The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 288 Plenty of Spies in the Walker Family

Marcus' blunt response left Olivia momentarily speechless. She glanced between him and Natalie.

Olivia knew Natalie always thought things through carefully, leaving no detail unchecked. If Natalie had brought Marcus into this plan, it wasn't just to keep Sky in check. There had to be a deeper reason-one Natalie hadn't shared yet.

But Olivia didn't press. As Natalie's best friend, Olivia had always trusted and supported her decisions.

"My bad. I guess I wasn't thinking straight," Olivia joked, flashing a self- deprecating grin. "I'm the real lovesick fool here. I'm totally Nat's number-one fan. Come on, Nat, give me some love!"

With that, Olivia leaned toward Natalie as if to plant a playful kiss on her cheek. Natalie pushed her away with a laugh. "Knock it off. We've got work to do."

"I'm the star of tonight's show. I can't stay out here too long." She turned to Marcus. "Mr. Holden, shall we head back together?"

Marcus gave a small nod. "Yeah, let's go. But Ms. Walker, I should warn you—my grandfather's been on my case about finding a girlfriend. Preferably one who can give him a great-grandchild sooner rather than later. We should make sure none of those photos end up in his hands or even reach his radar."

Natalie paused mid-step, her expression tightening. She'd completely overlooked that possibility.

Marcus noticed her reaction and added, "Don't stress about it. If it comes up, I'll just say I hired someone to secretly take those photos because I regretted calling off our engagement and wanted to win you back. If the elders misunderstand, Ms. Walker, just put all the blame on me."

Before Natalie could respond, Marcus spoke again. "Consider it my way of repaying the favor I owe you."

Natalie turned, her gaze fixed intently on Marcus. In the beginning, he had clearly disliked her. Later, when he found out she was Elim and that she had saved Charles, his attitude toward her became much more respectful. Yet, it had never veered into anything resembling affection.

Now, his unexpected cooperation and willingness to handle the fallout made her question his motives. Was he really just repaying her for what she did for Charles?

her doubt. He clarified, "I'm a man, Ms. Walker. I can handle getting blamed or criticized. You stood up for me

exhaled and nodded. "Alright. If you insist, let's head back

prominent figures. They know

smirked faintly. "That's true.

behind his back must have

legs and teased, "So, you two are ditching me now, huh? You've used me up and

"Call Mason.

sore from standing all night. She pulled out her camera

Mason came looking for

Mason called out cheerfully, jogging over with a strawberry cake in his hands. "Look what I got

you love strawberry cake but rarely eat it because you're alway@worried about your figure. Tonight, you

him, stunned. "Basketball? At this

like he'd

basketball," Mason said, scratching his head. "We can go for a run instead around the garden. You can

though Olivia wasn't sure why. She had a sneaking suspicion he'd noticed

sports do you enjoy? I'm good at everything, Olivia," Mason boasted. "Name a sport, and I'll crush it. Check out these

sleeves and flexed his

"What about abs?

didn't miss a beat. He lifted the hem of his shirt, revealing a

countless male models-but

touch?" she asked,