After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 13

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Rebecca's thoughts turned to her wedding ring the extravagant piece Jeffrey had custom-designed for their

marriage.

She remembered how thuilled everyone had been when Jeffrey won that one-of-a-kind pink diamond at auction

for her, and how even Jessica had confessed to feeling envious.

Even new, people still talked about what finally becof that diamond.

Rebecca's gaze fell to the wedding ring on her left hand-one she’d somehow never really noticed. After a long

moment of thought, she decided to pawn

i)

It didn’t take long for Jeffrey to catch wind of her plan. He slowly turned the wedding band on his own finger, his

eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. “She’s actually going to sell it,” he murmured, his voice low and cold,

“She’s got nerve.”

He thought it was because he had spoiled her that she now believed she could get away with anything

“Put the word out,” Jeffrey ordered, his tone deceptively even. “Anyone in our circle who so much as looks at

what she’s selling will have to deal with

me.”

His assistant, Gregory Baker, didn’t hesitate. “Consider it done.”

The warning spread through their world within minutes, though everyone made sure to keep Jessica completely

in the dark.

Rebecca couldn't put her finger on why everyone had suddenly lost interest. The questions about the diamond

had stopped as quickly as they had started.

Desperate to sell it, she hit up local jewelry stores, thinking she could find someone to buy the diamond. But

every place shut her down the second they saw what she had.

“This is way out of our league. We don’t deal with pieces like this.”

“We only work with luxury brands. Something this unique is way above our pay grade.”

“You might want to try somewhere else.”

Every shop owner gave her svariation of the sstory.

Running out of options, Rebecca went to Jessica to see if she knew any trustworthy private buyers.

“Why do you ask?” Jessica said, looking surprised. She thought about everything that had been happening lately

and took a wild guess. “Are you trying to sell something?”

Rebecca nodded. “Yeah.”

“But | thought you were really into jewelry,” Jessica said, knowing her friend's taste pretty well.

“I don’t want to wear anything he gave me,” Rebecca said casually. “Might as well get scash for it instead.”

Jessica didn’t argue. Honestly, if sguy had treated her that badly, she'd be dumping all his gifts too.

“Most luxury resale shops would take something like that,” Jessica offered, still not realizing Rebecca meant the

ring. “Letsee what you've got-1 know speople | can ask.”

Rebecca hesitated for just a second before pulling the ring from her bag and handing it over.

Jessica took the small box and popped it open. Her eyes went wide when she saw what was inside. “Wait, you're

selling this?”

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20:24 Sun, 14 Sept & M

Chapter 13

Rebecca just nodded in confirmation.

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“remember when Jeffrey bought this diamond, it was over 30 million,” Jessica said, her voice dropping to an

impressed whisper. “With that custom setting? This ring has to be worth more than 35 million.”

Rebecca nodded slowly as the memories cback to her.

That was what made it worse-remembering how good he’d been to her made his betrayal cut deeper. She

couldn't stand the thought of him sharing the slove with someone else. If what he gave her wasn't special,

then she didn’t want it.

“You're serious?” Jessica asked, needing to hear it again.

“I've thought about it,” Rebecca said, her voice firm. “I'm serious.”

Jessica turned the expensive ring over in her hands. “Are you in skind of trouble?”

Jeffrey had indeed been unfaithful, but Jessica also knew how genuinely he had treated Rebecca in the past.

Knowing her friend's character, she felt certain Rebecca wouldn't part with her wedding ring so hastily unless

something far more urgent was happening.

Thinking of Jeffrey’s threats, Rebecca casually made up an excuse. “No trouble,” she said casually. “I just want to

sell it.”

Jessica watched her, not buying it for a second.

“Holding onto this just makesremember how he used to treatlike | was special,” Rebecca admitted. After

being completely spoiled for so many years, there was no way she could just forget everything in a matter of

days.

He'd always been incredibly thoughtful toward Rebecca, ever since they were kids. Jessica couldn't argue with

that.

Before Andrea cbetween them, Rebecca had genuinely never seen a better man than Jeffrey-whether on

television, in , or among anyone she knew in real life.

He always gave Rebecca the absolute best of everything and took care of every little thing for her himself.

When people said Rebecca didn’t deserve his devotion because she was all looks and no talent, he'd shut that

down immediately. Then he'd calmly tell them, “She’s worth everything | give her.”

Back in those days, everyone in their circle used to talk about how Jeffrey-this sharp, decisive business guy-

turned out to be such a romantic at heart.

Rebecca had truly believed he was devoted only to her. But peoplé could change, and it turned out even

someone who seemed perfect couldn't resist temptation when it appeared.

“Do you know anyone reliable who might want it?” Rebecca asked.

“I might know someone,” Jessica said carefully. “But everyone knows Jeffrey bought this for you. You should

prepare for the possibility that nobody will want to touch it. Even if they do, they won't offer much.”

“I know,” Rebecca replied. She'd already thought this through. “I just need to get at least three hundred

thousand for it.”

Jessica just stared at her, completely speechless.

. . . “

Finally, Jessica sighed. “Look, | know

Jeffrey is a total scumbag for mn

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millions for just three hundred

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Rebecca pressed her lips together, unable to argue. From any practical standpoint, what she was doing made no

financial sense at all.

She needed to get her mom's surgery money together as soon as possible. If she could sell it fast, she wouldn't

think twice, even if it only went for 200 thousand at most.

“I know a couple of collectors,” Jessica said. “Lettext them and see what they say. I'll hit you back if anything

comes through.”

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Chapter 13

Rebecca gave a quiet “Thanks.”

They kept talking until Jessica suddenly got up and headed to her room.

When she cback, she was holding a debit card. “There's about two million in here,” she said. “Look, | know

you don’t want to talk about it, but that’s

what best friends are for.”

“Really, I'm good,” Rebecca insisted. “Just trying to clear out sold stuff.”

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chapter there!

Rebecca's hand paused in mid-air as she found herself at a complete loss for what to do.

“Just take this for emergencies,” Jessica insisted, sensing her friend's distress. “The PIN’s the last six digits of the

card number.”

The card in her purse suddenly felt heavy with meaning. “Jessica...” Rebecca began, her voice trailing off.

“You should prepare for that ring not to sell,” Jessica warned. “You know how Jeffrey gets. Just think what he’ll do

if he finds out you sold it.”

Rebecca knew exactly what Jessica meant, but right now, she couldn't worry about that.

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Jessica's eyes narrowed as they caught sight of the mark on Rebecca's neck.

Under her friend's sudden intense scrutiny, Rebecca asked nervously, “What's wrong?”