Chapter 305

The boy was still growing, and now he was nearly as tall as Tyrone—likely with some inches yet to go.

“Hey, you should eat too, Ty. This meal cost a fortune.” Easton shoveled food into his mouth with adolescent enthusiasm.

Tyrone watched him eat, a faint smile tugging at his lips. There was something infectious about Easton’s sunny energy, as if a bit of warmth radiated from him.

“I’ll take some home for Alicia and have dinner with her,” Tyrone said offhandedly.

Easton’s chewing slowed. For a moment, his eyes burned with emotion, but he didn’t dare speak up, worried Tyrone would think he was being dramatic.

He’d said Alicia was his wife—his acceptance of Easton was unmistakable.

Easton’s eyes reddened. He forced a smile. “I don’t think Alicia likes me much. She seems kind of... wary.”

Tyrone gave a small, wry grin. “Yeah, she’s protective.”

Alicia saw Easton as competition, plain and simple.

Easton looked a little put out. “Ty, could you talk to her? I’m really not trying to compete with you.”

Tyrone nodded.

Easton hesitated, then added, “Should I explain things to Grandfather too? There’s no need for us to fight tooth and nail. Shouldn’t brothers have each other’s backs?”

Tyrone shook his head. “That’s naïve. He won’t believe it. He doesn’t trust me—never has. He thinks anyone willing to turn on their own parents could never truly accept anyone else. He’s always afraid that, after he’s gone, I’ll come for you all.”

That was the old man’s deepest fear: his grandson’s terrifying capabilities.

Easton muttered under his breath, “Grandpa’s something else...” But he managed a smile for Tyrone. “I believe in you, though.”

Tyrone fiddled absently with his lighter, suppressing a sigh.

Fine. Maybe, just this once, he’d take a gamble on this kid in front of him.

After all, every investment came with risk. The bigger the risk, the higher the reward.

And if it all fell apart, well, he could handle the loss.

—

For a long time, Tyrone hadn’t dared to bet on people’s better natures.

But for Easton, he found himself making an exception.

When he got home that night, Alicia was in the living room with a facemask on. The moment she saw Tyrone, she tore it off and ran over to fling her arms around him. “Did you eat dinner?”

“No, I waited so I could eat with you.” Tyrone shook the takeout box in his hand.

Alicia lit up at that, but as they sat down to eat, her mood clouded again. Her language classes would be over soon, and then she’d leave for Italy.

Who knew when she’d see Tyrone next?

Maybe because she’d grown up in foster care, Alicia was clingy by nature. When she grew attached, separation anxiety kicked in with a vengeance.

She wasn’t due to leave for a while yet, but already panic was setting in. “Tyrone, when I go to Italy, will you be able to visit me often?”

Afraid she was being demanding, she quickly amended, “Not that you have to... just, if you’re not too busy...”

“There’s a project in Italy. I can—” Tyrone began, meaning to say he could keep an eye on things there and leave Kenney Lockwood in charge back home.

Before he could finish, his phone rang—his assistant.

“Yeah?” Tyrone stood, taking the call.

“Mr. Lynch, there’s been a problem with the project in Italy. Your grandfather intervened as chairman and forced Lynch Corporation to withdraw, handing the whole thing over to Lawson & Co. Vincent’s got it now.”

Tyrone said nothing, his eyes darkening.

His grandfather had found his sore spot and twisted the knife.

In the end, no one knew how to strike deepest—quite like family.

Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)

Chapter 304 The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind Chapter 347: Administering Drugs Switched Marriage The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 538: Unimaginable