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 room. Suzanne walked

Without saying a word,

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

softly. When had she ever been

Seline's mistakes. They would hit or

she 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 needed the support of her maternal grandparents.

continued toward

snapped out sharply.

in with her usual loving act. "Henry,

with an indifferent expression. "If this is about the marriage with the Lloyd family,

and the others froze in

be a secret between the three of them. She must've overheard their

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

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

bear the thought of Seline marrying into the Lloyd family, so they schemed to have Seline charm Jenson, ensuring her breakup with him. That way, Suzanne

overhearing it during a visit

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

yesterday, it had been an impulsive attempt to

how the sweet, innocent Seline he adored had systematically made

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

hid a smirk behind her sweet expression and

as he

so sensible, why don't she marry into the

Seline's smile faltered.

into the Lloyd family? Look at yourself! Nobody likes you. You should consider it a blessing to marry into

like me. And if marrying

head turn. The force of the blow made it clear he hadn't held

Don't hit her!" Mandy cried

curled her lips in a bitter smile. Mandy was always quick to play the doting mother when it suited her, but

you won't have to suffer. In

swollen cheek, her eyes clouding over with bitterness. She should

the Lloyd family. You can think about how to refuse

that, she turned and headed for