After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 156

“Who says I don’t have money?”

Aria knew she had to pay Roxanne back today, or there would definitely be more trouble.

“I’ll lend it to you.” Raphael leaned closer to Aria, speaking in a voice only they could hear. “It’s already been transferred.”

Aria was touched.

The truth was, she couldn't come up with that much money right now. She had been hoping to earn some from her experimental patent, but the situation was urgent.

If it weren't for Raphael's money, she would have had to ask someone else. The only people she knew with that kind of capital were her professor, Alden Reaves, and Gideon.

She didn't want to borrow from either of them.

Her professor was getting old, and she didn't want to worry him. As for Gideon…

Aria glanced at Gideon, and their eyes met. His expression was unreadable.

She gave a bitter, internal smile. Even if the truth was out, given what Gideon thought of her, he probably wouldn't have lent her the money anyway.

Aria took out her phone, saw the text notification confirming the deposit, and said, “I’m transferring the money to you now. From this day forward, I am just Aria! Not a member of the Rowan family, and certainly not a member of the Brent family!”

Thirty million dollars in exchange for her freedom.

It was worth it.

“And what about what you owe me?”

Charles’s voice was light, timed perfectly with the sound of the thirty-million-dollar transfer completing on Roxanne’s phone.

Aria’s body stiffened.

Roxanne’s eyes lit up, her confidence instantly restored. “Aria! If it weren’t for you, would Charles’s hand have been injured?”

“You’ve paid back what you owe me with thirty million, but Charles’s hand is worth far more than that!”

At the time, Charles had been a brilliant clinical doctor, well on his way to becoming the youngest specialist in his field.

But because of Aria, he was forced to step back from the front lines, relegated to a research lab to find a cure for his hand.

Aria looked at Charles and repeated, “What do you want?”

Was he going to use this to blackmail her into releasing Harold, or was he going to name a price?

For a moment, Charles was at a loss for words.

What did he want?

This was the only tie he had left with Aria.

Was he supposed to use this tie to threaten her, only to have her walk out of his life for good?

The thought that he wouldn't even have the excuse to hate Aria anymore made Charles's chest tighten with frustration.

“Are you trying to force Charles’s hand?” Roxanne sneered. “What you owe my brother is more than just this one thing!”

“Aria, I’m being generous by not airing all your dirty laundry. Let Harold go, and we can still talk. But if Harold really goes to jail because of you, implicating the Brent family, you won’t like the consequences!”