Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Hearing Natalia's scream, Hamilton only then felt a sharp pain in his arm.

He grabbed the man's wrist and disarmed him of his dagger in a swift motion.

"Who gave you the guts to lay a finger on her?" A cold fury spread in Hamilton's eyes.

The man's face turned pale, "Hamilton, do you have any idea who I am?"

Hamilton let out a cold laugh and drove the dagger into the palm of the hand that was just holding Natalia, eliciting a scream that echoed through the restroom.

Even those outside the restroom were shocked by the scene.

Thalia, standing nearby, turned even paler with fear.

Hamilton tossed the man aside and then turned to Thalia.

"I recall giving you a warning."

Thalia's voice trembled.

"Mr. Fowler, do you have any idea what's become of Eveleen? She's practically losing her mind. Yet, even in her state, she keeps saying you'd protect her! Mr. Fowler, what did Eveleen ever do to you for you to lock her up in a mental institution over some home wrecker? She cries her eyes out every day!"

Mentioning Eveleen visibly unsettled Hamilton.

It was pretty clear by now.

Thalia's visit today was obviously instigated by someone.

Thalia, never the brightest bulb, was likely genuinely upset on behalf of her friend.

But her actions were beyond just expressing discontent.

Hamilton's expression darkened, "Thalia really loves being a pawn, doesn't she?"

With that, he shoved Thalia aside.

Caspian Spiegel rushed in from outside.

Seeing Caspian, Thalia seemed to find her last hope.

"Uncle Cas, please save me, it's all because of this wench," "Shut up!"

Caspian's normally gentle face was now covered in frost.

Then, he turned to the door, "Take her away, hand her directly to the police!"

Upon hearing this, Thalia panicked, "Uncle Cas, I'm your niece!"

Caspian ignored her, kicking the man who had already fainted from pain. He was a new recruit from the Foreign Affairs Department, somehow entangled with Thalia. "And this one too, take him away. To dare commit such acts here, utterly lawless!"

Several people came in and took them both away.

The restroom entrance was crowded.

Thalia's cries echoed down the hallway.

Caspian frowned and headed outside.

Natalia, after a moment of silence, approached Hamilton, "Let's get that wound treated."

Hamilton grabbed her wrist, "Did you get hurt anywhere?"

Natalia shook her head, "No."

Hamilton frowned deeply, "Natalia, about this situation—"

Natalia cut him off, "Let's take care of that wound first."

Hamilton looked at his empty palm, feeling a mix of anger and bitterness.

Exiting the restroom, Collin also rushed over, checking Natalia for injuries, "Are you hurt?"

Natalia quickly reassured, "Mr. Collin, I'm fine."

Collin, relieved to see she was unharmed, soon became furious again.

"This is outrageous, to dare do such a thing here!"

Caspian spoke up, "Mr. Collin, rest assured, I will not let this slide."

He then turned to Dawson, clearly seeking a stance.

Dawson's expression was grim, "Such matters cannot be overlooked, Caspian. Just take them away."

Caspian nodded in agreement.

A doctor arrived in the lounge to attend to Hamilton's wound, advising care before leaving.

Dawson was deeply concerned.

Both Natalia's ordeal and Hamilton's injury were incidents that should never occur within the Foreign Affairs Department.

These incidents, if made public, would impact more than just the department.

After issuing a few instructions, Dawson approached Natalia.

"About today's events-"

Natalia smiled, "Minister Dawson, don't worry. I won't make a fuss or spread word. As long as you explain things to others, nobody outside will need to know." Dawson couldn't help but admire the young woman's clarity.

He sighed, "You've been wronged, but rest assured, we will make this right."

Natalia nodded, expressing her thanks.

Dawson then spoke briefly with Hamilton before hurrying off to handle the fallout.

Caspian returned to the lounge after handing over the culprits to the police.

"Were you scared?" he asked Natalia with concern.

She gave a small laugh, "A little."

It was a frightening situation, after all.

Caspian looked at her sympathetically, "I'll ensure justice is served."

Natalia thanked him with a smile.

Then Caspian turned to Hamilton, "How about you? Need some painkillers?"

Hamilton scoffed, "Better off without you here, anyway."

Caspian couldn't help but look down on Hamilton's shamelessness. It was clear he thought of Caspian's presence as an intrusion on his alone time with Natalia.

Not wanting to be a third wheel, Caspian quickly made his excuses to Natalia and left.

With Caspian gone, Hamilton and Natalia were the only two left in the lounge.

After a moment of silence, Natalia asked, "Does it still hurt? The doctor left some painkillers, do you want one?"

Hamilton grunted, "Get me a glass of water, will you?"

Nodding, Natalia poured a glass of water and handed it to Hamilton.

Instead of taking the glass, Hamilton grabbed her hand. Natalia struggled to free herself, spilling the water in the process. "Hamilton!"

Only then did Hamilton take the glass with his other hand.

He still didn't let go of her, instead asking softly, "Are you mad?"

Natalia let out a derisive laugh. She was indeed angry.

Whatever happened today, she was bound to be humiliated.

By now, she was probably the talk of the entire Foreign Affairs Department.

And if those photos got out, it would be even worse.

The thought of a newly famous "beauty translator" having her nudes leaked was enough to make her skin crawl.

It wasn't hard to guess who was behind this. She and Thalia weren't exactly enemies.

Natalia pulled her hand away from Hamilton.

"Hamilton, I am angry, but I'm not ungrateful. You saved me today, and I thank you for that. But I'm not going to let this go," she said, then lowered her gaze, murmuring, "If I ever did go after Eveleen, Hamilton, would you come after me?"