THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 458

“It’s said to be good for your eyesight and helps cool the body, too,” Caitlin explained.

Cassidy nodded.

Jimmy was beyond stunned. He’d only ever read about people swallowing snake gallbladders whole in books—never expected to witness it in real life.

The sensation was… strange. Really strange.

Once Caitlin had swallowed the snake gall, she glanced at her watch. “Helena and the others have already reached the summit. We should catch up with them.”

Most of the group was already waiting at the top. Cassidy and Jimmy had fallen behind because they were tired, while Caitlin had gotten delayed searching for wild herbs.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Half an hour later, the three of them arrived at the summit.

Cloudpeak was untouched by development; there was almost no sign of human activity up here. Spring sunlight flooded the mountaintop, and vibrant azaleas painted the hillside in a fiery red. A sparkling brook ran just beyond the flowers.

“Let’s have a picnic here for lunch!” Raven suggested.

“Yes, let’s!” Helena chimed in right away. “We can have the cooking gear delivered by drone.”

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

Cassidy grinned. “Since we’re having a picnic, why not forage for some wild greens and mushrooms? I’ll send you all a guide—let’s see what we can find together.”

These were city kids, pampered sons and daughters of wealthy families. The suggestion sparked their curiosity, and soon everyone had Cassidy’s illustrated guide open, scouring the area for edible plants.

The others looked equally shaken. If only they’d known, they never would have picked up those eggs.

“I’ve got some Fresh-Scent Pods. Everyone who touched the eggs, take one,” Caitlin said, pulling a bottle out of her bag and shaking out a few capsules.

“Raven, aren’t you going to have one?” Cassidy asked, swallowing her own capsule.

But Raven wasn’t the least bit afraid. Instead, she tucked the snake eggs into her backpack with a scoff. “Ridge Viper, Ridge Viper—it’s just an animal. I’m not scared of some mindless beast.”

She shot Caitlin a scornful look, eyes full of contempt. “Honestly, the less educated someone is, the more dangerous they are to society.”

“I’d like to see it try,” Raven sneered. “I’m taking these eggs home. Let’s see if that dumb animal can really track me a hundred kilometers to get its revenge.”