The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

When William and Charlotte arrived at Holden Residence, Sheldon came out to greet them and led them inside. Before that, they stopped in front of the largest maple tree.

Laura and Wesley stood beneath the tree without saying a word. They simply gazed at it.

"Wesley, Laura." Charlotte greeted them as she and William stepped forward. "It's been years since you last saw this maple tree, right?"

Wesley nodded. "Yes. The day after Laura gave birth to Marcus, we left Holden Residence. Back then, this maple tree wasn't nearly this big. In the blink of an eye, we've been away from home for so many years."

"Wesley, shall we talk privately?" William walked up and placed a hand on Wesley's shoulder.

"Laura and Charlotte haven't seen each other in ages. On the way here, Charlotte told me she has much to say to her. She instructed me to drag you away once we're here."

Hearing that, a faint smile appeared on Wesley's face. "Charlotte is still the same it seems. She's always trying to steal Laura away from me."

William chuckled as well. "You've been with Laura for so many years. Let them have their time together."

"Alright." Wesley's gaze softened as it fell on Laura. "William, how have you and Charlotte been all these years?"

"We've been well."

William led Wesley away from the tree and back to the villa. He retrieved a bottle of red wine that Charles treasured. After letting it breathe, he poured two glasses.

"If you have questions in mind, go ahead and ask them." Wesley held the glass and took a slow sip. "From the moment we met, I could tell from your eyes that you have a lot of questions for me."

William let out a laugh. "Was it that obvious?"

"Yeah. William, we've been friends for many years. All these years, when Laura and I were away from Dithoria, you and Charlotte had always treated Marcus well.

"We also heard about his decision to break off the engagement. Yet, you never blamed him or the Holden family. I'm really grateful for that."

"Our families go way back. There's no need to say such things." William took a sip of his wine. Suddenly, his expression shifted as he continued, "But yes, I do have a few things I want to ask you."

Wesley raised his glass slightly. "Go ahead."

William looked him in the eye and asked, "What have you been doing when you've gone missing?"

"I knew you'd ask that." Wesley chuckled. "While I was gone, you could guess what I've been doing. Right?"

William nodded. "I do, but I want to hear it from you. Wesley, Laura's illness was cured, yet the two of you got divorced. After enduring so much together, why get a divorce after she finally recovered?"

Wesley lowered his gaze. He put down the glass and walked toward the floor-to- ceiling windows. Outside, the scenery stretched out beautifully.

"William, did you know? I've always envied your relationship with Charlotte. Both of you got married before us.

"At your wedding, Charlotte tossed the bouquet to Laura. When Laura caught it, I truly believed we'd be just as happy as the two of you.

"When we were together, our backgrounds didn't match. She never said anything, but I knew she was under immense pressure.noveldrama

"My father never opposed our love, nor did he look down on Laura for being an orphan. The only thing t didn't expect was Cassie. Rather, no one could ever imagine she would do something like that."

UT

Wesley turned to look at William, who was sitting on the couch. "When I went missing, I was looking for Cassie. But she vanished. I couldnt find her. Cassie's my sister, but after my father passed, I found out she was actually my half sister.

"It's ridiculous, isn't it? My father loved my mother deeply, only to be cheated on. He even raised another man's daughter for years, believing she was his own."

Wesley scoffed. His lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Cassie caused Laura years of pain and torment, forcing our family apart.

"She even caused my father to suffer such a heavy blow when he was supposed to be living out the rest of his days in peace.

"And I hate my mother even more. If she married my father, why couldn't she stay loyal to him? My father treated her well and loved her deeply. How could she do this to him?"

"Wesley." William stood up and walked toward him. He gave Wesley a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"Stop torturing yourself with such thoughts. To be honest, I've been searching for Cassie in secret as well. But it's as if she disappeared into thin air.

"There isn't a single trace of her in Dithoria. There weren't any travel records of her as well. I suspected that the Maine family was helping her, so I asked Lincoln to look into it.

"However, the Maine family has already cut ties with Jessy. It's impossible for Jessy to help Cassie on her own. Besides, she even came to us willingly.

"She brought Lucy's ashes and went to the small foreign town where Lucy had spent her last years. But I don't believe Cassie could stay hidden forever." "Neither do I," Wesley interjected.

"That's why the Walker family has been quietly searching for her. Wesley you and Laura finally have a chance at happiness again. Don't let a scumbag like Cassie ruin the rest of your life," William reminded.

"But I can't let it go!" Wesley's eyes turned red. "My wife suffered for years because of the Umbrahex. My father, who should have lived out his days in peace, was dealt a heavy blow by the truth.

"In the end, he chose death with no room for being saved. And because of her, my

son grew up without getting to experience love from his parents.

"I can't accept that. William, I can't just let her get away with it. But even you couldn't find her."

Compared to Wesley's agitated state, William remained calm.

"Wesley, have you thought about it properly? Laura is finally better, but if something happens to you, what about Marcus?

"Now that Charles is gone, the person who loved Marcus the most in this world is

no longer here. As his parents, do you really want him to suffer the pain of losing someone close once more?

"I thought you'd finally come to your senses after going missing for so long. But it seems that you're still blind, Wesley.

"Do you really think that leaving all your wealth to Laura, and having Marcus manage it for her, is love? True love is being there for her, day after day.

"All these years, when she was ill, you stood by her. Why did you abandon her when she's finally recovered?

"You say you envy Charlotte and me, but we would never let someone else's schemes or manipulations drive us apart. If we must die, we'll die together. "So, Wesley, why don't you think about it a little longer?"