Chapter 97
Since Dr. Chatham had been hospitalized, Julian’s top priority was to find out
which hospital he was staying at and pay a visit in person. Only by doing so could he prove to Dr. Chatham how sincere the Chandler Group was about working
together.
His secretary shook his head, a look of resignation on his face. “Dr. Chatham’s people are keeping this under wraps. I haven’t been able to find anything out p>
Julian narrowed his eyes. “That might be for the best p>
If even he couldn’t track down which hospital Dr. Chatham was in, there was no chance Caitlin would manage it either.
Fortune was a man of his word. So, after work that evening, he gathered his colleagues and headed to the Crown Oak Bistro for dinner, sending Caitlin a message on WhatsApp.
There was no way Caitlin could skip an occasion like this—after all, she was the guest of honor tonight.
After parting ways with Victor, Caitlin went straight to the restaurant.
Fortune handed her the menu. “Caitlin, Grandpa doesn’t know much about this stuff. You go ahead and order whatever you like-order plenty! Grandpa’s in a good mood tonight. Money’s not an issue p>
Caitlin smiled and nodded. “Alright, Grandpa p>
There were fifteen people in total.
She ordered eight appetizers, eighteen main dishes, a big pot of soup, two platters of bread, and four bottles of wine costing over a thousand each.
Fortune’s colleagues were all hardworking folks with healthy appetites; no one was worried about finishing the food.
At the table, Keeley sat next to Fortune and pulled out a thick stack of cash, grinning at Caitlin. “Catie, I really underestimated you, kid. I lost fair and square. Here’s ten grand-take it p>
The others nearby immediately perked up, curious about what was going on.
Keeley explained the friendly wager the two of them had made. At the time, it had just been a casual remark, but tonight, he was more than happy to pay up.
Caitlin smiled and pushed the cash back across the table. “Keeley, I appreciate your sportsmanship, but I really can’t accept this p>
Fortune nodded in agreement. “It was just a joke between you two. How could she actually take your money p>
Keeley’s money didn’t come easy, after all.
Keeley frowned. “A joke? I shook hands with Catie, and we made a proper bet. She won fair and square!” He shoved the bills toward Caitlin. “If you won’t take this, Catie, you’re saying you don’t respect me—or that you think your old Keeley’s not a man of his word! If you refuse, then I’ve no reason to stay for dinner p>
With that, he made as if to get up and leave.
Caitlin hurried to stop him. “Alright, Keeley, I’ll take it please, don’t go p>
Since he insisted, Caitlin had no choice but to accept the money, at least for now.
Only when Caitlin took the cash did Keeley finally break into a satisfied smile. “Now that’s more like it p>
Just then, the food began to arrive.
Everyone sat down to eat.
Caitlin was thoughtful and courteous, standing up to toast each person individually rather than making a perfunctory group toast. She made sure to hold her glass just slightly lower than the other person’s, a subtle show of respect.
This was a unique tradition in Eldermere’s social gatherings.
Most of the guests were older, and they all noticed these small gestures. Their impression of Caitlin soared-this young woman wasn’t just smart and pretty, she was also unfailingly polite and never arrogant. She clearly had a bright future ahead.
After that dinner, Caitlin’s name quickly became the gold standard among the group’s families—a model child parents would mention when nudging their own kids to do better.
Caitlin, naturally, became the legendary “someone else’s child” in their stories.
Apex Game Studios.
VP Marshall walked into Victor’s office with a stack of files.
Victor was in the middle of a conversation with a young woman about a possible brand ambassador. Marshall smiled and said, “So, Mr. Winslow, how did it go today with Cynthia-did you two manage to talk to Dr. Chatham about the endorsement p>
At that, Cynthia Sinclair let out a sigh. “Uncle, please don’t bring it up! Mr. Winslow and I went to see Dr. Chatham today, but we didn’t even get a chance to meet him p>
Marshall stared in disbelief.
They didn’t even get a meeting?
How could that be?
Cynthia was Marshall’s niece. Back when she was in graduate school, Dr. Chatham had been her supervisor, and she’d been one of his best students. When Marshall heard that Victor’s previous attempts to meet Dr. Chatham had failed, he’d recommended Cynthia, certain that with her help, the meeting would be a done deal.
But to his surprise, even Cynthia’s connection as a star student wasn’t enough to open the door. Dr. Chatham hadn’t given them the time of day.