Lucinda was pounding on the car window, tears streaming down her face, shouting for Hamilton to wait. But Hamilton just started the engine and drove off without looking back.
Inside the car, there was a moment of silence before Hamilton finally spoke up.
"Natalia, about Eveleen..."
He didn't get to finish his sentence before Natalia cut him off.
"You don't need to explain. I heard everything."
Hamilton glanced at her, then gently placed his injured hand into hers.
"I'll make sure someone keeps an eye on her. She won't cause any more trouble."
Natalia looked at the hand now resting in hers and after a moment, she held onto it.
But for the rest of the drive, she remained silent.
"I'll pick you up tonight," Hamilton said softly, almost pleadingly, as she was about to get out of the car.
Natalia nodded and stepped out of the car.
It wasn't until Natalia's figure had disappeared that Hamilton pulled out his phone and called Alden.
"How's Eveleen doing?" he asked.
Alden sighed. "Same as always. Crying, making a scene. The doctors say surgery might help her walk again, but we'd need a top specialist. Should we look for one?"
Hamilton's gaze darkened. "Let her rest for a while."
Alden hesitated before speaking again. "Bro, maybe it's better if she just... you know. You and Natalia are back on good terms. Keeping her around is like having a ticking time bomb, who knows when Natalia will get fed up because of Eveleen again."
Hamilton massaged his temples, sighing deeply before replying, "Just make sure she doesn't stir up any trouble, and keep her in the dark about Patrick's situation."
After hanging up, Natalia got busy at the office.
The NorthSuburb project was launching in the next few days.
She also started the handover process with Ronin.
Ronin listened to her detail the tasks, his frown deepening not because he didn't want to take over, but because he was reluctant to see Natalia leave.
"Do you really have to go?" he asked.
Natalia smiled. "What do you think?"
Ronin leaned back in his chair, sighing. "I thought you'd stay with the company for a long time. I didn't expect you to leave after just six months."
Natalia wanted to say that if it weren't for Hamilton driving her to a corner, she wouldn't have considered leaving so soon.
While they were chatting, Mason's secretary knocked on the door.
"Ms. Jenkins, President Joyner would like to see you in his office when you're available."
Natalia nodded, put down her work, and headed to Mason's office.
Upon her arrival, Mason nodded at her.
"Take a seat."
After Natalia sat down, Mason poured her a cup of tea and pushed it towards her before he finally spoke.
"Natalia, I still hope you'll reconsider leaving."
Natalia laughed softly. "President Joyner, you should know I'm determined to leave."
Mason smiled, albeit a bit sadly. "I know."
He paused before adding, "Do you know why I wanted to keep you at Ron Group? You remind me of someone I used to have feelings for. That's why I wanted to take care of you. But if your heart is set on the Foreign Affairs Department, I won't stand in your way. Even when you're in Boria City, we can still keep in touch."
Natalia was taken aback by his reason but managed to keep her composure. "I see. And here I thought you were using me to get back at Hamilton. My apologies for misunderstanding."
"You're overthinking it. Westley and I are old friends, and I have no business rivalry with Hamilton. Why would I want to target him?"
Natalia didn't reply, just smiled.
"So, still set on leaving for the Foreign Affairs Department?" Mason asked.
Natalia nodded.
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