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.

the first time Mrs. Smith

messes.

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

little laugh, as if Effie's silence had confirmed her suspicions, and she decided not to hide anymore. "Effie, you're a 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 barely met twice before getting engaged, but he

voice caught. She paused, gathering

gently. She could already guess

a sad smile. "All these years, I've just put up with it for the sake of the

faithful type, not really. He just played the part well enough to fool my family. My father, who always prided himself on reading people, was taken in too. He gave Rankin every opportunity, every resource. Once Rankin got what he wanted, his

that caught his eye-even married ones. There was

he buys. I've learned to just go along with it, and

at Effie and managed a strained smile.

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