Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 158

Nola’s face darkened instantly. “Alicia, what are you trying to say…?”

She dropped her head, her lips trembling, eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Honestly, Nola was a born actress—miles ahead of Jade, Nicole, or any of their crowd.

With her eyes reddened, she looked up at Vincent. “Vincent, is your sister upset because I’m spending your money? You’ve helped me through college, and I promise I’ll pay you back one day. This dress… I bought it as a reward for myself with my scholarship. I only wore it today because I wanted to look nice when I saw you. Most of the time, I don’t dare even take it out of the closet.”

Vincent frowned and turned to Alicia. “Alicia, if you’re angry, take it out on me. Nola just got into college. That’s something to celebrate—don’t be so harsh.”

Alicia smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

People never really change, do they?

A leopard can’t change its spots.

Vincent was always like this. Whenever she and someone else disagreed, he’d stand on the other person’s side—every single time.

She remembered warning Vincent back when he started helping Nicole. She told him: tuition was enough; don’t give her too much for living expenses. Girls their age could easily go astray with too much money. More wasn’t always better.

But Vincent wouldn’t listen. He called her cold-hearted, said, “How is a girl supposed to live on just a few hundred bucks a month?”

Back then, Alicia had felt bitter. Not enough to live on, he said… but that same amount was what she scraped together working odd jobs for an entire month.

Vincent could see everyone’s suffering—except hers.

And yet, stupidly, she’d stuck with him all these years…

“You guys enjoy your celebration,” Alicia said, standing up. “I think this party will be much more fun without me.”

Alicia turned to leave, but paused. She looked back at Nola with a faint, mocking smile. “Oh, and to answer your question—I got into Seaview Tech School of Architecture with the top score in the county and seventh in the state.”

With that, Alicia strode out without a backward glance.

What was Nola showing off for, anyway? Her grades?

She’d learn soon enough—once she spent a few years at college. In those rarefied circles, good grades were the least impressive thing you could have. In fact, with no family backing, even top marks could make you a target.

Nola clenched her fists, unwilling to accept it.

Alicia… had scored even higher than she did!

“Vincent… is your sister upset with me?” she asked, turning back to him in tears.