Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 147

Natalia came to an abrupt halt.

Hamilton's words dripped with sarcasm.

She looked down, dabbing at her hands with a napkin, wiping away the moisture.

It took a moment before she lifted her gaze to meet Hamilton's. "Maybe in your eyes, Mr. Fowler, I'm nothing more than a body, but to others, I might shine in my own right. Hamilton, don't measure everyone by your filthy standards." With that, she strode toward the private dining room.

Hamilton's face darkened as he reached out and grabbed Natalia's hand. "What else can it be if not a sugar daddy situation? If it was just business, would he pay millions for breach of contract? Do you think I'm a fool, Natalia?" Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked at him, taking a while before responding. "So what? How does that concern you, Hamilton? Or do you think I can't escape your grasp and that I should be toyed with at your whim?" Fury blazed in Natalia's eyes.

She just couldn't understand what this man wanted.

He clearly didn't care for her, yet he acted as if he was the lovelorn one.

They had agreed he would let her go, yet here he was, closing in again!

Hamilton's brows knitted together at the sight of Natalia's anger. "That's not what I meant."

She laughed sarcastically. "Oh, is that so? Then you and Eveleen are quite the pair, speaking in ways so easily misunderstood."

His expression soured.

"Natalia!"

Hamilton frowned, unable to articulate the words to make her stay.

He had said those words once; one rejection was enough to silence him forever.

After a tense silence, he chuckled dryly. "So you'd really prefer to be with Ronin over me? What's so great about that kid compared to me?"

Natalia took his question seriously. "Ronin is young, handsome, and has a great personality, and oh, he respects me."

"Am I not handsome? Is my personality that bad? Don't I respect you?"

She stared at him intently.

After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Hamilton, have you ever seen me as a person? In your eyes, have I ever been anything more than a canary?"

Hamilton's lips twitched. He wanted to object, but suddenly realized he had no comeback.

had indeed seen Natalia as nothing

to mention, I had a chance for a pure business relationship with Ron Group, but thanks to you, I'm now bound to them. Are you satisfied, Mr. Fowler?" Without waiting

stood there, his face

knew exactly what

amicably, she would've simply partnered with Ron

of contract, she'd rather be indebted to

throbbed with frustration. That woman was

private room, Ronin immediately asked

nodded. "I'm fine, thanks, Mr.

glass of milk toward her. "Here's what you asked for. If your stomach's upset, skip the booze. We're all friends here." Natalia thanked him with a

returned to witness this cozy scene, his heart tightening with

he said nothing

he kept serving Natalia dishes

was served

noticed but didn't give it much thought, assuming she just didn't

but refrained from making

let Hamilton serve her, but she

everything quietly

herself for being replaced, especially after Hamilton's scene, assuming that Ron Group wouldn't want to offend Hamilton by

rounds of drinks, Mason

watched darkly before finally

sure spoil

pretending to miss the undertone in Hamilton's voice. "Mr. Fowler, we'll be counting

heavy; he didn't

Hamilton left the room

instructed Ronin to escort

"No need, Mr. Joyner. I'll take

"Perhaps you should take care of your sweetheart

approaching from the other end

He frowned slightly, b

Natalia had already left

Ronin, sneering so only they could hear, "Mr. Joyner really isn't picky, picking up someone else's

her tracks, but Ronin

seems confused about who ended it, and who, even

shades of

with a sly dig, but she didn't expect Ronin's

suggesting that if there were leftovers, Hamilton would be the