Alicia's eyes burned with unshed tears, a wave of helplessness washing over her. Her advisor had always told her she was the top student in her class, the one most deserving of that coveted spot. But if Vincent managed to find the school, that opportunity would slip right through her fingers.
"I'll be at work on time tomorrow," Alicia said quietly, barely holding herself together.
Vincent nodded in satisfaction. He'd planned to stay the night, but when Mina called, he took the call and left in a hurry.
Left alone in the living room, Alicia lost control, smashing every glass on the table to pieces.
She had to get out. She had to escape.
She needed to break free from the prison and shackles Vincent had put her in, escape from this world's unfair rules and suffocating order.
She would never give in.
â
Lawson & Co.
By the time Alicia arrived at the office the next morning, Mina was already there.
"Hey, sweetheart." Mina's tone was as gentle and caring as ever, calling out to Alicia with a warmth that sounded almost genuine.
After burning up with a fever all night, Alicia looked exhausted.
"Good morning, Miss Holloway." Alicia kept her voice polite and distant, eager to just make it to her desk.
"I'm really sorry..." Mina's apology sounded remorseful. "I've asked the others to come apologize to you. I had no idea they were the ones who pushed you into the pool yesterday. Vincent pulled the security footage, and that's how I found out..."
Alicia froze, her whole body tensing as she looked at the three people waiting by her workstation.
Mira. Henry. And Cecilia.
Mira lounged in Alicia's chair with a defiant smirk, watching her with cold amusement.
Alicia glanced at Mina, trying to figure out if this was really an apology.
"My sister asked us to apologize," Henry announced loudly, clearly wanting the whole office to hear.
Colleagues turned to stare, curiosity sparking in their eyes.
"I mean, it's pretty bold of youâa lowly assistantâto try and seduce my future brother-in-law, but I guess I owe you an apology for pushing you in yesterday." Henry's words dripped with mockery, lips curled in a sneer.
Alicia felt the weight of everyone's gaze. The whispers started immediately.
"Alicia tried to seduce Mr. Lawson? She should know her place."
"These girls nowadaysâthink they can get away with anything just because they're pretty."
The office buzzed with gossip, feeding off the spectacle.
Blinking back the sting in her eyes, Alicia walked straight up to Mira. "You all need to leave. Now."
Mira rose, her expression threatening as she towered over Alicia. "My brother just proposed to Mina. They'll be engagedâand marriedâvery soon. If you don't want to ruin your life, you'd better stay away from him."
"We've still got all those racy photos of you, you know," Cecilia chimed in, a cruel smile on her face. She pulled out her phone and flashed a picture at the surrounding crowd.
It was from their freshman year, when they'd cornered Alicia in a bathroom, ripped her clothes, left her bruised and soaked.
Shock rippled through the office as people caught sight of the photo, then cast a mixture of pity and judgment at Alicia.
Alicia was shaking so hard she could barely stand, let alone speak.
Mina hadn't brought these three to apologize.
She'd brought them to warn her.
Warn her to stay away from Vincent.
"I've got plenty more photos, and even some videos. Anybody want to see?" Cecilia grinned at the onlookers.
A few coworkers laughed and egged her on. "Send them to the office chat!"
Others joined in, snickering, eager for the next bit of drama.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 11 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions They were all feasting on her pain, turning it into a joke.
"Here, I'll send you the files," Henry said, waving his phone around as if this was all just good fun.
Alicia's ears rang; her hands were ice-cold and numb.
Kill them.
She wanted, more than anything, to hurt them back.
Acting on instinct, Alicia grabbed the glass vase from the nearby table and smashed it against Henry's head.
The entire office fell silent, everyone staring at Alicia in stunned disbelief.
Her breath came fast and ragged, and in her agitation, blood began to trickle from her nose.
She wiped it away with the back of her hand, staring numbly at her trembling, bloodstained fingers.