Chapter 366 Knowing When to Back Down
The vibe got super awkward for a sec.
Susanna was all in to see how Vivian would handle this mess now!
Elaine kept poking, "Vivian, how you gonna pay for that?"
Vivian's fists were clenched tight. She couldn't cough up $380,000, let alone a cool million.
People around started whispering, "Why's she so quiet now? Didn't she just say she'd pay up? Realizing she can't afford it, huh?"
"Yeah, who even is she? Who brought her here?"
"Looks like Mrs. Maud Abbott did. They were sitting together earlier."
Everyone's eyes turned to Maud, and some rich lady threw shade, "Mrs. Maud Abbott, is this your guest? Kinda embarrassing, isn't it?"
Maud felt the heat. She marched up to Vivian and hissed, "Look at this mess. So disgraceful."
Vivian didn't dare talk back to Maud.
Maud then raised her voice, "Vivian, stop standing around. Go change your clothes before you catch a cold."
Vivian knew Maud was giving her an out. Swallowing her pride, she left the scene.
Her palms were all scratched up from clenching so hard.
She vowed that once Ramond took over the Abbott Group and she had her own cash, she'd get back at everyone for today's humiliation!
After Vivian bailed, folks started leaving since the show was over.
Susanna noticed Maud's sour face and smirked, "Mrs. Maud Abbott, you don't like people like me, but is this the best you can do for a daughter-in-law?"
Maud snorted, "I never said I wanted Vivian as my daughter-in-law."
Just then, a waiter came over with several bags and said to Elaine, "Ms. Abbott, these are your reserved items."
Elaine took them happily, "Thanks."
Maud spotted a familiar bag in Elaine's hand. Wasn't that the one she wanted earlier?
But when she tried to buy it, she was told it was already taken.
Maud didn't expect to see it with Elaine, and her face turned a bit sour. "Elaine, that bag doesn't really suit a young girl like you, does it?"
"Yeah, I know, so I'm planning to resell it. Got quite a few offers already."
A glint appeared in Maud's eyes, but she couldn't say anything in front of Nova.
Elaine smiled on purpose, "Thanks to Nova's super VIP card, I get first dibs on everything. Once I pick something, no one else can buy it."
Maud glanced at the bag again, feeling super frustrated.
Susanna pretended to ask, "Mrs. Maud Abbott, do you like this bag?"
Maud's face got a bit awkward, "Of course not, I have plenty of bags."
Maud secretly wondered if Nova was trying to win her over with the bag.
To her surprise, Susanna nodded, "Makes sense. Elaine, let your assistant carry these bags. It's too much for you. Let's go grab a drink."
Seeing Nova had no intention of giving her the bag, Maud felt puzzled for a moment.
Elaine didn't think twice and handed the fancy bags to her assistant. Then she turned to Maud and said, "Aunt Maud, we're outta here. Next time, don't bring Vivian to these things. It's just too embarrassing."
Maud was fuming, "Elaine, whose side are you on?"
"Obviously, I'm on Aaron's side."
Elaine felt like she was on top of the world. If Aaron married Nova, she'd be set for life and wouldn't have to worry about Maud's attitude.
Maud felt totally humiliated as she watched them leave.
She stormed off to the restroom and found Vivian trying to clean her dress. She snapped, "Vivian, what the hell happened today?"
"Aunt Maud, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. But I clashed with Ms. Ramirez for Aaron's sake."
"For Aaron? What do you mean?"
Vivian gave her a complicated look, "Aunt Maud, I just found out. Didn't I tell you yesterday that Ms. Ramirez's daughter is in the hospital? Aaron's been busy..."
"Spit it out," Maud said, losing her patience.
Vivian swallowed her frustration and said calmly, "Ms. Ramirez's daughter has leukemia and has the same blood type as Aaron. He's agreed to donate bone marrow if he's a match."
"Donate bone marrow?"
Maud's face went pale, like she couldn't believe it. "No way. Aaron wouldn't do something that risky."
"Aunt Maud, my friend at the hospital said Aaron already had his blood drawn for the match test. The results will be out tomorrow night."
Vivian looked at Maud meaningfully. She had only mentioned Nova's daughter in the phone call yesterday, not the bone marrow donation.
Vivian had planned to drop this bomb after the match results came out for maximum impact.
But after getting humiliated by Nova and Elaine today, she couldn't just let it slide.
"No! I can't let this happen! This is a bone marrow donation, not some small thing! What if it messes up his health?"
"Exactly. That's why I confronted Nova in the restroom to confirm it, but she got mad and splashed dirty water on me."
"Vivian, you did the right thing. We have to stop this."
Maud, both angry and worried, wanted to call Aaron to stop him from making a rash decision.
"Aunt Maud, it's best to play it cool for now. The match results aren't out yet. What if it's not a match? I've heard the chances of a match without a blood relation are super low. No need to freak Aaron out too soon"
Vivian's words made Maud pause.
Vivian continued, "Besides, tomorrow is your birthday party. It's not worth causing a fight with Aaron over this now. Let's wait for the match results."
"Vivian, you're right."
Maud put her phone away and looked thoughtfully at Vivian. "I plan to invite Sullivan Penelope to my birthday party tomorrow. You know the Sullivan family and our Abbott family have engagement plans. But don't worry, I won't treat Ramond unfairly. Your background is just too ordinary for the Abbott family to accept."
Vivian's eyes darkened. She knew Maud was throwing shade at her, subtly dissing her family background.
Vivian forced a smile and replied, "Aunt Maud, I get it. But I think we should invite Ms. Ramirez too, so she can see the Sullivan family heir and back off."
