My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Defamation case Chapter 197: Defamation case Nicholas held her gaze thoughtfully, studying her.

Ava was so certain, so filled with urgency, and her intuition was something he couldn’t ignore.

“Is he eating anything from outside?

Coffee?

Snacks?

Maybe something at the office?” Thomas never liked to eat food from outside.

He had always taken food from home.

“No,” she responded.

“Papa has never been one to eat food from outside.

If he doesn’t have lunch with clients, he eats home-cooked meals.

And coffee-he only drinks it twice a day.

Once in the morning, before leaving for work, and again in the evening when he gets home.

As for alcohol, he rarely drinks, and only at parties or business meetings.

But he hasn’t attended any events recently.” Her gaze turned pleading as she insisted.

“Please, Nicholas.

Help me find out if someone is trying to hurt him.” Nicholas could see the desperation in her eyes, and he couldn’t ignore her plea.

“I’ll get to the bottom of it.

You have my word.” His assurance relieved her.

But the relief was fleeting, replaced by a sharp ache in her chest.

Her thoughts spiraled back to Dylan.

Could he truly be behind her father’s suffering, as he had been in her past life?

She wanted to expose Dylan for poisoning her father, but why was this ache now?

‘If Dylan has hurt Papa, I won’t let him get away with it this time,’ she resolved silently.

Straightening her back, she steeled herself.

“Thank you.” ~~~~~~~~~~~ Dylan strode into the dean’s chamber, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

His piercing gaze landed on Mathew, who stiffened in his chair.

Seeing his cold and intimidating aura, Mathew swallowed, his hands clasping nervously in his lap.

“I’ve already told you,” Mathew began, squirming under Dylan’s scrutiny, “I had nothing to do with Dr.

Henry’s kidnapping.

Please, you have to believe me.

I hold no grudge against him.

Why would I do something like that?” His desperate eyes darted to the dean, seeking his help.

“Dr.

Smith, you know me.

I’m telling the truth.” Dr.

Smith wanted to believe him, but the sequence of events didn’t sit well with him.

“Your actions raise questions, Dr.

Fisher,” he said carefully.

“You initially refused to perform the surgery and agreed only after Dr.

Henry was delayed.

If someone is pressuring you, now is the time to speak.

I promise you my full support.” Mathew felt the weight of Dylan’s piercing gaze on him, and his composure faltered further.

He dropped his eyes to the floor, his throat dry as he fought to steady his breathing.

Confessing the truth-that he had conspired with Lydia to kill Thomas-would destroy his career and reputation.

He couldn’t risk it.

“No one pressured me,” he said in a rush.

“I hesitated initially because I wasn’t confident I could save the patient.

I assumed you’d contact Dr.

Henry to take over.

But when I learned he wasn’t coming, I reconsidered.

I have no idea he had actually agreed to come but got kidnapped on the way.” Dr.

Smith studied him, his expression torn between suspicion and a desire to believe his colleague.

He turned to Dylan, whose silence was as cutting as a blade.

“I think he might be telling the truth,” he said cautiously.

“Can you let him go?” But Dylan was still skeptical.

The man’s nervous demeanor and evasive responses left him unconvinced, but he didn’t immediately counter the dean’s suggestion.

Instead, he remained quiet, his cold, assessing stare pinning Mathew in place.

He couldn’t shake off the feeling that Mathew had connections with Lydia.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have any evidence to prove that.

First of all, he had to find out if Mathew had any link with Lydia.

“Okay€¦” Dylan nodded.

“I’ll leave this matter here.” He turned to leave.

Mathew heaved a sigh of relief.

Finally, he successfully proved his point.

But his expression changed the next second.

“Where are you going?” he snapped.

“You have created a ruckus in the hospital and humiliated me.

Shouldn’t you apologize to me?” Dylan’s steps halted mid-stride as Mathew’s sharp voice cut through the room.

Slowly, he turned back, the fire in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Do you want my apology?” he asked, his gaze piercing.

The way he looked at him made Mathew shudder, but he stood his ground, trying to muster defiance.

“Yes,” Mathew said adamantly, though he was nervous.

“You’ve humiliated me in front of everyone.

You accused me of something so vile without proof.

Don’t you think you owe me an apology?” “Enough, Dr.

Fisher.

Stop it right now.” The dean’s warning tone was unmistakable.

He shot Mathew a warning look, hoping this foolish man would stop talking.

Dylan Brooks had been a silent pillar of support for the hospital, funneling substantial donations year after year.

His generosity ensured the facility remained at the forefront of medical advancements.

Without his funding, the state-of-the-art equipment, highly skilled staff, and advanced treatments would be impossible to sustain.

Only a few in the hospital were aware of it-Dylan had chosen to remain anonymous, funding the hospital secretly.

For Dylan, it wasn’t about recognition.

It was about ensuring no one else had to endure the pain of losing someone they loved.

His parents’ loss was etched into his soul.

That pain drove him to quietly empower the hospital to save as many lives as possible.

Dr.

Smith stole a glance at Dylan and felt a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.

If Dylan were angered by Mathew’s audacious challenge and decided to withdraw his support, the repercussions would be devastating.

Dylan stood silently, his piercing gaze locked on Mathew like a predator sizing up prey.

Despite the tension in the room, his expression remained calm-a dangerous kind of calm.

“Why shouldn’t I demand an apology?” Mathew shot back, his voice rising slightly.

He gestured toward Dylan as he added, “He has disrupted the hospital’s activities, humiliated me, and accused me of something heinous like kidnapping without evidence.

And now, even you are taking his side.

This isn’t fair.

If he refuses to apologize, I’ll file a defamation case against him.” Dr.

Smith stiffened as he shot a nervous glance at Dylan, whose lips curled into a dangerous smirk.

“Then go and sue me.” Dylan’s eyes glinted with cold challenge.

“But let me warn you-if I uncover even the slightest connection between you and this kidnapping, not only your career but your entire family will be ruined.

I’ll make sure of it.” Dropping those words coldly, he turned and stormed out of the chamber.

Mathew’s heart trembled at his warning.

He swallowed hard, struggling to steady his breathing.

‘What if he really finds out?’ The thought sent shivers down his spine.