Chapter 22
Suzan felt a little embarrassed by Mrs. Lloyd’s warm welcome, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush. She nodded politely. “Thank you, Mrs. Lloyd.”
Seeing his mother so enthusiastic, Mitchell breathed a sigh of relief and joked, “Mom, this is Suzan’s first time here. Don’t scare her off.”
Mrs. Lloyd laughed, patting his hand fondly. “Oh, you! I’m just excited, that’s all. Suzan’s such a lovely girl-of course I’m happy you brought her home.”
She pulled Suzan over to the sofa and poured her a cup of tea herself, her tone gentle. “Here, Suzan. Have some tea, make yourself comfortable.”
Suzan nodded obediently.
Suddenly, Mrs. Lloyd seemed to remember something. “Mitchell, did you ever sort things out with Effie?”
Mitchell’s expression darkened a shade. “Not yet, Mom. Effie still holds forty percent of the shares. She says she wants thirty million before she’ll hand them over.”
Mrs. Lloyd’s face clouded instantly, a flash of anger in her eyes. Her tone turned sharp. “Thirty million? She’s learned to be greedy, hasn’t she, that little witch?”
Suzan’s heart leapt at the words, though she kept her sweet smile in place and spoke softly, as if soothing her. “Mrs. Lloyd, please don’t get upset. It’s not worth risking your health over this. Maybe my sister… she’s just having a hard time letting go.”
Mrs. Lloyd gave a dismissive snort, her voice full of disdain. “And why shouldn’t she let go? She should know her place.”
Mitchell frowned, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Mom, please. Whatever you think of her, Effie really does own forty percent. That’s the reality.”
He didn’t have the heart to say it, but without Effie, there would never have been an E&M in the first place.
The Lloyds had always thought of Mitchell as a spoiled rich kid.
Mrs. Lloyd’s irritation only grew. “Mitchell, why are you defending her? Who does Effie think she is, coming to us with demands? Thirty million? Dream on!”
Mitchell let out a sigh, his voice steady and calm. “Mom, this isn’t the time for pride. The company’s thriving, and in the long run, it’s worth it.”
She was silent for a moment, her expression icy. “Even if we do buy her out, she’s not getting everything she wants. Thirty million? No way. Mitchell, go talk to her. The highest I’ll go is ten million. Not a cent more.”
“Alright, I understand.” Mitchell had already planned to negotiate with Effie.
“Oh, and don’t forget,” Mrs. Lloyd added, “there’s a business dinner tomorrow night. Your father reminded me to tell you to be there. I hear Lyman-the head of the Etheridge family-will be attending. If you can get to know him, you’ll never have to worry about business again.”
“I know, Mom. I’ll be there. Besides, a lot of our partners will be attending too.” This was a crucial event for him.
Mitchell already had a plan forming in his mind.
“That’s good.” Mrs. Lloyd’s heart swelled with pride at seeing her son finally coming into his own.
But she never realized that Mitchell’s success was thanks to Effie.
Back when they were together, the Lloyds had looked down on her and never offered any support.
It was Effie who built the studio and founded the company from scratch.
Only when the company started to thrive did the Lloyds finally see Mitchell in a new light.