Marcus'' gaze was icy as he held Natalie''s hand, continuing to walk along the stone path. "I''ve discovered Cassie''s location. My team will gradually inform my father."


    He continued, "Cassie''s moved a lot of assets over the years, making it tough to catch her. But it doesn''t matter. Sooner orter, her obsession will lead her to resurface."


    Natalie took a deep breath, momentarily unsure of what to say.


    "Nat, are you regretting being with me?" Marcus paused, fixing his unblinking stare on her, his eyes lowered. "Does my family''s situation make you ufortable?"


    Hector had put Charles, Sheldon, and Wesley under hypnosis. Despite his promise not to disclose any details without Marcus'' consent, he also had to hide it from Natalie.


    However, Natalie was clever. She didn''t need Hector to spell things out, her sharp observations during their interactions allowed her to piece together most of the events.


    Marcus felt a bit anxious. "Nat, will you think less of me because of what Cassie has done?"


    He pursed his lips tightly. Although no one had spoken to him, his mind was racing with wild thoughts. He understood that Natalie was tough, but anyone would be irritated by such revolting situations.


    Especially since Cassie had disappeared and her whereabouts were unknown, he couldn''t rx until she was located.


    "Marcus, we''re in a rtionship. If everything goes as nned, we should consider getting married someday." Natalie paused in her steps. "Are you seriously not going to share your true feelings with me?"


    "No one prompted me," Marcus replied with a sigh of relief. "Nat, I want to give you the very best. I want your time with me to be filled with pure happiness and joy, not burdened by all theseplicated issues."


    "A true partner doesn''t constantly expect the other to make sacrifices while taking everything for granted," Natalie said, giving Marcus'' cheek a yful pinch.


    She continued, "We can only deepen our rtionship when we''re on equal footing, supporting and understanding each other. Marcus, in a rtionship, we''re equals. No one is above or below the other. Love makes you want to indulge me, and love also makes me eager to stand by your side.


    "Many men, when they were struggling financially, had their first wives by their side, enduring tough times and building a life together from nothing. Yet, the moment these men achieve sess, they often leave their original partners behind.


    "There are numerous instances of this happening. Interestingly, many devoted lovers actually hail from affluent backgrounds."


    She chuckled as she added, "My birth parents are like that, and so are yours. When ites to us, if you fall for someone else, I won''t bother you. I''ll gracefully step aside, wishing you a joyful andsting marriage. And I''ll also hope you''re infertile but still end up with a house full of descendants."


    Upon hearing the beginning of her words, Marcus'' brow immediately knitted together. By the time she finished speaking, he was taken aback. Infertile yet surrounded by a family of descendants.


    What an extraordinarily generous blessing. If any other woman had offered such a blessing, Marcus might have brushed it off. However, when Natalie uttered it, he felt a peculiar sensation in a particr part of his body.


    He held Natalie''s hand tightly. "Nat, if I ever betray you, I''ll castrate myself."


    "Why so extreme?" Natalie blinked. "If you were to betray me, you wouldn''t need to do it yourself. I have a remedy that can painlessly make you one of the girls."


    "Nat, I''m devoted to you. I don''t fall in love easily, but when I do, it''s forever." Marcus spoke to Natalie with deep sincerity."I mean what I say. I''ll prove over time that I''m not lying."


    Natalie narrowed her eyes and


    grinned. Truthfully, she was


    skeptical of men''s promises, yet she


    never outright dismissed or


    In


    dissuaded them. Tyler had made


    numerous promises before, but the oue was always predictable.


    She chose to be with Marcus simply because she had mistreated him while intoxicated, and she prided herself on not being irresponsible.


    If Marcus altered his feelings and turned against her, she was capable of moving


    on. If, after his betrayal, Marcus could be honest and genuine with her, she could end things on good terms.


    However, if he acted dishonorably, he couldn''t fault her for being firm. It was always wiser to discuss matters openly from the start than to deal with a chaotic and emotional breakupter.


    When Marcus noticed Natalie smiling, he realized she didn''t believe him. However, that was irrelevant. She was his, and he felt assured he could ensure her happiness and joy for the rest of her days.


    They held hands and strolled leisurely down the stone path winding through the herbs in The Herbalist''s Sanctuary until Joshua dispatched someone to ask them toe over for dinner.


    Rather than dining at the guesthouse, they chose to head to Federrick''s cozy courtyard.


    In the small courtyard, instead of herbs, gardenias flourished. When in bloom, their scent filled the entire courtyard, and when not, the garden remained a vibrant green.


    The door of Federrick''s house stood open, revealing a tableden with dishes that were all Natalie''s favorites.


    The elderly man sat in a chair facing the door, pouring wine with a slow, deliberate precision.


    As Marcus and Natalie approached the entrance, a strong aroma of wine greeted them-though it was unlike any wine Marcus had ever tasted.


    "You''re fortunate today. Mr. Langton has finally uncorked the medicinal wine he''s been crafting for quite a while," Natalie said as she took. Marcus'' hand and led him inside. man "Mr. Langton."


    She warmly greeted the


    "Please, take a seat!" Federrick beamed. "Nat, join me for a drink."


    "Of course!"


    Knowing Natalie''s tolerance for alcohol, Marcus swiftly reached over and gently squeezed her hand.


    "Rx, I won''t get tipsy from Mr. Langton''s medicinal wine," Natalie assured with


    a soft smile as she epted the wine Federrick offered her.


    "Nat, on my way back, I met someone," Federrick said, pouring a ss and passing it to Marcus. "She pleaded for my help, but I turned her down."


    He continued, "She mentioned her name is Julie Lombard."


    Federrick fixed Marcus with a significant look. "Marcus, if I''m not mistaken, your group has been searching for her, haven''t they?"


    Marcus nodded and answered respectfully, Yes, Mr. Langton. If it''s not because they shared the same name, then this Julie must be the same assistant Lucy had back then. She was also present when my mother gave birth."


    Federrick nodded. "I wasn''t aware of it then, so I didn''t bring her back. She''s currently at Wellspring Clinic in Amberton. I''ve asked Joshua to notify your assistant about Lucy''s former assistant.


    "Assuming everything is going as nned, your assistant should already be on their way to find her along with your people."