The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 269 Under the Magnolia Tree

After their heartfelt conversation, Hector and Natalie shared a quiet smile. He gently took her hand and led her to get her wound rebandaged.

"I heard Goodwill Pharmacy has a famous scar-removal ointment," he said. "Once your scab falls off, I'll pick some up for you."

"Alright! Thank you, Hector." Natalie accepted his kindness without hesitation- and without revealing that she owned Goodwill Pharmacy.

She also kept quiet about Sophia, who was still recovering there. The fewer people who knew about her connection to the place, the better.

Natalie's welcome party was approaching quickly. As Sky's girlfriend, Sophia was expected to attend. Otherwise, people would start making assumptions.

Marcus had kept her injury quiet so far, and now seemed like the perfect time to let others know.

Natalie frowned. She'd have to swing by Goodwill Pharmacy later to talk to Marcus and see how he wanted to handle things.

"Alright, let's go to the hospital. I'll let Olivia and Timothy know we're leaving," she said.

"Sure. Your welcome party's tomorrow, Nat. Are you getting nervous?" Hector asked, his gaze warm with affection.

Recently, Natalie had grown closer to the Walkers, and it was something that brought them joy.

With her striking looks, she was bound to be the center of attention at the welcome party. Had she not been taken by the wrong family as a baby, she would have grown up among Dithoria State's young elites.

She and Marcus would have been childhood sweethearts instead of strangers who had broken off an engagement. Well, perhaps slightly better than strangers since Charles' connection to the Walkers kept some thread between them.

Hector didn't return to his room. Instead, he lingered outside, waiting until Natalie came running to meet him.

She was dressed in a light-gray hooded sweatshirt, loose light-blue jeans, and white sneakers. Her hair was casually swept into a bun, and her natural, makeup- free face was refined and pure.

Her smile always made her eyebrows arch just right. Her smooth, fair skin seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, highlighting the fine features of her face.

A few words surfaced in Hector's mind-youthful, beautiful, pure, gentle, and full of life. And this was his little sister. The thought brought a sense of contentment and pride in him. His whole demeanor softened as he looked at her.

go,"

and replied

Marcus. After seeing Emma, go with him to visit

sounds good," Natalie replied. She needed to check on Charles' recovery

Hector finished his call with Marcus, Natalie took the wheel while he dozed off in the passenger

parked and reached over to nudge Hector. "We're

awake.

"Yup."

"Let's go!"

exited the car just as Marcus ended his call.

cross paths

Nat to see Emma," Hector said. "I'll stay in the car and get some rest. Tomorrow is Nat's welcome party,

before turning to Marcus. "Let's

gave a quiet hum and followed her to the elevator. The lobby was

it finally reached the first floor, Natalie stepped forward, only for someone to suddenly crash into her.

person who had barreled into her tried to enter the elevator, but

to her," he

they? Now, are you getting in or not? Because if you're not, I'm closing the

sharp, angular features made even more severe by her sunken cheeks and

to the nines, yet you don't even know how to show

she scoffed. "Apologize to her? Not

darkened instantly. "Why are you swearing

You two pieces of garbage can't keep your hands off each other in public. If you want to grope each other, do it at home, under the

the old woman spat in their direction. Marcus swiftly pulled Natalie

she snarled before

looked her over. "Did any of that filth get on you? You need

was still trying to wrap her head around what had just happened when Marcus whisked her out of

the right and into a nearby hotel. "We need