Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon novel Chapter 363

Grandma looked at Isabel with concern. "Miss Isabel, are you feeling unwell? You look so pale—do you need to see a doctor?"

To Isabel and Fidelia, her words sounded almost like a challenge rather than genuine worry.

Fidelia scoffed, her tone sharp. "Of course Isabel isn’t feeling well. The man she loves was stolen away by a tramp. It’s no wonder she’s upset."

Lyman’s eyes darkened. His voice was cold and commanding. "Fidelia, that’s enough. Don’t talk nonsense."

Isabel’s face had drained of all color. She clung to Fidelia’s sleeve and whispered, "Fidelia, stop, please. That’s not how it happened. It’s not true."

But the more Isabel tried to retreat, the angrier Fidelia became.

How could Effie walk around so self-righteous after stealing someone else’s love?

"I’m not talking nonsense. Whoever did this knows exactly what they did," Fidelia shot back, glaring pointedly in Effie’s direction.

To her disbelief, Effie sat calmly, sipping her tea and nibbling pastries. When Grandma finished her drink, Effie quietly refilled her cup, handling everything with an effortless grace.

Grandma tapped her fingers on the table in a gentle gesture of thanks, and Effie nodded in acknowledgment.

Watching this peaceful exchange made Fidelia’s chest tighten with frustration.

She turned her attention to Effie. "What about you, Effie? Care to explain yourself?"

Effie looked up slowly, meeting Fidelia’s gaze. "You can’t just go by rumors. You say someone stole her beloved. But did that man ever return her feelings? Or did he agree to be with her, only to go after someone else? If that’s the case, it’s his fault—not the woman’s."

"But if a woman shamelessly wedges herself between two people in love, scheming to break them apart, then yes—she deserves everyone’s contempt."

Effie’s eyes flicked to Isabel. "Don’t you agree, Miss Isabel?"

Effie let out a cold laugh. "So tell me—which is more legitimate: a relationship protected by law, or one that exists only in someone’s imagination?"

"Love isn’t about who came first. You either love, or you don’t. Maybe you should figure that out before accusing others."

Before the last word had even faded, Isabel shot to her feet and fled the room, unable to bear any more.

Fidelia’s heart ached as she watched Isabel go. She started after her, but Lyman spoke up sharply.

"Wait."

Fidelia froze, looking back at him. "B—Big brother…"

"According to the Etheridge family rules, you’re responsible for what you’ve done today. Go back to the main house and accept your punishment."