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.

from annoyed, beamed with

others looked at

actually happy? Had

pull a fast one on them, making everyone wait

he just afraid of

it, the

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

nose. "That's odd. Someone must be thinking about

someone really is.

wobbly figure

so thin she almost looked fragile. But her eyes were enormous, framed by long, curling lashes, and

in his eyes. Where had

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

froze,

tears, wailing as if her heart might break. She seemed crushed that Lyman hadn't

whether to lift the little

gently wiped away the girl's tears. "There,

don't cry."