Chapter 32
Suzanne knew that she would have to face the music sooner or later. She shouldn’t be acting like this, especially since she was usually a calm person. But for some reason, after meeting Austin, she couldn’t seem to control herself.
Taking a deep breath, Suzanne composed herself before replying, “Understood. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Okay,” Austin replied before hanging up.
As the call ended, Suzanne turned her focus back to the situation ahead. Meanwhile, the usually talkative Shane, who had been silently driving, couldn’t help but ask, “Whose mother is looking forward to meeting you? Is it a guy’s?”
Suzanne glanced sideways at Shane, who was looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. She awkwardly turned her head away, trying to hide her discomfort, and calmly replied, “Nothing. Just a friend.”
Shane frowned, his gaze full of suspicion, but he decided not to push further when he saw that Suzanne wasn’t eager to explain. “Oh. Alright then.”
Then, in his usual energetic manner, he shouted, “Let’s keep going!”
With that, Shane slammed the gas pedal, and the car shot forward like a bullet.
Suzanne let out a quiet sigh of relief. She wasn’t bothered by how fast Shane was driving; her mind was preoccupied with how to handle the evening’s situation. The sooner she could focus on it, the better.
In the heart of Thalore, in the most bustling and prime location, was a secluded estate, tucked away within a secluded area. Surrounded by tall, thick plants, the estate was nearly invisible to passersby. It was the type of place that drew attention—curiosity—and yet remained mysterious, with only a select few knowing what lay behind its hidden walls.
As Austin’s car passed through the security checkpoint at the entrance without any resistance, it drew a few curious glances. Suzanne sat in the passenger seat, her hand resting on her chin as she gazed out the window. She had always known that the Halls were impressive, but she hadn’t expected them to be this powerful.
Her mind raced with thoughts and uncertainties as she tried to figure out how to face what lay ahead. She needed a strategy for this meeting, but the more she thought about it, the more overwhelmed she felt.
Austin, noticing her nervousness, glanced over at her and reassured her in a calm voice, “Relax.”
Suzanne met his gaze and nodded hesitantly. “Okay.”
She took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing thoughts. The two of them exited the car, and Austin didn’t rush toward the door. Instead, he bent his arm slightly. Suzanne froze for a moment, unsure of what to do, but then quickly understood. She raised her arm to link with his. They were husband and wife, after all, and when meeting parents, they needed to show affection.
Despite this, Suzanne still felt slightly uneasy.
Austin, sensing her tension, looked at her with a deep gaze. “You’ll have to get used to these things sooner or later.”
Suzanne bit her lip and nodded, trying to steady her emotions.
As they entered the estate, Suzanne was taken aback by its beauty. The landscaping was immaculate, revealing the wealth and effort that had gone into it. Every step inside the estate revealed a new level of refinement, from the perfectly manicured garden to the stately interior.
Austin led her inside, guiding her to the living room.
The furniture was made from rosewood and featured intricate carvings. Beneath a delicate, hollowed-out screen, a square cabinet held a candle burner, with smoke curling gracefully into the air. It was elegant and old-world in its design.
Suzanne’s eyes immediately caught the woman sitting on the couch. She wore a dark green dress, and although she had maintained herself well over the years, there were still some wrinkles on her face. After all, she was nearing sixty.
Austin was the fourth-born child in his family, a son born in the later years of his parents’ lives.
The older woman’s scrutinizing gaze was fixed on Suzanne. Suzanne, dressed in an elegant, light-pink satin dress, looked every bit the part of a poised, graceful woman. Her dark hair was loosely pinned up with a simple hairpin, and her light makeup accentuated her natural features.
Felicia, Austin’s mother, looked at Suzanne with keen interest. Her satisfied smile appeared as she assessed her new daughter-in-law, clearly impressed.
Before Suzanne could stiffly greet her, Felicia suddenly exclaimed with excitement, “You brat! You’ve finally brought my daughter-in-law over!”
