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.

time, he had indeed seen Natalia as nothing more

"Oh, and I forgot to mention, I had a chance for a pure business relationship with Ron Group, but

stood there, his face a

exactly what she

terminated their contract amicably, she would've simply partnered

on the breach of contract, she'd rather be

throbbed with frustration. That woman was as

the private room, Ronin immediately asked

"I'm fine, thanks,

her. "Here's what you asked for. If your stomach's upset, skip the booze. We're all

this cozy scene,

he said nothing

he kept serving Natalia dishes throughout the

cashew shrimp she was served

give it much thought, assuming she just didn't like it and

making a

serve her, but she

everything quietly without

Group wouldn't want to offend Hamilton by choosing her for their Silkwood City expansion. She was, after all,

surprise, after a few rounds of drinks,

watched darkly

Joyner, you sure spoil

with a smile, pretending to miss the undertone in Hamilton's voice. "Mr. Fowler, we'll be counting on your support in

was heavy; he

wore on, Hamilton left the room with a grim

instructed Ronin to escort Natalia

lingered on Natalia. "No need, Mr. Joyner. I'll take Ms.

him. "Perhaps you should take care of

then did Hamilton notice Eveleen approaching from

He frowned slightly, b

Natalia had already

so only they could hear, "Mr.

in her tracks, but Ronin

who ended it, and who, even as leftovers, wouldn't give you

face alternated between shades of

dig, but

words twisted the knife, suggesting that if there were leftovers, Hamilton