Chapter 417

Just as she was about to reply, Kieran’s icy voice came from across the table: “Is this how you treat a business partner, Ms. Huston? I’m sitting right here while you text others?”

Alarieka was still looking down at her messages. Hearing this, she frowned but put her phone down. When she looked up, her expression was calm again.

“My apologies, Mr. Argent. I had some urgent messages to handle. I hope you don’t mind.”

Hmm.

For a while, silence hung heavy in the VIP Lounge.

Alarieka remained composed, but Kieran suddenly asked, “How have you been these years?”

Alarieka offered a faint smile. “Thanks to Mr. Argent and Wallace Argent’s blessing, I’ve been not too bad.”

Kieran studied the meticulously made-up face before him, his gaze deep and steady, voice calm and detached: “You’ve grown taller.”

Alarieka smiled faintly, her tone even: “I was just eighteen when I came here. After all these years, I was bound to grow.”

Kieran’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

Alarieka caught the subtle change instantly.

Did the corner of Kieran’s mouth just lift? Was he smiling?

She averted her eyes, her mood sinking.

Kieran remarked: “You’ve filled out too. Always looked malnourished before.”

Alarieka’s head snapped up. Kieran’s eyes remained as impassive and unreadable as ever, as if he’d merely made an offhand observation.

Her lips curved into a tight smile as her fingers unconsciously rotated the teacup. “Life treats me well now. A good appetite comes naturally.”

Kieran took a sip of tea, silent.

Her words carried veiled criticism. Back in the Argent family, she’d walked on eggshells—dared not eat more than a bite or drink an extra sip. After leaving, chaos followed, making peaceful meals rare. Though her current life in Beijing demanded more than Shanghai ever did, peace of mind meant she ate heartily. Her calm delivery belied the turbulence beneath.

The VIP Lounge plunged back into strained silence. Alarieka rarely volunteered conversation around Kieran, but his gaze remained fixed on her face, tangible and heavy.

She broke the quiet: “Since you’re here on business, Mr. Argent, you might find time to explore. The capital’s changed greatly. If you wish, my assistant could show you around—though I don’t know if Mrs. Argent and your children accompanied you?”

“Not going.”

Kieran’s curt reply matched his old self. Alarieka’s polished smile faltered.

“Neither are they.”

She reinstated her professional smile. “Of course. Perhaps another time.”

Suddenly, Kieran raised a clenched fist, knuckles rapping the table. “All these years… Wallace missed you.”

Wallace?

Mockery bubbled inside Alarieka. Wallace Argent—missing her? More likely wishing she’d vanish forever. Her expression remained flawless as she murmured, “Is that so? Please convey my gratitude for his concern, Mr. Argent. Tell him I’ve been well—no need to worry.”

Kieran’s eyes darkened, a near-scoff in his voice. “Alarieka. You know what he meant.”

Her smile stayed light. “If Wallace misses me, he can catch me on financial news. I was just on television last week.”

Clink. Kieran set his cup down sharply.

Alarieka glanced down, a soft laugh escaping.

“Angry already, Mr. Argent?”

He watched her from across the table. “You’ve… grown considerably these years.”

“Good mentors and friends make growth inevitable,” she replied smoothly.

Kieran pivoted abruptly: “Seeing anyone?”

Alarieka arched a brow at him.

Kieran Argent seemed to ask casually, not taking it to heart. His gaze wasn’t even on her, fixed instead on the teacup.

Alarieka Huston didn’t have a boyfriend. Not for the past five years.

If it were anyone else, she’d answer directly. But this was Kieran Argent.

Given their messy, countless past entanglements, any answer—yes or no—would steer the atmosphere toward places Alarieka refused to revisit.