped in afortable breeze.
¡°Rest well tonight. Tomorrow I¡¯ll take you to thepany and help you get familiar.¡±
Violet gently brushed the hair behind her ear, her smile warm.
Once the door closed and Tess was alone, she let out a long breath and held La, who had woken up at some point, close to her chest.
¡°La, Mommy brought you home.¡±
At her voice, La seemed to understand. She snuggled closer into her chest.
Their hands touched, warmth passing between them.
Tess got up and carried La to the bed.
The moment La touched the soft mattress, her chubby little face rxed, and she turned over, quickly drifting into steady breaths.
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Chapter 684 Wee Home
The next morning, when Tess opened the door, a maid was already waiting outside.
¡°Why didn¡¯t you knock?¡±
Tess closed the door softly, asking in a low voice.
¡°It waste after the flight yesterday, I was afraid you hadn¡¯t rested well.¡±
10 Free
Violet slowly stepped out from behind the maid, cing her palm on Tess¡¯s shoulder and patting it lightly.
¡°If you¡¯re rested, we¡¯ll head to thepany.¡±
¡°Oh, right.¡±
She suddenly remembered something. She pulled the servant forward and gently pushed her toward Tess. ¡°From now on, she¡¯ll handle most things for you and La.¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, my name is Nora Linwood. Just let me know if you need anything.¡±
Nora introduced herself respectfully.
¡°Okay.¡±
Tess smiled and nodded, then pointed toward the room. ¡°La is still asleep. Since Ms. Larson and I are going to thepany, please look after her.¡±
C
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 685
Chapter 685 New CEO
Chapter 685 New CEO
¡°Of course.¡±
Violet smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
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Larson Group.
A name that had rarely made the financial headlines in recent years, a synonym for low¨Ckey prestige. Though hardly mentioned now, it remained the stabilizing pir of the entire Crorus financial sphere.
The calm, deep sea finally stirred at this moment.
¡°Have you heard? Ourpany may have a new heiress.¡±
It was a slow period at the front desk, and a quick¨Cwitted young woman spoke up first.
Hearing this, everyone gathered around wore confused expressions. Among them, a woman who looked like the bossy big¨Csister type raised a brow. ¡°A new heiress? What new heiress? Ms. Larson has been in charge for almost 30 years. Who could possibly shake her position? Her two daughters aren¡¯t even adults yet, so that¡¯s impossible.¡±
She analyzed with obvious disdain, looking toward the young receptionist with a hint of
contempt.
But the young receptionist acted as if she didn¡¯t notice, tilting her head. ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be the case. My dad works for the Shaws, and he heard it straight from Mr. Shaw himself!¡±
¡°Mr. Shaw?¡±
The moment this title came out, everyone gasped and huddled even closer.
Lucinda¡¯s father worked as a butler for the Shaws. If he really said it, then it was probably true. But the point was, why would such newse from Mr. Shaw himself?
The big¨Csister type folded her arms. ¡°Lucinda, I think you¡¯ve gone crazy trying to get attention. The Shaws and ourpany barely have any interaction except for that recent coboration. If we really had an heir iing, that news shouldn¡¯t be known by Mr. Shaw before anyone else.¡±
The others hesitated for a moment, then nodded repeatedly.
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Chapter 685 New CEO
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¡°Exactly, Heather is right! Even we people inside the Shaw circle don¡¯t know anything. If there really is news, it would be hidden at the upper level. Why would it be leaked to Mr. Shaw?¡±
Someone eager to tter Heather Einman spoke immediately, casting a condescending nce at Lucinda.
Lucinda Darman opened her mouth wanting to say something, but Heather¡¯s sharp re forced her to swallow the words back down. She could onlyin silently in her heart.
What ¡°inside the Shaw circle¡°? At the end of the day, she was just a receptionist. And somehow she¡¯s iming to have better intel than Mr. Shaw?
But Lucinda also knew Heather had never liked her. No matter what she said now, it would be useless. She only wanted to share some gossip, so if things turned tense on the surface, it wouldn¡¯t be worth it.
She could only sit back down.
¡°Ms. Larson is back!¡±
Someone ran from the entrance, shouting.
The receptionists immediately returned to their seats, straightening their posture and putting on professional, official smiles.
¡°Ms. Larson¡ Welc-¡±
When they saw the person walking up, the word ¡°wee¡± got stuck in their throats. None of them could
Their
say - it.
eyes widened.
What were they seeing?
Who was that person? How dare she stand in front of Ms. Larson? And Ms. Larson wasn¡¯t displeased at all. Instead, she was smiling brightly behind her, asionally leaning forward to whisper something.
Heather suddenly snapped her head toward Lucinda.
Could what Lucinda said actually be true?
¡°This is the new iing CEO.¡±
Seeing the stunned and nk¨Cfaced receptionists, Violet withdrew the warm expression she
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Chapter 685 New CEO
had shown Tess. Her tone naturally carried the cold authority of someone in power.
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The receptionists were instantly intimidated, standing straighter as they bowed 90 degrees toward Tess. ¡°Greetings!¡±
Heather, as the leader, lifted her head first and saw a clean, elegant, indifferent face.
The woman lifted a finger slightly. Her features were delicate, her temperament refined, and even her voice seemed like a handful of snow from the mountains.
¡°Greetings.¡±
Her cool voice lingered in the air as she strode away, leaving only the drifting hem of her gauzy dress behind.
At this moment, inside the board office¡
¡°How¡¯s the preparation? Tess will be here any moment!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t rush me, don¡¯t rush me. This is important; I¡¯m not going to mess it up.¡±
¡°Gosh, let me check, might as well look through the documents again.¡±
The spacious office was crowded with several elderly men with graying hair. Their eyes were full of excitement as they pushed each other aside to look through the stack of thick documents on the desk.
¡°Never thought it would happen. I¡¯ve been worrying about the Larsons every day¨Cafraid that once I kick the bucket, there¡¯ll be no one to take over.¡±
¡°Exactly! Good thing they brought her back from Aetheris!¡±
¡°The
person
chosen by Violet and Gillian can¡¯t possibly be wrong!¡±
These words fully expressed everyone¡¯s sentiment. Their hearty, resonantughter filled the entire office.
¡°What are you allughing at?¡±
A teasing female voice appeared along with the sound of the door opening.
Violet wore a yful look on her eyes.
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Chapter 685 New CEO
The elders all stood up at once, looking behind her. ¡°Violet, why are you alone?¡±
They craned their necks, nearly calling out Tess¡¯s name directly.
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Violet knew these old rascals far too well. Just looking at their expressions, she already knew exactly what they were thinking before they even asked.
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Chapter 686 Sudden Appointment
Chapter 686 Sudden Appointment.
¡°I¡¯ve made arrangements with the media. Send someone to help Tess prepare for the interview.¡±
The few old rascals slumped back into their seats.
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But one of them suddenly straightened his expression and looked toward Violet. ¡°Isn¡¯t the Shawsing today? The previous coboration still needs a wrap¨Cup.¡±
Violet paused for a moment, frowned, and asked back, ¡°When did we schedule something with the Shaws for today?¡±
Hearing this, the shareholders all stared at each other in confusion.
Only then did Violet gradually recall the work emails she had handled in the studyst night.
She rubbed her forehead helplessly, faintly regretting it.
Working while exhausted really is a bad idea.
¡°I¡¯ll go deal with it.¡±
She pushed her chair back and walked out. After only a few steps, she heard a wave of noise ahead.
Looking closely, not far away, Tess was surrounded by arge crowd, microphones, and shes practically shoved into her face.
¡°Everyone, please make way, please stay calm! Everyone, please make way, please stay calm!¡±
The staff member assigned to guide Tess was squeezed so hard her face twisted. She could only raise her hands high to create a safe space between Tess and the reporters.
But no matter how she yelled, the frenzied reporters swarmed like mosquitoes that had smelled blood. ¡°Ms. Tess, is your sudden appointment as the Larson heiress linked to some kind of secret scandal? Or do you have some hidden identity?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, we heard you have a close rtionship with Mr. Shaw. Is your bing heir rted to that?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess¡¡±
Each question was sharper than thest. Even the staff shielding Tess looked unnerved, yet
:
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Chapter 686 Sudden Appointment.
Tess stood in the crowd like a deep, bottomless well.
She kept a faint, measured smile on her lips, but her eyes held no emotion.
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Under the staff¡¯s guidance, Tess kept walking. All the noise around her turned into a long staircase paved for her rise.
It wasn¡¯t until they reached a conference room that Tess turned back, curved her lips, and formally responded, ¡°Sudden appointment¡ Those words aren¡¯t quite right. It¡¯s more urate to say that I have finally returned. Even if I seem to appear out of thin air in your eyes, the Larson blood really does run in me. The reason I¡¯m standing here is that I have already passed the Larson family¡¯s tests.
¡°Also, Mr. Shaw doesn¡¯t seem powerful enough to single¨Chandedly control the Larsons¡® choice of heir, does he?¡± Tess gave a small smile. ¡°And one more thing¨Cthis is a business interview. I won¡¯t be responding to gossip. I hope you all understand.¡±
Tess smiled, nodded, and strode into the meeting room, her phone still in hand from her call with Violet earlier.
Because the media was invited, this meeting was public, and the doors were wide open.
By the time Tess walked in, the Shaws were already waiting. Which meant they must have clearly heard everything she¡¯d said outside.
Tess showed no reaction, but the reporters¡® eyes lit up, cameras raised high, terrified to miss even the tiniest expression, especially from Abel¡¯s side.
Everyone knew Abel: roguishly handsome, cold and moody,zy yet dangerous. If he heard Tess say that about the Shaws, how would he react?
The reporters¡® eyes glowed with excitement, but they were thoroughly disappointed.
The most ¡°rebellious¡± Abel remained astonishingly calm, as if Tess had never mentioned him at all.
¡°Ms. Ember, have some tea.¡±
What shocked everyone even more was that Abel personally got up and poured Tess a cup of
tea.
Miranda¡¯s face grew so stiff she could barely maintain her grace, and she could only shoot Abel a sharp re, warning him not to make a scene.
Abel ignored herpletely.
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Chapter 686 Sudden Appointment.
¡°Do you want pastries?¡±
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Tess looked at the tea ced by her hand and at the te of pastries almost shoved to her face, her mouth twitching.
¡°Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Shaw.¡±
She politely pushed both items away.
Only then did Miranda¡¯s anger subside slightly.
Fortunately, Tess knew how to observe the situation.
But Demi frowned tightly.
Tess was the soon¨Cto¨Cbe publicly announced Larson heiress. That meant she would no longer be the pitiful left¨Cbehind child of Krigan, nor the mother struggling with humiliation in Aetheris. She would be the controller standing at the peak of Crorus¡¯s financial pyramid.
This identity¡
The more Demi thought about it, the more regret filled her clenched palms.
Had she known Tess had such a background, she would have tried everything to keep her suppressed in Aetheris.
¡°The coboration between the Shaws and the Larson Groupst time went well. Ms. Ember, I hope and look forward to our next coboration.¡±
Abel extended his hand toward Tess, raising a brow with a yful, teasing look in his eyes.
Tess immediately understood, but she still shot him a warning re.
But Abel didn¡¯t withdraw his hand; he only smiled deeper.
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Chapter 687 Put Ourselves in Each Other¡¯s Shoes
Chapter 687 Put Ourselves in Each Other¡¯s Shoes
To avoid making Abel feel awkward, Tess had no choice but to extend her hand.
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Under the gaze of everyone in the conference hall, and surrounded by the shing cameras of the media, their fingers inteced, and they shook hands lightly.
Abel deliberately avoided everyone¡¯s gaze and lightly scratched Tess¡¯s palm with his fingertip.
Tess¡¯s pupils widened. She immediately looked up and gave him a sharp re.
Abel showed no sign of anger. Instead, he flicked the tip of his tongue against his lips, and his eyes shimmered with a teasing, ambiguous light.
The friendly appearance of the two left the media exchanging confused looks.
What on earth is going on?
¡°Alright, since everyone is here, let¡¯s take this chance to get serious.¡±
Violet suddenly spoke, then stood up, her posture straight and her expression serious.
She walked slowly to Tess, grabbed her wrist, and raised her arm. ¡°The media is here as well, so let them witness this.
¡°Tess will be the Larson heiress!¡±
The room erupted in a murmur.
No one expected it to be real.
¡°Ms. Larson, isn¡¯t this a bit too hasty?¡±
Demi stood up and asked, her face showing the right amount of concern for the Larsons, tempered by the natural politeness of an outsider.
Her questioning voice stood out clearly among the murmurs.
Violet turned to look at Demi.
She bit her lip, but no matter how she tried to suppress it, the jealousy in her eyes was still
obvious.
¡°The Larsons rarely appear in public. Suddenly announcing major news, especially a change in
Chapter 687 Put Ourselves in Each Other¡¯s Shoes
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leadership, will inevitably leave people with a poor impression of Tess. I suggest observing her for a period of time first. This will help her gain the confidence of her subordinates and give others time to adjust to the news.¡±
Demi subtly masked the darker emotions on her face, appearing genuinely concerned for both the family and Tess.
¡°Since Ms. Shaw says so, I do have something to object to,¡± Tess said with a lightugh, casually rubbing her fingers together, then looked up. ¡°Ms. Shaw already said the Larsons rarely appear. You call me the ¡®bomb¡®, disrupting this calm? I can¡¯t very well refuse.¡±
Tess straightened up and gave a slight bow.
Though it was such a simple gesture, Demi clearly saw the rebuttal in it.
Tess met Demi¡¯s gaze calmly,posed and self¨Cassured, radiating an alluring, cool aura.
¡°Ms. Tess, although we are here to wrap up thest coboration, given this situation, as two families who have maintained rtively good rtions with the Larsons, it¡¯s only natural that a little extra concern is offered.¡±
Miranda was moreposed inparison, but the grip of her fingers around her teacup betrayed her inner tension.
Tess nodded politely, giving her the respect she expected.
¡°If I were Ms. Larson, at least today, I wouldn¡¯t make you the official heiress yet.
¡°Being an heiress doesn¡¯t just mean supreme status. It also carries the responsibilities and obligations thate with it.¡±
Miranda trailed off, her gaze lingering on Tess, silent but signaling the weight of the issue. The reporters, all keen observers, immediately caught on to the nuance of Miranda¡¯s message.
¡°Ms. Larson, may I ask why the Larsons are in such a hurry to find an heir? Is there an internal problem?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, youck formal financial training. As far as I know, you majored inw and
on the family
previously worked as awyer in Aetheris. Do you really have the courage to take an
business?¡±
:
Gradually, the reporters¡® questions carried both curiosity and subtle mockery.
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Chapter 687 Put Ourselves in Each Other¡¯s Shoes
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Abel¡¯s mouth had unknowingly tightened, his deep¨Cset eyes watching Tess intently. His flickeringshes trembled slightly, like a small fan brushing the air.
Abel frowned slightly as he watched Demi and Miranda stand one after another. The faces that had expected joy at seeing Tess now carried hints of gloom.
¡°Mrs. Shaw, forgive me for letting a hint of a mischievous suspicion slip.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice rang out. Miranda stiffened instantly upon hearing it, sensing a faint omen.
¡°I remember that Mrs. Shaw has been avoiding external business meetings. Could your presence here today mean that something is wrong with the Shaws?¡±
¡°Nonsense!¡±
Mentioning the Shaws triggered Miranda¡¯s reflex. She mmed her palm onto the table.
In her mind, the two most important things were Abel and the Shaws¡® honor and position.
This kind of question carried an implicit curse¨Csomething she could never allow herself to hear.
¡°Madam, let¡¯s put ourselves in each other¡¯s shoes.¡±
Tess smiled, leaning slightly back into the soft chair.
Only then did Miranda realize that while she had been trying to provoke, Tess had subtly turned the situation around, leaving her a bit embarrassed.
¡°But as the media said, it¡¯s true that youck experience.¡±
Tess¡¯s face showed humility. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, you¡¯re joking. I¡¯m not the only one inheriting the family. I simply have eyes and hands to learn with¡ªthat¡¯s all.¡±
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Keepsake 688
Chapter 688 Overwhelming Enthusiasm
¡°Besides, experience is just experience. I¡¯m not dead yet. With me around, Tess can learn slowly. What¡¯s there that she can¡¯t learn?¡±
Violet also stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping across everyone, the force behind her words so powerful it was almost intimidating.
It was as if anyone who spoke out of turn next would immediately get pped in the face.
She was backing her up.
Tess felt her nose tingle, a warm happiness spreading through her limbs and gathering finally in her chest.
¡°Years Later, the Larsons Announce an Heiress.¡±
TessEmber
Besides the trending news about the Larsons¡® heir announcement, Tess¡¯s name also suddenly went viral.
After the meeting ended, Violet personally led Tess to the office.
Tess was apanied by Violet¡¯s assistant, who carefully guided her through some basic corporate management knowledge.
The events at the meeting had reminded Violet of one thing.
Even though Tess was a Larson, her sudden appearance would inevitably attract criticism. So the quickest way to gain respect was to help her grow fast.
Violet¡¯s expression softened as she looked at Tess, who was bent over the desk, absorbed in her work.
Bang!
Suddenly, Violet¡¯s office door was kicked open without warning.
A group of old rascals filed in one after another.
¡°Violet, I knew you were being unfair. We wanted to meet Tess first, and you dragged her off to
Chapter 688 Overwhelming Enthusiasm
a meeting. Now you¡¯ve hidden her away again!¡±
The one at the front looked the oldest, his beard and eyebrows white.
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¡°Violet, Tess is a treasure, and she belongs to all of us. You can¡¯t keep her all to yourself!¡±
They jostled their way right up to Tess.
Tess had to pause her work, looking up at the cager old men craning their necks toward her. She felt inexplicably embarrassed.
Violet rubbed her forehead.
She had heard most of the conversation in the conference room and was so focused on teaching Tess that she hadpletely forgotten about these troublemakers.
The ¡°troublemakers¡± were now fully exerting their ¡°senior impudence.¡±
¡°Ugh, what kind of teaching is this? I thought you¡¯d at least teach something useful, Violet. Kid, don¡¯t just stare,e sit with your grandparents.¡±
The old man with long eyebrows tried to pull Tess, grinning, but she didn¡¯t budge. He straightened, preparing to reach for her again, but Tess stopped him first.
She said apologetically, ¡°Everyone, I¡¯m an outsider here. I should start from the basics.¡±
m!
The old man mmed his palm on the table, ring at Tess. ¡°What do you need to learn? Do you still think you won¡¯t get it after following us? Why be so rigid?¡±
Violet frowned slightly, scanning the old rascals with her eyes.
These were all legends in the investment and financial world, each with a storied career. Indeed, instead of boring Tess with dry lessons, it was far better to have her follow these old pros. Their methods might be unrefined, but their skills were real.
¡°You make it sound like I¡¯m deliberately hiding my own skills.¡±
Violet raised an eyebrow, a hint of yful reproach in her gaze.
¡°But since you all insist, Tess, why don¡¯t you follow them and learn? Tomorrow, thepany will hold a special press conference for you. That¡¯s when your status will be publicly
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Chapter 688 Overwhelming Enthusiasm
announced¨Cthe Larsons finally have a new heiress after more than 30 years.¡±
Her tone carried excitement, her eyes full of encouragement and joy for Tess.
The old rascals nodded repeatedly, their gazes warm and affectionate.
Smart, humble¨Ctruly a Larson.
¡°Good girl, before you officially take office, you¡¯ll follow us.¡±
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The long¨Cbrowed elder at the front patted his chest confidently, as if he could personally train Tess into a top¨Css heir.
¡°This is Bob Jameson. Besides your grandmother, he¡¯s thergest shareholder in Larson Group and a legendary figure in the business world years ago. Following him, you¡¯ll learn a lot.¡±
Violet smiled gently and helped with the introduction.
Bob waved his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t mind her. She¡¯s being too formal.¡±
He leaned forward with a smile, extending his hand to Tess. ¡°I¡¯m a little clumsy with finance and management, but if you have any questions, my office is just around the corner from yours.¡±
¡°You can also ask me. My surname¡¯s Wendell. I may not be as experienced as Bob, but I¡¯m well- known in Kingnd!¡±
¡°And me! Hey, you bunch of old farts, stop pushing! Tess, call me Alicia. I¡¯ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. Teaching you will be more than enough.¡±
The old men and women pushed and nudged each other just to get closer to Tess.
Their enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Surrounded and jostled, with chatter all around, Tess didn¡¯t feel annoyed at all.
Instead, warmth filled her heart.
Though Kingnd should have beenpletely unfamiliar to her, the Larsons and thesepany veterans made her feel entirely at home.
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Chapter 689 Reborn
Chapter 689 Reborn
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¡°Alright, if there¡¯s anything, I hope you all can guide me. Please don¡¯t dismiss my questions as too basic or childish.¡±
Tess stuck her tongue out yfully, her face full of happiness.
Violet stared at Tess, somewhat surprised.
She had never seen her look so girlish.
In thisfortable environment, Tess had instinctively shed the protective, aloof shell she usually wore.
A look of relief passed through Violet¡¯s eyes.
The Larsons were a powerful family, and they wanted to give the younger generation the confidence to feel free.
¡°Alright, there¡¯s plenty of time to deal withpany matterster.¡±
Violet patted Tess on the shoulder, pulling her away from the shareholders¡® chatter.
As Tess stepped back, the old rascals immediately made some noise, dissatisfied.
Violet clearly ignored their habitual antics.
¡°You¡¯ve just started, and you must be tired after learning all this. Go home for now, get ready for tomorrow¡¯s press conference, and La is waiting for you at home.¡±
Violet nodded to Tess, subtly reminding her.
Tess immediately straightened up. ¡°Okay!¡±
Then, she bowed apologetically to the shareholders and took her leave.¡±
Hearing Violet¡¯s words, the old rascals couldn¡¯t stop her, but once Tess left, their attention immediately turned to Violet. ¡°Violet, just now you said ¡®La¡®¨Cwhat¡¯s that? Tess¡¯s pet cat or dog?¡±
¡°No.
¡°It¡¯s Tess¡¯s daughter. Her biological daughter.¡±
The announcementnded, and the office fell silent for a moment.
¡°What?¡±
Alicia Kent eximed, eyes wide, grabbing Violet¡¯s sleeve in excitement. ¡°Tess has a biological daughter?¡± She repeated it in shock, eyes scanning those around her, and sure enough, everyone¡¯s faces mirrored the same surprise and joy.
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¡°Unbelievable. Tess is so young, and she already has a daughter.
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Bob rubbed his hands together, immediately jumping in, ¡°Violet, tomorrow I will pay your mother a visit.
Violet was speechless.
Was he visiting Olivia, or nning to see Tess¡¯s daughter?
Violet didn¡¯t bother rifying, simply smiled and nodded.
A five¨Cstar hotel, executive suite.
¡°Mr. Lock, Ms. Tess has returned to the Larsons, and¡¡± He stepped forward, handing a tablet to Finn. ¡°The Larsons couldn¡¯t wait¨Cthey invited the media early to preheat the news of Ms. Ember inheriting the family,¡±
Finn¡¯s fingertips paused over the screen, lingering on Tess¡¯s photo.
He stood in silence, the air around him heavy with gloom.
Zane felt short of breath and nervously broke the silence, ¡°By the way, the Shaws also know you¡¯re in Kingnd. Mr. Shaw¡¯s mother requested a meeting with you.¡±
Finally, Finn¡¯s face showed a reaction.
¡°Meet me?¡±
He let out a low, coldugh.
Zane hesitated before asking, ¡°Should I decline?¡±
¡°No need. If she wants to meet, let here. Contact her. I want to hear what she has to say.¡±
Finn locked the tablet and handed it back to Zane.
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll arrange it immediately.¡±
Zane left in a hurry for his room.
Finn stood there, slightly dazed, pulling back the sheer curtain. Outside the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, the streets were bustling with traffic.
For a moment, he reflected on why he hade back here again.
Because of Tess.
But should he really be here?
Finn¡¯s eyshes trembled slightly, then fell.
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¡°I hope this trip isn¡¯t for nothing. Tess
He moved his lips in a soft whisper, calling her name with enfimed banging
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in Aetheris.
With Tess gone to Kingnd, some people were acting holder.
Nadine and Max met at a small, niche caf¨¦.
Max raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°Tess just left, and you¡¯re already in such a hurry?
Nadine bit her lip.
Compared to thest time she saw Max, she was calmer now, but the resentment inside still lingezet
She clenched her fists.
If she hadn¡¯t identally overheard Henry and Shannon¡¯s conversation, she wouldn¡¯t have known they had already given up on her while she had been running around for their n
She even remembered the recent incident at the hospital, when Henry had kicked her mercilessly
Without a shred of pity.
In fact, she should have seen the signs from the start.
¡°This is also to show my determination to cooperate with you?
Nadine lifted her gaze, calm and resolute.
Max unexpectedly touched her chin, studying her carefully.
¡°Some say that when someone¡¯s faith copses, it¡¯s like being reborn. You seem somewhat unfamiliar to me.¡±
V
Max smiled faintly, but suddenly his expression shifted, his eyes flickering for a moment.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 690
Chapter 690 A Spectacle in Itself
Back then, when Tess got out of prison, it was that same sense of unfamiliarity.
¡°I¡¯m different from her.¡±
Max hadn¡¯t yet recovered, but Nadine¡¯s voice appeared in his cars.
¡°Oh?¡±
He subtly pulled his thoughts back, looking at Nadine with interest.
Nadine lifted her chin slightly, as if seeing through what Max had just been thinking.
¡°Of course, you are different. You can¡¯tpare to her.¡±
Max let out a faint scoff.
Nadine¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but her fingers gripping the coffee cup tightened.
His gaze fell teasingly on her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t crush it.¡±
Nadine blinked as if waking from a dream, immediately loosening her grip.
¡°Hahaha.¡±
Max threw his head back in a bright, carefreeugh, but in his eyes was the familiar glint of Nadine¡¯s disdain.
¡°Nadine, I thought maybe you had grown a bit.¡±
His eyes were teasing, half¨Csmiling.
Nadine forced calm. ¡°I won¡¯tpare myself to her anymore.¡±
As she spoke, her chest rose and fell, her determined face making it feel like a silent vow.
Max raised an eyebrow, not taking it seriously. ¡°Let¡¯s hope so.
¡°Tell me, what do you want from me today?¡±
He shot her a sideways nce and watched as sheposed herself, cing a tiny empty vial, barely the size of a pinky, on the table.
Max frowned. ¡°What is this?¡±
¡°To show sincerity, I¡¯ll tell you a secret.¡±
Nadine looked up, locking her gaze on Max¡¯s eyes.
Max furrowed his brow, taking her seriously.
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Then, Nadine began to exin. ¡°This was something broken by the maid in the apartment some time ago. It was used by Shannon.
¡°I felt Shannon¡¯s recent mood and behavior were off, so I investigated this.
She deliberately pressed her lips together, pausing briefly.
¡°Don¡¯t y games with me. What did you find?¡±
Max tapped the table, urging her to continue.
¡°It contains a type of psychoactive drug, which can cause hallucinations and agitation. She rarely interacts with others in the apartment, but the fact that she prepared this means she already had a target in mind.¡±
¡°To use on you?¡±
Max¡¯s brows knit as he studied Nadine.
¡°I know I¡¯ve done nothing wrong. And among the others around her, apart from Henry, there¡¯s only Kaleb -her biological son.¡±
Nadine bit her lip as she spoke, her gaze lowered, darkened.
They nned to involve Kaleb, but never considered her.
The hurt and resentment gathered in her chest, curling into her fingertips as her hand slowly clenched.
¡°You mean Henry?¡±
Max was at a loss.
He had previously investigated Henry and Shannon¡¯s background. They had been childhood sweethearts, inseparable. Henry had never forgotten Shannon, especially after meeting Kylie, who was even more beautiful and powerful. He had pampered her abroad all these years, even traveling back and forth to see
her.
With such deep ties, why would Shannon suddenly target Henry?
Max stared at Nadine, trying to gauge the credibility of her words.
¡°You don¡¯t need to doubt I¡¯m lying.¡±
Nadine saw through his thoughts.
¡°Henry and Shannon have decided to abandon me. Now, I only have you to cooperate with¨Cit¡¯s all or nothing. I wouldn¡¯t be foolish enough to get rid of you, myst partner.¡±
Her voice was steady, her gaze unwavering.
It truly didn¡¯t seem like a lie.
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Chapter 690 A Spectacle in Itself
¡°Then why do you think Shannon would do this?¡±
Max rxed slightly, leaning backzily, casual as ever.
¡°One¡¯s love can be worn down over time and disappointment.¡±
Nadine narrowed her eyes, thoughtful.
¡°I can feel how much Henry neglects Shannon now. She must know it better than I do.¡±
¡°But that still doesn¡¯t justify her targeting Henry, does it?¡±
Max asked, his gaze pressing.
¡°If it were you, why share your fortune with someone who doesn¡¯t care about you? And have everything depend on their mood?¡±
Nadine countered, her eyes bright.
Max frowned, thinking. Somehow, it made sense.
¡°Then why are you telling me private affairs.¡±
is? You know I work with you and Henry, and I¡¯m not interested in their
He lifted his chin, expression cold.
¡°Precisely why it matters!¡±
Nadine stepped closer. ¡°Henry and Shannon bickering creates an opportunity for us, doesn¡¯t it? And watching childhood sweethearts turn against each other is a spectacle in itself.¡±
Max¡¯s gaze locked with hers, the air between them almost crackling with electricity.
After a long moment, Max let out a lightugh, breaking the silence.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 691
Chapter 691 Dreams of Bing a Shaw
¡°Hahaha! Henry really did have a good daughter! Interesting!¡±
He threw back his head andughed, but in the next moment, his smile faded.
¡°Alright. I¡¯m intrigued. If this show¡¯s any good, you will get the benefits.¡±
Nadine quickly straightened up, nodding repeatedly.
¡°Since you¡¯ve already noticed, pay extra attention to their reactions, especially Shannon. If she¡¯s already making a move against Henry, then she¡¯s definitely preparing to act behind the scenes. Keep an eye on her for me.¡±
Max tapped on the table to warn her.
Of course, Nadine nodded respectfully.
After she left, Max¡¯s gaze lingered on the floor, slightly dazed.
Would Tess really agree to his request just to trade for Nichs¡¯s wife?
Max clenched his hands.
After all, no matter what, he wanted some connection with Tess.
But when it came to serious matters, he would still try to choose what benefited him the most.
As for Tess, being with him wouldn¡¯t be bad, right? Once he seeded and gained fame, he naturally wouldn¡¯t wrong her.
Max¡¯s gaze wavered, drifting between reality and imagination.
Shaws Residence.
It was noon, during a family banquet.
Gideon sat in the main seat, his expression unpredictable, his slightly darkened eyes flicking over Abel.
¡°I heard you¡¯ve been involved with your uncle¡¯s ex¨Cwife?¡±
Gideon¡¯s voice was hoarse, rumbling like thunder, terrifying to hear.
Abel had already anticipated this, and his response was calm, ¡°Grandpa, as you said, she¡¯s his ex¨Cwife.¡±
m!
The words had barely fallen when Gideon mmed his hand on the table, sending tes and cups jumping.
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Chapter 691 Dreams of Bing a Shaw
His face instantly filled with fitry, his eyes locked on Abel. ¡°That¡¯s your uncle With to dry wound in the would you had to fixate on that me?
His anger grew so much that he pushed back his chair and stood up
¡°I knew it, in recent years, you¡¯ve been spouting nonsense about finding someone. This year, you stayed in Aetheris and couldn¡¯t be called back, no matter what. Who knew that while searching, you¡¯d end up with your uncle¡¯s ex¨Cwife!¡±
He shook his head in anger, sighing.
Abel kept his head down, silent, letting Gideon vent his fury.
¡°Break it off immediately. Your mother told me too. Tomorrow¨Cno, this afternoon¨Cyou¡¯ll be set up to meet the socialites in Kingnd. Forget her, and don¡¯t get tangled up with her again.¡±
Gideon¡¯s cane thudded heavily on the floor.
Abel¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change as he stood up. ¡°Grandpa, no matter what, I won¡¯t marry anyone but her this lifetime.¡±
Gideon¡¯s eyes widened, staring at his most aplished grandson, a surge of rage hitting his skull.
He mmed the cane into Abel¡¯s back. ¡°Nonsense!¡±
Abel grunted, yet still kept his posture upright.
Seeing this, Gideon¡¯s heart sank.
¡°Abel, do you know who you are? You¡¯re the eldest grandson of the Shaws, the one who will inherit the family. You want to marry that Tess, do you want to make aughingstock of yourself in Kingnd?¡±
¡°Who dares to deep, squeezing out the words through clenched teeth, carrying the momentum of a thousand soldiers.
Gideon, seeing him stubborn, rolled his eyes and slumped into his chair. ¡°Crazy! You¡¯re insane!¡±
Abel sat silently, while the patriarch red at him.
¡°Why are you still here? Dinner? I warn you, if you insist on getting tangled with her and making things unclear, get out of the Shaws! We don¡¯t support jokes!¡±
He snorted, mmed his cane down, and turned his face away.
The air around froze almostpletely. Just as Gideon thought Abel would relent, he pursed his lips, stood up, and said, ¡°Grandpa, thank you for raising me, and for the care the Shaws have given me all my life.¡±
The patriarch¡¯s face stiffened.
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Chapter 691 Dreams of Bing a Shaw
+10 Free Coins
He spun around, seeing Abel had already risen and was leaving, his back radiating a ho determination.
Abel walked out of the dining room.
Gideon hadn¡¯t yet recovered when Miranda¨Csilent until now¨Cshouted in frustration, ¡°Who knows what that woman put into his head! He¡¯s abandoning the family just to be with her!¡±
Demi quickly chimed in, ¡°Abel is still separate love from responsibility.¡±
ung. At his age, emotions are most important, and it¡¯s hard to
¡°He¡¯s over twenty! He¡¯s not a child anymore. Doesn¡¯t he know the responsibilities he carries as a Shaw?¡±
Miranda rubbed her temples irritably.
¡°Or as we discussed before. Abel is too born to change. Since we can¡¯t intervene here, why not try
approaching Tess?¡±
¡°Approach her?¡±
Miranda snorted, eyes full of disdain, ¡°Why would she ever agree to leave Abel? She probably dreams of bing a Shaw!¡±
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 692
Chapter 692 It Is Simply Not Permitted
Demi suddenly leaned close to Miranda¡¯s car with a mysterious air. ¡°Mom, what does the dream abona? Even if she wants in, doesn¡¯t she still need you and Grandpa¡¯s approval? People from small ces always overestimate themselves. If you tell her the pros and cons, put a little pressure on her, then..¡±
Miranda¡¯s fingertips froze.
Their eyes met, and almost instantly, they understood each other.
Gideon looked at the two of them and probably realized that they already had a n
¡°Since you have a method, handle it quickly,¡±
He snorted, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling spread of dishes on the table, feeling, uninterested, and then, leaning on his cane, he trudged back to his room.
¡°And Finn came along as well. As long as that Tess woman can get back together with Finn, maybe she won¡¯t bother my foolish son anymore.¡±
Miranda bit her lip.
Demi shook her head. ¡°Tess is now the Larson heiress, and with Abel by her side, why would she ever turn back on such an outstanding man?¡±
Hearing this, Miranda¡¯s temper red.
Yesterday, she had deliberately gone to the airport to intercept Tess, hoping to embarrass her. But instead, she ended up making a fool of herself and losing face.
She had specifically investigated Tess¨Ca woman from a small, remote city¨Chow did she suddenly be the Larson heiress?
She swallowed her displeasure with difficulty.
¡°Then I don¡¯t care. Even if she won¡¯t turn back, she cannot disrupt my Abel. As his mother, I will not allow such a vulgar, meddlesome woman into the family!¡±
Miranda mmed the table, rattling the utensils.
Demi could only rub her shoulders to calm her down, but a trace of satisfaction glimmered in her eyes behind Miranda¡¯s back.
She clearly understood how important Tess was to Abel
NOY
a
Near Abel¡¯s room, there was another adjacent room¨Cessentially his private space. No servant was ever allowed inside, and he cleaned it himself.
Once, Demi went up to find Abel and identally stepped inside. She was briefly stunned by the scene. The room was filled with countless sculptures and portraits of the same woman.
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Chapter 692 It Is Simply Not Permitted
Now it seemed that the woman was Tess.
+10 Free Coires
Abel wasn¡¯t as simple¨Cminded as he appeared. On the contrary, he was extremely calcting, obsessive,
and stern.
A man like him, who had loved a woman gradually fading from his memory for so many years, now finally had the chance to stand by her side¨Chow could he ever let that opportunity slip away?
And that suited Demi perfectly.
It should be this way.
Abel, never let Tess go.
Demi narrowed her eyes in satisfaction, but the expression was
worry.
¡°Just in time, I¡¯ve arranged to meet Finn. Youe with me.¡±
Miranda got up and walked toward the cloakroom.
Demi hurried to follow.
quickly suppressed by an outward show of
Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of a minimalist¨Cstyle restaurant.
The moment the receptionist saw them, their eyes lit up, and they respectfully stepped forward, slightly bowing. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, Ms. Shaw, Mr. Lock has specially prepared a private room and is already waiting upstairs on the third floor. Please follow me.¡±
Miranda and Demi exchanged a nce and followed.
On the third floor, when the door opened, Miranda¡¯s eyes immediately fell on the man seated directly opposite.
Although his face still looked young, the man exuded an unusually calm andmanding aura, giving
who looked at him a sense of peace. anyone
¡°Sit.¡±
Finn lifted his gaze at the sound, his eyes deep, indicating the empty seat directly in front of him.
Miranda and Demi nodded and sat down, but their gaze remained fixed on Finn.
Miranda couldn¡¯t help but feel a little sentimental.
After all this time, he was bing more and more like his mother.
¡°Finny¡¡±
¡°Call me Finn.¡±
Chapter 692 It Is Simply Not l¡¯ermitted
Miranda blinked, startled by the stern tone,
¡°Alright,¡± Miranda swallowed and said, ¡°Mr. Finn Lock from Aetheris
The address felt unusually formal. Miranda¡¯s eyes flickered subtly, but Finn showed no reaction. maintaining a cold demeanor.
¡°This matter is indeed Abel¡¯s fault. Logically and emotionally, he shouldn¡¯t have had any entanglement with Tess,¡±
Miranda lowered her gaze.
Finn raised a slight brow, clearly already aware of what she was about to say. He didn¡¯t respond immediately, idly tapping his fingers on the table, waiting for her to continue.
¡°We will try our best to persuade Abel to ensure he won¡¯t continue entangling himself with Tess.¡±
Miranda pursed her lips and hesitated, sensing the slightly tense atmosphere.
¡°Abel won¡¯t listen to you.¡±
Finn finally spoke, and Miranda, just having breathed a small sigh of relief, felt her heart skip a beat under his cold gaze.
As Abel¡¯s mother, she knew he was right.
¡°He is the only heir of the Shaws and the most promising descendant. The Shaws will not allow him to choose Tess as his wife, whether for your reasons or for the family. It is simply not permitted.¡±
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 693
Chapter 693 The Invitation
Miranda pulled back the expression on her face, her cheeks tense, carrying a firmer, more authoritative air.
Finn stared into Miranda¡¯s eyes. ¡°So, how do you n to talk to him? I that will that work?¡±
? Do you think
¡°He¡¯s been the envy of Kingnd since he was a child, the heir apparent of the Shaws, enjoying all the privileges our family could provide. It¡¯s precisely because of this carefree life that he indulges in his romantic whims,¡± Miranda said, clenching her cup and lowering her gaze. ¡°The heir carries the honor of the family; he cannot be selfish.¡±
She lifted her head, her voice cold and resolute, as if making a promise to Finn. ¡°If he refuses to give up Tess, then he must give up his position as the Shaw heir.¡±
Finn¡¯s usually indifferent eyes flickered with a trace of surprise.
He hadn¡¯t expected Miranda to go this far.
¡°I remember the Shaws have plenty of younger members. Are you really willing to hand over the heirship so easily?¡±
Finn squinted slightly.
Miranda lowered her gaze and let out a softugh. ¡°Mr. Lock, you¡¯ve always been someone above the rest in Kingnd. Naturally, you¡¯ve never known hardship. When you have no power, no status, and everyone can bully or take advantage of you, you realize that romantic whims are the most useless things in the world.¡±
She lifted her head, confident. ¡°Abel has never suffered; if he stubbornly wants to experience it, I¡¯ll wait at home for him to regret it.¡±
Finn stared at Miranda¡¯s face.
Her extreme need for control and her self¨Crighteousness were on full disy.
But he had to admit, what she said made sense.
So, Abel, what choice will you make?
Finn¡¯s gaze shifted, then he stood up, clearly unwilling to stay with Miranda any longer.
¡°Very well. I¡¯ll wait for good news.¡±
Chapter 693 The Invitation
s
¡°Also, I hope you make an effort, Mr. Lock. It seems you haven¡¯t let go of that woman yet. If your intention was to speak with me, you could have done so over the phone. Coming here specifically¡ It¡¯s because you¡¯re chasing her, isn¡¯t it?¡±
Miranda called out before he could leave.
Finn halted his steps, his fingertips curling slightly under his sleeve.
¡°Mr. Lock, I¡¯m actually surprised. I didn¡¯t expect you toe to us for a woman.
¡°What exactly is Tess capable of?¡±
Miranda¡¯s eyes were teasing, yet carried a hint of evaluation and curiosity.
Finn¡¯s gaze swept over her from top to bottom, cold as frost, revealing nothing.
¡°Noment.¡±
He strode away, the corner of his coat lifted by the wind, emanating a chill.
Miranda remained seated, her eyes vacant, deep in thought.
At that moment, Demi pushed the door open, her gaze still following Finn¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°Mom, are you done talking?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Miranda¡¯s expression softened slightly.
¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡±
Demi noticed the shift in Miranda¡¯s mood, looked at her a moment longer, but fearing her stern aura, didn¡¯t ask further, and quietly followed her out.
The two returned to the Shaws¡® residence.
Gideon was already waiting for them in the study.
¡°How did Finn respond?¡± he asked, sighing, repeatedly rubbing his brow with one hand.
He wondered what misfortune had struck; Abel had finally realized the truth. Even if the woman he liked came from a modest family, he considered himself not overly rigid¡ªbut why, of all people, did it have to be Finn¡¯s ex¨Cwife? And it looked like Finn hadn¡¯t moved on.
¡°He didn¡¯t say much. I just exined our n to him.¡±
2
Chapter 693 The Invitation
s
Gideon¡¯s expression darkened, and his brow deepened with worry. ¡°Abel is stubborn. What if he really¡¡±
He mmed the chair¡¯s armrest, his face full of concern.
¡°He¡¯s had it too easy; it¡¯s time he faces some hardship. Don¡¯t worry.¡±
Miranda spoke gently, her eyes deepening with thought.
Demi followed quietly, murmuring words of encouragement, though her own eyes were quietly calcting.
¡°By the way, I invited Tess to our home.¡±
Miranda spoke suddenly. Gideon, momentarily forgetting to sigh, widened his eyes. ¡°When?¡±
¡°In two hours.¡±
Miranda nced at the thin gold watch on her wrist.
Gideon frowned. ¡°She agreed toe? What about Abel? Does he know?¡±
¡°I specifically told her not to inform Abel. He¡¯s busy at thepany today, and when hest went to Aetheris, he left a lot of work unfinished.¡±
Miranda responded point by point, and Gideon nodded. ¡°Good, as long as Abel isn¡¯t around, it¡¯ll be easier to handle. I¡¯ll follow along too, just to see who this woman really is.¡±
He mmed the armrest, asserting authority without anger.
Larson Estate.
¡°You¡¯re going out?¡±
Tess handed La to the nanny and just reached for her bag when footsteps and a voice called out from behind.
She turned to see Violet watching her, curiosity in her eyes.
¡°Yes, the Shaws invited me over.¡±
Tess answered honestly, exining in full the email Miranda had sent her a few days ago.
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
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Chapter 693 The Invitation
s
Violet furrowed her brow, recalling the obvious hostility Miranda had shown at the airport. She immediately realized this invitation likely harbored no good intentions.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 694
Chapter 694 Completely Unnecessary
s
Her brows still didn¡¯t rx. ¡°Does Abel know? Do you want to tell him first? Even though she told you not to, are you really going to listen to her?¡±
She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at Tess, hinting.
¡°I can roughly guess what she wants to tell me. There¡¯s nothing danger trouble for me if Abel doesn¡¯t interfere.¡±
I actually, it¡¯s less
Tess replied calmly.
Violet stared at her face, and seeing Tess¡¯s mind was made up, didn¡¯t say anything further.
¡°Be careful. I¡¯ll have Vince escort you.¡±
Vince Harper had been a specially hired driver for the Larsons for many years. But he wasn¡¯t an ordinary driver¨Ctrained inbat, racing, and other specialized skills. Now older, he stayed with the Larsons for a peaceful life.
Tess didn¡¯t know Vince¡¯s background and nodded, en
But the nanny holding La was not so calm.
Violet¡¯s kindness.
Vince was the Larson family¡¯s specially hired driver and bodyguard in one¨Csomeone usually onlymanded by Olivia and Benjamin. Now, Violet had quietly assigned him to Tess.
The nanny couldn¡¯t help but nce cautiously at Tess¡¯s retreating figure.
It seemed that Tess¡¯s identity as the heiress was now firmly established! In the Larson family hierarchy, her status would likelye just after Olivia and Benjamin.
Tess had no idea what the servants were thinking. Under Vince¡¯s steady driving, she arrived at the Shaw Residence.
¡°Ms. Tess, pleasee in.¡±
Demi stood at the door. Seeing Tess, she opened it and led her toward the living room.
Tess didn¡¯t respond much, just walked silently to follow, as if the unpleasantness at the airport had never happened.
¡°Tess is here.¡±
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 694 Completely Unnecessary
20
s
Demi called out, and Gideon, originally sitting on the couch watching TV, immediately turned his gaze toward Tess.
He surveyed her almost without concealment, from head to toe.
Tess¡¯s faint frown showed a hint of resistance to such unabashed scrutiny.
¡°You must be Tess?¡±
Gideon¡¯s gaze was sharp, and even in his elderly, dim eyes, there remained a chilling authority.
Tess politely smiled. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me.¡±
Her tone was cold and aloof, her attitude calm and unyielding.
Gideon slightly furrowed his brow.
She wasn¡¯t afraid of him.
Almost every younger family member feared him, perhaps due to his usually grim expression, or perhaps because of the notorious reputation he carried.
But this woman in front of him appeared unusually calm.
¡°Do you know why the Shaws invited
you
here?¡±
Gideon raised an eyebrow and even leaned back on the couch slightly, his gaze nting, clearly not taking Tess seriously.
¡°Probably to keep me away from Abel.¡±
Tess smirked lightly, not raising her head.
Gideon nodded with satisfaction. ¡°Since you understand that, there¡¯s no need for us to say more, so things don¡¯t get ugly.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t respond, and Gideon continued as if she had silently agreed, ¡°Of course, I also know Abel is outstanding, one of the best among his peers. We understand if you don¡¯t want to give up. So, we will offer you certainpensation that is within reason.¡±
Tess lifted her eyes, as if she had heard something both ridiculous and amusing.
Miranda, though silent, had been watching Tess closely and naturally didn¡¯t miss the subtle gesture.
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
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Chapter 694 Completely Unnecessary
¡°Tess, what do you think?¡±
Miranda furrowed her brows and raised her chin slightly, adopting a haughty pose.
s
She nced at Tess. ¡°Of course, I advise you, following our instructions is the best choice. Even if you want to be with Abel, we will not agree. So you might as well stop the losses in time.¡±
Tess¡¯s lips carried a faint smile, yet she said nothing.
Demi¡¯s eyes showed curiosity as she asked, ¡°Ms. Tess, are you dissatisfied with our proposal?¡±
Tess, as ifing to a realization, curved her eyes and spread her hands. ¡°Not at all.¡±
Hearing this, both Gideon and Miranda exchanged a brief look filled with scorn.
Indeed.
This woman came for Abel¡¯s power and status, and now, with a little pressure, she was already changing her tune.
If Tess could hear their thoughts, she would probably roll her eyes on the spot.
¡°Very well. Since that¡¯s the case, we won¡¯t shortchange you. If you have any conditions, speak freely.¡±
Gideon tapped his cane, creating a dull sound on the floor to remind Tess.
Tess shrugged. ¡°I appreciate it, but I think you¡¯ve misunderstood.¡±
At these words, all three in the living room furrowed their brows simultaneously. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Tess pushed forward the teacup Demi had prepared for her, a gesture marking clear boundaries.
¡°Abel and I are just ordinary friends. I understand your concern, but as the person involved, I can only say it¡¯spletely unnecessary.¡±
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 695 They Just Served Me a Cup of Tea
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 695
Chapter 695 They Just Served Me a Cup of Tea
Tess smiled, the curve of her lips wless.
2
s
Removing herself from the role of the involved party, all the contempt and ridicule directed at Abel became nothing but an intangible shell.
She and Abel werepletely innocent. Whether it was Gideon¡¯s obvio prideful words, none of it could touch her.
¡°Impossible!¡±
n or Miranda¡¯s
Miranda mmed her hand on the coffee table, spilling the tea that had been poured.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m still willing to speak to you politely, so you should take this chance and stop provoking me.¡±
Miranda frowned in displeasure, her gaze warning.
my
Gideon finally shed some of his casual demeanor, staring at Tess. ¡°Ms. Tess, I know grandson well. He¡¯s good to you. Time and again, he ran from Kingnd to Aetheris. At first, he went to find you. Now, he goes there just to see you.¡±
By the end of his sentence, his tone even carried a hint of gritted teeth.
Tess looked at the two of them, growing increasingly aggressive, and shrugged. ¡°As you said, that¡¯s Abel, not me.¡±
Miranda¡¯s brow finally rxed slightly. She understood Tess¡¯s meaning and almostughed with anger. ¡°Are you saying my Abel is the one pursuing you?¡±
Tess touched her chin, pretending to think, and after a long pause, nodded firmly. ¡°It seems that is the case. I¡¯m a bit troubled as well. If the two of you could restrain him slightly, it would be perfect.¡±
She smiled sweetly, but Miranda and Gideon¡¯s faces turned pale and sullen, extremely displeased.
Demi stood like a wall behind Miranda. Hearing Tess¡¯s response, she couldn¡¯t help but smirk a little, but quickly suppressed it, restoring herposed facade.
¡°Well, what a shameless woman.¡±
Miranda ground her teeth in anger, pping her hands repeatedly.
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 695 They Just Served Me a Cup of Tea
¡°Since it¡¯se to this, Tess, I¡¯ll make it clear to you.¡±
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Miranda could no longer sit still. She stood, eyes sharp, staring at Tess. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you seduced Abel or Abel pursued you. Either way, this must end!¡±
Tess blinked. ¡°That¡¯s something I can¡¯t really be sure of, and it¡¯s troubling me too.¡±
Her tone feigned annoyance, slightly coquettish, making Miranda¡¯s fac moment, her teeth itching in frustration.
le for a
Gideon, however, hadpletely lost patience with watching them bicker. He mmed his cane on the floor.
The heavy, muffled sound immediately drew their attention. Miranda shut her mouth.
Gideon¡¯s face was stern, his eyes warning. ¡°Tess, from now on, you are not allowed to have any contact with Abel. If I find out¡ Since you¡¯vee to Kingnd, you should know whose city this is now.¡±
¡°The Larsons?¡±
Tess crossed her arms, pondering.
Gideon was momentarily speechless, then red at her. ¡°The Larsons have always been low- profile. Now standing at the top with a far¨Creaching reputation is the Shaws!¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes twitched, a hint of amusement as she looked at Gideon. ¡°Old man, don¡¯t you know who I am?¡±
Gideon frowned. ¡°Who?¡±
¡°None of your business. No matter what her identity is, it¡¯s not for you to interfere in what happens between me and her!¡±
Suddenly, a male voice full of restrained anger appeared.
Gideon and Miranda¡¯s faces changed drastically, turning toward the door.
No one knew how Abel had suddenly appeared. The servants who had tried to block him were now awkwardly pulled aside.
Tess was slightly surprised as well.
Abel¡¯s usually calm, somewhatzy face now bore a rare look of anger.
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 695 They Just Served Me a Cup of Tea
He strode forward, his jaw tightly clenched.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
His voice was grim, his eyes questioning.
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s
Gideon¡¯s face shifted but quickly returned to its usual, elevated elder demeanor. Still, when looking at Abel, he softened slightly, ¡°We invited your friend over.¡±
At the same time, he cast a meaningful nce at Tess.
Tess raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.
¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be at thepany at this hour? Why are you back suddenly?¡±
Miranda hurried to stand, trying to pull Abel away.
But before her fingers could touch his arm, he dodged.
Abel¡¯s eyes were locked tightly on Tess. ¡°Did they give you a hard time?¡±
At these words, the expressions of the three Shaws in the room shifted.
Gideon and Miranda¡¯s faces stiffened, clearly not expecting Abel to say
that.
Demi, however, was intrigued.
She hadn¡¯t expected Abel to return suddenly, but his return perfectly aligned with her n.
¡°No, they just served me a cup of tea. It wasn¡¯t bad.¡±
Tess pulled the tea cup she had originally pushed aside closer, smiling lightly.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 696
Chapter 696 Won¡¯t Initiate Contact
Chapter 696 Won¡¯t Initiate Contact
But the next moment, Tess was grabbed.
92
s
¡°Since Grandpa and Mom want to see, look carefully. This is the person I¡¯m going to marry.¡±
Abel¡¯s wordsnded with undeniable weight.
Tess, however, widened her eyes, her scalp tingling.
¡°Of course, I¡¯ve been the one pursuing her. She hasn¡¯t agreed yet.¡±
Miranda looked at her precious son¡¯s shameless expression, fuming. ¡°Abel, let me be honest with you.
¡°Today I invited her here specifically to warn her to stay away from you!¡±
Hearing the lowmand near his ear, Abel had obviously anticipated it. His and the palm gripping Tess¡¯s shoulder tightened slightly.
gaze
darkened,
Tess shifted slightly in difort, and Abel immediately noticed, causing her to shrink back.
¡°Mom, why are you doing this?¡±
He gritted his teeth, full of confusion.
¡°Why?¡±
Miranda was almostughing in anger. She stared at Abel. ¡°Look at yourself right now. Where is the image of the Shaw heir?
¡°You¡¯ve beenpletely manipted by her!¡±
Miranda ground her teeth in frustration, unable to bear it.
¡°And¡¡±
She suddenly stepped forward. ¡°You care so much about her. Somehow, you found out and rushed from thepany all the way home. Your first thought was that your mom and Grandpa were giving her a hard time? But do you know how she sees you?¡±
She practically jabbed at Abel¡¯s head, wishing she could rip it off and wash it.
¡°How she sees me?¡±
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 696 Won¡¯t Initiate Contact
Abel frowned, thinking, and asked, his gaze on Tess.
Miranda finally found an outlet. ¡°Her every word and action show that you are the one pestering her!¡±
Her words dropped, and the surroundings fell silent.
Demi, unusually curious, kept her gaze shifting between Tess and Abel, reaction.
¡°I am the one pestering her.¡±
Abel¡¯s clear, firm voice broke the silence.
Miranda and Gideon¡¯s pupils simultaneously constricted.
What did he say?
¡°What on earth did she put in your head?¡±
for his
Miranda grew more furious, even reaching out to forcibly separate Tess and Abel.
923
s
Abel instinctively stretched out both arms to protect Tess, but Tess stepped back, avoiding both Miranda¡¯s and Abel¡¯s hands.
¡°Everyone, I have no interest in the so¨Ccalled pestering you¡¯re talking about. Furthermore, I do not need thepensation your grandfather and mother mentioned.¡±
Tess straightened her back, her voice icy, clear as autumn rain on the eaves, carrying a chill that felt damp and sharp.
¡°My reason foring to Kingnd is to inherit the Larson family, and it has nothing to do with the Shaws. There¡¯s no need for needless worry. You¡¯re concerned that I might pester Abel, so I guarantee I will never initiate contact, and I also hope you won¡¯t interfere with my normal life.¡±
Having said this, Tess¡¯s patience waspletely exhausted. She strode away.
Abel froze where he stood. Her cold, clear voice echoed in his ears, raindrops striking his heart.
He snapped back to reality. Tess had already reached the doorway.
¡°Tess!¡±
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 696 Won¡¯t Initiate Contact
He shouted abruptly and rushed after her.
Her body was extremely slender, light, and fragile, like a cloud about to dissipate.
2
s
Abel¡¯s eyes narrowed, growing even more desperate, until he reached the door and tightly grabbed Tess¡¯s wrist.
He stared at her intently, his chest pounding. ¡°What did you mean by t
Tess winced from the grip, twisting her wrist slightly.
But this time, Abel was not gentle or indulgent like before. He only loosened slightly, still holding her firmly.
¡°What do you mean by ¡®won¡¯t initiate contact¡®? Are you trying to treat me as a stranger?¡±
Abel¡¯s eyes were filled with hurt. The glimmer in his pupils was like a shattered mirror, scattering dim light.
Meanwhile, the Shaws finally reacted, and all stood up, rushing over.
Gideon¡¯s face turned ashen, and he shouted, ¡°Abel, let go! Let her go!¡±
Miranda clenched her teeth,manding, ¡°To her, you¡¯re nothing but an unreasonable fool. How long will you continue this?¡±
Abel ignored them, as if shattered. He stubbornly tugged at Tess¡¯s sleeve. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Tess stomped her foot, lowering her gaze.
Her long eyshes fluttered, each blinknding on Abel.
He pressed his lips together, his throat rolling with each heartbeat, trembling in sync with his pounding chest.
¡°Tell me.¡±
Perhaps it was his silence thatsted too long. Abel could not help but urge her, though his throat felt choked, sour.
Finally, Tess looked up, her gaze flickering. She caught the faint plea in Abel¡¯s tone.
But she remained resolute.
¡°I¡¯ve already said what I needed to say.¡±
11:13 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 696 Won¡¯t Initiate Contact
¡
Her voice was soft. Each breath made Abel¡¯s heart rise and fall with uncertainty until itpletely plummeted.
He felt a buzzing in his cars. ¡°What¡ docs that mean?¡±
92
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Abel, unwilling to give up, wanted to grab her hand again. But Tess slowly moved away, and that movement struck him so sharply that he didn¡¯t dare reach for her anymore.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Chapter 697 Thunderstorm
Chapter 697 Thunderstorm
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¡°I¡¯m not finished, and you¡¯re already going to part ways with me?¡± Abel¡¯s voice was firm as he saw Tess lift her leg to leave, his resolve hardening, and he gripped her sleeve tightly, ¡°I won¡¯t allow it.¡±
Tess turned her head, and her once cold, hardened heart stirred slightly.
Abel¡¯s eyes were red, glistening with moisture, even his tone tinged with a slight choke, ¡°Tess, it¡¯s my fault. I didn¡¯t expect them to contact you behind my back. Don¡¯t treat me like this.¡±
But Tess remained expressionless, instead reaching out and slowly prying Abel¡¯s fingers off her one by one.
Abel froze, staring at her movements in stunned silence.
Her cool voice whispered near his ear. ¡°Go home. They¡¯re still waiting for you.
¡°We were never meant to be, and I never intended to start anything with you.¡±
With that final sentence, Tess walked away without looking back.
Miranda had been watching from afar, seeing the two of them struggle. But in the end, only Abel remained standing in the middle of the street. Her eyes softened with co stepped forward, intending to pull him back to the vi.
But after two attempts, she found himpletely unmoving.
¡°Mom, she doesn¡¯t want me anymore.¡±
His lonely voice dissipated into the air.
and she
Miranda paused and instinctively replied, ¡°Is she really that important? If she doesn¡¯t want you, the entire Shaw family wants you.¡±
¡°Not the same.¡±
His voice was like a gust of wind.
Abel finally turned around, his expression dim.
His tall frame wavered, his steps unsteady, as if he might stumble and fall at any moment. Miranda stayed behind, staring at his retreating figure back to the room, her heart trembling.
10:48 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 697 Thunderstorm
s
She had never seen Abel like this. Even when he was angry or arguing with family, he had always beenposed,zy, and proud.
But now, he seemed like a marite whose strings had been cut.
Miranda had no time to think further and hurried to follow.
Before she could reach him, she heard a ¡°bang¡± as the door mmed shut heavily.
Miranda was immediately shut out, her heart pounding in anxiety.
Demi nced at the tightly closed door, then stepped forward to pat Miranda¡¯s shoulder tofort her, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. Abel likes Tess that much; there¡¯s no way he¡¯ll let go so easily. Let him calm down a bit.¡±
Miranda¡¯s lingering unease didn¡¯t dissipate, but she knew Abel was extremely stubborn. Getting anxious out here wouldn¡¯t help, so she had to let him handle it himself.
She bit her lip and nodded. ¡°Let him be for now.¡±
Gideon, leaning on his cane, watched from afar, his expression unreadable.
Meanwhile, Tess had just stepped onto the main road, preparing to take a cab back, when a single raindrop hit her forehead.
Startled, she blinked and looked up, noticing the rain intensifying.
Tess lowered her head to make a call. ¡°Vince, are you there yet?¡±
¡°Ms. Tess, I just left the estate, but the road¡¯s a bit congested. I might be a little dyed.¡±
His calm voice carried a hint of urgency.
Tess looked up at the darkened sky, feeling a tinge of annoyance. Suddenly, her phone rang again, ¡°Ms. Tess, the weather forecast just warned of an imminent thunderstorm. You should find somewhere to shelter until I get there!¡±
His tone was more anxious now. Tess sighed and nodded.
Just as she hung up, tworge raindrops hit her eyes, sliding down hershes to her cheeks.
The cold seeped into her bones, making her shiver. She looked around for shelter.
But she was in a private vi district, with only the Shaw Residence around.
10:48 Fri, Jan 16:
Chapter 697 Thunderstorm
B
BAN
s
After the recent incident, she couldn¡¯t very well go back, and there was nowhere nearby to take
cover.
Tess frowned, pushing aside the unpleasant memories from the Shaw Residence.
Beep!
Suddenly, a loud horn sounded behind her.
Tess squinted and covered her ears, but realized the car had stopped right behind her.
She turned and met a raised¨Cbrow, handsome face.
¡°Get in.¡±
The man¡¯s hands were on the steering wheel, staring directly at her, silently mouthing the words.
Finn?
Tess froze, as shocked as if Mars had collided with Earth.
Why is he here? - wn.
Seeing that Tess didn¡¯t move, Finn let out a helpless sigh and rolled the win ¡°Thunderstorm. Are you still not getting in? nning to go home soaked like a drenched chicken?
¡°Don¡¯t go back freezing and pass it on to La.¡±
He raised his chin slightly, his words sharp, cutting right to Tess¡¯s heart.
Tess¡¯s fingers tightened.
Judging from Vince¡¯s tone, he wouldn¡¯t arrive anytime soon.
She felt the cold from the rain intensifying on her forehead and finally gave in, getting into the car.
Whether it was bad luck or perfect timing, as soon as Tess was inside, the rain outside suddenly poured harder,rge drops hitting the windshield. Tess stared at the water¨Csmeared ss, her heart still on edge.
Chapter 698 His Odds Rising
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 698
Chapter 698 His Odds Rising
¡°Weren¡¯t you refusing to get in just now?¡±
Finn cast Tess a sidelong nce.
s
Tess quickly gathered up all the unnecessary emotion on her face, leaving only calmness. ¡°A wise person adapts to the situation.¡±
Hearing this, Finn let out a softugh, like ice and snow melting, like a spring breeze brushing
past.
Only that little breeze never reached Tess.
The faint curve on Finn¡¯s lips slowly faded as well.
¡°Why are you in Kingnd? Are you stalking me?¡±
Her voice echoed in the tight, sealed¨Cup car.
Finn, considering the cold weather, had specifically turned on the heater. But sitting in the car with Tess, things still refused to warm up.
Especially with her question.
Finn¡¯s brows twitched slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.
He smiled, pretending to be rxed. ¡°Tess, Kingnd isn¡¯t the Larsons¡® exclusive property.¡±
Tess raised a brow, neither agreeing nor denying it, only lifting her eyes to stare into the rearview mirror.
She didn¡¯t speak, but Finn admitted defeat first. He sighed helplessly. ¡°Yes.
¡°I came for you. But it doesn¡¯t count as stalking.¡±
Tess gave a cold snort. ¡°The Shaws¡ Was that your handiwork too?¡±
Finn hadn¡¯t expected Tess to question him this directly. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel.
But her gaze was like needles¨Che had nowhere to hide.
Finn pressed his lips together, not giving a straight answer, but instead staring directly back at
1/
Chapter 698 His Odds Rising
Tess. ¡°Why? Are you disappointed?
¡°Or are you ming me for ruining things between you two?¡±
Though he still wore a faint smile, his heart was trembling.
¡°Finn, does this amuse you?¡±
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Tess frowned and asked, ¡°We¡¯re already divorced. You no longer have the right to meddle in anything about me.¡±
¡°But I¡¯m Abel¡¯s uncle. So if I say I did it for him?¡±
The very sentence Tess used to draw a line became a de cutting straight into Finn¡¯s chest, but he still had to pretend it didn¡¯t hurt.
Inside, he was breaking.
Finn clenched his jaw.
Why could Abel stand by her side so openly? What did that brat have that made her look at him even once?
¡°You know the truth.¡±
Tess let out a soft, coldugh.
The two fell silent, and even the air felt frozen stiff.
Finn¡¯s hand remained on the steering wheel, as if debating whether he should take her somewhere else to wait out the rain.
Of course, not just to avoid the rain.
But¡
He peeked carefully at Tess through the rearview mirror.
She was looking down at her phone, typing now and then¨Csending messages to someone, perhaps.
Beep!
Ring ring!
2
10:48 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 698 His Odds Rising
Tess. ¡°Why? Are you disappointed?
¡°Or are you ming me for ruining things between you two?¡±
Though he still wore a faint smile, his heart was trembling.
¡°Finn, does this amuse you?¡±
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Tess frowned and asked, ¡°We¡¯re already divorced. You no longer have the right to meddle in anything about me.¡±
¡°But I¡¯m Abel¡¯s uncle. So if I say I did it for him?¡±
The very sentence Tess used to draw a line became a de cutting straight into Finn¡¯s chest, but he still had to pretend it didn¡¯t hurt.
Inside, he was breaking.
Finn clenched his jaw.
Why could Abel stand by her side so openly? What did that brat have that made her look at him even once?
¡°You know the truth.¡±
Tess let out a soft, coldugh.
The two fell silent, and even the air felt frozen stiff.
Finn¡¯s hand remained on the steering wheel, as if debating whether he should take her somewhere else to wait out the rain.
Of course, not just to avoid the rain.
But¡
He peeked carefully at Tess through the rearview mirror.
She was looking down at her phone, typing now and then¨Csending messages to someone, perhaps.
Beep!
Ring ring!
10:48 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 698 His Odds Rising
A honk sounded outside, at the same time her phone rang.
Tess picked up. The moment the call connected, Vince told her to look behind her.
Tess turned around and saw that the honking car behind them was Vince¡¯s!
He was even holding two umbres as he hurried toward her.
¡°Mr. Lock, I really do need to thank you this time.¡±
s
Tess opened the door to get out, but the moment her hand touched the handle, she paused and turned back to Finn. ¡°And of course, I also need to warn you not to interfere too much in the things around me.¡±
Her gaze swept across the car interior, finallynding on Finn¡¯s slightly stiff, de¨Csharp side profile. ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you came here by coincidence, or whether you¡¯ve nted eyes around me. But since I¡¯ve said this, don¡¯t let this kind of coincidence happen again.¡±
With that, the door mmed shut.
¡°Ms. Tess, I¡¯m really sorry. Mrs. Larson happened to need a ride, and I thought you¡¯d be staying longer, so I went to drive her first.¡±
Vince looked apologetic, the hard lines of his square face folded with worry.
¡°It¡¯s fine, Vince. The rain is too heavy. Let¡¯s head back quickly so they don¡¯t worry.¡±
Tess smiled, took the umbre, and the two got into the car.
Only after their car left did Finn remain frozen in ce.
Thest trace of gentleness on his face fadedpletely, leaving only bleakness and a suffocating gloom.
Tess¡¯s warning still echoed loudly in his mind.
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, trying to ignore it. But her cold voice lingered endlessly.
Finn¡¯s chest tightened. He mmed a fist against the steering wheel.
Was she ming him because of Abel?
The more Finn thought about it, the more suffocated he felt. But suddenly, a thought shed through his mind.
Chapter 698 His Odds Rising
s
If she really cared about Abel, why did she agree to leave him the moment the Shaws pressured them, even though she clearly knew it was Finn pulling the strings behind the
scenes?
Finn¡¯s heart, which had sunk to the mud, suddenly floated up again.
His eyes flickered with brightness, as if he had discovered a new continent.
Could it be that¡
Abel doesn¡¯t matter to her at all.
The more Finn thought about it, the more he felt his odds rising. Even his movements became lighter. His fingers brushed the wheel gently, and even when the car started, it felt a little¡ cheerful.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
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Chapter 699 Happiness? Can You Give Her That?
Chapter 699 Happiness? Can You Give Her That?
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Facing someone like Abel, who meant nothing to her and could be discarded at any time, she still kept him close by her side. But with Finn, even though she was only giving him a private warning, every gesture, every look was full of rejection.
Finn¡¯s expression fell again. But then he thought for a moment that maybe,pared to Abel, he was the one who actually attracted her more. It was just that all those unpleasant things from the past made her unwilling to ept him now.
Finn clenched his fist.
No matter how many people were around her, he could make them all fall apart one by one.
In the end, she would still return to him.
After all, they still had a cute daughter together.
Finn secretly encouraged himself. With that thought, he drove straight into the Shaw Residence.
Miranda didn¡¯t seem surprised. She simply assumed he was taking shelter from the rain and let someone bring him into the vi.
¡°Where¡¯s Abel?¡±
The moment Finn stepped inside, he asked directly.
At the mention of Abel¡¯s name, Miranda pressed her fingers to her forehead, clearly annoyed and unwilling to respond.
It was Demi who pointed upstairs. ¡°Locked himself in his room.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll go check.¡±
After confirming which room Abel was in, Finn headed up the spiral staircase with long strides.
Knock! Knock!
He knocked on the door.
Silence. No response at all.
Finn frowned, wondering if he had misremembered the room, but he still knocked again. This
10:48 Fri, Jan 16
CA
Chapter 699 Happiness? Can You Give Her That?
time, there was movement inside, confirming Abel was indeed there.
¡°What else do you want? Haven¡¯t you done enough?¡±
Abel¡¯s voice exploded from inside, like thunder.
Finn remained calm. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±
Everything went quiet for a second. The next moment, the door was yanked open.
¡°What are you doing here?¡±
s
Even though Abel had already recognized the voice and only opened the door because of it, the moment he saw Finn in person, his pupils still shrank.
Finn took in Abel¡¯s wounded expression. His own face tightened, instantly shifting back into the cold, imposing ¡°Mr. Finn¡± everyone feared.
¡°There¡¯s something I need to discuss with you. It¡¯s about Tess.¡±
Hearing just the first part, Abel instinctively wanted to refuse. But the moment he heard Tess, he froze as if someone had cast a spell on him.
The two sat inside the room. Abel returned to sitting on the bed while Finn scanne and pulled over a soft chair.
¡°Why are you doing this? You¡¯re the one who made her unhappy. And now you¡¯re selfish enough to not let others make her happy?¡±
Dom
Even without anyone exining anything to him, Abel instantly pieced everything together. Everything happening around Tess was clearly Finn¡¯s doing.
Otherwise, why would he appear in Kingnd the moment Tess broke ties with Abel? Why would he travel all the way from Aetheris, going through so much trouble, and yet manage everything so cleanly?
Abel gritted his teeth, showing a rare re of hatred.
Finn, unsurprised, remained perfectly calm.
He even chuckled, eyes filled with mockery. ¡°Happiness? Can you give her that?¡±
Finn leaned back, ppedzily, and his smile was full of ridicule.
Abel¡¯s face darkened. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±
10:49 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 699 Happiness? Can You Give Her That?
s
Finn leaned deeper into the chair, eyes narrowing. ¡°Tess doesn¡¯t need any man to give her happiness right now. And yes, her past pain was caused by me.
¡°But I can make her life better from now on.¡±
Abel continued pressing him.
Finn stared at him, his presence heavy, as if silentlyughing at Abel¡¯s naivety.
¡°Your family won¡¯t give you an easy life. All that pressure will fall on whoever bes your partner. Do you think someone like Tess is going to follow your lead just because I made a few moves behind the scenes?¡±
Abel¡¯s tall frame swayed. He almost couldn¡¯t stand.
Finn watched with amusement. He reached out and patted Abel¡¯s face gently. ¡°Do you want to force the suffocating life you grew up with onto her too? And La? And my daughter with her?¡±
He emphasized ¡°my¡± deliberately¨Ca warning, a threat, and a provocation all in one.
Abel was nearly driven mad.
Of course, he knew why Tess held back. He knew how difficult her life had been, s peace she had now was precious to her.
¨C bit of
He had always been reckless, so if she responded to him, her life would instantly be a nightmare again.
Pain shed through Abel¡¯s eyes, followed by a dead silence.
Finn watched him bite his lip without speaking. A flicker of triumph crossed his gaze, but it was gone in a split second.
Abel, lost in thought, didn¡¯t notice a thing.
Chapter 700 We All Care a Lot About You
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 700
Chapter 700 We All Care a Lot About You
¡°Think carefully.¡±
Finn¡¯s cold voice lingered in the room as he left, closing the door behind him.
Demi and Miranda were standing outside, their eyes full of concern.
s
Miranda was about to ask about Abel¡¯s condition, but Finn walked straight past them and out into the now¨Cquiet road.
The thunderstorm had passed.
¡°You¡¯re kidding me!¡±
Raven¡¯s voice was muffled as she was still chewing snacks. But the moment she heard about Finn and Tess¡¯s conversation in the car, her eyes lit up. ¡°I can¡¯t believe Finn actually chased you all the way to Kingnd.¡±
¡°But Tess, everyone sees Abel¡¯s feelings for you and the way he treats you. Isn¡¯t this hurting hi too much?¡±
Lyra hesitated, then couldn¡¯t help speaking.
Tess frowned. ¡°My focus now is keeping La safe and letting her grow up to inherit the Larsons and deal with Henry. Romance is not in my ns. I¡¯m not walking into the Shaws¡® mess because of some empty words about ¡®love¡°.¡±
Silence followed.
Lyra and Raven exchanged a long look¡ªboth reaching the same understanding.
¡°Fair enough.¡±
Lyra finally broke the quiet.
¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this.¡± Tess switched topics. ¡°What¡¯s the situation in Aetheris? Any movement from Henry?¡±
¡°Aetheris is quiet. Henry hasn¡¯t pulled any tricks publicly.¡± Lyra frowned, then suddenly remembered something. ¡°But there¡¯s one thing you should know.¡±
Chapter 700 We All Care a Lot About You
¡°What?¡±
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¡°Max came looking for you yesterday. He didn¡¯t expect you to leave for Kingnd so soon.¡±
¡°Max? Why was he looking for me?¡±
Tess sensed something strange.
¡°He said Nadine told him a secret¨Csomething valuable. He said he wants to tell you in person.¡±
Lyra rubbed her chin.
¡°Being mysterious again? What trick is he trying to pull now?¡± Tess sneered. ¡°He wants to tell me personally? Then he can wait a week.¡±
Raven muttered, ¡°He came acting all high and mighty. Let him wait¨Cgood for him.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t ask further. If Max insisted on speaking to her directly, he wouldn¡¯t tell Lyra and Raven much anyway.
¡°Right, Zane sent you that surveince footage Finn found proving my innocence, right?¡±
Raven immediately nodded. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ve kept everything.¡±
¡°And the footage of Shannon at the hospital, plus her medical records and the files we pulle out¨Cgather everything. Once I¡¯m back, it¡¯s time to prepare.¡±
Tess¡¯s voice lowered, deep and serious.
Lyra and Raven¡¯s eyes widened.
Tess had been holding back with Henry, letting him climb higher so his fall would be worse.
But it was miserable to keep tolerating him.
They wanted to crush a parasite like Henry long ago.
And now, Tess was finally ready.
Raven¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll pull all the evidence tomorrow.¡±
¡°Good. Lyra, don¡¯t worry about guarding thepany for now. Contact Zane and see if he has anything important to share. Also, send people to watch Shannon. Judging from the timing, she should be showing soon.¡±
10:49 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 700 We All Care a Lot About You
Tess narrowed her eyes, thoughtful and calm.
Both women felt their hearts pound faster.
¡°Okay.¡±
After dealing with business, they chatted about Kingnd and La.
s
Once the call ended, Tess noticed Vince looking at her through the rear¨Cview mirror, eyes full of warmth.
¡°Vince?¡±
Tess called out.
Vince smiled. ¡°Ms. Tess, you really surprised me today.¡±
Before she came to the Larsons, Violet, Olivia, and Benjamin had told the staff about Tess¡¯s past, reminding them to take good care of her.
So in Vince¡¯s mind, Tess had always been someone fragile¨Csomeone needing protection. But after witnessing her calm nning today, that image waspletely shattered.
Tess was mildly surprised, but she kept her manners and smiled politely.
Vince continued, still looking at her with admiration, ¡°Ms. Tess, Ms. Violet told us everything. We all care a lot about you.¡±
Sara Lili
Sara Lili 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.
Keepsake 701
Chapter 701 The Sister They Never Mentioned
Chapter 701 The Sister They Never Mentioned
The car glided smoothly through the rain, and Tess¡¯s mood was unusually calm, like the raindrops trailing down the window, unhurried and peaceful.
¡°I¡¯ve been with the Larsons for many years now, and seeing you in person today truly brings me joy.¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes softened as she looked at Vince, a touch of warmth creeping into her gaze.
¡°Vince, since you¡¯ve been with the Larsons for so long, can I ask you about some things from the past?¡±
Tess¡¯s cool gaze met Vince¡¯s through the rearview mirror.
Clearly, Vince hesitated, as if to speak, then thought better of it.
The car fell into silence.
Tess¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Vince¡¯s eyes in the mirror, stubbornly waiting for an answer.
After all, she truly didn¡¯t understand.
Kylie had been the most privileged heiress in Kingnd, so why had she suddenly gone to Krigan? And why had she been willing to give up her luxurious family life for some unknown man there?
After a long pause, Vince sighed. ¡°What would you like to know?¡±
Tess voiced her questions, but Vince remained hesitant. ¡°This might involve some matters from many years ago. It¡¯s not really my ce to say. If you truly want to know, perhaps you should ask Ms. Larson directly.¡±
Tess studied Vince for a moment, deciding not to press him further, and simply nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±
After that exchange, the car remained quiet for the rest of the journey back to the Larson Estate.
Tess did as Vince suggested, though she didn¡¯t seek out Violet. Instead, she went straight to Olivia.
When she saw Tess, Olivia was gently rocking La in her arms, a hint of surprise on her face. ¡°Weren¡¯t you out? Back so soon?¡±
¡°Nothing important came up.¡±
Tess smiled softly and stepped forward to take La into her arms. ¡°Thank you for looking after her.¡±
Olivia shot her a mock re. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Taking care of my own great- granddaughter¡ what¡¯s there to thank me for?¡±
Tess immediately nodded, acknowledging her slip. ¡°You¡¯re right, you¡¯re right.¡±
Olivia gave a light huff. ¡°Family doesn¡¯t stand on ceremony. If you keep being so formal with me, I won¡¯t
won¡® 1/3
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00
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11:30 Tue, Jan 20 0.
Chapter 701 The Sister They Never Mentioned
be happy.¡±
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La had already grown quite attached to Olivia in such a short time, and nodded along in agreement.
Though still just a baby, she already had the air of a little grown¨Cup about her.
Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh, holding La closer and gently tapping her upturned nose. ¡°Alright, my fault for being too polite.¡±
Only then did Olivia look satisfied, though her gaze settled on Tess. ¡°You came here because you have something to ask, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Tess raised an eyebrow in surprise, almost wondering if Olivia could read minds.
Olivia caught Tess¡¯s startled expression and lifted the lid of her teacup. ¡°Vince spoke to me before you arrived.¡±
Understanding dawned on Tess, and her gaze settled steadily on Olivia.
Olivia held the teacup in one hand while the other gently traced the rim of the lid, her eyes drifting to a spot on the floor nearby, her expression distant.
¡°Regarding this matter¡ the Larsons don¡¯t like to bring it up. But if you insist on knowing, it¡¯s not that difficult to exin.¡±
Hearing this, Tess furrowed her brow.
¡°You must have met Heidi in Krigan.¡±
At those words, Tess nodded immediately.
This was precisely what puzzled her.
Heidi and Kylie were sisters, yet the Larsons rarely mentioned Heidi. And both sisters, each a daughter of the Larsons, had ended up marrying into Krigan. Was that just coincidence?
¡°Heidi ¡ isn¡¯t actually part of the Larsons.¡±
Olivia let out a long sigh, her thoughts drifting back through the years.
¡°She¡¯s illegitimate. The Larsons despise that kind of scandal above all else. By all rights, she should never have been allowed into the family. But her father died in a car ident, and she was left alone in the world with no one to turn to. So she was taken in and raised until she turned 18, then sent on her way.¡±
The confusion in Tess¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t fade. ¡°Then ¡ she ended up settling in Krigan, and Kylie happened to go to Krigan as well. Is there some connection between those two things?¡±
¡°Tess, you¡¯re very sharp. You don¡¯t take after Kylie at all.¡±
Olivia smiled faintly, a hint of emotion in her voice.
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TUE
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Chapter 701 The Sister They Never Mentioned
Tess said nothing, simply watching Olivia and waiting for her to continue.
52
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¡°Kylie and Heidi grew up together. Kylie was raised as the family¡¯s heir from the start, spoiled and headstrong, but not bad at heart. Heidi struggled in the Larsons because of her status, and Kylie couldn¡¯t bear to watch. She would look out for her whenever she could. Over time, the two developed a bond that ran deep.¡±
Olivia¡¯s voice carried the faint, melodic crackle of a vintage vinyl record, pulling the listener into the past she described.
Tess listened, unsurprised.
Kylie did seem like someone who had been pampered her whole life. She was selfish and willful, but not truly cruel.
It was just that her foolishness had led her to make far too many mistakes that hurt others.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 702
Chapter 702 The Knock at the Door
Chapter 702 The Knock at the Door
But th
didn¡¯t make it forgivable..
¡°It was Heidi who invited her to Krigan for a vacation. No one expected she would meet Henry there, and from that point on, everything spiraled out of control.¡±
Olivia exhaled heavily and forced a smile. ¡°Forget it. Let¡¯s not talk about this anymore. Heidi left the Larsons long ago. It¡¯s best to pretend she never existed.¡°,
Tess was considerate enough not to press further.
After all, Heidi¡¯s very existence was a scandal to the Larsons, naturally something the family preferred not to discuss.
But several questions had quietly surfaced in her mind, though she concealed them without a trace.
¡°By the way, how did you feel about your visit to thepany today?¡±
Olivia took a sip of her tea, steering the conversation elsewhere.
Tess followed along smoothly. ¡°It went well. Aunt Violet wants me to start learning the ropes of management first. She¡¯ll arrange a press conference for me in a couple of days.
¡°The senior shareholders were very weing too.¡±
Only then did Olivia nod in satisfaction. ¡°Good.¡±
As her words faded, she reached out and ced her hand on Tess¡¯s head, her fingers gently brushing aside the hair from her forehead, her gaze warm and loving. ¡°Tess, your mother was once the Larsons¡® most treasured heir. No one expected things to turn out the way they did. She gave up her inheritance willingly.
¡°But perhaps it was for the best. The most important thing she ever did was bring you into this world.¡±
Olivia continued to stroke her hair tenderly, and Tess felt a ripple of en
but undeniable.
The most important thing Kylie ever did was give birth to her?
Tess¡¯s lips parted, her heart stirring.
move through her, gentle
Since she was born, she had only briefly known the warmth of family and the love of her parents. But all of that had fallen apart after Nadine came along.
She had always been overlooked, even belittled.
No one had ever told her she mattered this much.
Even her grandmother back then had only gently told her not to take things to heart.
A bittersweet ache rose in Tess¡¯s throat and settled deep in her chest.
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It wasn¡¯t sadness¨Cit was warmth.
¡°Grandma, I¡¯ll work hard. I won¡¯t let you down.
Tess made the promise solemnly.
Olivia smiled, her eyes crinkling. ¡°Tess, the Larsons will eventually be in your hands. It shouldn¡¯t be about not letting me down. It should be about being true to yourself.¡±
She reached out and pressed a finger gently against Tess¡¯s heart.
Tess froze for a moment.
¡°In everything you do, follow your heart, but don¡¯t act recklessly.
¡°That¡¯s my advice to you, and my hope for you.¡±
When Tess emerged from the room with La in her arms, Olivia¡¯s words were still echoing in her mind.
She lowered her gaze and smiled softly, each step she took steady and sure.
A studio apartment in Aetheris.
Shannon rubbed her temples, her heart pounding with a restless unease.
¡°Kaleb, do you know what your sister¡¯s been so busy withtely?¡±
She fidgeted irritably, rubbing her fingertips together over and over.
Kaleb was sprawled on the couch by the coffee table, his expression puzzled. ¡°Isn¡¯t she always busy with stuff outside?¡±
Shannon frowned. ¡°That¡¯s not the same.
¡°Ember Group ispletely in the hands of Tess¡¯s people now. Nadine isn¡¯t even allowed inside anymore. So what could she possibly be busy with? She might as well stay home and take care of me.¡±
She muttered in displeasure.
Nadine was hardly ever around these days, disappearing for days at a time. Henry came home more often, but he rarely stayed the night, always rushing off somewhere.
Kaleb scratched his head, unsure how to respond.
Knock, knock!
A sudden rapping came from outside the door.
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¡°Tania!¡±
Shannon shouted at the top of her lungs, but no one answered.
¡°Where is she? Didn¡¯t Henry tell her to stay by my side at all times? Where did she run off to?¡±
After a few more calls with no res anger shed across Shannon¡¯s face.
Kaleb¡¯s heart clenched, and he spoke up cautiously, ¡°Mommy, didn¡¯t Tania just go downstairs to take out the trash? She¡¯s probably still down there.¡±
He didn¡¯t know what was going on. Maybe it
getting worse, and she was bing more the pregnancy, buttely his mother¡¯s temper had been
too.
Kaleb stole a timid nce at Shannon¡¯s belly, now visibly rounded, one hand resting protectively over it.
¡°Taking out the trash, taking out the trash! It¡¯s always taking out the trash. Does she really have that much garbage to throw away?¡± Shannon stomped her foot in frustration, then shot Kaleb a re. ¡°What are you standing there for? Go answer the door.¡±
¡°Huh? Oh.¡±
Kaleb shrank back but got up and walked to the door anyway, confused but obedient.
He was still so young that even standing by the door, his head barely reached the handle. He couldn¡¯t reach the peephole, so he didn¡¯t bother checking and just pulled the door open.
The moment it cracked open, a massive force mmed through from the other side.
Before Kaleb knew what was happening, he was shoved hard against the wall.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 703
Chapter 703 The Secret Son
A shrill voice rang out from above his head. ¡°Nadine? Nadine, are you here?¡±
The unfamiliar voice and the aggressive intrusion left Kaleb stunned, but Shannon was the first to react from the couch, snapping sharply. Who the hell are you people?¡±
Heidi and Mnie stood one behind the other, their eyes locked onto Shannon.
¡°Who the hell are you? Where¡¯s Nadine?¡±
Without waiting for an answer, Mnie stepped forward and yanked Shannon to her feet.
But the moment their eyes met up close, Mnie¡¯s brow furrowed, her gaze fixed intently on Shannon.
Wait, wasn¡¯t this¡
¡°That wretch from the Boltons?¡±
She let out a startled cry and released her grip, sending Shannon tumbling back onto the couch.
¡°What are you doing here? Isn¡¯t this Nadine¡¯s ce? I knew it! I thought it was strange that Nadine hardly ever came to visit us anymore. So it was because of you!¡±
Mnie¡¯s expression darkened, her toneced with anger and resentment. ¡°Why are you back?¡±
Bombarded by usations and questions, Shannon turned equally
Back then, she and Henry had been forced apart and the woman standing before her had yed no small part in that. This old hag had been so greedy for the Larsons¡® wealth that she drove Shannon away from Henry, afraid Shannon would drag her precious son down and keep him from climbing the socialdder.
Even after all these years, seeing her again stirred up the same old hatred in Shannon¡¯s heart.
¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I be back? This ¡®Nadine¡® you keep going on about, isn¡¯t she my daughter too?¡±
Shannon straightened up with a cold smirk.
¡°That mess between you two should have ended years ago. So what if Nadine is your daughter? You didn¡¯t raise her.¡±
Heidi¡¯s tone was just as hostile.
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Chapter 703 The Secret Son
Shannon red at Heidi and scoffed. ¡°I gave birth to Nadine, and she mother. It¡¯s none of your business what outsiders like you have to say a
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De as her
Mnie swayed with fury, swinging her arm back to p Shannon across the face.
She had heard that Tess, that tramp, had gone back to im the Larsons¡® inheritance. Whatever Kylie had failed to bring her son, Tess would deliver.
At this critical moment, she couldn¡¯t let this woman ruin everything.
¡°Bullshit!¡±
The crude word thundered through the room like a crack of lightning,manding and absolute.
Shannon squeezed her eyes shut in fear, her whole body trembling.
Even the gust of wind against her face felt exactly like it had all those years ago.
Back then, Mnie had pped her so hard she saw stars, and forced her to leave.
Just as the p was about tond on Shannon¡¯s face, Heidi¡¯s sharp eyes caught something, and she grabbed Mnie¡¯s arm.
¡°Wait! Mom!¡±
Heidi¡¯s eyes went wide.
Mnie had no choice but to stop, frowning at Heidi with displeasure. ¡°What is it?¡±
Heidi pointed directly at Shannon¡¯s belly. ¡°She¡¯s pregnant!¡±
The words came out in a shocked gasp.
Mnie followed her gesture and looked, her brow creasing.
Then she suddenly remembered the short little kid who had opened the door. She turned and spotted Kaleb shrinking into the corner by the wall.
¡°Shannon, whose baby are you carrying? And that one over there?¡±
Mnie¡¯s heart leapt into her throat as a thought struck her.
Shannon let out a mockingugh. ¡°Why should I tell you?
¡°Oh, and I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re going to be disappointed. All these years, Henry and I have stayed in touch. All those times he said he was on business trips overseas? He was actuallying to
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Chapter 703 The Secret Son
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see me.¡±
She raised an eyebrow at Mnie, her gaze taunting.
But Mnie wasn¡¯t listening anymore. Her eyes were fixed on Shannon¡¯s belly, her mind echoing with what Shannon had just said.
She said she and Henry had been in contact all these years, secretly meeting abroad.
Then these two children¡
¡°These are Henry¡¯s?¡±
Mnie¡¯s voice wavered, but when her gaze shifted to Kaleb, there was a flicker of surprise and anticipation.
When Kaleb met her eyes, some of his fear faded, though he still looked uneasy.
¡°How could they be? Didn¡¯t you tell me to stay away from Henry? How could I possibly be worthy of giving him a son?¡±
Shannon shot back sarcastically.
But Mnie¡¯s eyes were shining now,pletely ignoring Shannon¡¯s sarcasm.
She rushed forward excitedly and grabbed Kaleb by the wrist, turning him this way and that to get a better look.
¡°He really is Henry¡¯s son! Look at those eyes, that nose. He¡¯s the spin image!¡±
She eximed in astonishment and delight, pulling him over to sho¡cidi.
True, Henry had originally married Kylie for her family¡¯s fortune, but after all these years, she had only given him one daughter.
a constant worry gnawing at Mnie. Henry had no sons, and it had be a constant worry gnawing at Mnie.
She had been nning to have Henry divorce Kylie once he took control of the Larson Group, and then introduce him to a new woman who could bear him children.
She never imagined that Henry had secretly had a son this whole time, one who was already this big.
Shannon watched Mnie fawn over Kaleb, contempt flickering in her eyes, but she couldn¡¯t help lifting her chin and straightening her back with pride.
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Chapter 704 The Ember Heir
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Keepsake 704
Chapter 704 The Ember Heir
¡°Kaleb,e to me.¡±
Shannon shot Kaleb a look and held out her hand to him.
Kaleb nced nervously at Mnie, whose expression had shifted so suddenly, then scurried over and threw himself into Shannon¡¯s arms.
For some reason, the moment he nestled into the embrace he hadn¡¯t felt in so long, Kaleb frowned. Something about his mother smelled different.
She usually wore an elegant perfume that carried sweet hints of flowers and fruit, but this time there was something else mixed in, something bitter that made his throat tighten.
Kaleb quietly pulled his face back a little.
Shannon didn¡¯t notice his movement. She simply held Kaleb against her, one hand supporting his back, and fixed Mnie with a defiant stare.
Mnie¡¯s brow furrowed.
Her precious son Henry was no ordinary man, which meant his wife and children couldn¡¯t be ordinary either. At first, Kylie had seemed like a suitable match in her eyes, but after Kylie was cast out of the Larsons, Mnie had grown increasingly dissatisfied with her. And Shannon? She had never even been worth considering.
But now, the woman she had dismissedpletely had given Henry a son.
Mnie bit her lip, wrestling with herself for a moment, then fo
mile.
¡°Shannon, since you¡¯ve given Henry a son, I won¡¯t make things difficult for you anymore. As long as you stay home quietly and focus on being a good wife and mother, I¡¯ll treat you like my own daughter¨Cinw.¡±
Listening to her condescending tone, Shannon felt the old hatred coil inside her like a snake.
She had suffered countless humiliations at this woman¡¯s hands. If she hadn¡¯t been so young and so desperately in love with Henry back then, her pride would never have allowed her to endure it.
¡°If it¡¯s such a burden, then don¡¯t bother. Kaleb and I aren¡¯t good enough for the Embers.¡±
Shannon turned her face away and spoke coldly
Mnie¡¯s expression froze for a moment.
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Chapter 704 The Ember Heir
Heidi stood off to the side, watching in stunned silence.
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¡°Shannon, since you¡¯ve been with Henry, you know how delicate the situation is right now. I¡¯m willing to let the past go. But you¡¯re pregnant and you have a son with you. You need to be more careful.¡±
Though still visibly displeased by Shannon¡¯s response, Mnieposed herself and spoke
in a warning tone.
¡°If you didn¡¯t want to be part of the Embers, you wouldn¡¯t have stayed tangled up with Henry all these years.¡± She lifted her chin. ¡°Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do. Keep a low profile for now and don¡¯t cause any trouble. Once Henry¡¯s finished with his business, I¡¯ll have him bring you home.¡±
Shannon¡¯s fingers curled slowly beneath her sleeve.
Once upon a time, she had been naive enough to dream that her rtionship with Henry would be epted by the Embers. Instead, she had been met with a stinging p that shattered her sweet illusions.
Now, she had finally gotten what she once pleaded for, yet she couldn¡¯t bring herself to feel happy about it.
Because she was no longer young, and she saw things far more clearly now.
¡°Should I be thanking you then?¡±
She bit down hard on the word ¡°you,¡± her voice dripping with unmistakable sarcasm.
Heidi caught the tone. ncing at Mnie¡¯s darkening expression, she looked around the room and stepped in to smooth things over. ¡°Alright, Shannon. T willing to ept you now. If you still have grievances, you can tal
is the past. Mnie¡¯s about them, and
we¡¯ll work it out. But you¡¯re pregnant. You can¡¯t let anger hurt your health. Even if you don¡¯t care about yourself, think about the baby.¡±
Heidi¡¯s gaze moved from Shannon¡¯s face to her belly, her voice softening into something almost coaxing.
?? |/ ? ? ? ? ? 8:1|:??
The gentler approach suited Shannon just fine. She let out a cold huff but said nothing more.
Seeing this, Mnie didn¡¯t press further either.
This apartment had belonged to Nadine, but now Shannon was living here. The two of them must have already reunited as mother and daughter.
¡°Your name is Kaleb? I¡¯m your grandmother.¡±
Mnie¡¯s attention shifted to the boy peeking out from Shannon¡¯s arms, and she beckoned
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Chapter 704 The Ember Heir
to him warmly.
The Embers finally had an heir!
Kaleb shrank back into Shannon¡¯s embrace and looked up at her for guidance.
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Shannon gave a small nod, and only then did Kaleb slip out of her arms and take a step or two toward Mnie.
Mnie¡¯s eyes lit up with joy as she rushed forward and grabbed his wrist.
¡°What a good boy!¡±
Her hands ran over him appraisingly, and she slipped a silver charm bracelet off her own wrist and pressed it into Kaleb¡¯s hands.
This was the eldest grandson of the Embers.
Mnie stroked Kaleb¡¯s head lovingly.
Catching Shannon¡¯s look of approval, Kaleb called out in a trembling voice. ¡°Grandma.¡±
¡°Oh! What a smart child!¡±
Mnie¡¯s delight only grew. Beaming with pride, she pulled him over to show Heidi. ¡°Look at this boy. He looks just like Henry did when he was little!¡±
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Chapter 705 The Man by the Dumpster
Chapter 705 The Man by the Dumpster
e
The more Mnie looked at Kaleb, the more she adored him, and even Shannon started to seem less disagreeable by association.
¡°Being pregnant must be hard on you. I see you have a maid here. If you ever need any help, just call us. We¡¯re right across the hall.¡±
There was a hint of genuine concern in Mnies eyes now.
Shannon¡¯s expression remained indifferent, and she didn¡¯t respond.
Mnie assumed she was still throwing a little tantrum. She scoffed inwardly but kept her face pleasant, bending down to continue fussing over Kaleb.
And right on cue, speak of the devil.
¡°Mrs. Shannon, why is the door open?¡±
Tania appeared in the doorway, her face tense.
She had barely stepped inside when she spotted the two strangers in the room and froze.
¡°Who are you people? Who let you in?¡±
Tania snapped back to her senses and immediately moved to throw them out.
¡°What are you yelling about?¡±
Mnie had just been snubbed, and Tania¡¯s arrival gave her a perfect outlet. She shot her a sharp re.
Tania flinched.
Who did this woman think she was, acting so high and mighty?
She looked to Shannon for help. ¡°Mrs. Shannon Should I go get Mr. Ember right now?¡±
Shannon waved her off, unfazed by Tania¡¯s rm. ¡°I know them. Calm down and get in here.¡±
Tania stood frozen for a moment, then caught the other woman rolling her eyes at her with open disdain, as if she wasn¡¯t even worth acknowledging.
Tania awkwardly curled he
fingers and reached back to close the door behind her.
Once the door shut, Mnie crossed her arms and looked Tania up and down.
¡°You¡¯re the one Heidi and I keep seeing, aren¡¯t you? I was wondering who this stranger in Nadine¡¯s apartment was. Turns out you¡¯re the mid Shannon hired.¡±
Heidi¡¯s gaze locked onto Tania, her brow furrowing. ¡°You¡ we¡¯ve been keeping an eye on this ce. Shannon rarely leaves the apartment, so we¡¯ve never gotten a good look at her. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s been running around handling everything for her.¡±
Tania quickly shook her head with a modest smile. ¡°Just doing my job.¡±
¡°But¡¡±
Heidi drew out the word, her eyes growing sharp as des.
¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, Henry specifically told Shannon to stay inside and not go out. That should mean your outside contact should be restricted too.¡±
Tania frowned, clearly not understanding where this was going.
Heidi¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°So why do I keep seeing you by the dumpsters downstairs, whispering with some man?¡±
She stepped forward, closing the distance.
Feeling the sudden pressure, Tania¡¯s breath hitched and cold sweat broke out across her forehead.
¡°Wh¨Cwhat?¡±
Heidi narrowed her eyes, studying Tania carefully. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it more than once. What¡¯s your rtionship with that man?¡±
Tania¡¯s lips trembled. She bit down on them quickly and forced a stiff smile. ¡°That¡¯s probably just one of the other residents. I like to chat with the neighbors when I¡¯m out.¡±
¡°Is that so? Because I¡¯ve never seen that man inside this building before.¡±
Heidi let out a coldugh and grabbed Tania¡¯s wrist. ¡°Who is he, exactly?¡±
11
Heidi¡¯s strange behavior and Tania¡¯s unnatural reaction didn¡¯t escape Shannon¡¯s notice.
She stared at Tania, and when she saw the fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead, her heart clenched.
¡°Tania, is this true?¡±
Her tone was sharp and icy, making Tania jump again.
Chapter 705 The Man by the Dumpster
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¡°Heidi wouldn¡¯t make something like this up. There¡¯s something off about that man, isn¡¯t there?¡±
Mnie was right behind her, grabbing Tania by the cor. ¡°Talk! What exactly is your rtionship with him? If there¡¯s nothing going on, just say it straight. All this dancing around is suspicious as hell!¡±
All three women were staring Tania down, and she could feel the cold sweat soaking through her clothes, stering the fabric to her back.
Tania swallowed hard and forced herself to speak. ¡°I¡ aren¡¯t you all misunderstanding. something? I¡¯m from Krigan. I don¡¯t know anyone here. I just chat with people around the building to pass the time. I¡¯ve run into that guy a few times, and we¡¯ve gotten familiar enough to say hi when we cross paths. He¡¯s not a regr here, so maybe he¡¯s just a handyman or a locksmith whoes by for work.¡±
Her eyes flickered, and she dug her nails hard into her palms, using the sharp sting of pain to force herself to look calm.
¡°Really?¡±
¡°You sure about that?¡±
Mnie and Heidi spoke at the same time, their gazes even sharper than before.
Tania threw up her hands. ¡°What¡ you think I¡¯d lie to you? It¡¯s just small talk! That can¡¯t be some kind of crime, can it? Mrs. Shannon!¡±
She backed up a few steps and hid behind Shannon, her eyes pleading.
¡°I¡¯m just a simple woman from the countryside. I really don¡¯t understand what you two are getting at!¡±
Tania¡¯s face crumpled with what looked like genuine distress.
Shannon studied her for a long moment but couldn¡¯t detect anything off. She turned to Mnie with a frown.
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Chapter 706 No Honor Among Cheaters
No matter how much she disliked Tania, she was still her employee. She wasn¡¯t about to let Mnie and Heidi, whom she found even more insufferable, push her around.
¡°If you¡¯ve got nothing else, you can leave. No need to make things awkward when Henry gets
back.¡±
Shannon lifted her chin, her expression haughty
Mnie and Heidi exchanged a nce, irritation red in their chests.
At the end of the day, this woman was just her son¡¯s side chick, and now she had the nerve to cop an attitude.
Heidi tugged at Mnie¡¯s sleeve, her eyes signaling her to stay calm.
Mnie had no choice but to swallow her resentment.
¡°Fine.¡±
She forced the word through gritted teeth, then managed a strained, grandmotherly smile. ¡°Since you¡¯ve got things under control, Shannon we won¡¯t stay longer. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate toe find me or Heidi.¡±
Shannon gave a lukewarm hum in response.
Mnie¡¯s face burned with humiliation. Staying any longer would only make her feel worse, so she turned on her heel and left.
Only when the door clicked shut behind them did Tania let out a quiet breath of relief. In the next instant, it vanished.
Shannon stood before her, eyes fixed on her, unmoving.
Tania¡¯s palms grew slick with sweat under that stare. Just when she felt like she might copse, Shannon finally spoke, ¡°I don¡¯t care what¡¯s really going on with you.¡± Her voice carried an edge of menace. ¡°But if you do anything to mess up my ns, I¡¯ll make you pay.¡±
Shannon leaned in close, her cold words slipping into Tania¡¯s ear, sending a shiver through her.
Tania quickly bowed her head, afraid to look up ¡°Mrs. Shannon, I swear I¡¯ll be more careful and keep my distance from everyone!¡±
¡°Hmph.¡±
Chapter 700 NO Honor Among Cheaters
Shannon let out a cold huff above her head, then turned and walked away.
Kaleb found the whole thing boring and hurried after her.
s
The living room was suddenly empty, and only then did Tania realize her legs had gone numb. She stumbled forward and copsed onto the couch, drenched in a cold sweat.
That was close.
If they had actually found out anything, she and her family would have been finished. Thank God they hadn¡¯t.
Tania patted her chest, her heart still pounding.
She would have to be much more careful from now on. Better tomunicate with Bowen Puck through her phone only.
As Tania was lost in thought, the door swung open and Nadine walked in, startling her so badly she shot up from the couch.
¡°Ms. Nadine, what are you doing here?¡±
¡°I heard Grandma and the others came by. Is Mom okay?¡±
Nadine¡¯s face was tight with worry as she peered toward the back of the apartment. Tania had recovered by now and answered respectfully, ¡°Mrs. Shannon is just fine, Ms. Nadine. They¡¯ve already left.¡±
Nadine stood there and nodded, but after a moment¡¯s thought, she headed inside anyway.
Tania inched closer, only to hear the bedroom door shut. A momentter, the muffled sounds of conversation seeped through the door
¡°Mom, did Grandma and the others give you a hard time?¡±
Nadine¡¯s voice was full of concern.
Tania crept even closer.
¡°Ha! They wouldn¡¯t dare. I¡¯m the one who gave the Embers their only grandson, and there might be another one on the way.¡±
Shannon¡¯s voice dripped with smugness.
A brief silence followed, broken only by the click of Nadine¡¯s heels as she moved across the
room.
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¡°Should I tell Dad about this right away? He¡¯s always saying we need to keep things under wraps.
no
¡°No need.¡± Shannon shook her head. ¡°There¡¯s point. She¡¯s his own mother. Even if he finds out, nothing will change.¡±
There was a hint of mockery in her tone, and Naline couldn¡¯t help but nce at her a few extra times.
The room fell quiet for a moment, then Nadine voice came through again, strained and conflicted.
¡°Mom, are you sure we should still go through with it?¡±
Tania¡¯s ears perked up, sensing something was off.
Shannon let out a coldugh, her gaze boring into Nadine¡¯s eyes. ¡°Getting soft?¡±
Her voice was chilling, enough to make even Tania shudder outside the door.
Nadine hesitated, the words caught in her throat
Shannon saw right through her. ¡°Nadine, don¡¯t forget how Henry treated
you.
¡°He personally arranged for you to stay behind in Aetheris while he takes me and the kids to live it up overseas. A father like that, and you still have hope for him? You¡¯re actually going soft on him?¡±
Shannon¡¯sugh was icy, every word dripping with scorn for Nadine¡¯s indecision.
Tania listened with a deepening frown.
What did that mean?
Weren¡¯t Shannon and Henry madly in love? She knew exactly what they were. A gold¨Cdigger who had onto a rich heiress, and a side chick he¡¯d kept hidden for years as his so¨Ccalled true love. Morally bankrupt, sure, but deeply attached to each other. Yet now it sounded like things had fallen apart?
Tania leaned in even closer.
¡°I ¡ I don¡¯t want to, and I won¡¯t.¡± Nadine seemed to be speaking through clenched teeth, her words difficult but resolute. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed Dad¡¯s been looking worsetely. The drugs must be working. How much longer are you going to keep dosing him?¡±
¡°There¡¯s no rush. I still need him lucid for now. I¡¯ll keep the doses small and spread out.¡±
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Chapter 707 The Empty Room
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Shannon¡¯s voice carried a chill that sent a chill down the spine of anyone who heard it.
Only now did Tania realize just how terrifying the people around her really were.
So that bottle Shannon had broken really did contain psychiatric medication. That stuff could ruin a person¡¯s mind.
To think the man she shared a bed with had no idea she was harboring such vicious
intentions.
Tania couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of pity for Henry, though at the same time, a small part of her felt he had iting.
The room fell silent for a long while. Tania quickly straightened up and tiptoed away.
Nadine didn¡¯t stay much longer either, leaving the apartment shortly after.
As evening approached, Abel¡¯s bedroom door still hadn¡¯t opened.
Miranda stood outside, staring at the firmly shut door, her brow furrowed so deeply it could have cracked a walnut.
Demi couldn¡¯t help but look worried. ¡°Mom, should I try calling out to him? Or we could get a locksmith? We can¡¯t just let Abel stay in there forever without food or water.¡±
Miranda red in frustration. ¡°He¡¯s throwing another tantrum. Is this the first time you¡¯ve seen this? Let¡¯s see how long he can keep it up this time!¡±
With that, she stormed off in a huff.
Demi paused for a moment, then followed after her, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips that she made no effort to hide.
Inside the room, Abel was well aware of themotion outside, but he didn¡¯t care. He simply sat there, staring nkly out the window
Through thetticed window frame, a branch stretched toward the sky, lush and green, but in Abel¡¯s eyes, it held no life at all.
His gaze settled on the brown bark, and every swaying leaf seemed to writhe.
Without realizing it, something slid down Abel¡¯s handsome face.
Chapter 707 1 Vimy Rom
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it mad de ridd dropletuded on ins corbone that he came back to himself. Yearling up to wipe his fare
Somehow, even though the room oras perfectly tent, his mind was deafening. filled with noting Your Tess¡¯s voice ying over and ther
She didn¡¯t want him anymore.
Every cold, heartless word she had spoken reyed in his mind, until only that one truth remained, scared into his heart.
Abel¡¯s arms and lips trembled.
11e was filled with hate.
Not for Tess¡¯s coldness, but for being born into the Shaws. He hated Miranda, hated Demi, and he hated himself
Abel lifted his head, his dull, lifeless eyes fixed on the ceiling.
If one looked closely, the hand resting at the edge of the bed was trembling too.
As the night deepened, the rustling of leaves outside grew louder, grating on Abel¡¯s nerves.
Meanwhile, Miranda¡¯s earlier anger had given way to something darker. A shadow settled over her face,
He still hasn¡¯te out?
The maid stood timidly by the door, afraid that a single wrong word might set Miranda off.
She kept her head low. ¡°No. He hasn¡¯t left his room since he came home.¡±
The silence that followed was heavier and colder than before.
Standing beside Miranda, Demi felt a chill creep up her spine, raising goosebumps on her
skin.
¡°Maybe¡ we should just have someone break the door open.¡±
Demi couldn¡¯t help but suggest.
This time, Miranda didn¡¯t refuse right away. She stared at the door for a long moment before finally turning to the maid with a cold look. ¡°Go. Get a locksmith.¡±
The maid hurried off, and Demi studied Miranda¡¯s expression carefully.
18:33 Fo, Jan 23 D
Chapter 707 The Empty Room
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It seems Ms. Tess really does mean a lot to Abel Mom, are you sure you want to force them apart? What if .. you know how Abel can be when he¡¯s pushed too far. If he does something reckless despite your warnings¡
Demi trailed off deliberately.
Miranda¡¯s expression shifted instantly, and she snapped. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t dare!
¡°This family raised him all these years. Is he really going to throw everything away for some woman?¡±
Fury crawled across Miranda¡¯s face, warping and cracking her carefully maintained image of a gracious societydy.
She ground her teeth as if Tess¡¯s name were caught between them, as if she wanted to crush her.
Watching Miranda fall right into her trap, a flicker of satisfaction crossed Demi¡¯s eyes.
But she didn¡¯t let things spiral further. Instead, she stepped forward with a show of concern, pretending to calm Miranda down, though every word only made her angrier.
Fortunately, the locksmith arrived just then.
After a brief exnation from the maid, he set his toolbox on the floor, pulled out his tools, and got to work on the lock.
Click!
A crisp sound rang out.
Some of the fury faded from Miranda¡¯s face, and her eyes locked onto the half¨Copen door.
The maid stepped forward and pushed it wide open, revealing the scene inside.
Miranda froze.
¡°Where is he?¡±
She strode into the room. It waspletely empty.
Demi¡¯s expression stiffened as well. She quickly turned to the maid. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say he never came out? How is he gone?¡±
The maid looked just as stunned.
¡°I was watching the whole time. I never left my post for even a second, How could he have
Chapter 707 The Empty Room
disappeared?¡±
Her eyes went wide, her voice faltering as a sinking feeling settled in her stomach.
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Chapter 708 Over the Wall
When Miranda turned her head, she was met with a pair of cold eyes.
¡°This is how you watch someone?¡±
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Miranda¡¯s voice was dark and menacing. The maid was so frightened that she copsed to the floor, then quickly got on her knees, apologizing as she sobbed. ¡°Sorry, Mrs. Shaw! I really was at the door the whole time! I swear Mr Shaw never came out of his room!¡±
The maid kept her head low, exining again and again, but nothing she said could soften the cold fury on Miranda¡¯s face.
¡°Never came out? Then tell me where he is. Did he just vanish into thin air?¡±
Miranda¡¯s voice rolled like thunder, each word dripping with barely restrained rage.
The maid went silent, unable to answer.
¡°Mom, look!¡±
Demi, standing by the window, suddenly widened her eyes and called out.
Miranda was already in a foul mood, and the sudden outburst only deepened her scowl.
¡°What are you yelling about? What could possibly be more important than your brother going missing?¡±
Even as she said it, she moved a few steps forward, and that was when she saw the scraped tree trunk outside.
Demi stared in silence, a startling thought shing through her mind.
¡°Abel¡ he couldn¡¯t have climbed out the window could he?¡±
Miranda¡¯s gaze fixed on the window, and in her mind¡¯s eye, she could already picture Abel bracing himself against the frame and escaping.
More importantly, the room was on the fourth floor.
The locksmith, being more experienced with these things, stepped forward to take a look. His conclusion confirmed Demi¡¯s suspicion. ¡°Mr. Shaw may have gone out through the
window.¡±
He pointed at the tree trunk. ¡°There are clear friction marks here, and the branch is sagging slightly, which suggests it bore a significant amount of weight.¡±
18:33 Fri, Jan 23 D C G
Chapter 708 Over the Wall
His calm analysis hit Miranda like a hammer blow, filling her with fury and frustration
¡°Pull up the security footage! Find out where he went!¡±
Miranda waved her hand and led everyone to the monitoring room.
Inside the enclosed tech room, an entire wall of screens disyed feeds from cameras all around the Shaw Residence.
In one corner monitor, the footage clearly showed Abel clinging to the tree trunk, dropping down, andnding steadily on his feet.
Demi watched, impressed despite herself, then couldn¡¯t help ncing at Miranda¡¯s face, just as expected, it was ashen.
Another camera caught Abel gging down a taxi on the roadside and speeding off in a specific direction.
¡°That¡¯s¡ toward the Larson Estate, isn¡¯t it?¡±
Demi drew out her words deliberately. The moment she finished speaking, every trace of color drained from Miranda¡¯s face.
¡°Mom, if that¡¯s the case, do we still need to go after Abel?¡±
Demi asked, her voice soft.
Miranda¡¯s shoulders trembled with rage, and she let out a chillingugh. ¡°Go after him for what? He¡¯s probably with Tess right now, that useless fool!¡±
She ground her teeth, then waved over a maid. ¡°Contact the Larsons. Find out if Abel is there!¡±
Meanwhile, the ¡°wanted¡± Abel had done exactly what the Shaws suspected and appeared outside the Larson Estate.
¡°May I help you, sir?¡±
A security guard stepped forward to block his path.
¡°I¡¯m from the Shaws.¡±
Abel¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, his eyes fixed on the estate beyond.
The guard hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we can¡¯t let you in. You¡¯re wee to try reaching out to
III
Chapter 708 Over the Wall
someone you know inside.¡±
Two guards stood in front of him, one on each side.
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Abel had left in such a rush that he hadn¡¯t brought a business card or anything else to prove his identity. Seeing the determination in their eyes, he turned away, pretending to leave in defeat.
But he hadn¡¯t gone far before he stopped, ducking behind a nearby wall. He scanned his surroundings and spotted a sizable tree.
Abel was agile. With one fluid motion, he scaled the tree and slipped silently over the wall.
At that same moment, Tess had just gotten La to sleep.
The warm glow of themp fell across the little girl¡¯s face, making her chubby cheeks look even more adorable, like a ripe little peach.
Tess¡¯s gaze softened.
She had been at the Larson Estate for a few days now, and this was the most time she had ever spent with La.
The only thing she regretted was that Lyra and Raven weren¡¯t here. Sometimes it felt a little lonely without them.
Tess made a mental note. Once she settled in Kingnd for good, she would definitely bring Lyra and Raven to live here too.
She nodded to herself, but just then, a knock came at the door.
Knock, knock!
The sound wasn¡¯t loud, but whoever was knocking had put some force behind it, making it low and muffled.
Tess lowered her voice. ¡°The baby¡¯s asleep!¡±
She hurried to the door and pulled it open. The moment she saw who was standing there,
she froze.
¡°Abel?¡±
She was always calm andposed, but now her eyes went wide with shock. - Booked Sar br had been through hell, his eye bloodshot and heavy with exhaustion
Before Tres could even process what was happening, a strong hand wrapped around her
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Chapter 709 I Won¡¯t Let Go
The evening breeze carried a chill that bit into her skin.
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The cold sensation snapped Tess back to her senses, and she immediately struggled to push him away.
¡°Abel! Let go of me!¡±
Mindful of La sleeping inside, she could only protest in a hushed voice, her arms braced against Abel¡¯s shoulders as she tried to put distance between them.
Abel watched her struggle, his usually soulful eyes now brimming with hurt.
¡°Why? I won¡¯t let go!¡±
Something defiant had been triggered in him. Abel bit down on his lip and tightened his hold.
Hearing this, Tess felt her temper re. She raised her hand and pped his arm hard, determined to force him to release her.
Abel winced at the pain, but only bit his lip harder, refusing to loosen his grip on her shoulders.
Unable to break free, Tess swung her palm up, this time aiming straight for Abel¡¯s gaunt, handsome face.
p!
The sharp, crisp sound cut through the silence.
Tess froze.
He didn¡¯t even try to dodge?
Her lips parted, about to say something, her hand now still. But before she could speak, teardrops fell like rain onto the back of her hand
Tess¡¯s heart skipped at the feel of that tear.
Abel leaned down and buried his face in the curve of her neck without a word.
¡°Why don¡¯t you want me?¡±
His voice cracked with a sob, and his tears fell like rain, pooling in the hollow of her
Chapter 709 1 Wous Le Go
corbone.
Tess¡¯s fingers went rigid, her hands frusen in a new
¡°Abel
Her voice dropped low, her brow furrowing witting
But Abel seemed beyond caring
He clutched desperately at the fabricant her west
¡°Tess. Tess, I¡¯ve been looking for you for so long as hung in and jour fim me a
This was the first time Abel had ever acted fis way with her unreasonable. But every choked sob was enougin break
Only, the person in front of him was less.
inving a mum being mene¡¯s heat.
Feeling his grip tighten around her less frowned and tagged him again
p!
The sound rang out sharply.
¡°Let go.
Her voice was cold, carrying an unmistakable chill tale om for argument.
The merciless blownded on his gaum chest and as her haut quilet avay sie feit sharp edge of his jawbone.
Abel¡¯s whole body shuddered, his hear going min
Tess felt him stiffen and was about to quill ava bu in the new instant. Abel win is HTM around her waist and held on tiginer than ever
His entire back was trembling, and Tess could feel every menun
¡°I won¡¯t!¡±
He buried his face in her shoulder and let ou a mush
Tess felt a headacheing on. She had never seen hell lose canal like mis
¡°What¡¯s going on, Tess?¡±
Chapter 709 I Won¡¯t Let Go
Suddenly, a worried voice approached, apanied by the tap of a came and for Bone
Olivia had heard themotion from Tess¡¯s ron and hurried out to see what was happening. She certainly hadn¡¯t expected to find this
The corner of her mouth twitched, and she stood rooted to the spot, unware what expres¨¦n
to wear.
¡°You¡¯re¡ the Shaw boy?¡±
Tess felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her from head to toe. She thot a fuck he still clinging to her, and patted his shoulder, signaling him to stand up
But Abel ignored herpletely, staying hunched over with his face pressed against her
Tess was at her wit¡¯s end. Combined with Olivia standing right there watching like she had front¨Crow seats to a show, all Tess wanted was to disappear.
¡°Fine. I want you.¡±
She let out a sigh and forced the words out under her breath.
Just a temporary solution¨Cthat¡¯s all this was.
Tess pressed her lips together in resignation. The moment she lifted her eyes, she met Olivia¡¯s amused gaze, and had no choice but to look away again.
¡°Really?¡±
Abel, who had been struggling and carrying on just moments ago, finally went still. He lifted his head, his tear¨Cfilled eyes reflecting nothing but Tess¡¯s impassive face.
But his fingers still gripped the hem of her shirt at her waist.
¡°Mm.¡±
Tess rubbed her forehead and gave a reluctant hum.
¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡±
Abel let out a cold huff, but he did stop making a scene, straightening up slightly.
His tall frame cast a long shadow that fell over Tesspletely.
Tess didn¡¯t even know what to do with her hands anymore. Behind them came the sound of Olivia¡¯s cane tapping closer.
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Chapter 709 I Won¡¯t Let Go
¡°Care to exin?¡±
The two of them stood side by side as Olivia approached, a smile ying on her lips.
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Abel finally came back to himself. His right hand released its grip and moved behind his back, but his left hand still held onto the corner of Tess¡¯s shirt.
¡°Mrs. Larson.¡±
He gave a polite nod in greeting.
But Olivia cut him off with a wave of her hand, her sharp gaze fixed on him. ¡°It¡¯s almost dark out. How exactly did you get in here?¡±
A flush of embarrassment crept across Abel¡¯s face. He pressed his lips together and didn¡¯t dare answer.
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Chapter 710 I¡¯m in Love with Her
Chapter 710 I¡¯m in Love with Her
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Olivia rapped her cane sharply against the floor. If you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll call the Shaws and have theme get you.¡±
Abel¡¯s face fell instantly, and he looked to Tess for help.
Tess kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, refusing to spare him a nce.
Abel¡¯s shoulders slumped in defeat. ¡°There¡¯s a tree in the back garden.¡±
That was all he needed to say. Both women understood immediately.
Tess turned her head, her eyesnding on Abel with a look of utter exasperation.
Olivia made her way into the room and settled herself onto a chaise lounge, eyeing Abel¡¯s embarrassed face with amusement. ¡°Well, well. The young Mr. Shaw actually knows how to be embarrassed? And here you are, sneaking onto private property after dark.¡±
Abel¡¯s ears turned crimson at her words.
¡°Mrs. Larson, you can¡¯t really call it sneaking onto private property, can you?¡±
He muttered under his breath, tugging at the corner of Tess¡¯s shirt behind her back.
Tess paid no attention to his little gesture. She yanked her shirt free from his grip and stepped back, putting distance between them,pletely ignoring the hurt, wounded look in Abel¡¯s eyes.
¡°I¡¯m calling the Shaws right now.¡±
Abel¡¯s eyes went wide with panic. He grabbed Tess¡¯s wrist. ¡°You promised! You said if I told you how I got in, you wouldn¡¯t call them!¡±
Tess crossed her arms. ¡°That was Grandma¡¯s promise. Not mine.¡±
Her response earned an approving look from Olivia.
Just that morning, Olivia had personally asked Tess to stop calling her ¡°Olivia¡± and use ¡°Grandma¡± instead, to show that Tess was as much her granddaughter as if they shared blood.
¡°Tess! You¡¯re going back on your word!¡±
Abel¡¯s voice rose in rm, and by the end, there was a telltale crack of emotion in his throat. Tess¡¯s fingers paused. The man before her was staring at her with reddened eyes, looking
Chapter 710 I¡¯m in Love with Her
utterly pitiful.
¡°You just said you wanted me.¡±
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His voice dropped low, and without realizing it, bis head sank too, wisps of hair falling over his brow and shadowing his eyes. He looked like a man with nothing left to live for.
Tess¡¯s frustration evaporated in an instant.
¡°What exactly do you want? You sneak out of the Shaw Residence, climb a tree in the back garden to break in here, all to find me. What¡¯s the point?¡±
She frowned deeply, confusion written all over her face.
¡°You.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Tess saw his lips move, but she couldn¡¯t make out what he said.
When she asked again, Abel refused to repeat it.
¡°Alright, alright. Tess, don¡¯t go calling anyone. If you do, it¡¯ll look like I don¡¯t keep my word.¡±
Olivia waved Tess over, gesturing for her to sit beside her.
Tess gave Abel one long look, then went to join her grandmother.
¡°Abel, what exactly are your intentions toward Tess?¡±
Olivia sat up straight, even adjusting her cor, her manner and expression turning serious.
Tess watched her grandmother¡¯s demeanor shift and felt something was very off.
¡°Grandma?¡±
She tugged at Olivia¡¯s sleeve, trying to stop her, but Olivia raised a hand to cut her off, her gaze fixed steadily on Abel.
The flush on Abel¡¯s ears had spread across his cheeks. Whether from crying earlier or something else, his eyes were still rimmed with red.
¡°I¡¯m in love with her.¡±
Abel seemed to understand what Olivia was getting at. He lifted his head, his gaze unwavering.
1541 Sat, Jan 24 G
Chapter 710 I¡¯m in Love with Her
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Tess sensed that things were spiraling out of her control, but she couldn¡¯t speak up to stop it. Olivia had her hand pressed down, giving it an asional squeeze as if to keep her in ce.
Ha!¡±
Olivia burst outughing at Abel¡¯s frank confession, pping her hands together.
Tess¡¯s ex¨Chusband is your uncle, and they have a daughter together. Does that not bother you at all?¡±
Olivia¡¯sughter faded quickly, her eyes locking onto Abel.
¡°No. I was toote. That¡¯s why she had to suffer so much.¡±
His voice was low and resolute,ced with tenderness and heartache for Tess.
Something stirred in Tess¡¯s chest, like a gentle knock against the walls she had built around
her heart.
Her gaze flickered, and she quickly buried the shift in her emotions.
¡°My poor Tess really has been through so much
Olivia sighed with feeling, her hand moving to rest on Tess¡¯s head, patting it gently, her eyes full of love.
A wave of warmth spread from the top of her head down through her chest and into her limbs. Her eyes began to sting.
She couldn¡¯t help but wrap her arms around Olivia¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯m not going to cry. Finding you and having you as my grandmother, that¡¯s the happiest thing in the world.¡±
Olivia let out a heartyugh, though a note of sadness crept into her voice. ¡°But I can¡¯t be with you forever.¡±
The words made Tess¡¯s breath catch.
Her fingers tightened around Olivia¡¯s arm.
¡°What do you mean?¡±
I¡¯m getting old. Sooner or , I¡¯ll have to leave Olivia patted Tess¡¯s hand reassuringly, gazing at her face with gentle affection. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to finally have someone by your side, only to be let down again.¡±
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Keepsake 711
Chapter 711 Midnight Pasta
Chapter 711 Midnight Pasta
At those words, Tess felt her eyes sting and her throat tighten, as if something had lodged itself there.
¡°Grandma, you¡¯re going to live to be a hundred. Don¡¯t say things like that.¡±
She stubbornly tried to make Olivia stop, even reaching up to cover her mouth.
But Olivia just smiled gently and brushed her hand away.
¡°Hear me out.
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¡°I know yourst marriage was miserable, but I also need you to understand that one bad experience shouldn¡¯t make you lose faith in everyone else.¡±
Abel couldn¡¯t help but be moved by the scene before him. ¡°Mrs. Larson, I promise I¡¯ll treat Tess right!¡±
But the moment the words left his mouth, Olivia shot him a re. ¡°Did anyone say it was your turn to speak?¡±
Abel shrank back and shut his mouth, obedient as could be.
Olivia¡¯s gaze returned to Tess, soft and tender. ¡°Good girl, the Larsons will be in your hands from now on. This family is no small thing. If you try to carry it all alone, you¡¯ll wear yourself out. And then there¡¯s La to think about too.¡±
Her eyes were sincere, her hand gently stroking the back of Tess¡¯s hand, as if conveying unspoken advice.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but feel her heart stir.
¡°Grandma, I¡¯m not alone. I have Lyra and Raven by my side, and Aunt Violet too, don¡¯t I?¡±
Tess tried to lift her grandmother¡¯s spirits, but Olivia just smiled and shook her head. ¡°Friends and a true partner are not the same thing.¡±
Finally, Olivia cast a friendly nce in Abel¡¯s direction. ¡°This boy may be reckless, but I can tell his feelings for you are genuine.¡±
Abel perked up the moment he heard himself mentioned, straightening his posture.
His eager expression was almost too much to look at, and Olivia quickly looked away again.
¡°Grandma, I need time to think about it. Right now, I¡¯m not ready to consider anything like that.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening.
Olivia noticed the small movement and studied her for a moment before letting out a long sigh and releasing her hand.
¡°This is your life, after all. All I can do is offer my advice.¡±
The moment Abel heard this, he felt like he had just been handed a death sentence. His breathing quickened, and he was about to rush forward to say something.
But Olivia¡¯s gaze flicked toward him. ¡°Since you¡¯re not ready to decide, we might as well call the Shaws after all.¡±
¡°Hold on. A second ago, you said doing that would break your promise.¡±
1/3
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Chapter 711 Midnight Pasta
Abel¡¯s eyes went wide.
Olivia spread her hands, her expression innocent. ¡°That was then. This is now.¡±
Abel felt the world go dark.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Tess¡¯s lips. ¡°Grandma, let me handle this. You should get some rest.¡±
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Olivia rose to her feet, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. ¡°Well, this is a matter for you young people. An old woman like me has no business meddling.¡±
¡°How can you say that, Grandma? When ites to anything about me, you¡¯re always wee to have a say.¡±
Tess pouted in displeasure.
Abel was caught off guard by a glimpse of this rare, girlish side of her.
¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯m heading back. Let La stay with me for a while. Come get her once you two have sorted things out.¡±
Tess nodded and gently ced La into Olivia¡¯s arms. She watched the two of them disappear around the corner before finally turning back.
Outside the window, the sky had gonepletely dark.
Meeting Tess¡¯s gaze, Abel couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous.
¡°You haven¡¯t had dinner, have you?¡±
Abel blinked, clearly not expecting that question.
But since she asked, he answered honestly, ¡°No. I left in a hurry.¡±
Tess studied his face. Just as Abel was starting to squirm under her gaze, he felt a light breeze as she walked past him.
¡°Come to the kitchen.¡±
She opened the door and was already heading down the hall.
Abel paused for a second, then broke into a grin and hurried after her.
The Larsons always ate dinner early, so by now the kitchen had already been cleaned and tidied.
Tess opened the fridge. There were still plenty of vegetables and fruits inside.
¡°I¡¯ll make you some pasta. You want it?¡±
She held a tomato in her hand and nced back at Abel.
¡°Yes!¡±
¡°Then start chopping.¡±
Tess tossed two tomatoes to Abel, then rummaged through the cabs for pasta.
Chapter 711 Midnight Pasta
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Abel found the cutting board without being told and got to work. By the time Tess had located the pasta and some shrimp, the tomatoes were already sliced into neat, even pieces.
Tess raised an eyebrow in surprise. ¡°Nice knife skills. When did you learn to cook?¡±
Abel scratched his head. ¡°I can¡¯t really cook. I tried learning a few days ago, but I only got as far as chopping vegetables.¡±
At that, Tess tossed him a bundle of greens and a couple of eggs.
The Larson Estate had grown quiet for the night, but the kitchen was still full of warmth and bustle.
One of them chopped vegetables and cracked eggs while the other heated the pan and added oil.
Their movements wove together, filling the space with a gentle warmth.
¡°Here you go, Mr. Shaw. Hope it¡¯s good enough.¡±
Atst, Tess set a steaming, fragrant te of pasta onto the small table.
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Keepsake 712
Chapter 712 It Only Beats for You
Abel, who hadn¡¯t eaten all day, found his appetite stirred by the fragrant aroma wafting through the air.
He couldn¡¯t even wait for it to cool down. He twirled a huge forkful of pasta and shoved it straight into his mouth.
¡°Hot, hot, hot!¡±
He swallowed it down in one gulp, the heat bringing tears to his eyes.
Tess watched from the side,ughing, and poured him a ss of water.
Abel gulped down a huge mouthful before the burning numbness in his lips finally started to fade.
¡°If it¡¯s hot, eat slower.¡±
The woman¡¯s cool voice floated over to him.
Abel¡¯s fingers paused on his fork. The colorful, aromatic pasta in front of him suddenly seemed to lose all its vibrancy.
He was starving, yet somehow he couldn¡¯t bring himself to eat another bite.
It was as if the moment he finished this te, they would have to part ways again, going their separate ways.
¡°Why aren¡¯t you eating?¡±
Seeing Abel frozen in ce like a statue, Tess frowned and urged him on.
¡°Once I finish eating, you¡¯re going to kick me out, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Abel looked up, almost obsessively, his eyes locked onto hers.
Their gazes met in midair.
Tess found herself at a loss for words.
She pressed her lips together. ¡°Maybe.¡±
¡°No way!¡±
Abel pushed the te away. ¡°Then I¡¯m not eating.¡±
¡°Eat.¡±
Tess pushed it back toward him, looking at his pitiful, wounded expression with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
¡°You can stay the night.¡±
Abel¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Or maybe not.¡±
Tess made as if to leave. ¡°Finish up and show yourself out.¡±
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1/3
9:29 pm P PM.
Chapter 712 it Only Beats for You
Abel grabbed her hand, his voice low and tinged withint. ¡°Stop teasing me.¡±
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Only then did Tess stop and turn back. Abel¡¯s tall frame was seated at the table, his head roughly level with her chest. With his head slightly bowed, all she could see was the straight bridge of his nose and the sweep of his longshes.
Tess wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things, but she could almost swear she saw a pair of little puppy ears perked up on top of his head.
¡°I don¡¯t know what happened at the Shaw Residence after I left, but what I said there today was the truth.¡±
Tess¡¯s tone turned serious. Abel¡¯s head drooped even lower, burying his face in his food as he ate, silent as if he were trying to block out her words.
¡°If you hadn¡¯te to find me, I wouldn¡¯t have gone looking for you.¡±
Tess emphasized again.
¡°Then I¡¯lle find you.¡±
His voice was muffled, but his tone was stubborn and resolute.
Tess paused, then cleared her throat. ¡°I¡¯m not looking for a rtionship right now.¡±
Abel said nothing.
Tess watched him and continued, ¡°So if you¡¯re expecting some kind of response from me, I can¡¯t give you one. My advice is that you should just move on and¡¡±
Before she could finish, Abel¡¯s grip on her wrist tightened. ¡°Don¡¯t say it.¡±
Tess stopped short. The man who had been hanging his head a moment ago now lifted his gaze, and in those deep eyes, a dark, intense light flickered. ¡°Tess, you know I can¡¯t live without you.¡±
Tess¡¯s heart pounded, slipping slightly out of her control.
Seeing her silence, Abel grew bolder. His hand slid from her wrist down into her palm. ¡°I only want you. If you can¡¯t give me an answer now, I¡¯ll wait until you can. If you¡¯re not ready now, I¡¯ll wait until you are.¡±
He pulled her hand firmly to his chest and pressed it there. ¡°It only beats for you.¡±
Tess felt the warmth beneath her palm, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was like touching fire. She yanked her hand back.
She turned her face away, flustered. ¡°Abel!¡±
But Abel acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard. He leaned forward, closing the distance between them. His eyes, lit by the warm glow of the kitchen light, shimmered like golden starlight, and Tess¡¯s reflection filled thempletely.
¡°Tess, listen. It¡¯s beating for you.¡±
Abel¡¯s voice softened, light and gentle, likeyers of sheer silk wrapping around her heart, coaxing it to beat in time with his. ¡°Let go of me right now, or I¡¯m sending you back to the Shaws.¡±
Seeing things spiraling further out of control, Tess red at Abel through gritted teeth. But Abel just looked quietly pleased with
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Chapter 712 It Only Beats for You
+10 Free Coins
himself, the corner of his mouth curving up to reveal a sharp little canine tooth. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you were already nning to let me stay the night?¡±
Tess didn¡¯t respond, just kept ring.
Abel shot to his feet with a whoop, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the stairs. ¡°I want the room next to yours!¡±
Tess was dragged along so fast the world blurred around her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the pasta p the table. It waspletely empty.
Abel bounded up to Tess¡¯s room, then began inspecting the two rooms on either side of hers.
Once Tess caught her breath, she realized her hand was still sped in his.
She tried to shake it free but couldn¡¯t budge it.
The next second, Abel¡¯s handsome face was right in front of hers. ¡°Tess, which room should I take? They¡¯re both close to you. I like them both.¡±
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 713
Chapter 713 One Wall Between Us
Abel smiled at her, his words perfectly innocent yetced with intimacy.
Tess felt heat rise to her face. She stepped back and answered carelessly, ¡°Whatever you like.¡±
¡°How can I just pick whatever? Living near you is a big deal. I have to choose carefully¡±
He muttered happily to himself, swinging the hand still sped in hers.
Tess¡¯s expression darkened as she realized he was just stalling for time.
¡°Let go. If you don¡¯t, you won¡¯t be picking any room at all.¡±
She turned to face him, her eyes boring into his with a chilling smile.
Abel pouted but reluctantly released her hand.
Tess brushed off her sleeve.
Abel looked utterly wounded. ¡°I¡¯m very clean. I shower every day.¡±
Tess ignored himpletely and pushed him toward the room on the left. ¡°If you can¡¯t decide, I¡¯ll decide for you.¡±
m!
She shut the door in his face, leaving him inside.
¡°Don¡¯t wander around tonight, and keep it down.¡±
She tossed the words over her shoulder and headed straight to her grandmother¡¯s room to pick up La.
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By the time she arrived, La was already fast asleep, eyes closed, nestled peacefully in Olivia¡¯s arms, adorable and well¨Cbehaved.
The moment Olivia saw Tess, she shot her a knowing, gossipy look and said softly, ¡°All sorted out?¡±
Tess knew she meant Abel. She nodded helplessly.
Olivia¡¯s expression shifted, bing even more suggestive.
Tess couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Her ears and cheeks flushed bright red as she scooped up La and practically fled back to her own
room.
Just then, Benjamin emerged from the bathroom, toweling off his hands. All he caught was the sight of Tess¡¯s hasty retreat.
¡°What¡¯s gotten into Tess?¡±
Olivia smiled mysteriously but offered no exnation, leaving her husband standing there utterly confused.
The first thing Tess did when she got back to her room was close the door. Surrounded by the stillness, she finally let her pace slow.
She gentlyid La in her bass.
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Chapter 713 One Wall Between Us
She had been rushing the whole way back, but La had slept so soundly she hadn¡¯t stirred once.
Tess¡¯s heart was still pounding, catching up with her btedly.
By now, the moon hung high in the sky.
Tree shadows swayed gently outside the window.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but feel a touch of wistfulness, quickly followed by a deep sense of contentment.
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Her grandmother worried so much about her being alone, but Tess had walked a solitary road for so long that finding the Larsons now, finding Lyra and Raven, already felt like a gift.
Almost without thinking, Tess nced at the wall to her left.
And of course, there was Abel.
At that very moment, Abel rubbed his nose, feeling an odd itch.
He blinked, a little guilty.
Night had fallen, and the darkness outside was thick as ink.
The light in Tess¡¯s room had gone out, but Abel¡¯smp was still on. He was huddled in the corner, his eyes fixed on the wall that separated him from her room.
Just one wall between them. No matter how he thought about it, there was something intimate about that.
A flicker of shyness crossed Abel¡¯s eyes before he quickly hid it. His mind reyed what Tess had told him earlier.
So what if she wasn¡¯t ready? He would wait. He had already waited this long, searched for her for so long.
Five years, ten years, 20 years if he had to.
Abel¡¯s fingers curled, his heart beating fast because he had never been this close to her before.
He stayed awake until dawn, rising early with dark circles under his eyes.
God.
What had he been thinking about all night? They weren¡¯t even official yet.
Abel pushed open his door, his cheeks flushed, his gaze still hazy and unfocused.
¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±
Tess happened to step out at the same moment. As she spoke, both she and La in her arms turned to look at him.
The instant he saw Tess, everything he had tried to push out of his mind came flooding back.
Abel stared at her face, and the image from his dreams seemed even clearer now.
His head felt like it might burst from the heat, and he quickly looked away.
Chapter 713 One Wall Between Us
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¡°N¨Cnothing¡±
Abel stammered out a response.
Tess studied his strange behavior, frowning as her eyes swept over him. Apart from acting weird, she couldn¡¯t spot anything wrong. so she let it go.
¡°Breakfast should be ready. Let¡¯s head down.¡±
Tess walked ahead with La, and Abel trailed slowly behind, his eyes lingering on her back. Those warm, rose¨Ctinted scenes filled his mind again.
Abel could feel his whole face burning. He ducked his head to avoid looking at her.
The three of them arrived at the dining room one after another, only to find the table set with a full spread but not a single person in sight, though the chairs had been pulled out.
Tess frowned, sensing something was off.
Just then, there was movement at the door.
She looked up toward the sound and saw Violet walking toward her, a cryptic smile ying on her lips.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 714
Chapter 714 The Uninvited Guest
¡°You have a visitor. Someone¡¯s outside looking for you.¡±
Tess paused, caught off guard.
Who would be looking for her this early? Besides, this was Kingnd. She didn¡¯t know anyone here.
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But when she met Violet¡¯s eyes, glinting with the look of someone about to watch a good show, Tess¡¯s heart sank. She followed her toward the door anyway.
¡°Who is it? Do you know them, Aunt Violet?¡±
Violet covered her mouth, only a hint of a smile peeking through. ¡°Your ex¨Chusband.¡±
Those two words stopped Tess dead in her tracks.
¡°What¡¯s he doing here?¡±
¡°Probably wants forgiveness. Your grandparents are already outside.¡±
Violet shrugged helplessly and waved for Tess to follow.
Every step felt like torture, but Tess had no choice but to keep walking.
Abel stayed close behind her. All the wandering thoughts from earlier hadpletely vanished, reced by high alert. Even the muscles in his arms had gone tense.
Why the hell was Uncle Finn showing up out of nowhere?
Abel pressed his lips together, his jaw tight with tension.
A gust of cold wind swept past as the four of them came to a stop at the entrance.
Finn stood there in a tailored ck suit that made his chiseled features look sharp and severe. But the way he bowed his head gave him an air of deference and humility.
Olivia leaned on her cane by the gate, looking him up and down without a trace of warmth. ¡°What brings you here, Mr. Lock?¡±
Finn lowered his head even further. ¡°Mrs. Larson, I happened to be passing through Kingnd on business. Since my wife has finally returned home, I thought I¡¯d stop by to see her.¡±
¡°Wife?¡±
Olivia crossed her arms and let out a coldugh. ¡°I think you¡¯re mistaken, Mr. Lock. There¡¯s no wife of yours in this family.¡±
Finn bit his lip. ¡°Mrs. Larson, Tess and I are divorced, yes. But we share a daughter. If possible, I¡¯d still like the chance to take care of her and La as her husband. So please forgive me for using that term.¡±
¡°Tess has always been independent. She doesn¡¯t need your care. Of course, it¡¯s ultimately up to her.¡±
Olivia¡¯s tone softened a little.
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Chapter 714 The Uninvited Guest
Finn noticed the shift in her demeanor and looked up, only to meet Tess¡¯s cold, indifferent gaze.
She was here.
His fingers tightened inside his sleeve.
¡°What are you doing here?¡±
Her voice was cool, like a cold breeze drifting down from a mountaintop.
Finn¡¯s anxious heart chilled even further.
He looked at her, his eyes unable to look at anyone else. ¡°I wanted to see you. To beg for your forgiveness.¡±
When he finished speaking, the corner of Tess¡¯s mouth curved up, her eyes full of mockery.
¡°Finn, La and I don¡¯t need you. I thought I made myself perfectly clear. Please stop disrupting my life.¡±
Tess shook her head and refused.
This oue was exactly what Finn had expected, but hearing her say it still made his eyes flicker and dim.
He tried to force a smile, hoping his face didn¡¯t look too defeated.
¡°Tess, I¡¯m not trying to force anything. Just give me a chance to see La and try to make things right with you.¡±
¡°Uncle Finn, not everyone gets a free pass and a second chance.¡±
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Seeing that Tess hadn¡¯t responded immediately, Abel¡¯s heart leapt into his throat. He stepped forward without hesitation.
Only then did Finn notice Abel standing there.
Their eyes met, and Finn¡¯s expression instantly soured.
He ground his teeth. ¡°Abel? You went back to the Shaws. What are you doing here?¡±
Abel didn¡¯t bother pretending to maintain their uncle¨Cnephew rtionship. Instead, he fixed Finn with a hard look. ¡°Uncle Finn, I know you¡¯re the one who tipped off the shaws.¡±
At those words, Finn¡¯s expression shifted for just a moment. He instinctively nced at Tess, trying to read her reaction, but found nothing.
It was precisely thatck of reaction that made him even more uneasy.
¡°Abel, what are you talking about?¡±
Finn kept hisposure, feigning confusion, but no one noticed the slight tremor in his clenched fists.
Abel looked him dead in the eye. ¡°I went to Aetheris because of a business partnership between our family and the Larsons. I was there to apany the client as requested. There was no reason for me to be called back so urgently. You¡¯re the only person I can think of who would¡¯ve done that.¡±
¡°Are you saying I sabotaged you behind your back?¡±
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Chapter 714 The Uninvited Guest
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Finn¡¯s voice turned cold, his face dark.
Inparison, Abel seemed much calmer.
He shrugged. ¡°Just an observation. Don¡¯t read too much into it, Uncle Finn.¡±
Despite his words, he stared straight at Finn, making it crystal clear he was certain Finn was involved.
Finn¡¯s face was grim. He turned to Tess, who had been watching from the sidelines like a spectator. ¡°Is that what you think too?¡± Caught off guard by suddenly being addressed, Tess blinked. She spread her hands. ¡°I don¡¯t think anything. Even if it¡¯s true, it has absolutely nothing to do with me.¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 715
Chapter 713 She Look Like 17k
Chapter 715 She Looks Like Us
Finn pressed his lips together tightly, watching ¡®s every move, a sense of unfamiliarity flooding his heart.
In the past, if something involved him even the lightest, Tess would never have stood by She would have been even more anxious than he was.
The contrast between then and now was like a knife lodged in Finn¡¯s chest, twisting deeper into his flesh.
¡°It was me.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was low and hoarse, his eyes fixed on Tess, as if he were willing toy himself bare for her to see.
To show her his obsession with her, his pettiness, his underhanded tactics.
Tess¡¯s brow furrowed, but it smoothed out just as quickly. From start to finish, she remained so calm it was as if nothing had changed at all.
Finn¡¯s heart was seized by an invisible hand, lifted up, then dropped and shattered.
Abel looked entirely unsurprised.
¡°Young man, I can see from this visit that you still have feelings for Tess.¡±
Olivia stepped in, breaking the stalemate.
The awkward tension in the air eased slightly at the sound of her voice.
Finn pressed his lips together and gave a small nod in Olivia¡¯s direction, reining in the darkness in his gaze.
¡°However.¡±
Olivia tapped her cane against the ground and walked slowly toward them. ¡°Abel isn¡¯t a child. anymore, and neither are you. What happened back then, you should take responsibility for. Regret doesn¡¯t mean you get to turn back the clock.¡±
Her tone was grave, carrying a note of warning.
Finn¡¯s breath caught, pain and conflict warring in his eyes.
His constant pursuit of Tess wasn¡¯t born from the wounded pride that Lyra and Raven had used him of. It was the pain of losing her, rooted so deeply in his heart that he couldn¡¯t
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19.14 Mon, Feb 2
Chapter 715 She Looks Like Us
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Tess kept her face stern, looking fully prepared to shut down the conversation if he pushed back
Finn had no choice but to agree,
¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, Mr. Lock, please see yourself out. We still need to have breakfast.¡±
Tess turned to leave with La in her arms, but Finn couldn¡¯t help calling out. ¡°Before you go, can I hold her? Just for a moment?¡±
Tess stopped reluctantly, irritation and impatience mingling on her face. But in the end, she slowly handed La over to him,
¡°Make it quick¡±
Her tone was sharp and hurried.
Finn felt a sting in his heart, but there was no time for self¨Cpity. He immediately focused all his attention on the little bundle in his arms.
When he finally held her fully, he realized she wasn¡¯t as light as he had imagined. She had some weight to her, but she was soft and squishy like a big ball of cotton candy.
Finn¡¯s gaze softened, and the cold aura surrounding him melted away entirely. His face, usually as hard as ice, now held something that could only be described as tenderness.
Tess watched from the side, blinking, but quickly pushed aside the strange feeling stirring
inside her.
¡°She looks so much like us.¡±
Finn stared at La in a daze, the words slipping out before he could
stop them.
Abel, standing nearby watching this rtively peaceful scene, looked ready to breathe fire.
¡°You¡¯ve held her long enough.¡±
He pouted and urged impatiently.
Finn acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard. He lifted his gaze to meet Tess¡¯s eyes. lips look exactly like yours.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you
think? Her
Their eyes met, and Abel was practically bouncing with frustration beside them.
Tess didn¡¯t engage and quickly lowered her gaze
La hadn¡¯t fully grown into her features yet. Her little face was still round with baby fat, but
13 14 Mon, Feb 26
Chapter 715 She Looks Like the
her lips had a distinctive shape, with a full, prong
¡°Her eyes are like mine?
Noticing that Tess had looked away, Find¡¯s gaze himself to shift his gaze back to La, as if to to
Chapter 716 A Fool¡¯s Hope
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 716
¡°It¡¯s gettingte.¡±
Olivia tapped her cane against the ground.
If she didn¡¯t speak up, the Shaw boy was going to pass out from sheer frustration.
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With Olivia¡¯s words, Finn had no choice but to let go, no matter how much he wanted to linger. He carefully ced La back into Tess¡¯s arms.
¡°I¡¯ll be in Kingnd for a while. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out.¡±
He looked at Tess with earnest intensity.
Tess didn¡¯t spare him a nce. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±
Her refusal was swift and absolute, and her retreating steps didn¡¯t falter for a second.
Finn¡¯s gaze followed Tess¡¯s back, as though countless invisible threads bound him to her, but none of them could stop her from walking away.
Abel, however, didn¡¯t follow Tess this time.
Finn noticed the figure lingering before him, and his eyes immediately darkened.
Their eyes met. Neither said a word, but the air between them crackled with tension.
¡°Uncle Finn, since you¡¯ve got a direct line to the Shaws, go ahead and tell them I won¡¯t being back for a while. Oh, and I need to get inside. Tess and I have breakfast waiting.¡±
Abel shed a carefree grin, then strode off.
The ornate gate swung shut, and Finn watched Abel jog toward the direction Tess had gone. His mind reyed everything Abel had just said.
Why was Abel at the Larson Estate?
The question hit him btedly, and as his thoughts spiraled, an even more unsettling possibility emerged.
Was Abel living here with Tess? Did that mean¡
Finn¡¯s chest ached, but he realized the only way he could interfere was still through the Shaws. Frustration burned in his chest, lodging in his throat.
Chapter 716 A Fool¡¯s Hope
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decar
He had no choice but to swallow his resentment and get into the car parked by the curb.
to
Zane felt a chill sweep through the back seat, and when he danced in the rearview mirror, he saw his boss¡¯s stormy expression.
M¨CMr. Lock
Did he get rejected by Ms. Tess again? Though at this point, that was pretty much par for the
¡°Call the Shaws. Ask them why Abel is at the Larson Estate
Finn ground out the words through clenched teeth, every syble forced through gritted teeth.
Only then did Zane realize that his boss¡¯s fury was actually because of Abel
He didn¡¯t dare dy and immediately made the call
King-
The phone barely rang once before it was answered.
¡°Finn? Why are you calling all of a sudden? Do you know where Abel went?¡±
¡°The Larson Estate.¡±
Miranda had been clinging to a shred of hope, sending people to search every possible ce along the way. The most likely location, the Larson Estate, had been put off because it was inconvenient to approach. Now, hearing the confirmed answer, her chest heaved with rage.
She mmed her fist on the table, the tter of ss tea cups punctuating her furious outburst. ¡°They don¡¯t even give him the time of day, and he still goes crawling back to them! He¡¯s an absolute disgrace to the Shaw name!¡±
Finn frowned at her words. ¡°What do you mean they don¡¯t give him the time of day?¡±
Miranda let out a cold huff but went ahead and recounted her conversation with Tess from the day before.
The woman¡¯s voice was shrill, punctuated byints, but Finn barely heard any of it. His fingers tightened, and a wild hope flickered in his eyes.
If Tess really said those things, it meant she had no feelings for Abel. And possibly no feelings for anyone around her either.
So Abel showing up at the Larson Estate today was probably just Tess being kind enough to
13:14 Mon, Feb 2 G D D
Chapter 716 A Fool¡¯s Hope
take him in. That meant there was nothing between them, which meant¡
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Finn¡¯s heart leapt into his throat, only to be pressed back down by an invisible hand. A shadow flickered through his eyes.
Hadn¡¯t she rejected him too?
Finn¡¯s throat tightened with bitterness. Then he heard Miranda¡¯s voice on the other end of the line. ¡°Finn, did you call for a reason?¡±
¡°No. Just wanted to let you know where Abel is. He may be acting foolish, but that doesn¡¯t mean you should too.¡±
Silence fell on the other end.
Miranda frowned, her fingers gripping the phone as a sh of displeasure crossed her eyes.
Technically, even though Finn was of the same generation as Abel, he should still show her some respect. But themanding tone in his voice was hard to stomach.
Still, Miranda swallowed her irritation.
¡°I understand, Finn. I¡¯ll send someone to bring him back right away.¡±
Finn said nothing more and hung up.
The car fell into silence.
Zane gripped the steering wheel, shifting ufortably in his seat.
¡°Mr. Lock, where to now?¡±
¡°The Shaw Residence. We¡¯ll be staying there for a few days.¡±
Zane¡¯s eyes went wide with surprise.
He had been with his boss for a long time now. Over the years, Lock Group had made special trips to Kingnd, but mostly for business. Finn had never once reached out to the Shaws, let alone stayed at their ce.
His brief hesitation caught Finn¡¯s attention and displeasure. Finn¡¯s brow furrowed, his sharp gaze cutting through the rearview mirror straight into Zane¡¯s eyes.
Chapte
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 717
r 717 Diverging Paths
A fest the ing wheel, and he car shor forward.
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and the dining table at the Larson estate. Tess leaned on one
mine that with open interest
But a fightly ufortable under her gaz, yet a quiet delight crept in.
The the fed me in days that Tess had looked at him so directly.
If dething selfred Happens, the Shaws wille knocking soon to take you back. We
.y
ayten Mal understand why she had been staring at him. She was clearly enjoying his
The expression 66maged at once.
The see the war, we see melting into water.
HAR DEN t test from time to time.
Cave dhe had worn eather outside, her features now looked rxed and
Medya hund heutated when she saw Fion. After all, he was La¡¯s father, and his CYRTIVE A HEAT 4eted where enenigh that perhaps he deserved another chance.
Wintees that been firmary against it, so Olivia had buried the thought.
kom, arring the contrast, it was cheftious that without Finn around, Tess was far more at case and gemanely happe
Chvis finndly dismissed the idea entirely.
By the way, tres, you¡¯ve been here a few days new. Have you contacted your friends in Rethener Wement you still preparing to deal with Henry?¡±
Violet fitted her ss of milk with practiced elegance, her gaze settling on Tess.
Sheffie onions contatting off He looked up to find everyone staring at him
So he shoes not feeding yo
yote
ERRORed ad fe & swkward grill ¡°Honestly, the Larsons food tastes better.
here off the timer
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Such feipfaen korta dream¡± Olivia soffert
Backoth a hint of smug satisfaction, then quickly sobered. Given the THE AUKCR Sele ll probably be the only one going back this time. If you want to
legant it wore be so easy!
ERCUNE DO BORight The yful grin vanished from his face in an instant.
to the appoticeably. Tese had her head lowered, feeding La spoonfuls of baby
the Alepot Worsen more saypleved
Maple Kite segarned, yet she seemedpletely unbothered. Did he mean
dened winner protest, she would likely pick at her ear without expression and
4 AM Adade Pocdibly
WAN prejed the one through in his head and wisely kept his mouth shut. Want toemhere he said at fingers passed around the spoon
Perhaps because she had just seen Finn, fragments of the past surfaced unbidden.
Rainy days, countless of them.
She would mare at the small barred window in her prison cell, waiting in vain.
Not everyone inside was cruel A young guard, newly assigned and sympathetic to her situation, would secretly help her from time to time.
Still unwilling to give up. Tess would clutch the woman¡¯s sleeve and ask if Finn hade, even if only to look from outside the prison wall. Every time, the guard¡¯s face would tighten with hesitation, words left unaid
Silence answered her question, again and again draining her hope.
Maybe Mr. Lock is busy and can¡¯t get away, the guard would say, trying tofort her. Sometimes she added. ¡°The First Prison has strict orders. No outsiders allowed near. Don¡¯t overthink it Focus on taking care of the baby.¡±
But now Abel was saying that as long as he wanted to go, he could go anywhere.
Which meant that during that year she spent in prison, Finn had simply chosen not toe.
Hershes lowered, concealing the trace of irony in her eyes.
Olivia set down her mug and looked directly at Abel. ¡°Having that intention is good. But I still suggest you sort out your family matters first. The Shaws are not easy to deal with. If they can¡¯t move forward through you, they will inevitably drag Tess into it.¡±
She spoke lightly, then lowered her head toward the mug and blew across the surface, sending up a soft cloud of steam
Abel¡¯s throat worked as he swallowed, understanding her meaning.
I know what you¡¯re saying,¡± he replied quietly.
There was none of his earlier stubbornness left.
Olivia nodded and returned to her mug.
Tess gaze moved between them. Olivia remained calm andposed. Abel, meanwhile, looked as though he were clenching his teeth, waging some silent battle within himself. In his eyes flickered determination, edged with calction.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 718
Chapter 718 A Silent Agreem
thx didn¡¯t press the matter Buchen Wer the antavia the
She had to mention of keeping Abel any long hare in
Abel bad already seen through her n, which was why he had moving at a sail¡¯s pace. Even after slowly clearing his te, he still has chose scund up
the
Tasked Vince to arrange a driver for you. Tess sait, lifting her chin wart the entr Abel¡¯s eves held a trace of pleating and reluctare, but Tess remained unmoset With his gaze dimmed, he turned and left. Vince was already waiting at the dour and someone was seated in the driver¡¯s seat of the car prepared for him.
You¡¯re not even going to try to stop me. Abel said, his voice tinged with gernes Tess acted as if she had not heard him. She raised a brow. Then take a cab yourself.
Before the words had fullynded. Abel squeezed straight into the back seat.
Vince was a longtime member of the Larson household and had a basic understanding of the major families in Kingnd. Naturally, he knew who Abel was and what he felt for ther youngdy.
With a knowing smile, Vince tapped lightly on the car window
Abel rolled it down and mer Vince¡¯s kindly, curved eyes. Fine lines at the corners, earnest with age, were filled with warmth and teasing good humor.
¡°This car was specially prepared by the Larsons to wee Ms. Tess home. Other than the youngdy herself, you are the only one who has ever sat in it.¡±
As he finished, Vince gave him a yful wink
The man who had still been reluctant moments earlier felt his expression shift
He stared at Vince in a daze, searching his face. The sincerity in Vince¡¯s eyes left no ra for
doubt.
¡°Really?¡± Abel asked softly, doing his best to suppress the burst of joy threatening to spill
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13:14 Mon, Feb 2 GD D
Chapter 718 A Silent Agreement
from his throat.
¡°Of course. The youngdy herself has only ridden in it once.
Delight lit up Abel¡¯s eyes. He cleared his throat twice, his earlier resistance gone.
He rolled down all the windows, revealing his handsome face.
¡°Wait for me.¡±
His gaze locked onto Tess standing on the steps. His tone was solernn, as if he were standing at a wedding altar, making a vow that set hearts racing and promised a lifetime together
Tess met his overly expressive eyes and, for a fleeting moment, regretted her indulgence the night before.
¡°Drive.¡±
Her cool voice cut cleanly through the still air.
The driver was a trainee personally trained by Vince, with Tess as his direct superior. At hermand, he ignored the cracking expression on Abel¡¯s face in the back seat, mmed his foot down, and sped toward the estate gates.
¡°He¡¯s gone. Today, go to thepany first and have someone walk you through the process. The press conference is tomorrow.¡±
Violet had appeared beside Tess without her noticing.
Tess nodded in acknowledgment. When she turned her head and parted her lips to speak, Violet seemed to anticipate her thoughts. ¡°The flight to Aetheris has already been booked Once the press conference is over, you can head straight to the airport. You can pack your luggage tonight as well.¡±
Tess nodded again, feeling thoroughly reassured
Violet truly lived up to her reputation as the woman who had led the Larsons for years. Her arrangements were always thoughtful andplete.
Olivia joined them on the steps. Upon hearing the n, she frowned slightly. ¡°You¡¯re going back to Aetheris right after the press conference? Is it really that urgent?¡±
She looked at Tess with clear reluctance.
Violet saw the longing in Olivia¡¯s eyes and couldn¡¯t help butugh softly as she took her arm. ¡°Mom, Tess isn¡¯t leaving and nevering back Look at you. If Tess softens and dys her return, and things in Aetheris aren¡¯t resolved right away, her move to Kingnd will be
1314 Mon Fax ¨C
Chapter 118 Silent AeroPORTE
pushed back again
Those worde art direnly at Olivia¡¯s fears
Be
She had no choice but as cititi gase theluctance in her eyes reced with resolve.
Olivia reached out and ook lead hand Time When you go back to Aetheris this time, make sure you wrap everything up quickly. The caniceLarson family and the Larson Group are waiting for you
Meeting Olivia¡¯s carnen gaze. Tess sulod and nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandma. I¡¯ll handle everything as fast as possible. Once it¡¯s settled. Ify straight back to Kingnd and won¡¯t leave again.
Following that thought, Olivia sosed to already picture what woulde next and didn¡¯t try to keep Tess any longer
Then Benjarain, who had been quiet all along, suddenly spoke up. ¡°With your schedule so right, have you told that boy from the Shaws?!
The question ako stirred Obst¡¯s auriosity,
¡°Not Tess replied ¡°I don¡¯t n to tell him. Besides, he won¡¯t be able to get away from the Shaws anytime soon
Ar that, the three Larons nodded in agreement and didn¡¯t dwell on it further.
Oh, right Violet added. In a few months, there will be a summit in Kingnd. The Larson Group has been specially invited and will need a representative to attend. You can go then. Come to think of it, that will count as your first major public appearance.¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 719
Chapter 719 Packed With Care
Violet frowned, a sudden realization crossing her mind.
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Since Tess had long been aware of the summit, she didn¡¯t hesitate and nodded. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll prepare properly when the timees.¡±
¡°Enough about the summit. That¡¯s still a while away,¡± Olivia said, patting Tess on the shoulder. Her tone was brisk, but her eyes still held a carefully hidden reluctance. ¡°Focus on what¡¯s in front of you first. I¡¯ll have the housekeeper go to your room and start packing.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
¡°Let me hold the baby for a bit.¡±
Olivia reached out, and once the soft, warm bundle was ced in her arms, the hollow ce in her heart felt a little more filled.
This time, when Tess returned to Aetheris, she would certainly be taking La with her.
Her sweet great¨Cgranddaughter. She had hardly had the chance to hold her at all.
It was all Henry¡¯s fault, forcing Tess to live apart from them and endure even more hardship because of him.
Olivia clenched her teeth in anger.
The housekeeper led the way, with Tess and Olivia following behind through the long, silent corridor. In the quiet, the sound of Olivia grinding her teeth was unusually clear.
Tess felt a chill run over her scalp. Seeing Olivia¡¯s furious expression, she couldn¡¯t help but find it both amusing and touching.
More than anything, it was warm.
Tess lowered her gaze slightly, longshes shading her dark eyes and the emotions swirling beneath.
She understood perfectly why Olivia looked like this.
Since Gillian had passed away, she had not felt this kind of heart¨Cwrapping warmth from anyone else for a very long time.
Without realizing it, Tess moved a little closer to Olivia. Their shadows stretched behind them, slowly intertwining.
1914 Mon, Feb 7 CDD/
Chape 715 Packed With Care
Thelp you park Olivia said.
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When they pushed open Tess bedroom door, Olivia finally handed the small bundle in her arm to another housekeeper.
Olivia and Tess stood together in front of the wardrobe, an open suitcase at their feet.
All threeyers of the wardrobe were pulled open. Olivia scanned them from top to bottom, dearly dissatisfied.
Just as Tess reached inside, Olivia stopped her.
¡°These are all out of season. Even the ones preparedter are already outdated.¡±
Olivia touched her chin and pulled Tess straight toward the walk¨Cin closet.
¡°This was also prepared for you, but you always wear the same few pieces. I¡¯m guessing you never really came in to choose.¡±
She led Tess through the spacious, brightly lit closet and pulled open two full rows of wardrobe doors.
¡°These are all ssic pieces from major luxury brands, plus runway ready¨Cto¨Cwear. They¡¯ve been prepared for a while now,¡±
Olivia guided Tess through them at a nce. Even Tess, who had grown up in a wealthy family despite her unhappy past, felt dazzled.
¡°This time, when you go back to Aetheris, pick more from here to take with you,¡± Olivia said, enthusiastically holding pieces up against her.
Behind them stood two housekeepers, one carrying suitcases, the other holding La.
The one holding La had an easier time and, watching the warm scene, smiled as she spoke to Tess. ¡°Ms. Tess is truly blessed. Olivia rarely dotes on anyone like this, not even Ms. Larson. She started arranging this closet as soon as she learned of your existence. Every piece inside was personally chosen by her. Anything even slightly below standard would never have made it in.¡±
Her smiling eyes and gentle words painted Olivia¡¯s care and singr affection in vivid detail. ¡°Grandma, these are all too expensive, I don¡¯t think I should wear them in Aetheris,¡± Tess said.
¡°Wear them,¡± Olivia snapped, straightening at once. ¡°What do you mean? I bought them for you to wear. You must wear them in Aetheris, especially in front of Nadine and Shannon. Just imagining their faces twisted with anger makes me happy.¡±
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Cilvia narrowed her eyes, clearly pleased with the thought.
Tessughed helplessly. Unable to stop her, she picked a few simpler, more elegant pieces and ced them into the suitcase. Olivia was not satisfied and deliberately added several more ornate, delicate cocktail dresses.
Even as the housekeeper folded them, the beading caught the light, sparkling brilliantly.
¡°Tess, from now on you are the face of the Larsons,¡± Olivia said. ¡°We value modesty and restraint, but we cannot let others look down on us.
¡°Do you understand?¡±
She raised a brow at Tess,
What could Tess say? She could only nod. ¡°I understand, Grandma.¡±
That single word made Olivia beam. She then dragged Tess over to the jewelry cab to choose several pieces of custom jewelry sourced from royal collections.
By the time three suitcases were filled to the brim, Olivia rubbed her chin and considered having a stroller packed and shipped as well.
Tess was both amused and helpless. She quickly stopped her, persuading her at length before Olivia finally gave up.
¡°When you return to Aetheris, you must act decisively,¡± Olivia said atst. ¡°No matter what Henry says, especially anything about father and daughter bonds, you must not soften your heart or believe him.¡±
13:14 Mon, Feb 2 a DD.
Chapter 720 An Unspoken Request
Chapter 720 An Unspoken Request
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Two suitcases were stacked in the corner, Olivia held Tess¡¯s hand, her expression solemn as she gave her instructions with clear seriousness.
Meeting the concern in Olivia¡¯s eyes, Tess felt a surge of warmth rise in her chest. She looked especially obedient as she replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandma. I¡¯ll never forget the hardships I¡¯ve endured.¡±
Olivia nodded. She trusted Tess¡¯s judgment and the way she handled matters. But it seemed another thought had surfaced. She stopped, hesitating, clearly wanting to speak but unable to bring herself to say it.
Seeing the difficulty written across Olivia¡¯s face, Tess¡® smile faded slightly. She spoke gently. ¡°Grandma, are you thinking about Kylie?¡±
The name ¡°Kylie¡± surfaced just like that, and Olivia faltered for a moment.
She seemed to age all at once, even her movements slowing.
Olivia nodded and let out a heavy breath. ¡°Yes.¡±
A hush settled between them.
¡°I know this isn¡¯t fair to you.¡±
#1
Hearing that, Tess pressed her lips together. ¡°Is there something you want me to do?¡±
Olivia shook her head, her gaze filled with tenderness and pain. ¡°Of course not. The only thing I could ask would be for you to forgive her tofort her. But that would be unfair to you, so I would never do that.¡±
Tess lowered her eyes. ¡°Then you¡¡±
¡°She has always been spoiled by us,¡± Olivia continued. ¡°No one expected that one trip would cost her everything. When she finds out about Shannon, and that the adopted daughter she treated with genuine affection is actually the illegitimate child of her beloved husband and his mistress, she¡¯ll copse.¡±
Olivia¡¯s voice was unusually heavy,ced with a quiet sorrow.
Tess didn¡¯t feel sympathy for Kylie.
Stupidity itself can be a kind of wrongdoing.
And Kylie wasn¡¯t innocent.
13:14 Man Feb 2
Chapter 220 An Unspoken Request
She had been misled and deceived, yet she was foolish enough to dose blindly on ber adopted daughter while belittling and dismissing her own biological child an every turn. To Tess, that was unforgivable.
¡°Grandma, I did try to warn her, more than once¡± Tess said calmly. ¡°But she seemed willing to stay deceived.¡±
Perhaps it was fear. Even knowing that the cage Henry had built for her was unstable. Kylie still hid in what felt like the safest corner, clinging pitifully to a dream of happiness.
At some point, Olivia¡¯s back had begun to stoop Her voice was heavy, nothing like the decisive, energetic woman she usually was.
She lowered her head, her eyes clouded, as though memories from the past had surfaced.
¡°Grandma isn¡¯t asking you to forgive her,¡± Olivia said softly. ¡°I care about you, and I know you suffered greatly under her. But¡¡± She paused, then turned to Tess, her gaze sincere. ¡°If she shows even the slightest sign of remorse in the end, bring her back.¡±
Tess understood what Olivia meant.
Once Kylie learned the truth, she would inevitably break down.
What Olivia hoped was that, when the time came, she¡¯d have somewhere stable to go.
Tess frowned slightly, then relented. ¡°Grandma, I can¡¯t be sure how things will unfold by then. To be honest, I no longer feel hatred toward her. When I see her now, it¡¯s more like looking at a demanding stranger. If that really happens, I won¡¯t forgive her, but I can take her back. I just hope she won¡¯t appear in front of me very often.¡±
Hearing this, Olivia nodded repeatedly, her head lowered as she gripped Tess¡® hand tighter and tighter. ¡°Alright. You¡¯re being kind.¡±
Tess lowered her gaze and realized that Olivia, whom she so admired now barely reached her chest.
She truly was old. Especially at this moment, she seemed drained of strength, like someone trapped in the mire of the past, sinking deeper the more she struggled.
The air between them inevitably grew tense,
¡°Finish checking your things. See if there¡¯s anything else you need. If there is, have the housekeeper arrange it,¡± Olivia said, patting the Back of Tess¡® hand before slowly leaving with the help of her cane.
The two housekeepers remained behind. Sensing the awkward tension in the room, they stood rigidly, anxious not to make a mistake.
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To the Toy There¡¯s nothing left to pack. You can go rest. Tess said, reaching out to
ther La with her arms
To the homekeepers her words sounded like a reprieve.
They en quickly, reliever.
The spanions walk¨Cin closet was left with only Tess and La.
& diin haze of emotion rose in Tess¡¯s chest, stirring a quiet sigh.
Boring that year of torment in prison, all she ever thought about was escaping Finn. Yet now, siding in Kingnd, that period felt as distant as another century.
In truth, only half a year had passed, but her life had beenpletely transformed. And she herself had changed just as profoundly.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 721
Chapter 791 Under the Clear Sky
Chapter 721 Under the Clear Sky
Tess let out a long breath and gently bounced La, who was growing restless in her arms
She lifted La until they were face to face, their cheeks brushing softly together.
¡°La, let¡¯s go back to Aetheris and say a proper goodbye.¡±
After finishing her packing and having lunch at the Larson Estate, Tess hearder to thepany.
The professionals specially assigned to her had already been waiting in the office.
¡°Ms. Ember.¡±
Seeing the refined, youthful face before him, the person in charge momentarily lost focus
He had not expected the widely known heir of the Larsons to be so young and striking, ezen more impressive than the media portrayals.
¡°Please, sit,¡± Tess said with a faint smile, gesturing for him to take a seat.
¡°I really didn¡¯t expect you to be so young and aplished,¡± he remarked again as he sat down.
Tess had been flipping through the documents in front of her. At his words, she looked up a hint of curiosity shing in her eyes.
She assessed him calmly, her gaze carrying a note of scrutiny that feltposed rather than intrusive.
Under her attention, the man straightened instinctively, his heart thudding harder.
¡°You look quite young as well,¡± Tess said, her brows lifting slightly before her attention returned to the papers.
Tristan Marcellius heard her voice, gentle yet edged with cool distance, and caught a faint. snow¨Ccold scent in the air, as if winter had brushed past him.
¡°You tter me,¡± he said quickly. ¡°My name is Tristan Marcellius. I¡¯m the person responsible
press conference.¡± for preparing tomorrow¡¯s press
He looked at Tess with eager attentiveness.
Tess nodded as she continued reviewing the documents. ¡°Thank you for your efforts.¡±
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Chapter 721 Under the Clear Sky
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Just those two words were enough to make Tristan feel lightheaded, as though he were drifting on air.
Mr. Marcellius?¡±
He snapped back to himself, realizing he had lost focus again. When he looked up. Tess¡® brows were faintly drawn together.
His expression shifted, and he hurried to apologize. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Ember. I lost my focus.¡±
Tess showed no obvious emotion, but she tapped her fingers lightly against the desk. The crisp sound carried a clear warning.
¡°Mr. Marcellius, ten minutes have passed since I walked in, and we have yet to address the main topic. If this continues, I¡¯ll have to question your professionalism and consider recing you.¡±
Her eyes were not particrly bright, as if filled with scattered fragments of light, yet they drew people in all the same.
¡°I apologize, Ms. Ember. Please take a look at this document first. The first page contains the draft speech I prepared for you¡¡±
Clenching his jaw, Tristan forced himself back into a professional mindset and moved straight to the point.
Only then did Tess fully engage.
They continued their discussion in the office, with Tess asionally requesting revisions.
¡°Once I finish the revisions, I¡¯ll send the updated version to your email tonight. Tomorrow morning, the printed copy will be delivered to you by your assistant,¡± Tristan said as he stood - up.
Tess nodded and gestured toward the door.
After his tall figure disappeared from sight, Tess narrowed her eyes slightly, an emotion difficult to define flickering through them.
Tristan all but fled into the elevator. Even after the doors closed, his heart was still pounding, though it had finally slowedpared to earlier
¡°Didn¡¯t you say that Tess was just a woman who didn¡¯t understand anything?¡± he demanded into the phone, his gaze fixed on the closed elevator doors.
¡°She used to be awyer, and then I heard she was some kind of designer. None of that has anything to do with finance. Isn¡¯t that basically knowing nothing?¡±
1315 Mon, Febr? 6 D D
Chapter 721 Under the Clear Sky
¡°Nonsense
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Tristan cited several points they had discussed in the office. The line on the other end fell silent.
¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about it, Just take care of what you¡¯re supposed to do,¡± the voice finally replied, low and heavy.
The next day.
The date of the press conference arrived. After days of persistent rain, the sky had finally cleared.
¡°What a wonderful day. Even the weather seem to be on Tess¡® side,¡± Violet said as she helped Olivia prepare their morning tea, her eyes curved with a smile as she looked at Tess with warmth and expectation.
Tess smiled as well, her mood brightened by the clear sunlight outside.
¡°Mom, Tess and I¡¯ll head out first. Enjoy your breakfast,¡± Violet said, arranging everything neatly before wiping her hands and standing.
Olivia smiled gently, her eyes full of affection. ¡°Alright. Tess, just rx.¡±
She called her name carefully, deliberately.
A sincere wish for everything to go smoothly.
Tess nodded, picked up the limited¨Cedition handbag on the table, and followed Violet out.
Along the way, Violet continued offering reminders.
¡°I heard you¡¯re also a designer for Cavrielle? This timing works perfectly. We¡¯re preparing tounch a new sub¨Cbrand, and using that as the hook for the press conference will allow us to formally introduce your identity to the public.¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 722
Chapter 722 The Stage Is Sect
Tess nodded in understanding. ¡°Tristan already went over that with me?
Violet shook her head slightly. ¡°There¡¯s more. Once you return to Aetheris, this brand wille put on hold for a while. But I hope that once youre settled in Kingnd, you¡¯ll personally take it up again.
Tess paused, finally grasping what Violet truly meant.
She turned to look at her. Violet¡¯s eyes shimmered. Beneath the car¡¯s dim lights, it felt like she wasying out a future just for Tess.
A wave of warmth rose in Tess¡¯s chest.
¡°In that case, I won¡¯t let you down,¡± she said.
After her release from prison, there had always been some regret. Her license to practicew had been revoked, and aside from assisting with Steven¡¯s case once, she had been cut off from the profession she once loved.
Yet she loved design just as much. Otherwise, she would never have quietly worked for Cavrielle back then.
Now, Violet was offering her something entirely her own. A brand. A space where she could fully use her abilities.
¡°At the press conference, I¡¯ll announce not only your appointment as the new CEO of the Larson Group, but also your position as a board member. At the same time, you will be introduced as the chief designer of the sub¨Cbrand, Kin.¡± Violet¡¯s voice was calm and steady, instantly reassuring.
From a disbarredwyer to the heir of Kingnd¡¯s leading family, CEO of the Larson Group, and a board member, all within half a year.
The rush of emotion in Tess¡¯s chest swelled at Violet¡¯s words, her vision blurring slightly as disbelief washed over her.
She almost couldn¡¯t believe it, yet it was all real.
The drive went smoothly until they reached thepany building, where traffic finally thickened.
Numerous reporters were already gathered outside, whispering among themselves while craning their necks toward the entrance.
Chapter 2 h
As soon as Violet host arrive, the
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Ms. Tess how do you feel about dog from Adjud
appointed as president of the Larson Coup
Ms Larson, didn¡¯t Kylie sever ties with dur dans you worthy how you daughter and even made her the heir Docs dun
family?¡±
Microphones crowded forward, nearly present by teste
Violet¡¯s expression darkened instandy, the warmth tromese
¡°Make way, Please make way. The press conference is
Tristan appeared at the side of the car, using husdy MRE
Security rushed in as well, forcing open space posing f
Tristan signaled behind him. The scene was ebay and de soming wor ¡°Ms. Larson, Ms. Ember, once you¡¯re inside, I¡¯ll any in
about to runte!¡±
Tess understood at once. She took Violer¡¯s bandand beaded svaigie de ce
back,
The reporters were left behind,
Ten o¡¯clock sharp.
The doors of the Larson Group¡¯s first floor ball opened for at for media were guided into the vast conference root that could seat atoscand
Tess and Violet sal on stage, bothposed and worsted.
True Larsons, the reporters thought to themselves.
At a nce, many couldn¡¯t help but be impressed
They had assumed this recovered Tess merely carried the family bloodline, flow, it seemed she had substance of her own. At the very least, ber unshakable poise was indistinguishable from that of any other Larson
the topune ran the state sets are
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The Carsons were haunting a homegrown E WHERE FEWER your expression of familial bands:
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y
So this entire spread had beenid out just too yery suretic dish.
¡°Now that everyone has a basic understanding of the brand Kiu, fill anounce its sole chief designer,¡± Violet said, adjusting the microphone karing buy duro deliberately.
The noise in the room died away at once,
Though Violet had kept a lower profile in recent years, her authority in the business world remained formidable. With just a few words, did the ARIKE 1oom.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 723
Chapter 723 Under the Spotligh
¡°Tess Famber who is who the newly appointed of our group, da non flyned the bound of shareholders and be the secondrgest share inuity diver Chuc
At theter half of the announcement, even tex¡¯s eyes diktered
The secondrgest shareholder of the Larson Groupe
No one had told her this.
Sensing the surprise behind her, Violet nced sideways and lifted a brow We Wo Ember take a moment to get acquainted with everyon
She deliberately adjusted the microphone for Tess to the brief pause, the leaned doser and said softly, ¡°This is something Olivia prepared for you?
Tess¡¯s fingers paused around the microphone. As she lowered her head, she ready concealed the warmth curving at the corners of her mouth
¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Tess Ember, from Krigen. From the moment I walked in. I¡¯ve heard many of your spections about me, so I might as well tell you openly now!
She lifted her head, her smile wless andposed. Dering her origins as someone from Krigan so casually caught several reporters off guard. Those who had nned toer her on that point visibly hesitated, unsure how to proceed
¡°To be honest, I only found out that I would be the chief designer of the brand Kin about half an hour ago, while I was on my way here¡±
Tess smiled lightly. There was a natural pull in her voice that made people want to keep listening,
Several of Kingnd¡¯s most sharp¨Ctongued and aggressive media outlets were present, yet at this moment, they remained quiet, listening to her speak.
¡°I chose the name Kin just now. I hope to use kinship as the thread, and emotion as the force that breaks through the cocoon, to create designs that truly satisfy our people.
She spoke steadily about the brand¡¯s philosophy and future direction, meeting the gaze of hundreds in the room without the slightest hint of unease, Calm and unruffled, she looked as though the famous reporters below were no more than rows of cabbages.
Standing offstage, Tristan found his eyes drawn to her without realizing it.
She shone with unmistakable brilliance, like a jewel catching the light,pelling attention
13:15 Man Fo02 COD
Chapter 798 Under the Spotlight
wherever she stood.
His first reaction was not admiration, but a quiessense of dimness and self¨Creporte
He was young, but he had been with the Larson Group for several years. Only the your bak he been transferred to headquarters, starting directly as an assistant tratage he he fed heard the news, he had been full of ambition and youthful confidence, avestry trening rapid rise to vice president.
Reality, however, had doused him with cold water.
Tess¡¯s sudden arrival had ced her directly into the role he had barely dared to we Everyone else¡¯s positions shifted downward, and he himself was reduced to an ordwary employee. After days of waiting, his first real assignment had been helping Tess sacefully stage this press conference.
Without realizing it, Tristan lowered his head. Hisshes hid the gloom and resentment in his eyes.
Why? After three or four years of steady effort, he had finally made it to headquarters 9 on the other hand, stepped straight into the presidency. As far as he knew, she had no background at all in financial management. Was it simply because she was arvat
His eyes churned with unwillingness and struggle. Yet when he lifted his gaze slightly and met that clear, cool face, all his grievances seemed to be pressed down by an invisible hand
No.
He forced himself to look away, biting down hard on his lip and letting the sharp pain keep him awake.
The atmosphere below the stage was chaotic, but everything above it unfolded smoothly. When Tess finished speaking, the audience responded with enthusiastic apuse.
¡°Now we will open the floor for questions. For topics that are overly private or that the parties involved do not wish to address, we reserve the right not to respond, the host announced.
As soon as he finished, a middle¨Caged man seated near the center stood up.
¡°Ms. Tess, or rather, Ms. Ember. Have you considered that your sudden appointment could negatively impact other employees in thepany? It may also breed resentment among them. How do you n to address this?¡±
The question was sharp and unyielding. Even Violet had not expected the first question to cut so directly.
for Capit Berdeantorions in Kingnd for his biting tongue.
Army behind the question Violernceert at Tess with concern.
Moved in befrey But the as far from unprepared.
We ray Antirely far the said ¡°However, the Larson Group is a family
ww long history and utter like this are difficult to avoid. What I can do is give y
to guide the group in the right direction. As for employees who are wered to do my best to maintain their original benefits and provide appropriate
Firms dat had fixen moments earlier gradually subsided. Many in the audience ***** her septice they hadn¡¯t expected such an answer, nor such straightforward
stud wx Brosked the wave ride with vague titudes. Instead, she acknowledged the Hey of the problem head¨Con and stated clearly thatpensation would be
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 724
Chapter 724 The Breaking Point
Ts se ha dening moment of diameter be sensed a gaze from the stage settle on Find By die toe te hoker Bessut already withdrawn her eyes.
Jut the question was one he and Tess but discussed before.
The had gone wer die nned phrasing with ein full. Yet in the small gap that remained, de cors Breaking himself
At the time there was to surprise in Tess¡¯s eyes, no confusion, no sense of entitlement. Juskad, her brows had drawn together slightly as if she were truly thinking it through.
To worry
That was the first thing she said after a long silence.
Tristau had been momentarily dazed, but he quickly recovered.
He couldn¡¯t allow himself to be deceived by this woman¡¯s surface calm.
Hey sudden appointment was nothing short of an insult to people like him, who had worked diligently wep by step.
1 con quarantee that the treatment of employees affected because of me will remain unchanged. My appearance here was not a decision made by me alone, so I cannot promise that everything, will return to how it was
In other words, even if he was no longer a deputy general manager, he would still retain his previous benefits and entitlements.
Tristan¡¯s emotions stirred. In the end, he forced a smile. ¡°That answer works.¡±
Thement caught Tess off guard.
Only then did Tristan take the opportunity to analyze several characteristics of Kingnd¡¯s media outlets for her, exining that this question was very likely toe up and that it was necessary to discuss a response in advance.
He finished with a smile, as though none of what he had just said had anything to do with him personally.
Tess looked at him a few seconds longer before nodding in thanks.
At that moment, he hesitated.
tape CO The Breaking Point
And now he hesitated again.
Testet bit down on his lip, conflicted.
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10 Tres Cons
Hello I¡¯ve heard that you don¡¯t have professional experience in this field. What gives you the confidence to lead such arge group?¡±
Til do everything within my ability,¡± Tess replied. ¡°I¡¯ve some prior exposure, and I¡¯m now actively learning. I¡¯ve also earned the approval of most of the shareholders. More importantly, I believe that the growth of a group depends on unity among its employees. As a manager, the most important approach is to allow them to fully exercise their abilities and Build the future together.
Question after question was thrown her way. Tess answered each one without changing her expression.
Reporters who hade looking for trouble were forced to retreat one by one.
Even Tess herself felt her throat growing dry from speaking.
Seeing the frustrated looks spreading across the audience, Violet¡¯s eyes gleamed, a sense of long¨Csuppressed satisfaction rising in her chest.
Tess¡¯s performance today was outstanding.
¡°Any more questions?¡± the host asked loudly.
After those words fell, not a single person stood,
Tess¡¯s gaze swept across the room. Just as she was about to announce the end of the conference, someone suddenly rose from the very back of the stepped auditorium.
press
Tess followed the movement with her eyes.
Youll be thest,¡± she said.
The man appeared deliberately mysterious, his entire face hidden beneath a baseball cap,
shrouded in shadow.
Hello. I¡¯d like to ask Ms. Tess something. ording to my investigation, you were imprisoned about a year ago, correct? At the time, you were a specially appointedwyer, seemingly arrested for leakingpany secrets. With such a background, under any circumstances, you would be considered untrustworthy. For an ordinary person, even finding basic employment would be difficult. Yet you have be the president of the Larson Group in one step. How do you expect employees to trust you and genuinely ept your
23
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payonment, which was why she had
*pectedly instructed the
Minted SOMEONE WORN ARTE ENER
session. She had never
Several newspapers in Vand were terme for their sharp tongues and aggressive repeating but they still had to take sxr and status into ount. She truly had Had expected someone in to FAX
she turned her head and, expect, Hay Sexression shift
Ms. Laurson is suddenly an emotional Did may question hit a sore spot for you and Ms. Ember?¡± the man shouted, his voice rising,
Remove him. Demand to see his press credentials of this is due to apse in security screening, everyone involved will be held ounable, Violet ordered, her voice ringing through the hall
Without hesitation, she had people move to stop the reporter
Two security guards quickly rushed forward and restrained him.
The man seemed to snap, the exposed lower half of his face fisting red as he shouted even louder. ¡°The new CEO of the Larson Group has been to prison. The Larson Group is finished!¡±
Violet¡¯s face turned iron¨Cgray
News of Tess¡¯s imprisonment had previously been deliberately suppressed by Finn. Even in Kingnd, uncovering it had not been easy. She had not expected that in such a short time. someone would dig it up.
Coming armed with such a question made it clear he was there to sabotage the event.
Sure enough, when security searched him, the press badge they found was an obvious fakte at first nce.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 725
Chapter 725 Turning the de
Violet storied down from the stage and stopped in front of the man in the ret
was being held down.
¡°Who sent you?¡± she demanded.
He kept his head lowered, letting out a sinisterugh as he provoked her Whis cars on sent me? Just answer this. Isn¡¯t it true? The Larsons¡® new CBC), a board member and the code designer of the new brand is actually an ex¨Cconfa! What a joker
Violet shouted in fury, ¡°Gag him.
At her words, the man struggled wildly. ¡°What good will gagging me dor Camin change the truth? Aren¡¯t you reporters going to write about this? This is headline news!?
With that rallying cry, the reporters seemed to shap awake. Camera shes went off in age
session.
The already brightly lit conference hall was flooded with harsh white light
¡°So she just stood up there sounding impressive and it turns out she¡¯s an ex. She really knows how to put on an act.¡±
¡°Someone jailed for leakingpany secrets is now running a corporation The Larsim Group will copse in a few years.
¡°A few years? That¡¯s generous. They kept such a low profile for so long, only to drop a homi like this. The Larsons are really something.¡±
The reporters whispered among themselves, and the looks they cast at Tess were no longer admiring, but openly mocking.
Violet¡¯s face turned ashen.
She was known as the mostposed and dignified woman in the room, rarely losing bet bearing. Yet now, her expression was uncharacteristically ugly.
¡°Tristan, take Tess down first. The press conference is over,¡± she ordered coldly, throwing ham a sharp look.
Tristan felt as if he were nailed to his seat. It took several calls of his name before he snapped out of it and hurried toply.
Chapter 725 Turning the de
Tess was an ex¨Ccon?
He struggled to suppress his shock and the flicker of rejection that surfaced on his face stepped forward.
¡°Ms. Ember-¡±
¡°It¡¯s not over. I haven¡¯t answered his question yet
Tess brushed past him and looked straight at the man on the floor who wasughing uproariously.
Her words froze hisughter. He frowned deeply ¡°What do you mean Everything I said as true. You¡¯re an ex¨Ccon. What answer could you possibly give? Even if you respond it won¡¯t change that fact.¡±
¡°So you weren¡¯t here to ask a question at all. You came purely to cause trouble
Tess touched her chin. The trace of unease from earlier had vanishedpletely.
The man in the baseball cap stiffened for a moment, then puffed out his chest. ¡°So what 1 came to expose your true colors, to let everyone who had expectations of you see you clearly.¡±
p, p, p!
Tess apuded, her hands deliberately close to the microphone so the sound echoed through the hall.
The already chaotic crowd grew confused.
What was this supposed to mean?
If someone¡¯s past had just been exposed, shouldn¡¯t the natural reaction be furious embarrassment?
Tess sneered lightly. ¡°You trespassed into the Lanon Group without an invitation That¡¯s illegal. I¡¯ve already had someone call the police. Once the conference ends, I hope you¡¯ll cooperate and leave with them.
The man¡¯s body went rigid. He lifted his head slightly, a pair of vicious eyes glinting beneaths the brim of his cap with a cold, feral light.
He ground his teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m afraid of you. Everything I said is true. Arresting me won¡¯t change that.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve said that several times already, Tess replied, rubbing her ear with visible impatience.
Vider who hadsen ready to interea intency, sanded for ever your to book buk
aut salt and watched Tree
fexclined
Was lifted her chin and faced the thousands of yes up her, and sand 1 did serve time in prison. One year. If you hadn¡¯t remanded me maje Vryin to entert on how different things are now?
She raised a brow and spread her hands, turning the bade thrown her into something sh
The man in the baseball cap twitched at the corner of his mouth, dentry set exserted vers be this shameless.
Ms. Ember, listening to you, are you saying you feel no shame down being imprisoned, but pride instead? With that mindset, how can you lead the Larson
Mx Ember, no wonder you said you had some prior exposure. Turns out you were a corporate spy stealing and leaking trade secrets)
usations and sneers poured in without pause Tess¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, as if all of it were no more than a passing wind.
¡°My imprisonment is true,¡± Tess said atst, when their voices began to fade. She calmly took a sip of water to moisten her throat before continuing. ¡°But I never said that stealing or leakingmercial secrets was true.¡±
That single sentence stunned the reporters who had been seething moments earlier.
The man in the baseball cap reacted first. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Tess curved her lips. ¡°When you investigated my past, did you only look into my history, or did you bother to check the more recent information connected to me?¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 726
Chapter 726 The Truth Laid Bare
The man in the baseball cap froze, his confidence wavering, ¡°W¡ what?¡±
To tree To
Tess crossed her arms and sneered. ¡°Did the person who sent you not bother to give you thetest information?¡±
If he wanted to exploit an information gap, he still needed her consent. She had a voice of her own and would not let anyone smear her at will.
One man was visibly flustered and hollow, the other firm and unshaken. Anyone with a bit of perception could sense that something was off.
¡°Ms. Tess, you¡¯ve never denied that you were once imprisoned. So what exactly is thistest information¡® you¡¯re referring to?¡± a reporter finally asked, unable to hold back.
Tess turned calmly, her gaze settling on the expectant crowd.
¡°It¡¯s simple. I was wrongfully imprisoned. This was already rified on a small scale in Aetheris some time ago. Anyone who truly wants to look into it will find that uncovering the truth is not difficult.¡±
She inclined her head slightly, her cool voice carrying clearly through the hall.
Taken alone, her words left the reporters hesitant and uncertain.
¡°Who sent you?¡±
Seizing the lull, Tess tilted her head and fixed her gaze on the man in the cap. A chill ran through him for no clear reason.
He clenched his teeth. ¡°No one. I just can¡¯t stand people like you. Untalented, hical, climbing on connections.¡±
¡°As far as I know, someone like Tristan in yourpany was just promoted to assistant manager. The moment you showed up, he was knocked right back down. With people like you around, how can anyone trust thepany or not feel resentful?¡±
He ground his teeth, his stare locking onto Tristan.
Tristan¡¯s heart jolted. He had never imagined the man would try to drag him into this.
His pupils shook as he stared back. ¡°Y¡ you¡¯re talking nonsense.¡±
The man¡¯s eyes were sharp and vicious, but beneath that darkness flickered something else, a signal meant for Tristan, an urgent plea for rescue.
1215 Mon Felt CD D
Chapter 726 The Trinh Laid Bare
Tristan couldn¡¯t believe someone could be this foolish.
He straightened abruptly and stood. ¡°Ms. Ember, I don¡¯t know him, and I have no idea winy he¡¯s trying to involve me
At those words, the man¡¯s pupils constricted.
p, p, p!
Tess showed no anger at all. She nced at Tristan, motioning for him to sit, then apuded with evident interest.
¡°Tristan is one of thepany¡¯s newly appointed core talents. I didn¡¯t expect that even after being exposed, you¡¯d refuse to give up and still try to sow discord between me and my employees.¡±
Sheughed coldly.
That sentence alone was enough to ease the tension in Tristan¡¯s chest.
Before he could fully rx, Tess turned her gaze again. ¡°Mr. Marcellius, I¡¯m not mistaken, am
1?¡±
She looked at him with a faint lift of her brow.
Tristan¡¯s heart felt as though it had been clenched by an invisible hand.
He nodded quickly, ¡°That¡¯s right. Someone with intentions like his is truly malicious. Ms. Ember absolutely must not let him off lightly¡±
He struggled to suppress his racing heartbeat, maintaining a facade ofposure.
Tess smiled meaningfully and looked away,
Leaning forward slightly, she said, ¡°So loyal. Then let me guess who¡¯s behind you. Who instructed you?¡±
¡°Henry?¡±
¡°Shannon?¡±
¡°Max?¡±
She listed the names casually, as if speaking offhand.
Only then did Tristan finally breathe again.
Chaser Muth Bank Bare
|_| |
The titang rene ntbiding befire them left the reporters holding their breath, shes
Getme seren
tregom, she man in the baseball cap had lowered his head, his changing expression shandlowest be diarie
Sawas Max. Tess said with a lightugh.
The man mapped his head up, shock written inly in his eyes.
Not just a cap. Next time, maybe add a scarf too
Smiling, Tess reached out, lifted the cap from his head, and tossed it onto the table.
The gesture was undeniably arrogant, yeting from her, it was inexplicablypelling.
With the cap gone, his face was fully exposed. It was utterly unfamiliar, the sort of face that would disappear into a crowd without drawing a second nce.
She didn¡¯t recognize him.
That was only natural.
The dight lift at the corner of Tess¡¯s eyes carried a teasing sharpness, as though it could pierce through disguises and strike straight at the heart.
The man feltpletely exposed under her gaze.
His Body went stiff. Without realizing it, his legs had gone numb, unable to support him. He had swallowed earlier out of sheer nerves, and she had seized on that weakness.
Tess looked away and raised her voice. ¡°I¡¯ll exin everything clearly onest time. It is true that over a year ago, I was imprisoned for leakingpany secrets and served one year. However, it has since been proven that I was framed. My word alone may not be enough, and it¡¯s only natural for everyone to have doubts. In the near future, I¡¯ll return to Aetheris to fully rify all controversies surrounding me.¡±
¡°This is my responsibility to myself, and it is also my guarantee to the group¡¯s members and our partners?
She herned deeply.
As her words fell, thunderous apuse erupted from the audience.
¡°Ms. Ember, we believe you!¡±
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 727
Chapter 727 After the Apuse
An impassioned voice cut straight through the conference hall.
Spurred by that cry, other reporters quickly followed, shouting in session
¡°Who could be so shameless as to nder someone and send them to prison for a full ext
¡°We hope Ms. Ember will issue a statement as soon as possible, so these rumors don¡® continue to spread!¡±
Voices of support and condemnation rose and fell in waves.
Tess swept her gaze across the crowd below, but didn¡¯t catch sight of the person who ha spoken first.
She withdrew her eyes.
¡°Thank you for your trust.¡±
Her expression was sincere, and the reporters who had been brimming with indignation gradually quieted, waiting for what she would say next.
¡°This so¨Ccalled reporter trespassed into thepany without authorization and disrupted the press conference. We will hand him over to the police for strict investigation and ountability. Please rest assured.¡±
She nced down at the man, his head buried deep against his chest.
Tess said nothing more, maintaining her smile until all the media had filed out. Only them did the smile fade, frost creeping back into her eyes.
¡°Have you contacted the Kingnd police?¡±
Her voice was low, edged with cold.
¡°They¡¯re already waiting outside. They cane in at any time,¡± Violet replied with a nod
¡°Then what are we waiting for?¡±
Tess curved her lips and cast a half¨Csmiling nce at the man whose legs had gone limp
His pupils trembled.
13:15 Mon, Feb 2 G D D.
Chapter 727 After the Apuse
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Tess stood before him, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. ¡°Mr. Marcellius seems rather
nervous.¡±
Tristan¡¯s entire body had gone stiff, yet he forced himself to appearposed. He lifted his head and pulled together what he hoped was a natural smile. ¡°Not at all. The person who disrupted the press conference has received the punishment he deserves. I¡¯m relieved. It¡¯s just that the scene earlier was somewhat unsettling.¡±
Tess rested one hand against the other, slowly touching her chin, her eyes fixed intently on him. ¡°Is that so? I wonder if Mr. Marcellius still remembers what he said earlier.¡±
¡°W¨Cwhat?¡± he stammered.
Tessughed softly and repeated patiently, ¡°He said that people like Mr. Marcellius are the ones most likely to harbor resentment. I wonder if you¡¯re ming me as well.¡±
Her smile was gentle, yet it sent a chill crawling down the spine.
Tristan shuddered inwardly.
¡°How could I? Ms. Ember, the fact that you¡¯re willing to preserve ourpensation as before is already an unexpected blessing. How could we possibly resent you?¡±
He lowered his head at once, assuming a posture of utmost deference.
Tess lifted her chin slightly. A flicker of cold light shed in her eyes, then vanished in the next instant.
¡°I think so too. After all, you personally guided me through this press conference step by step.¡±
She smiled and patted his shoulder.
Then came the sound of her heels receding.
Only after that oppressive presence was gone did Tristan look up in a daze, realizing his palms were soaked with sweat.
He copsed weakly into his chair, grinding his teeth as he lowered his head.
That man had nearly ruined everything for him.
By then, Tess had already reached thepany entrance. Just as she was about to step outside, Violet called her back. ¡°Is there something wrong with Tristan? And this Max you mentioned. Who exactly is he?¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 728
Chapter 728 Back to Aetheris
Violet frowned.
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Abel had told them about Tess¡¯s past, and Max had naturallye up in the conversation as
well.
But wasn¡¯t Max from Aetheris? How had he suddenly appeared in Kingnd? Was there something she didn¡¯t know?
Tess pressed her lips together.
Max was not something she could exin clearly in a short time, but as for Tristan-
¡°Tristan doesn¡¯t just have a problem,¡± Tess said.
Violet¡¯s gaze sharpened instantly, her tone turning severe. ¡°You mean he was really involved in this?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Tess nodded, her expression heavy. ¡°And not just involved. He was part of the nning.¡±
Anger surged in Violet¡¯s chest. She mmed her fist against the wall. ¡°Good. Very good. Ever since he was transferred to headquarters, I could see he had some ability, so I gave him extra consideration. Otherwise, how could a graduate from a mid¨Ctier university climb to the position of deputy manager in just a few months?¡±
Being betrayed by someone she had personally valued left Violet burning with frustration.
¡°Since you knew, why didn¡¯t you expose him?¡± she asked.
She forced down her anger, softening her tone when she looked at Tess. Her gaze remained gentle.
¡°He isn¡¯t the main culprit,¡± Tess replied calmly. ¡°This incident did affect him, and his resentment is understandable. A warning is enough. But if there¡¯s a next time, I won¡¯t be lenient.¡±
Her rxed demeanor eased some of the tension in Violet¡¯s chest.
¡°But since he¡¯s already done this once, there¡¯s a strong chance he¡¯ll do it again. You can¡¯t indulge him,¡± Violet said seriously. Frowning, she added, ¡°Arrange to move him away from critical positions as soon as possible. Someone like this cannot be trusted with importance.¡±
She had originally intended to groom him as a core talent. This turn of events was deeply disappointing.
19:15 Mon Feb DD
Chapter 728 Back to Aetheris
¡°No need, Tess said, shaking her head.
Violet grew anxious. ¡°Tess. Uknow you¡¯re young and soft¨Cbeared, but the busser wur battlefield. There¡¯s no room for mistakes or people with divider loyalter
Tess lifted a hand and rested it lightly on Violet shoulder, patting it gently as urging bento calm down.
¡°Violet, I know.¡±
Still, worry lingered in Violet¡¯s eyes.
Tess smiled. ¡°What I said earlier is part of the reason, but more importantly, I want to give him a chance to provide evidence of Max contacting him. The fake reporter who caused trouble has already been taken in, but he likely won¡¯t be able to exin much.¡±
Hearing this, Violet¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You mean
Tessughed softly. ¡°Violet, this trip back isn¡¯t just about dealing with the Embers.
She winked at Violet, her expression bright and yful.
Violet immediately understood. The anger from moments earlier vanished, reced by pe She pped her hands andughed heartily. ¡°You really are a Larson. Smart, just like that
Despite a few twists, the press conference had ended smoothly,rgely thanks to Tess¡¯s performance.
Violet turned to look at her, admiration in in her eyes.
As far as she knew, this was Tess¡¯s first time facing such a situation alone, yet she had handled it with remarkable order. There was little to fault
Though no concrete answers had been given during the conference, herposure alone was invaluable. Being challenged by so many people, even a seasoned veteran might not have remained so calm. Tess, however, had effortlessly redirected the pressure, dropped a ham about her return to Aetheris to draw attention to that trip, and agreed to involve the police without the slightest hesitation.
From start to finish, Violet could find no weakness.
The more she looked at Tess, the more satisfied she felt.
Only someone like this could inherit the Larsons and put both her and the elders at east
¡°Since the press conference is over, you should head to the airport. Your luggage is already in the car,¡± Violet reminded her, though her eyes followed Tess with clear reluctance.
Chapter 725 Back to Autheris
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sreced the words and gently wrapped an ar around Violet¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Violet, wait for
A direct fight from Kingnd soonnded in Aetheris. When Tess exited the airport, La was all ended in her arms. Behind her follow a tall man, both hands upied, dragging ive scases and carrying tworge bags
Fimm trailed closely behind them, flustered and awkward, yet without a word ofint.
Tess strode forward without sparing Finn a nce.
She had not expected to be on the same flight as him, much less seated next to him in first diss
When she saw Finn take the seat beside her shortly after boarding, the shock had nearly made her scalp prickle.
Throughout the fight. Tess held La and rested with her eyes closed. No matter how she tried, she couldn¡¯t drift off. The gaze beside her was simply too intense.
Finally, unable to endure it any longer, Tess opened her eyes and met Finn¡¯s stare.
His eyes flickered. He guiltily looked away.
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 729
Chapter 729 A Coincidental Reunion
Chapter 729 A Coincidental Reunion
Tess let out a cold, mockingugh. ¡°Why did you stop looking?¡±
Finn¡¯s ears flushed red without him realizing it.
¡°I thought you were asleep,¡± he said, pressing his thin lips together.
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¡°So that¡¯s your excuse for sneaking looks at me? If you were going to stare, you could at least have the decency to hide it. Afraid ! wouldn¡¯t notice?¡±
Tess was almost amused into anger.
Finn couldn¡¯t hide his guilt. He waited for a while, and when there was no movement beside him, he couldn¡¯t help lifting his gaze again.
Only to find Tess with her arms crossed, staring straight at him.
Caught red¨Chanded again.
Finn¡¯s expression stiffened.
¡°Talk. How did you know I was flying to Aetheris at this time?¡±
Tess snorted.
Finn instinctively tried to deny it. ¡°I didn¡¯t. It was a coincidence.¡±
¡°A coincidence?¡±
Tess echoed the word, then burst outughing. The next moment, the smile vanished. ¡°Do you think I believe that?¡±
Finn¡¯s scalp prickled.
He didn¡¯t know when it had started, but Tess seemed to have grown thorns, all of them aimed squarely at him.
Well, wasn¡¯t that a kind of special treatment too?
Finn straightened up and slipped back into his usual polished, shamelessposure.
¡°I did ask around deliberately.¡±
Tess had already expected that, so she showed no reaction.
¡°I went to Kingnd because of you. Naturally, I followed you back. There¡¯s nothing hard to understand about that.¡±
At those words, Tess¡¯s earlier calm shattered. She straightened, her gaze traveling up and down Finn¡¯sposed face.
She was genuinely curious how he could say something so brazen without a trace of shame.
¡°That¡¯s stalking. It¡¯s illegal. Do you know that?¡±
Her tone was cold and stern.
5:16 pm G ppp
Chapter 729 A Coincidental Reuni¨®n
¡°Yes,¡± Finn replied, nodding
Tess was so angry she couldn¡¯t evenugh. Shock filled her eyes
Noticing her reaction, Finn replied coolly. ¡°Once the nends in Aetheris, even if you call the police, no one dare ie the case¡±
Power was being wielded without restraint.
Tess rolled her eyes, pulled down her eye mask, and leaned her head to the side. She curled herself into the left corner of this seat clearly trying to keep as much distance from Finn as possible.
They didn¡¯t exchange another word until the nended.
As soon as Tess got off the ne, she received a call from the person who had been assigned to help with her luggage
His voice was urgent and apologetic, with the re of car horns audible in the background. ¡°There¡¯s a traffic jam, Ms. Tess Wald you mind waiting at the airport?¡±
Tess checked the time. It was indeed rush hour, hardly something he could control. ¡°How long will it take?¡±
¡°Given the situation¡ about two hours.¡±
¡°Turn back,¡± Tess said, ending the call.
She turned off her phone screen and blocked Finn¡¯s path. ¡°If I don¡¯t call the police, charging you a smallpensation seems fair, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
Finn¡¯s brow twitched slightly, as if considering her intent. He didn¡¯t hesitate long before nodding readily, ¡°Of course.¡±
¡°Come with me.¡±
The two of them went to the baggage im. Once Finn had located the five suitcases and tworge bags, Tess pped her hands in satisfaction. ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble Mr. Lock to deliver these to Evermount Heights.¡±
Cradling La, she walked off with unrestrained ease.
Zane, who had already been waiting at the airport, froze when he saw the scene. His dignified CEO, dressed in a bespoke suit tailored specially by a doctor, had turned into a diligent porter.
The contrast was jarring.
As Zane stepped forward, he was immediately driven back by a sharp look from his boss.
Fine. He would stay out of it.
Having made up his mind, Zane grabbed Finn¡¯s suitcase, climbed into the car, and headed straight for Evermount Vi.
Tess quickly hailed a taxi with La in her arms. Finn was left standing in the cold wind, burdened with bags and suitcases
Before the car pulled away, Tess deliberately rolled down the window. ¡°Everything inside is documented. If even one item gees missing, Mr. Lock, you¡¯ll bepensated at full value.¡±
15:16 pm G PPP
Chapter 729 A Coincidental Reunion
She wagged her finger lightly. The tinted window slid back up.
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Finn stood alone in the cold wind, disheveled. Meanwhile, Zane, who had just arrived at Evermount Vi, was called back by a phone call.
¡°Mr. Lock, how did you-¡±
Once inside the car, Zane couldn¡¯t help voicing his confusion.
Those five suitcases had required him to enlist another person and an extra car just to load them.
¡°Drive,¡± Finn said coldly, shooting him a nce.
Zane immediately fell silent.
They sped toward Evermount Heights, arriving just in time to see the taxi Tess had taken pulling away.
The closer they got, the clearer it became. Tess was standing at the entrance of the courtyard.
As soon as the car stopped, Finn took off his suit jacket and walked toward her, pain evident in his eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to wait for me. The wind is strong. Don¡¯t let yourself or the baby get cold.¡±
Tess stepped back at once, her gaze strange.
Finn¡¯s outstretched hand froze in midair.
The air turned stiff and awkward.
Just then, Bessie appeared out of nowhere and briskly draped a thick fur coat over Tess¡¯s shoulders.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 730
Chapter 730 A Closed Door
¡°Are these the youngdy¡¯s suitcases? I¡¯ve got it!¡±
With that, Bessie walked straight past Finn and grabbed the luggage.
¡°Take them to my walk¨Cin closet,¡± Tess instructed.
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Cradling La, she turned and walked away. Only then did Finn realize that Tess had not been waiting for him at all. She had been waiting to make sure he didn¡¯t take her luggage.
Once the realization fully sank in, Finn¡¯s face shifted between green and pale.
Zane couldn¡¯t help twitching the corner of his mouth.
Tess¡¯s move was ruthless.
¡°Tess, even if you¡¯re upset about me sneaking a look at you on the ne, helping you collect the luggage should be more than enough to make up for it. I even delivered it to your door. Aren¡¯t you going to invite me in for a seat?¡±
Finn didn¡¯t move from where he stood. Though anger churned inside him, he still forced a smile.
Tess halted with La in her arms, her back still turned toward him.
¡°You want toe in?¡±
She finally turned around. Her eyes no longer held the resistance or coldness they once did.
Finn¡¯s heart leapt into his throat, pounding hard.
His fingers curled beneath the sleeve of his suit as he nodded solemnly. ¡°If I¡¯m fortunate enough.¡±
Tess broke into a brilliant smile, then turned away and strode into the vi.
Bang!
The ornate carved gate mmed shut behind her with a loud crash, the entire structure shuddering from the impact.
In an instant, her figure vanished inside, leaving only a swaying glimpse of white fabric.
Finn stood frozen in ce.
Zane grimaced. He didn¡¯t dare put on an act, or even lift his head to look at his boss¡¯s expression.
¡°Mr. Lock¡¡± he ventured carefully.
When he finally stole a nce, he still couldn¡¯t read anything on Finn¡¯s taut face.
Zane¡¯s unease only deepened.
Tess really was something. Even if she didn¡¯t want to let him in, she could have softened the blow with a few kind words. Instead, she had shut the door in his face.
5:16 pm G P p p
Chapter 730 A Closed Door
+10 Free Coins
Zane sucked in a quiet breath, already regretting not checking the almanac before leaving the house. If he had known, he would have had someone else handle the pickup.
¡°She¡¯s changed.¡±
After a long while, the man who had stood like a statue finally spoke.
His voice was low and hoarse.
Zane froze for a moment, then hurried to smooth things over. ¡°Well, it has been a long time. People change. Even though what Madam did just now-¡±
¡°Hmph. She¡¯s bing more and more interesting,¡± Finn said.
What?
Zane stared in disbelief and looked up, catching the lingering smile at the corner of Finn¡¯s mouth.
There was a softness in his eyes that sent a chill through Zane¡¯s spine.
Question marks exploded in his head.
What was going on? Had the weather suddenly changed?
Before Zane could make sense of it, just as he expected Finn to explode in anger, Finn swung his arm and got straight into the car.
Zane was left standing there, stunned.
He hurried after him and had barely taken his seat when a cold, humorless gaze appeared in the rearview mirror.
¡°Back to Evermount Vi.¡±
At the order, Zane hit the elerator.
The car shot forward like an arrow.
At some point, a light rain had begun to fall outside. Raindrops, carried by the wind, struck the windows with a sharp howl.
Finn leaned against the window, head slightly bowed, the sound of wind and rain filling his ears.
It was noisy, yet his heart felt unexpectedly calm.
His thoughts drifted back to Tess just moments earlier.
Her chin slightly raised, her presencemanding.
She had not even bothered to voice her refusal.
Proud, aloof, like a pampered cat.
Finn¡¯s gaze deepened. The cold aura that usually clung to his handsome face had faded away without him realizing it, leaving only eyes filled with fondness and a faint smile.
At first, realizing he had been yed did irritate him a little. But one more look at Tess was enough to dissolve that feeling entirely
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Chapter 730 A Closed Door
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Even her arrogance struck him as something novel.
The car continued smoothly down the road.
Bored, Zane stole a nce at his boss. Seeing that unmistakably smug expression, only one thought crossed his mind
It was over. He had fallen in love.
Zane rubbed his forehead silently.
Still, if the two of them really did find their way back to each other, that might not be such a bad oue.
Thinking that way, Zane couldn¡¯t help feeling a little happy for his boss. At least this time, his ex¨Cwife hadn¡¯t shut him down cold That counted as progress, right?
Meanwhile, in Evermount Heights.
The moment Tess pushed open the door, she saw Lyra and Raven already waiting in the living room.
¡°You two¡¡± she said, slightly surprised.
It was barely past midnight. Why were they already here waiting?
Raven looked like she had woken up early as well, her eyes still heavy with sleep.
Bessie dragged the luggage in and smiled as she exined, ¡°They knew your flight wasing back today, so they stayed herest night.¡±
Only then did Tess nod.
¡°I see.¡±
¡°So,¡± Lyra asked, ¡°how did it feel, going to the Larsons this time?¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 731
Chapter 731 Lines Drawn
Lyra looked noticeably more alert.
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She kept an exceptionally regr schedule, so waking early was never a problem for her.
Both of them stepped closer. Lyra naturally took La into her arms. ¡°You must be exhausted from the trip. Let me hold her for you.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t refuse. Her arms had been growing numb, and the sudden relief made her brow rx at once.
The three of them sat side by side on therge couch, and Tess quickly returned to Lyra¡¯s earlier question.
¡°There were some issues, but they were handled fairly well.¡±
She smiled and nodded. Just as she was about to continue, Raven, who had still looked drowsy a moment ago, suddenly straightened up. ¡°Are you talking about what happened at your press conference? That man who snuck into thepany?¡±
Tess froze and asked in return, ¡°How do you know about that?¡±
Raven pped her thigh and lifted her chin smugly. ¡°How could I not know? Of course I know. Did you forget who I am?¡±
She winked at Tess and waved her phone for emphasis.
Tess immediately understood andughed along with her. ¡°Right. The famous hacker.¡±
Raven grinned and leaned closer. ¡°I already told Lyra about it. But I remember you only sent that guy to the police yesterday. You¡¯re back today, so what about the interrogation results?¡±
Tess shook her head. ¡°Sending him to the police was more about making an example of him, showing my stance. At the very least, it makes it clear that even though I¡¯m young and new, I¡¯m not someone with an easy temper.¡±
¡°You think the police won¡¯t get much out of him¡± Lyra frowned, instantly grasping the key point.
Tess looked over, and their gazes met, as if a current of understanding passed between them.
¡°Yes,¡± Tess said, nodding.
¡°I watched the live stream of your press conference. You mentioned ¡®Max, didn¡¯t you? You think he was behind it, right?¡± Lyra continued, following the thread.
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Chapter 731 Lines Drawn
s
Tess shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not a guess. It¡¯s certain Max is careful and calcting. If he sent someone, then everything would have been prepared in advance. The police won¡¯t be able to extract anything.¡±
¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense. When you were about to call the police, didn¡¯t that guy shout that he would tell you everything?¡± Raven scratched her head, her face creasing in confusion.
Tess let out a coldugh. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, what he wanted was to tell me face to face, or in private. I can¡¯t be sure he would have been as honest as he imed, and I can¡¯t be sure he wasn¡¯t carrying something else on him.¡±
¡°Besides,pared to trusting a stranger who suddenly changes his tune out of fear, I¡¯d rather trust in Max¡¯s ruthlessness and his habit of leaving no loose ends.¡±
¡°That kind of caution is exactly right. Tess handled that perfectly,¡± Lyra said in agreement, her expression serious.
¡°But then didn¡¯t you just let him make a scene for nothing?¡± Raven frowned, clearly dissatisfied.
¡°Of course not,¡± Tess replied with a faint smile, her eyes glinting. ¡°After this incident, multiple media outlets will be watching my return home closely. Consider it a warm¨Cup for what¡¯s going to happen in Aetheris.¡± She paused, then continued, ¡°And besides, just because the police can¡¯t get anything out of him doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t.¡±
Max might be meticulous, but Kingnd was the Larsons¡® territory. If he had made a move there, it would not be impossible to uncover traces.
¡°Then we¡¯ll have to wait for news from that side. Are you nning to¡ deal with Max as well?¡± Lyra asked, suddenly lifting her eyes to meet Tess¡¯s directly.
Tess fell silent for a moment, then slowly looked up. Her long, thickshes trembled, shadowed with a hint of mncholy. ¡°After I was released, I felt deeply dissatisfied with reality.¡±
Lyra frowned at the words, unsure what to say. Comfort felt inadequate, and she had already offered it too many times before.
¡°At that time, all I wanted was to take care of La. The Embers, Shannon, Max, every person who hurt me, I didn¡¯t even think about taking revenge on them.¡±
Tess suddenly sneered. ¡°But they refused to let it go. I didn¡¯t seek revenge, yet they came looking for me.¡±
Ever since her release, she had known she was framed. With a little thought, it was clear who benefited most. Nadine and Max. No one else fit
12.59 Wed, Feb 4 @ 8.
Chapter 731 Lines Drawn
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But he had been powerless then, nearly crushed by life itself, with no room left to dwell on the past
What she had not expected was that it went far beyond her own case. Her grandmother. Her grandmother had been driven to death by Nadine¡¯s cruelty. A living, breathing life. She would make them pay for everyst one of them
She would not spare anyone involved.
As for Max, Tess said through clenched teeth, her cool eyes shing with icy light. ¡°after I got out, he put on a show of wanting to take care of La and me. Finn was wrong not to believe me, but Max, the one who started all of this, is the one who truly deserves to die.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 732
Chapter 732 A Willing Exchange
¡°But¡ Nichs¡¯s wife is still in his hands.¡± Lyra besitated.
Raven scratched her head. ¡°Are we supposed to give up on her?¡±
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Tess had already pulled herself out of her memories. Hearing Raven¡¯s question, she couldn¡¯t helpughing, half amused and half exasperated ¡°We¡¯re talking aboutwful retaliation, not some TV drama where everyone turns dark and ruthless. How could we possibly abandon an innocent person?¡±
Raven chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. If you really did that, you wouldn¡¯t be the Tess I know.¡±
¡°What are you even thinking?¡± Tess reached out and flicked Raven lightly on the forehead.
The brief teasing passed, and Tess¡¯s expression quickly turned serious again, her tone following suit. ¡°This time, when I go back to Aetheris, my priority is to deal with the past. Nichs¡¯s wife does put me in a difficult position, so this is the first problem we need to solve.¡±
She tilted her head slightly and looked at the two of them. ¡°Do either of you have a good idea?¡±
Raven and Lyra exchanged nces, both frowning.
The living room fell into silence.
¡°Well¡ didn¡¯t Nichs help us smuggle people out before?¡± Raven rubbed her chin thoughtfully. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just do it again?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Before Tess could respond, Lyra rejected the idea outright.
¡°As far as I know, Nichs¡¯s wife is being held inside Max¡¯spany now. Hunt Group is known for its strict internal control. It¡¯s nothing like Henry¡¯s factory,¡± Lyra said gravely. ¡°And Tess has known Max for a long time. She understands him well. If even she says Max is deeply calcting, then after what happened with Henry, Max will definitely be on guard. He won¡¯t make the same mistake twice.¡±
Raven immediately deted, slumping back against the couch. ¡°Then what are we supposed
to do?¡±
She pouted, tugging idly at the corner of her clothes.
The Nving room fell atent sh
Tew frita headache contig on So matter her in fer mit de cordon ser¡¯s clear senusion
trattend
Tess, I remember that after Max tried fiction over to you, he find so ask you our det het Lyra said. Her brow was will furrowed, but was early granging for a gre approach
Tess was a little puzzled by the question, but she prodded honestly ¡°Yes. He refuses to le He keeps talking about our past feelings, but why he really wants is the Larsond weath and
influence.¡±
At the thought, a mocking smile tugged at her lips.
That kind of tant scheming, wrapped in fake affection, was nauseating,
¡°Then maybe¡ Lyra pressed her fingers to her temple, looking conflicted as she raised her eyes to Tess. ¡°You could suffer a little and endure it for now! Have dinner with him, sound him out? If we want to find Mrs. Wood, the first thing we need to know is where she¡¯s being held. Sneaking into Hunt Group to take her out in¡¯t realistic, but it¡¯s just as unrealistic to expect Max to hand her over willingly
Her voice was uncertain, like this was the only option left.
But Tess suddenly went still.
¡°That¡¯s it. Willingly¡
She murmured it under her breath.
¡°What?¡±
She had spoken too softly. Raven and Lyra both looked at her in confusion and asked at the same time.
¡°I¡¯m going to make him hand her over willingly
Tess lifted her head sharply. Her eyes narrowed a cold, razor¨Cedged light shing within them.
Lyra looked momentarily lost, her gaze fixed on Tess¡¯s face. Seeing how resolute she was, Lyra didn¡¯t know what to say.
¡°Do you have an idea?¡± she asked.
Tess smiled mysteriously and took Lyra¡¯s hand, giving it a gentle pat. ¡°Thanks for reminding
1259 Wed, Feb 4 8 GG/
Chapter 732 A Willing Exchange - me. You¡¯re right. What¡¯s a lide difort, anyway? I¡¯ll go as an e
With that, she broke into a small run and disappeared into the bedroom
She moved so fast it left the two of them staring after her
Lyra and Raven both rubbed their heads instinctively,
What was she nning to do?
They exchanged a look, saw the same confusion reflected in each other¡¯s eyes, and yer, in unspoken agreement, chose not to ask further,
They trusted her.
When Tess came back out, she was no longer wearing the white chiffon dress from earlier. Instead, she had changed into a voluminous, princess¨Cstyle dress. The skin red wide and fell to the middle of her calves.
They had never seen Tess wear anything like this before, yet it felt strangely familiar.
After a moment, it clicked. It was just like the old photos they had once seen of Tess as a child. Her wardrobe back then had been full of white, puffed dresses, all handmade by her grandmother.
But aside from her visit to the Larsons, they had never seen Tess wear such a dress.
¡°You¡¯re¡ why did you suddenly decide to dress like this?¡±
There was a trace of amazement in Lyra¡¯s eyes.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 733
C
Chapter 733 Cold Reunion
Tess¡¯s current aura was more like cold ice settled at the bottom of a well¨Cdistant and detached. It didn¡¯t quite match the outfit she was wearing. It should have felt out of ce, but her features were delicate, and because she had been resting welltely, her whole presence looked refreshed. Her face was smooth. Surprisingly, she was very pleasant to look at.
¡°Am I not meeting an old friend? He knows how to y the emotion card, but that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t,¡± Tess said.
Tess showed a rare touch of yfulness and blinked slyly at the two of them.
At the same time, she gently wiggled her phone. On the screen was her chat history with Max.
She had sent him a message just before changing her clothes, asking to meet up. She didn¡¯t expect him to reply so quickly.
¡°Since you¡¯ve already made ns, how about I take you there?¡±
Raven stood up immediately and turned to go back to her guest room to get her car keys.
¡°No need. I actually have something more important to assign to you.¡±
Tess smiled hurriedly and pulled her back.
But Raven frowned and looked upset right away. ¡°That won¡¯t do!
¡°You¡¯ve always said Max is pestering you because of the Larsons behind you, but from what I know, you two spent a lot of time together as kids. What if he really is like you said and still won¡¯t give up? What if something happens to you? I have to go!¡±
This time, she wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer. She reached out to pull Tess¡¯s hand off her arm.
Lyra agreed as well. ¡°Raven is right. She knows how to fight. Let her
go with you.
If anything goes wrong, she can take care of you. As for the task you just mentioned, I can handle it myself.¡±
Seeing how much they cared, Tess had to give in. She nodded, feeling a warm glow in her heart.
¡°Alright. I¡¯ll send you the task detailster. Raven will drive me there.¡±
That decision instantly made all three of them smile.
Chapter 7aCod
creatiy help shy the
Be stay homesh La Nomer whoes do not open the door, white cheating thing with Lyra and heating to the study to prin
When a fresh stack of papers, still warm,nded in her hands, Raven appeared at the doorway dressed all in ck. She looked sharp and proud, casually swinging the car keys at her fingertips.
Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you out for a ride.
Her dramatic act made both Tess and Lyra burst outughing.
¡°Alright, Raven.¡±
Tess cooperated eagerly, stepping forward and linking arms with Raven.
Raven shed a smug gesture at Lyra and led Tess away.
The two of them were dressed in ck and white. One was in a tough outfit and the other in a puffy princess skirt. It was a huge contrast, but they looked very striking together.
Lyra watched them leave for a long time. When she finally looked away, the calm on her face slowly faded.
She went back to her room to pack her things. When she came back downstairs, she happened to slip a set of keys into her bag.
Two cars drove out of Evermount Vi one after the other.
Tess arrived at the destination first. It was a very quiet cafe,
Max wasn¡¯t waiting in the private room on the second floor like they nned. Instead, he stood at the entrance. He should have looked like a doorman, but his extraordinary aura and expensive handmade suit made him look like someone too powerful to approach.
Tess walked slowly to the door. Max¡¯s eyes lit up noticeably.
¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen you look like this,¡± he said first.
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Chapter 733 Cold Reunion
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There were clearly many unresolved issues between them, and they had rarely interacted, yet he acted very casual, as if nothing had ever happened.
Tess already felt disgusted by his act, but she didn¡¯t show it.
A faint smile lingered at the corners of her lips. Even though she was the one who asked to meet, her expression and manners were cold, and she didn¡¯t respond.
Max shrugged, clearly unconcerned.
If Tess suddenly acted cooperative, he would have had to think carefully about whether there was a scheme.
The fact that she asked to meet him was unusual enough.
Max¡¯s gaze darkened slightly before shifting past her. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you drive here?¡±
Tess finally spoke with her clear voice and cold tone, ¡°A taxi is enough. I can¡¯tpare myself to Mr. Hunt¡¯s noble status.¡±
Her words were full of mockery. Max wasn¡¯t angry. Instead, he threw his head back andughed loudly.
When he finally stoppedughing, he looked at Tess with a teasing look in his eyes. ¡°Tess, I can¡¯tpare to you anymore. You are the new CEO of the Larson Group of Kingnd, a board member, and the only heir. Oh, and you¡¯re also the lead designer for a new brand.¡±
He pped his hands as he spoke.
Every one of his actions felt sharp and irritating to Tess, filling her with resistance. Still, she forced herself to suppress it.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 734
Chapter 734 An Opportunity
Chapter 734 An Opportunity
¡°I came to see you this time to discuss these matters.¡±
Tess looked up, meeting Max¡¯s gaze directly.
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Max hadn¡¯t expected her to be so straightforward. He froze for a moment, thenughed as well, the smile carrying a deeper meaning. ¡°In that case, I¡¯m more than happy to listen.¡±
¡°Aren¡¯t we going inside?¡± Tess raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. ¡°Or are you nning to leave me standing out here with nothing?¡±
At that, Max immediately pushed the door open. ¡°Of course not. I was waiting to greet you once you got out of the car.
¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind being your driver, opening the door, and seeing you out,¡± Max added, a teasing spark in his eyes as his gaze lingered on Tess¡¯s face.
Tess felt her stomach churn.
¡°That¡¯s a shame, then. Cab drivers never wait around. I had to open the door and get out myself.¡±
Without another nce back, Tess walked past Max and headed inside.
Her lifted chin and long, straight neck swept past him, darkening his eyes. When the faint, sweet scent from her drifted by, his gaze grew even heavier.
Once inside the cafe, Tess realized there wasn¡¯t a single customer in the main hall on the first floor.
Sensing her confusion, Max followed behind her and said, ¡°I booked the whole ce.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s go. The private room is upstairs.¡±
The second floor felt even more spacious and was indeed more refined than the first floor.
The piano music in the background was soft and pleasant, yet the moment Tess sat down, an uneasy irritation crept in.
Maybe it was because of the person sitting across from her.
Max¡¯s half¨Clidded eyes rested on Tess as his slender fingers held an exquisite menu.
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Chapter 734 An Opportunity
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¡°What would you like to drink? The coffee here is decent, but the raspberry cake is actually the highlight. I think you¡¯d like it.¡±
As he spoke, he moved to hand her the menu. Tess didn¡¯t even look at it and pushed it back.
¡°Just a regr coffee. Any kind is fine.¡±
Max didn¡¯t move. The server who had hurried over sensed the awkward tension and froze in ce, unsure what to say.
Tess, byparison, remained calm. She lifted her eyes and stared at Max. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Can you not afford a in cup of coffee?¡±
Hearing that, the light in Max¡¯s sharp, fox¨Clike eyes flickered before filling with a smile. ¡°One house special for her, and one of your new raspberry cakes. I¡¯ll have my usual.¡±
He politely handed the menu to the server. Once the server left, he crossed his fingers in front of his chest. ¡°Only ordering coffee. Looks like you don¡¯t want to chat much with me.¡±
Tess rested her head on one arm, scrolling through her phone in boredom. ¡°You already know why I¡¯m here.¡±
Max¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade. ¡°You think I was the one behind it?¡±
He paused, his tone rxed. ¡°Tess, we¡¯ve known each other for a long time. At the very least, there should be some basic trust. You can¡¯t just believe whatever others say. I watched the entire livestream of the Larson Group press conference in Kingnd. They never even mentioned me. How could you me me so quickly?¡±
He let out a sigh, his face filled with disappointment and hurt.
Watching his over¨Cthe¨Ctop, fake expression, Tess rolled her eyes inwardly. On the outside, she stayed calm and detached.
¡°Max, you know exactly what¡¯s going on. I¡¯m not saying this is some huge deal¨Cbut I want to know something. Rachel is in your hands, and we¡¯re still supposed to be working together. So why rush to make a move?¡±
She tilted her head and stared straight into his eyes, ignoring every excuse that he tried to throw at her.
Max leaned back in his chair and smiled helplessly. ¡°So you¡¯re really certain it was me.¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
18:23 Thu, Feb 5 A
Chapter 734 An Opportunity
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Atst, he dropped the act and spread his hands openly. ¡°You¡¯re right. I did it. But as you said, it¡¯s not a huge deal. The truth about your imprisoninent a year ago has already been cleared up in Aetheris. Dealing with this won¡¯t be hard for you. If I truly wanted to hurt you, I wouldn¡¯t have left such a big loophole.¡±
¡°Oh?¡±
Tess let out a soft, mockingugh. ¡°So I¡¯m supposed to thank you? For making things difficult, but not too difficult¨Cso it was easier for me to clean up?¡±
Her tone was sarcastic and undisguised. Max shrugged. ¡°Tess, you don¡¯t have to see it that way. This was more of a reminder than trouble. Besides, didn¡¯t this press conference make your name known in Kingnd for good? Maybe it wasn¡¯t trouble at all, but an opportunity.¡±
Max gave a faint, effortless smile, the curve of his lips never wavering.
To Tess, it was nothing but an eyesore.
She let out a sharpugh. ¡°Then why don¡¯t you exin, Max? What exactly do you mean by this ¡®reminder¡®?¡±
By this point, the atmosphere at the table had turned icy.
The cafe had three full floors, all booked out. At that moment, aside from the staff, only Tess and Max were there. With the tension sharp between them, even the servers who had been hoping for a bit of romantic gossip were leftpletely baffled.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 735
Chapter 735 A Trapped Cicada
What exactly was going on here?
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The server holding the coffee and small cakes stood a short distance away and exchanged a nce with a coworker, hesitating over whether to approach.
Just then, Max noticed them and smiled, waving them over.
The server had no choice but to step forward. ¡°Your coffee and desserts.¡±
After setting everything down, the two of them hurried away as if escaping.
¡°Look at that,¡± Max said with a sigh, smiling warmly as he slowly stirred his coffee. ¡°Even the staff are scared off by your cold aura. Couldn¡¯t you speak to me a little more kindly? Like before.¡±
Tess let out a cold snort. ¡°Before? Wasn¡¯t I kind enough to you back then? And what did I get in return?¡±
She blew gently on her coffee and took a small sip, avoiding Max¡¯s direct gaze.
Hearing this, Max¡¯s faint smile vanished, reced by a serious and earnest expression.
¡°That was back then. Since it¡¯s you, I don¡¯t want to lie anymore. The Hunt Group needed a chance to rise higher, and it was nothing more than a straightforward business battle. It was just that Finn lost to me by a step, and you were dragged into it for no reason.¡±
As he spoke, his throat moved, and he even reached a hand toward Tess. ¡°Tess, things are stable now. I promise something like this won¡¯t happen again. Maybe you could start considering the man who¡¯s been standing behind you all this time?¡±
¡°Considering?¡±
Tess looked as if she¡¯d heard something ridiculous. The coffee she had just swallowed caught in her throat, making her cough several times before she could recover.
Her clouded, misty eyes glistened slightly, but the emotion inside them was nothing but cold mockery.
¡°Max, was I really dragged into it for no reason? When you nned every step so carefully, did you truly never consider me?¡±
These words, as expected, made him fall silent.
Max¡¯s expression darkened, though he still pressed his lips together, trying to argue.
Chapter 735 A Trapped Cicada
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Tess raised a hand to cut him off, making it clear she didn¡¯t want to hear more. ¡°You said it yourself¡ªwe knew each other well back then. I knew exactly what kind of person you were. So just like you said, there¡¯s no need to lie to me anymore. I can see it clearly.
¡°I was the sacrifice in your so¨Ccalled business wan When it came down to a choice between me spending a year in prison and the Hunt Group rising higher, you buried your conscience and chose thetter. And now you actually have the nerve to ask for my forgiveness?¡±
Tess smiled and lightly pped her hands, every movement filled with contempt for Max.
At some point, the man across from her lowered his head. ¡°This is something I truly owe you for. It¡¯s only right that you¡¯re angry.¡±
Tess threw her head back andughed out loud. Crocodile tears? You¡¯re still ying that card?¡±
No matter how Max changed his approach, Tess remained unmoved. Without realizing it, his eyes darkened, and his expression grew especially grim.
¡°Tess, you keep saying you don¡¯t want anything to do with me because of what I did. But what about Finn? I said you were dragged into it, but if he had found even a bit of evidence or believed you just a little, he could¡¯ve protected you. You wouldn¡¯t have had to suffer that year in prison. By that logic, didn¡¯t he treat you even worse? Shouldn¡¯t you hate him more than me? But why is it that every time I ask you out, you always look so disgusted, yet you¡¯re still so attached to him?¡±
Max frowned deeply, his face full of displeasure, his tone carrying resentment and unwillingness.
Tess looked at him and almostughed with anger.
¡°Max, you keep saying you love me, that you want to take care of me, that you hope I¡¯ll let go of the past and consider you.¡± She raised an eyebrow, the corners of her eyes curving. She was no longer cold like before¨Cshe was sharper instead. ¡°You only see that I still have ties with Finn, but you don¡¯t see me rejecting him. Every single one of you has hurt me. So what right do you have to force me to choose between you? What¡¯s even more ridiculous is that you and Finn are no better than each other, yet you still feel resentful towards him.¡±
She curled her lips, her words full of scorn.
Max had always cared deeply about appearances but now his face shifted rapidly, turning a deep, ugly shade.
¡°Enough. I don¡¯t want to waste time talking nonsense with you.¡± Tess brought the conversation back to the point. ¡°I don¡¯t care how well you managed to keep that man quiet. The police couldn¡¯t get anything out of him. Bu in Kingnd, in this age of big data, there will always be traces left behind. The police and the Larsons have always been working
Chapter 735 A Trapped Cicada
together.¡±
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As she spoke, Max¡¯s expression softened slightly, only to darken again the moment he heard her words.
He could no longer maintain his surface calm. He lifted his head sharply. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±
Tess¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. Every movement was calm and measured, as if she had everything under control. In contrast, Max looked like a trapped cicada, struggling with every
move.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 736
Chapter 736 The Chessboard Turns
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¡°What I mean is, what you¡¯ve been doing is about to bear fruit. If I¡¯m not mistaken, you came here to remind me of our deal, or rather, to threaten me. But did it ever ur to you that I wouldn¡¯t make it so easy for you to threaten me?
Tess¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly.
Max stared into her eyes, so close yet veiled in a mist he couldn¡¯t prate. He could no longer see clearly through the person before him.
Her progress over the past few months had been startling.
Heughed despite himself, though there was a grinding, teeth¨Cclenched edge to it. ¡°Are you that confident?¡±
¡°Naturally. And if all else fails¡¡±
Tess¡¯s fingers dipped into her handbag and emerged holding a slender silver voice recorder.
¡°Perhaps our conversation today could serve as evidence in court.¡±
p. p. p.
Max was livid, a near¨Chysterical edge to his apuse.
His handsome features contorted into something ugly and menacing.
¡°I really underestimated you, Tess. I didn¡¯t expect you toe prepared.¡±
His teeth ground together, a chill radiating from him.
Tess remained unppable. She elegantly lowered her gaze and took another deliberate sip of her coffee. ¡°I suppose I should thank you, Mr. Hunt. The coffee you provided is excellent, and the evidence you¡¯ve handed me isn¡¯t bad either.¡±
She raised her cup in a mock toast, her demeanor infuriatingly nonchnt.
Max¡¯s fingers tightened around his spoon, the metal threatening to bend.
The puppet he¡¯d once controlled had not only cut its strings, but was now manipting him.
The thought was maddening.
¡°Tess, I do have feelings for you. This caf¨¦ is under my name. Right now, aside from the staff and you, there¡¯s no one else here. You¡¯ve just revealed your recorder. What makes you think
Chapter 736 The Chessboard Turns
I¡¯d be kind enough to let you walk out?¡±
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Seeing that reason wasn¡¯t working, his simmering anger boiled over. The pleasant facade shattered, leaving pure, unadulterated menace.
Tess merely smiled and tossed the recorder onto the table in front of him. ¡°It¡¯s brand new. It hasn¡¯t even been turned on.¡±
Max froze.
He¡¯d been yed. Again.
¡°However,¡± she continued, her smile turning razor¨Csharp, ¡°I¡¯m wearing a transmitting device. Raven heard every word perfectly clearly from outside.¡±
That final reversal drained the light from Max¡¯s eyes. ¡°What exactly do you want?¡±
Tess lifted her chin. ¡°Max, since it¡¯s just the two of us, there¡¯s no need for empty pretenses. Talk of feelings is meaningless.¡±
Max frowned, his gaze locked on her.
¡°You want the Larsons¡® support. I want Rachel from you, and ideally, more evidence of your past dealings with Nadine. We¡¯re, in theory, equal partners.¡±
Tess spread her hands. ¡°But the person you arranged this time crossed a line. An uncontroble variable, as far as I¡¯m concerned. Logically, I have no reason to continue this partnership. First, Rachel is essentially irrelevant to me. Her only connection is through Nichs, and he¡¯s a pawn I can easily discard if needed.¡± She gave azy, theatrical yawn, her eyes never leaving his face. ¡°Second, I already have most of the evidence against Nadine. Whether I have what¡¯s in your hands or not makes little difference.¡±
Max stared at Tess, at her expressionless face, and slowly realized she meant every word.
His initial move had been both a reminder and a test, a probe into the Larson family¡¯s reach and Tess¡¯s own mettle. He had never truly been a man ruled by emotion. Profit always came first. Tess¡¯s greatest appealy in the power behind her name, yet Nadine had sworn to him with absolute confidence that everything was under control. That hesitation had led him here.
¡°However, I¡¯m still willing to give you a chance, Mr. Hunt.¡±
Tess said, breaking the tense silence with a smile that was meant to be gracious. ¡°From what I know, Shannon is about five months pregnant now, isn¡¯t she?¡±
The shift in topic was so abrupt that Max didn¡¯t react at first. When he did, he kept silent, guarded.
2/3
Chapter 736 The Chessboard Turns
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¡°And the other person you¡¯re working with is Nadine. If I¡¯m not wrong, she and Henry are no longer of one mind.¡±
Tess stirred her coffee leisurely before lifting her gaze.
Max felt his heart jolt.
In those clear eyes, every scheme and calction seemedid bare.
How does she know?!
Tess didn¡¯t miss the faint tremor in his fingertips or the flicker of shock he couldn¡¯t quite
suppress
¡°So, between her and me, who do you think has the better odds of winning?¡±
She mused, propping her chin on her hand with an air of innocent curiosity. Max felt a chill crawl through his chest. To him, Tess looked less like a woman and more like a beast calmly watching its prey.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 737
Chapter 737 Behind The Bookshelf
Chapter 737 Behind The Bookshelf
¡°What is the price for this chance?¡±
Max finally spoke, his voice tight.
Tess¡¯s satisfaction flickered in her eyes like a cat that got the cream. ¡°Hand over Rachel.¡±
¡°No.¡±
Max¡¯s face hardened, the refusal immediate and absolute.
Rachel was the only bargaining chip he still had with Tess.
s
Tess had changed too much. She was no longer the naive girl from his memories. He couldn¡¯t trust mere words or promises.
¡°That works too,¡± Tess replied casually.
She didn¡¯t press the issue. Instead, she stepped back lightly, as if retreating were of no consequence. ¡°Then let¡¯s do this. Tomorrow, I want to see her.¡±
Max¡¯s gaze sharpened, searching her face. He found only that wless, practiced smile, revealing nothing.
A wave of frustrated helplessness washed over him, but caution still held him back.
Tess gave him exactly one minute. When he still hadn¡¯t responded, she picked up her bag and stood.
¡°Fine. Come to Hunt Group tomorrow, and I¡¯ll take you to her.¡±
¡°Pleasure doing business with you.¡±
Tess¡¯s smile looked more genuine now, warmth softening her eyes.
Before Max could even register the change, she averted her gaze and strode out with purpose.
By the time the fog of their confrontation cleared from his mind, the seat opposite him was empty.
His eyes drifted to the table. The coffee cup sat untouched. The raspberry cake he¡¯d specially ordered for her also remained uneaten.
Chapter 737 Behind The Bookshelf
Max¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line.
&
s
This cafe belonged to him. There was no such thing as a ¡°new raspberry cake.¡± He¡¯d asked around about her preferences and had the kitchen develop it specifically for her.
He let out a long, weary sigh, pulled the te toward himself, and took arge bite.
It was perfect. Sweet but not cloying, with a bright, tangy fruitiness.
He chewed slowly. The texture was exquisite. Yet, she hadn¡¯t wanted it.
Max couldn¡¯t quite describe the feeling in his chest. In the end, he barely ate a few bites before setting the te aside and having the staff clear it away.
Meanwhile, Tess was already settling into the passenger seat of Raven¡¯s car.
¡°So? How did it go?¡±
Raven leaned over immediately, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Seeing her eager expression, Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°He agreed to let me see Rachel tomorrow at Hunt Group. You and Lyra should note the routes used to bring her in and out.¡±
Raven nodded firmly, signaling she¡¯d take care of it.
Tess watched the thoughtful look settle over Raven¡¯s face.
A real¨Ctime transmitting device? It had been nothing but a bluff to rattle Max.
As she fastened her seatbelt, a small, victorious smile yed on her lips. Remembering the shifting colors of his expression across the table was deeply satisfying.
Hunt Group.
Max felt bone¨Cdeep exhaustion, though he¡¯d done little physically. He dragged the weight of it back to his office.
¡°Where¡¯s Rachel?¡± he asked his assistant as soon as he sank into his desk chair, his expression grim.
¡°She¡¯s still in the small room. We followed your instructions. She hasn¡¯t been allowed to leave or show herself.¡±
11:27 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 737 Behind The Bookshelf
Max gave a curt nod and stood.
s
He walked to a wall lined with bookshelves, found a specific gryphon statue, and twisted it. A small, seamless door swung inward silently. Rachel was sitting on the bed, watching television. The sudden entrance made her jump.
¡°You¡!¡±
¡°Looks like you¡¯ve been living quitefortably,¡± Max said with a smile tinged with disced irritation.
Rachel hurriedly turned the TV volume down, her body tense with wariness.
She¡¯d been confined to this windowless room for days, with no space to walk or breathe, only the wall¨Cmounted screen offering a pathetic distraction.
The confinement bred resentment, but she couldn¡¯t afford to show it to him.
¡°What do you need, Mr. Hunt?¡± Her voice was guarded.
Max took a few heavy breaths, forcing his expression to soften.
¡°Keeping you here this whole time has been a bit unfair to you.¡±
He casually pulled up a stool and sat down.
Rachel sensed the shift but remained silent, watching him closely, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
¡°Tess ising to thepany tomorrow. I¡¯ll arrange a meeting. But you understand what should and shouldn¡¯t be said.¡±
He smiled.
Rachel stared at the curve of his lips. It reminded her of a venomous snake testing the air, sending a chill of disgust through her. Yet, the news that Tess wasing, that she would see a familiar face, brought a faint, desperate relief.
¡°Of course. Since Ms. Tess ising, it¡¯s clearly not to secure my release.¡± Rachel said, with a hint of sarcasm she couldn¡¯t quite suppress.
Max¡¯s smile remained fixed, offering no reaction.
Seeing him sit there like an unfeeling statue drained her momentary defiance. Her expression sobered. ¡°Why is Ms. Tessing? Is there anything I need to prepare?¡±
Chapter 737 Behind The Bookshelf
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At that, Max rubbed his temples. ¡°I don¡¯t know either. Just be smart about it. As you said, she can¡¯t take you with her. In the end, you¡¯ll still be staying here with thepany.¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 738
Chapter 738 Prisoner
Chapter 738 Prisoner
That line carried a clear threat.
s
Rachel tightened her fingers under her sleeves, wishing she could w that smug face to shreds.
¡°Of course.¡±
She forced a smile, trying to bury the fury pounding in her chest.
Max gave a slight nod, clearly done here, and walked off without another word.
Once the door shut, the room fell back into darkness. Rachel climbed into bed again, slipped her hand beneath the nket and felt around in silence¨Cthen rushed off to the bathroom.
The moment the door closed, she pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her palm.
She had clenched it so tightly, it was a mess of creases.
Finally! A chance to get this to Ms. Tess!
Even though she¡¯d be the one meeting Tess, there was no way Max¡¯s spies wouldn¡¯t be close by.
How could she pass it along without tipping anyone off?
Rachel frowned, deep in thought. No matter how she looked at it, she couldn¡¯t think of a clean way to do it.
She¡¯d just have to make something work tomorrow.
With a sigh, she slumped onto the toilet and stared up at the cramped, windowless space. She felt her hope starting to die out.
¡°Ugh¡¡±
Rachel clutched her head, torn between pain and numbness.
When the hell was this going to end? When was she finally getting out of here?
¡°Wait.¡±
Something clicked. She straightened up, a flicker of light shing in her eyes.
Chapter 738 Prisoner
Maybe tomorrow was her shot.
Her heart skipped. Her gaze dropped to the paper in her hand.
She bit her lip, smacked her thigh, and scribbled a few more words.
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+5 Fice Cons
When she stepped out of the bathroom, she acted like nothing had happened and flipped the TV on like usual.
Out in the office, Max sat watching the surveince feed on his monitor.
¡°She always takes this long in the bathroom?¡±
He raised a brow and nced at his assistant.
The assistant scratched his head, unsure whether this was getting ridiculous, but still kept a respectful tone. ¡°I mean, people say it gets harder when women get older.¡±
Max¡¯s scowl didn¡¯t budge. He stayed locked on the calm woman in the video.
Then he stood up. ¡°Tess ising tomorrow. Make sure everything¡¯s ready.¡±
¡°Yes, sir.¡±
By the time Tess and Raven made it back to Evermount Heights, Lyra was already on the couch waiting. Herptop was propped up on the coffee table while she flipped through some documents.
The second the front door opened, Lyra looked up.
¡°Tess is meeting Rachel at Hunt Group tomorrow.¡±
Raven spoke first, flopping down on the couch with her arms stretched out.
Lyra nodded and slid theptop closer to Tess. ¡°I just got back from seeing Nichs. Got him to talk a little. Tried to keep the audio.¡±
They couldn¡¯t guarantee they¡¯d be able to get Rachel outpletely. Honestly, once they handled the Embers and Max, she¡¯d be fine. But Nichs didn¡¯t have that kind of time¨Cand they still needed his testimony and evidence. That¡¯s why they¡¯d sent Lyra to deal with him.
¡°Did he give anything useful?¡± Tess sat down next to her.
11:27 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 738 Prisoner
¡°Not really.¡± Lyra shook her head and motioned to the screen.
A surveince video was ying.
* Free Coine
They¡¯d arranged for Nichs to work over at Mars Legal. Most of the time, he was stuck doing grunt work, but at least he and his son Ken were safe and somewhat settled.
¡°We¡¯re watching this?¡± Tess frowned at the footage.
¡°Ken¡¯s been on edgetely,¡± Lyra exined. ¡°He keeps begging Nichs to let him go back to his old school in Krigan.¡±
On the screen, Nichs and Ken were mid¨Cargument. Tess remembered Ken as the quiet, obedient type. But now he was almost unrecognizable, raw with emotion.
Nichs tried ordering him around at first, but when Ken wouldn¡¯t stop, he finally snapped and pped him across the face.
The p rang out loud and clear, even through the grainy security feed.
Ken¡¯s head jerked to the side. When he turned back, a bright red mark had already bloomed on his cheek.
¡°If it wasn¡¯t for you, I wouldn¡¯t be stuck here!¡±
His voice cracked with anger and hurt.
Nichs froze. His raised hand trembled in midair.
But Ken wasn¡¯t finished. Clutching his face, he kept shouting, even as tears streaked down his cheeks.
¡°If you hadn¡¯t done all that awful stuff¡ If you hadn¡¯t teamed up with Henry and his people ¡ Mom wouldn¡¯t have been taken! Do you even know how long it¡¯s been since I¡¯ve seen her?! I¡¯ve got SATs next year, and you still want me stuck here?!¡±
He finished his rant and stormed off, mming the door behind him.
11:27 Mon, Feb 9
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 739
Chapter 739 A Kid¡¯s Outburst
s
Nichs looked like the life had drained out of him. He just stood there, swaying like he was about to copse.
After a long few seconds, he braced against the wall and slumped down beside the couch.
The surveince feed froze on that image¨CNichs curled in on himself, head buried low in his hands like he was trying to disappear into his own chest.
The footage was silent, but a father¡¯s grief and helplessness still came through the screen.
Tess pulled her eyes away, but her chest still felt tight.
¡°Ken¡¯s been holding all that in for a long time. But what really scares me is that someone could use him.¡±
Compared to Tess and Raven, Lyra stayed calm and clinical.
That made Tess frown. ¡°What do
you
mean?¡±
Raven looked just as confused.
¡°Maybe I¡¯m overthinking,¡± Lyra said. ¡°But right now, Ken is unpredictable. If the wrong people take advantage of that, it could seriously screw things up, and it¡¯ll slow you down, too.¡±
Tess got what she meant.
If Max or Nadine made a move on Ken, maybe tricked him with some fake promise to help Rachel, he could easily fall for it.
Her gut sank. She¡¯d been so focused on Ken¡¯s meltdown, she hadn¡¯t even considered that angle.
¡°Do you
have
any
ideas?¡± Tess looked a lot more serious now.
¡°He said it himself¨Che¡¯s got SATs next year. He¡¯s already missed a lot of ss, and the pressure¡¯s eating him alive. If we don¡¯t do something, that kid could break down.¡±
¡°You¡¯re right. We can¡¯t rush things with Rachel. If ites down to it, I¡¯ll hire a private tutor. Or find a nearby school that¡¯ll let him transfer in.¡±
Tess rubbed her chin, thinking it through.
Lyra paused, then nodded. ¡°Go with the tutor. I don¡¯t trust putting him in school right now.¡±
11:28 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 739 A Kid¡¯s Outburst
They both agreed fast, then the conversation circled back to Nichs.
s
¡°I don¡¯t know if it was because of Ken¡¯s outburst or what, but when I was there, Nichs kept grilling me about Rachel. And he made it crystal clear¨Cif we can¡¯t get her out, he¡¯s not giving us anything.¡±
Tess frowned.
¡°Luckily,¡± Lyra said with a wink, ¡°I still got something.¡±
She pulled out a voice recorder as she spoke.
¡°We¡¯re going out of our way to help you here. Every partnership needs something upfront. What makes
you think
you can walk away without giving us a damn thing?¡±
Her voice was cold. Distant. Like a statue carved out of ice.
It was Lyra.
Tess froze for a second, caught off guard by the memory of how Lyra used to be with her.
That woman had always beenposed and intimidating, like a marble statue in a courtroom. But once they got close, she changed. She gave Tess everything.
It was like watching something frozen finally start to thaw.
Her chest warmed just a little¨Cright before Nichs¡¯s voice came in.
He sounded uncertain, unsure. But maybe Lyra¡¯s icy stare got to him, because after a moment, he gave - in. ¡°What do you wanna know? I¡¯ll think about whether I can answer it.¡±
¡°You won¡¯t testify until your wife¡¯s out. Fine. But you can at least give us something to work with.¡±
Lyra cut to the chase. ¡°I wanna know what really happened back then.¡±
¡°Back then?¡±
¡°Yeah. When you first teamed up with Henry. When did Henry and Shannon start getting involved?¡±
That made Nichs pause. His face didn¡¯t change right away, but after a beat, he gave her a weird look.
¡°You only get one question. That¡¯s the one you¡¯re picking?¡±
11:28 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 739 A Kid¡¯s Outburst
¡°Damn right.¡±
¡°Alright. I did work with Henry. But I didn¡¯t know him that well outside of business. The day he first reached out to me, Shannon came with him. They asked me to find a woman¡¯s body to swap in for hers, and I was the one who burned it. While we were going over the details, I started getting a bad feeling. Didn¡¯t trust Henry one bit. So I used the time to snoop around his ce. Or I guess it was more like a shitty little rental. There was a photo under the ss of an old writing desk. Just one. A boy and a girl. I figured it was Henry and Shannon when they were kids.¡±
Lyra¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You think they¡¯ve known each other since they were little?¡±
¡°No clue. That¡¯s just a guess. One photo doesn¡¯t mean much. But it looked like they were living there together, just the two of them. And honestly, Shannon came off as bossy and loud. The kind of woman who wouldn¡¯t let her man keep a picture like that unless she was in it.¡±
Nichs¡¯s voice was steady and clear. Tess followed every word.
Her fingers clenched. What she thought she knew suddenly felt like smoke slipping through her hands.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 740
Chapter 740 A Little Recording
P:
74
s
So they really had known each other for years. Maybe they¡¯d even loved each other all that time. If that was true, then Henry probably never gave a damn about Kylie at all. He must¡¯ve used her from the start¨Cas a stepping stone, a ceholder.
Tess felt a twist in her chest. She couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for Kylie.
If Kylie ever found out the truth, would she regret the way she treated her before?
She¡¯d already cut ties with the Larsons. Right now, Tess was probably the closest thing she had left.
Tess flinched and quickly shook her head, forcing the thought out of her mind.
This wasn¡¯t something she should be thinking about.
¡°Tess, should we look into Krigan again? Might as well blow Henry and Shannon¡¯s mess wide
while we¡¯re at it.¡±
open
¡°I¡¯ll have someone sent.¡±
Lyra noticed something was off with Tess¡¯s mood, but after nodding, she didn¡¯t say anything else.
The room went quiet. Raven scratched her head. ¡°So, like ¡ everything¡¯s just a waiting game now? What are we supposed to do in the meantime?¡±
¡°Get ready for Hunt Group tomorrow. Did you finish prepping your part?¡±
Lyra rapped her knuckles against Raven¡¯s head.
Raven yelped and clutched her skull dramatically like she¡¯d been shot.
That little outburst actually made Tess crack a smile, and the tension in her shoulders finally eased a bit.
¡°Of course I¡¯m ready! I dropped serious money to get some of the Hunt Group staff in on it- not just the execs, even a few janitors. We¡¯re going straight to the top!¡±
Tessughed, shaking her head, but still gave her a nod. ¡°Nice job.¡±
Next morning¡
11:28 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 740 A Little Recording
¡°We¡¯re going in with you.¡±
Tess had just stepped out of the car when a hand blocked the door from closing.
Before she could even react, Lyra slid out behind her. Raven jumped out right after.
74
s
¡°Max¡¯ll probably only let you meet Rachel alone. But while we¡¯re in there, we¡¯ll scope out the ce. Might find something.¡±
Tess nodded. She didn¡¯t stop them. All three walked in together.
¡°You must be Ms. Tess, right? Mr. Hunt gave specific orders. Pleasee with me.¡±
They barely made it past the front desk before someone stopped them.
The receptionist stared straight at Tess.
Tess¡¯s brow twitched, but she still gave a polite smile. ¡°That¡¯s me.¡±
¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for you. The CEO asked me to bring you to him.¡±
She gave a deep bow and started leading them toward the executive elevator.
¡°Mr. Hunt said you can take his private elevator straight up.¡±
Her eyes sparkled as she looked Tess up and down like she was some kind of celebrity.
Tess felt uneasy under the stare. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±
The receptionist blinked, realizing she¡¯d gone too far.
She quickly looked away, her face turning bright red. ¡°Sorry, Ms. Tess. You¡¯re just ¡ so beautiful. I¡¯ve never seen anyone look like you. I mean, girl. Haha. Our Mr. Hunt¡¯s handsome too.¡±
She scratched her head, clearly flustered. But then her tone perked up again, like she was trying to sell something. ¡°Ms. Tess, by the way, you¡¯re the first person he¡¯s ever let use his private elevator. I¡¯ve never even been in it myself!¡±
She nced around excitedly, checking out the sleek interior. Compared to the standard ones, this one was huge and ssy.
Tess gave a helpless smile at the girl¡¯s enthusiasm.
Raven folded her arms and scoffed, muttering, ¡°Yeah, this isn¡¯t sketchy at all.¡±
Chapter 740 A Little Recording
* FIMM CONTE
Her voice was low, but the receptionist still caught it and tilted her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what was that?¡±
Raven raised her chin with a smirk. ¡°Nothing. You misheard.¡±
¡°Oh, okay.¡±
The receptionist blinked and scratched her head again.
¡°But Ms. Tess, you and Mr. Hunt really are a perfect match.¡±
She smiled wide, like she was truly rooting for them.
Tess must be his one and only. Even a heart of stone could fall in love!
The second those words left her mouth, Raven¡¯s eyes
lit up
like fire.
¡°Excuse me?! What the hell did you just say?!¡±
She practically lunged at the girl, hands reaching for her cor.
Who the hell did this chick think she was, trying to tie her boss to Tess?!
Thankfully, Lyra moved fast and yanked her back before it got ugly.
The receptionist flinched and backed into the corner like she was about to be attacked.
These women are nuts! No manners at all!
She panicked but couldn¡¯t help ncing at Tess again. Sure, she was pretty, bute on. Showing up to see Max with two besties, and one of them acting like that?
The girl rolled her eyes. Then the elevator lights flickered, and she caught a clearer look at Tess¡¯s face.
Wait, what?
Was that ¡ a white scar across her cheek? It was faint. You¡¯d miss it if you didn¡¯t look close.
11:28
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 741
Chapter 741 Attitude Change
Chapter 741 Attitude Change
So she was just some scar¨Cfaced woman after all?
s
The receptionist sneered to herself. All thosepliments she¡¯d thrown at Tess earlier? Gone. Erased by the smug little voice in her head.
That judgment showed in her eyes too.
Good thing the elevator moved fast. In a blink, they reached the top floor.
¡°Here we are. You¡¯ll see the main lobby as soon as you step out.¡±
She stayed in the elevator, not moving an inch.
Raven almost burst outughing.
This chick really thought she could act gross one minute and not even finish her job the next?
¡°When we were downstairs, didn¡¯t you say your boss told you to bring us to him? We haven¡¯t seen your boss yet. So what the hell are you doing just standing here?¡±
Raven crossed her arms, standing right in front of the doors. She didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t flinch.
Lyra could feel the tension, but when she looked up and saw that fake smile stered on the receptionist¡¯s face, she suddenly didn¡¯t feel like stopping Raven anymore.
Tess gave the receptionist a bored nce, then checked the time. There was still a little cushion. She didn¡¯t mind waiting a few more minutes.
The receptionist hadn¡¯t expected them to actually block her in. Her face shifted. She straightened up stiffly. ¡°It¡¯s the same thing. Just walk out and you¡¯ll see the lobby. Now move. I need to get back to my desk.¡±
There was a sharp edge in her voice. She looked nervous.
That woman standing in front of her? Definitely not someone to mess with.
Raven grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the elevator, shing a slow, dangerous grin. ¡°Take us to your boss. Now.¡±
She didn¡¯t raise her voice. She didn¡¯t even sound angry. But the pressure made the girl feel like someone had wrapped cold hands around her throat. She couldn¡¯t say a word.
Chapter 741 Attitude Change
So she lowered her head, bit back her pride, and walked them forward.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
+5 free Going
And sure enough, just like she said, the moment they stepped in, they saw a wide open lobby. Max and Rachel were already sitting on the couches, waiting.
Max picked up on the weird vibe right away.
¡°Well, this is a surprise. Ms. Moreno, Ms. Bell. I wasn¡¯t expecting you two.¡±
His smile was polite enough.
Raven forced a smirk and shoved the receptionist right up in front of him, mimicking her fake¨Cass smile from earlier. ¡°Mr. Hunt, maybe keep a closer eye on your employees.¡±
Max¡¯s eyes narrowed, but he still kept his tone pleasant. ¡°What do you mean by that, Ms. Moreno?¡±
Ravenunched into her version of the elevator incident, dialing it up just enough. By the time she finished, she could see the change in Max¡¯s expression.
His usual charming eyes turned ice cold,nding squarely on the receptionist.
She shivered.
¡°One quarter of your sry is docked. If you¡¯re not happy, turn in your resignation.¡±
His voice dropped.
The girl broke on the spot.
A whole quarter? That was three months of pay! How was she supposed to survive?
¡°Mr.-
¡°Leave.¡±
Max didn¡¯t even blink. One look was all it took. His assistant yanked the girl aside and tossed her straight into the staff elevator.
Only then did Raven feel satisfied.
The cold edge on Max¡¯s face faded just as quickly. He turned toward Tess with a warm smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. That was out of line. I didn¡¯t mean for you to be disrespected.¡±
11:28 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 741 Attitude Change
¡°It¡¯s fine. Compared to you, Mr. Hunt, she¡¯s a minor offense.¡±
+5 free Coina
Tess lounged on the couch, her tone rxed. That jab made the corner of Max¡¯s mouth twitch.
He quickly recovered, letting out a low sigh. ¡°Tess, you didn¡¯t use to be like this. You¡¯re always throwing shade or picking fights now.¡±
¡°Get used to it.¡±
Tess took a slow sip from the cup of tea his assistant had poured.
Max stared at her, but didn¡¯t argue.
Tess, meanwhile, noticed the pair of eyes locked onto her.
Rachel was sitting right across from her, staring like she was starving.
Max noticed too. He turned toward Lyra and Raven. ¡°I agreed to let Tess meet with Rachel. You two can take a look around thepany.¡±
The wording was polite, but the way his eyes narrowed made it clear it wasn¡¯t optional.
¡°Seriously, Max? You¡¯re a whole CEO and you¡¯re being stingy over this? We¡¯re just tagging along. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re gonna steal her.¡±
Raven pouted.
Max just smiled. ¡°I hope you¡¯ll understand.¡±
Behind him, his assistant stepped up again and gestured toward the elevator. ¡°Ladies, if you¡¯d like, I can give you a quick tour.¡±
Raven looked pissed. She shot Lyra a nce, then let out a frustrated sigh and turned to leave.
¡°No thanks. We¡¯ve got legs.¡±
She whipped her ponytail over her shoulder and walked off.
¡°You¡¯re allowed to tour the building,¡± the assistant called after them, ¡°but please don¡¯t disturb the staff or enter restricted or private areas!¡±
The elevator doors shut right as he finished.
Back in the lobby, Max turned to Tess with a soft smile. ¡°I gave you my word. What did you want to say to her?¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 742
Chapter 742 Meeting With Rachel
¡°You¡¯re not moving aside, Mr. Hunt?¡±
Tess turned to Max, one brow raised sharply.
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A smile tugged at her lips. ¡°What, you think I¡¯ll sneak Rachel out if you leave us alone?¡±
Max didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°It¡¯s just a conversation. I¡¯m not stopping anything.¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Tess¡¯s gaze cooled. That edge flickered before she hid it again.
¡°Rachel, are you doing alright here?¡±
She turned to Rachel, her voice softening with sincerity.
Rachel stiffened a little. She could feel eyes on her. She forced a polite smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. You really don¡¯t need to worry.¡±
¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±
Tess nodded like it was just friendly chatter. ¡°Would you like me to tell Nichs or Ken anything for you?¡±
The moment those names hit, Rachel¡¯s whole expression changed. ¡°They¡¯re ¡ are they okay?¡±
Her voice cracked. Her throat felt dry.
¡°And Ken¡ is he still keeping up with school?¡±
¡°He is. He¡¯s working hard and taking it seriously. I¡¯m nning to bring in a tutor to help him at thepany. I dragged your whole family into this mess. I¡¯m really sorry.¡±
Tess gave her a gentle, steady smile.
Rachel finally let out a breath. Her tight shoulders softened. ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯m d. Thank you, Ms. Tess.¡±
She looked straight at Tess. Every word felt genuine.
Tess brushed it off. ¡°Of course.¡±
Chapter 742 Meeting With Rachel
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They kept the small talk going. Max stayed locked on them at first, then slowly eased back.
¡°You two should¡¯ve met ages ago.¡±
He smiled like it was a joke.
Tess nced at him. She wanted to p that fake charm off his face.
She didn¡¯t even answer.
¡°Rachel, I need you to hang in there just a bit longer.¡±
Tess stepped in and gently reached for Rachel¡¯s hand, guilt flickering through her expression.
Their palms met. The touch was warm.
Something pressed into her palm.
Tess¡®shes fluttered once. Her expression didn¡¯t change.
¡°There¡¯s nothing else I need to say.¡±
She let go of Rachel¡¯s hand like nothing happened.
Max¡¯s face shifted. His eyes narrowed just slightly, watching the two of them. Too calm. That silence between them made his gut twist.
He studied Tess closely.
She¡¯d worked hard to get this meeting. And all they did was chat?
His expression eased. He smiled like nothing was wrong. ¡°Hard to get time like this. You really have nothing else to say?¡±
He tilted his head slightly. His usualzy eyes sharpened at the corners.
Tess smiled back, but her tone turned sharp. ¡°Since when do you care about feelings, Mr. Hunt?¡±
Max didn¡¯t miss a beat. He was used to getting jabbed by her.
¡°If you¡¯re done, I¡¯ll have Ms. Moreno and Ms. Belle walk you out.¡±
He looked toward his assistant.
Chapter 742 Meeting With Rachel
¡°Wait. I¡¯m not done yet.¡±
:
Tess jumped in quickly, covering it with a smile..
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Max paused. One brow lifted. A smirk curved on his lips. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say you were done?¡±
He smiled, but his eyes had gone cold. He scanned her from head to toe.
He tipped his chin. ¡°Or maybe Ms. Moreno and Ms. Bell are the ones really pulling the strings here?¡±
His voice stayed light. But the room dropped ten degrees.
¡°What are you even talking about? That makes no sense.¡±
Tess¡¯s face twisted. That struck a nerve.
She turned her head away. ¡°You¡¯re the one who asked if I had more to say. I answer, and now I¡¯m the problem?¡±
She crossed her arms and sneered, but up close her nails dug into her arm. She looked rattled.
Max saw it. He let it slide. His eyes cooled again. ¡°Hey,e on. Don¡¯t twist
my words.
¡°I¡¯ll let you have a moment more.¡±
He smiled and waved his assistant off. But before the guy left, Max gave him a tight, subtle look.
The assistant caught it instantly. He didn¡¯t leave. Instead, he turned and quietly signaled a few others to go check on Lyra and Raven.
In the hallway, Tess kept her expression calm as she kept talking with Rachel.
Max never stopped watching her. His smile stayed soft, but Tess could feel his eyes on her. It made her skin crawl.
Eventually, the assistant slipped back in and gave Max a tiny shake of his head. All clear. Nothing wrong.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 743
Chapter 743 Suspicion
1:
Max¡¯s eyes still held suspicion, though he kept it hidden well.
Right then, Tess stood up, looking like she was ready to leave.
Max spoke up, ¡°All done?¡±
¡°Yeah. Go find Lyra and Raven for me. Tell them it¡¯s time to go.¡±
Tess grabbed her bag, face calm.
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Before she even finished speaking, the elevator doors slid open. Lyra and Raven walked in one after the other.
¡°And they call this a toppany? What a letdown.¡±
Raven swung her arms and muttered, clearly annoyed. Lyra followed with noints, but the cold look on her face said enough.
¡°Your ce was a total snooze.¡±
Right before leaving, Tess actually cracked a rare joke at Max¡¯s expense.
Max blinked, surprised, then smiled faintly.
¡°Sounds like I¡¯ve got some work to do. You¡¯re always wee toe back and check if I¡¯ve improved, Ms. Tess.¡±
He wasn¡¯t the least bit upset and even yed along.
Tess didn¡¯t answer. She turned and walked off.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, Max¡¯s smile vanished. He shot a nce behind him, and aptop instantly appeared on the coffee table.
The screen lit up with security footage from inside the elevator.
¡°What were you two even doing?¡±
Tess crossed her arms and looked over.
¡°Doing what? I thought a big¨Cnamepany like Hunt Group would at least be interesting. We walked around twice and found nothing.¡±
Chapter 743 Suspicion
Raven pouted, clearly irritated.
:
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Tess looked at her with some helplessness. ¡°You¡¯re the one who said you wanted more time in there. I even stalled for you.¡±
¡°Yeah, and I regret it. You didn¡¯t even call us. We just came back on our own. If I¡¯d known it was gonna be that boring, I wouldn¡¯t havee at all. What a waste of time.¡±
Raven waved her arms in frustration, looking totally done.
Tess let out a sigh and turned to Lyra. ¡°What about you? You were in there for a while. Notice anything?¡±
¡°Nothing. Just like Raven said. And the security¡¯s tight. We could only see most of th workspaces from the hallways.¡±
Lyra looked disappointed too.
Tess sighed again but didn¡¯t push it.
¡°You both came all this way with me. Let¡¯s grab something to eat.¡±
Right as she finished, the elevator opened again. The three of them headed out together.
¡°What were they doing when you found them?¡±
Max¡¯s gaze turned sharp. That fog in his eyes hadn¡¯t cleared at all.
His assistant noticed the shift in his tone and realized this was serious.
He rubbed the back of his head, trying to remember. ¡°I don¡¯t think they were doing anything, really. They were just walking around in the hallway. Looked bored. They chatted with a few people here and there, like they were just killing time.¡±
Max¡¯s brows pinched even tighter.
People never came without a reason.
Tess definitely had something nned. He just didn¡¯t know what yet.
¡°Take Rachel back to her room.¡±
They couldn¡¯t discuss anything else with her still sitting there on the couch.
Rachel had been unusually quiet after seeing Tess. She looked more obedient than before.
Chapter 743 Suspicion
But Max felt heavier, like something was pressing on his chest.
At the same time, Tess and the others were already in the car.
¡°Jesus, that Max is such a snake. He actually had someone tailing us!¡±
Raven waited until the car door shut before she pped her chest and muttered.
¡°Did you find anything?¡±
Tess¡¯s voice turned cold and low.
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¡°We did. We asked a bunch of people. None of them knew Rachel existed. But I¡¯m sure she¡¯s still in thepany. After what happened before, I nted eyes around Hunt Group. I know for a fact she never left the building.¡±
Lyra¡¯s tone was firm. Her face was dead serious.
¡°But one of the janitors told us something.¡±
¡°Yeah, that one cleans Max¡¯s office. The same guy my other contact hooked me up
Raven grinned and smugly patted her chest.
¡°What did they say?¡±
Tess¡® brows furrowed even deeper.
with.¡±
¡°Rachel¡¯s been in Max¡¯s office this whole time. She never left. There¡¯s a hidden room in there, a small suite with a bathroom. Everything she needs gets sent in directly.¡±
Lyra stayed calm as she broke it all down,ying it out for Tess with zero hesitation.
Shock shed in Tess¡® eyes.
Was he out of his mind? He locked Rachel inside some hidden room in his own office? That was illegal detention. How was he any different from Henry now?
Tess instantly thought back to when she saw Rachel in the lobby. Her face looked so lifeless, like she¡¯d been worn down to nothing. Her eyes werepletely drained.
3/3
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Keepsake 744
Chapter 744 This is Criminal
Chapter 744 This is Criminal
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So she really had been locked up? One bedroom and one bathroom? That was basically a cage.
Tess¡® chest rose and fell with anger.
Max actually did that to someone?
¡°I recorded everything.¡±
Lyra raised her hand. Between her fingers was a tiny recording device.
Tess nced at it, then gave her a sincere nod. ¡°Thanks.
¡°You¡¯ve always been airtight with your work. I trust you.¡±
She pressed her lips together. But her eyes had gone sharp, razor¨Csharp. In that moment, her re turned into a de. If she could, she would¡¯ve sliced Max apart piece by piece.
¡°Keep that recording safe. I¡¯ve got something else too.¡±
Tess held out her hand. In her palm was a crumpled wad of paper, smashed soft from being clenched too long.
¡°What¡¯s this?¡±
Lyra hesitated. Tess started unfolding it as she exined. ¡°Rachel slipped it to me during the conversation.¡±
The note finally opened up.
¡°Ms. Tess, there¡¯s proof in Max¡¯s office. He stole confidential files from the Lock Group! I¡¯m in the hidden room in his office!¡±
Thest sentence lined up exactly with what Lyra and Raven had just found out.
But it was the beginning that got their attention.
Even Lyra, who usually stayed calm, couldn¡¯t hide her excitement. ¡°That¡¯s perfect! After all the crap you dealt with in Kingnd from those rumors, this is the evidence that can finally shut them all down!¡±
¡°And now that we have this, Max¡¯s time is up. He¡¯s gonna pay for everything he put me through.¡±
14:23 Wed, Feb 11 M¡
Chapter 744 This is Criminal
Tess looked up. Her voice dripped with contempt, cool and graceful.
Raven shivered. She rubbed her arms.
Why is it freezing in here all of a sudden?
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¡°Now that we know this, what¡¯s the move? That hidden room is inside Max¡¯s office. Getting in won¡¯t be easy.¡±
Lyra got right to the point.
Tess frowned. That was exactly what she¡¯d been turning over in her head.
¡°Did you forget who I am? I¡¯m a hacker. Crashing Hunt Group¡¯s power system is nothing for me. Once I take it down, you two slip into the office and get both Rachel and the evidence out.¡±
Raven lit up instantly.
But before she could get carried away, Lyra grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed her back into her seat.
¡°Even if you hack the system, how are we getting inside? If it¡¯s a hidden room, it¡¯s probably locked tight. And sure, you can ck out the building for a bit, but can you keep it down for a whole hour? What if they fix it too soon? We won¡¯t even make it inside before we¡¯re caught.¡±
Her voice was heavy. And after she finished, all three of them fell quiet, lost in thought.
¡°Actually ¡ an hour is doable.¡±
Compared to the other two, Raven looked rxed. She scratched her head and grinned.
That line made Lyra¡¯s head snap up. She stared right at her. ¡°What did you just say?¡±
¡°I said it¡¯s doable! Didn¡¯t I tell you I¡¯m top¨Ctier?¡± Raven was still goofing off, but her words froze both their eyes on her.
She scratched the back of her head, a little embarrassed. ¡°I hacked the top tower in Kingnd once. Took them half a day to recover.¡±
She let out a cheekyugh. ¡°They only got the power back on because myptop died.¡±
Tess couldn¡¯t hide the shock in her eyes. She grabbed Raven¡¯s arm. ¡°You can really do it? I need you to hit Hunt Group¡¯s power system. Just give me thirty minutes. But you have to make sure none of the real¨Ctime surveince works.¡±
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Chapter 744 This is Criminal
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¡°If you¡¯re nning a move, leaving the cams off will definitely raise red gs. I can run a loop instead. Find some old footage, patch it in, and keep it rolling. That way it¡¯ll still look active. Even if they notice the hack, it¡¯ll take them a while to catch on.¡±
Raven rubbed her chin, thinking out loud.
Tess¡¯s eyes
lit up. and pull Rachel out. Lyra, you back us up. Raven, you slip into their control room and run the feed.¡±
She snapped her fingers. ¡°Perfect. That¡¯s the n. I¡¯ll break into Hunt Group
The roles were set. None of them hesitated now.
They were all in. On the way back, even the ride felt lighter.
At Evermount Heights¡
Tess pulled into the driveway. But through the window, she caught a glimpse of a tall figure outside the house.
Who was that? Didn¡¯t she tell Bessie not to let anyone in?
Her guard flew up. She mmed the car door open.
Steven stood there holding the baby, while Bessie sat beside him, shaking a rattle at La.
¡°Huh?¡±
Steven¡¯s voice was soft and warm, like a breeze cutting through a quiet forest.
Tess froze with a hint of awkwardness. ¡°What are you doing here? I thought once everything was handled, you were heading back overseas.¡±
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Keepsake 745
Chapter 745 Steven¡¯s Back
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Steven gave a small nod. ¡°That¡¯s the idea. But there¡¯s a summiting up soon in Kingnd. Experts and big names from all over the world will be there. The institute¡¯s sending me. Since I¡¯m heading to Kingnd anyway, I figured I might as well swing by¡ See you and La too.¡±
As he finished, something flickered across his face. It was quick, but real. He lowered his head and started teasing La in his arms again.
La let out a clear, bubbly giggle. Herugh rang through the living room like a wind chime, sweet and bright.
Steven yed with her hand. She naturally reached out and grabbed his finger lik known him forever.
Tess stood there, watching them. She couldn¡¯t find the words to say.
¡°But that¡¯s not the only reason I¡¯m here today.¡±
d
Steven suddenly paused. La tugged at his hand with a tiny whine, but he kept his focus locked on Tess.
¡°You went to Hunt Group today, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Tess¡® eyes narrowed. ¡°How do you know that? Don¡¯t tell me you had someone tailing me.¡±
Steven raised his hands. ¡°Come on, Tess. This is the age of big data.¡±
She shot him an annoyed look.
Of course. He¡¯d probably used some allcity surveince system just to track her movements like a stalker with too much time on his hands.
¡°Yeah, I went. So what?¡±
Tess frowned, clearly suspicious.
¡°I didn¡¯t just find that out. I also dug up some of the other info you guys uncovered.¡±
Steven¡¯s smile curled at the edges, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. There was something venomous lurking behind it¨Clike a snake that looked calm, but could strike at any second.
Tess felt a chill crawl down her back.
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Chapter 745 Steven¡¯s Back
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If Steven hadn¡¯t been a friend¨Cand if someone ever used him for the wrong reasons¨Cshe didn¡¯t even want to imagine the kind of hell that could break loose.
¡°You¡¯re trying to pull off a rescue. And that hidden room stuff? I know a thing or two about those.¡±
Tess raised a brow. ¡°So what, you¡¯re saying you want in?¡±
¡°Exactly. Tess, you really are smart.¡±
Steven sounded genuinely impressed. Not just because she figured it out, but because of the whole n she¡¯d built.
Tess gave him a onceover. Steven stood a little straighter, like he was trying to
¡°Fine. But I n to move fast and clean. You free the next couple days?¡±
She hesitated for a second, then gave a nod.
¡°I¡¯ll make time, even if I don¡¯t have it.¡±
part.
Steven¡¯s eyes stayed on her face. He looked like he meant every
word.
Tess¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned away. ¡°Then we move in two nights. Let them think we¡¯re quiet for a few days, then hit them hard.¡±
Everyone nodded at once. Even little La, snuggled up in Bessie¡¯sp on the couch, started bobbing her tiny head along with them. Her timing was so perfect, it made the whole room melt.
After Steven left, Lyra got a new text. It was from the tutoring agency. They¡¯d finally found
someone.
¡°I¡¯m thinking maybe just have here straight here?¡±
¡
She showed the message to the others.
¡°Yeah, why not? We¡¯ve got time to kill while we wait for the right moment.¡±
The candidate moved fast. Lyra barely had time to confirm the interview location before the doorbell rang.
After Tess gave the okay, Bessie let the woman in. Tess looked her over the moment she stepped inside.
Chapter 745 Steven¡¯s Back
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Ann Rushic, your contracted tutor. I¡¯m a graduate of Kingnd University.¡±
The name of the university made Tess¡® eyes flicker.
She hadn¡¯t expected a fellow alum.
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The tension in her expression cased a little. She made an effort to look more approachable. ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ve filled you in. You¡¯ll mainly be helping Ken catch up on the subjects he¡¯s missed.¡±
Ann nodded right away and assured her it would be no problem at all.
Tess flipped through her r¨¦sum¨¦, then gave a satisfied nod. ¡°Looks good. Try a te tomorrow. I¡¯ll text you the addresster.¡±
n
Ann¡¯s fingers curled into a tight little fist. Her eyes
lit up with determination.
After they saw her off, Tess let out a long breath.
Some of the guilt she¡¯d been carrying finally lifted. She hoped this might help distract Ken from missing home so much.
¡°I better start prepping for the Hunt Group op.¡±
Raven groaned like she was already exhausted.
Tess chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be the MVP on this one. I¡¯m counting on you to stall as long as possible.¡±
Raven puffed up, offended. ¡°Watch it! You¡¯re talking to the top hacker in town!¡±
¡°Well, if she¡¯s that confident, we¡¯ll make sure you¡¯ve got all the time you need.¡±
Lyraughed and patted her on the shoulder.
They went over the rest of the n and split up for the night.
Tess didn¡¯t feel like sitting around. An idea hit her, and she drove straight to Everford Prison.
¡°Hello.¡±
The moment she stepped out of the car, a freezing gust of wind cut straight through her coat.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 746
Chapter 746 Prison Visit
VIN A
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Chapter 746 Prison Visit
Tess didn¡¯t know if it was the wind, but her nose stung out of nowhere.
She nced down. La blinked up at her, curious. The baby kept ncing around at the prison, staring like she couldn¡¯t figure out what kind of ce this was.
¡°La, this is where you were born.¡±
Tess muttered the joke to herself. But when she finally reached the front gate, she started regrettinging here.
Back then, she was an ¡°inmate.¡±
Now, she had shed all of that. Her name was clean.
She stood there frozen, unsure of what to do next.
Right when she debated whether to leave, someone stepped out of the building.
The woman was swaying, her face bruised and swollen.
Tess narrowed her eyes and looked up.
Her gaze sharpened when she realized who it was.
That girl? When she first got thrown in here, Tess had been everyone¡¯s punching bag. This woman had been her cellmate.
She always acted weak and scared, but when sheid hands on Tess, she went harder than anyone else.
Just thinking about it made Tess¡® face cold.
go
There weren¡¯t many peopleing or going at the entrance. But the woman spotted her right
away.
She froze, blinking in disbelief.
Was that really the same girl she used to beat up in prison?
That woman now stood tall, sharp and gorgeous, with a gleaming luxury purse on her arm. Even someone as broke and ignorant about cars as her could recognize the Ferrari behind Tess in one look.
15:48 Thu, Feb 12 d¡
Chapter 746 Prison Visit
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Who would¡¯ve thought the girl who couldn¡¯t even protect herself back then had turned into¡
this?
¡°You¡¡±
She walked closer, her lips trembling.
¡°Imogen Reeder.¡±
Tess spoke first. She didn¡¯t miss the way the woman looked at her.
Imogen flinched.
¡°Is that ¡ really you? Tess Ember?¡±
She sounded unsure.
She obviously recognized her, but still couldn¡¯t bring herself to believe it.
Tess raised an eyebrow and didn¡¯t answer.
¡°Imogen, stay clean once you¡¯re out, got it? Also, the prison called your family. They all said they were too busy toe get you!¡±
A sharp voice cut through from the entrance. A female officer in full uniform stepped outside, looking tough andmanding.
Tess followed the sound. When she saw the officer, her eyes flickered.
That face was familiar. But now, it looked sharper, more mature.
The officer spotted her too. Her eyes widened with surprise, then filled with joy. ¡°You¡¡±
She broke into a huge smile and walked straight up to Tess. ¡°Tess! I knew it! I knew you were different from everyone else back then!¡±
Tess smiled for real too. ¡°I should be the one thanking you. You really looked out for me.¡±
¡°Of course I did. But honestly, it¡¯s thanks to you. You taught me that working in this ce means staying fair and human. That mindset is the only reason I made it this far.
¡°But what brings you back here? You¡¯ve been out for months. Don¡¯t tell me you actually missed it?¡±
Sheughed and tugged Tess¡® arm yfully..
Chapter 746 Prison Visit
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Her warmth brought back old memories. It felt like they were back inside, watching each other¡¯s backs just to survive.
The people here almost never changed. It was rare for anyone new toe in or anyone old to leave. As gloomy as it was, the job itself was chill.
This girl had joined young. Of course, she got pushed around by the others.
Maybe that was why she¡¯d gone out of her way to help Tess. Maybe she saw herself in her.
One thing led to another, and the two got close.
¡°But wait, what did you mean just now by ¡®this position¡°?¡±
Tess frowned. That part stuck in her mind.
¡°Uh¡¡±
The girl scratched her head, clearly trying to dodge the question. But when she saw Tess¡® gaze getting more intense, she gave in.
¡°Okay, fine.¡±
She shrugged.
¡°Right after you got out, the whole ce went through a massive overhaul. Pretty much everyone got reced. I really thought I was next. But somehow, they kept me. And now ¡ turns out I¡¯m thest one left from the old team.¡±
Sheughed and scratched her head again.
Tess nodded, sincerely happy for her. But her brows stayed furrowed. ¡°That means you either got really lucky ¡ or you¡¯re really good at what you do. But what¡¯s that got to do with me?¡±
The girl leaned in close, eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Nope! That¡¯s not it. Word is, someone from the top came in to recheck your case. That¡¯s why the shake¨Cup happened¡¡±
She lowered her voice like the thing that she said next was taboo.
¡°They said it was your ex¨Chusband.¡±
Tess froze. ¡°Finn?¡±
¡°Yes! That¡¯s the name!¡±
15:48 Thu, Feb 12 d¡
Chapter 746 Prison Visit
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She lit up and pped her leg in excitement, only to startle herself with the noise. She quickly covered her mouth.
¡°Imogen? You still here?¡±
She suddenly remembered something and turned to the woman still standing off to the side like a statue. Her voice went sharp. Her posture straightened. She looked all
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Keepsake 747
Chapter 747 No Interest
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Tess didn¡¯t even bother trying to figure out why Finn did it. She just looked at the girl showing off in uniform and seemed genuinely entertained.
Imogen flinched the second she heard her name.
¡°Quit talking crap,¡± she muttered and turned to leave. But before she could fully look away, her eyes darted to the luxury car parked behind Tess. That flicker of envysted barely a second before it twisted into something bitter.
Who knew if that car was really hers? It could be rented or secondhand¨Cjust part of some act to look rich.
She¡¯d heard rumors in prison. Tess had already divorced that billionaire husband of hers.
Trying tofort herself, Imogen muttered as she took a few steps away. Then a hand grabbed her cor and yanked her back without warning.
Her breath hitched from the shock. She spun around fast, only to find herself staring at Tess¡® stunning face, and for a moment, she just froze.
Then her voice shot up, loud and pissed. ¡°Tess! What the hell are you doing?! Let go of me!¡±
Tess rolled her eyes and casually rubbed her ear. ¡°Hmm? Didn¡¯t hear you. Mind repeating that a little closer?¡±
Imogen¡¯s face went pale, then flushed red, but she still barked back. ¡°I said your car¡¯s fake. What, did I lie?¡±
She scanned Tess from head to toe, sneering. ¡°Everybody knows you came from a middle- ss family. You justtched onto a billionaire. Now he dumped you, and you¡¯re still out here pretending? Dragging that car up to a prison like we¡¯re supposed to be impressed? What, you think we¡¯re gonna regret how we treated you inside?¡±
She hissed every word through clenched teeth.
Tess let out augh and even pped her hands slowly. ¡°Wow. Well said. Good thing you brought it up. I almost forgot you were one of the ones who bullied me in there.¡±
She smiled, but the look in her eyes was ice¨Ccold.
Imogen¡¯s back stiffened. A weird chill ran down her spine. Before she could respond, Felicity Kindsoul-who used to be all smiles toward Tess but strict as hell with the rest¨Cstepped up
5:48 Inu, Feb 12
Chapter 747 No Interest
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and mmed a hand down on her shoulder. ¡°Imogen, you¡¯re still standing on prison grounds, and you¡¯re pulling this crap?¡±
Her voice cracked like thunder in Tess¡¯s car.
Tess blinked from the sharpness of it. Then she turned to look at Felicity, surprised. It had only been a few months, but the girl had changed. She looked sharper. Tougher.
The sight gave Tess a strange burst of pride. But she didn¡¯t let it show for long. Her attention snapped right back to Imogen.
¡°I remember your family¡¯s not exactly rolling in money. So I guess it makes sense if you can¡¯t tell what¡¯s fake and what¡¯s not. But running your mouth like that in front of me? That¡¯s where you messed up.¡±
Her words were calm. Her tone was pure ice.
Imogen flinched and felt her body tense.
Was this really the same girl she used to push around in there? The pressureing off Tess now was enough to make her legs feel like rubber.
Still, she gritted her teeth and snapped back. ¡°You act like you¡¯re better than me? Tess, we came from the same world. Quit faking like you¡¯re some heiress. What¡¯re you gonna do to me, huh?¡±
Tess dropped her gaze for a second, her smile still hanging on, but it felt colder than ever.
¡°Imogen, did you forget what I did before I went to prison?¡±
That shut her up.
Right. Tess used to be one of the topwyers in Aetheris. Quiet, maybe, but sharp as hell.
Imogen¡¯s face darkened. Then something clicked in her head.
Hold on.
Didn¡¯t Tess lose her license when she got convicted? That¡¯s right! She wasn¡¯t awyer anymore.
She was just about to throw that insult out when something stopped her. Her eyes narrowed as she looked Tess up and down again ¡ then locked onto that car.
If all of it was fake, there¡¯s no way Tess would be this calm.
But what else could she possibly have going for her? Her face?
15:48 Thu, Feb 12 d
Chapter 747 No Interest
Imogen drew in a sharp breath.
Oh no. That had to be it.
That was the only way any of this made sense.
She had to be selling herself.
Imogen¡¯s eyes turned sharper, more certain.
She looked at Tess with a new kind of disgust.
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¡°Please. I know exactly what you used to do. And I know what you¡¯re doing now, too.¡±
She crossed her arms and cocked her head, her voice full of smug venom.
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Tess never thought Imogen was the brightest. But watching her face now, it was obvious what she was imagining.
Tess chuckled softly. She didn¡¯t bother denying it.
¡°Oh?¡±
She folded her arms too, raising a brow like she was actually interested.
Imogen, still hanging from Tess¡¯s grip, red up at her. ¡°Put me down, Tess! I swear, if you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll tell everyone what happened here the second I get out!¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 748
Chapter 748 Tess¡® Move
Chapter 748 Tess¡® Move
Tess¡® eyes flew wide open, shock washing over her face.
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She shook her head fast, clearly rattled. ¡°What are you talking about? What do you want?¡±
Imogen saw the reaction and immediately felt more certain than ever. She lifted her chin, puffed out her chest, and barked out a demand. ¡°Let go of me first. Then maybe try begging. If I¡¯m in a good mood, I might keep this between us. After all, you were married to the richest guy in Aetheris. People still recognize your face. If this gets out, it won¡¯t look good.¡±
Imogen squared her shoulders like she¡¯d already won.
Tess just stared at her. Imogen thought she¡¯d backed her into a corner and grinned harder.
Tess suddenly burst outughing, gripping her stomach. The calm, collected mask she always wore was gone.
Imogen blinked, thrown off by the sudden change. A flush of anger crept up her neck.
¡°What the hell are youughing at? You really think I won¡¯t tell anyone?!¡±
She was practically growling now.
Tess let go of her hand.
The grip around Imogen¡¯s neck vanished. She had no clue what Tess was up to.
¡°Who exactly are you nning to tell? And what will you tell them?¡±
Tess folded her arms and leaned back, watching her like she had all day.
Imogen felt a jolt. This wasn¡¯t going like she thought. But she¡¯d been bullied enough in prison. Tess was the only one she¡¯d ever had the upper hand with, and she wasn¡¯t about to let that slip.
¡°Your ex¨Chusband. Your family. I¡¯ll tell them you¡¯re a shameless homewrecker. You¡¯ve embarrassed every woman out there. No wonder your ex dumped you. A woman like you? You¡¯re a red g with legs.¡±
Tessughed even louder and pulled out her phone. Her fingers swiped the screen fast.
Imogen frowned. ¡°What are you doing?¡±
Tess arched a brow and tapped into the call log. ¡°You wanted to tell my ex? I¡¯ll call him for you.¡±
¦¯
15:48 Thu, Feb 12 d
Chapter 748 Tess¡® Move
Imogen looked down and froze when she saw the contact name in bold. Finn.
Tess raised an eyebrow again, still watching her.
Imogen looked like she¡¯d seen a ghost.
Had she lost her mind?
What part of this situation was supposed to be good?
She was still processing when Felicity caught on.
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If Tess was being this casual, then there was no way what Imogen said could be true.
She was straight¨Cup lying.
¡°Fine! Do it!¡±
Imogen snapped and snatched the phone from Tess, hitting the call button.
The phone rang once. Then it picked up.
¡°Tess? What made you call me out of the blue?¡±
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A low, warm voice came through. Calm, but there was a spark of excitement he couldn¡¯t hide.
Imogen froze.
Wait a second. Weren¡¯t they divorced? Why did Finn sound like that?
¡°Uh¡ Mr. Lock?¡±
She tried to brush off the weird vibe and pushed forward.
The man¡¯s voice dropped like a cold front hitting the room. His tone turned sharp and ice- cold.
¡°Who are you? Why do you have Tess¡® phone?¡±
His voice was tense. The kind of tone that came with a warning.
Imogen instantly knew who it was. So this really was the infamous billionaire Finn from
Aetheris.
Wasn¡¯t he the one who put Tess in prison?
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Chapter 748 Tess¡® Move
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Word was they split right after she got out. But now? It didn¡¯t sound like they were over at all.
Something felt seriously off, but she gritted her teeth and plowed ahead. ¡°I¨CI used to be Tess¡¯s cellmate. Mr. Lock, I¡¯ve got something huge to tell you.¡±
He didn¡¯t say a word at first. The silence on the line somehow made the air around her go freezing cold.
¡°Talk.¡±
One syble. Ice¨Ccold.
Yep. ssic CEO.
Imogen wiped the sweat off her forehead. Her heart was pounding.
¡°Since you divorced Tess, she¡¯s alreadytched onto another sugar daddy! She clearly never cared about you!¡±
She piled it on, voice full of fake outrage.
Tess didn¡¯t even try to stop her. She nced over at Felicity and cracked a grin, like she was watching liveedy.
Imogen didn¡¯t notice a thing. She kept going, digging the hole deeper.
¡°Tess, are you right there?¡±
Imogen had just finished her rant and was waiting for Finn to blow up. But all she got was a calm question from the other end.
Tess looked surprised for a second. Then she answered tly. ¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°Mr. Lock, she¡¯s trying to get you to hear some gossip about me. I gave her the phone so you could hear it yourself. Got it? Want her to repeat it?¡±
Tess said it like she was offering dessert after dinner.
¡°No need.
¡°Hey, you. Give the phone back to her.¡±
Finn¡¯s voice was still cool, but when he said ¡°her,¡± it was almost ¡ gentle.
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Keepsake 749
3:20 pm
Chapter 749 Finn on the Call
Chapter 749 Finn on the Call
That weird feeling was back in Imogen¡¯s chest, rising like bile.
She passed the phone back to Tess, clearly pissed.
¡°Also, if some sugar daddy really does manage to keep her, I wish that person was me.¡±
Finn¡¯s words stopped both women cold.
Even Tess froze for a second.
What did he just say? Tess furrowed her brow. ¡°I¡¯m hanging up.¡±
She didn¡¯t even wait for a response. She just ended the call.
Her heart was pounding, but she hid it well.
Then she turned to Imogen. ¡°Well? Got anything else to say?¡±
Imogen looked pale. Her lips twisted into a bitter line, but she said nothing.
Wasn¡¯t Finn the richest man in Aetheris? Why did he act like such a simp around Tess?
She red at Tess with burning eyes.
What the hell was going on with hertely?
How¡¯d she still have that man wrapped around her finger even after the divorce?
¡°I¡¯m done here!¡±
She knew she wasn¡¯t going to win. Face dark, Imogen spun around to leave.
Tess moved fast, yanking her cor from behind.
Imogen tried to shake her off, but it was like a steel grip locked onto her. She couldn¡¯t budge.
She spun back around, furious. ¡°You already made the call! What else do you want?¡±
Tess blinked, her face all innocent. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who wanted to call him? Funny how I¡¯m the one being med.¡±
Imogen choked, her neck straining as she screamed, ¡°What do you want then?!¡±
¡°I want an apology. Or I¡¯ll send you back inside. Looks like rehab didn¡¯t work too well the first time,¡± Tess said.
Felicity chuckled but didn¡¯t say a word.
Imogen¡¯s face turned pitch ck.
Go back to jail? No way! She¡¯d barely survived in there. After Tess left, she became the lowest of the low.
Her fists clenched with rage, but she had no choice. She bowed her head. ¡°I was wrong.¡±
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Chapter 749 Finn on the Call
¡°What exactly did you do wrong?¡± Felicity snapped.
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Imogen looked like she was about to puke blood. Her voice trembled as she grit her teeth. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have made stuff up. I¡¯m sorry.¡±
Tess smirked. ¡°What was that? I didn¡¯t hear you.¡±
Imogen stared at the ground. Her palm curled so tight, it felt like she was crushing Tess¡¯s face in her hand.
She forced out a smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Tess. I was wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have made stuff up.¡°¡±
¡°Good! Owning up to your mistakes is the first step to being a decent person.¡±
Tess pped lightly in approval.
Imogen finally stood up, but her legs gave out a little. She felt drained.
She¡¯d been counting the days to her release, only to walk straight into Tess¡® trap.
She wanted to scream. But with Felicity watching her like a hawk, she could only fake a smile.
¡°You look pretty sincere. Alright then. I¡¯ll forgive you.¡±
Tess waved her off like she was dismissing a servant.
Imogen breathed a quiet sigh of relief and turned away. She hadn¡¯t gone more than two steps when her knees buckled and she facented.
Her whole face turned red with shame. She scrambled up, using her arms to push off the pavement. Knowing Tess was behind her watching made it a thousand times worse.
She got up, limping and nearly tripping again as she ran off.
Felicity burst outughing.
Imogen heard her and picked up speed. The second she hit the curb, she tripped again and hit the ground hard.
Felicity was doubled over now, wheezing withughter. Tess gently reached out to steady her.
¡°You don¡¯t mind I said she should go back to prison for a bit, right?¡±
Tess¡¯s mocking tone vanished. She looked at Felicity with real warmth.
Felicity shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not like I have that kind of power. I just yed along to help you spook her.¡±
They looked at each other and cracked up at the same time.
¡°But hey, are you still happy working as a guard? If not,e work for me.¡±
Tess brought it up casually.
Herpany had an opening for Head of Security. It sounded boring, but if Felicity took it, she¡¯d make sure the pay was top¨Ctier.
Felicity looked surprised. ¡°Wait, for real?¡±
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She scratched her head, embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯m not the sharpest, but being a prison guard was something I really loved. My mom always said it was bad for marriage though¡¡±
¡°Thene work for me. All you¡¯d have to do is manage the team.¡± Tess smiled and gave her an encouraging nod.
¡°Alright! Actually, I¡¯m off this afternoon. Can I stop by your office to check it out?¡±
Felicity looked up, eyes full of hope.
¡°Of course.¡±
Mars Legal.
Felicity stood frozen.
¡°This is your office? It¡¯s massive. It¡¯s gorgeous!¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 750
3:20 pm
Chapter 750 Office Tour
Chapter 750 Office Tour
She couldn¡¯t hide her shock.
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When Tess first mentioned she owned apany, Felicity figured it was just some tiny studio. She never expected an actual building.
¡°Oh my God!¡±
Out of uniform, Felicity had shed her usual stern presence. Now she looked more like a giddy teenager. Her head was spinning with a thousand thoughts until she made a bold move¨Cshe crouched down and hugged Tess¡® leg. ¡°You¡¯re the real sugar mama here?! Oh my God!¡±
Tess froze, suddenly feeling the human keychaintched to her thigh. She didn¡¯t know whether tough or sigh. ¡°Alright, get up. People are walking by.¡±
¡°No way! I¡¯ve made up my mind. I¡¯m sticking with you from now on!¡±
Felicity shot one arm up, full of energy.
Tess, realizing she wasn¡¯t budging, gave her a yful pat on the head. ¡°Fine. If you¡¯re serious, I¡¯ll send someone to help you file your resignation from the prison. After that, juste straight here. No need forplicated onboarding.¡±
Felicity looked even more thrilled.
So this is what it felt like to cling to someone powerful.
But¡ leaving that ce for good still felt weird.
Then again¡ she wasn¡¯t getting any younger.
Downstairs, the two had lingered long enough for Lyra and Raven to finally get annoyed.
¡°What the hell are you two doing out there?¡±
Raven was the first to speak.
They both froze and turned toward the entrance. Lyra and Raven were leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.
Tess twitched at the corner of her mouth.
Felicity scrambled to her feet, face burning red.
¡°This is Lyra, and this is Raven. The three of you will be working together.¡±
Tess quickly stepped in to introduce them. ¡°And this is Felicity Kindsoul. She¡¯s our new head of security. I personally hired her.¡±
Raven and Lyra both gave Felicity a once¨Cover.
¡°I¡¯ve heard of you,¡± Raven said suddenly.
Felicity blinked.
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Chapter 750 Office Tour
She narrowed her eyes at Raven, digging through her memory, but couldn¡¯t match the face with anything.
¡°Wait¡ am I actually famous?¡±
She let out a dumb littleugh.
Raven chuckled. ¡°I checked the prison security feeds once. You helped Tess out a bunch.¡±
Felicity¡¯s face flushed even deeper as realization hit.
¡°Oh, got it¡¡±
¡°Anyway, you¡¯re part of the crew now. Don¡¯t just stand in the doorway. Get in here.¡±
Lyra smiled as she opened the door wider for them.
Felicity stepped inside eagerly, soaking in the sight of the ce with wide¨Ceyed wonder.
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The space wasn¡¯t fully finished yet, but the base interior design and early¨Cstage furnishing were tasteful. Just being inside gave off a calm,fortable vibe.
Her heart lit up.
Tess noticed the pure joy on Felicity¡¯s face and her gaze softened even more.
¡°Tess!¡±
Ken called from an office on the first floor, door wide open. He¡¯d been doing schoolwork, but the sound from the lobby caught his attention. The second he saw Tess, he bolted straight for her.
Even his tutor couldn¡¯t stop him and had no choice but to trail behind with an apologetic look.
¡°Sorry, Ms. Ember.¡±
Ann folded her hands in front of her and gave Tess a polite little bow.
Tess just waved it off. ¡°It¡¯s fine.
¡°Ken, it¡¯s still your study hour.¡±
She winked at him. But Ken had missed her way too much. For the first time, he pouted and said, ¡°Tess, can¡¯t we take a break? Just a little one?¡±
Lyra added gently, ¡°No rush. Let them catch up. It¡¯s been a while.¡±
Tess pressed her lips together. She gave in and let Ken follow her without another word.
¡°Oh! I almost forgot. This is Ken¡¯s tutor. They¡¯ll be holding lessons here in the office, so you¡¯ll probably run into her a lot.¡±
Tess smiled as she made the intro.
But this time, Felicity didn¡¯t respond with a friendly nod like she did with Lyra and Raven. Her expression turned weird.
¡°Is something on my face, Ms. Kindsoul?¡±
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3:20 pm
Chapter 750 Office Tour
Ann looked confused and self¨Cconscious as she touched her cheek.
Felicity bit her lip, then smiled awkwardly. ¡°You¡¯re just really pretty. I kinda spaced out.¡±
Ann blinked, then shyly covered half her face. ¡°You¡¯re sweet, Ms. Kindsoul.¡±
Raven scoffed and narrowed her eyes. ¡°Excuse me? You¡¯ve never called me pretty like that! Favoritism much?!¡±
She stomped her foot, clearly offended.
Felicity flinched, her blush returning in full force. ¡°Oh my God, you¡¯re both gorgeous too!¡±
Not letting it go, Raven grabbed Felicity by the arm and dragged her toward her office like she was about to throw down.
Everyone else just stood there,pletely stunned.
Lyra¡¯s lips twitched, but she didn¡¯t look surprised. She was already used to Raven¡¯s chaotic energy.
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Keepsake 751
Chapter 751 A Little Talk
Chapter 751 A Little Talk
¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s not gonna hurt Felicity.¡±
Lyra¡¯s tone was calm again, like nothing ever happened.
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Annughed behind her hand. ¡°Ms. Raven¡¯s got quite the personality. That new girl, Felicity? She seems like a perfect match for
her.¡±
Lyra gave them another look, then nced away like it didn¡¯t matter.
¡°Ms. Rushie, go ahead and take Ken back to study. We¡¯ll all have dinner togetherter. He can rx after that.¡±
Tess smiled at Ken. He looked a little reluctant, but once he heard ¡°dinner,¡± he let it go and followed Ann back inside without making a fuss.
Ann nodded politely to Tess and walked off.
Right after she left, Raven and Felicity came swaggering back in, arms hooked together.
The two of them looked like long¨Clost besties. Tess rubbed her temple. She was speechless.
Great. They really hit it off.
¡°Come on, I¡¯ve got something to tell you!¡±
Raven rushed over, tugging on Tess¡¯s sleeve like she had some national secret to spill.
Felicity nodded along
hind her like a loyal sidekick.
Tess had no idea what they were doing, but she followed anyway.
Raven dragged her into one of the more private meeting rooms, then peeked out the door like a cartoon spy before shutting it tight.
Tess looked at them, half amused and half exhausted.
¡°What are you two doing?¡±
¡°Shh!¡±
Raven pressed a finger to her lips.
¡°There¡¯s a mole!¡±
Felicity¡¯s voice dropped low, face serious.
They were totally in sync. Tess nced at Lyra. It felt like they were watching a live si.
But they still yed along and followed them to the table.
¡°Alright, what is this about? You two look like you¡¯re staging a coup,¡±
Chapter 751 A Little Talk
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Lyra tried not tough.
¡°It¡¯s that Ann woman,¡± Raven whispered, pping her thigh. ¡°I knew she was sketchy!¡±
¡°Right? I felt it too! The second I saw her, something felt off. I can¡¯t believe Raven thought the same thing!¡±
Felicity¡¯s eyes widened.
¡°Hm?¡±
Tess raised a brow, curious now.
¡°She¡¯s not a real tutor. Or at least, she used to do something else before this.¡±
Raven squinted and stroked her chin like she¡¯d cracked the case.
Tess found it hrious but kept a straight face. She looked at thedies with curiosity. ¡°So how¡¯d you figure that out?¡±
¡°Everything about how she moves!
¡°She¡¯s way too polished! Real tutors don¡¯t carry themselves like that. That kind of polish? It¡¯s trained. Professionally trained. And it¡¯s off!¡±
They kept going, back and forth.
Tess nodded. ¡°Fair points. But I can¡¯t just use someone based on vibes, can I?¡±
That killed their energy instantly. Their eyes met.
Their shoulders slumped at the same time.
¡°I know something¡¯s off about her.¡±
Tessced her fingers together.
That made both heads snap up.
¡°You knew?!¡±
Raven jumped out of her chair like it was on fire.
She stormed over to Tess and mmed her palm on the table. ¡°And you still brought her in?! Are you out of your mind?!¡±
Tess rubbed her nose and gently pushed her back into her seat. ¡°Calm down. Chill.¡±
¡°You¡¯re being reckless!¡±
¡°Actually, keeping her close has its perks. At least we can watch everything she does.¡±
Lyra finally chimed in, backing Tess up.
Tess gave her a warm smile. ¡°See? Lyra gets it.¡±
But Raven and Felicity just looked confused.
Chapter 751 A Little Talk
¡°So¡ you kept the security risk around just to keep an eye on her? That sounds like a terrible idea!¡±
Raven tapped her own head.
¡°You mean, she might dig into our secrets?¡±
Tess gave a slow smile and leaned in like they did earlier.
¡°What if everything I gave her¡ was fake?¡±
¡°Decoys!¡±
Felicity lit up, fingers shooting out in excitement.
Raven¡¯s eyes went wide too.
The two of them leaned in so close Tess had to shove their heads back with both hands.
She cleared her throat. ¡°Now do you see why this works?¡±
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¡°Actually, yeah. If we¡¯d kicked her out, someone else would¡¯ve just snuck inter. This way, at least we control the situation.¡±
Lyra nodded in agreement.
¡°But do you know who sent her?¡±
She looked over at Tess.
¡°Who else?¡±
Tess smiled.
She¡¯d barely visited Hunt Group before this woman showed up at her doorstep.
¡°Max.¡±
Raven and Felicity shouted it in unison, arms still looped together.
¡°Not just him,¡± Tess said.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 752
Chapter 752 The Masterminds
Chapter 752 The Masterminds
Lyra narrowed her eyes, hesitating. ¡°Or¡ maybe Nadine?¡±
¡°Could be.¡±
Tess furrowed her brows, deep in thought.
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Nadine and Henry were no longer on the same page. And with no power or influence of her own, Nadine¡¯s only option was to seek help from the outside.
She and Max had worked together before. That counted for something.
¡°Keep your eyes on Ann. Especially make sure she doesn¡¯t try anything with Ken.¡±
Ken was the easiest one for Ann to approach. The kid was still too young to see through people.
Now that the conversation had shifted to something serious, Tess¡® voice grew colder.
Everyone around her realized how big of a problem this was and nodded right away.
By the time the four of them left the conference room again, none of them looked as rxed as they had going in.
It was right around dinnertime. Tess had someone bring out both Ann and Ken, then had them split up between two cars headed for the nearest bistro.
Tess, Ken, and Lyra rode together. Raven, Felicity, and Ann took the second car.
The moment she got in and saw the starry ceiling, Felicity started bouncing around like a toddler. She scooted across the seats with her bare legs, buzzing with excitement.
¡°Finally! Felicity¡¯s moving up in the world!¡±
The over¨Cthe¨Ctop line made the other two crack up.
Raven, sitting in front of her, even patted her chest and flipped her bangs like a diva. ¡°Obviously. Talent speaks for itself.¡±
¡°Wait. Isn¡¯t this car from Tess¡® garage?¡±
Felicity scratched her head, genuinely curious.
¡°Whatever. If it¡¯s hers, it¡¯s mine.¡±
Raven grinned shamelessly.
Felicity nodded like it made total sense.
The car sped off.
Ann sat stiffly, watching them joke around like it was just another Friday night. But she felt like she was walking on broken ss.
Then, Raven¡¯s eyes flicked toward the rearview mirror. Her gazended squarely on Ann.
Chapter 752 The Masterminds
¡°Well, Ms. Rushie, you seem pretty well¨Ceducated. How many kids have you tutored before?¡±
Raven shed a polite smile, but her voice had a sharp undertone.
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Ann froze for a second, caught off guard. But she quickly collected herself and smiled calmly. ¡°I just graduated recently. I¡¯ve taken
on a few tutoring gigs, but not enough to call it experience. Honestly, I¡¯m just lucky Ms. Tess decided to give me a shot.¡±
She gave a modest smile. But her fingers, sped together in herp, kept fidgeting.
Raven didn¡¯t miss a single twitch.
¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short. Just having a degree from Kingnd U puts you ahead of most people.¡±
Raven gave a mild chuckle, her tone casual.
¡°I really don¡¯t deserve that kind of praise.¡±
The rest of the ride went by in peace.
Right as Raven opened her door, Tess¡¯s car pulled up outside the restaurant. She nced over¨Cand her expression immediately changed.
¡°Why the hell are you here?¡±
She shouted and charged forward, blocking the man in front of her.
Finn flinched for a split second, clearly caught off guard by her sudden aggression. When he realized it was Raven, his face went cold again.
He straightened up, pretending nothing had happened. Tess hadn¡¯t even gotten the chance to snap at him yet. But before she could say a word, Raven had already thrown a wrench in whatever he was nning.
¡°I got a call from Tess a few hours ago,¡± Finn said calmly. ¡°I was worried something might¡¯ve happened, so I came to check on you.¡±
It was a weak excuse. He just wanted to see her.
Okay, maybe he was panicking a little more than he let on. He just didn¡¯t want to admit it.
Tess forced a smile. Technically, she had called him first. So she couldn¡¯t reallyin.
¡°Yeah. That¡¯s true.¡±
Raven narrowed her eyes at Finn before finally crossing her arms and stepping aside. ¡°Fine.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not interrupting anything, am I?¡±
A warm, breezy voice rang out from behind them.
Everyone turned around. Steven stepped forward, smiling with his eyes practically closed.
¡°You¡¯re here too?¡±
Tess was visibly surprised.
12:16 pm D
Chapter 752 The Masterminds
It was just supposed to be a casual dinner. Suddenly, everyone and their dog was showing up.
¡°Would you believe me if I said it was just a coincidence?¡±
Steven smiled again. His silver¨Crimmed sses caught the light, but his focus was already locked on Finn.
¡°Mr. Lock. Been a long time.¡±
Steven held out his hand politely.
Finn gave him a nce and barely brushed their fingertips together before pulling back. ¡°Yeah.¡±
The cold, mechanical tone didn¡¯t go unnoticed.
+10 Free Coins
Steven¡¯s smile didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Mr. Lock really does live up to his reputation. Everything I¡¯ve heard about you checks out.¡±
He said it like apliment, but his tone said otherwise. Then Steven turned to Tess with a charming smile.
¡°Tess, if you don¡¯t mind, would you care to have dinner with me?¡±
He didn¡¯t bother with Finn anymore. He went straight to the person who actually mattered.
¡°Of course. One more ce setting won¡¯t hurt.¡±
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Keepsake 753
Chapter 753 Restaurant
Chapter 753 Restaurant
+20 Free Coins
Tess smiled and wrapped her arms around La as she walked inside,pletely ignoring the tall figure standing beside her.
Finn tugged at the cuff of his sleeve, hidden neatly under his tailored zer. But all he could really do was follow her in.
Even Steven got a seat at the table, so why couldn¡¯t he?
He took advantage of the crowd at the door and slipped into the restaurant right behind them.
Tess and the others had chosen thergest table dead center. The ce was buzzing.
Finn casually took a seat next to them like he belonged.
¡°Ms. Rushie, thank you so much for everything you¡¯ve done for Ken these past few weeks.¡±
Tess had just filled her ss with fruit wine. She lifted it toward Ann with a smile.
Ann looked startled by the attention, but quickly returned the gesture.
Tess downed her drink in one go, her lips curved in a silent smile.
Still, Ann felt a chill run down her spine.
¡°I was just doing my job. I really appreciate the opportunity, Ms. Tess.¡±
Ann smiled nervously and instinctively wiped at her forehead. She was surprised to feel ayer of sweat already forming.
She calmly pulled out a napkin and dabbed it away.
¡°So, Ms. Rushie, where are you from? You don¡¯t sound like a local. The way you talk and carry yourself¨Cit¡¯s got a different ir.¡±
Lyra smiled as she spoke, but there was a sharpness in her tone that didn¡¯t go unnoticed.
Ann tensed under the table.
¡°I¡¯m not local. I¡¯m from Kingnd, actually. But the job market there¡¯s been insane, so after I graduated, I came to Aetheris.¡±
She swallowed and answered without giving them anything totch onto.
¡°I graduated from Kingnd University, too. I was honestly surprised when I found that out.¡±
Tess¡® eyes lit up a little as she nced over at her.
Ann gave a polite nod. Her posture didn¡¯t rx one bit.
¡°Why do I feel like you¡¯re super nervous, Ms. Rushie?¡±
Tess rested her chin in her hand, smiling sweetly, but her words made Ann choke on her breath. Her forced smile twitched.
¡°It¡¯s just my first time having dinner with everyone¡ that¡¯s all.¡±
Annughed awkwardly, trying to stayposed.
Chapter 753 Restaurant
Raven raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh really? I figured you were someone ¡ a little more special.¡±
Ann¡¯s pupils shrank. Luckily, her head was down, so no one noticed.
¡°What¡ what do you mean special?¡±
She mumbled and ducked her head, pretending to focus on eating.
But her heart was racing.
They were clearly targeting her.
Her fingers trembled slightly around the spoon, but she fought to keep herself from showing it.
+20 Free Coins
Lyra reached out with the serving tongs and dropped a piece of meat on her te. ¡°Try this. It¡¯s a Kingnd¨Cstyle recipe. See if it tastes like home.¡±
Ann stared at the glossy, fragrant piece of meat in her te. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to eat it.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Not your thing?¡±
Raven gave her a look, batting his eyes like he was teasing.
¡°No, I just¡ it went down the wrong pipe earlier.¡±
Forced to act, Ann smiled and shoved the piece into her mouth. She gave it a couple of quick chews and smiled brightly. ¡°Tastes ust like home! So authentic!¡±
Right after she said that, the whole table went quiet.
Lyra and Raven exchanged a subtle nce.
¡®Well, guess I¡¯ll have to gopliment the chef,¡± Tess said with a smile. She pped her hands and told everyone to keep eating, dropping the subject.
Ann finally let herself breathe.
Dinner ended without incident. As they got up, Ann turned to Tess with an apologetic look.
¡®I¡¯m so sorry, Ms. Tess. I won¡¯t be able to head back to the office with Ken tonight. My shift¡¯s done anyway, so I think I¡¯ll just head home.¡±
Tess nodded. ¡°Thanks for everything these past few weeks.¡±
Ann quickly shook her head, grabbed her purse, and left in a hurry.
Once she was gone, Tess nced at the windows and noticed the sky had already gone dark.
¡°Let¡¯s go. We should get back to the office, too.¡±
After saying goodbye to Steven, she waved behind her.
Ken followed obediently, staying right by her side. But after a few steps, he couldn¡¯t hold back his curiosity anymore. ¡°Tess, do you
not like Ms. Rushie?¡±
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Chapter 753 Restaurant
He¡¯d caught onto the tension at dinner but had been smart enough to stay quiet back then.
+20 Free Coins
Tess gave him a surprised nce, then rxed her expression. ¡°Not exactly. But what you should be thinking about is how she teaches. What do you think?¡±
Ken looked down politely and didn¡¯t push it. When Tess asked her question, he nced up again, frowning a little. ¡°Well ¡ she exins things clearly, I guess. But she¡¯s really different from the teachers I¡¯ve had before.¡±
¡°Sounds decent enough. Just keep learning from her for now. If something changes, I¡¯ll make other arrangements for you. Don¡¯t worry about anything else.¡±
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Keepsake 754
Chapter 754 Like a Mom
Tess reached out to ruffle his hair and realized it took more effort than usual.
She couldn¡¯t help thinking to herself how fast kids grew once they hit their teens.
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Raven nced at the two of them and chuckled. ¡°You act like you¡¯re his real mom the way you¡¯re always fussing over him.¡±
Lyra¡¯s expression changed first.
Ken¡¯s actual mother was still locked up because of everything that happened. That kind of joke could hit hard for a kid going through puberty.
She stole a nce at Ken. When she saw that his face didn¡¯t change and he was still smiling easily, she let out a small breath of relief.
¡°Tess is obviously like a big sister.¡±
Ken jumped in with a cheeky grin.
¡°You¡¯re such a sweet talker.¡±
Tess pushed his forehead lightly with her finger.
Kenughed again and took the nudge without missing a beat.
They kept chatting as they reached the front of the building.
¡°It¡¯s already dark out. I¡¯ll have the driver take you back to Evermount Heights first.¡±
C
Tess opened the car door before Ken could get out.
¡°I¡¯ve got some work to finish up at the office.¡±
Ken heard the calm exnation and didn¡¯t argue. He just slid back into the seat.
¡°See youter.¡±
Tess shut the door and headed into the building with Lyra and Raven at her side.
The fall air in Aetheris was already too cold. Tess wound her scarf tighter around her neck.
Luckily, Kingnd stayed mild year¨Cround.
Far behind them, Finn stood watching until she disappeared through the doors. Then he finally turned and got into his car.
¡°What did you think about what happened at dinner with Ann?¡±
Tess spoke first.
Lyra let out a softugh, her gaze sharp and clear. ¡°What about you?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t remember ordering anything from Kingnd.¡±
5:30 pm WM W
Chapter 754 Like a Mom
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Tess raised her brow.
The two of them locked eyes and smiled knowingly.
Raven wasn¡¯t listening to any of it. She pulled up the cor of her coat, wrapped it halfway around her head, and dashed straight into the building.
She only stopped once the warm air hit her. Raven clicked her tongue. ¡°What is Max even trying to do by sending her here? I¡¯m at the office most of the time. Other than coaching Ken, she hasn¡¯t done anything shady.¡±
¡°Maybe putting her here wasn¡¯t about what she would do,¡± Tess said as she touched her chin. ¡°Maybe it was about what she would see.¡±
Raven felt her stomach drop.
Lyra¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Raven, discreetly tell the staff not to let Ken anywhere near confidentialpany files. No exceptions.¡±
Raven knew it was serious now. The usual smirk disappeared from her face.
She nodded without joking. The three of them exchanged a sharp look midair and headed straight to the top floor.
¡°By the way, I¡¯m not just here in Aetheris to deal with the Embers. I¡¯ve also got twopanies under my belt to keep running.
¡°I need you both.¡±
At the same time, Ann had just arrived outside her apartmentplex. The streetlight behind her cast a long, narrow shadow.
The moment she shut the door behind her, she copsed onto the couch. Her legs were aching.
But there was no time to rest.
She immediately pulled out her phone and called Max. ¡°Mr. Hunt, it¡¯s me.¡±
Then she told him everything that happened at the dinner table.
Max listened with a frown. By the time she finished, his face had rxed.
¡°You blew your cover.¡±
His voice was low and steady. There was no anger, just cold certainty.
¡°No way!¡±
Ann¡¯s voice jumped up several octaves, sharp and panicked.
Max¡¯s brow twitched. His eyes darkened.
¡°Do I really need to spell it out for you? If they hadn¡¯t noticed anything, they wouldn¡¯t have asked those questions. They were probing you.¡±
He let out a dryugh.
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Chapter 754 Like a Mom.
Ann felt ice flood her veins.
So they¡¯d known her intent the whole time. And they still kept up that friendly act.
¡°If it¡¯s really blown, you might as welle back,¡± Max saidzily. ¡°You¡¯re not gonna get us anything useful now.¡±
His tone was casual, but it made it very clear he¡¯d already written her off.
Ann felt like she¡¯d fallen into a frozenke.
She was Max¡¯s personally recruited agent. If she got yanked from the mission like this¡ the fallout afterward¡
She bit her lip, clinging to hope. ¡°Mr. Hunt, maybe not. Maybe they were just curious. I didn¡¯t actually say anything.¡±
¡®You didn¡¯t?¡±
Max chuckled on the other end. The sound was cold enough to slice skin.
¡®You think someone who¡¯s never lived in Kingnd would just randomly order a Kingnd¨Cstyle dish in Aetheris?¡±
The moment he said that, Ann finally understood the mockery in his tone.
He was calling her out for being clueless.
Her whole body went cold.
And worse, she had gone along with it. She even said it tasted authentic.
Her fingers curled tight around the phone.
¡®But since they didn¡¯t call you out,¡± Max said again, ¡°maybe you¡¯re still worth keeping around.¡±
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Keepsake 755
5 Last Chance
¡°I can give you onest shot.¡±
Max lifted his chin. ¡°Aren¡¯t you that kid¡¯s private tutor right now?¡±
Ann froze. She hadn¡¯t expected the conversation to pivot so fast.
But she still gave a quiet, honest reply. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve spent most of my time at thepany with that kid.¡±
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Thinking about it made her frown as she asked in confusion, ¡°But even after all that, how could she still be suspicious of me?¡±
¡°Guess.¡±
Max crossed his arms and leaned all the way back in his chair.
¡°Guess?¡±
Ann¡¯s face dropped, and her tone did too.
¡°Hah. Ann, Tess is smart. I told you that before you even went in.¡±
Max added with a cold snort.
Ann¡¯s grip on the phone went limp.
All she could think of were those eyes Tess had fixed on her.
That smile. That curve of her lips. It looked soft, but it chilled her to the bone.
Only now did she realize how badly she had underestimated her.
Max didn¡¯t bother wasting time or sympathizing with her regret. His voice turned sharp.
¡°Get that kid out. That¡¯s your final task.¡±
Ann¡¯s stomach dropped. In that brief silence, she couldn¡¯t help but think back on all the time she¡¯d spent with Ken.
The kid was smart. Thoughtful. And this mission had been the easiest undercover work she¡¯d ever taken on.
Ann let out a long sigh. She felt ¡plicated.
She ended the call, but she couldn¡¯t calm down.
When did she blow her cover? What gave her away?
She turned it over again and again in her mind as she tossed and turned on the couch. Then she grabbed her phone and sent Ken a
text.
¡°Did you understand everything we went over today?¡±
Ken hadn¡¯t gone to bed yet. He replied fast. ¡°Understood it all, Ms. Rushie!¡±
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Chapter 755 Last Chance
+20 Free Coins
Ann stared at the screen. For a second, she almostughed. She had lived in the dark her whole life. And now she was someone¡¯s teacher?
Her lips twitched into a crooked smile. But she forced herself to refocus.
¡°By the way, I might take a few days off. So tomorrow¡¯s lesson will be pretty packed. Come to the office early.¡±
She didn¡¯t hesitate. She typed the message and hit send.
¡°Got it, Ms. Rushie. I¡¯ll be there early.¡±
Ken replied without missing a beat.
But right after he did, three heads peeked over from behind him.
¡°Looks like she¡¯s about to make a move.¡±
Raven smirked as she spoke first.
¡°Guess we better show up early, too.¡±
Tess stretched her arms. ¡°Get some rest tonight, everyone.¡±
The next morning¡
Mars Legal¡
Ken and Ann were the first to arrive at the front entrance. The security guard was already up, but thepany doors weren¡¯t open
yet.
¡°Ms. Rushie!¡±
Ken¡¯s eyes lit up as he jogged over.
Ann met him halfway.
¡°I brought all my books!¡±
Ken grinned as he unzipped his backpack to show her.
Ann didn¡¯t even look. She just reached out and set his bag down.
Ken looked confused. He couldn¡¯t figure out what she was trying to do.
¡°No one¡¯s gonna steal your stuff. The guard will watch it.¡±
Ann bent slightly and looked straight at him, her eyes warm and gentle.
¡°So what are we doing? You asked me toe early.¡±
Ken scratched his head. He sounded totally lost.
5:30 pm WMW
Chapter 755 Last Chance
+20 Free Coins
¡°Come with me. Learning isn¡¯t just about what¡¯s in a book.¡±
Ann grabbed his arm and started pulling him toward the car. Ken was still dazed and trying to catch up. But right then, as if on cue, a ck car rolled to a stop at the curb.
Ken¡¯s instincts kicked in. He stepped forward like he always did and shouted for the driver not to park there.
Right after he yelled, the car stoppedpletely.
Ken¡¯s brow twitched.
The next second, the back door flew open. A group of men rushed out. Each one grabbed a shoulder and yanked Ken into the car.
¡°Hey!¡±
Ken¡¯s eyes went wide as he screamed for help. But the teacher he had trusted so much just stood there and watched. Then she knocked on the back seat window. It rolled down, and a pair of cold, menacing eyes stared back at him.
Ken finally snapped. ¡°You¡¯re in on it! What the hell are you people doing?!¡±
He thrashed wildly in panic. But against a bunch of grown men, it was useless.
¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±
Right then, the ck SUV¡¯s windows started rising as it got ready to pull away.
A cold voice with a mocking edge rang out. Ann¡¯s feet froze like they were nailed to the ground.
She turned stiffly. And right there, waiting with a half¨Csmile on her face, stood Tess.
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Keepsake 756
Chapter 756 Busted
Chapter 756 Busted
¡°Why go so hard for someone else?¡±
Tess let out a sigh and gently patted her shoulder.
Ann¡¯s body stiffened. ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m your personal hire.¡±
¡°You should be grateful I had someone tailing you. And even more grateful we never once let our guard down.¡±
Tess waved her hand. A group of men in ck suits stepped forward and quickly surrounded the car.
Without waiting for anything, Tess yanked Ken out herself.
She wasn¡¯t the type to sit around until someone got hurt. She had everything nned ahead of time.
¡°Ken, go ask the guard to let you back in. Head to the office and get some studying done.¡±
Tess patted his head, and Ken nodded obediently before heading toward the security post.
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¡°He listens to you like that? So you guys were onto me the whole time.¡± Ann finally got it. Her voice was thick with sarcasm.
¡°Since the moment you showed up, we¡¯ve kept eyes on you.¡±
Tess straightened, her cold gaze settling on Ann.
¡°What?¡±
Ann froze.
She knew undercover work wasn¡¯t foolproof, but it wasn¡¯t supposed to fall apart this fast.
¡°I don¡¯t trust strangers easily.
¡°Consider that your first lesson.¡±
Tess¡® tone was calm, but sharp enough to cut ice.
Ann didn¡¯t bother keeping up the act anymore.
¡°I don¡¯t need your lessons. I slipped up. That¡¯s on me.¡±
She clenched her teeth, frustration rising. ¡°Whatever you n to do, just get it over with.¡±
Tess studied her defiant look and touched her chin. ¡°I don¡¯t really want to punish you. Here¡¯s the deal. You go back to Max. Don¡¯t spook him. From this point on, you¡¯re mine. And I take care of my people.¡±
¡°There¡¯s no way it¡¯s that simple. What else do you want me to do?¡±
Ann¡¯s voice tightened.
¡°Feed him noise. I¡¯ll give you some intel. You pass it along. Doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s urate.¡±
5:30 pm WMW
Chapter 756 Busted
Tess lifted a brow. The corner of her mouth curved like a mischievous grin.
Ann¡¯s face soured. ¡°So I¡¯m just supposed to keep pretending? What if Max starts asking specifics? Do I answer or not?¡±
¡°Half¨Ctruths. You¡¯re in the field. I shouldn¡¯t have to teach you how to y the game.¡±
Tess kept her tone t.
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The second she heard the word ¡°field,¡± Ann¡¯s eyes widened. She wasn¡¯t sure if Tess actually knew her background or if it was just a lucky guess. But either way, now that the mask was off, a reckless kind of freedom surged up inside her. She even joked back. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried about my loyalty? I came in ready to destroy you.¡±
Tess gave her a smirk. ¡°You won¡¯t be getting ess to anything too sensitive.¡±
Ann had never felt her boss act this¡ casual. Was this payback?
She seriously started questioning her whole life.
¡°That¡¯s settled. If anything elsees your way, reach out.¡±
Tess mimed a phone call with her hand.
Ann ran it through in her head, weighing Tess against Max.
And suddenly, shes of her early days at Mars Legal came to mind¨Cher coworkers, the little gossip breaks, those rare peaceful
moments.
Staying here didn¡¯t sound so bad.
¡°Fine.¡±
She said it through gritted teeth.
But inside, she finally felt a little lighter.
While Tess had everything running smoothly in Aetheris, things over in Kingnd were a different story¨Cespecially with the Shaws
Miranda rubbed her temples in frustration as the maid came back holding the same untouched tray of food.
The maid let out a sigh. ¡°Mrs. Shaw, maybe it¡¯s time you talked to Mr. Abel. He can¡¯t keep refusing to eat like this¡¡±
Her tone was gentle.
She¡¯d been with the Shaws a long time. She watched Abel grow up. He was always sharp, always calm. Starving himself like some rebellious teenager? That was new.
And happening in his twenties? She couldn¡¯t help but shake her head.
¡°This is all because of that damn Tess! Last time she showed up, he locked himself up and stopped eating. Ended up sneaking off to see her at the Larsons! And now she¡¯s already in Aetheris, he still won¡¯t forget about her! It¡¯s like he¡¯s going to die without her!¡±
Miranda¡¯s voice rose with every word. She wanted Abel to hear every bit of it from his room.
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Chapter 756 Busted
Let him hear her loud and clear. Let him know she¡¯d never approve.
The maid fell quiet. She¡¯d never seen Miranda this furious.
¡°Mom, please don¡¯t stress yourself out over Tess. She¡¯s not worth it.¡±
Demi stepped in to help soothe her mother.
¡°Don¡¯t stress myself out?¡± Miranda¡¯s voice cracked with rage.
¡°She ruined my son!¡±
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Keepsake 757
Chapter 757 Trouble at the Shaws
The moment the words left her mouth, the door burst open from the inside.
Abel stood in the doorway, pale¨Cfaced and barely upright.
He looked like a gust of wind could knock him over after going two full days without food or water.
¡°This is my business. It has nothing to do with her.¡±
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Miranda had just started to feel relieved when she finally saw Abele out. But as soon as she heard that, her brows shot up, and her voice turned sharp and piercing like a needle stabbing right into your ear. ¡°Nothing to do with her? If it wasn¡¯t for her, would you even be like this?! I never should¡¯ve let you get involved with her in the first ce! Look at the mess you¡¯ve made!¡±
She let out a cold snort, furious.
Abel frowned. ¡°I did this to myself. Me. And nothing¡¯s changed. I spent forever trying to find her, and now I finally did!¡±
Miranda¡¯s eyes widened when she saw him snap like that. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Are you seriously yelling at me because of her?!¡±
She staggered back a step, staring at Abel like she couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. And the look in her eyes¨Churt and let down¨Ccut deep.
Abel stared right back. His body was so weak it looked like he could copse at any second.
He let out a bitterugh. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about between us. I¡¯m heading to the office.¡±
That caught Mirandapletely off guard. She was ready to blow up, but then froze.
¡°What did you just say?¡±
Abel nced sideways at her. ¡°I¡¯m going to the office.¡±
¡°You¡¡±
Demi was just as stunned as Miranda.
Ever since Tess left and the Shaws locked things down, Abel had been like a zombie. Now suddenly he was fired up again?
Confused wasn¡¯t even the half of it. What Demi felt more than anything was a deep sense of unease.
She looked up at Abel. His eyes were cold, and the days of starvation had left him visibly drained. Even his steps looked shaky. But the first thing he did after walking out ¡ was ask to go to the office?
Demi clenched her fists and forced a gentle, concerned smile. ¡°Abel, someone¡¯s already handling things at work. You don¡¯t have to stress about it. What you need right now is to eat something and get your strength back.¡±
Abel didn¡¯t respond. His gaze drifted from Miranda to Demi like she wasn¡¯t even there.
¡°Jasmine, get the car ready.¡±
He turned and walked out.
1:03 pm
Chapter 757 Trouble at the Shaws
Joan, who had juste in with a tray of food, froze. She looked over at Miranda instinctively.
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Miranda¡¯s face was clouded over, but when she saw Joan hesitating, she waved her off coldly, signaling her to go ahead and do what Abel said.
Joan quickly put the tray down and stepped out to call the driver.
Demi bit her lip. ¡°Mom, are you really letting him go to the office like this? What if something happens?¡±
Miranda folded her arms. The worry in her eyes was obvious for a second, but she forced her face into a tight, hard expression.
She let out a cold scoff. ¡°Better he stays busy at work than sits around here sulking like he¡¯s about to die over that woman.
¡°And sure, Abel might be the most capable one out of the younger generation in the family, but don¡¯t think for a second there aren¡¯t people just waiting to take his ce. If we keep letting him spiral, what¨Che wants the wholepany to get hijacked? His grandfather¡¯s already been grumbling about that Tess girl.¡±
Miranda¡¯s eyes turned icy. Her tone sharpened with it.
She was still here. And as long as she was, nobody else would get a shot at tearing them down.
Demi hesitated. ¡°Then Mom, why are you standing in the way of Abel and Tess? She inherited the Larsons. That¡¯s a major boost for Abel.¡±
Miranda let out a harshugh. ¡°Oh, sure. She got the Larsons. So what? You think that changes how she was raised? She came from a rinky¨Cdink little backwater like Krigan. Being with Abel is just gonna make them both a joke. And if she were squeaky clean, maybe I¡¯d suck it up. But she¡¯s not. She already had something going on with Finn. What, you want Abel to step in and raise her almost¨Cone¨Cyear¨Cold kid now too?¡±
Her voice was dripping with disgust. She didn¡¯t bother hiding just how much she loathed Tess. And her words? They hit below the
belt.
Demi looked like she wanted to say something, but held it in. One nce at Miranda¡¯s furious expression, and the words died in her
throat.
Miranda didn¡¯t have the energy to keep going either. She turned on her heel and stormed off to her room.
Demi stood there, frozen in ce.
She watched her mother¡¯s figure disappear down the hall. Her eyes narrowed.
Some instinct inside her was telling her she needed to head back to the office too.
She turned and made her way to the garage.
On the road, the car sped through the city, but the heavy pressure in Demi¡¯s chest wouldn¡¯t lift.
If her mother scoffed at even the Larson heiress, what about her?
Demi¡¯s thoughts wandered back to the guys she met on those blind dates a few days ago. One disaster after another.
Resentment bubbled up in her chest. But Miranda had just brushed it off with a phone call. ¡°You¡¯re the daughter of the Shaws. Anyone in Kingnd would be lucky to have you. Just pick someone who won¡¯t drag you down and maybe throw some help toward our new ventures.¡±
4:03 pm D
Chapter 757 Trouble at the Shaws
Why?
Demi bit down, hard. She could taste the blood on the tip of her tongue.
But her mother treating Abel like royalty and her like a tool¨Cwasn¡¯t that how it¡¯s always been?
She dropped her gaze and forced a bitter smile. She tried tough off the pain.
But deep down, she wasn¡¯t okay with it. Not at all.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 758
Chapter 758 Demi Won¡¯t Give Up
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Sure, Abel was the standout among the younger generation of the Shaws. But what about her? What made her any less worthy? Just because she was a woman?
Demi¡¯s chest was tight with rage.
She wasn¡¯t going to ept that.
The car window was wide open, and the cold wind whipped through her hair and coat.
She mmed the elerator harder, her face stretched tight like a stic mask without a single hint of emotion.
When she reached the building, she didn¡¯t stop to think. She marched straight to the top floor¨Cthe executive suite.
Abel was already in his office. His cheeks had hollowed out. He looked thinner, sharper, colder.
For a second, Demi was dazed. The man slouched over the desk looked nothing like the unruly, reckless little brother she used to
know.
¡°Abel?¡±
She tapped the door gently and called out, voice low.
Abel looked up. His stare could¡¯ve frozen a room.
When he saw it was Demi, he frowned. ¡°Why are you here?¡±
¡°Obviously, I¡¯m worried about you.¡±
Demi smiled faintly and lifted the small box of pastries she had brought.
She walked in without waiting for permission and set it in front of him on the desk. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten in days. I¡¯m honestly proud you finally pulled yourself together and came to work. But still, Abel, your health matters more than anything.
¡°Go on. Try it. I grabbed it from the caf¨¦ downstairs.¡±
She slid the box a little closer to him. But Abel didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t even look up.
¡°Demi, it¡¯s just us in here. Even you should be tired of the mask now.¡±
His tone was dry, cutting,
Demi¡¯s fingers froze for a second. Her smile faded, her back straightening slowly.
¡°Abel, I had no idea you¡¯ve built up this wall of misunderstanding between us.¡±
Her brows pulled slightly together. A flicker of hurt passed through her expression.
Abel¡¯s eyes narrowed. He was tired of her show.
¡°Take it. Your food¡¯s beyond my appetite.¡±
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4:03 pm
Chapter 758 Demi Won¡¯t Give Up
He leaned back in his chair, voicezy, dismissive.
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Demi had clearly expected this. But when she saw him acting so nonchnt again, she couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved inside.
For a second, she¡¯d worried he¡¯d changed. Apparently not.
She smiled again. Soft. Sincere.
¡°I¡¯m just d to see you getting back on your feet. If you don¡¯t want to see me, I¡¯ll leave. But you¡¯ve barely been aroundtely, and things have been moving fast. I hope you¡¯ll put your pride aside ande to me when you need to. It¡¯d be good for you¨Cand good for thepany.¡±
Her smile never changed. She looked like she meant every word. Abel, on the other hand, wasn¡¯t listening.
¡°And if I had to guess, you¡¯re in such a rush to take over thepany because of Tess, right?¡±
He finally moved. His head, which had been hanging low, lifted slowly. His eyes locked on her, brows drawn tight.
Just hearing her name was enough to flip a switch in him.
His stare was sharp, freezing. The pressure in the room shifted. Cold, biting.
Demi felt it instantly, but her smile only deepened.
Just mentioning Tess set him off.
A man who couldn¡¯t even control his own feelings¨Cwhat right did he have to run the entire Shaw empire?
And sweet little brother, revealing what matters to you this easily? Pathetic.
Demi¡¯s face didn¡¯t change, but her eyes narrowed slightly. She looked calm. Gentle. But something about her made your skin
crawl.
Abel finally sat upright. His jaw was tight, and a sharp canine bit into his lower lip. ¡°Demi, I don¡¯t care what your game is. But if you drag Tess into this¡¡±
He let out a lowugh. His gaze could cut ss. ¡°You know what I¡¯m capable of.¡±
¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Demi¡¯s smile widened, full of approval. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of fire a real leader needs.¡±
She pushed the box a little closer again, still smiling, still encouraging Abel like a sister.
¡°Eat it. It¡¯s fine.¡±
Then she turned and walked off. No waiting for him to respond.
But just before she stepped out, the smile on her face vanished.
What remained was cold and empty.
The crash of the box hitting the trash can rang out clearly.
Demi paused at the door. She didn¡¯t turn. She didn¡¯t need to. She heard it all¨CAbel tossing the food away without a second thought.
4:03 pm
Chapter 758 Demi Won¡¯t Give Up
She took a breath, tilted her chin, and walked out like nothing happened.
¡°Miles,e clean up the trash. And order me some pasta.¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Abel.¡±
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Abel didn¡¯t bother hiding any of it. Demi hadn¡¯t even made it far. She heard every word.
Her expression shifted slightly, then settled into stillness.
She walked straight through the lobby and stepped outside.
Kingnd¡¯s weather was mild all year, but this time of year was supposed to be cold. Still, Demi only wore a thin shawl.
She pulled the cor tighter and headed into the underground garage.
As soon as she slid into the car, the leftover heat from the vents rushed against her cheeks. Her eyes stung a little.
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Keepsake 759
Chapter 759 Dark Voice
Chapter 759 Dark Voice
¡°Word is Abel showed up at the office?¡±
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A call came through out of nowhere. The moment Demi answered, a man¡¯s cold, sinister voice cut straight through the line.
¡°Yeah.¡±
Demi wiped her fingertips slowly, speaking in her usual calm tone.
¡°Yeah? That¡¯s all you¡¯ve got to say? Abel never gave a damn about thepany before, but the family¡¯s always favored him. Now if he actually decides to put in effort, where the hell does that leave us? You being this chill makes me seriously question whether I should¡¯ve partnered with you.¡±
His voice grew sharper by the second, and Demi could even hear loud crashes and thuds in the background.
She pressed her fingers into her temple, clearly annoyed.
If the Shaws didn¡¯t care so much about bloodline, she never would¡¯ve sunk low enough to make a deal with a guy like him.
¡°Why are you panicking?¡±
She rubbed at her brow. Her voice already sounded tired.
¡°Just because Abel came back doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s suddenlypetent. He starved himself for days over some girl named Tess. A guy like that isn¡¯t cut out for Shaw Corporation.¡±
Now that there were no eyes around, Demi sneered openly, her tone dripping with disdain.
The man on the other end went quiet for a moment. Then, after a long pause, his tone cooled as well.
¡°But you know better than anyone how much the Shaws value Abel. All he has to do is show a little initiative, and the old man¡¯s ready to hand him the whole empire on a silver tter. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not even a little worried?¡±
¡°What¡¯s the point of worrying?¡±
Demi¡¯s voice was calm and steady.
¡°Abel¡¯s probably just caught up in the moment. He wants to use this to earn Tess some clout within the Shaws.¡±
She scoffed, clearly looking down on Abel¡¯s so¨Ccalled devotion and mocking his stupidity. Out of all things, he chose to fight for a woman in the middle of this massive power y?
¡°That girl¨CTess, right? Does she really hold that much sway?¡±
He didn¡¯t sound convinced..
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Chapter 759 Dark Voice
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There had been tons of noise in Kingndtely about the Larsons announcing their sessor. All signs. pointed to Tess. But her connection with Abel hadn¡¯t blown up publicly, just whispers and rumors about something going on between them.
¡°Abel spent years looking for her. Now that he finally found her, of course he¡¯s treating her like gold.
Demi let out a cold snort.
The man on the other end frowned.
He still found it hard to believe. How the hell did someone like Abel, heir to one of the wealthiest families in the nation, end up turning into some pathetic lovesick fool? It was ridiculous.
¡°Wait till you get back. See it for yourself.¡±
Demi could hear the doubt in his voice, but she couldn¡¯t be bothered to exin. She kept fiddling with her nails.
¡°Soon. I¡¯ll be back in a few days.¡±
His voice grew vague, his thoughts already drifting.
Tess.
He silently mouthed the name, trying to recall every piece of information he¡¯d heard about her.
Demi raised an eyebrow and chuckled. ¡°Ss Shaw, don¡¯t even think about it. You know exactly what kind of guy Abel is.¡±
Her tone turned colder,yered with warning.
There was a long pause on the other end. Then the man scoffed. ¡°What do you think I¡¯m gonna do? It¡¯s just a woman. Not like I haven¡¯t had my fill.¡±
¡°You better mean that.¡±
Demi exhaledzily.
¡°When I get back, we start.¡±
The man¡¯s voice dropped low.
Demi¡¯s grip on the wheel tightened.
¡°Fine.¡±
At the same time, on the top floor of Shaw Corporation¡.
Abel¡¯s eyes twitched.
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Chapter 759 Dark Voice
He reached up and rubbed his brow.
Maybe the past couple days had really taken a toll on his body.
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He thought about it for a second, then finally set aside the file in his hands and looked at the pasta sitting on his desk. It had already gone cold.
¡°It¡¯s cold.¡±
He touched the outside of the container. No heat left at all. Abel let out a small sigh and opened it anyway.
The sauce had gone stiff.
He stared at it for a moment, then dropped his gaze with a bitter smile.
He¡¯d spent so many days messing around out there, and now that he was finally back, his workload had exploded.
Yeah, he was tired. But when he thought of her, it didn¡¯t feel that bad.
His mind started to wander. He pulled open a drawer. Right in the middle was a photo.
He picked it up. It was a stack.
Abel flipped through them slowly, eating the cold pasta as he went.
Every single one of them was of Tess.
There was no helping it. She was far away now. This was the only way he could see her face.
He leaned back, sighed again, and almostughed at himself.
Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.
The faint smile on Abel¡¯s face vanished instantly.
¡°Come in.¡±
The door opened.
Miles Goodturn stepped in, eyes falling on the desk. He blinked. ¡°Mr. Abel? You¡¯re just now eating? That¡¯s gotta be cold by now. Let me get you a fresh one.¡±
He stepped forward to clear the desk, but Abel raised a hand to stop him. ¡°No need. What is it?¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 760
Chapter 760 Miles¡® Report
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Miles hesitated for a second. He saw Abel eating slowly, but clearly enjoying it, so he didn¡¯t press any further.
¡°I followed Ms. Shaw as you ordered. I trailed her all the way to the garage, but it was too open in there. I didn¡¯t want to get spotted, so I stayed back. I waited outside for a bit and caught part of a conversation.¡±
Abel nodded as he chewed, signaling for him to continue,
¡°Ms. Shaw was on the phone with a man. And from what I heard¡¡±
He trailed off, eyes flicking toward Abel. The meaning was obvious.
Abel narrowed his eyes and sat up straighter. ¡°Was it about me?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Miles repeated everything he heard outside the garage.
His voice carried some confusion. Besides the fragments of conversation, he didn¡¯t have any real evidence.
¡°I got it.¡±
Abel set down his fork and waved him off.
Miles blinked, caught off guard. The confusion was still on his face when he saw how Abel¡¯s expression had gone sharp. It felt like the temperature in the room had dropped a full degree.
Knowing it was best not to linger, Miles nodded and quietly slipped out.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Abel lost what little appetite he had.
He tossed the rest of the food into the trash. His eyes drifted to a nk spot on the floor. There was nothing there, but it was like he could see everything.
He¡¯s back?
Abel leaned back in the chair, sinking into the cushions.
So Demi was getting ready to make her move.
He didn¡¯t know how to feel about that.
Growing up, she¡¯d always made him ufortable. There was this gentle, polished smile she wore like a mask. Perfect white teeth. Perfect curves at the corners of her mouth. But behind all that, her eyes made his skin crawl.
He¡¯d always kept his distance. Maybe his mother noticed, because she even warned Demi to stop bothering him so much.
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§Ô§Ö§â 10
Chapter 760 Miles¡® Report
After that, her eyes got colder.
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Then, out of nowhere, she started acting warm. Overly warm. Her smile was softer, more yful. Her ves sparkled.
But even then, he couldn¡¯t rx around her.
The truth was, Abel knew their family had always treated him better than they treated Demi.
So even though being near her made his skin itch, he still tried to get closer. He forced himself to make the effort. But it always backfired. The rejection in his gut was so strong that no matter how hard he tried, his body just wouldn¡¯t let him stay close to her.
Now that he was older, he could finally piece it together. The favoritism in the family had nted something deep in Demi¡¯s heart. Jealousy. And the moment he saw her eyes change¨Cthat was the moment her mask wasplete.
His head pounded.
He forced himself to shake off the memories.
Demi wasn¡¯t his sweet, harmless big sister anymore.
But still¡
Abel¡¯s eyes lowered. The struggle behind them flickered and faded.
Demi had used fake smiles and kind words to trap him more than once. She¡¯d yed him. Cornered him. But she¡¯d never actually hurt him. Not yet.
Business was war. If the day came that she sided with an outsider to take down Shaw Corporation¡
Abel bit his lip.
His whole body slumped back into the chair, drained and on edge.
And then Miranda shed through his mind.
She wasn¡¯t much different from Demi, was she?
One wanted him to have the title but no power. The other wanted him to sit still and smile for the
cameras.
Everyone said he was a prodigy. That he could master anything in a snap.
But only he knew what Miranda put him through as a kid.
There were days he hated her. Truly resented her. But when he thought about it, none of it ever crossed the line.
He rubbed his temples.
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Chapter 760 Miles¡® Report
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If Demi really had teamed up with someone outside the family, he had every right to go after her.
But could he actually do it?
He hated her fakeness. He despised her hypocrisy. But ¡°blood is thicker than water¡± wasn¡¯t just a saying.
His head felt like a brick. He had to force himself to stop thinking about it.
Finally, when he looked up, the boyish gleam in his eyes had vanished. What reced it was a sharp, calcting chill.
Demi, don¡¯t make me do this.
Aetheris.
The phone buzzed.
Tess looked at the screen, confused.
It was a Kingnd number.
She had saved every contact from the Larsons. This number had no name attached.
¡°Hello?¡±
She answered.
There was a pause, then a familiar voice came through. ¡°Tess. It¡¯s me.¡±
¡°Abel?¡±
Tess froze mid¨Cmotion, eyes wide.
Before she could even ask, Abel answered first, ¡°I¡¯m calling from the office.¡±
Tess was surprised at how well he knew her. But she quickly came back to herself.
¡°You¡¯re still at the office? Why are you calling me now?¡±
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Keepsake 761
Chapter 761 A Sister¡¯s Quiet Scheme
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¡°Mm
The person on the other end of the call kept hesitating.
Tess listened to the faint, buzzing voice in her car and sighed. ¡°I¡¯m busy here. If you¡¯ve got nothing to say, I¡¯ll hang up.¡±
¡°I do!¡±
That finally got a response.
Tess stayed patient and kept listening.
¡°Tess, what do you think of my sister?¡±
Abel hesitated for a long time before asking.
¡°She¡¯s polite and thoughtful,¡± Tess said. ¡°But something about her feels¡ off. Like she was two different people.¡±
¡°What if¡ our family is about to run into trouble,¡± Abel said slowly, ¡°and there¡¯s a good chanc she¡¯s behind it?¡±
Tess pressed her lips together. ¡°She¡¯s just a normal woman in herte twenties. How could sh do that? And shake a family like yours?¡±
Abel¡¯s gaze
drifted, his voice softened, like he was telling a story.
¡°Anyone raised in my family isn¡¯t naive. She trained in various fighting skills and even studi business management overseas. Thinking about it now, maybe she¡¯s been preparing for this along.¡±
He gave a bitter smile.
Tess froze for a moment, then frowned. The confusion on her face turned into suspicion.
She was starting to understand what he meant.
¡°You think this ¡®trouble¡® is her n to rece you?¡±
Tess¡¯s eyes sharpened.
17:04 Tue, Apr 28 M¡
Chapter 761 A Sister¡¯s Quiet Scheme
On the other end. Abel¡¯s fingers tightened around his phone.
He had only wanted to talk, maybe vent a little. The more serious stuff, he hadn¡¯t nned to tell her he didn¡¯t want her to worry. But she caught on too fast. Tess realized that if Abel was telling the truth. Demi had been scheming against the Shaws for a long time.
¡°Do you know who she¡¯s working with?¡± Tess asked.
¡°I don¡¯t.¡± Abel said. ¡°But it¡¯s probably someone from a branch family.¡±
¡°From what you¡¯ve said, she sounds very calcting,¡± Lyra cut in. ¡°So why would someone like that share the results of all her hard work with anyone else?¡±
She hade to drop off a file, but when she got closer, she noticed Tess¡¯s uneasy expression and stopped.
¡°My family values me more,¡± Abel said quietly. ¡°Demi has to work much harder than anyone else just to be considered my equal in the family.¡±
His tone grew heavy. There was a faint trace of guilt in it¡ªalmost impossible to catch.
He knew why Demi had be like this.
But back then, he couldn¡¯t change anything. And now, they were already on opposite sides.
Tess still didn¡¯t look rxed.
¡°Is there anything I can do to help?¡± she asked.
She sounded unsure.
¡°As long as you¡¯re there¡ that¡¯s enough.¡±
Just a few simple words, but it felt like they took all his strength to say. His voice was low and steady, with a strange pull to it.
Without thinking, he touched the back of his phone. Inside the case was a rare photo of the two of them together.
Tess had no idea what he was trying to do, but she stayed quiet for a moment anyway.
She was already here, wasn¡¯t she?
Lost in thought, Tess let out a small sigh.
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17:04 Tue, Apr 28 M
Chapter 761 A Sister¡¯s Quiet Scheme
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Lyra stood to the side, listening. Theplicated structure of his family made her click her tongue in disbelief.
She had hoped Tess could move on with someone new and start fresh. But if that person was Abel¡
Lyra rubbed her temple, suddenly unsure again.
At that moment, Tess nced at her and saw the troubled look on her face.
The call ended with a few polite words. It felt unfinished, like things were left hanging. Abel had hung up first, probably realizing he had said too much and wanted to stop himself.
Tess crossed her arms and looked at Lyra, immediately noticing her frown.
¡°If something happens to the Shaws, don¡¯t get involved,¡± Lyra said seriously. Her eyes locked onto Tess, full of warning.
¡°What?¡± Tess replied with a small smile.
Lyra frowned and continued to analyze, ¡°I used to think you and Abel were a good match. But with a family like his, I think I was being naive. It¡¯s not that simple.¡±
¡°But honestly, until things in Aetheris are settled, I¡¯m not going back to Kingnd.¡±
That one sentence shut down all of Lyra¡¯s guesses, leaving her words stuck in her throat.
Still, it wasn¡¯t a bad solution.
¡°Alright, don¡¯t worry about it. Let¡¯s drop this.¡± Tess said, raising her voice a little as she cut it of She shifted the topic. ¡°How¡¯s Raven doing?¡±
¡°Not exactly reliable most of the time,¡± Lyra said with a small smile. ¡°But when ites to rea work, she actually gets things done.¡±
At the mention of Raven, her expression softened.
But it didn¡¯tst long.
Che onened her mouth as if to say something, then stopped herself. The words never came
17:04 Tue, Apr 28 M
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Keepsake 762
Chapter 762 Old Debts, New Doubts
Chapter 762 Old Debts, New Doubts
Tess could tell Lyra was hesitating. She gave her a small nod, telling her to just say it.
¡°If you¡¯re really thinking about it, maybe you should consider L?¡±
Tess paused, a little surprised.
Lyra stepped closer, her voice getting a bit louder.
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¡°He¡¯s a world¨Css pianist. My idol, okay? The only reason I¡¯m being this generous¨Cpushing my own idol your way¨Cis because it¡¯s you.
As she spoke, his image came to her mind. He looked almost unreal, like something out of a dream. His deep blue eyes were like the ocean, so clear and so intense. When he looked straight at you, fully focused, it felt like you could fall right into them.
Lyra smiled softly. Her tone sounded like she wasining, but her eyes were gentle.
Tess caught the meaning behind it and felt a warm stir in her chest. She lifted a hand to her lips and gave a light cough. ¡°How could I take away something you love?¡±
She winked at Lyra.
¡°You don¡¯t have to think about me. I mean it. If you really want to find someone new and maybe a stepdad for your kid, L isn¡¯t a bad choice.¡±
Lyra rubbed her chin, thinking it over. ¡°Don¡¯t judge him by how he acts now. He only acts like that around you. Once you see him perform in person, you¡¯ll understand.¡±
She said it with full confidence. Tess couldn¡¯t help butugh at her little gestures. Her heart fe
warm.
¡°Alright then. I guess I¡¯ll find a chance to y along.¡±
She winked again, half¨Cjoking, but not entirely.
Ring, ring.
Thest call had just ended, and another one came in right away.
¡°Tess¡¡±
Bessie was usually loud and cheerful, but this time she sounded hesitant. After saying Tess¡¯s
name, she fell silent.
¡°What¡¯s wrong. Bessie?¡±
Tess had to press her before Bessie finally spoke, biting her lip. ¡°Do you remember your old studio?¡±
Tess froze for a moment.
She had been so busy these past days that she hadpletely forgotten about it.
¡°Why bring that up all of a sudden?¡±
¡°There was another person in the studio, besides me¡ remember?¡±
She hesitated, biting down on her words as if each one were hard to say.
¡°She reached out to you?¡±
¡°Yeah. She called me. Said you haven¡¯t been around the studio for a while. Maybe you could clear some time and go take a look?¡±
Tess narrowed her eyes.
She had always believed people don¡¯t show
up
for no reason.
She lifted her chin slightly. ¡°Sure. I¡¯m free tomorrow.¡±
Bessie didn¡¯t expect her to agree so quickly.
Tess raised her phone and switched to video. She looked at Bessie and arched a brow. ¡°If she hadn¡¯t reminded me, I might¡¯ve forgotten all about it. I really should thank you. And your friend is there, too.¡±
Bessie¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She lifted her head¡ªand came face¨Cto¨Cface with someone standing less than six feet away.
¡°Well? What did she say?¡±
Wanda looked at her eagerly.
Bessie¡¯s expression turned cold. Her face stiffened. ¡°Tess said she¡¯lle. If you really have something to say, wait for her at the studio.¡±
She shot Wanda a sideways nce, clearly not interested in talking further.
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Chapter 762 Old Debts, New Doubts
Wanda caught that look, and her face darkened.
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Truth was, she had known Tess long before Bessie ever did. Back then, she was the one who helped Tess escape from Evermount Vi. Without her, Tess wouldn¡¯t be living so freely now after divorcing Finn.
That thought made her even more ufortable. But she couldn¡¯t reach Tess at all now. The only chance she had was to wait near Evermount Heights and ask Bessie to pass along the
message.
With no other choice, Wanda forced a small smile. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll wait for her at the studio.¡±
She rubbed her hands awkwardly and let out a dryugh. ¡°I wonder what she¡¯s been busy withtely. Haven¡¯t seen her in so long. I couldn¡¯t get in touch with her either, so I had toe all the way here and trouble you. I really¡ª¡±
She tried to say a few more polite words. But Bessie shut the door in her face without another word.
Wanda¡¯s smile froze. Then, slowly, her fingers curled into a tight fist.
She had truly helped Tess before. And Bessie? As far as she knew, Tess had only taken her in out of kindness.
No matter how she looked at it, neither Tess nor Bessie had any right to treat her like this.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. But the door was already closed. She could only turn and walk away, her chest tight with frustration.
At the same time, Lyra frowned as she watched the shift in Tess¡¯s expression.
Her voice was light and soft. ¡°You still haven¡¯t dealt with Wanda?¡±
Tess¡¯s half¨Cclenched hand tightened, then slowly loosened. After a long pause, she let out a quiet sigh. ¡°She was the first familiar face I saw after I got out. I asked her to help me keep things quiet¡ to cover for me while I left.¡± She lowered her gaze. ¡°Honestly, ever since I saw he again, I felt something was off. But because of what we went through, I didn¡¯t want to think to much about it. Maybe¡ I was hoping she¡¯d figure things out on her own.¡±
¡°But it didn¡¯t turn out that way, did it?¡±
Lyra pressed her lips together.
Tess fell silent for a moment, then gave a small nod.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 763
Keepsake 763
Chapter 763 Abel¡¯s Desperate Choice
Lyra stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder.
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¡°Hey, you¡¯ve been through a lot already. She¡¯s just a maid. Nothing worth holding on to.¡±
Tess let out a long breath. ¡°Yeah. I guess I¡¯m just feeling a little sentimental.¡±
¡°No time for that. We¡¯ve got more important things to deal with.¡±
Lyra¡¯s words were bothfort and a warning.
Tess smiled and looked up at her. ¡°You still think I¡¯m the same old Tess?¡±
As soon as she finished speaking, she stood up. She grabbed her coat and moved quickly.
¡°Where are you going? The studio?¡± Lyra asked.
¡°Yeah. I want to see what they¡¯re up to.¡±
Tess smiled slightly, but her eyes were cold.
She stopped after taking a few steps. She turned around and asked, ¡°Are youing?¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Soon, the two of them stood side by side outside a hidden studio.
Tess had just put the key in the lock when the door suddenly opened from the inside.
Wanda pulled it open and spoke quickly, almost too eager. ¡°Ms. Tess, you¡¯re finally here. Oh¡ª no, I should call you Ms. Ember now.¡±
Tess looked at her. Wanda was acting unusually attentive. Tess frowned for a split second, then smoothed it over.
¡°Wanda. Long time no see. I¡¯ve just been busy. ¡®Ms. Ember¡® sounds too formal.¡±
She smiled, but it didn¡¯t reach her eyes.
¡°Right, right. Come in.¡± Wanda warmly weed them inside. But just as Lyra was about to step in, her expression changed. She hesitated, then spoke with difficulty. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ we have a
1
guest inside.¡±
Those words wiped the smile off Tess¡¯s face.
Tess frowned. Her voice turned colder. ¡°A guest?¡±
Just two words, yet the pressure hit hard.
Wanda felt her heart pause for a second. She swallowed quietly, trying to hold herself together.
¡°Tess,e in first. It¡¯s just¡ maybe your friend can wait outside?¡±
She tried to sound close by calling her name, but Tess didn¡¯t react. Her face stayed nk, her cold eyes fixed straight on Wanda.
¡°Wanda, you should understand this. I gave you this job because I trusted you. I told you more than once: this ce must stay secret. I don¡¯t remember inviting any guests here.¡±
Tess¡¯s face tightened. Thest bit of her smile was gone.
Wanda had thought that as long as she exined it to Tess in person, Tess wouldn¡¯t hold it against her. But now that it was actually happening, and she felt the pressureing from the woman in front of her, she hesitated. Panic crept into her chest.
¡°Tess, I admit I acted without thinking. But she said she could help you, so I let them in. I couldn¡¯t reach you, I had no choice but to let her in. I hope you won¡¯t hold it against me.¡±
She pressed her hands against her pants, leaving deep wrinkles in the fabric.
Tess frowned at her, clearly displeased. Still, she said nothing. She pushed the door all the way
open.
¡°Lyra,e in.¡± Her voice was calm but carried weight.
Wanda instinctively tried to stop them. But one cold nce from Tess froze her where she stood.
Her hand hung awkwardly in the air before she slowly pulled it back.
Tess walked in. The moment she saw who was inside, her confusion deepened.
Demi sat on the soft couch in the living room.
¡°Ms. Shaw?¡± Tess¡¯s voice lifted slightly, full of surprise.
Chapter 763 Abel¡¯s Desperate Choice
Why was Demi here?
She nced behind her. No one else.
Abel wasn¡¯t here. Then why had Demi ? And how did she even know this ce?
+30 Free Coint
Questions filled her mind. Still, she kept her manners. She nodded and pulled a chair to sit across from her.
¡°You look surprised,¡± Demi said with a small smile.
She pushed the coffee pot on the table toward Tess. ¡°Wanda makes great coffee.¡±
Tess nced at it but didn¡¯t reach out. ¡°Of course.¡±
She was ready to speak, but Demi raised her hand and cut her off.
¡°I know what you want to ask, but that¡¯s not important. I came to talk about something more important.¡±
Her calm smile faded a little. Her sharp features now carried a cold, distant edge.
¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±
Tess nodded. She exchanged a nce with Lyra. Both of them looked uneasy, like they had something to say but held back.
¡°Something happened to Abel.¡±
Those four words made Tess stand up at once.
¡°What?¡± Worry showed clearly on her face. ¡°What happened?¡±
¡°Ever since you went back to Aetheris, he¡¯s been trying to go to you. Of course, his family didn¡¯t agree. Abel fought back, he hasn¡¯t eaten or had anything to drink for days.¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 764
Chapter 764 When Power Comes Knocking
Demi pulled a photo out of her bag and handed it to Tess.
Tess hesitated for a second, then took it
It was a picture of Abel, but he didn¡¯t look like himself. He looked worn out and nothing like his usual
contidem self
The photo was blurry, taken in secret. Still, the dark circles under his eyes were so heavy they stood out
anyway
Tess stared at it. Her brows slowly pulled together.
Demi spoke softly. ¡°Abel hasn¡¯t been eating or sleeping well. He¡¯s lost a lot of weight. We¡¯re really worried about him.¡±
She let out a quiet sigh. Her face showed the kind of concern only family has.
Tess still had her doubts.
¡°I just went back to Aetheris and n to move to Kingnd soon. He shouldn¡¯t be like this.¡±
Demi kept smiling. ¡°Tess, you¡¯re smart. You¡¯re right, there¡¯s more to the story, but it¡¯s mainly because of this.¡±
Her words were vague. Both Tess and Lyra lowered their eyes at the same time.
¡°You didn¡¯te all the way here just to tell me this, did you?¡± Tess lifted her gaze and looked straight at Demi. ¡°Say what you really want.¡±
¡°Ms. Ember, you should take this slowly.¡± Demi smiled again.
She looked friendly, but something about it felt cold and eerie.
A thought shed through Tess¡¯s mind¨Ca smiling predator. She looked at her cautiously.
¡°My family doesn¡¯t ept you. You already know that. Abel insists on being with you, and they will never allow it.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t react much.
She had already seen their attitude clearly when she visited them before.
So she asked, raising a brow. Her tone turned sharp.
The Shaws looked down on her. She wasn¡¯t the kind to just take it quietly.
¡°Abel tried to stand up for you, but it didn¡¯t change anything. Mom was furious. Grandpa always favored him, but even he had started pushing Abel away.
15:43 Wed, Apr 29
Chapter 764 When Power Comes Knocking
+20 Free Coins
¡°Abel¡¯s situation has caused a huge stir at thepany. He didn¡¯t stay down for long and quickly went back to work. But the rumors haven¡¯t stopped. My family is powerful, with potential sessors. Right now, things are bad for Abel.¡±
man
¡°Wait.¡±
Tess¡¯s irritation showed clearly on her face. She raised a hand and cut Demi off.
She crossed her arms and leaned back, looking at Demi with open impatience.
¡°So you travel all the way to Aetheris to tell me this?¡±
Demi¡¯s gaze lingered on Tess from time to time.
¡°Are you saying this is Tess¡¯s fault?¡± Lyra added.
Tess and Lyra spoke one after another. The pressure in the room grew heavier.
Demi clicked her tongue inwardly. She hadn¡¯t expected the two of them to be this difficult.
¡°You misunderstand,¡± she said, shaking her head.
Her smile faded a little, but she still sounded polite. ¡°I¡¯m here on behalf of my family. And I truly want what¡¯s best for Abel.¡±
She paused, then continued. ¡°We hope you can cut ties with himpletely. When you return to Kingnd, people will talk. That won¡¯t stop anytime soon. But we won¡¯t forget what you¡¯ve done for Abel. We¡¯ll do everything we can to
and th
Larson Group. If the two sides fall out over something between
Her tone was gentle, but the threat was clear.
Tess let out a softugh. ¡°That¡¯s interesting. If both sides are so powerful, why do you think you can use this to threaten me?¡±
She rested one arm on the chair and propped her head up, looking rxed and almost bored.
Demi watched her. Her eyes darkened slightly.
For a moment, she felt that pose suited Abel more.
Her gaze flickered, then she hid it.
The smile on Demi¡¯s face finally disappeared. ¡°Ms. Ember, when you visited my family¡¯s house, didn¡¯t you promise you would never get involved with Abel again?¡±
Tess frowned slightly, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.
¡°But it¡¯s under a certain condition,¡± Tess rebuked casually. ¡°If Abel stays away from me, I will keep my distance.
15:43 Wed, Apr 29
Chapter 764 When Power Comes Knocking
Tess answered casually. Her respect for Demi diminished over time.
Demi felt it clearly. And for once, she found herself at a loss.
+20 Free Coin¡¯s
She had nned to use her family to pressure Tess into backing off. But from beginning to end, Tess stayed calm. Steady. Almost indifferent.
For a moment, the living room wentpletely quiet.
Then Tess slowly straightened her back and said, ¡°If you have nothing else to say, you should answer my question now.¡±
Chapter 765 Betrayal in the Studio
Chapter 765 Betrayal in the Studio
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 765
Chapter 765 Betrayal in the Studio
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She narrowed her eyes slightly and fired away before Demi agreed. ¡°My studio is tucked away in a pretty private ce. I haven¡¯t even been here myselftely. How did you find this ce? How did you convince my staff to let you in?¡±
Her voice was calm and cool, but it carried a quiet pressure that made the air feel heavy.
Demi¡¯s brow twitched.
¡°Ms. Ember, you¡¯re underestimating what we are capable of.¡±
She forced a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes.
Their gazes locked.
One was cold and hard like steel. The other was deep and dark, like still water hiding something underneath.
Their eyes shed in midair, pushing against each other, neither willing to give in.
Demi suddenly stood up. The height difference made her look down at Tess, her tone turning sharper. ¡°I heard you came back to Aetheris to deal with your father.¡±
She let out a quietugh, her eyes cold with mockery. ¡°Back in Kingnd, you told the press you¡¯d deal with this. Would it really be that easy?¡±
She tapped her chin, pretending to think.
Lyra¡¯s brows tightened. She understood right away.
If Tess didn¡¯t cooperate, Demi could side with Henry and make things hard for her.
Lyra¡¯s face stiffened. Her mood darkened.
This woman came here to threaten Tess.
¡°Aetheris values blood ties. People respect their elders and protect the young,¡± Demi went onzily, admiring her nails. ¡°No matter how much your family or the shareholders support you, you won¡¯t get that position if you can¡¯t clear up your scandal.¡±
¡°Finally, you start getting to the point.¡±
Tess smiled and lightly rubbed her ear, as if bored with listening.
Demi¡¯s fingers froze. She looked up and met the faint smile on Tess¡¯s lips.
¡°Well, Ms. Shaw. If you upset me, I would make it difficult for you to get that position, too.¡±
Tess covered her mouth and let out a small yawn, but her wordsnded hard.
Apr
Chapter 765 Betrayal in the Studio
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Demi secretly clenched her teeth. On the outside, she stayed calm andposed. Still, a wave of heat rose in her chest, her anger building.
¡°Ms. Ember, it seems you¡¯ve misunderstood me.¡±
Demi recovered quickly and replied with a quiet smile.
Tess raised a brow and stared straight at her. She didn¡¯t agree, and she didn¡¯t deny it either. The faint smile on her lips only made things more ufortable.
¡°Must be tough,¡± Tess said lightly, ¡°being someone everyone can order around anytime.¡±
Demi couldn¡¯t remain calm at this.
¡°Tess. I¡¯ll give you some time to think. Consider it a gift from me.¡±
With that, she picked up her bag and strode out. The sharp clicking of her heels faded into the distance.
Tess kept watching until Demi closed the door behind her and disappearedpletely.
At least this round, she had won.
The moment Tess rxed, Lyra called out to Wanda, who was about to slip away.
¡°Answer her questions. Tell the truth.¡±
Wanda froze. Then it hit her which questions they meant.
They were asking about why Demi had shown up at the studio and why she had allowed her in.
Her face and body stiffened at the same time.
Tess looked at her again. This time, there was no warmth, no kindness. Just cold distance¨Clike she was looking at a stranger or even an enemy.
Wanda felt a twist in her chest. But when she thought about her situation and everything she had already done for Tess, her confidence grew again.
She had done more than enough for Tess.
People are selfish. That¡¯s just how it is.
¡°I don¡¯t know how she got the address of this studio,¡± Wanda said quickly, her face already back to normal. ¡°But I was nearby and heard everything just now. That woman clearly isn¡¯t ordinary. Maybe she has some kind of background that lets her look into things.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t say a word. She just stared at her.
The silence made Wanda uneasy. She reached up and touched her face without thinking.
Tess finally spoke. ¡°Why did you let her in? You¡¯ve never met her before.¡±
15:43 Wed, Apr 29 ***
Chapter 765 Betrayal in the Studio
Wanda had already prepared her excuse.
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¡°She showed me a photo of the two of you. She said that she knew you and had something urgent to
discuss.
She added, full of regret, ¡°If I¡¯d known she came to say things that would upset you, I would never have let
her in.¡±
Tess lifted her chin slightly and looked her up and down. She said nothing, but the pressure was suffocating.
Wanda could barely keep standing. At longst, Tess looked away.
¡°Seems like I need to reconsider whether I should keep you here,¡± Tess said coldly.
Wanda¡¯s eyes widened right away. She wasn¡¯t happy about that.
Yes, the side ie was easy. But working for Tess long¨Cterm was even better. Lately, Tess hadn¡¯t been around much; this studio had basically turned into Wanda¡¯s own private little vi.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 766
Chapter 766 No More Second Chances
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¡°Tess, what do you mean by that?¡± Wanda¡¯s voice shot up, sharp and shrill. ¡°I used to work at a supermarket. You felt sorry for m so you brought me here. And now you¡¯re kicking me out? What am I to you?¡±
Tess tapped her fingers lightly, her eyes cold. ¡°Then go back to the supermarket. I won¡¯t keep you.¡±
She stood up. She nced around the room, then paused.
¡°Move out as soon as possible.¡±
To Wanda, she looked heartless.
Wanda¡¯s voice cracked as she shouted, then broke into pleading. ¡°Tess, I helped you so much. Back then, I covered for you so you could escape. Do you know what that cost me? What have they done to my family? I finally got a good job, and now you¡¯re taking away. Why are you being so cruel?¡±
Her anger turned into bitter begging.
Tess felt a sting of irony at how ugly the whole thing had be.
¡°Cruel?¡± Tess let out a coldugh. ¡°If I were cruel, I would have thrown you out the first time you messed with my things.¡±
Wanda¡¯s body shook. Her eyes went wide with fear.
What did she mean? Had she known all along?
Tess stood there, calm and clear¨Ceyed.
¡°You were the one who leaked my design back then, weren¡¯t you?¡± Tess said with a quiet scoff.
She tilted her head, thinking on purpose. ¡°If I¡¯m right, you were already spying on somebody when I took you out of the supermarket.¡±
She tapped her chin lightly. ¡°Let me guess. Who¡¯s behind you? Nadine? Henry? Or¡ Max?¡±
Her tone was yful, but her eyes were cold.
¡°I kept you this long because of what you did for me before. But you used that up.¡±
She spread her hands, her voice firm and distant.
¡°If you had changed even a little, I might¡¯ve let it go. But you didn¡¯t. I don¡¯t keep trouble close to me.¡±
Now Wanda truly panicked.
¡°Tess¨CMs. Tess! I understand now; I really do! I¡¯ll change! I was blinded by money back then lost my head. Please, give me one more chance!¡±
She hurried after Tess.
Go back to the supermarket? Back to standing all day, doing odd jobs, corning almost nothing?
Chapter 766 No More Second Chances
No. She couldn¡¯t ept that.
¡°Mrs. Lock!¡±
In her panic, Wanda slipped and called her by the old name.
Tess didn¡¯t react at all.
Knock. Knock.
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A steady knock sounded at the door.
Lyra nced at Tess. When Tess didn¡¯t stop her, she went to open it.
The door swung open. A group of police officers stood outside.
¡°Who called the police?¡±
Lyra was dumbfounded; then she looked back at Tess.
Tess waved her hand calmly. ¡°I did.¡±
Wanda shrank into the corner. Her heart pounded like a drum, fast and loud.
¡°We received a report that someone illegally stole and leaked your work for profit. That¡¯s a criminal offense. May I ask¡¡±
The lead officer looked around. ¡°Who is Wanda Herrera?¡±
Wanda¡¯s eyes went wide. Her whole body trembled.
¡°Who is Wanda Herrera?¡± the officer repeated, his tone turning impatient when no one answered.
Tess and Lyra stood to the side with their arms crossed. Their eyes slowly shifted toward Wanda.
The room fell silent.
¡°I¡ I am¡¡± Wanda forced herself to step forward. Her eyes darted around.
The officer¡¯s sharp gaze locked onto her. ¡°ording to the report, you leaked someone else¡¯s work without permission. The impact
is serious, and it spreads widely. Our department is taking the matter very seriously.
Wanda¡¯s legs went weak at this. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
¡°If you have no objections, you¡¯lle with us.¡±
The leading officer gestured. The officers behind him stepped forward.
Wanda stood frozen, like a statue.
Seeing no reaction, one of them reached for her shoulder, about to restrain her, but Wanda lunged right at Tess all of sudden
Lyra¡¯s eyes widened. She moved to stop her, but Tess raised a hand and blocked her.
The next second, Wanda dropped to the floor before Tess. Tears streamed down her face.
2:04 pm PPP.
Chapter 766 No More Second Chances
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¡°Ms. Ember!¡±
She cried out in a broken voice.
Tess didn¡¯t react. She just looked down at her.
Everyone else was stunned. No one knew what to do.
Wanda copsed on the floor, sobbing. ¡°I was wrong! Please, think about everything I did for you before. Did you really have to call the police? Ms. Ember! I lost my head for a moment. Please, be merciful. Forgive me this once. I swear I¡¯ll never do it again!¡±
Wanda stood frozen, like a statue.
Seeing no reaction, one of them reached for her shoulder, about to restrain her, but Wanda lunged right at Tess all of sudden.
Lyra¡¯s eyes widened. She moved to stop her, but Tess raised a hand and blocked her.
The next second, Wanda dropped to the floor before Tess. Tears streamed down her face.
¡°Ms. Ember!¡±
She cried out in a broken voice.
Tess didn¡¯t react. She just looked down at her.
Everyone else was stunned. No one knew what to do.
Wanda copsed on the floor, sobbing. ¡°I was wrong! Please, think about everything I did for you before. Did you really have to call the police? Ms. Ember! I lost my head for a moment. Please, be merciful. Forgive me. I swear I¡¯ll never do it again!¡±
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 767
Chapter 767 Mercy Comes at a Cost
Chapter 767 Mercy Comes at a Cost
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Tess acted like she didn¡¯t hear a thing. Wanda panicked even more. She begged even harder. ¡°Ms. Ember! If you¡¯re angry, hit me, yell at me¨Canything! I just can¡¯t go to jail! I have family to take care of. You know that. Please have mercy!¡±
Tess looked down at her coldly.
Wanda was a mess. Tears and snot covered her face. She looked desperate, broken.
Tess¡¯s face showed nothing, like a statue sitting high in a church. But inside her sleeves, her fingers were curled tight.
Right now, Wanda looked a lot like Tess did a year ago.
Back then, Tess had been too disappointed in Finn. When she saw his heartless face, she didn¡¯t even want to say one more word.
A mix of emotions rose in her chest. Still, she knew she couldn¡¯t soft.
go
She had been wrongly used back then. But Wanda? The evidence was clear. There was no
way to argue.
¡°Have you considered the consequences when you betrayed me?¡±
Tess slowly crouched down and looked her in the eye.
Wanda¡¯s face was soaked with tears. She didn¡¯t even look like herself anymore.
The police were losing patience. They had seen this kind of regret too many times before people got locked up.
¡°Take her away,¡± the lead officer said. He turned away and was ready to leave.
Two officers stepped forward to take Wanda. The moment they touched her, she snapped. She started screaming like she¡¯d lost her mind.
Tess frowned. She stood up and took a few steps back, putting distance between them.
Lyra looked both confused and disgusted.
¡°You don¡¯t want to go to jail?¡± Tess asked.
She raised a hand, stopping the officers.
¡°No! I don¡¯t! I don¡¯t want to!¡± Wanda shouted.
Her words gave Wanda a tiny bit of hope. She nodded so hard it looked like her neck might
snap.
Tess pressed her lips together and looked down at her.
She hesitated.
Not because she pitied her. But because, looking at Wanda, she saw herself.
People say that if you¡¯ve stood in the rain, you¡¯ll want to hold an umbre for someone else.
She knew that pain. How could she just watch someone else go through it?
Her fingers tightened. Her chest ached.
She took a deep breath, then looked at the officer who had turned back. ¡°Is there another way to settle this?¡±
The officer studied her face, then nodded. ¡°Yes. If you both agree to settle, you withdraw the report.¡±
¡°Okay,¡± Tess said quietly.
That simple reply stunned Wanda. She looked up at Tess in disbelief.
Tess wasn¡¯t getting revenge? Even after knowing she had betrayed her?
Wanda felt a knot in her chest. She lowered her head, too ashamed to meet Tess¡¯s eyes.
¡°I can sign a settlement agreement,¡± Tess said, her voice calm and distant. ¡°Under one condition.¡±
Hearing that, Wanda finally rxed a little and dared to look up again.
She had gone down the wrong path for money. She wasn¡¯t evil to the core. Tess¡¯s forgiveness made her feel ashamed. But having a condition made it easier to ept.
¡°Please, go ahead,¡± Wanda said.
¡°The design you stole had hurt my reputation and caused serious losses for Cavrielle. The damage is over a million dors.¡±
Tess paused, giving Wanda a moment to process.
Chapter 767 Mercy Comes at a Cost
+20 Free Coins
¡°You need to pay for those losses. I won¡¯t make it too hard for you. Just pay me back 1 million dors.¡±
As soon as she finished, Tess pulled out paper and a pen and quickly wrote up the agreement.
When she shoved it into Wanda¡¯s hands, Wanda was still in shock. Her eyes were wide.
Her fingers trembled as she looked down. When she saw the long string of zeros at the bottom, her vision went dark. She almost fainted.
Lyra reacted fast and grabbed her by the cor, pulling her back up.
¡°I can give you time to pay me back,¡± Tess said. ¡°Or you can refuse and
go with them.¡±
She pointed to the police waiting at the door.
Wanda¡¯s face turned pale. She felt like her soul had left her body.
She was older now. How could she survive prison?
Even Tess¨Cwho had once lived afortable life¨Ccame out of jail looking thin as paper. Her face had no color, and that long scar was terrifying.
She couldn¡¯t survive the jail.
Wanda shivered.
¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± she said through gritted teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll pay!¡±
Tess tilted her chin slightly and tossed the pen in front of her.
¡°Sign it.¡±
Wanda¡¯s arm shook as she picked it up. She leaned over the coffee table and signed her name on that crushing agreement.
The moment she finished, all her strength left her. She copsed onto the floor.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 768
Chapter 768 A Quiet Exit, A Hidden n
Chapter 768 A Quiet Exit, A Hidden n
Tess nced over, then smoothly pulled the file out of the woman¡¯s hands. She didn¡¯t meet any resistance.
She turned to Lyra.
Lyra understood right away. She carried the document to the printer and quickly made three fresh copies.
10 Free C
Tess tossed one copy in front of Wanda. She handed another to the lead officer. ¡°Officer, thank you. We¡¯ve settled things on our side.¡±
The officer froze for a second when he saw her face. Someone beside him nudged his arm, and he quickly snapped out of it. His ears turned red as he took the paper.
¡°Of course! No trouble at all! Ms. Tess, if you ever need anything, give us a call.¡±
He grinned, showing a row of bright teeth.
Tess gave him a polite smile in return.
¡°She still needs toe with us to the station,¡± the officer added. ¡°Even though you two had reached an agreement, we have procedures to follow. Just a signature and it¡¯ll be fine.¡±
He walked toward the door, then suddenly remembered something and paused.
Wanda didn¡¯t want to stay a second longer. Her legs were shaking as she hurried to follow the officers out.
At the same time, Raven crouched in a hidden corner of the Hunt Group building, carefully staying out of the camera¡¯s view.
¡°Hey, where are you? Come and get me,¡± she said into her phone, her voice urgent.
Not long after she hung up, someone jogged over behind her. He looked nervous.
¡°I cleared the area. Come on,¡± he whispered, nervously ncing around as he waved her over.
They slipped in through an employee¨Conly side door. Soon, they were inside a room filled with advanced equipment.
Raven¡¯s eyes lit up.
Hunt Group really was the second¨Cbiggestpany in Aetheris.
She stepped forward, eager, and started pressing buttons. The employee who brought her in panicked and rushed to stop her.
¡°Ms. Moreno! You can¡¯t just touch everything like that!¡±
He looked terrified. When he saw she hadn¡¯t broken anything, he finally let out a breath.
¡°What are you so scared of? No one will notice,¡± Raven said casually, resting her chin on her hand. Her fingers kept moving fast across the controls. ¡°I asked you to bring me in so I could get familiar with this ce.¡±
The employee was already tense, but when he saw her pull up the entire surveince system with ease, he froze
13
Chapter 768 A Quiet Exit, A Hidden n
She didn¡¯t even need any instructions, and she was already this skilled?
That employee clicked his tongue quietly, shocked at how freakishly capable she was.
Raven moved through the crowded panel of buttons, testing them one by one. Before long, she had a basic understanding of function of each button.
By now, that man waspletely in awe.
¡°Ms. Moreno, you¡¯re not going to do anything out of line, right?¡± he asked, swallowing hard as she finally stopped.
Raven shot him a sideways nce. ¡°Wow. You¡¯re really this timid?¡±
He didn¡¯t get an answer. Instead, he got called out.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
¡°Rx. If shit happens, I¡¯ll take the me for you,¡± Raven said, patting his shoulder.
That pnly made things worse. His stomach twisted even tighter. But seeing her mysterious smile, he knew there was no way he¡¯d get a straight answer out of her.
He let out a quiet sigh, feeling unlucky.
This man had been working here for two years, stuck at the bottom. Only recently had his department manager taken a liking to him and moved him into the surveince room¨Ca high¨Cpaying, easy position. But Hunt Group had strict rules against office rtionships. If they got caught, both of them would get fired. So he and his manager had always been careful.
And yet, somehow, this woman had found out.
¡°Alright, Norris,¡± Ra
ving him a sly wink. ¡°I¡¯m not a bad person. Once I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll keep your secret safe. I won¡¯t tell a
soul.¡±
Norris Dur
after
me:
ion a mess. This woman didn¡¯t seem reliable at all. And she still hadn¡¯t said what she was really
duty tomorrow night?¡± Raven asked casually while packing up.
without thinking.
Raven slung her backpack over her shoulder and
her words even faded, she was already gone
Morris froze for a second. Then, without thin
His heart was racing. Something didn¡®
He stared at the doorway. It was
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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Keepsake 769
Chapter 769 ns in the Dark
Chapter 769 ns in the Dark
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Norris hummed a tune as he shut the door. He scrolled through videos on his phone, ncingzily at the security feed now and then.
Inside the studio, the air felt strangely still. A quiet sadness lingered.
Wanda¡¯s figure disappeared. Lyra stepped forward and closed the door.
¡°Do you think I¡¯ll be disappointed in you?¡±
Tess lowered her eyes and let out a soft sigh.
Lyra looked at her for a moment, then sat down beside her. ¡°You went soft this time, because it reminded you of yourself, didn¡¯t it?¡±
Tess stayed silent; it was practically a yes.
Lyra smiled gently, her eyes warm. ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t me yourself.¡±
Tess stared at the floor, her face nk, and said, ¡°But I¡¯ve been through so much. So many people have hurt me. I shouldn¡¯t be this soft.¡±
¡°I understand.¡±
A
Lyra reached out and took her hand, their fingers intertwined. Tess felt a quiet warmth pass between them. She slowly looked up and met Lyra¡¯s soft, caring gaze.
¡°Tess, the people who truly care about you want you to be strong, not turn into someone who feels nothing and only lives for revenge. Kindness matters. It¡¯s one of the best things about you. None of us want you to lose that.¡±
She gave Tess¡¯s shoulder a gentle pat.
¡°And I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve thought this through. People areplicated. Sometimes, giving someone a chance or a lesson is enough. The way you handled this is not wrong.¡±
Lyra¡¯s voice was soft, like a light breeze. But it carried a calm strength that eased the heart.
At some point, Tess lowered her gaze again. After a long pause, she gently hooked her finger around Lyra¡¯s.
¡°Thank you¡ for always being here for me.¡±
¡°Alright, don¡¯t get all emotional on me,¡± Lyra said, squeezing her hand. ¡°It¡¯s almost evening. Raven should be back soon, We ve got
work to do.¡±
The figure slumped on the couch finally straightened up.
¡°Okay.¡±
tter!
Tess pulled the studio door down, leaving only a small gap
Chapter 769 ns in the Dark
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She looked through that narrow opening, her eyes lingering inside, reluctant to leave.
¡°You¡¯re going to Kingnd sooner orter. This ce won¡¯tst forever,¡± Lyra said.
¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll contact someone in the next couple of days to sell it. And I¡¯ll move everything out.¡±
Tess nodded, but her gaze still wouldn¡¯t pull away.
¡°If you like it that much, you can just build the same setup in Kingnd.¡±
Lyra felt a little sorry for her.
¡°No need. Once I¡¯m there, I¡¯ll be the lead designer at ¡®Kin.¡¯ I won¡¯t be stuck in a small studio anymore. The Larson Group tower is huge.¡±
¡°This is just you going back to where you belong.¡± Lyra smiled, genuinely happy for her.
They looked at each other, their gazes entwined in the air.
Soon, their car sped off toward Mars Legal.
When they arrived, Raven was already in her office, working on herputer.
Lyra knocked on the already open door to get her attention.
But Raven was typing so fast, so focused, she didn¡¯t hear it at all.
Lyra sighed and walked in, patting her on the back.
Raven jumped in her seat, startled. When she saw it was Lyra, she let out a breath and patted her chest. ¡°Wow, you scared me! When did youe in? I didn¡¯t hear a thing.¡±
Lyra flicked her lightly on the head. ¡°I knocked. You just didn¡¯t hear it.¡±
Raven scratched her head. Knowing herself, that sounded about right. She stuck out her tongue and didn¡¯t argue
Watching their little exchange, Tess felt her mood lighten. ¡°So, how¡¯s the investigation? When can we move?¡±
At the mention of work, both of them turned serious.
¡°I¡¯ve checked everything. Tomorrow night,¡± Raven said confidently, clicking her mouse quickly.
A simple map appeared on the screen.
¡°This is Max¡¯s office.¡±
She somehow produced a pointer and tapped a spot on the screen.
¡°From what we know, Rachel is being held there. But we don¡¯t know how to get into the hidden room yet. We¡¯re hoping the soundproofing isn¡¯t too strong, so we can coordinate with her from the outside.¡±
Raven stroked her chin,ying out the n in detail
¡®But how do we get in Tess asked. ¡°Hunt Group isn¡¯t like Henry¡¯s basic factory. They¡¯ve got professional security and advanced
9:34 am
ppp
s
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 770
Chapter 770 Countdown to Hen
Chapter 770 Countdown to
Lyra frowned, her tone turning serious.
¡°This is exactly what I¡¯ve been busy with the
Raven pped her hands. With a quick flick o
Tess narrowed her eyes. She recognized it righ
¡°The security system is mostly on the first floor to test things. I¡¯ve got a pretty good idea now.
¡°And¡¡±
Raven dragged out the word on purpose, rubbing
¡°And what?¡± Tess yed along.
¡°Ta¨Cda!¡±
Raven held up a tiny ck chip between her fingers
Lyra and Tess exchanged a confused look.
¡°What is that? Stop teasing and just tell
But judging by how rxed Raven looked anesor
¡°Watch.¡±
Raven plugged the chip into theputer & I filled the screen.
¡°I installed a little something in the NEET
Tess stared at the screen. Remote S
¡°Bingo!¡± Raven snapped
¡°These are all the feeds frga mambo ya
bribed is on duty tomorrow. Flutny sit me for
The more she talkien me more alba: 130
Tess thought it ON. I
Haversleppe C
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Chapter 770 Countdown to Henry¡¯s Fall
Chapter 770 Countdown to Henry¡¯s Fall
Lyra frowned, her tone turning serious.
¡°This is exactly what I¡¯ve been busy with these past two days.¡±
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Raven pped her hands. With a quick flick of the mouse, the map on the screen shrank and turned into a 3D building model. Tess narrowed her eyes. She recognized it right away; it was the Hunt Group headquarters.
¡°The security system is mostly on the first floor. I bribed someone and did some digging these past two days. I even snuck in to test things. I¡¯ve got a pretty good idea now.
¡°And¡¡±
Raven dragged out the word on purpose, rubbing her chin with a smug look.
mysel
d what?¡± Tess - ng.
Raven held.
between her fingers like it was treasure.
Lyra and
¡°What
nfused look.
and just tell us,¡± Lyra said, nudging her shoulder.
ed Raven looked, she had probably already handled most of it.
echip into theputer. A window popped up. Then, suddenly, the entire Hunt Group¡¯s live surveince feed
itle something in their system,¡± Raven said with a sly, almost wicked smile.
at the screen. ¡°Remote survilliance?¡±
Raven snapped her fingers. She was clearly excited.
are all the feeds from their control room. I can control their system directly from here. And I already confirmed¨Cthe guy is on duty tomorrow. That makes it even easier for us to get in. I¡¯ll swap out all the footage and cover for you from outside.
more she talked, the more satisfied she looked.
thought it over. It really was a solid n.
Sounds perfect. But how are we getting into Hunt Group at night?¡± Lyra suddenly asked, frowning
Raven pped her thigh. ¡°Come on, use your brain. Why do you think I went through all that trouble to dig up dit on someone and
Pribe him? His name¡¯s Norris He¡¯ll let us in ¡±
She lifted her chin, looking proud of herself.
9:34 am
ppp.
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Chapter 770 Countdown to Henry skat
ait for the right moment.¡± Tess narrowed hrowed her eyes
er strongest weapon against Henry, Notary. Not just his affairs built a private factory, and illegally held atly held people against st of his life behind bars.
Tess let but a quiet, coldugh.
As a woman, she understood. She had been done to
She could understand Kylie.
earlier. Instead, a deep sense of satnd of satisfaction rose in her
they¡¯d done.
on Henry¡¯s face whende when it all fell apart. Would he still act so
er eyes, eyes.
at Tess, sawets, saw the darkness in her eyes, and felt a wave of
ne anyone anything clearly illegal yet.¡±
ole world falls apart, maybe that¡¯s punishment enough,¡± - ar. But that all changed after Nadine came into the house. Henry¡¯s
Henry, she must have lost her judgment a long time g
Chapter 770 Countdown to Henry¡¯s Fall
Tess let out a quiet, coldugh.
As a woman, she understood. She had been there too¨Ccaught up in love, tangled with Finn, and lost her mind for a while
She could understand Kylie.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 771
Chapter 771 Love, Guilt, and Distance
What had a child ever done to deserve this?
Because Henry favored Nadine, Kylie only showed love when she saw how he felt. Since Henry liked Nadine, she treated the adopted girl like her whole world. She spoiled her without limits. At the same time, she hit and scolded her daughter, her face full of dislike.
Tess let out a cold snort.
She could never forgive that.
When she first found out about Henry and Shannon¡¯s secret affair, she had quietly passed hints to Kylie. Again and again. Henry always brushed off Kylie¡¯s concerns with a few smooth words.
After that, Tess stopped expecting anything from her.
If anything, Kylie brought it on herself.
Someone that foolish¨Cif she hadn¡¯t been born into a powerful family¨Cwouldn¡¯t have made it this far.
And as Lyra said, one day Kylie¡¯s faith would fall apart. When that day came, Tess was almost looking forward to it.
¡°Alright, enough about her.¡±
Raven waved a hand and pulled them along. ¡°Didn¡¯t L leave not long ago? He¡¯s back in Aetheris again. Asked me to pick him up. Come with me.¡±
Tess and Lyra looked at each other. They both shook their heads, a little helpless, but still followed her out.
On the way, Raven talked while driving. ¡°Didn¡¯t he use to chase after Tess all the time? He finally got over it and went off ¡®traveling¡® everywhere. Just came back not long ago, stayed a couple of days, then left again.¡±
Tess and Lyra chatted with her from time to time.
¡°Isn¡¯t he nning another world tour?¡± Lyra asked. As a big fan, her voice held a mix of worry andint. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since he¡¯s done anything.¡±
Raven scratched her head. ¡°Hmm, I don¡¯t really know what he¡¯s thinking. If he keeps messing around like this and forgets his basics, Wentworth woulde back from the grave just to
ctri
Chapter 771 Love, Guilt, and Distance
knock some sense into him.¡±
She said it half¨Cjokingly.
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Raven was Wentworth¡¯s student and L¡¯s senior, so no one argued. They justughed along.
After a few jokes, Raven¡¯s smile slowly faded. She pressed her lips together and nced at Tess through the rearview mirror.
Tess noticed. She looked up, and their
¡°Tess,¡± Raven said, for once not joking.
eyes met.
Tess frowned slightly but answered softly, ¡°Yeah?¡±
¡°When Les back this time, can you give him another chance?¡±
Raven sounded a little uneasy, but for that hopeless boy, she still forced herself to ask.
Tess blinked. Her expression barely changed. ¡°Did he ask you to say that?¡±
¡°No,¡± Raven sighed, her shoulders rxing. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±
¡°I went to school overseas when I was a kid. I studied under Professor Wentworth, and I
grew up with L,¡± Raven said, her eyes distant. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him care about someone like this.¡±
She paused, then told them about that night¨Chow L gotpletely drunk at the hotel.
¡°I¡¯ve never seen him lose control like that. Honestly, it felt like he might copse right in front of me.¡±
Even now, remembering it made her uneasy.
Tess felt her heart sink.
¡°Of course, Tess, you don¡¯t need to feel pressured,¡± Raven added quickly, giving her a reassuring look. ¡°Whatever he feels for you¡ that¡¯s his business.¡±
Tess didn¡¯t know what to think. Her brows slowly drew together.
Before she could respond, Raven hesitated, then spoke again.
¡°But¡ I¡¯ve known him my whole life. We grew up together. I do care about him,¡± she said
ctrl
Chapter 771 Love, Guilt, and Distance
quietly. ¡°And you¡¯re my friend too. So, I can¡¯t help but hope you might give him a chance. She gave a small, awkward smile. ¡°I respect how you live your life now. You¡¯re strong. You don¡¯t need anyone. But¡ maybe having someone by your side wouldn¡¯t be so bad.¡±
Raven felt a little guilty at that speech, a little ashamed even.
A true friendship like hers with Tess shouldn¡¯t be burdened with such requests. Yet, for L¡¯s sake, she was about to do just that.
¡°I understand,¡± Tess said softly.
She was always gentler when it came to her friends.
But she still shook her head with a small smile. ¡°Raven, if it were anything else, I¡¯d think it over. But this¡ even I can¡¯t control it. I don¡¯t want to force myself.¡±
She bit her lip, thinking about what Raven had just told her.
¡°L would be amazing¨Cas a friend or someone I share interests with. Even like a younger brother. He¡¯s¡ a great person.¡±
She let out a quiet sigh. ¡°But as a partner, I just can¡¯t.¡±
It was hard for her to fall for anyone again. Not after everything. After she got out, even when she first met Finn, she would still feel nervous. But now, her heart was still. Like a still ocean, without a single ripple. If there had been any reaction at all, it was only when she was around Abel.
And even that, she med on his bold, shameless way of always getting too close.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!
Keepsake 772
Chapter 772 Back in the Same ce
She almost wished she had worn a mask and sunsses.
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After all, over the past few months, she had be quite well¨Cknown in Aetheris. She could only hope that regr people wouldn¡¯t recognize her.
Tess thought to herself, her eyes fixed on the exit. Suddenly, Raven shouted, ¡°There!¡±
She waved her hand high in the air.
L walked toward them, pulling his suitcase. He wore a clean, elegant outfit that matched his image as a pianist.
It hadn¡¯t been long, but he seemed different now¨Ccalmer, moreposed.
Raven pulled Tess and Lyra forward. L tried to stay calm, but when his eyes passed over Tess, he couldn¡¯t help but linger for a moment.
Still, he had improved. Hisshes trembled slightly, then he looked away.
¡°Lyra. Tess.¡±
He nodded at them in greeting.
All three of them noticed the small change.
Ever since Raven introduced L and Lyra, he had called her by name despite being her idol since they were close in age. As for Tess, she was the same age as Lyra.
But Tess didn¡¯t think much of it. Compared to Lyra, she and L were never that close.
¡°Long trip, huh? Let¡¯s get in the car,¡± they said with a smile.
L nodded and followed them with his suitcase. Every move he made was calm and well¨Cmannered.
Tess couldn¡¯t help but wonder¨Cwas this really the same man Raven talked about? The one who got drunk over her?
Lyra noticed all the small changes.
Finally, her idol looked like an idol again.
She sighed to herself, a little helpless, but quickened her steps to keep up.
On the way, the four of them chatted now and then. Most of the talk was about L¡¯s recent ¡°travels.¡±
Lyra also took the chance to ask, ¡°So, when¡¯s your next world tour?¡±
L paused, then shook his head with a small, apologetic smile. ¡°No ns for now.¡±
Lyra felt a bit confused, but she was pleased by the calm and polished way he carried himself.
111
55
Chapter 772 Back in the Same ce
This was the pianist she admired.
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Still, without making it obvious, Lyra tugged lightly on Tess¡¯s sleeve, telling her to notice the change.
L seemed more at ease now. He wasn¡¯t staring at Tess all the time like before.
Everything looked peaceful, but there was still a thin, invisible distance between them.
They kept chatting until the car stopped at Evermount Heights.
¡°I already told Tess¨Cyou cane in and rest for a bit,¡± Raven said.
Tess had gotten out of the car. Seeing L still sitting in the front seat, Raven knocked on the window to remind him.
L hesitated. After a moment, he finally stepped out.
00
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
Keepsake 773
Chapter 773 Confession Gone Wrong
Chapter 773 Confession Gone Wrong
He was about to follow Tess inside. His foot had just stepped forward when Raven blocked him.
¡°I need to talk to you. Come here.¡±
She shot L a look, then texted Tess and Lyra to wait inside.
L frowned but followed her anyway.
They stood outside, with their backs to the window.
Raven looked him up and down, her brow tight.
¡°I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ve given up. So tell me¨Cwhat¡¯s with the act?¡±
She crossed her arms and stared at him.
L pressed his lips together. The calm, elegant front he had been putting on started to crack.
Under Raven¡¯s sharp gaze, he sighed. ¡°Of course I haven¡¯t given up.¡±
Raven wasn¡¯t surprised. She raised a brow. ¡°Then why are you acting like this?¡±
He couldn¡¯t bring himself to speak his mind.
¡°If you won¡¯t say it, I¡¯ll call Tess. You can get lost,¡± Raven said, rolling her eyes.
Raven rolled her eyes, clearly fed up with everything he was doing.
L quickly grabbed her arm and forced a helpless smile.
¡°Fine!¡±
Raven stopped and turned, looking at him like she had all the time in the world.
L couldn¡¯t keep his cool anymore. His face flushed red in seconds.
¡°I went to Kingnd.¡±
¡°Mm.¡±
Chapter 773 Confession Gone Wrong
¡°Kingnd University.¡±
¡°Mm.¡±
¡°I¡ looked into their past.¡±
¡°Mm¡ wait, what?¡±
Raven¡¯s lips twitched. One look at his embarrassed face, and she got it.
¡°So you
think acting cold is what Tess likes?¡±
He didn¡¯t answe
fused eyes said it all: Isn¡¯t it?
¡°Of cours
o hard it almost hurt. She really couldn¡¯t get what was going on in his
nning around all this time, and I thought you might¡¯ve learned something.¡±
a hand to her forehead with a sigh.
n¡¯t you see how Tess treats Finn now? You¡¯re just copying him. Want her to kick you out
aven let out a sharp, amusedugh.
L¡¯s face turned stiff and pale with embarrassment. He looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
¡°Then¡ what should I do?¡±
His shoul - es. ¡°Should I run? Or go inside? And if I go in¡ do
into his hair and groaned out loud.
n fall apart like this, Raven actually looked pleased. - is. That¡¯s the real him.
Confession Gone Wrong
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ree
ng
Jst be
d the tapping on the window came at the same tic time. - e. His whole body went stiff. Slowly, like a windrge ss window, Tess stood inside, smiling at
up toy, he turned his head. abhim.
form.
up his face. His vision almost went nk, and his leg legs gave up.
n could
only thought in his head.
of an eye, they were inside.
ly, it was
s warm and cozy. L sat on the couch, head loweredred not daring to look up. him, Tess looked almost like she was questioning him.um.
ce pull
help a smallugh. Clearing her throat, she said, ¡°Still going itag to keep up the act?¡±
broke him.
with both hands. ¡°Don¡¯t say it!!¡±
ng, silently mocking him.
me be clear.¡±
little at the situation but quicklyposed herself.
ed to me. That probablyes from things you didn¡¯t get growing up p¡ú care and
leaned on me and mistook that feeling for love.¡± She paused, then we won on has to go both ways. It¡¯s something shared. Honestly, I didn¡¯t even reanzelize how muchter.¡±
The had just finished a long, serious speech¨Cand somehow..inairadenost
h such a messy love life would end up giving rtions.
We can still be friends.¡±
way
73 Confession Gone Wrong
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hake her smile warmer. But for Lacithian, it felt like his whole world was was falling
Wasd was standing right in front of him telling him to stop liking her and grand just be
arhis arms around himself without thinkiking sinking into his own private stonn.form
aghough, Raven said, rolling her eyes. She kicked the side of his couch.
ent paini pale. Raven grabbed him and pulled him to his feet.
tothis. this. I¡¯ll take him away.¡± L mighathat still be holding on, but Raven could could
ngs for sifor him at all. Dragging this out would boyly be pointless. Honestly, it was idiculousulous.
started dined dragging him toward the door, she suddenly felt a strong force pull p. Her haird hand slipped. And just like that, he was gone.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia¡¯s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!