CHAPTER 4

An hour later, the lights in the ballroom dimmed and a spotlight illuminated a small stage at the far end of the room. A man in an expensive tuxedo stepped up to the microphone with a practiced smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention please. The charity auction will begin shortly. Please take your seats."

Nyla watched as people started moving toward the rows of chairs that had been set up facing the stage. Eric was still watching her from across the room with that suspicious look on his face.

Nyla found a seat near the middle of the room where she had a clear view of everything. Eric and Lisa sat three rows ahead of her, their heads close together like conspirators. Which they were. Nyla could see Lisa's hand resting on Eric's thigh, her fingers moving in small circles that were way too intimate for just friends.

In her previous life, Nyla had stayed home that night. She had trusted Eric when he said the event would be boring. She had believed him when he said Lisa was just helping with business connections. She had been so stupid.

The auctioneer stepped up to the microphone. "Welcome everyone! Tonight we have some truly spectacular items to auction off, with all proceeds going to the Children's Medical Foundation. Shall we begin?"

Applause rippled through the crowd.

"Our first item tonight is this stunning diamond necklace from Cartier." A woman in a black dress walked across the stage carrying a velvet box. She opened it to reveal a necklace that sparkled under the lights like captured stars. "The starting bid is one million dollars."

People started raising their paddles. The price climbed quickly. One point two million. One point five million. One point eight million.

Then Lisa turned around in her seat and looked at Eric with those big, pleading eyes that men always fell for. "Oh Eric, it is so beautiful. I have never seen anything like it."

Eric barely hesitated. He raised his paddle. "Two million."

The auctioneer's eyes lit up. "Two million dollars! Do I hear two point two?"

Silence. Nobody wanted to compete with Eric Harper. He had a reputation for getting what he wanted, no matter the cost.

"Sold! To Mr. Harper for two million dollars!"

Lisa practically squealed with excitement. She threw her arms around Eric's neck and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, thank you! You are so generous!"

Nyla's hands clenched in her lap. She remembered now. In her previous life, Eric had come home from this event and told her he spent two million on a business investment. She had believed him. She had actually praised him for being so smart with money. Meanwhile, he had been buying expensive jewelry for his mistress right in front of hundreds of people, and everyone knew except her.

The rage burning in Nyla's chest was so hot she could barely breathe.

"Our next item is a vintage watch collection from the estate of Mr. Jonathan Price." The auctioneer gestured to a display case being wheeled onto the stage. "Six rare timepieces, some dating back to the 1800s. Starting bid is five hundred thousand dollars."

The bidding was slower this time. These were collector's items, not something most people wanted. The price climbed to eight hundred thousand, then stalled.

Lisa turned to Eric again. "Those watches would look so handsome on you. And they are an investment, right? They will only increase in value."

Eric raised his paddle. "One million dollars."

"Sold!"

Lisa clapped her hands like a child on Christmas morning. Other people in the audience were starting to whisper and glance in their direction. Some looked amused. Some looked uncomfortable. Everyone could see what was happening. Eric Harper was spending millions on his mistress while his wife sat at home like an idiot.

Except tonight, his wife was right here watching every disgusting second of it.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, our next item is quite unique." The auctioneer's voice took on a different tone. "A large plot of undeveloped land on the eastern edge of the city. Approximately fifty acres. Currently zoned for agricultural use."

A murmur went through the crowd. Agricultural land? At a charity auction?

A image of the property appeared on a screen behind the stage. It looked barren and useless, just empty dirt surrounded by nothing.

"The starting bid is ten million dollars."

People actually laughed. Ten million for worthless land in the middle of nowhere? Who would be stupid enough to pay for that?

But Nyla knew. She knew that in exactly six months, the government would announce plans for a new highway and commercial development zone. That worthless land would suddenly be worth a hundred times what it cost. In her previous life, Eric had bought this land and made a fortune from it. That money had funded his affair with Lisa, paid for their secret vacation to Paris, and eventually paid for the modifications to Nyla's car that made the brakes fail.

This land had literally paid for Nyla's murder.

Not this time.

"Ten million?" The auctioneer looked around hopefully. "Anyone?"

Silence.

"Surely someone sees the potential here. Do I hear ten million?"

More silence. People were checking their phones, clearly bored and ready for the next item.

Nyla raised her paddle. "Twenty million dollars."

Every head in the room turned to stare at her. The whispers started immediately, louder this time. Eric twisted around in his seat, his face dark red with anger. Lisa's mouth had fallen open in shock.

The auctioneer blinked in surprise. "Twenty million! We have twenty million! Do I hear twenty five?"

"What the hell are you doing?" Eric stood up and walked back to where Nyla was sitting. His voice was low and furious. "That land is worthless. Everyone knows it. Why would you bid twenty million on garbage?"

"Maybe I see potential that you do not," Nyla said calmly.

"With what money? You do not have twenty million just sitting around!"

"Actually, I do." Nyla smiled. "Or have you forgotten about my trust fund? The one from my grandmother that you have been trying to get me to sign over to you for the past two years?"

Eric's face went even redder. "We will talk about this at home."

"Twenty million going once!" the auctioneer called out.

"Twenty million going twice!"

Just as the auctioneer was about to bring down his gavel, the doors at the back of the ballroom opened. A man walked in, tall and commanding, wearing a suit that probably cost more than most people's cars. Every person in the room turned to look at him.

Nyla's breath caught. She knew who this was. She had seen his face in magazines and business articles throughout her previous life, always as the man Eric obsessed over and hated.

Cameron.

He walked down the center aisle with confident steps, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on the stage. Then he raised his hand casually, like he was hailing a taxi.

"Fifty million dollars."

The room erupted. People were talking over each other, craning their necks to get a better look at the man who just bid fifty million on worthless land. Eric looked like he was about to have a stroke. Lisa's face had gone pale.

The auctioneer was practically trembling with excitement. "Fifty million! We have fifty million! Do I hear sixty?"

Nyla's heart was pounding. She looked at Cameron, really looked at him, and saw something in his eyes. The look of someone who understood exactly what this land was worth and was willing to pay for it.

He was exactly what she needed.

Nyla stood up. Every eye in the room was already on her, and when she started walking toward the stage, toward Cameron, the whispers became a roar. Eric tried to grab her arm but she pulled away. She walked right up to Cameron and stood in front of him, looking directly into his eyes.

"Mr. Cameron," she said clearly, her voice carrying in the sudden quiet. I need to ask you something."

Cameron raised one eyebrow. Up close, he was even more striking. Sharp features, intelligent eyes, and a presence that commanded respect without saying a word.

"Can I borrow Ten billion dollars from you?"