Chapter 464

That ambulance carrying him was the source of her lifelong pain.

She should walk away. Pretend she saw nothing.

What right did she have to save him? He had parents. A grandfather. The whole Argent family. Let them save him.

Where were Kieran and Rose now anyway?

She wouldn’t lift a finger.

“It’s breaking! It’s really breaking!”

“I don’t wanna die! Mom, Dad, I’m sorry! I won’t mess around anymore-”

Alarieka’s head throbbed as if struck by a hammer, pain jolting through her body.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

The next moment, Alarieka whirled around, pulled a rope from beneath the potted plant, and decisively threw it toward the adults gathered directly above Qiyuan Argent.

“Take this!” Alarieka shouted.

“A rope! It’s a rope!”

Their eyes lit up as they grabbed the rope. Instantly forgetting the woman who’d thrown it, they swiftly tied a firm knot and lowered it down.

“Kid, grab the rope! We’ll pull you up!”

After tossing the rope, Alarieka turned and walked away.

This was all she could do.

She wouldn’t involve herself further.

Her face cold, Alaricka silently returned to sit beneath the tree.

Shi Yao followed.

Having witnessed everything, Shi Yao finally understood Alaricka’s earlier hesitation when he saw her retrieve the rope.

She’d been debating whether to save Qiyuan Argent.

Others would condemn her reluctance, attacking from their moral high ground.

Shi Yao wouldn’t.

Though questions lingered, this was Alarieka’s burden.

Last night, he’d seen the Argent family’s malice toward her firsthand. Alarieka had lived among them for years.

No one could truly understand what she’d endured in that house.

No one knew the depth of her anguish.

Shi Yao knew how deeply compassionate Alarieka was.

And he recognized only profound pain could make her hesitate so long.

Don’t preach kindness to those whose suffering you’ve never borne.

That she’d chosen to save Qiyuan despite her conflict spoke volumes of her heart.

Shi Yao sat quietly beside Alarieka, not making a sound.

The little girl lacked such tact, bounding over to ask, “You seem upset. What’s wrong?”

Alarieka forced a faint smile. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

The girl stared intently into her eyes. “You’re lying. You look so sad. Why?”

“Maybe because I haven’t seen the pandas yet.”

“Ha! I knew you loved pandas too!”

Digging through her backpack, the girl produced a panda charm. “Since we both love pandas, you can have this! Don’t be sad–we’ll see them soon!”

Alaricka paused briefly before accepting the charm. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!”

Clutching the panda, Alaricka’s composure wavered.

“Once… I had a sister your age."

The girl beamed. “Really? Why didn’t you bring her today?”

Alaricka licked her dry lips, her voice barely audible. “She-”

“He’s up! They got him!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd. “The boy’s safe!”

Alarieka’s words died in her throat.

Distracted by the commotion, the girl asked her bodyguard, “What happened?”

After a quick glance, the guard reported, “They rescued the little boy. He’s fine.”

Alarieka lowered her eyelids.

The little girl threw her arms up in delight: “Great! Then we can keep watching the pandas!”

Before Alarieka could finish speaking, the girl tugged her toward the viewing platform: “Let’s hurry!”

Alarieka stumbled forward, pulled along as they squeezed through the crowd to the front row.

The girl watched the pandas with rapt, silent attention.

Alarieka’s mind wandered blankly, unsure where to focus.

Her gaze settled on the pandas, drifting into thought.

“Alarieka.”

Victor suddenly called her name.

She blinked back to awareness: “Yes?”

Victor turned, his face uncharacteristically serious, voice low and soft.

“What were you going to say earlier?”

Alaricka hesitated: “Hmm?”

He leaned closer: “About your sister. What happened?”

Her eyes momentarily lost focus: “You heard?”

Victor murmured: “Mm.”

A bitter taste rose in Alaricka’s throat: “…She passed away.”

Victor’s lips parted, brows knitting as his voice roughened: “…I’m sorry.”

Alarieka forced a thin smile: “Not your fault. I chose to say it.”

Silence hung between them afterward.

As the internet–famous panda drew crowds, the zoo limited viewing to five minutes per group. Soon, they left the platform.

They rested at a pavilion nearby.

The girl eagerly scrolled through bodyguard–taken photos: “I want to see them again! So cute!”

Victor twisted open a water bottle, handing it to Alarieka: “Drink. Your lips look dry.”

She took a small sip.

“Daddy!”

The girl sprinted toward a foreign man, launching herself into his arms.

Rio.

Alarieka set down the bottle and stood.

Rio’s eyes crinkled as he lifted his daughter. She peppered his cheeks with loud “mwah mwah” kisses.

His laughter boomed while carrying her toward Alarieka.

“Mr. Rio, good afternoon.” Alaricka greeted softly.

Rio glanced at her, setting his daughter down.

Before he could speak, the girl dragged him forward: “Daddy, meet my new friend!”

“She’s called… called…” The girl pouted, “I don’t know! She didn’t tell me.”

Rio ruffled her hair: “I know. This is Ms. Huston. You may call her Ms. Huston.”

The girl immediately chirped: “Ms. Huston!”

Rio beamed: “Clever girl.”

Alaricka quietly observed their interaction without interruption.

Two minutes later, Rio finally met her eyes: “Ms. Huston, my security briefed me beforehand and shared your photo. I hope you understand–I guard my daughter’s safety closely and vet everyone near her.”

Alaricka smiled. “It’s fine. I understand.”

Rio nodded and lifted his daughter again. “I saw what you did earlier.”

Alarieka paused before realizing he meant her throwing the rope.

Alaricka asked, “Oh? You were there too?”

Rio nodded. “Yes. Since I recognized Mr. Argent’s child, I stayed nearby to help. You probably didn’t notice me.”

“But I saw you,” Rio continued. “Thank goodness you found that rope. The boy would’ve fallen otherwise.”

Alarieka replied, “Just a small gesture. Nothing worth mentioning.”

Rio handed his daughter to a bodyguard, motioning for them to step away. He then gestured to Alarieka. “Please have a seat. Ms. Huston.”

Alarieka waited until Rio sat before taking her own seat.

Rio cleared his throat lightly, his smile fading slightly compared to when he’d addressed his daughter. “I know what you’re after, Ms. Huston. But I still won’t sell you the game center copyright.”

Though disappointed, Alaricka maintained her composure. “That’s alright. I’ll keep trying.”

Rio chuckled briefly. “Ms. Huston, I hadn’t planned to mention this. But since you saved Mr. Argent’s child, I’ll share something with you.”

Alaricka said, “Go ahead.”

Rio leaned forward. “Are you Mr. Argent’s sister?”

Alaricka frowned. “Not exactly. I just lived with the Argents for a few years. Moved out five years ago and haven’t seen them since.”

Rio suddenly looked surprised. “So you’re not close?”

“Not particularly,” Alarieka pressed her lips together. “Did they tell you something?”

Rio hesitated a moment. “Then I’ll be blunt.”