Chapter 395
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
The sound was so sharp and abrupt it seemed to echo right beside her ear. Effie’s heart gave a violent jolt, and she instinctively pushed Lyman away.
She hurried to straighten her clothes, shooting him a look filled with reproach and frustration.
Lyman, unfazed, simply stepped forward and helped her smooth out her blouse, his touch brisk and practical.
Only then did he call out, “What is it?”
Luther, picking up the irritation in Lyman’s voice, felt his stomach drop. He tensed immediately.
Still…
He glanced at the two officers standing nearby, then steeled himself and said, “Mr. Etheridge, the police are here to gather evidence.”
“Let them in,” Lyman replied coolly.
Effie sucked in a sharp breath. Lyman was truly fearless-he didn’t even bother to show deference to the police.
The officers entered, and, upon seeing Lyman, greeted him with a respectful, “Mr. Etheridge.”
Lyman merely nodded in acknowledgment. It was all the greeting he cared to give.
He had every reason to be so self-assured.
Turning back to Effie, Lyman said, “We haven’t finished our earlier discussion. Why don’t you come up to my office and we’ll continue?”
Effie’s cheeks flamed as if every drop of blood in her body had rushed to her face.
Continue what? Discussing how to use company resources for personal gain? Thankfully, it was just Lyman’s idea of a joke. He soon left the room with Luther in tow.
Once the police had gathered what evidence they needed, Irving Butler’s office was a mess—papers strewn everywhere, drawers left open, the place looking utterly depressing.
That was when Shirley walked in, carrying a small bucket and a cleaning rag. “Effie, I’m here to help tidy up.”
“Thanks, Shirley. All this junk needs to be thrown out,” Effie replied.
Shirley glanced at the “junk” Effie was talking about and couldn’t help
but smirk, Who would quite 21
Pavel.ne
Irving Butler had been quite the lecher stashing so many…
questionable items in his office. No wonder he needed a wig at his age!
“I’ll take care of it,” Shirley said. The less she had to look at those things, the better.
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Effie replied.
Seeing Shirley take the initiative, the others quickly jumped in to help as well.
No one wanted to get on the wrong side of the new boss. They all thought, “Let’s make sure Effie’s first day goes smoothly-who knows where her attention might land next?”
By the time the office was back in order, it was nearly quitting time. Effie invited everyone out to dinner.
It was tradition, after all. A promotion called for a celebratory meal.
Some of the senior staff recalled that when Irving Butler was promoted, he’d also treated the team-but only to takeout boxes, and nothing costing more than a few dollars per person.
He really was the stingiest boss they’d ever had.
So when Effie led everyone to a high-end restaurant, people could hardly believe
it. It felt like they were dreaming.
“Miss Bagnold, isn’t this a bit much?” someone asked hesitantly.
Effie smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Order whatever you like my treat.”
Still, everyone was cautious. In the back of their minds, they worried: what if Effie suddenly decided to split the bill?
Sensing their restraint, Effie went ahead and ordered for everyone herself.
Before the food arrived, she said, “Tonight, just relax and enjoy yourselves. Don’t think about work. Eat as much as you want-office business can wait until we’re back.”
At first, the group was still a bit reserved, but once the dishes started arriving-each one beautifully presented and
delicious-their appetites took
Soon, everyone was diggingin,
savoring every bite.
Even though the mood was cheerful, they all remembered they were ina classy restaurant. Conversation stayed polite and voices were kept low, as everyone tried their best to eat with grace.