Natalie''s gaze was calm and steady, carrying a quiet strength that seemed to


    pierce through the soul. It took Charles a moment to register her presence after she called out to him.


    "Nattie, you''re here," Charles finally said, his voice soft and weary.


    Natalie nodded gently. "Yes, I''m here to pass on a message from Laura. She wants you toe see her."


    Charles nodded slowly. "Alright, I''ll go see Laura. Give me a moment."


    "Of course," Natalie replied, standing patiently beneath the window.


    Soon, Sheldon appeared, supporting Charles as they walked out to meet her. "Nattie, let''s go," Charles said.


    "Ms. Walker, I''m sorry," Sheldon said, his eyes red and swollen, clearly from recent tears. "It''s my fault for failing to do my job properly all those years ago. I let Ms. Cassie take advantage of the situation and control so many people in the estate."


    "It''s my fault that Mrs. Holden and Mr. Marcus were separated for so long. And it''s my fault that Mrs. Holden suffered all these years," Sheldon continued, his voice breaking as he began to sob. "I''m the one to me. I''m the one who deserves to die!"


    "That''s enough," Charles interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "Sheldon, wallowing in guilt won''t change anything. The damage has been done, and no amount of regret can undo it."


    "If you want to apologize, do it to Laura. Don''t burden Natalie with this," Charles added.


    "Yes, Mr. Holden Senior. I understand," Sheldon said, wiping away his tears. After the hypnosis, he had remembered everything, and the weight of his guilt had be unbearable.


    Hector had tried tofort him, saying it was not his fault, but Sheldon could not shake the feeling of responsibility. As the Holden family''s butler, he had failed to protect Laura from Cassie''s cruelty. He, Charles, and Wesley had all been hypnotized, their memories altered, and they had lived in ignorant bliss while Laura suffered.


    Sheldon wished he could have taken Laura''s ce, enduring the torment of Umbrahex instead. Nheless, there was no use dwelling on the what-ifs. "Nattie, how is Laura doing? Is she better?" Charles asked as they walked.


    Natalie nodded. "Laura is doing much better. Mr. Langton returned in time, and since I had been following his instructions on controlling the parasite in Laura''s system, her treatment has been effective.


    "She''s recovering well, so you don''t need to worry," Natalie assured him.


    "How can I not worry?" Charles said, his eyes welling up with tears. "It''s the Holden family''s fault. Cassie is a monster, and when I find her, I''ll make sure Laura gets the justice she deserves."


    "Grandpa Charles, you can say all that to Laura," Natalie said gently.


    Then, she led them to the medical room and paused. "Wait here for a moment. I''ll help Laura get ready."


    Natalie stepped inside, where Laura was already dressed and prepared with Connie''s help. She wore a soft ivory cotton dress, and though Natalie had cut her hair short, Connie had styled it beautifully, making her look younger and more vibrant.


    Connie had even asked Natalie for permission to apply light makeup on Laura, enhancing her natural beauty.


    "Laura, I''ve brought Grandpa Charles here. Are you ready to see him?" Natalie asked gently.


    Laura nodded. "Yes, I''m ready. Thank you, Nattie."


    Since regaining her rity, Laura had been reflecting on her rtionship with Wesley and the Holden family. She was not ready to face Wesley yet, but she knew she had to see Charles.


    To avoid worrying Marcus, Laura had privately asked Natalie to bring Charles over after Marcus left. Now that Charles was here, Laura knew Marcus must have left.


    "Natalie, I''m ready. Please invite him in," Laura said, taking a deep breath. "There are some things I need to discuss with him."


    "Alright, I''ll bring him in," Natalie replied with a nod before stepping out.


    A momentter, Charles entered the medical room, supported by Sheldon. It was the first time they had stepped into the room since arriving at The Herbalist''s Sanctuary.


    The medical room was filled with the strong scent of herbs, which was overwhelming for Charles, given his age. As soon as Sheldon saw Laura, he let go of Charles'' arm and dropped to his knees.


    "Mrs. Holden, I''m so sorry. I failed to vet everyone who entered the Holden family back then. It''s my fault you suffered so much all these years," Sheldon cried, bowing his head to the floor.


    "I was ipetent. This is all my fault," he repeated, tears streaming down his face.


    "Sheldon, what are you doing? Get up," Laura urged, flustered by his actions.


    "No one could have predicted how ruthless Cassie would be, and none of us saw


    iting. It''s not your fault." Laura reassured him as she quickly stepped forward and helped him to his feet.


    However, Sheldon could not control his emotions and broke down into louder sobs.


    "Nattie, could you please take


    Sheldon outside and calm him down?" Laura rubbed her temples feeling a headacheing on. With Sheldon crying like this, there was no way she could have a proper conversation with Charles.


    "Alright." Natalie stepped forward. "Sheldon, stop crying ande take a walk with me."


    "Ms. Walker, I feel so guilty!" Sheldon''s voice cracked, and it looked like he was about to cry even harder.


    Without hesitation, Natalie delivered a precise chop to the side of his neck, catching him before he copsed.


    "Sheldon hasn''t been resting well these past few days. He needs a proper sleep." Natalie nced at Charles with a small smile. "Grandpa Charles, don''t worry. I knew exactly how much force to use, so he''ll be fine."


    Charles did not say anything, simply waving his hand as if to dismiss the matter.


    "Ms. Walker, let me help." Connie rushed forward and supported Sheldon alongside Natalie.


    "Connie, take Sheldon to the guest room and let him sleep."


    "Yes, Ms. Walker."


    After Connie took Sheldon away, Natalie stood by the door of the medical room. Laura did not ask her to leave, silently allowing her to stay there and stand guard.


    "Laura, you''ve suffered so much all these years, Charles said, tears streaming down his face as he looked at Laura''s pale, thin cheeks. "It''s my fault. I failed to raise Cassie properly, and that''s why you endured so much pain."


    Laura''s eyes turned red. She stood up and walked toward Charles, then suddenly lowered herself to her knees and bowed three times as a show of respect. She


    replied, "Father, I have one request. Please grant me this."


    "Laura, get up. Just tell me what you need, and I''ll agree to it." Charles bent down immediately, trying to help her up. "You''re still recovering. You''ve already suffered so much during treatment. There''s no need to kneel before me."


    "No, I must kneel." Laura pushed his hands away, her red-rimmed eyes locking


    onto his. "Father, I want a divorce from Wesley. Please... let me leave the Holden


    family."