Alessia was wearing a knee-length black dress, with only a simple silver diamond necklace adorning her neckline.
The fluffy skirt accentuated Alessia's long, straight legs. Just showcasing those legs alone could make someone blush, especially coupled with Alessia's beautiful face.
At this moment, Alessia looked stunning, even more so than when she tried on dresses in the mall last time.
Following closely behind Alessia down the stairs, Bianca was equally beautiful, but her beauty was completely different from Alessia's.
Alessia exuded a noble and cool charm, while Bianca's beauty was vibrant and fiery, with a high profile. Just like now, she wore a fiery red dress, exuding a bold and radiant aura.
But how many people knew that within this fiery exterior lay a heart as pure as snow?
Bianca noticed Dominic entering the room and was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of him momentarily lost in thought.
With a hint of mischief in her eyes, she ran a few steps closer and asked, "Brother, am I pretty?"
Dominic's gaze shifted away from Alessia and swept over to Bianca, scolding her coldly, "You're growing up. Can't you be more mature?"
"Dom, how am I not mature? If you don't want to answer, just don't. Actually, whether I'm pretty or not doesn't matter. As long as you think my sister-in-law is pretty."
As she spoke, Bianca pushed Alessia forward again while her attention was diverted, then slipped behind her.
She rested her head on Alessia's shoulder and said unabashedly, "Brother, stop pretending. I clearly saw you staring at my sister-in-law just now."
Dominic took a deep breath, his face turning somber. How could he possibly have been staring at Alessia so intently?
"Bianca, you won't get any pocket money anymore!"
Dominic's expression indicated an imminent storm, and Bianca felt quite afraid. But with Alessia behind her, she felt a sense of security and spoke confidently, almost arrogantly. "I don't need it anyway. I've already obtained the domestic agency rights for LR Studio's new quarter. I can earn my own pocket money from now on."
It seemed like her wings had hardened, ready to fly.
Dominic took another deep breath and took a step forward.
Bianca, being mischievous, pushed Alessia forward again towards Dominic. Then, she quickly ran to the sofa and sat down, using Riley's tall figure to shield herself from Dominic's almost murderous gaze.
Alessia hadn't expected Bianca to trick her again. Wearing high heels wasn't her strong suit, and being pushed, she stumbled forward.
Dominic reached out instinctively to catch Alessia, his fingers touching her waist as he pulled her up and into his arms.
His gaze fell on Alessia's almost transparent white cheek, and his eyes fixed on her.
"Mr. Carter, can you let go now?" Alessia's gaze was cold.
Dominic realized he had lost control for the second time. His fingers seemed to have been burned as he quickly let go of her waist with disdain.
He looked away, towards the stairs, trying to cover up his embarrassment. "Your makeup looks strange."
In other words, he wasn't staring at her because she was beautiful, but because she looked odd.
Alessia was stunned. Although she usually went makeup-free, she was confident in her makeup skills. Her makeup today was just right, not strange at all.
How could someone be so difficult? Was it really that hard to admit that she looked good?
Everyone desires beauty, but Alessia wasn't as narcissistic as he was, thinking that a few more glances meant falling in love.
Alessia's criticism went unspoken, but Dominic seemed to have understood her thoughts just by looking at her.
His expression darkened even further, but he couldn't afford to scold Bianca anymore. With firm steps, he walked upstairs.
Although he looked normal on the surface, anyone observing closely would notice his slightly hurried steps, indicating his inner turmoil.
Bianca watched her brother's conflicted expression with mixed feelings, feeling both amused and guilty.
Looking up again, she noticed Riley staring at her.
Bianca's first reaction was that Riley was mocking her. After all, their relationship wasn't good.
Her spoiled princess temper flared up instantly, and she crossed her arms, saying, "Uncle, one glance is worth ten thousand. Do you want to pay?"
Riley found it amusing and interesting, his gaze didn't waver, and he stared directly at Bianca, saying, "I don't have money."
"No money, no looking." Bianca asserted dominantly, glaring at Riley.
Unfazed, Riley lazily leaned back on the sofa, glancing at Bianca, and said, "If you don't want me to look, then hide yourself."
This was a showdown between rogues.
Bianca was irritated, gritting her teeth as she turned her beautiful eyes on Riley.
Only now did she notice that Riley had also changed into formal attire; a silver-gray suit, silver-framed glasses, and an outrageously elegant and handsome appearance.
"Such a refined scoundrel." Bianca scoffed and suddenly reached out to pull down Riley's glasses.
The glasses ended up perched on Riley's lips.
Caught off guard by Bianca's sudden move, Riley looked at her with a hint of embarrassment in his foxy eyes and said helplessly, "Don't touch my glasses."
Bianca couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
She had never seen Riley in such a sorry state before. It seemed that every time she saw him, he had a refined and courteous demeanor, even when injured, he remained composed.
Bianca found it amusing and provocative, saying, "Uncle, I think you look better without glasses. Why don't you take them off?"
Putting his glasses back on, Riley replied, "As an adult, I don't need to focus solely on appearances like a child."
Was he calling her immature? How come he didn't mind when they were together before?
Bianca suddenly felt a tightness in her chest and couldn't help but retch.
"What's wrong with you?" Riley frowned.
"It's none of your business, scumbag." Bianca pushed Riley away, glared at him fiercely, then turned and left, her high heels clicking loudly on the ground, as if she wanted to leave a hole in the floor.
Although Bianca was walking on the ground, Riley couldn't shake off the feeling that she was trying to step on him.
Those seven-centimeter high heels felt as dangerous as nails piercing into him. Riley shivered involuntarily.
Although he didn't understand how he had become the scumbag in Bianca's eyes, he still felt that it was better to stay away from her in the future.
After all, one should avoid what one cannot handle.
Bianca walked to the yard to ease the nausea rising in her chest. As she looked up, she saw Ava and Jessie coming to pick up Alessia.
"Miss Carter, what's wrong? Did Alessia make you angry? Although Alessia is from the countryside, she still needs your tolerance if she does something wrong." Ava spoke as soon as she saw Bianca coming out angrily.
At first glance, her tone seemed caring and thoughtful, like a kind elder thinking for her daughter. But upon closer inspection, something seemed off.
Ava's words were subtly belittling Alessia for being from the countryside.
Bianca defended her, saying, "Miss Ramirez, where did you see that it was Alessia who made me angry? Alessia and I have a good relationship. Don't talk nonsense here. Alessia grew up in the countryside, but that's because you're such an irresponsible mother, always criticizing your own daughter."
Ava's face alternated between red and white with anger.
She knew Bianca was spoiled, but she hadn't expected her to be this spoiled. After all, she was still an elder, but Bianca didn't give her any face.
But in order to maintain her image, she couldn't vent her anger back. Ava forced a smile and said, "Miss Carter, you're joking. How could I belittle my own daughter?"
"Who knows what you're like? After all, some people have black hearts." Bianca rolled her eyes and continued, "I'll also attend tonight's recognition banquet. If you dare to mistreat Alessia at the banquet, I won't let you off."
After threatening Ava, Bianca felt much better. Ignoring Ava's expression, she turned and spoke to Jessie.
Seeing Bianca smiling and talking to Jessie, Ava felt like she was about to explode with anger.
She closed her eyes, trying to calm down before finally entering the house.
***