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

a deliberately loud voice, she asked, "Where's Effie?

"I think Effie went out to the back

chimed in, "That's strange-I passed by the guest room near the garden earlier and thought

a small group started making their way

it became clear the noises were coming

pounded with excitement. She could almost taste Effie's humiliation. That little witch

gasped, "What's going on?

of a man and woman from inside left everyone

then, Effie herself strolled up, cool and unruffled, a faint crease between her brows. "Vera, were you

you here? Weren't you—?” She stopped herself

this? Effie was supposed to be unconscious, locked away in the guest room. How could she be standing right

was in the

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