Chapter 88 A Calm Question Veiled With Threats


    In the dining room of the Holden residence, Charles invited everyone to take their seats around the intricately carved mahogany table.


    With a quick turn, he instructed a maid, “Go and bring Ms. Sterling and her cousin, Mr. Langley.”


    "Yes, Mr. Holden Senior,” the maid replied before leaving to carry out the request.


    As Charles settled into his seat, he engaged William in a conversation about recent developments in the business world.


    Although William had retired and handed over management of Walker Group to Sky, he still kept a sharp eye on the market and remained well-informed about various matters.


    On the other hand, Charles no longer involved himself in the daily operations of Holden Group. However, Marcus would provide quarterly updates. Besides, Charles had never broken his habit of watching the financial news every day, so he was still highly attuned to market trends,


    Their conversation flowed naturally, creating a pleasant and lively atmosphere.


    Emma approached the table, carrying a bowl of tomato soup. She then ced it in front of Charles. “Grandpa Charles, here''s your tomato soup."


    "Thanks, Emma, but these kinds of tasks should be left to the maids. You''re a youngdy of high status, and those hands of yours shouldn''t be doing such work." Charles teased her as he chuckled. "Your father must have thought you came to the Holden residence just to help out."


    William burst intoughter. “Mr. Holden Senior, you must be joking. Emma''s very diligent at home as well. She often cooks for Charlotte and me, and she even prepares lunch boxes for her brothers. Her cooking skills are quite impressive, so Charlotte and I are both very proud of her.”


    As William spoke favorably about Emma, Natalie and Connie entered the room, following the maid.


    Every word William said about Emma was heard clearly by Natalie.


    Natalie maintained a calm demeanor, showing no change in expression, but Connie couldn''t help sneaking a few nces at William.


    "I''m my dad''s daughter, so no matter what I do, he always thinks the best of me,” Emma said as she pursed her lips. "But I still have a lot to learn."


    "You''re too modest," Charles responded,ughing heartily. Then, his eyesnded on Connie and Natalie, still disguised as a young man. He immediately waved them over.


    "Nathaniel, Connie,e sit by me."


    “We''ll take the guest seats,” Natalie replied, guiding Connie to the spots reserved for guests.


    On Charles'' side of the table, William had already seated himself. The person sitting across from him would be Marcus.


    As for Emma, she was meant to sit beside Marcus.


    However, just as Natalie sat down, Marcus pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.


    A brief sh of tension appeared on Emma''s smiling face, but she quickly regained herposure. She continued to chat with Charles with a smile.


    “Emma, sit next to me," Charles called out, seeing Marcus seated beside Natalie. The seat next to him was several ces away from Marcus and Natalie, ensuring there would be no interruption.


    Perfect!


    Knowing she couldn''t refuse Charles'' request or cause a scene bypeting with Natalie for the seat, Emma smiled politely and sat down.


    Soon, the maids ced individual bowls of specialty soups in front of everyone, and Marcus'' bowl of seafood bisque was set in front of him.


    “Tonight, we''re just having a casual family dinner, so let''s not worry about formalities. Just enjoy the food and drinks, and we''ll all stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, we''ll each go about our business as usual. I''m an old man, and I love a bit of noise. Tonight, you''ll all take turns ying poker with me."


    Charles said as he chuckled, "William, try some of my family''s five-star chef''s cooking."


    William said, “Sky, you''re the oldest, so you take care of your younger brothers. I''ll just enjoy my food.”


    Charles said, “Marcus, look after Mr. Langley and Connie. They are guests, and we can''t let them feel neglected.”


    "Yes, Grandpa."


    Charles didn''t mention anything about Emma and Marcus being engaged, as it would have been too forward for her to bring it up herself.


    However, once Marcus finished his seafood bisque, Emma nned to find a way to excuse him, and then everything would fall into ce.


    With her gaze lowered, Emma took a sip of soup, the corner of her lips lifting in a subtle smile.


    She was determined to seed tonight.


    Using his cutlery, Marcus asionally served Natalie some dishes, but when it came to Connie, he had the maids attend to her. He barely spared Emma a nce. The difference in treatment was undeniable.


    The Walker family quickly noticed the subtle shift, but Marcus had already discussed his ns to break off the engagement with Emma with William.


    William had shared this with the rest of the family, and they had all tacitly epted Marcus'' decision.


    Once the engagement with Emma was called off, they would arrange for Marcus to meet with Natalie once she returned.


    However, given Marcus'' clear preference for men, the Walkers had already discussed in the group chat that if Natalie had feelings for Marcus, they wouldn''t push her into what they saw as a potentially disastrous situation.


    So, when Marcus showed attention to Nathaniel, the Walker family simply chose to ignore it.


    Marcus served Natalie a full te of food. As Natalie stared at the towering pile of dishes on her te, she pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.


    Did he really need to act so repulsive to break off Emma''s engagement?


    "I''m full,” Natalie said, setting her cutlery down. She gave a small nod toward Charles and the Walker family. "Grandpa Charles, I''m not feeling well, so I''ll take my leave and get some medicine."


    "Of course, go ahead. Marcus, please see Nath off," Charles said. After that, he continued his conversation with William.


    Chapter 88 A Calm Question Veiled With Threats


    Marcus put down his cutlery and stood up gracefully. "Yes, Grandpa."


    "Nathaniel, let me escort you to your room."


    Emma immediately set down her cutlery too. "Marcus, let me send Mr. Langley to his room."


    "You are a guest,” Marcus said coldly. "It''s not the guest''s ce to see someone off. Ms. Walker, just enjoy your meal."


    With that, Marcus made a polite "after you? gesture toward Natalie.


    Natalie had no choice but to endure the varying looks of the Walker family as she followed Marcus out.


    At that moment, Emma gripped her cutlery tightly. The bowl of seafood bisque was already empty.


    “I''m finished too. I''m just going to step outside for some air,” Emma said as she stood up. “Grandpa Charles, is that alright?"


    “Of course, go ahead! The young ones should do what they want. I''ve already said this dinner doesn''t need all the formalities and rules."


    Charles waved his hand, clearly eager for the uing confrontation.


    He chuckled softly, anticipating the drama toe.


    Emma left, following Marcus and Natalie.


    As Natalie approached the guest room on the second floor, Marcus showed no intention of stopping.


    Unable to hold herself back, she turned around. "Mr. Holden, you should know when to stop."


    "I''ll finish what I start, no matter what,” Marcus said with a deep voice. Then, he gripped Natalie''s wrist and said, "Come to my room."


    "No!"


    "Emma''s watching."


    "I don''t care if she watches."


    "Mr. Langley, are you sure?” Marcus'' tone grew slightly deeper, his handsome face betraying no emotion. What seemed like a calm question was actuallyced with a subtle threat.