Henry frowned—in other words, they must never mention Sophie around Madam Barnes.Still, his eyes darkened as he glanced sideways at Tina, who clearly sighed in relief.How long was she going to hide Sophie?!Madam Barnes just happened to step out just then and was immediately annoyed. "Glare at Tina again, and I'll take your eyes."She then smacked him on the back for good measure!"Guh!" Henry grunted."You deserved it!" Madam Barnes snorted, though concern showed in her eyes.She was really getting old, already forgetting that she had just flogged him…-Soon, Madam Barnes was happily having seconds at the dining table, as Tina had personally cooked her favorites.They went out for a stroll in the garden after, and there was a sudden downpour.Worried for Madam Barnes' health, Tina took off her jacket and covered Madam Barnes despite the latter's protests.Still, while not one drop of rain reached Madam Barnes when a servant arrived with an umbrella, Tina was soaked thro
When the door opened, Tina was busy showering with her back to it.Still, she promptly turned when she heard the door open and found herself staring into Henry's possessive glare.Her cheeks flushed so hard she could bleed, and she promptly turned, covering herself while snapping in embarrassment, "W-Who told you to come in here?! Get out!"She really had nowhere to run!"This is my bathroom."Henry unbuttoned and rolled up his sleeves, flashing his expensive wrist watch, and leaned against the door as he slowly took it off, putting it aside.At the same time, his eyes were fixed on Tina possessively.Her long black hair was draped over her shoulders, her fair skin seemingly glistening in contrast.Thanks to that special ointment, there were only faint traces of the flogging left on her back, but the sight reminded him of her touch when she had helped him apply it on his own back.His breathing suddenly turning labored, he loosened his neck tie to ease his breathing, while his
However…"I'm no longer interested," Tina said, pressing her hand on his chest to push him away."Heh."Henry chuckled raspily. "Did you think I'm that easy? That you could put the moves on me and push me away whenever you like, hmm?"His large hand held her waist as he nibbled her earlobe, leaving her with a numbing tingle as it was Tina's most sensitive spot.She cringed into herself and felt that he was going to force herself on her.However, with Linda not around, all Tina wanted was for Henry to stay well away from her."Grandma's waiting for me!""She said she's tired after her twenty-hour flight." Henry snorted, cutting her off again. "She should be sleeping by now, so don't bother her."In fact, as Madam Barnes' memories had regressed to five years ago, she would be once again hoping that he would hook up with Linda, completely unaware that they had done it countless times in the memories she lost.Comment by _ Lunaelle: Linda or Tina?"You're not getting away from m
Henry's gaze darkened, his breathing turning labored.Still, he pressed a hand over her lips to silence her while growling over the phone impatiently, "What is it?"As he was not leaving immediately like when Linda had called him before, Tina looked into his eyes dolefully with her own, just as she did countless times before.When she was so tame and tempting, it was a look that Henry could not resist.He frowned, his breathing turning heavy, and suddenly hung up, having no patience to wait another few seconds for Linda to speak.Throwing his phone carelessly aside, he leaned down to kiss Tina viciously again.But as soon as he did, his phone rang again.This time, he ignored it.It stopped ringing eventually but quickly rang again after.By the third time that happened, Tina reached out with her free hand.However, Henry grabbed her hand before she could turn it off, still panting as he took his phone from her and answered it.This time, he had yet to say a word when Linda
Amanda, Nora Spencer's assistant, was on hand to receive the trio when they arrived.She glanced at their work badges and finally turned to Tina, studying her for a moment before saying, "So, you're Tina Smith. Ms. Spencer thinks very highly of you.""Thank you." Tina nodded humbly. "I'll do my best not to let her down."Amanda's scowl remained, and she even snorted. "That can wait until you pass the internship."That was when Linda suddenly said, "You're a coffee person, right? Here, Henry told me to give everyone some. I can get you more if you like it."As she spoke, she took out an exquisitely decorated coffee tin.Amanda had actually missed the part where Linda mentioned Henry, but her eyes lit up when she saw the label.As a coffee lover, she certainly recognized the Barnes Special Brew that even money could not buy, which she had been yearning to have a taste for a while.She had naturally heard that one of the interns was in a relationship with Henry but dismissed it as
Linda followed Tina inside, her smile fading instantly as she glared at Tina viciously.Last night, she had clearly heard Henry's labored breathing—he wanted it and was almost getting it.But in the end, she managed to stop him from getting it on with Tina!Since he would be full off pent-up libido, the simplest teasing should turn them into wolves.That was why she put on her most alluring sleeping gown.Once Henry came with the doctor, who left after making sure that Rory was fine, she pretended to be busy with Rory and accidentally loosened her sash, baring most of her skin before Henry.She was proud of her body—no man could resist it, and Henry should have been pent-up on top of that.However, Henry did not even look as he kept his eyes on Rory, quietly telling her, "Don't catch a cold."Linda had no idea why Henry would not touch her even though he loved her so much.And then there was Tina, who always sent Linda's jealousy flaring.As such, once they were alone, Linda
With those words, Tina put away the magazine, ignoring Linda as she opened the door and left.Linda was left gritting her teeth.Trying to steal Henry from her?! Dream on!Still, she quickly composed herself and headed out with a smile.Glancing at Tina as she used the printer, Linda suddenly asked out loud, "Everyone! Why don't we have dinner together tonight?"Someone asked jokingly, "Are you buying?"Linda smiled and nodded. "Yes, Henry just called, saying that he's inviting everyone to Orange Tower tonight to celebrate my new job. Is everyone here able to make it?""Yes, yes, of course!""We're talking about Orange Tower! I'll go even if hell rains down upon me! The food is extraordinary, and we can have a taste thanks to Linda!"It was both a joke and a statement of fact—Orange Tower was the most famous restaurant in Jadelight and a subsidiary of Barnes Group.Only the rich and powerful got to go there."It's really nothing. Just make sure to order anything you like." L
However, Henry did not distance himself and was clearly waiting for Linda to explain herself.Tina was left smirking—so that was the difference between the loved and unloved.Linda had already admitted to winning by unsavory means, something which Henry despised, but he was still willing to let her defend himself.What about Tina? Linda just needed to say the word, and Henry would find her guilty even without proof.Scenes of the past flashed in Tina's mind just then.If she did not explain herself, she was confessing.If she did, it was sophistry.If she snapped, she was just being crazy.As grief and bitterness welled up within her, Tina's nose turned runny, but it all only came to a cool chuckle. "Heh."Henry heard it and looked up at her, narrowing his eyes dangerously.Tina's smile turned cool, as the answer was obvious—she had lost.She did not linger and returned to Tidal Court.She never hoped for Henry to see Linda's true face with this much anyway, let alone get
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