The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Sheldon threw the small device to the ground and crushed it underfoot.

"Noah, come sit. Stop searching. There's nothing here. You really think I'd be foolish enough to hide Cassie inside Holden Residence?"

The more Sheldon spoke, the darker Noah's expression became. He had indeed suspected that, or he wouldn't have come to this villa in the first place.

"Come sit. Noah. I'm actually very pleased. You truly are the one I raised. You haven't let me down," Sheldon said with a faint smile.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Phelps. I don't blame you for my doubts," Noah said, lowering his head.

"You should doubt me. You did well. You were observant, bold, and careful. With my successor, I can rest easy," Sheldon replied, patting his shoulder.

"Mr. Phelps, I—"

"Noah, my strange behavior lately was all deliberate," Sheldon cut him off. "I wanted to test you, to see whether your abilities would meet my expectations. And you've proven that they are.

"But you're still missing one thing. Since you've already started investigating this villa, then go ahead and finish it. Show me what you're really capable of."

He chuckled lightly. "Go ahead and search. No need to hold back."

Noah couldn't read Sheldon's expression anymore. But with that lingering suspicion in his chest, he knew he wouldn't be able to let it go until he saw it through.

He nodded. "Then I'll keep looking."

"Good. Go on."

Noah no longer cared whether Sheldon stayed to watch. He removed the night vision goggles and began searching openly and methodically.

He checked every room, even tapping the floors. He inspected each space in turn, missing nothing.

Sheldon, meanwhile, made himself a pot of coffee and watched calmly from the side.

Noah moved with patience and focus. There was no sign of frustration or haste. When he reached the study, he glanced back. Sheldon was still there, sipping coffee with an unbothered air.

Noah took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

Moments later, the sound of movement came from within. Sheldon stood up and slowly walked over.

Noah had opened a hidden door. He stood in front of it, eyes fixed on the dark, winding passage below.

"Well done. You haven't disappointed me," Sheldon said with a satisfied nod. "Would you like to see what's down there?"

He gestured toward the darkness, but to Noah, the passage looked like the gaping mouth of a beast. Deep, twisted, and pitch-black. One wrong step, and it felt like he would be swallowed whole.

"Don't be afraid. I won't harm you." Sheldon patted his shoulder and stepped in first. "Come with me if you want to know the truth."

Noah steadied his breathing and followed. The hidden door closed behind them. Sheldon reached for the wall, and light suddenly filled the tunnel.

The corridor came into view. It was long and narrow, stretching downward without end.

"Come on."

They walked in silence, one step at a time.

Soon, they reached the basement. Sheldon pressed another panel on the wall, and the space lit up instantly.

"There she is."

He pointed to a dark corner. Noah followed his gaze and saw a cage. Inside it wasnoveldrama

a curled-up figure, something barely human anymore.

Her face and body were nearly unrecognizable. One glance was enough to send a chill down his spine.

"Noah, I knew you'd figure it out. Even if I said nothing, you wouldn't believe me. You would've kept digging," Sheldon said quietly.

"So I decided to bring you here myself. Now that you've seen it, forget it ever happened. Can you do that?"

Noah didn't answer. He walked slowly toward the cage and crouched, reaching out to push aside the tangled hair.

"Don't be afraid to look. I broke all her limbs," Sheldon said as he stepped up beside him.

Noah jerked his head up, staring at him. But Sheldon's expression was as gentle as ever.

"Compared to everything she's done, breaking her limbs is nothing. Don't look so shocked."

Inside the cage, Cassie stirred. She lifted her head with difficulty. When she saw Noah, she looked startled, then dazed.

"Adam? You came to see me? Are you here to laugh at me or to save me? Adam,

I was wrong. Please help me. Please, I'm begging you."

She burst into tears, sobbing in desperation. "I won't do it again. I promise. Adam, save me. You saved me once before. Save me again. Please."

Noah turned to Sheldon.

"Yes, Adam was your real father," Sheldon said. "Yours and Elijah's. Back then, he was the one who saved us. If not for him, Cassie's plan would have succeeded. But later, he disappeared.

"Once the late Mr. Holden Senior and I regained our memories, I began searching for your father in secret."

Sheldon crouched down beside him. "But there has never been any trace of him. Nothing at all.

"Now you know the truth. Cassie is in my hands. You've seen her with your own eyes. I'll keep her here. She won't be able to hurt anyone again.

"All you need to do is act like you never saw any of this. After the wedding is over, I'll take her away and make sure she's dealt with.

"Holden Residence will be peaceful again. Mr. Marcus and everyone else will live safe, happy lives."

He continued, "And I will handle everything myself."

He placed a firm hand on Noah's shoulder. "Even your father, Adam. I suspected

he died at Cassie's hands."

Noah's heart was pounding. He looked at Sheldon, who remained calm.

"Don't be afraid. Cassie deserves

this. You've seen the truth. Mr. Marcus and Mrs. Natalie's wedding is around the corner. You don't want anything to go wrong at a time like this, do you?"

Noah nodded. That was exactly why he hadn't reported anything yet. He wanted

to confirm it himself first.

"Then what you need to do now is carry on as usual. Do what you're supposed to do. When the wedding is over, I'll leave a letter for Mr Marcus explaining everything. You won't be involved. He won't blame you. sŵnovel

"Noah, everything we do is for Mr. Marcus. For the Holden family. You understand that, don't you? Cassie is a ticking time bomb. If we don't deal with her, the Holden family will never know peace. Let me handle her."

Sheldon looked him in the eye. "Noah, look at me and promise me."