"Winnie!" Alicia called out from the hotel entrance.
Winnie smiled and walked over. "Come on, let's head to the beach."
Felix was waiting in the car, his phone pressed to his ear, concern clouding his features as he listened. When he hung up, he turned to them apologetically.
"Ladies, I'm afraid our plans will have to change," he said, regret clear in his voice.
Alicia blinked in surprise. "What happened?"
Felix glanced at Winnie, then explained, "I'm very sorry, but Mr. Lynch is on his way back to Seaview City. He's already on the plane and will be landing in about two hours."
Alicia's eyes widened in shock. Tyrone was coming home today? And so suddenly?
"Oh... I'm sorry..." Alicia turned to Winnie, guilt coloring her tone. After all, when the boss calls, everything else takes a back seat.
Winnie waved off her apology with a warm hug. "It's okay, really. Next time I'm in town and have some time off, we'll do this again."
Alicia looked sheepish. "I promise, let me know when you're back in Seaview City. I'll make it up to you."
Winnie nodded. "Definitely. You'd better get going now."
Alicia slid into the car, but before the door closed, Winnie called out, a sudden thought crossing her mind. "Alicia, be careful, alright? Don't put too much trust in those around you. Watch your back."
Alicia was caught off guard, then nodded slowly. "I will."
Felix drove off, delivering Alicia safely home. As she stepped out, he offered one last instruction. "Ma'am, Mr. Lynch wants you to stay in tonight.
Please don't go anywhere."
"But I promised to pick up Melanie this evening..." Alicia protested, not wanting to break her word.
Felix checked the time. "Mr. Lynch will be home by three this afternoon. You can talk to him about it then."
Alicia nodded, still puzzled at Tyrone's sudden insistence that she stay put. The whole atmosphere felt unexpectedly tense.
ââ
Azure Heights Hotel.
Winnie sprawled across her hotel bed, sighing at the ceiling. Was Tyrone really calling Alicia back just because he didn't want her hanging out with friends? Was she about to lose everythingâher chance at fun and even her friendshipâwith nothing to show for it except a meddlesome reputation?
Moping, she scrolled through Tyrone's social media. His feed was immaculate, almost emptyâexcept for one post from the 27th of last month: a candid photo, barely in focus, but unmistakably showing two marriage certificates.
Winnie raised her brows in surprise. Tyrone must actually care about Alicia if he's willing to make their marriage public.
Just as she was about to dig deeper into Tyrone's online presence, her phone buzzedâher dad was calling.
"Sweetheart!" her father's cheerful voice boomed, his accent thick and familiar. "How on earth did you get to know Tyrone Lynch? He's the prince of the Harboridge elite, you know! You're really moving up in the world!"
Winnie sat up, excitement bubbling. "Dad, what's going on?"
"Someone from Lynch Corporation's business office reached out. They want to sign a long-term contract and are even offering us a three percent bonus on top! This is huge, sweetheart. Did you save his life or something?"
Winnie clapped a hand over her mouth, stunned. Lynch Corporationâthat was their biggest client! "Oh my god!"
She couldn't help but shout her excitement. For once, she hadn't broken any rules, hadn't stepped over any lines, hadn't gotten tangled up with Jade's toxic dramaâand she'd even earned a reward from the big boss himself!
She chatted with her dad for ages, and even after hanging up, she was still practically bouncing with excitement. But as the adrenaline faded, another realization crept in: Tyrone must really care about Alicia. Otherwise, he'd never go to such lengths.
ââ
Tyrone's Residence.
Alicia sat quietly on the sofa, waiting, unsure when Tyrone would arrive.
Wilma, the housekeeper, brought over a plate of fruit and lowered her voice. "Ma'am, have you heard? Mr. Lynch went back to the family estate and ended up making his father so angry he fell ill."
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 138 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions Alicia looked up in surprise. "Really?"
Wilma nodded gravely. "And that's not all. The old man is talking about taking back Mr. Lynch's shares and pushing him out of the company. Even back then, when Mr. Lynch fell out with him over Serena, he wasn't this furious before."