Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 31

Dominic reached over and took the phone from her hand. His long, elegant fingers brushed lightly across her palm, leaving a tingle in their wake.

He quickly withdrew, his expression unreadable as he glanced down at the screen. Under the words "Game Over," he tapped confirm and exited the app.

Cynthia pressed her lips together, hesitating for a moment before speaking softly.

"If you want, I could show you how to play."

Dominic raised an eyebrow. "Show me?"

There was doubt in his voice.

Those deep, narrowed eyes never left her, as if he was sizing up her abilities.

Something about his gaze sparked her competitive streak. Cynthia grabbed her phone, determined to prove herself.

"I'm a great strategist—got top rankings with several champions," she announced, unlocking her phone and searching for the game to back up her claim.

But as she scrolled through her apps, she realized she'd deleted the game a while ago.

Dominic's gaze was still burning on the top of her head. When she failed to find the app, he let out a short, low laugh.

It wasn't mocking, but it still stung.

Cynthia took a steadying breath and opened the app store to re-download the game.

"It's just a game. Downloading again won't take long," she said, trying to sound casual despite her embarrassment.

But Dominic's expression darkened as he put away her phone.

"If you've already quit, there's no need to force yourself to pick it up again," he said. "I know Miss Tremaine isn't one to do things she doesn't want to."

Cynthia blinked, caught off guard. She was about to protest that she didn't feel forced, but before she could speak, Dominic looked away. He plucked a cigarette from the pack on the table, stood, and walked out onto the balcony.

He stood at a distance, his attitude cool and unmistakably detached.

Cynthia felt a cold knot tighten in her chest as the real meaning of Dominic's words sank in.

Years ago, she'd insisted on staying in Cloudcrest City—going so far as to sever ties with her family and choose Benedict over the Tremaines. She'd sworn she'd never force herself to do anything she didn't want.

Dominic had always been groomed by the Holloways as their heir, raised in privilege, surrounded by admiration. To be rejected by a fiancée he'd never even met was probably the first real defeat he'd ever experienced.

Cynthia could still remember, after the Tremaines and the Holloways called off the engagement, her sister's warning—she'd humiliated the Holloway family, and as a result, they cut all business ties with the Tremaines.

Given their history, it was true—they weren't exactly ideal business partners.

Cynthia looked down, silently berating herself for being so rash today.

She should have confirmed whether Dominic was truly interested in acquiring VistaSphere Group before coming, or better yet, let her sister handle the sale. That would have been much easier.