Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon novel Chapter 69

Everyone froze for a moment.

Sure, they’d all had their doubts, but nobody else had dared to voice them so bluntly.

Then, as if on cue, the memory surfaced for them all—Effie was the same woman who’d been at the center of that plagiarism controversy during a recent competition, the one who’d trended on social media. The investigation had cleared her name, but that didn’t automatically make her a star in their eyes.

After all, the design department was packed with talent; it wasn’t easy to stand out. For Effie to join straight away as lead designer? Naturally, some people would feel a bit resentful.

The department head’s expression hardened when she heard Nelly’s words had gone too far. She said sternly, “Nelly, we’re all colleagues here. Let’s not say things that create division.”

Nelly forced a sheepish smile. “Sorry, ma’am. I sometimes speak before I think.”

She glanced at Effie afterwards, her eyes full of disdain.

Effie felt exasperated, but she understood—this was just how the workplace worked.

“All right, to welcome our new teammate, let’s go out to dinner after work,” the department head announced. Instantly, the whole room broke into cheers.

Fantastic—another free meal.

Effie felt genuinely grateful to her boss. It would help her break the ice and get to know everyone faster.

Since it was her first day, Effie spent most of it familiarizing herself with the office and learning about the company’s design style and products.

Toward the end of the day, Effie sent a quick text to Lyman, letting him know about the department dinner that night.

Lyman was still in a meeting, but as soon as he saw her message, he replied with a simple “Okay.”

He then turned to Luther and told him to arrange for the design team to dine at an upscale restaurant—on the company’s tab.

When the team found out where the dinner would be, everyone was stunned.

None of them had ever been to such a fancy place before.

They all laughed and joked that they were riding on Effie’s coattails tonight.