Chapter 37
Felicia was genuinely furious. Yasmine, usually so composed and well–mannered, had crossed the line today with her relentless aggression.
Yasmine looked at Felicia in surprise. Felicia had never treated her this way before. And now, she actually shouted at her because of Suzanne?
Sure, Felicia might be eager for a daughter–in–law, but that didn’t mean anyone would do, right?
Yasmine stayed in her seat, showing no intention of leaving. She continued calmly, “Mom, I hope you’ll think this through. Marriage is a big deal. It’s not something you dive into just to divorce later. What’s the point of bringing someone home just to treat her like royalty while she contributes nothing?
There was no way the Hall family would accept a useless trophy wife
Sitting upright in her chair, Yasmine twisted the ring on her finger with an air of pride. “Our family might have our wealth and legacy, but I’ve never relied on it or used the family’s money. I make my own.”
Back in college, she had already launched a successful business. Now, she owned a company. That was her greatest accomplishment and her source of pride.
Austin’s gaze darkened. Others might not know the truth, but he did. Suzanne wasn’t just anyone. She was someone the entire Hall family had been. trying to connect with–Jane Smith
He said in a cold voice, “Suzanne earns her own living!
As Yasmine’s eyes flicked to Suzane, a mocking sick tugged at her lips. “ph? Doing what? Playing secretary to you?!
Suzanne smiled. She hadn’t expected to hear so much criticism during this visit.
Austin’s eyes narrowed. His expression med stormy as he glared at Yasmine. “You’ve gone too far, Yasmine!”
Felicia’s anger boiled over, She food a furious glare on Yasmine. “Is this how I raised you?”
She was beyond embarrassed. After all the effort it had taken to get Austin to bring Suzanne home, it had ended in this disaster!
Yasmine chuckled lightly. Turning her gaze to Suzanne, she said, “As you can see, your presence here has only created chaos, Ms. Yates. Don’t think clinging to Austin will guarantee a lifetime of comfort. A woman should rely on herself.”
This was a direct attack.
Suzanne met Yasmine’s gaze and smiled. “Ms. Hall, I believe mutual respect is the most basic courtesy. I respect you because you’re Austin’s sister, but 1 hope you can show Austin a little respect as well.”
Her words were neither servile nor overbearing. She didn’t need to display some overwhelming sense of power, but the quiet strength she ended couldn’t be ignored
As the others tried to process her response, Suzanne ense from her seat and added softly, “Because he was the one who chose me
Yasmine’s expression darkened instantly. She glared at Suzanne with cage. “How dare you?”
Suzanne sure had a sharp tongue. She ignored Vasmine and harmed to Felicia instead
She gave Felicia a slight nod. “Mrs. Hali, perhaps today isn’t the best day for a visit. Let’s meet again another time”
Felicia opened her mouth to say something but besitated. In the end, she swallowed her words.
Yasmine and Timothy were both ganging up on Suzanne. Anything she said now would be meaningless. With an apologetic look in her eyes, she said, I’m sorry, Suzanne. This was all so unexpected. Let me apologize on their behalf”
Yasmine’s expression twisted. “Mom, what did you say?”
Her high–and–mighty mother was actually apologizing to someone like Suzanne?
Suzanne immediately smiled and shook her head. “There’s no need to apologize, Mrs. Hall None of this was your fault”
The disdain in Yasmine’s eyes grew more apparent as she let out a sneer. Suzanne’s gracious retreat was clearly a calculated move.
Austin stepped forward and took Suzanne’s hand. He glanced at Yasmine. “Yasmine, I don’t want this to happen again.”
Yasmine’s gaze sharpened. But before she could retort, Austin turned to Felicia, who seemed tom. “I’ll visit again in a few days, Mom.”
Felicia sighed howly. “Okay. Go back now.
This was one of the most humiliating days of her life.
With a slight nod, Austin led Suzanne out of the room.
Yasmine shot to her feet, glaring at their retreating figures. Her hands trembled as she pointed at Austin, her chest heaving with fury.
“I raised you, Austin! I can’t stand by and watch you ruin your life. If you insist on marrying her, then don’t expect to find me in this house anymore!!!
This time, her tone was laced with unmistakable finality
After Felicia gave birth to Austin, bee hoalth became fragile, so Yasmine took on much of the responsibility of taking care of him.
