Louie's tech company was still in its growth phase. The reason he had invited the Marshalls over was to discuss a potential partnership. If Caitlin was present, Mr. Marshall of SummitEdge Holdings would almost certainly agree to collaborate with him out of deference to her. But Louie didn't want to secure a deal that way. He didn't want to drag his wife's friendship with Caitlin into his business.

Although Gertrude and Caitlin were very close, few people in their social circle knew about it. The couple never posted anything about Caitlin on their social media. Even when they were invited to events at the Sylvester estate, they never breathed a

word of it to anyone.

Gertrude immediately understood. "In that case, how about I ask Caitie to come the day after tomorrow?"

Louie nodded. "That works. I don't have anything major scheduled for then."

He couldn't easily reschedule with SummitEdge Holdings, as they were the ones seeking the partnership. But Gertrude and Caitlin were close friends; they could talk about anything.

After finishing the last dish, Gertrude started a video call with Caitlin. She didn't beat around the bush and explained that they had other guests coming over tomorrow.

Caitlin didn't mind at all. "Okay, then we'll come the day after tomorrow."

They had barely exchanged a few sentences when a cute little face popped into the frame. "Gertie, guess who I am?" a sweet, childish voice chirped.

The toddler wasn't even two yet and still mangled his words, calling her "Gertie" instead of Gertrude.

Fortunately, Gertrude was used to their baby talk. Anyone else might have struggled to understand them.

Since the three siblings looked so much alike, Gertrude often mixed up Jasper and Silas. After a careful look at the little boy on the screen, she said, "I guess you're Silas!"

"Wrong!" Silas chimed in, leaning right into the camera. "Gertie, I'm Silas!"

Gertrude was speechless.

--

Meanwhile, at the Forrester residence.

When Elsa got home from a shopping trip, she found Xander

staring at a document, his face dark, letting out one heavy sigh after another.

FindNovel.net

She frowned and walked over, her voice full of concern. "Honey, what's wrong? Are you in some kind of trouble?"

Xander was always such a positive person. Seeing him like this gave Elsa a bad feeling.

"It's... it's nothing." Seeing Elsa approach, Xander quickly hid the document.

His evasiveness only made Elsa

more curious. They had been married for months, and Xander had always been completely open with her, never hiding anything what was different today?

"Honey, what are you hiding?" she asked.

"It's really nothing, honey. Just drop it," Xander said, his eyes darting away, unable

to meet her gaze.

The more he acted this way, the more curious Elsa became. "Let me see."

Xander looked at her. "Honey, don't you trust me?"

"Give it to me!" Elsa held out her hand, her tone firm.

Xander sighed again and reluctantly handed over the hidden document.

Elsa took it and read it carefully. A moment later she said, "Honey, you want to start a company with you friends? That's great news! Why were you hiding it from me?"

She had thought it was something terrible, but it was just a business agreement.