Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 361

Noticing Effie's gaze, Adeline smoothly stepped in front of Mitchell, her tone cutting and cold. "Effie, your little schemes are written all over your face. You want what's on your plate and what's still in the oven." She sneered. "Dream on, sweetheart. Some things are just out of your league."

Shepard had always known Adeline could be sharp-tongued, but he'd never realized she could be this ruthless. Both his daughters had just been humiliated by her, and the room hung heavy with tension.

He shifted, ready to intervene.

But Vera, as if reading his mind, quickly grasped his hand and shook her head ever so slightly.

In a whisper meant only for him, Vera said, "Suzan's in critical condition after the mess she caused. If you anger Mrs. Lloyd now, we'll all suffer the consequences."

Shepard weighed his options in a flash, then decided against speaking up for Effie.

Effie raised her chin. "Sorry, but I'm really not interested in your family drama. But whatever you've gotten yourselves into, the whole hospital's talking about it. Only you people could pull off something so disgraceful."

"You little brat, what did you just say?!"

Adeline's temper flared. She raised her hand to slap Effie.

Before she could land the blow, two hands shot out toward her. The one from behind Effie was faster, blocking Adeline's arm.

When she saw Lyman standing there, Adeline's eyes narrowed, though she tried to compose herself. "Lyman, dear—"

her hand with an icy

composure crumbling. He hadn't spared her

the other hand that had reached out from behind her. She knew her own son-there was no mistaking it. That hand belonged to

turned,

the meaning of this?"

was still fighting for her life, and here he was

weren't chaotic

already is," Mitchell muttered, jaw tight. "You know how things have been

Adeline's expression shifted.

almost forgotten how Lyman had made Mitchell's

voice hard. "Keep your girlfriend in check.

"Maybe you should keep your own mutt on a leash. Wouldn't

Effie led Grandmother

they walked, Lyman turned to them. "Sorry I was late. I had to circle the

huffed. “If you

did, I'd have given that woman a piece of my mind myself. She acts like no one loves Effie as if we'd ever let her

short by a fit of

to rub her

"Don't worry