Chapter 151 Repaying the Life-Saving Grace with Marriage
Susanna was almost overwhelmed by Harper's enthusiasm, who kept trying to set her up with Dick the entire way.
She hadn't even divorced yet and was still pregnant with her ex-husband's child. Harper cherished Dick so much; how could she possibly accept a woman in Susanna's situation?
But she couldn't explain it right now.
Especially with Aaron present, introducing her to a potential partner in front of her soon-to-be ex-husband made her quite anxious.
Susanna forced a smile. "Aunt Harper, the food has arrived. Let's dig in first."
"Susanna, why are you so shy? Everyone here is family. Your cousin is here, too, and he's known my son. If I don't mind, why should you? Meeting the family is inevitable, isn't it?" Harper said.
Susanna felt really embarrassed. What was Dick's mother talking about? She was just having a meal with Dick to thank him for his help last time.
There was nothing more to it.
But from Harper's words, it sounded like she was already with Dick.
Aaron looked at them with a half-smile, uttering, "Really? I hadn't heard that Susanna is seeing someone else."
Susanna felt a chill down her spine, and Harper replied immediately, "Mr. Abbott, you might not know this. Last time, Susanna was kidnapped. Dick heroically saved her and got injured in the process. Isn't it obvious how he feels about Susanna?"
Dick smiled and said, "Mom, let's eat first. No need to talk about this. I didn't do much last time."
"Dick, why be modest? You are Susanna's savior. In literary works, movies, or stories, a life-saving grace should be repaid with one's own life."
Susanna didn't know how to handle the situation.
"A life-saving grace?"
Aaron's deep, magnetic voice came through. Facing Aaron's scrutinizing gaze, Susanna didn't know what to say and could only smile awkwardly.
Aaron's thin lips pressed into a line. "Susanna, as far as I know, last time you were kidnapped in the mountains, it was me who rescued you by helicopter. Shouldn't I be your savior?"
Upon hearing Aaron's words, Susanna felt the urge to bolt out the door. 'How am I supposed to explain this now?'
Sure enough, after Aaron spoke, Harper promptly remarked, "Rescued by helicopter? That sounds like something out of a TV show."
Susanna forced a smile and replied, "Helicopters are faster."
"Helicopters must be expensive, right? It must cost a lot for one trip," Harper said.
Aaron replied calmly, "It's not too bad, about ten thousand dollars per trip."
"Ten thousand dollars per trip!"
Harper's voice suddenly rose, and she looked at Aaron differently, realizing this man was quite wealthy.
Dick, however, was unfazed by the helicopter story. After all, Aaron was the president of the Abbott Group; taking a helicopter was nothing to him.
But Dick was surprised that Susanna hadn't mentioned Aaron personally rescuing her.
'Does Susanna still have reservations about me?'
Thinking this, he secretly resolved to win Susanna's complete trust.
If Aaron personally rescued Susanna, it seemed Susanna had a good relationship with the Abbott family. If he married Susanna, his social status would instantly rise.
Dick immediately said to Susanna, "Susanna, why didn't you tell me Mr. Abbott rescued you last time? We should thank him properly today. Mr. Abbott, I should toast to you."
Aaron glanced at the wine glass in Dick's hand, smiling outwardly but feeling no joy inside. "I don't drink."
Dick felt a bit awkward and quickly switched tosoda water, "Well then, let's raise a toast with soda."
Aaron still didn't accept it but turned to Susanna. "Susanna, shouldn't you also toast to me?"
Susanna took a deep breath, wondering, 'What is wrong with Aaron today?'
She had said Aaron was her cousin as a temporary measure to avoid revealing their relationship.
'Isn't this rule set by him after they got married? Why is he acting so strangely?' Susanna was puzzled.
Harper nudged her arm. "Susanna, what are you waiting for? Toast to Aaron. After all, he saved your life and spent so much money and effort to rescue you. Shouldn't you thank him properly?"
A glass of wine was forcibly placed in Susanna's hand. She hesitated and said, "Aunt Harper, I can't drink at all."
"It's just one glass. It's fine. This wine has a low alcohol content. If you feel tipsy, let Dick take you home. You can trust him; he's a gentleman and won't harm you in any way," Harper suggested.
Susanna's mouth twitched as that wasn't what she meant.
In the end, she had no choice but to take the wine and walk over to Aaron, meeting his long, deep eyes, which held a hint of mockery.
At this moment, Dick stood up and took the wine from Susanna's hand, "Susanna, let me drink this on your behalf. After all, you're not fully recovered."
Aaron's eyes darkened as he looked at the wine in Dick's hand, voicing, "Isn't that a bit insincere?"
After Aaron spoke, Dick was momentarily stunned, caught in a dilemma. He had intended to leave a good impression by shielding Susanna from drinking, but he didn't expect her "cousin" to insist she drink.
The situation became quite awkward.
Aaron sat in his chair, his hand casually resting on the side, with his sleeve rolled up, revealing a long, strong arm.
Aaron's handsome features were flawless under the light, and his gaze was so intense on Susanna that she could see her own reflection in his eyes.
Susanna quickly looked away and took the wine from Dick's hand. "Aaron, thank you for personally rescuing me last time."
After saying that, Susanna downed the wine in one gulp.
It wasn't until she finished and felt the burning sensation in her throat that she realized it was a strong liquor.
It tasted awful.
Susanna coughed several times, and her eyes watered as she looked at Aaron, her eyes teary and pitiful.
When Aaron saw her reaction, his expression became somewhat unnatural, as if he had bullied her.
Susanna put down the wine glass and reached for a napkin, feeling dizzy and unsteady. At the same time, two voices came from beside her.
Both her hands were grabbed simultaneously.
