The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Natalie's fingers slid into Marcus' hair, and the moment her fingertips brushed against his scalp, a sharp jolt ran through his entire body.

He sucked in a breath, every nerve on edge, his skin practically tingling.

Noticing his reaction, Natalie chuckled. She hadn't expected him to be that sensitive there.

"What's wrong?" She leaned in, her voice soft with amusement. "Marcus, you're a little tense."

The next second, he suddenly tightened his grip around her and turned the table with an aggressive counterattack.

"Mmph-"

This time, Natalie was the one left breathless.

"Turn around. Head to City Hall." Marcus ordered in between kisses.

"Yes, Mr. Holden," the driver responded respectfully before making a U-turn, heading back the way they came.

In the car behind them, Mason and Olivia watched in confusion as the vehicle suddenly changed direction.

Mason frowned. "What's going on? Why'd they turn around all of a sudden?"

Olivia shrugged. "Probably forgot something. Or maybe they need to buy something."

"Should we follow them?"

"Nah." Olivia glanced at her phone. "Let's just head straight to the lake and wait. It's not like we're going into battle. Why do we need so many people?"

Then, as if struck by a thought, she asked, "Mason, if we were going into battle, would you protect me?"

"Of course!" Marcus answered without hesitation.

Olivia narrowed her eyes. "Okay, but if Nat and I both got captured, and you could only save one of us, who would you save first?"

Mason was stunned.

What kind of demonic question was this? Olivia was really not being cute right

now.

He took a long moment to think before cautiously asking, "Do I have to answer?" Olivia nodded firmly. "Yes, you do."

Mason's expression turned serious. "Then I'd kill myself first. I'd turn into a vengeful ghost and save you both at the same time.

"If I couldn't beat the enemy while I was alive, I'd definitely stand a better chance after death. Don't worry, even if it costs me my life, I'd never let anything happen to you or Nat."

Olivia was stunned. She couldn't help but wonder if such an option could actually exist.

"Olivia." Before she could respond, Mason suddenly leaned in, wrapping an arm around her waist. With one swift motion, he pulled her onto his lap.noveldrama

"Why do I get the feeling... you like Nat more than me? You know, I am Nat's brother. We do look alike."

Olivia panicked a little. "Mason, don't mess around!"

Mason smirked, flashing his perfectly straight, white teeth.

"What do you mean, mess around? We're a couple. Getting a little intimate is completely normal. Besides, you do like it when I kiss you, don't you?"

"You-mmph-"

Before she could say anything, Mason kissed her.

As an athlete, he never slacked off on training, not even during breaks. His body

was full of youthful energy, practically radiating testosterone.

But whenever he called her name, there was still a puppy-like softness to him. That combination of dominance and gentleness made Olivia completely defenseless.

Still, Mason never forgot the Walker family's strict rules-no crossing the final line before marriage. Even things like kissing, hugging, or holding hands were never to be forced.

Ironically, Olivia was usually the one forcing him.

And he was more than willing to let her.

"Mmph..." Olivia whimpered softly, like a kitten. Only when Mason had kissed her enough did he finally let go.

"Olivia, when are we getting engaged?" Mason panted lightly, his fingers tracing her cheek. "I think I've figured out where Marcus and Nat went."

"Hmm?" Olivia shot him a skeptical look, the kind that said, "Oh, here we go again."

"I'm a man. I understand other men. Marcus is probably at his limit." Mason chuckled.

He continued, "Before Mr. Holden Senior passed away, he specifically said there was no need for Marcus to mourn him for three years. What he wanted was for Marcus and Nat to get married as soon as possible.

"Now think about it, we were this close to setting the car on fire. And Marcus? He's a man, too. Do you think he'd be able to hold back?"

Olivia slapped a hand over his mouth. "Enough."

Mason grabbed her wrist, guiding her palm down to his chest. "Olivia, let's make a bet."

"A bet on what?" Her fingertips brushed over his firm chest muscles, and her face instantly heated up.

He grinned. "A bet on whether Marcus and Nat went to City Hall."

"No way. I don't think so."

"Let's find out. Mr. Caldwell, take us to the city hall." Mason ordered, raising his voice.

From the driver's seat, Ryan Caldwell immediately responded respectfully, "Yes, Mr. Mason."

Without hesitation, he made a U-turn and headed straight for City Hall.

Meanwhile, Natalie and Marcus had already arrived.

Sitting in the car, Natalie stared at him, utterly baffled. "Marcus... are you serious?"

"Yes. Completely." Marcus reached into his pocket and took out a birth certificate.

Natalie fell silent.

"You carry your birth certificate around?"

Marcus, completely unfazed, responded matter-of-factly, "No. I only started carrying it after we got together. Nat, are you getting out of the car?"

Natalie remained silent. "Marcus, you're being impulsive. You haven't even proposed properly."

He thought for a moment, then calmly slipped the birth certificate back into his pocket. "I'll propose properly tonight."

She reached over, pressing a hand to his forehead. "Are you running a fever?"

"No. I'm perfectly clear-headed, and I'm serious."

He took her hand in his, his grip firm yet gentle. "Nat, I know exactly what I'm doing."

Her expression grew solemn. The

way he looked at her—so

unwavering, so intense, so full tenderness-there wasn't the

of

slightest trace of hesitation or jest.

"Nat, listen to my heartbeat."

Because Natalie could react, Marcus pulled her into his arms and pressed her ear against his chest.

She instantly heard it-thump, thump, thump-a strong, rapid rhythm, steady yet urgent. It left her momentarily speechless.

"Nat, will you marry me?"

His deep, husky voice rumbled above her. She lifted her head to meet his gaze.

"Do you think I'll say yes just like that?"

"I don't dare assume anything. I don't have that kind of security, but I want a promise. Can you give me that?"

His voice was low and steady-each word sinking into her ears like an unshakable vow.

Natalie pressed her lips together, her gaze drifting toward the letters spelling "City

Hall" in the distance.

She had already prepared herself for

a future with Marcus-for marriage,

for children-but she hadn't

expected it to happen so soon. Especially not right after Charles' passing.

She worried about him-his emotions, his grief. She wondered if Marcus was making this decision out of love or if it was a way to fill the void Charles left? "Nat, I'll make you happy." His voice was deep, almost pleading. "Give me the chance to take care of you for the rest of my life. Please?"

Natalie met his gaze, and in his eyes, she saw nothing but the reflection of

herself.