Inside a secluded private room at Serendipity, Renee exploded the moment Alicia finished speaking. "Those people are unbelievable. How could they treat you like that? Still, at least you finally see Michael for what he really is."
Dislike for Michael had always been there, but Renee had kept quiet out of respect for Alicia's feelings.
"A few years ago, when the economy nearly collapsed, their company would have gone under if you hadn't stepped in and secured those investments. Without you, Michael would never have climbed into a manager's position. Thank God they have no idea you're Aurora. If they did, who knows how much more they would have drained from you," Renee muttered, her voice sharp with anger.
Alicia hid the pain in her chest and forced herself to sound composed. "That means I don't owe the Gill family anything anymore. I'm done holding onto resentment. I'll just treat everything they gave me as payment for raising me."
Renee was seething, but when she noticed how exhausted Alicia looked, she bit back her fury and settled for a dry, crooked smile.
If the Gill family ever found out that the globally respected venture capitalist Aurora was the adopted daughter they always looked down on, the shock alone would be worth watching.
After a brief pause, Renee leaned forward. "What about Michael then? Are you really going to let him walk away untouched?"
Alicia lifted her glass and took a slow sip, her eyes sharpening with resolve. "Not a chance. I'll make him return every single thing he stole from me. By the way, did you hear that Frank Powell's estranged grandson just came back to the country?"
Renee gave a small nod, curiosity creeping into her expression. "I've heard about him, but why bring him up now?"
"Word is that Frank's health has been getting worse, and the Powell family is already tearing itself apart over the inheritance. Michael is an illegitimate son, but you know he won't miss a chance to grab his share."
Confusion crossed Renee's face. "Why would Frank's estranged grandson suddenly come back?"
"Most likely because of the Powells. There's also gossip going around that his mother's death wasn't as simple as it seemed."
"So you're thinking about tracking him down and teaming up with him?"
Alicia answered with a quiet nod.
Doubt immediately surfaced on her face as Renee shook her head. "That feels risky. None of us know him. What if he's all talk and no substance? If he ends up pulling you under, the loss would be enormous."
Alicia's gaze darkened as she spoke. "The Gill family only got this far because I worked behind the scenes. Now that Michael is tied to them, dealing with him won't be simple. I need someone stronger backing me up, and he fits perfectly. Besides, if he lacked ability, he wouldn't dare set his sights on becoming the head of the Powell family."
Faced with Alicia's unwavering expression, Renee sighed and gave in. "Alright. What do you need me to do?"
"Dig into everything about him."
"Leave it to me." Renee straightened at once, confidence returning as she tapped her chest. She lifted her glass with a grin. "To your vision returning and to finally breaking free from all this mess. Cheers."
Alicia returned the smile and gently clinked her glass against Renee's.
After a brief pause, she rose from her seat. "I need to use the restroom."
The moment she stepped into the hallway outside the private room, a woman's voice drifted from the next room, clearly calling out a familiar name.
Alicia stopped short.
Jared?
Her heart skipped before reason caught up.
There was no way it could be him. He had no reason to be here. Plenty of people shared the same name.
With that thought, she prepared to walk away. Before she could take another step, the door beside her swung open.
Lifting her head, Alicia froze when Jared appeared in front of her. Her eyes flicked past him into the room, disbelief written all over her face. "Do you work here on the side or something?"
"Wait. That's not what you think," Jared responded, trying to speak up.
Before he could say more, the woman from inside the room stepped closer and casually hooked her arm around his neck. "Jared, who's this?"
Alicia slowly sized the woman up from head to toe.
She was not young, but everything about her appearance was carefully kept, and her charm was impossible to miss.
Catching Alicia's sharp stare, Jared stiffened and immediately shrugged the woman's arm off. "Sweetheart, please. Let me explain this properly."
"There's nothing to explain," Alicia replied coolly as she reached out and pulled him behind her.
Planting herself firmly in front of him, she fixed her gaze on the woman. "Whatever you paid him, I'll give you twice that amount. Just stay away from my husband from now on."