Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228 The Hidden Hand

Bella’s smile was bright as she raised her glass.

“With me by your side, Bryce, you’re bound to do even better!”

She pretended to sip her wine, though not a drop touched her lips.

Her eyes stayed on Bryce as his eyelids grew heavy. He slumped onto the sofa, fast asleep, the half–finished glass of red wine slipping from his hand. It spilled across the floor, the glass rolling to a stop.

Bella chuckled softly and stepped closer. She bent down, picking up the fallen glass, and brushed her fingers across Bryce’s face.

“Bryce? Bryce!”

He didn’t stir, his breathing deep and even.

Satisfied, Bella’s smile widened. She grabbed his phone, pressed his thumb to unlock it, and navigated to his online banking app.

Just then, a wave of nausea hit her. Clutching her mouth, she rushed to the bathroom.

She hunched over the sink, retching violently.

After what felt like forever, the nausea subsided. She rinsed her mouth, then slowly lifted her head, catching her reflection in the mirror.

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Her hand drifted to her abdomen. Her periods were usually clockwork, due a week ago, but nothing had come.

And now, this sudden vomiting–it was as if her body was confirming what she’d been hoping for.

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“Bryce, if I really am pregnant with your child, then you’ll marry

me as soon as possible, right?” she whispered. “And all the things I’ve done… you’ll forgive me, won’t you?”

If there were a baby, it would be her trump card.

She’d already lost her job, her reputation, even her friends, who scattered as if she were cursed.

Bryce was all she had left, and she’d hold on to him with everything she had.

*****

At her desk, Riley focused on the computer screen, meticulously restoring a video file from the military archives.

The blurry footage was gradually sharpening, pixel by pixel.

In the grainy image, a figure approached. Moments later, a faint flicker of light appeared.

If it was a lighter sparking a cigarette, it might just show who the smoker was.

The military drone’s camera was high–definition, packed with détail.

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If the footage could be fully restored, it might show exactly who that figure was.

Riley worked into the evening, her focus unbroken until her phone buzzed.

“How’s it going? Need me to pick you up?” Sebastian’s voice came through, warm and familiar.

“No need. I’ve done enough for today. I’ll pick up where I left off tomorrow,” Riley replied. “I’ll drive myself. It’s easier than having you come all the way here.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting at the apartment,” Sebastian said.

“Sounds good.” Riley hung up, packed her things, and headed to her car.

On the drive back, she received a call from Lara.

“Hey, I got something to tell you,” Lara said, her voice brimming with excitement. She recounted what Vince had uncovered about Bella’s deal with Garrett.

“Talk about karma! Bella stole your credit as Bryce’s savior, and now she’s getting blackmailed for it. Nobody escapes fate! Vince says he’s got a big plan in store.”

Though Lara didn’t know the details of Vince’s scheme, his confidence suggested Bella and Bryce were in for a rough ride.

“Bella’s sins might go deeper than that,” Riley said, her grip aghtening on the steering wheel.

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If the video restoration confirmed Bella as the smoker, Riley wouldn’t let her off the hook.

“What else did she do?” Lara asked, curiosity piqued.

“I’m still investigating. I need confirmation,” Riley said.

Though every piece of evidence pointed to Bella, it was still just a theory. There was no definitive proof yet.

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