The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 182

Grace choked on her words, and before she could finish, tears began streaming down her face. She reached out, wanting to hold Natalie's hand, but Natalie quietly moved her hand behind her back.

Grace's face filled with hurt, her tears falling silently. In the past, whenever she reached out, Natalie would immediately grasp her hands.

But now, though Natalie didn't show any outward rejection, her subtle avoidance was far more painful than an outright refusal.

Natalie pulled out a tissue and handed it to Grace. "Mrs. Langley Senior, you've never truly cared for me, so why keep up the pretense? Aren't you tired of acting?"

"Nat, I don't know where you got that video, but the person in it wasn't me," Grace said, her voice trembling.

"Mrs. Langley Senior, you can keep lying to yourself if you'd like."

When Grace didn't take the tissue, Natalie tossed it into the trash.

"Mrs. Langley Senior, I gave you a chance. If there's one thing I hate most, it's deceit. I owe nothing to the Langley family. And tell Selena to stop trying to use her shameless tricks to manipulate me. I'm not buying it.

"The shares? I'll return them. I won't be coming back to Langley Group. As for my belongings left at the Langley residence, Mason will retrieve them for me.

"When the time comes, I expect you to cooperate and hand over my things.

"Also, the losses Langley Group suffered due to Mr. Langley—whatever gaps I've filled, I expect compensation in cash from you."

"Nattie, do you really have to go this far? Are you truly so heartless? Do you really not trust me at all?" Grace cried, her voice filled with despair.

"Nattie, I don't have many years left to live. When I saved you, I got hit by a car. It took me so long to recover, but now… Nattie, how did you become so cold?

"Mrs. Langley Senior, I'm grateful for what you did to save me, but over the years, Victor and Diana neglected you. I was the one who cared for you.

"My parents are already investigating the hospital switch from back then. They've warned me—you'd better pray the incident had nothing to do with the Langley family or yourself. Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences."

Natalie's expression turned icy, her voice even colder. "You're the one who raised me, Mrs. Langley Senior. You know better than anyone what I despise most and what I can never forgive."

Grace's tears flowed harder. After a long pause, she choked out, "But I'm just an old woman with not many years left.

"Nattie, all I've ever wanted is for you to be happy, for you to live well. I gave you Langley Group's shares at the beginning without ever intending to take them back.

"As for the switch at the hospital, I truly didn't know. If I had, how could I not have searched for my real granddaughter?

"Nattie, I know you don't believe anything I say now. But please, just pity me. Don't cut ties with me, okay? Hearing you call me Mrs. Langley Senior breaks my heart.

"Nattie, you've always been kind. I know you're angry now, but you wouldn't really abandon me, would you?"

"Sorry," Natalie said. Her tone was calm, devoid of warmth. "Mrs. Langley Senior, let me remind you. I'm no longer soft-hearted, nor do I feel any kindness toward you or the Langley family."

She continued, "You once taught me this—to those who harm you, repay them tenfold."