Chapter 289 288 Vouchers

Alaricka instantly recognized the brand of Roschelle’s dress. It wasn’t ordinary—even their simplest T-shirts could easily cost five figures, a staggering amount.

She hadn’t recognized it from being fashion-savvy. During her time living with the Argent family, she’d accidentally developed a liking for this brand after seeing it once. Kieran had then instructed his assistants to regularly deliver clothes from this label to her.

Though months had passed since she moved out, she remembered most clothes in her wardrobe back then were gifts from Kieran, predominantly from this very brand.

The collective value of that wardrobe could’ve outright bought a luxury apartment within the city’s third ring road.

When she first met Kieran, he hadn’t been as emotionally guarded as now. His feelings were written plainly on his face then.

Her initial impression? He wore a scowl. Among all the Argents present, he seemed the least welcoming of her joining the family.

Too nervous to meet Kieran’s eyes, Alaricka kept her head bowed behind Wallace Argent, following him as he introduced her to each family member.

New to the household, her palms grew slick with sweat, fingers trembling too much to clench properly. Her heart pounded like a drum against her ribs—so loudly she feared everyone could hear it as she stood before them.

During introductions, everyone except the scowling Kieran and the openly hostile Clarissa greeted her warmly. They accepted her address with smiles and offered welcoming gifts.

Overjoyed, she accepted the presents with deep, grateful bows.

Wallace instructed her to call Clarissa “sister,” as Clarissa was a few months older. Alaricka obeyed, only to receive a contemptuous snort in return.

Her newfound confidence shattered instantly, her smile crumbling away.

Wallace frowned, demanding Clarissa repeat her response properly.

Clarissa snorted again, turned, and stormed upstairs to her room, slamming the door behind her.

“Utterly lacking in manners,” Wallace muttered, his expression dark.

His displeasure was terrifying—at least to Alaricka, who couldn’t bring herself to look at his face.

Nervously bowing her head, she assumed he was truly angry. Silently, she vowed to always be polite and respectful to her elders, determined never to provoke his wrath.

Later, Wallace told her to address Kieran as “brother.”

Perhaps because Kieran had worn that scowl from the start, her tension around him far exceeded what she felt with others. Her voice trembled.

“Brother.”

Kieran stood with one hand in his pocket, his cold gaze sweeping over her face and figure.

As Alaricka’s heartbeat raced to its peak, on the verge of fainting, Kieran finally gave a low hum.

Then she heard him say, “I’ve got work at the company. I’ll head out first.”

Alaricka felt reprieved, releasing a long sigh of relief.

Yet Kieran saw right through her, his tone cool: “You’re nervous?”

She froze momentarily before mustering the courage to lift her gaze to Kieran’s face.

For a moment, she felt dazed—Kieran was truly breathtakingly handsome.

Her mind went blank, silently repeating only one thought: He’s beautiful. Really beautiful.

Kieran’s dark eyes remained intently fixed on her, making her almost believe his gaze held her alone, seeing nothing else.

Tilting his chin slightly, Kieran’s voice turned colder: “You’re afraid of me?”

Alaricka faltered, then shook her head urgently: “No.”

Wallace Argent cleared his throat: “Enough. Go attend to your business instead of scaring the girl.”

Kieran seemed displeased: “Did I frighten you?”

Alaricka immediately shook her head: “Not at all.”

Kieran glanced at Wallace, raising an eyebrow as if to say: See? She admitted I didn’t scare her.

Wallace shot him a resigned look before turning away—out of sight, out of mind—and waved him off.

Alaricka lowered her head, watching Kieran stride past her.