Chapter 357
Skyler was completely stunned.
What just happened?
He’s…smiling again?
Just a minute ago, he was all icy and unreadable.
What on earth is going on with his uncle? He’s acting so strange.
Before Skyler could process it all, Gordon had already left the private room, leaving Skyler sitting there in utter confusion.
Gordon drove straight to the Kensington family’s villa. The wrought-iron gates to the property were open, so he pulled up, popped the trunk, and loaded his arms with a pile of gift boxes before heading inside.
Though the main gates stood open, the front door was closed. Gordon freed up one hand and rang the bell.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
It wasn’t long before someone answered: it was Fortune himself.
“Happy New Year, Mr. Kensington,” Gordon greeted him politely. “My mother asked me to bring these small gifts for you p>
“Vest, you’re here! Come on in,” Fortune said cheerfully. He wasn’t working today —just enjoying a card game at home with some old friends, a hand of cards still in his grasp. “You didn’t have to bring anything, you know p>
Inside, three gentlemen in their early sixties were gathered around the table, deep in their game.
Fortune quickly introduced Gordon to his friends. “Blake, Marshall, Harper-this is a friend of Catie’s p>
Gordon set the gifts down, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and offered one to each man. “Mr. Blake, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Harper, nice to meet you. I’m Gordon, but feel free to call me Vest p>
Just then, Caitlin came down the stairs. “Gordon, you’re here. Ready to go p>
“Yeah,” Gordon replied, glancing her way.
After Caitlin exchanged greetings with Fortune and the others, she and Gordon headed out together.
Once they were gone, Harper turned to Fortune, staring after Gordon. “Fortune, doesn’t the name ‘Vest’ sound a bit familiar? Gordon p>
Grant chimed in, “I was just thinking the same thing. It’s like I’ve seen that name somewhere before p>
Both Harper and Grant shared a fondness for reading the newspaper. And the name Gordon showed up in the business pages more often than not.
Suddenly, Harper’s eyes lit up in realization. “The newspaper-that’s it! Gordon is the CEO of Sylvester Group, one of Forbes’ top ten wealthiest in the world, and the youngest to ever make the list! Good heavens, could that have been Master Ninth in person p>
By the time he finished speaking, Harper’s tone had shifted entirely.
Fortune just laughed, not taking it seriously. “There are a lot of people with the same name, you know. It’s probably just a coincidence p>
Harper nodded along, thinking Fortune had a point. Someone that important wouldn’t be handing out cigarettes personally, would he? Must just be someone with the same name.
Meanwhile, in the car, Caitlin grabbed Gordon’s phone to set up directions.
Half an hour later, they arrived at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant Caitlin had mentioned. The place had no sign out front and served mostly regulars. She’d timed it so they missed the lunch rush, so the place was nearly empty. Gordon took one look at the place and hesitated. Aside from that street food stall the last time, he’d never been anywhere quite so…rough around the edges.
And one thing really puzzled him—what kind of restaurant called itself “The Fly”? Who on earth would want to eat flies? Was that actually a thing?
Caitlin handed him a menu. “Everything here is good—you can’t go wrong. Order whatever you like. My treat today p>
Gordon took the menu and, scanning the list, was dumbfounded: not a single dish with flies in it.
So that’s what “The Fly” meant-it wasn’t literal. He’d actually braced himself to eat insects if he had to.
What a relief.
His mood, already pretty good, improved even more once he realized there’d be no bug-eating involved.
He smiled at Caitlin. “Well, I won’t hold back then p>
“Don’t be shy p>
Caitlin poured them both glasses of water. Gordon quickly picked out a few dishes: spicy hotpot, sour-and-spicy fish, sautéed greens with tofu, and a plate of fiery chicken wings.
Caitlin grinned. “You’ve got great taste—those are all my favorites p>
Gordon closed the menu with a satisfied nod. “Guess we have similar palates p>
After all, they’d eaten together often enough that he’d picked up on what Caitlin liked.
The food came out quickly, steaming and aromatic.
Caitlin picked up her fork. “You have to try this spicy hotpot p>
Gordon stabbed a piece of meat and took a bite. “You’re right-the flavor’s incredible p>