Chapter 87
87:
Her voice trailed off as she exchanged a glance with Dolores, her thoughts tangling into a single, startling possibility.
Could Collin actually be the elusive founder of CR Corporation?
Just as the question hung in the air, Dolores’s eyes stretched wide in shock. “Oh my! Are you suggesting Collin handed you a counterfeit?” Her voice was tinged with incredulity.
Linsey momentarily stiffened, the implication taking her by surprise. After a brief pause, she shook her head vigorously. “No, that can’t be right. Collin wouldn’t do such a thing,” she asserted firmly, her faith in him unshaken.
Dolores, still skeptical, tilted her head thoughtfully. “But Linsey, think about it. Are you really saying that Collin might be the man behind CR Corporation? That sounds like pure madness. Not too long ago, I attended a business gathering and got a rare sighting of the CR Corporation’s founder. Though it was just his silhouette, the commanding presence he projected was unmistakable. There was nothing wrong with his legs, which means there’s no way he was Collin—the crippled man confined to a wheelchair.”
She paused to scrutinize the sparkling gemstone at Linsey’s neck once more. “Yet, looking at the vibrant hue and the exquisite cut of this gem, it doesn’t look like a fake at all.”
Now that she thought about it, Linsey felt silly. Why did she keep connecting Collin to the CR Corporation’s mysterious founder?
Linsey traced her fingers over the necklace and remarked, “I know I’m not an expert, but from what little I understand about gemstones, this necklace seems genuine.”
Their gazes locked briefly before they leaned closer, scrutinizing the necklace that dangled elegantly from Linsey’s neck alongside the photo from the auction.
“Linsey, look closer. See how the facets on the gemstone are subtly different?” Dolores pointed out, her voice a mixture of intrigue and scrutiny.
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Linsey examined it, and a wave of relief washed over her. “You’re right. They just bear a resemblance. It’s definitely not the same necklace.”
After all, considering Collin’s staggering debt of a hundred million dollars, the idea of him splurging a billion on a necklace for her was far-fetched. Moreover, he would have discarded it this very morning had she not intervened.
Dolores frowned slightly, her lips tightening in a thoughtful pout. “Alright, perhaps I misjudged Collin,” she conceded, her tone laced with frustration and concern.
She fixed Linsey with a stern look. “But honestly, Linsey, your trust sometimes blinds you. I just don’t want to see you get hurt because of it.”
Linsey offered a wry, helpless smile.
She understood Dolores’ fears; her friend’s fierce protectiveness was as familiar as it was comforting. They had been each other’s rock since childhood, making Dolores’ concern understandable.
Dolores was getting it all wrong about Collin, and she needed to fix that. To reassure her, Linsey came up with an idea on the spot.
“Dolores, what if we all have dinner together? Once you meet Collin, you’ll see how deeply he cares,” she suggested hopefully, her eyes brightening. “He’s not the bad person you think he is.”
Dolores caught the spark of delight twinkling in Linsey’s eyes and couldn’t resist joining in her laughter. “Alright, I’m in. Let’s do this!” Dolores agreed.
Rolling her eyes dramatically, she yielded, sending Linsey a look that was both mischievous and lightly scolding. She lazily swirled her coffee, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she shook her head in playful defeat.
“It’s only been a few days since you married Collin, yet you trust him like he’s been by your side forever. Fine, I’ll believe you for now, but I’ll be watching to see if he really treats you right.”
Linsey’s smile broadened, her eyes shimmering with warmth. “Got it. I’ll talk to him about it as soon as I get back.”
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