Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 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 accept 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–they still came to see me. It’ll be the same with you.”

She gave Nadine a comforting 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 blanket snugly around her, fussing over her as if she were made of glass.

“Kylie?”

1/3

Suddenly, the hospital room door swung open, and Henry appeared, looking slightly anxious.

He glanced 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 to come 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 played along, his tone sharp with mock indignation. “Why wouldn’t she? You and I both know what Tess is like. She’s always scheming–she’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 slammed hard on the table.

Her eyes blazed 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 it completely.

“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 doing lately. 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 successor. Tess … well, she’s the only one left. She’s young and at just the right age to step in.”

2/3

He explained slowly, laying 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 flaring 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–I can’t just stand by and let her ruin everything, even though Tess is my own daughter.

“Violet’s middle–aged 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.”