Chapter 11
Noelia was stepping out of her Uber at the auction house when Zendaya called.
Zendaya had been her ride–or–die since they were kids.
“Girl, you here yet?”
“Yeah, just walked in. Where you at?”
Scanning the crowd, Noelia spotted a familiar figure waving frantically. Her face lit up. “Never mind, I see you.”
She hung up and hurried over.
“Oh my God, I’ve missed you so much!” They hadn’t seen each other in forever, and Zendaya practically launched herself into Noelia’s arms.
Noelia laughed, squeezing her back.
“So I did some digging on that emerald set you wanted,” Zendaya said. “Starting bid’s gonna be around two–point–two mil.”
Noelia did the math–as long as it stayed under five million, she could swing it.
That emerald jewelry set was for her grandmother’s seventieth birthday. No matter what, she was getting it.
People were filing in as the auction got ready to start.
6
“Holy shit, Noelia, look!”
Zendaya suddenly grabbed her shoulder, pointing across the room.
“That guy looks exactly like Leister!”
“And who the hell is that chick hanging all over him?!”
Noelia’s brain short–circuited as she followed Zendaya’s gaze, her world tilting-
Across the room, some guy had his arm wrapped around a woman, whispering in her ear like they were the only two people alive.
They were rocking matching baseball caps and designer sunglasses, trying to fly under the radar.
But Noelia knew exactly who they were,
Leister and Anita.
She dug her nails into her palms hard enough to draw blood.
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Chapter 11
So this is his big emergency. This is what was more important than lunch with Grandma.
Another fucking lie.
Zendaya was about to march over there and cause a scene when she noticed tears welling up in Noelia’s eyes.
“Don’t,” Noelia said quietly, catching her arm.
Zendaya’s face went through about fifteen different emotions–shock, rage, disbelief. She’d always thought Leister was the one guy who’d never pull this shit.
“When did this start? How is he being this fucking brazen? What about all that bullshit he promised at your wedding?”
“God, men are such trash!”
Noelia tilted her head back, fighting for control before gripping Zendaya’s arm and spilling everything.
She’d planned to tell both Zendaya and Tyler about the divorce when Tyler got back from his business trip.
But since Zendaya had witnessed this train wreck firsthand, no point keeping secrets anymore.
After hearing the whole story, Zendaya sat there speechless before pulling Noelia into a fierce hug.
You’re absolutely doing the right thing! I can’t wait to see how pathetic he is when reality hits!”
Noelia’s smile was pure bitter irony.
Yeah, she was pretty curious too. When Leister opened that ‘gift,‘ would he be thrilled to finally run off with his side piece? Or would he realize he’d fucked up the best thing in his life?
The auction kicked off.
First item up was this incredible piece–a rare pink diamond necklace that looked like it belonged in a museum. Every detail was perfection.
Starting bid: one million.
Noelia had actually tried to buy this piece privately before.
What were the fucking odds of finding it here?
She raised her paddle. “One point one.”
“One point one five.”
“One point three.”
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Baby Ex Don’t Cry, I’m Smiling at My Wedding with Tycoon Knight
Chapter 11
Bids started flying.
“One–point–five.” Noelia raised her paddle again, dead set on winning this.
The auctioneer lifted his gavel. “One–point–five going once, going twice…”
Noelia started to relax.
Just as the deal was about to close, a deep voice cut through the room like a knife.
Leister raised his paddle. “Two million!”
Noelia’s breath caught as she looked over-
Anita was draped all over Leister’s neck, planting kisses on his cheek. “Baby, you’re amazing!”
He pinched her nose playfully, grinning like an idiot. “You’re my princess, gorgeous. Who else am I gonna spoil?”
His sickeningly sweet voice felt like acid in Noelia’s ears.
She could still remember when he’d moved mountains to get her this exact same piece years ago.
Twitter had lost its mind over it:
Modern day fairy tale: CEO drops millions on jewelry for his wife ? #CoupleGoals #TrueLove]
She’d been so stupidly happy then.
Now he’d not only completely forgotten, but was using her dream necklace to play sugar daddy to his mistress.
This is fucking disgusting!” Zendaya hissed. “He knows damn well you wanted that piece! And he’s buying it for that homewrecking slut?”
“Whatever.”
Really. Whatever.
What I want, I’ll fight for myself.
She raised her paddle. “Two–point–three!”
“Three million!”
Leister’s voice boomed across the room.
A million–dollar piece going for triple.
Way beyond what Noelia could afford.
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Baby Ex Don’t Cry I’m Smiling at My Wedding with Tycoon Knight
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Chapter 11
Zendaya grabbed her own paddle, ready to keep fighting.
Noelia quickly stopped her. “Don’t.”
Leister was clearly going all–in for his precious Anita. No point burning money they didn’t have.
The pink diamond necklace went to Leister for three million.
Across the room. Anita was practically dry–humping him with excitement while he stroked her hair like she was some prized pet.
“I swear on my life,” Zendaya seethed, “I’m gonna live to see that bastard get what’s coming to him!”
The next couple items also went to Leister, drawing envious whispers from the crowd.
Noelia watched their nauseating PDA display, watched Leister openly worship his side piece.
The humiliation was choking her.
Like getting your heart ripped out layer by layer.
So much for true love lasting forever.
Finally, her emerald set came up.
‘Starting at two–point–two million!”
Three million!” Leister immediately jumped the bid by eight hundred grand.
The auctioneer chuckled. “Our generous buyer strikes again! Spoiling the missus, are we? What a devoted husband!”
Husband. The word made Noelia want to puke.
She raised her paddle. “Three–point–five.”
The bidding war was brutal.
Noelia pushed to four point five, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Across the room, Anita was whispering something in Leister’s car.
He laughed and squeezed her waist before casually raising his paddle.
“Five–point–five million!”
Game over.
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Rabu Fy Don’t Cry In Smiling at My Wedding with Tycoon Knight
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Chapter 11
Noelia’s face went white as her death grip on the paddle left marks in her palm.
She watched Leister take Anita’s hand, protecting her like she was made of glass…
Hot tears burned behind her eyes.
“That piece of shit!” Zendaya spat. “And that gold–digging whore isn’t any better!”
Noelia let the paddle fall, red welts scoring her palm.
She stood like a robot, pulling Zendaya up with her.
“Let’s get out of here.”
“What about your grandmother’s gift?”
“I’ll find something else.”
Though Noelia tried to sound casual, Zendaya knew she’d been obsessing over that emerald set for months.
How could she just give up like that?
After leaving the auction house, Noelia waved off Zendaya’s offer to hang out and caught an Uber home alone.
Walking through her front door, she stopped dead at what she saw in the living room.
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