Chapter 449:
Collin held back a smile, his eyes glinting with mystery. “You’ll find out when the time comes.”
Linsey nodded, her curiosity momentarily satisfied. Then, a new thought struck her. “Oh, when is Ivy coming back? Aren’t we still planning her birthday banquet?”
“Grandma is coming back, but the birthday banquet might get canceled,” Collin replied, glancing at the time. “Her flight lands tonight.”
Linsey’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and excitement flooding her face. She stood up quickly, her voice a little flustered. “She’s arriving in town tonight?”
She paced for a moment, looking anxious. “How could you not tell me something this important sooner?”
Taking a deep breath, Linsey shot him a pointed look. “If I hadn’t thought to ask, were you just not going to tell me at all?”
Collin raised an eyebrow, an amused glint in his eyes. “Of course not.” He reached out, gently guiding her back into her seat. His voice was calm and steady. “I just didn’t want you to get all worked up right away. Look at you now—you’re already shaking. Relax, we haven’t even had dinner yet.”
Linsey pressed her lips together, at a loss for words for a moment. He was right—she was jittery and had completely lost her appetite.
“I’m not hungry anymore,” she murmured. “What time does Ivy land? Should we go to the airport to pick her up?”
Seeing the tension in her face, Collin reached out and rubbed her back, his touch warm and comforting. “No need, I’ve got everything arranged. She should be here any minute,” Collin said.
Just as he finished speaking, the sound of a car pulling up echoed from outside the villa. Linsey froze, panic creeping in. She hadn’t even prepared a gift for Ivy’s first visit! That frustrating Collin hadn’t told her a thing!
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This was a disaster. Meeting Ivy for the first time, and she wasn’t even ready. What kind of impression was she going to make? Linsey was a whirlwind of anxiety and frustration, her anger directed squarely at Collin.
“Collin, you’re really something! Throwing this meeting at me so suddenly.” She lowered her voice, her glare sharp. “If you weren’t injured, I’d seriously want to punch you right now!”
Collin smiled faintly, his eyes soft with tenderness. He stood up, offering her a hand. “Come on, honey. Let’s go welcome Grandma together.”
As a figure slowly approached the villa entrance, Linsey had no time to think. She sprang to her feet, linked her arm with Collin’s, and plastered on her sweetest, most obedient smile before stepping forward to greet the visitor.
Outside Vista Villa, Ivy was just getting out of the car. Dressed in a loose-fitting dark outfit, her silver hair neatly combed, Ivy didn’t look frail in the slightest. Despite the wrinkles on her face, she radiated energy.
Collin’s assistant, who looked nervous, quickly moved to offer help, but before he could touch her arm, Ivy shot him a dismissive glance and waved him away.
“Enough! I’m not in perfect health, but I’m hardly dying. I don’t need your help,” she snapped, then grinned, her eyes filled with eager curiosity. “Now, where’s my grandson’s lovely wife? What are you waiting for? Show me to her.”
With that, Ivy strode forward on her own, her steps surprisingly brisk. The assistant scrambled after her in a panic. “Mrs. Riley, please slow down! The doctor warned you not to overexert yourself!”
He stepped in front of Ivy, attempting to block her path and calm her down. Ivy clicked her tongue in irritation, raising her cane as if to strike him.
