Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 256

After enduring a long-haul flight that spanned over a dozen hours, the team finally arrived in Ylandia the next day.

Stepping off the plane, Natalia hardly had a moment to gather her bearings when she spotted Killian emerging from the ranks of their security detail. She paused, taken aback.

For a moment, she found herself staring at Killian, momentarily lost for words.

"Why are you here?"

Killian cracked a smile. "Mr. Fowler was concerned about your safety, so he had Minister Dawson arrange for me to join the security team."

Natalia quickly grasped Hamilton's intentions.

This trip, after all, was not one where safety was a concern.

The Department of Defense had assigned personnel to accompany them, and even the Foreign Affairs Department had arranged for personal bodyguards. Hamilton's decision to send Killian was likely due to his unease about her working alongside Ryan.

"That man," Natalia couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

Yet, she said nothing more.

Killian had arrived, and it wasn't as if she could simply send him back.

Ryan, descending from the plane, made his way towards Natalia until his eyes landed on Killian, causing him to momentarily hesitate.

"Who's this?"

Killian, with a friendly smile, extended his hand to Ryan.

"Mr. Holzer, I'm Ms. Jenkins' personal bodyguard."

Ryan glanced at Natalia.

Sighing slightly, Natalia didn't bother with an explanation, merely handed her luggage to Killian.

"Let's get going. Since you're here, stick to the protocol and don't break any rules."

Killian nodded promptly.

Ryan, trailing behind the two, managed a bittersweet smile.

Hamilton, always playing it safe.

Swallowing his bitterness, Ryan stepped forward to catch up.

Their accommodation was arranged by the consulate.

After checking in, Natalia reached out to Hamilton on her phone.

The phone rang several times before he picked up.

Natalia hesitated, suddenly remembering the time difference.

"Did I wake you?"

Hamilton's voice, laced with amusement, answered, "Waiting for your call, how could I be asleep?"

His voice, deep and tender, sent Natalia's heart into a flutter.

Holding the phone, she suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

"Natalia,

turmoil inside her, Natalia responded, "I'll send it to you," and

Hamilton quickly interjected,

Natalia paused.

chuckled, "While you're abroad, no looking at other handsome men or giving out your contact

retorted, "Hamilton, I'm here on

Ryan, especially no inviting him into your room, got

the guy have a

"Can you stop being so

that, she hung up, sending Hamilton

looking at the photos on his phone, felt a pang

day's rest, the negotiations

involved both a businessman's rescue

negotiate the businessman's rescue, while Natalia and Alfonso handled the

partner, a young translator, was hospitalized due

who had been previously

Affairs Department decided to have

Natalia, couldn't resist a smirk, "Ms.

a glance but said nothing, supporting Alfonso into the meeting

as the lead translator, was supposed to kick off the proceedings, with Delilah handling

Delilah seized the initiative

frowned at this

lip

Natalia, thought she had seized

anticipated the negotiations

minutes, with the opposing side denying any illegal acquisition of the

an obsession with claiming any ancient artifact as their own. Alfonso's expression darkened as he eyed the eight bronze artifacts encased in glass, his displeasure evident. At that

I say something?" She maintained formal

Alfonso was taken aback.

her request, showed visible

Natalia was out

expected was Alfonso's nod

to eloquently detail the origins and historical significance of the artifacts in fluent

up since these artifacts had never circulated in the domestic market. How could she possibly know their history? Was she hoping to deceive simply

negotiation team

don't

showed no signs of slowing

and just as they were about to interrupt Natalia, Alfonso

Natalia wasn't just rambling

vessels they were discussing. He even knew

made him wonder if this young lady had some kind

suddenly pulled out her phone

ancient bronze vessels in question, taken at an

Delilah, let

scrolled through the photos for a while, then suddenly burst

earth did you find these

was going through various antique enthusiasts' Twitter accounts while preparing for this negotiation. I found these photos on

I saved the photos. I only meant to

at Natalia, nodding in admiration, "Well, well, well! Kid, you've really taken us by

Alfonso immediately paused the

as if

with the Twitter user's testimony, it was confirmed that the

these

admit that the

illegality of the acquisition proven, the negotiation