Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 217

The old man set down his chess piece and looked at the butler. “I trust Clayton,” he said quietly. “Now that Nicole’s back, she needs someone reliable at her side. I don’t trust Jade or her father. Bring Clayton home—I have my own plans.”

The butler let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. So this was all for Nicole.

Reginald watched the subtle shift in the butler’s expression and asked softly, “Zach, how many years have you been with me now?”

Zach straightened, answering at once. “I started as your personal assistant when I was thirty-eight, then became the White family’s butler. It’s been over twenty years now.”

Reginald nodded. Twenty years, give or take. He still remembered the year Zach had come to the White family—it was the same year his son and daughter-in-law had died in that terrible accident in Seaview City.

Looking back, he realized the signs had always been there.

His chest tightened; pretending not to feel sad would have been a lie. For two, nearly three decades, everyone around him had been circling like wolves, waiting for a chance to devour him.

“I’m tired,” he said, his voice heavy with age. “I think I’ll rest for a while.” Rising, he clasped his hands behind his back and, with a weary sigh, retreated to his room.

He hadn’t been asleep long when Jade returned.

“Where’s Grandfather?” she asked as she entered.

“Miss Jade, the old master was tired. He’s gone to bed,” the butler replied quickly.

Jade nodded. “I’ll wait then.”

She studied the butler for a moment. “Has Grandfather made any big moves lately?”

The butler lowered his voice. “He called Clayton. Asked him to come back.”

Jade’s expression shifted. “Clayton?”