Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 364

Chapter 364: Ch 364: Pits of danger
Even at that young age, Suzie knew she wanted to be the most critical person in the room. That’s why she pouted once she realized that Damian was not paying attention to her.

“Hey, I am talking to you. Are you not going to pay any attention to me? Hey, I am talking to you.”

Suzie begged Damian while clutching his shirt and tugging at it.

Rika turned her attention toward Suzie with an awkward expression. But the younger woman refused to look at her and continued to sneak glances at Damian.

The older alpha finally looked at Suzie but did not look happy to see her. He grabbed her by the back of her clothes and ended up giving her to Mark.

“Keep her in check. I will not be merciful with her the next time she loiters around me.”

For the first time in her life, Suzie had been ignored, and it did not sit well with her. It only took a few seconds for tears to build up in her eyes and the waterwork to start again.

Suzie cried straight for a second meeting in a row, but Damian got annoyed by her, and he decided to make a run.

He grabbed Rika’s wrist and dragged her outside.

“Ugh, this is annoying. If you can’t even keep a toddler in check, how will you control your subordinates in the future?”

Damian asked, and that was the first time Emily had heard him addressing Mark properly.

Even Mark looked taken aback by how cold Damian was, and he tried to come back with an answer. But Damian had already shown that he was not interested in getting an answer from Mark.

While the dominant alpha grabbed Rika’s wrist, Rika somehow managed to hold onto Emily.

That small gesture made Emily’s heart skip a beat. It almost felt like Rika had chosen her to help her out.

So, she was dragged along for the ride when Damian dragged Rika out of the room.

Ultimately, this arrangement becomes typical for the trio until Emily leaves Rika alone. Emily’s curiosity turns into interest, and before she knows it, she has always looked forward to seeing Rika.

She was sure Damian felt similar to her regarding Rika. Or maybe he fell for Rika from the start.

It was tough to tell since Damian’s attitude did not change even a single but during all these years. If anything, he did become a little more possessive over time, but that was the extent of emotions he showed on his face.

The trio grew up and changed a lot. But somehow, their dynamic never changed. Rika was the one who bound them together, and she was still the reason the pair was together.

…

“I hate to admit it, but I feel much better now. All the dizziness and headaches are gone. I would have to ask Damian what kind of medicine he got me this time.”

Rika’s head did not hurt or spin when she walked through the ship’s corridor for the first time in forever. She had removed her make-up since it had been ruined, and now her bare face made her look just a little older than she was initially going for)

She was able to think correctly, and she quickly started to look for her partner.

Just as she was about to enter the party area, Rika felt someone walking up to her quietly. She was on alert, and as soon as that hand reached for her shoulder, she pretended to tense up and turn around.

“Excuse me, but can I talk to you, Miss? I cannot help but notice that you are someone I have never seen before. But since you are at this party, I assume you are looking for an opportunity to be cast in a movie?

If you follow me, I can show you where your dreams can come true. So please, give me your hand, and I will lead you to your destination.”

The man extended his hand toward Rika, but looked shady no matter the angle from which Rika looked at him.

This man was not here to show her anything good, and she was sure he was also trying to scam her.

She should have said no right then and there, but she was about to. But Ren Li came up behind her at that moment, and he warped his arms around Rika’s middle to show that he was by her side.

“Oh my! A scouting offer? That is lucky, Rika. You should take that offer and try out your luck. What do you say?”

Ren Li smiled and asked Rika this question. But she felt he was not asking Rika this but demanding that she do it.

It left Rika with no choice but to agree to this offer.

“Of course! It would be an honor to be cast in a movie by someone. Ren, will you be accompanying me to that back room? We can both go over the contract together.”

Rika was not foolish enough to walk into a trap alone. She was going to drag Ren with her for safety.

Unfortunately, the broker made a sorry face when he looked at Rika. It was clear that he did not want Ren anywhere near his room.

“I am afraid I can only take you with me, Miss. Anyone who is not being cast for this role has to stay out and wait for their partners. Otherwise, it can get crowded in there very fast.”

The broker looked at Ren with intended eyes and seemed to be telling him something. Ren pretended to get the message and then sighed in regret.

“Seems like we don’t have a choice in this matter, Rika. You should go and pursue your dreams. I will wait for you to return, and then we can discuss what happened there. I will wait for you out here.”

Ren repeated his words as he patted Rika’s back. She felt him stick something in the fold of her clothes.