Trouble in Paradise



Chapter 0566

Nicholas' words pierced my heart like needles, making even breathing painful.

I struggled to catch my breath. After taking a deep breath, I lifted my gaze and stared at him intently.

"Nicholas, you once said that at your age, you didn't want to hear about love from me. Now, I'm at the age your were back then, and I think I understand your state of mind. So, let's not talk about those things anymore."

"..." Nicholas' eyes filled with desolation and despair. He looked like he'd been struck by an invisible blow, his figure trembling slightly.

"How can you punish the present me for who I was in the past? Ariana, you're generous with everyone-except me.

I laughed bitterly, tears blurring my vision until they spilled uncontrollably. Taking a deep breath, I wiped away my tears, forcing a carefree smile.

"Nicholas, if you still care about Claudia, you should find someone to properly treat her legs. After all, if she ends up disabled, that's for life."

Nicholas' voice came weakly. "Why would I care about her?"

A sharp pain suddenly shot through my palm. I hadn't realized when my nails had dug into my flesh, drawing blood.

I no longer cared. He didn't need to lie anymore. Sparing Claudia from legal punishment while choosing private, extreme measures to reprimand her only proved he couldn't let her go.

I pursed my lips and spoke after a long pause. "Let's end it here. I'm tired, I want to go home." Nicholas seemed exhausted too. He wanted to keep me but feared I might say something more heartless. He wanted to cover his ears, to turn back time to yesterday when I wasn't facing him with only my back.

Trembling, he leaned against the wall. He was consumed by an overwhelming fear he couldn't escape.

Back in my car, I slumped against the steering wheel, utterly drained. In the end, I called Yasmine, asking her to drive me home. I didn't trust myself to drive safely in this state.

Having Tabitha had changed me. I cherished my life now. I still had Tabitha to take care of, and I couldn't afford any accidents.

I felt a pang of sadness. Nicholas didn't seem to think the same.

Whether it was Tabitha or me, neither was on his mind. He was doing reckless things, not thinking about the consequences.

After a while, Yasmine finally ran out of the hospital building. She helped me move from the driver's seat to the passenger seat, fastened my seatbelt, and slid into the car.

"What's going on between you and Nicholas? You're sick, and now he's not doing well either?" Yasmine asked. Her words startled me. I turned to her. "What do you mean? What happened to him?"

Yasmine sighed as she started the car. "When I came out to find you, I saw him collapsed outside the ward, his body twitching. It freaked me out."

"What happened then?" My heart skipped a beat as I gripped the seat, the leather creaking under my hands. Was Nicholas showing signs of aftereffects again?

"I didn't want to help him at first. But then I thought if you were here, you definitely wouldn't ignore him. So, I called a doctor for him. I didn't know what happened next. But compared to Nicholas, I'm way more worried about you.'

"Yeah, as long as you called a doctor, he'll be fine." I sighed in relief. Exhaustion swept over me, and I sank into the seat.

'Ari, let's come back to Jay Caldwell & Co. You don't look happy. If you want, you can leave Radiant City and go on a business trip to clear your mind. I want you to stay busy, but I don't want to overwork you. I'll set up some business lectures so you can visit different cities. How about that?"

I shook my head. "Yasmine, I'm not going to be a lawyer anymore."

I added firmly, "I won't touch anything related to this industry again."

"Why?" Yasmine's eyes widened.

"You've worked so hard to make a name for yourself abroad. I don't even need to say it-I know how much effort you've put in.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.

"Everything's getting better, and in the domestic market, you just need one opportunity. Once you take it, fame and status will be yours. How can you just give up?"

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

"When lawbreakers have absolute status and power, they receive unprecedented leniency. Even their every move makes law enforcers nervous. It's ironic, isn't it?

"Yasmine, when we mock such people, I realized I've become one of them, I slapped Claudia in public using my position. What's the difference between me and Nicholas?

"I can't be a lawyer anymore. Running a law firm was our dream. Carry on that dream for both of us."