Chapter 1265:
Just as she turned to leave, Collin’s voice cut through the air.
Rather than addressing her valid concerns, he said, “I’ve already confirmed your attendance. What exactly am I supposed to do if you refuse to show?”
“I don’t know. That’s your problem to solve.” Raw emotion still coursed through Linsey as the words tumbled out recklessly. “If you can’t find a decent solution, just drag someone else to play your wife at the banquet.”
The moment those words left her mouth, shock froze her blood.
Collin’s previously composed features turned thunderous, dangerous energy radiating from his entire being.
“I…” Fear crept into Linsey’s voice. She scrambled to backtrack.
But Collin’s patience had evaporated completely. Without sparing her a glance, his hand shot out and captured her wrist with unsettling precision.
The next moment, he yanked her forward, sending her tumbling directly onto his lap, half of her body crashing into his solid embrace.
Before she could process what had happened, Collin’s fingers clamped around her face, his jaw locked tight as he let out a chilling laugh. “What did you just say? Care to repeat those words?”
Pain shot through Linsey’s compressed cheeks, her mouth forced into an awkward shape that made speaking impossible.
She could only mumble incoherently while shaking her head, desperately trying to take back her reckless statement. Yet Collin’s rage burned just as fiercely.
His cold stare bore into her delicate features as he sneered, “Linsey, do you enjoy being betrayed?”
Every other woman in high society fought tooth and nail to preserve their marriages. Yet here she was, practically handing him permission to find a replacement. What twisted logic was running through her head?
The thought only stoked Collin’s fury higher, his grip tightening mercilessly against her skin.
Linsey gasped from the pressure, writhing to escape his iron hold. She barely managed to suck in air before rushing to clarify, “That’s not what I meant at all.”
“Then enlighten me,” he growled icily.
Words failed Linsey as she pressed her quivering lips together. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I simply don’t want to attend.”
Collin’s voice dropped to a commanding rumble. “That choice is yours to make.”
Tension crackled between them like a live wire.
Linsey found herself completely outmatched, unable to mount any effective defense against Collin’s will.
Eventually, Collin abandoned the argument entirely, spinning his wheelchair around to leave her behind.
“Collin! I have every right to refuse. You can’t keep bulldozing over me like this!” Linsey’s voice cracked as she called after him.
No matter how desperately she shouted, Collin moved as though her words were nothing but empty air, stabbing the elevator button without a backward glance.
The elevator doors slid open and swallowed him whole, erasing Collin from Linsey’s sight completely.
As she watched him disappear, Linsey’s shoulders caved inward, defeat written plainly across her features.
Irritation simmered beneath Linsey’s skin, leaving her unable to understand why she always got roped into things she wanted no part of.
