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 he hadn't seen in

picked up his phone

rehearsal when the call came through, and the sight of Mr. Smith's name on her

why would he call me

past she'd rather forget-a chapter she had no

she had to in order to get noticed. Mr. Smith had taken a liking to her, and thanks to his influence, her career took off quickly. But that favor came at a price, leaving plenty of leverage in his

celebrity, she wanted nothing more than

charm. "Isabel, long time no see. What have you been up to lately?

distaste, Isabel forced a polite tone. "Mr. Smith, what a coincidence. You're here for business? Where are

to steer the conversation elsewhere, she kept her voice

Mr. Etheridge. We've almost wrapped things up, and you just popped into my

skipped again. Mr.

Could he mean Lyman?

with some major players. If it was Lyman he was meeting,

down on you. I do have an engagement tonight, by the way did you

He brought his wife along, too. Honestly, she's quite the looker," Mr. Smith said, still