Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 231

Malcom still didn't take it seriously. Everyone else was already seated, but she strolled into the conference room, coffee in hand, as if she had all the time in the

world.

Effie shot Malcom a frosty glance and asked in a cold voice, "What's your excuse this time?"

"Do you have any idea everyone's been waiting for you to start the meeting?" Effie pressed, her tone icy.

All eyes turned to Malcom, but she remained perfectly composed. "It's not like I did it on purpose. You could've just started without me. If I miss anything, I'll ask later."

"I've said it before: we don't start until everyone's here."

"Effie, you're just a team leader, not the boss. Don't act like you run the place! If this delays the entire project, that's on you!" Malcom snapped back, her patience clearly fraying.

Effie let out a sharp laugh and gestured at the colleagues seated around the table. "Everyone else managed to show up on time. You're the only one missing. Whose fault is that, really?"

Malcom opened her mouth to argue, but Effie was already standing, delivering her final words with a calm finality: "Three strikes, Malcom."

walked out of the

the team gathered their things and followed her out, leaving Malcom fuming alone in the empty room. She

off

for her part, was more than happy to watch the drama unfold. The more chaos, the better. If the project went up in smoke because of their bickering, that

Mr. Butler about this?" Malcom demanded, hoping Nelly would

wait. Now's not the

choice but to

afternoon, another meeting was scheduled. This time, Malcom was

words out of her mind: "Three

didn't think Effie was bluffing. She genuinely believed Effie

on her shoulder. "Relax,

needed. With her nerves soothed,

the conference room, she

matters worse, the blinds had been drawn, so she couldn't even see

but no

and glanced instinctively at Effie, waiting for her signal. If Effie had said