Marcus stared at Natalie. At that moment, he wanted to approach her, but Natalie obviously had more patience for Sophia than she did for him.


    Natalie avoided his gaze, unsure of how to respond to his question.


    Sophia was still crying uncontrobly, while Marcus looked at Natalie with a


    burning gaze. This was a situation Natalie hadn''t anticipated.


    Regardless, she had already started speaking up for Sophia, and if she didn''t step in now, things could get worse.


    "Sophia," Marcus called out. He looked at Natalie, who was still hesitating, then turned his gaze to the still-sobbing Sophia. "You''ve deceived me for so many years and gained so many benefits from me. Tell me, how are you going to repay me?"


    Sophia, who was still crying, froze up. She looked at Marcus with swollen and reddened eyes. His gaze was deep and sharp, with a ring threat behind it.


    Marcus stared at her, then nced at Natalie out of the corner of his eye. That was when Sophia quickly came to a realization.


    She had known Marcus for many years, and having relied on his protection, she understood him quite a bit.


    Sophia immediately started crying again while looking at Natalie pitifully. "Ms. Walker, please. Ask Mr. Holden to let me off! I swear, I will never deceive you all again. I will repay you two. Really.


    "I''ll be one of Ms. Walker''s people from now on, so please just let me go this time!"


    Natalie inhaled deeply and red at Marcus. She didn''t think that he would retaliate against Sophia or demand anything from her.


    But given their current situation, she had to speak up.


    "Then... Marcus, could you please let Ms. Sinir off for my sake?"


    Without hesitation, Marcus responded, "Sure. Natalie, my life is yours. I''ll do whatever you ask."


    "Then, give me Holden Group!" Natalie tugged at her lips, half-smiling and half- serious as she looked at Marcus. "And not just Holden Group. I also want Holden Residence!"


    Once again, Marcus answered without missing a beat, "Sure. Let''s go handle the procedures now."


    "Woah!" Natalie was stunned, and she looked at Marcus incredulously. "Marcus, you''re serious?"


    "Yeah, I am." Marcus'' expression was sincere as he said, "If you want it, I''ll give it to you."


    "Ugh, I''m just kidding." Natalieposed her expression. She thought that Marcus seemed like a lunatic right now. Was this how he intended to repay her?


    Sophia should have been bold earlier on and directly asked Marcus for Holden Group. That way, she could have been a powerful figure and influenced the entirety of Dithoria State. She wouldn''t have been bullied by Ivan and Ruby.


    However, that was just what Natalie thought of. Sophia felt too guilty and was too weak to do something like that.


    "Natalie, I would like to treat you to a meal." After he pondered about it for a moment, Marcus added, "Can we get to know each other again?"


    "No thanks." Natalie refused without even thinking. "We need to keep our distance."


    Marcus paused for a moment and said, "My grandfather still needs you to visit and keep himpany. He''s been taking medicine from Goodwill Pharmacy. Since you own Goodwill Pharmacy and are also a friend, I''m entrusting this to you."


    Marcus had always remembered that Natalie didn''t want him to reveal that she was Elim, but the fact that she was the owner of Goodwill Pharmacy was something Sophia already knew. So, there was no problem in using the medicine from Goodwill Pharmacy as an excuse.


    "Is that alright, Nat?"


    "Huh?" Natalie''s expression shifted after she heard that. What was wrong with Marcus? In such a short time, his way of addressing her had gone from "Ms. Walker" to "Natalie", and now to "Nat"?


    "Please," Marcus said, taking a step forward. He was tall and good-looking, and his handsome appearance was something that many women couldn''t resist.


    At first, Natalie had also been briefly dazzled by his appearance, even secretly admiring it for a few seconds. But as soon as he got closer, Natalie instinctively took a step back.


    When he saw that, Marcus immediately stopped in his tracks. The past memories shed through his mind at this moment. In truth, he actually did have a good opinion of her.


    It was just that he had been misled by Grace.


    "Ms. Walker, you and Marcus should have a meal together!" Sophia, watching from the side, chimed in. "You''re too thin. You need to take good care of yourself. Hurry, go on!"


    Seeing this, Elijah also spoke up and urged, "Ms. Walker, you really are too thin. You need to eat well and nourish yourself.


    "Besides the Helianese restaurant,


    Mr. Holden also has a private dining ce where the food is amazing. e Plus, there are also choctes that you like there, Ms. Walker. There are also many kinds of chocte being kept in Mr. Holden''s car."  swnovel


    "Elijah." Marcus suddenly raised his baritone, maic voice. "Shut up."


    "Yes, Mr. Holden," Elijah replied meekly. He was just speaking the truth, so why was Marcus getting angry?


    Those choctes were clearly prepared for Natalie!


    "Natalie, don''t listen to Elijah." Marcus'' ears were tinged with a pink hue, and he dared not look directly at Natalie. "The chocte is there because I sometimes have low blood sugar," he said.


    Marcus was unaware that his ears had begun to redden, and that the blush had gradually spread to his cheeks and neck.


    "Sure." Natalie looked at Marcus with a half-smile, surprised that even the man who had always been cold and aloof could actually blush.


    Marcus pretended to cough twice before calmly saying, "Let''s go! It''s almost time to eat."


    "But I still haven''t agreed to have a meal with you yet." With that, Natalie waved her hand. "Sophia needs to rest. You all need to leave!"


    "Ms. Walker-"


    "Out." Natalie raised her voice, directly cutting off Elijah.


    "Elijah, get out." Marcus turned around and whispered to Elijah, "From now on,


    Ms. Walker''s orders are my orders."


    "Understood, Mr. Holden."


    Elijah''s inquisitive gaze flitted between the two of them.


    Marcus had finally realized Natalie''s worth, but Natalie clearly didn''t care for Marcus at all!


    Natalie shot Marcus a re, her tone regaining its previous indifference. "Marcus, you leave too."


    "I... Okay." Marcus hesitated for a second but thenplied. "I''ll have someone deliver food to you."


    "There''s no need."


    "Then, Natalie, I''ll just sit here and won''t leave." At that, Marcus pulled out a chair and sat down again. have plenty of time. I can slowly wait it out with you. You can''t be guarding Sophia 24 hours a day."  swnovel


    His implication was that if she didn''t agree, he would start taking it out on Sophia.


    "Ms. Walker, why don''t you go eat with Marcus? If not for me, then at least because it''s time to eat. You need to eat on time. Your health is important," Sophia said.


    She then quickly added, "If I cause you to have irregr mealtimes, then I would be the sinner here.


    "Ms. Walker, go on and eat! After all, you saved Marcus. It''s only right for him to treat you to a meal. Ate thank you is still a thank-you. Ms. Walker, you can definitely have Marcus treat you to a meal.


    belongs to swnovel


    "Once I recover a bit more, I''ll meet up with Sky. At that time, I''ll need your help,


    Ms. Walker."


    Natalie sneered and turned to look at Marcus coldly. "Marcus, are you threatening me with retaliation against Sophia? Are you sure this trick will work on me?"