The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 115: Reopen The Case ~ Soraya ~ Jacob's study was quiet, heavy with tension. All the adults had gathered to discuss the investigation into the Rowan family. Angela was up in her room with her nanny. From one paper to another, to the video footage of Marvin Rowan wasting himself at the underground casino, Cedric took deep breaths, his face darkening with every turn. Amanda sat beside Emily, gripping her hand. "Oh, my god," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Calm down." Emily rubbed Amanda's back.

She turned to Cedric, saying, "We shouldn't really have let you join this discussion." "No,' Cedric disagreed, his tone firm. "She needs to. Otherwise, the shock later might give her a heart attack." Jacob cleared his throat. "The hotel employee confirmed he was paid to bring in a sex worker. The woman, Macy Clarke, the one Carlos Delgado brought in, died of HIV years ago. My men tracked down her former handler, Ray Johnson. He's older now, but his memory is sharp." "At first, he denied it" Jacob continued. "He said he would never allow someone with HIV to work under him.

But when he realized he could face bigger charges for conspiracy, he admitted it. He confirmed that he and Macy were paid to infect someone with HIV at the Cedar Heights Golden Hotel seven years ago. But he made it ---- clear that the job failed." Jacob made air quotes. " Whoever paid them came after them with fury. Still, they got paid more to keep their silence." Amanda pressed her hands to her mouth. "No..." "| already requested the bank records for Ray Johnson,' Jacob went on. "It takes time, since it's been so many years.

We couldn't request Macy's, but it can be subpoenaed if Calum's drugging case is reopened." "The handler gave his sworn statement in exchange for protection. He named the one who paid him." Jacob paused, his eyes narrowing. "A young man named-" "Roger Rowan,' Cedric finished, his voice heavy as he read the statement himself. Cedric's face fell. "I-! can't believe it." "Cedric, can't you see it makes sense?" Amanda said, her voice shaking. "How could we, the Montclairs-powerful enough to take justice into our own hands-fail to resolve the crime from seven years ago?

| had always questioned that. You knew it too, but you kept insisting that Marvin had looked into every angle and found nothing." Emily and Philip exchanged worried looks. Veronica only shook her head. Cedric finally spoke, voice low. "There were witnesses. Waiters swore they saw Soraya handing a drink to Calum. My sister insisted on that. It was even caught on camera." "But those drinks were served by the waiters, not me," Soraya reminded him firmly. "| know,' Cedric admitted. "And | believed you. | always ---- said you wouldn't do that." Philip leaned forward.

"I hate to say it, Cedric, but it looks like your sister and brother-in-law deliberately misled everyone by pinning it on Soraya. For that, | want justice. She's carried the weight of false accusations for years." Amanda shook her head, her tears spilling again. "Do you remember those early years? Marvin always pulled Calum -Roger, Claire, and even Camila were constantly around him. Cedric!" Raising a trembling hand to his brow, Cedric closed his eyes. "| remember.

| remember." "For all we know, they were influencing Calum, pushing him to believe their version of the truth,' Amanda said bitterly. "And don't forget, at that time your father was still alive, still deciding who to pass his shares to. What if they wanted to destroy Calum's reputation so the shares would go to Camila or Marvin himself?" "That's motive,' Jacob suggested. "In the end,' Cedric whispered, "my father still gave them to Calum, because he thought taking responsibility for Soraya was the honorable thing to do." Jacob leaned forward.

"Cedric, you have the authority to reopen this case. | hope you'll do the right thing for Soraya. And as for Marvin? Check his company transactions. The amount he owes the casinos makes it clear he can't pay his debts." Cedric groaned, massaging his temples. "With Marvin running finance, it would be too easy to funnel money out, make it look official-without Calum ever knowing." ---- "| believe Claire is deeper in this than it appears,' Jacob suggested. "Dad, Mom... | didn't tell you before, but Claire has always been vocal about disliking me.

She finds ways to belittle me in front of others." Soraya gave several examples, her voice steady but wounded. "I didn't tell you how far she went to smear my name because | didn't want to burden you." "Lcan vouch for that,' Veronica said firmly. "Claire told me countless times that Soraya was a calculating woman who forced her way to marry Calum." Amanda's eyes glistened. "Oh, Soraya. You should have told us." Soraya shook her head. "That would only make me look like | was stirring up trouble." Even Jacob spoke up.

"Claire accused Soraya of using her relationship with you and Cedric just to secure her place as Calum's wife. The way she worked to discredit Soraya, was with deep-seated hatred." Leaning back in his chair, Jacob concluded, "I think the Rowans despise Soraya because she ruined their plan seven years ago." "For now, we only have the statements from Carlos Delgado, the hotel worker, and Ray Johnson,' Jacob pointed out. "There's also the ID left behind by Macy.

Although this is enough evidence to reopen the case, it can still be argued as circumstantial." "So, | would like to suggest that while we wait for the bank records to confirm that Roger indeed sent Mr. Johnson ---- the money, we also work with the authorities and put someone close to them to draw the truth from their own mouths,' Jacob said. "Like, have the police put surveillance on them?" Cedric asked. "Yes, whatever you and the authorities decide,' Jacob replied.

"But while we wait and collect more concrete evidence, it's crucial that you and Amanda don't reveal that you're on to them." Cedric swallowed. He said, "| know what to do." The investigation resumed, quietly digging toward a truth that could change everything. But for the moment, Soraya and Jacob put everything aside. For the first time, they would relax, laugh, and enjoy each other's company on their very first vacation as a couple.