Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 30

The Lawson Family

Vincent stepped out of the bathroom to find Mina sitting on the edge of the bed, his phone lying next to her. Without thinking much of it, he walked over and gently brushed her cheek, trying to soothe her. "Don't worry. Alicia's just a little immature. She'll agree to let Chloe have the opportunity."

Mina nodded, then stood up and looked him in the eyes. "Vin, when you proposed to me and I didn't say yes, it wasn't because I don't love you. My mind's just a mess right now."

Vincent nodded in understanding. "I get it."

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. "Vin… I want to stay tonight."

Her words were heavy with implication. She tilted her head up, eyes searching his, clearly hoping for a kiss.

Vincent wanted to respond, but for a fleeting moment, Alicia's face flashed through his mind.

Alicia used to kiss him impulsively too, but every time, he'd pull away.

For a second, he froze, and almost without thinking, he pushed Mina back.

She stumbled onto the bed, staring at him in disbelief—her pride stung, and her eyes immediately filled with tears.

Vincent panicked. "Mina… that's not what I meant. I just… You're not my wife yet, and I…"

Mina got up, eyes red, and turned away. "Get some rest."

And with that, she left the room.

Frustrated, Vincent kicked the trash can by the bed, then pressed his fist to his forehead, cursing himself. Was he losing his mind? Why was he thinking about Alicia at a time like this?

He hadn't touched Alicia in what felt like forever, and just the thought of her sent a wave of anger and heat through him. The craving felt unbearable—he wanted to drag Alicia back, pin her to the bed, and show her what it meant to obey, no matter how much she cried or pleaded…

But then guilt twisted in his gut. Mina was the woman he was supposed to marry; he owed her more than this.

As he made his way out, phone in hand, half-angry and half-determined to teach Alicia a lesson, the assistant called again.

"Mr. Lawson… I've looked into it. The posts… they might have been paid for by Chloe. She bribed some classmates to post them," the assistant said nervously.

Vincent's face went cold. Chloe—she only dared because she was Mina's cousin.

"Warn the students who made those posts. Get them deleted. And get in touch with the director of Alicia's orphanage. Ask her to talk some sense into Alicia—there's an opportunity to study abroad every year, it doesn't have to be this one," Vincent said curtly.

The assistant hesitated. "But sir, didn't you have me contact the regulatory board today? You ordered a full inspection of the orphanage and demanded they relocate to a new facility?"

Vincent stopped in his tracks. "Who told you to do that?"

The orphanage was Alicia's one safe haven. He'd only ever thought of having the director persuade her, never of threatening the kids there. Hurting the children at the orphanage had never been part of his plan…