Trouble in Paradise

T

Nox, let Ms. Jones go. She didn't mean to push me. I'm fine," said Jasmine, playing the understanding woman.

couldn't help but feel disdain. I had once played the same role for Nicholas, bending over backward to please him in front of Claudia.

I knew all too well the game Jasmine was playing now. I didn't want to be their prop for showing off their affection. So, I kept my head down and waket past mm.

His grip on my wrist tightened as I brushed by, holding me in place. For a inciment, the air between us felt thick and heavy with something unspoken.

In the next second, a burning heat spread from my wrist and climbed up my am. No matter how I tried to pull away his hold only grew stronger.

The heat between us made both of our breaths quicken. His breath was hot against my ear, and the temperature around us seemed to rise.

When I looked up and glared at him, I was caught off guard by the raw, unfiltered emotion in his eyes. It was the dangerous look of a predator before a hunt

Without warning, he yanked me into his arms and said in a hoarse and commanding voice, "You're not leaving won't let you leave!"

His gaze bore into me. He was so close that I could see my pale face and panicked eyes reflected in his dark pupils.

"Nick, this isn't the place to talk. Anyone could walk in now. Let her go and, carry me instead, or people will start gossiping," said Jasmine.

Her voice trembled as she hopped over on one leg, forgetting her injury in her panic. She grabbed Nicholas hand that was wrapped around my wrist and scraped her nails against the back of my hand, which seriously hurt. After a moment's pause, he gradually regained his senses. He slowly released me and said in a hoarse voice. Since you're not holding her accountable, we'll let it go this time."

With that, he scooped Jasmine up in his arms in front of me, kicked open the restroom door, and strode out.

I looked down at my wrist, which was now marked with deep red imprints from his grip, and at the back of my hand, which had a scratch where her nails had dug in.

I wiped the blood off with my other hand. It was a sticky mess, and my fingers trembled from the pain.

When I looked up, I saw Jasmine resting her head on Nicholas' shoulder, her long curls swaying in the air. I had to admit that the scene looked quite picturesque.

I sneered, my lips curling up in mockery. Taking a few quick steps forward, I grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked hard, enough to make even the man carrying her stumble. "Ouch!" she yelped and clutched her scalp.

He stopped abruptly and turned to glare at me. His voice was cold when he asked, "Ariana, what are you doing?"

As if he didn't know what I was doing. I was simply giving back what I had received. She made me bleed, so I wouldn't let her get off easily either.

I raised my hand, aiming to slap her across the face. But in one smooth motion, he shifted, and my palm landed squarely on his arm instead.

He was solid as a brick, thanks to his years of working out. The force of the slap sent shockwaves through my hand, leaving my fingers trembling uncontrollably by my side. Gently, he spoke to Jasmine. "Jasmine, I'll have someone come pick you up."

"No!" She clung to his arm tightly with no intention of letting go..

"It's nothing, really. Ms. Jones is just upset. How could I leave her like this? She was wronged at the party earlier, and I, as her acquaintance, failed to protect her. It's only natural that she'd be angry." huthadas Noholes expression slowly hardened. He was determined to dess Jasmine in front of me wasn't he? How could he ever be conflicted because of me?

I straightened my posture and became serious as well. Raising my injured hand, I held it out toward them with the back of my hand facing up.

"Fine. But you should apologize to me first!"

He furrowed his brows as he shifted his gaze down to my hand. The next second, his face darkened. "What happened?"

My gaze moved to Jasmine. She sighed softly, still trying to mediate. "Ms. Jones must have hurt her hand earlier. She must feel very upset. Nick, don't make things harder for her.

He ignored her words and stared deeply at me as he repeated his question. I'm asking you how it happened."

Did he really not know how it happened?

If it were just the two of us, I might

have believed that there was still some concern for me in his question. But with Jasmine in his arms, it felt like an interrogation instead. In his eyes, no matter who caused it, it couldn't have been him of Jasmine.

A crowd had already gathered around, eager to watch the drama unfold. They started speaking up for Jasmine.

"If they've broken up, she should let go. Why still cling to Mr. Hawk?"

"It's just a minor injury. Does she think Mr. Hawk will feel sorry for her? Ms. Cooper really has a good temperament."

"Mr. Hawk is so considerate for giving his ex-wife this much respect after the divorce."

I let out a cold laugh while clenching my fist tightly by my side. I scanned the room with a sharp gaze and an icy expression. The chatter died down as

hose who hat sucken fell into embarrassed since

The music in the hail, which had been playing comnuousy, abruptly sumer. Me amaspere suddenly became suffocating

Jasmine wriggled out of Nicholas ams and limped over to me. Her eyes bimmed with tears, making her seem even more delicate and pitifull

"Ms. Jones, please don't be angry. They don't know who you are. Don't let it

Before she could finish speaking, I kicked her hard. Just like that her good Tet was hurt too

Sometimes justices had to be taken into one's own hands. I hadn't expected that one day, I'd come to understand this so well.

Watching her stumble, almost

falling, I couldn't heb but tug at the comer of my lips in a smirk.

However, Nicholas, quick as even et

caught her and pullied her case His

gaze full of anger, locked onto me.

"What after identity does she have?"

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In front of everyone, he embarrassed me and then walked away with Jasmine in his arms. I heard her sobbing as she said, "Nick, just let me go back. I don't want to stay here anymore Thave no family, no friends... Just let me fend for myself abroad.."

His voice remained steady as he replied, "Don't talk nonsense. You'll have a

Tome here*

Home. Such a comforting word. No wonder Jasmine was so arrogant all the 1me Nicholas really did promise her that.

She was probably just waiting for him to breathe his last so she could finally step through the Hawk family door.

My eyes stung as I watched him carry her farther and farther away. Around me the crowd wasn't holding back their mockery.

Does she still think she's Mr. Hawk's wife?"NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.

stent moletynymers What's the so pro

They say we are in Wes Haver unaware that was once the cherished Swinginer of the Jones family who was fined with care by my parents. But they did how, so I couldn't blame them, but hearing those words from furrias actually for missed my forte, but I didn't have one

When I got back, I thought about everything that had happened that day. Then, aweed Today, I was in the bathroom when someone came

in to wymy shit to prize for guessing, but do you think that's a crime?"

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