Linsey gave a small smile. Fine, I ll accept the praise.

The moment felt warm and relaxed, their exchange flowing effortlessly. But a sudden phone ring pierced the calm.

Linsey glanced at the unfamiliar number flashing on her screen, shrugged, and answered.

Instantly, Joanne s rough, accusatory voice barked through.

Linsey, how dare you snatch Jeffery s role as CEO? What exactly are you trying to do?

Linsey froze briefly before steadying herself. Ms. Ellis, you re quite well-informed. My appointment as CEO was finalized just this morning, and here you are, reaching out to check on me hours later. She paused, her voice sharpening. Or rather, you re worried about Jeffery, aren t you?

Collin s expression darkened as he overheard, frustration simmering at Joanne s relentless interference.

She had already threatened Linsey once, and now this abrupt call to challenge her?

He couldn t fathom how Joanne had even gotten her number.

Joanne s voice dripped with venomous resentment. Linsey, it s bad enough you stalled on my offer, but to brazenly steal Jeffery s rightful place as CEO is unthinkable! I m warning you step down and hand the Lawson Group s leadership back to Jeffery, or you ll regret it! After her heated tirade, Joanne s labored breathing filled the line, punctuated by the sound of her swallowing hard.

Linsey, catching the erratic edge in Joanne s tone, pieced it together and let out a dry laugh. Joanne, did you know? Some people get calm and quiet after a drink. Then there s you sloshed and stirring up chaos, making unhinged calls and spewing nonsense.

No wonder Joanne s voice was so raspy; she was clearly intoxicated.

Her fixation on Jeffery was intense his resignation from Lawson Group seemed to rattle her more than it did him.

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Linsey, you know nothing about it! Joanne s voice spiked into a shout before dropping to a hushed, fervent whisper. Everything I ve worked for over the years was to stand by Jeffery s side, to help him elevate Lawson Group to new heights

Linsey s eyes lowered, her tone steady and measured. Honestly, Joanne, you don t need to tie yourself to a man to prove your worth. Grester is a big place, full of thriving companies. Why define yourself as someone s partner instead of standing on your own?

Joanne scoffed bitterly. Because I love Jeffery, and I m the only one in this world who s truly worthy of him.

The conversation was looping back to this exhausting dead end.

Linsey sighed, her patience thinning. Joanne, let me make this crystal clear one last time. Jeffery is married to Alicia, who s carrying their child. He doesn t even recall who you are. All your so-called efforts? They re completely futile.

A chilling silence followed.

Just as Linsey thought Joanne had ended the call, her voice returned, icy and threatening. Linsey, since you keep rejecting my terms, you ve cut off every option I had. Now I m cornered.

Linsey s brows knitted. She was perplexed by Joanne s insistence on blaming her. So what? Are you planning to kill me like Haven did?

At her words, Collin s expression turned grave, a cold intensity radiating from him as if he were ready to storm Joanne s doorstep and detain her himself.

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