Chapter 15

 15:
With this realization, she accepted the situation more swiftly.
Choosing not to press him, she nodded subtly, exited the study, and softly closed the door behind her, leaving him the solitude he evidently needed.
Only after Linsey had departed did Collin release a long, burdened sigh. He massaged the bridge of his nose, a rare headache beginning to form. He was perplexed by the intense way Linsey’s smallest actions seemed to unsettle him—this was a new and disconcerting sensation. He had always valued his ability to remain detached and logical, but now he felt an unusual disturbance within him.
If this disruption persisted, he dreaded to think what would happen next. He despised this emerging sensation of losing control.
Lost in thought, he finally decided.
A brief escape was essential. By fortunate coincidence, a critical situation at his company demanded his immediate attention, providing the perfect excuse to escape Linsey’s unsettling influence. With his decision firmly in place, he slipped out of Vista Villa, a line of staff trailing quietly behind him.
In the following days, Linsey noticed Collin’s glaring absence.
Concern gnawed at her, prompting her to inquire about his whereabouts from the butler.
With a reassuring smile, the butler responded,
“Mr. Riley is buried under a mountain of work, Mrs. Riley. You shouldn’t worry about him.”
Pondering this, Linsey realized that Collin was likely drowning in efforts to clear the colossal debt of a hundred million dollars. No doubt, he was exhausting himself.
Deciding against adding to his load, she chose instead to shift her focus to her own pressing needs—finding employment.
With renewed determination, she started crafting her resumes with care and scouring job listings, eager to make a meaningful change. At last, the day arrived when Linsey received an unexpected interview invitation from CR Corporation.
CR Corporation wasn’t just any company—it was a globally celebrated tech giant that had made its way to the stock market in record time under the guidance of its mysterious founder. Within a few short years, CR Corporation’s worth had exploded past the hundred billion dollar mark, propelling its founder to the top as the richest individual in the world.
Yet, for all the fame and fortune, the founder of CR Corporation remained a shadowy figure, shrouded in secrecy.
Up until this point, not a single person had managed to catch a glimpse of the mysterious founder.
Linsey was ecstatic, hardly believing her luck at being considered for a position at such an esteemed company.
She invested every ounce of her energy into preparing for the interview, determined to secure a job that promised a steady paycheck.
She envisioned this opportunity as a stepping stone toward a brighter, more stable future for herself and Collin.
However, as Linsey was driving to the headquarters of CR Corporation, a thunderous crash shattered the air.
Suddenly, a luxury car appeared, slamming into Linsey’s vehicle with an earth-shattering force.
Linsey’s heart pounded with frustration, her day marred by the misfortune of a car accident just as she was on her way to a crucial job interview.
Yet, there was no time to dwell on her dismay. She swiftly unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.
Her expression set in grim lines, she moved to inspect the rear of her car, only to discover a substantial dent marring the bumper—her car was significantly damaged.
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