The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 247

Ruby winced in pain, and her teeth clenched as she stared at the woman in front of her. There was something oddly familiar about her, almost like they had met before.

As for Marcus, Ruby knew better than to cross him.

She quickly searched her memory, trying to place the woman's face. When she realized she had never seen her at any high-society events, she immediately dismissed her as unimportant.

Anyone who had never set foot in an elite social gathering in Dithoria State clearly wasn't someone of status. Even if this woman was just some mistress Zane was keeping on the side, Ruby wasn't the least bit intimidated.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself to her feet. "Who the hell do you think you are, kicking me like that?"

Natalie looked past her and locked eyes with Zane, who had just rushed in. His face had turned pale.

"Ruby, are you out of your goddamn mind? I was the one who broke up with you, and now you're running around like a rabid dog, attacking people left and right? Keep it up, and someone's going to have to put you down!"

He stormed over, glaring at her before quickly bowing toward Natalie and Marcus. "Natalie, I'm sorry. Mr. Holden, I apologize. I didn't mean for this nonsense to interrupt your evening. I'll get rid of her right now."

Then he turned back to Ruby, his expression darkening. "Don't push me, Ruby. If you keep acting like this, I swear I'll call the cops."

"You wouldn't dare!" Ruby's eyes welled with tears. "You dumped me out of nowhere! What was I supposed to do? Just sit there and take it?"

"Zane, you were my boyfriend! Now you're out here defending another woman? Be honest with me—are you keeping that whore from Goodwill Pharmacy on the side?"

Zane lost his patience and slapped Ruby across the face.

He could tolerate being insulted himself, but no one—no one—was going to disrespect Natalie.

Natalie was on a whole different level—untouchable, out of reach. Putting him in a couple with her was just bringing down her standards.

"Ruby, just because your mother was a homewrecker doesn't mean every woman is. Filthy people like you see filth everywhere. You might want to handle your mom's mess before you start running your mouth."

"Zane, don't you dare talk about my mother!" Ruby screamed. If there was one thing she hated most in the world, it was being reminded that she was an illegitimate child.

"The real homewrecker is the woman who couldn't keep her husband. Blame her, not my mother."

Zane let out a cold laugh. "Oh yeah? Then, by that logic, you couldn't keep me, so who are you blaming now? The unloved one is the homewrecker, Ruby. Right now, that's you. I don't love you. So as the other woman, why don't you take your ass out of here?"

Ruby let out a scream, shaking her head and stomping her feet. That wasn't what she meant.

Natalie watched the scene unfold, amused. So this was the same Ruby that Ivan had always treated like a princess? His judgment clearly wasn't that great.

"Zane, I'll give you three minutes to get this lunatic out of here. And before she leaves, she's paying for everything she just broke. At full price."

Natalie's voice was ice-cold. "Also, don't bother coming to work at Goodwill Pharmacy for the next week."

"Natalie, no! Please!" Zane looked devastated.

"Get out." Her tone was sharp and commanding, and her gaze was like a blade.

Zane immediately straightened up, yanking Ruby by the wrist and dragging her out of the courtyard.

Once they were gone, Natalie picked up the report that had fallen to the ground and settled back into her seat under the gazebo.

"Mr. Holden, thanks for the help earlier."

She could've dodged Ruby's slap on her own, but Marcus had stepped in first. Since he had done her a favor, the least she could do was acknowledge it.

"Do you want to sit down for some tea?"

"Sure." Marcus stepped into the gazebo, watching Natalie's slender, fair hands lift the teapot. Her movements were natural and elegant as she poured him a cup.

"Did she touch you?" he asked.

"No."

"Good." She slid the tea toward him. "Have some."