Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon novel Chapter 426

Lyman shook his head. “No, thanks. Effie’s been playing for ages—she must be exhausted.”

“Chess takes a lot out of you,” he added.

Bancroft leaned forward, a playful glint in his eye. “Just one game. What do you say, Effie?”

He turned his gaze to Effie, clearly hoping she’d be easier to sway than Lyman. Everyone knew Lyman was hard to budge, but Effie… she might just go along with it.

Lyman hesitated. “Grandpa…”

Of course, Bancroft wasn’t fooled by Lyman’s reluctance, but he played along, acting oblivious.

While everyone waited for Lyman and Effie to start their match, Lyman suddenly reached out and pulled Effie up from the couch. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered.

Effie shot a nervous glance in Bancroft’s direction, but Lyman shifted, blocking her line of sight. “I’m wiped out. I need to unwind for a bit.”

“Huh?” Effie blinked. Unwind how, exactly?

Lyman didn’t elaborate—he just took her hand and led her away.

Bancroft, far from annoyed, beamed with delight as he watched them go.

The others looked at each other, speechless.

Was Bancroft… actually happy? Had he lost his mind?

Did Lyman just pull a fast one on them, making everyone wait for nothing?

Or… was he just afraid of losing?

The more they considered it, the more convinced they became.

As Lyman and Effie walked down the hallway, Lyman suddenly felt a tickle in his nose and sneezed.

Effie crouched down and gently wiped away the girl’s tears. “There, sweetheart, don’t cry.”

“Mommy…” The little girl burrowed into Effie, her big eyes glassy with tears, as vulnerable as a porcelain doll about to shatter.

Effie’s heart ached. “Sweetie, did you get separated from your mom and dad? Let’s go find them, okay?”

“Andie!” A woman’s anxious voice rang out, and moments later, a stylish woman with flawless makeup hurried toward them.

Spotting Lyman, she broke into a surprised smile. “Lyman! What are you doing here?”

Recognition dawned on Lyman. No wonder the little girl looked so familiar—she was Grace McCloud and Clay’s daughter, Andie.

“Mommy…” Andie called out from the safety of Effie’s arms.

Effie studied Grace’s face, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu—she was sure she’d seen her somewhere before.