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

man standing confidently at Suzanne's side. The air of authority

could react, Richard stepped forward, his expression lighting up as he extended a hand. "Mr. Doyle, we've been

noting the slight tremor in the older man's

her expression

toward Shane only deepened

man to command such respect from Richard? And why was Suzanne associated with someone

Why was it that every man Suzanne met seemed more impressive

holding Shane's hand, glanced over his shoulder expectantly, as though waiting for someone else. But aside from the woman accompanying Shane, there was no one else. Richard's

Doyle, is the doctor

glanced briefly at Suzanne, then back at

Suzanne.

woman before them was undeniably beautiful with an air

and Joe

be a 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 was truly Shane. Joe nodded

well-known in their circle. There

to

a warm smile. "I must've underestimated you. I didn't

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

nod. "Mr. Alvarez, you're too kind. Let me examine the situation

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

entire exchange unfolded in full view of Jenson and Seline, who could barely

they had believed to be utterly useless, was being treated like royalty by the head of the Alvarez

Jenson, her face etched with worry. "Jenson, the doctor Mr. Alvarez mentioned... He didn't mean Sue,

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

darkened immediately. Suzanne was

was because she used to behave. He couldn't let Suzanne

apology.

clearly taken aback. Joe cast

had to be her "lucky" day for her to run into Jenson twice. Or had she simply used up

disaster?

hide their relationship anymore. They were

just days ago that there was nothing between

She couldn't

of disappointment. "Sue, this is a matter of life and death. I can't stand watching my sister act so

Seline glanced pitifully at

can't use Alan's life as a joke! If something really happens, what's going to happen to Dad?

made Suzanne look like the villain. But that was in

of Seline as her sister. Now,

replied to Richard gently, "She's my half- sister." Her tone

My sister

before she speaks. I hope you can forgive her for being a bit unruly, Mr.

measured, and she carried the grace and maturity of

as Suzanne made her out to

would insult her so shamelessly. Who

had no choice but to keep

know that you know nothing about medicine? How could you lie to Mr. Alvarez like this?" Richard's gaze turned uncertain as he looked

soft 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. What matters most is Alan's

was different. Seline was trembling with anger, her nails digging deeper into her palms as she caught the way

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

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

trying to take Suzanne's hand, but Suzanne stepped back

heavy sigh, his gaze

"Suzanne, don't make

a trace of indulgence

Suzanne's eyes darkened.

she was playing hard to

to win him back. The confidence he gained

holding back as long as possible, finally lost his patience. His expression darkened as he snapped,