She pressed Shi Yao’s arm, stopping him before he could speak, and answered calmly, “I don’t owe you an explanation. Your son owes me one.”

Roschelle frowned. “Alarieka, what do you mean?”

Alaricka looked toward Mr. Argent, smiling. “I wasn’t the only one who saw everything. Mr. Argent was there too. Why doesn’t Mr. Argent tell us what he saw? What really happened?”

Alarieka knew Mr. Argent was watching her.

He was indeed watching her… though his gaze lingered on her bare shoulders.

Slowly, he shifted his gaze downward to Yuan Yuan.

Kieran’s son noticed his father’s gaze, hid behind Rose, and buried his face.

Rose felt her heart skip a beat.

Alarieka felt uncertain.

Kieran had too many past misdeeds, and his favoritism for Rose was unexpected.

She was sure Kieran had seen everything, but wasn’t sure he would speak up about what his son had done for her sake.

Alarieka felt a slight headache, and some irritation welled up inside her.

Kieran’s voice was low and stern: “Qiyuan, explain yourself.”

Qiyuan immediately buried himself in Rose’s arms.

Kieran’s gaze darkened, sharpening his tone: “Qiyuan, who taught you to act this spoiled?”

Alaricka’s brow twitched slightly.

Was Kieran actually siding with her?

Rose couldn’t hold back: “Kieran…”

Kieran fixed his eyes on the child in Rose’s embrace, lowering his voice: “Qiyuan, this is your final warning. Still disobeying?”

Qiyuan suddenly burst into loud sobs: “No! No! Mommy! Mommy!”

Rose’s heart ached as she held him tighter. “Kieran, he’s just a child. Don’t be so harsh. We’ll teach him patiently.”

By now, even Rose understood the situation.

The tide had turned against her son.

Kieran’s expression remained grave: “Rose, let him go.”

Rose shook her head. “Kieran, Qiyuan knows he’s wrong. Look how he’s crying.”

“He’s crying from fear, not remorse,” Kieran stated flatly.

Qiyuan wailed even louder.

Rose pleaded desperately: “Kieran, would you really humiliate your own son for an outsider?”

Kieran frowned.

“Exactly.”

Alarieka had anticipated Wallace’s arrival.

Qiyuan’s cries echoed through the luxury mansion.

Wallace, who doted on the boy, wouldn’t ignore this.

Seeing him, Rose sighed in relief. “Grandfather, you’re here.”

Five years had aged Wallace considerably–his back hunched, hair fully white. Where he once needed no cane, he now leaned heavily on one. Lips pressed thin, he entered slowly with clouded yet stern eyes.

Alarieka observed silently.

Wallace scanned the room, his gaze lingering longest on Alarieka with deepened intensity.

“You’ve returned.”

Alaricka smiled faintly. “Indeed, Wallace. Long time no see.”

Wallace gave a low “hmm” before shifting his attention to Qiyuan’s tear–streaked face. His frown deepened as he turned to Kieran.

The cane struck the floor with a heavy thud.

“Kieran, have you lost more sense than this old man? How dare you shame my great-grandson for an outsider!”

Kieran massaged his temples wearily. “Grandfather, you don’t know the full story.”

“What difference does that make?” Wallace’s aged voice held steel. “Qiyuan is your son. Would you truly undermine his social status before strangers? You’ve lost your mind.”

Seizing the opportunity, Qiyuan wriggled from Rose’s hold and clung to Wallace.

“Grandfather, it hurts…”

Wallace’s eyes softened instantly at the complaint. His wrinkled hand cradled Qiyuan’s shoulder. “Where does it hurt, dear boy?”

Qiyuan sniffled pitifully. “I fell earlier. That’s why it hurts.”

“Oh dear, where did you fall? Let the maid put on some ointment. It’ll stop hurting soon, my dear boy.”

Qiyuan Argent nodded obediently: “Okay. With Grandpa comforting me, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Wallace Argent beamed at being needed: “Ah, my precious grandson.”

Kieran Argent started to speak but Wallace shot him a warning glare.