Olivia and Connie tried to hold in their laughter. On the bed, Natalie's lips curved into a smile. Marcus had let Elijah be the one to knock on the door. That alone said how much he trusted him.
Elijah might have a sharp tongue, but he usually picked his targets well. He was always polite and respectful to those who showed manners and decency. He only aimed his sharpness at those who deserved it.
"Mrs Holden, open the door. Mr. Marcus has come to take you home and to a lifetime of happiness," Elijah shouted dramatically.
"He loves you so much it hurts. Without you, he can't eat, can't sleep, he just stares into the dark all night long. You are the only remedy for his suffering."
Olivia and Connie couldn't help it anymore. Both of them burst out laughing. They pulled the door open and waved him in. "Come in already. We can't take it anymore."
Natalie smiled as well. Marcus stepped inside, holding the dazzling golden bouquet.
The moment Olivia and Connie saw it, they let out a chorus of awed gasps. He wasn't holding flowers. He was holding their dream life in his arms.
Marcus heard their reactions and knew immediately that taking Elijah's advice had been the right call.
He walked forward, knelt on one knee, and held the bouquet up to Natalie. "Nat, I've come to take you home. Will you come with me?" he asked gently, his voice low and rich.
"Mr. Marcus, don't forget the wedding shoes," Elijah reminded him loudly from behind.
Then he turned to Natalie and the others. "Mrs. Natalie, please forgive Mr. Marcus. This is his first wedding. He doesn't really know how this works."
Natalie looked at him, amused. "It's my first wedding too. There's a lot I don't know, either. Let's not get too hung up on the formalities," she replied softly.
Their wedding, after all, was also a major social event between two prominent families. No one would actually try to cause trouble. Most people were just there to show their faces, build connections, or secure opportunities.
And given Marcus' status, anyone with sense knew better than to stir up trouble. All they brought were smiles and blessings.
"Let's keep it simple. We're just going through the motions," Natalie said with a gentle smile.
"Yes, hurry and find the shoes," Olivia chimed in, grinning. She and Connie had hidden the wedding shoes earlier in Natalie's handbag right next to her.
"Mr. Marcus, they're in her bag."
But before Marcus could start looking, Elijah's voice rang out again.
"I saw them already. The bag isn't zipped. The shoes are right inside."
Olivia and Connie exchanged a look. They both really wanted to sew his mouth shut.
Marcus glanced at Natalie's bag. She laughed and opened it herself, handing the shoes to him. "Put them on for me."
"Of course." He knelt down and gently slipped the shoes onto her feet.
"Mr. Marcus, you need to carry Mrs. Natalie now. Her feet can't touch the ground," Elijah reminded again.
"Alright." Marcus crouched in front of her. "Nat, come on. Let me carry you."
Natalie took the bouquet from his hands and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her easily.
There was no mischief, no tricks, no pointless games. He carried her out smoothly, one steady stride at a time.
As they descended the stairs, the gathered guests burst into applause. The clapping was thunderous.
Marcus smiled and nodded politely to the crowd. "Thank you all. Thank you for being here."
"Mr. Holden, we wish you and your wife a love that grows deeper with each passing year and a home soon filled with the pitter-patter of little feet."
"Mr. Holden, may your marriage be filled with joy."
Natalie smiled. "Mom, Dad, don't worry. I'll be very happy. I thought everything through before marrying Marcus. I'll take care of this life we're building. And I'll never let myself be mistreated."
Her words brought a bit of peace to Charlotte's heart.
She nodded. "If anything ever happens, tell me right away. No hiding bad news to protect us. Do you hear me?"
Natalie nodded firmly. "I hear you, Mom. I promise."
"That's good. Now get up. Time to head to Holden Residence!" Charlotte exclaimed.
She continued, "There's still the hotel banquet later. Even though I cut down a lot of the extra steps, it'll still be a long day.
"If you get tired, speak to Gorge. He's here for you. You don't have to explain anything to anyone else. Just talk to him."
"I will, Mom. Don't worry."
"Excellent," Marcus said. "It's time to set off for the Holden Residence."
After offering a final gesture of gratitude to the guests, he picked Natalie up once more and strode out of the villa.
Thanks to the adjustments Charlotte and William had made, many of the more tiresome formalities had been skipped. In the end, Marcus had married Natalie with little resistance.
As the wedding convoy slowly pulled away, Charlotte could no longer hold back her tears.
"Honey⦠our daughter is truly married."
"Yes. Our daughter has been married off," William replied, his tears threatening to fall.
His heart was just as reluctant to let go. But as a man, he kept his emotions in check, at least for today.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)
Scheming lots! π₯Ή...
Hector! πππππππ€£...
Sheldon = 2nd Elijah π€£...
Sheldon = 2nd Elijah π€£...
I really like Elijah πππ»...
Grandpa Charles so mischievous π...
Grandpa Charles so mischievous π...
Elijah the cupid π...
This one gets us readers asking for more! Excellent story, great twists......
Hope Grandpa Charles lives long enough to see Marcus and Nat's children, please. It will make him happy to see life is still worth living and that he didn't fail raising Marcus at least. Let him be happy at least in this aspect. Thanks...