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.

she disliked riding

was, having been in Caspian's

all those sweet nothings were just

anything Natalia had ever told

of unidentifiable irritation washed over

tossed the car keys to

"You drive."

Alden caught the keys and got behind

they pulled away, Alden's brow

heading in

weren't going to

Meanwhile, in Ronin's car.

was

Ronin had said the breakup fee was a gesture of Ron Group's goodwill, it

Ron Group pay it off, she would be indebted to

let out a bitter

how to back

her temples, which throbbed with

discomfort, chuckled, "What's wrong? Still hung up on

bit her lip and

words,

tightened, and

"You'll get over him soon enough, Natalia. There

did you

laughed, "Mr. Spiegel told me. He called me up just to say

entrance to Harmony Retreat. As Natalia was about to step

you get out, hang on

back to see Hamilton's car indeed parked

around to open

winked at Natalia, "I saw on Twitter that Eveleen's here tonight too, probably on a date with him. You don't want to lose face at an event like this, do you?" Natalia looked

that all this posturing was utterly

breath and placed her

of

scene unfold from behind, his already sour expression turning positively

let out a

had to admit, Ronin had guts of

dared to publicly challenge Hamilton like this,

Ronin just went

but to

a cautious glance towards Hamilton and saw him pushing open the car door and stepping

the four of them met again,

good to see you

Natalia, ignored Ronin,

Alden quickly followed.

up to greet

late?" she asked,

linked arms for a moment, and she let out a light

surprise!"

health. But now it seems she must be feeling much better, out here on a

furrowed tightly, his face

her face neutral, but her grip on Ronin's arm tightened