Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 200

Natalia laid eyes on Delia for the very first time. A woman in her seventies, her hair a crown of silver, carried a spirit that defied her years. Her eyes, even at this age, sparkled with a clarity that was arresting.

Dawson seemed to feel the gaze upon him and paused, casting a look their way. Noticing, Delia also turned, her gaze settling on Natalia's face. For a moment, her expression wavered into a distant haze, as if she were seeing a ghost of someone else. It wasn't until Dawson beckoned to her that she snapped back to the present. "Ms. Delia, this here is Natalia, Ms. Jenkins. Caspian has mentioned her to you before, I believe."

Delia's face broke into a warm smile. "Natalia, I've heard a lot about you from Caspian. I've been meaning to meet you sooner; can't believe it took us this long."

Her eyes lingered on Natalia's face, as if through her she could see someone else, filled with a poignant nostalgia. For an instant, there was even a sour twinge at the tip of her nose. She hadn't believed others when they said there was a resemblance. Now, seeing Natalia in person, she knew it was true. Her daughter had also been so beautiful, so talented, and yet...

Natalia's lips curved up. "Ms. Delia, it's wonderful to meet you. You're even more radiant in person than on TV."

Delia chuckled at the compliment. "You're quite the looker yourself, my dear. You must come over for dinner sometime; I'll whip up something delightful." As she spoke, Delia felt the familiar sting at her nose once again.

Natalia nodded, "I'd like that very much. I'll make sure to find the time."

Dawson watched the exchange with a soft grin. "Alright, Ms. Delia, let's let them get on with their day. Natalia's the main translator for the summit; she's got her hands full."

Delia blinked, "Oh, is that so? Well, you better get to it then. We'll catch up another time."

Indeed, Natalia was swamped with work. After a brief exchange, she and Collin headed back to the conference.

Delia watched her leave, still somewhat dazed. "Dawson, do you think she might be..."

Dawson's chuckle interrupted her thoughts. "Ms. Delia, I checked. She doesn't even know Liliana."

of disappointment flickered across Delia's eyes. "Yes, she wouldn't know Liliana. Where could

in the sky, prompting Natalia to remember that today was the Lantern Festival. "You've spent the whole day with

lightly, "Mr. Collin,

a young girl like you talking about?

reply, her eyes betraying a touch of

demeanor and frowned slightly. "Sitting alone in a hotel room is no way to spend the evening. How about we join a banquet? It's mostly families from the Foreign Service, could be good for you to mingle." Natalia was about to decline when she turned and saw Hamilton standing

from her life for days. But she had been bombarded with news about him. Hamilton pulling his investment from the Schafer family, Hamilton canceling Eveleen's endorsement, Hamilton suing those who had insulted her, Hamilton committing Eveleen to a psychiatric facility. Every action of Hamilton's seemed to reach her ears, intentional or not. Yet Natalia felt indifferent. Some wounds, even when healed, leave scars that no amount of surface-level amends

with you," Natalia changed her mind. Facing Hamilton, she'd rather be at

smiling a moment ago, but the instant she saw him, that smile disappeared. He couldn't quite describe what

realizing sooner that the woman who had always been by his side was the one who truly cared for him. Now that he knew, it was too

avoiding him, but he was determined not to give up. He

at a hotel affiliated with the Foreign Service. Natalia's beauty, coupled with the rumors of Collin's successor, made her the center of attention the moment she walked

lit up when he saw Natalia, and he came over immediately. "Natalia, what brings you here?

smile, "Mr. Collin mentioned it was

be interested in such affairs. "If I'd known you

from the side, "Young Ryan, will you take care

had left, Ryan escorted Natalia to the dining area. "Today's the Lantern Festival. Let's not fill up here; how about I take

go out of

kept the conversation light, chatting with her about the afternoon's progress

a group of elegant ladies huddled together, stealing glances at Natalia from time to time. "Margaret, surely that's not your son Chase's new girlfriend?" one of the women asked with a

chuckle before speaking up, her voice smooth as silk,

around her nodded knowingly, exchanging knowing smirks. "Still, Chase seems quite taken with her, and who can blame him? The girl is a knockout," another chimed

Chase's alma mater. It's only natural for him to look out