Alicia froze, eyes downcast, lost in silence for a moment. Then, forcing a smile, she curled her fingers and spoke, âWhat are you talking about?
Tyroneâs just my bossâthe guy who pays my salary. I know my place.â
Melanie didnât press the issue. She simply fell in step with Alicia as they headed out.
She must have really wanted to see her mom today; Alicia noticed how Melanie had taken extra care with her appearance, wearing a lovely white dress that made her look every bit the picture-perfect daughter.
Just before stepping into the elevator, Melanie hesitated. âAlicia, honestly... I think youâre a better match for my uncle,â she said quietly. âBut I guess Iâm a little selfish too. Iâm sorry...â
Alicia hadnât quite caught her words and was about to ask her to repeat, but Melanie stayed silent.
Downstairs, Tyrone waited in the lounge area, his long legs folded awkwardly on the sofa, as if the furniture couldnât quite contain him.
Alicia spotted him from across the roomâhe stood out in any crowd, impossible to miss.
She used to think Vincent was the epitome of a wealthy, entitled heir, until she met Tyrone. Only then did she realize what true, effortless confidence looked like.
âYou finally came down?â Tyrone stood as he noticed Melanie hiding behind Alicia, his brow furrowing. âSkipping class now? Who taught you that?â
âShe really isnât feeling well,â Alicia jumped in, trying to shield Melanie.
Melanie nodded, still half-concealed behind Aliciaâs shoulder.
Tyrone glanced at Melanie for a moment. Aliciaâs defense workedâhe didnât push the matter further.
âTyrone...â Alicia called out as he headed toward the car, her nerves getting the better of her. âMaybe I should just stay behind... You and Melanie can go pick up her mother. Iâll just head home.â
She felt like an outsider. What if her presence upset Melanie? Then Tyrone would have to smooth things over...
She didnât want to see Tyrone comforting another womanâeven if she knew, deep down, she was just the hired help.
âWe all met at Harboridge City, didnât we?â Tyrone said, taking her hand. âYou know each other. Come with us.â
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
Alicia couldnât quite figure out Tyroneâs reasoning. Why insist she come along? Wasnât he worried about upsetting the woman he actually cared about? Or was it like with Vincent, dragging her along just to reassure Serena?
She shivered at the memory of Vincent using her as a pawn, parading her in front of Mina just so his friends could mock her.
But after all the money Tyrone had given her, she didnât really have a choice.
â...Okay,â she agreed quietly.
âYouâre not feeling well?â Tyrone asked once they were in the car.
Alicia shook her head from the passenger seat.
Tyrone leaned over and buckled her seatbelt himself, then gently ruffled her hair.
That familiar gesture againâso intimate, so easy to misread.
It was almost too much.
Tyrone drove them and Melanie to the care home.
Serenaâs nurse was already waiting at the entrance with her.
Serena looked radiant today, dressed youthfully, so much so that she and Tyrone could have passed for siblings.
It was true, Alicia thought, if a woman was well cared for, age hardly matteredâeven dating a younger man didnât seem strange.
âTyrone.â Serena greeted him with a smile, waving him back as she stood up from her wheelchair on her own.
She moved slowly, one careful step at a time, making her way over to them.
Alicia climbed out of the car, feeling lost in the momentâthe atmosphere was so heavy, it was almost suffocating.
Melanieâs eyes filled with tears; she wanted to run to her mother, but Serenaâs steady, determined walk kept her rooted in place by Tyroneâs side.
Alicia looked from Tyrone to Melanie, then over to Serena. Together, they really did look like one happy family.
ï¤Chapter 184 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions