The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 249

"That's right. You need to get down on your knees and apologize to me right now, and maybe I'll forgive you," Ruby sneered, stepping forward with her hands on her hips. Her glare was filled with malice. "Dad, this little slut is the reason Zane broke up with me!"

Ivan patted Ruby's hand reassuringly, giving her a look of fatherly indulgence. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one can walk all over you."

Then, his eyes landed on Natalie. "Listen, girl, I don't care what your relationship with Zane is or what family you come from. But you better know your place when you're standing before me, a Sinclair. Otherwise, I can't guarantee you'll walk away from this unscathed."

Before Natalie could respond, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the air. "What exactly are you planning to do to my people, Mr. Sinclair?"

Marcus stepped out of Goodwill Pharmacy, his tall frame moving with effortless dominance. In just a few strides, he closed the distance and stood at Natalie's side.

The moment Ivan saw him, his expression shifted.

"Mr. Holden! So this young lady is with you?" Ivan immediately forced a smile. "Ah, what a misunderstanding! A case of friendly fire—our own people failing to recognize each other."

Marcus' cold gaze swept over the Sinclair bodyguards standing near the car. At just that look, they instinctively backed away several steps.

He reached for the car door and held it open. "Get in."

"No need."

Natalie pressed the door shut with one hand. Her expression remained impassive as she looked at Ivan and Ruby. "Even if you hadn't come looking for me, I would've come to find you."

She turned to Marcus and said, "This is between me and the Sinclairs. There's no need for you to step in."

Marcus saw the clear rejection in her eyes. He didn't push further but didn't leave either.

"Mr. Holden," Elijah approached, his voice eager, "if Ms. Walker needs someone to throw a few punches, I'm happy to do the honors."

Marcus shot him a cold look. "Go inside."

"But, Mr. Holden—"

"She made it clear this is her issue. You still don't get it?"

Elijah blinked, clearly confused as to why Marcus was suddenly annoyed. He hesitated, trying to figure out what he'd done wrong.

"Now." Marcus' tone turned even icier.

"Yes, sir!" Elijah didn't dare argue further. He turned and darted back into Goodwill Pharmacy.

Ivan was still studying Natalie with interest. His smile was calculating. "So, Mr. Holden, what exactly is your relationship with this young lady?"

"None," Natalie answered before Marcus could. "Now, has your daughter paid for the damages she caused at Goodwill Pharmacy?"

Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Not yet."

"Then let's get that settled. If she hasn't paid, you, her father, can do it."

Natalie's voice was calm but firm. "Everything in Goodwill Pharmacy has value, and your daughter came in here like she owned the place, smashing things left and right. If you want to discuss compensation, we'll start from the moment she stepped inside."

She glanced toward the Goodwill Pharmacy staff. Immediately, one of them stepped forward with a long receipt.

"Here's the list, Natalie," the staff member said respectfully.

"Call Zane out here."

"Yes, Natalie."

A moment later, Zane stepped out, took one look at Ruby and Ivan, and blurted, "What the hell? Ruby, are you out of your damn mind? I already told you we're done, and now you bring your dad into this?"

"He's my dad!" Ruby snapped. "Zane, are you doing this on purpose?"

Natalie took a step forward and slapped the bill against Ruby's face. "Pay up. And while we're at it, let's talk about you calling me a homewrecking slut."

"You—" Natalie turned to Zane.

Zane shook his head so hard it was almost comical. "Natalie, I swear on my life, I have never looked at you that way! You know exactly what kind of guy I am. You are way out of my league. I wouldn't dare."

Then he spun toward Ruby. "Ruby, don't go making up crap! If you wanna insult me, fine. But don't act like I ever had a shot with Natalie. A guy like me? The best I could get was you!"

Before Ivan could protest, Liam picked up a small bundle of dried plants.

"This is a millennium emberbloom from the peaks of the Rockies. Extremely rare. We waited a hundred years to get our hands on it. And your daughter destroyed it. If we were being reasonable, we'd ask for a hundred million dollars in damages.

"But since our boss is merciful, we're only asking for 40 million dollars."

Ivan swayed slightly on his feet. His eyes locked onto the ruined emberbloom, his face full of disbelief.

"You expect me to pay 40 million dollars for that worthless thing?"

"If you refuse," Natalie said flatly, "we'll call the authorities. Liam, dial them up."

"Yes, Ms. Walker."

"Wait." Ivan took a deep breath. His gaze shifted to Ruby, filled with barely concealed rage.

She shrank back, lowering her head in silence.

"Fine. I want to speak to the person in charge here."

"Are you suggesting we made all this up?" Natalie tilted her head.

"If you don't believe your daughter did this, let's check the security footage."

She gave Liam a look. He immediately turned the computer screen toward Ivan and played the recording.

The footage showed Ruby storming in, screaming, smashing things left and right.

Then it showed her lunging at Natalie, only to be stopped by Marcus before getting knocked flat on her ass.

Ivan's face turned an ugly shade of red.

"Well?" Natalie asked, her tone cool. "Are you paying up? Or do you still think I owe her an apology?"