Chapter 931

 931:
When she heard that, Haven paused, doubt creeping into her voice. “Really? If Collin doesn’t have feelings for Linsey, then why did he show up that day, demanding to know if she was seriously going to marry Gorman?”
She stopped for a moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face as she continued, “And during that banquet not too long ago, Collin told me directly that he still wasn’t over his ex-wife. And isn’t Linsey the one he used to be married to?”
Joanne gave a short laugh after a beat of silence. “Men love to think they’re noble when they’re really just being possessive. That’s exactly why we planned to remove Linsey—for good. To stop Collin from chasing her ghost.”
Joanne’s smile slowly slipped away, replaced by a cold edge in her voice. “Linsey survived, so we’ll need to rethink our strategy.”
Concern furrowed Haven’s brows. “Are you absolutely certain Kylee won’t turn on us? What if she talks?”
“She won’t,” said Joanne with steady assurance. “I looked into Kylee’s background thoroughly. Her hatred for Linsey runs just as deep as ours. I promised her that everything she’s done won’t be for nothing, and that we’ll stand by her in getting the payback she wants. So of course, giving us up isn’t something she’ll even consider.”
Even with Joanne’s confidence, a sense of dread still gnawed at Haven’s gut.
The silence stretched as she tried to gather her next words, but something else interrupted her train of thought.
A knock interrupted them, followed by a muffled voice beyond the door. “Miss Haven, Mr. Walton says Mr. Riley and his girlfriend have arrived and are waiting downstairs.”
The announcement struck Haven like a slap—her face drained of color as she swung toward Joanne, stunned.
“Collin?” she gasped. “And his girl? Since when does he have a girlfriend? How… how is that even possible?”
Joanne’s expression mirrored Haven’s—surprised and puzzled.
The news rattled them, but it hit Haven the hardest. Panic swept over her, unraveling her composure by the second.
“Joanne, what do we do now? Collin’s never come here before—not once. Why would he show up today of all days—and with a girlfriend? And why didn’t we know about it? Could he really be…”
A shiver ran down Haven’s spine, and Joanne could see it written all over her face.
Joanne quickly shut it down. “No. That’s not possible.”
Meeting Joanne’s eyes, Haven forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her lips. Her voice dropped to a whisper as she said, “You’re thinking it too, aren’t you? You think Collin’s girlfriend might be Linsey.”
Before Joanne could speak, the servant’s voice returned, more insistent this time. “Miss Haven, Mr. Walton says to come downstairs immediately.”
“Go away!” Haven barked, her voice sharp and unraveling. Her entire body was beginning to shake beneath the weight of her panic.
It didn’t feel real—Collin was actually here. And there was a terrifying chance he hadn’t come alone. Linsey might be with him. If that were true, then Collin had never truly let Linsey go.
.
.
.