Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 56

Chapter 56 Natalia nodded. “Yeah, I’ve thought it over and decided to resign.” She stood up and headed to the bathroom without once glancing at Hamilton’s expression.

Even without looking, she could imagine his mood wasn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. But the email was sent, and there was nothing more to say.

When she emerged from the bathroom, freshened up, Hamilton was already dressed.

“The company lawyer will come to discuss your resignation terms today,” he said, his face an unreadable mask before he left the room.

Natalia’s lips twitched, but she held her tongue. Later, when Scarlett popped by for a room check, she asked, “Did Hamilton swing by last night?” Natalia gave a light nod.

Scarlett huffed. “At least the man has a shred of decency. But boy, your man is menacing. | ran into him outside, and that aura, that steely look... I’m patting myself on the back for having the guts to say what | did to him.”

Amuscle in Natalia’s jaw twitched. “Don't start with ‘your man’; drop it,” she snapped lightly.

Scarlett chuckled. “Isn’t he, though?” She raised an eyebrow suggestively at Natalia. “You know, | was thinking last night, if you really want to get back at Eveleen, the best way would be to keep Hamilton close forever. Marry him, even. Let her choke on her envy seeing you two all loved—up!”

Natalia was speechless. “You're giving me too much credit, Scarlett. Do you really think | could win against Eveleen?” “Why couldn't you? You're prettier, and you've got brains to boot. How can you not win?” Natalia smiled with a tinge of sorrow in her eyes. “Matters of the heart don’t work that way.”

Scarlett pursed her lips, understanding all too well that love doesn’t follow such rules. But she couldn't accept it. Her eyes flickered with a scheme, and she whipped out her phone, sliding it mysteriously across to Natalia. “Look, I’ve infiltrated Eveleen’s fan group. Want me to sneak you in, too?”

Natalia frowned, hesitated for a moment, but then accepted the invitation.

She really wasn’t content to let Eveleen walk all over her, to let Hamilton favor her so blatantly without putting up a fight. She was just begrudgingly complying with Hamilton’s warnings and she didn’t want to keep swallowing her pride.

But as she joined the group, she was bombarded with fanfiction about Eveleen and Hamilton. The fans were shipping them harder than anyone at the company had ever done.

Photos of Hamilton picking up Eveleen from the night before had not only been shared in the company chat but also in the fan group.

Natalia’s fingers paused over the screen, and Scarlett quickly snatched the phone back. “Don’t bother with that nonsense. That’s just fan fantasy.”

Natalia managed a smile. “It’s fine. And not all of it is fantasy. If Hamilton hadn’t gone to pick up Eveleen, those photos wouldn't exist. Their relationship is pretty ambiguous as it is, just one step away from official confirmation.”

Scarlett frowned. “Maybe you shouldn't join the group after all. | wasn’t thinking straight.”

Natalia shook her head. “No worries, add me.”

Scarlett hesitated but then complied, “You sure?”

Natalia took a deep breath and smiled. “Yes.”

Natalia checked the group messages out of boredom while her IV dripped, and surprisingly, she became numb to it all.

But she was later shocked to learn that last night, Hamilton and Eveleen had trended on social media again. Moreover, Eveleen’s fans had taken over Ivy Gemstone’s official website.

Natalia quickly checked the company’s website.

Though operations were back to normal, fans‘ comments still flooded the homepage, calling out to Hamilton. [When will you bring our Eveleen home?]

[You guys are so sweet.]

[Hurry up and announce your relationship with Eveleen.]

All the messages were directed at Hamilton, making Natalia’s heart heavy.

The company’s website wasn’t unattended. Yet, these comments remained prominently displayed, something that wouldn't be possible without Hamilton’s approval.

It looked like love does indeed conquer all, even extending to the beloved’s fans Natalia sighed deeply and tossed her phone aside.

Just as she was about to lie down, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Natalia’s movements froze.

It was the company’s chief lawyer, James.

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Hamilton was indeed a man of his word.

James, a picture of corporate polish, stood in front of Natalia.

“Ms. Jenkins, | apologize for the intrusion at this time.”

Natalia gave a wry smile. “No worries. I’m sorry you had to make the trip.”

James nodded and got straight to the point. “I have a termination agreement here, Ms. Jenkins. Please review it, and if it's satisfactory, you can just sign.”

Natalia took the agreement,

her eyes is

dollars.

drawn to the penalty clause-fifty million Her temples throbbed at the sight.

She had anticipated that Hamilton wouldn't let her go easily, but she hadn’t expected him to present such an agreement.

*James, you're a legal professional. Do you think this agreement is reasonable?”

James stood by with a polite smile. “Ms. Jenkins, this agreement is based on the labor contract you signed.” He handed her another document, saying, “Ms. Jenkins, Article 4, Section 6, Clause 3. Please have a look.” Natalia’s brows furrowed as she read.

The clause James pointed out clearly stated:

[During the term of the labor contract, if the second party (the employee) resigns, the first party (the employer) has the right to demand compensation equivalent to ten percent of the anticipated business volume for the remaining contract period.]

As Natalia read the clause, her heart sank like a stone in a still lake.

Back when she signed the contract, she never dreamed of leaving. Even when she first encountered this particularly unfriendly clause, she signed anyway. ..

Now, she had been working alongside Hamilton for three years. Apart from the initial six. months as his secretary, she had been a dynamo in the marketing department.

Every year, she brought in no less than a hundred billion for the company. And she still had two years left on her contract. By that math, even this penalty fee of fifty million seemed paltry. “If you see no issue, Ms. Jenkins, please go ahead and sign,” James‘ voice brought her back to the present.

Natalia gripped the termination agreement tightly. She couldn’t help but marvel at Hamilton’s shrewdness; the man had her over a barrel.

And his legal team behind him was certainly capable of leaving her with nothing, not even the

scraps.

Natalia remained silent, showing no inclination to sign.

James stood by, the picture of patience. “Mr. Fowler says that if you wish to litigate, he is more than willing to oblige.” The corners of Natalia’s mouth whitened slightly, and it was a long time before she finally spoke.

“James, | need some time to think.”

James nodded. “Of course, Ms. Jenkins. Whenever you're ready, you can call me.”

Natalia nodded in acknowledgment. It was only after James had left that she pulled out her phone and dialed Hamilton.

“Ms. Jenkins,” Hamilton’s voice came through casually, laced with an air of nonchalance. “Is there something you need?”