THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 688

"Yeah," Tim nodded.

"So," she continued, "we'll go home, live our lives, and work hard. I have a feeling that the money on that check will come back to us in other ways, when the time is right."

"You're right, Priscilla."

The future was filled with hope.

---

Three days passed quickly.

Today was the official release date of the Smith Pill. It was sold simultaneously across the country, but purchases required a valid ID, proof of an epilepsy diagnosis, and were limited to one course of treatment per person. Almost immediately, demand outstripped supply.

In The Capital, an old friend of Keira's, Suzanne Sterling, had recently returned from abroad. Mrs. Sterling had never married but had a son through in-vitro fertilization at the age of thirty. Her grandson, Justus Sterling, was the same age as Caitlin.

Suzanne should have been enjoying a peaceful retirement, but her son, Hoffman, had been born prematurely and suffered from lifelong health problems. In addition to epilepsy, he had several other chronic conditions and was now bedridden.

Keira was taking Caitlin to the Sterling estate today for two reasons. First, to visit her long-unseen friend, and second, because Suzanne had heard of Caitlin's medical skills and had asked Keira to bring her to see if she could help Hoffman. After getting her granddaughter's consent, Keira had agreed.

Though the Sterlings had been away for years, their family mansion was impeccably maintained, exuding an air of solemn grandeur. Suzanne herself was waiting at the door to greet them.

"Keira, welcome, welcome!" she said, beaming as she took Keira's hand. Her gaze then fell upon Caitlin. "And this must be Freya!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Grandma Sterling. I'm Freya," Caitlin said politely.

Suzanne took Caitlin's hand as well. "My, my, what a beautiful girl! I knew I'd like you the moment I saw you!" Like Keira, Suzanne had always wanted a granddaughter, but her son and daughter-in-law had only had one child, a boy.

Keira beamed with pride at the praise for her granddaughter.

After ushering them inside for tea, Suzanne led them to Hoffman's bedroom. He was resting in bed but sat up as soon as he heard them enter. "Is that you, Keira?"

"It is," Keira said, walking briskly to his side with Caitlin in tow. "Hoffman, I'd like you to meet Stuart and Carey's daughter, Freya." She then turned to Caitlin. "Freya, this is your Uncle Hoffman."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Uncle Hoffman," Caitlin said respectfully.

"Very well. I'll begin right away."

Caitlin opened her kit and selected a fine, golden needle, preparing to insert it into one of Hoffman's pressure points.

Just as she was about to begin, a voice called out from the doorway. "Stop!"

Caitlin paused, needle in hand.

Two figures entered the room: a well-dressed middle-aged woman and a young man in a gray hoodie. It was Jasmine, the Sterling family's daughter-in-law, and Justus, their grandson.

"Jasmine, Justus, you're back!" Suzanne said. "This is Keira, whom I've told you so much about, and this is the Gonzales family's daughter, Freya."

Jasmine and Justus politely greeted Keira and Caitlin before Justus turned to his grandmother. "Grandma, Mom and I managed to get the Smith Pill. It's the one that cures epilepsy."

He then looked at Caitlin. "Miss Gonzales, thank you for coming all this way, but we won't be needing your help with my father's illness after all."

The only reason they had sought Caitlin's help was because the Smith Pill was exclusive to Valerium citizens. Now that they had it, her services were no longer required.