Instinct took over as she reached out, fingers closing around the object before she even registered what it was.
How could she not be grateful? He had been more than she ever dared to hope for.
Linsey blinked down at the handkerchief in her grasp, momentarily dazed.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” Collin said, amusement lacing his tone. “Save your tears for later. Once you get there with me, you’ll have a real reason to cry.”
She hesitated, then asked, “Are you worried they’ll single you out? Do you think I’d ever be ashamed of you?”
His movements stilled, his gaze returning to hers.
Gone was the hesitation in her expression. Determination had taken its place.
Collin narrowed his eyes, his voice unreadable. “Say that again.”
His reaction only strengthened her resolve. She lifted her chin and said firmly, “Collin, I’d never be embarrassed because of you. If anything, I’ll stand up for you. And if anyone gives you trouble, I’ll make sure they regret it.”
Collin arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You? Make them regret it?”
“Absolutely. I’m capable of more than just words. If it comes down to it, I won’t hesitate to use stronger methods. But don’t worry-I won’t be reckless. I won’t make things harder for you.” Linsey spoke with unwavering certainty.
A quiet chuckle escaped Collin, amusement flickering in his eyes. She had to be joking. After all, the memory of her tear-streaked face was still fresh in his mind.
If those tears returned, he wasn’t sure he would know how to soothe them.
At that moment, Collin had entirely forgotten Linsey’s sharp words during the argument with Dustin.
“Just stay close and steer clear of any drama. Tonight, your main task is to assist with the wheelchair,” he instructed in a level tone.
Linsey raised her eyebrows in mild surprise. “After all the effort I put into looking fabulous tonight, that’s all you’re asking of me?”
His composure briefly wavered, and the corner of his mouth twitched. “What? You think that task is beneath you?”
“Not at all!” she quickly stood, positioning herself behind him. “I’ll do as you say, no questions asked.”
Watching her comply so readily, Collin felt an unsettling twinge. He was wary that she might present surprises he hadn’t considered.
This evening, his plan was simply to introduce Linsey at the Riley family’s banquet as a formality. He had no desire to draw her into his complicated dealings with them.
The grandest hotel in Grester was alive with the hum of prominent figures from various sectors arriving in succession, filling the space with animated conversation.
“Happy birthday, Mr. Riley!”
“Mrs. Riley, your son is so handsome. He’s destined for great things.”
Clad in a lavish gown, Fernanda responded with a warm smile. “Thank you. We missed having a proper toast at the last wedding banquet, so let’s make up for it tonight.”
Meanwhile, Huntley, the birthday boy, leaned lazily against a wall at the back, visibly showing his impatience.
As she spotted this, Fernanda’s mood soured. She summoned an assistant to entertain the guests briefly, then pulled Huntley aside with a stern expression.
“Mom! What are you doing?” Huntley complained irritably.
“Be quiet!” Fernanda retorted sharply, her expression stern. “What did you promise me before? This is your birthday celebration! If you continue with this careless demeanor, I’ll have you removed from Grester!”
Huntley scowled and tugged at his mother’s arm, his voice tinged with frustration. “Mom, I’m really tired. When does this start? I’m starving.”
Though she was annoyed, Fernanda’s tone softened slightly out of sympathy. “Just a bit longer. The guests are here for our family’s reputation, but you must treat them with respect. If word spreads of your rudeness, it could damage your image.”
Huntley appeared unmoved and slightly arrogant. “So what? I don’t care about mingling with these people. I’ll take over the family business. Dad will never pass the inheritance to Collin, that cripple.”
Fernanda’s face softened briefly. “You’re not wrong.”
She frowned again after a moment. “But don’t underestimate Collin. Despite his paralysis, he’s become quite cunning. I thought I dealt with Haven, but Collin still got married first. If he has a child before you, it could complicate things.”
Huntley scoffed. “Collin? That cripple? Who in town would want his child? Even if he does have a child, it will make no difference. I’m not concerned.”
“Still, we must be cautious,” Fernanda advised, her brows knitting together.
“Yeah, yeah, I understand,” Huntley responded dismissively. “Later, I’ll meet that woman and figure out a way to sway her. Maybe I can use her as a spy.”
As he spoke, Huntley looked toward the hotel entrance, puzzled. “Why hasn’t Collin shown up yet? He isn’t too afraid to come, is he?”
Just then, a staff member rushed over to inform them, “Collin and his wife have just arrived.”
“Alright,” Fernanda said with a graceful smile, gently tugging Huntley along. “Let’s go greet your brother.”
Huntley cast a skeptical glance at his mother, instantly recognizing her act as a performance for the gathered crowd.
Despite this, a sense of irritation nagged at him. He often wondered why, even after all these years, his mother maintained such a guarded stance toward Collin.
He was merely a man confined to a wheelchair, lacking his father’s favor and devoid of any significant influence in the family. What threat could he possibly pose?
Moreover, as his parents’ favorite son, Huntley felt demeaning himself to greet Collin was beneath him. Collin didn’t deserve such recognition.
Nonetheless, the prospect of meeting Collin’s wife piqued his interest. With a lazy stretch, he straightened up, considering that he might find some amusement in witnessing Collin’s misfortunes firsthand.
Across the venue, Linsey was diligently maneuvering Collin’s wheelchair through the crowd as they made their entrance.
“Is that Collin Riley?”
“Who else would it be? Apart from him, who is always confined to a wheelchair?”
“Tragic, isn’t it? One accident, and his legs were taken from him. It’s a shame, because without his disability, Collin could have achieved so much more.”
“Regardless, he’s clearly fallen out of favor with the Riley clan. Not just with his father, but even the extended relatives seem to dismiss him. It’s obvious the heir’s title will fall to Huntley.”
Hearing these scornful whispers, Linsey felt a surge of frustration tighten her chest.
She glanced at Collin, who remained stoic, his face a mask of calm resolve. She didn’t need to strain to hear the murmurs; their content was clear enough.
Before today, Linsey had only known snippets about Collin. Now, as she witnessed the disdain he endured, her sympathy for him deepened. Her teeth clenched in indignation, Linsey was on the brink of confronting the rude onlookers.
However, at that moment, Collin gently captured her hand and redirected it toward the wheelchair’s handles.
“Don’t mind them,” he murmured quietly. “Remember, you promised to stick by my side.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.