Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 44

"Benedict, your mother's here."

Benedict's expression darkened. "Who?"

Giselle lowered her voice. "Your mother."

The news made his mood plummet—irritation pooling inside him.

By the time Cynthia had finished tidying up the kitchen, Benedict was already gone.

She changed into her business suit and promptly headed out to Novalith Technologies' headquarters downtown.

Her plan was to recreate a version of the VistaSphere Group right here in the Capital—and to strip Benedict of all his resources.

There were only nine days left. She had to move fast.

Benedict, still simmering with anger, rushed over to Giselle's apartment. But when he walked in, he found his mother and Giselle in the kitchen, laughing together as they prepared lunch.

The two of them seemed as close as if they'd known each other for years, sharing stories as if there were no boundaries between them.

His mother's face, usually so stern, now wore a rare, gentle smile—a softness he'd never seen when she was with Cynthia.

Much of Benedict's anger faded away.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"What? Am I not allowed to visit Giselle if Cynthia doesn't want me around?" Lois, his mother, turned as she spoke, catching sight of Benedict's weary, almost sickly appearance. She immediately put down what she was doing and hurried over.

"What have you done to yourself?"

Giselle followed right behind, reaching up to feel his forehead, her face full of concern.

"You were perfectly fine when you left last night. How did you end up with a fever?"

Lois scoffed, clearly displeased. "Isn't it obvious? Cynthia's run you ragged! I've seen through her from the start—lazy, self-indulgent, and not the least bit caring."

He pressed a hand to his forehead, trying to block out the irritation threatening to boil over.

Lately, Cynthia had left him completely drained—yet he had no idea how to deal with her. He couldn't even tell if she was bluffing or if she'd really discovered something he didn't want her to know.

He didn't want things to remain at a standstill between them. In fact, he wished they could just go back to how things used to be.

Sensing Benedict's frustration and distance, Giselle hesitated, then spoke softly.

"Benedict, are you angry at me for calling your mother over? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made that decision on my own. If you're really upset, you can take it out on me—just… don't ignore me, okay?"

She knelt in front of him as she spoke, gently guiding his hand toward her own cheek.

Benedict opened his eyes and saw her anxious, worried face. He couldn't help but smile and pinched her cheek affectionately.

"If only she could be as willing to compromise as you are."