Chapter 388 I Have Always Been Fair
When Lillian dropped that bomb, Susanna's face went from zero to a hundred real quick.
She shot a look at Aaron, who was just as shocked, giving her this weird, mixed-up stare.
Guilt hit Susanna like a ton of bricks.
Then Maud, with her nose in the air, sneered, "Calling someone your dad outta nowhere? No class at all!"
Susanna covered Lillian's ears, hustled her to the door, and handed her off to her secretary with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Lillian, you head back first. I'll catch up later."
Lillian, seeing that smile, knew someone was about to get it. She shrank back, knowing trouble was brewing.
Susanna shut the door, and that fake smile vanished in a heartbeat.
She turned to Maud, eyes cold as ice. "I heard Mr. Abbott's dad passed early. Must've been tough raising a brat all these years."
Maud's face went rigid. "What crap are you spewing?"
Living the high life, Maud never thought anyone would dare call Aaron a brat.
Who ever heard of a rich brat like Aaron?
"I'm not wrong. Didn't you just say a kid without a dad is a 'bad kid'?"
Susanna's smirk was all sarcasm. "Never thought you'd curse your own son. What's eating you? Spill, maybe I can help."
Maud was livid. "You must be deaf. I was dissing you and your daughter!"
"But your son's a 'bad kid' too."
Maud, fuming, turned to Aaron. "Aaron, did you hear that? She called you a 'bad kid'!"
Aaron's lips tightened. "When I was young, someone did call me a 'bad kid'."
"No way! Whoever said that, I'll rip their mouth off!"
"Aunt Ivy said I was why you couldn't remarry."
Maud was so mad she could barely stand. Her face was a storm of emotions; she never thought she'd end up calling Aaron a 'bad kid'.
And Ivy? What was she thinking? If Maud remarried, wouldn't the Abbott fortune go poof?
Susanna was taken aback by Aaron's cooperation. Didn't see that coming.
He admitted he was a 'bad kid'. Whoa.
Maud was mortified and glared at Susanna. "Aaron's the Abbott heir. He's not just any kid."
"Doesn't change the fact he's the 'bad kid' you mentioned!"
Maud was speechless and fainted on the spot.
Doctors and nurses rushed in, whisking Maud away, while Taylor, standing by, said, "Mr. Abbott, Mrs. Maud Abbott almost had a stroke from fainting yesterday. You said not to rile her up."
Susanna glanced at Aaron, then after a beat, said, "No mom can stand her kid being trashed. It was instinct."
She didn't think Maud would fold so fast.
If Maud really stroked out from anger, that'd be a mess.
Aaron looked at her, eyes full of mixed feelings. "Do people often call Lillian a 'bad kid'?"
Susanna was caught off guard but replied, "Yeah, it's true Lillian doesn't have a dad, and people love to gossip. But she's got plenty of love and doesn't give a damn about that stuff or having a dad."
Aaron felt a pang of guilt. He knew all too well the crap a kid without a dad could face, having lost his own father early on.
With a heavy heart, he said, "No one's gonna say that about Lillian again."
She gave a faint smile and asked, "Even your mom?"
Aaron frowned. "When she wakes up, I'll have her moved out of this hospital."
Hearing Aaron's promise, Susanna felt a bit relieved. As long as Maud didn't stir up trouble during the bone marrow donation tomorrow, things would be fine.
She paused and said, "You should rest now. I won't bother you."
"Leaving already?"
Susanna turned back, puzzled. "Need something else?"
"Yeah, help me out with something."
Aaron was lying on the bed, an IV in his hand. He struggled to sit up, and Susanna rushed over to help. "What do you need? Water?"
Aaron's lips tightened. "I need to hit the bathroom."
Susanna coughed, then put Aaron's arm over her shoulder. His weight almost made her stumble!
Aaron was heavy!
Gritting her teeth, Susanna helped him to the bathroom, sweating bullets. "Can you manage on your own? Should I get your assistant or a nurse?"
"Nope! I got this."
Aaron was stubborn as ever.
Seeing his prideful stance, Susanna couldn't help but smile a bit. She didn't expect this side of him.
Aaron looked down at her, serious. "You laughing at me?"
"No, not at all!"
Susanna straightened up, but then Aaron pressed her shoulder. "Since you're here, help me out."
Susanna was confused. What did he mean?
Then she noticed Aaron reaching to pull down his pants. She immediately shouted, "What are you doing?"
Aaron paused, calmly saying, "I need to pee."
"Why are you keeping me here while you pee? You're such a perv!"
"I can't stand steady. I need someone to hold me up."
"Then I'll get someone else."
"No time."
Susanna turned around, embarrassed. Aaron held her shoulder tight, not letting her leave, so she had to stay put.
If Aaron wasn't donating bone marrow for Lillian, she would've shoved him away.
Fine, just deal with it.
Aaron probably felt too embarrassed to call a nurse or Tyler, so he kept her there.
Soon, the sound of him peeing filled the room, making Susanna feel super awkward.
At her age, it was the first time she'd heard a guy pee up close.
The sound stopped, followed by the rustling of clothes.
Susanna's ears turned red. "You done?"
Aaron replied lowly, "Yeah."
She felt his hand back on her shoulder and immediately said, "Did you even wash your hands?"
Aaron gritted his teeth. "This hand's clean, okay?"
Just then, the bathroom door swung open.
