Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 200 Natalia laid eyes on Delia for the very first time. A woman in her seventies, her hair a crown of silver, carried a spirit that defied her years. Her eyes, even at this age, sparkled with a clarity that was arresting.

Dawson seemed to feel the gaze upon him and paused, casting a look their way. Noticing, Delia also turned, her gaze settling on Natalia's face. For a moment, her expression wavered into a distant haze, as if she were seeing a ghost of someone else. It wasn't until Dawson beckoned to her that she snapped back to the present. "Ms. Delia, this here is Natalia, Ms. Jenkins. Caspian has mentioned her to you before, I believe." Delia's face broke into a warm smile. "Natalia, I've heard a lot about you from Caspian. I've been meaning to meet you sooner; can't believe it took us this long." Her eyes lingered on Natalia's face, as if through her she could see someone else, filled with a poignant nostalgia. For an instant, there was even a sour twinge at the tip of her nose. She hadn't believed others when they said there was a resemblance. Now, seeing Natalia in person, she knew it was true. Her daughter had also been so beautiful, so talented, and yet...

Natalia's lips curved up. "Ms. Delia, it's wonderful to meet you. You're even more radiant in person than on TV." Delia chuckled at the compliment. "You're quite the looker yourself, my dear. You must cover for dinner sometime; I'll whip up something delightful." As she spoke, Delia felt the familiar sting at her nose once again. Natalia nodded, "I'd like that very much. I'll make sure to find the time." Dawson watched the exchange with a soft grin. "Alright, Ms. Delia, let's let them get on with their day. Natalia's the main translator for the summit; she's got her hands full." Delia blinked, "Oh, is that so? Well, you better get to it then. We'll catch up another time." Indeed, Natalia was swamped with work. After a brief exchange, she and Collin headed back to the conference. Delia watched her leave, still somewhat dazed. "Dawson, do you think she might be..." Dawson's chuckle interrupted her thoughts. "Ms. Delia, I checked. She doesn't even know Liliana." A flash of disappointment flickered across Delia's eyes. "Yes, she wouldn't know Liliana. Where could my Liliana be now?" After parting ways with Delia, Natalia followed Collin to the venue. They spent the better half of the day there, and by the tthey left, night had fallen completely. A full moon hung low in the sky, prompting Natalia to remember that today was the Lantern Festival. "You've spent the whole day with an old man likeon a holiday. You must be bored out of your mind," Collin said with a hint of guilt.

Natalia laughed lightly, "Mr. Collin, I never celebrate holidays." Collin looked at her, surprised. "What's a young girl like you talking about? Not celebrating?" Natalia smiled but didn't reply, her eyes betraying a touch of sadness.

Collin noticed the change in her demeanor and frowned slightly. "Sitting alone in a hotel room is no way to spend the evening. How about we join a banquet? It's mostly families from the Foreign Service, could be good for you to mingle." Natalia was about to decline when she turned and saw Hamilton standing not too far away. Dressed in black, he seemed to blend into the night, and it was unclear how long he had been there. Her smile vanished instantly.

Hamilton had been absent from her life for days. But she had been bombarded with news about him. Hamilton pulling his investment from the Schafer family, Hamilton canceling Eveleen's endorsement, Hamilton suing those who had insulted her, Hamilton committing Eveleen to a psychiatric facility. Every action of Hamilton's seemed to reach her ears, intentional or not. Yet Natalia felt indifferent. Swounds, even when healed, leave scars that no amount of surface-level amends can erase.

"Alright, I'll cwith you," Natalia changed her mind. Facing Hamilton, she'd rather be at a gathering full of strangers.

Hamilton watched all the subtle shifts on Natalia's face from a distance. She had been smiling a moment ago, but the instant she saw him, that smile disappeared. He couldn't quite describe what he felt at that moment. It was as if, without knowing when, he'd gone from being the man she adored to someone who couldn't even coax a smile from her.

Hamilton indeed regretted his past cruelty. He regretted not realizing sooner that the woman who had always been by his side was the one who truly cared for him. Now that he knew, it was too late.

After Natalia left with Collin, Hamilton followed in his car. He could tell she was avoiding him, but he was determined not to give up. He wanted Natalia, and only Natalia.

The banquet was held at a hotel affiliated with the Foreign Service. Natalia's beauty, coupled with the rumors of Collin's successor, made her the center of attention the moment she walked in.

Ryan's face lit up when he saw Natalia, and he cover immediately. "Natalia, what brings you here? I was just about to call you." She greeted him with a smile, "Mr. Collin mentioned it was a Foreign Service event, so I thought I'd take a look." Ryan seemed pleasantly surprised; he hadn't expected her to be interested in such affairs. "If I'd known you were interested, I would've cto pick you up." Collin chuckled from the side, "Young Ryan, will you take care of Natalia?" Ryan nodded eagerly. Once Collin had left, Ryan escorted Natalia to the dining area. "Today's the Lantern Festival. Let's not fill up here; how about I take you out for straditional sweet dumplings later?" Natalia's smile was gentle, "No need to go out of your way. I'm happy to just have a bite here." Ryan had kept the conversation light, chatting with her about the afternoon's progress at work.

In the banquet hall, on the other side, a group of elegant ladies huddled together, stealing glances at Natalia from tto time. "Margaret, surely that's not your son Chase's new girlfriend?" one of the women asked with a raised eyebrow.

Betty glanced over at Natalia and let out a soft chuckle before speaking up, her voice smooth as silk, "Let's not jump to conclusions. Chase has always been selective about the company he keeps." The women around her nodded knowingly, exchanging knowing smirks. "Still, Chase seems quite taken with her, and who can blhim? The girl is a knockout," another chimed in.

Betty's smile strained a touch, "She's just a junior from Chase's alma mater. It's only natural for him to look out for an underclassman, given his friendly nature." They all shared a laugh, letting the matter drop, though it was clear that Ryan's eyes were practically glued to Natalia.

Betty, frowning slightly, couldn't help.

but make her way over to Natalia after a while. Ryan had stepped away for a moment, and Natalia had just finished a call with Scarlett. When a she looked up, she found a woman standing before her. The woman bore a resemblance to Ryan, and Natalia offered a smile, "Betty, it's a pleasure to meet you." Betty's voice remained warm, "Ms. Jenkins, you're even more stunning in person than in your photographs." Natalia's smile was slight, "You flatter me." Betty gave a soft laugh, "A beauty like you shouldn't have any trouble finding a boyfriend. So, could you please stop clinging to my son Chase?" Natalia's smile beca bit stiff. She thought that breaking up with Ryan would have been the end of it. But it seemed people were still coming to her with accusations.

"Betty, Ryan and I are just friends at the moment." Betty chuckled, "Ms. Jenkins, why deceive yourself? Didn't you join the Foreign Service with the sole purpose of getting close to Chase?" Natalia was at a loss for words, laughing nervously in disbelief. "Betty, my joining the Foreign Service has nothing to do with Ryan. He's a great guy, but since we've broken up, I won't engage in any sort of clinging."

Betty laughed again, her eyes filled with scorn. "Do you think I believe you? Ms. Jenkins, people need to ver save face as much as trees need their bark. You're not clean yourself, so please, stop bothering my son Chase, alright?" Natalia's smile vanished, and after a moment of silence, she finally spoke. "Betty, Ryan is indeed a nice person, which is unfortunate, given he has a mother like you!"

Betty's smile faltered instantly.

"Natalia, what do you mean by that? I Am I wrong? You're clearly fixated on Chase, yet you refuse to admit it.

Don't think for a moment that rubbing shoulders with a few diplomats will cover your tracks. Believe me, I have ways to ensure you never set foot in the Foreign Service!" Natalia's face paled, just as she was about to retort, someone wrapped an arm around her waist from behind and pulled her close. "Betty must be blind. With Natalia's credentials, does she really need to latch onto Ryan?"