THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 18

"Mr. Winslow, it's nothing personal—it's just business. We're not running a charity, and certainly not here to throw money away. So, I'm afraid this is where our cooperation ends."

Victor stared at Babur in disbelief. "Mr. Blake, you… you're choosing The Chandler Group as well?"

"That's right." Babur nodded without hesitation. "I have somewhere to be, so I'll take my leave."

Hudson Barrett also stood. "Mr. Winslow, I've got other matters to attend to. I'm sure we'll cross paths again someday."

That line—"We'll cross paths again"—was almost poetic in its irony.

The Chandler Group was on a meteoric rise, building their empire from nothing, already leaving Apex Game Studios far behind.

Within a month, The Chandler Group would completely overtake Apex, snatch up the Celestial Awards, and stand at the top of Silverhaven's gaming industry—while Apex would be left to announce bankruptcy.

By then, how could Victor ever face them again?

So yes, "we'll cross paths again"… perhaps, but only if fate was feeling cruel.

As Hudson Barrett and Babur strode out, Victor shot up from his seat, panic edging his voice. "Mr. Barrett, Mr. Blake, wait! Let's talk this over—after all these years of working together! And today's contract signing was already scheduled. If you both walk out now, where am I supposed to find new partners at the last minute?"

Hudson paused and looked back, his eyes cold and laced with scorn. "Mr. Winslow, the agreement may have been scheduled, but we never signed anything. Without signatures, there's no contract, and no legal obligation. You ought to know your limits. Sometimes, it's best to leave things unsaid—I hope you understand that much."

Victor frowned. "Mr. Barrett, even if we haven't signed anything yet, I thought our history meant something. Remember when your company was on the brink, and I stepped in to help? Can't you give us one more chance? We all hit rough patches. If you help me through this, and if Apex wins the Celestial Awards and goes public, I promise you—I'll never forget what you did for me!"

Back when Hudson Barrett's company was on the verge of collapse—partners pulling out, contracts terminated, everything falling apart—it was Victor who stepped in and kept the Barrett Group afloat through the worst of the storm.

Without Victor back then, there'd be no Hudson Barrett today.

Victor had assumed that reminding Hudson of those days would sway him, or at least earn some sympathy. But to his shock, Hudson only sneered. "Win the Celestial Awards and go public? Mr. Winslow, are you still dreaming? Can't you see how things stand? Silverhaven belongs to The Chandler Group now. Apex is about to be nothing but a relic. The only company taking home the Celestial Awards will be The Chandler Group!"

"And let's not rewrite history. I never begged you to bail out the Barrett Group—it was your choice. What now, Mr. Winslow? Are you trying to use that favor to hold me hostage?"

Victor's eyes widened in disbelief.

This was humiliation, plain and simple.

Bang!

The blow made the coffee cup on the table quake, dark liquid sloshing over the rim.

"Anger will only eat you alive, Mr. Winslow. Why stoop to their level?"

The unexpected voice startled Victor. He looked up to see a young woman sitting across from him. He had no idea when she'd appeared.

She wore a plain white T-shirt, her hair up in a messy bun, the picture of youthful confidence—seventeen, maybe eighteen at most.

"Miss, do I know you?"

Caitlin smiled, unbothered by his suspicion. She got straight to the point. "I can help Apex Game Studios bring down The Chandler Group, weather this crisis, and soar to the top—Celestial Awards included."