Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 453

Marcia had been fuming the whole ride over, muttering under her breath about how she was going to give Fidelia a stern talking-to the moment she saw her.

But when Fidelia appeared in front of her, eyes wide with fear and lips trembling with hurt, Marcia's resolve melted away. All thoughts of scolding her daughter vanished in an instant.

She knelt down, her voice gentle as she soothed Fidelia. "Sweetheart, where's Effie? How could she just leave you on your own and let you wander off like this? It's dangerous-she should've known better."

At the mention of Effie, Fidelia's expression shifted.

"No, Mom, it's not like that," Fidelia blurted out, shaking her head.

Marcia stared at her in disbelief. "Fidelia, what are you saying?"

Fidelia bit her lip, hesitating, clearly struggling with her words.

“What's going on? I thought you didn't even like Effie. Why are you sticking up for her?"

Marcia's confusion showed plainly on her face.

Fidelia had intended to keep quiet-she still held a grudge against Effie, after all— but after what happened today, she realized maybe Effie wasn't as bad as she'd always believed. So, swallowing her pride, Fidelia recounted the events that had just unfolded.

saw Isabel there, but she

for anyone to hear. She just glanced

clenched, her face twisting with anger. "Unbelievable! I can't believe Isabel would do something like that. But honestly, given where she comes from, it's

harsh,

the only one. Even Lindy Etheridge, she suspected,

be close to Lyman Etheridge, Lindy

standing a short distance away, but she'd been

tightly her nails

background was a stain she could

family's daughter,

had

she was close to Lyman.

her openly, but behind her

had been a

control. Her mother insisted she was innocent, but the gossip was merciless: folks claimed she'd seduced him for money,

that's how Isabel came

grown up

ignored,