Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 241

The owner of Elliott's Cozy Room was Vinson Elliott, who also happened to be Randell's childhood friend.

Which meant, of course, that Vinson had probably sent the gift as a favor to Randell.

A flicker of something unreadable passed through Irving Butler's eyes.

Lunch wrapped up, and Effie's conversation with Mr. Patterson seemed to have reached a satisfying conclusion.

No one mentioned Nelly's abrupt disappearance halfway through the meal. It was as if they'd silently agreed to pretend it never happened-otherwise, they might have lost their appetite.

Effie and Irving Butler escorted Mr. Patterson outside.

Just then, Nelly suddenly reappeared, having composed herself—at least on the surface.

She stormed over to Effie, her voice a furious hiss. "Effie, you bitch! Why did you set me up?"

Effie sidestepped Nelly's lunge with ease, catching her wrist in a swift, practiced motion. "Those who hurt others will only end up hurting themselves," she said coolly.

Nelly's face went pale. She stared at Effie, panic flickering in her eyes. Did Effie somehow know about the pills she'd slipped earlier?

careful-no one could have seen

then, a car pulled up to the curb

in the front

glance Randell shot toward the back seat. Understanding dawned on her-Lyman must be inside. She nodded, hurried to the car, and slipped inside before

their necks, curiosity written plainly on their

Effie and Randell were close, why was Randell riding up front? Who

a good look, Effie slammed the

the two standing there

to Irving Butler, fuming. "Tell me, do you

woman is

Butler stayed silent, but

wrong. Effie was ambitious-relentlessly

with Randell, using that connection like a trump card in front

the private lounge, Effie had dazzled the Pattersons-discussing everything from art history to jewelry design-while Irving was all but forgotten in the

imagined someone like Effie could be so well-versed in so many things, or carry herself

himself drawn

he knew: she just wasn't into him. With Randell in her corner, Effie would never

climb even higher, he'd be