Chapter 7

The office fell silent.

Brandon's face darkened to an alarming degree. The stuffed animal dropped from his hand and hit the floor.

"She actually hung up on me. Unbelievable!" Lancelot said through gritted teeth. "She never would've dared before. We've spoiled her rotten!"

"If she's gonna be this ungrateful, then forget her." Kent tossed his "gift" into the trash.

---

By then, Katrina had already packed up her things.

She was planning to move out.

After all these years, she didn't have much—her documents, personal items, and the jewelry her mother had bought her.

As for the rest? She didn't want it.

She dragged her suitcase outside the mansion, about to call a cab, when a black Bentley pulled up in front of her.

It was Brandon's car—understated, steady, imposing.

Katrina walked forward a few steps, not wanting to waste her breath on them.

But Brandon and the others had already gotten out and were heading her way.

"What do you think you're doing? Just because we didn't take you to the hospital, you're gonna run away from home?" Brandon scoffed, his voice dripping with mockery.

"You're a grown woman. When something happens, all you do is throw a tantrum. You think we're gonna feel bad for you this time?" Lancelot sneered.

Kent was furious. "Katrina, you didn't tell us you were sick, and you didn't tell us you checked out of the hospital. Do you even see us as family? You deserved to suffer all night!"

Hearing their shameless accusations, Katrina felt nothing. In fact, she almost wanted to laugh.

The cab would be here in a few minutes.

She'd be out of here soon. There was no point wasting energy on these people.

"Your brothers are talking to you. What's with the attitude?" Brandon snapped. He stepped forward and snatched her phone.

When he saw the cab order, his expression changed. He canceled it immediately.

"Give it back!" Katrina reached out, her gaze ice-cold.

The three brothers had never seen her like this. For a moment, they were stunned.

Their sister seemed different.

"Enough," Brandon said coldly. "Come back inside. Standing out here like this is embarrassing."

He tried to push Katrina back toward the house. "Since you're sick, we'll let it slide that you embarrassed us at the hospital. But when you get back inside, you need to get along with Lena."

"I'm not going back." Katrina shook off his arm. Taking advantage of Kent's distraction, she grabbed her phone back.

All of them looked annoyed.

Just then, Helena showed up too.

"Katy, are you still upset that the boys didn't take care of you yesterday? That's all my fault. I'm too weak. I don't have parents... and I worried them. Katy, we're all just looking out for you. Stop being difficult and come back with us."

Helena grabbed Katrina's arm, looking like she was about to cry. Anyone watching would think Katrina had bullied her again.

Katrina felt sick. She yanked her arm away with obvious disgust. "Don't touch me."

"You've gone too far!" Brandon caught Helena as she stumbled back a few steps. He shouted at Katrina, "Apologize to Lena!"

Katrina let out a cold laugh. Brandon was supposed to be the heir to the Fontaine family. How could he be so easily fooled by Helena's act?

"Since you like her so much, I'll get out of your way." She tossed out that line and turned to leave.

She was leaving today. No matter what.

"Stop!" All three brothers spoke at once.

Katrina's back stayed straight. She didn't stop walking.

"If you don't come back, don't ever come home again!" Kent growled through clenched teeth.

"She's just trying to scare us!"

"Let her go. If she leaves, she's not coming back!"

The three brothers seemed convinced that Katrina would come crawling back, begging for forgiveness.

Helena was thrilled.

She was so excited she almost cried.

She honestly hadn't expected Katrina to be this stubborn.

What an idiot. All Helena had to do was say a few words, and Katrina was gone on her own.

This was perfect. From now on, she'd be the only daughter in this house!

A few minutes later, Katrina was already far away.

She felt lighter than she had in years.

She planned to crash at her best friend Lisa's place for a couple of days, then find a new job and an apartment. She'd say goodbye to the Fontaine family for good.

Suddenly, another car pulled up in front of her. Two black-suited bodyguards got out and blocked her path.

"Ms. Katrina, please get in the car. Mr. Fontaine is waiting for you inside."

They were Richard's bodyguards.

The passenger window rolled down, revealing Richard's stern face.

"Get in." His voice was cold and impatient.

Katrina had to admit, hearing her father's voice again made her heart flinch involuntarily.

After all, there was a difference between her father and her brothers. Richard had genuinely loved her once.

But now, he was Helena's father.

Katrina looked at Richard for a long moment, then turned and walked away.

"You little—" Richard clearly hadn't expected her to be this defiant. He ordered the bodyguards to grab her.

Katrina was held in place by the two men. She couldn't move.

"I'm not going back," she said stubbornly, lifting her chin. "My legs are my own. Even if you drag me back, I'll just leave again."

"All because of Lena?" Richard sneered. "Are you really that petty?"

"If you treat her like your daughter, then I don't recognize you as my father!"

Finding an opening, Katrina yanked her arm free and bolted with her suitcase.

"Stop her!" Richard rubbed his temples, exasperated, and got out of the car himself.

Soon, Katrina was caught again.

She still looked defiant, her eyes blazing as she glared at him.

Richard was genuinely surprised.

He hadn't expected his daughter to have this much backbone.

She reminded him of her mother.

Richard grabbed Katrina's shoulders. "Are you really going to leave behind everything your mother left you?"