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."

finished speaking, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the room. Suzanne walked in, and

though she hadn't noticed them. Without saying a word, she kicked

he shot Mandy a glare. "See? This is what happens when you spoil her.

When had she ever

younger, she was always blamed for Seline's mistakes. They would hit or scold her

was treated like a princess who had everything. The only reason Suzanne had been allowed to stay in the Yates

them, Suzanne continued toward

snapped out sharply. "Stop right

in with her

paused at the foot of the stairs, turning back to look at Henry with an indifferent expression. "If this is about the marriage with the Lloyd family,

the others

she know about this? This was supposed to be a secret between the three of them. She must've overheard their

the problem with marrying into the Lloyd family?"

even colder. She had just broken up, and they had already learned about it. She was certain they knew the reason

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

had only discovered the Lloyd family's marriage proposal by accident, overhearing it during a visit home. Until then, they

also knew Seline was the favored child, which made Suzanne the obvious choice

she sent Jenson that message about marriage yesterday, it had been an impulsive attempt to escape

would never understand how the sweet, innocent Seline he adored had systematically made

refused to be forced into an arranged marriage with the Lloyd family.

her sweet expression and said

full of approval as he looked at Seline. "That's my girl. You're always

scoff. "If she's so sensible, why don't she marry into the Lloyd

Seline's smile faltered.

should Seline marry into the Lloyd family? Look

if marrying into the Lloyd family

hand struck Suzanne across the face, hard enough to make her head turn. The force of the

stop! Don't hit her!"

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

suffer. In a few days, you'll meet with the Lloyd family, and

clouding over with

calmed down and said coldly, "I won't marry into the Lloyd family. You can think about how

that, she turned and