The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

"Grandpa Charles, please?"

Natalie reached out and lightly pinched Charlotte's arm.

Charlotte immediately caught on and quickly chimed in. "That's right, Mr. Holden Senior. William and I don't have your eye for aesthetics. We've been retired for years. We'll need your guidance and advice. Our family will support you, but you'll have to take the lead. You have to guide us."

As Charlotte spoke, she gave William a nudge. He quickly followed up. "Yes, yes, Charlotte and I don't know much about this sort of thing. We'll be relying on your help."

Charles just stared at them in silence.

He thought that the Walker couple words were getting more and more exaggerated. With their abilities, there was no way they couldn't plan an engagement.

But he understood what they were doing. Natalie and her parents were trying to distract him, to keep his mind occupied.

"Grandpa Charles, please? The three... no, all eight of us are begging you." Natalie pouted. She rarely acted cute, and when she did, it always felt a little forced.

Marcus remained silent, but his reddened eyes betrayed his emotions.

Natalie felt uncomfortable acting this way, but still she forced herself to continue. "Grandpa Charles, please? Just say yes, okay? This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me and your grandson."

Marcus could no longer hold back. His voice broke, heavy with emotion, as he forced the words out, his eyes red-rimmed. "Please say yes."

Looking at Marcus' red-rimmed eyes and hearing the way he choked out his words, Charles finally relented.

"Alright, I'll do it. I'll discuss the engagement arrangements with Nat's parents," he said, his voice trembling. His eyes were also red-rimmed as he patted Marcus' shoulder.

"Thank you, Grandpa Charles. And thank you, Mom and Dad," Natalie said sweetly.

"No need to be polite with us, go spend time with Marcus. We have work to do now with Mr. Holden Senior," Charlotte said, ruffling Natalie's hair.

"Alright."

Natalie stood up and took Marcus' hand as they left the study.

Once outside, she let out a deep breath, then wrapped her arm around Marcus' and lowered her voice. "It's fine now. My parents will keep Grandpa Charles busy for a good while."

Marcus' eyes were still red. Suddenly, he gripped Natalie's hand tightly, pulled her into the elevator, and pressed the button for the fifth floor.

When the doors opened, he led her out and pushed open the door to a room. As soon as they stepped inside, he backed her against the door and kissed her.

His breathing was heavy, his movements urgent and rough. Natalie wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to meet his intensity.

Marcus had been suppressing his emotions ever since they entered the study. Natalie didn't ask, but she understood.noveldrama

His kisses were fierce and desperate, yet silent tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes, cold droplets landing on her shoulder.

Natalie frowned slightly before gently pushing him away. "You're tearing up..."

She pulled out a tissue and wiped the tears from his face.

Marcus turned his head slightly, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. "Mm. Something got in my eye."

"Do you really think that excuse will fool anyone?"

Marcus said nothing. He simply held Natalie's hand and led her to the window. "Do you see that big maple tree? Grandpa planted it the year I was born."

"I see it."

"Grandpa once told me that when he passes, he wants to be buried next to Grandma. But Sheldon had just texted, saying that Grandpa changed his with He wants to be cremated and have his ashes buried under that maple tree instead."

Marcus' eyes grew even redder.

"Nat, I don't want anything to happen to him."

"Grandpa Charles will be fine. My parents will keep him busy. Planning our engagement will be no easy task. It'll take at least a month. A month is enough time for Grandpa Charles to adjust his mindset," Natalie said firmly.

"Really? Nat, I've never been this scared before," Marcus murmured, unsure of himself.

He had always handled everything with confidence and decisiveness. But not this time. Nothing felt certain anymore.

"Trust me. Mareus, you have no choice but to trust me. Our engagement ceremony will be

complicated and time-consuminnet

will demand most of Grandpa Charles' energy and attention He will not have the time to dwell on what Yvette told him," Natalie said resolutely.

It

Her unwavering determination gave Marcus a sudden sense of reassurance. He

nodded slowly. "Alright, I trust you."

Even if he couldn't trust himself, he had to trust Natalie.

Natalie smiled. "Then now, may I wipe your tears?"

"Mm." Marcus obediently leaned forward, letting her gently dab his tears away

with a tissue. "Thank you, Nat."

"I'm your girlfriend. If something

makes you sad, of course you have to tell me, Natalie wiped his tears away, then pressed a soft kiss on his lips. "You haven't been to the Holden Group in a while. You should go back. Keep yourself busy. Let Grandpa Charles feel that you still need him."

"Alright, I understand." Marcus forced a small smile before cupping Natalie's face again and kissing her tenderly.

He was deeply afraid, desperately needing something to hold onto. Natalie was

by his side, his best source of comfort.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes, responding to his

kiss.

...

Meanwhile, William and Charlotte bombarded Charles with countless questions. Every time he asked for their opinions they simply shook their heads.

"Mr. Holden Senior, we have no idea how to plan an engagement ceremony! Just tell us what to do, and we will get it done.

"But for the details, you'll have to oversee everything yourself. The venue, flowers, jewelry, guest invitations... there are too many things we don't know how to

organize!"

Charlotte put on a completely clueless expression, as if she and William were totally inept. "Mr. Holden Senior, we're counting on you to lead us!" Charles was speechless. He finally couldn't hold back anymore. "Do you two even hear yourselves? I know you are trying to make me feel better, but pretending to be idiots is just making me speechless."

"What are you saying, Mr. Holden Senior? We really don't know how to plan an engagement ceremony! We're not pretending. Isn't that right, dear?" Charlotte blinked innocently.

William immediately nodded. "That's right. Charlotte and I really have no clue, so we'll just have to leave it all to you, Mr. Holden Senior."

Charles waved them off. "Alright. You may go. I'd like some time to think on my

own."