After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 330

Aria had mentally prepared herself for the worst, so Aldous's revelation didn't shatter her. She had long stopped viewing Roxanne as family.

"I'll make sure Roxanne pays for what she did. Thank you for telling me the truth, Mr. Evernight."

Raphael casually placed a perfectly peeled shrimp into Aria's bowl and peeled off his disposable gloves.

"Eat first. We can deal with the rest of the world after dinner."

Nothing was more important than making sure she ate. While she had been talking, Raphael had silently filled her bowl with a small mountain of prepared shrimp.

"How did you know I love shrimp?"

"I cooked it for you once, and you ate quite a bit."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

The dynamic between them was effortlessly intimate and relaxed.

Eveline's face darkened as she watched them. Judging by their chemistry, it seemed they had been spending a significant amount of time alone together. Raphael had even cooked for her personally? Yes, Aria and Gideon were officially divorced, but their marriage had been highly publicized. If Aria actually ended up with Raphael, it would turn the Evernight family into the laughingstock of their entire social circle!

Aldous watched the two of them with an unreadable expression, not uttering a word.

The rest of the dinner proceeded in thick, complicated silence.

"Sir, Mr. Gideon is on the phone."

The assistant handed the ringing smartphone to Aldous.

"Gideon?" Eveline perked up, glancing at the caller ID. "Why is he calling right now?"

She shot a suspicious look at Aria. She hadn't told Gideon that Aria was coming over for dinner. Did he find out somehow?

Aldous took the phone. A few seconds into the call, a deep scowl carved into his features. He suddenly slammed his hand against the table and roared, "Are you out of your mind?! This is absolutely absurd!"

Raphael's brow drew together in a hard line. He looked at Aldous, who had just ended the call. "Gideon dropped it?"

Aldous looked equally furious. "That boy has completely lost his mind! Aria, don't worry. Gideon does not have the final say here. I will have the legal team draft a new filing right this second!"

"Don't bother," Aria said, standing up. Her voice was colder than ice. "If he can drop it once, he can drop it again. I'm leaving."

Raphael stood up seamlessly. "I'm coming with you."

Aria didn't object. She grabbed her coat, threw it on, and walked out of the Evernight estate without looking back.

Eveline watched them leave, utterly baffled. "What is going on with Gideon? First, he refuses to sign the divorce papers like a madman, and now he's throwing out a hundred-million-dollar lawsuit?"

Her gaze shifted to the maids clearing the table. She quickly walked over and lowered her voice.

"Wait. That curative broth wasn't made in our main kitchen, was it? Get me the exact recipe. I need it."

Both men suffered from severe genetic conditions. If the meals worked for Raphael, they had to work for Gideon, right?