Chapter 137
Fortune just stared at Bonnie.
The smile on his face faded, little by little, replaced by an icy numbness creeping through his chest. He opened his mouth, disbelief etched in every line of his face. “Bonnie, it’s me—your grandfather. Your father may have disowned me, but you… you’re still my granddaughter, aren’t you p>
In Fortune’s mind, even if he and Ernest had cut ties, Bonnie was still his flesh and blood. His granddaughter.
But Iliana, watching the old man still trying to cling to Bonnie, was livid.
She marched forward, pointing at Fortune, her voice sharp with fury. “Listen, old man! Ernest is part of our family now-he has nothing to do with the Kensingtons. And Bonnie? She’s got no connection to you at all. We’re not even in the same social class anymore, so stop trying to force some sort of family bond. It’s pathetic p>
Her daughter was destined to marry a millionaire one day.
And this old man? He was nothing. Just a janitor.
What right did he have to call himself Bonnie’s grandfather?
Hearing her mother’s words, Bonnie snapped out of her daze. “She’s right! And you-old man-take a good look at yourself. We’re not even in the same league anymore. Stay away from me, or don’t blame me for losing my temper p>
Old man?
The words struck Fortune like a blow. He stared at Bonnie, shock plain in his eyes.
His granddaughter.
She just called him “old man p>
Right then, Fortune couldn’t even name the feelings swirling inside him-only that it was bitterly ironic.
Bonnie grabbed Iliana’s arm. “Let’s go, Mom. No point wasting words on someone like him p>
Several of her classmates lived in this neighborhood. Bonnie would die of embarrassment if anyone saw her talking to a janitor. It would ruin her reputation -something she guarded fiercely.
All she could think about was getting away from this humiliating scene as fast as possible.
“Alright,” Iliana nodded, quickly following her daughter.
Fortune watched their backs as they walked away, unsteady on his feet. He staggered backwards, as if someone had doused him with a bucket of ice water.
Frozen, from head to toe.
He’d raised his son for over twenty years, only to be betrayed. And now, even his granddaughter had turned her back on him.
Thank God for Catie.
If it weren’t for her, his old age really would have been unbearably bleak.
Thinking of Caitlin eased some of the ache in his heart. Even during her wildest, most rebellious years, she had never spoken to him the way Bonnie just had.
Some people were just born ungrateful.
Meanwhile,
At Sylvester Gardens.
Gordon sat at his desk, facing his computer, in the middle of a video conference call. He wore a black silk shirt, the top button undone, revealing a sharp, elegant collarbone. He looked relaxed, almost casual, but his presence was enough to make the executives on the other end of the call nervous, none of them daring to meet his gaze.
When the reports were finished, Gordon glanced at the time in the corner of the screen. His lips parted. “That’s all. Meeting adjourned p>
Just three words-but his voice was deep and magnetic, each syllable carrying a weight that made everyone listen.
Even so, nobody dared to leave until Gordon exited the meeting first.
Only when his screen went dark did the others finally breathe out and click “Leave p>
Gordon picked up his watch from the desk and, as he walked out onto the balcony, fastened it around his wrist.
A watch worth more than most homes. On him, it was just one more detail in a portrait of lethal charm.
He stood on the balcony, looking down.
This was the eighth floor-the highest in Sylvester Gardens. From here, he could see everything: the entire estate, and down below, Beatrice and Alaina waiting by the entrance.
Skyler had left at eight.
It was now exactly eight-thirty.
After taking in the view for a few minutes, Gordon turned inside, crossed the room, and pulled a book from the shelf: The Straight Guy’s Guide to Flirting.
He flipped to page ten.
There, it read:
1. When meeting a woman, pay attention to your appearance-shower, wash your hair, trim your nails and beard, put on a fresh shirt, maybe even a touch of high-end cologne. And whatever you do, don’t show up in skinny jeans and loafers!
2. When spending time with a woman, remember the details always show your most gentlemanly side p>
Gordon frowned.
Cologne? Shaving? Trimming nails? Putting on new clothes? All this fuss just to meet someone?
What kind of book was this?
Was anyone actually dumb enough to follow this advice in real life?
Ridiculous.
Three minutes later, Gordon stood in front of the bathroom mirror, razor in hand, carefully shaving off the shadow of stubble on his jaw.
Once finished, he took out a nail clipper and trimmed his already-short nails.
Then he headed into his dressing room, pulled out a crisp, white shirt, and changed.
Meanwhile,
The Rolls-Royce pulled into Sylvester Gardens.
It was the weekend, and the estate was busy with visitors, but only the Sylvester family’s cars were allowed beyond the gates. So, even with the crowds, the roads inside were clear, and there was no traffic jam.