Chapter 76
Skyler: p>
“Ms. Sylvester, please don’t do this-you’re scaring me p>
Alaina gave Skyler a gentle swat on the arm. “Just reach out to Miss Kensington and invite her over for dinner p>
Of course, dinner wasn’t the real reason for the invitation.
Alaina had two goals: she wanted to play matchmaker between Caitlin and Gordon, and she also wanted her mother to meet the woman she’d personally chosen as her future sister-in-law-to see just how remarkable Caitlin was. “Alright, but should we invite Boss Caitlin to our place or to Sylvester Gardens?” “Sylvester Gardens, of course! It’s more formal that way p>
“Got it.” Skyler nodded, heading upstairs. “I’ll message Boss Caitlin on WhatsApp right now p>
Meanwhile, Alaina pulled out her phone, already scrolling through outfit ideas for herself and her mother-she wanted everything to be perfect when Caitlin came.
Caitlin was an honored guest of the Sylvester family.
Nothing could be left to chance.
The right clothes were just the start; they needed to prepare the best wine and drinks, and have the entire staff give Sylvester Gardens a top-to-bottom cleaning.
A few minutes later, Skyler came back downstairs.
Alaina couldn’t wait. “Did Miss Kensington say when she’s coming p>
Skyler’s face fell. “Mom, Boss Caitlin said she’s really busy these days, so she might not have time. She asked me to pass along her thanks, though p>
Alaina was taken aback.
She hadn’t expected Caitlin to politely turn down the invitation.
There were so many people in town desperate for a way into Sylvester Gardens, but Caitlin had brushed it off without a second thought!
And if anyone else had saved Gordon, they’d be shouting it from the rooftops, basking in the attention and building themselves up as some miracle worker. But Caitlin? She’d been as quiet as ever, so calm it almost seemed like she’d had nothing to do with the rescue at all.
There was something truly unique about this girl.
No trace of greed or ambition-none of the usual motives that drove people.
The more Alaina thought about it, the more convinced she became that Caitlin was a rare find, and she didn’t want her brother to miss his chance. She turned to her son. “In a few days, check in with Miss Kensington again—see if her schedule’s freed up. Do your best to get her over here as our guest p>
“I’ll try, Mom!” Skyler hesitated, then remembered something. “Oh, right-Boss Caitlin is coming by soon to check up on Uncle. We could just have her come straight to Sylvester Gardens then p>
“Really? Miss Kensington is coming to see your uncle for a follow-up p>
“Absolutely,” Skyler confirmed with a nod.
“That’s wonderful! Make sure you pick her up yourself and bring her here,” Alaina said, beaming.
“Will do, Mom p>
The next afternoon.
Julian and Dalton arrived at the café ten minutes early.
As soon as they stepped out of the car, Dalton grinned. “Julian, I bet Caitlin’s already here p>
He knew Caitlin’s style-always eager to please Julian, willing to arrive hours in advance just to wait for him.
But just the thought of facing Caitlin-small-town, desperate Caitlin-made Julian’s skin crawl. “Dalton, you’re sitting right next to me. Don’t give Caitlin any chance to get close, understand p>
With the way Caitlin obsessed over him, she’d try anything to sit nearby, to earn his attention.
Just imagining her throwing herself at him made Julian want to retch.
“Don’t worry, Julian. I’ve got your back p>
They walked into the café.
The Emerald Café was Chandler family property, and for the sake of the Apex acquisition, Julian had instructed the manager to close the place to outsiders after
two.
The café was empty and still.
Julian frowned at the manager. “Where’s Caitlin p>
“Mr. Chandler, Miss Kensington hasn’t arrived yet,” the manager answered respectfully.
Not here?
Julian was taken aback.
She wasn’t here yet?
What was Caitlin up to-playing games? Was she trying to get his attention by being late?
Disgust flickered across Julian’s face. “When Caitlin arrives, send her straight upstairs to me p>
“Yes, Mr. Chandler p>
Julian and Dalton headed upstairs.
A waiter quickly brought over two cups of the café’s finest coffee.
Soon it was three o’clock.
But still, no sign of Caitlin.
Dalton couldn’t hold back. “Julian, you don’t think—maybe Caitlin’s not coming p>
“Not coming?” Julian snorted. “Unless Caitlin’s dead, she’ll show. She’s just trying to play hard to get, that’s all p>
Time ticked by.
Another hour passed.
Still no Caitlin.
Dalton glanced out the window, then spoke up again. “It’s nearly four-thirty, Julian. Maybe we’ve been overthinking this. Maybe Caitlin really isn’t coming-maybe she’s moved on p>
The old Caitlin would’ve shown up hours early, waiting around for Julian like a lovesick fool-she’d never be late.
So maybe Caitlin really had let him go.
“That’s impossible! She’s just trying to force me into getting back together. She thinks I’ll fall for it?” Julian snapped, face icy.
He was sure-he was the love of Caitlin’s life.
There was no way she’d just walk away.
With a cold expression, Julian stood up, looked at Dalton, and said, “Caitlin will show up today, but I’m done waiting. You stay here. When she finally arrives, tell her to bring the Apex Game Studios acquisition contract to my office herself and give me a proper explanation. If she doesn’t, she can forget about ever setting foot in Chandler Group again p>