THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 356

Carla couldn’t quite explain why she felt such a strong fondness for Freya, a girl she’d never even met.

“What’s so different about her?”

Old Mrs. Ryan frowned, her tone sharp. “Carla, I mean this as your mother-in-law: you’re too soft on Farrell! Spare the rod, spoil the child, as they say. Look at him—does he even seem like a grown man anymore? Girlfriends come and go, not a single serious relationship in sight. If you don’t find him a wife who can actually keep him in line, he’ll end up just like your brother!”

She was talking about Carla’s younger brother, Hassan Blake.

At forty-five, Hassan was still drifting aimlessly through life. He switched girlfriends like socks, never settling down, and any extra cash he had went straight into impressing women—never into building a future.

The mention of her wayward brother made Carla lower her head, embarrassment silencing her.

Old Mrs. Ryan continued, “I may not have met Freya yet, but I know the Gonzales family inside out. Keira, Stuart, Carey—they’re all good stock. I’m sure Freya is beautiful, and I don’t doubt her character for a second.”

Such a pity.

Farrell was stubborn to the core—he wouldn’t even agree to meet the girl.

—

Meanwhile…

Skyler woke up to late morning sunlight streaming through the curtains.

His head throbbed—splitting pain, the kind that made every heartbeat feel like a hammer blow.

He glanced at his phone. Ten-thirty.

“Shit!”

He bolted upright on the couch, panic setting in. He had a meeting at noon.

Drinking was never worth it.

“You’re finally up.”

Gordon emerged from the bathroom, looking as composed and aloof as ever. The hangover was gone; he’d slipped back into his usual untouchable formality, as if the vulnerable man from last night had never existed.

“Uncle?” Skyler blinked, confused. “What are you doing here?”

“Obviously, I stayed to keep you company.” Gordon’s face was frosted over with cold disdain. “What, did you think I’d spend the night here for my own amusement?”

Gordon’s response was icy: “Mind your own business.”

Skyler was baffled. What on earth had gotten into him? Usually, Gordon was a little frosty, but today he was practically glacial.

Gordon pulled his phone from his pocket and unlocked it.

Ding.

A WhatsApp message popped up instantly.

It was from Caitlin.

[You free today? Want to grab some diner food with me?]

In a split second, the gloom in Gordon’s eyes lifted. He typed back almost instantly: [Sounds good. Want me to pick you up?]

[Sure, I’ll wait for you.]

Gordon was suddenly full of life. He turned to Skyler, grinning. “I’ve got plans—gotta run. You can see yourself out.”