The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 142

Nikolai’s POV

The chairman’s delight didn’t dim when he noticed Julian standing there—it intensified.

“Dr. Julian!” he exclaimed, stepping forward without hesitation and pulling Julian into a warm, almost reverent hug. “It’s been far too long. I heard you were back in Missford, but I didn’t realize I’d be lucky enough to see you in person today.”

Julian returned the embrace politely, though his body language remained restrained. Julian was never one for excess familiarity, especially when he had an agenda.

“You remember the offer you made me,” Julian said calmly as they separated. “About joining the hospital.”

The chairman’s eyes lit up. “Of course I do. Have you finally changed your mind?”

Julian’s lips curved—not into a smile, but into something sharper. Purposeful. “I might consider it,” he said, “if you help us bring one of your employees to order.”

The temperature in the lobby shifted.

The chairman’s smile faltered, confusion replacing enthusiasm. “Bring… an employee to order?” He glanced between Julian and Kevin now, sensing that whatever this was, it wasn’t small. “What is going on with members of my staff today?”

I stood there quietly, hands relaxed at my sides, watching the scene unfold like a chessboard I’d already studied. I had anticipated resistance, maybe surprise—but not this convergence. Kevin and Julian hadn’t just come here casually. They’d come with intent. With leverage.

Kevin stepped forward then, his presence immediately commanding attention. He didn’t bother with pleasantries. Didn’t offer a handshake. Didn’t even acknowledge the chairman beyond a brief nod.

Instead, his gaze locked onto me.

It wasn’t friendly or neutral.

It was firm, assessing, edged with hostility.

I met his stare without flinching.

Looking away would have been a mistake. Kevin Laurent was the kind of man who smelled weakness like blood in water, and I wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction. Still, I couldn’t deny the curiosity simmering beneath my calm exterior. I knew why they were here — but I wanted to hear how Kevin would frame it. From his perspective. From Cynthia’s family’s perspective.

Kevin turned back to the chairman.

“The employee is Matilda Reyes,” he said flatly. “And she needs to be more than fired. Her license should be revoked, and she should be arrested for threats and gross unprofessionalism.”

The words hit the space between us like a gunshot.

The chairman stiffened. His eyes widened briefly before snapping—slowly, deliberately—back to me.

“You too?” he asked, incredulous. “You’re all here for the same reason?” His voice sharpened with disbelief. “What the hell is going on?”

For a moment, no one answered.

More importantly, I wanted to be on Cynthia’s good graces.

And Cynthia and Kevin? They were closer to each other amongst her siblings.

If Kevin disapproved of me, I would always be fighting an uphill battle. If Kevin trusted me, that battle became survivable.

I turned fully to him, meeting his gaze head-on.

“I’m going to make sure she’s dealt with,” I said clearly. “Anything to protect Cynthia.”

The words weren’t strategic. They weren’t rehearsed.

They were true.

For a beat, Kevin said nothing. Julian, standing beside him, watched me closely now.

Then Kevin’s posture shifted, like a man lowering his guard by a single inch.

Julian nodded once.

Kevin and Julian looked impressed at my stance. That was something.