Chapter 355 The Show is Finally About to Begin
Susanna fessed up that she brought up the whole Maud drama on purpose. With Aaron talking about Elaine and all those fancy gifts, it was pretty clear he got the scoop from Elaine. Since Elaine had been showered with gifts from her, she was definitely spilling the tea to Aaron.
Aaron went quiet for a sec before saying, "She thought you were my ex-wife."
"Is Maud's beef with your ex that bad? Being Mrs. Abbott sounds like a real trip," Susanna teased.
Aaron's face darkened, thinking she was throwing shade. Standing in the hospital hallway, staring at the gloomy sky outside, he said in a low voice, "Don't let my mom's words get to you."
"Mr. Abbott, do I look like someone who gets worked up over nonsense? If there's beef, I usually clap back right then and there. Just a heads-up, Mr. Abbott, I'm not like your ex. I've got a bit of a temper."
Susanna's words had a deeper meaning; she was just fed up. She was finally bringing back her old self from four years ago!
As Susanna finished, Aaron chuckled, "Alright, got it. Let's grab dinner tomorrow night."
He never thought the old Susanna would take any crap!
Hanging up, Susanna thought Aaron's last laugh was kinda weird. Did he think she was kidding?
The next morning, Susanna stayed home with Lillian, reminding her not to blow their cover when faking sick that evening.
Soon, she got a call from Elaine. "Nova, let's hang out this afternoon. It's your first time in Lindwell, and you must be lost," she said.
"Not today. Aaron's taking me to dinner at Oceanview Oasis Eatery tonight, and I've got a makeup artist and stylist appointment this afternoon."
Susanna dropped the time and place on purpose, making Elaine say, "Oh, then I won't mess with your date. But there's something from our shopping trip I wanted to share."
"What is it?"
"Yesterday, you had a little spat with Aunt Maud, right? She later went to Aaron and found out you're the heir to the rich Brown family in Novaria. Now Aunt Maud's feeling all kinds of regret."
Hearing Elaine's smug tone, Susanna's eyes flashed with sarcasm, and she replied coolly, "And then?"
"Then, Aunt Maud's birthday is in a few days, and the family's throwing a small party. You're invited."
"Sure," Susanna agreed easily. In a few days, the bone marrow match results would be out, and it would be time to settle things with the Abbott family.
After hanging up, Elaine quickly flaunted her shopping haul on social media, not forgetting to mock Stella for getting the boot.
"Elaine." Vivian walked in, holding a little boy's hand.
Seeing Vivian, Elaine immediately put down her phone. "Aunt Maud's upstairs. I gotta bounce, bye."
"Elaine, I need to talk to you," Vivian said.
After sending Ramond upstairs, Vivian looked at Elaine. "Haven't you ever doubted Nova's identity? I'm just looking out for you and don't want you to get played."
Elaine shot back, "Vivian, Aaron's done his homework on Nova. She's the heir to the rich Brown family in Novaria, not some random chick. She just happens to look like Susanna; they're not the same person."
"I don't buy into coincidences."
Elaine's impatience was clear as day when she bluntly told Vivian, "I've been wanting to say this for a while. Aunt Maud likes her daughters-in-law rich. You don't fit the bill. Stop dreaming and focus on taking care of Ramond. Maybe you'll get some inheritance down the line."
Elaine could never quite figure out Ramond's deal! He seemed like Aaron's kid, but Aaron had been keeping his distance from Ramond for the past four years. If he wasn't Aaron's, why did Aaron bring Vivian and Ramond back?
"Elaine, Aaron doesn't like Nova either. Nova used that special drug as leverage to make Aaron agree to be with her," Vivian insisted.
"How could that be? Aaron even invited Nova to dinner at Oceanview Oasis Eatery tonight. Have you ever seen Aaron ask a woman out for dinner?" Elaine shot back before leaving.
Vivian wasn't about to give up. She went upstairs to find Maud.
Maud's face turned sour when she saw her. After sending Ramond outside to play, she spoke sternly. "Vivian, you lied to me about Ms. Ramirez. What's your game here? Do you really think you can become Mrs. Abbott with these tricks?"
Vivian's face turned a bit awkward. "Maud, I never thought that."
"It's best if you never thought that. Mrs. Abbott has to be a wealthy heir to match Aaron."
Vivian gritted her teeth. "But that Nova has a daughter, who's over three years old, about the same age as Ramond."
"What? She has a kid? Is she divorced too?" Maud's displeasure was obvious. A woman with a kid, no matter how rich, was not a good match for Aaron.
Vivian couldn't help but smirk slightly, enjoying Maud's disdain. She was determined not to let Nova get what she wanted.
In the evening, at the restaurant, Susanna brought Lillian along. Glancing at Lillian, she asked, "Nervous?"
"Not at all! I'll do my best!"
Susanna patted Lillian's head and held her hand as they walked into the restaurant.
As Susanna and Lillian walked in, they saw Aaron coming out of the elevator. Their eyes met, and Susanna's lips curved into a deep smile, though there was still a hint of worry in her eyes.
She was worried not only about Lillian's performance today but also about the bone marrow match results.
"Aaron." Lillian's eyes lit up when she saw Aaron, and she happily ran over.
As Aaron stepped out of the elevator, Lillian dashed towards him in a striking yellow dress, her eyes meeting his before she stumbled. Instinctively, Aaron reached out to steady her, and in that instant, Lillian wrapped her arms around his neck.
A fleeting tension gripped the air as Aaron stiffened briefly, then carefully supported Lillian. Looking down at her, he asked, "Who gave you the right to call me that?"
'Aaron? Such boldness in one so young,' he thought.
Lillian, holding onto his neck, said in her sweet childlike voice, "I did."
Aaron's thin lips curved into a smile. Looking up, he saw Susanna across from him, her face strikingly similar to Susanna's, and for a moment, he was dazed.
