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 in other men's

having been in Caspian's and

seemed all those sweet

a scoff, doubting whether anything Natalia had ever told him was

of unidentifiable irritation washed

tossed the car

"You drive."

the keys and got

as they pulled away, Alden's brow

in

weren't going to the same place,

Meanwhile, in Ronin's car.

was

the breakup fee was a gesture of Ron Group's goodwill,

let Ron Group pay it off, she would be

let out a

always knew how to back her

her temples,

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

bit her lip and said,

words, "You're clearly still

and she stayed

enough, Natalia. There are plenty of good men

looked down and asked, "How did you know Hamilton

called me up just

to Harmony Retreat. As Natalia was

us. When you get out, hang on to

back to see

around to open her

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?"

all this posturing was utterly unnecessary,

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

of the car

watched the scene unfold from behind, his

out

had to admit, Ronin had

recall anyone who'd dared to publicly challenge Hamilton like this,

went ahead

to

towards Hamilton and saw him pushing open

four of them met

good to see

at Natalia, ignored Ronin, and walked

Alden quickly followed.

Eveleen came up to

late?" she asked, before

arms for a moment, and she let out a

a nice surprise!" she said,

health. But now it seems she must be feeling

his face clearly

kept her face neutral, but her grip on Ronin's