The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Sheldon clutched his glass, sobbing uncontrollably at the dining table. "I'm really

so sad. Why do the good people die, and not the bad ones? What did Mr. Holden Senior do wrong? Why did he have to hear those words from Yvette? Why? It shouldn't have been Mr. Holden Senior who died!"

Suddenly, Wesley spoke up. "Sheldon, have you seen Cassie recently? I've been trying to find Cassie ever since I returned to Dithoria State from The Herbalist's Sanctuary, but I've had no luck contacting her.

"I tapped into our connections and even asked people I know in Dithoria State to help, but no one knows where she is." Then, he let out a long sigh. "Sheldon, you knew I was using the family's resources, didn't you?"

Sheldon nodded through his tears. "Yes. I know, Mr. Wesley. I've always known."

"Do you know where Cassie is?" Wesley asked, staring at Sheldon. "Sheldon, did you hide Cassie?"

Sheldon shook his head vigorously. "I didn't hide Cassie. I don't know where she is. If I knew where Cassie was, I'd kill her. I'd kill her to avenge Ms. Laura and Mr. Holden Senior."noveldrama

Sheldon's expression twisted with rage as he laughed and cried at the same time.

Wesley and Marcus exchanged a puzzled look. Could they have been wrong about him?

"Mr. Wesley, Mr. Marcus, if you know where Cassie is, you must tell me. I need to ask her why she did such horrible things. I need to ask her how shameless she can be to fall in love with her own brother." Sheldon sobbed, gripping the wine bottle.

"I hate Cassie so much. She tore our family apart. And Vivian, that bitch... Mr. Holden Senior loved her so much and treated her so well. How cruel did she have to be to betray Mr. Holden Senior? I hate those two so much..."

Sheldon's face was smeared with tears and snot as he cried uncontrollably.

Marcus and Wesley exchanged another glance before speaking in unison. "Sheldon, you're drunk."

Sheldon shook his head. "I'm not drunk. I'm fully awake. I know exactly what I'm saying. Mr. Wesley, it was Cassie who caused you and your family to be separated for so many years. It was Cassie who caused Ms. Laura so much pain. It was Cassie who let Yvette get the upper hand!"

He then grabbed Wesley's hand, pleading, "You should never acknowledge Cassie as your sister again. If you continue to treat her kindly, you'll be betraying Mr. Holden Senior, Ms. Laura, Mr. Marcus and all the pain your family endured. Mr. Wesley, promise me! Swear to me that you'll never forgive Cassie!"

Seeing Sheldon in such an emotional state, Wesley quickly responded, "I promise you, Sheldon. Even if you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have forgiven her. If I find Cassie, I'll make sure she suffers. I'll make her pay for every bit of pain Laura has endured all these years."

Wesley's hatred for Cassie was equal to Sheldon's.

Hearing this, Sheldon finally nodded in satisfaction. "That's right. Cassie's an ingrate. She has none of the good Holden traits in her. People like her deserve to die."

Suddenly, Sheldon stood up, clutching the wine bottle in hand.

"I don't feel well... I'm going to rest," he muttered.

He glanced at Wesley and Marcus, forcing a wobbly smile. "Mr. Wesley, Mr. Marcus, have a few more drinks. Holden Residence hasn't been this lively in many years... I haven't felt this happy in so long."

With that, he mumbled, "Alright, then. Goodnight," before stumbling toward his room.

After Sheldon left, Wesley said, "Marcus, what do you think?"

"Sheldon is hiding something from us," Marcus said, raising his glass and finishing the last of his wine. "Since Grandpa's death, Sheldon has been in so much pain. He's not faring any better than I am."

Wesley poured himself another drink and said, "I still can't find Cassie. I can't figure out who in Dithoria State could have hidden her. I've checked, and there's no record of Cassie leaving the country. None of the Holdens' vehicles have been used by her either. As far as I know, Marcus, you've told every noble family in Dithoria State not to help Cassie, right?"

Marcus toyed with his wine glass, deep in thought. "Dad, are you also starting to suspect that Sheldon is hiding Cassie?"

Wesley gave a bitter smile. "I do have that suspicion, but we've already tried

probing him, and Sheldon doesn't know where Cassie is. Perhaps I was mistaken."

Marcus put down his glass and stood up. "Dad, I'll go rest now."

Wesley waved him off. "Alright, go ahead. I need some time alone."

Marcus made his way back to his bedroom. By then, Natalie had already finished

her conversation with Laura and was sitting on the bed, reviewing Nouvelle Zara's quarterly report on her tablet.

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Marcus asked as he walked over.

His gaze fell on her tablet.

"You can look at it tomorrow," he added, gently taking it from her.

Natalie wasn't upset. She had cleared her work schedule to focus entirely on preparing for the wedding.

"Mom just asked me to check out some store locations. She still wants to open a flower shop. I picked a few places for her to consider, but she said she wants to think it over. Did you and Dad manage to get the information you wanted from Sheldon after getting hindrunk?" she asked.

Marcus shook his head. "No."

Natalie pulled him down to sit beside her on the bed. "Marcus, if Sheldon was really up to something, do you think he'd leave behind any evidence? Would he make it so easy for you and your father to catch on?"

She tilted her head, watching his face closely. "I haven't known Sheldon for as long as you have, but I've seen how he worked alongside your grandfather. He is meticulous and decisive.

"You grew up with Grandpa and were raised by Sheldon, so you know Sheldon better than I do. You've probably figured out what Sheldon is up to, haven't you?"

Marcus let out a heavy breath. "I'm going to take a shower."

"Alright, I'll wait for you," she said.

Natalie knew he was avoiding the issue.

Meanwhile, Sheldon placed the wine bottle on the table in his room. His gaze was sharp, as if the haze of drunkenness had completely lifted. He turned and walked into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face.

When he looked up, he stared at his reflection in the mirror and smirked. "Mr. Wesley, Mr. Marcus, I will never let you be tainted by Cassie," he muttered.