Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 69

Victor Henkel stood at the doorway, a smile playing on his face.

“Ms. Jenkins, fancy seeing you here.”

Natalia didn’t expect to run into Victor here. But right now, she had no interest in speaking with his man. “Actually, I was just leaving. Got things to do.”

Victor stepped directly in her path. He’d been up to his neck in legal tangles lately and had come here to discuss case details, never anticipating a run–in with Natalia.

But now that she was here, he wasn’t about to let her just walk away.

“Ms. Jenkins, what’s this? Playing hide and seek with me?”

A wave of annoyance washed over Natalia. Just the sight of Victor made her skin crawl. She couldn’t fathom what she’d done to earn this man’s ire.

Was it simply because she’d refused his advances, and now he was making her pay, time and again?

Or was it because she’d inadvertently stepped into the shoes of the so–called Eveleen, and he was here to champion Eveleen’s cause?

Anyway, Natalia had no intention of wasting words on him.

“Mr. Henkel, perhaps you should come to terms with reality.”

With that, she tried to move past him, but her mood was far from pleasant.

Victor, however, seemed unfazed and blocked her way again. “Have you given any thought to my offer from the other day? Don’t worry, we can negotiate the price.”

Natalia’s face turned a shade of ashen, her lips trembling slightly with suppressed rage. “Mr. Henkel, what do you take me for?”

A smirk spread across Victor’s face. “Come off it, Ms. Jenkins. Aren’t you the one who keeps men company for money?”

Natalia clenched her teeth, “At least they have to be human!”

For the first time, Victor’s composure seemed to crack. He stepped forward, gripping Natalia’s neck. “Natalia, don’t push your luck!”

Her face flushed with the pressure, “Victor, I’ve never wronged you. What do you want from me?”

Victor’s smile returned as he finally let her go.

“Do you really not understand what I want, Ms. Jenkins? Or am I not being clear enough?” he paused, “Or perhaps you’re still clinging to some fairy tale dreams? Hoping to rise above your station? Natalia, don’t you see how unfeasible your ambitions are? What makes you think you

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Chapter 69

Eveleen’s man?*

violently. Once she caught her breath, she glared at Victor fiercely. “What’s it to you? Are you in love with Eveleen and taking up her

she was pure as an angel. But after

other hand, was a different story. “Frankly, I’d rather sleep with you, Ms. Jenkins. Give it a shot. I promise you’ll be in seventh heaven. Still not satisfied? I can always get a few buddies to

brimmed with tears of fury, and she slapped

echoed in the lounge loud.

lost

slap seemed to snap something in Victor, and his demeanor chilled.

stinging cheek, he sneered. “Natalia, you are the first woman to ever hit me!

his hands aiming for

the door burst

not expecting to witness such a scene. His face

Victor aside immediately, “Mr. Henkel, what do you

a kiss, was infuriated by Lionel’s interruption. “It’s none of

off and moved

to the

scoffed, “Think you can stay in Silkwood

chuckled, “Of course, but I can’t stand by and watch this happen under my

having never been one to take a loss, especially after Natalia had dared to strike him. He grabbed Lionel by the collar, “I told you to turn a blind eye. Are you

Henkel, you do realize

face. “What of it? I’ll

business troubles, and now this rejection from Natalia was

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parlor erupted with shouts. Natalia hurried to Lionel’s side. “Lionel are you

nodded, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

around at the gathering crowd, “Did anyone call the police?”

“They did.”

remained indifferent.

the Fowlers did, but Victor certainly wasn’t about to show any weakness in front of this crowd.

leered at Natalia, “Ms. Jenkins, what do you reckon Hamilton would do if I texted

reddened, her hands

Lionel stood up, his fist connecting with Victor’s face in a swift

expected Lionel to fight back.

his senses, he had thrown a punch in