Rift in the perfect picture
Chapter 78

Chapter 0078

+25 BONUS

Nicholas‘ cold eyes were like a venomous snake’s, silent and sinister, as they turned to look at Neal.

“Claudia is suspected of inciting crime and hiring someone to falsely accuse Ms. Jones. The evidence I have here is irrefutable. We need to arrest her for investigation. Please cooperate with us, Mr. Hawk”

I frowned. The result was somewhat different from what I had expected, but it still felt like a heavenly reprieve from the grievances I had endured these past few days. Tears started welling up in my eyes.

Nicholas glanced at me, but I was hidden securely behind Pete, so his gaze could only land on him. Pete smirked and raised his eyebrows in triumph.

Neal showed his badge and said, “Mr. Hawk, please do not obstruct us. Otherwise, my men will have to arrest you as well.”

“Hmph! Such arrogance.”

“I didn’t do it, Nick! Save me!” Claudia said, panicking. “Nick, save me!”

Nicholas‘ expression was complicated because Neal indeed had an arrest warrant, and it was freshly issued. He reassured her with his gentle voice, but it was also another harsh blow to my already broken heart.

He said, “Don’t be afraid, Claudia. Go with them for now. I’ll arrange for someone to get you out soon.”

I sighed, feeling despondent. The Criminal Investigation Division treated all suspects the same. They showed no mercy to Claudia.

As Nicholas stood motionless, she was dragged away, her cries fading into the distance. He then looked at me with a complex expression.

“Ariana, you’re free now,” Pete announced after he turned to face me.

My nose stung as I was overwhelmed with emotion. For the first time, I felt grateful to this man I had known since childhood. A “thank you” was stuck in my throat, unable to come out.

“Tha-”

But before I could thank him, Pete looked at me with a serious expression I couldn’t quite describe and Interrupted, “Your analysis was mostly correct. The only discrepancy was that Claudia wasn’t stupid. She found a scapegoat

“You don’t need to thank me. You cleared your own name.”

Despite his brief explanation, I understood the meaning behind his words. The timestamp of the transaction was clear and confirmed by the bank to be in real–time.

I remembered that at that time, I should have been at a public interview with Silas, with no chance to make a transfer. Additionally, I had a backup phone in my bedroom at Coral Villa.

After separating from Nicholas, I didn’t take it with me. The only person who could have accessed my backup phone was Claudia,

“Your backup phone was covered with fingerprints belonging to a woman who happens to be Claudia’s

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0078

friend. After obtaining the evidence, Mr. Harmon Immediately contacted Marcelo, who then confessed,” Pete explained further.

His confirmation validated my suspicions. It wasn’t surprising that Claudio knew my phone’s password. After all, I often transferred pocket money to her right in front of her without any reservations.

I just never paid attention to how much my mom transferred to me in dividends from her company. Living with the Hawk family, I never lacked money. Otherwise, this matter could have been resolved even quicker.

Pete resisted the urge to touch my short hair, ultimately restraining himself. As he turned away haughtily, he said in a low and hoarse voice, “Well, you look good in short hair too. Actually, it looks better than your long hair.”

My eyes

welled up slightly as I said, “Don’t comfort me, I know it looks terrible.”

I forced a smile, catching a glimpse of Nicholas staring fixedly in our direction without moving. He always maintained a composed demeanor, especially in front of outsiders.

He would never lower himself to quarrel. Yet, his gaze now seemed as if he wanted to devour me whole. However, with Pete around, I felt slightly more at ease and less fearful of him.

Suddenly, Pete vanished from in front of me. I looked down and found him kneeling on one knee. He grabbed the shaver from the ground and started shaving his own head!

His expression was resolute as if undertaking some arduous task. He declared, “I’ve wanted to shave my head for a long time. My hair is too hard to manage at this length!”

I was momentarily stunned, unsure how to react. When I finally realized what was happening, I hurried to snatch the shaver from him.

“Pete, my long hair… I cut it off for Nicholas…”

What was he doing? He never let anyone touch his head since childhood, and his hair was precious to him. He would always style it to look cool.

He deftly evaded me and, with a steady voice, said, “I know!”

In the quiet space, the sound of clapping echoed inappropriately. Nicholas sauntered over while clapping his hands. The redness in his eyes was impossible to ignore.

“Mr. Shelman, I was wondering what you’re doing with a shaver meant for trimming dog fur.”