THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 398

“Mom, that photo only shows someone’s back—you can’t even see their face! What makes you so sure that’s Freya? Or do you think Ann is so weak in your eyes that she’d just fall apart?” Amanda’s voice was sharp as she pressed on, “Ann’s birthday is just three days away. I’ve already sent out half the invitations. If you’re still insisting I cancel the party, let me be clear: that’s not happening.”

“Please, stop trying to talk me out of it!”

“Because no matter how this ends, I’ll deal with it!”

Her words hung in the air, her face set with unwavering determination.

Keira let out a weary sigh and looked up at Amanda. “Are you sure about this?” she asked quietly.

“I’m sure,” Amanda replied without hesitation.

“Fine,” Keira said, nodding slowly. “If your mind’s made up, there’s nothing more I can say. But Amanda, let me warn you: whatever consequences come from this, you and your daughter brought them on yourselves. Don’t come crying to me when things fall apart.”

Crying? Amanda almost laughed out loud.

She would never cry. If anyone ended up in tears, it would be Caitlin—not her.

Did her mother really think she could threaten her into backing down? Not a chance.

Amanda turned to Keira, her tone light but firm. “Don’t worry, Mom. I promise I won’t shed a single tear in front of you.”

Keira, clearly finished with the discussion, said nothing else and left the room without another word.

Amanda watched her mother’s retreating figure, her eyes narrowing.

Just wait. Soon enough, Keira would realize just how wrong she was.

Amanda could hardly wait for Ann’s birthday party now.

After seeing her mother out, Amanda made her way toward Ann’s bedroom.

She arrived quickly.

Ann’s bedroom was connected to a spacious walk-in closet. As Amanda entered, she saw Ann trying on dresses. Catching her mother’s reflection in the mirror, Ann grinned. “Mom, do you think the red dress looks better on me, or the purple one?”

Amanda stepped closer, resting her hands gently on Ann’s shoulders. “You’re beautiful no matter what you wear, sweetheart.”

She paused, then added, “But for your birthday, I think you should go with the purple. It’s such a royal color—historically, only nobility could wear it. It stands for new beginnings and good fortune, too.”

Purple was also the color of a true leading lady.

As far as Amanda was concerned, if life were a novel, Ann would be the heroine.

“Okay,” Ann said cheerfully. “I’ll go with purple, then.”

Allen gave a slight bow and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

Only then did Gordon reach for the folder.

He flipped it open.

The name at the top of the file stood out in bold: Farrell.

Farrell. Male. Twenty-six.

The document also detailed that the Ryan family had long-standing ties with the Gonzales family. Back in the day, Old Mrs. Ryan and Keira had been the closest of friends.

And that wasn’t all.

Apparently, Farrell and Caitlin had been promised to each other as children—a family arrangement.

A childhood engagement?

So it was true. Not just some rumor Skyler had made up.

Gordon’s eyes narrowed sharply as he read, a flicker of surprise breaking through his usual composure.