Chapter 308
She realized, as she left Lyman’s office just now, she’d forgotten to tell Isabel to come out with her.
Wait-could Isabel still be in Lyman’s office?
If it were anyone else, Annabel would have just called directly, but with Effie beside her, she hesitated. After all, she hadn’t known Effie that long, and couldn’t be sure how she’d react.
“I’ll call her manager,” Annabel said.
“Alright,” Effie replied.
As Annabel stepped aside to make the call, she didn’t notice Lyman and Fenton approaching from down the hall.
Effie spotted them first and instinctively wanted to wave at Lyman, but remembered she was at work and managed to restrain herself.
Fenton nudged Lyman with his elbow. “Hey, man, I heard your wife’s too embarrassed to go public with you. Honestly, I thought-come on, you’re Lyman! How could that be?”
“But now…” Fenton trailed off, a sly grin on his face.
Lyman shot him a glare. “Shut up.”
“My wife’s a bit reserved at work, that’s all. At home, she’s caring and sweet-a perfect wife. Unlike some people who go home to an empty apartment and their own echo for company.”
Fenton stared at him, deeply wounded. “Are you even human? That’s just mean.” Lyman shrugged. “Well, I’m not a dog, at least.”
He hadn’t read the whole chat thread that day, just the last few lines-enough to know Fenton had called Vinson Elliott a dog.
Fenton scoffed. “So you’ve got it all figured out now, huh? Don’t need me anymore? Maybe I should just leave.”
Lyman raised an eyebrow. “You can threaten all you want, but you won’t go.”
“You that sure?” Fenton gritted his teeth, clearly itching to wring Lyman’s neck. “Absolutely.”
Lyman left the banter behind and walked over to Effie, greeting her with practiced ease. “Morning, Ms. Bagnold. How’s the prep coming along?”
Effie blinked, momentarily thrown by his cool, professional tone. Was this really her passionate husband? She
wasn’t sure how to ris
at first.
Snapping out of it, Effie answered, “Mr. Etheridge, we can’t find the spokesperson.”
Lyman paused, suddenly realizing he and Fenton had completely forgotten about Isabel.
“Uh—”
Annabel rejoined them then. “I just called her manager—they’ll be here any minute.”
She shot Lyman a warning look, the kind that said, Don’t say anything stupid and upset Effie.
But Lyman turned to Effie and explained, “Isabel and Annabel came to my office earlier, but I was
meeting with Fenton. Isabel was net”
tired and fell asleep on the couch. After the meeting, I left to find you and, well… forgot she was there.”
“Oh,” Effie said, her expression unreadable. She didn’t seem angry at all.
Annabel watched her, confused. Why wasn’t Effie upset hearing her husband had been alone with another woman?
Almost as if she’d read Annabel’s mind, Effie said, “I trust Lyman. He’s never given me a reason to doubt him.”
Annabel gave a sheepish smile. Maybe if she had that kind of confidence, she wouldn’t be so quick to jump to conclusions.
Just then, Fenton sauntered over to join them.
Effie gave a meaningful little “Oh.” So Annabel’s “dog” from earlier must be Fenton. She found herself genuinely curious-what exactly was going on between those two?
“Isabel, time to get up.” Carole’s voice cut through the quiet.
Isabel startled awake. “Huh? Where is everyone?”