Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 264 Hamilton was a man of action. By the evening, a video clearing the air was already making rounds online.

And, just as it hit the web, it was like wildfire - shared and commented on by major influencers.

The tide of public opinion, previously one-sided, flipped almost instantly.

What Natalia hadn't expected was Hamilton dragging Patrick into the limelight.

Patrick, the mastermind behind the scenes, quickly becthe target of online vitriol.

Following that, the lid was blown off the dealings Patrick had with bribing employees from Ron Group for their bids.

One by one, financial discrepancies and tax issues within Schafer Pharma were laid bare for all to see.

Hamilton had backed Patrick into a corner this time.

Patrick, face ashen, scrolled through the explosive headlines.

A chill climbed up his spine.

He had a sinking feeling that this might truly be the end for him.

He frantically made calls, but no one on the other end seemed willing to pick up.

In a fit of rage, Patrick hurled his phone onto the couch.

Lucinda Lynd, just recently released from detention, still sported bruises on her face.

"Is this mess because of that witch Natalia again?" Patrick's face was a stormy shade of blue.

"Who else but her!" Lucinda's eyes reddened with fury, "I heard Eveleen tried to take her life a few days ago, now bound to a wheelchair, and Hamilton didn't even bother to visit. It's all because of Natalia. Our family is being tormented to death by that witch!" Mentioning this only added to Patrick's frustration.

"But Hamilton's got her back so fiercely, what can I possibly do? I've thought of everything!" Lucinda burst into tears.

"Patrick, no matter what, you can't let the company fall apart, and you can't just abandon Eveleen overseas!" Patrick, tormented by her sobbing, snapped, "Can you please stop crying!" Lucinda froze, "You're yelling at me? Patrick, you're useless. Is yelling atall you can do?" With that, she lunged at Patrick, scratching his face.

Patrick, caught off guard, retaliated with a slap.

Lucinda, not expecting Patrick to actually hit her, screamed and pounced on him.

The two entangled in a fierce brawl, while the servants in the room dared not breathe too loudly.

Just then, the doorbell rang, draining the color from Patrick's face.

He feared the worst - the police.

But soon, a servant cin.

"Mr. Schafer, there's someone outside asking to see you." Meanwhile, in an apartment, Natalia struggled to get out of bed and head to the bathroom.

Hamilton followed closely behind.

"It's late, why don't you stay over?" he suggested.

Natalia shot him a look, "Hamilton, I told you to takehome. And you?" Hamilton chuckled, scratching his nose, "Wasn't this about discussing the Ron Group project?" Natalia tossed a towel at him in response.

Discuss my foot! The moment they got home, he had her pinned to the bed, and she realized, you just can't trust a word this man says. Hamilton lifted her into the bathtub.

"Take a bath, relax. If you really want to go hlater, I'll drive you." Saying so, he joined her in the tub.

Natalia glanced at him, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

Hamilton, seizing the moment, began to massage her legs.

Natalia instinctively tried to resist, but Hamilton was already coaxing her. "Feeling sore? Lethelp." Natalia's lips twitched, but she remained silent. Her legs were indeed sore.

Hamilton had hardly given her a moment's rest these past days.

"Hamilton, I can't help but worry," Natalia voiced her unease.

"What's worrying you?" Hamilton arched an eyebrow.

"I'm afraid Patrick might do something desperate." Hamilton's gaze flickered, "I'll arrange for more security around you." Natalia frowned, saying nothing. Something about the situation felt unsettling.

But Hamilton, taking advantage of her distraction, leaned in for a kiss.

Natalia jumped, "Hamilton, what are you doing?" Unabashed, Hamilton teased, "It's been a while since we've done it in the bathtub." Natalia's expression darkened, "Can't you ever stop?" But Hamilton had already made his move.

The water in the tub sloshed around them like waves crashing over the edge. "Hamilton?" "Yeah, I'm here." He wrapped her in his arms, whispering seductively, "Natalia, call'honey." Natalia bit her lip hard, refusing to utter those words.

Hamilton gently bit her collarbone, "Then just callHamilton." His pace was deliberate, allowing no escape yet denying any quick release.

Natalia, driven to tears, finally uttered in a whisper, "Hamilton." At her call, Hamilton nearly lost control.

His desire deepened, his grip on her waist tightened, and he began a fervent assault.

Natalia was left utterly spent.

Carried from the bathroom to the bed, she fell into a deep sleep.

Hamilton, looking down at her still flushed face, felt an immense sense of satisfaction.

When Natalia awoke the next morning, it took her a moment to realize she was in the apartment.

"Woke up?"

Hamilton's voice cfrom behind, catching Natalia off-guard. She spun around, only to find that jerk that jerk lounging beside her propping his head up with one hand while giving her that all-too-familiar smirk. Without hesitation, Natalia grabbed a throw pillow and smacked it right into his face. "Jerk!" Hamilton just chuckled, pulling her into an embrace, "Yeah, I'm your jerk." Struggling to sit up with a sore back, Natalia was met with Hamilton, who was already fetching her clothes and bringing them over to the bed.

She eyed the clothes he picked out for her, they screamed Hamilton's conservative taste through and through. Despite the scorching heat, he had chosen a turtleneck for her. Catching onto her thoughts, Hamilton quipped, "Got slove bites, Ms. Jenkins? Surely you don't plan on heading to work showing those off?" Natalia shot him a glare but ended up slipping into the clothes anyway.

The housekeeper couldn't hide her amusement upon seeing Natalia emerge from the bedroom, while Natalia herself felt somewhat awkward.

The housekeeper's chuckle broke the d. You silence, "Don't worry, Ms. Jenkins. I only arrived early this morning) MP. Fowler mentioned you might stay here from tto time. I'll be here during the day and head back to my place at night." Her words only made Natalia more uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Hamilton seemed as refreshed as ever, taking his seat at the table with ease.

After the housekeeper disappeared into the kitchen with a smile, Natalia joined Hamilton at the table, picking at her food.

Post-breakfast, Hamilton offered Natalia a tie.

She glanced at him, took it, and began tying it around his neck.

Hamilton leaned down for a quick kiss, "Heading to the office?" "Today, they're kicking off the NorthSuburb project again. I need to swing by." Hamilton nodded in agreement.

"Let's go, I'll drive you." In the car, Hamilton took Natalia's hand, "I've assigned a few more people to your detail. Make sure you're also looking out for yourself." Natalia nodded, then turned to Hamilton, "You too." Hamilton smiled, "Don't worry, your man isn't that easy to hurt."