Before Linsey could respond, he was gone, moving like a storm out the door.

By the time she gathered her thoughts, the room was empty.

What was that? Why did he rush off like that? she wondered.

And had she imagined the cold flicker in his eyes?

Recalling Gorman s expression, Linsey shivered involuntarily.

It had to be her imagination she must have misread it.

A flicker of confusion lingered in her gaze.

But she didn t dwell on it. After finishing her milk, she sank into bed, exhausted. In the darkness, her thoughts drifted to the moment Collin had stepped in to save her.

The memory sent a sharp lurch through her heart.

At Vista Villa, Collin sat alone on the sofa, lost in thought, when a figure burst through the door.

Collin s gaze snapped up, sharp as a blade. What s with the rush? What s wrong?

His subordinate, breathless and panicked, blurted, Mr. Riley, we ve got a problem!

Collin narrowed his eyes, his voice low and steady. What is it? Speak.

His subordinate, visibly flustered, finally blurted out, You asked me to investigate Yana Gates, but she s vanished. s ? ?s F?nd-Novel.net

Collin s brow furrowed. Vanished? She isn t at the office?

At this hour, it wasn t uncommon for employees to still be working. Yana still had an urgent project on her plate. By all logic, she should have been there.

The subordinate shook his head quickly. We inquired across every department, sir. No one saw her at the office. Her friend claimed she left earlier in the evening.

Find your imagination at galn ovels ; con

Collin s expression hardened, a shadow crossing his face. Then check her residence. Must you really come running to me over every trivial detail?

The man lowered his gaze, as though bracing himself. We already did. Her housekeeper told us that Yana was still at the office, working late.

That contradiction seemed to rattle even the subordinate, who ventured cautiously, Mr. Riley do you think something may have happened to her as well?

Collin gave no immediate reply. His silence was heavier than words, though his expression grew darker by the second.

Yana was not at the office. Not at home. And yet her housekeeper had been told she was burning the midnight oil at her desk.

After a long, weighted pause, he finally spoke. No. She wouldn t have reached her housekeeper if she were in genuine danger.

What would you like us to do next? the subordinate asked tentatively.

Nothing for now, Collin replied, dismissing him with a flick of his hand. Go get some rest. Tomorrow s a workday. She ll show up at the office then, and I ll confront her myself.

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