Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 172

"Enough!" Healy slammed his palm on the table. "Do you really think things are the same as before? You're not ignorant of Lyman's methods. Have you already forgotten how Fowler's people got kicked out of the company last time?"

Charis's expression shifted at the mention of that incident.

Last year, Fowler's confidant in the accounting department had been publicly fired by Lyman over a questionable transaction-so quickly and decisively that even the old man couldn't protect him.

"So... what do you want me to do?" Charis's bravado faded.

Healy narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice. "Right now, what matters most is making sure Graham secures his place in the company. Starting tomorrow, I want you to be polite to Effie-better yet, try to get close to her. Word is, Lyman dotes on her. Maybe you can get to him through her..."

Meanwhile, in the Fowler family's suite, the atmosphere was entirely different.

Fowler yanked off his tie in frustration, pacing restlessly across the floor.

Marcia approached quietly, offering him a cup of tea. "Don't worry," she soothed, "we just need to take things one step at a time. The project hasn't even started yet."

"One step at a time?" Fowler let out a mirthless laugh. "If we go any slower, there won't be a place for us in the company at all! Lyman's getting bolder by the day. You saw it yourself-he wouldn't even share the project details with us."

glint flickered in Marcia's eyes. "I actually

a woman, Marcia noticed things others

different with

He kept serving her

always wore a frosty expression and never bothered with

mid-stride, looking at his wife with

special. And she's just joined the Etheridge family—she'll

lips. "You're right. Isn't Fidelia about her

Meanwhile, in the garden-

the hand, strolling beneath

the night sky, casting fleeting light over Effie's

thinking about?" Lyman's voice was soft,

her head with a gentle smile. "Just thinking how special this New Year's

a tenderness that seemed to glow in the moonlight. "Mrs. Etheridge, remember this: As

began to count down