Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 31

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 31: Avoid Paying Her**

**Lucky Draw**

“To actually sue me, Bryce, you would first need to have a non-compete agreement in place. The truth is, all I ever signed was a standard employment contract, nothing more!” Riley shot back, her voice steady yet laced with defiance.

The realization hit Bryce like a cold wave, darkening his expression.

In the early days of their company, he had viewed Riley as nothing more than a run-of-the-mill employee, someone who lacked experience and knowledge. Naturally, he had provided her with the most basic employment contract, believing it was all that was necessary.

At that time, there was no reason to consider a non-compete clause.

Now, he found himself in a precarious position, with no legal grounds to pursue her for anything.

*****

In the days that followed, Bryce was consumed by an urgent need to secure funding from every conceivable avenue. The bank had flatly rejected their loan application, leaving the company teetering on the brink of a severe cash flow crisis.

Projects were crumbling, financial support had evaporated, and chaos reigned in every department.

“Why can’t you manage even the simplest of tasks? We never faced such issues before!” he bellowed during a tense company meeting, his frustration boiling over.

His senior managers exchanged uneasy glances, the tension palpable in the air. Finally, one of them spoke up, “Sir, Ms. Anderson used to handle all of these problems with ease.”

Riley had long since departed from the company, yet her name lingered in the air like a ghost that refused to fade away.

Once more, George’s words echoed in his mind, haunting him: “It seems you truly have no grasp of Ms. Anderson’s worth.”

Riley’s worth? What value could she possibly hold in Bryce’s eyes?

As far as he was concerned, Riley was merely an ordinary woman, a veteran who had left the military behind. Her academic credentials were hardly impressive, which was precisely why he had assigned her a nondescript position within the company.

But what did he truly know?

“What’s the matter? Something troubling you?” Bella’s voice broke through the fog of his thoughts, pulling Bryce back to the present.

He blinked and focused on the woman seated across from him. Once, she had represented an unattainable dream, the cherished daughter of the Sinclair family, while he had been just a nameless face in the crowd, with nothing to his name.

Back then, the idea of them sharing a meal together seemed utterly unthinkable.

“It’s nothing, just a small issue,” Bryce replied, attempting to brush it off casually.

Bella’s smile was warm as she said, “By the way, I visited that villa you mentioned last time. I really liked it! The agent informed me that if we pay in full, the seller could reduce the price by another five million dollars.”

Bryce’s expression shifted to one of concern at her words.

“Bella, you’re incredibly generous,” Claire exclaimed without hesitation.

“Seriously! You’re far superior to Riley. I wish you had married Bryce instead!” Amanda chimed in, completely overlooking the three years Riley had spent caring for her, taking her to the hospital, and running errands.

Bella cast Amanda a regretful glance. “I wish my future husband’s mother were someone like you. Too bad Bryce was already married when I ran into him again after returning to the country.”

“You’ll officially be his wife!” Claire said cheerfully, her excitement palpable.

Bella froze, her heart racing. “Bryce is divorcing Riley?”

“Of course! And he has to pay her a hundred million dollars. For what?” Claire snapped, her anger bubbling to the surface. Just the thought of it infuriated her.

Bella fell silent, deep in contemplation. Bryce was unaware of the divorce plan, but if it came to fruition, he would finally be free to leave Riley behind.

Yet, the thought of that hundred million dollars felt like a personal loss, as if it were her own money slipping away.

“What a shame we couldn’t prove she cheated. If we had, she’d be the one at fault, and we wouldn’t have to pay her a single dime,” Claire muttered, frustration evident in her voice.

“Exactly! My son has worked tirelessly for that money, and now she wants a hefty payout just for walking away? It’s unbelievable,” Amanda snapped, her indignation clear.

“Actually…” Bella lowered her gaze, her tone slow and measured. “It’s not impossible to avoid paying her.”