Chapter 154
“That’s wonderful. When you have some time, let’s set up a meeting to discuss the details,” Granger said.
The two of them quickly exchanged contact information.
Effie shot Nita a playful wink, nudging her to seize the opportunity.
Nita gave an awkward nod.
She could see it clearly now-Granger liked Effie. That kind of look was impossible to fake.
But Granger didn’t know Effie was married.
It seemed his quiet crush was doomed from the start.
The dinner party lasted until around ten o’clock before Granger spoke up again. “Let me drive you home.”
“I… well…” Effie was about to decline. Lyman should be arriving any minute now.
Just then, the private room door swung open, and a familiar figure appeared_ Lyman.
With one hand in his pocket, dressed sharply in his tailored suit, he swept a cool gaze across the group before finally locking eyes with Effie. He walked over, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve come to pick you up.”
The room fell instantly silent, every pair of eyes fixed on Lyman.
Sarah was the first to react, jumping up with excitement. “Mr. Etheridge! What brings you here?”
Lyman didn’t even spare her a glance. He strode straight to Effie and, with casual confidence, slipped an arm around her waist. “Did you enjoy the meal?”
If he hadn’t shown up, who knew if his wife might have been swept away by someone else.
Lyman had been keeping an eye on the evening’s happenings. The moment he learned someone was making moves on his wife, he wasted no time coming over.
Effie’s ears turned pink as she nodded softly. “Mm-hmm.”
Nita giggled from the side, while Granger frowned, glancing back and forth between Lyman and Effie.
Sarah, unwilling to give up, pressed on. “Mr. Etheridge, do you and Effie know each other?”
Only then did Lyman give her a glance, his tone icy. “She’s my wife.”
Those three words set off a firestorm in the room.
“His wife?!”
“Effie is Mrs. Etheridge?!”
“Oh my god, so those dishes earlier were because Effie ordered them?!”
Sarah’s face drained of color; humiliation washed over her.
Harriet was left speechless, stunned.
Granger’s grip tightened around his glass, his knuckles turning white, but after a moment he forced a smile. “I see. Congratulations.”
Lyman met his gaze coolly, a trace of possessiveness in his eyes.
Men could always read each other’s intentions in a heartbeat.
He’d seen Granger chatting with Effie the whole time when he entered.
Effie felt more embarrassed than ever. With everyone’s eyes glued to her, she tugged at Lyman’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”
Lyman nodded, took her hand, and gave the group a polite nod. “Enjoy the rest of your evening. The bill’s taken care of let’s do this again sometime.”
With that, he led Effie out of the room.
Only when the two of them had disappeared did the room explode with chatter.
“I can’t believe Effie married Mr. Etheridge!”
“Seriously, she kept that so quiet!”
“Effie’s so lucky-Mr. Etheridge is handsome, successful, and rich. I’m so jealous!”
“And to think Sarah assumed those dishes were ordered for her-turns out it was all for Effie!”
Red-faced and mortified, Sarah snatched up her purse and rushed out of the
room.
She couldn’t stand to stay a moment longer.
How could this happen?
Damn it!
It was all Effie’s fault-wasn’t she doing this on purpose?
She was Mrs. Etheridge all along, but chose to keep it a secret, letting everyone make a fool of her.
Unforgivable!
As Sarah stormed out, Harriet hurried after her.
Nita, in high spirits, leisurely sipped her wine and glanced over at Granger. “You know, some people are just meant to belong to someone else.”
Granger gave a wry smile and knocked back the rest of his drink in one gulp.