THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 40

No doctor in the hospital dared to attempt the surgery—not even him.

Yet in Caitlin's eyes, Gordon's condition seemed as trivial as a stubborn cough, something she could fix without a second thought.

And now she was talking about acupuncture, as if that outdated practice could perform miracles. If acupuncture were truly so amazing, the old dynasties wouldn't have fallen centuries ago.

Ignorance really is fearless.

Alaina, however, let out a deep sigh of relief at Caitlin's words. "Then I'll leave Gordon in your hands, Miss Kensington. If you can save my brother, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you!"

Zane whipped his head around, disbelief written all over his face. He hadn't expected Alaina to actually buy into Caitlin's story.

Was this really the legendary Matriarch Cumming standing before him?

Everyone said Alaina Cumming was one of the most remarkable women in the capital—decisive, sharp, a Harvard graduate who singlehandedly built a cosmetics empire that swept across Eldermere.

How could such a woman be taken in by a child's tall tales? It was nothing short of disappointing.

Suspicion clouded Zane's face.

Caitlin turned to Skyler. "I need a sterile, sealed room to treat Mr. Sylvester. And I'll need absolute privacy during the procedure—no one else can be present."

Privacy? More likely she didn't want anyone to see through her act and realize she was all show and no substance.

Young women these days, Zane thought, really had no sense of propriety. A pretty face and a bit of bravado, and suddenly they thought shortcuts would get them everywhere.

He stepped forward, frowning. "Miss Kensington, is it? May I ask if you have a medical license?"

Getting certified was no simple matter. Zane himself had only earned his license after graduating from university.

But Caitlin? She was barely more than a teenager. How could she possibly be qualified?

Caitlin didn't reply. She simply rummaged through her bag.

Zane scoffed. No license, but still putting on a show. Ridiculous.

She smiled faintly. "As Balzac once wrote, ‘Genius and beauty are destined to shine, to draw both admiration and envy, and to attract slander.' I admit I'm young and attractive. But as someone who's studied abroad, you should know we have a saying here in Eldermere: some people are simply gifted. You ought to recognize excellence in others, not tear them down out of jealousy."

Despite her youth, Caitlin's poise rivaled Zane's, her words sharp and precise, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Gifted? Jealous? Was he supposed to be jealous of a nobody like Caitlin Kensington?

Zane felt insulted—utterly absurd. He'd only tried to warn her, and now she was turning it into an attack.

Alaina spoke up. "Dr. Cartwright, you've seen your share of the world. How can you judge Miss Kensington's abilities without knowing anything about her? There's always someone out there better than you. Just because you couldn't save Gordon doesn't mean Miss Kensington can't. I trust her."

After all, Caitlin was their invited guest. Alaina couldn't just stand by while others mocked her.

Zane's frown deepened. He'd never denied that there are always people more talented out there. But a girl barely out of school had no right to lecture him.

Suppressing his anger, he declared, "Mrs. Cumming, let me put it plainly: if Miss Kensington can bring Mr. Sylvester back to consciousness, I, Zane Cartwright, will change my surname to Kensington. I'll even call her my mother!"