Chapter421

rieka checked her watch–no rush. She’d cleared her afternoon for the ck–White Rabbit copyright meeting with Kieran Argent. Only routine tasks awaited at the office.

“Go ahead.”

Silence settled in the cabin. Shi Yao fidgeted, stealing nces her way. rieka remained unbothered, perfectly content.

She loungedzily in the car seat, her gaze drifting absently out the window.

The restaurant where she’d just dined with Kieran Argent ranked among the capital’s most exclusive establishments, attracting few patrons.

rieka watched for a long while, yet saw no one entering or exiting.

After a moment, her eyes flickered.

Kieran and his assistant emerged from the restaurant.

The assistant signaled for their car while Kieran waited by the

entrance.

Though the area remained empty, Kieran stood out strikingly–tall, impably tailored, and strikingly handsome.

rieka’s expression shifted slightly, but Kieran suddenly lifted his gaze toward her direction. Their eyes locked across the distance.

Though the tinted windows should’ve concealed her, rieka felt

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certain he could see her.

Frowning, she turned away abruptly.

As she moved, something caught in her peripheral vision–closing in fast.

rieka’s heart lurched as she pressed herself against the seat.

Shi Yao had leaned so close their faces nearly touched, mere centimeters apart, his eyes intensely fixed outside.

“What are you doing?”

rieka shoved Shi Yao’s shoulder irritably, but his rigid posture resisted her push.

She scowled.

After a prolonged stare outside, Shi Yao finally turned, his face grave. “That man is Kieran Argent?”

rieka didn’t need to guess whom he’d been watching.

She pushed his shoulder again. “Yes. Now move back. Don’t crowd me.”

Scowling, Shi Yao shot another nce at Kieran before slowly retreating.

“He didn’t… hurt you, did he?”

The words finally emerged after a tense silence.

ricka snapped, “No. What are you imagining?”

He turned, scrutinizing her. “Truly not?”

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Her expression ttened. “How exactly would he hurt me?”

After a pause, Shi Yao ventured, “ricka… may I ask something?”

She stilled briefly. “What do you want to know?”

His scowl wavered with uncharacteristic hesitation. “…Can I?”

She clicked her tongue. “Speak now or get out.”

He pressed his lips together. “You and Kieran… what were you before?”

rieka had anticipated this.

Shi Yao’s behavior had grown peculiartely, especially since learning

of her meeting with Kieran–unlike his usual self.

Had anyone else asked, she’d suspect ulterior motives.

But this was Shi Yao.

To her, he existed worlds apart from others.

His support over the years had been immeasurable.

He wasn’t just a friend–he was invaluable.

She might never find another like him in her lifetime.

Thus, he upied a unique space: permitted questions others couldn’t ask, allowed topics others couldn’t broach.

ricka didn’t overthink it and didn’t want to deceive Shiyao either, admitting frankly: “I was adopted by the Argent family before, lived with the Argents. Kieran… was like a brother to me.”

She briefly recounted her past.

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Shivao stared at her intently.

ricka fell silent for a moment, then said: “He treated me quite well back then, but some things happened. I left the Argents, left Shanghai, and we weren’t siblings anymore. Haven’t seen each other in five years.”

Hearing ricka’s exnation firsthand didn’t case Shiyao’s mind.

His chest felt heavy, suffocating: “ricka, I never expected you’d tell me this.”

ricka scoffed: “Keep this up and I’ll get really annoyed. Won’t answer any more questions.”

Shivao opened his mouth, voice raspy: “rieka.”

ricka said: “Hmm?”

Shiyao lowered his gaze: “…Did you like him?”

This question had tortured Shiyao sleepless night after night. He desperately needed to know if rieka and Kieran had crossed that line from siblings to something more.

rieka stayed silent, not answering.

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