Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Some of the guys gambled themselves into a frenzy, always thinking the next round would be their chance to win it all back. But the more they played, the deeper they sank, until the debts they owed were far beyond anything they could

actually pay.

That's when Irving Butler finally showed his true colors. He started hounding them for the money and threatened to report their gambling to the company if they didn't pay up-meaning they'd lose their jobs, too.

On top of that, Irving Butler had contracts they'd signed when they borrowed money from him. There was no way out. Any hope of backing out was gone-they were trapped, completely at his mercy.

After Irving Butler's maneuvering, he suddenly had a pack of obedient lackeys. They started abusing their company positions, stealing design drafts and secretly selling them to small-time manufacturers for a quick profit.

That explained why, over the past couple of years, Etheridge & Co. Jewels kept seeing their new releases copied by tiny companies. Lyman had even launched an internal investigation, but Irving Butler was always a step ahead, covering his tracks so well that the investigators never found anything useful.

Effie, who had joined the company under a false identity, managed to gain their trust-which made everyone lower their guard. Now, with her help, they'd finally rounded up the whole lot.

Everyone was singing Effie and Shirley's praises, calling them brave and clever. Some even joked about what a convincing act the two had put on, pretending to fall out with each other-most people genuinely believed their rivalry was real.

Shirley grinned. "You have no idea how hard it was not to burst out laughing. But when I checked myself in the mirror, I realized I looked so pitiful trying to keep a straight face that it made the whole thing even more believable."

Her words set off another round of laughter.

...

Lyman heard about all this while he was having drinks with Vinson Elliott, Fenton, and a few others.

Fenton swirled his wine and said to Lyman, "I have to admit, I always thought your wife was just a pretty face. Who knew she'd be the one to take down Irving Butler and his gang?"

He paused, then added, "Though to be fair, she also took out our own informant in the process."

Fenton was always blunt, never one to worry about offending Lyman.

Lyman swirled his own glass, his gaze

switching cold. "Balfour? That guy

switched sides a long time ago Irving Butler pulled him in, turned

hi

into his own weapon."

Fenton let out a short laugh. "Here I was thinking he was just playing the long game, biding his time."

Vinson Elliott chimed in with a smirk, "So, in the end, the person Effie found was more useful than the one you guys planted."

Both Lyman and Fenton had to admit it was a miscalculation on their part.

"And now the design department manager position is open. Lyman, got anyone in mind to fill it?"

Lyman was silent.

Suddenly, Vinson's eyes lit up. "Hey, Lyman, why not mix a little business with pleasure?"

Lyman raised an eyebrow. "Business with pleasure?"

"Make Effie the new design manager. That way, you'll have a perfectly good excuse to call her into your office all the time. I mean, come on-"

"Oh, workplace romance! Man, I wish I could have that!" Vinson's words were still hanging in the air when Fenton gave him a hard smack. "Give Da rest. You sound like an

soft?"

idiot. Since when did you get so

Vinson cradled his head, grumbling. Always the youngest in the group, he seemed

to be everyone's favorite target.

Randell piped up, "Don't mind him. He's been chasing after a minor

celebrity lately-running off to net

watch

her shoot scenes-so now he just sits here daydreaming."

Vinson blushed furiously. "Shut up!"

Lyman suddenly stood up. Instinctively, Vinson threw his arms over his head in self-defense.

No way was he getting smacked again.noveldrama