Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 107

Vincent leaned back against the wall, rubbing his temples to ease the pounding ache in his head.

He didn't want to hurt Alicia. He didn't want to push her into a corner again. But if the only way to keep her by his side was to force her hand, then he had no choice.

It seemed he truly couldn't live without her anymore.

He realized it far too late. For four years, he'd let Alicia slip through his fingers, never holding on tightly enough, always letting her go when he should have fought harder.

"Alicia, sometimes you have to leave yourself a way out. Compromise, and you'll give yourself options. If you won't let things go with Mira and Henry, you'll be making enemies out of both the Holloway and Lawson families. When that happens…" Mina's voice was low and threatening as she spoke to Alicia, who'd just returned.

"She won't just be crossing the Holloways and the Lawsons," Jade added with a cold laugh, her eyes fixed on Alicia. "She'll be up against the Whites, too."

An orphan, Alicia now found herself at odds with three of the city's most powerful families. No one needed to spell out what her future would look like.

"I can't wait for the day Tyrone finally throws you aside," Mina said, her smile laced with undisguised anticipation.

Alicia stayed silent. She was scared—of course she was—but she still refused to give in.

When Tyrone came back, Alicia was perched obediently on a chair. "Did you get enough to eat?" he asked. "If you're full, let's get going."

Alicia shot up, nodding hard.

She was more than full—she was so stuffed she could barely stop herself from hiccuping.

Tyrone picked up a napkin and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. Then, taking her hand, he led her toward the door.

"Tyrone…" Jade shot Nicole a meaningful look. Nicole jumped up hastily. "Can we… exchange numbers? I'm starting college in Seaview City, and Grandpa said if I have any trouble there, I should reach out to you."

Tyrone opened the car door and guided Alicia inside. "Wait in the car for me."

Suddenly, Tyrone remembered something. He doubled back to where Reginald was still chatting with Maddox at the door. "Reginald, this might sound paranoid, but you should quietly run a few more paternity tests on Nicole… The White family spent years searching for her with no luck, and now she just shows up? Seems a little too convenient."

"You just don't want to marry Nicole, and now you're making excuses," Maddox scolded, clearly annoyed.

"Believe me or not, it's up to you. But you're both old enough to know better—don't let the younger generation play you for fools." Tyrone patted Maddox on the shoulder. "See you, Grandpa. My wife and I are heading out."

Maddox, bristling with irritation, kicked at Tyrone, who dodged nimbly, nearly throwing out the old man's back in the process.

"Troublemaker," Maddox muttered, but after a moment he turned to Reginald, more serious now. "You can never be too careful. Over the years, plenty of girls have tried to pass themselves off as Nicole. Even if the paternity test looks legit, there's always a chance someone's tampered with it."

Reginald nodded. "I'll have them checked again, just to be sure."