The moment Emma stopped talking, Marcus'' strikingly handsome face turned as dark as a stormy sky. He lunged forward, seizing her by the throat.


    "Emma, choose your words carefully," he warned.


    Marcus'' deep, captivating voice carried a venomous edge. "Don''t think everyone shares your dirty thoughts. If you nder Sophia and me again, I''ll end you."


    As Marcus delivered his threat, his grip tightened abruptly. Emma struggled to breathe, feeling as though the air had beenpletely drained from her lungs.


    She reached out to p Marcus'' hand from around her neck. His arm, sculpted with lean muscles, radiated power, both refined and formidable. Yet now, that power was poised to choke the life out of her.


    Just as Emma''s eyes began to roll back and she teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, a delicate, slender hand gripped Marcus'' wrist, apanied by a cold voice. "Marcus, calm down."


    At those words, Marcus'' fingers instantly rxed. Emma was freed, and she began to cough violently, desperately gulping in the air.


    Natalie, having stood by the hospital room door, had overheard their entire exchange. She watched Emma cough, then shifted her gaze to Marcus. It was clear Marcus had deep feelings for Sophia.


    "Emma, Gabriel has admitted to everything. He''s been turned over to the police," Natalie said calmly. "sh was a birthday present from Sky. How could you use it recklessly, drive it to madness, and ultimately cause its death? Don''t you feel


    guilty toward Sky?"


    Natalie fixed her gaze on Emma. "Sophia is Sky''s girlfriend and your future sister- inw. Just because she''s close with Mr. Holden, you intend to harm them both.


    "Are Mom and Dad aware of how malicious and envious you are? Do they realize that the daughter they''ve cherished and raised for 20 years has be so spiteful?"


    Emma couldn''t stop coughing. "I didn''t do it..." she choked out. Though fear churned inside her, she refused to let it show. "I didn''t do these things, Natalie. You can''t use me unjustly."


    As she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks. "I know you dislike me. You believe I''ve stolen the life you should''ve lived for 20 years, and you''re trying to push me out by staging all this. Gabriel has already said that you ordered him to do it.


    "Natalie, I didn''t want to bring this up, but why are you trying to pass the me? Marcus, when Gabriel visited me earlier, your bodyguard, Noah, was present. He heard it himself. Gabriel said it was Natalie who gave the orders."


    "Emma, you''re truly stubborn," Marcus remarked with a frosty tone.


    He pulled a pile of photographs from his pocket and tossed them directly at Emma.


    Emma picked up the photos. They revealed that during her travels, she was in a bar with a man, epting a box of cigarettes and a white paper packet from him.


    "Gabriel has already admitted what was in the white packet," Marcus said, his eyes narrowing with a chilly intensity. "Even with all the evidence before you, do you still want to deny it?"


    "See for yourself. This is the call you made to Gabriel." Marcus produced another stack of papers, tossing them forcefully at Emma.


    "Noah traced this number. It was obtained through special means while you were traveling. Even though Gabriel has admitted to everything, you''re still behaving this way."


    Emma collected the photos and papers that Marcus had tossed aside. After examining them, she remained surprisinglyposed.


    "Marcus, the person in these photos


    from


    is indeed me, but the reality is different from what you''re iming, The cigarettes and the white paper packet are in my bedroom at the Walker residence. If you search there, you''ll find them.


    "Test the powder in the packet, and you''ll discover it''s just milk powder. As for the cigarettes, they''re a new type ofdies'' cigarettes. They''re not addictive. It''s like drinking diet soda.


    "And your im that I used special channels to get this number and then called Gabriel is absurd. I was on a trip to unwind. I wouldn''t waste my time on something so trivial.


    "If you''re saying I made the call, then show me the recording. If Gabriel supposedly said this, then have Noah bring him here to face me. Marcus, I refuse to admit to something I didn''t do."


    Emma''s eyes were still red, but she had regained herposure and calmness. She systematically countered the evidence Marcus presented.


    "If you im I misunderstood you and Sophia, then I apologize. However, I will not concede that I directed Gabriel. This evidence doesn''t prove it was my doing."


    Marcus moved forward, but Natalie quickly caught his arm, stopping him. She shook her head, advising, "Mr. Holden, keep your hands clean."


    Emma''s face lost its color at Natalie''sment, and she nearly lost her cool. "What are you implying, Natalie? Are you calling me dirty?"


    Natalie tilted her head slightly. "Did I specify anyone? You''re quick to assume I''m referring to you. Feeling guilty, perhaps?"


    "Why you..."


    "Emma, do you really think your excuses are foolproof?" Natalie asked icily "Enjoy the good times while you can becausew


    enforcement will soon take


    you


    away We''ve already submitted this evidence to them. Save your exnations for your debate with the authorities!"


    With that, she briskly led Marcus out of the hospital room. Once they were outside, they didn''t rush off. Instead, they stood beside the door and simultaneously took out their phones to start recording audio.


    In the next moment, the sound of objects being thrown and furious shouting erupted from within.


    "Natalie, you bitch! Ever since you returned, Mom and Dad have only paid attention to you. I''m the eldest daughter of the Walker family! I''m the true heiress. Why do Lincoln, Hector, and the others dote on you so much?


    "You shouldn''t have returned. If you hadn''t, Marcus would still be mine. He wouldn''t have broken off the engagement. I hate you! I hate you so much! Die! Just die now!


    "If you die, Mom and Dad will be mine. My brothers will be mine. You filthy bitch, why did you have toe back?"


    Emma continued to hurl objects and insults at Natalie without stopping. "You should have remained the Langley family''s blood bank forever, drained until you were nothing but a dried-up corpse!


    "You should have been deceived and used by Grace, working yourself to death in


    the Langley household for the rest of your miserable life!"


    Marcus watched Natalie. Despite the verbal assault, her expression remained serene. Her beautiful eyes showed no emotion, making it impossible to discern her feelings. How could she stay soposed amidst such harsh words?