I Accidentally Got Auctioned for a Date… My Best Friend Bid $5,000 to Win Me
Chapter 4
Lucas appeared outside Mia’s workplace the following afternoon.
She saw him through the glass doors.
Her stomach tightened.
He waited beside his car.
When she walked outside, he smiled.
“Mia.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk.”
“We’ve talked.”
“Not enough.”
She shook her head.
“I have nothing else to say.”
Lucas stepped closer.
“You’ve moved on quickly.”
Mia stared at him.
“That’s none of your business.”
“With Noah?”
“Yes.”
Lucas laughed bitterly.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Why?”
“He’s your best friend.”
“I know.”
“You’re going to ruin everything.”
Mia crossed her arms.
“You don’t get to decide what’s right for me anymore.”
Lucas’s expression hardened.
“You don’t know him.”
“I know him better than you do.”
Lucas leaned closer.
“He hasn’t told you everything.”
Mia froze.
“What does that mean?”
“Ask him about the company.”
“What company?”
Lucas smiled.
“Exactly.”
He walked away.
Mia stood there confused.
That evening, she confronted Noah.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
He looked at her.
“About what?”
“Lucas said there’s something about your family.”
Noah sighed.
“My family owns Carter Holdings.”
“I know.”
“No, Mia. You don’t.”
He sat down.
“Carter Holdings isn’t just a real-estate company.”
Mia waited.
“We own a private investment firm. We have interests in restaurants, hotels, technology companies, and several charities.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want you to see me differently.”
Mia’s voice softened.
“I wouldn’t.”
“I’ve seen people change around money.”
He looked at her.
“I didn’t want you to become one of them.”
She took his hand.
“I don’t care.”
Noah smiled.
Then Mia asked:
“Is that all?”
He hesitated.
“No.”
Her heart sank.
“What else?”
Noah stood.
“There is a business acquisition my father wants me to handle.”
“And?”
“The company belongs to Lucas’s family.”
Mia stared at him.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Months.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want business to become part of us.”
Mia stood.
“You keep saying you’re protecting me.”
“I am.”
“Noah, that’s not protection.”
She walked toward the door.
“It’s control.”
Noah’s face fell.
Mia stopped.
“I need some time.”
She left.
For the first time in years, Noah had no idea whether his best friend would come back.
