Charlotte and William exchanged a nce before Charlotte, smiling warmly, said, "We''ve set up a room at home for Grace so she can visit and spend time with Nat whenever she wants. But since her health has improved, she''s already returned home and won''t be staying with us permanently."


    Her tone remained pleasant and polite. Since Grace was Charles'' god-sister, Charlotte and William refrained from making any negative remarks. If Charles ever learned the truth, the Walker couple wanted to ensure their family had no part in disparaging Grace or stirring up drama.


    "Ah, I see," Charles replied with a slight nod, not pressing further.


    Though he felt a certain affection for Grace because of the hardships she''d endured, Marcus'' request to have her leave the Holden residence had nted seeds of doubt. But without concrete evidence, Charles wasn''t about to jump to conclusions or confront her directly.


    At his age, he believed in choosing his battles wisely. Poking into matters that didn''t concern him could only cause unnecessary tension.


    "Natalie''s a good girl," Charles sighed, his voice carrying a note of regret. "Her adoptive parents, Victor and Diana, never appreciated her. Finding her real family was the best thing that could''ve happened to her."


    He leaned back, his expression softening as he reminisced. "When I visited the Langleys in Amberton, Grace was barely coherent. She kept telling me to protect Natalie, calling her ''Nattie.''


    "She said the Langleys were bad people and begged me, as her godbrother, to treat Natalie like my own granddaughter.


    "At the time, it felt like she was giving me her dying wish. The way she spoke, I couldn''t help but get choked up."


    Charles paused for a moment, then continued, "Now that Natalie has reunited with her parents, I''m sure Grace must be truly happy for her. It''s a blessing."


    He gave Charlotte and William a small, encouraging smile. "Don''t worry—I''ll be there for the wee party." "Aright! Thank you, Mr. Holden Senior," Charlotte said sincerely, her expression polite andposed.


    They didn''t argue with anything he''d said, nor did they try to correct him. Charlotte remembered how convincingly Grace had yed the role of the loving grandmother. No one could have guessed the secrets she hid behind that facade.


    "We''ve finished checking the lists, so we''ll head back now," Charlotte said, her tone still warm. "We''re very excited to have Natalie home and want to spend more time with her before the party. There''s still a lot to prepare, so we''ll take our leave."


    With that, Charlotte and William left Holden Residence. Sheldon hesitated before speaking as their convoy of cars disappeared down the driveway.


    "Mr. Holden Senior," he said cautiously, "what do you think the Walkers are up to? They used to call you ''Charles,'' but now they''ve switched to ''Mr. Holden Senior.'' Were they testing you?"


    "You noticed that too, huh?" Charles chuckled dryly. "William and Charlotte are clever. They''re gauging my attitude toward the engagement being called off, switching from ''Holden'' to ''Mr. Holden Senior'' is their way of seeing if I''ll take offense.


    "If I''m fine with the change, it signals that I have no resentment about the engagement ending. If I object, it would mean I''m trying to distance myself from them."


    Charles leaned back thoughtfully. "They''re nothing like the Langleys, though. William and Charlotte are smart and protective of their kids. Even in retirement, they''ve been working hard to secure their children''s futures."


    After a pause, his tone turned serious. "Sheldon, I want you to quietly look into Grace''s behavior since Natalie returned to the Walker family. Be discreet—I don''t want Grace to know we''re investigating her."


    "Yes, Mr. Heldon Senior," Sheldon replied, bowing slightly before stepping out.


    As soon as Charlotte and William left Holden Residence, they called Natalie.


    "Natalie," Charlotte began gently, "we''ve officially canceled the engagement with the Holdens. Also, we''ve finalized the time and ce for your wee party. The invitations are ready, and I''ll send you a copy shortly to review."


    "Got it," Natalie replied.


    She was standing by the


    floor-to-ceiling window of the


    vel.not


    Nouvelle Zara headquarters in Dithoria State, her phone pressed her ear Charlotte had already discussed the party with her beforehand, and Natalie had agreed. She hadn''t expected Charlotte to organize everything so efficiently in such a short time.


    "Are youing home tonight?" Charlotte asked hesitantly. She had been hoping Natalie would stay with them, especially after they''d made ns for her to spend the evening at home.


    "No," Natalie said without hesitation. "I''ve got some things to take care of. Let''s talkter. You can handle all the arrangements for the wee party. I have no objections on my end. Goodbye, Mom."


    "Alright. Bye, Nat," Charlotte said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.


    Natalie hung up and returned to her desk, where a stack of design drafts awaited her. Across from her, Ophelia stood awkwardly, her expression conflicted.


    "Do you have something to say?" Natalie asked as she noticed Ophelia''s hesitation.


    Ophelia took a deep breath. "Boss, now that you''re the Walker family''s real daughter, don''t you think they should cancel the Flux Couture collection that was meant for Emma? Though they''ve already


    ced a new order at a much higher price, you never even wear your own designs."


    Ophelia didn''t mention that the Flux Couture collection was one of Nouvelle Zara''s most high-profile projects, and several pieces were showstoppers. Knowing Emma, she''d undoubtedly use the collection to make a ssh at the wee party.


    Ophelia was fiercely loyal to Natalie, and deep down, she couldn''t help but feel wronged on behalf of Natalie. What kind of biological parents would make their long-lost daughter design a gown for the adopted one?


    With just one nce, Natalie could see exactly what Ophelia was thinking. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Do you remember why I started Nouvelle Zara in the first ce?"


    "To make money," Ophelia replied immediately.


    "Exactly," Natalie said, twirling a pencil between her fingers. "When the Walkersmissioned Nouvelle Zara to design for Emma, I wasn''t even part of their family yet. They''re paying well, and there''s no reason to turn down good money."


    She gestured with her hand, indicating arge sum. "The profits from this collection will fund our research facility in Quinton. That''s what matters."


    "But, Boss," Ophelia protested, "you''re the real Walker daughter. Even without Emma''s collection, they''d still


    pay you."


    At the end of the day, Ophelia simply couldn''t stand the thought of Emma wearing one of Natalie''s gowns from the Flux Couture collection.


    "Ophelia, I understand how you feel,"


    Natalie said calmly. "But let me tell you something-Selena has always targeted me because she thinks stole the good life she should''ve had in the Langley family. In her eyes, I''m a criminal just for existing.


    "She''s been after me all this time, but tell me—what have I ever done to her? Nothing. Not a thing. I may be


    the real daughter of the Walker family, but I''m also the fake daughter of the Langley family."


    Natalie looked at Ophelia, her expression unwavering. She knew Ophelia understood the point she was


    making.


    She had endured the hardships of living with the Langley family so that she wouldn''t take away Emma''s chance at happiness.


    Unless, of course, Emma turned out to be just like Selena.