Charlotte''s voice was firm and unyielding. The way she looked at Grace hadpletely changed. It was no longer filled with gratitude and respect but radiated undisguised disdain and hatred.


    Grace stepped forward, her aging face alternated between pallor and a sickly green hue.


    "Mrs. Walker, there seems to be some misunderstanding between us. Whatever it may be, today is my granddaughter''s engagement party. She has fainted, so shouldn''t we prioritize sending her to the hospital?"


    Though Grace''splexion looked terrible, her tone remained calm, and her emotions were clearly under tight control.


    "Victor, Diana, why are you two still standing there? Take Selena to the hospital."


    "Yes, yes, we need to take Selena to the hospital!"


    "There''s no need for that," Hector said as he adjusted his sses and stepped forward, each step deliberate.


    "I''m a doctor myself. Mrs. Langley Senior''s previous illness was treated at my private hospital, so you should trust my skills. If Ms. Langley''s fainting isn''t handled in time, it could be life-threatening. Mr. Langley, Mrs. Langley, please step aside. I''ll take care of the emergency treatment."


    As Hector spoke, Timothy and Mason also stepped forward. Lincoln, the award-winning actor and megastar, chose not to appear openly. Instead, he stood inconspicuously among the crowd, wearing a mask and cap, quietly observing the scene.


    "Don''t be afraid, Nat." Hector smiled warmly at Natalie. "You are no longer a child without a family to rely on."


    Hector''s words stunned Natalie. Her heart began to race uncontrobly. She had previously told Charlotte that she wanted to handle matters with the Langley family herself.


    Charlotte had agreed at the time, yet here they all were. However, not everyone from the Walker family was present. For instance, Sky and Lincoln were absent.


    "Nat, I''m sorry. We made our rtionship public without your permission," William said, patting Natalie''s shoulder.


    Natalie snapped out of her thoughts and nodded lightly. "It''s fine. After all, I had already made up my mind to sever all ties with the Langley family.


    She no longer needed fake familial bonds.


    Charlotte''s protective stance had always been overt, bold, and domineering. She and William would even apologize if they upset her, never once using their parental status to demand submission orpromise. The Walker family''s love and protectiveness were a stark contrast to Grace''s so-called affection.


    Grace''s carefullyposed expression finally broke apart upon hearing Natalie''s words. She looked at her in disbelief.


    "Nattie, what did you just say? You want to cut ties with the Langley family? Nattie, cutting ties with the Langley family means cutting ties with me too?"


    Grace''s face was wounded, tears glistening in her eyes. "Nattie, do you really... hate the Langley family so much? Do you hate me that much?"


    "Mrs. Langley Senior, doesn''t my daughter have every reason to hate your family and you?" Charlotte interjected, stepping in to shield Natalie from Grace''s gaze.


    "Mrs. Langley Senior, let me make this clear. My husband and I have already begun investigating what happened back then. Why was it that only your granddaughter and my daughter faced issues at that hospital?


    "If this matter turns out to have no connection to the Langley family, so be it. But if we uncover any link to you, don''t me us as parents for pursuing justice for our daughter and ourselves."


    Charlotte''s voice was icy, and each word wasced with frost. Her striking resemnce to Natalie made her cold and menacing presence even more intimidating.


    Natalie felt a warm current flow through her heart. Standing protectively in front of her, Charlotte''s maternal love overshadowed anything Grace could ever offer.


    "Charlotte, you are Nattie''s mother. I know you love her, but don''t I, her grandmother, love her too? I don''t understand why Nattie suddenly doubts my love and sincerity," Grace said, her voice choking with emotion, her face etched with bitterness.


    "Your suspicions hurt me deeply. Nattie, do you also think, like everyone else, that I''m part of some conspiracy?" she asked softly.


    Natalie stepped out from behind Charlotte, her gaze steady as she looked at Grace.


    After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice calm and deliberate. "Mrs. Langley Senior, do you remember? When you visited the Holden family that day, I asked if you had ever hidden something from me or deceived


    me.


    "I wouldn''t have asked you that question unless I already had proof. When I asked, your response left me deeply disappointed."


    Natalie''s tone was steady. She then turned to Selena. "Selena spread rumors about me. Mrs. Langley Senior, how do you n to handle this?"


    "Nattie, whatever you want to do, you have my full support. When Selena was brought back to us, I knew nothing of the situation. At that time, didn''t I protect you at all costs?" Grace responded with hesitation.


    Grace''s eyes reddened. "Nattie, I''ve always remembered the good you''ve done for me. Does the bond we''ve built over the years truly mean less than blood ties?"


    "Is that so? If that''s the case, I suppose there''s no need for me to spare your dignity anymore," Natalie sneered.


    She pped her hands, and the screen on the stage lit up again. Taking out her phone, she tapped a few buttons.


    The screen began ying a video.


    The setting was a hospital. A small girly on a hospital bed, her face pale and devoid of color. Outside the ward, a much younger Grace and Victor stood in the corridor, talking.


    "Why take so much blood this time? Are you nning to drain her dry and kill her?" Even if she''s not your biological daughter, she''s still so young. Don''t you understand the importance of leaving room for the future?"


    Victor sneered dismissively, his tone dripping with indifference. "Mom, weren''t you the one who agreed with the doctor about how much blood should be drawn? Now that it''s been done, you''re ming us.


    "And wasn''t it you who said that Natalie was just some stray from another family? Our family took her in and raised her, which was already a tremendous act of kindness.


    "Letting her donate blood to Diana is a privilege for her. If she couldn''t even do that, what right does she have to remain in our household?"


    Grace pped Victor across the face with full force, her expression cold and furious. "Watch your mouth. I never want to hear you say something like that again."


    "Yes, I understand," Victor replied through gritted teeth. Though heplied, his expression betrayed his lingering resentment.


    Grace turned and walked away. "When Natalie starts waking up, I''lle back. By then, you and Diana better behave yourselves."


    "Yes, I understand," Victor repeated, his tone barely masking his defiance.


    As soon as Grace left, Victorshed out, kicking the wall beside him violently. His face twisted with dissatisfaction as he muttered angrily, "You''re the one who ordered the blood to be drawn, and now you forbid


    it. You''re such an impossible woman to please."


    The video cut off abruptly at this point.