Chapter 158

 158:
However, he chose not to burden Linsey with these darker thoughts.
Linsey bit her lip, fixing Collin with a penetrating gaze. “And if she decides to leverage this against you? What if she pushes her luck and asks for something even more ridiculous?”
Without missing a beat, Collin responded, “Then I’ll concede to her demands—except for dropping the charges against Felix. That’s where I draw the line. Anything else, she can set her terms.”
“No!” Linsey exclaimed, her voice tinged with determination. She inhaled deeply, her words measured yet firm. “Collin, this concerns me. You shouldn’t have to shoulder the consequences. Moreover, I’m innocent. This whole mess is nothing but lies spun by Marisol and Joanna!”
Collin’s eyes narrowed, a shadow falling over his features as he peered at her intently. In a hushed, urgent tone, he began, “I know you’re innocent, but if we don’t seize control of this situation—”
She cut him off mid-sentence, determination lacing her voice. “Collin, I need to handle this on my own.”
A slight frown creased his brow. “Why won’t you let me help you with this?”
“Give me just three days,” she asserted firmly. “If I haven’t sorted it out by then, you can intervene.”
He exhaled a deep, frustrated sigh, the weight of his concern evident in his voice. “Do you understand how fast rumors can ignite online? If we don’t quash this now, it won’t be long before every last person in town is whispering about those slanderous stories.”
Yet Linsey’s face was the picture of resolve. “Whatever comes, I’ll face it on my own.” Collin’s resolve wavered, his hesitation palpable in the tense air between them.
“Collin, we’re married. We’re meant to stand by each other for a lifetime.” Her voice softened, and she crouched down, taking his hands in hers. Her eyes met his, earnest and pleading. “I can’t just hide behind you forever—what kind of wife would that make me? We’re family, and that means having each other’s backs. Just trust me, alright? I’ve already found a way out of this mess.”
Meeting Linsey’s intense, unwavering gaze, Collin found himself momentarily powerless to refuse. He hesitated, the weight of her stare anchoring him to the spot, before finally giving in with a reluctant nod. “Alright, I trust you,” he conceded, his voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and resignation.
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Swiftly, Collin beckoned to his subordinate and issued a firm directive. “From this moment on, you’re to take your orders from Linsey. Whatever she demands, execute it without question.”
“Got it, Mr. Riley,” the subordinate responded promptly, his tone laced with deference.
Collin turned back to Linsey, and his eyes sought hers, as if searching for confirmation or perhaps reassurance. “If you come up with any strategies, just inform him, and he’ll orchestrate everything on your behalf.”
Linsey paused, her mind seemingly navigating a labyrinth of thoughts before addressing the subordinate. “There’s nothing to handle right now. If something comes up, you’ll be the first to know. Thanks.”
“Mrs. Riley, serving you is truly a privilege,” the subordinate replied, his expression one of genuine pride mixed with a touch of awe. His brow then furrowed in concern as he ventured cautiously, “With Marisol exposing this, staying silent isn’t an option—if it blows up later, it’ll put you in a tough spot.”
Linsey’s lips curled into a knowing smile, a flash of cunning flickering across her features. “Let her make a fool of herself if she wants—having everyone watch will only work in our favor,” she declared firmly.
The subordinate blinked, taken aback by her audacity. He had not anticipated such a bold strategy from Linsey. Concern deepened on his face as he pondered the potential repercussions.
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