Chapter 7
Effie walked straight to Mitchell’s office. Just as she was about to knock, she noticed the door was slightly ajar, leaving a narrow gap.
Through the crack, she caught sight of Suzan curled up in Mitchell’s arms, her voice soft and sulky. “Darling, do you love me more, or do you love Effie more?”
Mitchell held her close, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Of course I love you, you little bitch. But we have to be careful at work-Effie’s here, too.”
“Hmph, you always say that, but you’re still so polite to her. You just don’t love me enough!” Suzan pouted, her tone laced with grievance and resentment.
Mitchell quickly patted her back, trying to soothe her. “Silly, you’re the one I love most. Effie’s one of the company’s founders and still owns a good chunk of shares. We need her designs for now. But once the time is right, I’ll handle her. Trust me, you’re the only one in my heart.”
Suzan’s expression finally softened, a faint smile tugging at her lips, but she pressed on, unwilling to let it go. “Mitchell, can I use Effie’s new design sketches for the competition? I just want to help you win.”
Mitchell’s eyes flickered with calculation as he smiled. “Soon. Once this jewelry design contest is over, I’ll find a reason to push her out of management. Then the company will be ours.”
Only then did Suzan nod in satisfaction, her tone playful yet insistent. “That’s better. But you’d better keep your promise and not get soft when the time comes.” Mitchell pinched her nose with a grin. “When have I ever lied to you?”
Outside the door, Effie listened, her heart turning to ice.
She hadn’t expected that Mitchell was not only involved with Suzan, but that the two of them were plotting to force her out of the company.
Effie clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, but she felt no pain-only numbness.
She drew a slow, steadying breath, forcing herself to stay composed.
Effie quietly stepped away from the door and turned down the hall.
Back in her own office, she sank into her chair, thoughts racing.
Her gaze fell on the unfinished design sketch lying on her desk. A new idea began to take shape in her mind.
Mitchell, realizing Effie had arrived, soon entered her office as well.
He found her sitting at her desk, calm and collected, which made his brow furrow with unease.
He walked over, leaning forward with both hands on her desk, his tone soft as he tried to smooth things over.
“Effie, I’ve already told you, I only think of Suzan as a younger sister. Last night, they were just joking around.”
Effie looked up at him, her eyes cool and steady, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips-one that never touched her eyes.
“Mitchell, I was clear yesterday. We’re done. As for my shares, I’ll be selling them. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”
Mitchell’s face stiffened. “Effie, you’ve got it all wrong. If you don’t believe me, I can have Suzan explain it to you herself.”
“No need.” Effie cut him off, her voice frosty. “Mitchell, we’re not children. Some things are better left unsaid. As for whatever’s going on between you and Suzan, I couldn’t care less.”
Mitchell’s expression darkened. He fixed her with a warning glare. “Effie, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you really going to let a minor issue ruin what we have?”