THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 569

At Daniel's words, the color drained from Ann's face. She swayed, nearly collapsing, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.

Vivian? Who was Vivian? And why was Daniel in Melbourne? He was supposed to be in the Capital today, confessing his love to her. Who the hell was this Vivian?

Before Ann could process it, Daniel turned the camera to a blonde, blue-eyed young woman. "Freya, let me introduce you. This is Vivian, your future sister-in-law."

Vivian, who was very pretty, waved enthusiastically at the camera, her accented English clear and warm. "Hi Freya, I'm Vivian. Your brother talks about you all the time. He didn't do you justice; you're even more beautiful in person."

Vivian was undeniably attractive, but next to Caitlin, even she felt a little plain. Caitlin's beauty was natural and effortless, captivating even through a screen. Vivian instantly liked her future sister-in-law and understood why Daniel was always boasting about her. If she had a sister like that, she'd talk about her all the time too.

"Thank you for the compliment, future sister-in-law. You're very beautiful too. Please come visit us in Neon Spire with my brother Daniel sometime."

"I will," Vivian promised. She then handed the phone back to Daniel.

Daniel grinned. "So, Freya? Your brother has good taste, right?"

"I think my future sister-in-law is the one with good taste. Don't get cocky, Brother Daniel," Caitlin teased. "Anyway, now that we've cleared up the misunderstanding, I'll let you go."

"Okay, Freya. Talk to you tomorrow."

Caitlin ended the call and turned to Ann. "Now do you accept reality? My brother Daniel is in love with someone else, and he's confessing to someone else."

Ann felt as if she had died and come back to life, only to die again. If not for the pillar she was leaning against, she would have fainted. Why? Why had things turned out this way? She was so sure Daniel had feelings for her. Why else would he suddenly change his mind?

The guests' reactions were even more dramatic. Many had been skeptical that a man like Daniel would fall for Ann, and now they had their confirmation. The gossip was explosive.

It was deliberate. That little bitch Caitlin had done this on purpose. She must have known Daniel had a girlfriend and called him just to humiliate Ann. Ann had been nothing but kind to Caitlin, and this was how she was repaid. Caitlin had no regard for family.

Amanda trembled with rage. "Caitlin has gone too far! I'm not letting her get away with this!"

Gavin, standing beside her, whispered, "Amanda, calm down. To be honest, you can't blame Freya for this. Ann was the one who started the rumors. Even if Freya hadn't made that call, the truth would have come out eventually." He sighed. "I've told you before, Ann's biggest flaw is her impulsiveness. She speaks without thinking, without verifying anything. Is it any surprise she ends up humiliating herself?"

As a father, he hated seeing his daughter shamed like this, but what could he do? He had warned both Ann and Amanda to be more careful, but they hadn't listened. His daughter and his wife were equally to blame for this outcome.

Amanda, already furious, exploded at his words. "What are you saying, Gavin? Are you proud to see your own daughter bullied by that little wretch? You useless fool! Ann is in this position because of you! If you had any ambition, if you had made the Templeton family the most powerful in the Capital, would your daughter be standing here, humiliated like this?"

Her anger peaked. She hated that she had been so foolish as to marry him.