THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 1209

The noise was so loud it sounded like she was trying to break the door down.

Finally, a neighbor from upstairs couldn't take it anymore. He got off the elevator and said, "I live upstairs. It's nine-thirty at night. Could you please keep it down? You just woke up my child."

Elsa's mother glared at him. "What's my knocking got to do with you? The downstairs neighbor hasn't even complained! Who do you think you are? If you want peace and quiet, go buy a house in the suburbs! You look like you can barely afford the rent here anyway. First time living in an apartment?"

So pathetic.

The upstairs neighbor was speechless with rage. It figured that a terrible neighbor would have terrible acquaintances.

"Whether I'm a renter or not has nothing to do with you disturbing the peace! The reason no one downstairs is complaining is because that unit is empty! I'm warning you, if you keep this up, I'm calling the police."

Elsa's mother's face was a mask of scorn. She had only suspected he was a renter, but now she was sure of it. Only a renter would be so classless and make a fuss over a little knocking.

"Go on! Call them! I dare you!"

The neighbor, having reached his limit, took out his phone. "Hello, I'd like to report a disturbance at 288 Spring River Road, Apartment 306."

Just then, the elevator doors slid open. A group of uniformed police officers stepped out.

The neighbor's eyes widened. He had just hung up, and not only had the police arrived, but it was a full tactical team! That was an unbelievably fast response.

Before the neighbor could process what was happening, Grover, who was at the front, spoke. "Hello, is this the residence of Egan and Frieda Forrester?"

The neighbor nodded. "Yes, yes, that's right."

At that moment, Elsa's mother recognized Grover and said excitedly, "Mr. Grover! What are you doing here? Did Miss Gonzales send you? Did she send you to the Forresters' to back us up?"

That had to be it. Caitlin must have known they were coming to the Forresters' to get justice for Elsa and, fearing they'd be at a disadvantage, sent these officers to protect them.

Elsa's father spoke up. "The Forresters must be home. They're just too guilty to open the door."

A grave expression crossed Grover's face. He turned to the officers behind him. "Open it."

They had a specialist on the team. It took him only a few seconds to pick the lock.

As soon as the door was open, Elsa's parents rushed inside. "Egan! Frieda! Let's see you hide now! You're going to answer for what happened to my daughter today!"

They had expected to find the Forresters inside, but the apartment was eerily quiet. All the doors and windows were shut, and a strange, stuffy odor hung in the air from the lack of ventilation.

Now, even Elsa's parents sensed something was wrong.

Elsa's mother narrowed her eyes and turned to her husband. "Do you think they knew we were coming and hid somewhere else?"