THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 28

Fortune was never one to lose his temper—certainly not in front of his son and daughter-in-law. But now, his sudden outburst left Ernest and Iliana frozen in place, too shocked to utter a word.

It was a long moment before Ernest found his voice. He turned to his father, stammering, "Dad, I didn't mean it like that…"

"Then what did you mean?" Fortune sighed, his frustration simmering beneath a veneer of patience. "Ernest, listen, a man can be poor, but he can't be without ambition. Sure, our family isn't as wealthy or respected as the Chandlers, but I believe that if we work hard, if we keep striving, there's nothing stopping us from surpassing them someday."

Iliana scoffed, arms crossed. "Dad, you make it sound so easy! Do you even realize how hard it is for ordinary people to change their lot in life? Never mind, talking to you is pointless—you just don't get it."

Who were the Chandlers, really? And who were they? How could they ever hope to surpass a family like that? What did they have—Caitlin, the clueless country girl who could barely fend for herself?

Not in this life—or the next, or the one after that—would Caitlin ever amount to anything close to the Chandlers.

The very thought that Caitlin, now divorced, might somehow rise above that family made Iliana's head ache. She pinched her temples, exasperated.

"There's nothing hard about it." The soft, even voice cut through the tension.

"What did you say?" Iliana and Ernest both turned, not sure they'd heard right.

Caitlin looked Ernest and Iliana straight in the eyes, enunciating each word. "I said, surpassing the Chandlers isn't hard at all."

To Caitlin, it wasn't even a challenge.

Iliana burst out laughing, unable to contain her disbelief. Even Bonnie, who'd been quietly watching from the side, couldn't hide the sneer in her eyes.

Did Caitlin even know what she was saying? Did she really think that just because she'd once married into a wealthy family, she was something special? Now she was just a cast-off—damaged goods.

Look at her now! She'd be lucky to marry any decent man at all, never mind someone rich. What respectable man would want a divorced woman like her? And yet, here Caitlin was, still dreaming of overtaking the Chandlers.

Delusional.

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