Trouble in Paradise

Nelson chuckled. Although he appeared very amiable, there was an authoritative air about him that felt oppressive even to me. The men who had been showing off in front of my mom were all too scared to sit down.

"Since this is a special circumstance, a special way of handling it is necessary," Nelson added with a smile. He patted the shoulder of the man next to him. His tone was slow and commanding. "Do I need to teach you how to do it?" "No... There's no need, Mr. Fisher. I'll pour you a drink. If I had known you were coming, I would have waited on you personally from the moment you got out of the car."

I supported my mom by holding her hand. I noticed she was trembling. I couldn't tell if it was from drinking too much or due to something else. She kept staring at Nelson, and I knew if he didn't step in soon, it would be too much. Nicholas had once said that one should know when to stop and not go overboard for the sake of future dealings. I couldn't let Nelson belittle the men present too much. Otherwise, they would bear a

grudge, and it would be hard for my mom to do business with them later on.

I had to step forward. I took the bottle of wine they were going to force on my mom and went around to toast each person. I did my best to show respect to them by going around and toasting each of them. At last, the bottle was emptied. When everything was settled, I felt that a huge wet li

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lifted off my shoulders. It seemed that having Nelson as my godfather had its perks, after all. Tears of relief filled my eyes. It didn't matter if I couldn't rely on Nicholas. I could still take good care of my mom! Wasn't Nicholas all confident that I would beg him in three days? In three days, he would receive my divorce papers!

Tears welled up in my eyes. Nelson, thinking that those were tears of gratitude, spoke some words of comfort to me. Ariana, no need to see me off. Next time, bring your husband, and we'll have a drink together."

I knew better than to be ungrateful and saw him to his car. Before he left, he patted the back of my hand gently. "You've grown up well, Ariana. Very well indeed!"

He wiped the corner of his eyes with his pruney fingers. I

wasn't sure if he was crying, but he looked very glad. "You can handle things on your own now. Your old man can rest easy in heaven."

When he mentioned my father, I felt nostalgia wash over me. Due to the influence of alcohol, Nelson talked about many of my father's stories during his youth. His assistant reminded him to leave at long last, thereby curbing his urge to reminisce continuously. As his car drove away, I ran back with excitement overriding any drunkenness. My steps were much lighter. I had so much to tell my mom and wanted her to praise me. But when I

pushed the door open, I was greeted with a slap that left me stunned.,

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"Mom?" I felt a sharp buzz in my ear as I clutched my cheek. I wasn't sure if it was really her. "Did you just slap me?"

Instantly, tears streamed down my cheeks. This was the first time my mom had hit me.

She raised her hand high again. I was on the floor and curled up from the shock. The more I thought about it, the more mistreated I felt. My voice started trembling with sobs as I asked, "Mom, why?"

Mom suddenly pressed a hand to her forehead as she swayed unsteadily. I rushed to support her, but she pushed me away. Didn't I tell you and your dead father not to contact Nelson? Ariana, are you not taking my words seriously anymore?"

Nelson chuckled. Although he appeared very amiable, there was an authoritative air about him that felt oppressive even to me. The men who had been showing off in front of my mom were all too scared to sit down.

"Since this is a special circumstance, a special way of handling it is necessary," Nelson added with a smile. He patted the shoulder of the man next to him. His tone was slow and commanding. "Do I need to teach you how to do it?"

"No... There's no need, Mr. Fisher. I'll pour you a drink. If I had known you were coming, I would have waited on you personally from the moment you got out of the car."

I supported my mom by holding her hand. I noticed she was trembling. I couldn't tell if it was from drinking too much or due to something else. She kept staring at Nelson, and I knew if he didn't step in soon, it would be too much. Nicholas had once said that one should know when to stop and not go overboard for the sake of future dealings. I couldn't let Nelson belittle the men present too much. Otherwise, they would bear a grudge, and it would be hard for my mom to do business with them later on.

I had to step forward. I took the bottle of wine they were going to force on my mom and went around to toast each person. I did my best to show respect to them by going around and toasting each of them. At last, the bottle was emptied. When everything was settled, I felt that a huge wet li