Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

My face darkened immediately. If I had not heard what Frances said, I might have enjoyed watching how she and Claudia turned against each other.

But how could they do such a thing? Claudia should know what Daniel meant to Nick. Did she not love Nick? How could she bear to see him go through the pain of losing his father?

Earlier this year, Nick and I argued because I went abroad without telling him, which delayed our return home.

Nick was worried about Daniel spending New Year's alone. So, he sent Claudia back first to accompany Daniel.

However, little did we know, the one who returned was not the stepdaughter who had enjoyed life as the Hawk family's princess for over a decade, but a murderer.

At that time, Daniel was already at the end of his rope, barely hanging on thanks to the hospital's care. Even when the doctors said Daniel's condition had improved over New Year's, Nick didn't dare let his guard down. We all understood it was likely the final flare of life before an old man's passing.

So when news came from home that Daniel had passed away, even though Nick was heartbroken, he did not show much emotion on the surface. I knew he had probably prepared himself countless times for that day...

A question then arose in my mind. Should I tell Nick? If he knew that the special person he trusted and cherished in this world called "Claudia" had killed his dearest family member, how would he react?

Neal looked at me questioningly. I said softly, "During New Year's, Nick's father, Daniel, passed away. Nick and I were abroad at the time."

"Murder!" Neal was also shocked.

I nodded tiredly. "It sounds that way. Daniel had been ill for a long time. The doctors said there was no chance of recovery, it was just a matter of time, so Nick and I didn't think much of it."

Neal's pupils trembled. He had not interacted with Ariana much. But recently, their encounters always involved that man called Nick. He knew that due to his profession, too much contact with her was not good. Yet, all the good and bad seemed to revolve around that man. After all this time, he no longer harbored unrealistic fantasies about me. But hearing me so naturally say "Nick and I" still filled him with uncontrollable envy.

He was silent for a moment and then calmly looked away. "Which hospital? What other information can you provide? I'll send someone to investigate right away."

Actually, during that time, things

between Nick and I had been

unstable. We rarely visited Daniel, so

I did not know much. After telling Neal what I knew, I added, "If

needed, I can contact Nick. He was

Hew

more involved with his father's care."

I thought Nick needed to know about this. How he would view Claudia afterward was his business. I just wanted to do what I felt was right.

"For now, let's not alarm anyone else. If necessary, we'll contact them for cooperation in the investigation."

By this time, Claudia had rushed to the conference room to meet her mother. As soon as she entered, Frances tried to snatch Claudia's handbag like a mad woman. I assumed Nick's card was inside.

Not wanting to watch more of their

sordid affairs signaled Neal to send people in to control them. When the plainclothes officers burst in, both women were visibly

stunned. Frozen in their string

they looked nothing like the once-glamorous matriarch and princess of the Hawk family.

Only when the officers showed their badges and mentioned charges of premeditated murder and embezzlement did they snap out of it and release each other.

Standing quietly outside, I watched as they were handcuffed and forcibly led out of the conference room. The commotion had already attracted many Hawk Corporation employees.

By relying on her status as Nick's sister, Claudia had always been arrogant and domineering at Hawk Corp.

Seeing her in handcuffs now, many could not hide their smiles of satisfaction. Frances felt even more humiliated. She just glared at me hatefully, wishing she could bury her face in shame.

Just as they were about to be taken

away, I called for them to stop. Walking in flats, I exuded an

incredibly firm presence. I struck et

them with two swift slaps. One slap each. Thad wanted to do this since hearing Frances's phone call!

Frances was stunned. Clearly, in all her years, she had never been slapped by someone younger than her.

"Ariana! Officers, arrest Ariana too! She framed us!" Frances cried out.

Claudia jumped in. "Yes, officer. It was her! We're innocent! We've been wronged!"

I snickered dismissively before turning to leave. "Save it for the police station."