Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Delilah's words had left Mrs. Joyner with a noticeable flush of embarrassment on her face.

"Mrs. Joyner, that wasn't my intention. I was merely pointing out that Natalia is quite a force to be reckoned with. Whether you take that to heart is entirely up to you."

With that, Delilah gracefully exited the scene, wine glass in hand.

Mrs. Joyner watched her leave, her expression gradually darkening. Despite her attempts to appear indifferent, Delilah's words had clearly made an impact.

Ever since she learned that Natalia, from the Ron Group's branch office, was such a young and attractive woman, she had felt a twinge of unease.

Today, Delilah's comments had only added to her discomfort.

She gestured to someone off to the side, and a man dressed like a bodyguard approached.

"Dig up everything you can on Mason's activities back in Silkwood City," she commanded.

The bodyguard nodded and departed.

As Alfonso's birthday bash officially kicked off, Natalia was summoned once again to the old man's side.

He introduced her to all the notable figures of Boria City, clearly favoring her.

The attendees took note of Alfonso's treatment towards Natalia, speculating that she might soon become another daughter of the Spiegel family, much like Bianca Spiegel before her.

This spurred everyone to be on their best behavior.

Caspian stood beside Hamilton.

"Keep an eye on the Powell family. I have a feeling they're not going to let this go so easily."

Hamilton acknowledged with a nod, his gaze then shifting towards Mrs. Joyner who was raising her glass in his direction from afar.

"Mason, you familiar with him?" he asked quietly.

Caspian frowned slightly. "Mason has always been straight-laced. Back in the day, he was instrumental in growing the Joyner family business to its current size. Why? Is there a problem?"

Hamilton shook his head, lost in thought, just as a commotion erupted outside.

Caspian's expression hardened, and he looked at Hamilton.noveldrama

Hamilton's eyes flashed with a cold light.

"I'll handle this. You take Natalia and head back."

Caspian nodded.

Hamilton approached Alfonso, exchanged a few words, and then started to leave with Natalia.

That's when Westley, bursting in, roared, "Hamilton, don't you dare move!"

Westley advanced towards them, fury written all over his face, with a man in tow.

The man's gaze landed on Natalia, sending a shiver down her spine. It was as if a snake had fixed its eyes on her - cold and slimy.

It wasn't until Hamilton stepped in front of her, blocking the view, that the uncomfortable feeling began to fade.

Spencer Fowler chuckled. "Brother, why are you leaving just as we arrive?"

Hamilton ignored him, turning instead to Alfonso, "Mr. Spiegel, I'll be taking Natalia back now."

Alfonso nodded. "Go ahead and rest."

As Hamilton led Natalia out, Westley's bodyguard attempted to block their path.

"Hamilton, I'd like to see you try to leave!"

Hamilton laughed, grabbed the bodyguard by the neck, and tossed him aside. "Do you really think you can stop me?"

"Hamilton!" Westley seethed, "Are you really willing to turn against me for her?"

Hamilton turned back, "I thought I made myself clear."

Westley scoffed, "You're not afraid I'll lay a hand on her?"

Alfonso cleared his throat, "If you're here to celebrate my birthday, then you're welcome. But if you're here for something else, I'm sorry, Caspian, show them out."

Westley, visibly angry but restrained in Alfonso's presence, left without another word.

Hamilton then turned and left with Natalia, leaving the guests buzzing with speculation.

Alfonso cast a cold glance at Spencer, then scoffed dismissively.

"If only someone in my family could win Natalia's heart, I'd be overjoyed!"

Once outside the Spiegel family home, Natalia couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.

"Who was that man?"

Hamilton remained silent until they were back in the car, driving away from the Spiegel residence.

"My father's illegitimate son."

Natalia was taken aback, "Is he someone your grandfather brought in to oppose you? Because I caused a rift between you, so he found someone else to use against you?"

Hamilton chuckled, sometimes disliking her astuteness.

He remained silent, gently touching her cheek.

Natalia understood she had guessed correctly.

Hamilton caught the moisture at the corner of her eye, asking softly, "Feeling sorry for me?"

Natalia couldn't quite place her feelings.

She knew this man was striving hard.

But she hadn't anticipated the price he was paying.

Perhaps, a bit of sorrow was there.

But more than that, she felt somewhat overwhelmed.

Their relationship left her unsure how to respond to his sacrifices.

The black Maybach moved through the night, filled with the sound of classical

music.

Upon reaching Cloud Terrace, Hamilton kissed her gently.

"What's on your mind?"

After a long silence, Natalia finally spoke.

"Hamilton, I think I want to go abroad."

Hamilton paused.

Natalia lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes brimming with bitterness.

"I can't stand living on pins and needles every day, constantly walking on eggshells even when thinking about having a baby. can't do this anymore, Hamilton. need to get away."

"It's for the best. For both of us."

Hamilton's fingers, which were gently caressing her eyebrow, stiffened slightly.

He just stared at her, and after a long moment, he chuckled.

"What do you mean it's for the best? Natalia, what do you think is best for me?"

Natalia averted his gaze, "At the very least, you won't have to struggle like you do now."

"I relish the struggle, Natalia. I've told you, I'd do anything for you and our child."

"But I want our child to be born into a world where they can stand tall and grow up healthy and strong."

"And you'd leave me for that?"

Natalia stared out the window, feeling waves of discomfort.

But what choice did she have?

The Fowler family was closing in,

and

e Powell family watched their

Sove with predatory

anticipation.

Even if she truly wished to stay, could they ever really be together?

Hamilton, reading Natalia's expression, almost instantly understood her thoughts.

He spoke softly.

"Natalia, you're being so cruel."

Tears pricked at the corners of Natalia's eyes.

Hamilton leaned in to embrace her, his voice laced with a plea.

"Natalia, please don't leave me alone. Can you do that?"