The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 217

Natalie accepted Charles's gift and handed it to Connie, asking her to put it away safely.

"Grandpa Charles, let's rest for a bit. After that, I'll take you to the hospital."

"Alright."

Charles studied Natalie for a moment before asking, "Nattie, your medical skills are incredible. Why do you go to such lengths to keep your identity hidden?"

Natalie fell silent.

There was a reason she kept a low profile—one she couldn't afford to ignore.

After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Grandpa Charles, human nature can be cruel. I can't afford to take that gamble."

She was young, not like other highly respected, seasoned medical experts.

More importantly, she was a woman.

People's prejudice ran deep. Some couldn't accept that a woman could surpass them in skill. That kind of resentment often bred sabotage from the shadows.

To avoid unnecessary trouble and follow the advice of her mentor, Federrick, Natalie had always practiced medicine under the alias, Elim.

It was a name Federrick had chosen for her.

By disguising herself—sometimes as a man, sometimes altering her appearance—she had cultivated an air of mystery around Elim.

And with mystery came reverence.

The more elusive she was, the more unreachable she seemed. That way, when she saved someone, she would be met with respect and awe.

Charles nodded in understanding.

Even at Holden Residence, whenever Natalie performed acupuncture on him, no one was allowed near the bedroom except Sheldon, Connie, and occasionally Marcus.

Sheldon was tight-lipped, Connie wouldn't speak recklessly, and as for Marcus—if he gave his word, he would keep it.

Even after Natalie had been living at Holden Residence for quite some time, none of the helpers knew what she did.

Most simply assumed she was destined to be the future Mrs. Holden.

After all, she was the first woman Marcus had ever brought home.

As for the young man who had arrived before her? No one knew what had happened to him. He had simply vanished without a trace.

Rumors swirled among the staff in hushed whispers.

Some speculated that the first guest—the young man—had been Marcus' true love. And perhaps, unable to escape society's constraints, he had disappeared… possibly fleeing to Talandia.

Then, after returning from Talandia, he had somehow transformed into the beautiful young woman now living at the residence.

Of course, the Holden Residence staff were all professionally trained. Even if they had their suspicions, they would never dare discuss them openly.

Natalie was discreet and had a pleasant temperament.

Though she had been living at Holden Residence, she never acted arrogantly or ordered the helpers around.

Naturally, the entire household had hoped she would officially become the future Mrs. Holden.

But once they discovered she was the long-lost heiress of the Walkers, all they could do was sigh in disappointment.

Even Charles and Sheldon had privately discussed the matter a few times.

And every time, their conversations ended the same way—with a long, silent sigh as they looked at each other.

No one could tell whether Marcus calling off the engagement was a good thing or bad.

Charles let out a quiet sigh in his heart, then reached under his pillow, pulled out a business card, and handed it to Natalie.

"Nattie, this is Sophia Sinclair's card. Last time, Marcus' aunt—my daughter, Cassie—brought her here to see me."

Charles typically avoided meddling in other people's affairs, but Cassie had dragged Sophia to him and knelt in front of him for a long time.

She made it clear—unless he agreed to help, she wouldn't get up.

After being kicked out of Balford, Cassie behaved herself for a while.

But now, she had returned—and this time, bringing Sophia with her. She was convinced that Charles must have found the legendary doctor, Elim.