"Christopher?" I gasped.
I had planned to slip away quietly, but Christopher's desperate cries were so loud they drew a crowd.
It was then I realized Coral Villa looked the same as before, yet it had changed in so many ways. Otherwise, where did all these people come from?
A guard in black kicked Christopher hard in the back, sending him sprawling face-first into the ground. Another guard pinned his arms behind him, while two more stood in front of me protectively.
As I looked back, Nicholas strode forward, trailed by a line of caretakers. The scene was so absurd that I didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Nicholas reached me in a few quick steps and pulled me behind him. "Are you hurt?"
I shook my head and instinctively pushed his hand away, putting some distance between us. I pretended not to notice the fleeting disappointment in his eyes as I walked up to Christopher and looked down at him.
Blood and dust clung to Christopher's lips as he lay on the ground, pleading.
"Ariana, please. I know I was wrong. Please, ask Mr. Hawk to show mercy, to spare my family. My son is only 10 years old—he needs his father.
"Ariana, you have a child too. You know what it's like for a child to grow up without a father, what they'll have to face. Ariana, please, I'm begging you…"
I had never seen someone plead like this as if each word were a knife aimed at my heart. My Tabitha didn't have a father either...
Before I could react, Nicholas took a step forward. His leather shoes landed squarely on Christopher's mouth. I had never seen him with such a fierce expression.
"I let you out so you could handle your family's affairs, not to make a nuisance of yourself in front of my wife."
Nicholas chuckled abruptly, dispelling the previous gloom. His eyes sparkled as he looked at me. "If you think so, then so be it."
But his face grew serious again as he turned back to Christopher, his expression hard and cold.
Christopher shuddered on the ground. I didn't pay much attention and said casually, as if discussing today's weather, "Let me handle this."
I had always tried to keep things quiet, not wanting to escalate conflicts. I knew I wasn't cut out for business and had taken on the position of president solely to protect myself when necessary.
But keeping a low profile wasn't working. Some things couldn't be left unattended. Either I lived in fear forever or got rid of the problem at the root.
I recalled the time Christopher drugged me and left me in that car. I would never want to go through that again.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
What the hell??? The lead character's train of thought and reasoning is too annoying for a successful and brilliant lawyer. WTF....
The leads were supposed to be successful in their fields, but were presented as stupid. So unbearable....
Please upload twins-the unforeseen legacy of my ex's uncle-in-law...
Unrealistic story. Siblings in love?...