Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 96

Hamilton looked into Natalia’s eyes. “Did you?”

Natalia met his gaze and let out a soft chuckle. “Aren’t you single?”

Hamilton’s brow furrowed ever so slightly.

Then, Natalia continued. “If you’re single, how could there be any talk of stealing Ms. Schafer’s man?” Hamilton huffed. “You better always be so self-assured.”

Natalia’s lips tightened, but she said no more. Only she knew that she was anything but self-assured. Although Hamilton claimed to be single to the world, his heart belonged to Eveleen.

He took her for a stroll in the stable and picked out a spirited horse that looked like a handful.

“Sure you don’t want to ride?” Hamilton asked her.

Natalia shook her head. She had actually learned horseback riding.

Riding, fencing, golf—Hamilton had taught her all of those. But she was still in the throes of her monthly cycle, and riding a horse would be too uncomfortable.

“ll take you with me.”

Natalia frowned, about to voice her refusal, when Hamilton swept her up onto the horse.

With a smooth motion, he mounted behind her, squeezed with his long legs, and the horse bolted forward. “Hamilton!” Natalia cried out in alarm.

The speed was overwhelming, and even though she had learned to ride, this was intense.

Hamilton wrapped an arm around her waist and let out a low chuckle, his warm breath tickling her ear, “What's there to be scared of? Trust your man.”

For a moment, Natalia’s heart lost its rhythm. She couldn't tell if it was from fear or his words. The wind, her heartbeat, and his breathing—all jumbled together, unsettling her mind.

Hamilton rode two laps around the field before coming to a stop. The moment Natalia dismounted, her legs almost gave out.

Hamilton caught her with a steady hand. Then, he laughed lightly, his tone teasingly improper. “Legs giving out already? Makes it seem like | did something to you on horseback.”

A flush of embarrassment crossed Natalia’s face. Before she could speak, Hamilton’s phone rang. He glanced at it and answered right in front of Natalia.

4/4 Chapter 96

“Done shooting? Good, wait for me. I’m coming to you.”

Natalia pushed past Hamilton and headed for the washroom. After splashing water on her face, the turmoil inside her settled. She could faintly hear Hamilton’s voice outside. Deep and melodious, tender and enchanting.

Natalia gave a bitter smile.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

The one in turmoil was always herself.

She took a deep breath, composed herself, and left the washroom. Hamilton was nowhere to be

seen.

Thalia stood not far off, and upon seeing Natalia, she sneered.

“Mr. Fowler will be Eveleen’s sooner or later. | heard everything. Mr. Fowler said he’s going to find Eveleen.”

Natalia nodded without expression. “Yeah. | know. No need for you to remind me.”

Then, she looked at Thalia and asked. “Anything else? Thalia?”

Thalia was infuriated by Natalia’s cool demeanor.

“Do you really think you’re something special for sleeping with a man for a few days? Let me tell you, a country bumpkin can never turn into a phoenix!”

Natalia continued to look at her calmly. “If there’s nothing else, I'll be going. Hamilton is waiting for me.”

Thalia’s face twisted with anger, but having just been reprimanded by Caspian, she dared not lash out at Natalia. “That sly vixen, even my uncle Caspian is charmed by you. Sooner or later, they'll see your true colors!”

After her outburst, Thalia stormed off.

Outside, Natalia saw Hamilton chatting with Caspian. Bianca held a camera, capturing the sunset in the distance. The dying light of the day cast a halo around Hamilton.

When he saw her, Hamilton walked over.

“Tired?”

“Not really.”

Hamilton nodded. “Then come with me later to meet someone.”

Natalia stiffened. “Mr. Fowler, I'll just go back with Mr. Spiegel and the others.” Hamilton’s eyes narrowed. “Is my car not good enough for you?”

Natalia’s voice was bitter as she said, “Aren’t you going to see Ms. Schafer?” 211

“Can't you come with me to see Eveleen?

Natalia gave a wry smile. “Mr. Fowler, you know | don’t like being around Ms. Schafer, and you can tell she’s not fond of me either.”

Hamilton tilted her chin up. “Then you should also know that | don’t like you riding in other men’s cars.”

Natalia looked down. “You can drop me off in the city, and I'll take a cab home.”

Hamilton didn’t respond, leaving it unclear whether he agreed or not.

Caspian came over to say goodbye and casually asked, “When do you plan on heading back to Silkwood City?”

They had actually wrapped up the business trip.

But Hamilton glanced at Natalia and said, “Let’s stay another couple of days. Let her have some fun.”

Caspian nodded. “How about lunch at my place tomorrow? The folks are missing you, and Ms. Jenkins, you should come too.”

Natalia wanted to decline, but Caspian’s sincere eyes swayed her, and she agreed with a nod. After a brief exchange, they went their separate ways.

Once Natalia and Hamilton were gone, Bianca, who had been quiet all along, suddenly called

out. “Caspian, look at this photo. Ms. Jenkins and Liliana really share a similar grace.”

Caspian looked over and saw Natalia in the photo, standing against the wind under the sunset, her demeanor far gentler than usual.

Indeed, she bore some resemblance to Liliana Spiegel in the picture.

Looking at Natalia’s photo, Caspian chuckled. No wonder Natalia looked familiar to him. She bore a striking resemblance to his sister Liliana Spiegel, although the years that separated them were numerous.

On their drive back to the city, Natalia rested her head against the car window, lost in thought. The events of the day felt surreal, like a dream that lingered between reality and fantasy. But as with all dreams, there inevitably came a time to wake up.

She glanced at Hamilton, who was driving with only a shirt and no jacket, seemingly unfazed by the chill. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms. Natalia’s mind drifted back to their horseback ride, his arm wrapped firmly around her waist, radiating a raw, magnetic energy.

Pulling herself out of her reverie, she noticed Hamilton pulling into a cozy little bistro.

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“Can | head back first?” Natalia inquired, hoping for an escape.

Hamilton shot her a glance.

“Let's grab a bite before you go. Ms. Jenkins. Be good,” he said before stepping out of the car.

With a deep breath, Natalia followed him inside, where he led her straight to a private dining room. To her surprise. Victor was already there, seated and waiting.

Natalia hesitated, locking eyes with Victor. She had expected only Eveleen to be present, not the man who, along with her, topped her list of least favorite people. Yet here they were, together once more.

Hamilton looked back at her, motioning toward the seat next to him. “Come over.”

Natalia took another deep breath and sat down. Once settled, Hamilton asked, “Where’s

Eveleen?”

Victor's gaze lingered on Natalia as he replied, “Bathroom.”

Then, turning to Hamilton, he sneered. “Hamilton, you're still not done with this bitch? Dragging her all the way to Boria City?” Natalia’s face soured instantly. Victor’s words were always distasteful, and she was far from accustomed to them.

Hamilton’s eyes darkened as he stared at Victor, then let out a cold laugh. “Mr. Henkel, you still find time to meddle in others‘ affairs?”

Victor, aware of the implication, wasn’t perturbed. He simply chuckled. “I’m just curious, that’s all. You’ve been with her for a while now; don’t you get tired? Or is it that you’ve developed feelings for her?”