VANESSA BELMONT
"Thirty million," said Nathan raising his paddle.
"Fifty million," countered Carver. He reached over and chucked me under the chin. I slapped his hand away, and he laughed.
"One hundred million." Nathan glared at Carver and then pointed two fingers upward.
Everyone gasped.
"Mr. Jang has lit the sky lantern," said the auctioneer. "He will add one million dollars to every bid for this necklace."
I glared at Nathan. For Fiona? 100 million dollars and a sky lantern? To give her jewelry? Were almost married men supposed to give millions of dollars worth of jewelry to woman not their wife?
The answer was no. Wow. Just ... wow. I gripped my dress so hard, my knuckles turned white. I am so breaking up with you, Nathan Jang.
Carver nodded at the auctioneer and then at Nathan. "Congratulations to Mr. Jang," he said.
"I hate her," I said, sitting back in my chair and crossing my arms. "Like ... a lot."
"You should," responded Ollie. "She's horrible."
"The horrible-est," agreed Carver.
More items came and went.
I didn't much care about the vases or paintings or that weird duck-watermelon thing that supposedly some popular modern artist created.
In between the selling of the available lots, Ollie and Carver whispered jokes. I covered my mouth to muffle my giggles. But inside, my rib cage felt hollow. My heart felt like it had been wrapped in barbed wire.
Then the sapphire necklace arrived on stage.
Yay! Mine!
As the auctioneer started the bidding, I stood up, waved my paddle, and shouted, "Eleventy-billion dollars!"
Laughter rolled through the crowd, echoing off the high ceilings of the auction hall.
"What's funny?" I asked.
"I believe Miss Belmont meant eleven million dollars." Oliver stood up and firmly pressed my shoulder to force me back into my seat. He plucked the numbered paddle from my hand.
"Hey, I need that! Or someone else will get my necklace!" I cried, trying to rise again.
Carver yanked me down. "Behave," he whispered, his voice rife with amusement. He kept his fingers chained around my wrist.
"Let go," I demanded.
"Only if you stay put," he said.
"Fine," I said grumpily.
He released me. "You're cute when you sulk."
"Shut up."
Ollie reclaimed his seat beside me. "I'll bid for you, Neenie."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he pressed a finger to my lips. "Sshhh."
Defeated, I nodded—then gave him a ridiculous double thumbs-up.
The auctioneer's voice droned on, numbers climbing higher. My heart pounded with each bid, the thrill of competition momentarily outweighing my embarrassment.
Finally, the gavel came down. Oliver helped me to my feet as the room erupted in polite applause.
"That was fun," I said, smoothing my dress. "How much did I pay for the necklace?"
"Thirty-four million."
"What a bargain."
He grinned. "Isn't it?"
"Miss Belmont," said Fiona's soft, sweet, and really annoying voice, "I do hope you're okay."
"What does that mean?" I asked. "Am I bleeding? Foaming at the mouth?" I looked at Ollie in mock horror. "Is one of my limbs going to fall off?" I lifted one of my arms and let it swing.
"I think that only happens to zombies." Ollie patted my shoulder. "You're good."
"Nate has been so worried about you." She clutched his arm, batting her lashes up at my so-called fiancé.
Nathan pulled his arm free of Fiona's grip and put distance between them. Fiona's lips formed a pout and she crossed her arms. I think she wanted to stamp her foot, but she stopped short of showing her true temper.
I looked at Nathan's face. He stared at Carver with an expression I could only call "murderous." Oh, but look ... still gorgeous. "You are very pretty," I told him. Then I turned to the green-tea killer next to him. "I didn't know my fiancé confided in you, Miss Grand."
She looked away, pretending to be embarrassed. Then she glanced at me through her lashes, the slightest smirk on her glossy lips. Would it be gauche to punch her in the face?
"Vanessa, how do you know Carver Haynes?" asked Nathan through clenched teeth.
"We went to primary school together." I pointed at my contract husband. "Carver, this is my fiancé, Nathan Jang. Isn't he pretty?"
"I'll decline to answer that question," said Carver. "Neenie and I have been friends since seventh grade." He looked at me and tapped me on the nose. "Nate and I know each other. We're in the same business circles."
"Oh. I forgot." I nodded toward my nemesis. "Well, do you know Fiona?"
Carver stared at Fiona with an exaggerated expression of confusion. "Who is she?"
"Mistress. I mean, secretary," I said. "No, no. Personal assistant."
"Ah. And what do you assist with, Miss Grand?" asked Carver.
"Whatever Mr. Jang asks of me."
I snickered. Ollie's mouth curled into a snarky smile. Carver offered a long, judgmental pause before saying, "I see."
"I would like to take my fiancé home now." Nate reached out for me.
I reared back, stumbling, and Carver caught me. His hands remained on my shoulders for a few seconds too long.
"I have to pay for my new necklace," I said, my face heating with embarrassment. "Ollie will send me home."
"Or I can," said Carver. "I'm sure you'd like to escort Miss Grand. You don't need to worry about Neenie."
"I'm the only one who gets to worry about her." Nate grabbed me and pulled me close. Then he bent down, looped my arm around his neck, and scooped me into his arms. "I would like a private word with you, Neenie."
He carried me across the ballroom, through the lobby, and into the office behind the check-in counter. After we entered the empty room, Nathan put me down, locked the door, and pushed me against the wall. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked.
"Right now? Getting yelled at by you."
He blew out a breath and rubbed his hand through his hair. "Why did you spend the evening with Carver Haynes?"