Chapter 37
Felicia’s fury was unmistakable. Yasmine, who was usually so composed and measured, had crossed a line today with her relentless aggression.
Yasmine looked at Felicia, genuinely surprised. Her mother had never treated her this way before. And now, Felicia had actually shouted at her, all because of Suzanne?
Felicia might have longed for a daughter-in-law, but Yasmine was certain that didn’t mean anyone would do.
Yasmine remained seated, showing no signs of leaving. Calmly, she continued, “Mom, I hope you’ll think this through. Marriage is a big deal. It’s not something you rush into just to get divorced later. What’s the point of bringing someone home just to treat her like royalty when she contributes nothing?”
She let the words hang in the air, her gaze cold and unwavering. “There’s no way the Hall family would accept a useless trophy wife.”
Sitting up straighter in her chair, Yasmine twisted the ring on her finger with an air of pride. “Our family might have wealth and legacy, but I’ve never relied on it or used the family’s money. I make my own.”
Back in college, she’d launched a successful business. Now, she owned a company, and that, she believed, was her greatest accomplishment and the source of her pride.
Austin’s gaze darkened. Others might not know the full truth, but he did. Suzanne wasn’t just anyone—she was someone the entire Hall family had been trying to connect with for a long time—someone special, someone with a lineage and standing that went far beyond their assumptions.
He spoke in a cold, clipped voice. “Suzanne earns her own living.”
Yasmine’s eyes flicked to Suzanne, a mocking smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh? Doing what? Playing secretary to you?”
Suzanne smiled, not letting Yasmine’s taunts get under her skin. She hadn’t expected such intense criticism, but she was prepared to handle it.
Austin’s expression turned stormy as he narrowed his eyes at Yasmine. “You’ve gone too far, Yasmine!”
Felicia’s anger finally boiled over. Her face flushed crimson as she shot a furious glare at her daughter. “Is this how I raised you?” Her voice was sharp, filled with disappointment.
She was beyond embarrassed. After all the effort it had taken to get Austin to bring Suzanne home, it had ended in this chaotic disaster.
Yasmine chuckled lightly, the sound almost cruel. Turning her gaze to Suzanne, she said, “As you can see, your presence here has only created chaos, Ms. Yates. Don’t think clinging to Austin will guarantee a lifetime of comfort. A woman should rely on herself.”
It was a direct attack, and it landed squarely on Suzanne. But she didn’t flinch. Instead, she met Yasmine’s gaze with calm strength and a quiet resolve.
Suzanne’s smile didn’t waver as she spoke, “Ms. Hall, I believe mutual respect is the most basic courtesy. I respect you because you’re Austin’s sister, but I hope you can show Austin a little respect as well.”
Her words were neither servile nor overbearing. There was a quiet strength in them that couldn’t be ignored.
As the others processed her response, Suzanne rose from her seat and added softly, “Because he was the one who chose me.”
Yasmine’s expression darkened instantly, her eyes flashing with rage. She glared at Suzanne, her voice trembling with fury. “How dare you?”
Suzanne didn’t respond to Yasmine’s outburst. Instead, she turned her attention to Felicia, her tone polite but firm.
“Mrs. Hall, perhaps today isn’t the best day for a visit. Let’s meet again another time.”
Felicia opened her mouth, seemingly about to argue, but hesitated. She swallowed her words, knowing that with Yasmine and Timothy both ganging up on Suzanne, anything she said now would be meaningless. With a soft sigh, Felicia looked at Suzanne with an apologetic gaze. “I’m sorry, Suzanne. This was all so unexpected. Let me apologize on their behalf.”
Yasmine’s expression twisted in disbelief. “Mom, what did you say?”
Her high-and-mighty mother was actually apologizing to someone like Suzanne?
Suzanne smiled and shook her head. “There’s no need to apologize, Mrs. Hall. None of this was your fault.”
The disdain in Yasmine’s eyes grew more apparent, her sneer a clear indication of how she viewed Suzanne’s gracious retreat. It was a calculated move, and Yasmine didn’t like it one bit.
Austin stepped forward, taking Suzanne’s hand in his, his gaze firm as he glanced at Yasmine. “Yasmine, I don’t want this to happen again.”
Yasmine’s eyes sharpened, but before she could retort, Austin turned to Felicia, who looked torn. “I’ll visit again in a few days, Mom.”
Felicia sighed heavily. “Okay. Go back now.”
This had been one of the most humiliating days of her life.
With a slight nod, Austin led Suzanne out of the room.
As they moved toward the door, Yasmine shot to her feet, glaring at their retreating figures. Her hands trembled as she pointed at Austin, her chest heaving with fury.
“I raised you, Austin! I can’t stand by and watch you ruin your life. If you insist on marrying her, then don’t expect to find me in this house anymore!”
Her voice was laced with unmistakable finality.
