Chapter 222 Words for You
When Susanna spotted Erica, she noticed something off about her expressionthat she couldn't quite describe..
Following her gaze, Brian saw Erica coming over and immediately changed his expression. "What are you doing here?"
Susanna found Brian's unfriendly demeanor odd, especially since he was usually so gentle with girls. It hinted at something deeper in his personality.
But Brian's harsh attitude towards Erica was really strange.
With a forced smile, Erica shrugged off Brian's attitude, showing she didn't care. She glanced at Susanna. "That piano piece you played earlier was lovely, but the beginning sounded like it blended with another tune, almost like a nursery rhyme?"
She had been thinking a lot, wondering if Susanna still remembered their childhood.
If Susanna remembered, she'd recall their childhood memories and that Erica encouraged her to go to another orphanage.
Susanna found Erica's words a bit strange. She hesitated before answering, "Yeah, I did blend in some tunes I like. Is there a problem?"
"No, no. I just thought it sounded nice, that's all," Erica quickly replied, her back now damp with sweat. Avoiding direct eye contact with Susanna, she dreaded any mention of the tune's origins or the orphanage. If Brian caught wind of the conversation and began probing further, Susanna's true identity could be exposed in an instant. Erica shuddered at the thought of what might unfold next.
Susanna still found Erica's demeanor very strange. She was certain Erica had orchestrated this encounter to put her in an awkward spot. Unfortunately for Erica, she didn't expect Susanna to actually pull it off!
Just as Susanna prepared to address the peculiar atmosphere, she noticed Aaron approaching, causing her expression to momentarily freeze. Uncertain of his motives, she wondered if he was about to mock her for any perceived performance mishaps.
Aaron peered down at Susanna, a sense of bewilderment washing over him as he realized he had never truly grasped the depths of the woman standing before him. The unexpected revelation of Susanna's piano prowess added another layer of mystery to her persona.
Pressing his lips into a thin line, Aaron spoke softly, "Susanna, come with me for a moment. I have something to tell you."
Susanna's eyes showed a hint of surprise. 'Aaron has something to say to me?' she doubted.
But before she could make a decision, Brian grabbed her hand and looked at Aaron with a wary expression. "Speak your mind right here, Aaron. There's no need for secrets or whispers. Is it something that can't be shared in the open?"
As Brian's questioning stirred tension between him and Aaron, the air crackled with a palpable sense of conflict. Sensing the escalating unease, Susanna swiftly stepped in, diffusing the brewing confrontation. "I have some things to take care of here. Whatever it is, let's talk after I'm done."
Turning to Brian, she added with a reassuring smile, "I'll contact you after I'm done."
As Susanna skillfully diffused the tension, Brian recognized her efforts and the importance of avoiding a public altercation, especially in the school setting. Mindful of the spectators around them, Brian made a conscious decision not to escalate the situation further and risk implicating Susanna in any unnecessary trouble.
After Susanna left, Brian stared at Aaron defiantly. "I've warned you before to stay away from Susanna, or I won't be so polite!"
Aaron rolled up his sleeves, looking refined but with a hint of hostility in his eyes. "It's my line. Susanna is my wife. I hope your family stays away from her, or don't blame me for being rude!"
He threw down those words and left.
Brian was fuming. He'd never seen such an arrogant guy. If it weren't for Susanna, he would've dealt with Aaron a long time ago.
Hearing Aaron's words, Erica's heart skipped a beat. But right now, the most important thing was figuring out Susanna's identity and whether the Jones family knew who she really was!
Erica quickly caught up with Brian, trying to butter him up. "Brian, you seem pretty close with Susanna. I saw Austin getting along well with her too. They seem tight."
Brian stopped and looked down at her. "What are you getting at?"
"Nothing, just curious. Aren't you usually in Novaria? When did you get so close to Susanna, and how did you meet?" Erica asked.
As Erica posed her question, a sudden realization struck Brian. Could Erica have stumbled upon a crucial detail? The melody played earlier, the same one Susanna had learned in the orphanage as a child, flashed through his mind. Given Erica's past at the orphanage, it wouldn't be far-fetched for her to recognize the tune. Was she beginning to piece together Susanna's hidden past?
Brian had long harbored suspicions about the substitute brought back from the orphanage by Edward. Although lacking concrete proof until now, this moment seemed like the perfect chance to investigate further.
Intrigued by the possibility of Erica uncovering the truth, Brian saw an opportunity to test her subtly.
He asked. "That's none of your business, is it?"
Erica forced a smile. "Actually, I just think Susanna and Austin are quite close and have a good relationship. But Austin seems to be developing something with a singer recently. To be honest, a girl like Susanna, who has been divorced and has a complicated background, isn't suitable for Austin. They are not a good match. I just wanted to advise Susanna not to hold onto unrealistic hopes."
Hearing this, Brian chuckled lightly, "Not suitable? Erica, have you forgotten that you were also born in an orphanage and are currently just an adopted daughter of the Jones family? Your status isn't as noble as you think. You've been a substitute for so long that you've forgotten your orphan identity and really think you're the heiress?"
Erica's demeanor shifted drastically. Years of living in comfort had solidified her belief as the rightful heir to the Jones family fortune.
The sudden emergence of the true heiress, Susanna, whom she held in contempt, rattled her to the core. How could she possibly accept this turn of events?
Seeing Erica's changed expression, Brian realized that Erica had probably noticed something from the music just now, which was why she was probing about his relationship with Susanna.
Erica quickly adjusted and said, "You misunderstood. I was simply curious. Your reaction almost implies I've done something to Susanna. By the way, does Austin have any idea about the closeness between you and Susanna?"
"Do I need to report to Austin about which woman I'm close to? Besides, isn't Austin getting close to a singer recently?" Brian retorted.
Brian deliberately misled Erica because he wanted to investigate what had happened at the orphanage. Unfortunately, Susanna had forgotten about her time at the orphanage due to illness. Otherwise, they could have exposed Erica's true colors long ago.
As Brian walked away, Erica's mind raced uncontrollably. Her gaze fell upon the grand piano on the stage, reminiscent of Susanna's recent performance.
In a tremor of anxiety, Erica found herself grappling with a wave of panic unlike any she had experienced before. Why did it have to involve Susanna of all people?
