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 was

Hamilton quickly interjected, "Hold

Natalia paused.

other handsome men or giving

"Hamilton, I'm here

cozy with Ryan, especially no inviting him into

Ryan, doesn't the guy have

of words, Natalia sighed, "Can

she hung up, sending Hamilton the sunset pictures she

photos on his phone, felt a pang

a day's rest, the

a businessman's rescue and the retrieval

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

began, Natalia's original partner, a

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

Foreign Affairs Department decided to have

smirk, "Ms.

said

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

Delilah seized the initiative right from the

frowned at this

her lip but did

Natalia, thought she had seized

she hadn't anticipated the negotiations taking

deadlock within minutes, with the opposing side denying any illegal

expression darkened

something?" She maintained formal address in

Alfonso was taken aback.

her request, showed visible

Natalia

no one expected was Alfonso's

detail the origins and historical

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

team

unsure, don't just

showed no signs of slowing

negotiation team were getting anxious, and just as

that Natalia wasn't just rambling

they were discussing. He even knew that they had once appeared in an underground market back home. But, he had no evidence to prove

confident speech, however, made him wonder if this young

Natalia suddenly pulled out her phone and found a

photos clearly depicted the ancient bronze vessels

Delilah, let alone

through the photos for a while, then suddenly

earth did

for this negotiation. I found these photos on one of their

vessels, I saved the photos. I only meant to use them as a reference, but I never imagined they'd actually come in

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

Alfonso immediately paused the negotiation to contact the

sour, as if she

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

of these

party had to admit that the artifacts were acquired

the acquisition proven, the negotiation for the businessman's rescue gained