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."

front door opening echoed through the room. Suzanne walked in, and their expressions

noticed them. Without saying

he shot Mandy a glare. "See? This is what

had she ever

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

Suzanne had been allowed to stay in the Yates household was because her father needed the support of her maternal grandparents. Otherwise, she

them, Suzanne continued toward

snapped out sharply. "Stop

in with her usual loving

look at Henry with an indifferent expression. "If this is about the marriage with the Lloyd family, save your breath. It's not happening. I

and the others

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

with marrying into

up, and they had already learned about it. She

couldn't 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 would have no choice but to take Seline's

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

family. She also knew Seline was

marriage yesterday, it had been an impulsive

innocent Seline he adored

this too. She refused to be forced into an

her sweet expression and said gently,

his gaze full of approval as he looked at

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

Seline's smile faltered.

why should Seline marry into the Lloyd family? Look at yourself! Nobody likes

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

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

Don't hit her!" Mandy

always quick to play the doting mother when it suited her, but her

do as you're told, you won't have to suffer. In a few days, you'll meet with the Lloyd

with bitterness. She should have known

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

she turned and headed