Chapter 372 You look just like the late Susanna
Susanna shot a look at Penelope, trying to figure out how she knew Elaine was rocking a fake.
After all, the real deal was locked up tight with her, and no one else had ever laid eyes on it. How could anyone tell the difference?
Elaine, with all the confidence in the world, piped up, "Yeah, I did wear a fake once, but everything I'm wearing today is straight from a private fashion show yesterday. Since you didn't get an invite, maybe keep your mouth shut."
A rich lady nearby chimed in, "So, you really snagged all the high-end stuff from yesterday's show? Didn't leave any for us, huh?"
"Mrs. Rodriguez, I got first dibs 'cause of Nova's super VIP membership. And Nova bought all this for me."
Elaine shot a smug look at Penelope and asked, "Still think I'm wearing a fake?"
Penelope clammed up real quick.
Susanna felt a wave of relief wash over her, guessing Elaine's history of wearing fakes was what made Penelope suspicious in the first place.
She thought Penelope had spotted the knockoff she gave Elaine. What a close call!
"Nova, let's go check out the food. I heard the chef here is from some fancy high-end restaurant, and regular folks don't get to taste his stuff."
Susanna smiled and walked with Elaine towards the lawn where the food was set up.
Penelope, fuming, stomped her foot and asked, "Mom, who is that woman anyway? Could she really be Susanna?"
"No way, just a poser."
Violet was starting to have her doubts too. Everyone knew Aaron had been single for four years because of Susanna, with no other women in sight.
Right then, Vivian hung back and sidled up to Penelope and Violet, saying, "Ms. Sullivan, no need to stress. Word is Ms. Ramirez is divorced and has a sick kid. Compared to you, she's nothing."
Penelope eyed her suspiciously, "What are you getting at? Trying to suck up?"
"Ms. Sullivan, you've got it wrong. Compared to you, I'm a nobody and no threat. But Ms. Ramirez is a piece of work; she won't put up with me and my kid. But you're so kind and generous, I know you won't let us end up on the streets."
Violet's smile grew. "Ms. Nguyen, thanks for the heads-up. Don't worry, Penelope isn't the type to hold a grudge against a kid."
After all, Elaine's background didn't match Aaron's, and Ramond wasn't in line to inherit the Abbott family's fortune, so they weren't a threat to Penelope.
Vivian saw the looks on Penelope and Violet's faces, a cold glint in her eyes, but she kept up her gentle and timid act, lowering the Sullivan family's guard against her.
Penelope and Violet quickly headed back to the dining area where everyone was gathered.
Susanna grabbed some desserts and main courses to sample the food. If it wasn't up to par, she'd get someone to replace it.
"Isn't this dessert way too sweet? Do people in Novaria really like it this sweet?"
Atziry took a bite and put it down, clearly not a fan.
Susanna took a taste of the dessert Atziry had tried. Yeah, it was definitely too sweet.
She kept an ear out for the rich ladies' comments on the food, noting everything down. If she could win their approval, then Velvet Sky Ballroom in Lindwell could become a big deal and build a solid rep.
Vivian suddenly piped up, "Ms. Ramirez, you grabbed a ton of food. Can you even finish it?"
Everyone's heads turned.
Sure, Susanna had a bunch of small plates in front of her, but she’d only taken a little bit from each, so it looked like a lot.
Susanna's lips curled into a sly smile. "I just wanna taste everything, and besides, I’ve got a big appetite. No worries, I won’t waste it."
Penelope sneered, "Oh, really? Anyone who didn’t know better might think you’ve never had this kind of food before. We usually just take small bites."
Elaine jumped in, "Small bites? Didn’t you just grab a huge plate of desserts? After you took them, no one else could get any. How rude."
Elaine didn’t hold back at all.
Violet, trying to defuse the situation, quickly changed the subject. "Ms. Ramirez, I heard you have a daughter. Why didn’t you bring her today to meet everyone?"
The rich ladies nearby perked up at this news, all eyes on Susanna.
But Susanna stayed cool. "My daughter’s not feeling well, so I didn’t bring her."
"Ms. Ramirez, why hide her? She needs to meet people. You can’t just ditch your kid to be Mr. Abbott’s girlfriend, right?"
"Ms. Ramirez has a daughter, no biggie. If it were a son, that’d be awkward."
Hearing them casually talk about Lillian, Susanna’s smile faded. She put down her knife and fork and said, "That’s exactly why I didn’t bring my child."
Violet raised an eyebrow. "What reason?"
"Because she’d find some people here disgusting!"
Susanna’s tone was slow but packed a punch.
Violet’s face twisted. "Ms. Ramirez, what do you mean by that? Are you insulting us?"
"Think whatever you want."
Susanna’s eyes were icy. She could brush off their comments about her, but talking about Lillian? That was crossing the line!
Violet slammed the table in anger. "How dare you talk like that? Do you have any manners?"
"Some people don’t deserve my respect, only a lesson. Otherwise, they’ll never learn to keep their mouths shut!"
Susanna didn’t back down. She wasn’t here to be mistreated. Why should she put up with it?
The tension skyrocketed.
Elaine quickly said, "Nova, don’t mind them. The Sullivan Group is about to go bankrupt and get bought out, yet they’re still acting all high and mighty. How shameless?"
Violet shot back, "Our company isn’t getting bought out; we’re just collaborating with Elite Evolution Holdings from Novaria."
Susanna’s expression froze for a moment. She thought, 'Elite Evolution Holdings? Isn’t that Arthur’s company? What a coincidence.'
"Everyone knows the Sullivan Group is strapped for cash. Elite Evolution Holdings would be dumb to invest in you. It’s definitely an acquisition, stop pretending."
Elaine had just heard this news from the grapevine.
Violet was livid. "Elaine, you’re so close to Ms. Ramirez, you must be tight with Mr. Abbott’s ex-wife too? Treating her as a stand-in?"
"I have nothing to do with Susanna. Don’t talk nonsense. Susanna isn’t worthy of Aaron; Nova is different from Susanna."
"Elaine, stop buttering me up."
Hearing this, Susanna flashed a knowing smile.
Penelope snapped, "Ms. Ramirez, you look so much like a dead person, and you can still smile?"
