Chapter 703: It Was Her
After leaving the Reed family, Tina first called Marie to tell her she was taking Sophia out to play. By the time she arrived, Sophia was already waiting at the door. Seeing Tina, Sophia was very happy, exclaiming, "Tina, I missed you so much!" Tina, warmed by the affectionate greetings from her and Zackary, took a hand of each and walked on. Sally's home was in a suburb, quite far away.
Following the address given by Jennie, Tina discovered it was a very dilapidated neighborhood. Sally lived in a storage room beneath the complex, rented because she couldn't afford the rent for anything better, as Jennie had said. Tina knocked on the door which was quickly opened by a woman in her thirties, looking very worn out. Her clothes, washed countless times, had yellowed. At the sight of the woman, Tina froze. It was her! Years ago in Ensford, her mother, concealing her identity, was driven out of their home by Elizabeth. It was raining heavily, and with no cars near the mansion, she and her mother had nowhere to shelter.
By chance, a woman driving by offered to help. At that moment, they truly needed assistance. Unbeknownst to her, a single call from her mother could have easily resolved their predicament, but her mother couldn't expose her identity or contact any of her subordinates, making the stranger's help invaluable.
They only learned that the woman was a tourist caught in the Ensford downpour after they got into her car.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
Dressed elegantly and with a kind heart, the woman checked them into a hotel and ordered them a meal. When the rain stopped the next day, the woman left them $5000, explaining she wouldn't stay in Ensford for long, and although she couldn't help further, she hoped they might meet again if fate allowed.
To that woman, $5000 might not have been significant, but for Tina and Natalie, it was a timely blessing.
Natalie, holding the money, earnestly told her that if fate allowed them to meet the woman again, they must repay her double. Tina had always remembered this. After reuniting with Natalie, Tina mentioned this story, questioning why her mother, despite her need to hide, couldn't just make money.
Natalie explained that indeed, she could make millions in no time, mere "pills" to her. However, back then, agents from GTO and X Bureau were searching for her. Using her abilities might have led to her capture; while she wasn't afraid for herself, she was terrified of not being able to protect Tina.
"Zackary, Sophia, what brings you here?"
Mrs. Dyer was surprised to see Zackary and Sophia. Jennie hadn't told her that Tina was taking Sally out, so she was unaware.
"Mrs. Dyer, we came to play with Sally," Sophia politely said. Mrs. Dyer smiled, "Thank you."
Then, looking at Tina, she asked, "And who is this?"
Zackary, holding Tina's hand excitedly, introduced her, "This is my sister, she's taking us out today, Mrs. Dyer. My sister is really nice, she won't lose us." "Your sister?"
Mrs. Dyer paused, she had only met Zackary's mother during pickups and had not met his sister.
"Yes, my sister is super pretty," Zackary boasted enthusiastically.
Mrs. Dyer laughed and then said to Tina, "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you with Sally."
Normally, she wouldn't want to trouble anyone.
But today, she was feeling very unwell, completely drained of energy, barely able to stand, and unable to care for Sally at home.
Tina's thoughts were brought back by Mrs. Dyer. She looked at Mrs. Dyer and pursed her lips, "Don't you recognize me?"
Mrs. Dyer paused, "You are?"
She really had no recollection.
"Twelve years ago, in Ensford, you helped a mother and daughter, and gave them five thousand dollars," Tina said.
Mrs. Dyer was taken aback, thought for a long while, and then remembered, "Oh, it's you! You've grown up so much? I didn't recognize you at all!"
Tina's eyes wandered into the room behind Mrs. Dyer, her gaze turning somber, "May I come in?"
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Mrs. Dyer's expression changed, "The house is a mess, I'm afraid..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Tina had already stepped inside, stopping as soon as she entered.
This was no place for people to live.
It was just one room, fitted with three beds, and clutter piled everywhere.
Two elderly people were cooking on a makeshift stove in a corner, and on a bed further inside, a man lay.
Seeing Tina, the three were momentarily startled, then looked towards Mrs. Dyer, "Elsa, who is this?"
Mrs. Dyer's name was Elsa.
Elsa had wanted to stop Tina, but now that she hadn't, she hurriedly explained, "Mom, Dad, she's an old friend of mine."
After saying this, Elsa appeared somewhat uneasy, "Miss Reed, I'm sorry, there really is nowhere to sit..."
Tina pursed her lips, her fingers tightening slightly at her sides, and after a moment, she managed a smile, "I'll stand, don't mind me."
Seeing that Tina wasn't put off, Elsa breathed a sigh of relief, then introduced the two elderly people to Tina, "These are my in-laws." The elderly couple extended their hands halfway, seemed to realize something, and withdrew them, smiling and greeting, "Hello!" Tina reached out and shook their hands, "Hello."
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Seeing this, something touched Elsa's heart, and tears suddenly streamed down her face.
Sally, seeing Elsa cry, quickly asked, "Mom, why are you crying?"
Elsa wiped her tears, managing a smile, "Mom's fine, Mom's just..."
Too overwhelmed.
Years had passed, everyone avoided their family, and former friends and relatives who didn't kick them while they were down were considered kind, not to mention those who would come to their home and shake hands with her in-laws. They would only feel dirtied.
The Reed family was now quite prominent in the capital, and Tina was wearing expensive clothes, yet she showed no disdain for them.
Elsa wiped her tears again and pointed to the younger man, "This is my husband."
The man was disabled, unable to stand, only able to prop himself up with his hands and laboriously shuffle forward.
Tina walked up to him and extended her hand, "Hello!"
The man paused for a few seconds, cautiously extending his hand, "Hello!"
After the greeting, Tina turned back to Elsa and said, "Back then, the five thousand dollars you gave us helped us survive. I've always remembered your kindness, and I've been looking for you all these years, wanting to repay you." She paused, then added, "But now, I no longer wish to return the money."