Chapter 3

Seline and her parents were sitting on the couch at home, creating a picturesque family scene. Seline admired her freshly done nails, her mood cheerful as she spoke up, "Mom, Dad, look at my nails! Aren't they gorgeous?" Henry Yates and Mandy Larson both glanced at her delicate hands, their eyes filled with affection as they nodded. "Beautiful. My daughter always looks perfect," Henry said with pride. Seline pouted playfully. "Dad, you're not even really looking! You're just humoring me!" Henry burst into laughter. "What do you mean I'm not looking?" But as he spoke, his expression darkened slightly. "If that ungrateful girl were half as good as you, I wouldn't be so worried." Seline exchanged a glance with Mandy before Mandy responded gently, "Why bring this up now? Suzanne is a good kid." "Good?" Henry let out a cold snort. "If she were truly good, she'd agree to the marriage alliance with the Lloyd family." The Lloyd family was a powerful force, and a partnership with them would be beneficial for the Yates family. Seline and Mandy had known about the proposed alliance for months now. However, the proposed groom was nearly 40 years old and had a terrible reputation. He was far from an ideal husband. Seline had been terrified the responsibility would fall on her. She looked nervously at Henry. "But Dad, isn't Suzanne still with Jenson?" "They haven't spoken in three months. That's as good as a breakup," Henry replied, patting Seline's hand reassuringly. "Besides, I'd much rather see you marry Jenson." Seline's cheeks turned pink as she exhaled in relief. "You two need to figure out a way to convince that girl," Henry said, his tone firm. Mandy hesitated, concern evident in her voice. "But Henry, wouldn't that be unfair to her?" "Unfair?" Henry's voice turned icy. "She'll be helping the entire Yates family by marrying into the Lloyd family. What's so unfair about that? Or would you prefer we send Seline instead?" Mandy's and Seline's faces paled at the suggestion. Before either could respond, Henry's voice hardened further. "Someone has to marry into the Lloyd family. Figure out how to make her do it." As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the room. Suzanne walked in, and their expressions quickly turned tense. Suzanne acted as though she hadn't noticed them. Without saying a word, she kicked off her shoes and headed inside. Henry's expression darkened further as he shot Mandy a glare. "See? This is what happens when you spoil her. I told you not to spoil her so much." Suzanne chuckled softly. When had she ever been spoiled? When she and Seline were younger, she was always blamed for Seline's mistakes. They would hit or scold her or even send her to bed hungry. They never gave her anything she wanted. Meanwhile, Seline was treated like a princess who had everything. The only reason Suzanne had been allowed to stay in the Yates household was because her father needed the support of her maternal grandparents. Otherwise, she would've been sent away long ago. Ignoring them, Suzanne continued toward the stairs. Henry's voice snapped out sharply. "Stop right there!" Mandy quickly stepped in with her usual loving act. "Henry, calm down." Suzanne paused at the foot of the stairs, turning back to look at Henry with an indifferent expression. "If this is about the marriage with the Lloyd family, save your breath. It's not happening. I won't agree to it." Henry and the others froze in shock. How did she know about this? This was supposed to be a secret between the three of them. She must've overheard their conversation. "You've already broken up with Jenson, so what's the problem with marrying into the Lloyd family?" Henry sputtered, his anger flaring. Suzanne's expression turned even colder. She had just broken up, and they had already learned about it. She was certain they knew the reason behind the breakup. They couldn't bear the thought of Seline marrying into the Lloyd family, so they schemed to have Seline charm Jenson, ensuring her breakup with him. That way, Suzanne would have no choice but to take Seline's place in the arranged marriage. Suzanne had only discovered the Lloyd family's marriage proposal by accident, overhearing it during a visit home. Until then, they had kept her completely in the dark. She knew one of them had to marry into the Lloyd family. She also knew Seline was the favored child, which made Suzanne the obvious choice for the sacrifice. When she sent Jenson that message about marriage yesterday, it had been an impulsive attempt to escape this fate. But Jenson hadn't shown up; he had chosen Seline. Jenson would never understand how the sweet, innocent Seline he adored had systematically made Suzanne's life unbearable. Her impulsive decision to propose marriage to Austin had stemmed from this too. She refused to be forced into an arranged marriage with the Lloyd family. If she was going to marry someone, it would be someone of her choice. Seline, noticing Suzanne's reluctance, hid a smirk behind her sweet expression and said gently, "Suzanne, you should listen to Dad. Don't disappoint him." Henry's expression softened, his gaze full of approval as he looked at Seline. "That's my girl. You're always so sensible." Suzanne let out a scoff. "If she's so sensible, why don't she marry into the Lloyd family?" Seline's smile faltered. "Watch your mouth!" Henry roared, slamming his hand down on the table. "Suzanne, why should Seline marry into the Lloyd family? Look at yourself! Nobody likes you. You should consider it a blessing to marry into the Lloyd family!" Suzanne's laugh grew colder. "I don't need anyone to like me. And if marrying into the Lloyd family is such a blessing, why don't you do it?" Henry's hand struck Suzanne across the face, hard enough to make her head turn. The force of the blow made it clear he hadn't held back. "Henry, stop! Don't hit her!" Mandy cried out. Suzanne curled her lips in a bitter smile. Mandy was always quick to play the doting mother when it suited her, but her father was too blind—or maybe he just didn't care—to see through it. Henry scoffed. "If you do as you're told, you won't have to suffer. In a few days, you'll meet with the Lloyd family, and we'll settle this engagement." Suzanne raised a hand to touch her swollen cheek, her eyes clouding over with bitterness. She should have known better. Her father would never care for her. She calmed down and said coldly, "I won't marry into the Lloyd family. You can think about how to refuse them." With that, she turned and headed for the stairs. Both Mandy and Seline exchanged startled glances, taken aback by her defiance. Henry's face turned red with rage. "If you refuse to marry into the Lloyd family, then get out of this house! You're no longer my daughter!" Suzanne paused, then slowly turned to face him. Seline's lips curled into a triumphant smirk. She was sure Suzanne would cave any second now. Henry thought the same. His tone softened slightly as he thought he had won. "If you behave and listen, you'll always be my daugh—" Before he could finish, Suzanne snapped, "Fine. I'm no longer your daughter. From now on, we're done." The room fell into silence. Before anyone could respond, Suzanne turned and marched up the stairs. "Suzanne!" Mandy and Seline scrambled to follow her, but Suzanne slammed the door in their faces, locking them out. "Suzanne, calm down! Your father and I will discuss this again. Please, don't let your anger get the better of you," Mandy begged, acting as if she treated Suzanne as her real daughter. Suzanne let out a cold laugh, ignoring her completely as she quickly packed her belongings. She stuffed her suitcase and yanked open the door. Seline and Mandy were caught off guard by the suitcases and stumbled backward. They couldn't believe she was really leaving. Seline bit her lip, panic flashing in her eyes. She couldn't allow Suzanne to leave. That would mean she'd be forced to marry into the Lloyd family. Just as Seline opened her mouth to speak, Suzanne shoved past her, striding toward the stairs without so much as a glance. They chased after her, but when Suzanne reached the living room, Henry roared, "Let her go! If she walks out that door, she's no longer part of this family!" Just as Suzanne reached the gates, she froze. Parked just beyond the entrance was a sleek black Rolls-Royce. She was surprised as the car belonged to Austin. Then, the driver's window rolled down slowly, revealing the man behind the wheel.