Chapter 1 Let's Not Be in Contact Anymore

Victor Langley was sitting on the couch at the Langley residence when he shoved a credit card into Natalie's face.

"Go back to the Walkers, and let's stop contacting each other. You can keep the card; it has 200,000 dollars in it. Consider this the last gesture of affection from Mom and me after raising you all these years.

"Natalie, please don't blame us for this. Selena suffered in the streets for many years. You've lived 20 years of her life and enjoyed 20 years of wealth and splendor that was rightfully hers. We can't keep you here if it'll upset Selena."

…

A month ago, the Langleys found their long-lost daughter, Selena Langley. After running a DNA test and confirming the fact, they decided to kick Natalie Walker out.

Victor felt slightly reluctant. After all, he had raised Natalie for 20 years. Hence, he decided to give her 200,000 dollars as he kicked her out of the house.

Natalie appeared calm. She carried only a backpack filled with her belongings, leaving everything that belonged to the Langleys behind.

"That won't be necessary, Mr. Langley. Thank you. The Langleys have taken care of me all these years. I've given my blood to Mrs. Langley countless times before. Let's call it even. I wish the three of you all the happiness in the world."

Natalie got up and headed out without turning back.

Guilt floated in Victor's eyes as he watched Natalie leave, remembering everything that happened over the years.

When Natalie transfused her blood to Diana Ashcroft for the first time, Victor found out that Natalie wasn't their biological daughter.

From that moment on, Victor and Diana had been secretly searching for their real daughter while taking care of Natalie.

On one hand, they were reluctant to do so because of the relationship they had built over the years. On the other, Diana wasn't in good health and needed periodic blood transfusions.

The hospital had run countless tests on potential blood donors, but Diana was afraid they weren't clean enough. She would have been devastated if she caught a disease from accepting donations from just anyone.

As such, they took care of Natalie well, allowing her to periodically transfuse her blood to Diana, considering this act a way to repay the Langleys for raising her.

Natalie had donated her blood for many years. A thousand times was an appropriate estimation.

In other words, Natalie had been Diana's living blood bag since she was a child.

Later, Diana's body was nursed back to health and didn't require blood transfusions anymore. Coincidentally, they found their real daughter around the same time.

Their real daughter, Selena Langley, was kidnapped at birth by a hospital maternity nurse and sold off for a few thousand dollars. Then, the family who purchased Selena as a newborn had a son when she was three. So, they despised Selena and sold her off once again.

Just like that, Selena was sold multiple times and experienced living in countless households. She suffered maltreatment and had gone through a lot of pain.

When she found out she was supposedly born of money and could have grown up with her parents' love and wealth, she went ballistic.

She wailed and screamed, unwilling to even look at the replacement daughter who took 20 years of her life.

Selena went as far as to swear that the Langleys had to choose either her or Natalie.

Why did she have to suffer so much on Natalie's behalf, only to end up living with the person who had stolen her identity?

Victor and Diana ached for their real daughter dearly, so without hesitation, they abandoned Natalie, whom they had raised for 20 years.

Even before Selena officially returned home, they quickly removed Natalie's last name, Langley.

Victor thought Natalie would cause a scene and be unwilling to leave. After all, they may have found Selena, but Natalie's birth parents were still nowhere to be found.

Victor had posted Natalie's information and contact number on the family search network. If Natalie's parents were looking for her, they would have contacted her by now.

That said, Victor was worried Natalie wouldn't leave if her parents had not found her, so he lied and said she was from the Walker family in Amberton.

To his surprise, Natalie did not take his bank card and left swiftly.

Now, it was up to fate to determine if anyone would contact Natalie through the family search network.

…

Natalie exited the Langley residence and headed toward the compound's main entrance. As the large gate opened, a black Bentley entered.

Natalie stepped aside and quietly waited for the car to drive past her.

However, the car slowed down before her and eventually stopped.

The car window rolled down, and Selena's darkened face appeared in view.

Natalie quietly stood there and met Selena's gaze.

In all fairness, Selena did not lack in the looks department. However, she must have suffered tremendously, making her face appear harsh and etched with resentment.

Selena opened the car door and exited, looking Natalie up and down. Natalie wore a black jacket, jeans, and white sneakers. She carried a backpack, and her hair was tied in a ponytail. She didn't have any makeup on. Her beautiful doll-like eyes stared at Selena indifferently.

Natalie was dressed simply, with nothing branded on her person. Yet, she managed to look like she was wearing high-end pieces.

The features on her petite face were exquisite. She was gorgeous, even without any makeup. However, her doll-like eyes appeared indifferent and had a cold glint in them.

Most importantly, Natalie's skin was as smooth as porcelain, not a blemish in sight. She could stand anywhere and still be the center of attention in a crowd.

On the other hand, Selena wore all the designer goods Diana had just bought for her. She had Chanti's latest designer bag and had gone through several facial and hair treatments. Still, it would take time for her to make a full recovery.

Victor and Diana didn't look bad to begin with. On the contrary, they had beautiful, defined features. As such, Selena's features were also naturally great.

That said, Selena's eyes appeared too harsh. Jealousy was written all over her face, making her darkened face appear fierce.

One looked like a sinister, dark queen, while the other resembled an ice princess, untouchable and immortal.

The difference in their complexions was enough to make Selena jealous, let alone the difference in education they received.

"Empty your bag," Selena arrogantly ordered. "If you've taken anything that belonged to the Langleys, you're dead meat. Dirty thief, you've stolen my life. Don't think you can steal anything else from the Langleys."

Natalie lightly glanced her way but chose to ignore her. She carried her bag and walked away.

"Stop right there."

Selena extended her hand and pulled on Natalie's bag. The zip opened, and everything fell to the floor.

Selena looked at the contents of the bag and immediately fumed.

"Bitch, you took my engagement ring from the Millers."

Natalie quirked her eyebrow. She was unsure when an item that didn't belong to her appeared in her backpack. It was the engagement ring Tyler Miller, the eldest son of the Millers, had given her.

The Millers and the Langleys had a marriage agreement. When Tyler was 18, he came to the Langleys and gave Natalie this engagement ring.

Once Natalie turned 20 years old, they would register their marriage and host the wedding.

Now, Natalie was three months away from turning 20. Selena, the real Langley daughter, had returned at such a time. The marriage agreement was therefore rightfully hers.

Natalie was sure she didn't bring the engagement ring with her when she left, so someone in the Langley residence had to have framed her.

Chapter 2 She Didn't Want Someone Else's Fiancé

A sharp yet impatient glint flickered in Natalie's eyes. She didn't want to pick a fight with Selena over something like this. It wasn't that she was afraid to; she simply felt it was unnecessary and didn't want to waste their time.

However, Selena didn't want to let her go.

"Mom, look! The daughter you raised for 20 years turned out to be a traitor and a thief."

Diana exited the car at this moment. She looked at Natalie, then at the ring on the floor. She had raised Natalie for the past 20 years and had accepted Natalie's many blood transfusions, but she hated Natalie for taking away her biological daughter's life.

"Natalie, why did you steal the ring Mr. Miller gave to Selena?" Diana didn't seek to clarify the situation and immediately assumed it was Natalie's fault.

"I didn't take it." Natalie calmly added, "I didn't take this ring. It's inappropriate to assume I stole it, Mrs. Langley."

Diana retorted, "You said you didn't take it, but why is the ring in your backpack? What you're wearing and using were bought with the Langleys' money, even this backpack."

Diana was disappointed. "I know you're unhappy that we asked you to leave since Selena is back. You're resentful, but don't blame us for it. Our daughter was stranded on the streets and suffered years of pain because of you. Don't you think you should compensate us for this?"

Natalie looked at Diana as if she were looking at an idiot. The nurse had been the one to take Selena away. At that time, she was still a baby—what would she have known?

Plus, when the nurse took Selena away, the hospital was afraid of taking full responsibility and acquired Natalie from God-knows-where to give the Langleys. The hospital and the nurse were the ones at fault. It had nothing to do with Natalie.

Even if the Langleys had raised her for 20 years, she had repeatedly transfused her blood to Diana and helped Victor strategize to make more money this whole time. When the Langleys' business was about to go bankrupt, she'd secretly saved them.

She never owed the Langleys anything, let alone Selena.

In truth, Natalie was also a victim. Anyone would want to be raised by their birth parents. Who would want to abandon their real family to be raised by another for no reason?

"Let me say it again—I didn't take the ring." Natalie didn't want to argue with Diana. Arguing with an idiot would only lower her standards.

"Don't think about leaving this place before you explain yourself."

Selena stomped her feet on the ground, destroying everything that belonged to Natalie except that ring.

"Ty, look. Natalie stole the ring you gave me."

After Selena stomped on everything, she waved at the door. A tall and slender figure emerged from the entrance.

The man looked handsome but expressionless. It was Tyler Miller, the Langley daughter's fiancé.

He had been Natalie's before. Now, he was Selena's.

Tyler came closer. He looked at everything on the floor, his gaze finally landing on the ring in Selena's hand.

"Natalie, did you steal the Langley family's ring?"

The corner of Natalie's mouth twitched. Tyler had personally handed this ring to her. Even if she returned the marriage arrangement to Selena, she still had the right to handle the ring as she saw fit.

Plus, when Natalie knew she wasn't a Langley, she immediately told Tyler the truth. She made it clear she wouldn't fight for the marriage arrangement or the ring.

"You presume I stole the ring, right, Mr. Miller?" Natalie looked at Tyler calmly. Her eyes appeared cold, and her attitude was indifferent.

That attitude and cold and distant gesture of calling him "Mr. Miller" inexplicably angered Tyler.

Tyler had always liked Natalie. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten engaged to her when he was 18 or waited for Natalie to turn 20 before marrying her.

However, after Natalie found out she wasn't a Langley, she invalidated their marriage agreement without hesitation.

"Show us the evidence that you didn't do it." Selena tugged Tyler's arm. "Ty, she's acting suspiciously because she knows she's about to get kicked out of the Langley family."

"Natalie, you've never been this way." Tyler looked at Natalie with disappointment seeping through his eyes.

Selena started, "Natalie, I know you like Ty, but what isn't yours will never be yours."

"Natalie, we treated you so kindly as a family. Yet, you became a thief before you even stepped out the door. You've disappointed me."

Selena and Diana finished each other's sentences, practically stamping the word "thief" on Natalie's forehead.

Natalie, who wanted to leave quietly, started laughing in rage.

Anger gathered in her eyes as she stared at both Selena and Diana. "You want evidence, huh? Sure."

The next second, Natalie forcefully grabbed Selena's wrist and dragged her into the Langley residence.

"Ouch, it hurts! Let go of me. Mom, help me!"

Selena's wrist was beginning to hurt from Natalie's firm hold. Natalie turned out to be strong. Selena's wrist hurt so much that it felt like it was about to break.

A chilly air emanated from Natalie's body. Without allowing anyone else's defiance, she dragged Selena into the residence. Then, she took her phone, turned on the TV, and cast the surveillance footage from her room onto the large screen.

Selena widened her eyes when she saw the surveillance footage of Natalie's room on the large screen. She wondered when the bitch placed a surveillance camera in her room.

Natalie tapped on her phone several times, and the surveillance footage from last night started playing.

Victor had asked to speak with her at the study. The Langley family's helper, Meredith Coleman, inconspicuously entered her room while she was away. After searching the place, she placed the ring in the inner compartment of Natalie's backpack.

The footage fast-forwarded to the next morning. Natalie had gotten out of bed, packed her things, and went downstairs. She didn't touch anything the Langleys had given her.

Other than the surveillance in Natalie's room, she had surveillance cameras placed at the door of her room as well.

After Meredith placed the ring in Natalie's backpack, Selena handed her a stack of cash outside the room.

The surveillance footage clearly recorded the audio of their conversation.

"Meredith, let me know once the bitch leaves tomorrow. I'll come back and give her a piece of my mind then."

"Yes, Ms. Langley. Don't worry. I'll see to it."

The surveillance footage ended there. There was no need for further explanation.

Tyler looked at Selena in shock. Then, he turned to look at Natalie.

Natalie didn't bring much with her this time and strode off with both hands in her pocket.

"Take good care of your daughter, Mr. Langley. If things turn ugly, I'll throw away 20 years of our relationship down the drain and cause a scene. It won't look good for anyone."

Natalie's voice sounded after she walked out.

"Also, Mr. Miller, I don't want someone else's fiancé, let alone a ring. I may not have parents, nor do I have power or authority, but I have my hands, my legs, and my brain. I'm not someone who believes the world owes her for the years she suffered."

Chapter 3 The Only Person in the Langley Family Who Cared for Her

Natalie coldly turned around and left empty-handed with her hands in her pocket.

Selena bit her bottom lip, and she couldn't hide the expression on her face. After a long while, she stomped her feet while gritting her teeth.

"Mom, Dad, just look at her. What's the meaning of this? Is she making an enemy out of us? The Langleys have raised her for so long. She had the life that was supposed to be mine for 20 years. What right does she have to speak this way? She made it sound like the Langleys owed her something."

Diana ached for her daughter after Natalie exposed her in front of Tyler. She could no longer maintain the composed expression on her face.

Diana murmured as she watched Natalie's back, "What a traitor! We wasted so many years of our lives raising her."

"Ty, this is a misunderstanding." Selena bit her bottom lip and cautiously looked at Tyler. When she first returned to the Langley family and saw Tyler at the reunion banquet, it was love at first sight for her.

Knowing that Natalie and Tyler grew up together like childhood sweethearts, Selena was distraught that Tyler liked Natalie and was unwilling to rescind his marriage proposal.

As such, Selena asked Meredith to put on this spectacle for her. She planned to label Natalie as a thief when she left the Langleys, hoping to show Tyler that Natalie was an orphan and a bad person.

However, she never expected Natalie to place a surveillance camera in her room and at the entrance of her room.

It would be a lie to say Tyler wasn't disappointed. However, he was aware that Selena, as the real Langley daughter, would do something drastic to retaliate. This was given her suffering and lack of security on the streets.

Selena's hatred and jealousy, fueled by the fact that Natalie had taken 20 years of her life, made it understandable for her to be angry.

"Don't worry. It was merely a misunderstanding. It's alright as long as Natalie did not steal anything from the Langleys."

The corner of Tyler's lips curled into a smile. "Selena, Mr. and Mrs. Langley, I have matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."

Selena wanted to say something, but Diana quickly grabbed Selena's hand, stopping her. She smiled at Tyler and said, "Okay, go ahead. Be sure to come back for dinner."

"Okay." Tyler agreed and left the Langley residence.

…

Tyler had only driven briefly before he noticed Natalie walking by the street with both hands in her pockets.

Natalie was tall and slim with an outstanding figure. Her features were so gorgeous that she looked terrific, even when bare-faced. When she applied a full face of makeup, she looked even more breathtaking.

Tyler's mother, Mariah Fisherman, had previously mentioned that Natalie didn't resemble Victor and Diana. The better parts of Victor's and Diana's features combined didn't come close to Natalie's beautiful facial features.

At that time, Tyler had laughed and said that genes were a mysterious thing. As long as his future wife was good-looking, it would be enough for him.

As it turned out, however, Natalie wasn't the true Langley daughter he was to marry.

Tyler felt a discomfort in his chest that he couldn't explain.

"Where are you going, Natalie? Let me drive you there," Tyler said to Natalie with his car window down.

Natalie looked at Tyler and immediately shook her head gently. "That won't be necessary."

Since she wasn't the daughter of the Langley family, her marriage arrangement with Tyler became obsolete. Even if they grew up together, Natalie wasn't in the business of competing with other women for a man.

"Are we no longer friends because you're not a Langley anymore?"

Tyler looked at her, slightly upset. "Was the relationship we built together growing up not real? Get in the car. I'll drive you. It's hard to hail a cab here."

Natalie thought about it. Hailing a cab would indeed take a long time on such a quiet street. As such, she simply opened the car door and climbed inside.

"Drop me off where it's more convenient to hail a cab."

Tyler wasn't having any of it. "Where are you going? I'll drive you there."

"That's okay. You're Selena's fiancé now, so you should keep your distance from me." Natalie rejected Tyler's kindness indifferently.

Tyler felt an indescribable frustration welling inside of him. His heart was burning with rage when he noticed how nonchalant Natalie appeared.

In spite of this, he drove in silence. When he reached a convenient place to hail a cab, he stomped on the brakes, unlocked the car doors, and stared at the road ahead of him without expression.

"Thank you."

Natalie exited the car, pulled her phone out, and transferred 20 dollars to Tyler's bank account, indicating "fare" as the transfer reference.

She then shoved the phone back into her pocket and stood by the roadside with both hands in her pockets. Once she noticed a cab driving by, she extended her arm out to hail the cab.

"Cedar Hill Nursing Home," she told the driver.

…

After half an hour, the cab arrived at Cedar Hill Nursing Home. Natalie exited the car, greeted the guard, and strode inside.

"Hey Natalie, you're here to visit Mrs. Langley Senior?"

"Yeah."

During her walk there, the nurses and doctors greeted her as she passed.

Natalie was a regular visitor at Cedar Hill Nursing Home. She often visited Grace Langley, the elder of the Langley family. Victor and Diana, on the other hand, hardly visited themselves.

Natalie went straight to Grace's ward.

Grace was sat by the window sill. A few dolls were placed on the adjacent table. She had one in her hand and pointed at another, giggling.

"I've caught you, Nattie. Don't you run, or I'll tickle you! Hahaha!"

Grace was playing with the dolls, acting out both Natalie and herself. She sat there, enjoying the game of her own creation.

Natalie felt a pang of sadness in her heart as she walked forward. Grace hadn't always been like this. After all, she was the only one in the Langley family who cared for Natalie.

Grace had an average IQ, but when she tried to save the 16-year-old Natalie, she was hit by a car. Now, her IQ was equal to that of a six-year-old's.

When Grace's IQ regressed to a child's, Victor and Diana often got impatient with her. Even the helpers caring for Grace would often become frustrated.

Diana couldn't handle Grace calling her "Mom" and Victor "Dad." After she did that a few times, Victor admitted Grace into Cedar Hill Nursing Home and never looked back.

Over the past four years, only Natalie ever visited Grace frequently. In the beginning, Victor and Diana periodically visited her a few times, but they eventually stopped and were unwilling to pay for Grace's medical bills.

They claimed that Natalie should be responsible for paying Grace's bills since Grace lost her IQ while saving Natalie.

Natalie didn't care about the money. She would do anything for Grace's recovery.

To begin with, the Langleys only became the wealthiest family in Amberton because of Natalie's discreet help.

That said, Amberton was merely a tiny city in Dithoria. It was insignificant compared to Dithoria State.

Without Natalie, the Langleys would have gone bankrupt in the financial crisis five years ago.

Victor and Diana didn't know Natalie had rescued them. They assumed themselves to be geniuses, thinking that the challenges at the time were nothing to them.

Grace was why Natalie wanted to avoid making enemies of the Langleys.

She watched Grace by the door for a while. After a few minutes, Grace seemed to have noticed her gaze. She placed the doll down, happily got up, and ran toward Natalie.

"Nattie is here. Nattie, I have some tasty snacks for you. The nurses don't know I hid them. Come!"

Grace pulled Natalie into the ward, brought her to the bedside, and asked Natalie to sit down. Then, she rummaged under the bed.

Chapter 4 The Husband Grace Chose For Her

Grace rummaged under the bed for a while before emerging with a box in her hands.

She then went to quietly close the ward door. After locking it, she turned and opened the box before Natalie as if presenting a piece of treasure.

"Eat, Nattie."

In the box were a few pieces of mini fruit tarts.

Natalie felt a searing heat in her eyes. As a child, she loved desserts, especially mini fruit tarts. Thus, Grace had the helpers to grow fruit trees in the Langley family's backyard. Once the harvesting season arrived, Grace would bring her to harvest the fruits and make mini fruit tarts together.

Grace currently had the IQ of a six-year-old, but she remembered to save her favorite mini fruit tarts for Natalie.

"Eat, Nattie." Grace urged Natalie. The latter nodded and placed a mini fruit tart into her mouth.

The tarts had a rotten, sour taste to it. Who knew how long Grace had kept them hidden under the bed?

Still, Natalie put all of them into her mouth without hesitation.

"Nattie, I have something else to show you."

Grace then pulled a photo out and handed it to Natalie. In the picture, a man with strikingly handsome features was dressed in a sleek suit.

"This is the husband I selected for you, Nattie. Do you like him? Tyler is not great, so don't pick him, Nattie."

Natalie couldn't contain her laughter. "Grandma, I'm not looking for a boyfriend now."

Needless to say, Natalie did not tell Grace that the Langleys had kicked her out. Grace loved her and would never let her suffer. If Grace had been aware, she would have made an enormous scene.

Had that happened, Victor and Diana would have thought that Natalie didn't want to leave the Langley family and tattled on them to Grace.

Having said that, Natalie never expected Grace's expression to sink. Grace appeared furious and wronged, hugging Natalie as she slowly patted the back of her head.

"I know that they don't want you anymore, Nattie. Don't cry, okay? I'll find you a better husband. The man in the picture is coming here soon."

Natalie was shocked. She couldn't be bothered about the picture and asked anxiously, "Grandma, what do you know?"

Grace pouted and immediately cried. "Selena returned home, and she snatched Tyler from you. It's okay, Nattie. I'll find a better one for you.

"Look at the picture. The man's name is Marcus Holden, the grandson of my godbrother. He's rich, handsome, and definitely better than Tyler by a hundredfold. Marry him and piss Selena and Tyler off, Nattie."

Most importantly, Marcus could protect her beloved Nattie and ensure the Langleys couldn't mistreat her.

The three from the Langley family were good-for-nothing, ungrateful traitors. Natalie had been gentle and kind since she was a child. If no one protected her, she would be ripped apart by the Langleys with nothing to spare.

"Marcus is coming to see me soon. Remember to be on your best behavior, Nattie. You're so beautiful and have such an amazing personality. Marcus would be mesmerized by you even if you just blinked. Marry him, and you'll become Mrs. Holden."

Grace added sternly, "The Langleys and Tyler will be nothing to you if you marry Marcus. Then, you'll be able to look down on them from the top of the world, Nattie! After you marry Marcus, you can bring him back to the Langleys and give them a piece of your mind."

Natalie was taken aback by what she heard and took some time to regain her senses. Grace had selected a husband for her without her knowledge.

Grace thought about Marcus' perfectly handsome face, significantly reducing her displeasure toward the Langleys. She happily said, "Marcus is really rich, Nattie."

…

A tall and slender man stood at the entrance of Grace's room.

The man, with strikingly sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, exuded elegance. He was a living embodiment of grace and regality.

He was Marcus Holden, the man Grace had mentioned.

Upon his grandfather's orders, Marcus had come to the nursing home to visit his grandfather's godsister, Grace Langley. He never expected to overhear their conversation as soon as he arrived.

Marcus couldn't help but think that a woman who would marry a better man she had never met before to spite her ex-fiancé was simply selfish and cheap.

Did they take him for a fool? Grace's granddaughter was abandoned as a marriage prospect, and Marcus was expected to pick up the pieces.

What did Grace mean by a beautiful woman with an amazing character who could mesmerize him just by blinking? Did they think he had never seen a woman before, that he was desperate enough to take in just anyone?

Marcus threw the gifts in his hand into the trash can and left. A woman so superficial deserved to be dumped.

He intended to tell his grandfather just how ridiculous his godsister was. If his godsister was like this, her granddaughter wouldn't be much different.

Marcus left the nursing home and called Charles Holden, his grandfather.

"Grandpa, I can't fulfill my duty in visiting Grandma Grace. Find someone else. I have important matters to attend to at the branch office, so I need to head there now."

"Punk, what are you talking about? Say it one more time."

Marcus pulled the phone away from his ear, hearing Charles' booming voice on the other end before firmly hanging up. He then walked to the car and opened the door.

"Ethan, start the car."

"Yes, Mr. Holden."

As Ethan Carter, Marcus' assistant, was about to start the car, Charles called.

"Mr. Holden, it's Mr. Holden Senior," said Ethan.

"Answer it."

"Yes, sir." Ethan quickly answered, "Hello, Mr. Holden Senior. It's Ethan."

Charles began to speak. "Ethan, is Marc being defiant and refusing to visit my godsister?"

Sitting in the back seat, Marcus' expression sank, and the atmosphere grew significantly heavy.

Ethan carefully turned to Marcus. He only dared to respond to Charles after Marcus nodded slightly.

"Mr. Holden has an urgent matter to attend to and just left. That said, I'm currently at the nursing home. I'll visit Mrs. Langley Senior in his place."

Ethan had worked for Marcus for many years as his assistant. He knew how to go about matters like this with just one look from his boss.

Charles wasn't in good health. Marcus would always try not to anger him whenever he could.

The godsister of Charles he agreed to visit was Grace Langley, who had stayed in the nursing home for many years after damaging her IQ from an accident years ago.

Marcus had stood at the entrance to her room bearing gifts. For some unknown reason, he didn't knock and lingered by the door for a while.

Then, his expression darkened, and his lips curled into a mocking smile. Without hesitation, he threw the gifts into the trash can and left.

However, if this task wasn't completed, Charles would never let it go.

As such, Ethan visiting Grace would save Marcus from trouble while completing Charles' task. It was essentially killing three birds with one stone.

Chapter 5 Don't Let Anyone Snatch Her Wedding Gift

After Ethan ended the call, Marcus had him leave the car and visit Grace. Then, he drove off.

As Ethan walked toward the nursing home, Victor's car entered the premises. Three people emerged from the vehicle, wearing matching outfits as if they were afraid people would not be able to tell they were a family.

Selena held Diana's arm and lamented how Grace was biased toward Natalie as they walked.

"Mom, when we meet Grandma later, you must make her give me the shares that she gave to Natalie."

"Don't worry. You're the true daughter of the Langley family. Natalie is a mere imposter. Your grandma was not aware of this, so she adored that substitute. Since you're back, what belonged to Natalie will rightfully be yours."

Diana patted Selena's hand and complained to Victor. "Darling, just look at Mom! She chose to care for that imposter rather than her own granddaughter. She even transferred so many of her shares to Natalie.

"When we came to discuss this matter with her previously, she was angry and scolded us. She said she wouldn't recognize Selena as her granddaughter and only wanted Natalie. She dares call herself a grandmother?

"Selena has suffered in the streets for many years. Now that she's back, Mom still chooses not to love and compensate for the years she lost. She even discriminates against her."

Selena heard Diana's rant and nodded in agreement. Grace was nothing but a stubborn, old relic. She saved Natalie and turned herself into a dim-witted old lady, spending so much of the Langley family's money every year to keep her alive.

It would have been better to give her the money instead of paying the nursing home to keep Grace alive.

Victor glanced at Diana and Selena before saying, "Mom singlehandedly raised Natalie. There must be strong feelings involved.

"Selena just returned home and missed her golden opportunity to develop a relationship with Mom, but it's not too late. Natalie has left the Langley family. Selena, from now on, you should visit Grandma more often and show her your best self.

"Once Grandma learns you're an obedient granddaughter, she will naturally be kind and pay you more attention. We're a family with the same blood in our veins, while Natalie is an outsider. It doesn't matter how much Grandma loves her; Natalie is no longer here. So, Selena, you're the ultimate winner here."

Selena immediately felt unhappy when she heard she had to appease Grace. She had just returned to the Langleys and was enjoying her life as a wealthy man's daughter. She was unwilling to frequent the nursing home.

Seeing the look on her face, Diana tugged at her. Selena didn't say anything in response.

The Langleys went into the building where Grace lived.

Before arriving at the ward, they noticed from a distance that Natalie and Grace were taking a stroll. Grace held her hand, murmuring something to her.

The expressions on Victor's and Diana's faces sank.

"Oh, great! Darling, didn't she leave home and said she didn't want your money? She didn't take anything from the Langley residence, but now she's sucking up to Mom. She was aiming for the biggest slice of the pie all along!"

Diana said furiously, "When we spoke to Mom before, she was unwilling to give her shares to Selena. It turns out the bitch, Natalie, got in the way and managed to gain the upper hand.

Victor had a ghastly look on his face. He thought he had been kind enough to Natalie. He knew she wasn't his daughter, yet he raised her and gave her 200,000 dollars before she left. He even put her information up on the family search network.

When Natalie humiliated Selena in Tyler's presence, Victor had said nothing. However, she should not have ever eyed the company's shares.

"Let's go."

"Okay."

Victor, Diana, and Selena furiously headed toward Natalie and Grace. At this moment, Grace was persuading Natalie to agree to her request.

"Nattie, you have to guard the shares I gave you with your life. It doesn't matter who asks you for it. You can never give the shares to them. If you don't agree to this, I'll take my life before your eyes."

Grace seemed to choke on her emotions as a tense look appeared on her wrinkled face. "Nattie, please promise me you will take care of my shares."

"Grandma."

"Promise me. Please, promise me." Grace threw a tantrum like a child, going so far as to thrash about on the ground.

"Nattie, if you don't say yes, this is the last time you'll ever see me."

Natalie felt helpless. She had no choice but to agree as she helped Grace to her feet.

"Okay, okay. I promise you that no one will snatch your shares away, Grandma. I will guard them well. Can you get up now?"

Grace was overjoyed. She grabbed Natalie's hand and slowly got up. "Nattie, you can't give my shares to anyone else. It doesn't matter if it's Victor, Diana, or that Selena girl. I never cared about them. I only care about you. The shares I gave you are yours alone. They can't take them away from you—no one can."

As long as Natalie did not willingly give the shares away, Grace would never give the shares to the three Langleys.

The Langleys had kicked out her beloved Natalie, after all. Overnight, Natalie lost the people whom she had seen as her parents for years, while her real parents were nowhere to be found. Natalie would lose the money she needed for her future wedding if these shares were snatched away.

"These shares are my wedding gift to you. You can never give them to anyone, Nattie."

Grace was afraid Natalie was merely appeasing her and added thoughtfully, "They're to ensure you're set for a lifetime of wealth and comfort.

Natalie's heart ached terribly. Grace had the IQ of a six-year-old, yet she still remembered to ensure that Natalie was well taken care of.

They may have been mere company shares, but to Natalie, they represented Grace's unconditional love and unwavering courage toward her.

With Grace's love, Natalie knew she would not feel lonely and discouraged even if she lived alone for the rest of her life.

"Look at you go, Natalie. You previously made a promise to us at the Langley residence, yet look at what you're doing now."

Diana's furious voice echoed as Natalie helped Grace stabilize her footing.

Natalie looked over and noticed Diana's sunken face, staring at her with vicious eyes.

Behind her were Victor and Selena, who followed closely after her.

The family of three wore outfits in the same style and color, so anyone could tell they were a matching set.

"Natalie, you've left the Langley family. You have nothing to do with us anymore, so what are you doing visiting my mother? Are you trying to get someone to support you?

"Also, you righteously declared that you wouldn't take anything that belonged to the Langleys. Are you now visiting my mother to take her shares from her?" Victor questioned her aggressively. The gaze with which he looked at Natalie was chilling and devoid of any warmth.

Selena mocked, "You're truly a pathetic impostor. You're afraid you won't live a life of wealth and comfort anymore after leaving the Langleys. So here you are, taking advantage of Grandma's poor IQ and cheating her of her money. Natalie, you're such a cheap bitch."

Chapter 6 Natalie Never Intended to Let Her Go

The Langleys seemed to complete each other's sentences, refusing to give Natalie an opportunity to speak. They immediately painted her as the villain.

That said, Natalie couldn't be bothered to explain herself.

Throughout her years with the Langley family, Natalie only ever cared about Grace.

Natalie knew Victor's and Diana's characters all too well. As for Selena, who had just returned home, Natalie had no intention of dealing with her—unless she crossed the line.

However, Selena couldn't help it and went looking for trouble herself. Since that was the case, Natalie would never let Selena walk all over her.

But before Natalie could say anything, Grace stood before her and stretched her arms out protectively.

"Get lost! I don't want to see you. You've ganged up to bully my Nattie. Get the hell away from me! Don't worry, Nattie. I'll protect you!"

Grace had lived in the nursing home for two to three years now, and Natalie always visited her. Natalie even handpicked the helpers who cared for Grace, ensuring she remained healthy and in good spirits.

Grace's voice was loud and crisp now that she was putting up a fight.

However, looking at how Grace blatantly protected Natalie, Selena lost it altogether.

After her return to the Langley family, Diana and Victor satisfied her every need and showered her with love. Selena was now treated like a precious treasure—too delicate to speak harshly with and too fragile to hold tightly.

Only Grace, her biological grandmother on paper, was unamused by Selena when she had visited for the first time with Victor and Diana.

Selena was infuriated. She was Grace's rightful granddaughter, not some two-bit substitute.

"Grandma, I'm your real granddaughter, the one with the same blood flowing through your veins. Why are you protecting an imposter? If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have needed to suffer so much pain and endure so many hardships. I wouldn't have been separated from you, Dad, and Mom for so many years!"

Selena shouted at Grace as she cried helplessly. "We're here to visit you, yet you show such an attitude toward us. Natalie is the apple of your eye. Then, am I not?

"Of course not," Grace answered firmly. "I don't know you. How could you be the apple of my eye?"

Diana couldn't bear the thought of anyone mistreating Selena, not even Grace, who had stayed in the nursing home for the past few years.

"Natalie, you're the embodiment of bad luck. You've torn our family apart," she spat.

Not only did Diana convince Victor not to pay the nursing home fees, but she also forbade him from visiting her.

Diana and Victor were aware that Natalie had been paying for Grace's nursing home fees since they wouldn't.

Diana had repeatedly complained to Victor, expressing her uncertainty about how much money Grace had given Natalie. She couldn't understand how Natalie had the money to pay Grace's nursing home fees otherwise.

Victor remained silent. After all, someone had to take care of his mother. If Natalie refused to pay, he would have had to.

The Langleys were the wealthiest family in Amberton, and this sum of money was nothing to Victor. However, Diana forbade him from paying the fees since she was under the assumption that the money Natalie used was Grace's to begin with.

Diana pushed Selena forward. She then pointed at Grace's nose, yelling, "Mom, take a good look. Selena is your real granddaughter.

"You've damaged your brain from the accident. Did you lose your sight too? Did you become so dumb that you can't understand us anymore? I'm asking you to give Selena the shares you gave to Natalie. Did you hear me?"

Diana reached forward as she tried to grab Grace.

Natalie's eyes instantly became colder. Before Diana could lay a hand on Grace, Natalie interfered and grabbed Diana's wrist. She pushed her, and Diana staggered backward.

Natalie then turned around, grabbed Grace's hand, and took a step back. "Ms. Foster, please bring my grandmother back to her room."

Sarah, the nurse, immediately came over, held Grace's hand, and attempted to bring her back to her room.

"I don't want to go back." Grace refused to leave. If she left, the Langleys would outnumber Natalie and surely mistreat her. She added, "Don't worry, Nattie. I'll protect you."

"I'm not scared, Grandma. I won't let them run all over me. Listen to me and go back to your room with Ms. Foster. I'll come and see you later."

Natalie immediately softened the look on her face as she spoke to Grace. Her tone sounded immensely gentler.

Grave responded better to a softer approach than a harsh one. She was like a child who needed cajoling.

"Thanks for your help, Ms. Foster." Natalie gave Sarah a knowing look.

Understanding what that look meant, Sarah coaxed Grace, gently prompting and nudging her. Eventually, she left with Grace in tow.

Once Grace left, Natalie's eyes instantly turned cold. Her face was expressionless, and her doll-like eyes scrutinized the Langleys one by one.

Eventually, her gaze fell on Diana. Earlier, Diana had humiliated Grace and even tried to lay a hand on her.

Natalie's gaze was extremely chilly, akin to an iceberg. Her gaze seemed so piercing that it was sharp enough to rip someone to shreds.

Diana had never seen this intimidating and heartless side of Natalie before. She staggered backward in terror.

However, Natalie never intended to let her go. She stepped forward, closing in on Diana. Her cold and crisp voice enunciated each word like dripping venom.

"Diana Ashcroft, repeat what you just said."

Diana widened her eyes in disbelief. Natalie had called her "Mom" for 20 years. Even when they found Selena and were about to kick her out, Natalie addressed her as "Mrs. Langley" out of respect.

That said, Natalie now addressed her by her full name.

"I am your mother!" Diana shrieked in anger. "I've raised you for 20 years. How could you call me by my name?"

Natalie spat, "The moment you found your daughter and kicked me out of the family, you were no longer my mother."

Natalie stared at Diana coldly, then turned to look at Victor. "Victor Langley, you allowed your wife to mistreat your own mother. I hope you know you're a good-for-nothing.

"Unfortunately, you raised me, and I followed in your footsteps. Since you don't respect your mother, why should I respect you, who aren't even my birth parents? Diana, kneel before Grandma and apologize. And Victor, if you can't support Grandma, leave her to me. If you don't want to care for her, I will."

"Natalie, it's bad enough you've torn this family apart. I can't believe you would say something so despicable and ungrateful!"

Victor felt he couldn't hold onto his pride anymore. He raised his hand and was about to slap Natalie's face, but Natalie grabbed his wrist first. With a snap of her wrist, Victor fell to the ground.

"I'm warning you—don't bother Grandma again. And forget about getting the Langley family's shares. Since Grandma gave them to me, you won't get them unless it's over my dead body."

Natalie's voice was crisp and cold, indifference written all over her delicate face. She stared at the Langley family with her doll-like eyes, devoid of warmth.

She never intended to fight for the Langley family's shares. However, Grace had threatened to end her life, forcing Natalie to agree. While her measures were extreme, Grace was merely worried Natalie would suffer without any support.

Conversely, Natalie didn't care about the Langley family's shares in the slightest. She was only concerned about Grace's love and care toward her.

As for the tension it would create amongst the Langleys, it had nothing to do with her.

Natalie would never go easy on anyone who mistreated Grace.

Chapter 7 Not Someone to Be Trifled With

Natalie stood facing the Langleys. They stared each other down, and the atmosphere was so tense that no one in the nursing home dared get close to them.

"How dare you, Natalie! Those shares belong to our family. We're Mrs. Langley Senior's real family, and Selena is her real granddaughter. You're just an outsider. What right do you have to keep them from us?"

Natalie snapped, "Grandma gave them to me, so they're mine. If you have what it takes, sue me for them!"

Natalie looked at Diana coldly. "What's the matter? Now, I'm an outsider once more, and you're no longer my mother, huh? Mrs. Langley, you switch sides so quickly that it's hard to keep up. I'm appalled by this talent of yours."

"You little—"

"Stop this nonsense now." Victor straightened and stared Natalie down. This was the first time he truly felt how aggressive and foreign this daughter he had raised for 20 years had become.

"Natalie, how much money do you want? Name your price! We've taken care of you for many years. Now that Selena is back, we had no choice but to ask you to leave our family."

Victor softened his tone as he continued, "Selena suffered a lot on the streets. All these years, you've taken her place in our home, indulging in a life of wealth and comfort. What you enjoyed should have been Selena's.

"You've now left the Langley family and have nothing to do with us. Don't you think you should return the shares that are rightfully Selena's?"

"Mr. Langley, like I said, Grandma gave me these shares some time ago. Since Grandma forbade me from giving them to anyone else, I can't fulfill your request."

Victor's eyebrow twitched. "So, are you dead set on keeping the shares?"

"Yes," Natalie answered without hesitation.

Victor's chest rose and fell sharply, his anger palpable.

"Then, go. From now on, our family forbids you from visiting my mother. We'll immediately have her discharged."

When Natalie heard him, she smirked coldly. "Mr. Langley, if you have Grandma discharged from here, don't blame me for taking action."

"What do you mean?"

Natalie scoffed and looked at Diana. "Mrs. Langley is in good health now, but should I just treat everything as water under the bridge? From the start, you knew I was not your daughter, so you were willing to make me a living blood bank.

"You allowed me to transfuse blood to you throughout my childhood despite knowing that I wasn't your daughter."

Victor and Diana were shocked by Natalie's words. They looked at each other and saw the terror in each other's eyes.

Natalie knew all along.

She was aware of the truth from the start, yet still treated them as her parents for 20 years.

At this moment, Victor and Diana knew their pretense would never match up to Natalie's.

"Grandma has to stay at the nursing home," Natalie said, emphasizing each word. "If I find out you've secretly taken her away, don't blame me for exposing your despicable act of using your adoptive daughter as a living blood bank."

For many years, Victor and Diana painted themselves as philanthropists. They would occasionally bring Natalie to banquets, portraying themselves as kind parents who loved their daughter greatly.

After all, The Langleys were the wealthiest family in Amberton. They needed to project an image of a happy and healthy family with charitable hearts to guard the company's reputation.

If Natalie exposed their cruel use of a little girl as Diana's living blood bank while knowing she wasn't their daughter, it would cause significant damage to their and the company's reputation.

To them, Grace was not worth the trouble.

"And as for you, Mrs. Langley, apologize to Grandma." Natalie raised her chin slightly, her piercing gaze was cold and indifferent. She was worried she would frighten Grace, so she asked Sarah to escort the old lady back to her room.

Diana had been disrespectful toward Grace. Natalie simply couldn't let the matter slide.

Diana was so furious that she started cussing at Natalie. Without expression, Natalie listened to her profanity with mild boredom. After Diana was done, Natalie pulled her phone out and played the recording she had just saved.

Diana's foul language could be heard coming from the device.

"Fuck you. You recorded everything," Selena cursed and lunged forward, attempting to snatch Natalie's phone.

However, Natalie was quicker. She grabbed Selena's hand with practiced ease. With a forceful snap, the sickening crack of bones resounded in the empty hall.

"Ah! It hurts. My arm is broken."

The next second, Natalie started tugging again. Selena was in so much pain that her face turned pale.

Natalie mercilessly shoved her away, and her finger nearly jabbed into Selena's face. "I'm warning you. Don't mess with me."

"You fucking…"

A crisp slap sounded. Natalie had slapped Selena before she could even get the words out.

"Since you don't seem to be teaching your daughter manners, Mr. and Mrs. Langley, let me, her adoptive sister, teach her a good lesson.

"You should be mindful of your manners. Don't scream over petty things. Also, don't cuss all the time. If people in the social circles find out, they won't want anything to do with you, Ms. Langley. Remember, it doesn't matter that you're the real daughter of the Langley family. If you have no manners, no one would want to be around you."

Natalie patted Selena's cheek. Then, she turned to look at Diana. "Mrs. Langley, if you don't kneel before Grandma and ask for forgiveness, I'll upload the video and voice recording of your precious daughter's mad behavior online."

"You—"

"Time is ticking," Natalie interrupted Diana. "Like I told you, if things got ugly between us, it'll look bad for everyone. Yet, you still used Grandma to force my hand."

"Go and apologize." Victor pushed Diana forward and shot her a look. Based on what happened today, it seemed like they could no longer appease Natalie.

Unfazed, Natalie turned around and left. The Langleys had no choice but to follow after her.

Unbeknownst to the group, Ethan stood not too far away and had witnessed the entire thing. Though he'd witnessed the action firsthand, he didn't hear their conversation.

Nevertheless, he could tell that Grace Langley's granddaughter was not someone to be trifled with.

Ethan thought about how his boss had arrived at the ward but left after throwing the gifts away. It probably had something to do with this lady.

Ethan contemplated this and walked toward Grace's room with the gifts in his hands.

…

When Ethan arrived, he saw Diana kneeling before Grace, prostrating herself while apologizing.

Victor had a dark look on his face while Selena gritted her teeth, secretly uttering curses under her breath.

Only Natalie looked calm as she comforted Grace.

"Grandma, Mrs. Langley has apologized to you. From now on, no one will ever mistreat you again. You don't have to worry about staying here alone. I'll visit you whenever I can."

Natalie sounded extremely gentle. She then removed a bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Grace's.

"I went to Sacred Peak Cathedral and asked the priest to bless this. It will keep you safe, almost like having me by your side every time you wear it, Grandma."

Grace looked at the bracelet on her wrist. She held Natalie's hand and said, "Nattie, I've spoken to your god-grandfather. You can temporarily stay at his place."

Natalie was rendered speechless. Had Grace made her living arrangements when she was left alone after returning to her room?