Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 572

So going to prison means your life is over? Then shouldn't she be dead in some gutter somewhere by now, heartbroken and hopeless?

Tess's expression was cold, even bordering on ruthless.

Raven stood beside her, chin lifted, looking very much like a guardian angel protecting Tess.

She despised emotional manipulation more than anything.

Crying couldn't erase the wrongs you'd committed. And trying to escape punishment by playing the victim was an absolutely shameful tactic.

She scoffed coldly. "The law is righteous. He can't escape it."

Those simple words instantly drained the color from Rachel's face, leaving her in utter despair.

Tess couldn't even be bothered to let her gaze linger on her. Her focus was on Nicholas.

"When you go to prison, I'll have people look after your wife and child. Of course, you could also choose to run away. I'll have Steven send you right back to that factory."

Tess's voice was cool and crisp, cutting through the air.

Nicholas trembled, his mind flashing back to those torturous days at the factory.

He bit his lip. "What do you want me to do?"

"It's simple. Actually, I already told you before."

Tess personally poured a cup of hot tea and pushed it toward Nicholas.

Nicholas followed the movement with his eyes, his fingers twitching but not reaching out to take it.

Tess noticed his reaction and calmly looked away.

"When the time comes, I'll step forward and have you clear things up. All you need to do is explain everything Henry had you do before and how he locked you and your wife in that factory and prevented you from contacting the outside world."

Tess didn't beat around the bush, laying out all her requirements clearly.

Nicholas kept his brow furrowed the entire time. He understood clearly that what Tess was asking him to do was only right.

After all, he'd been the one who aided and abetted in the first place.

"After I agree to do this, will I ... "

He didn't finish the rest of his sentence. Instead, he looked up, his gaze burning as it fixed on Tess.

His heart pounded, his fingers digging tightly into his palms, as if waiting for a verdict.

"When the time comes, I'll request a reduced sentence, but the final decision will still be up to the court."

Tess met Nicholas's gaze, clearly seeing the moment his emotions crashed.

His anxiety had continued until they were dragged to the factory in Aetheris, which was as bright as day even at night. Only then did his heart sink to rock bottom.

That night, he'd been injured from struggling so hard, but Henry, worried he might leak the plan to outsiders, wouldn't allow him to get medical treatment. Even now, his lower back still ached on cold days.

In the factory, he and his wife hadn't been as exhausted as regular workers who had to complete tedious daily tasks.

But it was still like being in prison. All their phones and devices that could connect to the outside world had been confiscated. Even the dormitory they lived in had cameras in every corner, offering no privacy. It was enough to make his wife cry late into the night.

They were trapped in a gilded cage, utterly isolated in the digital age while their child was still out there somewhere, completely beyond their reach.

Living in utter darkness, he'd been filled with hatred.

"Theoretically speaking, yes, but your role in aiding and abetting did cause quite a bit of harm. So you won't get off completely scot-free."

Lyra chose her words carefully.

But Nicholas, thinking of Henry's betrayal, became agitated.

"I can help, but you have to guarantee my wife and child's safety."

Nicholas clenched his jaw.

If he'd known back then that accepting that pocket change would bring him so much trouble and even drag his wife and child into it, he should have grabbed a broom and beaten Henry out the door the moment he showed up.