Natalia’s lips were pulled tight, a line of tension that betrayed her unease.


    Hamilton had thrown a curveball, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Still, her heart felt heavy, as if it


    were swamped in a fog of disappointment. The man before her, it seemed, was determined to leave


    her with no way out.


    A bitter smile crept across her face. “I did say that, but you never agreed, Mr. Fowler.”


    Hamilton’s eyebrow arched slightly. “Ms. Jenkins, when you wanted to uncover the truth, you agreed to


    walk away from the house. Now that you’ve got your truth, you want to keep the house, too? Isn’t that a


    bit greedy?”


    The smile on his face was mask–like, devoid of any warmth in his eyes.


    “Hamilton.” Natalia’s voice wasced with a pain she could hardly contain as she faced him. “That


    house… it was bought with my child’s life!”


    His smile vanished in an instant. He looked at her with cold eyes, and after what felt like an eternity, he


    finally spoke. “Natalia, save me the sob story about kids. I don’t care about that.”


    Sheughed suddenly, a sound that was more a release of pent–up frustration than any real


    amusement.


    “If that’s the case, then I’m not beholden to you, Mr. Fowler. There are plenty of other fish in the sea,


    plenty of other wealthy people in this world. I’m sure if I put my heart into finding someone, I’ll find a


    willing soul.”


    Hamilton’s face darkened, his gaze growing icy as he fixed his eyes on her.


    “Natalia, I dare you say that again!” he growled.


    She met his chilling gaze and knew she had struck a nerve. She was aware of her vulnerability before


    him, aware that even the smallest trick he used on her would require her to fight with all her might.


    But she had to survive.


    “People need to live, Hamilton, and I… I just want to live well.”


    She didn’t want to keep getting hurt by him. She didn’t want to drown any longer in a hopeless


    romance.


    That was all.


    She didn’t deny her feelings for Hamilton. But it was true; she no longer wanted to return to his side.


    Hamilton reached out, his hand suddenly gripping her wrist. His face was a mask of frost, yet his


    fingers were gentle, caressing her skin tenderly.


    12.10


    “Who do you n to find. Natalia?” he asked softly, like a lover’s whisper.


    But the grip on her wrist tightened abruptly as if to snap her bones.


    Natalia concealed the pain, forcing a smile. “Anyone who can help is fine by me. After all, what we


    have is nothing more than a transaction. And if it’s just a transaction, I can surely find someone else to


    strike a deal with!”


    “Natalia!” His voice was a low rumble, almost unrecognizable with anger.


    Yet, her expression remained unfazed, as still as a stagnant pond.


    Finally, Hamilton sneered and grabbed her chin. “Do you really think someone will dare to make a deal


    with you?”


    Natalia lowered her head. She knew the truth well–if Hamilton didn’t let go, nobody would dare to cross


    him for her sake.


    After all, she might have some beauty, but in the eyes of these men, she was just a ything, a trinket.


    Who would risk Hamilton’s wrath for a trinket? But what other choice did she have?


    “There will be someone. If not in Silkwood City, then another city.”


    As Hamilton’s hold on her wrist tightened, her expression remained impassive.


    Eventually, heughed coldly.


    “So, you’d rather find just any man thane back to me? Is that it?”


    She didn’t deny it.


    He nodded, hisughter hollow. “Fine, Natalia. You chose this path. Just don’te crying back to


    me!”


    With that, he made a phone call. Momentster, his secretary entered the room.


    “Get this processed.”


    The secretary, unaware of the tension, took the paperwork and left.


    “Thank you, Mr. Fowler.” Natalia turned to leave, but Hamilton’s grip yanked her back.


    Before she could react, his lips found the nape of her neck.


    Her body stiffened, still aching from the previous night’s torment. But Hamilton didn’t go further; after a


    couple of kisses, he released her.


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    Before the end of the day, the secretary hadpleted the paperwork.


    Looking at the property deed before her, Natalia felt a mix of emotions. She took a deep breath, picked


    up the deed, and headed to the real estate agency.


    The same agent who had helped her rent an apartment a few days ago greeted her with


    surprise. “Ms. Jenkins, with a house like this, why are you renting? Isn’t the housefortable


    enough?”


    Natalia didn’t borate, simply asking him to find a buyer quickly.


    “Ms. Jenkins, your house is in a prime location, with top–notch facilities, and the asking price is


    reasonable. Rest assured, the moment word gets out, you’ll have buyers lining up.”


    She nodded, thanked him, and left.


    Approaching her rented apartment, Ryan called.


    “Natalia, Mr. Collin would like to have dinner with you. Are you avable?”


    Without hesitating, she agreed, “Sure.”


    Ever since theirst meeting, Collin had been somewhat fixated on Natalia. The Foreign Affairs


    Department wasn’t exactly short–staffed, but someone of Natalia’s caliber, capable of handling nearly


    all diplomatic trantions, was a rarity indeed. Such a talent would be wasted if not utilized by the


    Foreign Affairs Department.


    Thus, Collin had been contemting a coboration with Natalia. A direct position at the Foreign Affairs


    Department was unlikely, but a partnership was certainly feasible.


    When Natalia arrived at the meeting spot, Ryan and Collin were already waiting.


    Collin’s eyes lit up at the sight of her.


    “It’s good to see you again,” he said, barely concealing his enthusiasm.


    Natalia couldn’t help but smile in response.


    But Ryan couldn’t help frowning. He had this nagging feeling that Natalia seemed preupied with


    something.


    Yet, in front of Collin, he didn’t say much.


    Collin, on the other hand, was animated throughout. When it came to trantion, he was practically


    unstoppable,


    “By the way, have you ever met Ms. Delia?” he suddenly asked.


    Of course, Natalia knew of Delia but hadn’t met her in person.


    Collin furrowed his brow at Natalia. “I can’t shake the feeling that you and Ms. Delia… you seem to


    have something inmon.”


    Natalia chuckled. “You must be mistaken; I haven’t even seen Ms. Delia.”


    Collin’s frown deepened. “Maybe it’s that all people with a knack fornguages are good–looking.”


    Hisment made Natalia burst intoughter.


    After a few more exchanges, Collin handed a contract to Natalia.


    12:40


    “This is a draft from our trantion department. Take a look, and if everything seems fine, we can sign


    it off.”


    The terms were quite generous for Natalia and even took into ount her schedule. It was


    hard for her to refuse. After all, this was her dreame true.


    “Seems fine to me.”


    Collin immediately agreed, “Great, then let’s get it signed.”


    “Okay.”


    They signed the contract, finished their meal, and Collin hurried off.


    Ryan turned to Natalia. “Shall I drive you home?”


    She smiled and shook her head. “No need, I’ll just grab a cab.”


    But Ryan stepped in front of her. “Natalia, I just want to talk for a bit.”


    After a moment of silence, she nodded. “Alright, I appreciate it.”


    Ryan wanted to ruffle her hair but restrained himself, given her distant demeanor.


    Once they were in the car, he finally spoke up. “You seem troubled. Has something happened?”


    Natalia kept her gaze on the neon lights whizzing by the window. Sheughed lightly at his question.


    “Nothing really, just some work stuff.”


    Ryan looked at her. After a pause, he asked, “Natalia, is he treating you well?”