Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 50

Everyone stared at Alicia in stunned disbelief—even Mina couldn't trust her own eyes.

She hit me?

That worthless orphan actually dared to hit me?

Mina let out a scoff of incredulous laughter, clutching her cheek as she looked over at Vincent.

Clearly, Vincent was shocked too.

He'd known Alicia for four years, and in all that time, he'd never once seen her raise a hand to anyone. In fact, not only had she never struck back, she barely even defended herself when she was bullied. Back in their freshman year, when Mira and Henry shoved her head in a toilet, Alicia hadn't even tried to resist.

But now? Now she'd actually slapped someone? Where did she find the nerve? Tyrone?

The more Vincent thought about it, the angrier he became.

He didn't know why he was so upset—it wasn't just anger, there was something else, a gnawing sense of discomfort.

He'd been with Alicia for four years, and in all that time, he'd never managed to give her the confidence to stand up for herself. But somehow, Tyrone had? Tyrone had made her feel safe enough to fight back?

And the one she hit was Mina.

"Oh my God, has Alicia lost her mind? She always seemed so meek…"

"I know, right? Is it true she's been dating Mr. Lawson for four years?"

"Mr. Lawson didn't deny it… so it must be true."

"So Miss Holloway was the other woman all along?"

"If he doesn't love you, you're the other woman. Even if Alicia dated Mr. Lawson, everyone knows his heart belongs to Miss Holloway."

The office buzzed with whispers as employees gossiped in hushed tones. Mina had dragged them all here, hoping to humiliate Alicia in front of a crowd—and now they were eating up her own scandal.

"Vincent!" Mina finally snapped, all pretense of elegance gone. She screamed his name, desperate for him to step in and salvage her dignity.

Almost on instinct, Vincent moved to shield Mina. Without thinking, he raised his hand and slapped Alicia across the face.

Alicia didn't move to dodge; she hadn't expected Vincent to hit her at all.

The moment his hand landed, Vincent instantly regretted it. Four years ago, when he'd first brought Alicia home, he'd promised her, "Alicia, from now on, no one will ever lay a hand on you again."

And now, he'd broken that promise with his own hand.

Alicia looked at him, strangely calm.

So this was it—when you love someone, everything feels intense and overwhelming. But once the love is gone, everything settles into stillness.

"Vincent, we're even now." Alicia's eyes glistened, but she managed a small smile.