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

at each other,

actually happy? Had

fast one on them, making

he just

it, the more

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

his nose. "That's odd.

someone really

small, wobbly figure

But her eyes

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

side and

vanished. He froze, glancing

the child's lip wobbled, and she suddenly burst into tears, wailing as if her heart might break. She seemed crushed that Lyman hadn't

winced, unsure whether to lift the little girl

crouched down and gently wiped away the

don't cry."