After their heartfelt conversation, Hector and Natalie shared a quiet smile. He gently took her hand and led her to get her wound rebandaged.


    "I heard Goodwill Pharmacy has a famous scar-removal ointment," he said. "Once your scab falls off, I''ll pick some up for you."


    "Alright! Thank you, Hector." Natalie epted his kindness without hesitation- and without revealing that she owned Goodwill Pharmacy.


    She also kept quiet about Sophia, who was still recovering there. The fewer people who knew about her connection to the ce, the better.


    Natalie''s wee party was approaching quickly. As Sky''s girlfriend, Sophia was expected to attend. Otherwise, people would start making assumptions.


    Marcus had kept her injury quiet so far, and now seemed like the perfect time to let others know.


    Natalie frowned. She''d have to swing by Goodwill Pharmacyter to talk to Marcus and see how he wanted to handle things.


    "Alright, let''s go to the hospital. I''ll let Olivia and Timothy know we''re leaving," she said.


    "Sure. Your wee party''s tomorrow, Nat. Are you getting nervous?" Hector asked, his gaze warm with affection.


    Recently, Natalie had grown closer to the Walkers, and it was something that brought them joy.


    With her striking looks, she was bound to be the center of attention at the wee party. Had she not been taken by the wrong family as a baby, she would have grown up among Dithoria State''s young elites.


    She and Marcus would have been childhood sweethearts instead of strangers who had broken off an engagement. Well, perhaps slightly better than strangers since Charles'' connection to the Walkers kept some thread between them.


    Hector didn''t return to his room. Instead, he lingered outside, waiting until Natalie came running to meet him.


    She was dressed in a light-gray hooded sweatshirt, loose light-blue jeans, and white sneakers. Her hair was casually swept into a bun, and her natural, makeup- free face was refined and pure.


    Her smile always made her eyebrows arch just right. Her smooth, fair skin seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, highlighting the fine features of her face.


    A few words surfaced in Hector''s mind-youthful, beautiful, pure, gentle, and full of life. And this was his little sister. The thought brought a sense of contentment and pride in him. His whole demeanor softened as he looked at her.


    "Alright, let''s go," he said.


    Natalie walked up to him and replied with a smile, "Sure."


    "I''ll call Marcus. After seeing Emma, go with him to visit Mr. Holden Senior."


    "Okay, sounds good," Natalie replied. She needed to check on Charles'' recovery anyway.


    Once Hector finished his call with Marcus, Natalie took the wheel while he dozed off in the passenger seat. By the time they reached the hospital, Marcus was already waiting.


    Natalie parked and reached over to nudge Hector. "We''re here, Hector."


    Hector blinked awake. "That was fast."


    "Yup."


    "Let''s go!"


    They exited the car just as Marcus ended his call. His gaze darkened slightly when he spotted Natalie.


    "Ms. Walker, we cross paths again," he remarked.


    "Marcus, go with Nat to see Emma," Hector said. "I''ll stay in the car and get some rest. Tomorrow is Nat''s wee party, and I need to be in good shape."


    "Alright, Hector. Take it easy," Natalie said before turning to Marcus. "Let''s go, Mr. Holden."


    Marcus gave a quiet hum and followed her to the elevator. The lobby was bustling with people, and the elevator took its time to arrive.


    When it finally reached the first floor, Natalie stepped forward, only for someone to suddenly crash into her. Marcus immediately pulled her into his arms to shield her.


    The person who had barreled into her tried to enter the elevator, but Marcus caught the person''s arm.


    "Apologize to her," he demanded.


    "Apologize for what? No one''s hurt, are they? Now, are you getting in or not? Because if you''re not, I''m closing the doors."


    The speaker was an older woman, her sharp, angr features made even more severe by her sunken cheeks and upward-nting eyes She red at Marcus and Natalie like they were a personal insult to her very existence.


    "All dressed to the nines, yet you don''t even know how to show respect to your


    elders," she scoffed. "Apologize to her? Not a fucking chance in hell!"


    Natalie''s expression darkened instantly. "Why are you swearing at us?"


    "Swearing at you? Hell yeah, I am! You two pieces of garbage can''t keep your hands off each other in public. If you want to grope each other, do it at home, under the damn covers!"


    With that, the old woman spat in their direction. Marcus swiftly pulled Natalie aside, and the spittlended harmlessly on the floor.


    "Get lost, you little punks!" she snarled before jabbing at the elevator button.


    "You okay?" Marcus asked, holding Natalie''s hand as he looked her over. "Did any of that filth get on you? You need a shower and a change of clothes."


    "Huh?" Natalie was still trying to wrap her head around what had just happened when Marcus whisked her out of the hospital.


    He led her around the corner to the right and into a nearby hotel. "We need a room. Go take a shower. I''ll grab you something clean to wear."


    "What?" Natalie was caught off guard.


    They were meant to be heading to see Emma, but now Marcus was guiding her into a hotel and telling her to take a shower. He pressed the keycard into her hand and turned to leave.


    "Seriously, I''m fine. Nothing even touched me," Natalie insisted, grabbing his arm. "You need to take a shower," Marcus said firmly, his deep,manding voice leaving no room for argument. "Please take a shower, Ms. Walker. I''ll be back soon."


    Natalie was left speechless. After Marcus left, she fiddled with the keycard for a bit, then decided to hold off on going to her room. Instead, she found a seat in the hotel lobby and waited.


    20 minutester, Marcus returned, carrying two or three shopping bags. The moment he spotted her, his frown deepened as he strode over.


    "Ms. Walker, why aren''t you in the room?" he asked.


    "I really don''t think it''s necessary," Natalie said.


    "These clothes have already been dry-cleaned. You can put them on right away," Marcus said, passing her the bags. "I''ll be here waiting for you, Ms. Walker. I''m sure that old woman''s spit got on you."


    He sounded so certain that Natalie gave up on arguing. Otherwise, his obsessive


    need for order would probably spiral out of control.


    "Fine. Thank you, Mr. Holden," she said, taking the bags and stepping into the elevator with the keycard.


    About 20 minutester, Natalie came out wearing the new outfit, the bags in hand. Marcus had gotten her a fitted light-blue dress and a thin-knit cardigan embroidered with tiny white jasmine flowers.


    On her feet were two-inch crystal-studded heels that matched the dress perfectly,


    enhancing the elegance and beauty of her look.


    Marcus watched as Natalie approached him, the hem of her dress swaying lightly around her legs. She radiated beauty, her form slender and poised. Her expression remained neutral, her features impably striking.


    She revived the image of the young woman standing under the magnolia tree in


    his mind.