Trouble in Paradise

I called the nurse over for Jasmine then left the hospital in a daze. It was bright out, but my heart was so gloomy that it was as though it was wrapped in gray lace. I couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't anymore. That was when my phone rang. The call was from Daniel.

"Dad..."

I only managed to squeeze a single word out before Daniel's angry roar interrupted me.

"Ariana Jones!" roared Daniel. It seemed like he had recovered as he showed no sign of being sick at all. "I told you to find a way to get Nicholas to hate you, but I didn't tell you to hurt Jasmine or his baby!"All content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

...

Claudia made a spectacular move. It looked as though I was the one who benefitted the most from Jasmine being barren. That was why everybody's first reaction was to assume that I did it.

Still, I was a lawyer. I wondered if they had truly underestimated my moral codes, or if capitalists thought that breaking the law wouldn't bring about any consequences.

There was a moment when I was too weak to defend myself. I wondered if the only way to have a proper conversation with them was to turn into creatures like them.

Daniel coughed violently. His anger had gotten the best of him, and he roared, "Ariana, if you want the money I promised you, then you must immediately find a woman to replace Jasmine. You even have to make this other woman give birth to Nicholas' child willingly." I arched my brows. After that, I found a bench by the side of the road and sat down. I said, "How kind of you. You're not even suing me or anything."

Daniel's tone brimmed with disdain when he replied, "Why would I seek justice for a stranger? After all, the two of us have regarded each other as daughter and father for four years. Still, I have to tell you that your method has touched my nerve.

"If something similar happens again, I will no longer hold myself back on account of the rapport we built!"

I stared at the cars zipping past the road. My mind couldn't help dissing Daniel for his shitty lie. Even Nicholas had zero feelings for me, so there was no way Daniel cared about it.

He was only merciful because he wasn't nearly as healthy as he used to be. I concluded that Daniel couldn't go after me, so he decided he might as well con me into achieving his goals for him.

My voice showed no emotion when I replied, "Don't you already have a good candidate right in front of you?"

"Who are you talking about?"

"Your step-daughter, of course. She loves her brother so dearly."

Daniel raised his voice and warned, "Watch your language. The Hawk family's pride will not be tarnished!"

He was mad, so he spoke rather quickly. "She is just a bastard Frances had with another guy. That woman will not pollute our gene pool."

"Dad," I said calmly. I didn't know why, but surprisingly, I wanted to explain everything to Daniel. Even if no one else in the world believed me, it would give me some to have one person believe me. NovelDrama.Org

Daniel didn't like Claudia, and that was why I wanted to try.

"I know the truth behind Jasmine's incident. Claudia had been scheming and wanted to hurt her ever since she got back to the country. "Claudia was the one who hired the criminal who assaulted Jasmine. Nicholas will never have a proper wife so long as she is around. "Oh, naturally, I don't have any evidence to prove that. You'll have to decide if you trust me."

I chuckled and tested the water by saying, "I can find a woman to have Nicholas' child, but Claudia will always be a threat.

"Besides, will

Nicholas even listen to

you and go have a kid with a

stranger? From what I see, Nicholas seems to love Claudia too. Why not let them try? Maybe you'll have an heir soon after."

"I will investigate what you said," replied Daniel. He remained quiet for a few moments.

His voice instantly became much weaker when he said, "I initially planned to leave some assets for that mother-daughter duo, but they have hurt the Hawk family's heir. "Under these circumstances, no one can blame me for leaving nothing to them. All you need to do is find a suitable candidate for Nicholas. I will deal with everything else. "No matter how upset Nicholas is, he will still try to have another kid for my sake."

I wasn't sure if should laugh at or be sad about Daniel's determination. All I knew was that there was a moment when the pain in my heart was complemented by the blooming joy of having exacted my revenge.

QUMS

I hung up the call. I planned to return to the hospital before Yasmine clocked off, but to my surprise, a huge shadow loomed over me just before I got up. Nicholas reached out and pinched my chin. He forced me to tilt my head up and look at him.

He bent down slightly. His dark brown eyes narrowed and had a dangerous glint in them. When he spoke, his voice was raspy and his tone was murderous. "What have I overheard here? Ariana, how dare you stomp on my pride like that?"