A storm brewed in Henry's eyes as he stared at John and Tina's interlocked fingers, but John ignored him and turned toward Tina, saying mildly, "It's late. Let's go home."He had deliberately put it that way instead of saying that he was taking Tina's home, leaving Henry glowering even harder, his jealousy barely repressed."Who said you can leave?" he growled.With just a look, his bodyguards strode in Tina and John's way.Tina leveled an icy smile of contempt at Henry in turn. "Who do you think you are, Henry Barnes? Do I need your permission to leave?"Just watching Tina's smugness left Linda's chest heaving.She promptly put on a look of grief, tugging on Henry while sobbing, "Henry, take me to the hospital. I need a checkup—it hurts!"She was clutching her stomach, and with her already pale lips, she really looked like she had sustained internal injuries.Henry's face dropped—if Tina really did inflict internal bleeding…As he could not stay, he promptly picked Linda up f
The rim of Linda's eyes reddened at Henry's words."Henry, I know that I hurt Sophie, but I've lost my legs. And you know how the last two years have been for me, don't you?"But Tina just won't let it rest. It's not like I can't understand that she couldn't get over Sophie's death."I was really happy when I realized that she wasn't dead. I went looking for her to apologize again—I mean, it's been two years, and I hoped she could get over it and start over. But I didn't think…"Did you know how she hurt me in that room? She almost killed me!"I might already be dead if you hadn't made it in time!"And when you look at her, did you see any guilt? She was so pompous about it too! And if I let it slide this time, who knows what she would do to me the next time."Can you really bear to see Tina hurt me like this, over and over again?"Linda's tears poured, and she was dead sure that with these words, Henry would play along and comfort her.After all, he would definitely not hesit
Linda calmed down after returning to her room and taking a bath.She had lost tonight, but only because she had misjudged Tina's condition.But she would be holding a grudge, and there was plenty of time. There was no way she would let Tina off easy.She lay in bed, sending a selfie of herself in her sleeping gown and texting Henry goodnight.Soon after, her phone rang. She promptly answered, thinking it was Henry."Hen—"Before she could even say his name, Tina was snickering in contempt. "I thought you said you'd make me pay?"The rage that Linda had worked hard to repress flared right then. "You bitch! You did it on purpose!"At that moment, Linda finally realized that Tina was setting a trap for her all along, holding back even though she was beating her."So what if I did? What can you do about it?" Tina retorted calmly and provokingly.Beep, beep…She hung up as soon as she was finished, leaving Linda's chest heaving.Two years ago, she always got to provoke Tina wi
Mrs. Smith's heart could not help aching as she remembered how her daughter was when they met again a year later.Worried that she would remind Tina of the pain, she fought her heartache and said, "His name was Henry, but we all called him Ice. He was much colder than that boy over there."He always had a long face and didn't talk to anyone or let anyone get too near him."The boy had kept everyone at arm's reach and always lashed out, after all.As for Tina, she presumed that it was just another person with the same name and kept listening attentively to Mrs. Smith's story. "But with a little sun like you, even colder ice would melt."When he didn't eat, you would keep bringing food that you like to him."No matter how he snapped at you and threw it away, you never took it to heart and would always go to him enthusiastically."My heart ached for you, so I told you to stop going to him."But you told me that Ice must have been hurting, that he was crying."Ice actually never s
"Ice frowned, but he finished the sweet potato."It was only at that moment that I finally understood that he was a good child, and he only lashed out due to the terrible circumstances he found himself in."As Mrs. Smith finished, even Tina could not help smiling as she imagined the scene—she must have really loved Ice, though she had no idea where he was now.They had returned to the ward, where the doctor came in during his rounds, and Mrs. Smith's story was interrupted.After the doctor examined Mrs. Smith, Tina stayed and watched her eat before leaving.She had an appointment with Helen Moore for minor adjustments to the jewelry set she wore on her birthday, and it was a pleasant meeting.After they had lunch together, Tina headed home to finish her draft.But when she was done, she got a text saying that Henry was interfering in Zach's release.She frowned, not expecting that.John had told her that Zach was sentenced for life because he and Henry worked together to prolo
Tina would never go to Henry's house, so she drove straight to his office to see him.It was not her first time going to her company in the five years she was with Henry—the first time she did, she needed medical fees for Sophie.She had called him, and he hung up as soon as she mentioned money.But with bills waiting, she had no choice but to look for him at the office.Rain was pouring that day, and the front desk receptionist stopped her, saying that she did not get to see Henry without an appointment.She had called Henry repeatedly, but no one answered.She sent him a text: [I'm downstairs. I need twenty thousand urgently.]But there was no reply, so she returned to the front desk receptionist and tried to tell her who she was—and after much thought, she said she was Henry's girlfriend.The front desk receptionist laughed. "Girlfriend? Everyone here knows that Ms. Cook is Mr. Barnes' girlfriend. You really can flatter yourself, don't you?"However, Tina was worried about
Henry then told Andy, "Tell Orange Tower to send it here.""Yes, Mr. Barnes," Andy replied and hurried downstairs to personally escort Tina to Henry's office.Before Tina spoke, Henry kept working as he said, "Twenty minutes."Tina scowled but sat on the couch.Twenty minutes later, Andy knocked on the door, then entered with the takeout from Orange Tower and put it on the dining table before leaving.Henry put down his pen, stood up, and told Tina, "Let's talk over some food.""Don't waste my time, Henry Barnes," Tina snapped.Henry said nothing and sat by the dining table, clearly not going to talk unless she ate.Tina went over and sat opposite Henry."Try this," Henry said, passing her a fish cutlet.Tina actually noticed as soon as she reached the table that everything was her favorite—Henry actually made an effort.In those five years, having him eat with her and Sophie was but a pipe dream.But now, she smirked as she met Henry gaze, finding his behavior utterly laug
And when it came to Tina's accusations, all Henry did was take Linda's side."I'll never let him free. He's going to hurt you again," Henry insisted."Why are you talking like you're not the one who hurt me the most?" Tina retorted icily.Henry was left scowling. "What do you want me to do?""Don't meddle with Zach's release," Tina replied, willing to take Henry's so-called amends instead of staying agitated and demanding his and Linda's death like she did two years ago.Seeing that he was silent, Tina snorted, her voice even cooler in contempt. "You want to make amends, no? But you can't even agree to something so simple?"Henry looked at her quietly.Her expression was very calm, and she was not going against him for the heck of it—she really wanted Zach to be released.But why?"Fine," he agreed, since she was determined.Satisfied, Tina turned to leave when her phone rang.As soon as she saw that it was from the hospital, she promptly answered.Mrs. Smith's care worker
As Linda vomited, she also coughed out the dirty rag from her mouth, and it landed on herself along with her own vomit."Argh!"But as Linda screamed hysterically, the dirty rag was shoved into her open mouth again, stopping her from yelling or calling for help.Various colors alternated over Linda's face—she could not stand such disgust and retched again.She shook her head repeatedly as well, trying to get the rag out.This time, the woman shoved the rag deep, blocking her vomit completely.Linda was left spasming in misery, almost passing out from sheer disgust, and could die right then!At that point, the pride she carried at the start was completely gone.She leveled a tearful, pleading look at the moment, her tone muffled but clearly apologetic.But it was too late—and on top of that, the damsel in distress trick worked with men but only invoked disgust in other women.And to no surprise, the woman glared at Linda hatefully as she kicked her to the floor, snorting in di
That was when Henry, his eyes ablaze, asked Tina, "Why did you say that at the hospital earlier?"Tina closed her eyes and did not answer.The fact that Henry asked it meant he had already convinced himself that Linda was Orange, and Tina was not.Seeing that Tina was ignoring him, Henry's lips twitched, but he stayed silent.Once they reached the hospital, Tina alighted immediately.Henry did not, instead telling Andy to take him to hospital where Rory was to keep her company.-At the precinct, Linda was led to a cell.Having led a life of privilege, Linda definitely could not stand the environment in there and was frowning as soon as she was in.The air inside was stagnant, and there were many different scents in the mix, and it left her sickened as soon as it hit her nostrils.On top of that, the woman closest to her had a foul body odor, and she immediately snapped in disgust, "Get away from me. Don't you know that you stink?"Over the last two years, Linda had been faw
Linda's eyes lit up at Henry's quiet response—he trusted her.But before she could get all smug about it, Henry continued, "If it really wasn't you, the cops will maintain your innocence once their investigation is complete."When he told Tina that they could not believe Mrs. Fuller entirely to pin the crime on Linda, he did not say it to protect Linda—Mrs. Fuller did not produce solid evidence that proved it was Linda.But he would not stop the cops getting involved, and he would not protect Linda if her guilt was proven.Linda's eyes widened in disbelief. "Henry… You don't believe me?"Henry shook his head. "I believe you. But if it really wasn't you, why would you be worried?"The cops will uncover the truth and prove it wasn't you. And when Tina understands that it wasn't you, she won't get to keep accusing you!"Linda's heart skipped a beat, holding Henry's gaze with a look of grief as she sobbed, "Why would I be worried? I didn't do it! It's not like I'm upset that the cop
Linda wiped her tears and looked at Tina fearlessly. "Yeah! Go on, Tina! You said I'm not Orange, so where's your proof?!"As she was behind Henry, she leveled a contemptuous leer at Tina that basically goaded her to show proof if she could!She really loved it when Tina knew the truth but still could not do a thing about it!So what if Tina was Orange? Henry would never believe her from her words alone, and the only one who had proof could no longer talk.What did Linda have to fear?Still, Henry's question restored Tina's rationality.She could not remember the childhood memories she had of Henry, and now, Linda left her mother a vegetable.That meant she had no way to prove she was Orange.It was only in her frustration that she said Linda was not Orange, because Henry was stubbornly defending Linda.And since there was no proof and Henry obviously would not believe her, there was no reason to keep pressing the issue, or she would just humiliate herself.She had already
Smack!Tina slapped Henry across the face furiously, cutting him short while her chest heaved with rage.He was really blind—Mrs. Fuller had already made herself so clear, and he would still defend Linda!He already mindlessly protected Linda even after she murdered Sophie two years ago, and now, he was still doing the same after Linda almost killed her mother, leaving her a vegetable!To him, Sophie and Mrs. Smith's lives were trivial—only Linda mattered!The more Tina was reminded of Sophie's senseless death and her mother being comatose, the more furious she was!A slap was certainly not enough.Her eyes red, she started punching Henry's body, leaving him frowning and grabbing her wrists to stop her. "Just calm down for now, Tina."Now was not the time to be rash.He had many questions that needed answering."Calm down?!" Tina bellowed. "Linda has already murdered Sophie, and now, she has left my mom a vegetable! And you're telling me to calm down?! My mom must have been b
Tina glared viciously at Henry, who was pig-brained whenever Linda was concerned. "That pendant was never Linda's! She got it from someone else! You had the wrong person from the start!"If it was not for her mother, Madam Barnes, and Sophie's sake, she would not even bother talking to Henry, as she did not want him to keep protecting Linda mindlessly because he thought she was her savior.Otherwise, he could treat Linda as whoever he thought she was—she would not care!Henry stared at Tina in turn, asking before he knew it, "If Linda isn't Orange, then who is?"That was when Linda suddenly appeared at the doorway, crying out tearfully before Tina could speak, "Tina! What do I have to do for you to stop?!"You paid off Zach Foster to try to turn Henry against me! Now that it has gone south, you're lying to Henry that I'm not Orange! What do you want from me?!"And I'm not Orange, you say? Then who's Orange? You?!"However, Tina's eyes flared with irrational hatred the instant Li
Henry's eyes widened, unable to believe what he was hearing.It was Linda? How could it be so?!On the other hand, Mrs. Fuller could not help cringing from the cold air that seemed to spill from Henry.There was no turning back now that she already betrayed Linda, and she was genuinely terrified of Henry. As such, she decided to turn to Tina, who, between the two, was much more agreeable.She really did not want to end up in prison, and hence started begging, "Please, Ms. Smith—I'll tell you everything I know, just don't call the cops on me."Trust me—I never wanted to hurt your mother… But Linda Cook paid me so much, and I was tricked into doing such a thing."I have a big family with many mouths to feed… they're all hopeless without me. And you're so kind—you're not going to destroy my family, right?"Mrs. Fuller could have spent the money for her son's future, and then assumed a new identity to keep working.But now that she was exposed, she thought she could bank on Tina'
"Argh!!!"Mrs. Fuller could feel her collarbone breaking, and the agony left her face contorting!At that moment, she realized that Tina and Henry might have noticed something.But that should not be possible!She made sure the hallways were clear and even closed the curtains just in case.No one should have known!Still, even as Mrs. Fuller panicked, she told herself to stay calm.That was when Tina pulled out the IV drip needle and got out of bed."Tina!"Henry noticed that right away and turned to hold her down by her shoulder. "Just leave this to me. I'll make sure she suffers."She was too weak now, after all.However, Tina shook his hand off and strode toward Mrs. Fuller.Henry frowned but did not stop her since she was insistent, staying behind her while keeping a close eye on her.Mrs. Fuller was naturally relieved that it was Tina, who was definitely more agreeable between her and Henry.Henry was so scary that just one look made Mrs. Fuller think she was going t
However, Mrs. Fuller soon composed herself and leveled a wounded look at Tina."If you think it's my fault that this happened to Mrs. Smith, then I quit!" she snapped, tears welling up in her eyes as she complained, looking utterly aggrieved. "I believe I've done everything I could to take good care of your mother and have never once slacked. She has been good to me and treated me like her sister."I know that Mrs. Smith had an accident while I was away, and you held it against me. That was my negligence, and I'm sorry because I shouldn't have left her alone."But you can't blame her for going to shock me over one instance of negligence. You have no evidence and yet you still suspect me! You're breaking my heart!"However, Tina's question was just probing at best.There were just too many coincidences—Mrs. Smith first had an accident, and then went into shock in the half hour when she was gone.But it would all make sense if this was all done on purpose.And if it was, then Mrs.