THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 582

Gavin was nothing if not persistent; he hadn't given up on Amanda, and nothing anyone else said was going to change his mind.

"You really think I should do this?" Gavin asked, looking up at Jett.

Jett simply nodded.

The next morning, Gavin returned home, clutching his briefcase in one hand and a bouquet of roses in the other.

He had made up his mind.

He was going to apologize to Amanda.

But as he reached the front gate of their villa, he saw his belongings strewn across the lawn.

Clothes, coffee mugs, even his sketchbooks and calligraphy sets, were all piled in a messy heap by the side of the road.

Gavin froze for a second, then quickened his pace toward the house. "Mae, Mae! What's going on out front?"

Mae rushed out, her face a mask of distress. "Sir, Madam threw all those things out. She said… she said that from this day forward, you are not to set foot in this house again."

The roses slipped from Gavin's grasp and fell to the ground with a soft thud.

He had agonized all night, wrestling with his pride, only to come back and apologize.

And this…

This was the reception he got.

It was laughable. Utterly absurd.

Just then, Amanda and Ann descended the stairs.

The moment Amanda saw Gavin, a smirk of triumph touched her lips.

There it was.

She knew it.

She knew this spineless man would come crawling back to her.

"Gavin, I thought you had some backbone! Turns out, you're nothing but a mooch. What else are you good for besides living off me?" Amanda continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "If you really want my forgiveness, get on your knees, film an apology video for me, and send it to your precious Templeton family's group chat. Otherwise, we're going to City Hall right now for a divorce!"

Having delivered her ultimatum, Amanda waited, fully expecting Gavin to drop to his knees and beg.

She knew he would. He had to.

She had tolerated him for years, giving him far more respect than he deserved. She couldn't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when she shared the video of him groveling. How could he possibly show his face in public after that?

"Fine. A divorce it is," Gavin said, his voice flat as he met her gaze. "I've had enough, Amanda. Let's go to City Hall. Now."

Amanda was taken aback.

This was not the reaction she had anticipated.

A sneer formed on her lips; he was clearly bluffing. "Fine. I'll call your bluff and take that trip to City Hall with you. Whoever backs out is a coward."

Gavin turned to their daughter. "Ann, your mother and I are getting a divorce. Who will you go with?"

"Mom, of course," Ann said, clinging to Amanda's arm. "Only she can give me the life I want. What can you possibly offer me? A useless man like you should have divorced my mother years ago."

What good was a father like Gavin?

He couldn't provide fame or fortune.

His very existence was just holding her back.

In that instant, Gavin's heart plummeted. He had thought, perhaps, that without him, Amanda might find someone better, someone who could truly make her happy.

But now, he felt nothing but utter disappointment in both mother and daughter.

A bone-deep chill settled over him.

He took a deep breath and looked at Amanda. "Let's go. City Hall."

Amanda snorted. "Let's."

"Mom, I'll come with you," Ann added, falling into step beside her.

Half an hour later, the three of them stood outside City Hall.

Once she was ready, Celia prepared to leave.

Jennifer fell into step behind her.

As a bodyguard, her duty was to ensure Celia's safety at all times.

Celia, bag in hand, paused at the door. "Jennifer, you don't need to come with me today."

"What?" Jennifer was stunned. "Miss Palmer, why?"

Celia smiled. "The Capital is very safe; I'll be fine. Besides, I'd like to spend some time alone with Miss Gonzales today. I've arranged a guide for you, though. You can go explore somewhere else."

Valerium, with its liberal gun laws, was chaotic, necessitating bodyguards for the aristocracy.

But Eldermere was different.

Jennifer felt a strange pang in her chest.

This was a first.

An absolute first.

In all the years they had known each other, Celia had never gone anywhere without her.

They had been inseparable.

Like sisters.

But ever since Caitlin had entered the picture, Celia had changed.

She was different now.

She no longer treated Jennifer like a sister; she had even scolded her for Caitlin's sake.

And now…

Now, she didn't even want to take her along.

A wave of bitterness washed over Jennifer, but she forced a smile. "Of course, Miss Palmer. I understand. I hope you and Miss Gonzales have a wonderful time."