"As long as it's Catie and our Sweetie's child, I'd adore it even if it were a puppy."

Alaina chuckled at her mother's words. "If they actually gave birth to a puppy, believe me, you'd be scared to death!"

"I would not!" Beatrice huffed.

In truth, it wasn't just Beatrice who adored Caitlin; Alaina did too.

Soon, the news of Master Ninth and Miss Gonzales's suspected romance exploded across the internet. After all, one was a titan at the pinnacle of the financial world, and the other was the star of the most beautiful viral photo. The buzz around them even surpassed that of celebrity scandals. The story reached billions of impressions within two hours, and its popularity was still climbing.

The next morning, Flossie saw the news online and immediately drove to her family's home.

She found Old Mrs. Somerset dressed in an opera costume, singing a piece from *Carmen*.

Flossie watched, exasperated. "Mother, Gonzales Holdings has already terminated their contract with Somerset Group. How can you still be in the mood to sing?"

"What's there to be afraid of?" Old Mrs. Somerset glanced at Flossie. "Do you really think the Gonzales family will go through with terminating the contract?"

"It's not a matter of 'will they,' it's that they already have!"

Old Mrs. Somerset scoffed. "That's just Stuart's way of trying to scare us."

Flossie was dumbfounded. She

couldn't begin to understand heret

mother's logic. T

situation was

dire, yet Old Mrs. Somerset still

thought it was just a scare tactic.

"Mother," Flossie continued after a moment, "what makes you so sure Gonzales Holdings is just trying to intimidate us?"

"Because Stuart is very impressed with your brother!" Old Mrs. Somerset declared. "Out of consideration for his future son-in-law, Stuart will come back!"

Not only would he come back, he would come back to apologize. A look of immense pride washed over her face as she spoke of her precious son.

Flossie was even more speechless. "Mother, there is no way Miss Gonzales would be interested in my brother! You need to stop dreaming."

"Not interested in your brother?" Old Mrs. Somerset stopped her dramatic gestures. "Your brother is a future titan of industry, the ne

Master Ninth How could she possibly not be interested him

"The next Master Ninth?" Flossie shook her head wearily. "Mother, do you even

know that Miss Gonzales already has a boyfriend?"

Old Mrs. Somerset paused. "She has a boyfriend?"

Who would want second-hand goods? It was incredible.

Her eyes narrowed. "Even if she has a boyfriend, he certainly can't compare to your brother! In that case, Stuart will have even more reason to come begging to us."

Any true powerhouse would want an equal partner. Someone like Caitlin could only find a man at her same level. Therefore, Jeremiah was still Caitlin's best option. Otherwise why would Stuart be so impressed with him?

"Do you know who Miss Gonzales's boyfriend is?" Flossie asked.

Old Mrs. Somerset waved a dismissive hand. "Probably just some social climber."