Charlotte''s sharp gaze and icy tone sent a chill down Sky''s spine.


    His body still ached, and the bruises on his face hadn''t faded much. Thest thing he wanted was to go out looking like this and face the Sinirs.


    But he didn''t dare defy Charlotte. The consequences of her anger were not something he wanted to deal with.


    "Mother, I wasn''t taking Emma''s side. I just wanted peace in our family, for her and Nat to get along."


    Sky''s expression darkened with disappointment. "I practically raised Emma myself. I can''t believe she would say those things, let alone do anything to hurt Nat.


    "When Nat first came back, Emma even left on a trip just to give her space. Have you forgotten that, Mother?


    "She lived happily under your and Father''s care for 20 years, only to suddenly discover she wasn''t your real daughter. Of course, she felt lost and afraid.


    "She worried you and Father would cast her aside, that we her brothers-would turn our backs on her. Her jealousy of Nates from that fear."


    "Oh, cut the crap." Charlotte''s voice dripped with disdain.


    "Sky, stop making excuses for that fake heiress. Tell me, who in this family ever said they didn''t want her around? When did Nat ever try to force her out, huh? Nat never demanded she leave just because she came home. The only thing she made clear was that she had no interest in being sisters with her.


    "As long as that fake heiress stayed in her ce, do you think your father and I would mistreat her?"


    "Mother, you won''t even call her by her name anymore?" Sky''s voice was heavy with hurt. "Your heart... it''s cruel."


    "I''m the cruel one? No, Sky. You are." Charlotte''s gaze turned icy.


    "Do you still not understand why we treat Emma this way? Even a dog or a cat raised for years can inspire feelings, let alone a living, breathing person.


    "And yet, do you truly not see why we have to be ruthless toward her? I expected better from you. Even now, you''re still making excuses for her.


    "Emma turned out ungrateful because you spoiled her too much. The only reason I brought you along today is to stand up for your real sister. If you can do that, fine. If not, I''ll have the driver pull over right now, and you can get out and go home on your own."


    "Mother, please don''t be mad. Of course, I''m here to stand up for Nat. I just felt a little sad hearing you call Emma a fake heiress," Sky said hurriedly.


    He quickly tried to exin himself. "I''m sorry. It was my mistake. But I swear I didn''t mean it that way."


    "Just shut up." Charlotte had no patience for his excuses.


    "Listen, Sky. Let me make this very clear-Nat was switched at birth and suffered for 20 years in the Langley household. Meanwhile, Emma lived a life of luxury in our home for those same 20 years.


    "Nat doesn''t owe Emma anything. If Emma is jealous of her and wants to take her ce, then I will not tolerate her.


    "And let me remind you that Nat doesn''t owe you anything either. So don''t try to use your status as her ''big brother'' to pressure her into anything."


    "Yes, I understand. Please don''t be angry, Mother." Sky lowered his head, his voice subdued. "It was my fault. Please forgive me this time."


    "I''ll let it slide for now, but there better not be a next time."


    Charlotte picked up a bottle of water, took a sip, and continued, "Nat has been out there getting bullied, so we need to stand together against outsiders. I don''t care if it''s Ivan or even Marcus; if they mess with her, we fight. Even if we can''t win, we fight.


    "Nat grew up without parents to protect her, and it took me a long time to bring her home and make her ept me and your father. I refuse to let her feel disappointed in us. Do you understand?"


    "I understand, Mother. I''m sorry. I was wrong."


    "Good."


    Charlotte said no more.


    She took out her phone and sent a message to William. "Honey, Ivan bullied our precious Nat. Tell Lincoln to snatch the Soutia project away from Sinir Group."


    William replied instantly, "Got it. I''ll take care of it now."


    Charlotte put away her phone and gazed out the car window. Before long, the vehicle came to a smooth stop in front of Goodwill Pharmacy.


    The bodyguards stepped out first, swiftly opening the door for her. Charlotte emerged in her high heels, radiating authority as she strode into the pharmacy.


    The moment she stepped inside, her eyes locked onto Natalie with pinpoint precision.


    At the sight of her red-rimmed eyes and pitiful expression, Charlotte''s temper ignited instantly.


    "Ivan, you old bastard! You dare bully my daughter?" she snapped.


    "This is all a misunderstanding," Ivan said with an awkward smile, still seated on the couch.


    Even after being cursed at so openly, he had no choice but to maintain hisposure.


    "Charlotte, it''s been years since I''ve seen you this fired up. Hearing you yell like this almost makes me feel like we''re back in our younger days."


    "Spare me the fake familiarity." Charlotte shot him a razor-sharp re.


    "Hand over the housekeeper who dared to bully my daughter. I want to see exactly what kind of dogs the Sinirs have been raising."


    "And one more thing, Ivan. I''m telling you now that Sky and your daughter''s engagement is off. The Walkers are unterally putting a stop to it." "That''s not happening!"


    Ivan shot up from his seat. "Charlotte, I admit we were in the wrong today. That reckless housekeeper has already been punished, and I''ve personally apologized to Natalie.


    "There''s no need to let one small


    incident damage the rtionship between our families. We still have several business partnerships, so it''s not worth creating unnecessary hostility over this.


    "Besides, Sky and Sophia have had a stable rtionship for years, just waiting for the right time to get married. If word gets out that our families are suddenly at odds, it''ll negatively impact both of ourpanies'' stocks."


    "So, your housekeeper bullying my daughter is just a small matter?"


    Charlotte crossed her arms and gave Ivan a slow, deliberate once-over.


    "Alright, Ivan. How about this-I p you across the face, then apologize afterward. Would you be fine with that?


    "And as for our business partnerships, once our contracts expire, Walker Group won''t be renewing them. We''ve already finalized negotiations with Holden Group. From now on, all coborations with Sinir Group


    600


    will be transferred to them. Thus, there will be nothing tying our


    families together anymore.


    "And as for your im that Sky and Sophia have a stable rtionship... I''ll let Sky


    tell you himself."


    She turned to Sky, giving him a pointed look.


    Sky immediately stepped forward.


    "Mr. Sinir, your housekeepers knew that Sophia and I were together, yet they still dared to openly humiliate Nat. And you, too, acted like it was no big deal. "That only proves that neither you nor your household have any respect for Nat or the Walkers. Well, I will never let anyone bully my sister, especially not the family of the woman I''m dating.


    "If the Sinirs truly respected Nat and our family, you wouldn''t have allowed a mere housekeeper to insult and humiliate her.


    "So let me make this official. Sophia and I? We''re done. The engagement is canceled, and we won''t be letting this matter slide."


    Sky stood tall, exuding an air of authority. But with his bruised and swollen face,


    the effect was slightly diminished.


    Still, his words took Natalie by surprise. She hadn''t expected this from him.