Trouble in Paradise



Chapter 0656

I nodded slightly. When Neal glanced at Nicholas, he also gave a nod.

For the first time in days, Neal finally smiled. He was thrilled. "I happen to have some free time right now. I'll take you there!"

Nicholas frowned. "That won't be necessary. I know the address. Ariana and I can go by ourselves."

After he finished speaking, he tilted his head slightly toward me, signaling for me to follow him.

I walked over and said softly, "Nicholas, wait for me outside. I need to have a word with Neal. "What can't I hear? Do you two have secrets?" A faint trace of anger surfaced on Nicholas' calm face. The feeling was unpleasant-he didn't want his Ariana to share secrets with anyone else.

"Can't I stay?" He asked again, though his words were directed at me. His cold gaze, however, was firmly locked on Neal.noveldrama

Neal sat calmly at his desk, neither responding to Nicholas nor rushing to take me to the child.

"Nicholas, go outside. I tugged at his sleeve.

"Got it." His response was deliberate and measured, every word dripping with a biting frustration, as though he had just heard something absurd yet undeniable.

Once I was sure he had left. I turned back to Neal. "Did you see the photo wall on the third floor of The Secret?"

Neal pursed his lips and nodded. "I'm sorry, but the photos can't be returned to you right now. However, I can promise you that everything that happened in The Secret will become evidence for prosecution in the future."

My gaze flickered. "Future? When is that?"

Neal fell silent for a long time before replying, "The impact of this case is immense. I can't give you an exact timeline-it could take six months, a year, maybe even several years..."

I clenched my phone tightly in my hand, trying to suppress the intense hatred threatening to overwhelm me. I knew the truth would take time to surface, but I didn't have that kind of time to wait.

This matter had to be resolved as a priority above all else. "If there's currently no evidence to implicate Nelson, then let me be the one to do it.

"Use my photos to implicate him. Let public opinion condemn him. I'll stir up enough noise that when higher authorities start investigating, there will naturally be opportunities to connect the dots."

Thad other matters to attend to, and I wanted to bring everything to a swift conclusion. Neal's mind churned with countless thoughts, but in the end, all that remained was heartache. "Ari, let yourself go."

I smiled faintly. I wanted to let go too, but they wouldn't let me.

I didn't continue the conversation about Nelson. Instead, I shifted the topic. "Neal, once I've handled the matter with the child, let's set a time to revisit Frances' case."

Neal was visibly alarmed. "What are you planning to do?"

"I want Claudia to face justice and restore everything to its rightful place." "Restore how?"

It felt like we were speaking in riddles, and even our voices unconsciously grew heavy. When the people don't report, the officials won't investigate. When the people do, the officials have no choice but to act. I'll focus my efforts on Frances and have her personally send Claudia to prison."

If all went according to plan, I would walk away unscathed. If anything went wrong, I would ensure no one else was implicated.

After a hasty discussion with Neal for nearly an hour, I finally left his office. When I returned to the car, Nicholas had just ended a phone call, his brows still furrowed and showing no signs of relaxing.