After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 141

Aria used to care about such rumors.

But after years of working under Gideon, she'd had all sorts of mud slung at her and had eventually learned not to care.

When it was revealed she'd been switched at birth, Roxanne had comforted Aria, promising to love her like her own child.

To the public, however, Roxanne claimed Aria was Nathan's illegitimate daughter, while Lilith had simply been convalescing and thus hadn't made any public appearances.

Those who didn't know the truth praised Roxanne as a good woman for treating even an illegitimate daughter with such fairness.

Only Aria knew it was just another one of Roxanne's schemes to control her.

"What did Gideon just call her? She can't be *the* illegitimate daughter from the Rowan family, can she?"

"Wait, the illegitimate daughter from the Rowan family... isn't that Aria? Then what about him and Lilith..."

"They got out of the same car. Their relationship can't be that simple, can it?"

Aria didn't want to hear her name linked with Gideon's, and her pace quickened unconsciously.

Gideon followed her.

Henry quickly handed the birthday gift for Helena to a member of the Brent family's staff.

Aria hadn't forgotten why she was here and strode toward the back garden.

Gideon had been to the Brent estate a few times and knew this wasn't the way to the main hall. He grabbed Aria's hand, his voice deepening.

"Get your priorities straight. No matter how important that dog is to you, if you embarrass the Evernight family, do you really think the dog will get off easy?"

Aldous Evernight valued his family's reputation above all else.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed to demand Aria marry Gideon right after he was drugged, without so much as a simple investigation.

Aria had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill. She started avoiding Henry, but because he could no longer poach her contracts, he would berate her even more harshly every time commissions were paid out.

"So what are you planning to steal this time? My position?" Aria jabbed. "You're so considerate of the bigger picture. Should I be calling you Mrs. Evernight instead?"

Gideon frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Nonsense?" Aria took out her phone, pulled up the evidence from her client interactions, and sent it to Gideon. "Take a good look. Was there ever a time I 'disappeared' when Henry didn't steal my contract?"

"From what I see, he's always looking out for you. This is the perfect chance to make him your legitimate partner. You two can live in perfect harmony, for all to see!"

Her words were getting more and more outrageous. Gideon opened the message and glanced at it, then his gaze fell on Henry. "What's going on?"

Aria couldn't be bothered to explain further. She had already quit, after all.

Henry used to be able to skim off her deals. Now she'd like to see what a guy from the finance department could possibly skim from this month.