Chapter 7 Moonlight spilled in through the window , casting a faint silver glow across Gordon's sharp profile . His lips pressed into a thin , unwavering line . There was a force about him - unyielding , commanding - so intense that even the air felt heavy , and the atmosphere in the room seemed to constrict around him . Skyler , his nephew by blood , didn't dare say another word . Instinctively , he lowered his head , his tone turning reverent . " Alright , Uncle , " he said quickly Til have someone look into it right away.7 Skyler had always admired talented people , especially promising young men like Julian D But if his uncle wanted an investigation , then so be it. The truth would stand up to scrutiny - he was sure of it . Julian wouldn't let him down . Soon enough , Uncle Gordon would see for himself that he'd been overthinking everything . The thought of witnessing that moment , of seeing his uncle proven wrong for the first time , sent a jolt of excitement through Skyler . For years , Gordon had stood above everyone else , untouchable and revered . No one had ever managed to challenge him , let alone prove him wrong . But Skyler was determined - he would be the first Hell yeah Meanwhile , Caitlin had returned to the home from her childhood memories . The neighborhood was as ordinary as they came in Silverhaven - rows of modest apartment buildings , nothing fancy . Ever since Fortune Kensington had taken her in , this was where they'd lived , renting a small flat on the eighth floor . She took the elevator up and knocked on the door - three quick raps . A minute passed before the door creaked open . Standing there was an elderly man in his early sixties , his face warm and kind . When he saw Caitlin on the doorstep , he froze , eyes wide with disbelief . " C - Catie ? What are you doing here so late ?" I was well past midnight . Fortune was sixty three now . His hair had turned mostly gray , but he was still spry for his age B A year ago , Caitlin had insisted on marrying Julian despite Fortune's fierce objections . He thought she was far too young to give up her education for a man . She wouldn't listen . Their argument had been explosive , and for a while , the rift between them seemed unbridgeable in the end , Caitlin had threatened a hunger strike , and Fortune , backed into a comet finally gave in to her wishes . " Grandpa ? " It wasn't until Caitlin spoke that Fortune dared to believe she was really there . His eyes glistened as he pulled her inside , but as soon as he touched her hand , he remembered himself and quickly let go , looking embarrassed , almost like a child caught doing something wrong . " Catie , I - I'm sorry . She wasn't the same girl anymore . She was the wife of a wealthy heir , and he was just a janitor in this run - down apartment block . Fonune braced himself , expecting her to snap at him , as she had before . But instead , Caitlin smiled and gently took his hand back in hers . " Grandpa , would you make your homemade noodles for me ? I've missed them . Fortune was taken aback . Ever since she'd mamed into the Chandler family , Caitlin had started to change . She was embarrassed by her humble roots , by her grandfather's job as a janitor . She stopped acknowledging him in public , keeping her distance whenever anyone else was around.X But now , feeling her hand holding his , Fortune's eyes stung with unshed tears . " Of course , sweetheart , of course . Come in . I'll make you some noodles right away " 201 Since Caitlin's marriage , she'd barely visited - maybe three times in total , Fortune's coworkers used to gossip , calling Caitlin ungrateful, saying she'd turned her back on family Now , all Fortune wanted was to shout from the rooftops , to tell the whole building that his granddaughter had come home to see him . Before heading to the kitchen , he reached over and flicked on the air conditioner in the living room . It was a small gesture , but it touched Caitlin deeply People of her grandfather's generation had always been frugal , even on sweltering summer nights , theyd rather sweat than spend money on electricity . But for their children and grandchildren , they'd give the world if they could X Caitlin sank onto the sofa , taking in the familiar scene . The apartment was small - just two bedrooms , sparsely furnished - but every surface sparkled with care . By the door , a bright orange vest hung neatly on the coat rack : her grandfather's work uniform.X Chapter 8