Trouble in Paradise

I still remember how Pete had crashed my wedding. That was why I always tried to show off how happy I was with Nicholas. I'd successfully tricked him and tricked myself in the process.

I wanted to tell him that it wasn't that Nicholas never spent any money on me. On the contrary, he'd spent so much on me that I would never be able to pay him back.

At that point, I was still conscious, but my throat felt disconnected from the rest of me. Apart from weak whimpers, I couldn't say anything. My body slumped to the ground.

"Shit!" Pete came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my stomach. He made me double over. Silas helped him hold my head down. I felt alcohol leaking out of my nose and eyes.

"It hurts..." The sting of the alcohol made it impossible for me to open my eyes. "Stop it. I'm going to die."

Pete's neck reddened. The redness spread up to his ears. He kept his arms tight around my stomach and heaved rhythmically to force me to throw up. His voice was strangely gentle. "Shut the fuck up. Don't... say things like that."

"I hate you! I'm going to tell my dad to beat you up, Pete. It hurts

Just then, Ms. Gardner opened the door and entered.

Immediately, she covered her eyes with her hands, leaving slits between her fingers to peek at the scene before her. She didn't know what to do.

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"Mrs... Mrs. Hawk's butt is on Mr. Shelman's lap," she muttered while sounding perplexed. "And there's another man in front of her holding down her head..."

She raised her voice. "Let go of her, quick! Mr. Hawk is here!"

Mr. Hawk? Nicholas Hawk?

I tilted my head. Blurrily, I saw Nicholas approaching us. His demeanor was as cold as ever. When I saw him, my eyes blurred with liquid. I wasn't sure if they were tears or alcohol. Nicholas' eyes were unusually cold. His gaze landed on me. What are you doing?" he asked coldly.

The three of us did not make a pretty scene. The room was dim, which made whatever movements we made pretty suggestive. However, neither Pete nor Silas loosened their hold on me.

Pete's voice sounded from somewhere above me. "Your wife came here to ask me for money. If you'd been a little more generous to your wife, Nick, we wouldn't be here right now. She drank a little too much and threw up. I hope this isn't too big a deal for you." Nicholas scoffed as a light smile appeared on his face. "Of course not. Are you done now, then? If you're done, I'll take her back. Our family is waiting for her back home."

Pete stared at Nicholas. He was shocked by his calmness. "I mean, it wasn't mindblowing, but since you asked for her, she can go."

Nicholas held out his hand as if asking for his elegant partner for a dance. However, all he got was me, piss-drunk and disgusting.

His grip was so tight that it hurt. I moaned in his arms. "Ow... it hurts..."

Pete frowned and tightened his grip on me again. "She said you're hurting her. Didn't you hear her?" a

Nicholas pursed his lips. He did not say anything. He just stared at Pete's hand on me.

Pete smiled innocently before letting go nonchalantly. "What's with that look, Mr. Hawk? You're not planning to take revenge on me in some other way, are you? If you are, be warned that I will fight back." Nicholas' expression remained stoic. "Don't worry. She's not worth it!"

He picked me up in a bridal carry style and left, leaving Pete looking strangely conflicted. His fists were clenched.