Chapter 421
Alarieka checked her watch—no rush. She’d cleared her afternoon for the Black-White Rabbit copyright meeting with Kieran Argent. Only routine tasks awaited her at the office.
“Go ahead.”
Silence settled in the cabin. Shi Yao fidgeted, stealing glances her way. Alarieka remained unbothered, perfectly content.
She lounged lazily in the car seat, her gaze drifting absently out the window.
The restaurant where she’d just dined with Kieran Argent ranked among the capital’s most exclusive establishments, attracting few patrons.
Alarieka watched for a long while, yet saw no one entering or exiting.
After a moment, her eyes flickered.
Kieran and his assistant emerged from the restaurant.
The assistant signaled for their car while Kieran waited by the entrance.
Though the area remained empty, Kieran stood out strikingly—tall, impeccably tailored, and strikingly handsome.
Alarieka’s expression shifted slightly, but Kieran suddenly lifted his gaze toward her direction. Their eyes locked across the distance.
Though the tinted windows should’ve concealed her, Alarieka felt certain he could see her.
Frowning, she turned away abruptly.
As she moved, something caught in her peripheral vision—closing in fast.
Alarieka’s heart lurched as she pressed herself against the seat.
Shi Yao had leaned so close their faces nearly touched, mere centimeters apart, his eyes intensely fixed outside.
“What are you doing?”
Alarieka shoved Shi Yao’s shoulder irritably, but his rigid posture resisted her push.
She scowled.
After a prolonged stare outside, Shi Yao finally turned, his face grave. “That man is Kieran Argent?”
Alarieka didn’t need to guess whom he’d been watching.
She pushed his shoulder again. “Yes. Now move back. Don’t crowd me.”
Scowling, Shi Yao shot another glance at Kieran before slowly retreating.
“He didn’t… hurt you, did he?”
The words finally emerged after a tense silence.
Alarieka snapped, “No. What are you imagining?”
He turned, scrutinizing her. “Truly not?”
Her expression flattened. “How exactly would he hurt me?”
After a pause, Shi Yao ventured, “Alarieka… may I ask something?”
She stilled briefly. “What do you want to know?”
His scowl wavered with uncharacteristic hesitation. “…Can I?”
She clicked her tongue. “Speak now or get out.”
He pressed his lips together. “You and Kieran… what were you before?”
Alarieka had anticipated this.
Shi Yao’s behavior had grown peculiar lately, especially since learning of her meeting with Kieran—unlike his usual self.
Had anyone else asked, she’d suspect ulterior motives.
But this was Shi Yao.
To her, he existed worlds apart from others.
His support over the years had been immeasurable.
He wasn’t just a friend—he was invaluable.
She might never find another like him in her lifetime.
Thus, he occupied a unique space: permitted questions others couldn’t ask, allowed topics others couldn’t broach.
Alarieka didn’t overthink it and didn’t want to deceive Shi Yao either, admitting frankly: “I was adopted by the Argent family before, lived with the Argents. Kieran… was like a brother to me.”
She briefly recounted her past.
Shi Yao stared at her intently.
Alarieka fell silent for a moment, then said: “He treated me quite well back then, but some things happened. I left the Argents, left Shanghai, and we weren’t siblings anymore. Haven’t seen each other in five years.”
Hearing Alarieka’s explanation firsthand didn’t ease Shi Yao’s mind.
His chest felt heavy, suffocating: “Alarieka, I never expected you’d tell me this.”
Alarieka scoffed: “Keep this up and I’ll get really annoyed. Won’t answer any more questions.”
Shi Yao opened his mouth, voice raspy: “Alarieka.”
Alarieka said: “Hmm?”
Shi Yao lowered his gaze: “…Did you like him?”
This question had tortured Shi Yao sleepless night after night. He desperately needed to know if Alarieka and Kieran had crossed that line from siblings to something more.
Alarieka stayed silent, not answering.