THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 56

Sophie nestled into Julian's arms, her lips curled in a gentle, teasing smile. "Julian, as long as I'm with you, I can handle anything—no matter how tough it gets."

***

Across town, Caitlin and Victor had moved to a different café.

Victor was always discreet; not once did he bring up Julian during their meeting. After they finished going over work matters, Victor reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folder. "Ms. Kensington, here's the listing you asked me to watch for. It's a fully furnished place—same neighborhood you're in now, Building Five, Unit Two. The landlord says it's ready for you anytime."

Caitlin and her grandfather, Fortune, were cramped in their current apartment.

She couldn't let Fortune go on sleeping in the living room. That's why she'd asked Victor to keep an eye out for any available rentals nearby—a temporary fix until she could afford something bigger. When her finances stabilized, she planned to buy a house with enough space for them both.

Victor couldn't help but be a little curious about the situation.

After all, Caitlin had single-handedly pulled Apex Game Studios out of a financial crisis, coming up with ten million dollars almost overnight. It was clear she wasn't short on cash. So why was someone with her means renting the cheapest unit in Silverhaven's most modest complex? Was this some kind of wealthy heiress's experiment in "normal life"?

"Thank you," Caitlin said, taking the folder. "Don't worry about the bid proposal. I'll send it to you before five tomorrow afternoon."

"Of course, Ms. Kensington," Victor replied with a nod. "I'll look out for your email."

There were only three days left until the Sylvester Group's tender deadline. Victor hadn't wanted to trouble Caitlin, but he'd run into a wall and had no choice but to ask for her help.

After saying goodbye to Victor, Caitlin left the café, planning to take the subway home.

It was late June, and the sun beat down mercilessly.

The metro station wasn't far, but it was still a sweltering walk in the afternoon heat.

Caitlin picked up her wide-brimmed sunhat—a classic Hepburn-style number—and settled it over her head. The hat's generous brim shaded her delicate features, leaving only a flush of rose-red lips visible beneath. The breeze tugged playfully at her hair, and the crimson blouse she wore matched the bow on her hat. Even from behind, she was so strikingly beautiful that passersby couldn't help but stare.

Several onlookers pulled out their phones to snap photos of her silhouette as she walked away.

One young woman couldn't resist recording a short video, which she promptly uploaded to a social media site with the caption: "129 Peaceview Road—spotted this summer's most breathtaking silhouette!"

Satisfied, she turned off her phone.

"She's responsible for her own dignity," Gordon replied, his handsome face unreadable and forbidding. "That's not my concern."

His rules were absolute.

And Raven knew exactly what kind of man he was. If she chose to put herself out there, she should have been ready for the consequences.

As he spoke, something outside the window caught his attention—a slender, graceful figure on the sidewalk. Even with the sunhat obscuring her face, Gordon recognized Caitlin instantly from her profile alone.

His intense eyes narrowed slightly, lips parting. "Stop the car."

His tone was quiet but left no room for argument. The driver hit the brakes at once.

The car slid to a halt.

Skyler, oblivious to Caitlin outside, turned to Gordon in confusion. "What's wrong, Uncle? Why are we stopping?"

Gordon didn't answer. Instead, he looked over at Skyler. "Move to the front."