Chapter 7
Jenson froze, irritation flickering across his face.
If Jeremy wasn’t allowed to see Alan, Jenson wouldn’t earn the favor he needed from the Alvarez family, and the partnership he had worked so hard for might slip away.
His gaze flicked toward Richard’s composed expression before 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, however, felt annoyed. He had gone to great lengths to secure the help of an elusive doctor. Allowing another to interfere, especially one with a lesser reputation, could disrupt 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, one of the most sought-after doctors, darkened at the exchange.
He smirked scornfully. “Mr. Lambert, it seems you invited me without understanding 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 a backward glance.
Richard’s cold gaze lingered on Jeremy’s retreating figure. He couldn’t believe such a renowned doctor had such a fragile ego.
Jenson’s face was stormy.
As the heir to the Lambert family, he was used to being welcomed and fawned over. Richard’s attitude was one thing—he could chalk that up to family power dynamics. But Jeremy was just a doctor with no real background. How dare he act so high and mighty?
This was 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 cut her off. “I’m sorry. Let’s keep things cordial. I’ll remember what happened today.”
Seline hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. She protested, “How can he just leave? 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 sighed, looking at him with a pained expression.
Richard, paying them no mind, turned to Joe.
“Joe, bring them up.”
Then, he strode toward the elevator without another glance.
Jenson’s brows furrowed as he stood rooted in place, his dissatisfaction with the Alvarez family growing by the second.
He had brought the doctor, gone out of his way to help, yet Richard refused to let Jeremy examine Alan. And now, Richard was leaving him behind to greet someone?
Seline gently tugged on Jenson’s sleeve, muttering softly, “Jenson…”
Jenson took her hand to reassure her, but his words died in his throat as the elevator doors opened.
Both he and Seline froze in shock.
It was Suzanne.
Jenson’s gaze hardened. 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 insufferable.
But then, his eyes flickered with surprise.
Earlier, from inside the car, he hadn’t noticed what she was wearing. Now, standing before him, Suzanne was stunning. Her light makeup accentuated her delicate features, and her strapless bodycon dress hugged her curves perfectly.
Her figure was incredible.
Seline, keeping a close eye on Jenson, clenched her fists.
That was the same look Jenson had once given her when she wore lingerie in an attempt to seduce him.
Suzanne was undeniably more beautiful than before.
Seline thought she must be here to seduce Jenson again. This bitch just wouldn’t give up. She had already broken up with him, yet she was still clinging to him. And dressed like that, no less.
But then Seline’s gaze shifted.
Who was the man beside her?
A spark of excitement flickered in Seline’s eyes. Was Suzanne deliberately parading another man around to provoke Jenson?
Jenson hated when a woman flirted with multiple men.
Seline leaned closer to him, feigning hesitation. “Jenson, do you think Sue might be dating that man?”
Jenson had already taken note of the man standing confidently at Suzanne’s side. There was an air of authority about him that only deepened the scowl on Jenson’s face.
But before he could react, Richard stepped forward, his expression lighting up as he extended a hand.
“Mr. Doyle, we’ve been eagerly awaiting you!”
Shane smiled politely and shook Richard’s hand, noting the slight tremor in the older man’s grip.
Suzanne remained silent, her expression calm and composed.
Richard’s deference toward Shane only deepened the confusion on Jenson’s and Seline’s faces.
Who was this man to command such respect from Richard?
And why was Suzanne associated with someone like him?
Seline’s nails dug into her palms.
Why was it that every man Suzanne met seemed more impressive than the last?
Richard, still holding Shane’s hand, glanced over his shoulder expectantly, as though waiting for someone else. But aside from the woman accompanying Shane, no one else appeared.
Richard’s unease grew.
Carefully, he asked, “Mr. Doyle, is the doctor here?”
Shane glanced briefly at Suzanne, then back at Richard with a knowing smile.
“Of course.”
He gestured toward Suzanne.
“This is her.”
Both Richard and Joe turned to look at Suzanne.
The woman before them was undeniably beautiful, with an air of elegance.
Was she the renowned doctor?
Shock rippled across their faces.
This had to be a joke.
Jane Smith couldn’t possibly be a young woman.
Alan was in critical condition—they couldn’t afford to make mistakes.
Richard’s gaze darted toward Joe, silently questioning whether this was true.
Joe nodded without hesitation.
Shane’s distinctive baby-faced features were well-known in their circles. There was no mistaking him.
Richard’s doubt flickered but quickly steadied.
If Shane was who he claimed to be, then whoever he brought had to be capable.
Gathering himself, Richard offered a warm smile. “I must have underestimated you. I didn’t expect such a renowned doctor to be so young. Please, come in.”
He stepped aside, lowering his head slightly as he added, “Thank you so much for coming. You’ve given my son hope.”
Suzanne gave a small nod.
“Mr. Alvarez, you’re too kind. Let me examine the situation first.”
She wouldn’t make promises before seeing the patient, but Richard seemed unbothered.
“If you’re handling it, I have no doubt everything will be fine.”
The entire exchange unfolded before Jenson and Seline, who could barely contain their shock.
Suzanne—whom they had believed to be utterly useless—was being treated like royalty by the head of the Alvarez family.
Seline couldn’t hold back any longer. She turned to Jenson, worry creasing her face.
“Jenson… the doctor Mr. Alvarez mentioned… He didn’t mean Sue, did he?”
Jenson’s brows furrowed, his lips pressing into a tight line.
Seline began pacing anxiously. “This is about someone’s life! If something goes wrong, it won’t just implicate my dad—it’ll drag you down with her too!”
Jenson’s expression darkened.
Suzanne was becoming more reckless by the day.
