Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 105

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity**

**Chapter 105: Determination**

Bella stood there, a whirlwind of shock and fury swirling within her.

**Lucky Draw**

The lively murmur of the gathering faded into an oppressive silence as all eyes turned toward her, captivated by the intensity of her piercing scream.

“Mr. Torres, how could you do that?” Bryce’s voice was a mix of anger and disbelief as he positioned himself protectively beside Bella, his glare fixed firmly on Sebastian. “Even if you believed Bella was out of line, there’s no excuse for humiliating her in front of everyone!”

“Oh?” Sebastian replied, his tone dripping with condescension as he raised an eyebrow, seemingly unbothered. “So, when the woman next to you decided to inspect the martyrs’ urns and had those airport security guards swarm around Riley, you thought that was perfectly acceptable? Mr. Murphy, your sense of justice is quite peculiar.”

Bryce felt the heat of embarrassment flood his face. He had been replaying the airport incident in his mind, kicking himself for not intervening sooner. If only he had put a stop to Bella’s reckless behavior back then, perhaps they wouldn’t have found themselves in this chaotic situation now.

“That was Riley’s fault!” he insisted, his voice rising defensively. “If she had just mentioned that her parents were martyrs, none of this would have happened!”

Bella, wincing from the stinging pain in her neck, interjected, “Mr. Torres, I was merely trying to ensure the safety of the plane! Riley set me up!”

Just then, another steel knife shot through the air, this time aimed directly at Bella’s lips.

A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of her mouth, and her complexion turned ghostly pale, fear gripping her heart. Had Bryce not been there to steady her, she would have crumpled to the floor, utterly defeated.

“Still want to keep running your mouth? I’ve got plenty more knives where that came from,” Sebastian taunted, his voice as cold as ice.

“Mr. Torres, you can’t keep hurting her like this!” Bryce shouted, desperation lacing his words.

Sebastian ignored him completely, his gaze locked onto Bella. “You think I’m foolish enough to believe your lies? Is that why you’re saying all of this?”

Bella’s face flushed a deep crimson, humiliation washing over her. She had brought Bryce here to flaunt her connections and charm, but the night had spiraled into a public spectacle of disgrace before it had even truly begun.

“Mr. Torres, you’re just playing favorites with Riley,” Bella whined, her voice tinged with desperation. “What was so terrible about what I said? If I had known those were martyrs’ ashes, I wouldn’t have touched them! Riley could have told me, but she didn’t. She completely set me up!”

“Oh,” Riley interjected sharply, her voice cutting through the tension. “So, if those weren’t the ashes of war heroes but just some regular person’s remains, you’d think it’s fine to mess with them?”

Bella gasped, momentarily at a loss for words.

Riley’s expression was icy as she fixed her gaze on Bella. “You enjoy your little games, Bella, but don’t assume everyone plays as deviously as you do.”

Mortification swept over Bella like a tidal wave. As she noticed the crowd closing in on them, she gritted her teeth and pushed her way through, desperate to escape the spotlight that felt like it was burning into her skin.

Bryce hurried after her, concern etched on his face.

Turning to Sebastian, Riley said, “Thank you.”

He paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. “I thought you’d be upset that I intervened.”

“I’m not that much of a saint,” Riley replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “I know who’s got my back.”

It was an odd thought, knowing that Sebastian, whom she had known for less than two months, was standing up for her while her ex-husband, who had shared three years of her life, had remained silent during her public humiliation. The irony of it struck her deeply.

As the onlookers gradually dispersed, the party resumed, the atmosphere returning to its previous vivacity as if nothing had transpired.

Chris continued, “And if you ever want a proper job, you’re always welcome at the Anderson Group. I’ll make sure there’s a position for you. You’re Dominic’s only child now, so there will always be a place for you in the company.”

“It’s not just me. There’s Samuel, too!” Riley corrected him firmly, her voice rising slightly.

“But isn’t Samuel…” Chris started, hesitation evident in his tone.

“He’s only missing. He’s alive, and I will find him. I’ll bring him home to visit Mom and Dad!” Riley declared, her eyes blazing with fierce determination.

Chris gazed deeply into her eyes, recognizing the strength and courage that shone within her—qualities that seemed to be lacking in the younger generations of the Anderson family.

“Your brother’s still out there, I believe that,” Chris murmured, pausing before adding, “So, you and Sebastian, it’s really just professional?”

“For now,” Riley replied coolly, her voice steady. She knew that once her three-month bodyguard assignment was over, things would change.

But Chris misinterpreted her meaning entirely. “Wren and Sebastian are quite close. I just don’t want to see you two cousins fighting over a man someday.”

“Whatever is between Wren and Sebastian has nothing to do with me,” Riley stated flatly, her resolve unwavering.

Chris opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself, ultimately settling for a cautionary remark. “Sebastian’s a complex guy, Riley. Don’t fall for him too easily. You might find it hard to walk away.”

After Chris departed, Riley made her way back to Sebastian’s side, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension.

But just as she stepped off the small balcony, Bryce approached her, his expression tense and urgent.

“Riley, we need to talk.”