After the movie, Marcus and Natalie strolled around for a while. He bought her an assortment of snacks before they finally returned to the car and drove back to Holden Residence.


    Upon arriving, they first went to see Charles. Perhaps it was because he knew they were officially dating now, but he was in an exceptionally good mood.


    "Nattie,e here. Look at what I''ve prepared for you."


    The moment he saw Natalie, he beckoned her over. She quickly stepped forward. "Mr. Holden Senior, you''re giving me another gift?"


    "Of course," he said with a doting smile. He opened the three boxes in front of him, and a golden glint instantly shed before her eyes.


    "Are these gold bars?" Natalie hesitated. She was used to Charles giving her expensive and extravagant gifts, but handing over gold bars like this waspletely unexpected.


    "You''re so smart! That''s right." Charles lifted the lids. "Congrattions, this is your reward."


    His eyes were full of love and affection as he looked at her.


    "Take them. If they''re too heavy to carry, have Marcus bring them home for you."


    "Mr. Holden Senior, this is too much," Natalie said, touched by his generosity. But she had only just started dating Marcus, so epting something so valuable felt inappropriate.


    "Nonsense! It''s not too much at all. You deserve the best in the world. This is just a little gold. One day, I''ll give you shares in Holden Group too.


    "I heard you''re heading to Amberton soon. I didn''t know what else to give you, so I figured I''d send you off with some gold to bring along.


    "Marcus, help Nattie take these back. And don''t you dare pocket any, you little brat! If you do, I''ll smack you."


    The moment he turned to Marcus, his doting expression disappeared, reced by a strict re. His dramatic shift in attitude was almostical.


    Marcus stared in silence.


    Natalie couldn''t help butugh. Charles was genuinely good to her. Even before she and Marcus got together, he had always enjoyed giving her gifts. Now that they were dating, he had even more reason to do so.


    Not wanting to be overly modest, Natalie epted the gift graciously. "Thank you, Mr. Holden Senior. I love it."


    "Good! Women should like simple and practical things like this." He beamed. "I like how straightforward you are not pretentious at all. If you like it, I''ll give you more next time."


    Natalie chuckled and nced at Marcus. He was already gazing at her with warmth in his eyes. When their eyes met, he raised a brow slightly, the corners of his lips curling into a subtle smile.


    "Grandpa, I''m taking Nat to The Book Sanctum."


    "Go on, then!" Charles waved them off, not wanting to disturb the young couple. He called for Sheldon and instructed the kitchen to prepare some food for Natalie.


    "This time, make sure not to serve any alcohol," he added. "Even if Marcus asks for it, don''t listen to him."


    "Understood," Sheldon replied with a smile. "Mr. Holden Senior, you''re truly doting on Ms. Walker. It''s a good thing Mr. Marcus doesn''t get jealous."


    "If he dares to, he can prepare to be single for life!"


    Despite his words, Charles would never actually want Marcus to be alone.


    Now that Marcus had Natalie, Charles finally felt at ease. After all, it had been his wish from the start.


    However, whenever he looked at Natalie, he couldn''t help but think of Grace, the sworn sister he had once trusted, only to be deeply disappointed.


    "How are the Langleys doing?" he asked.


    "Not well," Sheldon replied. "Even since Mrs. Walker went to deal with them, Victor and Diana have fought multiple times about getting a divorce."


    Sheldon always followed Charles''s instructions, keeping an eye on the Langleys. "Selena is an unambitious, vain, and scheming woman. She has no real abilities, and she''s full of tricks. I don''t think you''d want to hear about some of the things she''s been up to."


    Charles sighed. "Then don''t tell me. What about Grace? How is she doing?"


    Sheldon hesitated before carefully answering, Mrs. Langley Senior isn''t


    jel


    doing well. She''s getting old. Back when Ms. Walker was with them, she never had to worry about anything. She could just enjoy life at the nursing home. . to


    "But after Ms Walker severed ties with the Langleys, Mr., Langley Senior had no choice but to return to


    work at Langley Group. However, given her age, it''s been difficult. On top of that, Victor and Selena have caused a lot of mess for thepany, leaving her overwhelmed. She was so stressed that she ended up hospitalized for a long time.


    "Langley Group''s stocks have been declining. They''re no longer the wealthiest family in Amberton. Now, the toppany is Celestial Group."


    Sheldon paused before adding, "That''s thepany the Walker family originally gave to Emma. Sky had been managing Celestial Group for her."


    "What an irritating name," Charles said with a dark expression. "Sky... I practically watched him grow up, only for him to throw his life away for a fake heiress.


    "When Nattie returns, tell Marcus to bring Celestial Group with him."


    "Understood, Mr. Holden Senior."


    Charles scoffed. "Disgusting!"


    "Indeed, Sky Walker is repulsive."


    As they discussed Amberton, their conversation soon shifted to Marcus and Natalie''s uing trip.


    "Mr. Holden Senior, I don''t oppose Mr. Marcus going to Amberton with Ms. Walker. Butst night, when I spoke with Connie, I learned something," Sheldon said hesitantly.


    "When Ms. Walker gets to Amberton, she ns to visit Scarlet Hill. I''m a little worried that Mr. Marcus will follow her there."


    Sheldon looked troubled. Scarlet Hill was a ce where one was bound to run into familiar faces. And in this case, those familiar faces were the ones Marcus cared about—and resented the most.


    "Amberton... Scarlet Hill..." Charles sighed deeply. "Sheldon, we''re getting old. One day, we''ll leave this


    world. Now that Marcus has Nattie, even if he does meet someone from the past, he won''t be afraid anymore.


    "For years, I didn''t know how to tell him the truth. At first, it was Wesley and the


    others who stopped me from speaking. Later on, I just couldn''t bring myself to do


    it."


    "Mr. Holden Senior, this isn''t your fault."


    "Sheldon, I think it''s time for us to take a trip to Amberton-to Scarlet Hill."