Tyler lowered his head, looking as crestfallen as he was stunned.

Meanwhile, Charles scoffed as he glanced over at Toby haughtily. “So, do you still want me to apologize, President Fuller?”

 

The subtext of his question was clear: if he were to be forced to apologize, then he would expose even more startling crimes on Tina’s track record.

Toby understood what was at stake, and he was grim as he returned Charles’ sullen gaze.

Tina, on the other hand, was somewhat terrified as she tugged on Toby’s arm. She forced out a tight smile and said, “Let’s forget about this, Toby. Charles is right; I’ve done so many terrible things to Miss Reed, so it’s only right that we excuse them from making an apology.”

Charles quirked his lips mockingly. “It looks like you guys have given up on an apology from me, so I’m going to take my leave now. The air here reeks of hypocrisy.”

 

As he said this, he flapped his hand in front of his nose as though to fan away some repulsive scent and headed up the stairs.

Seeing this, Rebecca let out a full-body yawn and interjected, “I’m worn out from all the horseback riding. I think I’ll take a nap in my room.”

 

“Well, I’m not staying here if the rest of you are leaving,” Zane concluded as he rose from his seat.

Very soon, Toby and the two others were the only ones remaining in the living room.

Tyler glanced at Toby, then Tina. At last, he grabbed the former by the arm and proceeded to guide him toward the veranda. “Come over here, Toby. I need to talk to you about something.”

When they reached the veranda, Toby drew his arm back and demanded, “What is it?”

“Toby, you know all about what Tina

to call Tina by her given name so affectionately after learning all the terrible things she had

his lips briefly, then

such an affirmation. “So, what are you still doing

is my business, and it doesn’t concern

say, “Listen to me, Toby. You have to

wicked schemes she might be up to next. What if she throws Toby under the bus? Or worse—what if she drags

back and stop butting into my

the door, and her eyes rimmed red as she regarded them

sighed tiredly. “Did you

nodded and hummed

his gaze,

all, she had heard all of his bad-mouthing, and he would inevitably feel embarrassed regardless of how thick-skinned he might be. He let out

called

his tracks and asked icily, “What is it? If you’re looking for an apology, then let’s just say

attempt murder, and it’s not my fault for wanting to

Toby was clearly displeased as he exclaimed his brother’s name, sounding as if he was building up to an

in retort when Tina interjected woefully, “No, Tyler, it isn’t an apology I’m looking for. I just wanted to say that I have, indeed, done

were still behind all those things, weren’t you?” Tyler cut her off bluntly. Then, he added, “There was a time when I thought you were a kind and gentle person, and I was completely fine

said that, he scoffed contemptuously at her and stalked

figure and bit down hard on her lower lip as the storm clouds gathered ominously in

Tyler is trying to tear Toby away from me, too? This is what Charles and Sonia are up to.

shuddered in anger and felt a strong surge of hatred

embrace from behind as he placated, “I’m sorry, Tina.

schooled her features into an expression of empathy, then shook her head. “I don’t

are you scared of?” Toby turned her in his arms and gazed down

head on his chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, then answered in a trembling voice, “I’m scared that Tyler may try to convince you to break up with me. I’m

in his hands, then dipped his head to look at her solemnly as he promised, “I won’t ever leave you. Don’t

before she agreed to go out with him and

and asked,

nodded in

your brother. Surely he would talk to your mother and force you to break up with me. Would

Family, anyway, so it’s not like

in satisfaction and broke into a smile, then nuzzled into his chest

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