Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 551

**Chapter 551: The Perfect Setup**

Henry pressed his fingertips against his temples, a familiar tension building in his mind as he struggled to maintain his composure. “We need to move forward,” he commanded, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Nadine, on the other end of the line, felt a flicker of confusion but quickly masked it with compliance. “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 exclaimed, 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, replaced 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 plans 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 for complicating 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’s large 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 plant 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 she lashed 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 would lash out, mocking her misfortunes with laughter that cut deeper than any physical blow.

People like them didn’t deserve the comfort of a peaceful life.

“Good,” Zane’s voice replied, steady and unyielding. “More individuals will be arriving at the hospital shortly. Just maintain your composure. 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’t come!”

She feigned a nervous demeanor, her body language exuding fragility as if she were a deer caught in headlights.

Nadine shot her an icy glare, impatience etched across her features. “Where’s my mom?” she demanded, her voice sharp.

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 flashing 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 blazing 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 accident. Do you have any idea how much pressure that put on me?”

He glared 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—right 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—like a rich wife without a care in the world.”