The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 212

Grace sobbed uncontrollably, her voice hoarse and desperate. "I know you've misunderstood me. I know you're angry at me. Blame me if you want—just me—but don't drag the Langley family into this, okay?"

"Please, Nattie," she continued with a pleading tone. "I'm begging you. Remember all the times I saved your life, how I took care of you when you were sick. Please don't take revenge on the Langley family.

"I'm old now. I've lived well these past years thanks to you, and honestly, I wouldn't have any regrets even if I died today," Grace said, her voice trembling. Her tears blurred her vision as she occasionally clutched at her chest.

Natalie said nothing, staring at Grace in silence. The tension in the room grew heavy and oppressive, making Grace increasingly anxious.

Earlier that day, Kevin and a few other shareholders had visited Grace. They had politely mentioned their plans to sell their shares in Langley Group, saying they wanted to retire and spend their remaining years with their children.

Grace understood what they meant. In the past, she had Natalie secretly handle Langley Group's affairs, ensuring the reports always looked impressive. Even during crises, Natalie had managed to keep everything under control.

But now, Natalie was determined to leave the company, and Walter had decided to leave with her. The Langley Group's future looked bleak.

Grace knew she was too old to raise another Natalie. She had always believed she could manipulate her—using her kindness and soft heart to tie her to the Langley family forever.

After all, Natalie had grown up under her care. She had never expected that Natalie would change, turning colder, more ruthless, and unyielding.

Grace was getting older, and she knew that once she passed away, Victor would be powerless to hold Langley Group together. Even so, Natalie was not their own blood.

Whenever Grace was in a bad mood, she would let Victor and Diana treat Natalie like their punching bag. It was a pattern—Victor and Diana would hit her with harsh words or worse, and Grace would offer her some sweetness afterward.

It had worked for years, with no real issues. But everything began falling apart after Natalie found her biological parents.

Grace felt a chill deep in her bones as Natalie's piercing gaze bore into her. Their relationship, built over so many years, suddenly felt like a cruel joke.

Natalie's sacrifices seemed just as laughable. However, she was not going to let it continue.

After a long silence, Natalie finally stepped forward and gently pulled the blanket up over Grace. Her voice was calm and emotionless as she whispered, "Take care of yourself, Grandma. I'm the person you raised. You should know that deep down, I inherited some of your ways," she added calmly.

Grace froze, her mind racing. She had taught Natalie so many things over the years that she could not recall which ways she was referring to.

Without another word, Natalie turned and walked out of the hospital room. As soon as she stepped out, her phone buzzed with a new message. She opened it and saw a video from an anonymous number, with all zeros.

The video showed footage from the day she had gone to the mountains to paint and gotten trapped in a landslide. Natalie's eyes widened as the scene unfolded.

In the video, she was stranded on the mountain. Meanwhile, a man wearing a hat and mask stood behind Grace at the base.

The man spoke respectfully to Grace and reported, "Mrs. Langley Senior, Ms. Langley is stranded alone on the mountain. As per your instructions, the surrounding scene has been set up."

"When you head up there, all you need to do is put on a show of risking your life to save her." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Everything is ready. Ms. Langley won't suspect a thing."