Chapter 12 Another Villian Takes Esther’s Spot?
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Tess stepped forward while holding Layla close, her eyes glistening with tears. “A few days ago, someone falsely accused me of stealing a gold necklace and not returning it. But I swear–I never saw any necklace, let alone took it. Since you’re already investigating what happened on this street, could you also help clear my name?”
The two officers exchanged a look.
Five minutes later, they handed Tess a pen and asked her to write an official statement.
“We’ve received your report,” one officer said. “We’ll conduct a thorough review. If your account proves true, we’ll clear your name of wrongdoing. Any disciplinary action from your employer will also be nullified. We’ll ensure they retract the penalty.”
Esther’s face went pale as she stared at Tess in shock.
In a panic, she blurted out, “Tess, what nonsense are you spouting? So, it was you! All this over the 3,000 dollars I docked? You’ve been holding a grudge this whole time, haven’t you? Well, let me tell you something–I’m not even the one who wanted to take you down. It was-”
Tess asked quietly, “Then tell me. If not you… who set me up?”
But Esther clammed up. Her face was pallid as if she’d almost let slip a dangerous secret.
Tess could see it–pushing for answers now wouldn’t help.
She inhaled deeply, her voice steady. “Ms. Frost, you said you just took 3,000 dollars from me? That’s not just money. That’s the money I’m earning to keep myself and my daughter alive. That’s my blood, sweat, and tears–earned inch by inch from sweeping these streets. And you–targeting someone who works sanitation–what won’t you stoop to? You didn’t end up in this mess because of me. It’s because you were too greedy.”
Esther stood frozen. She couldn’t argue with that.
Soon, she was escorted into a patrol car. The sirens faded into the distance.
“Ms. Ember, that woman is no longer your supervisor,” Jessie said, noticing how pale she seemed. She stepped over to Tess and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “She’s finished. She broke the law, and there’s no way she’s getting her job back.”
“Well done, Tess.” Her coworkers chimed in, followed by several others giving her a thumbs–up.
But Tess didn’t feel triumphant. She only shook her head, her heart still racing. She knew none of this would’ve happened if not for Jessie stepping in.
She didn’t do it for glory; she did it for Layla so that they could survive in Aetheris.
Before parting ways, Jessie smiled. “You’ve done me a big favor, dear. How can I repay you?”
Tess shook her head. “I’ve already received what I wanted.”
Getting Esther punished and getting her money back was enough. In truth, she was the one who owed Jessie thanks for punishing those villains.
But Jessie pressed on. “Are you sure you want to keep cleaning the streets forever with your child in tow? My grandson’s got some pull in Aetheris. Why not let him find you something better?”
“She’s right,” Jessie’s housekeeper added. “Most people would kill for a promise like that.”
Tess turned down the offer politely. “You don’t have to do that. I actually like this job.”
Each morning, as the sun rose, she would sweep the city clean. By dusk, she would watch it light up with life and bustle. The job of a
a street cleaner was grueling, no doubt about that–but now, Tess felt there was nothing more fitting for her.
Only while sweeping–watching the trash slowly vanish and the streets return to spotless order–could she momentarily. forget the shadows of her past.
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Chapter 12 Another Villian Takes Esther’s Spot?
Jessie sighed with regret. “Well then, I suppose we’ll meet again if fate allows, Ms. Ember.”
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As she turned to go, Jessie couldn’t help glancing once more at the baby in Tess’s arms. Such a sweet, beautiful child. She looked so much like Finn when he was little.
Jessie couldn’t help but ask, “Ms. Ember, may I ask where’s the baby’s father?”
Tess looked down at Layla, her heart twisting in pain. “He passed away.” In her heart, he was already dead.
Jessie paused for a long moment, then said softly, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
She left. And Tess, cradling her daughter, quietly picked up her broom and returned to work.
“Tess! Mr. Lock said we’re to give you special treatment from now on!
“You think he cares just because you’re pregnant? Don’t be naive! Finn Lock is the wealthiest man in this city. You think he’d acknowledge a bastard with a convict mother?”
It had gone on and on.
Those words still echoed in her mind. Tess didn’t dare forget a single one.
She bit down on her lip until it bled.
The ambitious, celebrated attorney she once was felt like a lifetime ago.
The next afternoon, Tess carried Layla to the municipal office to speak with Vanessa Payne, the woman in charge of sanitation.
As soon as she stepped into the finance department, Vanessa waved her over.
“Perfect timing, Tess. The city reviewed what happened, and it turns out Esther had no right to dock your pay. Here’s the notice revoking the penalty. If it all looks good, sign here.”
She slid the paper across the table. “Your lost wages will be reimbursed soon, so no worries there. We’ve also reported to the police that Esther falsely accused you. You’re in the clear now, so just keep doing your best. You’re still young; you have a bright future.”
Vanessa’s lips curled in a smirk. She glanced Tess over with an edge of contempt.
A bright future?
A single mother sweeping streets for a living? What a joke! Can someone like her turn the table? What’s next? Will she marry the richest man in Aetheris?”
Vanessa didn’t even try to hide her disdain. They were permanent employees. Tess? She was just a temp–disposable. She could step on her anytime she wanted.
Vanessa said, “Alright. Once you’ve signed, you can go. Make sure you close the door on your way out. Don’t let the heat escape. It’s freezing out.”
She poured herself a steaming cup of tea and sank back into her chair with a lazy grin.
Tess lowered her head. Her hands, cracked and raw from early mornings in the cold,
stung
with
every movement.
Around her, people whispered and stared.”
“She really caused a scene, didn’t she? Mrs. Vale personally went to bat for her.”
“Of course, she’s smug. She’s got Finn Lock’s grandmother backing her.”
“I thought Tess proved her own innocence? She managed to get rid of Esther.”
“Oh, please. You know nothing. Esther had connections. You really think a street cleaner could take her down?”
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Chapter 12 Another Villian Takes Esther’s Spot?
“Who’s backing Esther, then?”
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“No idea, but it’s someone powerful. You could see it in the way she acted this past month, full of arrogance. It was like she’d hit the jackpot.”
“Haha, Tess thinks she’s so clever. Just wait–her bad luck’s only getting started. She really thinks Esther is the only person she has crossed here on South Street?”
Tess held Layla tight and stepped out. The murmurs floated behind her, but she didn’t stop to listen.
She didn’t know how important Jessie truly was–only that she’d never crossed paths with her before. Back when Tess was a force in Aetheris, their worlds had never collided. And now, all Tess wanted was to raise Layla in peace. Therefore, she lacked the interest to find out more.
Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the revocation notice.
She was overjoyed.
With her full month’s wages restored, she and Layla finally had some breathing room.
For once, she’d earned justice through her own efforts.
To Tess, nothing mattered more than Layla.
But just then, a tall, imposing figure suddenly came into view. The sidewalk was wide with plenty of room, but the man marched straight toward her as if on purpose. Tess flinched and dodged aside. When she looked up, she saw him flash a twisted smile.
He sneered, “Tess, we’re not done yet.”
It was the same supervisor she had once stabbed in the neck while fighting him off. He now stood right in front of her, his eyes gleaming with a sinister glint as he stared at her.
The moment she saw him, Tess’s breath caught. The memory of that night–his attempt to violate her–flashed through her mind. A shudder ran down her spine.
Why is Riven here?
Riven seemed to savor the panic rising in her face, eyeing her from trembling from unease.
His smile was slow and poisonous–like a snake flicking its tongue, savoring the fear before the strike.
Then, without another word, he turned and knocked on the office door.
“Ms. Payne, I’m here,” he announced.
“Well, look who it is! Perfect timing, Riven,” Vanessa said in a bright voice. “Now that Esther’s gone, you’re taking her spot. Do a good job, alright? And keep the others in line. These days, it seems like anybody thinks they can file a complaint against their supervisor.”
Moments ago, Vanessa had spoken to Tess with polite calm. Now, her voice was thick with sycophantic praise. Half–hidden behind the office door, her eyes rolled lazily, part mocking, part dismissive.
Riven glanced back,
Tess stood just outside, frozen. Her eyes met theirs, and a chill shot through her.
Esther is gone. Now, Riven is here to take her place. How did things come to this?
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10.42 PM
Chapter 13 Will You Recognize Me, Finn?
Chapter 13 Will You Recognize Me, Finn?
Tess left the municipal office in a daze.
On the way home, her mind kept replaying memories she couldn’t suppress.
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When Layla was just born, she was tiny and wrinkled, weighing barely five pounds. She desperately needed proper nutrition.
But Tess didn’t produce much milk, so she had to eat more to feed Layla.
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Yet her cellmates, who’d bullied her for years, stole her food and left her with scraps and leftovers.
Back then, Layla couldn’t adapt to the prison environment and cried constantly.
She was such a tiny newborn, no bigger than a hand, and those women actually discussed drugging her with sleeping pills just to keep her quiet.
One stormy night, Tess woke up with a jolt and discovered Layla had been stolen from her side.
They had taped Layla’s mouth shut with adhesive tape.
If Tess hadn’t pounced like a madwoman, that tape–wrapped around Layla’s mouth and nose–might’ve taken Layla’s life that night.
All because they were afraid Layla’s crying would attract guards and interrupt their poker game.
What had she done to deserve this?
Why did everyone seem to hate her? Why were she and her child treated so cruelly?
She had already learned her lesson.
Was it really just because she was all alone–without connections and a single mother–that they thought they could trample on her with impunity?
“Did you hear? Riven just replaced Esther.”
When Tess returned to the dorm, the other women were gossiping
“Esther’s job was a goldmine. Every holiday, gifts flowed in, and she never distributed them. No one dared to speak up since she controlled everyone’s work assignments. Everyone wanted that role. How did Riven get so lucky?”
“Esther’s barely gone, and here comes Riven. Didn’t he try something with Tess last time? That poor girl’s life really is tragic.”
“I heard Riven pulled strings for that job,” added another woman, whose husband worked security at the municipal office.
“What kind of strings?” the others asked eagerly.
“They say it’s the richest man in Aetheris–Finn.”
“What? Riven has ties to the wealthiest man in Aetheris? Why would he stay in a low–level job, then?”
“It’s not family ties. Word is, he sweet–talked Finn–just one favor, and boom, Riven’s promoted.”
Across the room, Bessie sat silently, eyes filled with worry.
But Tess didn’t notice.
She couldn’t hear the rest of the gossip.
Her ears rang, and she felt like invisible hands were dragging her into an abyss.
The women’s chatter had already moved on.
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