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."

out of Celeste's private lounge and toward the set. By now, Celeste had changed into a high-end couture gown with a fresh hairstyle and carefully chosen jewelry to match. She

snapped away, capturing frame

sea spray, and Celeste's elegance was breathtaking —simply watching was enough to

sunshade umbrella. He took

at him, puzzled. Shawn met her gaze with a gentle smile. "You're Celeste's cousin. Taking extra care of you is the

you, Mr. Haines, but there's no such thing as what someone should or shouldn't do," Natalie replied, reaching out to take the umbrella.

to tan. Her fair skin didn't tan easily, but

insisted, holding the umbrella. He maintained a polite distance while holding

don't be so 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 me handle this for my own peace of

She wasn't the type to overthink or refuse kindness when it

tossed her high heels aside without care and ran barefoot to

eat!" Celeste exclaimed, throwing an arm around Natalie's shoulders. "Shawn,

"Sure," he replied easily.

trying to distance herself from Celeste's tight embrace. Celeste,

teased, rolling her eyes. "Do you know how many

pressed her cheek

ridiculously soft and smooth. It must be those

fair. Charlotte and Celeste had enviably pale complexions,

one who deliberately tanned himself, the Walker brothers

how much foundation or whitening cream she

course, Celeste kept these

rest of them. After all, she was a girl carefully raised by the Walker family. With her upbringing, refined tastes, and the elegance money could buy,

invite them to join us for dinner!" Celeste said

private property, but Natalie had been able to approach earlier, thanks to Shawn's intervention.

Walter, they drew onlookers' attention. Though the beach wasn't crowded, two stars of their caliber

most of the people present were older adults or