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."

actually think our breakthrough

a woman, Marcia noticed things

different

gaze barely left her. He kept serving her food, attentive

Lyman, who always wore a frosty expression and

mid-stride, looking at his wife with growing

she's just joined the Etheridge family—she'll need allies. She might be just the person

"You're right. Isn't Fidelia

Meanwhile, in the garden-

the hand, strolling

the night sky, casting fleeting light over

are you thinking about?" Lyman's voice

"Just thinking how special this New Year's

cradled her face in his hands, and gazed at her with a tenderness that seemed to glow in the moonlight. "Mrs. Etheridge, remember this:

glanced at his watch and began to count down under his breath. "Five, four, three, two,