“I know Zoe and Megan have a good relationship, otherwise, Zoe wouldn’t have invested in LIG. So, I’m not here to beg Zoe for pity or to have her side with me. I want to make a deal with you, Zoe,” Caitlin said, her tone calm and composed, with an air of certainty.
Zoe stared at Caitlin for a few seconds before letting out a laugh. “Heh, maybe the Vanderbilt family gave you a massive settlement when you got divorced, but I don’t accept bribes!”
She thought Caitlin was trying to use money or valuables to strike a deal.
Many people would assume that after Caitlin’s divorce from Sebastian, she’d receive a large compensation. But Caitlin didn’t explain, simply shaking her head, “My bargaining chip has nothing to do with money or valuables.”
“Oh? Now I’m curious. What exactly does Caitlin want to trade with me?” Zoe asked, her interest piqued.
“Of course, I’m offering you what you care about most.”
“What do you mean?”
Zoe’s expression shifted, and she became more cautious.
“Don’t worry, Zoe. I’m talking about what you care most about: your marriage and family.”
Caitlin revealed her trump card. She had already figured out Zoe’s weaknesses. She knew exactly what kind of woman Zoe was-strong, shrewd, competent, and a ruthless businesswoman. But her personal life was far from perfect.
Caitlin knew that if she wanted to win Zoe over, she had to target her most vulnerable point.
Zoe was thrown off guard by Caitlin’s words. She didn’t understand where this was going.
“I don’t understand! What are you trying to say? My marriage and family are none of your business! My husband loves me, Caitlin, you don’t need to worry about that!”
Zoe had heard some bad rumors about Caitlin, especially from Megan and Jasmine, about how Caitlin had allegedly stolen men. To be honest, Zoe didn’t have a good opinion of someone like Caitlin. She also feared that Caitlin might set her sights on her husband now that she was divorced.
“Is that so?” Caitlin smiled faintly, unconcerned. “Zoe, whether your husband truly loves you, only you would know. Maybe you were deeply in love when you were younger, but now? Does he still love you? It’s hard to say. Your marriage is already in trouble, isn’t it?”
Upon hearing Caitlin’s words, Zoe’s face turned cold. She slammed her hand on the table. “What nonsense are you talking? My husband is not for anyone to judge! You don’t know anything! He loves me, our marriage is solid! Stop saying ridiculous things!”
Facing Zoe’s anger, Caitlin stood up too, slamming the table with enough force to dominate the room.
“Zoe seems to have it all-a successful career, a loving husband, and two children. Everyone else sees her as a winner in life. But only you know, your husband has another woman! Didn’t you know, Zoe?”
Caitlin slammed a photo of Zoe’s husband with another woman onto the table.
Zoe collapsed into her chair. Caitlin’s words tore open a wound she had long tried to hide. Her emotions surged, and for the first time, she couldn’t keep her composure. Her anger was only a mask to cover her fear and panic.
“Zoe, what good is it if your career is booming? The Peninsula Spa is a national chain, and SD has become a listed company, but what about your family? You don’t even know where your husband spends his nights. Can you still call yourself a successful woman?”
“Stop it! Get out!” Zoe shouted, her pride and anger clashing with the truth Caitlin had just laid bare.
She was a strong woman, but how could she expose her own vulnerability?
Her career was soaring, but she had neglected her family. Her husband’s infidelity was a direct result of her need to always be in control. She had lost the man who once loved her. Despite her love for him and for their children, she was clinging to a broken marriage.
To the outside world, she was a successful woman. But in reality, she was a woman who couldn’t hold onto her husband’s love.
Zoe covered her face. The truth, exposed by someone else, shattered her carefully constructed facade. The real Zoe-vulnerable, frightened, and in pain-was now visible to Caitlin.
“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have said those things that hurt you! I’ll leave now, but before I go, I still want to make this deal with you. I have a way to make your husband fall back in love with you. This is my business card. You can contact me whenever you need,” Caitlin said as she set the card down, turning to leave.
Zoe’s sad eyes lingered on the photo in front of her, her heart aching with every beat.
Just as Caitlin was about to close the door, Zoe called out. “Caitlin, wait!”
Caitlin stopped, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Everything was going just as she had expected.
She slowly turned around, standing tall and elegant. Her clear, wise eyes made her seem almost otherworldly, someone you’d want to trust and believe in.
At that moment, Zoe had completely shed her previous haughty demeanor. She walked toward Caitlin and, lowering her head, invited her back to her seat.
“Caitlin, I agree to your deal. Please help me,” Zoe pleaded sincerely.
Caitlin had the upper hand, and Zoe believed that if anyone could help her, it was Caitlin.
“Thank you, Zoe, for giving me this opportunity.”
They sat down and began talking. Zoe shared the details of her marriage and her struggles. When she reached the painful parts, tears fell from her eyes.
“It’s all my fault. I never dared to hope he would come back. What can you do?” she asked, her voice breaking.
“Don’t worry. I can make him fall back in love with you, and you’ll have him by your side again.”
Zoe was deeply moved. She took Caitlin’s hand and said, “Caitlin, if you can make that happen, I’ll do whatever you ask of me!”
“Then, Zoe, just wait and see.”
After leaving Zoe’s office, Caitlin called Molly to leave with her.
Molly, curious about what Caitlin had discussed with Zoe, was told briefly, “I just wanted to help Zoe get her husband back.”
“Wow, Caitlin, you have some magic power!” Molly exclaimed.
“It’s not about wanting something you can’t have, it’s about making it impossible for them to escape,” Caitlin responded cryptically.
After dropping Molly off, Caitlin headed back to DanCa Estate.
Halfway there, she received a call from Sebastian. “Hello?”
“Where’s Caitlin?” Sebastian asked.
“On my way back,” Caitlin replied.
“I’ve found Brian Lee and your brother’s whereabouts!” Sebastian said, his voice not filled with joy but with a heavier tone.
Caitlin’s heart skipped a beat. “How is he? Is he okay?”
Sebastian’s voice was solemn. “We may need to go there. I’m preparing a helicopter. Come meet me!”
“Okay.”
Caitlin’s heart tightened, a bad premonition creeping in. Was something wrong with her brother?