Chapter 594
Caitlin dialed Wendy’s number. It rang twice before Wendy’s familiar voice came through.
“Hello? Caitlin!”
“Wendy, I’m sorry I missed your call earlier. Where are you now?”
Just as Caitlin finished speaking, a man’s voice came from the other end.
“Ahh, Wendy… that feels so good… harder…”
Caitlin froze for a second, recognizing Benjamin’s voice instantly.
“What’s this? Are you with Benjamin? You two… Am I interrupting something?”
“No, no, no! Caitlin! You’ve got it all wrong… Just hold on a second!”
Wendy turned and glared at the man sprawled out on the bed, enjoying a massage with a
smug
look on his face. She punched him twice in the back, then quickly got up and walked
out.
“Caitlin, I’m at Cloudtop Resort! Are you free? I’ll come find you!”
She took the chance to escape–otherwise, that guy would keep milking the fake concussion excuse to have her wait on him hand and foot.
The two women had booked rooms in different parts of the resort, and they agreed to meet at the iconic sculpture garden.
From a distance, Wendy spotted Caitlin walking toward her and broke into a run, pulling her into a tight hug.
“Caitlin…”
Knowing how close Caitlin had come to death, Wendy felt a surge of emotions and sadness.
“I thought I’d never see you again…”
They held each other for a moment, overwhelmed with emotion. Caitlin wiped Wendy’s tears gently.
“Alright, Wendy. Don’t be sad. I came back safe and sound, didn’t I?”
“I’m so glad. I’m just happy you’re okay.”
:
Wendy looped her arm through Caitlin’s and sighed with relief.
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“Good thing you made it back, or I probably would’ve gained weight again. And if I gain weight, I’m done for–you know Benjamin’s got his eyes on my fat!”
Caitlin blinked. “Wait, so you’re not dieting to look better–you’re doing it to reject Benjamin?”
“Exactly! That guy’s such a pain!”
Wendy clenched her teeth, visibly annoyed at the mention of Benjamin.
Caitlin laughed. “Alright then, I’ll wish you success in your diet.”
Wendy had already lost quite a bit of weight. She no longer looked round and puffy—her figure was curvy and attractive now. Honestly, this kind of healthy fullness was the type many men found more desirable. After all, beauty comes in all shapes.
Caitlin remembered the Jones Family’s ball and asked, “By the way, did you come to the resort with Benjamin because of the Jones Family’s ball tonight?”
She and Sebastian had already been invited. Since they were already here at the resort, attending the event would be easy.
“I didn’t want to come, but he dragged me here.”
“Well, you’re here now. Don’t stress over it. Just enjoy yourself. Let everything happen naturally.”
Caitlin reassured her. They were about to chat some more when someone called out to Wendy.
They both looked up to see
a few people approaching. Caitlin stood and said, “Looks like your dad’s looking for you?”
Sure enough, it was Wendy’s father, Landon Smith, accompanied by her stepmother Wanda and her half–sister Tonya.
Wendy clearly didn’t want to see them, but Landon spotted her and made a beeline toward
her.
“You go talk to your family. I’m going to check on the kids. Let’s meet up later. If anything happens, call me right away,”
Caitlin didn’t greet the others, simply whispered to Wendy and walked away,
Landon walked up quickly and glanced toward Caitlin’s retreating figure. With a gleam in his
eye,
he asked, “Wendy, was that woman just now Mrs. Vanderbilt?”
“So what if it was? Why are you asking?”
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Wendy shot her father a sharp look, then glanced warily at her stepmother and stepsister lingering behind him.
“Well, since you’re close with Mrs. Vanderbilt, could you talk to her for us? The Shen family wants to work with the Vanderbilts. Maybe she can help us make the connection.”
Landon’s company had hit some trouble recently, and he’d been desperate for a way out. His daughter Tonya had told him Wendy’s friend Caitlin was actually Sebastian’s ex–wife–maybe even his wife again. That alone was enough reason to pursue the connection.
If Wendy could help get his foot in the door, the Shen family’s problems might be solved overnight.
“You want to partner with the Vanderbilts? Seriously? Do you even hear yourself? Why would I help you?”
“My mom and you divorced years ago. I have nothing to do with you anymore, Landon. Nothing.”
Wendy wasn’t about to play nice. After the divorce, her mother had raised her and her brother alone, struggling just to survive. Landon had never paid a single dime in child support. Instead, he married his mistress and brought her and her daughter into their home.
Wendy and her brother had long since cut ties with him. And now he had the nerve to ask for help?
It was a joke.
Landon’s face darkened after being turned down so directly.
“You little brat, is that any way to speak to your father? I’m still your blood!”
“Oh, now I’m your daughter? Where were you when Mom was sick and we needed help with school tuition? Huh?”
Wendy’s voice trembled with rage. Her father had abandoned them for his new wife, giving them nothing but silence and rejection for years.
Landon, knowing he was in the wrong, shifted tactics.
“I also heard your brother’s dating someone from the Vanderbilt family. Is that true? One of their daughters?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
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“I can’t reach him. He’s always in surgery or preparing for surgery. I’m just asking–are they dating? Have they talked about setting up a meeting with both families?”
Landon was clearly hoping to leverage his son’s relationship to force an introduction.
“I don’t know anything about it. But even if my brother marries into the Vanderbilts, only our mom would be part of that. Not you. Trust me–our father died a long time ago.”
Wendy was done playing games. She wanted to cut his delusional hopes at the root.
“What kind of attitude is that?! You’re cursing me now, huh?! You little bitch!”
Landon snapped and slapped Wendy across the face.
She clutched her cheek, eyes wide, tears threatening to spill–but she refused to let them fall.
Her mother had divorced Landon because of the abuse, and now, years later, nothing had changed. He still raised his hand without a second thought.
But she wouldn’t cry–not in front of her stepmother and stepsister, who were clearly enjoying the spectacle.
“So what if this is my attitude? Go ahead–try and hit me again.”
“Don’t think I won’t!”
Landon raised his hand again, but before it could come down, a tall figure suddenly appeared beside Wendy and locked his wrist in a firm grip.
AD