The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 32: Chapter 32
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~ Soraya ~
There were two different groups around their table.
One was Calum’s group, consisting of Jacob, Rose, and Melvin. The other was Soraya, Silas, and the Sharma couple.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharma greeted the other party, unaware of the tension between Calum’s friends and Soraya. For the most part, both sides kept to their own conversations as dinner began.
Soraya acted unaware of Jacob and Angela’s lives, though she quietly tuned in to their conversation.
“Angela, she—” Jacob said, casually sipping from his wineglass. “She’s been starting to speak.”
“That’s good news,” Calum said.
“And who is—” Melvin repeated his question with air quotes, “Mommy?”
Jacob cleared his throat. He began slicing his meat and responded without looking, “Someone has been helping me with Angela’s treatment—someone who knows how to deal with her spectrum.”
“And that someone is a woman?” Melvin asked, his face full of shock.
“Yes.” Jacob turned to Melvin, nodding. “She and Angela get along well.”
“She must be special,” Melvin suggested.
Jacob responded with a quiet, approving look. “She knows what she’s doing, and Angela likes her. That’s what matters.”
“Still, be careful, Jacob. This woman might be using Angela to get close to you,” Rose warned.
The suggestion made Soraya frown. When she glanced at Rose, she noticed a flicker in her eyes—something unreadable, maybe disapproval or unease. Soraya couldn’t quite place it, but it felt off. Why?
Jacob caught Soraya’s reaction, but he only glanced at her briefly. He turned to Rose and said, “It’s not like that. I was the one who asked her to help.”
“Okay, if you say so,” Rose said, smiling.
Calum nodded, saying, “We’re happy for you and Angela, Jacob.”
“Yeah. Who knows.” Melvin made air quotes. “Angela’s new ‘Mommy’ might just be the one for you—”
Soraya choked on her food. She coughed so hard that everyone turned to her, including Jacob.
“Are you okay?” Silas asked. He was quick to give her a glass of water while rubbing her back. “Have a drink, Soraya.”
Soraya tapped her chest as she gulped down the water. Her face turned red, following Melvin’s suggestion.
If only Melvin knew.
Even Mrs. Sharma helped rub Soraya’s back. She suggested, “Do you need to go to the restroom?”
Clearing her throat, Soraya said, “I think I do.”
“I’ll take you,” Silas offered.
Soraya left with Silas, but just as they walked to the ladies’ room, she could feel someone watching her. She just didn’t know who.
When they returned, Calum’s party was done talking about Jacob and Angela.
~ Rose ~
Earlier, Rose had been caught off guard when Mr. and Mrs. Sharma praised Soraya. She could not believe what they were saying. What was so special about Soraya?
First, they insinuated that Soraya’s ex-husband was stupid. If they only knew it was Calum, maybe they would have chosen their words more carefully. Then again, Calum had never publicly acknowledged his marriage, so no one could defend him from the Sharmas’ careless remarks.
But Rose felt it. She noticed how Calum stiffened for a moment. He might have tried to hide it, but he kept glancing in Soraya’s direction—especially whenever she and Silas leaned in a little too close.
Then came the baffling part: the Sharmas claimed Soraya’s return would positively impact Aegis Core Systems.
Rose frowned. Why? Soraya was a nobody who used to work as Calum’s support staff.
She and Melvin exchanged glances and clearly shared the same opinion.
On the other hand, Calum remained unreadable, but Rose knew better—he was listening, even if only with half an ear.
And when the Sharmas offered their son to Soraya, Rose almost lost it. She turned to Melvin and mouthed, 'Are they out of their minds?'
Melvin gave her a look that said, 'I know.'
Rose knew Elizabeth and Arvind Sharma. While they weren’t as powerful as the Montclairs, they were respected for their philanthropic work. Their company, Aegis Core Systems, was also gaining national attention for its latest cybersecurity system, NeuroSentinel.
Given all that, why would they want someone like Soraya to marry their son? It made no sense.
But it wasn’t her place to interfere. She thought, 'Let them live with their poor decisions.'
Just when things couldn’t get any weirder, Rose found out Jacob Steel had a woman in his life—someone close enough for his daughter to call “Mommy.”
Rose’s attention shifted to Jacob. Whoever that woman was, she had to be incredibly lucky. Jacob wasn’t just handsome with a good family—he was one of the richest men in the state, even richer than Calum.
Rose only knew Jacob through Calum, but she had observed enough. Jacob didn’t let anyone near his daughter. Especially not a woman. So whoever this “Mommy” was… she had the potential to be the real Mrs. Steel.
The night went on for the gala. After the program ended, everyone returned to making connections, introducing their businesses, or simply catching up with old acquaintances over champagne and dessert.
Many people approached their table because two of the richest men in the state were there—Calum and Jacob. Each time someone came to speak to either of them, Rose shared the limelight. Calum always introduced her and her fashion brand.
Rose took full pleasure in being introduced as Calum’s girlfriend. She secretly hoped Soraya caught it every time.
People came over to talk to Calum and Jacob, and many of them complimented her dress and praised her fashion brand. Rose smiled and soaked it all in.
But then, she noticed something. A few people glanced at Soraya—even just for a second. That bothered her more than she expected.
Still, nothing compared to what she found out later. And after that, her irritation with Soraya turned into something worse—pure hatred.
After the crowd of men who approached them dispersed, another group came to speak to Silas and the Sharma couple. Mr. Williams from the reception earlier also approached.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sharma, it’s good to see you,” Mr. Williams greeted.
After a few pleasantries, Mr. Williams shook Silas’s hand, saying, “Mr. Ward, I’m very interested in NeuroSentinel, especially since I’ve heard you’re making another version of the system. Please, tell me all about it!”
“Well, you're in luck, Mr. Williams,” said Elizabeth Sharma, her voice brimming with pride. She gestured toward Soraya and Silas and announced, “No one can answer your questions better than the actual co-developers of NeuroSentinel—Silas and Soraya Azar.”
'What?' Rose blinked. 'No, that’s impossible!'
But Mrs. Sharma wasn’t done. She went on, confirming every word with excitement, “Silas and Soraya worked together to develop NeuroSentinel for Aegis Core Systems. And right now, Soraya is leading the creation of version 2.0.”
Rose’s lips twitched. She turned to Calum and saw how his usual unreadable expression changed.
He was shocked. Calum was shocked!
It was evident by the way his brows met.
But when Calum noticed Rose was looking at him, he took a deep breath and turned to Jacob, as if he’d heard nothing.
Silas and Soraya, together with the Sharma couple, later moved to another table to have a focused discussion. There were now more than ten gentlemen asking about NeuroSentinel, and their seats could no longer accommodate them.
When Rose’s group was on their own, Melvin spoke first. “What? Did I hear that right?”
He turned to Calum and asked, “Calum, your ex-wife is a software programmer? And co-developed NeuroSentinel?”
For a moment, Calum said nothing. He calmly finished his water, then replied, “Well, she did take Computer Engineering and worked at Aegis Core Systems… but whether she’s capable of developing an actual security program?” He paused, then added with a small shrug, “I don't know, but for sure Mr. Ward is highly regarded as a software developer.”
“It’s like what I said last time, Calum,” Jacob calmly suggested. “You didn’t seem to know your ex-wife very well.”
“You’re right. I don't know her.” Calum shrugged at Jacob. He turned to Rose and put his arm around her. “But I don’t care. All I care about is… Rose.”
Hearing Calum’s words, Rose’s heart melted. Her earlier worries about Soraya vanished. She smiled and nestled into his arms. “Aww. Thank you. I love you so much.”
Rose felt triumphant. She looked at the next table where Soraya sat and muttered in silence. 'See that, Soraya? No matter what, you can never compare to me.'
'So what if your name’s attached to NeuroSentinel?' She continued. 'Let’s be real—Silas probably did all the work and just let you tag along like a good little assistant. Sharing the spotlight doesn’t mean you earned it. Calum will never look at you the way he sees me.'
There were two different groups around their table.
One was Calum’s group, consisting of Jacob, Rose, and Melvin. The other was Soraya, Silas, and the Sharma couple.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharma greeted the other party, unaware of the tension between Calum’s friends and Soraya. For the most part, both sides kept to their own conversations as dinner began.
Soraya acted unaware of Jacob and Angela’s lives, though she quietly tuned in to their conversation.
“Angela, she—” Jacob said, casually sipping from his wineglass. “She’s been starting to speak.”
“That’s good news,” Calum said.
“And who is—” Melvin repeated his question with air quotes, “Mommy?”
Jacob cleared his throat. He began slicing his meat and responded without looking, “Someone has been helping me with Angela’s treatment—someone who knows how to deal with her spectrum.”
“And that someone is a woman?” Melvin asked, his face full of shock.
“Yes.” Jacob turned to Melvin, nodding. “She and Angela get along well.”
“She must be special,” Melvin suggested.
Jacob responded with a quiet, approving look. “She knows what she’s doing, and Angela likes her. That’s what matters.”
“Still, be careful, Jacob. This woman might be using Angela to get close to you,” Rose warned.
The suggestion made Soraya frown. When she glanced at Rose, she noticed a flicker in her eyes—something unreadable, maybe disapproval or unease. Soraya couldn’t quite place it, but it felt off. Why?
Jacob caught Soraya’s reaction, but he only glanced at her briefly. He turned to Rose and said, “It’s not like that. I was the one who asked her to help.”
“Okay, if you say so,” Rose said, smiling.
Calum nodded, saying, “We’re happy for you and Angela, Jacob.”
“Yeah. Who knows.” Melvin made air quotes. “Angela’s new ‘Mommy’ might just be the one for you—”
Soraya choked on her food. She coughed so hard that everyone turned to her, including Jacob.
“Are you okay?” Silas asked. He was quick to give her a glass of water while rubbing her back. “Have a drink, Soraya.”
Soraya tapped her chest as she gulped down the water. Her face turned red, following Melvin’s suggestion.
If only Melvin knew.
Even Mrs. Sharma helped rub Soraya’s back. She suggested, “Do you need to go to the restroom?”
Clearing her throat, Soraya said, “I think I do.”
“I’ll take you,” Silas offered.
Soraya left with Silas, but just as they walked to the ladies’ room, she could feel someone watching her. She just didn’t know who.
When they returned, Calum’s party was done talking about Jacob and Angela.
~ Rose ~
Earlier, Rose had been caught off guard when Mr. and Mrs. Sharma praised Soraya. She could not believe what they were saying. What was so special about Soraya?
First, they insinuated that Soraya’s ex-husband was stupid. If they only knew it was Calum, maybe they would have chosen their words more carefully. Then again, Calum had never publicly acknowledged his marriage, so no one could defend him from the Sharmas’ careless remarks.
But Rose felt it. She noticed how Calum stiffened for a moment. He might have tried to hide it, but he kept glancing in Soraya’s direction—especially whenever she and Silas leaned in a little too close.
Then came the baffling part: the Sharmas claimed Soraya’s return would positively impact Aegis Core Systems.
Rose frowned. Why? Soraya was a nobody who used to work as Calum’s support staff.
She and Melvin exchanged glances and clearly shared the same opinion.
On the other hand, Calum remained unreadable, but Rose knew better—he was listening, even if only with half an ear.
And when the Sharmas offered their son to Soraya, Rose almost lost it. She turned to Melvin and mouthed, 'Are they out of their minds?'
Melvin gave her a look that said, 'I know.'
Rose knew Elizabeth and Arvind Sharma. While they weren’t as powerful as the Montclairs, they were respected for their philanthropic work. Their company, Aegis Core Systems, was also gaining national attention for its latest cybersecurity system, NeuroSentinel.
Given all that, why would they want someone like Soraya to marry their son? It made no sense.
But it wasn’t her place to interfere. She thought, 'Let them live with their poor decisions.'
Just when things couldn’t get any weirder, Rose found out Jacob Steel had a woman in his life—someone close enough for his daughter to call “Mommy.”
Rose’s attention shifted to Jacob. Whoever that woman was, she had to be incredibly lucky. Jacob wasn’t just handsome with a good family—he was one of the richest men in the state, even richer than Calum.
Rose only knew Jacob through Calum, but she had observed enough. Jacob didn’t let anyone near his daughter. Especially not a woman. So whoever this “Mommy” was… she had the potential to be the real Mrs. Steel.
The night went on for the gala. After the program ended, everyone returned to making connections, introducing their businesses, or simply catching up with old acquaintances over champagne and dessert.
Many people approached their table because two of the richest men in the state were there—Calum and Jacob. Each time someone came to speak to either of them, Rose shared the limelight. Calum always introduced her and her fashion brand.
Rose took full pleasure in being introduced as Calum’s girlfriend. She secretly hoped Soraya caught it every time.
People came over to talk to Calum and Jacob, and many of them complimented her dress and praised her fashion brand. Rose smiled and soaked it all in.
But then, she noticed something. A few people glanced at Soraya—even just for a second. That bothered her more than she expected.
Still, nothing compared to what she found out later. And after that, her irritation with Soraya turned into something worse—pure hatred.
After the crowd of men who approached them dispersed, another group came to speak to Silas and the Sharma couple. Mr. Williams from the reception earlier also approached.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sharma, it’s good to see you,” Mr. Williams greeted.
After a few pleasantries, Mr. Williams shook Silas’s hand, saying, “Mr. Ward, I’m very interested in NeuroSentinel, especially since I’ve heard you’re making another version of the system. Please, tell me all about it!”
“Well, you're in luck, Mr. Williams,” said Elizabeth Sharma, her voice brimming with pride. She gestured toward Soraya and Silas and announced, “No one can answer your questions better than the actual co-developers of NeuroSentinel—Silas and Soraya Azar.”
'What?' Rose blinked. 'No, that’s impossible!'
But Mrs. Sharma wasn’t done. She went on, confirming every word with excitement, “Silas and Soraya worked together to develop NeuroSentinel for Aegis Core Systems. And right now, Soraya is leading the creation of version 2.0.”
Rose’s lips twitched. She turned to Calum and saw how his usual unreadable expression changed.
He was shocked. Calum was shocked!
It was evident by the way his brows met.
But when Calum noticed Rose was looking at him, he took a deep breath and turned to Jacob, as if he’d heard nothing.
Silas and Soraya, together with the Sharma couple, later moved to another table to have a focused discussion. There were now more than ten gentlemen asking about NeuroSentinel, and their seats could no longer accommodate them.
When Rose’s group was on their own, Melvin spoke first. “What? Did I hear that right?”
He turned to Calum and asked, “Calum, your ex-wife is a software programmer? And co-developed NeuroSentinel?”
For a moment, Calum said nothing. He calmly finished his water, then replied, “Well, she did take Computer Engineering and worked at Aegis Core Systems… but whether she’s capable of developing an actual security program?” He paused, then added with a small shrug, “I don't know, but for sure Mr. Ward is highly regarded as a software developer.”
“It’s like what I said last time, Calum,” Jacob calmly suggested. “You didn’t seem to know your ex-wife very well.”
“You’re right. I don't know her.” Calum shrugged at Jacob. He turned to Rose and put his arm around her. “But I don’t care. All I care about is… Rose.”
Hearing Calum’s words, Rose’s heart melted. Her earlier worries about Soraya vanished. She smiled and nestled into his arms. “Aww. Thank you. I love you so much.”
Rose felt triumphant. She looked at the next table where Soraya sat and muttered in silence. 'See that, Soraya? No matter what, you can never compare to me.'
'So what if your name’s attached to NeuroSentinel?' She continued. 'Let’s be real—Silas probably did all the work and just let you tag along like a good little assistant. Sharing the spotlight doesn’t mean you earned it. Calum will never look at you the way he sees me.'
End of The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback Chapter 32. Continue reading Chapter 33 or return to The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback book page.