Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Effie suddenly felt the light dim before her eyes. When she looked up, she found herself staring straight into Mitchell Lloyd's gaze.

Her brows knitted in annoyance. "You know what they say-good dogs don't block the path. Move," she snapped.

Mitchell regarded her with a look of helpless exasperation. "Why do you always act so tough around me?" he asked quietly. "I know you better than anyone, Effie. You're just putting on a brave face. If you'd just say the word, I'd have Marian back by your side in no time."

Effie thought Mitchell must have lost his mind. She'd finally gotten rid of Marian, and the last thing she wanted was to invite that nightmare back into her life.

Marian was a handful, and Effie had no desire to deal with her antics again.

"No, thanks," Effie replied coolly. "If you can't get along with her, just fire her. But don't dump her back at Etheridge Group. I can't afford to deal with that kind of troublemaker."

Mitchell's frown deepened. He was convinced Effie was just being stubborn- refusing to admit she needed help.

"Effie, stop pretending you don't care. You-"

Effie almost laughed at how predictable he was. Mitchell had always believed he could read her mind, projecting his own assumptions onto her without ever truly listening.

It had been this way when they were together, and nothing had changed since the breakup.

He was always so self-absorbed, so utterly incapable of understanding anyone else.

Honestly, Mitchell and Marian were two of a kind. Marian was just a little more unhinged, with even less self-awareness, always parroting workplace drama she picked up from internet videos, talking about "fixing the office culture."

If Marian actually had any power, that might be something. But she was just annoveldrama

ordinary employee-one the higher-ups could crush without a second thought. Yet she still acted so brazenly. No wonder she ended up getting herself fired in spectacular fashion.

Effie was certain it wouldn't be long before Mitchell and Suzan finally saw Marian for who she really was.

"Mitchell."

Suzan's voice cut through, sharp and impatient. She glared at Mitchell-how long did he intend to keep talking to Effie? Was he really so oblivious to her growing anger?

"If you really want to help," Effie said, her tone biting, "you could start by pulling your products off the shelves."

Mitchell's lips pressed into a thin line. He said nothing.

Effie stared at him, a cold laugh escaping her lips. "Can't do it? Then quit acting like you're going out of your way for me-like you're the hero and I'm just too ungrateful to

appreciate it. It's pathetic."

Mitchell hated seeing her like this, her mocking tone cutting deep. It always got under his skin.

"Our factory already rushed to finish

all the jewelry," he said, trying to

keep his voice steady. "We used only

the best materials-there's real.

mone tied up in this. You know the business as well as anyone, don't you?"

"And what's that got to do with me?" Effie shot back.

He was the one pretending to help; if he really wanted to do something, he knew what to do. But instead, he made empty promises and expected her to be grateful.

"Effie, I can't believe how cold you've

become. You already wrecked things with Ryan, and now you're set on destroying all my hard work. Is that what you want? Don't you have even the slightest sense of loyalty?"

"Mitchell," Effie said, her voice icy, "you got lucky last time and got away with it.

But if you keep pestering me, don't blame me for what happens next="

Before she finished, she brought her heel down hard on his foot.

Mitchell's face twisted in pain.

Suzan's expression darkened, furious. She rushed over to Mitchell. "Are you alright? I'm calling the police-she did that on purpose!"