Chapter 14 Does Susanna Like Being Number One?
Susanna took a stiff step back, shaking her head awkwardly. "Don't look at me like that. I'll figure it out myself, don't worry."
She knew how hard her brothers worked for their money and didn't want to burden them. Just by participating the competition, she'd be making a comeback. Companies would definitely reach out to her, offering opportunities that would not only provide her with income but also potentially solve all her financial woes.
Her words felt like a dagger to her six brothers' hearts. Especially the part about "figuring it out herself," which nearly made Edward lose his balance.
Everyone fell silent, unsure of what to say. Finally, Justin stepped forward, gently wrapping an arm around Susanna's shoulders. "Susanna, we know you are strong and independent. But if you ever have any trouble, you have to tell us. You have us now; you're not alone anymore, okay?"
"I understand," Susanna nodded obediently. It was because she had her family that she wanted to work even harder to earn money.
Looking at her brothers, Susanna finally mustered the courage to ask, "Why did you abandon me when I was a kid? Was it because I was a girl?"
A heavy silence enveloped the room, each brother grappling with the weight of Susanna's inquiry. The question struck a chord deep within them, eliciting pained reactions - hands clutching chests, sighs of regret, and expressions of helplessness.
Edward looked up, covering his face. After a long pause, he said, "Susanna, you are the precious gem in our family, our only sister. We never intended to let you go."
"Then how did I end up an orphan?"
Edward's eyes reddened with sorrow. Not wanting Susanna to see, he turned away, waving his hand and choking up. "Daniel, explain it to her."
Daniel nodded and began slowly, "Susanna, our parents died in a car accident. After that, the competitors took advantage of the situation, trying to take over our family business. We faced bankruptcy due to a broken financial chain and massive debts. You were very young, and the nanny we hired was negligent. You were taken by traffickers. We started looking for you immediately, but it took over twenty years."
Edward, still emotional, added, "Susanna, it's my fault. I wasn't careful enough when hiring that nanny. You suffered because of my negligence."
Susanna's eyes reddened as she listened. Madison's tears also flowed freely. "Susanna, it's so good you found your family."
The six men nodded slightly. Witnessing Susanna's reaction, they felt a glimmer of hope, realizing that the initial step in their plan to reunite with her had been successful. By addressing the misunderstandings, they believed it was only a matter of time before Susanna fully embraced them back into her life.
When nobody was paying attention, Edward discreetly tapped out a message to his assistant, instructing them to handle all of Vincent's medical expenses.
That afternoon, at Susanna and Madison's insistence, they canceled the presidential suite and returned home. Susanna thought everything would go back to normal, but the next morning, she was woken up by a phone call.
Groggily, she answered, "Hello?"
"Susanna, where did you put my watch?" Aaron's cold voice snapped her awake. She realized how wrong it was to take him off the blacklist last night.
Annoyed, she replied, "I don't know. Don't ask me."
Then she hung up.
Aaron, lips pressed thin, listened to the dial tone. Susanna dared to hang up on him again! Grabbing the watch next to him, he stormed out of the villa, too angry to eat breakfast.
Once in the car, Aaron immediately asked Tyler, "Did the hospital call her?"
"They did."
"Are you sure? Then why is she still so defiant with me?" Aaron questioned. He had called Susanna to give her a chance to back down, but she had the nerve to hang up on him!
Tyler hesitated before speaking, "The hospital told me this morning that Vincent's medical bills have been paid off."
"How could she have that much money? She must've just paid off the recent dues," Aaron dismissed.
"No, someone paid for the next ten years in advance," Tyler explained.
"What? Ten years?" Aaron was shocked. "Where did she get that money?"
"We're not sure yet. According to the records, after Mrs. Abbott paid off the initial debt and half a month's fees, someone used an anonymous account to cover the next ten years. I'm still tracing the account, but no luck so far," Tyler reported.
Aaron reclined in his seat, pushing the car window down. The brisk morning breeze tousled his hair as a frown creased his brow. "Who do you think it could be?"
Tyler cautiously suggested, "Could it be the guy who picked up Mrs. Abbott in the helicopter that day?"
Aaron's expression turned stormy. He had underestimated Susanna's tenacity. She failed to attain her goals through him, so she sought alternative means. After a brief pause, he commanded, "Fetch me the specifics concerning the H.F. International Design Competition."
Awakened earlier than expected, Susanna found sleep evading her. Exiting her room, she spotted a striking man seated on the couch—it was Justin. Impulsively, she remarked, "Justin, you look a lot like that movie star Zachary Jones."
"Many people have said that. Because I'm his stunt double," Justin replied, quickly changing the subject. "Susanna, I got you breakfast. I'm free today, so I can take you shopping. Whatever you want, we'll get it."
Susanna pulled out a competition invitation. "Justin, I'm going to register for a competition."
Although Maria had secured her a spot, she needed to register in person.
Justin looked at the invitation and it rang a bell. Wasn't this the competition Edward's company held every three years? Edward, a real estate mogul, organized design contests to showcase his properties. It was surprising to see Susanna's name in the mix.
Suddenly, Justin asked, "Susanna, do you enjoy interior design?"
Susanna nodded. "Yeah, I studied it in college. I always wanted my own home, and this field pays well, so I chose it."
Justin felt a pang in his heart. "With us around, you don't need to worry about money."
Susanna smiled. "But I can't rely on you guys forever. I've been independent for a long time."
On the way, Justin quietly sent a message to the group: [Latest update: Edward, Susanna is going to register for H.F. International Design Competition.]
Edward replied instantly: [Really? Ask Susanna if she likes being number one.]
Justin: [Edward, how about you let Aviana talk to me instead?]
Edward: [What do you mean?]
At that moment, Aviana, sitting next to Edward, said, "Honey, isn't the competition registration deadline today? I just asked the organizer, and they said registration ended a day early. Susanna will be disappointed if she goes to register today."
