Ch. Called Off the Wedding 14 Called Off the Wedding 14

Chapter 14 

Jocelyn leaned in, eyeing Giselle’s ashen, delicate face with a faint, mocking smile. 

“Women like Miss Channing are rare gems in my uncle’s circle,” she quipped. 

Jocelyn’s uncle was notorious around the city for his decadent lifestyle & 

Giselle trembled, shrinking behind Benedict, her eyes brimming with silent tears, cheeks flushed a raw, painful red. 

Without hesitation, Benedict lifted his arm, shielding her behind him. His gaze turned icy.l 

“Cynthia! That’s enough! When did you become the kind of person who picks on the vulnerable? 

Cynthia’s tone was calm, almost indifferent. “I’ve always been this kind of person. VistaSphere Group didn’t get where it is because I played nice. I cut down anyone who stood in my way” 

Benedict’s face darkened 

Cynthia went on, “And you, Mr. Shepard–what right do you have to judge me? Are you playing the hero, or do you just have a soft spot for damsels in distress?1 

Giselle tugged gently at Benedict’s sleeve. “Mr. Shepard, please don’t fight with Cynthia because of me. Id feel terrible.” 

Her words took the edge out of the room. The men Benedict had brought with him hurried to smooth things over. 

“Miss Tremaine, you’ve misunderstood. We guys tend to joke around like this. There’s nothing going on between Mr. Shepard and Miss Channing.” 

The others quickly chimed in, eager to cover for each other. 

“That’s right. If there really was something, Mr. Shepard would never have brought Miss Channing here to meet you.” 

Cynthia glanced at the men’s ingratiating faces and suddenly felt utterly bored. 

They say you can judge a man by the company he keeps. How true that was.& 

Her desire to argue with Benedict evaporated. The carefully rehearsed words she’d prepared to expose Giselle’s true colors faded from her mind. 

Let them have each other, she thought. She’d do just fine on her own. 

Looking past Benedict and Giselle, Cynthia fixed her eyes on the assistant standing in the for comer 

“Bring me the items from tonight’s auction. 

If seven years of love couldn’t keep him, then she’d take what was rightfully hers–without a shred of guilt.2 

The assistant hesitated, glancing at Benedict. After all, he now worked for Benedict, and nothing happened without his say–so.l 

Benedict gave a small nod, and the assistant turned to fetch the staff, instructing them to deliver the auction items to Cynthia. 

“Miss Tremaine, everything’s here.” 

Cynthia smiled and nodded, then looked to Benedict. “All these were willingly given to me.by Mr. Shepard, correct?” 

Benedict’s jaw lightened at her detached tone, clear imitation clouding his features & 

“What’s mine is yours. If you want something, there’s nothing you can’t have “W 

Cynthia’s voice was cool. “Mr. Shepard and I have already divided our assets. I just want to make sure. Wouldn’t want someone to bat her eyelashes and have you riding in on a white horse, demanding I return them.“ 

Benedict’s expression turned stormy. 

“Enough. Take them. I’m giving them to you willingly.” 

Unbothered, Cynthia thanked him with a polite nod and signaled for the staff to load all the items into her car.|| 

Giselle stood quietly at Benedict’s side, her gaze fixed on one of the items–a jade bracelet. She clenched her jaw. 

Benedict looked down and spoke in a low, firm voice. “Leave the jade bracelet.” 

Cynthia stopped, turned, and flashed a poised smile. 

“Mr. Shepard, you just said all of these were mine now. So, even if I don’t care for them, they still belong to me.”