After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 52

Aria was stunned, but a warmth spread through her heart.

She knew Professor Reaves was standing up for her.

“Professor, I…”

“What right do you have to call him that?” Charles’s tone was sharp. “When you left the institute, didn’t you say you needed money? Now you’re back. You think you can cash in again now that you have Dawn backing you?”

“Or are you and Dawn involved in some kind of shady business?”

“That’s enough!” Professor Reaves roared. “Get out! You’re talking absolute nonsense!”

The corners of Charles’s eyes were bloodshot, but he hadn’t forgotten his purpose. He took a few deep breaths before speaking again.

“I came here to speak with Dawn. Professor, would it be possible for you to give me his contact information?”

“No.” Aria stared at Charles, her gaze falling to his slightly trembling right hand before she continued. “Dawn doesn’t meet with anyone.”

Professor Reaves nodded in agreement. “Aria handles everything for Dawn. If you have questions for him, you’ll have to go through her.”

Charles’s brow tightened.

“What exactly is your relationship with Dawn?”

Why else would Aria be his sole representative?

His eyes roamed over Aria, lingering on her exposed skin.

Aria had just recovered from a fever, and her skin was still slightly flushed. In Charles’s eyes, however, it took on a different, more sordid meaning.

“Aria, how many men will it take for you to be satisfied?” Charles sneered. “Professor, I bet you don’t know this. When Aria left the institute, she turned right around and married into the Evernight family. She used dirty tricks, drugging Gideon to force him to marry her.”

Aria froze, feeling as if she’d been slapped across the face.

“So, that Gideon fellow’s health… that was Dawn’s work?”

Professor Reaves had been about to say Aria’s name but caught himself, remembering Charles was still there.

Aria hadn’t expected the question and subconsciously nodded. “Yes…”

A look of profound realization swept across Professor Reaves’s face before he erupted into a triumphant laugh. “Excellent! Excellent! Just what I’d expect from… Dawn!”

The Evernight family was the Flourish Research Institute’s largest investor, so Professor Reaves paid close attention to their health reports. He had been wondering why Gideon’s physical data had been steadily improving.

To think it was because of Aria!

“You say the Evernight family only married Aria because she played tricks?” Professor Reaves thought of something and snorted. “The way I see it, the Evernight family got the better end of that deal!”

“Since Dawn chose Aria, I will respect his choice. If you have a problem with that, you can withdraw your funding at any time!”