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.

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

standing confidently at Suzanne's side. The air of authority about him only

react, Richard stepped forward, his expression lighting up as

Richard's hand, noting the

silent, her

deepened the confusion on Jenson's and Seline's

command such respect from Richard? And why

nails dug into her palms. Why was it that every

else. But aside from the woman accompanying Shane, there was no one else.

Doyle, is the

at Suzanne, then back at Richard with

toward Suzanne.

The woman before them was undeniably beautiful with an air of

Joe

young woman. Alan was in critical condition. They couldn't afford to mess things up. Richard's gaze darted toward Joe as if to question if this man

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

steadied himself as he took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain composed.

I didn't expect such a renowned expert to be so young. Please, come

slightly as he added, "Thank you so much for

nod. "Mr. Alvarez, you're

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

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

to be utterly useless, was being treated like

Jenson, her face etched with worry. "Jenson, the doctor Mr. Alvarez mentioned... He didn't mean Sue, did he?" Jenson's brows furrowed, his thin

something goes wrong, it won't just implicate my

Suzanne was becoming more and more

used to behave. He couldn't let Suzanne ruin this and jeopardize his partnership with

lowered his head slightly, his expression full of apology. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Alvarez. She doesn't know anything about medicine, let

clearly taken aback. Joe cast

into Jenson twice.

disaster?

and Seline weren't even trying to hide their relationship anymore. They were standing together hand-in-hand

days ago that there was nothing between him and

said. She couldn't be

wide with an exaggerated look of disappointment. "Sue, this is a matter of life and death. I can't stand watching my sister act

a sister. Seline glanced pitifully at Jenson, her

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 expression

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

Suzanne thought of Seline as her sister.

she replied to Richard gently, "She's my half- sister." Her tone was polite but firm,

calmly, "Apologies. My sister is

can forgive her for being

words were measured, and she carried the grace and maturity of

tightly as Suzanne made her out to be young and

Suzanne would insult her so shamelessly. Who

her, Seline had no choice but to keep her

this nonsense. We grew up together. How could I not know that you know nothing about medicine? How could you lie to

some things that might not be easy to explain right now. What matters most is Alan's

different. Seline was trembling with anger, her nails digging deeper into her palms as she caught the way Jenson was staring at Suzanne with something close to admiration. Jealousy and

had to be part of her plan

and pleading as she said to Suzanne, "Sue, for Dad's sake and for Jenson's, can we just go

reached out, trying to take Suzanne's hand, but Suzanne stepped back two paces, leaving Seline grasping

gaze locked on Suzanne. His voice

don't make a

of indulgence

Suzanne's eyes darkened.

thought she was playing hard

confidence he gained from ten years of her being at his beck and

lost his patience. His expression