Chapter 461

Alaricka raised an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate?”

Yao leaned closer. “Poor little girl, growing up surrounded by monsters.”

Alaricka pressed her lips together, slanting him a sidelong glare that screamed, "Cut the crap. What’s your angle?"

Yao grinned. “Honestly, it’s impressive. Living at the Argent villa all those years without getting corrupted? You turned out downright righteous.”

Alaricka deadpanned, “Keep being sentimental, and I’ll pack your bags for Capital City myself.”

Yao scooted nearer with a cheeky grin. “Alaricka, my family’s nothing like that. Grandpa’s a bit stern, sure, but he’s all bark. Good man. My parents? Great people, kind to everyone. Siblings? Perfectly normal. If you’d just—”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Alaricka smacked her palm over his face. “Shut your trap.”

Muffled behind her hand, Yao slowly gave her a thumbs-up.

At dawn, as Eastern District Zoo opened its gates, Alaricka and Yao stood watch, observing crowds flood through the entrance.

Alaricka Huston waited under the tree’s shadow for a while before seeing a group of foreigners surrounding a little foreign girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. The child was wearing a mini skirt, carrying a panda backpack, and sporting a panda hair clip as they approached the VIP entrance.

Rio Ao didn’t show up.

Chance Encounter

The VIP lane was nearly empty, just a few scattered people. By the time Alaricka and Shi Yao arrived, the little girl was already at the entrance checking tickets, separated from them by only two others.

After passing through security, Alaricka saw the foreign girl pouting with a zoo map, tapping it with her tiny finger.

“I wanna go here,” she squeaked. “Take me now!”

Her bodyguard crouched beside her, squinting at the map. “Miss, it’s quite far. Walking takes half an hour. Should we wait for the shuttle?”

The girl frowned. “How long?”

The guard hesitated. “Uh… I’ll ask staff?”

“The next shuttle arrives in three minutes,” a woman’s voice cut in. The guard sprang up, eyes sharp. “Who are you?”

The girl turned curiously.

Alaricka smiled gently in English. “No harm meant. Just sharing facts.”

“How d’you know it’s three minutes?” the girl tilted her head.

Alaricka pointed behind her. “The schedule’s posted there. This is the fourth shuttle today. This zoo runs on time—never off by more than five minutes.”

The girl bounced excitedly. “Let’s wait then! Pandas in three minutes!”

The guard checked the sign, relaxing slightly. “Miss, let’s wait over there.”

“No,” Alaricka said softly. “I wouldn’t recommend that spot.”

“Why?” The girl pouted. “It’s shady. Here’s too sunny.”

Alaricka tapped her wristwatch. “Shuttle arrives in two. It stops at the left crossing. If you want seats, go now. Otherwise…”

The girl lifted her chin. “I’m VIP! Map says VIPs board first!”

Alaricka chuckled. “This zoo’s world-famous. Many VIPs here. If you don’t hurry…”

“Rude!” The girl grabbed her guard’s hand, little legs pattering toward the left crossing. Alaricka and Shi Yao followed quickly.

At the crossing, the regular lane overflowed with people while the VIP queue already held a dozen. Calculating seats, Alaricka knew they’d make it.

Held by her guard, the girl fumbled in her panda backpack. Moments later, she pulled out a small badge and lifted her chin toward Alaricka.

“For you.”

Alaricka was pleasantly surprised as she took it. “For me?”

The little girl nodded emphatically. “You helped me. My dad says we should be grateful. This is for you.”

With her adorable features and vibrant innocence, Alaricka felt her heart soften involuntarily. She clenched the badge tightly.

If Nina was born at the same time as in her previous life, she’d be exactly this little girl’s age now.

Chapter 462