Natalie''s words hit Emma like a sledgehammer. What scared her the most wasn''t the shouting or usations-it was the realization that she still hadn''t heard from Sky all day.


    Sky had always been the one to answer her calls immediately, no matter the time or situation. This kind of silence was unprecedented.


    She knew today was Natalie''s wee party. Before she''d been injured, she had overheard William giving instructions to the staff about the party arrangements.


    She''d even concocted a n to ruin it-injuring Marcus and implicating Sophia in the chaos, then exposing the "truth" during the party to destroy Natalie''s reputation.


    But nothing had gone as she envisioned.


    Instead, her n had unraveledpletely. The horse had gone wild, injuring not just Marcus but her as well. sh''s death had devastated her, and Gabriel''s arrest had left her panicking. She had no doubt now-this time, there was no way out.


    If only she''d had more time. Emma was convinced that with just a little more nning, she could have executed her scheme wlessly, leaving no loose ends.


    "Emma Walker, please cooperate ande with us," one of the police officers said firmly. At Marcus'' subtle nod, two female officers stepped forward, ced Emma onto a stretcher, and secured her.


    "No!" Emma cried, thrashing in panic. "I''m a patient! I''m injured—I can''t leave the hospital!"


    Her movements sent sharp pain shooting through her body, forcing her to gasp in agony.


    "If you keep struggling, you''ll just hurt yourself more," Natalie saidzily, watching from the side with a faint smirk. Her tone was casual, almost bored, but there was a clear undercurrent of mockery. "Don''t kill yourself before they even get the chance to question you."


    Emma red at her, fury and humiliation boiling over. She finally understood-this wasn''t just about taking her to the station. This was about making a statement, a spectacle for everyone to see.


    The wee party was nearly over. Everyone in their social circle now knew Natalie as the Walker family''s true daughter. Emma, who had once held that position, hadn''t even made an appearance. It was as if she''d been erased.


    Worse yet, she knew what woulde next. The media would tear her apart. The headlines would expose her cruel schemes and paint her as the viin who tried to harm the rightful heir.


    Everyone she once called a friend would abandon her. No one would dare associate with someone who had fallen so far from grace.


    Natalie had left her with no support, no allies, and no way out.


    "You''re heartless," Emma hissed, her voice shaking with rage. "You little tramp! You deserve to rot in hell! I never did anything to you, and you destroyed me for no reason!"


    Marcus'' voice cut through the air like a de. "Take her away."


    The officers nodded, their professionalism unwavering. "Mr. Holden, Ms. Walker, we''ll handle it from here," one of them said before they wheeled Emma out of the


    room.


    The moment Emma was out in the hallway, a barrage of shbulbs lit up her face. Microphones were shoved toward her, reporters shouting questions over one another.


    "Ms. Emma, is it true you hired someone tomit murder?"


    "Is it true that Marcus Holden broke off your engagement because you drugged him?"


    "What were your intentions in drugging him—were you nning to force him into marriage?"


    "Did you drug the Walker family''s horse to hurt Natalie?"


    "Is it true you bullied the Walker family''s real daughter when she returned?"


    "Did you fake a mental illness to avoid consequences?"


    "Ms. Emma, look at the camera! Answer us!"


    "Ms. Emma, why aren''t you saying anything? Are you jealous that the Walker family found their real daughter? Or are you afraid that with her return, your position will be threatened-so you decided to take action against her?"  swnovel


    "Ms. Emma, did you drug Mr. Holden in an attempt to force a rtionship with him? The Walker family raised you for 20 years, and this is what you learned?"


    "Ms. Emma, did you know from the


    very beginning that you weren''t the real daughter of the Walkers? Is that why you were so desperate to marry into the Holden family and secure your status as the future Mrs Holden?"  swnovel


    The questions became sharper and more invasive with every passing second. Emma pulled at the nket on her stretcher, trying to shield her face, but the nket seemed to be held in ce by someone else.


    "Stop it!" she screamed, the sound echoing through the hallway.


    The officers eventually stepped in, pushing reporters back and clearing a path to the waiting vehicle. Emma was loaded into the car, her entire body trembling as if the weight of the world had finally crushed her.


    Inside the car, she refused to look out the window, but curiosity got the better of her. She nced outside, and her heart sank.


    In the shadows near the hospital entrance, she spotted Marcus and Natalie standing together. Natalie was smiling-bright and radiant-while Marcus'' lips curved into a faint but unmistakable smirk.


    There was no intimacy between them, no physical touch, but the sight of them together burned Emma with jealousy and rage.


    She hated Natalie. She hated Charlotte even more.


    If they already had her, why did they need to bring Natalie back? Why couldn''t they just keep her as their daughter?


    If Natalie had never returned, everything would still be hers. Marcus would be hers. The Walker family''s love would be hers.


    Outside Good Hope Psychiatric Center, Natalie and Marcus remained in the shadows, watching as thest of the reporters packed up their equipment and left.


    Marcus nced at his phone and checked the time. "Sky will hear about this soon," he said.


    "It doesn''t matter," Natalie replied with a shrug. "He''d find out eventually."


    She added, "She''s done for, for now. Even if Sky tries to protect her, there''s nothing left for her to hide behind. Her reputation is destroyed. She can''t use the Walker family''s name to shield herself anymore."


    Marcus nced at her, his expression unreadable. "I''ll take you back now. You''ve been away from the party long enough—it wouldn''t look good."


    "Fair," Natalie said with a small smirk. "Besides, the real fun''s just getting started. I''ve got onest surprise for everyone."


    She chuckled to


    herself. Emma''s


    outbursts and insults—those she thought only the Walker family and Marcus had heard-were about to be broadcast to a muchrger audience. After all, what was the point of a wee party without a little drama for everyone to enjoy?  swnovel