Natalie stared at Marcus in a daze. His deep-set eyes were dark and unreadable, and his maic voiceced with quiet intensity. His strikingly handsome face now carried an unmistakable trace of concern-he was worried about her.


    For a moment, Natalie couldn''t react. Her ice-cold fingers were met with a sudden, searing warmth as Marcus wrapped his hands around hers, pulling her back to reality. Instinctively, she tried to pull away.


    However, Marcus didn''t let go. "Don''t move. Your hands are freezing."


    "You''re taking advantage of me." She struggled, but he tightened his hold and enveloped her hands.


    "I''m not taking advantage of you. I''m just worried."


    Still, he didn''t loosen his grip. "This isn''t the time to argue. Right now, the only thing that matters is protecting Sophia. We need to make sure she gets out of it unharmed."


    His words grounded Natalie, snapping her out of the haze clouding her thoughts. The turmoil in her eyes gradually gave way to rity, then determination.


    That was right—they had to focus on protecting Sophia.


    "There''s no way to keep this from Mr. and Mrs. Walker. They need to know the truth about their eldest son''s personality."


    Seeing Natalie regain herposure, Marcus continued, "Sky is the Walker family''s eldest son. You and your siblings don''t have the final say. However, Mr. and Mrs. Walker aren''t the type to blindly shield their children.


    "Once they know the truth, they''ll sever Sky''s influence. Without power, Sky won''t be able to protect Emma anymore. The Walker family may keep him alive, but he''ll be worthless from now on."


    As Natalie listened to Marcus'' analysis, her mind swiftly pieced together the entire sequence of events. "Sophia made sure to keep us out of it."


    "Yes."


    Shane had assaulted Sophia at the Walker residence and left behind a series of incriminating photos and videos. He used them to ckmail her, never realizing he had also left evidence of his crime.


    As Sophia''s fiancé, Sky had lost all reason the moment he found out. Blinded by rage, he took a knife and killed Shane to avenge her.


    As for Emma, Sky would never expose her role in orchestrating Shane to rape Sophia. This would ensure she remained unharmed.


    However, Sophia had ensured that Cindy witnessed every moment of Sky''s crime. And as Shane''s mother, there was no way she wouldn''t seek revenge for her son''s murder. So, she killed Sky.


    Emma, the sister Sky cherished most, couldn''t stand by and watch Cindy kill her brother. She struck back, killing Cindy in retaliation. Her actions were justifiable.


    Why would Emma then try to kill Sophia? Sophia had witnessed her crime. She was simply eliminating the only witness.


    Emma hadn''t expected there was another witness present.


    Sophia would not forgive Emma for trying to kill her. So, she would ensure that justice was served.


    If Emma revealed the truth, Sophia had a psychiatric diagnosis on record to prove that she was mentally unsound. Even if she had killed someone, thew would absolve her of criminal responsibility. Moreover, Sophia didn''t kill anyone.


    Natalie and Marcus gazed at each other. At that moment, they both understood Sophia''s intent. She had sent them away for a reason and then asked Elijah and Noah to hide in a corner.


    Sophia wanted revenge, but she would bear the consequences alone. This was her battle to fight, her burden to carry.


    And when it was all over, she would return to them-reborn, untainted, and free.


    At Dithoria City Hospital, Sky, Sophia, and Cindy were all rushed into the emergency room. Emma''s injuries were superficial, and the doctors quickly treated her wounds.


    Meanwhile, over at the Walker residence, someone had discovered Shane lying in a pool of blood from Sky''s knife attack. He, too, was taken to the hospital.


    None of them were sent to the private hospitals under the Walker Corporation or Holden Group—they were all taken to Dithoria City Hospital.


    When Natalie and Marcus arrived, they stood outside the operating room. Marcus slipped off his suit jacket and carefully draped it over Natalie''s shoulders.


    "The night is chilly," he murmured in exnation.


    Natalie nced at him. "Aren''t you cold?"


    "My body runs warm."


    She said nothing more. His jacket still carried his warmth and scent. There was also a faint, pleasant jasmine flower fragrance.


    They hadn''t waited long when Lincoln, Hector, Timothy, and Mason arrived.


    Their expression turned solemn when they saw Natalie wrapped in Marcus'' jacket, their gazes cooling in unison. However, they quickly revert to a neutral expression.


    Lincoln stepped forward and said. "Nat, we''ve alreadypleted our statements with the authorities. Shane made it through surgery."


    He gave an apologetic look before continuing, "I thought about it and decided that Shane couldn''t die at our house. Hemitted a crime. Let thew decide his punishment. Okay?"


    Natalie nodded. She understood Lincoln''s concern.


    Sky was their older brother, and the bond of brotherhood was not so easily


    severed. They couldn''t watch him be a murderer.


    "We won''t cover the crimes that Sky hasmitted."


    Lincoln felt regretful when he saw Natalie''s depressed look. Had he made the wrong decision?


    "Natalie, do you me me?"


    She shook her head. "Why would I me you? Either way, it''s out of our hands now. The authorities will handle it. Once the investigation isplete and the evidence is e conclusive, no one will be able to protect Emma anymore."


    Lincoln had thought everything through. He instructed Hector to give their parents a mild sleeping sedative so they wouldn''t know about anything that happened tonight. But by morning, they would.


    William and Charlotte would likely punish Sky for turning a blind eye to Emma and Shane''s cruelty to Sophia.


    However, Sky was still their son; the one they had raised with the highest hopes. Now, faced with the truth of his wrongdoings, they would surely be very disappointed.


    Punishment woulde, but after it was dealt, they would probably still try to protect him.


    Lincoln allowed William and Charlotte to sleep through the night. By the time morning came and they learned of everything, the investigation would be over.


    They wouldn''t be able to help Sky even if they wanted to. If they needed to me someone, Lincoln would shoulder the responsibility.


    "I thought that Sky is still our brother. It isn''t worth it for him to kill someone just for Emma''s sake."


    Seeing Natalie remain silent, Lincoln continued, "Dad and Mom will feel so miserable if Sky dies. Shane deserves to die, but not by Sky''s hand."


    Natalie cut him off before he could say more. "I understand, Lincoln. You don''t have to exin. I know what you mean."


    "Natalie."


    "I''m fine, Lincoln. I''m just worried about Sophia." She then forced a smile to assure Lincoln.


    It didn''t matter if Shane survived. Once he entered prison, Natalie would hire someone to deal with him.


    He would have all the time in the world to experience the pain he had inflicted on Sophia if he was alive.