Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 17

Tyrone glanced at the file in his hand, his expression darkening with each passing second.

Alicia had been left on the doorstep of an orphanage, bundled in a blanket, barely days old.

Unlike the other children who'd been abandoned for being sick or disabled, Alicia was the only healthy, bright child in that place.

The headmistress had raised Alicia, scraping together what little the orphanage had to send her to school.

Alicia never let them down. She was sharp, always at the top of her class, year after year. When it came time for college entrance exams, she earned a place at Seaview University—becoming the orphanage's shining hope.

She'd always had an incredible gift for art and design; in high school, she won competitions more than once. Yet, her work was published under her teacher's name. Life had dealt her more than her share of unfairness, but she managed to stay optimistic and positive through it all.

Alicia used to dream of a world that was kind. She wanted to see the city, study abroad, grow strong, and one day come back to protect the children who needed her. But reality was cruel. Kids from orphanages never made it to the top—society didn't allow it.

No matter how hard she worked, she was always under the heel of those with wealth and connections.

Mira resented Alicia not just for her beauty and intelligence, but because Alicia, an orphan, shone too brightly for anyone's comfort.

"Alicia's been with Vincent for four years now… Mr. Lynch, maybe you should reconsider your choice of fiancée? I just think, she's trouble," Tyrone's assistant said anxiously. He worried that getting tangled up with Alicia would bring them more headaches than she was worth.

The Lynch family didn't fear the Lawsons, and Tyrone wasn't intimidated by Vincent either, but in business, no one wanted to make unnecessary enemies.

Tyrone said nothing; he tossed the tablet aside, leaned back on the couch, and watched as Alicia stepped out of the dressing room.

Alicia, who always wore long sleeves and jeans, was now standing awkwardly before him in a backless evening gown, clearly ill at ease.

She was a jewel, but her background had chipped away at her confidence.

No—maybe it wasn't a lack of confidence, but years of learning to hide her brilliance, a habit now etched deep into her bones.

"Mr. Lynch… do I really have to wear this?" Alicia asked, her fingers nervously tugging at the fabric across her chest.