A makeshift sign, a fan''s deration of devotion, struck Hamilton square in the back with the weight of an unwanted gift.


    Natalia gasped, her voice escaping in a mix of shock and concern, "Hamilton!"


    It was only after she called out that she realized herpse inposure.


    Hamilton''s brow furrowed in a sh of pain.


    Then, turning to face the fan, his gaze was so icy it could have frozen the room.


    The fan nched under his cold stare.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Fowler, I-I was aiming for that home-wrecker! Our darling Eveleen has been wronged by her! Mr. Fowler, you must avenge our Eveleen!" Upon finishing, the fan''s words only darkened Hamilton''s expression further.


    "How did you get in here?"


    Security at the courthouse was tight, and fan signs were definitely not on the approved items list.


    The fan''s knees buckled with fear, and as tears began to flow, Hamilton''s questioning gaze didn''t let up.


    "I just can''t stand her, Hamilton! You and our Eveleen are meant to be! That woman is nothing but a mistress!" The fan''s emotions escted.


    Alden hurried over with security to detain the trembling fan.


    "Bro, you alright?"


    Hamilton didn''t respond, his eyes instead found Natalia.


    "Are you hurt?"


    She shook her head, "No."


    Then after a brief pause added, "Thank you."


    Her face remained pale.


    Truth be told, ever since Eveleen unveiled that psychiatric assessment, Natalia had been somewhat distracted.


    When the sign was hurled, she hadn''t even thought to duck.


    Hamilton''s heart sank at her courteous "thank you."


    Why did she have to be so formal with him?


    His expression darkened, "What were you thinking? Didn''t you see thating at you?"


    Alden frowned at this exchange.


    Was this really the time for such words?


    Shouldn''t he beforting her now?


    "Natalia, my brother''s hurt. Could you look after him for a bit? I need to handle this fan situation."


    The fans, agitated over Eveleen''s ordeal in court, were causing quite amotion at the entrance.


    Natalia nodded and turned to Hamilton.


    "Are you injured?"


    Even a fan sign couldn''t inflict serious damage.


    But it was Hamilton who had shielded her; had the sign hit her, it would''ve likely struck her face with dire consequences. So, she felt obliged to ask.


    Hamilton frowned at her, on the verge of saying more but ultimately just grunted in acknowledgment.


    Natalia''s eyes shed with concern.


    "Is it bad?"


    Her tone wasden with worry, though Hamilton could tell she wasn''t really concerned about his injury. Seeing through this, Hamilton felt a sting of frustration.


    "Natalia, do you think I''ll sue you over this?"


    She nced at him, "Let''s get you to a doctor."


    Hamilton scoffed, "It hurts, but it''s not that bad. No need for a doctor. Don''t worry, I won''t hold you responsible."


    After a moment of silence, Natalia finally said, "Let''s go. We''ll see a doctor."


    She started to leave.


    Hamilton was about to follow when someone called, "Mr. Fowler!"


    Lucinda approached with tears in her eyes.


    "Mr. Fowler, please save Eveleen. For old times'' sake, save Eveleen. If she''s locked up, it''ll ruin her life."


    Lucinda was nearly on her knees before Hamilton.


    Natalia, steps ahead, halted abruptly.


    Turning back to Hamilton, she said, "I''ll wait for you outside," before walking away.


    Hamilton''s gaze hardened as he regarded Lucinda.


    "Some actions have consequences, Mrs. Schafer. Coming to me won''t help."


    With that, he strode past her, out to where the fans had been dispersed.


    Natalia stood by the car, her face an emotionless mask.


    Scarlett was with her, chatting about something or other.


    As Hamilton approached, Scarlett shot him an irritated look and left.


    Hamilton turned to Natalia, eager to set the record straight, "I didn''t help her."


    Natalia didn''t respond, simply saying, "Let''s go."


    She was about to get into her car when Hamilton stopped her, "Take my car. Alden can drive yourster. It''ll throw off any fans that might be following you." Natalia was reluctant to share another car ride with him.


    But she couldn''t deny the logic in his argument.


    After a brief silence, she nodded.


    Hamilton drove, not to a hospital or a clinic, but to his apartment.


    Natalia''s expression darkened as she noticed the route.


    Hamilton quickly exined, "No hospital needed. Just help me with some first aid at home."


    Natalia nced at him but said nothing more.


    "That fan today I''ll have someone look into it. She couldn''t have gotten in by chance," Hamilton added.


    Natalia hummed in acknowledgment, and silence filled the car once again.


    Hamilton nced at her and switched on some music.


    The soothing strains of ssical music filled the space, and Natalia''s eyelids fluttered slightly.


    Upon Natalia''s return, the housekeeper''s face lit up.


    "Ms. Jenkins, you''re back?"


    Natalia managed a smile, "Yeah, had a bit of an incident."


    "Will you be staying for dinner?"


    The housekeeper''s eyes darted between Natalia and Hamilton.


    Natalia replied, "No, I''ll be leaving shortly."


    The housekeeper looked slightly disappointed. Mr. Fowler hadn''t managed to patch things up yet!


    Hamilton remained silent, having no expectations of Natalia staying for a meal.


    Natalia moved with the ease of familiarity as she retrieved the first-aid kit, casting a nce at Hamilton. "Sit down and take off your shirt."


    Hamilton nced at the housekeeper. "Let''s go to the bedroom."


    But Natalia wasn''t having it. "Rx, the housekeeper isn''t interested in you."


    At that, the housekeeper quickly made her way to the kitchen.


    Hamilton scoffed, "You that worried I might try something?"


    Without another word, he sat down and stripped off his shirt.


    Though it was winter, his attire was sparse; beneath his suit, there was only a thin dress shirt.


    His muscr arms came into view, and Natalia''s face briefly betrayed a flicker of difort.


    But as she saw the bruise on his back, her fingers involuntarily tightened.


    She had thought the injury wouldn''t be too severe, but Hamilton''s back was a patchwork of purples and blues.


    The spot where he''d been clipped by the edge of the sign was even oozing a little blood.


    Natalia''s movements were brisk.


    After dabbing on some antiseptic, she reached for a tube of anti-inmmatory cream.


    "Take it easy with the showers for the next couple of days, and steer clear of spicy food," she advised.


    Hamilton''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he grunted an acknowledgment.


    But unbeknownst to anyone else, all his focus was on the cool touch of Natalia''s fingers on his back.


    Her hands were always a bit chilly, especially in the winter, turning to ice at the tips.


    It was all perfectly normal.


    Yet now, the cold fingers smeared with ointment on his back were inexplicably stoking his desire.


    Since they''d been apart, he hadn''t been with anyone.


    He hadn''t even taken matters into his own hands.


    So now, it was natural that he''d start to feel the urge.


    The man turned his head, his gazending on Natalia.


    "Natalia," Hamilton spoke, his voice already a little hoarse.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Her fingers paused for a split second, almost instantly catching on to his reaction.


    She looked up to meet his eyes, heavy with longing.


    Then, with a sudden force, she pressed down on the wound.