Chapter 285
Seeing Alaricka drown in online abuse with zero intervention from Kieran, Dean Li concluded Alarieka meant nothing to Kieran. Only one woman mattered to Kieran: Roschelle Whitaker. Roschelle was the woman who owned Kieran’s heart. Since Alarieka was irrelevant, the hospital incident wasn’t serious. No need to grovel before her or fear consequences.
Dean Li and the woman exhaled in relief, sharing a smile. Alarieka was just another woman discarded by the Argents—insignificant.
But since Kieran had spoken, even knowing he disliked or even despised Alarieka, Dean Li would maintain appearances. Once Kieran Argent is dealt with, he’ll find Alarieka Huston to torment her properly and vent his resentment. By then, he won’t give anyone else a chance to interfere. Imagining Alaricka’s slender waist glowing pale under the light, Dean Lee’s eyes flickered with predatory hunger.
Alaricka didn’t respond to the woman or the boy. The woman’s face darkened as she deliberately turned her back to Alaricka, facing Kieran instead.
Just a mere driver’s daughter putting on airs, the woman scoffed inwardly, rolling her eyes. Without Mr. Argent’s backing, who’d even glance your way? Though seething inside, she offered Kieran an ingratiating smile, now fully aware of the chasm between them. Any fantasy of marrying into the Argent family was absurd—her priority was placating Mr. Argent into leaving. Once he departed, they could do whatever they pleased with the crippled Alaricka.
Her smile turned more contrite and innocent. “Mr. Argent, I apologize—this was my son’s and my fault. We…”
She’d rehearsed this speech endlessly, yet Kieran’s icy voice cut her off. “Who exactly are you apologizing to?”
His low, detached tone deepened the chill in the already sterile hospital room.
The woman stiffened. “What do you mean, Mr. Argent?”
Kieran’s eyes darkened, his expression grim. “I never asked for your apology to me.”
Confused, she stammered, “I don’t understand…”
Dean Lee paled at the storm in Kieran’s obsidian eyes. He seized the woman’s wrist, forcibly turning her toward Alaricka. “Mr. Argent, I understand completely! She was wrong—I’ll make her apologize to Ms. Huston immediately!”
Releasing her arm, he hissed under his breath, “Mr. Argent wants you to apologize to Ms. Huston. Got it? How can you apologize while turning your back on her?”
Realization dawned. The woman shot Alaricka a glare thick with resentment and envy.
Seated on the bed, Alarieka kept her head slightly bowed, ignoring her as though she were beneath notice.
The woman’s fury spiked. How dare this driver’s daughter slight me like this?
As her silence stretched, Kieran’s gaze turned glacial. Dean Lee snapped, “Cat got your tongue? Speak!”
Pursing her lips, the woman forced out, “Ms. Huston, I apologize. This was my fault—I should’ve disciplined my son better. He shouldn’t have bumped into you, and I shouldn’t have blamed you. We were wrong. Please forgive us.” She drew a sharp breath, her resentment unmistakable.
Stepping back, she yanked her son forward. “Come, Hanghang. Apologize to your aunt.” She emphasized “aunt” with biting sarcasm.
The boy hung his head, finally mumbling a barely audible “sorry” after a long pause—too faint for Alarieka to hear.
The woman was thinking the ordeal was finally over when Kieran said: “Shout it out.”
Kieran’s voice was cold, carrying an undeniable, commanding tone.
Everyone froze. The woman flinched, her face pale, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes trembling as she clenched her fists in fear. The director’s eyes widened in surprise before a shrewd gleam flashed through them, and he lowered his head further.
Alaricka’s gaze had been distant, but at Kieran’s words, her brow furrowed slightly as she turned to look at him.