Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

Chapter 0409

I really didn't want Hawk Corporation's shares, but tempting Frances was just as true.

Facing such temptation, Frances didn't even pretend to think it over. She immediately agreed. I knew she wouldn't resist

1 had already spoken with Douglas about slowly transferring the shares to her. We would always keep it just "a little short".

When it was so close, people tended to lose their patience. It would be easier to manipulate them.

I smiled as I watched her leave. I didn't tell Frances to go find Nicholas at Hawk Corporation. She should know better than I did where he was.

Back in my bedroom, I called my friend Deena, who was abroad. She sounded tired but excited. After some small talk, I got straight to the point.

"Do you still know anyone reliable in the country? I want to test some herbal tonic."

Deena immediately grew serious, her voice taking on the professional calmness of a doctor. "If I were back home, I would test it for you myself. Tell me, what happened?"

Honestly, I wasn't sure what was happening, but something about Frances's expression earlier felt off. Her sincerity seemed real. But she talked too much, and there were too many little movements.

In the past, if Frances had handed me a bowl of poison with a smile, I would've trusted her and drunk it without a second thought. But now, even if it were a bowl of dessert, I wouldn't touch it.

"Recently, I've been feeling unwell, and someone sent me some herbal tonics. I just want to check if they're really beneficial..."

That night, I woke up from a nightmare. I dreamed of Nicholas jumping off a tall building. Even after waking, I could still vividly recall the blood splattering in front of me.

to calm down. Alone in the dark, I blinked and reached out to touch

hadn't come home. I realized there was no point in staying at his house anymore. I could go back to the house

remembered how, not too long ago, I had felt like there were secrets between her and Nicholas in that room. I had

I could go wherever I wanted in this manor. Nicholas wasn't home, and Frances was eager to please me. The

didn't expect was Nicholas ignoring me completely, granting me such overwhelming freedom. I felt strange. I had even asked Pete for an

to adest that, after that dream, the lack of news was making me uneasy. So I

Just as

you calling so late? Do you

the time. It was 1:58 am. I heard Claudia's voice

end

what to

phone.

If you're not going to talk,

throat and finally spoke, "Let me talk to

like someone pulling back covers. It was followed by Claudia's gentle

waking him up

wake up. Ariana called

seconds, my

a hoarse voice. "What

"I'm leaving the manor.

"Do as you like"

urged, "If there's nothing