Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 142

But the moment Mr. Smith pictured Effie's porcelain skin, her graceful figure, and above all, the faint, intoxicating scent that seemed to linger around her, he felt his heart stir with longing.

Desire crawled beneath his skin, itching like a swarm of ants, impossible to ignore.

He glanced over at Mrs. Smith, sitting quietly beside him. She was only in her thirties, but her complexion looked dull and tired, makeup barely masking the exhaustion etched into her features. Her clothes were plain, her style uninspired— nothing about her caught his interest anymore.

The more he looked, the more resentful he became. It was maddening, the way life turned out when you compared yourself to others.

What on earth had he been thinking, marrying such a dreary woman?

Mrs. Smith had grown accustomed to his constant criticism and belittling. Her expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn't heard a word.

If he refused to listen to reason, then he could face the consequences. People who overstepped their bounds deserved whatever punishment came to them.

A flash of malice flickered beneath Mrs. Smith's lowered lashes.

...

flushed, Mr. Smith suddenly remembered an old acquaintance

phone and dialed her

call came through, and the sight of Mr. Smith's name on her screen made her heart skip

why would he

she'd rather

she was just breaking into the industry, Isabel had done what she had to in order to get noticed. Mr. Smith had taken a liking to her, and thanks to

dancer and A-list celebrity, she wanted nothing more than to sever all

charm. "Isabel, long time no see. What have you been up to lately? I'm in town on

what a coincidence. You're here for business? Where are you

the conversation elsewhere,

things up, and you just popped into my mind. What's the matter? Now that you're a big

skipped again.

Could he mean Lyman?

was meeting, and if women came

"Mr. Smith, don't be silly. I'd never look down on you. I

wife along, too. Honestly, she's quite the