Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon novel Chapter 280

Effie shook her head. “No need, I've already agreed. I just texted Ms. Cooper to set up a meeting—we'll go over her requirements for the jewelry design in detail.”

Shirley sighed. “I wish I could go with you, but they've got me assisting Peter now.”

Irving Butler, knowing she and Effie were close, had made a point of splitting them up.

“It's fine. I can handle the first meeting on my own. By the time you're done with your assignments, I'll probably have most of the prep work finished. Then you can help me out,” Effie said reassuringly.

“Alright,” Shirley replied.

For now, Shirley was just an assistant, there to help the designers with simple tasks—she couldn't take on her own projects yet.

Her dream was to become an independent designer one day.

Shirley had graduated with honors from a prestigious university, hoping she'd finally have the chance to shine here. But with people like Irving Butler around, it felt like that day would never come.

Effie's arrival had changed everything. Shirley felt as if Effie was a ray of light sent just for her, and she was determined to hold onto that hope.

Effie confirmed the meeting place with Ms. Cooper. When it was almost time, she grabbed her things and headed out.

She had just reached the parking lot and was unlocking her car when two police officers approached her.

“Excuse me, are you Effie?” one of them asked.

Effie's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Still, she nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“We're with the Western District Police Department. There's been a report accusing you of aggravated assault. We need you to come with us to the station for questioning.” The officer flashed his badge.

Effie studied the badge carefully; it looked legitimate.

Aggravated assault?

“I… need to see my lawyer,” Effie managed, her voice hoarse from hours without water. The relentless spotlight was making her mouth unbearably dry, her throat burning.

Still, the officers showed no reaction, as if they simply couldn't hear her.

“Fine. If you won't talk, we'll just wait you out.”

Outside the interrogation room, a cell phone kept ringing—on and off, over and over.

“Whose phone is that? Seriously, can someone turn it off?”

“Pretty sure it's that woman's.”

“She's stubborn. Kept insisting she needed her lawyer.”

“Should we check who's calling?”