Chapter 29 Iliana was nothing if not pragmatic . When Caitlin was Mrs. Chandler , she made sure to keep on her good side , never letting so much as a whisper of complaint slip . But now that Caitlin was divorced from Julian , there was no longer any reason to play nice . After all , Iliana was a proper city woman herself ! Why should she bother currying favor with some country bumpkin like Caitlin ? That's why Caitlin , who used to be " Calie " to her , had become just " her " Iliana didn't care in the slightest if Caitlin was offended . She was just a castoff - a divorced woman . As if she could ever snag herself another wealthy husband . Not a chance ! For someone like Caitlin , even stumbling into fortune once was more luck than she deserved . Fortune had never imagined his daughter - in - law would show her true colors like this . He was stunned for a moment before saying , " Who says Catie isn't smart enough for school ? Every time she took an exam , she ranked in the top ten ! Even her teachers said she could easily get into a top university If Caitlin hadn't made the foolish mistake of dropping out to get married , she'd be enrolled at a prestigious college by now Asher grandfather Fortune had nothing but faith in his granddaughter " Who knows if she wasn't just cheating ? " liana folded her arms , her face twisted with disdain , her tone sharp and cutting . " Central Academy ? In her dreams . " Central Academy . Even Bonnie hadn't managed to get in , they'd had to pull every string and call in every favor just to get her a spot . And Caitlin thought she could waltz in on her own ? Ridiculous . Fortune's brow furrowed as he finally picked up on the real meaning behind Mana's words . " liana , what are you trying to say ? You don't want Catie staying here , is that it ? " Iliana rolled her eyes . The old fool had been listening all this time and only now caught on . " Dad , I think I've made myself clear enough . Do you really want me to spell it out ? We're a family of five , living perfectly well together . How would you feel if a stranger suddenly moved in with you ? " % But Fortune hadn't come here to argue . He just wanted Caitlin to have a good environment to study in , a chance at a better future . So even when he understood exactly what Iliana meant , he tried to swallow his pride and pleaded , " Iliana , Catie's not a stranger . " Not a stranger ? " Iliana cut him off , her words sharp as knives . " Is she related to Emest by blood ? Is she related to Bonnie by blood ? " Fortune hesitated , at a loss for words . Blood relations ? No , technically , she wasn'LE " Well , if there's no blood tie , she is a stranger ! Iliana pressed on . "Dad , if you want to take in a stray , that's your business . But don't even think about dumping her on us ! Our home isn't a charity " In Iliana's eyes , Caitlin and Fortune were nothing but trash . Maybe even less than that . At least garbage knows its place in the bing these two didn't seem to understand where they belonged - especially Caithin , She'd divorced into the Chandler family and still had the nerve to show up here , expecting sympathy . Secondhand goods , that's all she was . Who did she think she was ?! " You who are you calling trash ? " Fortune stared at her in disbelief . " Whoever fits the description , liana shot back , her voice rising . " You think I'm just some pushover , letting you barge in here whenever you want something ? No place to stay ? Go live on the street ! What , you think we're running a shelter ? Want to freeload at my house ? Not a chance ! " Fortune drew a shaky breath , trying desperately to keep the peace . He was the father - in - law , he didn't want to fight with his son's wife . He tumed to Ernest , searching for support . " Emest , say something ! Are you really going to refuse to let Catle stay ? " Emest avoided his gaze , mumbling , " Dad , you know how it is . Diana makes the decisions around here : Fortune's chest heaved with anger . " Emest , look me in the eye and tell me you really think this is right ! Don't forget - if it weren't for Catie , you and your family would still be crammed into that tiny old apartment ! You're only living in this beautiful house because of her ! Now all she's asking is to stay here for a while , and you can't even do that for her ? Is this how you repay your own niece ? All those years I worked myself ragged to send you to school - was it all for nothing ? " He was shaking now , barely able to stand Fortune's wife had passed away early , leaving him to raise their son alone . He'd scrimped and saved , always putting Emest's education before his own comfort . And this was how Ernest repaid him . Emest looked at his father's greying hair , then at his wife . He opened his mouth as if to speak , but the words died on his tongue. Biana snorted . " What do you mean we owe this house to Caitlin ? You raised her for all those years - she owes us , not the other way around ! If it weren't for Emest she wouldn't even be alive ! " " Fortune's eyes widened in shock , anger simmering beneath the surface : " Catie is my granddaughter . I never said she owed me anything ! What night do you have to say she owes you ? " Iliana smiled coldly . " You're Emest's father . Most parents help their sons buy a house when they get married . When we married , did you buy us a house ? You couldn't even give us $ 10,000 for a wedding . And you call yourself a father ? You raised Caitlin , and without you , she