Natalie lifted her gaze toward Marcus.
The two of them arrived at the Walker residence one after the other, but she had asked the gatekeeper to hold him at the entrance and sent him a message exining the situation.
Once she found out who was behind it, she immediately had the private security invite Marcus inside.
Marcus cooperated fully with her and had no objection to her arrangements.
The moment he stepped in, Gabriel suddenly panicked. He desperately scooted toward Natalie''s feet, but the private security guards pinned him down.
"Ms. Natalie, I didn''t do it. I really didn''t!"
Gabriel kept begging for mercy. "You can''t just me me for making sh go wild based on a single surveince video!
"There are so many people who feed the horses, but you didn''t look into any of them. You only suspected me. Is it because Cindy is my aunt? Are you trying to get rid of me just because we''re rted?"
"Gabriel, I''ll give you one more chance," Natalie said coldly, eyes fixed on him. "Tell me the truth. Did you do this on your own, or did someone instruct you?"
"I didn''t do it, and nobody told me to do anything. Ms. Natalie, please don''t use me unfairly."
"In that case, Mr. Holden, you can take him away." Natalie stood and swept her gaze over all the helpers in the room. "I''m the real daughter of this family, and there''s no doubt about that. If any of you feel unhappy about my return, you can leave right now."
"Ms. Natalie, we''re not unhappy at all. We''re actually thrilled you''re back," one of the helpers said bravely. We''re just people trying to make a living, and we''re very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Walker for giving us this job."
"There''s no way we''d harbor any resentment toward you, Ms. Natalie."
"If we''ve done anything wrong, please let us know. We''ll fix it."
"That''s right. We''re more than happy you''vee home."
"Please be assured, Ms. Natalie. We''d never act like Cindy or Gabriel. We know
our ce and wouldn''t dare have any improper thoughts."
After that one helper spoke, the others all chimed in to show they knew their stations.
Natalie''s gaze roamed over them again without clearly showing whether she believed them or not.
In the end, her gaze settled on Gabriel, who was trembling on the floor yet clinging to his im of innocence.
"Ms. Natalie, I didn''t do anything, and there''s no one behind this! You''re already using me unfairly. Are you trying to drag someone else into this too?
"I know you just came back and want to prove you''re the rightful heiress, but do you really have to frame and oppress us helpers like this? We have our rights, too!"
Gabriel kept ranting. At one point, he nced up only to meet Natalie''s piercing stare, and fear instantly made him shrink back.
"Whatever you have to say, save it for Mr. Holden," Natalie said as she looked at Marcus.
Marcus nodded slightly and snapped his fingers. Noah appeared right on cue.
"Mr. Holden."
"Take him away and keep digging."
"Yes, Mr. Holden."
Noah stepped forward, grabbed Gabriel by the neck from among the private security, and hauled him out.
"Marcus, we''re very sorry," William said as he stood. "We failed to manage our staff properly, and
that''s why things got out of hanmet
Gabrielis yours to deal w Whatever you decide, we''ll
now.
cooperate."
"Thank you, Mr. Walker," Marcus responded.
"Marcus, how is Sophia doing?" Charlotte stood as well, looking worried. "Nat told
me she got hurt. I''d like to visit her, if that''s all right."
"I''m sorry, Mrs. Walker. Sophia''s not in a good condition for visitors at the moment. Once she''s doing better, I''ll let you know.
"Also, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, I''ve kept Sophia''s injury under wraps, and the Sinirs don''t know yet. I hope you''ll make sure no one lets this slip."
William and Charlotte readily agreed. "Of course, that''s not an issue."
"Marcus, please let us know if there''s any updates."
"Alright." Marcus nodded slightly. Then, he looked at Natalie and added, "Don''t beat yourself up over this."
Natalie pressed her lips together. "Got it."
She did feel guilty. No matter what, the baby in Sophia''s belly was still a life. They hade to see her; if they hadn''t, this would never have happened.
"Noah, take him away."
"Yes, Mr. Holden."
Marcus turned to the others. "Mr. and Mrs. Walker, Ms. Natalie, I''ll be heading back now."
"I''ll walk you out, Marcus," Mason blurted, getting up in a hurry. He could tell Marcus hadn''t spoken to him and was probably ming him for what happened. "Marcus, I''ll see you to the door," he repeated nervously, afraid Marcus would refuse.
"Sure, thanks," Marcus said with a nod, heading out first.
With Gabriel still in tow, Noah followed close behind, and Mason quickly caught
up.
"Gorge, arrange a training and evaluation for everyone. Anyone who doesn''t pass is out," William instructed. "We can''t have helpers who take our money yet dislike our daughter. They think they''re
something special."
"Yes, Mr. Walker," Gorge answered respectfully.
Emma sat on the couch, twisting her fingers. She couldn''t help feeling that
William''sment was aimed at her.
Yet, he didn''t even spare her a nce, so she couldn''t be certain whether he was talking about her or just speaking generally.
"Nat, you must be tired," Charlotte said. "I went to Amberton this time and handled
a few matters. Come take a walk with me, and I''ll tell you everything in detail."
Charlotte nced at Emma on the couch and said, "Emma, if you''re free, go help Gorge train the helpers."
"Alright, Mom," Emma quickly agreed.
"Nat, let''s head out."
Charlotte took Natalie''s arm and led her out of the vi toward the back garden.
A path of stone bs cut across the
lining both sides. Sunshine mingled with a soft breeze, and the air was fragrant with the sweet scent of blooming petals.
They walked a short distance before Charlotte''s gentle voice broke the silence. "Nat, I went to Amberton and met Diana and Victor."
"I''m guessing they must''ve been pretty scared of you," Natalie remarked with a slight curve of her lips, imagining how Diana and Victor must have reacted upon seeing Charlotte.