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.

far from annoyed, beamed with delight as he watched them

looked at each other,

Had he lost

a fast one on them,

was he just

considered it, the

hallway, Lyman suddenly felt a tickle in his nose and

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

“Maybe someone

then, a small, wobbly figure

almost looked fragile. But

stared, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Where had he seen this

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

vanished. He froze, glancing helplessly at

the child's lip wobbled, and she suddenly burst into tears, wailing

whether to lift the little girl or keep

down and gently wiped away the

don't cry."