Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 223

What should have been a warm family dinner was completely ruined by Shepard's sudden, inexplicable outburst.

Effie sat quietly through it all, drinking glass after glass until she was well and truly drunk.

On their way out, her grandmother watched Effie with worried eyes.

"Don't worry, Grandma. I'll take care of her," Lyman reassured her gently.

Her grandmother nodded. "If only the guest rooms hadn't gone unused for so long, I'd have insisted you stay here tonight."

Truth was, the rooms were always kept tidy-her grandma just liked the idea that if Effie ever felt upset, she could come home anytime and find everything ready for her. But with Lyman there, and knowing who he was, her grandma worried the old, cramped house with its thin walls might not be comfortable for him. So, she held back from insisting.

Lyman led Effie out to the street to wait for their ride.

The neighborhood was old, parking spots were few and far between, so their car was parked out along the curb.

"Easy now," Lyman said, steadying Effie as she swayed on her feet.

seemed like a different person. She clung to him, muttering, "Why is this lamppost moving?

Lyman blinked. "Lamppost? What?"

under the big tree by the gate, where some of the

helped her sit down-if he didn't, she'd

for a minute," Lyman coaxed, his

obediently settled down. "Take me

The driver's almost here,"

head and went still, looking for all the world

rang. He glanced at the screen-his

was pulling out just now and didn't notice-l clipped another car.

for years, always steady, never so much as a fender bender. But this neighborhood's

him. "A hundred grand-will

ancient import, worth

"Make it quick."

at Effie. But just as he finished transferring the money, he looked