The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 498

As Grace spoke, she broke into frightened sobs, covering her face with both hands as her body trembled uncontrollably.

"I was truly afraid. Megan was just a baby when she was taken from me. Outsiders thought that I, the old woman of the Langley family, was strong enough to lead the company from a small business to the top, making us the wealthiest family in Amberton.

"But that wasn't the case. I had some skill, but in the business world of Amberton back then, there were countless men far more capable than me.

"I had someone supporting me from behind the scenes. That's the only reason I rose so smoothly. At the same time, I was merely a puppet. Every major decision I made, every project I took on, was guided by that person.

"That person invested in Langley Group, provided us with projects, and turned the Langley family into the richest household in Amberton. I knew my own limitations and saw that Natalie was highly intelligent, so I began grooming her early on.

"When she was capable of handling things on her own, I orchestrated a car accident. Through that accident, I faked amnesia and pretended to have the mind of a child.

"I transferred my shares to Natalie early on. First, I hoped she would protect Langley Group for me. Second, I feared that if anything happened to me, that person might do something beyond my expectations.

"Natalie's biological parents were William and Charlotte, and the Walker family was the wealthiest in the country. I assumed they would have the means to protect their daughter."

"I only felt at ease with the shares in Natalie's hands. But I never expected Victor to put Natalie's information on the family search network after Selena returned, allowing the Walker family to find her ahead of time.

"I also never expected Natalie to overhear my conversation with Victor, causing her to lose all trust in me. She no longer acknowledged me as her grandma and ceased to care about Langley Group.

"She returned the shares, which meant she no longer cared whether Langley Group survived or not. Walter was someone she brought into the Langley family, supporting him with her own allowance. He was skilled and resourceful, but his loyalty was to Natalie.

"Everyone I carefully nurtured eventually abandoned me.

"I wanted to protect Langley Group because I intended to leave it to my biological daughter. Victor had no talent for business, and Selena was nothing more than a short-sighted lunatic. I would never let either of them take Langley Group or the Langley family.

"But I was wrong again. Victor discovered he wasn't my biological son. Selena was taken away and sold because I despised Diana."

Grace sobbed so hard she could barely speak. "Now, the three of them are determined to destroy what they cannot have.

"I am old. I don't even know if I will ever see my real daughter again. It was that woman's doing. She forced me. She chose me to carry out her orders. I am innocent. Innocent."

As she wept, her voice suddenly grew shrill.

"I was forced into this. I had no choice. Why does everyone hate me? Why does no one see things from my perspective? Why, why?"

Hector wanted to roll his eyes. Grace was painting herself as the victim, but that didn't erase the countless sins she had committed. No matter how much she made herself pitiful or helpless Hector felt no sympathy for her.