“What are you all looking at?” Joanna snapped at the reporters, her voice laced with frustration. “This is headline news! Why aren’t you recording every single moment?”
The reporters, jolted back to reality, lifted their cameras to resume filming, only to have their phones ring in unison.
Each reporter received a call from their respective editors, who were yelling furiously. “Where are you? Get back to the office immediately! If any of you dare to report on Collin Riley, your career is over! Don’t be fools!”
The reporters were stunned into silence.
“But this involves the eldest son of the Riley family. Why is it off-limits? We reported on the arrest of the second son, and the Rileys didn’t interfere. What makes this different?”
Their editors retorted, even more enraged. “You imbeciles! This is a direct order! If you publish even a single sentence about Collin, you’ll be blacklisted for life! No news outlet in town will ever employ you again!”
The reporters were speechless, unable to comprehend what they were being told.
They had always understood Collin to be a wheelchair-bound, inconsequential member of the Riley family. How could he possibly wield such influence?
Despite Linsey’s bravery, she was alone and would have been overwhelmed by that group.
Linsey nodded. “Yes, I’m glad you came. I wouldn’t have escaped otherwise.”
Linsey’s brow furrowed, a hint of regret in her voice. “I never imagined Marisol would sink to such depths. She feigned an apology, but all along, she was planning this. I’ll be more cautious in the future.”
Collin offered a gentle smile. “Whatever happens, I’ll always be there for you.”
Linsey’s gaze softened as she returned his smile, a feeling of warmth spreading through her.
With the danger passed, Linsey finally relaxed. However, as she did, a dull pain pulsed in her ankle.
She winced, drawing a sharp breath as she instinctively touched the painful area.
“What is it?” Collin asked, his concern evident, having immediately noticed her discomfort.
Linsey shook her head quickly. “It’s nothing, just my ankle. It’s a little sore.”
A shadow crossed Collin’s face as the memory of her near fall resurfaced. He wordlessly knelt, his hand gently cupping her calf as he inspected her ankle.
The sight before them made them still. Linsey’s right ankle was visibly swollen and discolored, bearing the clear marks of a sprain sustained earlier.
The adrenaline surge from the earlier commotion had numbed the pain, but now it crashed down on her like a wave.
Collin’s features hardened, his jaw clenched tight. Linsey’s heart fluttered nervously at his reaction, and she offered weakly, “I’m really okay…”
“How can you say that?” Collin’s voice was firm as he directed the driver, “Head to the hospital. Immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” the driver replied, smoothly redirecting the vehicle towards Dominic’s private medical facility.
Linsey opened her mouth to speak, intending to object that a hospital visit wasn’t required.
A sprain like this could easily be managed at home with some topical medication.
However, observing the tense, almost somber expression on Collin’s face, she kept her objections to herself, not wanting to cross him.
Collin and Linsey quickly reached the hospital, where Dominic arrived hurriedly.
“Collin, you’re unbelievable!” Dominic exclaimed. “I just finished surgery and was about to relax, and you couldn’t wait to drag me here.”
Collin glanced at Dominic and said calmly, “Linsey is injured. Please examine her.”
Dominic was taken aback and immediately turned his attention to Linsey. “What happened this time?” he asked.
Linsey felt a bit awkward for some reason. “Uh… it’s just a sprain, nothing serious,” she replied.
Dominic crouched down in front of her, his gaze fixed on her swollen ankle. He shook his head and gave a low whistle.
“Collin, weren’t you the one who used to avoid doctors and treat your own injuries? Now you can’t even handle something this minor? You had to call me in for this?” Dominic questioned.
Linsey blinked in surprise and instinctively asked, “Does he get injured often?”
“Dominic,” Collin said, his brows furrowed in a silent warning.
Realizing he had revealed too much, Dominic quickly cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Forget what I said,” he deflected. “It looks serious. Let’s get an X-ray done first.”
“But…” Linsey wanted to ask more, but seeing Collin’s stern expression, she decided against it and nodded obediently.
Luckily, Linsey’s injury wasn’t serious. After a brief examination, Dominic concluded, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing too severe. Just apply the medication on time, and try to rest more for the next couple of days.”
Linsey sighed in relief. She knew it wasn’t a big deal.
“Thank you, Dr. Larson,” Linsey said softly.
Dominic handed the spray medication to Collin. “She’s yours to look after now,” he said. “I’ll head out now.”
With that, Dominic turned and departed, quietly closing the hospital room door behind him. He further instructed the hospital staff to refrain from unnecessary interruptions. After all, they were a newly married couple.
A bit of privacy would undoubtedly benefit their budding relationship. Once Dominic had departed, Collin maneuvered his wheelchair closer to Linsey.
Without a word, he bent down, gently lifted her injured foot, and carefully placed it on his lap.
Linsey instinctively recoiled, feeling a touch of embarrassment. Collin firmly but gently held her leg in place and said in a low, commanding tone, “Hold still.”
The firmness in his voice caused Linsey to still. She nodded meekly, deciding acquiescence was the best course of action.
Very well, she would remain still.
Collin’s brow furrowed as he examined her swollen ankle. He picked up the medicated spray and gently applied it to the affected area.
The cool, medicated spray, with its sharp, medicinal scent, stung slightly upon contact with her skin, sending a jolt of sensation through her ankle.
Linsey bit her lip, attempting to suppress the discomfort.
“Does it cause you pain?” Collin inquired, his voice even.
Linsey offered a strained smile and replied, “No, not at all.”
Collin offered no response. He continued to administer the medication with meticulous attention.
As the spray penetrated her injured tissue, the pain intensified. Finally, Linsey’s composure faltered, and she trembled slightly as she whispered, “Collin, perhaps a touch more gently?”
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.