Tabitha's POV
"He didn't do it, but the photos indeed came from him. Everyone knows he's a lecher, and any pretty woman can lure him easily. You know what? Maybe some woman used his phone to send them to Ms. Mendoza," Emma analyzed.
"You're right."
The last thing the mastermind behind the scenes wanted was for me to know about his or her identity.
The person was certain that I'd pin it on Henry and look into him.
I had to say that the person was quite scheming.
But this happened to give me a direction to work on. I'd know the whole truth as long as I knew who had approached Henry.
Great! I was one step closer to the truth. Instantly, I was in a much better mood. After all, it was the only good news I had heard these few days.
Yet in the next second, someone I was familiar with entered Group C's office.
She was dressed decently with delicate makeup. Seeing that, the receptionist greeted her nicely.
"Ma'am, who are you here for?"
"My daughter."
"And that would be?"
"Tabitha."
Holly turned to look at me.
I didn't think she was here to catch up with me.
The second I left the hospital, I blocked her number and everything.
Emma said, standing aside, "Wow! Tabitha, your mom's so young and pretty! Now I know where you get your beauty..."
Before she could finish complimenting us, Holly had already stomped towards me in high heels with an imposing manner.
Then without saying a word, she slapped me.
"You shameless slut! You're brazen enough to show up here!"
I was agile enough, but too bad that she was way too fast. It also caught me off guard that she would slap me in front of all these people.
The Holly in my memory was always cold to me, but she had been brought up with good manners since childhood.
I was very surprised that she got physical like a shrew when so many people were watching.
I covered my swollen cheek and had to take a deep breath before finally managing to control myself from lashing out.
"Mrs. Sutton, I believe you owe me an explanation."
"Tabitha, if I had known you would become such a shameless bitch, I should never have given birth to you in the first place! You let me down totally!"
I had been in a good mood these days, yet her slap instantly ruined everything.
The others were all watching us curiously. I felt ashamed.
"Let's go out and talk."
Holly brushed my hand away. "Why? You don't want the others to know what you've done? How did John raise you? You'll do anything to get what you want, won't you? Derek has already made a clean break with you! You're cheeky enough to show up here!"
Hearing that, I knew what was going on. Daphne was well aware she couldn't change Derek's decision, so she asked for Holly's help.
Daphne wanted to make me feel too ashamed to stay here. Then I'd choose to quit.
I wouldn't exactly call that cunning, but the fact that Holly chose her over me hurt me deeply.
I looked at Holly and asked, "What's in it for you?"
Holly was my mom. How could she take Daphne's side all this time?
Holly's face was filled with anger. "I'm doing this for your own good! Come with me! This isn't where you belong!
"Leave with me! Resign! Don't stay here for another second! I don't wanna see you here again! You're disgracing me!"
"Let go!" I forcefully pushed her away.
She lost her footing, stumbled, and fell to the floor.
She didn't make a scene while continuing to be on the floor like a vulgar woman, but those words coming from her weren't exactly pleasant either.
She got up and accused me in front of everyone of how shameless I was and how I went out of my way to be a homewrecker.
The rumors of me getting involved with Derek were everywhere a few days ago, and now, Holly's words convinced everyone that the rumors were true.
She sobbed while complaining, and everyone looked at me with contempt.
They whispered to each other, yet I still heard their harsh words.
I looked at Holly and said, "Go ahead. Slander me. Then I'll tell everyone who Derek and I really are."
Holly was stunned for a second then became even more fierce. "Tabitha! Aren't you afraid of being punished for doing these shameless things?"
"Why should I? She's the one..."
Suddenly, a calm male voice interrupted me, "Mrs. Sutton, Mr. Greenwood wants a word with you and Ms. Hartley."
Alvin stood respectfully aside and said.
I kept staring at Holly's back. It was pretty much the same as the one in my memories.
How ridiculous. If I had known this was the kind of person she was, would I have had expectations of her all these years?
The door opened, and Alvin made a sign of invitation to her respectfully. "Have a seat."
Holly sat down, and then he gestured to me. I waved my hand, saying, "It's fine. I'll stand."
In the next second, Derek put down the files in his hand and stood up. He walked so quickly that a gust of cold wind swept by as he passed by me.
He sat down across from Holly and said nothing, a chill spreading through his body.
It was the aura of the Alpha of the most powerful pack in Seattle.
The powerful Alpha aura overwhelmed Holly, Alvin, and me.
Crystal growled in my mind.
Alvin kept his head down as Holly tried her best to resist, but clearly, her wolf, long asleep, couldn't withstand such a powerful aura at all.
Her face turned pale, and I was certain I saw sweat.
Both John and Mark were nothing but gentle when treating her. So, she wasn't quite used to the natural Alpha aura.
"Why didn't you tell me in advance that you were coming? I would have sent someone to pick you up."
Derek sat in front of the coffee table, brewing coffee.
Holly was no longer as flamboyant as she was downstairs. She placed her hands on her knees, looking graceful.
"I had something to talk to Tabitha."
Derek's voice wasn't loud and was quite steady.
"You wanna make a fuss? Sure. I have no right to stop you. But..."
He suddenly put the coffee cup on the table, making a huge sound.
Staring at Holly, he said, "You really think it's a good idea to make a fuss here, at my company?"