Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 80

Effie offered a faint, unbothered smile. "Vera, right back at you," she replied coolly.

Vera's face turned a dangerous shade, but with so many eyes on her, she swallowed her anger and forced out a cold retort. "Don't get too comfortable. This isn't over."

Effie just shrugged, her lips curving into a dismissive grin before she turned and left the guest room.

"If they want to play games, I'll play along," she murmured to herself, a glint of icy determination flickering in her eyes.

At that exact moment, a sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom was gliding up the drive to Bagnold Mansion.

Lyman was back from his business trip.

He hadn't even gone home yet-he'd come straight here.

He'd tried calling Effie earlier, but she hadn't answered any of his calls.

Anxious, Lyman had Luther look into it, and only then discovered it was Selma's birthday celebration-Effie had returned to the family estate.

A heaviness crept into Lyman's chest.

Why hadn't Effie told him about Selma's birthday party? Weren't they married now?

she still didn't see herself as

was just some kind

made his expression

to prepare an impressive array of gifts and headed straight for

that Selma, the family matriarch, had

the old

Lyman arrived, he strode directly

people saw him, the entire room

name echoed through Neo-Arcadia as one of its most influential

kind of clout did

herself was

of all people, ever come to be connected with someone like

stood, flustered but beaming. "Mr... Mr. Etheridge, what an honor! You're too kind to grace us with your

polite formality. "Mrs. Bagnold, I wish you many

assortment of beautifully wrapped boxes-inside were rare and valuable health supplements, the

hope you'll enjoy these,"

accepted the gifts. "Thank you! Your presence

least I could do," Lyman responded, his

only just caught sight of Lyman,

chance to meet such a powerhouse in person? Today was a stroke of extraordinary

it's a real privilege to have you here—our home is truly