Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 14

When Liam arrived at the police station, he told the officers this matter needed to be handled seriously and that their lawyers would get involved.

Alicia remained silent throughout, not saying a word, not even trying to defend herself.

She knew all too well how those in power operated. Vincent, eager to appease Mina, would never let her off the hook so easily.

"Alicia, why did you attack Henry?" one of the officers asked her.

Alicia paused before answering, her voice flat. "Personal grudges."

The officer glanced at her ID, recognition flickering in his eyes. "Four years ago… the campus assault at Seaview University—I was involved in that investigation."

That bullying incident had left Alicia with permanent hearing loss in her left ear, a shattered little finger, and injuries so severe they were hard to look at.

It was supposed to be a criminal case. But the Lawsons had exerted enough pressure to keep it quiet. None of the professors reported it; it was only after the media caught wind that the police were forced to step in. Even then, Alicia had refused to press charges.

And so, nothing ever came of it.

But as an officer, he still remembered the case vividly: the privileged sons and daughters of elite families tormenting a girl who'd grown up in an orphanage.

Alicia had only been nineteen that year. The university staff had sided with the Lawsons and the Holloways, threatening Alicia—if she dared go to the police, if she made too much noise, they'd make sure she'd never graduate, even if she survived her injuries.

She was powerless against their influence. If she wanted to finish school, she had to play along, keep quiet, and do nothing that might tarnish the school's reputation.

Alicia had no one. Everyone knew she was an orphan—an easy target.

And so everyone chose the convenient route: bully the vulnerable to appease the powerful.

"Henry was one of the people who hurt you back then, wasn't he?" Officer Chester Quinn looked at her gently.

Alicia sat stiffly in her chair, stunned, staring at Chester in disbelief.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Vincent had even confronted Mira in front of her, sending both Mira and Henry overseas. After that, no one at school dared bully Alicia openly.

In that loveless, vulnerable age, Alicia had fallen hopelessly in love with Vincent.

For four years, she'd thought about running. But there was no way out.

Vincent didn't love her, but he wasn't willing to let her go, either.

"If anyone's threatening you, you can come to us…" Chester said, frowning. Even as he spoke, he knew how hollow those words sounded. Some things, the law just couldn't protect you from.

The world was never truly fair. They said everyone was equal, but real equality didn't exist.

"Do you have any friends who could vouch for you? If someone's willing to post bail, you can go home tonight." Vincent's secretary had demanded strict action, which meant Alicia would likely be held at least twenty-four hours.

But since the situation wasn't too serious, if someone stepped forward for her, Alicia could leave sooner.