Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Emi, who has been stationed in the apartment hallway on alternate shifts with another security guard every day since the debut,

has already let our guests in by the time I walk into the entryway.

Arthur steps in, looking handsome in a casual sweater and slacks. Behind him are Leonard and Wendy.

“Welcome,” I say, stepping aside to let them in. “Please, come in.”

Arthur gives me a quick kiss on the cheek as he enters, making my face pleasantly warm. Miles immediately attaches himself to

Arthur’s leg, earning a fond smile and a ruffle of his hair.

“Miles, these are your grandparents,” Arthur says, gesturing to Leonard and Wendy. “My mother and father.”

Miles stares at the floor. “HL”

Wendy’s gaze immediately looks appraising, although her voice is kind as she says, “Hello, Miles. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Leonard nods curtly. “Hello, young man.”

Thankfully, neither of them mentions his refusal to meet their gazes or the way he doesn’t say another word.

I watch as they look around my temporary apartment, taking in the small living room with its secondhand furniture, the narrow hallway leading to the bedrooms, the kitchen visible through the archway.

“It’s… smaller than I expected,” Wendy finally says.

“It’s temporary,” Arthur explains quickly. “Part of Iris’s art residency at Abbott Gallery.”

Leonard and Wendy exchange a glance that I can’t quite interpret, although it doesn’t seem approving.

“Would you

ou like a tour?” 1 offer, hoping to move past the awkward moment. “And some wine? I have red and white.”

“Red would be lovely,” Wendy says, handing her coat to Arthur.

1 pour wine for the adults and juice for Miles, then lead them through the small apartment. There’s not much to see, honestly the living room and kitchen they’ve already glimpsed, Miles” bedroom with its dinosaur decorations, and finally my studio.

“This is where I work,” I say, feeling suddenly self–conscious about the paint–splattered floor and the chaos of supplies. The painting I was just working on is still drying on the easel. I can hear Arthur’s breath catch quietly behind me as he takes it in.

“You’re quite…creative,” Leonard says, peering at the painting.

“Thank you,” 1 reply. “I just finished that one today, actually.” I glance at Arthur and add with a fond smile, “I’m going to call it “A Little Batty“.” Arthur snorts softly into his wine glass, his eyes sparkling as he meets my gaze.

“I think it’s beautiful,” Arthur says, looping an arm around my waist. “Your best work yet, I dare say.”

Wendy sips her wine, her eyes moving between Arthur and me. “And how long do you plan to continue with your little hobby after

The question catches me off guard. I decide not to mention the fact that Arthur and I haven’t even had a discussion about marriage just yet. That’s between us. “I don’t plan to stop. This is my career, not just a hobby.”

“Oh?” Her eyebrows rise slightly. “But surely you’ll have other responsibilities. Social engagements, charity work, eventually