Mike continued, “That’s because of my reputation and ability at work. Even if I’m wrong, even if I’m talking nonsense, readers will believe me because I have a PhD!”

“Aren’t you so skilled in medicine? Go ahead; publish a rebuttal in the newspaper. Let’s see who the readers believe!”

Matthew was so furious he clenched his fists. “You deserve a beating!”

Mike sneered. “Yes, I deserve it. Even if I’m talking nonsense, do you dare hit me?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Matthew punched him in the mouth. “I’ll beat you to death!”

Mike’s lip was busted. He gasped in pain, then spat out blood and two teeth onto the floor. His face contorted with rage. “Fuck you! You dared hit me? You… you’re finished! You—”

Before he could finish, Matthew punched him several more times. Mike was beaten black and blue. Blood streamed from his nose and mouth, causing him to beg for mercy incessantly.

“Stop hitting me, please! I have a PhD… I can’t show my face like this… It hurts… I know I was wrong! I’ll retract my statements right away!”

Matthew stopped. “Retract them in front of me!”

Mike wiped the blood from his mouth. Seeing Matthew’s threatening gaze, he took out his phone and refunded the 300 thousand dollars. He then made a call and put it on speaker. “Hello, Mr. Whitaker. I returned your 300 thousand dollars. I want to retract my statements, so please don’t publish them.”

Matthew looked at him with a cold expression. After a brief silence, Evan Whitaker’s cold voice responded, “Dr. Abrams, the article has already been submitted. It’s out of my hands. I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye.”

Mike was dumbfounded, looking at Matthew.

Matthew said gloomily, “Why are you looking at me like that? Keep calling!”

Mike said, “Okay.” He called Whitaker again, but he had been blocked.

Matthew’s expression turned grim as he grabbed a chair. Mike was terrified, remembering Matthew had been in prison before. He knelt and begged for mercy. “Please stop hitting me. I’ll die if you continue. I’ve tried my best. I’ve already refunded the money and made the call. There’s nothing more I can do.”

At that moment, there was the sound of footsteps at the door. Several security guards burst in, followed by doctors, emboldened by their presence. Rachel and Tracy also hurried in, having sensed something was amiss when they saw the guards. Upon seeing Mike’s swollen and beaten face, both women were shocked.

Rachel was furious because she had already told Matthew not to cause conflict. She hadn’t expected him to beat Mike until he knelt on the ground. “Matthew, you went too far!”

Tracy’s eye twitched. She realized now why Matthew had said he could resolve the matter in a minute—he’d planned on resorting to violence all along! She hated him even more now. She thought he wasn’t suitable to be Rachel’s husband, let alone her friend, because he was too impulsive and unwise.

Matthew pointed at Mike. “He went too far, not me.”

Rachel was speechless. Mike was on his knees, badly beaten. How could he have gone too far?

Tracy gritted her teeth, disgusted by Matthew’s shamelessness. He had beaten Mike and didn’t dare admit it. She pulled Rachel’s arm. “Let’s leave. Let him deal with his own mess.”

Rachel ignored her. “I’ll help settle this first.”

Tracy huffed. “Fine, you handle it. I’ll wait outside.”

The guards surrounded Matthew. “You… you must stay. We need to call the police!”

At that moment, Mike felt utterly humiliated. All the other doctors reporting to him had seen him on his knees. He struggled to stand, but couldn’t until a guard helped him up. He felt more confident and supported with the guards there. “Call the police! This is medical violence! He must be arrested!”