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.

once told him she disliked riding

she was, having been in Caspian's and now

sweet nothings

bit back a scoff, doubting whether anything Natalia had ever told

irritation

the car

"You drive."

Alden caught the keys and got behind

pulled

was heading in the same

weren't going to the same

Meanwhile, in Ronin's car.

mood was

said the breakup fee was a gesture of Ron Group's goodwill, it was no

she let Ron Group pay it off, she would be indebted

out

always knew how to back her

massaged her temples, which

oblivious to her discomfort, chuckled, "What's

lip and said,

Ronin didn't mince words, "You're clearly

mouth tightened, and she

seemed unconcerned. "You'll get over him soon enough, Natalia. There are plenty of

and asked, "How did you know Hamilton and

told me. He called me up just to say

entrance to Harmony Retreat. As Natalia was about to step out, Ronin caught her

you

back to see Hamilton's car indeed parked behind

walked around to open

on Twitter that Eveleen's here tonight too, probably on a date with him.

to say that all this posturing was utterly

the end, she took a deep breath and placed her hand in the crook of

of the car

the scene unfold from behind, his

let out a

to admit, Ronin had guts of

couldn't recall anyone who'd dared to publicly challenge Hamilton like this,

went

in heaven, but to Hamilton, it probably looked like a

saw him pushing open the car door and

them met again,

Fowler, good to

ignored

Alden quickly followed.

came up

asked, before noticing Natalia and Ronin following

for a

Jenkins, what a nice surprise!" she

was actually worried about Ms. Jenkins' health. But now it seems she must be

furrowed tightly, his face

kept her face neutral, but her grip on