Marcus'' deep and tender voice resonated softly in Natalie''s ear. "I really love holding my girlfriend."


    Natalie couldn''t help but smile. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Marcus'' waist, yfully running her fingers along his back. "You''ll have plenty of chances to do that in the future. For now, let''s go eat!"


    "You didn''t sleep wellst night. Do you want me to take a nap with you this afternoon?"


    Marcus held Natalie''s hand with a faint smile on his lips. "There''s no need. Let''s eat first. After that, I''ll bring you to the Remington residence.


    "Mr. Remington gave me medicinest time. I helped him find his biological daughter, and now he''s hosting a reunion banquet for her. He invited me to attend.


    "As it turns out, the daughter he lost was actually raised by Samantha ir, who sent the child abroad when she was young.


    "Ms. ir took her in and named her Sierra Sinir. She grew up alongside Samuel, essentially as his intended betrothed."


    Marcus led Natalie downstairs as he spoke.


    "Why did she send them abroad?" Natalie frowned slightly. "Why did Ms. ir only send Samuel and Sierra overseas but not Sophia?"


    "Because Sophia didn''t have an easy life in the Sinir residence.


    "Sierra was someone Ms. ir picked up on the street. Though she said she ''found'' her, the truth is that Sierra escaped from human traffickers and ran to Ms. ir for help. Ms. ir was kind-hearted, but her rtionship with Ivan was strained, and her family wasn''t powerful enough to support her.


    "On top of that, Ivan had mistresses, and those women were far from easy to deal with. Ms. ir was afraid they might use Sierra''s identity to seek revenge, so she decided to send both Samuel and Sierra abroad early on.


    "She couldn''t bear to send Sophia away. And Ivan insisted on keeping one child at home as leverage, so Sophia had to stay behind. He would never have allowed Ms. ir to send all their children away."


    Listening to this, Natalie couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Sophia. She endured everything because she wanted to protect Samantha.


    But in making decisions for her children''s safety, Samantha ultimately left her behind.


    "Do you feel bad for Sophia?" Marcus lowered his gaze, observing Natalie''s subtle change in expression. He never missed even the smallest details on her face.


    "Don''t you?" She pressed her lips together. "I know this is a private matter of the Sinir family, but I can''t help feeling that Sophia had it rough."


    "I do feel bad for her. That''s why I did my best to look out for her for all those years I thought she was my lifesaver."


    He gently squeezed her fingers. "Sophia knew Samuel always protected her when she was young. She chose to stay behind.


    "She told me that he would definitely build a better life once he went abroad and that he''de back for her and Ms. ir someday. But until I appeared, Samuel never returned to take them away."


    Natalie sighed. "Sophia was too na?ve. She put too much faith in people."


    "The Sinir family isplicated. Most people only see the surface of things. And rtionships are never simple. As outsiders, there''s only so much we can do."


    She nodded. "That''s true."


    "I''ve done what I can to help Sophia. The rest is up to her. You''re kind-hearted and always eager to help others, Nat."


    She shot him a re. "And you sure have sharp eyes, Markie. You recognized Sierra as Mr. Remington''s daughter right away. What an observant man you are."


    Marcus was momentarily speechless. "Are you mad at me?" He chuckled. "I did it for my mother. But even if it weren''t for her, I would''ve helped anyway."


    "I know. There''s no need to exin." She had intended to feign a little anger, but she simply couldn''t hold on to the act.


    "When''s the reunion party being held by the Remingtons?"


    "It''s tonight. Mr. Remington only invited us and a few of his closest associates. Over the years, quite a few people have had their eyes on his family''s wealth.


    "He''s a sharp man. He and his wife made careful arrangements to protect themselves early on. Now that they''ve found their daughter, he''s even more determined to Shield her from those cunning people. So, he kept the guest list small.


    "Samuel can protect Sierra and both Mr. and Mrs. Remington, but he also wants to strengthen his connection with me. We''re friends, and if we can coborate for mutual benefit, why not?


    "Besides, you grew up in Amberton. I''d like to establish some business here. That way, if you ever want toe back, I can always be here with you."


    "Langley Group is bankrupt now. How about I give you Natterns Group to run on your own?"


    Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Natterns Group?"


    "Mhm." Marcus wasn''t interested in acquiring Walker Group. Otherwise, people would assume it was just a gift from her family.


    "No." She refused without hesitation.


    "I don''t like runningpanies. Back then, helping Grace manage Langley Group


    while keeping up appearances for Victor was exhausting enough.


    "Now that I''m back at the Walker residence, my parents have already given me severalpanies to choose from. They even handed me a fashionpany. On top of that, I also have to manage Goodwill Pharmacy. I''m already swamped as it is.


    "I''m noting back to Amberton just to run a business."


    Her decisiveness took Marcus by surprise, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.


    "Let''s grab a bite, visit Laura, then get ready for the Remingtons'' banquet." "Alright."


    They headed to the dining area.


    Charlene was already sitting at the table with Hector, enjoying breakfast. The moment she saw Natalie and Marcus, the mozzare stick in her mouth nearly fell


    out.


    "Wow! A handsome man and a gorgeous woman-the perfect match. What a heavenly couple. So stunning."


    Hector reached over and tapped her on the head. "Eat your food."


    "Oh." She quickly picked up the mozzare stick from her te and stuffed it back into her mouth.


    "Nat, Marcus,e and have a seat." Hector waved them over. "What do you two want to eat? I''ll tell the cook."


    The Herbalist''s Sanctuary had guest lodgings, but they weren''t open to the public. The kitchen didn''t operate every day and only opened when guests were staying


    over.


    Since they had arrived, the cook had been preparing meals daily, though the small kitchen didn''t offer the extensive menu of a full-service hotel. Meals were based on whatever ingredients were avable.


    If someone wanted something specific, they had to notify the cook in advance so they could buy the necessary ingredients.


    Aside from the Holden family and Hector, Natalie and the others had all spent time at the Herbalist''s Sanctuary before. They were used to eating whatever was avable and were never picky. But Hector doted on Natalie and always wanted to give her the best, sometimes being overly meticulous.


    Natalie waved him off. "Hector, I''m not picky. Besides, the cook makes all my favorite dishes.


    "Marcus, go see what''s avable and grab me something to eat."


    "Alright." Marcus released her hand and turned to get their food.