In his mind, more drastic measures to coerce Marisol were already taking shape.
However, he chose not to burden Linsey with these darker thoughts.
Linsey bit her lip, fixing Collin with a penetrating gaze. “And if she decides to leverage this against you? What if she pushes her luck and asks for something even more ridiculous?”
Without missing a beat, Collin responded, “Then I’ll concede to her demands-except for dropping the charges against Felix. That’s where I draw the line. Anything else, she can set her terms.”
“No!” Linsey exclaimed, her voice tinged with determination. She inhaled deeply, her words measured yet firm. “Collin, this concerns me. You shouldn’t have to shoulder the consequences. Moreover, I’m innocent. This whole mess is nothing but lies spun by Marisol and Joanna!”
Collin’s eyes narrowed, a shadow falling over his features as he peered at her intently. In a hushed, urgent tone, he began, “I know you’re innocent, but if we don’t seize control of this situation-“
She cut him off mid-sentence, determination lacing her voice. “Collin, I need to handle this on my own.”
A slight frown creased his brow. “Why won’t you let me help you with this?”
“Give me just three days,” she asserted firmly. “If I haven’t sorted it out by then, you can intervene.”
He exhaled a deep, frustrated sigh, the weight of his concern evident in his voice. “Do you understand how fast rumors can ignite online? If we don’t quash this now, it won’t be long before every last person in town is whispering about those slanderous stories.”
Yet Linsey’s face was the picture of resolve. “Whatever comes, I’ll face it on my own.” Collin’s resolve wavered, his hesitation palpable in the tense air between them.
“Collin, we’re married. We’re meant to stand by each other for a lifetime.” Her voice softened, and she crouched down, taking his hands in hers. Her eyes met his, earnest and pleading. “I can’t just hide behind you forever-what kind of wife would that make me? We’re family, and that means having each other’s backs. Just trust me, alright? I’ve already found a way out of this mess.”
Meeting Linsey’s intense, unwavering gaze, Collin found himself momentarily powerless to refuse. He hesitated, the weight of her stare anchoring him to the spot, before finally giving in with a reluctant nod. “Alright, I trust you,” he conceded, his voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and resignation.
Swiftly, Collin beckoned to his subordinate and issued a firm directive. “From this moment on, you’re to take your orders from Linsey. Whatever she demands, execute it without question.”
“Got it, Mr. Riley,” the subordinate responded promptly, his tone laced with deference.
Collin turned back to Linsey, and his eyes sought hers, as if searching for confirmation or perhaps reassurance. “If you come up with any strategies, just inform him, and he’ll orchestrate everything on your behalf.”
Linsey paused, her mind seemingly navigating a labyrinth of thoughts before addressing the subordinate. “There’s nothing to handle right now. If something comes up, you’ll be the first to know. Thanks.”
“Mrs. Riley, serving you is truly a privilege,” the subordinate replied, his expression one of genuine pride mixed with a touch of awe. His brow then furrowed in concern as he ventured cautiously, “With Marisol exposing this, staying silent isn’t an option-if it blows up later, it’ll put you in a tough spot.”
Linsey’s lips curled into a knowing smile, a flash of cunning flickering across her features. “Let her make a fool of herself if she wants-having everyone watch will only work in our favor,” she declared firmly.
The subordinate blinked, taken aback by her audacity. He had not anticipated such a bold strategy from Linsey. Concern deepened on his face as he pondered the potential repercussions.
“But, Mrs. Riley, if this escalates, it could tarnish more than just your reputation,” he warned, his voice laden with caution.
“No need to worry. I’ve got this all figured out,” Linsey assured him with a wave of her hand, her confidence unshaken.
Collin watched, his gaze sharpening as he noted the steadfast resolve etched into her features. With a slight arch of his eyebrows, he found himself swept up in her certainty.
Conviction settled in Collin as he nodded in silent agreement. He turned towards his subordinate and commanded crisply, “Follow her lead.”
The subordinate rubbed the back of his neck, his confusion deepening. Collin’s methods often baffled him, and Linsey’s assertive stance only added layers to his perplexity.
Initially, he had assumed Linsey was nothing special-just another ordinary woman. Yet, standing there, her demeanor unyielding and poised against the onslaught of threats, she cast a whole new shadow of intrigue. Where others might crumble under such pressure, Linsey stood her ground with a calm so potent it mirrored Collin’s own.
The resemblance in their composure under pressure was uncanny. A thought flickered through his mind-was there truth to the old saying that partners grow to mirror each other over time?
Respecting Linsey’s decision, Collin stepped back, allowing her full control.
The online world buzzed with wild speculations about her, each more sensational than the last. Amidst the growing storm, Dolores stumbled upon the fervent discussions and reached out to Linsey in distress.
Without missing a beat, Linsey shared her carefully laid plans, soothing Dolores with her confidence. After listening to Linsey’s strategy, Dolores couldn’t help but shake her head, a gesture tinged with resignation and a hint of admiration.
“Linsey, you’ve always been stubbornly independent, never needing anyone to do what you can handle yourself.”
With a sigh, Dolores continued, “I thought Collin might be the one to finally keep that fiery attitude of yours in check, but it looks like even he’s got no control over you. Well, might as well embrace it. Once you deal with Marisol, everyone will realize that you’re not someone to mess with.”
In the days that followed, Linsey took the time to rest and recuperate. Thankfully, her sprain was minor, and by the next morning, she was back to her routine, striding into work with her usual vigor.
Yet, the atmosphere at the company was unmistakably different. As she entered the building, she couldn’t miss the sidelong glances and the hushed whispers that followed her progress. Not a hint of surprise crossed her face-she had been prepared for this all along.
The rumors, fueled by Marisol’s vindictive efforts, had taken on a life of their own, painting Linsey in hues far removed from reality. It wasn’t just acquaintances who viewed her with new eyes-strangers seemed equally eager to indulge in the scandal.
Undeterred by the murmurs and pointed stares, Linsey moved through the lobby with composed determination. She was almost at her desk when Cynthia appeared out of nowhere, blocking her path with a stance that was confrontational, arms crossed and eyes gleaming with scorn.
“Linsey, you’ve got some nerve. After everything that’s exploded online, you still have the audacity to show up? You really don’t know shame, do you?” Cynthia sneered, her voice dripping with derision.
Before heading to the office, Linsey had already braced herself for the inevitable-online rumors would be ammunition for her critics. So when Cynthia tried to stir the pot, she barely batted an eye. The provocation felt childish at best.
Given Cynthia’s usual antics, it was no surprise she kept recycling the same tired insults.
“If you have this much free time, maybe Collin should pile more work on your desk,” Linsey said smoothly, unfazed by the attempt to call her out.
Cynthia narrowed her eyes, irritation flickering across her face before she fired back. “No wonder you’ve been so secretive about your husband.”
Cynthia let out a sharp, mocking laugh, her smirk brimming with satisfaction. Lifting a brow, she glanced around at their watching colleagues, making sure to project her voice.
“So, your husband is that neglected, disabled son of the Riley family, huh?” Linsey’s face went cold.
A few coworkers exchanged looks before hushed whispers broke out.
“Did you catch the drama about Linsey online?”
“I was off all weekend. Fill me in.”
“Linsey was with her boyfriend for five years, but on her wedding day, she ended up marrying Collin-the eldest son of the Riley family.”
“The Riley family? That’s huge. Didn’t she just hit the jackpot?”
“Tsk, you’re missing the bigger picture.”
“Wow, you’re really out of the loop. Everyone in town knows the Riley family wants nothing to do with Collin. If they had their way, he wouldn’t even exist. They cast him aside years ago.”
“Why’s that?”
“His mother passed away when he was young, and a few years back, he got into a car accident. He’s paralyzed now-can’t even walk. To them, he’s just dead weight!”
Cynthia felt a thrill as the whispers spread. Ever since Linsey had outshined her in the interview, she had been itching for payback. Who would have thought Linsey, of all people, would end up tied to Collin-the most pitiful name in Grester’s elite circles?
The irony was almost too good to be true.
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.