Chapter 412

He lowered his head, clenched his fists, and silently walked past her. He left the office, carefully closing the door behind him.

Only after Shi Yao was gone did Alarieka look up. She pushed the keyboard away, her face expressionless.

“Mr. Shi, what happened to your face?”

Secretary Liu stared at Shi Yao’s cheek, her expression peculiar. The red mark was impossible to miss; she’d noticed it the moment she saw him.

Shi Yao looked desolate, snapping to attention at her voice. He touched his face absently. “Oh, this? Just a clumsy fall. It’s nothing.”

Secretary Liu’s gaze grew more complicated. “Is that so?”

She wasn’t blind, nor an idiot. That mark on Shi Yao’s face was unmistakably a slap – the faint outline of fingers was a dead giveaway.

Shi Yao nodded firmly. “Yes.”

Secretary Liu gave a slight nod, her eyes flicking towards the direction he’d come from.

Alarieka’s office.

Understanding dawned, and Secretary Liu’s expression instantly grew even more complex, a spark of intense curiosity igniting in her eyes.

She’d always sensed something different between the CEO and Mr. Shi. So, Alarieka had finally made her move?

She knew some couples enjoyed twisted games, toxic relationships… but she never imagined their CEO and Mr. Shi were into that too. Was this how the rich played behind closed doors?

Secretary Liu didn’t quite get it, but she had to admire the sheer audacity. Alarieka certainly hadn’t held back – that slap had landed hard. How was Mr. Shi supposed to show his handsome face in public now?

She felt a pang of regret for his good looks. “Mr. Shi,” she offered tactfully, “there’s ice in the break room for a cold compress. I can get some for you if you’d like?”

Shi Yao touched his cheek again, his eyes dimming. “No need. It’s fine like this.”

Secretary Liu understood. Oh, she understood perfectly!

This was a token of affection from Alarieka, of course it couldn’t fade too quickly.

With a tactful nod, Secretary Liu said, “Very well, Mr. Shi. Please carry on.”

Shi Yao turned to confirm Secretary Liu had walked away, then pushed open an empty conference room door. He slowly sat on a chair, elbows resting on knees, irritably yanking his collar open to reveal delicate collarbones and necklines. His Adam’s apple bobbed anxiously before he squeezed his eyes shut and exhaled heavily.

The room stayed silent except for Shi Yao’s increasingly ragged breaths.

After a quiet moment, Shi Yao raised his hand and slapped his own cheek hard – the same side Alarieka had struck.

The red mark deepened.

Shi Yao panted heavily as regret, helplessness, irritation, and jealousy collided violently in his chest, aching through his entire body.

Alarieka’s slap had shocked him back to his senses.

Realizing how he’d treated Alarieka and what he’d said to her, he drowned in endless remorse.

Shi Yao desperately wanted to rush back and beg Alarieka to slap him repeatedly until her anger faded.

How could he say those things to Alarieka?

How could he?

Sober now, Shi Yao hated himself for losing control before the girl he loved – rude, thoughtless, hurting Alarieka with careless words, pushing her further away.

For the first time, he felt like an unforgivable beast.

Shi Yao lowered his head, palms pressed to his forehead, exhaling sharply.

Alarieka must be furious.

He’d never seen her this livid – not even with employees who leaked company secrets.

He’d truly disappointed Alarieka.

Just imagining it made Shi Yao ache everywhere, sharp pains shooting through his bones.

He’d let Alarieka do anything if she’d forgive him.