After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 14

“What happened to your neck?” Jessica asked, gently moving ftebecca’s hair aside to reveal a distinct mark. “Don’t tell me that jerk Jeffrey did this?

Rebecca’s hand flew to her neck, surprised that something so brief had left such a visible mark.

Seeing the answer on her friend’s face, Jessica dropped her voice to a whisper. “It was really him?”

“Yes,” Rebecca admitted, her voice barely audible.

“That bastard,” Jessica seethed, her anger boiling over. “He’s dating Andrea while putting his hands on you? What a complete piece of shit!”

Rebecca just nodded in grim agreement.

Jessica was so furious that she even started imagining all sorts of violent retribution.

“I need to ask you something,” Rebecca said after a brief hesitation, deciding to just put it out there.

Jessica’s tone immediately softened. “Anything, you know that.”

“Could I crash at your place for a few days?” Rebecca asked. Even though they were best friends, she always believed in being polite about these things. “I haven’t found a new apartment yet, and I really can’t go back there.”

Jeffrey had changed the passcode, so showing up now would be downright pathetic. Besides, she knew perfectly well she needed to stay away from him.

“Seriously, consider this place your home. Stay as long as you want,” Jessica said. She knew Rebecca could be stubborn, so she dropped the usual lecture. “Here, let’s get your fingerprint set up. That way, you can come and go even if I’m not around.”

Rebecca actually agreed without argument this time.

They had just finished setting up the fingerprint when Jessica’s phone rang. It was her father, urgently summoning her to the office. Though she’d been about to help Rebecca research the diamond collection, she had no choice but to go immediately.

“Go ahead with your business. I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me,” Rebecca said, not wanting to get in the way of her friend’s actual responsibilities.

“Okay, just hang tight here. Text me if anything comes up,” Jessica said, knowing her father only summoned her for big things. “I should be back soon.”

Rebecca murmured in agreement and walked her to the door.

Jessica’s parents had a marriage of convenience. Though they led separate lives after marrying, they both absolutely adored their daughter–Jessica was practically their little princess.

Less than an hour after she left, Rebecca’s phone buzzed with an incoming message from a stranger. [Hello. Is the ring still available?]

Rebecca replied immediately. [Yes.]

called right away. “I’m very interested in the diamond from that ring you have,” he said directly. “If you’re available, I’d like to meet

inquired,

of the Garcia Group, he replied. He then texted her his

quickly verified the details before agreeing. “Where should we meet

Group–everyone said he was one of the good

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20:24 Sun, 14 Sept

Chapter 14

Grand Hotel,” stanley said. “I’m already here for

good,” Rebecca said. “Pll head

49%%%

a great reputation, Rebecca decided to play it safe. She shot Jessica a quick text about where she was going and activated her

buzzed with the

to check it, her father, Eugene Scott, cleared his throat, saying slowly, “Am I that boring already? We just started talking,

explained as she unlocked her phone. “By the way,

the

protested. “What was that

one,” Eugene said, already scrolling through

as “My BFF,” he quickly deleted them

him a confused

oblivious, she asked, “Pick

your phone,” he said with

“If I picked you, your little

quiet, not daring

her parents‘ relationship drama. She just wanted them to stay out of hers.

stalling like he’d been told to.

know,” Jessica

distance from her for a while, and don’t get pulled into any of her problems,” Eugene warned, not wanting her on

just rolled her eyes and called him crazy before walking

went to meet with those two private collectors. If things went well, Rebecca could sell the ring;

both buyers, but neither was

both guys, but neither will touch your ring. They told me Jeffrey had put the

to grab you something to eat