Trouble in Paradise



Christopher trembled as I stepped toward him. Although each of my steps was graceful and unhurried, they seemed to fill him with dread.

At that moment, I felt like I was some kind of demon. Why else would it take so many bodyguards to hold Christopher down?

I did not doubt that, if they let him go, he would bolt from me and Nicholas as far as he could.

I smiled faintly, but my voice came out cold and sharp. "Do you remember what I said?"

Christopher stammered, desperate to defend himself. "Ariana, I didn't do anything to you! It was all that woman's fault! She's the one who filled my head with lies!"

My back went rigid. Sure enough, Nicholas cut in, "Which woman?"

'S-She is..." Christopher didn't get to finish.

My heel struck some part of his mouth, silencing him instantly as his eyes watered from the pain.

'Nicholas, I told you not to interfere."

I wasn't the same person I once was, the kind who would let things slide because Nicholas chose to protect Claudia. This time, he couldn't step in-who knew if he would truly be on my side?

There was something unexplainable stirring inside me. It was better if he didn't know.

I narrowed my eyes. "I won't let her go, and you're not getting off either."

Christopher began struggling. "Ariana, what are you trying to do? What do you want?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just hoping we'll meet again in court. Remember, Christopher, if anyone dares to take your case or even defend you for a second, they're crossing me, Jones Corporation, and Jay Caldwell & Co."

I glanced at the guards holding him. "Let him go."

Just as the chaos settled, Douglas arrived. Spotting my car, I kicked off my shoes, which were dirty from that mess, and started running barefoot toward it.

But after only a couple of steps, strong hands wrapped around my waist, lifting me off the ground. My legs flailed as I realized I was in the air.NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.

"Put me down, Nicholas!" I frowned as I looked at him.

Nicholas didn't let go. Instead, he held me tighter, turning me around to pull me into his arms. With a gentle pat on my hip, he murmured, "Don't go."

His actions left me flustered and embarrassed, especially with people watching. Who gave him the right to be so intimate with me?

I struggled to free myself. But the more I resisted, the tighter he held on. He was refusing to let me go. Nicholas nuzzled his cheek against mine. Soft strands of his hair brushed my cheek, tickling me in a way that stirred something deep inside.

His voice softened, almost coaxing. "Please?"

I stiffened, feeling a mix of exasperation and helplessness. "I have things to do. I'm going to work." Nicholas asked someone to fetch the car keys. "Where are you going? Let me take you. Would that be okay? In the distance, Douglas couldn't help but shiver at the sight. Hearing Nicholas, the infamous CEO of Hawk Corporation, asking with such a soft tone was more unsettling than seeing him in his usual stern demeanor.

For a moment, Douglas froze, realizing this was someone else's family matter. It wasn't his place to step in, so he quietly got into the car and waited.

Seeing Nicholas's sudden shift in behavior made my blood boil. The man who had just moments ago had me in tears was now putting on this gentle act. What was he even trying to accomplish?

"Nicholas, you don't need to act like this just because of Tabitha. Nothing between us changes because of her. We're divorced. And if you keep holding me like this, it's technically harassment-I could sue you for that."