Chapter 266 Kick Them All Out
Susanna smirked at Ivy and Sienna. "Got anything to say now?"
Ivy and Sienna looked embarrassed. No one expected Susanna to have gone shopping with Aaron. Questioning Susanna's purchase would mean doubting Aaron's taste.
Ivy, gritting her teeth, forced a smile. "If Aaron was with you, it can't be fake."
Their plan to embarrass Susanna had backfired.
Susanna gave a sly smile. "So, mine's real. What about yours?"
Ivy froze, unable to come up with an excuse.
Susanna pressed on. "This scarf is a limited edition, only one available at Crestview Mall."
Sienna quickly blamed Ivy. "I told you to buy it at the mall, but you had a friend do it. See, now you've been scammed!"
Ivy, catching on, said tearfully, "Mom, I didn't know my friend would deceive me."
Susanna admired their acting skills.
Maria from the Abbott family finally spoke up. "Enough!"
Sienna turned to Maria, desperate. "Mrs. Maria Abbott, my daughter was tricked. She wouldn't knowingly give you a fake. It was just a token of our gratitude."
Susanna scoffed. "They bought fakes to save money. How sincere can they be?"
She knew Maria wasn't fond of Ivy and Sienna. Despite Maria's coldness, they always pretended not to notice. Dealing with such bold people was tough.
Ivy looked at Aaron with teary eyes. "Aaron, I didn't mean any harm. You have to believe me."
Aaron's face was cold. "I don't know you well."
Ivy was shocked. "But we were so close as kids. What happened? I remember you once said..."
Susanna's curiosity was piqued. Was there something from Aaron's past?
Maria interrupted. "Enough. Your grandfather suggested the engagement. We never agreed. Spread rumors, and you'll get a lawyer's letter."
Sienna, uncomfortable, said, "Mrs. Maria Abbott, we haven't spread rumors. Now that Aaron is single again, I thought our kids, who have known each other since childhood, would be better than women of unknown background. Maybe Susanna shouldn't have married into the Abbott family."
Maria snorted. "When we thought Aaron was dying, you all stayed away, afraid I'd force you to marry him!"
Susanna remembered those days. After Aaron's accident, the Abbott family was in deep sorrow.
Silence filled the room.
Ivy and Sienna bowed their heads, hesitant to speak. Who would marry someone on the verge of death?
Maria continued, "Back then, only Susanna stepped up. Her integrity outshines those obsessed with material things." Ivy and Sienna were speechless.
Susanna felt a bit satisfied, a small smile forming. But she noticed Aaron's intense gaze and quickly looked away, not wanting to read into his expression.
Aaron then said coldly, "Taylor, kick Ivy and Sienna out and make sure they never come back."
"Mrs. Maria Abbott, we misspoke. Please don't take it to heart," Ivy pleaded.
"Please give us another chance. Don't kick us out," Sienna added.
Maria ignored them, sipping her tea. She had tolerated them for the older generation's sake, but their disrespect towards Susanna was too much.
Once Ivy and Sienna were gone, peace returned.
"Susanna, don't let their words bother you. I've never looked down on you," Maria said.
"I know," Susanna replied, holding Maria's hand, feeling touched. Ivy and Sienna had mocked her before, but this time, emboldened by her divorce, they did it in front of Maria. She hadn't expected Maria to defend her so strongly.
"Susanna, I heard you're the real heir of the Jones family, and Erica is just adopted. Is that true?" Maria asked.
Susanna nodded. "Yes, it's true."
"I'm happy for you, but it's surprising you suddenly became the heir. Didn't you know your family earlier? Why was it kept from you?" Maria asked.
Susanna sensed Maria's concern and felt warmth. She smiled and explained, "My brothers were afraid I'd resent the wealth."
She recounted the story of how her brothers pretended to be financially struggling. Maria's tension eased. "So, the surgeon who operated on me was Austin, right? He did it for you."
"Yes."
"Erica lied, claiming it was because of her that Austin performed the surgery, even trying to blackmail Aaron into marrying her. What a shameless woman! Luckily, Aaron didn't fall for it!" Maria said.
Susanna glanced at Aaron, teasing. "Yes, Grandma, who would agree to such terms?"
"Ungrateful bastard!" Maria said firmly.
Aaron stayed silent.
Susanna suppressed a smile and nodded. "Grandma, I think you're absolutely right." She felt Aaron's intense, mischievous gaze and adjusted her posture, reminding herself she hadn't said those words.
Maria held her hand. "Susanna, with the Jones family supporting you, I can rest easy. Look at these photos of young talents; they all have excellent backgrounds and look decent."
Susanna was puzzled. What was Maria up to?
