After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 222

Aria promoted her seminar on social media, making it open to anyone interested with no barriers to entry.

As a result, the number of attendees skyrocketed, forcing Alden to find and book a much larger venue.

Aria simply smiled. “As long as it helps people and advances the field of medicine, it doesn’t matter how many people come.”

Mira had asked a colleague to save her a seat in the front row, so she was already settled in.

Aria maneuvered her wheelchair onto the stage herself.

After a flurry of camera shutters, the hall fell silent.

Charles watched from the audience as Aria, seated in her wheelchair, spoke with eloquence and confidence. His expression was complicated.

He listened intently, because this new drug could have a major impact on his hand.

The slight tremor in his right hand was still there, and Aria's past words seemed to echo in his ears.

—“Charles, maybe in a few years, a drug suitable for you will be developed. I’ll wait with you.”

But not long after, he and Aria had gone their separate ways.

A sudden burst of applause jolted Charles back to the present.

Aria spoke again. “Are there any other questions? Please raise your hand.”

A young woman stood up and raised her hand. “Ms. Rowan, I’d like to ask what your initial motivation was for developing this drug?”

Aria had anticipated this question and answered without hesitation.

“Most neurotrophic drugs on the market have significant side effects and their actual efficacy is limited. I wanted to try a new approach.”

The woman nodded thoughtfully.

She was about to ask another question when she was interrupted by a different female voice.

“Ms. Rowan, since you’ve developed a drug that doesn’t require an antidote, may I ask you to save your former stepsister?”

“But you two signed an agreement,” Flora retorted, not backing down.

“This is a different drug. Am I obligated to split every drug I ever develop with her? Besides, agreement or not, the fact that she stole from me is indisputable.”

Flora was at a loss for words.

“So, can I beg you now to give this medication to Lilith first? She was your stepsister, at least. Can you bear to watch her die?”

Aria’s expression turned cold.

Another attempt at public guilt-tripping.

If she refused, she’d be branded as heartless and cruel. If she agreed, who knew what kind of scheme the two of them would cook up.

“As you said, this drug has only been tested on a small number of people. Out of a sense of responsibility, I cannot recommend it for individuals with delicate health conditions.”

“Treatment is not a matter of emotional blackmail. If there were a suitable drug, I certainly wouldn't hesitate to give it to Lilith. But given her current condition, her neurological issues are the least of her problems.”