Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon novel Chapter 229

Effie offered Irving Butler a polite smile and said, “Don't worry, Mr. Butler. We're all working for the good of the company. I promise I'll do my best.”

“Go on, then,” Mr. Butler waved her off impatiently, barely concealing his irritation. His mind was already racing for ways to make things difficult for Effie—he wouldn't let her off the hook that easily.

As soon as Effie stepped out of his office, Shirley hurried over, her curiosity barely contained. “Effie, what did Mr. Butler want with you?”

Effie replied, “Oh, nothing much… He just reassigned the project to me as the lead, and formed a special task team. I'm heading it.”

“Wow!” Shirley blurted out, her voice shooting up in excitement before she could catch herself.

Several heads turned their way, drawn by the outburst.

Realizing she'd attracted attention, Shirley quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, offering an embarrassed smile before leaning in to speak quietly with Effie again.

From across the room, Nelly let out a cold snicker. “Look at her, practically bursting to let everyone know how she landed that project.”

The office was never short on gossip, and with Nelly's words hanging in the air, a few colleagues perked up like cats catching the scent of a secret. They clustered closer, eager for the inside scoop.

“Nelly, spill it—what's the real story?” someone coaxed.

Nelly had deliberately spoken just loud enough for others to overhear, clearly waiting for this moment. But she feigned reluctance. “It's not really our place to talk about other people's business,” she demurred.

“Oh, come on, Nelly!” another chimed in. “She's been walking all over you lately. Everyone can see it. Why cover for her?”

“Exactly! I don't see why you let her get away with it. If you won't say it, I will!”

These two were Nelly's usual sidekicks—the kind who orbited her, always eager to curry favor. Nelly's friendship with Irving Butler, the department manager, often meant the cushiest assignments landed in their laps, so it was no surprise they jumped to her defense.