Lincoln had barely finished speaking when Hector and the others' expressions shifted subtly.
If Cindy was truly Emma's biological mother, then this wasn't just a case of babies being switched at birth. It might not have been an accident at all—it could have been a long-brewing scheme.
A heavy silence settled over the room as the weight of the possibility sank in.
After a while, Lincoln said, "Natalie, you can't go to Amberton alone."
"This is just a suspicion for now," Natalie replied calmly. "Since we know where Cindy is and Emma likely does too, all we need to do is get their hair and run a DNA test."
She stood up decisively. "There's no time to waste. Let's do it now."
"I'll call Marcus," Lincoln said. "He probably hasn't gone far yet."
He paused before asking, "Natalie, why do you want Marcus involved?"
Natalie smiled slightly and explained, "Marcus has been protecting Sophia all these years, and Emma is in love with him. Having him step in will yield the best results.
"Besides, Sky can use his family status to pressure you guys, but can he do the same to Marcus? Marcus only shows him courtesy out of respect for their families' ties. If they were to go head-to-head, do you think Sky would win?"
Lincoln nodded. "Fair point."
The Walker brothers weren't afraid of Marcus because they had grown up together, and Marcus had never put on any airs around them. However, that didn't mean they were unaware of his capabilities.
"Then it's settled," Natalie declared. She turned to Lincoln and the others. "Lincoln, Hector, and Timothy, I'll need your help this time."
"There's no need for formalities," Lincoln said, ruffling Natalie's hair. "Don't worry about Sky. If it comes to a fight, the four of us can beat him half to death before Dad even has to step in."
Natalie couldn't help but chuckle, though a hint of bitterness lingered in her heart. "Lincoln, am I a bad person? I just got back, and I'm already afraid of causing discord in the family."
Lincoln sighed. "Nonsense. Natalie, there has never been discord in this family. If Dad punishes Sky, it's because Sky deserves it. You don't have to worry that Sky will hate Dad and Mom because of you. They are fair and reasonable people. Just because Sky was raised here doesn't mean they'll favor him."
Natalie's eyes reddened slightly. "I know. Dad and Mom always side with me."
"And so do your brothers," Lincoln said with a gentle smile. "Don't ever think you're less than anyone else. You are our sister, Natalie. We know what kind of life you endured in the Langley family. Don't blame yourself for anything related to Emma. She could have lived a good life if she had been content."
He paused, then continued gently, "The Walker family would have supported her for a lifetime, given her a life of comfort and luxury. But she threw it all away. You're the one who truly suffered, the real victim here. What right does she have to blame you? In some ways, Emma is even worse than Selena.
"So remember, Nat—you are the best. Never let someone else's mistakes make you doubt yourself."
With that, he pulled Natalie into a gentle embrace. "You're our most precious little sister. We'll always support and protect you no matter what you do. From the moment we learned about you, you had a family standing behind you. Nat, you never have to worry—we will never be like Sky. And neither will Mom and Dad."
Natalie felt a tightness in her chest as Lincoln spoke. Her eyes burned, and she sniffled, trying to hold back the emotions surging within her. She wasn't someone who easily showed her feelings, but at this moment, she could hardly stop herself from crying.
"Don't cry," Lincoln said with a soft chuckle, expertly lightening the mood. "Remember what we're about to do. If you cry, Emma will think you've been scolded at home, and she'll just gloat about it."
Natalie couldn't help but laugh at that. "Lincoln, thank you," she said.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)
This one gets us readers asking for more! Excellent story, great twists......
Hope Grandpa Charles lives long enough to see Marcus and Nat's children, please. It will make him happy to see life is still worth living and that he didn't fail raising Marcus at least. Let him be happy at least in this aspect. Thanks...
Finished till 538....Waiting for more...
This really hurts. I am confused if Yvette sent a msg saying old love to Charles through Charlene. Why isnt it in her confession. Or did she actually set vivian up into sleeping with that man? And later blackmailed vivian with it till vivian commited suicide? Did Yvetty yhinks Charles would marry her after vivians death but he remained loyal. Hence her anger?...
Hope Nat can cure Marcus' mom. Looking forward to new updates. Thank you...
When will other chapters be updated...
Every chapter gets sweeter..and oh! I'm sure Nat's new patient is Marcus' mom - though the illness is quite intriguing....anyway, looking forward for the next updates! Thank you...
What an ending to the chapter...nice one..hoping for more updates...thank you...
OMG, OMG, OMG, this is getting better and better. Nat and Marcus are getting married!!!!! Yehey! Please update more..after a big drama ot is really nice to have love and a little happy events in between. Pretty please, update more. Can't wait!! Thank you so much!...
Recent updates are so good. Natalie's and Marcus' love story is also progressing...so, so good and exciting. Please update more. Thank you...