But without Henry holding her up, Tina's knees buckled and almost fell.By the time she steadied herself, Jimmy was already losing.Scrambling over, she stopped Henry from hitting Jimmy further, but Henry only stared daggers at her as he spat, "Get off!"Tina refused, but the fact that she was defending Jimmy only left Henry's glare colder.Grabbing Tina by the arm without a word, he shoved her aside, just as a breeze blew in and shut the door of the second bedroom with a bang.Henry naturally did not notice as he strode toward Jimmy.Jimmy was glowering just like him as he tried to stifle his burning chest and saw that Tina had lost her balance and fallen after Henry pushed her."Tina!"His eyes widened, he wanted to rush over to her side, but Henry grabbed his outstretched hand before he could reach her.At the same time, he kicked Jimmy viciously on the shin.As Jimmy's knee buckled, he dropped to one knee.Henry, still holding his hand, started to pull it backward, ready
Irene was stunned by Tina's slap.She was spoiled to bits from the time she was a child and was never scolded, let alone slapped!"How dare you!" Irene shrieked, ready to return the favor.Tina caught her wrist before she could, however, and glared at her murderously in turn. "Insult Sophie again, and I'll rip out your tongue!"The air around her was chilling, and it left Irene petrified, stumbling backward.Naturally, Tina refused to linger for another second longer.Even so, she felt further disenchanted that Henry completely ignored Irene insulting Sophie.Once Tina was gone, Irene was immediately complaining, "Henry, look—"Smack!Henry suddenly slapped Irene across the face, and very viciously at that!Irene was sent stumbling backward, losing her balance and dropping to her knees, even as she gaped at Henry in disbelief. "Henry? What are you doing?!"She was four when her mother took her back to live with the Barnes household. As there were no other daughters around,
At that very moment, Tina could see herself reflected in Henry's eyes.She mustered her courage and walked over, then stamped her feet on the thugs.However, her feet were still numb and she even fell, unable to inflict any damage."You're really useless." Henry chuckled and did the same to the thug who had reached Tina first, castrating him on the spot.Tina thought her heart could leap out of her chest, as she experienced falling in love for the first time.Henry used to be good to her too, but that could well be a secret now.After all, everything changed after Linda showed up.-Back to the present, Tina shut her eyes to quell her messy emotions.When she opened them again, her gaze was calm.Holding herself steady against the wall to get up despite the difficulty, she limped toward the man, stamping him viciously in the crotch.There was a blood-curdling scream, and the man soon collapsed on the ground limply.She did not fall this time, as a hand wrapped around her wa
Tina was basically dangling from Henry, wobbling as she followed.However, the bumpiness churned her stomach, and her pretty face was soon scrunched.In fact, they had just reached the bed when she retched audibly. "Bleurgh!"Henry paused, his face dropping. "Don't you dare—""Argh!"Even before he could finish, Tina vomited all over Henry, extinguishing the fire in his loins instantly.He did not hesitate to fling her onto the bed as if she was trash, leaving her grunting uncomfortably.Still, he sat on the edge, his expression dark as he looked at her vomit-covered clothes, while Tina remained squeaky clean.Red wine was always sweet, but vomit stank.Even as the pungent stench struck his nostrils, he felt sick too.He could strangle Tina right then and there!Unable to bear it for another second, he strode into the bathroom, still glowering as he stepped out thirty minutes later.Changing into the new clothes delivered to the apartment, he slammed the door shut resound
Professor Walls actually found the result disappointing too.He admired Tina's talent, just as he was plenty satisfied with her work in this competition.As such, he tried to console her, "It's just one loss, Tina. It doesn't mean much."However, he simply wasn't aware how important this was for Tina—she could barely keep a lid on her emotions as she asked with a quivering voice, "Did my work come up short?""Of course not!" Professor Walls denied it right then."Then what is the reason I lost?!" Tina cried, her voice shrill in agitation.Professor Walls could only sigh in exasperation."Tina, when you're actually in the business, you'll understand that none of us can fight against money. But don't feel dejected—you will always have my vote, and your future is always bright with your talent."Tina had to fight back her tears, as she was reminded of what she had seen earlier—the organizers flocking around Henry and Linda.Her unease was proven true at that very moment!"So, Li
For Sophie, Tina was willing to go above and beyond, consequences be damned.On the other hand, her father would rather roll out the red carpet for another woman just to marry her.As such, Henry's nonchalance really crushed her hopes.If Sophie couldn't rest in peace because of this…"Shut up!"Henry's visage was cold as steel as he bellowed, "You really can say anything just to marry me, huh?! Sophie is your daughter—and you call yourself her mother, cursing her like that?!""And you call yourself her father?! You're the one who's the problem here! Sophie is dead! My Sophie… She's really dead!"And with that, Tina broke down into sobs, her tears rolling like a string of broken pearls.Even though it had been over a month, her daughter's tragic death still hurt her deeply.Henry bellowed, "That's enough! If you breathe another word—"Suddenly, his outburst stopped, and his words kept stuck in his throat.Even as he stared at her tear-drenched face, his heart sank and he sta
Though Linda's eyes welled up with tears and clearly appeared guilty, Henry scowled.He didn't stop to comfort her, instead growling, "Did you see who was with Sophie?"He was worried that it was a human trafficker—those monsters were really relentless these days."It was a middle-aged woman," Linda replied, her tone uncertain. "She looked like a babysitter, and Sophie was clinging to her happily…""Where did they go?" Henry pressed."There," Linda pointed without hesitation.Henry broke into a run right then—there weren't that many people over there, and he could catch up if he hurried!However, he barely made a few steps when Linda gasped in pain behind her, "Ah!"He promptly paused and turned to see that Linda was hurt—her gown was rolled up just enough to show a gruesome cut on her knee, which was bleeding freely.Henry hurried back to her, helping her up even as she did her best to push herself up.As soon as Linda was on her feet, she pushed Henry while exclaiming anxio
With those words, Henry strode off with Linda in his arms, while Tina leaned on her car, sliding down and buried her head between her legs.She had held a shred of hope even as she returned.Sophie was dead—there was no way Henry could have found her even if she rushed back.With that, he just might believe her and return her rightful victory in the tournament.However, that attitude from him clearly meant there was no hope of turning things around.A hundred grand was worth nothing to the rich, but the average person would never accumulate so much money in such a short period of time.What could she do for her darling Sophie now?-It took a long while for Tina to compose herself and headed into Skymex Tower to get her makeup done.In the hall, the emcee proceeded with the formalities, while Tina and the other contestants waited backstage for the results to be announced.Linda sat at the forefront, dressed in a gown of a famous brand's spring season.She was basically premi
Mrs. Smith was almost dying when Linda got the pendant back.As Linda carefully tucked the pendant away, she turned toward Mrs. Smith, intending on waiting until Mrs. Smith was dead before calling for help.However, she suddenly heard footsteps coming toward them, so she had to give up on that plan.Putting on a distressed look, she cried, "Help! Is there anyone out there?! Someone help this woman!"The people above heard and came running, and Linda burst into hysterical tears when she saw them. "Please, I'm begging you! Get help!"Soon, Mrs. Smith was brought upstairs, while Linda was helped up her wheelchair too.She had sustained some cuts and bruises from the fall and was being wheeled into the hospital when she saw Henry, who was sneaking in to check on Mrs. Smith."Henry!" Linda quickly called out. "You should call Yancy to help this patient. She suddenly fainted and fell down the stairs—I tried to catch her but couldn't."Henry turned and saw Mrs. Smith.His face droppi
Because Mrs. Smith was so beautiful, Linda recognized her.The old woman really was Orange's mother, and that meant the pendant was really Tina's.And Tina was Orange!Linda could not help panicking as the truth settled in her mind, as she had always known that all the privilege she got from Henry that allowed her to live so fearlessly was one thing and one thing only.If Henry were to ever find out that Tina was Orange and not Linda, Henry would start to believe everything Tina said.And Linda would not just lose Henry—she would rest in pieces for everything she did.That was why she must never leave anything to chance, let alone have Henry find out.Being Orange was her protection. Without that halo, she was nothing!As Linda glared at Mrs. Smith murderously right then, Mrs. Smith sharply noticed Linda's hostility.Mrs. Smith backed away, trying to leave, but Linda had no intention to let her get away while still alive.Even as Mrs. Smith retreated, Linda steered her wheelc
Fighting against her injury, Mrs. Smith arched her back to pick the pendant up, holding it and studying it.Soon, she was a hundred percent positive that it was the pendant which Henry had given Tina when he left.When Mrs. Smith was reunited with Tina and mentioned Ice, she had asked Tina where it was, but Tina shook her head and said she had lost her memories and did not know where it was.But why did the pendant show up here and now?Did someone pick it up and drop it here?Who was it?Even as the thought crossed Mrs. Smith's mind, someone snatched it off her hands."Don't dirty my pendant with your filthy hands," Linda snapped, her voice shrill as she glared viciously at Mrs. Smith, despising her as much as she despised Tina.However, Mrs. Smith had quick reflexes and snatched the pendant back just as Linda grabbed it, this time holding firmly on it while glaring at Linda in turn."What are you doing?! Give it back to me!"Furious, Linda reached out to grab it.Mrs. Smit
Mrs. Smith cried, "My daughter was a victim too! She never wanted to sabotage their relationship!"After all, Tina really did not want that to happen, let alone come between Henry and Linda.On top of that, she had paid for that night in pain—and as she was a victim, Mrs. Smith refused to let anyone slander her daughter."Give up already!"However, the gossiper was not letting it rest and kept insisting that Tina was a third-wheeler. "Your daughter definitely saw that the man was rich, so she schemed to get herself into his bed and tried to use the usual baby-trapping scheme!"You should be keeping your head down after what your daughter did! How dare you run your mouth in my face!"Mrs. Smith lost all rationality and wrestled against the gossiper. "I said my daughter isn't a third-wheeler!"However, her health was poor, and the gossiper's three friends were helping her.Soon, Mrs. Smith lost and was shoved painfully to the floor.Her face turned pale as she clutched her chest
It was a sunny day out at the hospital, and Mrs. Smith was feeling great when she woke up.The doctor performed a routine examination, and after having breakfast and taking her medicine, Mrs. Fuller smiled at her. "Why don't we go for a stroll?""Okay." Mrs. Smith did not refuse.As Mrs. Fuller went downstairs with her and they arrived someplace quiet, Mrs. Fuller's phone rang.It was a text message, and Mrs. Fuller soon appeared embarrassed after reading it. "My daughter arrived early. She's at the entrance…""I'm fine. You should hurry—don't make her wait." Mrs. Smith nodded in reply.She was a mother and could understand."Thanks! I'll be right back." Mrs. Fuller smiled gratefully in turn and ran toward the hospital.Mrs. Smith went to sit at a bench with her back to the sun, and took out the book she brought.It was very quiet there, and she could sunbathe while reading as she waited for Mrs. Fuller to return.However, she had barely read a few lines when she heard people
Tina was doing her best to calm down, but her body trembled uncontrollably as she had yet to recover.Jimmy put his hands around hers, helping her take a few sips.As she slowly calmed down, she said, "Can you stay, Jimmy? Let's see Sophie together.""Okay," Jimmy replied mildly and went over to the projector.Soon, Sophie's face appeared on the screen. It was a montage of Sophie's life, starting from the moment she was an infant, fair and pretty, her dark grape-like eyes wide open as she looked around at the world around her in curiosity.She then learned her first steps, always wobbly and falling repeatedly into Tina's arms.And then there was the first time she called Tina 'Mommy'...Tina had not watched those footage of Sophie's life in the days immediately following Sophie's death, because she was afraid she would be overwhelmed.But now, it was her pillar of spiritual support, and she watched it virtually every day.And tonight, she watched it on loop late into the nig
Tina bellowed, "Don't even talk about Sophie! You have no right, Henry Barnes!"At the same time, she pressed a hand over her chest where Sophie's bone was.How devastated would Sophie be, hearing her beloved father repeatedly defend her murderer?Henry sighed. "Tina…""Get out!" Tina bellowed with overflowing spite, cutting him short.Henry could see how obsessed she was and how prickly she got at the very mention of Linda and Sophie.But he could not just ignore this—she would keep doing everything she could to hurt Linda, and in the end destroy herself."You should know very well, Tina, that you won't hurt Linda as long as I'm around."Henry just wanted to make her back off—to stop being obsessed and hurting everyone and herself.But in Tina's mind, he was telling her that no matter what Linda did, no matter how grievous a crime she committed, Henry would always be there to protect Linda.And Linda would always get away with it.Tina had been doing her best to fight back
Tina chuckled coolly. "Heh."Henry was saying that he wanted to start over? That was certainly the worst joke ever."How did you find the audacity to say such a thing?" She scoffed. "Start over? With who, you? Is every other man in the world dead, that I should be with you—an animal who is protecting Sophie's murder?"Every word was filled with bone-cutting hatred.Even if hatred could pass in time, her hatred toward Henry and Linda only grew by the day.As long as she had yet to avenge Sophie, she would never be able to put that hatred to rest.Henry's grip eased as he met Tina's spiteful glare.And she had just worked with Zach, almost forcing Linda into suicide…However, he did not get upset, instead keeping his tone calm as he reasoned sincerely, "I know you can't get over Sophie's death, and you still think that Linda murdered her, and you want Linda dead for it."But can't we just be reasonable? Linda has made a mistake, but she doesn't deserve to die."She has already
John had to be there for this one.Still, Tina asked, "I thought you said it'd at least be two weeks. Don't ruin your work because you're forcing yourself to rush back—I'm fine, don't worry.""No. Things have just gone smoothly, so I'm returning ahead of schedule," John replied, lying so she did not have to worry.How could he not be worried? Upon learning that Zach had suddenly turned against Tina, he wanted nothing less than to fly back right away to be there for her.And Tina argued at those words. "It must be late over there. You should get some sleep."There was a seven-hour time difference, and it should be past midnight over there now."Alright," John replied. "Just remember to call me if anything happens, and keep your phone switched on at all times.""Okay."John kept nagging nonetheless and only hung up after saying 'bon appetit' when the food arrived.Though she did not have an appetite, Tina was famished, and John had ordered from her favorite restaurants, so she