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?"

cut

you get

came Ryan's terse reply as

she noticed something off with Ryan's

"Was it Hamilton?"

scuffle with Hamilton. Even though he knew Hamilton hadn't really done anything to Natalia, the things he said were just

didn't you tell me you were hurt, Natalia? You promised me before that you would let

else but the

an emergency, and

have the chance, or you didn't

tone was sharp,

the

uneasy. There was too much distance between them. She was in trouble

you plan to officially join the

to move to the State Department right after handling

be at

Ryan's frown deepened instantly.

you say it would

possible." Once the new company with Ron Group was

Ryan was visibly upset.

"Did something happen?"

a moment of silence, Natalia told

my contract with Hamilton. I had no

Ryan's expression darkened.

didn't you tell me about this? Natalia, do you even consider

"Ryan, 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 a problem through her own efforts, she didn't want to depend on a man. Asking for money always left

at that moment, he found it hard to appreciate those traits. He hadn't seen what she was like with Hamilton, but

knew he shouldn't rush her. She had just come out of one relationship and would naturally need time to commit to

the covers and took

you give me six

the question heavy in his

came back to you,

side of the

face a tangled web of disgust and concern. Hamilton, with a cigarette

"Where was he found?"

Alden frowned harder.

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

bridge of his nose, a clear sign

about the surveillance in

shook his head, "There's only one from a convenience store nearby, but it didn't catch

of heavy