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.

inquired, "Natalia, where's

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

quickly interjected,

Natalia paused.

looking at other handsome men or giving out your contact

"Hamilton, I'm here on

get too cozy with Ryan, especially

doesn't the guy have a

of words, Natalia sighed, "Can you stop

sending Hamilton the

looking at the photos on his phone, felt a pang of longing so intense it

rest, the negotiations

rescue and

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

began, Natalia's original partner, a young translator,

by fate, Delilah, who had been previously eliminated from consideration, just so happened to be in

deliberation, the Foreign Affairs Department decided to

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

a glance but said nothing, supporting Alfonso into

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

the initiative

at

lip but

thought she had

she hadn't anticipated the negotiations taking such an unfavorable

a deadlock within minutes, with the opposing side denying any illegal acquisition

expression darkened as he eyed the eight bronze artifacts encased in glass, his displeasure evident. At that moment,

may I say something?" She maintained

Alfonso was taken aback.

negotiation team, hearing her request, showed visible

widened, thinking Natalia

expected was

the origins and historical significance of the artifacts in fluent

had never circulated in the domestic market.

negotiation team

don't just make

showed no signs

just as they were about to interrupt Natalia, Alfonso suddenly

that Natalia

of ancient bronze vessels they were discussing. He even knew that they

wonder if this young lady had some kind of

anxious, Natalia suddenly pulled

photos clearly depicted the ancient bronze vessels in

Even Delilah, let alone Alfonso,

a while, then

where on earth did you find

accounts while preparing for this

I saved the photos. I only meant to use them as a

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

the negotiation to contact the

if she had swallowed

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

records of these artifacts leaving

opposing party had to admit

the illegality of the acquisition proven, the negotiation