After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 188

“And right now, besides me, no one at the institute knows about it. The thief certainly wouldn’t have been prepared for that.”

“So, can you tell what data they took?”

“The data from the second-to-last experiment.” Aria placed the files she’d noticed had been moved in front of Alden Reaves. “Professor, I think they’ll try to release it before I publish my findings.”

If the data for the antidote hadn't already been an outdated version for Aria, she'd be having a major headache right now.

After all, the two datasets were remarkably similar.

Alden Reaves breathed a sigh of relief. “This is a serious matter. When we go to the meeting tonight, you need to report this.”

“When you’re working with the government, the last thing you want is a problem with your reputation.”

Aria nodded in understanding.

***

As soon as she left the institute, the private investigator sent Aria a message telling her to check the trending topics online.

Aria was confused. What did trending topics have to do with her?

She opened the link and her mind went blank.

#LilithRowanWeddingBells?

#GideonEvernightAndLilith

Both hashtags were pushed to her at once.

She clicked on one of the links. The first thing she saw was a large photo of Gideon with his arm around Lilith at the Rowan family home.

Another picture showed Gideon taking Lilith to the hospital.

The sign in the background clearly read: Maternity and Women's Health Wing.

A bitter knot formed in Aria's stomach. She knew Lilith would cause trouble, but she never imagined she'd go this far to orchestrate a spectacle.

Using public opinion to secure a man’s heart was the most foolish move of all.

Gideon hated being manipulated, especially by those close to him.

Aria refreshed the page several times, but the topics were still trending.

With the Evernight family’s power, taking down a trending topic was simple. Unless…

Eveline’s heart leaped, and she quickly tried to placate him.

“Dad, this is a matter of life and death. Can’t Aria’s official acceptance into the family wait until this is all cleared up? It doesn’t have to be right now…”

Aria listened for a while longer and finally understood Gideon’s reasoning.

The Rowan family had already announced their intention to marry Lilith off. When Gideon took Lilith there today, he had gone with the intention of being her backer.

He just hadn’t expected to be photographed by the media.

If Gideon didn’t acknowledge his relationship with Lilith, the Rowans would marry her off.

But now, whether Gideon acknowledged it or not, no one would dare to marry Lilith.

She was already ill, so families of equal standing wouldn't consider her. As for marrying down, after today’s scandal, everyone knew she had a complicated relationship with Gideon.

Who would want to marry her and practically ask to be made a fool of?

Aria lowered her gaze, putting the pieces together.

She just couldn’t figure out if the Rowan family was setting Gideon up, or if Gideon and the Rowans were working together to set up the old man.