The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 168

Once the elevator doors closed, Charles landed a slap on Marcus' arm. "You brat, what's your problem? Do you have an issue with Grace?"

"Grandpa, what if I told you she once told Natalie to seduce me? She wanted her to marry into the Holden family and become my wife. Would you believe it?" Marcus asked seriously, lowering his voice.

"She even told Natalie that if she couldn't win me over, she should just force it or drug me, insisting she had to make me hers."

Charles was stunned. After a few moments, he finally spoke. "So what? You're a man. How does that hurt you?"

Marcus was at a loss. "Grandpa, don't you think Grace has a problem? When she told Natalie to do all that, I was still engaged to Emma," he reasoned with Charles.

"She knew I had a fiancée, yet she still pushed Natalie to go after me. Is that what a grandmother should be teaching her granddaughter? Elders are supposed to set an example, don't you agree?"

During their conversation, the elevator reached the second floor, and the doors slid open. Marcus led Charles out of the elevator. "We can talk in the study."

"In the study? Your room is fine," Charles retorted.

He disliked going to the study. In his younger days, he had spent too many hours there working. Now that he was retired, he had no desire to relive those memories of working around the clock.

"Alright."

They made their way to Marcus' bedroom. Marcus poured Charles a glass of plain water before sitting opposite him. "Grandpa, who do you believe? Me or her?"

"Of course I believe you!" Charles shot Marcus an exasperated look. "It's not like I'm blindly trusting Grace. You saw me pressing her to answer truthfully whether she deceived Natalie. But she keeps denying it. What can I do? I do like Natalie a lot. I can't bear seeing her unhappy.

"Marcus, just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm clueless. If you wanted Grace to leave our place, you saw me agree, right? She's still a guest, though, so we have to play both good cop and bad cop."

He let out a weary sigh. "After all, she's my godsister. Could you show her a bit of respect?"

Marcus' lips twitched slightly, and the serious expression on his face softened a bit. "Grandpa, do you feel bad for Natalie?"

"Of course I do. Isn't it obvious? But back in Amberton, you didn't even like her. You avoided coming home whenever she was there. Why are you defending her now?" Charles asked, narrowing his eyes at Marcus suspiciously."

He continued, "Don't tell me you've fallen for her. If you have, don't drag your feet. A good woman doesn't stay single forever. You'd better act fast."

Marcus was speechless. "I'm not joking around, Grandpa. I don't like Natalie."

He said it so decisively, with not a trace of hesitation. Yet right after he spoke, he recalled the moment he had helped her remove the needles.

Something in him stirred, but he forced it back down.

No, he didn't like her. She was nothing but a gold digger who tried to get close to him from the start.

"If you say so." Charles didn't sound entirely convinced. He waved dismissively. "Anyway, go downstairs and send Grace off. Just tell her I'm feeling under the weather because I'm angry at you. That's why I'm not coming to see her off."

"And if she tries to stay, saying she wants to look after you?"

"Are you dumb? Don't you know how to turn her down? Just tell her she's not a doctor. Hanging around would only make me feel like I have to entertain her, which won't help me recover," Charles barked, glaring at Marcus.

"Do I really have to teach you that? Maybe I should have your parents give me another grandson to train properly."