Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 220 Natalia paused for a moment.

"What would you like to eat? I'll cook it and have someone deliver it to you." Hamilton's deep chuckle cthrough from the other end, "Why don't you cover and cook for me, Natalia? If you're thanking me, you might as well show ssincerity." "If Mr. Fowler isn't keen on eating, we can leave it at that." Hamilton laughed, "Is this your way of saying thanks?" Natalia, "Hamilton, I truly appreciate what you've done for me." Hamilton was silent for a moment, "I'd like sof your barbecue ribs." "Alright." Natalia answered and promptly hung up the phone.

Hamilton looked at the disconnected call and couldn't help but smile wryly.

He glanced at the housekeeper preparing a hangover cure in the kitchen.

"No need for the cure, go to the market and get sgroceries." The housekeeper looked puzzled, "Mr. Fowler, we still have groceries at home." Hamilton got up and headed towards the bathroom, casually leaving a note, "Get something Ms. Jenkins likes." The housekeeper paused, "Is Ms. Jenkins coming over for dinner?" "Prepare it to send over to her," Hamilton said as he walked away.

The housekeeper nodded and started packing up to leave.

Hamilton suddenly called out to her, "Do you know what Ms. Jenkins likes to eat? Besides sweets, does she like fish, or maybe shrimp?" The housekeeper seemed troubled.

Although she had been working there for months, the number of times she cooked for Natalia was limited. Knowing she liked sweets was already a good guess.

"Mr. Fowler, you've been around her much longer than I have. You should know better." Hamilton's expression darkened upon hearing this. It wasn't meant to be a taunt, but it sounded like one to him. With a bit of alcohol still in his system, his face beceven more intimidating.

Seeing Hamilton's dark expression, the housekeeper quickly added, "I'll head to the market now. I remember Ms. Jenkins enjoyed the shrimp dumplings I made once, she had several. She might like that, I'll steam swhen I get back." After saying that, she hurried off.

Hamilton stood still, an icy aura around him.

Natalia had a meeting in the afternoon.

By the tit ended, it was almost closing time.

Ronin, carrying two sets of documents, followed her into her office.

"These two properties seem like the best options right now. They might not compare to North Suburb, but they meet your criteria. I've contacted them, how about we have dinner with one of them tonight?" Natalia paused, "Not tonight, let's reschedule." Ronin didn't think much of it and agreed right away.

But after answering, he looked at Natalia suspiciously.

"Where are you going tonight?" Natalia, "That's my personal business, Mr. Joyner. Mind your own." "You're going to see Hamilton, aren't you?" Ronin looked at her, clearly exasperated.

Natalia, "No, I'm just returning a favor." Ronin was grinding his teeth in frustration.

"Natalia, haven't I helped you too? Why is it that Hamilton helps you once, and you make such a big deal out of it?" Natalia was silent for a moment, "Because I don't want to owe him anything." Ronin was taken aback, "So, you're saying you're okay with owing me?" "We're just friends, Ronin. It's normal for friends to help each other," Natalia gathered her things and headed downstairs.

Ronin, gritting his teeth, "So in your heart, Hamilton is still special, is that it?" Natalia paused but didn't answer.

Ronin followed her to the parking lot before saying, "I'll cwith you." Natalia stopped, "No need." She wasn't actually going to see Hamilton.

Ronin chuckled, "Why not? If he can crash my dinner, why can't I crash his?" As Ronin tried to get into Natalia's car, Killian stepped in, blocking the car door.

"Mr. Joyner, getting into Ms. Jenkins' car like this could harm her reputation." Ronin scoffed and tried to go around to the other side, but Killian swiftly moved to block the door again.

Natalia, feeling a headache coming on, walked right past them and hailed a cab.

Watching Natalia drive away, Ronin was close to kicking Killian in frustration.

"Killian, you really are Hamilton's dog!" Killian looked at Ronin, "Mr. Joyner, you're looking a bit like a love-struck puppy right now." With that, Killian didn't wait for Ronin to react and drove off.

Ronin picked up his phone and called Hamilton.

"Hamilton, if you're so confident, let's compete fairly. What's with sending Killian to hover around Natalia?" Hamilton's voice was tinged with laziness, "Ronin, you hover around her all day and I can't have someone on my side?" Ronin sneered, "Your mind works in twisted ways!" Hamilton, "And you're straightforward?" Ronin, "At least I don't play games with her. If you really want to help Natalia, why not do it quietly? You're just using this as an excuse to owe her a favor!" Hamilton laughed softly, "Why would I want to do it quietly? If I help her, I want her to know." After saying that, he hung up.

Hamilton looked at the disconnected call, his expression fluctuating.

It wasn't that he didn't want to help Natalia quietly.

It's just, he always thought she should have the choice.

Too bad, she never chose.

Natalia took the cab straight to the market.

After buying ribs, she picked up a few other ingredients.

After finishing the cooking, she immediately called Alden.

Once they agreed on a spot, she took the food and headed out.

The weather had taken a turn for the warmer.

Natalia, clad in a trench coat, stood in the evening glow, a thermal bag in hand, Hamilton looked out the window, his gaze profound and lingering.

Even from a distance, he found it hard to look away.

Alden glanced outside at Natalia.

Then, back at Hamilton sitting in the passenger seat, feeling a bit helpless.

He really didn't get it, how long these two were planning to be so stubborn.

Natalia's call cthrough again, prompting Hamilton to grab them thermal bag from the back seat and ET open the car door. In the night, his confident stride carried an edge of urgency.

Hamilton stopped a few steps away from Natalia.

As if sensing his gaze, she turned her head, her grip on the thermal bag e tightening. "Why is it you?" Her face instantly masked with cool detachment, "Where's Alden?" Hamilton chuckled, closing the distance between them.

"Well, if it's my food, I should be the one to pick it up." Natalia paused for a moment before handing the thermal bag over to him.

"Thanks. For everything with Gideon, and for today." Hamilton reached out to take the bag but suddenly grasped her hand instead.

Then, in one swift motion, he pulled her into his embrace.