THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 33

After speaking, Caitlin strode into the café without looking back.

Skyler watched her go, lips curled in a sneer.

She's insane.

Absolutely insane.

Did Caitlin really think she had some kind of mystical power to decide life or death with a few words, just because she acted so smug and self-assured?

What a charlatan.

Shameless.

Did she really think he'd fall for her tricks?

No way. Not a chance.

"Skyler."

A well-dressed woman appeared at his side, swinging a designer handbag that probably cost as much as a new car. She looked curiously in the direction Caitlin had disappeared. "Who were you just talking to? Looked like a girl—your girlfriend?"

"My girlfriend? Hardly," Skyler replied, rolling his eyes. "She's a con artist! Last time, she nearly scammed my uncle, and now she's trying the same with me!"

The woman was Skyler's mother, Alaina Sylvester.

Alaina was the eldest daughter of the Sylvester family—twenty years older than her youngest brother, Gordon.

At forty-nine, she looked stunning, not a single crow's foot marring her smile. Standing side by side with Skyler, they could've easily passed for siblings instead of mother and son.

Now, hearing her baby brother had almost been duped, Alaina's face registered genuine shock. She turned to her son, eyes wide. "Scammed? Your uncle? Are you serious?"

Her brother had always been exceptional, different from other kids even as a child. He was a genius, skipping grades all the way through school, earning a place at a top university at fifteen, and getting a head start in business by eighteen. Now, at just twenty-nine, he was already at the top of his field.

Over the years, Gordon had tasted nothing but success—except when it came to love.

Skyler then recounted the full story, including how Caitlin had "diagnosed" that Gordon would fall ill in three days.

Alaina frowned, instantly anxious. "Wait—what day is it today?"

"It's the third day, just like she said!" Skyler replied, catching on to his mother's worry. He grinned, trying to reassure her. "Relax, Mom. Uncle Gordon's fine—fit as a bull. All that talk about collapsing is just nonsense."

He'd seen Gordon that very morning, even checked on his health out of caution. Gordon had been perfectly normal, pumping iron at the gym as usual.

But Alaina wasn't convinced. "The day's not over yet! And didn't she say he'd collapse before nine tonight? What if she's right? Skyler, this isn't something to joke about. Where is that girl now? Take me to her, right now."

Alaina had seen enough in her life to know you couldn't judge people just by appearances. Sometimes the most unassuming people could surprise you with their abilities.

So despite her son's skepticism, Alaina's first reaction wasn't doubt—it was worry.

She was worried her brother might really be in danger.

Their mother was getting older, and their father had passed away a few years back. If anything happened to Gordon now, it would break Beatrice's heart all over again.