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.

hesitant and concerned. "Jenson, do you think Sue

The air of authority

his expression lighting up as he extended a hand. "Mr. Doyle, we've been eagerly

and shook Richard's hand, noting the slight

remained silent, her expression calm

deepened

Richard? And why was Suzanne associated with

into her palms. Why was it that every man Suzanne

expectantly, as though waiting for someone else. But aside from the woman accompanying Shane,

he asked, "Mr. Doyle, is

at Richard with a knowing smile.

Suzanne. "This

to look at Suzanne. The woman before them was undeniably beautiful with an air

and Joe

couldn't afford to

in

eyes flickered with doubt, but he quickly steadied himself as he took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain composed. If Shane was who he claimed to be, then whoever he brought had to

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

his head slightly as he added, "Thank you so much

small nod. "Mr. Alvarez, you're

unbothered. His voice brimmed with confidence. "If you're handling it, I have no

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

utterly useless, was being treated like royalty by the

"Jenson, the doctor Mr. Alvarez mentioned... He didn't mean Sue, did he?"

reckless!" Seline began pacing anxiously. "This is about someone's life! If something goes wrong, it won't just

Suzanne was becoming more and more

only reason he hadn't cut ties with her before was because she used to behave. He

expression full of apology. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Alvarez. She doesn't know anything about medicine, let alone how to treat

paused, clearly taken aback. Joe cast a suspicious glance at Suzanne and

into Jenson twice. Or

disaster?

trying to hide their relationship anymore.

ago that there was nothing between him

She couldn't be

exaggerated look of disappointment. "Sue, this is a matter of life and death. I

in confusion. No one had mentioned Jane having a sister. Seline glanced pitifully

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

generous, spinning tales that made Suzanne look like the villain. But that was

Suzanne thought of Seline as her sister.

"You're..." Suzanne's icy demeanor shifted as she replied to Richard gently, "She's

calmly, "Apologies. My sister

can forgive her for being a bit unruly, Mr.

measured, and she carried the grace and maturity

clenched her fists tightly as Suzanne made her out

Suzanne would insult her so shamelessly. Who

within her, Seline had no choice

not know that you know nothing about medicine? How could you lie to Mr. Alvarez like this?" Richard's gaze turned uncertain as he looked at Suzanne. He began to doubt if she

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

with anger, her nails digging deeper into her palms as she caught the way Jenson was staring at

be part of her plan to seduce Jenson all over

stepped forward, her voice soft and pleading as she said to Suzanne, "Sue, for Dad's sake and for Jenson's, can

reached out, trying to take Suzanne's hand, but Suzanne

a heavy sigh, his gaze locked on Suzanne. His voice softened

said, "Suzanne, don't make a

was a trace of indulgence

Suzanne's eyes darkened.

that Jenson still thought she was playing hard to get

gained from ten years of her being at his beck and call was

possible, finally lost his patience. His expression darkened as he snapped, "Are we