Emma was still in Sky''s embrace. His back still throbbed with pain, and his face looked grim. After a long while, he gently pulled away from Emma.


    "Don''t say that," Sky softly said.


    His previously pale and gloomy expression eased a little. "Emma, don''t cry."


    Emma sobbed uncontrobly. "Sky, I don''t want to leave you. I don''t want to leave Mom and Dad either, but I don''t want to make everyone unhappy. Maybe it''s best if I just leave."


    "No," Sky said. "I''ll handle this. You grew up here. Where else would you go?"


    Emma bit her lip, reaching out to hold Sky''s hand. "Sky, I don''t want to make things hard for you."


    "It won''t be hard," Sky reassured her.


    He stepped forward and cleared his throat, saying, "Nat, Lincoln, Hector, Mason, we''re family. Let''s sit down and talk about this. I admit, I''m biased toward Emma, but that doesn''t mean I''ll let anyone mistreat Nat. Let''s all sit down and have an open conversation."


    Natalie exchanged a nce with Lincoln. He and Hector nodded in agreement.


    "Fine, let''s sit down and talk," Lincoln said.


    Sky led Emma to the dining room. Lincoln and Hector nked Natalie, while Mason stayed with Olivia.


    They all sat at the table. After instructing the helper to prepare some tea, Lincoln waited until the helper left before saying, "Sky, there''s no one else here now. If you want to say something, just speak openly."


    "Emma, apologize to Nat first," Sky said while looking at Emma, whose cheeks were still damp with tears. "Cindy may have taken care of you, but she''s still just a helper. Nat is the Walker family''s eldest daughter. No helper, including Cindy, should disrespect her."


    Emma nodded obediently. She stood up and bowed deeply to Natalie. "Natalie, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have said those things for Cindy''s sake. I hurt you, and I''m truly sorry."


    Natalie took a sip of tea, gently blowing on it before cing the cup back on the table. "As for Cindy''s dismissal, do you have any objections?"


    "No objections," Emma replied, biting her lip. "I''ll leave it all up to you. Since you don''t want me to call you by your name, can I call you Nat instead?"


    "Call me Ms. Natalie," Natalie replied coldly. "We''re not that close."


    "Ms. Natalie, can you be generous and forgive me just this once?" Emma asked hesitantly, knowing this was her only chance.


    She couldn''t afford to go against Natalie any longer.


    William had already punished Sky, and it was clear that William wouldn''t take her side.


    When Emma had thrown herself into Sky''s arms, she had already decided to endure the situation for now. She would stay in the Walker family and figure out how to deal with Natalieter.


    Sky pulled Emma to sit down. "Nat, how about this? I''ll have Emma promise and swear that she''ll never upset you again. The Walker family''s one and only true daughter is you. During the wee party, Mom and Dad will make it clear to everyone that Emma is only their adopted daughter."


    Under the table, Sky patted Emma''s hand to reassure her and silently signaled her to stay quiet.


    He continued, "Here''s what I think. Emma has lived with our family for 20 years. Even when you raise a cat or a dog, you form an attachment, let alone a living person.


    "Besides, harmony in the family is most important. Emma has been by Mom and Dad''s side all these years, as well as ours, and she''s grown close to us. If we just throw her out to live alone, she''ll struggle to adjust."


    Sky nced at Natalie and softly said, "However, I understand what you''re saying too. The Langley family mistreated you, while Emma grew up in luxury. I understand if you''re angry or upset."


    "I don''t have resentment, and I''m not upset," Natalie interrupted coldly. "Sky, don''t put words in my mouth. I''ve said from the start that I wouldn''t kick Emma out just because I returned to the Walker family, but I also won''t pretend to be her sister.


    "We just need to keep our distance and stay out of each other''s way."


    She added, "What happened today was that Emma''s helper offended me first. Lincoln helped me get rid of her. That''s not a problem, is it? Why does Emma make it seem like m trying to destroy her? She ims I''m like a sister, but when her helper insults me, she responds with passive-aggressive remarks.


    "That kind of person? I wouldn''t dare to be her sister. Who knows when she might stab me in the back?"


    "Ms. Natalie, I didn''t mean that," Emma said, biting her lip. She wanted to exin, but Sky gave her a look, signaling her to stay quiet.


    Sky said, "Yes, this matter is Emma''s fault. Cindy will be fired, and Emma is not allowed to beg for her to stay."


    "Yes, Sky, I understand," Emma whispered.


    She dug her nails into her palms under the table, then slowly rxed her grip.


    She hated Natalie''s face. The more she looked at her, the more unbearable it


    was.


    Marcus publicly rejecting her had already been humiliating enough. During her time away on a trip, only Sky had reached out to her. None of her other brothers nor her parents had shown any concern.


    Her mood had been terrible for days. Cindy was the only one left in the Walker family who would report back to her in the Walker household. Now that Cindy had been dismissed in such a humiliating way, who among the household staff would dare help her in the future?


    "I''m going to have Emma swear an oath," Sky said, pulling Emma closer. "Since Nat agreed not to kick you out of the Walker family, you need to behave and not


    upset her again. Emma, you need to swear and promise that now." Emma pursed her lips, cautiously ncing at Natalie. "Alright."


    She straightened up and solemnly said, "I, Emma, swear that I will never upset Ms. Natalie again nor provoke her. I will fully recognize my position as the Walker family''s adopted daughter, behave myself, and stay out of trouble. I promise to abide by my role and never stir up problems."


    She continued, "If I break this vow, may I be struck by thunder and never find


    peace in death."


    Sky turned to Natalie and asked, "Nat, is this eptable?"


    As he listened to Emma''s vow, he couldn''t help but frown, feeling that the oath sounded excessively harsh.


    If even this wasn''t enough to satisfy Natalie, he had nothing more to say.


    Before Natalie could speak, Emma added, "Sky, may I ask for one more thing?"