The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 525 The Return of an Old Flame

As soon as Marcus finished speaking, Charles sat there, locking eyes with him. Their gazes collided in the quiet room, seemingly calm on the surface. However, the invisible tension sparked like a flint in the air.

Charlene, who had struggled against Hector earlier, did not dare move a muscle. She was not afraid of Hector, and she definitely was not scared of Natalie. But when it came to Marcus, she had a primal fear she could not explain, something buried deep in her bones.

Charles kept staring at Marcus for a long time, but in the end, he was the one who caved first. His gaze flicked away, and he turned his head to the side.

"I'm not this girl's grandfather, so how would I know who her grandmother is?" Charles muttered, clearly lacking conviction. "If you're curious about her family, why not ask her directly? She's right here, so what's the point of asking me?

"Marcus, it sounds like you're accusing me of doing something wrong. Do you really think I'm the kind of man who would play with someone's heart? I raised you, taught you how to be a man, taught you everything I knew. And now you're here, questioning me? You've really disappointed me, Marcus."

"Grandpa, stop trying to change the subject," Marcus replied flatly, completely unmoved by the guilt trip.

He added, "If you're not guilty and afraid, just tell us everything. You were close with Grandma and Charlene's grandmother. How could you not recognize their descendant?

"Mrs. Walker saw one photo of Nat on a missing person site and instantly knew she was her daughter. She didn't wait-she acted. But you? What did you do?"

Charles' face turned pale, then blotchy red. He knew exactly what he had done. The very next morning after Marcus mentioned Charlene was coming to visit, Charles had grabbed Sheldon and left in a hurry. He ran-because he was afraid to face her.

Marcus and Natalie had pieced things together just from a photo. If they had seen Charlene in person, they would have been even more certain.

Charlene asked in a small, fragile voice, "Mr. Holden Senior, why won't you look at me? My grandma said you'd be happy if I came to meet you, but it doesn't look like she was right after all."

"What's your grandma's name?" Charles asked, though the answer was already haunting him. Still, he held on to that final thread of denial.

"Yvette Jenkins," Charlene said, blinking innocently. "She told me to give my phone to Nattie because she found out her boyfriend was Marcus Holden, the heir of the Holden family, your grandson."

sounds so much like your name. It was Grandma's way of showing me how much she loved you. She really liked you, Mr.

like a thunderclap, and his face was drained of color. He muttered, "That's impossible... The Jenkins family died in that fire

goner. And now you're telling

seems like you're

forward and poured herself a glass of tea, sipping slowly before turning her gaze back

you forgotten your own name after being called 'Mr. Holden Senior' so many times? Your name is Charles Holden. Charles... Charles... that's the name my grandma said

the juiciest drama they had ever seen. Who would have thought, in this lifetime, they would be front row to the unraveling of secrets surrounding the former head of

she looked at him with sharp, unreadable eyes. "She told me to meet Natalie and Marcus first... and also to pass

laugh, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Imagine that... I've

said... an old flame is returning," Charlene said sincerely. "She's missed you

gleamed with

added, "She used to tell

You really are just like she described. Mr. Holden

blinked her big round eyes at

dreams, she whispers

said suddenly, looking shaken. His hand paused

with

for a bit. Sheldon, help

Sheldon quickly moved to support Charles, but not before shooting Marcus and Natalie a loaded glance-one

by Charles himself, had crossed a line. How could he corner the old man

for her. Yet here she was, standing silently beside Charlene while the girl pressed Charles with questions as if trying to tear open old

meant, but neither said a