Chapter 1246:
“Alright,” she responded, giving in without complaint.
They reached the entrance together. At Collin’s nod, Linsey pressed the doorbell, sending a quiet chime echoing through the halls. A sharp sound rang out, reverberating through the entryway.
Instead of the usual butler or a uniformed maid, a man with striking features appeared. Casually dressed in a silver-gray shirt, an untied tie, and cuffs left open, he radiated a careless confidence. The strong scent of liquor clung to him.
Collin’s half-brother, Huntley, stood before them.
No trace of courtesy appeared on Huntley’s face when he noticed Collin. He flashed him a sly grin and said, “Collin, you’ve got guts, making Grandma and Dad wait for you. Do you have no respect?”
Collin’s eyes twinkled as he replied, “That’s bold coming from you, Huntley. Weren’t you the one who nearly killed someone during your midnight bender and left the whole family waiting at the police station for two days? My nerve pales in comparison.”
“You…” Huntley faltered, anger rising in his eyes, his cheeks burning as if Collin had struck a nerve.
A heavy silence settled over the entryway, tension rippling between the brothers. Shock rendered Linsey motionless, her place held just to the side.
Before Linsey could break the silence with a few calming words, a crisp feminine voice sliced through the awkwardness. “Collin, welcome home.” The sound of closer footsteps announced the arrival of Collin’s stepmother, Fernanda, who shimmered with expensive jewelry and greeted him with forced warmth. “We’ve all been waiting for you. Please, hurry inside.”
Ignoring her completely, Collin kept his focus elsewhere, not sparing her a glance.
The reaction caused Fernanda to pause, her smile faltering before she quickly replaced it with her usual pleasant expression. She opened her mouth, ready to continue, but caught sight of Linsey instead, smoothly shifting her attention. “And who might you be?”
Their eyes met for the first time as Linsey, dressed in a sophisticated gown and offering a distant, courteous smile, introduced herself. “It’s a pleasure. I’m Linsey, Collin’s wife.”
Fernanda took a moment to study Linsey from head to toe, an unmistakable chill settling in her gaze. All her careful plans to humiliate Collin by chasing away his bride on their wedding day had come to nothing. Linsey had defied expectations and shown up anyway.
Fernanda had never heard of Linsey before, and her mind quickly painted Linsey as nothing more than a small-town girl with no pedigree. Resentment simmered behind her polished mask, though she kept her voice smooth and inviting. “How wonderful to meet you, Linsey. Don’t stand out here. Come in and make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you,” Linsey replied, stepping forward to guide Collin inside. From the corner, Huntley’s eyes lingered on Linsey, open admiration lighting up his expression.
A sharp note in Fernanda’s voice drew his attention. “Huntley, is there something on your mind?”
His gaze stayed fixed on Linsey, and with a rough swallow, he replied, “Collin’s wife is absolutely gorgeous…”
His words had barely left his mouth when Fernanda’s hand landed on his arm with a light smack.
