The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 299

Catherine was still wide awake, even though it was well past midnight. Tomorrow would be her first day at the new company, and she and Lorinda had only just moved into their place in Eldervale that afternoon.

They’d spent the whole day unpacking, turning the unfamiliar apartment into something that felt like home. Lorinda had already taken Jasper to bed, so Catherine was left alone, scrolling through files about the new branch and reading staff profiles, trying to get a sense of the people she’d be working with.

Back in Cabinda, before she left, Gavin had been blowing up her phone—text after text, call after call—all about Amanda. She hadn’t answered him once. She kept ignoring every attempt, until she accidentally picked up while fumbling with her phone, worried the ringing would wake Jasper, who had finally dozed off.

As soon as she heard Gavin’s drunken voice on the other end, she was ready to hang up. But then he said Lance’s name. Her hand froze in place.

“Gavin, you’re drunk.”

His words tumbled out in a messy slur. “I swear, I’m telling the truth. I know I screwed up. Please, just don’t ignore me. I… I just want to be friends, okay?”

Catherine didn’t have the energy to argue with a drunk tonight.

“Fine. We’re friends. You should go home and sleep it off.”

He latched onto her words. “You said it. So, as your friend, I have to warn you. Your competition for Lance isn’t just Adelina anymore. There’s that Harrell guy, too. I bet he likes Lance. Lance actually kicked me for him tonight. Don’t tell me Harrell’s turned him gay?”

Gavin’s words were scattered, half-finished, but Catherine was used to piecing together his nonsense. If she hadn’t already known Harrell’s story, she probably wouldn’t have understood a thing.

She set her phone aside, turned the volume down low, and tried to focus back on her work. Gavin’s voice kept drifting through the speaker, fading in and out. Eventually, the line went quiet, but the call was still connected. Catherine finally picked up the phone, ended the call, and headed to her room for bed.

The apartment, provided by the company, was a two-story duplex. Catherine had the downstairs bedroom, while Lorinda and Jasper were upstairs. The two of them had been asleep for ages. The whole place was silent.

But Catherine lay in bed, restless, turning over Gavin’s drunken words in her head. His voice wouldn’t stop echoing.

“Do you know, the first night you left, Lance came to the bar and drank himself stupid…”

She’d known Lance for years, and aside from official business dinners, he’d never been the type to hang out in bars. Maybe it was work tonight, she told herself.

Thank you for checking in, Lance. I’m doing fine.

The words sounded stiff and polite. Lance didn’t text back.

Catherine finally fell asleep just before dawn.

When her alarm went off, she dragged herself out of bed, washed up, put on some light makeup, and slipped into a dark gray dress. She made a quick breakfast for two, left Lorinda’s portion warming in the pot, and ate her own before heading out the door.

SilverLeaf Industries’ regional office was right in the middle of Eldervale’s bustling business district. The building towered above the others, its glass catching the early morning sun and sparkling in the light.

A line of people in suits stood by the entrance, waiting expectantly. As soon as Catherine’s taxi pulled up, a security guard hurried over to open the door for her.

She stepped out, barely getting her balance, when a man in his fifties strode quickly toward her.