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.

want to involve him," Eveleen replied, her voice tinged with

hung-up phone, her expression stormy. After a deep

an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Silkwood

face and clothes as he tugged at his collar, then produced a wickedly sharp dagger. Another scream shattered the

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

time Alden had seen Hamilton like this was with Graham. Concern etched his features; this could

was about to intervene when his phone rang. Seeing who it

Ms. Jenkins is calling

his bandaged hand, responded

the call

you find me

prompting a cold laugh from

ask

into Orpheus's knee, the snap of breaking bone filled the air as Orpheus passed out

the commotion over the

"Alden, what's going on?"

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.

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

quickly caught on

daring 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

to the

feared for a moment that Hamilton might kill Orpheus himself. He signaled the men nearby, then followed

his car, smoking. Alden

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

of what to say. After all,

things out with Eveleen first. Otherwise, I bet Ms. Jenkins won't change her mind, no matter what." Hamilton let out a short laugh, "And how do you propose

a

"You've got to draw a clear line with Eveleen, that's