Chapter 270 These Are Just TV Dramas
Susanna glanced at the restaurant's name. Yep, it was a pricey spot, and she’d heard you needed a membership.
"Susanna, what are you looking at? Did the group chat say anything?"
"Just figuring out dinner plans."
Brian looked up from the sofa. "Where are you guys eating tonight?"
"Oceanview Oasis Eatery," Susanna replied.
"That place? The food's just okay. I have a membership there; the owner insisted. Just use my phone number when you pay, and it'll go on my account."
Susanna smiled. "No need, someone else is treating us."
She'd already seen in the group chat that Lucy mentioned Jack was paying. Offering to pay herself would just cause unnecessary drama. She didn't want to draw attention at tonight's gathering.
In the evening, Susanna packed her bag and left school, ready to grab a cab to the restaurant. Suddenly, a car pulled up next to her. "Ms. Jones? I'm Elliot, your ride to the restaurant today."
Susanna paused but got in the car. She took out her phone and messaged Flandre: [I'm on my way.]
Flandre: [Had to work late, just heading out now. I'll probably be a bit later than you]
Susanna: [No worries, I'll wait for you outside.]
An hour later, the car stopped. Elliot quickly got out and opened the door for her. "Ms. Jones, your bag looks heavy; feel free to leave it in the car. Here's a handbag Mrs. Aviana Abbott prepared for you."
Seeing the new handbag, Susanna knew it was from Aviana. She wondered how concerned Edward and Aviana were about her being judged at the reunion.
Taking the designer handbag, Susanna glanced around, half expecting to see her brothers nearby, keeping an eye on her.
But they were busy. She'd heard Edward and Aviana discussing work yesterday. They'd stopped everything to pick her up.
She'd convinced her brothers to return to Novaria for business the previous night. They shouldn't have had the chance to follow her to the reunion. Susanna walked towards the restaurant with the handbag. Two stylishly dressed women walked past her, one looking at her arrogantly. "Susanna, didn't expect you to become so capable. Who was that old man who drove you here in a luxury car and gave you a branded handbag?"
"Isn't it obvious? Must be some improper relationship. Why else would an old man give her a branded handbag? Susanna must be really good at 'servicing' him!"
Hearing this, Susanna smiled at the two women. "Who are you?"
"I'm Lucy. Are you pretending not to know me?"
"Lucy? But are you the same Lucy as in this photo? Your nose, eyes, and chin look different. I’m sure you’re not the same Lucy!" Susanna waved her phone, showing a photo of Lucy with bangs, though the arrogant look in her eyes hadn't changed.
"Susanna, delete that photo, do you hear me? Holding onto someone's picture like that is a total invasion of privacy!" Lucy was furious.
Susanna's tone turned icy. "And what you just said is called defamation, you know?"
Lucy's anger flared. "Susanna, am I wrong? You're an orphan who dropped out of school. How can you afford luxury cars, branded clothes, and handbags?"
"I used to be an orphan, but not anymore. I have a family now," Susanna said firmly.
"Stop lying. Are you saying you found your family and they're rich, turning you from an orphan into an heir?"
Susanna nodded. "Why not?"
"Your story sounds like a TV drama. It doesn't happen in real life. Get real," Lucy sneered.
Just then, a Porsche pulled up, and a man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses stepped out.
Lucy's eyes lit up. "Jack, over here!"
Jack walked over with a warm smile. "Why's everyone hanging around outside? Just drop my name and head to the VIP room."
Lucy jumped in. "Jack, a new ride? Last time it was a BMW, now a Porsche. Nice upgrade!"
"My family helped me out. With my income, I couldn't afford it. But it's surprising Susanna came today. She still looks as good as ever," Jack said.
Susanna smiled. "Thanks for the compliment."
Lucy looked jealous, not expecting Jack to focus on Susanna. Women's intuition was sharp; after all these years, Jack still liked Susanna.
Jack took the lead. "Let's go inside. Everyone's waiting."
Susanna followed everyone into the restaurant. Just as she walked in, a brand-new luxury car stopped by the roadside. Aaron rolled down the window and glanced at the restaurant, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
If he wasn't mistaken, he had just seen Susanna with a few people.
Tyler, in the passenger seat, spoke up, "Mr. Abbott, our reservation is at the next restaurant."
"Okay." Aaron rolled up the window.
Inside the private room, a few classmates were already there, but Flandre hadn't arrived yet.
Lucy immediately sat next to Jack, bombarding him with questions about his work. Susanna sat back quietly, picking up that Jack was in finance and doing well.
When the waiter brought water, Jack poured her a glass. "Susanna, I heard you won an award in a design competition. That's impressive, congrats!"
"Thank you, it was just luck," Susanna replied.
"You're being modest. Luck is also a skill."
Lucy couldn't help but interject, "Did Susanna really win some design competition? The kind anyone can win?"
"The H.F. International Design Competition, hosted by the Jones family group in Novaria. It's held every three years and is quite famous. With Susanna winning first place, she can now work at a listed company," Jack explained.
Lucy was instantly filled with jealousy!
