Marcus'' annoyed tone made Sheldon immediately back off. He stood respectfully and apologized to Natalie. "I''m sorry, Ms. Walker, please forgive me."


    "It''s fine, it''s not that serious," Natalie said awkwardly, stepping forward. She couldn''t help but look at the pile of gifts stacked in the living room and then nced at Marcus.


    "Grandpa Charles, how are you feeling today?"


    "Much better," Charles smiled. "When good things happen, your spirit lifts. I suddenly feel like I can live for another 100 years! Nattie, if Marcus bullies you in the future, just tell me. I''ll teach him a lesson."


    As the elder, he would never use underhanded tactics to force Natalie into agreeing to marry Marcus just because the Holden family was more influential than the Walker family. Instead, they would respect her and win her over with sincerity.


    Charles had also made it clear to Marcus that if he treated Natalie badly, tricked her, or bullied her, he would be the first to step in.


    The two families had a long-standing rtionship, and if it weren''t for Marcus breaking off the engagement, Natalie and Marcus would have naturally been married by now.


    Lincoln''s concern was for Natalie''s feelings. If she truly liked Marcus and Marcus treated her well, as her brother, his only role would be to bless her and support her with all his heart.


    Even though the Walker family wasn''t as powerful as the Holden family, they wouldn''t let Marcus look down on Natalie. Her wedding gift would exceed the Holden family''s gifts.


    Charles had made it clear that the Holden family didn''t need Natalie to provide any engagement gifts. If the Walker family insisted on giving it, it would be registered under Natalie''s name. If they ever divorced, Marcus would leave with nothing.


    Charles'' attitude left Lincoln speechless. His beating of Marcus had served to release his frustration. Now, all that was left was for Natalie and Marcus to figure out their feelings on their own.


    He understood the concerns of the Walker family, so no matter what, he would give them the respect and reassurance they needed.


    "Nattie, the kitchen''s ready with breakfast. Go have a bite, and there''s hangover soup. If you want it, you can have some now."


    Charles'' gaze was full of warmth and affection. "I''ll have Sheldon give you the list of the giftster. When you truly ept Marcus, you can have the Walker family arrange a car to pick it all up.


    "Of course, even if you don''t ept him now, you can still take the gifts. But I guess you won''t do that."


    Natalie nced at the piles of gifts in the living room. It was truly overwhelming, but she wasn''t nning to ept them.


    "Thank you, Grandpa Charles. Marcus and I will go have some food first."


    Natalie gave Marcus a push. Marcus smiled slightly and followed her to the dining room. Breakfast was served immediately. There was oatmeal, along with steaming hot milk.


    "You drankst night, so some oatmeal will be good for you today," Marcus said, while his own breakfast was the same oatmeal, though he had ck coffee instead of milk.


    Natalie was indeed hungry. She couldn''t remember what she did while drunk except for the vivid memory of the dream. Of course, she strongly suspected that it wasn''t just a dream.


    After finishing breakfast, Natalie was about to leave.


    "Marcus, I... I''ll go back now. You should get ready too. Let''s head to Amberton as soon as possible."


    "Alright."


    Marcus agreed immediately. "I''ll get everything sorted today, and we can leave first thing tomorrow morning."


    "Good. By the way, keep an eye on Sophia''s side."


    "Got it."


    Natalie looked up at Marcus. "Well... I''m off then."


    "I''ll send you home."


    Marcus waved his hand, and Noah immediately walked out from the shadows.


    "Mr. Holden, Ms. Walker."


    "Go get the car and drive Ms. Walker home."


    "Yes."


    Noah immediately turned and went to fetch the car.


    "From now on, Noah will follow you." Marcus'' tone was gentle, but there was no room for refusal. "He''s more reliable than Elijah, speaks less, and you can trust him."


    "No, I prefer him with you."


    "Nat, don''t reject me," Marcus stepped forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "I thought, afterst night, you might feel a little different about me."


    "Shut up." Natalie quickly covered Marcus'' mouth. "Everything that happenedst night stays between us."


    No more talk about taming, big eagles, or golden cages...


    Marcus was amused by her angry reaction. He raised his hand and gently rubbed her head. "Take Noah with you, okay?"


    "Fine, I''ll take him." Natalie gritted her teeth. "But let me talk to my parents first, and then I''ll take responsibility for you."


    "Hmm?" Marcus'' eyes gleamed. "Really?"


    "Yes." Natalie clenched her teeth. "Wasn''t it you who made me take responsibility?"


    "It was," Marcus'' smile deepened. "Thank you, Nat, for agreeing to take


    responsibility. At least my first time wasn''t given to a heartbreaker."


    Natalie froze. Did that mean she really... had forced Marcusst night? Why didn''t she feel anything?


    Weren''t girls supposed to feel pain


    the first time? Natalie shook her head, trying to push the inappropriate thoughts aside. But Marcus'' words really made it hard for her not to misunderstand Should she ask him?


    Before she could decide, Noah drove up in a sleek ck Mercedes G-Wagon.


    "Ms. Walker, Mr. Holden, please get in."


    Noah stepped out and opened the door. Natalie''s scattered thoughts were finally pulled back, and after a quick nod and a thank you, she got into the car.


    The next moment, Marcus joined her in the car.


    "This car is for you, specially modified."


    Marcus didn''t say much more. He knew Natalie understood. The first time she''d been seen driving a car, it had been a G-Wagon, and he had noticed she liked it.


    "Okay, I''ll ept it." Natalie knocked on the window, listening to the sound before finally relenting.


    "Drive."


    "Yes, Mr. Holden."


    The car started, and the partition between the front and back rose as they slowly left Holden


    Residence.


    "Nat, here," Marcus handed her a ck card. "Promise me, use this card first from now on, alright?"


    Just as Natalie was about to speak, Marcus gently pressed his finger to her lips.


    "I know you have money. Consider it


    a plea from me. I''ve never spent money on a woman before, so I''m not sure how to show my love. So, give me a chance to learn. Is that alright?"


    Natalie was someone who responded well to gentleness, and Marcus knew this.


    His vulnerable, pleading act was bound to work on her.