Trouble in Paradise



"Oh?" Christopher chuckled softly. "Ariana, you really do resemble Mr. Jones."

His words sounded complimentary, but his tone made me uncomfortable. The way he laughed reminded me of a snake with broken fangs flicking its tongue. It didn't bite, but it was unsettling all the same.

I felt a wave of frustration rise. How had Nicholas managed to navigate these negotiations with so many slippery players? Just dealing with Christopher alone had me drained.

Suppressing my emotions, I tilted my head slightly and smiled at Christopher. "Well, I am his daughter, after all. I can't help but take after him."

Christopher stroked his chin thoughtfully, deep in contemplation.

Lately, bank loans had become challenging to secure, which was putting a strain on his plans. If he wanted to participate in the bidding, he had no confidence in securing that piece of land. Otherwise, he wouldn't resort to such desperate measures.

But taking that step...

After a moment's hesitation, Christopher grinned and said, "Let's talk privately."

I nodded, following him into a secluded private room in the restaurant. Christopher took the seat opposite me and spoke first.

"I do have a sentimental attachment to that piece of land. I personally handled the planning documents, intending to open an ecological zoo as a birthday gift for my son.

"But even though now he's almost ten, I still haven't fulfilled this promise. A father should keep his word, don't you agree?"

"Of course. A child's wish should be fulfilled. But what's in it for me?"

"If the contact you recommend is as useful as you say, have Mr. Preston come to me, and you can name your conditions."

I tapped my fingers on the table twice. "Mr. Newton, do you really think I'm still a child? Do you expect me to believe in such empty promises?"

Christopher's smile darkened, his expression as sharp as a blade. This wasn't an ordinary lunch meeting for either of us. We were both here with our own agendas.

It took an hour of negotiation. He finally agreed to sign a guarantee that he wouldn't engage in malicious competition with Jones Corporation for the next ten years. Dealing with him was much more challenging than communicating with my own clients.

But I was satisfied with the outcome. I pulled out the photo of Claudia and Nelson kissing in the car and pushed it face down toward Christopher.

"Finding her will be much more effective than looking for me. Heroes always struggle with beautiful women."

"H-How is this possible?"

Christopher stared at the photo, disbelief etched across his face. His face was a mirror of my own reaction when I first discovered it.

Who would have thought a 20-year-old girl would be entangled with a man over 50?

He snapped out of his daze, suddenly shoving his chair back so forcefully it hit the wall. He slammed the photo on the table.

"Bitch! Get out here!"Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Christopher strode over to a bookshelf in the room and forcefully pushed a book, causing the entire shelf to slowly shift to the right. It turned out that this private room had a hidden area behind the shelf.

He marched into the hidden area. Moments later, he emerged dragging a woman by her hair. He threw Claudia at my feet, his face twisted with a sinister grin.

"No wonder you're related. Even your methods are identical!"

He kicked Claudia in the stomach. "Bitch! You knew Nelson all along and kept it from me! And you had me scheming against Ariana instead!"

Claudia curled up on the floor. Shielding her head, she was trapped with nowhere to escape. Everything had happened far too suddenly.