THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 506

Katrina let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “So what if he blocked me? Just wait and see—within the hour, he’ll be begging me to take him back. Does Freya really think she can come between me and Xavier? She’s dreaming.”

No one knew Xavier better than Katrina did. He would never do something as heartless as turning his back on someone who’d saved his life.

Jeanette frowned slightly. “I think there’s more going on here than meets the eye. It can’t just be Freya stirring things up.” She hesitated, but finally voiced the question that had been gnawing at her. “Katrina, are you really Xavier’s savior?”

Jeanette hadn’t spent much time with Xavier, but it was obvious—even just watching him go so far as to kneel to Katrina out of gratitude—that he wasn’t the sort of man to turn his back on a friend.

“If I’m not Xavier’s savior, what, are you?” Katrina shot Jeanette a look brimming with scorn.

Seeing Katrina’s anger, Jeanette hurried to explain herself. “Katrina, I didn’t mean it like that. I just feel like there’s something off about all this…”

Her words were cut off by the shrill ring of Katrina’s phone.

Katrina answered with a curt, “Hello?”

On the other end, her father’s voice came through. “Katrina, everything’s ready on my end. Didn’t you say you could get the Richards family to partner with Prescott Holdings? When will I get the contract?”

Katrina immediately recalled her father’s instructions. “Don’t worry, Dad. Xavier will reach out to you himself within two hours. This is our chance to make it big!”

Her father was beside himself with joy. “That’s fantastic, Katrina. I’ll wait for Xavier’s call!”

The Richards family! If this deal went through, the Prescotts would become the first family in Silverhaven to secure a partnership with the illustrious Richards group. For the Prescotts, it would be a monumental honor. No doubt about it—his daughter was extraordinary.

After hanging up, Jeanette eyed Katrina warily. “How exactly are you going to make Xavier call your dad within two hours? He’s already thrown us out.”

But Katrina just narrowed her eyes, unfazed. “Relax. I have my ways.”

With that, Katrina dragged Jeanette off to book a new hotel room.

Once inside, Katrina pulled a small fruit knife from her bag, reopening the wound on her wrist that hadn’t yet healed. Blood welled up instantly.

Jeanette’s face went white. “Katrina, are you out of your mind?!”

Katrina calmly lay down on the bed and looked at Jeanette. “In ten minutes, take a picture of me like this and send it to Xavier.”

Suddenly, Jeanette understood. Katrina was resorting to her old tricks—threatening Xavier with her own life.

“But what if Xavier doesn’t come? This is insane! Did you forget what the doctor said? You haven’t even recovered yet. If you lose too much blood again, you could go into organ failure!”

An hour later, Katrina was finally wheeled out and taken to a hospital room. Jeanette hurried in. Katrina was awake now, her face and lips ghostly pale. When she saw Jeanette, she turned her head with effort. “W-where’s Xavier?”

Before Jeanette could answer, a doctor in a white coat entered, flipping through Katrina’s chart. “Katrina, correct? This is the second time in a week you’ve attempted suicide by cutting your wrists. We warned you before—losing too much blood is extremely dangerous. Your organs are already showing signs of failure. If this continues, it could cause irreversible damage. You need to be prepared for the consequences.”

Katrina didn’t care one bit about the doctor’s warnings.

Why should she be scared? The more pitiful she looked, the more Xavier would care. Only if she made the act convincing enough could she keep his heart anchored to hers. Besides, the Richards family had the best doctors in the world. Xavier probably wasn’t here yet because he was off buying her roses—just like last time. He’d come back, kneel by her bed, and apologize.

The doctor finished speaking and left.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by the ringtone of Katrina’s phone. Jeanette dug it out of her purse and glanced over. “It’s your dad calling.”

She handed the phone to Katrina, holding it to her ear.

A faint smile played at Katrina’s lips. If her father was calling now, surely he was bringing good news. Xavier must have already reached out.

Katrina’s excitement mounted as she answered in a weak voice, “Dad?”

Whatever her father said next made the color drain from Katrina’s face. Her eyes widened in terror. “What?!”