Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 144

Ronin's jab carried a hint of deliberate provocation.

After all, Hamilton had burned his bridges in Boria City pretty badly, hadn't he?

With his hands casually tucked in his jeans pockets, Hamilton gave Ronin a cool look.

It was a while before he let out a scoff, "Since when did you and Ms. Jenkins get so chummy, Mr. Joyner? And if memory serves, I believe I made it quite clear that you should keep your hands off another man's lady." Natalia's brows furrowed sharply, ready to interject, but Ronin had already beaten her to the punch.

"Oh? Is Ms. Jenkins still your woman, Mr. Fowler? Because the last I heard, you two were done. And Ms. Jenkins is about to ink a deal with us at Ron Group. Soon, she won't be working for Ivy Gemstone; she'll join the Ron Group." Ronin's demeanor was the polar opposite of Hamilton's.

Hamilton was deep and reserved.

But Ronin? He was all sunshine, inside and out.

Even when he was just stating facts, he managed to make it sound like a boast.

Natalia pursed her lips in response.

Hamilton's face darkened instantly, turning his gaze to Natalia.

"You're signing with Ron Group?"

Natalia met his gaze unflinchingly.

"Mr. Fowler, you are well aware that I'm in need of money. Ron Group made me a very generous offer. I see no reason to refuse."

Hamilton's eyes grew colder.

He smirked, then shifted his gaze to Ronin.

"Perhaps you aren't aware that Ms. Jenkins has a special clause in her contract with Ivy Gemstone, Mr. Joyner. Leaving us might not be so easy." Natalia's frown deepened.

"Are you going back on your word now, Mr. Fowler?"

Hamilton's smile didn't reach his eyes. "What do you mean, going back on my word? I never agreed to anything in the first place."

Turning to Ronin, he added, "Unless you are willing to cover Ms. Jenkins' penalty for breaking her contract, Mr. Joyner."

Ronin clicked his tongue, "So Ivy Gemstone keeps its talent with these kinds of tactics, huh?"

His tone lightened, "Ron Group operates differently. If we're going to entice Ms. Jenkins to join us, then consider the breakup fee a small token of our sincerity." After saying this, he raised his eyebrows at Hamilton. "Is that satisfactory, Mr. Fowler?"

A spark flared in Hamilton's eyes as the tension between the two men thickened.

Alden quickly stepped forward, placing himself between them.

"Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Joyner, if you've got business to attend to, please go ahead."

Without hesitation, Natalia took Ronin's arm and they headed out.

Ronin couldn't resist throwing a parting shot over his shoulder with a grin, "See you around, Mr. Fowler."

Hamilton's expression could sour milk.

Alden eyed Hamilton for a moment before speaking up, "Bro, didn't you have an appointment with the plastic surgeon for Eveleen? We're going to be late." With a grimace, Hamilton headed outside, only to see Ronin opening the car door for Natalia.

She smiled at him before gracefully sliding into the passenger seat.

Hamilton's temples throbbed.

had once told him she disliked riding in other

was, having been in Caspian's

seemed all those sweet

scoff, doubting whether anything Natalia had

wave of unidentifiable irritation

tossed the car keys to

"You drive."

keys and got behind

pulled away, Alden's brow

was heading in the same direction

they weren't going to the

Meanwhile, in Ronin's car.

mood was far from

had said the breakup fee was a gesture of Ron

if she let Ron Group pay it off, she

out

how to back her

her temples,

to her discomfort, chuckled, "What's wrong? Still hung

her lip and

didn't mince words,

mouth tightened, and she stayed

him soon enough, Natalia.

asked, "How did

me up just to say my

to Harmony Retreat. As Natalia was about to

you get out, hang

and glanced back to see

to

Twitter that Eveleen's here tonight too, probably on a date with him. You don't want to lose face at

that all this posturing was

took a deep breath and placed her hand in the crook

of the

scene unfold from behind,

out a quiet

admit, Ronin had guts

to

just went ahead

made in heaven, but to Hamilton, it probably

saw him pushing open the car door and stepping out without

the four of them met again, Ronin

good to see

Natalia, ignored Ronin,

Alden quickly followed.

up to greet

asked, before noticing Natalia and Ronin

a moment,

nice surprise!" she said, turning to

actually worried about Ms. Jenkins' health. But now it seems she must be feeling much better, out here on a

furrowed tightly, his face clearly

neutral, but her grip on Ronin's