Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 301

Chapter 301: Ch 301: The threatening aura
Finding excellent saloons in the next town over was not difficult when you had Andrew Tweten with you.

Andrew Tweten, the older alpha, was always at Rika’s side, never questioning her orders.

Maybe he knew what happened, or perhaps he knew better than to ask stupid questions, but Rika did not need to explain anything to him.

He did not even ask why Rika came to him suddenly, and he asked him to accompany her outside when she had a million other options at her disposal.

This ease of communication was different but friendly at the same time. Rika did not have to say anything to be understood.

When she returned to her shared dorm, she could tell that Fey and Charon avoided her.

Both of them quickly looked away as soon as Rika looked their way. It could only mean they had done something they were not proud of, but it was for Rika’s sake.

She did not ask, and the pair did not tell her. That was how they passed the evening; the next day was even more hectic for her.

It was lined up from morning to night with different appointments Andrew had marked for her.

Rika felt like a doll being ushered from one place to another to get one thing done after another. It was bad enough that Rika did not have enough time to even think of calling Emily or Damian.

The only solace in her life was that Andrew was going through the same thing on his part, and he did not look happy.

“Miss, please pay attention. This might hurt.”

The lady waxing Rika’s legs warned before the sharp sensation of having her extra hair peeled off made Rika flinch.

But she endured it all for her own sake, looks today.

Rika did not have much body hair but wanted to do her best and come out on top.

By the end of the treatment, Rika could not tell her left from her right. It all felt like a mess, and her head spun. But she knew she looked decent because Andrew told her so, and so did most of the staff.

‘It’s uncomfortable. I don’t think I’ve ever worn such an awkward dress or shoes. But I will endure it since it’s for one night.’

With those words, Rika quickly approached her partner for the night and weaved their arms together. It was time to head out, and she was not hesitant to show the world what she got.

“By the way, I heard some amusing news, Rika. Do you know Mark Goodwill will attend this year’s conference without a partner? This will be the first time he will not be accompanying his sister. What do you think about this?”

Andrew asked in an amused voice.

Rika was surprised by this news. She had not expected Mark to not bring Suzie to such a place.

He always took her out to such places, while Rika was the one who was often left behind.

“Well, I doubt that this is a statement or means much. Maybe Suzie found another partner and decided to come with them? I try not to think about her, so I won’t know what she would or would not do.”

While this was true to some extent, Rika was not ‘that’ indifferent toward Suzie. She just…did not want to waste too much brain power on Suzie when Rike could be using it for so much more.

The alpha accompanying Rika looked amused to hear her speak those words before he nodded in agreement with her.

“You are right. There is no point in overthinking Suzie’s actions at this point. Ah, we should enter now.”

Andrew held Rika’s hand tightly before he led her inside.

The Union Conference was just a conference in the name. It was a vast place filled with influential people with enough power to share a country’s future.

It was a place that could make or break a man.

“Don’t look so nervous. None of the people inside are of any threat to you. Your family dominates this world, and you have other protection besides your family name. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Andrew assured Rika, but she did not want to use her family’s name to get what she wanted.

“Well, let’s hope I don’t have to use any of the above this time. As much as an advantage this will give me, I cannot help but feel that it would also be a bad thing to happen.”

Rika would need to stay ahead of herself.

Andrew chuckled at Rika’s words before dragging her inside the room.

Everyone froze as they looked at Andrew and his partner. Rika could not tell how many eyes were on her at that moment.

She felt like an animal being displayed for the first time and was nervous.

“Don’t look away. Hold your head high, and make sure to give your best smile to these people. Don’t let them sense how nervous you are.”

Andrew advised, and Rika knew he was trying to help her. That was why Rika emptied her mind and took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She knew she could not afford to make a mistake here.

“I will be on alert about these people and what they want. Don’t worry about anything! You can trust me this time. Ah, here comes the first wave.”

Rika looked up, only to see that some people had finally decided to approach her and Andrew.

They looked ready to tear them apart, but Rika needed more confidence. She felt she could get through this without any problem.”

“Ah, Alpha Tweten, may we have the honor of greeting you and your partner? By the way, I don’t think I have seen your partner before! Which family is she from? And why did you come here with a beta? She must be incredible if you chose her over all other available options available to you-“