Chapter 379
Suzan stood in the doorway, her hand gripping the handle so tightly her knuckles stood out white against her skin.
That wretched Effie-she was starting to question who Suzan really was.
Suzan needed to come up with a way to get rid of Effie. And soon.
She drew a long breath, schooling her features into calm before she opened the door and took her seat at the table, moving with deliberate grace.
“Uncle, I’m done eating. I should get back to the hospital,” Suzan said to Lionel. Lionel sprang to his feet. “Of course. Let me walk you out.”
It was clear how much Lionel cared for her.
Meanwhile, Effie and Lyman, hand in hand, were just leaving Elliott’s Cozy Room when they ran into Randell and Vinson Elliott at the entrance.
Vinson grinned. “So that’s why you’ve been dodging my calls, Lyman. You’ve got a beautiful woman in your arms now and no time for us lonely bachelors.”
Lyman shot him a cool glare. “Why don’t you bark for us, then?”
Vinson turned to Randell, putting on a wounded expression. “You see this, Ray? He’s bullying me.”
Randell rolled his eyes. “Well, go on-give us a couple barks. You act like a stray half the time anyway.”
Vinson sputtered. “Seriously? Are you both insane?”
Ignoring him, Randell addressed Lyman, “Lyman, never mind him. I need to talk to you about something.”
He gave Effie a meaningful glance.
Lyman caught on immediately. “It’s fine. Go ahead. Effie’s my wife. She can hear anything.”
Randell shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me. I just thought you might want to keep this from her.”
Effie, sensing the tension, smiled politely. “It’s all right. I’ll give you two a moment,” she offered, already stepping away.
Lyman frowned slightly but slipped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s fine. Go ahead.”
Randell sighed. “All right, but don’t blame me. You asked for it.”
Lyman scowled. “You always have to make it a production, don’t you?”
Randell was used to his friend’s sharp tongue by now.
“I heard you’ve got a land development project that’s been put on hold by Mr. Lawrence. He’s refusing to sign off, right?”
Randell looked at Lyman as if to say: See? I didn’t want to bring this up, but you forced my hand.
Effie turned to Lyman in surprise. He seemed so unbothered-how had she never heard about this?
Lyman replied, “It’s nothing. I’ll handle it.”
Randell pressed on. “I did a bit of digging. Turns out your Uncle Fowler is behind it, pulling some strings.”
Uncle Fowler?
Effie’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively tightened her hold on Lyman’s hand.
Was Fowler doing this to get back at Lyman for making Fidelia kneel as punishment?
Lyman shrugged. “That’s just his
usual scheming. It’s nothing
e likes to stir up trouble
$1
now and then, but he’s not a real
threat.”
Randell nodded. “From the sound of it, you’ve got it under control. I’ll stay out of it, then.”
“Yeah,” Lyman replied simply.
Vinson sidled up, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Lyman, want to come out for a drink with us?”
He was curious: deep down, would Lyman choose his wife or the friends who’d been by his side for years?
Lyman didn’t hesitate. “I’m taking my wife home.”
Vinson clucked his tongue. “Wow, Lyman. You’ve changed.”
Lyman shot back, “I don’t hang out with lonely bachelors.”
Vinson was indignant. “Oh, so now you’re looking down on us?”
“Absolutely.”
Before Vinson could protest further, Randell clamped a hand over his mouth With his muffled yelps, he really did sound like a barking dog which was probably why everyone said he resembled one.
Randell turned to him. “Enough, man. Stop embarrassing yourself.”
With that, he dragged Vinson away.
Lyman glanced at Effie, relieved. “Finally, some peace and quiet.”
Effie laughed. “I like it. Watching you all banter reminds me of me and Nita. We’re always teasing each other-that’s how you know the friendship’s real.”