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,

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

Hamilton quickly

Natalia paused.

other handsome men or giving out your contact

I'm here

Ryan, especially no inviting him into your room, got

the guy have a

sighed, "Can you stop

she hung up, sending Hamilton the

phone, felt a

a day's rest, the negotiations

both a businessman's rescue and the retrieval

the businessman's rescue, while Natalia and Alfonso

negotiations began, Natalia's original partner, a young translator, was hospitalized due to acclimatization

as if by fate, Delilah, who had been previously eliminated from consideration, just so happened

the Foreign Affairs Department decided to have Delilah

resist a smirk, "Ms. Jenkins, what a coincidence

said nothing, supporting Alfonso

kick off the

Delilah seized the initiative right

frowned at this

her lip but

thought she

negotiations

talks hit a deadlock within minutes, with the opposing side

team's claims, suggesting 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 moment,

may I say something?" She

Alfonso was taken aback.

team, hearing her request,

Natalia

what no one expected was Alfonso's nod

to eloquently detail the origins and historical

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

team grew

unsure, don't just

showed no signs

team were getting anxious, and just as they were about to interrupt Natalia, Alfonso suddenly stopped

that Natalia

done his homework on the set of ancient bronze vessels they were discussing. He even knew that they had once appeared in an underground market back home. But, he had no evidence to

him wonder if this young lady had some kind

more anxious, Natalia suddenly pulled out her phone and found a series of

bronze vessels in question, taken at an underground antique

Delilah, let alone Alfonso, was taken

photos for a while, then suddenly

where on earth did you

enthusiasts' Twitter accounts while preparing for this negotiation. I found these photos on one

photos. I only meant to use them as a reference, but I never imagined they'd

admiration, "Well, well, well! Kid, you've

the negotiation

turned sour, as if she had swallowed

Twitter user's testimony, it was confirmed that the bronze vessels had indeed been smuggled out of

customs records of these artifacts leaving

admit that the artifacts

the acquisition proven, the negotiation for the