Chapter 26 Hire Her, But at Ten Times the Price
The next day, Susanna officially started her job. In the afternoon, she sat in the meeting room, looking at Tyler across from her. "How did you find me?" she asked.
Tyler gave a sheepish smile. "We've heard about what happened this morning. Of course, we're not here to blame you. We just really admire your designs and want to hire you as Mr. Abbott's interior designer."
From Tyler's words, Susanna picked up a lot of information, especially the "we" which likely included Aaron. Thinking back to her morning, Susanna couldn't help but sigh. No one else probably had such an eventful first day at work.
Not long after she started, the receptionist came to tell her someone was looking for her. Susanna was puzzled until she saw who it was in the meeting room—none other than Maud and Elaine.
Susanna's expression froze. She walked over and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Elaine smirked, "Susanna, we're here to get our house designed, of course. Aaron's wedding venue needs a total overhaul. Out with the old, in with the new."
Maud added, "Absolutely. Aaron is going to marry a wealthy heiress, so the place has to be first-class. We can't risk any embarrassment. This time, it has to be grand, unlike before."
Susanna took a deep breath. "I can't take this job. Please get someone else." It was clear these two were here to cause trouble, and she had no interest in dealing with them.
"What? You're turning down easy money?" Elaine sneered. "Susanna, you worked so hard to win that competition just to get clients like us. If you dare refuse, I'll file a complaint." She had brought Maud along specifically to teach Susanna a lesson.
Maud pulled out a check. "Write down any amount you need. Even though you come from a modest background, your design sense is decent."
Susanna didn't take the check.
Maud raised an eyebrow. "Take it. This job will earn you more than half a year's salary."
Susanna finally smiled, took the check, and wrote a string of nines on it before handing it back. "Is this okay?"
"Smart move. Aunt Maud won't hold it against you," Elaine said smugly, but her eyes nearly popped out when she saw the nines. "Susanna, are you messing with us?!"
Susanna smiled calmly. "Didn't you say I could write any amount?"
"Ten grand is a lot for someone like you. Don't get greedy! Elaine, let's go!" Maud said as she was ready to leave.
Elaine stood up, gloating. "Susanna, no matter what awards you win or titles you get, you'll always be just an employee. We're the wealthy ones! No matter how hard you work, you're still working for us!"
Susanna shot back without missing a beat, "When it comes to money, you're right. But when it comes to being a decent human being, you're way behind."
Maud fumed. "Susanna, what do you mean by that? You have no class!"
Elaine added fuel to the fire. "Aunt Maud, she's an orphan. What kind of upbringing could she have? Vincent is still in the hospital, who knows if he'll make it. Who could have taught her anything?"
Susanna picked up a cup from the table and threw its contents at Elaine. "Shut up!" She could take insults directed at her, but not at Vincent and Madison.
Elaine screamed, "Susanna, are you crazy? I'm going to file a complaint against you!"
Dick heard the commotion and stepped out. Elaine immediately started complaining, "You must be Mr. Johnson. I want to file a complaint against this woman!"
Susanna put down the cup and looked at Dick. "Sorry, Dick. I don't think I fit in here."
"No worries. If anyone's leaving, it's not you," Dick said, his tone icy as he turned to Elaine and Maud. "Both of you can leave. You're not welcome here."
Susanna was taken aback by Dick's defense. Elaine and Maud stormed out, seething and cursing under their breath.
Allison, who had been watching, frowned even more. She couldn't believe Dick would defend Susanna. How infuriating!
After Elaine and Maud left, Susanna looked at Dick. "Sorry about that."
"It's nothing. They were just trying to make things difficult for you. Don't worry, just focus on your work," Dick comforted her.
Susanna nodded. With Dick's support, she was determined to put in the effort and excel.
Back in the present, Susanna looked at Tyler's ingratiating smile and said, "You can hire me, but the price is ten times higher."
Tyler was taken aback. "Ten times? How much is that?"
"One million dollars," Susanna replied casually.
"I can't make the final decision. I'll need to consult Mr. Abbott," Tyler said, looking troubled.
"Then go consult him," Susanna said, practically shooing Tyler out. "No need to rush. Take your time." With that, she gracefully strolled away, leaving Tyler on the couch, deep in thought.
That evening, Susanna returned home to find her adoptive parents causing trouble again. Andrew still had a cast on his leg, clearly not healed.
Grace was arguing with Madison in the living room. "Hand over that money! Susanna's family must have given you money. We adopted Susanna, so you have no right to it!"
Susanna burst in, furious. "What are you doing here? Even if I had money, I wouldn't give it to you." She walked to the kitchen, grabbed a thermos, and returned to the living room. "Are you leaving or not? If not, take a hot shower before you go."
Seeing the hot water, her adoptive parents' faces changed. They cursed as they left, "Susanna, you bitch, just you wait."
After they were gone, Susanna looked at Madison. "It's okay now. As long as I'm here, you're safe."
Madison wiped her tears, unsure of what to say. After comforting Madison, Susanna started thinking about whether it was time to move.
The following day, upon reaching the studio, Susanna received a call from Tyler. He relayed the news that Aaron had agreed to her terms and was asking when she could start working.
Still groggy from a sleepless night, Susanna felt irked that her morning started with a discussion about Aaron. "Start working? Just because he's on board doesn't mean I am. I don't remember committing to this job," she grumbled.
Tyler was shocked. Why were Susanna and Aaron making things so difficult for him? Were they both so morally bankrupt?
As Susanna was on the verge of hanging up, Tyler resorted to a desperate plea. "Mrs. Abbott, please, I'm begging you. This renovation has seen five different designers in the past two weeks, costing us $600,000 already. Mr. Abbott is on edge, and you're my final shot. If you don't step in, I might lose my job. Please, just consider it."
