THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 518

“And another thing—”

“This is Eldermere. This is Neon Spire. Since you’ve come here, you follow our rules. In Eldermere, everyone is equal. That whole Valerium nonsense about social rankings? It doesn’t fly here.”

Her voice was cold and sharp, laced with a kind of effortless cool.

Every word seemed to chill the air.

Not just Celia—even the guests nearby froze in shock.

No one had expected Caitlin to hit back so brilliantly, with such force.

After all, she looked like nothing more than a delicate, sheltered girl.

“Oh my god, Miss Gonzales nailed it!”

“She really showed them!”

“Who do the Valerium folks think they are, trying to walk all over us here in Eldermere? This isn’t a hundred years ago.”

“Miss Gonzales is the best!”

“I came for a party and ended up with an adrenaline rush.”

“So that’s Valerium’s legendary bodyguard, Jennifer? She’s so cocky, I thought she’d be tougher. Yet here she is, on her knees to Miss Gonzales.”

“Bad masters breed bad servants. That Miss Palmer doesn’t look like much either!”

Celia was nothing if not clever. She knew exactly what to say and do in moments like this.

She frowned and turned to Jennifer, who was still kneeling, “You idiot! How many times have I told you? How dare you speak so rudely to Miss Gonzales? Apologize this instant! Beg for her forgiveness!”

The Palmer family may have saved Old Mr. Richards’ life, but this was Eldermere.

And in Eldermere, there are no nobles.

Here, everyone stands as equals.

She couldn’t afford to go against the crowd.

Jennifer’s face burned with the humiliation of losing to a local. Though her pride stung, she had no choice now but to bow her head. “I’m sorry, Miss Gonzales. I was out of line. Please forgive me.”

Caitlin smiled softly. “Owning up to your mistakes is a virtue. Here in Eldermere, we take pride in our manners, not in raiding and pillaging. Go ahead, get up.”

Simple words—yet laced with an edge.

Valerium’s museums still housed countless treasures looted from Eldermere and its neighbors.

Jennifer forced herself upright, biting back pain in her knees.

Celia caught her arm at once. “Are you alright?”

Sweat dotted Jennifer’s forehead. “I’m fine.”

She had underestimated her opponent—she’d been reckless.

She’d wanted to stand up for her mistress, but ended up making her look like a fool.

Celia drew a steadying breath and lowered her voice. “Just wait. I’ll make it right. Freya will pay for this.”

She and Jennifer were more than mistress and servant—they were friends.

Celia rolled her eyes. She’d outgrown that trick when she was ten.

And yet here was Caitlin, not even as clever as a child.

Just as Celia waited for Caitlin to start complaining, a clear voice drifted to her ears.

“No, Grandmother, it’s nothing. Please don’t worry.”

Hannah let out a sigh of relief.

Celia glanced back at Caitlin in surprise, her eyes flashing with disbelief.

Caitlin hadn’t tattled.

How strange.

For a moment, Celia wondered if she’d misheard.

She frowned in confusion.

“Miss Palmer, this way.” As Celia approached, Bernard and Cyrus Richards hurried over, “Your seat is over here.”

“Thank you.” Celia nodded and followed the brothers.

She might resent Caitlin, but she held nothing but respect for the thirteen Richards brothers. To make such brilliant names for themselves in a foreign country—they were hardly ordinary men.

That troublemaker Caitlin was simply lucky.

Thirteen outstanding older brothers—what more could anyone ask for?