Chapter 255
Nita’s lips twitched. Was her new boss always this… surreal?
“Mr. Elliott, do you even believe in chastity anymore?”
“What kind of question is that?! Of course I do!”
She just smiled, not believing a single word that came out of Vinson Elliott’s mouth.
In fact, she wouldn’t trust him with so much as a punctuation mark.
She clearly remembered how, right after the company secured new funding, everyone had started gossiping about her new boss.
Vinson Elliott was good-looking and competent, so naturally women flocked to him —and he never turned anyone away. Word was, he’d already gotten involved with several women at the office.
Nita had no interest in playing that game, so unless absolutely necessary, she made it a point to steer clear of Vinson Elliott.
Even now, when he’d pretended to care about her health and told her to take it easy, she knew those were just lines men used to hit on women.
She felt no gratitude-just annoyance.
Vinson noticed the strange look Nita was giving him and was about to say something when Randell returned. “Let’s go,” Randell said, “the table’s ready. I also booked us a private room.”
“Looks like we’re one short,” Vinson remarked, arching an eyebrow.
“We’ll just play cards for now. Lyman should be back soon—”
Randell didn’t get to finish before Vinson interrupted with a laugh. “Wait, you really want to play with that weirdo Lyman?”
Randell shrugged. “He’s bringing someone with him, isn’t he?”
Vinson’s relief was palpable. “Oh, right. That helps.”
Randell gave him a sidelong glance. “Next time we go out, don’t tell people you know me. It’s embarrassing.”
“Get lost!” Vinson shot back.
Watching the banter, Nita thought the way Vinson and Randell interacted reminded her a bit of her own friendship with Effie. They teased each other mercilessly, but never took offense. It was all in good fun.
And, thanks to Vinson and Randell’s antics, the tension she’d been feeling earlier began to fade. She finally started to relax.
Vinson caught Randell’s eye, as if to say thank you.
Randell lifted his chin in mock arrogance.
Nita, feeling curious, asked, “So… when you say Lyman’s weird, is it because he cheats at cards?”
Vinson shook his head. “No, he’s a totally fair player. The problem is, every time we play with him, we lose. He’s got this freakish ability-he can remember every card that’s been played. No matter how many decks we use, he knows exactly which cards are left in everyone’s hands.”
“It’s like he’s got x-ray vision or something,” Vinson went on. “He always knows exactly what move we’re about to make, and blocks us every time.”
Randell added, “Honestly, we don’t even like playing with him anymore. What’s the fun when he wins every single time?”
Vinson grinned. “At least now we’ve got Effie joining. Judging by her face, she probably doesn’t know how to play cards.”
Nita’s lips twitched again. These two were terrible-hoping to boost their egos at Effie’s expense.
But they were in for a surprise.
Because Effie was just as much of a wild card as Lyman.
Nita decided to keep quiet for now. Let them walk right into it-they’d regret it soon enough.
Effie and Lyman strolled hand in hand along the beach, the soft, clean sand warm beneath their bare feet.
A salty breeze tousled their hair while the waves whispered and the horizon glowed with the colors of sunset. Gradually, Effie felt her heart settle.
She was from Neo-Arcadia, but she’d always loved the sea. Every time she took a vacation, she’d choose a seaside destination.
Mitchell, on the other hand, hated it. He’d always complain that Effie picked the same place every time-no surprise, nothing new. He said he was tired of the same old scenery.
Back then, Effie was blinded by love and didn’t notice what those words really meant. Now she realized: if Mitchell could say something so indifferent, he was never the type to stay loyal.