Chapter 373

 373:
His words were not only a piece of advice but also a silent challenge to Fernanda, whose authority he clearly didn’t respect.
Fernanda, visibly displeased but unable to express it openly, quickly made her exit from Vista Villa, realizing she had no leverage left in the conversation. The tension between them lingered in the air as she left, her mind already plotting her next move.
As soon as Fernanda got into her car, her demeanor shifted dramatically. She seethed, muttering under her breath, “That ungrateful Collin! We’ve given him far too much leniency, and now he dares to challenge me? If he keeps this up, he’ll have no one to blame but himself when I start playing hardball!”
A cold, calculating look crossed her face as her carefully laid plans came to the forefront of her mind.
Once Fernanda was gone, Linsey felt a slight relief, as though a burden had been lifted from her chest. Even though she was well aware of the scheming that surrounded her, it was still hard for her to stay entirely composed.
With Ivy’s birthday just around the corner, Linsey couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease creeping in.
“By the way, Collin, once Ivy returns to the country, shouldn’t we pay her a visit?” Linsey asked, a little concerned. She couldn’t imagine waiting until Ivy’s birthday to meet her for the first time.
“Of course,” Collin responded. “As soon as I hear Grandma’s back, I’ll take you to see her.”
After a beat, he added reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Grandma will be alone, separate from the others.”
Linsey nodded, though a tinge of worry lingered. “I just can’t help but worry… Do you think Ivy will accept me?”
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Suddenly, an idea struck her. She took Collin’s hands in hers. “Tell me, what kind of girls does Ivy like?”
Collin couldn’t help but chuckle as he saw Linsey’s serious expression. Linsey pouted, her voice playful yet insistent. “Collin, stop laughing! I’m trying to be serious here!”
“Okay, okay,” he said, wiping away the amusement from his face. “But you really don’t need to worry. You’re incredible, and my grandma will see that. She’ll love you.”
Linsey felt even more uneasy at his carefree words. “You’re brushing it off too lightly,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s not an answer—it’s like you’re not saying anything at all.”
Collin squeezed her hand, his gaze steady as he looked into her eyes. His voice softened, sincere and clear. “Linsey, let me make it simple. I love you. You’re everything to me. And Grandma has told me countless times that as long as I’m happy with the woman I choose, she’ll accept her too.”
Linsey hadn’t expected him to slip in a heartfelt confession at a moment like this. Her face warmed instantly, her cheeks blooming with a soft pink hue. She looked away, suddenly shy, needing a few moments to steady herself.
After a beat, she cleared her throat and tried to regain her usual composure. “Alright, I’ll take your word for it,” she said, feigning nonchalance. Then, with a thoughtful tilt of her head, she added, “Since it’s my first time meeting your grandma, I should bring a gift, right? It’d be rude to show up empty-handed.” She patted Collin’s arm lightly, flashing him a determined smile. “So, tell me—what does Ivy like? I want to be prepared.”
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