THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 368

Keira patted Caitlin’s hand reassuringly. “Freya, don’t worry. That whole thing was just a joke between us, not any kind of real promise. These days, you’re free to date whoever you want. Do you really think your grandmother could force you into anything?”

She paused, then shifted gears. “But honestly, if that Ryan boy turns out to be a decent guy—and easy on the eyes—there’s no harm in being friends with him.”

Caitlin grinned. “I have no problem making a new friend.”

Keira nodded approvingly. “By the way, Freya, I want you to come with me to the company tomorrow morning. I’m going to announce to the board that you are the official heir to Gonzales Holdings. For years now, I’ve been too preoccupied with family matters to manage the business myself. From now on, the future of Gonzales Holdings is in your hands, Freya!”

Amanda happened to be passing through the living room just then. Hearing this, she froze mid-step, her eyes glinting with surprise.

Heir? She’s making her the heir?

Amanda had assumed Keira just wanted Caitlin to intern at Gonzales Holdings for a while. She never expected Caitlin’s place in Hannah’s heart was so secure—and she realized now she’d underestimated it.

Still, her mother was making this all sound far too simple.

Caitlin turned to Keira. “Grandma, could I take a look at the company’s financial statements from the past few years first?”

Know your strengths, know your enemy, and you’ll never lose—Caitlin always believed in that. And nothing reveals the true state of a company like its financial reports.

“Of course,” Keira said, nodding. “I’ll have Annie bring them over right away.”

Amanda barely managed to hide a sneer. Financial statements? As if Caitlin could even understand them. Ridiculous.

Meanwhile, at the Ryan family estate, Old Mrs. Ryan was busy preparing gifts for her visit to the Gonzales family. Farrell might not want to go, but the bond between her and Keira was real—after twenty years apart, she certainly couldn’t show up empty-handed.

Carla Blake passed by, smiling. “Mom, isn’t this a bit much?”

“It’s been twenty years since I last saw Keira. Of course I have to make a big deal out of it.” Old Mrs. Ryan glanced at Carla. “You’ll come with me the day after tomorrow.”

She continued, “The Ryans have a lot of influence in Rosenthal these days. Old Mrs. Ryan’s grandson, Farrell, is something of a legend—second only to Master Ninth himself. I’ve heard Old Mrs. Ryan is quite fond of Caitlin. And since there was that old promise between her and your grandmother about marrying their grandchildren, I’m guessing Farrell will come along this time too. Ann, you should seize the opportunity.”

Ann’s ultimate goal was Gordon Sylvester, of course, but she needed to hedge her bets. After all, Gordon’s reputation for never marrying was well known.

Even if she walked with a limp now, Ann was still exceptional—a social media star with tens of millions of followers, and Mr. Quinten’s little lifesaver to boot!

What did Caitlin have to offer in comparison? Just a divorced nobody from the sticks.

“An arranged marriage? Why have I never heard about that?” Ann was stunned. “Who is it supposed to be between?”

“It’s Caitlin and Farrell,” Amanda replied.

At the mention of Caitlin’s name, a flash of jealousy and malice crossed Ann’s eyes. “Her again! Grandma is so unfair. If it’s about age, Farrell and I are a much better match. Why didn’t she promise me to Farrell?”