Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 96

There was truly nothing left between her and Benedict—not a shred of sentiment, not even the pretense of it.

"Honestly, we brothers never intended to get mixed up in this kind of business again," the man said, his tone half-apologetic, half-defensive. "But Mr. Channing's offer was just too good to refuse."

He hesitated, then added, "Besides, he claimed he's already made connections with Mr. Holloway. Promised that if we help him out this time and he makes it big, he won't forget us. Said we'd be living the good life right alongside him."

Dominic let out a cold, humorless laugh. "How much did he offer you?"

"Three hundred grand."

Three hundred thousand dollars.

For men like them—drifters with nothing to lose—getting paid that much to have a little fun? Why not? It wasn't even their first time doing something like this. Worst case, they'd take a few months off overseas, come back when things cooled down.

Cynthia's hands, hanging at her sides, balled into tight fists.

Three hundred thousand—that was exactly the amount Zachary had told her to bring.

He wanted to use her own money to pay these men to hurt her.

His heart was rotten—vile, through and through.

She hefted the bag of cash she'd left at the door and tossed it at the men's feet.

Dominic gave her a sidelong glance, then flicked his eyes at his men, signaling them to release the captive.

The man was let go. He reached for the money bag, still in disbelief, and asked cautiously, "So… what exactly do you want us to do?"

Cynthia's voice was steady. "Get Zachary to meet you. Then, whatever stunt he wanted you to pull on me—do it to him instead."

The man hesitated, looking embarrassed. "But… none of us swing that way."

As he moved through the dim entryway, the harsh scar that slashed across his face came into view.

Anyone born and raised in Cloudcrest City would recognize him at once. Larkin Whitaker—Scarred Larkin. Years ago, he'd been the undisputed king of the city's underworld. Even if his glory days had faded, he still commanded a loyal crew ready to do whatever he asked, no questions.

Larkin's gaze swept across the room and landed on Cynthia.

Sensing the danger this man radiated, Dominic quietly reached for Cynthia's wrist and drew her to his side, shielding her.

But Cynthia squeezed Dominic's wrist, urging him to relax, and stepped forward to greet Larkin herself.

"Mr. Whitaker, I'm sure you heard everything they said just now. I can only assume you're here because you have no intention of letting the person who hurt Miss Whitaker walk away unpunished."

Larkin removed his hat and handed it to the man behind him.

"My thanks to you, Miss Tremaine," he said, his voice gravelly. "If not for you, we'd never have discovered that the one who made my Pearl suffer had been hiding right under our noses all along."