The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 400 Playing the Sympathy Card Works

Natalie tugged at Marcus with a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Didn't you say

you wanted my mom to hug you so you could feel the motherly love you've never had? Well, now she's right here. Don't be shy!"

Marcus immediately played along, his eyes filled with mock sorrow and vulnerability as he glanced toward Charlotte. "Mrs. Walker, is it alright?"

Charlotte was momentarily speechless.

William, observing the situation, let out a deep sigh. After a moment, he decided to speak up in support of Marcus. "Since Marcus has never experienced that kind of motherly love, Charlotte, just give him a hug. Think of it as doing a good deed."

Charlotte could only sigh again.

Taking the opportunity, Marcus meekly spoke up once more, "Mrs. Walker, may 1?"

"Fine! Just come here and give me a hug."

Charlotte opened her arms, giving Marcus a gentle hug. As she did so, she patted his back.

"Are your parents still not back?" she asked softly.

Marcus' voice was muffled as he replied, "Yes, I've stopped hoping after all these years."

"It's alright. You've grown up healthy and strong." Charlotte gave Marcus' shoulder

a light pat before he slowly stepped back from her embrace.

"Mr. Walker, can I have a hug too?" Marcus asked, his eyes showing a mix of longing and admiration. "When I was a child, I envied Mason and Lincoln because they had parents who cared for them."

"I remember when I came to the Walker family, I would watch you pick up Mason and spin him around, even let him ride on your shoulders. I was always so envious of that."

At his words, William was taken back to the days when his children were young, especially Mason, his youngest son, whom he had always spoiled a little more than the others.

always been a serious, stoic child, walking around with a

child,

tight embrace, patting his back a couple of times. "You're all grown up now. You've

in his throat.

cry!" Hearing Marcus' choked voice, William couldn't help but feel a little sad.

stepped forward and took Marcus' hand. "Let's go to the

"Go ahead."

red and his voice shaky, Marcus bowed deeply to both William and Charlotte. "Thank you, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Walker. I'm really happy today. I finally know what it feels like to be in

and Charlotte exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with sympathy

Marcus had grown up in front of them. And Charlotte and Marcus' mother, Laura, had been close friends. It was only natural that they had arranged for

her postpartum recovery before going away with Wesley on a trip. They had left their

out for a walk and comfort

old friend had treated Marcus, Charlotte was about to say a few choice words, but she

Natalie replied. "Let's go, Marcus. We'll have a walk around

and led him toward the

two leave, both of them

doing now. After all these years, how could they be so heartless to leave their own child behind

own child and not seeing them for

in agreement. "I feel

child. Let's be extra kind

"Anything you say, honey."

their concern for him, they completely forgot to settle

...

just reached the rose bushes in the back garden when they spotted Timothy lounging lazily on a chair.

grab me a bottle of water?"

I'll go get it for

smile immediately faded. He waved Marcus over. "Marcus, come sit with

of the long-standing relationship between the Holden and Walker families, aside from Timothy, who called him "Marc", the other members of the family simply

waste time. "I

Marcus admitted without