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?*

glared at Victor fiercely. “What’s it to you? Are you in love with

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

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.

and she slapped

sound echoed in

get lost now!”

seemed to snap something in Victor,

woman to ever hit me!

at her, his hands

the door burst open.

to witness such

Henkel, what do you think

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

Lionel off and moved

the onlookers.

stay in Silkwood City after this, Lionel?”

but I can’t stand by and watch this happen

been one to take a loss, especially after Natalia had dared to strike him. He grabbed Lionel

“Mr. Henkel, you do realize

jeered and punched Lionel in the face. “What of it?

business troubles, and now this rejection from Natalia was more than he could stomach.

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shouts. Natalia hurried to Lionel’s

worry,

looked around at the gathering crowd, “Did anyone

“They did.”

remained indifferent.

might not have the clout that the Fowlers did, but Victor certainly

Jenkins, what do you reckon Hamilton would do if I texted him right now

eyes reddened, her

of nowhere, Lionel stood up, his fist connecting with Victor’s face in

Lionel to fight back.

senses, he had thrown a punch in