Her Hidden Crowns (Suzanne and Austin)

Chapter 7

Jenson froze for a moment, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.

If Jeremy wasn't allowed to see Alan, then Jenson wouldn't gain the favor he needed from the Alvarez family, and the partnership he had been angling for might slip away.

His gaze flicked toward Richard's composed face, and he forced a smile. "Mr. Alvarez, since Dr. Hanks is already here, why not let him take a look? Another perspective can only help Alan's case, right? It might even speed up the diagnosis."

He couldn't leave empty-handed. Getting Jeremy here had been no easy feat. Jenson had practically begged him to come.

Richard felt slightly annoyed. He had gone to great lengths to secure the help of an elusive doctor. Allowing another doctor to interfere, especially one of lesser reputation, could upset the delicate arrangement.

His disdain for Jenson deepened, though he maintained a polite tone. "There's no need. The doctor I've invited is more than sufficient."

Jeremy was one of the most sought-after doctors. His expression darkened when he heard the exchange.

He smirked and said scornfully, "Mr. Lambert, it seems you invited me before getting a hold of the situation. Did you think I was someone to be summoned and dismissed at your whim?"

Jenson's expression darkened, and he quickly opened his mouth to explain. But Jeremy didn't give him the chance. With a sharp wave of his hand, he snapped, "Don't contact me again!"

Turning on his heel, he strode away without looking back.

Richard's cold gaze lingered on Jeremy's retreating figure. He couldn't believe a renowned doctor had such a fragile ego.

Jenson's expression grew even darker.

As the heir to the Lambert family, he was used to being welcomed and fawned over wherever he went. Richard's attitude was one thing. He could chalk that up to the power dynamics between their families. But Jeremy was a mere doctor without a powerful background. How dare he act so high and mighty?

This felt like a slap to his face.

Seline, sensing an opportunity, stepped forward. She hurried after Jeremy, attempting to smooth things over. "Dr. Hanks, please, you misunderstood. That's not what we meant-"

Jeremy didn't even let her finish. He cut her off saying, "I'm sorry. Let's keep things cordial. I'll remember what happened today."

Seline didn't expect things to end up this way. She protested, "How can he do that? Even if he doesn't want to see Alan, we've already paid him!"

She was trying to stand up for Jenson.

Jenson, though inwardly fuming, forced himself to remain calm in Richard's presence. "It's fine, Seline. This is a minor issue."

Seline looked at Jenson with a pained expression and sighed.

Richard, paying no attention to their exchange, turned to Joe. "Joe, go bring them up."

Then, he strode toward the elevator without sparing them another glance.

Jenson's brows furrowed together as he stood rooted in place, his dissatisfaction with the Alvarez family growing by the second. He had brought the doctor and gone out of his way to help, yet Richard refused to even let Jeremy examine Alan. And now, Richard was leaving him behind to greet someone else?

Seline gently tugged on Jenson's sleeve and muttered softly, "Jenson..."

Jenson took her hand in his, intending to reassure her, but his words died in his throat as the elevator doors opened.

Both Jenson and Seline froze in shock when they saw it was Suzanne.

Jenson's gaze hardened immediately. So much for giving up. She was clearly finding new ways to cling to him. He hated it most when she showed up while he was handling serious business. She used to be good at reading the room, but now, she was becoming more and more insufferable.

However, Jenson's eyes lit up with surprise. Earlier, he hadn't noticed what she was wearing from inside the car. But now, he could clearly see Suzanne standing there with light makeup that accentuated her delicate features and her strapless bodycon dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her figure was incredible.

Seline, who had been keeping a close eye on Jenson, clenched her fists. The way Jenson was looking at Suzanne was the same look he had given Seline once, back when she had worn lingerie in an attempt to seduce him.

Suzanne was undeniably more beautiful than before.

Seline thought she must be here to seduce Jenson. This bitch just wouldn't give up. She had already broken up with Jenson, yet she was still clinging to him. And dressed like that, no less.

However, she couldn't help but wonder who the man beside her was.

Seline's initial anger shifted into a spark of excitement. Was Suzanne deliberately parading another man around to provoke Jenson? She had to know that Jenson hated it when a woman flirted with multiple men.

her voice hesitant and concerned. "Jenson, do you think Sue might be dating that

noticed the man standing confidently at Suzanne's side. The air of authority about him only deepened the scowl on Jenson's

could react, Richard stepped forward, his expression lighting up as he extended

and shook Richard's hand, noting the slight tremor in

remained silent, her expression

deepened the confusion on Jenson's and

was this man to command such respect from Richard?

Why was it that

as though waiting for someone else. But aside from the woman accompanying Shane, there was no one else. Richard's unease

asked, "Mr. Doyle, is the

then back at Richard with a knowing

Suzanne.

The woman before them was undeniably beautiful

and Joe

joke. Jane couldn't possibly be a young woman. Alan was in critical condition. They couldn't afford to mess things up. Richard's gaze

baby-faced features were well-known in their circle. There

he took a deep breath, forcing himself to

Richard offered a warm smile. "I must've underestimated you. I didn't expect such a renowned expert to be so

lowering his head slightly as he added, "Thank you so much for coming. You've

Alvarez, you're

Richard seemed unbothered. His voice brimmed with confidence. "If you're handling it, I have no doubt everything will

Jenson and Seline, who could barely contain their shock. They couldn't

was being

"Jenson, the doctor Mr. Alvarez mentioned... He didn't mean Sue, did he?" Jenson's brows furrowed, his thin lips

is about someone's life! If something goes wrong, it won't just implicate my dad-it'll drag you down

darkened immediately. Suzanne was becoming

was because she used to behave. He couldn't let Suzanne ruin this and jeopardize his partnership with the Alvarez

his head slightly, his expression full of apology. "I'm so sorry, Mr.

cast a suspicious glance at

to run into Jenson twice. Or had she simply used

disaster?

weren't even trying to hide their relationship anymore. They were

audacity to insist just days ago that there was nothing between

inside," Suzanne said. She couldn't

exaggerated look of disappointment. "Sue, this is a matter of life and death. I can't

blinked in confusion. No one had mentioned Jane having a sister. Seline glanced pitifully at Jenson, her voice soft

embarrass him. But..." Her voice broke as she lifted her tear-filled eyes to look at Suzanne. "No matter how unhappy you are, you can't use Alan's life as a joke! If something really happens, what's going to happen to Dad? What about us?" Suzanne's gaze settled on Seline, her

always played the victim and acted generous, spinning tales that made Suzanne look like

her sister.

as she replied to Richard gently, "She's my half- sister." Her tone was polite but firm, emphasizing the word "half". Richard's sharp gaze flickered

calmly, "Apologies. My sister

forgive her for being a bit unruly, Mr.

she carried the grace and maturity of an

her fists tightly as Suzanne made her out to be young and

so shamelessly. Who was she to tell her

had no choice but to

medicine? How could you lie to Mr. Alvarez like this?" Richard's gaze

tugging at the corner of her lips into a faint smile. "There are some things that might not be easy to explain right now. What

seemed so poised and confident. She was different. Seline was trembling with anger, her nails digging deeper into her palms as she caught the way Jenson was

woman! This had to be part of her plan to seduce Jenson

said to Suzanne, "Sue, for Dad's sake and for Jenson's,

but Suzanne

gaze locked on Suzanne. His voice

don't

a trace of indulgence

Suzanne's eyes darkened.

that Jenson still thought she was playing hard to

back. The confidence he gained from ten years of her being

as long as possible, finally lost his