Tabitha's POV
I was already in extreme unease and fear, and Dr. Palmer's words just made me even angrier.
"Have you no manners or professional ethics? Is your job just a weapon to attack others? Do you even know me? Do you know the whole story? Who do you think you are to insult me like this?!"
Dr. Palmer crossed her arms, looking pissed off.
She darted her gaze at me, snapping, "Insult? I'm just telling the truth. Everyone knows Alpha Derek is getting married, but he brought you here for an abortion. What else would you be if not his mistress?"
Then she gave me a once-over like I was some piece of trash. "These days, women don't seem to know how to behave. All they do is mess around instead of focusing on their studies, obsess about seducing others' mates like crazy. Bitches like you should have an abortion once you're pregnant, for you deserve to be alone forever!"
Goaded beyond endurance, I broke free from my restraints and slapped her right across the face.
"Damn it, bitch. The nerve of you! Why aren't you guys moving? Keep her in place!"
The other medical staff stayed still, not daring to say anything. Guessed they knew better than to mess with me.
Dr. Palmer, on the other hand, seemed to have lost her marbles.
She grabbed my arm, her face twisted with anger as she yelled, "You cripple dared to hurt me? You'll pay for what you did!"
With that, she slapped me hard across the face, having no idea that it was exactly what I wanted.
I had long noticed that she had psychological issues. Her mate must've chosen his mistress over her, which was why she seemed so pissed when she saw me, who was way younger than her.
To avoid getting an abortion, I needed to stir up chaos.
Dr. Palmer had exerted quite some strength, as I felt my cheek turned red and swollen.
Instead of telling her who I was, I kept provoking her. "Even being a cripple, I'm better than you! Your mate must've rejected you for a young beauty, right? Look at your haggard face. I would do the same thing if I were your mate."
My words obviously stung her, for I saw her face twist with fury like a rogue gone wild.
"Bitch, I dare you to repeat that!"
"You must be jealous of my youth and beauty. That's why you cursed me. But no matter how nasty your insults are, they won't change the fact that you've been dumped. Besides, I'm still young and got tons of admirers, while you are old and undesirable. You're the one that is gonna die alone here."
"You slut! I'll rip your mouth apart!"
"Dr. Palmer, what are you doing? Stop it!"
"Dr. Palmer, calm down. You can't do that."
Seeing how those nurses and doctors reacted told me I was right about Dr. Palmer.
I bet no one ever dared bring up the topic in front of her before.
But I went ahead and pushed her buttons—and sure enough, she flipped out.
We ended up in a full-on brawl—it was basically one-sided since she was just beating on me.
I gotta protect my belly with my left hand, and my right hand was maimed, so I had no way to fight back.
While struggling, I kicked over a work cart. The tools and equipment on it scattered all over the ground, making a clatter.
Taking advantage of the chaos, I shouted for help, "Help! Help!"
Rolf, who was standing outside, barged in and saw me being beaten.
He immediately bellowed, "What the hell are you doing?"
Joanna, who followed him in, quickly took off her coat to cover my legs.
"Ms. Hartley, are you okay?" she asked while brushing aside my messy hair.
Seeing my red cheek, she exclaimed, "Your face's swollen. Did someone slap you?!"
Then she turned to Dr. Palmer, fuming. "How could you hit a pregnant woman?! Come out and fight me one-on-one if you dare! I swear I'm gonna beat the hell outta you!"