Lucinda chuckled and rose to her feet.


    "Graham, you better not let me down."


    Graham''sugh revealed a set of yellowed teeth, his murky eyes fixed on Lucinda.


    "The job''s easy enough, but the real trick is having the cash on time, Mrs. Schafer. If the money''ste, my lips might just get a bit loose."


    The smile vanished from Lucinda''s face as if it had never been there.


    "Graham, we''ve done business before. You know what I''m like. Spare me the threats and the shenanigans. I won''t be bullied."


    With that, she turned and strode out with her head held high.


    Downstairs, in the car, Eveleen saw Lucinda approaching and quickly inquired, "How did it go?"


    Lucinda let out a softugh. "That Graham is as dumb as he is greedy. But don''t worry, he''s got Natalia in a vice grip. As long as he''s in the picture, she''ll drop thewsuit like a hot potato."


    Eveleen exhaled with relief, then snorted dismissively, crumpling the subpoena in her hand and tossing it aside.


    Lucinda''s eyes darkened as she nced at the crumpled paper. The subpoena hadnded at the Schafer family''s doorstep a couple of days ago. They never imagined that Natalia would have the guts to sue Eveleen, and what was more, to hire Caspian of all people. Where did that little minx get the clout to engage someone of Caspian''s stature?


    Lucinda''s expression soured, but after a moment, her eyes sparked with an idea.


    "The best move is to get Hamilton on this. If he steps in, not even Caspian could refuse you. He might even help take down Natalia."


    Eveleen''s face fell further. Did Lucinda really think she hadn''t considered Hamilton?


    At dinner earlier that day, she''d broached the subject with Hamilton, but he hadn''t bitten. Throughout their conversation, he only seemed interested in discussing cosmetic surgery.


    Hamilton''s recent aloofness was all too apparent. Even though he''d promised a lifetime of support, each favor asked was one less in the bank. And with Hamilton''s current favoritism towards Natalia, Eveleen couldn''t be sure he''d take her side. So, she''d rather turn to Graham.


    "I don''t want to involve him," Eveleen replied, her voice tinged with irritation.


    Natalia stared at her hung-up phone, her expression stormy. After a deep breath to calm herself, she dialed Alden''s number.


    In an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Silkwood City, screams echoed from within.


    Hamilton''s hands were wrapped in thick bandages, already stained a dark crimson. Blood spattered his face and clothes as he tugged at his cor, then produced a wickedly sharp dagger. Another scream shattered the silence.


    Alden, who stood by, turned a shade paler. Since arriving, Hamilton hadn''t uttered a single word, venting his fury on Orpheus-waking him from unconsciousness only to torment him further.


    Thest time Alden had seen Hamilton like this was with Graham. Concern etched his features; this could turn fatal.


    He was about to intervene when his phone rang. Seeing who it was, Alden''s eyes lit up.


    "Hamilton, Ms. Jenkins is calling me."


    Hamilton, wrapping his bandaged hand, responded with a disinterested "Answer."


    Alden put the call on speaker.


    "Alden, could you find me a couple of bodyguards?"


    Natalia''s voice came through, prompting a coldugh from Hamilton.


    She''d rather ask Alden than him.


    Hamilton''s boot crashed into Orpheus''s knee, the snap of breaking bone filled the air as Orpheus passed out once more.


    Natalia, hearing themotion over the phone, paused sharply.


    "Alden, what''s going on?"


    Alden, his lips drained of color, nced at Hamilton, who had finally stopped his assault and was lighting a cigarette. The tension on Hamilton''s face was unmistakable. Alden quickly ended the speaker function to continue speaking with Natalia privately. Returning to the scene, Hamilton had taken a seat. Orpheus, barely recognizable as human, was begging through bloodied lips, "Please, sir, I made a mistake, spare my life, I swear I know I was wrong."


    Resting his elbows on his knees, Hamilton methodically unwound his bandage and casually asked, "Did Eveleen have a hand in this?"This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Caught off guard, Alden hesitated but quickly caught on and looked at Orpheus for confirmation.


    Orpheus, not daring to dy, nodded vigorously.


    "She came to me, sir. I never meant to off that woman-it was Eveleen. She insisted Natalia had to die."


    Hamilton''s brow furrowed deeper, his eyes swirling with a chilling intensity. After a long pause, heughed dryly, stood up, and walked away, tossing out an order over his shoulder.


    "Take him to the police."


    Alden heaved a sigh of relief, having feared for a moment that Hamilton might kill Orpheus himself. He signaled the men nearby, then followed Hamilton out.


    Outside, Hamilton was leaning against his car, smoking. Alden approached and asked, "What''s the next step?"


    Hamilton took a long drag on his cigarette, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke before finally responding to the question that had been hanging in the air. "If you were Natalia, would you ever forgive me?" He was surprised to find himself thinking of her at a time like this, a wave of panic rising in him like nothing he''d ever felt before.


    Alden shifted ufortably, unsure of what to say. After all, nobody could truly know how much heartache she''d endured.


    "Hamilton, you really need to sort things out with Eveleen first. Otherwise, I bet Ms. Jenkins won''t change her mind, no matter what." Hamilton let out a shortugh, "And how do you propose I do that?"


    Alden hesitated, at a loss for words.


    After what felt like ages, he finally managed a response. "You''ve got to draw a clear line with Eveleen, that''s for sure."


    Hamilton released another puff of smoke into the air, his silence speaking volumes.


    Alden was getting anxious for his brother.


    "Hamilton, if you don''t make a move soon, Ms. Jenkins is going to be someone else''s catch."


    A shadow passed over Hamilton''s eyes, and with a scoff, he turned to Alden. "You''re overthinking it."


    In his mind, nobody was going to take Natalia away from him. Not on his watch.


    The next morning arrived swiftly.


    The bodyguard Alden had arranged for was already on the scene.


    Natalia, coincidentally, had just received a call from Caspian about discussing a case.


    After giving the bodyguard a few instructions, she hurried off to meet him.


    Caspian was already there waiting when she arrived.


    Seeing her enter, he chuckled, "Why the rush? Take your time."


    "It''s not good to keep you waiting, Mr. Spiegel," she replied.


    "Sometimes waiting can be its own kind of joy," Caspian tossed the words out casually.


    Natalia paused, momentarily thrown. If she didn''t know for a fact that Caspian had no romantic interest in her, she might have misunderstood his intentions. "Your future wife must be very happy," she remarked.


    Caspian''s gaze flickered, and he smiled but quickly moved the conversation to the case at hand.


    Natalia''s evidence was solid, the chainplete, which meant winning thewsuit shouldn''t be too difficult.


    After briefing her on the basics, Caspian suddenly shifted the topic. "Eveleen was involved in the kidnapping, too. Are you nning to press charges against her as well?"