Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 140

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 140: It’s Yours**

What if Riley possessed the remarkable talent to craft a patent?

That didn’t change one crucial fact: Bryce was still planning to utilize it.

And every cent generated from that patent would rightfully belong to both her and Bryce.

As Riley cast a disdainful glance at Bella’s wicked grin, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration.

“I never claimed you couldn’t use it. But are you two genuinely confident you can?”

Bryce stood frozen in place, caught off guard, while Bella quickly interjected, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“It’s joint property with Bryce. Why shouldn’t he be able to use it? Besides, if Bryce hadn’t been out there sweating it out, you wouldn’t have had the luxury of time to play inventor, would you?”

Riley’s lips curled into a sneer.

Luxury of time?

For three long years of her marriage, she had dedicated every ounce of her energy into nurturing Bryce’s fledgling business, Lucky Draw.

Otherwise, how could she possibly explain having only one patent to her name throughout their married life?

“So you genuinely believe that the success of Murphy Tech is solely due to Bryce?” Riley challenged, her brow arched in disbelief.

“Of course,” Bella scoffed dismissively. “Sure, you contributed some military research. But what does that even mean? Business isn’t just child’s play. It requires vision, guts, and connections. Money doesn’t just rain down from the heavens, darling.”

Vince had once lauded Riley as a drone research expert, rattling off her impressive military accolades, yet Bella had consistently dismissed it as mere hype.

Riley met Bella’s gaze with a calm smile, her eyes drifting toward Bryce.

“You’re absolutely right. Business indeed demands vision, guts, and connections. And money doesn’t just fall from the sky.”

In those earlier days, she had pulled every string available to her for Bryce’s sake. She had been an integral part of every significant decision, every pivotal moment.

Numerous times, Bryce had made choices that could have led the company into dire straits, and it had been Riley who had skillfully persuaded him to redirect his course.

Yet now, according to Bella, it was all attributed to Bryce’s hard work alone.

“That’s why Bryce has every right to use the patent,” Bella declared smugly. “It was developed while you were married. A joint effort. Not just yours.”

“Fine, keep believing he’s so capable. But if he ever finds himself in a tough spot, I hope you’ll still feel that way and stand by your man,” Riley retorted, her voice laced with a mixture of sarcasm and challenge.

Just wait for the conference to commence.

Then you both will realize that my patent isn’t your free ride.

“Riley, you’re just jealous of Bella, aren’t you?” Wren interjected with a scoff. “A tech mogul like Bryce abandoned you for her. You really missed out, haven’t you?”

Bryce’s expression darkened. Wren’s words painted him as a heartless individual who had amassed wealth only to discard his wife. He opened his mouth to respond, but Sebastian beat him to it.

“Does Riley have any reason to feel jealous?”

His question hung in the air, silencing the room, while Wren nearly bit her tongue in shock.

“Actually, everything I possess is Riley’s if she desires it.”

One by one, corporate representatives stepped forward to introduce their companies and present the projects they hoped to secure in the island’s development.

Each proposal was laid out meticulously, but the final decision rested with the government and the influential players—the Torres and Anderson families—who had already forged partnerships with the government.

Bryce lowered his gaze to the project proposal in his hand, anxiety gnawing at him.

He hadn’t anticipated that Riley would remain at the conference.

If he had to present this proposal publicly, she would soon discover it was the one she had meticulously crafted before her departure from the company.

Bryce had never held Riley’s abilities in high regard.

To him, she had merely been a competent project lead, nothing more.

However, after her exit, none of the proposals submitted by the company for the island development project had caught the attention of the Carmel government.

It was only when he submitted Riley’s pre-departure proposal as a last-ditch effort that it was unexpectedly selected by the Carmel government.

He had barely altered the proposal, merely changing “riverside” to “island” from Riley’s original plan.

The thought of Riley listening as he presented the proposal publicly sent a wave of unease through him.

“Bryce, you don’t look well. Are you feeling alright?” Bella asked, concern lacing her voice as she leaned closer.

“Nothing…” Bryce mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked up, inadvertently locking eyes with Riley across the room.

A sharp pang of guilt shot through him.