THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 16

"Yes, Mrs. Sylvester, I'm here. Please go ahead." Her assistant's respectful voice came clearly over the phone.

Beatrice didn't waste a moment. "I need you to book me a swimming instructor. As soon as I'm out of the hospital, I want to start lessons."

"A swimming instructor?" There was a note of disbelief in the assistant's voice. "Ma'am, you… you want to learn to swim?"

Who on earth had ever heard of a woman in her seventies suddenly deciding to learn how to swim?

"That's right!" Beatrice declared with the conviction of someone taking a vow. "I want to learn to swim."

She prided herself on being a sensible mother-in-law. In the future, if she and her daughter-in-law ever ended up in deep water—literally—she'd be able to save herself.

Not only would she be able to save herself, but she'd also haul her beloved daughter-in-law out with her.

Yes!

She was amazing!

She was, without a doubt, the most amazing woman in the universe!

The Sylvester family was blessed beyond belief to have a daughter-in-law like hers.

And Gordon—having a mother like her? He must have saved the world in a past life to get this lucky!

After hanging up, Beatrice immediately dialed Gordon. Before he could even say a word, she launched in, "Listen up, you silly boy. Having a mother like me is the best thing that's ever happened to you. You must've racked up some serious good karma in your last life!"

Having finished her dramatic monologue, Beatrice hung up, leaving her son no chance to reply.

Sitting in his car, Gordon stared at his phone in bewilderment.

What on earth was his mother up to this time?

Meanwhile—

The car slowed to a stop, and the driver turned back, speaking respectfully, "Mr. Sylvester, Mr. Cumming, we've arrived."

Skyler was the first to step out. "Uncle, I'll head in first."

Gordon nodded slightly.

The car was parked before a stately manor.

This was the residence of the city's most renowned physician: Dr. Hackett Shepherd.

Dr. Shepherd was a legend—said to work miracles, and so sought after that getting an appointment with him was next to impossible.

Skyler had shelled out a six-figure sum just to get a slot for three o'clock that afternoon.

Inside, banners and plaques lined the walls, each one a grateful tribute from patients he'd helped.

After half a minute, Dr. Shepherd withdrew his hand and smiled. "Mr. Sylvester, you can rest easy. Judging by your pulse, you're in good health. There's just a touch of internal heat causing some sweating and a mild cough. Some cooling medicine should set you right."

At this, Skyler's eyes lit up.

He'd told Gordon all along that the young woman they'd met in the elevator was a fraud.

But Gordon hadn't believed him.

Still, Dr. Shepherd clearly knew his stuff. After all, Gordon had undergone a battery of tests at the hospital—bloodwork, scans, the works—before they figured out the problem. Dr. Shepherd, on the other hand, had pinpointed it with a single pulse check.

Suppressing his amazement, Skyler pressed on. "Dr. Shepherd, you're sure my uncle just needs some cooling medicine?"

"Absolutely." Dr. Shepherd nodded.

"But the person who wrote this prescription claimed he was suffering from severe exhaustion, and if he didn't take the medicine within three days, he'd collapse—maybe even face serious consequences!"

Dr. Shepherd frowned. "Who gave you that nonsense? That diagnosis is completely off. Exhaustion syndrome presents as chills and fear of cold, but Mr. Sylvester's symptoms are the opposite! I've been in medicine all my life—I know how to tell the difference."

If there was one thing Dr. Shepherd couldn't abide, it was having his expertise questioned.

He turned to Gordon. "Mr. Sylvester, please don't believe a word about collapsing in three days. If that happens, I'll eat my own medical license!"

He tapped the prescription with distaste. "And this prescription is downright harmful. Take it, and you'll end up sick even if you weren't before. Whoever wrote this is downright reckless!"