Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

In the conference room, Nicholas stood by the window. He had one hand in his pocket while his long legs were crossed casually. He showed no sign of discomfort, although he was in unfamiliar territory. He was just standing there silently. His mere silhouette carried the weight of authority.

Anyone who didn't know his recent turmoil would never connect this composed figure with the man who had been standing on the edge of a rooftop just days ago, on the verge of breaking down. Just thinking about that moment made me feel like I was falling apart, so much so that I let out a self-mockery laugh.

I wasn't sure if I was breaking down because I had been the straw that broke him, or because I was actually feeling pity for him and blaming myself for it.

Douglas opened the door to the conference room. Nicholas turned just in time to catch the mocking smile on my lips.

He glanced over at Claudia, who was sitting at the conference table. His expression darkened, but he didn't say a word to me. Claudia, however, couldn't hide her smugness from the moment I walked in.

"Ariana, Nick said he's here for business. But I couldn't let him come alone, so I tagged along. You don't mind, do you?"

I answered with a slight nod as I sat down. In a place where no one could see, my hands clenched the file tightly.

Nicholas clenched his teeth, his already gaunt face tightening further. His bloodshot eyes desperately sought any emotion on my face, but he found nothing.

He wasn't confident anymore. He knew full well that I never thought about him, although we hadn't seen each other in the past few days. Despite how close we came to never seeing each other again, it didn't change a thing.

In the past, he would've tried everything to make sure he was in my thoughts. But now? Did he even deserve that anymore?

Lowering his gaze, he stared at the table and muttered coldly, "Let's get this over with."

I let out a soft laugh. Before I could stop myself, I asked, "Are you okay? Does being here make you uncomfortable?"

The moment Nicholas heard those words, his eyes reddened even more. A wave of helplessness washed over him.

How could I possibly care if he was okay? If I truly cared, why would I have left him without even looking back that day?

No matter what happened now, could it be worse than what he went through then? Probably not.

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask so many questions. But the second our eyes met, he swallowed them back down.

My expression was as cold as ice.

He wasn't foolish enough to mistake

polite concern for genuine care. Besides, we weren't married

anymore. How could he expect anything more from me?

Claudia muttered under her breath, "She knows Nick isn't feeling well, yet here we are wasting time. I really don't know what Ariana is thinking!" Douglas stepped out from behind me, pointing at Claudia. "We're not at Hawk Corporation. No one is going to tolerate you!"

She stuck out her tongue and clung to Nicholas's arm, hiding behind him.

I glanced at their intertwined bodies, steadying my mind. "What I need to say isn't suitable for her to hear Are you okay if she steps out for ten minutes?"

I directed my question to Nicholas. When it came to him, I couldn't afford to be careless.

Douglas rolled his eyes. He couldn't

stand to see me enduring such a grievance. He strode over and

grabbed Claudia by her collar. Heret

70-pound body was lifted

unexpectedly. Even her scream lasted only three seconds before being silenced by the door closing.

Nicholas didn't stop him. He took a deep breath, turning to face me.

"Go ahead. If this is about my mom embezzling funds, I think you can drop the charges. I can pay it back."

"I know you can, but you better prepare yourself for what I'm about to say."

My eyes were filled with contradictory struggles. I was holding two documents in my hand, and for a moment, I didn't know how to choose.