The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 129 What He Talked About with Grace

Natalie couldn't ignore Marcus' intense gaze. She walked over to him with a frown. "Mr. Holden—" "Natalie," Marcus interrupted her. His eyes silently reminded her of their current roles.

He was her boyfriend now, and "Mr. Holden" wasn't an appropriate address.

Natalie reacted quickly and immediately corrected herself, "Marcus."

Marcus responded smoothly with a hum.

Though the new dynamic felt unnatural, Natalie knew she had to play along. Since Marcus had agreed to help, she couldn't let the opportunity slip away.

"Why are you staring at my grandmother like that?" she asked, her tone curious.

"I'd like to chat with her. Would that be alright?" Marcus replied, his lips curling into a smile that carried a hint of warmth and indulgence.

"Nattie, why don't you pick out a few outfits for Grandma? I'll keep her company," he added casually.

Natalie found his suggestion odd, but Marcus guided her toward the sales assistant before she could respond. "Show my girlfriend around," Marcus instructed.

"Of course, sir," the sales assistant replied enthusiastically, unaware that Natalie was actually the owner of the Nouvelle Zara brand.

As the assistant led Natalie away to browse the latest designs, Marcus made his way to Grace. He sat beside her and said, "Grandma Grace, do you remember me? I'm Marcus. My grandfather was your godbrother— Charles Holden. Does that ring a bell?"

Taking out his phone, Marcus displayed a picture of his grandfather.

Grace squinted at the screen, then burst into hearty laughter, clapping her hands in delight. "Oh, yes! I remember! That's my godbrother-Charles! This was him when he was young. Charles was so handsome back then. You look a lot like him."

away and nodded slightly. "Grandma Grace, I'm with Nattie now. I'm her boyfriend." "Really? Nattie didn't

true," Marcus said, smiling slightly. "Are you happy

wide. "Happy? Of course, I'm overjoyed! I always hoped Nattie would marry you. Now

told me that you're the one who loves and protects her the most. While the Langleys don't care about her, you've always been the one to cherish and shield her," Marcus said, becoming more probing. "But if you love her so much, why did you

her expression blank as if she couldn't comprehend what he had just

so bankrupt that Mrs. Langley couldn't donate a little of her own blood? Did they really

Grace, leaving no room for escape. "And the shares you gave

blankly as Marcus's piercing gaze stayed locked on her, scrutinizing

Nattie as

using my Nattie as a blood bank? I'll fight them to the death! I'll fight them! You're Nattie's boyfriend;

of control. Her sudden outburst startled Natalie, who rushed

"Grandma, what's wrong?"

wrapped her arms around the distressed Grace and then turned

indifferently. "We were just chatting about your childhood memories. I'm not sure why Grandma Grace suddenly got so worked

"Really?"

him, but Marcus's detached demeanor made it obvious he

raised an eyebrow. "Ms.

did was test Grace,

out, clinging to Natalie with an intensity that almost stole her breath away. "Grandma, it's okay. I'm here. I'm fine; don't worry," Natalie reassured her, gently holding her. "I've grown up. I can take care of myself now. Besides, I have a

down, Natalie quickly pulled Marcus toward

I'm Nattie's boyfriend,"

dark, intense eyes were like a bottomless pit-calm, mysterious, yet

tone, Grace shrank back, hiding behind Natalie.

She looked at Marcus, silently questioning what he had said to make her grandmother so fearful. Grace had always been completely fond of

of a six-year-old, Grace could still recognize that the idea of being used as a "blood bank" was terrifying. She knew it was something worth fighting against, and she had asked him

younger, Grace was far from having

Natalie asked softly,