Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 209

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 209: Slander?**

“I can assure you, it’s not slander,” Riley replied, her tone as cool as the autumn breeze that swept through the open mall doors.

*21 Bonus*

“The fire department’s investigation report from Houston should be released any day now. How about we make a little wager? Let’s see if you can still hold onto your copilot position once those results are made public,” she added, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

A flicker of unease clouded Bella’s expression, her confidence wavering like a candle flame in a draft.

Claire and Amanda exchanged confused glances, their brows furrowing in unison. “What investigation report are you talking about?” Claire asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“It’s nothing,” Bella interjected hastily, forcing a laugh that felt more like a nervous giggle. “Just ignore her nonsense.”

Yet, the guilt that shimmered in Bella’s eyes spoke volumes to Riley. It was evident that Claire and Amanda were blissfully unaware of Bella’s reckless escapade in Houston.

Not that it was surprising. Claire was far too absorbed in her latest shopping spree and the thrill of flaunting her designer handbags to notice anything amiss, while Amanda’s grasp of technology barely extended beyond making calls and sending texts, her video chats primarily serving as platforms for bragging to relatives.

“Who’s spouting nonsense here?” Lara interjected, her sharp smile slicing through the tension like a knife.

Bella’s complexion paled, the color draining from her cheeks as if someone had pulled the plug on her vitality.

“Even if Bella didn’t manage to save her colleague,” Bryce’s voice cut through the air from behind them, steady and unyielding, “it was still an act of self-preservation in a life-threatening scenario. The unfortunate death of her colleague? Just a stroke of bad luck. There’s absolutely no reason to slander her.”

“Really?” Riley’s gaze turned icy, locking onto Bella with an intensity that could freeze flames. “Is that all she did? You genuinely believe her colleague’s death was merely ‘bad luck’?”

Bella felt the weight of Riley’s scrutiny deepen, and her unease transformed into a desperate attempt to mask it with indignation. “What are you insinuating, Riley? That I’m somehow at fault? If I were, why haven’t the police come to arrest me yet?”

Riley regarded her with an unwavering stare, her expression unreadable. “Perhaps they will. Soon.”

Bella flinched, her heart lurching violently in her chest.

It was as if Riley possessed a knowledge that was meant to remain buried.

No… that couldn’t be right.

There had been no one else present that day. It was impossible for anyone to know what had transpired.

“The police don’t arrest innocent people,” she muttered, trying to convince herself as much as Riley.

“Innocent? You dare to call yourself innocent?” Riley’s laughter was sharp, cutting through the tension like glass.

Bella sweetly added, “Even after the divorce, Mrs. Amanda Murphy is still an elder. If it were me, I’d simply endure it if she chose to scold or slap me.”

Amanda beamed at Bella, her approval evident. “Bella, you are nothing like Riley. I would never dream of laying a hand on you.”

Bella smirked at Riley, her satisfaction radiating like a crown atop her head.

Lara pretended to gag, her humor cutting through the tension.

“Riley, you’re just envious that Mom favors Bella,” Claire shot back, her voice laced with venom. “Can you even hold a candle to her?”

Before Riley could retort, the massive advertising screen above the mall’s central plaza flickered to life, then transitioned to a breaking news broadcast.

“After a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the border wildfire in Houston five years ago, the Houston Fire Department has submitted its findings to the local government. Following a careful review, the city government of Houston has decided to revoke Bella Sinclair’s title of ‘Firefighting Hero…'”

Bella’s face went pale, her breath hitching as she staggered, nearly losing her footing.

How…

The people she had bribed had assured her that her “hero” title was untouchable.