Chapter 209
The two of them stood beneath the streetlight.
His shadow stretched long, completely enveloping her.
“Alright then,” Caitlin said, dropping any pretense of formality. “I’ll have to treat you to dinner more often p>
At the word “often,” Gordon’s lips curled into a subtle smile.
Harder to suppress than the recoil of an AK.
At that moment, the phrase “hooked like a prize catch” seemed tailor-made for Gordon.
“Deal,” he nodded, voice warm. “It’s settled then p>
Caitlin nodded as well.
If Skyler could have seen this scene, he probably would’ve burst into tears.
Gordon had given Skyler two tiny tins of Fortnum & Mason tea and charged him three grand; Skyler had been moved to the point of speechlessness.
But tonight, Gordon handed Caitlin a whole pound.
A whole pound!
The comparison was enough to drive anyone crazy.
Gordon was still wearing a smile when he got back to the apartment.
The moment he opened the door, he spotted Skyler sprawled on the living room sofa.
“Uncle G, about that property the Merchant Group’s Skyler started, but trailed off when he caught the odd grin on Gordon’s face. Squinting, he asked, “Uncle G, did something good happen? You look like you just won the lottery p>
“Do I?” Gordon’s expression went blank in a heartbeat, as if nothing had happened at all. “You’re seeing things p>
“Am I?” Skyler rubbed his eyes, not pressing the issue. “Maybe I just fried my brain pulling an all-nighter yesterday p>
The next morning.
Central Academy.
During the long break, the principal stood on stage, delivering a rousing speech before announcing, “Now, let’s welcome Caitlin, the top student in the senior class, to give a speech on behalf of the graduating year p>
“Is that the Caitlin who scored a 710?” someone whispered.
“Of course it’s her-she’s ranked first in the entire grade p>
Hearing Caitlin’s name, Grace seemed to remember something and turned to the girl behind her. “Bonnie, isn’t your divorced cousin also named Caitlin p>
“She is,” Bonnie replied with a shrug, “but she’s just some country bumpkin who moved here. There’s no way she could make it to the top of Central Academy. Relax, it’s definitely not her p>
Sure, Caitlin had come to take the transfer exam once.
But someone like her? No way she could have passed.
Plenty of people share the same name!
So.
It had to be someone else.
Grace nodded, agreeing. “Yeah, you’re right p>
“Dear teachers, dear fellow students, good morning. I’m Caitlin from Senior Class One p>
A pleasant voice rang out from the stage.
Instantly, the crowd erupted with chatter.
“Holy crap, the top student is gorgeous p>
“Mom, I think I just saw an angel p>
“Oh my God, the new campus queen is also number one in the whole school? She’s literally perfect p>
Bonnie felt a chill crawl up her spine. A sense of dread washed over her as she looked up at the stage. The sight that greeted her made her freeze, disbelief flooding her expression.
There, standing at the podium, was none other than Caitlin.
It was her.
Caitlin had really taken first place in the entire grade?
No wonder.
No wonder everyone had been talking about a new campus queen.
Turns out, the new queen was Caitlin!
Bonnie’s knees went weak, jealousy flickering in her eyes, threatening to spill
over.
After all, she’d only gotten into Central Academy by pulling strings and greasing a few palms. So how did Caitlin-some girl from the sticks-just waltz in and ace the exams?