Marcus'' piercing gaze fixed firmly on Sophia, making her uneasy. She felt a sudden need to shield herself, so she pulled the nket over her head.


    As long as she didn''t meet his eyes, she could pretend she didn''t know he was suspicious of her.


    Sophia hesitated, then decided to change the subject. "By the way, I saw the news. Has the Walker familypletely given up on Emma?"


    "Yes. Emma was targeting Natalie and even tried to harm her. She was behind the horse ramming into the car."


    Marcus'' deep voice flowed into Sophia''s ears. "She probably wanted to frame Natalie, but she miscalcted. Natalie won''t take the fall for something she didn''t do.


    "Moreover, Mr. and Mrs. Walker''s stance is crystal clear. Even though Emma was pampered for 20 years, she will never be more important than Natalie.


    "Emma has tried to harm Natalie, and with that, Mr. and Mrs. Walker can''t allow her to stay in the Walker family anymore."


    Marcus'' voice grew colder, more pointed. "Sophia, why are you hiding under the nket like that? Aren''t you afraid you''ll suffocate?"


    Sophia had been listening to Marcus'' deep voice for a while, and the air felt thick, stifling. She reluctantly lowered the nket, allowing herself to breathe in fresh air.


    "So... what is Ms. Walker''s stance on Emma?" Sophia asked, feeling increasingly uneasy. After all, Emma was the Walker family''s fake daughter, and Natalie had shown such hatred toward her.


    Sophia wondered if Natalie would be angry if she found out that Sophia had taken credit for saving Marcus'' life as a child. Would Natalie retaliate?


    Marcus'' gaze turned sharper as he stared at her. "Sophia, what''s going on? You seem unusually concerned about Natalie and Emma."


    Sophia quickly shook her head. "It''s not like that. I was just in a car ident at Walker Estate, and I lost my baby. I was going to ask Natalie for help, but things didn''t go as nned, and then I ended up in more trouble. Now you''re saying it''s all Emma''s doing, so naturally, I''m curious too."


    "Is that so?" Marcus'' eyes locked onto Sophia''s, his gaze piercing. She looked away, unwilling to meet his gaze.


    "Sophia, is there something you''re hiding from me?" His voice was low, and his gaze was boring a hole through her.


    "No," Sophia answered quickly, too quickly. Her hasty response only made Marcus more certain that something was amiss.


    Sophia''s eyes darted away. "Marcus, we''ve known each other for so many years. Do you really still not trust me? I never wanted this child. I didn''t even n to find the miracle doctor, Dr. Elim. After all, how could a miracle doctor perform a small procedure like an abortion?


    "It was Ms. Walker who told me if I could find Dr. Elim, it would be the best. She also mentioned that although abortion is considered a minor procedure, there have been incidents where things went terribly wrong.


    "She showed me many case studies, and I got scared when I saw the bloody scenes. That''s when I decided to ask Mr. Holden Senior for help and request to meet Dr. Elim."


    Sophia lowered her head as she spoke. "Marcus, I didn''t dare tell you before because I was afraid you''d ask who the father of the child is. I can''t say, and I dare not."


    Marcus'' voice grew firmer. "What''s stopping you from telling me?" He reached out, lifting her chin. "Look at me, Sophia."


    Sophia immediately shook her head. "I can''t."


    When she was guilty, she couldn''t bear to look him in the eye. His gaze was too sharp and cold, like an invisible ice de that could pierce her heart.


    Perhaps it was because she had deceived him. Sophia had always felt like a sword was hanging over her head, waiting for her lies to be exposed. The moment the truth came out, that sword would fall, severing her life.


    She couldn''t bear the consequences. She was terrified.


    The Sinir family had never loved her, and now, after everything, Marcus was


    her only support. She couldn''t let him find out about her deception.


    All these years, Sophia had assumed that the little girl who saved Marcus wouldn''t reappear, but she hadn''t expected Natalie to return as the true daughter of the Walker family—someone who had been switched at birth 20 years ago.


    Natalie''s return to the Walker family and the grand wee party only worsened things. Now Emma was being cast out. It was no surprise that Sophia was


    nervous.


    "By the way, I heard it was Ms. Walker who asked me to be transferred to Goodwill Pharmacy," Sophia said, trying to steady her nerves, refusing to meet Marcus'' gaze.


    "Marcus, I''d like to meet her. Could you arrange a meeting for us? I''m wondering if the news about my car ident and miscarriage has leaked."


    She looked up at him. "Marcus, could you help me?"


    Marcus thought for a moment before answering, "I can help you arrange a meeting with Natalie, but whether or not she''ll agree to see you, I can''t guarantee. After the wee party, she''s probably very busy. She''s been introduced to many people."


    Natalie had epted her identity as the heiress of the Walker family. She would gradually integrate into the elite circles of Dithoria State-there was no doubt about it.


    Sophia forced a smile. "I''m sure she''ll meet with me. Natalie is a nice person- she has a gentle temper."


    "A gentle temper?" Marcus raised an eyebrow as if he had just heard a joke. But he didn''t say much more. "Get some rest. I''ll arrange a meeting with Natalie for you."


    "Alright, thank you," Sophia said.


    "Just focus on resting."


    Marcus stood up and left the room. As he walked away, he couldn''t help but recall the memory of when Natalie pped him after he had been drugged at Holden Residence. Not only had she pped him, but she had fought back, her actions just as fierce as her temperament.


    Marcus couldn''t help but smile to himself. Despite the fact that she had pped him twice, she had also saved him twice. He didn''t know whether tough or cry.


    Marcus nced up at the sky. During the time he had been drugged, he had briefly entertained some inappropriate thoughts about Natalie. For a fleeting moment, he had even found himself anticipating something.


    He assumed Natalie would take advantage of the situation-seizing the chance to force his hand and demand marriage.


    But to hisplete surprise, she hadn''t been the least bit interested in his body. Instead, she had pped him hard. And not just once.


    Those ps had left him feeling strangely satisfied yet inexplicably annoyed at the same time.


    Marcus sighed. He really must be losing his mind. So much time had passed, and yet, he still couldn''t stop thinking about it.