?Chapter 22:


    Katelyn, already frail and weakened, felt the full force of Sharon’s p. The impact whipped her face to the side, leaving her cheek searing with a hot, stinging pain, and her ears ringing with an unrelenting buzz.


    “This p serves as a warning,” Sharon dered, her voice cold with fury. “If you dare to torment Lise again, you’ll find no mercy from me.”


    Aimee, stunned by Sharon’s unexpected violence, quickly stepped in front of Katelyn, shielding her protectively.


    “You’ve overstepped every boundary,” Aimee snapped. “You entered Katelyn’s room, stirred up chaos, and now you must leave. If you don’t, I’ll call security.”


    Sharon, grinding her teeth in rage, retorted, “She’s been relentless in tormenting Lise. I was merely giving her a lesson she desperately needed.”


    Ovee with fury, Aimee fired back, “Are you blind? I’ve been chastising Lise from the beginning. If you have the courage, face me yourself. Katelyn, out of respect for the care she’s received from you, has endured your bullying. And now, shamelessly, youy hands on her!”


    Aimee’s words ignited Sharon’s rage to its peak.


    Though seething with anger, Sharon dared not confront Aimee directly. Instead, sheshed out at Katelyn. Her outburst wasn’t just fueled by her frustration over raising the “wrong” child, but also by her misguided belief that Katelyn would offer no resistance. Had Katelyn chosen to fight back, Sharon would have seized the opportunity to create a scandal, swaying public opinion against her.


    In that moment, Katelyn regained herposure. The sting of Sharon’s p severed the final thread of affection she had still harbored for her.


    Noticing Aimee’s intent to continue arguing, Katelyn quickly intervened, halting her before she could say more. “From this moment forward, I will sever all ties with Neil and will not interfere in your lives. You can be assured of that. The very moment he betrayed me, he lost every right to my affection.”


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    Her voice remained steady, her gaze tranquil, despite the reddened palm print marring her right cheek.


    “Since my presence displeases you, I will remove myself from your lives. As for the money you spent on me, I will repay it a hundredfold.”


    All Katelyn desired now was to sever every connection with this family, making a clean and final break. There was no point in considering anything else; her disappointment had reached its limits.


    Jeff and Sharon stood in stunned silence, utterly unprepared for Katelyn’s resolute deration.


    Jeff stepped forward, his expression unyielding, and scoffed, “What’s the use of saying all this now? Your money is our money, isn’t it?”


    Aimee let out a sharp, derisiveugh, fixing Jeff and Sharon with a scornful re.


    “Katelyn has always been capable of earning her own money. She’s never needed yours. Have you forgotten that she stopped taking your money in junior high? You were the ones parading around, bragging about raising such a capable daughter.”


    All their past boasting and praise now rebounded like a boomerang, striking Jeff and Sharon’s pride with full force. They had always taken pride in Katelyn, especially in her financial sess—a fact well known within their social circle.


    Katelyn’s voice remained detached as she stated, “I willpensate you with one billion.”


    “One billion!?” Sharon and Jeff were left momentarily speechless by the deration. This was no trivial amount.


    Lise dug her nails into her palm, seizing the opportunity to step forward. Her face was painted with a mask of sorrow. “Katelyn, what is the meaning of these words? Do you wish to cut all ties with the family? I have always wanted nothing more than to be your sister.”


    Lise’s words immediately sparked Sharon’s anger anew. “After all the years we’ve cared for you, you want to cut ties over a single p? How could I have not seen before how melodramatic and fragile you are? You are so heartless and selfish—you’ve truly squandered all the love and guidance we invested in you.”


    Lise gently held Sharon’s arm, fanning the mes with her calm voice. “Mom, don’t be upset with Katelyn. She is only venting her frustrations. And as for the billion, it’s such a huge amount—how could Katelyn ever gather that much? She is merely talking nonsense.”


    Sharon’sugh was cold, dripping with contempt. “Boasting before your own family—Katelyn, is this the result of my upbringing? You have sorely disappointed me. Had I known you would turn out this way, I would never have bothered to nurture you.”


    Katelyn responded with a faint smile, choosing silence. All she felt now was a deep, unrelenting disappointment.


    Unable to endure their words any longer, Aimee grabbed the phone directly from Katelyn’s hand.


    “Enough with this nonsense. The money has already been transferred. Now, get out!”


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