Chapter 78: The Gambit

The Camdens all had a sudden epiphany.

They finally understood Diana’s purpose in doing that.

For three years, Jordan had spent more time with Lucky than with any of them.

Lucky was the only living being in the Camden household who had never looked down on him.

The strong bond Jordan shared with the poodle was evident from the way he interacted with it during his last visit.

Diana knew—Lucky was the only reason Jordan would willingly return to the Camdens.

No one else, not even Hailey, held that power.

It was already three in the morning, yet none of the Camdens could sleep. The storm raged outside, mirroring the tension in the household.

Meanwhile, Tyler lay awake too, but for an entirely different reason—following his mother’s orders, he was tasked with producing an heir with a woman he barely knew.

---

Half-past seven the following morning.

Jordan had just settled into his car, prepared for another day at the office, when his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen. Drew.

“What is it?” Jordan asked impatiently.

Drew chuckled nervously. “Jordan, you sound awake already! I was worried I might disturb your rest calling this early.”

“Get to the point,” Jordan snapped.

He knew Drew wasn’t foolish enough to call him without reason.

Drew cleared his throat. “Well, here’s the thing… Grandma’s poodle, Lucky, got hurt. A flower pot fell and fractured its paw. It hasn’t eaten in a day, and, uh… Grandma thinks it’ll only eat if you feed it.”

Jordan narrowed his eyes. Convenient timing.

They wanted him to come back. He wasn’t even sure if Lucky was really injured—or if Diana had deliberately hurt the dog just to lure him there.

His voice turned sharp. “Did you people hurt Lucky on purpose?”

Drew immediately protested. “Of course not, Jordan! Lucky is Grandma’s baby. We’d never do something like that.”

Jordan exhaled, still unconvinced. “That’d better be the case.”

His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he considered his next words.

“I’ll come after work. But tell your grandmother—I’m taking Lucky with me. She can name her price.”

Drew was thrilled. “Yes, yes! We’ll prepare lunch and wait for you. See you tonight, Jordan!”

---

Later that morning, Jordan arrived at his office only to be greeted by an unexpected visitor.

Rosie Huxley, Tyler’s mother.

Dressed in an elegant business suit, she greeted Jordan with a polite smile. “Mr. Steele, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time.”

Jordan knew exactly why she was here.

She wanted to plead for her son.

But Jordan wasn’t finished with Tyler yet.

“I’m busy,” he replied curtly, striding past her toward his office.

Undeterred, Rosie followed. “Then I’ll wait in the meeting room. I just hope you’ll spare a few minutes for me.”

Jordan didn’t respond. He didn’t mind making her wait all day.

He respected Rosie more than most of the Collins family—she was far more refined than Sylvie. But that didn’t mean he would let Tyler off the hook.

And so, Rosie waited.

She didn’t eat, didn’t complain. She simply sat there, patient and composed, waiting for Jordan to acknowledge her.

But Jordan never did.

At precisely five o’clock, he left the office without a word.

His chauffeur opened the car door for him, and the Maybach pulled away, heading for Diana’s lakeside villa.

---

The drive there was one Jordan had done countless times before.

For three years, he had made the same journey almost daily, shuttling between the modest apartment he shared with Hailey and the Camdens’ grand estate.

He had always arrived in an old Audi—a car Hailey had given him out of charity.

And every single time, his presence had gone ignored.

No one had ever come out to greet him.

Even when a Camden was at the entrance by chance, they wouldn’t spare him a glance. No greetings, no acknowledgments. He was invisible.

He had tried.

He had attempted to bond with Drew over basketball. Complimented Elle on her outfits. Brought Sylvie and Benedict small gifts.

It had never mattered.

They had always ignored him.

But today—

Today was different.

As his Maybach rolled up to the villa, every single Camden was standing outside, waiting for him.

Diana was there, front and center.

A woman who had once refused to even look at him.

Jordan wasn’t impressed.

A bunch of snobs.

The sight of their eager, obsequious faces filled him with nothing but disgust.

The car stopped, and his chauffeur moved to open the door.

But Drew beat him to it.

“Let me do it! Let me do it!” he said eagerly, pulling the door open with a wide smile. “Jordan, you’re here! Please, come in.”

Jordan didn’t so much as glance at him.

Just like they ignored me for three years.

Next was Sylvie, who rushed forward, tissue in hand. “Ah, Jordan, you must be exhausted from work! Look, you’re sweating!” She reached up, as if to wipe his forehead.

Jordan stepped back, expression cold. “Don’t touch me.”

Benedict, ever the opportunist, offered a respectful, “Mr. Steele.”

Even Herman, who had once sent men to attack him, greeted him with a forced smile. “Mr. Steele, you’re truly an impressive man. Even Mr. Walton doesn’t have your presence!”

Then came Elle.

She had dressed herself up, wearing an expensive preppy outfit and a coy smile. She stepped forward, handing him an envelope.

“I wrote a poem,” she said sweetly. “For you.”

Jordan didn’t even reach for it.

Elle had never been one for poetry. She barely read anything that wasn’t related to TikTok trends.

She thinks she can impress me now?

He ignored her, turning to Diana.

She smiled at him as if they had always been close.

“Jordan, you’re here.”

Jordan exhaled sharply, shaking his head in disdain.

Even Diana Camden is willing to swallow her pride now?