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.

She clung to him,

Lyman blinked. "Lamppost? What?"

glanced around and spotted a battered old bench under the big tree by the

sit down-if he didn't, she'd keep this up and make

here for a minute," Lyman coaxed, his

"Take me home. I want

here," Lyman said, keeping his voice

bowed her head and went still, looking for all

then, Lyman's phone rang. He glanced at the

now and didn't

as a fender bender. But this neighborhood's roads

him. "A hundred

ancient import, worth maybe a

"Make it quick."

call, Lyman kept glancing back at Effie. But just as he finished transferring the money, he looked up-and the bench