The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 579 Impulsive, but from the Heart

Mason was a little frustrated, but Marcus remained calm as ever. Without a word, he placed a hand on Mason's shoulder and gently pushed him back into his seat.

"Mason, I'm not like you." Marcus rolled down the window. "Just drop me off at the City Hall entrance."

"You're really doing this, huh?"

The teasing edge in Mason's voice had faded, though his tone still held a hint of disapproval.

"I mean, come on. You didn't even propose properly. You just took Nat straight to City Hall. Mr. Holden Senior may be gone, but your mother's back now, right? Shouldn't she talk things over with my parents first?"

"Yeah, I'll make up for everything that needs to be made up." Marcus listened seriously, taking Mason's words to heart. "Thank you, Mason."

"Thank me? For what? We're family. Even if you and Nat weren't together, I'd still treat you like one of us." Mason grinned.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the card Marcus had given him earlier, holding it out.

"Thanks, Marcus, but I don't want your money. I've got my own plans. I was just messing with you before. I might still be in school, but I will win that gold medal, and I will use it to propose to Olivia."

Now it was Marcus' turn to be stunned. He'd figured that since the Walker family didn't spoil Mason with unlimited spending, the guy might genuinely need the dating fund.

But as it turned out, Mason had been teasing him the whole time.

"Right now, I might not be able to give Olivia everything she deserves, but I'll never spend her money. A real man doesn't take from his woman.

"I've been working part-time in secret. What I earn is enough for dates and gifts. I only acted like I'd been 'bought off' in front of Nat for laughs, but keep that between us, alright?

"I already signed up for an international basketball tournament three months from now. After today's date, I'm heading straight back to training camp.

"I won't be able to see Olivia or my family for a while. So if you and Nat decide to get married while I'm gone, promise me you'll wait until after my match. I have to be there. I'm her brother."

"Deal." Marcus agreed without hesitation. "Thank you, Mason."

Mason laughed. "Don't be so formal. We're family. I only have one condition_ treat Nat right. If you ever hurt her or stop treating her the way she deserves, I swear, I won't let it slide. You do know all my friends are athletes, too, right? You won't stand a chance if we gang up on you."

Marcus gave a firm promise. "Don't worry, Mason. That will never happen."

take Marcus

around and began driving back toward City

and Timothy will agree to Nat showing up

Marcus didn't respond.

starting to creep in. He stared out the window at the road ahead, unable to hide the unease slowly

he was already calculating how long it would take

Estate. And how long before she

beside him, calm and steady, simply

driven Olivia back to

had always been kept separately in a backpack she carried

Langley family, her certificate had listed Grace as he

name, she took Grace's name off the certificate, dropped the

her biological father's surname was actually

with the Langleys had stripped her of any real belief in family. She'd learned early on not to

after agreeing to return to the Walker family, and even after they'd thrown her a

she wanted to marry Marcus, she didn't need to go through William or Charlotte. She had no intention of

she used to carry everywhere, she couldn't help but ask again, "Natalie, are you sure about

hasn't even proposed yet. The families haven't even formally discussed your marriage, and you're already planning

Grandpa Charles was still alive, he asked my parents to visit the Holden residence

wedding gift for me and gifts for all my brothers, too. I know you're looking out for me. You're upset because Marcus

birth certificate so he could 'marry' you as a way of making a point. Mason thinks Marcus trying to take me straight to City Hall is out of

show Marcus that his approach wasn't okay. But what Mason doesn't know...

but it's what my heart

what if—and I'm just saying if," Olivia said cautiously, "if one day Marcus turns out to not be who you think he is, or if he betrays you... would

don't do things halfway. I either don't get

slipped the birth certificate back into

my parents and my brothers will respect

chill ran

she looked at Natalie again, she finally understood that Natalie wasn't joking. This wasn't a rash or emotional decision. She

are you

the bedroom and saw Olivia standing there,