Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 273

A flawless makeup look takes at least half an hour—if you’re lucky.

Cynthia was only just getting started.

Vernon stood close beside her, so even though his assistant tried to lower her voice, Cynthia could hear every word.

“Miss Kingsley?”

The only person who could make Vernon look this irritated—and ever so slightly uneasy—was Miranda.

After all, Vernon wasn’t exactly a nobody here in the heart of the city. Anyone who could open a two-story studio in this prime neighborhood and represent luxury fashion brands clearly wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

And in this city, who didn’t tread carefully around the Holloways, the Raynes, the Guthries, or the Kingsleys?

Judging from the way his assistant trailed off mid-sentence, Vernon guessed she’d dropped Dominic’s name as a shield. He shot her a sharp glare.

The assistant lowered her head and fell silent.

Cynthia caught the flicker of conflict in Vernon’s eyes.

She pressed her lips together, as if about to speak, but in the end said nothing.

Dominic, still seated on the sofa at the back of the room, noticed the exchange. His voice, low and cool, cut through the tension.

“What’s going on?”

He stood and crossed the room. In the reflection of her makeup mirror, Cynthia watched as he came to stand behind her, leaning down to inspect her face.

Once satisfied, his gaze shifted coldly to Vernon.

Vernon silently motioned for his assistant to leave, then offered a cautious explanation in a low voice.

“It’s nothing. My assistant just wanted to let me know—Miss Kingsley’s on her way over.”

So the whispers of an alliance between the Kingsley and Holloway families weren’t entirely baseless.

Now, seeing Miranda walk in, Vernon’s instincts kicked in. He stepped in front of Cynthia, ready to shield her in case things got ugly—after all, Cynthia was still seated and at a disadvantage.

Miranda beamed, her smile dazzling. She barely glanced at Cynthia, her gaze quickly shifting to Dominic, who sat calmly beside her.

“Dominic, I heard you were here, so I thought I’d drop by.”

Cynthia’s eyes lingered on the mirror, willing herself not to pay attention. But as Miranda walked toward Dominic, she couldn’t help but watch.

Dominic’s expression was cool, his eyes less icy than usual as he responded with practiced ease.

“Yeah? Are you here for a styling appointment too? Doesn’t the Kingsley family have a personal stylist just for you?”

Miranda laughed. “If you wear the same look every day, even the best style gets boring. It’s like eating the same meal over and over—you just lose your appetite.”