The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Inside the tent, Natalie zipped up the entrance, completely sealing off the view

from the outside. The tent was spacious and was made with top-tier materials and equipment.

Marcus lay on the thick mattress. With a simple tug, he pulled Natalie into his

arms.

This wasn't the first time they had shared a bed, but this time, it was different from the others.

This time, both of them were fully conscious.

And this time, they were legally married.

Natalie nestled comfortably in Marcus' arms, listening to his strong heartbeat. After a while, she slowly sat up and checked the latest trending topics on her phone.

"Marcus."

"Hmm?"

"Now that we're married..." Natalie waved her phone slightly. "I just posted it on Facebook, but it's only visible to certain people."

Marcus sat up and took out his phone to post something on his Facebook as well.

Natalie leaned over. "Do you know who I made it visible to?"

"I can guess." Marcus smirked. "Nat, I know exactly what you're trying to do."

"Good."

Soon, Marcus made a post announcing their marriage, attaching a picture of their marriage certificate and wedding photo.

Only a select few could see it. Now, they just had to wait.

After posting, Marcus made a call to Ethan. "Ethan, spread the news that there's going to be a shareholding change in Holden Group."

"Mr. Holden, may I ask what kind of change it is?" Ethan asked carefully.

Holden Group had been running smoothly, with all its major projects stable and no issues across its branches nationwide. A sudden change in shares could cause quite a stir.

"Just say that I'm transferring all my shares to Ms. Walker-Natalie Walker."

Ethan gasped on the other end. Was Marcus serious about transferring all his shares to Natalie?

Marcus added, "Just do it."

"Yes, Mr. Holden," Ethan answered respectfully before immediately executing the order.

Marcus tossed his phone aside, pulled Natalie into his arms, and lay down. He simply held her tightly and did nothing else.

Just like that, the emptiness and grief from Charles' passing were instantly filled.

"Nat, do you think that person will show up?"

With her in his arms, he didn't say anything sweet, nor anything about the wedding. Instead, he brought up that person.

"Cassie will definitely appear," Natalie said with a smirk. "She hasn't held any official position in Holden Group over the years, but she despises Laura so much.

"There's no way she'll let you take full control of the company. After all, back when you brought Grandpa Charles to find me, she tried to use Jessy to impersonate me."

At that time, Cassie already wanted Charles out of the picture. Or perhaps, instead of wanting Charles dead, Cassie wanted Jessy to stay by Marcus' side.

Either way, her intentions had never been good.

Marcus nodded. "You're right. My father spoke to me about it at The Herbalist's Sanctuary. I knew what he was planning, and Grandpa knew too. But Grandpa told me to stay out of it and let my father handle it.

"Cassie has to pay for what she has done. Since my mother was the victim, Grandpa had no right to ask her to forgive Cassie. My father loves my mother deeply. He cared for her every single day for 20 years. And to let her live a peaceful life, he agreed to the divorce."

Marcus' deep voice resonated softly within the tent.

"My father left all his assets to my mother and made me promise to take care of her. He must've made up his mind and prepared himself for what was to come.

"Nat, I grew up with Grandpa, so I never really needed love from my parents. But after talking to my father, I think I could understand why he abandoned me to stay by my mother's side.

"If I were in his shoes, I might have made the same decision. Grandpa was a hopeless romantic, though he was deceived.

"My father was the same, so am I. So, having Ethan spread the news wasn't just

to lure Cassie out. I'm serious about it."

With that, Marcus cupped Natalie's face and kissed her softly.

Natalie was still processing his words. If he transferred all his shares in Holden Group to her, she would become the largest shareholder. That was because

Marcus not only held his own

shares, but also Charles' and

Wesley's. noveldrama

He held about 70% of the company. If he were to give her everything, that would mean he would lose his say in the company. Meanwhile, Natalie would have the power to kick him out of Holden Group at any time.

Such a major transfer wouldn't just provoke Cassie. The other shareholders would never agree to it, either. But Marcus was never the type to seek other people's approval.

"Nat, you're distracted."

After kissing for a while, he gently bit her lower lip. The sudden sting snapped Natalie back to reality.

"Marcus, I won't let you do that." Natalie shoved him away and stared at him seriously. "I won't take your shares."

"You're my wife. What's mine is

yours, and what's yours is still

yours." Marcus met her gaze just as firmly. "Nat, from the moment you agreed to marry me and got the marriage certificate, I had already made up my mind."

Both of them stared straight at each other, not willing to back down.

"Nat, I didn't propose, and we haven't had a wedding. But you've already gotten the marriage certificate with me. I've already done you wrong," Marcus said softly.

Still, he stood firm. "I know you don't care about the Holden Group shares, but this is all I have to give you. Words and promises can change, people do too. But money will never betray you. So, take it."

"Marcus, do you know—"

Before Natalie could finish her words, Marcus silenced her with a forceful kiss. He held her tightly and kissed her fiercely. He didn't want to hear her explanation, nor her refusal.

He knew that she was capable and not lacking any material things. She was rational, calm and resolute. Even when marrying him, she was thinking about using it to lure Cassie out.

As a man, Marcus wanted to marry her so, so much. He wanted to give her the best of everything, including all he had, even if it meant cutting off all his escape routes.

He was willing to do that, yet Natalie's clear, rational gaze was telling him that he couldn't.