Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Effie Bagnold never imagined that by the time Lyman Etheridge had made a name for himself in business, she'd still be in school.

They weren't even that far apart in age.

"So, what happened then?" Lyman shifted his gaze from Effie to Fidelia Etheridge.

Despite her fearless facade, Fidelia was absolutely terrified of Lyman. Just a single look from him sent her heart pounding in her chest.

And honestly, who could blame her? Lyman's presence was simply overwhelming.

Fidelia figured that, in their entire family, Effie was probably the only one who wasn't scared of her big brother.

She mustered her courage and said, “Lyman, I really can't stand that woman!"

She jabbed her finger in Suzan Bagnold's direction.

Suzan, for her part, was just as intimidated by Lyman. Every time she saw him, she wanted nothing more than to quietly slip away.

Now that his eyes were squarely on her, Suzan felt a chill run down her spine, as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

"So?" Lyman's voice was even.

"Come on, Lyman, how can you be so..." Dense. Fidelia almost blurted it out, but Lyman shot her a look that made her swallow her words.

"Look, I wasn't lying when I said Effie got bullied. That woman just mocked the ointment Effie made, called it garbage, said it would ruin your skin. So if she comes here wanting to buy anything from your shop, just don't sell to her, okay?"

"Alright."

Fidelia blinked in surprise.

She'd expected to have to argue her case, but Lyman agreed without the slightest hesitation.

She realized then that Lyman's focus was entirely on Effie; it was as if no one else in the room existed-not even Fidelia herself.

"Next time, just call me and tell me about these things," Lyman said, his tone calm, but resolute. "I don't like her either."noveldrama

Fidelia was momentarily speechless. If she'd known he'd agree so easily, she wouldn't have bothered with all the plotting-or dragged Effie into it.

Wait-did he just say he didn't like Suzan?

"You see? You think she's awful too, don't you?"

Lyman replied in his usual, indifferent way, "Mm."

He might as well have been commenting on the weather.

Suzan, standing nearby, twitched at the corners of her mouth.

She was utterly lost for words. Were they seriously talking about how much they disliked her, right in front of her?

But soon enough, a staff member appeared and politely ushered Suzan away.

"Lyman," Mitchell Lloyd suddenly

stopped in his tracks, as if on

impulse. He looked at Lyman with a

furrowed brow, irritation clear in his

voiceDon't you think you're being childish? Turning away business just because of a woman?"

Lyman barely glanced at him, his voice icy. "I don't think so."

He left it at that, but Mitchell was left fuming, the words stuck in his throat.

"Forget it," Mitchell said, shaking his head in frustration. "People like you, born with a silver spoon, will never understand how important every deal is.” With that, he stormed off.

Effie turned to Lyman, unfazed. "Don't waste your time on people dike him. He's been spewing that same crap since he was a kid-can't help making a mess wherever he goes."

Fidelia stared at Effie, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Effie, you're incredible. I mean, I know all those words, but I never knew you could string them together like that!"

Effie chuckled and patted Fidelia's shoulder. "You're still a kid. Don't pick up bad habits."

Her mother used to tell her to be a lady, to be gentle and well-behaved.

But after her mom passed away, life had taught Effie too much. There was no going back to being the sweet, naïve girl she once was.

She'd learned how to fight back with words ages ago—she just rarely bothered to use them.

Fidelia pouted, feeling a little put out. Just because she didn't know how to throw an insult didn't mean Effie had to treat her like a child.