CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: AIDEN GRANT SUSPECTS VIVIAN LINDEN

Inside the room.

Vivian Linden continued speaking while crying and wiping her tears.

"Sister, it’s because of me that Dad and Brother lost their minds."

"Don’t blame them. Once you and Aiden are back together, I will..."

Before Vivian could finish, Tiana said firmly, "Vivian Linden, is your act over?"

"Sister, everything I said is sincere. I really don’t want you to stay with Harvey, and I truly wish that you and Aiden could rekindle your relationship."

Vivian cried out in grievance.

The sound of her crying made Tiana very irritated.

She really wanted to tear off Vivian’s mask of pretense.

Standing by the bedside, she looked at Vivian kneeling on the floor and asked:

"Vivian Linden, you know about my stage IV lung cancer, don’t you?"

"Dr. Zane is also bribed by you to say those things in front of Aiden to slander me, right?"

"And the paternity report of Daisy and Aiden, you tampered with it, didn’t you?"

All these things are inseparable from Vivian Linden.

But she was tormented by the lack of evidence.

However, now she doesn’t need evidence anymore.

She wouldn’t ask Aiden for anything anymore, nor did she need Aiden to know the truth.

Upon hearing this, Vivian, who was on her knees, cried even harder, "Sister, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t done anything, why are you accusing me?"

"It’s okay if you don’t admit it." Tiana sneered coldly, "Let you and Aiden, this devoted couple, be forever locked together."

A scheming actress.

A blinded fool.

They are a perfect match!

She said flatly:

"Don’t give Aiden to me, I’m not interested!"

"Even a beggar on the roadside is a thousand times better than him."

Just then, the door was kicked open.

Tiana’s last sentence, though spoken calmly.

To Aiden, it sounded like a heavy hammer pounding on his chest, leaving him breathless.

He tensed his brow, gritted his teeth, his gaze fully on Tiana.

But Tiana only glanced at him flatly, then looked away as if she hadn’t seen him at all.

His cancer, Daisy’s origin, the cancer report, the paternity report, he could find out the truth if he just bothered to investigate.

But this blind man only believes in the false evidence he uncovered.

This kind of man is worse than a roadside beggar!

She didn’t want to look at him again.

As she headed out the door, ready to leave, Aiden grabbed her arm.

"You said I’m not even comparable to a roadside beggar?"

The response to Aiden was Daniel bursting in.

Daniel first helped the kneeling Vivian up with concern.

Then he pulled Aiden back, "Aiden, did you hear that? Even if you wanted to get back with Tiana, she wouldn’t necessarily be interested. You’re not as good as Hector, not as good as Harvey... Have you forgotten how Tiana betrayed you back then? Now she’d rather marry that psycho Harvey than spare you a glance."

"Was it me who wanted to marry Harvey?" Tiana’s eyes, filled with anger, fell like daggers on Daniel.

Her eyes showed a greater hatred, "Daniel, you all forced me, manipulated me."

For Vivian, Daniel forcibly took Daisy away and drugged her personally.

He was her own brother!

Daniel had vowed to their late mother to protect her with his life.

But not only did he fail to protect her, he stabbed her in the back.

This invisible knife plunged into her body... it hurts a lot.

She hated Daniel to death, wished he’d perish.

For a moment, Daniel was too ashamed to answer, "I, I... Tiana, it’s Brother’s fault. But didn’t Harvey not harm you ultimately?"

"How about these?" Tiana lifted her sleeve.

The exposed segment of her arm was no longer fair.

The injuries from two days ago had yet to scab completely.

The scars on the skin were shocking.

Daniel felt a sharp pain like a needle in his heart.

His voice softened greatly:

"Tiana, Brother will make up for you. I’m willing to gift you fifteen percent of my AI research shares. Also, I’ll have Harvey call off the engagement and find you another good man."

Tiana declared firmly, "No need. I’ll cancel the engagement with Harvey myself. I don’t wish to see you guys in the future, don’t appear before me."

If she had the energy, she’d fight Daniel to the end.

For drugging her and forcing her to Harvey’s bed, she could sue him.

But her remaining days are few.

She just wants to spend more time with Daisy.

Staying here an extra minute is just wasting her time.

She left again.

Aiden grabbed her hand once more, "Tiana, was what you just said to Vivian true?"

Tiana knew what he meant.

With her hand held tightly by Aiden, her struggles were futile.

So, she spoke decisively: "I said, I’m a liar, everything I’ve done and said was fake. I’ve slept with Hector, Harvey, I’ve flirted with your brother Christopher, and with Leo, Daisy isn’t your daughter, those paternity reports were fine, and I don’t have cancer, satisfied? Satisfied, then let go."

Even a fool would find it questionable.

Yet Aiden didn’t see a problem.

"Let go."

Aiden didn’t release her.

She kicked him.

His hand still didn’t let go.

In the next instant, Tiana stomped on Aiden’s foot fiercely.

Only then did she manage to break free amid Aiden’s grimace of pain.

Aiden called out to her, "Tiana, did you just say you’d call off the engagement with Harvey?"

"None of your business."

Tiana didn’t look back.

Aiden did not pursue her.

Nearby, Daniel watched him.

"Aiden, Vivian has starved for two days. You should at least persuade her."

At this moment, Vivian’s cries could be heard.

"Brother, I’m okay, let Aiden go after Sister, I really want the best for them."

At this moment, Aiden’s eyes fell on Vivian, "Starved for two days?"

Vivian bit her lip, lowered her head, "Aiden, I’m fine. I’ll convince my brother and dad to support you and Sister getting back together."

The response to Vivian was Aiden’s scrutinizing gaze.

Subsequently, Aiden answered irrelevantly, "Starved for two days, yet not looking any slimmer?"

"..." With one sentence, Vivian couldn’t help feeling guilty.

In these two days, she had "touched no water."

She hadn’t eaten a bite of the meals Daniel and James brought.

But her cabinet concealed snacks and water, hidden well.

She used tears to mask her guilt and then said no more.

Daniel angrily clenched his fist, "Aiden, do you really want Vivian to starve to death?"

"Daniel, you always think it’s Tiana trying to ruin my marriage to Vivian, always giving her trouble, but didn’t you see her decisive attitude just now?" Aiden retorted.

Tiana said he wasn’t even comparable to a roadside beggar.

How could she want to rekindle their relationship?

Daniel: "... That, that was Tiana playing hard to get."

"You should visit the brain department at the hospital." Aiden snorted coldly, ignoring Daniel.

Then he looked at Vivian, "Are Tiana’s words from earlier true?"

"What... what are you talking about?" Vivian Linden pretended not to understand.

Aiden Grant continued, "Tiana Linden’s cancer report, and the paternity test report of Daisy and me, were tampered with?"

Upon hearing this, Vivian Linden’s tears flowed swiftly, "Aiden, you wouldn’t suspect me, would you? I truly want to step aside, to fulfill you and my sister, how could I do such things? If you don’t believe me, you can go investigate; anyway, I have a clear conscience and am not afraid of your investigation."

Aiden Grant continued to scrutinize Vivian Linden "..."

Everything seemed normal on the surface.

But perhaps it wasn’t so normal.

Like the serene ocean, seemingly calm, yet beneath lies a terrifying undercurrent.

But Aiden Grant only believes in evidence.

Without evidence, he wouldn’t wrongly accuse anyone.

...

Late at night.

Aiden Grant made another call to Christopher Grant.

At this moment, Christopher Grant was indulging in the gentleness of Jane Summers.

Jane Summers wrapped her arms around Christopher Grant’s neck.

A luscious, passionate kiss landed on Christopher Grant’s enticing Adam’s apple.

The ringtone sounded, Christopher Grant pushed Jane Summers away slightly.

Jane Summers pouted in displeasure, "No matter, don’t answer!"

Christopher Grant released Jane Summers, stood up, "This ringtone belongs to Aiden; he probably has something urgent."

Jane Summers lay in bed, pulling the quilt over her smooth, delicate chest, feeling vexed and disgruntled she complained, "Aiden, Aiden, Aiden is more important than me, then go be with Aiden."

"Be good! Aiden definitely has something urgent." Christopher Grant answered the call.

Then promptly dressed quickly.

Jane Summers sat up, the bedsheet wrapped around her slid down from her fair and alluring collarbone, revealing a soft, inviting sight.

With a captivating beauty before him, any man would find it irresistible.

Yet Christopher Grant, for Aiden’s sake, quickly dressed.

Jane Summers wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, "Christopher, don’t go, stay with me!"

"I’ll come back to be with you, be good!" Christopher Grant gently kissed Jane Summers’ forehead, then buttoned up and turned to leave.

Jane Summers was left feeling quite disappointed.

After Christopher Grant left, she made a phone call.

...

By the seaside, on the rocky shore.

Aiden Grant faced the wind, drinking alone with pent-up emotions.

This time, he held not beer, but throat-burning whiskey.

Even amidst the gusting sea breeze, the strong wind couldn’t disperse the thick aroma of alcohol.

Nor could it dispel the unrest in Aiden Grant’s heart.

Smelling the strong alcohol, Christopher Grant approached, "Are you still upset about Tiana Linden being bullied by Harvey Patton?"

Christopher Grant always felt that his good brother had never forgotten Tiana Linden.

His relationship with Vivian Linden was only a means of evading his true feelings.

Now seeing him drink like this, Christopher Grant was even more certain that Aiden Grant had always loved Tiana Linden.

"Stop drinking." Christopher Grant grabbed the whiskey from Aiden Grant’s hand.

Intense liquor did not erase Aiden Grant’s pain.

On the contrary, the suffering is even more profound.

Amidst the sea breeze, half-drunk, Aiden Grant was remarkably clear-headed.

He held the bottle in his hand, staring at the boundless sea at night, "Christopher, you’re right, the years since Tiana’s imprisonment have been anything but happy for me."

Sitting beside him, Christopher Grant took the bottle and set it aside, "There are 24 days until your wedding with Vivian Linden."

Aiden Grant: "I know."

Christopher Grant: "What I mean is, if you really regret and don’t want to marry Vivian Linden, it’s not too late."

The sea breeze tousled Aiden Grant’s short hair, "Tiana deceived me."

Hearing this, Christopher Grant frowned unhappily.

He expressed his displeasure, "Aiden, you’re truly conflicted. If you love her, why are you always questioning her? From the beginning, you all said Tiana was colluding with Hector Chaucer; I’ve always felt something was off. Those seemingly undeniable evidences seemed to arrive at everyone’s feet as if they had legs. If you truly believe Tiana betrayed you, believe it fully. Stop doubting while being in pain. Aiden, you’re making me look down on you."

Aiden Grant: "Tiana never slept with Harvey Patton."

Christopher Grant: "I know."

Aiden Grant: "She admitted to me that they slept together."

If Tiana really had slept with Harvey Patton,

It’s impossible for Harvey Patton to conspire with Daniel Linden, binding her to the bed.

Yet last time he wronged Tiana, she didn’t even bother to explain.

She didn’t care whether he misunderstood her or not.

Her words, some true, some false.

But now he lacked evidence, unsure of which were true and which weren’t.

Christopher Grant: "What are you trying to say?"

Aiden Grant answered irrelevantly, "Christopher, investigate Vivian Linden."

He always felt that beneath the calm sea, a tremendous undercurrent was lurking.

...

Star River Bay, Tranquil Villa.

Sharon Sullivan sat by Vivian Linden’s bedside, her expression grim, "Vivian, Aiden has suspected you more than once now. Luckily, he carries the peace charm you gave him, allowing us to monitor his every move, or else all efforts would go to waste. But you must be more cautious and careful, do nothing recently, let him investigate, and see what he can uncover."

Vivian Linden: "Aiden is no longer as easy to deceive as before."

Sharon Sullivan: "It’s your fault; six years and you still haven’t made him love you, truly useless."

Vivian Linden shed tears of grievance, "Mom, I didn’t want it to turn out like this, but Aiden’s obsession with Tiana Linden is too deep, I simply can’t..."

Sharon Sullivan: "Cry, all you know is crying, what problem can tears solve? Quickly find a way to eliminate Aiden’s suspicions of you, or else all the setup you and your father have laid out for years will be in vain."

Vivian Linden: "Mom, I know what to do now."

Sharon Sullivan: "Vivian, you should understand the consequences of the plan failing, it would be disastrous."

...

The next morning.

Sutton Law Firm.

Tiana Linden and Leo Sutton arrived at the underground parking of the law firm.

Just getting out of the car, two familiar faces approached.

One was Christopher Grant, the other was Aiden Grant.

Tiana Linden was somewhat surprised.

Leo Sutton explained to her, "I asked them to come; Harvey Patton’s case, they’re important witnesses, I’ve already communicated with them."

The four met.

Leo Sutton greeted Aiden Grant and Christopher Grant, "Good morning, President Grant!"

The response came from the gentlemanly Christopher Grant.

Yet, Aiden Grant looked coldly.

His gaze fell on Tiana Linden, seeing her close to Leo Sutton, his chest tightened.

Tiana Linden greeted Christopher Grant politely, "Christopher, thank you so much for helping with Harvey Patton’s incident."

Christopher Grant responded, "Even for a stranger, I would step in to help, not to mention you’ve grown up under my watch, no need for polite words."

The two exchanged pleasantries.

Tiana Linden never looked at Aiden Grant.

Though Aiden Grant helped with Harvey Patton’s situation, Tiana Linden never thanked him; even getting into the elevator, entering Sutton Law Firm, Tiana Linden didn’t glance at him.

Aiden Grant felt even more uncomfortable.

During the negotiation, Harvey Patton’s legal team sat on one side of the long table.

Leo Sutton, Tiana Linden, Aiden Grant, and Christopher Grant sat opposite.

Aiden Grant saw Tiana Linden take the second seat to Leo Sutton’s right, he moved to the third seat intending to sit down.

Beside him, Tiana Linden stood up, "Leo, let me switch places with you."

Leo Sutton understood that Tiana Linden didn’t want to sit next to Aiden Grant.

Thus, he stood up, switching seats with her.

Seeing Tiana Linden change seats, separated from him by Leo Sutton, Aiden Grant couldn’t help but tense his forehead.

Tiana Linden and Leo Sutton sat shoulder to shoulder.

Before the formal negotiations, the two leaned close, whispering to each other, a scene leaving Aiden Grant’s face dark and thunderous.