Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 240

Effie's brows knit in subtle annoyance as she replied to Irving Butler, "Mr. Butler, there's really no need for you to trouble yourself with this. We're both just trying to keep the clients happy, aren't we?"

Irving let out a dismissive snort.

At that moment, Lyman's assistant called back, informing them that the private dining room had already been taken by one of Lyman's friends.

But then, to everyone's surprise, the front desk staff greeted Effie and her group with unusual warmth, ushering them straight toward the very room in question.

If Irving Butler still hadn't figured out what was going on by now, he really was as dense as a brick.

Face tense, Irving trailed after the group. Once inside the private room, he forced a nonchalant smile, anxious not to let the Pattersons see through his unease.

There was no denying it-Lyman's private suite was in a different league altogether.

The room wasn't much larger than the others, but the interior exuded old-world charm. Instead of seeing a table and chairs upon entering, guests were met by a handcrafted wooden screen fitted with display shelves, artfully obscuring the view beyond. Anyone passing by could only catch a teasing glimpse of what lay inside.

them cheap replicas. Each

these were gifts from people hoping to curry favor with Lyman. If he liked something, he took it home; if not, it found a

stood a table of polished hardwood, surrounded by six chairs just right for Lyman

had visited once before, so she took it

the others, though, it was their first time. They couldn't help but gawk at the paintings

exactly unsuccessful in his own right, but he'd never let himself get too smug-there was always someone higher up the ladder. Yet, standing here, he realized that things Lyman dismissed as worthless would be considered priceless treasures in his

have to keep working harder, that much

by his boss's wealth. Any one of these "cast- offs" could probably buy a house

parade of lavish dishes, far beyond anything they'd seen in

black truffles-foods Irving Butler had only ever

Mr. Patterson found the meal

muttered under his breath, eyeing the spread nervously. This had to be way over the company's

must have been worried she wouldn't eat well, so he'd ordered the best for them. "I'll pay for anything over the budget," she assured him