The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 408

Just as Natalie finished watching the video, a large hand covered her eyes.

"Don't watch such disgusting things," Marcus' deep, magnetic voice sounded in her ear. "It'll ruin your appetite."

Natalie smiled faintly. She had seen far bloodier and more revolting scenes than this. What disgusted her more than the sight of Ivan's and Julia's blood was their bedroom antics.

At their age, they were still into such extreme activities. If nothing else, their stamina was commendable.

"From now on, it looks like Sophia will have to step up and take charge of the Sinclair family's affairs."

Marcus kept one hand over Natalie's eyes while using the other to turn off her phone before finally letting her see again.

"Sophia isn't in good health right now. I don't think she's in any condition to take charge," Natalie said, frowning slightly. "And Ms. Blair doesn't seem like someone who can handle it either."

"So you mean you want me to step in?" Marcus' tone darkened. If she dared to say yes, he would be upset.

"Of course not." Natalie rejected the idea without hesitation. "Before, you treated Sophia as your benefactor and protected her. Back then, you and I had nothing to do with each other, so I had no say in it.

"But now, you're my boyfriend. If you step in to handle her affairs, what will outsiders think of me? What will my family think? They'll all assume you still have feelings for her.

"Besides, love often begins with sympathy. Since you're my boyfriend now, helping other women is no longer your responsibility."

Hearing this, the storm on Marcus' face subsided a little.

Her answer satisfied him.

Suppressing the hint of a smile on his lips, Marcus asked casually, "Then… who do you think should help Sophia with this matter?"

Natalie pondered for a moment before answering, "We've already done almost everything we can for Sophia. The rest is up to her."

Marcus was even more satisfied with this answer, humming in response.

"I'll take you to the Helianese restaurant for dinner."

"Sure!"

Natalie had always liked the food there. But ever since she learned it was run by Marcus' mother, her feelings about the place had become complicated.

There was also another thing that intrigued her—the mysterious string of zeros on that address, which seemed to be linked to the Helianese Restaurant.

Before heading out, Natalie sent a message to her family group chat, letting them know she wouldn't be coming home for dinner. Then, she put away her phone.

The moment she did, Marcus reached over and intertwined his fingers with her.

Natalie stared at their interlocked hands for a long moment before looking up at him.

Marcus merely smiled at her, his expression calm and natural.

In the end, Natalie didn't pull away, allowing him to hold her hand as they walked together.

Though both of them had been engaged before, neither had any actual dating experience.

But when it came to Marcus' affectionate gestures, Natalie didn't find them unpleasant.

In fact, when she was drunk, she was even bolder than he was.

…

Meanwhile, in the VIP room of Dithoria City Hospital, Sophia sat against the headboard, quietly scrolling through the latest trending news on her iPad.

Zachary sat beside her, peeling an apple. Once he finished, he cut it into small pieces, skewered them with toothpicks, and placed the plate in front of her.

"You've read enough. Give your eyes a break," Zachary said as he reached out and took the iPad from her hands.

"Eat some fruit. They are effective in boosting your vitamin intake."

His tone was gentle.

Sophia looked at him for a moment before finally speaking. "I need to handle my father's funeral."

"Before the news about the Sinclair family broke, Julia had already scheduled an email to be sent to law enforcement. They should have arrived at the Sinclair residence by now.