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
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
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
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
Linda opened her eyes, staring at the door that was tightly shut.Henry had really left her to chase after Tina!-By the time Henry got downstairs, John had already carried Tina into his car and sped off as Henry watched.Henry hurried into his own, and Andy floored the gas pedal to give chase.As Irene rushed to the restaurant, she just happened to see John carrying a drugged Tina into his car.Her eyes turned red in jealousy—that bitch!After all, she was eavesdropping on Madam Barnes and knew that Madam Barnes had arranged a blind date for Tina.But it had to be John Levine, the man she had loved for years!She really wanted to rush at Madam Barnes right then to scream that a slut like Tina did not deserve John! After five years and after Henry had fucked her so many times, even having that bastard with him, how could such a slut deserve John?!However, Irene's mother stopped her, as Madam Barnes was amnesiac.If she told Madam Barnes and caused a stroke, her uncle and H
Moreover, Irene would hate Tina even more after this anyway.-Meanwhile, the Rolls-Royce Ghost started chasing down John's Maybach as soon as a red light turned green.In the backseat, Henry's rage had shot well over the limit, and he ordered icily, "Cut him off."He had lowered his window, and the rage in his eyes could burn all things as he watched Tina in the backseat of the other car.After all, Tina knew she could not control herself, but she followed John anyway!He had locked her up, but they called it even after he let her lock Linda up for several hours, but that was still not enough to satisfy her.Now, she was even using that blind date to annoy him!She had ignored his warning this morning and now ended up drugged. But instead of reflecting, she left with John to piss him off!Was she not worried that he would really dump her for good?!"Yes, Mr. Barnes."At Henry's order, Andy floored the gas pedal to overtake John.John scowled but handily steered off.It
John's eyes widened in clear shock, and Andy seized the moment to pull his hand off Henry.Tina's eyes widened too. It took all her self-control to stop herself from closing her eyes as Henry kissed her.Instead, she turned aside and away from those awfully tempting lips, growling through her teeth, "Get… off me!"Half of Tina's body was still in John's car.Fuelled by rage, she pressed his hand against Henry's muscular chest despite being enfeebled while leaning her body backward to put some distance between them.However, her palm just happened to be on his chest, and she suddenly felt something.Ba-dump, ba-dump…Strong, rhythmic heartbeats pulsed against her palm and sent her nerves in disarray.Every beat was an invitation, but she clenched her knuckle right then, stopping her hands from losing control, even if restraining herself was killing her.However, Henry never budged. In fact, he leaned in again, his cool lips by her ears as he whispered just loud enough for both
Moreover, Tina wanted to annoy Henry.Knowing that his possessiveness was gnawing and he would never abide with another man touching her, she struck him, her spite burgeoning.However, he caught her as she was enfeebled, but she did not care and swung her other hand. He caught her other wrist too, and holding both her hands with a single hand, he pinned her against the door and took off his necktie.Then, tying a dead knot around her hands effortlessly, he finally stopped her.But Tina was not about to let up—even if it was pointless, she was like a porcupine that raised her spikes in clear resistance.Even as Henry's chest heaved, the rage in his eyes flared even clearer, and his hand tightened around her waist, ready to snap her in two.Tina cringed in pain and gritted her teeth as she struggled even harder, shrieking hysterically, "You're a piece of shit!"A raging storm brewed in Henry's eyes, but it calmed considerably as he saw Tina's bipolar reaction.She was doing her
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