THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 824

"Finally, it was my turn to grind them all under my heel." Rosemary thought.

Will entered the ballroom, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Strange. He didn't see Caitlin or Celia.

Will frowned slightly. Could the intel have been wrong? Were Celia and Caitlin not coming after all? It made sense, given that the Palmer and Vance families had no real connection. Why would Celia suddenly bring Caitlin to Rosemary's birthday party?

Just as Will was contemplating an excuse to leave, another announcement came from the door.

"Miss Celia has arrived!"

A wave of relief washed over Will. It seemed the intel was correct after all.

Rosemary went through the motions of greeting her. "Miss Palmer, welcome to my birthday party."

Celia gave a cool nod. "This is my friend, Catie."

In her formal gown, Celia was stunning, radiating the powerful aura of a queen. But Rosemary didn't consider her a rival. Will was no fool. Why would he be interested in a woman who'd had a child out of wedlock?

Then Rosemary's eyes fell on the woman beside Celia. Catie was wearing a mask, so Rosemary didn't recognize her, but she was still taken aback by her presence. The mask, rather than hiding her beauty, lent her an air of alluring mystery. She was gorgeous and immediately captivating.

An alarm bell went off in Rosemary's mind. This woman, with her mysterious act and half-mask… could she be after Will too? Trying to seduce him? A complete fantasy. Will's heart belonged to her!

"Welcome, welcome," Rosemary said, her fake smile plastered on. "Please, both of you, come in."

Celia took Caitlin's arm, and they walked into the ballroom.

As soon as they entered, a collective gasp swept through the room.

"My God, what a beautiful Shadow."

"That's an incredible costume."

"Miss Palmer is beautiful, but my eyes keep drifting to the Shadow."

"Who is she? I've never seen her before."

"..."

Caitlin remained unfazed by the murmurs, her gaze sweeping over every person in the room, not even sparing the servants.

Though she was masked and in costume, looking nothing like her usual self, Will recognized her instantly. A flash of admiration lit his eyes. He could have Caitlin dress up in different roles for him every day. What a novel and exciting thought.

---

Elsewhere, Carey was slowly regaining consciousness.

Tina was helping her drink some medicine. "Madam, how are you feeling now?"

"Much better," Carey said, pressing her temples. "But my head still hurts a little."

Tina frowned. "I'm just taking her for a walk in the garden. We won't go to the front hall. Is that not allowed either?"

"It is not."

The servant's tone was firm.

Carey gave a resigned smile. "Never mind. Tina, you can go back. I'd like to be alone for a while."

Tina sighed. "Very well, Madam. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to send for me."

Carey nodded. After Tina left, she returned to her room and closed the door.

Carey sat on a chair, and the name echoed in her mind.

Freya. Freya!

She pressed her hands to her head, trying to calm herself. Why was Dowager Vance so insistent on keeping her from the front hall? Why had she posted guards? And why had she been drugging her for all these years?

A voice inside her insisted there was a secret in the front hall. If she could just get there, she could unravel everything.

With that thought, Carey stood up, her face a mask of determination. She had to get to the front hall and find the answers herself.

If the main door was blocked, she would find another way. She had spent the first half of her life living for Quinton Vance, never once defying his mother. Today, for the first time, Carey decided she would live for herself.