Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 231 Natalia was clueless about the potency of the drug she'd been given.

All she knew was that it was leagues more powerful than anything Gideon had ever given her.

With Gideon's concoction, she could at least hold onto her consciousness.

But that night, she'd been completely out of control.

Seeing the confusion on Natalia's face, Scarlett suddenly grew impatient.

"Natalia, do you even know what that was?" Natalia frowned at her, "Is something wrong?" Scarlett stepped closer, gripping her hand, a whirlwind of emotions in her heart.

"That drug... it's odorless, tasteless, and worst of all, irreversible." At Scarlett's words, Natalia's heart skipped a beat.

"Irreversible?" Scarlett grimaced at the mention.

She couldn't fathom why anyone would create such a thing.

To her, medicine was meant to heal, to ease suffering.

But now, it was being twisted for greed and desire.

After a moment of silence, she spoke, "A while back, our hospital admitted a girl, barely sixteen, who had been drugged during the holidays. Despite consulting various experts, we couldn't find a cure. Her family refused to... let her be with a man to 'solve' it. She's been in the ICU ever since, not waking up." Natalia felt a chill down her spine.

"And the chances of her waking up are slim. Multiple organs are failing," Scarlett cursed under her breath. "How could someone use such a vile drug?" Natalia listened, her thoughts in turmoil.

Scarlett, catching a certain look on Natalia's face, suddenly asked, "Does Hamilton know you were drugged with this?" Natalia shook her head, "I'm not sure." Scarlett's expression grew complicated, "Could it have been a desperate choice on his part? Did we misjudge him?" It took a moment for Natalia to respond.

She gave a small, forced smile, "Maybe?" Lowering her gaze, she hid her swirling emotions, but her clenched hands betrayed her turmoil.

It felt like a storm had erupted within her.

Her once calm heart was now shattered.

The last bit of hope she held onto was like a tiny boat amidst towering waves, ready to be engulfed at any moment.

Ronin called just then.

Natalia, adjusting her emotions, answered.

"Natalia, I should have been more careful. I'm sorry your video got leaked because of my negligence," Ronin's voice was heavy with guilt.

"It's fine. The issue's resolved. No need to blyourself," Natalia reassured him, trying to smile through the phone.

Ronin sighed, "Still, it's my fault. Though I hate to admit it, Hamilton was more thorough. Despite Ivy Gemstone being cornered, he didn't budge an inch. He stood his ground, facing off against several families without the Fowler's support." Natalia's heart raced at the mention of Ivy Gemstone.

"What do you mean, 'cornered'?" She'd been out of the loop, focusing on her recovery.

Ronin hesitated, realizing he might have said too much.

But eventually, he shared, "Hamilton took down Victor, and with the Henkel family wary of challenging the Fowlers, they and a few others targeted Ivy Gemstone. Westley Fowler refused to lend support, yet Hamilton managed to fend them off with just Ivy Gemstone." Natalia was stunned, her already chaotic thoughts swirling further.

She bit her lip, gathering her thoughts before asking, "Ronin, did Hamilton know what I was drugged with that night?" After a pause, Ronin admitted, "He knew. But taking advantage while you were vulnerable is undeniable." Natalia fell silent, her mind racing with Ronin's words.

When Ronin called out to her again, she snapped back, "What?" Ronin sighed, "Just saying, Mason was asking about you. He heard your mom woke up and said he might visit." Natalia managed a small laugh, "Thank President Joyner for me. I'm fine, and there's no need for him to go out of his way." After hanging up, Scarlett inquired, "Does Hamilton know?" Natalia nodded.

"So, did we wrong him?" Scarlett pondered.

Natalia remained silent, her emotions a tangled mess. After a long while, she dialed Hamilton.

He answered after a few rings, his voice still rough, "Natalia." She hesitated before asking, "Hamilton, you knew the drug was irreversible, right?" Hamilton's side went silent.

After what felt like an eternity, he admitted, "Yes, I knew." Even though she already had her suspicions, hearing Hamilton confess it himself made Natalia's heart clench unexpectedly.

"Why didn't you tell me!" Hamilton chuckled, "Honestly, Natalia, would you have believedif I did?" Natalia found herself at a loss for words.

If Hamilton had told her at the time, she probably wouldn't have believed him.

After all, this man had crossed the line with her more than once.

Whenever there was a chance to get an advantage, he never hesitated.

And if he had the opportunity to get her into bed, she knew he would do it without a second thought.

Natalia let out a small sigh.

She didn't dwell on what might have happened that night if the drug had an antidote because no matter what, it wouldn't change the reality. She couldn't deny the fact that he saved her, even if he did take advantage of the situation.

"Sorry, I misjudged you before."

Hamilton laughed again, "Well, you're not entirely wrong. That night, I really couldn't control myself. Once I knew there was no cure for the drug, I didn't even hesitate." "Hamilton!" Any guilt Natalia might have felt vanished without a trace, "Can you ever be serious?"

Hamilton's laughter deepened, husky and teasing, "Even though you don't remember, you were quite the m firecracker that night, Natalia. So passionate, calling out my nso many times." Natalia was so furious she hung up the phone. After ending the call, her face was a mix of anger and embarrassment.

Hamilton really was shameless to the core.

She tried to collect herself and headed back to her room, suddenly remembering she hadn't asked him about the Ivy Gemstone.

Just as Natalia was debating whether to call him back, her phone rang. It was Alden.

"Natalia, can you cover and check on my brother?"