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 Linda vomited, she also coughed out the dirty rag from her mouth, and it landed on herself along with her own vomit."Argh!"But as Linda screamed hysterically, the dirty rag was shoved into her open mouth again, stopping her from yelling or calling for help.Various colors alternated over Linda's face—she could not stand such disgust and retched again.She shook her head repeatedly as well, trying to get the rag out.This time, the woman shoved the rag deep, blocking her vomit completely.Linda was left spasming in misery, almost passing out from sheer disgust, and could die right then!At that point, the pride she carried at the start was completely gone.She leveled a tearful, pleading look at the moment, her tone muffled but clearly apologetic.But it was too late—and on top of that, the damsel in distress trick worked with men but only invoked disgust in other women.And to no surprise, the woman glared at Linda hatefully as she kicked her to the floor, snorting in di
That was when Henry, his eyes ablaze, asked Tina, "Why did you say that at the hospital earlier?"Tina closed her eyes and did not answer.The fact that Henry asked it meant he had already convinced himself that Linda was Orange, and Tina was not.Seeing that Tina was ignoring him, Henry's lips twitched, but he stayed silent.Once they reached the hospital, Tina alighted immediately.Henry did not, instead telling Andy to take him to hospital where Rory was to keep her company.-At the precinct, Linda was led to a cell.Having led a life of privilege, Linda definitely could not stand the environment in there and was frowning as soon as she was in.The air inside was stagnant, and there were many different scents in the mix, and it left her sickened as soon as it hit her nostrils.On top of that, the woman closest to her had a foul body odor, and she immediately snapped in disgust, "Get away from me. Don't you know that you stink?"Over the last two years, Linda had been faw
Linda's eyes lit up at Henry's quiet response—he trusted her.But before she could get all smug about it, Henry continued, "If it really wasn't you, the cops will maintain your innocence once their investigation is complete."When he told Tina that they could not believe Mrs. Fuller entirely to pin the crime on Linda, he did not say it to protect Linda—Mrs. Fuller did not produce solid evidence that proved it was Linda.But he would not stop the cops getting involved, and he would not protect Linda if her guilt was proven.Linda's eyes widened in disbelief. "Henry… You don't believe me?"Henry shook his head. "I believe you. But if it really wasn't you, why would you be worried?"The cops will uncover the truth and prove it wasn't you. And when Tina understands that it wasn't you, she won't get to keep accusing you!"Linda's heart skipped a beat, holding Henry's gaze with a look of grief as she sobbed, "Why would I be worried? I didn't do it! It's not like I'm upset that the cop
Linda wiped her tears and looked at Tina fearlessly. "Yeah! Go on, Tina! You said I'm not Orange, so where's your proof?!"As she was behind Henry, she leveled a contemptuous leer at Tina that basically goaded her to show proof if she could!She really loved it when Tina knew the truth but still could not do a thing about it!So what if Tina was Orange? Henry would never believe her from her words alone, and the only one who had proof could no longer talk.What did Linda have to fear?Still, Henry's question restored Tina's rationality.She could not remember the childhood memories she had of Henry, and now, Linda left her mother a vegetable.That meant she had no way to prove she was Orange.It was only in her frustration that she said Linda was not Orange, because Henry was stubbornly defending Linda.And since there was no proof and Henry obviously would not believe her, there was no reason to keep pressing the issue, or she would just humiliate herself.She had already
Smack!Tina slapped Henry across the face furiously, cutting him short while her chest heaved with rage.He was really blind—Mrs. Fuller had already made herself so clear, and he would still defend Linda!He already mindlessly protected Linda even after she murdered Sophie two years ago, and now, he was still doing the same after Linda almost killed her mother, leaving her a vegetable!To him, Sophie and Mrs. Smith's lives were trivial—only Linda mattered!The more Tina was reminded of Sophie's senseless death and her mother being comatose, the more furious she was!A slap was certainly not enough.Her eyes red, she started punching Henry's body, leaving him frowning and grabbing her wrists to stop her. "Just calm down for now, Tina."Now was not the time to be rash.He had many questions that needed answering."Calm down?!" Tina bellowed. "Linda has already murdered Sophie, and now, she has left my mom a vegetable! And you're telling me to calm down?! My mom must have been b
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.