THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 561

This was all part of Ann's plan. She was setting the stage. By telling everyone beforehand that Caitlin and Celia were good friends, the public humiliation would be that much more spectacular when, at the tea party, Celia didn't even acknowledge Caitlin's existence. Leonore was a human megaphone; once she knew something, everyone knew. When Celia inevitably snubbed Caitlin, how would Caitlin ever save face?

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Leonore's immediate reaction was disbelief. "Ann, you must have it wrong. I mean, Miss Gonzales is certainly accomplished, but she grew up in the countryside. She's never even been to Valerium. How could she possibly know Miss Palmer?"

Anyone with a brain could figure it out. Caitlin had no way of meeting someone like Celia.

This was exactly the reaction Ann had hoped for. "My sister is a very kind person," she said with feigned sincerity. "She wouldn't lie. If she says she knows Miss Palmer, then I believe her."

Leonore looked at her, exasperated. "Ann, I think you're the kind one here. You believe everything people tell you! What if Miss Gonzales is just bragging?"

No matter how talented Caitlin was, it didn't change the fact that she came from a rural background. And people from the countryside had certain...flaws. They were prone to boasting and had fragile egos. Because Caitlin came from nothing, she was desperate to compete with Ann in everything.

"She wouldn't," Ann insisted, playing the part of the gentle, supportive sister. "Freya would never boast like that. Leonore, please don't talk about her that way. She'd be upset if she heard you."

Leonore narrowed her eyes. "Well, the truth always comes out. We'll see if Freya's been bragging at your tea party. It's only three days away."

Ann smiled, a flicker of scorn passing through her eyes. "Leonore, I know what you're thinking, but that might be... difficult."

As if someone like Leonore could ever hope to land Daniel Richards. How delusional. Didn't she know that Daniel was in love with her? Even with her limp, she was leagues above someone like Leonore.

"Difficult?" Leonore pressed. "Why?"

A blush crept onto Ann's cheeks, and she looked down, feigning hesitation. "Leonore, this is... oh, I don't know how to say this."