Chapter 10

Jenson couldn't believe that this was the woman who had claimed to love him so much. He wouldn't have hired Jeremy if she had told him earlier. He had endured so much to get Jeremy to agree. Suzanne found Jenson laughable. What right did he have to question her? Joe noticed Richard's signal and immediately stepped in to smooth things over. "Mr. Lambert, please don't be upset. Dr. Smith must have her reasons for staying silent." Richard quickly followed, wanting Shane to calm down. "Mr. Doyle, please calm down. There's no need for things to get tense." Suzanne didn't even spare them a glance. Instead, she looked at Richard and said, "Mr. Alvarez, I've finished today's treatment. I'll be leaving for now." Richard rushed forward with a friendly smile. "Dr. Smith, Mr. Doyle, let me arrange your ride." Though visibly displeased, Shane still responded with a faint smile, "No need. We drove here. See you next time." Richard nodded, still beaming. "Of course. We'll stay in touch." With that, Shane and Suzanne walked toward the elevator together. Jenson's gaze stayed glued to Suzanne. His expression was hard to read, but he quickly followed them. "Jenson! Where are you going?" Seline called out in a panic. But Jenson didn't reply, nor did he intend to stop. Seline clenched her teeth in frustration, stomping her foot. She silently cursed Suzanne. If it weren't for her, Seline wouldn't have been humiliated, and Jenson wouldn't have left her standing there. Inside the elevator, Suzanne stood side-by-side with Shane. Her head was slightly lowered, her expression cold. Shane glanced at her, trying to offer comfort. "Don't let them get to you. As long as I'm here, I won't let them cause any more trouble." Suzanne's lips curved in a faint smile. "It was probably just a fluke. I doubt we'll run into them again during Alan's treatment." Shane nodded before asking, "How's his condition?" Suzanne shifted her gaze to the floor indicator in the elevator, her tone steady. "It's curable, but it's going to be tricky. The treatment will take time." Shane smiled and relaxed. "That's fine. As long as it can be cured, that's all that matters." He leaned casually against the elevator wall confidently. "I told you—you're irreplaceable. You've been out of the game for two years, and you're making waves the moment you step back in. That's so you." At last, this hidden gem was getting the recognition it deserved. Suzanne, however, didn't seem particularly affected by his praise. Her return to the field wasn't about glory but breaking free from the shackles of love. Ten years of loving Jenson had taught her that her career was worth far more than romance. Shane noticed her silence and asked gently, "Have you really let it go?" Suzanne immediately caught on and met his gaze with a small, calm smile."Of course." If she hadn't, she'd indeed be a fool. Shane studied her composed demeanor, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Do you regret loving him?" Suzanne hesitated for a moment, catching Shane's concerned expression. She smiled faintly. "You don't need to worry about me. I've made my decision, and I don't regret it. I loved him for years and never once brought up breaking up. Now that I have, there's no going back." She was exhausted. Shane let out a small sigh of relief. After knowing her for so long, he couldn't bear to see her waste her efforts on someone who gave her nothing in return. Then, out of nowhere, he chuckled. "No regrets, huh? Did you see their faces earlier?" Suzanne frowned slightly and turned to him, puzzled. "Their faces? Weren't they just yelling and accusing me?" "No kidding!" Shane suddenly blurted, visibly excited. "I was watching the whole time! The moment I revealed your identity, both of them were completely stunned! Especially Jenson. I swear, his face went white!" Suzanne was a bit surprised, even incredulous. Jenson might not have treated her well, but he always maintained a poised and composed image in public. And as an actor, he was a master at controlling his emotions. If it weren't for the fact that Shane never exaggerated, she might have thought he was just trying to cheer her up. Shane, growing more animated by the second, leaned in closer. His boyish face lit up with excitement as if he were sharing some juicy gossip. "Now that Jenson knows who you really are, he's probably kicking himself with regret! I mean, come on, you're the daughter of the Yates family, and now, you're Jane Smith! Then, look at the woman he chose. Seline was crying her eyes out and clinging to him like that was supposed to mean something. What's the use of that, huh?" As Shane mimicked Seline, he even pinched his voice, dramatically acting out her pitiful routine while holding his hands mockingly. Suzanne couldn't help but burst out laughing. Shaking her head, she was about to say something when Shane cut her off, his tone full of anticipation, "Just wait and see. If he has even half a brain, he'll come crawling back to you!" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, grinning as he added, "And if he dares, I'll drag him to some back alley and beat the crap out of him with a sandbag!" Suzanne laughed and shook her head. "Don't worry. I'll never take him back." She was already married. Even if she weren't, there was no way she would go back to Jenson. Loving him once was enough. When she loved him, she gave her entire heart wholeheartedly and sincerely. She was done now. There was no going back. Still, the memory of her past devotion stung. It was a sharp reminder of how deeply she had cared. Jenson had asked more than once to sleep with her, but she always held back. She believed the most beautiful moment should be saved for their wedding night to mark the start of something perfect. She never imagined he'd turn around and get involved with Seline. What he chose wasn't love but fleeting, selfish pleasure. Maybe she had been too old-fashioned. Shane flicked his bangs aside with a finger, his smile turning mischievous. "Good. For a second there, when I saw you two standing together, I was worried you might get soft and fall for him all over again." If that had happened, he might not have been able to stop himself from punching Jenson. He used to think Jenson was great, but now, it was clear that he wasn't worthy of Suzanne at all. Suzanne lowered her gaze, hiding the lingering hurt in her eyes. When she looked up again, she merely looked free. "There's nothing about him worth holding on to." Shane finally exhaled, relieved. He nudged Suzanne's arm with his elbow, grinning brightly. "That's the Jane I know!" The Jane who stood at the top of her game had returned.