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
Had Henry considered the possibility that things would go bad, and that something worse might happen?Or perhaps he really did not care at all?With her mind riddled by drugs, she could not hold back her thoughts right then, shouting so hard her voice broke, "You were watching as he drugged me, just because I refused to listen and went on this blind date?! So that he can do what he wants with me?! Is that how you want me to learn?!"Henry stayed silent.Taking it as an admission, Tina felt a coldness creep up from her toes to the rest of her body and pushed Henry off with all her strength.Still, she had to lean against the wall with both hands, but just as Henry was going to pull her away with him, the elevators opened again.Then, a lofty, handsome figure strode down the hallway.It was John Levine, who reached Tina with just a few strides of his long legs. "Are you alright, Ms. Smith?"They had never met ever since she came clean to John at the hospital, and it was not easy
Martin chuckled gleefully. "You can shout yourself hoarse—no one's going to hear you."He had specifically picked this restaurant because it respected their guests' privacy, and the rooms were famously soundproof.A glint of excitement showed in his eyes as he looked downward at the cut on his hand too, surprised that the mild-mannered woman was that wild!But that was exactly it—he liked them wild!The wilder they were, the more thrilling it got!With that, he strode up.Knowing that she was about to lose even her ability to fight and that he was a grown man, Tina kept reaching for the door.Before she could open it, Martin grabbed her hair and pulled, dragging her way from the door.The automatic door shut, just as she managed to open it a little…"Get away from me!" Tina shrieked as she swung the knife at Martin once more, but he was prepared this time, catching her wrist and squeezing.Tina dropped the knife in pain, now defenseless. Martin pulled her into his arms, hol
As for Linda, she was smiling ever slightly as Martin's car sped off into the distance…-Once they were far enough, Tina turned to Martin and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for wasting your time, Mr. Levine, but I didn't want this blind date. You can drop me off at the next subway stop.""Actually, the same goes for me too."Martin chuckled. "Just family duties, I guess. But I guess we could still have dinner together, so that our elders would have something to work with?""Okay." Tina nodded, relaxing at Martin's words.With that, Martin took her to a restaurant, and though they walked side-by-side, there was proper social distancing.Arriving at the room he booked, he chivalrously pulled out a chair for her, asking, "What wine do you prefer, Ms. Smith?""Sorry, I don't drink." Tina smiled, refusing as she was a poor drinker.For his part, Martin did not force her, instead asking a waiter to pop open a red wine for himself while ordering something warm for Tina."Thank yo
Madam Barnes had waited until working hours were over to check on the progress.Still, it took Tina a while to realize who Mr. Levine was—he was her blind date."Is he here?" she asked."Yes." Madam Barns chuckled. "I know you're supposed to meet him at the restaurant, but Mr. Levine said he could pick you up since he's going in the same direction. Go on, don't keep the man waiting."Madam Barnes was quite enthusiastic, clearly pleased about the blind date she had arranged for Tina."Alright, I'll go now," Tina replied, not keen to keep someone waiting.After packing up and heading downstairs, she immediately saw a black Ghost outside the building.It was Henry's car, and he was inside, with the window lowered.Tina just happened to meet Henry's eyes, and Linda saw that. Though briefly surprised to see him looking at her, she pretended to wave at their colleagues to block his gaze."Henry's taking me home now. Bye!"With a sweet smile, she got into the car and leaned toward
Henry's dark gaze seemed to darken further as he saw her earlobes flush so hard that they could bleed.As he looked down, he saw plenty of other parts flushing attractively too.His breathing turning heavy, he turned Tina's face toward himself, holding her chin and kissed her."Mmph!"Tina tried to fight back, shaking her head to avoid his kiss.However, she could not as Henry kept pressing down, and the kiss left her breathless.It was only then that he slowly pulled away.Utterly mad, Tina opened her mouth and bit down dead center of his upper lip as soon as she was freed, all while glaring at him spitefully.Henry let her do so as if it did not hurt him and punished her twice as viciously.Nonetheless, the car drove out of Barnes Ranch and onto the main road. As it was rush hour, there were plenty of other cars around them.Although the windows were tinted and one would not be able to see inside, Tina—still pressed against the window—often found herself meeting the stare
As Tina hurried outside, she immediately saw the black Maybach parked there.It was the car that Madam Barnes had arranged for her, but as she arched her back to enter the backseat, she immediately noticed someone else inside.Her head jerked up as she saw the tall man reclining against the backseat, with half of his face hidden in the darkness.It was Henry, crumpling the unlit cigarette in his left hand and glaring at her dangerously.Tian scowled and paused, and she promptly started to back out. She refused to stay in the same car with him!However, though she responded quickly, Henry was quicker.As soon as she moved, he threw his cigarette aside and reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled.And once he dragged Tina into the car, he pressed the button to lock the door, snapping at the same time, "Drive!"The chauffeur naturally did not dare to disobey the head of the family.Lifting his foot off the brakes at Henry's order, he jammed it down on the gas pedal while rai
Linda sobbed. "I was just so upset, so I threw in some rats to get even for Rory. I just love Rory so much, Henry… That's why I did it."Rory would always be her trump card—Henry loved the child, and he would not hold anything against her just because she said it was for Rory's sake.And seeing that Henry was silent, Linda purred at him again, "I can't sleep, Henry. I can see the snakes whenever I close my eyes… Can you come to the hospital and spend the night with me?""It's late. Get some rest," Henry replied quietly and hung up right then.When Linda said that she kept seeing those snakes when she closed her eyes, Henry remembered that Tina had been locked in the basement for far longer and would not be able to sleep too.-Tina locked the door after Henry left, but as he was family, he could go anywhere he liked, even if it was Madam Barnes' house.A servant brought the keys, and Henry entered.Tina could have slept soundly for a few hours with medication, but Henry woke he
Linda sobbed softly as she told Henry about all the torment she had gone through in that basement, every word undoubtedly invoking Henry's rage.As she continued, she could clearly feel the air around him turning cold.Eventually, Linda buried her face against his chest, her lips curled up in glee.She did say she would get back at Tina when she got out anyway.-Tina was not sleeping at Henry's house in Barnes Ranch for the night, instead sleeping in her own room in Madam Barnes' house.She had a fright, so Madam Barnes had her servants make her soup to calm her nerves and bring some scented candles with a soothing aroma to her room.Tina thought it might work, only for her to see the basement whenever she closed her eyes.Unable to sleep, she took out her sleeping pills from her bag, tossing and turning for a while before eventually dozing off.However, when she almost fell asleep, she was lifted firmly off the bed as Henry's chilling tone rang overhead. "How could you sleep
Since Henry could not tell how great Tina was, Madam Barnes would get someone who loved her and cherished her instead.Walking up to Tina and talking to her hand, she said, "I'll definitely get you a good man."Tina shook her head. "I'm fine, Grandma."Henry was right that she would not go, but it was not because she loved him too much as he believed.She just could not spare the time when she had yet to avenge Sophie.Nonetheless, Madam Barnes sighed as she said earnestly, "I just want someone to be there for you."She certainly had her own motives in trying to get Tina together with Henry.Henry was her dearest grandson, and Tina loved him very much, so she could be at ease since Tina would definitely be good to him.At the same time, she would also like Henry to protect Tina from harm.Now, she understood.As long as Linda was around, she could not count on Henry—she needed to find Tina another man who would be her shelter.Still, Tina leaned on Madam Barnes' shoulder and