THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 10

Caitlin glanced up, her eyes cool and distant.

She recognized him almost immediately—it was Skyler, the guy she'd met just last night.

But right now, the last thing Caitlin wanted was to get tangled up with him, so she replied with a chilly indifference, "We're not acquainted. Thanks, but no thanks."

Skyler watched her retreating figure, momentarily stunned. He was used to women approaching him—after all, with his striking looks and designer clothes, he'd never had to make the first move. Yet here he was, attempting small talk for the first time in his life, only to be flatly rejected. The feeling was… strange, to say the least.

**

Caitlin wasn't exactly blessed with a sense of direction. She spent the better part of ten minutes following the hospital's confusing signs before she managed to find the elevator to the inpatient wing. As soon as she stepped inside and pressed the button for the ninth floor, someone rushed up—an arm shot through the closing doors, forcing them open again.

It was Skyler, the same guy who'd tried to chat her up at the entrance, now standing at the threshold. He greeted respectfully, "Uncle Gordon."

At that, a tall, impeccably dressed man stepped into the elevator. Gordon's presence was commanding, his tailored suit and steely gaze filling the cramped space with a palpable tension.

Most people would have felt intimidated, maybe even shrunk back a little—but not Caitlin. She didn't spare him a second thought. Instead, she turned toward the mirrored elevator wall, smoothing her hair and admiring her reflection, completely at ease as if she were the only one there.

The polished surface reflected her features with crystal clarity.

Skyler instantly recognized her as the girl from the hospital entrance. His eyes widened in surprise. The thing was—Caitlin was unfazed, almost unnaturally calm.

Gordon wasn't just wealthy; he was the kind of man women swooned over. Most girls would be starstruck in his presence, but Caitlin seemed utterly unimpressed. Who was she, really?

Suddenly, Caitlin's arm was seized. Before she could react, she was pulled into a solid, broad chest; her nose collided painfully with a sharply defined collarbone. She caught the faint scent of sandalwood—subtle, but inescapable.

Crash!

At that exact moment, a wooden panel from the ceiling, meant to keep out dust, came crashing down—landing right where Caitlin had been standing just seconds earlier. If Gordon hadn't yanked her away in time, she would've been seriously hurt.

Caitlin was usually sharp and alert, but she was still getting used to her senses after her unexpected return to life, so she hadn't noticed anything amiss above.

Now, staring at the fallen panel, she felt a wave of lingering fear. She looked up at Gordon, her voice sincere. "Thank you."

Ding!

The elevator chimed; they'd reached the ninth floor.

Caitlin stepped out. At the corner, she glanced back, calling, "Don't forget to take the medicine I prescribed!"

Gordon watched her go, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "So…it's her."

Her? Who was she?

Skyler stared at his uncle, bewildered. He remembered that Gordon had always kept his distance from women, never once showing interest—yet today, he'd gone out of his way to help Caitlin.

A wild thought struck him. "Uncle Gordon, don't tell me you've fallen for that girl at first sight?"

Gordon, towering at six-foot-four, cast a chilly look his way. He rapped Skyler on the head, his tone icy. "The kind of woman I'd fall for hasn't been born yet. Besides, I'm not the marrying type."