Chapter 12

Samantha had a bad feeling about Erica's intentions, but she didn't say anything and let Erica follow her. They walked for a while, with Samantha in front and Erica behind. Once they were away from Joseph and the others, Erica quickened her pace and grabbed Samantha's wrist. Erica exerted some strength when she grabbed Samantha's wrist. After a while, several red markings appeared on the latter's wrist. Samantha's expression hardened. She forcefully shook off Erica's hand and demanded, "What do you want from me?" Since Joseph wasn't around, Erica dropped her act. She stared at Samantha with resentment. "Why haven't you divorced Joe yet?" Samantha crossed her arms. "Didn't you hear Joseph earlier? He's the one who didn't want to divorce me, not the other way around. Instead of pestering me, you should spend your time convincing him to agree to a divorce." After that, Erica gritted her teeth and smiled smugly. "Did you lose your job?" Samantha was surprised. "How did you know?" Erica scoffed and placed a hand over her mouth. "That's because Joe felt bad for me. He didn't think you were a good doctor, so he had you fired. I did plead on your behalf, but no matter how I persuaded him, he insisted on getting a new attending doctor." Erica looked proud and stared at Samantha arrogantly. "Joe was willing to abandon you on your wedding day for my sake. Now, he fired you because your treatment doesn't work for me. "This proves that I'm the one he loves. He doesn't want to divorce you now, but you shouldn't celebrate too early. Sooner or later, I'll be Mrs. Lynch. I suggest you get a grip and stop clinging to Joe." Samantha felt hurt, but she remained indifferent. She thought Erica's bragging was despicable as she scoffed. "So what? He doesn't want a divorce yet, so I'm still Mrs. Lynch. You are just an unworthy mistress." As soon as she was done talking, Erica was offended and became furious. "Samantha, I'll make you pay the price for what you just said." With that, Erica raised her hand and slapped herself hard. Soon, there was a handprint on her face. She glanced behind Samantha and quickly grabbed her hand tightly as she spoke aggrievedly, "Samantha, it's all my fault. Please don't be mad at me, okay?" Samantha winced at Erica's grip. She frowned and instinctively freed herself. Erica let out a painful scream and fell backward. "Samantha, why won't you forgive me?" Erica placed a hand on her cheek and cried aggrievedly. When Joseph arrived, he saw this scene. He frowned with anger and rushed to Erica's side. "Samantha, even if you hate me, there's no need to take it out on Erica. She's not like you. She's just a weak woman." He already witnessed Samantha's strength earlier. He didn't expect her to be so vicious that she would slap Erica so hard. Joseph carefully helped Erica up, and he felt heartbroken seeing the handprint on her face. Samantha wondered if Joseph saw Erica as a weak woman, what did he think of her? Hearing Joseph openly defend Erica, Samantha smiled bitterly and felt suffocated. She pursed her lips and defended herself half-heartedly. "I didn't slap her." Joseph didn't even bother to glance at her. Instead, he retorted, "How did she get the handprint on her face if you didn't slap her? Are you saying she slapped herself? When did you become so vicious?" Samantha's eyes glinted with pain. She felt her heart being torn apart, and it hurt so much. She sighed helplessly and smiled bitterly. "You don't even understand what happened. Yet, you assumed I slapped Erica. So, it doesn't matter even if I tell you the truth. You are right. I slapped her." With that, Samantha laughed coldly as she walked toward Erica and pushed Joseph to the ground. With a resounding slap, another handprint appeared on the other side of Erica's face. Samantha had only slapped Erica with half her strength. Soon, Erica's cheek swelled. She gasped in pain, and tears streamed down her face. Initially, Samantha didn't want to slap Erica, but the latter repeatedly provoked her and even went after Riley. So, she couldn't blame Samantha for being ruthless. "Erica, I suggest you watch yourself and stop provoking me. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences. This slap is just a small lesson. I hope you will remember it well and heed my words." After that, Samantha put on a poker face and turned around. She wanted to walk back to her table, but Joseph suddenly stood up and grabbed her wrist. Joseph tightened his grip. Samantha was hurt and her face turned pale. She gritted her teeth and said, "Let me go." If this kept up, she wouldn't be able to use her hand anymore. She was a doctor, so her hands mattered to her. Noticing Samantha's body stiffen up, Joseph loosened his grip. However, his words left no room for refusal. "Samantha, apologize to Erica and I will forgive you." Samantha found it ridiculous that Joseph would forgive her on Erica's behalf. She felt like she had just heard the biggest joke ever. She couldn't help but ask, "Joseph, what exactly is your relationship with Erica? I can't believe you actually want to forgive me on her behalf." Joseph was speechless at Samantha's question. After a while, he responded, "It doesn't matter who she is. It's your fault that you slapped her, so you have to apologize. I said, apologize." Joseph sounded as if he was scolding a disobedient child. As Erica watched this unfold, she smiled smugly. She knew Joseph loved her the most and Samantha had lost to her. Samantha caught a glimpse of Erica's expression. She looked up and stared at Joseph seriously. "You and Erica are meant to be. I wish you a lifetime of joy and may your love burn brightly forever."