CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: TIANA LINDEN, PLEASE DON’T GET MARRIED

"Tiana, you don’t have any pepper spray this time, do you?"

"This time, you can’t blame me."

"It was Daniel and James Linden who sent you here. I told you, sooner or later you’ll be mine."

As Harvey Patton lunged, Tiana Linden was unable to move.

The effect of the obedient potion had long kicked in.

Her hands and feet were bound.

A fat hand landed on her pale ankle.

Her heart was about to stop beating.

The fat hand made Tiana feel nauseous.

She thought Harvey just wanted to possess her body, but Harvey grabbed a leather belt and waved it in front of her.

The belt cut through the air.

The hissing sound pierced Tiana’s eardrums.

Watching Harvey approach her with the belt, she smelled a disturbing odor.

"Harvey, what are you going to do?"

Harvey stood at the bedside, looking at her, "Tiana, do you know how my four wives died?"

Tiana didn’t want to know, "..."

She just wanted to leave this hellish place quickly, to hurry back to Daisy.

Harvey revealed a wicked smile, "They were all disobedient, so I often whipped them. Those four women were all beaten to death by me."

After a pause, Harvey added with a sinister smile, "Oh, right, you all call this domestic abuse."

The belt in his hand was pulled taut by Harvey, turned into a straight line.

"Tiana, I originally planned to use this family law on you after we got married."

"But you’re too naughty."

"Without teaching you a lesson, you won’t understand that women should be obedient in front of men."

Slash!

The belt once again cut through the air.

But this time it struck Tiana’s waist.

A searing pain, like having her muscles and bones extracted!

"Tiana, whenever you beg me for mercy, I’ll stop."

Slash after slash, the belt rose and fell.

Time and again.

"Tiana, aren’t you looking down on me, acting all arrogant?"

"Tiana, beg for mercy!"

"Beg me to sleep with you, and I’ll spare you."

He’s so tall and imposing, yet Tiana still looks down on him.

The more this continued, the more Harvey felt dissatisfied, and the more he wanted Tiana to beg for mercy.

...

Star River Bay, Tranquil Villa.

Daniel and James Linden sat gloomily in front of the tea table.

That tea, Daniel brewed it over and over.

The crisp sound of flowing water seemed to pound heavily against his chest.

He felt guilty about Tiana.

"Dad, once Vivian and Aiden successfully get married, I’ll make it up to Tiana."

James Linden, feeling uneasy at heart, also felt guilty about Tiana.

"Daniel, I’m planning to transfer the villa in The Westside District to Tiana. Hopefully, she won’t blame us."

Thinking back to the past, James once played both father and mother, raising Tiana single-handedly.

Recalling how Tiana used to chatter non-stop around him, it always made him happy to listen.

He also remembered how Tiana stayed by his sickbed for days, barely closing her eyes. His illness healed, yet Tiana fell ill.

But at the thought of Vivian’s upcoming wedding, those memories seemed insignificant.

James Linden consoled himself in his heart, Tiana was the child Wanda Townsend had betrayed him to have with someone else.

He played the role of the fallback guy to raise Tiana to adulthood, and this nurturing kindness should be enough to offset today.

Once Harvey and Tiana complete the deed, Aiden and Vivian’s marriage would no longer encounter any disruptions.

Thinking this way, James Linden felt somewhat relieved.

Bam!

The door to the tea room suite at the club was kicked open.

Rushing in were the furious Aiden Grant and the livid Christopher Grant.

Today, Christopher suddenly received a call from Ms. Hayes at the kindergarten.

Ms. Hayes tried to contact Tiana unsuccessfully for half an hour, then called the police.

The police response wasn’t fast.

Since Ms. Hayes also had Aiden’s contact information, she informed him about Tiana’s situation.

In a critical moment, Aiden and Christopher acted together.

It was then that they rescued Tiana.

The first to rush up was Christopher.

He grabbed Daniel’s collar, angrily questioning:

"Daniel, Vivian is your biological sister, isn’t Tiana too?"

"Tiana lost her mother as soon as she was born, then you all said she wasn’t Uncle Linden’s biological daughter. She suffered so much to give birth to Daisy while in prison, all these years she’s lived so bitterly."

"How could you, as her own brother, bear to send her to Harvey Patton’s bed?"

"Don’t you know what kind of person Harvey Patton is?"

"He beat Tiana with a belt, leaving her covered in injuries."

"You’re sentencing Tiana to death."

"If I hadn’t stumbled upon it by chance..."

Christopher dared not imagine the consequences.

When he and Aiden rescued Tiana, her body was covered with countless whip marks.

The belt smacked her body again and again.

Her legs, arms, and waist were all injured.

Though not life-threatening, it was heartbreaking.

His angry fist struck Daniel Linden’s cheekbone fiercely.

Daniel didn’t fight back.

His eyes were sprayed with pepper spray by Tiana.

Before he could relieve the burning pain, his face had gotten a new wound.

He knew he deserved it.

Touching his sore face, Daniel let out a bitter laugh.

"I’ve let Tiana down."

"But if it weren’t for Tiana clinging to Aiden relentlessly, and Aiden staying indifferent when Tiana slapped Vivian, how could I have done something so inhumane?"

"Tiana is my sister too."

"Do you think I feel good about this?"

Tears slipped down Daniel’s eyes.

He felt ashamed of himself in front of Tiana.

"But I have no other choice. What Aiden’s doing isn’t fair to Vivian."

"I can’t let anything disrupt Vivian’s wedding."

At this moment, James Linden stood up from the tea table, his face clouded, and spoke:

"Christopher, you shouldn’t have interfered in this matter. We originally planned how to make it up to Tiana. We would marry her off to Harvey Patton in a grand manner, ensuring she wouldn’t suffer."

"Uncle Linden." Christopher’s eyes were full of disappointment, "I always thought you were a righteous person. I never imagined you’d be so dark and selfish."

Christopher was too disappointed to speak.

The Uncle Linden he had admired since childhood suddenly became so unfamiliar.

The room fell silent.

A silence so intense it suffocated.

Breaking the silence was Aiden’s voice, brimming with anger.

He looked at the Lindens, his face as cold as ice.

"Did Vivian Linden have any part in today’s events?"

"Don’t drag Vivian into this," Daniel said angrily, "this has nothing to do with her."

Thinking of the grievances Vivian suffered, Daniel accused:

"If your heart hadn’t wavered, would I have had such intentions towards Tiana?"

"Aiden, with the wedding so near, you’re still thinking about your ex-girlfriend."

"Can you face Vivian with that?"

This question required no answer from Aiden.

He said coldly, "Daniel Linden, if I really wanted to call off the wedding, do you think what you did would have any use?"

"You’re calling off the wedding?" James Linden looked on in shock.

Aiden’s response was evasive, "This is your last warning, don’t touch Tiana again. She may have done many wrong things, but you shouldn’t treat her like this."

As he left, Aiden cast a warning glance at the Lindens.

Christopher saw him leaving and quickly followed, "Aiden, do you suspect Vivian Linden was involved in sending Tiana to Harvey Patton’s bed?"

Aiden: "Without evidence, I won’t jump to conclusions."

But he wouldn’t let this matter rest easily.

...

Star River Bay, Harmony Villa.

When Tiana woke up, she found herself in an unfamiliar room.

The wounds on her body felt cool.

Opening her eyes, she saw the cuts and bruises had been treated with ointment.

As she slowly sat up, a familiar female voice reached her ears.

"Do you want some water?"

Looking towards the voice, she saw her once-good friend Jane Summers.

Also Christopher’s wife.

A cup of green orange lemon water was handed to Tiana.

Green orange lemon was Tiana’s favorite flavor.

Jane always remembered.

Tiana recalled many things from their childhood, and her nose tingled with emotion.

"Jane, did you rescue me?"

Jane placed the cup on the bedside table, not smiling at all.

"It was Daisy’s teacher who notified Aiden and Christopher, and also called the police. Although I don’t like Christopher associating with you, in such a situation, I don’t want him to just stand by either."

Tiana understood.

Once again, it was Christopher who helped her.

Recently, because she sought Christopher’s help, Jane had misunderstood.

Tiana felt very apologetic.

She didn’t want to cause any more trouble for the couple.

Just as she was about to get up and leave, Jane Summers gently pressed her shoulder back down.

"Don’t try to be strong. Just look at your injuries."

These injuries were nothing compared to the pain in Tiana’s heart. She said lightly, "It’s nothing, just superficial wounds."

Jane was soft-hearted after all.

Seeing her hurt like this made Jane uncomfortable, "You should rest a bit more. The doctor said you need to drink more water to flush out the medication."

"Here!" Jane handed the water cup to Tiana again.

Tiana drank the water and thanked her but insisted on leaving.

Although the areas on her body that had been hit with the belt were hurting.

They hadn’t injured her bones or tendons.

She got out of bed.

Jane no longer stopped her.

Back then, with what happened between Tiana and Hector Chaucer, Jane felt very disappointed in Tiana.

Plus, Tiana had been in frequent contact with Christopher Grant.

Jane harbored resentment towards Tiana.

Downstairs, Aiden Grant and Christopher Grant coincidentally returned from outside.

The three of them stood in the garden of Harmony Villa, discussing something unknown.

Christopher went upstairs.

Jane looked over.

"Christopher, I’m warning you, be careful of Tiana trying to seduce you again. You’d better keep your distance."

"But if she’s in a critical situation, I still allow you to rescue her. After all, life is at stake."

Jane couldn’t stand Tiana.

But she also couldn’t just sit by and not help.

Christopher gently patted her head, "You, with your sharp tongue but soft heart."

Jane: "Stop flattering me. Just make sure you don’t get too close to Tiana, understand?"

Sighing, with a hatred for wrong, Jane said, "That Daniel Linden is really a bastard, actually sending Tiana to Harvey Patton’s bed. Harvey is a complete scumbag too. I’ll find a chance to teach him a lesson."

Christopher asked, "Jane, do you still care about the sisterly bond between you and Tiana?"

...

Downstairs, in the garden.

Tiana didn’t want to talk to Aiden Grant.

She turned to leave.

Aiden called after her, "Tiana!"

Tiana kept walking forward.

Aiden quickly caught up with her.

With his long legs, he circled in front of her in just a couple of steps, "Are you okay with those injuries?"

Covered by her clothes, Aiden couldn’t see Tiana’s wounds.

But when he and Christopher had saved her, Harvey had whipped her with a belt.

She had multiple external injuries.

The doctor said they weren’t life-threatening and would heal over time.

Aiden was still worried.

This fake concern made Tiana quite disgusted.

Seeing Aiden staring at the exposed part of her arm.

She pulled her sleeve down, "Don’t worry, I won’t die!"

Despite pulling her sleeve down, Aiden still saw the shocking bruises.

Luckily he and Christopher arrived in time.

Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

His gaze lingered on Tiana’s emaciated face.

In his memory, the former Tiana had a round and full face, vibrant and full of spirit.

Now she seemed dry and withered.

"Tiana, don’t marry that Harvey, alright?"

Tiana’s eyes fell on the hydrangeas in the garden.

Hydrangeas were Jane’s favorite flowers.

These flowers were probably planted by Christopher especially to please Jane.

She didn’t spare Aiden a glance, "My affairs have nothing to do with you."

After speaking, she took a step forward.

Yet her slender arm was forcefully grabbed by Aiden.

Frowning deeply, he couldn’t understand.

"Tiana, Harvey is a pervert. After what he did to you today, you still want to marry him?"

"If I don’t marry him, should I marry you?"

"..." His words made Aiden speechless.

Tiana chuckled coldly, "Harvey’s no good, but do you think you’re any better?"

The wounds Harvey inflicted on her were just physical pain.

The damage Aiden caused, however, had the power to destroy her entire life.

No, it was far more than that.

It even ruined Daisy’s life, all thanks to Aiden.

Tiana had already said what needed to be said.

The last time the Linden father and son forced her to get engaged.

She had explained.

With that money, she set up an education fund for Daisy, bought her an ordinary house, and made a comprehensive will.

But Aiden didn’t believe her.

She pushed Aiden’s hand away, unwilling to say a single word to him.

She didn’t want Daisy to have any further entanglement with this man.

Her slender, fragile body turned its back to Aiden and gradually walked away.

As she left, Tiana received a call from Ms. Hayes, "Daisy’s Mom, are you okay? I couldn’t reach you, so I called the police and contacted the emergency contacts you listed."

Even though Aiden and Christopher had informed Ms. Hayes that Tiana was fine.

Without hearing Tiana’s voice, Ms. Hayes was still very worried.

Tiana was extremely grateful, "Thank you, Ms. Hayes!"

...

Star River Bay, The Linden Family, Tranquil Villa.

Tiana went to pick up Daisy.

Seeing James Linden and Daniel Linden, she asked, "Where’s Daisy?"

James and Daniel felt guilty for what they had done to her.

They avoided her gaze.

The response came from James, "Tiana, I’m sorry. Your dad will make it up to you."

Tiana only asked, "Where’s Daisy?"

Daniel said, "I asked Uncle Cameron to take Daisy to the amusement park."

"Daniel Linden, I warn you, don’t go near Daisy again."

Every time Tiana saw Daniel, it was like seeing an enemy.

Every time Tiana saw Daniel, it was like seeing an enemy.

She suppressed her inner pain and hatred, asking, "Are you happy, sending me to Harvey’s bed?"

"Tiana, I’m sorry, I..."

"Tiana, after you marry Harvey, I’ll make it up to you, Dad and I have prepared a generous dowry for you, and..."

Tiana interrupted:

"I’ve already said, I don’t care about a man like Aiden anymore. I have no interest in fighting Vivian Linden over a man."

"But you all insist on putting me in jeopardy again and again because of Aiden and Vivian."

"Since you’re making my life difficult, I won’t let you have it easy either."

"If you provoke me again, I’ll cause a scene at Vivian’s wedding, preventing her from getting married."

Despite saying such harsh words, Tiana was nothing but a paper tiger.

Aiden and Vivian’s wedding was on May 1st.

She wouldn’t even live to see that day.

At this moment, Vivian walked in from outside, "Sister, I’m sorry..."

Tiana glared sharply at Vivian.

Without saying another word, she stepped forward and yanked Vivian’s long hair forcefully.

"Ah, sister, what are you doing..."

"Tiana, have you gone crazy?"

Tiana hadn’t gone crazy.

But she was about to lose it!

Grabbing Vivian’s long hair, she lifted Vivian’s head as if lifting a pig’s head.

Then she repeatedly slammed her head against the wall.

"Tiana, stop."

"Tiana, stop right now."

Daniel and James pulled Tiana away from both sides.

But Tiana, with some inexplicable strength, wouldn’t let go, continuing to smash Vivian’s head with a hollow sound.

Vivian was already screaming and crying from the impact.

Tiana, thinking she was already dying, and that The Linden Family was still bullying her, unleashed her fury.

The sound of banging continued one after another.

With a ripping sound.

During the struggle, Daniel tore Tiana’s sleeve.

Immediately revealing a scarred, skinny arm.

Those were the marks from Harvey’s belt.

Daniel and James released Tiana, looking helplessly at the wounds on her arm.

Just hearing Christopher and Aiden recount Tiana being whipped already pained them deeply.

Now seeing the scars firsthand, Daniel and James felt even more guilt-ridden.

James slapped himself hard: he wasn’t even human, hurting the child he had raised from a young age.

Daniel, although pained for Tiana, seeing her bashing Vivian’s head like a madwoman, continued to step forward to stop her.

As Tiana was pulled away, she raised a vase high and smashed it forcefully onto Daniel’s head.

Daniel silently endured the blow.

He didn’t fight back.

This was his debt to Tiana.

Looking at the blood streaming down Daniel’s forehead, Tiana coldly said, "If you won’t let me have peace, I won’t let you have peace either."