Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 212

"Give me your hand," Lyman said, reaching out to Effie. One hand gripped the reins tightly, while the other stretched toward her.

Effie hesitated, her jaw set with determination. "I'm fine," she replied, refusing his help.

She tried again to mount the horse, pouring every ounce of strength into the effort, and finally managed to haul herself into the saddle.

With her legs clamped tight and hands gripping the reins, she leaned forward, hugging the horse's neck. She pressed her face close to its ear and whispered softly, as if sharing a secret.

Then, gathering herself, she straightened up and urged the horse forward. They burst into a gallop, wind whipping past, and within moments she'd caught up to Suzan then overtook her, winning the race.

Only after Effie's victory did Lyman ride over, stopping his horse beside Effie and Suzan.

Randell and Vinson Elliott arrived just moments later.

As soon as Effie dismounted, a figure shot toward her-Shirley-who flung her arms around Effie and hung on tight, sobbing loudly. "Effie, you scared me half to death! I thought... Oh, thank God you're okay, I was so worried!"

clearly wanting to show concern for Effie, but his innocent expression

unreadable, his eyes fixed on Effie's

I'm fine," Effie said, ruffling Shirley's hair as if soothing

if Lyman had been the one to hug Effie and get that close, would he be beaming

there was no "what

Hoffman, I won," Effie said, turning to Randell after calming Shirley. "You'll keep your promise and work

off guard by the question, so flustered that he almost tripped over his own

he felt a sharp stare

Lyman's dark, penetrating

I didn't mean for

from her horse, yet she wouldn't give

stiff, wishing he could crawl into a

to her. Even if she'd known they were friends, she wouldn't have used Lyman's connections to get to Randell-she

had other priorities