Alicia stood up, startledâTyrone was back? But hadn't he said he wouldn't return until next Friday?
"He changed his plans," Wilma murmured, looking guilty. "I... told him you had come back today, Miss, and that's why he rushed home. It's my faultâ
I shouldn't have said anything. Now he's upset."
A ripple of anxiety shot through Alicia. Was Tyrone regretting the arrangement? Had Melanie thrown a fit, and now he wanted out?
She hurried toward the living room, her mind whirling with worry. If Tyrone called off their deal now, she'd be in real trouble.
Inside, Melanie stood beside the sofa, eyes red and watery, her expression wounded and defiantâshe'd clearly been crying. Tyrone sat on the couch, tension radiating off him like a storm cloud.
Alicia hovered uncertainly in the doorway, unsure whether to approach. She was afraidâafraid Tyrone might take his anger out on her. After all, technically, he was her boss now.
"Mr. Lynch?" she managed, her voice tight.
Tyrone glanced at her, his face unreadable. "Apologize."
Alicia felt a surge of injustice. She knew she had to rely on Tyrone for now, but it stung that he'd so quickly take his old flame's daughter's side, no questions asked.
"...I'm sorry," she said quietly.
"I'm sorry!" Melanie spat at the same time, her apology laced with fury.
They both froze, glancing at each otherâwho was supposed to be apologizing to whom?
Melanie glared at Alicia, her voice trembling with anger. "You tattletale! I'm sorry!"
Alicia blinked, bewildered, and looked to Tyrone for direction.
He sighed, frustration evident. "Why are you apologizing to her? Melanie's been living at her performing arts schoolâI explicitly told her not to come home for a while. Not only did she disobey and disturb your rest, she was rude and disrespectful."
Alicia's hands grew clammy. She waved them quickly. "It's fine, really. Melanie's just honest and a little bluntâI... I actually rather like her."
If Alicia had learned anything from her time with Vincent, it was how to lie through her teeth.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 50 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions Melanie huffed, "Who cares if you like me?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop again. Tyrone's tone was icy. "Melanie! I know you're going through a rebellious phase, but Alicia is about to become my wife. She's your elder now. If I catch you being disrespectful again, you'll be sent straight back to school and you won't be coming home. Ever."
Melanie's eyes filled with fresh tears. She stood rooted in place, crying harder, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. "You're yelling at me over her? Even my mom never yelled at me like this."
Alicia felt her heart leap into her throatâMelanie was playing the ultimate card.
"If your mother were still here, she wouldn't tolerate this kind of behavior either," Tyrone shot back, standing to face her. "I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize sincerely, and then pack your things. You're moving out."
Alicia could hardly believe itâwas Tyrone really being this harsh with the daughter of his first love?
"No... she doesn't have to leave," Alicia stammered.
Tyrone cut her off without turning around. "You don't need to coddle her, and you don't have to be afraid. You're her elder, it's fine to be strict."
Alicia stood there, stunned, nodding slowly. So, not all powerful men were as blind and biased as Vincent.
At that moment, the front door opened. A woman swept in, dressed in haute couture, dragging a designer suitcase behind her. She rushed to Melanie's side, eyes wide with concern. "Melanie? What's happened? Sweetheart, why are you crying like this?"
"Jade!" Melanie wailed, clutching her as though she'd found a lifeline, shooting Alicia a triumphant, defiant look through her tears.
Alicia's brief relief evaporated. Jadeâthe infamous socialite, Tyrone's rumored fiancée, and heiress of the illustrious White familyâhad arrived. The Whites made Mina's family look downright ordinary.