Marcus strede away, feeling inexplicably annoyed the what Natalie had said. It was as if she was done using hims
Her deliberate ellost to keep a distance Emm him should have been something he appreciated
Arhivist she hadn''t tried tause her favor to sesface him or take advantage of sumring Charles to push him into mariage.
she was clearly a van woman who only wanted to use him to retaliate against the Langleys and Tyler, yet she acted so aloof. She was probally changing her tactics after hearing
about Emma showing up
O Lest in thought, Marcus hadn''Dwalked to when he noticed trumantting en a bench by the roadside.
The moment Envasam him, she immediately stood up
"Marcos, you''re back. My brother wanted in to check youneeded Dead of Night because you ran into some trouble We love plenty of race herbs at home, Next time, juste to me if you need something
"My brother couldn''t get it directly for parents, so this time, he had to ask me to talk to our other for help, Emma spoke with concern, her demeanor elegant andposed, every word expressing came and worry Marcus
She knew he didn''t like talking to her, so she immediately brought up sky and Dead of Night
First, to make it clear that delivering the herbas Sky''s idea, and she was just lielping – not trying to forer an encounter with Marcus.
Second, to subtly suggest that since the Walkers had the rare herbs heneeded, he could reach out to her in the future. After all, if Skycouldn''t obtain them, it would eventually tal to her to step in
Marcus subtly distanced set from Emma added slightly. “I deeply appreciate your help this time, Ms. Emma”
"Marcus, I''m your fiancée Calling me Ms. Emma te so distant.” Emas replied gently. "You can just call me Emma, like my brother does."
"I''ve already visited your grandpa Hold him I came to visit han, and he was very happy. He asked me to stay for a Jew days, and agreed,” she added with a smile.
As soon as the finishell, Marcus'' brows frowed. Although he was clearly displeased, his impable upbringing kept his emotions in check.
“Grandpa is about to have surgery soon, and every boy I won''t be able to look alter you, Ms. Emma.
"I''m grateful for your help in delivering the herb, and I''ll repay you once Grandpa cecovers," he said, hinting to her that she had to lea
Emma understood what he meant, but after putting in so much effort to create an opportunity Marcus to her a cover, the wasn''t about to let it go easily. Pretending n
not to understand his hint, she smiled and said softly, “Marcus, I''m not a child. I don''t need you to take care of me.n the contrary, can help you take care of your
"Don''t worry, I won''t cause you any trouble."
reassured him.
"My brother told me toe and help you out. I go back now, he''ll scold me. As your fiance, if I can''t help you when you''re in need, what kind of fance would the “you must be tired, Marcus. Go rest early. I already promised your grandpa that I''d y chess with her have to go.""
With that, she turned and quickly walked away bore Marcus could say anything else
Standing in ce, Marcus'' brows burrowed deeply.
Charles had always hoped to see him marry and start a family. Even though he kaww Marcus had no feelings for Enima, he had tried to matchmake the two.
This marriage arrangement slemmed from a promise between Laura and Charlotte As best friends, they had discussed their children''s future en before they were born.
both had boys, they''d be sworn brothers. it both had girls, they''d be long sisters. But if one had aboy and the offer a girl, they''d arrange for them to marry. That joke had turned into an engagement.
When Marcus and Emma were born, their families formalized the arrangement. From childhood to adulthood, Marcus had been unable to shake off Enuma as his fiancée Thinking about it gave Marcin al
aheadache.
His responsible parents had let him with Charles alter he was bom and retired to travel the world.
Over the years, they had visited countless ces. Sometimes they remembered to call and ask about him,
but more often than not, they went a whole year without contacting him. What bailed Marcus was that Charles never seemed to mind the behavior
Instead, he had wholeheartedly raised Marcus, providing him with a stable and happy upbringing while equipping him with exceptional skills and abilities:
Under Marcus'' leadership, Heldery Group had reached unprecedented rights, far surpassing what it was in the past.
After handing over the family business, Churles had retired in peace. Over the years, Marcus had been incredibly by
Apart from work and Charles, no one else had much influence over him, especially not Eruma, whom he had disliked since childhood.
Now that Emma had delivered the herb and charles had asked her to stay, Marcus couldn''t drive her away for the time bring
“Sir Noah suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"I''ve just checked. While you were out, Ms. Emma informed everyone at Quinton Hospital that she''s your fiancée.
"Also, she had a private conversation with Ms. Sterling Every weed she said was about unting her rtionship with you and warning Ms. Sterling to stay away,” Noah added beloce disappearing again.
Elijah stepped out from the shadows, having
er possessiveness is off the charts. If
heard everything "Sir, M. Emma deres herself your fanéto every woman she meets
Sterling''s mood to treat Mr. Holden Seniorjah trailed off, hesitating to say more as he looked at Marcus
Marcus pinched the bridge at his noon. The person irrating Charles wasn''t Connie–it was Natalie.
judging by Natal''s behavior of using him and then discarding him, eager to draw a line between them, Emma''s arrival might actually amuse her. Still, Marcus had a nagging feeling that things weren''t so simple.
chapter da Not Wanting to Cause Trouble
Marcus turned to the VIP site and found Fruma in the middle of a game of chess with Charles.
Emma sat with perfect posture, a result of the daner lessons she had taken since childhood. Her figurewas graceful, and her demeanor exided the elegance of a refined soung
maddition to her poise, Emina was aplished in various arts-music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She was beautiful, sophisticated, and carried herself with the grace of someone taxed in a wealthy tamil.
When it came to interacting with others, Emma maintained an impable bnce, knowing exactly when to abonceer referat.
Despiteing from the wealthiest family in thetry, Emma exhibited none of the arrogance or undesirable traits often associated with privilege
The Walker family had raised Emma exceptionally well. This was por of the resons Charles was satisfied with Emma
Moreover, Grace was a good friend of Charles, almost like a sister to him She hatentented him with looking after Emma Naturally, Charles took this responsibility seriously
arlinst Charles thought that since Marcus didn''t like Emma, nube hecould consider Natalie instead. Building a rtionship with her seemed like a good idea
But based on the current situation, Marcus didri Lierra to the anyone.
In fact, Charles couldn''t help but wonder if Marcus might not like women at all and perhaps preferred men
After all, wasn''t there a popr saving online? It went along the lines of, “Same sex love is true love. Straight rtionships are just for reproduction.”
Despite his age, Charles prided himself on being tech-savvy and keeping up with modern trends. He liked to think there wasn''t much of a generational gap between him and
Emma was focused on the game, her well–manicured fingers holding chess piece as she deliberated heat
move.
Charles, soping tes from his themes, nced toward the door when he heard it open. His pended on the stoic,posed Marcus
Charles looked at Marcus, then at Emma, who was deeply engrossed in the game. A sudden thought struck him- Stacus truly liked men, should be stop trying to match Marcua with Emma?.
The dilemma Charles feeling utterly conflicted
Marrus had no idea what charles was thinking, but the way Charles looked at himent chill down his spine Marcus cleared his throat and stepped forward "Grandpa, how are you feeling today? Are you doing okay?" Churles continued to scrutinize him thoughtfully, as if he were using X-vision to see right through hir Marcus even fel as though his grandfather''s gaze was stripping him loper byyer. Unconsciously, he rubbed his arms and asked cautious, “Grandpa, why are you looking at me
Because you''re handsome,” Charles replied expressionlessly.
Marcus was speechless.
Hearing their exchange, Emma seemed to snap out of her thoughts and tumed to look at Marcus
He stood tall and straight, his features finesculpted with cold elegance, his dear distant and aloof, et,
Every time Emma looked into his eyes, she felt as though she were being drawn in.
1, his eyes held a captivating allure.
Her heart rated, but the maintained herposure, offering Marrus apolite smile. “Marcus, you''re here I was
just ying chess with Grandpa Charles. He''s so good that dis
standa chance"
Emma smiled sweetly, her tone full of admiration and respect. "Deandpa Charles is amazing I don''t know how many years it''ll take for me to learn a fraction of his skills Luckily, I''m your fancle, so he''s been merciful to
me
The moment Marcus heard Emma referring to herself as his fiancée, he felt as though he had swallowed a fly. He realised he needed to break the engagement sooner rather than
Emma stood up and smiled brightly. "Marcus, please, have a seat. I can''t beat Grandpa Chartes. Can you help me?" she asked expectantly
While ying chess earlier, Emma had subtly mentioned that she was tuming 30 this year, hinting that her age was perfect for marriage
As Curls grow older, the sooner she and Marcus got married, the sooner hecould have a grandchild. This had been Charles hope for many years.
Her words had struck a chord with Charles, who had long hoped to see Marces settle down and have a child while he was still in good health. That way, even if he were to die, he
Charlesughed warmly, “You''ve done very well, Emma Few of the younger generation canst ten moves against me. You''re just being modest,
"I''m feeling abit fired now Marcus, why don''t you take Emma to grab something to eat? The hospital cafeteria line is pretty good. Their head is especially soft and futh, with a touch of sweetness Emma, you should give it
a try."
"That sounds great love broad," Exuma replied with a smile. She turned to Marcus, her gaze so "Marcus, would you mind taking me to try the bread Grandpa Charles
Marcus thought for a moment before modding "Alright, Ms. Enima?
“Just calline Enima,” she sai
"Ms. Emma, this way," Marcus replied, his deep sole devoid of emotion, as if he hadn''t heard her request.
This time, his tone carried a hint of impatience
Emma d''t date press further, with a smile, she excused hersell to Charles and followed Maria out of the
VIP ulte
After they left, Charles stared thoughtfully at the chessboard for a long moment. Finally, heard
"Yes, sir.” Ehm responded i
d respectfully and let to find Natalie
and said, “Erhan, bring Katalie here.”
Half an hourter, Natale appeared before Charles, dressed as a man..
gito Crane Irmable
She had heard from Connie about Emma''s earlier conversation with her and immediately understood that
Emma was trying to assert her status as Marcus fiancée
Not wanting to cause trouble, Natalie had chosen to disguise hersel
Her long hair was hidden under a wig. The short hairstyle gave her a neat and refined look, With no makeup,
her face looked fresh and radiant.
d in a ck tracksuit, she didn''t resemble a woman at all—more like a refined and captivating young man. charles was stunned "Nattie, did you get a gender transition surgery?" he asked.
Natalie was lett speechless. She had to admit, his imagination was quite creative
“No, Grandpa Charles,” she exined patiently. “I''ve been interning recently, and one of the tasks requires
me to dress as a man
"As for what I''m doing, it''s confidential I''ve signed a non-disclosure agreement with thepany, so this is all
I can tell you
“Grandpa Charles, you have to keep this a secret. Don''t let anyone know I''m actually a woman.”
Natalie made up a random excuse, as long as it was enough to pacity Charles.
Chapter 2 Entertain His Panche
Chapter
Entertain His Fiancée
Natale disgused herself as a man, not only changing her appearance but also adjusting her voice. It no longer
had less sel, feminine tone, but was now deeper and more
Charles was momentarily stained, taking a while to process what he was seeing. He nced at tihan, who kept a calm expression and avoided meeting his questioning e nah an hour earlier, when Ethan had gone to invite Natalie, she had stilbeen lying on the rich, testing and wring for her strength to peten
Upen evening that Charles wanted to see her, Natalie had thought der amement before decking in disguise
herself as a man
Suce Emma was there, she was likely visiting charles, which meant Natalie might run into het.