Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 46

The girl gulped down the water, only then noticing Alicia standing by the dining table. "Who's she?"

The housekeeper jumped in to introduce them. "Miss Sinclair, this is Mr. Lynch's fiancée. They'll be getting their marriage license soon, and she'll be the lady of the house."

A flash of hostility darkened the girl's face. She scrutinized Alicia with open suspicion and didn't bother to hide her contempt. "She only looks a little like my mom. What makes her good enough for my uncle?"

Alicia felt awkward—her gut feeling had been right. This girl was just as headstrong and sharp-tongued as she suspected.

The housekeeper hesitated, caught between her duties and the brewing tension. "Miss Sinclair…"

The girl ignored her, striding right up to Alicia and plopping herself down at the table. "What's your name?"

"Alicia," she answered politely.

"How old are you?" The girl's gaze was appraising, as if Alicia were some criminal on trial.

"Twenty-three," Alicia replied, still keeping her composure.

"Height, weight, measurements?" The girl pressed on.

Alicia blinked, thrown off by the bluntness. "That's… a bit personal, isn't it?"

The girl scoffed. "Please. My uncle probably bought you off, didn't he? Women who sell themselves for money actually think they have privacy?"

Alicia drew a deep breath, suddenly losing her appetite for breakfast.

When Alicia didn't respond, the girl spoke again. "My name's Melanie Sinclair. I'm nineteen—one year shy of the legal marriage age."

Alicia wasn't sure what Melanie was getting at.

"If my uncle's going to marry, it should be someone from a family equal to ours. What makes you think you're worthy?" Melanie's words were challenging, her gaze unwavering.