Lincoln''s sharp looks still held the same frigid detachment after he hung up the call. But as he turned to Natalie, his expression softened immediately, together with his tone.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll have your back."


    "Lincoln, I..."


    Natalie was at a loss for words.


    "It''s fine, Nat. I can kind of understand what made things tense between you and Sky," said Lincoln as he drove. "It was because of Emma, right?"


    Natalie was stunned again. She nced at Lincoln with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.


    Lincoln couldn''t be Code Zero who had been monitoring her all along, could he?


    "I''m different from Sky, Natalie. I work in the entertainment industry, so I''ve dealt with women far more deceitful than Emma."


    Lincoln reached out his hand, ruffling Natalie''s hair. "I did give Emma a lot of love and affection when she was young. I think it was when she was eight that I discovered her cunning side.


    "There was once when we were all invited to a party held by the Holdens. Sophia and Marcus were ying the piano together. When Emma saw it, she sent a helper to ask Sophia to head to the Holden Residence''s backyard.


    "Then, Emma pushed Sophia into the pool in the backyard."


    Lincoln paused for a brief moment and continued, "I was watching everything unfold before me as it happened. I even heard her threatening Sophia. Ever since then, I couldn''t see her as my sister anymore.


    "Father and Mother still shower Emma with love, and Sky, too, spoils herpletely, so I''m just there to keep the peace. I thought Emma was my biological sister, and it''s always better to have a loving, peaceful home than one full of drama."


    Lincoln forced a bitter smile as he spoke. "Besides, Emma was the only girl in the family. Everyone loves her. Whenever she does something wrong, she just needs to show a little bit of charm, and they''ll forgive her."


    "But it''s different now." The bitter smile on Lincoln''s face turned into a genuine beam. "I''m so d to know that you''re actually my biological sister. Sure, many men might fall for the sweet and innocent act, but not me. Just ignore Sky and Emma, Nat. You only have to keep in mind that in this family, Mason and I are the people you can always trust."


    Natalie clutched her chest lightly as she listened to Lincoln''s words. She felt her heart race, and the grievances she had with Sky vanished in an instant.


    "Thank you, Lincoln."


    Natalie thanked Lincoln sincerely. "I have no interest in getting close to Emma, and I definitely don''t want to be her sister. Sky wants me to get along with her, but I just can''t. I don''t want to sacrifice my well-being for it."


    Natalie spoke frankly with Lincoln about her feelings. "I never thought of getting rid of Emma, but Sky always thought I''d force Emma to leave once I returned to the family like she couldn''t survive unless I treated her as a real sister.


    "You know, I was once treated badly by the real daughter of the Langleys, so I''d never want to do the same to Emma. But we''d just keep to ourselves; there''s no chance of us bing closer."


    Honestly, it was quite impressive for Natalie not to turn psychologically twisted after the constant mistreatment from the Langleys.


    And it was also a wonder for her to ept Emma into the family. Hence, the fact that Sky wanted Natalie to treat Emma like a true sister and dote on her was simply too much to ask.


    "Just ignore Sky, and Emma, too." Lincoln''s stare turned icy cold. "I''ll take care of this for you. But for now, let me just drive you back."


    "Okay. Thank you, Lincoln."


    "Oh, right. Father and Mother nned to give you a clothingpany. I''ll ask someone to gather the documents and send them to you. You can pick one out then. If you don''t feel like working yet, take it easy for some time first. You''ll be graduating next year, yes?"


    "Yes, I''m doing an internship and graduating next year."


    "What are your future ns?"


    "Well, I major in fashion design, and I''m still thinking about my future. By the way, Lincoln, do you think it''s fine to let my good friend joinyour entertainmentpany?


    "She''s signed with thergest modeling agency under Walker Group, but now I think it''d be better for her to work under you, rather than Sky."


    Lincoln agreed to Natalie''s suggestion without any hesitation. "Of course, it''s no big deal! What''s your friend''s name? I''ll let my manager get in touch with her." "Olivia Thatcher. We''ve been friends for many years."


    "Alright." Lincoln made a prompt decision. "Give me her number. I''ll have my manager contact herter."


    "Okay."


    Natalie gave Lincoln Olivia''s number. They both chatted nonstop throughout the journey, and Natalie learned a lot about Emma''s childhood.


    Emma was indeed treated like a princess in the Walker family.


    Other than her calcting side, she was an excellent person.


    Lincoln didn''t deny Emma''s hard work and talent either.


    However, since he had seen how deceptive Emma was, he never really liked her


    no matter how much of an impressive person she was.


    "Were Sophia and Marcus close as children?"


    "They were okay. Despite being the eldest daughter in the Sinir family, Sophia wasn''t treated with much


    affection because of an illegitimate


    daughter Mr. Sinir has."


    Lincoln knew a lot of gossip. He was willing to tell them all to Natalie if she was interested.


    "Mr. Sinir loves that illegitimate


    daughter a lot, and her mother, too. Sophia has a brother called Samuel, and Sophia''s mom adopted a


    daughter as well. Her name is Sierra.


    en


    "I''ll introduce them to you if there''s an opportunity to." Natalie nodded in response. She didn''t mention how she had Sophia''s contact number.


    "One more thing, Lincoln. What''s the rtionship between Sophia and Sky?"


    Upon hearing Natalie''s question, Lincoln''s expression changed for a brief moment, but it returned to its usual state right away.


    "Sophia is Sky''s girlfriend, but they don''t seem like a couple to me."


    "So Sophia is pregnant with Sky''s child, then."


    "Huh?" Lincoln hit the brakes hard. "What did you say?"


    Natalie repeated herself calmly, "I said, Sophia is pregnant with Sky''s child, am I


    right?"


    Lincoln could no longer mask the shock.


    Momentster, he voiced, "How do you know this, Natalie?"


    "I heard it by chance."


    Natalie continued, "We''ve arrived, Lincoln."


    Lincoln pressed down on the gas pedal only then, driving into Walker Estate.