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.

softly inquired, "Natalia,

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

quickly interjected, "Hold

Natalia paused.

no looking at other handsome men or giving out your

retorted, "Hamilton, I'm here on

acknowledgment before adding, "And don't get too cozy with Ryan, especially no inviting him into your

the

of words, Natalia sighed, "Can you stop being

up, sending Hamilton the sunset

photos on his phone, felt a pang of longing so intense

a day's rest, the negotiations

both a businessman's rescue and

businessman's rescue, while Natalia and

the negotiations began, Natalia's original partner, a young

Delilah, who had been previously eliminated from consideration, just so

Department decided

smirk, "Ms. Jenkins, what a coincidence to

her a glance but said nothing, supporting Alfonso into the

to kick off the proceedings, with

the initiative

frowned at this

lip

eyeing Natalia, thought she had seized a

she hadn't anticipated the negotiations

hit a deadlock within minutes, with the opposing side denying any

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

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

Alfonso was taken aback.

negotiation team, hearing her request, showed visible

widened, thinking Natalia was out

one expected

to eloquently detail the origins and

these artifacts had never circulated in the domestic market. How could she possibly know their history? Was

negotiation team

you're unsure, don't just

Natalia showed no signs

just as they

Natalia

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

if this young lady had some

just as everyone was getting more anxious, Natalia suddenly pulled out

clearly depicted the ancient bronze vessels in question, taken at

went silent. Even Delilah, let alone

scrolled through the photos for a while, then

on earth did you find

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

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 come in

Natalia, nodding in admiration, "Well, well, well! Kid, you've

immediately paused the negotiation

if

it was confirmed that the bronze

records of these artifacts leaving

admit that

acquisition proven, the negotiation for the businessman's rescue