Chapter 16
Seline laughed deviously. Suzanne could vividly picture the twisted expression on her face.
Instead of hanging up, Suzanne’s lips curved into a mocking smile. Her voice was cold as ice.
“What do you think Jenson would say if he heard the kind of words you’re saying right now?”
Seline froze for a moment before slamming the ring in her hand onto the table with a loud thud. Her scream was laced with fury.
“Suzanne! Do you really think Jenson will believe anything you say? Let me tell you—”
“You think I’m not recording this?”
The line went silent for half a second before Seline’s panicked voice erupted.
“Suzanne, don’t you dare send it to him! I’ll make sure Dad cuts ties with you forever!”
Suzanne let out a cold chuckle, her eyes fixed on the road. “Already breaking down? Is this all you’ve got?”
Seline abruptly realized she had walked right into Suzanne’s trap. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down.
Suzanne wouldn’t record anything. Even if she did, Jenson wouldn’t believe her. He already despised Suzanne because of the seeds Seline had carefully planted over time. If anything, he’d probably think Suzanne was trying to tarnish her reputation.
Regaining her composure, Seline sneered. “You’re all talk, Suzanne. Do you even realize what will happen when the truth about you pretending to be Jane Smith comes out?”
She gripped her phone tightly, the sarcasm in her voice barely masking her real intent. Deep down, she wasn’t entirely sure about Suzanne’s identity. Suzanne had never struck her as bold enough to pull off something this audacious.
But if she was Jane Smith, then Seline needed to be prepared.
Suzanne saw right through her. A new idea formed in her mind. If she played along, maybe Seline would back off.
Feigning an amused tone, Suzanne said lazily, “So what if I’m pretending to be Jane Smith? What does that have to do with you?”
Seline’s eyes widened in excitement. Just as I thought.
She quickly pressed the record button.
“Sue, how could you?” Seline gasped, pretending to be heartbroken. “What you’re doing is wrong!”
Her voice brimmed with feigned anguish, but her smirk told another story.
“You’re delaying Alan’s recovery and embarrassing both Dad and Jenson!”
Suzanne tapped her fingers idly against the steering wheel, unbothered. With a touch of amusement, she replied, “I don’t care about embarrassment. What does other people’s humiliation have to do with me?”
Seline’s eyes gleamed. Perfect.
Still, she kept up the act, sighing dramatically. “You should apologize to Mr. Alvarez and stop being so stubborn.”
Then, as if struck by a sudden idea, she added, “I’ll go talk to Dad. Maybe he can convince you!”
Before Suzanne could respond, Seline ended the call. She had no time for further mockery—she needed to get this recording to Jenson immediately.
Her lips curled into a sinister smile.
“Let’s see how you talk your way out of this, you wretch.”
With this recording, Suzanne would have no way to defend herself.
Suzanne’s smirk faded, her expression turning ice-cold.
Seline really is relentless. No matter what, they were still sisters. But Seline had never seen it that way.
Suzanne scoffed softly. It was her own fault for holding onto hope.
But it didn’t matter anymore. If Seline wanted drama, Suzanne would make sure she got a show worth watching.
The once luxurious Alvarez residence was now a disaster zone.
Shattered glass and broken furniture littered the floors. Deep cracks lined the walls, and even the plush carpet was torn apart.
As Suzanne stepped inside, she had to carefully choose where to place her feet.
One glance was enough to tell her how violent Alan’s episode had been.
Even the wall behind the couch bore dents, faint streaks of blood staining the surface. Did he use his fists?
Her frown deepened.
Joe, hearing her arrival, rushed down the stairs, slightly out of breath.
“Ms. Yates, upstairs, please.”
Suzanne followed him quickly.
The state of Alan’s bedroom was no better than the living room. Destruction was everywhere.
Richard and Alan’s mother, Leslie Johnson, stood off to the side, their faces tight with worry and exhaustion.
Alan was restrained on the bed. His damp hair clung to his forehead, his clothes soaked in sweat as he struggled against the bindings. His eyes, dark with a feral intensity, locked onto Suzanne the moment she stepped in. Even with a gag in his mouth, his muffled growls filled the air.
Suzanne’s frown deepened as she approached—
But before she could get close, Leslie suddenly blocked her path.
Tears streaked down her face as she shrieked, “You said he wouldn’t go through this again! So why is my son like this?!”
Richard’s expression darkened. He stepped forward and grabbed Leslie’s arm. “Stop this, Leslie! Let the doctor take a look!”
Leslie yanked her arm free, sobbing. “Doctor? What doctor? She’s no doctor at all! She doesn’t know what she’s doing!”
Frustration simmered inside Suzanne. She needed to examine Alan to understand why his condition had flared up so suddenly, yet Leslie’s relentless accusations were only wasting time.
Leslie jabbed a trembling finger at Suzanne before whirling back to Richard, her voice rising.
“How can some young girl possibly know medicine?!”
Suzanne’s gaze flicked to Alan, who was still thrashing violently. Her expression hardened.
If this goes on any longer, his blood vessels will rupture.
Her cold eyes locked onto Leslie. “Move.”
She stepped forward, fully prepared to push her aside—
But Richard beat her to it.
Grabbing Leslie firmly, he dragged her out of the way and barked, “Stop causing trouble! Get out if you’re going to delay matters!”
Though Richard himself had his doubts, he knew the urgency of the situation. His son’s condition was critical. Any delay could lead to serious consequences.
Leslie was still furious, unwilling to back down, but Richard’s firm intervention left her no choice but to step aside.
She continued sobbing angrily, but Suzanne ignored her completely.
Without wasting another second, Suzanne rushed to Alan’s bedside and pulled out her silver needles.
Her movements were swift, precise.
Locating the right acupuncture points, she inserted the needles one by one, her brows furrowed in deep concentration.
As she worked, her voice rang sharp through the room.
“I gave you my instructions. Why didn’t any of you follow them?”
This version keeps the tension high while making the dialogue and transitions smoother. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks!
