Chapter 4
“You didn’t know? I just had a hysterectomy. I was hospitalized for over a week,” I said.
In an instant, the livestream chat blew up again. Even casual viewers were drawn in by the dramatic turn of events.
Serena shrieked and lunged at me, ripping the report from my hands. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she read the words on the
page.
“This can’t be real! You forged this report!” she snapped. “Gordon told me two weeks ago that you weren’t feeling well and
wanted me to check on you.
“You must’ve had this report faked ahead of time to keep me from discovering you were pregnant. You’re just trying to hide what you did!”
As soon as Serena made her accusation, some viewers were quick to chime in.
One wrote, “She had more than enough time to fake the report. Look at her! She doesn’t seem easy to get along with. If she really framed Dr. Lawson, it wouldn’t surprise me at all!”
Another added, “Exactly! She’s a manipulative woman! No wonder fewer doctors are willing to speak the truth these days. It’s because of people like her!”
Seeing the chat swing back in her favor, Serena resumed her haughty demeanor. A victorious smile tugged at her lips as she looked at me condescendingly.
“Jolene, I told you to take it easy because I genuinely cared. I can’t believe you’re trying to frame me. Do you have any idea how much it hurts a doctor’s career to have her medical expertise questioned like this?”
Without missing a beat, I raised my chin and retorted, “And do you have any idea what it does to a woman’s future when her reputation is dragged through the mud?”
Serena froze momentarily, clearly taken aback by my sharp tongue. Then, she turned to Gordon, silently pleading for him to
step in.
He noticed the look she gave him and stormed over. Without warning, he shoved me hard.
Caught off guard, I stumbled backward.
But Gordon wasn’t done. He grabbed me by the collar and tried to make me apologize to Serena.
“Say you’re sorry!” he barked. “After everything she’s done for you, you still have the nerve to accuse her? I can’t believe you’re playing the victim when you’re the one at fault!”
I glared at him. “I’m not pregnant! She’s the one who slandered me! I brought the hospital’s official report, and she still claims I faked it. So tell me, who’s really trying to ruin who here? Serena’s the one out to destroy me!”
Suddenly, the livestream chat went dead. The viewers were starting to consider whether I might be telling the truth.
A flicker of disdain crossed Gordon’s face. He raised his hand, ready to slap me. “You just love twisting the truth, don’t you?”
Nearby, Serena’s face lit up with glee. She was savoring the sight of me about to be hit.
“Jolene, it’s not that I don’t believe you. But a uterus is far too important to a woman. No one jokes about something like that. You claim you had a hysterectomy, so who can prove it?”
With the cold wall at my back, I shut my eyes, bracing for the slap I couldn’t dodge.
1/2
+15 Bonus
At that very moment, the door burst open. A tall man surged in like a gust of wind and caught Gordon’s right wrist in an iron grip.
Gordon howled in pain. Displeasure was written all over his face as he turned to glare at the intruder.
“Who are you? What gives you the right to barge into my house?” he yelled.
Connor Parker stared him down. His expression was unreadable until a smirk of contempt appeared.
“Last I checked, this was Jolene’s house. You’re just a traitor who turned on her for another woman. What right do you have to act like you own this place?
“Oh, and weren’t both of you demanding proof? Well, that’s why I’m here.”
Serena scoffed. “Who the hell do you think you are? Are you a doctor? Could you just come in and prove it for her?”
As she spoke, she glanced at the comment feed. She was expecting the audience to rally behind her again.
But this time, the internet turned on her.
The barrage of comments came in fast. They were all overwhelmingly one-sided.
One viewer wrote, “All hail the legend! I can’t believe he’s actually here in front of us!”
Another commented, “Am I really seeing this for free? The most elite medical expert in the country just appeared out of
nowhere!”
“Dr. Parker’s appointments are booked through next year, and we’re only at the start of this one!”
The next one read, “Wait… Has anyone else noticed? Dr. Lawson claims to be a genius in OB-GYN, but she doesn’t even recognize the biggest name in the field?”
“Damn! You have a point!”
All at once, the color drained from Serena’s face.
