Chapter 12
Jenson answered the call, and as he listened to the voice on the other end, his expression shifted dramatically. His face darkened, his grip tightening on the phone.
“I’ll be there immediately.”
Without hesitation, he ended the call.
Turning to Seline, his tone was brisk. “I have something important to take care of. Head back on your own.”
And without waiting for her response, he strode away.
Seline stood frozen, glaring at his retreating back.
Her frustration boiled over.
This was the second time today he had left her behind.
Meanwhile, in Shane’s car, he was driving Suzanne home.
Though his focus was on the road, he kept glancing at her from the corner of his eye, clearly worried about how she was feeling.
Suzanne sighed, exasperated. “Alright, just say it. What’s on your mind?”
Shane didn’t even try to hide the fact that he’d been caught staring. Instead, he chuckled sheepishly.
“I just wanted to check on you. How are you feeling? Everything okay?”
Before she could answer, he added, “Look, don’t waste your emotions on a guy like that. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. In fact, I know someone amazing—way better than Jenson. Want me to introduce you?”
Suzanne couldn’t help but grin. This guy was unbelievable.
Shaking her head, she replied dryly, “Thanks, but no thanks. If you find such a great guy, you should keep him for yourself.”
She didn’t add that if Austin ever found out Shane was trying to set her up, he might break Shane’s legs.
Besides, no matter how great the guy was, he could never compare to Austin.
Seeing her relax a little, Shane let out a hearty laugh.
“By the way, what’s your plan now?” he asked casually.
Suzanne absentmindedly brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, gazing out the window.
Her voice was calm. “Nothing for now. Just heading home.”
She had only come today for appearances. The real, crucial treatment would rely on long-term care and continued sessions.
Shane nodded in understanding. “Makes sense. Where are you staying? I’ll drop you off.”
Suzanne froze for a moment, hesitating.
She was currently staying with Austin.
Letting Shane know didn’t seem like a good idea, especially since her relationship with Austin was still… complicated.
“Just drop me off at Golden Plaza,” she said.
Shane snapped his fingers and pointed ahead enthusiastically. “Got it. Onward!”
The Next Day
Austin sat at his desk in the CEO’s office of Hall Corporation, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.
His office décor was minimalist, yet it radiated an understated luxury.
A sleek black leather couch stood beside a crystal-brick coffee table, atop which lay a few neatly arranged financial magazines. Sunlight streamed through the massive windows, refracting dazzling rays across the room.
Austin was flipping through documents, his piercing gaze narrowing slightly as he read.
His entire presence was cold and unapproachable.
A knock interrupted the silence.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and his assistant, Gabriel Burton, stepped inside with measured precision. He gave Austin a respectful nod.
“Austin, Alan Alvarez has been discharged from the hospital.”
Austin paused, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his usually impassive face.
“Discharged?”
Alan had such a strange condition.
For Richard to allow him to leave the hospital, he must have been cured.
Austin’s brows furrowed slightly, sharp eyes filled with confusion.
Gabriel placed a file on Austin’s desk and nodded. He hesitated before continuing.
“Yes. They brought in… Jane Smith.”
Austin’s piercing gaze flickered.
“She’s back?”
Jane had been off the grid for years.
Austin had tasked Gabriel to find her countless times, and yet—out of nowhere—she had reappeared… to help the Alvarez family?
Was Jane somehow connected to them?
Anyone with Jane’s influence deserved serious attention.
Gabriel nodded but looked uneasy.
Austin’s sharp eyes narrowed.
This hesitation was uncharacteristic of Gabriel.
His voice dropped, commanding. “Spit it out.”
Gabriel’s fingers curled at his sides as he forced himself to speak.
“Jane Smith is…”
The atmosphere in the room shifted.
Austin’s gaze locked onto Gabriel, the air growing oppressively cold.
“Gabriel.”
The weight of Austin’s presence bore down on him like a storm.
Gabriel straightened, swallowing hard.
And then, in a rush, he blurted out—
“Jane Smith is Mrs. Hall.”
Austin froze.
For a moment, his usually sharp mind processed the words in silence.
Before he could respond, Gabriel quickly recounted everything that had happened at the hospital—including how Jenson had chased after Suzanne.
Nervously wiping the sweat from his forehead, Gabriel risked a glance at Austin, uncertain of how he’d react.
Would Austin be furious?
After all, Suzanne did have history with Jenson.
But to Gabriel’s shock—
When he looked up, Austin’s lips had curved into a faint smile.
Instead of being angry, he looked… pleased.
Gabriel blinked.
What…?
Before he could process it further, Austin spoke calmly.
“You can leave now.”
Gabriel hesitated for a split second before nodding and leaving the office quietly.
Alone in the room, Austin leaned back in his chair, fingers loosely intertwined.
His usually icy eyes held a trace of warmth.
Suzanne…
She was full of surprises.
She wasn’t the same woman she used to be.
That Night – Starview Villa
As night fell, Starview Villa stood in all its grand and modern elegance—perfectly reflecting Austin’s refined and commanding style.
Yet, despite its beauty, the home often felt cold and empty.
Tonight, however, that stillness was broken.
The clanging of pots and pans from the kitchen filled the air, adding an unusual sense of warmth to the space.
Suzanne had just finished her skincare routine and was walking downstairs, applying moisturizer as she went.
Reaching the dining area, she stopped—surprised.
The table was covered with an array of delicious-looking dishes.
Confused, she called out, “Rita, did you cook all this because Austin’s coming home?”
Rita emerged from the kitchen, a playful smile on her face.
“Oh? Are you missing him already?”
Suzanne’s cheeks flushed.
She looked away awkwardly. “No… Not at all.”
Her relationship with Austin was far from conventional. Being teased about it left her feeling strangely… shy.
Rita chuckled knowingly.
“You’re blushing!”
Suzanne’s lips pressed into a firm line.
Before she could retort, Rita changed the subject with a warm smile.
“Enjoy your dinner. Let me know if you need anything.”
And with that, she left the room.
Suzanne exhaled, trying to cool her warm cheeks.
Taking a moment to compose herself, she sat down and began eating.
But after a couple of bites, she grew bored.
Reaching for her phone, she absentmindedly started scrolling through some shows.
But just as her fingers brushed the screen—
Her phone suddenly rang.
Startled, she answered on instinct.
And the moment she realized who it was—
Her brows furrowed deeply.
