Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 651

I smiled at Nicholas, but my heart wasn't as light as his seemed to be.

Before I could finish my meal, trouble came knocking—literally.

The door to the hospital room was kicked open, and there stood Leo, his peach-blossom eyes always exuding a certain charm no matter who he looked at.

But now, with a bandage on his head, his expression made it clear he was here to settle a score. Who would have thought fate would land both of us in the same hospital?

"Mr. Hawk seems to be in good spirits, having a date with a lady in the hospital." Leo sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm as if he wanted the whole world to know he was here to pick a fight.

Was it because Douglas didn't give him enough money? Clearly, his brain had been damaged beyond repair, snapping at anyone he saw.

I frowned, about to speak, but Nicholas's glance stopped me. He looked at me with a gentle expression, patting my shoulder.

"Eat."

I glanced at him but stayed quiet.

"If your brain's not working, you should get it checked out. Maybe you're in the wrong place," Nicholas said coldly. Being interrupted during his time with me clearly soured his mood.

"Heh…" Leo chuckled bitterly. "Mr. Hawk doesn't even care how I got this injury before telling me to leave?"

"You've done enough things. Facing some consequences is only fitting," Nicholas replied.

Because of my involvement in The Secret's incident, Nicholas had investigated it further. He'd long known about Nelson's extensive network but initially thought it was just because of old friends in high places. Now it seemed more complicated than that.

People were willing to grant Nelson favors not just because of his influence but also because he held leverage over them.

Money and power, at their core, were just numbers. Hidden desires—those deeply buried impulses—were a person's true weak point. Skillfully exploiting them could achieve far more.