Olivia and Connie tried to hold in theirughter. On the bed, Natalie''s lips curved


    into a smile. Marcus had let Elijah be the one to knock on the door. That alone


    said how much he trusted him.


    Elijah might have a sharp tongue, but he usually picked his targets well. He was


    always polite and respectful to those who showed manners and decency. He only


    aimed his sharpness at those who deserved it.


    "Mrs Holden, open the door. Mr. Marcus hase to take you home and to a


    lifetime of happiness," Elijah shouted dramatically.


    "He loves you so much it hurts. Without you, he can''t eat, can''t sleep, he just


    stares into the dark all night long. You are the only remedy for his suffering."


    Olivia and Connie couldn''t help it anymore. Both of them burst outughing. They


    pulled the door open and waved him in. "Come in already. We can''t take it


    anymore."


    Natalie smiled as well. Marcus stepped inside, holding the dazzling golden


    bouquet.


    The moment Olivia and Connie saw it, they let out a chorus of awed gasps. He


    wasn''t holding flowers. He was holding their dream life in his arms.


    Marcus heard their reactions and knew immediately that taking Elijah''s advice had


    been the right call.


    He walked forward, knelt on one knee, and held the bouquet up to Natalie. "Nat,


    I''vee to take you home. Will youe with me?" he asked gently, his voice


    low and rich.


    "Mr. Marcus, don''t forget the wedding shoes," Elijah reminded him loudly from


    behind.


    Then he turned to Natalie and the others. "Mrs. Natalie, please forgive Mr.


    Marcus. This is his first wedding. He doesn''t really know how this works."


    Natalie looked at him, amused. "It''s my first wedding too. There''s a lot I don''t


    know, either. Let''s not get too hung up on the formalities," she replied softly.


    Their wedding, after all, was also a major social event between two prominent


    families. No one would actually try to cause trouble. Most people were just there


    to show their faces, build connections, or secure opportunities.


    And given Marcus'' status, anyone with sense knew better than to stir up trouble.


    All they brought were smiles and blessings.


    "Let''s keep it simple. We''re just going through the motions," Natalie said with a


    gentle smile.


    "Yes, hurry and find the shoes," Olivia chimed in, grinning. She and Connie had


    hidden the wedding shoes earlier in Natalie''s handbag right next to her.


    "Mr. Marcus, they''re in her bag."


    But before Marcus could start looking, Elijah''s voice rang out again.


    "I saw them already. The bag isn''t zipped. The shoes are right inside."


    Olivia and Connie exchanged a look. They both really wanted to sew his mouth


    shut.


    Marcus nced at Natalie''s bag. Sheughed and opened it herself, handing the


    shoes to him. "Put them on for me."


    "Of course." He knelt down and gently slipped the shoes onto her feet.


    "Mr. Marcus, you need to carry Mrs. Natalie now. Her feet can''t touch the ground,"


    Elijah reminded again.


    "Alright." Marcus crouched in front of her. "Nat,e on. Let me carry you."


    Natalie took the bouquet from his hands and wrapped her arms around his neck.


    He lifted her easily.


    There was no mischief, no tricks, no pointless games. He carried her out


    smoothly, one steady stride at a time.


    As they descended the stairs, the gathered guests burst into apuse. The


    pping was thunderous.


    Marcus smiled and nodded politely to the crowd. "Thank you all. Thank you for


    being here."


    "Mr. Holden, we wish you and your wife a love that grows deeper with each


    passing year and a home soon filled with the pitter-patter of little feet."


    "Mr. Holden, may your marriage be filled with joy."


    "Congrattions, Mr. Holden. I wish you both deep love and a long, happy life


    together."


    The blessings came one after another. Marcus nodded and thanked each guest


    as he carried Natalie through the hall.


    Soon, they reached William and Charlotte. Both of their eyes were glistening with


    tears.


    It was hard to let their daughter go. It felt like they had only just gotten her back...


    and she was already leaving again.


    "Marcus set Nat down, sweetie. It''s time to give your thanks," Charlotte said softly.


    William and Charlotte were seated at the front of the room. Gorge had already


    prepared two sses of wine for them.


    All that was left was the ceremony, and the moment Marcus would formally


    address them as parents.


    "Of course. Careful." He gently set Natalie down.


    Gorge stepped forward and gestured. "Time to give your parents a toast."


    The maids brought over the tray. Marcus took one ss, and Natalie followed.


    He turned to William. "Thank you for epting me into your family."


    Then he turned to Charlotte. "Thank you for your care, your kindness, and


    everything you''ve done for Nat and for me."


    The couple epted the drink and slipped a small velvet pouch into Marcus''


    hand.


    "From this moment on, you''re our


    child. We''re truly one family now.


    You and Nat must take care of each


    other. Never lose sight of your love


    and trust," William said warmly.


    "Yes, Father, I will love her well. You have my promise. Please rest assured,"


    Marcus answered solemnly.


    Charlotte wiped her eyes. "Nat, Sweetie."


    Natalie smiled. "Mom, Dad, don''t


    worry. I''ll be very happy. I thought


    everything through before marrying


    Marcus. I''ll take care of this life we''re


    building. And I''ll never let myself be


    mistreated."


    Her words brought a bit of peace to Charlotte''s heart.


    She nodded. "If anything ever happens, tell me right away. No hiding bad news to


    protect us. Do you hear me?"


    Natalie nodded firmly. "I hear you, Mom. I promise."


    "That''s good. Now get up. Time to head to Holden Residence!" Charlotte


    eximed.


    She continued, "There''s still the hotel banquetter. Even though I cut down a lot


    of the extra steps, it''ll still be a long day.


    "If you get tired, speak to Gorge. He''s here for you. You don''t have to exin


    anything to anyone else. Just talk to him."


    "I will, Mom. Don''t worry."


    "Excellent," Marcus said. "It''s time to set off for the Holden Residence."


    After offering a final gesture of gratitude to the guests, he picked Natalie up once


    more and strode out of the vi.


    Thanks to the adjustments Charlotte


    and William had made, many of the


    more tiresome formalities had been


    skipped. In the end, Marcus had


    married Natalie with little resistance.


    As the wedding convoy slowly pulled away, Charlotte could no longer hold back


    her tears.


    "Honey... our daughter is truly married."


    "Yes. Our daughter has been married off," William replied, his tears threatening to


    fall.


    His heart was just as reluctant to let go. But as a man, he kept his emotions in


    check, at least for today.