The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Wesley walked through the basement several more times to be absolutely sure there was nothing left inside.

The space had been completely cleared out. Sheldon must have acted quickly after Noah discovered his secret, moving Cassie elsewhere and scrubbing the place clean.

Wesley let out a deep breath. The walls were bare on all four sides. There were no boxes, no clutter, and nothing that could offer a clue. Everything could be seen at a glance.

Since Sheldon had moved her, there was no reason for him to stay here. He turned to leave, but just as he reached the exit, he saw Sheldon standing at the door.

"Mr. Wesley, what are you looking for down here?" Sheldon said with a faint smile.

"Is Cassie in your hands? There's no point denying it. Noah told me everything," Wesley asked directly.

"Yes," Sheldon admitted without hesitation. "I figured Noah wouldn't be able to hold out. He's still young. Not yet steady enough to carry such a burden. Come. Let's sit down and talk."

He turned and walked over to the desk, settling into a chair. Wesley followed, and behind them, the hidden door shut with a soft click.

The desk was already set with food and wine. Sheldon poured two glasses, placing one in front of Wesley.

"You've been separated from Mr. Marcus for years. Do you feel guilty about that?"

Sheldon didn't bring up Cassie. Instead, he turned the conversation to Marcus.

"I know Marcus is about to marry Natalie." Wesley raised his glass and drank it all

in one go. "I'm not going to stir up trouble at a time like this."

He continued, "I haven't been a good father. I haven't been a good husband, either. My wife suffered, and I lost my son. That's all because of me.

"I understand what you're trying to say. But I don't want you to sacrifice yourself. There are other ways to make Cassie pay. You don't need to take it this far."

not?" Sheldon said before sipping the

you stand with me or with her? Will you sympathize with her and ask me to spare

I don't consider her family. She hurt my wife. She loved her own brother. People like her disgust me. I

you deal with her. All I care about is you. You've served my father longer

the age where you should be enjoying peace to throw

was steady,

watched me grow up. You're like a father to me. My own father is gone. Sheldon,

ever since Mr. Holden Senior passed, I haven't had a

never married, never had children. Is it because you were in love with

a long time, but in the end, he chose

are you talking about?" Sheldon set down his glass and

moment, I swore to follow him. My loyalty to

nose, a

something deeper in the way Sheldon had devoted his entire life to the Holden family. He had

own.

he behaved went

owe everything to him," Sheldon said quietly, wiping at the corner of his eyes. "But not the

gave a small, awkward cough. He got the message. Sheldon didn't need to

them both

of wine. "I have my reasons for everything I do. My life was given to me by the late Mr. Holden Senior. Now that he's gone, it's only right

your

his daughter. She's the illegitimate child of Vivian

is your

"Do you know how much I hated that woman? But she's dead. Your father loved

I cherished him. His final wish was for you and Mr. Marcus get along. As long as