Chapter 255 Merely A Stand-In
Susanna shot Erica a surprised look after hearing Justin.’Erica's a fraud?‘ she thought.
Erica's anger flared. "Why can't I have a say? I'm part of the Jones family too! Why am I always kept in the dark? I'm not a fraud!"
Erica felt cornered. If she'd known Susanna was found out, she could've handled it better instead of feeling so helpless now.
Edward spoke coldly, "You were never a real member of the Jones family. You knew this since leaving the orphanage. Now you're just getting greedy, wanting things that aren't yours."
"What do you mean 'things that aren't mine'? I'm a Jones heir too. How am I less important than Susanna? After all my dedication, now that Susanna's back, you push me aside? That's ridiculous!" Erica's frustration boiled over, feeling the world was against her.
Edward frowned. "What do you want?"
Erica sneered, pointing at Aaron. "I want to marry into the Abbott family and become Mrs. Abbott!"
Aaron's face darkened. "Even if I stay single forever, I will never marry you."
Maud quickly added, "Erica, it's clear Aaron isn't interested. Why keep pushing?"
Erica shot back sarcastically, "Weren't you the one pushing for me to marry into your family? Now that you know I'm adopted, I'm not good enough? You rich people are unbelievable!"
Maud looked guilty but retorted coldly, "Erica, that's not fair. I thought you were respectable, but I didn't expect this from you."
Elaine chimed in, "Maud, I'm doubting Erica too. An adopted daughter claiming to be the Jones heir, lying to us all." Elaine had grown suspicious and found out the truth.
'Erica's just the adopted daughter! Susanna's the real heir! What a twist!' Elaine thought.
Erica snapped at the Abbott women, "Elaine, who do you think you are? You have no right to judge me. Always using my card with no money of your own!"
Elaine looked awkward. "Oh, isn't it because you were trying so hard to marry into the Abbott family and suck up to me? Now you're just an adopted daughter, about to be kicked out and left with nothing."
'Who would've thought Erica, so full of herself, would end up just an adopted daughter!' Elaine mocked silently.
Maud nodded. "You're right, Elaine. Our family values social standing, and Erica, being adopted, doesn't meet our expectations. Susanna is the one who truly fits."
Susanna smirked at Maud. It was rare to see Maud so agreeable. Maud had always been aloof and critical.
Power and influence were truly remarkable.
Maud's expression softened with guilt as she turned to Susanna. "Susanna, I didn't know the truth before and was misled by Erica. That's why I treated you poorly. But now that the truth is out, we're still family."
Since Susanna was the true Jones heir, everything seemed perfectly resolved—a win-win for everyone!
Elaine chimed in, "Yeah, Susanna!"
For the first time, Susanna felt the power of her background. She still remembered Maud and Elaine's disdainful looks at the mall last time. She wouldn't make that mistake again.
She lowered her gaze and smiled slightly. "I'm sorry, but I'm no longer part of the Abbott family. Aaron and I finalized our divorce."
She could feel Aaron's intense stare. Steeling herself, she stood tall. With the Jones family backing her, there was little left to fear.
Maud suddenly panicked. "Aaron, when did you divorce Susanna? Didn't you always avoid the procedures?"
Aaron's lips pressed into a cold line. "A few days ago."
"You fool, why did you finalize it so early?"
Maud's face filled with regret. "Aaron, why couldn't you wait a few more days?"
Edward cut in coldly, "A few days wouldn't make a difference!"
Austin added, "Exactly. Susanna is the Jones heir. She's been missing for years, and we won't let her suffer. Divorce is necessary."
Maud felt a pang of guilt. "You've got it wrong. Susanna has had a good life with us these past three years. Her quality of life improved, and under Maria's watch, who would dare mistreat her?"
Justin sneered, "A good life? Cleaning every day, enduring bullying and ridicule, and not daring to speak up?"
Maud fell silent, realizing Susanna was the true Jones heir all along. Erica had deceived her, weaving a web of lies.
"Susanna, we were planning to tell you the truth today, but things turned out this way. You've suffered a lot from Erica, haven't you?" Aviana said.
Susanna glanced at Aviana. Amidst the chaos in her mind, she pressed her lips together. "It's all in the past. I prefer not to dwell on it."
Maud quickly added, "Yeah, it's all in the past. Susanna, don't worry. I know I wasn't good to you before, but I'll make it up to you."
A hint of sarcasm flashed in Susanna's eyes. "Maud, just because I don't dwell on the past doesn't mean I'm willing to stay in the Abbott family."
Brian grinned, "Exactly! Susanna is the rightful Jones heir. She has status, beauty, and talent. Why worry about finding a better match?"
Aviana, standing next to Susanna, said, "Yeah, I've already selected many outstanding young men from Novaria. It's just a matter of waiting for Susanna's approval."
Susanna let out an awkward smile. Truth be told, she hadn't even begun to think about that.
Aaron looked at Susanna with a complicated expression, then glanced at the Jones family, feeling increasingly frustrated.
He was happy she found her family, but he felt Susanna was drifting further away from him.
However, he remembered something—he had always suspected Susanna's relationship with Austin and thought the child in her belly was Austin's.
Now, it dawned on him that he had misunderstood Susanna's ties with the Jones family. Could the child in Susanna's womb actually be his?
With a lump in his throat, he mustered the courage to step closer to Susanna, fixing his gaze on her. "There's something I need to ask you."
