Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 35

Natalia’s eyes flickered slightly, “Do you mind, Mr. Fowler?”

Hamilton let out a derisive snort. “Ms. Jenkins, are you still sleepy?”

Feeling awkward, Natalia quickly reassured him, “Don’t worry, Mr. Fowler, I didn’t agree to his

terms.”

Hamilton’s icy gaze enveloped her. “What’s the matter? Couldn’t settle on a price?”

“He said I could name my price and wait for my word.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed sharply. “So, Ms. Jenkins, you just haven’t decided how much to ask for?”

Trying to appear casual, Natalia met Hamilton’s gaze. “Mr. Fowler, are you concerned about the price I might set or that I might set one at all?”

With a scoff, Hamilton let her go and settled back on the couch, watching her. “Whether you name a price or not, and regardless of the amount, that’s your business. My only concern is whether you’re planning to breach our agreement.”

His detached tone made it seem like the matter had nothing to do with him at all.

A sharp pain flickered in Natalia’s heart. She knew that probing like this was humiliating. Yet, she couldn’t help herself. In the end, she just wanted to see if this man cared about her even at smidgen.

As expected, he didn’t, and it could already be considered Hamilton leaving her some dignity.

Natalia composed herself and said, “I was merely inquiring. I’m bound to you by a two–year contract and have never considered seeking another benefactor during that term, regardless of the offer.”

Hamilton watched her, his expression unreadable. “Ms. Jenkins, you seem to understand the spirit of a contract.”

Knowing it was sarcasm, Natalia ignored it and cut to the chase, “Is there a reason you wanted to see me. Mr. Fowler?”

Hamilton, reclining lazily on the couch with a hand on her waist, replied, “Tomorrow, I’m meeting a client from Frendland. You enjoy translating, right? Tag along and handle the translation.”

Surprised, Natalia hadn’t expected business to be the reason for his visit.

After a moment’s silence, she agreed, “Okay.” Then, she looked back at Hamilton. “Did you come to Boria City strictly for business?”

He nodded nonchalantly. “What else? You think I’d travel all this way just to twiddle my thumbs?”

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Chapter 35

business trip had little to do with her, her mood nonetheless brightened, and her movements became brisker and

soft chuckle. “Ms. Jenkins, what did you think I

here for?”

thought you came especially to see

business

Natalia remained silent.

he sat her on his lap. “Why don’t you like Eveleen?”

laughed lightly. “Do you think I

seemed to take an instant disliking to her.

averted her gaze. “No.”

animosity

a pause, Natalia explained, “Mr. Fowler, from the get–go, it was Ms. Schafer targeting me. starting with kicking me out of the car at our first meeting. It’s always been her

I’m just responding to her

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed.

her head away, Natalia asked casually. “And you? Why such fondness for

silent, his gaze

“Just curious, because there’s no shortage of women around you, Mr. Fowler. I don’t understand why

released her, returning his attention to his

anymore. You have too many

her fingers tightly together on the couch, eventually

smile. “I’ll drop

returned to her tea–making, focusing on the task at

for tomorrow, so

until late into the night. The nausea had subsided, replaced by

the hushed room, only the occasional rustle of

to sleep, unaware. She was awakened by Hamilton’s

Chapter 35

arms around her.

you been up to, getting so tired? Sneaking out for midnight rendezvous while I’m

was low

“Sorry, Mr. Fowler. I

well, yet you seem out like a

high alert around Hamilton, but today, she had simply dozed off. She wondered if it was a case of being too relaxed or just the overwhelming early

Hamilton laid her on the bed, tucking her in

tenderness from Hamilton she hadn’t felt before. She turned her head just in time to see him unhurriedly undoing his shirt

broad shoulders came into view, a silent testament to his presence. Tracing the slope of his shoulders, Natalia’s gaze lingered on the taut expanse of Hamilton’s back, where his narrow, chiseled waistline was tucked into the crisp line of his

the raw magnetism of the man