The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 173: Angela's Biological Father ~ Calum ~ "| did some digging with my college friend's help. | couldn't help it," Calum admitted. "Turns out, Soraya is the consultant for Philip's investment firm, overseeing their forex and equities portfolio, which, by the way, is their most profitable division right now." "Soraya knows the financial markets?" Melvin asked, eyes wide. "Apparently so," Calum replied, his tone dry and laced with regret. "I think she mentioned it before, but | didn't pay attention.

Come to think of it, she used to help her uncle's investment firm before joining my support staff at Montclair Group." "Wait," Melvin said, still trying to process. "You're saying Soraya's not just a programming genius, she's also brilliant in forex and stock trading?" "That's what Archie told me," Calum confirmed. "He spoke with his agent at Azar Investment Firm. He said Soraya was brought in to train their fund traders. She personally handles large-volume trades, usually in the millions, while most traders there are only authorized to trade up to five hundred thousand per position." "Wow.

Just wow," Melvin muttered. He stared at Calum, and his expression said it all. Calum understood; he had lost someone valuable. Still, he said, "Don't say it." ---- "won't say it," Melvin said before drinking his beer. "But | can' t blame Soraya's uncle for treating you that way. Even | hadn't regarded Philip Azar well, and | did that for you. | guess | have no chance of investing in his firm either." Calum had gone to the Prima Hotel to meet with Melvin. He had no one else to talk to, not Jacob, and definitely not Rose. Only Melvin understood his situation the most.

"When | started getting to know Soraya, the real her, | did suggest you cancel the divorce," Melvin reminded. "But there have just been too many misunderstandings between the two of you. | don't know. Maybe it's just not meant to be." "And I'm already married," Calum reminded his friend. "Yeah." Melvin nodded before drinking his beer. "Too bad Rose lost the baby." "I'm just grateful that Soraya is talking to me, you know, with the app and all," Melvin said, taking another sip of his beer. " Do you know Soraya is sick?" Calum frowned. He remembered Sage mentioning the same.

" No, she-Soraya barely replies to my messages." With his head hanging low, Calum assumed, "I figured she was giving me the cold treatment because | married Rose. | was... trying to give her some space. | didn't even talk to her about Sage anymore." "She is sick. The last time | spoke to her about the gas station' s customer-facing app, she said she was in the hospital and had been for two weeks," Melvin shared. "Soraya charged me double for the app upgrade, by the way.

My dad said we should just find another programmer to ---- improve the app, but | know | owe Soraya so much, given how | had treated her in the past, so | still went for her service. Besides, with her reputation on the rise, many would be more interested in using our app service." "Just yesterday, the Regional Director of Novacura Biologics, Mr. Williams, gassed up at our main branch by chance. We spoke for a while, and when he learned that Soraya developed our app, he signed up for a privilege membership." "He was that impressed by Soraya's name." "| don't know, Calum.

It seems like everything that is tied to Soraya is thriving," Melvin added. "Aegis Core Systems, our customer-facing app, and now Philip's firm. If | learn one more impressive thing about your ex-wife, |'ll have to join her fan club." Calum paused. He looked at Melvin seriously and wondered what his friend would do if he ever found out that Soraya is Taurus/, the FBI's most in-demand external cybersecurity specialist. Then Calum fell silent, Melvin's words echoing in his head longer than he liked.

After the divorce, everything had begun to unravel-his uncle's embezzlement, the growing distance with his parents, and that costly mistake at Montclair Global Logistics. Calum had convinced himself it was all a coincidence, a rough streak that anyone could've suffered. But the thought lingered, unwelcome yet persistent. Had Soraya greatly contributed to his previous success? Deep down, he knew the answer, especially how Soraya was ---- very detailed with the paperwork that went to his table. However, he refused to voice it. Instead, Calum muttered, "I wish Jacob were here." "| don't know.

Something in Jacob changed," Melvin said. "He must be... very busy. But you know, sometimes, it happens. Some friends just... drift apart." eee ~ Soraya ~ Melvin wasn't wrong at all. Jacob was indeed busy. He and Soraya were facing the biggest difficulty of their lives. Monday came. It was finally time for the preliminary hearing. Clerk: "All rise. Court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Ramirez presiding." The judge walked in, clad in his black robe. After getting up on the bench, he said, "Please be seated.

We are here today on case number 24-1837, in the matter of Minor Child A, regarding the petition filed by Mr. Damien Cross to vacate a prior adoption decree. Counsel, please state your appearances." Soraya's gaze landed on the opposing party. Damien Cross was present, accompanied by two of his lawyers. His lead attorney happened to be his uncle, as far as their investigation had found. Behind them were Sienna and other parties she and Jacob do not know. "Good afternoon, Your Honor.

Edmund Cross, on behalf of the petitioner, Damien Cross, who is present," the lead counsel ---- from the petitioner's side introduced, followed by his co- counsel, Brian Chavez. Meanwhile, Soraya and Jacob's representative, Harold, stood up and said, "Good afternoon, Your Honor. Harold Finch for the respondents, Jacob and Soraya Steel." "Good afternoon, Your Honor. I'm Martin Hale, also representing Mr. and Mrs. Steel," Martin greeted. Judge Ramirez: "Thank you. Mr. Cross, you may proceed." Edmund Cross remained standing with a smug look on his face.

He said, "Your Honor, my client only recently learned that he fathered a child, Angela Steel, whose adoption was finalized more than two years ago without his knowledge or consent. We believe the adoption process was conducted without due notice, in violation of his constitutional rights as a biological parent." Judge Ramirez: "Have you submitted the paternity test to the court?" They were still in Belridge when Jacob received the subpoena for Angela's DNA sample. They had no choice but to comply. At the same time, the couple also wanted to know the truth. "Yes, Your Honor.

The DNA test clearly states that my client, Damien Cross, is Angela's biological father,' Edmund said. There it was...the most painful truth, the reason why the case had even come forward that day. Damien Cross was...Angela's biological father. Soraya couldn't help but fear a little. If her own daughter, her flesh and blood, slipped away from her, how much more a daughter she didn't give birth to? ---- She clasped her hands, silently hoping their courage would carry them through, and that their love for Angela was more than enough to keep her.