Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 197

When Cynthia woke, her head was still spinning.

She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and took in her surroundings—then froze, startled by what she saw.

She was lying in an unfamiliar bed.

The room was decorated in a stark palette of grays and whites, the cold tones making the atmosphere feel even more austere.

Cynthia stared in silence at the minimalist design, not moving for a long moment. Finally, she gently lifted the comforter and glanced down, relieved to find she was still fully dressed.

Thank God.

Just as she let out a silent sigh of relief, a man's deep voice sounded from the doorway.

"Did you really think I'd do anything to you?"

Cynthia's head snapped up in alarm. Dominic was standing in the doorway in loungewear, his gaze cool and distant, with a hint of disdain lurking in his eyes.

"Of course not," she said quickly, forcing an awkward smile as she scrambled to sit up, suddenly self-conscious about still being in bed.

Dominic shot her a look, his tone low and unimpressed. "With a tolerance like yours, you'll drink anything that's handed to you?"

Cynthia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I thought I could handle a glass of wine," she admitted. She hadn't expected to be knocked out by a single glass.

Dominic looked down at her with an arched brow, his tone sharp. "So, you're telling me your ability to gauge things isn't as strong as you thought?"

For a split second, Cynthia relaxed, but his abrupt question made her tense again—especially since he could easily be referring to work.

"Mr. Holloway, no one's perfect. I may have overestimated my ability to hold my liquor, but I can assure you my professional skills are rock solid. Please believe me."

Cynthia wanted to wrap up matters here and return to The Capital to help her sister, so this suited her just fine.

"All right, Mr. Holloway," she replied, accepting the sudden pressure without complaint.

She bent to pick up her briefcase and phone, then turned to go. Her voice was soft but resolute.

"I'll head out now, Mr. Holloway. I'll report directly to VistaSphere Group tomorrow."

Dominic didn't respond—he didn't even look her way.

Cynthia pressed her lips together, then walked out.

Once inside the elevator, she exhaled heavily and rubbed her temples, trying to collect herself. Maybe it was because Dominic had helped her so many times, or maybe it was because he and Juliet had been classmates—his name had been a constant presence in her life since childhood. For some reason, she trusted him, almost instinctively.

Around him, she'd find herself letting her guard down—sometimes forgetting the vast gulf between their worlds.