THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 523

Celia hated nothing more than people who betrayed love or abandoned their children.

It didn’t matter whether they were men or women.

That, in fact, was a big part of why she liked Tammie so much.

Because in every one of Tammie’s comics, anyone who cheated or shirked their responsibilities as a parent always got what was coming to them in the end.

They say stories are windows to the soul.

Reading Tammie’s work, Celia felt an uncanny sense of kinship, as if their souls resonated in perfect harmony.

They were the same kind of person.

So when Ann confided that Caitlin had cheated in her marriage—and had even gone through more than one abortion—Celia’s anger was immediate and intense.

She was willing to use the Vitality music box, just to make Caitlin lose face.

She wanted everyone to see the truth behind Caitlin’s carefully crafted image.

“Miss Gonzales, I’d advise you to think this through. If your hand gets burned, it won’t be worth it,” Celia said, her words putting Caitlin right on the spot. Everyone’s attention turned toward Caitlin, curiosity sparkling in their eyes, eager for her reaction.

This was the perfect moment to see if the rumors were true.

If Caitlin hesitated, it would look like she had something to hide.

And in their eyes, hesitation was as good as a confession.

But if she stepped forward and her hand got burned, the gossip would only intensify. Even if Caitlin managed to avoid injury but couldn’t open the box, people would still talk.

Celia had just declared that only women of absolute purity could open the lid of the music box.

If Caitlin failed, that would be all the proof anyone needed that she wasn’t as pure as she seemed.

Gossip was a powerful thing—especially with Caitlin’s divorce already painting a target on her back.

Unless Caitlin could open the box tonight, the wave of speculation would drown her.

The ballroom’s chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a silvery glow across Caitlin’s figure. She stood beneath the lights, looking almost ethereal, moonlight woven into her hair. And yet, faced with Celia’s relentless challenge, she didn’t show the slightest trace of nerves. Her voice was clear and cool: “No need to think it over.”

Just four words, but they rang out like a fresh mountain spring—clean, crisp, and surprising.

Her answer landed in the ballroom like a grenade.

People gasped, stunned.

Everyone had already witnessed the strange power of the Vitality box.

Most expected Caitlin to make an excuse and slip out of the room. No one saw this coming: she stayed, facing Celia’s provocation with extraordinary calm.

“Isn’t Miss Gonzales a little too confident?” someone whispered.

“She really is. Don’t forget, in all of Valerium, only Miss Palmer has ever managed to open the Vitality box. Where does Caitlin get her nerve?”

“Blind confidence, more like! I used to think Miss Gonzales was clever, but now I see it doesn’t matter how you dress up a country girl—she can’t change what she is at heart.”

“That’s it, then. The Richardses’ grand party is about to become a scandal.”

Across the room, Watkins leaned toward Norris, worry etched on his face. “Norris, shouldn’t we try to get our sister off that stage?”

“Don’t worry,” Norris replied, eyes steady. “I know Freya. She’d never cheat in a marriage or treat life so carelessly. This is her chance to prove herself. Let the crowd talk—the Richardses are powerful, but even we can’t silence every rumor.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify