Chapter 423
Countless photos, countless stories, innumerable records – all bore Shi Yao’s presence.
Meaning, over these five years, someone had already replaced Kieran’s position.
A young man and woman spending five years together – whatever developed between them was only natural.
The assistant couldn’t pinpoint Kieran’s exact feelings toward Alarieka after all this time. But judging by current events, Kieran still cared. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have ordered exhaustive investigations into every detail of Alarieka’s past five years.
“That’s Shi Yao,” Kieran suddenly spoke, his voice low.
The assistant nodded: “Yes.”
Kieran gave an unreadable chuckle. The assistant’s heart lurched, his head bowing lower.
Not far off, Alarieka and the young man bent over the car engine, examining it intently. Their bodies leaned close – intimate proximity reserved for deeply connected relationships.
Kieran watched impassively, his eyes revealing nothing.
The assistant glanced at his watch and repeated, “Mr. Argent, your meeting with Mr. Káng is in an hour. His flight departs in two hours, and he won’t be available again until next month.”
Kieran ignored the question. “Check what’s happening.”
The assistant paused before responding, “Yes, Mr. Argent.”
He took a few steps, then halted upon noticing Kieran following. “Mr. Argent?”
Kieran tilted his chin. “Keep walking.”
The assistant stammered, “Oh… oh, right.”
“Ms. Huston.”
Alarieka, already irritated by her car’s unexplained malfunction, turned with a stern expression.
The assistant hesitated. “Ms. Huston, do you need assistance?”
Alarieka’s gaze shifted to Kieran behind the assistant. Her brow relaxed as she replied casually, “Thanks, but I’m fine.”
Shi Yao turned more slowly than Alarieka. When she lifted her head, she instantly sensed a piercing gaze.
The gazes of two men collided, locking in a prolonged stare where neither looked away first.
One pair of eyes was dark and profound, utterly unreadable; the other, brown with a light blue shimmer, remained equally composed and unwavering.
Two exceptionally handsome men standing on the street inevitably drew attention.
Alarieka stood between them, head bowed as she watched Glenn busying himself with the car. She remained oblivious to the near-sparking tension in the men’s locked stares beside her.
Only Kieran’s assistant noticed the intensity, holding his breath, not daring to make a sound.
A soft chuckle suddenly reached Alarieka’s ears. Already irritated by the broken car and Kieran’s inexplicable decision to approach her, she snapped without looking up, “What’s so funny?”
A wave of warmth pressed against her arm. Alarieka’s eyes flickered as Shiyao leaned in close, murmuring with intimate proximity, “So this must be Mr. Argent?”
Alarieka gave him a strange look. “Yeah.”
Didn’t Shiyao already know that?
Shiyao’s smile was casual, his eyes holding a thin veneer of amusement. “Mr. Argent, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Shiyao, Alarieka’s friend.”
Kieran gave a curt nod. “Kieran Argent.”
Alarieka was concentrating on figuring out why the car wouldn’t start when an arm slid around her shoulders from the side.
Shiyao pressed against her shamelessly. “Alarieka, this is on you.”
Alarieka rubbed her temples. “What nonsense are you spouting now?”
Shiyao tsked in disapproval. “Even though we’re close, you should still give me some social status in public.”
Alarieka rolled her eyes slightly. “Fine, social status granted. What did I do wrong this time?”
Kieran watched the two pressed together, his expression and gaze utterly unmoving, as if he didn’t know Alarieka or Shiyao at all.
Shiyao grinned. “Since you asked so sincerely, I’ll answer you sincerely.”
Alarieka cut in. “Cut the crap.”
Shiyao turned, poking her forehead with a finger. “Look at you. Partnering with Mr. Argent and you’re not even prepared properly. In a few days, it’s Mr. and Mrs. Argent’s fifth wedding anniversary. Did you even get them an anniversary gift?”