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."

way of showing me how much she loved you. She really liked you,

drained of color. He muttered, "That's impossible... The Jenkins family died

them-except Vivian. Everyone else was a goner. And now you're telling me Yvette survived? That's

fire, but it seems

stepped forward and poured herself a glass of tea, sipping slowly

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 more

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

at him with sharp,

of his mouth twitching. "Imagine that... I've got one foot in

old flame is returning," Charlene said sincerely.

eyes gleamed

"She used to tell

get it. You really are just like she

blinked her big round eyes at him, wide with anticipation.

dreams, she whispers

looking

drafting with Sheldon. He could not

tired. I need to lie down for a bit.

Sheldon quickly moved to support Charles, but not before shooting Marcus and Natalie

a line. How could he corner the

standing silently beside Charlene while the girl pressed Charles with questions as if trying to tear open old

he meant, but neither said a word in response. They both