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.

this time, he had indeed seen Natalia

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

his face a picture

exactly

she would've simply partnered with

of contract, she'd rather be indebted to

forehead throbbed with frustration. That woman was as heartless

in the private room, Ronin immediately asked Natalia,

nodded. "I'm fine,

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

this cozy scene, his heart tightening

he said

kept serving Natalia

cashew shrimp she was served to

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

making

her, but she

everything quietly without

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

her surprise, after a few rounds of drinks, Mason began discussing the contract

watched darkly

sure spoil your

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

heavy; he

Hamilton left the

to escort Natalia

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

you should take

did Hamilton notice Eveleen approaching from the other end

He frowned slightly, b

already left

could hear, "Mr. Joyner really isn't

stopped dead in her tracks, but

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

face alternated between shades of red and white.

to embarrass Natalia with a sly dig, but she didn't

knife, suggesting that if there were leftovers, Hamilton would be the