Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 176

"Sorry, Mr. Holloway."

Dominic barely glanced her way, tossed a small box onto the table, and turned to leave.

Cynthia blinked in surprise, picking up the box of bandages and casting a quick look in Dominic's direction.

He was already back at his desk, his voice as cool and distant as ever.

"Let's continue the meeting."

Cynthia pressed her lips together, studying his sharp features for a moment before slipping the bandage from its box. A flicker of complicated emotion flashed in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and applied the bandage to her finger.

The lingering sting in her fingertip seemed to vanish the moment the bandage was in place.

When the meeting ended, Dominic closed his laptop.

He stayed in his chair, his expression unreadable and his tone clipped.

"Cynthia."

He called her by name, his voice cutting through the quiet.

Cynthia had hoped her earlier interruption during his video call was already forgotten. Now, hearing him call her out so directly, she instinctively sprang to her feet.

"Yes?"

Dominic's gaze swept over her, cold and impassive. For a moment, it looked as if he was about to reprimand her, but instead, he simply exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly.

"Get back to work."

Cynthia had braced herself for a scolding. Now, caught off guard by his nonchalance, she sat back down, feeling a little lost.

By eleven-thirty, Cynthia picked up her phone to order lunch. She remembered Dominic had treated her to The Copper Fork yesterday, and since she was eating in the office again today—especially after her slip-up this morning, which he'd let slide—it felt wrong to only order for herself.

She hesitated, then snapped a picture of The Copper Fork's menu and sent it to Dominic with a quick message:

Miranda grinned, "The restaurant's right on the way, so I figured I'd stop by. If I didn't come fetch you, you'd probably keep working and leave everyone waiting."

Dominic nodded, "You're right. Sorry about that."

Hearing their exchange, Cynthia hunched over her phone, suddenly wishing she could disappear into her chair.

Dominic glanced at her—a picture of dejection—then reached for his jacket and headed out the door.

As the door closed behind him, Cynthia bit her lip and stared down at her half-finished order. She suddenly lost her appetite and deleted her selection, settling on a bowl of soup instead.

After placing her order, she exited the app, weighed down by a heavy mood.

Dominic had gone out with Miranda and the Guthries; they'd probably have more social plans that afternoon. If Dominic couldn't join her later at the Tremaines' place, the plans she and her sister had worked out would fall apart.

A dull headache started to build. After a moment's hesitation, she opened her chat with Dominic and typed out a message.

*Mr. Holloway, will you be coming back to the office this afternoon?*