Chapter 280

288 Vouchers

"...the floor! How could I agree?”

Dean Li swayed, vision darkening. He glared, wishing he could throttle the foolish woman. “Shut up! Why not? Don’t drag me into your stupidity! Do you even know who Mr. Argent is?”

She retorted tearfully, “Why should I care?”

“Enough!” Dean Li roared.

Smack!

His palm cracked across her face. She clutched her cheek, eyes wide and reddening with disbelief. “Uncle?”

Ignoring her, Dean Li shuffled toward Kieran and Alarieka with groveling smiles. “Mr. Argent, we’ll clean it exactly as you said. And Ms. Argent’s thermos—we’ll deliver a new one immediately. Please, show us mercy…”

Alarieka sat silently in her wheelchair. At “Ms. Argent,” her eyes flickered faintly. No one in the Argent family truly saw her as Kieran’s sister.

Kieran didn’t acknowledge Dean Li, his obsidian eyes sweeping over him indifferently before turning away.

Dean Li’s smile stiffened. He scurried behind Alarieka’s wheelchair. “Mr. Argent, let me push her—”

Kieran’s voice cut through, low and final. “Unnecessary. My assistant will review the surveillance footage. Dean Li—I’ll demand a proper explanation.”

Dean Li’s hand froze mid-air, then slowly dropped. “O-of course. Check the footage. Please, don’t let me detain you.”

Finding no opening with Kieran, Dean Li’s eyes darted to Rose beside him.

His eyes flickered. Recently, the news of Kieran’s engagement to Rose wasn’t just buzzing online; it spread like wildfire among the city’s elite. Almost every time he sat down, he’d hear people mention Kieran and Rose were getting engaged.

Many who’d dealt with Kieran or his circle marveled at how openly he doted on Rose—it was common knowledge.

Dean Li had an idea. Plenty advised him that winning Kieran over meant starting with Rose. Make her happy, and Kieran would soften.

This time, Kieran’s anger was plain. Maybe approaching through Rose would work better.

Dean Li beamed at Rose. “Ms. Whitaker, it’s been a while. You look lovelier than ever.”

Too eager for an opening, he missed Rose’s stiffening expression.

Rose smiled, glancing at Kieran’s face before murmuring, “We should head out now."

Panicking, Dean Li blurted, “Heard about the happy news with Mr. Argent and Ms. Whitaker! Haven’t congratulated you yet. Would I be honored with an invite to your engagement?”

Rose opened her mouth, but Kieran cut in: “Rose, let’s go.”

Rose pressed her lips into a smile, nodding gently. “Okay.”

Dean Li’s smile vanished completely.

From her periphery, Alarieka noticed Kieran’s hand tightening on her wheelchair handle. Only then did she say, “Don’t. I’ll do it myself.”

Chapter 281

288 Vouchers