Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 173 Hamilton's face turned sour at a pace that was visibly alarming.

Tess didn't even dare to cry.

"Mr. Fowler, Ms. Jenkins has resigned, just now, she hasn't been gone long." Hamilton's brow twitched violently.

He turned and strode out of the marketing department.

Once outside, he dialed up Natalia on his work phone.

After leaving the company, Natalia had gotten into Caspian's car.

Caspian was there to update her on the latest developments in their case.

When her phone rang, Natalia frowned slightly.

Caspian chuckled, "Hamilton?" Natalia nodded.

"Take the call, see if he wants to talk about the case." Natalia stared at the incessantly ringing phone, and eventually picked up.

"Mr. Fowler." The formality in her tone made Hamilton's brow furrow again.

But now was not the tto quibble about titles. "Natalia, who gave you permission to resign without my consent?" There was a light laugh from Natalia, as if she had expected this call to be about exactly that. Her voice instantly grew colder.

"Mr. Fowler, I've completed my handover, and the severance fee has been paid. We've met the conditions for a mutual termination. If you really find that unreasonable, please have your legal department contact Mr. Spiegel directly." Hamilton massaged his temples. He didn't want to argue with Natalia.

Her departure had been inevitable, and now, he was truly out of options when it cto her.

At this point, all he could do was to try and keep his temper in check. "Natalia, where did you get the money to pay the fee?" "You just take the money, Mr. Fowler. As for the rest, you don't need to worry about it. And since I've resigned, there's no need for future contact, so please don't disturb my life." Natalia was about to hang up when Hamilton quickly interjected.

"Where are you? I want to see you." "I'm sorry, I don't have tto meet you." Natalia ended the call with efficiency.

Hamilton stared at the disconnected call, his expression extremely gloomy.

Caspian, having overheard the conversation, furrowed his brows slightly.

He had thought Hamilton might explain something about Orpheus changing his testimony, but instead, he hadn't said anything useful at all.

Caspian was utterly speechless.

"Don't worry about the case," Caspian reassured Natalia. "Even if Orpheus changes his statement, the police will continue to investigate Eveleen. If there's any other evidence against her, she won't escape. As for Hamilton, aside from Orpheus, he probably won't interfere anymore. Otherwise, with his resources, he'd do more. His involvement with Orpheus is likely out of necessity." Natalia scoffed, choosing not to respond.

Whether Hamilton was acting out of necessity was something only he knew.

He was never one to be threatened or to compromise because of pressure from anyone.

If he had compromised, it was because he wanted to.

Seeing Natalia not keen on discussing further, Caspian didn't press. After dropping her at the Ron Group, he left.

Natalia processed her new hire paperwork at the Ron Group.

No sooner had she finished than she received a call from Mason.

"Ms. Jenkins, let's have a meeting with the senior staff." "Alright." By the tthe meeting ended, dusk was settling in.

Mason looked pleased with Natalia as they stepped out of the conference room.

"Let Ronin get you a car tomorrow. As a representative of the Ron Group, you need to look the part, and that includes the right ride." Natalia chuckled, "I appreciate your generosity, President Joyner, but I can buy a car myself. Don't worry, I won't let the Ron Group down." She was, after all, merely in a partnership with the Ron Group, and she understood the adage about biting the hand that feeds.

Mason eyed Natalia thoughtfully before nodding.

"Well then, we'll be counting on you, Ms. Jenkins." Natalia maintained a cordial, distant smile, "Of course." As she walked away, the smile on Mason's face gradually faded.

Ronin, looking puzzled at his father, asked, "Why not letpursue her?" Mason's gaze flickered, and he started walking back to his office.

"You wouldn't make it anyway, don't waste your energy. Better to meet the date your mother has set up for you." "Dad, that's not what you said when you sentto Silkwood City." Ronin paused, then a thought struck him.

"Tellthe truth, Dad. You're not into Natalia, are you? Otherwise, why would you insist so strongly on her joining? Even more than me." Mason glared at him and retorted, "Get lost!" Natalia left the Ron Group and hailed a cab to the hospital.

Before she could enter the hospital gates, someone pressed a sharp object against her lower back.

The pungent smell of alcohol filled the air, followed by Graham's sinister laugh, "Make a sound, and I'll send you to your grave right now!" Natalia stiffened.

"Graham, what are you doing?" Graham's laughter was erratic and he didn't respond. Instead, he forced her into a nearby rundown alley. "Graham, what on earth do you want? Just say it!" As they turned into the alley, Graham pressed the knife to Natalia's neck. She felt a painful sting, followed by a warm liquid trickling down her skin. She didn't dare move a muscle, convinced that Graham, in his desperation, would indeed take her life. Graham's face twisted with malice. "What do I want? Natalia, since you've messed up my plans, you're going to pay that debt!" He had originally intended to threaten Lucinda.

But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why Lucinda seemed utterly unfazed by any threat.

As if she knew with certainty he'd never spill the beans.

And truly, he wouldn't dare.

After all, if Lucinda went down, he'd be dragged into the mess right along with her.

And the due date for his debts was looming.

Out of options, he had to approach Natalia once again.

"How much do you need?" Natalia tried to keep her cool.

Graham let out a laugh, "Why didn't you just say so from the beginning? Not much, just five hundred thousand." Natalia's face twisted into an ugly scowl.

"Graham, do you really think I'm skind of ATM?" But Graham wasn't about to give an inch.

"Natalia, I'll be straight with you.

Without that five hundred thousand, I'm a dead man. But if I'm going if down, I'm taking you with me! If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be in this godforsaken situation!" "Graham, you gambled that money away, the debt's yours. What do you mean if it wasn't for me?" Natalia's eyes narrowed sharply.

Something didn't add up.

From the start, Graham had been blaming her for ruining his plans.

What plans could she possibly ruin? Graham's plans were all about getting money, but since she refused to give him any, it shouldn't be her fault.

His words sounded more like someone was supposed to give him money, but because of her, Graham ended up empty-handed.

Natalia's eyes squinted even more.

"Graham, from the very beginning, who told you to ctofor money?" Graham's eyes flickered.

His face turned an even uglier shade of pale.

"What does it matter who told me? I cto you for the money on my you own, Natalia. Don't you think I can't deal with you just because you're not in a hospital. If you can't scrape together five hundred thousand today, you're going to die right here!" Natalia's lips were taut, and it took her a while to respond. "I can get you the money. Just letgo and I'll contact someone to arrange it right away."

Graham sneered, "You think I'm an idiot? If I let you go, I won't see a dime.

You make that call now. When the money hits the account, that's when I'll let you go. And Natalia, don't you try any tricks with me!" As he finished speaking, Natalia suddenly drove her elbow into his chest.

The blade at her neck instantly drew a thin line of blood.

But Natalia had no tto worry about the cut; she pushed Graham away and bolted for the exit.

If she could just get out of this alley, she'd be safe.

If she made it to the street and saw other people, Graham wouldn't dare hurt her.

But Graham wasn't about to let her off that easily.

Once he recovered, he was hot on her heels.

Natalia kicked off her high heels but still couldn't outrun Graham.

Just as he was about to catch her, suddenly a hand reached out and pulled her to safety.

And then, she was engulfed by a familiar scent.