"Mr. Lynch, have you seen what's trending online?" his assistant asked in a hushed voice.
Tyrone rarely paid attention to celebrity gossip, and it was obvious he hadn't seen anything. "What's going on?"
"It's about Miss Alicia. It looks like her scholarship for studying abroad was snatched away. She posted about it online..." The assistant hurriedly pulled out her phone, searching for the trending topic, only to find it already gone. "All the posts have been wiped out in such a short time."
She pulled up Alicia's profile and showed Tyrone her latest post. "Miss Alicia was top of her class, but someone else took her scholarship. The school and the other party both pressured her."
Tyrone tapped to open Alicia's portfolio, and for a moment, a flicker of genuine admiration crossed his eyes.
Alicia had been right to refuse his proposal and insist on going abroad. She truly had a gift for architectural design.
Loosening his tie, Tyrone sat down on the sofa. "Look into Alicia's school and her advisor's background."
The assistant nodded, but hesitated before speaking again. "Are you planning to help Miss Alicia? I heard the girl who got her scholarship is a cousin of the Holloway family, and Vincent's the one pulling strings for her."
Tyrone's expression darkened, his brow furrowing.
So Vincent had stolen Alicia's place for Mina.
"I understand. Do as I said." He didn't care whose family was involvedânot even Vincent's.
...
Motel room.
Alicia sat against the headboard, scrolling through the aftermath online. One by one, her classmates were siding with Chloe, claiming she was more talented and had better character. Someone even posted a photo of Alicia getting into Vincent's car, suggesting she was sleeping her way to the top, that she was just another gold-digger with rich older men.
Alicia bit down hard on her knuckle, tossed her phone aside, and hugged herself, trembling.
This was Vincent's opening move.
He was using public opinion to destroy her.
Gossip was a blade you couldn't see, but it could cut you to pieces all the same.
Vincent knew perfectly well how sick she was, yet he still did this... He was so desperate for Mina that he'd rather see Alicia dead.
Buzz!
Her phone lit up. It was the director of the orphanage, Albertine Zachary.
"Albertine..." Alicia answered, dread pooling in her stomach. It was lateâhad something happened at the orphanage?
"Alicia, someone came today to investigate us. They said our fire safety system isn't up to code, the building's too old, and we need to relocate or rebuild. Alicia, we barely have enough to cover the kids' medical bills and daily needsâhow could we possibly afford a new building?" Albertine's voice shook with tears. "They said they know you. They told me to call you, and that you'd understand what this is about..."
If the orphanage were forced to close, the kids would be scattered to different places. Most of them had disabilities or psychological issues. Thrown into unfamiliar settings, they'd be bullied and left behind.
Alicia's eyes stung as she clenched her fists tight.
Vincent was ruthless.
He knew every weakness she had.
Every move he made was like driving a knife straight into her heart.
"Albertine, don't worry. I'll take care of it," Alicia rasped.
After calming Albertine down, Alicia hung up and immediately called Vincent.
He could do whatever he wanted to her, but why drag the orphanage into this?
The line picked up. But it wasn't Vincent's voiceâit was Mina. "Is this the assistant?"
Alicia froze, silent.
"Let's meet tomorrow. Give up the scholarship to Chloe, and name your price." Mina's tone was direct, businesslike.
"No. I'm not meeting." Alicia's voice was hoarse and raw.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 28 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions On the other end, Mina let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Vincent already had someone call the authorities about your orphanage. I don't think you want to see the place you grew up in disappear, do you?"
Alicia sucked in a shaky breath, squeezed her eyes shut, and felt hot tears spill onto her hands.
Of course, it was Vincent.
"Tomorrow. Two o'clock. Crystal Waters Club. I'll be waiting in the lobbyâdon't be late." Mina's voice was gentle, but the threat was razor sharp.