The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 259

Natalie's voice was calm and cool. After she spoke, she casually looked Emma up and down.

Emma bit her lip. She had come rushing over, ready to demand answers. But under Natalie's unwavering gaze—and with Charlotte also watching her intently—she suddenly didn't know what to say.

"Emma," Charlotte said, breaking the silence, "I agree with Nat. Since Flash hurt people, we absolutely can't keep it here any longer. If it went berserk once, it could happen again. After all, it's just an animal. No matter how well-trained or well-fed, there's no guarantee it won't turn on us."

Emma felt her heart sink. She could sense an underlying implication in Charlotte's words, like a thinly veiled warning directed at her.

"Yes, Mom, I understand," Emma said softly. "I'm just reluctant to part with Flash. Sky gave it to me on my 16th birthday, and it's been with me these past four years. If we suddenly send it away, of course, I'll feel sad."

"But you and Natalie are right. Flash has already hurt people. Who knows if it might go wild again?" She forced a pale smile. "I wasn't thinking it through. It's a good thing Natalie reminded me."

"In that case, you can be the one to send it away," Natalie said, opening the stall door and leading Flash out by the reins. "Gorge has arranged for someone to bring a vehicle. Just work together with them to take Flash out of here."

Natalie handed the reins over to Emma. "I'm sure you can handle this, right?"

"Yes, Natalie," Emma replied, taking the reins. Then, she cautiously asked, "So, where exactly are we sending Flash?"

"The slaughterhouse in Soutia," Natalie said calmly.

Emma's face had already been pale, but after hearing that, every last trace of color drained away.

"The slaughterhouse?" That meant they were going to kill Flash.

"To set an example," Natalie added, watching Emma's stricken expression with no hint of pity. "That way, the other horses will understand they can't ever attack people, no matter how fine their breeding or who owns them. If any of them harms a human, not one person here can protect them. An animal is an animal, and it will never rank above human life."

Emma stared at Natalie's frosty face, speechless at her unflinching coldness.

"If you want to resent someone, resent Gabriel," Natalie said indifferently. "The surveillance footage clearly showed he was the one who made Flash go wild. He blew some kind of hallucinogen or something else right into Flash's face.

"Ever since Flash was brought here, he's been the one training it. Flash obeyed him more than anyone else. He's the one who ruined Flash."

"That's right," Charlotte added. "Gabriel was nothing but a hired worker here, and the Walker family treated him decently. Yet he harbored ill intent. Marcus and Sophia are guests we can't afford to offend. It looks like he planned to ruin our entire household."

Charlotte's voice turned cold as she said, "Gabriel is the one who made Flash go wild. I won't be letting him off."

Emma staggered. Natalie stepped forward and took her arm to steady her.

"Emma, you look awful. If you're feeling ill, you'd better go and rest."

"N-no, it's… nothing," Emma managed. "I want to see Flash off one last time."

"Flash, it's all Gabriel's fault. If you hate anyone, hate him," she murmured, her voice trembling as she wrapped her arms around Flash's neck.

Natalie and Charlotte exchanged a glance. They took a few steps back together.

"Alright, Emma. You can work with Carson to send Flash away. We have other things to deal with now. We're heading back."

Emma clung to Flash's neck, pressing her cheek against its mane. Her nails were already digging into her palms.

Luckily, Gabriel had taken full blame and never mentioned her involvement. Poor Flash would now be sent to the slaughterhouse.

"Ms. Emma, don't worry. I'll get you out of here right now."

He bent down and lifted Emma into his arms. "Hold on, Ms. Emma. We'll be at the hospital soon."

Emma stared blankly toward the stable doors. "Where's my mom? Why isn't she here?"

Carson answered, "Ms. Walker went after Flash, and Mrs. Walker followed them."

Emma's heart felt like it had gone cold in that instant. Charlotte didn't love her at all. Indeed, she wasn't her real daughter. She would never compare to the real one.

"Ms. Emma, please, you have to stay strong," Carson urged. He assumed her lifeless expression was caused by physical pain.

Emma said nothing, but once they got outside, she kept looking around as if searching for something.

Meanwhile, in the broad expanse of Walker Estate's lawn, Flash was bolting about wildly. Natalie sprinted across the grass from another direction.

Before anyone could stop her, she seized the reins in a single swift motion and vaulted onto Flash's back.

"Natalie, be careful!" Charlotte yelled, her voice breaking with panic.

Natalie tugged hard on the reins. Flash neighed furiously, rearing up and flailing in an effort to throw her off. Its tail lashed as it tried to buck her away.

"Natalie, watch out!" Charlotte cried again, her heart pounding as she watched. She prayed desperately that her daughter would be safe.