Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 26

Effie paused, caught off guard, and turned around. A tall man stood not far away, his tailored black suit fitting perfectly, sharp features set in an expression both cool and enigmatic, his gaze so deep it seemed to see straight through her.

Lyman.

Her heart skipped a beat-no, several. Of all moments, she hadn't expected to run into him looking such a mess.

"Lyman." Effie offered a small smile, trying to keep her voice steady and composed.

Nita, standing beside her, stared in disbelief.

Wait-what?

Was this really the infamous "prince" of Neo-Arcadia, Lyman Etheridge himself? The man who ran the entire Etheridge family? And he knew Effie?

This was unreal.

Before Nita could process it, Lyman was already at Effie's side. He took her hand, his brow creasing with concern. "What happened? Why are you soaked?"

there was no use hiding the truth; if she didn't tell him,

pulled

with her? Did they have a death

her relationship with Lyman, Effie brushed it off. "It's fine, really.

my

Nita, pleasure to meet

could barely speak. The man before her was strikingly handsome, with refined features and a quiet nobility about him. Good grief, when did Effie meet someone like this?

you!" Nita managed, a

nodded, then turned to Effie.

supposed to attend

his tone gentle but firm. “No, I'll take you

at her bedraggled state and agreed

watched all of this, eyes wide, mind reeling. She tugged Effie's sleeve and whispered, "Effie, what's going on between you

up with an answer, but Lyman spoke up before she could. "Miss Nita, Effie is

nearly shouted, her eyes going round as saucers. Was she hearing

blushed furiously-she hadn't expected Lyman to just announce it