Chapter 2 Deal

The moment Liam showed up, the kidnappers started shaking like leaves in a storm. "Mr. Warren, we had no idea we were crossing you. Please, have mercy!"

They hung their heads low, regret written all over their faces. Everyone knew Liam was no joke. He ruled a massive empire that blurred the line between crime and legit business, and his ruthless reputation scared off anyone dumb enough to mess with him. Talk about bad luck running into him here!

Without even glancing at them, Liam strode directly to Kathryn and started untying her. But then, to his shock, she moved with lightning reflexes, snatching a dagger off the floor.

With a quick flash, the blade sank right into the throat of the kidnapper who had just tried to rape her.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

The remaining men froze in terror. "Who... who are you?" one stammered.

A cruel, wicked smile curved Kathryn's lips. "I'm the one who's sending you straight to hell."

Suddenly, the warehouse echoed with screams, desperate pleas, and the sickening cracks of breaking bones.

Kathryn stepped closer to the scar-faced leader, who was still breathing, his eyes wide with terror as though she were a terrifying monster.

"Talk. How much did Jolene pay you? What was the plan?" she demanded coldly.

The scarred man, trembling and stuttering, confessed, "She paid us five million to kidnap you. She figured your brothers would pick her... and then... then she wanted us to kill you after doing whatever we wanted..."

Kathryn's eyes gleamed steel. Jolene, her so-called brothers, and the fiance she had loved for three years would soon learn not to underestimate her.

She had craved their love and had bent over backwards to meet every demand from the Browns. Yet, they never accepted her and repeatedly crossed her boundaries. This time, she wouldn't show mercy. The Browns were fools for turning their backs on their own sister to protect Jolene, the changeling. She was done holding on.

"Get out of here, and don't ever come back!" Kathryn ordered sharply.

Terrified, the kidnappers scattered and disappeared quickly.

Liam observed quietly, intrigued by her.

He had assumed she was helpless, but instead, she was strong and fierce, nothing like what he expected.

Kathryn faced Liam and sincerely said, "Thank you for today."

Just as Liam was about to respond, a sudden wave of blood, metallic and bitter, surged up his throat.

He coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful as his body wobbled and his face drained of color.

Kathryn's eyes narrowed as she noticed his distress. Frowning, she steadied him and asked, "You've been poisoned, haven't you?"

Liam hesitated, then looked at her and said, "How did you figure that out?"

The toxin inside him was unusually rare. Its symptoms were subtle and impossible for most doctors to detect. So how did she manage to spot it immediately?

Kathryn studied his condition carefully, then slowly let go of his hand and stated with confidence, "This poison has been in your system for about a month. If it's not treated soon, it could cause serious damage."

Liam's voice was low as he asked, "Can you get rid of it?"

And indeed, she was right.

Apparently, someone close to him had been bought off by the Serpents to poison him, and even after posting a big reward on the DarkNet, Liam hadn't found anyone capable of reversing the damage.

"Do you trust me enough? If so, hand me your hand," Kathryn asked firmly.

Liam met her steady, resolute gaze. Normally cautious and wary, something in her made him answer instinctively, "I trust you."

"Hold still." Without hesitation, Kathryn drew a small blade, took his hand, and made a precise cut on his index finger, causing a drop of blackened blood to ooze out.

"Mr. Warren!" one of his men shouted, rushing over in alarm.

"We don't have the equipment to fully remove the poison here, but we can let out some of the toxins to slow it down for now," Kathryn explained calmly.

After some time, Liam noticed the symptoms easing and felt considerably better.

He glanced at Kathryn, noticing beads of sweat on her brow and a focused, intense look. "If you need anything, just say the word," he said softly.

Kathryn shook her head. "No need to thank me. Think of this as paying you back for saving me with that shot earlier. I'll make sure this poison is completely gone from your body."

Liam's eyes narrowed slightly. There was something mysterious about her he couldn't quite figure out.

"Until it's fully out of my system, you're going to have to stick close to me," he ordered with quiet authority.

He was a man who never let anyone, especially women, get that close. But with Kathryn, he broke his own rule for the first time.

She didn't seem fazed and just raised an eyebrow. "Fine," she said. "But you'll have to provide food and shelter. Though first, I need to go back home and cut off all connections with the Browns."

Liam smirked slightly. "Deal."