The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 194: Ara Is Not Like The Others ~ Calum ~ "Who?" Calum asked. "| forgot, Daddy,' Sage said, looking down. "But | know he was your friend." Calum gulped. He didn't have many friends who knew about Sage. He thought about the people who were in contact with Soraya. There was Greg, and that was a business-related matter. Greg wasn't necessarily his close friend, but he knew Sage and had met her many times. Then there was Jacob. Jacob maintained a professional relationship with Soraya because of M-Select, among other things, which was related to the company.

'Could either Greg or Jacob have met with Soraya?' Calum thought to himself. But as far as he knew, Greg should be in Burnell right now, delivering documents to Jacob. If Soraya had met with Jacob, did that mean she flew over to Burnell too? Just as Calum was thinking this, he felt his phone vibrate. Melvin had sent him a direct message with a screenshot from his video call with Soraya. It showed him on screen during the conference, and another small box featuring Sage's little face. Melvin wrote: [Was on a call with Soraya today, and guess who | ended up talking to?

Sage is looking more and more like her mom, Calum.] ---- Calum heaved a sigh, thinking, 'So, it was Melvin. Then, Melvin's words stung. Calum turned to his daughter and admitted to himself that Sage carried so many traces of Soraya. They shared the same fair, angelic features, the same eye color, and nearly the same shade of brown hair. Perhaps his only contribution was the shape of Sage's face and her height. He ended up hugging Sage again, feeling guilty for seeing Soraya through his daughter. Because of his conversation with Sage, Calum walked out of the house and called Soraya.

It had been a long time since they spoke over the phone. It took ten rings before she answered. "Calum? Why are you calling?" Soraya asked. "How have you been, Soraya?" Calum asked. He could tell she was surprised by the concern he showed. However, after a moment, Soraya replied, "I'm okay. I'm just busy and have a few health priorities right now." "You're not sick, are you?" Calum asked, remembering how Soraya had once been admitted to the hospital. "Do you need help with anything?" "No, I'm not. | have changes in my body that I need to adapt to," Soraya said.

Her answer was vague, and it confused Calum. "Listen, if you're calling about Sage, | swear I'll make it up to her. | just need about three more months, and I'll see her. Then we can talk about whether she's ready to move in with me or not," Soraya said. "Melvin showed me a screenshot of your video call with Sage ---- in it," Calum shared. "He did?" Soraya asked. "Yeah, we were talking about some app upgrades." "You're doing well for yourself," Calum remarked, his eyes looking past the plants and trees around the estate. "So, this is...

the real you, huh?" "Is this the real me?" Soraya echoed. "Calum, you haven't seen the best of me yet-but thanks for the compliment anyway. Do you have anything else to say? Because | need to eat dinner." "Three months, you said?" Calum asked. "I look forward to seeing you." Of course, Calum never expected to see Soraya so soon. When he finally did, regret didn't just return; it consumed him. ee Days passed for Calum like a storm that refused to calm. The trial of the Rowans drained everyone's energy, each hearing unveiling one revelation after another.

The Rowans had stolen an immense amount from the Montclairs, yet they dared to try to twist the evidence in their favor. Still, with the overwhelming proof against Marvin and Roger Rowan, the prosecutors were confident the father and son would be convicted. Claire and Camilla, however, faced lesser charges. As accessories to the crime, their offenses were classified as secondary, punishable by up to two years in prison. Given the circumstances, Calum and Cedric decided it was in their best interest to accept Claire and Camilla's plea bargain.

In exchange for leniency, the two women agreed to cooperate fully with the investigation. ---- Ultimately, Calum and Cedric agreed to reduced imprisonment for Claire and Camilla, provided they surrendered their remaining finances beforehand. It was far more practical to have Claire and Camilla voluntarily return the funds than to wait for the court's long process to release frozen assets. Of course, the Montclairs still expected the accounts under Marvin and Roger's names to be forfeited to compensate for the company's damages.

It would not recover everything, but Calum was desperate to reclaim whatever could be saved. They went through three hearings in just a month, which was a good sign-it meant the court was eager to close the verdict on the case. One afternoon, Calum went to the Montclair Group to secure copies of the evidence to be presented during the fourth trial. Calum fetched the documents from his former assistant, Greg Foster. He noticed Greg was acting strangely. When he handed the files over, he refused to look Calum in the eye. "Is there something wrong, Greg?" Calum asked. "Nothing, Sir.

Nothing," Greg said quickly, glancing at every corner of the room but not at him. "Did you just return from Burnell?" Calum asked. Greg gulped. "A week ago, Sir. Mr. Montclair." "How's Jacob?" Calum inquired. "He's walking on crutches, Sir," Greg replied, now staring at the floor. What the fuck is wrong with Greg? Calum thought. Then, he remembered something. "So, you met Jacob's wife, Ara?" ---- Greg started coughing violently. He coughed into his fist, then turned away, hacking like a madman. Cough. Cough. Cough. "Aa Cough. 4" Cough.

Then, Greg ran in the direction of the pantry with the speed of aman joining the Olympics! The strange thing was, Calum waited, but Greg never came back. "What the- Never mind. I'll meet Jacob next week anyway." seek A week passed, and it was finally time for Calum's trip to Burnell with his friends. Rose seemed the most excited. In the airport VIP lounge, she said cheerfully, "After Claire, | don't really have any close friends anymore. | was afraid to trust anyone. | bet Ara and | are going to be the best of friends." Calum frowned at her remark. Something inside him stirred uneasily.

Somehow, he felt as though Rose was wrong. He didn't know much about Ara, except that she wasn't like the others. Ara never flaunted Jacob's wealth or sought the company of socialites. Otherwise, Calum would have already seen her by now. There was a quiet mystery about her, one that made him wonder what kind of woman she truly was. ---- Still, Calum had a feeling, when he finally met Ara, he'd understand why a man like Jacob Steel had been completely smitten