Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 41

Alden couldn't deny it. There really was no need for Eveleen to have done what she did. Even a blind man could see that Hamilton's relationship with Natalia wouldn't affect Eveleen.

“Could It really be a fan acting on their own? But as Ms. Jenkins said, there are so few people who know about you two, even close by. How did a fan find out?”

Alden was puzzled.

Hamilton frowned as he watched the rain pour down outside the window. After a moment of silence, he spoke. “Keep an eye on the police situation for me. Let me know immediately if there are any developments. Also, manage the online chatter. | don’t want any nasty rumors spreading any further.”

Alden acknowledged with a nod. “Alright, got it.”

When Hamilton got back to the car, Natalia was sitting there with her eyes closed. “Does it hurt?” Hamilton asked.

Natalia opened her eyes to look out the window. “What do you think, Mr. Fowler?” Hamilton’s face grew cold. “Natalla, did | cause your injury?”

After a moment of silence, Natalia apologized, “Sorry, I’m just not ina good mood.” Hamilton glanced at her. “We'll get to the bottom of this.”

Natalia nodded, her heart heavy. “Yeah.”

“Is it very painful?”

“A bit.”

“Should | get you some painkillers?”

“No need, it’s just minor. | can bear it.”

Hamilton was silent for a while, then suggested, “Yeah, try to get some rest now. We'll be home soon, and you can rest up properly then.”

“Okay.” They didn’t speak much for the rest of the journey.

At the same time, elsewhere.

Eveleen got back into her car and angrily threw her phone away. “That was pathetic! | told her to aim for the stomach, and she only managed to hurt the arm.”

Her agent's eyes flickered slightly. “Are you sure she was pregnant?”

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Eveleen scoffed. “Why else would she be on antiabortifacient? And | even had someone check at the ultrasound room. She’s definitely pregnant.”

Her agent frowned. “Then we definitely need to think of something. If she gives birth, won’t she use the child to get closer to Mr. Fowler?”

Malice flashed in Eveleen’s eyes. “That bitch doesn’t deserve to bear Hamilton’s child.” After a pause, she narrowed her eyes slightly. “Get in touch with that fan’s parents for me.”

The following morning. Natalia received a call from the police station.

“The girl acted on her own accord without any instigation. Ms. Jenkins, you can come in for a medical examination to assess your injuries. Since she is a minor, if you're willing, we can arrange for mediation.”

Listening to the voice on the other end, Natalia said after a long pause, “Sorry, | don’t accept mediation.” “Okay, we will proceed with the legal process then.”

After hanging up, Natalia exhaled softly.

Hamilton watched her with a heavy gaze. “Was that the station?”

Natalia nodded.

“What did they say?”

“They said it was a spontaneous act with no instigation.”

Hamilton looked at Natalia, a cold smile playing on his lips. “So, Ms. Jenkins, do you still have doubts?”

Natalia’s lips were tight, and after a moment, she replied, “I just had suspicions. Is that not allowed anymore?” Looking at Hamilton, she continued, “Or is it, as you once told me, that Eveleen is beyond suspicion? Anyone can claim they're innocent, but Eveleen cannot.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, his face growing colder. Natalia just looked at him, showing no sign of backing down. “If she’s under suspicion, then what's wrong with me suspecting her?”Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Hamilton stared at Natalia and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Everyone said Hamilton was vengeful. But now, looking at this woman, she was no less relentless. The words she had just said were the very ones he had said to her back in Boria City.

“You seem to have a point.”

Natalia was silent for a while, then said, “I’m just stating the facts.”

Hamilton glanced at her. “Where to?”

“The station wants me to go in for an injury assessment and to give some statements.” 12-4

Hamilton still didn’t look pleased, but after a moment, he offered, “I'll drive you there.”

Natalia Initially wanted to refuse. Hamilton’s blatant favoritism made her feel uncomfortable. If their positions were reversed today, this man would undoubtedly Investigate to the end rather than protect Eveleen as he was now. It was as if he was afraid she would do something unfavorable to Eveleen.

Although Natalla had come to terms with reality over time, it was still unsettling. She sometimes truly envied Eveleen. From the start, Eveleen had always been surrounded by protectors. Whether it was Patrick or Lucinda, they treated her like a precious jewel. Her friends did the same.

Ever since she was young. Eveleen had been pampered like a princess by everyone around her. Not to mention Hamilton now, who couldn’t bear to see her suffer the slightest inconvenience.

Suddenly, Natalia felt a little pitiable.

What did she have? The only things she owned were a memory she clung to and a mother who may never wake up. “Thank you,” Natalia managed to say, suppressing the bitterness welling up inside her.

In the end, she followed Hamilton out the door. Going to the police station was something she really didn’t want to do alone. On the way, Hamilton’s phone rang. It was Eveleen’s call.

Natalia glanced at the caller ID and then looked away.

Hamilton answered the call. “Yeah, the investigation results are in. It was indeed a

spontaneous act. Don’t blame yourself too much.”

He then looked at Natalia. “Ms. Jenkins, Eveleen wants to apologize to you.”

Natalia kept her gaze fixed outside the window. “No need. Wasn’t this issue unrelated to her from the start? If there’s no connection, then what's there to apologize for?”

And besides, if Eveleen were actually forced to apologize, who knows what kind of extreme actions her fans might take next. Hamilton glanced at her and turned his attention back to the phone. “Don’t worry about it, I'll

handle this.”

After hanging up, Hamilton pulled the car over to the curb.

Natalia turned to him. “What's up?”

“This whole mess was caused by Eveleen’s fans, after all. What kind of compensation do you want?”

Natalia looked at Hamilton, a wry smile forming after a moment. “Mr. Fowler, you decide. The more, the better.”

12:20

Hamilton raised an eyebrow. “Let's not get greedy, Ms. Jenkins, I'll have my secretary draft a figure, and we'll transfer it to you,” Natalia was silent for a moment. “Alright, thank you, Mr. Fowler.”

Hamilton gave her a look. “No need for thanks, Ms. Jenkins.”

By the time they finished the injury assessment at the station, it was nearing noon.

Hamilton’s phone was ringing off the hook, Natalla glanced at it.

“If you've got things to do, Mr. Fowler, you can go ahead.”

Surprisingly, Hamilton didn’t leave.

“Just need to take a call. I'll be back shortly to take you to the hospital to get those bandages. changed,” he said, then turned and walked away.

When Natalla emerged from the assessment center and was giving her statement, the officer mentioned again, “Ms. Jenkins, the girl’s guardian is still hoping you'll reconsider. They're willing to offer a substantial settlement if you’re open to reaching an agreement.”

Natalia was just as resolved as before.

At the event, that girl’s actions and words didn’t seem like she was going to change her ways. Natalia was no saint; If the girl had made a mistake, she needed to face the consequences.

“I'm sorry, but my stance remains unchanged.”

The officer could only nod in acknowledgment.