Chapter 4

Grant froze, unable to refute me. Carol hesitated briefly before flying into a rage.

"That's a lie! My son would never do something like that!"

A nurse came over to support me.

"Dr. Fairclough, don't stoop to her level. Let's get you out of here..."

But Carol wouldn't let it go. She grabbed my arm, trying to stop me.

"Hold it right there! Do you think you can just walk away? You owe my grandson an explanation!"

Pain tore through my abdomen, and I felt cold sweat on my forehead. I realized something was very wrong.

I broke free from her grip in desperation, pushing her away. Carol stumbled back into the wall, clutching her back.

She immediately began wailing dramatically.

"Oh, my head! You've hurt me!"

The nurse snapped at her.

"You hit your back, not your head! Stop lying!"

Carol whined, "I don't care! Apologize to me, or you'll regret it!"

She turned to Grant for backup.

"Your mother's being mistreated, and you're just standing there? Do something!"

Grant, still angry with me from the operating room, saw his chance to lash out.

He marched over, pointing a finger in my face. "Apologize to my mother right now!"

I gritted my teeth through the pain and whispered to the nurse, "I... I can't... My stomach hurts. Take me away, please..."

The nurse tried to lead me away, but Grant grabbed my arm roughly.

"Where do you think you're going? You're not leaving until you apologize!"

The nurse tried to intervene, only for Grant to shove her aside.

"Grant! You'd better see who I am!" I shouted hoarsely.

I raised my hand to remove my mask, but Grant seized my wrist, hissing, "I don't care who you are. If you don't apologize, I'll make sure the director fires you!"

Carol gleefully aimed her phone at me, triumphant.

"Make her bow! Make her apologize! I'm recording this. Everyone will know what happens when you cross us!"

The crowd murmured in disapproval.

"These people are awful..."

"Yeah, it was the old lady who started it."

Carol, unbothered, sneered, "Even the hospital director has to be polite to my son. Who does this doctor think she is? She'll be out of a job by tomorrow!"

Grant shoved me down, forcing me to bow. I struggled, refusing to give in. Enraged, he kicked the back of my knee.

I collapsed to the ground, my knees slamming against the hard floor.

"Apologize!" he barked, pressing me down further. In the scuffle, my hat and mask came off. My face was exposed as I hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Pain shot through me, and everything went black for a moment.

Several men in the crowd, unable to tolerate Grant's behavior any longer, stepped in to restrain him.

"That's enough!"

"How can you treat a woman like this!"

"Someone should teach him a lesson!"

Chaos erupted as Grant fought back. Carol seized the moment to kick me several times.

"Security! Call security!" the nurses shouted.

Two nurses helped me to my feet.

I swayed unsteadily, and my vision blurred. Grant broke free and looked up, finally noticing my face.

He froze, stunned.

"Avery?"

Carol paled as recognition dawned on her.

"It's you?"

A nurse gasped in horror.

"Dr. Fairclough! You're bleeding!"

I looked down to see my pants soaked in blood.

My breaths came fast and shallow. My legs gave out, and I fell into darkness.