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.

seen Natalia as

with Ron Group, but thanks to you, I'm now

stood there, his face a picture

exactly what she

she would've

contract, she'd rather be indebted to

frustration. That woman was

room, Ronin

"I'm fine, thanks,

you asked for. If your stomach's upset, skip the booze. We're all friends here." Natalia thanked him with

returned to witness this cozy scene, his heart tightening with

he said nothing

serving Natalia dishes throughout

shrimp she was served to

she just didn't like

but refrained from making a scene

but she didn't eat a

observed everything

assuming that Ron Group wouldn't want to offend Hamilton by choosing her for their Silkwood City expansion. She

after a few rounds of drinks, Mason began

darkly

Joyner, you sure

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

was heavy;

the evening wore on, Hamilton left

to escort Natalia

lingered on Natalia. "No need, Mr. Joyner.

glanced at him. "Perhaps you should take care of

then did Hamilton notice Eveleen approaching from the other end of

He frowned slightly, b

already left

only they could hear, "Mr. Joyner really isn't picky,

her

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

shades of red and white.

but she didn't expect

that if there