Once the elevator doors closed, Charlesnded a p on Marcus'' arm. "You brat, what''s your problem? Do you have an issue with Grace?"


    "Grandpa, what if I told you she once told Natalie to seduce me? She wanted her to marry into the Holden family and be my wife. Would you believe it?" Marcus asked seriously, lowering his voice.


    "She even told Natalie that if she couldn''t win me over, she should just force it or drug me, insisting she had to make me hers."


    Charles was stunned. After a few moments, he finally spoke. "So what? You''re a man. How does that hurt you?"


    Marcus was at a loss. "Grandpa, don''t you think Grace has a problem? When she told Natalie to do all that, I was still engaged to Emma," he reasoned with Charles.


    "She knew I had a fiancée, yet she still pushed Natalie to go after me. Is that what a grandmother should be teaching her granddaughter? Elders are supposed to set an example, don''t you agree?"


    During their conversation, the elevator reached the second floor, and the doors slid open. Marcus led Charles out of the elevator. "We can talk in the study."


    "In the study? Your room is fine," Charles retorted.


    He disliked going to the study. In his younger days, he had spent too many hours there working. Now that he was retired, he had no desire to relive those memories of working around the clock.


    "Alright."


    They made their way to Marcus'' bedroom. Marcus poured Charles a ss of in water before sitting opposite him. "Grandpa, who do you believe? Me or her?"


    "Of course I believe you!" Charles shot Marcus an exasperated look. "It''s not like I''m blindly trusting Grace. You saw me pressing her to answer truthfully whether she deceived Natalie. But she keeps denying it. What can I do? I do like Natalie a lot. I can''t bear seeing her unhappy.


    "Marcus, just because I''m old doesn''t mean I''m clueless. If you wanted Grace to leave our ce, you saw me agree, right? She''s still a guest, though, so we have to y both good cop and bad cop."


    He let out a weary sigh. "After all, she''s my godsister. Could you show her a bit of respect?"


    Marcus'' lips twitched slightly, and the serious expression on his face softened a bit. "Grandpa, do you feel bad for Natalie?"


    "Of course I do. Isn''t it obvious? But back in Amberton, you didn''t even like her. You avoideding home whenever she was there. Why are you defending her now?" Charles asked, narrowing his eyes at Marcus suspiciously."


    He continued, "Don''t tell me you''ve fallen for her. If you have, don''t drag your feet. A good woman doesn''t stay single forever. You''d better act fast."


    Marcus was speechless. "I''m not joking around, Grandpa. I don''t like Natalie."


    He said it so decisively, with not a trace of hesitation. Yet right after he spoke, he recalled the moment he had helped her remove the needles.


    Something in him stirred, but he forced it back down.


    No, he didn''t like her. She was nothing but a gold digger who tried to get close to him from the start.


    "If you say so." Charles didn''t sound entirely convinced. He waved dismissively. "Anyway, go downstairs and send Grace off. Just tell her I''m feeling under the weather because I''m angry at you. That''s why I''m noting to see her off."


    "And if she tries to stay, saying she wants to look after you?"


    "Are you dumb? Don''t you know how to turn her down? Just tell her she''s not a doctor. Hanging around would only make me feel like I have to entertain her, which won''t help me recover," Charles barked, ring at Marcus.


    "Do I really have to teach you that? Maybe I should have your parents give me another grandson to train properly."


    Marcus was speechless. He was just testing Charles'' reaction.


    "Enough. Get going. You''re hurting my head."


    "Alright, I''m leaving," Marcus said, turning to go downstairs.


    Marcus returned to the first-floor foyer. He saw Grace had already packed her belongings, and she now stood at the front door with a young man.


    Sheldon stood nearby, apparently discussing something with them.


    Marcus recognized the young man at once. It was Tyler, Natalie''s ex-fiancé.


    Back when Marcus found out Grace wanted Natalie to seduce him, he ran a background check and discovered Tyler''s identity.


    After all, the reason Natalie wanted to seduce him was to get revenge on Tyler and Selena.


    Marcus approached them calmly. "Mrs. Langley Senior, you''re leaving now? And this is..."


    "Let me introduce you," Grace said, her tone moreposed now. "This is Tyler Miller. He used to be engaged to Nattie, but now he''s engaged to Selena. Tyler, this is Marcus Holden."


    "Hello," Tyler greeted, reaching out his hand right away.


    Marcus met his hand briefly, then pulled away. "Mrs. Langley Senior, I''ll have someone drive you both."


    "Where''s your grandfather?" Grace nced behind Marcus, looking around for Charles. She was about to leave, but Charles hadn''te to see her off or ask her to stay.


    "My grandfather is still upset with me. He''s not feeling well and is resting upstairs," Marcus replied calmly. "So, he won''t being to see you off. Please don''t mind.


    "Elijah, please take Mrs. Langley Senior and Mr. Tyler to the hotel."


    "Yes, Mr. Holden," Elijah replied, stepping out of the shadows.


    Elijah inwardly scoffed at Grace. She had been lingering at the door for quite a while. If she really wanted to leave, she would have done so already. It was obvious she was just looking for an excuse to stay.


    "This way, Mrs. Langley Senior, Mr. Miller," Elijah said.


    "Mrs. Langley Senior, I''ve booked a hotel for you. Elijah will take you there. As for Mr. Miller, he''ll need to arrange his own amodations," Marcus said politely. "My apologies for not being able to host you any longer."


    "It''s fine. I should have thought things through and not shown up uninvited," Grace said apologetically. "Take care of your grandfather, Marcus. He''s not young anymore, and his heart can''t take too much stress."


    "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Langley Senior," Marcus replied politely. "Elijah, send them to the hotel." "Yes, sir," Elijah said, taking Grace''s suitcase. He nced at Tyler and quipped, "Mr. Miller, are you leaving, or do you need me to carry you?"


    Then, he turned to Grace. "Mrs. Langley Senior, are you leaving or not? You''re not exactly young anymore, and your bones are fragile. I wouldn''t dare carry you. Do you want me to grab you a wheelchair instead?"


    "Elijah," Marcus said with a light cough. "Be respectful."


    "I''m sorry," Elijah apologized immediately. "I''m just ugly and rude. Mrs. Langley Senior, Mr. Miller, please don''t mind me."


    Tyler and Grace were speechless. Neither of them knew how to respond.