Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 438

Under the mounting pressure from everyone at Lawson & Co., Stephen had no choice but to step down, citing health problems and poor decision-making as his reasons.

At the press conference, Stephen was forced to bow his head in apology to Tyrone’s family—specifically to Alicia—in front of a sea of reporters and flashing cameras.

…

Alicia’s apartment.

Sitting on her bed, Alicia watched Stephen’s press conference on her phone and let out a cold, mirthless laugh.

So much for the masterminds behind the scenes—they’d just lost one of their most important players. She wondered how they were feeling now.

“Alicia, Stephen’s out. Vincent has taken full control of Lawson & Co.” Winnie walked into the bedroom, a small triumphant smile on her lips.

Her strategy—turning the media against Stephen—had worked like a charm. The public outrage hit so fast and hard, Stephen hadn’t even had a chance to fight back. With Lawson & Co.’s stock on the verge of freefall, any more resistance from Stephen would have been suicidal; he’d have dragged the whole company down with him.

“These days, public opinion is as powerful as a nuclear bomb in the business world,” Alicia said, tossing her phone aside. She didn’t care about Stephen’s apology. She just wanted Stephen—and the shadowy figures pulling the strings—to understand what real pain felt like.

“Mira’s back with the Lawson family now, but from what I’ve heard, Vincent has her under constant watch. She’s not allowed to leave the estate,” Winnie said, settling beside Alicia. “I’m worried she might snap and try to hurt you. We should get out of the country as soon as possible.”

Alicia nodded. “Don’t worry, Winnie. I’m not the same girl I used to be—the one who let people walk all over her and hesitated to fight back out of fear.”

She finally had the strength to stand her ground against anyone.

If Mira was foolish enough to come after her again, then she’d have no one to blame but herself.

…

Clayton’s apartment.

Tyrone was in the middle of his physical therapy, gripping the parallel bars as he painstakingly took each step forward.

On the coffee table, his phone played the news segment where Stephen apologized publicly to him and Alicia. Tyrone’s face showed no emotion.

The CEO behind Evercrest had even managed to outshine Tyrone himself in the business world rumor mill.

The irony? That so-called business prodigy who’d eclipsed Tyrone—was Tyrone all along.

“You’ve got your schemes, and I’ve got my tricks,” Clayton said with a knowing look. “The people plotting against the White and Lynch families have no clue how many cards we’re actually holding.”

“Are we keeping tabs on Shaw?” Tyrone asked.

Clayton nodded. “Relax. We’re keeping a close eye on him, but he’s none the wiser.”

“Shaw’s after the Lynch family—and Lynch Corporation. Soon, his focus will overlap with Natalia’s, meaning he’ll be cozying up to Easton and the Lynch Corporation. Are you sure your brother can handle it?” Clayton was a natural-born worrier.

He spent half his day fretting about Alicia, convinced she was an innocent lamb, and the other half anxious that Easton, as a rookie, would get played by someone more experienced.

“With Stephen gone, whoever’s pulling the strings will put all their faith in Shaw. He trusts Shaw completely, which means Shaw will be responsible for taking down the Lynch family. That leaves…” Tyrone shot Clayton a look. “That leaves the White family as the next target. The real battle’s going to be on your turf. So quit worrying about everyone else. Alicia and Easton—they’re not so easily bullied anymore.”