After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 38

"Grandfather, are you going back on our agreement?"

"The Rowan family has recently expressed interest in a partnership with the Evernight Group." Old Mr. Evernight pushed a contract across the table toward Aria. "You can take a look."

The Rowan family's business didn't really concern her much anymore. Once she paid off her debt, she would sever ties with them.

But Old Mr. Evernight was confident that this contract would make her back down.

Aria picked it up, and after flipping through two pages, her eyes widened. "This is… a contract between the Rowan family and my mentor's research institute?"

"I hear you've been in contact with Alden Reaves lately. The Evernight family makes substantial investments in his institute every year. If you don't divorce, not only can you facilitate this partnership, but I can also give you an additional sum, as a bonus for your trouble over the years."

Old Mr. Evernight left it at that.

But the threat was unmistakable.

If Alden Reaves found out that two of his institute's major investments were in jeopardy because of Aria…

A chill ran down her spine.

"If you're worried about that girl from the Rowan family, I can take care of it for you."

"You just need to have a child with Gideon, and your marriage will be perfectly secure."

Old Mr. Evernight had a great obsession with having a great-grandchild.

Aria clenched the contract in her hand. No matter what, she had to divorce Gideon!

"Grandfather, my marriage is none of your business."

Gideon arrived just in time, glancing at Aria's pale face. His voice was indifferent.

"I already agreed to marry Aria for you back then. And you promised you wouldn't try to control me anymore."

"Aria, you're the one who drugged me, the one who wanted to get married, the one who wants a divorce, the one who refuses to have a child, and now you're the one running to my grandfather. What the hell do you want?"

Gideon's tone was laced with annoyance and disgust.

Aria swayed on her feet, looking at Old Mr. Evernight. She didn't understand either.

Gideon finished and turned back to Aria, his tone frigid.

"As for you, since you were begging for a divorce, why are you begging my grandfather now? Do you want me to take you back? Dream on."

The words were harsh.

But Aria couldn't leave.

The contract between her and Old Mr. Evernight had been made behind Gideon's back, and she couldn't let him find out about it now.

"Is that any way to speak to Aria?" Old Mr. Evernight sounded displeased, perhaps speaking up for Aria only because he didn't want them to divorce. "The changes in your health over the years… would you have improved if not for her?"

It finally dawned on Aria. The reason Old Mr. Evernight didn't want them to divorce was because she could improve Gideon's health.

It seemed Old Mr. Evernight also saw her as nothing more than a tool.

However, he probably didn't know yet that she and Gideon had already signed a divorce agreement. As long as she could hold out until the three-year term was up and get her twenty million, she could file for divorce immediately.

Once she had the money, Aria would say to Gideon, "After three years of marriage, your value turned out to be just twenty million dollars."