Chapter 60
“How could this happen… How could this possibly happen…” she muttered to herself, her eyes wide with confusion and fear.
Without wasting a second, Suzan grabbed her phone and dialed Mitchell.
Meanwhile, the press conference was buzzing with excitement. Someone called out, “Hey, the one who promised to get down on your knees and apologize- now’s your chance! Let’s see your performance!”
Laughter erupted around the room.
The reporter who had made the bold claim earlier slunk away, red-faced.
After the conference wrapped up, Effie was getting ready to head home when her phone rang. It was Mitchell.
“Effie, did you do this on purpose?” Mitchell’s voice was tight with anger, barely restrained.
Effie’s tone was cool and distant. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Through the line, Mitchell’s frustration bled through. “Don’t play dumb. You knew Suzan was going to steal your designs, didn’t you? You set a trap and let her walk right into it! Effie, when did you become so calculating?”
He sounded genuinely hurt. The Effie he used to know had always been innocent and open-now, he barely recognized her.
Effie let out a short, bitter laugh, her eyes flashing with irony. “Really, Mitchell? Suzan chose to steal my designs. All I did was make sure I was protected. Was I supposed to just sit back and let her destroy my career?”
It was almost laughable that Mitchell would dare to question her like this.
Honestly, he and Suzan were a perfect match-neither of them had a shred of shame.
Mitchell faltered, momentarily at a loss for words. But he quickly pressed on, his voice harsh. “You could’ve exposed her sooner. Why wait until now? Do you have any idea how badly Suzan’s being dragged through the mud online right now? You’re ruthless, Effie!”
“Ruthless?” Effie’s voice turned icy. “Mitchell, have you ever stopped to think that if I hadn’t gathered evidence, I’d be the one being torn apart online right now? My reputation would be in ruins. Isn’t that what you and Suzan were hoping for?”
Mitchell fell silent.
He hadn’t considered that. He’d only seen Suzan’s misery and felt a flicker of pity. But the truth was, Suzan had brought this on herself.
She had no one to blame but herself.
When he stayed quiet, Effie continued, “Mitchell, Suzan dug her own grave. She’d better learn her lesson this time.”
Effie’s words hit their mark, and Mitchell snapped, lashing out in his humiliation. “Don’t get smug, Effie. Just because you know Lyman doesn’t mean anything- he’s only having a little fun with you. One day, you’ll come crawling back to me.”
Effie gave a soft, dismissive laugh. “Don’t worry. Even if I hit rock bottom, I’d never beg you for anything.”
With that, she hung up.
A wave of relief washed over her. She was so glad she’d ended things with Mitchell.
Men like him were nothing but trash.
As she slipped her phone back into her bag, Effie glanced up and froze. Not far away, a familiar figure stood waiting.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit, his posture relaxed but confident, his eyes deep and thoughtful-Lyman.
He’d clearly been standing there for a while. Maybe he’d even overheard her conversation.
Effie hesitated briefly, then offered him a gentle smile as she walked over. “What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting today.”
Lyman looked at her, a hint of warmth and mischief in his eyes. “The meeting ended early. I figured I’d come pick you up. So did you handle everything?”
Effie nodded. “It’s done.”
He smiled, reaching out to gently tousle her hair. “Good. Come on. I want to show you somewhere.”