When Kathryn arrived home, she found her biological parents and three brothers gathered around Jolene, showering her with all kinds of care and attention. A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she took it all in.

Without wasting a second, she closed the distance between them and grabbed a handful of Jolene's hair.

Before anyone could react, Kathryn slapped her hard across the face, the sharp smack echoing loudly through the room.

The Brown family stood frozen, completely stunned to see it was Kathryn who had just hit Jolene. Hadn't she been with those kidnappers?

Jolene held her cheek, crying out in disbelief, "Kathryn, have you completely lost it?"

Austin was the first to snap out of his shock. "Kathryn, what are you doing? You come home and start hitting Jolene? You better apologize right now!"

Anne Brown, their mother, frowned deeply, crossing her arms. "Kathryn, what kind of trouble are you stirring up this time? Since you've come back, there's been nothing but chaos. Maybe we never should have taken you in."

Kathryn shook her head, finding their accusations almost laughable. "Me? Causing trouble? Why don't you ask Jolene what she's really done? She's the one who set up that whole kidnapping to get rid of me."

When Kathryn was born, she was intentionally switched with the nanny's own daughter, Jolene, and then left to be abandoned. Luckily, Kathryn was adopted and raised by a mentor who cared for her deeply.

About six months ago, the Brown family discovered the truth and brought Kathryn back home.

But because they favored Jolene, who had been carefully groomed and was skilled at manipulation, they treated Kathryn coldly.

Jolene kept framing Kathryn, and even when her lies were uncovered, the Browns always forgave Jolene. This left Kathryn feeling deeply hurt and disappointed.

Anne was caught off guard by Kathryn's retort—and by how far she'd taken it. Her expression clouded with displeasure. "Jolene would never do something like that. You're misunderstanding the situation."

"Misunderstanding?" Kathryn's voice dropped low but sharp as a knife. "The kidnapper confessed it all. How can you just brush that off?"

Anne hesitated, then sighed heavily. "Why are you being so stubborn? Jolene got hurt too, but she's been doing everything she can to help find you. What more could you possibly want?"

"What do I want? I want out of this family. From now on, I won't care about any of you!"

Saying that, Kathryn turned and went upstairs to pack. After some time, when she came back down, Jolene's voice stopped her in her tracks.

Jolene was holding onto Anne, her nails digging into her own hand, but her face was pale and full of tears. "Kathryn, you've got it all wrong. How could I have anything to do with those kidnappers? They're ruthless monsters. If I had planned anything, how did you manage to come home alive?"

Rage bubbled under Jolene's tears. This kidnapping was supposed to be foolproof. Kathryn was meant to be violated and left for dead. How could things have gone so wrong?

Kathryn laughed coldly. "Looks like you won't admit the truth until you're staring it straight in the face."

She didn't even look at Jolene anymore. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the Browns, her eyes calm but filled with a deep, bitter resignation. "You all think I'm lying, that I'm just being stubborn and unreasonable, right?"

Anne frowned. "Isn't that exactly what's happening? Jolene has laid out her side very clearly."

"Oh, I see," Kathryn said, pulling her phone out slowly. "Then let me clarify things a bit more for you."

Static hissed through the speaker, and then two voices filled the room—the first Jolene's, the second a sleazy man's, unmistakably the kidnapper's leader.

"When it's done, the last payment will be twice as much. I want her completely destroyed—no chance of her ever returning to the Browns!"

"Don't worry. My men will handle everything, and we might even capture some unforgettable shots, haha!" the man responded with a laugh.

"Make sure it's done quietly. No evidence that connects back to me, got it?"

"Understood! You can trust us to get the job done."

Though the recording was short, every word was crystal clear, each sentence landing heavily.

The living room sank into a heavy silence, so still that even the faintest sound seemed loud.

Jolene suddenly stopped crying, her face turning pale as her whole body shook with fear.

The Browns stared at her in stunned disbelief.

"No... this can't be real. It must be fake!" Jolene yelled desperately.

"Fake?" Kathryn's eyes flashed with icy contempt. "Do you want me to send this to a professional for verification? Or maybe call the police and let them handle it? After all, attempted kidnapping isn't something to take lightly."

"No! You can't call the cops!" Jolene's voice cracked as she broke down. Switching tactics, tears streaming, she pleaded, "Kathryn, I'm sorry, please hear me out. It's not what it seems. Don't be angry. I'm the one who should leave this house. I'm the outsider here..."

The Browns softened at her tears, their expressions shifting to sympathy. They looked at Kathryn like she was being unreasonable.

"Kathryn, Jolene's apologized. Just drop it," Anne urged, his brows furrowed in concern.

Kathryn watched this absurd spectacle with a sinking feeling in her chest. Even with solid proof, they were falling for Jolene's act.

Grabbing her luggage, Kathryn declared, "It's either her or me. Since you've chosen her, I'm out of here."

Her determined exit left the Browns speechless, with Anne stomping her foot in frustration. "Can you believe she actually has the guts to walk away?"

Taking advantage of the moment, Jolene burst into tears. "I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back. I'll even leave the house myself if that's what it takes."

Anne hugged her tightly. "Don't say that. You're my precious daughter, and you're not going anywhere."

Laurence Brown, their father, nodded angrily. "Exactly. That troublemaker Kathryn has upset everything since she came back. If she wants to leave, so be it. She's grown up and can manage on her own."

"That's right," Austin added. "Jolene's beautiful and kind. There's no way Kathryn can even come close to her."

Jolene hesitated, biting her lip. "But she owns 35% of the company's shares. What if she tries to mess things up using that?"

When Kathryn was found, her grandfather, during his worsening illness, made a decision that shocked the entire family. Wanting to highlight the Brown family's emphasis on blood ties, he transferred a hefty 35% of the company's shares directly to Kathryn's name.

At the time, everyone was left speechless. Yet, despite their shock and objections, there was nothing they could do to reverse his choice.

Jolene's quiet words hit like a stone thrown into calm water, stirring up a storm of feelings among the Browns.

Laurence furrowed his brow deeply. "Yes, that's a real headache. But Kathryn has already walked away from the Brown family, so there's no way she can take the company's shares with her."

Jolene bit her lip, a spark lighting up her eyes.

Austin jumped up and headed for the door. He had to catch Kathryn before she took those shares.

Just as Kathryn stepped outside, a sleek Maybach rolled up right in front of her.

The driver got out fast, came over, and bowed politely. "Excuse me, are you Miss Brown?"

Kathryn nodded, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes but an otherwise composed demeanor. "Yes, that's me."

The driver opened the rear door with deliberate politeness. "Miss Brown, greetings. I'm Mr. Warren's driver. Apologies for the delay. Please, get in."

Kathryn gave a quiet reply and, noticing Austin coming out, slipped into the car without a second thought. She had zero interest in sticking around with those awful Browns.

Austin's jaw tightened as he watched her enter the luxury car. If his memory served, that model was an ultra-rare Maybach, globally limited, with fewer than ten on the planet. Who was this person? And how had she suddenly gotten involved with someone so powerful?

The more he thought about it, the more impossible it seemed. Unease settled like a cold stone in his gut.

With a dark scowl, Austin turned back inside, where the rest of the Browns immediately swarmed him.

"Well? Did you catch her? Did you bring up the shares?" Laurence demanded, his voice sharp with anger.

Austin exhaled sharply, irritation written across his face. "She didn't stay. She got into a car and took off."

"A car? What, some cheap taxi? It's not like she has cash to spare," Anne scoffed.

"No, it wasn't a taxi," Austin replied flatly. "It was a high-end Maybach, one of those rare, limited-release models. And the driver treated her like royalty."

"Come on, are you serious? A luxury car just to pick her up? That's got to be a joke."

The Browns exchanged doubtful glances, clearly skeptical.

Austin insisted, "It's true. Haven't you noticed? Kathryn's not the same since she came back."

Jolene, still curled up in Anne's arms, pressed her nails into her own palm, trying to steady the mix of jealousy and dread churning inside her. Kathryn had been raised in a forgotten, backwater place, so how could she know anyone influential?

"Austin, are you absolutely sure you didn't get it wrong?" Jolene asked, forcing a weak laugh. "Maybe she just... rented some fancy car to intimidate us?"

Isaac snorted. "That has to be it. These days, you can rent a luxury car on any app with a few taps. She's putting on a performance, that's all. Let's see how long she keeps pretending."

Laurence's face hardened. "Austin, stop wasting time. Go figure out what's really going on."

"Dad, relax," Jaxton added with a mocking smirk. "She'll come crawling back sooner or later. There isn't anywhere she can survive on her own."

Meanwhile, Kathryn sat quietly in the backseat of the Maybach, the world outside blurring past the windows. The more distance she put between herself and the Browns, the colder her heart felt.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror with utmost respect. "Miss Brown, Mr. Warren is waiting at the residence. Should I head there directly?"

Kathryn pulled her gaze from the passing scenery and spoke calmly. "Yes. Thank you."

...

Soon, the car glided through the towering gates of an elegantly grand estate.

The Warren family's power and status were clearly unmatched—every stone of the estate radiated authority.

Kathryn stepped out, and the butler led her into the main house.

The living room was lavish to the point of decadence, yet it felt strangely cold, void of any sense of home, much like the man who lived there.

Liam was seated on a sofa, with a document resting in his hand. At the sound of footsteps, he lifted his eyes.

His face was still slightly pale from the lingering effects of the poison, but his piercing gaze and overwhelming presence were just as commanding as ever.

"Is everything settled?" He set the document aside, his voice low and composed.

"Yes," Kathryn replied coolly. "I've cut ties with the Browns."

She took a seat across from him, her posture relaxed, not the least bit intimidated.

Liam continued, "Your room has been prepared. If you need anything, inform the butler. From this moment on, you're my personal doctor. Your job is to remove the poison from my body. Until I'm fully healed, you are to stay within my reach."

"Alright," Kathryn said without hesitation. "But I have two conditions."

"I'm all ears."

"First, I need a complete medical lab and a few very specific materials. I'll send you a list later."

"That's fine."

"Second," she said calmly, "our relationship is strictly professional. You hire me, I treat you. Besides that, neither of us interferes in the other's life."

Liam studied her with a look of curiosity and slight amusement. She was clearly the one at a disadvantage, yet she spoke to him confidently, even negotiating boundaries without flinching. Who exactly was she? She definitely wasn't the useless daughter the Browns made her out to be.

After a beat, he let out a short laugh. "Alright, Kathryn. We'll handle things your way. But keep this in mind—if your medical skills don't live up to that confidence of yours..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but the cold glint in his eyes made the threat painfully clear.

Kathryn didn't blink. "You'll see soon enough. My medical skills won't disappoint you."

She understood perfectly well that Liam Warren was like a lone, ruthless wolf—calculating, dangerous, and merciless. But she had never been afraid of wolves.

Liam studied Kathryn for a long moment, as if weighing a dozen thoughts at once, before finally pulling out a sleek black card. "Buy whatever you need. Don't hold back, just use it."

Kathryn blinked, a little taken aback, but she still took the card. Money was money, and right now she needed every bit of support she could get. If working with Liam required accepting his help, then so be it.

She rose to her feet. "Mr. Warren, the first stage of detox is going to be rough and very painful, actually. You should prepare yourself. I'll start the treatment the day after tomorrow."

She needed a little time to get everything ready.

Liam's eyes softened slightly. "Alright. I understand."

Kathryn offered a polite nod. "I'll head to my room now."

Liam watched her walk away, as though he was sizing up a puzzle he hadn't quite solved yet.

...

Stepping into her room, Kathryn let out a tiny sigh. The place was enormous, easily twice the size of the cramped space she had back at the Brown residence.

After a hot shower, she opened her laptop and logged into her social media.

Within seconds, dozens of notifications flooded the screen, and Kathryn started scrolling through them lazily.

Austin had written, "Where did you run off to? Come back. Jolene isn't holding a grudge about you hitting her. Why are you still throwing a tantrum?"

Isaac's message followed. "Who picked you up? Stop making everything difficult. Just return home."

Jaxton's message was the usual condescending garbage. "If you walk out now, you better not come crawling back. What kind of stupid stunt are you pulling?"

Jolene, of course, played innocent. "Kathryn, you're not seriously thinking of leaving forever, right?"

Kathryn rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt. Without hesitation, she typed one simple, satisfying reply to each one. "GET LOST." Disgusting. Every last one of them.

And because she was done with their nonsense, she promptly blocked them all. That felt even better.

Logging out, she switched to another browser and typed in a hidden URL she knew by heart.

After entering her credentials, the screen shifted into an interface she hadn't seen in months.

A metallic door slowly creaked open on-screen, covered in glowing circuitry and carved patterns.

A blood-red skull appeared in the center, accompanied by a chilling mechanical voice. "Welcome back, Quietus."

A wave of nostalgia hit her. She hadn't expected to log in here again.

The DarkNet. A place filled with high-risk tasks—information hunts, black-market auctions, digital combat, and even assassination contracts.

Only elite specialists survived here.

And Kathryn... had once been among the best.

On the DarkNet, she was known as Quietus, a phantom-like hacker genius whose identity no one had ever managed to uncover.

Her inbox instantly exploded with messages the moment her status showed as active.

She then updated her profile signature to "I'm back."

And just like that, the entire DarkNet went wild.

"Holy crap! Quietus is online again!"

"Welcome back! The entire network's been chaotic without you these past six months!"

"Quietus, your predictions were all spot on! Please guide us again. Everything's fallen apart since you disappeared!"

To them, Quietus wasn't just a hacker—she was a legend.

When she abruptly disappeared half a year ago, the DarkNet practically mourned.

But now she had returned.

And the DarkNet went wild.

Her phone rang soon after.

She answered, and an excited voice burst through. "Kathryn? You're actually back? I can't believe it!"

It was Gerard Douglas, her loyal admirer and one of the few people she trusted.

"Yes, I'm back," she said, smiling faintly. "Also, line me up some jobs. The high-paying ones, the hardest ones. I need money."

"Already on it! The top-tier bounties have always been saved just for you! I'll send everything immediately!" Gerard's enthusiasm was contagious. "But didn't you say you were retiring because you finally found your family? Then why—"

"Gerard," Kathryn cut him off gently, "I don't have a family anymore. It's just me now."

She had thought returning to the Browns would give her a sense of belonging, but sadly, they were the ones who caused all the trouble.

Gerard's voice deepened with sincerity. "No matter what happens, I've got your back."

She smiled again. "Thank you."

"Oh, before I forget... someone has been digging into your digital records," he added.

Her fingers stilled. "Who?"

"The trace leads back to the Warren Group headquarters," Gerard said, his tone turning serious.

Kathryn's eyes narrowed. So Liam had already started investigating her? Interesting.