The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 351

Natalie stared at Marcus in a daze. His deep-set eyes were dark and unreadable, and his magnetic voice laced with quiet intensity. His strikingly handsome face now carried an unmistakable trace of concern—he was worried about her.

For a moment, Natalie couldn't react. Her ice-cold fingers were met with a sudden, searing warmth as Marcus wrapped his hands around hers, pulling her back to reality. Instinctively, she tried to pull away.

However, Marcus didn't let go. "Don't move. Your hands are freezing."

"You're taking advantage of me." She struggled, but he tightened his hold and enveloped her hands.

"I'm not taking advantage of you. I'm just worried."

Still, he didn't loosen his grip. "This isn't the time to argue. Right now, the only thing that matters is protecting Sophia. We need to make sure she gets out of it unharmed."

His words grounded Natalie, snapping her out of the haze clouding her thoughts. The turmoil in her eyes gradually gave way to clarity, then determination.

That was right—they had to focus on protecting Sophia.

"There's no way to keep this from Mr. and Mrs. Walker. They need to know the truth about their eldest son's personality."

Seeing Natalie regain her composure, Marcus continued, "Sky is the Walker family's eldest son. You and your siblings don't have the final say. However, Mr. and Mrs. Walker aren't the type to blindly shield their children.

"Once they know the truth, they'll sever Sky's influence. Without power, Sky won't be able to protect Emma anymore. The Walker family may keep him alive, but he'll be worthless from now on."

As Natalie listened to Marcus' analysis, her mind swiftly pieced together the entire sequence of events. "Sophia made sure to keep us out of it."

"Yes."

Shane had assaulted Sophia at the Walker residence and left behind a series of incriminating photos and videos. He used them to blackmail her, never realizing he had also left evidence of his crime.

As Sophia's fiancé, Sky had lost all reason the moment he found out. Blinded by rage, he took a knife and killed Shane to avenge her.

As for Emma, Sky would never expose her role in orchestrating Shane to rape Sophia. This would ensure she remained unharmed.

However, Sophia had ensured that Cindy witnessed every moment of Sky's crime. And as Shane's mother, there was no way she wouldn't seek revenge for her son's murder. So, she killed Sky.

Emma, the sister Sky cherished most, couldn't stand by and watch Cindy kill her brother. She struck back, killing Cindy in retaliation. Her actions were justifiable.

Why would Emma then try to kill Sophia? Sophia had witnessed her crime. She was simply eliminating the only witness.

Emma hadn't expected there was another witness present.

Sophia would not forgive Emma for trying to kill her. So, she would ensure that justice was served.

If Emma revealed the truth, Sophia had a psychiatric diagnosis on record to prove that she was mentally unsound. Even if she had killed someone, the law would absolve her of criminal responsibility. Moreover, Sophia didn't kill anyone.

Natalie and Marcus gazed at each other. At that moment, they both understood Sophia's intent. She had sent them away for a reason and then asked Elijah and Noah to hide in a corner.

Sophia wanted revenge, but she would bear the consequences alone. This was her battle to fight, her burden to carry.

And when it was all over, she would return to them—reborn, untainted, and free.

…

At Dithoria City Hospital, Sky, Sophia, and Cindy were all rushed into the emergency room. Emma's injuries were superficial, and the doctors quickly treated her wounds.

Meanwhile, over at the Walker residence, someone had discovered Shane lying in a pool of blood from Sky's knife attack. He, too, was taken to the hospital.