Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 50

Hamilton's legal team was a force to be reckoned with.

If Hamilton refused to let her go, his lawyers could probably strip her down to the bone.

Natalia’s heart was steeped in bitterness as she confronted him. “Hamilton, what on earth do you want from me?” she asked. She simply couldn’t fathom why Hamilton was so insistent on keeping her by his side.

Hamilton sat at the dining table, his expression unreadable in the dim light. “Don’t | always say | don’t take kindly to defiance, Ms. Jenkins? Have you forgotten?”

Natalia’s lips were a tight line. Of course, she hadn't forgotten.

Hamilton was a domineering man, who never cared for anyone else’s feelings. He hated defiance, which was why he forced her to stay when she wanted to leave.

And that was also why he dismissed her resignation without a second thought. Right?

So that was it. Natalia realized the truth with a wry smile.

“Alright, | understand.”

“Good, Ms. Jenkins. As long as you do.”

After Hamilton finished speaking, he motioned to her, “Come on, have some more to eat.”

Natalia had no appetite, but she knew all too well that refusal was futile with this man. She forced herself to sit back at the table and managed to eat a bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal.

Hamilton sat silently beside her, waiting until she was done before he spoke again.

“If

you feel like the break was too short, | can extend it. Get your health back up. We can talk about everything else later.” Natalia nodded indifferently. By now, she was beyond caring.

Hamilton regarded her silently for a moment before he added, “The father of that fan has been detained. Do you have any demands, or shall | have the lawyers come over to discuss with you?”

“No need, you handle it,” Natalia responded. Hamilton nodded once more, then fell silent.

Natalia had expected Hamilton to leave soon after, but surprisingly, he showed no sign of departing. She had no desire to share the same space with him.

“Aren't you going to work?” she asked.

Hamilton looked up at her. “Have you signed the agreement? If you do, I'll have the secretary

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process it today.”

Natalia paused, “Not yet.”

Hamilton was quiet for a moment, then said, “Sign it as soon as you can.”

Natalia understood his meaning.

Hamilton was always serious and meticulous in his dealings, and their situation was no exception. Whatever he owed, he intended to repay. That was why he wanted her to sign quickly.

Once signed, he would no longer owe her anything in this matter.

She took a deep breath, “Fine, I'll do it as soon as possible.”

Hamilton nodded and yet, still showed no intention of leaving.

“Aren't you working today?” she probed again.

Hamilton looked up and met her gaze, “Are you so eager to see me go?”

Natalia sat on the sofa without looking at him, “It’s not so much eagerness. I’m just curious why are you staying.”

Hamilton leaned against the balcony railing, his lips curving slightly, “I said | would take care of you, didn’t I? I’m a man of my word.”

Natalia frowned slightly. She was about to respond when the doorbell rang.

She'd never invited anyone over to this apartment, and Hamilton was even less likely to host guests here. In three years, the nanny was the only one who ever entered this apartment apart from her and Hamilton.

However, someone else was ringing the bell today.Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

Natalia quickly thought of Graham and frowned.

The nanny went to open the door.

“Are you Eveleen?” the nanny’s thrilled voice carried from the entrance.

Natalia’s face fell as she looked toward the door, only to see Eveleen standing there with a bouquet of flowers, and a grinning Victor by her side.

Hamilton raised an eyebrow and glanced at Natalia. Before she could speak, Eveleen’s voice reached them. “Hamilton.”

Hamilton walked toward the door. “Coming here unannounced? Not worried about the paparazzi, are you?” His tone was so gentle.

No matter how many times Natalia heard it, it still made her uncomfortable.

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“| can’t pay a visit to a friend? Besides, I’m not here for you today. | came specifically for Ms. Jenkins.”

With that, Eveleen walked in as if she owned the place. “How have you been, Ms. Jenkins? I’ve been thinking since yesterday and decided | should come to apologize properly, so here | am. You don’t mind, do you?”

Natalia let out a sneer. She was not in the mood for Eveleen’s pretense. “If you’re going to apologize, just do it. Skip the pomp and circumstance.”

Eveleen immediately looked aggrieved. But this time, she didn’t argue and simply apologized.

“I'm sorry, Ms. Jenkins. One of my fans acted foolishly and hurt you. I’m here on behalf of my fan to apologize. | hope you can forgive her.”

She glanced at Hamilton after finishing. Hamilton’s gaze on Natalia grew heavier.

Natalia knew it was a warning. But she had taken Hamilton’s money, so she honestly had no desire to argue with Eveleen anymore.

“Fine, | accept your apology. Can you leave now?”

Eveleen bit her lip, “Ms. Jenkins, can you forgive my fan?”

Natalia’s brow furrowed suddenly. She knew it. Why would Eveleen bother with a personal apology? It was all for this.

She gave Eveleen a look and said, “Sorry, | can’t do that. You play the good Samaritan, but expect me, the victim, to take the fall? Is that fair?”

Eveleen’s face tightened. “Ms. Jenkins, I'll give you whatever compensation you want, but my fan is only 17. You'll be ruining her life!”

Natalia scoffed, “Did | make her bring a weapon to hurt someone? You are labeling me as a sinner who I’m not. I’ve never harmed anyone.”

Eveleen tried to say more, but Victor pulled her back.

“Eveleen, give it a rest. Your heart is as tough as old boots, right, Ms. Jenkins?” Victor remarked.

Aslight smile played on Natalia’s lips as she coolly responded, “Indeed. Victor knows me well.”

Victor snorted a laugh and turned to Eveleen with a look that mixed impatience with a tinge of sympathy, “See? | told you it’s a no-go before we got here.”

Eveleen bit her lip, “I just wanted to do something for my fan, that’s all. Her mother’s been crying her eyes out.”

Victor's gaze softened as he looked at Eveleen, but his expression turned stern again as he regarded the still stoic Natalia. Then he shifted his gaze to Hamilton, “You've got nothing to

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Chapter 50 say, Hamilton?”

Leaning casually against the wall, Hamilton, who tucked hands into his pockets, looked at Natalia with a deep, contemplative gaze before finally speaking up, “Forgiveness is Ms.

Jenkins‘ own business.”

“Hamilton,” As Eveleen wanted to continue, he gently ruffled her hair and said, “I know you've got a soft spot, Eveleen. If it really bothers you, help the fan get a decent lawyer. It’s really not my place to force Ms. Jenkins‘ hand,”

Eveleen pouted, and Victor let out a light chuckle, “Eveleen, drop it. Someone with a heart of stone like Ms. Jenkins can’t possibly understand the love of a mother for her child.”

Asharp pain clenched at Natalia’s heart, and her hands, previously hanging loosely by her sides, slowly clenched into fists.

Hamilton’s brows furrowed abruptly, and he turned sharply towards Victor, “Victor, do you always take such pleasure in pushing people to their limits?”