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."

door opening echoed through the

acted as though she hadn't noticed them. Without saying a word, she kicked off her shoes

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

had she ever been

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

wanted. Meanwhile, Seline was treated like a princess who had everything. The only reason Suzanne had been allowed to stay in the Yates household was because her father

continued toward

voice snapped out sharply. "Stop right

with her

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

others froze

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

up with Jenson, so what's the problem with marrying into

they had already

Seline marrying into the Lloyd family, so they schemed to have Seline charm Jenson, ensuring

Lloyd family's marriage proposal by accident, overhearing it during

She also knew Seline was the favored child, which

marriage yesterday, it had been an impulsive attempt to escape this fate. But Jenson hadn't shown up;

the sweet, innocent Seline

an arranged marriage with the Lloyd family. If

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

as he looked at Seline. "That's

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

Seline's smile faltered.

hand down on the table. "Suzanne, why should Seline marry into the Lloyd family? Look at yourself! Nobody likes you. You should consider it a blessing to

"I don't need anyone to like me. And if marrying into

hand struck Suzanne across the face, hard enough to make her head turn. The force of the blow made it clear he hadn't

stop! Don't hit

the doting mother when it suited her, but

scoffed. "If you do as you're told, you won't have to suffer. In a

with bitterness. She should have known better. Her father would

won't marry into the Lloyd family. You can think about how to refuse

that, she turned and