Her Hidden Crowns (Suzanne and Austin)

Chapter 3

Seline and her parents were sitting on the couch at home, creating a picturesque family scene.

Seline admired her freshly done nails, her mood cheerful as she spoke up, "Mom, Dad, look at my nails! Aren't they gorgeous?"

Henry Yates and Mandy Larson both glanced at her delicate hands, their eyes filled with affection as they nodded.

"Beautiful. My daughter always looks perfect," Henry said with pride.

Seline pouted playfully. "Dad, you're not even really looking! You're just humoring me!"

Henry burst into laughter. "What do you mean I'm not looking?"

But as he spoke, his expression darkened slightly. "If that ungrateful girl were half as good as you, I wouldn't be so worried."

Seline exchanged a glance with Mandy before Mandy responded gently, "Why bring this up now? Suzanne is a good kid."

"Good?" Henry let out a cold snort. "If she were truly good, she'd agree to the marriage alliance with the Lloyd family."

The Lloyd family was a powerful force, and a partnership with them would be beneficial for the Yates family. Seline and Mandy had known about the proposed alliance for months now.

However, the proposed groom was nearly 40 years old and had a terrible reputation. He was far from an ideal husband. Seline had been terrified the responsibility would fall on her.

She looked nervously at Henry. "But Dad, isn't Suzanne still with Jenson?"

"They haven't spoken in three months. That's as good as a breakup," Henry replied, patting Seline's hand reassuringly. "Besides, I'd much rather see you marry Jenson."

Seline's cheeks turned pink as she exhaled in relief.

"You two need to figure out a way to convince that girl," Henry said, his tone firm.

Mandy hesitated, concern evident in her voice. "But Henry, wouldn't that be unfair to her?"

"Unfair?" Henry's voice turned icy. "She'll be helping the entire Yates family by marrying into the Lloyd family. What's so unfair about that? Or would you prefer we send Seline instead?"

Mandy's and Seline's faces paled at the suggestion. Before either could respond, Henry's voice hardened further. "Someone has to marry into the Lloyd family. Figure out how to make her do it."

sound of the front door opening echoed through

saying

what happens when you spoil her. I told

When had she ever been

for Seline's mistakes. They would hit or scold her or

had everything. The only reason Suzanne had been allowed to stay in the

Suzanne continued

snapped out sharply. "Stop

stepped in with her

at Henry with an indifferent expression. "If this is about the marriage

and the others froze

did she know about this? This was supposed to be a secret

what's the problem with marrying into the Lloyd family?" Henry sputtered, his

turned even colder. She had just broken up, and they had already learned about it. She was

so they schemed to have Seline charm Jenson, ensuring her breakup with him. That way, Suzanne would

overhearing it during a visit

family. She also knew Seline was the favored child, which made Suzanne

sent Jenson that message about marriage yesterday, it had been an impulsive attempt to escape this fate. But Jenson hadn't

innocent Seline he adored had

had stemmed from this too. She refused to be forced into an arranged marriage with the Lloyd family. If she was going to marry someone, it would be someone of

noticing Suzanne's reluctance, hid a smirk behind her sweet expression and said gently,

softened, his gaze full of approval as he looked at Seline. "That's my girl. You're always so

out a scoff. "If she's so sensible, why don't she

Seline's smile faltered.

your mouth!" Henry roared, slamming his hand down on the table. "Suzanne, why should Seline marry into the Lloyd family? Look at yourself! Nobody likes you. You should

need anyone to like me. And if marrying into the Lloyd family is such a blessing, why don't you

face, hard enough to make her head turn. The force of the blow

stop! Don't hit her!" Mandy cried

bitter smile. Mandy was always quick to play the doting mother when it suited her, but her father was too blind-or maybe he just didn't

you're told, you won't have to suffer. In a

clouding over with

"I won't marry into the Lloyd family. You can think

that, she turned and