After making the rounds and meeting numerous guests, Natalie was feeling both exhausted and hungry. However, she maintained aposed and graceful smile, not letting her weariness show.


    Shawn, standing beside her, noticed her difort. His eyes filled with concern as he asked, "Ms. Walker, would you like to take a break?"


    His gaze dropped to her high heels. "You have been standing for a long time. Do you want to sit down and maybe change into a morefortable pair of ts? Mr. Lincoln asked me to take good care of you. Let me take you to rest for a bit." Shawn dared not reveal his true feelings for her, so he used Lincoln as an excuse. Not far away, Celeste shot him a knowing smile, clearly amused by the situation. Shawn ignored her and spoke again with gentle persistence. "Ms. Walker, Mr. Lincoln messaged me, asking me to take you to the lounge and get you something to eat."


    Fearing that she might not believe in him, he took out his phone and showed her the message. Sure enough, Lincoln had given the instructions.


    Boss (Lincoln): Take Nat to the loungeter, get her some food and drinks, and help her change into morefortable shoes. Make sure she gets some rest.


    Natalie read the message and nodded after a moment of thought. She was indeed quite tired. While she could manage in high heels, she wasn''t used to wearing them for such long periods.


    She had met most of the people she needed to at the wee party. Everyone was well aware that she was the true daughter of the Walker family, and they now treated her with respect. Even if she stepped away for a while, no one would say anything.


    "Alright, let''s go rest for a bit."


    "This way."


    Shawn had visited Walker Estate multiple times with Lincoln, especially during past parties. Since he had been specifically instructed to take care of Natalie that day, he had already asked Gorge about her designated lounge.


    "You seem more familiar with my home than I am, Mr. Haines," Natalie teased as they entered the elevator.


    The elevator stopped on the third floor, and Shawn led the way down the hallway until they reached a doorbeled "Ms. Natalie''s Lounge".


    Natalie chuckled. "I almost feel like you''re part of the Walker family."


    Shawn smiled and said politely, "You tter me, Ms. Walker. Mr. Lincoln has


    always trusted me, and I have visited Walker Estate quite a few times. Since I was given instructions today, I made sure to be well-prepared."


    "Nattie."


    Before Shawn could open the lounge door, a nearby door swung open. Charles appeared at the doorway, his face beaming with a warm smile. "Nattie,e keep mepany for a while."


    "Of course."


    Natalie exchanged a brief nce with Shawn before turning to follow Charles inside.


    This lounge had been arranged specifically for Marcus. As Natalie stepped in, she noticed another figure inside. It was Sky.


    Sky had made very few appearances during the party. Unlike her other brothers, who had actively introduced her into their social circles, Sky had remained absent.


    Seeing him here surprised her, though, at the same time, it did not.


    "Your eldest brother came to chat with me for a while. Since you''re here, you should join us," Charles exined. "Let me call Marcus over as well."


    He picked up his phone and dialed Marcus. "Hello, Marc. Come to my lounge. Someone is waiting for you."


    "Come in," Sky said.


    "Alright."


    Natalie nced at Shawn, who was still standing at the door. " Mr. Haines, you shoulde in too."


    "Are you sure?" Shawn hesitated. He was well aware that the Walker family''s eldest and second sons didn''t get along.


    Natalie smiled. "Lincoln asked you to take care of me. How can you do that if you''re not by my side?"


    With that reasoning, Shawn nodded without hesitation and followed her inside.


    "Grandpa Charles, Sky," Natalie greeted them before taking a seat across from them. "Mr. Haines, have a seat as well."


    "Thank you, Ms. Walker."


    Shawn sat down as Natalie pressed the inte button and asked the helper to bring in coffee.


    "Nat." Sky sat with his arms crossed, his expression deep in thought as if he were deliberating how to start.


    With a gentle smile. She reached down to press her calf as her legs were starting to ache after standing in high heels for too long. "Sky, is


    there something you would like to discuss with me?" she asked


    Before Sky could respond, Marcus walked in.


    "Hello, Grandpa, Sky."


    Charles patted the seat next to Natalie. "Sit here, Marc. Sky came to me and said he had something he wanted to discuss with you."


    After Marcus sat down, Charles turned to Shawn. "You must be the famous actor Shawn Haines, right? Would you do me the honor of taking a stroll outside with me?"


    Since Charles had made the request, Shawn naturally couldn''t refuse. However, he was worried that if he left, Sky might make things difficult for Natalie. So he hesitated for a moment.


    "You don''t want to?" Sky asked. His gazended on Shawn. "It is not every day that someone receives an invitation from Mr. Holden Senior."


    Marcus'' voice was deep and steady as he spoke. "Please apany my grandfather. I will take care of Ms. Walker."


    Sky had obviously called for this meeting and intentionally wanted Shawn out of the way.


    "Go ahead, Mr. Haines. I will exin everything to Lincoln," Natalie reassured him.


    Hearing her words, Shawn had no choice but to stand up. "Mr. Holden senior, I will apany you."


    "Thank you for the trouble," Charles said with a chuckle.


    "It is my honor."


    Shawn helped Charles up and escorted him out of the lounge, closing the door behind him.


    "Sky, you don''t seem to be very fond of your own sister."


    Before Sky could say anything, Marcus started first. Natalie had defended him a few days ago. Given the chance to return the favor, he wouldn''t let it go to waste.


    "It is well known that Mr. and Mrs. Walker held this party to introduce Ms. Walker to the public as the true heiress. Yet, as her eldest brother you have barely made an


    ловна


    appearance. Is it because you don''t ept her as family? Or do you not want her to acknowledge her roots?"


    His voice remained cold and steady. "Did you ever consider how your absence might be perceived? People will gossip, wondering if the Walker family''s real heiress isn''t truly wee. After all, if she were, why would her own eldest brother refuse to acknowledge her or introduce her to his peers?"


    "Marcus, that is not what I meant," Sky said, his face darkening.


    "Is that so? Then why have you not gone outside? You don''t look even the


    slightest bit pleased about today." Marcus smirked faintly.


    Natalie remained silent, lifting her cup to take a slow sip. "Mr. Holden, please have some coffee."


    "Thank you, Ms. Walker."


    Their interaction was formal and polite, without any hint of familiarity or warmth.


    Yet every word Marcus spoke was a direct challenge, defending her and confronting Sky without hesitation.