Marcus sat on the chair, his expression calm despite the wound. Though the injury was not too serious, the sharp de had cut deep enough to leave an open gash.


    Natalie disinfected the area and sprinkled a white medicinal powder over the wound. Within moments, the bleeding stopped. Then, she carefully peeled open a band-aid and gently pressed it onto his skin.


    She reminded him, "Keep it dry. I''ll leave you the powder. Don''t keep the band-aid on for too long. If it starts itching, take it off, disinfect with alcohol, and apply the powder again."


    "Do I need to use another band-aid after that?" Marcus asked.


    "No, it''s not necessary." Natalie waved her hand softly, sending a brief, cooling breeze across his skin.


    A faint jasmine fragrance lingered in the air, creating an inexplicable warmth that stirred his heart. His deep, husky voice broke the silence as he asked, "Natalie, can I call you Nat? Setting aside other matters, we still need to keep up with the act in front of Emma."


    Natalie replied indifferently, "Emma''s no longer part of the Walker family, and Sky''s on a long break and staying home. She''s no threat to me anymore. We don''t need to keep pretending."


    Marcus argued, "But you still have to go to Amberton to investigate that baby swap incident. You''ll be searching for Emma''s biological parents. I owe it to you to help out, so I''ve decided to join you in Amberton."


    "Are you serious, Marcus? You''re the CEO of Holden Group. Don''t you have actual work to do, or are you just neglecting your responsibilities entirely?" Natalie questioned him as she packed up the first-aid kit.


    She continued, "And what about Grandpa Charles? What happens to him if you''re gone?"


    Marcus'' face turned solemn. "To be honest, Grandpa is the reason I''m going. He told me my parents might be in Amberton. Someone''s been looking into their whereabouts, and Grandpa''s worried about their safety.


    "So, he sent me to handle it. Apparently, whoever''s searching for them is highly skilled. Grandpa thinks it might be a longtime enemy of the Holden family."


    Natalie frowned, her mind racing. She was surprised that someone else was investigating Marcus'' parents. After all, it did not seem likely that the Holdens would have other enemies.


    "Natalie," Marcus continued, exhaling a weary sigh. "Years ago, Grandpa forced me into this position of power. I had to be ruthless to gain control. Some people may appear to respect me, but I''m sure they curse me behind my back."


    There was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes as he spoke. "I''m the kind of person who grew up without my parents'' love. Grandpa was the only one who truly cared, and he has always been in poor health. I had no choice but to toughen up.


    "I looked out for Sophia for years because I saw myself in her. She reminded me of what it''s like to grow up unloved by your parents."


    His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, his eyes turning red at the edges. A shadow of sadness draped over him, and his entire demeanor softened with mncholy.


    "Sorry, I shouldn''t be burdening you with this," he muttered, lowering his head. After a pause, he nced back up, apologetic. "I shouldn''t have made you listen to all this negativity."


    Natalie''s heart softened as she took in his weary expression and the sadness that lingered in his gaze. She thought of her own experiences.


    Victor and Diana might not have loved her, but at least William and Charlotte, her biological parents, loved her deeply. Meanwhile, Marcus'' parents abandoned him after he was born, leaving him entirely in Charles'' care.


    Natalie could not help but wonder what circumstances could make two parents so cruel that they had never visited their child all these years.


    Natalieforted him, saying, "Marcus, don''t be upset. Amberton doesn''t belong to me, and you can go wherever you want."


    Without thinking much, she reached out and ruffled his hair the way she often did with Sophia.


    Marcus instantly grabbed her wrist and asked, "Are you pitying me, Natalie?"


    "I''m not. There are plenty of people worse off than you. Why would I pity you?" Natalie replied, struggling to free herself.


    However, Marcus tightened his hold, pulling her into his arms in one swift move. He murmured softly, "Don''t move, Natalie.


    "Just let me hold you for a moment... Pretend you''re pitying me. I''ve never known what a mother''s embrace feels like."


    Natalie almost smacked his hand away, but hearing those words, she froze. She thought, "Oh boy, this kid''s motherless trauma is making him look at me like a stand-in mom! Well, fine then. He can have this hug."


    She decided to tell Charlotte to give Marcus plenty of motherly hugs whenever they met. It was only fitting that a real mother should provide that kind offort.


    Marcus held Natalie tightly, lifting his head slightly only to catch sight of three facès peeking through the office window. Thergest one. belonged to Elijah, the fluffy-haired one was Sophia, and the third betonged to Zane. All three of them


    stared wide-eyed at the scene


    inside.


    The moment Marcus shot them a sharp re, all three heads disappeared in a sh. He smirked. It was a good thing they ducked before Natalie saw them.


    Outside the window, Sophia mped a hand over her mouth while Zane helped steady her. The trio crept back to Sophia''s room, moving as quietly as possible.


    Meanwhile, in the office, Marcus still had not let go of Natalie after several moments. She gave him a little shove, breaking the silence. "Marcus, I think that''s enough hugging now."


    "Okay..." Marcus finally loosened his arms and stepped back. "Thanks, Natalie." "No problem," she replied casually. Then, she turned toward the water cooler and poured two cups of water, cing one in front of Marcus.


    She asked, "By the way, how did Grandpa Charles find out someone was investigating your parents? I''ve got some connections. Maybe they can help."


    "I''m not sure about the details. Grandpa got a message from someone, but that''s all I know," Marcus answered.


    He took the cup from her, noticing the intricate design of tiny jasmine flowers printed on the ss. As the water flowed over them, the petals and leaves seemed to bloom, creating a strangely calming effect.


    He sipped the in water, which now tasted oddly sweet and refreshing.


    "If you need any help, just let me know," Natalie offered. She nned to wait until Marcus left to ask around about who else was looking for Wesley and Laura.


    Marcus nodded. "Sure, thanks."


    Then he held up his injured hand, still bandaged. "Since I''m handicapped today, how about I treat you to dinner? Maybe a Helianese cuisine spot?"


    "Not tonight," Natalie said, shaking her head. "I''ve got other things to do. Let''s save dinner for next time."


    She had a meeting scheduled with the Goodwill Pharmacy team, and Zane was already handling her dinner arrangements. If not for Marcus holding her up, she would have eaten by now.


    Marcus'' voice dipped with disappointment. "Oh... okay. Natalie, you don''t hate me, do you?"


    "I don''t hate you." The words slipped out before she even had to think. It was true, though. She did not hate him.


    Sure, he had issues with her in the past, which was why she had kept her distance. Nheless, now that those misunderstandings had been cleared up, there was no reason for resentment.


    Seeing how glum he still looked, Natalie relented. "How about this—I''ll call you after I''m done with work, okay?"


    His eyes lit up instantly. "Deal. I''ll head out now, so you can focus."


    Marcus stood up, still holding his cup of water. "Hey, would you mind... walking me out?"


    Natalie froze for a second, speechless. Before she could respond, Marcus'' eyes dimmed, his expression turning vulnerable again.


    Inwardly, Natalie sighed. Seriously? Fine. She''d walk him out.


    "Let''s go," she said, waving a hand.


    "Thank you," Marcus replied with a soft smile. His entire face brightened as he


    followed behind her, still carrying the ss.


    As he watched Natalie''s petite figure ahead of him, Marcus reflected quietly to himself. Sophia was- right he had already fallen for Natalie, long before he even realized she was the one who had saved his life.  s?novel