Alicia burst out laughing and shot Winnie a thumbs-up.
Nicole was furious, but didn't dare make a move. She'd seen what Winnie was capable of, and knew she was no match for her-whether in a war of words or a fight. All Nicole could do was swallow her pride and endure the humiliation.
"Miss White's birthday party is coming up. I hope you'll be there," Clayton Holloway said, looking at Alicia with a meaningful gaze.
Alicia ignored him. "I'm not going."
"Tyrone will be there," Clayton added.
Alicia's temper flared as she looked at him. Was he threatening her on Nicole's behalf, trying to bribe her, or did he have some other motive? She couldn't tell what he was playing at.
"The old man will be attending too. It's going to be quite the event. Miss Shelton, you really should come and enjoy the spectacle," Clayton continued with a cryptic smile, though there was no malice in his eyes.
Alicia had been on guard, but his tone was surprisingly sincere. She nodded. "If my husband's going, then I'll go too."
Clayton gave her a small, satisfied smile before turning to get into his car and driving off.
Nicole, meanwhile, was still acting like she owned the world. With Patriarch Reginald White hosting her birthday party in person, she was convinced he intended to announce her as the family's rightful heir.
"You're really going to Nicole's birthday?" Winnie asked, worry in her voice. "You know she'll use the chance to torment you and Tyrone." She hesitated, then added, "Forget it, I'm coming with you. If things get ugly, I'll be there to watch your back."
Alicia couldn't help but laugh. "You're the best, Winnie."
Winnie lifted her chin, looking indulgently at Alicia. "Well, what are best friends for?"
Alicia wrapped her arm around Winnie's, feeling warmth spread through her chest. Having friends like this made everything better.
Nicole's apartment.
Clayton dropped Nicole off at home. The moment she walked through the door, she started barking orders. "My birthday party needs to be as extravagant as possible. Only the most exclusive designer
brands-don't
sme. I am
the White family's only heir, after all."
She wasn't finished. "And what about that jewelry set I wanted? Did you get it for me?"
Clayton looked at her, his expression cool. "Sorry. Someone outbid us at the auction."
Nicole's face fell. She shot to her
fell.
feet, her anger boiling over. The jewelry she'd wanted was once worn by her mother-at least, the woman she claimed as her mother. After the White family tragedy in Seaview City, some of her mother's jewelry had been held in a Swiss bank and later auctioned off. That particular set
was among them.
Nicole had wanted to win it back to flaunt in front of the media, to prove she was truly Ms. White's daughter.
But Clayton had failed her.
"Are you completely useless? Who did you let outbid us? After all the money you've wasted, you can't even secure a single set of jewelry?"
Nicole was livid.
The auction price for that set had been thirteen million, but in Nicole's mind, even if it had gone up to a hundred million, the White family could have easily paid it.
"Sorry, but the bidding went way beyond the jewelry's value. The patriarch said it simply wasn't worth it."
Nicole glared at Clayton, almost shaking with rage.
Clayton didn't respond. He simply turned and left.
Just as Nicole was about to explode, her phone rang. It was Jade White.
"Jade, Clayton's such a loser. He couldn't even get my mother's necklace!" Nicole whined desperately.
"Your mother?" Jade's voice dripped with sarcasm. This impostor really did think of herself as Ms. White's daughter.
Nicole faltered, then quickly tried to appease her. "I just didn't want to say the wrong thing in front of Grandpa..."
"I've got some good news for you,"
Jade interrupted coolly. "Grandpa's invited a lot of reporters and made special arrangements for your
birthday party. He'll be theade
in
person. Looks like he's finally going
to announce you as the White family heir." Jade's tone was casual, but her words were a not-so-subtle warning.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
Chapter 365
Switched Manga
The Chie
The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind
Chapter 347: Administering Drugs
Switched Marriage The Coddled Little Wife
Chapter 538: Unimaginable