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.

beamed with

looked at each other,

happy? Had he

just pull a fast one on them,

was he just

they considered it,

Effie walked down the hallway, Lyman suddenly felt

"That's odd. Someone must be

someone really is. Who

figure toddled toward them, chanting

had tousled, golden curls and was so thin she almost looked fragile. But her eyes

flicker of confusion in his eyes. Where had

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

froze, glancing helplessly at

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

the little

and gently wiped

don't cry."