Chapter 5

Bret Preston immediately shifted his attitude, responding respectfully before turning to Suzanne with a cold expression. "Mr. Lambert won't stoop to your level. Pay for the damages, or I'll call the cops." "You want me to pay?" Suzanne scoffed, letting out a bitter laugh. "Fine, go ahead. Call the cops." "You!" Bret faltered, his confidence wavering as he instinctively glanced toward Jenson in the car. It wasn't that Bret feared taking responsibility. It was the fact that Jenson was a top-tier actor with an urgent schedule. Dealing with a misdemeanor would waste precious time they didn't have. With the car window still slightly open, Jenson had already heard Suzanne's voice. His expression darkened, and he glared at her coldly through the narrow gap. "Suzanne, you just can't let it go, can you?" Suzanne let out a dry laugh, her patience fraying. Did he seriously think this car accident was her doing? That she had somehow planned for him to drive by and deliberately crash into him? How had she never noticed how self-absorbed Jenson was? "Suzanne, I don't want to see you pulling stunts like this again," Jenson snapped. Suzanne grimaced in annoyance, but before she could respond, Jenson ordered, "Bret, get in the car." Bret was newly hired and unaware of their history. He looked utterly confused but nodded obediently. He turned to get back into the driver's seat. Suzanne scoffed quietly. "If you leave now, it'll be a hit-and-run. Don't blame me for sharing your details publicly. This will ruin your reputation." Bret froze, glaring at Suzanne. Jenson's gaze grew sharper. "Suzanne, I don't have time for this right now." Suzanne chuckled bitterly. She didn't want to waste time either, but repairing her car wouldn't come cheap. There was no way she was letting Jenson walk away from this. "Do you think I want to waste my time with you? I'll give you a minute to make a decision." Pulling out her phone, Suzanne began to dial, and Bret glanced nervously at Jenson. Jenson's demeanor turned icy. In the past, Suzanne would've crumbled and begged for his forgiveness. But now, she stood her ground firmly. Jenson frowned, momentarily caught off guard. He was sure this had to be some kind of reverse psychology. His sharp, handsome features darkened further as he glared at her. "Suzanne, my patience is limited. You know me. If you keep—" Before he could finish, Suzanne cut him off with an icy laugh. "You've got 50 seconds left." Their eyes locked through the narrow window, and Jenson's eyes flashed with surprise. For the first time in a long while, he saw Suzanne's face clearly. In just a few days, she had become even more beautiful. The warmth and tenderness that used to fill her gaze were gone, replaced by a cold, calm detachment. Jenson's eyes flickered. It seemed she had changed. Suzanne's voice broke the silence, cold and cutting. "Jenson, stop assuming the world revolves around you. I couldn't care less for a jerk like you." "You!" Jenson's jaw tightened, his anger barely contained. But Suzanne didn't care. She couldn't bother with him. "You slammed on your brakes, causing this collision! A hundred thousand dollars and we'll consider this settled." Jenson laughed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Are you mad? Asking for a hundred thousand dollars just like that?" Standing outside, Bret glanced at Suzanne's car, and his face suddenly paled. "Sir, she's driving a Ferrari. A limited-edition custom model." A hundred thousand dollars wasn't asking for too much. Suzanne's expression flickered with surprise. She didn't know Austin had let her drive a limited-edition car. She hadn't even noticed earlier. Maybe asking for a hundred thousand dollars was too low. Jenson's brows furrowed. Bret was well-known for his expertise in cars. His expression darkened as he glared at Suzanne. "Where did you get a car like this?" The Yates family would never buy her such an expensive car. Suzanne's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. "I left you and found a rich man, alright?" "Suzanne!" Jenson clenched his fists. No wonder she had broken up with him and started talking so tough. She must have gotten involved with some other man. But he quickly shook off that idea. Suzanne had always been obsessed with him. This had to be a ploy to get his attention. Maybe she had rented the car to put on a show. But before he could say another word, Suzanne sighed impatiently and pulled out her phone. "Enough talk. Five seconds, or I'm calling the cops." "Bret, send her the money." Bret looked at Jenson in disbelief but quickly turned his anger toward Suzanne. "Mr. Lambert has an urgent matter to attend to. If not, you wouldn't have gotten away so easily." Grumbling under his breath, Bret asked for Suzanne's bank details and begrudgingly transferred the money. Throughout the entire exchange, Suzanne didn't spare Jenson a single glance. But Jenson's eyes never left her, trying to read her like he always had. Yet this time, her calm, cold demeanor left him utterly baffled. After Suzanne received the money, she left without sparing him a glance. Behind her, Jenson's voice rang out, seething with frustration. "Suzanne, it seems I've spoiled you too much. Once I'm done here, I'll have a long talk with your father." Suzanne smirked. "Suit yourself." With that, she got into her car and drove off. … Suzanne pulled up in front of an office building and parked. Taking a deep breath, she walked through the lobby and headed straight for the top floor. At the door of an office, she knocked lightly. "Come in." A crisp, steady voice called out. Suzanne pushed open the door and stepped inside. Behind the desk sat a man in a light blue suit, his fingers flying across a keyboard. His brows were furrowed in concentration, every bit of his focus on the screen in front of him. This man was Shane Doyle. He was 27 years old and three years older than Suzanne. With his baby-faced looks and pale, flawless skin, he looked younger than her. Suzanne smirked. "It's been three years, and you still look like a teenager." The familiar voice made Shane's head snap up in surprise. When he saw her, his face lit up with excitement, and he jumped to his feet. "Jane Smith! You're actually here!" If anyone else heard that name, they'd stop in their tracks. Jane Smith was a legend in the medical world, a mythical figure with an unmatched reputation. Known for bringing the dead back to life, she could reverse even the direst of situations. Death itself couldn't claim her patients. However, two years ago, she disappeared without a trace. Shane was her agent, and he had been handling all her professional matters for years. Their bond went beyond partnership; they had survived life-and-death situations together. He crossed the room in a few long strides, his youthful face glowing with enthusiasm. Paired with his wide grin, it was almost too much for Suzanne to handle. She smiled. "Didn't you say it was urgent? Why do you look so shocked that I'm here?" "Damn it! Do you know how many times I've called you? A hundred, maybe more, and you show up only once!" Shane laughed as he rubbed his eyes dramatically, seemingly making sure she wasn't a hallucination. "The last time I saw you was two years ago! I thought you had vanished for good!" Shane clapped a heavy hand on her shoulder, his grip firm as though he was afraid she'd disappear again. Suzanne's eyes were overwhelmed with emotions. "Sorry. I was blinded by love. But I'm clear-headed now. Give me a call and I'll show up."