Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 108

The guests' chatter grew louder, a rising tide of confusion and speculation.

No one seemed to know what was going on.

In a shadowed corner of the hall, Lois found herself yanked aside by Father Benedict. Her meticulously styled hair had come undone in the scuffle.

She steadied herself, glaring at Benedict with open irritation.

"Benedict, what are you doing? Everyone is watching us!"

"Mother only did this for your sake. You know what Cynthia's like—if we hadn't acted first, she'd have you right under her thumb."

Benedict's eyes were rimmed with red, fury simmering beneath the surface and making his whole body tremble.

Seeing his agitation, Lois tried to reason with him.

"Zachary said no real harm would come to her; they only took a few photos to have something on her. Benedict, I did this for you. With this leverage, Cynthia can't walk all over you anymore. If you don't want her to leave, this is the only way she'll stay by your side. Otherwise—if she finds out about Giselle, do you really think she'll let you off easy?"

Benedict clenched his jaw and slammed his fist into the wall, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor.

Lois startled, but as she watched him regain his composure, she let out a breath and pressed a folder into his hand.

"Benedict, take this agreement up when Cynthia comes onstage. Make sure she signs it—she won't refuse."

Benedict frowned deeply, his gaze drifting toward the grand entrance of the hall.

Through the crack under the double doors, he could just make out hurried footsteps approaching.

The bride had only just arrived, her makeup freshly done, unaware of Lois's earlier speech to the crowd.

Relieved, Benedict tightened his grip on the agreement and made his way back toward the stage.

Guests who'd met Cynthia stared in disbelief, their murmurs filling the air.

Giselle had noticed Benedict's sudden change in expression; her own smile faltered and froze.

Earlier, Assistant Frank had come to fetch her, saying Cynthia had suffered a breakdown the night before and refused to attend the wedding. Benedict, apparently unwilling to marry a woman "ruined" by scandal, had sent for Giselle instead.

Ecstatic, Giselle had rushed over. Standing at the doorway in the gown Benedict had designed himself, she'd felt a flush of triumph—she'd done it. Cynthia was gone, and she was finally taking her place.

But Benedict's expression—shifting from shock to something almost murderous—made her stomach drop. He hadn't known she would be here. He stormed down from the stage, his eyes cold as steel.

Only then did Giselle realize she'd walked right into a trap.

The guests' voices surged around her, and Benedict's icy, murderous glare sent a chill through her bones. For the first time, Giselle felt the overwhelming urge to run.