Jade forced a bright smile, but there was an unmistakable edge to her wordsâit almost sounded like a threat.
Tyrone stopped, pulling the still slightly dazed Alicia into his arms. With a casual, almost insolent air, he looked down at Jade, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "You seem to enjoy stirring up trouble, don't you?"
Everyone knew Jade had called Vincent and Mina over on purpose, deliberately setting Alicia up for embarrassment.
After all, Vincent had told the press that Alicia was his kept mistress, and now the entire White and Lynch families were abuzz with the scandal.
Maddox, in particular, detested this sort of gossip. If Vincent showed up tonight, Alicia would be the one left utterly humiliated.
Jade offered a feigned innocent smile, not moving from her spot. "Tyrone, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing at all." Tyrone intertwined his fingers with Alicia's and led her toward the tea room.
"Tyrone... If Vincent's coming, can I leave early?" Alicia's voice faltered with anxiety. Maddox would be there too, and if anything happened...
"It's fine. I'm here," Tyrone reassured her, squeezing her hand.
He leaned back in his chair, sent a quick message to his assistant, then flashed Alicia a comforting smile. "There's bound to be plenty of drama tonight. Just sit back and enjoy the show."
If Jade wanted to embarrass Alicia, then he'd make sure Jade had her own share of discomfort.
If chaos erupted, who would care about Vincent and Alicia's little scandal?
Alicia blinked, not quite understanding. Was there more drama to come tonight?
"Oh! Right!" Suddenly remembering, Alicia stammered nervously, pointing to the bracelet on her wrist. "Thisâthis! That lady earlier said it was worth, like, half a billion?"
"That was just the auction price. It's not actually worth that much," Tyrone said, pressing her wrist gently to stop her from taking it off. "It suits you."
With her fair skin and delicate wrists, the bracelet really did look beautiful on her.
"Butâit's too expensive. It makes me nervous..." Alicia mumbled. "With something that costly, I won't sleep a wink."
Tyrone couldn't help but laugh. "Maybe jade helps you sleep better."
"Why do you want me to wear it? What if I scratch it or break it? I could never pay you back in a hundred years."
"If you don't wear it, they'll just find reasons to pick on you," Tyrone said, a trace of helplessness in his tone.
That was just how these families operatedâcutthroat, competitive, impossible to change. The women fought for status and attention, building their place in the family on the foundation of whichever man favored them most. In families like the Lynches and the Whites, everyone knew how to curry favor with the powerful.
Alicia was already the subject of endless gossipâa penniless orphan, easy to look down upon, even easier to bully. If Tyrone didn't make his claim clear, they'd walk all over her.
Alicia stared at him, a little dazed.
He really was a good man...
No wonder Jade kept warning her not to fall for himânot to let her heart get involved.
"Vincent, Mina."
Vincent and Mina appeared at the door.
Vincent looked exhausted, as if he hadn't slept in days. Mina, clinging to his arm, greeted Jade with a bright smile. "Hope we're not interrupting?"
"Not at all," Jade replied, her smile sharp as she shot a meaningful glance at Alicia sitting with Tyrone.
Vincent clearly saw Alicia too. He instinctively started toward her, but Mina tightened her grip, holding him back.
After a heavy silence, Vincent finally spoke. "Alicia..."
Alicia stiffened, eyes downcast, not daring to look up.
Tyrone slipped an arm around her, pulling her close and meeting Vincent's gaze with cool defiance. "Mr. Lawson, you can call her Mrs. Lynch or my wife. No need to be so familiarâshe's not used to it."
Vincent's jaw tightened, his tone dark. "A marriage contractâis that something to be proud of? You know who she really cares about."
He was sure, absolutely sure, that Alicia still loved him.
Just then, the butler burst in, breathless with excitement. "Sir! Miss Nicole has arrived!"
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 98 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions Alicia's hand clamped onto Tyrone's wrist, her nerves on edge.
Nicoleâshe'd really been found...
Did this mean Tyrone would have to fulfill the engagement between their families after all?