Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 220

At the Ryan family’s banquet, Nicole had made a complete fool of herself. The embarrassment didn’t just stick to her—it splashed over onto the White family too. Now people were whispering that Reginald’s long-lost granddaughter, the one he brought home from who-knows-where, had absolutely no manners.

People said, “If a swan grows up in a flock of ducks, she’s still just another duck.” And after that night, no one doubted it.

Alicia had deliberately baited Nicole into losing her temper and making a spectacle of herself, but she hadn’t expected the fallout to reach the White family’s reputation. Still, Alicia wasn’t losing sleep over it. The White Corporation was too massive to be dented by a little scandal surrounding Nicole.

“Alicia! Get out here! Alicia!” Nicole’s shrill voice rang out from the front steps. She’d only dared to show up and hurl insults because she knew Tyrone was out.

From her vantage point on the second-floor balcony, Alicia zipped up her suitcase, ready for the trip she and Tyrone had planned. She watched Nicole pacing and shouting by the gate, then sighed. Sympathy for Nicole was in short supply—she was, frankly, hopeless, and a constant disappointment to Reginald.

“Alicia, you think you’ve got someone powerful backing you up, don’t you?” Nicole glared up at her on the balcony. “Well, guess what? Grandpa knows the two of you have been bullying me, so he’s sent someone to protect me. And he’s not just anybody—he’s just as impressive as Tyrone, maybe even more so. Just wait, Alicia. I’ll make you beg me for mercy. You’ll be on your knees.”

Nicole had convinced herself that Alicia and Tyrone’s marriage was doomed, a matter of when, not if.

“Are you listening to me?” Nicole grew more agitated as Alicia stood silently above her, looking down with cool detachment. “How long do you think your marriage to Tyrone is going to last? Once you’re divorced, you’ll be a laughingstock—a clown, nothing more.”

Alicia watched Nicole’s outburst with quiet amusement. So this was what a clown looked like—flailing and sputtering at the gates.

“Alicia! Get down here right now!” Nicole shrieked, her voice growing more hysterical by the second.

Alicia almost laughed. Then, catching sight of Tyrone’s car pulling into the driveway, she felt a rush of happiness and hurried downstairs.

Today was a good day. Tyrone had promised to take her on a trip. When he’d asked where she wanted to go, she’d blurted out, “Maldives,” without even thinking.