Maddox's face was twisted with displeasure. He struggled for a long moment before finally speaking. "So she got pregnant this quickly?"
His aunt, sitting nearby, muttered under her breath, "Are we even sure it's a Lynch baby? I heard she was kept by some man outside. What if it's not even our family's child?"
Her words only deepened the scowl on Maddox's face.
Alicia glanced at Tyrone. When he gave her a reassuring nod, she turned to Maddox. "Grandfather, instead of believing everything you read online or the rumors spread by people with an agenda, why not trust your own grandson's judgment? I grew up an orphan, raised in a group home. To make it through school, I had to win scholarships and still work at least three jobs every year. Yes, I once dated someone wealthier than me, but I was never some man's mistress."
Maddox blinked, taken aback. Three jobs?
The butler leaned in and whispered quietly into his ear, "It's true. We checked."
"Well, if she really worked three jobs, that supposed sugar daddy was pretty stingy." The aunt's voice was laced with sarcasm.
Alicia's gaze sharpened. "Aunt, are you upset that Tyrone is doing well? I'm his wife now. When you insult me, you're insulting him, too. As far as I know, this whole family relies on the Lynch Corporation, and the company relies on Tyrone. You can't drink from the well and throw stones in it at the same time, can you?"
The aunt's expression soured instantly. "Listen to yourself. I'm just worried about all the negative press onlineâit's damaging our family's reputation."
Alicia's voice remained calm. "I was just an ordinary orphan. Before I married Tyrone, nobody cared enough to go out of their way to slander me online. The moment I joined this family, suddenly I was a target. It's because Tyrone is successful, and people will do anything to tear him down. Even if he'd married someone else, the family would still be attackedâjust for a different reason."
She looked directly at Maddox. "Grandfather, what this family needs is unity. You should trust your own grandson, not let outsiders pit us against each other and sow discord."
There was a heavy silence. The other uncles and aunts around the table fell quiet, realizing she had a point. After all, the entire Lynch Group depended on Tyrone to keep the company running.
Maddox seemed to come to his senses too. He nodded slowly. "Now that you're carrying a Lynch heir, you're part of this family. We'll handle those online rumors. From now on, keep your head down and act properly."
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 87 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions Alicia knew when to stop. She nodded sweetly and respectfully.
Tyrone squeezed her hand, his grip tightening. "She's always behaved herself. If anyone needs advice, it's me. I'm not getting any younger, and after all this time, I finally married a much younger woman. I ought to cherish her, not make things harder on her."
He said it loudly enough for Maddox to hear, making his point. Tyrone was six or seven years older than Alicia; marrying younger was hardly a crime.
Maddox just grunted, his irritation spent. "Enough, enough. Go get ready for dinner." He waved them off, ending the conversation.
His aunt huffed in annoyance, getting up to leave.
Tyrone stopped her politely. "Aunt, Alicia prepared gifts for you and all the other ladies. She's still young, so I hope you'll look out for her here in the family." He wasn't about to let them make Alicia's life difficultâhe'd married her for love, not for her to get caught up in family drama.
His assistant and driver appeared, arms loaded with luxury gift bagsâhigh-end brands, the kind anyone would be thrilled to receive.
Alicia looked at Tyrone in astonishment. When did he buy all these?
The aunts' annoyance vanished, replaced by delighted smiles as they accepted the gifts. After all, who could say no to something so valuable?