Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 432

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With her departure abroad just days away, Alicia found herself handling only the essential paperwork; everything else was managed by Yvonne’s people.

Yvonne had been almost impossibly good to Alicia, looking after her with a care that bordered on the obsessive. Even Winnie had started to notice that something was off.

Though Yvonne’s kindness was carefully concealed—no one else knew she was the one pulling strings behind the scenes—Alicia and Winnie were in on the secret. “Alicia,” Winnie said one afternoon, lowering her voice conspiratorially, “Yvonne treats you better than most people treat their own children. Honestly, if I didn’t know for a fact she’s never had kids and is too old to have a daughter your age, I’d think you were hers. And have you seen your eyes and eyebrows? They look so much like hers.”

She fished out a photo of Yvonne and held it up next to Alicia’s face. “See? It’s uncanny.”

Alicia’s chest tightened. She took a slow breath. “Winnie, did you find out what I asked you to look into?”

Winnie nodded. “Yeah. Yvonne’s never had a child, at least on record. But since she’s a celebrity, everything’s kept super private. It took a lot to dig this up. Apparently, she’s pregnant now—just a little after you. She’s so slim that it hardly shows, but she must be planning to go to Italy with you to have the baby in secret.” Winnie glanced around, lowering her voice further. “Honestly, Yvonne’s a trooper. She’s well into high-risk territory at her age. And there’s no doubt—the father’s Sean Quinn. Those two are really in love.”

Alicia barely heard the last part. Yvonne was pregnant too.

Was she overthinking things? Was Yvonne just using Alicia’s trip as a cover for her own pregnancy, or was there something more?

Winnie’s voice broke in. “Yvonne’s older sister—she’s Reginald’s daughter-in-law. You know, the one from the Harboridge and Seaview scandal years ago? The 8/17 billionaire murder case… Victor White and Lavinia Harrison.” Winnie shivered, almost whispering. “That case made headlines everywhere. The only heir to the White family and his wife Lavinia, both murdered. Their newborn, Nicole White, vanished—taken right from the cradle. No one ever found her.”

Alicia inhaled sharply and stepped back without thinking.

“When I broke up with Vincent Lawson… during my hospital stay, there was someone—a complete stranger—who tried to kill me in my hospital room. I’d never crossed anyone, not even Mina Holloway would be reckless enough to hire a hitman. I could never figure out who wanted me dead…” Alicia’s skin prickled with goosebumps.

A sick feeling crept over her. Maybe she wasn’t imagining things after all.

If she thought about the old man’s attitude toward her, and how Reginald had publicly humiliated the fake Nicole and Jade White at the White family’s banquet… it all felt like groundwork for someone.