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 back to

around and began driving back toward

Lincoln, Hector, and Timothy will agree to Nat showing up to get her birth certificate just

Marcus didn't respond.

the window at the road

was already calculating how long it would take Natalie

to the Walker Estate. And how long before

him, calm and

had driven Olivia back

been kept separately in a

Langley family, her certificate had listed Grace as he legal

back and Victor and Diana tried to force Natalie to change her name, she took Grace's name off

hadn't known then that her biological father's surname

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

family, and even after they'd thrown her a grand welcome party, she never transferred

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

used to carry everywhere, she couldn't help but ask

even formally discussed your marriage, and you're already planning to get married to

discussed it," Natalie replied calmly. "Back when Grandpa Charles was still alive, he asked my parents to visit the Holden

too. I know you're looking out for me. You're upset because Marcus was once engaged to someone else and because he

bring his birth certificate so he could 'marry' you as a way of making a point. Mason

get scolded himself just to show Marcus that his approach wasn't okay. But what Mason doesn't

smile tugged at 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 Marcus. I'm not going to change

not be who you think he is, or if he betrays

things halfway. I either don't get married or, if I do, I never

the birth certificate back into her bag and

brothers

ran down Olivia's

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

you

bedroom and saw Olivia standing there, frozen