Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 131

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 131: Save the Kid**

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on Wren, as if she had just declared the most absurd thing imaginable.

Wren felt her smile falter, freezing in place like a deer caught in headlights.

**Lucky Draw**

For the longest time, she had believed Riley was merely an everyday veteran.

But Captain of the Eagle Strike Special Forces? That notion had never even grazed her mind until this moment.

Desperate to regain her composure, Wren scoffed dismissively, “Even if she once flew, it’s been years since she left the military. Her skills must be as rusty as an old bicycle. There’s no way she can hold a candle to Bella! What she said was nothing more than petty jealousy!”

Sebastian let out a low, derisive chuckle that sent a shiver down Wren’s spine.

“Slander, you say? There are plenty of pilots here who witnessed the performance. Why don’t we ask them whether her comments hold any truth?”

The pilots who had participated in the show exchanged uneasy glances, their discomfort palpable. Finally, one of them stepped forward, clearing his throat with an air of reluctant authority.

“Ms. Anderson’s feedback was… accurate. Ms. Sinclair did struggle during the flight.”

They knew better than to lie, especially with the entire performance meticulously recorded.

If they tried to cover for Bella now, someone could easily pull up the footage later and expose their dishonesty. The thought of being embarrassed and having their own skills questioned was enough to make them choose honesty as the only viable option.

Bella’s expression twisted into one of disbelief and anger. “Oh, please! How much did she pay you to say that?”

The pilot frowned, his brow furrowing in frustration. “Ms. Sinclair, we didn’t take a single cent. We’re simply being honest. If you think we’re mistaken, feel free to have the footage reviewed by aviation experts.”

Bella was left momentarily speechless, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Riley shot Bella a piercing glare, her voice cold and unwavering. “Your flying isn’t something to boast about. Instead of flaunting, perhaps you should dedicate more time to training. When you’re in that cockpit, the lives of every person on board depend on your competence.”

Bella’s face turned a deep shade of crimson, the humiliation washing over her like a cold wave as cameras clicked incessantly around her, reporters capturing every moment of her downfall.

Mortified, she clutched Bryce’s arm, attempting to drag him away from the crowd, her heart racing.

She had come here with the intent to humiliate Riley, to paint her as a mere footnote in her husband’s life—just a woman left behind.

But now, it was she who found herself the target of public ridicule, right in front of the media.

“She’s just being difficult!” Bella hissed, her voice quaking with barely contained fury. “So what if she used to fly? It’s been years—her skills must be rusty by now!”

Bryce’s mind flashed back to an airshow he had attended with Riley long before their divorce.

She had piloted the same type of aerobatic plane that Bella had just flown, and there was nothing rusty about it.

Even with his limited knowledge of aviation, he could see the stark contrast—Riley’s flying had been sharp, smooth, and impeccably controlled. She executed daring stunts with an ease that left spectators breathless and landed with the precision of a seasoned professional.

He stole a glance at Bella, her face now a storm of fury and embarrassment.

But he chose to remain silent, keeping his thoughts locked away, unwilling to add fuel to the fire.

Just as they were about to retreat from the scene, a piercing scream sliced through the air like a knife.

“Oh no! A kid fell into the sea!”

He couldn’t tear his gaze away, his chest tightening as he watched Riley slice through the waves with the grace of a seasoned swimmer.

Sebastian stood frozen, his tall frame rigid, jaw clenched, eyes locked on Riley’s figure as it disappeared deeper into the unforgiving sea.

Wave after wave crashed over her head, yet she pressed on, undeterred.

Sebastian felt a chill creep down his spine, his breath caught in his throat.

Just moments ago, she had been standing beside him—safe, close, within reach. And now, she was diving headfirst into danger without a moment’s hesitation.

The waves grew more violent, threatening to pull her under, to drag her farther into the abyss.

Am I going to lose her—just like I lost Mom?

The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning, leaving his mind momentarily blank. But his body reacted before he could fully process it.

He was already moving, racing toward the water, heart pounding in his chest.

Riley can’t be in danger.

I won’t let anything happen to her.

“Mr. Torres!”

The bodyguards, stationed nearby to ensure Sebastian’s safety, shouted in panic.

Everyone around them stood frozen, eyes wide, witnessing the astonishing sight of Sebastian—the formidable head of the Torres family—charging straight into the crashing waves, driven by a desperate need to protect the woman who had always been his anchor.