Tyrone turned on his heel and walked away without another word.
Jade's expression darkened as she watched his retreating figure, her hands balled into tight fists. What luck did Alicia have, to catch Tyrone's eye of all people?
Hmph. It's just because she's an orphanâeasier to control, that's all.
Mina emerged from the shadows, curiosity in her voice. "Why does Tyrone defend Alicia like that? Are they really just in a marriage of convenience?"
Jade dropped onto the couch, lighting a cigarette with a cold laugh. "You don't know Tyrone like I do. He'd defend anyoneâor anythingâthat belongs to him. Even if it were just a dog, he'd act the same way."
Mina's brow furrowed with worry. "If he keeps protecting Alicia, she's never going to back down. Then my brother and Mira will end up in jail."
Jade shot her a confident look. "Relax. I have other plans."
Mina leaned in, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
Jade smirked, a glint in her eye. "My grandfather has never stopped searching for his long-lost granddaughter, Nicole. If he finds her, the marriage contract between the White family and the Lynch family will kick in. Maddox will force Tyrone to divorce Alicia, that orphan, and marry Nicole instead."
She and her father had already lined up the perfect "Nicole" to fool the old man.
Mina grinned. "Then I'll be waiting for your good news."
...
On the drive to the orphanage, Tyrone remained completely silent.
Bored and unable to think of anything to say, Alicia slumped against the window and dozed off.
The road through Willowshire County twisted and turned through the hills, making the ride especially bumpy.
Half-asleep, Alicia kept thinking her head would smack against the car window, but when she woke up, it hadn't happened.
Instead, she realized she'd been resting her head on Tyrone's arm, which had gone numb beneath her.
At some point, Tyrone had slipped his hand between her head and the glass, cushioning her cheek for the entire ride.
Alicia jolted awake, sitting up straight in a panic. She glanced nervously at Tyrone. "Tyrone... thank you."
"It's nothing," he replied, brushing it off as if it were no big deal.
Alicia stared down at her hands, too flustered to meet his eyes.
Is he this considerate to everyone? Isn't this just a little too much? A twinge of irritation pricked at her. If Tyrone already had someone he loved, why did he have to act in ways that were so easily misunderstood? It was... unfair.
She opened her mouth to ask about Melanieâhis motherâbut the words stuck in her throat. She was just his contract wife; she had no right to pry.
The agreement was clear: no interfering in each other's private lives.
It was Tyrone who finally broke the silence. "Jade came to see you yesterday."
"Yeah..." Alicia nodded, still feeling guilty.
"Alicia, if anyone ever approaches you again, you tell me right away. If I find out you're hiding things or making decisions on your own, I won't look out for you anymore." His voice was low, edged with frustration.
Alicia's eyes widened. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize to me," he said, frowning. "It's not me you're letting down."
She stared at her lap, voice barely above a whisper. "She said you'd divorce me within two weeks."
Tyrone rubbed his temples, exasperated. "So what, did I marry you just to tick a box? Do you really believe her? Am I the one who married you, or was it her?"
Alicia took a shaky breath. "She sounded so sure..."
Tyrone laughed, though it was more disbelief than amusement. "So just because she's confident, you believe her? Next time, come to me first."
Alicia nodded meekly.
"And another thing," he said more quietly, "if there's anyone you don't like, you don't owe them anything. You don't have to be politeânot even to my grandfather."
Alicia glanced at him curiously.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 80 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions But wasn't this whole contract marriage supposed to keep Maddox happy? How could she just ignore him?