Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 49

Giselle didn't go silent this time. Instead, she fired back, openly defiant.

"Cynthia, you must already know what's been going on between me and Benedict, right? If you're so obsessed with living your best life, why can't you let go of Benedict?"

Cynthia stared at the message with a blank expression. Then, mimicking Giselle's style, she replied:

"Miss Channing, I think you also know that Benedict has only ever wanted to keep you as a secret, never daring to let me catch even a glimpse of what's between you two. You're so desperate to confront me—maybe because what you want from Benedict is something he just can't give you?"

After that, Giselle didn't reply again.

But Cynthia wasn't satisfied. She decided to stoke the fire a little more and sent another message:

"I actually enjoy watching you scramble, while Benedict tries so hard to cover his tracks around me. You can't even let him know you've contacted me, so how do you have the nerve to question me, Miss Channing? Honestly, you're almost funny."

Once she hit send, the locksmith arrived at Cynthia's cottage. She put her phone away and didn't bother to check for any more messages.

On the other end, Giselle read Cynthia's words, her jaw clenched so tightly her hand was shaking around her phone. She was flushed with anger, unable to find any outlet.

Suddenly, she ripped off the gold bracelet from her wrist and hurled it to the floor.

Outside the room, Lois heard the commotion and came over, pushing at the door.

"Giselle, what are you doing in there? You didn't fall, did you? Oh, honey, you need to be more careful—don't go hurting my precious grandchild."

Giselle took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain composure. She stooped to pick the bracelet up from the floor.

"It's nothing, Aunt Lois. I just dropped something."

Lois's tone was tinged with reproach. "Open this door, will you? Why are you locking yourself in the middle of the day? I need to keep an eye on you."

"Aunt Lois, there's something wrong with the bracelet you gave me."

She lifted her wrist, showing Lois the spot where the silver shone through beneath the gold.

"It's just gold-plated, isn't it?"

Lois hadn't expected her to catch on so quickly. For a moment, her expression faltered, but she quickly regained her composure and went on the offensive.

"You've only had that bracelet for an hour and you've already managed to damage it?"

Giselle was caught off guard by how sharply Lois turned the tables. She stood there, momentarily speechless.

Lois, seeing her hesitate, pressed her advantage.