The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 192

Charlotte and William exchanged a glance before Charlotte, smiling warmly, said, "We've set up a room at home for Grace so she can visit and spend time with Nat whenever she wants. But since her health has improved, she's already returned home and won't be staying with us permanently."

Her tone remained pleasant and polite. Since Grace was Charles' god-sister, Charlotte and William refrained from making any negative remarks. If Charles ever learned the truth, the Walker couple wanted to ensure their family had no part in disparaging Grace or stirring up drama.

"Ah, I see," Charles replied with a slight nod, not pressing further.

Though he felt a certain affection for Grace because of the hardships she'd endured, Marcus' request to have her leave the Holden residence had planted seeds of doubt. But without concrete evidence, Charles wasn't about to jump to conclusions or confront her directly.

At his age, he believed in choosing his battles wisely. Poking into matters that didn't concern him could only cause unnecessary tension.

"Natalie's a good girl," Charles sighed, his voice carrying a note of regret. "Her adoptive parents, Victor and Diana, never appreciated her. Finding her real family was the best thing that could've happened to her."

He leaned back, his expression softening as he reminisced. "When I visited the Langleys in Amberton, Grace was barely coherent. She kept telling me to protect Natalie, calling her 'Nattie.'

"She said the Langleys were bad people and begged me, as her godbrother, to treat Natalie like my own granddaughter.

"At the time, it felt like she was giving me her dying wish. The way she spoke, I couldn't help but get choked up."

Charles paused for a moment, then continued, "Now that Natalie has reunited with her parents, I'm sure Grace must be truly happy for her. It's a blessing."

He gave Charlotte and William a small, encouraging smile. "Don't worry—I'll be there for the welcome party."

"Aright! Thank you, Mr. Holden Senior," Charlotte said sincerely, her expression polite and composed.

They didn't argue with anything he'd said, nor did they try to correct him. Charlotte remembered how convincingly Grace had played the role of the loving grandmother. No one could have guessed the secrets she hid behind that facade.

"We've finished checking the lists, so we'll head back now," Charlotte said, her tone still warm. "We're very excited to have Natalie home and want to spend more time with her before the party. There's still a lot to prepare, so we'll take our leave."

With that, Charlotte and William left Holden Residence. Sheldon hesitated before speaking as their convoy of cars disappeared down the driveway.

"Mr. Holden Senior," he said cautiously, "what do you think the Walkers are up to? They used to call you 'Charles,' but now they've switched to 'Mr. Holden Senior.' Were they testing you?"

"You noticed that too, huh?" Charles chuckled dryly. "William and Charlotte are clever. They're gauging my attitude toward the engagement being called off, switching from 'Holden' to 'Mr. Holden Senior' is their way of seeing if I'll take offense.

"If I'm fine with the change, it signals that I have no resentment about the engagement ending. If I object, it would mean I'm trying to distance myself from them."

Charles leaned back thoughtfully. "They're nothing like the Langleys, though. William and Charlotte are smart and protective of their kids. Even in retirement, they've been working hard to secure their children's futures."

After a pause, his tone turned serious. "Sheldon, I want you to quietly look into Grace's behavior since Natalie returned to the Walker family. Be discreet—I don't want Grace to know we're investigating her."

"Yes, Mr. Heldon Senior," Sheldon replied, bowing slightly before stepping out.

…

As soon as Charlotte and William left Holden Residence, they called Natalie.