Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 592

Clayton lay heavily on the bed, drifting in and out of a drunken haze while Jade tended to him through the night.

Despite her origins in the slums, Jade had been brought back to the White family at a young age. She had grown up as a spoiled, arrogant heiress who had never once served another human being in her life.

Yet here she was, awkwardly wiping down his hands, feet, and chest. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut while struggling to strip him and force him into his pajamas, and then practically wrestled him to drink the hangover cure. By the time she was done, she collapsed against the edge of the mattress, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.

Taking care of someone was absolute torture.

Only after ensuring his breathing was steady did she drag her exhausted body out of the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Clayton's eyes slowly opened.

His predatory gaze was sharp, devoid of the drunken fog from moments ago, entirely replaced by a complex, scrutinizing intensity.

He was observing her. He needed to know if this new version of Jade was just another calculated act.

So far, it seemed... she had genuinely changed.

But their toxic history made it impossible for him to let his guard down. The walls he had built against her were too thick, and he couldn't be certain this wasn't all just a masterful performance.

...

The next morning, Jade limped out of her room and was shocked to see Clayton sitting at the dining table, elegantly slicing into his breakfast. He wasn't waiting for her, but it was the first time they were actually sharing a morning meal since she had moved in.

She shifted nervously, unsure if she was even allowed to sit down.

He hated her so much. If she sat across from him, would it ruin his appetite?

After a moment of hesitation, she decided to turn around and hide in her room until he was done.

"Not eating?" his deep voice echoed through the room.

Jade froze, offering an awkward smile. "I'm just... not that hungry yet."

"Sit down and eat," he ordered flatly.

"Oh. Okay," she murmured, keeping her head down as she slid into a chair and began quietly eating.

Clayton was always so untouchable, always maintaining that infuriatingly composed, ice-cold exterior. He never gave her a single ounce of warmth.

She had spent her entire life staring at that iceberg of a face.

Technically, they were childhood friends who grew up under the same roof. But their relationship had always been so hostile that calling them 'childhood sweethearts' felt like a massive stretch.

She let out a quiet sigh, remembering how gentle he had been with Susanna before he found out she was an imposter. That iceberg could melt, and he could be incredibly tender.

It was just that his tenderness was never meant for her.

"Clayton, I'm feeling a lot better today. I think I'm going to head into the office," she said softly.

"There's no rush. Take a few more days off. Your projects have already been handled internally," he replied without looking up.

Jade stared at him in pure shock. Handled internally?

"Alicia is swamped right now. She doesn't have the bandwidth to take on my workload. And nobody else in the department has the authority to deal with those specific clients—they're notoriously difficult. How could anyone have handled it?" she asked, completely bewildered.