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
Henry stood still through it all, his frame standing firm like a trail.He did not move an inch even as Tina's first lash landed viciously, only glancing sideways ever so slightly to see her pale face.Seeing her eyes were red with rage and hate, an inscrutable emotion showed in his eyes.But he never stopped her, allowing Tina to whip him repeatedly as if it did not hurt, letting her vent all she wanted.Madam Barnes stood nearby as well, not intervening.Her heart sank when she saw how vicious Tina's first stroke was, shocked at how Tina could bring herself to hurt Henry now.Madam Barnes knew very well how much Tina loved Henry, and seeing Tina's eyes flaring with rage and hate, not holding back at all, reminded her of when Tina was first brought to this ranch.Tina was always so careful with everyone, and Madam Barnes had told Henry to take good care of her, worried that she would be bullied.Since Henry had always listened to her, he agreed to it.Still, Tina was afraid o
Thud.As the whip dropped to the floor, Tina's knees buckled as she blacked out and fell backward."Tina!"Even as Madam Barnes exclaimed in shock, Henry quickly reached out, not hesitating even as he pulled the muscles on his back as he moved and was struck by another pang of pain.Before Tina collapsed, his long arms wrapped around her waist just in time, and he scooped her up, frowning ever so slightly.Why did she lose weight again?Still, not bothered by the pain in his back or the fact that he was bleeding, he carried Tina to his bedroom, gently placing her on the bed.Soon, Carl Sandler arrived after Madam Barnes sent for him.As soon as he entered, he immediately saw Henry, whose upper body was covered in blood.Pain and worry showed in his eyes, as he had known Henry since Henry was a child."Please sit, sir. Let me tend to your wounds," he said, sitting up."Tend to her," Henry growled, stepping aside to show Carl the unconscious Tina and gestured for him to tend t
Madam Barnes was suddenly behind Henry, glaring at him.At least his conscience was not completely fed to the dogs!Henry pursed his lips and did not answer, while what little emotion he had just shown faded.Clearly, he refused to admit that he felt guilty.However, Madam Barnes was not letting up.Seeing that Henry felt something, she took out her phone and showed him the photos she had her bodyguards take of the Rose Garden basement, holding it out to him and snapping, "Now look what you did to her!"While the rats had long since fled when the door was open, the gruesome bloody marks on the door were a horrific sight for any pair of eyes.Henry's eyes widened, the unease he had just fought off kicking into his chest again.So that was why she was so furious and violent with him. And seeing that there was hope for him yet, Madam Barnes snapped, "Now take good care of her!"With those words, she finally had the ease of mind to return to her room and rest.As the door close
Whether it was letting Tina whip him at the family altar or caring for her so tenderly now, all Henry wanted was for Tina to back down and agree to free Linda.Five years ago, whenever Madam Barnes tried to punish Linda for Tina's sake, Henry would give Tina no more than a look.And because she loved him so much, she could not stop herself from stopping Madam Barnes, saying that she was fine.She could not even bear to put him through an awkward situation—that was how pathetically she loved him."Tina, Linda's just worried about Rory…."As soon as Henry said it, Tina glowered.It was just as she thought!Kicking her blanket off, she pushed herself out of bed despite the pain. "I'll say it again. You won't convince me to let Linda out early.""Tina Smith!" Henry bellowed, grabbing her right hand and starting to pull her back to bed."Don't touch me."Tina shook him off, getting out of bed and glowering as she strode out.Even before she reached the door, Henry's phone rang.
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
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