Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chatper 113

Natalia found herself at a loss for words upon Alden’s remark. She knew he was looking out for her best interests, but the knowledge that Hamilton was standing as a sentinel over Eveleen made it difficult to truly let go. Deep down, she harbored a bitter reluctance.

Clutching the documents in her hand, Natalla avolded further conversation with Alden. They had a quick meal, and then she headed back to the office.

Upon their return, Natalia caught wind of office chatter-Eveleen was upstairs, weeping again. Natalia listened with half an ear, refusing to let it disrupt her focus. She wondered how long Hamilton would keep Eveleen’s projects on hold. Surely, It couldn’t be for much longer.

Natalia shook off her scattered thoughts and dove into her work. The end of the year was always hectic, with annual reports to finalize and plans for the next year to be crafted.

After wrapping up a meeting with her department's key players, Tess came running over, her voice tinged with urgency. “Boss, Eveleen’s here looking for you. She’s waiting in your office.”

Natalia hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Eveleen was seated at her desk, her expression unreadable. “Natalia, are you enjoying this?” Eveleen asked as soon as Natalia appeared.

With a tight smile, Natalia replied, “Ms. Schafer, if you have something to say, please be direct.” A chill flickered across Eveleen’s face. “Why play dumb? Wasn't it you who had Hamilton stop my projects?”

Natalia chuckled. “Eveleen, that child is Hamilton’s, no matter how you slice it. Did you really think he wouldn't care about your antics?”

Eveleen’s face twisted with rage, and then she laughed coldly. “Natalia, let me tell you, Hamilton might have cut me off, but do you know how much he just invested in the Schafer family to make up for it?”Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

Natalia paled at her words. Eveleen stood and approached her. “What do you think you are compared to me, Natalia? You should know better than anyone that you can’t beat me.”

She paused, then whispered in Natalia’s ear, “And do you really think that little piece of evidence will do anything to me? Even if Hamilton doesn’t protect me, don’t forget about your dear mother, hanging on by a thread.”

Natalia’s hand shot out, gripping Eveleen’s collar. “If you dare touch my mother, you'll regret it!” Eveleen simply laughed, brushed off Natalia’s hand, and strode out of the office.

Shaking with anger, Natalia stood still as Tess hurried over with a glass of water.

“Boss, are you okay?”

Natalia took the water with a nod, but her heart was heavy. She realized she truly couldn’t win against Eveleen—not with Hamilton by her side.

With a bitter laugh, tears began to flow. She had lost-truly lost-and wanted no more to do with this mess or with Hamilton and Eveleen.

She had more pressing matters to attend to. That man had been her childhood dream, but it was he who had shattered it. Upon waking, she realized that the person she held in her heart might have already died that year by the seaside, leaving her with nothing but scars and pain.

After work, Natalia packed up and left the office. She had an international investors‘ conference to attend that evening—a joint venture by the Commerce and Foreign Affairs Departments, taking place in Silkwood City.

Asenior colleague she had recommended to Lionel had urged her to participate once he learned she was based in Silkwood. Reluctantly, she had agreed.

As she arrived at the International Convention Center, the sky had darkened. Stepping out of her car, she heard a familiar voice. “Natalia!”

Looking up, she saw a man standing on the steps: Ryan Holzer, a rising star in the Foreign Affairs Department.

She smiled and walked toward him. He descended the steps and quickly reached her. “Long time no see, Natalia.”

Natalia warmly greeted him, “Hi, Ryan.”

Ryan looked at her, noting how little she had changed in three years, save for a newfound maturity and allure. He was actually a little jealous. Never would he have expected their previous encounter to be the last in the past three years.

Nonetheless, he was delighted at the reunion.

“Am | still your senior after all these years with no contact?” he teased with a twinge of longing in his heart.

Natalia simply smiled, choosing not to delve into certain unspoken matters.

Together, they entered the venue, where Natalia was surprised to encounter Caspian Spiegel. “Ms. Jenkins, what brings you here?” Caspian inquired, clearly taken aback.

“ll be providing Italian interpretation tonight,” Natalia responded cheerfully.

Caspian frowned slightly. “You speak Italian?”

While Ryan was curious about Natalia’s acquaintance with Caspian, he couldn't help but interject. “Caspian, meet the star linguist from our Diplomatic Institute. Her talent for

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languages rivals even Ms. Della.” Caspian looked surprised.

Ms. Delia, Caspian’s mother, was once a renowned linguist known internationally for her remarkable gift with languages. She climbed the ranks in the diplomatic corps to become a leading figure, earning the moniker “Iron Lady of Diplomacy” for her formidable presence in the field.

Over the years, few had compared to Della’s linguistic prowess. However, to Caspian’s surprise, today, he heard Natalia’s name mentioned in the same breath.

Caspian couldn’t help but chuckle. “Seems | have much to learn about you, Ms. Jenkins.” Natalia’s lips curved into a restrained smile. “What brings you here today, Mr. Spiegel?” “I'm serving as the legal consultant for the event.”

She nodded, just about to add something, when someone called out to Ryan.

Ryan frowned slightly and glanced at Natalia. “You two catch up. I'll be right back” Natalia quickly acknowledged.

Caspian watched Ryan’s retreating figure and then turned his gaze back to Natalia. Their interaction had been brief, but he sensed something unique in the way Ryan regarded her.

Ryan was a diplomatic wunderkind, now a hot commodity in the department, always composed and unflappable in public. Yet, today, Caspian could swear he saw a flicker of excitement in Ryan's eyes. It was out of the ordinary.

He looked at Natalia. “You seem to know Ryan pretty well.”

Natalia paused for a moment before replying, “You could say that. We had quite a few run-ins back in college, but we haven't really kept in touch these past few years.”

Caspian’s gaze sharpened just a fraction. “Does Hamilton know you're here tonight?”