"He'll take care of it. Before you leave for Italy, just focus on your studies and don't worry about anything else."
Alicia had to complete a six-month Italian language course before she could officially start her studies abroad. Only after passing the exams could she move on to the real program.
She'd spent four years preparing for this opportunity.
So she cherished it deeply.
"Thank you." Alicia gave Tyrone a bright smile.
Once upon a time, she truly had been a girl who loved to smile.
"You're still the same as when you were little... that silly grin of yours," Tyrone murmured as he looked at her.
Alicia didn't quite catch it. "Hm? What did you say?"
He turned his gaze to the window. "Nothing. Just... tonight's burgers were really good."
Alicia beamed at him. "The chef taught me how to make them. I can cook them for you, too, if you'd like."
She hadn't really meant to say it out loud. Marriage meant living together, and she just blurted it out, not sure if Tyrone would mind.
But to her surprise, he agreed. "Sure. Justâno ginger."
Her eyes lit up. "I hate ginger too."
Tyrone said nothing, just gazed out the window with a faint smile.
...
Riverside Mansion.
Alicia found out while Tyrone was showeringâWilma, the housekeeper, mentioned it to her: Riverside Properties belonged to the White family of Harboridge City.
All the grand estates the elite of Seaview City boasted about were built by the Whites.
"The Whites are at the top of the social ladder in Harboridge," Wilma explained. "Back in the day, they were the only family who could rival the Lynches."
That, apparently, was why the Whites and Tyrone's family were bound by marriage.
"No wonder Jade's so full of herself," Alicia muttered under her breath.
The White family really was impressive.
"They look impressive on the outside," Wilma sniffed, lowering her voice when she was sure Tyrone was out of earshot. "But anyone who knows the truth knows Jade is just the illegitimate daughter. She's not even a real White. Her father, Reginald, took on the White surname for their sake. If Victor âthe White family's eldest sonâhadn't died so tragically years back, neither of them would have ever set foot in that house, much less changed their names. The nerve."
Alicia's curiosity got the better of her. "You really don't like Jade, do you? But everyone says Miss White is quite fond of her."
Wilma glanced around, then leaned in. "That Jade is a master of masks. She's got two facesâone for show, and another behind people's backs.
She's good at charming young girls, I'll give her that."
Alicia nodded, making a mental note to steer clear of Jade whenever possible.
The Whites were in a completely different league than the Holloways. She couldn't afford to cross them nowâand maybe not ever.
Mina had a point, after all: sooner or later, she and Tyrone would end their marriage.
Sure, she could try to use the marriage to climb higher, but without any family backing, there was only so far she could go.
Her phone started to vibrate.
Alicia had already blocked Vincent's number, but he kept calling from different lines.
She knew he'd never actually let Mira end up in jailâhe'd try every threat or trick in the book.
She refused to answer, giving him no chance to get through to her.
The door clicked open. Melanie had come back.
Alicia instinctively stood up, wanting to slip away to her room and avoid a confrontation.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 64 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions "Where are you running off to?" Melanie called out. "Where's my uncle?"
"He's... taking a shower." Alicia pointed upstairsâTyrone was freshening up in his room.
Melanie scoffed. "You're shameless. You'll never be as good as my mom. Or as Jade. My uncle doesn't even like you."
Alicia glanced at the stairsâTyrone hadn't come out. She gathered her courage and shot back, "He married me, whether he likes me or not. You'll still have to call me aunt."
Melanie stamped her foot in anger and waved her phone, thrusting a photo in Alicia's face. "You're shameless, Alicia. Look, the whole student group is talking about youâthese pictures of you being a sugar baby are everywhere. Vincent's already admitted it. You spent four years with him for money."
Alicia lunged and grabbed the phone, her heart pounding. Right there on the trending news: Vincent had publicly admitted to supporting a female student for four years.
Vincent had gone to the press and told them everything about his relationship with her.
Alicia's breath quickened. Vincent had done this to ruin herâand to threaten the Lynches. If the Lynch family cared about their reputation, they would never let Tyrone marry a woman with such a scandal hanging over her head. He wanted to turn her into a laughingstock, and drag the Lynches down with her.
Vincentâhe really was ruthless.