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 more than a

Group, but thanks to you, I'm now

face a picture of

exactly what

their contract amicably, she would've

of contract,

forehead throbbed with frustration. That woman was as heartless

in the private room, Ronin immediately asked

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

slid a glass of milk toward her. "Here's what you asked for. If your stomach's upset, skip the booze.

this cozy scene, his heart tightening

said

Natalia

pushed the cashew shrimp she was

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

was annoyed but refrained from making a scene

but she didn't eat a

observed everything quietly

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

rounds of drinks,

watched darkly before

Joyner, you sure

undertone in Hamilton's voice.

gaze was heavy; he

the evening wore on, Hamilton left the room with a

instructed Ronin to escort

Natalia. "No need, Mr. Joyner.

him. "Perhaps you should take care of your sweetheart

approaching

He frowned slightly, b

had already

could

in her tracks, but Ronin chuckled

Schafer seems confused about who ended it, and who,

between shades of red and

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

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