The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

Chapter 41 Chapter 41 -Soraya- Soraya decided to take an Uber to the mall . Chances were , she was going to ask Dante to fetch her from the Vanguard Galleria . She was late . Calum had been calling her nonstop because the agreed - upon time was eleven , but she arrived at the majestic restaurant at 11:45 a.m. It wasn't like her at all . In all matters pertaining to Calum , she used to be the first to arrive . But this Soraya was no longer the same . The restaurant manager guided her in .

He said , " They're in the smoking area . " Soraya frowned . " Why ? " " Ah , one of Miss Becket's companions requested it ," the manager replied . " Don't worry , our smoking area has its own ventilation system . You'll barely notice the scent of a cigar . " " Barely , " Soraya noted . Which meant there would still be some . When she entered the designated smoking area , she saw the large air purifiers .

A faint citrus scent lingered , evidence of the deodorizers working to filter and mask the smoke . The second she was brought to the table , Soraya froze . She did not expect to see Sage . Her daughter was sitting between Rose and Calum , like the perfect family of three . And it wasn't just them . Melvin was present .. " Great , she thought . But someone else's presence calmed her and made her feel strangely safe . Jacob Steel was seated next to Calum . He was the first to see her .

" Soraya is here , " Jacob said , warning Calum before he sipped from a soup bowl . Calum looked up . Sage looked up , too , surprised . However , Sage said nothing . She simply looked down and continued eating . There were three other men at the table , one of whom looked familiar . Soraya mused , ' That must be Edward Wright " " Soraya , " Calum stood up and gestured to the seat next to Edward . " This is Edward Wright , the man I've been telling you about .

He's the CEO of NexaCode Technologies . Take the seat next to him . " 1/4 13:03 Tue , 19 Aug Chapter 41 It was a good thing Soraya had dressed sharply that day . She wore her finest white business suit , which was crisp , elegant , and commanding , allowing her to blend seamlessly with the polished , high - society professionals at the table . -Soraya , it's nice to meet you again ," Edward said , standing and offering his hand . Soraya accepted the handshake and studied the man .

Edward had smooth , caramel - toned skin , hinting at a rich , blended heritage . He was charming , with strong facial features and expressive , dark brown eyes . It's nice to meet you , Mr. Wright . Although I honestly don't remember meeting you in college , " Soraya admitted . As Edward helped her settle in , she added , " I apologize , but would you remind me ? " " Of course , " Edward said . He searched through his bag and presented a photo . Seeing the picture , Soraya's eyes widened .

She turned to Edward and smiled . " Oh , my god . Eddie ! " She couldn't help but laugh . She finally remembered Edward as the senior who had always saved her a seat in their Computer Systems and Architecture class . " Yes , that was me , " Edward admitted . " With dreads . I look different now , I suppose . " " It's nice to see you again , Eddie , " Soraya said , genuinely smiling . " It's a pleasure , " Edward replied .

" I've been looking forward to our meeting since my return to Cedar Heights . " Edward turned to his colleague . " This is my business partner , Peter Jones ." " Lovely to meet such a beautiful woman ," Peter said , and Soraya greeted him in return . Edward quickly launched into talking about his company , and he was clearly enthusiastic engaged . After all , code , numbers , and patterns were her fixations .. But someone just had to cut in .. A man who sat beside Rose cleared his throat .

" I'd also like to meet this beautiful lady . " Soraya was just as They all turned toward him , and it was Rose who made the introduction . " Ah , yes . Soraya , this is Axel Davis , my textile supplier . He came today to show support . " Then , without missing a beat , Rose reached for Calum's hand . " Calum and I just closed a deal with Jacob for a two- hundred - square - foot space here at Vanguard Galleria . It's just what I need for my brand expansion . " * Too much information .

Soraya thought . She didn't need to know that . Finally , Rose returned to Axel . " Axel , this is Soraya Azar , a shareholder at Calum's company . " Axel stood and offered his hand . Soraya shook it , then quickly withdrew . 2/4 13:03 Tue , 19 Aug Chapter 41 Aug " Rose , you should've told me you had such a beautiful friend , " Axel said , his eyes lingering on Soraya . 85% Axel was undeniably good - looking , but the arrogance clinging to him was so thick , it made Soraya's skin crawl .

She said outright , " Rose and I aren't friends . We simply know each other . " Her tone was steady and unapologetic , the kind that left no room for pretense . Calum frowned , but Soraya ignored it and went straight to business " So , Edward , I hear you'll be collaborating with the Montclair Group , " she said , steering the conversation back to what actually mattered . She had no interest in Rose's boasting , nor in Sage , who stayed silent , as though she had never known her mother .

They ate as they talked . Melvin , seated beside Soraya , said nothing . However , Soraya noticed him listening . Jacob , too , paid close attention . Edward : " Our design team is now using generative Al to mock up UI variations in seconds . Not just colors and layouts , but actual UX flows based on predicted user behavior . " Soraya : " I read about that . Some models now predict user drop - off and friction points before you even ship an update .

If I had that five years ago , I would've saved months of A / B testing ." Edward : " It's incredible , right ? We're even starting to map predicted user flows to anomaly detection ." Soraya nodded thoughtfully . " That overlaps with something I'm working on . It's a cybersecurity system . I'm currently working for Aegis Core Systems . We use behavioral mapping too . But instead of optimizing flow , we're flagging deviations . " Edward : " Interesting . What kind of deviations ?

" Soraya : " Say a user always logs in from the same city , skims the dashboard , then downloads a monthly report . Suddenly , they're logging in from another country , checking odd sections , and hesitating over data exports . The model flags that as an anomaly . " Edward : " Smart . So instead of just IP bans or signature detection , you're profiling usage patterns ." Soraya : " Exactly . Most breaches don't start with brute force anymore . They start with mimicking .

And UI behavior is one of the hardest things to fake . We're even testing micro - patterns - like mouse trajectory , scroll rhythm , and pressure sensitivity - assuming the hardware allows it . " Edward grinned . " That's genius . Same tools , different goals . My Al keeps the right user in , yours keeps the wrong one out . But then again , Soraya , you'ye always been a genius . " Soraya chuckled . " You flatter me . Codes and numbers - they're just my obsession .

" " I never knew this side of you , Soraya . " Unexpectedly , Melvin spoke . Soraya turned to Melvin and saw the amazement on his face . 3/4 13:03 Tue , 19 Aug Chapter 41 ם Melvin had been Calum's longest - standing friend . They had known each other since high school - so had she . But like the rest of Calum's circle , none of them had ever truly made the effort to know her beyond her title . " Well , Mr.

Carter , " Soraya said with a polite smile , " we've only known each other for , what … fifteen years ? I suppose that just wasn't long enough to become properly acquainted . " For a fleeting moment , Soraya saw it - the flicker of shame that crossed Melvin's face . She didn't give him the satisfaction of a second glance . Instead , she turned away , a quiet triumph settling in her chest .

From the corner of her eye , she caught Jacob leaning back in his seat , a faint , knowing smile playing at his lips . Soraya acknowledged . In that table , it was only Jacob Steel who knew her best . 4/4