Alicia paused, her eyes fixed on Tyrone.
He didnât look well. Taking a deep breath, Tyrone took her by the hand and led her outside. âCome on. Letâs go home.â
Alicia felt dazed, her mind spinning. Sheâd always heard that Tyroneâs one true crush was Serena Sinclair. Now, suddenly, it was some underage girl?
Just how many people had Tyrone really been in love with?
She wanted to ask about that girl.
More than that, she wanted to hear Tyrone explain it.
But Tyrone gave her nothing.
So she held back her questions.
Still, the thought stuck in her chest like a thorn.
She didnât mind that Tyrone had loved other people beforeâsheâd loved Vincent herself, after all.
But what terrified her was the idea that Tyrone might still love someone else.
If that girl ever showed up, would he regret marrying her?
Would he take it all back?
Once they were in the car, Tyrone broke the silence. âClayton is the White familyâs adopted son. He has no claim to their inheritance, and the old man doesnât plan to give him any shares. But heâs smart, ambitious. You understand?â Tyrone glanced at Alicia, his tone serious.
Clayton was far more complicated than he seemed.
Alicia drew a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. âClayton doesnât really look like that kind of person.â
âHeâs very good at hiding.â Tyroneâs voice was cool. âHe managed to fool Mr. White completely.â
Reginald was nobodyâs fool, and the fact that he trusted Clayton so much proved how skilled Clayton was at wearing a mask.
Tyrone had never taken anyone seriouslyânot even Vincent. He didnât fear competition.
But Clayton... With him, Tyrone had to weigh every move.
That man could only be an ally. As an enemy, heâd be troubleâserious trouble.
Clayton would be weighing his options, too. Working with Tyrone meant more benefits for both. But if they ever became enemies, it would be a lose-
lose. Neither of them wanted to gamble everything when there was no real grudge between them.
âIâll keep my distance from him.â Alicia promised quietly.
She didnât really have a choice. She was just Tyroneâs âwifeââa title that felt like it could be stripped away at any moment.
She never knew when Tyrone might grow tired of her and send her away.
âGood. Thatâs my girl.â Tyrone reached over and ruffled her hair.
He liked her like thisâobedient, relying on him alone.
...
In a shabby apartment across town, Easton pedaled his bike home only to find his mom in the middle of a violent coughing fit, blood staining her lips.
When Valery saw him come in, she hurried to hide the bloodied handkerchief.
Eastonâs face paled. He rushed to her side, voice tight with worry. âMom, whatâs wrong?â
Valery forced a smile and shook her head. âItâs nothing, just a little cold. Have you eaten, sweetheart? Iâll make you something.â
Valery really was an actress at heartâshe shouldâve been in Hollywood. She pushed herself up, but a wave of dizziness nearly sent her to the floor.
Marcus caught her just in time, concern etched on his face. âLie down and rest, Valery. Iâll cook tonight.â
Easton stared at Marcus in disbelief. Marcus, who never set foot in the kitchen, was volunteering to make dinner?
Was something actually wrong with his mom?
Easton had wondered if Valery would try to force him to marry Nicole, but so far, all she and Marcus had done was gently nudge him.
âMom, are you sure youâre all right?â Easton asked, worry clear in his voice.
Valery could see he was taking the bait. She waved him off. âIâm fine. Itâs just a cold.â
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 291 The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind ï¤Chapter 347: Administering Drugs Switched Marriage The Coddled Little Wife ï¤Chapter 538: Unimaginable She lay down on the lumpy cot, coughing pitifully.
Easton didnât say another word. He headed to the small desk in the corner and started on his homework.
A few minutes later, the smell of burning food drifted from the kitchenâMarcus had scorched the pot.
Easton, without missing a beat, walked over, took the pot from Marcus, added water, scrubbed it clean, and started dinner from scratchâcalmly, efficiently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.