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."

was caught off guard by his rebuttal and forced a thin, awkward smile. "We're all hoping you two will give us some good news next year-maybe a chubby little addition

along, lowering her

the wealthy, she thought. Not as effortless as it looked

"Lyman, I heard the company has a new project going. How's it coming

well informed, Uncle Fowler. But the details will have to

expression tightened for a split second, but he

hoping to use the new project as leverage to 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

the family

and enough guest rooms for everyone

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

this year, Effie felt

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,