THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 137

Fortune just stared at Bonnie.

The smile on his face faded, little by little, replaced by an icy numbness creeping through his chest. He opened his mouth, disbelief etched in every line of his face. "Bonnie, it's me—your grandfather. Your father may have disowned me, but you… you're still my granddaughter, aren't you?"

In Fortune's mind, even if he and Ernest had cut ties, Bonnie was still his flesh and blood. His granddaughter.

But Iliana, watching the old man still trying to cling to Bonnie, was livid.

She marched forward, pointing at Fortune, her voice sharp with fury. "Listen, old man! Ernest is part of our family now—he has nothing to do with the Kensingtons. And Bonnie? She's got no connection to you at all. We're not even in the same social class anymore, so stop trying to force some sort of family bond. It's pathetic."

Her daughter was destined to marry a millionaire one day.

And this old man? He was nothing. Just a janitor.

What right did he have to call himself Bonnie's grandfather?

Hearing her mother's words, Bonnie snapped out of her daze. "She's right! And you—old man—take a good look at yourself. We're not even in the same league anymore. Stay away from me, or don't blame me for losing my temper."

Old man?

The words struck Fortune like a blow. He stared at Bonnie, shock plain in his eyes.

His granddaughter.

She just called him "old man."

Right then, Fortune couldn't even name the feelings swirling inside him—only that it was bitterly ironic.

Bonnie grabbed Iliana's arm. "Let's go, Mom. No point wasting words on someone like him."

Several of her classmates lived in this neighborhood. Bonnie would die of embarrassment if anyone saw her talking to a janitor. It would ruin her reputation—something she guarded fiercely.

All she could think about was getting away from this humiliating scene as fast as possible.

"Alright," Iliana nodded, quickly following her daughter.

Fortune watched their backs as they walked away, unsteady on his feet. He staggered backwards, as if someone had doused him with a bucket of ice water.

Frozen, from head to toe.

He'd raised his son for over twenty years, only to be betrayed. And now, even his granddaughter had turned her back on him.

Thank God for Catie.

If it weren't for her, his old age really would have been unbearably bleak.

Thinking of Caitlin eased some of the ache in his heart. Even during her wildest, most rebellious years, she had never spoken to him the way Bonnie just had.

Some people were just born ungrateful.

—

Meanwhile,

At Sylvester Gardens.

2. When spending time with a woman, remember the details—always show your most gentlemanly side…

Gordon frowned.

Cologne? Shaving? Trimming nails? Putting on new clothes? All this fuss just to meet someone?

What kind of book was this?

Was anyone actually dumb enough to follow this advice in real life?

Ridiculous.

…

Three minutes later, Gordon stood in front of the bathroom mirror, razor in hand, carefully shaving off the shadow of stubble on his jaw.

Once finished, he took out a nail clipper and trimmed his already-short nails.

Then he headed into his dressing room, pulled out a crisp, white shirt, and changed.

Meanwhile,

The Rolls-Royce pulled into Sylvester Gardens.

It was the weekend, and the estate was busy with visitors, but only the Sylvester family's cars were allowed beyond the gates. So, even with the crowds, the roads inside were clear, and there was no traffic jam.