Chapter 275 The Age Factor: Mr. Abbott's Unpopularity
Susanna's eyes darted between Jack's business card and Aaron's calm demeanor. "Isn't taking a business card just polite?" she asked.
Aaron raised an eyebrow, dripping with sarcasm. "Does he even deserve to give me one?"
Jack's face changed instantly. "What do you mean?"
Jack, used to luxury, had never faced such disdain. But seeing Aaron's Rolls-Royce, he felt a twinge of insecurity.
Aaron stayed cool. "Your company's chairman once gave me a card, asking for investment in an underfunded AI project." He stood tall, unaffected by the rain, exuding dominance.
Jack's face shifted again. He remembered rumors about the AI project and the chairman's talks with the Abbott Group. 'Is this guy really the head of the Abbott Group?' he wondered.
Jack awkwardly pulled back his hand, reluctant. If Aaron was indeed the boss, Jack couldn't risk offending him.
But he doubted it. How could Susanna know someone so important? Jack figured Aaron might just be a high-ranking exec.
Seeing Jack's discomfort, Susanna glanced at Aaron. 'Is he here to show off?' she thought.
Aaron, holding an umbrella for her, said, "I'll take you home."
His confident tone and handsome features showed he didn't care about the onlookers.
Susanna stood firm as her female classmates looked on enviously. Aaron wasn't just good-looking; he was rich, and coming to pick her up was the cherry on top. How romantic!
Lucy, nearby, couldn't hide her jealousy. "Sir, do you really know Susanna?"
Aaron turned to her, calm and powerful. Lucy blushed and continued, "Susanna's a fraud. She's an orphan with no money. Everything she has is from an old man who keeps her!"
Aaron looked at Lucy calmly. "And you are...?"
"I'm Lucy, Susanna's classmate. I've known her forever. She used to get involved with people for money, and her private life was a mess." Lucy's eyes sparkled, hoping to impress Aaron.
Susanna sneered. "Go on, what else?"
Lucy, feeling satisfied, continued, "She had been a top student but dropped out because of a rich old man. Rumor has it she's barren now, and after he was done with her, he left her with nothing."
Juniper jumped in, "Exactly. Susanna might seem sweet, but she's really just a gold-digger who dropped out for an old man's money."
Aaron's face darkened. Susanna dropped out for an old man's money?
Susanna held back a laugh and nodded. "Yep, I dropped out for a rich old man，married him for three years,, then got kicked out."
Lucy laughed, "See, she admitted it!" She was determined to expose Susanna and maybe impress Aaron. She'd already imagined countless scenarios.
Aaron looked sternly at Susanna. "Is this what you tell people?"
Susanna blinked. "I didn't say anything. They did."
Aaron's expression turned stormy. "Do I look that old? Sure, I'm a decade older, but I stay in shape!"
He felt a sting, looking at Susanna's soft face, feeling a bit melancholic about his age.
Susanna couldn't deny Aaron looked youthful and prosperous. Age seemed trivial.
Lucy, confused, said, "Sir, you look young. I'm talking about Susanna clinging to an old man for money..."
Aaron coldly interrupted, "You can shut up now."
Lucy persisted, "Sir, I'm telling the truth. Susanna was married and now she's divorced!"
Aaron's gaze was piercing. "I don't need you to remind me."
Why did everyone keep bringing up his divorce? Did they think he didn't know?
Susanna smiled and retorted, "Lucy, with your imagination and acting, Hollywood's missing out on you!"
Aaron glanced at Susanna. "You've got it wrong. She doesn't cut it."
Susanna raised an eyebrow. "I think her acting is pretty good."
"She's too ugly," Aaron said.
Lucy's confidence crumbled. She had dreams of a romantic future with Aaron, only to be labeled unattractive. It was a harsh blow.
Susanna's lips curled up. Aaron's insults were lethal.
Aaron looked down at her. "Let's go. Do you still want to stay here and witness this circus?"
Susanna couldn't spot Elliot and didn't want to linger. She decided to snag a ride home in Aaron's car. Besides, it was the perfect getaway vehicle.
She turned to Flandre and said to Jim, "We're not going the same way. Could you take Flandre home later? Thanks."
Jim nodded. "Okay."
Flandre blushed but said nothing, watching Susanna and Aaron leave in the rain.
Lucy, full of jealousy, watched Susanna leave in a luxury car. "Susanna is really something, fooling such a handsome man."
Jack, overshadowed by Aaron, was in a bad mood. "Who is he, anyway?"
Other classmates chimed in, "What's the relationship between that man and Susanna?"
"Yeah, what he said sounded strange."
Jim adjusted his glasses. "Is it possible that this gentleman is Susanna's ex-husband?"
