Natalia lounged on the sofa like she owned the place, as if she were the Lynch family matriarch herself.
Alicia rolled her eyes. "This house is mine. It has nothing to do with Tyrone or the Lynch family."
Natalia gaped at her, then her expression shifted as she caught on. "Alicia, you're an orphan-where did you get the money to buy a house like this? Do you have any idea how much this place costs? Even if your name's on the deed, Tyrone must have given it to you, right? And all his money belongs to the Lynches. You get that, don't you?"
"Even if Tyrone's money belongs to the Lynches, what does that have to do with you?" Alicia retorted, barely suppressing a laugh. "Your dad is just the family's house manager, not an heir."
Natalia bristled. "What's that supposed to mean? My father's dedicated his whole life to the Lynches, and I'm the one Mr. Lynch trained to take over. This family is my home, too. I have every right to protect what's his."
Alicia couldn't help but think how ridiculous Natalia sounded. The Lynches had spoiled her rotten.
Too bad Winnie Ryan wasn't here if she were, she'd have already found a dozen ways to put Natalia in her place.
"I told Easton to come by for dinner tonight. When's Tyrone arriving?" Natalia breezed into the kitchen, grabbed a drink from the fridge, and took a swig without asking. She wrinkled her nose. "How can you drink this coconut water? It's awful. You should get Tyrone that brand LO-expensive, but at least it's high-end."
Alicia bit back a sigh. âLet's reschedule. Tonight, I'm just cooking for myself, and it might not suit your tastes."
She was holding onto her patience by a thread. If she didn't need to figure out who was pulling Natalia's strings, Alicia would've kicked her out already.
She was seriously considering filing a complaint with the neighborhood association and getting a big dog. Next time some unwelcome guests showed up, she could just let the dog greet them at the door.
Natalia gave her a once-over and nodded. "At least you play the good little housewife. I'll give you that."
The way she sized Alicia up made Alicia want to punch her. "Anyway, I already told Easton we'd eat here tonight, so I guess we'll make do with your cooking. Go easy on the salt-keep it light."
Alicia took a deep breath and stalked into the kitchen, fuming.
Natalia always acted like she'd been personally appointed to keep an eye on the house. It was infuriating.
Still, Alicia couldn't help but wonder
why the person behind
Natalia-who'd always tried to sow discord between Tyrone and
el.n
Easton had suddenly changed
tactics, now pushing for the brothers to grow closer.
She couldn't figure out what their angle was this time.
Natalia appeared in the kitchen
doorway, voice dripping with condescension. "You and Tyrone
don't have kids. Easton's his reamet
family blood. You'll always be an outsider, understand? Frankly, if Tyrone's estate ever needs an heir, Easton's the first in line."
Alicia's hand froze on the kitchen knife.
Now she got it. That mystery puppet master, suddenly so invested in Tyrone and Easton's brotherly bond, must be eyeing Tyrone's inheritance.
Instinctively, Alicia glanced down at her stomach and took a shaky breath. No wonder Tyrone insisted she keep her pregnancy a secret...
Still, hearing Natalia say it out loud sent a chill down her spine.
She couldn't shake the fear that whoever was behind all this might try to hurt
Tyrone.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
Chapter 390
HICH RADANT
Our Ha
The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind
Chapter 347: Administering Drugs
Switched Marriage The Coddled Little Wife
Chapter 538: Unimaginable