The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Marcus poured a glass of wine and pushed it toward Celeste. "Celeste, a toast to you."noveldrama

He then turned toward Shawn. "Mr. Haines, don't you enjoy playing the hero? Now, you have the perfect opportunity to show off. Why are you hesitating?" Though his lips curled slightly, there wasn't a trace of amusement in his eyes.

"Marcus, let it go!" Celeste forced a smile. "I admit I was wrong today. I'll drink three glasses of wine as punishment. We're a family, right? Let's not make a big deal out of this."

"Celeste, that's quite a statement," Marcus sneered. "Someone just tried to make a move on my wife. How is that me making a big deal out of nothing?

"Be honest, Celeste. Did you organize this gathering for Nat's sake? Or are you dissatisfied with me, so you're trying to find her a new boyfriend?"

"Marcus, stop slandering me! That wasn't my intention." Celeste's voice rose in pitch. She knew all too well how terrifying Marcus could be when he was angry.

"Marcus, you're being too sensitive! No one here thinks that way. Shawn just had a little too much to drink and held out his hand. Do you have to twist things that badly?"

Celeste stood up and added, "I already said I'd drink three glasses as punishment. What more do you want?"

Seeing how Celeste was fuming, Marcus calmly continued pouring the wine, filling every empty glass on the table.

"Waiter, bring 50 more glasses and a case of whiskey," he said coldly.

Natalie grabbed Marcus' hand. "I think that's enough!"

Marcus lifted his gaze slightly. "Nat, this isn't something I can just let go. I don't like it when your relatives keep trying to set you up with another man. That's basically pushing you to cheat. I can't get along with people like that. This matter won't be over that easily."

Initially, he had planned to let it slide after escorting Shawn out with Natalie. But then, Celeste refused to admit her wrongdoing when confronted by Natalie's brothers, making excuses for herself instead.

If he didn't hold her accountable now, who knew what trouble she might stir up in the future?

Since she was so eager to create opportunities for Natalie to be around other men, he might as well give her a taste of her own medicine.

"Mr. Haines, when we were outside, you said that the person you truly like is Celeste." Marcus filled all the glasses on the table to the brim. "Then, go ahead and drink them!"

Shawn glanced pleadingly at Lincoln. "Mr. Walker, I—"

Lincoln looked at him. "Is what Mr. Holden said true? Did you confess that you liked Celeste when you were outside?"

Hearing this, Shawn understood that Lincoln wouldn't be taking his side. He gritted his teeth and nodded. "Yes, I did say that, but Celeste likes someone else. I don't stand a chance."

"How can you be so sure without trying?" Lincoln picked up a glass from the waiter and refilled it. "They say alcohol brings out the truth in people and gives courage to the timid. Since you like Celeste, as your boss, I fully support you. Shawn, drink up!"

"Wait a second. Lincoln, why are you causing trouble with Marcus?" Celeste panicked. She glanced at the glasses on the table that were filled to the brim. If anyone were to finish them, they would surely end up in the hospital.

What was worse was that Lincoln joined Marcus in filling the glasses. Were they trying to get someone killed?

"How could you say we're causing trouble?" Lincoln smirked. "Celeste, you're Nat's cousin. You're the one who organized this gathering.

"You told us that it's for family and close friends only. But now, Shawn's here as well. If he isn't here for you, then was he here for Nat?"

Natalie held her breath, not daring to make a sound. Not only did Marcus think this matter was serious, but even Lincoln thought so. If that was the case, it was best she kept quiet.

"Also, you said Marcus was being too sensitive. Let me ask you, do you really think so?"

Lincoln put the glass down on the table with a crisp clink.

"This was meant to be a gathering of family and close friends. Why did you invite Shawn? Also, don't think we didn't notice what Shawn just said. We're not blind."

Marcus felt more at ease when he saw Lincoln standing by his side. He gave Natalie's hand a reassuring squeeze before turning his gaze back at Celeste and Shawn.

"Mr. Haines, your chance is right in front of you. Why aren't you taking it?"

"Enough!" Celeste's voice shot up. "Fine, I admit it. I invited Shawn, and the two of us are close friends. We've worked on multiple films together. Is it a crime for him to join us?"

"Yes, it is." Lincoln's voice shot up as well. "This is a gathering for Natalie. It doesn't matter if it's Shawn or someone else. You have no right to invite outsiders. If you didn't want to do this, you shouldn't have

organized it in the first place.

"Nat and Marcus are about to have their wedding. They are legally

Yel

married, so they are husband and wife in every sense. Celeste, what exactly are you trying to pull by inviting an unknown man here? Are you giving him a chance to make a move on Nat?"

Lincoln stood up and stared at Celeste. "Don't think that just because you're my cousin, I won't dare to put you in place. My sister is happily married. Why do you insist on creating unnecessary drama?"

"Lincoln, you've gone too far! I'm telling Aunt Charlotte!" Celeste cried.

"Go ahead." Lincoln pointed at the door. "You can do that. I'll tell your father that you tried to set my sister up with other men, encouraging her to betray her husband and her marriage."

"You-" Celeste's eyes turned red with anger. She bit her lip and added, "I didn't mean it that way. You're all just overreacting. Your minds are all in the gutter."

"Whether we are overreacting or that

our minds are in the gutter, you should know. Celeste, don't you know what your reaction shows? It

show that you're mad because we exposed you. Nat is truly unlucky to have a cousin like you."

"Lincoln, how could you talk to me like that? I'm never speaking to you ever again!"

With that, Celeste turned around and stormed out.

Seeing her leave, Hector became worried. "Lincoln, maybe I should check on her. She's been drinking. It's not safe for a woman to be out alone, especially now that

it's late."

"Do you think her bodyguards are that useless?" Lincoln took a sip of water.

He then turned toward Shawn. "Now, back to you, Shawn. When exactly did you start having feelings for my sister?"