Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 9

The morning sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Natalia’s doorbell chimed, rousing her from a restless sleep. Standing on her doorstep with a warm smile was the executive assistant from the office.

“Good morning. Ms. Jenkins. Mr. Fowler has arranged for you to have a check–up today,” she said, her tone polite yet friendly.

Natalia nodded, her voice still groggy, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

They arrived at the clinic, where the sight of Scarlett by the blood draw station eased Natalia’s nerves. After the blood work, the assistant suggested grabbing a bite to eat.

“Mr. Fowler mentioned you could take today off,” she said, her eyes scanning Natalia for a

reaction.

“Sounds good to me,” Natalia agreed without hesitation, her mind already on the other matters she had to attend to.

They parted ways, and Natalia made a beeline for the diner where she had agreed to meet Lionel.

“What can I get ya?” Lionel asked as soon as Natalia slid into the booth opposite him.

“Just water, thanks,” she replied, keeping it simple.

Lionel flagged down the waitress and ordered a glass of ice water for Natalia. She took a sip and got straight to the point.

“You mentioned you needed my help with something. What’s up?” Natalia asked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “I didn’t get the details before, but you weren’t about to ask me to go jewelry shopping with you, were you?”

Lionel chuckled and shook his head. “No, it’s actually something serious.” He slid a document across the table to her. “Could you help me translate this?”

Natalia paused, surprised, as she picked up the document and skimmed through the Italian legal jargon.

“What’s this about?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

documents are in Italian. We’ve been scrambling to find a professional translator, and then you called,” Lionel explained. Natalia fell silent, pondering for a moment.

smile. “I’ve seen one of your speeches. Back at Boria University, you were quite the sensation–fluent in several

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Chapte

“Those were the days,” she said, “but let’s not dwell on

legal text, translating it with ease,

to interpret for us in court, too? We’re really in a tight

my schedule,” Natalia replied

worries. I’ll let you know the court dates, and if you’re available, great. If not, we’ll figure something else out.” Lionel said, his tone reassuring.

not looking so good. Is it because of what happened with

her personal affairs. She didn’t want anyone else

her a lot, in

at a nearby steakhouse,

the same Ms. Miller from the

the entrance, but Lionel caught the subtle shift in her

returned to her senses.

room, calling out to Natalia in what seemed like a

meeting Hamilton’s gaze with a stoic,

her with a casual nod, then shifted his attention to Lionel, sizing him up with an air of detached curiosity.

took the opportunity to introduce himself. “Mr. Fowler, it’s a pleasure. I’m Lionel from Lio

young age, only to step down out of boredom and start his own venture. Now, his company was thriving, and Hamilton was a figure of prominence–a true titan of industry.

wanted to connect with Hamilton but

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stone, but fate had

on his lips as he appraised the two of them, the wheels in

gave a nonchalant nod, his gaze sweeping