"Andie,e to Mommy."


    Grace''s voice softened a little, but a trace of anger still lingered in her tone.


    Lyman quickly got out of the car and pulled Grace away from behind.


    Seizing the moment, Grace tried to wrap her arms around Lyman''s waist, but he instinctively stepped back.


    Undeterred, Grace clung to him again.


    Lyman pushed her away, careful not to use too much force. "Grace, calm down."


    Effie held Andie in her arms, quietly watching the tense exchange between Lyman and Grace.


    Grace nced up, her eyes locking on Effie. A sly smirk tugged at her lips, and a flicker of challenge sparked in her gaze.


    She expected to see anger on Effie''s face, but instead, Effie simply smiled back at her, unbothered.


    Grace froze, confusion flickering in her eyes. What was Effie ying at? Did she love Lyman or not? If she did, why wasn''t she reacting at all?


    While Grace was still caught up in her confusion, Lyman took the chance to push her aside.


    "Enough, Grace. Andie''s not doing well right now. Let''s just go home," Lyman said firmly.


    Grace could only mutter, "Fine."


    In the end, Lyman insisted that Grace sit in the backseat with Effie, while he took the passenger seat up front.


    Grace stared at Effie the entire ride, as if she could drill holes right through her.


    Effie met her gaze with a calm, fearless smile,pletely unfazed.


    Grace''s brows knitted tightly. She really couldn''t figure Effie out.


    The drive to Friedman''s ce wasn''t long, but to Grace, it felt like an eternity. The moment the car finally stopped and she could get out, she felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.


    When Grace and Andie walked in, Lindy greeted them with delight. "Why didn''t you let us know you wereing home? We could''ve picked you up!"


    "I wanted to surprise you," Grace replied, shing a sweet smile.


    "Well, now that you''re back, I''ll call your sister and have here for dinner too," Lindy said.


    At the mention of Annabel, the smile vanished from Grace''s face. "Godmother, please don''t. My sister''s still upset with me. Let me talk to her first, then we''ll meet."


    Lindy sighed. "Alright. You know


    your sister worries about you all the time. She''s always looked out for you, like a mother. Talk to her okay? She only wants the best for you."


    Grace nodded obediently. "I know."


    Lindy brightened. "I''ll have someone pick up your favorite roast beef sandwiches. You''ve lost weight."


    Grace grinned, her tone yful. "Yes, please! I''ve missed home-cooked food so much while I was away."


    She rattled off a few more of her favorite dishes.


    Suddenly, something urred to her. She nced over at Effie, her eyes full of challenge, as if to say, See? Godmother cares about me most.


    Effie just smiled again, refusing to rise to the bait.


    Grace''s annoyance only deepened. What''s with this Effie, anyway? No matter


    what she does, Effie barely reacts—it''s like punching a pillow.


    Effie had seen these little games before; Suzan and Vera used to act just like this. Back then, Effie would''ve tried topete, always wanting to win, but in the end, she only exhausted and hurt herself.


    Now, Effie had learned her lesson. She wasn''t going to make herself miserable for


    people like that anymore.


    Just then, Lindy turned to look at Effie.


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


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!