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.

room, hoping to find Suzan, but there was no sign of her. Oh well. Vera was

loud voice, she asked, "Where's Effie? Has

Effie went out to the back garden

room near the garden earlier and thought I heard

and soon, a small group started making their way toward

they approached, it became clear the noises were

pounded with excitement. She could almost taste Effie's humiliation. That little witch was about to be ruined

"What's going on? Is Effie

muffled sounds of a man and woman from inside left everyone

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

a ghost. "You-how are you here? Weren't you—?” She stopped herself before

unconscious, locked away

who was in the

dread washed over Vera. No-it couldn't be