THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 690

But Keira showed no sign of stopping her. In fact, she looked rather proud. Had she not grasped the severity of the situation? Suzanne frowned imperceptibly.

Justus had seen enough. Caitlin was nothing but an empty-headed beauty, all surface and no substance. He suppressed a scoff and continued, "Miss Gonzales, if you're saying the original formula was yours, why didn't you patent it and develop the cure before Professor Smith did?" If she had, she would be the one receiving worldwide acclaim right now.

Caitlin's voice remained calm. "As I said, this formula is not a universal cure for epilepsy. I originally prescribed it for Celia Palmer. Her case was unique, so I included two toxic ingredients in the prescription—a high-risk, high-reward approach."

"This treatment," she explained, "is only effective when combined with dry needling. It's a process of pushing the body to the brink of death to trigger a rebirth."

*Celia?* The name made Justus pause. "Miss Gonzales, are you referring to Celia Palmer, from the noble Palmer family of Valerium?"

"That's correct."

Justus was even more dumbfounded. He had asked the question thinking she wouldn't dare make such a bold claim. This was Celia Palmer they were talking about. And yet, Caitlin had nodded without hesitation.

"So, you're saying you're also Miss Palmer's savior?"

Keira beamed. "That's right. To thank our Freya, Miss Palmer even gave her a jade token from the Palmer family."

A jade token? That rumor had been circulating among the elite. The Sterlings, having just returned from Valerium, had heard the legendary tales of Caitlin Gonzales. But they hadn't paid them much mind. Others might not know, but the Sterlings were well aware of the long-standing relationship between the Richards family of Neon Spire and the Palmers. Justus was convinced Celia had given Caitlin the token purely out of respect for the Richards family. It had nothing to do with Caitlin herself.

And now, he was hearing this ridiculous version of the story from Keira. Did she really think the Sterlings were ignorant of the connection between the two families? If they hadn't known, they might have actually been fooled.

Though he saw through the charade, Justus didn't expose it. He simply smiled. "Miss Gonzales's medical skills are truly legendary. Not only did you cure your own father, but you also saved Miss Palmer."

"We're the same age," he added, his tone dripping with false humility, "yet in your presence, I feel as insignificant as dust."

The words were praise, but the subtext was pure sarcasm. Justus despised entitled heirs like Caitlin who did nothing but coast on their family name. If it weren't for her powerful background, he wouldn't have been nearly so polite.

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