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

steal Eveleen’s man?*

“What’s it to

eyes narrowed slightly. He had indeed been smitten with Eveleen back in school when she was pure as an angel. But after she became Hamilton’s girl, he backed off. Who would want to compete with

he saw Eveleen more like a sister. Natalia, on the other hand, was a different story. “Frankly, I’d rather sleep with you, Ms. Jenkins. Give it a shot.

with tears of fury, and she slapped Victor across the face.

echoed in the lounge

get lost now!”

snap something in

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

he lunged at her, his hands aiming for her

the door burst open.

to witness such a

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

infuriated by Lionel’s interruption. “It’s none of your business, Lionel.

off and moved

the onlookers. “Call

“Think you can stay in Silkwood

course, but I can’t stand by and watch this happen under

especially after Natalia had dared to strike him. He grabbed Lionel by the collar, “I told you to turn a blind eye.

gaze steady on Victor. “Mr. Henkel, you do realize there

face. “What of it? I’ll still hit you!”

on edge from business troubles, and now this rejection from Natalia was more than he

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to Lionel’s side.

“Don’t worry, I’m

looked around at the gathering crowd, “Did anyone call

“They did.”

remained

the Henkel clan might not have the clout that the Fowlers did, but Victor certainly wasn’t about to show any weakness

you reckon Hamilton would do

Natalia’s eyes reddened, her hands shaking slightly.

fist connecting with Victor’s face in a swift punch.

hadn’t expected Lionel to fight back.

time he gathered his senses, he had thrown a punch in