Chapter 24
“Isn’t that Mr. Lloyd? Why is he bringing two women with him?”
“Haven’t you heard? Mr. Lloyd broke up with his fiancée. Now he’s getting cozy with the one by his side.”
“Yikes… that’s one tangled web.”
Effie ignored the whispers swirling around her. She walked straight to the drinks table, picked up a glass of champagne, and took a delicate sip.
Her eyes swept across the ballroom, scanning the crowd as if searching for
someone.
She’d just seen a message-Lyman had business to attend to tonight as well.
Would he show up?
Meanwhile, Mitchell led Suzan toward a circle of business elites, greeting them with his usual easy charm.
Suzan hung on Mitchell’s arm, wearing a sweet, innocent smile, playing the part of the perfect companion.
Nita sidled up next to Effie, having been summoned here by her boss. She glanced at the couple across the room and frowned. “What on earth is going on, Effie? Has Mitchell lost his mind? Parading his new fling around in front of everyone… As if people didn’t already know you two were together!”
Effie gave a faint smile. “Doesn’t matter anymore. We’ve broken up.” Her tone was light, but her eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. “I just wish I hadn’t wasted so many years on him.”
Maybe every love story seems beautiful at first.
She’d been swept away, hopelessly entangled.
Now, looking back, it all felt like a cruel joke.
Nita grinned, nudging her. “Well, congratulations on your freedom! And hey, there are some real catches here tonight. I heard Lyman’s supposed to be here too. I’m dying to get a look—rumor has it he’s even better-looking than most celebrities!”
Effie’s heart skipped a beat.
Was he really here?
“Come on, let’s go mingle.” Nita grabbed Effie’s hand and pulled her along.
Effie had expected this gala to be a bore, but with Nita around, boredom was impossible.
She’d just finished chatting with a few business partners and had stepped away to get some air.
Suddenly, a syrupy voice rang out behind her.
“Sis, there you are!”
Effie looked up to see Suzan approaching.
“Shouldn’t you be with Mitchell? What do you want from me?”
Her voice was cool, her gaze edged with sarcasm.
She studied Suzan’s perfectly made-up face, but felt nothing but indifference.
Suzan gave a tiny, innocent smile. “Don’t be mad, Effie. Honestly, Mitchell still cares about you. Maybe there’s just been some misunderstanding between you
two.”
Effie let out a sharp laugh. “What are you, some kind of professional actress? Aren’t you exhausted from all this pretending?”
Suzan blinked in surprise, then smiled slyly. “Why would I be tired? The show’s just getting started!”
As she said it, she suddenly grabbed Effie and pulled her straight into the swimming pool.
Effie barely had time to curse-damn it!
Suzan was completely unhinged!
Caught off guard, Effie plunged into the cold water, her dress instantly soaked,
hair plastered against her face, leaving her looking utterly bedraggled.
She struggled upright, wiped the water from her eyes, and glared at Suzan. “Suzan, are you out of your mind?!”
Effie’s voice trembled with barely contained fury; her eyes were icy cold.
The splash had drawn plenty of attention. People were beginning to gather around, murmuring and watching the scene unfold.
Nita had just stepped out of the restroom. She sized up the chaos, swore under her breath, and shot an accusatory glare at Suzan—she’d known that little witch would cause trouble.
Mitchell rushed over and pulled Suzan from the pool.
“Mitchell, don’t blame Effie,” Suzan stammered, lips trembling as she clung to him, pale and shivering. “She didn’t mean to pull me in with her…”