Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 517

"No question about it," another voice chimed in. "Miss Shelton's design talent clearly outshines Jade's. She's the winner, hands down."

Alicia watched the executives' fawning with a detached smile. Their hypocrisy was nauseating, their loyalty shifting with the wind. But she was mature enough now to play the game, to wear the right mask for every occasion.

"Alicia!" Jade's entire body was trembling. She kept her head down, her mind racing in panic before she finally looked up, her eyes pleading with Clayton Holloway for help.

Clayton, however, had remained seated, observing the drama unfold as if it were a play.

"Jade, you and Brandon are rotten to the core," Connor Edwards scoffed, making it clear that he, and by extension the Edwards family, stood firmly with Alicia.

Jade and Natalia paid him little mind. They knew the real power in the Edwards family still rested with his father and older sister, Maeve.

But in this moment, Connor's public declaration sent ripples through the crowd.

"Malice always finds its way back to the source," Vincent added in a low, firm voice, publicly taking his place by Alicia's side.

Alicia was, without a doubt, the ultimate victor of the design competition. Kenney Lockwood watched it all with a satisfied smile. As the CEO of Evercrest Group, his allegiance was clear without him needing to utter a word.

He recorded a video of the scene on his phone and sent it to Tyrone. He knew Tyrone would be the one most anxious for an update.

"You set me up, Alicia," Jade seethed, powerless to defend herself and left with nothing but impotent rage.

Alicia narrowed her eyes at him. The entire room turned its attention to Clayton, waiting to see how he would possibly defend Jade.

"Jade had an assistant submit her entry," Clayton explained, his gaze fixed on Alicia. "It seems the assistant made a mistake and submitted the wrong design file." Though his tone was even, anyone with sharp eyes could see a new rift forming between him and Alicia.

It was one crisis after another. Clayton was the pillar of White Corporation; his presence was what kept the old guard calm. To see him and Alicia at odds was the last thing the executives wanted.

"I was the one who sent her that draft, just for her to review," Clayton added, offering Alicia a thin smile. "You have so many designs, I never imagined you'd choose that particular one for the competition."

It was a scoundrel's excuse, completely out of character for Clayton, yet he said it without flinching. Alicia was taken aback for a second before her eyes drifted to the stunned executives. Clayton's bizarre move had shocked everyone. But as Alicia looked at him, she thought she understood exactly what he was planning.