CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: DAISY: DAD, I HATE YOU

The wailing Noelle was picked up by Aiden Grant.

He comforted Noelle for a little while.

Then looked at Tiana with disappointment, "Noelle is just a child. Besides, she’s already realized her mistake."

"Your child is a child, but my child is just a weed, is that it?"

Tiana said angrily, "My child almost died because of Noelle, what’s wrong with me warning her?"

The daughter beside her, already had eyes full of tears.

But Daisy never wanted to shed tears in front of others.

Especially in front of her dad. She hated her dad.

She bit her lower lip tightly.

In her big eyes, the moist tears did not fall.

Aiden’s heart suddenly became wet as well.

He put the still-crying Noelle into Vivian’s arms.

Then squatted down, "Daisy..."

He wanted to hug Daisy, but his hand was slapped away by Daisy, "Dad, I hate you! My mom is almost dying, yet you’re so cold."

This was not the first time Daisy called him dad.

Nor was it the first time Daisy said she hated him.

And it wasn’t the first time Daisy said Tiana was going to die.

Aiden felt really uncomfortable in his heart.

He knew these were all things Tiana instilled in Daisy.

He held Daisy’s trembling shoulder.

"Daisy, listen to your uncle."

"Your mother doesn’t have cancer either, she won’t die."

"If she really had cancer, she should be in the oncology ward."

"The people who come here to be hospitalized are all with minor illnesses, and they can recover and be discharged in a few days."

Thinking of Tiana even deceiving the child, Aiden pulled Tiana out alone.

"Vivian, watch over the two kids, I’m going to have a few words with Tiana."

He couldn’t say some things in front of the children.

He asked Vivian to close the door.

Outside the door.

He shook off Tiana.

"Tiana, is this how you are a mother?"

"You always deceive Daisy that you’re going to die, what is your intention?"

Tiana didn’t want to explain.

Aiden spoke again:

"Tiana, in twenty days, the anti-cancer drug from Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals will officially enter the clinical trial phase."

"Are you going to use the innocent Daisy to win my sympathy, and then take advantage of this batch of anti-cancer drugs before they are fully licensed for production, and steal it for Hector Chaucer?"

The response to Aiden was Tiana’s bitter laughter.

She was mocking her past youth.

Mocking her own choices.

Even mocking the brotherhood of Aiden and Hector Chaucer.

"Aiden, you really think highly of me and Hector Chaucer."

One is dying, the other is an escapee on the death penalty.

Hector Chaucer could be shot dead at any time on the spot.

With just her and Hector Chaucer, how could they possibly threaten Aiden?

Aiden asked again, "Tiana, if you’re not going to be responsible for Daisy’s mental and physical health, why did you give birth to her in the first place?"

This was just Hector Chaucer’s daughter, and yet he was distressed like this.

If it were his own daughter, he would never allow Tiana to treat her like this.

Tiana looked at Aiden who spoke about responsibility so self-importantly.

She really found it laughable.

The person with the least responsibility was Aiden.

She hated this man to the bone, "Aiden, Daisy is not your daughter. You have no right to interfere with anything about Daisy."

Daisy’s custody, she would never hand it over to Aiden again.

Otherwise, Daisy would suffer more harm.

"Tiana, you..."

"We have nothing to say."

An exhausted Tiana was trying to reach for the door of the hospital ward.

At this moment, Daisy rushed out from inside.

Vivian saw the IV in Tiana’s hand slightly bleeding back, she concernedly said:

"Sister, you’re still in the hospital, why don’t I help you look after Daisy these days?"

Tiana’s gaze sharp, "Do you still want Daisy to have another peanut allergy, Vivian? I’m warning you, don’t get any ideas about Daisy again."

Vivian looked extremely aggrieved, "Sister, Daisy’s peanut allergy was really just a prank between kids. You’ve wronged me."

Such acting by Vivian made Tiana feel indignant.

She declared with resolve, "I don’t care how well you act, if you dare to harm Daisy again, I’ll fight you to the death."

She would do what she said.

Anyway, she’s almost dying.

She’s not afraid of anything.

If anyone dares to harm her Daisy again, she really would fight them to the death before she dies.

At this moment, Aiden coldly said: "Let’s go."

...

The ward finally returned to peace.

But Tiana’s state of mind couldn’t be calm for a long time.

She was so afraid Daisy might be harmed again.

"Daisy, tell mom, what requests has mom made of you these days?"

Sitting in front of Tiana, Daisy, with tears in her eyes, obediently answered:

"Mom taught me, to be a good person, you must be kind. Don’t start trouble, but if someone bullies me, I must pay back in double."

"You have to work hard for the things you want, never rely on others."

Tiana was very satisfied, "And?"

"And..."

The answer was interrupted by Tiana’s cough.

"Mom, what’s wrong, mom, are you okay?"

After a while, Tiana shook her head weakly, "Mom’s fine, go on, what else?"

Daisy, with tears in her eyes, said, "Also, when you fall, you have to get up by yourself, you must overcome difficulties on your own, be brave, be strong."

"Hmm!" Tiana nodded in satisfaction.

As long as Daisy remembered these, even if Aiden didn’t acknowledge Daisy, it wouldn’t matter.

She believed her Daisy would be able to live strongly in the future.

Another violent cough, blood came out.

Frightened, Daisy used her small body, trying hard to hold onto her mom.

"Mom, are you about to die too..."

Just like the little puppy she used to have, Doudou, forever buried in the ground, never to be seen again?

Tiana wiped the blood from the corners of her mouth and chin, and gently smiled, "Don’t worry, mom is still here!"

She lovingly wiped away her daughter’s tears, "Without finding you good adoptive parents, mom won’t die."

Until the task is completed, she wouldn’t just abandon things and leave.

Even if it’s just hanging on, she would hold on for some more time.

...

Aiden and Vivian took Noelle and left the hospital.

He sent Vivian and Noelle back home but didn’t enter the house himself.

Vivian stood at the door, looking at him in confusion, "Aiden, why aren’t you coming in?"

"I need to go to the lab. No need to wait for me for lunch."

After saying that, Aiden got back into the black Hongqi luxury car.

The car quickly drove out the garden gate.

However, Aiden’s destination was not the Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals lab.

He returned to the hospital and went to the nurse’s station.

An hour ago, he had seen Tiana in the ward.

Tiana wore elaborate makeup, but it still couldn’t fully hide her sick appearance.

Aiden found the head nurse, asking, "Head nurse, could you tell me what illness the patient in room 1302 has?"

In his mind, Daisy’s eyes were filled with tears as she painfully said her mom was about to die.

This scene was strongly stimulating Aiden’s brain.

He furrowed his brows, waiting for the head nurse’s answer.

The head nurse looked up from her logbook and gave Aiden a look.

The head nurse’s gaze lingered on Aiden’s face for a few seconds before moving away, saying:

"I’ll check for you."

"Room 1302, the patient’s name is Tiana Linden, right?"

"Yes!"

"Just regular pneumonia caused by a common cold, a few days in the hospital will be fine."

Aiden asked again, "Just regular pneumonia caused by a common cold?"

Head Nurse: "Why are you asking this? What’s your relation to the patient?"

Aiden Grant did not answer.

The head nurse didn’t say anything further and turned to her busy work.

Just then, a young nurse pushed a care cart past.

On the top of the cart, there were two rows of IV bottles.

Aiden Grant stopped her, "Wait!"

Without the other’s permission, Aiden picked up an IV bottle and looked at it.

By the third bottle, it bore the number for room 1302 and the name Tiana Linden.

Medicine name: Ribavirin Injection

Aiden, having studied medicine, knew this was indeed an infusion medication for treating pneumonia.

The young nurse asked, "Sir, is there anything you need?"

Aiden put down the bottle in his hand, relaxing his furrowed brow, "It’s nothing."

But the ease lasted less than two seconds before it tightened into a knot again.

Tiana was only supposed to have ordinary pneumonia, yet why would she deceive Daisy into thinking she was dying?

This woman, what is she up to?

On the way back, he called Christopher Grant, "In twenty days, the Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals’ anti-cancer drug will fully enter the clinical trial stage. If Tiana uses any excuse to ask you for the drug, don’t believe her."

Christopher Grant: "Aiden, is your suspicious nature acting up again? What has Tiana done to provoke you?"

Aiden added, "Even if she tries to gain your sympathy using Daisy, don’t easily trust her."

The same advice, after hanging up, Aiden also gave to James Linden, Daniel’s father.

Daniel asked over the phone, "Aiden, did Tiana come looking for you again?"

Aiden: "No."

With that, Aiden hung up.

Daniel wasn’t involved in the Linden-Grant Group’s business.

He had left the family business and achieved notable success in the AI field.

At this time, he was in his office and called his assistant, "Did Aiden meet with Tiana today?"

...

Star River Bay, Tranquil Villa.

Noelle Sullivan was swinging on the grass.

In the distance, Vivian Linden and Sharon Sullivan sat in front of the flowers, drinking herbal tea.

Sharon put down the cup and removed her earphones, "Vivian, just as we expected, Aiden went back to the ward to investigate Tiana’s condition. If we weren’t quick enough, Aiden would have found out about Tiana’s cancer diagnosis. Then your wedding might have complications."

Vivian stared blankly, "..."

Sharon nudged her, "Vivian, Aiden still has a soft spot for Tiana. You mustn’t show any slip-ups on your end to avoid arousing Aiden’s suspicion again."

Vivian nodded, "Got it, Mom."

Sharon added, "Also, be sure to remind Aiden not to take off the amulet from his chest."

Without the amulet hiding the listening device, the two of them wouldn’t be able to monitor Aiden’s situation at any time.

Vivian fully agreed, "Mom, I’ll remind Aiden. He knows it was the amulet I obtained after taking nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, and without discovering our secret, he won’t take it off."

...

Evening.

The sunset in Veridia was exceptionally splendid.

Aiden stood under the sunset, choosing a bouquet of the most radiant purple lisianthus, and handed it to a city courier.

"Please deliver it to Veridia Central Hospital, inpatient ward room 1302."

Within the bouquet, there was a card he had written by hand.

After he returned, pondering over Tiana’s hospitalization, he decided to persuade her again for Daisy’s sake.

Half an hour later, Tiana received the bouquet of purple lisianthus.

With her slender frail hands, she drew out a card.

——Tiana, for the sake of Daisy being so lovely and sensible, I urge you to return to the right path, be a good person, and a qualified, loving mother.

——Also wishing you a speedy recovery.

There was no signature.

The strong and vigorous handwriting was Aiden’s.

Tiana recognized it.

Tiana thanked the courier but refused to accept such beautiful flowers.

The courier had no choice but to call Aiden.

"Mr. Grant, Miss Linden refused to accept the flowers you sent and told me to throw them away. Would you like me to return them to you?"

Aiden: "...Then just throw them away."

In the night breeze, Vivian stood by Aiden’s side.

Seeing his tense temples, his entire handsome face was cast in shadow.

"Aiden, what’s wrong?"

The bouquet that Tiana Linden refused made Aiden Grant feel suffocated.

It wasn’t until Vivian Linden called him for the third time that he snapped back to reality and returned Vivian to the Linden Family home.

As Aiden Grant was leaving, Daniel Linden strode out and blocked the car door he had opened, "Aiden Grant, did you buy flowers today?"

Aiden lifted his eyes, responding calmly, "Is there a problem?"

"Aiden, you bought purple eustomas." Daniel was growing more agitated as he thought about it.

Purple eustomas were Tiana Linden’s favorite flowers.

Clearly, Aiden Grant did not intend to provide any explanation.

He never felt the need to explain anything to anyone.

He pushed away Daniel’s hand and prepared to get into the car.

Once again blocking the car door, Daniel refused to let him leave.

"Aiden, you’re about to marry Vivian, yet you still send flowers to your ex-girlfriend. How is that different from being a two-timing jerk?"

Daniel added, "You can’t have it all; it’s unfair to Vivian."

Aiden looked at Daniel with a clear conscience, "Tiana is hospitalized. Sending flowers was just a gesture of sympathy."

Upon hearing that Tiana was hospitalized, Daniel softened.

After all, she was the little sister he had doted on since childhood.

"Is she alright?"

"You should go and ask her yourself."

...

The next morning.

Daniel Linden took a bouquet of purple eustomas to Veridia Central Hospital, room 1302.

When Tiana saw Daniel coming in, her expression turned cold.

She continued drinking milk with Daisy.

Seemingly treating Daniel as if he were invisible.

Feeling awkward, Daniel approached with the flowers, "Tiana, I heard from Aiden that you were hospitalized. What illness do you have? Is it serious?"

He casually placed the flowers on the bedside table.

Tiana didn’t even glance at them.

She also had no intention of answering Daniel.

Seeing her receiving an IV and looking somewhat poorly, Daniel waited patiently.

Only after Daisy finished breakfast did Tiana begin to tidy up the little table, "Daisy, go over to the nurse’s station for a little while, Mommy needs to have a chat with this Uncle Linden."

Daisy obediently replied, "Okay, Mommy."

Standing at the bedside, Daniel felt a pang in his chest, "Tiana, I’m clearly Daisy’s uncle, how did I become Uncle Linden?"

Tiana didn’t respond.

After Daisy left and closed the door, Tiana’s gaze finally settled coldly on Daniel, "What’s the matter? Make it quick."

"I heard from Aiden that you’re sick, I..."

Tiana interrupted, "If Mr. Linden is here for pretentious small talk, then there’s nothing to say."

After hesitating for a moment, Daniel made up his mind, "Tiana, I came to see you today, and I also have a favor to ask."

Tiana replied, "Just say it."

Daniel resolved, "Vivian and Aiden’s wedding is approaching, I don’t want any complications. Could you and Daisy leave Veridia? I can compensate you financially."

Despite warning herself not to get upset over the Linden Family people again,

at this moment, she still trembled with anger.

"Tiana, don’t get upset, you’re still ill."

"I’m just concerned. Aiden is about to marry Vivian, yet he’s sending you eustomas, which makes me worry for Vivian."

"After all, your ongoing entanglement with Aiden is indeed unfair to Vivian, I..."

Exhausted in body and mind, Tiana no longer had the energy to argue with Daniel.

Her heart was already dead.

She returned the bouquet of eustomas Daniel had brought, "Take your flowers and leave."

"Tiana..."

"Do you think I don’t want to leave Veridia? Coming back here was a mistake. But Hector Chaucer hasn’t been arrested, and the police are compelling me to stay and cooperate with the investigation."

Daniel almost forgot about this matter.

Realizing it, he pleaded again, "Then, can you not meet with Aiden anymore?"

"You should tell that to Aiden. Control your dear brother-in-law so he doesn’t appear in front of me needlessly."

Tiana’s words weren’t wrong.

Yet Daniel still worried, "Tiana, if you don’t give Aiden hope, why would he show up in front of you without reason?"

This statement caused Tiana to cough violently several times.

She threw the purple eustomas back at him, "Get out—cough, cough, cough..."

Seeing Tiana coughing hard, Daniel still didn’t shut up.

He even became angry, "Tiana, you insist on maintaining this ongoing involvement with Aiden. How is that different from being a mistress stealing someone else’s man? Don’t you have a sense of shame?"