Natalie watched as Marcus buckled her seat belt and then draped a jacket over her.


    "Do you want me to lower your seat?" he asked.


    She shook her head quickly. "No need."


    "Alright."


    He closed the passenger door and walked around to the driver''s side. Then, he started the engine and drove off.


    "Marcus, don''t you think Ivan might be in danger? He is Sophia''s biological father, after all."


    Natalie nced at the rearview mirror. Ivan was still lying on the ground, not moving.


    "He won''t die," Marcus answered in a low, maic voice. "If he did, that would be letting him off too easily."


    "But does a man like that ever really regret the things he''s done?" Natalie muttered. She honestly doubted Ivan would feel any remorse at all.


    "There are some debts Sophia and Samantha need to settle on their own."


    While driving, Marcus ced a call to Ethan. "Hello, Ethan? Proceed with our original n. By tomorrow morning, I want to see the acquisition contract for Sinir Group."


    "Yes, Mr. Holden."


    Marcus ended the call and stepped on the elerator. When they reached an intersection, he turned off in another direction. The further they went, the more Natalie realized it wasn''t the way back to the hospital.


    "Marcus, this isn''t the way to the hospital," she said, frowning.


    "No. I''m taking you home," he replied, slipping back into that cool, aloof tone. "It''ste, and you need rest."


    "I''m not going home. I want to go back to the hospital and wait for Sophia to wake up."


    "Her mother is there, and Zachary is too. You should go home and get some proper rest," he insisted, refusing her request. "Nat, you''re a woman. Stop staying up all night."


    She was annoyed and asked coldly, "Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?"


    He turned and nced at her. "I''m pursuing you."


    "That''s how you pursue someone?" she retorted with a coldugh. "Forcing a kiss on me and insisting on sending me home? Is this your idea of winning me over?"


    Marcus hit the brakes again. He pulled over to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. Then, he unfastened his seatbelt and leaned toward her.


    "What are you doing?" she asked, quickly covering her mouth with one hand, afraid he''d try to kiss her again.


    "I''m letting you hit me back." He studied her anxious expression and brought his face closer, lowering it slightly. "What I did was wrong. You can p me if you want."


    He met her eyes without blinking, his voice soft and low. "Or, if you feel like you lost out because I kissed you, you can kiss me back."


    "You little-" Her eyes locked with his, which were dark and unreadable. For a moment, she had no idea how to respond.


    "Back off," she snapped, giving him a shove. She turned away, refusing to look at him.


    His eyes held too much affection and tenderness, leaving her flustered. She felt as if she had no way to guard herself.


    Marcus let out a smallugh and eased away. Starting the car again, he drove on in silence.


    When the car finally entered Walker Estate, he tapped the lock to release the doors. The moment he did, Natalie undid her seat belt and jumped out.


    "Nat, good night," he called after her.


    She didn''t respond, only quickened her pace and hurried inside. The night was quiet enough that she could hear her own heartbeat.


    ie


    ???


    Marcus was doing all of that on purpose. She had no idea how to handle him. He was so forceful, never giving her a choice. Cutting him out of her lifepletely wouldn''t be easy, especially since Sophia and Charles connected them.


    She patted her cheeks. The night air was chilly, yet her face felt ufortably


    hot. She didn''t need a mirror to know she must be blushing.


    "Don''t think about it," she whispered. "Don''t let that man jerk you around so easily."


    She took several deep breaths to calm herself, then stepped into the elevator and rode it up to the fifth floor.


    Once in her bedroom, she went over to the window and nced outside. Marcus'' car was still there, parked in the same spot.


    She pulled out her phone, intending


    to call him and tell him to leave. But


    just then, she saw him step out of his car and look straight up at her window.


    Seeing this, she quickly switched off the light. A momentter, her phone rang with his number on the screen.


    Hesitating briefly, she finally answered. "What is it, Marcus? Why are you still here?"


    Marcus chuckled and replied, "I''m leaving soon. Good night, Natalie."


    "It''s not a good night," she replied, then hung up at once.


    She yanked her curtains shut, refusing to watch him any longer.


    Down below, Marcus gazed up at her window for a while before getting back in his car and driving away.


    ...


    Meanwhile, at the Sinir residence, Ethan appeared with a group of men, approaching Ivan, who was still sprawled on the ground.


    "Mr. Sinir, are you alright?" Ethan asked, bending down to help him up. "Why don''t we go inside and talk?"


    Seeing the people behind Ethan, Ivan suddenly had a terrible feeling. "Did Mr. Holden send you?"


    "That''s correct," Ethan said with a polite smile. "By the way, I''m the one who sent you those photos and videos."


    Ivan''s face fell. A possibility urred to him. "I don''t care what you want to talk about. I won''t agree to anything."


    Ethan just nodded. "I see. Then we won''t bother you anymore. Let''s go," he said, turning to lead his people away.


    Ivan was dumbfounded by how easily they gave up. It felt off.


    Ethan was Marcus'' assistant. The moment Ivan saw him arrive with his men, he knew they hade to take advantage of his downfall.


    But when Ethan turned and left so decisively, Ivan couldn''t quite figure out what Marcus was thinking.


    "Oh, right. Mr. Sinir, if you ever need anything, feel free to reach out to me."


    However, Ethan came back with a card in his hand after walking just a few steps away. He offered it to Ivan. "My personal number is on there. Feel free to call me anytime. Goodbye, Mr. Sinir."


    With that, he walked away for good. It seemed he''d onlye to hand over a


    business card.


    Ivan stood there for a while before letting out a scornfulugh. Then, he turned


    and tossed the business card straight into the trash.


    Reaching out to Ethan would be like walking straight into a trap.


    Marcus was ridiculous. He could have taken everything by force, yet he still


    insisted on putting on a show of courtesy.


    Ivan went back inside and noticed how empty the house was. rmed, he rushed


    to his study.


    All the valuables had vanished, and his safe was wide open.


    Ivan staggered back. "This is bad. This is really bad."


    Blood surged to his lips, and he spat it out with a furious roar, "Julia, I''m going to


    kill you!"