Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 67

As Natalia finished speaking, Hamilton let out a light chuckle, his laughter dripping with disdain and mockery. “Do you really think you are in a position to negotiate terms with me?”

Natalia met his gaze steadily. “Didn't you, Mr. Fowler, say we could talk?”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, his gaze falling on her delicate earlobe. He thought to himself, his woman has really come into her own, bold enough to talk back to him even in circumstances like these.

She was supposed to be a fragile little thing, yet here she was, getting into a tiff with him over something so trivial. Awave of anger rose in his chest. He gripped Natalia’s waist and bit down hard on her earlobe.

Natalia winced at the sudden sharp pain.

Then his chilling voice came right next to her ear.

“Are you discussing this deal because you still want to help Lionel?”

Her heart sank. She knew he was furious.

But she didn’t deny it. She did want to help Lionel.

Not just because she had promised him and didn’t want to go back on her word. But also because of the money and her own career.

Leaving the career development aside, just the salary package was something she couldn't refuse. She needed money so much. Her mother’s medical bills were like an endless black

hole.

As for Hamilton, sure, he did give her money every month. But now that she had decided to leave him, she had to plan for her future. She couldn't rely on his financial support forever.

“Yes, | need the money. And it’s not just from Lionel. | might take on more side jobs in the future. If you think it interferes with my job, feel free to fire me. | won't object.”

Hamilton snorted coldly. “Ms. Jenkins, you have beautiful daydreams, thinking you can just skip out on the fifty million termination fee?”

Natalia’s lips twitched slightly. That had indeed been her plan.

If Hamilton insisted on not letting her resign, she would have to work for him while having another side job. If Hamilton couldn’t accept that, then he could just fire her.

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed. “So you have to do it?”

Natalia nodded. “Mr. Fowler, you must understand the importance of integrity as a businessman. Since I’ve promised Lionel, I'll surely go.”

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“Aren't you afraid of causing Lionel trouble?” he asked again. Natalia’s body stiffened. The example was right in front of her.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The nanny had just been fired because of her. The guilt in Natalia’s heart had not yet dissipated, and now Hamilton was. threatening her once again.

She didn’t know what Hamilton would do to Lionel. But she knew that irritating this man would have consequences no one could bear.

Neither she nor Lionel. She forced a smile and turned to look at Hamilton. Might as well be upfront with him.

“| don’t want to sneak around behind your back. | took this side job openly, and there’s nothing shameful about it. | just want your consent, and that's all.”

Natalia’s voice was calm, but her stance was resolute.

Hamilton got the message loud and clear. If he didn’t agree, she would do it behind his back anyway. His expression darkened. Why did this woman become so disobedient? The old Natalia was always compliant, rarely even talking back.

He gripped Natalia’s chin, his gaze heavy upon her.

“Is Ms. Jenkins sure about this?”

Natalia nodded. “Yes.”

Hamilton huffed and let her go, pushing her off his lap.

“Since you are so determined, | won't stand in your way. But if you get into any trouble because of your side job, don’t expect me to step in and help!”

She looked at him squarely. “Okay.”

There was no hesitation in her agreement.

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed as he watched Natalia walk into the kitchen. Then he pulled out his phone and sent a message. If Natalia was set on taking the side job, he wouldn't necessarily stop her. As she said, she’d do it anyway if he didn’t agree.

Well then, it might as well be under his watchful eye. She wanted to do it, so he’d let her. But he’d have someone keep tabs on her. She could take the job, but if she dared get too close to any other man, he wouldn’t be so forgiving.

Hamilton watched Natalia’s slender figure in the kitchen. He didn’t trust her. To put it another way, there was no trust to speak of in their kind of relationship.

It was only held together by money, and anyone could betray it if the price was right. He didn’t 14:30

want to place what he called trust in that laughable spirit of a contract.

In the end, he only trusted himself.

Truth be told, he didn’t care what kind of job Natalia did. Whether she was a marketing manager or a translator. It didn’t matter much to him. He was just used to keeping her around and under his control.

But since she was so intent on leaving, he’d just have someone watch her. As Natalia came out of the kitchen with a sandwich, her phone rang. She glanced at it, and her heart sank.

It was her mother’s caregiver. It had been a while since she had visited her mother, Tatiana, and she was afraid something had happened to her. She quickly picked up the phone.

“Ms. Jenkins, a lady named Eveleen Schafer came to visit your mother just now.”

Natalia’s mind buzzed.

“What did you say?”

The caregiver was taken aback by her sharp tone.

Natalia was usually so gentle with her, and she didn’t expect Natalia to get angry over sucha

message.

“Did you let her in?”

The caregiver sounded uncertain. “She said she was your friend, so | let her in. I’m sorry.”

Natalia frowned deeply. She hadn’t expected Eveleen to visit Tatiana so soon. But this wasn’t the caregiver’s fault. “What did she say after she went in?”

“Just said something like hoping your mom will wake up soon, and said that we should take good care of your mother.”

Natalia’s face was an ashen shade of fury. She didn’t for a second believe that ‘Eveleen genuinely wished for her mother to wake up from her coma.

“Next time she shows up, don’t let her in.” “Understood.”

Natalia hung up the call, massaging her throbbing temples. She couldn't fathom what scheme Eveleen was concocting this time around. Probably with the intention of another one of her threats.

Eveleen’s mother Lucinda Lynd had played the same game years ago.

After her mother’s car accident, Lucinda made frequent trips to the hospital to deter Natalia from a showdown that would ruin them both. She claimed she was looking after Tatiana on

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behalf of Patrick Schafer, but Natalia knew those visits were nothing but intimidation.

Now that Lucinda had stopped visiting, Eveleen took up the mantle. The daughter was exactly taking up her mother’s role and character.

Hamilton lounged on the couch, his eyes tracing the angry flush at the corners of Natalia’s eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly. “What's the matter? Trouble with your mother?”