Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 9

The morning sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Natalia’s doorbell chimed, rousing her from a restless sleep. Standing on her doorstep with a warm smile was the executive assistant from the office.

“Good morning. Ms. Jenkins. Mr. Fowler has arranged for you to have a check-up today,” she said, her tone polite yet friendly. Natalia nodded, her voice still groggy, “Thanks, | appreciate it.”

They arrived at the clinic, where the sight of Scarlett by the blood draw station eased Natalia’s nerves. After the blood work, the assistant suggested grabbing a bite to eat.

“Mr. Fowler mentioned you could take today off,” she said, her eyes scanning Natalia for a

reaction.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Sounds good to me,” Natalia agreed without hesitation, her mind already on the other matters she had to attend to. They parted ways, and Natalia made a beeline for the diner where she had agreed to meet Lionel.

“What can | get ya?” Lionel asked as soon as Natalia slid into the booth opposite him.

“Just water, thanks,” she replied, keeping it simple.

Lionel flagged down the waitress and ordered a glass of ice water for Natalia. She took a sip and got straight to the point.

“You mentioned you needed my help with something. What’s up?” Natalia asked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “I didn’t get the details before, but you weren’t about to ask me to go jewelry shopping with you, were you?”

Lionel chuckled and shook his head. “No, it's actually something serious.” He slid a document across the table to her. “Could you help me translate this?”

Natalia paused, surprised, as she picked up the document and skimmed through the Italian legal jargon. “What's this about?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“We're handling a complex international economic dispute and the documents are in Italian. We've been scrambling to find a professional translator, and then you called,” Lionel explained. Natalia fell silent, pondering for a moment. “How did you know | speak Italian?”

Lionel gave a knowing smile. “I've seen one of your speeches. Back at Boria University, you were quite the sensation-fluent in several languages and even served as an interpreter for dignitaries. Then you aced the diplomatic service exams during grad school.”

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Natalia felt a twinge of nostalgia. “Those were the days,” she said, “but let’s not dwell on the past.” She focused on the legal text, translating it with ease,

Lionel’s eyes lit up. “I knew you'd be perfect. Would you be willing to interpret for us in court, too? We're really in a tight spot with the Italian.”

“| have to check my schedule,” Natalia replied cautiously.

“No worries. I'll let you know the court dates, and if you're available, great. If not, we'll figure something else out.” Lionel said, his tone reassuring.

The two chatted for a while, and Lionel suddenly asked, “You're not looking so good. Is it because of what happened with your stepfather?”

Natalia smiled and replied, “Sort of.” She didn’t really want to tell Lionel too much about her personal affairs. She didn’t want anyone else to know about her affair with Hamilton either.

Although Lionel did help her a lot, in the end, Lionel was different from Scarlett.

Their conversation drifted on until Lionel glanced at his watch and suggested they grab lunch. He had a reservation at a nearby steakhouse, a place Natalia wouldn’t have expected to visit. given her familiarity with Hamilton's dislike for such fare.

As they entered the restaurant, Natalia’s step faltered. There, in an unexpected twist of fate. was Hamilton, dining with the same Ms. Miller from the day before. It was clear she had become more than just a passing interest to Hamilton; she was potential new flame material.

Natalia hesitated at the entrance, but Lionel caught the subtle shift in her demeanor. “Something wrong?” Natalia quickly returned to her senses. “Why don’t we change places?”

Before Lionel could respond, Ms. Miller’s voice echoed through the room, calling out to Natalia in what seemed like a boastful tone, “Ms. Jenkins, what a coincidence!”

Natalia forced a polite smile, meeting Hamilton's gaze with a stoic, “Mr. Fowler.”

Hamilton’s eyes were deep, without the slightest emotion showing. He acknowledged her with a casual nod, then shifted his attention to Lionel, sizing him up with an air of detached curiosity.

Lionel took the opportunity to introduce himself. “Mr. Fowler, it’s a pleasure. I’m Lionel from Lio Law Firm, a friend of Natalia’s. I've heard a lot about you.”

In Silkwood City, Hamilton’s name was synonymous with success. Rumor had it he had taken over the family empire at a young age, only to step down out of boredom and start his own venture. Now, his company was thriving, and Hamilton was a figure of prominence-a true titan of industry.

Lionel had always wanted to connect with Hamilton but had never found the right moment. He. 2/3 14:24

respected Natalia too much to use her as a stepping stone, but fate had other plans, presenting an unexpected encounter with the man himself.

“Nice to meet you,” Hamilton replied with a nod, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips as he appraised the two of them, the wheels in his head already turning.

Hamilton gave a nonchalant nod, his gaze sweeping over to Natalia.

“Are you two friends?” He savored the word, a playful hint in his voice, “You two seem pretty close, huh?” Natalia’s brow twitched, but before she could speak, Lionel had already jumped in.

“That’s right.”

Hamilton chuckled softly. “Well then, | wonder if you might be interested in a collaboration.”

“Oh?” Lionel arched an eyebrow. “Don’t you have your own legal team, Mr. Fowler?”

The corners of Hamilton’s mouth curled up slightly. “Sometimes | like to get an external perspective.” His eyes fixed firmly on Natalia, “Like, say, on matters of employee breach of contract.”

Natalia’s face paled as she hurried to clarify. “Mr. Fowler, I'm here discussing business with Lionel today.” Hamilton gave her a blank stare. “Ms. Jenkins, you seem to have quite a wide range of business.” Natalia caught the sneer in his words instantly.

By “business,” he was alluding to her less savory dealings. Perhaps he was still holding a grudge over her quip from yesterday about finding another sugar daddy.

She had made him uncomfortable, and surely he was not inclined to let her off easy.

Natalia chose not to elaborate. In public, she preferred not to engage in this kind of talk, especially with Lionel involved. She didn’t want to drag Lionel into her mess.

Lionel, sharp as a tack, glanced between Hamilton and Natalia, his eyes flickering slightly, but he remained silent. But as he held his tongue, someone else couldn’t help but chime in.

Ms. Miller, probably seeking revenge on Natalia, seemed determined to antagonize her today.

“Ms. Jenkins, since we've run into each other, why don’t we all dine together? Just Hamilton and | is dreadfully dull — he barely speaks at meals.” She raised an eyebrow at Natalia.

Natalia was about to decline when Hamilton cut in. “Sit down.”