Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 502

502 /507

In the villa, Clayton had just hung up after taking a call from Alicia. She’d invited him to dinner at the family estate that evening. As he stepped out of the living room, he spotted Jade waiting anxiously by the door.

Clayton let out a cold, humorless laugh. Ever since they were kids, Jade had always carried herself like a spiteful, privileged heiress, looking at him as if he were nothing more than a stray the White family had taken in. And now, here she was, swallowing her pride to beg for help from the very person she used to treat like a dog.

“Clayton!” Jade called out, her voice tight with urgency as she watched him head for his car.

Clayton ignored her completely and slipped into the back seat. As the driver started the engine, Jade suddenly darted in front of the car, blocking their path.

Inside, Clayton frowned in irritation. Had she lost her mind? Did she really think she could just stand in front of a moving car?

“Clayton! Please, just talk to me!” Jade pleaded, desperation cracking through her usual arrogance. She knew there was only one way to regain control of White Enterprises—she needed Clayton on her side.

If she could have him, if she could marry him, the board members and the old guard would finally back her. That was the harsh reality: For both her and Alicia, the family’s power brokers only cared about alliances and leverage, not about loyalty or blood ties. Even now, with Alicia newly recognized as Nicole and their grandfather gone, she’d need Clayton to keep a grip on the company. Clayton had spent years earning the old man’s trust, weaving himself into every vital connection—his influence was unmatched.

Now, Jade and Alicia were fighting over the same man.

“Miss Jade, I don’t think there’s much for us to discuss,” Clayton said, rolling down the window just enough to meet her eyes. His voice was flat, almost icy. “After all... I’m just the family’s worthless mutt, remember?”

Jade bit back her anger, her hands clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. She forced herself to swallow her pride. “What will it take for you to forgive the things I’ve said? I was just angry—angry at the way you always looked down on me, like I could never measure up…”

“Miss Jade, nothing you said has ever mattered to me,” Clayton replied, his gaze unwavering. “It simply wasn’t worth it.” The message was clear: He felt nothing for her—and never would.

“Clayton…” Jade’s chest tightened painfully. The truth was, she’d liked him from the moment they met as children. But she had no idea how to show it, no idea how to love anyone. As the illegitimate daughter, she’d always been an outsider, forced to live in the White household on sufferance, always reminded of her place. All she’d ever wanted was to matter to someone, so she hid her insecurity behind a mask of arrogance.

Clayton, the White family’s adopted son, seemed even lower on the social ladder than she was. He became the easiest target for her frustration and hurt.

“We grew up together, Clayton,” she murmured. “You barely know Alicia. I don’t believe you’d rather marry her…”