Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 24

"Mr. Shepard, you don't seriously think that just because we're about to get married, VistaSphere Group is suddenly yours alone, do you?"

As Cynthia's words settled into the room, the temperature seemed to plummet. Everyone averted their eyes, pretending to be absorbed in their paperwork, desperate not to catch the attention of either party.

Benedict met her gaze with a cold, unyielding stare. Cynthia, unfazed, simply offered him a slight, composed smile and continued, her tone even and unhurried.

"I'm here today about the issue with Valmont Holdings. The project is only halfway through—if we pull out now, we'll hurt both Valmont Holdings and VistaSphere Group. I expect everyone here to put the company first, not let their personal feelings cost us millions."

Her eyes swept over the department heads, her voice carrying a quiet authority.

"We all have a responsibility to act in the company's best interest."

No one looked up. Heads hung even lower, and not a single person spoke.

Benedict, seated at the head of the table, toyed with his wedding band, his voice low and terse. "Meeting adjourned."

With those words, people all but bolted from the room, fleeing as if escaping a sinking ship.

Soon, only Cynthia, Benedict, and Giselle remained.

Giselle stood up quickly, eager to be useful. "I'll go make Cynthia some tea."

Cynthia ignored her, her gaze sharp and unwavering as it locked onto Benedict.

She'd only been away from the company for six months, yet now everyone in VistaSphere Group followed Benedict's orders without question. Maybe they thought that, no matter how capable she was, she'd never get past Benedict—she'd just become another well-heeled wife, living in her husband's shadow.

Benedict, noticing the storm in Cynthia's eyes, rose from his chair and strode over, bracing one hand on the conference table. His tall figure loomed over her.

Benedict frowned, his expression unreadable.

After a moment, he spoke quietly, almost wearily. "What could I possibly have with her? I just felt sorry for a young woman getting bullied as soon as she started her career. It reminded me of you, back then. That's why I hired her. If you want her gone, I can arrange it."

From the doorway came the sharp sound of shattering china. Giselle had spilled scalding tea over her hand, her skin turning an angry red. She gasped, biting back a cry, and looked to Benedict with wide, tearful eyes, as vulnerable as a wounded fawn.

Benedict's concern was instant—his gaze darted to her, his body half-turning in her direction. But after taking just a single step, he stopped, struggling to mask the conflict in his eyes.

A man whose heart has shifted can't hide it, not even in the smallest gestures.

How arrogant did Benedict have to be to think she'd ever believe such clumsy lies?