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-"

that much, then let it adorn your face forever.

Hamilton hung

call, her face twisting from

was Hamilton

condemning her to live with

inflicted

was it because

It must be Natalia.

had discovered the scar was self-inflicted, then surely, he must suspect her involvement in the supposed

for Natalia, he'd let her live with

her phone across

darkened on witnessing the scene. She had overheard the entire

when we had the chance! Instead, you insisted on letting her change her name. Look where that's gotten us-stuck with a ticking time bomb!" Patrick's face matched Lucinda's in 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

connections within the medical community. Eveleen was the Schafer family's prized jewel;

by a

with anger, and Eveleen sobbed

trying to drive you to

wretch Natalia's doing. I hope she rots for

to drop things off at Scarlett's before heading to the hospital. Her phone rang unexpectedly-it was

a brief pause, she answered the

Ronin that you won't be joining the Ron Group anymore. Is that

confirmed it. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to take the position, Mr.

deepened with seriousness. "Ms. Jenkins, if you don't mind, perhaps we could meet to discuss

agreed. She had given Mason her word, and it was only right to explain the

where Mason was

"Thank you, Mr. Joyner."

Jenkins, I still hope

Joyner, but it seems I'm not meant to be part of the Ron Group after

before him, a contemporary of his son, yet

flickered before he inquired, "I heard from Ronin that you're aiming for a spot at the State Department?" Natalia nodded affirmatively, "It's

a

into the State Department at such a young age,

recognized the pleasantries for what they were and returned

Mason's tone shifted

joining the Ron Group? Ms. Jenkins, I'll say it again, I still hope to entrust the Silkwood City branch to you. Even if you're

Natalia's brow furrowed slightly.