Everyone stared at Alicia in stunned disbeliefâeven Mina couldn't trust her own eyes.
She hit me?
That worthless orphan actually dared to hit me?
Mina let out a scoff of incredulous laughter, clutching her cheek as she looked over at Vincent.
Clearly, Vincent was shocked too.
He'd known Alicia for four years, and in all that time, he'd never once seen her raise a hand to anyone. In fact, not only had she never struck back, she barely even defended herself when she was bullied. Back in their freshman year, when Mira and Henry shoved her head in a toilet, Alicia hadn't even tried to resist.
But now? Now she'd actually slapped someone? Where did she find the nerve? Tyrone?
The more Vincent thought about it, the angrier he became.
He didn't know why he was so upsetâit wasn't just anger, there was something else, a gnawing sense of discomfort.
He'd been with Alicia for four years, and in all that time, he'd never managed to give her the confidence to stand up for herself. But somehow, Tyrone had? Tyrone had made her feel safe enough to fight back?
And the one she hit was Mina.
"Oh my God, has Alicia lost her mind? She always seemed so meek..."
"I know, right? Is it true she's been dating Mr. Lawson for four years?"
"Mr. Lawson didn't deny it... so it must be true."
"So Miss Holloway was the other woman all along?"
"If he doesn't love you, you're the other woman. Even if Alicia dated Mr. Lawson, everyone knows his heart belongs to Miss Holloway."
The office buzzed with whispers as employees gossiped in hushed tones. Mina had dragged them all here, hoping to humiliate Alicia in front of a crowdâand now they were eating up her own scandal.
"Vincent!" Mina finally snapped, all pretense of elegance gone. She screamed his name, desperate for him to step in and salvage her dignity.
Almost on instinct, Vincent moved to shield Mina. Without thinking, he raised his hand and slapped Alicia across the face.
Alicia didn't move to dodge; she hadn't expected Vincent to hit her at all.
The moment his hand landed, Vincent instantly regretted it. Four years ago, when he'd first brought Alicia home, he'd promised her, "Alicia, from now on, no one will ever lay a hand on you again."
And now, he'd broken that promise with his own hand.
Alicia looked at him, strangely calm.
So this was itâwhen you love someone, everything feels intense and overwhelming. But once the love is gone, everything settles into stillness.
"Vincent, we're even now." Alicia's eyes glistened, but she managed a small smile.
Even. From this moment on, neither of them owed the other anything.
Leaving the office, Alicia went to Human Resources.
The HR manager was standing by the door, caught in the middle of the office drama, a half-eaten granola bar in hand.
When Alicia approached her, she looked flustered and uncertain.
"I'd like to sign the papers," Alicia said, her voice steady.
The manager glanced nervously at Vincent.
When he didn't say anything, she led Alicia inside to finalize her resignation.
With a stroke of her pen, Alicia severed all ties with Vincent. No more drama, no more entanglements.
The instant she put the pen down, it felt like a heavy weight had lifted from her chest.
She took a deep breath, rubbed her swollen cheek, pulled a mask from her pocket, and stood tall as she walked out.
No one is born above anyone else.
She wasn't less than anyone. So what if she was an orphan? That was never her fault.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 49 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions "Alicia, this isn't over!" Mina spat as Alicia passed by.
Alicia didn't even break stride. She walked right out.
Let it be unfinished, then. In six months, she'd be in Italy anyway.
"Alicia!" Vincent called after her, panic in his voice.
Mina's eyes were red and brimming with tears. Her voice trembled. "Vincent! If you go after her today... our engagement is off!"
Vincent took a few steps after Alicia, then stopped and looked back at Mina.
His chest tightened with anxiety.
But, weighing his options, he chose Mina.
He was too sure of himselfâsure that Tyrone's interest in Alicia was just a passing fancy. Sure that when Tyrone moved on, Alicia would come back to him. He doubted Tyrone would ever care about Alicia for long.
***
Riverside Mansion.
Back at the house, Alicia sat quietly in the garden, waiting for the swelling in her face to go down before heading inside. She didn't want Wilma, the housekeeper, to worry.
"Ma'am, you're back. Andâsir... he's home too." Wilma had spotted Alicia through the window and hurried outside, hesitating as if she wanted to say more.