Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 94

"So what if she looks like her? People can look the same but have completely different lives. Margaret White was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, while this girl's just an orphan." Mrs. White's words dripped with sarcasm.

Alicia wasn't bothered by her barbed remarks. Wilma had already warned her: the White family's glamorous façade was just that—a façade.

This Mrs. White, for example, had once been the mistress's wife, a woman who'd spent her early years in a cramped, shabby little apartment on the rough side of town before Reginald agreed to let them join the White family. Hardly what you'd call old money.

Now that she'd married in, she put on quite the show.

"Margaret White's son and daughter-in-law both died in Seaview City. I heard her granddaughter Nicole is still alive. This young lady's about the right age. Could she be Nicole?" another society lady asked with a knowing smile.

Mrs. White's face turned sour. "Don't talk nonsense," she snapped, frowning.

The lady just laughed lightly. "Oh, come now. What are the odds?"

Alicia barely registered their conversation. Her eyes and thoughts were fixed on the bracelet at her wrist.

Five hundred million.

Was this even something you could wear?

It belonged in a display case, not on someone's arm.

"Mom!"

Alicia snapped out of her thoughts as Jade swept back into the room, all warmth and easy charm. "Alicia, Tyrone! I didn't know you were here too."

She tilted her head, feigning surprise as she called out to the family in the adjoining lounge. "Dad, Grandpa, I'm home!"

Mrs. White beamed, rising to greet her. "Jade, you're back! Sit down, take a rest. You must be exhausted. How long will you be staying this time?"

Jade shook her head with a smile. "Just here for a few days—I'm on the judging panel for an architecture competition in Harboridge."

"My daughter is so talented. Not that I know what Tyrone ever saw in someone else," Mrs. White said, her tone pointed and sharp, clearly meant for Alicia's ears.

Alicia didn't look up. She had no interest in their little games. All she could think about was the fortune wrapped around her wrist.

"Tyrone, it's so dull here. Why don't I take Alicia out for a bit?" Jade said with a bright smile, grabbing Alicia's hand without waiting for approval.

Tyrone's brow furrowed. "That won't be necessary."