CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143: YOU’RE JUST DAYDREAMING

The person who simultaneously entered Tiana Linden and Hector Chaucer’s field of vision was—Aiden Grant.

Aiden’s tall and handsome figure stood at the doorway of Tiana’s room.

He held a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers.

Seeing Tiana with her arm linked through Hector’s, Aiden’s entire handsome face suddenly drowned in shadow.

His phoenix-shaped eyes shifted from bright to dim.

His tall figure looked as if it might shatter at any moment.

Though Aiden’s heart ached with bitterness, he still maintained a calm facade. He stubbed out his cigarette, then took two steps forward toward Tiana and Hector.

"Tiana, I have something I need to discuss with you. Can I borrow you for a moment?"

Tiana still clung to Hector’s arm, her expression cool as she directly refused, "Sorry, but I can’t."

"..." A faint trace of defeat flashed in Aiden’s eyes, barely detectable.

After a few seconds, he went on, "It won’t take long, five minutes at most."

Tiana’s tone stayed cold, "Not five minutes, not even five seconds. My boyfriend would get jealous."

"Isn’t that right, Hector!" As she spoke, Tiana deliberately looked up at Hector, her eyes full of playful affection.

Those bright, soulful eyes gazed at Hector, the picture of tenderness and dependence.

Her smile was radiant and captivating.

Hector dotingly pinched the tip of her nose. "At least you have a conscience!"

Hector!

Those two syllables were like daggers to Aiden’s heart.

A wave of pain surged from his limbs and bones, crashing straight into his heart.

Once upon a time, Tiana used to call him gently and intimately, over and over: Aiden, Aiden.

Now, looking at the radiant smile she gave Hector, Aiden’s fingernails dug deep into his palms.

He clung tightly to the freshly extinguished cigarette butt.

The burning ember scalded his palm, hot and painful.

But that searing pain was nothing compared to the hurt in his chest.

Swallowing the pain from Tiana’s indifference, he took a deep breath before saying, "Then I’ll just say it here."

Tiana answered crisply, "One minute."

Aiden said, "...I arranged to meet Elder Sterling, and he agreed to have dinner with us tomorrow night. Tiana, back in college, didn’t you always want to study under Elder Sterling? Tomorrow is a great opportunity. Let’s go see him together."

He went on, explaining, "When you were imprisoned, the medical school contacted the Linden Family about your academic status. It was the father and son who terminated your registration. I tried to stop them, but I was too late."

Tiana’s smile disappeared.

She gave a cold snort, "Aiden, am I supposed to thank you for trying to stop the Linden father and son?"

After a pause, she added, "If you all hadn’t colluded to send me to jail in the first place, would my academic record have been ruined?"

Aiden was overwhelmed with guilt about this. "I know, I was a fucking asshole. That’s why I arranged for you to meet Elder Sterling. I just hope to help you continue your medical career..."

"Aiden, I don’t need your kindness." Tiana spoke firmly, "Just half an hour ago, I already met Elder Sterling and signed the apprenticeship contract."

Her life, her education, her career—everything had been destroyed by Aiden and the Linden father and son.

But she would pull herself up and start over.

Aiden finally understood. His gaze shifted to Hector. "You set this up?"

Hector clasped Tiana’s hand firmly in his. "Aiden, Tiana is now my fiancée. Her affairs are no longer any of your business."

Aiden: "..."

At a loss for words, he could only helplessly watch as Hector led Tiana to the door, swiped the card, and entered.

Thud!

The door was firmly shut.

The cold wind that slapped him in the face cut Aiden like knives, slicing both skin and soul.

...

The following afternoon.

Veridia, Eastmere Kindergarten.

The annual autumn sports day was in full swing.

In the sports field, there was a very special cheerleading squad.

It was made up of parents in mascot costumes.

Among these parents were Daniel Linden and James Linden.

The father and son had pulled some strings to sneak in as cheerleaders, just to see Daisy.

James had only one granddaughter—Daisy.

Thinking of how Daisy was born in prison, and how she’d developed encephalitis because of a high fever left untreated, damaging one ear—

James was filled with remorse.

Though it was already autumn, autumn in Veridia was much like summer, the sun blazing hot.

Inside the mascot suit, James was drenched in sweat.

But he didn’t mind the discomfort.

Just being able to watch Daisy, vibrant and lively at the sports day, made it worth it.

When the sprint ended, James hurried over as a cheerleader and handed Daisy a cup of warm water in a Princess Elsa mug.

"Sweetie, you must be tired. Have some water."

Daisy was powerless in the face of the fuzzy, costumed bear.

Not only did she take the water, she pounced and hugged the big bear tightly.

The bear paw rested carefully on Daisy’s head, gently stroking her hair.

This was his own precious granddaughter.

Because of his stupidity and cruelty, Daisy had been forced to drift from place to place with Tiana at such a young age.

James had always loved little girls.

Especially ones as soft and cute as Daisy.

The moment Daisy pounced on him, James felt his heart melt.

Hidden inside the mascot suit, he suddenly burst into silent tears.

His longing for his daughter was overwhelming—it was hard enough to see Tiana, let alone Daisy.

This was the only way he could see Daisy at the kindergarten.

Watching Daisy in James’s arms, Daniel was green with envy and hurried over, wanting to pick Daisy up himself.

But he worried it might be too obvious, raising Daisy’s suspicions.

In fact, Leo Sutton, who was attending the sports day with Daisy, was already getting suspicious.

He’d just run two hundred meters with Daisy, then two hundred more with Laura.

Afterward, he rushed to Daisy’s side, his gaze scrutinizing the two parents in mascot suits.

James and Daniel were so nervous they didn’t dare make a sound.

When they saw Leo lead Daisy away, they felt a pang of loss, but dared not intervene.

"Daisy, go play with Laura."

Daisy still wanted to play with the big bear. She tugged Leo’s hand, "Daddy Leo, I still want to play with the bear."

Leo ruffled her hair. "Be good, Daddy just has to talk to the bear uncles for a minute."

Daisy always listened to Leo. Though a little disappointed, she soon ran off with Laura.

When the children had gone, Leo’s gaze grew cold as he stared down the two "bear" mascots. "You two—the cheerleaders are over there. Why are you following my child around?"

The two "bears" didn’t dare make a sound.

Leo’s eyes narrowed. "No need to hide, I know who you are. Whatever you want, Daisy and Tiana will never go back to the Linden Family."

James and Daniel could only sigh at Leo’s sharp eyes!

They’d disguised themselves so well, yet Leo still recognized them.

Since they’d been found out, James didn’t bother to hide anymore. He took off the bear head, "Lawyer Sutton, Tiana is my daughter, and Daisy is my granddaughter. We know we were wrong. Could you please talk to Tiana for us—see if she’ll come home?"

Leo gave a cold snort. "You’re dreaming."