Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 571

Where had he gone?

Steven planned to leave the country after helping Tess this one time, possibly never returning to Crorus again. He'd even given strict orders to his superiors, threatening them that he wouldn't allow her to accompany him as his assistant.

It was all that homewrecker Tess's fault! Why would someone like Steven care about a piece of damaged goods discarded by a money-grubber like Finn?

Jolie's heart filled with resentment and bitterness, blaming Tess entirely for Steven's cold treatment toward her.

"He must be with her!"

She gritted her teeth with absolute certainty.

...

At that moment, Abel and Ken stood face-to-face.

One stood there timidly. The other glanced sideways at the person before him.

To be safe, Tess had specifically arranged for Ken to go with Abel, while Nicholas and his wife would go with Connor and Marc.

Babysit a kid?

Abel felt a headache coming on. He rubbed his temples. "You're staying at a hotel with me, and you better not wander off."

Ken nodded obediently and shyly.

Abel laid out several more requirements that were actually pretty harmless, and Ken continued pressing his lips together and nodding obediently.

Abel immediately lost interest.

This kid wasn't nearly as adorable as Layla.

Though Layla was still young, she was remarkably perceptive. She would just blink those big eyes, taking everything in before she giggled.

"By the way, you've been living at Evermount Heights for quite a while now."

He stroked his chin as he spoke, thinking to himself that even he hadn't stayed at Evermount Heights that long.

It made him a little jealous.

Abel looked Ken up and down, giving himself a pep talk.

"You must know something about her, right?"

Abel suddenly seemed to think of something and leaned in close, his bored and indifferent eyes suddenly brimming with energy again.

Ken stared at the face that had suddenly gotten so close, momentarily stunned, then quickly collected himself and answered honestly. "Ms. Tess likes blue, likes lilies, doesn't like spinach, bell peppers, or garlic, and doesn't like ... "

His eyes lifted as he fell into thought.

Abel quickly sat up straight, murmuring under his breath. "Likes blue, got it. Lilies? I'll buy her some next time. Spinach, bell peppers, garlic ... hmm ... I'm not a fan of those either."

He eagerly memorized the information Ken provided, suddenly feeling that maybe this kid wasn't so useless after all.

She tapped the table with her fingertips at a calm pace. "You ran away last night."

The tone carried not a ripple of emotion, yet Nicholas shivered.

He looked at Tess nervously.

Facing her head-on, standing before her, was far more overwhelming than he'd imagined.

Nicholas couldn't help but feel restless.

He lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I was too much of a coward. I didn't want to go to prison."

His voice grew softer toward the end. Whether from fear or genuine guilt toward Tess, his voice even choked up.

Watching this burly man hang his head and wipe away tears, Tess's brow furrowed, though her expression remained unchanged.

Seeing her husband, who in her mind had always been a pillar of strength, look so vulnerable, Rachel's heart ached terribly.

She looked at Tess pleadingly. "Ms. Tess, I don't know what bad blood 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, not only will it destroy our family, but our son's future will be ruined too."

As she spoke, she tried to reach out and grab the hem of Tess's clothing, but Raven's sharp eyes caught the movement, and she kicked her hand away.

The action clearly stunned Rachel. When she looked up, she couldn't hide the shock in her eyes. "You ... "

Tess showed no reaction to Raven's action, as if tacitly approving it.