Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Undress You The next moment, Jewell quietly raised the partition inside the car.
Linsey hesitated, her gaze flicking to Collin, confusion knitting her brows. "Did something happen last night?" Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
She bit her lip, her tone turning more uncertain. "You seemed... off this morning. Did I do something wrong? I swear, I don't remember anything." Collin's jaw tightened, his expression shadowed by something sharp and unreadable. "You don't remember trying to undress me?" His voice was low, edged with mockery.
The sarcasm stung. Linsey blinked, stunned, pointing to herself in disbelief.
"Me?" Her voice cracked. "Undress you?" She shook her head furiously, as if trying to physically erase the accusation. "No.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNo way. I-I'd never do something like that." As soon as the words left her mouth, Linsey saw Collin's expression darken, shadows pooling in his eyes.
She hesitated, fingers tugging at the hem of her sleeve. "I mean it. I don't remember anything," she murmured, doubt creeping into her voice. "Someone once toldI'm not great with alcohol, so maybe... maybe I lost control last night." Collin's head snapped toward her, his eyes narrowing with a sharp, dangerous glint. "Really? So getting drunk and acting out is something you've done before?" Linsey faltered, realizing she might've crossed a line. Her voice softened, almost apologetic. "I used to drink with my roommates sometimes, but after one bad night, they never letnear alcohol again." She forced a weak laugh, though it barely scratched the tension. "But I don't think I ever undressed them." Collin's gaze didn't waver, his silence pressing down on her like a weight.
She didn't mention her ex-boyfriend, though the history between them stretched over years.
They had likely shared more than just drinks-those reckless, restless years had left room for moments far more intimate.
Collin knew those thoughts were reasonable-maybe even inevitable. But the image of Linsey with someone else clawed at him, jealousy tightening in his chest like a vice.
Beside him, Linsey sensed the shift, tension radiating from him like heat off asphalt.
She didn't understand why her words had made things worse. Tentatively, she reached out, her voice soft and uncertain. "Collin... what is it? Tell me, is something wrong?" That nagging question twisted in her gut-had she done something even worse last night? Collin inhaled slowly, deliberately, before his voice cut through the silence-cold and edged. "From now on, don't drink with others." The weight of his disapproval pressed down on her, heavy and suffocating. Instinctively, she nodded. "Okay, I understand." 00% Chapter 38 Undress You But the question lingered, thick and unspoken: Why couldn't she remember what had happened? The thought that she might have taken advantage of him against his will, however unintentionally, left her hollow and unsettled.
The rest of the ride passed in tense silence, the air thick with words left unsaid.
Soon, they arrived at Vista Villa. Linsey hesitated by the car door, unsure how to help without overstepping. Before she could decide, Jewell was already there, smoothly positioning the wheelchair and assisting Collin into it.
Linsey hurried to follow, stepping in behind him. "Letpush you inside," she offered.
"There's no need." Collin's tone was flat. His gaze shifted to Jewell, who wordlessly stepped forward and took hold of the wheelchair handles.
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Collin cast Linsey a detached glance, his voice cool and distant. "It's late. You should eat. Thave important En. matters to handle in the study." He was going to the study again.
She watched him go, the distance between them feeling less like space and more like a wall she couldn't climb.
She stood there, rooted in uncertainty, until the butlerapproached with gentle urgency.
"Mrs. Riley, are you all right? It's cold outside. Please, cin." His voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. She blinked, as if waking from a trance, then gave a small nod and followed him inside.
As they walked, she hesitated before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you know what m e happened last night? I... 1 might've done something terrible after drinking too much. That's why Collin's upset, isn't it?" Guilt laced her words. "He won't tellwhat I did, and now I don't even know how to apologize.' 100.0