Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 393

Some of the guys gambled themselves into a frenzy, always thinking the next round would be their chance to win it all back. But the more they played, the deeper they sank, until the debts they owed were far beyond anything they could

actually pay.

That's when Irving Butler finally showed his true colors. He started hounding them for the money and threatened to report their gambling to the company if they didn't pay up-meaning they'd lose their jobs, too.

On top of that, Irving Butler had contracts they'd signed when they borrowed money from him. There was no way out. Any hope of backing out was gone-they were trapped, completely at his mercy.

After Irving Butler's maneuvering, he suddenly had a pack of obedient lackeys. They started abusing their company positions, stealing design drafts and secretly selling them to small-time manufacturers for a quick profit.

That explained why, over the past couple of years, Etheridge & Co. Jewels kept seeing their new releases copied by tiny companies. Lyman had even launched an internal investigation, but Irving Butler was always a step ahead, covering his tracks so well that the investigators never found anything useful.

Effie, who had joined the company under a false identity, managed to gain their trust-which made everyone lower their guard. Now, with her help, they'd finally rounded up the whole lot.

Everyone was singing Effie and Shirley's praises, calling them brave and clever. Some even joked about what a convincing act the two had put on, pretending to fall out with each other-most people genuinely believed their rivalry was real.

Shirley grinned. "You have no idea how hard it was not to burst out laughing. But when I checked myself in the mirror, I realized I looked so pitiful trying to keep a straight face that it made the whole thing even more believable."

Her words set off another round of laughter.

...

about all this while he was having drinks with Vinson Elliott,

"I have to admit, I always thought your wife was just a pretty face. Who knew she'd be

then added, "Though to be fair, she also took out our own informant

never one to worry

his own glass,

"Balfour? That

ago Irving

hi

into his own weapon."

"Here I was thinking he was just playing the long game,

the end, the person Effie found was more useful than the one

Fenton had to admit it was

design department manager position is open. Lyman, got anyone in mind

Lyman was silent.

up. "Hey, Lyman, why not

raised an eyebrow. "Business with

design manager. That way, you'll have a perfectly good excuse to call her into your office

in the air when Fenton gave him a

soft?"

did you get