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.]

interested in the diamond from that ring you have,” he said directly. “If you’re available, I’d

who’s calling?” Rebecca inquired, never/comfortable meeting strangers

Group, he replied. He then texted her his business card

details before agreeing. “Where should

about Stanley from the Garcia Group–everyone said he was one of the good guys with a solid reputation. That made her feel better

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20:24 Sun, 14 Sept

Chapter 14

2801 at Jelasburg Grand Hotel,” stanley said.

said. “Pll

49%%%

play it safe. She shot Jessica a quick text about where she was going and activated her phone’s emergency SOS feature. From experience, she knew that truly trustworthy

buzzed with

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

she unlocked her phone. “By the way, why did

smoothly plucked the phone from

protested. “What was that

one,” Eugene said, already scrolling through

BFF,” he quickly deleted them before she could notice, knowing they were from

gave him a confused

asked, “Pick one

or your phone,” he said with a straight

back. “If I picked you, your little side pieces would probably talk trash about me

not daring

just wanted them to stay out of hers.

been told to. “You know

know,” Jessica

her problems,” Eugene warned, not wanting her on Jeffrey’s radar. “I know you two are close, but

rolled her eyes and called him crazy before walking

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

an hour later, Jessica was done meeting with both buyers,

sent Rebecca a voice note. “So I talked to both guys, but neither will touch your ring. They told me Jeffrey had put

she added, “Want me to grab you something to eat on my