Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 130

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 130: Deliberately Put Me Down?**

Wren couldn’t fathom why everyone seemed so impressed with Riley’s military past. To her, it was just a badge of honor that held little weight. What could a veteran possibly contribute that was of any real significance? Sure, she could fight—big deal. Wren thought that merely signified she had honed her combat skills and endurance more than the average person. When it came to sheer physical strength, affluent individuals could simply hire bodyguards to handle any threats. It was all too easy.

“Looks like you’ve got way too much free time, spouting nonsense like that,” Sebastian remarked, his tone flat and unyielding.

“I’m merely stating facts,” Wren retorted sharply, her irritation bubbling to the surface. “Can Riley even fly a plane? What tangible skills does she possess?”

“Can you fly a plane?” Riley’s voice sliced through the tension, cool as a winter’s breeze, her words precise and cutting.

Wren lifted her chin defiantly, refusing to back down. “No, but I hold a key position at the Anderson Group. Without my contributions, the company wouldn’t be where it is today. I’ve achieved more than you ever will, Riley.”

Riley raised an eyebrow, skepticism dancing in her gaze. “Please. All you’ve done is ride the Torres family’s coattails.”

“You—!” The smug confidence Wren had exuded moments ago crumbled like a house of cards. She had never anticipated Riley would confront her so boldly—especially not in front of Sebastian.

Riley continued, her voice steady and unhurried, “The perks the Torres family bestowed upon you? They can be rescinded just as easily. Don’t confuse handouts with your own merit.”

Fury twisted Wren’s features into a mask of rage. She raised her hand, poised to slap Riley across the face. “How dare you speak to me like that!”

But before her hand could connect, Sebastian’s grip caught her wrist mid-air, holding it firmly in place. “You really want to lose this hand?” he growled, his voice low and menacing.

The icy edge to his tone sent a shiver down Wren’s spine, and she was suddenly reminded of the time Sebastian had seized her by the neck—how close she had come to losing consciousness.

“I’m just frustrated that Riley is reducing our relationship to some cheap transaction,” Wren stammered, her bravado faltering.

“Wasn’t it?” Sebastian shot her a cold, cutting glance. “You sacrificed an eye, and in return, the Torres family provided you benefits. Sounds like a deal to me.”

Wren froze, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air between them.

Just then, the flight show concluded, and Bella emerged from the cockpit, her face alight with pride and accomplishment. A throng of reporters immediately surged forward, bombarding her with questions, their excitement palpable.

Unsurprisingly, Bella appeared more than prepared for this moment; after all, she had discreetly slipped some of them cash to ensure their coverage would shine a flattering light on her.

Bryce trailed a few steps behind, looking somewhat out of place amidst the sudden attention.

“Ms. Sinclair, are you and Mr. Murphy dating?” one reporter called out, eager for a scoop.

It was clear this question was crafted to humiliate Riley, a tactic straight out of Bella’s playbook. But Riley remained unfazed, her voice steady and direct.

“Not at all.”

The reporter, undeterred, continued his line of questioning. “What did you think of Ms. Sinclair’s flight performance just now? After all, she can do things you can’t, right?”

Riley turned her attention to him, her expression calm, almost amused. “Her performance was mediocre at best. She struggled with speed control and relied heavily on formation support. Worst of all, her landing approach was far too rapid. Had she been unlucky, she could have completely overshot the runway.”

There was no sugarcoating her assessment—he asked, and she answered with the precision of a seasoned analyst.

The reporter blinked, clearly thrown off balance. He had expected a defensive reaction or perhaps a bitter jab, but instead, he was met with cool, technical accuracy.

Bella’s face darkened instantly. “Riley, you don’t have to tear me down like this.”

Another reporter chimed in, clearly trying to regain momentum. “Come on, Ms. Sinclair is an experienced co-pilot. You can’t discredit her so easily. And besides, do you even know how to fly a plane?”

Seizing the moment, Wren interjected with a smug grin, “Yeah, Riley probably doesn’t even know what it feels like to sit in the pilot’s seat.”

Before Riley could respond, Sebastian’s voice cut through the noise—cold and sharp, like a blade. “Riley was the captain of the Eagle Strike Special Forces. You really think she’s never sat in a pilot’s seat?”