Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Natalia hung up the phone, turning her gaze towards Ryan.

"Sorry

about that, Ryan. Hope you don't mind."

Ryan just laughed.

He didn't mind.

Because he got the whole Hamilton situation.

That sense of urgency, he'd felt it before.

Just never thought the tables would turn like this.

Ryan looked at Natalia.

After a moment, he asked, "Natalia, what if I had refused to let go back then? What would've happened to us?"

Natalia, who was in the middle of texting, paused.

She didn't quite know how to respond.

Because she wasn't sure either.

But with Hamilton in the mix, no matter how persistent, it probably wouldn't have worked out.

"Ryan, let's leave the past in the past," she said.

Ryan only laughed.

Easier said than done, right?

But now, he wouldn't force his way between them.

If Hamilton made her happy, he'd be happy for her.

If he hurt her, he'd be there to whisk her away, no questions asked.

The morning briefing at the Foreign Affairs Department focused on a mission surrounding a collection of artifacts that had been illegally exported from Ylandia.

A Chinese-American tycoon had discovered these artifacts and intended to repatriate them through proper channels.

However, he was falsely accused of smuggling them.

The team, including Natalia, comprised fifteen people: artifact experts, Foreign Affairs Department officials, legal advisors, and defense personnel to ensure their safety. Leading the mission was the nonagenarian Old Mr. Spiegel, Alfonso.

The patriarch of the Spiegel family, Alfonso Spiegel, was over ninety but still sharp and full of vigor.

Caspian, the legal advisor, stood by Alfonso's side.

Alfonso's gaze swept over everyone and settled on Natalia. He paused, his usually sharp eyes softening.

"Child, come here."

Natalia approached hesitantly.

"Mr. Spiegel, it's an honor."

Alfonso nodded. "I've heard about your troubles. From now on, if you face any issues, just call Caspian. No one can bully you in Boria City."

Natalia was surprised by his words.

Caspian chuckled. "Grandpa, you're scaring her."

Alfonso looked at Caspian and then back to Natalia, smiling. "Don't be frightened, my dear. I just have a soft spot for young people I take a liking to, and you, my dear, have caught my eye." Natalia smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Spiegel."

"There's no need for formalities. In Boria City, kids your age call me Grandpa Al. You should too."

After a glance at Caspian and his encouraging nod, Natalia smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandpa Al."

Before she left for the mission, Natalia called Hamilton, who was in the middle of a board meeting at the Fowler Group.

His phone buzzed on the table, drawing frowns from the assembled executives.

"Hamilton, we're in a board meeting. Show some respect for your elders," one scolded.

Ignoring them, Hamilton answered the call, his action drawing even darker looks.

"Hamilton! Are you even listening to us?" they protested.

Hamilton's gaze turned icy, silencing the room.

Natalia's voice came through. "Are you busy? I'll call back later."

Hamilton smiled. "I'm not busy. Go ahead."

"I'm about to leave. Just wanted to let you know," Natalia whispered.

Hamilton's mood visibly lightened. "Alright, call me when you get there. And remember, miss me."

As Natalia was about to hang up, she overheard a voice from Hamilton's end.

"Hamilton, you better explain the North Suburb situation to us!"

Natalia paused, her finger frozen over the end call button.

The voices of several executives in a tirade came through.

"Exactly, Hamilton! That's prime real estate you gave away as if we don't exist!"

"Rumor has it, it was to a woman. Hamilton, you traded a third of our African market for that land, for a woman? Have you lost your mind?" "You could have any woman you want. Is she worth that much? You of all people should know what a third of the African market means!" Listening to the scolding, Natalia's grip on her phone tightened.

She always knew Hamilton paid a hefty price for that land, but never imagined it was a third of the African market.

To think, all that for just a piece of land.

Hamilton, that man, was determined to make her debt to him insurmountable.

He shared with her his schemes, the tricks he had employed.

Yet, he left out the sacrifices he had made.

Natalia's emotions were a tangled mess upon hearing this.

She couldn't bear to listen any longer and abruptly ended the call.

But after hanging up, her thoughts swirled, and she ultimately sent him a message.

"I'll capture the sunset for you from the plane."

Hamilton glanced at the message on his phone, his heart skipping a beat. Yet, his face betrayed none of his inner turmoil.

He looked up at the board members, their faces flushed with agitation.

"Is that everything?"

"Everything's been said. Now let me make myself clear, my territory, I decide who to share it with. Did I ever say I'd hand over the African market to the Fowler Group?" The directors were taken aback.

"But you're a Fowler! Naturally, it should belong to the Fowler Group."

Hamilton let out a scoff, "So, as a Fowler Group man, does your estate also belong to the Fowler Group?"

"You!" The director was so infuriated he was almost speechless.

Hamilton had lost all patience.

"Let's conclude today's meeting here."

With that, he stood up and left the room, leaving the elderly directors red-faced with anger in his wake.

As soon as Hamilton exited the meeting room, he dialed Natalia.

However, she had already turned off her phone.