Both Linda and Irene smiled as they brought Stan his presents. Stan was at once on his feet, showing utter respect to Linda. "Thank you, ladies."Linda looked around, as she had expected Henry but did not see him there.And after what had happened with Martin, Irene was even more keen to suck up to Linda, asking Stan without needing Linda to tell her, "Where's Henry?"However, Stan remembered that Henry had left chasing after Tina.He had no idea what madness had overcome Henry—the man used to hate the very mention of Tina, but today, the same thing only got a strange reaction out of him.That was not all either—he even dragged Tina into another clubroom, and there was hardly any disgust or spite that was spoken about in rumors.If anything, he looked like he cared too much…Still, glancing at Linda, Stan decided to cover for Henry."He left to take a phone call," he said and cheerfully changed the subject. "Come, come! Have a drink with this birthday boy!""Okay." Linda did
Irene struggled to get to her feet, but even before she could stand, Tina picked up a bottle of red wine from the table and poured it over her head."Argh!"Irene dropped to the floor again, clutching her head on reflex and hiding her face as she screamed.On the other hand, everyone else in the clubroom could not react in time as Tina had moved so quickly, even pouring the entire bottle over Irene."Touch me. Just try it," she growled. "And don't worry, I'll pay for the red wine."None of the people in this room were anything good.Nonetheless, Stan glowered at Tina for causing such a mess. "That's why Henry doesn't love you.""And you think I care?" Tina scoffed."What are you doing?!" Henry appeared and snapped right then.He was going to smoke in the opposite room to quell the irritation he felt from Tina's cold attitude.He had wanted to use Sophie to keep Tina in line and stop her from hooking up with John, but it was also true that he wanted to see Sophie too.He had
Linda deliberately mentioned what happened five years ago because in Henry's mind, Tina had drugged him precisely to steal him from Linda.That was not all either—Tina had forced Linda to go abroad, subjecting her and Rory to every kind of torment abroad.And it was the chip on Henry's shoulder that he could never shrug off, and the reason why he absolutely loathed Tina.That was why Linda mentioned that—to make Henry remember, and to make him furious.And once Henry was furious, he would not be bothered by Irene working with Martin to drug Tina, and Tina would have to take this loss in silence.How frustrating that would be for Tina, and how delightful it would be for her!And though Linda despised Irene, she always took Irene's side for appearance's sake.It was necessary, as on one hand, she refused to let Tina win in any way.On the other hand, Irene was dumb as a pig, but Linda could wield her like a knife.Even though she had failed to destroy Tina though that blind date
Henry's face contorted in rage as he snarled icily, "Your mom has really spoiled you rotten! Working with a scumbag using a date rape drug?! And not only do you refuse to admit your mistake, but you're still running your mouth here?! Apologize!""I don't need her apology. If she has anything to say, she can tell the cops." Tina snorted, not appreciating Henry's support at all as she savagely whipped out her phone, ready to call the police.Henry watched her coolly but did not stop her, which in turn left Irene panicking.She really did not want to end up in jail—she would not be able to take it!And with Henry being as principled as he was, he would also stop her mother from bailing her out, insisting that she pay for her crimes!However, she could not bring herself to beg Tina either and was left standing there, helplessness overwhelming her.Still, as if by instinct, she turned toward Linda as Linda started toward her.But seeing that Henry was really furious, Linda cursed Ire
Being insulted left Irene even more furious. "Who are you calling stupid?!""You, of course." Tina shrugged. "Why shouldn't I laugh, when you're right there being all sisterly with the one person who watched as you were dragged to hell without doing a thing?"Irene was stumped for a moment, not quite following.The one person who watched as she was dragged to hell?She turned in reflection toward Linda, who at that moment remembered how she did not stop Martin when he dragged Irene into his hotel room.Naturally, she deliberately avoided helping because she wanted to see Irene being destroyed.Still, she soon calmed down and did not let it show.She had long since made some calls to have the security footage of that moment deleted, while John came to take Tina away, and she was drugged.There was no one else there, so Tina must be trying to trick Irene.And having quickly done the math, Linda turned toward Irene with a look of innocence and confusion, shaking her head.Then,
Tina knew that she could not stop Henry anyway—there was no way he could bear seeing his beloved being abused.As she caught her balance, she watched coolly as Henry strode up, grabbing Irene's arm even as she kept slapping Linda, pulling her off firmly. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Stop!"However, Irene was seeing red.Even as Henry pulled her away, she was still hitting Linda with her hands.And when she was pulled well away, she kicked Linda instead. "You bitch! You ruined everything for me! I'll kill you!"Though Henry had quickly separated them, Irene still managed to land a few good kicks.Fueled by inconsolable rage, Irene's strength was explosive—every slap and every kick was a ton worse than what she could usually dish out.Linda's cheeks were left red and swollen, her lips pale in agony while a dull hum filled her ears.She lay miserably on the tea table, unable to get up for a while.On the other hand, as Henry threw Irene on the floor, she went limp as she ha
Irene paled as she met Henry's icy glare and regretted snapping because of Linda and talking about what happened five years ago.Nonetheless, Henry pressed viciously. "Tell me! What happened five years ago?!"Irene cringed involuntarily from fear and broke down in tears.She knew that Henry would be even more furious if she confessed, but she did not dare to hide it either.Sobbing, she said, "There was only one recommendation slot in the jewelry design competition five years ago. Linda told me that Professor Walls admired Tina and was going to recommend her, but if she went, Linda wouldn't have a chance."I wanted Linda to get it, so that Uncle Roger would think more highly of her and approve of her, and even let her marry you… That was why…"Just talking about what happened five years ago left Irene's guts clenching.However, it was not because she regretted hurting Tina, but because she had hurt Tina over Linda, who turned out to be utterly two-faced.It was really not worth
In fact, Tina was not even looking at Henry, as her eyes were locked on Irene.As for Linda, she had been on edge when Irene started spilling the beans, not expecting Irene to talk about what had happened five years ago.Her heart could stop when Irene confessed that she knew that Tina did not drug Henry.But while she thought that Irene knew she was the one who had drugged Henry, Irene finished her story, affording her a sigh of relief.-Five years ago, Henry was passionately in love with Linda, and was there any couple who never made love in that state?And yet, Henry never laid a finger on her.Linda had openly and suggestively tried to seal the deal, but nothing worked.Therefore, on their anniversary, she had someone drug Henry and offer herself as the antidote when the time was right.Even if they did it then, it would not affect Henry's opinion of her at all.With her elaborate scheme in place, she simply waited for Henry until he reached his room, so that she could c
As soon as Henry heard that Tina was hurt and hospitalized, he got into his car and rushed to the hospital, only to see John touching her upon arrival.However, John had already been furious with Henry when he found Tina in her tragic state.If he had not dumped her at that isolated place, she would not have suffered so much.Hence, John stood up.Henry presumed that he was backing down and released his grip, only for John to suddenly get up and punch him in the face viciously.It came so quickly it caught Henry off guard, and it struck him true.While John was a gentleman, and this was the first time that he had ever punched anyone, he did it so viciously.Henry stumbled backward once before catching his balance and felt blood in his mouth.Still, his face contorted savagely, but as he was about to return the punch, Tina suddenly got out of bed.She knew him too well and scrambled out of bed to stand in front of John.Henry's eyes widened and promptly stopped, his fist just
"Tina!" John cried, grimacing in heartache as he dropped to one knee, wrapping his coat around her before carefully picking her up.However, she was hurting everywhere after the robber kicked her repeatedly.She gasped in pain without knowing as John touched her and could not see where she was hurt under her clothes.She was not loud, but the pain in his eyes showed even more.He gathered her in his arms even more carefully this time, while Ian drove over in his black Maybach.Ian opened the door, and John put Tina in the backseat, barking, "Get us to the hospital!"At his order, Ian floored the gas pedal and sped off.-Much later, John was sitting by a hospital bed, his eyes fixed on Tina, who lay frailly on it.The doctor told him that Tina was bruised all over, clearly having been kicked repeatedly.John's heart clenched at the thought, his pain welling out.That was when Tina woke up and found herself staring at John's dark gaze right away.She was awake but also felt
The robber started fantasizing—once he got rich, he would kick his wife and the three money sinks to the curb and get himself a young pretty face to carry his genes.With that thought, he cheerfully returned to his bike and sped off, not caring about what happened to Tina.She lay on the ground, watching as the last thing she kept of Sophie disappeared from her sight, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Sophie…"In time, her body slowly turned stiff from the cold as she lay on the icy ground.Her tears would dry up quickly, but more would flow soon after.There was no telling how long had passed before she completely passed out.-After getting Henry's call, Andy promptly drove to where Tina was, but she was not there when he arrived.He alighted and yelled, "Ms. Smith!"There was no response, so he returned to his car and called Henry, but the call was cut off right away.After all, Henry had called him to pick Tina up while he sent his people to save Linda. At this time, he m
Furious, the robber lunged at Tina viciously. "You bitch! You asked for this!"Tina was flat on her back and did not have the strength to fight back as the robber charged at her again.She could only curl up to hold onto the necklace containing Sophie's bone."Give it up!" However, the robber was a blue collar worker and very strong.His hands were like pliers that grabbed firmly on her arm as he attempted to unfold her.He did not expect Tina to hold on so tightly that his temple veins were bulging, and he could not even pull her arm off."Fuck! Don't think I can't make you budge!" he swore as he sprang to his feet again. Unable to pull her off, he kicked her repeatedly.He did not hold back, just like how he never held back on beating his wife whenever he got too drunk.In fact, he was furious this time and kicked Tina even harder.However, Tina only curled into herself even tighter amid the pain.Even as she started blacking out, she held onto the necklace containing
Tina was the one who had taken care of Sophie from birth.Since jewelry was cumbersome when taking care of children, she was used to not wearing it even after Sophie's death.At most, she wore a watch to work—hers was not all that valuable, but she took it off even though it was hidden under her sleeve.Having given the robber everything, and seeing that he was still measuring her from head to toe, she said earnestly, "I really have nothing else."She had been very compliant, and the robber believed her and started stuffing everything into the handbag.However, just as he was about to get on his bike, he spotted the necklace around Tina's neck.His face dropping, he hung the handbag on the bike while snarling as he returned to Tina, grabbing her shoulder, "You bitch! You lied to me!"He was a big man and could crush her collarbone right then.Even as Tina shuddered in pain, she did not know what had gotten the robber upset, fighting back her panic as she said, "I've really give
It was a voice that would invoke any man's chivalry."I won't leave!" Henry promised Linda again.Relieved, Linda calmly closed her eyes, her breathing turning rhythmic.Thinking that she was asleep, Henry pulled his hand away…"Henry!"Linda promptly jolted awake, her eyes wide open.However, seeing that Henry was just moving to sit by the bed, she calmly closed her eyes again, this time holding firmly on his shirt to keep him.Nothing would change, even if Henry found out that Tina was not the one who had drugged him five years ago!In his mind, Linda would always be his savior, the woman he loved the most!He would love her like nothing ever happened no matter what she had gone through, and Tina had no right to compete with her!-Meanwhile, Tina continued walking along the eerily silent road after Henry had left her there.She would be lying if she said she was not scared, but she fought her fear and hurried along.It would take several hours to reach the city, but tha
It was a line that reminded Henry of that moment five years ago, and he nodded. "Yeah. I told you I'd never let you get hurt again, Linda."The single line offered Linda assurance, and she threw herself into Henry's arms."Henry…" She sobbed endlessly, at once hysterical and miserable. "You came for me!"Pained, Henry pursed his lips and scooped her up in his arms. "It's alright. I'm taking you home right now.""Yeah," Linda murmured, hugging his neck and pressing her cheek against his chest, shuddering endlessly.She seemed horrified, refusing to leave his embrace.And that was how Henry carried her to his car, quietly telling the chauffeur to head to Rose Garden.It was almost ten when they arrived.As Henry carried Linda inside as well, the maid heard them and came out.Bowing respectfully at the two when she saw them, she said, "Mr. Barnes, Ms. Cook. Rory's asleep.""Good," Henry replied quietly and leaned down to tell Linda tenderly, "We're home, Linda."Linda did not s
Seeing that Henry was stopping to listen, the man's eyes lit up with hope, and he quickly said, "It's the truth, Mr. Barnes—I'm not lying! She really came on to us!"That woman's acting was just too good.If they had not personally been there, even they would have doubted that the same person who came on to them was also the same person who had accused them!"It's the truth, Mr. Barnes!" the other man promptly echoed, his tone earnest as he tried to convince Henry.Regret was twisting their insides to a bunch too, as they did not have evidence—if they did, they would have shown it!They had been feeling gleeful earlier that they were doing it in a place without cameras.And now, they could not even defend themselves!Henry looked at them then.He could see that they were just stopping short of swearing it was the truth, and there was no hint of guilt in their eyes as they looked at him in turn."No!!! Get away from me!!! Please don't touch me!!! Henry!!! Henry!!!"But even as
Henry's eyes were on Tina even as he held his cigarette and answered the phone.Tina ignored him as he had clearly mentioned Linda's name to screw with her, but just as she got up, Henry's face dropped.He dropped his cigarette on her too, and she flinched in pain, losing her balance and falling again.However, Henry was busy assuring Linda endlessly as she screamed in terror on the other end. "Calm down! I'm coming right now—I'll save you! It's alright!"He did not hang up as he continued offering words of comfort, completely ignoring Tina as if she was never there.As soon as he returned to his car, he floored the gas pedal, disappearing into the night."Henry Barnes!" Tina yelled just as she got up, but her voice was drowned out by the roaring engine, and she was left standing as she watched Henry's car disappear from sight.A cold breeze blew just then, and the rustle of leaves echoed on both sides of the road.As Tina shuddered, she picked up her bag from the ground and to