The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 187

When Marcus rested his chin on Natalie's shoulder, he didn't move again.

Annoyed, Natalie reached up and yanked his hair back hard. "Marcus, get off me."

"You didn't… get drugged again, did you?" she asked sharply. It was the only explanation she could think of for why he was acting like this.

"No," he murmured, his deep, raspy voice tinged with exhaustion. "No one drugged me."

But something had upset him—that much was true. Not that he'd admit it. Their relationship wasn't close enough for him to share every little detail.

He wanted to hold her purely because of the alcohol. He was chasing that fleeting memory of the crimson red scarf she'd worn once and the comforting scent she always carried.

As he held her, taking in her soothing fragrance, the unease and irritation swirling in his chest began to calm.

But Natalie wasn't letting up. Her grip on his hair was relentless, as if she were about to yank it all out.

Marcus finally grabbed her wrist, his strong hand prying her fingers free with ease.

"Ms. Walker, I apologize."

"Get off," she snapped, her tone as blunt as ever. "Mr. Holden, we're not close enough for this kind of behavior."

That earned a low chuckle from Marcus. He slowly sat up, but his piercing black eyes never left her face, watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

Natalie frowned, her frustration clear on her delicate features. "You said you had something to tell me about Mrs. Langley Senior. That's the only reason I came downstairs. I'm exhausted and need to rest. I don't have time to deal with your drunken antics."

Marcus wasn't offended. Instead, he simply stared at her, his sharp gaze taking in the flush of irritation on her otherwise pale face.

Natalie looked so much like Charlotte in her youth—it was uncanny.

When Charlotte had revealed that Natalie was her biological daughter, Marcus had been present. But he'd pretended to take an urgent phone call and left before the conversation could continue. Who would dare confront him if he claimed he hadn't been there?

What he hadn't expected was for his estranged mother to call him afterward, saying that now that the Walker family had found their biological daughter, the engagement between their families should resume.

She'd even gone so far as to say Emma wasn't good enough for him, but the true Walker heiress was a different story.

It was laughable. His entire life seemed inextricably tied to the Walker family's daughters, no matter how hard he tried to break free.

As Marcus' expression grew increasingly complicated, Natalie waved a hand in front of his face. "Mr. Holden, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he replied, leaning back into the couch and rubbing his temples.

His opinion of Natalie had shifted, but the resentment he felt at being forced into this situation remained. His parents, who had ignored him for years, suddenly appeared in his life just to give him orders—to marry their chosen bride.

If he refused, what could they do? This marriage was out of the question.

"Ms. Walker, stay with me a little longer," he murmured, his eyes closing as his body relaxed. "Or… have a drink with me."

"You've had enough," Natalie said flatly. "Should I grab a mirror so you can see what you look like right now?"

"That won't be necessary," Marcus replied with a faint smirk. "I'm perfectly aware of my condition."