Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 426

Lyman shook his head. "No, thanks. Effie's been playing for ages—she must be exhausted."

"Chess takes a lot out of you," he added.

Bancroft leaned forward, a playful glint in his eye. "Just one game. What do you say, Effie?"

He turned his gaze to Effie, clearly hoping she'd be easier to sway than Lyman. Everyone knew Lyman was hard to budge, but Effie... she might just go along with it.

Lyman hesitated. “Grandpa..."

Of course, Bancroft wasn't fooled by Lyman's reluctance, but he played along, acting oblivious.

While everyone waited for Lyman and Effie to start their match, Lyman suddenly reached out and pulled Effie up from the couch. "Let's get out of here," he whispered.

Effie shot a nervous glance in Bancroft's direction, but Lyman shifted, blocking her line of sight. "I'm wiped out. I need to unwind for a bit."

"Huh?" Effie blinked. Unwind how, exactly?

Lyman didn't elaborate-he just took her hand and led her away.

with delight as he watched them

at each other,

happy? Had he lost his

one on them, making everyone wait

he just

more they considered it, the more

down the hallway, Lyman suddenly felt a tickle in his nose

rubbed his nose. "That's odd. Someone must be

laughed. “Maybe someone really is. Who

wobbly figure

looked fragile. But her eyes

confusion in his eyes.

he could place her, the girl reached his side and wrapped her skinny

He froze,

I-" Effie started, but the child's lip wobbled, and she suddenly burst into tears,

the little girl

wiped away the girl's

don't cry."