Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Maurice sat back in his chair, arms crossed tightly across his chest, eyes fixed unblinkingly on Effie.

Effie, feeling more than a little guilty, kept her head down, unable to meet his

gaze.

With a sudden slap of his palm on the table, Maurice glared at her. "Effie, do you know what crime you've committed?"

Effie looked up, confusion written all over her face. "Um... what crime?"

"Being secretly married!" Maurice declared.

He then turned to Nita, his eyes narrowing. "And you-knowing about it and not telling me? That's an even bigger offense!"

Nita pointed at herself, feigning innocence. "What does this have to do with me? Effie got married-huge news, sure, but if she didn't want to tell you, why should I? Am I supposed to go behind her back?"

Maurice snorted. "Why not? We're not exactly strangers, are we?"

Nita gave an exaggerated scoff. "Oh, right. We're so close that for my birthday, you gave me a signed photo of yourself."

She slammed her hand on the table and stood up, glaring at him. "Maurice, I always knew you were stingy, but I never thought you'd take it this far! You're a big star now-one show, one ad, and you're raking it in. And this is how you treat your best friend?"

Maurice coughed awkwardly, looking embarrassed. "Your honor, I protest. I'm being framed."

"Framed?" Nita shot back. "Framed for not making enough money? I dare you, show me your bank balance."

"Fine, I will." Maurice pulled out his phone and displayed his balance: just fifty dollars remained.

Nita grabbed his phone, jabbing at the screen. "This has to be a screenshot. You're faking it."

Maurice shook his head. "No joke, that's really all I have left. I spent the rest."

Nita handed the phone back, shaking her head in mock pity. "Poor Maurice. So young, and already a victim of some scammer who cleaned you out."

"Nita! Are you serious? Who said I got scammed?" Maurice shot back, exasperated.

"Then where did your money go?"

"I spent it."

"On a mansion, right?" Nita's eyes sparkled. "Are you giving me a floor?"

Maurice stared at her with sudden seriousness. "Wait, is today your birthday?"

Nita rolled her eyes. "Of coursenoveldrama

You

birth

even know when my

is? I ought to smack

, that's what you you!

Maurice replied, "So it's not your birthday, and you're here making wishes anyway?"

Nita threw up her hands in mock outrage. "Maurice! Our years of friendship, wasted! I'll never forgive you for this."

Maurice nodded solemnly. "You're right. I can't believe you helped Effie hide this from me..."

Effie, who had been happily nibbling on her salad and watching the drama unfold, suddenly realized the conversation had circled back to her. Her smile froze, and she pretended to answer her phone.

To her surprise, it actually started ringing-Lyman's name lit up on the screen.

She hurriedly took the call. "Hey, are you here? Where should I meet you?"

"Effie, I'm really sorry, but

Lyman's voice sounded lic

something's come up. I won't be

able to make it. You go ahead and eat with your friends."

Effie blinked, concern in her voice. "What happened? Is everything okay? Do you need help?"

“No, it's nothing major. I'll take care of it and call you later, okay? Just didn't want to leave you waiting."

Hearing that nothing serious was wrong, Effie let out a breath of relief. "Alright, let me know when you're free."

"Will do."

Effie hung up, only to find both Maurice and Nita staring at her.