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
Linda kept rambling on. "I was just too hurt and said those things in the heat of the moment!"It isn't what I really think—I feel guilty hurting Jimmy, but I had no choice! You know that Rory is my life!"Rory is only seven—her life has just begun! But she was in the terminal stage and had no kidney donor and could die anytime."You know how much my heart hurts seeing her suffering from her illness."I had tried other other options, but I know Tina hates me, which was why they had deliberately denied Rory!"I begged them, only for Tina to humiliate me, making me bow to her in public! I even did it, but they still refused!"What can I do?! I can't just watch Rory die…."Henry did not take her side over her words and snapped coolly, "Even so, you don't get to hurt Jimmy! You know that he has a tournament!""Yes, I do!" Linda nodded. "But if I didn't do it, would you have approached him?! You can be considerate about his dreams, but not me!"I know I'm selfish, ignoring national
All Linda could think about was what Henry was doing there when she saw him there with Jimmy.When did he get there, and how much of her conversation with Tina did he hear?Linda was simply unsure, so she did not speak recklessly, instead quickly adjusted her emotions.As she looked up, she made sure Henry had a clear line of sight of her cheeks—flushed and swollen from Tina's violent slaps.At the same time, tears were quickly welling up in her eyes to evoke Henry's sympathy, while she called out miserably, "Henry…"Her tears rolled out at the same time, a perfect picture of a victim that evoked sympathy.She was used to doing this and knew that it would never fail to dupe Henry.He believed he owed her and could not bear to see her sad.And to no surprise, as soon as Henry saw her shedding tears, he strode up to her.Despite being delighted, Linda made herself look even more aggrieved, as she knew that Tina still could not budge her place in Henry's heart.She just had to c
As Tina kept ranting, she kept slapping Linda like she had lost her mind.And Linda had seen Tina behave like that two years ago, when she had used Sophie's ashes to drive Tina to suicide!Did this mean that Tina's crippling depression had relapsed?Perhaps the slap had left Linda stunned and less sharp-minded, as she could not help feeling thrilled at the thought.She had heard that depression was incurable, and strong trauma would cause a relapse.And once it did, it would be worse than before.Tina had been suicidal two years ago, and even if she did not kill herself with this relapse, she might just go crazy.And if Tina was crazy, Henry would never be with her even if he fell for her.Linda forgot her pain right then and leveled a smug, venomous look at Tina as she gloated sinisterly. "So what if it was me?! What can you do?! Do you have proof?!"You're really angry, aren't you?! Because Jimmy Jones is crippled and in a lot of pain?!"He's always wanted gold, but lost a
"No," the officer replied. "It was an inmate named Zach Foster. The culprit was Foster's acquaintance, and Foster talked him into it."Foster confessed to it when we interrogated him, and he said he wanted revenge because he hated Mr. Jones for not donating his kidney to his daughter. He wanted to hurt Mr. Jones so that he couldn't take part in the tournament and suffer."The motive made sense, and there was a confession, so the case was closed right then.However, just hearing Zach's name mentioned gave Tina an answer—Linda had planned everything.Remembering the things Linda had spat at her back at the hospital, it was clear that Linda wanted Jimmy's kidney no matter what it took because it would make her suffer.As Tina looked at Jimmy's wounded hand after the call ended, she felt her heart tighten, her nails digging into her palm as her knuckles clenched. After calming herself for a while, she said, "Get some rest. I'll visit Mom.""Travel safe," Jimmy told her.Tina nodde
All of Linda's plans had just gone to ruin!A cool voice spoke behind her just then. "Disappointed that it wasn't me?"Hearing that it was Jimmy, Linda almost blurted, "Yes! Very much so!"Fortunately, she bit her lip and stopped herself just in time, subtly taking a deep breath to stop herself from speaking her mind.As she composed herself and adjusted her expression, she noticed that Henry was watching her.And she could not arouse his suspicion, or he might realize that she was behind Jimmy's accident.Instead, she forced a smile as she turned toward Jimmy, exclaiming in a sickly sweet voice, "No way!"I'm really just relieved, and this is naturally the best outcome. Rory's going to be fine, while you and Tina won't feel bad about this…"She then leveled a pointed look at Tina and continued, "After all, I've done Tina wrong regarding Sophie. I can understand why she hates me and doesn't want Rory to grow up healthy…"Jimmy snapped, "Shut up already, two-faced bitch!"He t
Tina looked up, unable to hide her shock.Henry looked downward at her in turn, his tone earnest, "It's true. I won't lie to you—as soon as I was told there's another viable donor, I promptly changed donors."I don't know what you and Jimmy take exception to, but I wouldn't have asked him if I had a choice. It was never my intention to coerce him."His gaze was penetrating, as if to peer through Tina's eyes and into her mind, attempting to understand her behavior.He never wanted Jimmy's kidney from the start—if he did, he would not have told them and afforded them a choice.He continued to search for another viable donor after that and had to coerce Jimmy because circumstances compelled him to."What I said in Jimmy's room wasn't all true." He sighed as he continued, "I'd never hurt you knowingly, let alone Jimmy, who's your good friend."He had said what he said because he knew Jimmy cared about Tina, and that was his only choice if he wanted to make Jimmy sign the organ donat
Grinning smugly, Linda continued, "I murdered your daughter, and not only could you not do anything about that, but even your best friend has to give up his kidney for my daughter! Hurts to think about it, no? But what can you do about it? The more it hurts you, the more it pleases me!"Tina's chest was heaving, but she did not waste her breath—she kicked Linda to the floor and walked over Linda as she lay sprawled on the floor.But just as she went over, the lights turned off—the surgery was over.As the doctor stepped out, Tina grabbed his arm and demanded worriedly, "Where's the donor? Is he alright?""Don't worry—the surgery was a success. Both the donor and patient are fine."Tina sighed in relief, hearing that Jimmy was fine.That was when Henry stepped out, having heard her.Seeing that it really was her, Henry said, "Don't worry, Jimmy is—""Shut up!"However, Tina's hatred flared even though she heard that Jimmy was fine, and she did not even give Henry a chance to fi
Tina mentioned Sophie on purpose to invoke what little humanity Henry had, just to catch him off guard so she could grab the organ donation form and tear it into pieces.However, Henry caught her hand before she could reach it and said quietly, "Sorry, Tina."Before she could pull with her other hand, Henry struck her nape with the side of his palm.Tina's eyes widened in disbelief at Henry, and her vision turned dark as she fell limply in Henry's arms."Henry Barnes!!!" Jimmy bellowed, not expecting Henry to attack Tina."She's fine! Waste more time and Rory dies, and everyone will suffer!" Henry snapped at him as he put Tina on the couch before pulling off Jimmy's blanket and placing it over her.His touch was gentle, but his words sent a chill down the spine, as if his patience toward Tina was built entirely on the basis that Linda and Rory were fine.Otherwise, he would go crazy for their sake.As such, Jimmy followed him out of his hospital room, and Henry sent him to the
Henry appeared troubled as he looked at Tina, and he spoke softly as he assured her, "Calm down—don't worry, I've arranged everything, and the procedure will be safe. Jimmy's going to be fine."Once it's done, I'll compensate him with everything… He can have money and a job, anything. He won't have donated his kidney for nothing."Tina's chest heaved from rage, glaring hatefully at Henry as she pointed at the door and snapped, "Get out! Don't give me that bullshit! Jimmy would never say yes no matter what you tell him!"He did not move, so she pushed him and kicked him. "I told you to leave! Can't you hear?!""Just calm down, Tina," Henry sighed, anxious as another moment's delay meant Rory was in more danger. "We're talking about human life here—can't you just set aside past grudges for now? Rory's really going to die, and she needs Jimmy's kidney. This really can't wait!""What does that have to do with us?!" Tina bellowed and started throwing things at Henry since she was una