Chapter 62
Just thinking about how Isabel would react to Lyman was enough to give anyone
a headache. If she came back now, all hell would break loose.
Lyman noticed Vinson Elliott suddenly go quiet. He frowned slightly, his tone still cold. “Anything else?”
“N-no, nothing else.” Vinson Elliott was ready to leave.
As he turned, he nearly collided with Effie.
“Sorry!” Effie apologized quickly.
In truth, she’d returned just as they started talking about “Isabel.”
Isabel? Was this woman’s intuition somehow connected to Lyman?
But Effie didn’t dwell on it. Their whirlwind marriage had happened so suddenly that she’d never stopped to wonder if Lyman already cared for someone else.
That thought brought a faint pang of jealousy she hadn’t expected.
Vinson Elliott was startled too, but when he saw the woman in front of him, he couldn’t help but pause. She was striking-delicate features, a refined air softened by a gentle charm, and those dark eyes, clear and luminous.
He stared for a moment, wondering, Is this the woman Lyman brought with him? She’s really something. No wonder Lyman’s fallen for her.
Effie felt his gaze and ducked her head, a little embarrassed. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into you.”
Vinson Elliott snapped out of it, waving his hand with a sheepish smile. “No, no, it’s my fault for not looking where I was going. But, uh, you are…?”
He wanted to confirm his suspicion.
Effie was about to answer when Lyman stepped out from the private room.
His eyes swept coldly over Vinson Elliott, his voice tinged with impatience. “Why are you still here?”
Vinson Elliott nearly jumped out of his skin. He forced a laugh. “I was just about to leave and ran into this young lady. We were just chatting, that’s all.”
Lyman ignored him and walked straight to Effie, his tone surprisingly gentle. “What took you so long? The food’s all here. Oh, Effie, this is Vinson Elliott-the owner of this place.”
Effie blinked in surprise, then nodded politely. “Hello, Mr. Elliott. I’m Effie.”
Watching the two of them together, Vinson Elliott’s suspicions were all but confirmed.
He greeted her warmly, “Nice to meet you, Effie. No need for formalities—just call me Vinson Elliott. Enjoy your meal. I’ll get out of your hair.”
He figured if he lingered any longer, Lyman would probably glare a hole right through him.
Vinson Elliott couldn’t help but laugh at himself. So much for bros before…well, you know. But honestly, seeing Lyman finally smitten was almost worth celebrating.
He couldn’t wait to spill the news to the guys-they’d be floored.
After Vinson Elliott left, Lyman and Effie sat down together.
Effie glanced at the table-all her favorite dishes. Lyman was so attentive; she hadn’t even mentioned her preferences, yet he’d picked up on them all.
She took her seat and started eating, her focus entirely on her meal. And she ate with real appetite, unlike those other women who always acted like birds in Lyman’s presence-barely picking at their food and claiming they were full after two bites. It was enough to put anyone off.
Lyman watched her, a faint smile playing at his lips, and then joined her, eating with his usual elegance.
Meanwhile, Vinson Elliott, never one to keep juicy news to himself, was already stirring up the group chat, dropping hints to pique everyone’s curiosity.
When the suspense hit its peak, he finally let it slip: Lyman had finally fallen for someone.
Even Isabel, studying overseas, heard the news almost immediately. Her expression darkened, and her hands curled into fists.
She wasn’t about to let this happen.