Chapter 944

 944:
Now it was all gone.
Her voice broke as Haven shouted through the lump in her throat, “Collin! How could you let this happen? Gorman was going to kill you! If he hadn’t died, you’d be the one buried now! That day at the bridal shop—they had people everywhere! You think you would’ve walked away alive without me?”
Haven shouted, her voice rough and cracking like broken glass, “You! Linsey! Don’t think you’ve beaten me! This is just one loss!” Her bloodshot eyes blazed with fury, wild and unhinged.
The police made their way toward the door, taking her with them.
Linsey and Collin rose to their feet together. Their cold eyes followed Haven, who was still fighting against the officers.
Linsey felt drained. She had no more words to spare.
She had stayed behind on purpose, just to see Haven taken away. To her, the silence now said more than anything she could have added. She knew Haven would never listen, not with the hatred she carried. Back at the bridal shop, if Gorman hadn’t stepped in, she might not be alive today.
So, for herself—and for Gorman, who had died because of her—she could never forgive Haven.
Suddenly, Collin’s hand slipped into hers. It was firm, yet gentle. Startled, Linsey turned to look at him. His warm, steady eyes locked with hers.
He gave her a faint smile. Then, turning to Haven, his smile vanished, replaced by ice.
Collin said, “You’re wrong. Did you really think I got there without a plan? From the moment you invited me to that bridal shop, I already knew what I was going to do. Once I saw Linsey wasn’t marrying Gorman by choice, I was ready to take her with me—no matter what.”
Haven’s face changed. Her eyes widened in shock.
Let your mind wander with gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s﹒𝓬𝓸𝗺
That was when it hit her.
From the start, when Collin founded CR Corporation, Gorman had always seen him as his biggest threat.
But all these years, Gorman had never managed to surpass him.
Grester had always been Collin’s stronghold.
It wasn’t a place Gorman could win.
A bitter laugh escaped Haven’s lips.
Now she understood. That day at the shop, Collin had come prepared. He rejected her invitation on purpose—then showed up with his men, outnumbering Gorman’s. All he needed was to figure out whether Linsey was willingly marrying Gorman.
Haven stopped fighting. Her body slumped, and the fire in her eyes faded. The police led her away in silence.
Linsey was still stunned by Collin’s words. Her eyes lingered on him, shining softly.
Soon after, they both left together.
Only Joanne remained at the Walton family’s estate. She had been so quiet on the couch, it was easy to forget she was even there. She watched Linsey walk away, her expression unreadable.
After a long pause, Joanne let out a slow sigh. The memory of Haven’s fall from grace left a strange feeling in her chest.
She knew that with Collin’s sharp mind, it wouldn’t take long before he uncovered the truth—that she had secretly helped Haven more than once.
But today, he hadn’t said a word to her, not even casting her a glance. Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe he didn’t know.
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