The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

"They're asking for 10,000 dollars, and they want brides for their sons too. Otherwise, they won't allow the girls to go to school," Taylor said.

"This time, Maverick rallied all the families in the village who have sons. They're demanding we comply, or not only will Sue and Ann be barred from school, but they'll also prevent any future daughters from being educated.

"Maverick even said that while we may have people stationed here, we can't guard against them forever. It's a threat, plain and simple."

Taylor's face darkened. "These people are beyond saving. Greedy and ungrateful, they are. We come here to help them, and not only do they not appreciate it, but they turn around and threaten us.

"If we didn't have weapons, they probably would've attacked us already."

He clenched his fists in frustration. "If not for the sake of these girls, I'd never want to set foot in this godforsaken place again."

Natalie stayed composed. In truth, 10,000 dollars wasn't much for them-but this precedent couldn't be set.

If she gave in once, the villagers would see them as walking money trees, using the girls' futures as leverage to demand endless payouts.

"Natalie, over the past year, the villagers have acted respectful on the surface, but deep down, they hold no reverence for us," Taylor continued.

"Sue and Ann have always been diligent. They've remembered your words, Natalie. For over a year now, they've studied relentlessly, and every teacher here has seen it. But if we agree to their parents' demands, future work will be nearly impossible."

"We won't agree," Natalie said calmly. "Bring Sue, Ann, and Lynette. I want to hear what they think for themselves."

"Understood."

Taylor left the office and returned shortly after with the three girls.

Before Natalie could even speak, all three dropped to their knees.

"Ms. Natalie, please," Lynette said first. "Please take us out of this place so we can go to school. I know what my dad and the other parents have said.

"We'll repay the 10,000 dollars ourselves. We'll even write you IOUS. We're asking for your help in severing ties with Ashford Vale and our families."

Lynette slammed her head against the floor repeatedly, desperate to prove her sincerity. "Ms. Natalie, the three of us have already discussed this. Once we leave, we'll study hard and never come back here again.

"In our parents' eyes, we're only valuable as tools to benefit our brothers. We don't want our children to suffer the same fate."

"That's right!" Sue and Ann chimed in. "Ms. Natalie, we've made up our minds. We won't stay trapped here. We want to take control of our own lives."

As they spoke, tears filled their eyes and streamed down their cheeks. "Ms. Natalie, the first time we met you, you made us yearn for the world outside. It was the first time we realized that girls could live completely different lives if they relied on themselves.

"We don't want to be stuck in Ashford Vale forever, generation after generation, sacrificed and used by the men here.

"10,000 dollars is hard for us now, but once we're out, we'll study and work to pay it back."

"But your parents also demanded brides for their sons." Natalie didn't help the girls up. Instead, she calmly brought up the second thing that was demanded of her.

"I can lend you the money, but what about that?"

"We'll talk to them," Lynette said. "If they won't agree, then forget the 10,000 dollars. They won't even keep us as daughters. If it comes to it, we'll die."

Her eyes were fierce, her tone unwavering. The three of them had made up their minds. They would escape this place, no matter what it took.

Natalie turned to Sophia. "What do you think?"

Sophia had already looked over their transcripts. If these girls had achieved those results in less than two years, then they were either extremely intelligent or unbelievably hard-working.

People like that would lead extraordinary lives.

But they were born in this remote, isolated mountain village. Without help, they would never make it out on their own. Without Natalie and her team's charity work, thei@fates would have been sealed.

Luckily, they had met Natalie.

"Nat, let's help them," Sophia said after a brief pause. She had made up her mind

too.

She continued, "Three girls. That's 30,000 dollars. I'll cover it, but I want writtendOUS. After you graduate and earn money, you can repay me. And I expect you to stand up to your families.

"Don't worry about the money. As for the rest, you'll have to deal with it on your own. Can you?"

Lynette, Sue, and Ann immediately turned and bowed to Sophia.

"Miss, we'll never forget your kindness. Once we're out, we'll keep working hard and find a way to repay you."

"Then, it's settled." Natalie tapped

the desk with her finger. "You'll write the severance letters to your families yourselves. I'll send people to escort you home and ensure your safety. The rest is up to you.

"Any objections?"

"None!"

Their voices rang out firm and loud, though their eyes were red.

They were excited, grateful, and above all, filled with hope for the new life that finally felt within reach.

"Ms. Natalie, thank you. Miss, thank you."

"Thank you, everyone."

The girls bowed again to Natalie and the others.

"Taylor, get Maverick and the parents of Sue and Ann. We'll resolve everything here at the school in one go. Once it's done, we'll take the girls with us when we leave."

"Yes, Natalie."

Taylor left the room thereafter. Natalie walked to a cabinet, opened it, and pulled out several custom-made firearms. She handed one to each person present.

"If you don't know how to use it, now's the time to learn."

Marcus took one and examined it. He figured it out quickly, as did Zachary. He picked one up and handed another to Sophia. "Sophia, I'll show you how to operate it."

"Okay." Sophia didn't say anything else. She finally understood how hard it was for girls here to leave.

Compared to them, she suddenly realized just how lucky she was. Everything she had suffered in the past suddenly seemed easier to come to terms with.

Her life had been difficult, yes—but unlike these girls, she had received a good education and met good people.

Compared to them, she had no reason not to live her best life.

Coming here with Natalie, Sophia had found new meaning in her life.noveldrama