?Chapter 1071:


    Collin cut him off smoothly. “Hmm? You are what?”


    Jeffery froze, words caught in his throat. He had always seen Linsey as a sister. But to her, he wasn’t quite family. That thought wiped the yfulness from his face.


    Linsey quietly took the report from Jeffery, her eyes briefly scanning his expression. She could read him easily.


    She hadn’t nned to say anything, but then she remembered how Jeffery had helped earlier—running around with her, handling the hospital process, carrying test results from ce to ce.


    Out of courtesy, she spoke gently. “We really should thank Jeffery. He helped me get Shari admitted and took care of a lot. It wasn’t easy.”


    Linsey paused for a beat, then tossed out, half-teasing and half-sincere, “Honestly, after everything, we should go a little easier on Jeffery today.”


    Shari, stretched out on the hospital bed, jumped in right away. “Exactly! He’s been a huge help just now. I really mean it, I’m so grateful.” She shot Linsey a look full of genuine appreciation. “Thank you both, really. If you hadn’t shown up, I would have been in big trouble.” Shari understood all too well that on her own, she never would have stood a chance against Harold. Without their help, she would have been dragged back and probably faced something even worse.


    Linsey returned to Shari’s side and sat, gently shaking her head. “Shari, you don’t have to thank us. Just focus on resting and getting your strength back.”


    With that, she picked up Shari’s medical report and began scanning it carefully.


    Jeffery spoke up from nearby. “The doctor said it’s nothing major. All she needs is a bit of rest.”


    Hearing this, Linsey finally let herself rx and gave Jeffery a grateful nod. “Thanks for looking out for her.”


    Jeffery didn’t say anything right away. But Collin, watching from the side, noticed something new in Linsey’s tone.


    He could tell that whatever bad blood there was between Linsey and Jeffery seemed to have faded. Though Collin didn’t know the full story, Linsey’s feelings were always his first concern.


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    Collin offered a small, genuine smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lawson. We really owe you one. Let us treat you to dinner soon.”


    Those words only seemed to make Jeffery feel more isted, his mood sinking lower.


    Everyone here thanked him, and it made him feel like an outsider. The more Jeffery dwelled on everything, the heavier his mood became. Ever since Linsey’s true background hade to light, he had felt an obligation to look out for her.


    Still, no matter what he did, Linsey kept him at arm’s length, never seeing him as a brother.


    Those thoughts left a bitter taste as Jeffery pressed his lips together and spoke quietly. “No need to thank me. It was nothing, really.” With that, he drifted over to the sofa and sat, making it clear he nned to stay for a while.


    “Did youe here by yourself? What about Alicia and your parents? Have they left the restaurant yet?” Linsey asked, her voice gentle. Collin pulled up another chair, settling in beside Linsey, and nced over, picking up on her concern.


    Jeffery answered honestly, “Before I left, I arranged for someone to take them home. Things were getting out of hand, and I didn’t want Alicia caught up in the chaos.”


    Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, Jeffery felt a strange sense of bnce. After all, Linsey didn’t seem to see him as her brother, but then, she kept the same distance from M and Cruz.


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