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?

she'd been so careful-no one could have seen

then, a car pulled up

window rolled down, revealing Randell in the

only a moment, then caught the slight 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 anyone

their

was Randell riding

before either of them could get a good look, Effie slammed

the two standing there in

to Irving Butler, fuming. "Tell me, do you think Effie's

is

silent, but Nelly's words gnawed

Effie was ambitious-relentlessly

her way to spark up a conversation with Randell, using that connection like a

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

like Effie could be so well-versed in so many

found himself drawn to her, despite

he knew: she just wasn't into him. With

seized the chance to climb even higher, he'd be the one packing his things