Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Samantha glanced at the number displayed above the elevator from the corner of her eyes then looked up at Harmony and watched as the punch was about to hit her.

She merely stood there firmly, and Harmony did not know if Samantha was slow to react or whether there was simply nowhere else to hide.

Seeing that Harmony's fist was a few millimeters away from hitting Samantha's lower abdomen, the elevator let out a ding and the door opened as it reached the first floor.

Taking advantage of the situation, she leaned back against the elevator's steel wall and slid gently to the floor.

She covered her stomach and winced in pain while looking at Harmony.

A few of the station's colleagues were standing outside, all of whom saw Harmony punch Samantha and knock her to the ground.

Everyone glanced at each other.

It was common knowledge within the station that Samantha and Harmony were at odds with each other, but they had always maintained a certain amiability—although perhaps only superficially—without having any head-on conflict.

That was the first time such an incident has happened!

Everyone knew that Samantha went out on assignment a few days ago and cheated death after meeting with an accident.

Injuries suffered during duty were considered workplace injuries, and many higher-ups personally sent her well wishes while her colleagues were also very concerned about her.

To everyone's surprise, Harmony went so far as to punch and kick Samantha at such a time.

She was pushing someone down when they were already injured!

That was simply too vicious of a person!

Everyone looked at Harmony in dissatisfaction and some even asked bluntly, "Why are you hitting Ms. Larsson?"

"Yeah, why are you hitting her? Ms. Larsson's injuries haven't healed yet and she still looks pale."

Harmony's eyes widened all of a sudden.

Although she had intended to teach Samantha a lesson, the punch she had just thrown out did not land on Samantha at all!

Samantha was faking it!

"I… I didn't hit her!" Harmony subconsciously defended herself.

Timothy would marry her after he divorced Samantha, and by then, she would become Mrs. Barker. As a result, she had to maintain her image in public at all times and refrain from damaging her reputation.

"I didn't! I really didn't! She fell!" Harmony asserted as she looked at the crowd!

One colleague really could not stand it any longer. "Do you think we're blind, Ms. Johnson? Why even bother arguing when we clearly saw Ms. Larsson fall because of your punch!"

Another colleague walked in quickly and carefully helped Samantha up. She asked with concern, "Are you alright, Ms. Larsson?"

Samantha leaned a little weakly on the female colleague and shook her head gently. "Thanks, I'm fine."

As she said that, she looked up and glanced mockingly at Harmony.

Time to beat Harmony at her own game!

Since Harmony loved playing innocent, Samantha was going to let her have a little taste of her own medicine.

Harmony glared at Samantha angrily and became even more furious when she saw that ridiculing stare. The anger got to her and she could not control herself any longer. "How dare you pretend, Samantha!"

As she said that, she was about to walk forward and rip Samantha up.

The other colleagues were getting quite annoyed at Harmony. How could she claim that she did not punch Samantha if she could bring herself to attack Samantha right before their eyes!

A male colleague immediately stood in front of Samantha and said to Harmony, "Ms. Johnson, need I remind you to mind your words and your actions! Ms. Larsson was injured while on duty, and if you continue being hostile, we'll have no choice but to call the police!"

Harmony's eyes reddened in anger. She bit her lower lip and knew that she had fallen into Samantha's trap again.

Samantha was the most despicable b*tch there was!

Harmony would not stand to gain anything if she remained in that imbroglio. She took a deep breath, quelled her anger to the best of her ability, then pushed the crowd away and dashed off.

…

Samantha regained a bit of strength and stood up straight as she said sincerely to her colleagues. "Thanks, everyone."

"No biggie. It's the right thing to do," they replied.

One of them said, "Do you need someone to send you to the hospital, Ms. Larsson?"

"No thanks. A friend is picking me up and she's already waiting at the door. Thanks again, guys."

"Okay then. Take it easy."

After bidding her colleagues farewell, Samantha walked out of Lychee TV and got into Rochelle's car.

Rochelle turned to look at her and saw a little smirk. She asked curiously, "Everything went well?"

She was referring to her application for unpaid leave.

Samantha blinked and said with a smile. "That's not it. I met Harmony in the elevator earlier, or rather, she forced herself in and tried to be all affectionate with Timothy in front of me."

"Ah?" Rochelle's started to get angry. "Did she bully you? Is she still at the station? I'll turn around and give her two slaps!"

"Please, she's not capable of bullying me just yet. I've already given her those two slaps." Samantha then briefly explained what happened.

"That's my Sammy right there!" Rochelle was relieved and she could not help but rejoice. "She has to be stupid if she never learns from all the slaps she's been given!"

Samantha smiled and said nothing.

Harmony 'killed' her child, so she gave Harmony two slaps on behalf of the 'baby'.

Two slaps alone were not enough. Samantha was going to make sure to get justice for every single thing that Harmony ever did!

…

That night, Rochelle came out of the shower and saw Samantha leaning blankly against the bedhead. She glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was almost 11, which was about time Samantha should go to bed.

Could she have started to feel despondent because it was getting late?

Rochelle walked over quickly and sat beside the bed. She then held Samantha's hand and asked softly, "What are you thinking about, Sammy?"

Samantha returned to her senses and looked up to see Rochelle's caring expression. She seemed to know exactly what Rochelle was thinking and replied, "Don't worry, I'm not feeling depressed."

She pursed her lips slightly and said again, "I was just wondering whether...it's time for me to settle things with Timothy now that I'm done with work stuff."

It was something she had to face eventually.

Rochelle held Samantha's hand tightly. "Whatever happens, you'll still have me and the baby."

Samantha used to be the one and only person that gave meaning to her life.

Then came Samantha's baby.

She would take good care of Samantha and the baby even if it was the last thing she did!

Samantha smiled at her. Words of gratitude were unnecessary because they already understood each other.

Since she had already made a decision, she did not want to procrastinate any longer and picked up her phone to call Timothy.

As soon as she was about to call, she remembered what Harmony said in the elevator and decided against it. It would be disgusting if Timothy was with Harmony!

Samantha called Ronald instead.

Ronald answered right away. "Is everything okay, Mrs. Barker? What brings you to call me at such an hour?"

Samantha said bluntly, "Tell Timothy to show up at the Civil Registry Bureau at ten tomorrow morning to finalize our divorce!"

Ronald sighed deeply and struggled as he asked, "Mrs.. Barker, are you sure you want to get a divorce with Mr. Barker? Have you thought about it already? Is there really no room for discussion?"