Marrying a Secret Zillionaire: Happy ever after - Chapter 78

Chapter 78:

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As far back as he could remember, Collin’s study was a fortress of solitude, strictly off-limits to outsiders. Even the servants, tasked with tidying the room, were required to schedule their duties well in advance. Oddly enough, Linsey, despite being Collin’s wife for mere days, was free to move in and out of the study without restriction.

Attempting to maintain decorum, Linsey found herself at a loss for words. Her eyes, darting anxiously, shimmered with the vestiges of recently withheld tears, revealing her inner turmoil.

After a palpable pause, she nervously bit her lip and told the subordinate that Collin was inside before retreating hastily.

The bewildered subordinate stepped into the study, his gaze immediately colliding with Collin’s stern, contemplative visage looming behind an imposing desk. Unbeknownst to him, his intrusion had ruined the moment. The image of Linsey’s reddened eyes haunted him briefly, sparking a cascade of speculation. Could there be tension between the couple?

Collin’s temperament was notoriously erratic, and though they were married, Linsey was still a relative stranger to his deeper intricacies. To the subordinate, it seemed plausible that Collin, in a moment of harshness, had wounded her spirit. His limited interactions with Linsey painted her as a soul of kindness and warmth—a sharp contrast to Collin’s occasional coldness.

The more he pondered, the more his empathy for Linsey deepened, stirring a blend of concern and curiosity. No matter the reason, when Collin’s mood turned dark, it was always his subordinates who bore the brunt of it.

The subordinate exhaled a quiet, resigned sigh, his thoughts churning with concern over the report he was about to deliver.

“What is it? Out with it,” Collin demanded, his voice tinged with evident irritation.

The subordinate, pausing momentarily to muster his courage, extended an ornate invitation with both hands. “Mr. Riley, please have a look at this.”

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Collin snatched the invitation, unfolding it swiftly. As he scanned its contents, a cold, sardonic smile crept across his features.

“Huntley’s grand birthday gala?” he sneered, his eyes shimmering with scorn.

Huntley Riley, his half-brother, shared the same father with him, born to Fernanda Riley—Collin’s ambitious stepmother. Over the years, Fernanda had maneuvered with relentless cunning, orchestrating plots to secure Huntley’s position as the favored heir. Her efforts often involved undermining Collin at every turn.

This invitation, bearing the Riley family crest, signified a grand celebration in honor of Huntley, the golden child. This tradition, deeply rooted in the family’s dynamics, underscored the blatant favoritism that Huntley enjoyed.

Interestingly, this was the first year the Riley family had extended Collin an official invitation, perhaps fearing that his absence might embarrass them at such a high-profile event.

Collin’s subordinate maintained a respectful stance as he said, “The person delivering the invitation also mentioned that your family expects you to attend your brother’s birthday party with your wife. They specifically said… your father and Fernanda are looking forward to meeting your new bride.”

“Is that so?” Collin let out a cold chuckle, his expression unreadable. He wasn’t naive enough to believe that the Riley family had suddenly developed an interest in his marriage out of genuine concern.

“They must have caught wind of Haven running off and my abrupt wedding. Now, they’re just seizing the opportunity to have a good laugh at my expense.” With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the invitation onto his desk, his tone laced with indifference. “Since they’re so eager to meet my wife, then let them. Make the arrangements.”

“Understood,” the subordinate said, turning to leave.

But after a brief hesitation, he recalled the way Linsey had looked earlier—her red-rimmed eyes, the trace of distress on her face. He hesitated only for a second before speaking up. “It’s not my place to interfere in your personal matters, but… there’s something I feel I should mention.”

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