My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 221

Chapter 221: The Tricks (Part €“ 1) Chapter 221: The Tricks (Part €“ 1) Dylan settled into his chair, his fingers steepled together as he locked his gaze sharp on Justin.

“He is meeting Erica tonight,” Justin added.

“Our team is positioned and ready to follow through if she tries to do something to hurt Rylee.” “Hmm,” Dylan hummed thoughtfully.

“This time, she will be fully exposed.

But I’m not just after her.

I want to know who else is working alongside her other than Lydia.” Inside Ava’s office€¦ Her phone rang on the desk, sliced through the focused silence, pulling her attention away from the file she had been intently reviewing.

She glanced at the screen, her expression softening instantly when Nicholas’s name appeared.

“Good morning,” she answered brightly.

“What brings you to remember me this early?” Nicholas’s warm chuckle came through the line.

“There isn’t a moment I forget you.

So the question of remembering you suddenly doesn’t fit.” The implications of his words silenced Ava completely.

A nervous energy coursed through her.

Sensing her discomfort, Nicholas let out a soft laugh, his tone light and reassuring.

“Don’t get all flustered.

I’m just joking.” He didn’t tell her how much he missed her €“ how much he longed to be with her every moment.

“I actually called to share some great news.

Scott, the director who won the Best Director award last year, has reached out to our team.

He is interested in working with us.” “Really?” Ava’s voice rose in excitement.

“You’re not pulling my leg, are you?” “It’s one hundred percent true,” Nicholas affirmed.

“We’ve scheduled a meeting with him this evening at the Imperial Hotel, and I want you to join me.” Ava’s face lit up, a grin spreading wide.

“Absolutely, I’ll be there.” “I’ll pick you up,” Nicholas offered.

Ava’s smile faltered slightly, a flicker of worry crossing her face.

Having Nicholas come to the office might not be the wisest choice.

The last thing she wanted was to spark tension between him and Dylan.

After a brief pause, she replied, “Actually, I’ll be visiting the hospital this afternoon.

Pick me up from there instead.” “Done,” Nicholas agreed without hesitation.

Her smile returned as she ended the call, joy bubbling inside her.

“Scott is willing to work with us.

This has to be Nicholas’s doing.” What she didn’t know was that Dylan had contacted Scott, ensuring it came as a seamless opportunity for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Erica stepped into the bar, her sharp eyes scanning the room.

Unlike the bustling places she typically frequented, this bar was quiet, almost intimate, its patrons a mix of elite figures engaged in hushed conversations.

Soft, melodic jazz drifted through the air, blending seamlessly with the clink of glasses and the murmurs.

Despite the inviting atmosphere, Erica seemed nervous unlike the people around.  Her frantic gaze landed on a familiar figure lounging casually on a plush sofa in a secluded corner.

Her grip on her designer purse tightened as she strode toward him.

Rylee looked up at her through his thin-framed glasses as he saw her approaching.

He didn’t bother to stand or greet her properly.

“Hello, Miss Erica,” he drawled, swirling his amber drink lazily.

“It’s been a while.” Erica slid into the seat across from him, her lips twisting in irritation.

“I told you not to come back.

And yet here you are, ignoring my warnings.

Do you have a death wish?” Rylee’s calm demeanor didn’t waver.

He maintained his casual demeanor, which surprised Erica.

This was no longer the timid and scared man she used to know.

It seemed that he had grown courageous over time.

“I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer me,” he said.

“Instead, you blocked my number.

What choice did I have but to return?” “What do you want?” Erica hissed.

“Money, of course,” Rylee replied, taking a slow sip of his drink.

His nonchalance only fueled Erica’s frustration.

Erica dug her nails into her bag, fighting the urge to lash out.

“I gave you everything you asked for,” she hissed through gritted teeth.

“Enough money to start over.

A cushy job abroad.

Wasn’t that enough?

You promised never to come back.” “Promises are meant to be broken, and now I want more,” Rylee said provocatively.

“More?” she scoffed.

“You’re delusional if you think you’ll get another cent from me.” Rylee raised an eyebrow, his smirk unyielding.

“You sure about that?” “Humph.” Erica leaned back, crossing her arms in defiance.

“You should’ve stayed away, Rylee.

If you value your life, you’ll leave town immediately.

Otherwise, you’ll regret it.” Rylee’s sneer grew cold.

“You think you can intimidate me?

I’m not the same Rylee you used to manipulate.

You try anything, and it’ll be your downfall.” For a moment, Erica faltered, her confidence wavering under his piercing gaze.

Something about his demeanor unsettled her; the man sitting across from her was not the timid lackey she once controlled.

Still, she forced herself to maintain her composure, masking her unease with defiance.

“You can’t do anything to me,” she said in a challenging way.

“Don’t play games, Rylee.

You’ll only destroy yourself.” “Whether I live or die isn’t your concern.” Rylee leaned forward and said in a hushed tone, “What you should be worried about is the evidence I have€“ the proof of misusing the company’s fund.

If I hand it over to Dylan, you are finished.” The color drained from Erica’s face.

“What did you say?” she gasped.

“Proof?

What proof?

You are bluffing!

I covered my tracks.

There is no way you have anything on me.” Rylee smirked triumphantly as he watched her facade crack.

He didn’t have any proof against her, but Erica’s reaction had given him what he needed.

He subtly adjusted the small recording device hidden in his pocket, knowing that every word of their exchange was being captured.

It would be enough for Dylan to take action against her.

But he was instructed to push her further, uncover her hidden allies.

“Oh, you think you erased everything?

You tricked me and forced me back then.

I was helpless and silently accepted all your demands.

But I’m not a fool, Miss Erica.

Every transaction, every shady deal-I made sure to record it all.

Not because I wanted to bring you down, but to protect myself.

A safety net, you might say.” Erica’s mind raced, panic gnawing at her composure.

She had always been meticulous, ensuring no loose ends remained.

But now, the mere thought of incriminating evidence was enough to shake her to her core.

Rylee reached for the bottle on the table and poured the amber liquid into a glass.

With a faint smile, he slid the glass across the table to her.

“Relax€¦As long as you keep my pockets lined, your secrets are safe with me.”