Chapter 90
“Grandpa, your granddaughter can earn her own keep now. It’s your turn to just sit back and enjoy life!” Caitlin grinned, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, by the way, did you tell your boss about quitting yet p>
Caitlin had brought up the idea of Fortune retiring several days ago. But Fortune hadn’t said a word to his boss. At his age, finding another steady job wouldn’t be easy.
Now, hearing his granddaughter nudge the subject again, Fortune just chuckled, the lines around his eyes deepening. “Catie, didn’t you promise to buy Grandpa a big house? I’ll hand in my notice the day you hand me those keys p>
Caitlin couldn’t win with her grandfather, so she just agreed, figuring it wouldn’t be long before she really could afford that new place.
The next afternoon, as Fortune and his coworkers were heading home from work, they spotted their manager, Ray Barrett, striding through the neighborhood with two unfamiliar men in tow.
Fortune called out, “Manager Barrett, where are you taking those gentlemen p>
A coworker answered before Ray could reply. “Heard there’s a new transfer exam at Central Academy, and one of the students scored off the charts. The principal and department head came here themselves-afraid their star pupil might slip away. But they don’t know which building she lives in, so they asked Manager Barrett to show them around p>
The coworker added, “By the way, Kensington, I heard this star student has the same last name as you. Some girl named Caitlin p>
At that, the rest of the group broke into envious chatter. “Central Academy’s the best high school in the city! Whoever’s kid that is they must have some serious luck in the family p>
Central Academy. Transfer student. Top scorer. And her name was Caitlin?
Fortune couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. He turned to his coworker, his voice trembling. “Paul, what did you say her name was p>
“Caitlin,” Paul replied.
“Are you sure it’s Caitlin?” Fortune pressed.
“Absolutely,” Paul nodded. “Heard it with my own ears. No mistake p>
The confirmation sent Fortune’s heart racing. Without another thought, he jogged
after Ray Barrett. “Manager Barrett! Manager Barrett, wait up p>
Ray turned around, slightly annoyed. “What is it, Kensington p>
Fortune could barely contain his excitement. “I heard you’re looking for Caitlin p>
“That’s right,” Ray replied. “Why? You know her p>
Fortune beamed. “I’m Caitlin’s grandfather p>
Ray blinked, incredulous. “You’re her grandfather? You mean the top student is your granddaughter p>
“That’s right!” Fortune’s chest swelled with pride.
His granddaughter was such a high achiever-even he felt like he was basking in her glory.
But Ray Barrett had never thought much of Caitlin. He scoffed, making no effort to hide his disdain. “Don’t make a fool of yourself, Kensington. It’s not like Caitlin is a rare name. Your granddaughter’s been out of school for a year. She’d be lucky to get into a regular high school, let alone Central Academy p>
He sneered, “This star student scored 710 on the entry exam! Your granddaughter’s just a country kid. She couldn’t even clear Central Academy’s minimum cutoff of 600 p>
As far as Ray was concerned, it had to be someone else with the same name.
Fortune bristled. “And how can you be so sure it’s just someone with the same name? What if it really is my Catie p>
Ray snorted, “Not a chance! And if it isn’t just a coincidence, I’ll eat my own shoe -standing on my head p>