The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 188

Natalie had to admit that Marcus was undeniably attractive—his graceful demeanor combined with an unconscious, almost effortless charm made him hard to ignore.

Still, her brothers from the Walkers weren't too shabby either, especially her second brother, Lincoln. His looks were truly exceptional.

Pulling her gaze away from Marcus, Natalie walked to the other side of the room and sank into the couch. "Alright, let's hear it. What's Grace's secret?"

Marcus smiled faintly, his lips curving in a way that softened his sharp features. His reddened eyes and lowered lashes made him look heartbreakingly sincere, as if the intensity of his emotions might spill over at any moment.

"What kind of secret do you want to hear, Ms. Walker?" he asked, his voice low and teasing. "Grace has so many. Which one do you want?"

He loosened his already unfastened tie further, exposing more of his collarbone, before collapsing onto the sofa in a lazy sprawl. Throwing an arm over his eyes, he muttered, "Water. I need water."

Natalie stared at him in disbelief.

"Marcus, cut the drunken nonsense!" she snapped, her irritation plain. "What happened to all the helpers around here? Normally, you can't take a step in this house without tripping over someone. Now, suddenly, not a soul in sight."

And Sheldon, who was usually so omnipresent, was nowhere to be found. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were purposefully leaving her alone to deal with this mess.

"Where are your bodyguards?" she demanded.

She walked around the room, searching for Marcus' usual entourage. Elijah and Noah, his ever-loyal bodyguards, were always at his side. If he was at the Holden Group, his assistant, Ethan, would take over.

Earlier, Elijah had helped him inside. But now he was gone.

"Water. I said I need water," Marcus repeated, ignoring her question.

"Not until you spill the secret," Natalie retorted, glaring down at him. "Marcus, don't try this drunken act with me."

"I am trying it," he said, his tone taking on a petulant edge. Suddenly, he lurched upright, but before he could do anything else, Natalie planted her foot firmly on his chest and shoved him back onto the couch.

"Are you messing with me?" she growled, her patience snapping.

"No," he replied, shutting his eyes with a pitiful expression. "You're so bossy… like a drill sergeant. Or maybe just way too intense."

"You're such a pain," Natalie hissed through clenched teeth. She cursed herself for coming downstairs to deal with his antics instead of enjoying her beauty sleep.

"Fine, stay here and wallow," she said, removing her foot from his chest and turning to leave.

But before she could take a step, a firm, burning grip wrapped around her waist, yanking her back. Marcus' deep, raspy voice murmured in her ear, "Grace's son, Victor, isn't her biological child."

"What?" Natalie froze, the words taking a moment to sink in.

"I said," he repeated slowly, "Victor Langley isn't Grace's real son."

Natalie blinked, processing his words. "Wait… are you saying Victor is… your grandfather's illegitimate son?"

Marcus let out a hollow laugh. "Why stop there? Maybe he's the love child of both my grandfather and Grace."

"You're the one who said he's not her son," Natalie pointed out, shoving him off her. "So, who is Victor's mother? Why would Grace raise someone else's child?"

"How should I know?" Marcus replied with a wry smile, standing up and smoothing his rumpled clothes. His expression shifted into something impossibly charming, his grin almost blinding. "Goodnight, Ms. Walker."

With that, he turned and headed upstairs.

Natalie stared after him, dumbfounded. What the hell just happened?

…

Meanwhile, in Marcus' bedroom down the hall, the sound of running water filled the ensuite bathroom. Marcus stood under the shower, his eyes closed, letting the water pour over him.

His phone vibrated non-stop on the counter, messages pouring in one after another. He didn't need to look to know what they were about.

After a while, he turned off the water and grabbed a towel, drying off haphazardly before pulling on a robe. Picking up his phone, he glanced at the screen.

The notifications had maxed out, and the same demand repeated over and over: Pursue Natalie, the real Walker daughter. Propose. Marry her.

Marcus' lips curled into a bitter smile. His so-called loving parents had ignored him his entire life, but now they wanted to dictate his future.

Walking over to his liquor cabinet, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and downed it in one gulp. Fueled by the alcohol, he dialed William's number.

The call connected, and Marcus got straight to the point.

"This 'childhood promise' thing? I don't buy it. Tell Mrs. Walker too, if you don't mind. Thank you."

On the other end of the line, William sighed. With five sons of his own, he'd long since grown used to their antics. This wasn't his first rodeo with headstrong young men.

Marcus had already ended his engagement to Emma, and now, with Natalie in the picture, things were getting complicated.

Still, William couldn't deny one thing—the image of Natalie and Marcus together, her arm looped through his, had been undeniably striking.