THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 374

She’d met countless people in her life, but it was the first time she’d seen such a beautiful young girl.

“Hello, Freya, it’s lovely to meet you,” said Old Mrs. Ryan, warmly taking Caitlin’s hand. Her eyes crinkled with a genuine smile. “Freya, when you were little, Grandma Ryan used to hold you in her arms. You were just a tiny thing, and now look at you—grown into such a lovely young lady.”

After speaking, Old Mrs. Ryan turned toward Keira, her tone softening even further. “Keira, Freya looks just like you did when you were young!”

“Really?” Keira’s face lit up with pure delight.

“Absolutely.”

At that moment, Carla seemed to recover from her daze, unable to help but exclaim, “Freya, you really are so beautiful!”

Everyone appreciates beauty—Carla was no exception.

“Thank you, Mrs. Ryan,” Caitlin replied politely.

Just then, Amanda arrived, leading Ann by the hand.

Amanda walked straight up to Old Mrs. Ryan and Carla, greeting them with a bright smile. “Old Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Ryan, we’re so happy to welcome you to the Gonzales family home.”

Old Mrs. Ryan recognized Amanda right away, her smile widening. “Amanda, all these years and you haven’t changed a bit—still as young and elegant as ever.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Ryan,” Amanda replied graciously. “Let me introduce you—this is my daughter, Ann.”

Ann took a step forward, looking every bit the well-mannered, demure young lady. “Hello, Grandma Ryan, hello Mrs. Ryan. I’m Ann—please, just call me Ann.”

“Is there any chance it’ll heal?” Carla pressed on. “You’re still so young, after all.”

Ann felt another stab of pain, as if Carla’s words had cut straight to her heart. She could barely breathe.

Old Mrs. Ryan sensed her daughter-in-law had gone too far and quickly cleared her throat, trying to dispel the awkwardness. “Come on, let’s go inside, Keira. I really envy you—both your granddaughter and your niece are such rare beauties. It’s not every day you see girls as charming as them.”

Rare beauties? Ann bit her lip, her eyes filled with resentment. Rare? Someone as outstanding as her should be one in a million. Was she really less than Caitlin?

Just then, Amanda squeezed Ann’s hand and gave her a reassuring look. I’m here. She would never let Caitlin steal her daughter’s spotlight.

Inside the house, Keira and Old Mrs. Ryan sat together. Originally, Amanda and Carla were supposed to sit side by side, but Carla, ever the one drawn to beauty, tugged at Caitlin’s hand. “Freya, why don’t you sit with me? Just having you nearby makes my day.”