Trouble in Paradise

"Nicholas, in the future, please only come to me when you genuinely need me to fulfill our agreement.

"I have a daughter, and she needs me more than anything, so don't joke around with me like you did today. My life will never revolve around you."

I randomly hailed a cab off the street. Nicholas didn't chase after me. Through the window, I watched as his figure quickly faded into the night as the car pulled away.

My palm, still red from the slap, trembled from the pain. Who knew slapping someone could hurt this much? But why couldn't I hold back? Why did I have to hit him? Before I returned home, I had already decided to act indifferent and pridefully make my appearance before everyone, including him.

In the dim light of the night, Nicholas pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. His eyes were filled with a mix of emotions.

Once again, I turned my back to him and walked away.

When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse with confusion. "Did I push her too hard?"

Beth stood a step behind him. She stared at her shoes silently, pretending to be invisible. No one could interfere in matters of the heart, and outsiders had no place to judge.

Besides, she was partly responsible for that slap Nicholas received. But somehow, it showed that I still cared. In a way, he didn't get slapped for nothing.

Nicholas's eyes were bloodshot, and his expression turned grim. "Tell them I had something come up."

He turned and headed toward the car, but Beth called after him, "Mr. Hawk!"

Nicholas paused in his steps but didn't turn around.

Beth hurried to explain, "Mr. Hawk, you arranged work for Mrs. Hawk because you wanted her to stay in the country longer. But you knew she would ask me for the contracts you signed with the shareholders of Jones Corporation. "Why did you ask me to comply with her request? Once she realizes everything is in order, won't she leave even faster?"

Upon hearing her words, Nicholas turned around. His usually calm eyes were now cold and sharp, full of warnings.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hawk." Beth quickly lowered her gaze, limping forward as she pulled a paper bag from her bag and handed it over.

"Mrs. Hawk brought this last night. She bought it for you."

The coldness in Nicholas's face eased slightly as he took the paper bag. The rustling sound echoed in his grip. "Ariana?" Did I really come to see him last night? Then the dreams he had...Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Yes, she came!" Beth confirmed his thoughts and added, "She knew you had drank too much, so she bought you some hangover medicine. The burn ointment you used today was also from her."

A faint smile tugged at the corners е of Nicholas's lips. Suddenly, the burn on his hand didn't hurt and

ever the red mark from the

seemed to fade.

Could it be that he really did something to make me this mad?

The thought of his dream last night made a warmth surge through him. In the dream, I was more proactive, and he had even played coy and rejected me...

But Nicholas quickly regained his composure. He believed he behaved well after drinking. When he drank too much, he just liked to sleep.

Even though it had been three years

since he touched a woman, he couldn't have been so desperate to do something while drunk. Besides, someone truly drunk, wouldn't even be able to stand!

el.net swn yel.

He cautiously asked, "She didn't do anything to me, right?"

Beth was at a loss for words but didn't dare show it. She carefully asked, "You really don't remember anything?"

Nicholas frowned, his voice deepening. "What should I remember?"

"If Mrs. Hawk had done something to you, that ointment wouldn't be in my hands."

"Cut to the chase," he urged. But the next second, he heard something that nearly made his world collapse.

Beth said, "When Mrs. Hawk came in, Ms. Claudia was sitting on top of you..."