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

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

there, his face a picture of

knew exactly what

their contract amicably, she would've simply

the breach of contract, she'd rather be indebted to Ron Group

frustration. That woman was as heartless as

room, Ronin immediately asked

"I'm fine, thanks,

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

witness this cozy scene, his heart tightening with

he said nothing

Natalia dishes

she was served

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

making

serve her, but she didn't eat

everything quietly

Group wouldn't want to offend Hamilton by

rounds of drinks, Mason began discussing the contract with

watched darkly

you sure

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

was heavy;

evening wore on, Hamilton left the room

to

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

you should take

then did Hamilton notice Eveleen approaching from the other end of

He frowned slightly, b

already left with

could hear, "Mr. Joyner

dead in her

it, and who, even as leftovers, wouldn't

alternated between shades of red

but she didn't expect

there were leftovers, Hamilton would be the