As Tina quickly alighted, John followed, holding up an umbrella to keep her dry.Time passed, but it was soon past the agreed time, and Quentin had still yet to show up.Unable to wait, Tina called him—and just as she did, a phone rang in the alley behind her.She did not notice at first, but she realized something was unusual when her call reached voicemail a third time.John noticed it too, and they traded glances before heading into the alley together.Soon, they notice a man lying motionless in a pool of blood nearby.He continued to bleed, dyeing the ground at their feet red.Stunned, Tina stumbled backward, but John caught her with perfect timing.Tina gulped, her hands shaking as she called the number again, and a phone started ringing from the man's body.Tina turned pale, and she scrambled to Quentin's side, dropping to her knees to push him up and shrieking, "No, don't die! Get up! You haven't told me who it was!"This time, John could not catch her and had to hurry
The leading surgeon sighed. "I'm sorry—we've done our best."Tina was left thunderstruck, her knees buckling, and she started to wobble.John caught her, holding her by the shoulder and quietly offering her support."Are you Ms. Smith?" the surgeon then asked."Yes…" Tina's voice was very soft, as if all her strength had left her.The truth was within reach… but the witness was dead!"He wants to see you."Tina looked up right then, pausing for a moment to make sure she heard him right, then scrambled inside the operating room.The nurses had left, and it was just her and Quentin.Rushing to his side, she asked urgently, "Please, sir. I've wired the one million you asked for. Tell me, who was it?"Quentin's gaze was unfocused, but he rasped with his dying breath nonetheless, "It's your rival… Linda Cook…"Tina's eyes widened at the name, as she felt a chill running up from her toes to the rest of her body.And clearly aware that he was on borrowed time, Quentin panted to
Tina had just gotten on a cab when Whitney Barnes called her."There's a luncheon today. Come help out," she said and hung up right after.It was a command—Henry's aunt had always treated her like a servant in the family.Even though Madam Barnes declared that Tina was a daughter of the family after her stepmother passed away, the Barnes never acknowledged that.They therefore did not acknowledge Sophie either, since Henry did not acknowledge Sophie as well, even though Tina and Sophie lived with Henry under one roof for five years.Still, Tina was smirking as she heard Linda over the phone and told the cabbie, "Barnes Ranch."An hour later, the cab stopped outside the private lane leading to Barnes Ranch.The Barnes did not want to be bothered, so they bought every other piece of land around their ranch and denied entry to all public vehicles.After Tina alighted, she had to walk for thirty minutes to reach the main house.As soon as she entered, she saw everyone hovering aro
Henry inhaled sharply, his gaze darkening as he watched Tina.Opposite them, Linda gritted her teeth so hard that they could break.That bitch!"Who told you to sit?!" Whitney snapped at her coldly nonetheless. "Look at the time—get cooking!""Yes, ma'am." Tina slowly got up, releasing Henry's hand but brushing her fingertip down his spine.Feeling the soft touch down his back, Henry stiffened as he inhaled sharply again."I'll help." Linda got up, lying through her teeth.Irene stopped her, however. "No, you don't have to—that's a servant's work, and you're going to be Mrs. Barnes soon. Right, Henry?""Yeah," Henry murmured distractedly, his eyes still on Tina.Tina paused for just a second at the doorway but soon continued forward.Then, Irene started pulling along Linda and Rory. "Come on, let's take a stroll in the gardens."Linda turned to Henry. "Are you coming with us?""No, I have things to do," he replied and headed upstairs.-Meanwhile, Tina soon found herself
Tina had undoubtedly been cold to Henry for a while, and the sudden return of her enthusiasm was too tempting to resist.As he kissed her even more fiercely, the kitchen seemed to heat up…Meanwhile, unable to find Henry, Linda saw the kitchen servant who was supposed to be working outside and remembered that Whitney had sent them away on purpose.And Tina was alone in the kitchen…Her gaze turning sinister right then, she started toward it, her heels clicking in her wake.Seeing that, Irene quickly said, "He's not in the kitchen, Linda."Linda did not respond and continued onward.Henry heard them, and his rationality returned.However, he did not release Tina and kept kissing her, relishing the taste until the footsteps closed in.As he released Tina and took a step back, her knees buckled. She almost fell and had to lean against the worktop.She stared at Henry, who was barely a pace away, looking sharply dressed and refined, unlike her miserable state.As if it was someo
Since no one invited Tina to join them for lunch, she headed to Madam Barnes' garden, tidying the place.There were gardeners for that, but she would come from time to time to look after Madam Barnes' flowers.It was quiet here, as Madam Barnes was recuperating abroad, and the servants only came in the mornings.However, she had just finished trimming some bushes and was about to leave when Linda cut her off.Without anyone else around, Linda dropped all pretenses and snapped at Tina right away, "You're the one who keeps saying you're leaving Henry, but now you're snuggling up to him?! Don't you feel like a wh—"Even before she could finish, Tina slapped her across the face without warning. "You'd better watch your tongue."She glared coldly at her, ready to skin her right then.Linda actually backed down from her glare but soon noticed the pain on her cheek and strode up, ready to slap her back. "How dare you hit me, you bitch—"However, Tina caught her wrist just as she raise
Rory fell into the ice-cold pond, kicking up a large splash.As soon as she did, Linda cried out at the top of her lungs nearby, "Rory! Help! Rory fell into the pond!"She was so loud that all the servants came running, some calling for Henry while others jumped in to save Rory.It had only been half a day since Rory came to Barnes Ranch, and the servants knew that Henry loved Linda's daughter to bits, unlike Tina's daughter, whom they completely ignored whenever she came.Rory had yet to change her last name to Barnes, but they were treating her like the heiress apparent already.Whitney and Irene heard the commotion as well and strode over from the opposite side of the pond, with Whitney wheeling on Tina and snapping "Seize her!"She did not even ask any questions and promptly pinned all blame on Tina, but the servants all promptly did as they were told anyway!Henry soon arrived as well, just as Rory was getting fished out of the pond by the servants.It was deep into winter
Whitney sat and glared coldly at Tina.Tina's face had been an eyesore to her the first they met—she looked too much like that woman!On the other hand, Tina stood motionless, forced to stay silent despite being keen on maintaining her innocence.Among the members of the Barnes family, Whitney despised her the most—it was pointless to reason with her.Tina had expected Henry to at least give her a chance to defend herself too and did not think that he believed Linda and Rory's word at face value, denying her even that.She pursed her lips, fighting back the sense of helplessness inside.There really was nothing she could do against an opponent with so much support.That was when Irene snapped, "My mom told you to kneel!"Glee showed in her eyes, as she despised Tina too.Her mother had been telling her to win over her grandmother when she returned to this manor with her mother. And yet, her grandmother never liked her, instead favoring Tina and siding with her on every occas
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.
Mrs. Fuller had heard rumors of her colleagues doing the same thing, with none being the wiser.So she could not help being interested—and did it.She was supposed to take Mrs. Smith's life right then and there and was surprised by a nurse who came in doing her rounds.Hearing the nurse come in, Mrs. Fuller promptly reattached Mrs. Smith's oxygen tube and hurried off to a corner to look busy. Mrs. Smith had already gone into shock by then, and the nurse immediately noticed that something was wrong.Mrs. Fuller played along, feigning panic when the nurse pressed the call button.Everything went smoothly—even if Mrs. Smith survived, she was in a vegetative state and was no different from dead.Just the thought that she would soon get 500 grand left Mrs. Fuller's hands shaking in excitement. [She's not dead, but she's in a vegetative state. Dr. Sandler even told Ms. Smith to prepare for the worst, so she might be gone before long anyway.]Linda could not help smiling smugly whe
Yancy was himself on the way to the hospital when he called Henry, and his expression was somber as he hung up.Even as he sped toward the hospital, he was left wondering how Mrs. Smith suddenly went into shock, when her condition was clearly stabilizing?She was already weak after a major surgery, and the shock came with terrible timing.If they could not save her in time, she would die.And even if they did, she might remain comatose, staying in a vegetative state.Even as the thought crossed Yancy's mind, he floored the gas pedal again.Every second counted for such medical crises, and just being early by one minute might make all the difference.And Yancy prayed that Mrs. Smith would be fine.-Tina was pale as she stood outside the doors of the emergency room.She and Jimmy were going to take turns taking care of Mrs. Smith, as there was no reason for two people to stay with her at the same time.As such, Tina told Jimmy to go home to rest and come tomorrow so they coul
On the other hand, Linda felt gleeful about it too.Sophie was six feet under but had never once experienced such fatherly love from Henry.It all went to Rory instead.Smart as ever, Rory called out to Linda just then, "Mommy." Linda hurried over as Rory held out a hand while she remained in Henry's arms.Linda quickly grasped Rory's hand and used that as an excuse to move beside Henry, even pressing herself against him.Her spirits soared as she inhaled that mature masculine scent of his.How could she ever let go of his man?No matter what happened, she would never let Henry find out that Tina was Orange.Henry was hers and hers alone!As Linda subtly pressed herself closer to Henry, they looked just like a blissful family of three in the distance.Still, she had to get up when the specialist Henry recruited hurried over, and Henry told Rory to lie down.After the specialists took turns to examine Rory, Henry went with them to the office to speak about her condition in
Hearing that there was evidence, Tina's spirit soared.After countless attempts on her own life and pulling herself together, she told herself repeatedly that she must be patient—that she must not break before she avenged Sophie.That she must never rush things and always be calm, and never let Henry or Linda get to her.However, how could she not get impatient?Linda had murdered her baby, and her hatred for Linda cut deep into her bones.Even in her dreams, she wanted justice for Sophie.But now, knowing that Linda was a fraud all along, Tina could not wait to get her hands on the evidence and rip off Linda's mask of lies as Henry watched!"Where's the evidence, Mom?" Tina pressed urgently.Beside Mrs. Smith's bed, Mrs. Fuller leaned closer when Mrs. Smith said there was evidence.Mrs. Smith's voice was too soft for her to catch, and Jimmy and Tina were both too focused on Mrs. Smith to notice what she was doing anyway.However, just before Mrs. Smith could tell Tina where
Crash!However, just as Mrs. Smith finished, Mrs. Fuller suddenly staggered and knocked over a bedside lamp.It shattered loudly on the floor, drowning out Mrs. Smith's already enfeebled voice."I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Mrs. Fuller apologized repeatedly as she dropped down to pick up the pieces, and no one paid attention to that minor distraction after.Still, Henry missed what Mrs. Smith said and was about to ask what it was when Linda grabbed his arm and caught his attention. "Please, Henry—Tina's mother's surgery was a success. She can wait, but Rory can't."She's really in terrible danger—anything else can wait. Can't you go to Rory now?"Linda's tears poured as she pleaded miserably, as all she wanted was to get Henry away from this place.Once she did, she would use Rory to buy even more time while she came up with a plan.Henry had to agree that Linda was right—there was a priority to things.Mrs. Smith's surgery was a success, and she had already passed her risk period—t