THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 633

"A stray?" The word struck a nerve. Tammie's expression hardened.

"Don't you ever say that about yourself, Ann. You are not a stray! You are my cousin, my real family, and you always will be." He wasn't like Keira, easily fooled by Caitlin's manipulations. He would protect Ann forever.

Ann sighed, looking down at her hands. "Tammie, my reputation in this city is ruined. I'm not worth all this trouble."

"You are not your mother. Remember that. And don't let their small-minded views get to you."

Ann shook her head. "It's not just that. My reputation was already gone after Miss Palmer came to the city."

Celia? Tammie had been so consumed with his work lately that he'd been out of touch with social circles. He hadn't heard anything about Celia and Ann. "What happened with Celia? Did she do something to you?" Now that he thought about it, Celia hadn't pestered him in quite a while. She was probably plotting some new scheme to get his attention. Her infatuation with him was as relentless as it was baffling.

Ann recounted the story of the medallion, carefully omitting certain details to paint herself as the victim.

Tammie was furious. "Celia did that? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Celia had lost her mind. Giving the medallion to Caitlin instead of Ann? Did she not know who Ann was to him?

Ann lowered her gaze, looking utterly dejected. "I tried to talk to her, but Miss Palmer said she wasn't interested in you anymore, so I didn't want to bother you with it."

Not interested? Tammie let out a derisive snort. "Impossible. Celia is my number one fan. She's pulled countless stunts to get my attention. This is just her latest tactic." The goal was always the same: to make him fall for her.

Ann nodded meekly. "That would make sense…"

He patted her head reassuringly. "Don't worry, Ann. I'll make Celia get that medallion back from Caitlin and give it to you."

"Don't be silly. We're family," he said, handing her a tissue. "I'm flying to Valerium tomorrow. Actually, why don't you pack your things? I'm waiting for you right here."

"Pack my things? For what?" Ann asked, confused.

Tammie glanced around the hotel lobby. "A place like this isn't fit for you. Go pack. You're coming to stay with me." He owned a villa in the city.

"I… I couldn't," Ann hesitated. "I've already been so much trouble."

"I said we're family. Now go pack," he insisted, his tone firming. "If you don't, I'll actually get angry."