The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

The moment Laura spoke, Marcus and Natalie exchanged a glance. Their suspicions had been correct.

They had separately tested Charles and Sheldon. Charles remained calm, but Sheldon had reacted too strongly.

Such an overreaction could indicate either guilt or a strong sense of injustice. Shelson clearly felt the latter.

If Wesley had been responsible for poisoning Laura, then the years he had spent by her side, showing concern and care, would have been nothing but a cruel joke. Either that or he was an exceptional actor, fooling Laura for so long.

More importantly, whoever orchestrated this had mobilized people within the Holden family without raising suspicion, ensuring the operation remained undetected by Charles and Wesley. That meant it had to be someone they would never have guarded against.

In the entire Holden family, only one person fit that description-Cassie.

The connection chart Marcus had uncovered showed undeniable links between Lucy and Cassie. They had secrets they deliberately kept hidden.

When Laura spoke Cassie's name, neither Marcus nor Natalie was surprised. Everything had finally fallen into place.

"Cassie is your father's sister. We always got along well. She was affectionate and treated me like family. I gave her many gifts."

Laura continued, "When I was pregnant, she was overjoyed and kept saying she was going to be an aunt. She prepared everything a baby would need and insisted on covering all the expenses in the future.

"She didn't just buy things for you, but she also gave me gifts. She sent me stretch mark oil, assuring me it was all-natural and completely safe for you in my tummy.

"Your father and I checked the ingredients and confirmed it was harmless to both me and you. So I slowly started using it.

"As I sat in the medicinal bath, I began to wonder if the poison had been in the stretch mark oil. After all, I was the only one who applied it. Your father, grandpa, and Sheldon never came into contact with it."

"It wasn't the oil. Your symptoms only appeared after giving birth. It must have been the first bowl of broth you drank after delivery," Natalie said with certainty.

"If Cassie was behind this and wanted to cover her tracks, using the stretch mark oil would have been too obvious. She isn't that reckless.noveldrama

"But the chicken broth was different. It passed through many hands. Once those people were dismissed, finding them again would be nearly impossible. To put it bluntly, there is no guarantee they are even alive anymore.

"But I do not understand. If it really was Cassie, what could her reason have been? She always spoke to me with such warmth, as if we were really family. I believed we had a good relationship," Laura said, sorrow filling her eyes.

"Your grandpa and father were pleased with our bond. They believed that a close- knit family was the foundation of happiness and success, and I felt the same. That's why suspecting her hurts so much. But aside from her, I truly cannot think of anyone else.

Laura added, "Marcus, don't confront your grandpa or father about this. If it turns out not to be Cassie, they will blame you."

She wiped away her tears. "Being able to recover is already a blessing from above. If I can live with you again, I will have no regrets in this life. Marcus, I'm grateful to you. Thank you for not blaming me."

"Laura, you will make a full recovery," Natalie assured her, squeezing Marcus' hand.

Then, she said, "It is time for treatment."

Laura

"Alright." Laura stood up. "Marcus, I only wish for your safety and happiness. If it really is Cassie, then fear she may have even more dangerous schemes against you. So please, listen to me. Even if she's behind this, pretend you don't know. Don't provoke her. I'm afraid of what she might do to you."

"Mom, don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Without proof, I won't make any accusations. Trust me. I'll protect myself," Marcus reassured her.

"Alright."

Laura's eyes reddened. Ever since seeing her son again, she had been unable to control her emotions or tears. Yet in her heart, she was happier than she had been in years.

All the suffering she endured felt worth it the moment she reunited with her child.

But Marcus and Natalie didn't see it that way. She should never have suffered in the first place. A mother and son should never have been separated. No one should endure pain from others with gratitude.

"Marcus, I will take Laura for treatment," Natalie said, shaking the hand he held in

his.

Marcus had always intertwined their fingers, and once he held on, he was reluctant to let go.

He pressed his lips together. "Can I come with you?"

"No. It's inconvenient," Natalie rejected him without hesitation. "Be good and listen. What you need to do now is investigate Cassie. Get justice for Laura. She has suffered for so many years. It can't be for nothing."

Her tone was gentle, as if coaxing a child.

Marcus let out a slow breath and nodded. "I understand. Nat, I am entrusting my mom to you."

Natalie nodded. "Rest assured. Leave her to me."

"Thank you." Marcus pulled her into a tight embrace, as if wanting to fuse her into himself. "Wait for me."

"I will. Don't be too sad, and don't dwell on it. Right now, I'm helping you, but when

I investigate my own past, you will have to help me." Natalie patted him lightly.

With a lighthearted tone, she added, "Marcus, I'm not helping you for free. You will have to repay me."

Marcus nodded firmly. "I will."

He knew that she was trying to comfort him in her own way. If Cassie was the culprit, then what role had Charles and Wesley played in it?

Just thinking about it sent a chill through him.

Natalie let him hold her for a long time before finally giving him a small push. "Enough. This isn't the time for romance. Get to work."

"Nat, I will never let you be dragged into a family full of deceit and schemes," Marcus whispered into her ear.

Whether he was saying it for her or himself, he didn't know.

"If it really is Cassie, then I will never allow my mom to live with the Holden family

again."