Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 171 Natalia's gaze was icy as she stared at the document in her hands. She had known that Hamilton would get involved, but she had assumed he would wait until after the trial to pull sstrings for Eveleen, perhaps securing a lighter sentence or bailing her out altogether.

But now, he wouldn't even let her file the charges.

He was protecting Eveleen like she was the apple of his eye.

Natalia had no desire to argue with this man any longer. Flipping through the agreement, she tore it in half without a second thought.

Hamilton watched her, his expression unchanging, though no one could tell that internally, he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to cut ties with her completely. At least, this way, they still had sform of connection. "What's the meaning of this, Ms. Jenkins?" Hamilton's eyes bore into hers, a faint glimmer of hope hidden within. Perhaps she was having second thoughts? Maybe she didn't truly want to leave the company? As Natalia shredded the agreement into pieces, her voice equally cold, she dashed his last hope. "I'll pay the breach of contract fee." Hope shattered, Hamilton's face turned colder. "How? Do you have the money? Or are you expecting Ryan to bail you out? Natalia, we're talking millions here. Do you really think Ryan can afford that?" The Holzer family might have influence, but their wealth wasn't as clear-cut. They could afford several million, but they certainly wouldn't be brazen about it. Politics and business were two different games. Natalia's gaze dropped, masking the storm beneath as she chuckled, an unfamiliar chill in her voice. "That's my own concern." With those words, she turned and walked away.

Hamilton watched her go, his lips twitching, but he didn't call after her. It wasn't until her silhouette disappeared from view and the office door clicked shut that he scoffed at the torn agreement in the trash. Natalia was still Natalia, never compromising, never showing weakness, not then and not now. Yet why could she bend for others, but never for him? In a sudden motion, he swept his desk clean, everything crashing to the floor.

Natalia, hearing the commotion, paused briefly but didn't linger.

Back at her office, her phone rang. It was Mason.

After a moment's consideration, she answered. "Hello, President Joyner." "Ms. Jenkins, have you made your decision?" There was a brief silence. "President Joyner, let's talk in person." Mason didn't object. Their companies weren't far apart, so Natalia suggested a coffee shop equidistant to both.

"So, what have you decided, Ms. Jenkins? I really do hope you'll join the Ron Group." Natalia sipped her coffee, taking her tbefore responding. "President Joyner, I'm willing to join the Ron Group, but I have three conditions." Mason raised an eyebrow with interest. "Oh? Do tell, Ms. Jenkins." "First, I will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment." Mason nodded without hesitation. "You have my word, Ms. Jenkins." "Second," Natalia continued, "I want absolute say in the company. Even if you want to make decisions regarding the Ron Group's branch operations, I need to give my consent." Mason's gaze flickered, but he agreed. "No problem. I'm bringing you on board to take charge." Natalia narrowed her eyes slightly. Mason's eager agreement felt unsettling, but after considering every possibility, she couldn't uncover his true motive for wanting her in the company. After a pause, she presented her third condition. "I'd like to sign a wager agreement with you." "A what?" Mason frowned.

Natalia cut to the chase, sliding the agreement across the table.

He chuckled after reading it. "Are you sure, Ms. Jenkins? That target is challenging. If you're in need of money, you could just ask. Ronin and I could lend it to you. Signing this seems unnecessary; I'm afraid it might be difficult for you to fulfill." Natalia's eyes crinkled with determination. "I can't claim defeat without even trying." Mason studied her for a long while before nodding. "Alright, then it's settled. I'll arrange for the funds to be transferred to you. With the Ron Group's launch impending, please also finalize things with Ivy Gemstone." "Understood." After Natalia left, Mason's eyes narrowed contemplatively, a complex emotion flickering through them as he stared at the agreement.

In the CEO's office, not long after Natalia's departure, Hamilton received a call from Eveleen. Her voice was tearful the moment the line connected.

Eveleen had only just woken up from last night's ordeal and was now crying, insisting on talking to Hamilton.

He listened to her sobs, irritation welling up inside him, and pinched the bridge of his nose before asking, "Why the tears?" "Hamilton, will you csee me? I get scared when you're not here." A cold laugh escaped him. "You're not even afraid of death; you think you'd be scared without me?" Eveleen choked up.

"Hamilton, I'm really scared." Hamilton hung up without another word, the fury in his eyes impossible to conceal.

Jack couldn't help but scoff at Eveleen's antics; they were, in his eyes, decidedly amateur.

Just one glance from her, and he knew exactly what schwas brewing in her mind.

But until now, he had been reluctant to admit it.

His once sunny Evi had transformed into something entirely unrecognizable.

Coercion, manipulation, using others as pawns, and even endangering lives to achieve her ends.

The girl he once held dear to his heart had been eclipsed by this darkness.

He let out a bitter laugh. Indeed, nothing in this world stayed the same.

A glint of frost surfaced in his eyes as he stood up and made his way to the ve.

hospital

Before Hamilton even set foot inside, Eveleen's sobs and the sound of things being smashed reached his ears. His brow furrowed as he pushed the door open without hesitation.

A glass flew in his direction the moment he entered.

Hamilton sidestepped, and the glass narrowly missed his temple.

Eveleen froze, her face turning sheet white.

"Hamilton, I didn't mean it." Hamilton stood in the doorway, his expression as stormy as a troubled sky.

"It seems you're recovering quite well," he remarked dryly.

Eveleen's lips were a stark white, and her face remained pallid.

"Hamilton, I swear it was an accident." He ignored her plea, stepping aside to clear the doorway.

"Since you're almost back to health, e cooperating with an investigation shouldn't be a problem." As he finished speaking, two people entered through the door, both clad in uniforms.

Eveleen's mind reeled.

Her face turned even paler in an instant.