Marcia nodded. "Lyman might be quite capable, but honestly, he''s an idiot for marrying someone like Effie. Sure, she''s beautiful, but she''s got nothing else going for her. Women like that are so easy to control. She''s absolutely no help for Lyman''s career, either. If you take the opportunity to join the Chamber of Commerce and be a board member or something, your status will naturally rise with it..."


    Fowler and Marcia exchanged nces, both grinning smugly.


    After some back-and-forth with Cami, Marcia finally hammered out the details: the two families would arrange a match between their children. Since both kids seemed pleased with each other, they decided to keep things simple and hold the introduction at home.


    Fowler felt their own house was the perfect stage to showcase the Etheridge family''s prestige-there was no way the other side wouldn''t be impressed.


    It wasn''t just Fowler''s immediate family who returned to Etheridge Mansion for the asion; Marcia made sure to summon Lyman''s entire family as well.


    Of course, at first, the reason for the gathering wasn''t disclosed. Everyone was simply told it was a family dinner.


    Even though Lyman and Friedman Etheridge had no idea what Fowler was nning, they came back anyway, along with the rest of the family.


    Once everyone had arrived, Marcia finally revealed her true intentions, looking positively triumphant.


    Charis offered polite praise. "This is wonderful news. You really should''ve told us earlier so we could have prepared."


    But inside, Charis was seething. That third branch of the family was insufferable— dressed to the nines for what was supposed to be a simple family meal, while the rest of them turned up in everyday clothes,pletely unprepared.


    And really, who couldn''t pick up on Marcia''s smug undertones?


    Charis muttered quietly to Healy Etheridge, "Honestly, those two wear their schemes on their faces. As if everyone wouldn''t notice."


    Healy shrugged, replying, "Let them have their moment. They only have the one daughter, and she''s their little princess. This is probably their one chance to show off-there won''t be many more."


    Charis gave a little hum of


    agreement. "Just wait. I''ll find an et


    even better match for our Graham


    Etheridge someday. That''ll


    put them


    in their ce."


    Healy smiled knowingly. "No matter what, it can''t be as bad as what the eldest


    branch ended up with."


    Charisughed as well. "That''s true."


    Meanwhile, Lyman''s family sat


    calmly by chatting with Bancroft et


    Etheridge as if they lived in apletely different universe from all the petty squabbles around them.


    "Effie, do you y chess?" Bancroft asked, turning to her. "Would you y a


    round with your old grandad?"


    He was already thinking-even if


    Effie wasn''t good at chess, it didn''t matter. He could let her win. That way, his second and third sons


    families would see just how much


    he valued her, and they''d think twice before causing trouble.


    Effie smiled a little nervously. "Grandpa, I''m really not very good. If I mess up, please don''tugh at me."


    Lyman ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Don''t worry. I''m here."


    Bancroft chuckled. “No cheating—I''ll be watching you both!"


    "Grandpa, it''s not cheating if we''re working as a team," Lyman replied with a grin.


    Effie nced back at him and couldn''t help but smile.


    Well, time to give it her best shot.


    At first, Bancroft assumed Effie had no idea how to y, so he deliberately went easy on her, making his moves absentmindedly.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!