THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 920

Gordon's gaze fell on a nearby arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums, and he almost laughed in exasperation. He rubbed his temples. "Who taught you to use chrysanthemums for a romantic confession?"

"Is there something wrong with them?" Will asked, confused. "I looked it up. In traditional Eldermere culture, chrysanthemums symbolize elegance and transcendence."

Besides, the chrysanthemum was one of the Four Gentlemen of the seasons. Will had done a lot of research before deciding to fill the area with them.

Gordon turned back to Will. "In our culture, yellow chrysanthemums are used for funerals."

Will's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! I'll have them all replaced immediately!"

"You'd better," Gordon said dryly. "You don't want this to backfire. Instead of a successful confession, you might end up with a slap in the face."

Will shuddered at the thought. "Thank you, Mr. Sylvester! It's a good thing you were here. Otherwise, I would have really made a mess of things tomorrow."

Caitlin already looked down on him. If he made a mistake like this, they probably wouldn't even be able to remain friends.

--

Caitlin was hiking with her parents. It was late summer. Though it was still hot, the mountains offered a cool respite.

The mountain wasn't particularly high. It hadn't been developed into a park yet, but its beautiful scenery and the large lake at its summit attracted many hikers at this time of year.

Carey and Stuart walked ahead, while Caitlin and Keira followed at a slower pace. Occasionally, Caitlin would spot a wild herb on the side of the path, pluck it, and show it to Keira.

"Grandma, this might look like an ordinary weed, but it's actually a medicinal plant. It's slightly toxic, but it's also used to reduce swelling, detoxify, and as an insecticide."

Keira listened intently, smiling. "No wonder they say every plant has its purpose. Our Freya is so clever, she knows everything."

The family of four chatted and laughed as they walked, the atmosphere light and harmonious.

Around noon, they reached the natural lake at the summit. The weather was perfect, and the sunlight made the waters of Celestial Lake shimmer a brilliant blue. There were already quite a few tourists by the shore.

Stuart took out his camera. "Mom, Carey, Freya, let's take a family photo."

"Great idea," Carey nodded.

*SPLASH!*

Caitlin couldn't swim either. She said anxiously, "If only we had a life preserver!"

Though the lake was deep, the weather was calm, and the water was still. If the boy could just grab onto a life preserver, he could hold on until rescue arrived.

Just then, Caitlin spotted someone nearby holding a life preserver. She immediately ran over. "Excuse me, someone has fallen into the lake up ahead. Could I please borrow your life preserver?"

In her rush to help, she hadn't recognized the person holding it: Old Mrs. Somerset.

After the fall of the Somerset family, her grandson, Dragon, had been depressed. Fearing he would sink into a deeper despair—and with Jeremiah in prison, Dragon was the family's only hope—Old Mrs. Somerset had brought him hiking.

But she was a shadow of her former self. She wore old, faded clothes, and the white roots of her once-dyed hair were showing, making her look ten years older.

Old Mrs. Somerset stared at Caitlin, a feeling of grim satisfaction washing over her. She never thought she'd see the day a Gonzales would come begging her for help. It was obvious who must have fallen into the lake. It had to be one of them. Otherwise, why would Caitlin be in such a panic?

This was karma! Since the Gonzales family had refused to lift a finger to save her son, she would show them no mercy. They could start planning a funeral.

Old Mrs. Somerset clutched the life preserver tighter and said, word by word, "And why should I lend my life preserver to someone like you?"