Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 284

Miranda nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. I don’t really know her—we’ve hardly ever spoken.”

Viola chimed in from the side, “Well, maybe Cynthia only managed to borrow the dress from Miranda because Juliet and Nick went to school together.”

That would explain why Cynthia looked so uncomfortable earlier when she tried to clarify that there was nothing going on between her and Dominic.

And why Dominic had been so obviously annoyed when he spoke to Jocelyn just now.

So Cynthia must have used Juliet and Dominic’s old school connection as a pretext to ask a favor of Dominic. And Dominic, out of nothing more than a vague sense of obligation to an old classmate, had simply let it slide without exposing Cynthia’s real intentions.

Susan couldn’t help but laugh softly at Viola’s wild theory.

Did Viola even know who Dominic was?

As if a man like him would ever swallow his pride and beg Miranda for a dress on Cynthia’s behalf, all because of some nebulous school friendship. It wasn’t as though he couldn’t afford it himself—or that he didn’t have the pull to get the dress if he really wanted it.

No wonder the Chalfonts didn’t take Viola seriously.

She was hopelessly naïve, letting herself be led astray by Miranda’s casual remarks.

Susan had never been the type to play teacher, so even though she saw right through Miranda’s little scheme, she said nothing. She simply smiled at Miranda.

“Come on, let’s go sit and chat.”

The Guthries and the Kingsleys still had business projects in the pipeline together. For the sake of mutual interests, at least a veneer of friendliness had to be maintained.

As for everything else…well, it was just entertainment at this point.

So Garry wasn’t the least bit worried that Jocelyn might offend Miranda. It was bound to happen eventually—better to get it over with now, and give Miranda a reason to be wary, rather than let her catch them off guard later.

Miranda’s original goal had been to sit right next to Dominic. But now, watching Jocelyn swoop in and take her spot for Cynthia, Miranda’s eyes flashed with irritation. She quickly composed herself, pasted on a fresh smile, and acted as though she didn’t mind at all.

She sat down on Jocelyn’s other side and greeted both Dominic and Garry with practiced warmth. “Dominic, Garry, how long have you two been here?”

Cynthia, now perched on the edge of the couch, was nearly shoved off by Jocelyn’s none-too-gentle maneuvering. She would’ve landed flat on the floor if Dominic hadn’t reacted in time—his arm shot out to steady her, pulling her into his side before she could fall.

The clean, woody scent of his cologne enveloped her, and Cynthia wanted to sink into the floor from embarrassment.

She glared at Jocelyn, silently pleading: For heaven’s sake, girl, there’s no need to push so hard! Can you please dial it back?