Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Samantha initially thought that Dr. Highton had only betrayed Old Madam Barker and did Harmony's dirty work in exchange for money.

Under normal circumstances, such a person would be very easy to bribe into becoming a turncoat.

None of them expected him to be a stubborn person.

Rochelle explained that the thugs she sent out the day before had already captured the doctor. He was then locked in a small dark room for the entire day, with threats and offers both being used on him.

The doctor admitted that Old Madam Barker's serious illness was due to the medicine he prescribed, but he insisted that he did it himself without any behind-the-scenes instigators!

Samantha was very surprised.

If it was just money, there was no way the doctor would protect Harmony like that. It was very unlikely!

It appeared she had to deal with that matter herself then.

Samantha said decisively, "Come and pick me up, Chelle. I'd like to meet him."

It was something she had to do.

She could only go back to Emsteldt with peace of mind and live her life with Matthew once she was certain that Old Madam Barker was safe.

She promised before that she would make it up for Old Madam Barker after the latter weathered the high-risk period since that was the only thing she could do for the old lady at that point!

Rochelle answered very straightforwardly as well. "Alright! I'll come over immediately!"

Aunt Julia took over from Samantha's shift after the call ended. Samantha washed her face a little, freshened herself up, then changed her clothes and went to wait at the hospital entrance.

About 15 minutes later, Rochelle arrived in her car and Samantha hopped in as they drove to the suburbs.

Since neither of them could show their faces, Rochelle asked her hired thug to come out when they reached the door of the little hut. She handed him a laptop, which he brought into the house and switched on before facing the camera to the doctor.

Samantha and Rochelle were sitting inside the car. There was also a laptop in front of them and they were watching the video too. However, their camera was covered in black tape.

While they were able to see the doctor, he could not see them and was only able to hear their voices.

The video call began and the doctor soon came into the two women's view.

He was tied to a chair and his face was badly bruised after being beaten. Clearly, the thugs had not been showing any mercy.

Rochelle frowned when she saw that. "Sammy, do you have any way to get him to tell the truth? I tried to interrogate him last night but his lips are sealed tight and he won't spill even a single word!"

Samantha smiled coldly. "I already thought of a way on our way here."

"What?"

She smirked slyly and said, "Using influence to intimidate him."

Rochelle did not understand right away and had a confused look too.

Samantha was in no rush to explain to her and switched on the voice changer before speaking to the laptop, "Dr. Highton, do you know what'll happen to you if you poison Old Madam Barker?"

The doctor had kept his mouth sealed so tightly since the night before and was on the verge of death after being intimidated and beaten up.

Upon hearing that, Paul said nonchalantly, "Worse comes to worst, my life will be at stake. I was aware of that from the moment I first committed those acts."

Samantha carefully observed his expression through the video to make sure that he was not lying or bluffing.

He would rather die than sell Harmony out.

She did not believe that Harmony could get someone so loyal.

Unless…

There was a glimmer in Samantha's eyes and she asked again, "Dr. Highton, Old Madam Barker has always treated you well. Whenever you encountered any trouble over the years, she almost always lent you a helping hand. How could you be so ungrateful?"

That question made Paul sad for a moment, though that sadness was very fleeting.

Samantha noticed it keenly and continued her efforts, "We'll be honest with you; we already know that Harmony instructed you to do all this. As long as you're willing to confess that she did it, we won't continue to give you a hard time and you'll be able to redeem yourself in your act of poisoning the old lady."

Paul immediately became anxious when he heard Harmony's name and he denied it without hesitation. "No one else is involved! I did it! It was all me and me alone!"

Rochelle looked at the situation and said, "This same thing happened yesterday. He started denying it like a madman when Harmony's name was mentioned. If I hadn't known better, I would've thought he was so protective of Harmony because he had a crush on her!"

Samantha shook her head. "He's not protecting Harmony. He's just…afraid to rat her out."

"What do you mean?" Rochelle was confused.

Samantha did not answer her but said to the video, "You're not scared of death, Dr. Highton, but you're afraid of confessing that it was Harmony. Is it because...there are other people you're more afraid of behind Harmony?"

As soon as she said that, she could clearly see the doctor trembling violently. He tried his best to restrain it but she still saw through him.

It was exactly as she expected.

Harmony could not have had the influence to gain such loyalty and dedication, which led Samantha to surmise that there were forces behind Harmony who were supporting her.

However, Samantha believed that Old Madam Barker's poisoning was solely Harmony's intention because the only direct beneficiary of Old Madam Barker's death was Harmony.

Samantha calmed herself down and used her trump card.

"Dr. Highton, may I remind you to provide your kindest cooperation with me. Mr. Barker once said that anyone who dare lay a finger on his grandma would have to pay a huge price!"

Rochelle narrowed her eyes slightly.

Was that what Samantha meant when she said 'using influence to intimidate him'? It was rather bold of her to mention Timothy's name.

As expected of the quick-witted, clever, and brave Samantha!

Paul was stunned. "Mr. Barker? The Mr. Barker? Do you...work for Timothy?"

The reason why he kept his mouth sealed was because he could not offend the figure supporting Harmony from behind. Another one of his reasons was Timothy's impending marriage to Harmony, and so operated under the opinion that Timothy was standing with Harmony.

He had a couple of guesses as to who kidnapped him and thought at first that Old Madam Barker sent them. It never crossed his mind that it would be Timothy!

Samantha sneered. "What's wrong? Do you expect Mr. Barker to continue watching someone else hurt his own grandmother? Mr. Barker said that he'll let you live if you're honest and admit that this was all Harmony's doing. But if you continue being stubborn, then…he'll make you wish you were dead!"

Mr. Barker...

Paul's face turned pale when he heard that name. It was more terrifying than being beaten the entire night.

Although he was afraid of the forces behind Harmony, he was also very much afraid of Timothy.

In particular, he had been by Old Madam Barker's side for so many years and was more or less familiar with Timothy's way of doing things. The past three years stood out to him even more.

He did not fear death—he feared living a life that was worse than death!

Paul's entire body was trembling but he still retained the last traces of clarity in his mind. There was no need for Timothy's men to sneak around if they were sent over to deal with him.

It was not in line with Timothy's style.

The interrogator's words were simply not persuasive enough for him to just rely on what they said. It might still be possible that they were deliberately intimidating him into breaking down his psychological mettle.

As a doctor, his thoughts were meticulous and his fear reduced slightly after considering the possibilities. His thoughts had become much clearer and he said coldly, "Am I supposed to just believe you when you say that Mr. Barker sent you? Not everyone's an idiot!"

"If you have what it takes, then get Mr. Barker to talk to me!"

Samantha said without blinking. "Do you seriously think you're fit to be talking to him? Since you don't believe me, I can always let you listen in on my conversation with Mr. Barker!"

She immediately picked up her cell phone after saying that.

Rochelle gasped. How was Samantha going to prove it? Was she really going to call Timothy?