Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 34

It was all Effie's fault-damn her. If it hadn't been for her, none of this would've happened. She'd never have made such a rookie mistake.

Effie stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold with icy detachment. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her face.

She knew perfectly well that Suzan's tears were nothing but an act.

This was always Suzan's go-to move-turn on the waterworks and play the victim. And Shepard always, always took her side.

"Effie..." Vera turned, her voice tinged with desperate pleading. "Could you put out a statement? Help Suzan clear things up? Just say it was all a misunderstanding, that you two were just messing around-sisters being sisters..."

"A misunderstanding? Just messing around?" Effie let out a sharp laugh, unable to contain herself. "Do you really think everyone's that stupid? Suzan dragged me into this mess, and now she's getting roasted for it. She's just reaping what she sowed."

Vera's face flushed a deep, angry red. She was momentarily speechless, so stunned by Effie's bluntness she looked as if she might choke.

Shepard, seeing Vera's humiliation, snapped. “Effie! Don't forget, you're a Bagnold too!"

Effie met his furious glare, her voice cold and unwavering. "Honestly, I wish I wasn't. And if you dragged me back here for this circus, sorry-I'm not interested in helping."

over both of them, her words sharp as knives. "And one more thing. Don't ever call me back here again. The two of you make my skin crawl. It's like

Effie turned on her heel and strode

to make

same Effie they could push around

in barely controlled rage. He shot Suzan a murderous look and stormed

daring to make

an angry huff. "Mom,

happened today—every humiliation—was all

her knuckles had gone white. Veins stood out along the

voice low and dangerous. "Don't worry. I won't

was harmless-not worth worrying about. She never expected Effie to be so

Impressive, really.

some compromising photos-naked, humiliated. Let's see how high and mighty she is then. Mitchell

more she liked the idea. The thought of Effie being broken and ruined made

her expression turning downright sinister. "I agree. It's a good plan. Leave it to

play nice, then let's