Natalia was at a loss for words when asked about her rtionship with Hamilton.


    The truth was, there was no “treating her well” to speak of–it was purely transactional.


    “It’s okay, I guess.” she replied with a forced smile, recalling the past three years of what could be


    termed as pleasant business dealings.


    But Ryan saw through her facade, noting the hint of sadness in her eyes. He wanted to ask more, to


    delve deeper, but he hesitated, aware of the intrusion it would be.


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    After a long silence, he finally spoke up, “Natalia, I’ve always liked you.”


    It took a lot of guts for Ryan to confess his feelings. He had been searching for Natalia for three years


    and had waited just as long for a chance with her. He was overjoyed when she suddenly reached out to


    him, but to his dismay, she was involved with someone else.


    He knew it wasn’t the right moment to express his feelings, yet he couldn’t help but make his affections


    known. Even if she couldn’t reciprocate, he wanted her to know she had an option in him, a fallback if


    things with the other man turned sour.


    Natalia, taken aback, could only manage a bitter chuckle. “Ryan, I’m not the good girl you think I am.


    You deserve someone better.”


    With herplicated past and current entanglements with Hamilton, Natalia didn’t see herself as a


    catch. Ryan, with his good looks, abilities, and family background, should be with someone untainted


    by scandal, not someone like her, with a tarnished reputation.


    Ryan just smiled softly. “Natalia, I’m not trying to mess up your rtionship. I just want you to know that


    if you ever find yourself unhappy, I can be an option for you. No pressure.”


    ↑


    His voice was gentle, and his manner never rushed. Ryan had always been a man of decorum, a true


    gentleman, unlike the superficial charm of Hamilton.


    Natalia was at a loss for words, but Ryan didn’t press the matter further and instead shifted the


    conversation to lighter topics. Natalia was rather thankful he spared her any difort.


    The car moved quietly through the night, ssical music ying softly in the background. Ryan only


    dropped Natalia off at the entrance to her apartmentplex before leaving.


    As Natalia walked in, she saw Hamilton waiting for her, a cigarette between his fingers. He didn’t move


    when he saw her; he just raised an eyebrow and chuckled.


    “Ms. Jenkins, seems like you’re forgetting who you are,” Hamilton remarked.


    Taking a deep breath, Natalia tried to exin, “I had dinner with Collin tonight. I’ve signed a contract


    with the Foreign Affairs Department. I’ll be doing some consulting work for them.”


    Hamilton just watched her, saying nothing more.


    Natalia, feeling the conversation was over, turned and headed for her apartment. Hamilton


    10.40


    stubbed out his cigarette and followed her inside, carrying a box of condoms from his car. Both knew


    what was going to happen next.


    Once inside, Hamilton went straight to business, using her for his own gratification before showering,


    dressing, and leaving in silence.


    Natalia was left alone, feeling more hollow than ever. She knew this was the nature of their


    arrangement and that she should ept it. She had to.


    After a while, she took a shower and tried to sleep. She had hoped the real estate agent was right, that


    her house would sell quickly. But the next morning, the agent called with bad news.


    “Ms. Jenkins, did you upset someone? Lots of people are interested in the house, but as soon as your


    namees up, they lose interest. What’s going on? Is there a problem with the house?”


    Natalia knew Hamilton was likely behind this. She called him, trying to confront the issue.


    “Yes?” Hamilton sounded busy, probably outside.


    “Holding grudges, Hamilton? What’s the point?” Natalia clutched her phone tightly.


    Hamilton justughed and hung up.


    Frustrated but powerless, Natalia instructed the agent to keep looking for a buyer.


    Just when she had lost all hope, the agent called her with a potential viewing.


    “Ms. Jenkins, someone wants to see the house. Please, make sure you’re there on time.”


    Her spirits lifted, Natalia agreed and rushed to the property.


    But upon arriving, her heart sank. Gideon Chappelle stood at the door, a sinister smile on his face.


    Forcing calm into her voice, Natalia greeted him, “Mr. Chappelle, what a surprise to see you here.”


    Gideon’s eyes greedily roamed over her. “I’m here to see the house, Ms. Jenkins. Surprised?”


    He had almost had his way with her once before, only for Hamilton to intervene. Since then, he had


    been craving another opportunity but had been wary of Hamilton’s influence.


    Now, he had heard that Natalia and Hamilton had a falling out, and he was eager to see who


    would save her this time.


    “Gideon, you know the rtionship I have with Hamilton!” Natalia stood rigid, feigning


    Gideon just snorted withughter. “Natalia, do you really think I don’t know you’ve had a fallout with


    Hamilton?”


    “Who told you we had a falling out? It was just a lovers‘ tiff. You should know better than to take it


    seriously. Or should I just call him right now, clear the air with you?”


    12:40


    With that, she boldly dialed Hamilton’s number right in front of Gideon.


    Before the call even connected, Gideon surged forward, his anger boiling over as he smashed Natalia’s


    phone to the floor.


    His teeth gritted with fury; he grasped Natalia by the throat.


    He truly feared Hamilton. That man was ruthless and never showed mercy in his dealings. But after


    waiting for so long, Gideon would not let his prize slip away.


    A vicious glint crossed his eyes. He pried open Natalia’s mouth and forced a pill inside.


    Natalia tried to retch it out, but he made her swallow it against her will.


    “Ms. Jenkins, let’s see whates first – the kick of my pill or your savior Hamilton arriving. Once


    you’re under the influence, it won’t be me forcing you anymore!”


    Natalia’s face turned ghostly pale. She knew too well Hamilton wouldn’te to her rescue.


    “Gideon, aren’t you scared Hamilton will have your head for this?”


    Gideon chuckled darkly. “Ms. Jenkins, it was you who shamelessly climbed into my bed!”


    Her lips trembled with fear.


    “Even if I did, do you think Hamilton would let go of someone who cuckolded him? Gideon, you should


    know better than anyone how Hamilton deals with his enemies. And besides, hasn’t Victor been


    spreading rumors about me seducing him? Guess why Hamilton went after Victor’s business not too


    long ago?”


    Gideon’s expression changed instantly, his face contorted with rage.


    He had heard about the sudden strike Hamilton had made on Victor’spany and had been puzzled


    by the animosity between the former allies.


    Now, the pieces fell into ce, and a grim realization dawned on him.


    zing with anger, he red at Natalia. He did desire her, but to cross Hamilton for a woman like her


    was not worth the risk.


    Yet, to give up without a fight was against his nature.


    He pped Natalia hard across the face. “Natalia, you just wait. I don’t believe Hamilton can protect


    you forever!”


    With that, Gideon stormed out, seething with fury.


    Natalia slumped to the floor, drained.


    The drug was taking effect; her body was heating up, and her legs felt weak.


    The real estate agent rushed over to find Natalia sitting on the ground, a clear handprint on her face.


    “Ms. Jenkins, what happened? Where’s the client who was viewing the house?”


    12:40


    With tears in her eyes and shaking hands, she pleaded, “Can you call me a cab?”


    “Of course, just a moment.”


    Soon after, the taxi arrived.


    Natalia, mustering all her strength, climbed into the car.


    Stumbling into her apartment, she noticed a shadowy figure in the dimly lit hallway.


    Her vision was blurry, but instinct told her it was Hamilton.


    She wanted to rush into his arms, the drug–induced agony almost robbing her of her sanity. But she


    held back.


    She didn’t want anyone to touch her in this state, Hamilton included.


    His voice wasced with irritation. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”


    Natalia didn’t reply. Instead, she staggered into her apartment, fumbling with the door.


    Hamilton caught her wrist from behind.


    Natalia’s body jerked.


    “Let me go!” she cried out in sudden panic, then hugged herself and stepped back.


    “Don’t touch me, please, just don’t.”


    It was then that Hamilton realized something was terribly wrong. His face darkened immediately. His


    long fingers lifted her chin, and he saw the p mark on her face.


    His voice was colder than frost. “Who did this to you?”