Chapter 158 Who Says We're Family with the Abbott Family?
Susanna was stunned when she saw the document Maria had handed over.
She was already surprised when she heard Maria designate the child in her belly as the heir. Thankfully, it was merely a verbal commitment. If she could persuade Maria to undergo the surgery, there would always be opportunities to alter future arrangements.
But Susanna didn't expect Maria to draft a document and have Aaron sign it on the spot.
Once signed, this document would have legal effect.
Susanna didn't want the child in her belly to become the heir of the Abbott family.
Maud's eyelid twitched when she saw the document. She snatched it away and, after seeing the terms inside, was so angry she almost couldn't stand. "Maria, why are you having Aaron sign so early? Don't you trust him enough?"
"It's not that I don't trust Aaron; it's that I don't trust others. Don't think I don't know what you're all thinking. No matter what happens between Susanna and Aaron in the future, Susanna's child will be the heir to the Abbott Group. No one can change that," said Maria.
Maud was still unwilling. "But what if it's a girl?"
"Boy or girl, it doesn't matter!"
Maria's sudden move before the surgery took everyone by surprise, especially Maud. She looked helplessly at Aaron. "Aaron, talk to your grandma."
'Don't sign it; it's clearly a trap.' She said inwardly.
Initially, following the surgery, Aaron had planned to divorce Susanna. However, if this document was signed and Susanna resisted the divorce, insisting on having Aaron's child, it would lead to a catastrophic situation.
Maud was determined to make Erica, born in the wealthy family, be her daughter-in-law and couldn't let Susanna stand in the way.
Aaron took the document and said, "Grandma, I disagree."
Susanna breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Aaron object.
'Please don't sign this document,' she begged inwardly.
Maud immediately agreed, "Yes, Maria, it's really not appropriate to sign this now."
Maria stared at Aaron, her voice stern. "Why do you disagree?"
"Grandma, I'll sign it if you want, but only after you come out of the operating room."
Susanna looked incredulously at Aaron's profile after hearing his words, unable to see his expression.
Did Aaron actually agree?
Maud's face changed dramatically upon hearing this. "Aaron, how can you agree?"
'If you agree now, what about Erica in the future? Is the child of the Jones family's daughter not worthy of inheriting the Abbott Group?' she pondered.
Aaron's expression was cold, and he ignored his mother. He placed the document beside Maria. "If you have so many concerns, you should handle them yourself. Relying on a document won't be very effective."
Aaron and Maria locked eyes, neither willing to back down.
The atmosphere grew tense.
The two most influential people in the Abbott family were confronting each other, and no one dared to speak.
Susanna held Maria's hand, uttering, "Grandma, I think Aaron is right. Let's talk about it after your surgery. We have plenty of time and don't need to rush."
"No, it must be signed now. Otherwise, I won't have the surgery."
Maria suddenly threw a tantrum.
Aaron said, "Grandma, don't be so willful."
"I'm so old. Can't I be willful once? Just sign it. It's such a simple thing, and you won't even agree to it?"
Seeing Maria getting angry, Susanna quickly comforted her and turned to hand the document to Aaron. "Sign it."
Susanna looked up at Aaron, his eyes narrowing slightly, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Susanna and Aaron locked eyes, and she placed the document in his hand. "For Grandma's health, sign it. If you don't, she won't agree to the surgery."
Maria snorted coldly, "That's right. If you don't sign, I won't have the surgery. Even if you send me in, I'll crawl out."
Susanna stood alone, feeling the gaze from Maud. If looks could kill, she'd be a corpse by now.
Finally, Aaron took the document and signed his name.
Susanna saw his name. His handwriting was strong and powerful, exuding dominance.
She handed the document to Maria. "Grandma, Aaron has signed. Is that okay now?"
Maria, satisfied, took the document and placed it in front of Susanna. "You sign it too."
"Grandma, you only said Aaron should sign. I didn't agree to sign," said Susanna.
Everyone was stunned by Susanna's words, as if they couldn't believe she said that.
Aaron's eyes narrowed, pondering, 'What does she mean? She forced me to sign, and now she wouldn't?'
Maria was surprised. "Susanna, why won't you sign?"
After all the effort to secure rights for Susanna, why would she foolishly refuse?
Susanna held Maria's hand. "Grandma, since Aaron has signed, the document is complete. But I want to sign it in front of you after you come out of surgery, okay?"
Maria was stunned, realizing Susanna's refusal was for her sake.
Maria's eyes welled up with tears. "Why are you being so stubborn?"
"Stubbornness can sometimes bring its own rewards. The baby and I will be waiting for you to come out of the operating room."
Susanna knew Maria did all this for her, almost like arranging a will, but she hoped Maria would come out of surgery safely.
Aaron looked at her in surprise, his feelings suddenly complicated. He didn't expect Susanna to do all this for Maria.
Soon, doctors and nurses arrived.
Austin, wearing a white coat, walked in. When he saw the Abbott family, his eyes fell on Susanna. He knew she would come today.
He began the routine check-up for Maria, which went quickly and smoothly.
He said directly, "Take her to the operating room for preparation."
Susanna looked at Maria. "Grandma, don't forget we're all waiting for you."
Maria sighed slightly, finally not mentioning the document, and obediently lay on the bed, being wheeled out by doctors and nurses.
Austin gave the Abbott family a cold look. If it weren't for Susanna, he wouldn't have agreed to perform this surgery.
Maud smiled warmly at Austin. "Dr. Jones, we place Maria's surgery in your capable hands. Considering we are practically family, I'll spare you the formality."
Austin coldly replied, "Sorry, but I'm not family with the Abbott family!"
