The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 510

Walter's slightly jealous tone made Natalie laugh, and once she did, Walter followed with a chuckle of his own. The laughter eased the atmosphere between them.

"Alright, I'll ask Marcus if he knows any young, wealthy women who'd be willing to marry you, build you a career, and keep you as their boy toy," Natalie said with a teasing smile, her eyes curved with amusement.

Walter laughed at that. "Only if she's smooth-skinned, gorgeous, and has legs for days. You'd better not be living the high life while handing me scraps."

"No problem." Natalie laughed. "Now that we've talked it out, you don't feel bad anymore, right? We can still hang out like good friends?"

"Yeah, the knot is untied." Walter nodded. "Nat, thank you—for being upfront with me and not letting things fester in awkward silence."

He smiled sincerely. "Nat, I really do like you, but I'd never turn that into hate just because you're with Marcus. We'll still be like we used to be, right?"

"Right." Natalie openly accepted his feelings, and just as openly told him how she viewed their friendship. They could never be lovers, but they would always be family.

For someone like Walter, an orphan, Natalie had been the light of his childhood—and truly, of his entire life. She understood him, accepted him, and guided him.

They were both good people, and this bit of unreturned affection shouldn't make them strangers. Now that everything was out in the open, both felt lighter. Interacting afterward, there wasn't the slightest trace of awkwardness.

After summarizing the clues they had uncovered, Walter and Natalie headed to the arcade. Once there, they quickly found machine number 33, which was filled with Spongius plush toys.

Walter went to exchange coins, walked back, and started playing with the arcade machine.

Natalie stood nearby, quietly observing the crowd. The arcade was packed—machines buzzed and people chattered. Most of the crowd was young, though there were a few parents playing games with their kids.

It didn't take long for Walter to grab two Spongius plush toys. He handed them to Natalie. "Is Marcus this good at claw machines?"

Natalie shook her head. "Honestly, I wouldn't know."

She picked up a few coins herself and went over to machine number 34. Not long after, she managed to grab two plush toys as well.

"Miss, could I have one of your Spongius toys?" a young girl approached, holding some coins and smiling sweetly at Natalie. "Do you like the plushies from machine 33?"

"Are you the owner of this number?" Natalie pulled out Grace's phone and dialed the only number saved on it. Sure enough, a ringtone went off on the girl. The next second, the girl smiled brightly and pulled out her phone.

"Hi, miss. The owner of this phone asked me to meet you. She told me to give you this phone—it has something you want in it." She handed the phone to Natalie, then quickly took one of the plush toys from her hands. "In exchange, you have to win me 30 more."

"Huh?" Natalie raised an eyebrow. She looked at the phone the girl had handed over—there was no password. After unlocking it, she checked the contacts where only Grace's number was saved.

"Hey, little one. Come here. I'll help you win some plushies," Walter called over. Seeing Natalie busy checking the phone, he led the girl to the side. "Tell me which machines you like."

"Can I have them all?" she asked excitedly.

Walter chuckled. "Sure. Nat, I'll take her to win some toys. You take your time checking."