Chapter 3 His Wife

Unfortunately, this wasn't enough to convince Bryson. Bryson chuckled and cast Linsey a condescending look. "You're quite confident in yourself, but words are merely words. What I need is a person of action, someone who is truly capable of solving this problem without a hitch. Do you really think that person is you?"

Bryson didn't even wait for Linsey to reply before dismissing her yet again. "You should leave, Miss... Well, you should go."

Linsey took a deep breath. She could tell from his attitude that she couldn't make any progress today. She took out a business card from her purse and offered it to him. "Mr. Higgins, if you ever change your mind, do feel free to give me a call."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I won't be needing that," Bryson said, glancing at the card without making a move to take it.

Linsey gritted her teeth at his arrogance. As much as she wanted this project, her tolerance for his disrespect was limited. Unable to hold back any longer, she spoke sharply at him. "Article 328, Clause 14 of the Customs Administrative Penalty Implementation Regulations. Take a look at it if you can spare some time. I'd like to see if you can still be this pompous once the Higgins Group's overseas operation collapses!"

With that, Linsey grabbed her coat and strode away without a single glance.

If Bryson's legion of lawyers were half as good as he claimed them to be, then this matter should have been settled in less than a week. He wouldn't have to enlist Asher's help in seeking her out in the first place!

Linsey was so irritated that she failed to pay attention to the person approaching her from the opposite direction.

It wasn't until Linsey felt her arm getting grabbed that she finally snapped back to reality. Linsey glared up at the man in front of her, but her annoyance quickly turned into panic.

It was Devin Sullivan, the owner of a real estate business and the client she had met with last night, the very man who had drugged her.

Devin was already in his forties, a state that was more or less evidenced by his thinning hair and pot belly. Linsey had noticed early on during their business meeting that he was looking at her strangely, but she had never expected him to do anything about it. She had certainly never imagined that he would spike her drink! Now, seeing him face to face gave her an urgent need to flee.

Devin leered at her, his grip tightening around her arm. "Hello, Miss Wheeler. You may have managed to escape last night, but I'm not letting you go this time!"

Linsey swallowed the lump in her throat and told herself to calm down. "Don't you dare do anything to me, or I will sue you!"

Her threat was met with a bark of laughter. "Go ahead, be my guest! With my connections, I'll make it look like you're the one who seduced me. Let's see who will believe you then!"

Linsey grew frantic. She struggled against him, desperate to break free. "Let go of me! Help! Someone, please help me!" she cried out.

"Keep screaming for all I care! This bar is part of my turf. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one is coming to save you!" Devin smirked at Linsey, his lecherous gaze wandering up and down her body. "If you know what's best for you, you'll stop resisting and do as I say. Serve me well, and you will be rewarded."

Devin leaned closer, trying to land a big, wet kiss on Linsey's lips. Devin had been eyeing her for as long as he could remember, and he finally got the chance to get her alone last night. Needless to say, after his initial plans had been foiled, there was no way he was letting her slip through his fingers again.

Linsey tried to fight him off with all the strength she could muster. In her struggle, the top two buttons of her blouse came undone, exposing her neck and upper chest.

When Devin saw the fresh hickeys on her skin, he exploded in possessive anger. "You bitch! Who the hell did you fuck last night? You should be honored that I even gave you the time of the day, yet you went away and tumbled around with another man!"

Frightened now, Linsey took a step back and pulled as far away as she could. "What's wrong with sleeping with my husband?" she blurted out without thinking. "I'll have you know that I am married to Bryson Higgins! Touch me, and he won't spare you!"

"Bryson Higgins? Stop lying, you wench, and take a good look at yourself before you make such ridiculous statements. Someone of his caliber wouldn't even spare a glance at someone like you." Devin sneered and tightened his grip further, so much so that Linsey was sure his hand would leave a mark on her skin. "Did you think I would fall for your stupid lies? I'll show you just how wise and capable I am!"

His other hand began to reach for Linsey's chest. Linsey screamed and turned away, her eyes shut tight in terror of what was to come.

But Devin's hand never touched her.

Linsey risked a peek and looked up. "Bryson!"

"Mr. Higgins!" Devin knew who Bryson was, of course. To say that he was shocked to see Bryson there and then would be a gross understatement.

Devin's mind raced. Had Linsey told the truth? Was she really Bryson's wife?