Chapter 646

 646:
Witnessing Linsey’s cold detachment felt like an icy blade twisting inside his chest. Just this morning, she had greeted him warmly, yet now she stood before him like a stranger, guarded and indifferent.
Tonight was supposed to be their moment of truth, yet Carol had shattered everything he had carefully planned.
As he recalled Carol’s interference, Collin’s eyes flashed briefly with resentment. Keeping his tone steady, he explained, “Myla was escorted safely to the hospital where Jeffery’s currently staying.”
At these words, Linsey visibly relaxed, tension leaving her shoulders.
“Cruz has been by Jeffery’s bedside all day. Myla is there now; they’ll return home together shortly,” Collin continued casually. “And as for Carol—my men have her under control.”
Linsey’s relief quickly turned into suspicion, and she shot him an incredulous stare. “What else are you plotting, Collin? Why involve Jeffery and his father? Are you aware Jeffery has a serious blood disorder and shouldn’t leave the hospital?”
His expression grew colder as he returned her gaze intently, asking sharply, “Jeffery’s illness is no concern of yours. Why are you defending someone who once treated you so poorly?”
Linsey instantly caught the bitter jealousy behind his words. She laughed bitterly, disdain coloring her voice. “Any decent person would object to forcibly removing a critically ill patient from medical care.”
A moment later, she added with quiet resignation, “Honestly, whatever your schemes are, leave me out of them. Your feud with the Lawson family isn’t my concern. If you won’t release Myla immediately, we have nothing more to discuss.”
With that, Linsey turned to leave.
Collin moved swiftly, catching hold of her left arm firmly but gently.
“Release me!” Linsey pulled away violently, her expression filled with contempt rather than affection. “Collin, I’ve said clearly—I refuse to get entangled in your vendettas. Let me go.”
Pain flickered across Collin’s features; witnessing her disgust felt unbearable.
Finally, he forced words past the lump in his throat, whispering roughly, “I know everything Carol did to you today, Linsey.”
His eyes drifted to her injured hand, sympathy clouding his gaze. “She reopened your wound. The reason I came here tonight was to make sure she’d pay for hurting you.”
Collin locked eyes with Linsey, as if he feared she would disappear if he looked away. “Let me take you home. Once we’re there, I’ll explain everything. Just please, hear me out.”
But Linsey had no desire for his explanations; after a tense silence, she finally met his gaze head-on.
“Did Carol target me just this once? Where was your righteous anger before now?”
Her voice dripped with bitter sarcasm as she continued, “Oh, right—how could I forget? After that infamous party Carol threw, you conveniently canceled your partnership with the Lawson Group, crippling their finances while enhancing your public image. Come to think of it, perhaps you owe me gratitude. Without my livestream exposing her, you wouldn’t have had a valid excuse to end your business ties with them, especially when they were already crumbling from within.”
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