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

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?"

his face

exactly what

contract amicably, she would've simply partnered

contract, she'd rather

That

room, Ronin

"I'm fine, thanks,

your stomach's upset, skip the booze. We're all friends here." Natalia

this cozy scene, his heart tightening

he said nothing

Natalia dishes throughout the

shrimp she was served to

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

from making a

her, but she didn't eat

observed everything quietly

replaced, especially after Hamilton's scene, assuming that Ron Group wouldn't want to offend Hamilton by choosing her for their Silkwood

few rounds of drinks, Mason began discussing the contract with

watched darkly

Joyner, you sure

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

was heavy; he didn't

wore on, Hamilton left the

instructed Ronin to escort Natalia

on Natalia. "No need,

at him. "Perhaps you should take care of

Eveleen approaching from the other end of

He frowned slightly, b

Natalia had already left

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

dead in her tracks,

seems confused about who ended it, and who, even as leftovers, wouldn't give

face alternated between shades

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

that if there