Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 545

Jade breathed a heavy sigh of relief, slumping weakly on the ground, her eyes hollow.

Her life, her entire future, had just been effortlessly altered by a single word from Clayton.

How pathetic.

In that moment, Jade reflected on the first half of her life.

She was filled with regret. She regretted letting jealousy and bitterness drive her to scheme against Alicia. If she and Alicia had become friends, sisters...

Would her current situation be entirely different?

Unfortunately, life offered no do-overs.

She was painfully aware of the mistakes she had made, acutely conscious that she was merely a pawn for Brandon and the Gentleman. She knew she had been incredibly foolish, blinded by envy.

But she also knew her path had been set from birth. She couldn't change it.

From her perspective, she wasn't wrong; she just wanted to survive.

If she hadn't plotted against Alicia, if she hadn't fought tooth and nail, she would have been labeled a useless pawn by Brandon long ago and wouldn't have survived until today.

"Clayton... my father won't let me go easily. Please help me. At least... let me stay with you for a while. I'll do whatever you say, I'll be obedient." Jade was completely drenched, shivering uncontrollably. Her face was deathly pale, drained of all color from the biting cold. She looked pitiful and wretched.

Clayton ignored her. He showed no intention of inviting her inside.

"Clayton, she looks so pitiful," Susanna said, hiding behind him and casting a sympathetic look at Jade.

Clayton looked at Susanna, his gaze softening instantly. "Then let her stay. I have work to do. Handle the arrangements as you see fit."

But they had overlooked one crucial detail: this 'Susanna' was a woman with massive ambitions.

Now that she had become Clayton's irreplaceable first love, there was no way she would ever easily surrender a man so gentle, wealthy, and powerful.

Jade glared furiously at Susanna. She desperately wanted to expose the truth to Clayton, but the terror of Clayton abandoning her paralyzed her tongue.

"Oh, right..." Susanna walked a few steps away before pausing and turning back, as if she just remembered something. "Director Shaw mentioned she wants Clayton utterly obsessed with me, completely at my beck and call, and to marry me. That's the only way she can get White Corporation's secrets, by controlling the company through him..."

Susanna casually laid out Natalia's scheme.

Jade's eyelid twitched. Natalia was a woman who stopped at nothing. She had feelings for Clayton, yet she was willing to use a fake to utterly dominate him. The methods she chose... were bound to be underhanded and dirty.

"What are you planning to do?" Jade asked, eyeing Susanna warily.