Chapter 56
He had Suzan now-he’d won her, hadn’t he? So why did watching Effie walk away leave him feeling so hollow inside?
Why was it like this?
Lyman was making polite conversation with the others, but his eyes never left Effie. The moment he saw Mitchell move closer to her, a chill flashed through his gaze. He took a step as if to intervene, but then Effie, looking thoroughly fed up, turned and walked away on her own. Only then did Lyman breathe a sigh of relief. Clearly, he’d have to keep a watchful eye on Mitchell from now on.
Hotel garden.
Suzan stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching Mitchell approach Effie. Her expression was icy, fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white-if she could, she would have stormed over and pulled them apart herself.
But Sigrid was there, so she forced herself to hold back.
Sigrid saw it too, her voice seething with disgust. “That tramp. She’s already got her hooks in some other guy, and now she still wants to string my brother along? Playing both sides-shameless.”
Suzan put on her best hurt, fragile act, eyes reddening as if she might burst into tears at any moment. “Maybe she’s only talking to him to make Mitchell jealous. If they’re still in love, I’d rather step aside.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Suzan!” Sigrid jumped in, anxious. “My brother cares about you! It’s that Effie, she’s the one who keeps throwing herself at him. You’re the only one I want as my sister-in-law, so don’t even think about leaving him!”
Suzan had won Sigrid over easily enough-she’d been showering her with designer handbags and luxury cosmetics for weeks. Generous to a fault, Suzan had quickly become Sigrid’s favorite, and Adeline was pleased too. A wealthy, beautiful heiress like Suzan-how could she not want her for the family?
Sigrid was determined not to let this opportunity slip away.
“Sigrid, I love Mitchell. I don’t want to let him go either, but this isn’t really up to me, is it? What am I supposed to do?” Suzan said, her voice full of wounded innocence.
“Don’t worry, Suzan. I’ll think of something. I’ll make sure that woman’s reputation
is ruined for good.” Sigrid spat out the words with venom.
“You have a plan?” Suzan tried to hide her delight.
“Of course. Just wait and see,” Sigrid replied, pride swelling in her voice.
Suzan’s lips curled in a secret little smile.
Sigrid really was hopelessly naïve. All it took was a few words, and she was more than ready to fight her battles for her.
Now, all Suzan had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.
Don’t disappoint me, Sigrid.
With another enemy working against Effie, her chances of winning only got better.
The next morning.
Effie was up early, already finishing breakfast preparations when Lyman came downstairs.
He spotted her résumé sitting on the coffee table. “Are you job hunting?” he asked offhandedly.
Effie nodded. “Yeah, I’ve had some time off. I think I’m ready to start working again.”
“You studied design, didn’t you? Why not apply to The Etheridge Group? We have
a design department, and we’re hiring right now.” Lyman’s tone was casual, almost friendly.
Effie hesitated. If not for her complicated relationship with Lyman, she would’ve jumped at the chance. But things were different now. If word got out, people would assume she’d used her connections to land the job, not her talent.
She paused, uncertain. “I don’t know… Wouldn’t that look bad?”
“What’s there to worry about? Just apply like anyone else. If you get in, it’ll be on your own merit-I know how talented you are.” Lyman’s faith in her was obvious; Luther had already done his homework. E&M had only risen to success thanks to Effie’s designs-a gifted designer was the heart and soul of any company.
Mitchell was just too arrogant to see it.
But reality would teach him a lesson soon enough.