Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 182

"Unless, of course, the Tremaines are willing to compensate Mr. Holloway with a wife."

A chorus of scoffs rippled through the crowd.

"With the Tremaines in their current state, if Juliet herself offered to marry Mr. Holloway, I doubt he'd even want her."

Cynthia and Dominic stood just beyond the ornate foyer screens at the entrance to the Tremaines' estate, the elegant divider shielding them from view. The guests gossiping so brazenly had no idea the very subjects of their conversation were right behind them.

Cynthia listened to the laughter and idle talk, her mood growing heavier by the second. She glanced sideways at the man beside her. Dominic's expression was unreadable, cold and composed. Without a word, he stepped out from behind the screen and into the open.

Cynthia hurried to catch up.

The moment the two of them appeared, the group that had been mocking the Tremaines fell abruptly silent. After an awkward beat, someone recovered their composure and stepped forward, eager and deferential.

"Mr. Holloway, welcome."

With the ice broken, others followed suit, gravitating toward Dominic.

A short distance away, Juliet observed the commotion. The corners of her mouth curved in a barely perceptible smile as she raised her champagne glass in Cynthia and Dominic's direction.

A waiter approached with a tray of drinks. Dominic smoothly picked up a glass of champagne and handed it to Cynthia. She accepted it.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Dominic glanced down at her, eyes cool, then picked up another glass for himself. He raised it in Juliet's direction, drained it in one go, and set the empty glass aside.

For the first time that evening, Juliet's tense posture relaxed. She took a delicate sip of her own drink, then turned away to rejoin the conversation with other guests. She made no effort to greet Dominic, nor did she try to curry his favor. Juliet knew perfectly well that as long as her sister stood by his side, Dominic would be drawn in of his own accord.

Even without any special attention from the hosts, Dominic was the center of the room—the most sought-after man there.

Cynthia nodded.

She wasn't the only one—others around them nodded as well, following her lead. It made for a slightly comical scene, but it felt natural.

Dominic reached out and flicked Cynthia lightly on the forehead. "It's just idle talk over drinks. Don't take it too seriously. If you want real information, you'll have to put in more effort."

The casual gesture lent a sudden, subtle intimacy to their interaction.

Cynthia stared at him, caught off guard, her heart tightening inexplicably.

What was going on with him?

He knew perfectly well that she and her sister were using him, yet he played along without hesitation.