Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 79

Alicia stared in surprise at the bouquet of flowers.

Did Tyrone send these too?

If he could be this thoughtful to a wife he'd only married on paper, how much more devoted would he be to the woman he truly loved someday? The thought made Alicia's chest tighten with longing.

She couldn't help feeling envious.

The doorbell rang, its chime echoing through the quiet apartment.

Wilma went to answer it.

Alicia wondered who could be visiting at this hour. She guessed it might be Melanie, but when she peeked around the corner, her eyes widened. It was Jade.

"Miss White," Wilma greeted politely, blocking the door just enough to show she meant business. "Mr. Holloway and Miss Maddox aren't home right now."

"I'm here to see Alicia, actually." Jade's smile was warm, but her eyes were sharp.

Wilma hesitated, glancing back at Alicia for direction.

Alicia nodded, signaling it was fine, and Jade stepped inside.

She'd rather not get on Jade White's bad side—not that she could afford to.

"Alicia, I heard you're with the Department of Architectural Design. What a coincidence—I am, too," Jade said breezily, sitting down with effortless grace.

Alicia offered a polite nod. "Yes, you're my senior in the field."

Jade crossed her legs and regarded Alicia with a faint, knowing smile. "Actually, I'm here today on behalf of Mina. I'm hoping you'll hear her out."

Alicia's expression shifted, uneasy. "I'm sorry—"

"Alicia, don't be so quick to refuse." Jade cut her off, her tone suddenly cool and direct. "You know very well the Holloways aren't people you want to cross. And, of course, neither are the Whites."

It was clear Jade wasn't here for a friendly chat—she was issuing a threat.

"You know exactly why you and Tyrone got married. It's a contract marriage, and those never last. It's only a matter of time before Tyrone files for divorce."

Jade shook her head, her smile never wavering. "I don't need to bargain for something that's inevitable."

Alicia and Tyrone's divorce was, in her mind, a foregone conclusion.

"Sign the settlement agreement. Give Mira and Henry a chance." Jade stood, smoothing her skirt, and gave Alicia one last, pointed look. "And give yourself an escape route. If you want a future in this industry, you'll find me a very important ally."

It was a threat, plain as day.

Alicia's dreams of changing her fate by studying abroad could be crushed by a single word from Jade. If Jade wanted to ruin her career before it even started, she could do it with a phone call.

Alicia's hands clenched in her lap, her body tense. She hated to admit it, but Jade's threat had rattled her.

But could she really just give up Mira and Henry so easily?

Her phone buzzed, breaking the heavy silence. It was Chester.

Chester's voice was low, almost hoarse. "Alicia, the man who tried to kill you confessed. He said it was him—he's the one who left you at the orphanage all those years ago."