The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 296 Putting Sky on Leave When Natalie heard Charlotte say the recording was Marcus' doing, she froze. Marcus hadn't mentioned any of this to her. In her original plan, she'd given the recording to Olivia, expecting her to handle it.

Now, Natalie couldn't shake the feeling that tonight's events had slipped slightly out of her control. Yet, the overall outcstill aligned with her intentions.

"Sweetie, let's go," Charlotte said, gently pulling Natalie along.

"Mrs. Holden Senior isn't exactly an outsider. Back when our family was in trouble, he stepped in and helped us. Without him, we wouldn't be where we are today," she explained with a sigh.

She added, "When your dad and I returned the engagement gifts to the Holdens, we tested the waters. We had you younger ones call him Mr. Holden Senior out of respect, and he didn't seem to mind. That shows he's not hung up on formalities. "He's older, and his generation deserves our respect. If the two families beceven closer in the future, we'll naturally adjust how we address him." Natalie nodded, letting Charlotte's words sink in. As they talked, they headed upstairs but were stopped halfway by Mason, who had clooking for them.

"Father, Mother, Nat, Marcus askedto check if you're done seeing the guests out." "All done," William said. "Let's go." The group returned to the balcony where the earlier discussion had taken place. Marcus sat calmly, sipping coffee, while Mason was slumped in a chair across from him.

A steaming cup of coffee sat in front of Sky, untouched. His swollen, bruised face was proof of the earlier fight.

"Marcus," William greeted Marcus and then glanced at Sky. "What happened to him?" "Isn't it obvious?" Marcus said casually, setting his cup down. "He got beaten up." Marcus' tone was calm, but his words carried weight. "Mr. Walker, I apologize. Sky insultedand even challengedto a fight, so I simply obliged him. Noah may have gone a little overboard, but I'll deal with him later." Mason, feeling a little guilty but also full of admiration for Marcus, stayed quiet. The truth was, he had done most of the damage, but Marcus had pinned it on Noah.

When Mason glanced around to thank Noah, the bodyguard was already gone. He lost his chance to express his gratitude.

"It's fine," William said with a faint smile. "Nat's welcparty went smoothly. Now, it's tto settle sfamily matters." "Nat, go change into something more comfortable and then cback," he instructed. "Also, don't worry about Ms. Thatcher. I had the butler make arrangements for her." "Okay, Dad," Natalie said. Then, she grabbed Mason's arm. "Cwith me, Mason. I need someone to stand guard while I change." "Uh, isn't that a little much?" Mason hesitated.

"You're just waiting outside the door." "Fine," he relented.

As they reached the elevator, they ran into Lincoln, Timothy, and Hector.

"Hey! I'm taking Mason withto get changed. Mom and Dad are waiting for you upstairs," Natalie greeted them with a bright smile.

Lincoln ruffled her hair and pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket. "Marcus mentioned you like this brand, so I had a little chat with the company. The factory's ours now." He handed her the chocolate with a warm smile. "From now on, all the chocolate they make belongs to you. Welchome, Nat. Consider this my gift to celebrate your return." Natalie blinked in shock, her eyes welling up. "What?" This gift was completely beyond anything she had expected.

She was already home, yet Lincoln had still prepared such a thoughtful gift for her on the very day of the welcparty.

The gesture truly touched her.

"Go change already! You've been in heels all day-you must be exhausted," Hector said with a smile.

"Timothy and I had gifts for you, too, but compared to what Lincoln got you, ours kind of lost their shine.

"But don't worry, once we find something good, we'll definitely make it up to you." "Thank you, Lincoln. Thank you, Hector and Timothy," Natalie steadied her emotions, holding back the warmth in her eyes from spilling over. "Alright, I'll go get changed then." "Go ahead!" Inside the elevator, Mason sighed tically. "Lincoln's loaded. That chocolate is impossible to find, and he just went ahead and bought the whole factory. When will I ever have that kind of money?" belongs to "Thanks, Mason," Natalie said sincerely. "For everything. I love the crystal ball you gave me, too." Mason clenched his fists, his expression determined. "One day, I'll win a gold medal for you. Don't forget, I'm aiming for the national team." "I'll be waiting," Natalie said, her smile soft but her eyes red with emotion.

The Walker brothers were slowly healing the wounds left by Natalie's twith the Langleys. Yet, a question lingered in her mind-how did Marcus know she liked that specific chocolate? On the second floor, back at the balcony, the space had bectoo cramped for everyone.

"Let's move to the study," William suggested, standing up. "Lincoln, Timothy, help Sky. Hector, grab the first-aid kit." "Good thing we've got a doctor in the family," he added with a chuckle. "Too bad being brainless isn't treatable." William led the way to the study while Lincoln and Timothy helped Sky to his feet. Hector went to fetch the medical supplies.

"Marcus, you should ctoo. You're a part of this mess, and our family owes you an apology," William said. "You're too kind," Marcus replied as he stood up and followed.

Once inside the study, William opened a caband pulled out al wooden board, slamming it onto the floor in front of Sky with a loud thud. "Get on your knees!" Sky glared defiantly. "Father, I don't even know what I did wrong. I won't kneel." "Sorry, Sky," Lincoln said without a hint of sincerity.

"Sky," William said calmly, "you've been hurt badly. Take an extended leave from work to recover. Lincoln Yecove Will handle the company while you rest.

He continued, "Hector and Mason, when you're not busy with your work, assist Lincoln/at the company. And if there are tasks suitable for Mason or Nat, let them take on sresponsibilities." belongs to Turning to Sky, he asked, "Do you have any objections to this arrangement?" mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1