Chapter 129
The slap landed so hard, Ray was left utterly stunned.
He could barely process what had just happened.
W-What?
Caitlin was Miss Kensington?
How was that possible?
If Caitlin really was Miss Kensington, what did that mean for him?
Ray’s mind buzzed in panic, cold sweat soaking his back as he trembled uncontrollably, the world tilting on the verge of blacking out.
Fortune, Farley, and Grant, who stood nearby, were equally dumbfounded.
No one had seen this coming.
Just a moment ago, Ray had been strutting around, full of himself-only to be slapped down, literally and figuratively, in the blink of an eye.
And Caitlin p>
She turned out to be the Miss Kensington Caleb was talking about!
Caleb, the head manager of Vista Heights Properties, was also a relative of Ray’s. He usually acted like no one was ever quite good enough for him. Yet today, he addressed Caitlin with nothing but deference.
Did Caitlin really know someone higher up than even Caleb?
Before anyone could recover, Caleb strode over to Caitlin, his posture humble. “Miss Kensington, I’m so sorry! I failed to manage my staff properly and allowed you to be frightened p>
Then he turned to Ray, his eyes icy with anger. “Well? Get over here and apologize to Miss Kensington, now p>
Ray’s legs felt like they were made of lead. His face turned ashen, a mess of fear, regret, and humiliation.
How had it come to this, with Fortune Kensington and Caitlin both stepping right over him?
Ray couldn’t even remember how he managed to stumble in front of Caitlin. His voice shook as he forced the words out, “Miss Kensington, I-I’m sorry p>
Caitlin didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, she looked at Caleb. “Your management really is lacking. If your employees are this bad, maybe you shouldn’t keep them around p>
Her words cut down both men at once.
Caleb broke out in a cold sweat. So this was what happened when a new boss took charge-lighting a fire under everyone, and today, he and Ray were standing right in the flames.
Ray’s knees buckled at Caitlin’s remark. With a thud, he dropped to his knees in front of Fortune.
“Kensington-no! Mr. Kensington, I’m sorry! I apologize for what I did the other day. It was all my fault, I was wrong, please—you’re a big-hearted man, can you forgive me just this once p>
Ray was practically sick with regret, slapping his own face as he begged.
Smack. Smack. Smack.
He didn’t hold back, either.
He’d only managed to get this cushy supervisor’s job in property management thanks to his connection to Caleb. He barely had to do anything all day and still pulled in a hefty paycheck.
And at nearly forty, he knew another job would be hard to come by. He couldn’t afford to lose this one.
But Fortune stayed silent. Ray, desperate, turned to Grant and Farley for help. “Marshall, Blake-please, I know I messed up! You two are reasonable men, help me! Put in a good word with Mr. Kensington for me p>
Grant gave a cold snort. “Now you know you were wrong? Too late for that! Where was this attitude before p>
Farley nodded. “Exactly! Where was all this regret when you insulted Kensington and made him clean up after you like a dog? Would you be groveling now if Catie weren’t his granddaughter? You’re not sorry for what you did-you’re just scared of losing your job p>
Farley’s words hit the mark.
Fortune had started to feel a twinge of pity watching Ray sob on his knees, but now, remembering Ray’s bullying from the other day, all sympathy vanished.
Caleb looked at Ray and announced, “Ray, you’ve seriously violated company policy. You’re fired. As of now, you’re no longer employed here p>
Ray felt his world collapsing. He clung to Fortune’s leg, wailing, “Mr. Kensington, I know I was wrong, I apologize, I’ll do anything you say just please forgive me! I swear I’ll never do it again p>
“Let go let go of Kensington! Have you no shame?” Farley and Grant each grabbed an arm and dragged Ray away.
Caleb bent respectfully toward Caitlin. “Miss Kensington, please, this way p>
Caitlin glanced at Fortune. “Let’s go, Grandpa p>
She turned to Farley and Grant, who were still wrestling with Ray not far away.
“Mr. Marshall, Mr. Blake, would you join us inside p>
“Coming, Catie!” they answered, shaking off Ray and hurrying after her.
Inside the office, Caitlin gave Caleb a few instructions, then said, “Find Mr. Marshall and Mr. Blake some easier jobs, would you p>
Caleb smiled. “Actually, we have openings for two team leaders—one in housekeeping, one in landscaping. The main responsibilities are checking on things and managing attendance. The pay is fifty-five hundred a month. Do those sound alright to you p>
Grant and Farley nodded eagerly. “Perfect! That’s great for us p>
They could hardly believe it. All the best jobs had always gone straight to Ray. Connections really did make all the difference.
Caitlin had really made her mark!
Caleb nodded. “Alright, then. Get yourselves ready and come back at one this afternoon to complete the paperwork p>
“Absolutely!” they replied, then turned to Caitlin. “Thank you, Catie p>
Caitlin smiled. “Actually, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Blake, I should be the one thanking you both. You stood up for my grandfather when he was treated unfairly. That means a
lot p>
In a world full of scheming and self-interest, Caitlin was genuinely glad that Fortune had such loyal, sincere friends.
Farley laughed. “Catie, there’s no need to thank us. We and Kensington go way back-old friends always look out for each other p>
Grant chimed in, “That’s right! Kensington’s been our buddy for years. Sticking up for him was the least we could do. Besides, he’s always been good to us p>