"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."
