Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 57

“Mr. Fowler, I'd like to discuss the terms of my termination of the contract,” Natalia said, her voice trying to mask the tension beneath.

From the other end of the line, Hamilton’s chuckle was cold as winter frost. “Didn’t you read the agreement?” Natalia’s lips tightened. “I did.” “Then what part of it do you not understand?” he prodded.

Taking a deep breath for composure, Natalla responded, “I simply want to resign gracefully. If it’s necessary, I’m willing to wait until you’ve found a suitable replacement before proceeding.”

Hamilton's voice was laced with a chill that even the phone line couldn't temper. “Ms. Jenkins, this isn’t a charity. You signed the contract; now you're expected to honor it.”

Natalia clenched her fists, her knuckles whitening. “Mr. Fowler, back at the Crest Club, you agreed to let me go.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

The mention of the Crest Club and Victor’s olive branch she had accepted then cast a shadow over Hamilton’s face. The silence in the conference room was deafening, a room full of executives too afraid to even breathe.

Hamilton slammed his pen down on the table with a snap, causing everyone to jump.

Then, the man at the head of the table spoke, his voice as cold as the Arctic. “Ms. Jenkins, | did agree to your resignation. But do | need to remind you of the choice you made in the end?”

Natalia felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She remembered all too well the last time she approached Hamilton for that million—dollar favor. She didn’t want to relive that humiliation.

“No, | remember,” she said quietly. “Good. Then take care of yourself and return to work as expected,” he replied curtly. But Natalia wasn’t ready to give up. “What will it take for you to let me resign?”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Ms. Jenkins, this isn’t a hotel. You can either pay fifty million, come back to work after you've recovered, or if you prefer, we can settle this in court.”

Pausing, he added, “And just a reminder, Ms. Jenkins, that fifty million is a courtesy for your three years of hard work. You ought to be grateful.”

Taking a deep breath, he finally said, “Is there anything else?”

Natalla inhaled deeply, desperately trying to calm herself, Without another word, she ended the call.

She rubbed her temples. Fifty million. Where would she get fifty million?

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Hamilton was generous in his own way, but with her, he was stingy, as if afraid of being taken. advantage of. In three years, she had barely saved enough for her mother’s medical bills.

The villa he gave her was indeed worth millions, but it was bought with the life of her child. And even if it was worth millions, it was nowhere near fifty million.

Natalia’s thoughts were a whirlwind of chaos. After her treatment that afternoon, she decided to reach out to Lionel. He seemed surprised to hear from her. “Natalia? It’s been a while. | was beginning to think you'd forgotten me.”

Natalia felt a bit awkward. After all, she never contacted Lionel again since Hamilton had forced her to pick up that call during such a compromising moment. It was mainly because she was embarrassed and did not know what to say.

“Sorry about last time,” she apologized.

Lionel chuckled in return. “| should be the one apologizing for calling you so late. How have you been? | saw online that you were injured. Are you better now?”

“Much better. Thanks for your concern.”

With a gentle voice, he said. “I’ve told you countless times that you don’t have to be so formal with me. By the way, why did you suddenly call me today?”

“There’s a contract | need your help with. When are you free?”

“I'm always free for you. Plus, | need your help, too.”

With a pause, Natalia asked, “You mean you never found anyone else for that case?”

“Why would I? You already promised me, didn’t you? Are you going to go back on your words?”

Suddenly, Natalia was at a loss for words. Lionel never contacted her again after she rejected him last time under those circumstances, and she had thought he had found a replacement. To her surprise, he had been waiting for her.

After a short silence, she agreed. “If you need any translation work done, just email me. | don’t want to affect your work.” “Alright, it's settled, then. So, what about this contract you need my help with?”

“It's a termination agreement. Shall | email it to you?”

“Actually, how about we discuss it over lunch today?”

Since Natalia needed Lionel’s help, she couldn’t refuse him, and after a short pause, she said. “Okay.*. The restaurant Lionel had picked was close to the hospital, and he was waiting when Natalia

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arrived.

“You look pale,” he commented as soon as he saw her.

Natalia offered a weak smile. “Haven't been resting well.”

Sensing she didn’t want to elaborate, Lionel didn’t pry further, and they enjoyed a relatively quiet and harmonious meal. Afterward, Natalia handed over the agreement.

Lionel’s expression grew complicated as he read it. “Natalia, why would you agree to such terms?” She simply smiled bitterly and asked, “Is this difficult to deal with?”

Frowning, Lionel nodded despite not wanting to admit it.

Natalia nodded in understanding. “Okay, | get it.”

Though Lionel was apologetic, Natalia seemed to have anticipated this outcome.

After all, this was a contract drafted by Hamilton’s crack team of lawyers. If there were any loopholes, Mr. Deep Pockets wouldn’t be shelling out the big bucks to keep them on retainer.

“You're seriously considering leaving Hamilton, aren’t you?” Lionel prodded once more.

The moment the words left his lips, both of them knew the full weight of that question.

Leaving meant more than just quitting a job.

Natalia’s gaze dropped; she did want to leave.

However, just like the ironclad severance agreement before her, if Hamilton didn’t consent, she was going nowhere.

The penalty for the breach was astronomical; she couldn't afford it on her salary alone, not to mention an even more lopsided contract.

“| have no choice but to stay.” Natalia offered a wry smile.

Lionel frowned. “What if you don’t take the legal route? Why not have a heart-to—heart with him? Isn’t he about to tie the knot with Eveleen?”

Natalia’s eyes drifted to the window as she said, “Yeah.”

Even Lionel was clued into Hamilton’s relationship with Eveleen. Their impending nuptials had become an accepted fact. Seeing the look on her face, Lionel suddenly realized his blunder. “Sorry.”

Natalia just smiled. “No need to apologize. You only spoke the truth.”

Lionel wanted to offer some comfort, but for once, the man who made a living off his words. found himself at a loss. Natalia, for her part, seemed indifferent. Maybe it was the sort of thing that got easier with time 3/4

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and exposure.

After exchanging a few more words with Lionel, Natalia rose to take her leave.

Lionel walked her out to the hospital’s main entrance before parting ways.

Natalia had barely set foot in the hospital lobby when her phone rang; it was Scarlett.

“Where have you been, Natalia?”

“Just had to take care of something.”

“Get back here quick. Don’t you know how to take care of yourself? Stop running around.” Natalia acknowledged with a brief response and hung up.

Returning to the hospital, she found Hamilton standing by the window, his gaze fixed outside. Natalia pursed her lips and called out, “Mr. Fowler.”

Hamilton turned, looking at her.

“Ms. Jenkins, you’re back. Come here,” he beckoned.

Asmile played on his lips, but there was a chill to it that belied his warmth.