Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 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–he 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–looking young man, with that lazy, confident air that bordered on cocky. But the moment anyone mentioned Tess, that arrogance vanished, replaced by a quiet sincerity that made people trust him.

After learning about Tess’s past relationship, they had only one thought now–to bring her back to Kingsland 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 glance.

“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 explain 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 to completely take down the Embers and Shannon–how 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 planned it all? And what did they gain from it?

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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 glance from Tess, Lyra got up and opened the door.

Raven stood there in her usual gothic outfit, hands on her hips, glaring 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–like 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–earnest, 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–to 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

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this straight–you 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–mannered and composed, especially when dealing with people face–to-

face.

But in this case, she had to rein herself in–because 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 glanced 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 accepted every word of criticism, his eyes fixed on Tess, whose face was half–hidden behind her friends. There was a flicker in his expression–something unspoken, deep and conflicted.

His genuine attitude made even Lyra and Raven hesitate, unsure what to say next.