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?"

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 he adjusted

brows knit together as she noticed something off with Ryan's

"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.

me you were hurt, Natalia? You promised me before that you would let me know

else but

emergency,

didn't have the

tone was

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

There was too much distance between them. She was in trouble and he could never be

plan to officially join the State

to move to the State Department right after handling

be at

Ryan's frown deepened instantly.

it

replied, "Plans have changed, but I'll try to make it as quick as possible." Once the new company

Ryan was visibly upset.

"Did something happen?"

a moment of silence, Natalia told the

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

Ryan's expression darkened.

Natalia, do you even

this is something I can handle on my own." Their relationship was still new; she couldn't possibly ask Ryan for the money. And if she could solve

frowned at Natalia. He had always admired her intelligence and independence. But at that 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

rush her. She had just come out of one relationship and would naturally need time to commit to another. But with Hamilton as a formidable rival before him, he was full

under the covers and took his

give me six

looked at her, the

back to you, would

side

Hamilton, with

"Where was he found?"

Alden frowned harder.

abandoned yard. By the time

of his nose, a clear sign of

surveillance in the

"There's only one from a

moment of heavy silence,