THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 126

Julian's lips curled into a smug grin as he shot Dalton a triumphant look, as if to say, See? Caitlin answered my call!

He knew it—Caitlin was hopelessly in love with him.

Everything she'd done, every move she made, was just to win him back.

"Caitlin? It's Julian," he said, his voice cold and commanding.

"No, you have the wrong number." The woman on the other end hung up before he could say another word.

Julian stared at his phone in disbelief, then turned to Dalton. "Read Caitlin's number to me again."

Dalton repeated it.

Only then did Julian realize he'd dialed one digit wrong.

He let out a breath of relief and called Caitlin's correct number, but all he got was a busy signal. He tried the landline, but it was the same story.

Julian forced himself to stay calm. "Caitlin just wants me to go to her in person. If I show up, she's bound to hand over Apex's acquisition documents with both hands."

That's right.

There could be no other explanation.

His eyes narrowed. "She's unbelievable. She knows Sophie is the woman I love most, yet she still tries to force my hand. Doesn't she get it? This only makes me resent her more."

"Even if Caitlin brings the Apex papers herself, the best she can hope for is a temporary pardon. There's no way I'd agree to remarry her. Not when my heart belongs to Sophie."

Dalton said nothing.

—

Pearl Tower.

On the third floor, Caitlin sat at the conference table.

Across from her was Latham Blake, founder of Elite Properties.

He glanced at the acquisition agreement in his hands, then at Caitlin. "Miss Kensington, are you sure you want to acquire Elite Properties for five million?"

Elite Properties was a young company, barely two years old and already struggling, thanks to poor service and mismanagement. Latham had been desperate to offload it, but every potential buyer had tried to lowball him.

Caitlin's offer was the fairest he'd seen.

"I'm sure." Caitlin nodded politely.

Latham smiled. "Since you're sincere and straightforward, I'll have the contract prepared at once."

Sign it, he thought. Once she did, the deal would be legally binding. He'd be free and clear, with Caitlin taking all the risk.

Caitlin swiftly signed her name, page after page.

Watching her, Latham could barely hide his glee. This clueless little upstart thinks she can buy my company? What a joke.

After a few minutes, Caitlin set the pen down and slid the contract across the table. "All done."

"Excellent," Latham said, nearly bursting with excitement. He stood and reached out to shake her hand, grinning broadly. "Congratulations, Miss Kensington. Welcome to the Elite Properties family."

Caitlin looked at him, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Mr. Blake, unless I'm mistaken, I came here to acquire Elite Properties, not to ‘join the family.' Care to explain?"

"Acquire? What acquisition?" Latham waved the contract, feigning surprise. "Didn't you read what you signed, Miss Kensington? That's not an acquisition agreement!"

Once signed, the contract was legally binding—too late for Caitlin to back out.

But Caitlin just smiled, calm and unruffled. "Really? Then perhaps you should take another look at what I actually signed, Mr. Blake."

Latham flipped through the contract, only to have his triumphant smile freeze on his lips. His face drained of color as shock and confusion overtook him.

Caitlin's voice was icy. "I've already flagged every problematic clause in the contract. If your company wants to do business, I suggest you show some good faith and print a proper agreement. You get one chance—and one only."