Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 261 Hamilton's eyes instantly frosted over.

His voice was ice-cold, "Where is she?" Alden's voice was also slightly deep, "We had a safetybelow, and a few awnings broke her fall. The doc says she'll live, but it's unlikely she'll be walking anytsoon." Hamilton was silent for a long while before responding.

"Keep an eye on her, and do a thorough check on her associates." After hanging up, he turned to see Natalia looking at him.

"She didn't die, huh?" Hamilton was at a loss for words.

It seemed no matter what he said, she'd be upset.

Natalia turned away from him, muttering under her breath, "Lucky, isn't she?" Hamilton couldn't help but chuckle, wrapping his arms around her, "Jealous?" Facing away, Natalia took her tbefore saying, "Hamilton, if one day you choose Eveleen, I'll leave you without hesitation." Hamilton tightened his embrace, "Don't worry, I won't give you that chance." Meanwhile, in another room, Delilah received a call.

After hearing the story, she sighed in disappointment.

"As expected, a failure is a failure. Couldn't even manage to take someone out with a fall. All my efforts wasted." She ground her teeth in frustration, realizing she needed another plan.

The artifact retrieval and the tycoon rescue mission were complete.

All that was left was the handover ceremony.

Hamilton couldn't enter the venue, so he had to wait outside.

He held Natalia close, feeling a bit sour, "I suddenly feel like there's more distance between us." Natalia laughed, "Even so, I'm still nothing in the eyes of the Fowler family." Hamilton felt a sting in his heart.

After a moment, he softly said, "Natalia, I'll make them acknowledge you, trust me." Natalia was silent, "Hamilton, if we really get back together, I just want to live peacefully with you. Whether the Fowler family acceptsor not, I really don't care." But she knew, without the Fowler family's acknowledgment, living peacefully with him was just wishful thinking. The Fowler family would never tolerate a woman they didn't acknowledge blatantly staying by Hamilton's side. Taking a deep breath to suppress the heaviness in her heart, Natalia walked towards the venue.

The handover ceremony was held in a banquet hall designated by the other party.

Upon entering, Ryan approached her.

"Everything okay last night? I heard you had a spat with Delilah?" Natalia smiled, "It's fine, just a few words. It wasn't just about last night; she's been getting on my nerves for a while." She paused, "Ryan, about last night, I'm sorry for dragging you into this." Ryan's eyes were full of laughter, "Why apologize to me? You weren't the one at fault." Natalia still felt guilty, but she didn't dwell on it.

Sometimes, the more you say, the more uncomfortable it becomes.

The ceremony went smoothly, and it was broadcasted live.

Due to Natalia's presence, the livestream was overwhelmed with viewers.

This artifact retrieval mission had drawn a lot of attention to the artifacts lost overseas.

Domestic journalists sought Natalia for an interview after the ceremony.

Unable to decline, she agreed.

But before they could start, the inteconnection failed.

Natalia waited, then a man approached, "Excuse me, my girlfriend's in the restroom. Could you bring her a sanitary pad?" Seeing the unstable network, Natalia agreed, also taking the chance to call Hamilton.

After informing the journalist, she headed to the restroom.

Hamilton, knowing she'd be a while, was clearly displeased.

Natalia laughed, "We can watch the sunset when I get out." Hamilton paused, then lazily agreed.

"Alright." After hanging up and delivering the sanitary pad, Natalia found the restroom door wouldn't open.

She tugged at it several times to no avail, sinking into alarm.

As she reached for her phone, a scream echoed, followed by a woman convulsing and foaming at the mouth on the floor.

The restroom erupted in panic.

Natalia, though stunned, quickly knelt down.

She efficiently unbuttoned the woman's collar, checked for obstructions in her mouth, then positioned her arms and legs to prevent injury from convulsions.

"Call emergency services, tell them we have a seizure case," she instructed, realizing the door was still locked. She supported the woman while dialing Ryan.

"Ryan, the women's restroom door is locked from the outside, we need medical help." The women in the restroom stared at Natalia in shock.

"Are you a doctor?" One asked.

Natalia shook her head.

"No, but I'm trained in first aid."

She had learned during a conference with the International Red Cross in college ever imagining it would cin handy now. The door was soon opened from outside, with Ryan and medical staff rushing in.

After handing the woman over to the medics, Natalia finally let out a sigh of relief.

Ryan glanced at her with a hint of concern, "You alright?" Natalia chuckled and shook her head, "I'm fine." Before she could finish, she noticed Hamilton standing at the bathroom door, a deep look in his eyes.

Natalia blinked, "How did you get in here?" Hamilton felt a pang of jealousy.

"I called Caspian, asked him to letin." As he spoke, he moved closer to wrap Natalia in his arms, then turned his gaze to Ryan.

"Thanks, Mr. Holzer, for taking such good care of my girlfriend." Ryan paused for a moment, then smiled, "No worries, Mr. Fowler. After all, Natalia's like a sister to me." The underlying message was clear.

The dynamics of a romantic relationship might change, but the band Ryan shared with Natalia, as her 'brother', was unbreakable. Hamilton's expression darkened instantly.

However, Ryan had already turned to Natalia with a smile.

"Got sthings to take care of outside, I'll head off first." Natalia nodded.

After Ryan left, Natalia took Hamilton's hand and they walked out together.

Once outside the bathroom, Hamilton, seizing the moment pulled her into a secluded corner and kissed her deeply. It was a kiss tinged with jealousy, yet filled with a touch of vulnerability.

Natalia, somewhat exasperated but affectionate, wrapped her arms around his neck and reciprocated the kiss.