Page 44 of Thorns of Malice

Ivy gapes at me.

I glance at Bobby. "You might want to save your money for your legal fees."

He grinds his molars, and I know he's reached his end. His trust fund's smaller than mine. He's been wasting it in France while I've been growing my empire.

"Lilly, outbid him," Avery encourages.

I don't look at her. I doubt she's going to. Her trust fund doesn't run that deep either.

Lilly shakes her head. "Sorry, I'm out. Although it always looked beautiful on you, Ivy."

"Thanks," Ivy replies, confusing me on their relationship status.

They were friends, yet Lilly set her up too.

They're not friends.

No one is anyone's friend.

Ivy was a friend to me.

She was the only person who was ever genuinely good to me.

I hate myself more.

"Congratulations to our winner, Dax Carrington, for 200 million," the auctioneer booms.

Deafening applause breaks out, and I go up on the stage and hold my hand out, demanding, "Give it to me."

The auctioneer's eyes widen. He hands it to me.

I exit the stage, open the clasp, and put it around Ivy's neck. I lean down. "Avery didn't design this for you. I did. And it's yours."

9

Ivy

Ican't hide my shock. I don't know if I should believe Dax or not. "Don't lie to me," I scoff.

"Idesigned it," Avery insists.

"You're the liar. I spent a month designing that, and you know it," he barks, scowling at her.

I glance toward her.

She's intoxicated, drunker than when she arrived. Her arm's on the table, her head near it, as if she can barely keep it up. She starts to laugh, slurring, "You did design a good one." Then she glances at me. "That necklace does look good on you. Then again, you can wear anything and everyone will want a piece of you."

My insides quiver.

Dax places his palm on my shoulder and gently says my name.

I swallow hard, then meet his eye.

"Let's get out of here, please." There's a plea in his voice, and it tugs at my heart.

Don't fall for him again.

"Yeah, I think it's time to get out of here," Bobby says, rising.

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