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?"

was no use hiding the truth; if she didn't tell him, he'd find out anyway. She sighed. "It

pulled you into the pool on

Someone dared to mess with her? Did

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

the subject. "This is my good

meet you,"

was so stunned she 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?

Etheridge, nice to meet you!" Nita

nodded, then turned to Effie. "Let's go

hesitated. "Aren't you supposed to attend the

dripping evening dress, his tone gentle but firm.

down at her bedraggled state and

reeling. She tugged Effie's sleeve and whispered, "Effie, what's going

she tried to come up with an answer, but Lyman spoke

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

expected Lyman to just announce