Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 99

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

**Chapter 99: Don’t Hurt Him**

“Mr. Torres didn’t instruct us to step in,” the head bodyguard stated with a tone of authority, his arms crossed as he observed the escalating conflict.

**Lucky Draw**

Lara found herself at a loss for words, her mind racing with anxiety. Was this confrontation destined to drag on indefinitely? Did they truly intend to fight until one emerged victorious?

Vince’s fighting technique was a testament to his military training; his movements were precise, calculated, and methodical. In stark contrast, Sebastian’s approach was fierce and aggressive, characterized by a raw intensity that sent shivers down Lara’s spine.

She had always known Vince was formidable, but witnessing Sebastian’s equally impressive skill set caught her off guard.

As the minutes ticked by, her heart raced with trepidation. Five minutes felt like an eternity, and she couldn’t shake the image of one of them getting seriously hurt.

When ten minutes passed, her anxiety morphed into a restless impatience. How much longer would this brawl continue?

After fifteen minutes, her concern gave way to a numbness that settled in her chest, an unsettling acceptance of the chaos unfolding before her.

“Are you two done yet? Why don’t you take a breather? Have some water, stretch your legs, or something…” Lara muttered, her voice laced with frustration.

**10:51**

**Chapter 99: Don’t Hurt Him**

**Lucky Draw**

Suddenly, a figure burst onto the scene, dashing towards the two combatants.

Lara’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized the intruder. It was Riley.

With a swift and unexpected motion, Riley positioned herself between the two men, effortlessly blocking their punches with one arm each, bringing the fight to an abrupt halt.

Both men froze, their fists poised mid-air, taken aback by Riley’s bold intervention.

“What on earth are you two doing?” Riley demanded, her voice firm as she surveyed the situation. She had stumbled into a full-blown brawl, and it was clear they were not just play-fighting.

“Better question,” Lara interjected, rushing over and grabbing Riley’s arm, “what were you thinking, jumping in like that? Do you have a death wish? They were hitting so hard! What if you’d gotten hurt?”

Although her tone bore the weight of reprimand, the genuine concern etched on her face spoke volumes about her feelings.

Riley, however, remained unfazed. “If I jumped in, it’s because I knew I could handle myself. I wouldn’t have let them hit me,” she replied calmly, confidence radiating from her demeanor.

Lara sighed, her worry still palpable. “Alright, fine. Just remember, no matter what, your safety comes first!” Her voice softened, revealing her deep-seated desire for her friend to remain unharmed.

“Got it,” Riley responded, nodding. “By the way, what started this whole mess?”

“About that…” Lara began, but before she could continue, Vince interjected. “I heard Mr. Torres is quite the fighter, so I thought we’d spar a bit.”

“A spar?” Riley’s brow furrowed, skepticism evident in her expression.

Vince’s eyes darted away for a brief moment, a flicker of guilt crossing his features before he swiftly redirected the conversation. “Rye, where are you headed? I’ll drive you.”

“She’s coming back to the villa with me,” Sebastian interjected, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

XXXXX

Inside the car, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. Sebastian glanced over at Riley, curiosity etched on his face. “Do you genuinely believe that Vince and I were just sparring?”

“No,” Riley replied without hesitation, her gaze unwavering.

“Then aren’t you going to ask what it was really about?” he pressed, his interest piqued.

“If you want to tell me, you will. If you don’t, there’s no point in asking. However…” Riley paused, her expression serious. “I told you, don’t hurt Vince, or I won’t let you off the hook.”

Sebastian’s eyes flickered momentarily, a hint of surprise in his expression. “What if he hurts me?”

“You have so many bodyguards. He’s not capable of getting past all of them to hurt you, Mr. Torres,” Riley stated confidently, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Sebastian lowered his head slightly, contemplating her words. There were many forms of harm that bodyguards simply couldn’t prevent.

“Do you really hate saying my name or something?” he asked out of the blue, his voice laced with curiosity.

Riley paused, a smile tugging at her lips. “Sebastian.” She said his name as he wished, testing the sound of it. “Just don’t hurt Vince. I don’t want us to end up as enemies.”

He blinked, a subtle bitterness creeping into his expression. Why did that thought sting? Was it because he found himself caring about her more than he had anticipated?

“Alright, I won’t hurt Vince,” he said softly, locking eyes with her. “Because I don’t want to be your enemy.”

“It’s all because of you, Riley.”