Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 82

Father Benedict lowered his voice, a flicker of impatience in his eyes.

"That's not what I meant. There's been a misunderstanding. I'll explain everything when we get back. For now, let me take you home."

A small, mocking smile played at the corners of Cynthia's mouth.

"What's the rush? Mr. Channing hasn't even finished sharing his brilliant idea."

Zachary swallowed hard, trying to lighten the mood with a nervous grin. "Come on, Cynthia, I was just running my mouth. I'll shut up, okay?"

Without warning, Cynthia grabbed a glass from the counter and hurled it straight at Zachary.

He didn't see it coming. The glass struck him right on the cheekbone.

He yelped in pain, clutching his face as the glass hit the floor and shattered with a sharp crack. The room fell silent, no one daring to breathe.

Father Benedict drew a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with contained fury.

"Zachary already apologized, you—"

Before he could finish, Cynthia's hand shot out and slapped him hard across the face. The air went utterly still.

Benedict's head tilted slightly, his eyes dark and dangerous as he glared at Cynthia, rage simmering just beneath the surface.

Jenny stepped forward quickly, grabbing Cynthia's arm and pulling her back, terrified that Benedict might lose control and lash out. The difference in strength between men and women was too great—if things got physical, they'd be the ones to suffer.

A few people in the room tried to calm Benedict down, easing the tension. Someone quietly closed the door to the private dining room, putting a barrier between Cynthia and Benedict.

Jenny let out a shaky breath and patted her chest. "That scared the life out of me."

"Cynthia, you really shouldn't have been so reckless. There were a bunch of big guys in there! The two of us—what could we have done if things got ugly? Even if I swung my heels until the smoke came off them, I still couldn't take out all those heads."

Jenny's vivid description made Cynthia chuckle despite herself, helping her regain her composure.

"Sorry. I almost dragged you into this mess."

Hearing Benedict ask Zachary how to "teach her a lesson" had made Cynthia's anger spike, overwhelming her reason.

Maybe it was because she'd never imagined Benedict would turn against her like that.

Jenny asked what Cynthia planned to do next.

Cynthia just shook her head, keeping her plans to herself.

Jenny sighed, understanding all too well how hard it was to let go of a relationship that had lasted seven years—especially when they'd built VistaSphere Group together.

Somehow, the conversation drifted to Dominic.

"Cynthia, you and Mr. Holloway seem close. Have you known each other long?"

Jenny had always been curious—Cynthia and Benedict both came from nothing, so how did Cynthia get to know someone as wealthy and influential as Dominic Holloway? And how, in such a short time, had he agreed to invest in her venture?

Cynthia nodded. "It's been a long time."

Thinking about her relationship with Benedict—how it had left a stain on her life—her spirits plummeted.

"Karma moves fast, I guess. He showed up at just the right time to see my life fall apart. With his razor-sharp tongue, I'm sure I'll be the butt of his jokes for ages."