Ch. Called Off the Wedding 27 Called Off the Wedding 27

Chapter 27 

Which side of him was real?8 

Cynthia no longer knew. 

Seeing her finally softep, Benedict loosened his grip on her hand. Bending down, he gently tapped her nose and murmured, “Even if you’re still angry, you need to let me take care of your wound first. I won’t let you punish me by hurting yourself.” 

He tried to lead her toward his office, but Cynthia recoiled at the thought.!! 

The idea of being in his office made her sick. 

His hand was still clamped firmly around her wrist. She tried to pull away, but his hold was unyielding. In a low voice, she said, “The Infirmary.” 

Benedict paused, noting the look of disgust and stubbornness on her face. Something uneasy flickered through him. Left with no choice, he relented and led her to the medical room. 

As soon as they reached the door, Cynthia yanked her hand free and walked inside without looking back. 

Benedict followed silently and stood nearby, watching as the nurse cleaned her wound. The moment Cynthia winced at the sting of the antiseptic, Benedict shot the nursé a warning glare and snapped, “Gently.” 

Yes, Mr. Shepard. The nurse replied with a quick, nervous smile, finishing up as quickly as possible. After a few instructions, she quietly slipped out, leaving the room to just the two of them. 

Benedict frowned, gazing at Cynthia’s freshly bandaged hand, worry clouding his eyes & 

His phone rang–again, that gratingly sweet pop song. Cynthia’s expression soured instantly as she glanced at him 

“Aren’t you going to answer?“2 

He silenced the call, moving closer to her with a careless shrug. “It’s nothing important. Doesn’t need a reply.” 

Cynthia gave a cold laugh. “Is that so? Because when you left with me, Miss Channing was still kneeling on the floor, looking absolutely pitiful.” 

“Where she kneels has nothing to do with me‘ Benedict’s expression didn’t even flicker, his tone flat and unreadable. 

Cynthia smiled and drawled, “I may not come into the office that often these days, but my reputation here still counts for something. Even if I say nothing and do nothing, there are plenty of people eager to please me who’d be happy to make things difficult for Miss Channing on my behalf. If she’s calling you, maybe she needs help. Aren’t you worried she’ll run into trouble?” 

Benedict’s brow creased, irritation flickering in his deep–set eyes. “Cynthia, I only kept her around because I felt sorry for her. She reminded me of you, fresh out of college, fighting to survive no matter what. I thought you’d called Valmont Holdings and had Jenny fire her, so I let her stay–put her at a desk in your office, out of spite.” 

He paused, voice heavy. “All these years, I’ve felt guilty for not being able to protect you back then, for letting you get battered by the corporate world. That’s why I showed her some sympathy.” 

Sympathy? 

Cynthia almost laughed aloud. 

“How considerate of you, Mr. Shepard. Your sympathy even extends to meeting her personal needs.” 

Benedict’s eyes narrowed. “Where did you hear that gossip? 

Cynthia replied coolly. “Straight from the source.“} 

Benedict’s face hardened, his features turning grave. “Cynthia, we’ve been together for years. When VistaSphere Group was just starting to take off, people sent plenty of women my way–many of them more beautiful or more alluring than her. Did I ever give in?“8 

Cynthia stayed silent. 

Back then, he had resisted countless temptations. That used to be enough for her to believe that the man she chose was different from 

the rest! 

But now, as she watched him jusufy himself so smoothly, spinning lie after lie, all she felt was disappointment