Chapter 241
The owner of Elliott’s Cozy Room was Vinson Elliott, who also happened to be Randell’s childhood friend.
Which meant, of course, that Vinson had probably sent the gift as a favor to Randell.
A flicker of something unreadable passed through Irving Butler’s eyes.
Lunch wrapped up, and Effie’s conversation with Mr. Patterson seemed to have reached a satisfying conclusion.
No one mentioned Nelly’s abrupt disappearance halfway through the meal. It was as if they’d silently agreed to pretend it never happened-otherwise, they might have lost their appetite.
Effie and Irving Butler escorted Mr. Patterson outside.
Just then, Nelly suddenly reappeared, having composed herself—at least on the surface.
She stormed over to Effie, her voice a furious hiss. “Effie, you bitch! Why did you set me up?”
Effie sidestepped Nelly’s lunge with ease, catching her wrist in a swift, practiced motion. “Those who hurt others will only end up hurting themselves,” she said coolly.
Nelly’s face went pale. She stared at Effie, panic flickering in her eyes. Did Effie somehow know about the pills she’d slipped earlier?
But she’d been so careful-no one could have seen her do it! How did Effie find out?
Just then, a car pulled up to the curb beside them.
The passenger window rolled down, revealing Randell in the front seat. “Effie, get in,” Randell called.
Effie hesitated for only a moment, then caught the slight glance Randell shot toward the back seat. Understanding dawned on her-Lyman must be inside. She nodded, hurried to the car, and slipped inside before anyone could react.
Both Nelly and Irving Butler craned their necks, curiosity written plainly on their faces.
If Effie and Randell were close, why was Randell riding up front? Who was sitting in the back?
But before either of them could get a good look, Effie slammed the door shut behind her.
The car sped away, leaving the two standing there in a cloud of exhaust.
Nelly glared after them, then turned to Irving Butler, fuming. “Tell me, do you think Effie’s going to take your place one day?”
“That woman is way too ambitious.”
Irving Butler stayed silent, but Nelly’s words gnawed at him.
She wasn’t wrong. Effie was ambitious-relentlessly so.
She’d gone out of her way to spark up a conversation with Randell, using that connection like a trump card in front of the guests.
It was obvious that, once back in the private lounge, Effie had dazzled the Pattersons-discussing everything from art history to jewelry design-while Irving was all but forgotten in the background.
He’d never imagined someone like Effie could be so well-versed in so many things, or carry herself with such confidence.
Even he found himself drawn to her, despite himself.
But deep down, he knew: she just wasn’t into him. With Randell in her corner, Effie would never spare him a glance.
And if she seized the chance to climb even higher, he’d be the one packing his things and heading for the door.
All the more reason he couldn’t let Effie stay at the company.
Nelly, reading him like a book, knew she’d swayed him.
She sidled up closer, hips swaying provocatively.
But the moment she got near, Irving recoiled, a look of utter disgust on his face. He slapped a hand over his mouth and nose. “Stay away from me! You stink.”
Nelly froze, dumbfounded. She sniffed herself in disbelief. “Impossible. I’ve showered a dozen times…” Her skin was raw from scrubbing!
Irving instinctively took several steps back. “Get yourself a cab home.”
With that, he turned and bolted down the sidewalk.
Nelly stamped her foot in fury, grinding her teeth so hard she thought they might crack.
…
Effie had barely set foot in the car before she spotted Lyman inside.