When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 269

But there was nowhere left to run.

As she backed away, she bumped right into the approaching security guards. These men were clearly bodyguards, all broad-shouldered and powerfully built. In an instant, they had her pinned.

"I'm Henrietta's biggest star! You can't touch me—it would cost her a fortune!" Artina shrieked in terror.

It was a bitter irony. She, who had dreamed of crushing Henrietta under her heel, was now forced to use Henrietta's name as a shield to save her own skin.

But this was a mess of her own making. She had insisted on walking into the lion's den.

She had so thoroughly convinced herself that she was an innocent victim, that her actions were excusable, that she deserved sympathy, even pity.

It was a classic case of playing with fire and getting burned.

This was a suicide mission.

She had also gravely underestimated a mother's fierce love for her child.

Now, Artina's doom seemed certain.

Trapped by the guards, she was completely immobile. They stretched her arm out straight and raised their electric batons.

One strike, and her arm would be useless.

Artina's soul nearly left her body. "Henrietta... Henrietta... really, if you hurt me, Henrietta will definitely—"

Before she could finish, at that critical moment, Zelina spoke. "Wait!"

Artina gasped for air, her heart still pounding with terror.

Zelina, however, was frowning.

Artina seized the opportunity. "It's true! She values me a great deal. Why else do you think she let me off the hook? You... you should call her! Confirm it with her! You can always... deal with me later. Besides, I am the victim here! No matter how angry you are, you shouldn't treat me like this!"

Zelina hadn't called a halt out of a change of heart.

It had suddenly occurred to her.

Hendrietta and both of her sons knew about this.

It was impossible that all three of them would have done nothing.

Knowing Yosef's temper, how could Artina still be walking around? How could she have been allowed to come to the estate and cause a scene?

There had to be a reason, a plan.

Zelina's face was dark as she pointed to the door. "Get out! Get out right now! And don't ever let me see you again. If I do, I'll have you beaten every single time!"

Artina couldn't be happier to oblige.

She never imagined Zelina would not only refuse to sympathize but would try to cripple her. She had almost met her end here!

She bolted out the door, scrambling away in a blind panic.

Zelina rubbed her temples.

Mrs. Lew was confused. "Ma'am... are you really going to let that rotten-to-the-core wretch go?"

"Henrietta must have her reasons for keeping her around for now," Zelina said. "And Jethro hasn't acted either. This isn't as simple as it looks. I need to ask them about it. Get the car. We're going to Jethro's house."

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After fleeing the Nash family estate in a disheveled state, Artina jumped into her car and floored it.

Jethro was also quite shocked. He never thought Artina could be so shameless as to take her flimsy, hole-ridden excuses to his mother.

Women shouldn't make things hard for other women?

Was she even human?

She was an animal!

Worse than a pig or a dog!

Jethro felt a bit dizzy himself. "Mom, please, sit down first."

He guided Zelina to a seat. "I didn't want the elders to know about this... I was afraid you'd get angry and upset. We're keeping her around to set up a more satisfying revenge. It's a complicated situation, hard to explain in just a few words. But... it's a joint plan between me and Henrietta, and my Yosef fully supports it."

"Mom, please don't worry about it, and don't ask too many questions. It's not a pleasant story, and I don't want to upset you with the details. Just ignore her. I doubt she'll dare to show her face to you again anyway."

Zelina said, "Breaking her limbs, bankrupting her family, blacklisting her, and kicking her out of Juno City... is that kind of revenge not enough? What on earth did she—"

"It's not enough," Jethro stated flatly.

Zelina took a sharp breath, but she didn't press further. "Alright then. But son... don't be too sad. There are plenty of good women out there."

Jethro didn't reply, simply taking Zelina's hand. "Mom, let's have breakfast."

Zelina said no more and joined Jethro for breakfast, her eyes softening with motherly ache and affection.

A moment later, she added, "For this, we really have to thank Henrietta! I've always said, Henrietta is a blessing. Marrying her was the best thing that ever happened to Yosef! Having a daughter-in-law like her is a blessing for our whole family. The stars must have aligned for our family."

Jethro agreed. "Yes, I am incredibly grateful to Henrietta."