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?

as if she still

Effie think their marriage was just some kind of

thought made his expression

prepare an impressive array of

that Selma, the family matriarch, had always been kind to

naturally held the old

arrived, he strode directly into the grand

the

name echoed through Neo-Arcadia as one of its most

clout did Selma have to warrant

herself was

come to be connected

beaming. "Mr... Mr. Etheridge, what an honor! You're too kind to

her with polite formality. "Mrs. Bagnold, I wish you many more years

were rare and valuable health supplements,

much time to prepare, but I hope you'll enjoy these," he said with

as she accepted the gifts. "Thank you! Your presence alone is the

was the least I could do,"

just caught sight of

often did he get the chance to meet such a powerhouse in person? Today was a stroke

ear to ear. "Mr. Etheridge, it's a real privilege to

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