Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 140

The moment Effie realized how valuable the gift was, she shook her head in protest. "Mrs. Smith, you're being far too generous. This is much too expensive-I really can't accept it."

"Oh, don't be silly," Mrs. Smith replied with a gentle smile. "It's nothing

extravagant, just something I picked up in a little shop while traveling abroad. I thought it was unique, and since fate brought us together, I wanted to give you a small token of appreciation."

"Really, Mrs. Smith, it's not necessary," Effie insisted, trying to hand the gift back. She knew deep down she couldn't keep it.

Mrs. Smith hesitated, then spoke with some difficulty. "Effie, the truth is, I wanted to apologize. I'm honestly embarrassed-Rankin had too much to drink last night and behaved terribly. I feel awful about it."

Effie was taken aback; she hadn't expected Mrs. Smith to know.

"Mrs. Smith, you really don't have to-" Effie started, feeling a twinge of sympathy for her.

Smith had to clean up after Mr.

messes.

see Mrs. Smith wasn't happy. Especially last night at dinner, when she caught the look of envy in Mrs. Smith's eyes as Lyman treated Effie with such care. On the surface, the Smiths put on the perfect couple act, but after spending a day with

smart woman. I'm sure you've figured it out-Rankin and I don't really have much of a relationship. Our marriage was arranged by our families. We

She

too painful, you don't have to go on," Effie said gently. She could already guess the rest-she'd seen

makes me feel better." Mrs. Smith gave a sad smile. "All these years, I've just put

my family. My father, who always prided himself on reading people, was taken in too. He gave Rankin every opportunity, every resource. Once

married ones. There was a scandal once, he got

things I want, he buys. I've learned to just go along with it, and whenever he needs me to play the perfect wife,

Mrs. Smith looked at Effie and managed a strained

truth, stories like this were all too common in wealthy families-the same old drama, just with different faces. She'd stopped being surprised a long