Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 78

"Mr. Holt, please, let me explain! It wasn't me! It was Effie! She-" Suzan thrashed about in panic, desperate to clear her name.

"Shut up!" Mr. Holt snapped, cutting her off before she could finish. He shoved her roughly onto the bed. "As long as you Bagnold women are involved, it doesn't matter which one. You're not bad-looking yourself, so I suppose you'll do. If you make me pay for this, I'll make sure you all regret ever crossing me."

Dizzy and terrified, Suzan could barely process what was happening. She'd never imagined things would spiral so far out of control. All she'd wanted was to use Mr. Holt to teach Effie a lesson, yet somehow, she'd ended up as the scapegoat.

Damn it! How did it come to this?

Her mind raced in confusion. Where was Effie? Hadn't that wretched girl fainted? Where did she go?

But Suzan had no time to think. Mr. Holt was already closing in on her.

Meanwhile, Effie, having overheard enough, slipped away from the chaos with a calm that seemed almost otherworldly.

Vera kept glancing at her watch, growing impatient. Enough time had passed- surely by now, Mr. Holt and Suzan had already done the deed.

the room, hoping to find Suzan, but there was no sign of her. Oh well. Vera was anxious to act; if she waited too long and everything was already over,

her move. In a deliberately loud voice, she asked, "Where's Effie? Has anyone seen her? I've got something

went out to the back garden just

the guest room near the garden earlier and thought I heard something inside. Could

crowd exchanged curious glances, and soon, a small group started making their way

approached, it became clear the noises were

could almost taste Effie's humiliation. That

gasped, "What's going on? Is Effie

and woman from inside left everyone feeling

Effie herself strolled up, cool and unruffled, a faint crease between her brows. "Vera, were you looking for me?" she

if she'd seen a ghost. "You-how are you here?

supposed to be unconscious, locked away in the guest room. How could

was in the

of dread washed over Vera.