The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

"Sheldon, how about we make a deal? I know where Adam is. I also know where Abigail is." Cassie suddenly lowered her tone.

She continued, "Elijah and Noah have never met their parents. After all these years, they must wonder about them. Just like Marcus. Sure, they grew up with Mr. Holden Senior, but can you truly say they never yearned for a mother's love or a father's affection?"

"Cassie, are you out of your mind? Elijah and Noah grew up with Mr. Marcus. Do you think at their age they're still yearning for bedtime stories and lullabies?" Sheldon chuckled.

"Besides, we were all in the dark back then. Our memories were altered by Adam. He erased himself from our lives entirely. I only just remembered him recently, which is why I asked you that question. Did you really think dangling his name in front of me would get you out of here?

"You're not a child anymore, Cassie. Don't be so naive."

"But Marcus and I are blood relatives. Even if I'm not Mr. Holden Senior's daughter, we share the same bloodline. I'm his aunt. His blood-related aunt."noveldrama

She clung to the bars of the cage, still trying to negotiate her way out. "He's getting married soon. How could I, his aunt, not attend his wedding?"

"You didn't show up at Mr. Holden Senior's funeral, and now you want to attend Mr. Marcus' wedding? Are you serious?" Sheldon laughed.

"You went into hiding so well that not even Mr. Wesley could find you when he returned to Dithoria. And now, suddenly, you think you belong at the wedding?" He burst out laughing, long and loud.

"You were never this naive. So what does that tell me? You're cracking. Losing your grip. Afraid you're going mad.

"Do you know what I promised Kenton when we made our deal? I told him I'd treat you exactly the way Yvette treated Megan.

"You should be very familiar with how that turned out for her. So you'd better brace yourself."

As he spoke, Sheldon pulled out a heavy iron hammer.

"No. Don't." Cassie backed away in panic. But the cage was small. There was nowhere for her to run.

"Don't be scared. It won't hurt much."

Sheldon stepped forward, gave her an injection in the neck, and waited as her body went limp. Once she collapsed, he took out a key and unlocked the cage. "I'm sorry, Cassie."

He dragged her out and raised the hammer. Without hesitation, he brought it down hard on her hand.

Cassie's eyes went wide. She watched in horror as the hammer struck her bones. Pain exploded through her body, but she couldn't make a sound.

The next blow landed on her foot.

"You're not getting the worst of it," Sheldon said calmly, as he continued striking her limbs. "Back then, you ordered Megan to poison Laura. The fact that I haven't made you taste that same venom yourself is already more mercy than you deserve."

Cassie wanted to scream. She wanted to move. But her body wouldn't obey. Her voice was gone, swallowed by the drug's effects. Helpless and silent, she could only feel the pain tear through her, with no way to fight back.

"Don't worry. It'll be over soon." Sheldon smiled as he brought the hammer down again.

Each hit was heavier than the last. And Cassie stayed fully conscious through all of it.

After several more blows, he finally tossed the hammer aside, breathless. He was getting older. This kind of work took more out of him than it used to.

"Don't worry. You won't die... not yet."

He wiped his forehead, then carefully treated her wounds. He bandaged her hands and feet, then gave her another injection. Slowly, the paralysis began to wear off.

"You're insane. You've completely lost it."

Cassie's voice returned, but her limbs were shattered. She couldn't run. Couldn't even lift a hand in defense.

"Yes, I am insane." Sheldon's voice was soft, but his smile was strange.

"Today is the happiest day of Mr. Marcus' life. That makes me happy too. It's just a shame Mr. Holden Senior isn't here to see it. And that's why I hate you. I hate Yvette.

"You were born of that woman and her lover. No wonder your blood is so twisted. You even loved your own brother. If that's not sick, what is?

"Cassie, you brought this on yourself. Mr. Wesley is Mr. Holden Senior's only son. No matter how much I hate Vivian, I would never let him dirty his hands on trash

like you.

"I'll be the one to end this. I'll take the consequences. If I'm gone, Mr. Wesley and Madam Laura can finally live in peace. They've suffered enough."

His voice cracked as he continued. A shaky smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but tears were already falling from his eyes.

"Cassie, if only you had never been born. If that had happened, the Holden family might still be whole Mr. Holden Senior might have never gone down that path. No. If Vivian hadn't tricked him, maybe all of this could have been avoided."

"You're letting your hatred blind you. You still have a chance. You can live a good

life," Cassie said, her voice trembling from pain.

"Shut up."

Sheldon wiped his face with the back of his hand. His tone was cold again.

"You won't die. Not yet. I'll make sure you're alive to see Mr. Wesley and Mdm. Laura walk hand in hand into Mr. Marcus and Madam Natalie's wedding. Just wait."

He dragged her back into the cage, locked it tightly, then turned and left.

After leaving the basement beneath the villa, Sheldon took a long shower and changed into a clean set of clothes. He stood in front of the mirror, forcing a smile until his

expression looked normal.

Once he was sure no trace of emotion remained, he stepped out of the bathroom.

The Holden Residence was brightly lit that evening. Marcus and Natalie had returned. They stood beneath the largest maple tree in the center of the garden, speaking to it in hushed tones.

Not far away, Sheldon stood quietly, watching them with a gentle smile. His eyes soon turned red.

On the second floor balcony, Wesley stood silently, his gaze fixed on Sheldon. Laura held a warm mug in her hands as she stood beside him.

"Wesley, you see it too, don't you? Something's... not right with Sheldon."