"Nat, here''s the hangover tea." Hector held the tea in his hand and nced inside the room. "How drunk is he? Do you need me to take care of him?"


    Hector was worried about Natalie. He had no idea how much Marcus had drunk, but the moment he stepped inside the guesthouse, the smell of alcohol wafted from afar.


    It was fine if Marcus simply fell asleep after getting drunk, but if he started acting out under the influence, things could get troublesome.


    Although Hector wasn''t worried that he would bully her, he couldn''t bear to expose her to any danger. Even if they were lovers, no one could tell what a drunk person might do.


    Ever since Hector had known Marcus, he had never caused trouble when being drunk. But sometimes, it was better to be safe than sorry.


    "It''s okay, Hector. I can handle it." Natalie took the hangover tea and continued, "Marcus is very different when he''s drunk. The contrast is quite interesting."


    Her lips curled into a smile. "Hector, please spend more time with Grandpa Charles. He''s healthy now but he''s still old. If he keeps things bottled up, it''ll still affect his health.


    "Mr. Langton and my fellow mentees were vetting Marcus for me, which is why he drank so much. But it all turned out well. He passed their test. From now on, he''ll be part of The Herbalist''s Sanctuary and Goodwill Pharmacy."


    Hector couldn''t help but chuckle at her words. He had a deep respect for Federrick and never imagined he would meet such a reclusive expert in his lifetime.


    But above all, Hector was grateful that Federrick had saved Natalie when she was young, allowing her to grow up safely despite the hardships she suffered with the Langley family.


    His love and care for her was something the Walker family couldn''t match.


    Because of that, whenever Hector had the time and opportunity these past few days, he would look for Federrick and help out in any way he could to show his gratitude.


    Seeing how Hector sincerely cared about Natalie, Federrick taught him some life- saving medical skills. In Hector''s eyes, he had struck the jackpot. The Walker family''s debt toward Federrick became deeper than before.


    "Hector, I should go take care of Marcus." Natalie smiled. "He doesn''t get drunk often. I''m nning to take some pictures of him. If he dares to bully me in the future..." she trailed off.


    Seeing her smug little expression, Hector burst intoughter. "Alright, I won''t disturb you then. But if he starts acting out, don''t hold back. It''s normal for men to cause trouble if you don''t keep an eye on them."


    "I know, thank you, Hector."


    "Alright. I''ll go keep Grandpa Charlespany." Hector ruffled Natalie''s hair with a smile, then gently closed the door behind him before turning to leave.


    Natalie walked back to the bed with the hangover tea. Marcus just stared at her with a pitiful look. He moved his wrist slightly and spoke in a husky yet gentle voice.


    "Nat, it hurts." Marcus justy down and spoke in a gentle tone, somehow making her heart ache for him.


    "Okay, I''ll untie it. But you have to behave," Natalie''s tone softened unconsciously. "Do exactly as I say. Got it?"


    "Alright. I''ll listen to you."


    Seeing how obedient he was, a faint smile appeared on Natalie''s face without her realizing it. Then, she reached out to loosen the tie.


    "Sit up straight."


    "Okay, Nat." Marcus did as told.


    Natalie poured the hangover tea into a cup and brought it to his lips. "Ah, open your mouth."


    He obeyed immediately. "Ah, open your mouth."


    She couldn''t help but chuckle."I didn''t ask you to repeat after me. Just open your mouth."


    "Oh, okay."


    He parted his lips, and Natalie helped him drink the tea.


    "The best thing about being here at The Herbalist''s Sanctuary is that we have herbs you can''t buy anywhere else. I had Hector prepare this tea, but the


    ingredients arepletely different from the ones outside.


    "Once you drink it, you''ll feel better. When you regain some strength, go brush


    your teeth and take a shower, okay?"


    "Okay." Marcus gazed at her. "Nat, I want a reward."


    "What reward?"


    Marcus just stared straight at Natalie without blinking. Of course, she knew exactly what kind of reward he meant. But since he was pretending to be drunk, he couldn''t let her notice he was faking it.


    "Nat, whatever you give me, I''ll take it."


    Natalie smiled and replied, "Alright then. Your reward is... ten push-ups! And I''ll sit


    on your back."


    Her eyes crinkled as she smiled,


    6)


    looking at him from head to toe. "Take off your shirt, and I''ll sit your back while you do some push-ups. How about that?


    Marcus just stared at her nkly, as if he didn''t understand what she was saying.


    She waved her hand in front of his face. "What''s wrong? Are you still there?"


    Only then did he snap out of it. He grabbed her hand and said, "Alright. I''ll do it." With that, he got out of bed, swiftly took off his shirt, and got into a push-up position on the floor.


    "Nat,e on," he said with a smile while looking up at her.


    She nced at his back, his well-defined muscles on full disy. His broad


    shoulders and narrow waist gave his body a perfect V-shape.


    His arms were braced firmly against the floor, and when he looked up at her, his handsome face was simply mesmerizing.


    Most strikingly, his eyes didn''t have their usual coldness and sharpness. Instead, they were gentle and alluring.


    Natalie was a perfectly normal


    woman. How could she resist when Marcus was looking at her with that expression and posture? So, she got up, took off her shoes, and stood beside him.


    "Alright, I''m going to sit on your back now."


    "Sure, Nat." Marcus'' deep voice was indescribably gentle and doting, making it impossible to refuse.


    However, when she sat on his back, she did so carefully, worried about crushing him.


    "Nat, are you sitting firmly?"


    Once Marcus felt her weight on him, his lips curled slightly before he started doing


    push-ups.


    "One."


    "Two."


    "Three."


    "Four."


    Every time he performed a push-up, Natalie would count softly. When he reached 20, she finally told him to stop.


    "That''s enough."


    A smile appeared on her face. She simplyy on Marcus'' back and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Marcus, am I heavy?" she asked.


    "You''re not heavy at all. You''re really light."


    Marcusy on the floor, adjusting slightly to let her lie on his back more


    "Are you tired?" Natalie reached out and traced her fingers over the muscles on


    his back. "Do you work out regrly?"


    "Yes. You like my abs, so I have to train hard."


    She chuckled at his response, unable to describe what she was feeling at that


    moment.


    Just because she liked it, he trained hard. Did that count as being obedient?