THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 485

No longer boyfriend and girlfriend?!

Boom.

It felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over Katrina. The chill seeped through her, numbing her to the core.

She’d been so sure—so certain she had the upper hand. Of course Xavier would believe his girlfriend. Of course he’d defend her, take her side, try to win her back.

But he hadn’t.

Instead, Xavier had chosen to stand with Caitlin.

The moment Katrina realized this, the color that had so recently returned to her cheeks drained away. She started to tremble.

“Xavier, y-you... you don’t believe me?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

“Why should he?” Hedwig shot to her feet, voice icy. “Freya and Xavier are family by blood. You’ve only known him for half a year—you’re practically a stranger.”

“It’s not just that Xavier wants to end things with you. Even if he didn’t, I would never have approved.” Her tone brooked no argument—she was Xavier’s mother, and there was no way she’d allow someone like Katrina into the family.

Anyone could see Katrina was hardly innocent or kindhearted. How had her son’s judgment failed so badly?

Six wasted months, and this was the woman he’d brought home? A schemer, through and through.

Katrina staggered back several steps, nearly losing her balance. She looked up at Xavier, tears streaking down her face. “Xavier, are you really breaking up with me? Have you forgotten everything we promised each other?”

“Yes. It’s over.” Xavier’s voice was steady, his expression resolute.

Hedwig glanced at the security team standing by the door. “Show her out.”

At her command, two guards stepped forward and took Katrina firmly by the arms, escorting her away without ceremony.

It had taken Katrina so much effort to become Xavier’s girlfriend, and even more to be invited to Neon Spire to meet his family. Now, everyone in the Prescott family knew she was supposed to become the future Mrs. Richards.

And now, she was being thrown out.

How could she accept that?

She burst into tears, shouting as the guards dragged her away. “Xavier! Xavier, you can’t do this to me! I love you! I really love you!”

Hedwig moved to stand beside her son, narrowing her eyes. “See? Classic manipulator. Three minutes ago, she swore she wouldn’t cling to you, that she’d leave the Richards family on her own. But the moment she’s actually forced out, she falls apart.”

Xavier stared at the floor, silent, his emotions swirling behind his eyes.

Today’s events had shaken him to the core.

“I know, Dad.” Xavier replied, but his gaze lingered on the spot where Katrina had disappeared. There was a shadow in his eyes—a storm of feelings he couldn’t quite shake.

Meanwhile, outside Richards Manor, the guards all but tossed Katrina out onto the front steps. She looked utterly defeated.

Fumbling for her phone, she dialed Xavier’s number.

To her surprise, he hadn’t blocked her.

Katrina narrowed her eyes, a glimmer of hope flickering in her chest. Xavier wasn’t picking up, but the fact that he hadn’t cut her off completely—surely that meant he still loved her.

She convinced herself it was true. Their feelings for each other ran so deep; Xavier couldn’t possibly walk away.

Besides, she’d saved his life. Without her, Xavier wouldn’t even be alive.

He was sentimental, a man who valued loyalty above all. She knew him better than anyone else—there was no way Xavier would truly abandon her.

He’d come back to her. He had to.

She set her jaw, convinced.

At most, it would be a week.