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.

Eveleen replied, her voice

After a deep breath to calm herself, she dialed Alden's

on the outskirts

wrapped in thick bandages, already stained a dark crimson. Blood spattered his face and clothes as he tugged at

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

this was with Graham. Concern etched

when his phone rang. Seeing who it was, Alden's eyes lit

Ms. Jenkins is

his bandaged hand, responded

put the

could you find me

voice came through, prompting a cold laugh from

ask Alden

breaking bone filled the

the commotion over

"Alden, what's going on?"

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, I

methodically unwound his bandage and casually asked, "Did Eveleen have a hand in

but quickly caught on and

not daring to delay,

sir. I never meant to off that woman-it

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

to the

a moment that Hamilton might kill Orpheus himself. He signaled

Hamilton was leaning against his car, smoking. Alden approached

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 of panic rising in him like

unsure of what to say. After all, nobody could truly know how much

sort things out with Eveleen first. Otherwise, I bet Ms. Jenkins won't change her mind,

hesitated, at a loss for

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