THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 264

An urgent matter?

Not accepting visitors at the moment?

At those words, Ann couldn’t help but knit her brows. What on earth could have happened at the Richards estate that would cause them to turn away even her—a guest of such standing?

The butler finished speaking and then handed Ann a small gift bag. “By the way, Miss Templeton, Lady Jade asked me to pass along this token as a gesture of apology. Please, try not to let this inconvenience trouble you.”

Ann accepted the gift with both hands, managing a polite smile. “Thank you, please give my regards to Lady Jade. But, Steward Wallace, could you tell me what’s going on? Is there anything I might be able to help with?”

The butler shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t know the details myself, Miss Templeton.”

Ann glanced toward the grand front doors, her eyes narrowing in thought. What could possibly be happening in there?

—

Meanwhile, across the city at the Gonzales family’s residence.

Keira had spent the past several days bedridden, her chronic migraines leaving her listless and unable to eat or drink much of anything. Her spirits had sunk so low, it seemed nothing could lift them.

Amanda Gonzales sat beside the bed, gently trying to coax Keira to sip some broth.

Keira, her face pale as parchment, waved it away. “I can’t. I just can’t take another bite.”

Amanda sighed, deep worry etched across her face. “Mother, you need your strength. You haven’t eaten properly in days. Please, just a little more. You know what they say—food keeps the body together.”

But Keira only shook her head again, turning away from the offered spoon.

With no other choice, Amanda set the bowl aside.

Suddenly, Keira seemed to remember something. “By the way, Amanda, any news from Neon Spire? How’s Hannah doing? Has Ann called home?”

“Hannah’s out of danger now, her condition’s much improved. There’s nothing to worry about.” Amanda deliberately omitted any mention of Caitlin—she didn’t want Ann to lose her place in Keira’s eyes to some upstart teenager.

According to Ann, Caitlin was only nineteen—three years younger than Ann herself.

Keira had never been especially fond of Ann; if she found out that a girl even younger had saved Hannah, her opinion of Ann might plummet even further.

Although Amanda and her daughter both believed that Caitlin had just gotten lucky, not that she possessed any real talent, Keira wouldn’t see it that way. She was always more inclined to trust outsiders than her own granddaughter.

Hearing Amanda’s reassurance, Keira let out a slow breath. “Thank goodness. If anything happened to Hannah now, she’d never rest in peace, not even in the next world.”

She and Hannah were cut from the same cloth.

Suddenly, a shrill ringtone cut through the air.

It was Hannah’s phone, vibrating on the bedside table.

Amanda hurried over to answer it, while Keira quickly asked, “Who is it?”

That was Hannah’s private line—no one but close family would have the number.

When Amanda glanced at the caller ID, her face lit up with excitement. It was a call from Neon Spire! It had to be Hannah, calling to praise Ann.

After all, Ann had always been the pride of the family—surely Hannah would be singing her praises, maybe even discussing Ann and Daniel’s engagement. Just last week, Ann had mentioned that the Richards family was trying to match her with Daniel.

Suppressing her excitement, Amanda turned to Keira. “Mother, it’s the Richards family.”

“Give it to me—I’ll take it.” Keira’s voice was eager for the first time in days.

Amanda quickly handed her the phone.

“Hello, this is Keira,” she said, summoning all her strength to sound alert.

On the other end, Stephanie’s voice burst with excitement. “Mrs. Gonzales! It’s Stephanie. I’m calling to share some wonderful news!”