Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 647

I froze, unable to suppress a furious roar—I had never been so angry in my life.

"What kind of nonsense orders are those? Are orders more important than a life?" Gripping Neal's collar with both hands, I shook him forcefully. "Hurry! Neal, I'm begging you!"

His indifferent demeanor made me feel like being thrown into icy waters. Every cell in my body seemed to freeze.

He grabbed my hands tightly. "Your palms are bleeding. Stop moving, or the wound will worsen!"

I ignored his words completely. I couldn't even feel the pain. "What does a little blood matter compared to someone's life? Neal, how can you be so cold-blooded? Are orders really more important than lives?!"

I stared at him, my eyes filled with both confusion and fury.

"Yes. It's more important." The first lesson they learned was obedience.

When those words left his mouth, my mind was overwhelmed by a chaotic buzz, leaving me utterly blank. I could hardly bear the thought of what would happen if that man lost his life.

I let out a bitter laugh. Pray? Would that help?

"This is my problem. No one else needs to get involved. I'm the one they want!"

Leaving those words behind, I turned to rush back inside, but Neal's quick reflexes yanked me back.

"Ari, don't be reckless! This has already escalated beyond what you can handle. Either I send you away, or you stay put here.

"I've already reported the footage your friend captured and requested immediate action. Our people are all around. Once the orders come through..."

I shoved him hard. "Get out of my way! I don't need your help! I'll trade myself for him—they'll definitely agree!"

I didn't know where I found the strength, but I nearly broke free. Neal pinned me tightly to his chest, speaking in a low, soothing tone, "Everything will be okay. Calm down!"

I didn't know if he was talking to me or to himself. He glanced toward the second floor and murmured, "He's undergone the most rigorous training. He's the best in our team. He has a child to care for. He wouldn't sacrifice himself."

The glass on the second floor shattered, and a figure plummeted from above. The crowd scattered, screaming.

I stood frozen, staring blankly at the scene in front of me, leaning dazedly against Nicholas's chest. I hadn't even finished my sentence…

"It seems... we're too late..."

Resignation washed over me as I let go of Nicholas's shirt, staring at the patch of red on the ground. My entire being felt like it had fallen into an icy abyss.

Suddenly, darkness consumed my vision. Nicholas's tight voice sounded above me.

"Ari, don't look."

I blinked in confusion and gently pushed away the hand blocking my view. "It's fine."

I tried to step forward, but for some reason, my vision remained pitch black. Almost as soon as I lifted my leg, my consciousness faded away...