"Someone as kind as Director Gilbert probably wouldn't. I heard he's holding a free clinic at the hospital this afternoon—says he wants to thank everyone for their support."
A middle-aged woman passing by spat onto my pants, then laughed and chatted with the others as they headed toward Dad's hospital.
My legs moved on their own, following them.
I knew I had no future left in this city. One last look wouldn't hurt. A farewell.
Maybe the bond between us really did end here.
The clinic was packed. Every face, every voice overflowed with gratitude for Dad.
I drifted in with the crowd, but the moment I reached the entrance, a slender palm shoved hard against my chest and pushed me back.
"Alice, are you a stray dog? What are you doing here? Director Gilbert doesn't want you!"
"Get lost."
I shoved Chloe's hand off me and turned to walk inside.
"Alice, what do you still have to be so arrogant about?!"
Chloe grabbed my wrist, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction.
"You're a criminal with a record now. You'll never touch a scalpel again, will you? Treat me nicely, and maybe I can beg Director Gilbert to let you collect trash at the hospital!"
She leaned closer. "Oh right, I forgot to tell you. After today's free clinic, Director Gilbert is taking me in as his goddaughter. From now on, I'll be his good daughter—and you'll be a useless piece of trash with no dad and no mom!"
Years of suppressed rage erupted.
I seized her wrist, raised my other hand, and swung—
But before my palm could connect, someone grabbed it from behind.
"Alice!"
Dad rushed up and shoved me away, positioning himself between us like a shield—for her.
"Haven't you caused enough trouble?! Two punishments weren't enough?!"
Behind him, Chloe covered her mouth and snickered.
I stared at him in disbelief. "Dad, she pushed me first. She said you were taking her as your daughter. She said I have no dad and no mom—"
"Shut up!"
He cut me off before I could finish.
"Chloe is such a well-behaved kid. She would never say something like that. You're lying!"
"If I don't punish you until it hurts, you'll never learn!"
"Today, I'm going to make an example of you!"
His eyes filled with disgust. He picked up the microphone and faced the dense crowd.
"Hello everyone, this is my daughter Alice. Because she doesn't understand how to avoid conflicts of interest..."
He was mid-speech when a familiar, forceful female voice rang out from behind—