Shi Yao gave a cold laugh: “If Kieran forced you, then I’ve got a grudge against the Argents.”

Alaricka paused: “Stop being ridiculous.”

Shi Yao shifted her feet, stepping closer: “Answer me. Did he force you? You haven’t been back for five years. Why go now after seeing him? Did Kieran threaten you with the Black–White Rabbit game rights?”

Alaricka stayed calm: “No one forced me.”

Shi Yao sneered: “I don’t believe you.” She repeated: “Alaricka, I don’t believe you.” “Alaricka, tell me the truth. I won’t tolerate lies.”

A faint crease formed between Alaricka’s brows: “Shi Yao, why are you so tense?”

Shi Yao’s lips thinned, her expression turning icy: “Alaricka, why don’t you guess why I’m tense?”

Alaricka said: “I won’t guess. It’s just the Argent family, not some dragon’s den. Nothing to fear.”

Shi Yao chuckled darkly: “Really? If it’s not a dragon’s den, why’d you flee from Shanghai to the capital? Why cut all ties for five years?”

Alaricka fell silent.

Shi Yao closed in further. “Alaricka, tell me why I’m tense?”

Meeting her stormy gaze, Alaricka’s heart skipped a beat. “Because I’m worried about you, damn it.”

Shi Yao gripped the back of her head, forcing her chin up until his gaze pinned her. “Alaricka, I said I was worried about you.”

Alaricka’s heart skipped a beat.

They stared at each other for a long moment, Shi Yao breathing heavily while Alaricka pressed her lips together, letting silence hang thick between them.

Shi Yao tightened his grip on her hair. “Alaricka, talk.”

Alaricka winced, and Shi Yao instantly released her, his hand soothing the spot he’d gripped.

A tangle of emotions churned in Alaricka’s chest, too knotted to unravel. Even someone as slow as her now sensed something undeniable pushing to the surface. Her voice came out rough. “…To secure the Black–White Rabbit game rights, I need to go back to the Argent family.”

Shi Yao let out a cold laugh. “So that’s it. Why cover for Kieran just now? Still can’t forget him?”

Alaricka frowned. “What are you talking about?” Forget Kieran? How could that be?

Suddenly, Shi Yao’s voice dropped low. “Am I wrong? I asked you a question. Why didn’t you answer? Afraid I’d curse him? Afraid I’d poke at your precious little heart?”

Alaricka’s lips pressed into a tighter line. The instant he finished, she shoved him hard. “This isn’t up for discussion. It’s my choice, and I’ll face whatever comes.”

Shi Yao hung his head, giving a bitter chuckle before muttering under his breath. “Not up for discussion.” He looked up, his face storm-dark. In the five years Alaricka had known him, she’d never seen Shi Yao like this.

“Alaricka, do you even have a heart?”

Alaricka didn’t understand why her own heart trembled uncontrollably at his words, why her throat felt as parched as her lips, or why guilt towards Shi Yao suddenly flooded her.

Shi Yao was still watching her.

Alaricka knew she had to say something now. “Shi Yao, I wasn’t hiding it. Five years ago, things got messy with the Argents, so I ran to the capital. Five years is long enough. Hiding won’t make it disappear. The Argents… and some others… we have unfinished business. Not now, but someday. I will go back.”

“And I’m not lying. Even if Kieran hadn’t demanded it, I’d have gone back eventually. This is my choice.”

She finished in one breath, watching Shi Yao’s expression shift. “Do you understand?”

The storm on Shi Yao’s face visibly eased, replaced by something awkward.

Alaricka pressed her advantage. “Shi Yao, I thought you understood me.”

The words landed, and Shi Yao’s eyes widened slightly, suddenly lost and urgent. “I just… Alaricka, that wasn’t what I meant.”