Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 678

The ambulance arrived swiftly, its flashing red warning lights casting Yasmine's pale face in an even starker hue.

She got into the ambulance with Leo, while Nicholas and I drove together to the hospital.

Nicholas sighed regretfully, "I arranged everything as quickly as I could, but I was still a bit late."

I turned to look at him, noticing how tightly his fingers gripped the steering wheel. He was frustrated, feeling guilty for not handling things perfectly. But I knew he had already done his best.

He had accomplished something even Neal, with his official position, couldn't achieve. I could only imagine how much effort he had poured into this matter.

A simple "thank you" lingered on the tip of my tongue. Saying it felt too insincere, but not saying it seemed cold.

Nicholas noticed my conflicted expression through the rearview mirror. While waiting at a red light, he reached out to touch my cheek gently. "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

I said nothing and followed the ambulance. All the way to the operating room, my heart was hanging in suspense.

Because of me, Yasmine had always harbored hostility toward Nicholas. However, she was reasonable and knew how much he had contributed to the situation. For the first time in her life, she bowed her head to him.

Nicholas supported her lightly and said, "No need to thank me. I did it all for Ari."

Exhausted, Yasmine leaned against the cold hospital wall, her eyes closed. She then turned to me and said, "Ari, can I speak to Nicholas alone?"

I froze momentarily. "Of course!"

I assumed it had something to do with Leo, possibly involving confidential information. Naturally, I was willing to give them space to talk privately.

"Nicholas, please take care of Yasmine for me," I said.

Her emotions had been through a rollercoaster, leaving her in such a fragile state that she could end up in a hospital bed herself.

Nicholas nodded slightly. "Don't wander too far."

Yasmine smiled faintly. As expected, Nicholas was still the same—cold and indifferent to anyone but me.

"I just have one question. Was Claudia caught this time? I was so worried earlier that I forgot to pay attention to that detail."

Nicholas nodded firmly. "She was in a wheelchair. There was no way for her to escape. The police detained her in the backstage control room."

"That's a relief."

Suddenly, Yasmine looked up at the man standing a short distance away. "Nicholas, how much do you know about what happened before and after Ari went abroad?"

"What do you mean?"

Nicholas' fists, hanging by his sides, clenched restlessly. The word "abroad" was like a switch to all his vulnerabilities. At even the slightest mention, he grew irritable and uneasy.

"Ari actually wanted to stay. It was your choice that pushed her away. It was your choice that forced her to leave!"