Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 370

“Did Miss Chalfont ever tell you what she wanted with your and Cynthia’s wedding photos?”

Benedict didn’t answer Janice’s question. He simply drew his leg back, crossed the room, and stood by the tall windows, gazing out at the city.

He and Cynthia had clawed their way up from a tiny apartment to everything they had now, and he knew better than anyone how much they meant to each other. He would never let Cynthia walk away from him.

He understood perfectly well: if Cynthia left, she’d take half his contacts with her. After so many years fighting tooth and nail in the business world, he knew exactly what was at stake.

Janice watched him, biting her lip when she realized he wasn’t going to discuss it with her.

Before Giselle came into the picture, Benedict used to talk to her about everything—right down to what kind of gift to buy Cynthia for the holidays. Even the address for the marital home he shared with Cynthia had been her suggestion.

But now, he wouldn’t even share his thoughts on something this trivial.

“Benedict…” Janice’s voice wavered. “Don’t you think you owe me an explanation about Giselle?”

Benedict stood ramrod straight, his back still to her as he stared out the window. When she finished speaking, he didn’t turn around.

“Janice, I never promised you—or Cynthia—that I’d only ever have the two of you. So, what sort of explanation are you looking for?”

Janice froze, stunned by his words. She stared at his back, biting her lip so hard it nearly hurt.

“You weren’t always like this,” she said quietly.

Benedict’s smile was low and humorless.

“There are no truly honest men in this world, Janice,” he said. “I fought my way to where I am now, and I intend to enjoy the perks that come with it.”

“Janice, have a little more faith in yourself.”

Janice looked up at him, searching his eyes for any sign of insincerity. But all she found there was tenderness.

She bit her lip, suddenly feeling foolish for even asking. The Ormond family and Benedict’s interests were so deeply entwined now that if one went down, so would the other. Benedict would never have risked that if he didn’t trust her absolutely.

People always said, “Where the money goes, love follows.” She supposed she ought to believe in Benedict’s love for her.

Relief washed over Janice, easing the tension she’d been carrying since her conversation with Cynthia. She leaned her head lightly on Benedict’s shoulder and slipped her arms around his waist.

Her fate would never be the same as Giselle’s. After all, how could Giselle ever compare to her? She and Benedict had over a decade of history between them.