CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: DAISY IS MY DAUGHTER, ISN’T SHE?

Aiden’s apology was too cheap.

So cheap that Tiana didn’t need such an apology at all.

She secretly vowed to seek justice for Daisy.

The man behind her spoke again:

"Tiana, you’ve wrongly blamed Vivian and even hurt her."

"Vivian doesn’t mind, but you should at least apologize to her."

The name Vivian Linden ignited hatred in Tiana’s heart.

"I don’t need Mr. Grant’s apology."

"I don’t need Mr. Grant to investigate the truth, and there’s no way I’ll apologize to Vivian Linden."

"I’ve already reported to the police. I won’t let anyone who harmed Daisy off the hook."

She continued to hold Daisy’s hand, her back turned to Aiden.

This unwavering voice declared her stance clearly.

Aiden behind her had a dark expression on his face.

"I’ve said, Vivian wouldn’t do anything to harm Daisy. Please don’t slander her."

It was then that Tiana let go of Daisy’s hand, stood up, and turned around.

"Mr. Grant, are you saying the reason behind Daisy’s peanut allergy has nothing to do with Vivian, right?"

Aiden replied, "It’s Noelle."

Mentioning this matter, Aiden always felt he had failed.

"Vivian specifically instructed Noelle about Daisy’s peanut allergy, telling her not to give Daisy food containing peanuts."

"Noelle feared Daisy would steal my and Vivian’s love, so she made a mistake by adding peanut candy to Daisy’s water."

Aiden personally investigated this matter.

He checked the home surveillance footage.

He also questioned every servant in the house.

All the servants knew clearly; Vivian had repeatedly and firmly told them to remember Daisy’s peanut allergy.

The footage showed it was indeed Noelle who put the peanut candy into Daisy’s water cup.

Aiden felt guilt, "When Daisy wakes up, I’ll have Noelle apologize to her."

Tiana’s chest hurt intensely.

Rage spread through her entire being.

Looking again at Daisy who hadn’t awakened yet, her face was swollen, her little hands and feet were all swollen.

Swollen beyond recognition.

The previously cute appearance was completely gone.

"Mr. Grant, my daughter nearly died, and you think a child’s apology will suffice?"

"Is my daughter’s life so cheap?"

Tiana’s eyes filled with hatred, making Aiden feel uneasy.

His voice suddenly softened a lot:

"I’m very sad about what happened to Daisy. Fortunately, Daisy is alright now."

Tiana painfully responded:

"To you all, Daisy is alright."

"But to me, Daisy just had a brush with death; she nearly died."

"Daisy’s life has just begun; she hasn’t had a chance to truly see the world, yet she nearly met the Grim Reaper."

"You say lightly she’s alright, and an apology is enough."

"I absolutely disagree with such an attitude!"

No one can hurt her daughter like this.

"I’ve reported to the police. Once evidence is gathered, I’ll accuse Vivian Linden of attempted murder."

Aiden’s face turned cold, and his voice followed suit, "Tiana, Vivian couldn’t possibly harm a four-year-old child, do you really want to break ties?"

"Oh really?" Tiana painfully retorted, "I’m just filing charges against Vivian Linden, and you’re heartbroken? But have you ever thought that my Daisy nearly got killed? Do I not even have the right to call the police?"

This matter has no room for negotiation.

Seeing her insistence, Aiden said no more.

An agitated Tiana slowly regained her composure, looking at the man before her.

She asked, "Mr. Grant, have you noticed any details during your time with Daisy these past few days?"

Details?

Aiden pondered.

Tiana continued, "For example, Daisy’s lifestyle, dietary habits. And you’ve seen the drawings Daisy made herself, right?"

This line of questioning made Aiden thoughtful.

Tiana added, "Does Daisy’s drawing style resemble yours?"

The image still vividly lingered in Aiden’s mind.

Tiana proceeded, "Have you ever thought about why Daisy, like you, doesn’t eat onions or cilantro, is also allergic to peanuts, and has an extraordinarily high talent in painting?"

Aiden had also pondered this question over the past two days.

Being reminded again by Tiana filled him with doubt, "Tiana, Daisy is indeed my daughter, right?"

"I’m only asking you." Tiana didn’t answer directly, instead retorting, "If Daisy truly is your daughter, and Vivian Linden really prevented you from reuniting with Daisy, even deliberately causing Daisy’s peanut allergy, how would you deal with Vivian Linden?"

She wanted an answer from Aiden.

This answer would determine whether she continued trusting Daisy to Aiden.

Aiden’s silent non-response chilled her heart significantly.

Despair engulfed her, "Mr. Grant, Daisy isn’t your daughter. All of this is just a coincidence."

Upon hearing this answer, Aiden was enveloped in deep disappointment.

He’d actually been hoping that Daisy was his daughter.

Upon discovering Daisy also avoided onions and cilantro, shared the peanut allergy, and possessed exceptional artistic talent, he was both joyful and expectant.

However, is Daisy really not his daughter?

Perhaps driven by resentment, he dishonestly said, "Whether Daisy is my daughter is not important; the important thing is Vivian wouldn’t harm Daisy."

Ha!

Tiana chuckled bitterly in her heart.

She had anticipated such an outcome.

Aiden’s ardent protection of Vivian Linden.

In the future, even after her death, even if Daisy could live with Aiden, Vivian Linden would have many ways to harm Daisy.

She could no longer entrust Daisy to Aiden.

Her resolve solidified, "Mr. Grant, you are all correct; Daisy is Hector Chaucer’s daughter. From now on, I hope Mr. Grant will not disturb me and Daisy’s life again; Daisy has no relation to you whatsoever."

For some reason, Aiden felt as if his heart and soul were shattering.

Five years ago and now, when she begged him to acknowledge Daisy as his daughter, he wasn’t in such agony.

But upon hearing her admit Daisy was Hector Chaucer’s daughter, something seemed to shatter in his chest.

"Tiana, you actually bore a daughter for a death-row inmate. What exactly do you love about Hector Chaucer?"

"Mr. Grant, my affairs have nothing to do with you. Your fiancée nearly killed my daughter; I’ll ensure to settle this account with her properly."

After finishing, she walked to the doorway, opened the hospital room door, "Mr. Grant, Daisy needs to rest; please leave."

Aiden glanced at Daisy lying in the hospital bed, though out of immediate danger, she hadn’t awakened yet.

Her tiny face, swollen from the allergy, looked like a frog.

Though this child wasn’t his daughter, why was his chest hurting?

Tiana urged, "Mr. Grant, please leave."

Aiden sensibly and slowly walked out of the hospital room.

Upon reaching the doorway, he paused beside Tiana, "Take good care of Daisy; I hope she gets well soon."

Tiana maintained her posture of asking him to leave, her voice indifferent, "This is not something Mr. Grant should be concerned about."

Leaving the hospital, Aiden’s mind echoed with Tiana’s words.

[Daisy is Hector Chaucer’s daughter!]

Yet, he didn’t believe it.

If Daisy truly was Hector Chaucer’s daughter, why would she, like him, avoid onions and cilantro?

The same peanut allergy?

The same extraordinary painting talent, even an identical style?

With many doubts, Aiden decided to redo a paternity test.