Chapter 384

 384:
Linsey’s pulse quickened, her expression darkening. Collin had personally assigned this bodyguard to ensure her safety, and Linsey had no reason to doubt him. The moment he grabbed the servant’s wrist, a warning prickled at the back of her mind. Something was off.
And she was right. The bodyguard turned to Linsey, his voice calm but firm. “Mrs. Riley, I just saw this servant add something to your coffee. It looked highly suspicious.”
Linsey shot up from her seat. “What?”
Fernanda gasped, her expression a mask of disbelief. “That’s absurd! My servants would never do such a thing. You must be mistaken!”
The bodyguard didn’t flinch. “I know what I saw.”
With a swift twist of the servant’s wrist, he forced her fingers open. A tiny object slipped from her grasp, hitting the floor with a soft clink.
Quick to act, Linsey moved forward and retrieved the object. Upon examining it more closely, she paused, uncertainty flickering across her face.
“It appears to be a sugar packet,” she said.
Her bodyguard knit his brows, growing more suspicious. Could this really be what it seemed?
Fernanda offered a reassuring smile. “Yeah, it’s just sugar. I prefer my coffee sweet.”
After a brief pause and a deep sigh, Fernanda’s eyes met Linsey’s, filled with a hint of sadness. “I’m truly trying to reconcile with you, Linsey, but it feels like you’re always on the defensive.”
Before Linsey had the chance to reply, Fernanda cast a stern glance towards her aide. “While I get why you might distrust me, it’s unfair to let your bodyguard hurt my servant.”
Lаtєst chαptєrs in g𝗮l𝗻ov𝗲ls.ｃοm
The bodyguard quickly released the servant’s wrist, his face clouding over with frustration.
At that moment, the servant winced in pain and addressed Fernanda. “Mrs. Riley, I’m alright…”
As she noticed the swelling on the servant’s wrist, guilt washed over Linsey.
“Please forgive us; it was all a misunderstanding,” Linsey said sincerely.
With a forgiving smile, Fernanda dismissed the concern. “Think nothing of it.” She gestured for someone to assist the servant with her injury.
Afterward, Fernanda gracefully brought a cup of coffee to the sofa.
“Linsey, you really don’t need to be so guarded around me.”
With a serene smile, she added, “Collin is well aware that I invited you tonight. Anything untoward happening to you would clearly implicate me.”
Linsey felt slightly awkward. Her wariness towards Fernanda wasn’t unfounded, given the historical animosity between the Riley family and her own. The threat they posed had almost resulted in serious injury to her.
No one in her shoes would easily lower their defenses.
“I get what you’re saying, Fernanda,” Linsey said, her voice soft as she pursed her lips.
Following this, she and Fernanda planned the details for the forthcoming birthday celebration. The rest of Linsey’s visit passed without incident.
Under the cover of night, Linsey made her way back to Vista Villa. At the entrance, Collin was there to greet her.
.
.
.