Trouble in Paradise

As if on cue, my heart began pounding.

"I didn't say anything to her," I retorted.

"Shut up. Just go to her college. If Claudia is hurt, you will pay for everything you've done!"

Nicholas' cold voice was even more distressing than the sound of the call hanging up.

I looked up at Pete and Silas. I knew I had to do as Nicholas said. "Um, I..."

I wasn't sure what to say. Before I could think of something, Pete picked up his car keys from the table and stood up." Claudia is like a sister to me too. I should check on her." The Hawks and the Shelmans went back a long way, so it wasn't strange for Pete to treat Claudia like a sister.

I smiled bitterly. The world was full of Claudia's brothers.

If something had really happened to her, would they both

blame me?

Silas' smile was kind. "You might as well go with Mr. Shelman, Ariana."

Since it was urgent, I did not refuse the offer.

"Thank you, Mr. Harmon. I'll treat you to lunch some other day."

"Hey, I'm the one driving you," Pete said unhappily.

I ignored him and just gave him the address to Claudia's college. He tapped the steering wheel and asked cautiously," What's up with Claudia? Why is she staying at your house?"

I was surprised that Pete was interested in this matter, but whatever happened, it was still a familial matter that should stay within the family. "Why are you asking me? She's like your sister, isn't she?" I was not interested in him at all. I still resented him for making

me drink two bottles of vodka.

Pete gasped. "You just have to be stubborn, don't you? I will kick you out of my car and let you walk the rest of the way, your know."

"Stop the car," I said without hesitation.

"Do you really think I won't?"

"Stop the car! I am in no mood to fight with you!"

Pete stopped in front of a residential area. I didn't know where we were, but there was a queue of cabs lined outside the residential area.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

I got into one of the cabs. As we drove away, I could still hear Pete banging on his steering wheel in frustration.

Claudia's teacher was sporting a black eye when she turned up to greet me.

Claudia had fought with one of her classmates. When the teacher tried to intervene, she got caught in the crossfire. 2/3

She told me that the classmate was injured and was in the infirmary. Her parents had arrived, and they were very upset. Claudia clasped her hands together nervously. As soon as she saw me, she grabbed my arm. "Ariana, where's Nick?" "He'll be here soon."

My attention was focused on her face, where there was a crimson scratch. It was obvious that the injury was from a woman. If Nicholas saw this, he might blame it on me.

I grabbed Claudia by the chin and snapped a few photos of her injury as proof. Then, I brought her to the infirmary.

As soon as we entered, Claudia's classmate's parents voiced their request. "Give us 50 thousand dollars, and we won't press charges!"

I shielded Claudia behind me and stood up to them. "We should call the police first and launch a thorough investigation.

"Besides that, we also need to assess their injuries. If Claudia instigated the fight, we will compensate you accordingly and apologize. If your daughter was the one who instigated the fight, then..." Before I could finish, the woman before me interrupted me. Who are you? Are you blind? Can't you see that my daughter is bedridden? You look young. Are you her

stepmother? I should have known; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, after all. Just admit that you don't want to pay up!"