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, where's my

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

Hamilton quickly interjected, "Hold

Natalia paused.

no looking at other handsome men or

retorted, "Hamilton, I'm here

especially no inviting him into your room, got it?" Natalia, exasperated,

doesn't the

words, Natalia sighed, "Can you stop being so

she hung up, sending Hamilton the sunset pictures she had

his phone, felt a pang of longing so intense

a day's rest, the negotiations

both a businessman's rescue and the

and Ryan were to negotiate the businessman's rescue, while Natalia

original partner, a

Delilah, who had been previously eliminated from

deliberation, the Foreign Affairs Department decided to have

smirk, "Ms. Jenkins, what a coincidence to

said nothing, supporting

was supposed to kick off the

seized the initiative right

at this

her lip but did

smugly eyeing Natalia, thought she had seized a golden

the negotiations taking such an

deadlock within minutes, with the opposing side

with claiming any ancient artifact as their own. Alfonso's expression darkened as he eyed the eight

I say something?" She maintained formal address in this

Alfonso was taken aback.

negotiation team, hearing her request, showed visible

thinking Natalia

no one expected was Alfonso's nod of

origins and historical

artifacts had never circulated in the

negotiation team

don't just make

showed no signs of

were getting anxious, and just as they were about to interrupt Natalia,

that Natalia wasn't just

discussing. He even knew that they had once appeared in an underground market back home. But, he had

if this young lady

just as everyone was getting more anxious, Natalia suddenly pulled out her phone and found

depicted the ancient bronze vessels in question, taken at an

Even Delilah, let alone Alfonso, was taken

for a

on earth did you

preparing for this negotiation. I found these photos

I realized our negotiation was about these vessels, I saved the photos. I only meant to use them as a reference, but I never imagined they'd actually

"Well, well,

that, Alfonso immediately paused the negotiation

turned sour, as if

confirmed that the bronze vessels

of these artifacts leaving the country

opposing party had to admit that

the negotiation for the businessman's