THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 408

And then, Caitlin gave a deep, graceful bow.

By this point, Mr. Quinten was steeped in guilt—this entire fiasco was his own fault. If only he’d handled things better, none of this would have happened.

Caitlin’s expression remained calm and unbothered, not a hint of smugness in her features or her voice. “Mr. Quinten, as long as the truth is clear, that’s enough for me.”

“Miss Gonzales, the Polaris Tear was always meant for you. Please, I insist you accept it!” Mr. Quinten held out the wooden box from earlier. “If you refuse, I truly won’t have a moment’s peace.”

At that moment, it was as if someone had hit pause in the ballroom. Guests stared in disbelief. Everyone had been so sure that tonight’s birthday gala would elevate Ann’s social standing to new heights.

No one could have predicted a twist like this.

Who would have thought Caitlin was actually Mr. Quinten’s true savior all along?

“Ann has no shame! She actually tried to take credit for something like this?”

“I feel secondhand embarrassment for her!”

“It’s all Ann’s scheming that nearly made us accuse the wrong person.”

“Seriously, thank goodness Mr. Quinten arrived in time.”

The murmurs rippled across the ballroom, and Ann felt like she was dying by inches.

Humiliation, anger, resentment—all of it swirled together until she wanted nothing more than to disappear into a crack in the floor.

Caitlin!

It was all Caitlin’s fault. That little wretch had stolen what should have been hers.

Caitlin was the one who deserved to be shamed and ridiculed, not her. Why couldn’t that girl just drop dead?

Ann dug her nails into the polished floor so hard that several snapped and broke, blood welling up beneath her hands. But she barely seemed to feel the pain, too consumed by her bitterness.

The whole scene was being streamed live, and the chat exploded with condemnation for Ann:

[So she’s the real fake? I can’t believe I ever supported her!]

[I am literally fuming!]

[I can’t believe I was played like a fool!]

[I owe Miss Gonzales an apology. I’ll get on my knees and beg her forgiveness.]

[Damn it! Ann used us as her pawns.]

[I want to apologize too!]

[I always thought Miss Gonzales looked too sweet to be some schemer. Last time I defended her on Twitter, I got harassed off the platform. Finally, justice!]

[Her generosity is truly unmatched.]

[I’m officially a huge fan now.]

[She’s leaving the internet? No way! Miss Gonzales, don’t quit! I just checked, and you’ve got over thirty million followers on Twitter!]

[No way she’s really leaving. Gonzales Holdings is at a crucial turning point. If Freya uses this momentum, the company might finally go global!]

[Agreed! I bet she’ll come back and say she can’t abandon her fans.]

[Exactly! Who could walk away from that kind of fame and fortune?]

[Breaking news: Freya’s Twitter just hit forty million followers!]

[Even bigger news: Miss Gonzales is trending worldwide!]

As the energy in the ballroom reached a fever pitch, Miranda and Vesta exchanged a nervous glance. Vesta leaned in and whispered, “Mabel, let’s sneak out while we can.”

Miranda nodded quickly.

The two of them edged toward the exit, silently praying Caitlin wouldn’t notice.

Just as they reached the doorway, Caitlin glanced toward the crowd, a faint smile touching her lips, her striking eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “Miss Lowell, Miss Prescott, I’d appreciate if you’d stay a moment.”