Delayed Regrets: He Regretted Only After Her Death-Chapter 75: Aiden Grant, This Is Tiana Linden’s Will
This kind of assumption doesn’t exist at all for Aiden Grant.
It’s merely an assumption.
Why did his heart suddenly feel like it was being squeezed, painfully?
But he responded coldly to Hector Chaucer:
"Good men don’t live long, but evil ones do."
"Hector Chaucer, you and Tiana Linden have long lives, neither of you will die."
Otherwise, Hector Chaucer could have been sentenced to death, even the whole country issued a warrant to have him executed, yet he could surrender and be released without guilt.
Hector Chaucer looked at his brother from childhood.
This man probably forgot that he once firmly said in front of everyone that he would treat Tiana well for life.
Surely he also forgot his willingness to protect Tiana with his life.
Hector Chaucer’s eyes, always numb, were replaced with disappointment and regret.
He sighed heavily, "If I had known this would happen, I would never have allowed Tiana to foolishly follow you."
"Ha!" Aiden laughed coldly, "Hector Chaucer, if you want to take Tiana, you should go to Leo Sutton. You’ve found the wrong person."
Tiana never repented.
He’s already tried to persuade her numerous times with sincerity.
From now on, he will have no further ties with Tiana.
He will live well with Vivian Linden.
The way he treated Tiana, that’s how he will now treat Vivian.
He placed the invitation card that Hector didn’t bother to glance at, bending down to put it on the coffee table.
Then he straightened up and walked away.
Watching this familiar back, Hector Chaucer coldly snorted:
"Aiden Grant, you will pay the price for your words and actions."
Hector Chaucer understands Aiden.
The reason Aiden hates Tiana so much, hates her even when she truly got cancer, and he doesn’t believe it, is only because Tiana betrayed him before.
If there ever is a day Aiden knows he and Tiana never slept together, never connived to target the anti-cancer drug, this man will surely regret it deeply.
Upon hearing the threat, Aiden merely paused slightly.
Then he chuckled, without saying anything further, and strode away.
...
Two days later.
Linden-Grant Pharmaceutical Group Tower, media reception hall.
Aiden Grant in a dark suit stood under the spotlight alongside James Linden and Christopher Grant and other senior executives of Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals, holding a press conference.
The theme of the conference: Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals’ M901 anti-cancer drug, developed over twenty-two years, officially enters the clinical trial phase.
As the spokesperson, Aiden Grant faced dozens of reporters and strong flashing lights with elegance and poise.
"This M901 anti-cancer drug developed by Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals can effectively control the tumor remission rate of late-stage cancer at 93.9%."
"This M901 will officially enter the clinical trial phase tomorrow."
"Once the phase three clinical trial succeeds, the tumor remission rate will elevate to 97.5%."
"We hope Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals can bring more blessings to the vast number of cancer patients."
"Our Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals will walk further and longer along the path of pharmaceutical research, benefiting more people."
Applause erupted below.
Then it proceeded to the media questioning section.
...
The Sovereign.
Catherine Armstrong was on her phone.
What she was focused on wasn’t anything else but the live broadcast of Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals’ press conference projected on today’s headlines.
As a retired doctor, she always paid close attention to the latest news related to healthcare.
Especially the research progress of Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals’ M901 anti-cancer drug.
Opening it with excitement, Catherine Armstrong was increasingly thrilled as she watched.
Without considering that Tiana Linden was still resting in the room, she hurriedly rushed in with her phone.
She even forgot to knock.
Gabriel Chaucer reminded from behind, "Tiana just lay down, let her rest well, don’t disturb her."
Just half an hour ago, Tiana coughed up a large pool of blood.
Her body weakened as if just dragged out of a coffin.
She had taken pain relief medicine, and Catherine Armstrong had used acupuncture, and was now resting in bed.
Morphine and oxycodone hydrochloride weren’t much effective as pain relievers for her anymore.
Half an hour into taking the medicine, the intense pain from late-stage cancer in Tiana remained unabated.
When Catherine Armstrong rushed in, Tiana blinked exhaustedly, without the energy to get up.
"Good news, good news!"
After rushing into the room, Catherine Armstrong spoke excitedly by the bedside:
"Tiana, the anti-cancer drug developed by Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals has finally succeeded. It’s entering the clinical trial stage tomorrow."
"Tiana, you are saved."
Upon saying this, Catherine Armstrong’s eyes were filled with excited tears.
Witnessing Tiana’s frail and fatigued state, her heart ached tremendously.
She remembered her recently deceased daughter Kiera, who was similarly ill-fated.
Daughter Kiera passed away, leaving Laura and Penelope.
One was just five years old, the other just born.
So young, without a mother.
Catherine Armstrong didn’t want Daisy to also lose her mother early.
She sat down, gently swept aside the strands of hair wet with sweat from Tiana’s forehead, and used her sleeve to wipe the cold sweat, soothing her softly.
"Tiana, this M901 can effectively improve the tumor remission rate of late-stage cancer to 93.9%."
As a medically trained person, Catherine Armstrong deeply understood the significance of this data.
This means that most late-stage cancer patients, if able to use this medication, would have over a 90% chance of recovery.
This is a monumental breakthrough in medical history.
This achievement will be recorded in national medical history, even global medical history.
Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals will become famous worldwide, becoming a coveted resource globally in healthcare.
Tiana coughed lightly a few times.
Even her coughs were suppressed, restrained.
Avoiding heavy movements, fearing more pain upon coughing.
Catherine Armstrong quickly soothed her back, "Tiana, your brother, adoptive father, and Aiden, they will definitely remember the old ties, surely they will give you the medicine, I’ll have Leo Sutton find them."
Tiana shook her head slowly, "It’s useless."
In the case of the leaking secrets of Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals’ research, they identified her and Hector Chaucer as accomplices.
Although Hector Chaucer’s death sentence was overturned.
There is still no evidence to prove she is unrelated to this commercial secret theft case.
Daniel Linden, James Linden, and Aiden Grant will only recognize evidence.
This anti-cancer drug has only just entered the clinical trial phase and hasn’t been successfully marketed; they wouldn’t give her the medicine.
Catherine Armstrong cried with heartache, "Tiana, they won’t be that heartless."
Tiana, fragile yet genuine, had a bitter smile on her lips, "Mom, you don’t know them."
She was truly grateful, before dying, Kiera’s mother could treat her like her own daughter, caring for her, and could cherish Daisy like her true granddaughter.
In the future, with Leo Sutton, Laura, and Penelope, Gabriel Chaucer, Catherine Armstrong, and Daisy’s newly appointed godfather Hector Chaucer, Daisy would undoubtedly grow up safely and happily.
But still, she doesn’t want to die.
She wants to live.
She wants to stay and partake in every moment of Daisy’s growth.
If it weren’t for Daisy, death wouldn’t matter.
But, her Daisy is still so young.
As she struggled to sit up, Catherine Armstrong quickly supported her.
"Mom, I’m fine. Is the M901 you mentioned really successfully developed?"
Catherine Armstrong showed her the latest news from her phone.
She looked at it, with a relieved smile on her lips.
Not only because she had hope, but also because it was the research result of two generations from Linden-Grant Pharmaceuticals finally bearing fruit.
This will be a significant historical breakthrough in medicine.
Her gaze carried a certain determination, "Mom, I’ve decided to give it a try."
Gabriel Chaucer, standing at the door, also supported her, saying, "Tiana, they should hold on to the old ties. If not, I will personally go and plead with them."
Tiana looked toward Gabriel Chaucer, "Dad, this matter must be handled by me."
At this moment, Leo Sutton returned.
He overheard their conversation.
He walked in and said, "I saw the news. Tiana, I’m going to find Aiden."
He sat down and took out a box of medication divided into daily doses with a transparent container. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
"Hector Chaucer originally wanted to come to see you, but there are many things going on with The Chaucer Family, and he can’t get away."
"These are pain relievers he specially had someone bring back from abroad, much more effective than morphine."
"Tiana, give it a try."
Catherine Armstrong quickly handed over a glass of water.
After Tiana took the medicine, she soon fell asleep, exhausted and drowsy.
...
Linden-Grant Pharmaceutical Tower.
A spacious and bright underground parking garage.
Leo Sutton leaned against the car door of the Hummer SUV. Hearing the footsteps, he looked over.
It was Aiden, accompanied by James Linden and Daniel Linden, along with Christopher Grant.
Leo Sutton stood up, leaving the car door, and walked straight over.
He first greeted James Linden, Daniel Linden, and Christopher Grant, then his gaze fell on Aiden.
"Aiden, I need to talk to you."
They each responded to Leo Sutton, then heard Aiden say, "You guys go ahead."
Daniel Linden and James Linden walked a few steps away.
The two got into the extended Lincoln.
Daniel Linden looked worriedly out the car window, "Dad, do you think Aiden and Leo Sutton will get into a fight?"
The two were old rivals in love.
Back then, because of Tiana, they didn’t even know how many times they’d fought.
The extended Lincoln slowly drove out of park and came to a stop in front of Leo Sutton and Aiden.
Daniel Linden stuck his head out, "Lawyer Sutton, do me a favor and don’t fight with Aiden. He’s about to become a groom soon; no need to ruin his looks."
Leo Sutton looked over, "Don’t worry, we are just going to have a talk."
Half an hour later, Leo Sutton and Aiden arrived at a lakeside with few people around.
It was nearly noon.
The sunlight of late spring and early summer filtered through the shadows of the trees, scattering down in patches.
The two tall and handsome figures stood side by side.
They never had such a harmonious moment.
For a long time, they had been opposing rivals in love.
For the first time, Aiden sincerely congratulated Leo Sutton, "Leo Sutton, congratulations on finally marrying the bride you wanted to marry since you were young. I’m getting married too; we don’t have to be rivals anymore."
Though it was a congratulation, the sigh contained much regret.
Leo Sutton knew that Aiden hadn’t completely let go of Tiana.
Tiana didn’t have much time left, and he didn’t plan to mince words with Aiden, he said straightforwardly:
"Aiden, Tiana and I are only in a fake marriage. We’re not really husband and wife."
Upon hearing this, Aiden turned his head from under the tree shadows, full of confusion, "A fake marriage?"
Leo Sutton said firmly:
"Yes, to get custody of Daisy quicker."
"So when Tiana passes away, if you want to fight for custody, I can contest you to the end in court as her stepfather."
"Tiana knows you’ve started questioning Daisy’s parentage, and she’s afraid Daisy will be hurt following you, especially since twice you almost led Daisy to death. Tiana is scared."
"That’s why we quickly registered for marriage right after my wife passed during childbirth, even before the seventh day had passed, and transferred Daisy’s registration under my name."
"Aiden, Tiana’s lung cancer is terminal, it’s already metastasized to her brain."
"You’re a doctor; you know better than anyone what brain metastasis means."
"Now that your M901 has been developed successfully but hasn’t been launched, Tiana can’t access the drug. Could you, for the sake of the past..."
Aiden interrupted in a deep voice, "Enough!"
This restrained shout surprised Leo Sutton, "Aiden, I’ve explained it so clearly, you still think Tiana is deceiving you?"
Aiden was striving to keep rational.
He didn’t get angry.
But he looked at Leo Sutton with a dark expression:
"Leo Sutton, I know Tiana is your white moonlight."
"It’s not your fault that Attorney Chaucer is being used as a pawn by Tiana."
"Everyone gets carried away by love sometimes."
"However, let me be frank. M901 anti-cancer drug, Tiana better not even think about it."
"Aiden." Leo Sutton grabbed Aiden’s collar, angrily said, "Who on earth is blinded by love and hate, Tiana is almost dying, haven’t you noticed she’s much thinner than before?"
Aiden replied, "Fasting can also make someone thin to the bone."
"You bastard!" Leo Sutton clenched his fist, provoking Aiden to give a cold snort, "Want to fight? Come on."
He pushed Leo Sutton away, took off his suit jacket, unbuttoned his shirt, and prepared to roll up his sleeves.
He was ready for a fight.
These recent days, the closer it gets to the wedding date, the more irritable Aiden becomes.
Every night, he stays alone in the studio, hoping to calm down through painting.
But the studio full of Tiana’s portraits made it impossible for him to calm down.
He wanted to burn all those paintings.
But in the end, never took that action.
If he could have a good fight with Leo Sutton, it might vent some frustration.
Leo Sutton knew that fighting wouldn’t solve anything.
He calmed down, "Aiden, think about when you and Tiana were good together, what did you say?"
He asked and answered himself, "You said you would always care for Tiana and protect her with your life. Now you don’t need to risk your life, just need to give one box of medicine, just one box."
Aiden fiercely replied, "I’ve got no medicine, but there is a life."
Faced with such a cold Aiden, Leo Sutton still didn’t give up.
He took out a document from his briefcase.
"Aiden, this is Tiana’s will, take a look, it’s stamped by our law firm and the notary office, it’s legally binding. Take a good look."
Aiden took the document and tore it into pieces.
"Leo Sutton, wake up, you’ve been used by Tiana."
Leo Sutton weakly said, "Aiden, the one who needs to wake up is you."
Aiden snorted, "Leo Sutton, you are really pathetic. Tiana’s still entangled with Hector Chaucer while you’re being used as a tool by her."
"Aiden, you bastard." This time, Leo Sutton couldn’t hold back anymore, rushing forward, started fighting with Aiden.
Neither of them was willing to admit defeat.
Eventually, they only parted after exhausting themselves completely.
Sitting on the grass, Aiden looked at the equally injured Leo Sutton, "Go back and tell Tiana, the M901 anti-cancer drug, don’t even think about it."
...
Star River Bay, Serenity Villa.
Daniel Linden was waiting for Aiden in the living room.
At this moment, he saw Aiden holding his suit jacket, tired and disheveled, walking back.
The tall figure, covered with grass and leaves.
Vivian Linden and Daniel Linden quickly went up to him.
Vivian said with concern, "Aiden, what happened to you, who hit you again?"
Daniel Linden was so anxious he wanted to curse, "Aiden, what did I say, whenever it involves matters or people related to Tiana, you just lose control. Did you get into another fight with Leo Sutton? The wedding is in five days, are you planning to be the groom with this disfigured face?"
Just a moment ago, he and Leo Sutton fought for half an hour.
Fought until both were exhausted.
Aiden had no strength left now.
Despite his dirty appearance, he sat wearily on the sofa, "Sorry!"
Vivian Linden sat beside him, "Aiden, why did Leo Sutton fight with you? Did you just hold a press conference, and Leo Sutton is here on behalf of my sister to ask for the M901 anti-cancer drug?"
Vivian Linden was well aware of Tiana’s terminal lung cancer situation.
Dr. Zane was arranged by the person behind her specially to frame Tiana.
Tiana being with Leo Sutton, surely he was aware of Tiana’s illness.
Vivian Linden felt anxious.
She and Aiden were soon to have their wedding.
She hoped Tiana wouldn’t die at this critical juncture.
She held Aiden’s hand, "Aiden, why don’t we go to Solara Isle earlier, okay? I want to see the wedding setup you prepared for me beforehand, let’s take a flight tonight, okay?"
