Chapter 12

Jenson answered the call, and as he listened to the voice on the other end, his expression shifted dramatically. His expression darkened, and he said, "I'll be there immediately." He ended the call abruptly, turned to Seline, and said, "I have something important to take care of. Head back on your own." Without waiting for her response, he strode away. Seline stood frozen, glaring at his retreating back. Frustration bubbled over as she stomped her foot angrily. This was the second time today he had left her behind. Meanwhile, Shane was driving Suzanne home. Though his focus was on the road, he kept glancing at her in the passenger seat, concerned about how she might be feeling. His hesitance to speak made Suzanne sigh exasperatedly. "Alright, what do you want to say?" Shane didn't seem the least bit embarrassed to be caught in the act. Instead, he chuckled sheepishly. "I just wanted to check on you. How are you feeling? Everything okay?" Before she could reply, he added, "You don't need to feel bad about a guy like that. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. You can always find a good man. I'll even introduce you to someone amazing—someone way better than Jenson." Suzanne couldn't help but grin. This guy was unbelievable. Shaking her head, she said dryly, "Thanks, but no thanks. If you find such a great guy, you should keep him for yourself." She didn't add that if Austin found out Shane was trying to set her up, he might break Shane's legs. Besides, no matter how great the guy was, he could never compare to Austin. Seeing her relax a little, Shane laughed heartily and asked, "By the way, what are your plans now?" Suzanne brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and looked out the window. Her tone was calm. "Nothing for now. I'm just heading home." She had only come today for appearances. The real, crucial treatment would rely on long-term care and continued sessions. Shane nodded. "Makes sense. Where are you staying? I'll drop you off." Suzanne froze for a moment, hesitating. She was currently staying with Austin. Letting Shane know didn't seem like a good idea, especially since her relationship with Austin was still complicated. "Just drop me off at Golden Plaza," she said. Shane snapped his fingers and pointed ahead with enthusiasm. "Got it. Onward!" … The next day, Austin sat at his desk in the CEO's office of Hall Corporation, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His office decor was minimalist yet exuded understated luxury. The black leather couch was sleek and commanding, paired with a crystal brick coffee table that held a few financial magazines. Sunlight streamed through the massive windows, refracting dazzling rays off the crystal bricks. Austin was flipping through some documents, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly as he read. His entire presence was cold and unapproachable. A knock interrupted the silence. "Come in," he said. The door opened, and his assistant, Gabriel Burton, stepped inside with measured precision. He gave Austin a respectful nod. "Austin, Alan Alvarez has been discharged from the hospital." Austin paused, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his usually impassive face. "Discharged?" Alan had such a strange condition. He must have been cured for Richard to allow him to leave the hospital. Austin's brows furrowed slightly, his sharp eyes filled with confusion. Gabriel placed the file on Austin's desk and nodded, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "Yes, they brought in Jane Smith." Austin's piercing gaze flickered with surprise. "She's back?" Jane had been off the grid for years. Austin had tasked Gabriel to find her countless times, and now, out of nowhere, she had reappeared to help the Alvarez family. He wondered if Jane was related to them somehow. Anyone with the kind of influence Jane carried deserved serious attention. Gabriel nodded but looked uneasy, his expression hesitant. This was uncharacteristic of Gabriel. Austin commanded, "Spit it out." As his assistant, Gabriel was expected to act decisively. Hesitation was unacceptable, and Austin's patience was running thin. Gabriel stared at the floor, his voice coming out in a nervous mumble. "Jane Smith is..." Austin's sharp gaze locked onto Gabriel, and the atmosphere in the room turned cold. "Gabriel!" Austin's oppressive demeanor weighed down on Gabriel. He could sense he was angry. Gabriel straightened under the pressure, steeling himself as he blurted out, "Jane Smith is Mrs. Hall!" Austin froze as he pondered on the revelation. Before Austin could respond, Gabriel quickly recounted everything that had happened at the hospital, including Jenson chasing after Suzanne. Nervously wiping the sweat from his forehead, Gabriel glanced at Austin, unsure of what to expect. Would Austin be furious? After all, Suzanne had a history with Jenson. To his surprise, when he looked up, Austin's lips curved into a faint smile. Instead of being angry, he seemed pleased. Gabriel blinked, stunned by his calm reaction. Before Gabriel could process it further, Austin said calmly, "You can leave now." Gabriel nodded, still puzzled, and left the office quietly. Alone in the room, Austin leaned back in his chair, his fingers loosely intertwined in front of him. His usually icy eyes held a trace of warmth. Suzanne was truly full of surprises. She wasn't the same woman she used to be. … As night fell, the luxurious Starview Villa was as grand as ever with its sleek, modern design perfectly reflecting Austin's refined and commanding style. However, the home often felt cold and empty. Tonight, though, the stillness was broken by the sounds of clanging pots and pans from the kitchen, bringing an unusual sense of warmth to the space. Suzanne had just finished her skincare routine and was walking downstairs as she applied moisturizer. When she reached the dining area, she stopped, surprised to see the table covered with an array of dishes. Confused, she called out, "Rita, did you cook all this because Austin's coming home?" Rita emerged from the kitchen with a playful smile on her face. "Oh, are you missing him already?" Suzanne's cheeks flushed faintly, and she looked around awkwardly. "No... Not at all," she muttered. Her relationship with Austin wasn't exactly conventional, and being teased about it left her feeling shy. Rita chuckled knowingly. "You're blushing!" she said with a grin. Not wanting to embarrass Suzanne further, she quickly changed the subject. "Enjoy your dinner. Let me know if you need anything," Rita said warmly before leaving the room. Suzanne exhaled, trying to cool her warm cheeks. Taking a moment to compose herself, she sat down and began eating. After a couple of bites, she felt bored and reached for her phone to scroll through some shows. Just as her fingers brushed the screen, the phone began to ring. Startled, she instinctively answered it in a split second. When she realized what she had done, her brows furrowed together. It was Austin.