Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 453

He didn’t want to lie to Lena, nor did he want to give her any false hope.

Lena’s eyes were rimmed red as she looked at Easton. Tears welled up again, spilling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

She had already guessed the answer, but for a moment she’d hoped Easton might say something vague—something to comfort her. Yet Easton couldn’t even bring himself to offer her a gentle lie.

“Easton… is there someone you like?” Lena clutched the blanket tightly around herself, her gaze fixed on him.

Easton fell silent. A face flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t be sure what he felt. “Maybe… but she doesn’t like me.”

He thought of Winnie Ryan. But Winnie was drawn to mature, grounded men—everything he was not. From head to toe, he failed to meet a single one of her standards.

There was an unbridgeable gap between him and Winnie. The years between them felt like a canyon he could never cross.

He hated being born in the wrong time. Hated coming into this world too late.

But that was something he could never change.

“The girl you like… she’ll be very lucky,” Lena whispered, turning her back to him and slowly closing her eyes.

She knew, deep down, that she’d never find love again in this life.

If there was another life, she hoped she’d never have the misfortune of meeting someone who would hurt her.

…

Early the next morning, Easton and Shaw left for Lynch Corporation. As soon as they were gone, Natalia grabbed Lena’s arm. “Did it work?”

Lena nodded. “It happened so fast, we weren’t careful. I need to go buy the morning-after pill.”

Natalia breathed a sigh of relief, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Don’t let anything go wrong. Once Easton finds out he’s been infected, there’s no turning back.”

Lena’s eyes filled with tears. “Natalia, if Easton ever finds out, he’ll kill me. If that happens… will you give me some money to get out of the country?”

Natalia let out a cold laugh, but quickly softened her expression, coaxing, “Of course. Don’t worry. When this is all over, I’ll make sure you have the best possible future.”

Lena lowered her head, nodding shyly.

No one could deny, Easton’s talent for performance ran deep in his bones.

Natalia smiled in satisfaction. This picture-perfect honeymoon phase between the newlyweds was exactly what she wanted to see.

“Dad, is Easton facing a lot of resistance taking over the company?” Natalia asked, unable to hide her eagerness for Easton to take control of Lynch Corporation.

Shaw nodded. “Most of Tyrone’s people still listen to his word. Before he died, Tyrone made it clear—Easton wasn’t to take over until he finished school. Now those at the top are holding out, refusing to let go.”

Natalia scoffed. “Easton is destined to run Lynch Corporation. The sooner he takes the reins, the better. Isn’t learning on the job the best way to gain experience? They’re just being selfish, clinging to power and looking for their chance to seize control. Once Easton’s in charge, the first thing we’ll do is get rid of them.”

Easton nodded in agreement. “When I take over, I’ll hand things over to Natalia at first. She can help clear out the company, and when I come back, I’ll take charge.”

Both Natalia and Shaw nodded in satisfaction.