THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 136

Beatrice was in a foul mood over the whole affair. None of the layabouts the Sylvester family kept around seemed to be worth a damn. She'd ordered the housekeeper to find her darling daughter-in-law a month ago, and yet, even now, not a word had come back.

Alaina, ever the curious one, said, "I just want to know what that girl looks like. She's practically turned you into a lovesick fool."

"You wouldn't understand, even if I told you. In my eyes, she's the most beautiful woman in the world."

Alaina scoffed. "Please. No one's more beautiful than my Catie."

That was enough to rile Beatrice. She shot back, "I'll bet you anything, your precious Miss Kensington can't hold a candle to my darling daughter-in-law. Mine is hands-down the most stunning woman alive!"

"Catie's the prettiest, and that's that!"

"My daughter-in-law is the most beautiful in the universe!"

The two of them—mother and daughter—were soon embroiled in a heated debate over whose favorite was more beautiful, faces flushed, voices rising. It nearly came to blows.

—

Half an hour later, Skyler pulled up in front of the Kensington family's apartment building. He stepped out, pulled his phone from his pocket, and sent Caitlin a message on WhatsApp.

It was broad daylight.

The neighborhood was made up of old, low-income housing; luxury cars were a rare sight here. Skyler, tall and handsome, drew immediate attention as soon as he got out of the car. People couldn't help but stare.

Bonnie was visiting relatives with her mother, Iliana.

Iliana's middle sister, Gianna Hadley, lived in this complex too.

Suddenly, Bonnie's gaze snagged on a luxury car parked out front. Her eyes lit up and she tugged at Iliana's arm, exclaiming, "Mom, look! A Rolls-Royce Phantom! Who would've thought someone this rich lived in Aunt Gianna's building?"

Bonnie had only ever seen cars like that on TV.

She never dreamed she'd see one in real life.

But even more striking was the man beside it—so young, so impossibly good-looking.

Bonnie, at the age when romance was everything, found her mind drifting at the sight of Skyler. If only she could marry a man like that, her life would be perfect.

Iliana followed her daughter's gaze, eyes narrowing with greed as she took in the Rolls-Royce. "There are plenty of rich folks in Silverhaven, Bonnie. And you're every bit as pretty as Caitlin. She managed to marry into money on her first try, didn't she? You'll do even better. You have to outshine that little country bumpkin."

Bonnie nodded eagerly. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll definitely leave Caitlin in the dust one day!"

Just then, a slim figure stepped out of the apartment building.

She must have made a mistake.

Caitlin was just a washed-up divorcee. What rich man would want her?

And anyway, this was Building 5—Caitlin didn't even live here!

As they discussed it, they suddenly ran into Fortune, who was dressed in a yellow vest and sweeping up the courtyard.

Caitlin had already told Fortune not to work so hard, but he was the sort who couldn't sit still. He never put on airs, and every day he showed up in his yellow vest, cleaning the grounds just like always.

When Fortune spotted Bonnie, his face lit up. He waved cheerfully. "Bonnie!"

To Fortune, despite cutting ties with Ernest, Bonnie was still his granddaughter. The troubles between adults shouldn't affect the children.

He expected Bonnie to greet him warmly, as she always had. Instead, she looked at him as though he were a stranger, her face cold. "You've got the wrong person. I'm not your granddaughter."

Fortune was taken aback for a moment, but then he smiled and said, "Bonnie, it's Grandpa! Come on, let's go home. I'll make you something nice to eat."

Something nice to eat? As if she'd ever want anything from this old janitor.

Bonnie's eyes were full of disdain as she hurriedly stepped back, terrified that someone she knew would see her talking to a cleaning man. After all, several of her classmates lived in this complex. "Stop pretending we're family! My name is Bonnie, and my grandfather is Eric Hadley—not you, you old street sweeper!"