Chapter 5 Let's Make A Bet Then

On the other side, after Collin returned to Vista Villa, he made his way straight to the study.

Seen as disabled and worthless by society, he now stood tall, his former despondency entirely gone. He faced the floor-to-ceiling window, his expression cold and unreadable as he watched the world below.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Dustin Wade, his childhood friend.

"Hey, Collin," Dustin said, his voice casual. "I've looked into your wife. There's nothing shady about her. Her background checks out. On the day of the wedding, she married you because her fiancé left her standing at the altar."

Dustin's tone shifted, a playful edge creeping in. "You know, all the rich young women in town avoid you like the plague. They think you're disabled, and you're cut off from your family-just the perfect picture of an outcast. But Linsey? She had the guts to walk right up to you and marry you. I gotta say, that's some serious courage."

After a brief pause, Dustin added with a thoughtful sigh, "I do wonder, though... when she finds out the truth, how will she take it?"

Collin's voice was steady and emotionless as he answered, "She won't get the chance. As soon as she realized who I really am, she came up with an excuse and left. She's probably gone for good."

He wasn't surprised. After the accident, rejection and scorn had become part of his life. His low position in the Riley family only added to his isolation, making him numb to it all.

People often said that marrying a man like him-someone with no future-was like throwing away a woman's life.

But Dustin didn't agree with Collin.

"I don't think she's like that," Dustin retorted with a grin. "Think about it-how many women would dare to swap grooms at their own wedding? My gut tells me Linsey's not the type to run. Since she's already married you, I don't think she'd just disappear."

As Dustin spoke, his interest visibly grew, his excitement clear in his voice. "You don't believe me? Let's make a bet then. I bet Linsey will be back soon. If I win, you hand over that plot of land on the outskirts of town. Deal?"

Collin raised an eyebrow, his tone calm but calculating. "And if you lose?"

Dustin let out a dismissive scoff. "I'm not going to lose, okay?"

But before he could say more, Collin's icy aura seemed to seep through the phone, sending a chill down his spine. Dustin quickly backpedaled. "Fine, fine. If I lose, you can make any request of similar value. Deal?"

Collin didn't believe for a second that Linsey would return. A cold snort escaped him, which Dustin took as tacit agreement.

Just as Collin was about to hang up, a knock echoed at the door. The housekeeper's voice came through. "Mr. Riley, Mrs. Riley is here."

...

Dragging her suitcase behind her, Linsey stepped into the villa, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The place was eerily silent, the air feeling sterile and devoid of any warmth or comfort.

She looked around, quickly noticing the sparse furniture. It was simple, almost bare-a far cry from the lavish home one would expect from the young man of a wealthy family.

Linsey's gaze hardened. Since she was married to Collin now, she felt justified in making some alterations to this place.

One thing was clear-she wasn't going to live in such a cold, lifeless space. She would make it her own, no matter what.

As she mentally mapped out how to redecorate, Collin suddenly appeared, rolling himself into view.

His gaze fixed on her, his eyes dark and unreadable. He hadn't expected Dustin to be right-Linsey had actually come back.

Though surprised, he didn't let it show, his face impassive. His eyes dropped to the suitcase behind her. "You've been gone this long just to pack this little?"

Of course not. She also took the time to teach Felix and Joanna a lesson.

Though Linsey's thoughts wandered down that bitter path, she simply answered, her voice soft and neutral, "This place is a bit remote. Plus, I've never been here before. I got lost and wandered around for a while before finally finding it. That's why it took so long."

Collin gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable as he turned his wheelchair. "Follow me."

Linsey followed swiftly, her steps light but hesitant. Her gaze flickered toward the wheelchair, her mind debating whether she should offer to help. Before she could settle on an answer, he stopped.

The room was on the first floor. Linsey glanced inside, her eyes quickly taking in the bare walls and minimalist furnishings. Like the rest of the villa, it felt devoid of warmth, yet clean and orderly.

"Am I staying in this room tonight?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Collin caught her gaze out of the corner of his eye, a faint smirk curling at the edges of his lips as he replied coolly, "Yes, you'll stay here-with me."

Linsey froze, her heart stuttering in her chest. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stared at him, unable to comprehend what he had just said. "What... did you just say?"

Her pulse quickened. Had he just implied they were going to sleep together tonight?