Chapter 447

Shi Yao, unfamiliar with the Argent’s villa, didn’t recognize the room. But he sharply noticed the shift in everyone’s demeanor.

Under his insistent questioning, he learned the truth: they’d entered Alarieka’s old room, not the study!

Kieran was playing dirty!

Discovering this, Shi Yao nearly charged upstairs to drag Alarieka out and punch Kieran.

Yet he understood why Alarieka had come here.

He knew how crucial this business opportunity was for her career.

No matter how furious he felt, he couldn’t sabotage her chance.

So he swallowed his rage, sitting stiffly on the couch to wait.

When piano notes floated down, Shi Yao instantly knew it was Alarieka playing.

Five years together meant he’d heard her perform countless times; he knew her musical signature intimately.

Listening now, he couldn’t stop imagining:

What negotiation required her to play piano alone with him?

A man and woman isolated in a room – her dressed exquisitely, him strikingly handsome. By every film and drama’s logic, something was bound to happen.

Shi Yao itched to storm upstairs demanding answers, yet held himself back.

“Who’s playing?”

“Who else? Everyone knows Alarieka plays. Unless you think Mr. Argent suddenly learned?”

Agitated, Shi Yao glanced up and caught Rose’s barely contained expression cracking.

His heart sank.

Suddenly, Kieran’s son Qi Yuan hurled his toy aside. The boy dashed to Rose, clinging to her leg as he pouted:

“Mommy, let’s go up!

It sounds awful! Not even close to your playing!”

Rose forced a smile, patting his head. “Be good, Yuan Yuan. We mustn’t disturb Daddy’s business.”

Despite his jealousy, Shi Yao snapped at the child: “What does a brat know?”

Qi Yuan stuck out his tongue defiantly. “It IS awful! Awful, awful, awful!

Mommy could play better with her toes!”

Shi Yao clicked his tongue. “Still asking for trouble, brat?”

Rose felt only warmth at her son’s fierce loyalty, too pleased to scold him.

After being pestered by her son like this, Roschelle Whitaker felt the gloom in her heart lift considerably.

Indeed, Kieran Argent had grown accustomed to her piano performances – how could he possibly appreciate Alarieka’s playing?

As an expert in this field, Roschelle only needed to listen briefly to recognize that Alarieka’s skills had faded considerably, far from her high school days.

Nowhere near Roschelle’s current mastery.

Holding Qi Yuan in her arms, Rose feigned apology: “My apologies, children can be thoughtless. I’ll teach him better.”

Qi Yuan wriggled free from Rose’s embrace, covering his ears and making a fuss: “Mom, I’ve had enough! It’s so awful, truly awful! Can’t we go upstairs and stop that nasty aunt from playing?”

Alarieka’s Uncertainty

“Yuan!”

Yuan Argent, small and nimble, weaved effortlessly through the crowd.

Roschelle Whitaker couldn’t stop him in time as he dashed up the stairs.

A shadow flickered in her eyes.

Perfect – she wanted to see what was happening upstairs anyway.

She cleared her throat apologetically. “Yuan’s being impulsive. I’ll check on him.”

Just as she stepped forward, Victor moved faster, taking three stairs at a time with urgent strides.

Roschelle followed, her mind uneasy.

Alarieka Huston swallowed her words, turning to see the bedroom door wide open. Before she could process it, a small figure charged inside.

“Bad lady! I’ll hit you!”

Head down, the child barreled toward her with clenched fists raised high.

Alarieka frowned, sidestepping while pulling her skirt aside.

But her long skirt pooled on the floor. The child lunged, tripped over the fabric, and fell face-first with a loud thud.

Alarieka recognized Yuan Argent.

After a stunned silence, Yuan wailed, his cries echoing through the room.

Alarieka watched coldly, yanked her skirt free from under him, and stepped back.