Trouble in Paradise

Nicholas was a devoted son. The moment I uttered those disrespectful words, he seemed ready to explode. Before he could react, the maid ascended the stairs and knocked on our door.

Claudia's altercation on campus had drawn the attention of the Hawks. The principal learned that Nicholas planned to transfer Claudia to a different college.

Worried about upsetting the Hawks, the principal called Claudia's parents to apologize.

Frances appeared concerned as she gripped my hand and reprimanded Nicholas, who was seated across from us.

"We've all warned you about spoiling Claudia too much. Look at her now-getting into fights on campus! She's still impressionable and far too young!"

I tightened my grip. Claudia was getting to an age where her infatuation with Nicholas suggested she was more mature than Frances had realized. I sat meekly, watching in silence as Nicholas was scolded. Daniel nodded gravely. "She's been staying with Ari for so long, but hasn't learned anything positive from her!"

"Her?" Nicholas glanced casually at me, sitting across from him and entertained by the scene. He seemed indifferent, and his voice was laced with sarcasm as he continued, "She's so full of herself. Thankfully, Claudia hasn't picked up any of

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those traits!"

I widened my eyes in disbelief, catching Nicholas' malevolent grin. Claudia would've borne that slap if he hadn't pushed me out of the way. I gritted my teeth in anger as I recounted the incident of being struck. Frances was concerned for me. She brushed the strands of hair from my face and gasped sharply. "Oh my! It's badly bruised."

Daniel grabbed an apple from the table and threw it toward Nicholas' head. The fruit exploded as it hit the floor, splattering juice and pulp everywhere. "What good are you if you can't protect your wife and sister?" Nicholas snapped upright, his piercing gaze fixed on me.

Frances flung an orange peel at him, her voice sharp. "Quit glaring at Ari, you brat! Is this settled, or should we involve your dad?"

Nicholas slouched into a moody silence, sinking onto the couch and staring at me with a crestfallen look. Growing impatient with his silence, Daniel and Frances looked to me for explanations.

Unsure of the details myself, I redirected the question to Nicholas. "I'm not entirely sure about the specifics. He's handling the aftermath."

With a worried look for Claudia, Frances urged, "Spill it, you rascal!"

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Nicholas gave a cold glance, skirting around the truth as he explained, "Claudia chose to go back to her dorm, but her classmates thought it was because of the tension between Ariana and me. She was trying to defend us and clarify things." I couldn't help but silently scoff at such a convenient explanation. He was truly bending over backward to defend Claudia.

Daniel and Frances turned to me, then to Nicholas, fully swayed by his words. After a moment's pause, Daniel seemed to recall Nicholas and I had our arguments.

He said, "We should clear up this rumor. Let's host a banquet tomorrow evening!"

When the stylist told me to take a deep breath while she adjusted my gown, I was on the verge of tears. Nicholas had truly screwed me over.

The gown, with its oceanic hues of aquamarine, was

breathtaking. Its scale-like patterns echoed the frothy waves of the deep sea, reflecting light from the bodice to the hem.

The snug fit highlighted my hourglass shape. Despite my slender frame, getting into it proved quite a feat.

Considering backing out, I suggested to the stylist, "Perhaps we should try something else."

Instantly, a subtle warmth spread across the back of my neck. A finger delicately traced down my spine.

"Isn't this the one you picked?" Nicholas' sudden voice startled me. I didn't realize he had approached from behind and taken over from the stylist.