Chapter 374

Alaricka scoffed in disbelief. "Don't bother explaining. He's mentally challenged."

Shiyao’s grim expression had softened slightly after Jaylene's explanation, but Alaricka's words made his face darken again–now even more foul than the trash can earlier.

He snorted coldly. "Did I strike a nerve?"

Shiyao turned his icy gaze toward Nie Guanyu, who was shrinking his neck while watching the drama unfold. "Let me give you some advice."

Nie Guanyu cautiously lifted his eyes. "Wh–what advice?"

With a sneer, Shiyao declared, "Alaricka confessed to me just days ago. She even threatened to bang her head against the wall when I rejected her. So I suggest you–"

Alaricka felt her scalp prickle with rage. She shot up, lunging to cover his mouth. "Stop spouting nonsense! Have some common decency!"

Nie Guanyu stared, utterly dumbfounded.

Shiyao nimbly dodged her grasp, twisted Alaricka's wrist, and pinned it to the table. His voice chilled as he warned Nie Guanyu, "Think carefully. Don't agree to her. She's a fickle woman."

The brute strength in Shiyao's grip left Alaricka helpless. His accusation fueled her fury.

"Do you even hear yourself?!"

When her hand remained trapped, she settled for kicking him instead.

Distracted by restraining her wrists, Shiyao couldn’t react fast enough. Her foot landed squarely on him.

He gritted his teeth. "You dare kick me?"

Bending over in pain, he brushed the footprint off his black trousers.

Seizing his momentary distraction, Alaricka kicked him again.

This time, Shiyao caught her ankle before it could touch his pants.

"Had enough?" Alaricka challenged.

"Stop your nonsense, and I'll stop kicking," she retorted.

Shiyao’s deep eyes gazed down at her haughtily and coldly, his expression souring like a spoiled young master demanding constant pampering.

Sunlight streamed through the window as Alaricka met his gaze.

Only then did she notice the color of his irises. She’d seen them before–deep brown, typical of Chinese eyes. But now, flecks of light blue shimmered within.

Curiosity held her stare for seconds longer, oblivious to Shiyao’s growing discomfort. His scowl faltered, his ears turning slightly red.

Jaylene’s "Whoa!" snapped Alaricka back to reality.

She glanced over to find Jaylene raising an eyebrow. "Alaricka, what's going on? Staring spellbound?"

Shiyao huffed, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

Alaricka pressed her lips together and lifted her foot. "Let go."

Chapter 74

With dignified detachment, Shiyao released her, then casually wiped his hands on her back as if her clothes were a rag.

She whirled around, glaring, and kicked out. "Get lost!"

He smoothly retreated half a step, evading her.

Alaricka dropped into her seat, downing the remaining coffee in one gulp.

Jaylene leaned in to whisper. "Alaricka, be honest. What's really between you two?"

Alaricka immediately turned to look at him, warning: "Watch your words."

Shi Yao raised an eyebrow with a light hum.

Alaricka kept her warning gaze on him for several seconds before slowly looking away.

She said earnestly: "Don't believe anything he says. It's all lies. I never confessed to him or did any of those things he mentioned. Don't trust him."

Shi Yao had no intention of listening to Alaricka. He retorted instantly: "It's all in the past now. You can spin the story however you like."

Jaylene’s eyes sparkled; "Wow, handsome! How did she confess? Can I know?"

Clearly, Jaylene was already won over by his looks.

Beauty clouds judgment.

Jaylene completely ignored Alaricka's words, trusting Shi Yao wholeheartedly.

Alaricka frowned at Jaylene, calling out: "Hey."

Jaylene waved her off immediately: "Hush! I want to hear what this hottie has to say."

Shi Yao raised an eyebrow with smug satisfaction: "Since she's too shy to admit it, I'll keep it to myself."