The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 199 No Such Thing as Should or Shouldn't

After Natalie sent Charlotte a heart emoji, her phone immediately started lighting up with notifications. It was one transfer after another—her mom sending her money over and over again without stopping.

Sitting across from her, Shawn could hear the constant pinging of her phone. Curiosity got the better of him.

"Nat, are you texting with a friend?" he asked.

"It's my mom," Natalie replied quickly, typing a message asking her mom to stop sending money.

She already had plenty-Lincoln had given her an additional card tied to his account, and Mason, despite his modest allowance, gave her everything he had. Hector and Timothy also sent her money regularly, as if worried she'd starve without it.

When Natalie's message reached her mom, it finally stopped the barrage. Her mom then sent a voice message instead. "Sweetie, don't be shy with me. I have plenty of money, and it's all yours-none of them are for your brothers!"

Since Shawn was nearby, Natalie didn't play the voice message out loud. She held her phone to her ear to listen, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

She thought if her brothers heard that, they'd probably be devastated.

Still, there was a strange warmth in her heart. It was a new, comforting feeling-a mother's unconditional love.

Charlotte didn't expect her to compromise, didn't ask her to trade anything for affection, and didn't make her endure hardships to earn care. She simply loved and protected her. It was something Natalie had never experienced at the Langleys.

Without realizing it, Natalie's initial resistance toward Charlotte had melted away.

"Nat, do you want to take a walk outside?" Shawn asked, noticing her faint smile. His lips curved into a warm grin. "Celeste will be wrapping up her shoot in about 20 minutes. Do you want to watch her up close?"

After a moment's thought, Natalie nodded. "Sure. Let's go."

Celeste had changed into a high-end couture gown with a fresh hairstyle and carefully chosen jewelry to match. She stood on the rocks, effortlessly posing as waves crashed around her, sending

frame after frame of flawless

was breathtaking —simply watching was enough to lift

assistant brought over a large sunshade umbrella. He took it and held it over

Celeste's cousin. Taking extra care of

or shouldn't do," Natalie replied, reaching out to take

Her fair skin didn't tan easily, but she could lighten it again

holding the umbrella. He maintained a polite distance while holding it over

polite. If I don't take care of you, Celeste will kill me when she finds out," he added with a self-deprecating chuckle, his smile softening into a look of gentle pleading. "Please, just let

not to argue further. She wasn't the type to overthink or refuse kindness when it

tossed her high heels aside without care and ran barefoot to Natalie, her face glowing

eat!" Celeste exclaimed, throwing an arm

"Sure," he replied easily.

a friend," Natalie said, trying to distance herself from Celeste's tight embrace. Celeste, however, only

know how many girls would kill to

pressed her cheek against Natalie's, grinning as she

skin was ridiculously soft and smooth. It must

had enviably

himself,

matter how much foundation or whitening cream she used, it couldn't change the fact that she had a naturally

kept these thoughts to

the rest of them. After all, she was a girl

Let's invite them to join us for dinner!"

shoot was taking place on private property, but Natalie had been able to approach earlier, thanks to Shawn's intervention.

and Shawn accompanied her to meet Walter, they drew onlookers' attention. Though

people present were older adults or families with