Effie''s eyes narrowed as she said, "She''s brought this on herself. It''s not the first time she''s pulled something like this. Honestly, what does it have to do with me?"


    Annabel tossed her hair, agreeing, "Exactly. Let''s just go. Suddenly, I''ve lost my appetite for this ce."


    "Yeah, let''s."


    As Effie stood to leave, she nearly collided with Suzan, who was heading over to grab some condiments.


    Suzan shot Effie a re, her tone dripping with mockery. "Are you blind, or just careless? Can''t you see I''m pregnant? Or did you do that on purpose?"


    Effie met her gaze coolly. "Suzan, being pregnant isn''t a free pass to act like a tyrant. You can''t just use it as an excuse to do whatever you want."


    Suzan snorted, her hand protectively on her belly. "What''s wrong, Effie? Jealous, are you? Maybe you''d like to be in my shoes, but that would require you being able to get pregnant in the first ce." She eyed Effie with smug satisfaction.


    Annabel wrinkled her nose in disgust, covering her mouth with her hand. "God, who let a sewer rat in here? The smelling from your mouth is unbearable."


    "You-" Suzan shot her an infuriated look, but when her eyesnded on Annabel, the first word that popped into her mind was "dominatrix." She couldn''t help but wonder how Effie even knew someone like this. With that sultry outfit, could she be... working the streets? Honestly, it wouldn''t be surprising. It''s not like Effie knows anyone respectable. Besides, Annabel did look familiar-maybe she''d seen her in some tawdry news story about prostitutes.


    Suzan sneered, "Oh please,ing from you? I bet you''ve spread your legs all over town. You''re filthier than my mouth could ever be."


    Annabel''s smile vanished. Her eyes darkened, a flicker of menace passing over her face. She raised her hand.


    Effie''s hand shot up, intercepting Annabel''s. Annabel red, unamused-Effie was the first person to ever stop her mid-p.


    "Effie, let go,” Annabel said through clenched teeth.


    Effie turned to her, voice steady. "Annabel, leave this one to me. I''m used to it. No need to dirty your hands."


    That actually made Annabelugh. The tension in her shoulders eased a bit. "Fine. But do me a favor-don''t hold back."


    "Wouldn''t dream of it."


    Suzan froze. Panic flickered in her eyes. Was Effie really going to hit her? She spun around, looking for an escape-only to find Lyman and Fenton blocking her way. Her heart skipped a beat.


    Lyman spoke first, his voice cold. "You''re not going anywhere."


    Suzan swallowed, trying desperately to regain herposure. "What, Mr.


    Etheridge? You''re going to hit a pregnant woman? Aren''t you worried people will talk?"


    Effie stepped up, raising her hand. "Why would he need to? The one who''s about to teach you a lesson is me."


    With that, Effie pped Suzan hard across the face.


    Suzan was stunned, a ringing silence filling her head. She stood there, dumbfounded, unable to react.


    Annabel grinned at Effie. "Nice shot. Good thing we ate first."


    Effie caught her meaning instantly. "Yeah, I''m feeling pretty energized."


    Suzan finally snapped out of it, rage and humiliation twisting her face She wanted to w Effie''s eyes out, but with so many people on Effie''s side, she knew she didn''t stand a chance. She''d have to bide her time.


    Suddenly, Suzan clutched her stomach and copsed to the floor, wailing dramatically. “Oh, my stomach! You''re bullying a pregnant woman! I think something''s wrong!"


    Lyman shot Fenton a look. Fenton immediately moved to stand over Suzan, blocking her escape.


    Suzan''s view was suddenly filled


    with Fenton''s imposing figure. Ske looked up, and those steely, unforgiving eyes made her feel as


    though she were standing in front of a judge.


    Her fears were soon confirmed, as Fenton coolly revealed his credentials.