As Natalie walked ahead, Marcus''s eyes followed. Her slim figure and perfect proportions held his attention. Her waist looked so slender, he felt his hands could encircle itpletely


    Suddenly, Natalie stopped short, her body tensing.


    The weight of his gaze had be too oppressive.


    Caught off guard, Marcus bumped into her, their bodies making brief contact


    In that fleeting moment, her soft warmth and the subtle gardenia scent enveloped h


    him


    Startled, Natalie quickly stepped away, spinning around to re at him with wary eyes. Her defensive posture was as if Marcus were some dangerous predator


    "I didn''t do it on purpose,” Marcus muttered, his expression neutral but his tone apologetic.


    "Mr. Holden, I would appreciate it if you behaved yourself "Natalie''s face darkened, her tone sharp with warning. His gaze was growing increasingly unsettling.


    "My apologies,” Marcus said, withdrawing his gaze. His Adam''s apple bobbed involuntarily as he spoke, “Ms. Walker, you mentioned the medicine. Where is it?"


    "There." Natalie pointed to the bag on the coffee table.


    “I''ve pre—portioned everything. Brew one packet at a time, three times a day. Once it cools to a suitable temperature, have Grandpa Charles drink it


    “During the treatment, avoid spicy or greasy foods. Stick to light, nutritious meals. If you''re unsure about what''s suitable, message me for confirmation


    “Also, don''t discard the leftover herbs after brewing: Collect them all and bring them back to me,"


    "Understood. Anything else, Ms. Walker?”


    Natalie paused in thought before adding, "When I perform acupuncture on Grandpa Charles, I don''t want anyone present. That includes your close associates."


    "Understood."


    "May I ask if his own grandson is allowed to be present?" Marcus asked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.


    Natalie shot him a pointed look. "No exceptions."


    endly for Dr. Elim''s treatment? Are you aware


    Marcus nodded, grabbing the medicine bag. His eyes swept over the room casually before he asked, “Did a young mane here recently for Dr. of it, Ms. Walker".


    Natalie froze, her expression faltering for just a moment before shechose not to respond.


    Seeing her reaction, Marcus''s lips curved into a sly smile. “Don''t misunderstand, Ms. Walker. I''m just asking "


    Marcus was typically cold and stole, but when he smiled, the chill in his eyes dissipated, making his strongly handsome features even more captivating


    Natalie clenched her teeth, resisting the urge to snap at him. Admitting anything now would be tantamount to confessing that she had disguised herself as the young man in question.


    He clearly knew everything yet continued to feign ignorance.


    When it came to acting, Marcus was nothing short of an actor worthy of an award.


    Chapter 66 Mamis the Scoundrel


    Natalie turned and casually made a cop of tea in a disposable cup, setting it down in front of Marcus. "Mr. Holden, have sometes," she said.


    Marcus''s eyes fell on the rp Inside, the tea leaves flowed gracefully in the clear water-at


    Yet, she had brewed it in a disposable cep


    it


    green, unmistakably high-quality


    “Holden, are you looking down on disposable cups Batalie asked, sitting down with her own water bottle She took a casual sig, her tone light as she continued, "Disposable cigs are clean and hygienic. Use them once, toss them, and no need to worry about gems spreading." Marrus pir kad up the cup brought to his lips, and blew on pently. After testing the temperature, he set it down, "it''s too hot Fillet it cool"


    Natale smirked tonth, but her pare said nothing more.


    Marcus shifted his attention to the media bag, pulling at the packets. He counted them our by one go doses, jet as she''d said Each packet was carefullybeled, indicating the dosage of the times a day, enough for ten days.


    "Ms Natalie,” Marcus began, his tone cales and measured, "My goalber''s treatment is supposed tost three months. This bag covers jest ten days. Does that men need


    Natalie nodded. “The prescription will need to be adjusted after tenders. I''ll perpare for you when the timees."


    "Understood," Marcus replied, setting the medicine back in the bag. He kured back on the couch, evading nonchnce, and his long legs crossing gracefully. "Mx. Natalie, given the length of this treatment, I''d like to take my grandfather back to Dittoria State. Would you be willing toe aking?"


    Marcus''s elegant posture belied the underlying intensity in his ice. He held one packet between his fingers, bringing it close to his nose for a thoughthi sniff.


    sincerely invite you to the Holden Residence in Dharia State." He continued smoothly, "Your presence would are Grandpa receives the best care possible. Name your price. Before Natale could respond, Marco''s voice took on a darker undertone. If you decline, I''ll have no choice but to separately invite Ms. Sling and her cousin Nathaniel instead." Though his demeanor seemed rxed, the oppressive weight of his words left no room for argument.


    Notr''s jew tightened. It seemed that they were still ying this little game of pretend


    Marcus clearly knew that Nathaniel was in fact Natalia


    It seemed she had to go along the w


    "Mr. Holden, why are you suddenly addossing me as Ms. Natalie?” she asked, attempting to detect


    "No particr reason," Marcus replied, his doop voice smooth and unwavering "Ms. Natale, all I need is your answer Will you apany us?"


    Natalie''s patience wore thin. "And if syno


    Marcus rose to his feet, his sharp gaze smeeping her from head to toe. His towering presence made the room feel smaller.


    "Toucan''t," he said simply, his tone firmy polite "Then it''s devided, Ms. Natalie. I''ll make the arrangementh." Hermed toward the door but passed, adding with a faint, knowing smile, “I''m especially looking forward to M. Sterling''s cousin joining us.” Natalie clenched her fits in Istration. Marcus, you scoundrel!


    Without another word, Maris picked up the medicine, grabbed the tea she had made, and offered her a polite nod before leaving


    The moment the door closed, Natalie red after him and delivered aswi kick to the couch, yelping in pain. The couch remained unscathed, but Natalie''s to throbbed painfully. She bent down, clutching her foot and blowing onto ease the pain


    Not far down the hall, Marcus stopped, having heard themotion. He turned his head, his sharp eyes catching Natalie''s small figure hunched over, nursing her foot


    The two locked eyes. A flicker of awkwardness and annoyance broke through Natalie''s usually calm, emotionless face.


    Hugging her injured foot, she tumed and hopped toward the door, her small face cold with a loud bang, she mmed it shut.


    Marcus froze in ce.


    A momentter, the corners of his lips twitched upward involuntarily, a faint smile glimmering in his eyes, so subtle that even he didn''t notice


    “Marcus?“Er''s voice suddenly cut through the quiet as she appeared seemingly out of nowhere


    "Mars, what are you smiling about? Did something good happen? Her curious page shifted toward the duplex


    vill not far away


    She''d noticed Marcus visiting that vi several times recently.


    After one visit, his expression sed different. Not long after, he''d found yet another excuse to t


    Lama''s curiosity was barning, “Who could be thing in that vi?”


    Marcus shot her a sidelong nce Whatever trace of amusement on his face vanished, reced by his usual


    cold indifference


    “M. Emma, why are you still here?”


    "I''w already thanked you, Mr. Emma. You should go home," Marcus said curtly, turning on his heel to leave.


    Emma hurried to catch up “odpa asked me to stay and keep himpany. You know that, Marcus”


    “And Marcos, can you stopcalling me Ms. Emma? I''m your fiancée Once For 20, we''re supposed to get


    married. "


    “Apologies, but I won''t be marrying you. Marcus came to stop, his sharp gaze slicing through her like a de "When I return to Ditheria State, personally visit the Walker family to anndour engagement."


    Emma froze, stunned. Her lips trembled as she bit down on them, words of protest caught in her throat. Before she could say anything, Marcus turned and walked away.


    "Ms. Emma, you should head home,” Elijah sad, stepping forward to block her path as she made to chase


    aller Marcos.


    -Mi Halden donen 1 Pike you Can''t you say tha


    Emma''s ture empted. "AU


    Hidn''t say that himselt,


    “I he doesn''t like me, he can say it himself! Why are you here, acting like his spokesperson?


    —you''re fest his bodyguard, not a mind reader! How can you be so sure he doesn''


    Her re could have burned through steel "We''re engaged brangement! Maybe there''s no love now, but that doesn''t mean there won''t be after we''re married! Don''t you


    Her words spilled out in a rush of anger With one list furious re at Elijah, she stomped off in the direction Marcus had gone.


    Einish blinked, wide-eved, muttering under his breath. "The Walker family''s little princess is this fierce! The moon must be turning blue today!"


    From the shadows, Noah stepped forward, adjusting his sses. “Serves you right for running your mouth. Got chewed out, didn''t you?"


    “Did you not hear what Mr. Holden said about breaking off the engagement?


    "I''m not dead." Noah replied, drazzing Elijah along as they tra?ed Marces from a distance, staying hidden.


    Emma followed Marcus at a distance, her vision blurred by tears that refused to fall


    She''de all this way to deliver the herb, hoping it would bring her closer to him.


    But instead, after a polite thank you, Marcus had coldly dered his intent to annul their engagement.


    Since she was a child, everyone had called her "Marcus''s little fiancée", their engagement arranged before they were even bom


    She had grown up believing it was her destiny to marry him, to be his wife.


    For years, Emma had worked tirelessly to better herself, striving to be someone worthy of Marcus


    She was the Walker family''s most cherished daughter, born into privilege, and had rarely encountered


    setbacks in her life.


    Her only defeat was Marcus,


    She refused to ept this. Not now, not ever.