Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 313

In an instant, Marcus was back in the good graces of Harboridge City's high society.

After all, Easton was his eldest son. Anyone who wanted to curry favor with Easton naturally had to cozy up to Marcus first.

For the past few days, Marcus and Valery had been riding high, basking in the attention. They were all smiles, clearly relishing their newfound status.

“This city really does turn people’s heads with its wealth and glamour,” Valery remarked, her lips curled in satisfaction. She was draped head-to-toe in designer labels and custom-made outfits.

Though Valery had never possessed much grace—no matter how expensive her clothes, she never quite looked the part—her rise in status as the mother of a favored son was on full display.

“Marcus, it’s been what, over a decade since we last saw each other? You haven’t changed a bit,” Brandon said, flattering him with the same sycophantic tone he once used years ago, back when he’d desperately tried to claw his way back into the White family and would have done anything to please Marcus.

“Now that you’re back, you should really take some time to enjoy yourself. Let’s have a proper night out—the kind where we don’t go home until we’re all thoroughly drunk.” Brandon gave Jade and his wife a meaningful look, and the two women soon led Valery away for spa treatments and facials.

With Valery out of the way, Brandon ushered Marcus into a private lounge. Inside, several young women—each strikingly beautiful and dressed to impress—were already waiting.

Marcus had been at the top of the social ladder back in the day; he knew exactly what this kind of setup meant.

Years ago, his gambling addiction had led him into signing ruinous contracts—thanks, in no small part, to Brandon’s schemes behind the scenes. Maddox and Tyrone had only tolerated Brandon out of respect for Reginald, but Marcus had been foolish enough to fall for every trick.

They said wealth rarely lasted beyond three generations, and Maddox had made the shrewdest move of all: giving up on his son early and investing in his grandson.

He understood that if Lynch Corporation ever fell into Marcus’s hands, it would be run into the ground within three years.

Now, after all these years, Marcus was back—and still walking right into Brandon’s traps.

. . .

Building something from scratch was no easy feat, and the old man knew it.

“Easton’s flight has landed. We’ll sign the agreement tonight, and tomorrow I’ll announce everything at a press conference. I just want you and your brother to support each other, not become enemies…” The old man’s tone was heavy with feeling.

Tyrone stayed silent until his grandfather had finished. Then he spoke, calm but with steel in his voice. “You never should have handed the Italian project to Vincent. You made it too obvious. If Easton and I end up at each other’s throats, it’ll be because you forced us there.”

He stood, fixing his grandfather with a steady gaze. “Everyone has their limits. Don’t accuse me of being heartless—Alicia is my line in the sand. If you go after her, you go after me. Out of respect for everything you did raising me, I won’t touch Lynch Corporation. I’ll hand it over to Easton exactly as it is. But don’t expect me to stick around and work for him.”

The old man pressed a hand to his chest, knowing he’d gone too far—but he felt no regret.

At least Tyrone, for Alicia’s sake, had willingly given up his claim to the Lynch Corporation.