Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 162

Lucinda chuckled and rose to her feet.

"Graham, you better not let me down."

Graham's laugh revealed a set of yellowed teeth, his murky eyes fixed on Lucinda.

"The job's easy enough, but the real trick is having the cash on time, Mrs. Schafer. If the money's late, my lips might just get a bit loose."

The smile vanished from Lucinda's face as if it had never been there.

"Graham, we've done business before. You know what I'm like. Spare me the threats and the shenanigans. I won't be bullied."

With that, she turned and strode out with her head held high.

Downstairs, in the car, Eveleen saw Lucinda approaching and quickly inquired, "How did it go?"

Lucinda let out a soft laugh. "That Graham is as dumb as he is greedy. But don't worry, he's got Natalia in a vice grip. As long as he's in the picture, she'll drop the lawsuit like a hot potato."

Eveleen exhaled with relief, then snorted dismissively, crumpling the subpoena in her hand and tossing it aside.

Lucinda's eyes darkened as she glanced at the crumpled paper. The subpoena had landed at the Schafer family's doorstep a couple of days ago. They never imagined that Natalia would have the guts to sue Eveleen, and what was more, to hire Caspian of all people. Where did that little minx get the clout to engage someone of Caspian's stature?

Lucinda's expression soured, but after a moment, her eyes sparked with an idea.

"The best move is to get Hamilton on this. If he steps in, not even Caspian could refuse you. He might even help take down Natalia."

Eveleen's face fell further. Did Lucinda really think she hadn't considered Hamilton?

At dinner earlier that day, she'd broached the subject with Hamilton, but he hadn't bitten. Throughout their conversation, he only seemed interested in discussing cosmetic surgery.

Hamilton's recent aloofness was all too apparent. Even though he'd promised a lifetime of support, each favor asked was one less in the bank. And with Hamilton's current favoritism towards Natalia, Eveleen couldn't be sure he'd take her side. So, she'd rather turn to Graham.

him," Eveleen replied, her

expression stormy. After a deep breath to calm herself, she dialed

an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts

stained a dark crimson. Blood spattered his face and clothes

Hamilton hadn't uttered a single word, venting his fury on Orpheus-waking him from unconsciousness only to torment

seen Hamilton like this was with Graham. Concern etched his features; this could turn

phone rang. Seeing who it was,

Ms. Jenkins

his bandaged hand, responded with

put the call

you find me a couple of

voice came through, prompting a cold

ask

Orpheus's knee, the snap of breaking bone filled the air

over the

"Alden, what's going on?"

his lips drained of color, glanced at Hamilton, who had finally stopped his assault and was lighting a cigarette. The tension on Hamilton's face was unmistakable. Alden quickly ended the speaker function to continue speaking with Natalia privately. Returning to the scene, Hamilton had taken a seat. Orpheus, barely recognizable as human, was begging through bloodied lips, "Please, sir, I made a mistake, spare my life,

bandage and casually asked, "Did Eveleen have a

caught on and

daring to delay, nodded

to off that woman-it was Eveleen. She insisted Natalia had

deeper, his eyes swirling with a chilling intensity. After a long pause, he laughed dryly, stood up, and walked away, tossing out an order over his

him to

having feared for a moment that Hamilton might kill Orpheus

smoking. Alden approached and asked,

took a long drag on his cigarette, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke before finally responding to the question that had been hanging in the air. "If you were Natalia, would you ever forgive me?" He was surprised to find himself thinking of her at a time like this, a wave

uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. After all, nobody could truly

Ms. Jenkins won't change her mind,

hesitated, at a loss

ages, he finally managed a response. "You've got to draw a clear line with Eveleen,