The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 390 Drunk (Part 1)

Marcus stared at the photo for quite some time. When he looked up, Natalie was still holding her book, completely absorbed in reading.

After a moment of contemplation, he sent a message to Sheldon. Not long after, Sheldon entered with a line of helpers, bringing a variety of food and drinks into the Book Sanctum.

"Mr. Holden."

"Leave it here."

"Yes."

Sheldon directed the helpers to set everything down and, glancing over at Natalie sitting on the nearby couch, returned to his duties with great respect, quietly exiting.

Marcus, now with his phone, muted it and snapped a few pictures of Natalie while she was engrossed in her book. Holding a cocktail in hand, he walked over and placed it in front of her.

"Nat, do you want a drink?"

Natalie looked up, her eyes wide for a brief moment. She had been so focused on her book that she was momentarily disoriented.

Marcus held up the drink, his dark eyes calm and steady, his voice low but

soothing, "You've been reading for a while. Drink something, eat a little. Relax, let your eyes rest. If you like it, feel free to come by anytime."

Natalie took the glass from him. "Can I take this with me later?"

"Of course."

She gently sniffed the drink. "Is this a cocktail?"

"Yeah, do you want to try it?"

"Sure."

Natalie took a small sip. The cocktail was sweet and tangy, without any bite. She couldn't quite tell what ingredients the bartender used, but it was refreshing.

there any other flavors to

spread on the table nearby-several

she asked, putting the

a slight smile. "If

Marcus poured himself some red wine and then filled Natalie's glass. He handed it to her

glass, and they clinked their glasses softly, the

"Cheers."

raised his glass and swirled it gently before bringing it to his lips

magnetic voice broke the silence, his words slow and measured. "I asked him why all the other kids had both

had gone on a trip and that he would take care of me and teach me. The Holden family isn't big. My father only had one sibling, and she was my Aunt Cassie. But she doesn't

stayed silent, her focus

Aunt Cassie at Quinton Hospital, right?" he asked. "She was there

expression didn't change, but her thoughts

to pull me down from

even lower and more compelling in

carefully, taking a small

might not believe it, but I've

had a hint of bitterness as he continued, "You lived at my house for a while, you might have noticed, but I don't have any wedding photos of my

go and poured himself another.

the

expression, Natalie gently placed her hand over his, stopping him from pouring more.

more with me," Marcus said with a bitter smile, his voice heavy with emotion. "Grandpa raised me. The thing I fear most

I can do is spend as much time with him as I can while he's still here, make him happy, and make sure

afraid that one day, I'll want to honor him, but he won't be there anymore. If Grandpa really leaves one day,

again, emptying

seen Grace as her closest family. Back then,

a deeper connection to Marcus. She placed her glass down and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around him in a

live a long life. I'll make sure he's

his glass down and holding her tightly. "I regret everything.

and he couldn't stop them. If time could be rewound, he

really sorry. Can