The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Yvette clawed at her own skin, her fingers digging in with all her strength. But

whatever was moving beneath it, moved even faster. The moment she touched it, the thing darted somewhere else.

A burst of frenzied barking erupted from overhead.

She looked up. A man stood before her, holding several wild dogs on chains. He wore a baseball cap and a face mask, revealing only a pair of dark, unreadable eyes.

Without a word, the man let go of the chains. The pack of wild dogs lunged toward the overturned urns. Their claws raked the ground without pause, heedless of pain. Then, they lifted their legs and urinated directly onto the ashes.

"Stop! Stop!" Yvette's scream rang out in desperation.

Earlier, when Ethan had told her that the Jenkins family graves were destroyed by wild dogs, she hadn't believed a word. She had assumed it was Marcus' doing, never imagining actual dogs could wreak such destruction.

But they were real. And there were many of them. They followed the masked man's command, but still retained all the vicious instincts of feral animals.

There was no saving the Jenkins family's ashes anymore. Yvette screamed until her voice cracked, but the dogs kept digging, undeterred. The ground was soon in chaos. The air reeked with the acrid stench of urine.

"No. No..." she cried as tears streamed down her face. The Jenkins family was truly unable to rest in peace.

"Mrs. Jenkins Senior, how do you feel about all this?" the man finally spoke.

His voice was rough, hoarse. It was obvious his vocal cords had been damaged.

At the sound of it, Yvette jerked her head up. "It's you!"

"That's right. It's me."

The man removed his cap and pulled down his mask. Half of his face was badly burned and covered in thick scars.

"I told you I'd send you a special gift. So? Do you like it?" He smiled faintly and ran a hand across his mangled cheek. "Where's Megan?"

Yvette's eyes burned red with fury. Her expression twisted with hatred. "She's dead. You bastard. I knew you couldn't be trusted. You're even more disgusting than that slut Grace. I should've let them burn you alive back then."

Kenton was unmoved. He gave a short whistle. The pack of dogs immediately abandoned the graves and turned toward Yvette.

Barking filled the air again.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed from the cemetery.

From a short distance away, Ethan observed the scene with icy detachment. He raised a hand and made a small gesture to Kenton. It seemed to say, "Watch yourself, don't kill her".

Kenton nodded and gave another whistle.

The dogs stopped attacking Yvette and returned to desecrating the urns, urinating on the ashes scattered across the ground.

Yvette's clothes were torn. Her body bore fresh bite wounds, blood seeping from them, staining her torn clothes.

She was old, sick, and dying. But the physical pain didn't matter to her.

What broke her was the destruction of the Jenkins family's cemetery. The ashes violated. The humiliation carved into eternity.

"No... no..." Yvette curled up on the ground, pleading through her sobs. Memories flooded her mind in rapid succession. Then everything went black.

She passed out completely.

Three days later, at Holden Residence, Marcus stood in front of the big maple tree in the center of the garden, dressed in black. Natalie stood quietly watching him.

Underneath the tree, Marcus had buried his grandfather's ashes with his own hands. If he missed his grandfather, this would be the only place he could visit. "You've seen the evidence Kenton gave us, haven't you?" he asked softly. Natalie nodded. "I've seen it. No one expected him to actually be on our side." Marcus remained silent. Kenton's return had not surprised him. Ever since Julie had turned up, Marcus had people watching her. Kenton had simply chosen the moment he thought was right.

The one who dug up the Jenkins family cemetery, who brought the wild dogs, was Kenton. But the order had come from Marcus. He knew exactly what Yvette valued most. And he destroyed it.

"Megan still hasn't been found. Kenton is in the hospital, keeping an eye on Yvette," Natalie said.

Marcus nodded slightly. His eyes remained fixed on the maple tree. "Nat... if Grandpa knew everything I've done, do you think he'd blame me?"

Before she could answer, he spoke again. "He wouldn't. He raised me. He knew me. Just like I knew him. There wasn't a single word in his final message telling me not to take revenge on Yvette. He knew exactly what I would do."

Natalie wrapped her arms around his. "No. What he feared most won't happen."

Before his passing, Charles had worried about one thing above all. That no one would love Marcus after he was gone.

But Natalie, William, Charlotte, and all her brothers had promised him they would protect him. They would love him. Marcus would never be unloved. He would live on, surrounded by the warmth of family.

As for everything else, Charles had said nothing. No matter what Marcus chose to do, he would have his support.

"Grandpa. Twon't let Yvette off the hook. She played with your love. She trampled on your sincerity. Why should she get to enjoy everything you gave her?" Marcus' voice was low and hoarse as he spoke to the tree.

"As for Grandma..." He paused. "I had Kenton hand her ashes over to Yvette."

Vivian had given birth to Wesley. And Marcus was Wesley's son. He was a true Holden. So Marcus hadn't allowed Kenton to destroy Vivian's grave.

But she had betrayed Charles. Cheated on him. Manipulated his love. Forced him into a vow of celibacy. Made him raise Cassie as his own. That was something Marcus could never forgive.

Kenton's appearance had made certain things much easier.

Marcus tightened his grip on Natalie's hand. "Grandpa, rest well. The engagement ceremony will still happen. It's just a bit later. Wait for me. I'll send Yvette down to you soon."

As the words left his lips, he let go of Natalie and stepped in front of the tree. He lowered his head and gave three deep, heavy bows.

Inside Holden Residence living room, the entire Walker family sat gathered on the couch.

Sky had been granted temporary

leave to attend the funeral, but his sentence still remained. He had requested to speak with Natalie before returning, and the Walker family had arranged through their lawyers to give him a few extra days outside.

Marcus soon returned to the living room with Natalie. William and Charlotte watched him, worry etched into their faces.noveldrama

They had already discussed it. For the time being, Hector and Mason would stay

at Holden Residence. Partly to support Marcus, to talk to him occasionally. And partly to keep watch.

They feared that in his grief, he might hurt himself.