Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 187

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox 187**
**Chapter 187: Riley and Bella Were Related**

“Apologize!” Chris’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, firm and resolute. “You can’t just say something like that and expect no consequences!”

Vincent’s indignation flared, his anger boiling over. “What exactly did I say that was out of line?” he shot back, his tone dripping with defiance. “If Dominic and Samuel were still alive, I would never dream of touching their property. But they’re gone now, and the legacy of the Anderson family can’t be left in the hands of a woman! Riley is just using this ridiculous ‘Sam might be alive’ nonsense to maintain her grip on everything!”

“Enough!” A commanding voice echoed from the doorway, accompanied by the heavy thud of a cane striking the floor with authority.

The room fell silent, every pair of eyes turning toward the entrance in shock. Quinten stepped in, moving slowly and deliberately, his cane a steady companion as he leaned on it for support.

“Grandpa, you should be resting!” Chris exclaimed, rushing to his grandfather’s side, concern etched deeply across his features.

“If I hadn’t come here, were you all planning to keep this from me?” Quinten’s voice trembled with barely contained fury. “How dare you covet Riley’s property! Since when did our family lose all sense of decency?”

Chris felt a knot tighten in his stomach, knowing the gravity of the situation. He had been aware of the demolition plans but had trusted Vincent to handle the details. It was only today that he learned the shocking truth: Vincent had siphoned Riley’s compensation into his own pocket.

“Grandpa, that land is Anderson property,” Vincent argued, his defiance unwavering. “It has always been passed down through the men, not the women. Riley is just a girl—what right does she have to claim the old house? Her family has no one left, so why shouldn’t I take it?”

Quinten’s cane swung swiftly, and a sharp crack echoed in the room as it landed across Vincent’s cheek. “What do you mean by ‘no one left’? Is Riley not part of this family? That house belongs to her by right! If you dare lay a finger on even a single brick of what is rightfully hers, you will be cast out of this family!”

Vincent instinctively covered his cheek, his fury simmering beneath the surface, but he remained silent, cowed by the authority that Quinten commanded.

Quinten turned his gaze to Riley, his expression softening with a mix of regret and determination. “Riley, I’m truly sorry. I failed to raise your uncles properly, and now you are bearing the brunt of their greed. But mark my words, if they so much as look at your family’s property with ill intent, I will disown them without a second thought.”

His words were not just meant for Riley; they served as a stark warning to every Anderson present in the room. Quinten was making it abundantly clear that as long as he drew breath, he would be Riley’s staunchest defender, ensuring that no one would dare challenge her rightful claim.

“Thank you, Great-Grandpa,” Riley replied, her voice steady yet filled with gratitude.

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