Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 175

When Alden's call came through, Hamilton's expression darkened immediately.

"I'm sending someone to look for him right now. He can't have gotten far."

Hamilton's gaze flickered, his response curt and to the point.

"Once you find him, stash him somewhere discreet, and don't say a word to Natalia. If she asks, just tell her he's long gone."

Alden thought he must have heard wrong.

"What? Bro, why all the secrecy?"

"Don't worry about the why. Just do it," Hamilton drawled, his voice laced with indifference.

No further explanation came, and with that, he hung up.

Hamilton never made a losing deal.

Natalia could see Graham again, sure. But it would cost her. Like, unblocking his number, for starters. Or, breaking things off with Ryan. At the very least, she should come asking for Hamilton's help on her own.

As Hamilton pondered, Natalia's phone began to ring. He glanced at the caller ID, a flicker of coldness passing through his eyes. The name "Ryan" seemed to taunt him from the screen. Without a second thought, he disconnected the call. But it wasn't long before Ryan called again.

Hamilton's brow creased slightly. Then, he picked up the phone.

"Natalia, are you off work yet?" Ryan's voice came through, tinged with cheer.

Hamilton let out a mocking laugh, "Mr. Holzer? Sorry, Natalia's out like a light. Tired. Anything you need, I can pass on the message."

There was a pause on the line, Ryan's voice instantly chilled.

"Hamilton? Where's Natalia? Let her take the call."

Hamilton's brow arched, "Didn't I just tell you? She's asleep."

After a moment of silence, Ryan hung up the phone.

When Natalia woke up, she was in a hospital room. Opening her eyes, she saw Ryan sitting beside her bed, his face marred by a bruise. Natalia blinked in confusion before speaking.

"Ryan, what are you doing here? What happened to your face?"

Though Ryan's expression was strained, he managed to hide his emotions in front of Natalia.

"Are you feeling alright anywhere else?"

shook her head; aside from feeling weak, she was okay. The cut on her neck wasn't deep, and with

happened? Did you get into a

came Ryan's terse reply as

as she noticed something off

"Was it Hamilton?"

before, he had come over and ended up in a scuffle with Hamilton. Even though he knew Hamilton hadn't really done anything to Natalia, the things he said were just to rile him up.

didn't you tell me you were hurt, Natalia? You promised me

a twinge of guilt; it wasn't anything else but the fact

It was an emergency,

the chance, or

tone was sharp,

the future, no matter what happens, I'll try to let

probably really hadn't had the chance. But he still felt uneasy. There was too much distance between them. She was in trouble and he could never be there for her immediately. Yet Hamilton was always lurking

when do you plan to officially join

right after handling her resignation. But now,

might be at least

Ryan's frown deepened instantly.

you say it would

as quick as possible." Once the new

Ryan was visibly upset.

"Did something happen?"

moment of silence, Natalia

break my contract with Hamilton. I had no choice but to sign an agreement with

Ryan's expression darkened.

you tell me about this? Natalia, do you even

my own." Their relationship was still new; she couldn't possibly ask Ryan for the money. And if she could solve a problem through her own efforts, she didn't

moment, he found it hard to appreciate those traits. He hadn't seen what she was like with Hamilton, but it was clear she depended on him when trouble struck. Yet now, she didn't even show the slightest

naturally need time to commit to another. But with

from under the covers

you give

at her, the question heavy in his

back to you, would you

the other side

disgust and concern. Hamilton, with a cigarette pinched between his fingers, had a gaze

"Where was he found?"

Alden frowned harder.

an old, abandoned yard. By the time we got there, he was already

bridge of his nose, a clear

surveillance

only one from a convenience store nearby, but

a moment of heavy silence,