Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 70 The man stood there cloaked in a gray trench coat, as if the chill of the outside world clung to him still.

His mere presence seemed to send Natalia’s every nerve on edge. Her mind buzzed noisily. She hadn't expected Hamilton to show up. She had called Alden, for heaven's sake.

And now, she wasn’t even sure if Hamilton had overheard that biting remark from Lionel.

Lionel’s brow furrowed at the sight of Hamilton, a clear sign of trouble brewing.

What an uncanny coincidence.

But for Victor, it was a stroke of luck-he wore a smirk like he was watching someone else’s misfortune with glee.

“Did Hamilton catch that? | can’t be accused of slander. Lionel here played the knight in shining armor, even dared to punch me. And to think, he’d risk his place in Silkwood City for Ms. Jenkins.” Hamilton's gaze shifted from Victor back to Natalia, and after a moment, he let out a soft chuckle.

“Ms. Jenkins sure has a knack for stirring the pot.” Natalia’s expression stiffened slightly.

Hamilton approached, his fingers gently grazing her face. “I hear it was a classic case of jealousy?” “It wasn’t!” Natalia denied immediately.

“Then what was it? Care to explain, Ms. Jenkins?” Natalia glanced at Victor, “Mr. Henkel was out of line with me, and Lionel was simply stopping him-that’s when he was struck.” Victor clicked his tongue, “Ms. Jenkins, you luredin. | couldn’t.help myself.” “Victor Henkel!” Natalia’s eyes flashed with anger.

She'd never encountered such a vile person. They had worked together pleasantly in the past, and she couldn't fathom why he would act like this now.

To Natalia, Victor seemed like a sadist, taking pleasure in her distress, finding comfort only in her discomfort.

Victor chuckled, “What's the matter, Ms. Jenkins? Refuse to admit it?” Natalia’s lips tightened, and she turned to look at Hamilton, “I did nothing.” Hamilton stood silent, his voice absent from the unfolding .

1/4 14:31 Chapter 70 However, Victor continued to fan the flames. “Hamilton, why keep this little tramp around? Today she’s seducing one, tomorrow another-what’s she to you?” Hamilton's expression darkened further, “My affairs are none of your concern, Mr. Henkel!” Usually, Victor wasn’t one to meddle, but with Natalia involved, his interest peaked. “I'm just offering a friendly warning-don’t mistake this woman for more than she is. A few days back, | was at the Chamber Nightclub with sclients, and guess what | saw?” Natalia’s complexion paled at the mention of the Chamber Nightclub-a property of the Fowler family.

She had worked there once. Back when Graham was squandering money on drinks and gambling, and Tatiana had been injured by his hand, unable to work for a while.

Natalia needed to save for Tatiana’s medical bills, as well as her own living expenses and tuition.

She had plenty of part-tjobs during school, even working as a conference interpreter, earning a handssum per hour. But all the money she gave to Tatiana was stolen by Graham.

Desperate to pay the medical bills, Natalia sought summer work and was told the Chamber Nightclub was hiring.

Knowing it was owned by the Fowler family, she was lured by the idea of earning money and possibly catching a glimpse of Hamilton. So she took the job as a waitress.

Though it was a simple job, perceptions could be skewed, and she dreaded Hamilton thinking less of her for it.

Her past didn’t bother her-except for how it might appear to Hamilton.

“See, she’s ashamed. Do you fancy sleeping with a woman who's been around the block, Hamilton?” Hamilton's face turned stone-cold in an instant. After all, it was a matter between him and Natalia. Victor had no right to weigh in with such vulgarity.

“Have you talked enough?” Hamilton's eyes bore into Victor with barely contained fury.

Victor had indeed crossed the line.

Natalia was his woman-to taunt, yes, but he wouldn't stand for anyone else doing so.

Victor sensed Hamilton's rage and shrugged helplessly, “I'm just speaking the truth. If you don’t believe it, that’s your problem.” Hamilton snorted coldly. “Mr. Henkel, perhaps you should focus more on cleaning up the mess caused by your company’s shareholders. Ever wonder how all those troubles started?” Victor's facade faltered, “Are you certain?” Hamilton met his gaze, “Believe it or not, Mr. Henkel. That's up to you.” Victor looked back at Natalia. “Ms. Jenkins, remember that slap you gave me.” 2/4 14-31 Chapter 70 With that, he got up and walked out. Victor's lawyer had arrived not long after Hamilton, but Victor stayed, relishing Natalia’s discomfort more than anything.

But now, the priority was sorting out the affairs of the company.

After Victor had left, it was only then that Hamilton turned to Lionel. “Ms. Jenkins, wait outside for me. | need to have a word with Lionel.” Natalia’s face went pale in an instant. “Mr. Fowler, Lionel was just caught up because of me.” Hamilton scoffed, “Ms. Jenkins, what's making you so nervous? Feeling guilty?” Natalia’s lips were tightly drawn. “I'm not.” She was just worried Hamilton would give Lionel a hard time. Lionel had already been dragged into her mess today, and if Hamilton took it out on him because of that, her guilt would only deepen.

Besides, Hamilton had always been particularly thorny about her relationship with Lionel. She couldn't guarantee that Hamilton wouldn’t do something rash to him. After all, Lionel had been looking out for her since she got this job. She didn’t want to cause him any more trouble because of her.

“Really?” Hamilton's gaze was fixed on her.

As if trying to decipher the truth in her words through her expression.

“Really.” Natalia met his piercing dark eyes without flinching.

Hamilton let out a soft chuckle, “Well then, wait in the car.” But Natalia still didn’t move.

Hamilton's expression grew increasingly sour. He didn’t really care what Victor did to Natalia.

Because he could sense that Natalia wasn't the least bit interested in Victor. But Lionel was a different story.

With a sneer, he grasped Natalia’s wrist tightly. “Do | need to carry you out?” Hamilton's voice was gentle, even carrying a hint of a smile. But his eyes were cold as ice.

Natalia winced in pain. Her complexion grew even paler.

She understood that the more she resisted now, the more she would infuriate Hamilton. So she glanced at Lionel one last tbefore finally turning to leave.

Hamilton returned to the car half an hour later. His overcoat was slung over his arm, and all he wore was a crisp white dress shirt.

Natalia couldn't read his expression. He didn’t say a word to her the whole ride back. Not until the car cto a stop in front of the apartment building.

Hamilton got out of the car without looking at Natalia.

3/4 14:32 Chapter 70 Natalia stayed seated.

Hamilton walked a few steps, then cback. He opened the passenger door, and hoisted Natalia out of the car.

“Hamilton!” He didn’t pause for a second. After entering the elevator with her, he pinned her against the wall of the lift.

“Ms. Jenkins, got a little too eager? Just out of confinement and already rushing out to meet other men?” “I was working for him.” Natalia glared at him.

Hamilton tilted her chin up, his gaze falling on the marks on her neck left by Victor.

“Does work normally involve getting your neck bruised? You're quite something, Ms. Jenkins.” Natalia’s lips trembled slightly.

Before she could speak, Hamilton's lips suddenly descended upon hers.