The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 19

After Marcus issued the order, all traffic routes in Balford were immediately blocked. He followed Peter and Rita to the duplex villa behind the hospital.

Tears streamed down Rita's pale face as she tried to explain. "Darling, I saw that old woman enter the neighboring villa. I didn't realize she was the one treating Mr. Holden Senior.

"You've always told me not to visit the neighbors, but I was curious! Look at the message I received—it says it's true."

Rita quickly pulled out her phone and showed Peter the message. He didn't bother to look. At this point, nothing mattered anymore.

"Give it up."

After the initial shock, disbelief, and anger, Peter's emotions had calmed. He felt neither sad nor happy, just numb—like a walking corpse.

"Mr. Holden, please believe me," Rita said, turning to Marcus. "You've seen the messages and the evidence Ms. Maine provided. Even if Ms. Maine isn't Dr. Elim, she's still excellent, isn't she? Now that Dr. Elim has refused to treat Mr. Holden Senior, why not let Ms. Maine try?"

Marcus's eyes shifted to the neighboring villa.

Connie stood on the second-floor balcony, holding a cup of coffee and watching them. When Rita's voice reached her, she sneered. She took a sip of her coffee before silently going back inside.

A moment later, the doorbell rang, and Marcus's voice came through the intercom.

"Ms. Sterling, can we meet? I want to apologize to Dr. Elim. Is that possible?" Marcus continued sincerely, "We don't want the deposit or the cancellation fee back. We just ask for one more chance."

"Mr. Holden, since you doubt us and trust Ms. Maine, there's no need to continue this conversation," Connie replied indifferently. "Dr. Elim has already left. She refunded the money and won't treat him again. I suggest you give up."

"Ms. Sterling, the person who offended Dr. Elim was me, not my grandfather," Marcus insisted. "I sincerely apologize and want to make amends. I'm willing to do whatever I can to compensate.

"All I ask is for Dr. Elim to give me one more chance. I've already thought through the treatment plan Dr. Elim proposed."

Connie went downstairs and opened the door to find Marcus standing there. While he had been arrogant and distant before, there was now a hint of humility in him. However, since Dr. Elim had made her decision, there was no room for negotiation.

"I'm very sorry," Connie said as she stepped aside to let Marcus into the villa. "Dr. Elim has already left. I can't contact her now."

"What's this?" Marcus walked over to the coffee table and noticed a fruit basket with a card inside. The card contained a handwritten note signed by Natalie.

Connie stepped forward and moved the basket aside.

"It's nothing to do with you, Mr. Holden," she replied coldly.

"Do you know Natalie?" Marcus asked with a frown.

He suddenly remembered how Natalie had disappeared after Ethan was supposed to bring her to meet him. Natalie was supposed to be a fake Langley, so how could she know someone like Connie?

"Yes," Connie replied with a smile. Since Marcus had already seen the card, there was no point in denying it.

Connie continued, "Natalie and I are good friends. When she found out I was coming to Balford, she made a special trip to see me. Later, she learned that Mr. Holden Senior was hospitalized here, so she bought the fruit basket to visit him. However, she got an urgent call and had to leave suddenly, so she asked me to visit on her behalf."

"Is that so?" Marcus curled his lips into a faint sneer. He suspected Natalie had left after receiving his message and realizing she wasn't welcome. Yet, she still managed to leave a good impression on Charles.

To Marcus, she was just another woman scheming to climb the social ladder and win over Charles.

"Mr. Holden, it seems you don't think very highly of Natalie," Connie remarked, noticing the brief flicker of disdain in his expression.