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.

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

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

secure. It's better to be sure. Connie knows

Natalie lay down on the bed with her outside clothes still

don't bother changing.

"Okay."

This was his first time in places like these, including that restaurant earlier. In the past, he would have turned around and left without a second

what Natalie had told him, Marcus realized the place they were heading— Coalmarsh-was probably going to

told him to wear outdoor

to rest. After constantly switching with Elijah during the drive all day, they were both exhausted. They didn't talk much. Once the

it was more or less the same routine. But Connie and Sophia, being

with Zane, and Elijah had

the final arrangement, he shed the silent tears of a

Natalie and Marcus woke up to the sound of their

the time they stepped outside, Sophia and the others were also packed

across the street, then head out," Natalie said, glancing at the group.

nodded. "We

"Good. Let's go."""

to the car. Once we leave, we're not coming back to check

"Got it."

lead without question. Marcus followed quietly, feeling his admiration and love for Natalie grow a

breakfast, the group hit the road again. This time they left

for one car. If another vehicle came from

area, traffic was sparse. The drive was smooth

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

meals

everyone over to unpack the supplies. She opened and activated the meals, then handed out bread and milk.

how

asked. This was his