Trouble in Paradise



Chapter 0565All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.

I recognized the man as Chief Jefferson. Back when Claudia framed me and got me arrested, I'd seen him a few times. He was still trying to smooth things over.

'Did Captain Steele offend Mr. Hawk in some way?"

He patted Neal's shoulder. "Neal, quickly apologize to Mr. Hawk. Mr. Hawk is known for being magnanimous; this matter can be put to rest."

Despite his anger, Nicholas still had rationality with him. He let go of Neal's collar for Chief Jefferson's sake. He then brushed his hands off disdainfully as if touching something filthy.

Looking at Chief Jefferson, he said coldly, "This has nothing to do with Ariana. I don't want any of your people to trouble her.

"Of course, of course!' Chief Jefferson shot me a weary look, recalling how our marital spat had caused chaos in his precinct before. And now, here we were again!

No matter who he offended, it was always a headache for him. Even after our divorce, we still couldn't seem to behave ourselves.

His eyes darted as he shifted the subject instantly. "You see, Mr. Hawk is so generous and understanding. Clearly, Neal must have been out of line. Neal, apologize now!"

I frowned. "It has nothing to do with him. He doesn't need to apologize."

"Yes, yes, yes..." Chief Jefferson quickly agreed, wiping nonexistent sweat from his brow.

Nicholas' jaw tightened, his black eyes burning with barely contained fury.

"Nick, how can you take her side? I'm the one lying here! I want Ariana to pay! I want her to pay with her life!"

I lifted my gaze toward Claudia in the distance. My calm expression sharpened with a cold edge. "Shut up!"

Claudia trembled in fright and suddenly stopped crying, her sobs turning into muffled whimpers. Perhaps she felt too wronged, and she burst into tears again. Her cries were grating and unnerving.

*Oh, Ms. Quirk, please stop crying!" Chief Jefferson's smile almost split his face. He'd long known family matters were the hardest to meddle in.

"Stop crying, for god's sake! All you do is wail and moan. Whoever's near you is doomed!" Yasmine cursed loudly. I felt weary and turned to Chief Jefferson. "If there's nothing else, I'll leave." Chief Jefferson immediately agreed, "Of course, of course. Please, go ahead."

I turned to Yasmine. "Let's just forget about this. I won't hold it against her."

Yasmine's eyes widened in shock. "She's spreading lies online, ruining your reputation, and dragging the law firm into it. You might be forgiving, but I can't just let that slide!"

"Alright, alright. Some things you don't know, Yasmine. Just trust me on this."

The cause of all this was indeed me. If Claudia losing her legs could make her less reckless in the future, I could let the past go.

After all, I'd decided to cut all ties with Nicholas. The past was the past. And it wasn't my father who died. If he thought this was enough punishment for her, so be it.

I glanced indifferently at Nicholas. After pondering for a moment, I realized I had nothing to say to him. I turned and walked away.

Neal caught up with me from behind. "Ari, let me walk you out."

I nodded, but someone suddenly grabbed me from behind. Nicholas shoved himself between Neal and me, shouting, "Get out!"

Neal gritted his teeth and was about to follow, but Chief Jefferson held him back. "What's it to you? This is their family business!"

I saw it all, but I didn't want to cause trouble for Neal. I followed Nicholas out of the ward.

He pressed me against the wall, his sharp features etched with barely restrained coldness. "In your heart, no one is wrong except me, is that so?"

Nicholas' eyes were red, his voice tinged with hurt. "Or tell me, Ariana-do I still matter to you at all?"