Chapter 19
Effie suddenly remembered last night, when Lyman came over for dinner, he’d taken her phone and changed his contact name from “Lyman” to “Husband.”
He’d insisted, with that air of absolute certainty, that since they were married now, there was no reason to keep using his name. “We’re husband and wife. Why keep it formal?” he’d said before snatching her phone and making the change himself, leaving her no room to object.
Now, seeing “Husband” flash across her screen, a rush of warmth spread through her chest. She bit her lip, feeling a smile tug at the corners of her mouth, and answered, her voice softer than she realized. “Hello? Is something up?”
Lyman’s low, magnetic voice rumbled on the other end. “Are you at the office? Don’t leave when work’s over-I’ll come pick you up. We’ll move together.”
He’d clearly been waiting for this day for a long time.
A blush crept up Effie’s cheeks. “Alright, I got it,” she replied, and quickly ended the call.
No sooner had she set her phone down than she looked up-only to meet Mitchell’s stormy gaze.
He stood there, face dark, eyes burning with anger and bitter sarcasm, as if he’d just uncovered some deep, shameful secret.
“Effie, don’t you think you owe me an explanation? Why did your caller ID say ‘Husband’?” Mitchell’s voice was cold, his tone unmistakably accusatory.
Effie frowned, annoyance flickering in her chest, though her face remained composed. “Mitchell, this is my personal business. I don’t see why I need to report it to you. Or do you make a habit of sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong?”
Suzan, sensing the tension, hesitated, then tried to ease the situation. “Mitchell, don’t be mad. I’m sure Effie just did that to get a rise out of you. There’s no way she got married so quickly.”
Mitchell’s anger visibly cooled-a flicker of hope returning to his eyes. Of course. Effie loved him. There was no way she’d marry someone else. She must be doing this just to provoke him.
“If this is your way of playing hard to get, Effie, then congratulations-you’ve succeeded. But don’t push your luck.” His tone was icy.
Effie’s reply was calm but edged with frost. “Mitchell, don’t flatter yourself. Who I marry is none of your business.”
She placed a folder on the table. “Here’s the contract. I’ll inform the team about my departure. You have three days to decide if I don’t hear from you, I’ll sell my shares elsewhere.”
With that, Effie straightened her back and walked out, leaving the room heavy with tension.
As soon as she left, Mitchell grabbed the contract and tore it to pieces.
Damn it!
Effie seemed utterly impervious now.
Suzan glanced at him, her voice cautious. “Mitchell, do you think she really does know someone else? Maybe that’s why she wants out with so much money. She’s certainly aiming high.”
“She won’t get a cent,” Mitchell said darkly. “Not three hundred million-not even a penny. If she wants to leave, she leaves with nothing.”
He’d always thought Effie was clear-headed, but now she just looked greedy, and he realized how wrong he’d been.
Suzan arched a brow. “Exactly. She’s just too greedy. If she’d asked for a few million, maybe that would’ve been reasonable.”
Mitchell pulled her into his arms. “Suzan, you’re the only one who’s truly pure and kind.”
“Don’t worry, Mitchell. I’ll always be by your side. But now that you’ve upset her, I doubt we’ll ever get her designs,” Suzan whispered.
Mitchell leaned in, lowering his voice. “Relax. We know her computer password. I checked her designs are nearly done. Once she’s gone…”
Suzan’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful. By the way, Mitchell, I bought some new lingerie and nightwear for tonight…in your favorite color-pink.” She blushed as she spoke.
Mitchell grinned, the last of his worries melting away. “You know me too well, sweetheart. I want to see it tonight.”