Chapter 158
Hamilton had lost his appetite.
Hence, the dinner plans they had made just fell apart.
Mr. Bran had wanted to have dinner with Ryan, but it was clear Ryan wasn't playing ball, and that was that.
The trio left the office together, with Mr. Bran politely seeing them out.
Ryan and Natalia walked ahead, deep in conversation, about the opening ceremony of the international expo that evening.
Hamilton squinted at their retreating figures and, unable to help himself, lit up a cigarette.
The thick smoke did little to obscure the bitterness in his eyes.
Mr. Bran chuckled as he watched him. "I thought Ms. Jenkins was with you."
Hamilton snorted.
He used to think so, too.
He had always believed Natalia was his for the taking.
A tantrum, a temporary split, he figured it was just a flash of anger.
She would come back when she cooled down, he thought.
Until today, when he heard Ryan call her Nat.
It hit Hamilton then - Ryan wasn't like Ronin.
Sure, he had been mad at Natalia over Ronin before.
But deep down, he knew that playboy wasn't for her.
If he could see it, so could Natalia.
With Ronin, at best, it would end up as some sugar daddy arrangement.
A fling he could break if he pushed hard enough.
But Ryan was different.
He could tell Ryan was serious about Natalia.
The way he looked at her had a cautious tenderness that spoke of real intent.
And Natalia didn't seem to mind Ryan's attention.
Hamilton suddenly realized.
seemed, could entertain the idea
when it came
frustration like he'd never felt before surged
catching up
a glance before resuming her talk with Ryan
cut in
had Linda book a
stopped in her tracks, turning to face
to Silkwood City tomorrow. No need to
Hamilton frowned. "What things?"
a meeting
you're away, but as soon as you hit Boria City, you're booked?
just Ryan's ploy to
a meeting; what else did
"Believe it or not, I don't
that, she quickened her pace, putting
on
tomorrow.
finished,
business trip tomorrow, anyway. I can accompany Natalia. You've got a business empire to run, Mr. Fowler. You should head
face a mask of cool contempt. He let out
aren't you being a bit
glanced back into the car, his
to be attentive
in his wake, crushing his cigarette underfoot as
at Natalia. "Hamilton must be regretting
responded without
had noticed
Hamilton wouldn't keep coming back to her if he
never in short supply around
likely forget her soon enough once someone
a deep breath, pushing thoughts
had something else on
have to force yourself to have dinner with anyone
could tell he didn't enjoy these
probably
not forcing myself," Ryan said softly,
your life. It's not just
was at a loss
moment, she
I'm really not good enough for
brow furrowed, his face cooling for the first
stern gaze. Even his cold look had
rush to conclusions. I just want to lay out my situation for you. If you don't mind it,
softened, but the concern
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