Chapter 451
Shi Yao gritted his teeth: “You’re gonna be the death of me.”
Alaricka frowned, puzzled.
“Alaricka.” Kieran’s voice cut in right on cue.
Alarieka snapped to attention: “Mr. Argent, ready to talk?”
Kieran’s dark eyes turned stormy: “You-”
“Waaah-”
Before Kieran could finish, a piercing child’s shriek ripped through the luxury mansion.
At night, that sound always turns extra shrill and terrifying.
Alarieka’s heart lurched, instantly noticing Kieran’s expression shift, anxiety etching his brow. She quickly realized—that was his son’s cry. His boy must be in trouble.
Kieran moved to leave but halted abruptly, glancing sideways at Alarieka.
Alarieka knew tonight’s talk was doomed. Still, she offered gently: “If you need to handle something, Mr. Argent, go ahead. We’ll find another time.”
Kieran’s gaze locked on her face: “No. Wait here. I’ll be quick.”
Shi Yao’s expression soured another notch.
Alarieka checked the time—not too late—and agreed.
After Kieran left, Shi Yao swallowed his anger and hurt, turning to slam the door shut.
Alaricka leaned casually against the piano, arms crossed: “What’s gotten into you, princess?”
Shi Yao wanted to demand answers but lacked the right, voice thick with grievance: “Tell me—why play piano for Kieran?”
“You barely played for me before, but now? After just meeting him?” Shi Yao’s resentment boiled over. “Alarieka, why favor that married man?”
His expression made Alarieka itch to snap a photo. Her eyes danced with amusement: “Shi Yao, ever seen your own face right now?”
Shi Yao fumed: “Alarieka, you’ve got nerve joking now.”
Alarieka tsked: “Just teasing ‘cause you’re sulking. Chill out.”
Shi Yao stayed wounded: “Then explain.”
Alarieka laid it all out: “Favors bind hands and silence tongues, so I complied. Never thought you’d hear—guess this luxury mansion’s aging, soundproofing’s gone downhill.”
Yao frowned upon learning the truth, muttering under her breath: “Disgusting behavior.”
Alarieka chuckled: “What did you say?”
Yao pulled a face: “You should stay away from him. His wife and kid don’t seem decent either.”
Alarieka smiled faintly: “I know.”
“You’d better mean it.”
“I don’t want it! No more medicine! It hurts!”
Kieran Argent squirmed wildly across the room, tears and snot streaming down his face. Rose sat helplessly on the bed edge, calling his name while the family doctor chased after him, coaxing gently. Even Wallace Argent stooped to comfort his great-grandson.
The boy ignored them all, stubby legs pumping furiously. The doctor clutched the medicine, unable to catch him.
Rose sighed: “Darling, come to Mom. The medicine won’t hurt. Be good now.”
She’d hardly expected him to listen, yet he dashed over and buried himself in her arms.
“Mom, can we find Dad?”
Rose’s eyes dimmed as she softened her voice: “Dad’s discussing business with that lady. We’ll go later, okay? Medicine first?”
He pouted: “No! I wanna see now! Right now!”
His voice turned milky: “Mom, I saw on TV. That bad lady wants to steal Dad. You gotta protect him!”
Rose froze: “Darling, how did you…”
“Kieran Argent.”
Rose’s heart leaped at Kieran’s sudden appearance in the doorway. She quickly covered: “Kieran, aren’t you negotiating with Alarieka?”
The boy widened fearful eyes: “Dad.”
Kieran stated curtly: “Heard the commotion.”
His gaze swept the doctor’s medicine bottle, instantly grasping the situation. His voice deepened: “Refusing treatment?”
Kieran Argent sniffled: “Dad, my knee’s bleeding. Medicine stings.”
Kieran gave the doctor a look, tone flat: “Won’t say it again.”
The boy knew that tone meant no defiance. Though stern, Dad loved him—so he’d obey.
Hesitantly, he approached the doctor and extended his injured leg: “Okay. I won’t scream.”
Wallace soothed: “That’s my good boy.”
Though the scrape was small, the pampered child winced at the faintest touch. Tears streamed down his pale cheeks as the doctor applied ointment.
Chapter 452