Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 165

Hamilton picked up the call with unusual haste.

He sat on the couch, his face clouded with brooding shadows.

The housekeeper approached with a cotton swab soaked in antiseptic.

"Mr. Fowler, perhaps you should tend to that bite before it gets worse."

Blood still stained Hamilton's arm from where Natalia had sunk her teeth into him.

He glanced at the wound with detached indifference and muttered, "Leave it."

It was a mark from Natalia, a debt he intended to repay in kind.

Eveleen, on the other end of the line, overheard the housekeeper and felt a surge of hope.

Was Hamilton's injury the reason he hadn't shown up?

"Hamilton, are you hurt? Is that why you didn't come? I'll wait for you, we can postpone the surgery until you're better."

Hamilton took a drag from a freshly lit cigarette before replying, "No need to wait. The surgery's off."

Eveleen's heart skipped a beat, panic rising in her voice.

"Hamilton, you promised you wouldn't abandon me! You can't go back on your word!"

A scoff escaped Hamilton's lips.

"Eveleen, I did promise to help you with the surgery, and I said I wouldn't leave a scar. But if you're the artist behind your own scars, then it's a different story altogether." Eveleen choked up, her anxiety intensifying.

"What do you mean, Hamilton? How could I have done this to myself? I'm not crazy."

Silence was his only response, and in those moments of quiet, Eveleen's panic soared.

"Hamilton, I-"

Before she could finish, Hamilton cut in, "How many times have I warned you, Eveleen? Do you take my words for wind?"

"I didn't, Hamilton, I really didn't-"

scars that much, then let it adorn your face forever. Don't

Hamilton hung

call, her face twisting from hurt to

was Hamilton playing

he condemning her to live

she inflicted it

was it because

It must be Natalia.

was self-inflicted, then surely, he must suspect her involvement in the

Natalia, he'd let her live with this disfigurement

her

scene.

its grimness. Never had he imagined Hamilton would actually fall for Natalia, the daughter he'd cast aside, now climbing to heights his own pampered daughter could not reach. It left him feeling as though he'd swallowed bile. "What's the rush? It's

said as he dialed out, confident in his connections within the medical community. Eveleen was the Schafer family's prized jewel; he wouldn't let her future be marred by a

doctors heard Eveleen's name, they recoiled as if warned off by a higher power. In mere hours, Eveleen had become persona non grata

turned pale with anger,

trying to drive you to your grave?"

all that wretch Natalia's doing. I hope she rots

off at Scarlett's before heading to the hospital.

pause, she

point. "Ms. Jenkins, I heard from Ronin that you won't be joining the Ron Group anymore. Is

won't be able

"Ms. Jenkins, if you don't mind, perhaps we could

a moment of silence, Natalia agreed. She had given Mason her word, and it was only

branch, where Mason was overseeing the setup. Upon seeing Natalia, Mason nodded

"Thank you, Mr. Joyner."

waste time. "Ms. Jenkins, I still hope you'll consider joining the

"I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Joyner, but it seems I'm not meant to be part of

of his

"I heard from Ronin that you're aiming for a spot at the State Department?"

gave a nod

into the State Department at such a young age, Ms. Jenkins.

for what they were

Mason's tone

entrust the Silkwood City branch to you. Even if you're with the State

Natalia's brow furrowed slightly.