THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 280

“You silly girl, why didn’t you tell me about something this huge in advance?” Iliana scolded with a teasing frown.

If Bonnie had discovered this sooner, they would have found Fortune ages ago. There was no reason to wait until now.

“I honestly thought the old man was just working as a janitor at Willow Manor! Who could have guessed that little country girl was hiding a secret identity?” Bonnie’s eyes flashed with frustration as she spoke.

The three of them hopped into a cab together.

But in their rush, they’d overlooked a crucial detail.

Willow Manor didn’t allow private vehicles past the gate. Now, they couldn’t even get inside.

Stopped by a security guard, Iliana’s temper flared. She planted her hands on her hips. “You clueless mutts! Do you even know who we are? We’re relatives of the Gonzales family and the Richards family, straight from the capital! If you cross us, you’ll regret it!”

The guard, clearly used to dealing with people like Iliana all day, still kept his cool. “I’m sorry, ma’am. The estates have rules—no entry without a resident’s pass or a prior appointment. I’m just following protocol. Maybe you could call your family member to come get you, or have them call the gatehouse directly?”

Iliana turned to Ernest. “Call the old man.”

“I deleted his number,” Ernest admitted, looking awkward.

If he’d had the number, he would’ve called Fortune long ago.

Just then, Bonnie’s eyes lit up and she started waving frantically at someone in the distance. “Grandpa! It’s Grandpa! And Catie!”

Sure enough, walking up ahead were Fortune and Caitlin.

Earlier, Keira, Hannah, and the rest of the Richards clan—including uncles, aunts, and thirteen cousins—had all wanted to see where Caitlin used to live. So Fortune and Caitlin had taken them to visit the old apartment complex they’d once rented.

Hearing Bonnie’s excited shout, Ernest and Iliana immediately looked up. Spotting Fortune and Caitlin in the crowd, Ernest called out, “Dad! Catie!”

Bonnie shot the guard a smug look. “That’s my real grandpa and my sister. You’re in trouble now, watch out!”

Fortune and Caitlin turned at the sound of their names.

Fortune stopped and addressed the group with him. “Catie’s grandmother, uncles, aunts—would you all mind waiting here for a moment? I need to take care of something.”

“I’ll come with you, Grandpa,” Caitlin offered.

Seeing Fortune approach, Ernest, Iliana, and Bonnie all lit up with excitement.

See? They just knew Fortune wouldn’t turn them away! After all, Ernest was Fortune’s flesh-and-blood son, Iliana his daughter-in-law, and Bonnie his only biological granddaughter.

Caitlin might be standing beside Fortune now, but she wasn’t related to him by blood. Only they were his real family.

With that thought, Iliana straightened her back and addressed Fortune. “Dad, Ernest and I brought Bonnie to see you! But this mutt here wouldn’t let us in. You have to file a complaint with management and get him fired!”

Hearing this, Peter looked anxiously at Fortune. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Kensington. I didn’t know they were your family! I swear, I wasn’t trying to be difficult.”

Homeowners at Willow Manor paid more than thirty grand a year in fees; if a resident complained, a guard could lose his job. The pay was good—Peter didn’t want to lose it.

With Peter apologizing, Iliana grew cockier, her face smug with self-satisfaction. “Now you’re sorry? Too late for that, you clueless mutt!”

But Fortune’s next words left the three of them frozen in shock.

“No need to apologize, Peter. I don’t know these people, and I have no connection to them. If they ever try to pretend they’re my family again, just call the police.”