Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 53

**Chapter 53: You’re Coming for My Patent?**

A fleeting moment of embarrassment flickered across Bryce’s face, but he quickly masked it with bravado. “What about you, Riley? Are you really so naive? You’ve got a whole stack of patents and were a top-tier drone expert in the army, yet you keep that under wraps!” His tone was sharp, almost accusatory.

Riley’s lips curled into a sneer, her eyes narrowing. “Oh, right. I’ve been hiding it from you on purpose. Because you never show any interest in my past! Remember when I casually mentioned my drone research? What did you do? You brushed it off like I was just trying to one-up Bella!” She crossed her arms defiantly, her frustration palpable.

Bryce’s mouth snapped shut, a sudden wave of realization crashing over him like a freight train. Yes, he recalled that conversation now. During those early discussions about the company venturing into drones, Riley had indeed mentioned her work.

But he had dismissed her words as mere boasting.

“Bryce,” Riley continued, her voice dripping with icy disdain, “the truth is, you’re the one who has always looked down on me in this family. That’s why your mom, your friends, and even Bella treat me like I’m less than you!” Her words were sharp, each one a dagger aimed at his heart.

Bryce felt the heat rise in his cheeks, a rush of embarrassment morphing into a cold dread. After a long, excruciating silence that stretched for what felt like an eternity, he stammered, “I didn’t look down on you… I just… just…”

He wanted to defend himself, to explain the tangled web of his thoughts, but the words eluded him, slipping through his fingers like sand.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Riley said, her voice steady but laced with resignation. “I’m here to discuss the divorce.”

Bryce’s heart sank. “Are you divorcing me to be with Vince?” The question slipped out before he could censor himself.

“What?” Riley’s expression shifted from anger to shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Why did he have to drag Vince into this?

“I never thought you’d get so close to him. First Sebastian, and now Vince? Riley, you’ve really got these guys wrapped around your finger!” Jealousy oozed from his tone, a bitter undertone that he couldn’t hide.

Riley frowned, her brow furrowing. “Bryce, get your mind out of the gutter. Vince is my comrade-in-arms!”

“Guys like you will never understand!” Riley spat, her voice filled with frustration.

Bryce, feeling cornered, snapped back, “Fine, I don’t get it. You want a divorce? Then you’ve got it!” He took a deep breath, steeling himself. “I’ve done my homework on your patents. I’ll let the others slide, but that patent for the drone control program you applied for while we were married? After the divorce, it has to be fully licensed to Murphy Tech for development and application.”

Riley’s expression darkened, storm clouds gathering in her eyes as she processed his words.

“You’re coming for my patent?” she shot back, disbelief and anger mingling in her voice, as if she couldn’t fathom his audacity.

Bryce crossed his arms, a smug smile creeping onto his face. “You filed it while we were married, so it’s our property. When the company profits from it, you’ll get your share.”

Riley’s face twisted in disbelief. He was truly trying to take her hard-earned invention for free. This patent represented the culmination of her effort and dedication after leaving the army. Despite the application being submitted during their marriage, the majority of her research had been completed long before they had even tied the knot.

The weight of the moment settled heavily between them, a chasm of unresolved feelings and unspoken truths stretching wider with each passing second.