THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 444

Given Gordon’s personality, if Caitlin were really his girlfriend, the whole world would know. He’d make sure of it.

But right now? Even Skyler had no clue about anything going on between Caitlin and Gordon.

Suppressing the rush of satisfaction she felt, Raven forced herself to feign surprise. “What? Seriously? Your uncle’s a confirmed bachelor? I always thought those rumors were just tabloid nonsense.”

“Of course it’s true! Couldn’t get any truer.” Skyler nodded, looking convinced. “He told me himself—he’s never getting married, not in this lifetime!”

With Skyler’s answer, Raven could barely hide her delight.

This meant, in Gordon’s eyes, Caitlin was nothing more than a fling. Marriage? That was never even on the table.

And honestly, it made sense. Gordon was the kind of man who stood at the very top, a power player in every sense. Caitlin? She was just a divorcée, someone with baggage. Why would a man like Gordon ever consider settling down with someone like her?

Skyler eyed Raven with a puzzled frown, as if a string of question marks had appeared over his head.

Was Raven actually upset by what he’d just said? Usually, whenever Gordon’s “no marriage” stance came up, Raven’s face would crumple. Yet today, she was actually smiling—almost glowing with happiness. That couldn’t be normal.

Not wanting to get caught in whatever was going on, Skyler pulled out his phone. “Miss Cartwright, I’d better get going. My mom just called me upstairs.”

“Go ahead,” Raven replied breezily. Then she added, “Once I’m done with my project, I’ll stop by to say hi to Alaina.”

Skyler quickly retreated upstairs.

Alaina was midway through her own project when he arrived. She looked up, curiosity in her eyes. “Back again so soon?”

“I just ran into Raven,” Skyler said, glancing back over his shoulder as if expecting her to follow. “She seemed… off today, so I thought I’d get out of there.”

At the mention of Raven, Alaina’s expression soured.

Skyler went on, “By the way, Mom, she said once her project’s done, she’ll come up to say hi.”

Alaina practically jumped to her feet. “In that case, as soon as I finish this, I’m leaving. I’m not giving her the chance.”

She really couldn’t afford to cross paths with Raven. Five years ago, just a few casual words with her had started rumors everywhere that she’d already accepted Raven as her new sister-in-law. Since then, Alaina had always gone out of her way to avoid her.

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The Ryan family estate.

Honestly, he couldn’t understand what was so special about some divorcée from a tiny town that his mother still clung to the idea after all these years.

“Mom, I’ve said it before—if I ever fall for Freya, I’ll eat my hat!”

“Oh, hush! Don’t talk nonsense,” Carla scolded. “I’m your mother—would I set you up with someone unsuitable? If Miss Gonzales really wasn’t good enough, do you think I’d be pushing this so hard?”

Farrell hated this logic. “It’s for your own good.” If she truly cared about him, she’d never force him to marry a woman with a history like that.

What was going on with the Gonzales family, anyway? Was their granddaughter really so undesirable that they had to cling to him?

To Farrell’s mind, his mother’s persistence was probably some scheme of the Gonzales family’s making. The whole situation only made him like Miss Gonzales—even sight unseen—even less.

He turned to Carla, his patience fraying. “Mom, I told you, I already have someone I like, and I’m not marrying anyone else. Please stop bringing this up.”

He meant it. He really liked Caitlin. Maybe at first it was just physical attraction, but now, it was her character and strength that truly drew him in. He wanted to be with Caitlin—no one else.

Carla rubbed her temples. “I don’t care who you like. You’re still coming with me to the Gonzales family tomorrow.”

Farrell was about to protest, when an idea sparked. “Fine. I’ll go with you tomorrow.”