Chapter 7

The office fell completely silent.

Brandon's face turned absolutely hideous. The stuffed animal in his hand dropped to the floor.

"She actually dared to hang up on me—unbelievable!" Lancelot ground his teeth. "She never had the guts before. We've seriously spoiled her rotten!"

"Since she's so ungrateful, let's just forget about her." Kent tossed the fruit he was holding into the trash.

---

Meanwhile, Katrina had already packed up her things.

She planned to move out and live elsewhere.

She zipped up her suitcase and headed downstairs.

Honestly, after all these years, she didn't have much. Documents, personal items, a few clothes... all in all, just one suitcase.

As for everything else—she didn't want any of it.

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

Brandon's car—understated, steady, imposing.

Seeing this, Katrina walked forward a few steps. She didn't want to waste words on them.

But Brandon and the others had already gotten out and were walking toward her.

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

"You're a grown woman and you still pull this runaway stunt when something happens? You think we're going to cave this time?" Lancelot looked Katrina up and down, his gaze scornful.

Kent was even worse. "Katrina, didn't we teach you to present a united front to outsiders? Today you embarrassed us at the hospital. Not only did you not apologize, but now you're pulling this crap? Don't you think you're going a bit too far?"

Hearing their baseless accusations, Katrina felt nothing—not in her eyes, not in her heart.

She glanced at her phone. The rideshare would arrive in a few minutes. She'd be leaving this place soon. No point wasting energy on these people.

"We're talking to you. What's with the attitude?" Brandon got angry and stepped forward, snatching Katrina's phone.

Seeing the map on the screen, his expression changed. He immediately canceled the ride.

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

Kent had never seen her like this. He froze for a moment, unable to say a word.

His sister had changed somehow.

"Alright, enough." Brandon also sensed something was off and stepped in. "Let's go back inside first. Standing out here looks ridiculous."

He pushed at Katrina, trying to guide her back. "Since you're sick, we'll let slide what happened at the hospital today. But once we're back, you need to get along with Lena properly."

"I'm not going back." Katrina shook off his arm and, catching Kent off guard, snatched her phone back. She lowered her head and called another ride.

They were all getting annoyed.

But just then, Helena got out of the car too.

"Katy, are you still upset that your brothers didn't take care of you yesterday? It's all my fault. I'm too weak, and I don't have parents—only my brothers to look after me. Katy, we're all family. Please don't throw a tantrum. Come back with us."

Helena grabbed Katrina's arm and shook it, looking like she was about to cry. Anyone who didn't know better would think Katrina had bullied her again.

Katrina was thoroughly disgusted. She yanked her arm free. "Don't touch me."

"Are you insane?" Brandon's expression changed again. He steadied Helena, who'd stumbled back several steps, and snapped at Katrina, "Apologize to Lena!"

Looking at his handsome face twisted with rage, Katrina just found it laughable.

Brandon was the heir to the Fontaine family, for crying out loud.

How could he be so easily manipulated by Helena's few words?

Katrina couldn't figure it out, and she was too tired to try.

"Since you all like her so much, I'll make room for her." She tossed out that line flatly and turned to leave.

She refused to believe she couldn't walk away today!

"Stop right there!" All three brothers said in unison.

Katrina's back remained proud, her steps light. She didn't pause for even a second.

"I'm counting to three. If you don't come back, don't ever step through the Fontaine family door again!" Kent's voice was a low growl. "Three... two..."

"She's definitely just trying to scare us!"

"Let her go! Once she leaves, don't come crawling back!"

The three brothers seemed absolutely convinced Katrina would come crying back, begging for forgiveness.

They stared at her retreating figure like they wanted to bore a hole through her back.

At that moment, Helena was beyond thrilled.

She was practically crying with excitement.

She stared fixedly at that stubborn silhouette, her heart in her throat.

She really hadn't expected Katrina to be this tough. What an idiot—all Helena had to do was make a tiny move and she cracked and bolted.

Perfect! From now on, she'd be the only girl in this house!

A few minutes later, Katrina had walked out of their line of sight.

She felt an unprecedented sense of freedom and ease.

She planned to crash at her best friend Lisa's place for a couple days, then find a new job and apartment. Cut ties with the Fontaine family completely.

Suddenly, another car stopped in front of her. Two bodyguards in black got out and blocked her path.

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

Richard's people.

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

"Get in." His voice was cold and heavy, extremely impatient.

Katrina had to admit—hearing her father's voice again made her heart involuntarily clench.

After all, her father was different from her brothers. Richard had genuinely loved her once.

But now, he was Helena's father.

Katrina looked at Richard deeply, then turned to leave.

"You little brat!" Richard seemed surprised by her stubbornness. He ordered the bodyguards to grab her.

Katrina was seized on both sides by the two bodyguards, completely unable to move.

"I'm not going back." She lifted her head defiantly. "My legs are my own. Even if you drag me back, I'll just run away again."

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

"If you treat her like your daughter, then I don't recognize you as my father!" Katrina's temper flared. She wrenched her arms free and grabbed her suitcase, ready to bolt.

"Stop her!" Richard felt a headache coming on and got out of the car himself.

Soon enough, Katrina was caught again.

She still looked defiant, her jaw clenched tight.

Their eyes met. Richard was somewhat surprised.

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

Maybe she took after her mother.

He crouched down and gripped Katrina's shoulders. "Are you really going to abandon even the things your mother left you?"