After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 175

Nettie glanced at the front row where Shirley kept leaning in close to Waldo, looking every bit the doting girlfriend. She tugged at Catherine’s sleeve and whispered, “See? Lucky you broke up with him.”

Catherine followed her gaze to Waldo and Shirley. Her eyes turned cold as memories she’d tried so hard to bury started bubbling up again.

Back in the third year of her relationship with Waldo, Shirley had flashed her Ph.D. diploma for everyone to see. They were both big names in the tech world, and Waldo made it obvious how much he admired her. After that, Shirley always seemed to find a reason to tag along on their dates, squeezing herself into every dinner and outing.

Catherine remembered her birthday that year. Waldo had given her a limited-edition necklace. Just a few days later, Shirley showed up wearing the exact same one.

She’d confronted Waldo about it, asking if he’d given Shirley the necklace too. He denied it, and Shirley just laughed it off, saying hers was a cheap knockoff and told Catherine not to overthink it.

Back then, Catherine had actually believed them. Now she realized it was just a trick, the two of them playing her for a fool.

Waldo had soaked up her love and attention, all while quietly letting Shirley cross one line after another. Catherine had noticed, of course. She just chose to look the other way. Waldo wanted the best of both worlds and she let him.

Thank goodness she’d fallen into the ocean.

Thank goodness she finally woke up.

And thank goodness she’d met Lawrence.

Just thinking of Lawrence made the icy look in her eyes melt away. She glanced toward Waldo, her gaze clear and steady. Nothing in life is wasted, she thought. Maybe Waldo leaving was just the push she needed to grow up.

The auction kicked off and, just as expected, every piece up for bid was a rare treasure. The guests in the room were all heavy hitters.

Waldo had already snapped up an antique vase. The way he outbid everyone else, cool and confident, made it obvious he had the deepest pockets in the room.

Time flew by. One item after another appeared on stage. Then, it was time for Catherine’s grandmother’s bracelet.

Nettie was on the edge of her seat, whispering, “Looks like that’s it. No one else is bidding.”

“One hundred million.” The words came from a man’s calm, deep voice.

Waldo had finally entered the ring, skipping all the smaller jumps and going straight for the kill.

He turned to look at Catherine, his eyes full of quiet confidence, as if he’d already won.

Shirley turned too, eagerly watching for Catherine’s reaction.

But Catherine didn’t flinch. Even with Waldo’s sudden, sky-high bid, she stayed perfectly calm under the lights.

The crowd gasped. All eyes locked onto Waldo, everyone recognizing the tech world’s latest billionaire.