Natalie remained silent for a moment. She knew Marcus wanted to stall for time, and once again, he had to treat her to a meal because of it.


    "Alright," she said, epting his hospitality with a faint smile. "Thank you, Mr. Holden."


    After all, she hadn''t decided how to face Grace yet.


    Marcus handed the file to Noah and led Natalie out of the reception room. When they left the Holden Group building, Elijah immediately drove a car over.


    "Mr. Holden, Ms. Walker."


    Wearing white gloves, Elijah opened the car door respectfully. Today, he was the driver.


    Marcus gestured for Natalie to get in first. He followed, and they sat on opposite sides of the back seat, leaving a distance between them as if a great mountainy in the middle.


    Elijah was talkative, loved gossip, and enjoyed pairing people up. He had witnessed plenty of women who tried to throw themselves at Marcus, but this was the first time he saw a woman like Natalie, who seemed eager to keep her distance from him.


    Right away, Elijah felt Natalie and Marcus were a perfect match. Besides, it seemed Natalie was the first woman Marcus didn''t reject outright.


    Looking back on Emma from before or Selena, who had shown up in Balford, Marcus practically wanted to strap on a helicopter rotor and fly away at the mere sight of them.


    Elijah stole several nces in the rearview mirror while he drove, but before he could get a good look, the privacy partition rose.


    "Focus on driving," came Marcus'' deep voice from behind the panel.


    Elijah hurriedly concentrated on the road. However, the car moved at a slow pace. Noah had told him beforehand that Marcus wanted to dy Natalie''s arrival at the hospital. Therefore, he should drive slowly, and if their dining destination was far, that was even better.


    By the time Elijah drove the car all the way to the pier, an hour and ten minutes had passed. Even before Natalie could exit, the car rolled onto a ferry.


    Natalie nced at Marcus. He offered a casual exnation, "We''ll go fishing at sea."


    She was speechless. Did they really need to drive onto a ferry? Were they afraid she would run away the moment she stepped out of the car?


    "Ms. Walker, you don''t mind, right?" Marcus asked.


    "No, I don''t mind," Natalie replied.


    The car was already on the ferry. Saying she minded would be useless anyway.


    "Good," Marcus said with a smile. "I''ve made the arrangements. We''ll go out to sea and catch fresh fish for our meal."


    "Alright," she replied.


    Once the ferry left the dock, Elijah unlocked the car. He got out first, then opened the door for Marcus and Natalie.


    "Mr. Holden, Ms. Walker, please step out."


    "Okay."


    Marcus and Natalie got out one after the other. Only then did Natalie realize the ferry Marcus had chosen was quiterge, with four decks. They were currently in the basement level, which had an elevator leading to the first deck.


    The first deck had a wide open area too, furnished with a dining table and parasols. Several attendants stood by, ready to serve.


    "The first deck is the dining area. The second deck is for recreation, the third has guest rooms, and the fourth is for private use," Marcus exined, guiding Natalie across the first deck.


    Everything inside gleamed with a luxurious shine, not a speck of dust to be found. There was a public dining space as well as private rooms.


    "So it''s just the two of us and the staff?" Natalie asked, looking at him.


    Marcus nodded. "Yes. You won''t have to worry about anyone disturbing you."


    "Got it."


    Natalie went over and sat in a spot next to a window. "Since we''re here, I guess there''s no need to fish or catch anything ourselves."


    "Of course we still have to," Marcus said with a smile. "We came all this way. would be a waste not to try it." Natalie found it a bit amusing that someone like Marcus, with all his wealth, could still talk about waste. Marcus snapped his fingers, and the chef immediately went off to prepare things.


    "First, let''s have a small bite to settle our stomachs. Then, we''ll go fishing."


    "Alright."


    Natalie let Marcus n it all. She had her phone on vibrate. Throughout the journey, it buzzed against her body, but she hadn''t even looked at it once.


    She hadn''t made up her mind ore to a firm decision yet. In a way, Marcus keeping her busy allowed her space to think.


    "Mr. Holden, thank you," she said genuinely, ncing across at him.


    "You don''t need to thank me, Ms. Walker. If anyone should be grateful, it''s me. You saved my grandfather''s life and helped me twice. I''m the one who owes you thanks."


    Marcus raised his ss of water, his Adam''s apple bobbing as he drank. His dark gaze flicked to Natalie before he looked away.


    "Ms. Walker, would you like to try diving?" he asked. "I can go with you."


    Natalie shook her head. "No, I''m afraid of water."


    "What?" Marcus was somewhat surprised. From everything he had learned about her, there was no mention of a fear of water.


    "When I was eight, Diana threw me into a swimming pool, even though I couldn''t swim," Natalie said calmly. "I almost died that time. After that, I developed a fear of water.


    "When I was 12, Victor and Diana took me to a banquet, and in the garden was another swimming pool. Victor was trying to please a business partner. The partner''s daughter pushed me into the pool and held me under. She pulled me back up only when I nearly drowned.


    "I remember my scalp hurting, I couldn''t breathe, and my throat was full of water. I really thought I was going to die."


    Natalie paused, curving her lips in an ironic smile. "I cried for help, but Diana came over and pped me." Hearing this, Marcus'' expression darkened.


    "Sorry, Mr. Holden. I''m sure you''d rather not hear these things," Natalie said with a faint smile. "I''ll stop."


    Marcus was simply taken aback. He had thoroughly investigated her, yet he hadn''t uncovered the incidents she just mentioned.


    For a moment, he didn''t know how to respond.


    "I''m hungry. Will the food be ready soon?" she asked, changing the subject.


    She thought she had moved on from the past, but those memories suddenly came flooding back. She wasn''t trying to get sympathy from Marcus. They just came to mind, so she spoke naturally.


    "I was raised by my grandfather too," Marcus said softly. "Since I was a child, he never allowed anyone to hurt me, not even my own parents. I''ve never been hit in my entire life."


    He especially couldn''t imagine being pped.


    "Ms. Walker, parents like the Langleys aren''t worth feeling indebted to for raising you. You repaid them a long time ago."


    "Mr. Holden, I owe you an apology," Natalie said seriously, looking him in the eye. "I med you for talking with my grandmother that day. I don''t know your reasons for helping me, but I''m still thankful. I''m sorry for being so impulsive."


    With that, Natalie stood and bowed to Marcus.