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."

Marcus

and began

will agree to Nat showing up to

Marcus didn't respond.

was starting to creep in. He stared out the window at the road ahead, unable

calculating how long it would take Natalie

Estate. And how

calm and

driven Olivia back to Walker

certificate had always been kept separately in a backpack she carried with

with the Langley family, her certificate had listed Grace as he

to change her name, she took Grace's name off the certificate, dropped the Langley surname entirely, and renamed herself simply Natalie

known then that her biological father's

of any real belief in family. She'd learned early on not to depend on anyone.

after they'd thrown her a grand welcome party,

she wanted to marry Marcus, she didn't need to go through William or

the backpack she used to carry everywhere, she couldn't help but ask again, "Natalie,

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

Charles was still alive, he asked

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

know Mason only called Lincoln to bring his 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

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

the corner of her lips. "Maybe I'm being a little impulsive, but it's what my heart wants. I've made up my mind about

Olivia said cautiously, "if one day Marcus turns out to not be who you think he is, or if he betrays

myself and take over Holden Group. I don't do things halfway. I either don't get married or, if I do, I never

slight smile, she slipped the birth certificate back

parents and my brothers will respect

ran down

joking. This wasn't a rash or emotional

are you still

bedroom and saw Olivia standing there, frozen