The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 286

Marcus' lips curved into a slight smile. His deep, magnetic voice softened just a touch as he spoke.

Sitting next to him, Natalie looked stunning. Throughout the evening, she'd changed into several elegant evening gowns, yet none of them were the ones he'd bought for her.

The diamond tiara his grandfather had gifted her paired beautifully with the shimmering gown she had chosen to wear tonight, giving her an ethereal glow.

Right now, Natalie was dressed in a pure white backless evening gown. The halter neck wrapped snugly around her collarbone, with two thin straps connecting the neckline to her lower back.

The design left much of her smooth, porcelain skin exposed, showing off the delicate curve of her shoulder blades and the slight dip at the base of her back.

She leaned back casually in her chair, surrounded by vibrant red roses. Against the vivid backdrop, her pristine white dress made her look even more pure and striking, like something out of a dream.

Marcus' gaze lingered on her flawless, radiant face. For a fleeting moment, an image of crimson flashed through his mind, unbidden. His throat tightened as he swallowed hard, forcing himself to look away.

But when he lowered his eyes, they landed on her feet. She wasn't wearing the high heels that came with her outfit. Instead, she had on the fluffy white slippers he'd picked out for her. The slippers had soft pink flowers embroidered on the tops, a playful touch that somehow complemented her elegant dress.

Though unconventional, her wearing slippers instead of heels gave her an added air of charm. It made her seem less like an untouchable beauty and more like the sweet girl next door.

Natalie's feet were only half inside the slippers. She'd kicked them off slightly to let her feet relax. Her bare skin was smooth and fair, her feet delicate and perfectly shaped. On her heel was a pink cartoon band-aid he'd just given her to cover a small blister.

The sight of her in that moment—a mix of casual, cute, and breathtakingly beautiful—was enough to make Marcus unconsciously clench his fists at his sides. The woman sitting next to him was mesmerizing, almost unreal.

Unaware of his thoughts, Natalie stretched out her legs to ease the tension in her calves. She finally looked more comfortable after rubbing them for a while and massaging a few pressure points.

Sliding her feet back into the slippers, she turned her head and asked, "Marcus, you've had Emma's contact info before, haven't you?"

Marcus gave a brief nod. "Yeah, I added her once. But I blocked her the last time she caused trouble."

"Unblock her," Natalie said, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her eyes shone with a playful glimmer, like the sea under the sun, carrying a hint of mischief. "I know exactly what'll get under her skin."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" He had a feeling he knew where this was going. Was she planning to take some flirty photos with him and send them to Emma directly?

Natalie's smile deepened. "Emma's in a new hospital now. Hector made sure of that, and I heard he even borrowed some people from you for security.

"Anyway, the reporters tonight are going to take a ton of pictures. The press releases will have to go through my parents for approval before anything goes public. But before that, we could take some private photos—ones that look, well, ambiguous—and make sure Emma gets a good look at them.

"She's obsessed with you, so if you want to hurt her, it'll be easy." Natalie's voice carried a sharp edge, though her smile remained dazzling. "If Emma's so dead set on ruining me, I can't just sit back and let her have her way, can I? What do you think, Marcus?"

Her smile was radiant, her expression so stunning it almost felt dangerous. Even though her words carried an obvious malice, it was impossible to feel any dislike for her. In fact, they made perfect sense.

"You're right," Marcus said without hesitation. His throat felt dry, and he loosened his tie as the room suddenly felt warmer. "Let's do it."

Natalie stood up, snapping her fingers. Olivia, holding a professional camera, popped up from behind the rose bushes. She grinned, "Hey, I'm ready!"

"Got everything set?" Natalie asked.

Olivia nodded enthusiastically, gesturing with her camera. "Alright, Mr. Holden, lean in closer to Natalie. Natalie, rest your head on his shoulder. Look relaxed, like you've had just a little too much to drink."