A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

"I know this is the only way you will stay with me willingly..." Mark muttered. He held Tina in his arms, gently caressing her head and brushing her long soft black hair with his long and slender fingers, as if he was placating a small animal.

Tina closed her eyes, with a spaced-out look on her face. Evidently, the drugs she had taken was starting to take effect, and the illusions had kicked in. She felt like she was walking on clouds, light as a feather, climbing higher and higher until her mind buzzed with pure joy. She let her body lean against Mark's, without any struggle.

"Tap-tap-tap" There was a knock on the door.

Mark carried Tina to the bed, and laid her down gently, then he bent over and kissed her on the forehead. After tucking her in, he turned to open the door and walked out.

The servant, who was knocking on the door, saw Mark coming out. He whispered to him, "Master Mark, the couple are coming again. They are clamouring for seeing Lady Tina. Should I turn them away as I did before?"

The people he was talking about were Andrew and Debby.

In the past few days, Andrew and Debby came to this house every other day, asking to visit Tina, but each time they were turned away by Mark's people, in accordance with his wishes.

This time, however, Mark changed his mind, as he said, "Let them in."

Andrew and Debby were soon led to Mark's study by the servant. Both of them seemed to be in a nervous state, possibly intimidated by Mark.

When they came in, they saw Mark standing by the window, with his hands behind his back. He cast a glance at them, and sneered, "What on earth do you want to accomplish by coming over to my house?"

"We just want to see our daughter..." Debby muttered. She met his glance and then quickly lowered her head to avoid his eyes.The feeling of guilt overwhelmed her, as she knew that Mark had seen right through her facade.

Mark sniggered and said, "You want to see Tina? Really? What can you do for her? Don't you know that she is ashamed of the both of you? As her biological parents, you've only brought disgrace to her name."

The couple felt heat rising to their cheeks and prayed it wasn't noticeable. Debby tried to explain, "I was pregnant for nearly ten months before I gave birth to her. We love her! Even if she can't understand our love, we still love her..."

"Love?" Mark asked, as he turned around to glance sharply at them. His eyes were like two icy knives, preparing to cut through their pretense, as he said in a cold tone, "Do you even have the right to utter that word?"

From his point of view, no one in the world was fit to mention this word to Tina, except him.

Tina was the apple of his eye, the only one he could never live without.

shocked by the expression in his eyes. Their hearts trembled with fear, rendering them temporarily

their vigilance, he said to them, mockingly, "If you really love Tina, I will give

said with hesitation, "Yes, of course. But, how can we prove ourselves to Tina? You won't even

eyes harbouring hate. "Whatever Tina is suffering now, Emily needs to suffer as well. She must pay for her transgressions," he

was taken aback. She asked in a trembling voice,

her, so now I'm going to give you a chance to prove your love. Surely you would be willing to avenge her, wouldn't you?" Mark asked, presuming it their natural duty as parents

am. But... But it would hurt Emily,"

A rictus grin pulled Mark's thin lips, and he narrowed his gaze and glared at them with bitterness. He raised his voice and angrily denounced, "Have you seen Tina's face? While Tina rots away in a dark corner, Emily

she was still trying to change his mind by saying, "Anyway, she

hurt Tina. She must pay for what she has done," he said. Mark grinned coldly, as his whole face seemed to be covered with a thick rancorous mist, and he continued, "So, you

truth!" Debby rebutted his words and tried to defend herself. However, she could not think of exactly the right thing to

Tina more than Emily, it did not mean that she could hurt Emily without hesitation. After all, she raised Emily as her own child. There was no denying the fact that she had done many hurtful things to Emily in the past, but that was all in the past, she no longer felt

mouth again. "I can't kill her. I can't do it..." she answered,

to kill her. I just want you to get her addicted to drugs, just like Tina," Mark said, as his face was overcast

50 million!

lives. Andrew, who had his head down the entire time, since he walked into the study, suddenly looked up at Mark, a look of unrestrained greed glistening in his eyes.

asked, trying to verify whether he could take Mark's word for it.

them all the more, but he didn't show any of it on his face. Instead, breaking into a smile, he said, "If you agree, I will remit one million first to your

was easily wavered by money, his turbid eyes rolling around, as if

she conducted final struggles against her conscience. "I can't do that..." she

Mr. Tao, we take the job!"

million dollars to Andrew's bank

upstairs and watched the couple slowly disappear into the horizon. "E-mi-ly," Mark called out her name, syllable by

Emily!

behind Tina's woes. How did she manage to get away with everything unscathed? How could she still live in peace while Tina was reduced to subhuman

experience true betrayal at the hands of her most trusted and beloved foster parents.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.