Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 90

Victor's business was typically buzzing with the hustle and bustle of financial disputes and the like. He was a busy man, sure, but he wasn’t one to lose his cool.

That was until Hamilton gave him that heads-up to watch his back with the board of directors.

Victor went back and shook up the whole board, ruffling more than a few feathers in the process. It was only a few days ago that he realized the board was squeaky clean. The real troublemaker with all those financial snafus was Hamilton.

One word from Hamilton, and Victor was turned inside out. The only reason Victor could fathom for Hamilton’s vendetta was Natalia.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

And that was a bitter pill to swallow.

So here he was, today. He wouldn’t dare touch Hamilton, but Natalia? That was a different story.

Natalia blinked in surprise, not expecting Hamilton to have actually made a move against Victor.

>t

Her lips paled slightly, her heart a tangled mess, but in an instant, her composure returned.

Hamilton messing with Victor? Probably had nothing to do with her. She knew her place all

too well.

“What does this have to do with me?” she asked.

Victor scoffed, “Nothing, really? I've known Hamilton since we were kids. If not for you, why would he sabotage my company?”

Natalia’s retort was cold. “Maybe he just doesn’t like seeing you cozy up to Eveleen. Everyone knows you had a thing for her, right? And let’s be honest, Eveleen is his darling, Mr. Henkel. You know as well as | do that I’m nothing to Mr. Fowler. Do you really think he’d go after your

because of me?”

Victor narrowed his eyes, considering her words before replying, “Hamilton’s known about me and Eveleen for ages, and he’s never raised a fuss about it!”

Natalia remained indifferent, “Then maybe you should ask Mr. Fowler. Perhaps he’s just grown tired of seeing you and Eveleen together.”

Victor laughed dryly. “Ms. Jenkins, you're quite the spin doctor. Do you really think I’ll buy it? Hamilton raised hell over you yesterday. | heard even Eveleen got an earful. Ms. Jenkins, I've underestimated you!”

Natalia’s grip on her paperwork tightened. She fought to keep her cool, facing Victor. “Mr. Henkel, your quarrel isn’t with me. | have nothing to do with your company’s woes. Now, if you’d excuse me, | have work to do.”

15:48

But Victor didn’t budge. He stepped closer to Natalia, “Ms. Jenkins, you sure you don’t want to reconsider my offer?” Natalia was taken aback that he was bringing this up again. “Sorry, not interested!”

“How much is Hamilton paying you? I'll triple it. What do you say?”

Natalia tricU to maintain her composure. “Mr. Henkel, are you that desperate? Isn’t this a bit undignified?”

Victor, of course, was never short on female company. He'd had his share of flings, more than he could count. He’d tasted every flavor out there, but Natalia was like an itch he couldn't scratch, always out of reach, and it drove him mad.

He didn’t care about his way. He just wanted her, by any means necessary. Nobody knew how much she got under his skin. “Doesn't matter how it looks, as long as | get to be with Ms. Jenkins, I’m good,” he said.

Natalia clenched her teeth, “Victor, do you really think Hamilton isn’t monitoring this office? If he sees you lingering, he might come after you again. You know what he’s capable of!”

Victor's face soured at the thought.

If it weren’t for his fear of Hamilton, Natalia would have been his long ago. He remembered the torment Hamilton had put him through these past months. A glint of malice flashed in his eyes as he leaned in, his voice sinister, “What if | took you right now? Would Hamilton kill you or me?”

Natalia’s face paled. “Victor, | don’t know if Hamilton would kill you, but he sure wouldn't let you off easy. What kind of man would let another touch his woman? Would sleeping with me. once be worth Hamilton’s wrath?”

Victor suddenly laughed, “You think you're his woman? You're just a plaything.”

“But even as a plaything, | belong to Hamilton,” she shot back.

Victor's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Natalia jerked away from him, opening the door. “Mr. Henkel, there’s the door. Please leave.”

Victor had to admit, he was a bit wary of making a move on Natalia now. Hamilton’s lesson had been painful. Even though it'd only been two months, it would take years for his

company to recover. But he couldn't let it go. Even as he left, he had to jab at Natalia one more time.

“Ms. Jenkins, you think you're having fun? You think you can compete with Eveleen? Do you have any how much Hamilton values her?”

ides

Natalia ignored him. She’d never intended to compete with Eveleen. She knew her worth. And she knew how much Hamilton valued Eveleen, but she was done arguing with Victor.

“Mr. Henkel, please show yourself out.”

15:48

In the midst of a bustling crowd, Victor refrained from saying much more, but his gaze lingered on Natalia a few times.

She had an impeccable figure, with luscious hair cascading softly over her shoulders. Even her waist seemed a tad more slender than before.

So when he remarked that Natalla looked even more stunning than she used to, he wasn’t Just whistling Dixie.

Now, her complexion was an unhealthy shade of pale, yet she managed to wear her business attire with a touch of grace.

Victor's eyes narrowed slightly, a tingling curiosity growing inside him.

“| wonder if you have heard, Ms. Jenkins? The old Mr. Fowler has started pushing Hamilton to get married. So, who do you think itll be? Will he marry Eveleen or walk you down the aisle? Oh, and speaking of which, | heard that for Hamilton’s birthday bash, the old Mr. Fowler is planning to seal Hamilton’s nuptial deal. Did you get an invite?”

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away. Natalia stood rooted to the spot, her face growing even paler if that was possible.

It took a while before she could compose herself. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the contract and headed toward Hamilton's office.

Hamilton flipped through the contract and then tossed it aside.

He looked up at Natalia and asked, “Not feeling well again?”

Natalia’s face was still far from rosy. “No, I’m fine.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You look terrible. Are alright?”

you sure you

Natalia avoided his gaze. “I’m really okay.”

Hamilton grunted, not convinced but also not shifting his piercing gaze.

Natalia took a deep breath and decided to come clean. “Victor came to see me just now.” Hamilton’s expression didn’t change, indicating he was already in the loop.

“And then what?”

“Then he said that you had a scuffle with him. And he’s trying to pin the blame on me. Mr. Fowler, if you could, maybe you could set the record straight with him.”

Hamilton just watched her, and after an eternity, he let out a light chuckle. “Well, he isn’t completely wrong to accuse you.”

Natalia’s brows furrowed slightly, and then she heard Hamilton say, “Indeed, it was because of you that | had a go at him.”