Natalie, with her andingmous features and Nathaniel''s rich, resonant male voice, faced Marcus head-on, het toe steady andposed


    Since Marcus showed no intention of exposing her as Natalie, she saw no need to reveal her identity, choosing to remain Nathaniel in this exchange.


    "Mr. Holden, I truly need your help, “Natalie said earnestly, "Tim sincerely asking for your assistance."


    She emphasized her plea, her tone unwavering Marcus'' roprevion, Initially unreadable, shifted to calm indifference. He gave aslight mod "Alright"


    “Then I must thank you in advance, Mr. Holden “Natalie pressedlier lips trigether, suppressing the urgeebhling within as she turned her attention back to her tablet. neouring for information on the mignati Walker family of Duthoria State:


    The family had always been cloaked in mystery, its affalis kept meticukmaly private. Hours of research yielded only one notable figure-Lincoln Walker.


    Lincoln''s Fame stemmed mom his status samme star. He was arguably the brightest in the entertainment industry. In three short years, he had headlined three blockbuster dramas, each achieving revend-breaking viewership. His meteoric rise brought in tens of millions of fans, with his following now exceeding to millian


    At 6''2“, Lincoln was the epitome of masculine allore His sharp eyebrows, chiseled features, and piercing eyes made for a striking visage, while his soul gaze seemed to hold an


    herent depth of emotion


    Lincoln''s career had been scandal-tree, an extraordinary feat in the entertainment world. Any attempt to stir dating tumors was met with immediate, unequivocal denial. His devoted fanbase was equally relentless, sweatly dismantling any gossip and forcing detractors into public apologies.


    Interestingly, Lincoln''s off-screen habits stoked curiosity He often bought items tailored to women''s tastes during his travels, furling spections about a secret girlfriend. Yet, despite the rendesserts of the paparazzi, no trace of this serious partner had ever surfaced.


    As Natale examined Lincoln''s photo, she couldn''t help but notice an uncanny resemnce between his features and her malediguse.


    Lincoln is Aunt Charlene''s second son," Macus remarked, ncing at her screen.


    Heconnued, "She has five sons and one daughter."


    "You met the daughter, Emma not long ago."


    "Yes, your fiance" Natalie replied coolly


    Aflickeret imation coed Marcusce. He had no attachment to Emma and hadn''t yet found the opportunity to end the engagement, especially after Charlotte''s abrupt and force actions ding Grace


    "stes. Walker and her husband must have an excellent rtionship,” Natale remarked, hero ng "Having six children? Mrs. Walker''s physical health must be remarkable.” Marcus was speechless, he silently thought, “ts this woman serious? I''m dealing the Walkers family structure, and her take was Charlotte''s childbearing staminal Natale didn''t do on his silence, instead closing her eyes briefly to centers. Whether or not Charlotte was het biological mother. Natalie couldn''t forge herba methods in taking draceway


    “Str. Holden,” she said, her voice steady as she put down her tablet. May ask you something?


    “Emma in your fiancée, and Mrs. Walker would then be your future mother-in-lose were to have a conflict with them, would helping me put you in a difficult position? Marcus genoeply. “Emma, a fiancée? Hardly. He was already preparing to end that arrangement


    As for Charlotte, while he addressed her as Aunt Charlotte and acknowledged her as his mother''s old friend, his mother had been away from Duhoria State for years. Whateve connection once existed between the two women had likely faded over time.


    “Mr. Holden, I''ve thought it over, asking for your help as a mistake I shouldn''t drag you in this or put you in a difficult position. Once you drop me off in Ditoria State, just leave me there. take a tad to meet ex. Walker myself,” Natalie saidtimly


    She had initudy sought Marcus” assistance but quickly regretted Grace''s constant peseta punue Marcus going so far as to suggest drastic measures the seduction or even sping his drink, weighed howly on her mind. If Grace mere to see them together, she might act on her inspulsive, misguided ideas Natale couldn''t it that happen. Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Are you always than fickle, even as a man?


    "Then call me fickk, Mr. Halden!" Natalie shot hack, deliberately keeping her distance. "And next time, don''t spy on my every move."


    Marcus raised an eyebrow. He hadn''t been spying-he''d merely ced by ident.


    "This is like feeding adog that bites you", he thought barely "She doesn''t appreciate a good deed when it''s done for her."


    “Since Me Langley no linger needs my help, I naturally won''t get imehed,” Mus said indifferently before closing his eyes


    "Elijah, pull over up ahead," he ordered.


    "Yes, sur,” Elijah replied.


    The car showed to stop at the roadside. Macus stepped out without a word, striding toward another vehicle parked ahead, Charles'' car. Once there, be motioned for the bodyguard in the front passenger seat to get out, and he took the seat for himmel.


    The bodyguard didn''t return to Natalie''s car, instead moving to yet another vehicle in the convoy. The reshuffling took only a few minutes, and soon all the cars were back on the


    Natale didn''tment on Marcus'' behavior the only noted that with him gone, the oppressive tension that had filled the car vanished.


    Finally able to breathe freely, Natalie felt more at ease. Concerned to Grace, she pickedupher phone and initiated video call


    The ralcocted quickly, and Grace''s war, amihar face appeared on the scree


    “Grandesa, are youckay Dnd the people who took you treat you well? Natalie asked.


    "Don''t worry about me, Name! I''m fine. I went with your mother willingh," Grace replied cheerfully, her smile bright


    Before are could respond, bumed the camera, revealing another etwas Charlotte.


    "Nattie, look! 1 found your mother!" Grace eximet


    Charlotte''s face appested suddenly, catching talle uitguard Fortunately, camera was aimed at the car seat, higher sale disguise.


    Charlotte, unable to see Natalie, felt a minge et disappointment. However, she had been meticulously and thoughtfully taking care of Grace. Noticing how much Charlotte resembled Natalie, Grace had lowered her guard entirely


    Grace even shared many stories about Natalie''s childhood with her. At Grace''s residence, where numerous childhood photos of Natalie were stored, Charlotte had expressed a desire to see them Moved by the request, Grace brought her to her home in Amberton.


    Meanwhile, Charlotte was in the room Natalie had lived in as a child, sitting on the princess bed where she had once slept.


    “Nattie, hello! I''m... your mother,” Charlotte greeted nervously, her tone filled with hesitation. “Please, believe me. I haven''t harmed your grandma. I just couldn''t find you


    “Nuttie, I''m sorry for taking your grandma without your permission. That was wrong of the. But I swear, I haven''t hurt her," she added earnestly.


    Throughout their journey, Charlotte had listened as Grace shared many stories about Natalie''s childhood. However, she also noticed something unusual. Grace''s memory seemed to be jumbled, and some of her statementscked logic, resembling the thoughts of achiki.