Yeah, armchair psychologists often like to throw out the "this isn't what it seems" argument with such conviction that they forget that it still definitely could be what it seems.

Both scenarios occur

True

I don’t think it’s [not] reasonable to say this “strongly” suggests one in particular.

Disagree. He had a choice to either hear that she was experience pain/duress or that she's exaggerating and/or misunderstanding. In either case, if he truly cares about her then he could/should seek to understand, communicate, and (if appropriate) compromise. That he immediately dismissed her and only talked of himself makes it clear that he's an uncaring narcissist.

I appreciate that you want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Narcissists depend on this. When they show you who they are, believe them.