Trouble in Paradise

Nicholas' entire body trembled violently, his mouth opening and closing for a long time without being able to utter a single word.

"My father... wasn't it because of my mother..."

"It was your mother who ordered it, and Claudia carried it out!"

Nicholas still couldn't comprehend, his voice hollow and disoriented. "But..."

Yasmine spoke coldly, "But Claudia was saved from prison by you. She was unscathed and not even a single rumor reached your ears, right?"

Nicholas nodded, his thoughts swirling as he tried to steady himself. "That's impossible. Yes, I got Claudia out, but if what you're saying is true, how could the police not let anything slip to me?

"If someone had leverage like this over me, they wouldn't waste the opportunity-they could've asked me for anything!"

Yasmine gave a bitter laugh. "Exactly, right? How could anyone in the world be so foolish? How could there be someone who does so much and yet asks for nothing in return? Someone who was so worried about your health and even wanted to stay and care for you but couldn't..."

"Why not! I've dreamed of nothing more than having Ariana stay by my side!" Nicholas punched the cold tiles on the floor hard, his voice icy. "What exactly did Ariana do for me?"

Yasmine suppressed her emotions, forcing herself to remain calm as she faced him. "I once asked Ariana why, and she said you didn't need her.noveldrama

"I still remember the sorrow on her face when she said those words. Her tears had run dry, but she kept repeating that without Claudia, you would die, like she was possessed."

"Damn it!" Yasmine cursed under her

breath before suddenly raising her

head, glaring fiercely at the man before her. "Ari was afraid you wouldn't survive, so she altered Frances's testimony!

"That testimony was full of holes-because of you, she turned it into something solid, completely absolving Claudia of any involvement!

"Nicholas, Ari is a lawyer. After

returning to the country, I tried arranging some work for her, but she always declined, saying she was too tired, saying she didn't have the energy, and saying she needed to take care of Tabitha. But Nicholas, do you really believe she didn't want to work?

"For your sake, she's sacrificed nearly her entire life-she lost her love, she couldn't continue her career, and her health deteriorated. She's done so much for you. "After all these years together, all you've brought her is disaster. Do you really think you deserve her?"

Yasmine's words were like daggers stabbing into Nicholas' chest. Leaning against the wall for support, he struggled to his feet. "I'm going to find her right now!" He turned to leave, but Yasmine finally lost control and shouted at him, "Nicholas, stop right there!

"Nicholas, you always think from

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your own perspective, deciding what's right and wrong, giving orders, but Ari is a strong, independent woman. She's not some fragile flower that can be healed with your hollow words of concern. What's the point of going to her now?

"What can you do besides offering her meaningless promises with your so-called 'love', which she doesn't need? What else can you give her?" Nicholas was speechless. Yes, what could he say if he went to me now? Tell me he knew everything? Apologize to me?

But deep down, he knew I didn't need any of that from him. Even when something as serious as Nelson's situation happened, I had chosen not to tell him.

His mind went blank, taking several long minutes before he could compose himself. "I'll resolve everything and let her return to doing what she loves."