Chapter 1232
An urgent tone crept into Roland’s voice as he found the courage to intervene. His words fell flat, ignored by both Linsey and Collin, who remained frozen in their tense impasse.
Linsey’s patience snapped. “Collin, you are the most insufferable, controlling, aggravating man I’ve ever known! I can’t stand you!”
That outburst hit Collin hard, his face going slack before it darkened with resentment. “Big deal. I can’t stand you either!”
One final, blistering look was all he gave her before wheeling himself out of the kitchen, refusing to glance back.
Desperately, Roland called after him, “Mr. Riley, please wait—”
But Collin never slowed, eventually disappearing from view.
All Roland could do was let out a weary sigh, turning to Linsey with a kind attempt at reassurance. “Mrs. Riley, don’t let it trouble you. I’ll speak to him. He went too far just now.”
In a house so often ruled by temper, it meant something to have at least one voice of reason.
Linsey’s anger eased a little, gratitude flickering in her eyes. She offered a gentle smile. “Thank you for that.”
With a calm nod, Roland said, “Just part of my job.” He then quietly slipped away.
Once alone, Linsey returned to the kitchen and set about finishing the dishes. When she finally wrapped up, she dried her hands and made her way to the living room, ready to relax.
Her phone suddenly vibrated, breaking the silence. A quick glance at the screen showed Dolores’ name flashing.
No sooner had she picked up than Dolores’ lively voice spilled out. “Linsey, did you get my message?”
It took Linsey a second to respond. “I haven’t looked yet. I was tied up a moment ago.”
“Go on, check it right now!” Dolores’s words tumbled out in a rush. “I promise, you’ll get a kick out of this.”
Not one to ignore that much enthusiasm, Linsey hung up and scrolled through to find the message Dolores had sent.
Dolores had sent Linsey a video.
Recognition dawned quickly—Joanna’s face filled the frame, and the sight nearly made Linsey gasp. No shoes covered Joanna’s feet as she wandered aimlessly through the neighborhood of Starwood. Curious neighbors had gathered in a loose circle, their ranks flanked by several burly bodyguards in dark suits and shades. A makeshift sign made from a torn delivery box was clutched in Joanna’s hands.
Closer inspection revealed the words, scrawled boldly across the cardboard: “I slept with someone else’s boyfriend.”
Blinking in disbelief, Linsey stared at the screen, half-convinced her eyes were playing tricks. She rubbed them, then looked again just to be sure.
Once reality set in and she realized she hadn’t imagined it, pure shock left her speechless.
Any chance for further thought vanished when Joanna’s mortified voice rang out in the recording. Humiliation colored Joanna’s face as she shouted to the staring crowd, “I’m a shameless mistress…”
The clip barely lasted forty seconds, but Linsey sat in stunned silence long after it ended.