Chapter 3

On the third day, Tina came to see me personally without reporters around. She sat opposite me as she took off her sunglasses to reveal a well-groomed face. "Dr. Shaw, let's get straight to the point with this. What do you want?"

I looked at her. "What do you think I want, Madam Fletcher?"

Tina took a card out of her bag and pushed it to me. "You can have this amount if you agree to take my daughter as a patient. If this isn't enough, we can negotiate an amount."

I glanced at it. There were a lot of zeroes in that number, and it was enough to guarantee a comfortable life.

Fifteen years ago, I was picked out by her in public because I could not afford to pay my school fees. "Students who cannot afford school should learn to work harder."

I could not believe that she could now afford to pay me so much money. I pushed the card back to her. "I don't lack money, Madam Fletcher."

The look in Tina's eyes turned cold. "It's not easy to climb to your position, Dr. Shaw. You shouldn't make things difficult for yourself."

I smiled. "You should listen to your own advice, Madam Fletcher."

She stared at me for several seconds. "Is there a reason why you're against me? Have we met before? Or do you know my ex-husband, and you're here to make trouble for me on his behalf?"

I did not answer her question and instead asked her, "Madam Fletcher, have you ever wondered why your daughter is being bullied?"

Tina was taken aback, and her voice rose, "What is there to think about? It's those children's fault! How can they bully Mindy?"

I looked at her and said slowly, "You shouldn't be blaming others for your predicament. The fault might be yours, and you should reflect on that first."

Tina's expression froze. She probably found those words familiar, but could not remember where she had heard them before. "What do you mean? How is this Mindy's fault? She's not at fault here. It's her bullies who are at fault!"

I looked at her silently, and she suddenly felt goosebumps watching me stare back at her. She continued unnaturally, "What are you trying to say, Dr. Shaw?"

"Nothing." I looked away. "I was just reminded of someone who told a child those same words fifteen years ago."

Tine frowned, clearly not understanding what I meant.

I remained silent about it, and that was when my phone rang.

It was Elaine, and she sounded anxious. "Dr. Shaw, a child just got admitted to the emergency room for attempted suicide. She cut her wrist and lost a lot of blood. It's Mindy Fletcher."

I hung up and looked at Tina. She turned pale and grabbed her bag. "What happened to Mindy?"

She knocked over a chair at the door when she ran out of the room. I stood where I was as I watched her run off to the emergency room. Fifteen years ago, I was the one who was sent to the emergency room.