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,

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

retorted, "Hamilton, I'm here

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

the guy

of words, Natalia sighed, "Can you stop

Hamilton the sunset pictures she

the photos on his phone, felt a pang of

day's rest, the

a businessman's rescue

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

just before the negotiations began, Natalia's original partner,

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

Department

smirk, "Ms. Jenkins, what a coincidence to

a glance but said nothing, supporting Alfonso

kick off the proceedings, with Delilah handling

initiative

at

bit her lip but did

eyeing Natalia, thought she had seized a golden

hadn't anticipated the negotiations taking such

minutes, with the opposing side denying

as their own. Alfonso's expression darkened as he eyed the eight bronze artifacts encased in glass,

I say something?" She maintained formal address in this official

Alfonso was taken aback.

team, hearing her request, showed visible

smirk widened, thinking Natalia was

expected was Alfonso's nod of

consent, Natalia began to eloquently detail the origins and historical significance

then laughed dismissively, assuming Natalia was making it up since these artifacts had never circulated in the domestic market. How could she possibly know their history? Was

negotiation team

unsure, don't just make

Natalia showed no signs of slowing

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

that Natalia

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 prove

if this young lady

suddenly pulled

ancient bronze vessels in

room went silent. Even Delilah, let alone Alfonso, was taken

scrolled through the photos for a while, then suddenly burst

where on earth did you find

for

I realized our negotiation was about these vessels, I saved the photos. I only meant to use

nodding in admiration, "Well, well,

immediately paused the negotiation to contact the

turned sour, as if she

that the bronze vessels had indeed been

of these artifacts leaving

opposing party had to admit that the artifacts were

the negotiation for the