Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon novel Chapter 119

Effie replied coolly, “I probably won’t be free tonight. There’s a project at work that needs to be rushed.”

Shepard didn’t seem the least bit surprised by her refusal. Still smiling, he pressed on, “What about tomorrow? Or the weekend? You have to make time for your old man at some point, right?”

Effie cut through the pretense. “If you have something to say, just say it. And if you’re lonely, you can always have your darling daughter keep you company. I’m sure Suzan would be delighted.”

Shepard’s face darkened instantly.

Ungrateful girl!

But now that Effie might know Lyman, he forced himself to swallow his anger.

“You’re my daughter too. Blood ties aren’t so easily broken,” he said through gritted teeth.

Effie gave a cold, mirthless laugh. “You didn’t call just to talk about blood ties, did you? If that’s all, I’ll hang up. I’m busy.”

“Come home tonight. I have questions for you. You must come back.” Shepard’s tone turned urgent.

Before Effie could respond, he hung up.

Effie’s expression stayed frosty. She had no intention of humoring him, but she knew Shepard all too well. If she didn’t come home, he’d probably show up at her office.

Fine. She’d go back and see what he was plotting this time.

After work, with Lyman out for a dinner engagement, Effie made her way back to the Bagnold family estate.

She paused at the entrance of Bagnold Mansion, took a steadying breath, and pushed open the familiar yet strangely distant front door.

In the living room, Shepard lounged on the sofa with a cup of tea in hand, looking relaxed. When he heard the front door, he looked up, set his cup down, and called out with an uncharacteristic warmth, “You’re home!”