CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: AIDEN GRANT, ARE YOU JEALOUS?

Mr. Grant saw all this.

He whispered to Aiden, "Are you jealous?"

Aiden held the pen on the table, giving no response.

The pen in his hand was tightly gripped.

The slender pen seemed like it might break in his hand.

Mr. Grant lowered his voice and said again:

"Aiden, don’t forget, you are now Vivian Linden’s fiancé."

"And your engagement with Vivian has even been announced at a press conference."

"Either be decisive and make a choice."

"What’s the point of being a jealous man?"

Aiden lowered his voice, retorting in annoyance, "Which eye of yours saw me being jealous?"

Despite saying he wasn’t jealous, Aiden couldn’t help looking over at Tiana and Leo Sutton.

Seeing them made his forehead tense up even more.

His face looked even worse.

Beside him, Mr. Grant shook his head with a bitter smile and said no more.

Half a minute later, both sides began formal negotiations.

Harvey Patton had kidnapped Tiana Linden and attempted rape, adding intentional injury to the case.

Leo Sutton, as Tiana’s lawyer, made his stance very clear.

This lawsuit would go to the end.

No acceptance of any private settlements.

At this moment, Harvey Patton was in detention.

His representative lawyer, seeing Leo Sutton’s firm attitude, couldn’t help but glance disdainfully at Tiana.

"Leo, I need to remind you, your client is no longer the Linden Family’s treasured young lady."

Leo Sutton: "This has nothing to do with the case."

The other party: "But Leo, are you sure you want to offend my client for this woman with no power or influence?"

While speaking, he continued to look at Tiana with a contemptuous expression.

An abandoned orphan by her biological brother and adoptive father posed no threat.

Harvey Patton’s lawyer was also a prominent figure in the legal world.

He knew the key to winning this case was Leo Sutton.

If he could handle Leo Sutton, dealing with Tiana would be easy.

As he schemed, Aiden watched.

With a cold gaze, he asked, "Who told you Tiana has no power or influence?"

Mr. Grant chimed in, "Lawyer Carter should know who reported this case to the police, right?"

It was he and Aiden who called the police.

Harvey Patton was caught at the scene and is still in detention.

Today’s negotiation was actually unnecessary.

With Leo Sutton involved, they could go directly to court, and Harvey would definitely be sentenced.

But Leo Sutton, Mr. Grant, and Aiden reached a consensus.

They all stepped forward to show Harvey that Tiana was not powerless and without support.

Even if Daniel Linden and James Linden had sold Tiana out, and even if she was no longer the Linden Family’s young lady, Tiana still had people behind her.

They wanted to warn Harvey never to bully Tiana again.

Negotiations reached an impasse.

The opposing party repeatedly requested a private settlement but was unsuccessful and had to leave with his legal team, slamming the door in frustration.

Tiana thanked Leo Sutton and Mr. Grant.

Finally, her gaze crossed over Leo Sutton to Aiden, who stood two or three meters away, and she said flatly, "Mr. Grant, thank you too."

She had finally looked at him.

But calling him "Mr. Grant" made Aiden feel choked with distress.

His chest felt like a great mountain was pressing on it.

He got up from the negotiation table and walked over to Tiana, "Come with me, I have something to say to you."

Tiana responded flatly, "If you have something to say, just say it here."

Without another word, Aiden grabbed her wrist and pulled her outside.

Tiana was quickly pulled outside the door.

"Aiden, what’s gotten into you again?"

"Finally not calling me Mr. Grant?"

Every time Tiana called him Mr. Grant, it was like a wave flooding his chest, suffocating him to death.

Clearly, they used to be the closest couple; she had countless times wrapped his waist tightly, calling him Aiden, Aiden.

"Say whatever you want to say." Tiana had no patience left.

But her attitude towards Leo Sutton was completely different.

When she spoke with Leo earlier, there was a bright smile on her face and a gentle voice.

Yet there was no smile for him.

Even her tone was icy cold.

In response to Tiana, Aiden’s chest rose and fell conspicuously.

He took a long deep breath, yet still felt a blockage in his chest.

"Tiana, could you change your legal representative?"

"Without Leo Sutton, I can still help you, still punish that bastard Harvey Patton."

Tiana replied flatly, "If you don’t want to see Leo Sutton, you can withdraw from this case."

"..." Aiden was left speechless, his chest felt even more suffocated. "Tiana, you know Leo Sutton had a high school crush on you, and you know he has a wife and daughter now, yet you still get so close to him?"

Tiana looked at him, "Aiden, you clearly have a fiancée, yet you still entangle with your ex-girlfriend. Do you know who brought all the trouble with Harvey into my life?"

"..." Aiden was silenced.

He knew if it wasn’t for him, her family wouldn’t have sent her to Harvey’s bed.

He weakly said, "I’m sorry!"

Tiana: "I don’t need you to say sorry, I just need you to stay away from me."

Mr. Grant and Leo Sutton came out of the negotiation room and looked at the two.

Mr. Grant walked over and pulled Aiden away, "Let’s go."

Leaving Sutton Law Firm, Aiden kept a dark expression.

Mr. Grant spoke to him several times; he didn’t respond once.

Sitting in the black Hongqi sedan, Mr. Grant asked, "Aiden, your wedding with Vivian Linden is in just over twenty days, what are you thinking?"

Aiden started the engine, "You should look into Vivian Linden first."

...

In Leo Sutton’s office.

Tiana took the water Leo offered, "Thank you!"

Leo sat across from Tiana, "Tiana, about this case, Daniel Linden and James Linden are the masterminds. If you want to charge them..."

"Charge them!" Tiana was resolute, "Leo, please help me deliver the lawyer’s letters to Daniel Linden and James Linden. But..."

She paused, then added, "I just want to show my stance, let them know I’m not easy to bully. But taking this to court would be very time-consuming."

Her voice lowered, "... I might not even live to see the end of this lawsuit."

After a pause, she continued, "Leo, if I... if I’m no longer around before long, you don’t need to worry about this lawsuit anymore or keep fighting. The reason I insisted on going through with it this time was just to have a deterrent effect."

Within a few words, Leo Sutton was already filled with sadness, "Tiana, don’t say such discouraging things. You’ve been looking quite energetic recently."

Tiana Linden: "... That’s just a final burst of energy."

Leo Sutton: "Tiana, did Kiera ever tell you that I used to have a crush on you?"

The topic clearly made Tiana Linden a bit uncomfortable.

Seeing her tightening her grip on her water glass, Leo Sutton noticed her awkwardness and quickly smiled, "There is no need for you to feel any pressure. I really did have a crush on you in high school, but that was all in the past."

Leo Sutton stated frankly, "Tiana, now I only have the care of a brother for his sister towards you, nothing else, so don’t misunderstand."

Tiana Linden nodded, "I know. Leo, you married the best woman in the world. Kiera is really wonderful."

Leo Sutton looked at Tiana Linden.

The crush of his youth was still etched in his memory.

At that time, she was serene under the trees, a gentle breeze, the secret of his entire youth.

What ran between him and Tiana Linden was regret, pain, and missed opportunities.

Leo Sutton never imagined that the matter of his unspoken crush on her was told to Tiana by his wife, Kiera Chaucer.

Now that he has a wife and daughter, facing Tiana Linden, he has never felt so at ease.

Even his confession is straightforward and open.

"Tiana, back then, I really liked you, a lot."

"I had hoped and imagined a beautiful life, marrying you as my wife."

"If I could do it all over again, I would definitely stop you from being with Aiden."

Outside the office door, Kiera had just come by.

Hearing her husband’s words, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sourness in her heart.

But everyone has a past.

Kiera understood Leo Chaucer’s regrets.

If she could do it all over again, she would also be willing to make allowances for Leo Sutton, and let him care more for Tiana Linden.

Inside the room, Leo Sutton continued, "Tiana, I want you to know that your life is not only about those terrible pasts and those who wronged and hurt you. There were people who truly liked you."

He continued, "Tiana, there’s no ’if’ in life, and none of us can go back. Now, I love Kiera very much, and Kiera and I treasure each other a lot. The same goes for you, Tiana, treasure every day now, be a little happier. Kiera and I are both willing to become your family. We will take good care of Daisy in your stead from now on."

Leo Sutton thought he could only comfort her in this way.

Tiana Linden smiled with relief.

Her heart was full of warm feelings.

She was comforted, and so was Kiera outside the door.

Hearing Leo Sutton say he loves her, that he will cherish her, Kiera’s lips curved upward, but when she thought about Tiana Linden’s fate, she felt a pang of worry again.

Kiera pushed open the door, walked in confidently with her nine-month pregnant belly, "Sorry, I overheard your conversation just now."

There was nothing disgraceful in what Leo Sutton and Tiana Linden said.

So when Leo Sutton got up to assist the slowly walking Kiera, his face was full of open smiles, "Luckily, I wasn’t saying anything bad about you behind your back."

With Leo Sutton’s support, Kiera sat across from Tiana Linden, "Tiana, I have good news to tell you. I have a classmate named Nancy who returned from abroad and she’s willing to adopt Daisy."

Then she said, "Naomi, like me, is also a lawyer, with an annual income of over twenty million. She’s upright and has an impeccable character. Most importantly, she is also a single mother, but her daughter unfortunately passed away abroad. Not wanting to marry again, she wishes to adopt a daughter. Seeing the message I posted a few days ago, she flew back specially to meet Daisy."

Kiera added, "Naomi also said if you are willing to let her raise Daisy, she would immediately choose to move back to China."

Tiana hurriedly asked, "Does she know Daisy has partial deafness in one ear?"

"She knows." Kiera nodded, "The coincidence is, Naomi’s deceased daughter was also deaf in her right ear. She understands how to love a child more than most mothers."

Perhaps this is destiny.

Tiana, filled with a mix of emotions, suddenly felt tearful.

Daisy was soon going to find a foster mother with excellent qualifications, but she suddenly became sad.

This signified that she was soon going to be separated from Daisy.

"Tiana." Kiera held her hand, "Naomi will be good to Daisy, believe me."

Tiana smiled, "Of course I believe you, I’m just so happy..."

...

That afternoon, Kiera and Tiana went together to pick up Daisy from kindergarten.

Seeing her mom, Aunt Kiera, and Aunt Kiera’s daughter Laura, Daisy was ecstatic.

In the car, Kiera told Daisy, "Daisy, Aunt Kiera is treating us to dinner today, and one of Aunt Kiera’s good friends will be joining us. Is that okay?"

Daisy didn’t think much of it, she assumed it was just an ordinary gathering, so she happily nodded.

Half an hour later, the two mothers and daughters met Nancy at a children’s theme restaurant.

Before all the dishes were served, Nancy was happily playing with Daisy and Laura in the play area.

Pregnant Kiera and Tiana sat in the dining area, watching from afar.

Kiera smiled, "Tiana, look, Naomi really likes Daisy!"

"Lawyer Carter exudes such a motherly aura." Tiana knew at first sight if Daisy were raised by Nancy, Daisy would surely lead a happy life.

After the meal, Daisy and Laura went to the play area, with the pregnant Kiera watching them there.

Tiana and Nancy sat at the table, discussing Daisy’s adoption matter.

Nancy, fond of Daisy, was rather eager, "Daisy’s mom, if there is anything you still want to know about me, or if you’re not assured, feel free to examine me anytime."

Tiana responded, "Lawyer Carter, honestly, if Daisy can be your foster daughter, it’s her fortune. I have nothing to worry about, in fact, I’m very grateful."

Nancy smiled, "That’s wonderful. Daisy’s mom, when would it be convenient for you to assist me in processing the adoption paperwork? I can settle down in China within a week, also to cultivate a bond with Daisy early. I conveniently live next door to Kiera, so Daisy and Laura can play together often, having a companion."

Tiana felt a wave of mixed feelings, "Lawyer Carter, Leo and Kiera will help you handle the adoption process. But, could you not take Daisy away too soon?"

The agony of mother-daughter separation was shattering Tiana’s heart.

She feared separating from Daisy.

But Daisy found such a good foster mother, what could she be unsettled about?

"Lawyer Carter, I just want to spend more time with Daisy. The doctor said I have at most a month left..."

In fact, Tiana’s condition was far from good.

These past two days, she coughed terribly.

She almost coughed up blood each time.

All her vitality appeared to be her final burst of energy.

She couldn’t bear to part with Daisy.

Even if she could spend one second more with Daisy, she would treasure it immensely.

She held back the painful emotions of life and death separation, saying again, "But I will explain it all clearly to Daisy, she will have to face this eventually."

...

At night.

Daisy lay in Tiana’s arms.

Tiana held the tiny Daisy close.

From carrying her for ten months, to Daisy now being five years old.

They had lived together for six years, two thousand two hundred days and nights.

But it still felt too short.

It seemed like just yesterday Daisy was in her belly, playfully kicking her.

How could it already be time for life and death separation?

"Daisy, mommy has something to tell you."

Her severe tone made Daisy sense an unsettling atmosphere, making her tiny heart instantly anxious.