The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 597 A Surprise (Part 1)

After Elijah finished speaking, he looked at Natalie cautiously. He had truly

worried himself sick over Marcus' happiness.

Natalie took a moment to think carefully about what Elijah had said. After a while, she slowly nodded.

"Alright, I won't say a thing."

She realized Elijah had a point. She wasn't Marcus, so she couldn't fully understand what this meant to him. For him, it might be something joyful and deeply meaningful. She shouldn't impose her own perspective on someone else's choice.

Marcus wanted to give her a surprise. The moment she acted genuinely

surprised, that reaction would probably be the most satisfying and happiest moment for him. All she needed to do was pretend she knew nothing and quietly wait for the surprise he had prepared.

"Thank you, Elijah," she said sincerely.

"Mrs. Holden, there's no need to thank me. If there's nothing else, I'll step out now." Elijah grinned.

Natalie nodded, and Elijah quietly left the office. The room returned to silence.

She didn't touch anything else on Marcus' desk. Instead, she walked into the lounge, slipped off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed.

The mattress shifted slightly under her weight, and Marcus immediately opened his eyes. Once he saw who it was, he let out a clear breath of relief. Then, without hesitation, he reached out and pulled Natalie into his arms.

"Nat, you came."

"I did. Did I wake you?" Her voice was soft.

"No, just surprised-pleasantly surprised," Marcus replied, kissing her cheek.

"For a second I thought I was dreaming. But I know this isn't a dream. You really came to keep me company." As he spoke, a faint smile lifted the corners of his lips. "Stay with me a little longer, alright?"

"Alright."

Natalie nestled into his arms and closed her eyes. Within minutes, she soon drifted off to sleep as well.

...

Several hours later, Natalie was woken by the sound of her phone ringing. Marcus was no longer beside her. She didn't know when he had gotten up, and he hadn't woken her either.

and answered the call. "Hello, Olivia? What's

training today and I'm bored out of my mind. Let's go hike up Mount Ashridge,

cheerful voice came through the line. "Come on,

time. "Let me call

Then she added, "But

me properly. Are you hiding

tell right away that something was off. As she threw off the blanket and stepped into her

work, fully focused on the documents in

movement, he looked

a few more words to Olivia

I still have a lot of work to finish today. So I won't be able to head home with you later." Marcus walked over and pulled her gently

things official, he had gotten used to holding and kissing her whenever he could. Being

Marcus, I need you to promise me one

"Anything. Just say it."

sleep is terrible for your health," she said as she lightly

worry about him. "I'll come home earlier

"You won't be home for the next three days,

ask Elijah to

him with you. Noah is still protecting me in

able to join you for lunch I'm running out of time. Let me take you downstairs," Marcus said as he glanced at

busy, go ahead. I'll head downstairs myself. I happened to have plans to eat with Olivia. And

kissed the corner of

any time to spend with you properly," Marcus said as

feel guilty. But if you really want to make it up to me, just remember what said about the charity work. Make lots of money, then help fund my charity programs," Natalie said with a gentle

will," Marcus replied

for another moment before slowly letting

"Alright."

together. Marcus walked her to

down alone, then called Olivia once she reached the ground floor. "Hey, Olivia. Where are you right now? Should

I'm

"Alright."

up and walked to the curb to hail a cab. She had come to Holden Group earlier with Timothy, and

by the sidewalk with a skewer of

she saw Natalie approach, she quickly finished the sausage, then ran over. "Nat,

grabbed her hand. "Come on, hurry up. We're almost