Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 172

Dean’s eyes narrowed, his voice tense. “How do you even know about that?”

His face twisted with suspicion. “Wait. You were spying on me and Eve, weren’t you?”

“My mom was in trouble, and Eve was right there. She saw everything. Why would she lie to me?”

Emmy let out a dry laugh. “So you’d rather trust someone you’ve only known for a few days than the woman who’s loved you your whole life?”

She didn’t back down. “My mom and yours have been best friends for decades. What reason could she possibly have to hurt her?”

Dean’s temper snapped. “Because my mom caught her cheating!” he yelled. “Your mom was afraid her secret would get out. That’s why she tried to get rid of the only witness!”

“That’s not true!” Emmy glared at him, her voice shaking. “My mom is honest—she would never do something like that!”

Dean’s mouth curled into a mocking grin. “Don’t believe me? Go ask the guy still waiting outside the ICU.”

“He’s the one your mom was sleeping with. They’ve been tangled up since college. Even after she married your dad, she couldn’t let him go.”

He stepped in close, lowering his voice, the words dripping with malice.

“For all you know, maybe you’re not even your dad’s kid. Maybe you’re the result of your mom sneaking around…”

Emmy’s patience snapped. The slap echoed through the room.

“Dean, don’t you dare talk about my mother like that!”

Before either of them could say another word, frantic knocking rattled the door and a nurse’s anxious voice broke in.

“Ms. Lincoln, please come quickly! Your father’s gotten into a fight!”

Emmy rushed out, barely noticing Dean as she shoved past him.

James was right there by the door, tall and silent, his presence heavy. He looked straight ahead, eyes dark and unreadable.

Did he hear everything?

There was no time to think. Security guards were struggling to separate two men.

“You’ve been supporting them overseas all this time. And now, with Mom barely hanging on, you move them into her house. Her house.”

She looked around at the crowd, then locked eyes with Cooper, her words clear and sharp.

“You’re the one who should be ashamed.”

Cooper’s face turned red with rage. He jabbed a finger at her.

“Where are you getting this nonsense? I only sold the house to pay your mom’s medical bills!”

“I’ve been working my fingers to the bone for you and your mother. And this is what I get?”

His glare flicked to James standing quietly behind Emmy.

“Your mom’s out there cheating. And you—running off to marry some random guy?”

“You and your mother are just alike. No shame at all!”