The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 450

Marcus' voice was deep and magnetic, carrying an unmistakable weight of sorrow and suppressed anger.

Natalie knew how much he was struggling. If Charles had known the truth all along, then his actions were no different from Grace's.

What Marcus feared most was that his grandfather had known. Worse, he might have played a role in it.

She understood how that felt. She had trusted Grace, only to discover the ones who betrayed her the most were the very people she had relied on.

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she whispered, "Don't worry. I tested Grandpa Charles before. He isn't like Grace. Marcus, you won't become a second version of me."

Marcus gave a bitter smile. "You're trying to comfort me. Even if my grandpa wasn't directly involved, he must have known something. His silence is proof of his guilt.

"He raised me himself. He understands me, but I understand him just as well. I believe he wasn't directly responsible, but the moment he found out my mom had been poisoned, he must have had his suspicions. Yet he never said a word. That's what pains me the most, Nat."

"Marcus, if he had told me from the start, our investigation would have been much clearer. But he kept silent. He was protecting someone," Natalie said.

She continued, "Cassie is his daughter. Grandpa Charles gave me a very expensive gift, and when I brought it home, my mother told me it had belonged to Mrs. Holden Senior."

Natalie analyzed calmly, "If Cassie really is the culprit, then it makes perfect sense that Grandpa Charles is covering for her.

"She is his and your grandmother's daughter. He may not love her as much, but he loved your grandmother. That love extends to Cassie. And your father loves your mother.

"Your grandfather loved your grandmother. Your father loves your mother. But what about Cassie? Did she ever have someone who truly loved her?"

Listening to Natalie's cool and steady voice, connecting it to everything he had uncovered so far, a clear theory began to form in Marcus' mind.

"We don't have enough evidence to accuse Cassie or force Grandpa Charles to admit anything yet. We have to keep digging. Marcus, don't be afraid. No matter how bad things get, could they be worse than what I went through?"

She reached up and pinched his earlobe. "I was lied to by Grace for years. And then they even drained my blood."

"Did it hurt?" Marcus suddenly caught her wrist. Her hands were delicate and slender.

The first time he saw her, she had been dressed in heavy layers, covering herself completely. The dark colors had made her seem older than she was, out of place for someone her age.

Back then, after overhearing her conversation with Grace, he had completely misunderstood her.

Thinking back on it, Marcus wanted nothing more than to slap himself awake. What an idiot he had been.

Seeing the regret and heartache in his eyes, Natalie couldn't help but chuckle. "It was bearable, and it's all in the past. Marcus, do you sit around feeling guilty all the time now?"

Marcus pressed his lips together, silent. Instead, he lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand as if handling the most precious thing in the world.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong."

"It doesn't matter. It's over now. Let's focus on what is ahead." Natalie didn't dwell on it.

"Alright."

"I need to assist Mr. Langton. You should keep investigating the truth."

"Understood." He squeezed her fingers. "Nat, thank you. You saved my grandpa. Now you're saving my mom. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do."