Chapter 833
833:
Moments later, her phone buzzed with a message. Joanne had sent the investigation report.
She opened the file quickly—and froze the second she read the contents.
Back outside, the meal was nearly over. Plates were mostly cleared, and the atmosphere had settled down.
A server approached with a tray of drinks, smiling warmly. “To celebrate our grand opening, we’re offering complimentary fresh orange juice. Would anyone like some?”
Linsey glanced at the orange-yellow drink, her throat dry. “Yes, please,” she said softly.
One by one, the others took a glass. A light fruity scent drifted through the air, whetting their appetites once more.
“Smells like orange juice,” Dolores remarked with a smile.
Linsey took a small sip. It was sweet and cooling, just what she needed. Collin, seated diagonally across from her, brought his glass closer to his nose—but the moment he caught a whiff, his expression changed. His brows furrowed sharply. Without warning, he looked up, alarm flashing in his eyes. Just as Linsey raised the glass again, he reached over and grabbed it from her hand.
“Don’t drink that!” Collin said firmly, his voice low and tense.
Startled, Linsey stared at him in confusion. “You…”
Dolores frowned, clearly irritated. “What are you doing, Collin? What does it matter to you if she drinks juice?”
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“There’s mango in it!” he said quickly, not taking his eyes off Linsey.
“Wait, what?” Dolores’s face went pale.
Linsey froze, her heart skipping a beat. Suddenly, whether real or imagined, it became hard to breathe.
Collin reacted instantly. He shoved the plates aside and came around the table to her side, leaning close. “How do you feel?” he asked urgently, concern evident in his tone. “Is your breathing okay?”
Linsey’s chest tightened. Her breaths came in short, uneven bursts. Her body weakened, and she slumped without warning.
“Linsey!” Dolores gasped, leaping to her feet. Panic broke through her voice. “Quick, lay her down flat! I’m calling an ambulance!”
Collin caught her just in time, gently easing her onto the long bench, carefully supporting her head.
Behind them, Dustin’s face had turned grim. He spun toward the server and snapped, “Why was there mango in that juice? Didn’t you say it was fresh orange juice?”
The server looked horrified. “We made mango juice this morning, and at noon we switched to orange. It must’ve gotten mixed in by mistake.”
Linsey’s face had already started to swell and flush red. Her breathing turned more labored by the second. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
Her vision blurred, but she could still make out Collin’s worried face hovering above her—and something in her chest ached at the sight. It was too much. Her face burned, and pain pulsed through her skin. “Leave me alone…” Linsey croaked, her voice hoarse and weak. She tried to push Collin away.
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