She had barely walked a few steps when suddenly, someone grabbed her hand from behind.


    Startled, Effie spun around to find Mitchell''s shadowed, unreadable face staring back at her.


    Her brow furrowed slightly before she yanked her hand free with a sharp, determined motion.


    "What do you want?"


    It was the first time Mitchell had ever seen Effie''s face so close, and he was struck by how delicate her features were, her porcin skin making her look even more striking. But it was her eyes that caught him off guard-a rity and resolve in them, like stars shining with unwavering light.


    Mitchell froze for a moment, then caught himself, his voice softer than before. "Effie, there''s no need to be so hostile toward me."


    Effie fixed him with a cold, distant stare. "Mr. Lloyd, I don''t think there''s anything left for us to talk about. If that''s all, I''ll be on my way."


    She turned to leave, but Mitchell stepped in front of her again, blocking her path.


    His voice was low, tinged with urgency. “Effie, I just don''t want you to do something reckless out of spite. Lyman-guys like him aren''t serious about anyone. He''s surrounded by women, and you''re only setting yourself up for heartbreak."


    Effie paused, ncing back at him with a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Mitchell, don''t you think you''re being a little presumptuous? As for Lyman, I know exactly what kind of man he is better than you do. At least he''s never pretended to care about me while still stringing along someone else. Unlike you, who talks about love but can''t seem to let go of Suzan."


    Mitchell''s face fell, words catching in his throat. For a moment, regret flickered in his eyes.


    Not far away, Suzan watched everything unfold.


    She had just finished grabbing a bite with Sigrid when she suddenly remembered Mitchell was here-and that Effie might be too.


    Her heart thudded with unease, praying she was wrong about her suspicions.


    After searching the venue, she finally found them on the balcony.


    Her expression darkened, her eyes shing with barely concealed anger.


    Suzan clenched her fists, silently swearing to herself: Effie, don''t even think about taking what''s mine. Mitchell belongs to me-no one else.


    Pressing her lips together, she whipped out her phone and quickly snapped a few photos of Mitchell and Effie, their confrontation captured forever.


    Effie, you brought this on yourself.


    It took Effie some effort to finally shake Mitchell off.


    What the hell is wrong with him? Every time he sees me, he just has to drag me into some tirade against Lyman.


    She knew exactly what kind of man Lyman was. So far, things between them had been easy, pleasant-no drama, no conflict.


    And Mitchell? He really ought to take a hard look at himself before pointing fingers.


    What a mess.


    She''d been in a good mood earlier, but now it waspletely ruined.


    Taking a deep breath, Effieposed herself and returned to the main hall.


    Her friends immediately crowded around, concern etched on their faces. "Effie, are you okay? You didn''t look so great just now."


    She offered a small, reassuring smile. "I''m fine. Just needed a little air, that''s all."


    Soon, she was chatting andughing with her friends again, the earlier incident already fading from her mind.


    The fashion g was winding down.


    Just then, Effie''s phone buzzed in her purse.


    She nced at the screen, and a smile lit up her face.


    As she answered, Lyman''s deep, maic voice came through the line. "Is it


    over?"