Hamilton clutched Debby''s borrowed phone, his thumb hovering over the call button with a sense of urgency. The call connected, and he barely got out a "Natalia" before the line went dead. Staring at the disconnected call, frustration knotted in Hamilton''s gut. Was it so bad now that she wouldn''t even exchange a word with him?


    Turning to the nurse, he asked, "When did she mention moving her mother to Boria City?"


    Debby shrugged, "Yesterday. Ms. Jenkins said it''s getting unsafe around here, that trouble coulde knocking any minute. And between you and me, whoever''s giving her grief must be off their rocker. Ms. Jenkins is such a sweet girl; who could stand being talked to like that?" A pang of something-guilt, regret-twisted in Hamilton''s chest.


    He handed the phone back to Debby. "She didn''te by today?"


    Debby shook her head. "Ms. Jenkins is tied up with other things. Just yesterday, after hours, some Mr. Cheng came looking for her, talking about work. But if you ask me, the guy had eyes only for Ms. Jenkins. I bet he''s got a thing for her."


    Hamilton feigned confidence. "Don''t worry, Natalia wouldn''t give him the time of day."


    Debby wasn''t buying it. "Looks to me like it''s you she''s not giving the time of day. You can''t even get through to her without using my phone."


    "I''m not barred from calling her. I just wanted to surprise her!" Hamilton blurted out, a touch too defensively.


    Debby rolled her eyes. "Quit the act. I know for a fact she''s blocked you. You might as well give up. It''s clear as day she can''t stand you."


    With no desire to prolong the conversation, Hamilton turned on his heel and left the hospital.


    His next stop was Ron Group, but Natalia was a no-show. Ronin was the one who greeted him.


    "Well, if it isn''t Mr. Fowler. What brings you to our humble abode?"


    Hamilton was blunt. "Where''s Natalia?"


    Ronin''s smile didn''t reach his eyes. "Sorry, I''m not inclined to tell you that."


    Hamilton''s expression darkened. "Listen, Ronin. You and your Ron Group haven''t exactly set roots in Silkwood City."


    Ronin nodded sagely. "But with Natalia with us, I''m sure we''ll flourish here soon enough."


    Hamilton''sughter was cold and brief. "If that''s your angle for getting close to her, just know this: Hurt her, and I''ll wipe your Ron Group off the map."


    Departing with a final re, Hamilton left Ron Group. Behind him, Mason emerged from an office.


    Ronin approached, his voice low. "Mason, did you hear that? Don''t even think about pulling any shady moves on Natalia."


    Mason''s face twisted in anger. "Get lost!"


    Outside thepany, Hamilton was about to step into his car when a voice called out.


    "Mr. Fowler."


    He turned to find Tess standing at the entrance of Ron Group.


    Hamilton raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Switching sides to Ron Group, Tess?"


    Tess had quit Ivy Gemstone shortly after Natalia''s departure and had joined Ron Group just days ago.


    "Yeah, I decided to join the boss here."


    Hamilton nodded. "And the boss isn''t in today?"


    Tess blinked innocently. "She mentioned something about a meeting in Boria City."


    Hamilton paused, his mind racing. "Boria City? Today?"


    "That''s right."


    With a curt nod, Hamilton tossed his cigarette in the trash and strode to his car.


    Natalia was indeed headed to Boria City. She had just finished packing her car when she saw Patrick waiting for her.


    Her step faltered for a split second before she ignored him, loading her luggage into the trunk, ready to leave.


    Patrick hurried after her. "Natalia, can we talk?"


    "There''s nothing to talk about."


    Patrick''s expression soured. "Natalia, Eveleen''s beenmitted. Her career''s over!"


    Natalia''s response was icy. "What''s that got to do with me?"


    "She''s your sister. Don''t you care at all? Look, it''s just us now. Think of our father, at least forgive her this once. If she gets out, I''ll send her abroad, far from you. Please, just this once. If you forgive her, I''ll let you return to the family name." The offer wasced with condescension, but Natalia couldn''t have cared less about reiming any family name.


    "Patrick, I grew up without a father or a sister. Stop showing up in front of me, it''s disgusting!"


    "Please, Natalia. You could even talk to Hamilton about it."


    Desperation clung to Patrick''s words. He hadn''t foreseen Caspian''s ruthlessness. He thought he could pull strings, but Hamilton acted first,mitting Eveleen to an institution. No one knew the true extent of her breakdown that first night. Natalia almostughed. "If you''re so concerned, why not beg Hamilton? He treasured your daughter, didn''t he?"


    "He won''t even see us now!"


    "So, you came crawling to me for help, huh? Patrick, you really think I''m a pushover?"


    A glint of ice shed in Natalia''s eyes. "Don''t make me air out your dirtyundry!"


    Thest thing she wanted was any further connection with Patrick, let alone add the scandal of being his illegitimate daughter to her already tarnished reputation.


    So, she had been holding back.


    But if Patrick insisted on pushing her, she was not without a temper.


    Patrick''s face turned pale.


    "Natalia, I''m serious. If you''re willing, I''ll publicly acknowledge you as my daughter!"


    "Get lost! Who the hell wants to be your daughter!"


    After cursing him out, Natalia got into her car and drove away.


    Patrick watched her leave, feeling helpless. With no other choice, he pulled out his phone and made another call.


    Boria City.


    As soon as Natalia disembarked from the ne, she saw Ryan waiting at the arrivals gate.


    "Ryan."This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    She smiled and made her way over to him.


    Ryan took her luggage from her hand. "Tired?"


    "Not really."


    "I saw the news about what happened a couple of days ago. Don''t take it to heart."


    "Yeah, I know, Ryan. I''m not bothered by it," Natalia replied with a smile.


    She sounded utterly at ease, as though she truly didn''t care.


    But anyone who truly knew her could tell that she wasn''t as nonchnt as she imed.


    Ryan felt a twinge of pity as he looked at her. Such a wonderful girl deserved all the happiness she could get.


    Unfortunately, neither Hamilton nor he could give it to her.


    ...


    The World Summit was scheduled to take ce in two days.


    Natalia had arrived a bit early this time because she was in charge of coordinating the entire trantion effort.


    Once they reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ryan handed her over to Collin and then went off to attend to his own duties.


    After a brief exchange with Collin about the summit''s trantion and coordination, there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor. Natalia was undoubtedly talented, but she was young and inexperienced.


    Collin had assumed that entrusting her with this responsibility would result in some hesitation on her part.


    To his surprise, Natalia had everything arranged perfectly.


    From staff deployment to schedule nning, she had prepared several contingencies for unexpected situations and emergencies. Collin watched Natalia and couldn''t help butugh.


    "Natalia, oh Natalia, with your talents, why did you ever give up on the Foreign Service?"


    Natalia smiled. "Are you praising me, Mr. Collin?"


    Collinughed heartily. "Having someone like you to seed me would let me retire in peace."


    "You''ll make me arrogant with such praise."


    Collin''sughter grew even more joyful.


    No one would dislike having such a promising protégé.


    After reviewing the summit''s agenda and discussing the details one more time, they left the trantion office.


    Exiting the office, they encountered Dawson approaching them, and in quiet conversation with him was Delia.