Chapter 258
“We never actually made a bet.”
“Let’s have some stakes, come on. It’s no fun otherwise.” Lyman’s tone was casual, but the glint in his eyes said otherwise.
The moment he spoke, Randell and Vinson Elliott knew-they were doomed.
“A little wager keeps things interesting,” Vinson said with a forced laugh, flashing a placating grin at Lyman.
Lyman didn’t reply. Instead, he turned to Effie. “What do you think?”
Effie shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
Randell and Vinson exchanged mournful glances. That was it. Their fate was sealed.
By the end, both Randell and Vinson had handed over a chunk of company shares to Effie.
Vinson grumbled, “Lyman, if you just wanted to give Effie your shares, you could’ve said so.”
Randell chimed in, “Exactly! Here, Effie, I’ll give you some of my resort shares.”
Vinson shot him a look. “You’re so sneaky, Randell. I gave her shares in Elliott’s Cozy Room, but you just pawn off your resort–she barely visits that place once every ten years. And let’s be honest, your business is new and already floundering. It’s barely staying afloat.”
Randell smirked. He’d had his reasons for offering the resort shares.
After all, Effie was Lyman’s darling wife, and now she was a stakeholder in the resort. If anything went wrong there, wouldn’t Lyman have to step in?
Effie smiled. “Actually, I think it’s great. I really like it there.”
Randell looked pleased with himself. “See? I told you she’d like it.”
Vinson rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. Like she doesn’t love Elliott’s Cozy Room, too. Right, Effie?”
Effie nodded. “Of course. The food at Elliott’s Cozy Room is fantastic.”
Vinson shot a triumphant look at Randell. “Hear that? She said she likes it.”
Randell turned to Effie with mock seriousness. “From now on, I’m calling you Miss Diplomat. Nobody balances sides better than you.”
Effie blinked innocently. “But I really do like both places.”
Lyman put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Ignore them. Let’s head back and get some rest. I heard there’s a bonfire party tonight.”
“That sounds like fun,” Effie said, her eyes lighting up.
Randell straightened with pride. “Of course it does. Who do you think organized it?”
Vinson, ever the mischief-maker, piped up, “So, Lyman-are you two planning on, uh, sleeping quietly or making a little noise tonight?”
Effie’s cheeks turned crimson. She couldn’t even look Vinson in the eye.
Lyman shot Vinson a frosty glare. “What’s it to you? If you like your precious Cozy Room so much, stick to running it—and keep your mouth shut for once.”
“Woof,” Vinson replied instantly.
Vinson Elliott-truly a dog at heart.
Effie couldn’t help but burst out laughing. He was just too ridiculous.
Lyman leaned over and whispered, “Don’t mind him. He forgot his medication today.”
Vinson protested, “How’d you know? I actually haven’t taken it yet.”
Everyone thought he was joking—until he pulled a packet of pills out of his pocket. He fumbled, and the pills tumbled to the floor.
Nita bent down to pick them up, handing them over. “Here, boss-your medicine.”
As she handed them back, Nita caught a glimpse of the label and nearly jumped out of her skin.
For a second, the pills felt like they were burning her hand. She shoved the bottle back at Vinson, stammering, “Boss, your… your medicine.”
Vinson took the pills with a half-smile. “You don’t think I’m that kind of guy, do you?”
Nita’s eyes darted away. She stammered, “That… what kind of guy?”
The way she fidgeted, Vinson could tell she was probably the innocent type- never even tried anything like that.
A mischievous impulse crept up on him.
“What do you think?” he teased.