THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 196

"No," Gordon replied, his tone even and flat.

"No?" Beatrice shot up from the couch, fuming. "You little rascal! Who's Catie? She not only saved your life, she's my darling daughter-in-law! And you didn't even get her a birthday present? Are you giving up on courting her or what?"

Gordon sighed, exasperated. "Mom, I never planned on courting her in the first place. Besides, I don't believe in marriage."

"Don't believe in marriage? That's nonsense!"

Beatrice pressed her fingers to her temples, looking ready to faint from anger. "Oh, you'll be the death of me! Butler, call an ambulance—quick!"

Gordon, clearly unfazed by her dramatics, said, "Mom, I'm going upstairs."

"Oh, what a devoted son! Truly, you're the picture of filial piety. I'm about to pass out from rage and you're just going to leave? How did I end up with a son like this?"

--

The next day.

Saturday.

The day Gordon had arranged to meet Phyllis.

After leaving the conference room, Gordon canceled his entire afternoon schedule. He was headed to The Regal Lounge for the meeting.

Skyler trailed after him. "Uncle, where are you off to this afternoon?"

"I have an appointment."

"With who?" Skyler asked, curiosity piqued.

"Someone I met online."

Skyler's eyes went wide.

Was the sky falling? His uncle—of all people—was meeting someone from the internet?

Skyler pressed on. "Uncle, are you in an online romance? Oh! I get it, you're meeting your internet crush in real life!"

He was practically vibrating with excitement.

Gordon shot him a glare. "Is your brain ever filled with anything besides this nonsense?"

"Then what is it if not an online romance?" Skyler pressed, genuinely confused.

"Have you heard of Phantom?" Gordon asked.

Skyler blinked, then nodded. "Isn't that the chess endgame puzzle you created?" It was the one even last year's chess champion hadn't solved—a legendary challenge in the chess world.

There was even a saying among professional players: "No Phantom, no chess."

Gordon explained, "A few days ago, at Wonderhaven Estate in Imperial Ascent, I ran into a gamer named Phyllis. She solved Phantom effortlessly. That's who I'm meeting today."

"Phyllis?" Skyler's eyes lit up as the memory returned. "Wait, is that the player who entered Wonderhaven Estate right before you?"

"That's right." Gordon nodded.

Skyler stared at him in disbelief. "Wow! This Phyllis must be something else! Not only did she beat you to Wonderhaven Estate, now she's cracked your Phantom puzzle!"

Gordon was a genius—everyone knew that.

But apparently, there was someone even more impressive.

Now, both Gordon and Skyler were dying to meet Phyllis.

Gordon picked up a chess piece between his long, slender fingers. He played against himself, left hand versus right, the steam from his tea curling around his sharp features and giving him a mysterious, almost ethereal air. From a distance, he looked almost otherworldly—strikingly handsome and utterly captivating.

A server came in to refill the teapot and, catching sight of him, blushed deeply.

Half an hour passed.

There was a knock at the door.

Knock, knock, knock—

Phyllis had arrived.

At that exact moment, Gordon placed the final piece on the chessboard.

It had been an intense match.

But, as always, it ended in a draw.

That, more than anything, was why Gordon was so eager to meet Phyllis.

He wanted a real opponent.

Someone other than himself.

Gordon stood and walked to the door, his graceful hand resting on the handle, turning it slowly.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little bit excited.

Click.

The door opened—