THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 6

Not long ago, a reporter had snapped some photos of Julian and Caitlin attending Jarvis's funeral together.

The moment Mrs. Chandler's face was revealed to the public, the internet exploded with gossip and regret. Within hours, someone had dug up her background, and the news spread like wildfire—Caitlin was just a small-town girl who hadn't even finished high school. People couldn't stop talking.

Someone like Julian, they said, should be married to a well-bred heiress, someone from a family as powerful as his own. A girl like Caitlin? She didn't deserve him at all.

Skyler had seen Caitlin at Jarvis's funeral, too.

Back then, she'd looked very different from the woman she was now. She'd worn heavy makeup both times, but something about her had changed—her presence, her aura, something Skyler couldn't quite put into words.

Skyler swallowed hard. "It's nothing, I—I'm just a little surprised."

Caitlin didn't say anything else. She turned and walked away.

Skyler slipped into the car with Gordon, still trying to settle her nerves.

It wasn't until she was behind the wheel that Skyler finally blurted out, "Oh my god! That really was Caitlin just now!"

"Do you know her?" Gordon's voice came from the back seat, calm and almost indifferent.

Skyler blinked, then realized he was talking about Caitlin. She nodded. "Yeah, I do. Her name's Caitlin—she's the wife of Julian, the new CEO of the Chandler Group."

After a beat, Skyler added, "But honestly, their backgrounds are worlds apart. That's why Julian's already filed for divorce."

"Caitlin?" Gordon idly twisted the silver ring on his finger, lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile. "Interesting."

Skyler stared at him, completely baffled.

Interesting?

What's so interesting about that?

"Exactly." Gordon gave a slight nod.

If Julian truly had that kind of genius, the Chandler Group would have gone international years ago.

Skyler narrowed her eyes. "But who would be willing to stay in the shadows, letting Julian take all the credit?"

The Chandler Group's latest proposal had been a huge hit, valued at millions. Who would be foolish enough to remain anonymous after that kind of achievement?

Plus, Julian came from an old-money family, and Jarvis had once been a legend in the business world. It wasn't unreasonable for the next generation to surpass their forerunners.

Skyler hesitated, then said, "Uncle, maybe you're reading too much into this?"

Gordon was talented, sure, but no one could possibly judge a person's entire character with just one look.

Skyler was about to say more when Gordon's deep voice sounded again in the quiet car, "Investigate. I want to know exactly who's standing behind Julian."