Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

The voice calling out was too familiar; Natalia Jenkins didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Her instinct was to pull away, but Hamilton Fowler once again drew her closer into his embrace.

"Hamilton?"

Betty's voice rang out, causing Natalia to freeze mid-motion, ceasing her struggles.

"Fancy that, Betty, a lady of your stature acknowledging my existence?" Hamilton's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Betty bristled internally. Who in high society didn't know Hamilton?

What was he implying? That she was beneath him?

The Holzer family had always kept a low profile. In terms of fame and influence, they indeed fell short compared to the Fowlers.

Yet, Betty, by all means, still held a senior position in relation to Hamilton.

"Hamilton, regardless, I am your elder, and you would do well to remember that. Besides, we are in Boria City, not Silkwood City."

Hamilton's smile remained, but his eyes were frosty.

"Do you really think I'd be intimidated in Boria City?"

Betty's expression stiffened. Hamilton wasn't afraid of anyone.

Even here, amid the crème de la crème of Boria City, the name of the Fowler family head carried enough weight to command respect.

But how could she swallow her pride?

In her eyes, Natalia was clearly not a match for her dear Ryan. Was she not allowed to voice her opinion?

"Hamilton, this is an internal gala at the Foreign Affairs Department. What business does an outsider have here?"

Hamilton's smile vanished instantly. "I just wanted to see for myself, Betty, how capable you are, to declare that she can't enter the Foreign Affairs Department!"

"A person admired by Dawson, a successor chosen by Collin, yet the Holzer family decides she can't enter? You really think your family holds that much power?" Betty's face tightened. Those words were meant to intimidate Natalia, to push her away from Ryan.

Whether the Holzer family had the clout to back those words was beside the point.

Even if they did, they wouldn't allow such actions.

But she hadn't expected Hamilton to overhear.

"Mr. Fowler, it's not about whether the Holzer family has the power or not. It's about Ms. Jenkins not being suitable. Her personal life, as you know, leaves much to be desired. Someone like her joining the Foreign Affairs Department would only serve as a joke, wouldn't it?" "And what about her personal life? Is it not just me who's been relentlessly pursuing her for three years? And when she wanted to leave, I wouldn't let her?"

Betty was taken aback, staring at Hamilton, speechless for a moment before stammering, "That's not, I mean, weren't you two-"

"I took advantage when she was vulnerable." Hamilton glanced at Natalia in his arms. "When her mother was in a car accident and she desperately needed money, I made her sign that agreement. If sacrificing to save her own mother equates to a disordered private life, then I really don't know what to say about the world we live in."

Betty glared at Hamilton, suddenly at a loss for words.

Natalia, standing by, felt a mix of emotions listening to Hamilton's defense. She hadn't expected him to frame their past that way.

Their agreement, after all, was mutual consent.

Natalia chuckled softly, her gaze dropping to hide the flurry of emotions in her eyes.

Betty glared at Hamilton, eventually managing to say, "Regardless, being kept by a man is a fact that sticks with her, a stain she can't wash away. People won't look for reasons; they only see the outcome. I just hope Ms. Jenkins will be sensible in the future and stop clinging to my Ryan!" With that, Hamilton scoffed, "Betty, let's get one thing straight-who's clinging to whom? Ryan Holzer makes trips to Silkwood City every other day, even visiting on New Year's Day. Are you suggesting Natalia is dragging him there?"

"If you truly don't want your son associating with Natalia, then monitor your son-that's the most effective solution. If Ryan could keep his distance from Natalia, I, Hamilton, would personally thank you!"

"Mom!" Before Betty could retort, Ryan's voice interjected.

Ryan hurried over, catching Hamilton's last remark.

His expression immediately darkened. He had only left for a moment; how had his mother targeted Natalia?

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

Betty's tone softened when addressing her son, "Nothing much, Ryan. I just saw Ms. Jenkins and wanted to greet her."

Ryan knew his mother all too well. Every time he returned home lately, Betty would nag him about cutting ties with Natalia.

Clearly, his mother's words had fallen on deaf ears, so she had approached Natalia directly.

"Mom, you needn't involve yourself in matters concerning Natalia and me."

"What do you mean, 'needn't involve'?"

Betty's patience wore thin.

As mother and son seemed on the verge of an argument, Natalia finally spoke up.

"Ryan, I'm feeling a bit weary. I think I'll head back to the hotel."

Ryan opened his mouth to respond, his gaze landing on Hamilton's hand still resting on her waist.

He paused for a moment, grabbed Natalia's arm, and pulled her away from Hamilton's embrace.

Hamilton clicked his tongue, attempting to pull Natalia back to him.

But Natalia shot him a glare, and he instantly withdrew his hand.

Ryan was filled with guilt. Even though he hadn't caught their previous conversation, he could guess that his mother's words to Natalia were far from kind. "Natalia, I still have something to tell you. Can you wait for me just a little longer, please?"

Natalia, noticing Betty's increasingly sour expression, chuckled and shook her head. "Ryan, maybe we can talk over the phone? I'm really quite tired today." Ryan was desperate, fearing that this incident might push Natalia to set boundaries between them, refusing even to remain friends.

"Just a few minutes, please, just wait for a few minutes."

After saying that, he took Betty aside.

Seeing this, Hamilton took the opportunity to lead Natalia outside.

Natalia didn't resist but stopped just outside the banquet hall.

Hamilton paused and looked down at Natalia, his voice tinged with a bitter sarcasm when he finally spoke.

"So, he asks you to wait and you just do? Natalia, what exactly is it about Ryan that draws you in?"

Natalia met Hamilton's gaze. "Why are you even here?"

Hamilton was still annoyed.

Why was she so forgiving towards Ryan?

And yet, she always seemed to have a cold demeanor towards him?

"Why can't I be here? Is this place reserved for Ryan alone?"

Natalia glanced at him but didn't reply, only breaking the silence after a moment.

"Thank you for today."

She was genuinely grateful to Hamilton for his intervention today.

If it weren't for his timely arrival, she might have endured an unpleasant scene with Ryan's mother.

Seeing her rare softer side, Hamilton finally felt a bit better.

"Natalia, do you think I'm more reliable than Ryan?"