As the elevator doors shut, Natalie furrowed her brows, cutting off Emma''s venomous gaze from view.


    Olivia had noticed that look as well, and her expression darkened. "Natalie, that Emma is clearly trouble."


    "I know." Natalie rxed her brows slightly. "That''s exactly why she needs to stay. She''s lived in the Walker family for 20 years, always carrying the heiress title. Behind the scenes, she''s built her ownwork of connections.


    "Emma isn''t just obsessive-she''spletely unhinged. But most importantly, she''s ruthless with herself. And people who are ruthless with themselves are even more ruthless with others."


    Olivia nodded. "I see that now. But since you''re keeping her around, you must also protect yourself. As for that idiot Sky, I have a feeling Emma is going to be the death of him."


    "Well, they are willing to help each other out. All we can do is respect their choices, give them our blessings, and hope they stay tied together."


    As they chatted, the elevator reached the fifth floor.


    "I like Lincoln. The way he protects you it''s seriously attractive." Olivia''s eyes sparkled as she spoke. "Nat, I finally get why you had me leave Sky''spany and join Lincoln''s."


    "Lincoln will end up at Walker Group eventually. But having youe to hispany was my own selfish decision. After all, it''s better if I can keep an eye on you."


    Natalie reached out and pinched Olivia''s cheek. "I couldn''t bear to let you deal with any sleazy industry rules."


    "Aw..." Olivia flung her arms around Natalie''s waist. "Nat, I love you!"


    "Alright. Get off me." Natalie chuckled, pushing her away.


    They entered the bedroom, washed their hands, and climbed into bed.


    "Alexa, turn off the lights and close the curtains."


    "Yes, Ms. Walker," a soft, adorable voice replied.


    The lights dimmed, and the curtains automatically drew shut.


    Walker Group was a leader in high-tech smart home development, and Alexa was one of its finest products. With Alexa, one could use voicemands to control everything from phones, to home appliances, cars, and even renewable energy devices.


    When William and Charlotte renovated Natalie''s space, they installed Walker Group''s entire smart home system.


    In Dithoria State, the only corporation that could rival Walker Group-or even surpass it was Holden Group.


    However, the Walker and Holden families'' business coborations remained steady given their longstanding alliance, strengthened by their past engagement agreements. There was no cutthroatpetition.


    Even now, despite Marcus canceling his engagement twice with the Walker family, their business ties remained intact. Personal matters hadn''t interfered with corporate interests.


    Lincoln had exined all of this to Natalie. He also told her to let him know if she wanted to date. He would then introduce her to all kinds of high-quality men.


    Whatever type she wanted, he would find for her.


    Lincoln even mentioned his own artist, Shawn, as a great candidate. Though he worked in the entertainment industry, Shawn had always maintained a clean reputation and was incredibly hardworking. Lincoln greatly admired him.


    While lying in bed, Natalie and Olivia chatted and sighed.


    "Natalie, since Marcus broke off his engagement with Emma and then again with you, does that mean you two really have no chance?"


    Natalie didn''t even hesitate to answer. "Of course not. Marcus never liked me from the start. But it works out perfectly because I don''t like him either."


    "But his looks are undeniably gorgeous." Olivia sighed dreamily, picturing Marcus'' devastatingly handsome, wless features. "I don''t want to admit I''m shallow, but I totally am."


    "Yeah, you''re the type who has dirty thoughts but no guts to do anything."


    Natalie smirked in the dark. It had been so long since she had felt this rxed, lying in bed and chatting with her best friend.


    Federrick had left everything to her before heading off to travel the world. Though she had a professional team and a manager handling things, many matters still required her personal oversight.


    In addition, she had been managing Langley Group and treating patients, which left her with little free time.


    "Your birth parents are really good to you," Olivia murmured, hugging Natalie. "Nat, seeing you happy puts my heart at ease."


    "You say that like I wasn''t happy before."


    "You weren''t as happy as you are now." Olivia sighed. "Back when you were with the Langley family, sure, Mrs. Langley Senior seemed to treat you well, always protecting you-but in the end, it was all part of her scheme.


    "Nat, I think your biological parents are genuinely amazing. Aside from Sky, your other brothers seem great too, especially Lincoln-he really spoils you.


    "By the way, your dad went to Amberton to pick up your mom. What''s she doing there?"


    "She went to settle the score with Diana." Natalie''s tone was casual as she replied, "Olivia, my mom seems gentle on the surface, but her tempe is actually pretty fiery. After my first bad impression of her, she''s been good to me.


    "And the craziest part? We look exactly alike. Everyone says that seeing me is like looking at her younger self. That''s why, the


    moment they saw my photo ol


    family search website, they didn''t have a single doubt that I was their daughter.


    "Come to think of it, it''s a strange feeling-never having met me, yet being certain


    I''m her daughter just because of a single photo."


    "That''s not surprising." Olivia tightened her hold on Natalie. "Victor and Diana always knew you weren''t really their daughter. That''s why they never stopped searching for Selena."


    "Oh, right." Natalie suddenly remembered something. "Once, I overheard Marcus say that he knew Mrs. Langley Senior''s secret. Victor isn''t actually her biological son."


    "What?" Olivia''s eyes flew open in the dark. "That''s huge! Why did she raise him? What happened to her biological son?"


    "I don''t know,"Natalie shook her head. "I just suddenly remembered. But now wonder-could it be that Mrs. Langley Senior knew all along that Victor wasn''t really her son? Which means Selena isn''t he biological granddaughter either. Cóntent belongs to


    "If that''s the case, it makes sense why she never seemed emotionally attached to Selena. Given her obsession with Langley Group, I suspect that''s all she really cares about."


    "But that doesn''t add up either." Olivia sat up. "Why would someone like Mrs. Langley Senior, who''s so calcting and maniptive, raise another person''s child?"


    Natalie sat up as well. "That''s exactly what I can''t figure out."


    "Maybe Marcus knows more. Natalie, why don''t you try getting close to him to investigate?" Olivia suggested.


    Natalie immediately refused. "No. I''d rather never cross paths with him again. Besides, I''ve left the Langley family. Whatever happens to them now has nothing to do with me."