Once Natalie entered the kitchen, Olivia followed her inside. "Nat, did you notice Emma''s look when she saw Marcus and Sophia?"


    Natalie nodded. "I saw it. That''s why I''m giving her the opportunity."


    Her nonchnt tone confirmed to Olivia that she had no interest in Marcus.


    "Fair enough." Olivia wrapped her arm around Natalie''s, and they stopped talking


    as they entered the kitchen, where the chef and helpers were present.


    In the living room, Emma smiled. "Mr. Holden, Ms. Sinir, have a seat."


    "Jaelynn, make some tea, slice some fruit, and bring some snacks," she instructed.


    "Alright, Ms. Emma."


    Jaelynn''s attitude toward Emma remained respectful, but her title changed from "Ms. Walker" to "Ms. Emma"-a simple change that distinguished her from Natalie.


    After all, Emma had only managed to stay by throwing tantrums and making a scene. The household staff couldn''t express their disdain openly but secretly looked down on her.


    They simply didn''t dare to say it out loud. After all, offending an heiress of her status was not an option.


    Emma gestured for Marcus and Sophia to sit down. Her gaze firstnded on Marcus'' face, and the sight of the man she longed for yet couldn''t have made her heartache.


    "Mr. Holden, Sophia, are you looking for Sky?"


    Neither Marcus nor Sophia responded, so Emma spoke up again.


    "Yes, I''m here to see Sky," Sophia finally replied. "Is he home?"


    "He went to thepany." Emma smiled. "Sophia, you haven''t been to our house in a while. I thought you no longer liked him!"


    Sophia gave a forced smile and didn''t respond to Emma''sment. She never really liked Sky, so it was normal for her not to visit him. Now that she was pregnant with someone else''s child, she could not continue their previous courtship.


    Upon seeing Sophia remain silent, Emma turned to Marcus, who had always kept his distance from her. As expected, he gave her no attention.


    Emma bit her lip, about to say something, when he suddenly stood up. "I''ll go find Natalie."


    "Huh?" Emma was taken aback. Did hee to the Walker residence to look for Natalie?


    Before she could process this, he had already walked toward the kitchen.


    The kitchen in the Walker residence wasrge and divided into various work areas. Natalie and Olivia were chatting while brewing coffee. They were both surprised to see Marcus enter but quicklyposed themselves.


    "Mr. Holden, is there something you need?" Natalie was the first to speak. "You can tell the helpers what you need. I thought I asked Emma to take care of you and Ms. Sinir. Was she not to your satisfaction?"


    "I''m here to see you." Marcus cut to the chase, his tone blunt. "Natalie, I need to talk to you alone for a few minutes. Is that okay?"


    Natalie frowned. "I think it''s better we keep some distance."


    After all, they were once engaged but broke it off—too much interaction between them wouldn''t be appropriate.


    "It''s business, Natalie."


    "None of yourpanies employ me, Mr. Holden," Natalie replied, her tone still calm. "If it''s something on my end, you must schedule through my assistant."


    Her assistant was Connie, and Marcus was aware that fact.


    He fell silent. When he saw her vignce and her firm desire to keep her distance, he suddenly regretted his impulsive decision to call William and call off the engagement that day when he was drunk.


    Natalie finished brewing the coffee, poured a cup for Olivia, and then took a tray to prepare a cup of hot milk.


    "Would you like coffee or tea, Mr. Holden?" She saw him standing, so she asked him politely out of courtesy.


    "Coffee, please."


    Marcus exhaled and nced at Sophia, who was sitting on the couch outside. Feeling a headacheing on, he pinched the bridge of his nose.


    Natalie smiled slightly and handed him the cup of coffee. "Be careful. It''s hot."


    She then called to Olivia and left the kitchen.


    Natalie walked over to sit opposite Sophia, noticing that Emma had poured tea for everyone. Without a word, she switched Sophia''s cup to hot milk.


    "Ms. Sinir, Mr. Holden asked me to bring you some hot milk."


    "Thank you." Sophia nced at Marcus and then at Natalie. Her lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say something but ultimately held her tongue.


    "Sophia, have you and Mr. Holden been getting closetely?" Emma asked as she picked up a ss of warm water and took a small sip.


    Sophia''s family had never favored her, and after starting her rtionship with Sky, he wasn''t particrly warm or attentive.


    So, had Sophia intentionally gotten closer to Marcus after hearing about the breakup, hoping to marry into the Holden family?


    Emma''s fingers traced the edge of her cup as she looked steadily at Sophia. "By the way, Natalie is the heiress of the Walker family. It''s


    almost time for her wee party. Sophia, you''ll being, right?


    Sophia nodded. "Yes, I''ve received the invitation. I''ll definitely be there."


    Even though she wasn''t favored in the Sinir family, her status as Sky''s girlfriend meant they couldn''t treat her too harshly. Thus, Ivan gave her the invitation from the Walker family.


    "That''s great. I''ve always liked you,"


    vi


    Emma stood up, reaching for Sophia''s hand. "My mom ordered batch of evening gowns for me. recently. Why don''t youe w me to pick some out? I''ll buy you two, just like before."


    Sophia shook her head. "No thanks."


    "Come on, Sophia. Just apany me. Please?" Emma''s voice was soft as she tried to coax Sophia.


    In the past, whenever Sophia came to the Walker family, Emma would coax her like this, and Sophia would always give in.


    But this time, Emma didn''t genuinely want to buy Sophia anything. She never got any high-end evening gowns from the Walker family, so the ones she "gave" to Sophia were those she didn''t care for.


    This way, she could clear out old stock while appearing kind to Sophia and gain favor from Sky. Sky would consider her a gentle and thoughtful sister and reward her with more gifts.


    "I don''t want to go," Sophia replied, not giving in like before. "I need to talk to Natalie."


    She nced at Marcus and then at Natalie. "Natalie, can we talk privately for a moment?"


    Natalie raised an eyebrow, then looked at Marcus, silently asking if he had shared something with Sophia.


    He immediately shook his head. He had promised not to reveal her secret about being Elim and would keep that promise.