Chapter 3

Shirley was blocking the midwife, preventing her from taking the baby to the NICU.

The midwife, exasperated, could only explain, "Ma'am, the mother was at risk of a threatened miscarriage, which is why we performed the Caesarean operation…"

"What? A Caesarean operation?!" Shirley shrieked, her voice rising. "Naturally delivered babies are smarter! Who told you to give her a C-section?! Get your director out here!"

I never knew she was so ignorant. I really learned something new today. My emotions were a complicated mess, and I desperately wanted to avoid getting involved in their mess.

I'd go home, divorce Derek, and get away from these toxic people!

I started to walk around Shirley.

But Shirley noticed me, and with a swift move, she blocked me.

"Was it you? Did you give Shirley a C-section?"

I said coldly, "The C-section was performed with the patient's and family's consent! If you have a problem, ask your son!"

Shirley didn't recognize me either. She shouted, spitting everywhere, "Hey! How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know who I am? Who do you think you are? Just a damn doctor!"

The midwife quickly took the opportunity to push the baby into the elevator. Shirley, caught between two fronts, couldn't stop her.

She directed her full fury at me.

"How dare you make my grandson come out so early! What's your agenda?! Do you want to make my grandson stupid?!"

The other patients' families waiting outside couldn't stand it anymore and started chastising her.

"How can you be so unreasonable? Your daughter-in-law was premature, the doctor was just following protocol…"

"Exactly, your son and daughter-in-law both signed off on the C-section, what does it have to do with the doctor?"

Some people had already secretly taken out their phones to record.

Shirley aggressively retorted, "None of your damn business! Who else to blame but her?! My grandson wasn't supposed to be born for another two months! It's all this quack's fault!"

"Honestly, she saved your daughter-in-law and grandson, and you're so ungrateful."

The two sides argued furiously. Shirley actually swung a fist at an elderly lady.

I quickly intervened, warning Shirley, "Ma'am, if you keep causing trouble, I'll call security."

"How dare you! Just try to touch me!" Shirley roared in a fit of rage.

I shielded the elderly lady and stepped back, then told her, "Ma'am, please step aside for a moment…"

When I wasn't looking, Shirley pushed me hard. I staggered back a few steps, lost my balance, and fell to the floor.

My head swam, and a heavy, dragging pain shot through my lower abdomen.

Several family members quickly rushed to help me up.

"Doctor, are you okay?"

I swayed, unable to stand steadily. Shirley, the villain, was already playing the victim. "What are you faking? I barely touched you!"

I clutched my stomach, too weak to argue with her.

To my horror, a gush of warmth flowed down my inner thigh.

I froze, too afraid to move. Just then, Derek came out with Tiffany, who was still on the gurney.

Seeing Shirley, Derek asked, surprised, "Mom? What are you doing here?"

Shirley immediately found her rock, twisting the facts as she spoke:

"Your assistant told me you brought Tiffany here to have the baby! Tell me, son, did this quack trick you into a C-section? You didn't even consult me about such a serious matter! These dishonest hospitals deliberately trick you into thinking your baby's in danger, making you spend a fortune on 'rescue' just to scam you!"

Several medical staff, unable to bear it any longer, said sternly, "Don't you dare slander us!"

"The mother's water broke; the C-section was unavoidable!"

Shirley put her hands on her hips and retorted, "How could my daughter-in-law's water break for no reason? Don't try to fool me!"

I couldn't stand her constantly saying "my Shirley" anymore.

I gritted my teeth through the pain and told her, "Because your son and your Shirley had intercourse during pregnancy, which caused the miscarriage!"