Her Hidden Crowns (Suzanne and Austin) novel 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?"