She wasn't sure why she'd suddenly become so stubbornâmaybe it was just the frustration she'd been bottling up inside.
But what was there to feel frustrated about, anyway? Hadn't they agreed to this marriage of convenience from the very start? Why was she being so sensitive now?
She knew perfectly well she wasn't supposed to catch feelings.
"Where did she take you?" Tyrone's voice crackled through the phone, edged with irritation. "I'll come pick you up."
"We're already on our way back," Alicia replied quietly.
"What, don't trust me? Worried I'll sell her off or something?" Jade, overhearing Tyrone's question, leaned in with a teasing smile.
"Miss White, eavesdropping and butting into someone else's callâdidn't the White family ever teach you manners? I thought Reginald White ran a strict household?" Tyrone's voice dropped, cold and cutting.
He had a real talent for venom. When he was in a foul mood, even the neighborhood stray dogs weren't safe from his tongue.
Alicia had known Tyrone was angry from the moment he spoke.
And now... Jade was still provoking him.
Alicia stood there awkwardly, clutching her phone, caught between hanging up or not.
Jade's face had gone an ugly shade of red.
Tyrone's words hit hardânot just calling out Jade's lack of class, but reminding her, and everyone else, that she was the illegitimate daughter of the White family, the one who'd grown up in the slums with Brandon, the bastard son.
Jade hadn't moved into the White household until she was twelve. Before that, Reginald White had refused to acknowledge either his bastard son or his granddaughter. It was only after much pressure from outsidersâreminding him the White legacy couldn't end with himâthat Reginald begrudgingly allowed Brandon to bring his wife and daughter back into the family.
"Tyrone, we'll be back soon..." Alicia said softly, seeing how Jade's anger was almost boiling over.
No matter how harsh Tyrone's words were, Jade didn't dare talk back now. She knew better than to cross him.
All bark and no bite, really.
"I expect to see you both in ten minutes," Tyrone said curtly, then hung up.
The ultimatum wasn't for Aliciaâit was for Jade.
Jade was so furious her eyes were rimmed with red. She glanced at the dashboard clock, gritted her teeth, and snapped, "Step on it! What are you waiting for? We've got ten minutes!"
Alicia had to stifle a laugh at how completely Jade had been put in her place. To avoid smiling, she turned to look out the window.
"Don't get too smug," Jade snapped, her voice icy. "No matter what happens, I'm still the White family heiress. The entire family stands behind me.
You're nothing but an orphan. Remember that."
Alicia said nothing, simply gazing out the window.
The cityscape of Harboridge looked especially beautiful.
"When Tyrone gets tired of you, I'd like to see how you survive in the world of architectural design. Think you can use him to climb up the ladder?
Keep dreaming," Jade hissed, anger and shame twisting her words.
She kept threatening Alicia, her tone sharp and bitter.
But Alicia just kept watching the scenery roll by, blocking out Jade's words as if she were deaf.
â
White Manor.
As soon as the car stopped, Jade climbed out, her face still dark with resentment.
Tyrone was waiting for them in the courtyard, checking his watch.
"Still don't trust me?" Jade tried to force a smile, though clearly she was anything but happy.
Suddenly, Alicia felt a pang of sympathy for people like Jade and Tyrone. These privileged heirs were almost tragic in their own wayâtheir world was so sharply divided by class.
Jade, the bastard's daughter, had to fight for every scrap of respect. If she didn't, people would sneer at her, shut her out. Her only hope for security was marrying Tyroneâbut he'd never agreed.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 96 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions "Where did you take her? I want the truth, Miss White. You get one chance," Tyrone said, his voice low and commanding, demanding answers right in front of everyone.
All eyes were on Jade now, waiting to see if she'd lie.
Jade looked nervous, glancing quickly at Alicia before flashing a brittle smile. "We just went to the mall nearby, didn't we, Alicia?"
Tyrone's gaze shifted to Alicia.
Alicia hesitated for a few seconds, then answered quietly, "We went to the rehab hospital. I saw Ms. Serena Sinclair."