THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 123

Caitlin's voice was calm, almost unreadable—neither warm nor cold.

Yet somehow, it sent a chill down Keeley's spine as he stood to the side, watching her. She might be young, but there was nothing childish about her presence. When she was roused, even Keeley, who was well into his fifties, felt a flicker of fear. She was intimidating—frightening, even.

Trying to smooth things over, Fortune offered an easy smile. "Catie, really, it's not as bad as Keeley made it out to be. Don't take it to heart."

Caitlin turned her gaze towards Keeley. "Why don't you tell me what happened?" she said, her tone even.

Fortune shot Keeley a warning look, silently urging him to keep quiet, but Keeley ignored it and blurted, "We're with Elite Property Management—janitorial staff."

Fortune fell silent, at a loss for words.

Caitlin nodded slightly. "Alright."

Keeley hesitated, then asked, "Catie, what are you planning to do about it?"

Her response was cool and matter-of-fact. "I'm going to get them a new boss."

Keeley blinked, trying to process her words. Did she mean what he thought she meant?

Fortune, assuming Caitlin might storm into the property office to stand up for him, quickly interjected, "Catie, you can't just go over there and make a scene!"

This wasn't the kind of thing that could be sorted out with an argument, and Caitlin was just a girl—she'd only end up on the losing side. He was old now, not as capable as he once was, and the last thing he wanted was for his granddaughter to get hurt because of him.

"I'm not going to cause a scene," Caitlin replied, glancing at Fortune. Though she smiled, the curve of her lips was oddly chilling. "Grandpa, don't worry. I'm a reasonable person. I'll make sure Ray polishes your shoes himself and offers a proper apology to you, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Marshall."

Ray apologize? And actually polish Fortune's shoes? Willingly?

Keeley stared at her, wide-eyed. "Catie, don't be ridiculous."

"Keeley, I don't make empty promises."

Caitlin was fiercely protective of her own. She couldn't stand to see Fortune treated unfairly—or those who stood up for him disgraced. Good people deserved good things, not to lose their jobs for doing what was right.

Keeley looked at her, concern in his eyes. "Catie, I get that you want to defend your grandpa, but you're young. There are things you don't see yet. Ray would never apologize, not in a million years. He's our supervisor, remember? Plus, word is, he's related to one of the top managers in the company."

He paused, then added, "If you really want to make your grandpa proud, focus on your studies. Get into a good college—let Ray eat his heart out with envy. Maybe one day you'll be running Elite Properties yourself."

Ray only acted so high and mighty because he had connections. No matter what he did, someone always had his back.

"Julian."

Julian looked up from his desk. "Well? How'd it go?"

Dalton shook his head. "The proposal you sent over—they sent it back. Pinnacle State Corporation refused."

"What?" Julian's hand froze mid-air, the cigarette between his fingers forgotten. Shock flickered across his face.

Dalton repeated, "You heard me right. Pinnacle State Corporation turned down your proposal."

"What's wrong with them?" Julian's brow furrowed in disbelief. "Working with me is a privilege! Who do they think they are, rejecting my offer? Are you sure you heard right?"

He couldn't believe it. He'd been hailed by the press as the business world's next big thing, a once-in-a-decade prodigy. People were scrambling for a chance to work with him in Silverhaven. He was doing Pinnacle State Corporation a favor by even considering them.

And they had the nerve to turn him down? Unbelievable. Some people really didn't know their place.

A surge of anger rose in Julian's chest.

Dalton hesitated, then decided to be honest. "Mr. Howard from Pinnacle State said there were problems with your proposal."