Ch. Called Off the Wedding 12 Called Off the Wedding 12

Chapter 12 

The event organizers were quick 

ck on their feet, arriving promptly auction item at the same time! 

ptly with a portable card reader for Cynthia to pay, a 

and handing over her 

As soon as she finished signing the receipt, Cynthia’s attention was drawn back to the stage. Another piece was being introduced by the auctioneer–a gemstone riecklace that once belonged to her mother?! 

Without a moment’s hesitation, she raised her paddle. 

This time, Benedict wasn’t about to let her win so easily. After a few rounds of bidding, he signaled an irrevocable bid–guaranteeing he would match any price, no matter how high, and would remain the highest bidder until the end. 

A buzz of whispers swept through the crowd 

e was no response: 

Cynthia lowered her hand in defeat and stood to knock on the partition separating her from the suite next door. There the partition remained closed 

the necklace’s 

ce’s actual worth. 

Moments later, another bidder entered the fray, and the price soared–far beyond 

Benedict’s signal meant he was committed; no matter how high the bidding went, he would not back down. The auction had reached its fever pitch. 

In the end, Benedict won the necklace for thirty million dollars. 

The plece itself was worth no more than two million. 

Jocelyn let out a low whistle. “Has he lost his mind? 

Cynthia rubbed her forehead, suddenly uninterested in anything else the auction had to offer.” 

“That was my mother’s necklace. I need to go.” 

Jocelyn immediately stood as well. Til come with you.” 

Cynthia shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I can handle this.” 

She stepped out of the suite alone. At the same moment, the doors to the neighboring suites swung open as well. 

From the left, a group emerged, led by a man in a charcoal shirt. The warm golden light from the hallway cast highlights along the broad shoulders and narrow waist beneath his clothes. 

Several sharply dressed businessmen trailed after him like satellites orbiting a planet, but it was his unstudied confidence and the magnetic charm in each stride that drew every eye. 

Cynthia recognized him instantly. It was the man she’d rear–ended not long ago. 

“Mr. Holloway she called out, forcing herself to sound composed. 

Dominic Holloway nodded politely as he passed her. “Good evening.” 

His voice was cool, giving away nothing. 

Something heavy settled in Cynthia’s chest–embarrassment, mostly, with an undercurrent of something that stung a little deeper.!! 

If she’d never met Benedict seven years ago, according to the arrangement between the Tremaines and the Holloways, she and Dominic would have been married by now. 

The man she’d once thrown everything away for was now flaunting some other woman on his arm, stirring up drama at the auction while Dominic was just next door. There was no way he hadn’t heard.§ 

Cynthia’s cheeks burned with shame.2 

Benedict soon emerged as well.I 

He’d already been informed that his rival for the necklace was none other than Dominic. 

His assistant, carrying the newly–won necklace, took Benedict’s subtle cue and brought it over to Dominic. 

“Mr. Holloway, our Mr. Shepard heard you were interested in this piece. He asked me to deliver it to you as a gift” 

Thirty million dollars was a small price to pay for on Introduction to Dominic Holloway. For VistaSphere Group, it was a bargain. 

Benedict always knew how to weigh his options. 

Dominic glanced at the necklace, then looked down at Cynthia, his eyes cold and cutting. 

“This is what you want?” he said, voice laced with meaning. 

The others didn’t catch the implication, but Cynthia felt the sting. 

Her face flushed hot, and she couldn’t meet his gaze. His eyes were relentless, making her want to shrink away. 

Chapter 12 

Benedict’s assistant shifted awkwardly, caught between offering the necklace and withdrawing it 

Dominic made no move to accept the gift Instead, he looked across the room to Benedict 

“I don’t take what belongs to someone else. Thank you, Mr. Shepard, but I think you should keep the necklace for yourself.”