Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

Chapter 0532

I got into the car and saw Nicholas outside through the window, kicking at a patch of grass with a gloomy look on his face.

Douglas glanced at me. "Ms. Jones, did you and Mr. Hawk make up?"

Upon hearing that, I lifted my gaze and caught the confusion in his eyes through the rearview mirror. I shook my head. "A crack in a relationship doesn't heal so easily."

There were too many painful memories between us. How could we ever just make up?

And honestly, I had no idea why he was suddenly acting nice after just recently declaring he would make me pay. If it was only because I had his child...

The thought left me cold. To be honest, it scared me.

'True. But it does seem like you're less resistant to him now."

His words jolted me, leaving me feeling exposed. I scrambled for an excuse. "After all, he is Tabitha's father. And he did just save me. It's only natural to..."

I trailed off, unable to keep up the pretense. My mind was a tangled mess.

I had sworn I didn't want to get tangled up with him again. I was trying to embrace Pete's feelings. But somehow, it always seemed to go wrong at the last moment.

As for my feelings for Nicholas, I couldn't describe it, but I was sure it was definitely not love.

Perhaps I didn't hate him as much anymore. Maybe I had found some peace and moved on.

I said firmly, "Anyway, there is no chance for us."

Douglas pressed his lips together and said nothing more.

We had just taken our seats in the restaurant when we heard a commotion outside. A waiter was trying to hold someone back.

"Sir, even if it's you, you can't enter! This private room has been reserved by Ms. Jones."

Since I was meeting Douglas to discuss business and also indulging my craving for good food, I had splurged a little to book this place with its high level of privacy. Who else would even know we were here?

Douglas stood and glanced outside. "I'll go check it out."

Just then, a deep male voice came through, annoyed. "You know who I am! Now, step aside."

Douglas paused, glancing back at me with an uncertain look. I knew he wasn't the only one put in an awkward spot. The waiter outside was probably in an even worse position.

A place like this valued its reputation above all else. If word got out that someone forced their way into a private room, business clients would blacklist them instantly.

I sighed and nodded, gesturing for him to let the man in.

Douglas nodded and opened the door, revealing Nicholas dressed all in black. He looked ready to explode, his face dark and stormy from being stopped at the door.

"Mr. Hawk, is there something you need?" I asked from my seat.

Clearing his throat, Nicholas locked his intense gaze on me. "Nothing in particular."

He grabbed a chair, straddling it casually in a corner near the table. Draping his arms over the back, he said, "I just don't want to be apart from you."

What nonsense was he spouting now? Since he hadn't barged over to our table, I ignored him, tuming back to Douglas and pulling out the files. One by one, we went through each detail carefully.

After everything that happened with Christopher, I didn't want to leave any room for danger in my life. If Nicholas could monopolize businesses here in Radiant City, then why couldn't I do the same?

The cramped space was filled with palpable tension as I felt his intense gaze burning into the back of my neck. It was almost impossible to focus on my conversation with Douglas.

I forced myself to speak up.

"Spread the word about Christopher hosting the naked feast. The public's tolerance for that is low. Let's ruin his reputation first. With his name in the dirt, who's going to take his company's medicines?"

Nicholas's eyelids drooped. Perhaps he was a bit weary over the last couple of days, his voice was low.

"If you want, I can help crash his stock. Once he's broke, things are bound to get messy. All those skeletons in his closet, you can use them however you like."

Nicholas's thoughts aligned with mine, but this was something I could handle on my own now.

'This isn't a game. I want this to last, to warn those who want to bring me down."