Chapter 322

Low and resonant, carrying that familiar pressure and condescension. Familiar.

Oppressive, like an impending storm or a mountain about to collapse.

It was indeed Kieran Argent.

Alarieka frowned, pushing Tamika Coldberg behind her. “Mom, go back to your room. I’ll handle this.”

Tamika Coldberg clearly recognized Kieran Argent’s voice, exclaiming urgently, “Why is Kieran Argent here?”

Alarieka lowered her gaze.

She had a strong suspicion why Kieran Argent had come – likely because of the post she’d made.

But she didn’t tell Tamika Coldberg, simply saying, “It’s nothing. He’s here to see me. Go back to your room. I’ll talk with him.”

Unexpectedly, Tamika Coldberg grabbed her arm in a panic. “No! That’s Kieran Argent! I won’t let you be alone with him. Whatever you need to discuss, I’m staying right here.”

“You think just because you don’t tell me, I don’t know? I know about that McIntosh Piano Competition business lately – I’ve pieced most of it together. Don’t think you can hide it from me! And this Kieran Argent – he’s been helping that Ms. Wei bully you! I know about that too! And I know about those awful things those netizens said about you!”

Alarieka froze slightly.

She had told Tamika Coldberg about recent events, but she’d glossed over the dangerous parts, only sharing the broad strokes and her future plans.

She truly hadn’t expected Tamika Coldberg to figure out the underlying stakes on her own.

Tamika Coldberg hmphed a few times. “Don’t think just because I’m old I don’t know what’s going on. Don’t look down on me! I go online too! I saw how those people were insulting you! And besides, I get along well with the neighbors here. I didn’t know about these things at first, but some neighbors told me.”

Complex, indescribable emotions churned within Alarieka.

Tamika Coldberg tightened her grip on Alarieka’s arm. “Well? What do you say?”

“If you won’t let me go, I won’t let you go either. Worst case, I’ll just call the police and have them arrest Kieran Argent!”

After a moment, Alarieka could only nod in agreement.

Just then, Kieran’s low voice sounded again from outside the door: “Alaricka Huston, I won’t repeat myself a third time. Open up.”

Alarieka pushed open the weathered door and lifted her eyes to meet Kieran’s dark, fathomless gaze.

Kieran possessed striking features, but his expression now held a dangerous edge. His thin lips pressed into a tight line, corners downturned, eyes shadowed with an intensity that overshadowed his beauty. What struck one first wasn’t his handsome face, but the storm brewing in his expression and those imposing, pressure-filled eyes.

Alarieka calmly averted her gaze, stepping aside to let him pass. “Get inside,” she said curtly.

Kieran’s dark eyes remained fixed on her until her patience frayed. “Get inside or leave,” she snapped.

Only then did Kieran deign to look away, entering with slow, deliberate steps.

After shutting the door, Alarieka brushed past Kieran, swiftly claiming the corner of the living room sofa before he could. She crossed her arms, her tone flat. “Sorry, no boiled water, no tea. Can’t offer you anything. Sit wherever.”

Such behavior would be shockingly rude to any guest, let alone someone of Kieran’s status – it was like poking a tiger with a stick.

But Kieran merely glanced at her before settling into the spot to Alarieka’s left.

The sofa was reasonably long, leaving nearly two seats’ worth of space between them.

Tamika Coldberg, however, immediately reacted. She’d been sitting in the armchair to Alarieka’s right. Seeing Kieran take the left side, she sprang up and deliberately plopped down between them, closer to Alarieka, effectively creating a barrier.