Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 69

Everyone froze for a moment.

Sure, they'd all had their doubts, but nobody else had dared to voice them so bluntly.

Then, as if on cue, the memory surfaced for them all-Effie was the same woman who'd been at the center of that plagiarism controversy during a recent competition, the one who'd trended on social media. The investigation had cleared her name, but that didn't automatically make her a star in their eyes.

After all, the design department was packed with talent; it wasn't easy to stand out. For Effie to join straight away as lead designer? Naturally, some people would feel a bit resentful.

The department head's expression hardened when she heard Nelly's words had gone too far. She said sternly, "Nelly, we're all colleagues here. Let's not say things that create division."

Nelly forced a sheepish smile. "Sorry, ma'am. I sometimes speak before I think." She glanced at Effie afterwards, her eyes full of disdain.

Effie felt exasperated, but she understood-this was just how the workplace worked.

"All right, to welcome our new teammate, let's go out to dinner after work," the department head announced. Instantly, the whole room broke into cheers.

Fantastic-another free meal.

Effie felt genuinely grateful to her boss. It would help her break the ice and get to know everyone faster.

it familiarizing herself with the office and learning about the company's design style

day, Effie sent a quick text to

was still in a meeting, but as soon as he saw her message,

the design

team found out where the dinner would be, everyone

them had ever been

that they were riding on Effie's coattails

tone dripping with sarcasm, piped up, "Well, the higher-ups must've finally noticed how hard we've been

one contradicted her, but everyone found it odd this kind

dish looked like a work of art and tasted just as good. No wonder The Etheridge Group was the

having

Lyman was also entertaining business partners at the same hotel

just a happy accident, or

loved seafood, so he'd instructed Luther to make sure their private room

walked in with the servers, carrying platters

a business dinner tonight," Luther explained smoothly. "He heard your department was having a welcome dinner for your new teammate, so he asked me to send over some seafood for you

one questioned it; they were just