Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 283

Viola bit down hard on her lower lip, struggling to believe that Cynthia and Dominic were actually engaged.

“Cynthia, you and Nick…” she started, but the words caught in her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to finish the question. If Cynthia gave her a straight answer in front of everyone, she’d have no way to save face.

Forcing a smile, she switched tactics. “You and Nick seem awfully close.”

Jocelyn shot her a disdainful glance. “And what’s it to you how close they are?”

Viola’s face turned sour at the jab, and she was about to retort when Miss Guthrie’s voice rang out, light and teasing.

“My, it’s lively in here today.”

Viola’s attention snapped toward the newcomers. She stood up and made her way over, masking her annoyance with a bright smile.

“Cousin, Susan, what took you so long?”

Susan gave Viola a quick once-over, then turned to Miranda at her side, a mocking glint in her eyes. “Cousin? Miranda, since when did you get a new cousin?”

Miranda’s lips curled into a polite smile, her tone gentle. “She likes to call me that. Nothing I can do about it.”

Susan let out a soft chuckle, clearly dismissing Viola’s presence. Everyone knew Viola’s aunt had been Miranda’s father’s mistress for years before finally marrying him, but even after clawing her way up, their family was still looked down upon in this circle. Yet Viola was desperate to fit in with girls like Miranda and Susan—even if it meant swallowing every slight and humiliation.

Susan slipped her arm through Miranda’s and the two of them walked right past Viola, barely acknowledging her. Miranda’s gaze drifted across the room and landed on Cynthia’s end of the sofa.

The moment Miranda glanced their way, the girls sitting with Cynthia and Jocelyn on the plush couch—Miss Kingsley and her friends—immediately stood up, eager to greet the pair.

“Miss Kingsley, Miss Guthrie,” they called out in chorus.

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