"I''m feeling a little tired and need to take a break. If I haven''t been the perfect host, I hope you''ll forgive me," Natalie said, draped in Marcus'' suit jacket.


    The faint scent of gardenias lingered on the fabric. It struck her as odd since she distinctly remembered Marcus not having this scent the first time they met. But now wasn''t the time to dwell on what cologne he used.


    "Ms. Walker, please, rest!"


    "Yeah, take a break! No need to worry about us."


    The group of men around her, all acquaintances Lincoln had recently introduced her to, smiled warmly. Their polite and friendly teasing instantly lightened the atmosphere, making it easier for her to step away.


    Natalie gave them a gracious smile, turning her head slightly to nce at Marcus. He nodded subtly, and the two headed upstairs together.


    Once upstairs, Natalie pulled out her phone and dialed Hector''s number.


    "Hey, Hector," she said when he picked up. "Which hospital is Emma in right now?"


    "She''s at the Good Hope Psychiatric Center in Soutia," Hector replied in a low voice. "Why are you asking, Nat?"


    "Just curious," Natalie said casually. "That''s all. Talkter."


    She hung up and turned to Marcus. "You know where Emma was transferred to, don''t you?"


    Marcus nodded. "Yeah. Hector asked me to help arrange some bodyguards, so of course I know."


    "Then... should we pay her a visit?" Natalie asked, a sly smile curving her lips. She held her phone up as if checking her makeup, but she was really using the reflection to catch a glimpse of a shadowy figure lurking nearby.


    "Sure," Marcus said without hesitation.


    "Give me a minute to change. We''ll sneak out through the back."


    "I''ll wait outside your room."


    "Alright."


    They stepped into the elevator together, and as they descended, Natalie''s gaze flicked to the security camera. She smiled faintly, her expression unreadable.


    Interesting, she thought. That sneaky housekeeper-was she working for Emma? Sky? Or someone else entirely?


    No matter whose spy it was, they wouldn''t stop her from dealing with Emma.


    When the elevator reached the fifth floor, Natalie handed Marcus his jacket and slipped into her room.


    That evening, she''d worn several different evening gowns, each paired with matching heels and essories. Her makeup had been carefully tailored for each outfit, ensuring she looked stunning no matter the ensemble.


    But for this visit, Natalie chose something simple andfortable-a white chiffon blouse, ck straight-leg pants, and t sandals. She threw on a lightweight cardigan and grabbed a small crossbody bag toplete the look.


    She didn''t bother changing her makeup or hairstyle. Even in casual attire, she looked radiant-someone who''d stand out in any crowd.


    When she stepped out, Marcus was waiting by the door. She met his gaze and said, "Let''s go, Mr. Holden."


    Marcus, who had been ncing at something on his phone, put it away immediately and followed her.


    As they walked, he couldn''t help but notice the transformation. In her evening gown, Natalie had exuded a regal elegance-distant, untouchable, and utterly captivating.


    She looked approachable and warm in her casual outfit, like the girl next door. Except for one thing-her icy gaze. It was the kind of look that said, "Don''t mess with me."


    They stepped into the elevator, but Natalie pulled Marcus out with her when it stopped on the second floor.


    "We''re going out the window," she said matter-of-factly.


    "Excuse me?" Marcus started, but before he could finish, Natalie pushed open a hallway window, slung her bag across her shoulder, and hoisted herself onto the ledge.


    Marcus rushed forward, only to see Natalie let go and leap straight from the second floor. He wanted to remind her how dangerous it was but she hadnded smoothly on thewn below before he made out those words.  swnovel


    Looking up, she waved at him. "Mr. Holden,e down."


    Marcus fell silent.


    "What''s the hold-up?" she asked, frowning. "Don''t tell me you''re afraid of heights."


    Marcus exhaled sharply, shaking his head. Heights weren''t the problem. He just hadn''t expected her to pull something like this.


    Shrugging off his hesitation, he tossed his suit jacket down to her before following her lead. With a smooth jump, hended beside her.


    "Let''s go," Natalie said, leading the way across thewn.


    "You know," she teased, ncing over her shoulder, "for someone who''s supposedly familiar with Walker Estate, you don''t seem to know your way around."


    "Who told you I''m familiar with this ce?" Marcus asked, his tone t.


    "Cindy and some of the helpers were talking about how you used to visit Emma all the time. They said you two went on dates here."


    Marcus stopped dead in his tracks. "Who''s spreading that crap?" he asked, his voiceced with irritation. "Me? Date Emma? That''s the most disgusting thing I''ve ever heard."


    He was fuming as he barked, "Of all the ways to insult someone, they had to choose the nastiest one."


    Natalie paused, turning to face him. His reaction was so visceral it actually caught her off guard. For someone soposed and polished, Marcus had justpletely lost his cool.


    "Calm down," she said, holding back augh. "I''ll have Gorge look into it and figure out who started the rumor. Then you can deal with them however you want."


    As Natalie spoke, she headed toward one of the smaller paths. "I''ve already had a car arranged outside. Are you driving, or should I?"


    Marcus took a deep breath, regaining hisposure. "Fine. Let''s just go. I''ll drive. You''ve been in heels all day-you should rest."


    "Thanks," Natalie replied simply.


    They walked the rest of the way in silence, exiting through a hidden gate in the estate''s tall walls. A ck


    Mercedes G-Wagon was parked nearby waiting for them. Natalie pulled the keys from her bag and tossed them to Marcus.  swnovel


    "Get in the car. Let''s go," she said, climbing into the passenger seat.


    Marcus caught the keys effortlessly, got behind the wheel, and started the car.


    They pulled away from Walker Estate and headed toward Soutia.


    ...


    At Good Hope Psychiatric Center,


    Emmay in her hospital bed,


    ет


    clutching her phone. She was a mess-crying one moment,ughing


    hysterically the next, muttering curses under her breath, and then pleading desperately.


    belongs to swnovel


    She looked at the men stationed at the hospital room entrance-all dressed in


    ck suits, tall and imposing. Leading them was Noah.


    And Noah worked for Marcus.


    In other words, Hector had transferred her to a psychiatric hospital and then had Marcus'' people guard her.


    This was clearly intentional.


    The phone in Emma''s hand buzzed continuously with iing messages- photos and videos flooding in. In the videos, Natalie and Marcus were acting intimately, even kissing in the back garden.


    But hadn''t she heard it herself that Marcus had called off his engagement to


    Natalie?


    Even William and Charlotte had gone to Holden Residence to return the engagement gifts, officially ending the arrangement between the two families. So why was Marcus entangled with Natalie again?