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

marriage was just

thought made his expression

instructed Luther to prepare an impressive array of gifts

mentioned before that Selma, the family matriarch, had always been

held the old lady

arrived, he strode directly

people saw him, the entire

name echoed through Neo-Arcadia as one of its most influential men. And he had come to Selma Bagnold's birthday

did Selma

herself was taken

ever come to be connected with someone like

stood, flustered but beaming. "Mr... Mr. Etheridge, what an honor! You're too kind

polite formality. "Mrs. Bagnold, I wish you many more years of health

presented her with an assortment of beautifully wrapped boxes-inside were rare and valuable health supplements, the kind reserved for only the most honored

to prepare, but I hope you'll enjoy these," he

Your presence alone is the greatest

I could do," Lyman responded, his tone measured and

who'd only just caught sight of Lyman, practically

meet such a powerhouse

a real privilege to have you here—our