Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After Novel

Chapter 74: In an unexpected move, he reached out and clasped her wrist firmly.

A jolt of surprise shot through Linsey, her pupils widening. The contact felt as if a hot ember had touched her skin, causing her to recoil subtly.

Collin's hand was both large and warm, his hold steadfast, commanding her full attention.

Her heart thumped erratically in her chest, a mixture of alarm and anticipation swirling within her. "I have something for you," he stated, his gaze lifting to meet hers.

Caught off guard, Linsey blinked, striving to compose herself. "What is it?"

With deliberate slowness, he placed the velvet box into her hand.

Despite his usual composure during high-stakes business deals, Collin found himself inexplicably nervous. Holding millions in his grasp had never made his heart race like this.

Seeing the box in her hands, Linsey shot Collin a startled look. "A gift?" After lecturing him, she was the one receiving a present? It felt almost unreal.

A warmth spread through her chest, and she hesitated before asking, "Can I open it now?"

Collin's gaze remained locked on her face as he watched for even the subtlest shift in her expression.

"Yes, you can," he replied.

With a mixture of excitement and curiosity, Linsey lifted the lid. The moment her eyes fell on the dazzling gemstone necklace inside, she froze. The sheer brilliance of it was overwhelming.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips, and before she could think, she instinctively pushed the box toward him. "This… This is too much. I can't take it."

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What was Collin thinking? They still had a hundred-million-dollar debt hanging over their heads, and here he was, giving her a necklace? And one that looked outrageously expensive.

It didn't add up. Wasn't he supposed to be completely broke? Sure, they lived in a luxurious villa, and there were high-end cars parked in the garage, but she had never once linked those things to Collin's actual finances.

To her, the villa and those cars were nothing more than a few handouts from the Riley family-perks they had tossed his way to wash their hands of him.

From the moment she learned about his debt, she had believed, without a doubt, that he was struggling financially.

So now, faced with this extravagant gift, she was completely thrown off balance.

Collin's anticipation shattered at her reaction, and his expression darkened. "You're my wife. Buying you something nice-is that really so unacceptable?"

Linsey looked torn, frustration tightening her grip on the box. "Collin, we're drowning in debt, and you're spending money on a gemstone necklace?"

She exhaled sharply. "Besides, even if I keep it, when would I ever wear something like this? Am I supposed to show up at work with a giant gemstone around my neck? It's way too flashy."

Her voice softened, but the concern in her eyes remained. "If I take it, it'll just sit in a drawer collecting dust. Why don't you return it? You should be saving money to pay off the debt."

For a moment, Collin was at a loss for words. He hadn't expected Linsey to still be so fixated on his so-called debt, especially now. He didn't know whether to be touched by her concern or let out a bitter laugh.

But since he was the one who had spun this lie, he had no choice but to keep it believable.

"I have a way to handle the debt. You don't need to worry about it," he reassured her.

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