The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 228

Cindy hurriedly brought the suitcase forward, but her heart was full of disdain for Natalie. She could understand Emma bringing gifts for William, Charlotte, and their sons, but Natalie didn't deserve such kindness.

Natalie had returned to claim everything that rightfully belonged to Emma, yet Emma still chose to be considerate, bringing her a gift and treating her kindly.

To Cindy, this was utterly undeserved. Of course, Cindy didn't dare voice her thoughts aloud. Whatever Emma instructed her to do, she followed without question.

"Ms. Emma, here's your suitcase," Cindy said as she handed it over.

"Thank you, Cindy," Emma replied with a polite smile.

She unzipped the suitcase and began to take out the gifts one by one.

"This is for Dad, this is for Mom, this one is for Sky, this is Lincoln's, Hector's, Timothy's, and Mason's…"

Emma picked up the last gift with both hands and respectfully placed it before Natalie. "This is for Nat."

Emma then turned her attention to Olivia, who was standing nearby. "You must be Natalie's friend! I'm so sorry—I didn't know you'd be here today, so I didn't prepare an extra gift. Please forgive me. Let's add each other on Instagram, and I'll make it up to you next time."

"Thank you, but there's no need," Olivia replied politely.

She scrutinized Emma subtly, sizing up the fake daughter of the Walker family, who had taken Natalie's place for 20 years. Emma appeared more polite and composed than Selena, but appearances could be deceiving. Olivia wasn't about to judge Emma's character based on a few gestures of kindness.

"By the way, where are Dad, Mom, Sky, and Timothy?"

Emma noticed that Natalie wasn't accepting her gift. She didn't get upset but instead patiently placed it in front of her again.

"Natalie, this is for you," Emma said with a warm smile, pretending it was their first meeting.

Natalie didn't bother to expose her act and simply replied, "Thank you, but I'm not your sister. Keep your gift. I don't want it."

Emma's face turned slightly pale. She bit her lip and stood frozen, unsure of how to respond.

Cindy stepped forward in frustration. "Hey, why are you speaking like that? Ms. Emma is trying to be nice and treat you like family. She even brought you a gift! Instead of being grateful, you're being rude and dismissive."

Lincoln's expression turned stormy. "Cindy, you're just a helper. Who do you think you are to speak to Natalie like that? You're fired. Pack your things and get out immediately!"

When she met Lincoln's icy stare, Cindy was stunned, and she collapsed to her knees, trembling. "Mr. Lincoln, I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please don't fire me."

Emma pleaded anxiously, "Lincoln, Cindy didn't mean it! Please don't fire her. She's been with me for so long. Even if she hasn't contributed much, she's always been there for me. She never meant to offend Natalie."

Tears welled up in Emma's eyes, and she quickly kneeled before Natalie. "Natalie, please don't blame Cindy. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Please don't make Lincoln fire her."

As Emma kneeled, she moved forward to grab Natalie's hand, but before she could reach it, Lincoln stepped in. He threw her coat in front of her, creating a barrier between Emma's outstretched hand and Natalie.

"Step back," Lincoln commanded coldly. "Didn't you hear Nat refuse your gift? She's not your sister, so stop trying to forge a connection."

Emma's eyes filled with tears as she looked at him in disbelief. "I'm sorry. It was my mistake."

"Ms. Emma, you don't need to kneel. I'll leave," Cindy said, standing up and wrapping her arms around Emma. "Please take care of yourself."

"I won't let you go," Emma murmured, biting her lip again as she glanced at the jackfruit shells on the ground. She had worn a white dress today, and her knees were exposed. There was no way she could kneel on those shells.

Emma looked back at Natalie, who casually picked up the jackfruit pieces the helper had brought and handed a piece to Olivia, then Lincoln. "Lincoln, would you like some durian?"

"Sure," Lincoln replied, his cold expression melting into a rare smile as he accepted the fruit.

"Thank you, Nat," he added.

"Don't mention it," Natalie replied.

She then offered the durian to Hector and Mason, who both responded in unison as if on cue.

"Thank you, Nat."

"You're welcome," she said.

After distributing the fruit, Natalie completely ignored Emma and Cindy. Cindy had harbored an unspoken hostility toward her since the first time she arrived at the Walker residence.

As a mere helper, Cindy seemed to have forgotten her place, thinking that years of service gave her the right to act so brazenly toward her.