?Chapter 917:


    Collin’s features hardened with gravity. “I dispatched Dustin to search your current residence for Zenia. Your premature relocation dyed his arrival to assist me.”


    Linsey whipped around to face Collin, her eyes widening with fresh astonishment.


    So Collin had nned to rescue Zenia all along.


    He needn’t have appeared today at all. With his vast resources, he must have anticipated Gorman’s murderous intentions.


    Nevertheless, he arrived—alone and vulnerable, without a single ally at his back.


    The realization washed over Linsey, illuminating Collin’s true motives. His concern for her safety had driven him to this reckless solitary mission.


    Neither of them had foreseen Kylee’s unexpected intrusion.


    Even Gorman had offered himself as a living shield to protect her.


    “I remained unaware of your arrangements for Zenia. I released her early solely to ease Linsey’s mind,” Gorman murmured, his intense gaze boring into Linsey’s face, each word measured and deliberate.


    Emotions churned violently within Linsey’s chest. Bewildered, she struggled topose her features into some semnce of coherence when facing Gorman.


    She had convinced herself that Gorman had descended irretrievably into madness.


    gα?ησν????s?c???? brings imagination alive


    Yet the sight of him bleeding from wounds taken in her defense revealed aplexity she had refused to see.


    “Hush now, Gorman. Preserve your strength,” Linsey murmured, fighting against the constriction in her throat as she drew a steadying breath.


    “Linsey, it’s my heart that bears the wound,” Gorman whispered with a fragile, rueful smile.


    His gaze lingered on her face for a heartbeat before his fingers suddenly enveloped hers, clutching her hand with surprising strength.


    Linsey flinched as warmth…


    Spread across her palm, Gorman’s blood seeped between their joined hands, crimson and using.


    His words reverberated through her consciousness, unleashing a tidal wave of horror that crashed against her ribcage.


    The de had pierced his heart.


    Scarlet life drained from him with eachbored breath.


    And still, no wailing sirens announced the ambnce’s arrival.


    Even if it had been dispatched from the nearest hospital, precious minutes would tick away before help could reach them. Minutes, now, were a luxury Gorman couldn’t afford.


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