Charlotte pped Victor''s family of three with increasing ease.


    It wasn''t her fault—they were always shameless enough to stick their faces out for her to hit.


    Reeling from the p, Selena tried to lunge at Charlotte in retaliation. Before she could act, Natalie stepped forward swiftly, grabbing Selena''s wrist.


    The next moment, Natalie raised her other hand and delivered a hard p to Selena''s face.


    "Selena, do you really think I''ll keep tolerating you and your family?" Natalie said coldly. "Stop pretending to be the picture of familial love. You and I both know why Grandma is in a nursing home instead of living with your family.


    "You think Grandma doesn''t know how you''ve treated her? Just because she''s injured and mentally impaired, you assume she can''t tell right from wrong? You want me to repay this life to Diana? Is she even worthy?"


    Natalie''s expression was as icy as her tone. Any traces of guilt, hesitation, or insecurity she had earlier were gone. She no longer felt warm toward the Langley family.


    "Selena, you''ve repeatedly tried to take what''s mine. What''s the problem now? I''ve left your precious Langley family as you wanted, but seeing me thrive-my parents wealthier than yours, and me with several protective brothers-fuels your resentment, doesn''t it?"


    "Natalie! Grandma won''t forgive you for treating us like this!" Selena shouted, ring at her. Natalie wanted to hit back but didn''t dare move as Mason and Timothy nked her on either side. She knew full well they wouldn''t hesitate to step in.


    Frustrated, Selena resorted to venomous words. "Grandma will never forgive you!"


    Natalie let out a coldugh. "Whether Grandma forgives me or not has nothing to do with you. We''re dealing with the debt between me, Victor, and Diana.


    "Hector, I remember every single time Diana drained my blood. I''ll give you the details when we get back. And as for Victor, while he acted nice to me on the surface, he secretly showed my photos to his business partners, trying to trade me for deals."


    Natalie''s words were deliberate, each one like a knife. Victor thought he had hidden his actions well, but she had known all along. The deals Victor failed to secure were ones Natalie had quietly resolved alone.


    Those business partners, out of respect for her, had told her everything about Victor''s attempts to exploit her. They even offered to teach him a lesson if she wanted.


    But Victor was someone she had once called "Dad". And years ago, Grace had made her promise one thing -no matter what Victor and Diana did, she would let them live as long as her life wasn''t in immediate danger.


    That promise was why Natalie had tolerated them for so long.


    As for Selena, Grace hadn''t said anything about sparing her. After all, by the time Selena returned to the family, Grace''s mental state had already declined.


    Even so, Natalie had no intention of dealing with Selena. She was, after all, Victor and Diana''s biological daughter—and Grace''s granddaughter.


    This blood rtionship was a bond that ran deep.


    However, Selena clearly didn''t feel the same way.


    "If you want Langley Group''s shares, you can have them," Natalie said icily. "I''ll return the shares, but I''m taking full custody of Grandma. From now on, Grandma will have nothing to do with the Langley family."


    "In your dreams!" Victor shouted. "Natalie, you can dream on! That''s my mother. Why would I give up her custody to you?"


    "Because you''re a lousy son. Victor, don''t force me to p you. You and Diana know exactly how you''ve treated Grandma. I''ve tried to save your dignity. Don''t make me take it away."


    Natalie''s voice was ice cold as she turned to look at Hector and then at Sky.


    "Sky," she said, her tone unwavering. "Once I transfer the shares to them, you can do whatever you want with them."


    "Alright." Sky nodded slightly. "Nat, you''ve finally made up your mind."


    "Yes." Her expression was nk. It wasn''t about finally deciding—it was about understanding that some things required sacrifices.


    "I''m heading back to the hospital. Grandma shouldn''t be left alone," she said.


    "Nat, Marcus is waiting at the door. Let him take you back," Hector said, adjusting his sses. "Leave the rest to us. Father, Mother, why don''t you go with her?"


    "No need," Natalie declined the offer for Charlotte and William to apany her. "I want to be alone for a while. Besides, I have a few things to discuss with Mr. Holden."


    "Alright then."


    "I''m leaving."


    "Let me walk you out." Charlotte escorted Natalie to the door. As she opened it, she saw that Marcus and Elijah were indeed waiting outside.


    "Marcus, I''ll have to trouble you to take Nat back to the hospital," Charlotte said.


    Marcus gave a slight nod. "Don''t worry, Mrs. Walker. I''ll ensure Ms. Walker returns to the hospital safely." "Thank you, and sorry for the trouble."


    After expressing her gratitude, Charlotte turned to Natalie with a lingering gaze. "Nat, don''t worry. Mrs. Langley Senior will be alright, and we''ll take care of the rest for you."


    "Mom, let them live."


    "Don''t worry. I know what to do."


    "I''ll head back now."


    Charlotte nodded. "Go on."


    "Mr. Holden, sorry for the trouble," Natalie said to Marcus politely.


    He nodded slightly. "It''s no trouble. Let''s go, Ms. Walker."


    The two walked out together, one following the other. After leaving the hotel, they crossed the street and returned to the hospital.


    Before Natalie reached the Intensive Care Unit, Marcus took off his white sweatshirt and handed it to her.


    "Put it on. It''s cold at night."


    She looked up. Beneath the sweatshirt, he wore a in white T-shirt-starkly contrasting his usualposed and polished image. Yet, his strikingly handsome face remained impossible to ignore.


    "Thank you, but I''m not cold." Natalie didn''t take the sweatshirt. "You should keep it on, Mr. Holden. If I get cold, I''ll ask Connie to bring me something."


    "Ms. Sterling is busy preparing medicine for my grandfather and handling other tasks. At this hour, she''s likely resting. Ms. Walker, you should take care of yourself."


    Natalie caught the underlying meaning in his words. He reminded her that her well-being was essential-no one would treat Charles without her.


    After a brief pause, she nodded, took the sweatshirt, and put it on. Marcus was tall, and the oversized sweatshirt hung on her, reaching past her hips.


    The loose fit made her appear even more delicate, though she was five feet seven inches tall-far from short, especially when wearing heels.


    "Mr. Holden, do you think I did the right thing, trading the Langley Group''s shares for custody of Grandma?" Her voice was tinged with uncertainty. "Selena said that if I go against them, Grandma won''t forgive me.


    "Tell me, Mr. Holden, which is more important-blood ties, or the bond of being raised together?"