Chapter 491

Seeing Carol's cold stare, May instantly regretted her harsh words. She'd let her anger get the best of her.

She couldn't cut ties with the Wilsons yet; she still needed their inheritance.

So, she softened her tone, "Mom, I didn't mean to say you don't love me. I remember all the good things you've done. I'm just... envious of Susan and scared that in your heart, she's your real daughter, and I'll never measure up."

"I've told you before, I have two daughters. You and Susan are both my daughters. I love you both equally."

May felt sick inside. Nice words, but she knew the truth. No matter what she did, she'd never compare to Susan. In Carol's heart, Susan was the only daughter, and she'd always be an outsider.

But May put on a touched expression and apologized, "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm just too sensitive. I love you and Dad so much, I'm afraid of losing you... really... I've already lost my parents once, I can't lose you too."

May tried to appeal to emotions, but her earlier words had already hurt Carol too much.

"Don't tell your dad I went to see Susan."

"Okay."

Carol said no more and left.

After she turned around, she didn't see May making a disgusted face behind her back.

That night.

"Arnold came to see my dad?" Susan stood up from the couch. "I knew my dad wouldn't change his mind suddenly. So it was because of him."

"That man is all about profit, treating the school like a business. If it weren't for my dad keeping him in check, things would be a mess. I can't believe he hasn't changed."

"Yeah, he used your father's name to threaten him, not allowing him to have surgery. But he didn't succeed."

Susan quickly asked, "What did you do to him? Don't go too far; my dad wouldn't like it."

"I know. I just transferred him to another school."

"Someone like him is a menace wherever he goes."

"He's no longer a principal. He doesn't have the power to cause trouble."

"You demoted him?"

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "Did I say I only transferred him without changing his position? Let's see how he does in the maintenance department."

"You're ruthless."

"Causing trouble for my woman, letting him sweep floors is already merciful."

Susan thought about it and decided it was for the best, so she let it go.

"There's one more thing..."

"What?"

"Do you know who told him about Hubert?"

A terrible thought flashed through Susan's mind, and she blurted out, "May?"

"Yes."

"It seems she, like my mom said, doesn't want my dad to have the surgery." Susan frowned. "But I can't understand why she would do that."

Caleb understood clearly; it was all about money. Even the closest family members could show their ugly side when it came to money. Scheming and fighting, life and death.

But he didn't want to meddle in her family affairs. If she needed help, he would step in immediately, but some things she needed to figure out on her own.

Susan hesitated for a moment and then made up her mind. "I'll go talk to my dad."

Early the next morning, the hospital room was filled with tension.

Maurice was fuming, yelling at Carol, "Did you go see Susan yesterday?"

Carol glanced at May, who quickly waved her hands. "Mom, this has nothing to do with me. I didn't say anything."

Carol didn't buy it and was furious.

"You still have the nerve to blame May? Do you think I'm an idiot? Did you think you could hide it from me? I told you a thousand times not to go see her. Why didn't you listen?"

"I'm doing this for your own good. You need the surgery," Carol insisted.

"I said no! And you shouldn't have any contact with her. If people find out..."

"Are you refusing the surgery because you're worried about your reputation? Is that it?" Carol pressed, "You want the surgery, but you're afraid of the outside pressure..."

"I've told you a thousand times to stop asking. Aren't you tired of it?" Maurice snapped.

"Maurice, we're a couple. If you have any difficulties, you can tell me. There's no need to hide it from me," Carol urged.

"There's no difficulty. Stop guessing." Maurice turned away.

"It's because of Arnold, isn't it?"

A voice interrupted.

Susan walked into the hospital room.

"Susan." Carol's eyes lit up.

"What are you doing here?" Maurice was shocked and then showed resistance. "Leave. I don't want to see you."

"Dad, you originally planned to have the surgery, but because Arnold found out about Dr. Diaz and threatened you, you chose not to have the surgery to keep the school from falling into his hands."

Maurice's temple throbbed.

May also got nervous. She didn't expect Susan to find out so quickly. Caleb must have helped her.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Maurice denied it. "Leave. I don't want to see you."

"That's the truth."

"So that's how it is." Carol suddenly understood. "Maurice, why didn't you tell me? Your students are important, but isn't your own health important too?"

"You don't understand. If the school falls into Sanders' hands, it's finished," Maurice said.

"Then you could have told me. We could have figured it out together."

"This problem has already been solved," Susan said.

Maurice's face tightened. "What did Caleb do?"

"He just transferred him."

"He has no right to interfere in my and Arnold's affairs! Just because you have the Eilish family's power, you think you can do whatever you want? I don't need his interference!" Maurice didn't want to owe Caleb anything.

May chimed in, "Yes, Susan, you guys are being too overbearing. Dad can handle his own affairs. What do you think you're doing?"

Carol, however, disagreed, "I think Susan did the right thing. That Arnold is malicious, not caring about the students, only thinking about making money. Your dad has fought with him for so many years and been harmed by him so many times. Haven't you suffered enough? He should be transferred so your dad doesn't have to constantly guard against him. Such a person is impossible to guard against."

"I think your heart condition was caused by that man. If you don't transfer him, even if you have the surgery, you'll end up back in the hospital because of him. Susan, Mom supports you."

"My affairs don't need your meddling. Even if you transfer Arnold, I won't have the surgery!" Maurice said firmly, "I absolutely won't owe you any favors!"