Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 8

"A minor issue?" Effie let out a soft, mirthless laugh, her eyes laced with sarcasm. "Mitchell, you really think this is nothing? Or do you think I'm just someone you can brush off whenever you please?"

Mitchell's brow furrowed, his tone turning cold and clipped. "Effie, don't push your luck. I'll let this go-just this once. Don't let it happen again."

Effie rose from her seat, meeting his gaze with calm determination. "Mitchell, I'm dead serious."

The tension between them thickened in an instant; it was as if the air itself could catch fire.

Mitchell's fists clenched at his sides, but after a moment, he let out a bitter chuckle and strode toward the door.

"Effie, I hope you think this through."

He tossed the words over his shoulder and left the office without looking back.

The door slammed shut behind him. Effie stood silently for a moment, drawing a deep breath, forcing herself to steady the turmoil inside.

turned her attention to her work. Soon she'd hand everything over, sell her shares, and finally cut

Etheridge Manor

the stately brickwork of the historic estate. The car came to a smooth stop in the

hit the ground, and Lyman, with his impossibly

of footsteps, she looked up, her face lighting up as she called out in her

to come home! So, did you finish looking through all those photos I sent

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actually what I wanted to ask you about. Why were there

sounding exasperated. "What, I was just giving you more options! Who knows, maybe you'd prefer a nice young man. I don't care who you bring home-man,

between amusement and frustration. "Mom, I assure you, I'm perfectly straight.

eyes. "Oh, don't be so uptight!

of his nose and tugged at his navy-blue tie. "Mom, you don't have

him a look of pure disbelief. “Yeah, sure. If you're so confident, why don't you bring