Chapter 197
"Oh dear, Dr. Collins, you're too soft-hearted!" A middle-aged woman with curly hair slapped her thigh and exclaimed. "You're divorced, yet you're still supporting your ex-husband's entire family—even his new wife? Back in my village, people would've cursed you to your face for that!"
Beside her, a bespectacled woman adjusted her glasses. "Dr. Collins, you're being taken advantage of. When my daughter divorced, the court only ordered three hundred a month in alimony. Your ex-husband is really..."
"Exactly!" A patient in a hospital gown chimed in. "A man like that should be exposed! You should go to his workplace and demand justice from his superiors!"
The crowd buzzed with opinions, each remark cutting deep.
Luna White smirked and quietly slipped away from the group. This feeling... was exhilarating.
Seeing the tide turning against her, the old woman pinched Little Phoenix's arm hard, then plopped onto the ground, wailing, "Bullying! You're bullying a helpless widow and orphan!"
"Enough!" Director Zhang roared. "Security! Get these troublemakers out of here!"
"Yes, sir!" Several young doctors rolled up their sleeves and stepped forward.
The old woman sprang up like a fish out of water, yanking Little Phoenix along as she fled. Before leaving, the girl shot Dr. Collins a venomous glare, drawing laughter from the crowd.
"Dr. Collins," a patient's relative patted her shoulder. "You can't be too meek. See? The moment you spoke up, everyone stood by you."
"Absolutely! Take back your house! Let the court decide the alimony!"
Dr. Collins' eyes burned with unshed tears. For years, she had hidden her suffering, afraid of becoming a laughingstock. But now...
"Thank you, everyone..." Her voice trembled.
Director Zhang waved his hand. "Disperse, everyone." Then, turning to Dr. Collins, he said, "Come to my office."
Her heart pounded. This was it—she was surely going to be reprimanded.
Inside the office, Director Zhang handed her a business card. "This is my old comrade—specializes in divorce cases. Go see him."
Dr. Collins froze.
"Remember," the director said sternly, "doctors at our military hospital won't be bullied like this!"
The dam broke, and her tears finally spilled over.
In that moment, she understood: Silence wasn't golden. Some battles were worth fighting.