The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Cassie's words made Sheldon pause for a moment, but then he let out a chuckle.

"Cassie, you know what happens when someone cries wolf too many times?" he asked. "Elijah and Noah grew up in the Holden Residence alongside Mr. Marcus. The Holden family has never treated them unfairly-not once. And those two? They're fiercely loyal to Mr. Marcus.

He added, "As for Adam-sure, he's their biological father. But he was never around. They didn't even know they had a father. They just thought the Holden family adopted them from an orphanage.

"So, no, Cassie, not everyone who grows up without a dad ends up longing for one. If you think you can use Adam to threaten me or cut some kind of deal, you're dead wrong.

"Just sit tight. You're going to keep dragging yourself through these miserable days until after Mr. Marcus's wedding."

With that, Sheldon turned and left the basement.

Ever since he'd been hypnotized and recovered his memories, the very first thing he did was quietly send people out to search for Adam.

But after all this time, if Adam could be found, they would've uncovered some trace of him by now. And despite all the resources and effort Sheldon had poured into the search, not a single clue had surfaced.

He had started to suspect that Adam was no longer alive.

Back then, Adam had orchestrated everything-manipulating memories through hypnosis, removing Cassie-and whatever had happened between them afterward had clearly been serious.noveldrama

It would explain why, all these years, even though Cassie harbored deep resentment toward Marcus, she never dared act against him or interfere in Holden Group's affairs.

Maybe Adam had been her final bargaining chip all along, but Sheldon wasn't afraid of her threats. After all, he truly believed that Adam would never betray the Holden family.

Step by step, Sheldon walked away from the basement. And if Adam was never found, it didn't matter. Elijah and Noah were part of the Holden family, and that would never change.

Meanwhile, over on Dithoria State's Central Boulevard, Marcus and the group had been wandering for a while when, without realizing it, they ended up near Dithoria City Hospital.

At first glance, Sierra immediately thought of Samuel. That day, after she left with him, it was a cab driver who had taken him to this very hospital.

"Samuel's staying at this hospital, right?" Zachary asked suddenly. "Why don't we all go check on him?"

Sophia looked over at him. Zachary gave her a reassuring look, and she relaxed. She trusted him that he wouldn't hurt her or do anything that would make her uncomfortable.

Sierra's expression shifted slightly. She stayed quiet for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Alright, let's go see him.

She turned to Marcus and Natalie. "Mr. Holden, Ms. Walker, would you like to come along too? If you'd rather not, that's totally fine. You can head back first. We'll return to the hotel after we see Samuel."

"You're not staying at a hotel," Samantha interjected from the side. "Sophia and I own several properties, and there's a vacant one right in our complex. It's fully furnished-just bring your bags and move in.

"We're family. There's no need to stay in a hotel. Plus, if we're all living in the same neighborhood, it'll be easier to visit each other. Honestly, I get pretty bored at home by myself."

"Then we'll stay in your neighborhood," Melissa agreed without hesitation.

She knew Samantha had become like a second mother to Sierra. If Samantha hadn't saved her all those years ago, Sierra would've suffered far more.

Living nearby would also make it easier for Sierra to look after Samantha.

And from what Melissa had seen, Sophia was a genuinely good girl. The bond between her and Sierra would likely grow stronger than the one Sierra had ever shared with Samuel.

Especially now, with the divorce just around the corner.

"Let's all go visit him," Natalie said with a gentle smile. "It's better if we go together. Marcus, let's pick up some gifts. We can't visit a patient empty-handed."

"Sure," Marcus said, then nodded slightly to the group. "Everyone, give us just a moment."

He and Natalie turned to leave, and the moment they were gone, Jonathan's expression darkened. "When I see Samuel, I swear I'm going to slap him right across the face."

Melissa didn't look too pleased, either. Her health had been poor in the past, but ever since they'd found Sierra, her spirits had lifted, and her body had slowly begun to recover.

She used to think Sierra had been doing well all these years—and that being with Samuel, her childhood sweetheart, meant she'd found happiness.

But now, it was clear that Samuel wasn't the man they had believed him to be.

"I swear, I'm going to scratch

Samuel's face up when I see him

Melissa said through gritted teeth. "That bastard-total scumbag. He's not even worthy of being Cee's husband, let alone Sophia's brother."

Samantha didn't say a word, but it was clear she shared the same disappointment

in her son's actions.

"Let's head over first," Zachary suggested. "I'll shoot Mr. Holden a quick message."

"Alright."

Zachary pulled out his phone and sent Marcus a text. A moment later, he got a reply and slipped the phone back into his pocket. "Let's go."

"Yeah, let's go."

He reached for Sophia's hand and gave her a gentle smile. "Don't worry. I'm right here."

Sophia took a deep breath. She had a feeling she knew what Zachary intended to do, but since he didn't say anything, she didn't ask.

She trusted him. Whatever he had planned, she was ready to follow his lead.

The group walked into the hospital together and quickly located Samuel's room. He was staying in a VIP suite and even hired a private caregiver to look after him.

The moment he saw Sierra walk in, Samuel's eyes lit up. But just as quickly, his expression darkened.

Before he could say a word, Zachary and Sophia stepped into the room behind her.

Then came Jonathan and Melissa, and finally, Samantha—his biological mother.

The mother he hadn't seen in so many years.

Samuel froze. After returning to Dithoria State, he tried calling Samantha several times, but she refused to see him every time. And

now, the first time they saw each other again... was like this.

"Mom." Samuel's throat tightened. It took a moment before he could choke out the word, his voice hoarse.

"Don't call me that. I don't have a son like you," Samantha said coldly. Her expression was distant, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Samuel, you've let

me down."

Samuel's eyes reddened, filled with confusion and hurt. "Mom, what do you mean? I haven't seen you in years.

"After I returned, I tried to visit, but you wouldn't see me. Is it because, in your heart, only Sophia counts as your daughter? Was I never your son?"

Upon hearing that, Samantha closed her eyes. A wave of pain passed over her face. She didn't even have the strength to respond.

There were no words left to say.

"Samuel, have you calculated it yet? The emotional damage and lost youth compensation?" Sierra stepped forward, her eyes calm and steady as she looked straight at him.

"My parents fully support my

decision to divorce you. My adoptive mom supports it, too. Samuel, all the years I spent with you, I might as well have fed those years to a dog. I must've been blind to love a man like

you."

Her face was still wrapped in bandages. Her eyes, swollen and red from crying, made it obvious that something terrible had happened not long ago.

She'd been attacked, robbed, hurt by a criminal.

And yet, her husband had been disgusted by her.

Disgusted, and still refused to divorce her. And when she insisted, he dared to

demand compensation for his emotional damage and lost youth.