Hamilton nced at his phone, a slight smirk ying on his lips.


    Ronin, standing next to him, couldn''t help but chuckle, "Can you believe Mr. Fowler showed up to something like this?"


    Hamilton shot him a look. "And miss my girlfriend shining brighter than the Fourth of July? Do you think I''d let that slide, Mr. Joyner?"


    Ronin let out augh. "Girlfriend? You cooking up stories in your head now?"


    Hamilton gave him a look. "It''s only a matter of time."All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The smile on Ronin''s face faded a bit. "You''re pretty sure of yourself, Mr. Fowler."


    Hamilton''s eyes were full of adoration as he watched the woman still on stage. "When ites to Natalia, I''ve always yed to win. You didn''t get the memo, Mr. Joyner?"


    A pang of envy hit Ronin. It was clear to see, even though they weren''t officially an item yet, Natalia was warming up to him.


    He felt a bit sour inside.


    But he also knew, whatever it was between him and Natalia, it was a dead-end street.


    He couldn''t fathom what was going through Mason''s head!


    As the event wrapped up, Natalia left with Hamilton.


    Mason watched their departing figures with a heavy gaze.


    Ronin nudged him, "Regretting it now? If you are, I could chase after her. Natalia hasn''t said ''yes'' to Hamilton yet."


    Mason shot him a re. "The best thing you can do is keep out of it!"


    Hamilton and Natalia left the event and went straight to the city nning office.


    There was someone already waiting for them.


    Upon seeing Hamilton, the person handed over all the bidding documents.


    Hamilton nodded. "Thanks for the trouble."


    He then led Natalia into an office, spreading the documents out one by one.


    After a while, Natalia murmured, "I know who it is."


    Hamilton looked at her.


    "You sure?"


    He thought they''d have to start from scratch, identifying the unit that stole the documents to track down the culprit. Yet, here was Natalia, iming she already knew. Natalia bit her lip. "The night before the bid, I called everyone on the project team, mentioned changing the bid document, and gave each of them a different amount." Hamilton was taken aback.


    It took him a moment to chuckle. "Natalia, have you ever felt short-changed working with me?"


    Natalia gave him a side-eye, continuing to flip through the documents.


    It was a while before she said, "The frustration isn''t about not being able to showcase my talents."


    Hamilton paused, then a dull ache settled in his chest.


    His regret, always about not getting her response.


    "I''m sorry."


    Natalia''s gaze never left the documents.


    But she said lightly, "It''s all in the past."


    Hamilton grasped her wrist. "It''s not over, Natalia. All your lost opportunities, I''ll make it up to you, okay?"


    Natalia''s fingers tightened slightly, yet she just pursed her lips, silent.


    Hamilton moved closer. "Finally got some free time, huh? How about dinner tonight?"


    Natalia looked up, meeting his gaze.


    A bit sheepishly, she said, "I have a flight to Boria City tonight."


    Hamilton''s mood plummeted.


    "Off to Boria City again? Another meeting?"


    Natalia shook her head. "This project might require me to stay abroad for a few days."


    "What project?"


    Her gaze flickered. "It''s confidential for now."


    Hamilton felt a mix of heartache and helplessness.


    Lately, she''d been all about her career, iming to give him a chance to pursue her, yet the time she could spare him was pitifully little.


    Yet, he had no other reason to keep her close.


    "How long will you be gone?"


    "At least a week, maybe a month."


    Hamilton cursed inwardly but reluctantly nodded.


    "Can you see other people during this period?"


    Nataliaughed. "I''ll ask."


    Hamilton bit her lip in frustration.


    "I hope you can. Otherwise, I might lose my mind."


    Natalia nced at him, saying no more. "I need to get back to the office to sort this out. What about you?"


    Hamilton had his own issues, with Orpheus waiting for him.


    "I''ll drive you to the airport tonight."


    Natalia nodded.


    After dropping her off at the office, Hamilton left.


    Natalia gathered her team in the office.


    Before entering, she hit record on her phone.


    Once inside, she tossed a bid document and a confidentiality agreement in front of a man.


    His face went pale.


    "Ms. Jenkins, what''s this about?"


    Natalia smiled. "Leaking bid amounts, Davis. What do you think it means?"


    "Ms. Jenkins, you can''t just use without proof!"


    Natalia nced at Tess.


    Tess opened a file with recordings of Natalia''s calls to the project team, each mentioning a different amount. Only the amount told to Davis matched the leaked document. Davis''s face turned even paler. "Maybe it''s a coincidence?"


    Natalia kept smiling. "Coincidence or not, I can keep digging. But Davis, if I find out more, the oue will be different from youing clean now."


    Davis''s expression shifted.


    Finally, he muttered, "I need to talk to you alone."


    After leaving the office, it waste.


    Killian was waiting by the car.


    "Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler had your luggage packed. He asked me to take you straight to him."


    Natalia paused, then smiled. "Okay."


    They got in the car, and Killian drove off.


    But as they just left the garage, another car suddenly charged towards them!