THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 125

Julian could hardly believe his ears when he heard Hector's answer.

The air seemed to freeze around them.

It was a long moment before Julian found his voice. "What did you just say? Academician Chatham signed with who?"

"Apex Game Studios," Hector replied, forcing the words out.

He was just as baffled as Julian. Given the current landscape, The Chandler Group clearly held the upper hand. Why would Academician Chatham choose Apex instead?

What exactly did Apex have to offer?

How could they win over both the Sylvester Group and Academician Chatham?

Bang!

Julian slammed his fist down on the table, veins bulging in his forehead. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Academician Chatham would never agree to work with Apex! Hector, you must have your facts wrong!"

He simply couldn't accept it.

Dalton approached, phone in hand. "Julian, it's official—Apex just made the announcement on Twitter. Looks like it's really happening."

Julian snatched the phone from Dalton's hand.

Twitter. The post was barely three minutes old, but the comments were already pouring in by the thousands.

"Oh my god, Academician Chatham is actually working with Apex? The worlds of science and gaming finally collide—this is huge!"

"Please, let Apex's next game be good. I'm begging you."

"Apex is so shady. They know they can't beat The Chandler Group at their own game, so they sneakily signed up Academician Chatham. Didn't she always refuse commercial collabs? Did Apex have some dirt on her?"

"Seriously, when are you actually releasing the game?"

"If you make this much noise and don't deliver, Apex, you'll never live it down."

"Chatham's lost her mind! Anyone with half a brain would have chosen The Chandler Group. Aren't you afraid of ruining your reputation?"

"I heard Apex's new shareholder's got real talent. Maybe this game will surprise us—maybe they'll even take home the Celestial Awards."

"What's a shareholder gonna do? No matter how competent, nobody's topping Jasper. Mr. Chandler is a once-in-a-decade dark horse. With the two of them together, they're unstoppable. Apex is bound to be a joke!"

"Apex Game Studios is really disgusting. The other day, they faked gameplay footage, and now they've poached Academician Chatham right from under The Chandler Group's nose! Pathetic. Good thing Mr. Chandler has solid foundations—Chandler's games will shine, with or without Chatham's endorsement. Every success story starts with adversity!"

[...]

There were naysayers and congratulators alike.

But it didn't matter what anyone said—Academician Chatham's partnership with Apex was now set in stone.

Julian's hand shook as he gripped the phone.

Julian snorted. "Dalton, you're giving her too much credit. Everything she's doing is just to get my attention, to make me call her. Trust me, the second I call, she'll come running with Apex's offer—probably with a ten-page love letter as well!"

Dalton shook his head. "I don't think so."

Julian grinned, full of confidence. "Fine, you don't believe me? I'll prove it. Give me Caitlin's number."

Dalton pulled out his phone and read off Caitlin's number from his contacts.

Julian dialed without hesitation.

"Watch this—she'll answer within a minute. And not only that, after she picks up, she'll bring me Apex's acquisition offer and write me another embarrassing love letter. Probably ten pages, maybe twenty."

Writing sappy love letters was Caitlin's favorite pastime. Sometimes she'd write twenty pages at a time. Julian had never bothered to read a single word.

Dalton, watching Julian slip into his old delusions, could only sigh. "Julian, can't you see what's right in front of you? Caitlin doesn't love you anymore. She's not going to answer your call, much less help you buy Apex."

Julian shot back, "If Caitlin doesn't love me, who does she love— you? The facts will speak for themselves!"

Dalton massaged his temples, looking weary. "You're right, Julian. The facts will speak for themselves."

Brrrr—

"Hello?"

A woman's voice came through on the other end of the line.