Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 175

Alicia clutched her phone tightly, saying nothing.

Nicole toyed with a strand of her hair, a smug smile on her lips. “Don’t expect Tyrone to come rushing to your rescue. He’s not making it back in time, and even if he does, the outcome is already set. His grandfather is the one pulling the strings—he’ll make sure Tyrone agrees to the divorce. I’m the one meant to be Tyrone’s future wife. You? You’re just some orphan… What do you really count for?”

Alicia stayed silent, her expression unreadable.

Nicole turned her attention to the elderly man seated at the head of the room. “Grandpa, the results will be out any minute. How do you plan to deal with Alicia? If you ask me, she’s been scheming to get a spot in that study-abroad program, using Tyrone’s money to buy her way in. Why not revoke her spot, blacklist her in every industry, and make sure she never gets another chance? Let’s see how far she gets then.”

The words made Alicia’s heart hammer. She sprang up from her seat, panic flashing in her eyes. If he really did that, he might as well be signing her death sentence.

Vincent, who’d been standing off to the side, frowned. Nicole was going too far.

“That’s not necessary, sir,” Vincent interjected quickly.

Nicole scoffed. “Not necessary? She lies compulsively, smeared Tyrone’s name, deceived him at every turn—she deserves whatever she gets.”

The old man’s eyes were cold as they landed on Alicia. “Someone with such poor character, even sending her abroad would be a waste. Blacklisting her is more than justified.”

He gave a slight nod, as if Nicole’s words had convinced him.

“Grandpa!” Alicia’s voice trembled with anger. “You have no right to do this. Even if I’m not without fault, my marriage to Tyrone is real—I’m his legal wife.”

She was desperate, and truly afraid. She knew all too well the kind of power and underhanded tactics people like them could wield.

“So you’re admitting you’ve been lying, then?” The old man glared at her, his anger rising. “I’ve given you chance after chance, but you just keep spinning your lies, never once taking my words to heart.”

“This is a Lynch family matter, Miss Harrison. I suggest you stay out of it,” Maddox said in a low, warning tone.

“Family matter? Looks more like you’re ganging up on a young girl,” Yvonne said, sprawling comfortably onto a nearby chair.

Albertine wiped her eyes and tried to defend Alicia. “Alicia might be an orphan, but she’s made her own way. She’s always been an excellent student—got into college on her own merits. She’s worked for everything, never relied on a man for money, never been greedy…”

Alicia hugged Albertine, her eyes red, shaking her head as if to say, “Don’t.”

Yvonne watched Alicia for a long moment. There was something about her—crying, she looked so much like Yvonne’s own sister. And she was an orphan?

Suddenly, Yvonne sat up straight, turning to Albertine. “Which orphanage was she at?”