Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 171

Fidelia's eyes lit up with delight. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed.

Graham stood off to the side, nodding with a cool detachment-a bare minimum of greeting.

The gifts for Uncle Healy and Uncle Fowler were expensive blends of tea, the kind that bespoke taste and tradition.

The old patriarch surveyed the scene with satisfaction, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, let's not just stand around. Dinner's ready—let's eat."

The dining table was all warmth and laughter on the surface, but beneath the facade, subtle tensions simmered.

Charis, feigning casual curiosity, asked, "Effie, I heard you grew up with your grandmother? Marrying into the Etheridge family must feel like quite the stroke of luck."

Before Effie could respond, Lyman interjected, voice calm but unmistakably protective. "You're too modest, Aunt Charis. Effie is gentle and kind, and she graduated from a top university. I'm the lucky one to have her as my wife."

guard by his rebuttal and forced a thin, awkward smile. "We're all hoping you two will

her gaze and blushing

this is life among the wealthy, she thought. Not as effortless as it

the tension, Fowler changed the subject. "Lyman, I heard the company

the details will have to wait until the board

tightened for a split second, but he quickly masked

transfer back to headquarters-he'd been stuck managing one of the satellite offices for ages, with nothing to show for it. He'd always resented being overshadowed by his ambitious nephew. This New Year's gathering was his chance to curry favor with the patriarch and see if he could negotiate

and the family dispersed to

sprawling, with wings, balconies, and enough guest rooms

Year's Eve was the same each year. Across the country, towns and cities were decked out in lights and decorations, everyone welcoming the new

year, Effie felt

Mitchell, her cousin, would go back to his own family for their reunion; he rarely brought Effie along, knowing how large and cold his family gatherings could be. The relatives were sharp-tongued, and Mitchell couldn't stand it, so Effie's Eves were always low-key: a quiet meal, then watching the New Year's special