THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 294

“You’ve never been to Fairhaven?” Mr. Slime’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “Miss Gonzales, did I hear that right? You’ve never even set foot in Fairhaven, yet you speak French so fluently?”

“That’s right, you heard me correctly,” Caitlin replied with an easy smile. “I taught myself, mostly from books and TV shows at home.”

Admiration shone in Mr. Slime’s eyes. “You truly are a descendant of the Gonzales family!”

“Thank you, but you’re too kind.” Even receiving such high praise, Caitlin remained composed, never arrogant yet never self-effacing.

She stood quietly in the bustling banquet hall, calm and poised, like a slender willow swaying gently apart from the crowd.

Frederick Richards and his wife Molly lingered nearby, silent witnesses.

They had fully intended to step forward and support their niece—only to realize she needed no one to fight her battles for her.

Pride softened Frederick’s features as he turned to Molly. “Freya is remarkable—such spirit! She’s got the Richards blood in her, through and through. I see the family’s strength in her.”

As her uncle, Frederick’s joy was genuine.

Molly beamed. “With Stuart and Carey as her parents, how could Freya turn out anything but exceptional? She’s the daughter of a lion and a lioness, after all!”

Frederick nodded emphatically. “You’re right, Molly. Our Freya’s a little lion herself.”

A fierce—but undeniably charming—little lion.

Molly’s smile faded as her gaze flicked across the room. “Just look at Amanda—honestly, the way she behaved tonight was disgraceful. She’s Freya’s own aunt, and instead of standing up for her, she tried to undermine her! Good thing our Freya isn’t someone you can push around.”

She’d seen everything as it unfolded: Amanda had tried to take advantage, but Caitlin had deftly turned the tables.

At the mention of Amanda, Frederick’s expression darkened. “She’s just an in-law now, and no matter how hard she tries, she can’t stir up much trouble here. Besides, Freya has all of us. If Amanda ever dares to cross her again, she’ll have to answer to me first.”

No matter what happened, Caitlin would always have the Richards family behind her—always.

They were her strength.

Ten minutes later, Keira had just stepped into the ballroom when Mrs. Andie approached her with a warm smile. “Keira, your granddaughter Freya is quite something! She reminds me so much of you at her age—full of spirit. Both my husband and I are thoroughly impressed by her.”

Mrs. Andie never bothered to hide her fondness. When she praised Caitlin, she meant every word; her approval was always genuine.

A friend?

Who could it be?

She didn’t have many friends in Silverhaven. Celeste Hayes couldn’t make it because of family matters, so Caitlin hadn’t even sent her an invitation.

But aside from Celeste, who else could it be?

Ann narrowed her eyes. Caitlin’s friend? With her background, what kind of friends could she possibly have?

Probably someone just as plain and provincial as she was. No doubt another small-town nobody.

Birds of a feather flock together, after all.

No need to guess—Caitlin’s “friend” probably wouldn’t even bring a decent gift. She’d just embarrass herself.

Thinking this, Ann spoke up quickly, “Since this is Freya’s friend, that makes her our guest of honor. What are you waiting for? Go and invite our guest in!”