Felix seemed to catch on, lunging for her phone and snapping, Who are you? Why would you deliberately sabotage my deal?

Calm as ever, Collin s response on the other end left Felix speechless. The call was over in seconds.

Afterward, Felix dropped the phone onto the bed. Linsey, on edge, pressed for answers. What did he say, Felix?

Running a hand over his tired face, Felix finally answered, Collin said you re his wife now. As far as he s concerned, if we want that land back, you have to live with him, not me.

Those words sent a chill racing down Linsey s spine. Never had she imagined Collin would stoop so low, using this scheme to force her into his home.

Fighting back her panic, Linsey tried to steady herself. Clinging to Felix s arm, she tried to sound confident. Don t panic. There must be another way.

But Felix pulled away, frustration etched across his features. We re out of time. That land needs to be secured by tomorrow morning. If we miss the deadline, the losses will be enormous.

A desperate idea sparked in Linsey s mind. How much are we short? Maybe I can cover it.

Felix lifted three fingers. $3 million. That s what it ll take.

$3 million?! Linsey s eyes went wide, shock flooding her features. There was no way she could scrape together that much cash right now.

A weary sigh slipped from Felix as he tried to reason with her. Linsey, maybe it s best if you just go along with what Collin wants.

She spun to face him, disbelief etched into every word. Are you serious? I m your girlfriend, and you re telling me to move in with another man?

Felix wrapped an arm around her, trying to soothe her nerves. What choice do we have? Don t worry about it I can accept this, at least until the land deal is done. As soon as it s settled, I ll come back for you.

But Linsey started, her voice small and uncertain.

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Felix interjected, impatience flickering across his face. Would you really let me lose everything without lifting a finger?

The next morning, sunlight spilled across the upper floor of Vista Villa. Collin stood at the window in his second-floor study, the usual pretense of disability abandoned as he gazed out at the grounds. A figure appeared at the edge of his vision.

Linsey approached, dressed in simple jeans and a white T-shirt, her hair pulled into a loose bun, a suitcase trailing behind her.

Her once gentle features were now marred by a frown and visible anxiety. Collin watched the scene unfold, a glass of wine turning lazily in his hand, a faint and knowing smile curving his lips.

She had once vowed never to set foot in his house, yet here she was, crossing the very threshold she swore to avoid. Collin found it almost amusing Linsey really did have a knack for breaking her own promises.

With a spark of triumph, Collin finished his wine in one swallow, then settled back into his wheelchair, preparing to greet his reluctant houseguest.

Outside, Linsey hovered by the front door, her resolve flickering. She lifted her hand to ring the bell, then let it fall, hesitating again and again.

Being forced to marry Collin on what should have been her wedding day to Felix had already felt like a nightmare. Now, Collin had gone so far as to threaten Felix s entire future just to get her under his roof.

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