Lincoln wore a bright smile, but his fists were clenched. He wasn''t refraining from punching Marcus out of fear of his status or strength but because he prided


    himself on his good manners.


    Yes, it was because he was well-mannered.


    "Marcus, when did you get so close to my sister?" he asked. "Also, don''t you have work?"


    "It''s still early. I came to pick Nat up," Marcus answered calmly. The way he called her by her nickname sounded like he was close to her.


    "Marcus, you''re a busy man," Lincoln said with a slight smile. "You don''t need toe all the way to pick her up. Besides, I n to show her around Walker Group today."


    "Nat and I already agreed to visit Sophia together," Marcus replied calmly,


    handing the document to Lincoln. "Lincoln, please keep this for Nat. I like her, and I want to pursue her. This is my first gesture of sincerity."


    "What? What did you say?" Lincoln thought he must have misheard. His eyes went wide, much like Natalie''s. "Repeat what you just said!"


    "I said I like Nat," Marcus said seriously. "It was my fault to break off the engagement before. Now, I want to pursue her again. I want her to like me, and then I''ll propose properly."


    Lincoln was stunned. He almost wanted to grab a knife and slice Marcus up.


    Marcus was the one who had called off the engagement, and now he said he liked her? Who did he think he was?


    "If you''re angry, go ahead and hit me," Marcus offered. He could see the polite smile vanish instantly from Lincoln''s face, reced by displeasure.


    Marcus already knew he had made the wrong decision in the past. He had rushed to break off the engagement, so winning her back now wouldn''t be easy. But he was ready for the challenge.


    After kissing Nataliest night, Marcus couldn''t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her shocked expression, looking like she had no idea how to react.


    He admitted he was jealous that she once liked Tyler and Walter, but that was in the past. He hadn''t been part of it, so he nned to make sure her future was filled with him.


    "Marcus, you really..." Lincoln couldn''t hide his anger anymore. He gritted his teeth and said, "You need a beating."


    "Go ahead and do it!" Marcus stepped closer, offering up his face. As he saw it, Lincoln was his future brother-inw, so he dared not offend him.


    "I''m worried you''d just enjoy getting hit." Lincoln let go of his clenched fist. "Get out of here right now. The Walker Group may not be as big as the Holden Group, but we won''t let Nat be mistreated or fear your influence."


    "You''re overthinking. I want to pursue Natalie openly, not pressure her with power," Marcus said with a smile. "I''m trying to please you all, so why would I do anything to upset you?"


    Lincoln was speechless for a moment.


    Marcus seemed possessed. It seemed he needed an exorcist. Maybe he should call the spiritualist he''d met during filming to drive out whatever ghost was controlling Marcus.


    "I''m going to speak with Nat," Marcus said.


    "Hold it. You''re not going anywhere." Lincoln quickly blocked him. "Marcus, you''re the one who broke off the engagement. Now you say you like my sister? What do you take her for?"


    "I was wrong," Marcus apologized sincerely. "But everyone makes mistakes, and those who do deserve a chance to make things right. Lincoln, give me a chance to prove myself. Alright?"


    Marcus'' voice was as deep and maic as ever. He sounded polite, but there was an undeniable pressure in his tone that left no room for refusal.


    Now that he had confirmed his feelings for Natalie, he was determined to pursue her.


    "Lincoln, may I?" he asked again. "I''ve settled the issues left behind by Sinir Group, and I''m giving it to Nat. The more money she has, the better."


    "We don''tck money," Lincoln retorted coldly. "My brothers and I can give her whatever she wants, more than you ever could."


    Marcus'' lips curved slightly, and he said confidently, "Lincoln, you should ask Nat if she wants Sinir Group or not."


    Just then, Natalie returned carrying tea. She saw Lincoln looking angry, while Marcus still appeared calm—though there was a gentle warmth about him that didn''t exist before.


    "Nat,e with me," Lincoln said. He pulled her by the arm, not even letting her offer Marcus the tea.


    "Nat, I like you. I want to pursue you," Marcus'' voice sounded behind them. Lincoln''s fists tightened again. "Marcus, are you crazy?"


    Lincoln normally treated his family and friends with kindness, but this time, he couldn''t hold back.


    Marcus ignored Lincoln and looked steadily into Natalie''s eyes. He repeated each word clearly, "Nat, I like you. I want to pursue you. Will you give me a chance?"


    Natalie was dumbfounded. Marcus waspletely straightforward, not even trying to be subtle.


    She had suspected he might like her, but considering how he treated her at first, she had pushed away the thought. Yet, he had kissed herst night, and it was hard not to put meaning into that.


    Marcus watched her without blinking. "Will you?"


    "Marcus, leave!" Lincoln shouted, yanking Natalie behind him. "Nat, I''m telling you, stay away from this man. All men are the same. Most are no good."


    Natalie was speechless. Lincoln really was upset. He was basically cursing all men, including those at home.


    "Especially him," Lincoln said, ring at Marcus. You broke off the


    1.n


    engagement before, and now you''re chasing her again. You just do whatever you please. Do you think


    the whole world revolves around you?"


    "It was my mistake to call it off," Marcus said, acknowledging his wrongdoing sincerely. "That''s why I''m trying to pursue Nat again."


    "Call her Ms. Walker. You have no right to use her nickname," Lincoln snapped.


    He was on the verge of losing his temper. Natalie had only been back for a short time, and Marcus was already going after her.


    "Marcus, get out."


    "Lincoln, calm down," Natalie said worriedly, afraid he might truly lose his temper. She set the tray down and shot Marcus a re. "Mr. Holden, I''ll walk you out."


    "Nat, didn''t we agreest night to visit Sophia?"


    "She isn''t going." Without waiting for Natalie to respond, Lincoln denied Marcus again. "My sister has other ns. Leave."


    Marcus stayedposed. "Nat, Sophia told me she wants you to be the first person she sees when she wakes up."


    "Stop using guilt to force her," Lincoln retorted.


    "Exactly," Natalie agreed. "Marcus,


    I''m not going with you. I''m going


    with Lincoln. As for you saying you


    like


    me, I''ll just assume you weren''t


    in your right mind. Don''t talk about it


    anymore."


    Lincoln was clearly furious. In this situation, there was no way Natalie would be


    kind to Marcus.


    One was her own brother, and the other was her ex-fiancé, who had once rejected her without hesitation. Even a fool would know who to side with.