The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 658 The Admiration He Felt for Natalie

"Thank you." Natalie leaned against Marcus' arms. After being in the car all day, she was exhausted.

Elijah followed the GPS to the edge of the county and parked in front of a small motel. Zachary pulled up alongside them and stopped as well.

Sophia opened the door and stepped out. After sitting so long, she felt like she couldn't even feel her bottom half anymore. Zane and Connie also got out of the backseat. Everyone stretched their limbs to loosen up.

"There's a place to eat over there. Let's head there later," Natalie said, pointing across the street from the motel. "Conditions here will be rough, so I appreciate everyone's effort."

"Ms. Walker, don't say that. I may not be able to deal with much, but I can at least handle hardship." Zane grinned, trying to be endearing. "Ms. Walker, you'll see that bringing me along wasn't a mistake."

Natalie only smiled and didn't say much. She turned to Sophia, asking, "Are you okay?"

Sophia looked a little tired, but her eyes were bright. "Don't worry. I'm fine."

"Let's stretch a bit, book the rooms first, then we'll go eat."

"Ms. Walker, I'll handle it," Connie volunteered, grabbing Zane by the hand and heading into the motel.

"Let me count how many rooms we need," she said. "Mr. Holden and Ms. Walker in one room, you and Zachary in another, me and Sophia in one, Elijah gets a room alone. Sounds good?"

"Why not have Zachary and Sophia in one room, and you and me in another? Elijah gets a solo room," Zane blurted out before thinking.

Connie smacked him on the head. "Keep dreaming. What kind of relationship do we have that I'd share a room with you?

"And who gave you the right to decide that Zachary and Sophia are to share a room? Did you ask them?"

Zane rubbed his head, looking pitiful but not daring to argue.

"Zane, just listen to Ms. Sterling," Zachary said nearby. "Don't stir up trouble, or we'll leave you on the roadside."

"Zachary, you're so biased." Zane pouted and whimpered, but no one paid him any attention.

Connie collected everyone's IDs, booked the rooms, and they all went across the street for dinner.

the mood for a stroll. They headed back to the motel to rest soon

pulled some tools out of her bag and started scanning the room. Marcus watched

motels like this aren't very secure. It's better to be sure. Connie knows to check. I already told Sophia, and Zachary

Natalie lay down on the bed

don't bother changing. Just sleep like

"Okay."

the past, he would have turned around and left without a second glance. But with Natalie beside him, he found

place they were heading— Coalmarsh-was probably going

why she told him to wear outdoor jackets, work pants,

a quick wash-up, they lay down to rest. After constantly switching with Elijah during the drive all day, they were both exhausted.

Connie and Sophia, being two women alone, were too scared to sleep by

with Zachary, Connie with Zane,

the final arrangement, he shed the silent tears

the next morning, Natalie and Marcus woke up to the sound of their alarm. They got up quickly, washed, packed,

time they stepped outside, Sophia and the others

same place across the street, then head out," Natalie said, glancing at

nodded. "We slept

"Good. Let's go."""

things down to the car. Once we leave,

"Got it."

feeling his admiration and love for Natalie grow

the road again. This time they left the county and

still manageable but narrow-only wide enough for one car. If

and underdeveloped area, traffic was

foot of a mountain. From there, the road changed. There were no longer any

was where the self-heating meals Natalie had prepared came

opened and activated the meals, then handed out bread and milk. "Eat up. The road ahead

Walker, how

This was his