"Emma, this isn''t right." Timothy frowned. There was something unsettling about Emma''s feelings for Marcus... He thought Emma was being obsessive toward Marcus.


    "Timothy, do you really think Mr. Holden Senior would approve of Marcus being with some unknown man? Or do you think he would prefer me, the eldest daughter of the Walker family, as his fiancée?"


    Emma smiled confidently as she continued, "Just wait and see. I''ll be Marcus'' wife, no matter what."


    She was determined. If her rival were a woman, things might be trickier, but a man? That didn''t faze her at all.


    A glimmer of tears appeared in Emma''s eyes as she quickly wiped them away. With a smile, she said happily, "Timothy, I''m nning to talk to Mom and Dad. I''ll suggest they discuss with Mr. Holden Senior aboutbining my birthday party and engagement banquet into one event. What do you think?"


    Timothy fell silent. The family group chat had already revealed that Emma wasn''t their biological sister. Their real sister was Natalie Walker, who had been abused for 20 years by the Langley family.


    If not for Grace''s protection, Natalie might not have survived.


    That despicable couple, Victor and Diana, had treated her as nothing more than a living blood bank for nearly two decades. The Walker family would never let them get away with it.


    "Timothy?" Emma called out anxiously, noticing his unusual silence. His expression had turned distant, making her uneasy.


    "What''s wrong, Timothy?"


    "Nothing." Timothy snapped back to reality, masking his thoughts. Their real sister hadn''t been reunited with them yet, so they had agreed not to reveal the truth to Emma just yet.


    20 years was a long time. Even with a pet, bonds would form, let alone with a living, breathing person who had been showered with their family''s unwavering love and care.


    The feelings they had invested weren''t something that could be taken back so easily.


    Yet, Emma''s position in the Walker family was a result of this mistaken identity.


    She had only received their affection because they believed she was their biological sister.


    Once Natalie was back, things would change.


    While they could continue to provide for Emma, she could no longer hold the ce that rightfully belonged to Natalie.


    "Emma, Marcus doesn''t have feelings for you. Maybe it''s time for you to consider moving on," Timothy said. He knew he couldn''t tell her the truth, that she wasn''t truly a Walker, and that Marcus'' supposed fiancée was meant to be Natalie, not her.


    It was fortunate that Marcus didn''t like her, he thought. Otherwise, this entire situation would have been even messier.


    Emma''s cheerful demeanor faltered, her smile dimming as a flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. Timothy had always supported her pursuit of Marcus, but now he was urging her to give up.


    Could it be that Timothy already knew she wasn''t the Walker family''s real daughter?


    "Timothy, didn''t you all support me loving Marcus before?" Emma asked as she bit her lips, looking up at him with teary eyes.


    "If chasing Marcus makes you unhappy or causes you pain, then I would rather see you find joy and fulfillment elsewhere. Emma, your life shouldn''t revolve around one man."


    Timothy gently ruffled Emma''s hair, just like he always did. No matter what, even if she wasn''t his biological sister, she was still the little girl he had watched grow up.


    "I understand, thanks, Timothy." Emma didn''t argue further. Instead, she returned to her usual sweet and obedient demeanor. "I''ll go check on Dad."


    "By the way, where''s Mom?"


    "She''s out and hasn''te back yet."


    "Where did she go? I tried calling and messaging her earlier, but she didn''t respond. I''m really worried about her!"


    Emma''s expression showed concern, though deep down, she knew exactly where Charlotte had gone. She''d gone to find her real daughter, Natalie.


    Emma couldn''t shake the feeling that her ce in the family would soon be at risk.


    She had to act fast.


    Fortunately, her recent trip to Balford to deliver medicine and spend time with Charles had gone exceptionally well. In just a few days, she had managed to win Charles'' favor.


    Charles had even promised that once his health improved, he would personally arrange her engagement to Marcus.


    "Don''t worry about Mom. She''s just out running errands. She''ll be back soon. Oh right, Emma. I''ll be having a match the day after tomorrow, do you want to watch it? I can save you a ticket."


    "Sure!" Emma replied with a beaming smile, "I want a VIP ticket!"


    "Of course, it''s not a problem!"


    Timot patted her on the head again and said, "Alright, go get some rest."


    "Alright, thanks, Timothy."


    Emma left. Timothy, as a professional esports yer, always reserved the best VIP tickets for her at his matches.


    As the youngest sibling, Emma never missed the chance to cheer him on.


    The Walker family had five sons and one daughter. That alone was enough to give anyone a glimpse into the kind of life Emma must have led growing up.


    Timothy went back into the house. Emma stood outside for a moment longer before following him into the estate.


    She grabbed her car keys and purse and then headed to the storage room.


    Inside, she carefully selected a rare, premium-grade truffle the family had acquired at an exorbitant auction price, as well as a bottle of vintage Romanée-Conti.


    Emma packed the truffle and wine into an elegant, handcrafted mahogany gift box before heading out.


    Emma''s red sports car had just rolled out of the Walker residences when William sent a message in the family group chat.


    William: "Emma just left with a gift. Honey, when will you be home?"


    Charlotte: "Soon, probably around 8:00 pm. Have you finished setting up the new room for our daughter like I asked?"


    William: "I haven''t had time to make it perfect yet... It was all sost-minute..."


    Charlotte: "Everyone, have you all prepared your gifts for your sister? When I bring Mrs. Langley Senior back home, your sister will definitelye to see us. You guys had better behave. If she feels let down by us and refuses to stay, none of you will be spared."


    William was the first to respond: "Understood! You can count on me, so don''t worry, honey."


    Lincoln was still on set filming, so he didn''t reply to the messages.


    Meanwhile, Hector, Timothy, and Mason replied at the same time: "Understood. We''ll make sure not to disappoint her or make her upset."


    Charlotte was pleased with the responses. As she scrolled through the messages, she suddenly remembered her eldest son, Sky, had been kicked out of the group chat and hadn''t been added back yet.


    She then screenshotted the conversation and sent it to him directly.


    Charlotte typed, "Ungrateful son, take a good look at this."


    Sky read the message. He had a lot to say but knew better than to argue.


    Sky responded, "Mom, please add me back to the group chat."


    "Charlotte added Sky to the group chat."


    "Charlotte added NZ to the group chat."


    "Nz has left the group chat"


    Everyone in the Walker family group chat was dumbfounded.


    Charlotte typed, "NZ is your sister, Natalie Walker."


    Natalie had joined but left within a second... perhaps she hadn''t noticed at first.


    Mason: "Natalie just left..."


    Charlotte: "It''s fine. Nat just needs some time to adjust. That''spletely understandable. We need to be


    patient and confident."


    Although Charlotte said this tofort the group, a part of her couldn''t help but feel a little hurt.