"How dare you!"

Shock flashed across Kenneth's face, and he lifted his hand as he moved to strike Hannah.

Before his hand could come down, Brett stepped in and gripped his wrist tightly, stopping him midway.

A look of clear displeasure settled on Brett's face as he stared him down. "What exactly are you trying to do to my sister?"

Irritation took over Kenneth as he pulled his hand back with force. "Lainey is also your sister, so why did you ignore it when Hannah hit her? Do you really believe anything Hannah is saying?"

With a firm and unwavering tone, Brett answered, "Naturally, I trust my own biological sister."

Hearing that, Hannah turned her gaze toward Brett, caught slightly off guard. Among everyone in the Oliver family, he was the only one who seemed to think clearly.

At that moment, she understood why he had stressed that she was his biological sister.

His words carried more than reassurance for her, and they also served as a direct warning to Kenneth that her place in the Oliver family couldn't be questioned.

Trying to reinforce his stance, Jake spoke up. "Brett, we all witnessed it back on the boat. It was obvious that Hannah fell into the water by accident."

With a mocking tone, Hannah said, "Oh, really? Then why don't you take a proper look at this?"

Without delay, she reached into her pocket, took out her phone, and started playing a recorded clip.

Security cameras had been installed on the boat, and she had already saved a copy of the footage to cloud storage ahead of time so she could use it to reveal Lainey's deception.

On the screen, it was plainly visible that Lainey shoved her first, and only then did both of them end up falling into the water.

A heavy weight settled in Lainey's chest, and panic crept in as she silently cursed the presence of cameras on the boat.

A shadow filled Brett's expression as his gaze locked onto Lainey.

"Lainey, is this really what happened?"

Even though Lainey had been taken in by the Oliver family and didn't share their blood, she had spent years living with them, and over time, they had built a strong bond.

However, if her actions were driven by selfish intent and had nearly cost the life of the family's true daughter, then such behavior would never be tolerated.

Caught off guard and unable to respond properly, Lainey lowered her gaze and refused to meet anyone's eyes. "I have no idea why it looks like that. The camera angle must have been misleading. I truly didn't push Hannah…"

Turning toward Kenneth, she silently begged him for support, and her expression showed her desperation.

With a firm grip, Kenneth tightened his hold on her hand and let out a cold scoff. "One piece of footage does not prove anything. This could easily be something Hannah arranged to set Lainey up."

A chill settled in Hannah's gaze as she looked straight at him, and her voice carried a note of clear mockery. "If you're willing to twist the truth just to defend her, then so be it. I will give you exactly what you want. I'm calling off our engagement!"

Although her tone remained steady, the weight of her words shook the entire room.

A hint of satisfaction flickered in Lainey's eyes before she could hide it.

Even Brett and Jake showed clear signs of surprise at what they had just heard.

Color drained from Kenneth's face, and anger tightened his expression as he spoke through clenched teeth. "Hannah, this engagement was arranged between our families long ago. Do you really think you can break it off whenever you feel like it?"

Two decades earlier, the Oliver and Warren families had already set this marriage arrangement in place.

For many years, before Hannah was brought back, Lainey had been the one everyone expected Kenneth to marry.

Everything shifted the moment Hannah returned, and the engagement was then given to her without question.

Over time, Edmund Warren, Kenneth's grandfather, made it clear to Kenneth that marrying Hannah was the only way for him to secure his rightful inheritance from the family.

Because of that condition, Kenneth endured his dislike for Hannah and never once thought of backing out of the marriage.

In his mind, he had already mapped out a plan. He would go through with the marriage, claim his inheritance, and then divorce Hannah so he could be with Lainey without hiding.

Before Hannah could say another word, the sound of footsteps interrupted the tension as two figures entered the room.

"What's going on here?"

The ones who had just arrived were Hannah's parents, Bruce and Alicia Oliver, who had only just returned home.

Irritation showed on Alicia's face as she looked at Hannah and spoke sharply. "You want to break off the engagement? What kind of nonsense are you causing now?"

The moment she stepped inside, she had already caught enough of their argument to understand what was happening.

Without hesitation, Lainey rushed into Alicia's arms, and she made sure her swollen cheek was clearly visible while putting on a protective act. "Mom, please don't blame Hannah. She didn't mean to hit me."

Anger surged through Bruce. "Hannah! How could you strike Lainey like that? You have gone too far! If we had known you were this cruel and selfish, we would have never brought you back!"

Silence surrounded Hannah as she looked at her biological parents.

Although they were bound by blood, she had never once felt any real care or warmth from them.

Arrogance returned to Kenneth's expression at Bruce's words, and his earlier frustration faded as he spoke with authority. "She needs to apologize immediately, and Lainey should return those slaps twice so things are settled."

A sharp, cold look passed through Hannah's eyes as she turned to him and replied without hesitation, "What if I refuse?"

"Hannah!" Alicia's patience snapped, and she shouted in anger. "How long do you plan to keep acting like this? Why can't you take a lesson from Lainey? She may not be our biological daughter, but she surpasses you in every way! Do you even realize how much embarrassment and gossip the Oliver family has endured because of you this past year?"

A mocking smile appeared on Hannah's lips as she answered, "You were the ones who insisted on bringing me back. Did it ever cross your mind to ask how I managed to survive all those years on my own?"

Fury took over Bruce, and he pointed at her as he raised his voice. "How dare you speak to us like that? It looks like I need to discipline you myself today. Someone, bring me the whip!"

A cold light flashed in Hannah's eyes, and not a trace of fear could be seen. The idea of being taught a lesson by them meant nothing to her because they held no worth in her eyes.

Disbelief showed on Brett's face as he stepped in. "Dad, that is a cowhide whip. A single strike can tear the skin and cause bleeding. Hannah is a girl, and she will not be able to withstand something like that."

"Brett, step aside. If I don't discipline her today, she will bring even greater trouble to the Oliver family in the future!"

Not long after, the butler hurried back and handed over the whip.

With a firm grip on it, Bruce fixed his gaze on Hannah and spoke coldly. "You will remember this punishment for the rest of your life."

Without another word, he lashed it forward and aimed straight at her.

Standing completely still, Hannah did not even blink as she faced it. At the very last second, a figure rushed forward and stepped in front of her to block the blow.

Surprise flashed across her face as she looked at the man before her. "Brett…"

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, yet he endured the pain and spoke through it. "Hannah, don't be afraid. I'm here, and I will keep you safe."

A hint of softness appeared in Hannah's expression.

Among everyone in this family, Brett was the only one who had ever shown her true care.

Seeing this, Bruce grew even more furious, and his voice rose. "Good! So you have the nerve to go against me as well. If that is the case, I will punish both of you!"

Before the next strike could land, Hannah pushed Brett aside and reached out without hesitation to grab the tip of the whip. With a sudden pull, she yanked it free from Bruce's hand and took control of it.

Shock spread across the room as everyone watched in disbelief.

With nothing but her bare hands, Hannah seized the whip and even tore it away from Bruce.

Without a second thought, Hannah flung it to the floor and pinned it under her foot. Her gaze locked onto Bruce, and a chilling, murderous intent filled her eyes.

"Because we share blood, I'll let this pass this one time. But if it happens again, don't expect any mercy from me."

If not for the fact that Bruce was her biological father, she would have already used that whip to leave him in agony.

A jolt of fear ran through Bruce, and he staggered backward before dropping onto the sofa.

"You..."

Never before had he seen such a terrifying side of Hannah, and in that moment, he felt as if his life rested in her hands.

Shock held Alicia in place for a brief second before she regained herself. Raising her voice in anger, she said, "Hannah, are you seriously thinking of attacking your own parents? How could I have had such an ungrateful daughter like you?"

A flicker of mock panic crossed Lainey's face before tears spilled out once more. "This is all because of me. I took Hannah's place and ended up living the life that should have been hers."

Without delay, Kenneth stepped forward and spoke up for her. "Lainey, none of this is your doing. You never intended to take her place, and you're a victim here as well."

A gentle laugh finally escaped from Hannah as she listened.

A sharp edge settled in her beautiful eyes, and there wasn't a trace of warmth left, only a cold and distant chill.

Irritation showed on Kenneth's face as he frowned and asked, "What exactly is so funny?"

"I'm laughing at how foolish you sound and at your completely distorted sense of right and wrong," Hannah answered without pause.

In the past, she had roamed the streets alone as a helpless child, and she had fought stray dogs just to find something to eat. Even now, a deep and ugly scar from a dog bite remained on her leg as a reminder of those days.

If her adoptive father, who led an underworld group, had not taken her in back then, she wouldn't have survived.

That pain was never meant for her to endure in the first place.

For over ten years, Lainey had lived the life that should have belonged to her.

A cold light filled Hannah's eyes as she spoke with steady resolve. "You claim Lainey is the victim. Then what does that make me?"

Cutting her off without hesitation, Alicia spoke with clear impatience. "Hannah, I'm done listening to your explanations. Apologize this instant, or you can leave the Oliver family!"

Calmness settled over Hannah as she looked at her mother, and the final trace of familial warmth in her heart quietly broke apart.

Deep down, every child longed for love and care from their family. But at this moment, the Oliver family had already torn that bond apart with their own actions.

"Fine. I will walk away from the Oliver family and cut off all ties with you. From today onward, we are nothing but strangers."

Hannah's words hit the room like a sudden jolt, leaving everyone stunned all over again.

Bruce and Alicia could only stare at her, completely taken aback.

Brett hurriedly spoke up. "Hannah, cutting off family relations isn't something to take lightly. I'll ensure you get justice for everything you've gone through."

Hannah let out a soft laugh. "Thank you for looking after me this past year, Brett. I won't forget your kindness. As for the rest of you..."

Her cold eyes moved slowly over each person present.

"From today onward, I'm done with all of you. I'll be making an official statement at a press conference."

Saying that, Hannah turned on her heel and walked off decisively.

A flicker of barely hidden satisfaction appeared in Lainey's eyes.

To her, things couldn't have gone better. Whether Hannah lived or not didn't matter anymore. Lainey had achieved her goal. From now on, she would stand as the Oliver family's only daughter.

Kenneth watched Hannah's retreating figure with undisguised scorn.

How could she have the audacity to declare she was cutting ties with the Oliver family?

She was most likely putting on an act.

He was certain it wouldn't be long before she came back, swallowing her pride and begging the Oliver family to accept her again.

Jake stood there in silence, his expression conflicted, unsure of what to say.

He had never expected Hannah to take things to such an extreme.

Suddenly, Alicia clutched her chest and sank onto the sofa, struggling to breathe. "Hannah is so ungrateful! I should never have brought her back!"

The pain only grew worse as she gasped, "My medicine! I need my heart pills!"

Lainey hurriedly searched for the bottle, but then exclaimed in alarm, "Mom! There's nothing left; it's empty!"

...

After leaving the Oliver residence, Hannah took out her phone and called Mia.

"Are you free right now? Come pick me up."

"Got it. I'll be there."

About thirty minutes later, a bright red Ferrari pulled up in front of Hannah, with Mia behind the wheel.

Mia stepped out, casually tossed the keys to Hannah, and then walked around and settled into the passenger seat.

Hannah caught the keys, got into the driver's seat, and started the engine. The car roared to life as she drove off.

Mia glanced at her curiously. "Why do you look so down? Did something happen with the Olivers again?"

Keeping one hand on the wheel, Hannah replied calmly, "I'm done with them. Help me arrange a press conference. I want to make it public."

Mia paused in surprise, but then quickly understood. "Don't tell me this is about Lainey again."

Hannah responded with indifference, "They never stopped comparing me to Lainey, saying I wasn't good enough or couldn't bring them recognition. Fine, then they can keep her as their only daughter since she makes them so proud."

Her wounds had nearly recovered, and she now had her own priorities to focus on.

Cutting ties with the Oliver family had always been part of her plan—it had merely happened sooner than she originally intended.

Mia sneered. "Just imagine their expressions when they realize that the famed doctor Zephyr they've been trying so hard to win over is actually the very daughter they've always treated with contempt."

Then something crossed her mind, and she added, "By the way, a man named Dale really did reach out. You still haven't explained why you wanted to accept the case, though. Who is he?"

No sooner had she spoken than her phone began to ring.

Mia glanced at the screen and smirked. "Well, speak of the devil—the Olivers are calling."

"Pick it up," Hannah replied lightly.

Mia answered the call, and Lainey's anxious voice immediately came through the line.

"Miss Clayton, the heart medication my mother got from you has run out. Could you sell us another bottle?"

Hannah shot Mia a glance and silently mouthed, "Charge them full price."

Alicia's condition was unstable, and she had long depended on the medicine Hannah supplied.

In the past, because of their family connection, Hannah had always offered it to them at the lowest possible price.

That courtesy was now gone.

Mia understood immediately and spoke in a cool, unhurried tone. "I can sell it to you, but the discount no longer applies. It's fifty million per bottle. Transfer the payment, and I'll arrange delivery."

Lainey's voice rose in shock. "Fifty million? Wasn't it only one million per bottle before?"

"Like I said, that was a special rate. If you have doubts, feel free to check—this is the standard price everyone else pays."

Growing impatient, Mia added, "So, are you buying it or not? If yes, send the money. If not, there are plenty of others ready to take it off my hands."

At that moment, someone else took the phone.

Hannah immediately recognized Brett's voice.

"Miss Clayton, may I ask why the discount has suddenly been withdrawn?" Brett asked.

Mia's lips curled in disdain as she replied, "Because your family crossed someone you never should have offended."