The favor that Tina had asked from Madam Barnes was to investigate the attack on Linda and her daughter, though Madam Barnes told Tina that she had already done so.While Tina's number had been used to contact that thug, it had been hijacked—she had an alibi of the login time and location, which proved her innocence.Sam had investigated Linda as well but could not find any evidence against her, as she had never met that man before, and there was no record of any contact between them.And if Madam Barnes could not find anything, that meant that there was nothing to be found.With that evidence, they could at best prove Tina's innocence to Henry—they certainly could not expose Linda's true nature and that she had orchestrated the attack.That was why Tina refused Madam Barnes' suggestion to show Henry the proof and to demand his apology and penitence.To Tina, an apology was pointless—the damage was already done.How much would it be worth anyway?Moreover, Henry cared so little
Tina held zero hope in Henry now.Linda had been banking on his obsession to pin the blame on her, goading him to lock her in that basement and torturing her.While Tina was not about to forget that grudge, she wanted Linda to have a taste of what she had been through, after causing it in the first place!Even if she could not avenge Sophie soon enough, she was not about to take last night's grief lying down."Don't you dare! Henry will definitely get you for this!" Linda kept threatening Tina with Henry nonetheless. "Really?"Tina laughed coolly—she would actually like to see what he would do. "Throw her inside!"At Tina's cold demand, the bodyguards flung Linda into the room without regard for chivalry."Oof!"Linda grimaced in pain as she slammed heavily into the floor, turning and glaring at Tina, surprised that Tina would come good on her threat.But that was all there was to it! What else could Tina do to her?Soon calming down and glaring at Tina in contempt, she c
Linda was so scared that she could die!Gulping, she softened her quivering voice as she tried to reason with Tina.After all, Tina was the biggest softie there was.As long as she could coax Tina into releasing her, she would make Tina pay later!However, Tina was not bothered to entertain her.Tina dropped to a crouch and put on the pair of gloves handed to her by the bodyguards before she took out one of the snakes as Linda looked on in fear.Tina was calm and collected, while Linda was utterly terrified, her eyes wide and her pupils shrinking.Even as she stayed on the ground, she shook her head repeatedly as she murmured, "No, no… Stay away from me!"But even as she screamed, Tina threw the snake at her.After all, Linda must have been the one to throw the rat through the window last night to scare her.Linda and Irene were the best of friends, and Irene would definitely have bragged about it to Linda.The coldness in Tina's eyes grew as she remembered everything she ha
Linda was not getting off easy!"Henry…"Even as Linda called out miserably, the door shut with a clang.At the same time, Tina smirked coolly despite Henry's furious glare, fearless as she asked in return, "Why wouldn't I dare?"Seeing that a conflict was brewing between Henry and Tina, Andy strode up, reasoning quietly, "Ms. Smith, Mr. Barnes made sure you weren't implicated, so don't—""So you're saying that I should thank him?" Tina asked sharply, remembering everything that had happened last night as she did. Andy was clearly telling her that Henry was protecting her by locking her up last night.However, she was completely innocent—why would she need his help?If only Henry had been a little fair between her and Linda, or even trusted her one tiny bit instead of jumping to conclusions that she was to blame, telling the cops would not even be a matter of discussion, just as he would not have tried to coerce her into reflection and apologizing with the one thing she feared
Madam Barnes had clearly rushed to the scene.Tina had asked her to call Henry earlier, so that he left Linda's side, and she could make the grab.Madam Barnes was ready to get even for Tina's sake, and she was delighted when she insisted on doing it herself.After all, Tina loved Henry too much before and tolerated his every whim!However, Madam Barnes quickly realized that something had gone wrong when Henry had never shown up at Barnes Ranch.She promptly told Sam to look for him and discovered that he had really come here instead.And now, Madam Barnes herself strode toward Tina, shielding her protectively."Grandma."Henry lowered his foot and turned toward Madam Barnes.Though he was still glowering in rage, his tone calmed considerably. "You can't tolerate her hurting Linda endlessly just because you like her more—""Do you think I'm you?!"Madam Barnes cut him short bluntly. "I love Tina, but I'm not senile! I've already asked Sam to investigate what happened—yes, th
In the room, Linda could not hide her glee when she heard Henry's determined retort.Still, she flinched as she felt the snakes slithering over her.She really did not want to stay here for another moment longer, and hence cried miserably, "Henry, I'm so scared… Get me out of here…"While she really was scared, she wanted to add insult to injury too.After all, Tina had barely locked her in here for a minute, and Henry was already ready to free her.On the other hand, he did not give a damn even though Tina had been locked up for almost a day.She certainly felt cathartic as she imagined the door opening and Henry carrying her out of her while Tina watched!Tina would never win against her!Outside, Henry told Madam Barnes, "Let Linda go. This has nothing to do with her— I was the one who locked Tina up."That only left Madam Barnes laughing coldly. "No chance—not after you locked up Tina for an entire day for Linda! I'm giving it to you straight—if she isn't locked up just as
Even if Madam Barnes did not see what had happened with her own eyes, she could imagine what Tina had been put through.Henry was taken aback—that was so far back that he had completely forgotten.He had promised Madam Barnes to take care of Tina when she had first arrived, but he never really cared about her.She only got his attention as she started trailing him whenever he wanted, calling his name in that sweet voice of hers, which sounded just like Orange's.And it was because of Orange that he protected her—that was all there is to it.On the other hand, Tina's expression cooled when she saw Henry's shock, and she pulled her hand from his grasp.In the end, he had long forgotten what she guarded so preciously inside her heart.Even if she had always cherished that moment, it was just so insignificant to him.And for a moment, she had no idea what hurt her more—the fact that he never remembered, or the fact that she thought he did and deliberately used that memory to hurt h
Hearing what had happened, the bodyguards looked inside with night vision goggles and opened the door when they ensured that Linda had fainted.They went inside, impassive as they revived her, making sure that she suffered as much as possible.Rinse, and repeat.-Once Madam Barnes returned to Barnes Ranch, she immediately led Henry and Tina to the family altar. "You. Stand right there," she soon snapped at Henry.Henry knew what Madam Barnes wanted and did not argue.He kept his eyes on Tina's pale face as he unbuttoned his coat, taking it off and passing it to Sam.He stood, with his perfect figure accentuated with his white shirt.Madam Barnes herself went to the rack to bring the whip to Tina."Don't hold back. Hit him hard—he deserves it."Madam Barnes was fuming too. Remembering the state she had found Tina in that basement, she wanted to whip Henry violently just so that he would come around.Even if she did not see what had happened, she knew what kind of torment
As soon as Henry heard that Tina was hurt and hospitalized, he got into his car and rushed to the hospital, only to see John touching her upon arrival.However, John had already been furious with Henry when he found Tina in her tragic state.If he had not dumped her at that isolated place, she would not have suffered so much.Hence, John stood up.Henry presumed that he was backing down and released his grip, only for John to suddenly get up and punch him in the face viciously.It came so quickly it caught Henry off guard, and it struck him true.While John was a gentleman, and this was the first time that he had ever punched anyone, he did it so viciously.Henry stumbled backward once before catching his balance and felt blood in his mouth.Still, his face contorted savagely, but as he was about to return the punch, Tina suddenly got out of bed.She knew him too well and scrambled out of bed to stand in front of John.Henry's eyes widened and promptly stopped, his fist just
"Tina!" John cried, grimacing in heartache as he dropped to one knee, wrapping his coat around her before carefully picking her up.However, she was hurting everywhere after the robber kicked her repeatedly.She gasped in pain without knowing as John touched her and could not see where she was hurt under her clothes.She was not loud, but the pain in his eyes showed even more.He gathered her in his arms even more carefully this time, while Ian drove over in his black Maybach.Ian opened the door, and John put Tina in the backseat, barking, "Get us to the hospital!"At his order, Ian floored the gas pedal and sped off.-Much later, John was sitting by a hospital bed, his eyes fixed on Tina, who lay frailly on it.The doctor told him that Tina was bruised all over, clearly having been kicked repeatedly.John's heart clenched at the thought, his pain welling out.That was when Tina woke up and found herself staring at John's dark gaze right away.She was awake but also felt
The robber started fantasizing—once he got rich, he would kick his wife and the three money sinks to the curb and get himself a young pretty face to carry his genes.With that thought, he cheerfully returned to his bike and sped off, not caring about what happened to Tina.She lay on the ground, watching as the last thing she kept of Sophie disappeared from her sight, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Sophie…"In time, her body slowly turned stiff from the cold as she lay on the icy ground.Her tears would dry up quickly, but more would flow soon after.There was no telling how long had passed before she completely passed out.-After getting Henry's call, Andy promptly drove to where Tina was, but she was not there when he arrived.He alighted and yelled, "Ms. Smith!"There was no response, so he returned to his car and called Henry, but the call was cut off right away.After all, Henry had called him to pick Tina up while he sent his people to save Linda. At this time, he m
Furious, the robber lunged at Tina viciously. "You bitch! You asked for this!"Tina was flat on her back and did not have the strength to fight back as the robber charged at her again.She could only curl up to hold onto the necklace containing Sophie's bone."Give it up!" However, the robber was a blue collar worker and very strong.His hands were like pliers that grabbed firmly on her arm as he attempted to unfold her.He did not expect Tina to hold on so tightly that his temple veins were bulging, and he could not even pull her arm off."Fuck! Don't think I can't make you budge!" he swore as he sprang to his feet again. Unable to pull her off, he kicked her repeatedly.He did not hold back, just like how he never held back on beating his wife whenever he got too drunk.In fact, he was furious this time and kicked Tina even harder.However, Tina only curled into herself even tighter amid the pain.Even as she started blacking out, she held onto the necklace containing
Tina was the one who had taken care of Sophie from birth.Since jewelry was cumbersome when taking care of children, she was used to not wearing it even after Sophie's death.At most, she wore a watch to work—hers was not all that valuable, but she took it off even though it was hidden under her sleeve.Having given the robber everything, and seeing that he was still measuring her from head to toe, she said earnestly, "I really have nothing else."She had been very compliant, and the robber believed her and started stuffing everything into the handbag.However, just as he was about to get on his bike, he spotted the necklace around Tina's neck.His face dropping, he hung the handbag on the bike while snarling as he returned to Tina, grabbing her shoulder, "You bitch! You lied to me!"He was a big man and could crush her collarbone right then.Even as Tina shuddered in pain, she did not know what had gotten the robber upset, fighting back her panic as she said, "I've really give
It was a voice that would invoke any man's chivalry."I won't leave!" Henry promised Linda again.Relieved, Linda calmly closed her eyes, her breathing turning rhythmic.Thinking that she was asleep, Henry pulled his hand away…"Henry!"Linda promptly jolted awake, her eyes wide open.However, seeing that Henry was just moving to sit by the bed, she calmly closed her eyes again, this time holding firmly on his shirt to keep him.Nothing would change, even if Henry found out that Tina was not the one who had drugged him five years ago!In his mind, Linda would always be his savior, the woman he loved the most!He would love her like nothing ever happened no matter what she had gone through, and Tina had no right to compete with her!-Meanwhile, Tina continued walking along the eerily silent road after Henry had left her there.She would be lying if she said she was not scared, but she fought her fear and hurried along.It would take several hours to reach the city, but tha
It was a line that reminded Henry of that moment five years ago, and he nodded. "Yeah. I told you I'd never let you get hurt again, Linda."The single line offered Linda assurance, and she threw herself into Henry's arms."Henry…" She sobbed endlessly, at once hysterical and miserable. "You came for me!"Pained, Henry pursed his lips and scooped her up in his arms. "It's alright. I'm taking you home right now.""Yeah," Linda murmured, hugging his neck and pressing her cheek against his chest, shuddering endlessly.She seemed horrified, refusing to leave his embrace.And that was how Henry carried her to his car, quietly telling the chauffeur to head to Rose Garden.It was almost ten when they arrived.As Henry carried Linda inside as well, the maid heard them and came out.Bowing respectfully at the two when she saw them, she said, "Mr. Barnes, Ms. Cook. Rory's asleep.""Good," Henry replied quietly and leaned down to tell Linda tenderly, "We're home, Linda."Linda did not s
Seeing that Henry was stopping to listen, the man's eyes lit up with hope, and he quickly said, "It's the truth, Mr. Barnes—I'm not lying! She really came on to us!"That woman's acting was just too good.If they had not personally been there, even they would have doubted that the same person who came on to them was also the same person who had accused them!"It's the truth, Mr. Barnes!" the other man promptly echoed, his tone earnest as he tried to convince Henry.Regret was twisting their insides to a bunch too, as they did not have evidence—if they did, they would have shown it!They had been feeling gleeful earlier that they were doing it in a place without cameras.And now, they could not even defend themselves!Henry looked at them then.He could see that they were just stopping short of swearing it was the truth, and there was no hint of guilt in their eyes as they looked at him in turn."No!!! Get away from me!!! Please don't touch me!!! Henry!!! Henry!!!"But even as
Henry's eyes were on Tina even as he held his cigarette and answered the phone.Tina ignored him as he had clearly mentioned Linda's name to screw with her, but just as she got up, Henry's face dropped.He dropped his cigarette on her too, and she flinched in pain, losing her balance and falling again.However, Henry was busy assuring Linda endlessly as she screamed in terror on the other end. "Calm down! I'm coming right now—I'll save you! It's alright!"He did not hang up as he continued offering words of comfort, completely ignoring Tina as if she was never there.As soon as he returned to his car, he floored the gas pedal, disappearing into the night."Henry Barnes!" Tina yelled just as she got up, but her voice was drowned out by the roaring engine, and she was left standing as she watched Henry's car disappear from sight.A cold breeze blew just then, and the rustle of leaves echoed on both sides of the road.As Tina shuddered, she picked up her bag from the ground and to