The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 102 Avoiding Suspicion William watched as Emma cried. At that moment, he couldn't bear to say everything he had prepared to say. Fortunately, Emma only cried for a short while before stopping herself. She grabbed a tissue and wiped away her tears.

"Dad, I'll go wash my face first." William nodded. "Sure." Then, he added, "Don't feel upset. We're going to acknowledge your sister and bring her back, but that doesn't mean we'll abandon you." William stood up and lightly hugged Emma. Now that he knew she wasn't his biological daughter, his actions couldn't be as intimate as they previously were.

Emma returned his hug lightly as well. Although her voice was choked with emotion, it was clear she had regained control over her feelings.

"Dad, I'm not upset because Natalie is back. I'm upset about Marcus wanting to cancel the engagement." She tried her best to calmly explain, "I'm happier than anyone now that Natalie is back. I had your and Mom's love and my brothers' protection. I often thought that if I had a sister or younger sibling, that would be even better.

"But I was the youngest in the family. And after I was born, Mom didn't have any more children. Thus, I wished I could have an older sister.

"I'm not yours biologically, but since you said you won't abandon me, I'm still part of the Walker family, right?" William nodded. "Of course." Emma continued, "So, I'm still part of the Walkers. This means I've gained a sister, and my childhood wish has finally ctrue. I'm happy for Mom and Dad, and for Natalie.

"When I went to Balford to deliver the medicine, I overheard speople at the hospital gossiping about something that involved Natalie. But at the time, I didn't know the person they were talking about was my sister." Emma lightly furrowed her brows. "Because I didn't know then, I asked out of curiosity. That's when I learned the mother-daughter duo from the Langleys had truly gone overboard with sthings.

"Selena wanted to seduce Marcus, so she went to him to badmouth my sister." As Emma spoke, she lowered her head slightly. "Because it involved Marcus, I was even more concerned and asked about the matter in more detail.

"Dad, will you blme for caring too much about Marcus? Although I usually act composed, deep down, I really like him." When William heard what Emma said, he wasn't all that surprised. Still, he was somewhat caught off guard. After all, despite the engagement between their two families, Emma and Marcus rarely interacted in public, let alone in private.

Whenever the engagement was mentioned, Emma would always appear calm and slightly shy, saying she would leave the matter to her parents.

Thus, William and Charlotte always assumed that Emma didn't really like Marcus all that much.

Now, upon hearing her heartfelt words, he felt a bit guilty as a father for not understanding his daughter's feelings better.

"Dad, it's my fault." Emma raised her head to apologize as her eyes started to redden again.

"When I learned in Balford that Selena was trying to seduce Marcus, I got a little anxious. That's why I thought about returning and fostering a relationship with Marcus, hoping to finalize the engagement.

"But what I didn't expect was for Marcus to not actually likeat all.

"I didn't drug him." William beceven more shocked the more he heard her explanation. According to the Holdens' recounting of the facts, Marcus was certain that the drug he was given was administered by Emma.

"Dad, do you believe me?" Emma looked at William, who remained silent. Once again, she spoke humbly. "When I cback, I was feeling upset and didn't know yet that I wasn't your biological daughter. Just like before, I wanted to seek comfort from Mom when I saw her.

"I didn't expect that it would delay Mom from picking Natalie up, making her angry and unwilling to reunite with you.

"It's all my fault. Dad, I can talk to Natalie. If she's angry with me, I'll move out today. I won't appear in front of her anymore to trouble her.

"I want to gracefully leave too, but I can't bear to part with you, Mom, and my brothers." As Emma spoke, she slumped her shoulders and covered her face with her hands, crying out, "I can't bear to part with you, Mom, and my brothers! "But I also know that I'm not a daughter of the Walkers. I've enjoyed a good life that should've been my sister's for so many years. It's tto give you, Mom, and my brothers back to her." After she was done, she choked back her sobs, took a deep breath, and suddenly kneeled down, respectfully saying, "Dad, thank you and Mom for raisingover the past 20 years. You've loved and protected me, and I can never repay this kindness.

"I only ask that after I leave, you and Mom don't sever ties with me. I will keep working hard to becan excellent person and continue to show my respect to you both.

"If Natalie is unwilling, I won't force it. I'll always keep you and Mom in the deepest parts of my heart." William stopped her. "What are you saying all these for? Your sister hasn't even decided to acknowledge us yet. Even if she does, she's not Selena. Your mom and I are nothing like the evil couple from the Langleys." He pulled Emma up and continued, "The Walkers aren't so poor that we can't afford to have one more daughter. Natalie hasn't said she wants to kick you out, either. Emma, don't overthink it."

"I'm just worried that Natalie, after suffering so much with the Langleys, will feel it's unfair when she comes back and sees that you and Mom didn't sendaway." Emma bit her bottom lip, and her voice was very soft as she added, "Dad, I'm not saying that my sister is petty. That's not what I mean."

"I understand. You've been rejected by Marcus, so it's normal to feel hurt el and unable to let it go. But Emma, there are plenty of good men in this world besides Marcus. Since he has rejected you, don't dwell on him anymore. "Daughters of the Walker family must always upkeep their dignity and pride." Emma nodded. "Yes, Dad. I'll remember that." Her eyes reddened further as she obediently and demurely acknowledged what William was saying, just like she always had.

"Dad, my sister might still be upset about what happened before. I should avoid her for now! For the next few days, I'll move out of the house. When Natalie is willing to accept me, I'll cback then.

"What do you think, Dad?" Emma had spoken so sensibly about this that it seemed to truly show her maturity.

Even if William wanted to find fault with her, he couldn't.

"Emma, you don't need to be in a rush to move out." William patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Your brothers are all with Nat right now. I was just worried that you'd think about it differently, so I cto check on you.

"Don't overthink things. Marcus doesn't like you, so just consider this engagement annulled. There aren Wow. There plenty of talented young men in Dithoria State. Once you've readjusted your mindset, your mom, your brothers, and I will definitely find someone better than Marcus for you." Upon hearing this, Emma couldn't resist letting out a chuckle. But soon after that, her expression was filled with bitterness once more.