THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 122

After speaking, Fortune hurried over to Ray, trying to plead on behalf of Farley and Grant. "Manager Barrett, if you're angry, take it out on me. Marshall and Blake are innocent—they were just joking around. Please, don't hold it against them!"

Ray shook off Fortune's hand, his voice sharp. "Get out! All of you, just get out! I'm telling you, from this moment on, you're all fired!"

Fortune stumbled, nearly losing his balance.

"Kensington, stop begging him! Who wants to work under a jerk like that anyway?" Farley and Grant each grabbed Fortune by an arm and led him out.

Once outside, Fortune looked at them, guilt written all over his face. "Marshall, Blake, I'm so sorry. Because of me, you both lost your jobs."

The job market was tough for everyone, but for folks their age, finding new work was even harder.

"What are you talking about, Kensington?" Farley said, patting his shoulder. "We quit on our own. It has nothing to do with you."

"Exactly," Grant chimed in. "I've had enough of Ray's nonsense for ages. He's all talk—bossing us around like he owns the place. Don't worry, Kensington. Take it easy today. Tomorrow, the three of us will hit the streets and look for new jobs together."

"That's right," Farley nodded. "We'll stick together."

Moved by his old friends' loyalty, Fortune smiled. "Marshall, Blake, since none of us has anything to do tonight, why don't you come over for dinner at my place?"

"Oh, no, no," Farley waved him off. "My grandson's been pestering me for a toy blaster for weeks. I haven't had time, but school's out early today, so I promised to take him shopping."

"I'll have to pass too," Grant added. "My wife just texted—her sister's family is visiting tonight."

After Fortune and the others left, Ray made a phone call, his tone instantly switching to sycophantic.

"Hello, Miss Barrett? Rest assured, I've already fired Fortune Kensington. They'll be packing up and out of Silverhaven by the end of the day."

That's right.

Sophie Barrett was the one pulling the strings.

She would never allow anyone to take Julian away from her.

Which meant she had to get rid of Caitlin.

Step one: cut off Caitlin's financial support.

The Kensingtons' only income came from Fortune's job as a janitor. If he lost that, how could Caitlin possibly keep her footing at Silverhaven?

The answer was obvious.

She couldn't.

"You've done well," Sophie's voice purred through the phone. "Don't worry. I'll speak to Egan Somerset about promoting you."

She never thought he'd actually resign of his own accord.

"Quit? More like he was forced out!" Keeley stormed out of his room, bristling with anger. "Catie, your grandpa was bullied."

Hearing this, Fortune quickly interjected, "Keeley, don't make things up."

Bullied?

Caitlin's expression turned serious. She walked over to Keeley. "Keeley, who bullied my grandpa? Don't keep anything from me."

Fortune knew Keeley couldn't keep a secret for long, so he'd tried to keep the details about Ray to himself. But Keeley was no fool; he'd sensed something off and called Grant and Farley to get the full story.

Now he knew exactly what had happened.

"I really wasn't bullied," Fortune insisted, giving Keeley a pleading look. "Keeley, don't go spreading rumors!"

He knew telling Caitlin would only burden her, and it wouldn't solve anything. She was starting her final year of high school soon, and he wanted her focused on her studies, not distracted by his troubles.

But Keeley was having none of it. He wasn't about to let his old friend take this injustice lying down. He told Caitlin everything.

After hearing the whole story, Caitlin's face was unreadable. She turned to Fortune. "Grandpa, what's the full name of the company you worked for?"