Chapter 63
Hamilton’s mood had been stormy, a tempest brooding behind his steely gaze since the moment Victor had brought up Natalia. A
nagging irritation crept up his spine, an unwee guest that refused to leave.
He had convinced himself that Victor’sments were water off a duck’s back. After all, he had no real intentions of getting
serious with Natalia. When their contract expired, she would simply move on to the next man, a mere transaction of affection for
financial gain. Hamilton had never nned to let it get personal.
So, when others had shown interest in Natalia, it had rolled off him without leaving a trace. All that mattered was that she
understood her ce and didn’t step out of line during their arrangement.
But Victor''s tant, repeated disys of lust had begun to grate on him like an itch he couldn''t scratch.
ncing at his phone, he punched in a number.
“What''s up?”
Hamilton’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Find something for Victor to keep busy with.”
Alden was shocked. “What?”
He could hardly believe his ears. Victor might as well have been family to Hamilton; the two had grown up together, and their
bond was supposed to be solid.
Why would Hamilton suddenly find trouble with Victor?
“Didn’t you understand me? | said, find him something to do!” Hamilton’s voice had grown. colder, more distant.
Alden paused, weighing his words. “Why, though? Did something happen?”
“Nothing.” Hamilton suppressed his annoyance with the t reply.
“But why go after Victor out of the blue? If he traces it back to us, It’s going to be awkward. moving forward.”
Hamilton lit a cigarette, the me from his lighter casting a flickering shadow across his chiseled face, etching the contours of his
discontent.
“Can''t do it? If you can’t, I''ll find someone who can.”
Alden felt a chill. He could sense his brother’s vexation, the undercurrent of unease.
After a pause, he asked cautiously, “How far do you want me to go?”
This was a different game than dealing with Gideon: this time, the stakes were personal. Hamilton took a drag of his cigarette,
his eyes slits of determination.
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“Make sure he loses Interest in meddling in other people’s business.”
With that, he hung up.
Nata, who had slept too much during the day, found herself wide awake in bed. She was about to sift through her fan group for
Eveleen when a message pinged on her phone. It was a voice recording from Victor.
“Just waiting to see when you are willing to pass her my way.” Victor’s voice came through first.
Natalia’s fingers clenched around her phone. She had a hunch that Victor was referring to her. The blood drained from her lips at
the thought.
What would Hamilton’s response be?
After a long pause, Hamilton''s voice finally filled the recording.
“Mr. Henkel, if you wanna have a go, find Ms. Jenkins yourself. Like I’ve said before, if she’s up for it, | won’t stand in your way.”
Natalia’s grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. The offhand cruelty in Hamilton’s voice hurt like a dull knife
twisting in her chest.
Victor had said simr things before, but hearing them firsthand was a different kind of pain.
Hamilton really didn’t care—not one bit. Otherwise, how could he say such a thing?
As long as she was up for it, he wouldn''t stand in Victor’s way.
Then, why did he keep warning her not to get close to any other men?
A bitterugh escaped Natalia’s lips as she tried to muster a calm response to Victor’s iing call.
“Ms. Jenkins, you heard him. That’s straight from Hamilton’s mouth.”
Natalia’s heart felt heavy, but she forced herself to remainposed.
“What''s the point of sending me this, Mr. Henkel? If you’re so capable, tell Hamilton to cut me
loose!”
Victorughed lightly. “Hamilton’s a man, after all. Why would he let go of a woman so easily essible? But you, Ms. Jenkins,
what''s the point of sticking around him?”
Natalia scoffed coldly. “Whether there’s a point or not is my business, not yours, Mr. Henkel.”
“But it is my business, Ms. Jenkins. I’m waiting for my turn with you!”
Natalia’s voice wasced with venom. “Victor, go chase after someone else! The mere sight of you disgusts me. Taking those
photos of me, sending them to Hamilton, and now this recording... Your scheming is despicable!”
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Victor remained unfazed. “So what if | am? ‘Despicable‘ is a man’s middle name. How about this? Sleep with me just once, and |
won''t tell Hamilton. I''ll leave you alone after that. Deal?”
“Get lost!”
Natalia’s anger boiled over, and she hung up, her breathsing in ragged sips. She contemted calling Hamilton, demanding
to know why he warned her against other men while speaking so callously to Victor.
If he didn’t care, why get angry over her casual conversations with others? If he did care, why would he speak to Victor that way?
But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to dial. She no longer had the courage.
With Hamilton, the friction she encountered was relentless, so much so that it sapped her very courage to question it. She
dreaded hearing anything more unbearable. Thest thing she wanted was to demean herself further.
Scarlett swung by the hospital after her shift ended. As she entered, she caught sight of Natalia’s pallidplexion.
Startled, Scarlett rushed over and pressed her hand to Natalia’s forehead. “What''s wrong? Feeling sick again? Why do you look
so ghastly?”
Natalia fought back the sting in her eyes and shook her head. “It’s nothing, just a nightmare.”
Relief washed over Scarlett. “Oh, | thought it was something serious. It’s just a nightmare? Come on, you’re a grown-up, still
getting upset over dreams?”
A faint smile crept across Natalia’s face.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Scarlett nced around. “Where’s Hamilton? He’s not here?”
Natalia shook her head. “No, he’s not.”
“Wasn''t he here this afternoon?*
Natalia averted her eyes. “He had to go.”
Scarlett nodded, unaware of Natalia’s difort. She started to recount how awful Hamilton looked when he came by at noon,
how he even tossed the lunch he brought straight into the trash can.
Natalia didn’t want to talk about Hamilton. Scarlett spoke, Natalia only listened, offering no response.
After a while, Scarlett asked, “Think you''ll manage to sleep on your own? Want me to stay with you?”
Natalia chuckled lightly. “No need, I’m not that delicate. You better head home.”
Scarlett didn’t insist. Everyone has their way, she reasoned. She nodded, gave Natalia a few more instructions, and then left.
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Nataliay in bed, eventually drifting into a fitful sleep after some time.
In the middle of the night, she suddenly felt as if someone was pressing down on her.
She woke up with a start, about to cry out, but her lips were instantly silenced by the other person''s kiss.