Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 484

Seaview City.

Jade was still reeling from the slap Brandon had given her back at the hotel. Now, with no choice left, they’d shifted all their focus from Harboridge to Seaview City—a sugarcoated way of admitting they’d just been kicked out.

“How many times have I told you? The old man’s on his last legs, just hanging on! Until he’s gone, you can’t afford even the slightest scandal. Nothing! You idiot!” Brandon’s fury was palpable. Thanks to Jade’s latest tabloid mess, their only escape route had nearly gone up in flames.

“Dad! I looked into it—it was Natalia, that little witch. Just a housekeeper’s daughter, thinking she can climb above her station. She did this on purpose, trying to ruin my reputation—ruin me in Clayton’s eyes!” Jade’s voice shook with anger and humiliation as she glared at her father.

Brandon scoffed. “So you can’t even handle the likes of a housekeeper’s brat? What am I supposed to expect from you?” He shook his head. “Fine. Since we’re out of Harboridge for now, we’ll focus on Seaview City. You still have some clout in the industry—use it. Get your footing here as soon as possible.”

Jade nodded. “Dad, my reputation in architectural design isn’t something they can shake overnight. As long as I have talent and skill, we’ll find plenty of partners willing to back us. You’ve always managed White Corporation’s design and real estate projects, and now that the old man’s thrown us out, they’re left scrambling.”

She let out a cold, confident laugh. “Clayton’s a solid manager, but he knows nothing about architecture. Once the old man passes, we’ll snatch that division for ourselves. Trust me, plenty of people will back us when the time comes.”

Jade and Brandon were already mapping out how to fight for their inheritance.

Even if the old man had written a will, they’d find ways to contest it. As long as White Corporation’s longtime partners and project leaders sided with them, even Clayton would have to compromise.

“If the old man’s making such a show of paving the way for Nicole, it means they’ve finally found the real one…” Brandon looked at Jade. “Still haven’t found any leads?”

Jade’s face darkened. “Clayton’s been meeting a lot of women on the down-low—all with orphan backgrounds, all around the right age. There are too many suspects. He’s throwing up smokescreens.”

He paused, then added, “And I’ve heard the old man’s health is failing fast. The architecture competition in two weeks—you must win first place. That’s the only way to prove your value to the industry.”

Jade needed to stand at the top. She needed to become his most valuable asset.

“Don’t worry, Dad,” Jade replied with a sly smile. “I won’t let you down.”

…

Meanwhile, in Italy, Yvonne had just given birth to her child. The baby had come early and spent two weeks in an incubator before finally coming home—a frail little thing, barely bigger than Sean Quinn’s hand.