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,

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

Hamilton quickly interjected, "Hold

Natalia paused.

looking at other handsome men or giving out your contact

"Hamilton, I'm here on

don't get too cozy with Ryan, especially no inviting him into

doesn't the

words, Natalia sighed, "Can you stop being so

she hung up, sending Hamilton the sunset

phone, felt

a day's rest, the

mission involved both a businessman's rescue and the

were to negotiate the businessman's rescue, while

partner, a young translator, was hospitalized due

as if by fate, Delilah, who had been previously

some deliberation, the Foreign Affairs Department decided to have Delilah

a smirk, "Ms. Jenkins,

a glance but said nothing, supporting

to kick off

Delilah seized the initiative right from

frowned at this

lip but did not

she had seized

the negotiations taking such an unfavorable

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

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

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

Alfonso was taken aback.

team, hearing her

thinking Natalia

one expected was Alfonso's

to eloquently detail the origins and historical significance of the artifacts in

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

negotiation team grew

you're unsure, don't

Natalia showed no signs

of the negotiation 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

if this young lady

Natalia suddenly pulled out her

the ancient bronze vessels in question, taken at an

room went silent. Even Delilah, let

for a while, then suddenly burst into

did you find

Twitter accounts while preparing for this negotiation. I found these photos

photos. I only meant to use

Natalia, nodding in admiration, "Well, well,

Alfonso immediately paused the negotiation

face turned sour, as if she had swallowed

with the Twitter user's testimony, it was confirmed that the bronze vessels had

customs records of these artifacts leaving

admit that the artifacts were

acquisition proven, the