Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 166

Cynthia hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. You should give this back to Mr. Holloway. I can order lunch myself, or just eat in the cafeteria."

After seeing Miranda today, Cynthia understood more than ever the importance of knowing her place. She was nothing more than a low-level assistant at Dominic's beck and call—hardly someone in a position to bend the rules.

Secretary Sabina looked equally conflicted.

"Why don't you go tell Mr. Holloway yourself?"

Cynthia nodded and was just about to return the lunch to Dominic when the office door opened and another assistant strode in.

"Mr. Holloway, thanks to you, the rest of us get to sample Prima Southvale's cuisine. Miss Kingsley ordered this lunch specially for you."

Dominic didn't even bother to look up.

"Just leave it."

"Yes, sir." The assistant nodded, carrying the elegant basket of food behind the divider. Spotting Cynthia and Secretary Sabina, he paused in surprise.

Only then did Cynthia realize her temporary desk was actually where Dominic usually ate his meals. Embarrassed, she hurriedly moved aside the papers cluttering the tabletop. She felt insignificant—utterly out of place.

The assistant finally set about unpacking the lunch, placing each dish on the table with practiced care.

Cynthia glanced at the beautifully plated entrees, each one served on fine porcelain. Then she looked at the "The Copper Fork" meal beside her. In any other context, The Copper Fork was one of the city's most upscale restaurants. Here, under the shadow of Prima Southvale's luxuries, even the Copper Fork's logo seemed a little shabby.

She exchanged a look with Secretary Sabina. Whatever doubts Sabina had were gone now.

So that's how it was—Mr. Holloway was getting the special lunch Miss Kingsley sent over, and the meal Assistant Shaw had ordered for him was being handed off to Cynthia, who hadn't placed an order herself. It made sense.

Cynthia: "..."

She'd forgotten—this man only reserved his gentlemanly side for Miranda. For everyone else, he never bothered to soften his words.

With a silent sigh, Cynthia forced a smile and sat back down.

"Well, thank you, Mr. Holloway, for saying my face is easy on the eyes."

Dominic arched an eyebrow, as if surprised by her shamelessness, but didn't deny it.

When he didn't reply, Cynthia took the hint and fell silent, quietly unwrapping her lunch.

She could feel the gulf between them more keenly than ever. This wasn't Cloudcrest City—she couldn't talk back to this man so freely anymore. She needed to be adaptable, to know when to yield and when to push back. That was how she'd rise above her station and seize her moment.