FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO-Chapter 197: Stop Trying

The sound of the slap echoed in the quiet hallway, followed by a sharp piercing cry as Tina instinctively brought her hand to her face, feeling the heat radiate from the angry red mark that blossomed on her fair skin.

Dr Ashley and the nurses, who were already retreating to their various stations spun around in astonishment, puzzled by the scene ahead of them.

Some visiting patients from other VIP rooms, who had heard Tina's sharp cry came out to see what was happening.

"Granny, isn't that the woman with the strong perfume that almost made you choke outside the elevator." A man dressed in truck driver uniform and standing outside VIP room seven asked, beckoning on someone inside the room.

The old woman from earlier peeked through the partially opened door, holding her inhaler firmly in her hand. "Yes, she is the very same one. Was she the one screaming?"

"I guess so." The man replied, grinning in satisfaction.

Hilary and Judith, who were temporarily frozen by Maria's anticipated outburst hurried over to Maria to stop her from striking Tina a second time.

"Do I look like your mother?" Maria lashed out angrily between clenched jaw as Tina covered her face with both hands crying wolf to attract more attention. "Are you too blind or stupid to know who gave birth to you? Or are you simply trying to get on my nerves? Answer me?"

Maria raised her hand, ready to strike Tina again but Judith and her husband quickly intervened while the doctor and nurses hurried down to help out.

"Mrs Anderson, please, forgive her. She made a mistake. She didn't mean to offend you." Judith said pleadingly, while her husband tried to pull Tina away from the enraged mother.

But Tina had other plans up her sleeve and was not ready to be carried away without actualizing her goal for the day.

"What did I do wrong?" Her broken and quivering voice reverberated in the hallway, earning her compassionate stares from the little crowded gathering in both directions.

"All I did was call my best friend's husband to inform him that his wife was unwell. Is it a crime to care? Is this what I get in return for my help?"

"You still have the mouth to talk right?" Maria struggled to break free from Judith while wagging her four finger at Tina.

"Honey..." Judith eyed her husband while trying to placate Maria.

"Tina, please, just come with me. Don't make things worse for yourself." Hilary begged, trying to pull Tina away, but the latter seemed to have a death wish as she continued talking while crying dramatically and smearing her makeup.

"No... I need to know what else I've done wrong so that I can make amend. I can't take this animosity anymore." Tina said, wriggling her arm out of Hilary's hold.

Dr Ashley, who was about to intervene paused on her track, eager to know the reason why the friendly and loving mother she had been talking to earlier would suddenly turn into a tigress.

"What you have done wrong?!" Maria laughed bitterly, rage coursing through her veins like an angry viper. "You must really have some nerves to ask me that question.

"Maria..."

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"No Judith." Maria sharply cocked her head in Judith's direction. "Do not interfere. Allow me air my mind."

"Okay." Judith raised her hands in surrender giving Maria some space to express her anger.

Taking a few steps towards Tina, with the latter standing her ground, unafraid of another assault, Maria clenched her fist by her side, resisting the urge to strike Tina again.

"You have no shame, Tina." Maria sneered, sizing her from head to toe in disgust. "I thought a young and sensible lady like you would have some degree of self-respect. But I guess I'm wrong. Only a fool such as yourself would test the depth of a river with both feet."

"I'm not a fool," Tina said under her breath, between clenched teeth, anger surging through her veins like molten lava.

Maria scoffed at her daring reply, seeing through her invisible mask of jealousy.

"Insanity is the last resort of insecure people with a crumbling position trying to appear confident."

Tina resisted the urge to talk back at Maria knowing that such a daring act could foil her plans. She stood her ground, staring into Maria's inflamed eyes as the latter lashed out at her.

"Didn't I warn you the last time that you should stay away from my son and my family? What makes you think you have the right to show your face here after everything you did to hurt my son? What makes you think you can meddle in my son's affairs now that he's happily married? You think I'm not aware of all your verbal and physical attacks on my daughter-in-law, trying to turn her friends against her while claiming she stole your man."

"Ah!"

Muffled gasps rose among the onlookers, who were startled by the older woman's revelation.

"That is not true and you know it." Tina cried out, taking a few steps backwards, her messy mascara streaking down her flushed cheeks. She observed the way people were staring condescendingly at her with contempt and tried to make herself look like the victim.

"All I have ever done is try to redeem my past mistake. I agree I have had little misunderstanding with Amy just as all friends do. But we settled our differences. I will never do anything to hurt her. Her father and her husband can bear me witness that all I've done so far is look out for her.

"That is the problem. Stop looking out for her. Stop trying." Maria yelled at the top of her voice attracting her son's attention. "She does not need your help. My son and I do not need your help. Is that so difficult for you to understand?"

Blaze was partially stunned and piqued to see the number of people standing by the hallway and watching his mom and Tina quarrel.

"Stop coming here." Maria continues lashing out, unaware of her son's presence. "Stop pretending like you care. Stop buying gifts because all of them will end up in the trash. Stop calling my son. Stop trying to throw yourself on him. Have some dignity. Go and find another man and stop trying to steal another woman's husband."

"Mum!" Blaze thundered from behind, his cold, deep and powerful voice silencing everyone.