Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

"I think we'd better call it off," Effie said. "My ankle's fine now, and everyone's already made their plans. If we postpone at the last minute, it'll just throw everything into chaos."

Lyman shrugged. "Chaos? Hardly. To cheer everyone up, the company will hand out a bonus. That should soothe any wounded feelings."

Effie fell silent. How nice it must be to have that kind of money.

That night, when the cancellation notice went out, people were a little

disappointed at first. But when they saw how generous the bonus was, the group chat instantly came alive. Suddenly, everyone was singing Lyman's praises,

calling him the best boss ever-practically lifting him onto a pedestal.

Lyman, unfazed, put down his phone and glanced at Effie.

She was still busy texting Shirley.

Shirley wanted to know why the event had been canceled.

Effie hesitated, embarrassed to admit it was because of her injury.

Before she could come up with a reply, Lyman plucked the phone from her hands and tossed it aside. "It's late. Are you planning to stay up all night? What are you,

a panda?"

Effie gave a little yelp, rubbing her eyes. "Am I going to end up with dark circles?"

Lyman's lips curled in a faint smile. "Not yet. But if you don't go to bed soon, who knows?"

Effie dove under the covers. "Alright, I'm going to sleep."

"Mitchell, where did Effie get that overnight face mask she gave me? I'm all out," Adeline said, turning toz Mitchell Lloyd. "Would you pick up a few more jars? Mrs Brown, M Orval, and a few others have all been asking about it."

Mitchell frowned slightly. Things like this were never his strong suit.

He only remembered that when he and Effie weke dating, she'd been generous to his family. When Adeline started worrying about. freckles, Effie had given her a really

effective overnight mastanet

It

lightened her spots, left her skin hydrated and smooth-like a peeled egg, Adeline had said.

It worked so well that Adeline recommended it to her friends. Word spread, and soon enough, Effie's face mask had a small following. Adeline even made a little profit on the side.

Now everyone's used up their supply, and the phone hasn't stopped ringing with requests. That's when Adeline realized she'd lost track of where the mask had come from.

"I don't know," Mitchell admitted. "Effie always kept herself stocked up."noveldrama

Adeline frowned. "That's odd. I checked the jar-there's no brand or manufacturer's mark. How did I not notice that before?"

Mitchell thought it was strange too. Was Effie's mask really that effective, or was it just the placebo effect with Adeline and her friends? And where had Effie even gotten it?

Things between him and Effie weren't exactly amicable these days. If he asked her for more, she'd probably just say no.

"I'll see what I can do," he said.

Just then, a new voice chimed in from his phone. "Mitchell, my dad's company just developed a new overnight mask with great results for dark spots. You could let your aunt try some," Suzan Bagnold suggested.

That's when Mitchell remembered he was still on a video call with Suzan. He'd been half-listening, but Suzan was clearly enjoying herself.

She went on, "If Effie's masks don't

even have a manufacturer's label, they're basically unregulated. Honestly, she's got guts-handing out something that hasn't been tested or approved What if someone's skin had a reaction?"