Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 283

Viola bit down hard on her lower lip, struggling to believe that Cynthia and Dominic were actually engaged.

“Cynthia, you and Nick…” she started, but the words caught in her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to finish the question. If Cynthia gave her a straight answer in front of everyone, she’d have no way to save face.

Forcing a smile, she switched tactics. “You and Nick seem awfully close.”

Jocelyn shot her a disdainful glance. “And what’s it to you how close they are?”

Viola’s face turned sour at the jab, and she was about to retort when Miss Guthrie’s voice rang out, light and teasing.

“My, it’s lively in here today.”

Viola’s attention snapped toward the newcomers. She stood up and made her way over, masking her annoyance with a bright smile.

“Cousin, Susan, what took you so long?”

Susan gave Viola a quick once-over, then turned to Miranda at her side, a mocking glint in her eyes. “Cousin? Miranda, since when did you get a new cousin?”

Miranda’s lips curled into a polite smile, her tone gentle. “She likes to call me that. Nothing I can do about it.”

Susan let out a soft chuckle, clearly dismissing Viola’s presence. Everyone knew Viola’s aunt had been Miranda’s father’s mistress for years before finally marrying him, but even after clawing her way up, their family was still looked down upon in this circle. Yet Viola was desperate to fit in with girls like Miranda and Susan—even if it meant swallowing every slight and humiliation.

Susan slipped her arm through Miranda’s and the two of them walked right past Viola, barely acknowledging her. Miranda’s gaze drifted across the room and landed on Cynthia’s end of the sofa.

The moment Miranda glanced their way, the girls sitting with Cynthia and Jocelyn on the plush couch—Miss Kingsley and her friends—immediately stood up, eager to greet the pair.

“Miss Kingsley, Miss Guthrie,” they called out in chorus.

Miranda’s expression didn’t change; her smile remained as serene as ever. Susan, on the other hand, looked genuinely surprised.

She’d been back in the country for five years and had never once seen Dominic bring a woman to one of these events. Her gaze flickered over Cynthia with open curiosity, but not a hint of malice.

Cynthia caught her eye and offered a polite, composed smile—a subtle greeting, but one that made it clear she wasn’t about to fawn over anyone.

Susan arched an eyebrow, a little impressed by Cynthia’s poise. It wasn’t every day someone from the Tremaine family held their head high; these days, they could barely even score an invite to sit at the same table as the likes of Miranda and Susan.

Miranda noticed Susan’s interest and said with a light laugh, “If Dominic wants something, there’s not much anyone can do. Who’d have guessed it would end up on Miss Tremaine?”

Susan gave a quiet, drawn-out “Oh?” and replied coolly, “I heard Miss Tremaine and Dominic went to school together.”