Chapter 99
99:
She glanced at Collin, who remained stoic, his face a mask of calm resolve. She didn’t need to strain to hear the murmurs; their content was clear enough.
Before today, Linsey had only known snippets about Collin. Now, as she witnessed the disdain he endured, her sympathy for him deepened. Her teeth clenched in indignation, Linsey was on the brink of confronting the rude onlookers.
However, at that moment, Collin gently captured her hand and redirected it toward the wheelchair’s handles.
“Don’t mind them,” he murmured quietly. “Remember, you promised to stick by my side.”
Before Linsey could reply, a sneering voice echoed from the front.
“Collin, why are you so late?” Huntley strode confidently up to Collin, fixing him with a mocking stare. “Oh, right. I almost forgot. You can’t move around easily, so of course you’d be late. My mistake for overthinking—I almost thought you were too embarrassed to show up.”
Collin met Huntley’s gaze with a detached expression. “What do I have to be afraid of?”
Fernanda, who was trailing gracefully behind, overheard Huntley’s comments and couldn’t suppress her smugness.
She looked at Collin’s wheelchair and put on a show of sympathy. “Huntley, that’s enough. Collin is already coping with his disability. Don’t make it harder for him.”
Huntley gave a cold snort, then turned to the gathering crowd of guests and announced loudly, “Everyone in town knows that not long ago, Collin’s original fiancée ran away as soon as she saw his wheelchair. Left with no choice, he had to quickly find another woman to marry.”
Huntley laughed and then turned back to Collin. “Look at you, Collin. It’s been days since your wedding, and yet you’re still hiding your wife. Mom and I are both so curious—we really want to see what your new bride looks like. Although your legs are useless, you’re still part of this family. Surely someone of your status wouldn’t just marry anyone.”
As he finished, Huntley’s eyes roamed around Collin.
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His gaze suddenly fixed on Linsey, who stood quietly behind Collin. A look of surprise crossed his face. Who was this woman?
Huntley had never even thought of Linsey as Collin’s wife. He assumed she was just another guest there to watch the event unfold.
“Collin, where’s your wife? Why don’t you introduce her to everyone?”
While he said this, Huntley’s eyes boldly scanned Linsey.
Who was this woman? Why hadn’t he seen her around before? She was unlike the overly adorned women Huntley was used to. Her features were fine, her manner even finer. He reminded himself to find out who she was later.
Just as Huntley was lost in thought, he noticed Linsey move gracefully forward and take Collin’s hand gently.
Collin looked at her, and his stern expression softened. Turning to Fernanda, he introduced her. “This is my wife.”
Huntley was taken aback. He couldn’t believe such a stunning woman was married to Collin.
Before Fernanda could reply, Huntley exclaimed, “Collin, are you serious? She’s your wife?”
“Yes,” Collin answered without missing a beat.
A theory formed in Huntley’s mind, and with a mocking smile, he teased, “Collin, you didn’t hire an actress to boost your image, did you?”
Laughing, he turned to Linsey. “So, how much is Collin paying you to make an appearance here? I’ll double it.”
Linsey’s grip on Collin’s hand tightened. Before Collin could speak, she addressed Huntley in a cold but commanding tone. “I am not an actress. Collin and I are truly married. Your insinuations insult not just him, but me as well. An apology is due.”
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