Richard was at a loss for words. He'd been busy with work at the company and hadn't been at the villa to oversee things, only to return and find a disaster waiting for him.

He turned to Leslie and asked sharply, "What exactly did you do today while you were home?"

Leslie's face turned pale, panic flashing in her eyes. "I-I just wanted Alan to recover faster, so I added some medicine to his food…"

She looked up at Richard, clutching his sleeve with trembling hands as she rushed to explain, "I didn't know things would turn out like this!"

If she had known this would worsen Alan's condition, she would never have done it.

Richard felt his blood boil. He raised his hand to slap her but paused and clenched his fist tightly instead. He dropped his hand and scoffed angrily. "You…" 

Richard silently cursed her for ruining everything. If Suzanne wasn't there, he might've lost control.

Lesli

Suzanne took a deep breath, suppressing the anger simmering inside her before she said calmly, "I'll write down everything you need to pay attention to. You must follow these instructions exactly as written."

Her gaze landed on a notebook sitting on the table. She grabbed a pen from the holder and began writing quickly.

Ten minutes later, Suzanne handed the paper filled with detailed instructions to Leslie. It was obvious that the list was directed specifically at her.

Leslie's expression stiffened as she took the paper in her hands. For the first time, she realized how out of line her earlier words had been. Most people would have stormed out in anger by now, but Suzanne hadn't let her temper get the better of her. She had stayed to ensure Alan's treatment continued.

Leslie looked at her and apologized, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier."

Richard glanced at Alan, who was still sou

Seline laughed deviously. Suzanne could vividly imagine the twisted expression on her face at that moment.

Instead of hanging up, Suzanne's lips curved into a mocking smile as she said coldly, "What do you think Jenson would say if he heard the kind of words you're saying right now?" 

Seline froze for a moment before slamming the ring in her hand down onto the table with a loud thud, screaming furiously, "Suzanne! Do you really think Jenson will believe anything you say? Let me tell you—"

"You think I'm not recording this?"

"Suzanne, don't you dare send it to him! I'll make sure Dad cuts ties with you forever!"

Seline was clearly panicking.

Suzanne, keeping her eyes on the road, let out a cold chuckle. "Already breaking down? Is this all you've got?"

Seline abruptly realized her anger had played right into Suzanne's hands. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. 

Suzanne wouldn't record anything, and even if she did, Jenson wouldn't believe her. After all the seeds she had planted, Jenson already despised Suzanne. He'd probably think Suzanne was trying to tarnish her reputation.

She calmed down with that thought and taunted Suzanne, "You're all talk, Suzanne. Do you know what will happen when the truth about you pretending to be Jane Smith comes out?"

Seline gripped her phone tightly, the sarcasm in her words barely masking her probing tone. Deep down, she wasn't entirely sure. Suzanne had never struck her as bold enough to pull off something so audacious. But if Suzanne was Jane Smith, Seline needed to prepare herself.

Suzanne saw right through her. A new idea formed in her mind. If she played along, maybe Seline would drop her constant harassment.

Feigning a low, amused voice, Suzanne said, "So what if I'm pretending to be Jane Smith? That has nothing to do with you!"

Seline's eyes lit up with excitement. It was just as she had expected. Thankfully, she was recording everything.

Pretending to sound heartbroken, Seline said, "Sue, how could you? What you're doing is wrong!" 

Her voice brimmed with feigned anguish, though her face betrayed her glee. "You're delaying Alan's recovery and embarrassing both Dad and Jenson!"

Suzanne listened to Seline's performance, her fingers lightly drumming on the steering wheel. With a hint of amusement, she replied, "I don't care about embarrassment. What does other people's humiliation have to do with me?"

Seline's eyes lit up even brighter. This was exactly the reaction she needed.

Still, she kept up her pretense, speaking with false concern, "You should apologize to Mr. Alvarez and stop being so stubborn." With an exaggerated sigh, she added, "I'll go talk to Dad. Maybe he can convince you."

Before Suzanne could respond, Seline hastily ended the call. She didn't have time to mock Suzanne further. She needed to get this recording to Jenson immediately.

Her lips curled into a sinister smile as she muttered, "Let's see how you talk your way out of this, you wretch."

With the recording as evidence, Suzanne would have no way to defend herself.

…

Suzanne's smile faded, and her expression turned cold.

Seline really was in a rush to destroy her. No matter what, they were still sisters. But Seline never thought of it that way.

Suzanne scoffed softly. It was her own fault for holding onto hope.

But it didn't matter anymore. Suzanne was curious to see how far Seline would go with her schemes. Since she loved the drama, Suzanne would make the show more interesting.

…

The once luxurious and pristine Alvarez residence was now a scene of utter destruction. Shattered glass and broken furniture littered the floors, turning the space into a wasteland.

When Suzanne stepped inside, she didn't even know where to place her feet. A quick glance around was enough for her to understand the terrifying extent of Alan's episode.

The entire house was ruined. Even the wall behind the couch bore dents, with faint traces of blood staining the surface. This meant that Alan had likely used his fists.

Suzanne frowned deeply. 

Joe, hearing her arrival, rushed down the stairs. He was slightly out of breath. "Ms. Yates, upstairs, please."

Suzanne followed him quickly to Alan's bedroom. The state of the bedroom was no better than the living room. Signs of destruction were everywhere.

Suzanne stepped inside.

Richard and Alan's mother, Leslie Johnson, stood off to the side, their faces etched with worry and desperation.

Meanwhile, Alan was restrained on the bed, his hair and clothes soaked with sweat as if he had been dragged from a pool. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Suzanne with a feral intensity, his muffled voice trying to form words despite the gag in his mouth.

Suzanne's frown deepened as she stepped forward to examine him.

But before she could get close, Leslie blocked her path. Her tear-streaked face was twisted with anger as she shouted, "You said this wouldn't happen again! So why is my son like this?"

Richard's expression darkened as he rushed forward to grab Leslie's arm. "Stop this, Leslie. Let the doctor take a look first!"

Leslie yanked her arm free and wailed, "Doctor? What doctor? She's no doctor at all! She doesn't know what she's doing!"

Suzanne's brows furrowed as frustration bubbled inside her. She didn't understand why Alan's condition had returned so suddenly, but she needed to examine him to find out. Yet Leslie's relentless accusations were delaying her.

Leslie jabbed a trembling finger at Suzanne before turning to Richard and raising her voice. "This woman just wants to scam us out of our money! How can some young girl possibly know medicine?"

Suzanne's gaze flicked to Alan, who was still thrashing against his restraints. Her expression hardened. If this went on any longer, his blood vessels would rupture.

Her cold eyes fixed on Leslie as she commanded, "Move!"

Suzanne stepped forward, intending to push Leslie aside, but Richard beat her to it. Grabbing Leslie firmly, he dragged her out of Suzanne's way and barked, "Stop causing trouble! Get out if you're going to delay matters!"

Though Richard himself had doubts, the urgency of the situation left him no choice but to trust Suzanne. His son's condition was critical, and delaying treatment could lead to serious consequences.

Though Leslie was still furious and unwilling to back down, Richard's firm intervention left her with no choice but to step aside. She continued shouting angrily, but Suzanne ignored her completely.

Suzanne hurried to his bedside and wasted no time pulling out the silver needles she always carried. Her movements were swift and precise as she identified the acupuncture points and inserted the needles skillfully.

As she worked, she yelled, "I've given you my instructions. Why didn't any of you follow them?"

Richard was at a loss for words. He'd been busy with work at the company and hadn't been at the villa to oversee things, only to return and find a disaster waiting for him.

He turned to Leslie and asked sharply, "What exactly did you do today while you were home?"

Leslie's face turned pale, panic flashing in her eyes. "I-I just wanted Alan to recover faster, so I added some medicine to his food…"

She looked up at Richard, clutching his sleeve with trembling hands as she rushed to explain, "I didn't know things would turn out like this!"

If she had known this would worsen Alan's condition, she would never have done it.

Richard felt his blood boil. He raised his hand to slap her but paused and clenched his fist tightly instead. He dropped his hand and scoffed angrily. "You…" 

Richard silently cursed her for ruining everything. If Suzanne wasn't there, he might've lost control.

Leslie flinched, shrinking back as tears welled up in her eyes. Despite her fear, she clung to Richard's 

Chapter 17